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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38222-8.txt b/38222-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..378ec7d --- /dev/null +++ b/38222-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7443 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', by Percy F. Westerman + +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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope' + A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: Frank E. Wiles + +Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38222] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEST OF THE 'GOLDEN HOPE' *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + + + + +[Illustration: cover art] + +The Quest of the +"Golden Hope" + + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED +50 Old Bailey, LONDON +17 Stanhope Street, GLASGOW + +BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED +Warwick House, Fort Street, BOMBAY + +BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED +1118 Bay Street, TORONTO + + + +[Illustration: CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (missing from book)] + + + +The Quest of the +"Golden Hope" +A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure + + +BY +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +Author of "East in the _Golden Gain_" "The Third Officer" +"Sea Scouts All" &c. + + +ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK E. WILES + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED +LONDON AND GLASGOW + + + +By Percy F. Westerman + + Rivals of the Reef. + A Shanghai Adventure. + Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn". + The Junior Cadet. + Captain Starlight. + The Sea-Girt Fortress. + On the Wings of the Wind. + Captured at Tripoli. + Captain Blundell's Treasure. + The Third Officer. + Unconquered Wings. + The Buccaneers of Boya. + The Riddle of the Air. + Chums of the "Golden Vanity". + The Luck of the "Golden Dawn". + Clipped Wings. + The Salving of the "Fusi Yama". + Winning his Wings. + A Lively Bit of the Front. + A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine. + The Good Ship "Golden Effort". + East in the "Golden Gain". + The Quest of the "Golden Hope". + Sea Scouts Abroad. + Sea Scouts Up-Channel. + The Wireless Officer. + A Lad of Grit. + The Submarine Hunters. + Sea Scouts All. + The Thick of the Fray. + A Sub and a Submarine. + Under the White Ensign. + The Fight for Constantinople. + With Beatty off Jutland. + +Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow + + +Contents + I. OF THE FUGITIVE FROM SEDGEMOOR + II. THE TWO DRAGOONS ON THE BROCKENHURST ROAD + III. CAPTAIN JEREMY'S SURPRISE + IV. THE _MADRE DE DIOS_ + V. THE CHART + VI. A MIDNIGHT INTRUDER + VII. THE CAVE IN THE LONELY HEATH + VIII. CONCERNING THE EVENTS THAT PROMPTED ME + TO A DESPERATE RESOLVE + IX. FLIGHT + X. IN THE HOLD + XI. MY FIRST DAY AT SEA + XII. A BRUSH WITH ALGERINES + XIII. OF THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP IN THE MIDST OF THE OCEAN + XIV. "CAPTAIN 'ENERY" + XV. WE ARRIVE AT TREASURE ISLAND + XVI. A HASTY RECALL + XVII. ATTACKED BY BUCCANEERS + XVIII. "REPEL BOARDERS!" + XIX. BLOWN UP + XX. THE REPULSE AT THE STOCKADE + XXI. CAPTAIN CRADDOCK + XXII. A LEAP FOR LIFE + XXIII. THE PERILS OF THE SHOAL + XXIV. MORE TROUBLE IN SIGHT + XXV. WE ARRIVE AT THE HIDING-PLACE OF THE TREASURE + XXVI. UNTOLD WEALTH + XXVII. THE MUTINY OF THE _NEPTUNE_ + XXVIII. THE FATE OF THE MUTINEERS + XXIX. HOMEWARD BOUND + XXX. THE LAST OF MY SWORN ENEMY + XXXI. THE BURNING SHIP + XXXII. CONSTANCE'S STORY + XXXIII. SAFE IN PORT + + +Illustrations +------ +CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (Frontispiece) +I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND +THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS" +I SHOUTED TO THE MEN TO HEAVE ROUNDLY +------ +MAP OF THE ISLAND + + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE ISLAND] + + + A The _Golden Hope_ in harbour. + B The stockade. + C Path taken by first expedition in search of the treasure. + CC Path taken by successful expedition. + D Wreck of the _Madre de Dios._ + E Cave where Clifford was held prisoner. + F Shoal where Clifford was attacked by octopus. + G Site of the master gunner's ambuscade. + H Buccaneers' harbour and settlement. + K Wreck of the _Black Arrow._ + L False landmark erected by Captain Jeremy's orders. + M Wreck of _Neptune_ owing to false bearings. + N Where the treasure was found. + O Cove where Cherry and the long-boat's crew landed. + P Deep water channel inside shoals, unknown to Captain Jeremy. + Q Existing path between buccaneers' + harbour and south side of island. + R Bearing for navigating channel. + The track of the _Golden Hope_ + into the harbour is shown by the black line. + The shaded portion of the shoals were + uncovered at low water. + + +THE QUEST OF THE +"GOLDEN HOPE" + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Of the Fugitive from Sedgemoor + + +Well do I, Clifford Hammond, remember the 10th day of July in the +year of grace 1685. Rebellion, though some would have it 'twas +justifiable invasion, had appeared in the land. Monmouth had landed +in Dorset, and had raised an army. How he fared, the men of +Hampshire knew not as yet, though there were many who prayed for the +successful issue of his venture. + +Little did I think, living on the borders of the New Forest, that +the outbreak in the West would affect the welfare of our house. Yet +it did, though, I must confess, indirectly; for had it not been for +the routing of the rebels at Sedgemoor, the voyage of the _Golden +Hope_ would not have been undertaken, nor would I be able to relate +the desperate adventures of her crew in gaining the object of the +expedition. But I am forestalling my story. + +Our family, the Hammonds of Brockenhurst, had lived within the +bounds of the Forest for centuries, as witness the name of Geoffroi +Hammond, who served with distinction at the taking of the _Great +Christopher_ in the sea-fight of Sluys; or of Thomas Hammond, who +fought at Agincourt: but I would make it plain that the Hammonds of +Brockenhurst have no connection with the rebel Colonel +Hammond--though, to his credit be it said, he treated His Majesty +King Charles the Martyr, during his captivity in the Isle of Wight, +with far more courtesy than did his brother officers. + +My father, Captain Richard Hammond--"Foul-weather Dick", as he was +affectionately dubbed in the fleet--had had an adventurous career +both ashore and afloat. Beginning with the fatal fight at Naseby +when he was but a young cornet of horse of barely twenty years of +age, he had fought Dutch, Algerines, and, sad to relate, his +fellow-countrymen; but for the last ten years he had retired from +the King's service, and had settled down to a quiet country life in +his native Hampshire. + +Thanks to his father's devotion to his sovereign, the exchequer of +the Hammond family had been sadly depleted. During the +ever-to-be-abhorred Rebellion, plate, jewels, money, all went, and +'twas fortunate that our lands had not been confiscated by the +Commonwealth. My father had to rely upon the unkept promises of His +Majesty King Charles II as a reward for the sacrifices of our house +towards the royal cause; nevertheless, the meagre pay of a sea +captain in the King's fleet, together with the income from the shore +estate, sufficed to keep us in comparative ease. + +My father married late in life. His spouse, the daughter of Sir +Digby Tall (a baronet as impecunious as the majority of his class at +this time), died within three years of their union, leaving two +children. + +At the time my story opens I, Clifford Hammond, was sixteen years of +age, my sister Constance being eighteen months my junior. She was a +tall, sprightly girl, with fresh complexion, blue eyes, and rich +golden hair, being, 'twas said, the image of her mother in her +youth. + +No one would readily have taken Constance and me for sister and +brother, for I was olive-featured, with straight, dark-brown hair +and grey eyes; tall in stature, yet inclined to slenderness. + +On the particular morning to which I have referred, Constance and I +had gone into Lyndhurst to give orders to a carrier respecting the +purchase of a certain article at Southampton. What the nature of the +purchase was we did not at the time know, although every month, +summer and winter, year in and year out, my father had a similar +package brought in by the regular carrier. Here I may mention that +my sire, in spite of his sixty odd years, was a wonderfully +well-preserved man, his dark-brown locks (for he scorned to wear a +peruke) being innocent of any trace of grey hairs. Yet I call to +mind the occasion, when I was yet a child of tender years, upon +which my father had perforce to attend the Verderers' Court at +Lyndhurst with his hair of a rusty, iron-grey hue. That was about +the time that Giles Shearing's wain was upset at Redbridge, and many +a housewife in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst who relied on the +Southampton carrier had to go short-handed. I no longer wonder at +the coincidence. + +As we left Lyndhurst town on our return journey, I leading a shaggy +Forest pony on which my sister, holding the required purchase, was +perched, a troop of horse came riding with loose rein and hot spur +through the quiet High Street. + +They were fierce-looking fellows, with bronzed features, begrimed +with sweat and dust; upturned moustachios, and flowing locks. They +wore red frock-coats trimmed with white facings, the skirts buttoned +back to enable them to sit the better in the saddle; dark-green +breeches, long riding-boots of buff leather, and broad-brimmed +beaver hats, looped up on one side. All were armed with a broadsword +and a pair of pistols, while not a few carried snaphances in a +bucket at the right side of the saddle, or slung across their backs. + +This much I noticed as they tore onwards with undiminished pace +through the narrow street, till they were lost to view in a cloud of +dust on the Southampton Road. + +"There's some news for Cap'n Hammond, Master Clifford!" shouted +Chambers the blacksmith from across the way. "They say as how Duke +Monmouth's been beaten, and half his army cut to pieces. Those +redcoats are Cornbury's Dragoons, and they are hot on the track of +the Hampshire rebels. Heaven help the Mayor of Lymington and the +score of men he sent to the West!" + +Young as I was, I realized that it was a case of woe to the +vanquished. Although our county had not taken up the cause of the +rebel Duke to any thing like the extent of Dorset, Somerset, and +Wiltshire, several of the towns in the western division of Hampshire +had sent small contingents to aid Monmouth's cause, and Lymington +had been the chief offender in this respect. Fortunately for us, +Brockenhurst had held aloof, though the villagers were none too +kindly disposed towards King James's measures. + +We hastened on our homeward journey, eager to convey the momentous +news to my father. For the first half of the way the road ran +between dense masses of trees, intersected by shady glades, in which +the leaves of last year still littered the ground. Ever and anon a +herd of fallow deer would dash across the highway, or a troop of +Forest ponies would scamper betwixt the trees, fearing in every +human being a possible master. Pigs also roamed in great numbers, +for though it was the time of fence month[1] within the Forest, so +lax had the jurisdiction of the Verderers' Court become that the +commoners paid less heed to the regulations than they had for years +past. + +At length we emerged from the forest and gained the rolling expanse +of heath, where, to right and left, as far as the eye could reach, +the heather and the gorse gleamed in the bright sunshine like a sea +of purple and gold. + +"See, there's a man riding as fast as his horse can carry him!" +exclaimed Constance, pointing down the bridle path that, running +between Ring wood and Beaulieu, crosses the highway near the place +where we were. + +"Aye, he seems in a mighty hurry," I replied, shading my eyes from +the glare. + +"Perchance 'tis another of those horse soldiers?" + +"Nay, he wears no red coat," I answered, reassuring her; but though +I did not mention it, I perceived two men riding a long distance +behind the first horseman as if in pursuit, and, unless my eyes +deceived me, they were dragoons. + +"Let us hasten," urged Constance, as if filled with some +forebodings, though she was usually a strong-minded girl. + +"He'll not molest us," said I. "He is too intent on his errand, I +trow." + +Nearer and nearer came the fugitive--for fugitive he was--till I +could distinguish his features. Then my heart gave a sudden bound, +for I recognized the man: it was Jeremy Miles, a master mariner of +Lymington, and one of the townsfolk who had gone west to join the +rebel standard. + +Constance knew him also, for she exclaimed, "'Tis Captain Miles! And +see, Clifford, there are soldiers after him!" + +Something compelled me to stop and await the arrival of the +fugitive, and, holding the pony's bridle by one hand, I assisted +Constance to dismount. + +As we stood we were hidden from the bridle path by a gorse-covered +bank that, being but breast high, was sufficiently low to enable us +to command the track on which the horsemen were riding without being +seen by them until they gained the highway. + +Not for one moment did I expect to be in danger, for Miles was +riding strongly and evidently holding his own, while 'twas unlikely +that the troopers, keen on his pursuit, would draw rein to molest a +boy and a girl. + +The fugitive was now crossing the white dusty road within twenty +paces of us, when suddenly his horse sank under him, throwing its +rider headlong to the ground. But before the expiring animal gave a +last convulsive shudder, Miles had sprung to his feet and was +looking dazedly towards his pursuers, now but a mile behind. + +"Captain Miles!" I shouted, urging my pony forward. "Captain Miles! +Take Trotter and ride him across the heath." + +"Why, 'tis Master Hammond!" he exclaimed. "Nay, lad, that beast +would not ship a crew like me: But they'll have their work cut out +to take me. Come, young sir, I'll trouble you to give a hand with my +mare, if you will." + +Together, with Constance helping us, we dragged the body of the +animal off the road, and hid it in a slight depression behind some +furze bushes. Then hurriedly we strove to conceal the tell-tale +tracks on the dusty road. + +The dragoons were now only a bare quarter-mile away. + + +[1] The period between the 20th June and the 20th July, during which +time the ancient right of "Pannage", i.e. turning out pigs to feed +on acorns and beech-mast, within the New Forest was withheld. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Two Dragoons on the Brockenhurst Road + + +"Leave me and shape your own course, Master Hammond!" exclaimed the +Captain composedly, for he had regained both his breath and his +wits. "You can do no more, and I'll warrant I can shift for myself." + +So saying, he wriggled along the ground over the bank that screened +us from the soldiers, and lay hidden in the bracken on the same side +of the highway as the troopers. + +Meanwhile, filled with anxiety on the behalf of Jeremy Miles--for he +was always a general favourite amongst the youths in and around +Lymington--Constance and I resumed our way, endeavouring to appear +as unconcerned as possible. + +Less than a minute must have passed since we saw Captain Miles's +great frame disappear beneath the bracken, when we heard the clatter +of the troopers' horses as their hoofs struck the road. Knowing that +it would ill play our part to refrain from curiosity, we stopped and +looked back at the pursuing soldiers. + +They were of the same troop that we had seen in Lyndhurst a short +half-hour ago. Great, swarthy men they were, hardened to cruelty by +reason of their service at Tangiers, and, though I knew it not at +the time, ready to practise the barbarities acquired from the Moors +upon their own countrymen, as many a poor peasant of the marshes of +Somerset had learned to his cost. + +"Curse him!" exclaimed one, with an oath. "Where hath he gone? Are +we to let a guinea slip through our fingers after all our trouble?" + +"He's not far away," replied his comrade, pointing with an +exclamation of triumph to the partially concealed tracks on the +road. "See, he hath had a fall. Methinks we have him by the heels." + +"'Tis like looking for a sprat in the ocean," returned the first +trooper, gazing across the wilderness of gorse. "So long as he stuck +to his mount we could have tracked him. 'Tis what I feared: he hath +made off afoot." + +"Here, sirrah," he shouted to me, urging his horse down the road to +where we were, "hast seen aught of a horseman riding like +Beelzebub?" + +"Nay," I replied truthfully enough; "no horseman has passed this +way." + +"You young prevaricator!" he exclaimed, tapping his pistols +significantly. "You do but dissemble. You know whither that man +went." + +I kept silence. + +Suddenly the other trooper, who had forced his horse through the +gorse by the side of the road, shouted, "Here's a find, David. The +rogue hath lost his horse." + +"Then you saw him fall," continued the dragoon who had overtaken us. +"Back you come with me, you young rebel!" + +"I am no rebel," I replied, as stoutly as I could force myself to +speak. + +"Back, I say!" he repeated, ignoring my protest, and producing a +pistol from his holster. There was no help for it. I had to go with +him. "Run off home, Constance," I said in a low voice; "I shall be +all right." + +"No, you don't, you little wench!" exclaimed the villain. "You'll +come in useful to make this young rebel open his mouth. Come on, +both of you, I say!" + +I looked at Constance. She was deathly white, yet she spoke not a +word, although by the expression of her eyes she said, as plainly as +if she had spoken, "Do not tell where he is." + +"Mum's the word, eh?" was the greeting of the second trooper, as we +were told to stand still near the scene of our meeting with the +fugitive, Captain Miles. "Shall I tell 'em about that stubborn young +rebel at Dulverton--it was Dulverton, wasn't it, David?--who thought +to deceive one of Cornbury's Dragoons? A little tow tied to his +thumbs did the trick, and I'll swear he's nursing his burns now. +There's no tow to be had hereabouts, but I'll warrant a little dry +heather will suffice. Now, sirrah, which way did the rebel go?" + +"What! you won't answer?" he continued, as he dismounted from his +horse, his comrade following his example. Whipping out his +broadsword, he struck me a heavy blow on the ankle with the flat of +the weapon. The pain was intense, yet, though an involuntary cry +escaped me, I kept my lips tightly closed. + +I gave a hasty look right and left along the straight white road. +Not a creature was in sight. Even if there had been, 'twas difficult +to imagine that a solitary wayfarer would dare to interfere with two +armed and powerful ruffians. + +"Pluck me a wisp of dry grass," said my tormentor. + +"Nay, Jim," replied the other, "we've no time to waste in that +fashion. If the rebel is making off afoot, every moment is precious. +I know of a way." And, thrusting his huge fingers through my +sister's golden locks, he shouted, "Now, sirrah, answer, or I'll +pull out a handful of hair, to remember this pleasant meeting." + +Constance cried with pain as the villain slowly tightened his grip. +Knowing he was quite capable of carrying out his threat, I was torn +with conflicting thoughts, till my brave sister exclaimed, "Not a +word, Clifford!" + +Possibly the rogue answering to the name of Jim realized my +desperate intention, for at the risk of my life I was on the point +of dashing my clenched fist in the face of Constance's assailant. +With his right hand the dragoon gripped me by the nape of the neck, +so that in his powerful grasp I was as helpless as a kitten; while +with his left he caught and slowly twisted my wrist. + +Suddenly a huge, dark form sprang from the concealing heather, and +like an arrow from a bow Jeremy Miles flung himself upon the dragoon +whose fingers were still grasping Constance's tresses. + +I saw it all as clearly as if 'twere the work of minutes rather than +of one instant. A swinging blow of the Captain's ponderous fist, and +the ruffian's arm fell nerveless to his side; and a second blow +stretched him lifeless on the ground. The other dragoon, with a +furious oath, flung me headlong. As I fell I heard the crashing +explosion of his pistol. + +Slowly I raised myself on my arm, and watched the struggle betwixt +our preserver and his antagonist. Powerful though the trooper was, +the Captain, thanks to his strenuous life afloat, was his master. +For a while they swayed to and fro in a desperate struggle, Jeremy's +arms clasping the soldier like bands of steel, till the villain's +resistance grew weaker and weaker. + +Then, with a superhuman effort, Captain Miles wrenched his bulky foe +clean off the ground, and hurled him, like a sack of flour, over his +shoulder. + +"Bear a hand with your sister, lad," he then exclaimed, in a +matter-of-fact tone, although he was breathing heavily. "She has +swooned." + +This was a work of some difficulty, for water was not at hand, but +at length Constance opened her eyes. Poor girl! Although not much +hurt, for the rogue had not had time to carry out his threat to the +fullest extent, she was terribly frightened, and the sight of the +two dragoons lying motionless on the road did not help matters. + +"Take her down the road a little way, and make her sit down," said +Captain Jeremy kindly. "Then hasten back, for I'll warrant we've a +fine job to make all shipshape and Bristol fashion." + +"Have you seen any more of these lubbers?" he asked, after I had +returned from carrying out his instructions. + +"There was a troop of them in Lyndhurst this morning. They went +Southampton-wards." + +"I'll pray that they'll not return in a hurry," he exclaimed. "We've +enough to do to cover up our tracks." + +"Are they dead?" I asked shudderingly. + +"As a marline-spike," he replied. "For the time we are safe; they +were the only ones that battened themselves to me. The Duke is +taken. I saw him seized by some of Portman's Militia near Ringwood +but yesterday. Faith! I was disappointed in King Monmouth, for he +fled from the field long before his men began to give way." + +"And how did you escape?" + +"'Twas touch and go. Monmouth, in a peasant's dress, lay hidden in +some ferns, I but ten yards away. Little did I think 'twas the Duke +till I heard Portman say as 'twas. I suppose that find satisfied +them, for they searched no more. Farmer Shearing of Ringwood lent me +his mare, and I rode off early this morning, intending to shape a +course for Pitt's Deep, for 'twould have been madness to return to +Lymington. Master Hammond, I was a fool even to set out for the +West. What I've seen in forty years afloat is naught to what I've +seen these last few days. But let's to work!" + +We thereupon dragged the bodies of the troopers into the bracken, +and carefully obliterated all signs of the struggle. The troopers' +horses were contentedly nibbling the coarse grass by the roadside, +our pony Trotter having followed Constance. + +They were fine animals, these dragoons' mounts, and I wondered what +would become of them. The same question evidently troubled Captain +Miles, for if they came within hearing of a trumpet call they would +most likely trot off to rejoin their fellows. Yet, as there were no +troopers within several miles of us, the horses might be taken by +some of the peasants who lived on the outskirts of the heath, +especially if we removed the saddlery. + +"Nay, 'tis too much of a risk," muttered Jeremy to himself, though I +heard the words; and, lifting the fore-foot of one of the animals, +he examined its hoof. There, in a manner that could not be effaced, +were the royal monogram and regimental number; while a further +search revealed the government mark branded on the creature's flank. + +"Those marks are their death warrant," he exclaimed. + +"How so?" + +"No man cares for a dumb animal more than I do," he replied. "Yet, +when human life and liberty are at stake, it behoves us to take +stern measures. Now, I pray you, take your sister home, and return +speedily with a pair of serviceable spades." + +So saying, he led the two animals aside into the gorse, while I +hastened to rejoin Constance. We had barely gone a hundred paces +when a pistol shot rang out, quickly followed by another. + +"What sound is that?" asked my sister. + +"'Tis but naught," I replied, not daring to tell her the plain +truth. "Captain Miles has unloaded the troopers' pistols." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Captain Jeremy's Surprise. + + +"What hath befallen you?" asked my father anxiously, as we crossed +the threshold of the house. "Ye are both as pale as ghosts, and your +clothes, Clifford, are smothered in dust. Hath Trotter thrown you?" + +For answer, Constance sat down upon a settle and sobbed +hysterically, while my father, stopping abruptly his task of +questioning us, bestirred himself to comfort her. + +"Two dragoons have molested us," I announced. "They were in pursuit +of Captain Miles." + +"Have they hurt you?" he asked. + +"Nay, but little--thanks to the Captain." In a few words I related +the incidents that had terminated in the death of the two villains. +My father looked grave. + +"And Jeremy?" he asked. "Hath he gone to Lymington?" + +"Nay, he awaits me by the Beaulieu bridle path." + +"'Tis well for him, though I am loath to risk His Majesty's +displeasure in succouring rebels. Yet, especially as he did befriend +you, I'll do my best to repay Jeremy's kindness. He must not go to +Lymington, Clifford." + +"He doth not intend to do so," said I. "He is making for Pitt's +Deep." + +"Equally as rash as if he journeyed to Lymington. I, too, heard the +news this morning soon after you left. The dragoons watch every mile +of this part of the coast, and at every little port a watch is set, +so that no strangers dare set foot on shipboard without being +closely questioned. My son, I take the risk even of harbouring a +rebel. I'll go with thee and speak my mind with friend Jeremy." + +Bidding Martha, our housekeeper, stay with Constance, and impressing +upon her the necessity for silence as to what had occurred, my +father, taking a mattock in his hand, set out to the scene of the +encounter, I accompanying him, and carrying the spades over my +shoulder. + +"Where is the package I bade you bring from Lyndhurst?" he asked, as +we left the outskirts of the village. + +I searched the pockets of my doublet without success, though I was +certain that the article had been safely placed in one of them. + +"It must have fallen out on the road," I replied. + +"'Tis a grave matter," he said, with a look of anxiety and a gesture +of impatience. "How can I--but there! if 't comes to the worst, I +must journey into Southampton myself. 'Tis the fortune of war." + +No more was said, for we were already in sight of the cross-roads, +and Captain Miles was sitting on the bracken-covered bank awaiting +us. + +"Good day to you, Cap'n Hammond!" he exclaimed as we approached. +"'Tis a sad business dragging you and yours into this bickering." + +"Yet, thanks to Heaven and your aid, my children were saved from the +clutches of those rogues." + +"Had it not been for me the rascals would not have been here," +replied Captain Miles apologetically. "Yet I thank you, sir, for +coming to my assistance, though 'tis to the advantage of this part +of the countryside that we hide this carrion," and he pointed with +his finger to the bodies of the two dragoons. + +We set to work with a will, and in less than a quarter of an hour a +shallow trench was dug sufficiently deep to receive the corpses of +the ruffianly soldiers. + +"Egad! 'tis warm work," exclaimed my father, leaning on his mattock +as the first part of the task was completed. + +"I'm right sorry I've no rum to offer you," said Captain Miles, +wiping his heated brow. "You see, we're not aboard the old +_Venture_, otherwise 'twould be different." + +"I, too, regret that I brought not my flask of cordials," replied my +father. + +"There is a bottle of strong waters that I found close to the body +of one of these villains," remarked Jeremy; "but though I did make +three good attempts at it, 'twas more than I could stomach. It +smells aright, but the taste--faugh! I have it in my mouth yet. Try +it, Captain Hammond, and see if it suit thy palate." + +So saying, he produced a bottle and handed it to my father, who gave +an exclamation of surprise, quickly followed by a hearty laugh. + +"Why, what's amiss?" asked the astonished Captain, as my father +thrust the bottle into his pocket. + +"Hist! I'll tell thee anon," said my sire mysteriously. "Now, let's +resume our task." + +The carcasses of the troopers' horses, the victims of Captain +Miles's self-preservation, were next interred; while, to make doubly +sure, the mount that Jeremy had borrowed from the Ringwood farmer +was also buried. + +This done, I happened to cross the highway, where, to my surprise, I +found the wrappings of the package for which we had journeyed into +Lyndhurst on that eventful morning. + +"See! here is the covering of your packet," I exclaimed, holding it +up to my father's view. + +"Aye, Clifford, I know it. Say no more on this matter." + +Inwardly wondering, I obeyed. Whatever the package contained, I now +felt certain that 'twas the same stuff as Jeremy Miles had attempted +to swallow. + +"Now, look you, Captain Miles," said my father, as we prepared to +return homewards, "neither Lymington nor Pitt's Deep offers an +asylum for you. To go to either place is to set your head in a trap. +I have made up my mind that you must tarry with us at Brockenhurst +till this storm has blown over." + +"Nay, 'tis unfair to saddle you with the presence of a proclaimed +rebel," objected Captain Jeremy stoutly. "The service I rendered +your children does not warrant such a generous payment. I'll accept +your hospitality for this night, and at sunrise to-morrow I'll make +my way into Sussex. I know of an old shipmate at Shoreham who'll +gladly set me across to France." + +"You'll never get out of Hampshire, my friend," interrupted my +father; "at least, not yet awhile. Perchance the tide of monarchy +will change again, though, mark you, I'd far rather have James +Stuart as my lawful sovereign than James Walters. No, no, I say; +further flight is out of the question. At Brockenhurst you will stay +till I give you leave to go farther afield." + +'Twas no light matter to smuggle the fugitive into our home; but we +did it, and for the next week or more Captain Miles remained within +doors, my father having pointed out to him the secret panel in case +of an emergency. This surprised me not a little, for he was usually +very reticent about this matter. True, I had been told of the +existence of the hiding-place, but even Constance was kept in +ignorance of it. The person who contrived the sliding panel must +have done his work well, for no one unacquainted with its mechanism +could cause it to move. But I've said enough concerning this matter, +for although 'tis well known that our home does possess such a +contrivance, its position and the method of working it still remain +a secret locked in the breast of a trusted few, and 'twould not be +doing my duty towards the Hammonds that are to come were I to say +more. + +Yet there was no reason for alarm. Though troops of horse often +passed through Brockenhurst on their way to and from Lymington, none +stopped to search for rebels. Neither did the disappearance of two +of Cornbury's Dragoons cause any trouble, for we learnt that they +were set down as deserters, while, as good fortune would have it, a +report came in that two men answering their description had been +seen riding northwards out of Salisbury. + +One morning I was seated with Captain Jeremy in the little room +where he was wont to spend most of his time. Often I would go +thither to be regaled with stories of his voyage to the Indies and +his adventures in foreign parts, till my young blood coursed madly +through my veins; and so strange were some of the tales he told that +I'm afraid his share of imagination must have been a double one. + +In the midst of his narrative on this particular day, my father +entered, having just returned from Lymington Town. + +"I have bad news for you," he announced. + +"'Tis not the first time, Captain Hammond," replied Jeremy +composedly. "What is it this time?" + +"The sheriff hath taken possession of your house, and it and all its +contents are to be sold by candle auction."[1] + +"'Tis the fortune of war," said Captain Miles, removing his long +clay pipe from his lips and puffing out a thick cloud of smoke. "I +expected it, and provided for it ere I left for Monmouth's camp. +What money I possess, beyond what I require for my present +disbursements, I have stowed away in the hold of the good ship +'Never-Sink'--to wit, Mother Earth. But there is one thing I'd be +glad to lay my hands on. Wouldst be willing to buy a certain article +out of my house?" + +"Would I could buy the lot!" + +"Nay, 'tis but a picture--a painting of my good barque the +_Venture_, done in oils by a rascally Neapolitan, for which he +charged me five ducats, though he did place the chain plates too far +aft, and the spritsail yard above the bowsprit." + +"'Tis a common fault with a landlubber," said my parent. +"Nevertheless, I'll see to it." + +"I prize the painting but lightly," continued Jeremy; "but there's +more in it than meets the eye." + +"I do not understand." + +"Captain Hammond, you've treated me right nobly, and 'twould ill +become me were I not to repay you to the utmost of my power. I'll be +straightforward in this matter. Listen!" + +My father motioned to me to leave them, but, perceiving the gesture, +Captain Jeremy exclaimed: + +"No, no, let the lad remain, for 'tis also to his advantage to hear. +That picture contains the true and only clue to the lost treasure +ship _Madre de Dios_." + + +[1] This custom appears to be fairly common in south-coast ports. In +September, 1628, the Mayor of Portsmouth reported to the Admiralty +that "The The Gift of God", prize, was sold on the last day of +August by the burning of a candle. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +The _Madre de Dios_ + + +My father opened his eyes wide, and his mouth also, so that his pipe +clattered on the oaken floor and was broken into a score of +fragments. + +"The _Madre de Dios_!" he exclaimed at length. "You speak truly--the +same _Madre de Dios_ concerning which Fergusson adventured himself +in the last reign?" + +"The same, Captain Hammond. I have the secret under my thumb." + +"You know where the wreck lies hidden?" + +"Aye, but that matters little. The treasure is not in her, but lies +in a safe place." + +Even I had heard the wonderful story of the Spanish treasure ship. +'Twas well known that in the last century Sir John Berkeley, during +his attack upon Porto Rico, had captured a Spanish caravel, the +_Madre de Dios_. On her he found pearls worth ten thousand ducats, +gold dust, ingots, and other treasure to the value of 400,000 +pounds. Of this vast spoil Sir John shipped about one-half aboard +his own ship, sending the _Madre_ under convoy for England. The +caravel, overtaken by a furious north-easterly gale, was lost with +all hands amongst the islands of the Lesser Antilles, and although +expeditions innumerable had been sent out to discover the wreck, +none had met with success. If Captain Jeremy Miles was not deceiving +himself and us also, a king's ransom was almost within his grasp. + +"Pardon me if I put it bluntly," said my father, "but if you know +where the treasure lies, why have you not recovered it ere now?" + +"That I'll explain, methinks, to your satisfaction, though 'tis a +long story. Yet, to put it briefly, I was cast away on the island +where the treasure lieth in the year 1674. For two years I was cut +off from my fellow-men, till a Spanish barque took me off. It goes +without saying that I told the Dons naught concerning the treasure; +but on setting foot in England once more, I took steps to obtain +command of a vessel trading with the Indies. Yet ill fortune +thwarted my purpose." + +"How so?" + +"Head winds and pestilence. Then, though I was averse to sharing my +secret, I applied to my Lord Rochester to intercede with the King; +but, since I was only a plain merchant captain, and no King's +officer, my lord must needs flout me and deride my statement." + +"My Lord Rochester had his own views on this matter, I take it," +remarked my father. "There were no less than forty applications to +his late Majesty from would-be treasure seekers. Fergusson went and +failed; Captain Calcott did likewise, and now Phipps has been gone +these two years, spending the King's money and using his ships of +war, which might be more profitably employed elsewhere. Nay, I +cannot blame my Lord Rochester." + +"But I do!" exclaimed Captain Miles vehemently. "Not for his +refusal, mark you, for he's the loser on't, but for his churlish +manner. 'Twas mainly for this reason that I set out to join +Monmouth's standard, for, had all been well, I am certain he would, +as a man of spirit and enterprise, have been willing to grant me aid +in the search." + +"The Duke will need all his spirit and enterprise to save his neck +from the headsman's axe," replied my father. "But concerning this +matter?" + +"I have a proposal to make, Captain Hammond. But ere we go farther, +'tis worth while laying hands on the chart." + +"Aye," replied my father. "The sale is fixed for to-morrow, so I'll +to Lymington and secure the picture at all costs." + +The subject was then dropped for the time, yet I did not fail to +notice that my sire was by no means in his usual spirits, but seemed +preoccupied, and inclined to irritability. Constance, too, noticed +the change. + +"What doth he ponder over?" she asked. "Is there fresh trouble +coming upon us? Have they discovered aught of that affair on the +Lyndhurst Road?" and she gave a little shudder at the remembrance of +it. + +"Nay," I replied. "That affair has, I hope, blown over. Something is +in the wind, nevertheless, for I doubt not that our father and +Captain Miles are engaging upon some profitable enterprise; it may +happen that a voyage to the West Indies will restore the fortunes of +our house." + +"But will father have to go to sea again?" she asked anxiously. + +"It may so happen," I replied. + +"And you----?" + +"I would I could," I rejoined earnestly, for 'twas my cherished +ambition to go to sea; yet I feared my father would withhold his +consent. + +The next day my father and I rode into Lymington, and having left +our horses at the "Hart", we repaired to Jeremy's house. + +It was a long, low-built, thatched-roofed building, standing at the +bottom of the steep High Street, and overlooking the muddy harbour +where the Lym stream joins the sea. The door and the frames of the +diamond-paned windows were painted a vivid green--possibly the work +of the energetic seaman; while above the porch was nailed an effigy +of a woman holding an arrow in her hand--the figurehead of one of +his former vessels. + +Crowds of eager and curious townsfolk were gathered without the door +on which the sheriff's notice of the sale was affixed, while two +tip-staves, escorting a lean, pale-faced man, were trying to force +their way through the press of onlookers. + +"'Tis the attorney for the Crown," whispered my father, pointing to +the white-faced man, who was evidently ill at ease. "'Tis fortunate +for him that he has a troop of horse within ear-shot, or I'll +warrant he would have a warm reception." + +But even the presence of the soldiers, who were drawn up in an alley +leading to the quay, did not prevent volleys of rotten eggs and +street garbage being directed against the sheriff's representative, +till, the door being opened, he disappeared within, followed by the +incensed townsfolk. Jeremy was, as I have mentioned, a general +favourite in and around Lymington; and, besides, his rash +participation in the revolt was not unfavourably regarded by his +fellow-townsmen, who took this opportunity of expressing their +practical sympathy with the absent Captain. + +By dint of much elbowing we succeeded in gaining admission to the +house, and, to my inexperienced eyes, the scene within was strange +and pathetically interesting, as preparations were made to dispose +of our friend's goods and chattels. + +By threats, entreaties, and commands the sheriff's officer obtained +comparative quiet, and amidst the groans of his audience he read the +proclamation setting forth that the house and goods of Captain +Jeremy Miles, he having been declared a traitor to His Majesty King +James, were to be sold forthwith. + +Thereupon one of the tip-staves produced a long wax candle having a +number of metal pegs stuck into it at regular intervals. This he +proceeded to light; the first lot was announced, and the highest +bid, ere the uppermost peg fell from the melted wax, secured the +submitted article. + +In the excitement, as bidder after bidder was outbidden, even the +voices of the malcontents were hushed; while as peg after peg +dropped out and rebounded from the oaken table, the clang of the +hammer could scarce drown the angry remonstrances of the +disappointed would-be purchasers. + +Thus the auction proceeded, and from room to room we went, watching +the disposal of the Captain's goods. One or two instruments of +navigation my father secured, though, as I knew he already possessed +similar ones, I guessed that they were for Jeremy's future use. + +At length the parlour was reached, and between the heads of the +crowd and the low, raftered ceiling I caught a glimpse of the +fateful painting--a ship under all plain sail, set with a vivid blue +sea and a cloudless sky of an almost similar colour. + +My father marked it likewise, for he straightened himself, and +coughed slightly once or twice to clear his throat. + +"Lot Seventy-two. A painting by a worthy Neapolitan artist, Messer +Tito Cozzini, of--of--I cannot decipher the place--methinks it looks +like Foggia." + +The taper was again applied to the candle, the feeble light +flickering dimly in the dusty, crowded room. No one seemed anxious +to possess the work of art, for my father, concealing his +impatience, had purposely withheld his bid. The metal peg began to +droop in its support of melting wax. + +"A crown," said my father. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +The Chart + + +"And sixpence." + +A voice like the bellowing of a bull burst from the corner of the +room, while its owner began to force his way vigorously through the +crowd towards the rostrum. + +"Six shillings." + +The peg gave a decided jerk, but still remained in the wax. + +"Six shillings and sixpence." + +"Seven shillings." + +Ping! The metal pin tinkled on the table, the hammer descended, and +the picture was ours. + +A muttered oath caused me to turn my head and look behind. The +unsuccessful bidder was a short, bull-necked man, with clean-shaven, +red complexioned features, closely cropped hair, save for a bob +hanging over his neck; and powerfully-built shoulders and arms. + +With a violent effort to conceal his disappointment, the stranger +backed his way through the crowd, and was lost to view. + +To disarm suspicion, we remained for nearly another hour; then, +having paid the sheriff's clerk the amount of the purchase money, my +father took possession of the painting and the nautical instruments, +and handed them over to the care of a lad, with instructions to +follow us. + +Having mounted our horses, we rode them at a walking pace, the youth +panting at our heels, for the day was excessively warm. + +As we were passing Buckland Rings I chanced to glance over my +shoulder at our follower, and in so doing I caught sight of a man +stealing cautiously along in the shadow of the trees at about two +hundred paces off. It was the unsuccessful bidder for Captain +Miles's picture. + +"How say you?" asked my father. "The rascal means no good;" and +abruptly wheeling his steed, he trotted back to the edge of the +clump of pines that stand betwixt the highway and those relics of +paganism commonly known in the district as "The Rings". + +Yet though we searched the clump and the far side of the hillock as +well, our efforts were in vain. + +"Your eyes have deceived you, Clifford," said my sire, as we +cantered along the road to overtake the lad with his precious +burden. Though I felt certain on the point, I refrained from +insisting that I was right, and without further happening we reached +our house, though I was continually turning in the saddle to see if +we were followed by the discomfited rogue. + +Having to attend the Verderers' Court that afternoon, my father +could devote no time to his purchase until the evening, though I was +burning with impatience to see the chart revealed, and felt certain +my parent was in a like state. + +"'Tis well done," exclaimed Captain Jeremy with undisguised delight, +when he saw the painting. "Now, Captain Hammond, we'll cut the +canvas and get the chart." + +"Nay," remonstrated my father, laughing; "the picture cost me seven +shillings, and 'tis a pity to spoil it for the sake of being +overhasty. Bring a mallet and chisel, Clifford, and we'll prise open +the back." + +This was accordingly done, and as the heavy boards were removed from +the frame a musty piece of parchment, creased in several places, was +disclosed to view. + +"Here 'tis," declared Captain Jeremy, pointing with his yellow +finger. "There lies the _Madre_ treasure." + +The chart was a good yard in length, and about three spans in +breadth. It had evidently been drawn with a considerable amount of +care, the names being neatly inserted. In the top right corner, +spanned by a compass, was a scale of leagues, while in the left was +a representation of the mariner's compass. Three strange-looking +vessels, with towering forecastles and poops, and a veritable +network of rhumb-lines, covered all the portion of the chart that +was supposed to represent the ocean. In the bottom left-hand corner, +which had been greatly thumb-marked, were the letters "...go +Ribero", and the date "1529"; and marked by a rough circle, drawn, +it seemed, at a later date, was the position of an island, against +which appeared the words: "Much golde here--_Madre de Dios_, 1599". + +"This is an old Spanish chart," said Captain Miles, "yet 'tis +accurate enough for our purpose. Even Generals Penn and Venables, +when they took Jamaica, freely acknowledged that none of our making +could equal it." + +"'Tis a sovereign piece of work," assented my father. "But methinks +you said the position was known only to you? How comes it, +therefore, that this chart has the spot marked fair and legibly?" + +"Therein have many men been deceived," replied Captain Jeremy. "That +was placed thereon for the purpose. Mark you a small cross on the +island?--'tis a good two leagues from the wrongly marked spot. On my +word of honour, I can testify that there lieth the treasure. Now, +what say you, Captain Hammond? Will you join with me in prosecuting +a search? for freely in my gratitude will I share the gains with +you. Yet 'tis but fair to give you full warning, though I heed it +not. 'Tis said that the treasure of the _Madre de Dios_ is under a +curse, and only through bloodshed and fire can it be regained. This +was the curse of the Friar Pedro Lopez, whom, 'tis avowed, Sir John +Berkeley threw overboard with his own hands." + +"The matter is a weighty one," replied my father, as he proceeded to +replace the back of the frame. "I Even should the treasure be yet +undiscovered, there arises the question of the cost of fitting out a +ship. Were I a man of wealth I'd not be averse from adventuring a +round sum. As for the friar's curse, I heed it not." + +"Neither have I much wealth, seeing that my house and goods were in +the sheriff's hands this day," observed Captain Jeremy, with a grim +smile. "Yet, as I have said heretofore, I have hidden a certain sum. +This, though 'tis my all, I would gladly devote to the enterprise; +and, forsooth, a man could not give better pledge of his sincerity." + +"'Tis not that I doubt your sincerity, and I crave your pardon +should I have touched upon a tender spot. Now, I pray you, explain +the chart, inasmuch as it concerns the treasure island." + +Thus encouraged, Captain Jeremy carefully filled his long clay pipe, +and resting the glowing bowl on the edge of the table (somewhat, I +fear, to my father's displeasure, though he made no sign on 't), he +proceeded to point out the characteristics of the island, the shoals +and currents in its vicinity, the secure anchorage, and where a boat +could make a landing without hazard to itself or its crew. + +To all this I listened intently, my eyes glistening with excitement; +but, greatly to my disappointment, just as Captain Miles was about +to explain how and where the _Madre_ treasure lay hidden, my father +exclaimed: + +"The hour is late, Clifford, therefore bid us good night and go to +bed." + +There was no help for it; I retired from the room reluctantly, +pausing for one instant to gaze upon the scene, as the two +bronzed-faced seamen bent eagerly over the musty parchment, the key +to the undertaking that was, we hoped, to restore the house of +Hammond to its former affluence. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A Midnight Intruder + + +Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought +with it an unwelcome change in the weather. A south-westerly gale, +blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, +accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon +vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder +that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness +of the night. + +For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes +play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling +expanse of gorse-clad heath. So fierce was the wind that the +branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently +against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had +been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road. + +At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose. + +It must have been some time betwixt midnight and dawn, for 'twas +still dark, when I awoke with a start and a vague feeling that +something was amiss. + +I had, according to custom, left the casement slightly ajar, the +frame being secured by an iron quadrant. This contrivance fitted +tightly, and 'twould be impossible for it to move of itself; yet I +heard the creaking of the metalwork as the casement was slowly and +cautiously opened, for the wind had now died utterly away, and all +else was still save for the pattering of the water from the eaves. + +Overcome by a nameless terror, I lay motionless in my bed, thinking +'twas the Evil One coming in person to bear me bodily away.[1] + +Slowly a dark, sinister figure, barely distinguishable against the +gloom without, crept silently through the now open window, past the +foot of my bed, and out by the unlatched door of the room, +smothering as it did so a sneeze. + +That sneeze aroused my courage, for never in all the worthy Doctor +Colling's discourses had I heard of the Evil One sneezing. The +intruder was a robber! + +However, I remained silent and motionless till the unwelcome +stranger had time to get clear of the room; then, boldly springing +out of bed, I crept softly to my father's room. + +At the first touch of my hand he was wide-awake, thanks once more +to his active life afloat, but had the good sense to refrain from +speaking aloud. + +In a few words I explained the situation, and without hesitation he +sprang from his bed, armed himself with a petronel, and hastened +downstairs to surprise and, if possible, capture the intruder, I +following closely and silently at his heels. + +But in the few minutes of undisturbed action the robber had not been +idle, for ere my father gained the lowermost stair he tripped +suddenly over a broom handle cunningly placed there for that +purpose, and falling headlong, the petronel exploded with a vivid +flash and a stunning report, the bullets crashing through the +wainscot. + +In a moment he was on his feet again, only to meet the robber as he +dashed for freedom. In the darkness I heard the sounds of a furious +struggle, but, being unable to distinguish friend from foe, I was +compelled to stand inactive and useless: + +Suddenly there was an exclamation of pain, followed by a heavy thud, +and the next instant I was thrust violently against the wall as a +powerful, agile figure tore past me and up the staircase. + +A terrific crash of broken glass was followed by the shrieks of old +Martha and groans in the darkness, while I heard Captain Jeremy +rushing from his room, shouting for lights to be brought. + +When at length we found tinder and steel and a light was provided, +my father was seen lying on his face, bleeding profusely from a +wound in the right side. + +"Water!" he gasped feebly. "I am done for!" and before we could +raise him from the floor he had swooned. + +Jeremy, cursing loudly, was at first for pursuing the murderous +villain who had dealt the fell blow, but pursuit was not to be +thought of when we saw my father's desperate condition. Fearing to +carry him upstairs to his own chamber, we lifted him into the +dining-room, where we placed his senseless form on a +roughly-constructed couch. + +Constance had now joined us, and though trembling with fear and +anxiety, she alone suggested the wisest course. + +"Run, Clifford, for a chirurgeon!" she exclaimed, and, hatless and +shoeless, though I had found time to don my clothing, I tore over +the sodden fields to the house of Master Blackwood, who lived well +on the outskirts of the village. + +Seeing the case was urgent, though I could but babble an incoherent +summons, the surgeon came quickly; and having made a hasty +examination, the grave look on his clear-cut features showed that my +sire was in dire peril of death. + +Having dressed the wound, Master Blackwood applied himself to +restoring his patient to consciousness, and while this was being +done my glance fell upon the picture--or, rather, the frame--that my +father had bought but a few short hours ago. + +The painting was missing, cut from the frame by a sharp knife. +Almost at the same time Captain Miles noticed the empty frame, and, +in spite of his accustomed coolness, his jaw dropped. + +"Alack-a-day! A sorry pass! 'Tis the friar's curse come home," he +muttered huskily. + +Slowly the pale dawn struggled for the mastery with the feeble +flicker of the rushlight till, in a mantle of vivid crimson hue, the +sun rose red and angry in the eastern sky. + +Then, and only then, could we see the full extent of the mischief +that the robber had wrought. That the precious chart had been the +object of his entry there could be no doubt, for in the short space +of time ere he was disturbed he had made straight for the painting +that formerly concealed the parchment. + +The shattered broomstick, a dark pool of blood at the foot of the +stairs, and the shot-marked wainscot were silent evidences of the +tragedy; while I found the hilt of a knife wedged firmly in the +wall, close to where I was hurled by the escaping miscreant. + +Then I remembered the incident, and to my surprise I found that I +had a clean cut in the right shoulder. Though it had bled somewhat, +in my excitement I had been unaware of it; yet 'twas a narrow +escape. + +"There's more behind this affair than we wot of," remarked Captain +Jeremy. "The rogue had doubtless watched us through the window +whilst your father and I were talking of the matter of the treasure, +for I bear to mind the shutters were not drawn. Then, finding that +the iron bars across the lower windows prevented him from entering +save by much labour and trouble, he scaled the tree without your +casement and entered your room. But, Clifford, sorry though I be for +your father's plight and sore hurt, 'tis a fortunate thing that the +robber was foiled, for, see you, I had the chart with me, placed +under my pillow for safety. As for the picture of the old _Venture_, +'tis of little account, though I did set some store on it for the +sake of bygone times." + +"But concerning the robber?" I asked. "If we are to inform the watch +there will be danger of your discovery, yet I am loath to let the +villain go unhindered." + +"'Tis a matter that requires much consideration," he replied +gravely. "I call to mind when I was on board the barque _Furie_ +within sight of Port Royal. A fire broke out for'ard and threatened +to consume us; our longboat and shallop were damaged, while +alongside were swarms of sharks. As we could not save ourselves by +flight, we fought the flames so determinedly that we put out the +fire, though it seemed a well-nigh impossible task." + +"And what of it?" I asked perplexedly, for I failed to grasp the +Captain's meaning. + +"You see, Master Clifford, this house, in a manner of speaking, is +the burning craft, the King's officers are the sharks; so, until we +know your father's pleasure in this business, I would that nothing +be said concerning the affair. Master Blackwood I know to be a +stanch and upright man who detests the unlawful practices of King +James; he will keep silence. Your sister, also, I know to be +circumspect; but I have my doubts about Martha, for the tongues of +serving women, especially old ones, are apt to wag." + +"I am content to let the matter rest for the present," I replied; +and crossing the hall, I laid hold of the knife that was still fixed +in the wainscot. It took much strength to wrench it free, and no +little care, for the broken blade was as sharp as a razor. The steel +was about a span in length, and wet for about half that distance +with my father's blood. As I cleaned it, my eyes fell upon some +letters engraved upon the blade. Worn though the steel was, I +deciphered the letters "...emento mori". + +"'Tis perchance the name of the cutler," said Captain Miles, taking +the steel out of my hand and examining it carefully. + +"Nay; 'tis certain you have not noticed similar words in Lymington +Church," I replied. "The first letter is on the other portion of the +broken blade, and the completed sentence is the Latin for 'Remember +you must die'. I'll have a hilt fitted to this portion, Captain +Jeremy, and should ill befall my father, the motto will guide me in +the tracing of the villain." + +"Strange it may be," remarked the Captain reflectively, "but now I +recall an old shipmate of mine who bought a dagger in Lisbon with +these words. He was, I remember, an ill-favoured creature." + +"Was he short in stature, and bull-necked?" I asked eagerly. + +"Nay," replied my companion, shaking his head; "you are on the wrong +tack. Your father hath told me of the man you have in mind--the one +who would have bought the picture, though, sink me! I cannot imagine +why he should set such store on it. Nay; the man, though short in +stature, was as thin as a handspike. But, my lad," he said kindly, +"you look as white as a sheet. Here, take a turn in the garden, for +the place smells like a charnel-house. Keep within ear-shot, lest +you are wanted." + +With a heavy heart I obeyed, having first obtained Constance's aid +in applying a bandage to my wounded shoulder. + +The damage done by yesternight's gale was enormous, though I paid +little heed to the scene of desolation, but, stepping over the +broken branches that everywhere littered the ground, walked round to +the back of the house, whence the robber had made his escape. + +He had left by the same means as he had entered--through the +casement of my room and down the tree that unfortunately provided a +ready means of descent. Curiosity prompted me to examine the trunk, +and on so doing I found traces of blood on the bark. I noticed that, +if viewed from the window, the marks of blood were on the right-hand +side of the trunk, and, as the fugitive must have descended with his +face towards the bark, 'twas evident that he had been wounded on the +right side of his person; and by the quantity of the blood it was +further evident that the wound was of a severe nature. + +Then the thought flashed across my mind: the villain was sore hurt, +his track lay fresh upon the grass; why should I not follow him? + +Running back to the house, I loaded my fowling-piece, and calling +Bruno, my lurcher, I started in pursuit. + + +[1] Lest Clifford be thought a weak-minded coward, it is well to +explain that previous to and during the seventeenth century there +was a strong popular belief in the corporal presence of the Evil +One. The study of any contemporary writer will confirm this. A +notable example is afforded by the panic of Robinson Crusoe on +discovering a dying goat in the darkness of a cave: "I saw two broad +shining eyes of some creature, whether devil or man I knew not". + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The Cave in the Lonely Heath + + +The track was clearly defined, the sinister dark patches showing +boldly upon the bright green grass with the utmost regularity. The +man had certainly fled in a north-easterly direction, towards Black +Down, the densest part of the forest. He had a start of at least six +hours, but, even had he not already swooned from loss of blood, this +advantage was slight. In my enthusiasm I imagined that the rogue was +already my prisoner, marching, with my piece at his head, towards +the common jail at Lymington. + +The tell-tale line of spots crossed the highway and led on to the +gorse-clad heath, but though there were evidences that the fugitive +had blundered into many bushes in his flight in the dark, the +general direction remained the same. At this I wondered not a +little, for from my forest experience I knew that a man crossing an +open space in the dark would, without a light or other means to +guide him, inevitably make a wide circle, unless he had the sense to +keep his course by observing the direction of the wind. Yet I knew +that after the storm the wind had died utterly away, so that the +circumstance seemed stranger still. + +I suppose I had not gone half a mile when, thrown behind some +bushes, I espied the picture that the rogue had cut from its frame. +There were signs that he had made a lengthy halt, one being a large +dark stain upon the damp soil, showing that much blood had been +spilled. Another thing I conjectured: he had discovered that the +chart was not, as evidently he had imagined, part of the picture, +and in his rage he had thrown it aside. That being so, it showed +that day had dawned ere he could have become acquainted with the +failure of his fell designs. + +Making the canvas into a roll, I slipped it into my belt, and +continued my way. + +On and on I went, sometimes breaking into a run, keeping both a +sharp lookout in case of a surprise and a careful watch on the dull +brown track, which now began to show at greater intervals than +heretofore. + +At length my progress was stopped by a narrow, gurgling stream that +flowed southwards between gravelly banks lined with bushes and +dwarfed trees. This stream I knew to be the Lym, the same that joins +the sea at Lymington. + +Here I was thwarted, for though I took off my hose and shoes and +waded over the clayey bottom, not the slightest track could I find +on the farther bank. I walked both up and down stream for nearly a +quarter of a mile, carefully examining the soft clay, which would +assuredly reveal any trace of footprints after the heavy rain of the +previous night; but the bank was innocent of any traces of human +agency, though I encountered well-defined marks of ponies, deer, and +otters. + +Sick at heart, I now bethought me of Captain Jeremy's warning, so, +uncocking my piece, I shouldered the weapon and set my face +homewards. Bruno, who had followed the trail as keenly as I had +done, seemed to share my dejection, for, instead of keeping a few +paces ahead as he had done on the outward journey, he stuck close to +my heels. + +I was not returning by the same path, but rather, I should think, +about two hundred yards to the right of it; yet with the smoke of +the chimneys of Brockenhurst village to guide me I kept steadily +onwards. + +Suddenly, almost before I could utter a sound of alarm, the ground +gave way beneath me; the bracken and the gorse seemed to shoot up +past me, and the daylight gave place to semi-darkness. + +Instinctively I clutched at the ledge of the pit, but without avail; +then a thousand lights seemed to flash across my eyes, and I lost +consciousness. + +When I recovered my senses I found myself lying on the sandy floor +of a natural cave or hollow, into which the light filtered through +an aperture almost above my head--the hole through which I had +fallen. + +My head throbbed painfully, and, putting my hands to my forehead, I +found that it was bound with a wet rag. As I moved my arm Bruno +thrust his muzzle against my hand with a low bark of joy; the +faithful dog had evidently followed his master in his fall. + +I tried to raise myself into a sitting posture, but the exertion was +too great, and with a stifled exclamation of pain I fell back. + +"Lie still, young maäster," exclaimed a gruff though kindly voice. +"You'll be safe enow wi' us." + +"Give him a drink o' water," said another. "He'll do better sittin' +up." + +With that I felt myself raised and propped against the wall of the +cave, so that I could look about. + +Eight or ten men, dressed in rough clothing, some with peajackets, +others in tarpaulins, were either seated on the ground or standing +with folded arms regarding me intently. Two or three had pistols +stuck in their belts, while a pair of heavy cutlasses and a bundle +of stout staves, some with iron spikes, were placed in one corner of +the cave, which was roughly three-sided, and formed by hands, as far +as I could make out in the subdued light. + +In the centre of the cavern was the trunk of a young tree, its upper +portion leaning against the aperture overhead, while the branches +had been lopped off sufficiently close to the stem to allow of the +stumps being used as a rough ladder. Two small casks, an earthenware +vessel containing water, a heap of clothing, and a coil of rope +completed the utensils of this subterranean retreat. + +"You'll be the son of Cap'n Foul-weather Dick?" asked the man who +had first spoken. + +"Yes," I replied, for my questioner had used the name by which my +father was frequently called by the seafaring population of +Lymington. + +"'Twas well for you I knew it, for when you came tumbling down that +hole we thought 'twas the sogers, and Bill 'ere got ready to knock +you over th' head. D'ye know me?" + +I looked at the man as intently as my throbbing head would allow, +then at his companions. Like an inspiration a thought flashed across +my mind. + +"Yes," I answered. "Ye are the men who went with Captain Miles to +the West." + +"Aye," said the man referred to as Bill, "an' well we know it. Look +'ee, young maäster, can we trust ye to keep your mouth shut on this +business?" + +"I have as weighty a matter on my mind now," I replied. "You can +count upon my silence." + +"The youngster's true enow, 'Enery," said Bill. "Maybe he'll lend us +a hand afore long. Look you," he continued, addressing me, "there +are but eleven left of the score of Lymington men who marched to +help the Duke o' Monmouth. Kitt Binns, Carrol Tanner, Cripps, Fred +Dadge--they went down in the fight; young Garge Pitman the +red-coated devils took near Bridgwater. They strung him up on a +gallows at the roadside. Poor fellow, he didn't half give 'em a +rough time afore they did the dirty job, an' I was up to my neck in +a ditch an' saw it all, yet couldn't bear a hand to help him. That +makes five. What happened to the rest of us we don't know--taken, +doubtless, after the fight. Anyways, Cap'n Miles, Joe Scott, Sammy +Cross, an' Long Bristowe won't see Lymington again, I fear, though +we aren't much better off on that score." + +"Captain Miles!" I exclaimed. "Why!----" I broke off, though +reasoning that as these men had confided in me, there was little +harm in telling them of Captain Jeremy's hiding-place in our house. + +"What of him?" asked several of the men. + +"He is alive and well; I saw him scarce two hours ago." + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed the men, but softly, for they durst not shout +lest the noise should betray them. + +"Alive and well, say you?" repeated 'Enery, a burly, bearded seaman +who, it seemed, had no other name. "'Enery" he answered to, and +'Enery he remains till the close of my story. "But, young maäster, +'tis a good six hours you've been lying 'ere." + +"Six hours!" I exclaimed amazedly; then, remembering my father's +condition, I attempted to rise. + +"Nay, young sir," said Bill, noticing my effort, "you cannot go home +without aid, and none can we give till Black Lewis comes. But +concerning Captain Jeremy?" + +In a few words I told them all I knew of the Captain's adventures, +the men eagerly following every word. + +"Tell him," said 'Enery, as I finished my story, "that ten stanch +men await him here. Cooped up like rats in a hold, we durst not show +our faces in Lymington, much less try for a ship; but with Cap'n +Jeremy to lead us, we'll shape a true course yet. Tell him also----" + +A low cry like the call of a forest stag for its mate broke upon our +ears. Twice 'twas repeated. + +"'Tis Black Lewis," said one of the men, for my information, and the +next instant the bushes overhead were thrust back, and a man began +to descend the rough ladder. + +Black Lewis gave no sign of surprise at seeing a lad in the cave. I +knew him by sight, and also by repute--a short, shrivelled-up little +man, with a head that seemed too large and heavy for his body, +wrinkled face, massive and protruding cheek bones, and +sandy-coloured hair. He lived mainly by his wits, killing adders +that infested the forest glades, hawking the skins of animals he +caught, and, no doubt, poaching, though he had as yet managed to +escape being branded as a felon. Some would have it that he was +dullwitted, yet those who thus avowed had often cause to fear his +tongue, which was as sharp as a rapier. He was dressed in loose, +home-made garments of moleskin, and carried a long forked stick in +his hand, not even relinquishing it when he descended the tree +trunk. Over his back was strung a canvas bag, from which he produced +a hare, some eggs, and a flagon of ale. + +He readily consented to assist me to my home, and having bade +farewell to the refugee seamen (who had persuaded me to lend them my +fowling-piece), I was slung up the shaft by means of the rope, Bruno +being carried up on the shoulders of one of the men. Once in the +open air I walked strongly, though twice or thrice I reeled, and +would have fallen but for my companion's assistance. + +At the entrance to our grounds Black Lewis left me, and just as I +gained the door Captain Jeremy met me. By the look on his face I +knew that some thing was amiss. + +"They have searched for you high and low, Master Clifford," said he; +"but thanks be you are safe! Come at once and see your father, +for----" + +"He is not dead?" I asked anxiously. + +"Nay, lad, but be prepared for the worst. Master Blackwood says +he'll not last the night. If so, he'll pass away before the young +flood sets in." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Concerning the Events that Prompted Me to a Desperate Resolve + + +My father had been removed to his room, and was now lying on his +bed, his head and shoulders raised and supported by pillows, for the +nature of his wound had caused him to fight hard for breath. + +He was now quite conscious, though very weak. Captain Jeremy +afterwards said that what with cupping and applying leeches Master +Blackwood had kept down the fever, but had also done his patient +more harm than good. + +My father knew full well that the end was at hand, yet he faced it +manfully, like the stanch old seaman he was. I fancy his voice +faltered when he spoke to me of Constance, but beyond that he was +calm and collected, giving me advice as to my future, and preparing +himself for the end. + +'Tis unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the next few hours, for +the remembrance of that mournful time is an affair for the minds of +our own family; but just before midnight, at dead low water by the +shore, as Captain Jeremy had predicted, my father passed peacefully +away. + +Neither do I care to relate too minutely the happenings of the +following week. There was, according to custom, an inquest, but by +mutual consent Captain Jeremy's name was left out of the case, +although we were considerably ill at ease lest old Martha should +babble on't. + +Two days after my father had been laid to rest under the great yew +tree in Brockenhurst Churchyard I received a letter from my uncle, +John Hammond, stating that, in accordance with arrangements made +with my father many years ago, he would take up his abode in our +house, and look after the estate. + +Captain Jeremy took his departure before my uncle arrived, and +joined the party of Lymington seamen in the cave. He gave me his +assurance that his understanding with my late parent would remain as +before, and that he would, to use his own expression, "keep his +weather eye lifting", and endeavour to find a means of procuring a +stout craft, in order to prosecute his search for the _Madre de +Dios_ treasure. + +Shortly after the arrival of my uncle I had an attack of smallpox, +which, Heaven be praised! left me unmarked. Master Blackwood, the +chirurgeon, tended me with the utmost care, though at the time I +feared his remedies more than I did the disorder. + +August had run its course, and September was well advanced ere I +could get abroad once more, and during that time much had happened +relating to the ill-fortuned rising in the West. + +Monmouth's head had rolled on the scaffold on Tower Hill, and +Jeffreys had completed his circuit of the West, leaving behind him a +never-to-be-forgotten record of cruelty, infamy, and shame, while +his brutal actions in condemning Lady Alice Lisle to the stake +sickened even the most loyal supporters of King James. + +Then, and only then, did I realize the risk we had run in harbouring +Captain Jeremy; yet I had learnt to look upon him as the one stanch +friend in my solitude, and as such I would right willingly take all +chances could I but render him further aid. + +At the first opportunity, directly I felt strong enough, I crossed +the heath and stealthily approached his place of concealment. In +vain I gave the call of the red deer, for no welcome reply came from +the yawning pit; and when at length I descended by the rude ladder I +found the place dank and deserted. Captain Miles and his men had +gone--whither?--to bondage, or to freedom? + +Neither did I from that day set eyes on Black Lewis; he, too, had +vanished, and thus all chance of communicating with the honest +Captain seemed to be hopelessly lost. + +One afternoon towards the close of September I was sent by my uncle +into Lymington to procure some books that an acquaintance had +promised him. + +It was a blustering day, cold for the time of year, and on the +journey I encountered several heavy showers that, for want of +shelter, soaked me to the skin. However, I accomplished my errand, +and laden with a heavy burden I trudged homewards, having also taken +the opportunity of obtaining from a cutler's the blade of the dagger +with which my father had been slain, I having left it some weeks +before for the purpose of having a hilt fitted to it. + +At the outskirts of the village I almost ran into the arms of +Captain Jeremy, who was leading a heavy cob by the bridle. + +For a few moments I could scarce believe my eyes; yet 'twas he, +bold, jovial, and beaming with kindliness as of yore, before that +fateful journey to the West. + +"What cheer, ho!" he shouted. "I've sought you high and low." + +"Oh, Captain Miles!" I exclaimed apprehensively, "is it safe for you +to be seen, sir?" + +"Safe?" he roared. "Why, safe as a parson's barn. Thanks to my +patron Sir William Soams, of whom I have oft spoken beforetimes, and +in no small measure to a heavy drain upon my hidden hoard, I've +gained a pardon from His Majesty, and now I can flaunt my Lord Chief +Justice Jeffreys, or any of his satellites, come what may. I've got +a ship, lad! A. goodly vessel--as sweet a little craft as ever you'd +clap eyes on betwixt Yarmouth and Bristol. Thanks once again to Sir +William Soams, who threw himself into my plans, the _Golden Hope_ +has been chartered to seek the _Madre_ treasure--and I'll warrant +Sir William will receive a good per centum on his outlay. She lies +at Poole, lad. We sailed her round from Deptford two days agone, I +and the ten lads you saw in the hole on Brockenhurst Heath, they +having made their way safely one by one to a rendezvous at Wapping; +and I've ridden over from Poole to tell you the news, though I am +but a sorry horseman." + +"You rode well enough when you fled before the dragoons, sir." + +"Aye," he replied, with a hearty laugh; "e'en though I rode the +farmer's mare to death. It beats me to think how I kept in the +saddle that day, and I've fallen thrice on my way hither; yet 'tis +strange what a man will do when he's put to it. But can you persuade +your uncle to let you ride over to Poole and see the _Golden Hope_ +ere we sail? We weigh on Saturday morn, for 'tis, as you know, ill +luck to leave port on a Friday." + +I shook my head sorrowfully. + +"I fear he'll not think of it," I replied. "But, Captain Jeremy, how +I wish I were off with you!" + +"'Tis not to be thought of, lad. Adventuring in the Indies is no fit +business for you. I've spun you yarns times without number, but +you've not heard of the dark side of a seaman's life. No, no, +Clifford; make the best of things and bide at home, and I'll do my +best for you and me." + +"But, Captain----" + +"No buts, lad; your duty lies at home. Now, say no more on 't, +though I would you could see the _Golden Hope_ ere she leaves Poole +Harbour. Well, well, the best of friends must say farewell, and so +'tis with us. Please Heaven another couple o' years will see us home +once more with the treasure; so good-bye, Clifford." + +"Farewell, Captain Jeremy, and God be with you!" + +Awkwardly the seaman scrambled into the saddle, urged his nag into a +trot, and set off along the Christchurch Road, not daring to look +round for fear of losing his seat. I watched him till his burly +figure disappeared from view, then slowly I made my way homewards. + +"Why have you tarried on your errand, sirrah?" demanded my uncle, as +I placed the pile of heavy books on the table. "Hast entered into +worldly and unbecoming conversation with that seafaring man who, +with many strange oaths on his lips, hath troubled me with his +presence? To your room, sir! Supperless you shall go; but before +retiring, read, mark, and learn the beautiful discourse on +procrastination as set forth in this book of godly sermons. +To-morrow I'll speak further on this matter." + +On the morrow he did more than speak, being a too zealous exponent +of King Solomon for my peace of mind; and, smarting under the +treatment I had endured, I determined to run away and join, by hook +or by crook, the good ship _Golden Hope_. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Flight + + +I had no sooner made up my mind than I immediately began to take +steps to put my plan into execution, for the _Golden Hope_ was to +sail at early morn on the following day, and twenty good miles had +to be covered betwixt sunset and sunrise, were I to be in time. + +My great regret was that I was unable to let Constance know of my +departure; but beyond that I cared little. + +I managed to secrete the best part of a loaf, some cheese, and a +small flask of milk; and unobserved I secured a lengthy rope, which +I hid under my bed. + +Longer and more tedious than ever seemed the evening prayers, but at +last my uncle bade me retire for the night. I lay abed till I heard +him fastening my door on the outside, as was his wont, and go to his +room. Then, when all was quiet, I hurriedly dressed, packed my food +in a wallet, and prepared to escape by the window. As 'twas a calm +moonlight night, the tree that served my father's murderer so timely +did not sway sufficiently for me to descend by it, and for that +reason I had provided myself with the rope. + +This I passed round a leg of the massive bedstead, throwing the two +ends out of the casement on to the ground. Noiselessly I slipped +out, and grasping both parts of the rope, I descended hand over +hand. Then it was an easy matter to pull the rope down after me, so +as to remove all traces of my escape, which, I hoped, would prevent +my flight being discovered for some hours later than otherwise. + +Having hidden the rope, I set out with a rapid stride and beating +heart on my long walk to Poole Town. + +For the first few miles my route lay over well-known ground, but +soon I plunged into the thickest portion of the forest, where the +tall branches, meeting overhead, shut out the moonlight. 'Twas a +weird journey in the dead of night, with not a sound save my own +footsteps and the occasional hooting of an owl in the tree tops. + +At length I left the confines of the New Forest, the road continuing +hilly yet fair-going; and having gotten well into the swing, I +footed it strongly. + +Just as I reached the meeting of two fork roads I heard the distant +thud of a horse's hoofs, which came rapidly nearer and nearer. + +Could my flight have been discovered already? + +Plunging through a gap in the bushes I stood, my heart throbbing +violently, expecting every moment to see my uncle's manservant on my +track; but in a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the bright +moonlight a horseman galloped madly past, his hair flying out behind +him by reason of his speed through the still night air. + +Hardly had he gone past when I again heard the thud of horses' +hoofs, and riding apparently in close pursuit came four men, with +set faces and loose rein. They, too, disappeared, but I could not +summon up courage to resume my way until the last sounds of the +pursuers had died away in the dim distance. + +Then I came in sight of a town of considerable size, dominated by a +lofty square tower. This I guessed rightly to be Christchurch. + +On reaching a long stone bridge I halted at one of the recesses to +rest awhile, making a meal of the food I had brought, for the walk +had made me ravenous. + +'Twas a glorious view. Standing out clearly in the moonlight was the +long, regular outline of the priory church, the graceful tower of +which I had seen a long way down the road. The moonbeams danced on +the placid waters of an inland sea, while from farther still, beyond +a lofty, flat-topped hill, came the sound of the swell of the +English Channel roaring on the sandy shore. + +Beneath the bridge flowed the river, swiftly and silently, though +oft the stillness was broken by the splash of a lordly salmon. "The +stream and I have both the same purpose," thought I. "Each would +gain the sea, though by different means." + +My reverie was broken by the clatter of horsemen, and fearing to be +stopped and questioned, I ran down the approach to the bridge and, +vaulting over the low parapet, stood ankle deep in the dewy grass, +scarce daring to raise my eyes above the coping. + +'Twas the same troop of horsemen I had seen a short while ago, and +in their midst, his legs bound beneath his horse's belly, rode the +man they had pursued, entreating and reviling his captors almost in +the same breath. + +Once again I proceeded on my way, keeping close to the side of the +main street, where the moon threw deep shadows athwart the cobbles; +and once again I was brought to a standstill. + +Hobbling down the street was a decrepit old man, muffled in a long +cloak. In his left hand he carried a lantern, while his right +grasped a halberd--though why thus armed I am at pains to suggest, +for so tottering were his footsteps that I could have knocked him +down with ease. Neither could he have had good sight, for he passed +me, as I stood flattened against a door, within three paces, and, +halting in the middle of the road, croaked: + +"One o' the clock, and a fine morning, and all's well." + +Three hours more and day would be breaking. If I were to be on Poole +Quay by sunrise no time must be lost, so directly the way was clear +I set off at a steady trot, never stopping till I had gained a +second bridge and had reached the foot of a steep hill, from the +summit of which I saw I had completely shaken off the dust of +Christchurch. + +For the next five or six miles 'twas up and down, with occasional +glimpses of the sea away on my left; and just as the pale dawn began +to glimmer in the east, I saw from the brow of a lofty hill the +whole extent of Poole Harbour spread out like a map, the undulating +downs that I knew afterwards to be Purbeck Heights being barely +visible against the dark grey sky. + +Half an hour later I was threading my way down the narrow High +Street, guided by the tall masts of the shipping in the harbour. + +At length I reached the quay, and stood bewildered by the maze of +vessels of all sorts, sizes, and rigs. Although 'twas yet early, +there was much bustling about--fishermen returning from their +night's work, and men, heavy-eyed as the result of their previous +night's carouse, stumbling back to their ships; while already the +creaking of tackle and the hoarse shouts of seamen proclaimed that +more than one vessel was getting under way. + +I had two immediate objects in view. I must avoid Captain Jeremy, +for I was very doubtful whether he would take me aboard the Golden +Hope. I must also find the ship, and manage to stow myself away till +she set sail. + +Once more luck was in my favour, for as I made my way along the +slippery wharf I espied a large, wall-sided brig, with tall masts, +from which the sails hung loosely, awaiting but to be sheeted home. +Beneath her small, square stern ports were the words _Golden Hope_. + +Even as I looked at her from a safe distance a heavy footstep caused +me to turn round, and to my surprise I saw no other than 'Enery. + +He recognized me in an instant, and gripping me by the shoulder he +exclaimed: + +"Avast there, Master Hammond, what brings you here?" + +"I've run away from home. Don't betray me, Henry," I replied; "I +want to go with Captain Miles, and I'm afraid he'll not take me." + +"Say 'Enery an' I'll answer to my name," said the seaman +reprovingly. "Why, if so be you wants to go to sea, why shouldn't +you? Why shouldn't you, I wants to know?" + +"Perchance Captain Jeremy will not see eye to eye with me in that +matter; though, once we are fairly out at sea----" + +"'Nough said, young maäster. Sink me if I don't do my best, for you +were as true as steel to us when we were shut up in that hole in +Brockenhurst Heath. Come on, and look sharp about it." + +So saying, he led the way to a dirty, disreputable inn situated in a +narrow street leading off the quay. Here he spoke a few words to a +ferrety, blear-eyed man, handing tankards of spirits to the crowd of +seafaring men who thronged there in spite of the time of day. + +"Up aloft," said the man, jerking his thumb in the direction of a +rough ladder that led to a room above. + +[Illustration: I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND] + +Here 'Enery provided me with a pair of heavy sea boots which, when I +had slipped my legs into them, reached almost to my thighs. Next I +donned a long oilskin coat, cracked all over by the heat of the sun +and smelling most vilely; while on my head 'Enery clapped a +tarpaulin, the back of which rested betwixt my shoulder-blades. + +Stepping back, he examined me critically; then, not satisfied with +his handiwork, he crossed over to the hearth, and covering his hand +with soot, he smothered my face till I was as dusky as a blackamoor. + +"It's all plain sailing now," he remarked approvingly; and sallying +out into the street, we regained the quay. + +"'Ere, clap hold o' that," exclaimed 'Enery, pointing to a heavy +sack, and, hoisting it on to my shoulders, he also seized a similar +article, and told me to follow him. + +There was a constant stream of men engaged in the same task, some of +them seamen belonging to the ship, others longshoremen hired to +assist in the loading. + +As I crossed the quay I saw Captain Jeremy, looking very smart in a +maroon-coloured coat, dark blue breeches, and long boots, while on +his head he sported a full-bottomed peruke, surmounted by a +three-cornered hat. + +Bending low with my burden, I passed him in great dread lest he +should penetrate my disguise, but, to my great relief, he went by +unsuspectingly, and the next moment I staggered up the narrow, +creaking gangway and gained the deck of the _Golden Hope_. + +Large as she appeared when viewed from the quay, the size of the +brig astonished me. She was about 200 tons burthen, and carried nine +seven-pounder pieces abroadside, with two small swivelled guns on +her poop. + +Betwixt the masts a yawning hatchway and a stout longboat occupied +nearly all the space amidships; and down the hatch descended the +stream of laden men, jostling against those who, having got rid of +their burdens, were returning to the shore for more. + +Passing out of the dazzling light, for the sun was now well up in +the heavens, the sudden change to the gloom of the hold made it hard +for me to distinguish my surroundings until my eyes grew accustomed +to the semi-darkness. + +The floor of the hold was composed of rough planks, with a narrow +hatch to gain access to the ballast. On either side I could discern +the stout curved frames, while overhead, save where the hatch gaped +to the light of day, huge timbers crossed athwart ship barely five +feet from the floor. The whole place smelt strongly of tar; mingled +with a dozen different odours, all more or less obnoxious to my +nostrils. + +Having relieved myself of the sack, I followed 'Enery towards the +fore end of the hold, where a low bulkhead, barely three feet in +height, separated the cargo and stores from the cable tier. There +two neatly coiled ropes, thicker than my leg above the knee, +occupied the greater part of the limited space, their ends vanishing +through two small apertures in the deck above. + +This I saw by the feeble glimmer of a horn lantern. + +"Here's your mess for awhile, till I gives you the word," said +'Enery. "I'll pass you down a pannikin of water and some hard tack +as soon as I can. No one will see you here, but take care of yon +cable, for if we've got to let go in a hurry you'll find yourself +capsized in a brace of shakes." + +"Let go what?" I asked, bewildered by his warning. + +"The anchor, Maäster Hammond. We never know when we've got to let +go, 'specially if she misses stays as we beat down the harbour." + +Fearing to betray my ignorance, I refrained from asking him what +missing stays meant; and, promising to look me up as soon as his +duties would permit, the old seaman hastened away, and I was left in +solitude, though the men were still at work stowing the stores in +the after part of the hold. + +At length the stream of hold trimmers gradually slackened and died +away; the hatches were replaced, and the hold was in darkness, save +for the dull yellow glimmer of the lantern that 'Enery had +thoughtfully left for my benefit. + +It seemed several hours before the old seaman reappeared, bringing +the promised biscuit and water. + +"Cap'n's come aboard," he announced. "We're just going to warp out, +for the wind's dead in our teeth. 'Twill be a long job, I'll allow, +afore we clear the bar. Never mind, Maäster Hammond; keep your heart +up, and watch the cable." + +With this repeated warning he again left me, and soon afterwards I +heard the tramp of many feet on deck, mingled with hoarse orders +that were faintly borne to my ears. + +The _Golden Hope_ was under way. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +In the Hold + + +Mindful of 'Enery's warning, I gave the two massive hempen ropes a +wide berth, and, leaning against a stout rib, resumed my vigil, till +the heat of the confined space caused me to doff the oilskins and +sea boots. + +Presently the brig gave a distinct heel, which gradually increased +till my position was turned into a standing one. Sail had been made, +and the vessel was lying over to the breeze, though, owing to being +still within a landlocked expanse of water, she scarce lifted as she +cut through the waves. I could distinctly hear the lapping of the +water against her sides as she moved with increasing pace in +response to the pressure on the additional canvas. + +Presently, in apparent obedience to a hoarse order, the _Golden +Hope_ recovered her upright position, then gradually settled down in +the other direction, till, unable to keep my feet, I found myself +flung bodily against the opposite side, the lantern being overset +and extinguished at the same time. + +Frantic with the fall, I struggled violently to regain my feet, my +head coming into contact with one of the coils of cable. For a +moment I imagined that the vessel had capsized, till, finding that +she rolled no farther, I came to the conclusion that she had turned +on her course. + +Such, in truth, was the case. The brig had tacked, or, to use a +nautical expression, had "gone about", the direction of the wind and +the narrowness of the channel making the operation necessary. But I +knew nothing of this at the time. + +Groping with my hand, I managed to find the lantern, but being +without flint and steel I was unable to relight it; so in the almost +pitch darkness I remained, my eyes fixed longingly on a faint white +light that filtered through a badly-fitting hatch cover. + +Fearing another flight across the hold when the vessel again tacked, +I lay almost at full length on the rough floor, my shoeless feet +wedged firmly against a stout ringbolt in the fore side of the +bulkhead. + +The effects of the excitement of the last twelve hours, combined +with the want of a good meal and the close, unwholesome atmosphere +of the hold, caused me to feel greatly distressed, and at length I +fell into a kind of stupor. + +I had a rude awakening. A sniffing sensation round my fingers was +followed by a sharp bite. With a shriek I withdrew my hand, and +immediately a loathsome, active creature fled across my prostrate +body. It was a rat, and a huge one, judging by its weight. + +Regardless of my instructions, I sprang to my feet, leaped over the +bulkhead, and crawled across the neatly stowed cargo, bumping my +crown more than once against the low deck beams. I was on the point +of hammering against the hatch, when the thought occurred to me that +it was yet too early to announce my presence. + +My new position was also more bearable, for the light that came +through the ill-fitting hatch was sufficient for me to see within a +yard of where I crouched. + +Meanwhile, the brig had tacked several times, so that by now the +manoeuvre did not cause me any misgivings; but what did trouble me +was the appearance of a regular swarm of rodents--not of the brown +variety such as one meets in the country, but long, skinny, black +rats, ferocious and daring in the extreme. + +I looked about for a weapon, for although I carried about me the +knife I had had fashioned from the fatal dagger, it did not seem +sufficiently handy to tackle these loathsome creatures. To my great +joy I espied a stout crowbar, left, no doubt, by the men who had +stowed the cargo. With this I killed several of the brutes, though +not before I was bitten more than once, for as I struck one another +would fly straight at my throat, and only by warding it off with my +arm was I able to finish it off with the iron rod. + +At length the rodents drew away and left me in comparative peace, +although I could hear them scuffling and squealing as the disturbed +bilge-water drove them from their accustomed haunts. + +Compared with the rats, the cockroaches could be endured without +much effort. These verminous creatures swarmed everywhere--on the +deck beams, over the cargo, and even on my person--so that I could +scarce change my posture without feeling and hearing the sickening +crunch as they were crushed beneath my body. + +All at once a violent commotion, accompanied by a medley of sounds, +came from the fore part of the hold. The hempen cable was rushing +through the hawse pipe. + +Then the brig trembled slightly and ceased to list, and when the +clamour died away I heard a man shout: + +"'Tis no use, Cap'n. I couldn't get another foot out of her." + +"How long does the flood make?" asked a voice which I recognized as +Captain Jeremy's. + +"First high water is about five hours from now," replied the first +speaker. "If the wind doesn't change we'll have to wait till then. +That'll give you an hour and a half to clear the bar afore the +second flood makes." + +I heard Captain Miles rattle out a round oath, but further +conversation was inaudible through the sounds on deck. Nevertheless, +I had heard enough to fill my cup of misery to the brim: unless the +wind changed sufficiently to enable her to stem the tide, the +_Golden Hope_ would be compelled to remain at anchor for five +hours--five hours more of bodily and mental torture for me. + +Yet I had to bear it, or own myself beaten, for I felt convinced +that so long as the brig remained within the limits of Poole +Harbour, Captain Jeremy would put me ashore in a longboat, or else +send me back with the pilot. + +Another hour or so passed, yet there were no signs of 'Enery. The +heat began to be intense, for the sun was now as high in the heavens +as it could possibly be, and its rays, pouring down upon the decks, +caused the atmosphere of the hold to become stifling. + +The wind, too, had dropped, for the ropes and sails no longer +rattled and flapped. But Captain Jeremy was not the kind of man to +allow his crew to remain idle, for I could hear water being poured +on the deck to clean away the dirt brought aboard from the quay. +This, to a certain extent, cooled the hold, and I felt all the +better for it. + +"A breeze! A breeze from the nor'east!" I heard a voice exclaim, and +almost immediately after came the sounds of men rushing hither and +thither, and the creaking of blocks and tackle. Then, with the +measured tramp of feet as the capstan revolved, the cable descended +slowly into its tier, adding to the odours of the hold the pungent +smells of seaweed and mud. + +The regular heel of the brig gave place to a confused pitching and +tossing, signs that I hailed with delight, in spite of a qualmish +sensation which the motion seemed to encourage. + +The _Golden Hope_ had crossed the bar, and was curtsying to the +waves of the English Channel. + +I waited a little longer, then began pounding on the hatch with the +butt of the iron rod. + +At first no notice was taken of my efforts; then, without apparent +warning, the hatch was whipped off. A flash of dazzling sunshine +temporarily blinded me, and before I could realize my surroundings +rough hands seized me by the shoulders and dragged me on deck, while +a man shouted: + +"Cap'n, here's a blessed stowaway!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +My First Day at Sea + + +Captain Jeremy Miles was standing under the break of the poop, his +sunburnt face darkened to a brick-red colour with anger. + +"What d'ye mean, you rascal, stowing yourself aboard my ship?" + +I must have looked a pitiable object, for, in addition to my +soot-blackened face, my clothes were covered with dust and tar, the +former from the roads, the latter from the timbers of the hold, +though, until I came on deck, I was unaware of it. + +My garments were also rent in several places, my hands were bleeding +from the result of the rats' bites, and my left eye was becoming +rapidly closed, by reason of the blow I had received when flung +across the cable tier. + +Receiving no answer, the Captain repeated the question with +increased emphasis, stamping his foot violently on the deck. + +I gave a rapid glance to windward. About a mile away I saw a line of +chalk cliffs, ending off in two remarkable pinnacles, and backed by +a lofty down, regular in outline and destitute of trees; while +astern lay the sand dunes that marked the entrance to Poole Harbour. +No other craft was in sight, so I concluded that, whatever else +might happen, I should not be put ashore. + +"Captain Jeremy," I exclaimed, "don't you know who I am?" + +"I don't know, and, what is more, I don't care." + +"But you do, sir; I am Clifford Hammond." + +Had a musket exploded under his very nose, the Captain would not +have jumped back more than he did. Then his eyes opened to their +fullest extent, and his jaw dropped till almost every tooth in his +head was revealed. Those of the crew who had formed the forlorn +group in the cave in Brockenhurst Heath gave a mingled shout and +cheer of welcome. + +"Good heavens, lad!" exclaimed the Captain, when he had partly +recovered himself, "you here? Sink me! Come to my cabin." + +He led the way to a low yet snug apartment in the stern of the +vessel, well lighted by the square ports I had before noticed, and +plainly but service ably furnished. A thick red carpet covered the +floor, and curtains of similar colour partially concealed a recess +that served as a sleeping bunk. A table, secured to the floor by two +light chains, occupied most of the available space, its polished top +being littered with charts and papers. Two muskets, a hanger, and a +brace of pistols were fixed in a rack, above which was a small +bookshelf. Against the side of the bulkhead stood a small portable +stove, but, the day being warm, it was unlighted. On either side of +the stove-pipe hung several nautical instruments, including a +quadrant, a telescope, and other gear; while below these, and in +fact in every angle of the cabin, were neatly contrived lockers. + +This much I saw in a rapid glance, for Captain Jeremy seemed anxious +to speak his mind. + +"You are a young rascal," said he, though in the same kindly manner +as of yore. "You've outwitted me, my lad, though I must confess I am +not altogether sorry. But now, look at the other side of the +business. Here you are, inexperienced in the hardships of a sailor's +life, about to engage in a hazardous enterprise that may last for +years. I am saddled with the responsibility of looking after you, +and this, in a measure, ties my hands." + +"I'll try not to give you any trouble," I exclaimed. + +"That I can quite understand; but trouble or no trouble, the +responsibility remains, d'ye see? However, least said, soonest +mended. Do your duty, my lad, for I'll warrant you'll not be kept +idle, and trust to One above to keep you when in danger and +adversity." + +He opened the cabin door and called to a man, desiring him to tell +the cook to bring in some food. + +"Meanwhile," he continued, "I'll look you out some suitable apparel, +and do you go for'ard, where you'll find a bucket of water. My +faith! You'll be all the better for a good wash." + +I did as he ordered, and walking along the heaving deck between +groups of men, who stood respectfully aside for me to pass ('Enery +having explained that I was the son of one of the owners--not +knowing of my father's death), I gained the shelter of a canvas +screen underneath the fo'c'sle ladder. + +Here I removed the thick deposit of soot and dirt, and having been +rinsed down by several buckets of water thrown over me by the seaman +who brought the promised garments, I proceeded to dress. + +The clothes fitted me fairly well as far as my height went, for I +was almost full-grown in stature, but they were somewhat loose about +the body, yet comfortable withal; and on returning to Captain +Jeremy's cabin I found myself arrayed in serviceable breeches--baggy +at the knees, 'tis true--a grey flannel doublet, and a short coat +with slashed sleeves. Hat and stockings I was not as yet provided +with, neither did I require them; but on my feet I wore a pair of +pumps, or heelless shoes. + +"Stow that away as fast as you can," said Captain Jeremy, pointing +to a tempting display of food placed at one end of the table. "And +don't forget to make the best of it, for the fresh stuff won't last +long, and you'll have to fall back on real seaman's fare--hard tack +and salt pork--before many days are over." + +While I was ravenously devouring my food (for I was completely +famished), a seaman was busily engaged in fixing some planks round +the sides of one of the lockers I had previously noticed. + +"He's knocking up a bunk for you," explained the kindly Captain. "I +think you'll be able to stretch out on it." + +"But you don't mean me to sleep in your cabin, sir?" I exclaimed. +"I'm quite ready to sleep in a hammock, like the rest of the crew." + +"That's part of my responsibility," he replied, shaking his finger +at me; "so there's an end on 't. Jeremy Miles has always prided +himself on being a man of his word, and sink me if I fail to carry +out this matter to the satisfaction of my principles." + +Thus I found myself installed in the Captain's cabin of the brig +_Golden Hope_, which was more than I expected and more than I +deserved. + +"Sixty men we carry," remarked the Captain. "None too many, but the +most we can reasonably afford. Most of them have been shipmates with +me in times past, and I'll warrant they'll be a tough nut for any +man to crack, be he Turk, Algerine, or buccaneer. It does my heart +good to see them do the cutlass drill, or man the ordnance. Our +master gunner, Master Silas Touchstone, has seen much service +'gainst the Dutch, and, forsooth, he's a tower of strength to the +brig. Would you could have seen them when we beat to quarters on our +way down channel." + +"Were you attacked?" I asked eagerly. + +"Nay, 'twas but practice, yet 'tis what we must accustom ourselves +to, for I doubt not that we shall smell powder in real earnest ere +we see Poole once again." + +Just then 'Enery, who, I discovered, was the bos'n, knocked at the +cabin door and reported that the wind was freshening considerably, +whereat Captain Jeremy hastened on deck. + +Having finished my meal, I bethought me that I ought to go on deck +also, and tying a scarf round my head in place of a hat, I ran up +the ladder and gained the poop. + +The wind was howling through the rigging and driving the spray in +white showers across our weather bow, while ahead and as far to +larboard as the eye could reach regular combers, with crested tops, +showed how the surface of the sea had changed during the last hour. + +On our starboard hand a wide expanse of milk-white foam betokened +the presence of the dreaded Race of Portland, the bluff headland +that gives it its name being plainly visible over our lee bow. + +Beyond the heights of Portland the sun was setting in a pale, watery +sky, which was fast becoming obscured by rapidly drifting grey +patches of ragged clouds--a sure sign of bad weather. + +Captain Jeremy neglected no precautions to ensure the safety of his +vessel. The fore and main topsails were close-reefed, the storm +stay-sails and jib set, and the guns, boats, and hatches properly +secured. + +"You had best turn in," he shouted, his lusty voice barely audible +above the shrieking of the wind. "We'll be in the thick of it before +long." + +Tired out with my exertions and lack of sleep during my night's +journey, I retired to the cabin, and, in spite of the incessant +rolling and pitching of the vessel, and the thunder of the waves as +they poured over her bows, I fell into a deep slumber. + +How long I slept I had no idea till I was roughly wakened by 'Enery +shaking my shoulder and exclaiming: "'Tis three bells [9.30 a.m.], +Master Hammond. You'd best come on deck, for there's a strange sail +bearing down on us." + +"What is it?" I asked. "Is it a pirate?" + +"That I know not; 'tis, I fear, no law-abiding craft, and if we come +to close action every man jack'll have his work to do." + +By this time I had sprung out of my bunk, and was making for the +deck. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Brush with Algerines + + +The wind, which had veered in the night and was now nearly dead +astern, had moderated in force considerably, and although 'twas +raining I could just distinguish a range of cliffs on our starboard +hand, ending in a lofty headland with a sheer fall into the sea. + +But the cause of the commotion on board was the presence of a long, +narrow craft that was bowling along barely two miles off our +larboard quarter. She had a lofty fo'c'sle and poop, with a low +waist, her rig consisting of two raking masts, from the slanting +yards of which bellied closely reefed, loose-footed triangular +sails. She flew no colours, but from the foremast head a long +streamer stood out as rigid as a spar. + +"They mean mischief," said Captain Jeremy to the master gunner, who, +having called the guns' crews to their stations, had come off to +confer with him. + +"'Tis strange enow," replied Master Touchstone, "seeing that we are +at peace with the French, the Hollanders, and the Spaniards. What +think you she is?" + +"An Algerine,[1] judging from the cut of her rig," replied Captain +Jeremy, "though I scarce thought to meet one of those rascally +rovers so close to the English shores. It seems as if Admiral Robert +Blake--who upheld the honour of England on the high seas, even +though he were a stout rebel--has taught them but half a lesson." + +"Report says that last October two of their galleys captured the +_Sea Dog_, of Padstow, within sight of the Lizard," observed the +master gunner. "Seven stout Cornish fishermen are even now slaving +in their pirate dens, for aught I know to the contrary." + +"They'll not carry the _Golden Hope_, Master Touchstone," replied +Captain Jeremy resolutely. "Your preparations are complete, I take +it." + +"Aye, aye. Four guns abroadside are loaded to the muzzle with musket +bullets, four of the others with iron balls, and one with bar shot. +'Twill make a fine present for yon craft, if she be in a mind to +take it." + +From where I stood at the head of the poop ladder I could command a +clear view of the brig's deck. The guns, with powder and ball ready +to hand, were as yet still run in, for with the heavy sea that was +raging 'twas unwise to trice up the ports until the actual time to +open fire, and we were thus also able to deceive the stranger, who +doubtless took us for a merchantman. Had our ports been open and our +line of gunning ordnance showing, the Algerine--for such she proved +to be--might have shirked a conflict; but Captain Jeremy's blood was +up, and he swore that he'd give the rascally sea-rovers a lesson +that they would not be likely to forget. + +Our crew--for most of them had smelt powder before, having served in +the Dutch wars--maintained perfect discipline, keeping well out of +sight; yet they stood grasping tackles and handspikes, ready at the +signal to run out their guns and deliver a crashing broadside. + +"They do not fear to press her," observed the master gunner, "though +they do not seek to gain the weather gauge. Think you that they'll +dare to board, sir?" + +"With this sea running? Aye, they'll try to run under our lee and +throw a score of their ruffianly crew aboard us. And were we a +peaceful trading craft they'd do it, though the sea were twice as +high. Smart helmsmen most of those rascals are. I call to mind a +Spanish captain I met in Cadiz nine years agone, who told me how his +vessel, a xebec, was carried by an Algerine ship in this fashion, +and in a heavy Levanter, to boot. But now, Master Touchstone, to +your station!" + +The Algerine was now but a few hundred yards astern, the foam flying +from her sharp bows as they cleft the water. She had put up her helm +and was bearing down on our lee quarter, doubtless to board in the +manner that Captain Jeremy had predicted. + +Observing that those of the crew who were not at the guns had armed +themselves with musket or pistol, I took hold of a musket. Thanks to +my forest training, I was well accustomed to handle a gun, being +reckoned a tolerable shot, though on board the _Golden Hope_ the +motion of the ship put me at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, lying +down on the poop, where a score of musketeers had already taken up a +like position, I awaited the opening of the engagement, though I +must confess the prospect of being under fire did not seem so +welcome as it had in the security of my own home, where I used to +hear the tales of glorious sea fights. + +The sight of Captain Jeremy helped to reassure me. He was standing a +short distance from the helmsman, his feet set widely apart and his +shoulders braced up, with the air of a man who knows how to keep +calm and resolute in the time of danger. Alternately glancing at the +tightly drawing sails and the hostile ship astern, he directed the +brig's course by a gentle motion of his hand, a signal that the +quick-witted quartermaster knew how to obey. + +"Stand by the weather after braces," the Captain shouted, and in +response to the order the men rushed to man the ropes that served to +trim the sails. + +"Are you ready, master gunner?" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The Algerine was now barely one hundred yards astern, having +achieved her object of getting to lee'ard of us. I could see her +lofty fo'c'sle crowded with men--brown, black, aye, and even white +faces, for renegades were to be found in the service of the +infidels. Some of the crew wore turbans and flowing robes, others a +kind-of hooded garment that reached to the knees; but the majority +were naked from the waist upwards. With scimitar, spear, pistol, and +musket they crowded ready for a spring upon our decks, while they +rent the air with shouts of defiance and rage, which were borne to +our ears by the wind. + +"Ready all! Ease the helm down!" + +The _Golden Hope_ gave a swift, and graceful turn, so that she +exposed the whole of her larboard broadside to her enemy. Then, as +the Algerine likewise put her helm down to avoid a collision that +would doubtless have proved fatal to both craft, nine of our +vessel's guns were run out, and a crashing volley was poured into +our entrapped foe. + +When the smoke had cleared away I saw a sight that I shall never +forget. The fo'c'sle, swept by a hail of bullets, was covered by a +writhing mass of dead and wounded men; her bows were beaten in by +the solid shot; while her foremast, cut off about six feet from the +deck, had fallen to lee'ard, bringing with it the heavy lateen yard +and sail, and crushing in its descent several of the crew who were +in the waist. + +Owing to the high seas that were running, the Algerine had been +unable to use her oars; but the luckless slaves, chained to their +benches, did not escape the hail of shot, much as we should have +wished otherwise. + +Amidst the clamour of shrieks, groans, and maledictions, for the +havoc our broadside had caused was immense, two white men sprang +over the side of the Algerine and began to swim in our direction. + +"There are some slaves escaping," shouted one of our seamen from the +fo'c'sle. + +"Where away?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +"Dead astern, sir." + +"Then 'bout ship. I'll do my best to pick them up. Yon rascals will +give us no more trouble." + +'Twas no easy task, for by the time the _Golden Hope's_ bow was +pointed towards the spot where two heads could be discerned as they +rose upon the crest of a wave, we were nearly a quarter of a mile +away, while the disabled Algerine, drifting bodily with the wind and +falling broadside on to the breakers, was doomed to a terrible fate +on the rock-bound coast. + +To get the two poor fugitives on board seemed impossible, for no +boat could live in such a sea. Even our guns' crews were at times +working up to the knees in water as they strove to secure their +guns, now that they were no longer required. But by means of a line +attached to a barrico and veered out to lee'ard, one of the men was +hauled up over the brig's side. The second slave was not so +fortunate. He must have been wounded, for he was seen to be swimming +very feebly; and ere the line came within his grasp he sank, in +spite of a gallant effort on the part of his companion to save him. + +Meanwhile the _Golden Hope_ was put on her former course, or nearly +so, for in the pursuit and action--though the latter lasted but a +minute at the outside--we had drifted to within a dangerous distance +of the shore, where the surf was licking the face of the frowning +cliff towards which the Algerine was rapidly being carried. + +We could clearly discern the last of the villainous but unfortunate +vessel. With her foremast shot away she was helpless, in spite of +frantic efforts to row her seaward. As fast as the heavy sweeps were +shipped they were shattered by the irresistible force of the waves, +till, midst a turmoil of foam, the doomed ship struck the cliff. + +"The Deadman[2] has claimed another toll," shouted Captain Jeremy in +my ear. "Yon's one of the worst parts of the Cornish coast, and +should a single man of her crew reach the land, he'll meet with +short shrift at the hands of the wreckers and smugglers." + +I had escaped my first experience of being under fire, somewhat to +my regret, now that the affair was over, for I had a presentiment +that 'twas but putting off the evil day. Yet I had gained some +knowledge of how Englishmen behave in times of danger, and that +knowledge was of no mean value. + +Four hours later the _Golden Hope_ rounded the Lizard, and in a now +rapidly subsiding sea entered the vast expanse of the Atlantic +Ocean. + +Well before sunset I saw the lofty cliffs disappear beneath the +horizon, and that was my last sight of Old England for many a long +day. + + +[1] During the seventeenth and even well into the eighteenth century +occasional raids by Algerine corsairs upon the shipping in the +Channel were reported. In the _Naval Chronicle_ for 1807 a letter +from one naval officer to another is given, under date of 1743. He +describes the wreck of a disabled Algerine off Land's End, pouring +out a whole torrent of abusive sarcasm upon the authorities of +Falmouth for sending "pork to feed the Mussulmans, being contrary to +their religion". + +[2] The Dodman, a precipitous headland on the South Cornish coast, +between Fowey and Falmouth, is even now familiarly named "The +Deadman" by seamen. The most notable wrecks there in recent years +were those of the _Thresher_ and the _Lynx_ in 1897. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of the Mysterious Ship in the Midst of the Ocean + + +Next morning when I came on deck I saw the man we had rescued from +the Algerine vessel. He was lying on a rough couch under the lee of +a cannonade, being too weak to stand. He had received a pistol shot +in the left arm, so that his escape was all the more to be wondered +at, although he asserted that while swimming for his life he knew +nothing of the matter. + +He was a man of gigantic stature, broad in frame, and with muscles +that stood out beneath his tanned skin like knots on the trunk of a +forest oak. All this I saw in spite of his distressed condition, and +should he recover, which seemed likely enough, he promised to make a +welcome addition to our crew. + +His name was Joe Clemens, and he hailed from East Looe, a small +fishing village in Cornwall somewhere betwixt Plymouth and Fowey, so +that when we picked him up he was almost within sight of his native +place. He had been the mate of the _Surprise_, armed trader, which +had been cast ashore on the Barbary coast, all her crew being +carried into captivity. + +He was the only Englishman on board the Algerine galley; and had +laboured at the oar for nearly three years, sleeping and working at +the rowers' bench, to which he was shackled by a chain passed round +his middle. + +Our broadside severed the chain, and seizing the opportunity he +sprang overboard, followed by a fellow-slave, a Sardinian. As he +leapt over an Algerine discharged a pistol at him, wounding him in +the arm; but such was his strength and determination that, although +wearing part of the heavy chain and bleeding profusely, he managed +to swim strongly till picked up. His companion had sunk, as I have +already related. + +For the next few days nothing happened beyond the ordinary routine +on board; but on the morning of the fifth day at sea I happened to +notice a man who must have previously kept out of my way. His face +was partially hidden by a short, stubbly beard, in spite of which I +felt certain 'twas the same man that had vied with my father in +bidding for Captain Jeremy's picture. + +Concealing my agitation, I sought the Captain and communicated my +suspicions. + +"Wrong again, lad," he replied. "'Tis Ned Slater, an old shipmate of +mine who has fallen on evil times. Out of charity I shipped him +aboard the _Golden Hope_." + +"The same old shipmate who bought a dagger in Lisbon?" + +"Aye, Master Clifford----" + +"But, sir, you described him as being as thin as a handspike." + +"So I did, lad; but he has filled out since then. 'Twas a score of +years ago at least. But rest easy in your mind concerning him, for +he has been to the Indies for the last four years, and only landed +in Chatham a month ago, the sole survivor of the barque +_Enterprise_. I know that, for I saw his papers." + +With that there was no more to be said; yet, though I might be +mistaken, I resolved to keep a close watch on the movements of +Master Ned Slater. + +Favourable winds bore the _Golden Hope_ to the Azores, where I had +my first impression of foreign parts. Then, after a three days' +stay, we shaped a course for the Bermudas; but, owing to constant +head winds, Captain Jeremy decided to run south, so as to pick up +the north-east Trades. + +For several days we sailed over a vast expanse of ocean, with never +a sail to break the regular skyline. The days, too, were rapidly +becoming hotter, while the hours of daylight appreciably diminished, +though the nights were warm and balmy, so that keeping a watch on +deck was robbed of all discomfort. + +At length one morning the sun rose red and fiery, betokening a +change in the weather; and barely was it clear of the horizon when +the cry was heard, "Sail, ho!" + +"Whither away?" asked Captain Jeremy, as he ascended the poop, glass +in hand. + +"A point off our starboard bow, sir," replied the seaman who had +picked up this craft. + +With the naked eye we could distinguish the topsails and t'gallants +of a brig, the hull being still below the horizon. Captain Jeremy +clapped the glass to his eye and examined her intently. + +"What's amiss with her?" he exclaimed. "She's hove-to." + +"Perhaps she has sighted us, and wishes to communicate," suggested +Touchstone. + +"Or else she's a buccaneer," added 'Enery, as he swung himself into +the main shrouds in order to get a better view from the topmast +head. + +"We are out of the regular cruising ground of those gentlemen," +remarked Captain Jeremy. "But 'tis no saying what she may prove to +be. Master Touchstone, will you see that the arms are served out?" + +Two hours later, for the wind was still light, we were within a mile +of the strange brig. She was a vessel very similar to the _Golden +Hope_ in design, but with what a difference in appearance! + +She was still hove-to, moving very slowly through the water. Her +yards were badly squared, while her running gear seemed to be in a +state of neglect, several of the sheets and braces trailing over the +side. She carried four guns abroadside, and these were run out in +apparent preparation to ward off an attack; while her decks were +crowded with men. + +"What do they think to do?" asked the master gunner. "'Tis certain +they have no stomach for a fight, or else they would keep way on +her." + +"If they do not pay heed to their t'gallants they are lost men," +said Captain Miles. "See, already the sky is overcast to windward. +Yet it may be but a trick, so stand to your guns, men." + +In obedience to a further order, the red cross of St. George was +shown from our foremast truck, for the course our vessel was taking +prevented the ensign at the peak being seen by the stranger. + +No ensign was hoisted in reply, and in perfect silence the others +awaited our approach. + +"What ship is that?" hailed Captain Jeremy through his speaking +trumpet. There was still no answer, although the _Golden Hope_ was +passing within fifty yards of the stranger's bows. The hail was +repeated, and to our surprise a lusty voice shouted: + +"Can yew give we a hand wi' this boat ov ourn, zurr?" + +"If that isn't a Zummerset or Devon yokel, sink me for a +landlubber!" remarked Captain Jeremy; and almost at the same moment +'Enery, who had descended to the main top, shouted, "Bless me, +Cap'n, if it ain't Garge Oddicombe." + +"Aye, aye, we'll send a boat," replied Captain Jeremy to the other's +request; and in a very short space of time twenty men, with 'Enery +in charge, were making-towards the forlorn brig, I having obtained +permission to accompany them. + +"Look sharp!" shouted our Captain as the boat shoved off. "Make all +snug alow and aloft, and keep us in company." + +A strange sight met our eyes as we gained the deck of the brig, +which, by the name painted on her stern, we now knew to be the +_Neptune_ of Topsham. + +The confusion on deck was in accordance with the disorder aloft. +Ropes, gun tackles, broken casks and planks, and torn canvas were +lying about in the utmost disorder; while some hundred men, +grotesquely dressed in motley costumes, gazed at us with mingled +expressions of relief, curiosity, and fear. Many still wore the +smocks of their native Somerset and Devon, but gone was the healthy +hue of a country life. Haggard faces, unkempt hair, and beards +showed that these sons of the soil had had a trying time on +shipboard. + +Without waiting to question this mixed crew, some of whom recognized +our men as comrades on the fatal field of Sedgemoor, 'Enery took +steps to ensure the safety of the brig, for the wind was piping up +in long-drawn moans, the forerunners of the expected gale; and by +the time everything was snugged down the sea was too high to permit +the boat to return to the _Golden Hope_ for further orders. + +Under easy canvas both brigs scudded before the gale, and, thanks to +'Enery's management, and the fact that the _Neptune_ was a seaworthy +craft, we had no fears as to her ability to make good weather of it. + +All night we kept the _Golden Hope's_ poop lanterns in view, both +vessels being of about the same turn of speed; nor was it possible +to return to our own craft until late in the afternoon of the +following day. + +Nevertheless, long before that time we were acquainted with the +facts that led up to our meeting with the _Neptune_, and a ghastly +story it was. + +The _Neptune_, commanded by Captain Jonas Wright, had left the port +of Topsham on the tenth of September, with a living cargo consisting +of one hundred and twenty poor peasants whom the inhuman Judge +Jeffreys had condemned at Exeter Assizes to a lifelong slavery in +Jamaica. + +This Captain Jonas Wright was a harsh, tyrannical man, who, far from +alleviating the miseries of his prisoners, had added to their hard +lot, keeping them on low rations of nauseating food, and only +allowing them to come on deck for fresh air at very long intervals, +while he took a savage delight in bestowing the dreaded "cat" +whenever an opportunity occurred. Frequently, through sheer love of +cruelty, he would invent some pretext for whipping the manacled +prisoners, shouting in drunken glee at their appeals for mercy. + +At length George Oddicombe, a man of enormous strength, but withal +somewhat dull of understanding, who had fought stubbornly at Sedge +moor till ridden down by the Royals, contrived to free himself from +his gyves and leg irons, and by working heroically for six hours +also managed to release most of his luckless comrades, who in turn +devoted their energies to knocking off the fetters of the remaining +rebels. + +That same night, the captain being in drink, as were most of the +seamen, a horde of fierce and resolute peasants poured through the +hatchway and overpowered the crew. What happened to their erstwhile +captors we did not ask, there being little need to imagine their +fate. + +Although freed from their oppressors, the ignorant yokels found +themselves helpless, for the brig soon got in irons[1]. Unable to +manoeuvre her, they had slowly drifted in a vessel which, but for +our aid, would ere now be lying on the bed of the Atlantic. + +Directly the wind moderated sufficiently, 'Enery and I returned to +the _Golden Hope_, leaving seven of our men still on board the +_Neptune_. + +Captain Jeremy listened intently to the bos'n's report, his brow +frequently puckering as if with the perplexity of the situation; but +when at length 'Enery finished his story, the Captain brought his +hand down on the cabin table with a tremendous crash. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I'll risk it. Bring Oddicombe on board." + + +[1] A vessel is said to be "in irons" when she is head to wind, and +will not tall off on either tack. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +"Captain 'Enery" + + +While the boat was away on its errand Captain Jeremy turned to me. + +"You see, Master Clifford, that I am in a very awkward position. As +master of this vessel I look upon mutiny and similar uprisings +against authority as an offence of the blackest dye. 'Tis certain +that Master Oddicombe and his following have dealt hardly with the +captain of the _Neptune_ and his crew, and for that they deserve to +be delivered up to justice at the first English settlement we touch. +On the other hand, they were fighting for their liberty 'gainst a +tyrant, while, to go farther, they fought side by side with us under +Monmouth's banner. But for the workings of Providence, I and a score +of my men now on board this vessel would have been similarly dealt +with. Had we been in their place, how should we have acted, had the +means of regaining our freedom been opened to us?" + +"Same as they, Cap'n," exclaimed 'Enery, who, with Touchstone and +myself, formed a little council in the cabin. + +"I did but sound your inclinations," continued Captain Jeremy. "Sink +me! I cannot blame them. But now, by the laws of the sea, the +_Neptune_ is in our keeping till we bring her into a port, when the +Admiralty courts shall decide our share of the salvage. But if we do +that, what is to become of the yokels that are on board? Nay, that +will not serve." + +"We could do with another ship and a sprinkling of fighting men," +observed the master gunner tentatively. + +"You have spoken mine own mind," rejoined Captain Jeremy. "If we can +but make yon peasants see that therein lies the best chance of +safety, I'll tranship half of them, and send thirty of our men under +you, bos'n, to work the leavening of the rest. I know these men. +They are full of fight, and only need a stiffening of good seamen to +turn them into a passable crew." + +"Then you expect we shall have opposition, sir?" I asked. "From +whom?" + +"From the buccaneers, unless I be greatly mistaken. With the _Golden +Hope_ alone 'twould be necessary to avoid an engagement should these +rogues think fit to molest us, for they swarm all over the Caribbean +Sea; but with a consort like the _Neptune_ we can hold our own. Is +she a seaworthy craft?" + +"As sweet a craft as I could wish for--saving our own," replied +'Enery. + +"And well found?" + +"Both in stores and munitions of war, though I have not made a full +search. Eight twelvepounders and an eighteen on her fo'c'sle, and a +goodly store of muskets, cutlasses, and pikes, to say naught of a +stock of bilboes." + +"And water?" + +"Enough and to spare." + +"Excellent!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "But here is the boat +alongside. We'll hear what Master Oddicombe hath to say to our +proposals." + +Master Oddicombe needed but little persuasion to fall in with +Captain Jeremy's suggestions. He realized only too well that his +bold step in taking possession of the _Neptune_ brought the greater +chance of difficulties and dangers; and that, had they been +overhauled by a King's ship, every man would assuredly have graced a +halter. + +Captain Jeremy next proceeded to explain the mission of the _Golden +Hope_, and our expectation of securing a vast treasure. + +"Although I can offer you no share in the matter," he continued, "I +shall require you and your companions to pledge yourselves to serve +us faithfully for the space of not more than two years. At the end +of that time, or before, should we attain the object of our search, +I'll warrant your safe discharge at some settlement, where you will +be free men. More than that, should we be able, by the united work +of both vessels, to capture any buccaneering craft who think to +molest us, their cargoes will be equally divided betwixt all hands. +So if you and your men are willing to serve us faithfully, and +engage in an enterprise of adventure and profit, now is the chance +of that and your freedom." + +Nothing loath, Master Oddicombe gave the required promise on behalf +of his men, and the compact having been sealed over a bottle of +Madeira, we all repaired on deck, where Captain Jeremy gave orders +for our crew to assemble. + +"My lads," said he, "You know I'm a bluff sailor and not given to +making speeches, so I come straight to the point. Yon brig is now +our consort. Together we'll make a match for any buccaneer that +dares to assail us. You need not fear that your shares in the +expedition will be lessened by our increased numbers--if anything, +you stand to gain. I hope you'll welcome your new messmates. Some of +you will greet them as old companions on the battlefield. That's all +I'm going to say. Now, thirty men are wanted to serve aboard the +_Neptune_ under Captain 'Enery." Here our former bos'n almost lost +his balance, at the shock of hearing his new title. "Seven of our +men are already aboard her," continued Captain Jeremy, with a sweep +of his arm in the direction of the _Neptune_, which, like the +_Golden Hope_, had been hove-to during the last hour or so. "Those +willing to serve under Captain 'Enery will muster on the larboard +side." + +To my surprise, not a man crossed over to the larboard, but with one +accord all stepped briskly and resolutely to the starboard side. + +"What's this I see?" shouted Captain Jeremy. + +"Do you want to cruise single-handed? Are you afraid that, against +my word, your shares will go down? Do I scent mutiny aboard the +_Golden Hope_? Bestir yourselves, my hearties!" + +"'Tain't neither, Cap'n," replied one of the men, Tom Cherry by +name. He had been one of the Captain's comrades in the cave, and was +a stanch, honest fellow. "We'll all go if you gives the word, but we +don't want you to think as 'ow we wants to leave you." + +"You won't be leaving me; it's the _Golden Hope_ you're leaving, to +join a consort under my orders. I thank you all for your expression +of loyalty, but as some of you must ship aboard the _Neptune_ we'll +leave it to chance. Master Touchstone, do you draw the men into two +ranks." + +Thereupon the crew took up their position, fifty-one all told, for +Captain 'Enery and the master gunner were, with Captain Miles and me +on the poop. + +"Down you go, Master Clifford, and pick out a man at random," said +our Captain; and, descending the poop ladder, I walked between two +rows of as fine a set of men as ever served afloat. + +"Fall out, you," ordered Captain Jeremy, as I touched a smart +lower-yard man on the shoulder. + +"Now, count out every seventh man." + +"There you are, Captain 'Enery," he continued, when the counting out +was completed; "a proper crew for you, and no favouritism. I trust +they'll do you credit. Now, lads, there's no time to be lost, so +dismiss and pack up your traps." + +With this there was a wild skelter, as the men dived into the +forepeak to gather together their personal property; and a quarter +of an hour later the backbone of the _Neptune's_ crew rowed off to +our consort. + +An hour or more elapsed ere the sixty peasants were brought on board +the _Golden Hope_, for Captain 'Enery, with considerable tact, had +allowed them to settle amongst themselves who should stay and who +were to go. Thus there was no separation of relations or +friends--for, poor fellows, they had had enough of that when they +left England--and each band of yokels had the satisfaction of +finding themselves made up of practically the manhood of their +respective villages. + +Our westward course was now resumed, the two vessels keeping their +stations with commendable precision, the _Golden Hope_ leading at +about a cable's length from the _Neptune's_ larboard bow. + +From early morn to late afternoon, day after day, the new arrivals +were trained in the use of arms, manning the guns under Master +Touchstone's supervision, and going through the musketry exercises +and the cuts and guards of the cutlass drill. It was not long before +their smocks and other homely garments had given place to clothes of +a nautical cut, while each day added to their transformation into +stout-hearted British seamen. + +Nor were the conditions under which the crew of the _Neptune_ lived +less strenuous. Although we were unable to go aboard her, for the +Trades blew steadily during this time, and both vessels kept up a +good eight knots, I could see by the aid of a glass that her men +were hard at work with their ordnance and small arms; while it +seemed that Captain 'Enery rarely quitted his quarter-deck. Whenever +I chanced to look that way I could distinguish his tall, gaunt, +bearded figure slowly pacing his domain; and I realized that, should +we ever find ourselves in a tight fix, we should have reason to be +thankful for the aid of Captain 'Enery. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +We Arrive at Treasure Island + + +"Land ahead!" + +Such was the welcome cry that greeted my ears as I awoke on the +morning of our thirty-eighth day afloat. + +Hastily throwing on my clothes, I rushed on deck to view the land of +promise. We were approaching the Lesser Antilles, and ahead the +lofty, wooded slopes of an extensive island were slowly coming into +sight, while north and south the peaks of other islands showed their +heads above the horizon, for the weather was particularly clear, the +hour being just after sunrise. + +Captain Jeremy was already up and about, and was holding the chart +in his hand, for we were on the point of passing over shoal water, +though no rocks reared their heads above the sea. + +The leadsman was in the chains, his voice being heard with +monotonous regularity--"By the mark five"[1]; and the anchor was +already uncatted and hung ready to let go at the first sign of +danger. + +Astern the _Neptune_ was wallowing slowly in our wake, under reduced +canvas. + +Gradually the island loomed nearer and nearer, till we could +distinguish a saddle-shaped hill, covered with dense vegetation, +descending steeply on its northern face, while its southern portion +seemed to end in a long, flat plain. At first sight there appeared +no break in the encircling ridge of white sand 'gainst which the +breakers flung themselves in cascades of milk-white foam, the noise +of which was borne to our ears like the distant roll of drums. + +"By the deep four," shouted the leadsman. + +"Carry on," said Captain Jeremy calmly, though by his manner I knew +'twould be hazardous to question him. "Another man in the chains!" + +"A quarter less four." The water was shoaling rapidly. + +Still our Captain gave no sign to alter the brig's course, although +an ominous pale green patch ahead and several others of a dark brown +hue on either side of us betokened the presence of dangerous +sandbanks and rocks. His eyes were intently fixed on a rocky +pinnacle which was slowly coming into line with a distant island. + +"Hard a larboard!" + +Round swept the _Golden Hope_, heeling over to the beam wind as it +caught her retrimmed sails. We were now shaping a course parallel to +the eastern side of the island, while the _Neptune_, turning in our +wake, had also succeeded in negotiating the unseen channel. + +"Keep her as she goes, quartermaster," ordered Captain Jeremy, who +was now devoting his attention to some secret bearings on the shore. + +"By the mark thirteen," sang out the leadsman, while almost directly +afterwards his companion gave the cry, "And a half six." + +"Starboard your helm." + +Once more the _Golden Hope_ swung round till she lay on her former +course and was pointing straight for the island. Right ahead I could +now see a deep bay, or rather gulf, protected by a ridge of jagged +rocks running obliquely seaward from either horn of the land. Even +here the rollers ran high, but they lacked the broken crest that +elsewhere marked an almost continuous submerged reef. + +Away aloft sprang the men to reduce still further our spread of +canvas. With a succession of heavy lurches the _Golden Hope_ crossed +the bar and entered the land-locked harbour. + +"Let go," shouted Captain Jeremy, laying down his glass with a sigh +of relief and wiping his heated brow. + +With a sullen splash the anchor plunged beneath the waves, the stout +hempen cable flew through the hawse-pipe, and the _Golden Hope_ +brought up head to wind in the sheltered anchorage of Treasure +Island. + +The _Neptune_, smartly handled, also dropped anchor half a cable's +length nearer inshore, and steps were immediately taken to moor both +vessels, a massive chain bridle and swivel being bent on to the +cables to prevent undue chafing, and also to facilitate matters +should we be compelled to slip in a hurry. + +The waters of this little harbour were so clear that the bed of the +sea could be distinctly seen at a depth of five fathoms. The _Golden +Hope_ was lying immediately over a white sandy 'patch, though both +her anchors were embedded in blue mud, which formed an excellent +holding-ground. + +It being too late in the day to land, for mooring and "snugging +down" had taken up a considerable time, all hands were allowed to +stand easy. Many of the men took advantage of this permission to +bathe, and a strange sight it was to see a constant stream of seamen +running along our fore-yard and diving thence into the sea. + +For my part, I could not bring myself to attempt a plunge from that +dizzy height, but contented myself with diving off the catheads; yet +before many days had passed I conquered my fears and essayed the +leap, for which I had reason to be thankful ere the cruise of the +_Golden Hope_ was over. + +A sharp look-out was kept in case the swimmers were attacked by +sharks, but we were not molested by these monsters. On our voyage we +had frequently come across them, and they would follow the ship for +days; but on our crossing the bar they deserted us. Possibly the +roar of the surf had frightened them, and we were not sorry to lose +their unwelcome attentions. + +Next day the boats were ordered away to sound the bay and the bar +without. The weather was exceedingly hot, and even when sheltered +beneath canvas awnings the heat was oppressive. Yet ere nightfall +the soundings were taken, with sufficient exactness to assure +ourselves that no hidden danger lay within the entrance to our +harbour, while the wreck of the Spanish caravel was discovered lying +close to the northernmost arm of the reef in eleven fathoms of +water. + +I could trace her rounded sides and lofty poop and fo'c'sle, even +though the timbers were covered with weeds. She was lying almost on +an even keel, though with a slight list to starboard, her bows +pointing obliquely to the shore. Had she been a few hundred yards to +the south'ard she must assuredly have made the harbour in safety, +and then there would have been no need for our presence off the +island. + +"It was commonly supposed," said Captain Jeremy to me, "that the +whole of the crew of the caravel perished in the wreck, but I can +prove that such was not the case. When she struck she remained above +water some time--possibly for weeks--and the survivors removed the +treasure to a safe hiding-place in the hills. How they fared you +shall see. With the next heavy gale the _Madre_ slipped off the +rocks and settled in deep water, where we now see her. This accounts +for the treasure not being found by anyone but myself. Now we'll +return to the _Golden Hope_, for 'tis nearly sunset." + +That night extra watches were set on both ships, for we knew not +whether the island was inhabited or otherwise, while at any time +some buccaneering craft might attempt to surprise us as we lay at +anchor. But nothing untoward occurred to, disturb our slumbers, +although the change from the constant heave of the ocean to the +motionless calm within this sheltered harbour caused me to lie awake +on my back for several hours. + +A thousand thoughts passed through my brain. Here we were off +Treasure Island, but would our quest be successful? What was my +uncle doing? Had he guessed the reason of my flight? or did he think +that I had come to some untimely ending? If the latter, what would +he do with my home in far-off Brockenhurst? And Constance--how was +she faring? Then I recalled the incidents that led to my presence on +board the _Golden Hope_. I pictured again the struggle with the two +dragoons on the Lyndhurst Road, the fatal night when my father was +foully slain, the underground refuge, my midnight flight and +subsequent discomforts in the hold. Once more I saw the Algerine +crumple up under our broadside, and pictured the boarding of the +_Neptune_. These and a chain of other incidents I recalled, till +just before dawn I fell asleep. + +Yet during the short interval while I slept occurred the first of a +series of incidents that led to the direst misfortunes which befel +our enterprise. + + +[1] This refers to the sounding in fathoms as shown by the leadline. +This line is "marked" at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 fathoms +by distinctive strips of calico, bunting, leather, &c. The +intervening depths are not "marked", and are called "deeps". + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A Hasty Recall + + +At sunrise all hands were piped on deck, for much had to be done ere +the rays of the tropical sun became too strong for us to work. The +boats were hoisted out and the hatches removed, and a portion of the +stores was placed on deck ready to be transported on shore. + +Captain Jeremy had decided, to avoid difficulty and the loss of time +caused by going ashore and returning by the boats every day, to land +most of the stores and gear required for our expedition--that is, +should the island prove to be uninhabited--and to erect a stockaded +storehouse and quarters. + +This arrangement would also benefit the health of the crews of both +vessels, for in their somewhat overcrowded state the greatest care +had to be exercised to ward off an epidemic of scurvy. + +Accordingly, fifty men, armed to the teeth, were ordered away in the +boats under the command of the master gunner, for Captain Jeremy had +decided not to explore the interior of the island, where the +treasure was supposed to be hidden, until a secure base of +operations was in existence. + +Before the landing party went over the ship's side Captain Jeremy +called me into his cabin. + +"Master Clifford," said he, "dost call to mind when you last saw the +chart of the island? I remember having it in my hand as we worked +our way into the harbour, but, strange to admit, I have no further +recollection of it." + +"'Twas left in yonder rack," I replied, pointing to where I had last +seen the chart. "I remember that perfectly." + +"Then it hath been filched," he said, "filched while we slept. Well, +well, may it do the thief all the good he deserves! He, or the +thieves, will not be able to find the treasure by its aid, though +'tis important should anyone but myself attempt to steer the _Golden +Hope_ between the shoals. I must, therefore, explain the leading +marks to Captain 'Enery and our quartermaster, for some mishap might +occur to render me helpless. Do not say a word concerning this +matter to anyone, Master Clifford. 'Tis best to keep such +disquieting knowledge to ourselves; but, nevertheless, I'll have my +weather eye open, and at the first sign of treachery or mutiny I'll +give the culprits cause to remember Captain Jeremy Miles. Now you +can go ashore, but be sure to return on board ere nightfall. You had +better not take up your quarters ashore till things are ordered to +ensure our safety." + +I embarked on board one of the long-boats, which were laden almost +to the water's edge with various stores, including powder and shot, +ladders, spades and mattocks, carpenters' tools, nails and spikes, +barrels of biscuits and flour, and canvas for making tents. + +In spite of their overladen condition, the boats reached the shore +in safety, for the water was as calm as a mill pond. We landed on a +flat, sandy beach, close to the mouth of a little stream that was to +supply us with fresh water. The plain that extended 'twixt the sea +and the hammock= shaped hill was far more extensive than one would +have supposed, when viewing it from the offing. It was nearly three +miles in width, and was covered by a dense and luxurious vegetation. + +Between the little stream and the rocky headland that formed the +northernmost horn or arm protecting the harbour the ground was +comparatively barren, so that a clear view could be obtained for +several hundred yards. + +Moreover, the rocks on the seaward side descended abruptly to the +water's edge, so that they formed a natural defence in that +direction, since no boats could land thereabouts. Midway betwixt the +stream and the headland the master gunner fixed the site for the +stockade. + +A trial hole to the depth of ten feet revealed the presence of a +copious supply of water, sweet and wholesome to the taste when once +the mud had settled. This was especially fortunate, as we were not +compelled to rely upon the stream, which was a quarter of a mile or +more from our proposed fortress. + +Having transported all the stores they had brought ashore to the +middle of a square that the master gunner had traced upon the +ground, the landing party went up into the woods to fell and trim +some trees for the purpose of making the stockade; and soon the +silence of the grove was broken by the noise of the axes and the +cheery voices of the men. They made enough clamour to give the alarm +to every buccaneer that might be within a mile or so; but though our +people worked with their muskets close at hand, and outposts were +placed to give us ample warning of a surprise, the island appeared +to be uninhabited save by its new masters. + +It took a fortnight's hard work to construct the stockade, which was +loopholed at regular intervals, and strengthened by a mound of earth +on the inside. The soil thus utilized had been excavated so as to +form a ditch without the barrier, thus increasing the value of our +defences; while, in order to store our powder in safety, a deep hole +or cave was dug in the centre of the fortress and covered over with +the trunks of trees, on which earth was placed to a height of four +feet. This made a magazine which was proof against any shot that +might be fired into the stockade; while on the mound above it a +lookout hut had been erected, being protected against musketry by a +breastwork of sandbags. + +Having completed this stronghold, the master gunner obtained +permission to mount two of the _Golden Hope's_ guns. The work of +getting these pieces of ordnance ashore was a difficult one; but, +thanks to Master Touchstone's energy and mechanical skill, they were +placed in position and so arranged that both could be brought to +fire from any side of the stockade by means of ingenious carriages +somewhat resembling those used by troops in the field. + +Thus, before we were ready to send an expedition into the interior, +a month had elapsed; yet all hands felt that the time had not been +wasted, since we were now in a position to repel an attack by either +land or sea. + +At length we set out to find the resting-place of the precious cargo +of the _Madre de Dios_. For this expedition twenty men were drawn +from each ship, Captain Jeremy being in command. During our absence +Captain 'Enery was left in charge of the _Golden Hope_ and her +consort, with orders to fire three guns should danger arise, as it +was supposed that the sound of the discharge would be heard at any +point on our march into the interior. Touchstone, with eleven men, +was to hold the stockade. + +We were one and all heavily laden, for, in addition to our arms and +ammunition, each man carried a week's supply of provisions and an +axe, or mattock. At every half-mile three men were to be left in +order to form a chain of communication with the shore, so that by +the time we reached the place where the treasure was supposed to +lie, only twelve would remain. These twelve would be sufficient to +remove the bulk of the spoil, while the rest of the treasure could +be obtained at some future time. + +Soon we plunged into the dense belt of vegetation that, I have +mentioned, lay betwixt the shore and the mountain. It consisted of +reeds, canes, and scrub, much higher than a man's head, so that we +had to guide ourselves by means of a compass. It was tedious work, +for we had to cut a path nearly every foot of the way, while in +places the ground was so swampy that we frequently sank in the mud +nearly to our knees. + +Captain Jeremy had, years before, cut a path through the thicket, +and the task had occupied him more than a week; but all traces of +his former route had long been obliterated. + +At length we reached a small open hillock surrounded by the thicket, +and here our first post was established; for though it was more than +half a mile from the stockade, our Captain did not care to expose +his men to the risk of fever by leaving them on the low-lying +ground. + +On resuming our march the reeds and bushes became thicker, till it +was only by sheer hard cuts with our axes that we were able to +proceed, the men working by relays. It being now high noon, the heat +was terribly oppressive, a close and moist mist rising from the +marshy ground adding to our discomfort, while we were tormented by +swarms of flies, which hovered round our heads till we could scarce +open our eyes. + +Nevertheless we stuck manfully to our arduous task, for it was +necessary for health's sake to avoid spending a night in that +unwholesome district. We must reach the high ground ere we pitched +our camp. + +Suddenly a shout from one of our men caused us to stand to our arms. +The column halted, but Captain Jeremy, who was in the middle, forced +his way betwixt the wall of bushes and the men who were in front. + +Then followed a lengthy pause, till the line of men moved forward +again, this time with greater rapidity, and I found myself standing +in an open clearing, surrounded by our astonished seamen. This +clearing was of recent date, for many of the saplings and canes +showed signs of having been cut but a short time ago, while running +north and south across the direction of our route was a fairly broad +and well-defined path. + +We were now in a quandary. It would be unwise to resume our way and +leave an unexplored path betwixt us and the shore, and it would be +equally hazardous to separate our slender force into two bodies, so +that the beaten track could be examined in both directions. It was +also inexpedient that the inhabitants of the island (since it was +inhabited) should be aware of our presence until we had assured +ourselves whether they were peaceful settlers, or otherwise. + +"This path has not been used for a month at least, Cap'n," said one +of our men, a smart young seaman in the carpenter's crew. + +"How so?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +"By these footprints, sir," replied the seaman, pointing to a number +of well-defined marks on the hard ground. "They are the footprints +of men wearing boots and also of naked feet, and they are pointing +in both directions, showing that people have walked this way and +that." + +"Quite so," assented Captain Jeremy. "But how say you that these are +a month or more old?" + +"The ground is quite hard; we cannot leave the imprint of our +boots," continued the seaman. "And since we have been on this island +more than a month, and no rain has fallen during all that time----" + +But before he could complete his explanation the distant boom of a +cannon, followed at regular intervals by two more, caused us to look +at each other in alarm.' It was the signal for our recall; something +of extreme importance had occurred. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Attacked by Buccaneers + + +"Back to the ships!" was the cry, and with the utmost haste we +retraced our footsteps. Not having to cut our way back, our progress +was considerably quicker than on the outward journey, most of the +men casting aside their stock of provisions to enable them to +lighten their loads. Yet, owing to the marshy state of the ground +through which we floundered heavily, it was nearly two hours later +ere we emerged from the forest--if forest I may term it. + +The cause of our sudden recall then became apparent, for standing in +under all plain sail were three large ships. They were still a +league or more from the mouth of our harbour, but already they were +in shoal water, so that 'twas plain they were no strangers to the +island, since they were following the intricate channel through +which we ourselves had come. + +Our arrival had already been observed from our own ships, and boats +were putting off to take us on board. While we were awaiting them +Captain Jeremy ordered twelve men to reinforce the little garrison +within the stockade, and on numbering the remainder we were +astonished to find that only twenty-two remained. The outposts whom +we had left on the hillock had been recalled, and on the march not a +cry of alarm had been raised, so that the missing men must have +disappeared without a sound. + +"Who are they? What are their names?" demanded Captain Jeremy +anxiously. + +Several names were mentioned, although some of them, I knew, were +those of the men who had been sent to the stockade; but all were +agreed that Ned Slater was amongst the six missing seamen. + +A stern look overspread Captain Jeremy's bronzed features. The loss +of the chart, and the unaccountable disappearance of a man of whom I +had expressed my distrust, had considerably shaken our Captain's +faith in his former shipmate; but, controlling himself, he ordered +the men to embark, for the boats had by this time gained the shore. + +Although we hurried on board there was no unseemly haste or panic, +and as each man came up over the side he took his place in his +allotted position. + +Captain 'Enery, having handed over the command to Captain Jeremy, +returned to the _Neptune_, where, as on board the _Golden Hope_, the +magazines had been opened, and powder and shot placed alongside the +guns, ere we came off. + +The wind blew steadily straight on shore, so that we hoped the +strange vessels had not heard the guns fired as the return signal, +though, as most merchantmen carried small guns for this purpose, the +discharge, even had it been heard, would not have led the enemy to +suppose that our vessels were well armed. + +Meanwhile we lost no time in improving our posture of defence. +Captain Jeremy sent away the long-boat with a kedge slung underneath +her, to which was attached a long hawser, leading over the ship's +stern. The kedge was then dropped, and by taking a strain on the +cable the _Golden Hope_ was brought to lie broadside on to the mouth +of the harbour. A similar manoeuvre was also carried out on board +the _Neptune_, so that all our available ordnance, or as many as +there were gun ports for, were trained on the approaching vessels, +though as yet the guns had not been run out. + +In breathless silence we awaited the oncoming ships, for, by Captain +Jeremy's orders, not a shot was to be discharged, nor a shout +raised, from either brig till the word was given to open fire. + +When just outside the inner reef the leading vessel rounded, and as +she did so her ensign became visible. It was the skull and +crossbones. + +"She means to leave us no longer in doubt," exclaimed Captain +Jeremy. "I am right glad that she has shown yonder flag, for it +seems they take us for harmless traders, and would terrify us into +surrender." + +Even as he spoke a cloud of smoke burst from the pirate's side +amidships, and a twelve-pound ball whizzed betwixt our masts, +striking our lee bulwarks and knocking up a shower of splinters; +then, rebounding, it plunged into the sea within a few yards of the +shore. + +Another and another followed, while the remaining ships took up a +similar position and also opened fire. Though many of their shots +went high or passed wide, one penetrated the bulwarks, killing two +men and wounding three. + +The master gunner, who had returned on board, besought our Captain +to open fire. + +"No," he replied resolutely. "We must grin and bear it awhile." + +Just then a shot was fired from the _Neptune_. Possibly the captain +of the gun had lost his nerve; but the shot was well aimed, for it +struck the fore mast of the nearest buccaneer. + +"A pest take it!" muttered Captain Jeremy, "that will ruin all my +plans;" and springing on the poop he hailed the _Neptune_, to know +why the gun had been discharged. + +Fortunately the premature shot was not followed by others, though we +expected it would be mistaken for the signal to commence firing; and +for ten minutes longer we lay under a heavy fire from all the +vessels. + +Evidently the buccaneers did not wish to sink us, for they directed +their fire principally at our spars and cordage. Once we were +captured they would remove our stores and other valuable gear, and +scuttle the ships, so as to leave no trace of their fiendish +handiwork. Such has been the fate of many unfortunate merchantmen in +West Indian waters, with hardly a fragment left afloat to tell the +tale. + +"Stand to it, my lads," shouted Captain Jeremy encouragingly. "Spars +can be replaced and cordage refitted. They'll get tired of that game +ere long. Lie down, all of you." + +It was indeed a trying ordeal. We had already lost our foreyard, +which had tumbled down across the fo'c'sle, bringing with it a +litter of ropes, blocks, and torn canvas. Our spritsail yard, broken +in two places, dangled from the bowsprit; while our mainmast was +splintered from the futtock-shrouds to within ten feet of the deck. +Several shots had torn gaping holes in our sides, and as a result +four more dead men lay on our decks, while nearly a dozen badly +wounded were carried below. + +Nor was our consort in a better plight. Her fore topmast had been +shot away early in the cannonade, her poop lanterns and part of the +taffrail had disappeared, and several ominous dark holes were +visible in her bulging yellow sides. + +"How much longer are we to stand this?" asked Touchstone, as he +bound his wrist with a kerchief. + +"Patience, man, patience!" was Captain Jeremy's only reply, as he +calmly surveyed the scene of destruction--the blood-stained deck +littered with the prone figures of seamen, whether they were dead, +or wounded, or unhurt; and the tangle of shattered spars and +cordage--and the smoke-enshrouded outlines of our ferocious +attackers. + +Ever and anon a shrill cry of pain or an exclamation of rage would +be heard, as a mass of timber dislodged from aloft came hurtling +through the air and struck some unfortunate man crouching near the +guns; and another limp body would be borne below to add to the +steadily growing numbers of our wounded. Yet discipline, iron +discipline, prevailed, and were we to win the day we must receive +hard knocks with the traditional fortitude of Englishmen. + +Ashore our stockade, its seaward face hidden by a mask of bushes, +also maintained a dignified silence, though in the case of its +defenders, they were not put to the same temptation as ourselves. + +All at once two men emerged from our main hatchway, dragging with +them a great, hulking fellow, whose face was livid with terror. + +"'Ere you are, Cap'n," said one of the men. "We found 'im skulking +in t'hold." + +"And 'e hasn't a scratch on 'im," added the other. "Shall us pitch +'im over the side?" + +For the space of a full minute Captain Jeremy intently regarded the +trembling man; then, as the cry arose, "Here they come!" he stepped +to the weather bulwarks and looked in the direction of the enemy. + +"Pass the word for the crew to stand to their arms," he said in a +low tone to the master gunner; then, returning to where the abject +creature still stood cowering, "There's your chance," he remarked +quietly, pointing towards the buccaneering craft; "play the man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +"Repel Boarders!" + + +The three vessels had now ceased firing, and from under their sterns +six large boats, crowded with armed men, were being pulled straight +towards us with all their rowers' might. + +We could see the water foaming at their bows, and hear the splash of +the oars as they dipped with rapidity and regularity, while the sun +glistened on gun barrel, pike, and cutlass. + +Unmolested they passed between the two arms of the harbour, then, +having drawn into line, they separated, three boats making for each +of our vessels. + +Suddenly the order was given to open fire. The guns were run out, +and the _Golden Hope_ quivered from truck to keelson with the roar +of her ordnance. The _Neptune_ followed suit, while the stockade +ashore added to the din. + +The calm water around the boats was transformed into a veritable +cauldron, and it seemed impossible that a single boat could remain +afloat in that iron hail. + +Although taken completely by surprise, the buccaneers were made of +stern stuff, and before the smoke cleared away sufficiently to +enable us to see the result of our united broadsides, they were +swarming up over our tall sides. + +"Repel boarders!" thundered Captain Jeremy, waving his cutlass as he +sprang to meet the attack. Nobly our men responded, and midst the +sharp crack of pistols, the groans of the wounded, and the sharp +exclamations of fury, cutlass crossed with cutlass and pike +encountered pike. + +I found myself opposed to a villainous halfcaste, clad only in a +pair of drawers, and armed with a large cutlass. In spite of my +efforts, for I possessed both skill and strength far beyond my age, +I soon found that I had all my work cut out, for my opponent whirled +his blade with great force and rapidity. Twice, however, I put in a +thrust beneath his guard, wounding him slightly on the hip and on +the right shoulder. Yet in spite of this slight advantage I was +slowly and surely being driven back, when, tripping over a broken +spar, I fell heavily. + +Every instant I expected to feel the sweep of the pirate's cutlass, +but the blow never came. So I took courage and raised myself on my +elbow, and, to my surprise, I found my late antagonist engaged in a +hand-to-hand fight with the man who had been brought before Captain +Jeremy for skulking in the hold. + +All sense of fear had apparently left the latter. I heard afterwards +that he had received a slight wound in his left arm, and the pain +had transformed him into a veritable demon. Shouting, "Let me have a +rub at the brutes!" he seized an iron bar, and met the onrushing +buccaneers with the utmost fury. Two men had already gone down +before his ponderous weapon ere, fortunately for me, he diverted the +attention of the mulatto just as he had me at his mercy. + +Even as I looked the iron bar crashed past the pirate's uplifted +cutlass and, descending on the half-caste's head, stretched him +lifeless on the deck; but in the moment of victory a chance pistol +shot laid the erstwhile coward over the body of his antagonist. + +It seemed at this juncture that the buccaneers would succeed in +carrying the _Golden Hope_, till Clemens, the Cornishman whom we had +rescued from the Algerine vessel, clambered up the shattered poop +ladder, and, training one of the swivel guns, which fortunately was +loaded, upon the thickest of the press of our enemies, fired a heavy +charge of small shot with deadly effect. + +Then, headed by Captain Jeremy and the master gunner, our men made a +determined rush, and, still contesting every inch of our planks, the +buccaneers were forced back over the side. + +A hurried glance showed that the _Neptune_ had also succeeded in +beating off her attackers, and was already resuming her fire upon +the retreating boats. + +Without pausing to regain their breath, our men also remanned their +guns and poured a destructive broadside on the boats, of which three +had been sunk when we first opened fire. Two more disappeared amidst +a swirl of shot-torn water, while the sole remaining boat, moving +slowly, for most of her oars had been shattered and she was more +than half-full, managed by little short of a miracle to regain her +parent ship. + +But there was no respite for our weary crew, for the three +buccaneering craft resumed their fire. It being comparatively +feeble, we knew that their guns were now ill-served, and that they +were only firing to aid their escape. + +"Aim carefully! Wing 'em!" shouted the master gunner, as he passed +along the line of guns, some, alas! silent for want of a crew. In +spite of his cautions, however, our men, elated with their victory, +fired rapidly and erratically; but as the buccaneers made haste to +sheer off, the mainmast of one came crashing over the side, while +the others' spars were in a tottering state. + +We could see the discomfited crew of the former vessel attack the +wreckage with axes in an attempt to free themselves from the fatal +encumbrance, but ere this could be done their ship drifted on to a +shoal. + +The remaining vessels were more fortunate. Slowly tacking, they drew +beyond range, and having picked up the survivors of their consort +who, on finding their vessel aground, had abandoned her, they gained +the open sea. + +"Man the long-boat and make sure of yonder craft!" shouted Captain +Jeremy. "Let go her anchors when you get aboard, or she may float +off with the rising tide." + +Even as he spoke there was a crashing report, and, clapping his +hands to his head, our gallant Captain staggered and fell senseless +to the deck. + +One of the buccaneers, who had been left for dead on our deck, had +treacherously shot him at almost point-blank range. + +With a howl of rage some of our men threw themselves upon the +villain and dispatched him with their cutlasses, while others +hastened to raise Captain Jeremy and bear him into his cabin. + +There we found that the wound, though dangerous, might not prove +mortal. The bullet had ploughed a furrow just above the temple, and +though the place bled profusely, Captain Jeremy soon recovered his +senses. + +His first thought was of the disabled buccaneering vessel. "Hath the +long-boat pushed off yet?" he asked. "No? Then bid them go at once." + +"Master Hammond," said Touchstone, on whom the command of the +_Golden Hope_ now devolved, "do you take charge of the boat. You +know your orders?" + +"Yes, sir," I replied. + +"Then carry them out--but, hark'ee, mind how you board. Be careful; +make sure she is quite deserted, and straightway examine her hold. I +know the villains; unless I am much mistaken, they will have left a +slow match to the magazine." + +Taking my place in the stern sheets, I ordered the boat to give way, +feeling highly elated at my first command, yet, withal, having a +presentiment that 'twas a hazardous enterprise. + +Half-way across the harbour we came upon the shattered bow of one of +the pirates' boats floating just awash, while all around were pieces +of planks, showing how effectual and destructive our fire had been. +The other boats that had been destroyed must have sunk with the +weight of their contents, for we saw no signs of them. + +The deserted ship lay with her bow towards the reef on the larboard +side of the channel, and having received several shot-holes 'twixt +wind and water, had settled down somewhat, till the sea lapped her +after ports. + +"She's safe enough, sir!" exclaimed one of the boat's crew, looking +over his shoulder at the wreck, as he rested on his oar. "Her hold +is full of water. That'll put out any trains, if the villains have +left them." + +I was of the same opinion, so, having rowed completely round the +stranded ship, which seemed quite deserted, I gave the word to run +alongside. + +Bidding all the men save one to remain in the boat, I made sure of +the priming of my pistols, then swinging myself up the side by means +of the cordage of the broken mainmast, I gained the deck. + +It was deserted, save for the corpses of some half a dozen men who +had been slain by the discharge of our ordnance, most of them being +shockingly mangled. + +A hurried yet cautious search revealed a like state of things in the +after cabins, while the fo'c'sle was also empty. Peering down the +main hatch I saw that, as we had expected, the main hold was +flooded, though amidships the depth of water was but a foot. + +Making fast one end of a rope, for there was no sign of a ladder, I +threw the other end down the hatchway, and by this means gained the +sloping planks of the hold. Ankle deep in water, I made my way +forward, till in the dim light I perceived a stout bulkhead running +athwartships and pierced by a little sliding door, or hatch. + +Owing to the slight list of the ship this door had jammed, so that +it required considerable effort ere I opened it sufficiently to +enable me to squeeze through. + +Within it seemed as black as the darkest night, till I saw a sight +that caused me to be rooted to the spot. Softly fizzing and +spluttering within a few inches of two tiers of sinister-looking +barrels was a fuse! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Blown Up + + +To play the part of a bold hero, I suppose I ought to have made a +dash for the burning train and put out the fire. But I did nothing +of the kind--I simply stood still and watched with horror-stricken +eyes the dim glimmer of the fuse. Even had I had the presence of +mind and the courage to make the attempt, the ordering of the +barrels would have prevented me, for the train was laid 'twixt tiers +standing so close together that there was scarce a hand's width +between their bulging sides. + +Already I regarded myself as doomed to die a swift and terrible +death, but remembering my comrades in the boat, I backed away from +the hatchway. I tried to raise a warning shout, but not a sound save +a feeble gurgle could I utter. My tongue clave to the roof of my +parched mouth, while my heart beat like a sledge-hammer. + +Dipping my hand in the water that flooded the floor of the hold, I +moistened my lips, then-- + +"Push off, men!" I shouted. "A fuse!" + +The effect of my warning was instantly plain. The man who had +accompanied me on deck leapt into the long-boat, and I heard the +scraping of their oars as the crew pushed off with feverish haste. + +Now that I look back upon this matter, I can scarce blame them. They +acted according to my orders, combined with the thought of +self-preservation. Doubtless in their panic they knew not whether +one or two persons had leapt from the ship's bulwarks into the boat. +But be that as it may, they rowed off with all their might and left +me to my fate--and a hideous one at that. + +Yet, as the explosion had not taken place, I gathered courage, and +seizing the rope by which I had descended into the hold, I began to +swarm up it. Suddenly, although it had appeared sound and had borne +my weight before, it parted like pack thread, and I fell on my back +in the hold, where the water broke my fall. + +I was on my feet in an instant, now alert to take every possible +chance of saving myself, and seeing a shaft of light in the dim +recesses of the after hold, I waded down the sloping planks till the +water rose to my shoulders. + +A few strokes sufficed to bring me to where a small hatch +communicated with the main deck, for the water was here so high that +by raising my arm I could grasp the coaming of the hatchway. + +Though my sodden clothing seemed like lead as my body drew clear of +the surface, I managed to drag myself through the opening and gain +the deck, where, without a moment's hesitation, I rushed on to the +poop, and sprang over the taffrail into the sea. + +I must have dived to a depth of from two to three fathoms, for I +could see the rocky bottom of the sea a few feet below me; and just +as I was on the point of ascending to the surface, I heard the roar +of the explosion. + +It seemed as if the drums of my ears were broken by the concussion, +while the water was agitated by a sudden current, or eddy, that +swept me along the bottom. I remained underneath till I could +contain my breath no longer, then with a few strokes I rose to the +surface. + +All around a heavy, pungent cloud, or rather haze, of smoke +enveloped everything, though towering above me I could discern the +outlines of the ship's poop. That, at all events, had withstood the +shock and had proved my salvation, for the pieces of shattered +timber were still falling, many of them being shot skywards to a +terrific height. + +I trod water for a space till all danger from the falling debris was +over, then, swimming round the scorched and shattered side of the +ship, I found a place where the timbers had been torn away right to +the water's edge. + +Half-suffocated by the fumes, for many of the planks still +smouldered, I made my way aft to where the poop deck remained +practically intact; and utterly done up, I threw myself down, too +dazed to realize that I had been miraculously preserved. + +How long I remained in that position I cannot tell, but at length I +staggered to my feet and looked around. + +The ships of the escaping buccaneers were still visible, though +nearly hull down. They had hauled to the wind and were standing on a +northerly course parallel with the eastern shore of the island. + +Looking round the harbour, I could see the _Golden Hope_ and the +_Neptune_, their sides crowded with men, while within a few hundred +yards of them was the long-boat, rowing slowly, with her gunwale +barely showing. So she had not escaped unhurt, I reasoned. + +Of the vessel on which I stood nearly two-thirds had quite +disappeared, while of the quarter-deck only a few blackened +crossbeams and ribs remained. All around were pieces of timber of +all sizes and shapes, slowly drifting shorewards with the flood +tide. + +The black flag, with its grinning skull and crossbones, was trailing +in the water under the wreck's quarter. This would serve for a +signal, so, hauling it on board, I lashed it to a pike, which in +turn I fastened to an iron socket that at one time had supported the +poop lantern. + +My signal was soon observed, and a boat was put off from the +_Neptune_; and while awaiting her arrival I ran below and made a +second examination of the cabins and after hold. Most of the former +were luxuriously furnished, though they had suffered severely, from +both our shot and the effect of the explosion. Yet, brief as was my +inspection, I saw that two of them were used as store places, and +that they were filled with the loot of many an unfortunate vessel. +Gold and silver ornaments and plate, coins of a dozen different +countries, and other precious goods filled the lockers. To me it +seemed enough for the ransom of a king. + +Looking through the hatch by which I had escaped from the hold, I +perceived how nearly the whole of the treasure had been lost to us, +for now, plainly visible in the flooded after-magazine, were barrels +of powder, far more than the fore part of the ship had contained; +while from one of them a wisp of tow floated towards the surface. +Its charred end showed how near had been the consummation of the +buccaneers' diabolical plan, for when the magazine was flooded the +fuse had burned to within a foot of the powder. + +Great was the astonishment of the men to find me alive and unhurt, +for although I had been seen standing on the poop, no one on the +ship had recognized me. My clothing was rent, and my damp hair hung +over my face, which was black with charcoal, smoke, and dust. +Captain 'Enery had concluded that I had perished in the explosion, +and that the figure they had seen on board was that of one of the +buccaneers, who, on the vessel being blown up, had swum off from a +neighbouring shoal. + +"The wreck is full of treasure," I announced, and on hearing the +good news the boat's crew gave a hearty cheer. Some were for making +their way on board, but the coxswain sternly ordered them to remain +in the boat. + +"The stuff is safe enow," said he, "and all will share and share +alike when the time comes. There's plenty of work to be done before +we trouble about what's aboard yon craft." + +This was the case, for when the boat put me once more aboard the +_Golden Hope_ I found all hands busily engaged in clearing up the +damage done in the fight. The work of making good the mischief done +aloft would take weeks of continuous labour, though the spars of the +wrecked buccaneer could be utilized to replace our own, for, +trailing over the side, they had escaped the force of the explosion. + +But though the ships suffered severely, our loss in men was far more +to be deplored. The Golden Hope had eleven killed and fifteen +wounded, including Captain Jeremy, and the _Neptune_ nine killed and +seventeen wounded. In the stockade, however, not a single man had +been hit. Thus, including the six men who were missing after our +futile expedition to recover the treasure, only one hundred and +twenty-eight were fit for duty, and of these nearly two score had +received slight wounds. + +My first act on returning on board was to see how Captain Jeremy was +progressing. I found that he was sleeping peacefully, his wound +having been carefully dressed; and that, should no feverish symptoms +make their appearance, his recovery would be but a matter of a few +weeks. As quietness was a necessity, it was planned that he should +be carried ashore to the stockade with the rest of the wounded on +the following day, so as not to be disturbed by the shipwrights and +riggers at their work. + +That night, as I lay on my bunk, I pondered over the words of the +old friar, Pedro Lopez. Surely we had gone through enough bloodshed +and fire to fulfil the exacting conditions that had to be carried +out ere we recovered the treasure? Would not the facts that a score +of our men were awaiting burial on this far-off island, and that +over thirty more were groaning on the ballast, serve to appease the +wrath of the slaughtered Spaniards? And when I thought of my ordeal +by fire, and my terrible position as I waited for the crash of the +explosion, I prayed that we had seen the last of our perils. + +It must have been about eight bells of the middle watch (4 a.m.), +ere it was light, when a sharp rattle of musketry caused me to +awaken with a start. Hastily rushing on deck, I found our men +already standing to their guns, while on shore a desperate conflict +was in progress. + +The stockade was attacked on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Repulse at the Stockade + + +Who our new enemies were, and whence they came, we knew not. Judging +by the outer ring of flashes, it would seem that they outnumbered +the defenders of the stockade by seven to one; for only twenty-five +men had been left on shore on the preceding evening. + +These were once more under the command of Touchstone, who, on the +termination of our fight with the pirate ships, had resumed his post +at the base of our operations on land. Yet the handful of men, under +the spirited leadership of the master gunner, ought to prove +themselves equal to their attackers, as they had the advantage of a +stout breastwork. + +But while the fight continued we were tormented with doubts and +fears. In the darkness we could tell by the rapid spurts of flame +that came from the stockade that our men were fiercely contesting +their ground, although by the flashes encircling them we knew that +the attack was being pushed close home. + +Nor could we render any assistance, for our broadsides might do more +harm to friend than to foe; while it would be extremely hazardous to +attempt to land an armed party on an open beach, as we knew not the +numbers of our enemies. Moreover, in the darkness we might fire on, +or be fired upon by our own men. + +Above the crackle of musketry and the shouts of the combatants we +could distinguish the deeper crash of the ordnance that had been +landed from the _Golden Hope_, while now and again would come an +ominous lull, only to be broken by another crash of guns and the +noise of a hand-to-hand conflict. + +Having loaded all our ordnance on the landward side, and kept such +of our boats as were still seaworthy close alongside, we could only +await the dawn, of which signs were already apparent. + +At length it grew light, with all the splendour and rapidity of a +West Indian dawn, and we were able to see how things fared ashore. + +The stockade was still in the hands of Touchstone and his men, +though two gaps in the palisades showed how close home the attack +had been pushed. Yet around these breaches the dead lay thick, while +scattered over the plain were other corpses, proving how well our +people had handled their muskets. + +Drawn up at a distance of half a mile from the stockade was a body +of musketeers, to the number of about fifty. They were evidently +planning a fresh attack, for those who carried firearms had their +matches lighted. Yet they appeared to have no heart to advance, for +we saw one whom we supposed to be their leader beckon angrily with +his sword. + +One broadside from the _Neptune_ sent them helter-skelter. They fled +past the landward side of the stockade, though beyond musket range, +and disappeared behind the rising ground that terminated in the +headland on the northern side of the harbour. + +Captain 'Enery immediately sent two boats ashore laden with men, +and, going with them, I was able to see the effects of the attack. + +It appeared that our sentinels had heard the sound of footsteps and, +receiving no reply to their challenge, had opened fire. The garrison +had barely time to stand to their arms and man the stockade ere the +foremost of their attackers gained the ditch, and attempted to rush +the palisade. + +In the protracted defence we had lost but three men killed and four +badly wounded, while of our enemies nearly two score were found +lying outside the defence. + +One of the latter, being but slightly wounded in the leg, was +brought into the stockade and questioned. Doubtless expecting to be +hanged forthwith, he maintained a sullen silence, till Touchstone +promised him his life should he speak the truth. This offer, +combined with a number of veiled threats should he still prove +obstinate, had its effect, and the prisoner became communicative. + +His was a disquieting report. In the north-western part of the +island, some eight or nine miles by the direct route across the +marshy forest, though nearly twice that distance by the coast, was a +settlement inhabited by buccaneers. They had seen our arrival, but, +owing to the fact that their squadron of four vessels was away on a +cruise, they had refrained from molesting us till the ships +returned. + +Possibly they were unaware of our expedition into the interior, for +had they known of this they would certainly have ambushed our party +on the march. + +The prolonged stay of our two ships in the harbour had puzzled them +not a little, and when their three vessels returned, the fourth +having been separated from her consorts, a combined attack by land +and sea had been planned. + +By some means the two buccaneering parties had failed to co-operate, +so that their ships had already been beaten off ere the land force +appeared. The latter had heard the firing, but, little thinking that +we should have held our own, they imagined the victory already +complete, till in the darkness they stumbled upon our stockade. + +"How many men were left to guard your settlement?" demanded +Touchstone. + +"Only a handful--enough to keep the slaves in order," replied our +prisoner. + +"Is the place fortified?" + +"By a wall and a ditch. There are eighteen guns in position." + +"And when will the fourth ship return?" + +"I do not know." + +"Remove him," ordered the master gunner, and he hurried off to the +shore, whence the crew of one of the boats rowed him to the _Golden +Hope_. + +In less than half an hour he returned, bringing with him another +reinforcement of armed men. + +"My lads," said he, "I have obtained Cap'n 'Enery's consent. I +propose to lead a body of men across the island, ambush the rest of +these rascals, and, if successful, follow that up by seizing and +burning their dwellings and storehouses. Forty men will be +sufficient. Now, who's going to volunteer?" + +Every one of us expressed his readiness for the service, but, +refusing to take more than the number he had stated, the master +gunner picked out his force, and examined their arms. Then, for +every moment was precious, he gave them the word to march, and the +little band set out on its errand. + +Although I wished to share in the enterprise, Master Touchstone +refused to allow me to accompany them, and to my disappointment I +watched them disappear in the belt of canes and scrub by the route +that we had twice traversed but a few hours before. + +Four days passed without any tidings of our comrades, and we were +naturally anxious at their prolonged absence. Yet those of our men +who remained were not kept idle. The work of refitting proceeded +apace, while advantage was taken of a spell of fine weather to bring +off all the precious cargo that remained in the shattered hull of +the wrecked buccaneer. Her name, we discovered, was the _Black +Arrow_, her burthen being two hundred and eighty tons. She was the +smallest of the pirate fleet, the others being the _Terror_, of +three hundred and twenty tons, the _Bonito_, of three hundred tons, +and the _Secret_, of the same burthen. This last was the vessel that +we had not as yet fallen in with. Should she have returned to the +pirates' haven, her crew would be able to rout our little force; so, +as this event might take place, our anxieties increased as the hours +passed with no news of Touchstone and his men. + +Owing to the great reduction in the number of our men by death and +wounds, together with the absence of Touchstone and his party, only +eighty remained. Captain 'Enery therefore determined to temporarily +abandon the _Neptune_, so that our slender force might be divided to +the best advantage 'twixt the _Golden Hope_ and the stockade. + +With our own ship well manned we could beat off any attack from +seawards, even should the still undamaged _Secret_ rejoin her +consorts; while the garrison ashore had to be maintained, so that +the master gunner and his people might have a refuge should they be +compelled to retreat before a superior force. + +During the three days following their departure the wind had blown +steadily on shore, and we were thus prevented from hearing any +sounds of an engagement with the retreating buccaneers, although on +the evening of the third day I thought I heard the sound of a +distant cannonade. + +"It does sound like it," assented Captain 'Enery, when I called his +attention to the circumstance, "though it may be thunder." + +"Whatever it is, it comes from seaward," said the quartermaster. + +"Sink me, if I like this business," replied Captain 'Enery. "No news +for three days, and then the sound of cannonade at sea. I'll send a +man away to-night, and let him gather news of Touchstone." + +Accordingly Clemens, the Cornishman, was selected to make his way in +the darkness in the direction of the buccaneers' line of retreat. +The man could be thoroughly trusted to look after himself, for he +was as crafty as a fox, while he possessed such a turn of speed that +few could hope to overtake him in flight. + +By daybreak, according to his instructions, he returned, without +encountering a single living being; yet he reported that there had +been an engagement, for the ground bore traces of a conflict, broken +weapons lying about everywhere. Who were the victors he was unable +to state, though he followed the marks left by a number of men till +the approach of daybreak made it necessary to retrace his steps. The +mystery seemed to deepen. + +About noon on the same day our look-outs reported the appearance of +a body of armed men over the brow of the distant hill. Immediately +there was a rush on deck, and glasses were brought to bear on the +arrivals. + +"Hurrah!" shouted one of the crew. "'Tis Master Touchstone and his +party." + +"You're right," said Captain 'Enery. "But what doth it mean? There +are at least a score of armed men more than he took with him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Captain Craddock + + +Fired with impatience to solve the mystery, Captain 'Enery rowed +ashore and proceeded to the stockade, there to await Touchstone's +return; and in half an hour the expedition rejoined us. There were, +as Captain 'Enery had said, at least a score of strangers, all well +armed and mingling freely with our people in a friendly manner; +while at Touchstone's side walked a man who was evidently someone in +authority. + +He was little in stature, yet of great breadth across the shoulders, +and long in body. His legs seemed disproportionately short, so that +he strutted like a young bantam. He was clean shaven, his sunburnt +features being hard in expression, while the stern glint in his eyes +betokened a commanding nature. + +"Have I the honour of addressing Captain Henry?" asked the little +man pompously. + +"Cap'n 'Enery, if it please you," replied that worthy. "And you, +sir?" + +"I am Captain Edmund Craddock, commanding His Majesty's ship +_Antelope_. I am beholden to your men for their co-operation in +assisting to exterminate this nest of rascally pirates; but, in the +execution of my duty, I must demand to see your warrant for your +presence on this island with an armed force." + +"That can be shown you on board the _Golden Hope_, your honour," +replied Captain 'Enery. + +"I trust so, for your own sakes," the other said; "therefore let us +proceed on board her." + +"He's a cool game-cock," remarked Clemens in an undertone to the +master gunner, as we followed Captain 'Enery and the naval officer +to the boats. "Why, for all he knows he may be running into a den of +pirates!" + +"I'll tell you more of him anon," replied Touchstone; "but take it +from me, he knows his business." + +On boarding the _Golden Hope_, Captain Craddock, accompanied by +Captain 'Enery, retired to the cabin where Captain Jeremy was lying. +Here they remained talking for more than an hour; but the interview +must have been satisfactory all round, for on returning to the +quarter-deck I saw the naval captain produce his snuff-box and offer +it with a grave flourish to Captain 'Enery. + +"Well, I wish you joy on it," I heard him remark. "If you find the +treasure, for I've no doubt that it is on the island, you'll be far +luckier than a good many. With your permission, I'll remain your +guest till my vessel arrives." + +"Does she know the channel?" + +"As well as she knows her way into Spithead," replied the other, +laughing. "Do you think I've cruised among these islands for the +last twenty years, off and on, for nothing?" + +Meanwhile the men who had accompanied Touchstone were gathered on +the fo'c'sle, surrounded by a group of eager listeners, all anxious +to hear the story of the pursuit; and at the same time the master +gunner was relating the tale to the bos'n, the quartermaster, and +myself. + +"We covered the path through the forest in double-quick time," said +he; "and directly we gained the crossroads that Captain Miles had +hit upon we turned to the right. A mile farther on this road forked, +the larger or left-hand path apparently making towards the pirates' +settlement. As I thought 'twould be better to set an ambush as far +from that place as possible, I took our men by the right-hand path, +and finished up at a little cove, where three small boats were +hauled up, quite deserted." + +"There we took cover, for there were rocks in plenty, the seaside +path running betwixt the boulders and a low cliff. We had not been +there more than a couple of hours ere Jonas Cook, who had been sent +off to keep a look-out, came running back with the news that the +buccaneers were close at hand." + +"On they came, quite unsuspectingly, straggling over a quarter of a +mile of ground. This was bad for us, for our ambush would not allow +every man of them to be surprised; so we let the head of the column +pass, and then I gave the word to fire." + +"We bowled a lot of them over like skittles those who had already +passed broke and fled, but those in the rear, instead of running +away, dashed towards us with pistol and cutlass. Although we gave +them another volley, they still came on, till, being outnumbered, +most of them were cut down. The remnant, escaping our fire, broke +through our ambush and followed those who had gone on ahead." + +"Wouldn't they have done better if they had run back and taken cover +in the woods?" asked the quartermaster. + +"I am right glad they didn't, or we should have had our work cut out +to run them down," replied Touchstone. "They feared that a party was +at their heels to complete the trap, and therefore they chose to run +the gauntlet of our fire. But 'twas all the better for us." + +"How so?" + +"Why, we had them all in front of us. We pursued them for close on a +mile, till from the top of a hill we saw a harbour larger than this, +with a group of houses surrounded by a stockade on one side of it. +And in the middle of the harbour were two large ships. Before the +rascally villains could reach this fort a body of men rushed out. +'This is too many for us,' I thought, and I was about to beat a +retreat when I saw the new-comers open fire on the runaways, who +straightway laid down their arms and were instantly secured." + +"Then I saw for the first time that both the vessels flew English +colours, and when we had made ourselves known we found out that they +were the frigate _Antelope_ and the buccaneering craft _Secret_, +which had been captured the day before. We won't be troubled with +those rascals again, at all events, for the _Antelope_ sank the two +that escaped from here and, as I said, took the third. But----" + +"Sail, ho!" + +"Whither away?" shouted the bos'n, our conversation terminating +abruptly with the interruption. + +Gliding round the end of the reef by a channel of which we ourselves +were ignorant came a graceful frigate, the setting sun gleaming on +her brown canvas and her black-and-yellow sides, while the red cross +of St. George streamed proudly in the breeze. + +Smartly handled, she worked her way in through the narrow, +land-locked entrance; then luffing up into the wind, she dropped +anchor within a cable's length of the _Golden Hope_. + +"What think ye of her, gentlemen?" asked Captain Craddock, with +justifiable pride. "I'll warrant she's the smartest 40-gun frigate +afloat, even though I, her captain, say it." + +No one would have thought, to see the gallant vessel, that she had +been in action with three buccaneers but two or three days ago. Her +ports, picked out in vermilion, had been repainted, while every spar +and rope was intact. Yet, on closer inspection, a number of neatly +plugged holes in her sheering sides showed how fierce had been the +engagement. + +"We'll lie here for a few days," continued Captain Craddock, as his +barge came alongside to take him back to the frigate. "If we can be +of service to you in the matter of spare spars, cordage, or gear, +you have but to say so." + +Captain Craddock was as good as his word, and, thanks to his +assistance, not only were our wounded carefully tended by the +chirurgeon of the frigate, but the work of refitting the _Golden +Hope_ and the _Neptune_ proceeded far more rapidly than we had +expected, so that when the _Antelope_ weighed and set sail for Port +Royal, our two ships looked little the worse for the severe ordeal +they had undergone. + +Meanwhile Captain Jeremy continued to progress favourably, yet +slowly. In this interval we could do nothing towards recovering the +_Madre_ treasure, so it is little wonder that time hung heavily on +our hands. + +One morning I landed with the intention of walking along the cliffs +to the place where the _Madre_ had first gone ashore ere she had +slipped back into deep water. With me went one of the seamen, for +'twas unwise to stray far from the stockade alone. We were both +armed, the man carrying his cutlass and a pistol in his belt, while +I had a fowling-piece. + +In less than an hour we gained the summit of the cliff, which was +there about one hundred feet in height, though divided into two +sheer drops of half that distance by a terrace or ledge, about six +feet in width. + +"See yon dark line in the water?" asked the Seaman. "'Tis the +deep-water channel across the shoal by which the frigate came into +harbour. I heard Cap'n 'Enery and the bos'n say as 'ow they were +going to sound it. When we get out of 'ere--when, I says, with all +due respect to you, Master Hammond--we ought to take yon passage and +save a couple of leagues through the other one by which we came." + +"There's a boat putting off from the _Golden Hope_ now," I +exclaimed. + +"That be it for sartain. Howsomever, I'd liefer be here than +sounding all day in the broiling sun." + +"What a number of sea-birds!" I said, pointing to the face of the +lower cliff, about which thousands of white, grey, and black gulls +and cormorants were darting in and out of the crevices, making a +continuous din. "Are they good for food? If so, I'll have a shot at +some of them." + +"Too fishy to my liking," replied the man, as he settled himself on +the grass and proceeded to fill a short black pipe. "Their eggs +ain't so bad, though. I've a mind to come 'ere with a rope, like I +used to do at home. I'm a Portland man, I am, and know how to go +bird-nesting. But if you want to, you can try a shot at 'em. I'll +bring up 'ere for a spell and have a pipe. But mind you don't go too +near the edge; it might give way." + +Accordingly I shouldered my piece and walked towards a gap in the +cliffs where, I could see, a natural path led to the lower ledge. +For a moment I hesitated, for a false step would send me crashing +upon the rocky platform below, with the prospect of a further tumble +of fifty feet into the sea. But being cool-headed and now well +accustomed to dizzy heights, I began to descend. + +The path was little more than a succession of rough steps, covered +with the deserted nests of sea-fowl, here and there partially hidden +by a few tufts of coarse grass. I had to exercise considerable +caution to prevent myself slipping, but at length I reached the +ledge or platform without mishap. + +Here I took cover behind a detached boulder to allow the birds to +return, for my presence had alarmed them, so that they had +temporarily flown farther afield. + +I had primed my musket and laid it within arm's length, and was +patiently awaiting their reappearance, when a dark shadow fell +athwart the rock. + +Instinctively I turned my head to ascertain the cause, when a hand +was clapped over my mouth, and I felt the contact of a man's knees +with the small of my back. + +I was a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A Leap for Life + + +In spite of my desperate struggles, a cord was wound tightly round +my ankles, and my arms were bound behind my back. This done, a thick +piece of canvas took the place of the hand across my mouth, so that +I could scarce breathe, much less utter a sound; and a bandage was +tied across my eyes. + +Then I felt myself being set upon my feet, a rope was passed round +my waist, and I was suspended over the edge of the cliff, as +helpless as a trussed fowl. + +"Stand by!" I heard a gruff voice exclaim, and the next instant I +was lowered into space, where I hung, turning slowly at the rope's +end, with the dull murmur of the waves at the base of the cliff some +fifty feet below to add to the terror of my situation. + +By the number of successive short jerks I knew that I had not been +lowered more than ten feet when I was seized by rough hands and +dragged in towards the cliff. The rope by which I had been lowered +was cast off, and, lifted in a horizontal position, I was borne +away. + +The sudden change from the scorching rays of the sun to a chilly +atmosphere, and the echoing footsteps of my captors, told me that I +was being carried along a tunnel in the rocks. I distinctly counted +four-and-forty footfalls ere the men set me down upon a stone floor; +then the bandage was whipped off my eyes, and I found myself +blinking in the subdued daylight. + +Surrounding me I recognized Ned Slater and the five others who had +slipped away on our retreat through the forest. + +"Now, youngster," began the villainous rascal, whom I now knew to be +guilty of my father's murder and the theft of the chart, to say +nothing of his other crimes, "no beating about the bush, or 'twill +be the worse for you. Where lieth the treasure?" + +"I know not. You have the chart." + +"Aye," he replied, with a hideous oath, "and little good it is to +us. It is marked 'Much treasure here'--here, on or near this spot; +but that is false. I know it, and you know it. Now, where does the +treasure lie--somewhere inland? or was that part of old Miles's plan +to mislead us? Come now, answer." + +"I cannot say, nor would not if I could." + +"You lie, you young rascal. But I'll find a way to make you use your +tongue, though you may shout till you're black in the face, for no +one will hear you. Search him first." + +Two of the rogues emptied my pockets and relieved me of my knife. + +"Ho, ho! What have we here?" exclaimed Slater, examining the blade +carefully. "'Tis an old acquaintance. Nay, I go farther--'tis my +property." + +"Considering you sheathed it in my father's body," I replied boldly, +"'tis not to be wondered at, you double-dyed murderer." + +"All is fair in love and war," he replied. "If your father barred my +way, what was to be done? But take heed, lest I plunge it into your +body. Now, once again, where does the treasure lie hidden?" + +I did not reply, for I was hard at work trying to devise some plan +of thwarting him and at the same time of effecting my escape. + +Finding that I remained obstinate, they left me lying bound and +helpless, with a pannikin of water within a foot of my face, having +previously moistened my lips with salt water. + +I was indeed in a very tight fix. The cave was about ten feet in +height, but owing to a sharp bend I was unable to see how long it +was, or in what direction it dived into the rock. Unless one knew of +its existence, he might search the ledge above for hours without +being aware that its mouth yawned ten feet beneath. No doubt when I +was missed a search would be made for me, with the result that it +would be supposed that I had fallen over the edge into the sea. + +As I lay unable to stir hand or foot, my thirst grew intolerable, my +tongue was parched, and my throat burned like a lime-kiln. Yet +within a foot stood a vessel of water which, for the good it did me, +might have been better out of my sight. + +Away in the recesses of the cave I could hear my captors talking in +eager tones, doubtless highly excited at their success, for 'twas +certain that they thought I held the prized secret. + +"Get it from him at all costs, then do as you say," I heard one +remark. + +"Hush! not so loud," replied another. + +"Yet it must be done." + +"I know; I'm not saying anything against that, so----" + +Here their voices became inaudible, but in those few words I +gathered the full signification of their intentions. When they had +finished with me they meant to finish me in a very complete sense. + +Plan after plan flashed across my mind, only to be dismissed as +impracticable, till, with the faintest ray of hope, I lighted on a +scheme that might serve my purpose. + +At length Ned Slater returned, humming a rollicking air, and with a +hideous grin on his face. Stooping down, he raised the pannikin of +water to his lips and took a draught with the utmost ostentation. + +This done, he motioned as if to give me what remained in the vessel, +but when 'twas within a few inches of my mouth he slowly and +deliberately withdrew it. Twice did he offer the water, then with a +steady hand he poured it on the floor, so that the liquid splashed +over my bound hands. + +"A curse on my clumsiness!" said he. "I must needs fill the pannikin +again." + +I heard the hollow sound of his footsteps retreating down the +passage, but presently he returned, with the pannikin filled to the +brim. Setting it down where it formerly stood, he said: + +"Help yourself, you young rascal; there's plenty to spare." + +Had the water been a thousand leagues off, I could not have helped +myself any the less, and the villain knew it. + +"Now, concerning the plan," he began, pointing to the chart which he +held in his hand. "Art still of the same mind?" + +"I'll tell you," I replied hoarsely; then, feigning with little +effort, I began to cough and gulp as if unable to continue. + +"Water!" I gasped, after a while. + +He raised the pannikin and allowed a thin stream to trickle on to my +face, and as I swallowed the cold liquid it seemed to instil new +life into my tortured body. + +"That chart is not correct," I began. + +"I knew it," he replied, in a tone of triumphant expectancy; "but +I'll lay hands on the treasure." + +"And when you do, can you remove it from the island?" + +"I'll find away," he replied, with a leer. "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +"Cast my hand loose, and I'll trace a plan of the island," I +continued, pretending to ignore the latter part of his remark. + +"Very well, then; but no trickery, or----" and he touched the hilt +of my knife, which he was wearing in his belt. + +"Do I look as if I could trick you?" I asked wearily. "A lad with +his feet bound could not hope to get the better of you." + +Without another word he cut the rope that encircled my arms, then, +stepping back a pace, he drew the knife and held it in a menacing +position. + +I gave a short glance at the rope that bound my feet. It was thin +cord, commonly known as half-inch line. + +"Let this represent the coast," I began, tracing an irregular line +in the dust that covered the floor of the cave. "Here is the cliff, +and here the place where the _Madre_ first struck. The first +hiding-place of the treasure was here, I take it." + +"'Tis more to the east, if yon point marks the cliff. Thus says the +chart." + +"Does it?" I asked, with feigned surprise. "Art sure?" + +"Look for yourself," said he, holding the parchment close to my +face. + +"The light is bad," I replied, peering at the crabbed writing. "Turn +it this way, so that it shows to the best advantage. 'Tis as I said; +the place lies to the west of the cliff, just here----" + +The villain's face was within arm's length, for in his eagerness he +had drawn closer to hear my explanation. My fist shot out with a +swift upward movement, and, taking him fairly on the point of his +chin, sent him staggering against the opposite wall, whence he fell +senseless to the ground. + +In two bounds I was at his side, and seizing the knife, I severed +the rope that fastened my ankles. + +"At least," thought I, as I made ready to strike home, "if I am to +die, you'll not live to see my death." + +But ere I could achieve my aim, one of the rogues appeared, and, +raising his arm, discharged a pistol at me. + +The bullet ploughed through my hair, but without a moment's +hesitation I flung myself straight at the man. Down he went, +screaming with pain, with my knife betwixt his ribs. + +Now or never I must gain the mouth of the cave, so, dashing forward, +I ran along the tunnel towards the place where I knew the rest of +the villains to be, for I heard them shouting in alarm as they +hastened to their comrade's aid. + +Just then I noticed that the passage, or tunnel, turned sharply to +the left, and was quite dark when compared with the subdued light of +that portion of the cave in which I had been kept a prisoner. + +Down I lay full length on the floor, resting on my left side, and as +the four men rushed blindly onward the first tripped over my +prostrate body. The second I caught by the ankle, and he also fell, +while the remaining two were brought up by a barrier of sprawling +legs. + +Ere they could realize who I was, I regained my feet, darted betwixt +them and the wall of the cavern, and headed straight for the +entrance. + +Nor did I stop to think, but, gathering speed as I ran, I boldly +leapt into space, still grasping the fatal knife in my hand. + +Even as I felt myself hurtling through those fifty feet, however, I +wondered whether, in my impetuous leap, I would strike the sea or +solid rock, for I had not even stopped to see whether the cliff +there fell sheer into the water or not. + +Fortunately the precipice sloped inwards, so that I escaped being +dashed to pieces. Keeping in an upright position, I struck the water +feet first with tremendous force, and plunged beneath the surface to +a considerable depth. + +A few lusty strokes sufficed to bring me to the surface, however, +and shaking my hair from my face, I struck out for the shelter of +the overhanging cliff, so that I should be unperceived by the rogues +in the cave. + +It being close on low tide, the rise and fall in those parts being +but five feet at most, there was nothing that would afford a +foothold; the rocks were as smooth as a plank, and covered with a +thick, dark curtain of seaweed. + +Owing to the slight swell, the backwash of the waves made swimming a +matter of difficulty, as I was continually in peril of being thrown +against the cliff; and realizing that the sooner I found a +landing-place the better, I again struck out, swimming along the +face of the cliff and about ten feet from it, keeping a sharp +look-out both for a possible refuge and for the swell, of which +every seventh wave was more dangerous than the rest. + +Having struck a current or eddy that ran close inshore, I made rapid +progress, and in less than a quarter of an hour rounded a spur or +headland that I knew was within a few hundred yards of the mouth of +the harbour where the _Golden Hope_ lay at anchor. + +But here I found, to my peril, that the eddy was no longer in my +favour. On the contrary, before I was aware of it I was being +rapidly carried out to sea by a current that ran at a rate of over +three knots an hour. + +Once I realized the impossibility of making headway, I turned on my +back and paddled easily. The sea was warm, and unless unforeseen +circumstances arose, I could keep afloat for an hour or more with +little effort. Ere then I hoped to be seen by the searchers on the +cliff, or that the current would have changed in my favour. So, +buoyed up by hope, I allowed myself to drift with the tide. + +Soon I saw that I was nearly abreast that part of the cliff from +which I had leapt, yet at a distance of nearly half a mile from it. +I could discern the sloping part of the ledge where I had been +surprised, and the dark, yawning mouth of the cavern, though I could +see nothing of the rogues who dwelt there. There was some +consolation in the fact that neither could they see me, nor was I +within musket range; but against that there was the growing prospect +of being swept far out to sea, to perish slowly in a vast waste of +water. + +At length I noticed that the sea, which all around was calm save for +a gentle swell, was at a short distance ahead beginning to change in +appearance. Short-crested waves were breaking over a shoal. That I +knew by experience, but whether 'twas but a "tide rip", or really +shallow water, I knew not. + +The set of the tide carried me right towards the centre of this +extent of agitated water, and to my relief I was soon standing on +rocky ground, with the sea barely above my knees. + +I was still in a position of great peril, for the rocks were +slippery with kelp, while the current was strong enough to threaten +to sweep me off my feet. Even though the tide might fall a few +inches, I knew full well that ere long the flood would set in, and +thus before high water the depth would be too great for me to retain +a foothold. + +Looking landwards, I saw by the agitation of the waves that the +shoal extended well towards the shore, the distance between being +but a few hundred yards. At this my hopes recovered, for could I +walk or wade in that direction and await the change of tide, the +same current that had carried me seawards would render me a good +service in bearing me back towards the harbour. + +I had not proceeded far, for wading was a matter of extreme +difficulty, when a whip-like object seized my leg like a vice. The +sensation was paralysing, for it seemed as if I was being burnt in a +score of places at once. Like a flash I realized my danger. I was in +the grip of an octopus! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +The Perils of the Shoal + + +Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome +embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my +leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their +prey. The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's +head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in +length. + +Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous +brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of +the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding +eyes and a formidable beak. That beak was slowly approaching my +naked flesh, to rend it asunder. + +Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began +swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free +foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I +had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized. Once +prone on those slippery rocks, my fate was sealed. + +Then I bethought me of my knife, which I had thrust into my belt. +Gripping it dagger-wise, I braced myself to overcome a sickening +sensation of fear, and plunged it to the hilt betwixt the eyes of +the hideous creature. + +'Twas only to be likened to cutting a leather bag filled with +jelly--once the steel had ripped through the outer skin there seemed +no resistance to the blade; yet, though a quantity of watery blood, +mingled with a blackish froth, came from the wound, the octopus +apparently lost none of its vitality. Its rage, if I may so term it, +seemed to increase, for, quitting its hold on the rocks, it fastened +upon me with all its tentacles. I felt its snake-like embrace +encircle my legs, while two of its members seized my left arm. +Though I struck madly at its head to ward off the terrible, +beak-like mouth, my efforts seemed unavailing. The pain of the +hundreds of suckers was intense, and I felt my legs giving way under +the loathsome contraction of the creature's tentacles. + +Suddenly the pressure seemed to relax, and redoubling my efforts, I +severed three of the arms with as many sweeps of my knife. Thus I +freed the upper part of my body; after that it was a comparatively +easy matter to cut off the other tentacles, though the remaining +parts still clung to my legs like a hundred leeches. + +Shudderingly I made my way towards a portion of the reef that now +lay exposed, keeping a wary eye on the seaweed lest another octopus +should be lurking in the rocky crevices. + +Having completely emerged from the water, I cut off the adhering +tentacles with my knife, for they would not become detached by other +means. Wherever the suckers had touched my flesh a small red wound +remained, so that my legs were one mass of livid spots, showing +vividly against the white skin, my prolonged stay in the water +having well-nigh stopped the flow of my blood. + +I rubbed my limbs vigorously, and began to consider how I should +reach the shore, for the current had now ceased to ebb, as I could +tell by the absence of ripples over the submerged portion of the +shoal. + +Fearing a similar encounter with an octopus, I hesitated to wade +over the seaweed-covered rocks, till, realizing that the longer I +waited the more exhausted I should become, and that I had traversed +a considerable distance ere I was attacked, I took heart, and walked +as rapidly as I could towards the landward edge of the shoal. + +I noticed that from this part of the reef the blackened wreck of the +pirate vessel was immediately in line with the south-eastern end of +the island, so that by taking advantage of the flood stream I should +be carried on to the ledge of rocks that extended betwixt the shore +and the wreck, whence up to half tide I could walk ashore. + +But just as I was about to commit myself to the waves, I saw a +black, triangular object cutting through the water between me and +the higher portion of the shoal I had just left. It was the fin of a +shark! + +This ravenous monster had evidently got out of its bearings, for, +though shark's often frequent shoal water in search of their prey, +in this case there was barely sufficient depth for it to swim in. + +Nevertheless, the shark had seen me, and was making straight for the +place where I stood. There was no help for it but to retrace my +steps to the now fast disappearing rocks, where I would have to make +a desperate stand until there was enough water for the brute to come +to close quarters. And then--I shuddered at the thought of it. + +I managed to evade the monster, for it floundered heavily in the +shallows, lashing out with its tail, the noise of the blows sounding +like the report of a musket. + +The water was now up to my ankles on the highest part of the reef. +Often would I imagine that my foot touched the slimy tentacles of an +octopus, as the now increasing current caused the long tendrils of +seaweed to sweep against my legs; while many crabs of small size +would dart swiftly in a sidelong motion over my toes. + +All the while the shark, having found a pool of deeper water, was +swimming lazily to and fro, turning occasionally on its back. I +could then see its small, evil-looking eyes, as it marked its +anticipated prey. + +In vain I sought for some stones to hurl at the monster--the face of +the rock beneath the kelp was firm and solid. + +Although the sun's rays had long since dried my scanty clothing, I +shivered with numbness, aye, and with fear. Bitterly did I regret my +rashness in descending to that fatal ledge without my companion, yet +vain were my regrets. + +More than once I resolved to cast myself into the sea and, knife in +hand, to do battle with the ferocious monster that awaited me. +'Twould be victory or death, and even in the latter case it would +the sooner end my prolonged torments. Yet, as I looked at the +glistening white monster, with its huge mouth armed with serrated +rows of sharp teeth, I could not force myself to take the desperate +step. + +"Ahoy!" + +Surely my ears deceived me, or did I hear the faint sound of a hail? +Looking round I saw, to my inexpressible joy and relief, a boat +making towards the shoal. It was the same craft that I had seen +taking soundings in the channel that morning. + +Under the powerful strokes of the rowers the boat dashed to my +rescue, the foam hissing at her bows as her sharp stem cleft the +water. + +Then everything began to grow dim; I heard the report of a musket, +and was barely conscious of the shark quivering on the surface of +the water, with shattered jaws. Strong arms bore me to the boat, and +directly I felt myself placed on the bottom boards a white mist swam +before my eyes, and I lost consciousness. + + * * * * * + +When I came to myself I was lying on my bunk in the cabin of the +_Golden Hope_. Captain Jeremy, his head swathed in bandages, was +sitting an a chair, with a chart spread out on the table in front of +him. This surprised me not a little, for when I had last seen him he +was lying weak and helpless. + +I tried to raise myself on my elbow, but the task was beyond my +power. Seeing this, Captain Jeremy got up and, coming over to my +bed, gave me something to drink. + +"That's better," he exclaimed encouragingly. "Now try to rest +awhile." + +"But, sir," said I, so feebly that I could scarce realize 'twas my +own voice, "how do I come to be here? Ah! I remember," and I +shuddered at the thought of my harrowing adventures. + +"Not another word," he said imperatively, and as obediently as a +child I fell asleep. + +A few days later I was able to sit up, and then I learnt that I had +been unconscious for sixteen days, while anxiety for my condition +had been largely responsible for Captain Jeremy's rapid recovery. + +I knew the kindly Captain was burning with impatience to hear the +story of my misadventures, but he refrained from questioning me for +quite another week. + +"Are you really sure you're not dreaming?" he asked, when, in the +course of my narrative, I related how I had found my captors to be +Ned Slater and the five other deserters. + +"I would I had been," I replied. "Yet now I know, on the rogue's own +statement, that he it was who slew my father." + +"If I had only given heed to your suspicions!" returned Captain +Jeremy grimly. "No matter, I'll lay them by the heels yet;" and at +the conclusion of my story, to which both he and Captain 'Enery +listened with the greatest interest, he expressed his intention of +going ashore and making a descent upon the villains' retreat. + +This he accordingly did, but, though the cave was discovered and a +careful search made in and around the place, the rogues had +vanished. I had often wondered how they managed to climb up from the +mouth of the cavern to the top of the cliff. This Captain Jeremy +explained. In the tunnel the searchers came across the trunk of a +small tree which had apparently been thrust out a little way, so +that by standing on it a man could climb up the perpendicular face +of the precipice by means of a series of notches cut in the rock. +This done, he fastened a stout rope round a projecting ledge, so +that his companions could follow with ease. Beyond this the villains +had left no trace save, on careful examination, a dark stain that +was found on the dusty floor, thus bearing out my statement that I +had accounted for one of them at least. + +I progressed slowly yet surely, and meanwhile Captain Jeremy +recovered his accustomed strength and health. At length, to the +unbounded satisfaction of all hands, it was announced that, all +preparations being completed, an expedition into the interior of the +island would be made early in the following week. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +More Trouble in Sight + + +Since the return of the master gunner and his party from their +successful chase of the buccaneers, the crew of the _Neptune_ had +been increased, though not up to full strength. It was Captain +Jeremy's intention to keep a large garrison in the stockade, under +Captain 'Enery, while the master gunner resumed his duties on board +the _Golden Hope_. Joe Clemens, by virtue of his having been mate on +a trading vessel, was appointed to the charge of the _Neptune_ till +such time as Captain 'Enery could resume his command. + +This was, in a measure, somewhat tactless, for Clemens, not being +one of the original crew of the _Golden Hope_, was looked upon by +some of the men as an outsider who had risen over their heads. + +But Joe Clemens, cheerful and easy-going Cornishman that he was, +treated this matter lightly, though he was fully aware of it. On +being told of the feeling amongst certain of the crew of the +_Neptune_, he merely remarked that they would soon get used to it, +and that he was quite big and strong enough to look after both +Captain Jeremy's interests and his own. + +It happened, however, that one day, while Captain Jeremy, the master +gunner, and I were in the cabin, a seaman knocked softly and, +without waiting to be bidden to enter, came in and closed the door +behind him. + +He was one of the original band of Lymington men, yet Captain +Jeremy, ever a strict disciplinarian, liked not the manner of his +entry. + +"How now, Cherry?" he asked sternly. "Is this the way--bursting in +upon your officers without so much as 'by your leave'?" + +"What I have to say must be said quietly, sir," replied the man +resolutely. + +"Say on." + +"There's underhand work aboard the _Neptune_, sir," continued the +man. "There's a dozen of 'em in touch with that rascal Slater." + +Instinctively I recalled Slater's words: "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +"How d'ye know this?" demanded Captain Jeremy coolly. + +"I heard 'em talking in the fo'c'sle last night, while I was lying +down on the cathead for a spell. They'll try to seize the stuff when +we get it aboard." + +"Will they?" said the Captain grimly. "And who may the rascals be?" + +Cherry gave the names of about a dozen, all of whom had, like Slater +and his companions, joined the _Golden Hope_ from a Chatham brig. +"They mean to mutiny, lay hands on the treasure, and place it in the +sloop," he continued. "They can scarce hope to take the _Golden +Hope_." + +Now, the sloop was a small, half-decked vessel, of about ten tons +burthen, one of the craft that Touchstone had found hard by the +place where he had ambushed the buccaneers. These boats had been +brought round while I had been ill, and now lay close inshore, and +almost abreast of the stockade. + +"Why not send an armed force aboard the _Neptune_ and secure them?" +asked Touchstone. "They'll lie safely in the bilboes, even if we do +not run them up to the yard-arm." + +"Nay, I'll play with them awhile," said Captain Jeremy. "Yet I'll +take no risks in the matter. For aught I care, they are right +welcome to the sloop. And now, Cherry, I thank you for your warning, +and rest assured that I'll not forget to recompense you for it." + +The sailor withdrew, and long and anxiously the two officers +conferred as to their plan of action. + +"'Twill be one way out of the difficulty," concluded Captain Jeremy, +slapping his thigh as he was wont to do when in high good humour. +"Sink me! we'll begin our preparations to-morrow." + +Accordingly, soon after breakfast on the morrow he was rowed aboard +the _Neptune_, and having assembled the crew, true men and false +alike, he addressed them. + +"My lads," said he, "in the course of a few days I hope to have the +long-sought-for treasure in our possession. Now, since no one can +deny that I am a just man, I'll speak plainly on what I propose to +do. Those of you who left England in the Golden Hope will receive a +share in the _Madre_ treasure, while all hands are entitled to the +spoils we recovered from the wreck of the pirate ship. Now, to +prevent mistakes, I propose to separate the two; and since the +_Neptune_ is of the lighter build, and sails a full knot faster than +the _Golden Hope_, I'll stow the whole of the _Madre_ treasure in +the hold of the _Neptune_. Thus, should we be attacked while +homeward bound, the _Golden Hope_ can ward off our foes while the +_Neptune_ shows a clean pair of heels. Then, should Providence guide +us safely into port, a fair and just distribution will be made ere +we warp alongside Poole Quay." + +Three cheers greeted this announcement, though I felt certain that +there were a dozen rogues at least who were laughing in their +sleeves at Captain Jeremy for being a fool. + +Ere noon arrived the whole of the treasure that we had recovered +from the buccaneering craft was safely stowed away in the strong +room of the _Golden Hope_; while, acting under instructions, Joe +Clemens and several of the proved members of the _Neptune's_ crew +removed their personal effects to the parent ship. + +Meanwhile, the men who garrisoned the stockade had not been idle. +They had thoroughly explored the cliff path that led to the now +deserted buccaneering settlement, and also the road that traversed +the island from north to south, the same one that we had struck on +our first expedition into the interior. The cliff route was found to +be far more practicable than the direct one through the forest, +though 'twas considerably longer. + +Captain 'Enery had constructed several large wheelbarrows so that, +with the assistance of a couple of men pulling ahead, the treasure +could be conveyed to the shore with comparative ease; and Captain +Jeremy gave orders for several large boxes, or chests, to be made of +strong wood, each numbered on the lid. These boxes, he announced, +would hold the treasure safely during the passage home, till the +time came for it to be duly apportioned. + +While this was being done Captain Jeremy sent a party of six trusty +men to proceed along the east coast of the island in a southerly +direction till they came to a clump of three small palm trees +standing far apart from the rest of the vegetation and close to the +water's edge. These the men were to cut down, move a hundred yards +in a southerly direction, and set up again as well as they were +able. The seamen did this faithfully and well, whereat Captain +Jeremy again slapped his thigh in evident satisfaction. + +That the rascals on board the _Neptune_ were in constant +communication with Slater and his fellows we had no doubt, for twice +we perceived two men swimming off to the ship by night. Yet all this +Captain Jeremy purposely winked at, being of a mind to let the +villains work their own destruction. + +On the morning of the day before we purposed to set out to secure +the treasure, two of the rascals rowed alongside the Golden Hole and +asked permission to water their ship, as the tanks were well-nigh +empty. To this request Captain Jeremy readily gave permission, and +by the ill-concealed grin on the faces of the rogues when they heard +him agree, I knew that they were setting in a store to last them on +a voyage. + +Every preparation having been completed, our Captain recalled 'Enery +to take charge of the _Golden Hope_ during his absence, while +Touchstone was again to be in command of the stockade. + +"There's mischief brewing," said he to Captain 'Enery. "But, mark my +words, they'll lie quiet enough till the treasure is safely aboard +the _Neptune_. Nevertheless, I know I can rely upon you to take +every precaution to safeguard the ship; but do nothing to arouse +suspicion. Let the men have shore leave if they ask for it; do +nothing beyond the daily routine, for should those rascals smell a +rat, all our preparations would count for naught." + +At daybreak the force picked out for the expedition paraded outside +the stockade. There were forty-five all told, composed of fifteen of +the original crew of the _Golden Hope_ on whom we could thoroughly +rely and thirty of the peasants whom we had rescued from the +_Neptune_. + +All were armed with muskets and cutlasses, while in the barrows were +piled hatchets, spades, and mattocks, together with a goodly supply +of provisions. + +Amid the cheers of those who were left behind, for all, whether true +or false, wished us success, the expedition set out, Captain Jeremy +and I walking at the head of the column. + +Unless untoward events prevented it, another thirty-six hours would +see the treasure of the _Madre de Dios_ within our grasp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +We Arrive at the Hiding-place of the Treasure + + +Having gained the crest of the hill that terminated in the headland +where I had met with my adventures in the cave, we descended by a +gradually sloping path that followed closely to the coast. On our +left the ground rose in uneven terraces, covered with thick, +tropical vegetation; while on the right I could see the shoals +whither I had been carried by the ebb tide. + +At a distance of about six miles from the stockade we reached the +north-eastern extremity of the island, where, owing to the hilly +nature of the ground, we had to follow a course that resembled three +sides of a square. Thence, proceeding due west, and still following +the coast line, we arrived at the place where the master gunner had +successfully ambushed the retreating buccaneers. + +Here we found the termination of a well-defined path that had been +made by the rascally pirates during their occupation of the island. +This path, we now knew, made a junction with another track from the +buccaneers' settlement, and, proceeding in an almost southerly +direction, led to a small cove on the south side of the island. + +The character of the scenery changed at this place, for the path +plunged into a defile, the side of which showed traces of volcanic +agency. Yet, though it was uphill for nearly four miles, the +gradients of the road offered no great difficulty. + +We harnessed four men to the traces of the wheelbarrows, but our +rate of progress was so slow that 'twas close on sunset ere we +arrived at the clearing where the path through the forest cut across +the path we were pursuing. Here Captain Jeremy decided to pitch a +camp, so as to be fresh for the next day's work. + +Accordingly, the men cut down bushes to form a shelter from the +night dews, and a huge bonfire was lighted, for the air during the +hours of darkness was decidedly cool. Then, after we had partaken +of supper, we turned in and slept, save those who were set on guard. + +The night passed without interruption, as Captain Jeremy had +expected, since, even had Slater and his villainous crew been +anywhere near, 'tis unlikely that they would have made any attempt +to molest us ere we had found the treasure. + +"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as we prepared to resume our +march, the barrows being left in reserve at the place where we had +camped, "for the next two miles we will have to cut our way, taking +our direction by the compass. Now, lest you think that our first +attempt was an utter failure, let me say that I took that +opportunity of verifying my bearings, having made allowance for the +difference and variation 'twixt the present time and when last I +made the journey to where the treasure lies. If in six miles I have +hit my former track, shall we miss in two miles more? I think not; +so take heart, men, and may success reward our efforts!" + +Having carefully indicated the required direction by placing two +stakes in a line with the magnetic bearing, Captain Jeremy gave the +word for the men to proceed, and, wielding their hatchets with a +will, they began to cut the path that was to extend two miles in a +straight line; for the track cut by Captain Jeremy years ago was now +almost totally obliterated, though we had found traces of it in the +swamps. + +The ground, hitherto swampy in the direct route 'twixt us and the +stockade (for which reason we had made a wide detour), now became +firm, standing high and continually rising towards the dip in the +saddle-shaped hill that we had seen on our first approach to the +island. + +The men, working in relays, were instructed to hew a path wide +enough for two people to walk abreast, and, keeping in a straight +line with the portion they had already cut, our rate of progression +was about a furlong an hour. + +For two hours not a sound was heard save the dull swish of the axes +as they sheared through the sap-laden canes and brushwood. + +Suddenly one of the men gave an exclamation of surprise, and, +dropping his axe, seized on a strange object and with a heave +wrenched it from the ground. It was an arquebus, apparently of +sixteenth-century workmanship, its barrel nearly rusted through, and +its stock so worm-eaten that it crumbled in his grasp. + +This was the first token we had seen which related to our quest, and +with renewed efforts our men again attacked the impeding mass of +vegetation. + +When at length the path had been constructed to a distance of about +two miles, our hopes and fears increased. How could the exact spot +be fixed in that wilderness? Had Captain Jeremy some particular +clue, the result of which he kept locked in his breast till the +fateful moment? A glance at our leader's resolute face was +sufficient. He, at all events, was satisfied with the progress made. + +"A man with a mattock!" he exclaimed; and as a seaman ran forward +with the required article, he gave the order, "Dig here". + +A few heavy strokes, and the implement struck a blackish stratum of +soil. Picking up a handful, Captain Jeremy sniffed at it; but even +where I was standing I recognized the odour. It smelt of pitch. + +"We are hard on the place," the Captain exclaimed; "another twenty +yards, lads!" + +At length, with an exclamation of triumph, one of the men pushed +aside the reeds, and disclosed a scene the like of which I had never +seen before. For a space of nearly a hundred yards across, the +ground was destitute of verdure, being composed of a bituminous +soil. On all sides, save the one by which we had approached, were +lofty black rocks, grotesquely shaped as if carved by the hand of +man; while facing us was a pinnacle that resembled a human face in +profile, about thirty feet in height. A more repulsive caricature +could not be imagined. The thick, protruding upper lip, the +overhanging eyebrows, and the diabolical grin--'twas the very image +in stone of the villainous Ned Slater. + +"Where--where?" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, gripping his pistols, for +I had unconsciously uttered the miscreant's name. + +"Nay," I replied, "not Ned Slater in the flesh, but his features +carved in stone. Look at yon rock!" + +"Sink me!" muttered the astonished Captain. "Oft have I seen this +rock, but never till now have I noticed this resemblance, yet 'tis +passing strange." + +"Is this the work of man?" I asked of him, as the seamen crowded +into the open space and gazed amazedly at the hideous shape. + +"'Tis hard to believe it is the hand of Nature," replied Captain +Jeremy. "I have seen the like in the temples of the ancient +Mexicans, save that here are no traces of the sculptor's tools. I +believe 'tis a strange freak of fire, for all around can be seen +distinct evidences of volcanic action. This floor is formed of dried +pitch, of a like nature to the lake of pitch in the Isle of +Trinidad. But we are not here for the purpose of debating upon the +origin of these rocks." + +So saying, he strode forward across the open space, and we followed +in a body, our boots ringing on the hard surface 'neath our feet. +Then I saw that the image of the man's head was on one side of the +rock only; on the other the outlines were roughly continued in +horizontal lines along the face of a cliff, till the continuity was +broken by a projecting rock that resembled the gargoyles one sees on +the towers of cathedrals and churches in England. + +Having stopped at the spot where the chin of the human-like profile +touched the ground, Captain Jeremy measured off seven paces along +the base of the cliff. Here, as far as one could judge, the rock +presented an unbroken wall, so our amazement was unbounded when the +seamen were ordered to attack the cliff with their mattocks. + +Almost at the first blow there was a sudden fall of stones, and when +the dust had cleared away a dark, yawning cavity was disclosed, +while 'twas now evident that a wall had been built up and carefully +concealed with a kind of dark plaster, so that it resembled the rest +of the rock. + +"Steady, men!" warned the Captain, as several of the seamen prepared +to scramble over the rubbish into the sombre cavity, "the air may be +poisonous." + +Directing a number of the men to cut down some pine saplings, so as +to make torches, Captain Jeremy called for flint and steel. + +"Be careful of the tow," he cautioned. "A chance spark in this +pitch-steeped place might be the death of all of us. Once within the +cave, there will be no further danger from fire. Stand by, some of +you, with a barrico, and douche every spark that falls." + +One of the improvised torches was quickly in a blaze, and, +describing a graceful curve as it was hurled into the cavern, it +struck the floor, sending out a shower of sparks on the impact. + +For a full minute the flame burnt steadily. The air was free from +noxious gases. + +"Five men will be sufficient at first," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. +"You, too, Master Clifford. Follow me." + +And stepping over the dislodged rubble, he entered the cave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +Untold Wealth + + +By the glare of the smoking torches I saw that we were in a vast +cavern, the walls of which were smooth and fairly regular on both +sides, although the extent of the place was hidden by a darkness +which the flaring lights failed to penetrate. In the distance I +heard the splashing of a torrent of water, but as the floor of the +cave was covered to a depth of about six inches with dry dust, the +stream must have found an outlet at a lower level. + +Led by Captain Jeremy, who strode along rapidly, with the confidence +of a man who was well acquainted with the place, we traversed some +fifty yards of gradually shelving floor, till the torchlight +flickered on several ghastly objects that were lying about in +various positions. There were rusty steel morions, breast-plates, +and buff leather coats, each complete suit containing a grisly +skeleton; while scattered around were arquebuses, muskets, pikes, +swords, and pistols. + +"Good heavens!" exclaimed one of our men in an awestruck tone. +"Starved to death!" + +"Nay," replied Captain Jeremy, "they fought among themselves. These +were the survivors of the wreck of the _Madre de Dios_. Consumed +with the lust for gold, they exterminated each other, or, at least, +if any escaped the combat they never left the island." + +A few steps farther, and we beheld a pile of casks standing breast +high. Plunging his hand into the nearest, Captain Jeremy drew out a +brick-shaped object, and, knocking it against the side of the cask +to remove a thick deposit of dust, revealed a piece of dull-coloured +metal. It was gold! + +Regardless of their gruesome surroundings, the men burst into a +continuous roar of cheering, and like delighted children flung +themselves upon the casks. + +Vessels, plate, bars of gold, and coins were disclosed to our view, +till the floor was littered with dull red metal, mingled with +tarnished silver. + +'Twas the much-sought-for treasure of the _Madre de Dios_. + +"Pass the word for more torches," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, who +alone seemed unmoved by this vast display of wealth, "and bid the +men bring with them the canvas sacks. Hasten, for we must needs get +clear of this place ere night." When at length some semblance of +order was restored, the work of loading the treasure was begun and +carried on till, staggering under the weight of seventeen heavy +sacks, the seamen gained the open air. + +"Shall we do anything with these, sir?" asked one of the men, +pointing to the skeletons of the ill-fated members of the crew of +the _Madre_. + +"Nay; they have guarded the treasure so far, let them sleep on in +peace," replied Captain Jeremy softly, as, stooping down, he picked +up a rapier of exquisite workmanship. + +I did likewise, wondering at the contrast betwixt the bright steel +blades and the rusty armour. + +"Their mail was tarnished by exposure ere they died," replied +Captain Jeremy, in answer to my question. "The air is so dry within +the cave that rust is almost impossible. Were it not for the +treasure having been submerged in the sea, we would have been +well-nigh blinded by its glister." + +Meanwhile the seamen were busily employed in cutting stout poles of +about six feet in length. Over these the sacks were slung, each pole +resting on the shoulders of two men. + +Captain Miles gave the order to march, and within a couple of hours +from the time of our arrival the whole of the _Madre_ treasure was +on its way to the ship. + +Yet, so heavy were the burdens and so difficult the path, it was +nearly sunset ere we reached the place where we had camped the +previous night. + +Here we found the barrows quite undisturbed, so with feelings of +relief the elated men prepared to spend another night in the open. + +The treasure was stacked in the centre of a ring of sleeping men, +while double guards were set, Captain Jeremy himself keeping watch +throughout the long night. Hunger and sleeplessness seemed strangers +to him, yet it was anxiety, not highness of spirits, that kept him +awake. + +"Are you not glad that the treasure is found, sir?" I asked. + +"Glad, aye, that I am; but I'll not feel satisfied till I have the +stuff safe and sound in Poole Harbour. Mark my words, the most +anxious time is yet to come." + +Shortly after midnight the camp was aroused by a musket shot, and +all hands, standing to their arms, prepared to resist an attack, +though by whom we knew not. But it turned out to be a false alarm, +for one of the seamen, being overexcited with the events of the day, +had unwittingly fingered the trigger of his piece. + +Nevertheless, few of us had much sleep that night, and with the +first sight of dawn the march was resumed. + +The greater part of the path now being downhill, we made far more +rapid progress than on the outward journey, in spite of the load of +treasure; and late in the afternoon we reached the brow of the hill +overlooking the harbour where the _Golden Hope_ and her consort lay. + +Captain Jeremy thereupon ordered three musket shots to be fired in +the air--the pre-arranged signal of success. Instantly a crowd of +men issued from the stockade, and with shouts and much waving of +arms rushed to meet us. The ships, too, hoisted their colours to the +mastheads, while the _Golden Hope_ fired seven guns by way of a +salute. + +Willing hands seized the heavily laden barrows, and with a rush they +were run down the hill, across the flat plain, and into the +stockade, while Captain 'Enery and our leader exchanged +congratulations and eager questions. + +"Any news?" asked Captain Jeremy anxiously. + +"None; all is quiet on both vessels." + +Having entered the stockade, Captain Jeremy immediately gave orders +for the spoil to be carried into the storehouse, and, having picked +out four tried men, he set them, under the superintendence of +Captain 'Enery, to load up the stout chests that had previously been +prepared. + +"Men," he exclaimed to the rest of the crews, "the treasure is, as +you know, found." Here the bursts of cheering interrupted further +speech for a space of nearly two minutes, but when order was at +length restored Captain Jeremy continued: "Ere night I hope to have +the whole of these chests safely aboard the _Neptune_. It will mean +much labour, but I know you'll work with a will. This done, I want +all hands, save a sufficient guard on both brigs, to repair to the +stockade, and we'll have a right good carouse on the strength of our +success. There are several casks of spirits aboard the _Golden +Hope_, and sink me if I be niggardly in this matter." + +Renewed cheering greeted this announcement, though, knowing that +Captain Jeremy was not a man to encourage a carouse, I wondered at +his action, especially at such a time, when there was danger from a +known mutinous party in our midst. + +"Number one ready, sir," announced one of the men from the door of +the storehouse. + +[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"] + +"Then out with it," replied the Captain, and as the bulky chest +appeared, carefully nailed and corded, it was seized upon by a gang +of lusty seamen and conveyed to the water's edge, where a boat was +lying in readiness to take it to the _Neptune_. Seven others +followed before Captain 'Enery and the men, all looking warm with +their exertions, emerged from the storehouse, and the door was +carefully locked. + +"Now to set the watches on board both vessels," said Captain Jeremy; +then in an aside to Captain 'Enery, though loud enough for me to +hear, "Are our men ashore? Good! Now to settle with the rogues." + +"Master Hammond, will you go and warn the crews of both vessels to +muster ashore to-night? The exceptions are named on this list," he +continued, slipping a paper into my hands. "They are to remain on +board and keep a careful watch. Warn them on the _Neptune_ of the +precious nature of their trust." + +I made my way to the shore, where a boat conveyed me to the _Golden +Hope_. Then, having delivered Captain Jeremy's orders and detailed +the watch party, I proceeded aboard the _Neptune_. + +Here I was met at the gangway by Tompkins, the quartermaster, whom +we knew to be one of the malcontents. + +"Master Clemens is sick, sir," he reported, "and desires permission +to be taken ashore." + +"Let him go, by all means," I replied. "What's amiss?" + +"I know not," answered the man, "though it seems of the nature of an +ague." + +Having had the crew mustered, I repeated Captain Jeremy's orders, +and proceeded to read the names of the men who were to remain. There +were sixteen of the latter, being five more than the watch on board +the _Golden Hope_, and as I called the names their bearers replied, +"Here, sir." + +"Gadd--Jonathan Gadd?" + +No answer. + +"Jonathan Gadd," I repeated; "where is he?" + +No one seemed to know. + +"Beck, William?" + +He, too, was absent, cause unknown. + +So were two others, Wood and Hoit; it could only be by design, for +there were only the malcontents of the crew remaining on board the +_Neptune_. And under the charge of these rascals were the eight +treasure chests. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +The Mutiny of the _Neptune_ + + +Having carried out my instructions, I directed the boat's crew to +row back to the shore, and having secured the little craft and +removed her oars, the men followed me to the stockade. + +It was now night, but the open space within the palisade was lit by +the glare of a huge fire. Seated around on upturned casks, or +sprawling on the ground, were as many of the crews of both brigs as +could be spared, besides the garrison of the stockade; and, to my +surprise, I recognized Joe Clemens, who had been sent ashore, +presumably ill with the ague, and also the four men who ought, +according to the list of names, to have been keeping watch on board +the _Neptune_. + +Having reported myself to Captain Jeremy, I walked over to where +Clemens was seated, and asked him how he felt. + +"Never better in my life, Master Hammond," was his astonishing +reply; from which, coupled with the fact that the other absentees +from the _Neptune_ were not ashamed to be seen away from their +posts, I concluded that 'twas all part and parcel of Captain +Jeremy's plans. + +The casks of spirits had been broached, and with rousing song the +men, to use Captain 'Enery's expression, "let themselves go". The +firelight gleamed on their bronzed, hearty features, and cast +fantastic shadows upon the encircling wooden fence, where, like +ghostly shapes against the dark sky, stood the sentinels who had +been posted to keep watch while their comrades feasted and caroused. +The air was thick with the reek of burning logs and the odour of +strong waters. + +Yet, in contrast to the general festivity, Captain Jeremy and his +officers maintained the strictest abstinence, though they applauded +with the rest as a ballad went well, or joined in a volley of chaff +when a seaman broke down in a partly forgotten song. + +Frequently the Captain would slip quietly away and mount the +parapet, whence he would gaze steadfastly across the harbour to +where the anchor lamps of the two ships glimmered like stars on the +point of setting. + +It was well after midnight ere the fire had burnt itself low, and +the glowing embers played on the faces of men who were too tired +even to join in a chorus. + +"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, "'tis too late to return on +board. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can here, and report +yourselves to me to-morrow at eight bells." + +"Three cheers for Captain Miles!" shouted a hoarse voice, and the +men, having expended their last remaining energy in paying this +tribute to their popular chief, trooped off to rest in the +barrack-like shelters that had been erected for the comfort of the +little garrison. + +When all was quiet, Captain Jeremy, 'Enery, Silas Touchstone, and I +walked down to the beach, followed by the boat's crew, and were +rowed off to the _Golden Hope_. + +"Turn in now, Master Clifford," said Captain Jeremy, as we gained +the deck; "you must be tired out with the day's excitement and the +night's revelry." + +He had donned his thick peajacket, so I knew that, though he had not +slumbered on the previous night, he meant to keep on deck. Something +was in the wind. + +Tired as I was, I could not sleep. For hours I lay awake, listening +to the dull roar of the breakers on the reef and the periodical +notes of the ship's bell, which, with faithful precision, were +repeated on board the _Neptune_; while, borne on the soft air, as +the land breeze blew across the bay, I could distinguish the "All's +well" of the men on guard at the stockade. + +Overhead I could hear a measured tramp, as the two captains paced +the deck, for they had left the quarter-deck and were patrolling the +poop, talking in earnest tones, though their words were inaudible. + +Six bells! Would sleep never come? I sprang out of my bunk, and +walking over to one of the open stern ports, I leant out. + +Grey dawn was beginning to glimmer in the east, and with it came the +moaning of a rising wind. Barely distinguishable against the pale +night mists, I could see the outlines of the _Neptune_. Did my eyes +deceive me? Her sails had been shaken loose and were being sheeted +home. + +The footsteps overhead were still. The captains had ceased their +monotonous walk. Had they, too, noticed the mysterious and +unauthorized manoeuvre? + +Even as I watched I heard the splash of the cut cable, and, listing +over to the now stiff breeze, the _Neptune_ began to forge ahead. + +I waited no longer; but rushed on deck, and gained the poop just as +Captain Jeremy hailed, in a voice like the bellowing of a bull: + +"What are ye up to, ye rascals? Heave-to, I say, or I'll sink you!" + +Still the _Neptune_ came on, moving with increasing pace as she drew +farther from the lee of the land. + +"Below there," shouted the master gunner, "stand to your guns!" + +The newly awakened members of our scanty crew passed through the +fore hatchway in all states of clothing. They needed no second +bidding, but, rushing to the guns, began to load. + +Suddenly one of the gunlayers gave an exclamation of angry surprise. + +"Spiked!" he shouted, with an oath. + +"Same here," announced another, and a hasty examination revealed the +unpleasant fact that every gun on the starboard side had an iron +nail wedged into the touch-hole and broken off short. + +Silas Touchstone disappeared, only to return with a box of +armourer's tools. If anything was to be done it must be done +speedily, for the _Neptune_ was now close to our quarter. + +"Oh, for a single gun!" exclaimed Captain 'Enery. "We could wing her +now." + +Then, to my unspeakable dismay, I saw, gripping the weather-poop +rail of the _Neptune_, the figure of my enemy, Ned Slater. He had +proved his words concerning his friends on the ship by taking +possession of her, thanks to the aid of the mutineers. + +The light was now sufficiently strong to distinguish the hideous +leer of insolent triumph on his features.. + +"Farewell, Captain Miles!" he shouted. "A thousand thanks for having +handed over the _Madre_ treasure, to say nothing of having provided +the means to find the way out," and with an ostentatious flourish he +displayed the well-known chart. + +"May you be much beholden to it, you villain!" returned Captain +Jeremy, and, laying hold of a musket, he fired at the double-dyed +rogue. + +Now, in all my experience I had never known Captain Jeremy to miss +his mark at that comparatively short distance, and I fully expected +to see the murderous thief fall dead on the deck. But the bullet +went wide, so wide indeed that Slater never so much as ducked his +head, which he would assuredly have done had it 'scaped him +narrowly. + +"Try again, Cap'n," came the taunting cry. + +"I'll be even with you yet," shouted Captain Jeremy, as he proceeded +to reload his piece. + +Meanwhile our men worked their hardest to run one of the larboard +guns over to the other side, but owing to the shortage of hands and +the encumbered state of our decks 'twas evident that the _Neptune_ +would be well out of range ere a single gun was in position to open +fire. + +Having passed well ahead of us, the disloyal brig smartly +starboarded her helm and stood out for the open sea, followed by a +desultory cannonade from the stockade, which, however, did little or +no harm, though it proved that the men were fairly alert, in spite +of their overnight carouse. + +"She's off, right enough," exclaimed one of the men. + +"And the treasure with her!" shouted another, in a paroxysm of rage. +"Where's my share now? All lost! All lost!" + +"Peace, you fool!" said Captain Jeremy sternly. + +"If you have lost your share, have I not lost far more? Wait and +see." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +The Fate of the Mutineers + + +Presently most of the men who had been left in the stockade, having +taken to the boats and the little sloop, came on board. Fury, +disappointment, and despair were written on their faces as they +gathered in the waist awaiting the orders that were not forthcoming. + +"Aren't you going to weigh and chase 'em, Cap'n?" shouted one, with +more zeal than discretion. + +"Send away the long-boat, and we'll soon overhaul them," suggested +another. + +"With this sea running?" replied Captain Jeremy at length. "You +would never make head way. Trust me and wait." + +The crew could scarce believe their ears. Was the Captain overcome +by the strain of the last few days? His pensive attitude seemed +incomprehensible. + +Yet Captain Jeremy was outwardly cool and collected as, glass in +hand, he followed the course of the disappearing _Neptune_. + +She was now on the bar, tossing, pitching, and rolling in the heavy +breakers, for already the sea outside was running high and breaking +over the shoals in one continuous field of snow-flecked foam. Yet +the errant brig held slowly and truly on her course 'twixt the +shallows that threatened her at half a cable's length to starboard +and larboard. + +She stood out close hauled on the larboard tack, the wind being due +north, till she reached the bend in the channel that ran parallel +with the shore. Here, being smartly handled, she turned and ran dead +before the wind, her hull being lost to view from our decks by the +intervening reef. + +Instantly there was a scramble aloft, Captain Jeremy and I, with +nearly a dozen men, gaining the main top, while the shrouds were +alive with the discomfited crew as they watched from their lofty +point of vantage the rapidly receding brig. + +I glanced at Captain Jeremy. In spite of his coolness, I fancy his +anxiety increased as the _Neptune_ ran before the wind. + +"Sink me," I heard him mutter, "she's hauling to the wind!" + +This was indeed the case, but even as she did so she struck the +fatal reef. The next instant she broached to, the rollers making +clean breaches over her hull, and almost immediately her masts went +by the board. + +Then I understood, though imperfectly. Captain Jeremy, by altering +the position of the clump of trees, had created a false landmark, +and the _Neptune_ had fallen into the trap. + +"There's an end to the treasure, anyway," exclaimed one of the men. +"There won't be as much as a plank or a copper nail left ere night." + +Having witnessed the destruction of the mutineers, Captain Jeremy +descended to the deck and ordered the bos'n to pipe all hands. Then, +mounting the poop, he faced the dejected men. + +"My lads," he exclaimed in ringing tones, "I'll deceive you no +longer. There is no need for discontent or vain regrets, for not one +pennyworth of treasure is aboard yon craft. The whole of it is now +lying in the storehouse on shore!" + +For a full twenty seconds there was a lull or absolute silence; the +men seemed unable to grasp the full significance of the words. Then, +as the meaning dawned upon them, a roar of cheering burst from a +hundred throats. + +"If you pause to consider," continued the Captain, "you will see +that I acted for the best, even though I had to practise a mild +deceit on most of you. Knowing that the rogues on the _Neptune_ were +in league with that villain Slater, I purposely caused the treasure +chests, filled with stones, to be conveyed on board their craft. You +will remember that at no time did I say the treasure was in those +chests, but the rascals jumped at the bait. By so doing they have +served a double purpose: we shall be troubled by them no more, and +the loss of the _Neptune_ has relieved me of a great load of +anxiety. How say you? What would they at home say if they saw me +bringing back two ships, when I set sail with one only? I also see a +way whereby those of you who were shipped as slaves aboard the +_Neptune_ can return to your homes, or, if you will it, be set +ashore at any port we touch, with your full share of the spoil of +the captured buccaneer." + +"I have also another proposal to make. By their mutinous conduct +those aboard the _Neptune_ would have forfeited their share in the +_Madre_ treasure had they lived, so that the amount to be +distributed amongst the remaining members of the original crew of +the _Golden Hope_ is considerably increased. Now, I am going to set +aside the amount of those forfeited shares and divide it amongst +you, irrespective of rank, or whether ye be the men who left Poole +in the _Golden Hope_ or those who joined us off the _Neptune_; for +'twas by the hearty efforts of all hands here that we were enabled +to lay hands on the treasure. Now, lads, I thank you one and all. It +only remains to load up our precious cargo, get the ship ready for +sea, and yo-ho! for old England." + +When the applause that greeted the termination of Captain Jeremy's +speech had subsided, a number of men, headed by Tom Cherry, elbowed +their way through the dense crowd of their delighted comrades. + +"Cap'n," exclaimed Cherry, "I've a favour to ask you." + +"Say on," replied Captain Jeremy. + +"Me and my mates here," said the sturdy seaman, "want to take the +long-boat and row out to yon wreck. Maybe some of the poor chaps are +still aboard." + +"Nay," answered the Captain, a flush of anger overspreading his +bronzed features. "They are but mutinous dogs; let them perish." + +"They were our comrades, an', though it shames me to say it, my +brother's son is with them," Cherry said doggedly. "If we pick 'em +up we can send 'em off in the sloop, and they won't harm us any +more." + +"A boat would never live in such a sea," observed Captain Jeremy, +with a sweep of his arm in the direction of the bar, where the +breakers were tumbling in white, confused masses, for it was now +blowing hard outside. Yet our Captain was certainly turning aside +from his hard purpose. + +"We are willing to take the risk, sir," pleaded the seaman +earnestly. "I've not been brought up on the coast of Kent for +nothing." + +"Then go. But, mind you, one condition I make. Should you bring that +murderous villain Ned Slater back alive, I'll run him up to the +yardarm." + +Tom Cherry touched his forelock and turned away, followed by his +eight comrades. The long-boat was already alongside; so, tossing a +mast and sail, an empty beaker, and a coil of grass rope into her, +the dauntless men dropped over the side of the _Golden Hope_ and +pushed off. + +"You are quite certain of the channel, I hope, Cherry?" shouted +Captain Jeremy. + +"Yes, sir; and besides, there's enough water over the shoals for +us." + +"Not with this tumble outside; so be careful, and keep to the +smoothest water." + +"More food for the sharks," I heard a seaman say, as he watched the +boat gather way. + +Hoisting a mere rag of sail, the daring rescuers headed for the +open, the boat speeding under the pressure of the howling wind, +while Tom Cherry steered her adroitly to meet each threatening +comber. At one moment we could see nearly the whole of the boat's +bottom boards, as she climbed an immense wall of water; at another, +only her long, lean quarters and stern, as she slid down the far +side of the safely passed crest. + +Once more we manned the rigging, and with eager eyes and +apprehensive looks followed the hazardous fortunes of our humane +comrades as they turned and ran down before the wind towards the +wreck. + +From my swaying perch on the main top--for even in this usually +sheltered harbour a heavy "gush" caused the _Golden Hope_ to roll +sluggishly--I had great difficulty in keeping the boat within the +field of my telescope. The men had now stowed sail, and under oars +were backing slowly towards the shattered _Neptune_, the figure of +Tom Cherry being clearly distinguishable as he stood, steering oar +in hand, keeping the boat's stern to the towering crests. + +By this time the after part of the _Neptune_ had completely +disappeared, and the waist was fast breaking up under the relentless +blows of the resistless breakers; yet through the cloud of spray +that dashed over the fo'c'sle I could see the forms of some half a +dozen helpless creatures hanging on to the frail protection afforded +by the weather rail. + +The men in the long-boat were now rowing their hardest to keep to +windward of the wreck. They were evidently paying out the beaker by +the grass warp in the hope of establishing a communication 'twixt +the two craft. It was a life-or-death struggle with the +elements--English courage and brawn pitted against the combined +action of wind and sea. Which would win? + +Suddenly a heavy rain squall came on, bearing down the crested waves +with its weight, and obliterating everything within a quarter of a +mile of us. + +When the squall passed, a groan of dismay burst from our lips. As +far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a chaos of angry sea +and sky. Both the wreck and the gallant long-boat had vanished. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +Homeward Bound + + +For the rest of that fateful day the greatest despondency prevailed +amongst our crew. The fate of their devoted comrades, whose lives +had been thrown away in a useless attempt to save a worthless lot of +mutineers, weighed heavily on their minds. Even the thought of the +treasure being safe in our possession hardly asserted itself. + +But with the morning there came a change. The storm, short and +fierce, had blown itself out, and once more the tropical sun poured +its scorching rays upon the gently heaving waters. Not only had the +_Neptune_ disappeared from view, but the gale had swept away the few +remaining fragments of the pirate ship _Black Arrow_, so that +another link with the adventurous past had been severed. + +Seamen, from their constant exposure and peril, are ever ready to +rise above their misfortunes, though these are not easily forgotten; +and so it was with the crew of the _Golden Hope_. The dejected mien +so observable on the preceding day gave place to a bustle of +activity, for much had to be done ere we were ready to weigh anchor +and set sail on our homeward voyage. + +The brig had to be careened, so that as much as possible of the +thick deposit of weeds and barnacles 'neath the waterline could be +scraped off; while ashore great cauldrons of pitch bubbled over the +fires, for much paying and caulking of seams had to be done ere the +_Golden Hope_ could be deemed sufficiently seaworthy for her long +voyage. + +While the work was in progress Captain Jeremy ordered a party of men +to remove the false landmark, and to place in the former position of +the clump of trees a tall pole, surmounted by a large triangle +conspicuously painted black and white. Without this mark it would be +well-nigh impossible to get our correct bearings, and the _Golden +Hope_ would doubtless share the fate of the ill-starred _Neptune_ +unless we took the narrow channel by which the _Antelope_ had +arrived. But this course would be impracticable with the winds +prevailing at this time of the year, hence the importance of the +newly erected pole. + +At length the scraping and pitching of the brig's hull was +completed, and the _Golden Hope_ rode once more on an even keel. The +work of transporting the treasure from the stockade was now carried +out in earnest, and without mishap the whole of the precious stuff +was safely stowed in the _Golden Hope's_ strong room, under the poop +deck. + +This done, it was thought prudent to dismantle and evacuate the +stockade. + +The ordnance was removed and taken aboard the brig; the powder, of +which we had a considerable reserve, was carefully stowed in her +magazines. Silas Touchstone had proposed to destroy the stockade and +the buildings within it by fire, but to this proposal Captain Jeremy +refused to give his consent, observing that they might be useful to +any castaways who might have the misfortune to land on the island. + +The small craft that had been taken from the buccaneers after their +rout by Silas Touchstone were beached as far as possible in the most +secluded part of the harbour. Though the wind and the sun would ere +long reduce them to mere wrecks, Captain Jeremy, in his humanity, +thought they might also be of service to others. + +Then, having watered the ship, filling all the available barricoes +in addition to the tanks, for we knew not whether to make straight +for home or to put into Port Royal, we prepared to spend our last +night in the harbour of Treasure Island. Accordingly, having, as we +thought, finally severed our connection with the shore, we hoisted +in our boats, preparatory to making a start at dawn. + +About an hour after sunset I was pacing the deck, when I heard a +hail from shore: "_Golden Hope_, ahoy!" + +Several of the watch on deck also caught the cry, but, too +astonished to reply, they crowded to the bulwarks and listened with +awestruck feelings for a repetition of the hail. + +Again the shout, "_Golden Hope_, ahoy!" pierced the darkness. + +"Who can it be?" muttered one of the men. "All hands are aboard, for +they were mustered just before eight bells." + +"I like it not," replied another, with a shudder. "'Tis the ghosts +of the slain men. We'll never reach home after this." + +"Run and tell the Cap'n," suggested a third, with more good sense +than his comrades. + +Just as Captain Jeremy came on deck the hail was again repeated. + +"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" shouted our Captain. He, too, was +puzzled by the mysterious cry. Something was shouted in reply, but +the words were unintelligible. + +"Lower away a boat," ordered Captain Jeremy curtly. + +The men moved aft to obey, obviously with reluctance. + +"What are ye afraid of?" demanded our commander. "I'll go ashore in +her. Take arms and a lantern, and we'll soon sift this business." + +The boat was lowered and the falls cleared, and the men, tumbling +into her, brought her round to the gangway. Here Captain Jeremy +stepped into the stern sheets, whither I followed, eager to solve +the mystery. + +When within twenty yards of the shore the boat was turned till her +stern pointed landwards. Captain Jeremy stood up, striving by the +aid of the lantern that one of the men held behind him to penetrate +the darkness. I could distinguish a knot of men close to the water's +edge. + +"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" repeated Captain Jeremy. + +"We've come back," replied a voice that I failed to recognize. Then, +after a pause, it continued: "Tom Cherry and the long-boat's crew." + +"Run her ashore, men," shouted Captain Jeremy excitedly, and as the +boat's forepart grounded on the shingle our men jumped out to +welcome those who we thought were dead. + +They were all present, nine all told, but with what a change in +their appearance! Even the yellow light of the lantern failed to +disguise the pale, gaunt features of Tom Cherry and his men. Their +clothes were in rags, and shoes they had none, though most of the +poor fellows had their feet bound with strips of cloth. + +"The boat's safe enow, sir," exclaimed Cherry feebly, as he raised +his hand to the salute with an effort. "She's----" + +"Never mind that," replied our Captain. "Get aboard as fast as you +can, and don't say another word till you are fed and rested." + +'Twas easy to order the men to hasten aboard the boat, but so weak +were they that they had to be assisted over the gunwale, while, to +get them over the side of the _Golden Hope_, a bos'n's chair had to +be rigged. At length they were safely aboard, where it was painful +to see the poor wretches devour the food that was given them. Had +they had their will, they would assuredly have killed themselves by +their ravenousness; but having supplied them with small quantities +of broth, Captain Jeremy ordered them to be placed in their hammocks +and fed again in an hour's time. + +The return of Cherry and the long-boat's crew prevented our sailing +at the appointed time, for since their craft was, according to the +gallant coxswain, "safe and sound", Captain Jeremy decided to bring +it back to the ship, as it was the most useful boat we carried. + +The sufferers recovered sufficiently by the morning to tell us of +their hazardous adventures. When caught by the squall they were +swept to leeward of the _Neptune_ just as she disappeared, but were +unable to save any of the mutineers. Every moment they expected to +find themselves struggling in the water, for the boat was being +carried right over the shoals, on which the breakers were falling +heavily. But for the presence of mind of Tom Cherry, who ordered the +mast and sail to be lashed to the grass rope and thrown overboard, +so that the boat's head was kept to the crested waves, the long-boat +would not have kept afloat. As it was, this floating anchor acted as +a kind of breakwater, much of the force of the waves being expended +ere they passed under the boat. Even then several seas broke over +it, necessitating continuous bailing. + +Ere the rain squall ceased they had been carried past the +south-western extremity of the island, where, being more under the +lee of the land, and the sea being deeper, the waves did not run so +high. Nevertheless, in their exhausted condition, they could not +make headway, and when two oars broke they were compelled to let +themselves drift, riding in comparative safety to their sea anchor. + +During the night the wind dropped and the sea subsided, but being +without a compass and unable to see the island in the darkness, they +had to drift about till nearly two hours after midnight. Then, the +sky becoming clear, they were enabled to take a rough bearing by the +stars. Dawn found them with the island nearly below the horizon, but +after five hours' hard and laborious pulling they managed to land at +a little cove at the south end. + +Here they found a path leading northwards, and after several hours' +walk, during which time they made a sorry meal of berries and water, +they recognized their road as being the same as we had taken when we +recovered the treasure. After great privations, and filled with +fears that the _Golden Hope_ had sailed, they managed to struggle +through the forest by the path we had made during our first +expedition into the interior, and arrived at the shore, having lost +their way more than once in the intense darkness. + +During the day one of our boats was dispatched to bring back the +long-boat. As Cherry had reported, she was practically undamaged, +and with a favourable breeze both craft were alongside the brig well +before sunset. + +At daybreak on the following morning the welcome order to weigh was +given, and as the capstan revolved to the cheery song of the seamen +the anchor came home, after an acquaintance of nearly two years with +the bed of the bay. + +The wind had again backed, and blew lightly from the north'ard, so +that it was unwise to attempt to beat through the shorter and more +recently discovered channel that passed inside the shoal on which I +had had such a hazardous adventure. + +Nevertheless, we negotiated the bends of the other passage in +safety, thanks to the replacement of the navigation mark on shore, +though everyone was anxious till the lead gave a depth of forty +fathoms. + +An hour later the highest peak of Treasure Island had vanished +'neath the horizon. We were homeward bound. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +The Last of my Sworn Enemy + + +That same day the wind, hitherto mainly from the north'ard, suddenly +changed, and blew freshly from the south-west. Nevertheless, as we +were in the joint current caused by the union of the North +Equatorial and the Canaries' Stream, our progress was slow. + +Neither could we hope for long to be favoured by the breeze, as we +were in the zone of the north-east Trades; so Captain Jeremy decided +to skirt the windward side of the Lesser Antilles and the Bahama +Islands, and thus gain the double advantage of the Gulf Stream and +the prevailing south-westerly winds off the coast of North America. +Having progressed thus far, the proposal at one time talked of to +repair to Port Royal was given over, and our first place of call was +to be the Bermudas. + +'Enery was now relegated to the post of first mate. He seemed quite +content with the reversal of his position, since he hoped, should he +reach England safely, to purchase an interest in a ship, and sail in +command. + +I do not believe that there was a discontented man on the ship. +Thanks to our good fortune, the individual share of the treasure +would be considerable, and everyone was in high glee; and as each +hour brought us nearer to Old England's shores, the men's spirits +rose to such an extent that I wondered what they would be like when +they set foot in Poole once more. + +On the third day of our homeward voyage we were sailing close-hauled +on the larboard tack, with the island of Barbuda just visible away +to windward. + +The day was hot and sultry, and, the breeze being light, the _Golden +Hope_ was barely doing more than two knots. + +Suddenly there was a shout from the look-out on the fo'c'sle that a +small craft was in sight. As this served to break the monotony, +there was a rush for'ard to see what kind of vessel it might be. + +"It's a deserted boat," exclaimed Clemens, who had snatched up a +telescope. "At least, I can perceive no one in her." + +As the _Golden Hope_ was heading almost straight for the derelict, a +very slight alteration in her course would bring her close +alongside, so Captain Jeremy ordered this to be effected. + +"There's a man in her, a-lyin' with his head over the side," shouted +a seaman. "I can see him moving his arm." + +"That is so," assented Captain Jeremy, after a prolonged examination +through his glass. "A survivor of some wreck, I expect. Anyway, +he'll be as dead as a marline-spike before we get alongside, if he +remain like that, with the sun pouring on him." + +"He's dead, right enough," said 'Enery, after a while. "'Tis the +tossing of the boat that makes him move." + +'Enery was right. Hanging over the gunwale, with one arm trailing in +the water, was the corpse of a man. We could not see his face, but +the nape of the neck was blackened from exposure to the sun. The arm +moved sluggishly with every roll of the little craft, giving the +corpse the appearance of being alive. + +"Poor fellow! Starved to death, I take it," said Touchstone softly. +"I've seen that sort of thing before to-day. Shall we run alongside, +sir?" + +"Aye," replied Captain Jeremy. "We might just as well, in case we +can do anything." + +Silence fell upon the crew as the _Golden Hope_ crept slowly towards +the floating monument of an ocean tragedy, till all at once the +master gunner shouted: + +"By Jove, that's one of our chests!" + +We were now near enough to see over the gunwale as the boat rolled +in the oily swell. Lashed amidships, 'twixt two of the thwarts, was +one of the boxes we had made, ostensibly for the storing of the +_Madre_ treasure. Then, like lightning, the truth flashed across my +mind: I was gazing at the corpse of Ned Slater. + +The chest told a silent tale. The villain must have begun loading +the boat directly the _Neptune_ struck the reef; then, seeing that +the ship was doomed, he sprang into the little craft, basely +deserting his companions in crime. By some means the boat had +escaped being swamped, and, offering little resistance to the wind, +had been carried by the current in a northerly direction. When the +gale died away, Slater must have prised open the lid of the chest to +bloat over its contents, only to find a load of stones within. +Either through the fury of his baffled hopes, or through the stern +necessity of lightening the little craft, he had hurled the +valueless cargo overboard, for the chest was empty. Helpless, and +blown far from land, the villain had died a horrible death from slow +starvation. + +Springing into the fore chains, 'Enery, with boat-hook in hand, +caught at the gunwale of the boat as it slowly drifted alongside. He +made a sign to a couple of seamen, who, understanding, brought a +heavy shot wrapped up in a piece of canvas. Nimbly dropping into the +boat, one of the men quickly fastened the weight to the body of the +ill-fated wretch; then, staving a plank with an axe, he sprang back +into our fore chains. + +'Enery disengaged the boat-hook, and ere the _Golden Hope_ had +drifted clear the boat sank beneath the waters of the Atlantic, and +the body of my father's murderer disappeared from view till the time +when the sea shall give up the dead that are in it. + +I was glad that 'Enery had behaved thus. He had acted generously to +the memory of a man who had done his best to raise his hand against +every member of our crew. The rogue had paid the penalty and had +received his deserts, though in my calmer moments I rejoiced that he +had not met his death at my hands. + +Soon after this gruesome incident we picked up a steady breeze that +enabled us to make rapid progress, and seven days after leaving +Treasure Island we crossed the Tropic of Cancer. + +It was all plain sailing till we were within a few hundred miles of +the Bermudas, when a heavy gale caused the main topmast of the +_Golden Hope_ to spring. + +In this crippled condition the brig crawled into the harbour on +whose shores the principal settlements are built, but ere we could +effect repairs an awful hurricane, the worst I have ever met, or +hope to meet, burst over the islands. + +The storm came on quite suddenly, and almost before we had time to +strike our still-standing fore-topmast, and veer out all our cable. +Even in the comparatively sheltered harbour where we lay the sea was +churned into a seething cauldron of foam, whilst ashore the damage +was terrific. The lightly built huts of the settlers were unroofed +and most of the trees blown down; and so great was the havoc wrought +that 'twas a matter of difficulty to get our damaged topmast +repaired till nearly six weeks after the storm. + +While lying in harbour we learnt from an outward bound West Indiaman +that things at home were in a very unsettled state, for almost all +men were dissatisfied with King James. + +Yet--so suspicious had Englishmen become of each other--we could +gather no definite information, though many hints were thrown out +concerning what we might expect to find on our arrival at home. + +At length, on the second day of October, 1688, we weighed and set +sail on the last stage of our homeward voyage, and late on the +forenoon of the following day the last of the low-lying Bermudas was +lost to view. + +During the next three weeks nothing untoward occurred. The _Golden +Hope_ pursued her course over a seemingly boundless ocean, with +never a sail to break the skyline, till, when, according to our +reckoning, we were within ninety miles of Land's End, I was aroused +just after midnight by the shout: + +"A light on the starboard bow." + +Gleaming faintly through the darkness, I could distinguish a small +column of flame, apparently ten miles away, which faded and waxed +stronger at close intervals. + +"What d'ye make of it, sir?" asked 'Enery, as he and Captain Jeremy +mounted the poop ladder to get a better view of the mysterious +light. + +"Make of it? Why, it can be but one thing. 'Tis a ship on fire." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +The Burning Ship + + +Within an hour or so we had approached sufficiently near to the +conflagration to prove the truth of Captain Jeremy's assertion. + +It was a large vessel burning from bow to stern, the flames mounting +to a tremendous height and casting a lurid glow on a thick column of +smoke that blew miles to leeward. The masts and spars of the ship +were still standing, though licked by the devouring fire, while her +double line of ports shone like a line of gigantic glow-worms. + +Even at the distance we were from her we could hear the crackling of +the burning woodwork, and the subdued roar of the flames as they +issued from the bowels of that floating inferno. + +"Near enough!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "'Twill not do to get to +leeward of her. Heave-to and lower away a boat; we may be able to +render assistance, though I fear 'tis too late." + +These orders were promptly carried out, and the _Golden Hope_ was +brought-to at about three-quarters of a mile from the burning ship. +'Enery, with a willing crew, took one of the quarter-boats and rowed +boldly towards the vessel, while lanterns were hung on our rigging +and guns were fired at frequent intervals to attract the attention +of any boat-load of survivors that might have managed to effect an +escape. + +Spellbound, I, with the rest of our remaining crew, watched the +conquering progress of the devouring element. Yard after yard came +crashing down from aloft, the blazing timber plunging into the sea +with a loud hiss as the flames were extinguished in the water. The +tarred and hempen shrouds, long since severed at the deadeyes, were +dangling like fiery serpents from the swaying masts; while ever and +anon the shotted guns of her broadside would discharge their +dangerous contents, the balls ricochetting on the surface of the sea +with a series of fountain-like jets. Some of the shots passed +unpleasantly close to the _Golden Hope_, and orders were given to +forge ahead till we were well in line with the stern of the burning +ship, where, being still to windward, we were in no danger. + +Meanwhile we could perceive 'Enery and his men pulling slowly round +the ship at a respectful distance, the shot whizzing well over their +heads; and though the mate was to be seen standing up in the stern +sheets and carefully examining whatever floating piece of wreckage +they came across, we knew that none of the unfortunate crew had been +taken into the boat. If still alive, where were they? + +The roar of our ordnance, fired at regular intervals, added to the +din; yet this signal seemed useless, for no strange craft was to be +seen rowing for the shelter offered by the _Golden Hope_. + +Suddenly, with a loud crash, the foremast of the vessel went by the +board, and lay, still burning fiercely, across the fo'c'sle. The +mainmast soon followed, but, falling clear of the ship, it drifted +close alongside, the damp timber still emitting a dense cloud of +smoke. + +By now the vessel had burned almost to the water's edge amidships, +and crash after crash could be heard as the guns plunged through the +burning planks into the hold. The fo'c'sle and poop still reared +themselves high above the sea, the latter surmounted by a pillar of +fire that encircled the mizen-mast. + +Suddenly the dazzling glare of the flames was eclipsed by a flash so +brilliant that I was obliged to close my eyes to shut out its +brightness. Then came the deafening roar of an explosion, and +opening my eyes, I saw the air filled with flying pieces of +shattered timber. The magazine had taken fire. + +Almost immediately the fire was extinguished; a thick cloud of smoke +hovered over the spot where the ship had been, while aloft a +thousand fitful streaks of light marked the downward course of the +burning timbers that had been shot up to an immense height. + +For a full half minute the meteor-like flight continued, till the +hiss of the last of the burning timbers ceased and a great darkness, +intensified by the sudden cessation of the glare, overspread the +agitated sea. + +We were now considerably concerned for the safety of 'Enery and the +boat's crew, for they were exposed to a great danger from the +falling wreckage, till the gleam of the boat's lantern showed that +they were at least still afloat. + +At length the men rowed back to the brig, having sustained no +damage, though their faces were blackened with the smoke and +particles of dust that enveloped everything within half a mile of +the burning vessel. + +"No sign of anyone," reported 'Enery, as he came over the side, +"though they may have taken to the boats long before we arrived." + +"That's true," assented Captain Jeremy, "so keep the signal guns +firing till dawn." + +"'Tis well that there's no sea running," said the mate. "A few hours +in an open boat will do no harm on a night like this, e'en though +the air is sharp." + +"Not if we pick them up," added Captain Jeremy; "but I should not +wonder if they have already shaped a course for land. Yet do you +keep the brig hove-to till daylight." + +The day broke with a red, angry sky that betokened foul weather. The +wind, hitherto light, began to strengthen, and an ominous swell +presaged rough water within a few miles of us. + +Sunrise revealed no trace of the boats of the ill-fated ship, so, +ordering the _Golden Hope_ to be again placed on her course, Captain +Jeremy retired to his cabin to enjoy a well-earned repose. + +Hardly had he turned in when, just as seven bells was striking, the +look-out reported four boats ahead. + +Instantly there was a rush to see what manner of craft they were, +and it was soon evident that they were indeed the boats from the +burning ship. + +By this time there was a fairly high sea running, and the boats, +having perceived our approach, had turned and lay on their oars, +with their bows facing us, the men giving an occasional stroke to +keep the boats so that they met the rollers bows on. + +"She was no ordinary trader," observed Silas Touchstone, pointing to +the little flotilla. "Yon boats are crowded to excess. There's a +couple of hundred aboard 'em, or I'm a Dutchman." + +"They would never reach land with the wind piping up as it is +doing," said Captain Jeremy, who had been roused from his cabin, +giving a hasty glance to windward. "Stand by to shorten sail." + +Already three of the boats had shipped several seas, for we could +see the men bailing vigorously. There was not a moment to be lost. + +It being now eight bells, we hoisted our ensign, according to +custom, and the sight of the Cross of St. George was hailed by a +cheer that was faintly borne to our ears from the still distant +boats. If the survivors had had any doubts as to our nationality, +they were now set at rest. + +"Hands shorten sail!" Hardly had the last notes of the bos'n's +mate's whistle died away, when the topmen were flying away aloft; +the courses were taken up, the topsail yards lowered, and slowly the +_Golden Hope_ began to lose way. + +"Women and children too, by Jove!" ejaculated Captain Jeremy, as the +boats made towards us. "'Tis well we are close to land, or we would +be hard put to it to feed them." + +"'Twill mean half rations, in any case," replied 'Enery, "though the +men will not mind that." + +"I'm sure they won't," assented the Captain. "But stand by; let the +men prepare bowlines, or we'll never get the women aboard without +mishap." + +A long-boat, with most of its passengers huddled on the bottom +boards, was the first to get alongside, and willing hands helped the +weary men to climb our heaving sides. This done, 'twas easier for +our people to board the boat and fix the bowlines round the waists +of the female passengers; and without a hitch, though the frightened +women made no little commotion, we had them safely aboard. The crew +followed, and we having no further use for the boat, she was cast +adrift. + +The second and third boats were also relieved of their human loads +and likewise sent adrift, but the fourth gave us more trouble. + +Being handled with less skill than her consorts, she crashed +broadside on to the _Golden Hope_ just as the brig was recovering +from a heavy roll, with the result that some of the boat's planks +were stove in and she commenced to fill. + +In the confusion several of the passengers, despite the assurances +of the officers and seamen in the boat, jumped to their feet, so +that the already heavily laden craft was in imminent danger of +capsizing. + +Ropes were thrown from the towering sides of the _Golden Hope_ +amidst a loud shout of "Women first!" Yet (though some excuse must +be made for their cowardice) several of the men sprang for our +bulwarks. Others, with more presence of mind, assisted in slipping +the bowlines over the shoulders of the women; and as each one was +hoisted aboard the danger of the boat being swamped became less. + +Just as the last female passenger was being hauled up, the knot in +the rope that held her became unhitched-no doubt 'twas a landlubber +who tied it--and the next instant she was struggling in the sea. + +It so happened that at that moment I was standing in the main chains +with a coil of rope in my hands, ready to throw it into the boat. + +Fastening one end of the line round my waist, and calling to some of +our men to tail on to the other end, I took a flying leap into the +water. In my haste I miscalculated the distance that the brig +rolled, and ere I struck the surface I came into violent contact +with the side of the _Golden Hope_ as she swung back to larboard. + +Half-dazed with the blow and well-nigh breathless, I plunged, or +rather rolled, into the water. The shock of the immersion recovered +me some what, and I struck out to where I had seen the girl sink for +the second time. + +Guided by the bubbles that rose to the surface, I swam downwards for +nearly two fathoms, till just beneath me I saw her feebly struggling +form. + +Grasping her by the hair--the only time I have ever served a woman +thus--I reached the surface in a few strokes, and called to the men +to haul handsomely on the rope. Then disengaging my hand and +throwing my left arm tightly round the girl's waist, I waited for +the _Golden Hope_ to come to the end of a roll, and shouted to the +men to heave roundly. This they did, and in a trice we were on the +deck of the brig. + +By this time the work of rescuing the other occupants of the boat +had been completed. The female passengers had been sent into the +after cabins, there to be rigged out in motley garments of blankets, +sailcloth, and what not. The male passengers were sent willy-nilly +into the fo'c'sle, where they and the crew of the lost ship were +accommodated with the spare clothing of our men. The captain of the +vessel, a short, red-faced man, was almost beside himself at the +loss of his vessel, asserting in no mild tones that she had been +fired maliciously, and that he knew the culprit and would hand him +up to justice at the first port we touched. Strangely enough, he +uttered no expression of gratitude for the deliverance of the ship's +company and passengers from the perils of the deep, nor did he seem +sensible of the services we had rendered. + +The ill-fated vessel was the _Phoenix_ of London, bound for Richmond +and other parts of Virginia with a full cargo and a great number of +settlers, mostly men of means who were dissatisfied with the state +of things at home, and hoped to live with greater freedom in the New +World. Many of them had lost their all, yet the worst sufferers +seemed by far the most stouthearted of the forlorn crowd. + +The _Phoenix_ was but four days out from the Downs when, just after +sunset, the alarm of fire was raised, and soon dense volumes of +smoke were seen issuing from the fore hatch, apparently from the +lamp and oil room. Already the flames had taken a good hold, and in +spite of the utmost efforts of the crew, aided by many of the +passengers, the fire steadily gained, till just before midnight the +order was given to abandon the ship. + +Directly the whole of the passengers and crew were embarked, the +boats pushed off and shaped a course for the Lizard, and having the +burning ship 'twixt them and us, they were prevented by the thick +cloud of smoke and the roar of the flames from seeing our lights or +hearing our signal guns. + +Daylight showed them our sails well down to the west'ard, so, on +making sure that we were proceeding in their direction, they +abandoned the attempt to reach land, and waited for us to come up. +'Twas as well they did so, for all were of the opinion that none of +the boats would have reached shore. + +Having been unable to change my saturated clothing, the after cabins +being, as I have said, given over to the women, I borrowed some +clothes from one of the men, putting on a thick pilot coat over all, +for the air was raw, especially after our lengthy sojourn in the +Tropics. + +Then, to regain warmth, I began to pace the deck vigorously. In the +midst of my walk the poop door opened, and a girl appeared. In spite +of her quaint appearance--for she wore a skirt fashioned from a red +blanket and a coat that belonged to Captain Jeremy--my heart gave a +sudden bound, for I was face to face with my sister Constance! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +Constance's Story + + +The surprise and recognition were mutual. Only the untoward state of +my sister's garments prevented her from throwing herself into my +arms. As it was, she could only grasp my hand and exclaim: + +"Oh, Clifford, you here! I thought you were dead long ago." + +"Far from it," I replied, leading her to the shelter of the weather +bulwarks, for the wind was now howling fiercely. "But tell me, how +came you here?" + +"'Tis a long story," she said, striving to keep back the tears of +joy that welled to her eyes. "But why--oh, there's Captain Jeremy!" + +And at that moment our Captain came down the poop ladder, to find, +to his unbounded astonishment, that Constance was one of the rescued +passengers. + +It was some time ere we dispensed with small talk and entered into +the more important details of our respective adventures, when +Captain Jeremy listened with rapt attention to my sister's +narrative, occasionally giving vent to a hearty exclamation of +approval as she told her story. + +"You would hardly realize the consternation that your disappearance +caused. At first our uncle thought you had left the house by stealth +in order to go fishing, and promised you a warm reception on your +return. But when evening came and you did not return, we began to +grow anxious----" + +"There you are," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "Did I not say you were a +young rascal, when you were found in the hold? Didst give a single +thought to your worthy relative's distress?" + +"There was a hue and cry raised, but though the countryside was +searched most diligently, not a trace of you was found. A month or +so later a lad's body was found in the Lym stream, and though 'twas +well-nigh unrecognizable, our uncle was convinced 'twas yours. At +any rate, he came to the conclusion that you had been drowned while +swimming in the river, and the body was buried as that of Clifford +Hammond." + +"Then another misfortune came. Uncle John was thrown from his horse +near Buckland Rings, and received such severe injuries to his head +that in less than a week he died. Thus I was left without a relative +in England. In my distress I thought of our mother's brother's wife, +whom I knew to be living somewhere in Virginia; and being, as I +thought, without a single tie at home, I resolved to adventure +myself in the New World. With this object in view I went to see +Lawyer Thompson of Lymington, who had, as you know, the ordering of +our affairs. He approved of my resolve, but urged me to wait until +definite news could be obtained of our relative's whereabouts. +Accordingly a letter was sent by the hand of one Captain Joseph +Bennett, whose ship _Prudence_ was about to sail for the port of +Richmond." + +"Four months later I had a reply, brought by the same Captain +Bennett, to the effect that Mistress Green, our maternal aunt, would +be glad to receive me." + +"The _Prudence_ was timed to sail again from Gravesend on the +following Thursday week, and having made arrangements for my +passage, I prepared for the hazardous journey." + +"At length I bade farewell to the home of my childhood. Lawyer +Thompson accompanied me as far as Southampton, whence the coach was +to carry me to London. It was a tedious two days' journey, with the +best part of another day's ride to Gravesend." + +"On arriving at the latter place I found, to my consternation, that +the _Prudence_ had sailed on a special voyage to Hull, and would not +be back for another fortnight." + +"There was nothing to do but wait, and by good fortune I found a +comfortable lodging at the house of one Mistress Thetwell. But once +again I was doomed to disappointment. The _Prudence_ never returned +to the Thames--she was lost, with all her crew, off Yarmouth--so I +was obliged to wait at Gravesend until such time as I could find a +ship that was sailing for Virginia." + +"While awaiting this opportunity I chanced one day to be taking the +air along the Rochester road, when I heard the sound of a horse +galloping behind me. I turned, and saw a mettlesome nag bolting down +the highway, while, clinging desperately to the animal's mane, was a +girl of about my own age." + +"As you know, Clifford, I was always used to horses, so as the brute +rushed by I caught at the dangling bridle. The nag carried me some +distance, and just as I had mastered him he trod on my foot. The +pain was intense, and I was barely conscious of seeing the girl slip +from the saddle ere I swooned." + +"When I recovered my senses I found myself in a strange bed, with a +motherly lady watching me." + +"She was Mistress Farndale, wife of a wealthy landowner, and it was +her daughter Winifred whose horse I had helped to stop. All the +members of the family were kind to me beyond measure, and, hearing +my story, proposed that I should stay as a companion to Winifred +till an opportunity occurred for me to take ship. And, strange to +say, I felt perfectly contented and happy, actually hoping that that +opportunity was yet a long way off." + +"At length Master Farndale, for having spoken too openly in favour +of Archbishop Sancroft, was threatened with arrest; so, having +disposed of most of his property, he took ship for Virginia, having +previously made arrangements for his family to follow directly he +had prepared a suitable home for them." + +"Thus I was able to carry out my original intentions, without having +to undergo the grief of parting from my newly found friends, when we +took passage on the _Phoenix_. There were Mistress Farndale, Rupert +and Gerald, her sons; and Winifred and myself, together with a +maid." + +"I need not relate what happened on our unfortunate voyage, for you +already know of it; but when we were being taken on board this ship +from the boat Winifred fell into the sea, and someone rescued +her----" + +"Lucky lad! Lucky lad!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, bringing his open +hand down heavily on my back, to my great confusion. Then, as +Constance was at a loss to understand this sudden outburst, he +explained: "You see, Mistress Constance, 'twas your brother who +jumped after her. Sink me! 'twas a plucky action, for he was like to +have had his head crushed like an eggshell by the ship's side. But I +must away, for 'tis about time we made a landfall." So saying, he +hurried on to the poop, leaving us to continue our conversation. + +"I, too, have news for you," said I. "Constance, we are now rich, +for the _Madre_ treasure has been found. It is on board this very +ship." + +"How much is it worth?" she asked, with true feminine curiosity. + +"Nay, I cannot say to a certainty, yet 'tis enough for us to be for +ever free from monetary difficulties." + +Then I related all the principal incidents of our voyage, not +omitting the terrible fate of my father's murderer, till our +conversation was interrupted by the welcome cry of "Land--ho!" + +From the poop I gazed once more upon the shores of Old England, +after an absence of three years, for on our larboard bow I could +discern the dark, lofty outlines of the Lizard, the southernmost +headland of our isle. + +The _Golden Hope_ was now bowling along under easy canvas at a good +six knots, and ere night the dreaded Eddystone, rearing its ugly +reef above the breakers, was well abeam, and the rugged Devon coast +away on our larboard bow. Should this breeze continue, to-morrow's +eve would find us safe in Poole Harbour. + +Just before sunset most of the rescued passengers, having recovered +from their harrowing experience, came on deck, and Constance +immediately gave me an introduction to Mistress Farndale and her +daughter. + +Presently we were joined by Rupert and Gerald Farndale, whose +acquaintance I had made earlier in the day; and together we formed +quite a happy party, talking under the break of the poop deck until +it was quite dark. + +Then the ladies retired, while I, lying in a hammock slung under the +crowded fo'c'sle, dreamed of Constance and Winifred, till I was +awakened by the violent ringing of the ship's bell and the hoarse +order, "Put your helm up, or we'll be run down!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +Safe in Port + + +'Twas a strange sight that met my eyes as I rushed on deck and +gained the fo'c'sle. + +The wind had fallen light, and in the cold, raw gloom of that +November morning I could see ahead and on both sides of us a +multitude of great warships. + +They were sailing in close order, under all plain sail, and had just +gone about on the starboard tack, for their crews were still engaged +with the halyards and braces, in obedience to orders shouted in a +foreign tongue. + +This manoeuvre had thrown us fairly across their line, so that only +by putting our helm hard up were we able to avoid being run down by +a huge two-decker. + +In the comparatively small limit of my vision, for the weather was +thick, I counted over forty sail, though, judging by the sounds, +there must have been twice that number hidden in the mist. + +We scraped past the two-decker at barely ten yards' distance. She +was high-sided, and painted with one broad yellow and two narrow +brown stripes; while through her green-lined ports the muzzles of +some thirty-two brass guns flashed dully in the moist atmosphere. + +Her decks were crowded with men, for in addition to her crew there +were about a hundred phlegmatic-looking soldiers, in blue-and-yellow +uniforms. On her poop stood a burly great-coated officer, who raised +his speaking-trumpet with the evident intention of hailing us; but +apparently he thought better of it, and in almost perfect silence, +save for the hiss of the water at her cutwater and the straining and +creaking of her tackle, the ship glided past. Then, as she displayed +her lofty stern, with its wreath of decorative giltwork, I read the +name _Maese_. + +For a full half-hour we were hard put to it to avoid being run down +by the ships of the mighty fleet, which, we learned from the crew of +the _Phoenix_, was known to have been lying at Helvoetsluys, ready +to carry the Prince of Orange to England to wrest the crown from his +incapable father-in-law, King James. + +"Where are they bound for, being so far down Channel?" asked the +master gunner. + +"Nay, I know not," replied Captain Jeremy. "But Heaven forfend that +they land in the West. Enough English blood was wasted in the last +rising, as many of us know." + +"What chance hath the Prince, think you?" he continued, addressing +the master of the _Phoenix_, who had also turned out to see the +unwonted sight. + +"A far better one than had the Duke of Monmouth," was the answer; +"though, with all his faults, give me King James. I fought under him +when he was Duke of York, and a braver seaman never trod deck." + +"Ah! James Duke of York and James King of England are two very +different personages, I trow," replied Captain Jeremy. "The best +fighter is ever the worst statesman." + +"After all," said the master of the _Phoenix_, "so long as there are +English ships at sea and plenty of work for us poor seamen, it +matters not much who rules the roost. That's how the wind blows, say +I." + +"The wind draws ahead," observed Captain Jeremy; "that is the matter +that concerns us chiefly. I doubt whether we'll see port today." + +This was indeed the case, for the breeze, now provokingly light, had +backed till it came from the east'ard, so that it meant a dead beat +to windward. To men long absent from home this was especially +galling, though in my case I found consolation in being in the +company of Mistress Winifred, with whom I generally managed to have +several hours pleasurable conversation. + +Neither did we make Poole that day nor the next, for it fell a flat +calm, after the manner of St. Martin's summer, so that for +thirty-six hours we drifted with the tide within sight of the Dorset +hills. + +At length a steady southwesterly breeze sprang up, and, with barely +a hogshead of biscuit and a gallon of water aboard, the _Golden +Hope_ came in sight of Poole Harbour. + +"What cheer--ho, Master Light!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as a +weather-beaten pilot came over the side. "How fares it at home?" + +"Precious little news," replied the pilot, "though they say that +English beef will henceforth be flavoured with Orange." + +"So?" + +"Aye; they say the Dutchman hath landed at Torbay, and advanced on +Exeter. In short, there are all sorts of rumours, yet I pay scant +heed to them." + +With the air of a man who, in the exercise of his duty, scorns to +indulge in conversation, Master Light made his way aft, and under +his guidance the _Golden Hope_ threaded the tortuous channel that +leads to Poole Town. + +"Is it your wish to berth alongside the quay?" demanded the pilot. + +"Nay, rather I would anchor in the stream," replied Captain Jeremy, +mindful of the precious nature of our cargo. + +"Hands shorten sail!" + +Slowly the _Golden Hope_, with ever-decreasing way, glided abreast +of the town, and with the welcome order, "Let go", the anchor +plunged into the muddy waters of Poole Harbour. + +The voyage of the _Golden Hope_ was over. + +The news of the success of the Prince of Orange was hailed with +delight by the former crew of the _Neptune_. To them it meant that +they were free to return to their homes in the marshes of Somerset, +without fear of being again hauled before the justices and sentenced +to a horrible existence in the unhealthy swamps of Barbados; and on +this account we, too, felt glad at the unexpected solution of their +difficulties. + +Our first care was to get the passengers and crew of the _Phoenix_ +safely ashore. There was, we heard, a stout barque on the point of +sailing for Virginia in a few days' time, so that those who were of +a mind to cross the ocean, and had sufficient means to pay for their +passage, could avail themselves of her departure. + +Mistress Farndale and her family had resolved to do this, but ere +they went ashore I promised to call upon them as soon as my duties +would permit, for until the matter of sharing the treasure was +settled Captain Jeremy would allow no communication with the land. + +Three days later two assessors, being duly qualified Government +officers, came post haste from the Royal Mint and boarded us. The +seals of the strong room were broken and the massive locks +unfastened, and the task of allotting the wealth proceeded. + +Having set aside the tithe claimed by the state, and also the amount +due to Sir William Soams (who received a good eight hundred per +centum on his outlay), the shares owing to the original crew of the +_Golden Hope_ and to the men of the _Neptune_ were duly paid out. + +Then the residue, by a rough calculation of the value of 180,000 +pounds, was to be equally divided 'twixt Captain Jeremy and the +heirs of the late Captain Richard Hammond. I could hardly realize +the value of this immense sum, though I knew that our share was +sufficient to restore the fortunes of our house to its former +greatness. + +The _Golden Hope_ was now moored alongside a wharf on the Hamworthy +side of the harbour, and at two bells in the afternoon watch the men +mustered on deck, those who came off the _Neptune_ having fallen in +on the larboard side, each with his bundle ready for his long tramp +to distant Sedgemoor. + +In a few hearty words Captain Jeremy addressed them, thanking them +for their services, and wishing them every success in their future. +Then, after three ringing cheers, the "Neptunes", their pockets +filled with coin, went ashore, amid the boisterous farewells of +their comrades of the last two years and more; and as the little +band of men, who were now returning to till the soil instead of +ploughing the deep, disappeared from our view, I felt that another +link with the past had been finally severed. + +Our share of the treasure having been placed in safe keeping in the +town vaults of the corporation of Poole, those of the crew who +wished to take their discharge were dismissed, and under the command +of Clemens and the master gunner the _Golden Hope_ sailed for the +Thames, where she was to be handed back to her owners. + +Two days later Master Phillips, a London goldsmith, arrived, and, +having carefully examined the plate, made us a good offer. Thus the +precious cargo of the wrecked _Madre de Dios_ passed out of our +keeping, though I retained a few pieces of rare and costly +workmanship as a visible reminder of the treasure that, according to +the friar's prophecy, had been obtained through fire and blood. + + * * * * * + +Thus the story of the quest of the _Golden Hope_ draws to a close, +yet I must briefly dwell on the subsequent history of the principal +characters who played their parts in the search for the Madre +treasure. + +'Enery, bluff, stouthearted seaman, is now master and part owner of +the vessel in which he sailed with Captain Jeremy to the far-off +West Indies, for the _Golden Hope_ is now engaged in prosperous +trading voyages to the Mediterranean ports. Yet whenever she returns +home, Captain 'Enery, still much the same as of yore, generally +contrives to visit his native Lymington; nor does he forget to +extend his journey as far as Brockenhurst, where, joining with his +former captain in a glass and a pipe, he'll fight his battles o'er +again. + +Of Clemens the Cornishman we still hear, though less frequently than +we should like. He returned to his native town of Looe, where, +having given up the sea, he has worked up a sound boat-building +business. + +Silas Touchstone, the master gunner, finding little use for his +calling on private vessels, took service in His Majesty's Fleet, and +promised to make a name for himself. Both at La Hogue and the +desperate and successful attempt upon St. Malo our late master +gunner was mentioned for conspicuous bravery. To what extent his +dauntless courage would have led him 'twould have been hard to say, +had not his career afloat been nipped in the bud by the loss of a +leg in action in Vigo Bay. + +On attaining my twenty-first birthday I took ship to Richmond, in +Virginia, where Winifred and I were made one. A happier couple +'twould be hard to find, for our love has stood the test of time. +Still, there are moments when I hear the call of the salt-laden +breezes, and even yet I may once more adventure myself upon the high +seas. + +Nor must I omit mention of a tall, elderly man, who, despite his +white locks and iron-grey beard, still carries himself erect and +alert as of yore. A general favourite with my children, especially +his little namesake, now a sturdy child of nine years, Captain +Jeremy Miles has given up the sea, and spends the greater part of +his leisure hours in spinning yarns to his interested listeners of +the quest of the _Golden Hope_. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', by +Percy F. 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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: + + https://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. diff --git a/38222-8.zip b/38222-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d75646c --- /dev/null +++ b/38222-8.zip diff --git a/38222-h.zip b/38222-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4f436d --- /dev/null +++ b/38222-h.zip diff --git a/38222-h/38222-h.htm b/38222-h/38222-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95dac31 --- /dev/null +++ b/38222-h/38222-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7703 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> + + +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>THE QUEST OF THE GOLDEN HOPE, by Percy F. Westerman</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +BODY {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%} + +P {text-indent: 2%} + +.indented + { + text-indent: 0%; + padding-left: 50pt; + padding-right: 50pt; + } + +</style> + + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', by Percy F. Westerman + +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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope' + A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: Frank E. Wiles + +Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38222] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEST OF THE 'GOLDEN HOPE' *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p><center><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover"></center> +<p><center>[Illustration: cover art]</center> + +<center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p><h2>The Quest of the</h2> +<h2>"Golden Hope"</h2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4> +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED<br> +50 Old Bailey, LONDON<br> +17 Stanhope Street, GLASGOW<br> +</h4> +<h5> +BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED<br> +Warwick House, Fort Street, BOMBAY<br> +</h5> +<h5> +BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED<br> +1118 Bay Street, TORONTO<br> +</h5> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<center>[Illustration: CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (missing from book)]</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<center> +<h1> +The Quest of the +"Golden Hope" +</h1> +<h3>A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>PERCY F. WESTERMAN</h2> +<h6>Author of "East in the <i>Golden Gain</i>" "The Third Officer" +<br>"Sea Scouts All" &c. +</h6> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK E. WILES</i> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>BLACKIE & SON LIMITED</h2> +<br>LONDON AND GLASGOW +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<center> +<table style="border:1px solid #000000;"> + <thead> + <tr> + <th>By Percy F. Westerman</th> + </tr> + </thead> + <tbody> + <tr><td>Rivals of the Reef.</td></tr> + <tr><td>A Shanghai Adventure.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn".</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Junior Cadet.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Captain Starlight.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Sea-Girt Fortress.</td></tr> + <tr><td>On the Wings of the Wind.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Captured at Tripoli.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Captain Blundell's Treasure.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Third Officer.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Unconquered Wings.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Buccaneers of Boya.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Riddle of the Air.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Chums of the "Golden Vanity".</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Luck of the "Golden Dawn".</td></tr> + <tr><td>Clipped Wings.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Salving of the "Fusi Yama".</td></tr> + <tr><td>Winning his Wings.</td></tr> + <tr><td>A Lively Bit of the Front.</td></tr> + <tr><td>A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Good Ship "Golden Effort".</td></tr> + <tr><td>East in the "Golden Gain".</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Quest of the "Golden Hope".</td></tr> + <tr><td>Sea Scouts Abroad.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Sea Scouts Up-Channel.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Wireless Officer.</td></tr> + <tr><td>A Lad of Grit.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Submarine Hunters.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Sea Scouts All.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Thick of the Fray.</td></tr> + <tr><td>A Sub and a Submarine.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Under the White Ensign.</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Fight for Constantinople.</td></tr> + <tr><td>With Beatty off Jutland.</td></tr> + </tbody> +</table> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<center>Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<h3 align="center"><u>CONTENTS</u></h3><br> + +<p><table align="center" width="80%"> + +<tbody><tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">CHAP.</td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter01">OF THE FUGITIVE FROM SEDGEMOOR</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter02">THE TWO DRAGOONS ON THE BROCKENHURST ROAD</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter03">CAPTAIN JEREMY'S SURPRISE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter04">THE <i>MADRE DE DIOS</i></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter05">THE CHART</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter06">A MIDNIGHT INTRUDER</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter07">THE CAVE IN THE LONELY HEATH</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter08">CONCERNING THE EVENTS THAT PROMPTED ME TO A DESPERATE RESOLVE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter09">FLIGHT</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter10">IN THE HOLD</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter11">MY FIRST DAY AT SEA</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter12">A BRUSH WITH ALGERINES</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter13">OF THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP IN THE MIDST OF THE OCEAN</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter14">"CAPTAIN 'ENERY"</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter15">WE ARRIVE AT TREASURE ISLAND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter16">A HASTY RECALL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter17">ATTACKED BY BUCCANEERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter18">"REPEL BOARDERS!"</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter19">BLOWN UP</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter20">THE REPULSE AT THE STOCKADE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter21">CAPTAIN CRADDOCK</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter22">A LEAP FOR LIFE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter23">THE PERILS OF THE SHOAL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter24">MORE TROUBLE IN SIGHT</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter25">WE ARRIVE AT THE HIDING-PLACE OF THE TREASURE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXVI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter26">UNTOLD WEALTH</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter27">THE MUTINY OF THE <i>NEPTUNE</i></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXVIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter28">THE FATE OF THE MUTINEERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter29">HOMEWARD BOUND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter30">THE LAST OF MY SWORN ENEMY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXXI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter31">THE BURNING SHIP</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXXII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter32">CONSTANCE'S STORY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXXIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter33">SAFE IN PORT</a></td> +</tr> + +</tbody></table> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<table align="center"> + <thead> + <tr> + <th><h3 align="center">Illustrations</h3></th> + </tr> + </thead> + <tbody> + <tr><td><hr></td></tr> + <tr><td>CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (Frontispiece)</td></tr> + <tr><td>I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND</td></tr> + <tr><td>THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"</td></tr> + <tr><td>I SHOUTED TO THE MEN TO HEAVE ROUNDLY</td></tr> + <tr><td><hr></td></tr> + <tr><td>MAP OF THE ISLAND</td></tr> + </tbody> +</table> +<br> +<br> + +<p><center><img src="images/map.jpg" alt="Map"></center> +<p><center>[Illustration: MAP OF THE ISLAND]</center> + +<br> +<br> +<table align="center"> + <tbody> + <tr><td>A</td><td align="left">The <i>Golden Hope</i> in harbour.</td></tr> + <tr><td>B</td><td align="left">The stockade.</td></tr> + <tr><td>C</td><td align="left">Path taken by first expedition in search of the treasure.</td></tr> + <tr><td>CC</td><td align="left">Path taken by successful expedition.</td></tr> + <tr><td>D</td><td align="left">Wreck of the <i>Madre de Dios.</i></td></tr> + <tr><td>E</td><td align="left">Cave where Clifford was held prisoner.</td></tr> + <tr><td>F</td><td align="left">Shoal where Clifford was attacked by octopus.</td></tr> + <tr><td>G</td><td align="left">Site of the master gunner's ambuscade.</td></tr> + <tr><td>H</td><td align="left">Buccaneers' harbour and settlement.</td></tr> + <tr><td>K</td><td align="left">Wreck of the <i>Black Arrow.</i></td></tr> + <tr><td>L</td><td align="left">False landmark erected by Captain Jeremy's orders.</td></tr> + <tr><td>M</td><td align="left">Wreck of <i>Neptune</i> owing to false bearings.</td></tr> + <tr><td>N</td><td align="left">Where the treasure was found.</td></tr> + <tr><td>O</td><td align="left">Cove where Cherry and the long-boat's crew landed.</td></tr> + <tr><td>P</td><td align="left">Deep water channel inside shoals, unknown to Captain Jeremy.</td></tr> + <tr><td>Q</td><td align="left">Existing path between buccaneers' harbour and south side of island.</td></tr> + <tr><td>R</td><td align="left">Bearing for navigating channel.</td></tr> + <tr><td></td><td align="left">The track of the <i>Golden Hope</i> into the harbour is shown by the black line.</td></tr> + <tr><td></td><td align="left">The shaded portion of the shoals were uncovered at low water.</td></tr> + </tbody> +</table> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2 align="center">THE QUEST OF THE<br> +"GOLDEN HOPE"</h2> + + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter01"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Of the Fugitive from Sedgemoor</h5> + +<p> +Well do I, Clifford Hammond, remember the 10th day of July in the +year of grace 1685. Rebellion, though some would have it 'twas +justifiable invasion, had appeared in the land. Monmouth had landed +in Dorset, and had raised an army. How he fared, the men of +Hampshire knew not as yet, though there were many who prayed for the +successful issue of his venture. + +<p>Little did I think, living on the borders of the New Forest, that +the outbreak in the West would affect the welfare of our house. Yet +it did, though, I must confess, indirectly; for had it not been for +the routing of the rebels at Sedgemoor, the voyage of the <i>Golden +Hope</i> would not have been undertaken, nor would I be able to relate +the desperate adventures of her crew in gaining the object of the +expedition. But I am forestalling my story. + +<p>Our family, the Hammonds of Brockenhurst, had lived within the +bounds of the Forest for centuries, as witness the name of Geoffroi +Hammond, who served with distinction at the taking of the <i>Great +Christopher</i> in the sea-fight of Sluys; or of Thomas Hammond, who +fought at Agincourt: but I would make it plain that the Hammonds of +Brockenhurst have no connection with the rebel Colonel +Hammond--though, to his credit be it said, he treated His Majesty +King Charles the Martyr, during his captivity in the Isle of Wight, +with far more courtesy than did his brother officers. + +<p>My father, Captain Richard Hammond--"Foul-weather Dick", as he was +affectionately dubbed in the fleet--had had an adventurous career +both ashore and afloat. Beginning with the fatal fight at Naseby +when he was but a young cornet of horse of barely twenty years of +age, he had fought Dutch, Algerines, and, sad to relate, his +fellow-countrymen; but for the last ten years he had retired from +the King's service, and had settled down to a quiet country life in +his native Hampshire. + +<p>Thanks to his father's devotion to his sovereign, the exchequer of +the Hammond family had been sadly depleted. During the +ever-to-be-abhorred Rebellion, plate, jewels, money, all went, and +'twas fortunate that our lands had not been confiscated by the +Commonwealth. My father had to rely upon the unkept promises of His +Majesty King Charles II as a reward for the sacrifices of our house +towards the royal cause; nevertheless, the meagre pay of a sea +captain in the King's fleet, together with the income from the shore +estate, sufficed to keep us in comparative ease. + +<p>My father married late in life. His spouse, the daughter of Sir +Digby Tall (a baronet as impecunious as the majority of his class at +this time), died within three years of their union, leaving two +children. + +<p>At the time my story opens I, Clifford Hammond, was sixteen years of +age, my sister Constance being eighteen months my junior. She was a +tall, sprightly girl, with fresh complexion, blue eyes, and rich +golden hair, being, 'twas said, the image of her mother in her +youth. + +<p>No one would readily have taken Constance and me for sister and +brother, for I was olive-featured, with straight, dark-brown hair +and grey eyes; tall in stature, yet inclined to slenderness. + +<p>On the particular morning to which I have referred, Constance and I +had gone into Lyndhurst to give orders to a carrier respecting the +purchase of a certain article at Southampton. What the nature of the +purchase was we did not at the time know, although every month, +summer and winter, year in and year out, my father had a similar +package brought in by the regular carrier. Here I may mention that +my sire, in spite of his sixty odd years, was a wonderfully +well-preserved man, his dark-brown locks (for he scorned to wear a +peruke) being innocent of any trace of grey hairs. Yet I call to +mind the occasion, when I was yet a child of tender years, upon +which my father had perforce to attend the Verderers' Court at +Lyndhurst with his hair of a rusty, iron-grey hue. That was about +the time that Giles Shearing's wain was upset at Redbridge, and many +a housewife in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst who relied on the +Southampton carrier had to go short-handed. I no longer wonder at +the coincidence. + +<p>As we left Lyndhurst town on our return journey, I leading a shaggy +Forest pony on which my sister, holding the required purchase, was +perched, a troop of horse came riding with loose rein and hot spur +through the quiet High Street. + +<p>They were fierce-looking fellows, with bronzed features, begrimed +with sweat and dust; upturned moustachios, and flowing locks. They +wore red frock-coats trimmed with white facings, the skirts buttoned +back to enable them to sit the better in the saddle; dark-green +breeches, long riding-boots of buff leather, and broad-brimmed +beaver hats, looped up on one side. All were armed with a broadsword +and a pair of pistols, while not a few carried snaphances in a +bucket at the right side of the saddle, or slung across their backs. + +<p>This much I noticed as they tore onwards with undiminished pace +through the narrow street, till they were lost to view in a cloud of +dust on the Southampton Road. + +<p>"There's some news for Cap'n Hammond, Master Clifford!" shouted +Chambers the blacksmith from across the way. "They say as how Duke +Monmouth's been beaten, and half his army cut to pieces. Those +redcoats are Cornbury's Dragoons, and they are hot on the track of +the Hampshire rebels. Heaven help the Mayor of Lymington and the +score of men he sent to the West!" + +<p>Young as I was, I realized that it was a case of woe to the +vanquished. Although our county had not taken up the cause of the +rebel Duke to any thing like the extent of Dorset, Somerset, and +Wiltshire, several of the towns in the western division of Hampshire +had sent small contingents to aid Monmouth's cause, and Lymington +had been the chief offender in this respect. Fortunately for us, +Brockenhurst had held aloof, though the villagers were none too +kindly disposed towards King James's measures. + +<p>We hastened on our homeward journey, eager to convey the momentous +news to my father. For the first half of the way the road ran +between dense masses of trees, intersected by shady glades, in which +the leaves of last year still littered the ground. Ever and anon a +herd of fallow deer would dash across the highway, or a troop of +Forest ponies would scamper betwixt the trees, fearing in every +human being a possible master. Pigs also roamed in great numbers, +for though it was the time of fence month[1] within the Forest, so +lax had the jurisdiction of the Verderers' Court become that the +commoners paid less heed to the regulations than they had for years +past. + +<p>At length we emerged from the forest and gained the rolling expanse +of heath, where, to right and left, as far as the eye could reach, +the heather and the gorse gleamed in the bright sunshine like a sea +of purple and gold. + +<p>"See, there's a man riding as fast as his horse can carry him!" +exclaimed Constance, pointing down the bridle path that, running +between Ring wood and Beaulieu, crosses the highway near the place +where we were. + +<p>"Aye, he seems in a mighty hurry," I replied, shading my eyes from +the glare. + +<p><p>"Perchance 'tis another of those horse soldiers?" + +<p><p>"Nay, he wears no red coat," I answered, reassuring her; but though +I did not mention it, I perceived two men riding a long distance +behind the first horseman as if in pursuit, and, unless my eyes +deceived me, they were dragoons. + +<p><p>"Let us hasten," urged Constance, as if filled with some +forebodings, though she was usually a strong-minded girl. + +<p><p>"He'll not molest us," said I. "He is too intent on his errand, I +trow." + +<p><p>Nearer and nearer came the fugitive--for fugitive he was--till I +could distinguish his features. Then my heart gave a sudden bound, +for I recognized the man: it was Jeremy Miles, a master mariner of +Lymington, and one of the townsfolk who had gone west to join the +rebel standard. + +<p><p>Constance knew him also, for she exclaimed, "'Tis Captain Miles! And +see, Clifford, there are soldiers after him!" + +<p><p>Something compelled me to stop and await the arrival of the +fugitive, and, holding the pony's bridle by one hand, I assisted +Constance to dismount. + +<p><p>As we stood we were hidden from the bridle path by a gorse-covered +bank that, being but breast high, was sufficiently low to enable us +to command the track on which the horsemen were riding without being +seen by them until they gained the highway. + +<p><p>Not for one moment did I expect to be in danger, for Miles was +riding strongly and evidently holding his own, while 'twas unlikely +that the troopers, keen on his pursuit, would draw rein to molest a +boy and a girl. + +<p><p>The fugitive was now crossing the white dusty road within twenty +paces of us, when suddenly his horse sank under him, throwing its +rider headlong to the ground. But before the expiring animal gave a +last convulsive shudder, Miles had sprung to his feet and was +looking dazedly towards his pursuers, now but a mile behind. + +<p><p>"Captain Miles!" I shouted, urging my pony forward. "Captain Miles! +Take Trotter and ride him across the heath." + +<p><p>"Why, 'tis Master Hammond!" he exclaimed. "Nay, lad, that beast +would not ship a crew like me: But they'll have their work cut out +to take me. Come, young sir, I'll trouble you to give a hand with my +mare, if you will." + +<p><p>Together, with Constance helping us, we dragged the body of the +animal off the road, and hid it in a slight depression behind some +furze bushes. Then hurriedly we strove to conceal the tell-tale +tracks on the dusty road. + +<p><p>The dragoons were now only a bare quarter-mile away. + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] The period between the 20th June and the 20th July, during which +time the ancient right of "Pannage", i.e. turning out pigs to feed +on acorns and beech-mast, within the New Forest was withheld. +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter02"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Two Dragoons on the Brockenhurst Road</h5> + +<p><p> +"Leave me and shape your own course, Master Hammond!" exclaimed the +Captain composedly, for he had regained both his breath and his +wits. "You can do no more, and I'll warrant I can shift for myself." + +<p><p>So saying, he wriggled along the ground over the bank that screened +us from the soldiers, and lay hidden in the bracken on the same side +of the highway as the troopers. + +<p><p>Meanwhile, filled with anxiety on the behalf of Jeremy Miles--for he +was always a general favourite amongst the youths in and around +Lymington--Constance and I resumed our way, endeavouring to appear +as unconcerned as possible. + +<p><p>Less than a minute must have passed since we saw Captain Miles's +great frame disappear beneath the bracken, when we heard the clatter +of the troopers' horses as their hoofs struck the road. Knowing that +it would ill play our part to refrain from curiosity, we stopped and +looked back at the pursuing soldiers. + +<p><p>They were of the same troop that we had seen in Lyndhurst a short +half-hour ago. Great, swarthy men they were, hardened to cruelty by +reason of their service at Tangiers, and, though I knew it not at +the time, ready to practise the barbarities acquired from the Moors +upon their own countrymen, as many a poor peasant of the marshes of +Somerset had learned to his cost. + +<p><p>"Curse him!" exclaimed one, with an oath. "Where hath he gone? Are +we to let a guinea slip through our fingers after all our trouble?" + +<p><p>"He's not far away," replied his comrade, pointing with an +exclamation of triumph to the partially concealed tracks on the +road. "See, he hath had a fall. Methinks we have him by the heels." + +<p><p>"'Tis like looking for a sprat in the ocean," returned the first +trooper, gazing across the wilderness of gorse. "So long as he stuck +to his mount we could have tracked him. 'Tis what I feared: he hath +made off afoot." + +<p><p>"Here, sirrah," he shouted to me, urging his horse down the road to +where we were, "hast seen aught of a horseman riding like +Beelzebub?" + +<p><p>"Nay," I replied truthfully enough; "no horseman has passed this +way." + +<p><p>"You young prevaricator!" he exclaimed, tapping his pistols +significantly. "You do but dissemble. You know whither that man +went." + +<p><p>I kept silence. + +<p><p>Suddenly the other trooper, who had forced his horse through the +gorse by the side of the road, shouted, "Here's a find, David. The +rogue hath lost his horse." + +<p><p>"Then you saw him fall," continued the dragoon who had overtaken us. +"Back you come with me, you young rebel!" + +<p><p>"I am no rebel," I replied, as stoutly as I could force myself to +speak. + +<p><p>"Back, I say!" he repeated, ignoring my protest, and producing a +pistol from his holster. There was no help for it. I had to go with +him. "Run off home, Constance," I said in a low voice; "I shall be +all right." + +<p><p>"No, you don't, you little wench!" exclaimed the villain. "You'll +come in useful to make this young rebel open his mouth. Come on, +both of you, I say!" + +<p><p>I looked at Constance. She was deathly white, yet she spoke not a +word, although by the expression of her eyes she said, as plainly as +if she had spoken, "Do not tell where he is." + +<p><p>"Mum's the word, eh?" was the greeting of the second trooper, as we +were told to stand still near the scene of our meeting with the +fugitive, Captain Miles. "Shall I tell 'em about that stubborn young +rebel at Dulverton--it was Dulverton, wasn't it, David?--who thought +to deceive one of Cornbury's Dragoons? A little tow tied to his +thumbs did the trick, and I'll swear he's nursing his burns now. +There's no tow to be had hereabouts, but I'll warrant a little dry +heather will suffice. Now, sirrah, which way did the rebel go?" + +<p><p>"What! you won't answer?" he continued, as he dismounted from his +horse, his comrade following his example. Whipping out his +broadsword, he struck me a heavy blow on the ankle with the flat of +the weapon. The pain was intense, yet, though an involuntary cry +escaped me, I kept my lips tightly closed. + +<p><p>I gave a hasty look right and left along the straight white road. +Not a creature was in sight. Even if there had been, 'twas difficult +to imagine that a solitary wayfarer would dare to interfere with two +armed and powerful ruffians. + +<p><p>"Pluck me a wisp of dry grass," said my tormentor. + +<p><p>"Nay, Jim," replied the other, "we've no time to waste in that +fashion. If the rebel is making off afoot, every moment is precious. +I know of a way." And, thrusting his huge fingers through my +sister's golden locks, he shouted, "Now, sirrah, answer, or I'll +pull out a handful of hair, to remember this pleasant meeting." + +<p><p>Constance cried with pain as the villain slowly tightened his grip. +Knowing he was quite capable of carrying out his threat, I was torn +with conflicting thoughts, till my brave sister exclaimed, "Not a +word, Clifford!" + +<p><p>Possibly the rogue answering to the name of Jim realized my +desperate intention, for at the risk of my life I was on the point +of dashing my clenched fist in the face of Constance's assailant. +With his right hand the dragoon gripped me by the nape of the neck, +so that in his powerful grasp I was as helpless as a kitten; while +with his left he caught and slowly twisted my wrist. + +<p><p>Suddenly a huge, dark form sprang from the concealing heather, and +like an arrow from a bow Jeremy Miles flung himself upon the dragoon +whose fingers were still grasping Constance's tresses. + +<p><p>I saw it all as clearly as if 'twere the work of minutes rather than +of one instant. A swinging blow of the Captain's ponderous fist, and +the ruffian's arm fell nerveless to his side; and a second blow +stretched him lifeless on the ground. The other dragoon, with a +furious oath, flung me headlong. As I fell I heard the crashing +explosion of his pistol. + +<p><p>Slowly I raised myself on my arm, and watched the struggle betwixt +our preserver and his antagonist. Powerful though the trooper was, +the Captain, thanks to his strenuous life afloat, was his master. +For a while they swayed to and fro in a desperate struggle, Jeremy's +arms clasping the soldier like bands of steel, till the villain's +resistance grew weaker and weaker. + +<p><p>Then, with a superhuman effort, Captain Miles wrenched his bulky foe +clean off the ground, and hurled him, like a sack of flour, over his +shoulder. + +<p><p>"Bear a hand with your sister, lad," he then exclaimed, in a +matter-of-fact tone, although he was breathing heavily. "She has +swooned." + +<p><p>This was a work of some difficulty, for water was not at hand, but +at length Constance opened her eyes. Poor girl! Although not much +hurt, for the rogue had not had time to carry out his threat to the +fullest extent, she was terribly frightened, and the sight of the +two dragoons lying motionless on the road did not help matters. + +<p><p>"Take her down the road a little way, and make her sit down," said +Captain Jeremy kindly. "Then hasten back, for I'll warrant we've a +fine job to make all shipshape and Bristol fashion." + +<p><p>"Have you seen any more of these lubbers?" he asked, after I had +returned from carrying out his instructions. + +<p><p>"There was a troop of them in Lyndhurst this morning. They went +Southampton-wards." + +<p><p>"I'll pray that they'll not return in a hurry," he exclaimed. "We've +enough to do to cover up our tracks." + +<p><p>"Are they dead?" I asked shudderingly. + +<p><p>"As a marline-spike," he replied. "For the time we are safe; they +were the only ones that battened themselves to me. The Duke is +taken. I saw him seized by some of Portman's Militia near Ringwood +but yesterday. Faith! I was disappointed in King Monmouth, for he +fled from the field long before his men began to give way." + +<p><p>"And how did you escape?" + +<p><p>"'Twas touch and go. Monmouth, in a peasant's dress, lay hidden in +some ferns, I but ten yards away. Little did I think 'twas the Duke +till I heard Portman say as 'twas. I suppose that find satisfied +them, for they searched no more. Farmer Shearing of Ringwood lent me +his mare, and I rode off early this morning, intending to shape a +course for Pitt's Deep, for 'twould have been madness to return to +Lymington. Master Hammond, I was a fool even to set out for the +West. What I've seen in forty years afloat is naught to what I've +seen these last few days. But let's to work!" + +<p><p>We thereupon dragged the bodies of the troopers into the bracken, +and carefully obliterated all signs of the struggle. The troopers' +horses were contentedly nibbling the coarse grass by the roadside, +our pony Trotter having followed Constance. + +<p><p>They were fine animals, these dragoons' mounts, and I wondered what +would become of them. The same question evidently troubled Captain +Miles, for if they came within hearing of a trumpet call they would +most likely trot off to rejoin their fellows. Yet, as there were no +troopers within several miles of us, the horses might be taken by +some of the peasants who lived on the outskirts of the heath, +especially if we removed the saddlery. + +<p><p>"Nay, 'tis too much of a risk," muttered Jeremy to himself, though I +heard the words; and, lifting the fore-foot of one of the animals, +he examined its hoof. There, in a manner that could not be effaced, +were the royal monogram and regimental number; while a further +search revealed the government mark branded on the creature's flank. + +<p><p>"Those marks are their death warrant," he exclaimed. + +<p><p>"How so?" + +<p><p>"No man cares for a dumb animal more than I do," he replied. "Yet, +when human life and liberty are at stake, it behoves us to take +stern measures. Now, I pray you, take your sister home, and return +speedily with a pair of serviceable spades." + +<p><p>So saying, he led the two animals aside into the gorse, while I +hastened to rejoin Constance. We had barely gone a hundred paces +when a pistol shot rang out, quickly followed by another. + +<p><p>"What sound is that?" asked my sister. + +<p><p>"'Tis but naught," I replied, not daring to tell her the plain +truth. "Captain Miles has unloaded the troopers' pistols." + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter03"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Captain Jeremy's Surprise.</h5> + +<p><p> +"What hath befallen you?" asked my father anxiously, as we crossed +the threshold of the house. "Ye are both as pale as ghosts, and your +clothes, Clifford, are smothered in dust. Hath Trotter thrown you?" + +<p><p>For answer, Constance sat down upon a settle and sobbed +hysterically, while my father, stopping abruptly his task of +questioning us, bestirred himself to comfort her. + +<p><p>"Two dragoons have molested us," I announced. "They were in pursuit +of Captain Miles." + +<p><p>"Have they hurt you?" he asked. + +<p><p>"Nay, but little--thanks to the Captain." In a few words I related +the incidents that had terminated in the death of the two villains. +My father looked grave. + +<p><p>"And Jeremy?" he asked. "Hath he gone to Lymington?" + +<p><p>"Nay, he awaits me by the Beaulieu bridle path." + +<p><p>"'Tis well for him, though I am loath to risk His Majesty's +displeasure in succouring rebels. Yet, especially as he did befriend +you, I'll do my best to repay Jeremy's kindness. He must not go to +Lymington, Clifford." + +<p><p>"He doth not intend to do so," said I. "He is making for Pitt's +Deep." + +<p><p>"Equally as rash as if he journeyed to Lymington. I, too, heard the +news this morning soon after you left. The dragoons watch every mile +of this part of the coast, and at every little port a watch is set, +so that no strangers dare set foot on shipboard without being +closely questioned. My son, I take the risk even of harbouring a +rebel. I'll go with thee and speak my mind with friend Jeremy." + +<p><p>Bidding Martha, our housekeeper, stay with Constance, and impressing +upon her the necessity for silence as to what had occurred, my +father, taking a mattock in his hand, set out to the scene of the +encounter, I accompanying him, and carrying the spades over my +shoulder. + +<p><p>"Where is the package I bade you bring from Lyndhurst?" he asked, as +we left the outskirts of the village. + +<p><p>I searched the pockets of my doublet without success, though I was +certain that the article had been safely placed in one of them. + +<p><p>"It must have fallen out on the road," I replied. + +<p><p>"'Tis a grave matter," he said, with a look of anxiety and a gesture +of impatience. "How can I--but there! if 't comes to the worst, I +must journey into Southampton myself. 'Tis the fortune of war." + +<p><p>No more was said, for we were already in sight of the cross-roads, +and Captain Miles was sitting on the bracken-covered bank awaiting +us. + +<p><p>"Good day to you, Cap'n Hammond!" he exclaimed as we approached. +"'Tis a sad business dragging you and yours into this bickering." + +<p><p>"Yet, thanks to Heaven and your aid, my children were saved from the +clutches of those rogues." + +<p><p>"Had it not been for me the rascals would not have been here," +replied Captain Miles apologetically. "Yet I thank you, sir, for +coming to my assistance, though 'tis to the advantage of this part +of the countryside that we hide this carrion," and he pointed with +his finger to the bodies of the two dragoons. + +<p><p>We set to work with a will, and in less than a quarter of an hour a +shallow trench was dug sufficiently deep to receive the corpses of +the ruffianly soldiers. + +<p><p>"Egad! 'tis warm work," exclaimed my father, leaning on his mattock +as the first part of the task was completed. + +<p><p>"I'm right sorry I've no rum to offer you," said Captain Miles, +wiping his heated brow. "You see, we're not aboard the old +<i>Venture</i>, otherwise 'twould be different." + +<p><p>"I, too, regret that I brought not my flask of cordials," replied my +father. + +<p><p>"There is a bottle of strong waters that I found close to the body +of one of these villains," remarked Jeremy; "but though I did make +three good attempts at it, 'twas more than I could stomach. It +smells aright, but the taste--faugh! I have it in my mouth yet. Try +it, Captain Hammond, and see if it suit thy palate." + +<p><p>So saying, he produced a bottle and handed it to my father, who gave +an exclamation of surprise, quickly followed by a hearty laugh. + +<p><p>"Why, what's amiss?" asked the astonished Captain, as my father +thrust the bottle into his pocket. + +<p><p>"Hist! I'll tell thee anon," said my sire mysteriously. "Now, let's +resume our task." + +<p><p>The carcasses of the troopers' horses, the victims of Captain +Miles's self-preservation, were next interred; while, to make doubly +sure, the mount that Jeremy had borrowed from the Ringwood farmer +was also buried. + +<p><p>This done, I happened to cross the highway, where, to my surprise, I +found the wrappings of the package for which we had journeyed into +Lyndhurst on that eventful morning. + +<p><p>"See! here is the covering of your packet," I exclaimed, holding it +up to my father's view. + +<p><p>"Aye, Clifford, I know it. Say no more on this matter." + +<p><p>Inwardly wondering, I obeyed. Whatever the package contained, I now +felt certain that 'twas the same stuff as Jeremy Miles had attempted +to swallow. + +<p><p>"Now, look you, Captain Miles," said my father, as we prepared to +return homewards, "neither Lymington nor Pitt's Deep offers an +asylum for you. To go to either place is to set your head in a trap. +I have made up my mind that you must tarry with us at Brockenhurst +till this storm has blown over." + +<p><p>"Nay, 'tis unfair to saddle you with the presence of a proclaimed +rebel," objected Captain Jeremy stoutly. "The service I rendered +your children does not warrant such a generous payment. I'll accept +your hospitality for this night, and at sunrise to-morrow I'll make +my way into Sussex. I know of an old shipmate at Shoreham who'll +gladly set me across to France." + +<p><p>"You'll never get out of Hampshire, my friend," interrupted my +father; "at least, not yet awhile. Perchance the tide of monarchy +will change again, though, mark you, I'd far rather have James +Stuart as my lawful sovereign than James Walters. No, no, I say; +further flight is out of the question. At Brockenhurst you will stay +till I give you leave to go farther afield." + +<p><p>'Twas no light matter to smuggle the fugitive into our home; but we +did it, and for the next week or more Captain Miles remained within +doors, my father having pointed out to him the secret panel in case +of an emergency. This surprised me not a little, for he was usually +very reticent about this matter. True, I had been told of the +existence of the hiding-place, but even Constance was kept in +ignorance of it. The person who contrived the sliding panel must +have done his work well, for no one unacquainted with its mechanism +could cause it to move. But I've said enough concerning this matter, +for although 'tis well known that our home does possess such a +contrivance, its position and the method of working it still remain +a secret locked in the breast of a trusted few, and 'twould not be +doing my duty towards the Hammonds that are to come were I to say +more. + +<p><p>Yet there was no reason for alarm. Though troops of horse often +passed through Brockenhurst on their way to and from Lymington, none +stopped to search for rebels. Neither did the disappearance of two +of Cornbury's Dragoons cause any trouble, for we learnt that they +were set down as deserters, while, as good fortune would have it, a +report came in that two men answering their description had been +seen riding northwards out of Salisbury. + +<p><p>One morning I was seated with Captain Jeremy in the little room +where he was wont to spend most of his time. Often I would go +thither to be regaled with stories of his voyage to the Indies and +his adventures in foreign parts, till my young blood coursed madly +through my veins; and so strange were some of the tales he told that +I'm afraid his share of imagination must have been a double one. + +<p><p>In the midst of his narrative on this particular day, my father +entered, having just returned from Lymington Town. + +<p><p>"I have bad news for you," he announced. + +<p><p>"'Tis not the first time, Captain Hammond," replied Jeremy +composedly. "What is it this time?" + +<p><p>"The sheriff hath taken possession of your house, and it and all its +contents are to be sold by candle auction."[1] + +<p><p>"'Tis the fortune of war," said Captain Miles, removing his long +clay pipe from his lips and puffing out a thick cloud of smoke. "I +expected it, and provided for it ere I left for Monmouth's camp. +What money I possess, beyond what I require for my present +disbursements, I have stowed away in the hold of the good ship +'Never-Sink'--to wit, Mother Earth. But there is one thing I'd be +glad to lay my hands on. Wouldst be willing to buy a certain article +out of my house?" + +<p><p>"Would I could buy the lot!" + +<p><p>"Nay, 'tis but a picture--a painting of my good barque the +<i>Venture</i>, done in oils by a rascally Neapolitan, for which he +charged me five ducats, though he did place the chain plates too far +aft, and the spritsail yard above the bowsprit." + +<p><p>"'Tis a common fault with a landlubber," said my parent. +"Nevertheless, I'll see to it." + +<p><p>"I prize the painting but lightly," continued Jeremy; "but there's +more in it than meets the eye." + +<p><p>"I do not understand." + +<p><p>"Captain Hammond, you've treated me right nobly, and 'twould ill +become me were I not to repay you to the utmost of my power. I'll be +straightforward in this matter. Listen!" + +<p><p>My father motioned to me to leave them, but, perceiving the gesture, +Captain Jeremy exclaimed: + +<p><p>"No, no, let the lad remain, for 'tis also to his advantage to hear. +That picture contains the true and only clue to the lost treasure +ship <i>Madre de Dios</i>." + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] This custom appears to be fairly common in south-coast ports. In +September, 1628, the Mayor of Portsmouth reported to the Admiralty +that "The The Gift of God", prize, was sold on the last day of +August by the burning of a candle. +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter04"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The <i>Madre de Dios</i></h5> + +<p><p> +My father opened his eyes wide, and his mouth also, so that his pipe +clattered on the oaken floor and was broken into a score of +fragments. + +<p><p>"The <i>Madre de Dios</i>!" he exclaimed at length. "You speak truly--the +same <i>Madre de Dios</i> concerning which Fergusson adventured himself +in the last reign?" + +<p><p>"The same, Captain Hammond. I have the secret under my thumb." + +<p><p>"You know where the wreck lies hidden?" + +<p><p>"Aye, but that matters little. The treasure is not in her, but lies +in a safe place." + +<p><p>Even I had heard the wonderful story of the Spanish treasure ship. +'Twas well known that in the last century Sir John Berkeley, during +his attack upon Porto Rico, had captured a Spanish caravel, the +<i>Madre de Dios</i>. On her he found pearls worth ten thousand ducats, +gold dust, ingots, and other treasure to the value of 400,000 +pounds. Of this vast spoil Sir John shipped about one-half aboard +his own ship, sending the <i>Madre</i> under convoy for England. The +caravel, overtaken by a furious north-easterly gale, was lost with +all hands amongst the islands of the Lesser Antilles, and although +expeditions innumerable had been sent out to discover the wreck, +none had met with success. If Captain Jeremy Miles was not deceiving +himself and us also, a king's ransom was almost within his grasp. + +<p><p>"Pardon me if I put it bluntly," said my father, "but if you know +where the treasure lies, why have you not recovered it ere now?" + +<p><p>"That I'll explain, methinks, to your satisfaction, though 'tis a +long story. Yet, to put it briefly, I was cast away on the island +where the treasure lieth in the year 1674. For two years I was cut +off from my fellow-men, till a Spanish barque took me off. It goes +without saying that I told the Dons naught concerning the treasure; +but on setting foot in England once more, I took steps to obtain +command of a vessel trading with the Indies. Yet ill fortune +thwarted my purpose." + +<p><p>"How so?" + +<p><p>"Head winds and pestilence. Then, though I was averse to sharing my +secret, I applied to my Lord Rochester to intercede with the King; +but, since I was only a plain merchant captain, and no King's +officer, my lord must needs flout me and deride my statement." + +<p><p>"My Lord Rochester had his own views on this matter, I take it," +remarked my father. "There were no less than forty applications to +his late Majesty from would-be treasure seekers. Fergusson went and +failed; Captain Calcott did likewise, and now Phipps has been gone +these two years, spending the King's money and using his ships of +war, which might be more profitably employed elsewhere. Nay, I +cannot blame my Lord Rochester." + +<p><p>"But I do!" exclaimed Captain Miles vehemently. "Not for his +refusal, mark you, for he's the loser on't, but for his churlish +manner. 'Twas mainly for this reason that I set out to join +Monmouth's standard, for, had all been well, I am certain he would, +as a man of spirit and enterprise, have been willing to grant me aid +in the search." + +<p><p>"The Duke will need all his spirit and enterprise to save his neck +from the headsman's axe," replied my father. "But concerning this +matter?" + +<p><p>"I have a proposal to make, Captain Hammond. But ere we go farther, +'tis worth while laying hands on the chart." + +<p><p>"Aye," replied my father. "The sale is fixed for to-morrow, so I'll +to Lymington and secure the picture at all costs." + +<p><p>The subject was then dropped for the time, yet I did not fail to +notice that my sire was by no means in his usual spirits, but seemed +preoccupied, and inclined to irritability. Constance, too, noticed +the change. + +<p><p>"What doth he ponder over?" she asked. "Is there fresh trouble +coming upon us? Have they discovered aught of that affair on the +Lyndhurst Road?" and she gave a little shudder at the remembrance of +it. + +<p><p>"Nay," I replied. "That affair has, I hope, blown over. Something is +in the wind, nevertheless, for I doubt not that our father and +Captain Miles are engaging upon some profitable enterprise; it may +happen that a voyage to the West Indies will restore the fortunes of +our house." + +<p><p>"But will father have to go to sea again?" she asked anxiously. + +<p><p>"It may so happen," I replied. + +<p><p>"And you----?" + +<p><p>"I would I could," I rejoined earnestly, for 'twas my cherished +ambition to go to sea; yet I feared my father would withhold his +consent. + +<p><p>The next day my father and I rode into Lymington, and having left +our horses at the "Hart", we repaired to Jeremy's house. + +<p><p>It was a long, low-built, thatched-roofed building, standing at the +bottom of the steep High Street, and overlooking the muddy harbour +where the Lym stream joins the sea. The door and the frames of the +diamond-paned windows were painted a vivid green--possibly the work +of the energetic seaman; while above the porch was nailed an effigy +of a woman holding an arrow in her hand--the figurehead of one of +his former vessels. + +<p><p>Crowds of eager and curious townsfolk were gathered without the door +on which the sheriff's notice of the sale was affixed, while two +tip-staves, escorting a lean, pale-faced man, were trying to force +their way through the press of onlookers. + +<p><p>"'Tis the attorney for the Crown," whispered my father, pointing to +the white-faced man, who was evidently ill at ease. "'Tis fortunate +for him that he has a troop of horse within ear-shot, or I'll +warrant he would have a warm reception." + +<p><p>But even the presence of the soldiers, who were drawn up in an alley +leading to the quay, did not prevent volleys of rotten eggs and +street garbage being directed against the sheriff's representative, +till, the door being opened, he disappeared within, followed by the +incensed townsfolk. Jeremy was, as I have mentioned, a general +favourite in and around Lymington; and, besides, his rash +participation in the revolt was not unfavourably regarded by his +fellow-townsmen, who took this opportunity of expressing their +practical sympathy with the absent Captain. + +<p><p>By dint of much elbowing we succeeded in gaining admission to the +house, and, to my inexperienced eyes, the scene within was strange +and pathetically interesting, as preparations were made to dispose +of our friend's goods and chattels. + +<p><p>By threats, entreaties, and commands the sheriff's officer obtained +comparative quiet, and amidst the groans of his audience he read the +proclamation setting forth that the house and goods of Captain +Jeremy Miles, he having been declared a traitor to His Majesty King +James, were to be sold forthwith. + +<p><p>Thereupon one of the tip-staves produced a long wax candle having a +number of metal pegs stuck into it at regular intervals. This he +proceeded to light; the first lot was announced, and the highest +bid, ere the uppermost peg fell from the melted wax, secured the +submitted article. + +<p><p>In the excitement, as bidder after bidder was outbidden, even the +voices of the malcontents were hushed; while as peg after peg +dropped out and rebounded from the oaken table, the clang of the +hammer could scarce drown the angry remonstrances of the +disappointed would-be purchasers. + +<p><p>Thus the auction proceeded, and from room to room we went, watching +the disposal of the Captain's goods. One or two instruments of +navigation my father secured, though, as I knew he already possessed +similar ones, I guessed that they were for Jeremy's future use. + +<p><p>At length the parlour was reached, and between the heads of the +crowd and the low, raftered ceiling I caught a glimpse of the +fateful painting--a ship under all plain sail, set with a vivid blue +sea and a cloudless sky of an almost similar colour. + +<p><p>My father marked it likewise, for he straightened himself, and +coughed slightly once or twice to clear his throat. + +<p><p>"Lot Seventy-two. A painting by a worthy Neapolitan artist, Messer +Tito Cozzini, of--of--I cannot decipher the place--methinks it looks +like Foggia." + +<p><p>The taper was again applied to the candle, the feeble light +flickering dimly in the dusty, crowded room. No one seemed anxious +to possess the work of art, for my father, concealing his +impatience, had purposely withheld his bid. The metal peg began to +droop in its support of melting wax. + +<p><p>"A crown," said my father. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter05"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Chart</h5> + +<p><p> +"And sixpence." + +<p><p>A voice like the bellowing of a bull burst from the corner of the +room, while its owner began to force his way vigorously through the +crowd towards the rostrum. + +<p><p>"Six shillings." + +<p><p>The peg gave a decided jerk, but still remained in the wax. + +<p><p>"Six shillings and sixpence." + +<p><p>"Seven shillings." + +<p><p>Ping! The metal pin tinkled on the table, the hammer descended, and +the picture was ours. + +<p><p>A muttered oath caused me to turn my head and look behind. The +unsuccessful bidder was a short, bull-necked man, with clean-shaven, +red complexioned features, closely cropped hair, save for a bob +hanging over his neck; and powerfully-built shoulders and arms. + +<p><p>With a violent effort to conceal his disappointment, the stranger +backed his way through the crowd, and was lost to view. + +<p><p>To disarm suspicion, we remained for nearly another hour; then, +having paid the sheriff's clerk the amount of the purchase money, my +father took possession of the painting and the nautical instruments, +and handed them over to the care of a lad, with instructions to +follow us. + +<p><p>Having mounted our horses, we rode them at a walking pace, the youth +panting at our heels, for the day was excessively warm. + +<p><p>As we were passing Buckland Rings I chanced to glance over my +shoulder at our follower, and in so doing I caught sight of a man +stealing cautiously along in the shadow of the trees at about two +hundred paces off. It was the unsuccessful bidder for Captain +Miles's picture. + +<p><p>"How say you?" asked my father. "The rascal means no good;" and +abruptly wheeling his steed, he trotted back to the edge of the +clump of pines that stand betwixt the highway and those relics of +paganism commonly known in the district as "The Rings". + +<p><p>Yet though we searched the clump and the far side of the hillock as +well, our efforts were in vain. + +<p><p>"Your eyes have deceived you, Clifford," said my sire, as we +cantered along the road to overtake the lad with his precious +burden. Though I felt certain on the point, I refrained from +insisting that I was right, and without further happening we reached +our house, though I was continually turning in the saddle to see if +we were followed by the discomfited rogue. + +<p><p>Having to attend the Verderers' Court that afternoon, my father +could devote no time to his purchase until the evening, though I was +burning with impatience to see the chart revealed, and felt certain +my parent was in a like state. + +<p><p>"'Tis well done," exclaimed Captain Jeremy with undisguised delight, +when he saw the painting. "Now, Captain Hammond, we'll cut the +canvas and get the chart." + +<p><p>"Nay," remonstrated my father, laughing; "the picture cost me seven +shillings, and 'tis a pity to spoil it for the sake of being +overhasty. Bring a mallet and chisel, Clifford, and we'll prise open +the back." + +<p><p>This was accordingly done, and as the heavy boards were removed from +the frame a musty piece of parchment, creased in several places, was +disclosed to view. + +<p><p>"Here 'tis," declared Captain Jeremy, pointing with his yellow +finger. "There lies the <i>Madre</i> treasure." + +<p><p>The chart was a good yard in length, and about three spans in +breadth. It had evidently been drawn with a considerable amount of +care, the names being neatly inserted. In the top right corner, +spanned by a compass, was a scale of leagues, while in the left was +a representation of the mariner's compass. Three strange-looking +vessels, with towering forecastles and poops, and a veritable +network of rhumb-lines, covered all the portion of the chart that +was supposed to represent the ocean. In the bottom left-hand corner, +which had been greatly thumb-marked, were the letters "...go +Ribero", and the date "1529"; and marked by a rough circle, drawn, +it seemed, at a later date, was the position of an island, against +which appeared the words: "Much golde here--<i>Madre de Dios</i>, 1599". + +<p><p>"This is an old Spanish chart," said Captain Miles, "yet 'tis +accurate enough for our purpose. Even Generals Penn and Venables, +when they took Jamaica, freely acknowledged that none of our making +could equal it." + +<p><p>"'Tis a sovereign piece of work," assented my father. "But methinks +you said the position was known only to you? How comes it, +therefore, that this chart has the spot marked fair and legibly?" + +<p><p>"Therein have many men been deceived," replied Captain Jeremy. "That +was placed thereon for the purpose. Mark you a small cross on the +island?--'tis a good two leagues from the wrongly marked spot. On my +word of honour, I can testify that there lieth the treasure. Now, +what say you, Captain Hammond? Will you join with me in prosecuting +a search? for freely in my gratitude will I share the gains with +you. Yet 'tis but fair to give you full warning, though I heed it +not. 'Tis said that the treasure of the <i>Madre de Dios</i> is under a +curse, and only through bloodshed and fire can it be regained. This +was the curse of the Friar Pedro Lopez, whom, 'tis avowed, Sir John +Berkeley threw overboard with his own hands." + +<p><p>"The matter is a weighty one," replied my father, as he proceeded to +replace the back of the frame. "I Even should the treasure be yet +undiscovered, there arises the question of the cost of fitting out a +ship. Were I a man of wealth I'd not be averse from adventuring a +round sum. As for the friar's curse, I heed it not." + +<p><p>"Neither have I much wealth, seeing that my house and goods were in +the sheriff's hands this day," observed Captain Jeremy, with a grim +smile. "Yet, as I have said heretofore, I have hidden a certain sum. +This, though 'tis my all, I would gladly devote to the enterprise; +and, forsooth, a man could not give better pledge of his sincerity." + +<p><p>"'Tis not that I doubt your sincerity, and I crave your pardon +should I have touched upon a tender spot. Now, I pray you, explain +the chart, inasmuch as it concerns the treasure island." + +<p><p>Thus encouraged, Captain Jeremy carefully filled his long clay pipe, +and resting the glowing bowl on the edge of the table (somewhat, I +fear, to my father's displeasure, though he made no sign on 't), he +proceeded to point out the characteristics of the island, the shoals +and currents in its vicinity, the secure anchorage, and where a boat +could make a landing without hazard to itself or its crew. + +<p><p>To all this I listened intently, my eyes glistening with excitement; +but, greatly to my disappointment, just as Captain Miles was about +to explain how and where the <i>Madre</i> treasure lay hidden, my father +exclaimed: + +<p><p>"The hour is late, Clifford, therefore bid us good night and go to +bed." + +<p><p>There was no help for it; I retired from the room reluctantly, +pausing for one instant to gaze upon the scene, as the two +bronzed-faced seamen bent eagerly over the musty parchment, the key +to the undertaking that was, we hoped, to restore the house of +Hammond to its former affluence. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter06"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">A Midnight Intruder</h5> + +<p><p> +Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought +with it an unwelcome change in the weather. A south-westerly gale, +blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, +accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon +vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder +that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness +of the night. + +<p><p>For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes +play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling +expanse of gorse-clad heath. So fierce was the wind that the +branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently +against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had +been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road. + +<p><p>At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose. + +<p><p>It must have been some time betwixt midnight and dawn, for 'twas +still dark, when I awoke with a start and a vague feeling that +something was amiss. + +<p><p>I had, according to custom, left the casement slightly ajar, the +frame being secured by an iron quadrant. This contrivance fitted +tightly, and 'twould be impossible for it to move of itself; yet I +heard the creaking of the metalwork as the casement was slowly and +cautiously opened, for the wind had now died utterly away, and all +else was still save for the pattering of the water from the eaves. + +<p><p>Overcome by a nameless terror, I lay motionless in my bed, thinking +'twas the Evil One coming in person to bear me bodily away.[1] + +<p><p>Slowly a dark, sinister figure, barely distinguishable against the +gloom without, crept silently through the now open window, past the +foot of my bed, and out by the unlatched door of the room, +smothering as it did so a sneeze. + +<p><p>That sneeze aroused my courage, for never in all the worthy Doctor +Colling's discourses had I heard of the Evil One sneezing. The +intruder was a robber! + +<p><p>However, I remained silent and motionless till the unwelcome +stranger had time to get clear of the room; then, boldly springing +out of bed, I crept softly to my father's room. + +<p><p>At the first touch of my hand he was wide-awake, thanks once more +to his active life afloat, but had the good sense to refrain from +speaking aloud. + +<p><p>In a few words I explained the situation, and without hesitation he +sprang from his bed, armed himself with a petronel, and hastened +downstairs to surprise and, if possible, capture the intruder, I +following closely and silently at his heels. + +<p><p>But in the few minutes of undisturbed action the robber had not been +idle, for ere my father gained the lowermost stair he tripped +suddenly over a broom handle cunningly placed there for that +purpose, and falling headlong, the petronel exploded with a vivid +flash and a stunning report, the bullets crashing through the +wainscot. + +<p><p>In a moment he was on his feet again, only to meet the robber as he +dashed for freedom. In the darkness I heard the sounds of a furious +struggle, but, being unable to distinguish friend from foe, I was +compelled to stand inactive and useless: + +<p><p>Suddenly there was an exclamation of pain, followed by a heavy thud, +and the next instant I was thrust violently against the wall as a +powerful, agile figure tore past me and up the staircase. + +<p><p>A terrific crash of broken glass was followed by the shrieks of old +Martha and groans in the darkness, while I heard Captain Jeremy +rushing from his room, shouting for lights to be brought. + +<p><p>When at length we found tinder and steel and a light was provided, +my father was seen lying on his face, bleeding profusely from a +wound in the right side. + +<p><p>"Water!" he gasped feebly. "I am done for!" and before we could +raise him from the floor he had swooned. + +<p><p>Jeremy, cursing loudly, was at first for pursuing the murderous +villain who had dealt the fell blow, but pursuit was not to be +thought of when we saw my father's desperate condition. Fearing to +carry him upstairs to his own chamber, we lifted him into the +dining-room, where we placed his senseless form on a +roughly-constructed couch. + +<p><p>Constance had now joined us, and though trembling with fear and +anxiety, she alone suggested the wisest course. + +<p><p>"Run, Clifford, for a chirurgeon!" she exclaimed, and, hatless and +shoeless, though I had found time to don my clothing, I tore over +the sodden fields to the house of Master Blackwood, who lived well +on the outskirts of the village. + +<p><p>Seeing the case was urgent, though I could but babble an incoherent +summons, the surgeon came quickly; and having made a hasty +examination, the grave look on his clear-cut features showed that my +sire was in dire peril of death. + +<p><p>Having dressed the wound, Master Blackwood applied himself to +restoring his patient to consciousness, and while this was being +done my glance fell upon the picture--or, rather, the frame--that my +father had bought but a few short hours ago. + +<p><p>The painting was missing, cut from the frame by a sharp knife. +Almost at the same time Captain Miles noticed the empty frame, and, +in spite of his accustomed coolness, his jaw dropped. + +<p><p>"Alack-a-day! A sorry pass! 'Tis the friar's curse come home," he +muttered huskily. + +<p><p>Slowly the pale dawn struggled for the mastery with the feeble +flicker of the rushlight till, in a mantle of vivid crimson hue, the +sun rose red and angry in the eastern sky. + +<p><p>Then, and only then, could we see the full extent of the mischief +that the robber had wrought. That the precious chart had been the +object of his entry there could be no doubt, for in the short space +of time ere he was disturbed he had made straight for the painting +that formerly concealed the parchment. + +<p><p>The shattered broomstick, a dark pool of blood at the foot of the +stairs, and the shot-marked wainscot were silent evidences of the +tragedy; while I found the hilt of a knife wedged firmly in the +wall, close to where I was hurled by the escaping miscreant. + +<p><p>Then I remembered the incident, and to my surprise I found that I +had a clean cut in the right shoulder. Though it had bled somewhat, +in my excitement I had been unaware of it; yet 'twas a narrow +escape. + +<p><p>"There's more behind this affair than we wot of," remarked Captain +Jeremy. "The rogue had doubtless watched us through the window +whilst your father and I were talking of the matter of the treasure, +for I bear to mind the shutters were not drawn. Then, finding that +the iron bars across the lower windows prevented him from entering +save by much labour and trouble, he scaled the tree without your +casement and entered your room. But, Clifford, sorry though I be for +your father's plight and sore hurt, 'tis a fortunate thing that the +robber was foiled, for, see you, I had the chart with me, placed +under my pillow for safety. As for the picture of the old <i>Venture</i>, +'tis of little account, though I did set some store on it for the +sake of bygone times." + +<p><p>"But concerning the robber?" I asked. "If we are to inform the watch +there will be danger of your discovery, yet I am loath to let the +villain go unhindered." + +<p><p>"'Tis a matter that requires much consideration," he replied +gravely. "I call to mind when I was on board the barque <i>Furie</i> +within sight of Port Royal. A fire broke out for'ard and threatened +to consume us; our longboat and shallop were damaged, while +alongside were swarms of sharks. As we could not save ourselves by +flight, we fought the flames so determinedly that we put out the +fire, though it seemed a well-nigh impossible task." + +<p><p>"And what of it?" I asked perplexedly, for I failed to grasp the +Captain's meaning. + +<p><p>"You see, Master Clifford, this house, in a manner of speaking, is +the burning craft, the King's officers are the sharks; so, until we +know your father's pleasure in this business, I would that nothing +be said concerning the affair. Master Blackwood I know to be a +stanch and upright man who detests the unlawful practices of King +James; he will keep silence. Your sister, also, I know to be +circumspect; but I have my doubts about Martha, for the tongues of +serving women, especially old ones, are apt to wag." + +<p><p>"I am content to let the matter rest for the present," I replied; +and crossing the hall, I laid hold of the knife that was still fixed +in the wainscot. It took much strength to wrench it free, and no +little care, for the broken blade was as sharp as a razor. The steel +was about a span in length, and wet for about half that distance +with my father's blood. As I cleaned it, my eyes fell upon some +letters engraved upon the blade. Worn though the steel was, I +deciphered the letters "...emento mori". + +<p><p>"'Tis perchance the name of the cutler," said Captain Miles, taking +the steel out of my hand and examining it carefully. + +<p><p>"Nay; 'tis certain you have not noticed similar words in Lymington +Church," I replied. "The first letter is on the other portion of the +broken blade, and the completed sentence is the Latin for 'Remember +you must die'. I'll have a hilt fitted to this portion, Captain +Jeremy, and should ill befall my father, the motto will guide me in +the tracing of the villain." + +<p><p>"Strange it may be," remarked the Captain reflectively, "but now I +recall an old shipmate of mine who bought a dagger in Lisbon with +these words. He was, I remember, an ill-favoured creature." + +<p><p>"Was he short in stature, and bull-necked?" I asked eagerly. + +<p><p>"Nay," replied my companion, shaking his head; "you are on the wrong +tack. Your father hath told me of the man you have in mind--the one +who would have bought the picture, though, sink me! I cannot imagine +why he should set such store on it. Nay; the man, though short in +stature, was as thin as a handspike. But, my lad," he said kindly, +"you look as white as a sheet. Here, take a turn in the garden, for +the place smells like a charnel-house. Keep within ear-shot, lest +you are wanted." + +<p><p>With a heavy heart I obeyed, having first obtained Constance's aid +in applying a bandage to my wounded shoulder. + +<p><p>The damage done by yesternight's gale was enormous, though I paid +little heed to the scene of desolation, but, stepping over the +broken branches that everywhere littered the ground, walked round to +the back of the house, whence the robber had made his escape. + +<p><p>He had left by the same means as he had entered--through the +casement of my room and down the tree that unfortunately provided a +ready means of descent. Curiosity prompted me to examine the trunk, +and on so doing I found traces of blood on the bark. I noticed that, +if viewed from the window, the marks of blood were on the right-hand +side of the trunk, and, as the fugitive must have descended with his +face towards the bark, 'twas evident that he had been wounded on the +right side of his person; and by the quantity of the blood it was +further evident that the wound was of a severe nature. + +<p><p>Then the thought flashed across my mind: the villain was sore hurt, +his track lay fresh upon the grass; why should I not follow him? + +<p><p>Running back to the house, I loaded my fowling-piece, and calling +Bruno, my lurcher, I started in pursuit. + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] Lest Clifford be thought a weak-minded coward, it is well to +explain that previous to and during the seventeenth century there +was a strong popular belief in the corporal presence of the Evil +One. The study of any contemporary writer will confirm this. A +notable example is afforded by the panic of Robinson Crusoe on +discovering a dying goat in the darkness of a cave: "I saw two broad +shining eyes of some creature, whether devil or man I knew not". +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter07"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Cave in the Lonely Heath</h5> + +<p><p> +The track was clearly defined, the sinister dark patches showing +boldly upon the bright green grass with the utmost regularity. The +man had certainly fled in a north-easterly direction, towards Black +Down, the densest part of the forest. He had a start of at least six +hours, but, even had he not already swooned from loss of blood, this +advantage was slight. In my enthusiasm I imagined that the rogue was +already my prisoner, marching, with my piece at his head, towards +the common jail at Lymington. + +<p><p>The tell-tale line of spots crossed the highway and led on to the +gorse-clad heath, but though there were evidences that the fugitive +had blundered into many bushes in his flight in the dark, the +general direction remained the same. At this I wondered not a +little, for from my forest experience I knew that a man crossing an +open space in the dark would, without a light or other means to +guide him, inevitably make a wide circle, unless he had the sense to +keep his course by observing the direction of the wind. Yet I knew +that after the storm the wind had died utterly away, so that the +circumstance seemed stranger still. + +<p><p>I suppose I had not gone half a mile when, thrown behind some +bushes, I espied the picture that the rogue had cut from its frame. +There were signs that he had made a lengthy halt, one being a large +dark stain upon the damp soil, showing that much blood had been +spilled. Another thing I conjectured: he had discovered that the +chart was not, as evidently he had imagined, part of the picture, +and in his rage he had thrown it aside. That being so, it showed +that day had dawned ere he could have become acquainted with the +failure of his fell designs. + +<p><p>Making the canvas into a roll, I slipped it into my belt, and +continued my way. + +<p><p>On and on I went, sometimes breaking into a run, keeping both a +sharp lookout in case of a surprise and a careful watch on the dull +brown track, which now began to show at greater intervals than +heretofore. + +<p><p>At length my progress was stopped by a narrow, gurgling stream that +flowed southwards between gravelly banks lined with bushes and +dwarfed trees. This stream I knew to be the Lym, the same that joins +the sea at Lymington. + +<p><p>Here I was thwarted, for though I took off my hose and shoes and +waded over the clayey bottom, not the slightest track could I find +on the farther bank. I walked both up and down stream for nearly a +quarter of a mile, carefully examining the soft clay, which would +assuredly reveal any trace of footprints after the heavy rain of the +previous night; but the bank was innocent of any traces of human +agency, though I encountered well-defined marks of ponies, deer, and +otters. + +<p><p>Sick at heart, I now bethought me of Captain Jeremy's warning, so, +uncocking my piece, I shouldered the weapon and set my face +homewards. Bruno, who had followed the trail as keenly as I had +done, seemed to share my dejection, for, instead of keeping a few +paces ahead as he had done on the outward journey, he stuck close to +my heels. + +<p><p>I was not returning by the same path, but rather, I should think, +about two hundred yards to the right of it; yet with the smoke of +the chimneys of Brockenhurst village to guide me I kept steadily +onwards. + +<p><p>Suddenly, almost before I could utter a sound of alarm, the ground +gave way beneath me; the bracken and the gorse seemed to shoot up +past me, and the daylight gave place to semi-darkness. + +<p><p>Instinctively I clutched at the ledge of the pit, but without avail; +then a thousand lights seemed to flash across my eyes, and I lost +consciousness. + +<p><p>When I recovered my senses I found myself lying on the sandy floor +of a natural cave or hollow, into which the light filtered through +an aperture almost above my head--the hole through which I had +fallen. + +<p><p>My head throbbed painfully, and, putting my hands to my forehead, I +found that it was bound with a wet rag. As I moved my arm Bruno +thrust his muzzle against my hand with a low bark of joy; the +faithful dog had evidently followed his master in his fall. + +<p><p>I tried to raise myself into a sitting posture, but the exertion was +too great, and with a stifled exclamation of pain I fell back. + +<p><p>"Lie still, young maäster," exclaimed a gruff though kindly voice. +"You'll be safe enow wi' us." + +<p><p>"Give him a drink o' water," said another. "He'll do better sittin' +up." + +<p><p>With that I felt myself raised and propped against the wall of the +cave, so that I could look about. + +<p><p>Eight or ten men, dressed in rough clothing, some with peajackets, +others in tarpaulins, were either seated on the ground or standing +with folded arms regarding me intently. Two or three had pistols +stuck in their belts, while a pair of heavy cutlasses and a bundle +of stout staves, some with iron spikes, were placed in one corner of +the cave, which was roughly three-sided, and formed by hands, as far +as I could make out in the subdued light. + +<p><p>In the centre of the cavern was the trunk of a young tree, its upper +portion leaning against the aperture overhead, while the branches +had been lopped off sufficiently close to the stem to allow of the +stumps being used as a rough ladder. Two small casks, an earthenware +vessel containing water, a heap of clothing, and a coil of rope +completed the utensils of this subterranean retreat. + +<p><p>"You'll be the son of Cap'n Foul-weather Dick?" asked the man who +had first spoken. + +<p><p>"Yes," I replied, for my questioner had used the name by which my +father was frequently called by the seafaring population of +Lymington. + +<p><p>"'Twas well for you I knew it, for when you came tumbling down that +hole we thought 'twas the sogers, and Bill 'ere got ready to knock +you over th' head. D'ye know me?" + +<p><p>I looked at the man as intently as my throbbing head would allow, +then at his companions. Like an inspiration a thought flashed across +my mind. + +<p><p>"Yes," I answered. "Ye are the men who went with Captain Miles to +the West." + +<p><p>"Aye," said the man referred to as Bill, "an' well we know it. Look +'ee, young maäster, can we trust ye to keep your mouth shut on this +business?" + +<p><p>"I have as weighty a matter on my mind now," I replied. "You can +count upon my silence." + +<p><p>"The youngster's true enow, 'Enery," said Bill. "Maybe he'll lend us +a hand afore long. Look you," he continued, addressing me, "there +are but eleven left of the score of Lymington men who marched to +help the Duke o' Monmouth. Kitt Binns, Carrol Tanner, Cripps, Fred +Dadge--they went down in the fight; young Garge Pitman the +red-coated devils took near Bridgwater. They strung him up on a +gallows at the roadside. Poor fellow, he didn't half give 'em a +rough time afore they did the dirty job, an' I was up to my neck in +a ditch an' saw it all, yet couldn't bear a hand to help him. That +makes five. What happened to the rest of us we don't know--taken, +doubtless, after the fight. Anyways, Cap'n Miles, Joe Scott, Sammy +Cross, an' Long Bristowe won't see Lymington again, I fear, though +we aren't much better off on that score." + +<p><p>"Captain Miles!" I exclaimed. "Why!----" I broke off, though +reasoning that as these men had confided in me, there was little +harm in telling them of Captain Jeremy's hiding-place in our house. + +<p><p>"What of him?" asked several of the men. + +<p><p>"He is alive and well; I saw him scarce two hours ago." + +<p><p>"Hurrah!" exclaimed the men, but softly, for they durst not shout +lest the noise should betray them. + +<p><p>"Alive and well, say you?" repeated 'Enery, a burly, bearded seaman +who, it seemed, had no other name. "'Enery" he answered to, and +'Enery he remains till the close of my story. "But, young maäster, +'tis a good six hours you've been lying 'ere." + +<p><p>"Six hours!" I exclaimed amazedly; then, remembering my father's +condition, I attempted to rise. + +<p><p>"Nay, young sir," said Bill, noticing my effort, "you cannot go home +without aid, and none can we give till Black Lewis comes. But +concerning Captain Jeremy?" + +<p><p>In a few words I told them all I knew of the Captain's adventures, +the men eagerly following every word. + +<p><p>"Tell him," said 'Enery, as I finished my story, "that ten stanch +men await him here. Cooped up like rats in a hold, we durst not show +our faces in Lymington, much less try for a ship; but with Cap'n +Jeremy to lead us, we'll shape a true course yet. Tell him also----" + +<p><p>A low cry like the call of a forest stag for its mate broke upon our +ears. Twice 'twas repeated. + +<p><p>"'Tis Black Lewis," said one of the men, for my information, and the +next instant the bushes overhead were thrust back, and a man began +to descend the rough ladder. + +<p><p>Black Lewis gave no sign of surprise at seeing a lad in the cave. I +knew him by sight, and also by repute--a short, shrivelled-up little +man, with a head that seemed too large and heavy for his body, +wrinkled face, massive and protruding cheek bones, and +sandy-coloured hair. He lived mainly by his wits, killing adders +that infested the forest glades, hawking the skins of animals he +caught, and, no doubt, poaching, though he had as yet managed to +escape being branded as a felon. Some would have it that he was +dullwitted, yet those who thus avowed had often cause to fear his +tongue, which was as sharp as a rapier. He was dressed in loose, +home-made garments of moleskin, and carried a long forked stick in +his hand, not even relinquishing it when he descended the tree +trunk. Over his back was strung a canvas bag, from which he produced +a hare, some eggs, and a flagon of ale. + +<p><p>He readily consented to assist me to my home, and having bade +farewell to the refugee seamen (who had persuaded me to lend them my +fowling-piece), I was slung up the shaft by means of the rope, Bruno +being carried up on the shoulders of one of the men. Once in the +open air I walked strongly, though twice or thrice I reeled, and +would have fallen but for my companion's assistance. + +<p><p>At the entrance to our grounds Black Lewis left me, and just as I +gained the door Captain Jeremy met me. By the look on his face I +knew that some thing was amiss. + +<p><p>"They have searched for you high and low, Master Clifford," said he; +"but thanks be you are safe! Come at once and see your father, +for----" + +<p><p>"He is not dead?" I asked anxiously. + +<p><p>"Nay, lad, but be prepared for the worst. Master Blackwood says +he'll not last the night. If so, he'll pass away before the young +flood sets in." + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter08"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Concerning the Events that Prompted Me to a Desperate Resolve</h5> + +<p><p> +My father had been removed to his room, and was now lying on his +bed, his head and shoulders raised and supported by pillows, for the +nature of his wound had caused him to fight hard for breath. + +<p><p>He was now quite conscious, though very weak. Captain Jeremy +afterwards said that what with cupping and applying leeches Master +Blackwood had kept down the fever, but had also done his patient +more harm than good. + +<p><p>My father knew full well that the end was at hand, yet he faced it +manfully, like the stanch old seaman he was. I fancy his voice +faltered when he spoke to me of Constance, but beyond that he was +calm and collected, giving me advice as to my future, and preparing +himself for the end. + +<p><p>'Tis unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the next few hours, for +the remembrance of that mournful time is an affair for the minds of +our own family; but just before midnight, at dead low water by the +shore, as Captain Jeremy had predicted, my father passed peacefully +away. + +<p><p>Neither do I care to relate too minutely the happenings of the +following week. There was, according to custom, an inquest, but by +mutual consent Captain Jeremy's name was left out of the case, +although we were considerably ill at ease lest old Martha should +babble on't. + +<p><p>Two days after my father had been laid to rest under the great yew +tree in Brockenhurst Churchyard I received a letter from my uncle, +John Hammond, stating that, in accordance with arrangements made +with my father many years ago, he would take up his abode in our +house, and look after the estate. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy took his departure before my uncle arrived, and +joined the party of Lymington seamen in the cave. He gave me his +assurance that his understanding with my late parent would remain as +before, and that he would, to use his own expression, "keep his +weather eye lifting", and endeavour to find a means of procuring a +stout craft, in order to prosecute his search for the <i>Madre de +Dios</i> treasure. + +<p><p>Shortly after the arrival of my uncle I had an attack of smallpox, +which, Heaven be praised! left me unmarked. Master Blackwood, the +chirurgeon, tended me with the utmost care, though at the time I +feared his remedies more than I did the disorder. + +<p><p>August had run its course, and September was well advanced ere I +could get abroad once more, and during that time much had happened +relating to the ill-fortuned rising in the West. + +<p><p>Monmouth's head had rolled on the scaffold on Tower Hill, and +Jeffreys had completed his circuit of the West, leaving behind him a +never-to-be-forgotten record of cruelty, infamy, and shame, while +his brutal actions in condemning Lady Alice Lisle to the stake +sickened even the most loyal supporters of King James. + +<p><p>Then, and only then, did I realize the risk we had run in harbouring +Captain Jeremy; yet I had learnt to look upon him as the one stanch +friend in my solitude, and as such I would right willingly take all +chances could I but render him further aid. + +<p><p>At the first opportunity, directly I felt strong enough, I crossed +the heath and stealthily approached his place of concealment. In +vain I gave the call of the red deer, for no welcome reply came from +the yawning pit; and when at length I descended by the rude ladder I +found the place dank and deserted. Captain Miles and his men had +gone--whither?--to bondage, or to freedom? + +<p><p>Neither did I from that day set eyes on Black Lewis; he, too, had +vanished, and thus all chance of communicating with the honest +Captain seemed to be hopelessly lost. + +<p><p>One afternoon towards the close of September I was sent by my uncle +into Lymington to procure some books that an acquaintance had +promised him. + +<p><p>It was a blustering day, cold for the time of year, and on the +journey I encountered several heavy showers that, for want of +shelter, soaked me to the skin. However, I accomplished my errand, +and laden with a heavy burden I trudged homewards, having also taken +the opportunity of obtaining from a cutler's the blade of the dagger +with which my father had been slain, I having left it some weeks +before for the purpose of having a hilt fitted to it. + +<p><p>At the outskirts of the village I almost ran into the arms of +Captain Jeremy, who was leading a heavy cob by the bridle. + +<p><p>For a few moments I could scarce believe my eyes; yet 'twas he, +bold, jovial, and beaming with kindliness as of yore, before that +fateful journey to the West. + +<p><p>"What cheer, ho!" he shouted. "I've sought you high and low." + +<p><p>"Oh, Captain Miles!" I exclaimed apprehensively, "is it safe for you +to be seen, sir?" + +<p><p>"Safe?" he roared. "Why, safe as a parson's barn. Thanks to my +patron Sir William Soams, of whom I have oft spoken beforetimes, and +in no small measure to a heavy drain upon my hidden hoard, I've +gained a pardon from His Majesty, and now I can flaunt my Lord Chief +Justice Jeffreys, or any of his satellites, come what may. I've got +a ship, lad! A. goodly vessel--as sweet a little craft as ever you'd +clap eyes on betwixt Yarmouth and Bristol. Thanks once again to Sir +William Soams, who threw himself into my plans, the <i>Golden Hope</i> +has been chartered to seek the <i>Madre</i> treasure--and I'll warrant +Sir William will receive a good per centum on his outlay. She lies +at Poole, lad. We sailed her round from Deptford two days agone, I +and the ten lads you saw in the hole on Brockenhurst Heath, they +having made their way safely one by one to a rendezvous at Wapping; +and I've ridden over from Poole to tell you the news, though I am +but a sorry horseman." + +<p><p>"You rode well enough when you fled before the dragoons, sir." + +<p><p>"Aye," he replied, with a hearty laugh; "e'en though I rode the +farmer's mare to death. It beats me to think how I kept in the +saddle that day, and I've fallen thrice on my way hither; yet 'tis +strange what a man will do when he's put to it. But can you persuade +your uncle to let you ride over to Poole and see the <i>Golden Hope</i> +ere we sail? We weigh on Saturday morn, for 'tis, as you know, ill +luck to leave port on a Friday." + +<p><p>I shook my head sorrowfully. + +<p><p>"I fear he'll not think of it," I replied. "But, Captain Jeremy, how +I wish I were off with you!" + +<p><p>"'Tis not to be thought of, lad. Adventuring in the Indies is no fit +business for you. I've spun you yarns times without number, but +you've not heard of the dark side of a seaman's life. No, no, +Clifford; make the best of things and bide at home, and I'll do my +best for you and me." + +<p><p>"But, Captain----" + +<p><p>"No buts, lad; your duty lies at home. Now, say no more on 't, +though I would you could see the <i>Golden Hope</i> ere she leaves Poole +Harbour. Well, well, the best of friends must say farewell, and so +'tis with us. Please Heaven another couple o' years will see us home +once more with the treasure; so good-bye, Clifford." + +<p><p>"Farewell, Captain Jeremy, and God be with you!" + +<p><p>Awkwardly the seaman scrambled into the saddle, urged his nag into a +trot, and set off along the Christchurch Road, not daring to look +round for fear of losing his seat. I watched him till his burly +figure disappeared from view, then slowly I made my way homewards. + +<p><p>"Why have you tarried on your errand, sirrah?" demanded my uncle, as +I placed the pile of heavy books on the table. "Hast entered into +worldly and unbecoming conversation with that seafaring man who, +with many strange oaths on his lips, hath troubled me with his +presence? To your room, sir! Supperless you shall go; but before +retiring, read, mark, and learn the beautiful discourse on +procrastination as set forth in this book of godly sermons. +To-morrow I'll speak further on this matter." + +<p><p>On the morrow he did more than speak, being a too zealous exponent +of King Solomon for my peace of mind; and, smarting under the +treatment I had endured, I determined to run away and join, by hook +or by crook, the good ship <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter09"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Flight</h5> + +<p><p> +I had no sooner made up my mind than I immediately began to take +steps to put my plan into execution, for the <i>Golden Hope</i> was to +sail at early morn on the following day, and twenty good miles had +to be covered betwixt sunset and sunrise, were I to be in time. + +<p><p>My great regret was that I was unable to let Constance know of my +departure; but beyond that I cared little. + +<p><p>I managed to secrete the best part of a loaf, some cheese, and a +small flask of milk; and unobserved I secured a lengthy rope, which +I hid under my bed. + +<p><p>Longer and more tedious than ever seemed the evening prayers, but at +last my uncle bade me retire for the night. I lay abed till I heard +him fastening my door on the outside, as was his wont, and go to his +room. Then, when all was quiet, I hurriedly dressed, packed my food +in a wallet, and prepared to escape by the window. As 'twas a calm +moonlight night, the tree that served my father's murderer so timely +did not sway sufficiently for me to descend by it, and for that +reason I had provided myself with the rope. + +<p><p>This I passed round a leg of the massive bedstead, throwing the two +ends out of the casement on to the ground. Noiselessly I slipped +out, and grasping both parts of the rope, I descended hand over +hand. Then it was an easy matter to pull the rope down after me, so +as to remove all traces of my escape, which, I hoped, would prevent +my flight being discovered for some hours later than otherwise. + +<p><p>Having hidden the rope, I set out with a rapid stride and beating +heart on my long walk to Poole Town. + +<p><p>For the first few miles my route lay over well-known ground, but +soon I plunged into the thickest portion of the forest, where the +tall branches, meeting overhead, shut out the moonlight. 'Twas a +weird journey in the dead of night, with not a sound save my own +footsteps and the occasional hooting of an owl in the tree tops. + +<p><p>At length I left the confines of the New Forest, the road continuing +hilly yet fair-going; and having gotten well into the swing, I +footed it strongly. + +<p><p>Just as I reached the meeting of two fork roads I heard the distant +thud of a horse's hoofs, which came rapidly nearer and nearer. + +<p><p>Could my flight have been discovered already? + +<p><p>Plunging through a gap in the bushes I stood, my heart throbbing +violently, expecting every moment to see my uncle's manservant on my +track; but in a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the bright +moonlight a horseman galloped madly past, his hair flying out behind +him by reason of his speed through the still night air. + +<p><p>Hardly had he gone past when I again heard the thud of horses' +hoofs, and riding apparently in close pursuit came four men, with +set faces and loose rein. They, too, disappeared, but I could not +summon up courage to resume my way until the last sounds of the +pursuers had died away in the dim distance. + +<p><p>Then I came in sight of a town of considerable size, dominated by a +lofty square tower. This I guessed rightly to be Christchurch. + +<p><p>On reaching a long stone bridge I halted at one of the recesses to +rest awhile, making a meal of the food I had brought, for the walk +had made me ravenous. + +<p><p>'Twas a glorious view. Standing out clearly in the moonlight was the +long, regular outline of the priory church, the graceful tower of +which I had seen a long way down the road. The moonbeams danced on +the placid waters of an inland sea, while from farther still, beyond +a lofty, flat-topped hill, came the sound of the swell of the +English Channel roaring on the sandy shore. + +<p><p>Beneath the bridge flowed the river, swiftly and silently, though +oft the stillness was broken by the splash of a lordly salmon. "The +stream and I have both the same purpose," thought I. "Each would +gain the sea, though by different means." + +<p><p>My reverie was broken by the clatter of horsemen, and fearing to be +stopped and questioned, I ran down the approach to the bridge and, +vaulting over the low parapet, stood ankle deep in the dewy grass, +scarce daring to raise my eyes above the coping. + +<p><p>'Twas the same troop of horsemen I had seen a short while ago, and +in their midst, his legs bound beneath his horse's belly, rode the +man they had pursued, entreating and reviling his captors almost in +the same breath. + +<p><p>Once again I proceeded on my way, keeping close to the side of the +main street, where the moon threw deep shadows athwart the cobbles; +and once again I was brought to a standstill. + +<p><p>Hobbling down the street was a decrepit old man, muffled in a long +cloak. In his left hand he carried a lantern, while his right +grasped a halberd--though why thus armed I am at pains to suggest, +for so tottering were his footsteps that I could have knocked him +down with ease. Neither could he have had good sight, for he passed +me, as I stood flattened against a door, within three paces, and, +halting in the middle of the road, croaked: + +<p><p>"One o' the clock, and a fine morning, and all's well." + +<p><p>Three hours more and day would be breaking. If I were to be on Poole +Quay by sunrise no time must be lost, so directly the way was clear +I set off at a steady trot, never stopping till I had gained a +second bridge and had reached the foot of a steep hill, from the +summit of which I saw I had completely shaken off the dust of +Christchurch. + +<p><p>For the next five or six miles 'twas up and down, with occasional +glimpses of the sea away on my left; and just as the pale dawn began +to glimmer in the east, I saw from the brow of a lofty hill the +whole extent of Poole Harbour spread out like a map, the undulating +downs that I knew afterwards to be Purbeck Heights being barely +visible against the dark grey sky. + +<p><p>Half an hour later I was threading my way down the narrow High +Street, guided by the tall masts of the shipping in the harbour. + +<p><p>At length I reached the quay, and stood bewildered by the maze of +vessels of all sorts, sizes, and rigs. Although 'twas yet early, +there was much bustling about--fishermen returning from their +night's work, and men, heavy-eyed as the result of their previous +night's carouse, stumbling back to their ships; while already the +creaking of tackle and the hoarse shouts of seamen proclaimed that +more than one vessel was getting under way. + +<p><p>I had two immediate objects in view. I must avoid Captain Jeremy, +for I was very doubtful whether he would take me aboard the Golden +Hope. I must also find the ship, and manage to stow myself away till +she set sail. + +<p><p>Once more luck was in my favour, for as I made my way along the +slippery wharf I espied a large, wall-sided brig, with tall masts, +from which the sails hung loosely, awaiting but to be sheeted home. +Beneath her small, square stern ports were the words <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<p><p>Even as I looked at her from a safe distance a heavy footstep caused +me to turn round, and to my surprise I saw no other than 'Enery. + +<p><p>He recognized me in an instant, and gripping me by the shoulder he +exclaimed: + +<p><p>"Avast there, Master Hammond, what brings you here?" + +<p><p>"I've run away from home. Don't betray me, Henry," I replied; "I +want to go with Captain Miles, and I'm afraid he'll not take me." + +<p><p>"Say 'Enery an' I'll answer to my name," said the seaman +reprovingly. "Why, if so be you wants to go to sea, why shouldn't +you? Why shouldn't you, I wants to know?" + +<p><p>"Perchance Captain Jeremy will not see eye to eye with me in that +matter; though, once we are fairly out at sea----" + +<p><p>"'Nough said, young maäster. Sink me if I don't do my best, for you +were as true as steel to us when we were shut up in that hole in +Brockenhurst Heath. Come on, and look sharp about it." + +<p><p>So saying, he led the way to a dirty, disreputable inn situated in a +narrow street leading off the quay. Here he spoke a few words to a +ferrety, blear-eyed man, handing tankards of spirits to the crowd of +seafaring men who thronged there in spite of the time of day. + +<p><p>"Up aloft," said the man, jerking his thumb in the direction of a +rough ladder that led to a room above. + +<p><center><img src="images/descend.jpg" alt="Descend"></center> +<p><center>[Illustration: I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND]</center> + + +<p><p>Here 'Enery provided me with a pair of heavy sea boots which, when I +had slipped my legs into them, reached almost to my thighs. Next I +donned a long oilskin coat, cracked all over by the heat of the sun +and smelling most vilely; while on my head 'Enery clapped a +tarpaulin, the back of which rested betwixt my shoulder-blades. + +<p><p>Stepping back, he examined me critically; then, not satisfied with +his handiwork, he crossed over to the hearth, and covering his hand +with soot, he smothered my face till I was as dusky as a blackamoor. + +<p><p>"It's all plain sailing now," he remarked approvingly; and sallying +out into the street, we regained the quay. + +<p><p>"'Ere, clap hold o' that," exclaimed 'Enery, pointing to a heavy +sack, and, hoisting it on to my shoulders, he also seized a similar +article, and told me to follow him. + +<p><p>There was a constant stream of men engaged in the same task, some of +them seamen belonging to the ship, others longshoremen hired to +assist in the loading. + +<p><p>As I crossed the quay I saw Captain Jeremy, looking very smart in a +maroon-coloured coat, dark blue breeches, and long boots, while on +his head he sported a full-bottomed peruke, surmounted by a +three-cornered hat. + +<p><p>Bending low with my burden, I passed him in great dread lest he +should penetrate my disguise, but, to my great relief, he went by +unsuspectingly, and the next moment I staggered up the narrow, +creaking gangway and gained the deck of the <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<p><p>Large as she appeared when viewed from the quay, the size of the +brig astonished me. She was about 200 tons burthen, and carried nine +seven-pounder pieces abroadside, with two small swivelled guns on +her poop. + +<p><p>Betwixt the masts a yawning hatchway and a stout longboat occupied +nearly all the space amidships; and down the hatch descended the +stream of laden men, jostling against those who, having got rid of +their burdens, were returning to the shore for more. + +<p><p>Passing out of the dazzling light, for the sun was now well up in +the heavens, the sudden change to the gloom of the hold made it hard +for me to distinguish my surroundings until my eyes grew accustomed +to the semi-darkness. + +<p><p>The floor of the hold was composed of rough planks, with a narrow +hatch to gain access to the ballast. On either side I could discern +the stout curved frames, while overhead, save where the hatch gaped +to the light of day, huge timbers crossed athwart ship barely five +feet from the floor. The whole place smelt strongly of tar; mingled +with a dozen different odours, all more or less obnoxious to my +nostrils. + +<p><p>Having relieved myself of the sack, I followed 'Enery towards the +fore end of the hold, where a low bulkhead, barely three feet in +height, separated the cargo and stores from the cable tier. There +two neatly coiled ropes, thicker than my leg above the knee, +occupied the greater part of the limited space, their ends vanishing +through two small apertures in the deck above. + +<p><p>This I saw by the feeble glimmer of a horn lantern. + +<p><p>"Here's your mess for awhile, till I gives you the word," said +'Enery. "I'll pass you down a pannikin of water and some hard tack +as soon as I can. No one will see you here, but take care of yon +cable, for if we've got to let go in a hurry you'll find yourself +capsized in a brace of shakes." + +<p><p>"Let go what?" I asked, bewildered by his warning. + +<p><p>"The anchor, Maäster Hammond. We never know when we've got to let +go, 'specially if she misses stays as we beat down the harbour." + +<p><p>Fearing to betray my ignorance, I refrained from asking him what +missing stays meant; and, promising to look me up as soon as his +duties would permit, the old seaman hastened away, and I was left in +solitude, though the men were still at work stowing the stores in +the after part of the hold. + +<p><p>At length the stream of hold trimmers gradually slackened and died +away; the hatches were replaced, and the hold was in darkness, save +for the dull yellow glimmer of the lantern that 'Enery had +thoughtfully left for my benefit. + +<p><p>It seemed several hours before the old seaman reappeared, bringing +the promised biscuit and water. + +<p><p>"Cap'n's come aboard," he announced. "We're just going to warp out, +for the wind's dead in our teeth. 'Twill be a long job, I'll allow, +afore we clear the bar. Never mind, Maäster Hammond; keep your heart +up, and watch the cable." + +<p><p>With this repeated warning he again left me, and soon afterwards I +heard the tramp of many feet on deck, mingled with hoarse orders +that were faintly borne to my ears. + +<p><p>The <i>Golden Hope</i> was under way. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter10"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h5 align="center">In the Hold</h5> + +<p><p> +Mindful of 'Enery's warning, I gave the two massive hempen ropes a +wide berth, and, leaning against a stout rib, resumed my vigil, till +the heat of the confined space caused me to doff the oilskins and +sea boots. + +<p><p>Presently the brig gave a distinct heel, which gradually increased +till my position was turned into a standing one. Sail had been made, +and the vessel was lying over to the breeze, though, owing to being +still within a landlocked expanse of water, she scarce lifted as she +cut through the waves. I could distinctly hear the lapping of the +water against her sides as she moved with increasing pace in +response to the pressure on the additional canvas. + +<p><p>Presently, in apparent obedience to a hoarse order, the <i>Golden +Hope</i> recovered her upright position, then gradually settled down in +the other direction, till, unable to keep my feet, I found myself +flung bodily against the opposite side, the lantern being overset +and extinguished at the same time. + +<p><p>Frantic with the fall, I struggled violently to regain my feet, my +head coming into contact with one of the coils of cable. For a +moment I imagined that the vessel had capsized, till, finding that +she rolled no farther, I came to the conclusion that she had turned +on her course. + +<p><p>Such, in truth, was the case. The brig had tacked, or, to use a +nautical expression, had "gone about", the direction of the wind and +the narrowness of the channel making the operation necessary. But I +knew nothing of this at the time. + +<p><p>Groping with my hand, I managed to find the lantern, but being +without flint and steel I was unable to relight it; so in the almost +pitch darkness I remained, my eyes fixed longingly on a faint white +light that filtered through a badly-fitting hatch cover. + +<p><p>Fearing another flight across the hold when the vessel again tacked, +I lay almost at full length on the rough floor, my shoeless feet +wedged firmly against a stout ringbolt in the fore side of the +bulkhead. + +<p><p>The effects of the excitement of the last twelve hours, combined +with the want of a good meal and the close, unwholesome atmosphere +of the hold, caused me to feel greatly distressed, and at length I +fell into a kind of stupor. + +<p><p>I had a rude awakening. A sniffing sensation round my fingers was +followed by a sharp bite. With a shriek I withdrew my hand, and +immediately a loathsome, active creature fled across my prostrate +body. It was a rat, and a huge one, judging by its weight. + +<p><p>Regardless of my instructions, I sprang to my feet, leaped over the +bulkhead, and crawled across the neatly stowed cargo, bumping my +crown more than once against the low deck beams. I was on the point +of hammering against the hatch, when the thought occurred to me that +it was yet too early to announce my presence. + +<p><p>My new position was also more bearable, for the light that came +through the ill-fitting hatch was sufficient for me to see within a +yard of where I crouched. + +<p><p>Meanwhile, the brig had tacked several times, so that by now the +manoeuvre did not cause me any misgivings; but what did trouble me +was the appearance of a regular swarm of rodents--not of the brown +variety such as one meets in the country, but long, skinny, black +rats, ferocious and daring in the extreme. + +<p><p>I looked about for a weapon, for although I carried about me the +knife I had had fashioned from the fatal dagger, it did not seem +sufficiently handy to tackle these loathsome creatures. To my great +joy I espied a stout crowbar, left, no doubt, by the men who had +stowed the cargo. With this I killed several of the brutes, though +not before I was bitten more than once, for as I struck one another +would fly straight at my throat, and only by warding it off with my +arm was I able to finish it off with the iron rod. + +<p><p>At length the rodents drew away and left me in comparative peace, +although I could hear them scuffling and squealing as the disturbed +bilge-water drove them from their accustomed haunts. + +<p><p>Compared with the rats, the cockroaches could be endured without +much effort. These verminous creatures swarmed everywhere--on the +deck beams, over the cargo, and even on my person--so that I could +scarce change my posture without feeling and hearing the sickening +crunch as they were crushed beneath my body. + +<p><p>All at once a violent commotion, accompanied by a medley of sounds, +came from the fore part of the hold. The hempen cable was rushing +through the hawse pipe. + +<p><p>Then the brig trembled slightly and ceased to list, and when the +clamour died away I heard a man shout: + +<p><p>"'Tis no use, Cap'n. I couldn't get another foot out of her." + +<p><p>"How long does the flood make?" asked a voice which I recognized as +Captain Jeremy's. + +<p><p>"First high water is about five hours from now," replied the first +speaker. "If the wind doesn't change we'll have to wait till then. +That'll give you an hour and a half to clear the bar afore the +second flood makes." + +<p><p>I heard Captain Miles rattle out a round oath, but further +conversation was inaudible through the sounds on deck. Nevertheless, +I had heard enough to fill my cup of misery to the brim: unless the +wind changed sufficiently to enable her to stem the tide, the +<i>Golden Hope</i> would be compelled to remain at anchor for five +hours--five hours more of bodily and mental torture for me. + +<p><p>Yet I had to bear it, or own myself beaten, for I felt convinced +that so long as the brig remained within the limits of Poole +Harbour, Captain Jeremy would put me ashore in a longboat, or else +send me back with the pilot. + +<p><p>Another hour or so passed, yet there were no signs of 'Enery. The +heat began to be intense, for the sun was now as high in the heavens +as it could possibly be, and its rays, pouring down upon the decks, +caused the atmosphere of the hold to become stifling. + +<p><p>The wind, too, had dropped, for the ropes and sails no longer +rattled and flapped. But Captain Jeremy was not the kind of man to +allow his crew to remain idle, for I could hear water being poured +on the deck to clean away the dirt brought aboard from the quay. +This, to a certain extent, cooled the hold, and I felt all the +better for it. + +<p><p>"A breeze! A breeze from the nor'east!" I heard a voice exclaim, and +almost immediately after came the sounds of men rushing hither and +thither, and the creaking of blocks and tackle. Then, with the +measured tramp of feet as the capstan revolved, the cable descended +slowly into its tier, adding to the odours of the hold the pungent +smells of seaweed and mud. + +<p><p>The regular heel of the brig gave place to a confused pitching and +tossing, signs that I hailed with delight, in spite of a qualmish +sensation which the motion seemed to encourage. + +<p><p>The <i>Golden Hope</i> had crossed the bar, and was curtsying to the +waves of the English Channel. + +<p><p>I waited a little longer, then began pounding on the hatch with the +butt of the iron rod. + +<p><p>At first no notice was taken of my efforts; then, without apparent +warning, the hatch was whipped off. A flash of dazzling sunshine +temporarily blinded me, and before I could realize my surroundings +rough hands seized me by the shoulders and dragged me on deck, while +a man shouted: + +<p><p>"Cap'n, here's a blessed stowaway!" + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter11"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">My First Day at Sea</h5> + +<p><p> +Captain Jeremy Miles was standing under the break of the poop, his +sunburnt face darkened to a brick-red colour with anger. + +<p><p>"What d'ye mean, you rascal, stowing yourself aboard my ship?" + +<p><p>I must have looked a pitiable object, for, in addition to my +soot-blackened face, my clothes were covered with dust and tar, the +former from the roads, the latter from the timbers of the hold, +though, until I came on deck, I was unaware of it. + +<p><p>My garments were also rent in several places, my hands were bleeding +from the result of the rats' bites, and my left eye was becoming +rapidly closed, by reason of the blow I had received when flung +across the cable tier. + +<p><p>Receiving no answer, the Captain repeated the question with +increased emphasis, stamping his foot violently on the deck. + +<p><p>I gave a rapid glance to windward. About a mile away I saw a line of +chalk cliffs, ending off in two remarkable pinnacles, and backed by +a lofty down, regular in outline and destitute of trees; while +astern lay the sand dunes that marked the entrance to Poole Harbour. +No other craft was in sight, so I concluded that, whatever else +might happen, I should not be put ashore. + +<p><p>"Captain Jeremy," I exclaimed, "don't you know who I am?" + +<p><p>"I don't know, and, what is more, I don't care." + +<p><p>"But you do, sir; I am Clifford Hammond." + +<p><p>Had a musket exploded under his very nose, the Captain would not +have jumped back more than he did. Then his eyes opened to their +fullest extent, and his jaw dropped till almost every tooth in his +head was revealed. Those of the crew who had formed the forlorn +group in the cave in Brockenhurst Heath gave a mingled shout and +cheer of welcome. + +<p><p>"Good heavens, lad!" exclaimed the Captain, when he had partly +recovered himself, "you here? Sink me! Come to my cabin." + +<p><p>He led the way to a low yet snug apartment in the stern of the +vessel, well lighted by the square ports I had before noticed, and +plainly but service ably furnished. A thick red carpet covered the +floor, and curtains of similar colour partially concealed a recess +that served as a sleeping bunk. A table, secured to the floor by two +light chains, occupied most of the available space, its polished top +being littered with charts and papers. Two muskets, a hanger, and a +brace of pistols were fixed in a rack, above which was a small +bookshelf. Against the side of the bulkhead stood a small portable +stove, but, the day being warm, it was unlighted. On either side of +the stove-pipe hung several nautical instruments, including a +quadrant, a telescope, and other gear; while below these, and in +fact in every angle of the cabin, were neatly contrived lockers. + +<p><p>This much I saw in a rapid glance, for Captain Jeremy seemed anxious +to speak his mind. + +<p><p>"You are a young rascal," said he, though in the same kindly manner +as of yore. "You've outwitted me, my lad, though I must confess I am +not altogether sorry. But now, look at the other side of the +business. Here you are, inexperienced in the hardships of a sailor's +life, about to engage in a hazardous enterprise that may last for +years. I am saddled with the responsibility of looking after you, +and this, in a measure, ties my hands." + +<p><p>"I'll try not to give you any trouble," I exclaimed. + +<p><p>"That I can quite understand; but trouble or no trouble, the +responsibility remains, d'ye see? However, least said, soonest +mended. Do your duty, my lad, for I'll warrant you'll not be kept +idle, and trust to One above to keep you when in danger and +adversity." + +<p><p>He opened the cabin door and called to a man, desiring him to tell +the cook to bring in some food. + +<p><p>"Meanwhile," he continued, "I'll look you out some suitable apparel, +and do you go for'ard, where you'll find a bucket of water. My +faith! You'll be all the better for a good wash." + +<p><p>I did as he ordered, and walking along the heaving deck between +groups of men, who stood respectfully aside for me to pass ('Enery +having explained that I was the son of one of the owners--not +knowing of my father's death), I gained the shelter of a canvas +screen underneath the fo'c'sle ladder. + +<p><p>Here I removed the thick deposit of soot and dirt, and having been +rinsed down by several buckets of water thrown over me by the seaman +who brought the promised garments, I proceeded to dress. + +<p><p>The clothes fitted me fairly well as far as my height went, for I +was almost full-grown in stature, but they were somewhat loose about +the body, yet comfortable withal; and on returning to Captain +Jeremy's cabin I found myself arrayed in serviceable breeches--baggy +at the knees, 'tis true--a grey flannel doublet, and a short coat +with slashed sleeves. Hat and stockings I was not as yet provided +with, neither did I require them; but on my feet I wore a pair of +pumps, or heelless shoes. + +<p><p>"Stow that away as fast as you can," said Captain Jeremy, pointing +to a tempting display of food placed at one end of the table. "And +don't forget to make the best of it, for the fresh stuff won't last +long, and you'll have to fall back on real seaman's fare--hard tack +and salt pork--before many days are over." + +<p><p>While I was ravenously devouring my food (for I was completely +famished), a seaman was busily engaged in fixing some planks round +the sides of one of the lockers I had previously noticed. + +<p><p>"He's knocking up a bunk for you," explained the kindly Captain. "I +think you'll be able to stretch out on it." + +<p><p>"But you don't mean me to sleep in your cabin, sir?" I exclaimed. +"I'm quite ready to sleep in a hammock, like the rest of the crew." + +<p><p>"That's part of my responsibility," he replied, shaking his finger +at me; "so there's an end on 't. Jeremy Miles has always prided +himself on being a man of his word, and sink me if I fail to carry +out this matter to the satisfaction of my principles." + +<p><p>Thus I found myself installed in the Captain's cabin of the brig +<i>Golden Hope</i>, which was more than I expected and more than I +deserved. + +<p><p>"Sixty men we carry," remarked the Captain. "None too many, but the +most we can reasonably afford. Most of them have been shipmates with +me in times past, and I'll warrant they'll be a tough nut for any +man to crack, be he Turk, Algerine, or buccaneer. It does my heart +good to see them do the cutlass drill, or man the ordnance. Our +master gunner, Master Silas Touchstone, has seen much service +'gainst the Dutch, and, forsooth, he's a tower of strength to the +brig. Would you could have seen them when we beat to quarters on our +way down channel." + +<p><p>"Were you attacked?" I asked eagerly. + +<p><p>"Nay, 'twas but practice, yet 'tis what we must accustom ourselves +to, for I doubt not that we shall smell powder in real earnest ere +we see Poole once again." + +<p><p>Just then 'Enery, who, I discovered, was the bos'n, knocked at the +cabin door and reported that the wind was freshening considerably, +whereat Captain Jeremy hastened on deck. + +<p><p>Having finished my meal, I bethought me that I ought to go on deck +also, and tying a scarf round my head in place of a hat, I ran up +the ladder and gained the poop. + +<p><p>The wind was howling through the rigging and driving the spray in +white showers across our weather bow, while ahead and as far to +larboard as the eye could reach regular combers, with crested tops, +showed how the surface of the sea had changed during the last hour. + +<p><p>On our starboard hand a wide expanse of milk-white foam betokened +the presence of the dreaded Race of Portland, the bluff headland +that gives it its name being plainly visible over our lee bow. + +<p><p>Beyond the heights of Portland the sun was setting in a pale, watery +sky, which was fast becoming obscured by rapidly drifting grey +patches of ragged clouds--a sure sign of bad weather. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy neglected no precautions to ensure the safety of his +vessel. The fore and main topsails were close-reefed, the storm +stay-sails and jib set, and the guns, boats, and hatches properly +secured. + +<p><p>"You had best turn in," he shouted, his lusty voice barely audible +above the shrieking of the wind. "We'll be in the thick of it before +long." + +<p><p>Tired out with my exertions and lack of sleep during my night's +journey, I retired to the cabin, and, in spite of the incessant +rolling and pitching of the vessel, and the thunder of the waves as +they poured over her bows, I fell into a deep slumber. + +<p><p>How long I slept I had no idea till I was roughly wakened by 'Enery +shaking my shoulder and exclaiming: "'Tis three bells [9.30 a.m.], +Master Hammond. You'd best come on deck, for there's a strange sail +bearing down on us." + +<p><p>"What is it?" I asked. "Is it a pirate?" + +<p><p>"That I know not; 'tis, I fear, no law-abiding craft, and if we come +to close action every man jack'll have his work to do." + +<p><p>By this time I had sprung out of my bunk, and was making for the +deck. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter12"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">A Brush with Algerines</h5> + +<p><p> +The wind, which had veered in the night and was now nearly dead +astern, had moderated in force considerably, and although 'twas +raining I could just distinguish a range of cliffs on our starboard +hand, ending in a lofty headland with a sheer fall into the sea. + +<p><p>But the cause of the commotion on board was the presence of a long, +narrow craft that was bowling along barely two miles off our +larboard quarter. She had a lofty fo'c'sle and poop, with a low +waist, her rig consisting of two raking masts, from the slanting +yards of which bellied closely reefed, loose-footed triangular +sails. She flew no colours, but from the foremast head a long +streamer stood out as rigid as a spar. + +<p><p>"They mean mischief," said Captain Jeremy to the master gunner, who, +having called the guns' crews to their stations, had come off to +confer with him. + +<p><p>"'Tis strange enow," replied Master Touchstone, "seeing that we are +at peace with the French, the Hollanders, and the Spaniards. What +think you she is?" + +<p><p>"An Algerine,[1] judging from the cut of her rig," replied Captain +Jeremy, "though I scarce thought to meet one of those rascally +rovers so close to the English shores. It seems as if Admiral Robert +Blake--who upheld the honour of England on the high seas, even +though he were a stout rebel--has taught them but half a lesson." + +<p><p>"Report says that last October two of their galleys captured the +<i>Sea Dog</i>, of Padstow, within sight of the Lizard," observed the +master gunner. "Seven stout Cornish fishermen are even now slaving +in their pirate dens, for aught I know to the contrary." + +<p><p>"They'll not carry the <i>Golden Hope</i>, Master Touchstone," replied +Captain Jeremy resolutely. "Your preparations are complete, I take +it." + +<p><p>"Aye, aye. Four guns abroadside are loaded to the muzzle with musket +bullets, four of the others with iron balls, and one with bar shot. +'Twill make a fine present for yon craft, if she be in a mind to +take it." + +<p><p>From where I stood at the head of the poop ladder I could command a +clear view of the brig's deck. The guns, with powder and ball ready +to hand, were as yet still run in, for with the heavy sea that was +raging 'twas unwise to trice up the ports until the actual time to +open fire, and we were thus also able to deceive the stranger, who +doubtless took us for a merchantman. Had our ports been open and our +line of gunning ordnance showing, the Algerine--for such she proved +to be--might have shirked a conflict; but Captain Jeremy's blood was +up, and he swore that he'd give the rascally sea-rovers a lesson +that they would not be likely to forget. + +<p><p>Our crew--for most of them had smelt powder before, having served in +the Dutch wars--maintained perfect discipline, keeping well out of +sight; yet they stood grasping tackles and handspikes, ready at the +signal to run out their guns and deliver a crashing broadside. + +<p><p>"They do not fear to press her," observed the master gunner, "though +they do not seek to gain the weather gauge. Think you that they'll +dare to board, sir?" + +<p><p>"With this sea running? Aye, they'll try to run under our lee and +throw a score of their ruffianly crew aboard us. And were we a +peaceful trading craft they'd do it, though the sea were twice as +high. Smart helmsmen most of those rascals are. I call to mind a +Spanish captain I met in Cadiz nine years agone, who told me how his +vessel, a xebec, was carried by an Algerine ship in this fashion, +and in a heavy Levanter, to boot. But now, Master Touchstone, to +your station!" + +<p><p>The Algerine was now but a few hundred yards astern, the foam flying +from her sharp bows as they cleft the water. She had put up her helm +and was bearing down on our lee quarter, doubtless to board in the +manner that Captain Jeremy had predicted. + +<p><p>Observing that those of the crew who were not at the guns had armed +themselves with musket or pistol, I took hold of a musket. Thanks to +my forest training, I was well accustomed to handle a gun, being +reckoned a tolerable shot, though on board the <i>Golden Hope</i> the +motion of the ship put me at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, lying +down on the poop, where a score of musketeers had already taken up a +like position, I awaited the opening of the engagement, though I +must confess the prospect of being under fire did not seem so +welcome as it had in the security of my own home, where I used to +hear the tales of glorious sea fights. + +<p><p>The sight of Captain Jeremy helped to reassure me. He was standing a +short distance from the helmsman, his feet set widely apart and his +shoulders braced up, with the air of a man who knows how to keep +calm and resolute in the time of danger. Alternately glancing at the +tightly drawing sails and the hostile ship astern, he directed the +brig's course by a gentle motion of his hand, a signal that the +quick-witted quartermaster knew how to obey. + +<p><p>"Stand by the weather after braces," the Captain shouted, and in +response to the order the men rushed to man the ropes that served to +trim the sails. + +<p><p>"Are you ready, master gunner?" + +<p><p>"Aye, aye, sir." + +<p><p>The Algerine was now barely one hundred yards astern, having +achieved her object of getting to lee'ard of us. I could see her +lofty fo'c'sle crowded with men--brown, black, aye, and even white +faces, for renegades were to be found in the service of the +infidels. Some of the crew wore turbans and flowing robes, others a +kind-of hooded garment that reached to the knees; but the majority +were naked from the waist upwards. With scimitar, spear, pistol, and +musket they crowded ready for a spring upon our decks, while they +rent the air with shouts of defiance and rage, which were borne to +our ears by the wind. + +<p><p>"Ready all! Ease the helm down!" + +<p><p>The <i>Golden Hope</i> gave a swift, and graceful turn, so that she +exposed the whole of her larboard broadside to her enemy. Then, as +the Algerine likewise put her helm down to avoid a collision that +would doubtless have proved fatal to both craft, nine of our +vessel's guns were run out, and a crashing volley was poured into +our entrapped foe. + +<p><p>When the smoke had cleared away I saw a sight that I shall never +forget. The fo'c'sle, swept by a hail of bullets, was covered by a +writhing mass of dead and wounded men; her bows were beaten in by +the solid shot; while her foremast, cut off about six feet from the +deck, had fallen to lee'ard, bringing with it the heavy lateen yard +and sail, and crushing in its descent several of the crew who were +in the waist. + +<p><p>Owing to the high seas that were running, the Algerine had been +unable to use her oars; but the luckless slaves, chained to their +benches, did not escape the hail of shot, much as we should have +wished otherwise. + +<p><p>Amidst the clamour of shrieks, groans, and maledictions, for the +havoc our broadside had caused was immense, two white men sprang +over the side of the Algerine and began to swim in our direction. + +<p><p>"There are some slaves escaping," shouted one of our seamen from the +fo'c'sle. + +<p><p>"Where away?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"Dead astern, sir." + +<p><p>"Then 'bout ship. I'll do my best to pick them up. Yon rascals will +give us no more trouble." + +<p><p>'Twas no easy task, for by the time the <i>Golden Hope's</i> bow was +pointed towards the spot where two heads could be discerned as they +rose upon the crest of a wave, we were nearly a quarter of a mile +away, while the disabled Algerine, drifting bodily with the wind and +falling broadside on to the breakers, was doomed to a terrible fate +on the rock-bound coast. + +<p><p>To get the two poor fugitives on board seemed impossible, for no +boat could live in such a sea. Even our guns' crews were at times +working up to the knees in water as they strove to secure their +guns, now that they were no longer required. But by means of a line +attached to a barrico and veered out to lee'ard, one of the men was +hauled up over the brig's side. The second slave was not so +fortunate. He must have been wounded, for he was seen to be swimming +very feebly; and ere the line came within his grasp he sank, in +spite of a gallant effort on the part of his companion to save him. + +<p><p>Meanwhile the <i>Golden Hope</i> was put on her former course, or nearly +so, for in the pursuit and action--though the latter lasted but a +minute at the outside--we had drifted to within a dangerous distance +of the shore, where the surf was licking the face of the frowning +cliff towards which the Algerine was rapidly being carried. + +<p><p>We could clearly discern the last of the villainous but unfortunate +vessel. With her foremast shot away she was helpless, in spite of +frantic efforts to row her seaward. As fast as the heavy sweeps were +shipped they were shattered by the irresistible force of the waves, +till, midst a turmoil of foam, the doomed ship struck the cliff. + +<p><p>"The Deadman[2] has claimed another toll," shouted Captain Jeremy in +my ear. "Yon's one of the worst parts of the Cornish coast, and +should a single man of her crew reach the land, he'll meet with +short shrift at the hands of the wreckers and smugglers." + +<p><p>I had escaped my first experience of being under fire, somewhat to +my regret, now that the affair was over, for I had a presentiment +that 'twas but putting off the evil day. Yet I had gained some +knowledge of how Englishmen behave in times of danger, and that +knowledge was of no mean value. + +<p><p>Four hours later the <i>Golden Hope</i> rounded the Lizard, and in a now +rapidly subsiding sea entered the vast expanse of the Atlantic +Ocean. + +<p><p>Well before sunset I saw the lofty cliffs disappear beneath the +horizon, and that was my last sight of Old England for many a long +day. + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] During the seventeenth and even well into the eighteenth century +occasional raids by Algerine corsairs upon the shipping in the +Channel were reported. In the <i>Naval Chronicle</i> for 1807 a letter +from one naval officer to another is given, under date of 1743. He +describes the wreck of a disabled Algerine off Land's End, pouring +out a whole torrent of abusive sarcasm upon the authorities of +Falmouth for sending "pork to feed the Mussulmans, being contrary to +their religion". +</font> +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[2] The Dodman, a precipitous headland on the South Cornish coast, +between Fowey and Falmouth, is even now familiarly named "The +Deadman" by seamen. The most notable wrecks there in recent years +were those of the <i>Thresher</i> and the <i>Lynx</i> in 1897. +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter13"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Of the Mysterious Ship in the Midst of the Ocean</h5> + +<p><p> +Next morning when I came on deck I saw the man we had rescued from +the Algerine vessel. He was lying on a rough couch under the lee of +a cannonade, being too weak to stand. He had received a pistol shot +in the left arm, so that his escape was all the more to be wondered +at, although he asserted that while swimming for his life he knew +nothing of the matter. + +<p><p>He was a man of gigantic stature, broad in frame, and with muscles +that stood out beneath his tanned skin like knots on the trunk of a +forest oak. All this I saw in spite of his distressed condition, and +should he recover, which seemed likely enough, he promised to make a +welcome addition to our crew. + +<p><p>His name was Joe Clemens, and he hailed from East Looe, a small +fishing village in Cornwall somewhere betwixt Plymouth and Fowey, so +that when we picked him up he was almost within sight of his native +place. He had been the mate of the <i>Surprise</i>, armed trader, which +had been cast ashore on the Barbary coast, all her crew being +carried into captivity. + +<p><p>He was the only Englishman on board the Algerine galley; and had +laboured at the oar for nearly three years, sleeping and working at +the rowers' bench, to which he was shackled by a chain passed round +his middle. + +<p><p>Our broadside severed the chain, and seizing the opportunity he +sprang overboard, followed by a fellow-slave, a Sardinian. As he +leapt over an Algerine discharged a pistol at him, wounding him in +the arm; but such was his strength and determination that, although +wearing part of the heavy chain and bleeding profusely, he managed +to swim strongly till picked up. His companion had sunk, as I have +already related. + +<p><p>For the next few days nothing happened beyond the ordinary routine +on board; but on the morning of the fifth day at sea I happened to +notice a man who must have previously kept out of my way. His face +was partially hidden by a short, stubbly beard, in spite of which I +felt certain 'twas the same man that had vied with my father in +bidding for Captain Jeremy's picture. + +<p><p>Concealing my agitation, I sought the Captain and communicated my +suspicions. + +<p><p>"Wrong again, lad," he replied. "'Tis Ned Slater, an old shipmate of +mine who has fallen on evil times. Out of charity I shipped him +aboard the <i>Golden Hope</i>." + +<p><p>"The same old shipmate who bought a dagger in Lisbon?" + +<p><p>"Aye, Master Clifford----" + +<p><p>"But, sir, you described him as being as thin as a handspike." + +<p><p>"So I did, lad; but he has filled out since then. 'Twas a score of +years ago at least. But rest easy in your mind concerning him, for +he has been to the Indies for the last four years, and only landed +in Chatham a month ago, the sole survivor of the barque +<i>Enterprise</i>. I know that, for I saw his papers." + +<p><p>With that there was no more to be said; yet, though I might be +mistaken, I resolved to keep a close watch on the movements of +Master Ned Slater. + +<p><p>Favourable winds bore the <i>Golden Hope</i> to the Azores, where I had +my first impression of foreign parts. Then, after a three days' +stay, we shaped a course for the Bermudas; but, owing to constant +head winds, Captain Jeremy decided to run south, so as to pick up +the north-east Trades. + +<p><p>For several days we sailed over a vast expanse of ocean, with never +a sail to break the regular skyline. The days, too, were rapidly +becoming hotter, while the hours of daylight appreciably diminished, +though the nights were warm and balmy, so that keeping a watch on +deck was robbed of all discomfort. + +<p><p>At length one morning the sun rose red and fiery, betokening a +change in the weather; and barely was it clear of the horizon when +the cry was heard, "Sail, ho!" + +<p><p>"Whither away?" asked Captain Jeremy, as he ascended the poop, glass +in hand. + +<p><p>"A point off our starboard bow, sir," replied the seaman who had +picked up this craft. + +<p><p>With the naked eye we could distinguish the topsails and t'gallants +of a brig, the hull being still below the horizon. Captain Jeremy +clapped the glass to his eye and examined her intently. + +<p><p>"What's amiss with her?" he exclaimed. "She's hove-to." + +<p><p>"Perhaps she has sighted us, and wishes to communicate," suggested +Touchstone. + +<p><p>"Or else she's a buccaneer," added 'Enery, as he swung himself into +the main shrouds in order to get a better view from the topmast +head. + +<p><p>"We are out of the regular cruising ground of those gentlemen," +remarked Captain Jeremy. "But 'tis no saying what she may prove to +be. Master Touchstone, will you see that the arms are served out?" + +<p><p>Two hours later, for the wind was still light, we were within a mile +of the strange brig. She was a vessel very similar to the <i>Golden +Hope</i> in design, but with what a difference in appearance! + +<p><p>She was still hove-to, moving very slowly through the water. Her +yards were badly squared, while her running gear seemed to be in a +state of neglect, several of the sheets and braces trailing over the +side. She carried four guns abroadside, and these were run out in +apparent preparation to ward off an attack; while her decks were +crowded with men. + +<p><p>"What do they think to do?" asked the master gunner. "'Tis certain +they have no stomach for a fight, or else they would keep way on +her." + +<p><p>"If they do not pay heed to their t'gallants they are lost men," +said Captain Miles. "See, already the sky is overcast to windward. +Yet it may be but a trick, so stand to your guns, men." + +<p><p>In obedience to a further order, the red cross of St. George was +shown from our foremast truck, for the course our vessel was taking +prevented the ensign at the peak being seen by the stranger. + +<p><p>No ensign was hoisted in reply, and in perfect silence the others +awaited our approach. + +<p><p>"What ship is that?" hailed Captain Jeremy through his speaking +trumpet. There was still no answer, although the <i>Golden Hope</i> was +passing within fifty yards of the stranger's bows. The hail was +repeated, and to our surprise a lusty voice shouted: + +<p><p>"Can yew give we a hand wi' this boat ov ourn, zurr?" + +<p><p>"If that isn't a Zummerset or Devon yokel, sink me for a +landlubber!" remarked Captain Jeremy; and almost at the same moment +'Enery, who had descended to the main top, shouted, "Bless me, +Cap'n, if it ain't Garge Oddicombe." + +<p><p>"Aye, aye, we'll send a boat," replied Captain Jeremy to the other's +request; and in a very short space of time twenty men, with 'Enery +in charge, were making-towards the forlorn brig, I having obtained +permission to accompany them. + +<p><p>"Look sharp!" shouted our Captain as the boat shoved off. "Make all +snug alow and aloft, and keep us in company." + +<p><p>A strange sight met our eyes as we gained the deck of the brig, +which, by the name painted on her stern, we now knew to be the +<i>Neptune</i> of Topsham. + +<p><p>The confusion on deck was in accordance with the disorder aloft. +Ropes, gun tackles, broken casks and planks, and torn canvas were +lying about in the utmost disorder; while some hundred men, +grotesquely dressed in motley costumes, gazed at us with mingled +expressions of relief, curiosity, and fear. Many still wore the +smocks of their native Somerset and Devon, but gone was the healthy +hue of a country life. Haggard faces, unkempt hair, and beards +showed that these sons of the soil had had a trying time on +shipboard. + +<p><p>Without waiting to question this mixed crew, some of whom recognized +our men as comrades on the fatal field of Sedgemoor, 'Enery took +steps to ensure the safety of the brig, for the wind was piping up +in long-drawn moans, the forerunners of the expected gale; and by +the time everything was snugged down the sea was too high to permit +the boat to return to the <i>Golden Hope</i> for further orders. + +<p><p>Under easy canvas both brigs scudded before the gale, and, thanks to +'Enery's management, and the fact that the <i>Neptune</i> was a seaworthy +craft, we had no fears as to her ability to make good weather of it. + +<p><p>All night we kept the <i>Golden Hope's</i> poop lanterns in view, both +vessels being of about the same turn of speed; nor was it possible +to return to our own craft until late in the afternoon of the +following day. + +<p><p>Nevertheless, long before that time we were acquainted with the +facts that led up to our meeting with the <i>Neptune</i>, and a ghastly +story it was. + +<p><p>The <i>Neptune</i>, commanded by Captain Jonas Wright, had left the port +of Topsham on the tenth of September, with a living cargo consisting +of one hundred and twenty poor peasants whom the inhuman Judge +Jeffreys had condemned at Exeter Assizes to a lifelong slavery in +Jamaica. + +<p><p>This Captain Jonas Wright was a harsh, tyrannical man, who, far from +alleviating the miseries of his prisoners, had added to their hard +lot, keeping them on low rations of nauseating food, and only +allowing them to come on deck for fresh air at very long intervals, +while he took a savage delight in bestowing the dreaded "cat" +whenever an opportunity occurred. Frequently, through sheer love of +cruelty, he would invent some pretext for whipping the manacled +prisoners, shouting in drunken glee at their appeals for mercy. + +<p><p>At length George Oddicombe, a man of enormous strength, but withal +somewhat dull of understanding, who had fought stubbornly at Sedge +moor till ridden down by the Royals, contrived to free himself from +his gyves and leg irons, and by working heroically for six hours +also managed to release most of his luckless comrades, who in turn +devoted their energies to knocking off the fetters of the remaining +rebels. + +<p><p>That same night, the captain being in drink, as were most of the +seamen, a horde of fierce and resolute peasants poured through the +hatchway and overpowered the crew. What happened to their erstwhile +captors we did not ask, there being little need to imagine their +fate. + +<p><p>Although freed from their oppressors, the ignorant yokels found +themselves helpless, for the brig soon got in irons[1]. Unable to +manoeuvre her, they had slowly drifted in a vessel which, but for +our aid, would ere now be lying on the bed of the Atlantic. + +<p><p>Directly the wind moderated sufficiently, 'Enery and I returned to +the <i>Golden Hope</i>, leaving seven of our men still on board the +<i>Neptune</i>. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy listened intently to the bos'n's report, his brow +frequently puckering as if with the perplexity of the situation; but +when at length 'Enery finished his story, the Captain brought his +hand down on the cabin table with a tremendous crash. + +<p><p>"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I'll risk it. Bring Oddicombe on board." + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] A vessel is said to be "in irons" when she is head to wind, and +will not tall off on either tack. +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter14"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">"Captain 'Enery"</h5> + +<p><p> +While the boat was away on its errand Captain Jeremy turned to me. + +<p><p>"You see, Master Clifford, that I am in a very awkward position. As +master of this vessel I look upon mutiny and similar uprisings +against authority as an offence of the blackest dye. 'Tis certain +that Master Oddicombe and his following have dealt hardly with the +captain of the <i>Neptune</i> and his crew, and for that they deserve to +be delivered up to justice at the first English settlement we touch. +On the other hand, they were fighting for their liberty 'gainst a +tyrant, while, to go farther, they fought side by side with us under +Monmouth's banner. But for the workings of Providence, I and a score +of my men now on board this vessel would have been similarly dealt +with. Had we been in their place, how should we have acted, had the +means of regaining our freedom been opened to us?" + +<p><p>"Same as they, Cap'n," exclaimed 'Enery, who, with Touchstone and +myself, formed a little council in the cabin. + +<p><p>"I did but sound your inclinations," continued Captain Jeremy. "Sink +me! I cannot blame them. But now, by the laws of the sea, the +<i>Neptune</i> is in our keeping till we bring her into a port, when the +Admiralty courts shall decide our share of the salvage. But if we do +that, what is to become of the yokels that are on board? Nay, that +will not serve." + +<p><p>"We could do with another ship and a sprinkling of fighting men," +observed the master gunner tentatively. + +<p><p>"You have spoken mine own mind," rejoined Captain Jeremy. "If we can +but make yon peasants see that therein lies the best chance of +safety, I'll tranship half of them, and send thirty of our men under +you, bos'n, to work the leavening of the rest. I know these men. +They are full of fight, and only need a stiffening of good seamen to +turn them into a passable crew." + +<p><p>"Then you expect we shall have opposition, sir?" I asked. "From +whom?" + +<p><p>"From the buccaneers, unless I be greatly mistaken. With the <i>Golden +Hope</i> alone 'twould be necessary to avoid an engagement should these +rogues think fit to molest us, for they swarm all over the Caribbean +Sea; but with a consort like the <i>Neptune</i> we can hold our own. Is +she a seaworthy craft?" + +<p><p>"As sweet a craft as I could wish for--saving our own," replied +'Enery. + +<p><p>"And well found?" + +<p><p>"Both in stores and munitions of war, though I have not made a full +search. Eight twelvepounders and an eighteen on her fo'c'sle, and a +goodly store of muskets, cutlasses, and pikes, to say naught of a +stock of bilboes." + +<p><p>"And water?" + +<p><p>"Enough and to spare." + +<p><p>"Excellent!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "But here is the boat +alongside. We'll hear what Master Oddicombe hath to say to our +proposals." + +<p><p>Master Oddicombe needed but little persuasion to fall in with +Captain Jeremy's suggestions. He realized only too well that his +bold step in taking possession of the <i>Neptune</i> brought the greater +chance of difficulties and dangers; and that, had they been +overhauled by a King's ship, every man would assuredly have graced a +halter. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy next proceeded to explain the mission of the <i>Golden +Hope</i>, and our expectation of securing a vast treasure. + +<p><p>"Although I can offer you no share in the matter," he continued, "I +shall require you and your companions to pledge yourselves to serve +us faithfully for the space of not more than two years. At the end +of that time, or before, should we attain the object of our search, +I'll warrant your safe discharge at some settlement, where you will +be free men. More than that, should we be able, by the united work +of both vessels, to capture any buccaneering craft who think to +molest us, their cargoes will be equally divided betwixt all hands. +So if you and your men are willing to serve us faithfully, and +engage in an enterprise of adventure and profit, now is the chance +of that and your freedom." + +<p><p>Nothing loath, Master Oddicombe gave the required promise on behalf +of his men, and the compact having been sealed over a bottle of +Madeira, we all repaired on deck, where Captain Jeremy gave orders +for our crew to assemble. + +<p><p>"My lads," said he, "You know I'm a bluff sailor and not given to +making speeches, so I come straight to the point. Yon brig is now +our consort. Together we'll make a match for any buccaneer that +dares to assail us. You need not fear that your shares in the +expedition will be lessened by our increased numbers--if anything, +you stand to gain. I hope you'll welcome your new messmates. Some of +you will greet them as old companions on the battlefield. That's all +I'm going to say. Now, thirty men are wanted to serve aboard the +<i>Neptune</i> under Captain 'Enery." Here our former bos'n almost lost +his balance, at the shock of hearing his new title. "Seven of our +men are already aboard her," continued Captain Jeremy, with a sweep +of his arm in the direction of the <i>Neptune</i>, which, like the +<i>Golden Hope</i>, had been hove-to during the last hour or so. "Those +willing to serve under Captain 'Enery will muster on the larboard +side." + +<p><p>To my surprise, not a man crossed over to the larboard, but with one +accord all stepped briskly and resolutely to the starboard side. + +<p><p>"What's this I see?" shouted Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"Do you want to cruise single-handed? Are you afraid that, against +my word, your shares will go down? Do I scent mutiny aboard the +<i>Golden Hope</i>? Bestir yourselves, my hearties!" + +<p><p>"'Tain't neither, Cap'n," replied one of the men, Tom Cherry by +name. He had been one of the Captain's comrades in the cave, and was +a stanch, honest fellow. "We'll all go if you gives the word, but we +don't want you to think as 'ow we wants to leave you." + +<p><p>"You won't be leaving me; it's the <i>Golden Hope</i> you're leaving, to +join a consort under my orders. I thank you all for your expression +of loyalty, but as some of you must ship aboard the <i>Neptune</i> we'll +leave it to chance. Master Touchstone, do you draw the men into two +ranks." + +<p><p>Thereupon the crew took up their position, fifty-one all told, for +Captain 'Enery and the master gunner were, with Captain Miles and me +on the poop. + +<p><p>"Down you go, Master Clifford, and pick out a man at random," said +our Captain; and, descending the poop ladder, I walked between two +rows of as fine a set of men as ever served afloat. + +<p><p>"Fall out, you," ordered Captain Jeremy, as I touched a smart +lower-yard man on the shoulder. + +<p><p>"Now, count out every seventh man." + +<p><p>"There you are, Captain 'Enery," he continued, when the counting out +was completed; "a proper crew for you, and no favouritism. I trust +they'll do you credit. Now, lads, there's no time to be lost, so +dismiss and pack up your traps." + +<p><p>With this there was a wild skelter, as the men dived into the +forepeak to gather together their personal property; and a quarter +of an hour later the backbone of the <i>Neptune's</i> crew rowed off to +our consort. + +<p><p>An hour or more elapsed ere the sixty peasants were brought on board +the <i>Golden Hope</i>, for Captain 'Enery, with considerable tact, had +allowed them to settle amongst themselves who should stay and who +were to go. Thus there was no separation of relations or +friends--for, poor fellows, they had had enough of that when they +left England--and each band of yokels had the satisfaction of +finding themselves made up of practically the manhood of their +respective villages. + +<p><p>Our westward course was now resumed, the two vessels keeping their +stations with commendable precision, the <i>Golden Hope</i> leading at +about a cable's length from the <i>Neptune's</i> larboard bow. + +<p><p>From early morn to late afternoon, day after day, the new arrivals +were trained in the use of arms, manning the guns under Master +Touchstone's supervision, and going through the musketry exercises +and the cuts and guards of the cutlass drill. It was not long before +their smocks and other homely garments had given place to clothes of +a nautical cut, while each day added to their transformation into +stout-hearted British seamen. + +<p><p>Nor were the conditions under which the crew of the <i>Neptune</i> lived +less strenuous. Although we were unable to go aboard her, for the +Trades blew steadily during this time, and both vessels kept up a +good eight knots, I could see by the aid of a glass that her men +were hard at work with their ordnance and small arms; while it +seemed that Captain 'Enery rarely quitted his quarter-deck. Whenever +I chanced to look that way I could distinguish his tall, gaunt, +bearded figure slowly pacing his domain; and I realized that, should +we ever find ourselves in a tight fix, we should have reason to be +thankful for the aid of Captain 'Enery. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter15"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">We Arrive at Treasure Island</h5> + +<p><p> +"Land ahead!" + +<p><p>Such was the welcome cry that greeted my ears as I awoke on the +morning of our thirty-eighth day afloat. + +<p><p>Hastily throwing on my clothes, I rushed on deck to view the land of +promise. We were approaching the Lesser Antilles, and ahead the +lofty, wooded slopes of an extensive island were slowly coming into +sight, while north and south the peaks of other islands showed their +heads above the horizon, for the weather was particularly clear, the +hour being just after sunrise. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy was already up and about, and was holding the chart +in his hand, for we were on the point of passing over shoal water, +though no rocks reared their heads above the sea. + +<p><p>The leadsman was in the chains, his voice being heard with +monotonous regularity--"By the mark five"[1]; and the anchor was +already uncatted and hung ready to let go at the first sign of +danger. + +<p><p>Astern the <i>Neptune</i> was wallowing slowly in our wake, under reduced +canvas. + +<p><p>Gradually the island loomed nearer and nearer, till we could +distinguish a saddle-shaped hill, covered with dense vegetation, +descending steeply on its northern face, while its southern portion +seemed to end in a long, flat plain. At first sight there appeared +no break in the encircling ridge of white sand 'gainst which the +breakers flung themselves in cascades of milk-white foam, the noise +of which was borne to our ears like the distant roll of drums. + +<p><p>"By the deep four," shouted the leadsman. + +<p><p>"Carry on," said Captain Jeremy calmly, though by his manner I knew +'twould be hazardous to question him. "Another man in the chains!" + +<p><p>"A quarter less four." The water was shoaling rapidly. + +<p><p>Still our Captain gave no sign to alter the brig's course, although +an ominous pale green patch ahead and several others of a dark brown +hue on either side of us betokened the presence of dangerous +sandbanks and rocks. His eyes were intently fixed on a rocky +pinnacle which was slowly coming into line with a distant island. + +<p><p>"Hard a larboard!" + +<p><p>Round swept the <i>Golden Hope</i>, heeling over to the beam wind as it +caught her retrimmed sails. We were now shaping a course parallel to +the eastern side of the island, while the <i>Neptune</i>, turning in our +wake, had also succeeded in negotiating the unseen channel. + +<p><p>"Keep her as she goes, quartermaster," ordered Captain Jeremy, who +was now devoting his attention to some secret bearings on the shore. + +<p><p>"By the mark thirteen," sang out the leadsman, while almost directly +afterwards his companion gave the cry, "And a half six." + +<p><p>"Starboard your helm." + +<p><p>Once more the <i>Golden Hope</i> swung round till she lay on her former +course and was pointing straight for the island. Right ahead I could +now see a deep bay, or rather gulf, protected by a ridge of jagged +rocks running obliquely seaward from either horn of the land. Even +here the rollers ran high, but they lacked the broken crest that +elsewhere marked an almost continuous submerged reef. + +<p><p>Away aloft sprang the men to reduce still further our spread of +canvas. With a succession of heavy lurches the <i>Golden Hope</i> crossed +the bar and entered the land-locked harbour. + +<p><p>"Let go," shouted Captain Jeremy, laying down his glass with a sigh +of relief and wiping his heated brow. + +<p><p>With a sullen splash the anchor plunged beneath the waves, the stout +hempen cable flew through the hawse-pipe, and the <i>Golden Hope</i> +brought up head to wind in the sheltered anchorage of Treasure +Island. + +<p><p>The <i>Neptune</i>, smartly handled, also dropped anchor half a cable's +length nearer inshore, and steps were immediately taken to moor both +vessels, a massive chain bridle and swivel being bent on to the +cables to prevent undue chafing, and also to facilitate matters +should we be compelled to slip in a hurry. + +<p><p>The waters of this little harbour were so clear that the bed of the +sea could be distinctly seen at a depth of five fathoms. The <i>Golden +Hope</i> was lying immediately over a white sandy 'patch, though both +her anchors were embedded in blue mud, which formed an excellent +holding-ground. + +<p><p>It being too late in the day to land, for mooring and "snugging +down" had taken up a considerable time, all hands were allowed to +stand easy. Many of the men took advantage of this permission to +bathe, and a strange sight it was to see a constant stream of seamen +running along our fore-yard and diving thence into the sea. + +<p><p>For my part, I could not bring myself to attempt a plunge from that +dizzy height, but contented myself with diving off the catheads; yet +before many days had passed I conquered my fears and essayed the +leap, for which I had reason to be thankful ere the cruise of the +<i>Golden Hope</i> was over. + +<p><p>A sharp look-out was kept in case the swimmers were attacked by +sharks, but we were not molested by these monsters. On our voyage we +had frequently come across them, and they would follow the ship for +days; but on our crossing the bar they deserted us. Possibly the +roar of the surf had frightened them, and we were not sorry to lose +their unwelcome attentions. + +<p><p>Next day the boats were ordered away to sound the bay and the bar +without. The weather was exceedingly hot, and even when sheltered +beneath canvas awnings the heat was oppressive. Yet ere nightfall +the soundings were taken, with sufficient exactness to assure +ourselves that no hidden danger lay within the entrance to our +harbour, while the wreck of the Spanish caravel was discovered lying +close to the northernmost arm of the reef in eleven fathoms of +water. + +<p><p>I could trace her rounded sides and lofty poop and fo'c'sle, even +though the timbers were covered with weeds. She was lying almost on +an even keel, though with a slight list to starboard, her bows +pointing obliquely to the shore. Had she been a few hundred yards to +the south'ard she must assuredly have made the harbour in safety, +and then there would have been no need for our presence off the +island. + +<p><p>"It was commonly supposed," said Captain Jeremy to me, "that the +whole of the crew of the caravel perished in the wreck, but I can +prove that such was not the case. When she struck she remained above +water some time--possibly for weeks--and the survivors removed the +treasure to a safe hiding-place in the hills. How they fared you +shall see. With the next heavy gale the <i>Madre</i> slipped off the +rocks and settled in deep water, where we now see her. This accounts +for the treasure not being found by anyone but myself. Now we'll +return to the <i>Golden Hope</i>, for 'tis nearly sunset." + +<p><p>That night extra watches were set on both ships, for we knew not +whether the island was inhabited or otherwise, while at any time +some buccaneering craft might attempt to surprise us as we lay at +anchor. But nothing untoward occurred to, disturb our slumbers, +although the change from the constant heave of the ocean to the +motionless calm within this sheltered harbour caused me to lie awake +on my back for several hours. + +<p><p>A thousand thoughts passed through my brain. Here we were off +Treasure Island, but would our quest be successful? What was my +uncle doing? Had he guessed the reason of my flight? or did he think +that I had come to some untimely ending? If the latter, what would +he do with my home in far-off Brockenhurst? And Constance--how was +she faring? Then I recalled the incidents that led to my presence on +board the <i>Golden Hope</i>. I pictured again the struggle with the two +dragoons on the Lyndhurst Road, the fatal night when my father was +foully slain, the underground refuge, my midnight flight and +subsequent discomforts in the hold. Once more I saw the Algerine +crumple up under our broadside, and pictured the boarding of the +<i>Neptune</i>. These and a chain of other incidents I recalled, till +just before dawn I fell asleep. + +<p><p>Yet during the short interval while I slept occurred the first of a +series of incidents that led to the direst misfortunes which befel +our enterprise. + +<p><p> +<font size="1"> +[1] This refers to the sounding in fathoms as shown by the leadline. +This line is "marked" at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 fathoms +by distinctive strips of calico, bunting, leather, &c. The +intervening depths are not "marked", and are called "deeps". +</font> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter16"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">A Hasty Recall</h5> + +<p><p> +At sunrise all hands were piped on deck, for much had to be done ere +the rays of the tropical sun became too strong for us to work. The +boats were hoisted out and the hatches removed, and a portion of the +stores was placed on deck ready to be transported on shore. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy had decided, to avoid difficulty and the loss of time +caused by going ashore and returning by the boats every day, to land +most of the stores and gear required for our expedition--that is, +should the island prove to be uninhabited--and to erect a stockaded +storehouse and quarters. + +<p><p>This arrangement would also benefit the health of the crews of both +vessels, for in their somewhat overcrowded state the greatest care +had to be exercised to ward off an epidemic of scurvy. + +<p><p>Accordingly, fifty men, armed to the teeth, were ordered away in the +boats under the command of the master gunner, for Captain Jeremy had +decided not to explore the interior of the island, where the +treasure was supposed to be hidden, until a secure base of +operations was in existence. + +<p><p>Before the landing party went over the ship's side Captain Jeremy +called me into his cabin. + +<p><p>"Master Clifford," said he, "dost call to mind when you last saw the +chart of the island? I remember having it in my hand as we worked +our way into the harbour, but, strange to admit, I have no further +recollection of it." + +<p><p>"'Twas left in yonder rack," I replied, pointing to where I had last +seen the chart. "I remember that perfectly." + +<p><p>"Then it hath been filched," he said, "filched while we slept. Well, +well, may it do the thief all the good he deserves! He, or the +thieves, will not be able to find the treasure by its aid, though +'tis important should anyone but myself attempt to steer the <i>Golden +Hope</i> between the shoals. I must, therefore, explain the leading +marks to Captain 'Enery and our quartermaster, for some mishap might +occur to render me helpless. Do not say a word concerning this +matter to anyone, Master Clifford. 'Tis best to keep such +disquieting knowledge to ourselves; but, nevertheless, I'll have my +weather eye open, and at the first sign of treachery or mutiny I'll +give the culprits cause to remember Captain Jeremy Miles. Now you +can go ashore, but be sure to return on board ere nightfall. You had +better not take up your quarters ashore till things are ordered to +ensure our safety." + +<p><p>I embarked on board one of the long-boats, which were laden almost +to the water's edge with various stores, including powder and shot, +ladders, spades and mattocks, carpenters' tools, nails and spikes, +barrels of biscuits and flour, and canvas for making tents. + +<p><p>In spite of their overladen condition, the boats reached the shore +in safety, for the water was as calm as a mill pond. We landed on a +flat, sandy beach, close to the mouth of a little stream that was to +supply us with fresh water. The plain that extended 'twixt the sea +and the hammock= shaped hill was far more extensive than one would +have supposed, when viewing it from the offing. It was nearly three +miles in width, and was covered by a dense and luxurious vegetation. + +<p><p>Between the little stream and the rocky headland that formed the +northernmost horn or arm protecting the harbour the ground was +comparatively barren, so that a clear view could be obtained for +several hundred yards. + +<p><p>Moreover, the rocks on the seaward side descended abruptly to the +water's edge, so that they formed a natural defence in that +direction, since no boats could land thereabouts. Midway betwixt the +stream and the headland the master gunner fixed the site for the +stockade. + +<p><p>A trial hole to the depth of ten feet revealed the presence of a +copious supply of water, sweet and wholesome to the taste when once +the mud had settled. This was especially fortunate, as we were not +compelled to rely upon the stream, which was a quarter of a mile or +more from our proposed fortress. + +<p><p>Having transported all the stores they had brought ashore to the +middle of a square that the master gunner had traced upon the +ground, the landing party went up into the woods to fell and trim +some trees for the purpose of making the stockade; and soon the +silence of the grove was broken by the noise of the axes and the +cheery voices of the men. They made enough clamour to give the alarm +to every buccaneer that might be within a mile or so; but though our +people worked with their muskets close at hand, and outposts were +placed to give us ample warning of a surprise, the island appeared +to be uninhabited save by its new masters. + +<p><p>It took a fortnight's hard work to construct the stockade, which was +loopholed at regular intervals, and strengthened by a mound of earth +on the inside. The soil thus utilized had been excavated so as to +form a ditch without the barrier, thus increasing the value of our +defences; while, in order to store our powder in safety, a deep hole +or cave was dug in the centre of the fortress and covered over with +the trunks of trees, on which earth was placed to a height of four +feet. This made a magazine which was proof against any shot that +might be fired into the stockade; while on the mound above it a +lookout hut had been erected, being protected against musketry by a +breastwork of sandbags. + +<p><p>Having completed this stronghold, the master gunner obtained +permission to mount two of the <i>Golden Hope's</i> guns. The work of +getting these pieces of ordnance ashore was a difficult one; but, +thanks to Master Touchstone's energy and mechanical skill, they were +placed in position and so arranged that both could be brought to +fire from any side of the stockade by means of ingenious carriages +somewhat resembling those used by troops in the field. + +<p><p>Thus, before we were ready to send an expedition into the interior, +a month had elapsed; yet all hands felt that the time had not been +wasted, since we were now in a position to repel an attack by either +land or sea. + +<p><p>At length we set out to find the resting-place of the precious cargo +of the <i>Madre de Dios</i>. For this expedition twenty men were drawn +from each ship, Captain Jeremy being in command. During our absence +Captain 'Enery was left in charge of the <i>Golden Hope</i> and her +consort, with orders to fire three guns should danger arise, as it +was supposed that the sound of the discharge would be heard at any +point on our march into the interior. Touchstone, with eleven men, +was to hold the stockade. + +<p><p>We were one and all heavily laden, for, in addition to our arms and +ammunition, each man carried a week's supply of provisions and an +axe, or mattock. At every half-mile three men were to be left in +order to form a chain of communication with the shore, so that by +the time we reached the place where the treasure was supposed to +lie, only twelve would remain. These twelve would be sufficient to +remove the bulk of the spoil, while the rest of the treasure could +be obtained at some future time. + +<p><p>Soon we plunged into the dense belt of vegetation that, I have +mentioned, lay betwixt the shore and the mountain. It consisted of +reeds, canes, and scrub, much higher than a man's head, so that we +had to guide ourselves by means of a compass. It was tedious work, +for we had to cut a path nearly every foot of the way, while in +places the ground was so swampy that we frequently sank in the mud +nearly to our knees. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy had, years before, cut a path through the thicket, +and the task had occupied him more than a week; but all traces of +his former route had long been obliterated. + +<p><p>At length we reached a small open hillock surrounded by the thicket, +and here our first post was established; for though it was more than +half a mile from the stockade, our Captain did not care to expose +his men to the risk of fever by leaving them on the low-lying +ground. + +<p><p>On resuming our march the reeds and bushes became thicker, till it +was only by sheer hard cuts with our axes that we were able to +proceed, the men working by relays. It being now high noon, the heat +was terribly oppressive, a close and moist mist rising from the +marshy ground adding to our discomfort, while we were tormented by +swarms of flies, which hovered round our heads till we could scarce +open our eyes. + +<p><p>Nevertheless we stuck manfully to our arduous task, for it was +necessary for health's sake to avoid spending a night in that +unwholesome district. We must reach the high ground ere we pitched +our camp. + +<p><p>Suddenly a shout from one of our men caused us to stand to our arms. +The column halted, but Captain Jeremy, who was in the middle, forced +his way betwixt the wall of bushes and the men who were in front. + +<p><p>Then followed a lengthy pause, till the line of men moved forward +again, this time with greater rapidity, and I found myself standing +in an open clearing, surrounded by our astonished seamen. This +clearing was of recent date, for many of the saplings and canes +showed signs of having been cut but a short time ago, while running +north and south across the direction of our route was a fairly broad +and well-defined path. + +<p><p>We were now in a quandary. It would be unwise to resume our way and +leave an unexplored path betwixt us and the shore, and it would be +equally hazardous to separate our slender force into two bodies, so +that the beaten track could be examined in both directions. It was +also inexpedient that the inhabitants of the island (since it was +inhabited) should be aware of our presence until we had assured +ourselves whether they were peaceful settlers, or otherwise. + +<p><p>"This path has not been used for a month at least, Cap'n," said one +of our men, a smart young seaman in the carpenter's crew. + +<p><p>"How so?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"By these footprints, sir," replied the seaman, pointing to a number +of well-defined marks on the hard ground. "They are the footprints +of men wearing boots and also of naked feet, and they are pointing +in both directions, showing that people have walked this way and +that." + +<p><p>"Quite so," assented Captain Jeremy. "But how say you that these are +a month or more old?" + +<p><p>"The ground is quite hard; we cannot leave the imprint of our +boots," continued the seaman. "And since we have been on this island +more than a month, and no rain has fallen during all that time----" + +<p><p>But before he could complete his explanation the distant boom of a +cannon, followed at regular intervals by two more, caused us to look +at each other in alarm.' It was the signal for our recall; something +of extreme importance had occurred. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter17"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Attacked by Buccaneers</h5> + +<p><p> +"Back to the ships!" was the cry, and with the utmost haste we +retraced our footsteps. Not having to cut our way back, our progress +was considerably quicker than on the outward journey, most of the +men casting aside their stock of provisions to enable them to +lighten their loads. Yet, owing to the marshy state of the ground +through which we floundered heavily, it was nearly two hours later +ere we emerged from the forest--if forest I may term it. + +<p><p>The cause of our sudden recall then became apparent, for standing in +under all plain sail were three large ships. They were still a +league or more from the mouth of our harbour, but already they were +in shoal water, so that 'twas plain they were no strangers to the +island, since they were following the intricate channel through +which we ourselves had come. + +<p><p>Our arrival had already been observed from our own ships, and boats +were putting off to take us on board. While we were awaiting them +Captain Jeremy ordered twelve men to reinforce the little garrison +within the stockade, and on numbering the remainder we were +astonished to find that only twenty-two remained. The outposts whom +we had left on the hillock had been recalled, and on the march not a +cry of alarm had been raised, so that the missing men must have +disappeared without a sound. + +<p><p>"Who are they? What are their names?" demanded Captain Jeremy +anxiously. + +<p><p>Several names were mentioned, although some of them, I knew, were +those of the men who had been sent to the stockade; but all were +agreed that Ned Slater was amongst the six missing seamen. + +<p><p>A stern look overspread Captain Jeremy's bronzed features. The loss +of the chart, and the unaccountable disappearance of a man of whom I +had expressed my distrust, had considerably shaken our Captain's +faith in his former shipmate; but, controlling himself, he ordered +the men to embark, for the boats had by this time gained the shore. + +<p><p>Although we hurried on board there was no unseemly haste or panic, +and as each man came up over the side he took his place in his +allotted position. + +<p><p>Captain 'Enery, having handed over the command to Captain Jeremy, +returned to the <i>Neptune</i>, where, as on board the <i>Golden Hope</i>, the +magazines had been opened, and powder and shot placed alongside the +guns, ere we came off. + +<p><p>The wind blew steadily straight on shore, so that we hoped the +strange vessels had not heard the guns fired as the return signal, +though, as most merchantmen carried small guns for this purpose, the +discharge, even had it been heard, would not have led the enemy to +suppose that our vessels were well armed. + +<p><p>Meanwhile we lost no time in improving our posture of defence. +Captain Jeremy sent away the long-boat with a kedge slung underneath +her, to which was attached a long hawser, leading over the ship's +stern. The kedge was then dropped, and by taking a strain on the +cable the <i>Golden Hope</i> was brought to lie broadside on to the mouth +of the harbour. A similar manoeuvre was also carried out on board +the <i>Neptune</i>, so that all our available ordnance, or as many as +there were gun ports for, were trained on the approaching vessels, +though as yet the guns had not been run out. + +<p><p>In breathless silence we awaited the oncoming ships, for, by Captain +Jeremy's orders, not a shot was to be discharged, nor a shout +raised, from either brig till the word was given to open fire. + +<p><p>When just outside the inner reef the leading vessel rounded, and as +she did so her ensign became visible. It was the skull and +crossbones. + +<p><p>"She means to leave us no longer in doubt," exclaimed Captain +Jeremy. "I am right glad that she has shown yonder flag, for it +seems they take us for harmless traders, and would terrify us into +surrender." + +<p><p>Even as he spoke a cloud of smoke burst from the pirate's side +amidships, and a twelve-pound ball whizzed betwixt our masts, +striking our lee bulwarks and knocking up a shower of splinters; +then, rebounding, it plunged into the sea within a few yards of the +shore. + +<p><p>Another and another followed, while the remaining ships took up a +similar position and also opened fire. Though many of their shots +went high or passed wide, one penetrated the bulwarks, killing two +men and wounding three. + +<p><p>The master gunner, who had returned on board, besought our Captain +to open fire. + +<p><p>"No," he replied resolutely. "We must grin and bear it awhile." + +<p><p>Just then a shot was fired from the <i>Neptune</i>. Possibly the captain +of the gun had lost his nerve; but the shot was well aimed, for it +struck the fore mast of the nearest buccaneer. + +<p><p>"A pest take it!" muttered Captain Jeremy, "that will ruin all my +plans;" and springing on the poop he hailed the <i>Neptune</i>, to know +why the gun had been discharged. + +<p><p>Fortunately the premature shot was not followed by others, though we +expected it would be mistaken for the signal to commence firing; and +for ten minutes longer we lay under a heavy fire from all the +vessels. + +<p><p>Evidently the buccaneers did not wish to sink us, for they directed +their fire principally at our spars and cordage. Once we were +captured they would remove our stores and other valuable gear, and +scuttle the ships, so as to leave no trace of their fiendish +handiwork. Such has been the fate of many unfortunate merchantmen in +West Indian waters, with hardly a fragment left afloat to tell the +tale. + +<p><p>"Stand to it, my lads," shouted Captain Jeremy encouragingly. "Spars +can be replaced and cordage refitted. They'll get tired of that game +ere long. Lie down, all of you." + +<p><p>It was indeed a trying ordeal. We had already lost our foreyard, +which had tumbled down across the fo'c'sle, bringing with it a +litter of ropes, blocks, and torn canvas. Our spritsail yard, broken +in two places, dangled from the bowsprit; while our mainmast was +splintered from the futtock-shrouds to within ten feet of the deck. +Several shots had torn gaping holes in our sides, and as a result +four more dead men lay on our decks, while nearly a dozen badly +wounded were carried below. + +<p><p>Nor was our consort in a better plight. Her fore topmast had been +shot away early in the cannonade, her poop lanterns and part of the +taffrail had disappeared, and several ominous dark holes were +visible in her bulging yellow sides. + +<p><p>"How much longer are we to stand this?" asked Touchstone, as he +bound his wrist with a kerchief. + +<p><p>"Patience, man, patience!" was Captain Jeremy's only reply, as he +calmly surveyed the scene of destruction--the blood-stained deck +littered with the prone figures of seamen, whether they were dead, +or wounded, or unhurt; and the tangle of shattered spars and +cordage--and the smoke-enshrouded outlines of our ferocious +attackers. + +<p><p>Ever and anon a shrill cry of pain or an exclamation of rage would +be heard, as a mass of timber dislodged from aloft came hurtling +through the air and struck some unfortunate man crouching near the +guns; and another limp body would be borne below to add to the +steadily growing numbers of our wounded. Yet discipline, iron +discipline, prevailed, and were we to win the day we must receive +hard knocks with the traditional fortitude of Englishmen. + +<p><p>Ashore our stockade, its seaward face hidden by a mask of bushes, +also maintained a dignified silence, though in the case of its +defenders, they were not put to the same temptation as ourselves. + +<p><p>All at once two men emerged from our main hatchway, dragging with +them a great, hulking fellow, whose face was livid with terror. + +<p><p>"'Ere you are, Cap'n," said one of the men. "We found 'im skulking +in t'hold." + +<p><p>"And 'e hasn't a scratch on 'im," added the other. "Shall us pitch +'im over the side?" + +<p><p>For the space of a full minute Captain Jeremy intently regarded the +trembling man; then, as the cry arose, "Here they come!" he stepped +to the weather bulwarks and looked in the direction of the enemy. + +<p><p>"Pass the word for the crew to stand to their arms," he said in a +low tone to the master gunner; then, returning to where the abject +creature still stood cowering, "There's your chance," he remarked +quietly, pointing towards the buccaneering craft; "play the man!" + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter18"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">"Repel Boarders!"</h5> + +<p><p> +The three vessels had now ceased firing, and from under their sterns +six large boats, crowded with armed men, were being pulled straight +towards us with all their rowers' might. + +<p><p>We could see the water foaming at their bows, and hear the splash of +the oars as they dipped with rapidity and regularity, while the sun +glistened on gun barrel, pike, and cutlass. + +<p><p>Unmolested they passed between the two arms of the harbour, then, +having drawn into line, they separated, three boats making for each +of our vessels. + +<p><p>Suddenly the order was given to open fire. The guns were run out, +and the <i>Golden Hope</i> quivered from truck to keelson with the roar +of her ordnance. The <i>Neptune</i> followed suit, while the stockade +ashore added to the din. + +<p><p>The calm water around the boats was transformed into a veritable +cauldron, and it seemed impossible that a single boat could remain +afloat in that iron hail. + +<p><p>Although taken completely by surprise, the buccaneers were made of +stern stuff, and before the smoke cleared away sufficiently to +enable us to see the result of our united broadsides, they were +swarming up over our tall sides. + +<p><p>"Repel boarders!" thundered Captain Jeremy, waving his cutlass as he +sprang to meet the attack. Nobly our men responded, and midst the +sharp crack of pistols, the groans of the wounded, and the sharp +exclamations of fury, cutlass crossed with cutlass and pike +encountered pike. + +<p><p>I found myself opposed to a villainous halfcaste, clad only in a +pair of drawers, and armed with a large cutlass. In spite of my +efforts, for I possessed both skill and strength far beyond my age, +I soon found that I had all my work cut out, for my opponent whirled +his blade with great force and rapidity. Twice, however, I put in a +thrust beneath his guard, wounding him slightly on the hip and on +the right shoulder. Yet in spite of this slight advantage I was +slowly and surely being driven back, when, tripping over a broken +spar, I fell heavily. + +<p><p>Every instant I expected to feel the sweep of the pirate's cutlass, +but the blow never came. So I took courage and raised myself on my +elbow, and, to my surprise, I found my late antagonist engaged in a +hand-to-hand fight with the man who had been brought before Captain +Jeremy for skulking in the hold. + +<p><p>All sense of fear had apparently left the latter. I heard afterwards +that he had received a slight wound in his left arm, and the pain +had transformed him into a veritable demon. Shouting, "Let me have a +rub at the brutes!" he seized an iron bar, and met the onrushing +buccaneers with the utmost fury. Two men had already gone down +before his ponderous weapon ere, fortunately for me, he diverted the +attention of the mulatto just as he had me at his mercy. + +<p><p>Even as I looked the iron bar crashed past the pirate's uplifted +cutlass and, descending on the half-caste's head, stretched him +lifeless on the deck; but in the moment of victory a chance pistol +shot laid the erstwhile coward over the body of his antagonist. + +<p><p>It seemed at this juncture that the buccaneers would succeed in +carrying the <i>Golden Hope</i>, till Clemens, the Cornishman whom we had +rescued from the Algerine vessel, clambered up the shattered poop +ladder, and, training one of the swivel guns, which fortunately was +loaded, upon the thickest of the press of our enemies, fired a heavy +charge of small shot with deadly effect. + +<p><p>Then, headed by Captain Jeremy and the master gunner, our men made a +determined rush, and, still contesting every inch of our planks, the +buccaneers were forced back over the side. + +<p><p>A hurried glance showed that the <i>Neptune</i> had also succeeded in +beating off her attackers, and was already resuming her fire upon +the retreating boats. + +<p><p>Without pausing to regain their breath, our men also remanned their +guns and poured a destructive broadside on the boats, of which three +had been sunk when we first opened fire. Two more disappeared amidst +a swirl of shot-torn water, while the sole remaining boat, moving +slowly, for most of her oars had been shattered and she was more +than half-full, managed by little short of a miracle to regain her +parent ship. + +<p><p>But there was no respite for our weary crew, for the three +buccaneering craft resumed their fire. It being comparatively +feeble, we knew that their guns were now ill-served, and that they +were only firing to aid their escape. + +<p><p>"Aim carefully! Wing 'em!" shouted the master gunner, as he passed +along the line of guns, some, alas! silent for want of a crew. In +spite of his cautions, however, our men, elated with their victory, +fired rapidly and erratically; but as the buccaneers made haste to +sheer off, the mainmast of one came crashing over the side, while +the others' spars were in a tottering state. + +<p><p>We could see the discomfited crew of the former vessel attack the +wreckage with axes in an attempt to free themselves from the fatal +encumbrance, but ere this could be done their ship drifted on to a +shoal. + +<p><p>The remaining vessels were more fortunate. Slowly tacking, they drew +beyond range, and having picked up the survivors of their consort +who, on finding their vessel aground, had abandoned her, they gained +the open sea. + +<p><p>"Man the long-boat and make sure of yonder craft!" shouted Captain +Jeremy. "Let go her anchors when you get aboard, or she may float +off with the rising tide." + +<p><p>Even as he spoke there was a crashing report, and, clapping his +hands to his head, our gallant Captain staggered and fell senseless +to the deck. + +<p><p>One of the buccaneers, who had been left for dead on our deck, had +treacherously shot him at almost point-blank range. + +<p><p>With a howl of rage some of our men threw themselves upon the +villain and dispatched him with their cutlasses, while others +hastened to raise Captain Jeremy and bear him into his cabin. + +<p><p>There we found that the wound, though dangerous, might not prove +mortal. The bullet had ploughed a furrow just above the temple, and +though the place bled profusely, Captain Jeremy soon recovered his +senses. + +<p><p>His first thought was of the disabled buccaneering vessel. "Hath the +long-boat pushed off yet?" he asked. "No? Then bid them go at once." + +<p><p>"Master Hammond," said Touchstone, on whom the command of the +<i>Golden Hope</i> now devolved, "do you take charge of the boat. You +know your orders?" + +<p><p>"Yes, sir," I replied. + +<p><p>"Then carry them out--but, hark'ee, mind how you board. Be careful; +make sure she is quite deserted, and straightway examine her hold. I +know the villains; unless I am much mistaken, they will have left a +slow match to the magazine." + +<p><p>Taking my place in the stern sheets, I ordered the boat to give way, +feeling highly elated at my first command, yet, withal, having a +presentiment that 'twas a hazardous enterprise. + +<p><p>Half-way across the harbour we came upon the shattered bow of one of +the pirates' boats floating just awash, while all around were pieces +of planks, showing how effectual and destructive our fire had been. +The other boats that had been destroyed must have sunk with the +weight of their contents, for we saw no signs of them. + +<p><p>The deserted ship lay with her bow towards the reef on the larboard +side of the channel, and having received several shot-holes 'twixt +wind and water, had settled down somewhat, till the sea lapped her +after ports. + +<p><p>"She's safe enough, sir!" exclaimed one of the boat's crew, looking +over his shoulder at the wreck, as he rested on his oar. "Her hold +is full of water. That'll put out any trains, if the villains have +left them." + +<p><p>I was of the same opinion, so, having rowed completely round the +stranded ship, which seemed quite deserted, I gave the word to run +alongside. + +<p><p>Bidding all the men save one to remain in the boat, I made sure of +the priming of my pistols, then swinging myself up the side by means +of the cordage of the broken mainmast, I gained the deck. + +<p><p>It was deserted, save for the corpses of some half a dozen men who +had been slain by the discharge of our ordnance, most of them being +shockingly mangled. + +<p><p>A hurried yet cautious search revealed a like state of things in the +after cabins, while the fo'c'sle was also empty. Peering down the +main hatch I saw that, as we had expected, the main hold was +flooded, though amidships the depth of water was but a foot. + +<p><p>Making fast one end of a rope, for there was no sign of a ladder, I +threw the other end down the hatchway, and by this means gained the +sloping planks of the hold. Ankle deep in water, I made my way +forward, till in the dim light I perceived a stout bulkhead running +athwartships and pierced by a little sliding door, or hatch. + +<p><p>Owing to the slight list of the ship this door had jammed, so that +it required considerable effort ere I opened it sufficiently to +enable me to squeeze through. + +<p><p>Within it seemed as black as the darkest night, till I saw a sight +that caused me to be rooted to the spot. Softly fizzing and +spluttering within a few inches of two tiers of sinister-looking +barrels was a fuse! + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter19"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Blown Up</h5> + +<p><p> +To play the part of a bold hero, I suppose I ought to have made a +dash for the burning train and put out the fire. But I did nothing +of the kind--I simply stood still and watched with horror-stricken +eyes the dim glimmer of the fuse. Even had I had the presence of +mind and the courage to make the attempt, the ordering of the +barrels would have prevented me, for the train was laid 'twixt tiers +standing so close together that there was scarce a hand's width +between their bulging sides. + +<p><p>Already I regarded myself as doomed to die a swift and terrible +death, but remembering my comrades in the boat, I backed away from +the hatchway. I tried to raise a warning shout, but not a sound save +a feeble gurgle could I utter. My tongue clave to the roof of my +parched mouth, while my heart beat like a sledge-hammer. + +<p><p>Dipping my hand in the water that flooded the floor of the hold, I +moistened my lips, then-- + +<p><p>"Push off, men!" I shouted. "A fuse!" + +<p><p>The effect of my warning was instantly plain. The man who had +accompanied me on deck leapt into the long-boat, and I heard the +scraping of their oars as the crew pushed off with feverish haste. + +<p><p>Now that I look back upon this matter, I can scarce blame them. They +acted according to my orders, combined with the thought of +self-preservation. Doubtless in their panic they knew not whether +one or two persons had leapt from the ship's bulwarks into the boat. +But be that as it may, they rowed off with all their might and left +me to my fate--and a hideous one at that. + +<p><p>Yet, as the explosion had not taken place, I gathered courage, and +seizing the rope by which I had descended into the hold, I began to +swarm up it. Suddenly, although it had appeared sound and had borne +my weight before, it parted like pack thread, and I fell on my back +in the hold, where the water broke my fall. + +<p><p>I was on my feet in an instant, now alert to take every possible +chance of saving myself, and seeing a shaft of light in the dim +recesses of the after hold, I waded down the sloping planks till the +water rose to my shoulders. + +<p><p>A few strokes sufficed to bring me to where a small hatch +communicated with the main deck, for the water was here so high that +by raising my arm I could grasp the coaming of the hatchway. + +<p><p>Though my sodden clothing seemed like lead as my body drew clear of +the surface, I managed to drag myself through the opening and gain +the deck, where, without a moment's hesitation, I rushed on to the +poop, and sprang over the taffrail into the sea. + +<p><p>I must have dived to a depth of from two to three fathoms, for I +could see the rocky bottom of the sea a few feet below me; and just +as I was on the point of ascending to the surface, I heard the roar +of the explosion. + +<p><p>It seemed as if the drums of my ears were broken by the concussion, +while the water was agitated by a sudden current, or eddy, that +swept me along the bottom. I remained underneath till I could +contain my breath no longer, then with a few strokes I rose to the +surface. + +<p><p>All around a heavy, pungent cloud, or rather haze, of smoke +enveloped everything, though towering above me I could discern the +outlines of the ship's poop. That, at all events, had withstood the +shock and had proved my salvation, for the pieces of shattered +timber were still falling, many of them being shot skywards to a +terrific height. + +<p><p>I trod water for a space till all danger from the falling debris was +over, then, swimming round the scorched and shattered side of the +ship, I found a place where the timbers had been torn away right to +the water's edge. + +<p><p>Half-suffocated by the fumes, for many of the planks still +smouldered, I made my way aft to where the poop deck remained +practically intact; and utterly done up, I threw myself down, too +dazed to realize that I had been miraculously preserved. + +<p><p>How long I remained in that position I cannot tell, but at length I +staggered to my feet and looked around. + +<p><p>The ships of the escaping buccaneers were still visible, though +nearly hull down. They had hauled to the wind and were standing on a +northerly course parallel with the eastern shore of the island. + +<p><p>Looking round the harbour, I could see the <i>Golden Hope</i> and the +<i>Neptune</i>, their sides crowded with men, while within a few hundred +yards of them was the long-boat, rowing slowly, with her gunwale +barely showing. So she had not escaped unhurt, I reasoned. + +<p><p>Of the vessel on which I stood nearly two-thirds had quite +disappeared, while of the quarter-deck only a few blackened +crossbeams and ribs remained. All around were pieces of timber of +all sizes and shapes, slowly drifting shorewards with the flood +tide. + +<p><p>The black flag, with its grinning skull and crossbones, was trailing +in the water under the wreck's quarter. This would serve for a +signal, so, hauling it on board, I lashed it to a pike, which in +turn I fastened to an iron socket that at one time had supported the +poop lantern. + +<p><p>My signal was soon observed, and a boat was put off from the +<i>Neptune</i>; and while awaiting her arrival I ran below and made a +second examination of the cabins and after hold. Most of the former +were luxuriously furnished, though they had suffered severely, from +both our shot and the effect of the explosion. Yet, brief as was my +inspection, I saw that two of them were used as store places, and +that they were filled with the loot of many an unfortunate vessel. +Gold and silver ornaments and plate, coins of a dozen different +countries, and other precious goods filled the lockers. To me it +seemed enough for the ransom of a king. + +<p><p>Looking through the hatch by which I had escaped from the hold, I +perceived how nearly the whole of the treasure had been lost to us, +for now, plainly visible in the flooded after-magazine, were barrels +of powder, far more than the fore part of the ship had contained; +while from one of them a wisp of tow floated towards the surface. +Its charred end showed how near had been the consummation of the +buccaneers' diabolical plan, for when the magazine was flooded the +fuse had burned to within a foot of the powder. + +<p><p>Great was the astonishment of the men to find me alive and unhurt, +for although I had been seen standing on the poop, no one on the +ship had recognized me. My clothing was rent, and my damp hair hung +over my face, which was black with charcoal, smoke, and dust. +Captain 'Enery had concluded that I had perished in the explosion, +and that the figure they had seen on board was that of one of the +buccaneers, who, on the vessel being blown up, had swum off from a +neighbouring shoal. + +<p><p>"The wreck is full of treasure," I announced, and on hearing the +good news the boat's crew gave a hearty cheer. Some were for making +their way on board, but the coxswain sternly ordered them to remain +in the boat. + +<p><p>"The stuff is safe enow," said he, "and all will share and share +alike when the time comes. There's plenty of work to be done before +we trouble about what's aboard yon craft." + +<p><p>This was the case, for when the boat put me once more aboard the +<i>Golden Hope</i> I found all hands busily engaged in clearing up the +damage done in the fight. The work of making good the mischief done +aloft would take weeks of continuous labour, though the spars of the +wrecked buccaneer could be utilized to replace our own, for, +trailing over the side, they had escaped the force of the explosion. + +<p><p>But though the ships suffered severely, our loss in men was far more +to be deplored. The Golden Hope had eleven killed and fifteen +wounded, including Captain Jeremy, and the <i>Neptune</i> nine killed and +seventeen wounded. In the stockade, however, not a single man had +been hit. Thus, including the six men who were missing after our +futile expedition to recover the treasure, only one hundred and +twenty-eight were fit for duty, and of these nearly two score had +received slight wounds. + +<p><p>My first act on returning on board was to see how Captain Jeremy was +progressing. I found that he was sleeping peacefully, his wound +having been carefully dressed; and that, should no feverish symptoms +make their appearance, his recovery would be but a matter of a few +weeks. As quietness was a necessity, it was planned that he should +be carried ashore to the stockade with the rest of the wounded on +the following day, so as not to be disturbed by the shipwrights and +riggers at their work. + +<p><p>That night, as I lay on my bunk, I pondered over the words of the +old friar, Pedro Lopez. Surely we had gone through enough bloodshed +and fire to fulfil the exacting conditions that had to be carried +out ere we recovered the treasure? Would not the facts that a score +of our men were awaiting burial on this far-off island, and that +over thirty more were groaning on the ballast, serve to appease the +wrath of the slaughtered Spaniards? And when I thought of my ordeal +by fire, and my terrible position as I waited for the crash of the +explosion, I prayed that we had seen the last of our perils. + +<p><p>It must have been about eight bells of the middle watch (4 a.m.), +ere it was light, when a sharp rattle of musketry caused me to +awaken with a start. Hastily rushing on deck, I found our men +already standing to their guns, while on shore a desperate conflict +was in progress. + +<p><p>The stockade was attacked on all sides. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter20"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Repulse at the Stockade</h5> + +<p><p> +Who our new enemies were, and whence they came, we knew not. Judging +by the outer ring of flashes, it would seem that they outnumbered +the defenders of the stockade by seven to one; for only twenty-five +men had been left on shore on the preceding evening. + +<p><p>These were once more under the command of Touchstone, who, on the +termination of our fight with the pirate ships, had resumed his post +at the base of our operations on land. Yet the handful of men, under +the spirited leadership of the master gunner, ought to prove +themselves equal to their attackers, as they had the advantage of a +stout breastwork. + +<p><p>But while the fight continued we were tormented with doubts and +fears. In the darkness we could tell by the rapid spurts of flame +that came from the stockade that our men were fiercely contesting +their ground, although by the flashes encircling them we knew that +the attack was being pushed close home. + +<p><p>Nor could we render any assistance, for our broadsides might do more +harm to friend than to foe; while it would be extremely hazardous to +attempt to land an armed party on an open beach, as we knew not the +numbers of our enemies. Moreover, in the darkness we might fire on, +or be fired upon by our own men. + +<p><p>Above the crackle of musketry and the shouts of the combatants we +could distinguish the deeper crash of the ordnance that had been +landed from the <i>Golden Hope</i>, while now and again would come an +ominous lull, only to be broken by another crash of guns and the +noise of a hand-to-hand conflict. + +<p><p>Having loaded all our ordnance on the landward side, and kept such +of our boats as were still seaworthy close alongside, we could only +await the dawn, of which signs were already apparent. + +<p><p>At length it grew light, with all the splendour and rapidity of a +West Indian dawn, and we were able to see how things fared ashore. + +<p><p>The stockade was still in the hands of Touchstone and his men, +though two gaps in the palisades showed how close home the attack +had been pushed. Yet around these breaches the dead lay thick, while +scattered over the plain were other corpses, proving how well our +people had handled their muskets. + +<p><p>Drawn up at a distance of half a mile from the stockade was a body +of musketeers, to the number of about fifty. They were evidently +planning a fresh attack, for those who carried firearms had their +matches lighted. Yet they appeared to have no heart to advance, for +we saw one whom we supposed to be their leader beckon angrily with +his sword. + +<p><p>One broadside from the <i>Neptune</i> sent them helter-skelter. They fled +past the landward side of the stockade, though beyond musket range, +and disappeared behind the rising ground that terminated in the +headland on the northern side of the harbour. + +<p><p>Captain 'Enery immediately sent two boats ashore laden with men, +and, going with them, I was able to see the effects of the attack. + +<p><p>It appeared that our sentinels had heard the sound of footsteps and, +receiving no reply to their challenge, had opened fire. The garrison +had barely time to stand to their arms and man the stockade ere the +foremost of their attackers gained the ditch, and attempted to rush +the palisade. + +<p><p>In the protracted defence we had lost but three men killed and four +badly wounded, while of our enemies nearly two score were found +lying outside the defence. + +<p><p>One of the latter, being but slightly wounded in the leg, was +brought into the stockade and questioned. Doubtless expecting to be +hanged forthwith, he maintained a sullen silence, till Touchstone +promised him his life should he speak the truth. This offer, +combined with a number of veiled threats should he still prove +obstinate, had its effect, and the prisoner became communicative. + +<p><p>His was a disquieting report. In the north-western part of the +island, some eight or nine miles by the direct route across the +marshy forest, though nearly twice that distance by the coast, was a +settlement inhabited by buccaneers. They had seen our arrival, but, +owing to the fact that their squadron of four vessels was away on a +cruise, they had refrained from molesting us till the ships +returned. + +<p><p>Possibly they were unaware of our expedition into the interior, for +had they known of this they would certainly have ambushed our party +on the march. + +<p><p>The prolonged stay of our two ships in the harbour had puzzled them +not a little, and when their three vessels returned, the fourth +having been separated from her consorts, a combined attack by land +and sea had been planned. + +<p><p>By some means the two buccaneering parties had failed to co-operate, +so that their ships had already been beaten off ere the land force +appeared. The latter had heard the firing, but, little thinking that +we should have held our own, they imagined the victory already +complete, till in the darkness they stumbled upon our stockade. + +<p><p>"How many men were left to guard your settlement?" demanded +Touchstone. + +<p><p>"Only a handful--enough to keep the slaves in order," replied our +prisoner. + +<p><p>"Is the place fortified?" + +<p><p>"By a wall and a ditch. There are eighteen guns in position." + +<p><p>"And when will the fourth ship return?" + +<p><p>"I do not know." + +<p><p>"Remove him," ordered the master gunner, and he hurried off to the +shore, whence the crew of one of the boats rowed him to the <i>Golden +Hope</i>. + +<p><p>In less than half an hour he returned, bringing with him another +reinforcement of armed men. + +<p><p>"My lads," said he, "I have obtained Cap'n 'Enery's consent. I +propose to lead a body of men across the island, ambush the rest of +these rascals, and, if successful, follow that up by seizing and +burning their dwellings and storehouses. Forty men will be +sufficient. Now, who's going to volunteer?" + +<p><p>Every one of us expressed his readiness for the service, but, +refusing to take more than the number he had stated, the master +gunner picked out his force, and examined their arms. Then, for +every moment was precious, he gave them the word to march, and the +little band set out on its errand. + +<p><p>Although I wished to share in the enterprise, Master Touchstone +refused to allow me to accompany them, and to my disappointment I +watched them disappear in the belt of canes and scrub by the route +that we had twice traversed but a few hours before. + +<p><p>Four days passed without any tidings of our comrades, and we were +naturally anxious at their prolonged absence. Yet those of our men +who remained were not kept idle. The work of refitting proceeded +apace, while advantage was taken of a spell of fine weather to bring +off all the precious cargo that remained in the shattered hull of +the wrecked buccaneer. Her name, we discovered, was the <i>Black +Arrow</i>, her burthen being two hundred and eighty tons. She was the +smallest of the pirate fleet, the others being the <i>Terror</i>, of +three hundred and twenty tons, the <i>Bonito</i>, of three hundred tons, +and the <i>Secret</i>, of the same burthen. This last was the vessel that +we had not as yet fallen in with. Should she have returned to the +pirates' haven, her crew would be able to rout our little force; so, +as this event might take place, our anxieties increased as the hours +passed with no news of Touchstone and his men. + +<p><p>Owing to the great reduction in the number of our men by death and +wounds, together with the absence of Touchstone and his party, only +eighty remained. Captain 'Enery therefore determined to temporarily +abandon the <i>Neptune</i>, so that our slender force might be divided to +the best advantage 'twixt the <i>Golden Hope</i> and the stockade. + +<p><p>With our own ship well manned we could beat off any attack from +seawards, even should the still undamaged <i>Secret</i> rejoin her +consorts; while the garrison ashore had to be maintained, so that +the master gunner and his people might have a refuge should they be +compelled to retreat before a superior force. + +<p><p>During the three days following their departure the wind had blown +steadily on shore, and we were thus prevented from hearing any +sounds of an engagement with the retreating buccaneers, although on +the evening of the third day I thought I heard the sound of a +distant cannonade. + +<p><p>"It does sound like it," assented Captain 'Enery, when I called his +attention to the circumstance, "though it may be thunder." + +<p><p>"Whatever it is, it comes from seaward," said the quartermaster. + +<p><p>"Sink me, if I like this business," replied Captain 'Enery. "No news +for three days, and then the sound of cannonade at sea. I'll send a +man away to-night, and let him gather news of Touchstone." + +<p><p>Accordingly Clemens, the Cornishman, was selected to make his way in +the darkness in the direction of the buccaneers' line of retreat. +The man could be thoroughly trusted to look after himself, for he +was as crafty as a fox, while he possessed such a turn of speed that +few could hope to overtake him in flight. + +<p><p>By daybreak, according to his instructions, he returned, without +encountering a single living being; yet he reported that there had +been an engagement, for the ground bore traces of a conflict, broken +weapons lying about everywhere. Who were the victors he was unable +to state, though he followed the marks left by a number of men till +the approach of daybreak made it necessary to retrace his steps. The +mystery seemed to deepen. + +<p><p>About noon on the same day our look-outs reported the appearance of +a body of armed men over the brow of the distant hill. Immediately +there was a rush on deck, and glasses were brought to bear on the +arrivals. + +<p><p>"Hurrah!" shouted one of the crew. "'Tis Master Touchstone and his +party." + +<p><p>"You're right," said Captain 'Enery. "But what doth it mean? There +are at least a score of armed men more than he took with him." + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter21"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Captain Craddock</h5> + +<p><p> +Fired with impatience to solve the mystery, Captain 'Enery rowed +ashore and proceeded to the stockade, there to await Touchstone's +return; and in half an hour the expedition rejoined us. There were, +as Captain 'Enery had said, at least a score of strangers, all well +armed and mingling freely with our people in a friendly manner; +while at Touchstone's side walked a man who was evidently someone in +authority. + +<p><p>He was little in stature, yet of great breadth across the shoulders, +and long in body. His legs seemed disproportionately short, so that +he strutted like a young bantam. He was clean shaven, his sunburnt +features being hard in expression, while the stern glint in his eyes +betokened a commanding nature. + +<p><p>"Have I the honour of addressing Captain Henry?" asked the little +man pompously. + +<p><p>"Cap'n 'Enery, if it please you," replied that worthy. "And you, +sir?" + +<p><p>"I am Captain Edmund Craddock, commanding His Majesty's ship +<i>Antelope</i>. I am beholden to your men for their co-operation in +assisting to exterminate this nest of rascally pirates; but, in the +execution of my duty, I must demand to see your warrant for your +presence on this island with an armed force." + +<p><p>"That can be shown you on board the <i>Golden Hope</i>, your honour," +replied Captain 'Enery. + +<p><p>"I trust so, for your own sakes," the other said; "therefore let us +proceed on board her." + +<p><p>"He's a cool game-cock," remarked Clemens in an undertone to the +master gunner, as we followed Captain 'Enery and the naval officer +to the boats. "Why, for all he knows he may be running into a den of +pirates!" + +<p><p>"I'll tell you more of him anon," replied Touchstone; "but take it +from me, he knows his business." + +<p><p>On boarding the <i>Golden Hope</i>, Captain Craddock, accompanied by +Captain 'Enery, retired to the cabin where Captain Jeremy was lying. +Here they remained talking for more than an hour; but the interview +must have been satisfactory all round, for on returning to the +quarter-deck I saw the naval captain produce his snuff-box and offer +it with a grave flourish to Captain 'Enery. + +<p><p>"Well, I wish you joy on it," I heard him remark. "If you find the +treasure, for I've no doubt that it is on the island, you'll be far +luckier than a good many. With your permission, I'll remain your +guest till my vessel arrives." + +<p><p>"Does she know the channel?" + +<p><p>"As well as she knows her way into Spithead," replied the other, +laughing. "Do you think I've cruised among these islands for the +last twenty years, off and on, for nothing?" + +<p><p>Meanwhile the men who had accompanied Touchstone were gathered on +the fo'c'sle, surrounded by a group of eager listeners, all anxious +to hear the story of the pursuit; and at the same time the master +gunner was relating the tale to the bos'n, the quartermaster, and +myself. + +<p><p>"We covered the path through the forest in double-quick time," said +he; "and directly we gained the crossroads that Captain Miles had +hit upon we turned to the right. A mile farther on this road forked, +the larger or left-hand path apparently making towards the pirates' +settlement. As I thought 'twould be better to set an ambush as far +from that place as possible, I took our men by the right-hand path, +and finished up at a little cove, where three small boats were +hauled up, quite deserted." + +<p><p>"There we took cover, for there were rocks in plenty, the seaside +path running betwixt the boulders and a low cliff. We had not been +there more than a couple of hours ere Jonas Cook, who had been sent +off to keep a look-out, came running back with the news that the +buccaneers were close at hand." + +<p><p>"On they came, quite unsuspectingly, straggling over a quarter of a +mile of ground. This was bad for us, for our ambush would not allow +every man of them to be surprised; so we let the head of the column +pass, and then I gave the word to fire." + +<p><p>"We bowled a lot of them over like skittles those who had already +passed broke and fled, but those in the rear, instead of running +away, dashed towards us with pistol and cutlass. Although we gave +them another volley, they still came on, till, being outnumbered, +most of them were cut down. The remnant, escaping our fire, broke +through our ambush and followed those who had gone on ahead." + +<p><p>"Wouldn't they have done better if they had run back and taken cover +in the woods?" asked the quartermaster. + +<p><p>"I am right glad they didn't, or we should have had our work cut out +to run them down," replied Touchstone. "They feared that a party was +at their heels to complete the trap, and therefore they chose to run +the gauntlet of our fire. But 'twas all the better for us." + +<p><p>"How so?" + +<p><p>"Why, we had them all in front of us. We pursued them for close on a +mile, till from the top of a hill we saw a harbour larger than this, +with a group of houses surrounded by a stockade on one side of it. +And in the middle of the harbour were two large ships. Before the +rascally villains could reach this fort a body of men rushed out. +'This is too many for us,' I thought, and I was about to beat a +retreat when I saw the new-comers open fire on the runaways, who +straightway laid down their arms and were instantly secured." + +<p><p>"Then I saw for the first time that both the vessels flew English +colours, and when we had made ourselves known we found out that they +were the frigate <i>Antelope</i> and the buccaneering craft <i>Secret</i>, +which had been captured the day before. We won't be troubled with +those rascals again, at all events, for the <i>Antelope</i> sank the two +that escaped from here and, as I said, took the third. But----" + +<p><p>"Sail, ho!" + +<p><p>"Whither away?" shouted the bos'n, our conversation terminating +abruptly with the interruption. + +<p><p>Gliding round the end of the reef by a channel of which we ourselves +were ignorant came a graceful frigate, the setting sun gleaming on +her brown canvas and her black-and-yellow sides, while the red cross +of St. George streamed proudly in the breeze. + +<p><p>Smartly handled, she worked her way in through the narrow, +land-locked entrance; then luffing up into the wind, she dropped +anchor within a cable's length of the <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<p><p>"What think ye of her, gentlemen?" asked Captain Craddock, with +justifiable pride. "I'll warrant she's the smartest 40-gun frigate +afloat, even though I, her captain, say it." + +<p><p>No one would have thought, to see the gallant vessel, that she had +been in action with three buccaneers but two or three days ago. Her +ports, picked out in vermilion, had been repainted, while every spar +and rope was intact. Yet, on closer inspection, a number of neatly +plugged holes in her sheering sides showed how fierce had been the +engagement. + +<p><p>"We'll lie here for a few days," continued Captain Craddock, as his +barge came alongside to take him back to the frigate. "If we can be +of service to you in the matter of spare spars, cordage, or gear, +you have but to say so." + +<p><p>Captain Craddock was as good as his word, and, thanks to his +assistance, not only were our wounded carefully tended by the +chirurgeon of the frigate, but the work of refitting the <i>Golden +Hope</i> and the <i>Neptune</i> proceeded far more rapidly than we had +expected, so that when the <i>Antelope</i> weighed and set sail for Port +Royal, our two ships looked little the worse for the severe ordeal +they had undergone. + +<p><p>Meanwhile Captain Jeremy continued to progress favourably, yet +slowly. In this interval we could do nothing towards recovering the +<i>Madre</i> treasure, so it is little wonder that time hung heavily on +our hands. + +<p><p>One morning I landed with the intention of walking along the cliffs +to the place where the <i>Madre</i> had first gone ashore ere she had +slipped back into deep water. With me went one of the seamen, for +'twas unwise to stray far from the stockade alone. We were both +armed, the man carrying his cutlass and a pistol in his belt, while +I had a fowling-piece. + +<p><p>In less than an hour we gained the summit of the cliff, which was +there about one hundred feet in height, though divided into two +sheer drops of half that distance by a terrace or ledge, about six +feet in width. + +<p><p>"See yon dark line in the water?" asked the Seaman. "'Tis the +deep-water channel across the shoal by which the frigate came into +harbour. I heard Cap'n 'Enery and the bos'n say as 'ow they were +going to sound it. When we get out of 'ere--when, I says, with all +due respect to you, Master Hammond--we ought to take yon passage and +save a couple of leagues through the other one by which we came." + +<p><p>"There's a boat putting off from the <i>Golden Hope</i> now," I +exclaimed. + +<p><p>"That be it for sartain. Howsomever, I'd liefer be here than +sounding all day in the broiling sun." + +<p><p>"What a number of sea-birds!" I said, pointing to the face of the +lower cliff, about which thousands of white, grey, and black gulls +and cormorants were darting in and out of the crevices, making a +continuous din. "Are they good for food? If so, I'll have a shot at +some of them." + +<p><p>"Too fishy to my liking," replied the man, as he settled himself on +the grass and proceeded to fill a short black pipe. "Their eggs +ain't so bad, though. I've a mind to come 'ere with a rope, like I +used to do at home. I'm a Portland man, I am, and know how to go +bird-nesting. But if you want to, you can try a shot at 'em. I'll +bring up 'ere for a spell and have a pipe. But mind you don't go too +near the edge; it might give way." + +<p><p>Accordingly I shouldered my piece and walked towards a gap in the +cliffs where, I could see, a natural path led to the lower ledge. +For a moment I hesitated, for a false step would send me crashing +upon the rocky platform below, with the prospect of a further tumble +of fifty feet into the sea. But being cool-headed and now well +accustomed to dizzy heights, I began to descend. + +<p><p>The path was little more than a succession of rough steps, covered +with the deserted nests of sea-fowl, here and there partially hidden +by a few tufts of coarse grass. I had to exercise considerable +caution to prevent myself slipping, but at length I reached the +ledge or platform without mishap. + +<p><p>Here I took cover behind a detached boulder to allow the birds to +return, for my presence had alarmed them, so that they had +temporarily flown farther afield. + +<p><p>I had primed my musket and laid it within arm's length, and was +patiently awaiting their reappearance, when a dark shadow fell +athwart the rock. + +<p><p>Instinctively I turned my head to ascertain the cause, when a hand +was clapped over my mouth, and I felt the contact of a man's knees +with the small of my back. + +<p><p>I was a prisoner. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter22"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">A Leap for Life</h5> + +<p><p> +In spite of my desperate struggles, a cord was wound tightly round +my ankles, and my arms were bound behind my back. This done, a thick +piece of canvas took the place of the hand across my mouth, so that +I could scarce breathe, much less utter a sound; and a bandage was +tied across my eyes. + +<p><p>Then I felt myself being set upon my feet, a rope was passed round +my waist, and I was suspended over the edge of the cliff, as +helpless as a trussed fowl. + +<p><p>"Stand by!" I heard a gruff voice exclaim, and the next instant I +was lowered into space, where I hung, turning slowly at the rope's +end, with the dull murmur of the waves at the base of the cliff some +fifty feet below to add to the terror of my situation. + +<p><p>By the number of successive short jerks I knew that I had not been +lowered more than ten feet when I was seized by rough hands and +dragged in towards the cliff. The rope by which I had been lowered +was cast off, and, lifted in a horizontal position, I was borne +away. + +<p><p>The sudden change from the scorching rays of the sun to a chilly +atmosphere, and the echoing footsteps of my captors, told me that I +was being carried along a tunnel in the rocks. I distinctly counted +four-and-forty footfalls ere the men set me down upon a stone floor; +then the bandage was whipped off my eyes, and I found myself +blinking in the subdued daylight. + +<p><p>Surrounding me I recognized Ned Slater and the five others who had +slipped away on our retreat through the forest. + +<p><p>"Now, youngster," began the villainous rascal, whom I now knew to be +guilty of my father's murder and the theft of the chart, to say +nothing of his other crimes, "no beating about the bush, or 'twill +be the worse for you. Where lieth the treasure?" + +<p><p>"I know not. You have the chart." + +<p><p>"Aye," he replied, with a hideous oath, "and little good it is to +us. It is marked 'Much treasure here'--here, on or near this spot; +but that is false. I know it, and you know it. Now, where does the +treasure lie--somewhere inland? or was that part of old Miles's plan +to mislead us? Come now, answer." + +<p><p>"I cannot say, nor would not if I could." + +<p><p>"You lie, you young rascal. But I'll find a way to make you use your +tongue, though you may shout till you're black in the face, for no +one will hear you. Search him first." + +<p><p>Two of the rogues emptied my pockets and relieved me of my knife. + +<p><p>"Ho, ho! What have we here?" exclaimed Slater, examining the blade +carefully. "'Tis an old acquaintance. Nay, I go farther--'tis my +property." + +<p><p>"Considering you sheathed it in my father's body," I replied boldly, +"'tis not to be wondered at, you double-dyed murderer." + +<p><p>"All is fair in love and war," he replied. "If your father barred my +way, what was to be done? But take heed, lest I plunge it into your +body. Now, once again, where does the treasure lie hidden?" + +<p><p>I did not reply, for I was hard at work trying to devise some plan +of thwarting him and at the same time of effecting my escape. + +<p><p>Finding that I remained obstinate, they left me lying bound and +helpless, with a pannikin of water within a foot of my face, having +previously moistened my lips with salt water. + +<p><p>I was indeed in a very tight fix. The cave was about ten feet in +height, but owing to a sharp bend I was unable to see how long it +was, or in what direction it dived into the rock. Unless one knew of +its existence, he might search the ledge above for hours without +being aware that its mouth yawned ten feet beneath. No doubt when I +was missed a search would be made for me, with the result that it +would be supposed that I had fallen over the edge into the sea. + +<p><p>As I lay unable to stir hand or foot, my thirst grew intolerable, my +tongue was parched, and my throat burned like a lime-kiln. Yet +within a foot stood a vessel of water which, for the good it did me, +might have been better out of my sight. + +<p><p>Away in the recesses of the cave I could hear my captors talking in +eager tones, doubtless highly excited at their success, for 'twas +certain that they thought I held the prized secret. + +<p><p>"Get it from him at all costs, then do as you say," I heard one +remark. + +<p><p>"Hush! not so loud," replied another. + +<p><p>"Yet it must be done." + +<p><p>"I know; I'm not saying anything against that, so----" + +<p><p>Here their voices became inaudible, but in those few words I +gathered the full signification of their intentions. When they had +finished with me they meant to finish me in a very complete sense. + +<p><p>Plan after plan flashed across my mind, only to be dismissed as +impracticable, till, with the faintest ray of hope, I lighted on a +scheme that might serve my purpose. + +<p><p>At length Ned Slater returned, humming a rollicking air, and with a +hideous grin on his face. Stooping down, he raised the pannikin of +water to his lips and took a draught with the utmost ostentation. + +<p><p>This done, he motioned as if to give me what remained in the vessel, +but when 'twas within a few inches of my mouth he slowly and +deliberately withdrew it. Twice did he offer the water, then with a +steady hand he poured it on the floor, so that the liquid splashed +over my bound hands. + +<p><p>"A curse on my clumsiness!" said he. "I must needs fill the pannikin +again." + +<p><p>I heard the hollow sound of his footsteps retreating down the +passage, but presently he returned, with the pannikin filled to the +brim. Setting it down where it formerly stood, he said: + +<p><p>"Help yourself, you young rascal; there's plenty to spare." + +<p><p>Had the water been a thousand leagues off, I could not have helped +myself any the less, and the villain knew it. + +<p><p>"Now, concerning the plan," he began, pointing to the chart which he +held in his hand. "Art still of the same mind?" + +<p><p>"I'll tell you," I replied hoarsely; then, feigning with little +effort, I began to cough and gulp as if unable to continue. + +<p><p>"Water!" I gasped, after a while. + +<p><p>He raised the pannikin and allowed a thin stream to trickle on to my +face, and as I swallowed the cold liquid it seemed to instil new +life into my tortured body. + +<p><p>"That chart is not correct," I began. + +<p><p>"I knew it," he replied, in a tone of triumphant expectancy; "but +I'll lay hands on the treasure." + +<p><p>"And when you do, can you remove it from the island?" + +<p><p>"I'll find away," he replied, with a leer. "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +<p><p>"Cast my hand loose, and I'll trace a plan of the island," I +continued, pretending to ignore the latter part of his remark. + +<p><p>"Very well, then; but no trickery, or----" and he touched the hilt +of my knife, which he was wearing in his belt. + +<p><p>"Do I look as if I could trick you?" I asked wearily. "A lad with +his feet bound could not hope to get the better of you." + +<p><p>Without another word he cut the rope that encircled my arms, then, +stepping back a pace, he drew the knife and held it in a menacing +position. + +<p><p>I gave a short glance at the rope that bound my feet. It was thin +cord, commonly known as half-inch line. + +<p><p>"Let this represent the coast," I began, tracing an irregular line +in the dust that covered the floor of the cave. "Here is the cliff, +and here the place where the <i>Madre</i> first struck. The first +hiding-place of the treasure was here, I take it." + +<p><p>"'Tis more to the east, if yon point marks the cliff. Thus says the +chart." + +<p><p>"Does it?" I asked, with feigned surprise. "Art sure?" + +<p><p>"Look for yourself," said he, holding the parchment close to my +face. + +<p><p>"The light is bad," I replied, peering at the crabbed writing. "Turn +it this way, so that it shows to the best advantage. 'Tis as I said; +the place lies to the west of the cliff, just here----" + +<p><p>The villain's face was within arm's length, for in his eagerness he +had drawn closer to hear my explanation. My fist shot out with a +swift upward movement, and, taking him fairly on the point of his +chin, sent him staggering against the opposite wall, whence he fell +senseless to the ground. + +<p><p>In two bounds I was at his side, and seizing the knife, I severed +the rope that fastened my ankles. + +<p><p>"At least," thought I, as I made ready to strike home, "if I am to +die, you'll not live to see my death." + +<p><p>But ere I could achieve my aim, one of the rogues appeared, and, +raising his arm, discharged a pistol at me. + +<p><p>The bullet ploughed through my hair, but without a moment's +hesitation I flung myself straight at the man. Down he went, +screaming with pain, with my knife betwixt his ribs. + +<p><p>Now or never I must gain the mouth of the cave, so, dashing forward, +I ran along the tunnel towards the place where I knew the rest of +the villains to be, for I heard them shouting in alarm as they +hastened to their comrade's aid. + +<p><p>Just then I noticed that the passage, or tunnel, turned sharply to +the left, and was quite dark when compared with the subdued light of +that portion of the cave in which I had been kept a prisoner. + +<p><p>Down I lay full length on the floor, resting on my left side, and as +the four men rushed blindly onward the first tripped over my +prostrate body. The second I caught by the ankle, and he also fell, +while the remaining two were brought up by a barrier of sprawling +legs. + +<p><p>Ere they could realize who I was, I regained my feet, darted betwixt +them and the wall of the cavern, and headed straight for the +entrance. + +<p><p>Nor did I stop to think, but, gathering speed as I ran, I boldly +leapt into space, still grasping the fatal knife in my hand. + +<p><p>Even as I felt myself hurtling through those fifty feet, however, I +wondered whether, in my impetuous leap, I would strike the sea or +solid rock, for I had not even stopped to see whether the cliff +there fell sheer into the water or not. + +<p><p>Fortunately the precipice sloped inwards, so that I escaped being +dashed to pieces. Keeping in an upright position, I struck the water +feet first with tremendous force, and plunged beneath the surface to +a considerable depth. + +<p><p>A few lusty strokes sufficed to bring me to the surface, however, +and shaking my hair from my face, I struck out for the shelter of +the overhanging cliff, so that I should be unperceived by the rogues +in the cave. + +<p><p>It being close on low tide, the rise and fall in those parts being +but five feet at most, there was nothing that would afford a +foothold; the rocks were as smooth as a plank, and covered with a +thick, dark curtain of seaweed. + +<p><p>Owing to the slight swell, the backwash of the waves made swimming a +matter of difficulty, as I was continually in peril of being thrown +against the cliff; and realizing that the sooner I found a +landing-place the better, I again struck out, swimming along the +face of the cliff and about ten feet from it, keeping a sharp +look-out both for a possible refuge and for the swell, of which +every seventh wave was more dangerous than the rest. + +<p><p>Having struck a current or eddy that ran close inshore, I made rapid +progress, and in less than a quarter of an hour rounded a spur or +headland that I knew was within a few hundred yards of the mouth of +the harbour where the <i>Golden Hope</i> lay at anchor. + +<p><p>But here I found, to my peril, that the eddy was no longer in my +favour. On the contrary, before I was aware of it I was being +rapidly carried out to sea by a current that ran at a rate of over +three knots an hour. + +<p><p>Once I realized the impossibility of making headway, I turned on my +back and paddled easily. The sea was warm, and unless unforeseen +circumstances arose, I could keep afloat for an hour or more with +little effort. Ere then I hoped to be seen by the searchers on the +cliff, or that the current would have changed in my favour. So, +buoyed up by hope, I allowed myself to drift with the tide. + +<p><p>Soon I saw that I was nearly abreast that part of the cliff from +which I had leapt, yet at a distance of nearly half a mile from it. +I could discern the sloping part of the ledge where I had been +surprised, and the dark, yawning mouth of the cavern, though I could +see nothing of the rogues who dwelt there. There was some +consolation in the fact that neither could they see me, nor was I +within musket range; but against that there was the growing prospect +of being swept far out to sea, to perish slowly in a vast waste of +water. + +<p><p>At length I noticed that the sea, which all around was calm save for +a gentle swell, was at a short distance ahead beginning to change in +appearance. Short-crested waves were breaking over a shoal. That I +knew by experience, but whether 'twas but a "tide rip", or really +shallow water, I knew not. + +<p><p>The set of the tide carried me right towards the centre of this +extent of agitated water, and to my relief I was soon standing on +rocky ground, with the sea barely above my knees. + +<p><p>I was still in a position of great peril, for the rocks were +slippery with kelp, while the current was strong enough to threaten +to sweep me off my feet. Even though the tide might fall a few +inches, I knew full well that ere long the flood would set in, and +thus before high water the depth would be too great for me to retain +a foothold. + +<p><p>Looking landwards, I saw by the agitation of the waves that the +shoal extended well towards the shore, the distance between being +but a few hundred yards. At this my hopes recovered, for could I +walk or wade in that direction and await the change of tide, the +same current that had carried me seawards would render me a good +service in bearing me back towards the harbour. + +<p><p>I had not proceeded far, for wading was a matter of extreme +difficulty, when a whip-like object seized my leg like a vice. The +sensation was paralysing, for it seemed as if I was being burnt in a +score of places at once. Like a flash I realized my danger. I was in +the grip of an octopus! + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter23"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Perils of the Shoal</h5> + +<p><p> +Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome +embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my +leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their +prey. The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's +head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in +length. + +<p><p>Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous +brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of +the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding +eyes and a formidable beak. That beak was slowly approaching my +naked flesh, to rend it asunder. + +<p><p>Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began +swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free +foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I +had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized. Once +prone on those slippery rocks, my fate was sealed. + +<p><p>Then I bethought me of my knife, which I had thrust into my belt. +Gripping it dagger-wise, I braced myself to overcome a sickening +sensation of fear, and plunged it to the hilt betwixt the eyes of +the hideous creature. + +<p><p>'Twas only to be likened to cutting a leather bag filled with +jelly--once the steel had ripped through the outer skin there seemed +no resistance to the blade; yet, though a quantity of watery blood, +mingled with a blackish froth, came from the wound, the octopus +apparently lost none of its vitality. Its rage, if I may so term it, +seemed to increase, for, quitting its hold on the rocks, it fastened +upon me with all its tentacles. I felt its snake-like embrace +encircle my legs, while two of its members seized my left arm. +Though I struck madly at its head to ward off the terrible, +beak-like mouth, my efforts seemed unavailing. The pain of the +hundreds of suckers was intense, and I felt my legs giving way under +the loathsome contraction of the creature's tentacles. + +<p><p>Suddenly the pressure seemed to relax, and redoubling my efforts, I +severed three of the arms with as many sweeps of my knife. Thus I +freed the upper part of my body; after that it was a comparatively +easy matter to cut off the other tentacles, though the remaining +parts still clung to my legs like a hundred leeches. + +<p><p>Shudderingly I made my way towards a portion of the reef that now +lay exposed, keeping a wary eye on the seaweed lest another octopus +should be lurking in the rocky crevices. + +<p><p>Having completely emerged from the water, I cut off the adhering +tentacles with my knife, for they would not become detached by other +means. Wherever the suckers had touched my flesh a small red wound +remained, so that my legs were one mass of livid spots, showing +vividly against the white skin, my prolonged stay in the water +having well-nigh stopped the flow of my blood. + +<p><p>I rubbed my limbs vigorously, and began to consider how I should +reach the shore, for the current had now ceased to ebb, as I could +tell by the absence of ripples over the submerged portion of the +shoal. + +<p><p>Fearing a similar encounter with an octopus, I hesitated to wade +over the seaweed-covered rocks, till, realizing that the longer I +waited the more exhausted I should become, and that I had traversed +a considerable distance ere I was attacked, I took heart, and walked +as rapidly as I could towards the landward edge of the shoal. + +<p><p>I noticed that from this part of the reef the blackened wreck of the +pirate vessel was immediately in line with the south-eastern end of +the island, so that by taking advantage of the flood stream I should +be carried on to the ledge of rocks that extended betwixt the shore +and the wreck, whence up to half tide I could walk ashore. + +<p><p>But just as I was about to commit myself to the waves, I saw a +black, triangular object cutting through the water between me and +the higher portion of the shoal I had just left. It was the fin of a +shark! + +<p><p>This ravenous monster had evidently got out of its bearings, for, +though shark's often frequent shoal water in search of their prey, +in this case there was barely sufficient depth for it to swim in. + +<p><p>Nevertheless, the shark had seen me, and was making straight for the +place where I stood. There was no help for it but to retrace my +steps to the now fast disappearing rocks, where I would have to make +a desperate stand until there was enough water for the brute to come +to close quarters. And then--I shuddered at the thought of it. + +<p><p>I managed to evade the monster, for it floundered heavily in the +shallows, lashing out with its tail, the noise of the blows sounding +like the report of a musket. + +<p><p>The water was now up to my ankles on the highest part of the reef. +Often would I imagine that my foot touched the slimy tentacles of an +octopus, as the now increasing current caused the long tendrils of +seaweed to sweep against my legs; while many crabs of small size +would dart swiftly in a sidelong motion over my toes. + +<p><p>All the while the shark, having found a pool of deeper water, was +swimming lazily to and fro, turning occasionally on its back. I +could then see its small, evil-looking eyes, as it marked its +anticipated prey. + +<p><p>In vain I sought for some stones to hurl at the monster--the face of +the rock beneath the kelp was firm and solid. + +<p><p>Although the sun's rays had long since dried my scanty clothing, I +shivered with numbness, aye, and with fear. Bitterly did I regret my +rashness in descending to that fatal ledge without my companion, yet +vain were my regrets. + +<p><p>More than once I resolved to cast myself into the sea and, knife in +hand, to do battle with the ferocious monster that awaited me. +'Twould be victory or death, and even in the latter case it would +the sooner end my prolonged torments. Yet, as I looked at the +glistening white monster, with its huge mouth armed with serrated +rows of sharp teeth, I could not force myself to take the desperate +step. + +<p><p>"Ahoy!" + +<p><p>Surely my ears deceived me, or did I hear the faint sound of a hail? +Looking round I saw, to my inexpressible joy and relief, a boat +making towards the shoal. It was the same craft that I had seen +taking soundings in the channel that morning. + +<p><p>Under the powerful strokes of the rowers the boat dashed to my +rescue, the foam hissing at her bows as her sharp stem cleft the +water. + +<p><p>Then everything began to grow dim; I heard the report of a musket, +and was barely conscious of the shark quivering on the surface of +the water, with shattered jaws. Strong arms bore me to the boat, and +directly I felt myself placed on the bottom boards a white mist swam +before my eyes, and I lost consciousness. + +<p><p> * * * * * + +<p><p>When I came to myself I was lying on my bunk in the cabin of the +<i>Golden Hope</i>. Captain Jeremy, his head swathed in bandages, was +sitting an a chair, with a chart spread out on the table in front of +him. This surprised me not a little, for when I had last seen him he +was lying weak and helpless. + +<p><p>I tried to raise myself on my elbow, but the task was beyond my +power. Seeing this, Captain Jeremy got up and, coming over to my +bed, gave me something to drink. + +<p><p>"That's better," he exclaimed encouragingly. "Now try to rest +awhile." + +<p><p>"But, sir," said I, so feebly that I could scarce realize 'twas my +own voice, "how do I come to be here? Ah! I remember," and I +shuddered at the thought of my harrowing adventures. + +<p><p>"Not another word," he said imperatively, and as obediently as a +child I fell asleep. + +<p><p>A few days later I was able to sit up, and then I learnt that I had +been unconscious for sixteen days, while anxiety for my condition +had been largely responsible for Captain Jeremy's rapid recovery. + +<p><p>I knew the kindly Captain was burning with impatience to hear the +story of my misadventures, but he refrained from questioning me for +quite another week. + +<p><p>"Are you really sure you're not dreaming?" he asked, when, in the +course of my narrative, I related how I had found my captors to be +Ned Slater and the five other deserters. + +<p><p>"I would I had been," I replied. "Yet now I know, on the rogue's own +statement, that he it was who slew my father." + +<p><p>"If I had only given heed to your suspicions!" returned Captain +Jeremy grimly. "No matter, I'll lay them by the heels yet;" and at +the conclusion of my story, to which both he and Captain 'Enery +listened with the greatest interest, he expressed his intention of +going ashore and making a descent upon the villains' retreat. + +<p><p>This he accordingly did, but, though the cave was discovered and a +careful search made in and around the place, the rogues had +vanished. I had often wondered how they managed to climb up from the +mouth of the cavern to the top of the cliff. This Captain Jeremy +explained. In the tunnel the searchers came across the trunk of a +small tree which had apparently been thrust out a little way, so +that by standing on it a man could climb up the perpendicular face +of the precipice by means of a series of notches cut in the rock. +This done, he fastened a stout rope round a projecting ledge, so +that his companions could follow with ease. Beyond this the villains +had left no trace save, on careful examination, a dark stain that +was found on the dusty floor, thus bearing out my statement that I +had accounted for one of them at least. + +<p><p>I progressed slowly yet surely, and meanwhile Captain Jeremy +recovered his accustomed strength and health. At length, to the +unbounded satisfaction of all hands, it was announced that, all +preparations being completed, an expedition into the interior of the +island would be made early in the following week. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter24"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">More Trouble in Sight</h5> + +<p><p> +Since the return of the master gunner and his party from their +successful chase of the buccaneers, the crew of the <i>Neptune</i> had +been increased, though not up to full strength. It was Captain +Jeremy's intention to keep a large garrison in the stockade, under +Captain 'Enery, while the master gunner resumed his duties on board +the <i>Golden Hope</i>. Joe Clemens, by virtue of his having been mate on +a trading vessel, was appointed to the charge of the <i>Neptune</i> till +such time as Captain 'Enery could resume his command. + +<p><p>This was, in a measure, somewhat tactless, for Clemens, not being +one of the original crew of the <i>Golden Hope</i>, was looked upon by +some of the men as an outsider who had risen over their heads. + +<p><p>But Joe Clemens, cheerful and easy-going Cornishman that he was, +treated this matter lightly, though he was fully aware of it. On +being told of the feeling amongst certain of the crew of the +<i>Neptune</i>, he merely remarked that they would soon get used to it, +and that he was quite big and strong enough to look after both +Captain Jeremy's interests and his own. + +<p><p>It happened, however, that one day, while Captain Jeremy, the master +gunner, and I were in the cabin, a seaman knocked softly and, +without waiting to be bidden to enter, came in and closed the door +behind him. + +<p><p>He was one of the original band of Lymington men, yet Captain +Jeremy, ever a strict disciplinarian, liked not the manner of his +entry. + +<p><p>"How now, Cherry?" he asked sternly. "Is this the way--bursting in +upon your officers without so much as 'by your leave'?" + +<p><p>"What I have to say must be said quietly, sir," replied the man +resolutely. + +<p><p>"Say on." + +<p><p>"There's underhand work aboard the <i>Neptune</i>, sir," continued the +man. "There's a dozen of 'em in touch with that rascal Slater." + +<p><p>Instinctively I recalled Slater's words: "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +<p><p>"How d'ye know this?" demanded Captain Jeremy coolly. + +<p><p>"I heard 'em talking in the fo'c'sle last night, while I was lying +down on the cathead for a spell. They'll try to seize the stuff when +we get it aboard." + +<p><p>"Will they?" said the Captain grimly. "And who may the rascals be?" + +<p><p>Cherry gave the names of about a dozen, all of whom had, like Slater +and his companions, joined the <i>Golden Hope</i> from a Chatham brig. +"They mean to mutiny, lay hands on the treasure, and place it in the +sloop," he continued. "They can scarce hope to take the <i>Golden +Hope</i>." + +<p><p>Now, the sloop was a small, half-decked vessel, of about ten tons +burthen, one of the craft that Touchstone had found hard by the +place where he had ambushed the buccaneers. These boats had been +brought round while I had been ill, and now lay close inshore, and +almost abreast of the stockade. + +<p><p>"Why not send an armed force aboard the <i>Neptune</i> and secure them?" +asked Touchstone. "They'll lie safely in the bilboes, even if we do +not run them up to the yard-arm." + +<p><p>"Nay, I'll play with them awhile," said Captain Jeremy. "Yet I'll +take no risks in the matter. For aught I care, they are right +welcome to the sloop. And now, Cherry, I thank you for your warning, +and rest assured that I'll not forget to recompense you for it." + +<p><p>The sailor withdrew, and long and anxiously the two officers +conferred as to their plan of action. + +<p><p>"'Twill be one way out of the difficulty," concluded Captain Jeremy, +slapping his thigh as he was wont to do when in high good humour. +"Sink me! we'll begin our preparations to-morrow." + +<p><p>Accordingly, soon after breakfast on the morrow he was rowed aboard +the <i>Neptune</i>, and having assembled the crew, true men and false +alike, he addressed them. + +<p><p>"My lads," said he, "in the course of a few days I hope to have the +long-sought-for treasure in our possession. Now, since no one can +deny that I am a just man, I'll speak plainly on what I propose to +do. Those of you who left England in the Golden Hope will receive a +share in the <i>Madre</i> treasure, while all hands are entitled to the +spoils we recovered from the wreck of the pirate ship. Now, to +prevent mistakes, I propose to separate the two; and since the +<i>Neptune</i> is of the lighter build, and sails a full knot faster than +the <i>Golden Hope</i>, I'll stow the whole of the <i>Madre</i> treasure in +the hold of the <i>Neptune</i>. Thus, should we be attacked while +homeward bound, the <i>Golden Hope</i> can ward off our foes while the +<i>Neptune</i> shows a clean pair of heels. Then, should Providence guide +us safely into port, a fair and just distribution will be made ere +we warp alongside Poole Quay." + +<p><p>Three cheers greeted this announcement, though I felt certain that +there were a dozen rogues at least who were laughing in their +sleeves at Captain Jeremy for being a fool. + +<p><p>Ere noon arrived the whole of the treasure that we had recovered +from the buccaneering craft was safely stowed away in the strong +room of the <i>Golden Hope</i>; while, acting under instructions, Joe +Clemens and several of the proved members of the <i>Neptune's</i> crew +removed their personal effects to the parent ship. + +<p><p>Meanwhile, the men who garrisoned the stockade had not been idle. +They had thoroughly explored the cliff path that led to the now +deserted buccaneering settlement, and also the road that traversed +the island from north to south, the same one that we had struck on +our first expedition into the interior. The cliff route was found to +be far more practicable than the direct one through the forest, +though 'twas considerably longer. + +<p><p>Captain 'Enery had constructed several large wheelbarrows so that, +with the assistance of a couple of men pulling ahead, the treasure +could be conveyed to the shore with comparative ease; and Captain +Jeremy gave orders for several large boxes, or chests, to be made of +strong wood, each numbered on the lid. These boxes, he announced, +would hold the treasure safely during the passage home, till the +time came for it to be duly apportioned. + +<p><p>While this was being done Captain Jeremy sent a party of six trusty +men to proceed along the east coast of the island in a southerly +direction till they came to a clump of three small palm trees +standing far apart from the rest of the vegetation and close to the +water's edge. These the men were to cut down, move a hundred yards +in a southerly direction, and set up again as well as they were +able. The seamen did this faithfully and well, whereat Captain +Jeremy again slapped his thigh in evident satisfaction. + +<p><p>That the rascals on board the <i>Neptune</i> were in constant +communication with Slater and his fellows we had no doubt, for twice +we perceived two men swimming off to the ship by night. Yet all this +Captain Jeremy purposely winked at, being of a mind to let the +villains work their own destruction. + +<p><p>On the morning of the day before we purposed to set out to secure +the treasure, two of the rascals rowed alongside the Golden Hole and +asked permission to water their ship, as the tanks were well-nigh +empty. To this request Captain Jeremy readily gave permission, and +by the ill-concealed grin on the faces of the rogues when they heard +him agree, I knew that they were setting in a store to last them on +a voyage. + +<p><p>Every preparation having been completed, our Captain recalled 'Enery +to take charge of the <i>Golden Hope</i> during his absence, while +Touchstone was again to be in command of the stockade. + +<p><p>"There's mischief brewing," said he to Captain 'Enery. "But, mark my +words, they'll lie quiet enough till the treasure is safely aboard +the <i>Neptune</i>. Nevertheless, I know I can rely upon you to take +every precaution to safeguard the ship; but do nothing to arouse +suspicion. Let the men have shore leave if they ask for it; do +nothing beyond the daily routine, for should those rascals smell a +rat, all our preparations would count for naught." + +<p><p>At daybreak the force picked out for the expedition paraded outside +the stockade. There were forty-five all told, composed of fifteen of +the original crew of the <i>Golden Hope</i> on whom we could thoroughly +rely and thirty of the peasants whom we had rescued from the +<i>Neptune</i>. + +<p><p>All were armed with muskets and cutlasses, while in the barrows were +piled hatchets, spades, and mattocks, together with a goodly supply +of provisions. + +<p><p>Amid the cheers of those who were left behind, for all, whether true +or false, wished us success, the expedition set out, Captain Jeremy +and I walking at the head of the column. + +<p><p>Unless untoward events prevented it, another thirty-six hours would +see the treasure of the <i>Madre de Dios</i> within our grasp. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter25"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">We Arrive at the Hiding-place of the Treasure</h5> + +<p><p> +Having gained the crest of the hill that terminated in the headland +where I had met with my adventures in the cave, we descended by a +gradually sloping path that followed closely to the coast. On our +left the ground rose in uneven terraces, covered with thick, +tropical vegetation; while on the right I could see the shoals +whither I had been carried by the ebb tide. + +<p><p>At a distance of about six miles from the stockade we reached the +north-eastern extremity of the island, where, owing to the hilly +nature of the ground, we had to follow a course that resembled three +sides of a square. Thence, proceeding due west, and still following +the coast line, we arrived at the place where the master gunner had +successfully ambushed the retreating buccaneers. + +<p><p>Here we found the termination of a well-defined path that had been +made by the rascally pirates during their occupation of the island. +This path, we now knew, made a junction with another track from the +buccaneers' settlement, and, proceeding in an almost southerly +direction, led to a small cove on the south side of the island. + +<p><p>The character of the scenery changed at this place, for the path +plunged into a defile, the side of which showed traces of volcanic +agency. Yet, though it was uphill for nearly four miles, the +gradients of the road offered no great difficulty. + +<p><p>We harnessed four men to the traces of the wheelbarrows, but our +rate of progress was so slow that 'twas close on sunset ere we +arrived at the clearing where the path through the forest cut across +the path we were pursuing. Here Captain Jeremy decided to pitch a +camp, so as to be fresh for the next day's work. + +<p><p>Accordingly, the men cut down bushes to form a shelter from the +night dews, and a huge bonfire was lighted, for the air during the +hours of darkness was decidedly cool. Then, after we had partaken +of supper, we turned in and slept, save those who were set on guard. + +<p><p>The night passed without interruption, as Captain Jeremy had +expected, since, even had Slater and his villainous crew been +anywhere near, 'tis unlikely that they would have made any attempt +to molest us ere we had found the treasure. + +<p><p>"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as we prepared to resume our +march, the barrows being left in reserve at the place where we had +camped, "for the next two miles we will have to cut our way, taking +our direction by the compass. Now, lest you think that our first +attempt was an utter failure, let me say that I took that +opportunity of verifying my bearings, having made allowance for the +difference and variation 'twixt the present time and when last I +made the journey to where the treasure lies. If in six miles I have +hit my former track, shall we miss in two miles more? I think not; +so take heart, men, and may success reward our efforts!" + +<p><p>Having carefully indicated the required direction by placing two +stakes in a line with the magnetic bearing, Captain Jeremy gave the +word for the men to proceed, and, wielding their hatchets with a +will, they began to cut the path that was to extend two miles in a +straight line; for the track cut by Captain Jeremy years ago was now +almost totally obliterated, though we had found traces of it in the +swamps. + +<p><p>The ground, hitherto swampy in the direct route 'twixt us and the +stockade (for which reason we had made a wide detour), now became +firm, standing high and continually rising towards the dip in the +saddle-shaped hill that we had seen on our first approach to the +island. + +<p><p>The men, working in relays, were instructed to hew a path wide +enough for two people to walk abreast, and, keeping in a straight +line with the portion they had already cut, our rate of progression +was about a furlong an hour. + +<p><p>For two hours not a sound was heard save the dull swish of the axes +as they sheared through the sap-laden canes and brushwood. + +<p><p>Suddenly one of the men gave an exclamation of surprise, and, +dropping his axe, seized on a strange object and with a heave +wrenched it from the ground. It was an arquebus, apparently of +sixteenth-century workmanship, its barrel nearly rusted through, and +its stock so worm-eaten that it crumbled in his grasp. + +<p><p>This was the first token we had seen which related to our quest, and +with renewed efforts our men again attacked the impeding mass of +vegetation. + +<p><p>When at length the path had been constructed to a distance of about +two miles, our hopes and fears increased. How could the exact spot +be fixed in that wilderness? Had Captain Jeremy some particular +clue, the result of which he kept locked in his breast till the +fateful moment? A glance at our leader's resolute face was +sufficient. He, at all events, was satisfied with the progress made. + +<p><p>"A man with a mattock!" he exclaimed; and as a seaman ran forward +with the required article, he gave the order, "Dig here". + +<p><p>A few heavy strokes, and the implement struck a blackish stratum of +soil. Picking up a handful, Captain Jeremy sniffed at it; but even +where I was standing I recognized the odour. It smelt of pitch. + +<p><p>"We are hard on the place," the Captain exclaimed; "another twenty +yards, lads!" + +<p><p>At length, with an exclamation of triumph, one of the men pushed +aside the reeds, and disclosed a scene the like of which I had never +seen before. For a space of nearly a hundred yards across, the +ground was destitute of verdure, being composed of a bituminous +soil. On all sides, save the one by which we had approached, were +lofty black rocks, grotesquely shaped as if carved by the hand of +man; while facing us was a pinnacle that resembled a human face in +profile, about thirty feet in height. A more repulsive caricature +could not be imagined. The thick, protruding upper lip, the +overhanging eyebrows, and the diabolical grin--'twas the very image +in stone of the villainous Ned Slater. + +<p><p>"Where--where?" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, gripping his pistols, for +I had unconsciously uttered the miscreant's name. + +<p><p>"Nay," I replied, "not Ned Slater in the flesh, but his features +carved in stone. Look at yon rock!" + +<p><p>"Sink me!" muttered the astonished Captain. "Oft have I seen this +rock, but never till now have I noticed this resemblance, yet 'tis +passing strange." + +<p><p>"Is this the work of man?" I asked of him, as the seamen crowded +into the open space and gazed amazedly at the hideous shape. + +<p><p>"'Tis hard to believe it is the hand of Nature," replied Captain +Jeremy. "I have seen the like in the temples of the ancient +Mexicans, save that here are no traces of the sculptor's tools. I +believe 'tis a strange freak of fire, for all around can be seen +distinct evidences of volcanic action. This floor is formed of dried +pitch, of a like nature to the lake of pitch in the Isle of +Trinidad. But we are not here for the purpose of debating upon the +origin of these rocks." + +<p><p>So saying, he strode forward across the open space, and we followed +in a body, our boots ringing on the hard surface 'neath our feet. +Then I saw that the image of the man's head was on one side of the +rock only; on the other the outlines were roughly continued in +horizontal lines along the face of a cliff, till the continuity was +broken by a projecting rock that resembled the gargoyles one sees on +the towers of cathedrals and churches in England. + +<p><p>Having stopped at the spot where the chin of the human-like profile +touched the ground, Captain Jeremy measured off seven paces along +the base of the cliff. Here, as far as one could judge, the rock +presented an unbroken wall, so our amazement was unbounded when the +seamen were ordered to attack the cliff with their mattocks. + +<p><p>Almost at the first blow there was a sudden fall of stones, and when +the dust had cleared away a dark, yawning cavity was disclosed, +while 'twas now evident that a wall had been built up and carefully +concealed with a kind of dark plaster, so that it resembled the rest +of the rock. + +<p><p>"Steady, men!" warned the Captain, as several of the seamen prepared +to scramble over the rubbish into the sombre cavity, "the air may be +poisonous." + +<p><p>Directing a number of the men to cut down some pine saplings, so as +to make torches, Captain Jeremy called for flint and steel. + +<p><p>"Be careful of the tow," he cautioned. "A chance spark in this +pitch-steeped place might be the death of all of us. Once within the +cave, there will be no further danger from fire. Stand by, some of +you, with a barrico, and douche every spark that falls." + +<p><p>One of the improvised torches was quickly in a blaze, and, +describing a graceful curve as it was hurled into the cavern, it +struck the floor, sending out a shower of sparks on the impact. + +<p><p>For a full minute the flame burnt steadily. The air was free from +noxious gases. + +<p><p>"Five men will be sufficient at first," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. +"You, too, Master Clifford. Follow me." + +<p><p>And stepping over the dislodged rubble, he entered the cave. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter26"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Untold Wealth</h5> + +<p><p> +By the glare of the smoking torches I saw that we were in a vast +cavern, the walls of which were smooth and fairly regular on both +sides, although the extent of the place was hidden by a darkness +which the flaring lights failed to penetrate. In the distance I +heard the splashing of a torrent of water, but as the floor of the +cave was covered to a depth of about six inches with dry dust, the +stream must have found an outlet at a lower level. + +<p><p>Led by Captain Jeremy, who strode along rapidly, with the confidence +of a man who was well acquainted with the place, we traversed some +fifty yards of gradually shelving floor, till the torchlight +flickered on several ghastly objects that were lying about in +various positions. There were rusty steel morions, breast-plates, +and buff leather coats, each complete suit containing a grisly +skeleton; while scattered around were arquebuses, muskets, pikes, +swords, and pistols. + +<p><p>"Good heavens!" exclaimed one of our men in an awestruck tone. +"Starved to death!" + +<p><p>"Nay," replied Captain Jeremy, "they fought among themselves. These +were the survivors of the wreck of the <i>Madre de Dios</i>. Consumed +with the lust for gold, they exterminated each other, or, at least, +if any escaped the combat they never left the island." + +<p><p>A few steps farther, and we beheld a pile of casks standing breast +high. Plunging his hand into the nearest, Captain Jeremy drew out a +brick-shaped object, and, knocking it against the side of the cask +to remove a thick deposit of dust, revealed a piece of dull-coloured +metal. It was gold! + +<p><p>Regardless of their gruesome surroundings, the men burst into a +continuous roar of cheering, and like delighted children flung +themselves upon the casks. + +<p><p>Vessels, plate, bars of gold, and coins were disclosed to our view, +till the floor was littered with dull red metal, mingled with +tarnished silver. + +<p><p>'Twas the much-sought-for treasure of the <i>Madre de Dios</i>. + +<p><p>"Pass the word for more torches," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, who +alone seemed unmoved by this vast display of wealth, "and bid the +men bring with them the canvas sacks. Hasten, for we must needs get +clear of this place ere night." When at length some semblance of +order was restored, the work of loading the treasure was begun and +carried on till, staggering under the weight of seventeen heavy +sacks, the seamen gained the open air. + +<p><p>"Shall we do anything with these, sir?" asked one of the men, +pointing to the skeletons of the ill-fated members of the crew of +the <i>Madre</i>. + +<p><p>"Nay; they have guarded the treasure so far, let them sleep on in +peace," replied Captain Jeremy softly, as, stooping down, he picked +up a rapier of exquisite workmanship. + +<p><p>I did likewise, wondering at the contrast betwixt the bright steel +blades and the rusty armour. + +<p><p>"Their mail was tarnished by exposure ere they died," replied +Captain Jeremy, in answer to my question. "The air is so dry within +the cave that rust is almost impossible. Were it not for the +treasure having been submerged in the sea, we would have been +well-nigh blinded by its glister." + +<p><p>Meanwhile the seamen were busily employed in cutting stout poles of +about six feet in length. Over these the sacks were slung, each pole +resting on the shoulders of two men. + +<p><p>Captain Miles gave the order to march, and within a couple of hours +from the time of our arrival the whole of the <i>Madre</i> treasure was +on its way to the ship. + +<p><p>Yet, so heavy were the burdens and so difficult the path, it was +nearly sunset ere we reached the place where we had camped the +previous night. + +<p><p>Here we found the barrows quite undisturbed, so with feelings of +relief the elated men prepared to spend another night in the open. + +<p><p>The treasure was stacked in the centre of a ring of sleeping men, +while double guards were set, Captain Jeremy himself keeping watch +throughout the long night. Hunger and sleeplessness seemed strangers +to him, yet it was anxiety, not highness of spirits, that kept him +awake. + +<p><p>"Are you not glad that the treasure is found, sir?" I asked. + +<p><p>"Glad, aye, that I am; but I'll not feel satisfied till I have the +stuff safe and sound in Poole Harbour. Mark my words, the most +anxious time is yet to come." + +<p><p>Shortly after midnight the camp was aroused by a musket shot, and +all hands, standing to their arms, prepared to resist an attack, +though by whom we knew not. But it turned out to be a false alarm, +for one of the seamen, being overexcited with the events of the day, +had unwittingly fingered the trigger of his piece. + +<p><p>Nevertheless, few of us had much sleep that night, and with the +first sight of dawn the march was resumed. + +<p><p>The greater part of the path now being downhill, we made far more +rapid progress than on the outward journey, in spite of the load of +treasure; and late in the afternoon we reached the brow of the hill +overlooking the harbour where the <i>Golden Hope</i> and her consort lay. + +<p><p>Captain Jeremy thereupon ordered three musket shots to be fired in +the air--the pre-arranged signal of success. Instantly a crowd of +men issued from the stockade, and with shouts and much waving of +arms rushed to meet us. The ships, too, hoisted their colours to the +mastheads, while the <i>Golden Hope</i> fired seven guns by way of a +salute. + +<p><p>Willing hands seized the heavily laden barrows, and with a rush they +were run down the hill, across the flat plain, and into the +stockade, while Captain 'Enery and our leader exchanged +congratulations and eager questions. + +<p><p>"Any news?" asked Captain Jeremy anxiously. + +<p><p>"None; all is quiet on both vessels." + +<p><p>Having entered the stockade, Captain Jeremy immediately gave orders +for the spoil to be carried into the storehouse, and, having picked +out four tried men, he set them, under the superintendence of +Captain 'Enery, to load up the stout chests that had previously been +prepared. + +<p><p>"Men," he exclaimed to the rest of the crews, "the treasure is, as +you know, found." Here the bursts of cheering interrupted further +speech for a space of nearly two minutes, but when order was at +length restored Captain Jeremy continued: "Ere night I hope to have +the whole of these chests safely aboard the <i>Neptune</i>. It will mean +much labour, but I know you'll work with a will. This done, I want +all hands, save a sufficient guard on both brigs, to repair to the +stockade, and we'll have a right good carouse on the strength of our +success. There are several casks of spirits aboard the <i>Golden +Hope</i>, and sink me if I be niggardly in this matter." + +<p><p>Renewed cheering greeted this announcement, though, knowing that +Captain Jeremy was not a man to encourage a carouse, I wondered at +his action, especially at such a time, when there was danger from a +known mutinous party in our midst. + +<p><p>"Number one ready, sir," announced one of the men from the door of +the storehouse. + +<p><center><img src="images/treasure.jpg" alt="Treasure"></center> +<p><center>[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"]</center> + +<p><p>"Then out with it," replied the Captain, and as the bulky chest +appeared, carefully nailed and corded, it was seized upon by a gang +of lusty seamen and conveyed to the water's edge, where a boat was +lying in readiness to take it to the <i>Neptune</i>. Seven others +followed before Captain 'Enery and the men, all looking warm with +their exertions, emerged from the storehouse, and the door was +carefully locked. + +<p><p>"Now to set the watches on board both vessels," said Captain Jeremy; +then in an aside to Captain 'Enery, though loud enough for me to +hear, "Are our men ashore? Good! Now to settle with the rogues." + +<p><p>"Master Hammond, will you go and warn the crews of both vessels to +muster ashore to-night? The exceptions are named on this list," he +continued, slipping a paper into my hands. "They are to remain on +board and keep a careful watch. Warn them on the <i>Neptune</i> of the +precious nature of their trust." + +<p><p>I made my way to the shore, where a boat conveyed me to the <i>Golden +Hope</i>. Then, having delivered Captain Jeremy's orders and detailed +the watch party, I proceeded aboard the <i>Neptune</i>. + +<p><p>Here I was met at the gangway by Tompkins, the quartermaster, whom +we knew to be one of the malcontents. + +<p><p>"Master Clemens is sick, sir," he reported, "and desires permission +to be taken ashore." + +<p><p>"Let him go, by all means," I replied. "What's amiss?" + +<p><p>"I know not," answered the man, "though it seems of the nature of an +ague." + +<p><p>Having had the crew mustered, I repeated Captain Jeremy's orders, +and proceeded to read the names of the men who were to remain. There +were sixteen of the latter, being five more than the watch on board +the <i>Golden Hope</i>, and as I called the names their bearers replied, +"Here, sir." + +<p><p>"Gadd--Jonathan Gadd?" + +<p><p>No answer. + +<p><p>"Jonathan Gadd," I repeated; "where is he?" + +<p><p>No one seemed to know. + +<p><p>"Beck, William?" + +<p><p>He, too, was absent, cause unknown. + +<p><p>So were two others, Wood and Hoit; it could only be by design, for +there were only the malcontents of the crew remaining on board the +<i>Neptune</i>. And under the charge of these rascals were the eight +treasure chests. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter27"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Mutiny of the <i>Neptune</i></h5> + +<p><p> +Having carried out my instructions, I directed the boat's crew to +row back to the shore, and having secured the little craft and +removed her oars, the men followed me to the stockade. + +<p><p>It was now night, but the open space within the palisade was lit by +the glare of a huge fire. Seated around on upturned casks, or +sprawling on the ground, were as many of the crews of both brigs as +could be spared, besides the garrison of the stockade; and, to my +surprise, I recognized Joe Clemens, who had been sent ashore, +presumably ill with the ague, and also the four men who ought, +according to the list of names, to have been keeping watch on board +the <i>Neptune</i>. + +<p><p>Having reported myself to Captain Jeremy, I walked over to where +Clemens was seated, and asked him how he felt. + +<p><p>"Never better in my life, Master Hammond," was his astonishing +reply; from which, coupled with the fact that the other absentees +from the <i>Neptune</i> were not ashamed to be seen away from their +posts, I concluded that 'twas all part and parcel of Captain +Jeremy's plans. + +<p><p>The casks of spirits had been broached, and with rousing song the +men, to use Captain 'Enery's expression, "let themselves go". The +firelight gleamed on their bronzed, hearty features, and cast +fantastic shadows upon the encircling wooden fence, where, like +ghostly shapes against the dark sky, stood the sentinels who had +been posted to keep watch while their comrades feasted and caroused. +The air was thick with the reek of burning logs and the odour of +strong waters. + +<p><p>Yet, in contrast to the general festivity, Captain Jeremy and his +officers maintained the strictest abstinence, though they applauded +with the rest as a ballad went well, or joined in a volley of chaff +when a seaman broke down in a partly forgotten song. + +<p><p>Frequently the Captain would slip quietly away and mount the +parapet, whence he would gaze steadfastly across the harbour to +where the anchor lamps of the two ships glimmered like stars on the +point of setting. + +<p><p>It was well after midnight ere the fire had burnt itself low, and +the glowing embers played on the faces of men who were too tired +even to join in a chorus. + +<p><p>"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, "'tis too late to return on +board. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can here, and report +yourselves to me to-morrow at eight bells." + +<p><p>"Three cheers for Captain Miles!" shouted a hoarse voice, and the +men, having expended their last remaining energy in paying this +tribute to their popular chief, trooped off to rest in the +barrack-like shelters that had been erected for the comfort of the +little garrison. + +<p><p>When all was quiet, Captain Jeremy, 'Enery, Silas Touchstone, and I +walked down to the beach, followed by the boat's crew, and were +rowed off to the <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<p><p>"Turn in now, Master Clifford," said Captain Jeremy, as we gained +the deck; "you must be tired out with the day's excitement and the +night's revelry." + +<p><p>He had donned his thick peajacket, so I knew that, though he had not +slumbered on the previous night, he meant to keep on deck. Something +was in the wind. + +<p><p>Tired as I was, I could not sleep. For hours I lay awake, listening +to the dull roar of the breakers on the reef and the periodical +notes of the ship's bell, which, with faithful precision, were +repeated on board the <i>Neptune</i>; while, borne on the soft air, as +the land breeze blew across the bay, I could distinguish the "All's +well" of the men on guard at the stockade. + +<p><p>Overhead I could hear a measured tramp, as the two captains paced +the deck, for they had left the quarter-deck and were patrolling the +poop, talking in earnest tones, though their words were inaudible. + +<p><p>Six bells! Would sleep never come? I sprang out of my bunk, and +walking over to one of the open stern ports, I leant out. + +<p><p>Grey dawn was beginning to glimmer in the east, and with it came the +moaning of a rising wind. Barely distinguishable against the pale +night mists, I could see the outlines of the <i>Neptune</i>. Did my eyes +deceive me? Her sails had been shaken loose and were being sheeted +home. + +<p><p>The footsteps overhead were still. The captains had ceased their +monotonous walk. Had they, too, noticed the mysterious and +unauthorized manoeuvre? + +<p><p>Even as I watched I heard the splash of the cut cable, and, listing +over to the now stiff breeze, the <i>Neptune</i> began to forge ahead. + +<p><p>I waited no longer; but rushed on deck, and gained the poop just as +Captain Jeremy hailed, in a voice like the bellowing of a bull: + +<p><p>"What are ye up to, ye rascals? Heave-to, I say, or I'll sink you!" + +<p><p>Still the <i>Neptune</i> came on, moving with increasing pace as she drew +farther from the lee of the land. + +<p><p>"Below there," shouted the master gunner, "stand to your guns!" + +<p><p>The newly awakened members of our scanty crew passed through the +fore hatchway in all states of clothing. They needed no second +bidding, but, rushing to the guns, began to load. + +<p><p>Suddenly one of the gunlayers gave an exclamation of angry surprise. + +<p><p>"Spiked!" he shouted, with an oath. + +<p><p>"Same here," announced another, and a hasty examination revealed the +unpleasant fact that every gun on the starboard side had an iron +nail wedged into the touch-hole and broken off short. + +<p><p>Silas Touchstone disappeared, only to return with a box of +armourer's tools. If anything was to be done it must be done +speedily, for the <i>Neptune</i> was now close to our quarter. + +<p><p>"Oh, for a single gun!" exclaimed Captain 'Enery. "We could wing her +now." + +<p><p>Then, to my unspeakable dismay, I saw, gripping the weather-poop +rail of the <i>Neptune</i>, the figure of my enemy, Ned Slater. He had +proved his words concerning his friends on the ship by taking +possession of her, thanks to the aid of the mutineers. + +<p><p>The light was now sufficiently strong to distinguish the hideous +leer of insolent triumph on his features.. + +<p><p>"Farewell, Captain Miles!" he shouted. "A thousand thanks for having +handed over the <i>Madre</i> treasure, to say nothing of having provided +the means to find the way out," and with an ostentatious flourish he +displayed the well-known chart. + +<p><p>"May you be much beholden to it, you villain!" returned Captain +Jeremy, and, laying hold of a musket, he fired at the double-dyed +rogue. + +<p><p>Now, in all my experience I had never known Captain Jeremy to miss +his mark at that comparatively short distance, and I fully expected +to see the murderous thief fall dead on the deck. But the bullet +went wide, so wide indeed that Slater never so much as ducked his +head, which he would assuredly have done had it 'scaped him +narrowly. + +<p><p>"Try again, Cap'n," came the taunting cry. + +<p><p>"I'll be even with you yet," shouted Captain Jeremy, as he proceeded +to reload his piece. + +<p><p>Meanwhile our men worked their hardest to run one of the larboard +guns over to the other side, but owing to the shortage of hands and +the encumbered state of our decks 'twas evident that the <i>Neptune</i> +would be well out of range ere a single gun was in position to open +fire. + +<p><p>Having passed well ahead of us, the disloyal brig smartly +starboarded her helm and stood out for the open sea, followed by a +desultory cannonade from the stockade, which, however, did little or +no harm, though it proved that the men were fairly alert, in spite +of their overnight carouse. + +<p><p>"She's off, right enough," exclaimed one of the men. + +<p><p>"And the treasure with her!" shouted another, in a paroxysm of rage. +"Where's my share now? All lost! All lost!" + +<p><p>"Peace, you fool!" said Captain Jeremy sternly. + +<p><p>"If you have lost your share, have I not lost far more? Wait and +see." + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter28"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Fate of the Mutineers</h5> + +<p><p> +Presently most of the men who had been left in the stockade, having +taken to the boats and the little sloop, came on board. Fury, +disappointment, and despair were written on their faces as they +gathered in the waist awaiting the orders that were not forthcoming. + +<p><p>"Aren't you going to weigh and chase 'em, Cap'n?" shouted one, with +more zeal than discretion. + +<p><p>"Send away the long-boat, and we'll soon overhaul them," suggested +another. + +<p><p>"With this sea running?" replied Captain Jeremy at length. "You +would never make head way. Trust me and wait." + +<p><p>The crew could scarce believe their ears. Was the Captain overcome +by the strain of the last few days? His pensive attitude seemed +incomprehensible. + +<p><p>Yet Captain Jeremy was outwardly cool and collected as, glass in +hand, he followed the course of the disappearing <i>Neptune</i>. + +<p><p>She was now on the bar, tossing, pitching, and rolling in the heavy +breakers, for already the sea outside was running high and breaking +over the shoals in one continuous field of snow-flecked foam. Yet +the errant brig held slowly and truly on her course 'twixt the +shallows that threatened her at half a cable's length to starboard +and larboard. + +<p><p>She stood out close hauled on the larboard tack, the wind being due +north, till she reached the bend in the channel that ran parallel +with the shore. Here, being smartly handled, she turned and ran dead +before the wind, her hull being lost to view from our decks by the +intervening reef. + +<p><p>Instantly there was a scramble aloft, Captain Jeremy and I, with +nearly a dozen men, gaining the main top, while the shrouds were +alive with the discomfited crew as they watched from their lofty +point of vantage the rapidly receding brig. + +<p><p>I glanced at Captain Jeremy. In spite of his coolness, I fancy his +anxiety increased as the <i>Neptune</i> ran before the wind. + +<p><p>"Sink me," I heard him mutter, "she's hauling to the wind!" + +<p><p>This was indeed the case, but even as she did so she struck the +fatal reef. The next instant she broached to, the rollers making +clean breaches over her hull, and almost immediately her masts went +by the board. + +<p><p>Then I understood, though imperfectly. Captain Jeremy, by altering +the position of the clump of trees, had created a false landmark, +and the <i>Neptune</i> had fallen into the trap. + +<p><p>"There's an end to the treasure, anyway," exclaimed one of the men. +"There won't be as much as a plank or a copper nail left ere night." + +<p><p>Having witnessed the destruction of the mutineers, Captain Jeremy +descended to the deck and ordered the bos'n to pipe all hands. Then, +mounting the poop, he faced the dejected men. + +<p><p>"My lads," he exclaimed in ringing tones, "I'll deceive you no +longer. There is no need for discontent or vain regrets, for not one +pennyworth of treasure is aboard yon craft. The whole of it is now +lying in the storehouse on shore!" + +<p><p>For a full twenty seconds there was a lull or absolute silence; the +men seemed unable to grasp the full significance of the words. Then, +as the meaning dawned upon them, a roar of cheering burst from a +hundred throats. + +<p><p>"If you pause to consider," continued the Captain, "you will see +that I acted for the best, even though I had to practise a mild +deceit on most of you. Knowing that the rogues on the <i>Neptune</i> were +in league with that villain Slater, I purposely caused the treasure +chests, filled with stones, to be conveyed on board their craft. You +will remember that at no time did I say the treasure was in those +chests, but the rascals jumped at the bait. By so doing they have +served a double purpose: we shall be troubled by them no more, and +the loss of the <i>Neptune</i> has relieved me of a great load of +anxiety. How say you? What would they at home say if they saw me +bringing back two ships, when I set sail with one only? I also see a +way whereby those of you who were shipped as slaves aboard the +<i>Neptune</i> can return to your homes, or, if you will it, be set +ashore at any port we touch, with your full share of the spoil of +the captured buccaneer." + +<p><p>"I have also another proposal to make. By their mutinous conduct +those aboard the <i>Neptune</i> would have forfeited their share in the +<i>Madre</i> treasure had they lived, so that the amount to be +distributed amongst the remaining members of the original crew of +the <i>Golden Hope</i> is considerably increased. Now, I am going to set +aside the amount of those forfeited shares and divide it amongst +you, irrespective of rank, or whether ye be the men who left Poole +in the <i>Golden Hope</i> or those who joined us off the <i>Neptune</i>; for +'twas by the hearty efforts of all hands here that we were enabled +to lay hands on the treasure. Now, lads, I thank you one and all. It +only remains to load up our precious cargo, get the ship ready for +sea, and yo-ho! for old England." + +<p><p>When the applause that greeted the termination of Captain Jeremy's +speech had subsided, a number of men, headed by Tom Cherry, elbowed +their way through the dense crowd of their delighted comrades. + +<p><p>"Cap'n," exclaimed Cherry, "I've a favour to ask you." + +<p><p>"Say on," replied Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"Me and my mates here," said the sturdy seaman, "want to take the +long-boat and row out to yon wreck. Maybe some of the poor chaps are +still aboard." + +<p><p>"Nay," answered the Captain, a flush of anger overspreading his +bronzed features. "They are but mutinous dogs; let them perish." + +<p><p>"They were our comrades, an', though it shames me to say it, my +brother's son is with them," Cherry said doggedly. "If we pick 'em +up we can send 'em off in the sloop, and they won't harm us any +more." + +<p><p>"A boat would never live in such a sea," observed Captain Jeremy, +with a sweep of his arm in the direction of the bar, where the +breakers were tumbling in white, confused masses, for it was now +blowing hard outside. Yet our Captain was certainly turning aside +from his hard purpose. + +<p><p>"We are willing to take the risk, sir," pleaded the seaman +earnestly. "I've not been brought up on the coast of Kent for +nothing." + +<p><p>"Then go. But, mind you, one condition I make. Should you bring that +murderous villain Ned Slater back alive, I'll run him up to the +yardarm." + +<p><p>Tom Cherry touched his forelock and turned away, followed by his +eight comrades. The long-boat was already alongside; so, tossing a +mast and sail, an empty beaker, and a coil of grass rope into her, +the dauntless men dropped over the side of the <i>Golden Hope</i> and +pushed off. + +<p><p>"You are quite certain of the channel, I hope, Cherry?" shouted +Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"Yes, sir; and besides, there's enough water over the shoals for +us." + +<p><p>"Not with this tumble outside; so be careful, and keep to the +smoothest water." + +<p><p>"More food for the sharks," I heard a seaman say, as he watched the +boat gather way. + +<p><p>Hoisting a mere rag of sail, the daring rescuers headed for the +open, the boat speeding under the pressure of the howling wind, +while Tom Cherry steered her adroitly to meet each threatening +comber. At one moment we could see nearly the whole of the boat's +bottom boards, as she climbed an immense wall of water; at another, +only her long, lean quarters and stern, as she slid down the far +side of the safely passed crest. + +<p><p>Once more we manned the rigging, and with eager eyes and +apprehensive looks followed the hazardous fortunes of our humane +comrades as they turned and ran down before the wind towards the +wreck. + +<p><p>From my swaying perch on the main top--for even in this usually +sheltered harbour a heavy "gush" caused the <i>Golden Hope</i> to roll +sluggishly--I had great difficulty in keeping the boat within the +field of my telescope. The men had now stowed sail, and under oars +were backing slowly towards the shattered <i>Neptune</i>, the figure of +Tom Cherry being clearly distinguishable as he stood, steering oar +in hand, keeping the boat's stern to the towering crests. + +<p><p>By this time the after part of the <i>Neptune</i> had completely +disappeared, and the waist was fast breaking up under the relentless +blows of the resistless breakers; yet through the cloud of spray +that dashed over the fo'c'sle I could see the forms of some half a +dozen helpless creatures hanging on to the frail protection afforded +by the weather rail. + +<p><p>The men in the long-boat were now rowing their hardest to keep to +windward of the wreck. They were evidently paying out the beaker by +the grass warp in the hope of establishing a communication 'twixt +the two craft. It was a life-or-death struggle with the +elements--English courage and brawn pitted against the combined +action of wind and sea. Which would win? + +<p><p>Suddenly a heavy rain squall came on, bearing down the crested waves +with its weight, and obliterating everything within a quarter of a +mile of us. + +<p><p>When the squall passed, a groan of dismay burst from our lips. As +far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a chaos of angry sea +and sky. Both the wreck and the gallant long-boat had vanished. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter29"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Homeward Bound</h5> + +<p><p> +For the rest of that fateful day the greatest despondency prevailed +amongst our crew. The fate of their devoted comrades, whose lives +had been thrown away in a useless attempt to save a worthless lot of +mutineers, weighed heavily on their minds. Even the thought of the +treasure being safe in our possession hardly asserted itself. + +<p><p>But with the morning there came a change. The storm, short and +fierce, had blown itself out, and once more the tropical sun poured +its scorching rays upon the gently heaving waters. Not only had the +<i>Neptune</i> disappeared from view, but the gale had swept away the few +remaining fragments of the pirate ship <i>Black Arrow</i>, so that +another link with the adventurous past had been severed. + +<p><p>Seamen, from their constant exposure and peril, are ever ready to +rise above their misfortunes, though these are not easily forgotten; +and so it was with the crew of the <i>Golden Hope</i>. The dejected mien +so observable on the preceding day gave place to a bustle of +activity, for much had to be done ere we were ready to weigh anchor +and set sail on our homeward voyage. + +<p><p>The brig had to be careened, so that as much as possible of the +thick deposit of weeds and barnacles 'neath the waterline could be +scraped off; while ashore great cauldrons of pitch bubbled over the +fires, for much paying and caulking of seams had to be done ere the +<i>Golden Hope</i> could be deemed sufficiently seaworthy for her long +voyage. + +<p><p>While the work was in progress Captain Jeremy ordered a party of men +to remove the false landmark, and to place in the former position of +the clump of trees a tall pole, surmounted by a large triangle +conspicuously painted black and white. Without this mark it would be +well-nigh impossible to get our correct bearings, and the <i>Golden +Hope</i> would doubtless share the fate of the ill-starred <i>Neptune</i> +unless we took the narrow channel by which the <i>Antelope</i> had +arrived. But this course would be impracticable with the winds +prevailing at this time of the year, hence the importance of the +newly erected pole. + +<p><p>At length the scraping and pitching of the brig's hull was +completed, and the <i>Golden Hope</i> rode once more on an even keel. The +work of transporting the treasure from the stockade was now carried +out in earnest, and without mishap the whole of the precious stuff +was safely stowed in the <i>Golden Hope's</i> strong room, under the poop +deck. + +<p><p>This done, it was thought prudent to dismantle and evacuate the +stockade. + +<p><p>The ordnance was removed and taken aboard the brig; the powder, of +which we had a considerable reserve, was carefully stowed in her +magazines. Silas Touchstone had proposed to destroy the stockade and +the buildings within it by fire, but to this proposal Captain Jeremy +refused to give his consent, observing that they might be useful to +any castaways who might have the misfortune to land on the island. + +<p><p>The small craft that had been taken from the buccaneers after their +rout by Silas Touchstone were beached as far as possible in the most +secluded part of the harbour. Though the wind and the sun would ere +long reduce them to mere wrecks, Captain Jeremy, in his humanity, +thought they might also be of service to others. + +<p><p>Then, having watered the ship, filling all the available barricoes +in addition to the tanks, for we knew not whether to make straight +for home or to put into Port Royal, we prepared to spend our last +night in the harbour of Treasure Island. Accordingly, having, as we +thought, finally severed our connection with the shore, we hoisted +in our boats, preparatory to making a start at dawn. + +<p><p>About an hour after sunset I was pacing the deck, when I heard a +hail from shore: "<i>Golden Hope</i>, ahoy!" + +<p><p>Several of the watch on deck also caught the cry, but, too +astonished to reply, they crowded to the bulwarks and listened with +awestruck feelings for a repetition of the hail. + +<p><p>Again the shout, "<i>Golden Hope</i>, ahoy!" pierced the darkness. + +<p><p>"Who can it be?" muttered one of the men. "All hands are aboard, for +they were mustered just before eight bells." + +<p><p>"I like it not," replied another, with a shudder. "'Tis the ghosts +of the slain men. We'll never reach home after this." + +<p><p>"Run and tell the Cap'n," suggested a third, with more good sense +than his comrades. + +<p><p>Just as Captain Jeremy came on deck the hail was again repeated. + +<p><p>"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" shouted our Captain. He, too, was +puzzled by the mysterious cry. Something was shouted in reply, but +the words were unintelligible. + +<p><p>"Lower away a boat," ordered Captain Jeremy curtly. + +<p><p>The men moved aft to obey, obviously with reluctance. + +<p><p>"What are ye afraid of?" demanded our commander. "I'll go ashore in +her. Take arms and a lantern, and we'll soon sift this business." + +<p><p>The boat was lowered and the falls cleared, and the men, tumbling +into her, brought her round to the gangway. Here Captain Jeremy +stepped into the stern sheets, whither I followed, eager to solve +the mystery. + +<p><p>When within twenty yards of the shore the boat was turned till her +stern pointed landwards. Captain Jeremy stood up, striving by the +aid of the lantern that one of the men held behind him to penetrate +the darkness. I could distinguish a knot of men close to the water's +edge. + +<p><p>"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" repeated Captain Jeremy. + +<p><p>"We've come back," replied a voice that I failed to recognize. Then, +after a pause, it continued: "Tom Cherry and the long-boat's crew." + +<p><p>"Run her ashore, men," shouted Captain Jeremy excitedly, and as the +boat's forepart grounded on the shingle our men jumped out to +welcome those who we thought were dead. + +<p><p>They were all present, nine all told, but with what a change in +their appearance! Even the yellow light of the lantern failed to +disguise the pale, gaunt features of Tom Cherry and his men. Their +clothes were in rags, and shoes they had none, though most of the +poor fellows had their feet bound with strips of cloth. + +<p><p>"The boat's safe enow, sir," exclaimed Cherry feebly, as he raised +his hand to the salute with an effort. "She's----" + +<p><p>"Never mind that," replied our Captain. "Get aboard as fast as you +can, and don't say another word till you are fed and rested." + +<p><p>'Twas easy to order the men to hasten aboard the boat, but so weak +were they that they had to be assisted over the gunwale, while, to +get them over the side of the <i>Golden Hope</i>, a bos'n's chair had to +be rigged. At length they were safely aboard, where it was painful +to see the poor wretches devour the food that was given them. Had +they had their will, they would assuredly have killed themselves by +their ravenousness; but having supplied them with small quantities +of broth, Captain Jeremy ordered them to be placed in their hammocks +and fed again in an hour's time. + +<p><p>The return of Cherry and the long-boat's crew prevented our sailing +at the appointed time, for since their craft was, according to the +gallant coxswain, "safe and sound", Captain Jeremy decided to bring +it back to the ship, as it was the most useful boat we carried. + +<p><p>The sufferers recovered sufficiently by the morning to tell us of +their hazardous adventures. When caught by the squall they were +swept to leeward of the <i>Neptune</i> just as she disappeared, but were +unable to save any of the mutineers. Every moment they expected to +find themselves struggling in the water, for the boat was being +carried right over the shoals, on which the breakers were falling +heavily. But for the presence of mind of Tom Cherry, who ordered the +mast and sail to be lashed to the grass rope and thrown overboard, +so that the boat's head was kept to the crested waves, the long-boat +would not have kept afloat. As it was, this floating anchor acted as +a kind of breakwater, much of the force of the waves being expended +ere they passed under the boat. Even then several seas broke over +it, necessitating continuous bailing. + +<p><p>Ere the rain squall ceased they had been carried past the +south-western extremity of the island, where, being more under the +lee of the land, and the sea being deeper, the waves did not run so +high. Nevertheless, in their exhausted condition, they could not +make headway, and when two oars broke they were compelled to let +themselves drift, riding in comparative safety to their sea anchor. + +<p><p>During the night the wind dropped and the sea subsided, but being +without a compass and unable to see the island in the darkness, they +had to drift about till nearly two hours after midnight. Then, the +sky becoming clear, they were enabled to take a rough bearing by the +stars. Dawn found them with the island nearly below the horizon, but +after five hours' hard and laborious pulling they managed to land at +a little cove at the south end. + +<p><p>Here they found a path leading northwards, and after several hours' +walk, during which time they made a sorry meal of berries and water, +they recognized their road as being the same as we had taken when we +recovered the treasure. After great privations, and filled with +fears that the <i>Golden Hope</i> had sailed, they managed to struggle +through the forest by the path we had made during our first +expedition into the interior, and arrived at the shore, having lost +their way more than once in the intense darkness. + +<p><p>During the day one of our boats was dispatched to bring back the +long-boat. As Cherry had reported, she was practically undamaged, +and with a favourable breeze both craft were alongside the brig well +before sunset. + +<p><p>At daybreak on the following morning the welcome order to weigh was +given, and as the capstan revolved to the cheery song of the seamen +the anchor came home, after an acquaintance of nearly two years with +the bed of the bay. + +<p><p>The wind had again backed, and blew lightly from the north'ard, so +that it was unwise to attempt to beat through the shorter and more +recently discovered channel that passed inside the shoal on which I +had had such a hazardous adventure. + +<p><p>Nevertheless, we negotiated the bends of the other passage in +safety, thanks to the replacement of the navigation mark on shore, +though everyone was anxious till the lead gave a depth of forty +fathoms. + +<p><p>An hour later the highest peak of Treasure Island had vanished +'neath the horizon. We were homeward bound. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter30"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Last of my Sworn Enemy</h5> + +<p><p> +That same day the wind, hitherto mainly from the north'ard, suddenly +changed, and blew freshly from the south-west. Nevertheless, as we +were in the joint current caused by the union of the North +Equatorial and the Canaries' Stream, our progress was slow. + +<p><p>Neither could we hope for long to be favoured by the breeze, as we +were in the zone of the north-east Trades; so Captain Jeremy decided +to skirt the windward side of the Lesser Antilles and the Bahama +Islands, and thus gain the double advantage of the Gulf Stream and +the prevailing south-westerly winds off the coast of North America. +Having progressed thus far, the proposal at one time talked of to +repair to Port Royal was given over, and our first place of call was +to be the Bermudas. + +<p><p>'Enery was now relegated to the post of first mate. He seemed quite +content with the reversal of his position, since he hoped, should he +reach England safely, to purchase an interest in a ship, and sail in +command. + +<p><p>I do not believe that there was a discontented man on the ship. +Thanks to our good fortune, the individual share of the treasure +would be considerable, and everyone was in high glee; and as each +hour brought us nearer to Old England's shores, the men's spirits +rose to such an extent that I wondered what they would be like when +they set foot in Poole once more. + +<p><p>On the third day of our homeward voyage we were sailing close-hauled +on the larboard tack, with the island of Barbuda just visible away +to windward. + +<p><p>The day was hot and sultry, and, the breeze being light, the <i>Golden +Hope</i> was barely doing more than two knots. + +<p><p>Suddenly there was a shout from the look-out on the fo'c'sle that a +small craft was in sight. As this served to break the monotony, +there was a rush for'ard to see what kind of vessel it might be. + +<p><p>"It's a deserted boat," exclaimed Clemens, who had snatched up a +telescope. "At least, I can perceive no one in her." + +<p><p>As the <i>Golden Hope</i> was heading almost straight for the derelict, a +very slight alteration in her course would bring her close +alongside, so Captain Jeremy ordered this to be effected. + +<p><p>"There's a man in her, a-lyin' with his head over the side," shouted +a seaman. "I can see him moving his arm." + +<p><p>"That is so," assented Captain Jeremy, after a prolonged examination +through his glass. "A survivor of some wreck, I expect. Anyway, +he'll be as dead as a marline-spike before we get alongside, if he +remain like that, with the sun pouring on him." + +<p><p>"He's dead, right enough," said 'Enery, after a while. "'Tis the +tossing of the boat that makes him move." + +<p><p>'Enery was right. Hanging over the gunwale, with one arm trailing in +the water, was the corpse of a man. We could not see his face, but +the nape of the neck was blackened from exposure to the sun. The arm +moved sluggishly with every roll of the little craft, giving the +corpse the appearance of being alive. + +<p><p>"Poor fellow! Starved to death, I take it," said Touchstone softly. +"I've seen that sort of thing before to-day. Shall we run alongside, +sir?" + +<p><p>"Aye," replied Captain Jeremy. "We might just as well, in case we +can do anything." + +<p><p>Silence fell upon the crew as the <i>Golden Hope</i> crept slowly towards +the floating monument of an ocean tragedy, till all at once the +master gunner shouted: + +<p><p>"By Jove, that's one of our chests!" + +<p><p>We were now near enough to see over the gunwale as the boat rolled +in the oily swell. Lashed amidships, 'twixt two of the thwarts, was +one of the boxes we had made, ostensibly for the storing of the +<i>Madre</i> treasure. Then, like lightning, the truth flashed across my +mind: I was gazing at the corpse of Ned Slater. + +<p><p>The chest told a silent tale. The villain must have begun loading +the boat directly the <i>Neptune</i> struck the reef; then, seeing that +the ship was doomed, he sprang into the little craft, basely +deserting his companions in crime. By some means the boat had +escaped being swamped, and, offering little resistance to the wind, +had been carried by the current in a northerly direction. When the +gale died away, Slater must have prised open the lid of the chest to +bloat over its contents, only to find a load of stones within. +Either through the fury of his baffled hopes, or through the stern +necessity of lightening the little craft, he had hurled the +valueless cargo overboard, for the chest was empty. Helpless, and +blown far from land, the villain had died a horrible death from slow +starvation. + +<p><p>Springing into the fore chains, 'Enery, with boat-hook in hand, +caught at the gunwale of the boat as it slowly drifted alongside. He +made a sign to a couple of seamen, who, understanding, brought a +heavy shot wrapped up in a piece of canvas. Nimbly dropping into the +boat, one of the men quickly fastened the weight to the body of the +ill-fated wretch; then, staving a plank with an axe, he sprang back +into our fore chains. + +<p><p>'Enery disengaged the boat-hook, and ere the <i>Golden Hope</i> had +drifted clear the boat sank beneath the waters of the Atlantic, and +the body of my father's murderer disappeared from view till the time +when the sea shall give up the dead that are in it. + +<p><p>I was glad that 'Enery had behaved thus. He had acted generously to +the memory of a man who had done his best to raise his hand against +every member of our crew. The rogue had paid the penalty and had +received his deserts, though in my calmer moments I rejoiced that he +had not met his death at my hands. + +<p><p>Soon after this gruesome incident we picked up a steady breeze that +enabled us to make rapid progress, and seven days after leaving +Treasure Island we crossed the Tropic of Cancer. + +<p><p>It was all plain sailing till we were within a few hundred miles of +the Bermudas, when a heavy gale caused the main topmast of the +<i>Golden Hope</i> to spring. + +<p><p>In this crippled condition the brig crawled into the harbour on +whose shores the principal settlements are built, but ere we could +effect repairs an awful hurricane, the worst I have ever met, or +hope to meet, burst over the islands. + +<p><p>The storm came on quite suddenly, and almost before we had time to +strike our still-standing fore-topmast, and veer out all our cable. +Even in the comparatively sheltered harbour where we lay the sea was +churned into a seething cauldron of foam, whilst ashore the damage +was terrific. The lightly built huts of the settlers were unroofed +and most of the trees blown down; and so great was the havoc wrought +that 'twas a matter of difficulty to get our damaged topmast +repaired till nearly six weeks after the storm. + +<p><p>While lying in harbour we learnt from an outward bound West Indiaman +that things at home were in a very unsettled state, for almost all +men were dissatisfied with King James. + +<p><p>Yet--so suspicious had Englishmen become of each other--we could +gather no definite information, though many hints were thrown out +concerning what we might expect to find on our arrival at home. + +<p><p>At length, on the second day of October, 1688, we weighed and set +sail on the last stage of our homeward voyage, and late on the +forenoon of the following day the last of the low-lying Bermudas was +lost to view. + +<p><p>During the next three weeks nothing untoward occurred. The <i>Golden +Hope</i> pursued her course over a seemingly boundless ocean, with +never a sail to break the skyline, till, when, according to our +reckoning, we were within ninety miles of Land's End, I was aroused +just after midnight by the shout: + +<p><p>"A light on the starboard bow." + +<p><p>Gleaming faintly through the darkness, I could distinguish a small +column of flame, apparently ten miles away, which faded and waxed +stronger at close intervals. + +<p><p>"What d'ye make of it, sir?" asked 'Enery, as he and Captain Jeremy +mounted the poop ladder to get a better view of the mysterious +light. + +<p><p>"Make of it? Why, it can be but one thing. 'Tis a ship on fire." + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter31"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXXI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">The Burning Ship</h5> + +<p><p> +Within an hour or so we had approached sufficiently near to the +conflagration to prove the truth of Captain Jeremy's assertion. + +<p><p>It was a large vessel burning from bow to stern, the flames mounting +to a tremendous height and casting a lurid glow on a thick column of +smoke that blew miles to leeward. The masts and spars of the ship +were still standing, though licked by the devouring fire, while her +double line of ports shone like a line of gigantic glow-worms. + +<p><p>Even at the distance we were from her we could hear the crackling of +the burning woodwork, and the subdued roar of the flames as they +issued from the bowels of that floating inferno. + +<p><p>"Near enough!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "'Twill not do to get to +leeward of her. Heave-to and lower away a boat; we may be able to +render assistance, though I fear 'tis too late." + +<p><p>These orders were promptly carried out, and the <i>Golden Hope</i> was +brought-to at about three-quarters of a mile from the burning ship. +'Enery, with a willing crew, took one of the quarter-boats and rowed +boldly towards the vessel, while lanterns were hung on our rigging +and guns were fired at frequent intervals to attract the attention +of any boat-load of survivors that might have managed to effect an +escape. + +<p><p>Spellbound, I, with the rest of our remaining crew, watched the +conquering progress of the devouring element. Yard after yard came +crashing down from aloft, the blazing timber plunging into the sea +with a loud hiss as the flames were extinguished in the water. The +tarred and hempen shrouds, long since severed at the deadeyes, were +dangling like fiery serpents from the swaying masts; while ever and +anon the shotted guns of her broadside would discharge their +dangerous contents, the balls ricochetting on the surface of the sea +with a series of fountain-like jets. Some of the shots passed +unpleasantly close to the <i>Golden Hope</i>, and orders were given to +forge ahead till we were well in line with the stern of the burning +ship, where, being still to windward, we were in no danger. + +<p><p>Meanwhile we could perceive 'Enery and his men pulling slowly round +the ship at a respectful distance, the shot whizzing well over their +heads; and though the mate was to be seen standing up in the stern +sheets and carefully examining whatever floating piece of wreckage +they came across, we knew that none of the unfortunate crew had been +taken into the boat. If still alive, where were they? + +<p><p>The roar of our ordnance, fired at regular intervals, added to the +din; yet this signal seemed useless, for no strange craft was to be +seen rowing for the shelter offered by the <i>Golden Hope</i>. + +<p><p>Suddenly, with a loud crash, the foremast of the vessel went by the +board, and lay, still burning fiercely, across the fo'c'sle. The +mainmast soon followed, but, falling clear of the ship, it drifted +close alongside, the damp timber still emitting a dense cloud of +smoke. + +<p><p>By now the vessel had burned almost to the water's edge amidships, +and crash after crash could be heard as the guns plunged through the +burning planks into the hold. The fo'c'sle and poop still reared +themselves high above the sea, the latter surmounted by a pillar of +fire that encircled the mizen-mast. + +<p><p>Suddenly the dazzling glare of the flames was eclipsed by a flash so +brilliant that I was obliged to close my eyes to shut out its +brightness. Then came the deafening roar of an explosion, and +opening my eyes, I saw the air filled with flying pieces of +shattered timber. The magazine had taken fire. + +<p><p>Almost immediately the fire was extinguished; a thick cloud of smoke +hovered over the spot where the ship had been, while aloft a +thousand fitful streaks of light marked the downward course of the +burning timbers that had been shot up to an immense height. + +<p><p>For a full half minute the meteor-like flight continued, till the +hiss of the last of the burning timbers ceased and a great darkness, +intensified by the sudden cessation of the glare, overspread the +agitated sea. + +<p><p>We were now considerably concerned for the safety of 'Enery and the +boat's crew, for they were exposed to a great danger from the +falling wreckage, till the gleam of the boat's lantern showed that +they were at least still afloat. + +<p><p>At length the men rowed back to the brig, having sustained no +damage, though their faces were blackened with the smoke and +particles of dust that enveloped everything within half a mile of +the burning vessel. + +<p><p>"No sign of anyone," reported 'Enery, as he came over the side, +"though they may have taken to the boats long before we arrived." + +<p><p>"That's true," assented Captain Jeremy, "so keep the signal guns +firing till dawn." + +<p><p>"'Tis well that there's no sea running," said the mate. "A few hours +in an open boat will do no harm on a night like this, e'en though +the air is sharp." + +<p><p>"Not if we pick them up," added Captain Jeremy; "but I should not +wonder if they have already shaped a course for land. Yet do you +keep the brig hove-to till daylight." + +<p><p>The day broke with a red, angry sky that betokened foul weather. The +wind, hitherto light, began to strengthen, and an ominous swell +presaged rough water within a few miles of us. + +<p><p>Sunrise revealed no trace of the boats of the ill-fated ship, so, +ordering the <i>Golden Hope</i> to be again placed on her course, Captain +Jeremy retired to his cabin to enjoy a well-earned repose. + +<p><p>Hardly had he turned in when, just as seven bells was striking, the +look-out reported four boats ahead. + +<p><p>Instantly there was a rush to see what manner of craft they were, +and it was soon evident that they were indeed the boats from the +burning ship. + +<p><p>By this time there was a fairly high sea running, and the boats, +having perceived our approach, had turned and lay on their oars, +with their bows facing us, the men giving an occasional stroke to +keep the boats so that they met the rollers bows on. + +<p><p>"She was no ordinary trader," observed Silas Touchstone, pointing to +the little flotilla. "Yon boats are crowded to excess. There's a +couple of hundred aboard 'em, or I'm a Dutchman." + +<p><p>"They would never reach land with the wind piping up as it is +doing," said Captain Jeremy, who had been roused from his cabin, +giving a hasty glance to windward. "Stand by to shorten sail." + +<p><p>Already three of the boats had shipped several seas, for we could +see the men bailing vigorously. There was not a moment to be lost. + +<p><p>It being now eight bells, we hoisted our ensign, according to +custom, and the sight of the Cross of St. George was hailed by a +cheer that was faintly borne to our ears from the still distant +boats. If the survivors had had any doubts as to our nationality, +they were now set at rest. + +<p><p>"Hands shorten sail!" Hardly had the last notes of the bos'n's +mate's whistle died away, when the topmen were flying away aloft; +the courses were taken up, the topsail yards lowered, and slowly the +<i>Golden Hope</i> began to lose way. + +<p><p>"Women and children too, by Jove!" ejaculated Captain Jeremy, as the +boats made towards us. "'Tis well we are close to land, or we would +be hard put to it to feed them." + +<p><p>"'Twill mean half rations, in any case," replied 'Enery, "though the +men will not mind that." + +<p><p>"I'm sure they won't," assented the Captain. "But stand by; let the +men prepare bowlines, or we'll never get the women aboard without +mishap." + +<p><p>A long-boat, with most of its passengers huddled on the bottom +boards, was the first to get alongside, and willing hands helped the +weary men to climb our heaving sides. This done, 'twas easier for +our people to board the boat and fix the bowlines round the waists +of the female passengers; and without a hitch, though the frightened +women made no little commotion, we had them safely aboard. The crew +followed, and we having no further use for the boat, she was cast +adrift. + +<p><p>The second and third boats were also relieved of their human loads +and likewise sent adrift, but the fourth gave us more trouble. + +<p><p>Being handled with less skill than her consorts, she crashed +broadside on to the <i>Golden Hope</i> just as the brig was recovering +from a heavy roll, with the result that some of the boat's planks +were stove in and she commenced to fill. + +<p><p>In the confusion several of the passengers, despite the assurances +of the officers and seamen in the boat, jumped to their feet, so +that the already heavily laden craft was in imminent danger of +capsizing. + +<p><p>Ropes were thrown from the towering sides of the <i>Golden Hope</i> +amidst a loud shout of "Women first!" Yet (though some excuse must +be made for their cowardice) several of the men sprang for our +bulwarks. Others, with more presence of mind, assisted in slipping +the bowlines over the shoulders of the women; and as each one was +hoisted aboard the danger of the boat being swamped became less. + +<p><p>Just as the last female passenger was being hauled up, the knot in +the rope that held her became unhitched-no doubt 'twas a landlubber +who tied it--and the next instant she was struggling in the sea. + +<p><p>It so happened that at that moment I was standing in the main chains +with a coil of rope in my hands, ready to throw it into the boat. + +<p><p>Fastening one end of the line round my waist, and calling to some of +our men to tail on to the other end, I took a flying leap into the +water. In my haste I miscalculated the distance that the brig +rolled, and ere I struck the surface I came into violent contact +with the side of the <i>Golden Hope</i> as she swung back to larboard. + +<p><p>Half-dazed with the blow and well-nigh breathless, I plunged, or +rather rolled, into the water. The shock of the immersion recovered +me some what, and I struck out to where I had seen the girl sink for +the second time. + +<p><p>Guided by the bubbles that rose to the surface, I swam downwards for +nearly two fathoms, till just beneath me I saw her feebly struggling +form. + +<p><p>Grasping her by the hair--the only time I have ever served a woman +thus--I reached the surface in a few strokes, and called to the men +to haul handsomely on the rope. Then disengaging my hand and +throwing my left arm tightly round the girl's waist, I waited for +the <i>Golden Hope</i> to come to the end of a roll, and shouted to the +men to heave roundly. This they did, and in a trice we were on the +deck of the brig. + +<p><p>By this time the work of rescuing the other occupants of the boat +had been completed. The female passengers had been sent into the +after cabins, there to be rigged out in motley garments of blankets, +sailcloth, and what not. The male passengers were sent willy-nilly +into the fo'c'sle, where they and the crew of the lost ship were +accommodated with the spare clothing of our men. The captain of the +vessel, a short, red-faced man, was almost beside himself at the +loss of his vessel, asserting in no mild tones that she had been +fired maliciously, and that he knew the culprit and would hand him +up to justice at the first port we touched. Strangely enough, he +uttered no expression of gratitude for the deliverance of the ship's +company and passengers from the perils of the deep, nor did he seem +sensible of the services we had rendered. + +<p><p>The ill-fated vessel was the <i>Phoenix</i> of London, bound for Richmond +and other parts of Virginia with a full cargo and a great number of +settlers, mostly men of means who were dissatisfied with the state +of things at home, and hoped to live with greater freedom in the New +World. Many of them had lost their all, yet the worst sufferers +seemed by far the most stouthearted of the forlorn crowd. + +<p><p>The <i>Phoenix</i> was but four days out from the Downs when, just after +sunset, the alarm of fire was raised, and soon dense volumes of +smoke were seen issuing from the fore hatch, apparently from the +lamp and oil room. Already the flames had taken a good hold, and in +spite of the utmost efforts of the crew, aided by many of the +passengers, the fire steadily gained, till just before midnight the +order was given to abandon the ship. + +<p><p>Directly the whole of the passengers and crew were embarked, the +boats pushed off and shaped a course for the Lizard, and having the +burning ship 'twixt them and us, they were prevented by the thick +cloud of smoke and the roar of the flames from seeing our lights or +hearing our signal guns. + +<p><p>Daylight showed them our sails well down to the west'ard, so, on +making sure that we were proceeding in their direction, they +abandoned the attempt to reach land, and waited for us to come up. +'Twas as well they did so, for all were of the opinion that none of +the boats would have reached shore. + +<p><p>Having been unable to change my saturated clothing, the after cabins +being, as I have said, given over to the women, I borrowed some +clothes from one of the men, putting on a thick pilot coat over all, +for the air was raw, especially after our lengthy sojourn in the +Tropics. + +<p><p>Then, to regain warmth, I began to pace the deck vigorously. In the +midst of my walk the poop door opened, and a girl appeared. In spite +of her quaint appearance--for she wore a skirt fashioned from a red +blanket and a coat that belonged to Captain Jeremy--my heart gave a +sudden bound, for I was face to face with my sister Constance! + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter32"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXXII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Constance's Story</h5> + +<p><p> +The surprise and recognition were mutual. Only the untoward state of +my sister's garments prevented her from throwing herself into my +arms. As it was, she could only grasp my hand and exclaim: + +<p><p>"Oh, Clifford, you here! I thought you were dead long ago." + +<p><p>"Far from it," I replied, leading her to the shelter of the weather +bulwarks, for the wind was now howling fiercely. "But tell me, how +came you here?" + +<p><p>"'Tis a long story," she said, striving to keep back the tears of +joy that welled to her eyes. "But why--oh, there's Captain Jeremy!" + +<p><p>And at that moment our Captain came down the poop ladder, to find, +to his unbounded astonishment, that Constance was one of the rescued +passengers. + +<p><p>It was some time ere we dispensed with small talk and entered into +the more important details of our respective adventures, when +Captain Jeremy listened with rapt attention to my sister's +narrative, occasionally giving vent to a hearty exclamation of +approval as she told her story. + +<p><p>"You would hardly realize the consternation that your disappearance +caused. At first our uncle thought you had left the house by stealth +in order to go fishing, and promised you a warm reception on your +return. But when evening came and you did not return, we began to +grow anxious----" + +<p><p>"There you are," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "Did I not say you were a +young rascal, when you were found in the hold? Didst give a single +thought to your worthy relative's distress?" + +<p><p>"There was a hue and cry raised, but though the countryside was +searched most diligently, not a trace of you was found. A month or +so later a lad's body was found in the Lym stream, and though 'twas +well-nigh unrecognizable, our uncle was convinced 'twas yours. At +any rate, he came to the conclusion that you had been drowned while +swimming in the river, and the body was buried as that of Clifford +Hammond." + +<p><p>"Then another misfortune came. Uncle John was thrown from his horse +near Buckland Rings, and received such severe injuries to his head +that in less than a week he died. Thus I was left without a relative +in England. In my distress I thought of our mother's brother's wife, +whom I knew to be living somewhere in Virginia; and being, as I +thought, without a single tie at home, I resolved to adventure +myself in the New World. With this object in view I went to see +Lawyer Thompson of Lymington, who had, as you know, the ordering of +our affairs. He approved of my resolve, but urged me to wait until +definite news could be obtained of our relative's whereabouts. +Accordingly a letter was sent by the hand of one Captain Joseph +Bennett, whose ship <i>Prudence</i> was about to sail for the port of +Richmond." + +<p><p>"Four months later I had a reply, brought by the same Captain +Bennett, to the effect that Mistress Green, our maternal aunt, would +be glad to receive me." + +<p><p>"The <i>Prudence</i> was timed to sail again from Gravesend on the +following Thursday week, and having made arrangements for my +passage, I prepared for the hazardous journey." + +<p><p>"At length I bade farewell to the home of my childhood. Lawyer +Thompson accompanied me as far as Southampton, whence the coach was +to carry me to London. It was a tedious two days' journey, with the +best part of another day's ride to Gravesend." + +<p><p>"On arriving at the latter place I found, to my consternation, that +the <i>Prudence</i> had sailed on a special voyage to Hull, and would not +be back for another fortnight." + +<p><p>"There was nothing to do but wait, and by good fortune I found a +comfortable lodging at the house of one Mistress Thetwell. But once +again I was doomed to disappointment. The <i>Prudence</i> never returned +to the Thames--she was lost, with all her crew, off Yarmouth--so I +was obliged to wait at Gravesend until such time as I could find a +ship that was sailing for Virginia." + +<p><p>"While awaiting this opportunity I chanced one day to be taking the +air along the Rochester road, when I heard the sound of a horse +galloping behind me. I turned, and saw a mettlesome nag bolting down +the highway, while, clinging desperately to the animal's mane, was a +girl of about my own age." + +<p><p>"As you know, Clifford, I was always used to horses, so as the brute +rushed by I caught at the dangling bridle. The nag carried me some +distance, and just as I had mastered him he trod on my foot. The +pain was intense, and I was barely conscious of seeing the girl slip +from the saddle ere I swooned." + +<p><p>"When I recovered my senses I found myself in a strange bed, with a +motherly lady watching me." + +<p><p>"She was Mistress Farndale, wife of a wealthy landowner, and it was +her daughter Winifred whose horse I had helped to stop. All the +members of the family were kind to me beyond measure, and, hearing +my story, proposed that I should stay as a companion to Winifred +till an opportunity occurred for me to take ship. And, strange to +say, I felt perfectly contented and happy, actually hoping that that +opportunity was yet a long way off." + +<p><p>"At length Master Farndale, for having spoken too openly in favour +of Archbishop Sancroft, was threatened with arrest; so, having +disposed of most of his property, he took ship for Virginia, having +previously made arrangements for his family to follow directly he +had prepared a suitable home for them." + +<p><p>"Thus I was able to carry out my original intentions, without having +to undergo the grief of parting from my newly found friends, when we +took passage on the <i>Phoenix</i>. There were Mistress Farndale, Rupert +and Gerald, her sons; and Winifred and myself, together with a +maid." + +<p><p>"I need not relate what happened on our unfortunate voyage, for you +already know of it; but when we were being taken on board this ship +from the boat Winifred fell into the sea, and someone rescued +her----" + +<p><p>"Lucky lad! Lucky lad!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, bringing his open +hand down heavily on my back, to my great confusion. Then, as +Constance was at a loss to understand this sudden outburst, he +explained: "You see, Mistress Constance, 'twas your brother who +jumped after her. Sink me! 'twas a plucky action, for he was like to +have had his head crushed like an eggshell by the ship's side. But I +must away, for 'tis about time we made a landfall." So saying, he +hurried on to the poop, leaving us to continue our conversation. + +<p><p>"I, too, have news for you," said I. "Constance, we are now rich, +for the <i>Madre</i> treasure has been found. It is on board this very +ship." + +<p><p>"How much is it worth?" she asked, with true feminine curiosity. + +<p><p>"Nay, I cannot say to a certainty, yet 'tis enough for us to be for +ever free from monetary difficulties." + +<p><p>Then I related all the principal incidents of our voyage, not +omitting the terrible fate of my father's murderer, till our +conversation was interrupted by the welcome cry of "Land--ho!" + +<p><p>From the poop I gazed once more upon the shores of Old England, +after an absence of three years, for on our larboard bow I could +discern the dark, lofty outlines of the Lizard, the southernmost +headland of our isle. + +<p><p>The <i>Golden Hope</i> was now bowling along under easy canvas at a good +six knots, and ere night the dreaded Eddystone, rearing its ugly +reef above the breakers, was well abeam, and the rugged Devon coast +away on our larboard bow. Should this breeze continue, to-morrow's +eve would find us safe in Poole Harbour. + +<p><p>Just before sunset most of the rescued passengers, having recovered +from their harrowing experience, came on deck, and Constance +immediately gave me an introduction to Mistress Farndale and her +daughter. + +<p><p>Presently we were joined by Rupert and Gerald Farndale, whose +acquaintance I had made earlier in the day; and together we formed +quite a happy party, talking under the break of the poop deck until +it was quite dark. + +<p><p>Then the ladies retired, while I, lying in a hammock slung under the +crowded fo'c'sle, dreamed of Constance and Winifred, till I was +awakened by the violent ringing of the ship's bell and the hoarse +order, "Put your helm up, or we'll be run down!" + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter33"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXXIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">Safe in Port</h5> + +<p><p> +'Twas a strange sight that met my eyes as I rushed on deck and +gained the fo'c'sle. + +<p><p>The wind had fallen light, and in the cold, raw gloom of that +November morning I could see ahead and on both sides of us a +multitude of great warships. + +<p><p>They were sailing in close order, under all plain sail, and had just +gone about on the starboard tack, for their crews were still engaged +with the halyards and braces, in obedience to orders shouted in a +foreign tongue. + +<p><p>This manoeuvre had thrown us fairly across their line, so that only +by putting our helm hard up were we able to avoid being run down by +a huge two-decker. + +<p><p>In the comparatively small limit of my vision, for the weather was +thick, I counted over forty sail, though, judging by the sounds, +there must have been twice that number hidden in the mist. + +<p><p>We scraped past the two-decker at barely ten yards' distance. She +was high-sided, and painted with one broad yellow and two narrow +brown stripes; while through her green-lined ports the muzzles of +some thirty-two brass guns flashed dully in the moist atmosphere. + +<p><p>Her decks were crowded with men, for in addition to her crew there +were about a hundred phlegmatic-looking soldiers, in blue-and-yellow +uniforms. On her poop stood a burly great-coated officer, who raised +his speaking-trumpet with the evident intention of hailing us; but +apparently he thought better of it, and in almost perfect silence, +save for the hiss of the water at her cutwater and the straining and +creaking of her tackle, the ship glided past. Then, as she displayed +her lofty stern, with its wreath of decorative giltwork, I read the +name <i>Maese</i>. + +<p><p>For a full half-hour we were hard put to it to avoid being run down +by the ships of the mighty fleet, which, we learned from the crew of +the <i>Phoenix</i>, was known to have been lying at Helvoetsluys, ready +to carry the Prince of Orange to England to wrest the crown from his +incapable father-in-law, King James. + +<p><p>"Where are they bound for, being so far down Channel?" asked the +master gunner. + +<p><p>"Nay, I know not," replied Captain Jeremy. "But Heaven forfend that +they land in the West. Enough English blood was wasted in the last +rising, as many of us know." + +<p><p>"What chance hath the Prince, think you?" he continued, addressing +the master of the <i>Phoenix</i>, who had also turned out to see the +unwonted sight. + +<p><p>"A far better one than had the Duke of Monmouth," was the answer; +"though, with all his faults, give me King James. I fought under him +when he was Duke of York, and a braver seaman never trod deck." + +<p><p>"Ah! James Duke of York and James King of England are two very +different personages, I trow," replied Captain Jeremy. "The best +fighter is ever the worst statesman." + +<p><p>"After all," said the master of the <i>Phoenix</i>, "so long as there are +English ships at sea and plenty of work for us poor seamen, it +matters not much who rules the roost. That's how the wind blows, say +I." + +<p><p>"The wind draws ahead," observed Captain Jeremy; "that is the matter +that concerns us chiefly. I doubt whether we'll see port today." + +<p><p>This was indeed the case, for the breeze, now provokingly light, had +backed till it came from the east'ard, so that it meant a dead beat +to windward. To men long absent from home this was especially +galling, though in my case I found consolation in being in the +company of Mistress Winifred, with whom I generally managed to have +several hours pleasurable conversation. + +<p><p>Neither did we make Poole that day nor the next, for it fell a flat +calm, after the manner of St. Martin's summer, so that for +thirty-six hours we drifted with the tide within sight of the Dorset +hills. + +<p><p>At length a steady southwesterly breeze sprang up, and, with barely +a hogshead of biscuit and a gallon of water aboard, the <i>Golden +Hope</i> came in sight of Poole Harbour. + +<p><p>"What cheer--ho, Master Light!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as a +weather-beaten pilot came over the side. "How fares it at home?" + +<p><p>"Precious little news," replied the pilot, "though they say that +English beef will henceforth be flavoured with Orange." + +<p><p>"So?" + +<p><p>"Aye; they say the Dutchman hath landed at Torbay, and advanced on +Exeter. In short, there are all sorts of rumours, yet I pay scant +heed to them." + +<p><p>With the air of a man who, in the exercise of his duty, scorns to +indulge in conversation, Master Light made his way aft, and under +his guidance the <i>Golden Hope</i> threaded the tortuous channel that +leads to Poole Town. + +<p><p>"Is it your wish to berth alongside the quay?" demanded the pilot. + +<p><p>"Nay, rather I would anchor in the stream," replied Captain Jeremy, +mindful of the precious nature of our cargo. + +<p><p>"Hands shorten sail!" + +<p><p>Slowly the <i>Golden Hope</i>, with ever-decreasing way, glided abreast +of the town, and with the welcome order, "Let go", the anchor +plunged into the muddy waters of Poole Harbour. + +<p><p>The voyage of the <i>Golden Hope</i> was over. + +<p><p>The news of the success of the Prince of Orange was hailed with +delight by the former crew of the <i>Neptune</i>. To them it meant that +they were free to return to their homes in the marshes of Somerset, +without fear of being again hauled before the justices and sentenced +to a horrible existence in the unhealthy swamps of Barbados; and on +this account we, too, felt glad at the unexpected solution of their +difficulties. + +<p><p>Our first care was to get the passengers and crew of the <i>Phoenix</i> +safely ashore. There was, we heard, a stout barque on the point of +sailing for Virginia in a few days' time, so that those who were of +a mind to cross the ocean, and had sufficient means to pay for their +passage, could avail themselves of her departure. + +<p><p>Mistress Farndale and her family had resolved to do this, but ere +they went ashore I promised to call upon them as soon as my duties +would permit, for until the matter of sharing the treasure was +settled Captain Jeremy would allow no communication with the land. + +<p><p>Three days later two assessors, being duly qualified Government +officers, came post haste from the Royal Mint and boarded us. The +seals of the strong room were broken and the massive locks +unfastened, and the task of allotting the wealth proceeded. + +<p><p>Having set aside the tithe claimed by the state, and also the amount +due to Sir William Soams (who received a good eight hundred per +centum on his outlay), the shares owing to the original crew of the +<i>Golden Hope</i> and to the men of the <i>Neptune</i> were duly paid out. + +<p><p>Then the residue, by a rough calculation of the value of 180,000 +pounds, was to be equally divided 'twixt Captain Jeremy and the +heirs of the late Captain Richard Hammond. I could hardly realize +the value of this immense sum, though I knew that our share was +sufficient to restore the fortunes of our house to its former +greatness. + +<p><p>The <i>Golden Hope</i> was now moored alongside a wharf on the Hamworthy +side of the harbour, and at two bells in the afternoon watch the men +mustered on deck, those who came off the <i>Neptune</i> having fallen in +on the larboard side, each with his bundle ready for his long tramp +to distant Sedgemoor. + +<p><p>In a few hearty words Captain Jeremy addressed them, thanking them +for their services, and wishing them every success in their future. +Then, after three ringing cheers, the "Neptunes", their pockets +filled with coin, went ashore, amid the boisterous farewells of +their comrades of the last two years and more; and as the little +band of men, who were now returning to till the soil instead of +ploughing the deep, disappeared from our view, I felt that another +link with the past had been finally severed. + +<p><p>Our share of the treasure having been placed in safe keeping in the +town vaults of the corporation of Poole, those of the crew who +wished to take their discharge were dismissed, and under the command +of Clemens and the master gunner the <i>Golden Hope</i> sailed for the +Thames, where she was to be handed back to her owners. + +<p><p>Two days later Master Phillips, a London goldsmith, arrived, and, +having carefully examined the plate, made us a good offer. Thus the +precious cargo of the wrecked <i>Madre de Dios</i> passed out of our +keeping, though I retained a few pieces of rare and costly +workmanship as a visible reminder of the treasure that, according to +the friar's prophecy, had been obtained through fire and blood. + +<p><p> * * * * * + +<p><p>Thus the story of the quest of the <i>Golden Hope</i> draws to a close, +yet I must briefly dwell on the subsequent history of the principal +characters who played their parts in the search for the Madre +treasure. + +<p><p>'Enery, bluff, stouthearted seaman, is now master and part owner of +the vessel in which he sailed with Captain Jeremy to the far-off +West Indies, for the <i>Golden Hope</i> is now engaged in prosperous +trading voyages to the Mediterranean ports. Yet whenever she returns +home, Captain 'Enery, still much the same as of yore, generally +contrives to visit his native Lymington; nor does he forget to +extend his journey as far as Brockenhurst, where, joining with his +former captain in a glass and a pipe, he'll fight his battles o'er +again. + +<p><p>Of Clemens the Cornishman we still hear, though less frequently than +we should like. He returned to his native town of Looe, where, +having given up the sea, he has worked up a sound boat-building +business. + +<p><p>Silas Touchstone, the master gunner, finding little use for his +calling on private vessels, took service in His Majesty's Fleet, and +promised to make a name for himself. Both at La Hogue and the +desperate and successful attempt upon St. Malo our late master +gunner was mentioned for conspicuous bravery. To what extent his +dauntless courage would have led him 'twould have been hard to say, +had not his career afloat been nipped in the bud by the loss of a +leg in action in Vigo Bay. + +<p><p>On attaining my twenty-first birthday I took ship to Richmond, in +Virginia, where Winifred and I were made one. A happier couple +'twould be hard to find, for our love has stood the test of time. +Still, there are moments when I hear the call of the salt-laden +breezes, and even yet I may once more adventure myself upon the high +seas. + +<p><p>Nor must I omit mention of a tall, elderly man, who, despite his +white locks and iron-grey beard, still carries himself erect and +alert as of yore. A general favourite with my children, especially +his little namesake, now a sturdy child of nine years, Captain +Jeremy Miles has given up the sea, and spends the greater part of +his leisure hours in spinning yarns to his interested listeners of +the quest of the <i>Golden Hope</i>.<p> +<p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', by +Percy F. 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Westerman + +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 Quest of the 'Golden Hope' + A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: Frank E. Wiles + +Release Date: December 4, 2011 [EBook #38222] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEST OF THE 'GOLDEN HOPE' *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + + + + +[Illustration: cover art] + +The Quest of the +"Golden Hope" + + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED +50 Old Bailey, LONDON +17 Stanhope Street, GLASGOW + +BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED +Warwick House, Fort Street, BOMBAY + +BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED +1118 Bay Street, TORONTO + + + +[Illustration: CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (missing from book)] + + + +The Quest of the +"Golden Hope" +A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure + + +BY +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +Author of "East in the _Golden Gain_" "The Third Officer" +"Sea Scouts All" &c. + + +ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK E. WILES + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED +LONDON AND GLASGOW + + + +By Percy F. Westerman + + Rivals of the Reef. + A Shanghai Adventure. + Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn". + The Junior Cadet. + Captain Starlight. + The Sea-Girt Fortress. + On the Wings of the Wind. + Captured at Tripoli. + Captain Blundell's Treasure. + The Third Officer. + Unconquered Wings. + The Buccaneers of Boya. + The Riddle of the Air. + Chums of the "Golden Vanity". + The Luck of the "Golden Dawn". + Clipped Wings. + The Salving of the "Fusi Yama". + Winning his Wings. + A Lively Bit of the Front. + A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine. + The Good Ship "Golden Effort". + East in the "Golden Gain". + The Quest of the "Golden Hope". + Sea Scouts Abroad. + Sea Scouts Up-Channel. + The Wireless Officer. + A Lad of Grit. + The Submarine Hunters. + Sea Scouts All. + The Thick of the Fray. + A Sub and a Submarine. + Under the White Ensign. + The Fight for Constantinople. + With Beatty off Jutland. + +Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow + + +Contents + I. OF THE FUGITIVE FROM SEDGEMOOR + II. THE TWO DRAGOONS ON THE BROCKENHURST ROAD + III. CAPTAIN JEREMY'S SURPRISE + IV. THE _MADRE DE DIOS_ + V. THE CHART + VI. A MIDNIGHT INTRUDER + VII. THE CAVE IN THE LONELY HEATH + VIII. CONCERNING THE EVENTS THAT PROMPTED ME + TO A DESPERATE RESOLVE + IX. FLIGHT + X. IN THE HOLD + XI. MY FIRST DAY AT SEA + XII. A BRUSH WITH ALGERINES + XIII. OF THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP IN THE MIDST OF THE OCEAN + XIV. "CAPTAIN 'ENERY" + XV. WE ARRIVE AT TREASURE ISLAND + XVI. A HASTY RECALL + XVII. ATTACKED BY BUCCANEERS + XVIII. "REPEL BOARDERS!" + XIX. BLOWN UP + XX. THE REPULSE AT THE STOCKADE + XXI. CAPTAIN CRADDOCK + XXII. A LEAP FOR LIFE + XXIII. THE PERILS OF THE SHOAL + XXIV. MORE TROUBLE IN SIGHT + XXV. WE ARRIVE AT THE HIDING-PLACE OF THE TREASURE + XXVI. UNTOLD WEALTH + XXVII. THE MUTINY OF THE _NEPTUNE_ + XXVIII. THE FATE OF THE MUTINEERS + XXIX. HOMEWARD BOUND + XXX. THE LAST OF MY SWORN ENEMY + XXXI. THE BURNING SHIP + XXXII. CONSTANCE'S STORY + XXXIII. SAFE IN PORT + + +Illustrations +------ +CAPTAIN JEREMY IS WOUNDED (Frontispiece) +I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND +THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS" +I SHOUTED TO THE MEN TO HEAVE ROUNDLY +------ +MAP OF THE ISLAND + + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE ISLAND] + + + A The _Golden Hope_ in harbour. + B The stockade. + C Path taken by first expedition in search of the treasure. + CC Path taken by successful expedition. + D Wreck of the _Madre de Dios._ + E Cave where Clifford was held prisoner. + F Shoal where Clifford was attacked by octopus. + G Site of the master gunner's ambuscade. + H Buccaneers' harbour and settlement. + K Wreck of the _Black Arrow._ + L False landmark erected by Captain Jeremy's orders. + M Wreck of _Neptune_ owing to false bearings. + N Where the treasure was found. + O Cove where Cherry and the long-boat's crew landed. + P Deep water channel inside shoals, unknown to Captain Jeremy. + Q Existing path between buccaneers' + harbour and south side of island. + R Bearing for navigating channel. + The track of the _Golden Hope_ + into the harbour is shown by the black line. + The shaded portion of the shoals were + uncovered at low water. + + +THE QUEST OF THE +"GOLDEN HOPE" + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Of the Fugitive from Sedgemoor + + +Well do I, Clifford Hammond, remember the 10th day of July in the +year of grace 1685. Rebellion, though some would have it 'twas +justifiable invasion, had appeared in the land. Monmouth had landed +in Dorset, and had raised an army. How he fared, the men of +Hampshire knew not as yet, though there were many who prayed for the +successful issue of his venture. + +Little did I think, living on the borders of the New Forest, that +the outbreak in the West would affect the welfare of our house. Yet +it did, though, I must confess, indirectly; for had it not been for +the routing of the rebels at Sedgemoor, the voyage of the _Golden +Hope_ would not have been undertaken, nor would I be able to relate +the desperate adventures of her crew in gaining the object of the +expedition. But I am forestalling my story. + +Our family, the Hammonds of Brockenhurst, had lived within the +bounds of the Forest for centuries, as witness the name of Geoffroi +Hammond, who served with distinction at the taking of the _Great +Christopher_ in the sea-fight of Sluys; or of Thomas Hammond, who +fought at Agincourt: but I would make it plain that the Hammonds of +Brockenhurst have no connection with the rebel Colonel +Hammond--though, to his credit be it said, he treated His Majesty +King Charles the Martyr, during his captivity in the Isle of Wight, +with far more courtesy than did his brother officers. + +My father, Captain Richard Hammond--"Foul-weather Dick", as he was +affectionately dubbed in the fleet--had had an adventurous career +both ashore and afloat. Beginning with the fatal fight at Naseby +when he was but a young cornet of horse of barely twenty years of +age, he had fought Dutch, Algerines, and, sad to relate, his +fellow-countrymen; but for the last ten years he had retired from +the King's service, and had settled down to a quiet country life in +his native Hampshire. + +Thanks to his father's devotion to his sovereign, the exchequer of +the Hammond family had been sadly depleted. During the +ever-to-be-abhorred Rebellion, plate, jewels, money, all went, and +'twas fortunate that our lands had not been confiscated by the +Commonwealth. My father had to rely upon the unkept promises of His +Majesty King Charles II as a reward for the sacrifices of our house +towards the royal cause; nevertheless, the meagre pay of a sea +captain in the King's fleet, together with the income from the shore +estate, sufficed to keep us in comparative ease. + +My father married late in life. His spouse, the daughter of Sir +Digby Tall (a baronet as impecunious as the majority of his class at +this time), died within three years of their union, leaving two +children. + +At the time my story opens I, Clifford Hammond, was sixteen years of +age, my sister Constance being eighteen months my junior. She was a +tall, sprightly girl, with fresh complexion, blue eyes, and rich +golden hair, being, 'twas said, the image of her mother in her +youth. + +No one would readily have taken Constance and me for sister and +brother, for I was olive-featured, with straight, dark-brown hair +and grey eyes; tall in stature, yet inclined to slenderness. + +On the particular morning to which I have referred, Constance and I +had gone into Lyndhurst to give orders to a carrier respecting the +purchase of a certain article at Southampton. What the nature of the +purchase was we did not at the time know, although every month, +summer and winter, year in and year out, my father had a similar +package brought in by the regular carrier. Here I may mention that +my sire, in spite of his sixty odd years, was a wonderfully +well-preserved man, his dark-brown locks (for he scorned to wear a +peruke) being innocent of any trace of grey hairs. Yet I call to +mind the occasion, when I was yet a child of tender years, upon +which my father had perforce to attend the Verderers' Court at +Lyndhurst with his hair of a rusty, iron-grey hue. That was about +the time that Giles Shearing's wain was upset at Redbridge, and many +a housewife in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst who relied on the +Southampton carrier had to go short-handed. I no longer wonder at +the coincidence. + +As we left Lyndhurst town on our return journey, I leading a shaggy +Forest pony on which my sister, holding the required purchase, was +perched, a troop of horse came riding with loose rein and hot spur +through the quiet High Street. + +They were fierce-looking fellows, with bronzed features, begrimed +with sweat and dust; upturned moustachios, and flowing locks. They +wore red frock-coats trimmed with white facings, the skirts buttoned +back to enable them to sit the better in the saddle; dark-green +breeches, long riding-boots of buff leather, and broad-brimmed +beaver hats, looped up on one side. All were armed with a broadsword +and a pair of pistols, while not a few carried snaphances in a +bucket at the right side of the saddle, or slung across their backs. + +This much I noticed as they tore onwards with undiminished pace +through the narrow street, till they were lost to view in a cloud of +dust on the Southampton Road. + +"There's some news for Cap'n Hammond, Master Clifford!" shouted +Chambers the blacksmith from across the way. "They say as how Duke +Monmouth's been beaten, and half his army cut to pieces. Those +redcoats are Cornbury's Dragoons, and they are hot on the track of +the Hampshire rebels. Heaven help the Mayor of Lymington and the +score of men he sent to the West!" + +Young as I was, I realized that it was a case of woe to the +vanquished. Although our county had not taken up the cause of the +rebel Duke to any thing like the extent of Dorset, Somerset, and +Wiltshire, several of the towns in the western division of Hampshire +had sent small contingents to aid Monmouth's cause, and Lymington +had been the chief offender in this respect. Fortunately for us, +Brockenhurst had held aloof, though the villagers were none too +kindly disposed towards King James's measures. + +We hastened on our homeward journey, eager to convey the momentous +news to my father. For the first half of the way the road ran +between dense masses of trees, intersected by shady glades, in which +the leaves of last year still littered the ground. Ever and anon a +herd of fallow deer would dash across the highway, or a troop of +Forest ponies would scamper betwixt the trees, fearing in every +human being a possible master. Pigs also roamed in great numbers, +for though it was the time of fence month[1] within the Forest, so +lax had the jurisdiction of the Verderers' Court become that the +commoners paid less heed to the regulations than they had for years +past. + +At length we emerged from the forest and gained the rolling expanse +of heath, where, to right and left, as far as the eye could reach, +the heather and the gorse gleamed in the bright sunshine like a sea +of purple and gold. + +"See, there's a man riding as fast as his horse can carry him!" +exclaimed Constance, pointing down the bridle path that, running +between Ring wood and Beaulieu, crosses the highway near the place +where we were. + +"Aye, he seems in a mighty hurry," I replied, shading my eyes from +the glare. + +"Perchance 'tis another of those horse soldiers?" + +"Nay, he wears no red coat," I answered, reassuring her; but though +I did not mention it, I perceived two men riding a long distance +behind the first horseman as if in pursuit, and, unless my eyes +deceived me, they were dragoons. + +"Let us hasten," urged Constance, as if filled with some +forebodings, though she was usually a strong-minded girl. + +"He'll not molest us," said I. "He is too intent on his errand, I +trow." + +Nearer and nearer came the fugitive--for fugitive he was--till I +could distinguish his features. Then my heart gave a sudden bound, +for I recognized the man: it was Jeremy Miles, a master mariner of +Lymington, and one of the townsfolk who had gone west to join the +rebel standard. + +Constance knew him also, for she exclaimed, "'Tis Captain Miles! And +see, Clifford, there are soldiers after him!" + +Something compelled me to stop and await the arrival of the +fugitive, and, holding the pony's bridle by one hand, I assisted +Constance to dismount. + +As we stood we were hidden from the bridle path by a gorse-covered +bank that, being but breast high, was sufficiently low to enable us +to command the track on which the horsemen were riding without being +seen by them until they gained the highway. + +Not for one moment did I expect to be in danger, for Miles was +riding strongly and evidently holding his own, while 'twas unlikely +that the troopers, keen on his pursuit, would draw rein to molest a +boy and a girl. + +The fugitive was now crossing the white dusty road within twenty +paces of us, when suddenly his horse sank under him, throwing its +rider headlong to the ground. But before the expiring animal gave a +last convulsive shudder, Miles had sprung to his feet and was +looking dazedly towards his pursuers, now but a mile behind. + +"Captain Miles!" I shouted, urging my pony forward. "Captain Miles! +Take Trotter and ride him across the heath." + +"Why, 'tis Master Hammond!" he exclaimed. "Nay, lad, that beast +would not ship a crew like me: But they'll have their work cut out +to take me. Come, young sir, I'll trouble you to give a hand with my +mare, if you will." + +Together, with Constance helping us, we dragged the body of the +animal off the road, and hid it in a slight depression behind some +furze bushes. Then hurriedly we strove to conceal the tell-tale +tracks on the dusty road. + +The dragoons were now only a bare quarter-mile away. + + +[1] The period between the 20th June and the 20th July, during which +time the ancient right of "Pannage", i.e. turning out pigs to feed +on acorns and beech-mast, within the New Forest was withheld. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Two Dragoons on the Brockenhurst Road + + +"Leave me and shape your own course, Master Hammond!" exclaimed the +Captain composedly, for he had regained both his breath and his +wits. "You can do no more, and I'll warrant I can shift for myself." + +So saying, he wriggled along the ground over the bank that screened +us from the soldiers, and lay hidden in the bracken on the same side +of the highway as the troopers. + +Meanwhile, filled with anxiety on the behalf of Jeremy Miles--for he +was always a general favourite amongst the youths in and around +Lymington--Constance and I resumed our way, endeavouring to appear +as unconcerned as possible. + +Less than a minute must have passed since we saw Captain Miles's +great frame disappear beneath the bracken, when we heard the clatter +of the troopers' horses as their hoofs struck the road. Knowing that +it would ill play our part to refrain from curiosity, we stopped and +looked back at the pursuing soldiers. + +They were of the same troop that we had seen in Lyndhurst a short +half-hour ago. Great, swarthy men they were, hardened to cruelty by +reason of their service at Tangiers, and, though I knew it not at +the time, ready to practise the barbarities acquired from the Moors +upon their own countrymen, as many a poor peasant of the marshes of +Somerset had learned to his cost. + +"Curse him!" exclaimed one, with an oath. "Where hath he gone? Are +we to let a guinea slip through our fingers after all our trouble?" + +"He's not far away," replied his comrade, pointing with an +exclamation of triumph to the partially concealed tracks on the +road. "See, he hath had a fall. Methinks we have him by the heels." + +"'Tis like looking for a sprat in the ocean," returned the first +trooper, gazing across the wilderness of gorse. "So long as he stuck +to his mount we could have tracked him. 'Tis what I feared: he hath +made off afoot." + +"Here, sirrah," he shouted to me, urging his horse down the road to +where we were, "hast seen aught of a horseman riding like +Beelzebub?" + +"Nay," I replied truthfully enough; "no horseman has passed this +way." + +"You young prevaricator!" he exclaimed, tapping his pistols +significantly. "You do but dissemble. You know whither that man +went." + +I kept silence. + +Suddenly the other trooper, who had forced his horse through the +gorse by the side of the road, shouted, "Here's a find, David. The +rogue hath lost his horse." + +"Then you saw him fall," continued the dragoon who had overtaken us. +"Back you come with me, you young rebel!" + +"I am no rebel," I replied, as stoutly as I could force myself to +speak. + +"Back, I say!" he repeated, ignoring my protest, and producing a +pistol from his holster. There was no help for it. I had to go with +him. "Run off home, Constance," I said in a low voice; "I shall be +all right." + +"No, you don't, you little wench!" exclaimed the villain. "You'll +come in useful to make this young rebel open his mouth. Come on, +both of you, I say!" + +I looked at Constance. She was deathly white, yet she spoke not a +word, although by the expression of her eyes she said, as plainly as +if she had spoken, "Do not tell where he is." + +"Mum's the word, eh?" was the greeting of the second trooper, as we +were told to stand still near the scene of our meeting with the +fugitive, Captain Miles. "Shall I tell 'em about that stubborn young +rebel at Dulverton--it was Dulverton, wasn't it, David?--who thought +to deceive one of Cornbury's Dragoons? A little tow tied to his +thumbs did the trick, and I'll swear he's nursing his burns now. +There's no tow to be had hereabouts, but I'll warrant a little dry +heather will suffice. Now, sirrah, which way did the rebel go?" + +"What! you won't answer?" he continued, as he dismounted from his +horse, his comrade following his example. Whipping out his +broadsword, he struck me a heavy blow on the ankle with the flat of +the weapon. The pain was intense, yet, though an involuntary cry +escaped me, I kept my lips tightly closed. + +I gave a hasty look right and left along the straight white road. +Not a creature was in sight. Even if there had been, 'twas difficult +to imagine that a solitary wayfarer would dare to interfere with two +armed and powerful ruffians. + +"Pluck me a wisp of dry grass," said my tormentor. + +"Nay, Jim," replied the other, "we've no time to waste in that +fashion. If the rebel is making off afoot, every moment is precious. +I know of a way." And, thrusting his huge fingers through my +sister's golden locks, he shouted, "Now, sirrah, answer, or I'll +pull out a handful of hair, to remember this pleasant meeting." + +Constance cried with pain as the villain slowly tightened his grip. +Knowing he was quite capable of carrying out his threat, I was torn +with conflicting thoughts, till my brave sister exclaimed, "Not a +word, Clifford!" + +Possibly the rogue answering to the name of Jim realized my +desperate intention, for at the risk of my life I was on the point +of dashing my clenched fist in the face of Constance's assailant. +With his right hand the dragoon gripped me by the nape of the neck, +so that in his powerful grasp I was as helpless as a kitten; while +with his left he caught and slowly twisted my wrist. + +Suddenly a huge, dark form sprang from the concealing heather, and +like an arrow from a bow Jeremy Miles flung himself upon the dragoon +whose fingers were still grasping Constance's tresses. + +I saw it all as clearly as if 'twere the work of minutes rather than +of one instant. A swinging blow of the Captain's ponderous fist, and +the ruffian's arm fell nerveless to his side; and a second blow +stretched him lifeless on the ground. The other dragoon, with a +furious oath, flung me headlong. As I fell I heard the crashing +explosion of his pistol. + +Slowly I raised myself on my arm, and watched the struggle betwixt +our preserver and his antagonist. Powerful though the trooper was, +the Captain, thanks to his strenuous life afloat, was his master. +For a while they swayed to and fro in a desperate struggle, Jeremy's +arms clasping the soldier like bands of steel, till the villain's +resistance grew weaker and weaker. + +Then, with a superhuman effort, Captain Miles wrenched his bulky foe +clean off the ground, and hurled him, like a sack of flour, over his +shoulder. + +"Bear a hand with your sister, lad," he then exclaimed, in a +matter-of-fact tone, although he was breathing heavily. "She has +swooned." + +This was a work of some difficulty, for water was not at hand, but +at length Constance opened her eyes. Poor girl! Although not much +hurt, for the rogue had not had time to carry out his threat to the +fullest extent, she was terribly frightened, and the sight of the +two dragoons lying motionless on the road did not help matters. + +"Take her down the road a little way, and make her sit down," said +Captain Jeremy kindly. "Then hasten back, for I'll warrant we've a +fine job to make all shipshape and Bristol fashion." + +"Have you seen any more of these lubbers?" he asked, after I had +returned from carrying out his instructions. + +"There was a troop of them in Lyndhurst this morning. They went +Southampton-wards." + +"I'll pray that they'll not return in a hurry," he exclaimed. "We've +enough to do to cover up our tracks." + +"Are they dead?" I asked shudderingly. + +"As a marline-spike," he replied. "For the time we are safe; they +were the only ones that battened themselves to me. The Duke is +taken. I saw him seized by some of Portman's Militia near Ringwood +but yesterday. Faith! I was disappointed in King Monmouth, for he +fled from the field long before his men began to give way." + +"And how did you escape?" + +"'Twas touch and go. Monmouth, in a peasant's dress, lay hidden in +some ferns, I but ten yards away. Little did I think 'twas the Duke +till I heard Portman say as 'twas. I suppose that find satisfied +them, for they searched no more. Farmer Shearing of Ringwood lent me +his mare, and I rode off early this morning, intending to shape a +course for Pitt's Deep, for 'twould have been madness to return to +Lymington. Master Hammond, I was a fool even to set out for the +West. What I've seen in forty years afloat is naught to what I've +seen these last few days. But let's to work!" + +We thereupon dragged the bodies of the troopers into the bracken, +and carefully obliterated all signs of the struggle. The troopers' +horses were contentedly nibbling the coarse grass by the roadside, +our pony Trotter having followed Constance. + +They were fine animals, these dragoons' mounts, and I wondered what +would become of them. The same question evidently troubled Captain +Miles, for if they came within hearing of a trumpet call they would +most likely trot off to rejoin their fellows. Yet, as there were no +troopers within several miles of us, the horses might be taken by +some of the peasants who lived on the outskirts of the heath, +especially if we removed the saddlery. + +"Nay, 'tis too much of a risk," muttered Jeremy to himself, though I +heard the words; and, lifting the fore-foot of one of the animals, +he examined its hoof. There, in a manner that could not be effaced, +were the royal monogram and regimental number; while a further +search revealed the government mark branded on the creature's flank. + +"Those marks are their death warrant," he exclaimed. + +"How so?" + +"No man cares for a dumb animal more than I do," he replied. "Yet, +when human life and liberty are at stake, it behoves us to take +stern measures. Now, I pray you, take your sister home, and return +speedily with a pair of serviceable spades." + +So saying, he led the two animals aside into the gorse, while I +hastened to rejoin Constance. We had barely gone a hundred paces +when a pistol shot rang out, quickly followed by another. + +"What sound is that?" asked my sister. + +"'Tis but naught," I replied, not daring to tell her the plain +truth. "Captain Miles has unloaded the troopers' pistols." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Captain Jeremy's Surprise. + + +"What hath befallen you?" asked my father anxiously, as we crossed +the threshold of the house. "Ye are both as pale as ghosts, and your +clothes, Clifford, are smothered in dust. Hath Trotter thrown you?" + +For answer, Constance sat down upon a settle and sobbed +hysterically, while my father, stopping abruptly his task of +questioning us, bestirred himself to comfort her. + +"Two dragoons have molested us," I announced. "They were in pursuit +of Captain Miles." + +"Have they hurt you?" he asked. + +"Nay, but little--thanks to the Captain." In a few words I related +the incidents that had terminated in the death of the two villains. +My father looked grave. + +"And Jeremy?" he asked. "Hath he gone to Lymington?" + +"Nay, he awaits me by the Beaulieu bridle path." + +"'Tis well for him, though I am loath to risk His Majesty's +displeasure in succouring rebels. Yet, especially as he did befriend +you, I'll do my best to repay Jeremy's kindness. He must not go to +Lymington, Clifford." + +"He doth not intend to do so," said I. "He is making for Pitt's +Deep." + +"Equally as rash as if he journeyed to Lymington. I, too, heard the +news this morning soon after you left. The dragoons watch every mile +of this part of the coast, and at every little port a watch is set, +so that no strangers dare set foot on shipboard without being +closely questioned. My son, I take the risk even of harbouring a +rebel. I'll go with thee and speak my mind with friend Jeremy." + +Bidding Martha, our housekeeper, stay with Constance, and impressing +upon her the necessity for silence as to what had occurred, my +father, taking a mattock in his hand, set out to the scene of the +encounter, I accompanying him, and carrying the spades over my +shoulder. + +"Where is the package I bade you bring from Lyndhurst?" he asked, as +we left the outskirts of the village. + +I searched the pockets of my doublet without success, though I was +certain that the article had been safely placed in one of them. + +"It must have fallen out on the road," I replied. + +"'Tis a grave matter," he said, with a look of anxiety and a gesture +of impatience. "How can I--but there! if 't comes to the worst, I +must journey into Southampton myself. 'Tis the fortune of war." + +No more was said, for we were already in sight of the cross-roads, +and Captain Miles was sitting on the bracken-covered bank awaiting +us. + +"Good day to you, Cap'n Hammond!" he exclaimed as we approached. +"'Tis a sad business dragging you and yours into this bickering." + +"Yet, thanks to Heaven and your aid, my children were saved from the +clutches of those rogues." + +"Had it not been for me the rascals would not have been here," +replied Captain Miles apologetically. "Yet I thank you, sir, for +coming to my assistance, though 'tis to the advantage of this part +of the countryside that we hide this carrion," and he pointed with +his finger to the bodies of the two dragoons. + +We set to work with a will, and in less than a quarter of an hour a +shallow trench was dug sufficiently deep to receive the corpses of +the ruffianly soldiers. + +"Egad! 'tis warm work," exclaimed my father, leaning on his mattock +as the first part of the task was completed. + +"I'm right sorry I've no rum to offer you," said Captain Miles, +wiping his heated brow. "You see, we're not aboard the old +_Venture_, otherwise 'twould be different." + +"I, too, regret that I brought not my flask of cordials," replied my +father. + +"There is a bottle of strong waters that I found close to the body +of one of these villains," remarked Jeremy; "but though I did make +three good attempts at it, 'twas more than I could stomach. It +smells aright, but the taste--faugh! I have it in my mouth yet. Try +it, Captain Hammond, and see if it suit thy palate." + +So saying, he produced a bottle and handed it to my father, who gave +an exclamation of surprise, quickly followed by a hearty laugh. + +"Why, what's amiss?" asked the astonished Captain, as my father +thrust the bottle into his pocket. + +"Hist! I'll tell thee anon," said my sire mysteriously. "Now, let's +resume our task." + +The carcasses of the troopers' horses, the victims of Captain +Miles's self-preservation, were next interred; while, to make doubly +sure, the mount that Jeremy had borrowed from the Ringwood farmer +was also buried. + +This done, I happened to cross the highway, where, to my surprise, I +found the wrappings of the package for which we had journeyed into +Lyndhurst on that eventful morning. + +"See! here is the covering of your packet," I exclaimed, holding it +up to my father's view. + +"Aye, Clifford, I know it. Say no more on this matter." + +Inwardly wondering, I obeyed. Whatever the package contained, I now +felt certain that 'twas the same stuff as Jeremy Miles had attempted +to swallow. + +"Now, look you, Captain Miles," said my father, as we prepared to +return homewards, "neither Lymington nor Pitt's Deep offers an +asylum for you. To go to either place is to set your head in a trap. +I have made up my mind that you must tarry with us at Brockenhurst +till this storm has blown over." + +"Nay, 'tis unfair to saddle you with the presence of a proclaimed +rebel," objected Captain Jeremy stoutly. "The service I rendered +your children does not warrant such a generous payment. I'll accept +your hospitality for this night, and at sunrise to-morrow I'll make +my way into Sussex. I know of an old shipmate at Shoreham who'll +gladly set me across to France." + +"You'll never get out of Hampshire, my friend," interrupted my +father; "at least, not yet awhile. Perchance the tide of monarchy +will change again, though, mark you, I'd far rather have James +Stuart as my lawful sovereign than James Walters. No, no, I say; +further flight is out of the question. At Brockenhurst you will stay +till I give you leave to go farther afield." + +'Twas no light matter to smuggle the fugitive into our home; but we +did it, and for the next week or more Captain Miles remained within +doors, my father having pointed out to him the secret panel in case +of an emergency. This surprised me not a little, for he was usually +very reticent about this matter. True, I had been told of the +existence of the hiding-place, but even Constance was kept in +ignorance of it. The person who contrived the sliding panel must +have done his work well, for no one unacquainted with its mechanism +could cause it to move. But I've said enough concerning this matter, +for although 'tis well known that our home does possess such a +contrivance, its position and the method of working it still remain +a secret locked in the breast of a trusted few, and 'twould not be +doing my duty towards the Hammonds that are to come were I to say +more. + +Yet there was no reason for alarm. Though troops of horse often +passed through Brockenhurst on their way to and from Lymington, none +stopped to search for rebels. Neither did the disappearance of two +of Cornbury's Dragoons cause any trouble, for we learnt that they +were set down as deserters, while, as good fortune would have it, a +report came in that two men answering their description had been +seen riding northwards out of Salisbury. + +One morning I was seated with Captain Jeremy in the little room +where he was wont to spend most of his time. Often I would go +thither to be regaled with stories of his voyage to the Indies and +his adventures in foreign parts, till my young blood coursed madly +through my veins; and so strange were some of the tales he told that +I'm afraid his share of imagination must have been a double one. + +In the midst of his narrative on this particular day, my father +entered, having just returned from Lymington Town. + +"I have bad news for you," he announced. + +"'Tis not the first time, Captain Hammond," replied Jeremy +composedly. "What is it this time?" + +"The sheriff hath taken possession of your house, and it and all its +contents are to be sold by candle auction."[1] + +"'Tis the fortune of war," said Captain Miles, removing his long +clay pipe from his lips and puffing out a thick cloud of smoke. "I +expected it, and provided for it ere I left for Monmouth's camp. +What money I possess, beyond what I require for my present +disbursements, I have stowed away in the hold of the good ship +'Never-Sink'--to wit, Mother Earth. But there is one thing I'd be +glad to lay my hands on. Wouldst be willing to buy a certain article +out of my house?" + +"Would I could buy the lot!" + +"Nay, 'tis but a picture--a painting of my good barque the +_Venture_, done in oils by a rascally Neapolitan, for which he +charged me five ducats, though he did place the chain plates too far +aft, and the spritsail yard above the bowsprit." + +"'Tis a common fault with a landlubber," said my parent. +"Nevertheless, I'll see to it." + +"I prize the painting but lightly," continued Jeremy; "but there's +more in it than meets the eye." + +"I do not understand." + +"Captain Hammond, you've treated me right nobly, and 'twould ill +become me were I not to repay you to the utmost of my power. I'll be +straightforward in this matter. Listen!" + +My father motioned to me to leave them, but, perceiving the gesture, +Captain Jeremy exclaimed: + +"No, no, let the lad remain, for 'tis also to his advantage to hear. +That picture contains the true and only clue to the lost treasure +ship _Madre de Dios_." + + +[1] This custom appears to be fairly common in south-coast ports. In +September, 1628, the Mayor of Portsmouth reported to the Admiralty +that "The The Gift of God", prize, was sold on the last day of +August by the burning of a candle. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +The _Madre de Dios_ + + +My father opened his eyes wide, and his mouth also, so that his pipe +clattered on the oaken floor and was broken into a score of +fragments. + +"The _Madre de Dios_!" he exclaimed at length. "You speak truly--the +same _Madre de Dios_ concerning which Fergusson adventured himself +in the last reign?" + +"The same, Captain Hammond. I have the secret under my thumb." + +"You know where the wreck lies hidden?" + +"Aye, but that matters little. The treasure is not in her, but lies +in a safe place." + +Even I had heard the wonderful story of the Spanish treasure ship. +'Twas well known that in the last century Sir John Berkeley, during +his attack upon Porto Rico, had captured a Spanish caravel, the +_Madre de Dios_. On her he found pearls worth ten thousand ducats, +gold dust, ingots, and other treasure to the value of 400,000 +pounds. Of this vast spoil Sir John shipped about one-half aboard +his own ship, sending the _Madre_ under convoy for England. The +caravel, overtaken by a furious north-easterly gale, was lost with +all hands amongst the islands of the Lesser Antilles, and although +expeditions innumerable had been sent out to discover the wreck, +none had met with success. If Captain Jeremy Miles was not deceiving +himself and us also, a king's ransom was almost within his grasp. + +"Pardon me if I put it bluntly," said my father, "but if you know +where the treasure lies, why have you not recovered it ere now?" + +"That I'll explain, methinks, to your satisfaction, though 'tis a +long story. Yet, to put it briefly, I was cast away on the island +where the treasure lieth in the year 1674. For two years I was cut +off from my fellow-men, till a Spanish barque took me off. It goes +without saying that I told the Dons naught concerning the treasure; +but on setting foot in England once more, I took steps to obtain +command of a vessel trading with the Indies. Yet ill fortune +thwarted my purpose." + +"How so?" + +"Head winds and pestilence. Then, though I was averse to sharing my +secret, I applied to my Lord Rochester to intercede with the King; +but, since I was only a plain merchant captain, and no King's +officer, my lord must needs flout me and deride my statement." + +"My Lord Rochester had his own views on this matter, I take it," +remarked my father. "There were no less than forty applications to +his late Majesty from would-be treasure seekers. Fergusson went and +failed; Captain Calcott did likewise, and now Phipps has been gone +these two years, spending the King's money and using his ships of +war, which might be more profitably employed elsewhere. Nay, I +cannot blame my Lord Rochester." + +"But I do!" exclaimed Captain Miles vehemently. "Not for his +refusal, mark you, for he's the loser on't, but for his churlish +manner. 'Twas mainly for this reason that I set out to join +Monmouth's standard, for, had all been well, I am certain he would, +as a man of spirit and enterprise, have been willing to grant me aid +in the search." + +"The Duke will need all his spirit and enterprise to save his neck +from the headsman's axe," replied my father. "But concerning this +matter?" + +"I have a proposal to make, Captain Hammond. But ere we go farther, +'tis worth while laying hands on the chart." + +"Aye," replied my father. "The sale is fixed for to-morrow, so I'll +to Lymington and secure the picture at all costs." + +The subject was then dropped for the time, yet I did not fail to +notice that my sire was by no means in his usual spirits, but seemed +preoccupied, and inclined to irritability. Constance, too, noticed +the change. + +"What doth he ponder over?" she asked. "Is there fresh trouble +coming upon us? Have they discovered aught of that affair on the +Lyndhurst Road?" and she gave a little shudder at the remembrance of +it. + +"Nay," I replied. "That affair has, I hope, blown over. Something is +in the wind, nevertheless, for I doubt not that our father and +Captain Miles are engaging upon some profitable enterprise; it may +happen that a voyage to the West Indies will restore the fortunes of +our house." + +"But will father have to go to sea again?" she asked anxiously. + +"It may so happen," I replied. + +"And you----?" + +"I would I could," I rejoined earnestly, for 'twas my cherished +ambition to go to sea; yet I feared my father would withhold his +consent. + +The next day my father and I rode into Lymington, and having left +our horses at the "Hart", we repaired to Jeremy's house. + +It was a long, low-built, thatched-roofed building, standing at the +bottom of the steep High Street, and overlooking the muddy harbour +where the Lym stream joins the sea. The door and the frames of the +diamond-paned windows were painted a vivid green--possibly the work +of the energetic seaman; while above the porch was nailed an effigy +of a woman holding an arrow in her hand--the figurehead of one of +his former vessels. + +Crowds of eager and curious townsfolk were gathered without the door +on which the sheriff's notice of the sale was affixed, while two +tip-staves, escorting a lean, pale-faced man, were trying to force +their way through the press of onlookers. + +"'Tis the attorney for the Crown," whispered my father, pointing to +the white-faced man, who was evidently ill at ease. "'Tis fortunate +for him that he has a troop of horse within ear-shot, or I'll +warrant he would have a warm reception." + +But even the presence of the soldiers, who were drawn up in an alley +leading to the quay, did not prevent volleys of rotten eggs and +street garbage being directed against the sheriff's representative, +till, the door being opened, he disappeared within, followed by the +incensed townsfolk. Jeremy was, as I have mentioned, a general +favourite in and around Lymington; and, besides, his rash +participation in the revolt was not unfavourably regarded by his +fellow-townsmen, who took this opportunity of expressing their +practical sympathy with the absent Captain. + +By dint of much elbowing we succeeded in gaining admission to the +house, and, to my inexperienced eyes, the scene within was strange +and pathetically interesting, as preparations were made to dispose +of our friend's goods and chattels. + +By threats, entreaties, and commands the sheriff's officer obtained +comparative quiet, and amidst the groans of his audience he read the +proclamation setting forth that the house and goods of Captain +Jeremy Miles, he having been declared a traitor to His Majesty King +James, were to be sold forthwith. + +Thereupon one of the tip-staves produced a long wax candle having a +number of metal pegs stuck into it at regular intervals. This he +proceeded to light; the first lot was announced, and the highest +bid, ere the uppermost peg fell from the melted wax, secured the +submitted article. + +In the excitement, as bidder after bidder was outbidden, even the +voices of the malcontents were hushed; while as peg after peg +dropped out and rebounded from the oaken table, the clang of the +hammer could scarce drown the angry remonstrances of the +disappointed would-be purchasers. + +Thus the auction proceeded, and from room to room we went, watching +the disposal of the Captain's goods. One or two instruments of +navigation my father secured, though, as I knew he already possessed +similar ones, I guessed that they were for Jeremy's future use. + +At length the parlour was reached, and between the heads of the +crowd and the low, raftered ceiling I caught a glimpse of the +fateful painting--a ship under all plain sail, set with a vivid blue +sea and a cloudless sky of an almost similar colour. + +My father marked it likewise, for he straightened himself, and +coughed slightly once or twice to clear his throat. + +"Lot Seventy-two. A painting by a worthy Neapolitan artist, Messer +Tito Cozzini, of--of--I cannot decipher the place--methinks it looks +like Foggia." + +The taper was again applied to the candle, the feeble light +flickering dimly in the dusty, crowded room. No one seemed anxious +to possess the work of art, for my father, concealing his +impatience, had purposely withheld his bid. The metal peg began to +droop in its support of melting wax. + +"A crown," said my father. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +The Chart + + +"And sixpence." + +A voice like the bellowing of a bull burst from the corner of the +room, while its owner began to force his way vigorously through the +crowd towards the rostrum. + +"Six shillings." + +The peg gave a decided jerk, but still remained in the wax. + +"Six shillings and sixpence." + +"Seven shillings." + +Ping! The metal pin tinkled on the table, the hammer descended, and +the picture was ours. + +A muttered oath caused me to turn my head and look behind. The +unsuccessful bidder was a short, bull-necked man, with clean-shaven, +red complexioned features, closely cropped hair, save for a bob +hanging over his neck; and powerfully-built shoulders and arms. + +With a violent effort to conceal his disappointment, the stranger +backed his way through the crowd, and was lost to view. + +To disarm suspicion, we remained for nearly another hour; then, +having paid the sheriff's clerk the amount of the purchase money, my +father took possession of the painting and the nautical instruments, +and handed them over to the care of a lad, with instructions to +follow us. + +Having mounted our horses, we rode them at a walking pace, the youth +panting at our heels, for the day was excessively warm. + +As we were passing Buckland Rings I chanced to glance over my +shoulder at our follower, and in so doing I caught sight of a man +stealing cautiously along in the shadow of the trees at about two +hundred paces off. It was the unsuccessful bidder for Captain +Miles's picture. + +"How say you?" asked my father. "The rascal means no good;" and +abruptly wheeling his steed, he trotted back to the edge of the +clump of pines that stand betwixt the highway and those relics of +paganism commonly known in the district as "The Rings". + +Yet though we searched the clump and the far side of the hillock as +well, our efforts were in vain. + +"Your eyes have deceived you, Clifford," said my sire, as we +cantered along the road to overtake the lad with his precious +burden. Though I felt certain on the point, I refrained from +insisting that I was right, and without further happening we reached +our house, though I was continually turning in the saddle to see if +we were followed by the discomfited rogue. + +Having to attend the Verderers' Court that afternoon, my father +could devote no time to his purchase until the evening, though I was +burning with impatience to see the chart revealed, and felt certain +my parent was in a like state. + +"'Tis well done," exclaimed Captain Jeremy with undisguised delight, +when he saw the painting. "Now, Captain Hammond, we'll cut the +canvas and get the chart." + +"Nay," remonstrated my father, laughing; "the picture cost me seven +shillings, and 'tis a pity to spoil it for the sake of being +overhasty. Bring a mallet and chisel, Clifford, and we'll prise open +the back." + +This was accordingly done, and as the heavy boards were removed from +the frame a musty piece of parchment, creased in several places, was +disclosed to view. + +"Here 'tis," declared Captain Jeremy, pointing with his yellow +finger. "There lies the _Madre_ treasure." + +The chart was a good yard in length, and about three spans in +breadth. It had evidently been drawn with a considerable amount of +care, the names being neatly inserted. In the top right corner, +spanned by a compass, was a scale of leagues, while in the left was +a representation of the mariner's compass. Three strange-looking +vessels, with towering forecastles and poops, and a veritable +network of rhumb-lines, covered all the portion of the chart that +was supposed to represent the ocean. In the bottom left-hand corner, +which had been greatly thumb-marked, were the letters "...go +Ribero", and the date "1529"; and marked by a rough circle, drawn, +it seemed, at a later date, was the position of an island, against +which appeared the words: "Much golde here--_Madre de Dios_, 1599". + +"This is an old Spanish chart," said Captain Miles, "yet 'tis +accurate enough for our purpose. Even Generals Penn and Venables, +when they took Jamaica, freely acknowledged that none of our making +could equal it." + +"'Tis a sovereign piece of work," assented my father. "But methinks +you said the position was known only to you? How comes it, +therefore, that this chart has the spot marked fair and legibly?" + +"Therein have many men been deceived," replied Captain Jeremy. "That +was placed thereon for the purpose. Mark you a small cross on the +island?--'tis a good two leagues from the wrongly marked spot. On my +word of honour, I can testify that there lieth the treasure. Now, +what say you, Captain Hammond? Will you join with me in prosecuting +a search? for freely in my gratitude will I share the gains with +you. Yet 'tis but fair to give you full warning, though I heed it +not. 'Tis said that the treasure of the _Madre de Dios_ is under a +curse, and only through bloodshed and fire can it be regained. This +was the curse of the Friar Pedro Lopez, whom, 'tis avowed, Sir John +Berkeley threw overboard with his own hands." + +"The matter is a weighty one," replied my father, as he proceeded to +replace the back of the frame. "I Even should the treasure be yet +undiscovered, there arises the question of the cost of fitting out a +ship. Were I a man of wealth I'd not be averse from adventuring a +round sum. As for the friar's curse, I heed it not." + +"Neither have I much wealth, seeing that my house and goods were in +the sheriff's hands this day," observed Captain Jeremy, with a grim +smile. "Yet, as I have said heretofore, I have hidden a certain sum. +This, though 'tis my all, I would gladly devote to the enterprise; +and, forsooth, a man could not give better pledge of his sincerity." + +"'Tis not that I doubt your sincerity, and I crave your pardon +should I have touched upon a tender spot. Now, I pray you, explain +the chart, inasmuch as it concerns the treasure island." + +Thus encouraged, Captain Jeremy carefully filled his long clay pipe, +and resting the glowing bowl on the edge of the table (somewhat, I +fear, to my father's displeasure, though he made no sign on 't), he +proceeded to point out the characteristics of the island, the shoals +and currents in its vicinity, the secure anchorage, and where a boat +could make a landing without hazard to itself or its crew. + +To all this I listened intently, my eyes glistening with excitement; +but, greatly to my disappointment, just as Captain Miles was about +to explain how and where the _Madre_ treasure lay hidden, my father +exclaimed: + +"The hour is late, Clifford, therefore bid us good night and go to +bed." + +There was no help for it; I retired from the room reluctantly, +pausing for one instant to gaze upon the scene, as the two +bronzed-faced seamen bent eagerly over the musty parchment, the key +to the undertaking that was, we hoped, to restore the house of +Hammond to its former affluence. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A Midnight Intruder + + +Although the day had opened fine and bright, the evening had brought +with it an unwelcome change in the weather. A south-westerly gale, +blowing straight from the English Channel, swept across the land, +accompanied by heavy downpours of rain and hail; while ever and anon +vivid flashes of lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder +that shook the house to its foundations, would pierce the darkness +of the night. + +For more than an hour I remained at my window, watching the flashes +play upon the distant trees of the forest, or light up the rolling +expanse of gorse-clad heath. So fierce was the wind that the +branches of a tree close to my casement were lashed violently +against the thatch, while a tall elm at the edge of the lawn had +been uprooted, and lay athwart the sodden road. + +At length the storm receded, and, tired out, I sought repose. + +It must have been some time betwixt midnight and dawn, for 'twas +still dark, when I awoke with a start and a vague feeling that +something was amiss. + +I had, according to custom, left the casement slightly ajar, the +frame being secured by an iron quadrant. This contrivance fitted +tightly, and 'twould be impossible for it to move of itself; yet I +heard the creaking of the metalwork as the casement was slowly and +cautiously opened, for the wind had now died utterly away, and all +else was still save for the pattering of the water from the eaves. + +Overcome by a nameless terror, I lay motionless in my bed, thinking +'twas the Evil One coming in person to bear me bodily away.[1] + +Slowly a dark, sinister figure, barely distinguishable against the +gloom without, crept silently through the now open window, past the +foot of my bed, and out by the unlatched door of the room, +smothering as it did so a sneeze. + +That sneeze aroused my courage, for never in all the worthy Doctor +Colling's discourses had I heard of the Evil One sneezing. The +intruder was a robber! + +However, I remained silent and motionless till the unwelcome +stranger had time to get clear of the room; then, boldly springing +out of bed, I crept softly to my father's room. + +At the first touch of my hand he was wide-awake, thanks once more +to his active life afloat, but had the good sense to refrain from +speaking aloud. + +In a few words I explained the situation, and without hesitation he +sprang from his bed, armed himself with a petronel, and hastened +downstairs to surprise and, if possible, capture the intruder, I +following closely and silently at his heels. + +But in the few minutes of undisturbed action the robber had not been +idle, for ere my father gained the lowermost stair he tripped +suddenly over a broom handle cunningly placed there for that +purpose, and falling headlong, the petronel exploded with a vivid +flash and a stunning report, the bullets crashing through the +wainscot. + +In a moment he was on his feet again, only to meet the robber as he +dashed for freedom. In the darkness I heard the sounds of a furious +struggle, but, being unable to distinguish friend from foe, I was +compelled to stand inactive and useless: + +Suddenly there was an exclamation of pain, followed by a heavy thud, +and the next instant I was thrust violently against the wall as a +powerful, agile figure tore past me and up the staircase. + +A terrific crash of broken glass was followed by the shrieks of old +Martha and groans in the darkness, while I heard Captain Jeremy +rushing from his room, shouting for lights to be brought. + +When at length we found tinder and steel and a light was provided, +my father was seen lying on his face, bleeding profusely from a +wound in the right side. + +"Water!" he gasped feebly. "I am done for!" and before we could +raise him from the floor he had swooned. + +Jeremy, cursing loudly, was at first for pursuing the murderous +villain who had dealt the fell blow, but pursuit was not to be +thought of when we saw my father's desperate condition. Fearing to +carry him upstairs to his own chamber, we lifted him into the +dining-room, where we placed his senseless form on a +roughly-constructed couch. + +Constance had now joined us, and though trembling with fear and +anxiety, she alone suggested the wisest course. + +"Run, Clifford, for a chirurgeon!" she exclaimed, and, hatless and +shoeless, though I had found time to don my clothing, I tore over +the sodden fields to the house of Master Blackwood, who lived well +on the outskirts of the village. + +Seeing the case was urgent, though I could but babble an incoherent +summons, the surgeon came quickly; and having made a hasty +examination, the grave look on his clear-cut features showed that my +sire was in dire peril of death. + +Having dressed the wound, Master Blackwood applied himself to +restoring his patient to consciousness, and while this was being +done my glance fell upon the picture--or, rather, the frame--that my +father had bought but a few short hours ago. + +The painting was missing, cut from the frame by a sharp knife. +Almost at the same time Captain Miles noticed the empty frame, and, +in spite of his accustomed coolness, his jaw dropped. + +"Alack-a-day! A sorry pass! 'Tis the friar's curse come home," he +muttered huskily. + +Slowly the pale dawn struggled for the mastery with the feeble +flicker of the rushlight till, in a mantle of vivid crimson hue, the +sun rose red and angry in the eastern sky. + +Then, and only then, could we see the full extent of the mischief +that the robber had wrought. That the precious chart had been the +object of his entry there could be no doubt, for in the short space +of time ere he was disturbed he had made straight for the painting +that formerly concealed the parchment. + +The shattered broomstick, a dark pool of blood at the foot of the +stairs, and the shot-marked wainscot were silent evidences of the +tragedy; while I found the hilt of a knife wedged firmly in the +wall, close to where I was hurled by the escaping miscreant. + +Then I remembered the incident, and to my surprise I found that I +had a clean cut in the right shoulder. Though it had bled somewhat, +in my excitement I had been unaware of it; yet 'twas a narrow +escape. + +"There's more behind this affair than we wot of," remarked Captain +Jeremy. "The rogue had doubtless watched us through the window +whilst your father and I were talking of the matter of the treasure, +for I bear to mind the shutters were not drawn. Then, finding that +the iron bars across the lower windows prevented him from entering +save by much labour and trouble, he scaled the tree without your +casement and entered your room. But, Clifford, sorry though I be for +your father's plight and sore hurt, 'tis a fortunate thing that the +robber was foiled, for, see you, I had the chart with me, placed +under my pillow for safety. As for the picture of the old _Venture_, +'tis of little account, though I did set some store on it for the +sake of bygone times." + +"But concerning the robber?" I asked. "If we are to inform the watch +there will be danger of your discovery, yet I am loath to let the +villain go unhindered." + +"'Tis a matter that requires much consideration," he replied +gravely. "I call to mind when I was on board the barque _Furie_ +within sight of Port Royal. A fire broke out for'ard and threatened +to consume us; our longboat and shallop were damaged, while +alongside were swarms of sharks. As we could not save ourselves by +flight, we fought the flames so determinedly that we put out the +fire, though it seemed a well-nigh impossible task." + +"And what of it?" I asked perplexedly, for I failed to grasp the +Captain's meaning. + +"You see, Master Clifford, this house, in a manner of speaking, is +the burning craft, the King's officers are the sharks; so, until we +know your father's pleasure in this business, I would that nothing +be said concerning the affair. Master Blackwood I know to be a +stanch and upright man who detests the unlawful practices of King +James; he will keep silence. Your sister, also, I know to be +circumspect; but I have my doubts about Martha, for the tongues of +serving women, especially old ones, are apt to wag." + +"I am content to let the matter rest for the present," I replied; +and crossing the hall, I laid hold of the knife that was still fixed +in the wainscot. It took much strength to wrench it free, and no +little care, for the broken blade was as sharp as a razor. The steel +was about a span in length, and wet for about half that distance +with my father's blood. As I cleaned it, my eyes fell upon some +letters engraved upon the blade. Worn though the steel was, I +deciphered the letters "...emento mori". + +"'Tis perchance the name of the cutler," said Captain Miles, taking +the steel out of my hand and examining it carefully. + +"Nay; 'tis certain you have not noticed similar words in Lymington +Church," I replied. "The first letter is on the other portion of the +broken blade, and the completed sentence is the Latin for 'Remember +you must die'. I'll have a hilt fitted to this portion, Captain +Jeremy, and should ill befall my father, the motto will guide me in +the tracing of the villain." + +"Strange it may be," remarked the Captain reflectively, "but now I +recall an old shipmate of mine who bought a dagger in Lisbon with +these words. He was, I remember, an ill-favoured creature." + +"Was he short in stature, and bull-necked?" I asked eagerly. + +"Nay," replied my companion, shaking his head; "you are on the wrong +tack. Your father hath told me of the man you have in mind--the one +who would have bought the picture, though, sink me! I cannot imagine +why he should set such store on it. Nay; the man, though short in +stature, was as thin as a handspike. But, my lad," he said kindly, +"you look as white as a sheet. Here, take a turn in the garden, for +the place smells like a charnel-house. Keep within ear-shot, lest +you are wanted." + +With a heavy heart I obeyed, having first obtained Constance's aid +in applying a bandage to my wounded shoulder. + +The damage done by yesternight's gale was enormous, though I paid +little heed to the scene of desolation, but, stepping over the +broken branches that everywhere littered the ground, walked round to +the back of the house, whence the robber had made his escape. + +He had left by the same means as he had entered--through the +casement of my room and down the tree that unfortunately provided a +ready means of descent. Curiosity prompted me to examine the trunk, +and on so doing I found traces of blood on the bark. I noticed that, +if viewed from the window, the marks of blood were on the right-hand +side of the trunk, and, as the fugitive must have descended with his +face towards the bark, 'twas evident that he had been wounded on the +right side of his person; and by the quantity of the blood it was +further evident that the wound was of a severe nature. + +Then the thought flashed across my mind: the villain was sore hurt, +his track lay fresh upon the grass; why should I not follow him? + +Running back to the house, I loaded my fowling-piece, and calling +Bruno, my lurcher, I started in pursuit. + + +[1] Lest Clifford be thought a weak-minded coward, it is well to +explain that previous to and during the seventeenth century there +was a strong popular belief in the corporal presence of the Evil +One. The study of any contemporary writer will confirm this. A +notable example is afforded by the panic of Robinson Crusoe on +discovering a dying goat in the darkness of a cave: "I saw two broad +shining eyes of some creature, whether devil or man I knew not". + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The Cave in the Lonely Heath + + +The track was clearly defined, the sinister dark patches showing +boldly upon the bright green grass with the utmost regularity. The +man had certainly fled in a north-easterly direction, towards Black +Down, the densest part of the forest. He had a start of at least six +hours, but, even had he not already swooned from loss of blood, this +advantage was slight. In my enthusiasm I imagined that the rogue was +already my prisoner, marching, with my piece at his head, towards +the common jail at Lymington. + +The tell-tale line of spots crossed the highway and led on to the +gorse-clad heath, but though there were evidences that the fugitive +had blundered into many bushes in his flight in the dark, the +general direction remained the same. At this I wondered not a +little, for from my forest experience I knew that a man crossing an +open space in the dark would, without a light or other means to +guide him, inevitably make a wide circle, unless he had the sense to +keep his course by observing the direction of the wind. Yet I knew +that after the storm the wind had died utterly away, so that the +circumstance seemed stranger still. + +I suppose I had not gone half a mile when, thrown behind some +bushes, I espied the picture that the rogue had cut from its frame. +There were signs that he had made a lengthy halt, one being a large +dark stain upon the damp soil, showing that much blood had been +spilled. Another thing I conjectured: he had discovered that the +chart was not, as evidently he had imagined, part of the picture, +and in his rage he had thrown it aside. That being so, it showed +that day had dawned ere he could have become acquainted with the +failure of his fell designs. + +Making the canvas into a roll, I slipped it into my belt, and +continued my way. + +On and on I went, sometimes breaking into a run, keeping both a +sharp lookout in case of a surprise and a careful watch on the dull +brown track, which now began to show at greater intervals than +heretofore. + +At length my progress was stopped by a narrow, gurgling stream that +flowed southwards between gravelly banks lined with bushes and +dwarfed trees. This stream I knew to be the Lym, the same that joins +the sea at Lymington. + +Here I was thwarted, for though I took off my hose and shoes and +waded over the clayey bottom, not the slightest track could I find +on the farther bank. I walked both up and down stream for nearly a +quarter of a mile, carefully examining the soft clay, which would +assuredly reveal any trace of footprints after the heavy rain of the +previous night; but the bank was innocent of any traces of human +agency, though I encountered well-defined marks of ponies, deer, and +otters. + +Sick at heart, I now bethought me of Captain Jeremy's warning, so, +uncocking my piece, I shouldered the weapon and set my face +homewards. Bruno, who had followed the trail as keenly as I had +done, seemed to share my dejection, for, instead of keeping a few +paces ahead as he had done on the outward journey, he stuck close to +my heels. + +I was not returning by the same path, but rather, I should think, +about two hundred yards to the right of it; yet with the smoke of +the chimneys of Brockenhurst village to guide me I kept steadily +onwards. + +Suddenly, almost before I could utter a sound of alarm, the ground +gave way beneath me; the bracken and the gorse seemed to shoot up +past me, and the daylight gave place to semi-darkness. + +Instinctively I clutched at the ledge of the pit, but without avail; +then a thousand lights seemed to flash across my eyes, and I lost +consciousness. + +When I recovered my senses I found myself lying on the sandy floor +of a natural cave or hollow, into which the light filtered through +an aperture almost above my head--the hole through which I had +fallen. + +My head throbbed painfully, and, putting my hands to my forehead, I +found that it was bound with a wet rag. As I moved my arm Bruno +thrust his muzzle against my hand with a low bark of joy; the +faithful dog had evidently followed his master in his fall. + +I tried to raise myself into a sitting posture, but the exertion was +too great, and with a stifled exclamation of pain I fell back. + +"Lie still, young maaester," exclaimed a gruff though kindly voice. +"You'll be safe enow wi' us." + +"Give him a drink o' water," said another. "He'll do better sittin' +up." + +With that I felt myself raised and propped against the wall of the +cave, so that I could look about. + +Eight or ten men, dressed in rough clothing, some with peajackets, +others in tarpaulins, were either seated on the ground or standing +with folded arms regarding me intently. Two or three had pistols +stuck in their belts, while a pair of heavy cutlasses and a bundle +of stout staves, some with iron spikes, were placed in one corner of +the cave, which was roughly three-sided, and formed by hands, as far +as I could make out in the subdued light. + +In the centre of the cavern was the trunk of a young tree, its upper +portion leaning against the aperture overhead, while the branches +had been lopped off sufficiently close to the stem to allow of the +stumps being used as a rough ladder. Two small casks, an earthenware +vessel containing water, a heap of clothing, and a coil of rope +completed the utensils of this subterranean retreat. + +"You'll be the son of Cap'n Foul-weather Dick?" asked the man who +had first spoken. + +"Yes," I replied, for my questioner had used the name by which my +father was frequently called by the seafaring population of +Lymington. + +"'Twas well for you I knew it, for when you came tumbling down that +hole we thought 'twas the sogers, and Bill 'ere got ready to knock +you over th' head. D'ye know me?" + +I looked at the man as intently as my throbbing head would allow, +then at his companions. Like an inspiration a thought flashed across +my mind. + +"Yes," I answered. "Ye are the men who went with Captain Miles to +the West." + +"Aye," said the man referred to as Bill, "an' well we know it. Look +'ee, young maaester, can we trust ye to keep your mouth shut on this +business?" + +"I have as weighty a matter on my mind now," I replied. "You can +count upon my silence." + +"The youngster's true enow, 'Enery," said Bill. "Maybe he'll lend us +a hand afore long. Look you," he continued, addressing me, "there +are but eleven left of the score of Lymington men who marched to +help the Duke o' Monmouth. Kitt Binns, Carrol Tanner, Cripps, Fred +Dadge--they went down in the fight; young Garge Pitman the +red-coated devils took near Bridgwater. They strung him up on a +gallows at the roadside. Poor fellow, he didn't half give 'em a +rough time afore they did the dirty job, an' I was up to my neck in +a ditch an' saw it all, yet couldn't bear a hand to help him. That +makes five. What happened to the rest of us we don't know--taken, +doubtless, after the fight. Anyways, Cap'n Miles, Joe Scott, Sammy +Cross, an' Long Bristowe won't see Lymington again, I fear, though +we aren't much better off on that score." + +"Captain Miles!" I exclaimed. "Why!----" I broke off, though +reasoning that as these men had confided in me, there was little +harm in telling them of Captain Jeremy's hiding-place in our house. + +"What of him?" asked several of the men. + +"He is alive and well; I saw him scarce two hours ago." + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed the men, but softly, for they durst not shout +lest the noise should betray them. + +"Alive and well, say you?" repeated 'Enery, a burly, bearded seaman +who, it seemed, had no other name. "'Enery" he answered to, and +'Enery he remains till the close of my story. "But, young maaester, +'tis a good six hours you've been lying 'ere." + +"Six hours!" I exclaimed amazedly; then, remembering my father's +condition, I attempted to rise. + +"Nay, young sir," said Bill, noticing my effort, "you cannot go home +without aid, and none can we give till Black Lewis comes. But +concerning Captain Jeremy?" + +In a few words I told them all I knew of the Captain's adventures, +the men eagerly following every word. + +"Tell him," said 'Enery, as I finished my story, "that ten stanch +men await him here. Cooped up like rats in a hold, we durst not show +our faces in Lymington, much less try for a ship; but with Cap'n +Jeremy to lead us, we'll shape a true course yet. Tell him also----" + +A low cry like the call of a forest stag for its mate broke upon our +ears. Twice 'twas repeated. + +"'Tis Black Lewis," said one of the men, for my information, and the +next instant the bushes overhead were thrust back, and a man began +to descend the rough ladder. + +Black Lewis gave no sign of surprise at seeing a lad in the cave. I +knew him by sight, and also by repute--a short, shrivelled-up little +man, with a head that seemed too large and heavy for his body, +wrinkled face, massive and protruding cheek bones, and +sandy-coloured hair. He lived mainly by his wits, killing adders +that infested the forest glades, hawking the skins of animals he +caught, and, no doubt, poaching, though he had as yet managed to +escape being branded as a felon. Some would have it that he was +dullwitted, yet those who thus avowed had often cause to fear his +tongue, which was as sharp as a rapier. He was dressed in loose, +home-made garments of moleskin, and carried a long forked stick in +his hand, not even relinquishing it when he descended the tree +trunk. Over his back was strung a canvas bag, from which he produced +a hare, some eggs, and a flagon of ale. + +He readily consented to assist me to my home, and having bade +farewell to the refugee seamen (who had persuaded me to lend them my +fowling-piece), I was slung up the shaft by means of the rope, Bruno +being carried up on the shoulders of one of the men. Once in the +open air I walked strongly, though twice or thrice I reeled, and +would have fallen but for my companion's assistance. + +At the entrance to our grounds Black Lewis left me, and just as I +gained the door Captain Jeremy met me. By the look on his face I +knew that some thing was amiss. + +"They have searched for you high and low, Master Clifford," said he; +"but thanks be you are safe! Come at once and see your father, +for----" + +"He is not dead?" I asked anxiously. + +"Nay, lad, but be prepared for the worst. Master Blackwood says +he'll not last the night. If so, he'll pass away before the young +flood sets in." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Concerning the Events that Prompted Me to a Desperate Resolve + + +My father had been removed to his room, and was now lying on his +bed, his head and shoulders raised and supported by pillows, for the +nature of his wound had caused him to fight hard for breath. + +He was now quite conscious, though very weak. Captain Jeremy +afterwards said that what with cupping and applying leeches Master +Blackwood had kept down the fever, but had also done his patient +more harm than good. + +My father knew full well that the end was at hand, yet he faced it +manfully, like the stanch old seaman he was. I fancy his voice +faltered when he spoke to me of Constance, but beyond that he was +calm and collected, giving me advice as to my future, and preparing +himself for the end. + +'Tis unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the next few hours, for +the remembrance of that mournful time is an affair for the minds of +our own family; but just before midnight, at dead low water by the +shore, as Captain Jeremy had predicted, my father passed peacefully +away. + +Neither do I care to relate too minutely the happenings of the +following week. There was, according to custom, an inquest, but by +mutual consent Captain Jeremy's name was left out of the case, +although we were considerably ill at ease lest old Martha should +babble on't. + +Two days after my father had been laid to rest under the great yew +tree in Brockenhurst Churchyard I received a letter from my uncle, +John Hammond, stating that, in accordance with arrangements made +with my father many years ago, he would take up his abode in our +house, and look after the estate. + +Captain Jeremy took his departure before my uncle arrived, and +joined the party of Lymington seamen in the cave. He gave me his +assurance that his understanding with my late parent would remain as +before, and that he would, to use his own expression, "keep his +weather eye lifting", and endeavour to find a means of procuring a +stout craft, in order to prosecute his search for the _Madre de +Dios_ treasure. + +Shortly after the arrival of my uncle I had an attack of smallpox, +which, Heaven be praised! left me unmarked. Master Blackwood, the +chirurgeon, tended me with the utmost care, though at the time I +feared his remedies more than I did the disorder. + +August had run its course, and September was well advanced ere I +could get abroad once more, and during that time much had happened +relating to the ill-fortuned rising in the West. + +Monmouth's head had rolled on the scaffold on Tower Hill, and +Jeffreys had completed his circuit of the West, leaving behind him a +never-to-be-forgotten record of cruelty, infamy, and shame, while +his brutal actions in condemning Lady Alice Lisle to the stake +sickened even the most loyal supporters of King James. + +Then, and only then, did I realize the risk we had run in harbouring +Captain Jeremy; yet I had learnt to look upon him as the one stanch +friend in my solitude, and as such I would right willingly take all +chances could I but render him further aid. + +At the first opportunity, directly I felt strong enough, I crossed +the heath and stealthily approached his place of concealment. In +vain I gave the call of the red deer, for no welcome reply came from +the yawning pit; and when at length I descended by the rude ladder I +found the place dank and deserted. Captain Miles and his men had +gone--whither?--to bondage, or to freedom? + +Neither did I from that day set eyes on Black Lewis; he, too, had +vanished, and thus all chance of communicating with the honest +Captain seemed to be hopelessly lost. + +One afternoon towards the close of September I was sent by my uncle +into Lymington to procure some books that an acquaintance had +promised him. + +It was a blustering day, cold for the time of year, and on the +journey I encountered several heavy showers that, for want of +shelter, soaked me to the skin. However, I accomplished my errand, +and laden with a heavy burden I trudged homewards, having also taken +the opportunity of obtaining from a cutler's the blade of the dagger +with which my father had been slain, I having left it some weeks +before for the purpose of having a hilt fitted to it. + +At the outskirts of the village I almost ran into the arms of +Captain Jeremy, who was leading a heavy cob by the bridle. + +For a few moments I could scarce believe my eyes; yet 'twas he, +bold, jovial, and beaming with kindliness as of yore, before that +fateful journey to the West. + +"What cheer, ho!" he shouted. "I've sought you high and low." + +"Oh, Captain Miles!" I exclaimed apprehensively, "is it safe for you +to be seen, sir?" + +"Safe?" he roared. "Why, safe as a parson's barn. Thanks to my +patron Sir William Soams, of whom I have oft spoken beforetimes, and +in no small measure to a heavy drain upon my hidden hoard, I've +gained a pardon from His Majesty, and now I can flaunt my Lord Chief +Justice Jeffreys, or any of his satellites, come what may. I've got +a ship, lad! A. goodly vessel--as sweet a little craft as ever you'd +clap eyes on betwixt Yarmouth and Bristol. Thanks once again to Sir +William Soams, who threw himself into my plans, the _Golden Hope_ +has been chartered to seek the _Madre_ treasure--and I'll warrant +Sir William will receive a good per centum on his outlay. She lies +at Poole, lad. We sailed her round from Deptford two days agone, I +and the ten lads you saw in the hole on Brockenhurst Heath, they +having made their way safely one by one to a rendezvous at Wapping; +and I've ridden over from Poole to tell you the news, though I am +but a sorry horseman." + +"You rode well enough when you fled before the dragoons, sir." + +"Aye," he replied, with a hearty laugh; "e'en though I rode the +farmer's mare to death. It beats me to think how I kept in the +saddle that day, and I've fallen thrice on my way hither; yet 'tis +strange what a man will do when he's put to it. But can you persuade +your uncle to let you ride over to Poole and see the _Golden Hope_ +ere we sail? We weigh on Saturday morn, for 'tis, as you know, ill +luck to leave port on a Friday." + +I shook my head sorrowfully. + +"I fear he'll not think of it," I replied. "But, Captain Jeremy, how +I wish I were off with you!" + +"'Tis not to be thought of, lad. Adventuring in the Indies is no fit +business for you. I've spun you yarns times without number, but +you've not heard of the dark side of a seaman's life. No, no, +Clifford; make the best of things and bide at home, and I'll do my +best for you and me." + +"But, Captain----" + +"No buts, lad; your duty lies at home. Now, say no more on 't, +though I would you could see the _Golden Hope_ ere she leaves Poole +Harbour. Well, well, the best of friends must say farewell, and so +'tis with us. Please Heaven another couple o' years will see us home +once more with the treasure; so good-bye, Clifford." + +"Farewell, Captain Jeremy, and God be with you!" + +Awkwardly the seaman scrambled into the saddle, urged his nag into a +trot, and set off along the Christchurch Road, not daring to look +round for fear of losing his seat. I watched him till his burly +figure disappeared from view, then slowly I made my way homewards. + +"Why have you tarried on your errand, sirrah?" demanded my uncle, as +I placed the pile of heavy books on the table. "Hast entered into +worldly and unbecoming conversation with that seafaring man who, +with many strange oaths on his lips, hath troubled me with his +presence? To your room, sir! Supperless you shall go; but before +retiring, read, mark, and learn the beautiful discourse on +procrastination as set forth in this book of godly sermons. +To-morrow I'll speak further on this matter." + +On the morrow he did more than speak, being a too zealous exponent +of King Solomon for my peace of mind; and, smarting under the +treatment I had endured, I determined to run away and join, by hook +or by crook, the good ship _Golden Hope_. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Flight + + +I had no sooner made up my mind than I immediately began to take +steps to put my plan into execution, for the _Golden Hope_ was to +sail at early morn on the following day, and twenty good miles had +to be covered betwixt sunset and sunrise, were I to be in time. + +My great regret was that I was unable to let Constance know of my +departure; but beyond that I cared little. + +I managed to secrete the best part of a loaf, some cheese, and a +small flask of milk; and unobserved I secured a lengthy rope, which +I hid under my bed. + +Longer and more tedious than ever seemed the evening prayers, but at +last my uncle bade me retire for the night. I lay abed till I heard +him fastening my door on the outside, as was his wont, and go to his +room. Then, when all was quiet, I hurriedly dressed, packed my food +in a wallet, and prepared to escape by the window. As 'twas a calm +moonlight night, the tree that served my father's murderer so timely +did not sway sufficiently for me to descend by it, and for that +reason I had provided myself with the rope. + +This I passed round a leg of the massive bedstead, throwing the two +ends out of the casement on to the ground. Noiselessly I slipped +out, and grasping both parts of the rope, I descended hand over +hand. Then it was an easy matter to pull the rope down after me, so +as to remove all traces of my escape, which, I hoped, would prevent +my flight being discovered for some hours later than otherwise. + +Having hidden the rope, I set out with a rapid stride and beating +heart on my long walk to Poole Town. + +For the first few miles my route lay over well-known ground, but +soon I plunged into the thickest portion of the forest, where the +tall branches, meeting overhead, shut out the moonlight. 'Twas a +weird journey in the dead of night, with not a sound save my own +footsteps and the occasional hooting of an owl in the tree tops. + +At length I left the confines of the New Forest, the road continuing +hilly yet fair-going; and having gotten well into the swing, I +footed it strongly. + +Just as I reached the meeting of two fork roads I heard the distant +thud of a horse's hoofs, which came rapidly nearer and nearer. + +Could my flight have been discovered already? + +Plunging through a gap in the bushes I stood, my heart throbbing +violently, expecting every moment to see my uncle's manservant on my +track; but in a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the bright +moonlight a horseman galloped madly past, his hair flying out behind +him by reason of his speed through the still night air. + +Hardly had he gone past when I again heard the thud of horses' +hoofs, and riding apparently in close pursuit came four men, with +set faces and loose rein. They, too, disappeared, but I could not +summon up courage to resume my way until the last sounds of the +pursuers had died away in the dim distance. + +Then I came in sight of a town of considerable size, dominated by a +lofty square tower. This I guessed rightly to be Christchurch. + +On reaching a long stone bridge I halted at one of the recesses to +rest awhile, making a meal of the food I had brought, for the walk +had made me ravenous. + +'Twas a glorious view. Standing out clearly in the moonlight was the +long, regular outline of the priory church, the graceful tower of +which I had seen a long way down the road. The moonbeams danced on +the placid waters of an inland sea, while from farther still, beyond +a lofty, flat-topped hill, came the sound of the swell of the +English Channel roaring on the sandy shore. + +Beneath the bridge flowed the river, swiftly and silently, though +oft the stillness was broken by the splash of a lordly salmon. "The +stream and I have both the same purpose," thought I. "Each would +gain the sea, though by different means." + +My reverie was broken by the clatter of horsemen, and fearing to be +stopped and questioned, I ran down the approach to the bridge and, +vaulting over the low parapet, stood ankle deep in the dewy grass, +scarce daring to raise my eyes above the coping. + +'Twas the same troop of horsemen I had seen a short while ago, and +in their midst, his legs bound beneath his horse's belly, rode the +man they had pursued, entreating and reviling his captors almost in +the same breath. + +Once again I proceeded on my way, keeping close to the side of the +main street, where the moon threw deep shadows athwart the cobbles; +and once again I was brought to a standstill. + +Hobbling down the street was a decrepit old man, muffled in a long +cloak. In his left hand he carried a lantern, while his right +grasped a halberd--though why thus armed I am at pains to suggest, +for so tottering were his footsteps that I could have knocked him +down with ease. Neither could he have had good sight, for he passed +me, as I stood flattened against a door, within three paces, and, +halting in the middle of the road, croaked: + +"One o' the clock, and a fine morning, and all's well." + +Three hours more and day would be breaking. If I were to be on Poole +Quay by sunrise no time must be lost, so directly the way was clear +I set off at a steady trot, never stopping till I had gained a +second bridge and had reached the foot of a steep hill, from the +summit of which I saw I had completely shaken off the dust of +Christchurch. + +For the next five or six miles 'twas up and down, with occasional +glimpses of the sea away on my left; and just as the pale dawn began +to glimmer in the east, I saw from the brow of a lofty hill the +whole extent of Poole Harbour spread out like a map, the undulating +downs that I knew afterwards to be Purbeck Heights being barely +visible against the dark grey sky. + +Half an hour later I was threading my way down the narrow High +Street, guided by the tall masts of the shipping in the harbour. + +At length I reached the quay, and stood bewildered by the maze of +vessels of all sorts, sizes, and rigs. Although 'twas yet early, +there was much bustling about--fishermen returning from their +night's work, and men, heavy-eyed as the result of their previous +night's carouse, stumbling back to their ships; while already the +creaking of tackle and the hoarse shouts of seamen proclaimed that +more than one vessel was getting under way. + +I had two immediate objects in view. I must avoid Captain Jeremy, +for I was very doubtful whether he would take me aboard the Golden +Hope. I must also find the ship, and manage to stow myself away till +she set sail. + +Once more luck was in my favour, for as I made my way along the +slippery wharf I espied a large, wall-sided brig, with tall masts, +from which the sails hung loosely, awaiting but to be sheeted home. +Beneath her small, square stern ports were the words _Golden Hope_. + +Even as I looked at her from a safe distance a heavy footstep caused +me to turn round, and to my surprise I saw no other than 'Enery. + +He recognized me in an instant, and gripping me by the shoulder he +exclaimed: + +"Avast there, Master Hammond, what brings you here?" + +"I've run away from home. Don't betray me, Henry," I replied; "I +want to go with Captain Miles, and I'm afraid he'll not take me." + +"Say 'Enery an' I'll answer to my name," said the seaman +reprovingly. "Why, if so be you wants to go to sea, why shouldn't +you? Why shouldn't you, I wants to know?" + +"Perchance Captain Jeremy will not see eye to eye with me in that +matter; though, once we are fairly out at sea----" + +"'Nough said, young maaester. Sink me if I don't do my best, for you +were as true as steel to us when we were shut up in that hole in +Brockenhurst Heath. Come on, and look sharp about it." + +So saying, he led the way to a dirty, disreputable inn situated in a +narrow street leading off the quay. Here he spoke a few words to a +ferrety, blear-eyed man, handing tankards of spirits to the crowd of +seafaring men who thronged there in spite of the time of day. + +"Up aloft," said the man, jerking his thumb in the direction of a +rough ladder that led to a room above. + +[Illustration: I DESCENDED HAND OVER HAND] + +Here 'Enery provided me with a pair of heavy sea boots which, when I +had slipped my legs into them, reached almost to my thighs. Next I +donned a long oilskin coat, cracked all over by the heat of the sun +and smelling most vilely; while on my head 'Enery clapped a +tarpaulin, the back of which rested betwixt my shoulder-blades. + +Stepping back, he examined me critically; then, not satisfied with +his handiwork, he crossed over to the hearth, and covering his hand +with soot, he smothered my face till I was as dusky as a blackamoor. + +"It's all plain sailing now," he remarked approvingly; and sallying +out into the street, we regained the quay. + +"'Ere, clap hold o' that," exclaimed 'Enery, pointing to a heavy +sack, and, hoisting it on to my shoulders, he also seized a similar +article, and told me to follow him. + +There was a constant stream of men engaged in the same task, some of +them seamen belonging to the ship, others longshoremen hired to +assist in the loading. + +As I crossed the quay I saw Captain Jeremy, looking very smart in a +maroon-coloured coat, dark blue breeches, and long boots, while on +his head he sported a full-bottomed peruke, surmounted by a +three-cornered hat. + +Bending low with my burden, I passed him in great dread lest he +should penetrate my disguise, but, to my great relief, he went by +unsuspectingly, and the next moment I staggered up the narrow, +creaking gangway and gained the deck of the _Golden Hope_. + +Large as she appeared when viewed from the quay, the size of the +brig astonished me. She was about 200 tons burthen, and carried nine +seven-pounder pieces abroadside, with two small swivelled guns on +her poop. + +Betwixt the masts a yawning hatchway and a stout longboat occupied +nearly all the space amidships; and down the hatch descended the +stream of laden men, jostling against those who, having got rid of +their burdens, were returning to the shore for more. + +Passing out of the dazzling light, for the sun was now well up in +the heavens, the sudden change to the gloom of the hold made it hard +for me to distinguish my surroundings until my eyes grew accustomed +to the semi-darkness. + +The floor of the hold was composed of rough planks, with a narrow +hatch to gain access to the ballast. On either side I could discern +the stout curved frames, while overhead, save where the hatch gaped +to the light of day, huge timbers crossed athwart ship barely five +feet from the floor. The whole place smelt strongly of tar; mingled +with a dozen different odours, all more or less obnoxious to my +nostrils. + +Having relieved myself of the sack, I followed 'Enery towards the +fore end of the hold, where a low bulkhead, barely three feet in +height, separated the cargo and stores from the cable tier. There +two neatly coiled ropes, thicker than my leg above the knee, +occupied the greater part of the limited space, their ends vanishing +through two small apertures in the deck above. + +This I saw by the feeble glimmer of a horn lantern. + +"Here's your mess for awhile, till I gives you the word," said +'Enery. "I'll pass you down a pannikin of water and some hard tack +as soon as I can. No one will see you here, but take care of yon +cable, for if we've got to let go in a hurry you'll find yourself +capsized in a brace of shakes." + +"Let go what?" I asked, bewildered by his warning. + +"The anchor, Maaester Hammond. We never know when we've got to let +go, 'specially if she misses stays as we beat down the harbour." + +Fearing to betray my ignorance, I refrained from asking him what +missing stays meant; and, promising to look me up as soon as his +duties would permit, the old seaman hastened away, and I was left in +solitude, though the men were still at work stowing the stores in +the after part of the hold. + +At length the stream of hold trimmers gradually slackened and died +away; the hatches were replaced, and the hold was in darkness, save +for the dull yellow glimmer of the lantern that 'Enery had +thoughtfully left for my benefit. + +It seemed several hours before the old seaman reappeared, bringing +the promised biscuit and water. + +"Cap'n's come aboard," he announced. "We're just going to warp out, +for the wind's dead in our teeth. 'Twill be a long job, I'll allow, +afore we clear the bar. Never mind, Maaester Hammond; keep your heart +up, and watch the cable." + +With this repeated warning he again left me, and soon afterwards I +heard the tramp of many feet on deck, mingled with hoarse orders +that were faintly borne to my ears. + +The _Golden Hope_ was under way. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +In the Hold + + +Mindful of 'Enery's warning, I gave the two massive hempen ropes a +wide berth, and, leaning against a stout rib, resumed my vigil, till +the heat of the confined space caused me to doff the oilskins and +sea boots. + +Presently the brig gave a distinct heel, which gradually increased +till my position was turned into a standing one. Sail had been made, +and the vessel was lying over to the breeze, though, owing to being +still within a landlocked expanse of water, she scarce lifted as she +cut through the waves. I could distinctly hear the lapping of the +water against her sides as she moved with increasing pace in +response to the pressure on the additional canvas. + +Presently, in apparent obedience to a hoarse order, the _Golden +Hope_ recovered her upright position, then gradually settled down in +the other direction, till, unable to keep my feet, I found myself +flung bodily against the opposite side, the lantern being overset +and extinguished at the same time. + +Frantic with the fall, I struggled violently to regain my feet, my +head coming into contact with one of the coils of cable. For a +moment I imagined that the vessel had capsized, till, finding that +she rolled no farther, I came to the conclusion that she had turned +on her course. + +Such, in truth, was the case. The brig had tacked, or, to use a +nautical expression, had "gone about", the direction of the wind and +the narrowness of the channel making the operation necessary. But I +knew nothing of this at the time. + +Groping with my hand, I managed to find the lantern, but being +without flint and steel I was unable to relight it; so in the almost +pitch darkness I remained, my eyes fixed longingly on a faint white +light that filtered through a badly-fitting hatch cover. + +Fearing another flight across the hold when the vessel again tacked, +I lay almost at full length on the rough floor, my shoeless feet +wedged firmly against a stout ringbolt in the fore side of the +bulkhead. + +The effects of the excitement of the last twelve hours, combined +with the want of a good meal and the close, unwholesome atmosphere +of the hold, caused me to feel greatly distressed, and at length I +fell into a kind of stupor. + +I had a rude awakening. A sniffing sensation round my fingers was +followed by a sharp bite. With a shriek I withdrew my hand, and +immediately a loathsome, active creature fled across my prostrate +body. It was a rat, and a huge one, judging by its weight. + +Regardless of my instructions, I sprang to my feet, leaped over the +bulkhead, and crawled across the neatly stowed cargo, bumping my +crown more than once against the low deck beams. I was on the point +of hammering against the hatch, when the thought occurred to me that +it was yet too early to announce my presence. + +My new position was also more bearable, for the light that came +through the ill-fitting hatch was sufficient for me to see within a +yard of where I crouched. + +Meanwhile, the brig had tacked several times, so that by now the +manoeuvre did not cause me any misgivings; but what did trouble me +was the appearance of a regular swarm of rodents--not of the brown +variety such as one meets in the country, but long, skinny, black +rats, ferocious and daring in the extreme. + +I looked about for a weapon, for although I carried about me the +knife I had had fashioned from the fatal dagger, it did not seem +sufficiently handy to tackle these loathsome creatures. To my great +joy I espied a stout crowbar, left, no doubt, by the men who had +stowed the cargo. With this I killed several of the brutes, though +not before I was bitten more than once, for as I struck one another +would fly straight at my throat, and only by warding it off with my +arm was I able to finish it off with the iron rod. + +At length the rodents drew away and left me in comparative peace, +although I could hear them scuffling and squealing as the disturbed +bilge-water drove them from their accustomed haunts. + +Compared with the rats, the cockroaches could be endured without +much effort. These verminous creatures swarmed everywhere--on the +deck beams, over the cargo, and even on my person--so that I could +scarce change my posture without feeling and hearing the sickening +crunch as they were crushed beneath my body. + +All at once a violent commotion, accompanied by a medley of sounds, +came from the fore part of the hold. The hempen cable was rushing +through the hawse pipe. + +Then the brig trembled slightly and ceased to list, and when the +clamour died away I heard a man shout: + +"'Tis no use, Cap'n. I couldn't get another foot out of her." + +"How long does the flood make?" asked a voice which I recognized as +Captain Jeremy's. + +"First high water is about five hours from now," replied the first +speaker. "If the wind doesn't change we'll have to wait till then. +That'll give you an hour and a half to clear the bar afore the +second flood makes." + +I heard Captain Miles rattle out a round oath, but further +conversation was inaudible through the sounds on deck. Nevertheless, +I had heard enough to fill my cup of misery to the brim: unless the +wind changed sufficiently to enable her to stem the tide, the +_Golden Hope_ would be compelled to remain at anchor for five +hours--five hours more of bodily and mental torture for me. + +Yet I had to bear it, or own myself beaten, for I felt convinced +that so long as the brig remained within the limits of Poole +Harbour, Captain Jeremy would put me ashore in a longboat, or else +send me back with the pilot. + +Another hour or so passed, yet there were no signs of 'Enery. The +heat began to be intense, for the sun was now as high in the heavens +as it could possibly be, and its rays, pouring down upon the decks, +caused the atmosphere of the hold to become stifling. + +The wind, too, had dropped, for the ropes and sails no longer +rattled and flapped. But Captain Jeremy was not the kind of man to +allow his crew to remain idle, for I could hear water being poured +on the deck to clean away the dirt brought aboard from the quay. +This, to a certain extent, cooled the hold, and I felt all the +better for it. + +"A breeze! A breeze from the nor'east!" I heard a voice exclaim, and +almost immediately after came the sounds of men rushing hither and +thither, and the creaking of blocks and tackle. Then, with the +measured tramp of feet as the capstan revolved, the cable descended +slowly into its tier, adding to the odours of the hold the pungent +smells of seaweed and mud. + +The regular heel of the brig gave place to a confused pitching and +tossing, signs that I hailed with delight, in spite of a qualmish +sensation which the motion seemed to encourage. + +The _Golden Hope_ had crossed the bar, and was curtsying to the +waves of the English Channel. + +I waited a little longer, then began pounding on the hatch with the +butt of the iron rod. + +At first no notice was taken of my efforts; then, without apparent +warning, the hatch was whipped off. A flash of dazzling sunshine +temporarily blinded me, and before I could realize my surroundings +rough hands seized me by the shoulders and dragged me on deck, while +a man shouted: + +"Cap'n, here's a blessed stowaway!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +My First Day at Sea + + +Captain Jeremy Miles was standing under the break of the poop, his +sunburnt face darkened to a brick-red colour with anger. + +"What d'ye mean, you rascal, stowing yourself aboard my ship?" + +I must have looked a pitiable object, for, in addition to my +soot-blackened face, my clothes were covered with dust and tar, the +former from the roads, the latter from the timbers of the hold, +though, until I came on deck, I was unaware of it. + +My garments were also rent in several places, my hands were bleeding +from the result of the rats' bites, and my left eye was becoming +rapidly closed, by reason of the blow I had received when flung +across the cable tier. + +Receiving no answer, the Captain repeated the question with +increased emphasis, stamping his foot violently on the deck. + +I gave a rapid glance to windward. About a mile away I saw a line of +chalk cliffs, ending off in two remarkable pinnacles, and backed by +a lofty down, regular in outline and destitute of trees; while +astern lay the sand dunes that marked the entrance to Poole Harbour. +No other craft was in sight, so I concluded that, whatever else +might happen, I should not be put ashore. + +"Captain Jeremy," I exclaimed, "don't you know who I am?" + +"I don't know, and, what is more, I don't care." + +"But you do, sir; I am Clifford Hammond." + +Had a musket exploded under his very nose, the Captain would not +have jumped back more than he did. Then his eyes opened to their +fullest extent, and his jaw dropped till almost every tooth in his +head was revealed. Those of the crew who had formed the forlorn +group in the cave in Brockenhurst Heath gave a mingled shout and +cheer of welcome. + +"Good heavens, lad!" exclaimed the Captain, when he had partly +recovered himself, "you here? Sink me! Come to my cabin." + +He led the way to a low yet snug apartment in the stern of the +vessel, well lighted by the square ports I had before noticed, and +plainly but service ably furnished. A thick red carpet covered the +floor, and curtains of similar colour partially concealed a recess +that served as a sleeping bunk. A table, secured to the floor by two +light chains, occupied most of the available space, its polished top +being littered with charts and papers. Two muskets, a hanger, and a +brace of pistols were fixed in a rack, above which was a small +bookshelf. Against the side of the bulkhead stood a small portable +stove, but, the day being warm, it was unlighted. On either side of +the stove-pipe hung several nautical instruments, including a +quadrant, a telescope, and other gear; while below these, and in +fact in every angle of the cabin, were neatly contrived lockers. + +This much I saw in a rapid glance, for Captain Jeremy seemed anxious +to speak his mind. + +"You are a young rascal," said he, though in the same kindly manner +as of yore. "You've outwitted me, my lad, though I must confess I am +not altogether sorry. But now, look at the other side of the +business. Here you are, inexperienced in the hardships of a sailor's +life, about to engage in a hazardous enterprise that may last for +years. I am saddled with the responsibility of looking after you, +and this, in a measure, ties my hands." + +"I'll try not to give you any trouble," I exclaimed. + +"That I can quite understand; but trouble or no trouble, the +responsibility remains, d'ye see? However, least said, soonest +mended. Do your duty, my lad, for I'll warrant you'll not be kept +idle, and trust to One above to keep you when in danger and +adversity." + +He opened the cabin door and called to a man, desiring him to tell +the cook to bring in some food. + +"Meanwhile," he continued, "I'll look you out some suitable apparel, +and do you go for'ard, where you'll find a bucket of water. My +faith! You'll be all the better for a good wash." + +I did as he ordered, and walking along the heaving deck between +groups of men, who stood respectfully aside for me to pass ('Enery +having explained that I was the son of one of the owners--not +knowing of my father's death), I gained the shelter of a canvas +screen underneath the fo'c'sle ladder. + +Here I removed the thick deposit of soot and dirt, and having been +rinsed down by several buckets of water thrown over me by the seaman +who brought the promised garments, I proceeded to dress. + +The clothes fitted me fairly well as far as my height went, for I +was almost full-grown in stature, but they were somewhat loose about +the body, yet comfortable withal; and on returning to Captain +Jeremy's cabin I found myself arrayed in serviceable breeches--baggy +at the knees, 'tis true--a grey flannel doublet, and a short coat +with slashed sleeves. Hat and stockings I was not as yet provided +with, neither did I require them; but on my feet I wore a pair of +pumps, or heelless shoes. + +"Stow that away as fast as you can," said Captain Jeremy, pointing +to a tempting display of food placed at one end of the table. "And +don't forget to make the best of it, for the fresh stuff won't last +long, and you'll have to fall back on real seaman's fare--hard tack +and salt pork--before many days are over." + +While I was ravenously devouring my food (for I was completely +famished), a seaman was busily engaged in fixing some planks round +the sides of one of the lockers I had previously noticed. + +"He's knocking up a bunk for you," explained the kindly Captain. "I +think you'll be able to stretch out on it." + +"But you don't mean me to sleep in your cabin, sir?" I exclaimed. +"I'm quite ready to sleep in a hammock, like the rest of the crew." + +"That's part of my responsibility," he replied, shaking his finger +at me; "so there's an end on 't. Jeremy Miles has always prided +himself on being a man of his word, and sink me if I fail to carry +out this matter to the satisfaction of my principles." + +Thus I found myself installed in the Captain's cabin of the brig +_Golden Hope_, which was more than I expected and more than I +deserved. + +"Sixty men we carry," remarked the Captain. "None too many, but the +most we can reasonably afford. Most of them have been shipmates with +me in times past, and I'll warrant they'll be a tough nut for any +man to crack, be he Turk, Algerine, or buccaneer. It does my heart +good to see them do the cutlass drill, or man the ordnance. Our +master gunner, Master Silas Touchstone, has seen much service +'gainst the Dutch, and, forsooth, he's a tower of strength to the +brig. Would you could have seen them when we beat to quarters on our +way down channel." + +"Were you attacked?" I asked eagerly. + +"Nay, 'twas but practice, yet 'tis what we must accustom ourselves +to, for I doubt not that we shall smell powder in real earnest ere +we see Poole once again." + +Just then 'Enery, who, I discovered, was the bos'n, knocked at the +cabin door and reported that the wind was freshening considerably, +whereat Captain Jeremy hastened on deck. + +Having finished my meal, I bethought me that I ought to go on deck +also, and tying a scarf round my head in place of a hat, I ran up +the ladder and gained the poop. + +The wind was howling through the rigging and driving the spray in +white showers across our weather bow, while ahead and as far to +larboard as the eye could reach regular combers, with crested tops, +showed how the surface of the sea had changed during the last hour. + +On our starboard hand a wide expanse of milk-white foam betokened +the presence of the dreaded Race of Portland, the bluff headland +that gives it its name being plainly visible over our lee bow. + +Beyond the heights of Portland the sun was setting in a pale, watery +sky, which was fast becoming obscured by rapidly drifting grey +patches of ragged clouds--a sure sign of bad weather. + +Captain Jeremy neglected no precautions to ensure the safety of his +vessel. The fore and main topsails were close-reefed, the storm +stay-sails and jib set, and the guns, boats, and hatches properly +secured. + +"You had best turn in," he shouted, his lusty voice barely audible +above the shrieking of the wind. "We'll be in the thick of it before +long." + +Tired out with my exertions and lack of sleep during my night's +journey, I retired to the cabin, and, in spite of the incessant +rolling and pitching of the vessel, and the thunder of the waves as +they poured over her bows, I fell into a deep slumber. + +How long I slept I had no idea till I was roughly wakened by 'Enery +shaking my shoulder and exclaiming: "'Tis three bells [9.30 a.m.], +Master Hammond. You'd best come on deck, for there's a strange sail +bearing down on us." + +"What is it?" I asked. "Is it a pirate?" + +"That I know not; 'tis, I fear, no law-abiding craft, and if we come +to close action every man jack'll have his work to do." + +By this time I had sprung out of my bunk, and was making for the +deck. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Brush with Algerines + + +The wind, which had veered in the night and was now nearly dead +astern, had moderated in force considerably, and although 'twas +raining I could just distinguish a range of cliffs on our starboard +hand, ending in a lofty headland with a sheer fall into the sea. + +But the cause of the commotion on board was the presence of a long, +narrow craft that was bowling along barely two miles off our +larboard quarter. She had a lofty fo'c'sle and poop, with a low +waist, her rig consisting of two raking masts, from the slanting +yards of which bellied closely reefed, loose-footed triangular +sails. She flew no colours, but from the foremast head a long +streamer stood out as rigid as a spar. + +"They mean mischief," said Captain Jeremy to the master gunner, who, +having called the guns' crews to their stations, had come off to +confer with him. + +"'Tis strange enow," replied Master Touchstone, "seeing that we are +at peace with the French, the Hollanders, and the Spaniards. What +think you she is?" + +"An Algerine,[1] judging from the cut of her rig," replied Captain +Jeremy, "though I scarce thought to meet one of those rascally +rovers so close to the English shores. It seems as if Admiral Robert +Blake--who upheld the honour of England on the high seas, even +though he were a stout rebel--has taught them but half a lesson." + +"Report says that last October two of their galleys captured the +_Sea Dog_, of Padstow, within sight of the Lizard," observed the +master gunner. "Seven stout Cornish fishermen are even now slaving +in their pirate dens, for aught I know to the contrary." + +"They'll not carry the _Golden Hope_, Master Touchstone," replied +Captain Jeremy resolutely. "Your preparations are complete, I take +it." + +"Aye, aye. Four guns abroadside are loaded to the muzzle with musket +bullets, four of the others with iron balls, and one with bar shot. +'Twill make a fine present for yon craft, if she be in a mind to +take it." + +From where I stood at the head of the poop ladder I could command a +clear view of the brig's deck. The guns, with powder and ball ready +to hand, were as yet still run in, for with the heavy sea that was +raging 'twas unwise to trice up the ports until the actual time to +open fire, and we were thus also able to deceive the stranger, who +doubtless took us for a merchantman. Had our ports been open and our +line of gunning ordnance showing, the Algerine--for such she proved +to be--might have shirked a conflict; but Captain Jeremy's blood was +up, and he swore that he'd give the rascally sea-rovers a lesson +that they would not be likely to forget. + +Our crew--for most of them had smelt powder before, having served in +the Dutch wars--maintained perfect discipline, keeping well out of +sight; yet they stood grasping tackles and handspikes, ready at the +signal to run out their guns and deliver a crashing broadside. + +"They do not fear to press her," observed the master gunner, "though +they do not seek to gain the weather gauge. Think you that they'll +dare to board, sir?" + +"With this sea running? Aye, they'll try to run under our lee and +throw a score of their ruffianly crew aboard us. And were we a +peaceful trading craft they'd do it, though the sea were twice as +high. Smart helmsmen most of those rascals are. I call to mind a +Spanish captain I met in Cadiz nine years agone, who told me how his +vessel, a xebec, was carried by an Algerine ship in this fashion, +and in a heavy Levanter, to boot. But now, Master Touchstone, to +your station!" + +The Algerine was now but a few hundred yards astern, the foam flying +from her sharp bows as they cleft the water. She had put up her helm +and was bearing down on our lee quarter, doubtless to board in the +manner that Captain Jeremy had predicted. + +Observing that those of the crew who were not at the guns had armed +themselves with musket or pistol, I took hold of a musket. Thanks to +my forest training, I was well accustomed to handle a gun, being +reckoned a tolerable shot, though on board the _Golden Hope_ the +motion of the ship put me at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, lying +down on the poop, where a score of musketeers had already taken up a +like position, I awaited the opening of the engagement, though I +must confess the prospect of being under fire did not seem so +welcome as it had in the security of my own home, where I used to +hear the tales of glorious sea fights. + +The sight of Captain Jeremy helped to reassure me. He was standing a +short distance from the helmsman, his feet set widely apart and his +shoulders braced up, with the air of a man who knows how to keep +calm and resolute in the time of danger. Alternately glancing at the +tightly drawing sails and the hostile ship astern, he directed the +brig's course by a gentle motion of his hand, a signal that the +quick-witted quartermaster knew how to obey. + +"Stand by the weather after braces," the Captain shouted, and in +response to the order the men rushed to man the ropes that served to +trim the sails. + +"Are you ready, master gunner?" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The Algerine was now barely one hundred yards astern, having +achieved her object of getting to lee'ard of us. I could see her +lofty fo'c'sle crowded with men--brown, black, aye, and even white +faces, for renegades were to be found in the service of the +infidels. Some of the crew wore turbans and flowing robes, others a +kind-of hooded garment that reached to the knees; but the majority +were naked from the waist upwards. With scimitar, spear, pistol, and +musket they crowded ready for a spring upon our decks, while they +rent the air with shouts of defiance and rage, which were borne to +our ears by the wind. + +"Ready all! Ease the helm down!" + +The _Golden Hope_ gave a swift, and graceful turn, so that she +exposed the whole of her larboard broadside to her enemy. Then, as +the Algerine likewise put her helm down to avoid a collision that +would doubtless have proved fatal to both craft, nine of our +vessel's guns were run out, and a crashing volley was poured into +our entrapped foe. + +When the smoke had cleared away I saw a sight that I shall never +forget. The fo'c'sle, swept by a hail of bullets, was covered by a +writhing mass of dead and wounded men; her bows were beaten in by +the solid shot; while her foremast, cut off about six feet from the +deck, had fallen to lee'ard, bringing with it the heavy lateen yard +and sail, and crushing in its descent several of the crew who were +in the waist. + +Owing to the high seas that were running, the Algerine had been +unable to use her oars; but the luckless slaves, chained to their +benches, did not escape the hail of shot, much as we should have +wished otherwise. + +Amidst the clamour of shrieks, groans, and maledictions, for the +havoc our broadside had caused was immense, two white men sprang +over the side of the Algerine and began to swim in our direction. + +"There are some slaves escaping," shouted one of our seamen from the +fo'c'sle. + +"Where away?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +"Dead astern, sir." + +"Then 'bout ship. I'll do my best to pick them up. Yon rascals will +give us no more trouble." + +'Twas no easy task, for by the time the _Golden Hope's_ bow was +pointed towards the spot where two heads could be discerned as they +rose upon the crest of a wave, we were nearly a quarter of a mile +away, while the disabled Algerine, drifting bodily with the wind and +falling broadside on to the breakers, was doomed to a terrible fate +on the rock-bound coast. + +To get the two poor fugitives on board seemed impossible, for no +boat could live in such a sea. Even our guns' crews were at times +working up to the knees in water as they strove to secure their +guns, now that they were no longer required. But by means of a line +attached to a barrico and veered out to lee'ard, one of the men was +hauled up over the brig's side. The second slave was not so +fortunate. He must have been wounded, for he was seen to be swimming +very feebly; and ere the line came within his grasp he sank, in +spite of a gallant effort on the part of his companion to save him. + +Meanwhile the _Golden Hope_ was put on her former course, or nearly +so, for in the pursuit and action--though the latter lasted but a +minute at the outside--we had drifted to within a dangerous distance +of the shore, where the surf was licking the face of the frowning +cliff towards which the Algerine was rapidly being carried. + +We could clearly discern the last of the villainous but unfortunate +vessel. With her foremast shot away she was helpless, in spite of +frantic efforts to row her seaward. As fast as the heavy sweeps were +shipped they were shattered by the irresistible force of the waves, +till, midst a turmoil of foam, the doomed ship struck the cliff. + +"The Deadman[2] has claimed another toll," shouted Captain Jeremy in +my ear. "Yon's one of the worst parts of the Cornish coast, and +should a single man of her crew reach the land, he'll meet with +short shrift at the hands of the wreckers and smugglers." + +I had escaped my first experience of being under fire, somewhat to +my regret, now that the affair was over, for I had a presentiment +that 'twas but putting off the evil day. Yet I had gained some +knowledge of how Englishmen behave in times of danger, and that +knowledge was of no mean value. + +Four hours later the _Golden Hope_ rounded the Lizard, and in a now +rapidly subsiding sea entered the vast expanse of the Atlantic +Ocean. + +Well before sunset I saw the lofty cliffs disappear beneath the +horizon, and that was my last sight of Old England for many a long +day. + + +[1] During the seventeenth and even well into the eighteenth century +occasional raids by Algerine corsairs upon the shipping in the +Channel were reported. In the _Naval Chronicle_ for 1807 a letter +from one naval officer to another is given, under date of 1743. He +describes the wreck of a disabled Algerine off Land's End, pouring +out a whole torrent of abusive sarcasm upon the authorities of +Falmouth for sending "pork to feed the Mussulmans, being contrary to +their religion". + +[2] The Dodman, a precipitous headland on the South Cornish coast, +between Fowey and Falmouth, is even now familiarly named "The +Deadman" by seamen. The most notable wrecks there in recent years +were those of the _Thresher_ and the _Lynx_ in 1897. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Of the Mysterious Ship in the Midst of the Ocean + + +Next morning when I came on deck I saw the man we had rescued from +the Algerine vessel. He was lying on a rough couch under the lee of +a cannonade, being too weak to stand. He had received a pistol shot +in the left arm, so that his escape was all the more to be wondered +at, although he asserted that while swimming for his life he knew +nothing of the matter. + +He was a man of gigantic stature, broad in frame, and with muscles +that stood out beneath his tanned skin like knots on the trunk of a +forest oak. All this I saw in spite of his distressed condition, and +should he recover, which seemed likely enough, he promised to make a +welcome addition to our crew. + +His name was Joe Clemens, and he hailed from East Looe, a small +fishing village in Cornwall somewhere betwixt Plymouth and Fowey, so +that when we picked him up he was almost within sight of his native +place. He had been the mate of the _Surprise_, armed trader, which +had been cast ashore on the Barbary coast, all her crew being +carried into captivity. + +He was the only Englishman on board the Algerine galley; and had +laboured at the oar for nearly three years, sleeping and working at +the rowers' bench, to which he was shackled by a chain passed round +his middle. + +Our broadside severed the chain, and seizing the opportunity he +sprang overboard, followed by a fellow-slave, a Sardinian. As he +leapt over an Algerine discharged a pistol at him, wounding him in +the arm; but such was his strength and determination that, although +wearing part of the heavy chain and bleeding profusely, he managed +to swim strongly till picked up. His companion had sunk, as I have +already related. + +For the next few days nothing happened beyond the ordinary routine +on board; but on the morning of the fifth day at sea I happened to +notice a man who must have previously kept out of my way. His face +was partially hidden by a short, stubbly beard, in spite of which I +felt certain 'twas the same man that had vied with my father in +bidding for Captain Jeremy's picture. + +Concealing my agitation, I sought the Captain and communicated my +suspicions. + +"Wrong again, lad," he replied. "'Tis Ned Slater, an old shipmate of +mine who has fallen on evil times. Out of charity I shipped him +aboard the _Golden Hope_." + +"The same old shipmate who bought a dagger in Lisbon?" + +"Aye, Master Clifford----" + +"But, sir, you described him as being as thin as a handspike." + +"So I did, lad; but he has filled out since then. 'Twas a score of +years ago at least. But rest easy in your mind concerning him, for +he has been to the Indies for the last four years, and only landed +in Chatham a month ago, the sole survivor of the barque +_Enterprise_. I know that, for I saw his papers." + +With that there was no more to be said; yet, though I might be +mistaken, I resolved to keep a close watch on the movements of +Master Ned Slater. + +Favourable winds bore the _Golden Hope_ to the Azores, where I had +my first impression of foreign parts. Then, after a three days' +stay, we shaped a course for the Bermudas; but, owing to constant +head winds, Captain Jeremy decided to run south, so as to pick up +the north-east Trades. + +For several days we sailed over a vast expanse of ocean, with never +a sail to break the regular skyline. The days, too, were rapidly +becoming hotter, while the hours of daylight appreciably diminished, +though the nights were warm and balmy, so that keeping a watch on +deck was robbed of all discomfort. + +At length one morning the sun rose red and fiery, betokening a +change in the weather; and barely was it clear of the horizon when +the cry was heard, "Sail, ho!" + +"Whither away?" asked Captain Jeremy, as he ascended the poop, glass +in hand. + +"A point off our starboard bow, sir," replied the seaman who had +picked up this craft. + +With the naked eye we could distinguish the topsails and t'gallants +of a brig, the hull being still below the horizon. Captain Jeremy +clapped the glass to his eye and examined her intently. + +"What's amiss with her?" he exclaimed. "She's hove-to." + +"Perhaps she has sighted us, and wishes to communicate," suggested +Touchstone. + +"Or else she's a buccaneer," added 'Enery, as he swung himself into +the main shrouds in order to get a better view from the topmast +head. + +"We are out of the regular cruising ground of those gentlemen," +remarked Captain Jeremy. "But 'tis no saying what she may prove to +be. Master Touchstone, will you see that the arms are served out?" + +Two hours later, for the wind was still light, we were within a mile +of the strange brig. She was a vessel very similar to the _Golden +Hope_ in design, but with what a difference in appearance! + +She was still hove-to, moving very slowly through the water. Her +yards were badly squared, while her running gear seemed to be in a +state of neglect, several of the sheets and braces trailing over the +side. She carried four guns abroadside, and these were run out in +apparent preparation to ward off an attack; while her decks were +crowded with men. + +"What do they think to do?" asked the master gunner. "'Tis certain +they have no stomach for a fight, or else they would keep way on +her." + +"If they do not pay heed to their t'gallants they are lost men," +said Captain Miles. "See, already the sky is overcast to windward. +Yet it may be but a trick, so stand to your guns, men." + +In obedience to a further order, the red cross of St. George was +shown from our foremast truck, for the course our vessel was taking +prevented the ensign at the peak being seen by the stranger. + +No ensign was hoisted in reply, and in perfect silence the others +awaited our approach. + +"What ship is that?" hailed Captain Jeremy through his speaking +trumpet. There was still no answer, although the _Golden Hope_ was +passing within fifty yards of the stranger's bows. The hail was +repeated, and to our surprise a lusty voice shouted: + +"Can yew give we a hand wi' this boat ov ourn, zurr?" + +"If that isn't a Zummerset or Devon yokel, sink me for a +landlubber!" remarked Captain Jeremy; and almost at the same moment +'Enery, who had descended to the main top, shouted, "Bless me, +Cap'n, if it ain't Garge Oddicombe." + +"Aye, aye, we'll send a boat," replied Captain Jeremy to the other's +request; and in a very short space of time twenty men, with 'Enery +in charge, were making-towards the forlorn brig, I having obtained +permission to accompany them. + +"Look sharp!" shouted our Captain as the boat shoved off. "Make all +snug alow and aloft, and keep us in company." + +A strange sight met our eyes as we gained the deck of the brig, +which, by the name painted on her stern, we now knew to be the +_Neptune_ of Topsham. + +The confusion on deck was in accordance with the disorder aloft. +Ropes, gun tackles, broken casks and planks, and torn canvas were +lying about in the utmost disorder; while some hundred men, +grotesquely dressed in motley costumes, gazed at us with mingled +expressions of relief, curiosity, and fear. Many still wore the +smocks of their native Somerset and Devon, but gone was the healthy +hue of a country life. Haggard faces, unkempt hair, and beards +showed that these sons of the soil had had a trying time on +shipboard. + +Without waiting to question this mixed crew, some of whom recognized +our men as comrades on the fatal field of Sedgemoor, 'Enery took +steps to ensure the safety of the brig, for the wind was piping up +in long-drawn moans, the forerunners of the expected gale; and by +the time everything was snugged down the sea was too high to permit +the boat to return to the _Golden Hope_ for further orders. + +Under easy canvas both brigs scudded before the gale, and, thanks to +'Enery's management, and the fact that the _Neptune_ was a seaworthy +craft, we had no fears as to her ability to make good weather of it. + +All night we kept the _Golden Hope's_ poop lanterns in view, both +vessels being of about the same turn of speed; nor was it possible +to return to our own craft until late in the afternoon of the +following day. + +Nevertheless, long before that time we were acquainted with the +facts that led up to our meeting with the _Neptune_, and a ghastly +story it was. + +The _Neptune_, commanded by Captain Jonas Wright, had left the port +of Topsham on the tenth of September, with a living cargo consisting +of one hundred and twenty poor peasants whom the inhuman Judge +Jeffreys had condemned at Exeter Assizes to a lifelong slavery in +Jamaica. + +This Captain Jonas Wright was a harsh, tyrannical man, who, far from +alleviating the miseries of his prisoners, had added to their hard +lot, keeping them on low rations of nauseating food, and only +allowing them to come on deck for fresh air at very long intervals, +while he took a savage delight in bestowing the dreaded "cat" +whenever an opportunity occurred. Frequently, through sheer love of +cruelty, he would invent some pretext for whipping the manacled +prisoners, shouting in drunken glee at their appeals for mercy. + +At length George Oddicombe, a man of enormous strength, but withal +somewhat dull of understanding, who had fought stubbornly at Sedge +moor till ridden down by the Royals, contrived to free himself from +his gyves and leg irons, and by working heroically for six hours +also managed to release most of his luckless comrades, who in turn +devoted their energies to knocking off the fetters of the remaining +rebels. + +That same night, the captain being in drink, as were most of the +seamen, a horde of fierce and resolute peasants poured through the +hatchway and overpowered the crew. What happened to their erstwhile +captors we did not ask, there being little need to imagine their +fate. + +Although freed from their oppressors, the ignorant yokels found +themselves helpless, for the brig soon got in irons[1]. Unable to +manoeuvre her, they had slowly drifted in a vessel which, but for +our aid, would ere now be lying on the bed of the Atlantic. + +Directly the wind moderated sufficiently, 'Enery and I returned to +the _Golden Hope_, leaving seven of our men still on board the +_Neptune_. + +Captain Jeremy listened intently to the bos'n's report, his brow +frequently puckering as if with the perplexity of the situation; but +when at length 'Enery finished his story, the Captain brought his +hand down on the cabin table with a tremendous crash. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I'll risk it. Bring Oddicombe on board." + + +[1] A vessel is said to be "in irons" when she is head to wind, and +will not tall off on either tack. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +"Captain 'Enery" + + +While the boat was away on its errand Captain Jeremy turned to me. + +"You see, Master Clifford, that I am in a very awkward position. As +master of this vessel I look upon mutiny and similar uprisings +against authority as an offence of the blackest dye. 'Tis certain +that Master Oddicombe and his following have dealt hardly with the +captain of the _Neptune_ and his crew, and for that they deserve to +be delivered up to justice at the first English settlement we touch. +On the other hand, they were fighting for their liberty 'gainst a +tyrant, while, to go farther, they fought side by side with us under +Monmouth's banner. But for the workings of Providence, I and a score +of my men now on board this vessel would have been similarly dealt +with. Had we been in their place, how should we have acted, had the +means of regaining our freedom been opened to us?" + +"Same as they, Cap'n," exclaimed 'Enery, who, with Touchstone and +myself, formed a little council in the cabin. + +"I did but sound your inclinations," continued Captain Jeremy. "Sink +me! I cannot blame them. But now, by the laws of the sea, the +_Neptune_ is in our keeping till we bring her into a port, when the +Admiralty courts shall decide our share of the salvage. But if we do +that, what is to become of the yokels that are on board? Nay, that +will not serve." + +"We could do with another ship and a sprinkling of fighting men," +observed the master gunner tentatively. + +"You have spoken mine own mind," rejoined Captain Jeremy. "If we can +but make yon peasants see that therein lies the best chance of +safety, I'll tranship half of them, and send thirty of our men under +you, bos'n, to work the leavening of the rest. I know these men. +They are full of fight, and only need a stiffening of good seamen to +turn them into a passable crew." + +"Then you expect we shall have opposition, sir?" I asked. "From +whom?" + +"From the buccaneers, unless I be greatly mistaken. With the _Golden +Hope_ alone 'twould be necessary to avoid an engagement should these +rogues think fit to molest us, for they swarm all over the Caribbean +Sea; but with a consort like the _Neptune_ we can hold our own. Is +she a seaworthy craft?" + +"As sweet a craft as I could wish for--saving our own," replied +'Enery. + +"And well found?" + +"Both in stores and munitions of war, though I have not made a full +search. Eight twelvepounders and an eighteen on her fo'c'sle, and a +goodly store of muskets, cutlasses, and pikes, to say naught of a +stock of bilboes." + +"And water?" + +"Enough and to spare." + +"Excellent!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "But here is the boat +alongside. We'll hear what Master Oddicombe hath to say to our +proposals." + +Master Oddicombe needed but little persuasion to fall in with +Captain Jeremy's suggestions. He realized only too well that his +bold step in taking possession of the _Neptune_ brought the greater +chance of difficulties and dangers; and that, had they been +overhauled by a King's ship, every man would assuredly have graced a +halter. + +Captain Jeremy next proceeded to explain the mission of the _Golden +Hope_, and our expectation of securing a vast treasure. + +"Although I can offer you no share in the matter," he continued, "I +shall require you and your companions to pledge yourselves to serve +us faithfully for the space of not more than two years. At the end +of that time, or before, should we attain the object of our search, +I'll warrant your safe discharge at some settlement, where you will +be free men. More than that, should we be able, by the united work +of both vessels, to capture any buccaneering craft who think to +molest us, their cargoes will be equally divided betwixt all hands. +So if you and your men are willing to serve us faithfully, and +engage in an enterprise of adventure and profit, now is the chance +of that and your freedom." + +Nothing loath, Master Oddicombe gave the required promise on behalf +of his men, and the compact having been sealed over a bottle of +Madeira, we all repaired on deck, where Captain Jeremy gave orders +for our crew to assemble. + +"My lads," said he, "You know I'm a bluff sailor and not given to +making speeches, so I come straight to the point. Yon brig is now +our consort. Together we'll make a match for any buccaneer that +dares to assail us. You need not fear that your shares in the +expedition will be lessened by our increased numbers--if anything, +you stand to gain. I hope you'll welcome your new messmates. Some of +you will greet them as old companions on the battlefield. That's all +I'm going to say. Now, thirty men are wanted to serve aboard the +_Neptune_ under Captain 'Enery." Here our former bos'n almost lost +his balance, at the shock of hearing his new title. "Seven of our +men are already aboard her," continued Captain Jeremy, with a sweep +of his arm in the direction of the _Neptune_, which, like the +_Golden Hope_, had been hove-to during the last hour or so. "Those +willing to serve under Captain 'Enery will muster on the larboard +side." + +To my surprise, not a man crossed over to the larboard, but with one +accord all stepped briskly and resolutely to the starboard side. + +"What's this I see?" shouted Captain Jeremy. + +"Do you want to cruise single-handed? Are you afraid that, against +my word, your shares will go down? Do I scent mutiny aboard the +_Golden Hope_? Bestir yourselves, my hearties!" + +"'Tain't neither, Cap'n," replied one of the men, Tom Cherry by +name. He had been one of the Captain's comrades in the cave, and was +a stanch, honest fellow. "We'll all go if you gives the word, but we +don't want you to think as 'ow we wants to leave you." + +"You won't be leaving me; it's the _Golden Hope_ you're leaving, to +join a consort under my orders. I thank you all for your expression +of loyalty, but as some of you must ship aboard the _Neptune_ we'll +leave it to chance. Master Touchstone, do you draw the men into two +ranks." + +Thereupon the crew took up their position, fifty-one all told, for +Captain 'Enery and the master gunner were, with Captain Miles and me +on the poop. + +"Down you go, Master Clifford, and pick out a man at random," said +our Captain; and, descending the poop ladder, I walked between two +rows of as fine a set of men as ever served afloat. + +"Fall out, you," ordered Captain Jeremy, as I touched a smart +lower-yard man on the shoulder. + +"Now, count out every seventh man." + +"There you are, Captain 'Enery," he continued, when the counting out +was completed; "a proper crew for you, and no favouritism. I trust +they'll do you credit. Now, lads, there's no time to be lost, so +dismiss and pack up your traps." + +With this there was a wild skelter, as the men dived into the +forepeak to gather together their personal property; and a quarter +of an hour later the backbone of the _Neptune's_ crew rowed off to +our consort. + +An hour or more elapsed ere the sixty peasants were brought on board +the _Golden Hope_, for Captain 'Enery, with considerable tact, had +allowed them to settle amongst themselves who should stay and who +were to go. Thus there was no separation of relations or +friends--for, poor fellows, they had had enough of that when they +left England--and each band of yokels had the satisfaction of +finding themselves made up of practically the manhood of their +respective villages. + +Our westward course was now resumed, the two vessels keeping their +stations with commendable precision, the _Golden Hope_ leading at +about a cable's length from the _Neptune's_ larboard bow. + +From early morn to late afternoon, day after day, the new arrivals +were trained in the use of arms, manning the guns under Master +Touchstone's supervision, and going through the musketry exercises +and the cuts and guards of the cutlass drill. It was not long before +their smocks and other homely garments had given place to clothes of +a nautical cut, while each day added to their transformation into +stout-hearted British seamen. + +Nor were the conditions under which the crew of the _Neptune_ lived +less strenuous. Although we were unable to go aboard her, for the +Trades blew steadily during this time, and both vessels kept up a +good eight knots, I could see by the aid of a glass that her men +were hard at work with their ordnance and small arms; while it +seemed that Captain 'Enery rarely quitted his quarter-deck. Whenever +I chanced to look that way I could distinguish his tall, gaunt, +bearded figure slowly pacing his domain; and I realized that, should +we ever find ourselves in a tight fix, we should have reason to be +thankful for the aid of Captain 'Enery. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +We Arrive at Treasure Island + + +"Land ahead!" + +Such was the welcome cry that greeted my ears as I awoke on the +morning of our thirty-eighth day afloat. + +Hastily throwing on my clothes, I rushed on deck to view the land of +promise. We were approaching the Lesser Antilles, and ahead the +lofty, wooded slopes of an extensive island were slowly coming into +sight, while north and south the peaks of other islands showed their +heads above the horizon, for the weather was particularly clear, the +hour being just after sunrise. + +Captain Jeremy was already up and about, and was holding the chart +in his hand, for we were on the point of passing over shoal water, +though no rocks reared their heads above the sea. + +The leadsman was in the chains, his voice being heard with +monotonous regularity--"By the mark five"[1]; and the anchor was +already uncatted and hung ready to let go at the first sign of +danger. + +Astern the _Neptune_ was wallowing slowly in our wake, under reduced +canvas. + +Gradually the island loomed nearer and nearer, till we could +distinguish a saddle-shaped hill, covered with dense vegetation, +descending steeply on its northern face, while its southern portion +seemed to end in a long, flat plain. At first sight there appeared +no break in the encircling ridge of white sand 'gainst which the +breakers flung themselves in cascades of milk-white foam, the noise +of which was borne to our ears like the distant roll of drums. + +"By the deep four," shouted the leadsman. + +"Carry on," said Captain Jeremy calmly, though by his manner I knew +'twould be hazardous to question him. "Another man in the chains!" + +"A quarter less four." The water was shoaling rapidly. + +Still our Captain gave no sign to alter the brig's course, although +an ominous pale green patch ahead and several others of a dark brown +hue on either side of us betokened the presence of dangerous +sandbanks and rocks. His eyes were intently fixed on a rocky +pinnacle which was slowly coming into line with a distant island. + +"Hard a larboard!" + +Round swept the _Golden Hope_, heeling over to the beam wind as it +caught her retrimmed sails. We were now shaping a course parallel to +the eastern side of the island, while the _Neptune_, turning in our +wake, had also succeeded in negotiating the unseen channel. + +"Keep her as she goes, quartermaster," ordered Captain Jeremy, who +was now devoting his attention to some secret bearings on the shore. + +"By the mark thirteen," sang out the leadsman, while almost directly +afterwards his companion gave the cry, "And a half six." + +"Starboard your helm." + +Once more the _Golden Hope_ swung round till she lay on her former +course and was pointing straight for the island. Right ahead I could +now see a deep bay, or rather gulf, protected by a ridge of jagged +rocks running obliquely seaward from either horn of the land. Even +here the rollers ran high, but they lacked the broken crest that +elsewhere marked an almost continuous submerged reef. + +Away aloft sprang the men to reduce still further our spread of +canvas. With a succession of heavy lurches the _Golden Hope_ crossed +the bar and entered the land-locked harbour. + +"Let go," shouted Captain Jeremy, laying down his glass with a sigh +of relief and wiping his heated brow. + +With a sullen splash the anchor plunged beneath the waves, the stout +hempen cable flew through the hawse-pipe, and the _Golden Hope_ +brought up head to wind in the sheltered anchorage of Treasure +Island. + +The _Neptune_, smartly handled, also dropped anchor half a cable's +length nearer inshore, and steps were immediately taken to moor both +vessels, a massive chain bridle and swivel being bent on to the +cables to prevent undue chafing, and also to facilitate matters +should we be compelled to slip in a hurry. + +The waters of this little harbour were so clear that the bed of the +sea could be distinctly seen at a depth of five fathoms. The _Golden +Hope_ was lying immediately over a white sandy 'patch, though both +her anchors were embedded in blue mud, which formed an excellent +holding-ground. + +It being too late in the day to land, for mooring and "snugging +down" had taken up a considerable time, all hands were allowed to +stand easy. Many of the men took advantage of this permission to +bathe, and a strange sight it was to see a constant stream of seamen +running along our fore-yard and diving thence into the sea. + +For my part, I could not bring myself to attempt a plunge from that +dizzy height, but contented myself with diving off the catheads; yet +before many days had passed I conquered my fears and essayed the +leap, for which I had reason to be thankful ere the cruise of the +_Golden Hope_ was over. + +A sharp look-out was kept in case the swimmers were attacked by +sharks, but we were not molested by these monsters. On our voyage we +had frequently come across them, and they would follow the ship for +days; but on our crossing the bar they deserted us. Possibly the +roar of the surf had frightened them, and we were not sorry to lose +their unwelcome attentions. + +Next day the boats were ordered away to sound the bay and the bar +without. The weather was exceedingly hot, and even when sheltered +beneath canvas awnings the heat was oppressive. Yet ere nightfall +the soundings were taken, with sufficient exactness to assure +ourselves that no hidden danger lay within the entrance to our +harbour, while the wreck of the Spanish caravel was discovered lying +close to the northernmost arm of the reef in eleven fathoms of +water. + +I could trace her rounded sides and lofty poop and fo'c'sle, even +though the timbers were covered with weeds. She was lying almost on +an even keel, though with a slight list to starboard, her bows +pointing obliquely to the shore. Had she been a few hundred yards to +the south'ard she must assuredly have made the harbour in safety, +and then there would have been no need for our presence off the +island. + +"It was commonly supposed," said Captain Jeremy to me, "that the +whole of the crew of the caravel perished in the wreck, but I can +prove that such was not the case. When she struck she remained above +water some time--possibly for weeks--and the survivors removed the +treasure to a safe hiding-place in the hills. How they fared you +shall see. With the next heavy gale the _Madre_ slipped off the +rocks and settled in deep water, where we now see her. This accounts +for the treasure not being found by anyone but myself. Now we'll +return to the _Golden Hope_, for 'tis nearly sunset." + +That night extra watches were set on both ships, for we knew not +whether the island was inhabited or otherwise, while at any time +some buccaneering craft might attempt to surprise us as we lay at +anchor. But nothing untoward occurred to, disturb our slumbers, +although the change from the constant heave of the ocean to the +motionless calm within this sheltered harbour caused me to lie awake +on my back for several hours. + +A thousand thoughts passed through my brain. Here we were off +Treasure Island, but would our quest be successful? What was my +uncle doing? Had he guessed the reason of my flight? or did he think +that I had come to some untimely ending? If the latter, what would +he do with my home in far-off Brockenhurst? And Constance--how was +she faring? Then I recalled the incidents that led to my presence on +board the _Golden Hope_. I pictured again the struggle with the two +dragoons on the Lyndhurst Road, the fatal night when my father was +foully slain, the underground refuge, my midnight flight and +subsequent discomforts in the hold. Once more I saw the Algerine +crumple up under our broadside, and pictured the boarding of the +_Neptune_. These and a chain of other incidents I recalled, till +just before dawn I fell asleep. + +Yet during the short interval while I slept occurred the first of a +series of incidents that led to the direst misfortunes which befel +our enterprise. + + +[1] This refers to the sounding in fathoms as shown by the leadline. +This line is "marked" at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 fathoms +by distinctive strips of calico, bunting, leather, &c. The +intervening depths are not "marked", and are called "deeps". + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A Hasty Recall + + +At sunrise all hands were piped on deck, for much had to be done ere +the rays of the tropical sun became too strong for us to work. The +boats were hoisted out and the hatches removed, and a portion of the +stores was placed on deck ready to be transported on shore. + +Captain Jeremy had decided, to avoid difficulty and the loss of time +caused by going ashore and returning by the boats every day, to land +most of the stores and gear required for our expedition--that is, +should the island prove to be uninhabited--and to erect a stockaded +storehouse and quarters. + +This arrangement would also benefit the health of the crews of both +vessels, for in their somewhat overcrowded state the greatest care +had to be exercised to ward off an epidemic of scurvy. + +Accordingly, fifty men, armed to the teeth, were ordered away in the +boats under the command of the master gunner, for Captain Jeremy had +decided not to explore the interior of the island, where the +treasure was supposed to be hidden, until a secure base of +operations was in existence. + +Before the landing party went over the ship's side Captain Jeremy +called me into his cabin. + +"Master Clifford," said he, "dost call to mind when you last saw the +chart of the island? I remember having it in my hand as we worked +our way into the harbour, but, strange to admit, I have no further +recollection of it." + +"'Twas left in yonder rack," I replied, pointing to where I had last +seen the chart. "I remember that perfectly." + +"Then it hath been filched," he said, "filched while we slept. Well, +well, may it do the thief all the good he deserves! He, or the +thieves, will not be able to find the treasure by its aid, though +'tis important should anyone but myself attempt to steer the _Golden +Hope_ between the shoals. I must, therefore, explain the leading +marks to Captain 'Enery and our quartermaster, for some mishap might +occur to render me helpless. Do not say a word concerning this +matter to anyone, Master Clifford. 'Tis best to keep such +disquieting knowledge to ourselves; but, nevertheless, I'll have my +weather eye open, and at the first sign of treachery or mutiny I'll +give the culprits cause to remember Captain Jeremy Miles. Now you +can go ashore, but be sure to return on board ere nightfall. You had +better not take up your quarters ashore till things are ordered to +ensure our safety." + +I embarked on board one of the long-boats, which were laden almost +to the water's edge with various stores, including powder and shot, +ladders, spades and mattocks, carpenters' tools, nails and spikes, +barrels of biscuits and flour, and canvas for making tents. + +In spite of their overladen condition, the boats reached the shore +in safety, for the water was as calm as a mill pond. We landed on a +flat, sandy beach, close to the mouth of a little stream that was to +supply us with fresh water. The plain that extended 'twixt the sea +and the hammock= shaped hill was far more extensive than one would +have supposed, when viewing it from the offing. It was nearly three +miles in width, and was covered by a dense and luxurious vegetation. + +Between the little stream and the rocky headland that formed the +northernmost horn or arm protecting the harbour the ground was +comparatively barren, so that a clear view could be obtained for +several hundred yards. + +Moreover, the rocks on the seaward side descended abruptly to the +water's edge, so that they formed a natural defence in that +direction, since no boats could land thereabouts. Midway betwixt the +stream and the headland the master gunner fixed the site for the +stockade. + +A trial hole to the depth of ten feet revealed the presence of a +copious supply of water, sweet and wholesome to the taste when once +the mud had settled. This was especially fortunate, as we were not +compelled to rely upon the stream, which was a quarter of a mile or +more from our proposed fortress. + +Having transported all the stores they had brought ashore to the +middle of a square that the master gunner had traced upon the +ground, the landing party went up into the woods to fell and trim +some trees for the purpose of making the stockade; and soon the +silence of the grove was broken by the noise of the axes and the +cheery voices of the men. They made enough clamour to give the alarm +to every buccaneer that might be within a mile or so; but though our +people worked with their muskets close at hand, and outposts were +placed to give us ample warning of a surprise, the island appeared +to be uninhabited save by its new masters. + +It took a fortnight's hard work to construct the stockade, which was +loopholed at regular intervals, and strengthened by a mound of earth +on the inside. The soil thus utilized had been excavated so as to +form a ditch without the barrier, thus increasing the value of our +defences; while, in order to store our powder in safety, a deep hole +or cave was dug in the centre of the fortress and covered over with +the trunks of trees, on which earth was placed to a height of four +feet. This made a magazine which was proof against any shot that +might be fired into the stockade; while on the mound above it a +lookout hut had been erected, being protected against musketry by a +breastwork of sandbags. + +Having completed this stronghold, the master gunner obtained +permission to mount two of the _Golden Hope's_ guns. The work of +getting these pieces of ordnance ashore was a difficult one; but, +thanks to Master Touchstone's energy and mechanical skill, they were +placed in position and so arranged that both could be brought to +fire from any side of the stockade by means of ingenious carriages +somewhat resembling those used by troops in the field. + +Thus, before we were ready to send an expedition into the interior, +a month had elapsed; yet all hands felt that the time had not been +wasted, since we were now in a position to repel an attack by either +land or sea. + +At length we set out to find the resting-place of the precious cargo +of the _Madre de Dios_. For this expedition twenty men were drawn +from each ship, Captain Jeremy being in command. During our absence +Captain 'Enery was left in charge of the _Golden Hope_ and her +consort, with orders to fire three guns should danger arise, as it +was supposed that the sound of the discharge would be heard at any +point on our march into the interior. Touchstone, with eleven men, +was to hold the stockade. + +We were one and all heavily laden, for, in addition to our arms and +ammunition, each man carried a week's supply of provisions and an +axe, or mattock. At every half-mile three men were to be left in +order to form a chain of communication with the shore, so that by +the time we reached the place where the treasure was supposed to +lie, only twelve would remain. These twelve would be sufficient to +remove the bulk of the spoil, while the rest of the treasure could +be obtained at some future time. + +Soon we plunged into the dense belt of vegetation that, I have +mentioned, lay betwixt the shore and the mountain. It consisted of +reeds, canes, and scrub, much higher than a man's head, so that we +had to guide ourselves by means of a compass. It was tedious work, +for we had to cut a path nearly every foot of the way, while in +places the ground was so swampy that we frequently sank in the mud +nearly to our knees. + +Captain Jeremy had, years before, cut a path through the thicket, +and the task had occupied him more than a week; but all traces of +his former route had long been obliterated. + +At length we reached a small open hillock surrounded by the thicket, +and here our first post was established; for though it was more than +half a mile from the stockade, our Captain did not care to expose +his men to the risk of fever by leaving them on the low-lying +ground. + +On resuming our march the reeds and bushes became thicker, till it +was only by sheer hard cuts with our axes that we were able to +proceed, the men working by relays. It being now high noon, the heat +was terribly oppressive, a close and moist mist rising from the +marshy ground adding to our discomfort, while we were tormented by +swarms of flies, which hovered round our heads till we could scarce +open our eyes. + +Nevertheless we stuck manfully to our arduous task, for it was +necessary for health's sake to avoid spending a night in that +unwholesome district. We must reach the high ground ere we pitched +our camp. + +Suddenly a shout from one of our men caused us to stand to our arms. +The column halted, but Captain Jeremy, who was in the middle, forced +his way betwixt the wall of bushes and the men who were in front. + +Then followed a lengthy pause, till the line of men moved forward +again, this time with greater rapidity, and I found myself standing +in an open clearing, surrounded by our astonished seamen. This +clearing was of recent date, for many of the saplings and canes +showed signs of having been cut but a short time ago, while running +north and south across the direction of our route was a fairly broad +and well-defined path. + +We were now in a quandary. It would be unwise to resume our way and +leave an unexplored path betwixt us and the shore, and it would be +equally hazardous to separate our slender force into two bodies, so +that the beaten track could be examined in both directions. It was +also inexpedient that the inhabitants of the island (since it was +inhabited) should be aware of our presence until we had assured +ourselves whether they were peaceful settlers, or otherwise. + +"This path has not been used for a month at least, Cap'n," said one +of our men, a smart young seaman in the carpenter's crew. + +"How so?" asked Captain Jeremy. + +"By these footprints, sir," replied the seaman, pointing to a number +of well-defined marks on the hard ground. "They are the footprints +of men wearing boots and also of naked feet, and they are pointing +in both directions, showing that people have walked this way and +that." + +"Quite so," assented Captain Jeremy. "But how say you that these are +a month or more old?" + +"The ground is quite hard; we cannot leave the imprint of our +boots," continued the seaman. "And since we have been on this island +more than a month, and no rain has fallen during all that time----" + +But before he could complete his explanation the distant boom of a +cannon, followed at regular intervals by two more, caused us to look +at each other in alarm.' It was the signal for our recall; something +of extreme importance had occurred. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Attacked by Buccaneers + + +"Back to the ships!" was the cry, and with the utmost haste we +retraced our footsteps. Not having to cut our way back, our progress +was considerably quicker than on the outward journey, most of the +men casting aside their stock of provisions to enable them to +lighten their loads. Yet, owing to the marshy state of the ground +through which we floundered heavily, it was nearly two hours later +ere we emerged from the forest--if forest I may term it. + +The cause of our sudden recall then became apparent, for standing in +under all plain sail were three large ships. They were still a +league or more from the mouth of our harbour, but already they were +in shoal water, so that 'twas plain they were no strangers to the +island, since they were following the intricate channel through +which we ourselves had come. + +Our arrival had already been observed from our own ships, and boats +were putting off to take us on board. While we were awaiting them +Captain Jeremy ordered twelve men to reinforce the little garrison +within the stockade, and on numbering the remainder we were +astonished to find that only twenty-two remained. The outposts whom +we had left on the hillock had been recalled, and on the march not a +cry of alarm had been raised, so that the missing men must have +disappeared without a sound. + +"Who are they? What are their names?" demanded Captain Jeremy +anxiously. + +Several names were mentioned, although some of them, I knew, were +those of the men who had been sent to the stockade; but all were +agreed that Ned Slater was amongst the six missing seamen. + +A stern look overspread Captain Jeremy's bronzed features. The loss +of the chart, and the unaccountable disappearance of a man of whom I +had expressed my distrust, had considerably shaken our Captain's +faith in his former shipmate; but, controlling himself, he ordered +the men to embark, for the boats had by this time gained the shore. + +Although we hurried on board there was no unseemly haste or panic, +and as each man came up over the side he took his place in his +allotted position. + +Captain 'Enery, having handed over the command to Captain Jeremy, +returned to the _Neptune_, where, as on board the _Golden Hope_, the +magazines had been opened, and powder and shot placed alongside the +guns, ere we came off. + +The wind blew steadily straight on shore, so that we hoped the +strange vessels had not heard the guns fired as the return signal, +though, as most merchantmen carried small guns for this purpose, the +discharge, even had it been heard, would not have led the enemy to +suppose that our vessels were well armed. + +Meanwhile we lost no time in improving our posture of defence. +Captain Jeremy sent away the long-boat with a kedge slung underneath +her, to which was attached a long hawser, leading over the ship's +stern. The kedge was then dropped, and by taking a strain on the +cable the _Golden Hope_ was brought to lie broadside on to the mouth +of the harbour. A similar manoeuvre was also carried out on board +the _Neptune_, so that all our available ordnance, or as many as +there were gun ports for, were trained on the approaching vessels, +though as yet the guns had not been run out. + +In breathless silence we awaited the oncoming ships, for, by Captain +Jeremy's orders, not a shot was to be discharged, nor a shout +raised, from either brig till the word was given to open fire. + +When just outside the inner reef the leading vessel rounded, and as +she did so her ensign became visible. It was the skull and +crossbones. + +"She means to leave us no longer in doubt," exclaimed Captain +Jeremy. "I am right glad that she has shown yonder flag, for it +seems they take us for harmless traders, and would terrify us into +surrender." + +Even as he spoke a cloud of smoke burst from the pirate's side +amidships, and a twelve-pound ball whizzed betwixt our masts, +striking our lee bulwarks and knocking up a shower of splinters; +then, rebounding, it plunged into the sea within a few yards of the +shore. + +Another and another followed, while the remaining ships took up a +similar position and also opened fire. Though many of their shots +went high or passed wide, one penetrated the bulwarks, killing two +men and wounding three. + +The master gunner, who had returned on board, besought our Captain +to open fire. + +"No," he replied resolutely. "We must grin and bear it awhile." + +Just then a shot was fired from the _Neptune_. Possibly the captain +of the gun had lost his nerve; but the shot was well aimed, for it +struck the fore mast of the nearest buccaneer. + +"A pest take it!" muttered Captain Jeremy, "that will ruin all my +plans;" and springing on the poop he hailed the _Neptune_, to know +why the gun had been discharged. + +Fortunately the premature shot was not followed by others, though we +expected it would be mistaken for the signal to commence firing; and +for ten minutes longer we lay under a heavy fire from all the +vessels. + +Evidently the buccaneers did not wish to sink us, for they directed +their fire principally at our spars and cordage. Once we were +captured they would remove our stores and other valuable gear, and +scuttle the ships, so as to leave no trace of their fiendish +handiwork. Such has been the fate of many unfortunate merchantmen in +West Indian waters, with hardly a fragment left afloat to tell the +tale. + +"Stand to it, my lads," shouted Captain Jeremy encouragingly. "Spars +can be replaced and cordage refitted. They'll get tired of that game +ere long. Lie down, all of you." + +It was indeed a trying ordeal. We had already lost our foreyard, +which had tumbled down across the fo'c'sle, bringing with it a +litter of ropes, blocks, and torn canvas. Our spritsail yard, broken +in two places, dangled from the bowsprit; while our mainmast was +splintered from the futtock-shrouds to within ten feet of the deck. +Several shots had torn gaping holes in our sides, and as a result +four more dead men lay on our decks, while nearly a dozen badly +wounded were carried below. + +Nor was our consort in a better plight. Her fore topmast had been +shot away early in the cannonade, her poop lanterns and part of the +taffrail had disappeared, and several ominous dark holes were +visible in her bulging yellow sides. + +"How much longer are we to stand this?" asked Touchstone, as he +bound his wrist with a kerchief. + +"Patience, man, patience!" was Captain Jeremy's only reply, as he +calmly surveyed the scene of destruction--the blood-stained deck +littered with the prone figures of seamen, whether they were dead, +or wounded, or unhurt; and the tangle of shattered spars and +cordage--and the smoke-enshrouded outlines of our ferocious +attackers. + +Ever and anon a shrill cry of pain or an exclamation of rage would +be heard, as a mass of timber dislodged from aloft came hurtling +through the air and struck some unfortunate man crouching near the +guns; and another limp body would be borne below to add to the +steadily growing numbers of our wounded. Yet discipline, iron +discipline, prevailed, and were we to win the day we must receive +hard knocks with the traditional fortitude of Englishmen. + +Ashore our stockade, its seaward face hidden by a mask of bushes, +also maintained a dignified silence, though in the case of its +defenders, they were not put to the same temptation as ourselves. + +All at once two men emerged from our main hatchway, dragging with +them a great, hulking fellow, whose face was livid with terror. + +"'Ere you are, Cap'n," said one of the men. "We found 'im skulking +in t'hold." + +"And 'e hasn't a scratch on 'im," added the other. "Shall us pitch +'im over the side?" + +For the space of a full minute Captain Jeremy intently regarded the +trembling man; then, as the cry arose, "Here they come!" he stepped +to the weather bulwarks and looked in the direction of the enemy. + +"Pass the word for the crew to stand to their arms," he said in a +low tone to the master gunner; then, returning to where the abject +creature still stood cowering, "There's your chance," he remarked +quietly, pointing towards the buccaneering craft; "play the man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +"Repel Boarders!" + + +The three vessels had now ceased firing, and from under their sterns +six large boats, crowded with armed men, were being pulled straight +towards us with all their rowers' might. + +We could see the water foaming at their bows, and hear the splash of +the oars as they dipped with rapidity and regularity, while the sun +glistened on gun barrel, pike, and cutlass. + +Unmolested they passed between the two arms of the harbour, then, +having drawn into line, they separated, three boats making for each +of our vessels. + +Suddenly the order was given to open fire. The guns were run out, +and the _Golden Hope_ quivered from truck to keelson with the roar +of her ordnance. The _Neptune_ followed suit, while the stockade +ashore added to the din. + +The calm water around the boats was transformed into a veritable +cauldron, and it seemed impossible that a single boat could remain +afloat in that iron hail. + +Although taken completely by surprise, the buccaneers were made of +stern stuff, and before the smoke cleared away sufficiently to +enable us to see the result of our united broadsides, they were +swarming up over our tall sides. + +"Repel boarders!" thundered Captain Jeremy, waving his cutlass as he +sprang to meet the attack. Nobly our men responded, and midst the +sharp crack of pistols, the groans of the wounded, and the sharp +exclamations of fury, cutlass crossed with cutlass and pike +encountered pike. + +I found myself opposed to a villainous halfcaste, clad only in a +pair of drawers, and armed with a large cutlass. In spite of my +efforts, for I possessed both skill and strength far beyond my age, +I soon found that I had all my work cut out, for my opponent whirled +his blade with great force and rapidity. Twice, however, I put in a +thrust beneath his guard, wounding him slightly on the hip and on +the right shoulder. Yet in spite of this slight advantage I was +slowly and surely being driven back, when, tripping over a broken +spar, I fell heavily. + +Every instant I expected to feel the sweep of the pirate's cutlass, +but the blow never came. So I took courage and raised myself on my +elbow, and, to my surprise, I found my late antagonist engaged in a +hand-to-hand fight with the man who had been brought before Captain +Jeremy for skulking in the hold. + +All sense of fear had apparently left the latter. I heard afterwards +that he had received a slight wound in his left arm, and the pain +had transformed him into a veritable demon. Shouting, "Let me have a +rub at the brutes!" he seized an iron bar, and met the onrushing +buccaneers with the utmost fury. Two men had already gone down +before his ponderous weapon ere, fortunately for me, he diverted the +attention of the mulatto just as he had me at his mercy. + +Even as I looked the iron bar crashed past the pirate's uplifted +cutlass and, descending on the half-caste's head, stretched him +lifeless on the deck; but in the moment of victory a chance pistol +shot laid the erstwhile coward over the body of his antagonist. + +It seemed at this juncture that the buccaneers would succeed in +carrying the _Golden Hope_, till Clemens, the Cornishman whom we had +rescued from the Algerine vessel, clambered up the shattered poop +ladder, and, training one of the swivel guns, which fortunately was +loaded, upon the thickest of the press of our enemies, fired a heavy +charge of small shot with deadly effect. + +Then, headed by Captain Jeremy and the master gunner, our men made a +determined rush, and, still contesting every inch of our planks, the +buccaneers were forced back over the side. + +A hurried glance showed that the _Neptune_ had also succeeded in +beating off her attackers, and was already resuming her fire upon +the retreating boats. + +Without pausing to regain their breath, our men also remanned their +guns and poured a destructive broadside on the boats, of which three +had been sunk when we first opened fire. Two more disappeared amidst +a swirl of shot-torn water, while the sole remaining boat, moving +slowly, for most of her oars had been shattered and she was more +than half-full, managed by little short of a miracle to regain her +parent ship. + +But there was no respite for our weary crew, for the three +buccaneering craft resumed their fire. It being comparatively +feeble, we knew that their guns were now ill-served, and that they +were only firing to aid their escape. + +"Aim carefully! Wing 'em!" shouted the master gunner, as he passed +along the line of guns, some, alas! silent for want of a crew. In +spite of his cautions, however, our men, elated with their victory, +fired rapidly and erratically; but as the buccaneers made haste to +sheer off, the mainmast of one came crashing over the side, while +the others' spars were in a tottering state. + +We could see the discomfited crew of the former vessel attack the +wreckage with axes in an attempt to free themselves from the fatal +encumbrance, but ere this could be done their ship drifted on to a +shoal. + +The remaining vessels were more fortunate. Slowly tacking, they drew +beyond range, and having picked up the survivors of their consort +who, on finding their vessel aground, had abandoned her, they gained +the open sea. + +"Man the long-boat and make sure of yonder craft!" shouted Captain +Jeremy. "Let go her anchors when you get aboard, or she may float +off with the rising tide." + +Even as he spoke there was a crashing report, and, clapping his +hands to his head, our gallant Captain staggered and fell senseless +to the deck. + +One of the buccaneers, who had been left for dead on our deck, had +treacherously shot him at almost point-blank range. + +With a howl of rage some of our men threw themselves upon the +villain and dispatched him with their cutlasses, while others +hastened to raise Captain Jeremy and bear him into his cabin. + +There we found that the wound, though dangerous, might not prove +mortal. The bullet had ploughed a furrow just above the temple, and +though the place bled profusely, Captain Jeremy soon recovered his +senses. + +His first thought was of the disabled buccaneering vessel. "Hath the +long-boat pushed off yet?" he asked. "No? Then bid them go at once." + +"Master Hammond," said Touchstone, on whom the command of the +_Golden Hope_ now devolved, "do you take charge of the boat. You +know your orders?" + +"Yes, sir," I replied. + +"Then carry them out--but, hark'ee, mind how you board. Be careful; +make sure she is quite deserted, and straightway examine her hold. I +know the villains; unless I am much mistaken, they will have left a +slow match to the magazine." + +Taking my place in the stern sheets, I ordered the boat to give way, +feeling highly elated at my first command, yet, withal, having a +presentiment that 'twas a hazardous enterprise. + +Half-way across the harbour we came upon the shattered bow of one of +the pirates' boats floating just awash, while all around were pieces +of planks, showing how effectual and destructive our fire had been. +The other boats that had been destroyed must have sunk with the +weight of their contents, for we saw no signs of them. + +The deserted ship lay with her bow towards the reef on the larboard +side of the channel, and having received several shot-holes 'twixt +wind and water, had settled down somewhat, till the sea lapped her +after ports. + +"She's safe enough, sir!" exclaimed one of the boat's crew, looking +over his shoulder at the wreck, as he rested on his oar. "Her hold +is full of water. That'll put out any trains, if the villains have +left them." + +I was of the same opinion, so, having rowed completely round the +stranded ship, which seemed quite deserted, I gave the word to run +alongside. + +Bidding all the men save one to remain in the boat, I made sure of +the priming of my pistols, then swinging myself up the side by means +of the cordage of the broken mainmast, I gained the deck. + +It was deserted, save for the corpses of some half a dozen men who +had been slain by the discharge of our ordnance, most of them being +shockingly mangled. + +A hurried yet cautious search revealed a like state of things in the +after cabins, while the fo'c'sle was also empty. Peering down the +main hatch I saw that, as we had expected, the main hold was +flooded, though amidships the depth of water was but a foot. + +Making fast one end of a rope, for there was no sign of a ladder, I +threw the other end down the hatchway, and by this means gained the +sloping planks of the hold. Ankle deep in water, I made my way +forward, till in the dim light I perceived a stout bulkhead running +athwartships and pierced by a little sliding door, or hatch. + +Owing to the slight list of the ship this door had jammed, so that +it required considerable effort ere I opened it sufficiently to +enable me to squeeze through. + +Within it seemed as black as the darkest night, till I saw a sight +that caused me to be rooted to the spot. Softly fizzing and +spluttering within a few inches of two tiers of sinister-looking +barrels was a fuse! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +Blown Up + + +To play the part of a bold hero, I suppose I ought to have made a +dash for the burning train and put out the fire. But I did nothing +of the kind--I simply stood still and watched with horror-stricken +eyes the dim glimmer of the fuse. Even had I had the presence of +mind and the courage to make the attempt, the ordering of the +barrels would have prevented me, for the train was laid 'twixt tiers +standing so close together that there was scarce a hand's width +between their bulging sides. + +Already I regarded myself as doomed to die a swift and terrible +death, but remembering my comrades in the boat, I backed away from +the hatchway. I tried to raise a warning shout, but not a sound save +a feeble gurgle could I utter. My tongue clave to the roof of my +parched mouth, while my heart beat like a sledge-hammer. + +Dipping my hand in the water that flooded the floor of the hold, I +moistened my lips, then-- + +"Push off, men!" I shouted. "A fuse!" + +The effect of my warning was instantly plain. The man who had +accompanied me on deck leapt into the long-boat, and I heard the +scraping of their oars as the crew pushed off with feverish haste. + +Now that I look back upon this matter, I can scarce blame them. They +acted according to my orders, combined with the thought of +self-preservation. Doubtless in their panic they knew not whether +one or two persons had leapt from the ship's bulwarks into the boat. +But be that as it may, they rowed off with all their might and left +me to my fate--and a hideous one at that. + +Yet, as the explosion had not taken place, I gathered courage, and +seizing the rope by which I had descended into the hold, I began to +swarm up it. Suddenly, although it had appeared sound and had borne +my weight before, it parted like pack thread, and I fell on my back +in the hold, where the water broke my fall. + +I was on my feet in an instant, now alert to take every possible +chance of saving myself, and seeing a shaft of light in the dim +recesses of the after hold, I waded down the sloping planks till the +water rose to my shoulders. + +A few strokes sufficed to bring me to where a small hatch +communicated with the main deck, for the water was here so high that +by raising my arm I could grasp the coaming of the hatchway. + +Though my sodden clothing seemed like lead as my body drew clear of +the surface, I managed to drag myself through the opening and gain +the deck, where, without a moment's hesitation, I rushed on to the +poop, and sprang over the taffrail into the sea. + +I must have dived to a depth of from two to three fathoms, for I +could see the rocky bottom of the sea a few feet below me; and just +as I was on the point of ascending to the surface, I heard the roar +of the explosion. + +It seemed as if the drums of my ears were broken by the concussion, +while the water was agitated by a sudden current, or eddy, that +swept me along the bottom. I remained underneath till I could +contain my breath no longer, then with a few strokes I rose to the +surface. + +All around a heavy, pungent cloud, or rather haze, of smoke +enveloped everything, though towering above me I could discern the +outlines of the ship's poop. That, at all events, had withstood the +shock and had proved my salvation, for the pieces of shattered +timber were still falling, many of them being shot skywards to a +terrific height. + +I trod water for a space till all danger from the falling debris was +over, then, swimming round the scorched and shattered side of the +ship, I found a place where the timbers had been torn away right to +the water's edge. + +Half-suffocated by the fumes, for many of the planks still +smouldered, I made my way aft to where the poop deck remained +practically intact; and utterly done up, I threw myself down, too +dazed to realize that I had been miraculously preserved. + +How long I remained in that position I cannot tell, but at length I +staggered to my feet and looked around. + +The ships of the escaping buccaneers were still visible, though +nearly hull down. They had hauled to the wind and were standing on a +northerly course parallel with the eastern shore of the island. + +Looking round the harbour, I could see the _Golden Hope_ and the +_Neptune_, their sides crowded with men, while within a few hundred +yards of them was the long-boat, rowing slowly, with her gunwale +barely showing. So she had not escaped unhurt, I reasoned. + +Of the vessel on which I stood nearly two-thirds had quite +disappeared, while of the quarter-deck only a few blackened +crossbeams and ribs remained. All around were pieces of timber of +all sizes and shapes, slowly drifting shorewards with the flood +tide. + +The black flag, with its grinning skull and crossbones, was trailing +in the water under the wreck's quarter. This would serve for a +signal, so, hauling it on board, I lashed it to a pike, which in +turn I fastened to an iron socket that at one time had supported the +poop lantern. + +My signal was soon observed, and a boat was put off from the +_Neptune_; and while awaiting her arrival I ran below and made a +second examination of the cabins and after hold. Most of the former +were luxuriously furnished, though they had suffered severely, from +both our shot and the effect of the explosion. Yet, brief as was my +inspection, I saw that two of them were used as store places, and +that they were filled with the loot of many an unfortunate vessel. +Gold and silver ornaments and plate, coins of a dozen different +countries, and other precious goods filled the lockers. To me it +seemed enough for the ransom of a king. + +Looking through the hatch by which I had escaped from the hold, I +perceived how nearly the whole of the treasure had been lost to us, +for now, plainly visible in the flooded after-magazine, were barrels +of powder, far more than the fore part of the ship had contained; +while from one of them a wisp of tow floated towards the surface. +Its charred end showed how near had been the consummation of the +buccaneers' diabolical plan, for when the magazine was flooded the +fuse had burned to within a foot of the powder. + +Great was the astonishment of the men to find me alive and unhurt, +for although I had been seen standing on the poop, no one on the +ship had recognized me. My clothing was rent, and my damp hair hung +over my face, which was black with charcoal, smoke, and dust. +Captain 'Enery had concluded that I had perished in the explosion, +and that the figure they had seen on board was that of one of the +buccaneers, who, on the vessel being blown up, had swum off from a +neighbouring shoal. + +"The wreck is full of treasure," I announced, and on hearing the +good news the boat's crew gave a hearty cheer. Some were for making +their way on board, but the coxswain sternly ordered them to remain +in the boat. + +"The stuff is safe enow," said he, "and all will share and share +alike when the time comes. There's plenty of work to be done before +we trouble about what's aboard yon craft." + +This was the case, for when the boat put me once more aboard the +_Golden Hope_ I found all hands busily engaged in clearing up the +damage done in the fight. The work of making good the mischief done +aloft would take weeks of continuous labour, though the spars of the +wrecked buccaneer could be utilized to replace our own, for, +trailing over the side, they had escaped the force of the explosion. + +But though the ships suffered severely, our loss in men was far more +to be deplored. The Golden Hope had eleven killed and fifteen +wounded, including Captain Jeremy, and the _Neptune_ nine killed and +seventeen wounded. In the stockade, however, not a single man had +been hit. Thus, including the six men who were missing after our +futile expedition to recover the treasure, only one hundred and +twenty-eight were fit for duty, and of these nearly two score had +received slight wounds. + +My first act on returning on board was to see how Captain Jeremy was +progressing. I found that he was sleeping peacefully, his wound +having been carefully dressed; and that, should no feverish symptoms +make their appearance, his recovery would be but a matter of a few +weeks. As quietness was a necessity, it was planned that he should +be carried ashore to the stockade with the rest of the wounded on +the following day, so as not to be disturbed by the shipwrights and +riggers at their work. + +That night, as I lay on my bunk, I pondered over the words of the +old friar, Pedro Lopez. Surely we had gone through enough bloodshed +and fire to fulfil the exacting conditions that had to be carried +out ere we recovered the treasure? Would not the facts that a score +of our men were awaiting burial on this far-off island, and that +over thirty more were groaning on the ballast, serve to appease the +wrath of the slaughtered Spaniards? And when I thought of my ordeal +by fire, and my terrible position as I waited for the crash of the +explosion, I prayed that we had seen the last of our perils. + +It must have been about eight bells of the middle watch (4 a.m.), +ere it was light, when a sharp rattle of musketry caused me to +awaken with a start. Hastily rushing on deck, I found our men +already standing to their guns, while on shore a desperate conflict +was in progress. + +The stockade was attacked on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Repulse at the Stockade + + +Who our new enemies were, and whence they came, we knew not. Judging +by the outer ring of flashes, it would seem that they outnumbered +the defenders of the stockade by seven to one; for only twenty-five +men had been left on shore on the preceding evening. + +These were once more under the command of Touchstone, who, on the +termination of our fight with the pirate ships, had resumed his post +at the base of our operations on land. Yet the handful of men, under +the spirited leadership of the master gunner, ought to prove +themselves equal to their attackers, as they had the advantage of a +stout breastwork. + +But while the fight continued we were tormented with doubts and +fears. In the darkness we could tell by the rapid spurts of flame +that came from the stockade that our men were fiercely contesting +their ground, although by the flashes encircling them we knew that +the attack was being pushed close home. + +Nor could we render any assistance, for our broadsides might do more +harm to friend than to foe; while it would be extremely hazardous to +attempt to land an armed party on an open beach, as we knew not the +numbers of our enemies. Moreover, in the darkness we might fire on, +or be fired upon by our own men. + +Above the crackle of musketry and the shouts of the combatants we +could distinguish the deeper crash of the ordnance that had been +landed from the _Golden Hope_, while now and again would come an +ominous lull, only to be broken by another crash of guns and the +noise of a hand-to-hand conflict. + +Having loaded all our ordnance on the landward side, and kept such +of our boats as were still seaworthy close alongside, we could only +await the dawn, of which signs were already apparent. + +At length it grew light, with all the splendour and rapidity of a +West Indian dawn, and we were able to see how things fared ashore. + +The stockade was still in the hands of Touchstone and his men, +though two gaps in the palisades showed how close home the attack +had been pushed. Yet around these breaches the dead lay thick, while +scattered over the plain were other corpses, proving how well our +people had handled their muskets. + +Drawn up at a distance of half a mile from the stockade was a body +of musketeers, to the number of about fifty. They were evidently +planning a fresh attack, for those who carried firearms had their +matches lighted. Yet they appeared to have no heart to advance, for +we saw one whom we supposed to be their leader beckon angrily with +his sword. + +One broadside from the _Neptune_ sent them helter-skelter. They fled +past the landward side of the stockade, though beyond musket range, +and disappeared behind the rising ground that terminated in the +headland on the northern side of the harbour. + +Captain 'Enery immediately sent two boats ashore laden with men, +and, going with them, I was able to see the effects of the attack. + +It appeared that our sentinels had heard the sound of footsteps and, +receiving no reply to their challenge, had opened fire. The garrison +had barely time to stand to their arms and man the stockade ere the +foremost of their attackers gained the ditch, and attempted to rush +the palisade. + +In the protracted defence we had lost but three men killed and four +badly wounded, while of our enemies nearly two score were found +lying outside the defence. + +One of the latter, being but slightly wounded in the leg, was +brought into the stockade and questioned. Doubtless expecting to be +hanged forthwith, he maintained a sullen silence, till Touchstone +promised him his life should he speak the truth. This offer, +combined with a number of veiled threats should he still prove +obstinate, had its effect, and the prisoner became communicative. + +His was a disquieting report. In the north-western part of the +island, some eight or nine miles by the direct route across the +marshy forest, though nearly twice that distance by the coast, was a +settlement inhabited by buccaneers. They had seen our arrival, but, +owing to the fact that their squadron of four vessels was away on a +cruise, they had refrained from molesting us till the ships +returned. + +Possibly they were unaware of our expedition into the interior, for +had they known of this they would certainly have ambushed our party +on the march. + +The prolonged stay of our two ships in the harbour had puzzled them +not a little, and when their three vessels returned, the fourth +having been separated from her consorts, a combined attack by land +and sea had been planned. + +By some means the two buccaneering parties had failed to co-operate, +so that their ships had already been beaten off ere the land force +appeared. The latter had heard the firing, but, little thinking that +we should have held our own, they imagined the victory already +complete, till in the darkness they stumbled upon our stockade. + +"How many men were left to guard your settlement?" demanded +Touchstone. + +"Only a handful--enough to keep the slaves in order," replied our +prisoner. + +"Is the place fortified?" + +"By a wall and a ditch. There are eighteen guns in position." + +"And when will the fourth ship return?" + +"I do not know." + +"Remove him," ordered the master gunner, and he hurried off to the +shore, whence the crew of one of the boats rowed him to the _Golden +Hope_. + +In less than half an hour he returned, bringing with him another +reinforcement of armed men. + +"My lads," said he, "I have obtained Cap'n 'Enery's consent. I +propose to lead a body of men across the island, ambush the rest of +these rascals, and, if successful, follow that up by seizing and +burning their dwellings and storehouses. Forty men will be +sufficient. Now, who's going to volunteer?" + +Every one of us expressed his readiness for the service, but, +refusing to take more than the number he had stated, the master +gunner picked out his force, and examined their arms. Then, for +every moment was precious, he gave them the word to march, and the +little band set out on its errand. + +Although I wished to share in the enterprise, Master Touchstone +refused to allow me to accompany them, and to my disappointment I +watched them disappear in the belt of canes and scrub by the route +that we had twice traversed but a few hours before. + +Four days passed without any tidings of our comrades, and we were +naturally anxious at their prolonged absence. Yet those of our men +who remained were not kept idle. The work of refitting proceeded +apace, while advantage was taken of a spell of fine weather to bring +off all the precious cargo that remained in the shattered hull of +the wrecked buccaneer. Her name, we discovered, was the _Black +Arrow_, her burthen being two hundred and eighty tons. She was the +smallest of the pirate fleet, the others being the _Terror_, of +three hundred and twenty tons, the _Bonito_, of three hundred tons, +and the _Secret_, of the same burthen. This last was the vessel that +we had not as yet fallen in with. Should she have returned to the +pirates' haven, her crew would be able to rout our little force; so, +as this event might take place, our anxieties increased as the hours +passed with no news of Touchstone and his men. + +Owing to the great reduction in the number of our men by death and +wounds, together with the absence of Touchstone and his party, only +eighty remained. Captain 'Enery therefore determined to temporarily +abandon the _Neptune_, so that our slender force might be divided to +the best advantage 'twixt the _Golden Hope_ and the stockade. + +With our own ship well manned we could beat off any attack from +seawards, even should the still undamaged _Secret_ rejoin her +consorts; while the garrison ashore had to be maintained, so that +the master gunner and his people might have a refuge should they be +compelled to retreat before a superior force. + +During the three days following their departure the wind had blown +steadily on shore, and we were thus prevented from hearing any +sounds of an engagement with the retreating buccaneers, although on +the evening of the third day I thought I heard the sound of a +distant cannonade. + +"It does sound like it," assented Captain 'Enery, when I called his +attention to the circumstance, "though it may be thunder." + +"Whatever it is, it comes from seaward," said the quartermaster. + +"Sink me, if I like this business," replied Captain 'Enery. "No news +for three days, and then the sound of cannonade at sea. I'll send a +man away to-night, and let him gather news of Touchstone." + +Accordingly Clemens, the Cornishman, was selected to make his way in +the darkness in the direction of the buccaneers' line of retreat. +The man could be thoroughly trusted to look after himself, for he +was as crafty as a fox, while he possessed such a turn of speed that +few could hope to overtake him in flight. + +By daybreak, according to his instructions, he returned, without +encountering a single living being; yet he reported that there had +been an engagement, for the ground bore traces of a conflict, broken +weapons lying about everywhere. Who were the victors he was unable +to state, though he followed the marks left by a number of men till +the approach of daybreak made it necessary to retrace his steps. The +mystery seemed to deepen. + +About noon on the same day our look-outs reported the appearance of +a body of armed men over the brow of the distant hill. Immediately +there was a rush on deck, and glasses were brought to bear on the +arrivals. + +"Hurrah!" shouted one of the crew. "'Tis Master Touchstone and his +party." + +"You're right," said Captain 'Enery. "But what doth it mean? There +are at least a score of armed men more than he took with him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Captain Craddock + + +Fired with impatience to solve the mystery, Captain 'Enery rowed +ashore and proceeded to the stockade, there to await Touchstone's +return; and in half an hour the expedition rejoined us. There were, +as Captain 'Enery had said, at least a score of strangers, all well +armed and mingling freely with our people in a friendly manner; +while at Touchstone's side walked a man who was evidently someone in +authority. + +He was little in stature, yet of great breadth across the shoulders, +and long in body. His legs seemed disproportionately short, so that +he strutted like a young bantam. He was clean shaven, his sunburnt +features being hard in expression, while the stern glint in his eyes +betokened a commanding nature. + +"Have I the honour of addressing Captain Henry?" asked the little +man pompously. + +"Cap'n 'Enery, if it please you," replied that worthy. "And you, +sir?" + +"I am Captain Edmund Craddock, commanding His Majesty's ship +_Antelope_. I am beholden to your men for their co-operation in +assisting to exterminate this nest of rascally pirates; but, in the +execution of my duty, I must demand to see your warrant for your +presence on this island with an armed force." + +"That can be shown you on board the _Golden Hope_, your honour," +replied Captain 'Enery. + +"I trust so, for your own sakes," the other said; "therefore let us +proceed on board her." + +"He's a cool game-cock," remarked Clemens in an undertone to the +master gunner, as we followed Captain 'Enery and the naval officer +to the boats. "Why, for all he knows he may be running into a den of +pirates!" + +"I'll tell you more of him anon," replied Touchstone; "but take it +from me, he knows his business." + +On boarding the _Golden Hope_, Captain Craddock, accompanied by +Captain 'Enery, retired to the cabin where Captain Jeremy was lying. +Here they remained talking for more than an hour; but the interview +must have been satisfactory all round, for on returning to the +quarter-deck I saw the naval captain produce his snuff-box and offer +it with a grave flourish to Captain 'Enery. + +"Well, I wish you joy on it," I heard him remark. "If you find the +treasure, for I've no doubt that it is on the island, you'll be far +luckier than a good many. With your permission, I'll remain your +guest till my vessel arrives." + +"Does she know the channel?" + +"As well as she knows her way into Spithead," replied the other, +laughing. "Do you think I've cruised among these islands for the +last twenty years, off and on, for nothing?" + +Meanwhile the men who had accompanied Touchstone were gathered on +the fo'c'sle, surrounded by a group of eager listeners, all anxious +to hear the story of the pursuit; and at the same time the master +gunner was relating the tale to the bos'n, the quartermaster, and +myself. + +"We covered the path through the forest in double-quick time," said +he; "and directly we gained the crossroads that Captain Miles had +hit upon we turned to the right. A mile farther on this road forked, +the larger or left-hand path apparently making towards the pirates' +settlement. As I thought 'twould be better to set an ambush as far +from that place as possible, I took our men by the right-hand path, +and finished up at a little cove, where three small boats were +hauled up, quite deserted." + +"There we took cover, for there were rocks in plenty, the seaside +path running betwixt the boulders and a low cliff. We had not been +there more than a couple of hours ere Jonas Cook, who had been sent +off to keep a look-out, came running back with the news that the +buccaneers were close at hand." + +"On they came, quite unsuspectingly, straggling over a quarter of a +mile of ground. This was bad for us, for our ambush would not allow +every man of them to be surprised; so we let the head of the column +pass, and then I gave the word to fire." + +"We bowled a lot of them over like skittles those who had already +passed broke and fled, but those in the rear, instead of running +away, dashed towards us with pistol and cutlass. Although we gave +them another volley, they still came on, till, being outnumbered, +most of them were cut down. The remnant, escaping our fire, broke +through our ambush and followed those who had gone on ahead." + +"Wouldn't they have done better if they had run back and taken cover +in the woods?" asked the quartermaster. + +"I am right glad they didn't, or we should have had our work cut out +to run them down," replied Touchstone. "They feared that a party was +at their heels to complete the trap, and therefore they chose to run +the gauntlet of our fire. But 'twas all the better for us." + +"How so?" + +"Why, we had them all in front of us. We pursued them for close on a +mile, till from the top of a hill we saw a harbour larger than this, +with a group of houses surrounded by a stockade on one side of it. +And in the middle of the harbour were two large ships. Before the +rascally villains could reach this fort a body of men rushed out. +'This is too many for us,' I thought, and I was about to beat a +retreat when I saw the new-comers open fire on the runaways, who +straightway laid down their arms and were instantly secured." + +"Then I saw for the first time that both the vessels flew English +colours, and when we had made ourselves known we found out that they +were the frigate _Antelope_ and the buccaneering craft _Secret_, +which had been captured the day before. We won't be troubled with +those rascals again, at all events, for the _Antelope_ sank the two +that escaped from here and, as I said, took the third. But----" + +"Sail, ho!" + +"Whither away?" shouted the bos'n, our conversation terminating +abruptly with the interruption. + +Gliding round the end of the reef by a channel of which we ourselves +were ignorant came a graceful frigate, the setting sun gleaming on +her brown canvas and her black-and-yellow sides, while the red cross +of St. George streamed proudly in the breeze. + +Smartly handled, she worked her way in through the narrow, +land-locked entrance; then luffing up into the wind, she dropped +anchor within a cable's length of the _Golden Hope_. + +"What think ye of her, gentlemen?" asked Captain Craddock, with +justifiable pride. "I'll warrant she's the smartest 40-gun frigate +afloat, even though I, her captain, say it." + +No one would have thought, to see the gallant vessel, that she had +been in action with three buccaneers but two or three days ago. Her +ports, picked out in vermilion, had been repainted, while every spar +and rope was intact. Yet, on closer inspection, a number of neatly +plugged holes in her sheering sides showed how fierce had been the +engagement. + +"We'll lie here for a few days," continued Captain Craddock, as his +barge came alongside to take him back to the frigate. "If we can be +of service to you in the matter of spare spars, cordage, or gear, +you have but to say so." + +Captain Craddock was as good as his word, and, thanks to his +assistance, not only were our wounded carefully tended by the +chirurgeon of the frigate, but the work of refitting the _Golden +Hope_ and the _Neptune_ proceeded far more rapidly than we had +expected, so that when the _Antelope_ weighed and set sail for Port +Royal, our two ships looked little the worse for the severe ordeal +they had undergone. + +Meanwhile Captain Jeremy continued to progress favourably, yet +slowly. In this interval we could do nothing towards recovering the +_Madre_ treasure, so it is little wonder that time hung heavily on +our hands. + +One morning I landed with the intention of walking along the cliffs +to the place where the _Madre_ had first gone ashore ere she had +slipped back into deep water. With me went one of the seamen, for +'twas unwise to stray far from the stockade alone. We were both +armed, the man carrying his cutlass and a pistol in his belt, while +I had a fowling-piece. + +In less than an hour we gained the summit of the cliff, which was +there about one hundred feet in height, though divided into two +sheer drops of half that distance by a terrace or ledge, about six +feet in width. + +"See yon dark line in the water?" asked the Seaman. "'Tis the +deep-water channel across the shoal by which the frigate came into +harbour. I heard Cap'n 'Enery and the bos'n say as 'ow they were +going to sound it. When we get out of 'ere--when, I says, with all +due respect to you, Master Hammond--we ought to take yon passage and +save a couple of leagues through the other one by which we came." + +"There's a boat putting off from the _Golden Hope_ now," I +exclaimed. + +"That be it for sartain. Howsomever, I'd liefer be here than +sounding all day in the broiling sun." + +"What a number of sea-birds!" I said, pointing to the face of the +lower cliff, about which thousands of white, grey, and black gulls +and cormorants were darting in and out of the crevices, making a +continuous din. "Are they good for food? If so, I'll have a shot at +some of them." + +"Too fishy to my liking," replied the man, as he settled himself on +the grass and proceeded to fill a short black pipe. "Their eggs +ain't so bad, though. I've a mind to come 'ere with a rope, like I +used to do at home. I'm a Portland man, I am, and know how to go +bird-nesting. But if you want to, you can try a shot at 'em. I'll +bring up 'ere for a spell and have a pipe. But mind you don't go too +near the edge; it might give way." + +Accordingly I shouldered my piece and walked towards a gap in the +cliffs where, I could see, a natural path led to the lower ledge. +For a moment I hesitated, for a false step would send me crashing +upon the rocky platform below, with the prospect of a further tumble +of fifty feet into the sea. But being cool-headed and now well +accustomed to dizzy heights, I began to descend. + +The path was little more than a succession of rough steps, covered +with the deserted nests of sea-fowl, here and there partially hidden +by a few tufts of coarse grass. I had to exercise considerable +caution to prevent myself slipping, but at length I reached the +ledge or platform without mishap. + +Here I took cover behind a detached boulder to allow the birds to +return, for my presence had alarmed them, so that they had +temporarily flown farther afield. + +I had primed my musket and laid it within arm's length, and was +patiently awaiting their reappearance, when a dark shadow fell +athwart the rock. + +Instinctively I turned my head to ascertain the cause, when a hand +was clapped over my mouth, and I felt the contact of a man's knees +with the small of my back. + +I was a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A Leap for Life + + +In spite of my desperate struggles, a cord was wound tightly round +my ankles, and my arms were bound behind my back. This done, a thick +piece of canvas took the place of the hand across my mouth, so that +I could scarce breathe, much less utter a sound; and a bandage was +tied across my eyes. + +Then I felt myself being set upon my feet, a rope was passed round +my waist, and I was suspended over the edge of the cliff, as +helpless as a trussed fowl. + +"Stand by!" I heard a gruff voice exclaim, and the next instant I +was lowered into space, where I hung, turning slowly at the rope's +end, with the dull murmur of the waves at the base of the cliff some +fifty feet below to add to the terror of my situation. + +By the number of successive short jerks I knew that I had not been +lowered more than ten feet when I was seized by rough hands and +dragged in towards the cliff. The rope by which I had been lowered +was cast off, and, lifted in a horizontal position, I was borne +away. + +The sudden change from the scorching rays of the sun to a chilly +atmosphere, and the echoing footsteps of my captors, told me that I +was being carried along a tunnel in the rocks. I distinctly counted +four-and-forty footfalls ere the men set me down upon a stone floor; +then the bandage was whipped off my eyes, and I found myself +blinking in the subdued daylight. + +Surrounding me I recognized Ned Slater and the five others who had +slipped away on our retreat through the forest. + +"Now, youngster," began the villainous rascal, whom I now knew to be +guilty of my father's murder and the theft of the chart, to say +nothing of his other crimes, "no beating about the bush, or 'twill +be the worse for you. Where lieth the treasure?" + +"I know not. You have the chart." + +"Aye," he replied, with a hideous oath, "and little good it is to +us. It is marked 'Much treasure here'--here, on or near this spot; +but that is false. I know it, and you know it. Now, where does the +treasure lie--somewhere inland? or was that part of old Miles's plan +to mislead us? Come now, answer." + +"I cannot say, nor would not if I could." + +"You lie, you young rascal. But I'll find a way to make you use your +tongue, though you may shout till you're black in the face, for no +one will hear you. Search him first." + +Two of the rogues emptied my pockets and relieved me of my knife. + +"Ho, ho! What have we here?" exclaimed Slater, examining the blade +carefully. "'Tis an old acquaintance. Nay, I go farther--'tis my +property." + +"Considering you sheathed it in my father's body," I replied boldly, +"'tis not to be wondered at, you double-dyed murderer." + +"All is fair in love and war," he replied. "If your father barred my +way, what was to be done? But take heed, lest I plunge it into your +body. Now, once again, where does the treasure lie hidden?" + +I did not reply, for I was hard at work trying to devise some plan +of thwarting him and at the same time of effecting my escape. + +Finding that I remained obstinate, they left me lying bound and +helpless, with a pannikin of water within a foot of my face, having +previously moistened my lips with salt water. + +I was indeed in a very tight fix. The cave was about ten feet in +height, but owing to a sharp bend I was unable to see how long it +was, or in what direction it dived into the rock. Unless one knew of +its existence, he might search the ledge above for hours without +being aware that its mouth yawned ten feet beneath. No doubt when I +was missed a search would be made for me, with the result that it +would be supposed that I had fallen over the edge into the sea. + +As I lay unable to stir hand or foot, my thirst grew intolerable, my +tongue was parched, and my throat burned like a lime-kiln. Yet +within a foot stood a vessel of water which, for the good it did me, +might have been better out of my sight. + +Away in the recesses of the cave I could hear my captors talking in +eager tones, doubtless highly excited at their success, for 'twas +certain that they thought I held the prized secret. + +"Get it from him at all costs, then do as you say," I heard one +remark. + +"Hush! not so loud," replied another. + +"Yet it must be done." + +"I know; I'm not saying anything against that, so----" + +Here their voices became inaudible, but in those few words I +gathered the full signification of their intentions. When they had +finished with me they meant to finish me in a very complete sense. + +Plan after plan flashed across my mind, only to be dismissed as +impracticable, till, with the faintest ray of hope, I lighted on a +scheme that might serve my purpose. + +At length Ned Slater returned, humming a rollicking air, and with a +hideous grin on his face. Stooping down, he raised the pannikin of +water to his lips and took a draught with the utmost ostentation. + +This done, he motioned as if to give me what remained in the vessel, +but when 'twas within a few inches of my mouth he slowly and +deliberately withdrew it. Twice did he offer the water, then with a +steady hand he poured it on the floor, so that the liquid splashed +over my bound hands. + +"A curse on my clumsiness!" said he. "I must needs fill the pannikin +again." + +I heard the hollow sound of his footsteps retreating down the +passage, but presently he returned, with the pannikin filled to the +brim. Setting it down where it formerly stood, he said: + +"Help yourself, you young rascal; there's plenty to spare." + +Had the water been a thousand leagues off, I could not have helped +myself any the less, and the villain knew it. + +"Now, concerning the plan," he began, pointing to the chart which he +held in his hand. "Art still of the same mind?" + +"I'll tell you," I replied hoarsely; then, feigning with little +effort, I began to cough and gulp as if unable to continue. + +"Water!" I gasped, after a while. + +He raised the pannikin and allowed a thin stream to trickle on to my +face, and as I swallowed the cold liquid it seemed to instil new +life into my tortured body. + +"That chart is not correct," I began. + +"I knew it," he replied, in a tone of triumphant expectancy; "but +I'll lay hands on the treasure." + +"And when you do, can you remove it from the island?" + +"I'll find away," he replied, with a leer. "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +"Cast my hand loose, and I'll trace a plan of the island," I +continued, pretending to ignore the latter part of his remark. + +"Very well, then; but no trickery, or----" and he touched the hilt +of my knife, which he was wearing in his belt. + +"Do I look as if I could trick you?" I asked wearily. "A lad with +his feet bound could not hope to get the better of you." + +Without another word he cut the rope that encircled my arms, then, +stepping back a pace, he drew the knife and held it in a menacing +position. + +I gave a short glance at the rope that bound my feet. It was thin +cord, commonly known as half-inch line. + +"Let this represent the coast," I began, tracing an irregular line +in the dust that covered the floor of the cave. "Here is the cliff, +and here the place where the _Madre_ first struck. The first +hiding-place of the treasure was here, I take it." + +"'Tis more to the east, if yon point marks the cliff. Thus says the +chart." + +"Does it?" I asked, with feigned surprise. "Art sure?" + +"Look for yourself," said he, holding the parchment close to my +face. + +"The light is bad," I replied, peering at the crabbed writing. "Turn +it this way, so that it shows to the best advantage. 'Tis as I said; +the place lies to the west of the cliff, just here----" + +The villain's face was within arm's length, for in his eagerness he +had drawn closer to hear my explanation. My fist shot out with a +swift upward movement, and, taking him fairly on the point of his +chin, sent him staggering against the opposite wall, whence he fell +senseless to the ground. + +In two bounds I was at his side, and seizing the knife, I severed +the rope that fastened my ankles. + +"At least," thought I, as I made ready to strike home, "if I am to +die, you'll not live to see my death." + +But ere I could achieve my aim, one of the rogues appeared, and, +raising his arm, discharged a pistol at me. + +The bullet ploughed through my hair, but without a moment's +hesitation I flung myself straight at the man. Down he went, +screaming with pain, with my knife betwixt his ribs. + +Now or never I must gain the mouth of the cave, so, dashing forward, +I ran along the tunnel towards the place where I knew the rest of +the villains to be, for I heard them shouting in alarm as they +hastened to their comrade's aid. + +Just then I noticed that the passage, or tunnel, turned sharply to +the left, and was quite dark when compared with the subdued light of +that portion of the cave in which I had been kept a prisoner. + +Down I lay full length on the floor, resting on my left side, and as +the four men rushed blindly onward the first tripped over my +prostrate body. The second I caught by the ankle, and he also fell, +while the remaining two were brought up by a barrier of sprawling +legs. + +Ere they could realize who I was, I regained my feet, darted betwixt +them and the wall of the cavern, and headed straight for the +entrance. + +Nor did I stop to think, but, gathering speed as I ran, I boldly +leapt into space, still grasping the fatal knife in my hand. + +Even as I felt myself hurtling through those fifty feet, however, I +wondered whether, in my impetuous leap, I would strike the sea or +solid rock, for I had not even stopped to see whether the cliff +there fell sheer into the water or not. + +Fortunately the precipice sloped inwards, so that I escaped being +dashed to pieces. Keeping in an upright position, I struck the water +feet first with tremendous force, and plunged beneath the surface to +a considerable depth. + +A few lusty strokes sufficed to bring me to the surface, however, +and shaking my hair from my face, I struck out for the shelter of +the overhanging cliff, so that I should be unperceived by the rogues +in the cave. + +It being close on low tide, the rise and fall in those parts being +but five feet at most, there was nothing that would afford a +foothold; the rocks were as smooth as a plank, and covered with a +thick, dark curtain of seaweed. + +Owing to the slight swell, the backwash of the waves made swimming a +matter of difficulty, as I was continually in peril of being thrown +against the cliff; and realizing that the sooner I found a +landing-place the better, I again struck out, swimming along the +face of the cliff and about ten feet from it, keeping a sharp +look-out both for a possible refuge and for the swell, of which +every seventh wave was more dangerous than the rest. + +Having struck a current or eddy that ran close inshore, I made rapid +progress, and in less than a quarter of an hour rounded a spur or +headland that I knew was within a few hundred yards of the mouth of +the harbour where the _Golden Hope_ lay at anchor. + +But here I found, to my peril, that the eddy was no longer in my +favour. On the contrary, before I was aware of it I was being +rapidly carried out to sea by a current that ran at a rate of over +three knots an hour. + +Once I realized the impossibility of making headway, I turned on my +back and paddled easily. The sea was warm, and unless unforeseen +circumstances arose, I could keep afloat for an hour or more with +little effort. Ere then I hoped to be seen by the searchers on the +cliff, or that the current would have changed in my favour. So, +buoyed up by hope, I allowed myself to drift with the tide. + +Soon I saw that I was nearly abreast that part of the cliff from +which I had leapt, yet at a distance of nearly half a mile from it. +I could discern the sloping part of the ledge where I had been +surprised, and the dark, yawning mouth of the cavern, though I could +see nothing of the rogues who dwelt there. There was some +consolation in the fact that neither could they see me, nor was I +within musket range; but against that there was the growing prospect +of being swept far out to sea, to perish slowly in a vast waste of +water. + +At length I noticed that the sea, which all around was calm save for +a gentle swell, was at a short distance ahead beginning to change in +appearance. Short-crested waves were breaking over a shoal. That I +knew by experience, but whether 'twas but a "tide rip", or really +shallow water, I knew not. + +The set of the tide carried me right towards the centre of this +extent of agitated water, and to my relief I was soon standing on +rocky ground, with the sea barely above my knees. + +I was still in a position of great peril, for the rocks were +slippery with kelp, while the current was strong enough to threaten +to sweep me off my feet. Even though the tide might fall a few +inches, I knew full well that ere long the flood would set in, and +thus before high water the depth would be too great for me to retain +a foothold. + +Looking landwards, I saw by the agitation of the waves that the +shoal extended well towards the shore, the distance between being +but a few hundred yards. At this my hopes recovered, for could I +walk or wade in that direction and await the change of tide, the +same current that had carried me seawards would render me a good +service in bearing me back towards the harbour. + +I had not proceeded far, for wading was a matter of extreme +difficulty, when a whip-like object seized my leg like a vice. The +sensation was paralysing, for it seemed as if I was being burnt in a +score of places at once. Like a flash I realized my danger. I was in +the grip of an octopus! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +The Perils of the Shoal + + +Before I could take any steps to free myself from the loathsome +embraces of the octopus, another tentacle fastened itself round my +leg, while others writhed menacingly in an attempt to seize their +prey. The creature's body seemed but about the size of a sheep's +head, while each of the arms or tentacles was less than a yard in +length. + +Retaining its hold on the rocks with a pair of its arms, the hideous +brute began to increase its grasp on my leg, while at the union of +the slimy tentacles I could distinguish a pair of small, protruding +eyes and a formidable beak. That beak was slowly approaching my +naked flesh, to rend it asunder. + +Being without shoes, for I had kicked them off when I began +swimming, I was unable to stamp on the creature with my yet free +foot, though any attempt to do so might have led to my undoing, as I +had all my work cut out to prevent myself from being capsized. Once +prone on those slippery rocks, my fate was sealed. + +Then I bethought me of my knife, which I had thrust into my belt. +Gripping it dagger-wise, I braced myself to overcome a sickening +sensation of fear, and plunged it to the hilt betwixt the eyes of +the hideous creature. + +'Twas only to be likened to cutting a leather bag filled with +jelly--once the steel had ripped through the outer skin there seemed +no resistance to the blade; yet, though a quantity of watery blood, +mingled with a blackish froth, came from the wound, the octopus +apparently lost none of its vitality. Its rage, if I may so term it, +seemed to increase, for, quitting its hold on the rocks, it fastened +upon me with all its tentacles. I felt its snake-like embrace +encircle my legs, while two of its members seized my left arm. +Though I struck madly at its head to ward off the terrible, +beak-like mouth, my efforts seemed unavailing. The pain of the +hundreds of suckers was intense, and I felt my legs giving way under +the loathsome contraction of the creature's tentacles. + +Suddenly the pressure seemed to relax, and redoubling my efforts, I +severed three of the arms with as many sweeps of my knife. Thus I +freed the upper part of my body; after that it was a comparatively +easy matter to cut off the other tentacles, though the remaining +parts still clung to my legs like a hundred leeches. + +Shudderingly I made my way towards a portion of the reef that now +lay exposed, keeping a wary eye on the seaweed lest another octopus +should be lurking in the rocky crevices. + +Having completely emerged from the water, I cut off the adhering +tentacles with my knife, for they would not become detached by other +means. Wherever the suckers had touched my flesh a small red wound +remained, so that my legs were one mass of livid spots, showing +vividly against the white skin, my prolonged stay in the water +having well-nigh stopped the flow of my blood. + +I rubbed my limbs vigorously, and began to consider how I should +reach the shore, for the current had now ceased to ebb, as I could +tell by the absence of ripples over the submerged portion of the +shoal. + +Fearing a similar encounter with an octopus, I hesitated to wade +over the seaweed-covered rocks, till, realizing that the longer I +waited the more exhausted I should become, and that I had traversed +a considerable distance ere I was attacked, I took heart, and walked +as rapidly as I could towards the landward edge of the shoal. + +I noticed that from this part of the reef the blackened wreck of the +pirate vessel was immediately in line with the south-eastern end of +the island, so that by taking advantage of the flood stream I should +be carried on to the ledge of rocks that extended betwixt the shore +and the wreck, whence up to half tide I could walk ashore. + +But just as I was about to commit myself to the waves, I saw a +black, triangular object cutting through the water between me and +the higher portion of the shoal I had just left. It was the fin of a +shark! + +This ravenous monster had evidently got out of its bearings, for, +though shark's often frequent shoal water in search of their prey, +in this case there was barely sufficient depth for it to swim in. + +Nevertheless, the shark had seen me, and was making straight for the +place where I stood. There was no help for it but to retrace my +steps to the now fast disappearing rocks, where I would have to make +a desperate stand until there was enough water for the brute to come +to close quarters. And then--I shuddered at the thought of it. + +I managed to evade the monster, for it floundered heavily in the +shallows, lashing out with its tail, the noise of the blows sounding +like the report of a musket. + +The water was now up to my ankles on the highest part of the reef. +Often would I imagine that my foot touched the slimy tentacles of an +octopus, as the now increasing current caused the long tendrils of +seaweed to sweep against my legs; while many crabs of small size +would dart swiftly in a sidelong motion over my toes. + +All the while the shark, having found a pool of deeper water, was +swimming lazily to and fro, turning occasionally on its back. I +could then see its small, evil-looking eyes, as it marked its +anticipated prey. + +In vain I sought for some stones to hurl at the monster--the face of +the rock beneath the kelp was firm and solid. + +Although the sun's rays had long since dried my scanty clothing, I +shivered with numbness, aye, and with fear. Bitterly did I regret my +rashness in descending to that fatal ledge without my companion, yet +vain were my regrets. + +More than once I resolved to cast myself into the sea and, knife in +hand, to do battle with the ferocious monster that awaited me. +'Twould be victory or death, and even in the latter case it would +the sooner end my prolonged torments. Yet, as I looked at the +glistening white monster, with its huge mouth armed with serrated +rows of sharp teeth, I could not force myself to take the desperate +step. + +"Ahoy!" + +Surely my ears deceived me, or did I hear the faint sound of a hail? +Looking round I saw, to my inexpressible joy and relief, a boat +making towards the shoal. It was the same craft that I had seen +taking soundings in the channel that morning. + +Under the powerful strokes of the rowers the boat dashed to my +rescue, the foam hissing at her bows as her sharp stem cleft the +water. + +Then everything began to grow dim; I heard the report of a musket, +and was barely conscious of the shark quivering on the surface of +the water, with shattered jaws. Strong arms bore me to the boat, and +directly I felt myself placed on the bottom boards a white mist swam +before my eyes, and I lost consciousness. + + * * * * * + +When I came to myself I was lying on my bunk in the cabin of the +_Golden Hope_. Captain Jeremy, his head swathed in bandages, was +sitting an a chair, with a chart spread out on the table in front of +him. This surprised me not a little, for when I had last seen him he +was lying weak and helpless. + +I tried to raise myself on my elbow, but the task was beyond my +power. Seeing this, Captain Jeremy got up and, coming over to my +bed, gave me something to drink. + +"That's better," he exclaimed encouragingly. "Now try to rest +awhile." + +"But, sir," said I, so feebly that I could scarce realize 'twas my +own voice, "how do I come to be here? Ah! I remember," and I +shuddered at the thought of my harrowing adventures. + +"Not another word," he said imperatively, and as obediently as a +child I fell asleep. + +A few days later I was able to sit up, and then I learnt that I had +been unconscious for sixteen days, while anxiety for my condition +had been largely responsible for Captain Jeremy's rapid recovery. + +I knew the kindly Captain was burning with impatience to hear the +story of my misadventures, but he refrained from questioning me for +quite another week. + +"Are you really sure you're not dreaming?" he asked, when, in the +course of my narrative, I related how I had found my captors to be +Ned Slater and the five other deserters. + +"I would I had been," I replied. "Yet now I know, on the rogue's own +statement, that he it was who slew my father." + +"If I had only given heed to your suspicions!" returned Captain +Jeremy grimly. "No matter, I'll lay them by the heels yet;" and at +the conclusion of my story, to which both he and Captain 'Enery +listened with the greatest interest, he expressed his intention of +going ashore and making a descent upon the villains' retreat. + +This he accordingly did, but, though the cave was discovered and a +careful search made in and around the place, the rogues had +vanished. I had often wondered how they managed to climb up from the +mouth of the cavern to the top of the cliff. This Captain Jeremy +explained. In the tunnel the searchers came across the trunk of a +small tree which had apparently been thrust out a little way, so +that by standing on it a man could climb up the perpendicular face +of the precipice by means of a series of notches cut in the rock. +This done, he fastened a stout rope round a projecting ledge, so +that his companions could follow with ease. Beyond this the villains +had left no trace save, on careful examination, a dark stain that +was found on the dusty floor, thus bearing out my statement that I +had accounted for one of them at least. + +I progressed slowly yet surely, and meanwhile Captain Jeremy +recovered his accustomed strength and health. At length, to the +unbounded satisfaction of all hands, it was announced that, all +preparations being completed, an expedition into the interior of the +island would be made early in the following week. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +More Trouble in Sight + + +Since the return of the master gunner and his party from their +successful chase of the buccaneers, the crew of the _Neptune_ had +been increased, though not up to full strength. It was Captain +Jeremy's intention to keep a large garrison in the stockade, under +Captain 'Enery, while the master gunner resumed his duties on board +the _Golden Hope_. Joe Clemens, by virtue of his having been mate on +a trading vessel, was appointed to the charge of the _Neptune_ till +such time as Captain 'Enery could resume his command. + +This was, in a measure, somewhat tactless, for Clemens, not being +one of the original crew of the _Golden Hope_, was looked upon by +some of the men as an outsider who had risen over their heads. + +But Joe Clemens, cheerful and easy-going Cornishman that he was, +treated this matter lightly, though he was fully aware of it. On +being told of the feeling amongst certain of the crew of the +_Neptune_, he merely remarked that they would soon get used to it, +and that he was quite big and strong enough to look after both +Captain Jeremy's interests and his own. + +It happened, however, that one day, while Captain Jeremy, the master +gunner, and I were in the cabin, a seaman knocked softly and, +without waiting to be bidden to enter, came in and closed the door +behind him. + +He was one of the original band of Lymington men, yet Captain +Jeremy, ever a strict disciplinarian, liked not the manner of his +entry. + +"How now, Cherry?" he asked sternly. "Is this the way--bursting in +upon your officers without so much as 'by your leave'?" + +"What I have to say must be said quietly, sir," replied the man +resolutely. + +"Say on." + +"There's underhand work aboard the _Neptune_, sir," continued the +man. "There's a dozen of 'em in touch with that rascal Slater." + +Instinctively I recalled Slater's words: "Dost think I have no +friends aboard the ships?" + +"How d'ye know this?" demanded Captain Jeremy coolly. + +"I heard 'em talking in the fo'c'sle last night, while I was lying +down on the cathead for a spell. They'll try to seize the stuff when +we get it aboard." + +"Will they?" said the Captain grimly. "And who may the rascals be?" + +Cherry gave the names of about a dozen, all of whom had, like Slater +and his companions, joined the _Golden Hope_ from a Chatham brig. +"They mean to mutiny, lay hands on the treasure, and place it in the +sloop," he continued. "They can scarce hope to take the _Golden +Hope_." + +Now, the sloop was a small, half-decked vessel, of about ten tons +burthen, one of the craft that Touchstone had found hard by the +place where he had ambushed the buccaneers. These boats had been +brought round while I had been ill, and now lay close inshore, and +almost abreast of the stockade. + +"Why not send an armed force aboard the _Neptune_ and secure them?" +asked Touchstone. "They'll lie safely in the bilboes, even if we do +not run them up to the yard-arm." + +"Nay, I'll play with them awhile," said Captain Jeremy. "Yet I'll +take no risks in the matter. For aught I care, they are right +welcome to the sloop. And now, Cherry, I thank you for your warning, +and rest assured that I'll not forget to recompense you for it." + +The sailor withdrew, and long and anxiously the two officers +conferred as to their plan of action. + +"'Twill be one way out of the difficulty," concluded Captain Jeremy, +slapping his thigh as he was wont to do when in high good humour. +"Sink me! we'll begin our preparations to-morrow." + +Accordingly, soon after breakfast on the morrow he was rowed aboard +the _Neptune_, and having assembled the crew, true men and false +alike, he addressed them. + +"My lads," said he, "in the course of a few days I hope to have the +long-sought-for treasure in our possession. Now, since no one can +deny that I am a just man, I'll speak plainly on what I propose to +do. Those of you who left England in the Golden Hope will receive a +share in the _Madre_ treasure, while all hands are entitled to the +spoils we recovered from the wreck of the pirate ship. Now, to +prevent mistakes, I propose to separate the two; and since the +_Neptune_ is of the lighter build, and sails a full knot faster than +the _Golden Hope_, I'll stow the whole of the _Madre_ treasure in +the hold of the _Neptune_. Thus, should we be attacked while +homeward bound, the _Golden Hope_ can ward off our foes while the +_Neptune_ shows a clean pair of heels. Then, should Providence guide +us safely into port, a fair and just distribution will be made ere +we warp alongside Poole Quay." + +Three cheers greeted this announcement, though I felt certain that +there were a dozen rogues at least who were laughing in their +sleeves at Captain Jeremy for being a fool. + +Ere noon arrived the whole of the treasure that we had recovered +from the buccaneering craft was safely stowed away in the strong +room of the _Golden Hope_; while, acting under instructions, Joe +Clemens and several of the proved members of the _Neptune's_ crew +removed their personal effects to the parent ship. + +Meanwhile, the men who garrisoned the stockade had not been idle. +They had thoroughly explored the cliff path that led to the now +deserted buccaneering settlement, and also the road that traversed +the island from north to south, the same one that we had struck on +our first expedition into the interior. The cliff route was found to +be far more practicable than the direct one through the forest, +though 'twas considerably longer. + +Captain 'Enery had constructed several large wheelbarrows so that, +with the assistance of a couple of men pulling ahead, the treasure +could be conveyed to the shore with comparative ease; and Captain +Jeremy gave orders for several large boxes, or chests, to be made of +strong wood, each numbered on the lid. These boxes, he announced, +would hold the treasure safely during the passage home, till the +time came for it to be duly apportioned. + +While this was being done Captain Jeremy sent a party of six trusty +men to proceed along the east coast of the island in a southerly +direction till they came to a clump of three small palm trees +standing far apart from the rest of the vegetation and close to the +water's edge. These the men were to cut down, move a hundred yards +in a southerly direction, and set up again as well as they were +able. The seamen did this faithfully and well, whereat Captain +Jeremy again slapped his thigh in evident satisfaction. + +That the rascals on board the _Neptune_ were in constant +communication with Slater and his fellows we had no doubt, for twice +we perceived two men swimming off to the ship by night. Yet all this +Captain Jeremy purposely winked at, being of a mind to let the +villains work their own destruction. + +On the morning of the day before we purposed to set out to secure +the treasure, two of the rascals rowed alongside the Golden Hole and +asked permission to water their ship, as the tanks were well-nigh +empty. To this request Captain Jeremy readily gave permission, and +by the ill-concealed grin on the faces of the rogues when they heard +him agree, I knew that they were setting in a store to last them on +a voyage. + +Every preparation having been completed, our Captain recalled 'Enery +to take charge of the _Golden Hope_ during his absence, while +Touchstone was again to be in command of the stockade. + +"There's mischief brewing," said he to Captain 'Enery. "But, mark my +words, they'll lie quiet enough till the treasure is safely aboard +the _Neptune_. Nevertheless, I know I can rely upon you to take +every precaution to safeguard the ship; but do nothing to arouse +suspicion. Let the men have shore leave if they ask for it; do +nothing beyond the daily routine, for should those rascals smell a +rat, all our preparations would count for naught." + +At daybreak the force picked out for the expedition paraded outside +the stockade. There were forty-five all told, composed of fifteen of +the original crew of the _Golden Hope_ on whom we could thoroughly +rely and thirty of the peasants whom we had rescued from the +_Neptune_. + +All were armed with muskets and cutlasses, while in the barrows were +piled hatchets, spades, and mattocks, together with a goodly supply +of provisions. + +Amid the cheers of those who were left behind, for all, whether true +or false, wished us success, the expedition set out, Captain Jeremy +and I walking at the head of the column. + +Unless untoward events prevented it, another thirty-six hours would +see the treasure of the _Madre de Dios_ within our grasp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +We Arrive at the Hiding-place of the Treasure + + +Having gained the crest of the hill that terminated in the headland +where I had met with my adventures in the cave, we descended by a +gradually sloping path that followed closely to the coast. On our +left the ground rose in uneven terraces, covered with thick, +tropical vegetation; while on the right I could see the shoals +whither I had been carried by the ebb tide. + +At a distance of about six miles from the stockade we reached the +north-eastern extremity of the island, where, owing to the hilly +nature of the ground, we had to follow a course that resembled three +sides of a square. Thence, proceeding due west, and still following +the coast line, we arrived at the place where the master gunner had +successfully ambushed the retreating buccaneers. + +Here we found the termination of a well-defined path that had been +made by the rascally pirates during their occupation of the island. +This path, we now knew, made a junction with another track from the +buccaneers' settlement, and, proceeding in an almost southerly +direction, led to a small cove on the south side of the island. + +The character of the scenery changed at this place, for the path +plunged into a defile, the side of which showed traces of volcanic +agency. Yet, though it was uphill for nearly four miles, the +gradients of the road offered no great difficulty. + +We harnessed four men to the traces of the wheelbarrows, but our +rate of progress was so slow that 'twas close on sunset ere we +arrived at the clearing where the path through the forest cut across +the path we were pursuing. Here Captain Jeremy decided to pitch a +camp, so as to be fresh for the next day's work. + +Accordingly, the men cut down bushes to form a shelter from the +night dews, and a huge bonfire was lighted, for the air during the +hours of darkness was decidedly cool. Then, after we had partaken +of supper, we turned in and slept, save those who were set on guard. + +The night passed without interruption, as Captain Jeremy had +expected, since, even had Slater and his villainous crew been +anywhere near, 'tis unlikely that they would have made any attempt +to molest us ere we had found the treasure. + +"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as we prepared to resume our +march, the barrows being left in reserve at the place where we had +camped, "for the next two miles we will have to cut our way, taking +our direction by the compass. Now, lest you think that our first +attempt was an utter failure, let me say that I took that +opportunity of verifying my bearings, having made allowance for the +difference and variation 'twixt the present time and when last I +made the journey to where the treasure lies. If in six miles I have +hit my former track, shall we miss in two miles more? I think not; +so take heart, men, and may success reward our efforts!" + +Having carefully indicated the required direction by placing two +stakes in a line with the magnetic bearing, Captain Jeremy gave the +word for the men to proceed, and, wielding their hatchets with a +will, they began to cut the path that was to extend two miles in a +straight line; for the track cut by Captain Jeremy years ago was now +almost totally obliterated, though we had found traces of it in the +swamps. + +The ground, hitherto swampy in the direct route 'twixt us and the +stockade (for which reason we had made a wide detour), now became +firm, standing high and continually rising towards the dip in the +saddle-shaped hill that we had seen on our first approach to the +island. + +The men, working in relays, were instructed to hew a path wide +enough for two people to walk abreast, and, keeping in a straight +line with the portion they had already cut, our rate of progression +was about a furlong an hour. + +For two hours not a sound was heard save the dull swish of the axes +as they sheared through the sap-laden canes and brushwood. + +Suddenly one of the men gave an exclamation of surprise, and, +dropping his axe, seized on a strange object and with a heave +wrenched it from the ground. It was an arquebus, apparently of +sixteenth-century workmanship, its barrel nearly rusted through, and +its stock so worm-eaten that it crumbled in his grasp. + +This was the first token we had seen which related to our quest, and +with renewed efforts our men again attacked the impeding mass of +vegetation. + +When at length the path had been constructed to a distance of about +two miles, our hopes and fears increased. How could the exact spot +be fixed in that wilderness? Had Captain Jeremy some particular +clue, the result of which he kept locked in his breast till the +fateful moment? A glance at our leader's resolute face was +sufficient. He, at all events, was satisfied with the progress made. + +"A man with a mattock!" he exclaimed; and as a seaman ran forward +with the required article, he gave the order, "Dig here". + +A few heavy strokes, and the implement struck a blackish stratum of +soil. Picking up a handful, Captain Jeremy sniffed at it; but even +where I was standing I recognized the odour. It smelt of pitch. + +"We are hard on the place," the Captain exclaimed; "another twenty +yards, lads!" + +At length, with an exclamation of triumph, one of the men pushed +aside the reeds, and disclosed a scene the like of which I had never +seen before. For a space of nearly a hundred yards across, the +ground was destitute of verdure, being composed of a bituminous +soil. On all sides, save the one by which we had approached, were +lofty black rocks, grotesquely shaped as if carved by the hand of +man; while facing us was a pinnacle that resembled a human face in +profile, about thirty feet in height. A more repulsive caricature +could not be imagined. The thick, protruding upper lip, the +overhanging eyebrows, and the diabolical grin--'twas the very image +in stone of the villainous Ned Slater. + +"Where--where?" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, gripping his pistols, for +I had unconsciously uttered the miscreant's name. + +"Nay," I replied, "not Ned Slater in the flesh, but his features +carved in stone. Look at yon rock!" + +"Sink me!" muttered the astonished Captain. "Oft have I seen this +rock, but never till now have I noticed this resemblance, yet 'tis +passing strange." + +"Is this the work of man?" I asked of him, as the seamen crowded +into the open space and gazed amazedly at the hideous shape. + +"'Tis hard to believe it is the hand of Nature," replied Captain +Jeremy. "I have seen the like in the temples of the ancient +Mexicans, save that here are no traces of the sculptor's tools. I +believe 'tis a strange freak of fire, for all around can be seen +distinct evidences of volcanic action. This floor is formed of dried +pitch, of a like nature to the lake of pitch in the Isle of +Trinidad. But we are not here for the purpose of debating upon the +origin of these rocks." + +So saying, he strode forward across the open space, and we followed +in a body, our boots ringing on the hard surface 'neath our feet. +Then I saw that the image of the man's head was on one side of the +rock only; on the other the outlines were roughly continued in +horizontal lines along the face of a cliff, till the continuity was +broken by a projecting rock that resembled the gargoyles one sees on +the towers of cathedrals and churches in England. + +Having stopped at the spot where the chin of the human-like profile +touched the ground, Captain Jeremy measured off seven paces along +the base of the cliff. Here, as far as one could judge, the rock +presented an unbroken wall, so our amazement was unbounded when the +seamen were ordered to attack the cliff with their mattocks. + +Almost at the first blow there was a sudden fall of stones, and when +the dust had cleared away a dark, yawning cavity was disclosed, +while 'twas now evident that a wall had been built up and carefully +concealed with a kind of dark plaster, so that it resembled the rest +of the rock. + +"Steady, men!" warned the Captain, as several of the seamen prepared +to scramble over the rubbish into the sombre cavity, "the air may be +poisonous." + +Directing a number of the men to cut down some pine saplings, so as +to make torches, Captain Jeremy called for flint and steel. + +"Be careful of the tow," he cautioned. "A chance spark in this +pitch-steeped place might be the death of all of us. Once within the +cave, there will be no further danger from fire. Stand by, some of +you, with a barrico, and douche every spark that falls." + +One of the improvised torches was quickly in a blaze, and, +describing a graceful curve as it was hurled into the cavern, it +struck the floor, sending out a shower of sparks on the impact. + +For a full minute the flame burnt steadily. The air was free from +noxious gases. + +"Five men will be sufficient at first," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. +"You, too, Master Clifford. Follow me." + +And stepping over the dislodged rubble, he entered the cave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +Untold Wealth + + +By the glare of the smoking torches I saw that we were in a vast +cavern, the walls of which were smooth and fairly regular on both +sides, although the extent of the place was hidden by a darkness +which the flaring lights failed to penetrate. In the distance I +heard the splashing of a torrent of water, but as the floor of the +cave was covered to a depth of about six inches with dry dust, the +stream must have found an outlet at a lower level. + +Led by Captain Jeremy, who strode along rapidly, with the confidence +of a man who was well acquainted with the place, we traversed some +fifty yards of gradually shelving floor, till the torchlight +flickered on several ghastly objects that were lying about in +various positions. There were rusty steel morions, breast-plates, +and buff leather coats, each complete suit containing a grisly +skeleton; while scattered around were arquebuses, muskets, pikes, +swords, and pistols. + +"Good heavens!" exclaimed one of our men in an awestruck tone. +"Starved to death!" + +"Nay," replied Captain Jeremy, "they fought among themselves. These +were the survivors of the wreck of the _Madre de Dios_. Consumed +with the lust for gold, they exterminated each other, or, at least, +if any escaped the combat they never left the island." + +A few steps farther, and we beheld a pile of casks standing breast +high. Plunging his hand into the nearest, Captain Jeremy drew out a +brick-shaped object, and, knocking it against the side of the cask +to remove a thick deposit of dust, revealed a piece of dull-coloured +metal. It was gold! + +Regardless of their gruesome surroundings, the men burst into a +continuous roar of cheering, and like delighted children flung +themselves upon the casks. + +Vessels, plate, bars of gold, and coins were disclosed to our view, +till the floor was littered with dull red metal, mingled with +tarnished silver. + +'Twas the much-sought-for treasure of the _Madre de Dios_. + +"Pass the word for more torches," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, who +alone seemed unmoved by this vast display of wealth, "and bid the +men bring with them the canvas sacks. Hasten, for we must needs get +clear of this place ere night." When at length some semblance of +order was restored, the work of loading the treasure was begun and +carried on till, staggering under the weight of seventeen heavy +sacks, the seamen gained the open air. + +"Shall we do anything with these, sir?" asked one of the men, +pointing to the skeletons of the ill-fated members of the crew of +the _Madre_. + +"Nay; they have guarded the treasure so far, let them sleep on in +peace," replied Captain Jeremy softly, as, stooping down, he picked +up a rapier of exquisite workmanship. + +I did likewise, wondering at the contrast betwixt the bright steel +blades and the rusty armour. + +"Their mail was tarnished by exposure ere they died," replied +Captain Jeremy, in answer to my question. "The air is so dry within +the cave that rust is almost impossible. Were it not for the +treasure having been submerged in the sea, we would have been +well-nigh blinded by its glister." + +Meanwhile the seamen were busily employed in cutting stout poles of +about six feet in length. Over these the sacks were slung, each pole +resting on the shoulders of two men. + +Captain Miles gave the order to march, and within a couple of hours +from the time of our arrival the whole of the _Madre_ treasure was +on its way to the ship. + +Yet, so heavy were the burdens and so difficult the path, it was +nearly sunset ere we reached the place where we had camped the +previous night. + +Here we found the barrows quite undisturbed, so with feelings of +relief the elated men prepared to spend another night in the open. + +The treasure was stacked in the centre of a ring of sleeping men, +while double guards were set, Captain Jeremy himself keeping watch +throughout the long night. Hunger and sleeplessness seemed strangers +to him, yet it was anxiety, not highness of spirits, that kept him +awake. + +"Are you not glad that the treasure is found, sir?" I asked. + +"Glad, aye, that I am; but I'll not feel satisfied till I have the +stuff safe and sound in Poole Harbour. Mark my words, the most +anxious time is yet to come." + +Shortly after midnight the camp was aroused by a musket shot, and +all hands, standing to their arms, prepared to resist an attack, +though by whom we knew not. But it turned out to be a false alarm, +for one of the seamen, being overexcited with the events of the day, +had unwittingly fingered the trigger of his piece. + +Nevertheless, few of us had much sleep that night, and with the +first sight of dawn the march was resumed. + +The greater part of the path now being downhill, we made far more +rapid progress than on the outward journey, in spite of the load of +treasure; and late in the afternoon we reached the brow of the hill +overlooking the harbour where the _Golden Hope_ and her consort lay. + +Captain Jeremy thereupon ordered three musket shots to be fired in +the air--the pre-arranged signal of success. Instantly a crowd of +men issued from the stockade, and with shouts and much waving of +arms rushed to meet us. The ships, too, hoisted their colours to the +mastheads, while the _Golden Hope_ fired seven guns by way of a +salute. + +Willing hands seized the heavily laden barrows, and with a rush they +were run down the hill, across the flat plain, and into the +stockade, while Captain 'Enery and our leader exchanged +congratulations and eager questions. + +"Any news?" asked Captain Jeremy anxiously. + +"None; all is quiet on both vessels." + +Having entered the stockade, Captain Jeremy immediately gave orders +for the spoil to be carried into the storehouse, and, having picked +out four tried men, he set them, under the superintendence of +Captain 'Enery, to load up the stout chests that had previously been +prepared. + +"Men," he exclaimed to the rest of the crews, "the treasure is, as +you know, found." Here the bursts of cheering interrupted further +speech for a space of nearly two minutes, but when order was at +length restored Captain Jeremy continued: "Ere night I hope to have +the whole of these chests safely aboard the _Neptune_. It will mean +much labour, but I know you'll work with a will. This done, I want +all hands, save a sufficient guard on both brigs, to repair to the +stockade, and we'll have a right good carouse on the strength of our +success. There are several casks of spirits aboard the _Golden +Hope_, and sink me if I be niggardly in this matter." + +Renewed cheering greeted this announcement, though, knowing that +Captain Jeremy was not a man to encourage a carouse, I wondered at +his action, especially at such a time, when there was danger from a +known mutinous party in our midst. + +"Number one ready, sir," announced one of the men from the door of +the storehouse. + +[Illustration: THE TREASURE OF THE "MADRE DE DIOS"] + +"Then out with it," replied the Captain, and as the bulky chest +appeared, carefully nailed and corded, it was seized upon by a gang +of lusty seamen and conveyed to the water's edge, where a boat was +lying in readiness to take it to the _Neptune_. Seven others +followed before Captain 'Enery and the men, all looking warm with +their exertions, emerged from the storehouse, and the door was +carefully locked. + +"Now to set the watches on board both vessels," said Captain Jeremy; +then in an aside to Captain 'Enery, though loud enough for me to +hear, "Are our men ashore? Good! Now to settle with the rogues." + +"Master Hammond, will you go and warn the crews of both vessels to +muster ashore to-night? The exceptions are named on this list," he +continued, slipping a paper into my hands. "They are to remain on +board and keep a careful watch. Warn them on the _Neptune_ of the +precious nature of their trust." + +I made my way to the shore, where a boat conveyed me to the _Golden +Hope_. Then, having delivered Captain Jeremy's orders and detailed +the watch party, I proceeded aboard the _Neptune_. + +Here I was met at the gangway by Tompkins, the quartermaster, whom +we knew to be one of the malcontents. + +"Master Clemens is sick, sir," he reported, "and desires permission +to be taken ashore." + +"Let him go, by all means," I replied. "What's amiss?" + +"I know not," answered the man, "though it seems of the nature of an +ague." + +Having had the crew mustered, I repeated Captain Jeremy's orders, +and proceeded to read the names of the men who were to remain. There +were sixteen of the latter, being five more than the watch on board +the _Golden Hope_, and as I called the names their bearers replied, +"Here, sir." + +"Gadd--Jonathan Gadd?" + +No answer. + +"Jonathan Gadd," I repeated; "where is he?" + +No one seemed to know. + +"Beck, William?" + +He, too, was absent, cause unknown. + +So were two others, Wood and Hoit; it could only be by design, for +there were only the malcontents of the crew remaining on board the +_Neptune_. And under the charge of these rascals were the eight +treasure chests. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +The Mutiny of the _Neptune_ + + +Having carried out my instructions, I directed the boat's crew to +row back to the shore, and having secured the little craft and +removed her oars, the men followed me to the stockade. + +It was now night, but the open space within the palisade was lit by +the glare of a huge fire. Seated around on upturned casks, or +sprawling on the ground, were as many of the crews of both brigs as +could be spared, besides the garrison of the stockade; and, to my +surprise, I recognized Joe Clemens, who had been sent ashore, +presumably ill with the ague, and also the four men who ought, +according to the list of names, to have been keeping watch on board +the _Neptune_. + +Having reported myself to Captain Jeremy, I walked over to where +Clemens was seated, and asked him how he felt. + +"Never better in my life, Master Hammond," was his astonishing +reply; from which, coupled with the fact that the other absentees +from the _Neptune_ were not ashamed to be seen away from their +posts, I concluded that 'twas all part and parcel of Captain +Jeremy's plans. + +The casks of spirits had been broached, and with rousing song the +men, to use Captain 'Enery's expression, "let themselves go". The +firelight gleamed on their bronzed, hearty features, and cast +fantastic shadows upon the encircling wooden fence, where, like +ghostly shapes against the dark sky, stood the sentinels who had +been posted to keep watch while their comrades feasted and caroused. +The air was thick with the reek of burning logs and the odour of +strong waters. + +Yet, in contrast to the general festivity, Captain Jeremy and his +officers maintained the strictest abstinence, though they applauded +with the rest as a ballad went well, or joined in a volley of chaff +when a seaman broke down in a partly forgotten song. + +Frequently the Captain would slip quietly away and mount the +parapet, whence he would gaze steadfastly across the harbour to +where the anchor lamps of the two ships glimmered like stars on the +point of setting. + +It was well after midnight ere the fire had burnt itself low, and +the glowing embers played on the faces of men who were too tired +even to join in a chorus. + +"My lads," exclaimed Captain Jeremy, "'tis too late to return on +board. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can here, and report +yourselves to me to-morrow at eight bells." + +"Three cheers for Captain Miles!" shouted a hoarse voice, and the +men, having expended their last remaining energy in paying this +tribute to their popular chief, trooped off to rest in the +barrack-like shelters that had been erected for the comfort of the +little garrison. + +When all was quiet, Captain Jeremy, 'Enery, Silas Touchstone, and I +walked down to the beach, followed by the boat's crew, and were +rowed off to the _Golden Hope_. + +"Turn in now, Master Clifford," said Captain Jeremy, as we gained +the deck; "you must be tired out with the day's excitement and the +night's revelry." + +He had donned his thick peajacket, so I knew that, though he had not +slumbered on the previous night, he meant to keep on deck. Something +was in the wind. + +Tired as I was, I could not sleep. For hours I lay awake, listening +to the dull roar of the breakers on the reef and the periodical +notes of the ship's bell, which, with faithful precision, were +repeated on board the _Neptune_; while, borne on the soft air, as +the land breeze blew across the bay, I could distinguish the "All's +well" of the men on guard at the stockade. + +Overhead I could hear a measured tramp, as the two captains paced +the deck, for they had left the quarter-deck and were patrolling the +poop, talking in earnest tones, though their words were inaudible. + +Six bells! Would sleep never come? I sprang out of my bunk, and +walking over to one of the open stern ports, I leant out. + +Grey dawn was beginning to glimmer in the east, and with it came the +moaning of a rising wind. Barely distinguishable against the pale +night mists, I could see the outlines of the _Neptune_. Did my eyes +deceive me? Her sails had been shaken loose and were being sheeted +home. + +The footsteps overhead were still. The captains had ceased their +monotonous walk. Had they, too, noticed the mysterious and +unauthorized manoeuvre? + +Even as I watched I heard the splash of the cut cable, and, listing +over to the now stiff breeze, the _Neptune_ began to forge ahead. + +I waited no longer; but rushed on deck, and gained the poop just as +Captain Jeremy hailed, in a voice like the bellowing of a bull: + +"What are ye up to, ye rascals? Heave-to, I say, or I'll sink you!" + +Still the _Neptune_ came on, moving with increasing pace as she drew +farther from the lee of the land. + +"Below there," shouted the master gunner, "stand to your guns!" + +The newly awakened members of our scanty crew passed through the +fore hatchway in all states of clothing. They needed no second +bidding, but, rushing to the guns, began to load. + +Suddenly one of the gunlayers gave an exclamation of angry surprise. + +"Spiked!" he shouted, with an oath. + +"Same here," announced another, and a hasty examination revealed the +unpleasant fact that every gun on the starboard side had an iron +nail wedged into the touch-hole and broken off short. + +Silas Touchstone disappeared, only to return with a box of +armourer's tools. If anything was to be done it must be done +speedily, for the _Neptune_ was now close to our quarter. + +"Oh, for a single gun!" exclaimed Captain 'Enery. "We could wing her +now." + +Then, to my unspeakable dismay, I saw, gripping the weather-poop +rail of the _Neptune_, the figure of my enemy, Ned Slater. He had +proved his words concerning his friends on the ship by taking +possession of her, thanks to the aid of the mutineers. + +The light was now sufficiently strong to distinguish the hideous +leer of insolent triumph on his features.. + +"Farewell, Captain Miles!" he shouted. "A thousand thanks for having +handed over the _Madre_ treasure, to say nothing of having provided +the means to find the way out," and with an ostentatious flourish he +displayed the well-known chart. + +"May you be much beholden to it, you villain!" returned Captain +Jeremy, and, laying hold of a musket, he fired at the double-dyed +rogue. + +Now, in all my experience I had never known Captain Jeremy to miss +his mark at that comparatively short distance, and I fully expected +to see the murderous thief fall dead on the deck. But the bullet +went wide, so wide indeed that Slater never so much as ducked his +head, which he would assuredly have done had it 'scaped him +narrowly. + +"Try again, Cap'n," came the taunting cry. + +"I'll be even with you yet," shouted Captain Jeremy, as he proceeded +to reload his piece. + +Meanwhile our men worked their hardest to run one of the larboard +guns over to the other side, but owing to the shortage of hands and +the encumbered state of our decks 'twas evident that the _Neptune_ +would be well out of range ere a single gun was in position to open +fire. + +Having passed well ahead of us, the disloyal brig smartly +starboarded her helm and stood out for the open sea, followed by a +desultory cannonade from the stockade, which, however, did little or +no harm, though it proved that the men were fairly alert, in spite +of their overnight carouse. + +"She's off, right enough," exclaimed one of the men. + +"And the treasure with her!" shouted another, in a paroxysm of rage. +"Where's my share now? All lost! All lost!" + +"Peace, you fool!" said Captain Jeremy sternly. + +"If you have lost your share, have I not lost far more? Wait and +see." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +The Fate of the Mutineers + + +Presently most of the men who had been left in the stockade, having +taken to the boats and the little sloop, came on board. Fury, +disappointment, and despair were written on their faces as they +gathered in the waist awaiting the orders that were not forthcoming. + +"Aren't you going to weigh and chase 'em, Cap'n?" shouted one, with +more zeal than discretion. + +"Send away the long-boat, and we'll soon overhaul them," suggested +another. + +"With this sea running?" replied Captain Jeremy at length. "You +would never make head way. Trust me and wait." + +The crew could scarce believe their ears. Was the Captain overcome +by the strain of the last few days? His pensive attitude seemed +incomprehensible. + +Yet Captain Jeremy was outwardly cool and collected as, glass in +hand, he followed the course of the disappearing _Neptune_. + +She was now on the bar, tossing, pitching, and rolling in the heavy +breakers, for already the sea outside was running high and breaking +over the shoals in one continuous field of snow-flecked foam. Yet +the errant brig held slowly and truly on her course 'twixt the +shallows that threatened her at half a cable's length to starboard +and larboard. + +She stood out close hauled on the larboard tack, the wind being due +north, till she reached the bend in the channel that ran parallel +with the shore. Here, being smartly handled, she turned and ran dead +before the wind, her hull being lost to view from our decks by the +intervening reef. + +Instantly there was a scramble aloft, Captain Jeremy and I, with +nearly a dozen men, gaining the main top, while the shrouds were +alive with the discomfited crew as they watched from their lofty +point of vantage the rapidly receding brig. + +I glanced at Captain Jeremy. In spite of his coolness, I fancy his +anxiety increased as the _Neptune_ ran before the wind. + +"Sink me," I heard him mutter, "she's hauling to the wind!" + +This was indeed the case, but even as she did so she struck the +fatal reef. The next instant she broached to, the rollers making +clean breaches over her hull, and almost immediately her masts went +by the board. + +Then I understood, though imperfectly. Captain Jeremy, by altering +the position of the clump of trees, had created a false landmark, +and the _Neptune_ had fallen into the trap. + +"There's an end to the treasure, anyway," exclaimed one of the men. +"There won't be as much as a plank or a copper nail left ere night." + +Having witnessed the destruction of the mutineers, Captain Jeremy +descended to the deck and ordered the bos'n to pipe all hands. Then, +mounting the poop, he faced the dejected men. + +"My lads," he exclaimed in ringing tones, "I'll deceive you no +longer. There is no need for discontent or vain regrets, for not one +pennyworth of treasure is aboard yon craft. The whole of it is now +lying in the storehouse on shore!" + +For a full twenty seconds there was a lull or absolute silence; the +men seemed unable to grasp the full significance of the words. Then, +as the meaning dawned upon them, a roar of cheering burst from a +hundred throats. + +"If you pause to consider," continued the Captain, "you will see +that I acted for the best, even though I had to practise a mild +deceit on most of you. Knowing that the rogues on the _Neptune_ were +in league with that villain Slater, I purposely caused the treasure +chests, filled with stones, to be conveyed on board their craft. You +will remember that at no time did I say the treasure was in those +chests, but the rascals jumped at the bait. By so doing they have +served a double purpose: we shall be troubled by them no more, and +the loss of the _Neptune_ has relieved me of a great load of +anxiety. How say you? What would they at home say if they saw me +bringing back two ships, when I set sail with one only? I also see a +way whereby those of you who were shipped as slaves aboard the +_Neptune_ can return to your homes, or, if you will it, be set +ashore at any port we touch, with your full share of the spoil of +the captured buccaneer." + +"I have also another proposal to make. By their mutinous conduct +those aboard the _Neptune_ would have forfeited their share in the +_Madre_ treasure had they lived, so that the amount to be +distributed amongst the remaining members of the original crew of +the _Golden Hope_ is considerably increased. Now, I am going to set +aside the amount of those forfeited shares and divide it amongst +you, irrespective of rank, or whether ye be the men who left Poole +in the _Golden Hope_ or those who joined us off the _Neptune_; for +'twas by the hearty efforts of all hands here that we were enabled +to lay hands on the treasure. Now, lads, I thank you one and all. It +only remains to load up our precious cargo, get the ship ready for +sea, and yo-ho! for old England." + +When the applause that greeted the termination of Captain Jeremy's +speech had subsided, a number of men, headed by Tom Cherry, elbowed +their way through the dense crowd of their delighted comrades. + +"Cap'n," exclaimed Cherry, "I've a favour to ask you." + +"Say on," replied Captain Jeremy. + +"Me and my mates here," said the sturdy seaman, "want to take the +long-boat and row out to yon wreck. Maybe some of the poor chaps are +still aboard." + +"Nay," answered the Captain, a flush of anger overspreading his +bronzed features. "They are but mutinous dogs; let them perish." + +"They were our comrades, an', though it shames me to say it, my +brother's son is with them," Cherry said doggedly. "If we pick 'em +up we can send 'em off in the sloop, and they won't harm us any +more." + +"A boat would never live in such a sea," observed Captain Jeremy, +with a sweep of his arm in the direction of the bar, where the +breakers were tumbling in white, confused masses, for it was now +blowing hard outside. Yet our Captain was certainly turning aside +from his hard purpose. + +"We are willing to take the risk, sir," pleaded the seaman +earnestly. "I've not been brought up on the coast of Kent for +nothing." + +"Then go. But, mind you, one condition I make. Should you bring that +murderous villain Ned Slater back alive, I'll run him up to the +yardarm." + +Tom Cherry touched his forelock and turned away, followed by his +eight comrades. The long-boat was already alongside; so, tossing a +mast and sail, an empty beaker, and a coil of grass rope into her, +the dauntless men dropped over the side of the _Golden Hope_ and +pushed off. + +"You are quite certain of the channel, I hope, Cherry?" shouted +Captain Jeremy. + +"Yes, sir; and besides, there's enough water over the shoals for +us." + +"Not with this tumble outside; so be careful, and keep to the +smoothest water." + +"More food for the sharks," I heard a seaman say, as he watched the +boat gather way. + +Hoisting a mere rag of sail, the daring rescuers headed for the +open, the boat speeding under the pressure of the howling wind, +while Tom Cherry steered her adroitly to meet each threatening +comber. At one moment we could see nearly the whole of the boat's +bottom boards, as she climbed an immense wall of water; at another, +only her long, lean quarters and stern, as she slid down the far +side of the safely passed crest. + +Once more we manned the rigging, and with eager eyes and +apprehensive looks followed the hazardous fortunes of our humane +comrades as they turned and ran down before the wind towards the +wreck. + +From my swaying perch on the main top--for even in this usually +sheltered harbour a heavy "gush" caused the _Golden Hope_ to roll +sluggishly--I had great difficulty in keeping the boat within the +field of my telescope. The men had now stowed sail, and under oars +were backing slowly towards the shattered _Neptune_, the figure of +Tom Cherry being clearly distinguishable as he stood, steering oar +in hand, keeping the boat's stern to the towering crests. + +By this time the after part of the _Neptune_ had completely +disappeared, and the waist was fast breaking up under the relentless +blows of the resistless breakers; yet through the cloud of spray +that dashed over the fo'c'sle I could see the forms of some half a +dozen helpless creatures hanging on to the frail protection afforded +by the weather rail. + +The men in the long-boat were now rowing their hardest to keep to +windward of the wreck. They were evidently paying out the beaker by +the grass warp in the hope of establishing a communication 'twixt +the two craft. It was a life-or-death struggle with the +elements--English courage and brawn pitted against the combined +action of wind and sea. Which would win? + +Suddenly a heavy rain squall came on, bearing down the crested waves +with its weight, and obliterating everything within a quarter of a +mile of us. + +When the squall passed, a groan of dismay burst from our lips. As +far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a chaos of angry sea +and sky. Both the wreck and the gallant long-boat had vanished. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +Homeward Bound + + +For the rest of that fateful day the greatest despondency prevailed +amongst our crew. The fate of their devoted comrades, whose lives +had been thrown away in a useless attempt to save a worthless lot of +mutineers, weighed heavily on their minds. Even the thought of the +treasure being safe in our possession hardly asserted itself. + +But with the morning there came a change. The storm, short and +fierce, had blown itself out, and once more the tropical sun poured +its scorching rays upon the gently heaving waters. Not only had the +_Neptune_ disappeared from view, but the gale had swept away the few +remaining fragments of the pirate ship _Black Arrow_, so that +another link with the adventurous past had been severed. + +Seamen, from their constant exposure and peril, are ever ready to +rise above their misfortunes, though these are not easily forgotten; +and so it was with the crew of the _Golden Hope_. The dejected mien +so observable on the preceding day gave place to a bustle of +activity, for much had to be done ere we were ready to weigh anchor +and set sail on our homeward voyage. + +The brig had to be careened, so that as much as possible of the +thick deposit of weeds and barnacles 'neath the waterline could be +scraped off; while ashore great cauldrons of pitch bubbled over the +fires, for much paying and caulking of seams had to be done ere the +_Golden Hope_ could be deemed sufficiently seaworthy for her long +voyage. + +While the work was in progress Captain Jeremy ordered a party of men +to remove the false landmark, and to place in the former position of +the clump of trees a tall pole, surmounted by a large triangle +conspicuously painted black and white. Without this mark it would be +well-nigh impossible to get our correct bearings, and the _Golden +Hope_ would doubtless share the fate of the ill-starred _Neptune_ +unless we took the narrow channel by which the _Antelope_ had +arrived. But this course would be impracticable with the winds +prevailing at this time of the year, hence the importance of the +newly erected pole. + +At length the scraping and pitching of the brig's hull was +completed, and the _Golden Hope_ rode once more on an even keel. The +work of transporting the treasure from the stockade was now carried +out in earnest, and without mishap the whole of the precious stuff +was safely stowed in the _Golden Hope's_ strong room, under the poop +deck. + +This done, it was thought prudent to dismantle and evacuate the +stockade. + +The ordnance was removed and taken aboard the brig; the powder, of +which we had a considerable reserve, was carefully stowed in her +magazines. Silas Touchstone had proposed to destroy the stockade and +the buildings within it by fire, but to this proposal Captain Jeremy +refused to give his consent, observing that they might be useful to +any castaways who might have the misfortune to land on the island. + +The small craft that had been taken from the buccaneers after their +rout by Silas Touchstone were beached as far as possible in the most +secluded part of the harbour. Though the wind and the sun would ere +long reduce them to mere wrecks, Captain Jeremy, in his humanity, +thought they might also be of service to others. + +Then, having watered the ship, filling all the available barricoes +in addition to the tanks, for we knew not whether to make straight +for home or to put into Port Royal, we prepared to spend our last +night in the harbour of Treasure Island. Accordingly, having, as we +thought, finally severed our connection with the shore, we hoisted +in our boats, preparatory to making a start at dawn. + +About an hour after sunset I was pacing the deck, when I heard a +hail from shore: "_Golden Hope_, ahoy!" + +Several of the watch on deck also caught the cry, but, too +astonished to reply, they crowded to the bulwarks and listened with +awestruck feelings for a repetition of the hail. + +Again the shout, "_Golden Hope_, ahoy!" pierced the darkness. + +"Who can it be?" muttered one of the men. "All hands are aboard, for +they were mustered just before eight bells." + +"I like it not," replied another, with a shudder. "'Tis the ghosts +of the slain men. We'll never reach home after this." + +"Run and tell the Cap'n," suggested a third, with more good sense +than his comrades. + +Just as Captain Jeremy came on deck the hail was again repeated. + +"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" shouted our Captain. He, too, was +puzzled by the mysterious cry. Something was shouted in reply, but +the words were unintelligible. + +"Lower away a boat," ordered Captain Jeremy curtly. + +The men moved aft to obey, obviously with reluctance. + +"What are ye afraid of?" demanded our commander. "I'll go ashore in +her. Take arms and a lantern, and we'll soon sift this business." + +The boat was lowered and the falls cleared, and the men, tumbling +into her, brought her round to the gangway. Here Captain Jeremy +stepped into the stern sheets, whither I followed, eager to solve +the mystery. + +When within twenty yards of the shore the boat was turned till her +stern pointed landwards. Captain Jeremy stood up, striving by the +aid of the lantern that one of the men held behind him to penetrate +the darkness. I could distinguish a knot of men close to the water's +edge. + +"Who are ye, and what d'ye want?" repeated Captain Jeremy. + +"We've come back," replied a voice that I failed to recognize. Then, +after a pause, it continued: "Tom Cherry and the long-boat's crew." + +"Run her ashore, men," shouted Captain Jeremy excitedly, and as the +boat's forepart grounded on the shingle our men jumped out to +welcome those who we thought were dead. + +They were all present, nine all told, but with what a change in +their appearance! Even the yellow light of the lantern failed to +disguise the pale, gaunt features of Tom Cherry and his men. Their +clothes were in rags, and shoes they had none, though most of the +poor fellows had their feet bound with strips of cloth. + +"The boat's safe enow, sir," exclaimed Cherry feebly, as he raised +his hand to the salute with an effort. "She's----" + +"Never mind that," replied our Captain. "Get aboard as fast as you +can, and don't say another word till you are fed and rested." + +'Twas easy to order the men to hasten aboard the boat, but so weak +were they that they had to be assisted over the gunwale, while, to +get them over the side of the _Golden Hope_, a bos'n's chair had to +be rigged. At length they were safely aboard, where it was painful +to see the poor wretches devour the food that was given them. Had +they had their will, they would assuredly have killed themselves by +their ravenousness; but having supplied them with small quantities +of broth, Captain Jeremy ordered them to be placed in their hammocks +and fed again in an hour's time. + +The return of Cherry and the long-boat's crew prevented our sailing +at the appointed time, for since their craft was, according to the +gallant coxswain, "safe and sound", Captain Jeremy decided to bring +it back to the ship, as it was the most useful boat we carried. + +The sufferers recovered sufficiently by the morning to tell us of +their hazardous adventures. When caught by the squall they were +swept to leeward of the _Neptune_ just as she disappeared, but were +unable to save any of the mutineers. Every moment they expected to +find themselves struggling in the water, for the boat was being +carried right over the shoals, on which the breakers were falling +heavily. But for the presence of mind of Tom Cherry, who ordered the +mast and sail to be lashed to the grass rope and thrown overboard, +so that the boat's head was kept to the crested waves, the long-boat +would not have kept afloat. As it was, this floating anchor acted as +a kind of breakwater, much of the force of the waves being expended +ere they passed under the boat. Even then several seas broke over +it, necessitating continuous bailing. + +Ere the rain squall ceased they had been carried past the +south-western extremity of the island, where, being more under the +lee of the land, and the sea being deeper, the waves did not run so +high. Nevertheless, in their exhausted condition, they could not +make headway, and when two oars broke they were compelled to let +themselves drift, riding in comparative safety to their sea anchor. + +During the night the wind dropped and the sea subsided, but being +without a compass and unable to see the island in the darkness, they +had to drift about till nearly two hours after midnight. Then, the +sky becoming clear, they were enabled to take a rough bearing by the +stars. Dawn found them with the island nearly below the horizon, but +after five hours' hard and laborious pulling they managed to land at +a little cove at the south end. + +Here they found a path leading northwards, and after several hours' +walk, during which time they made a sorry meal of berries and water, +they recognized their road as being the same as we had taken when we +recovered the treasure. After great privations, and filled with +fears that the _Golden Hope_ had sailed, they managed to struggle +through the forest by the path we had made during our first +expedition into the interior, and arrived at the shore, having lost +their way more than once in the intense darkness. + +During the day one of our boats was dispatched to bring back the +long-boat. As Cherry had reported, she was practically undamaged, +and with a favourable breeze both craft were alongside the brig well +before sunset. + +At daybreak on the following morning the welcome order to weigh was +given, and as the capstan revolved to the cheery song of the seamen +the anchor came home, after an acquaintance of nearly two years with +the bed of the bay. + +The wind had again backed, and blew lightly from the north'ard, so +that it was unwise to attempt to beat through the shorter and more +recently discovered channel that passed inside the shoal on which I +had had such a hazardous adventure. + +Nevertheless, we negotiated the bends of the other passage in +safety, thanks to the replacement of the navigation mark on shore, +though everyone was anxious till the lead gave a depth of forty +fathoms. + +An hour later the highest peak of Treasure Island had vanished +'neath the horizon. We were homeward bound. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +The Last of my Sworn Enemy + + +That same day the wind, hitherto mainly from the north'ard, suddenly +changed, and blew freshly from the south-west. Nevertheless, as we +were in the joint current caused by the union of the North +Equatorial and the Canaries' Stream, our progress was slow. + +Neither could we hope for long to be favoured by the breeze, as we +were in the zone of the north-east Trades; so Captain Jeremy decided +to skirt the windward side of the Lesser Antilles and the Bahama +Islands, and thus gain the double advantage of the Gulf Stream and +the prevailing south-westerly winds off the coast of North America. +Having progressed thus far, the proposal at one time talked of to +repair to Port Royal was given over, and our first place of call was +to be the Bermudas. + +'Enery was now relegated to the post of first mate. He seemed quite +content with the reversal of his position, since he hoped, should he +reach England safely, to purchase an interest in a ship, and sail in +command. + +I do not believe that there was a discontented man on the ship. +Thanks to our good fortune, the individual share of the treasure +would be considerable, and everyone was in high glee; and as each +hour brought us nearer to Old England's shores, the men's spirits +rose to such an extent that I wondered what they would be like when +they set foot in Poole once more. + +On the third day of our homeward voyage we were sailing close-hauled +on the larboard tack, with the island of Barbuda just visible away +to windward. + +The day was hot and sultry, and, the breeze being light, the _Golden +Hope_ was barely doing more than two knots. + +Suddenly there was a shout from the look-out on the fo'c'sle that a +small craft was in sight. As this served to break the monotony, +there was a rush for'ard to see what kind of vessel it might be. + +"It's a deserted boat," exclaimed Clemens, who had snatched up a +telescope. "At least, I can perceive no one in her." + +As the _Golden Hope_ was heading almost straight for the derelict, a +very slight alteration in her course would bring her close +alongside, so Captain Jeremy ordered this to be effected. + +"There's a man in her, a-lyin' with his head over the side," shouted +a seaman. "I can see him moving his arm." + +"That is so," assented Captain Jeremy, after a prolonged examination +through his glass. "A survivor of some wreck, I expect. Anyway, +he'll be as dead as a marline-spike before we get alongside, if he +remain like that, with the sun pouring on him." + +"He's dead, right enough," said 'Enery, after a while. "'Tis the +tossing of the boat that makes him move." + +'Enery was right. Hanging over the gunwale, with one arm trailing in +the water, was the corpse of a man. We could not see his face, but +the nape of the neck was blackened from exposure to the sun. The arm +moved sluggishly with every roll of the little craft, giving the +corpse the appearance of being alive. + +"Poor fellow! Starved to death, I take it," said Touchstone softly. +"I've seen that sort of thing before to-day. Shall we run alongside, +sir?" + +"Aye," replied Captain Jeremy. "We might just as well, in case we +can do anything." + +Silence fell upon the crew as the _Golden Hope_ crept slowly towards +the floating monument of an ocean tragedy, till all at once the +master gunner shouted: + +"By Jove, that's one of our chests!" + +We were now near enough to see over the gunwale as the boat rolled +in the oily swell. Lashed amidships, 'twixt two of the thwarts, was +one of the boxes we had made, ostensibly for the storing of the +_Madre_ treasure. Then, like lightning, the truth flashed across my +mind: I was gazing at the corpse of Ned Slater. + +The chest told a silent tale. The villain must have begun loading +the boat directly the _Neptune_ struck the reef; then, seeing that +the ship was doomed, he sprang into the little craft, basely +deserting his companions in crime. By some means the boat had +escaped being swamped, and, offering little resistance to the wind, +had been carried by the current in a northerly direction. When the +gale died away, Slater must have prised open the lid of the chest to +bloat over its contents, only to find a load of stones within. +Either through the fury of his baffled hopes, or through the stern +necessity of lightening the little craft, he had hurled the +valueless cargo overboard, for the chest was empty. Helpless, and +blown far from land, the villain had died a horrible death from slow +starvation. + +Springing into the fore chains, 'Enery, with boat-hook in hand, +caught at the gunwale of the boat as it slowly drifted alongside. He +made a sign to a couple of seamen, who, understanding, brought a +heavy shot wrapped up in a piece of canvas. Nimbly dropping into the +boat, one of the men quickly fastened the weight to the body of the +ill-fated wretch; then, staving a plank with an axe, he sprang back +into our fore chains. + +'Enery disengaged the boat-hook, and ere the _Golden Hope_ had +drifted clear the boat sank beneath the waters of the Atlantic, and +the body of my father's murderer disappeared from view till the time +when the sea shall give up the dead that are in it. + +I was glad that 'Enery had behaved thus. He had acted generously to +the memory of a man who had done his best to raise his hand against +every member of our crew. The rogue had paid the penalty and had +received his deserts, though in my calmer moments I rejoiced that he +had not met his death at my hands. + +Soon after this gruesome incident we picked up a steady breeze that +enabled us to make rapid progress, and seven days after leaving +Treasure Island we crossed the Tropic of Cancer. + +It was all plain sailing till we were within a few hundred miles of +the Bermudas, when a heavy gale caused the main topmast of the +_Golden Hope_ to spring. + +In this crippled condition the brig crawled into the harbour on +whose shores the principal settlements are built, but ere we could +effect repairs an awful hurricane, the worst I have ever met, or +hope to meet, burst over the islands. + +The storm came on quite suddenly, and almost before we had time to +strike our still-standing fore-topmast, and veer out all our cable. +Even in the comparatively sheltered harbour where we lay the sea was +churned into a seething cauldron of foam, whilst ashore the damage +was terrific. The lightly built huts of the settlers were unroofed +and most of the trees blown down; and so great was the havoc wrought +that 'twas a matter of difficulty to get our damaged topmast +repaired till nearly six weeks after the storm. + +While lying in harbour we learnt from an outward bound West Indiaman +that things at home were in a very unsettled state, for almost all +men were dissatisfied with King James. + +Yet--so suspicious had Englishmen become of each other--we could +gather no definite information, though many hints were thrown out +concerning what we might expect to find on our arrival at home. + +At length, on the second day of October, 1688, we weighed and set +sail on the last stage of our homeward voyage, and late on the +forenoon of the following day the last of the low-lying Bermudas was +lost to view. + +During the next three weeks nothing untoward occurred. The _Golden +Hope_ pursued her course over a seemingly boundless ocean, with +never a sail to break the skyline, till, when, according to our +reckoning, we were within ninety miles of Land's End, I was aroused +just after midnight by the shout: + +"A light on the starboard bow." + +Gleaming faintly through the darkness, I could distinguish a small +column of flame, apparently ten miles away, which faded and waxed +stronger at close intervals. + +"What d'ye make of it, sir?" asked 'Enery, as he and Captain Jeremy +mounted the poop ladder to get a better view of the mysterious +light. + +"Make of it? Why, it can be but one thing. 'Tis a ship on fire." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +The Burning Ship + + +Within an hour or so we had approached sufficiently near to the +conflagration to prove the truth of Captain Jeremy's assertion. + +It was a large vessel burning from bow to stern, the flames mounting +to a tremendous height and casting a lurid glow on a thick column of +smoke that blew miles to leeward. The masts and spars of the ship +were still standing, though licked by the devouring fire, while her +double line of ports shone like a line of gigantic glow-worms. + +Even at the distance we were from her we could hear the crackling of +the burning woodwork, and the subdued roar of the flames as they +issued from the bowels of that floating inferno. + +"Near enough!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "'Twill not do to get to +leeward of her. Heave-to and lower away a boat; we may be able to +render assistance, though I fear 'tis too late." + +These orders were promptly carried out, and the _Golden Hope_ was +brought-to at about three-quarters of a mile from the burning ship. +'Enery, with a willing crew, took one of the quarter-boats and rowed +boldly towards the vessel, while lanterns were hung on our rigging +and guns were fired at frequent intervals to attract the attention +of any boat-load of survivors that might have managed to effect an +escape. + +Spellbound, I, with the rest of our remaining crew, watched the +conquering progress of the devouring element. Yard after yard came +crashing down from aloft, the blazing timber plunging into the sea +with a loud hiss as the flames were extinguished in the water. The +tarred and hempen shrouds, long since severed at the deadeyes, were +dangling like fiery serpents from the swaying masts; while ever and +anon the shotted guns of her broadside would discharge their +dangerous contents, the balls ricochetting on the surface of the sea +with a series of fountain-like jets. Some of the shots passed +unpleasantly close to the _Golden Hope_, and orders were given to +forge ahead till we were well in line with the stern of the burning +ship, where, being still to windward, we were in no danger. + +Meanwhile we could perceive 'Enery and his men pulling slowly round +the ship at a respectful distance, the shot whizzing well over their +heads; and though the mate was to be seen standing up in the stern +sheets and carefully examining whatever floating piece of wreckage +they came across, we knew that none of the unfortunate crew had been +taken into the boat. If still alive, where were they? + +The roar of our ordnance, fired at regular intervals, added to the +din; yet this signal seemed useless, for no strange craft was to be +seen rowing for the shelter offered by the _Golden Hope_. + +Suddenly, with a loud crash, the foremast of the vessel went by the +board, and lay, still burning fiercely, across the fo'c'sle. The +mainmast soon followed, but, falling clear of the ship, it drifted +close alongside, the damp timber still emitting a dense cloud of +smoke. + +By now the vessel had burned almost to the water's edge amidships, +and crash after crash could be heard as the guns plunged through the +burning planks into the hold. The fo'c'sle and poop still reared +themselves high above the sea, the latter surmounted by a pillar of +fire that encircled the mizen-mast. + +Suddenly the dazzling glare of the flames was eclipsed by a flash so +brilliant that I was obliged to close my eyes to shut out its +brightness. Then came the deafening roar of an explosion, and +opening my eyes, I saw the air filled with flying pieces of +shattered timber. The magazine had taken fire. + +Almost immediately the fire was extinguished; a thick cloud of smoke +hovered over the spot where the ship had been, while aloft a +thousand fitful streaks of light marked the downward course of the +burning timbers that had been shot up to an immense height. + +For a full half minute the meteor-like flight continued, till the +hiss of the last of the burning timbers ceased and a great darkness, +intensified by the sudden cessation of the glare, overspread the +agitated sea. + +We were now considerably concerned for the safety of 'Enery and the +boat's crew, for they were exposed to a great danger from the +falling wreckage, till the gleam of the boat's lantern showed that +they were at least still afloat. + +At length the men rowed back to the brig, having sustained no +damage, though their faces were blackened with the smoke and +particles of dust that enveloped everything within half a mile of +the burning vessel. + +"No sign of anyone," reported 'Enery, as he came over the side, +"though they may have taken to the boats long before we arrived." + +"That's true," assented Captain Jeremy, "so keep the signal guns +firing till dawn." + +"'Tis well that there's no sea running," said the mate. "A few hours +in an open boat will do no harm on a night like this, e'en though +the air is sharp." + +"Not if we pick them up," added Captain Jeremy; "but I should not +wonder if they have already shaped a course for land. Yet do you +keep the brig hove-to till daylight." + +The day broke with a red, angry sky that betokened foul weather. The +wind, hitherto light, began to strengthen, and an ominous swell +presaged rough water within a few miles of us. + +Sunrise revealed no trace of the boats of the ill-fated ship, so, +ordering the _Golden Hope_ to be again placed on her course, Captain +Jeremy retired to his cabin to enjoy a well-earned repose. + +Hardly had he turned in when, just as seven bells was striking, the +look-out reported four boats ahead. + +Instantly there was a rush to see what manner of craft they were, +and it was soon evident that they were indeed the boats from the +burning ship. + +By this time there was a fairly high sea running, and the boats, +having perceived our approach, had turned and lay on their oars, +with their bows facing us, the men giving an occasional stroke to +keep the boats so that they met the rollers bows on. + +"She was no ordinary trader," observed Silas Touchstone, pointing to +the little flotilla. "Yon boats are crowded to excess. There's a +couple of hundred aboard 'em, or I'm a Dutchman." + +"They would never reach land with the wind piping up as it is +doing," said Captain Jeremy, who had been roused from his cabin, +giving a hasty glance to windward. "Stand by to shorten sail." + +Already three of the boats had shipped several seas, for we could +see the men bailing vigorously. There was not a moment to be lost. + +It being now eight bells, we hoisted our ensign, according to +custom, and the sight of the Cross of St. George was hailed by a +cheer that was faintly borne to our ears from the still distant +boats. If the survivors had had any doubts as to our nationality, +they were now set at rest. + +"Hands shorten sail!" Hardly had the last notes of the bos'n's +mate's whistle died away, when the topmen were flying away aloft; +the courses were taken up, the topsail yards lowered, and slowly the +_Golden Hope_ began to lose way. + +"Women and children too, by Jove!" ejaculated Captain Jeremy, as the +boats made towards us. "'Tis well we are close to land, or we would +be hard put to it to feed them." + +"'Twill mean half rations, in any case," replied 'Enery, "though the +men will not mind that." + +"I'm sure they won't," assented the Captain. "But stand by; let the +men prepare bowlines, or we'll never get the women aboard without +mishap." + +A long-boat, with most of its passengers huddled on the bottom +boards, was the first to get alongside, and willing hands helped the +weary men to climb our heaving sides. This done, 'twas easier for +our people to board the boat and fix the bowlines round the waists +of the female passengers; and without a hitch, though the frightened +women made no little commotion, we had them safely aboard. The crew +followed, and we having no further use for the boat, she was cast +adrift. + +The second and third boats were also relieved of their human loads +and likewise sent adrift, but the fourth gave us more trouble. + +Being handled with less skill than her consorts, she crashed +broadside on to the _Golden Hope_ just as the brig was recovering +from a heavy roll, with the result that some of the boat's planks +were stove in and she commenced to fill. + +In the confusion several of the passengers, despite the assurances +of the officers and seamen in the boat, jumped to their feet, so +that the already heavily laden craft was in imminent danger of +capsizing. + +Ropes were thrown from the towering sides of the _Golden Hope_ +amidst a loud shout of "Women first!" Yet (though some excuse must +be made for their cowardice) several of the men sprang for our +bulwarks. Others, with more presence of mind, assisted in slipping +the bowlines over the shoulders of the women; and as each one was +hoisted aboard the danger of the boat being swamped became less. + +Just as the last female passenger was being hauled up, the knot in +the rope that held her became unhitched-no doubt 'twas a landlubber +who tied it--and the next instant she was struggling in the sea. + +It so happened that at that moment I was standing in the main chains +with a coil of rope in my hands, ready to throw it into the boat. + +Fastening one end of the line round my waist, and calling to some of +our men to tail on to the other end, I took a flying leap into the +water. In my haste I miscalculated the distance that the brig +rolled, and ere I struck the surface I came into violent contact +with the side of the _Golden Hope_ as she swung back to larboard. + +Half-dazed with the blow and well-nigh breathless, I plunged, or +rather rolled, into the water. The shock of the immersion recovered +me some what, and I struck out to where I had seen the girl sink for +the second time. + +Guided by the bubbles that rose to the surface, I swam downwards for +nearly two fathoms, till just beneath me I saw her feebly struggling +form. + +Grasping her by the hair--the only time I have ever served a woman +thus--I reached the surface in a few strokes, and called to the men +to haul handsomely on the rope. Then disengaging my hand and +throwing my left arm tightly round the girl's waist, I waited for +the _Golden Hope_ to come to the end of a roll, and shouted to the +men to heave roundly. This they did, and in a trice we were on the +deck of the brig. + +By this time the work of rescuing the other occupants of the boat +had been completed. The female passengers had been sent into the +after cabins, there to be rigged out in motley garments of blankets, +sailcloth, and what not. The male passengers were sent willy-nilly +into the fo'c'sle, where they and the crew of the lost ship were +accommodated with the spare clothing of our men. The captain of the +vessel, a short, red-faced man, was almost beside himself at the +loss of his vessel, asserting in no mild tones that she had been +fired maliciously, and that he knew the culprit and would hand him +up to justice at the first port we touched. Strangely enough, he +uttered no expression of gratitude for the deliverance of the ship's +company and passengers from the perils of the deep, nor did he seem +sensible of the services we had rendered. + +The ill-fated vessel was the _Phoenix_ of London, bound for Richmond +and other parts of Virginia with a full cargo and a great number of +settlers, mostly men of means who were dissatisfied with the state +of things at home, and hoped to live with greater freedom in the New +World. Many of them had lost their all, yet the worst sufferers +seemed by far the most stouthearted of the forlorn crowd. + +The _Phoenix_ was but four days out from the Downs when, just after +sunset, the alarm of fire was raised, and soon dense volumes of +smoke were seen issuing from the fore hatch, apparently from the +lamp and oil room. Already the flames had taken a good hold, and in +spite of the utmost efforts of the crew, aided by many of the +passengers, the fire steadily gained, till just before midnight the +order was given to abandon the ship. + +Directly the whole of the passengers and crew were embarked, the +boats pushed off and shaped a course for the Lizard, and having the +burning ship 'twixt them and us, they were prevented by the thick +cloud of smoke and the roar of the flames from seeing our lights or +hearing our signal guns. + +Daylight showed them our sails well down to the west'ard, so, on +making sure that we were proceeding in their direction, they +abandoned the attempt to reach land, and waited for us to come up. +'Twas as well they did so, for all were of the opinion that none of +the boats would have reached shore. + +Having been unable to change my saturated clothing, the after cabins +being, as I have said, given over to the women, I borrowed some +clothes from one of the men, putting on a thick pilot coat over all, +for the air was raw, especially after our lengthy sojourn in the +Tropics. + +Then, to regain warmth, I began to pace the deck vigorously. In the +midst of my walk the poop door opened, and a girl appeared. In spite +of her quaint appearance--for she wore a skirt fashioned from a red +blanket and a coat that belonged to Captain Jeremy--my heart gave a +sudden bound, for I was face to face with my sister Constance! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +Constance's Story + + +The surprise and recognition were mutual. Only the untoward state of +my sister's garments prevented her from throwing herself into my +arms. As it was, she could only grasp my hand and exclaim: + +"Oh, Clifford, you here! I thought you were dead long ago." + +"Far from it," I replied, leading her to the shelter of the weather +bulwarks, for the wind was now howling fiercely. "But tell me, how +came you here?" + +"'Tis a long story," she said, striving to keep back the tears of +joy that welled to her eyes. "But why--oh, there's Captain Jeremy!" + +And at that moment our Captain came down the poop ladder, to find, +to his unbounded astonishment, that Constance was one of the rescued +passengers. + +It was some time ere we dispensed with small talk and entered into +the more important details of our respective adventures, when +Captain Jeremy listened with rapt attention to my sister's +narrative, occasionally giving vent to a hearty exclamation of +approval as she told her story. + +"You would hardly realize the consternation that your disappearance +caused. At first our uncle thought you had left the house by stealth +in order to go fishing, and promised you a warm reception on your +return. But when evening came and you did not return, we began to +grow anxious----" + +"There you are," exclaimed Captain Jeremy. "Did I not say you were a +young rascal, when you were found in the hold? Didst give a single +thought to your worthy relative's distress?" + +"There was a hue and cry raised, but though the countryside was +searched most diligently, not a trace of you was found. A month or +so later a lad's body was found in the Lym stream, and though 'twas +well-nigh unrecognizable, our uncle was convinced 'twas yours. At +any rate, he came to the conclusion that you had been drowned while +swimming in the river, and the body was buried as that of Clifford +Hammond." + +"Then another misfortune came. Uncle John was thrown from his horse +near Buckland Rings, and received such severe injuries to his head +that in less than a week he died. Thus I was left without a relative +in England. In my distress I thought of our mother's brother's wife, +whom I knew to be living somewhere in Virginia; and being, as I +thought, without a single tie at home, I resolved to adventure +myself in the New World. With this object in view I went to see +Lawyer Thompson of Lymington, who had, as you know, the ordering of +our affairs. He approved of my resolve, but urged me to wait until +definite news could be obtained of our relative's whereabouts. +Accordingly a letter was sent by the hand of one Captain Joseph +Bennett, whose ship _Prudence_ was about to sail for the port of +Richmond." + +"Four months later I had a reply, brought by the same Captain +Bennett, to the effect that Mistress Green, our maternal aunt, would +be glad to receive me." + +"The _Prudence_ was timed to sail again from Gravesend on the +following Thursday week, and having made arrangements for my +passage, I prepared for the hazardous journey." + +"At length I bade farewell to the home of my childhood. Lawyer +Thompson accompanied me as far as Southampton, whence the coach was +to carry me to London. It was a tedious two days' journey, with the +best part of another day's ride to Gravesend." + +"On arriving at the latter place I found, to my consternation, that +the _Prudence_ had sailed on a special voyage to Hull, and would not +be back for another fortnight." + +"There was nothing to do but wait, and by good fortune I found a +comfortable lodging at the house of one Mistress Thetwell. But once +again I was doomed to disappointment. The _Prudence_ never returned +to the Thames--she was lost, with all her crew, off Yarmouth--so I +was obliged to wait at Gravesend until such time as I could find a +ship that was sailing for Virginia." + +"While awaiting this opportunity I chanced one day to be taking the +air along the Rochester road, when I heard the sound of a horse +galloping behind me. I turned, and saw a mettlesome nag bolting down +the highway, while, clinging desperately to the animal's mane, was a +girl of about my own age." + +"As you know, Clifford, I was always used to horses, so as the brute +rushed by I caught at the dangling bridle. The nag carried me some +distance, and just as I had mastered him he trod on my foot. The +pain was intense, and I was barely conscious of seeing the girl slip +from the saddle ere I swooned." + +"When I recovered my senses I found myself in a strange bed, with a +motherly lady watching me." + +"She was Mistress Farndale, wife of a wealthy landowner, and it was +her daughter Winifred whose horse I had helped to stop. All the +members of the family were kind to me beyond measure, and, hearing +my story, proposed that I should stay as a companion to Winifred +till an opportunity occurred for me to take ship. And, strange to +say, I felt perfectly contented and happy, actually hoping that that +opportunity was yet a long way off." + +"At length Master Farndale, for having spoken too openly in favour +of Archbishop Sancroft, was threatened with arrest; so, having +disposed of most of his property, he took ship for Virginia, having +previously made arrangements for his family to follow directly he +had prepared a suitable home for them." + +"Thus I was able to carry out my original intentions, without having +to undergo the grief of parting from my newly found friends, when we +took passage on the _Phoenix_. There were Mistress Farndale, Rupert +and Gerald, her sons; and Winifred and myself, together with a +maid." + +"I need not relate what happened on our unfortunate voyage, for you +already know of it; but when we were being taken on board this ship +from the boat Winifred fell into the sea, and someone rescued +her----" + +"Lucky lad! Lucky lad!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, bringing his open +hand down heavily on my back, to my great confusion. Then, as +Constance was at a loss to understand this sudden outburst, he +explained: "You see, Mistress Constance, 'twas your brother who +jumped after her. Sink me! 'twas a plucky action, for he was like to +have had his head crushed like an eggshell by the ship's side. But I +must away, for 'tis about time we made a landfall." So saying, he +hurried on to the poop, leaving us to continue our conversation. + +"I, too, have news for you," said I. "Constance, we are now rich, +for the _Madre_ treasure has been found. It is on board this very +ship." + +"How much is it worth?" she asked, with true feminine curiosity. + +"Nay, I cannot say to a certainty, yet 'tis enough for us to be for +ever free from monetary difficulties." + +Then I related all the principal incidents of our voyage, not +omitting the terrible fate of my father's murderer, till our +conversation was interrupted by the welcome cry of "Land--ho!" + +From the poop I gazed once more upon the shores of Old England, +after an absence of three years, for on our larboard bow I could +discern the dark, lofty outlines of the Lizard, the southernmost +headland of our isle. + +The _Golden Hope_ was now bowling along under easy canvas at a good +six knots, and ere night the dreaded Eddystone, rearing its ugly +reef above the breakers, was well abeam, and the rugged Devon coast +away on our larboard bow. Should this breeze continue, to-morrow's +eve would find us safe in Poole Harbour. + +Just before sunset most of the rescued passengers, having recovered +from their harrowing experience, came on deck, and Constance +immediately gave me an introduction to Mistress Farndale and her +daughter. + +Presently we were joined by Rupert and Gerald Farndale, whose +acquaintance I had made earlier in the day; and together we formed +quite a happy party, talking under the break of the poop deck until +it was quite dark. + +Then the ladies retired, while I, lying in a hammock slung under the +crowded fo'c'sle, dreamed of Constance and Winifred, till I was +awakened by the violent ringing of the ship's bell and the hoarse +order, "Put your helm up, or we'll be run down!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +Safe in Port + + +'Twas a strange sight that met my eyes as I rushed on deck and +gained the fo'c'sle. + +The wind had fallen light, and in the cold, raw gloom of that +November morning I could see ahead and on both sides of us a +multitude of great warships. + +They were sailing in close order, under all plain sail, and had just +gone about on the starboard tack, for their crews were still engaged +with the halyards and braces, in obedience to orders shouted in a +foreign tongue. + +This manoeuvre had thrown us fairly across their line, so that only +by putting our helm hard up were we able to avoid being run down by +a huge two-decker. + +In the comparatively small limit of my vision, for the weather was +thick, I counted over forty sail, though, judging by the sounds, +there must have been twice that number hidden in the mist. + +We scraped past the two-decker at barely ten yards' distance. She +was high-sided, and painted with one broad yellow and two narrow +brown stripes; while through her green-lined ports the muzzles of +some thirty-two brass guns flashed dully in the moist atmosphere. + +Her decks were crowded with men, for in addition to her crew there +were about a hundred phlegmatic-looking soldiers, in blue-and-yellow +uniforms. On her poop stood a burly great-coated officer, who raised +his speaking-trumpet with the evident intention of hailing us; but +apparently he thought better of it, and in almost perfect silence, +save for the hiss of the water at her cutwater and the straining and +creaking of her tackle, the ship glided past. Then, as she displayed +her lofty stern, with its wreath of decorative giltwork, I read the +name _Maese_. + +For a full half-hour we were hard put to it to avoid being run down +by the ships of the mighty fleet, which, we learned from the crew of +the _Phoenix_, was known to have been lying at Helvoetsluys, ready +to carry the Prince of Orange to England to wrest the crown from his +incapable father-in-law, King James. + +"Where are they bound for, being so far down Channel?" asked the +master gunner. + +"Nay, I know not," replied Captain Jeremy. "But Heaven forfend that +they land in the West. Enough English blood was wasted in the last +rising, as many of us know." + +"What chance hath the Prince, think you?" he continued, addressing +the master of the _Phoenix_, who had also turned out to see the +unwonted sight. + +"A far better one than had the Duke of Monmouth," was the answer; +"though, with all his faults, give me King James. I fought under him +when he was Duke of York, and a braver seaman never trod deck." + +"Ah! James Duke of York and James King of England are two very +different personages, I trow," replied Captain Jeremy. "The best +fighter is ever the worst statesman." + +"After all," said the master of the _Phoenix_, "so long as there are +English ships at sea and plenty of work for us poor seamen, it +matters not much who rules the roost. That's how the wind blows, say +I." + +"The wind draws ahead," observed Captain Jeremy; "that is the matter +that concerns us chiefly. I doubt whether we'll see port today." + +This was indeed the case, for the breeze, now provokingly light, had +backed till it came from the east'ard, so that it meant a dead beat +to windward. To men long absent from home this was especially +galling, though in my case I found consolation in being in the +company of Mistress Winifred, with whom I generally managed to have +several hours pleasurable conversation. + +Neither did we make Poole that day nor the next, for it fell a flat +calm, after the manner of St. Martin's summer, so that for +thirty-six hours we drifted with the tide within sight of the Dorset +hills. + +At length a steady southwesterly breeze sprang up, and, with barely +a hogshead of biscuit and a gallon of water aboard, the _Golden +Hope_ came in sight of Poole Harbour. + +"What cheer--ho, Master Light!" exclaimed Captain Jeremy, as a +weather-beaten pilot came over the side. "How fares it at home?" + +"Precious little news," replied the pilot, "though they say that +English beef will henceforth be flavoured with Orange." + +"So?" + +"Aye; they say the Dutchman hath landed at Torbay, and advanced on +Exeter. In short, there are all sorts of rumours, yet I pay scant +heed to them." + +With the air of a man who, in the exercise of his duty, scorns to +indulge in conversation, Master Light made his way aft, and under +his guidance the _Golden Hope_ threaded the tortuous channel that +leads to Poole Town. + +"Is it your wish to berth alongside the quay?" demanded the pilot. + +"Nay, rather I would anchor in the stream," replied Captain Jeremy, +mindful of the precious nature of our cargo. + +"Hands shorten sail!" + +Slowly the _Golden Hope_, with ever-decreasing way, glided abreast +of the town, and with the welcome order, "Let go", the anchor +plunged into the muddy waters of Poole Harbour. + +The voyage of the _Golden Hope_ was over. + +The news of the success of the Prince of Orange was hailed with +delight by the former crew of the _Neptune_. To them it meant that +they were free to return to their homes in the marshes of Somerset, +without fear of being again hauled before the justices and sentenced +to a horrible existence in the unhealthy swamps of Barbados; and on +this account we, too, felt glad at the unexpected solution of their +difficulties. + +Our first care was to get the passengers and crew of the _Phoenix_ +safely ashore. There was, we heard, a stout barque on the point of +sailing for Virginia in a few days' time, so that those who were of +a mind to cross the ocean, and had sufficient means to pay for their +passage, could avail themselves of her departure. + +Mistress Farndale and her family had resolved to do this, but ere +they went ashore I promised to call upon them as soon as my duties +would permit, for until the matter of sharing the treasure was +settled Captain Jeremy would allow no communication with the land. + +Three days later two assessors, being duly qualified Government +officers, came post haste from the Royal Mint and boarded us. The +seals of the strong room were broken and the massive locks +unfastened, and the task of allotting the wealth proceeded. + +Having set aside the tithe claimed by the state, and also the amount +due to Sir William Soams (who received a good eight hundred per +centum on his outlay), the shares owing to the original crew of the +_Golden Hope_ and to the men of the _Neptune_ were duly paid out. + +Then the residue, by a rough calculation of the value of 180,000 +pounds, was to be equally divided 'twixt Captain Jeremy and the +heirs of the late Captain Richard Hammond. I could hardly realize +the value of this immense sum, though I knew that our share was +sufficient to restore the fortunes of our house to its former +greatness. + +The _Golden Hope_ was now moored alongside a wharf on the Hamworthy +side of the harbour, and at two bells in the afternoon watch the men +mustered on deck, those who came off the _Neptune_ having fallen in +on the larboard side, each with his bundle ready for his long tramp +to distant Sedgemoor. + +In a few hearty words Captain Jeremy addressed them, thanking them +for their services, and wishing them every success in their future. +Then, after three ringing cheers, the "Neptunes", their pockets +filled with coin, went ashore, amid the boisterous farewells of +their comrades of the last two years and more; and as the little +band of men, who were now returning to till the soil instead of +ploughing the deep, disappeared from our view, I felt that another +link with the past had been finally severed. + +Our share of the treasure having been placed in safe keeping in the +town vaults of the corporation of Poole, those of the crew who +wished to take their discharge were dismissed, and under the command +of Clemens and the master gunner the _Golden Hope_ sailed for the +Thames, where she was to be handed back to her owners. + +Two days later Master Phillips, a London goldsmith, arrived, and, +having carefully examined the plate, made us a good offer. Thus the +precious cargo of the wrecked _Madre de Dios_ passed out of our +keeping, though I retained a few pieces of rare and costly +workmanship as a visible reminder of the treasure that, according to +the friar's prophecy, had been obtained through fire and blood. + + * * * * * + +Thus the story of the quest of the _Golden Hope_ draws to a close, +yet I must briefly dwell on the subsequent history of the principal +characters who played their parts in the search for the Madre +treasure. + +'Enery, bluff, stouthearted seaman, is now master and part owner of +the vessel in which he sailed with Captain Jeremy to the far-off +West Indies, for the _Golden Hope_ is now engaged in prosperous +trading voyages to the Mediterranean ports. Yet whenever she returns +home, Captain 'Enery, still much the same as of yore, generally +contrives to visit his native Lymington; nor does he forget to +extend his journey as far as Brockenhurst, where, joining with his +former captain in a glass and a pipe, he'll fight his battles o'er +again. + +Of Clemens the Cornishman we still hear, though less frequently than +we should like. He returned to his native town of Looe, where, +having given up the sea, he has worked up a sound boat-building +business. + +Silas Touchstone, the master gunner, finding little use for his +calling on private vessels, took service in His Majesty's Fleet, and +promised to make a name for himself. Both at La Hogue and the +desperate and successful attempt upon St. Malo our late master +gunner was mentioned for conspicuous bravery. To what extent his +dauntless courage would have led him 'twould have been hard to say, +had not his career afloat been nipped in the bud by the loss of a +leg in action in Vigo Bay. + +On attaining my twenty-first birthday I took ship to Richmond, in +Virginia, where Winifred and I were made one. A happier couple +'twould be hard to find, for our love has stood the test of time. +Still, there are moments when I hear the call of the salt-laden +breezes, and even yet I may once more adventure myself upon the high +seas. + +Nor must I omit mention of a tall, elderly man, who, despite his +white locks and iron-grey beard, still carries himself erect and +alert as of yore. A general favourite with my children, especially +his little namesake, now a sturdy child of nine years, Captain +Jeremy Miles has given up the sea, and spends the greater part of +his leisure hours in spinning yarns to his interested listeners of +the quest of the _Golden Hope_. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Quest of the 'Golden Hope', by +Percy F. 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