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+ float: left; + margin-right: 1em } + +.align-right { clear: right; + float: right; + margin-left: 1em } + +.align-center { margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto } + +div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } + +/* SECTIONS */ + +body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } + +/* compact list items containing just one p */ +li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } + +.first { margin-top: 0 !important; + text-indent: 0 !important } +.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } + +span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } +img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } +span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } + +.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } + +/* PAGINATION */ + +@media screen { + .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage + { margin: 10% 0; } + + div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage + { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } + + .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } +} + +@media print { + div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } + div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} + +</style> +<title>A LAD OF GRIT</title> +<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> +<meta name="PG.Title" content="A Lad of Grit" /> +<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Percy F. Westerman" /> +<meta name="DC.Created" content="1909" /> +<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Edward S. Hodgson" /> +<meta name="PG.Id" content="39490" /> +<meta name="PG.Released" content="2014-04-19" /> +<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> +<meta name="DC.Title" content="A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times" /> + +<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> +<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> +<meta content="A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times" name="DCTERMS.title" /> +<meta content="ladgrit.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> +<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> +<meta content="2012-04-20T04:15:55.004985+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> +<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> +<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> +<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39490" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> +<meta content="Percy F. Westerman" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> +<meta content="Edward S. Hodgson" name="MARCREL.ill" /> +<meta content="2014-04-19" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> +<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> +<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39490 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="a-lad-of-grit"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">A LAD OF GRIT</h1> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: coverpage --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 53%" id="figure-26"> +<span id="cover-art"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +Cover art</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<!-- container: frontispiece --> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 63%" id="figure-27"> +<span id="inch-by-inch-they-were-driven-back"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"INCH BY INCH THEY WERE DRIVEN BACK"</div> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="align-None container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="center pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large">A Lad of Grit</p> +<p class="center medium pnext white-space-pre-line">A Story of Adventure on Land<br /> +and Sea in Restoration Times</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">by</p> +<p class="center medium pnext white-space-pre-line">PERCY F. WESTERMAN</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">ILLUSTRATED BY EDWARD S. HODGSON</em></p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">BLACKIE & SON LIMITED<br /> +LONDON AND GLASGOW<br /> +1909</p> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="align-None container verso white-space-pre-line"> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">By Percy F. Westerman</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">Captain Fosdyke's Gold.<br /> +In Defiance of the Ban.<br /> +Captain Sang.<br /> +The Senior Cadet.<br /> +The Amir's Ruby.<br /> +The Secret of the Plateau.<br /> +Leslie Dexter, Cadet.<br /> +All Hands to the Boats.<br /> +A Mystery of the Broads.<br /> +Rivals of the Reef.<br /> +A Shanghai Adventure.<br /> +Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn".<br /> +The Junior Cadet.<br /> +Captain Starlight.<br /> +The Sea-Girt Fortress.<br /> +On the Wings of the Wind.<br /> +Captured at Tripoli.<br /> +Captain Blundell's Treasure.<br /> +The Third Officer.<br /> +Unconquered Wings.<br /> +The Riddle of the Air.<br /> +Chums of the "Golden Vanity".<br /> +Clipped Wings.<br /> +The Luck of the "Golden Dawn".<br /> +The Salving of the "Fusi Yama".<br /> +Winning his Wings.<br /> +A Lively Bit of the Front.<br /> +A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine.<br /> +The Good Ship "Golden Effort".<br /> +East In the "Golden Gain".<br /> +The Quest of the "Golden Hope".<br /> +Sea Scouts Abroad.<br /> +Sea Scouts Up-Channel.<br /> +The Wireless Officer.<br /> +A Lad of Grit.<br /> +The Submarine Hunters.<br /> +Sea Scouts All.<br /> +The Thick of the Fray.<br /> +A Sub and a Submarine.<br /> +Under the White Ensign.<br /> +The Fight for Constantinople.<br /> +With Beatty off Jutland.<br /> +The Dispatch Riders.</p> +<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="center pfirst small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow</em></p> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="container contents"> +<ul class="compact simple toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-i-how-the-tidings-of-the-restoration-came-to-rake" id="id2">CHAPTER I--How the Tidings of the Restoration Came to Rake</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ii-of-the-arrest-and-escape-of-increase-joyce" id="id3">CHAPTER II--Of the Arrest and Escape of Increase Joyce</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iii-concerning-my-journey-to-portsmouth" id="id4">CHAPTER III--Concerning my Journey to Portsmouth</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iv-how-judgment-was-passed-on-the-dorset-smugglers" id="id5">CHAPTER IV--How Judgment was Passed on the Dorset Smugglers</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-v-of-my-first-ship-the-gannet" id="id6">CHAPTER V--Of my First Ship, the <em class="italics">Gannet</em></a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vi-of-the-finding-of-pedro-alvarez-and-of-the-strange-tale-that-he-told" id="id7">CHAPTER VI--Of the Finding of Pedro Alvarez, and of the Strange Tale that he Told</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vii-concerning-the-treasure-island" id="id8">CHAPTER VII--Concerning the Treasure Island</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-viii-of-an-encounter-with-an-algerine-corsair" id="id9">CHAPTER VIII--Of an Encounter with an Algerine Corsair</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ix-i-lose-the-little-gannet" id="id10">CHAPTER IX--I lose the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em></a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-x-how-i-defended-the-foretop" id="id11">CHAPTER X--How I Defended the Foretop</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xi-of-the-manner-of-my-homecoming" id="id12">CHAPTER XI--Of the Manner of my Homecoming</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xii-the-smugglers-cave" id="id13">CHAPTER XII--The Smugglers' Cave</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiii-the-escape" id="id14">CHAPTER XIII--The Escape</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiv-i-set-out-to-fight-the-dutch" id="id15">CHAPTER XIV--I Set Out to Fight the Dutch</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xv-of-the-famous-sea-fight-of-four-days" id="id16">CHAPTER XV--Of the Famous Sea Fight of Four Days</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvi-i-meet-an-old-enemy" id="id17">CHAPTER XVI--I Meet an Old Enemy</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvii-showing-that-there-are-two-means-of-leaving-a-prison" id="id18">CHAPTER XVII--Showing that there are Two Means of Leaving a Prison</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xviii-the-veil-is-partly-drawn" id="id19">CHAPTER XVIII--The Veil is Partly Drawn</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xix-how-three-horsemen-set-out-for-the-north" id="id20">CHAPTER XIX--How Three Horsemen set out for the North</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xx-what-we-heard-and-saw-at-holwick" id="id21">CHAPTER XX--What we Heard and Saw at Holwick.</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xxi-our-search-for-the-treasure" id="id22">CHAPTER XXI--Our Search for the Treasure</a></p> +</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<p class="center medium pfirst">Illustrations</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#inch-by-inch-they-were-driven-back">Inch by inch they were driven back</a> . . . . . . Frontispiece<br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#i-ran-at-my-father-s-murderer-and-rained-blow-after-blow-upon-his-head-and-body">I ran at my father's murderer and rained blow after blow upon his head and body</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#they-clambered-up-our-sides-with-the-greatest-intrepidity">They clambered up our sides with the greatest intrepidity</a><br /> +<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-chest-is-hoisted-to-the-surface">The chest is hoisted to the surface</a></p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-how-the-tidings-of-the-restoration-came-to-rake"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id2">CHAPTER I--How the Tidings of the Restoration Came to Rake</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The sun was slowly sinking behind the +tree-clad Hampshire Downs. Already the long +shadows of Rake Hill lay athwart the misty +coombe, and the glimmer of the innumerable +forges in the valley beneath began to hold its +own against the rapidly fading daylight. The +cold east wind, for it was but the beginning of +March, in the year of grace 1660, whistled +through the clump of gaunt pine trees that +marked the summit of the hill, and, despite the +fact that each of us wore a thick doublet, the +chilly blast cut us like a knife.</p> +<p class="pnext">I remember that evening well; its stirring +incidents are graven on my memory as if they +had happened but yesterday, though nigh on +twoscore and ten winters and summers have +passed over my head since the eventful year of +which I write.</p> +<p class="pnext">My father and I were returning homewards +from the great fair at Petersfield. For an old +man, he being well over sixty years of age, my +father was the marvel of our village. Tall but +sparely built, his frame betokened a strength of +body that harmonized with the determination of +character that made itself known by the glance +of his steel-coloured eyes. Report says that +when he came to Rake to settle down, some +twelve or thirteen years back--I being but an +infant in arms,--he did gain a lasting reputation +by outmatching one Caleb James, a notorious +bully, at his own game, breaking his pate with +his own staff on the roadside hard by Milland Church.</p> +<p class="pnext">Moreover, as proof of his hardiness, is there +not the testimony of the worthy Master Hugh +Salesbury, the chirurgeon of Lyss--the same +whose son fell in Torrington's action off Beachy +Head,--to the effect that though practice was +slack around Lyss, yet he perforce would have +to give up if none were better patients than +honest Owen Wentworth.</p> +<p class="pnext">Despite the fact that he was on the losing +side, my father was not backward in declaring +his attachment to His Gracious Majesty King +Charles II; and although our neighbours, even +the Roundheads, were favourably disposed to +him, making allowance for his fiery temper, +yet with strangers who passed along the great +highway betwixt London Town and +Portsmouth, honest Owen's outspoken declarations +oft led to wordy strife, and on occasions ended +in blows.</p> +<p class="pnext">In defiance of the Puritan regulations against +anything tending towards the lost cause, my +father, though ruined by confiscations and +sequestration, endeavoured to maintain the +appearance of a careless and social demeanour, +ever cherishing a hope that each day seemed +nearer fulfilment.</p> +<p class="pnext">He still retained his flowing lovelocks, while +the lower part of his weather-worn face was +adorned by a greyish beard of Van Dyck cut, +which failed to hide a portion of a long, whitish +scar that extended from his left eyebrow to his +cheek bone--the legacy of a pike-thrust in the +sanguinary encounter of Cropredy Bridge. He +was dressed in a dark-blue suit, relieved by a +deep collar of Mechlin lace, while, on account +of the severity of the weather, he was further +attired in a long cloak that barely concealed the +end of a short hanger--a necessary weapon in +these troublous times. I also knew that he +carried two long dags, or Scottish pistols, yet +of these there was no outward sign.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we neared the foot of the hill, instead of +turning to the right towards our home, my father +broke the silence by saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will call in at the 'Flying Bull'. Possibly +the chapman from Godalming is there. If so, I +can replenish my stock of gun flints."</p> +<p class="pnext">As we entered the doorway of the "Flying +Bull"--an old hostelry that has sheltered all +sorts and conditions of men, from kings and +queens even to the arch-traitor Old Noll himself, +and the sign of which, painted by a limner who +had learned his art in the time of the last crusade, +had swung in the breeze for nigh on four +hundred years--we were greeted with a chorus +of welcome from the score or so of persons +assembled in the large stone-flagged common room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How goes the price of malt and barley at +Petersfield?" questioned one man in a voice that +was like to the bellowing of a bull.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Man," retorted another, "doth thy reasoning +not rise above the price of petty huckstering, +Obadiah Blow-the-trumpet-in-Zion? Heed +him not, good Master Wentworth. Hast news +of honest George Monk and his army?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"None, though rumour hath it that the fleet +at Portsmouth hath sided with Monk, and that +John Tippets, the mayor, hath called out the +train bands and manned the ordnance on the +Platform and the Square Tower. Moreover, a +trusty messenger hath reached Sir Giles Seaward +with orders to raise the countryside and to +assemble in Petersfield marketplace to-morrow +at noon. God forfend that this land be not +again drenched in blood!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay," rejoined another, "but, as man to man, +Master Wentworth, what think ye? How blows +the wind in London?" he added darkly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My friend, mark ye well, the wind blows +straight from the Low Country."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," thundered a voice from a seat in the +chimney corner; "the blast of the Lord, that +destroyed Sennacherib and his host, will utterly +consume the malignants, including Charles +Stuart, the son of the enemy of the people of +England!" My father sprang to his feet, white +with fury. All eyes were centred on the speaker. +He was a short, thick-set man of about forty +years of age, with a bull-neck, huge ears, small +ferrety eyes, close-cropped hair, and a +clean-shaven face deeply pitted with smallpox. He +wore a buff-coloured jerkin, opened at the neck +for comfort's sake, and frayed and soiled from +the wearing of armour, his breast- and +back-plates of dull steel having been removed. These, +together with a steel helmet with metal guards, +and a heavy broadsword, lay on the settle within +arm's length, while a petronel and a +well-weighted bandolier hung across the back of a +chair on which the man's feet, encased in long +Spanish boots, rested.</p> +<p class="pnext">On my father striding across the room, the +stranger leisurely rose from his seat and +extended his hand in an attitude of contemptuous +reproof.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tut, man, 'tis time thy grey hairs taught +thee wisdom! Wouldst threaten me, Increase +Joyce, trooper of Parliamentary Horse?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Draw, knave, draw!" shouted my father, +whipping out his hanger. "Either unsay those +words or else swallow them!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly all was confusion. Some of the more +timid made towards the door, tables were +overturned, tankards clattered on the floor, excited +men shouted in unintelligible voices. For my +own part, I remained by my father's side, unable +to take my eyes off his antagonist, and, at the +same time, knowing that my father in his choler +would brook no interference from me.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I fight not with old men," retorted Joyce. +"But this I know: 'The axe is laid unto the root +of the trees', an' if that arch-profligate, Charles +Stuart, were to set foot in England----"</p> +<p class="pnext">He was interrupted by a violent knocking +at the door, which, being thrown wide open, +showed a man fully armed and holding the +reins of a steaming and apparently exhausted horse.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Host!" he shouted. "Where or which is the host?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Old Giles Perrin, the innkeeper, came forward +and awaited his commands.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, sirrah, on thy life, hasten! Provender +for my beast; a cup of spiced ale for myself. +With all dispatch, man, for I am on the service +of the State!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The stranger strode into the room, stooped +and replaced one of the overturned stools, seated +himself thereon, and, removing a cloth that +encircled his neck, wiped his heated brow +vigorously. Then he stared haughtily around at the +assembled company, seized the cup that old +Giles brought, and drained it at one gulp.</p> +<p class="pnext">I remarked that he spoke with an accent +totally different from the Southern dialect of our +part of Hampshire and Sussex, but my doubts +were soon set at rest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How far down yon road is't to Petersfield? +And is one like to meet aught of footpads, +drawlatches, or vagrants of that condition?"</p> +<p class="pnext">It was my father who answered him, yet barely +had he opened his mouth when the stranger +clapped him on the shoulder:</p> +<p class="pnext">"By all the powers of darkness! You, S----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold, man!" replied my father in a tone that +implied no denial. Then, in an undertone, I +heard him say: "I am now but Owen +Wentworth, gentleman yeoman, at your service."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am still Ralph Slingsby, though, thanks +to my General Monk, cornet of horse no longer, +but captain in his favourite regiment. Let me +think. 'Tis but thrice that I have seen thee +since we parted at Holwick, you to join the king +at Nottingham, I to enrol under my Lord Essex. +First, at Edgehill, when I, a mere stripling, lay +under the hoofs of Rupert's horse. Secondly, +at Cropredy Bridge, when I did turn aside the pike +that would have let your soul out of the keeping +of your body. Lastly, when at the trial of----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ssh! I would have you remember that the +rising generation hath long ears."</p> +<p class="pnext">My father spoke truly, for though the stranger +had uttered his lengthy speech but in an +undertone, yet I, with the curiosity of youth, did not +fail to hear, much to my mystification. Knowing +also that the remark about "the rising generation" +was applied to me, I must needs raise my +hands to my ears to feel if they were long, much +to Ralph Slingsby's amusement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"So this is your son, Master Wentworth? +A fitting chip of the old block! What wouldst +thou be, lad; a fighting man, like thy sire?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay," I replied. "But I would love to go to +sea, and become famous like Admiral Blake, e'en +though he were a Roundhead!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What knowest thou of Blake?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Henry Martin hath told me tales of his +gallant deeds, and besides, he hath shown me +his medal of bronze, inscribed: 'For eminent +service in saving ye <em class="italics">Triumph</em>, fired in fight +with ye Dutch'. That was the sea fight in +which Martin lost his leg."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, Master Wentworth, that's the spirit I +like! The time hath come when Englishmen +cease from flying at each other's throats. Host, +my score!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, shaking my father by the hand, and +patting me kindly on the head, he strode +towards the door; then, turning, he addressed +the company:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Gentlemen, I beg you take heed that yesternight +a messenger was sent to Holland to invite +His Majesty King Charles II to return to his +throne. I bear orders to the fleet at Portsmouth +that they all, with the exception of the <em class="italics">Naseby</em>, +the name of which giveth offence to His Majesty, +proceed to the Downs, there to welcome our +sovereign lord. God save the King!"</p> +<p class="pnext">While the silence that prevailed in the room, +following on this startling announcement, still +remained, I could hear the thud of horse's hoofs +as Ralph Slingsby resumed his momentous +journey towards Petersfield.</p> +<p class="pnext">When, a quarter of an hour or so later, we left +the "Flying Bull", the moon had risen, +throwing the long shadows of the dark pines athwart +the road. Our humble abode lay about a mile on +the by-road from Rake to Midhurst, and +homewards we stepped, our thick-soled shoes ringing +on the frosty road. When but half the distance +was covered, I heard the sound of the crackling +of the dry brushwood in a coppice on our left, +followed by the cry of a bird and the fluttering +of its wings as it flew over our heads.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinctively I edged closer to my father and +grasped his left hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lad, art afraid of a fox running through +the covert?" he exclaimed. "And wouldst be +a sailor, too!"</p> +<p class="pnext">In spite of my boast in the well-lit room of the +"Flying Bull", my heart throbbed painfully, +and my reply seemed like to stick in my throat. +We continued in silence, and presently came +to a spot where a large reed-fringed lake lay +on the right-hand side of the road, while on the +other a dense clump of gaunt firs threw a dismal +gloom over our path.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we neared the clump a voice, authoritative, +harsh, and yet familiar, shouted:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand!"</p> +<p class="pnext">And into the moonlight stepped a short, +thick-set man, whom I recognized as the soldier who +caused the turmoil at the inn, Increase Joyce.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the second time that night my father +unsheathed his hanger, and, pushing me behind +him, advanced towards the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand!" he repeated. "See here; a word +in thine ear, Master Wentworth. Less than an +hour agone I said: 'I fight not with old men'. +I recall those words. With me it is a case of +doing in Rome as do the Romans. The +Commonwealth is at an end, therefore I am a +Parliamentarian no longer. Instead, I journey +to the Rhine to join the German freebooters, or +else to the Spanish Main to throw in my lot with +the buccaneers of the Indies--it matters not +which; but ere I go I have an account to settle +with the Lord of Holwick. Little did I think to +find him hiding in an obscure Sussex village. +Dost remember twenty years aback--the trysting +place under the Holmwood Oak?--Ah! ... Nay! +Stand, at thy peril!"</p> +<p class="pnext">But my father, white with passion, still +advanced, the moonbeams dancing on his glittering +blade. Joyce unslung his petronel, and +covered his antagonist when within fifteen or +twenty paces.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Murderer!" shouted my father.</p> +<p class="pnext">"As you will; I take no risks with steel," +and immediately the report of the weapon burst +upon my ears like a clap of thunder, while the +trees were illuminated by the flash of the +discharge. I shut my eyes and screamed in terror, +and on opening them I saw--oh, merciful +Heaven!--a convulsive form lying in the road, +while the Roundhead stood watching me +intently, the smoke from his petronel hanging +round like a pall, and slowly ascending in the +chill night air.</p> +<p class="pnext">In an instant my terror left me and I became +a demon. Grasping my oak cudgel in my hand, +I ran at my father's murderer and rained blow +after blow upon his head and body. It was but +a forlorn attempt. His headpiece and armour +received the blows as lightly as if they were from +a straw, and with an oath he smote me heavily +on the chest with the butt of his pistol, so that I +reeled, fell backward across the body of my +murdered sire, and struck my head on the frosty +road. Multitudes of lights flashed before my +eyes, followed by a red glare, and I lost all +consciousness.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-28"> +<span id="i-ran-at-my-father-s-murderer-and-rained-blow-after-blow-upon-his-head-and-body"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-016.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"I RAN AT MY FATHER'S MURDERER AND RAINED BLOW AFTER BLOW UPON HIS HEAD AND BODY"</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-of-the-arrest-and-escape-of-increase-joyce"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id3">CHAPTER II--Of the Arrest and Escape of Increase Joyce</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">When I came to, the first vague impressions +of consciousness were the excited chatterings of +what seemed to me a multitude of people. Then +I saw the flashing of the light of a log fire +lightening the dark oak beams of a room. I lay +still, my temples throbbing like to burst, and +my head swimming till I felt ready to vomit. +Trying to collect my thoughts, I realized that +I was in the kitchen of our own house. Then +in an instant the whole scene of the tragedy in +the pine-shrouded lane burst upon me in all its +horror, and I raised myself on one elbow and +feebly articulated: "Father, say it is but a dream!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Gentle hands firmly put my head back upon +a pillow, and a voice, which I recognized as that +of Master Salesbury, the chirurgeon, said: "The +lad will surely recover. No more letting of blood +or cupping is needful. A hot posset will not +come amiss, good Mistress Heatherington, ere +I take my leave, for 'tis cold abroad."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thou art right, Master Salesbury," replied +another, Sir George Lee, who, I afterwards found +out, had been summoned as a Justice of the +Peace to take down such evidence as could be +obtained. "And as for you, sir, I must ask you +to accompany me as my guest till this +unfortunate matter can fully be gone into."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Right gladly would I, worthy sir, but I ride +hot-foot on affairs of State. By ten of the clock +I must deliver a sealed packet into the hands +of Master Jack Tippets, the Mayor of Portsmouth."</p> +<p class="pnext">I started, and strove again to rise; the voice +seemed but too familiar to my ears; but once +more I was soothed into repose.</p> +<p class="pnext">"To Portsmouth, say you? Then why, may +I ask, were you so far from the highway?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I had also to summon the Squire of Trotton----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trotton, say you? Then why didst take this +road, seeing that the turning at Milland is the +right and proper one?" demanded Sir George +sternly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I must have missed the right road, and, +hearing shots, I suspected some foul crime, and +rode hither----"</p> +<p class="pnext">In an instant I connected that voice with that +of the murderer, Increase Joyce, and with what +strength yet remained I shouted: "Seize him; +he is my father's murderer!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately all was commotion. Women +shrieked--men shouted. Sir George Lee sprang +to his feet and whipped out his sword. "Arrest +him," he ordered. Two men, who were attendants +at the Court Leet, placed their hands on +Joyce's shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Unhand me, men!" he exclaimed; "'tis a +mistake--a grave mistake. Would ye pay heed +to the ravings of a light-headed child?"</p> +<p class="pnext">A wave of indecision swept over the people +present; but, in spite of extreme physical pain, I +had raised myself on my elbow, and in reply +I repudiated the Roundhead's taunt. "I am +not light-headed nor is it a mistake. That +man shot my father with a petronel not a furlong +from this house."</p> +<p class="pnext">But Joyce doggedly followed up his line of +argument. "Look, worthy sir," he reiterated, +"the lad is still wandering. Why, when I came +upon them, the boy was stretched senseless on +the roadway. I pray you, order your men to +release me. I journey on the business of the +Commonwealth."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two men released their hold, but Sir +George turned on them with a rage quite +unusual to him. "Were ye told to unhand him, +dolts?" he shouted. "A messenger of the +Commonwealth or no messenger, I take the +responsibility. Bind him, and away to +Midhurst with him at once."</p> +<p class="pnext">With an oath the scoundrel shook off his two +captors and threw himself bodily on Sir George. +Taken unawares, the knight could ill defend +himself, and before the bystanders could interfere, a +knife flashed in the firelight and was buried in +his body. Then the two henchmen grappled +with the Roundhead, and all three rolled in a +heap on the floor. It was not until the miscreant +was stunned by a blow from a milking stool that +he was finally secured, and attention could be +given to Sir George Lee.</p> +<p class="pnext">The knight was leaning against the wall, his +head slightly bent, while a deadly pallor +overspread his face, on which, however, lurked a +peculiarly grim smile.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Art hurt, Sir George?" asked Master Salesbury.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nay, Doctor, 'tis not a case for your hands +this time, thanks to Lawyer Whitehead; I am +but winded."</p> +<p class="pnext">"To Lawyer Whitehead! How?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay, to Lawyer Whitehead! 'Tis the first +time in twenty-nine years that I have been well +served by a lawyer, and even this once it was not +as a deliberate act of kindness." And, drawing +from his pocket a thick bundle of parchment, +partly cut through by the villain's knife, he held +it up for inspection.</p> +<p class="pnext">At that moment the door opened and a sturdy +countryman entered, pulling his forelock as a +mark of respect to Sir George, and handed him +a petronel which I recognized only too well.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Zure, sir, I did find 'e but d'ree paces +from t' road where they killed Maister Wentworth."</p> +<p class="pnext">Under guard, the villain, now in a half-dazed +condition, was removed in a cart to the jail at +Midhurst. Most of those present dispersed, and, +faint and tired, I fell into a troubled sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">A week passed ere I had sufficient strength +to be able to sit up. Under the careful nursing +of Mistress Heatherington my bodily hurts were +healed, though the mental anguish of that terrible +night still gripped me in a relentless grasp.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was on a Tuesday morning when Sir George +came to the cottage to enquire how I progressed, +and to tell me that he was taking me to the +courthouse at Midhurst on the following +Monday morning, should I be well enough to bear +the journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lad," he exclaimed, "I would I could +fathom this mystery! Thy father's slayer is no +mean reaver or cutpurse; yet, though we have +him safe by the heels, manacled and leg-ironed, +and threaten him with the thumbscrews, never +a word can be wrung from him. Was there +ever a feud 'twixt thy sire and him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">I told the knight of the event that took place +at the sign of the "Flying Bull", and of the +meeting with the villain in the moonlit lane. +Sir George listened attentively, and, proud of +being privileged to talk to so exalted a +personage as the wealthiest man for miles around +Rake, I let my tongue run wild for the space +of nigh on an hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">When I had finished, Sir George, who had +never ceased to stroke his beard and play a +tattoo with his fingers on the table, remained +silent for a few minutes; then suddenly he exclaimed:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Holwick! Captain Slingsby of Monk's +Regiment of Horse! 'Tis passing strange, yet----"</p> +<p class="pnext">His remarks were cut short by the thunder of +a horse's hoofs, and a man suddenly burst in +through the door and exclaimed breathlessly: +"Oh, Sir George! Sir George!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, sirrah?"</p> +<p class="pnext">But the man could only stammer out: "Oh, +Sir George!"</p> +<p class="pnext">This was more than the choleric old knight +could stand. "Don't stand there babbling like +a drunken mummer at Martinmas fair!" he +shouted, with a round oath. "Deliver thy message, dolt!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh, Sir George! The murderer Joyce hath escaped!"</p> +<p class="pnext">With another furious outburst the knight +rushed out of the room, mounted his horse, and, +followed by his two servants and the messenger +of ill-tidings, rode furiously down the road to +Midhurst, the noise of the horses' hoofs clattering +on the frosty road testifying to the speed +at which they were urged.</p> +<p class="pnext">News travels apace, and in less than an hour +it was all over our village that Joyce had by +some means obtained a file, cut through his +fetters, and, after a murderous attack on his +jailer, had broken out of Midhurst Jail, and was +last seen making his way towards the bleak +Sussex Downs.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">My father had already been laid to rest in the +quiet little churchyard of Trotton, and on +making an examination of the little house where we +dwelt, his will was discovered. The reading of +this will, though of little interest to me (on +account, I now suppose, of my youth), was the +occasion of an assembly of many of the friends +of my father, the number surprising me; for, +though highly respected, he was not one who +was fond of associating with our neighbours.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were present, besides Sir George Lee, who +appeared to take a great interest in me, Lawyer +Whitehead, Howard Hobbs and Jack Alexander +of Iping, both of whom had seen service under +Prince Rupert; Arthur Conolly, an Irish veteran +who had served in the Low Countries, and who +had come over from Chichester for the occasion; +Arthur Lewis, a gentleman of Bramshott; Percy +Young, an officer of the navy, who in his earlier +days had lost a leg in the action of La Rochelle; +Herbert Collings, a master mariner of Gosport, +who used to be a frequent visitor at our house, +and who greatly interested me with the account +of his adventures off the coast of Barbary; and +Giles Perrin, the landlord of the "Flying Bull", +who modestly seated himself on a stool in a +remote corner of the room. There were also +several others whose names I forget.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lawyer Whitehead, whose name did not belie +his appearance, adjusted his horn spectacles, and, +unfolding a parchment, read the will, which is as +follows:--</p> +<p class="pnext">"In the Name of God, Amen, I, Owen +Wentworth, late of Holwick in the countie of Yorks" +[here followed some word that had been erased +and "yeoman" written above] "being whole of +bodie and perfect of mynde, do ordaine and make +this my last will and testament in manner and +forme followinge: First, I commend my soule into +the handes of Almightie God my Creator, and my +bodie to be buried in the churchyarde at Trotton. +Item, I give to the poor of the parish of Rake +ten pounds to be divided amongst them by the +discretion of my Executors. Item, I give to Sir +George Lee, knight, in token of friendship, my +horse, alsoe a box and contents now deposited +with Master Whitehead, Lawyer of Midhurst. +Item, to my sister Margaret, now wedded to +George Anderson, Clerk of Ye Survey at the +Dockyarde neare Portesmouth, One hundred +Pounds. Item, to the said George Anderson +the sum of Twenty and five Pounds yearly, +provided that the said George Anderson doth fulfil +to the letter the instructions set forth by me and +intrusted to the keeping of the aforesaid Master +Whitehead, Lawyer of Midhurst.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Item, to all persons hereinafter named" [here +followed a long list of names, embracing all +present and many besides], "provided that they +pay me the last respects due to me, I give XX*s*. +Item, to John Alexander and Arthur Lewis, my +welbeloved friends and Executors, I give Five +Pounds apiece.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Item, to my deerly beloved sonne Aubrey +I give the residue of my estate, to be held in +trust by the aforesaid George Anderson till my +sonne attain the age of XXI yeares, if he doe +so long live.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is my will alsoe that my sonne Aubrey +shall take charge and have and hold the metal +box that I do always carry attached to my belt, +suffering not the same to go out of hys +possession, so that it will help in a small matter whereof +he knoweth not yet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Item, it is my will if the above named +Aubrey my sonne doth dye without heires or +before he come to the age of XXI years, the +residue shall remain to my sister Margaret +Anderson and her heires forever."</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">There was a buzz of suppressed excitement +when Master Whitehead had ended the reading +of this lengthy will. Clearly my father was a +far richer man than most people had wot of; +moreover, there was a cloud of mystery hanging +over the will--that was evident by the darkly +worded passage about keeping the instructions.</p> +<p class="pnext">But before there was time for discussion the +lawyer brought out another bulky packet, +fastened with a large red seal. This he broke +and withdrew the contents, revealing yet another +sealed missive and a sheet of vellum written in +my father's hand. The missive was addressed: +"In trust for my sonne Aubrey Wentworth. +To Master George Anderson, dwelling in +St. Thomas Street in Ye Burrough of Portesmouth. +Not to be opened under paine of my displeasure +till my sonne attaine the age of XXI years."</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">The letter gave instructions for me to be sent +to my uncle's at Portsmouth, to be provided for +until I could choose for myself what I should +be, at the same time exhorting me to serve +faithfully His Majesty King Charles II or his lawful +successor, and to abstain from vain or idle +longings to break the seals of the enclosed +package till the stipulated time limit had expired.</p> +<p class="pnext">This the lawyer gravely handed to me, expressing +his satisfaction at the prospect before +me--a statement that left me more bewildered +than before.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Sir George Lee spoke, enquiring where +was the small metal box that my father had +mentioned.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here was another mystery. No one knew or +had seen the box. Mistress Heatherington and +both the servants, Giles and William, who had +brought home the body of my murdered sire, had +been ignorant of its existence, and, at the request +of Lawyer Whitehead, the clothes my father +wore at the time of his death were produced. +There was the belt--a highly ornamented broad +band of Spanish leather. The lawyer took and +examined it, then passed it on to Sir George, +who also looked at it closely, even bending +and shaking it in the hope that the missing +box might be hidden between the layers of leather.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, what has been here?" exclaimed the +knight, pointing to a series of minute holes +round a patch of leather that was not quite so +discoloured as the rest.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clearly the mysterious box was missing, and +it was evident that it had been forced away from +the leathern belt. Then arose the question, how +could it have been detached, and who was the +miscreant who had taken it?</p> +<p class="pnext">The debate lasted for a long while, but all +present were agreed that the villain Joyce must +have annexed it for some particular motive, +though 'twas evident that robbery was not +intended, the box being of some worthless metal.</p> +<p class="pnext">Master Whitehead then gave to Sir George an +oaken box which my father had mentioned in his +will. The knight opened it, disclosing a lace +handkerchief marked with a deep brown stain, +to which was fastened a piece of parchment +inscribed: "Stained with y^e blood of y^e Martyr +His M^tie King Charles", the jewelled hilt of a +sword, a ring, and several papers.</p> +<p class="pnext">The knight reverently pressed his lips to the +royal relic, then proceeded to peruse the various +papers. The first he looked at intently for some +moments, then read aloud the following words:--</p> +<p class="pnext">"To Beverley Gate on fir trees that wall +keeping from y^e 11J feete come to of mine +directions in desires I sonne having."</p> +<p class="pnext">Again he read these unmeaning words, his +brows knitting in undisguised perplexity; then +he handed the paper to the lawyer, who, after +several vain attempts to produce a proper +sentence, turned it over in his hand. Something +was written on the back; but without saying a +word he returned the paper to Sir George, first +tapping the writing with his forefinger and +clearly indicating that the knight should likewise +keep silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">My sharp wits clearly told me that Sir George +by his manner was angry with himself for +having read the paper aloud. Hastily thrusting +it back into the box, he slammed to the lid and +prepared to take his departure.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rest of the assembled company followed +his example, and, with an arm aching with the +result of vigorous handshakes, I was left alone +with Mistress Heatherington.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the last I saw of kind Sir George Lee +for many a long year.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-concerning-my-journey-to-portsmouth"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id4">CHAPTER III--Concerning my Journey to Portsmouth</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Grief does not for long hold its sway over the +buoyant spirit of youth, and, in spite of the +heavy blow that I had sustained, my boyish +disposition speedily reasserted itself, and I +looked forward with undisguised eagerness to +my journey to my new home in Portsmouth town.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already I had heard many wondrous tales +of the happenings in that town from the lips +of old Master Herbert Collings and of Henry +Martin. In my mind I pictured my worthy +uncle taking me round the dockyard, showing +me this and that vessel, and pointing out this +captain who fought against the Dutch, and +that master mariner who repulsed the Barbary corsair.</p> +<p class="pnext">With bright visions of the future I gave little +heed to the troubles of the past, and eagerly +wished for the end of the nine long days that +must pass ere I left the quiet of our little village +of Rake for the busy life of a naval town.</p> +<p class="pnext">A day spent in Midhurst, where I was well +fitted out with clothes, helped to make the time +pass, and on the evening previous to the eventful +day of my departure, I climbed the steep ascent +of Rake Hill to bid farewell to some of my +friends who dwelt on the by-road towards Lyss.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was dark ere I set out homewards, and on +the summit of the hill I stopped to look across +the coombe, where flickered the innumerable +wood fires of the iron smelters' forges. It +reminded me strangely of that eventful day, but +a few weeks past, when I journeyed over the +selfsame road with my father, and instinctively +I breathed a prayer for vengeance against his +foul murderer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the distant thud of horses' hoofs +smote upon my ear, and before I reached the +foot of the hill, where stands the "Flying Bull", +I perceived a cavalcade rapidly approaching.</p> +<p class="pnext">As I drew to the side of the highway to watch +them pass, I could see in the starlight that there +was a body of horse, some dozen at least, +surrounding a carriage. The horsemen were +accoutred in breast- and back-plates and steel +helmets, and from their sour visages I knew +them to be Roundheads. Inside the carriage +a candlelamp burned, throwing a dim light on +the occupants; and, brief as was my glimpse, +I saw that they were lavishly attired, and wore +lovelocks under their plumed beaver hats.</p> +<p class="pnext">Whether they journeyed as prisoners I could +not tell, though from the careless jovial +expression of their faces it seemed otherwise; but +before I could remark much else the party had +galloped past, and were well on their way along +this southern highway towards Portsmouth. +When I reached my home I at once retired for +the night, and was soon dreaming of horsemen +and chariots till the rays of the morning sun, +thrown athwart my bed, awoke me.</p> +<p class="pnext">In my eagerness to start I could scarcely be +persuaded to eat anything. In vain did Mistress +Heatherington coax me--my excitement was +too great. At length the two-horsed wain +belonging to Farmer Hill drew up outside our +house. By this conveyance I was to be taken +to Petersfield, there to proceed by a chapman's +cart that journeyed thrice weekly betwixt that +town and Portsmouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">My packages and boxes were lifted into the +wagon. I climbed up beside the driver, and +with many a handwave my old home was left +behind me, and a new world lay before me.</p> +<p class="pnext">I was now fourteen years of age, and for a +country-bred lad I flattered myself that I was +no fool. Tall for my age, broad-shouldered +and supple-limbed, I possessed an unusual +amount of strength, and could bear fatigue in +a manner that could only be accounted for by +the fact that I had led an active outdoor life.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly the wagon ascended the steep incline +of Rake Hill. The summit gained, there was +time for a parting glance across the coombe ere +the four-mile stretch of downhill road +commenced. At first I talked excitedly with the +driver, a sour-faced, wizened man, whose short +jerky answers, spoken in broadest Sussex, did +not encourage conversation; so presently I +dropped all attempt at talking, and took note +of the various places and persons we met on +the road.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Sheet Bridge we were stopped by a toll-gate, +the driver exchanging a few angry words +with the villainous-looking man who held the gate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Beyond was a short, steep hill, up which we +both walked, the driver having thrown the reins +across his horse's back. At the summit was +a gallows, from which hung something black. +As we drew nearer I could see that the dark +object was all that remained of what was once +a man. The corpse, daubed with pitch, was +encircled with iron hoops like a cage, and as +the wind howled over the hilltop the chain that +suspended the cage creaked horribly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The corpse could not have been there for +long; it certainly was not there on the occasion +of my last journey with my father to Petersfield. +I noticed that the little finger of each hand was +missing!</p> +<p class="pnext">The driver looked at me over his shoulder, +as if to note the effect that this horrible sight +might have on a youth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"See you?" he queried, knowing full well +that I could not well miss seeing it unless I +were blind.</p> +<p class="pnext">I nodded. "Let yon be a waarning to 'e, +young maaster. Do 'e never taake to killin'. +'Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall +his blood be shed.'" And with this remarkable +discourse he slowly climbed back to his seat +on the wagon, I following him.</p> +<p class="pnext">But I was not satisfied. Those missing fingers +puzzled me, and I ventured to ask why the +hands had been mutilated. For answer he +plunged his hand into one of his many pockets +and produced a small object that looked like a +leather purse. This he opened and pulled out +a human finger, the stump being mounted with +silver! For a moment he held it before my eyes; +then, as if too precious to be exposed to the light +of day, he carefully replaced it in its wrappings.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Young maaster," he replied, "for certain +prevention of agues, fever, smallpox, plague, +and all divers illnesses, for certain proof against +the evil eye, there is nowt that can compare +with the little finger of a murderer."</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the square tower of Petersfield +Church was in sight, and soon after we drew +up in the courtyard of the "Red Lion", where, +since it was market day, there were numbers +of carts and wagons from the countryside for +miles around.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the midst of the bustle and noise I saw +that mingled with the countryfolk were several +soldiers, while in a corner of the courtyard was +a ponderous coach, which, if I mistook not, +was the very one that passed me yesternight at +Rake Hill.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was but ten in the morning, and the two +occupants of the coach had not yet appeared. +Apparently an accident had befallen the +conveyance, for a smith was busily engaged with +hammer and cold chisel in repairing one of the +wheels.</p> +<p class="pnext">Notwithstanding their Puritanical garb, most +of the troopers had, even at this early hour, +partaken of spirituous drinks, and, judging by +their gestures and talk, were evidently anticipating +the restoration of His Majesty King Charles.</p> +<p class="pnext">Perceiving a serving maid at one of the +windows, one of the soldiers began to make +love to her in dumb show, kissing his hand and +waving his iron headpiece to the damsel, who +seemed nothing loath to accept his advances.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently she opened the casement, and, +leaning out, threw him a flower. Few women can +throw straight, and this one was no exception. +Her missile flew far above the man's head, and, +running backwards in a vain endeavour to catch +it, he fell heavily into a large trough of pigs' +mash, where, half-stunned by the force of his +fall, he lay wallowing in the sticky mess, till he +was helped out by his comrades, to the +accompaniment of their jeers and laughter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having carried all my belongings into the +inn, the old carter bade me farewell; and as +the sound of his footsteps was lost in the outside +din, I felt as if the last link that bound me to +the home of my childhood was severed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The host of the "Red Lion", an old soldier +by appearance, came in and asked me what I +lacked. I told him I was waiting for the +chapman who travelled between Winton, Petersfield, +and Portsmouth, and at the same time ordered +a meal, for the morning ride had made me hungry.</p> +<p class="pnext">The landlord hurried off, for callers were +many that morning, and whilst I was waiting +I took stock of the room. It was panelled, and +had thick oak rafters and low ceiling. Though +the weather was warm, a large fire blazed on +the hearth, while the wall above the chimney +corner was hung with an assortment of old +weapons.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were three other occupants of the room, +two of whom sat in the chimney corner, leaning +over the fire as if it were a winter's day, while +the third was spread out on the settle, gazing +stolidly at his companions. They had evidently +been engaged in deep conversation, but on my +arrival they stopped talking and eyed me with +no goodwill.</p> +<p class="pnext">All three were villainous-looking men, +dark-skinned and heavy-browed. One had a livid +weal across his cheek, while another was deeply +pitted with smallpox. The third had his face +nearly concealed in a dark beard that grew so +high on his cheek as almost to meet his +eyebrows. Their clothes were old and ragged; +their belongings were limited to a small bundle +that was placed by each man's side. Three large +tankards, lying upset on the floor, showed that +their refreshment had been copious, while the +reek of strong spirits hung around them like +an invisible cloud.</p> +<p class="pnext">They made no secret of the fact that my +inquisitive glances were unwelcome, and so much +did they scowl that I turned hastily away and +looked out of the window, where the brilliant +sunshine, beating down on the crowded +courtyard, made a pleasing contrast to the dismal +trio within.</p> +<p class="pnext">The arrival of another wayfarer next diverted +my thoughts. The newcomer was a burly, +good-natured farmer, who, after giving the three +men a cheery salutation, which they returned +surlily enough, sat down opposite to me.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just then the landlord reappeared, and offered +excuses for not having a better room at his +disposal. "Two officers and a troop of horse," +said he, "have stayed here overnight. What +their business is I know not. The men are free +with everything but their own affairs. Not +even spiced ale makes their tongues wag in +that direction. Their masters say less. Still, +'tis not my business; they pay well. But even +this young gentleman has to stay here for want +of better room. Ah, bethink me! Didst pass +Carver, the chapman, on your way hither?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are your wits wool-gathering, Master Host?" +replied the other. "Seeing that Carver gave +notice that on Tuesday he would go direct from +Winton, instead of through this town, and that +to-day happens to be Tuesday----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Of course!" ejaculated the landlord; "I had +forgotten."</p> +<p class="pnext">For a moment I felt staggered, then I asked +if there were other means of continuing my way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"None, young sir; but there is ample +accommodation here for man and beast till +Thursday, when a wagon from Alton to Portsmouth +passes this hostel."</p> +<p class="pnext">I shook my head. The idea of spending two +days and nights in this place was out of the +question. "I must go on," I replied, "even +if I walk."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You've pluck!" exclaimed the farmer. "'Tis +a good eighteen miles. Were it any day but +this I'd take you part of the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">I thanked him, and asked the landlord to take +care of my trunks till the Thursday; and, having +finished my repast, I prepared to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having paid my account in gold, and received +a quantity of silver change, which the landlord +counted slowly into my hand, I bade the kindly +farmer good-bye, and set off southward along a +dusty, chalky road.</p> +<p class="pnext">After crossing a small stream, and proceeding +over a long causeway, the road began slowly, +yet gradually, to rise, evidently making for a +gap between two lofty hills. Two miles brought +me to the foot of the downs, where all signs +of cultivation terminated abruptly, and only a +treeless expanse of turf-covered hills met my eye.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was warm work that last part of the ascent, +and on gaining the summit of the road I found +that the hillside still towered on both sides, +the highway running through a steep chalk cutting.</p> +<p class="pnext">Out of breath, I sat down on a grassy bank +and looked back upon the country I had just +left. Miles and miles of well-wooded land lay +beneath me, extending far away to the North +Downs. I could see the town of Petersfield +nestling around the square tower of the old +church. I could trace the dusty road along +which I had journeyed, save the last half-mile, +which was hidden by a chalk cliff that rose +some two hundred yards away on the right.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over a quarter of an hour I sat enjoying +this magnificent view, when suddenly round the +bend of the road by the base of the cliff appeared +three men whom I had no difficulty in recognizing +as the ill-favoured visitors at the "Red Lion".</p> +<p class="pnext">Then like a lightning flash the thought swept +across my mind that, having seen the landlord +give me a sum of silver, they had followed me to +this lonesome spot.</p> +<p class="pnext">I immediately sprang to my feet, and walked +sharply onwards through the cutting. Ever and +anon I looked back, and found that they were +increasing their pace into almost a trot; so, +directly I had put the brow of the hill betwixt +them and me, I ran steadily but not too swiftly +down the road. Even as I ran I took in my +surroundings. In front was the long, white +road, still descending till it turned to the left +beyond a grassy spur of the hill that hid it from +view, though at a considerable distance from it. +Here and there were a few stunted bushes, too +scanty to afford shelter, while not a habitation +nor a human being was to be seen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again I looked back. Notwithstanding the +climb, the men had gained on me, and were +even now running at full speed down the +incline--not two hundred yards away. One had +out-distanced the others, yet all three were keeping +up a rapid pace.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinctively I increased my speed to the +utmost, and, with my elbows pressed closely +against my sides, swung down the road in a +vain endeavour to meet a friendly being, or at +least to outdistance my pursuers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once round that bend, surely there would be +a house or some succour; but no, only another +stretch of chalky road. Then I thought to leave +the road and climb the steep, grassy slope on +my left, and before my pursuers had turned the +corner I was staggering madly up the bank, +where, under the frail shelter of a stunted bush, +I lay down and panted like a hunted hare.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a very short time the first of my pursuers +appeared round the bend. It was the one with +the scarred face, and, being in addition grimed +with sweat and dust, and panting heavily, he +presented a truly ferocious aspect.</p> +<p class="pnext">When he saw the open road with no sign of +his quarry he stopped, swearing and blaspheming +horribly, till his fellow rogues came up. +From my hiding place I could distinctly hear +and see all, they being but forty yards away, +and some fifty feet below me. In spite of my +terror I kept them in view, and, being weaponless, +I looked around for some means of defence. +Close to my feet was a large rabbit hole, and +knowing from past experience that these animals +frequently throw up flints and other stones from +their burrows, I plunged my hand into the +newly excavated earth, and to my delight found +a large jagged flint, and soon after my armoury +consisted of five good-sized stones. Then a +piece of wood, lying within two yards of the +bush, and evidently a part of a hurdle, met my +eye. This I seized, but the act led to my +undoing, for one of the men, happening to look +my way, saw me as I cautiously backed towards +my shelter.</p> +<p class="pnext">A volley of hideous oaths greeted my discovery, +and immediately the black-bearded fellow +and the man who had proved the fastest of the +three began to climb the hill.</p> +<p class="pnext">I retreated slowly, so as to save my breath. +Again the wealed-faced man outdistanced his +companion, and soon I could hear his deep +panting behind me.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then suddenly I turned, and, throwing one of +the largest stones, hit him fairly in the midriff. +With a loud howl he dropped on his knees and +pressed his hands to his injured part, his cudgel +rolling down the slope till stopped by the other +man.</p> +<p class="pnext">The third rogue, seeing how matters stood, +also began to climb the slope. For my part, +flushed with my success, I slowly edged away, +intending to make a detour, regain the road, and +then retrace my steps towards Petersfield; for I +knew what sort of road I had already passed, but +was in ignorance of the distance to which this +wild valley extended.</p> +<p class="pnext">Still climbing, I reached the sloping ridge +round the base of which the road bent. Once +again I could follow the highway leading to the +chalk cutting, and to my unbounded delight I +saw for the third time that ponderous coach with +its attendant troopers descending the hill at a +sharp pace.</p> +<p class="pnext">The strong wind that was blowing towards the +approaching cavalcade, and the dusty road, both +tended to deaden the sound of the horses' hoofs +and the dull rumble of the carriage, and as yet +the villains were unaware of their danger.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the summit of the ridge I turned towards +them. Instinctively they separated, yet came on +apace--the man whom I had hit with the stone +limping onward with an effort, the others, each +with a knife in his hand, working away on either +side with the intention of preventing my escape. +As the bearded ruffian came within throwing +distance I flung a stone with all my might, and +had he not quickly bounded aside, there would +have been another point in my favour.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as he gained the top of the ridge, +though some feet below me, I made a sudden +rush towards him, intending to make a feint and +then run towards the troopers. The man stood +on his guard, his knife glittering in the +sunlight, though evidently astonished at my +apparent rashness.</p> +<p class="pnext">When close upon him I darted to one side and +ran quickly down the hill. Suddenly my foot +caught in a rabbit hole, and I fell headlong, +rolling over and over in my descent.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a savage curse my assailant rushed +towards my prostrate body, and even as he did +so he caught sight of the troopers.</p> +<p class="pnext">His cursing changed into a howl of terror as +he vainly tried to check his descent; but ere he +could recover himself three of the horsemen had +spurred their steeds betwixt him and the rest of +the troop. He lay on the ground whining +dismally, while the soldiers hastily trussed him up +with a length of stout cord.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the coach had stopped, and as I +approached, limping from the effects of my fall, +its two occupants looked out of the window to +enquire the cause of the disturbance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hastily I told my story, and hardly had I +finished, when the elder of the two officers +called to the sergeant: "Quickly, Sedgewyke! +Secure those other rascals!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Half a dozen troopers were quickly out of their +saddles, and, leaving their horses in the care of +two others, made their way up the slope towards +the spot where the remaining rogues were last +seen. He of the scarred face was quickly +captured, being well-nigh winded with the effects of +the stone I had thrown; but the third was a +more determined quarry, though, in his +stupidity, instead of climbing upwards (being far +lighter than the soldiers, encumbered as they +were with breast-pieces and riding-boots), he +must needs make for the road, where he raced +off at breakneck speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A crown for the man who brings him down, +dead or alive!" shouted the officer, who looked +upon the pursuit with the eagerness of a sportsman.</p> +<p class="pnext">Already the soldiers had regained their horses, +and, leaving four as a guard over the prisoners, +dashed in pursuit of the fugitive. Too late the +wretch saw his mistake, and again ran from the +road towards a steep bank of chalk that towered +up for nearly fifty feet above the stretch of level +grassland at its base.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lifting me into the coach, the elder man gave +orders to follow the chase, and soon we pulled +up close to where the terror-stricken fugitive was +making a desperate effort to scale the slippery bank.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Middleton, we have some sport! I'll wager +my largest snuffbox against thine that the +rogue will outwit your eleven men."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Taken," replied the other. "Now, men," +he shouted, "remember, a crown, dead or alive!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The troopers were drawn up in an irregular +line along the edge of the road, and had drawn +their pistols from their holsters.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bang! A man on the extreme left had fired. +The ball struck the cliff just above the fugitive's +head, bringing down a small avalanche of chalk +and dust. Digging his hands into the yielding +soil, the wretched man raised himself another +two feet. Being but thirty yards from us, his +desperate efforts were plainly visible.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bang! Bang! Two reports in quick succession +echoed down the valley. This time, whether +hit or not, the man slid some six feet downwards, +till his foot caught in a projection and +stopped his descent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not so fast there," grumbled the sergeant. +"If you fire like that, who can claim the +reward? Now, then, Wagstaff!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Calmly, as if at the butts, the row of men +began to fire in turn. At the sixth shot the +miserable villain made a feeble attempt to regain +his former position, but ere he had ascended +another two feet a shot struck him in the back of +the head, and he tumbled to the bottom of the +bank a hideously disfigured corpse.</p> +<p class="pnext">Striding over to the body the sergeant turned +it over on its back, made sure that life was +extinct, then returned to the door of the coach, +and, saluting, said: "Trooper Jenkins's shot, +sir, brought the rogue down."</p> +<p class="pnext">The elder man gave the sergeant the +promised reward, then, turning to his companion, +with a low bow, presented him with the +snuffbox.</p> +<p class="pnext">With this ceremonious display the tragedy +was brought to a close, and the two officers, +learning that I was on my way to Portsmouth, +consented to let me ride with them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The troopers formed up again, the prisoners +firmly bound to two of their number, and the +cavalcade passed onwards, leaving by the roadside +a motionless object that had once been a man.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we journeyed along, the officers plied me +with questions, taking a great interest in my +account of my meeting with the three footpads. +The older of the two officers was about forty +years of age, bronzed with the sun and wrinkled +with exposure to the weather. His blue eyes +twinkled in a kindly manner, while his lips, +partly concealed by his closely trimmed +moustache and beard, denoted both firmness and +discretion.</p> +<p class="pnext">His companion, apparently ten years younger, +also wore a beard of Van Dyck cut. His +appearance, however, denoted a man who was given +to perform actions on the spur of the moment +rather than to be ruled by deliberate counsel. +He was addressed as Middleton by his +companion, but I could not then gather what was +the name of the elder man. Both men wore +flowing lovelocks, and affected the rich apparel +of the Cavaliers, which contrasted vividly with +the sombre garb of their escort.</p> +<p class="pnext">When I mentioned that I was on my way +to my uncle, Master Anderson, the younger of +the twain gave his companion a wink that did +not escape me, and remarked: "Then, Master +Aubrey, we'll see more of thee anon, if I mistake not."</p> +<p class="pnext">The coach now descended a long declivity, +at the bottom of which lay a straggling village, +which, I was told, boasted of the name of +Horndean. Here we rested the horses, my two +benefactors going into the inn, from which presently +a man came out bringing me a cup of milk and +a plate of coarse brown bread and rich yellow cheese.</p> +<p class="pnext">In half an hour the journey was resumed, +the road leading up a short, steep incline and +then plunging into a dense wood, which once +formed a royal hunting-ground--the Forest of Bere.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length we entered a deep, dark hollow, +where the shade made a blinding contrast to +the glare of the sun.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly there was a shrill whistle, followed +by a sound of scuffling, a score of round oaths, +and the sharp report of firearms.</p> +<p class="pnext">The coach came to a sudden standstill, +throwing me from my seat, while the others +jumped out, unsheathing their swords as they did so.</p> +<p class="pnext">I too made for the door, and could see the +troopers preparing to fire into a thicket on the +left-hand side of the road, while one of their +number lay on the ground, his head bleeding +from a severe wound.</p> +<p class="pnext">After the next volley some of the men plunged +into the underwood, encouraged by the voice of +the sergeant shouting: "After him, men, at all +costs; he cannot be far off."</p> +<p class="pnext">A moment later there was a sound of harsh +voices, the noise of stones striking against steel, +more pistol-shots, and then quietness, broken +at length by the return of the troopers bearing +between them a man who moaned and cursed +lustily as he was carried by none too tender hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How now, Sedgewyke!" thundered his +officer. "Who is this? 'Tis not the man we +lost. Where is he?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The sergeant saluted, and told his story: +The troop was riding in a straggling manner, +one of the men, who had a prisoner bound +behind him (he with the scarred face), being in +the rear. Without warning a stout rope that +had been stretched between two trees on +opposite sides of the road was dropped, and, +catching the unfortunate soldier under the chin, +hurled him and his prisoner to the ground. In +a moment a party of men had run from the +cover of the brushwood, freed the captive, and, +after hamstringing the trooper's horse, had +made their escape to the depths of the forest +before the rest of the escort could realize what +had occurred.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pursued by the soldiers, they let fly a shower +of stones, and in the confusion that followed +had made good their retreat, with one exception-- +a man who had received a ball in the right +ankle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Though chagrined by the loss of their prisoner, +the capture of one of his rescuers was a +redeeming feature of the fray, and the latest captive +was brought before the officers for the purpose +of being interrogated.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was a young man, scarce more than +twenty years of age, with a heavy poll of red +hair. His sinewy arms were tattooed with various +devices, while on his chest, exposed during the +scuffle, a death's-head and cross-bones were +crudely drawn. When questioned he maintained +a surly silence, only asking for water +in a dialect that, country-bred though I am, I +could not readily understand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Methinks I have met others of this kind +before," remarked the elder officer. "A Dorset +man, I'll wager, and, that being so, he's either +smuggler or pirate. Whether he be of Poole +or Weymouth 'tis all the same. Far rather +would I meet Dutchman or Frenchman in fair +fight than be cast ashore on the devil-haunted +coast of Purbeck. Now, Sedgewyke, I pray you +dispatch that horse and let us hasten on, unless +we wish to be benighted on the highway."</p> +<p class="pnext">The sergeant saluted again and retired, while +Middleton and his friend returned to the carriage. +A shot announced that the maimed animal's +sufferings were ended, and the troopers, with +their two prisoners now safely in the centre, +broke into a trot, the coach swaying to and fro +as it rumbled over the rough road.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun was sinking low when we reached +the summit of Portsdown, a long stretch of +chalky down, whence I saw Portsmouth for the +first time.</p> +<p class="pnext">To one living in the hilliest and most +picturesque part of Hampshire and Sussex this first +glimpse came as a disappointment. I saw below +me an island so flat as to make it appear difficult +to tell where the land ended and where the water +began. Save for a few trees and some scattered +houses there was little to break the dreariness +of it, while, the tide being out (as I afterwards +learnt), long expanses of mud on either side +increased this aspect of monotonous desolation. +At the far end of the island I could distinguish +the cluster of houses that formed the town. At +the near end was a narrow creek, which we +must needs cross to gain our destination, while +away on the right was a square tower, which, +they told me, was the castle of Portchester.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was my first view of Portsmouth, and +also of the sea, and I must confess I felt heartily +disappointed with both.</p> +<p class="pnext">We soon descended the hill, passed through +the little hamlet of Cosham, and crossed the +creek by a narrow bridge. A short three miles +now separated us from the town, and on +approaching it I saw a large mound of earth, +called the Town Mount, crowned by fortifications +and fronted by a line of bastions and +earthworks, which in turn were encircled with +a moat that communicated with the mill dam +on the right.</p> +<p class="pnext">Beyond rose the red-tiled roofs of the houses, +the whole being dominated by the massive +square tower of St. Thomas's Church.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the Landport Gate we were received by a +guard of soldiers, and as we entered the town +my first impressions were removed by the sight +of so much life and bustle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Inside the line of fortification the guard had +turned out for the purpose of doing honour to +my travelling companions. The sight of the +rows of pikemen with their eighteen-feet weapons +riveted my attention till I was recalled to my +senses by being dismissed by my benefactors, +who gave me in charge of a sour-visaged soldier, +with instructions to take me to the house of +Master Anderson in St. Thomas's Street.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon I found myself at the door of a tall, +gabled house, where, without waiting, my guide +left me.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a feeling of timidity I knocked, and +the door was opened. I saw before me a rotund +little man with a puffy face that a well-trimmed +beard partially concealed. His face was pitted +with smallpox, but his eyes, though swollen +with the result of high living, twinkled in a +kindly manner, yet showed promise of quickly +firing up in anger.</p> +<p class="pnext">I was unable to utter a word, and stood still, +feeling considerably uneasy under his enquiring +gaze. Neither did he speak; so, driven to +desperation, I at length gathered up courage +and stammered: "Sir, I am your nephew, Aubrey Wentworth."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-how-judgment-was-passed-on-the-dorset-smugglers"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV--How Judgment was Passed on the Dorset Smugglers</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">I soon accustomed myself to my new home. +My Uncle George treated me with every +consideration--a fact that ill-disposed persons would +have attributed to the legacy left him under +my father's will. Though far from being in +needy circumstances--receiving as Clerk of the +Survey at the dockyard a salary of £50, paid +with more or less irregularity--it was evident +that his brother-in-law's bounty did not come amiss.</p> +<p class="pnext">I have already given a description of my +uncle. His wife, my father's sister, was tall, +sparely built, and somewhat inclined to +verbosity. It did not take me long to ascertain +that the pair were ill-assorted, and when on +certain occasions their dispute waxed hot, my +uncle was invariably driven from the house by +the unrestrained reproaches of his spouse.</p> +<p class="pnext">They had but two children, Maurice, a lad +a year older than myself, and Mercy, a child +of nine years. I was soon on capital terms +with both, though, boylike, I treated Mercy +with that sort of contempt that most boys of +my age show their female relations.</p> +<p class="pnext">I lost little time in telling my uncle the story +of my adventures on the road, and, happening to +mention the name of Middleton, he exclaimed:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why, lad, you've made a good friend. 'Tis +none other than Colonel Thomas Middleton, +lately appointed commissioner of this dockyard, +and he who rode with him is Admiral Montague, +who comes to take the fleet to Holland."</p> +<p class="pnext">This, then, was the gallant Montague, a man +who, under the Commonwealth, had earned +renown when fighting with Blake the fleets of +Holland and of Spain, and whose prompt action +in co-operating with Monk and taking command +of the fleet sent to fetch the king from Holland +did much to earn the royal gratitude and favour.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the morrow following my arrival I, in +company with my cousin Maurice, was taken +by my uncle to the dockyard.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here all was activity and noise. Most of the +fleet--amongst which were pointed out to me +the <em class="italics">Yarmouth</em>, <em class="italics">Swiftsure</em>, <em class="italics">London</em>, and <em class="italics">Ruby</em>--lay +at anchor at some distance from the wharves, +while close alongside were the <em class="italics">Naseby</em>, her +name being changed to the <em class="italics">Royal Charles</em>, and +the <em class="italics">Montague</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was but one dry dock, and in it lay +the <em class="italics">Providence</em>; and on a slip, being nearly fit +for launching, stood a large ship of seventy-six +guns, her name having but recently been +changed to the <em class="italics">Royal Oak</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">While we were looking on with astonishment +at this busy scene, a short, thick-set man, whose +portly body was ill supported by a pair of bandy +legs, came towards the place where we stood. +He wore a blue uniform, with three-cornered +hat, and carried at his side a sword that trailed +behind him as he walked, and even threatened +to become entangled between his legs.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ha! Captain Duce of the <em class="italics">Lizard</em>! Stand +aside, boys, while I have speech with him."</p> +<p class="pnext">The captain was in a rage.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A pretty pass! Here lie I ready to weigh +and make sail, but ne'er a loaf of bread +aboard!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot help you, Captain," replied my +uncle. "I can only refer you to the Commissioner."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hang the Commissioner!" roared the irate +officer. "First I am directed to apply to him; +he sends me to you; you thereupon give me cold +comfort by sending me again to the Commissioner. +How can I take my ship to sea lacking +bread and flour? Ah! Here, sirrah!" he broke +off, noticing a man passing by. "Here, sirrah! +You're the person I want."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man addressed came across to where the +captain and my uncle were debating. His +calling was apparent, he being covered from head to +foot with flour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, Hunt, how is it Captain Duce can +get no supplies from you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The baker shook his head. "Over a thousand +pounds are due to my partner and me," said he. +"We were to be paid monthly, but have +received nothing since September last. Verily, +I am afraid to go abroad lest I am arrested by +my creditors, whom I cannot pay, as the Navy +Commissioners will not pay me!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Without waiting to hear further, for +complaints of arrears of payment were a common +occurrence, Maurice and I stole away and +wandered towards the slip where the <em class="italics">Royal Oak</em> +was nearing completion.</p> +<p class="pnext">A noble sight she made, this immense yellow-painted +hull, with her double tier of gunports +and her towering stern, richly ornamented with +gilded quarter badges and richly carved galleries. +Little did we know that a short seven years +hence would see the ship, the pride of the king's +navy, a battered and fire-swept wreck--but I +anticipate.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the midst of strange surroundings the time +passed rapidly. Already the Restoration was an +accomplished fact. Charles II was again at +Whitehall "in the twelfth year of his reign", as +the crown document has it. The gilded effigy +of his sainted father was restored to its niche in +the Square Tower at Portsmouth, where all +persons passing were ordered to uncover. With +few exceptions the townspeople welcomed the +change, the whole place being given up to +unrestrained merrymaking.</p> +<p class="pnext">One morning in June I was called into our +living-room, and found myself confronted by a +gold-laced individual, who, drawing a paper +from his pocket, read in a sonorous voice a +summons for me to attend at the courthouse as +a witness against Dick Swyre and Caleb Keeping, +presented for committing a murderous attack +upon divers of the king's subjects on the highway.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the appointed day I attended the court, +accompanied by my uncle. There were several +cases dealt with before the one in which I had to +give evidence, and, though it was in keeping +with the times, the severity of most of the +sentences struck me as being most barbarous.</p> +<p class="pnext">One poor woman, privileged to take chips +from the dockyard, had been apprehended in the +act of stealing two iron bolts. Her punishment +was that she "should return to the Gaol from +whence she came, and there remain until +Saturday next between the hours of Eleven and Twelve +of the Clock in the forenoon, at which time she +was to be brought to the public Whipping-post, +and there receive Twenty Lashes with a +Cat-of-Nine-Tails from the hands of the Common +Beadle on her naked back till the same shall +be bloody, and then return to the said Gaol +and remain until her fees be paid!"</p> +<p class="pnext">If this were fitting punishment for a petty +theft, what, thought I, will be the corresponding +penalty for these two highwaymen?</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently Dick Swyre and Caleb Keeping +were placed in the dock. The first-named was +the bearded ruffian who had so nearly settled my +account in the valley near Petersfield, and now, +knowing full well that his neck was already in +the hangman's noose, his demeanour was one +of sullen ferocity, and, though he was heavily +manacled, his appearance was like that of a +savage beast awaiting its opportunity to spring.</p> +<p class="pnext">The other, Keeping, did not appear to be of +the same debased kind as his companion, though +his matted red hair and sunburnt face and +arms betokened a villain whose existence had +been of an out-door kind. There was a look of +haunting terror in his face that turned the bronze +of his complexion into a pale-yellowish hue, +while it could be seen that he had great difficulty +in keeping his limbs under control.</p> +<p class="pnext">I was the first witness called, and on +concluding my evidence, which dealt solely with the +first prisoner, Swyre leant across the front of +the dock, raised his fettered hands, and with +a terrible oath poured out the most frightful +imprecations against me, vowing that sooner or +later his mates would doubly avenge themselves +on my miserable carcass, till at length, by dint +of blows liberally bestowed by his custodians, +he was restrained, though his low cursing and +threats were distinctly audible during the rest of +the trial.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the soldiers of Colonel Middleton's +party, including Sergeant Sedgewyke, having +given evidence, it was thought that the case for +the prosecution was concluded, but a shiver of +excitement ran through the court when an order +was given: "Call Joseph Hawkes".</p> +<p class="pnext">The cry was taken up by the usher and +repeated thrice ere there hobbled into the well of +the court an object that could scarce lay claim to +being called a man. Yet there was no mistaking +the fact that Hawkes was or had been a +sailor, for a strong odour of tar, which was a +pleasant relief to the fetid atmosphere of the +crowded court, hovered around him like a cloud. +He was about fifty years of age, wizened and +bent. His face, burnt by exposure to all +weathers, was of a deep mahogany hue. One +eye was covered with a patch, the other appeared +to be fixed in its socket, inasmuch as +whenever he looked he had to turn his head straight +in that direction. A mass of lank hair, +terminating in a greasy pigtail, covered his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">His left arm was missing, the empty sleeve +being fastened to his coat; and, as if these +deficiencies were not enough, his left leg had +been cut off at the knee joint, and was replaced +by a wooden stump. The fingers of his right +hand were dried like a mummy's, the nails being +blackened with hard work at sea and the +continual use of tobacco, and I noticed that one of +his fingers was also missing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having been administered the oath, his +examination commenced.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are Joseph Hawkes?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, your Honour."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you know either of the prisoners?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, saving your presence, that red-haired +villain yonder!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, sirrah," exclaimed the prosecuting +lawyer, addressing Caleb Keeping, "methinks +you know this witness!"</p> +<p class="pnext">But the prisoner replied not, except to shake +his head sheepishly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Proceed with your evidence, Master Hawkes."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man hitched at his nether garments, +pulled his forelock, and without further delay +plunged into his story, which, stripped of its +peculiarities of dialect, was as follows:--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two years ago last May I shipped as mate +of the bark <em class="italics">Speedie</em>, of Poole, outward bound for +the Tagus. The same night as we cleared Poole +harbour we were overtaken by a gale from the +south'ard, and soon got into difficulties close to +the Purbeck coast. Seven times did we 'bout +ship to try and claw off the shore, but at +daybreak we struck close to Anvil Point."</p> +<p class="pnext">Here the younger prisoner began to show +signs of terrified interest--a fact that most of +those present were not slow to note.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The masts went by the board, our boats +were carried away, and the old <em class="italics">Speedie</em> began to +break up. One by one the crew were swept +overboard, and at last a heavy sea took me, and +I remember fighting for life in the waves till I +lost consciousness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"When I came to I was lying on a flat ledge +or platform of rock with the hot sun streaming +down on me. The gale had now abated, but there +were plenty of signs of its results. Numbers of +bales and barrels, that had formed our cargo, +were being collected on the platform by a number +of villainous-looking, half-naked men. A slight +tingling pain in my hand made me look down, +and I saw that one of my fingers had been cut +off, so that one of the wretches could steal a +paltry silver ring I was wearing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just then I heard a shout, and, keeping perfectly +still, I looked under my half-closed eyelids +and saw two of the wreckers dragging a body +up the rocks. It was the master of the <em class="italics">Speedie</em>, +poor old John Cartridge of Hamworthy. The +wretches began to hack his fingers off, as they +had done mine, and even tore a pair of ear-rings +forcibly from his ears. Old John wasn't dead, +for this treatment revived him. Seeing this, one +of the men, who is none other than that +red-haired devil yonder, plunged a knife into his +back and toppled his body into the sea."</p> +<p class="pnext">At this the younger prisoner yelled in a +terror-stricken voice: "No, no! You are mistaken. +'Twill be my brother as done it. 'Twas not I."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Liar!" retorted the old seaman. "I'll prove +it. Let your men bare his back, good sir, and +if he hath not the sign of the Jolly Roger +tattooed there, I'll take back my word."</p> +<p class="pnext">The justice nodded his assent, and the +tip-staves proceeded to remove the clothing from +the prisoner's back. Sure enough, there was +a death's-head and cross-bones indelibly +impressed there.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Continue your evidence, Master Hawkes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, your Honour, as I was a-saying, +after they had rid themselves of the master's +body, the wretches began to carry their plunder +into a cave that opened from the back of the +flat rock. Presently one of them stops by me. +'What shall us do with 'e?' he shouts. I kept +very still, feigning death, yet expecting every +moment to have a knife betwixt my ribs. 'Is +'e done with?' asked another. 'Then overboard +with 'im.' Next minute I felt myself +being dragged across the platform and pushed +off the edge. I fell about a score of feet, +striking the water with a heavy splash. When I +came to the top I struck out, and found myself +close to a shelf of rock which the overhanging +ledge hid from the villains above. Here +I remained till the coast was clear, then I +scrambled up, in spite of my wounds, and made +my way across some downs till I met with a +kindly farmer, who took me to Wareham.</p> +<p class="pnext">"When I reported the matter to the +authorities a body of men were sent from Wareham +and Poole; but though they discovered the +caves, not a trace of the wreckers, their spoils, +or the remains of the <em class="italics">Speedie</em> was to be found."</p> +<p class="pnext">The rest of the evidence was soon concluded, +proving without doubt that both men were +members of a notorious band of Dorset smugglers, +whose misdeeds had caused the utmost consternation +for years past; and the case was settled +by sending both prisoners to the assizes at +Winchester.</p> +<p class="pnext">It is unnecessary to dwell upon the account of +my journey to Winton to repeat my evidence; +but on the return journey (having heard both +men sentenced to death), as we were passing +through a wood between Twyford and Waltham, +a pistol was fired at our coach, the ball +shattering the glass and passing close to my uncle's +head.</p> +<p class="pnext">This outrage was put down to the highwaymen +of Waltham Chase; but in my own mind +I attributed it to the vengeance of the smugglers' +gang, which surmise I afterwards found was correct.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two men suffered the extreme penalty +of the law. I was taken to see them gibbeted +on Southsea beach. Such occasions are +invariably regarded as a kind of holiday, and +thousands of townsfolk and people from the +surrounding country came to see the sentence +carried out.</p> +<p class="pnext">Caleb Keeping died like an arrant coward, +whining like a whipped cur as the executioner +bound him. Already half-dead with fear, he +submitted to being compelled to mount the ladder, +whence he was thrown violently, and in a few +moments all was over. But with Dick Swyre +it was different. Heedless of death, and +accustomed to scenes of violence, he strove to the +last, cursing the crowd and endeavouring to +burst his bonds.</p> +<p class="pnext">While most of the onlookers jeered, it was +evident that some of his friends were present, +and at one time it looked as if a rescue was +about to be attempted; but the soldiers kept +back the press, and in spite of his violent +struggles the prisoner was brought underneath +the gallows, where a rope was deftly passed +round his neck. Still cursing and struggling, +the wretch was hoisted, and five minutes +elapsed ere his last convulsive motions ceased.</p> +<p class="pnext">Though the crowd looked upon this incident +as a diversion, to me it seemed otherwise. True, +two deep-dyed criminals had got their deserts; +but I felt that my share in the affair had gained +me many unknown enemies. This impression +grew after an attempt had been made to burn +my uncle's house, and I had been deliberately +pushed from the quayside into the Camber by +a seaman; and these incidents so preyed upon +my mind that I was unfeignedly glad when +I was asked if I should like to go to sea.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-of-my-first-ship-the-gannet"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id6">CHAPTER V--Of my First Ship, the <em class="italics">Gannet</em></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Once it had been settled that I should go to +sea, my uncle lost no time in getting me a ship. +Through his influence, his intimacy with Sir +Thomas Middleton, and also through the interest +which Sir Thomas showed towards me, the +matter was an easy one, and before August was +out I found myself being escorted down to the +dockyard to join the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">This stout craft I must describe. She was +of six hundred tons burthen and pierced for +fifty guns. She had three masts, besides a +small one at her bowsprit-head. When first +I saw her she was having a new mizzen fitted, +her old mast having been lost in a gale outside +the Wight.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her figurehead represented a man on horseback +trampling on a Dutchman, a Frenchman, +a Spaniard, and an Algerine. I was told that +the horseman was supposed to be the +arch-traitor, Old Noll, but a clever hewer of wood +had caused all likeness of the great rebel to +disappear, and had graven instead the features +of honest George, now created Duke of Albemarle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her stern gallery was upheld by a row of +gilt figures representing that hero of mythology, +Master Atlas, of whom my father used to speak; +while over the gallery towered three enormous +lanterns, and above everything was a maze of +spars and rigging that confused me not a little, +though before long I was well acquainted with +the names of all of them.</p> +<p class="pnext">This much did I see from the dockyard wall, +for the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was lying at anchor in the +harbour. One of the seamen on the quay hailed her +through a speaking-trumpet, and presently a +longboat came off for us, manned by ten lusty +rowers, while a boy of about my own age sat +in the stern-sheets steering the boat and giving +orders to the men as if the commanding of the +boat had been his life-long business.</p> +<p class="pnext">Directly we embarked--that is, my uncle, my +cousin Maurice, and myself--the boat pushed +off, and urged by long strokes soon covered the +distance betwixt the shore and the ship. As she +neared the latter the youngster shouted: "Oars!" +in such a loud voice that I thought something +had happened. The rowers immediately tossed +their oars, while the boat ran alongside the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">We climbed by a steep ladder up the rounding +side of the ship, my uncle performing the +feat with surprising agility, though he was +puffing heartily when he gained the deck and took +off his hat to the royal arms that graced the +quarterdeck at the break of the poop.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were received by the captain, one Adrian +Poynings, said to be a descendant of the fiery +governor of Portsmouth who bore the same +name, and whose will was the terror of the +inhabitants of Portsmouth in the days of Queen Bess.</p> +<p class="pnext">The captain did not appear to bear the same +reputation as did his ancestor. He seemed, for +a king's officer, a very mild-mannered +gentleman, for when speaking to his subordinates he +would say: "Desire Master So-and-so to do +this", or "Desire the bos'n to be sent to me"; +and so on.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having been introduced to him, I was sent +off in charge of a midshipman to be shown +round the ship. This youngster, whose name +was Greville Drake (a remote relation of the +immortal Sir Francis Drake), was one of the six +gentlemen midshipmen serving on the ship. He +appeared to be a keen young officer, knowing +the ins and outs of everything, yet withal he was +of a roguish disposition, and given to skylarking. +Before long we were excellent friends.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having inspected the waist of the ship, the +main and upper gundecks, he led me below to +the orlop deck, where right aft was situated the +gunroom or midshipmen's mess.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here, illuminated by the glimmer of a couple +of purser's dips, or tallow candles, was the place +where for the next two or three years I was to +live and sleep--otherwise my floating home. +The heavy beams were so low that I was obliged +to stoop when passing underneath them. +Innumerable cockroaches crawled across the floor +or attempted to climb the sides of the cabin, till +pinked by a well-directed thrust with a sail-needle.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were four other midshipmen, taking +things as easily as their surroundings would +permit, and on our entry I was warmly greeted +with a volley of remarks that were both +good-natured and humorous.</p> +<p class="pnext">But my tour of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was by no means +finished, my mentor evidently meaning to make +me thoroughly acquainted with the ship. Below +the orlop deck we went, passing down a steep +ladder to the flats, or part of the ship +immediately above the ballast. The amidship portion +of this space is termed the cockpit, and, though +nearly empty, it did not require much +imagination on my part to see the forms of mangled +seamen dimly outlined in the feeble glimmer +of the lantern, young Drake telling me of some +of the ghastly sights of the cockpit during action +in a highly-worded and realistic style.</p> +<p class="pnext">I could discern the heels of the fore and main +masts, and the well of the ship's pump, while +farther away was a stack of imperishable ship's +stores, from which a number of rats darted, +seemingly unmindful of our presence.</p> +<p class="pnext">When we gained the daylight once more I +blinked like an owl, breathing in the fresh air +with a relish that the stifling atmosphere of +between decks had caused; but short was my +respite, for my new friend asked me whether +I would be bold enough to go to the foretopmast head.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not wishing to be thought a coward, and +having had plenty of experience of tree-climbing, +I assented; and Drake, kicking off his shoes, +immediately sprang into the shrouds, making +his way aloft with marvellous rapidity.</p> +<p class="pnext">I followed, clinging tenaciously to the shrouds +with my hands, while my bare feet were tortured +by the contact with the sharp ratlines. +However, I stuck to it, followed Drake over the +futtock shrouds, where for a space I felt like +a fly on a ceiling, and at length gained the +foretop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without pausing for breath my guide literally +jumped into the topmast shrouds, and before I +had attempted to follow he was perched upon +the crosstrees. Five minutes later I was by his +side, and I must confess that on looking down I +experienced a feeling of giddiness that required +a strong effort on my part to overcome. Eighty +feet below, the deck looked like a long, narrow +strip of dazzling white planks, the crew +appearing no larger than manikins.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You have pluck, Aubrey," remarked Drake. +"I thought you would have shrunk from the +task, or, in any case, have climbed no farther +than the foretop. And you didn't crawl through +the lubber's hole, either!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"The lubber's hole! What's that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Those openings on the tops. Greenhorns +generally scramble through those instead of +going over the futtock shrouds. I say, can you swim?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No," I replied. "An old shipman whom I +know, one Master Collings, of Gosport, used to +say that swimming was a useless art, for when +a man fell overboard his agony was only unduly +prolonged."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! Many an old seaman thinks the same, +but nevertheless to be able to swim comes in +very handy. Supposing you fell overboard; +well, in nine cases out of ten you would be +picked up again if you could swim. I've been +knocked overboard as often as four times and I +am still here. Now, take the first opportunity +and let me teach you."</p> +<p class="pnext">I thanked my newly-found friend for his +offer, and, now thoroughly rested, I began my +descent to the deck, grasping the shrouds tightly +and feeling very gingerly with one foot till I +found a secure foothold.</p> +<p class="pnext">On gaining the deck I saw that my uncle and +the captain had been watching my manoeuvres, +both being well satisfied with my maiden efforts +at going aloft.</p> +<p class="pnext">The time of parting had come, and dry-eyed, +though with a curious feeling in my throat, I +bade farewell to my uncle and cousin Maurice.</p> +<p class="pnext">I watched them row ashore, waving my +handkerchief as they went, and when they reached +the wharf they waited to see the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> get +under way.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a busy scene, and an operation in which +I could take no part. The captain gave the +ship in charge to the master; the red cross of +St. George was struck at the gaff and run up to +the peak. The shrill notes of the bosn's whistle +had hardly died away when the rigging was +alive with men; the canvas was spread from the +yards as if by magic, and all that remained was +to break the anchor out, the cable already being +hove short.</p> +<p class="pnext">A part of the crew manned the capstan bars, +a fiddler being perched on the capstan head. +"Heave round the capstan," came the order, +and with a patter of bare feet, the clanking of the +pawls, and the merry lilt of the fiddle, the cable +came inboard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Up and down," shouted a man stationed +for'ard, meaning the anchor has left its muddy +bed. "Now, then, my hearties, heave and +away!" And to an increased pace the anchor +came home.</p> +<p class="pnext">A medley of other orders, unintelligible to me, +followed; the sheets were hauled well home, the +braces and bowlines made taut, and by the +peculiar gliding sensation that followed I knew +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was under way.</p> +<p class="pnext">The old town of Portsmouth appeared to slip +past our larboard quarter, and presently the ship +was lifting to the gentle swell, as, close-hauled, +we headed towards the English Channel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus commenced the three years' cruise of my +first ship, His Majesty's ship <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, and I soon +accustomed myself to the routine, showing a +keen interest in the duties of a midshipman; and +ere long I could vie with my messmates in the +most hazardous tasks that fell to their lot.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Gannet</em> first sailed through the Straits of +Gibraltar to the Mediterranean Sea, for the +purpose of keeping an eye on the Algerine rovers, +who had again begun, in spite of the sharp +lesson taught them by Admiral Blake, to molest +peaceful traders. From the Mediterranean we +sailed across the Atlantic to the Indies, to make +our headquarters the town of Port Royal in +Jamaica, an island that Penn and Venables had +seized from the Spaniards some five years before.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-of-the-finding-of-pedro-alvarez-and-of-the-strange-tale-that-he-told"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI--Of the Finding of Pedro Alvarez, and of the Strange Tale that he Told</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">On arriving at Port Royal Captain Poynings +decided that the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> should be refitted. +Accordingly preparations were made to overhaul +the ship thoroughly ere she joined her consorts +in a cruise amongst the Antilles for the purpose +of destroying those hornets' nests of buccaneers +that made the Caribbean Sea a terror to +law-abiding seamen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our task was rendered doubly difficult, first +by the oppressive heat, and secondly by the fact +that, like the Mediterranean, these waters are +practically tideless, so that the difference between +the rise and fall can be measured by the span of +a man's hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">On this account it is impossible for a vessel to +be left high and dry, so the operation of cleaning +her hull below the waterline is performed by +"careening", or allowing her to lie on one +bilge, so that the other side is raised above the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">All heavy gear, including the guns, was taken +ashore, the manual work being performed by +gangs of negro slaves, who toiled and groaned +under the lash of their relentless taskmasters.</p> +<p class="pnext">To me the sight was a terrible one, unaccustomed +as I was to scenes of cruelty, and I +unburdened myself to the master.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heart alive, lad!" he replied with a careless +laugh, "they are but niggers, and know naught +else of life but to toil. Treat them kindly, +and they'll take care to work still less. And, +mark my words, lad, if ever it comes to pass that +these blackamoors are freed, as Master Penn +would persuade us to do, then these islands are +doomed. Never a stroke will they do save under +compulsion---- There, look at that!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A crash, a loud shriek, and a babel of shouts +showed that a disaster had occurred. One of +the largest guns was being hoisted over the side +by a combination of tackle between the lower fore +and main yards. Just as it swung outboard the +sling on the chase parted, and the huge mass of +metal fell into a barge alongside, crushing two +negroes and tearing through the bottom of the +shore-craft. Instantly all was confusion; the +master gunner was cursing at the loss of his +piece of ordnance, his voice raised high above +the shouts of the terrified negroes, the bos'n +receiving the brunt of his attack. "Dost want +me to teach thee thy trade, landlubber? Is it +not time that ye learned to tie aught but a +slippery hitch?"</p> +<p class="pnext">This aspersion on the boatswain's workmanship +caused a fierce dispute, but this had not +lasted long when it was suddenly stopped by +another yell of terror.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was another rush to the ship's side, +and I saw a dozen dark forms struggling in a +smother of foam-lashed water under our quarter, +while the triangular fins of several sharks showed +that the culminating tragedy had occurred.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two negroes, in addition to those killed by +the fall of the gun, were lost in the sudden and +brief incident, yet the only remark the overseer +deigned to make was: "And they cost a hundred +pieces of eight but a month ago!"</p> +<p class="pnext">In less than three days the work of dismantling +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was complete, and only the hull +and the lower masts remained. Floating some +five feet above her usual loadline, the ship was +towed into the mouth of a muddy creek, and +there careened till the whole of the bottom on the +larboard side, with the exception of the keel and +a few of the lower planks, was clear of the water, +disclosing a sloping wall of barnacle-covered +timbers.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the next few weeks would be spent in +scraping, breaming, and pitching the hull, the +officers were allowed to take up quarters ashore, +and right glad was I to have the chance of +having a spell on dry land after so long and +arduous a time afloat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Port Royal was at that time in a state of +considerable excitement, for in the castle, heavily +ironed, lay five notorious buccaneers, who a +week before our arrival had been brought in by +the <em class="italics">Assurance</em>, of thirty-eight guns, after a +desperate resistance. They had been condemned to +die; but, owing to a slight difference between the +admiral and the governor of Jamaica, their fate +was yet undecided, the former wishing to send +them to England to grace Execution Dock, the +latter desiring to gratify the inhabitants of Port +Royal by stringing up the prisoners in front of +the castle. So hot had waxed the dispute that +the matter was referred home, and already a +swift vessel had left for England to obtain His +Majesty's decision on the matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the third evening of our spell ashore we +were walking across the plaza, or open square, +fronting the quay. The sun had set, and, with +tropical suddenness, daylight had given place to +darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is that--guns or thunder?" suddenly +exclaimed Drake, pointing seaward. The +horizon at one particular spot was illuminated by +distant yet bright flashes of light, while a +subdued rumbling smote our ears. Other passers-by +were also attracted by the sound, and knots +of people quickly began to collect on the side of +the quay, gazing intently towards the south.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over half an hour the flashes continued, +and it was soon evident that an engagement +was taking place, the noise of the firing +gradually coming closer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the more timid inhabitants made +for their homes, where, we afterwards learned, +they began to hide their valuables. Others, +arming themselves with a medley of weapons, +hurried to the fortress, from which a gun was +fired and then lanterns hoisted as a signal when +a vessel was expected.</p> +<p class="pnext">In response to the gun, three companies of +musketeers, with drums beating and matches +burning, marched from their quarters to the fort, +followed ten minutes later by a large body of +pikemen, their arms glittering in the light as +they passed by the huge wood fires that had +been hastily kindled on the battlements.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hasten, Aubrey! Our place is on board +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>," quoth Drake, and alternately +running and walking we hurried out of the town, +crossed the causeway over the marsh, and arrived +at the mud dock, where the vessel lay.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here, too, was activity and commotion. +Captain Poynings was already on board, directing +his officers, while gun after gun was dragged +over greased planks to the ship's side, there to +be "whipped" aboard by heavy tackle.</p> +<p class="pnext">All night we worked like slaves, sending up +topmasts, yards, and rigging, shipping stores +and ammunition. In eleven hours of darkness +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was almost her former self, for, +being the only warship on the station (the rest +being, as I have mentioned, away amongst the +Antilles), the governor had sent orders that no +exertion was to be spared in getting her ready +for sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">While we worked, all kinds of rumours and +reports reached us. First one would come with +a tale that war was declared with the Spaniards, +or the French, or the Dutch, or else all three. +Another would arrive breathless, saying that +all the buccaneers of the Indies were off the +port, and that our fleet had been worsted. Yet +another came with the information that only +one battered and shattered ship had arrived +during the night, the sole remnant of an English +squadron, and that a hostile force had landed +at a spot a few miles to the east of the town.</p> +<p class="pnext">To all these wild rumours Captain Poynings +paid but slight heed. Work was to be done, +and pressing work too; yet with such a spirit +did the men take to the task, without need of +threats of rope-ends, such as the masters of other +king's ships are wont to use, that our record +has never yet been equalled.</p> +<p class="pnext">At break of day we could gather some true +facts of the state of affairs. Under the guns +of Port Royal lay a small armed merchant +vessel, the <em class="italics">Whitby</em>, of ten guns, sadly shattered +about the hull. In the offing were five ships +that many recognized as belonging to one +Lewis, a renegade king's officer, who, attracted +by the glamour of easily acquired wealth, had +seduced his crew from their allegiance and +turned buccaneer. Joined by several others of +like nature, Lewis had collected a squadron of +seven swift vessels; but the <em class="italics">Assurance</em> had +captured two of the ships, and Lewis, with four +of his fellow rogues, formed the party of captives +whose fate now hung in the balance as they lay +in irons in the castle.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Gazelle</em>, a consort of the <em class="italics">Whitby</em>, had +been captured and sunk by the buccaneers that +night; but after a long running fight the latter +ship had managed to make Port Royal in the +darkness, this being the cause of the firing we +had heard.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Poynings lost no time in preparing +to float the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> out of her mud dock, though +it was evident from his puckered brows that he +had doubts as to whether the increased weight +on board would prevent the ship from coming off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless he could not have completed the +task of fitting out so hurriedly if every piece +of ordnance had to be brought off to the ship +in barges or lighters after she was afloat, so he +resorted to the hazardous expedient of +careening her still more.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our best bower anchor, with its great twenty-inch +hempen cable, was carried out towards the +centre of the harbour, the tail of the cable +remaining on board. All the guns were run over +to the larboard side, so that the <em class="italics">Gannet's</em> +lower-deck ports were within a few inches of the +surface of the water, her draught being thereby +lessened. Two additional cables were carried +from the quarters to opposite sides of the creek, +where gangs of negroes were directed to pull +their hardest.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an anxious time. The capstan clanked +slowly round as the main cable tautened and +came in foot by foot; the negroes, the sweat +glistening on their ebony arms and backs, bent +to their task, encouraged or goaded by the +shouts of their overseers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> moved towards the open +water and freedom, her keel ploughing through +the liquid mud and causing a regular turmoil +of yellow foam within the little dock.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gradually she gathered way till her bow +projected beyond the entrance to the creek, then, +as if gripped by a powerful hand, she brought +up and stopped immovable.</p> +<p class="pnext">The master, wild with rage, called upon the +seaman to take soundings, and, this being done, +it was found that the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was held by the +heel, the forepart being well afloat.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Give the men breathing space, Master +Widdicombe," said the captain, as he saw the +panting forms of his men. "Another effort +and we are free."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not I, by your leave, sir," retorted the +master. "Let the vessel settle but a minute +and this mud holds her. Pipe the men aft," +he shouted, and in obedience to the shrill cry +of the bosn's mate's whistle the whole ship's +company, including the officers, assembled at +the waist, save the men who manned the capstan bars.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, ye blackamoors, haul away!" yelled +the master to the crowd on the banks. "More +beef into it, bullies," urged the bos'n to the +capstan men, and, as the strain on the cables +increased, the rest of the crew, in obedience to +an order, doubled along the sloping decks, as +well as they were able, towards the bows, the +whole vessel trembling with the motion.</p> +<p class="pnext">This manoeuvre was successful. Hardly had +the body of men reached the foremast when the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> glided forward and entered the deep +waters of the harbour, the two ropes on her +quarter trailing astern, and the mob of excited +negroes who had manned them were shouting +and dancing on the banks of the creek.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Gannet</em> brought up on her shortened +cable, sail was hastily made, and away we went +southward in chase of the buccaneers.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we cleared the mouth of the harbour we +perceived their ships nearly hull down; but with +every stitch of canvas set, and withal a newly +cleaned hull, we rapidly lessened the distance +between us.</p> +<p class="pnext">That they suspected not the presence of a +king's ship in Port Royal was evident in that +they made no attempt to sheer off; instead, they +beat up towards us till we could clearly make +them out.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, as if aware of our formidable character, +they turned, two making away to the north-west, +two to the south-east, while the fifth, +though she showed her heels for a time, backed +her main-topsail and hove to.</p> +<p class="pnext">She was a long, rakish, yellow-sided craft, +evidently built for speed, and her audacity +puzzled us mightily; but knowing the diabolical +cunning of these freebooters, we were determined +to take no chance of a surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were almost within range when her maintopsail +filled and she was off, following the +direction of her two consorts who had made +towards Hispaniola.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we watched her there were signs of a +struggle taking place on board--pistol-shots +rang out, and a heavy form plunged over her +taffrail. Instantly several men rushed to the +stern and opened fire on the object, which, so +many of our crew declared, was a man swimming. +This it turned out to be. Amid a hail +of shots that churned up the placid water all +around him a man's head appeared, and the +swimmer, using powerful strokes, made directly +towards us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It seemeth strange that he escapes their +fire," remarked the bos'n, as the swimmer +bobbed up and down amid the splash of the +shot. "We may pick him up. Away +there--prepare a bowline."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I believe they do not try to hit him," +replied the master; "or their gunnery is far +worse than yesterday, when they hulled the +<em class="italics">Whitby</em>. But he will never reach this ship +alive. Look!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Following the direction of his finger, we +perceived the dorsal fins of two enormous sharks +as they cleft their way towards the swimmer; +but, frightened by the splash of the shots, they +contented themselves by swimming in large +semicircles between us and the fugitive.</p> +<p class="pnext">Interest in the buccaneering vessel was for +the time being entirely lost, all our crew watching +the efforts of the swimmer, as with tireless +stroke he quickly lessened his distance from the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">In obedience to an order from the captain +our men cast loose a pair of swivel guns, for +it was evident that the buccaneer was getting +out of range, and her shots no longer disturbed +the water. Far from destroying the man, the +discharge of her ordnance had proved his salvation; +so our captain resolved to act likewise and +plant shot after shot close to him, so as to +frighten off these tigers of the deep, while our +men waved encouragingly to the swimmer.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through the drifting smoke from our ordnance +I caught momentary glimpses of the fugitive. +He was swimming strongly, yet easily, and +without any sign of either physical or mental +discomfort. By this time he was so close that +I could see the flash of his eyes between the +matted clusters of dark hair that covered his brows.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sharks still kept off; our gunners ceased +to fire, and the running bowline was dropped +from our catheads for the man to be hauled on +board, when, within fifty yards from us, he +suddenly disappeared, and over the spot darted +yet another huge shark that, unobserved, had +lurked under our bows.</p> +<p class="pnext">We could see the monster turn on its back +to seize its prey. There was a snapping of jaws, +and the sea around it was discoloured with +blood. An involuntary cry of horror broke +from us; then, to our surprise, we saw the man +reappear, brandishing a sheath-knife, while the +shark, in its last throes, floated belly uppermost, +a skilful thrust of the knife having practically +disembowelled it.</p> +<p class="pnext">In another minute the man had grasped the +bowline, and with the knife between his teeth +he was drawn up to the fo'c'sle.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was a short, ungainly personage, probably +a Dago, judging by his dark, olive skin and +raven hair. Unconcernedly he drank a dram +which was given him; then, with the moisture +draining from his clothes as he hobbled across +the deck, he was led off to be questioned by +our captain.</p> +<p class="pnext">During this episode the buccaneer had shown +us a remarkably clean pair of heels, so that +nothing short of an accident to the crowd of +canvas she was carrying could ever make us +hope to overhaul her.</p> +<p class="pnext">But in spite of enquiries Captain Poynings +gathered little from the rescued man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me Portugee, me Portugee; me honest; +me no rogue. Me see Senhor Capitan alone, +den me tell him ebberything," he reiterated.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will not talk with you alone," replied +Captain Poynings sternly. "You are a pirate +or an accomplice of that rascally crew. Now, +give an account of yourself, or a taste of the +cat will make you speak."</p> +<p class="pnext">At the mention of the "cat" the man's eyes +glittered ominously, then, instantly relapsing +into his subservient manner, he jabbered in +broken English:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me no rogue. Me Pedro Alvarez of Habana. +By de Virgin me speak truth!" And holding a +small wooden crucifix that hung from his neck, +the man kissed it with exaggerated fervour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Me speak only to Senhor Capitan. Tell +him ebberything. Senhor Capitan much please +wid my tale."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No!" roared Captain Poynings, knitting his +brows in that manner peculiar to him when +aught vexes him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Vell, den, me speak to Senhor Capitan an' +three odder. Pedro's tale too 'portant for odders +to hear."</p> +<p class="pnext">To this the captain assented, and the +Portuguese, having been deprived of his knife, and +searched for any concealed weapons he might +have had, was taken below to the stateroom, +whither repaired the captain, two lieutenants, +and the master.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over an hour they remained, and on +coming on deck we noticed that Captain +Poynings and his officers looked highly pleased, +though the Portuguese still wore an impassive look.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Send the ship's company aft," said the +captain. "'Tis but right that they should know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Eagerly the men clustered in the waist, while +from the poop their gallant leader addressed them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hearken, my men," quoth he. "It has +come to our knowledge that a vast amount of +treasure lieth hidden on a cay the bearing +whereof is known only to this Portuguese. He +is willing to guide us to the spot in consideration +of a safe conduct to Europe and one-seventh +of the spoil. By my commission His Majesty +gives me power to engage in such enterprise, +whereof one-tenth reverteth to our sovereign +lord, the king. Be it understood that I will +deal fairly with all men, dividing the residue +into shares according to the regulations +pertaining to treasure trove. For your part do your +work with a will. Let no stranger learn and +forestall our mission, and I warrant ye the +purser shall pay in gold where heretofore ye +had but silver."</p> +<p class="pnext">Cheers greeted the announcement, and the +men retired to discuss this matter amongst +themselves. We, however, learned still more. +Briefly, the Portuguese's tale was this:--</p> +<p class="pnext">Less than ninety years ago a Spanish treasure-ship +left Vera Cruz, richly laden with plate and +specie. A few days after leaving port yellow +fever decimated the crew, and the survivors, +unable to handle the ship, ran her aground on +a small cay in the Rosario Channel, between +the Isla de Pinos and Cuba. The treasure was +landed and hidden, but bickerings and disease +still further reduced their number, till only one +man remained. He was rescued by a galliot +the owner of which was Pedro's grandfather. +In gratitude, the Spaniard showed his rescuer a +plan of where the specie lay, the men agreeing +to share the spoil. Both men were lost in an +attempt to reach the island in a small craft in +which they had sailed alone, so as to keep their +secret, and thus all trace of the spot vanished +till five years ago, when Pedro came across +the rough chart and an account of the matter, +which had been hidden in the rafters of his hut. +Pedro himself visited the cay, saw the treasure, +but was unable to carry off the stuff +single-handed. He returned to Habana, entrusted six +others with the secret, and fitted out a small +felucca to secure the spoil.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the voyage the little craft was seized by +the buccaneers, and all his companions were +murdered. Pedro alone was kept a prisoner, +the pirate intending that he should pilot them +when occasion served.</p> +<p class="pnext">Never a word concerning the treasure did he +say to the buccaneers, but, taking a favourable +opportunity, he had left the ship under the +circumstances that we had observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Poynings eagerly examined the chart. +Already the lust for gold had entered into his +soul, and he was ready to hazard everything +for the sake of that which had cost the lives of +hundreds of men in these seas--the quest of +hidden treasure.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bring out a larger chart, Master Widdicombe," +he exclaimed, "and let us see where +this island should be."</p> +<p class="pnext">The chart was produced, and the latitude and +longitude carefully pricked off, whereat Captain +Poynings turned purple with rage and swore +horribly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The villain would send us on a fool's errand," +he declared, bringing his fist down on the table +with tremendous force. "The position he would +have us believe to be an island is in the midst +of the Yucatan Passage, with nothing less than +eighty fathoms."</p> +<p class="pnext">For the moment we were all dumbfounded +Visions of untold wealth were rudely dispelled.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bring out that rascally Portuguese, trice him +up, and give him five dozen!" cried the captain, +a strain of his choleric ancestor betraying itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stay!" replied the master. "I have it! +This position is shown by our longitude, +whereas this rough chart is of Spanish draughtsmanship. +Now, taking the longitude of Madrid as +zero, we find that----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good, Widdicombe, you have hit it! Yet, +forsooth, 'twas but your duty. Prick out, then, +a fresh position, and pray 'twill be better than +the last!"</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes' calculation enabled the master +to announce that 22° 4' N., 82° 46' W. was the +corrected position, and to the unbounded +satisfaction of us all it was found that it marked a +small island almost in the centre of the Rosario +Channel, agreeing with the description which +Pedro Alvarez had given.</p> +<p class="pnext">As there was now no sign of the buccaneering +craft, the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> put about and returned to Port +Royal, there to wait until the return of the +cruising squadron should set us free to pursue our +adventure. For nearly two weeks we remained +in suspense, Captain Poynings refusing leave +for fear that a man's tongue might get the better +of his discretion, till early one morning we +perceived to our great joy the sails of our consorts +approaching the port.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-concerning-the-treasure-island"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII--Concerning the Treasure Island</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Hardly had the fleet anchored when Captain +Poynings boarded the flagship and obtained, +with little ado, permission to part company. +We then revictualled, took in fresh powder, and +weighed, steering a westerly course till Negrille +Point was well abeam. Thereupon we stood +nor'-westward, passing close to Grand Cayman. +Here misfortune dogged us. For days we were +becalmed, the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> wallowing motionless in +the oily sea within one hundred leagues of our +destination. Then the dreaded "yellow jack" +made its appearance amongst us, and forty men +lay sick to death on the ballast, of whom, I +grieve to relate, more than half died.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the pestilence would have ended it +would be hard to say, had not a favourable +breeze sprung up, and on the eighteenth day +after leaving Port Royal we brought up off the +cay shown in the chart.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an island some three miles in extent, +and about half that distance in breadth, a line of +rugged hills running from east to west, terminating +in low cliffs. Viewed from the north'ard, +where we lay, the shore appeared to be flat and +lined with breakers, but Pedro told us that a +little creek opened out close to the western end, +where a boat could make a landing in safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">No sign of a human being could be seen, +even as the Portuguese had said, yet it is +passing strange how easily even a trained seaman +can be deceived.</p> +<p class="pnext">Being late in the day when we arrived off the +cay, it was decided not to land till the morrow. +Nevertheless, we made preparations for the +expedition, provisioning the longboat and the like.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early on the morrow we weighed anchor, and, +under the guidance of Pedro, towed the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, +there being no wind, through a gap in the reef, +so that her new berth was within half a league of +the landingplace--though there was an inner +reef close inshore, on which the sea brake, +though not with such violence as on the outer reef.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his eagerness, Captain Poynings himself +took command of the landing party, though +it was his duty to remain aboard. With him +went the bos'n, three midshipmen, whereof +Greville Drake and I were included, and +twenty-five men. Between us we had but five +musketoons and three pistols, the men carrying, on +account of the heat, nothing but their mattocks +and spades. Pedro also went as a guide, so +that our party numbered thirty-one men, sufficient, +indeed, to carry off the treasure--if treasure +it were--in one journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">After rowing for nearly a league, viz. a quarter +of a league towards the shore, and the same +distance parallel to it, the breakers preventing us +from going nearer, we espied the mouth of the +little cove or creek, and ten minutes labour at +the oars sufficed to beach the boat in very +sheltered water, the trees overhanging the banks and +almost meeting those on the opposite side.</p> +<p class="pnext">We landed and formed up on a small stretch +of sand, the only clear space that was to be seen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hark ye, Dommett," said the captain. "Do +you stay here with the boat, and keep her off if +needs be we must embark in a hurry. 'Tis now +nine o' the clock; by five we will return. If +peradventure we fail to do so, signal to the ship +for more men. Keep eyes and ears open, and if +any man shall come upon you, push off and fire +your piece. Now, Senhor Pedro, lead on."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was an exciting moment. The Portuguese +led, pressing forward with marvellous agility and +with the air of a man who is following a familiar +track. We followed in straggling order, for the +way was rough, merely allowing two men to +walk abreast. Dense foliage enclosed us on +either side, and, save for the noise of the men's +footsteps, and the occasional crackle of dry +underwood, not a sound either of man or beast +broke the stillness of the forest.</p> +<p class="pnext">The path led gradually upwards, till we +emerged into a clearing, the ground rising still +steeper to the foot of a low, precipitous cliff. At +the base of this cliff we halted for breath, +observing that all around lay masses of broken rock +that had at some time fallen from the heights +above. Looking backwards we could see over +the tops of the trees to the sea, the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> +looking like a cockboat in the distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">On resuming our march we had to scale the +cliff, which, though steep, was jagged with +projections of rock, which, with strong tendrils of +tropical vegetation, afforded plenty of foothold +for any ordinary climber to make use of.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A pest on these Spaniards!" exclaimed the +captain angrily. "Why did they take the +treasure so far inland; eh, Pedro?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The Portuguese shrugged his shoulders. +"<em class="italics">Qual sabe, Senhor?</em>" he replied nonchalantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The men, strapping their spades on their +backs, began the ascent, the Portuguese being +told to remain till half the party had gained +the summit.</p> +<p class="pnext">When my turn came I leapt with all the +buoyancy of youth on to the lowermost crag, +grasping an overhanging tuft of reeds and +grass to gain the next step; but the reeds were +as sharp as a razor, and before I realized it the +palm of my hand was cut to the bone, and the +blood poured in a stream down my arm and +over my doublet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sudden pain and the loss of blood caused +me to slip to the foot of the cliff, and for a time +everything became blank and my head swam. +Someone forced my head betwixt my knees, so +that in a short space of time I felt better.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You would do well to return to the boat," +said Captain Poynings in a tone that meant no +refusal. "Can you manage to find the path, or +shall I send a man with you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">I replied that I was well enough to go, and +reluctantly I turned back.</p> +<p class="pnext">Drake laid a hand on my shoulder. "Never +heed, Aubrey," said he sympathetically. "'Tis +better to return with a gashed hand like yours. +But I'll tell you all when we come back."</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly I went till I reached the edge of the +wood. Then I lingered, watching the party +make the ascent, which they did speedily and +without further mishap. Then I heard their +footsteps die away as they plunged through the +thick underwood, and I was alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">The path, by reason of the numbers that had +but recently passed, was now well-defined, and I +had no difficulty in finding it. Dommett, the +boatkeeper, received me without signs of +surprise, and on telling him of my misadventure, he +merely ejaculated a loud "Well done", which +was a favourite expression of his, no matter what +caused him to make it, insomuch that on board +he was dubbed by his messmates "Well done Dommett".</p> +<p class="pnext">However, he bathed my hand in seawater, +although the salt did make it smart mightily, +and, tying it with a strip of wet linen, he told +me to keep quiet, so as not unduly to excite my +head, which was by now throbbing like to burst.</p> +<p class="pnext">Throughout the forenoon Dommett smoked +a short black pipe incessantly, though he kept +his eyes shifting, looking frequently for signals +from the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> and the island, both towards +the path and along the shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no sign or sound till about one +hour after noon, when we both heard a faint +noise like a musket being fired afar off. We +listened alertly, but no other sound was heard.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tis one of the men who has fallen over +his piece, perchance," remarked the sailor as +he refilled his pipe, ramming the weed down +with his little finger.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hardly had he made the flint and steel to +work when there was another noise, like the +distant crashing of brushwood. The sound +came nearer, so we both stood up, the boat-keeper +thrusting an oar into the water so as to +keep the longboat off shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nearer came the sound, till at length a man +appeared, torn and bleeding, and spent with +running. It was one of the <em class="italics">Gannet's</em> men--the +bos'n's mate,--and, throwing himself into +the boat, he lay like a log.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pull yourself together, man," shouted +Dommett, shaking the man in his anxiety. +"What's amiss? What's amiss?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Push off for your life!" he panted. "It's +all up; we are all undone!"</p> +<p class="pnext">This was all he could say. Nevertheless we +shoved off, and waited at about a boat's length +from the mouth of the creek--waited for any +stragglers who might appear.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless no more of our men appeared, +though a musket was fired at us from the +brushwood, followed by an irregular volley. At the +whiz of the bullets, though they passed well +above us, I threw myself on the bottom of the +boat; but the firing had the opposite effect +on the bos'n's mate, for, cursing horribly, he +raised himself and seized an oar. Dommett +had already done likewise, and before the volley +could be repeated we were well out of range, +though throughout the whole time we were +under fire the man still kept his pipe firmly +between his teeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then they called upon me to take an oar, +and feeling miserably ashamed of myself I got +up, and, as well as my hand would allow, I rowed +with them. By a special providence we made +the gap between the reef in safety, then rowed +slowly, for the longboat was an unwieldy craft, +towards the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">The master, perceiving that something was +amiss, sent a boat to meet us, and on going +on board we were surrounded by the anxious +remainder of the crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bos'n's mate told his tale, how that the +expedition came across a flat piece of ground +surrounded by steep rocks, like a basin. Here, +the Portuguese said, was the spot where the +treasure was buried. The men laid aside their +arms, took their spades, and began to dig. +Three feet down in the hard soil they went, but +there was no sign of the treasure. Suddenly +they heard a mocking laugh, and, looking up, +saw that Pedro had slipped away and was +jeering at them from the top of the rocks, +and, what was more, he spoke like an Englishman, +without any of his former accent. Captain +Poynings, maddened by the man's treachery, +fired a pistol at him, but without effect. The +seamen looked around for their arms to give +pursuit, but these had been stealthily removed, +and instead they found themselves surrounded +by at least a hundred armed scoundrels, who +demanded that they should yield themselves. +The bos'n's mate, however, having separated +himself from the rest, took to his heels and fled +for the boat, hotly pursued by half a dozen of +the villains. He gained the longboat in safety, +as I have said, and the fate of Captain Poynings +and his men was still a mystery.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shouts and threats came from the crew of the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> when they heard that their beloved +captain and their comrades had been treacherously +trapped. Some proposed that all hands should +form an avenging landing party, but of this our +lieutenant would not hear, as the nature of the +island would be against open attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several plans were discussed, with no good +result, till there came a seaman, who offered to +track the villains and try and discover the fate +of our comrades. He was of New England, +having joined us at the Bermudas on our voyage +hither, and was skilled in savage warfare and +woodcraft, for at one time he had been a member +of the trainband of Salem, in New England, +which town had oft been in jeopardy from the savages.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let me but land after it is night," said he, +"and I'll warrant ye'll see me with news of +some sort by noon to-morrow. If so be I do +not return by that time, let the purser mark me +off the books, 'D.D.' (Discharged--dead), and +send what money should be owing to me to my +wife at Providence, in Rhode Island."</p> +<p class="pnext">This man's offer being accepted, and assurances +given that his wishes should be carried +out if he failed to return, we could do nothing +but wait for nightfall.</p> +<p class="pnext">Directly darkness set in we lowered a boat, +the oars and tholes being muffled to deaden +all sound. The New Englander had stripped, +and had anointed himself from head to foot with +a dark, offensive-smelling grease, which, he +assured us, would keep him immune from +insect bites, and at the same time render him +nearly invisible.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nimbly he lowered himself into the boat, +where the men were waiting with tossed oars. +Silently they shoved off, and were lost in the +darkness; but in a quarter of an hour the boat +returned, having gone as close as possible to +the inner line of breakers, so that the man +could with little difficulty swim ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">All night double watches were set, and the +guns, double-shotted, were run out ready for +instant use. Still, not a sound was heard to +cause us alarm, only the dull roar of the surf +both ahead and astern of us. It was a miserable, +anxious night, for the disaster to our shipmates +(we not knowing whether they were dead or +alive) threw a gloom over the whole ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">For my part I could not sleep, my hand +paining me greatly, while I troubled deeply for +my comrades, particularly my friend Greville +Drake; so by choice I paced the deck the entire +night, till with extraordinary suddenness day +broke and the sun rose above the horizon.</p> +<p class="pnext">The whole of the forenoon passed without +incident, but just at midday the lookout +perceived a man leaping across the rocks by the +tree-fringed shore. It was the New England seaman.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly a boat was lowered, and urged by +lusty strokes headed straight for the shore. The +man had thrown himself into the sea, and we +could make out his head and shoulders as from +time to time he appeared between the white +masses of foam. He was an active and powerful +swimmer, and gained the boat in safety, though +probably it was well that the breakers had +subsided somewhat.</p> +<p class="pnext">His tale was soon told. Fearing to follow +the path from the cove, since the villain might +have set a guard there, he made his way through +the undergrowth directly towards the centre and +highest part of the island. Over and over +again he had to attempt a fresh passage, the +thickets proving too dense even for his +accustomed skill. At length he came across a +small stream, which he followed to its source, +which afterwards proved to be not far from the +spot where our men were surprised.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here he concealed himself till daybreak, when +he found himself practically overlooking the +whole island. On the south side, opposite to +where we were lying, he espied a cove, off which +was anchored a craft which he declared was +the same vessel as we had chased, and from +which Pedro had thrown himself. Another +hour's careful tracking brought him close to the +creek, where he saw our comrades being escorted +on board by the buccaneers in gangs, twenty-seven +all told, so that they were apparently all +alive and well. Then he made out a party of +men coming down from the hillside, where they +had been posted as rearguard, and with them +was Pedro. They passed quite close to where +he lay hid, and he could swear that Pedro was +no more a Portuguese than he was.</p> +<p class="pnext">Directly this last body of men embarked the +sails were shaken out, and the swift buccaneering +craft stood seaward. Having made sure that +they had all embarked, the man returned by the +beaten path, striking the north side of the island +at the cove where we had landed. Thence he +skirted the shore till we perceived him and sent +off a boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">The officers now debated as to the best course +to pursue--whether to follow the buccaneer, +which, undermanned as we were, was hazardous +and reckless, or to return with all haste to Port +Royal, report our loss, and join with the rest of +the fleet in the capture of the insolent pirates.</p> +<p class="pnext">The latter course was decided upon, but again +ill fortune looked upon us. A strong southerly +wind suddenly sprang up, and, though protected +by the outer reef, we were on a lee shore. +The master would not attempt to beat out +through the gap in the reef, as his knowledge +of the passage was none too good, neither could +we kedge nor tow the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> against the wind. +So we had perforce to remain weatherbound +for seven long days, knowing full well that the +same breeze that kept us prisoners within the +reef was bearing the buccaneers away in safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">When at length the wind veered sufficiently to +enable the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> to sail close-hauled through +the surf-encompassed passage, all plain sail was +set, and back to Port Royal we sped.</p> +<p class="pnext">Four days later the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> dropped anchor +in the harbour, and with despondent mien the +remaining officers went ashore to report the loss +of the captain and his men. To their unbounded +astonishment and delight they heard that +Captain Poynings and his twenty-six companions +were alive and well on board the <em class="italics">Lizard</em>, +man-of-war, then lying off the castle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Their adventures can best be described in the +story that Drake told to me on the evening of +the day that they rejoined the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You must know, Aubrey," said he, after +telling me of their capture and forced embarkation +on board the buccaneer's ship, "that this +Pedro was in reality a Cornishman, and second +in command to the renegade Captain Lewis, +then lying under sentence of death at Port +Royal. The whole of this bad business had +been carefully planned by the villain, and easily +we fell into the trap. Three days after we left +the island the <em class="italics">Sea Wolf</em>, for such is the name of +the buccaneer's ship, hove to in sight of Port +Royal, and with the greatest audacity Pedro, +or Red Peter, to give him the name he is +generally known by, went ashore under a flag of +truce, taking me with him as hostage. Would +you believe it, he went straight to the castle and +demanded to see the governor! Oddsfish! And +his impudence took even the governor aback. +'I have on board,' quoth Red Peter, 'twenty-five +officers and men of his Britannic Majesty's +ship <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, not including this youngster +(meaning me) and another; you have Captain Lewis +and four other of our men. So, my lord, I think +you'll see we hold a good balance in hand. +Now, sink me! 'tis a fair exchange: give us +the five and take your enterprising' (how he +sneered when he said this) 'king's men unhurt, +or else, for every man of ours who dances at the +end of a rope, five of yours shall dangle from +our yardarm. Come now, your answer?'</p> +<p class="pnext">"What could the governor say? He gave +way so easily that Red Peter spoke again. 'And, +taking into consideration our great magnanimity, +'twould not be amiss to grant a free pardon to us +all; then, for our part, we do agree to cease from +plundering and fighting, and become honest +men once more. Right glad would I be to +see Falmouth once more other than with a +hempen rope round my neck, or with gyves and +manacles to prevent my full enjoyment of my +native place. How say you, my lord?'</p> +<p class="pnext">"After all, I verily believe the governor was +content, for he had succeeded in ridding the +Indies of these buccaneers, even as it was +ordered, though the manner of the fulfilment +thereof was hardly as he had wished. So he +sent for his secretary, ordered him to write out +a general pardon, which he sealed and delivered +to Red Peter with an elaborate bow, whereat the +rogue as courteously took his leave.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The same day the <em class="italics">Sea Wolf</em> came into the +harbour and landed our people, Lewis and his +companions were released, and, after a general +carouse on shore, the ship sailed to communicate +the news to her consorts. All the same, the +trick was neatly done, and little harm came of it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Such was the tale that Greville told. Years +later I learned that both Captain Lewis and Red +Peter returned to England and were received by +His Majesty, who, with the same generosity as +he showed towards Captain Morgan, Colonel +Blood, and other cutthroats of like nature, +restored to Lewis his commission; while Red +Peter, under his real name of Peter Tregaskis, +became a red-hot Tory squire in his native Cornwall.</p> +<p class="pnext">However, to resume my story, Captain Poynings +rejoined the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> without delay, and +after a year or so of comparatively uneventful +sojourning in the Caribbean Sea, we received +orders to proceed again to the Mediterranean.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-of-an-encounter-with-an-algerine-corsair"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII--Of an Encounter with an Algerine Corsair</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was bowling along under easy sail +some fifty miles south of Majorca. Three years +of seatime had made a great difference in her +appearance. Her speed was retarded by the +presence of a thick vegetable growth on her +bottom, her sails had lost their pristine beauty, +while her sides, though often repainted, bore +signs of the effect of torrid heat and the +buffeting of the waves. Her crew, too, had +undergone considerable changes; wounds and disease +had reduced the number of her gallant men, +while those who were left were now well-seasoned +and disciplined.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of the ship's officers only three had gone to +their last account--the master, who had fallen +a victim to the dreaded "yellow jack", and two +of the midshipmen. Thus, including myself, +there were but five midshipmen on board, all of +whom were as efficient as Captain Poynings +could desire.</p> +<p class="pnext">I was now nearly seventeen years of +age--bronzed, hardy, and well-grown--and would +easily have passed for twenty.</p> +<p class="pnext">On this particular day it was about noon when +the lookout reported a sail hull down on our +starboard bow. In less than an hour she had +apparently sighted us, for she altered her course +so as to make straight for us. Now this was an +unusual occurrence, as the stranger must either +be a hostile craft or else a ship in distress and +wishing to communicate. Her speed was too +great to justify the assumption that she was +requiring assistance, so all hands were piped to +quarters. After months of inaction the prospect +of a fight acted like magic.</p> +<p class="pnext">The officers held a consultation, and as it was +well known that a Barbary corsair had been +committing several acts of exceptional violence, +hopes were entertained that the stranger would +prove to be that particular vessel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our captain showed himself to be a tactician +as well as a fighter. "If this be the Algerine," +he said, "her speed will enable her to make off +when she finds out who we are. It remains, +therefore, to trick and entice her to us. See +that all our ordnance is run in and the ports +closed. Keep nearly all the men out of sight, +and run the flag of Sicily up to the peak. And +you, Master Bennet," he added, addressing our +newly made master, "lay me the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> close +alongside the stranger and your duty will be +done. Now, gentlemen, to your stations, and +God save His Majesty King Charles!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The work of transforming the man-of-war into +a seemingly peaceful merchantman was quickly +performed, and long before the corsair (for such +there was no doubt she was) came within range +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was floundering along with yards +badly squared, for all the world like a +helpless trader, her course having been previously +altered as if she were intent on running away.</p> +<p class="pnext">But on board everything was different. At +each of her guns on the starboard side were men +lying prone on the deck, waiting for the signal +to trice up the ports, run the guns out, and +deliver a crushing broadside. Powder, shot, +and buckets of water were placed close at hand, +while boarding axes, pikes, cutlasses, muskets, +and pistols were lying about ready to be seized +when required.</p> +<p class="pnext">The men themselves were in a state of suppressed +excitement, talking softly to one another, +and with difficulty restraining themselves from +taking a view of their enemy and thus exposing +our strength.</p> +<p class="pnext">The officers, hidden under the break of the +poop, had donned their buff coats, head- and +back-plates, and plumed hats, and were as +impatient as the men to get to quarters.</p> +<p class="pnext">My station, with young Drake, was on the +gundeck, yet I could not resist the inclination +of creeping aft and looking at the Algerine +through one of our stern ports.</p> +<p class="pnext">She was now tearing along at a tremendous +pace, barely a quarter of a mile astern. There +was a stiff breeze blowing, and she was being +propelled by oars as well as by sails; yet a +stern chase is always a long one.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thinking us an easy prey, she made no hesitation +in showing her true colours, while groups +of dark-skinned men, the sweepings of the +Barbary ports, clustered on her high foc's'le, yelling +and waving their arms in a truly terrifying +manner. The sounds of the oars, the rattling +of the chains of the miserable galley slaves, and +the sharp crack of the whip of the merciless +taskmaster could be distinctly heard, while ever +and anon a gun would be fired, merely to +impress upon us the fruitlessness of resistance.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length she drew up about fifty yards from +our starboard quarter, and even at that short +distance they did not scent danger, their +eagerness blinding them to the fact that +twenty-five closed ports separated them from a +death-dealing hail of iron.</p> +<p class="pnext">I ran back to my station. The word was +passed round to fire high and spare the slaves. +All along the main deck there were groups of +men standing in almost total darkness, waiting +at the gun tackles for the signal to run out the +guns. The feeble glimmer of the fighting-lanterns +shone on the glistening arms and +bodies of half-naked seamen, who stood in +almost deathlike silence listening to the shouts +of their unseen foes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly came the order to fire. The ports +were triced up, and brilliant sunshine flooded +the gundeck. With the creaking of the tackles +and the rumbling of the gun-carriage wheels, +the muzzles of the iron monsters were run +through the ports. There was no need to take +aim, for the vessels were almost side by side. +The volley that followed shook the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> from +keel to truck and filled the deck with clouds of smoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Back ran the guns with the recoil, sponges +and rammers did their work, and again the guns +roared--this time in an irregular broadside.</p> +<p class="pnext">Four times was this repeated, the guns' crews +working as calmly as if at practice. How it +fared with the pirate we knew not. Occasionally, +between the clouds of smoke, we could catch a +glimpse of her black sides, crushed and torn +by our broadsides. A musket ball came in +through an open port and struck a seaman fairly +between the eyes. He fell without a sound, +and this was the only casualty on the main +deck. Seeing he was dead, two seamen dragged +him across to the other side and pushed his +body through a port. A bucketful of sand was +sprinkled on the spot where he fell, and the gun +at which he was stationed was run out again.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly there was a crashing, grinding +sound. The master had laid us alongside the corsair.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Boarders, away!" was the order, and, hastily +closing the ports, to prevent our being boarded +in turn, the whole of the men below poured +on deck, armed with whatever weapon came +first to their hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">The vessels lay side by side, locked in an +unyielding embrace. Our ordnance had wrought +havoc on the corsair, her huge lateen yards +lying athwart her decks, while heaps of dead +and dying men encumbered her slippery planks. +But the remnant still resisted, and for us the +completion of our victory was to be dearly +bought. We had already suffered considerably, +many men having been slain on our fo'c'sle and +poop, and now, headed by our gallant Captain +Poynings, we threw ourselves upon the +foemen's deck, where we met with a desperate +resistance. The corsairs knew that surrender +meant an ignominious death, and fought with +the courage of despair, calling on Allah and +Mohammed as they slew or were slain.</p> +<p class="pnext">Inch by inch they were driven back, pistolled +or cut down or thrust overboard, till there +remained but one Moslem, a tall, wiry villain, +armed with pistol and scimitar. Two of our +men went down before him, one having his +skull cloven by a lightning sweep of the corsair's +razorlike blade, the other having his sword +arm cut completely through at the wrist. Two +more rushed at him; one he shot, the second +received the discharged pistol full in the face. +With that several men made ready to shoot +him down; but our lieutenant called on them +to desist, and he himself advanced on the +redoubtable Moslem.</p> +<p class="pnext">The combat was watched with breathless +interest, for Geoffrey Weaver was a past master +in the art of fencing, having acquired both the +French and Italian methods, as well as having +seen active service against Spaniards and Turks, +and also in the Low Countries. In a measure +he had an advantage, wearing his breastplate; +yet as the scimitar is rarely used save for cutting, +the armour did not serve him as readily as it +would have done if he had been pitted against +a man armed with a pointed sword.</p> +<p class="pnext">Their blades met, and so quick was the swordplay +that none could follow it. In a few seconds +both were wounded, the blood trickling down +the lieutenant's face from a nick on the forehead. +Then, quicker than words, Weaver escaped a +sweeping blow from the scimitar by jumping +nimbly backwards, and the next moment +his blade had passed through the Moslem's shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">With this, thinking the fight at an end, we +began to cheer lustily; but our triumph was +shortlived, for, ere the lieutenant could +disengage his weapon, the corsair seized him round +the waist and sprang with him into the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">We rushed to the side, but only a few bubbles +came to the surface. Carried down by the +weight of his armour, Weaver sank like a +stone, and his implacable foe, holding on with +a relentless grip, shared his fate.</p> +<p class="pnext">However, there was no time for vain regrets, +and all hands were set to work to repair the +damage done by the fight. Our losses were +heavy: besides the lieutenant, two midshipmen, +the bos'n, and sixteen men were killed, and the +purser and thirty-three men wounded.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the Algerine all her crew were accounted +for, not one surviving; while, in spite of our +care, the losses amongst the galley slaves were +fearful. A few stray shots and a shower of +splinters had wrought destruction on these +helpless chained-up wretches, and the gratitude of +the survivors when we knocked their fetters off +was touching to witness. There were Spaniards, +Genoese, Venetians, French, and Dutch, negroes, +and one Englishman, a man from Hull--twenty-three +all told, most of whom were wounded.</p> +<p class="pnext">The prize was badly shattered, but little +damage was done near the waterline. The +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> suffered hardly at all, the corsairs, being +unprepared for resistance, having neglected to +use their two pieces of brass ordnance.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bodies of the dead were committed to the +deep, the wounded attended to, and the decks +cleaned of their ghastly stains, while a party of +seamen were placed on board the prize to rig +jury masts.</p> +<p class="pnext">When I went down below, to clean the grime +of the powder from my face and hands, I found +that I had received a slight cut on the calf of my +leg. How or when it was done I could not +remember, but it was too trifling to be attended +to by the surgeon, so I dressed it myself.</p> +<p class="pnext">While thus engaged I was sent for by the +captain, and on reporting myself he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"Master Wentworth, I have been fully satisfied +with your conduct in the fight, and although +you are young in years you have a man's head +on your shoulders. You will now have your +first command, for I propose to put you in +charge of the prize with seven men to work her. +You must keep in company with the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> till +off the Barbary coast, where you will have to +shape a course for Tangier, which now belongs +to His Majesty King Charles. Should we be +compelled to part company, I will rely on +you to work the ship into that port. You can, +of course, use a sextant?"</p> +<p class="pnext">I assented.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well, here is a plan of the harbour of +Tangier. This place," indicating the mole, "is +where you must bring up. Now go to the +master and get the necessary charts and instruments, +and take charge of the prize as soon as possible."</p> +<p class="pnext">I saluted and left his cabin, feeling inclined +to dance for joy, yet having sufficient dignity +left to walk sedately across the quarterdeck.</p> +<p class="pnext">When I gained the gunroom I told the news +with unrestrained enthusiasm, and my remaining +companions, now reduced to two in number, +Greville Drake and Alan Wood, though not +slow in offering their congratulations, did not +conceal the fact that my good fortune was their +disappointment.</p> +<p class="pnext">By nightfall the fitting of the jury masts was +completed, the shot holes were plugged, and +the working party was recalled. Then, with my +seven men, together with two of the liberated +slaves, I took possession of the prize, having, +with Captain Poyning's permission, named her +the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em>.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-i-lose-the-little-gannet"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX--I lose the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Throughout the first part of the night we held +on our course, the poop lights of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> +acting as a guide. Watches were set, five men +in each, I taking my turn in the first watch. +Towards morning the wind veered round and +blew freshly from the west'ard, and when the +sun rose, a watery orb, the wind increased into +half a gale.</p> +<p class="pnext">We saw the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> shorten sail, bowling +along on the starboard tack under easy canvas +to enable us to keep up with her. I ordered +additional preventers to be rove, had the hatches +battened down, and took every possible +precaution to ensure the safety of my vessel.</p> +<p class="pnext">By midday it blew a furious gale, accompanied +by showers of blinding rain, and before +long the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was nowhere to be seen. Even +with her jury rig the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em> gave a good +account of herself, though it was necessary to +take an occasional spell at the pumps to keep +down the water that made its way through her +hastily patched seams.</p> +<p class="pnext">From her build and rig my craft would lay +closer to the wind than the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, so I ordered +her to be kept on the starboard tack for two +hours, then on the larboard tack for another two +hours, and so on, hoping by these means to +keep within sight of our escort when the gale +moderated.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were, as I have mentioned, five men in +each watch--one of the two liberated slaves, a +Genoese, who spoke no English, being in mine, +while the other, a negro, was placed in the second.</p> +<p class="pnext">This negro was of a gigantic stature, with +powerful limbs, yet of a timorous disposition, +so that directly the gale came on he could with +difficulty be made to do any work at all, but lay +in a heap in the weather scuppers, moaning and +muttering in broken English, Spanish, and his +native tongue.</p> +<p class="pnext">All that day the gale continued, but on the +morrow the wind moderated, leaving us rolling +in the trough of a heavy swell, with no sign of +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">About nine in the morning we spied a sail on +our starboard quarter. This we concluded was +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, which we had evidently passed +during the night; but three hours afterwards +we could see that it was not our parent ship, but +a smaller and speedier craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">She had already perceived us, and had altered +her course slightly to come up with us, and, +with every stitch of canvas set, she ploughed her +way rapidly towards us.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was without doubt a hostile craft, but the +knowledge that the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was somewhere close +to us, though where we knew not, spurred us to +make every preparation for flight or fight.</p> +<p class="pnext">By four in the afternoon the stranger was a +mile astern, and with the aid of a glass I could +see her colours--they were black, and bore the +emblem of the Jolly Roger.</p> +<p class="pnext">I gathered my slender crew aft and exhorted +them to make a desperate resistance, telling +them that a tame surrender would be as futile +as capture after a determined fight. In either +case the result would be death to us all, but +the longer we held out the greater chance there +was of a timely rescue by the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">They one and all expressed their willingness +to resist to the last, and now commenced one +of those despairing fights against overwhelming +odds that were only of too frequent occurrence. +Many a gallant English vessel has met her fate +in a glorious but unrecorded effort in similar +circumstances, her end unknown at home and +her disappearance soon forgotten, save by those +bloodthirsty scoundrels who have felt the fangs +of an Englishman at bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">We immediately manned one of the long brass +guns, training it right aft on the advancing +pirate. I directed the gunner to aim at the +foeman's spars, endeavouring to cripple her aloft. +With a flash and a roar the iron missile sped +on its way, striking the pirate's topsail yard. +There was a shower of splinters and the broken +spar fell, till brought up by the strain on the +topsail and t'gallant sail, and at the same time +the halyards of the foresail parted, bringing that +sail down to the deck with a run.</p> +<p class="pnext">Notwithstanding our danger a cheer broke +from us; but before we could reload our gun +the pirate yawed and let fly with her larboard guns.</p> +<p class="pnext">The result was disastrous to us. Two of our +men were killed on the spot and two wounded, +while both our jury masts went by the board, +and the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em> lay helpless on the waves.</p> +<p class="pnext">The end was not long in coming. After +another broadside the pirate backed her main +topsail and hove to at less than a cable's length +off. Two of her boats were lowered, and a +swarm of bearded ruffians tumbled into them +and pushed off towards us.</p> +<p class="pnext">Resistance was hopeless, but the pirate +appeared anxious to take us alive, and, partially +stunned by a blow from a handspike, I was +thrown into one of the boats and taken on board +our captor, where, together with five survivors, +I was placed under guard on her quarterdeck.</p> +<p class="pnext">The pirate ship was called the <em class="italics">Friend of the +Sea</em>, but she was the enemy of all who sailed +upon it. She was heavily armed and manned, +her crew comprising a ruffianly assortment of +every nation of south-western Europe, and, +judging by the gold ornaments that every man +wore, their cruise had been highly successful +for these rogues.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were busily engaged in transferring the +cargo of the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em> to their own vessel. +Much of this consisted of valuable stores that +the Algerine had on board when we took her, +and the satisfaction of the lawless freebooters +was unbounded.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two brass guns were also taken on board, +the work of slinging them from the <em class="italics">Little Gannet</em> +to the boats, and thence to the pirate ship, being +performed with a celerity and skill that would +have drawn an expression of admiration from +the lips of Captain Poynings himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the whole of the valuable stores were +safely on board, the pirates fired their prize, and +an hour later, burned to the water's edge, my +first command sank in a cloud of smoke and steam.</p> +<p class="pnext">The pirates worked unceasingly. Their next +task was to repair the splintered foreyard, which +they did by fishing it with capstan bars and small +spars. While this work was in progress there +was a shout from the lookout, and from the +hurrying scrambles of the crew I guessed that +another sail was sighted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hastily sending the spliced spar aloft, the +crew squared the yards once more, and the +<em class="italics">Friend of the Sea</em> gathered way. From where +I was I could not tell whether we were chasing +or in chase; but in a few moments we had other +things to think about, for the pirate captain and +his lieutenant approached us.</p> +<p class="pnext">The former was a short, broad-shouldered +man, with a heavy, black beard. He was dressed +in typical buccaneering rig, with a red sash +round his waist, in which were stuck a whole +armoury of pistols and a short Turkish dagger. +Cruelty and viciousness were stamped upon +every outline of his face, but at the same time +there were signs of a courageous nature and +resource. He was apparently a Genoese or +a Tuscan, and did not, or would not, speak +English, though he understood our replies in +the subsequent discourse we had with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">His lieutenant was a taller man, also heavily +bearded, and bronzed with the sun. In spite +of myself I gave an exclamation of surprise, +for he was none other than the man with the +scarred face who had tried to rob me on the +Portsmouth road over three years ago, and who +had escaped from Colonel Middleton's troopers +in the Forest of Bere.</p> +<p class="pnext">The recognition was mutual, and from the +look of intense hatred on the man's features I +knew that my fate was sealed. The two pirates +conversed volubly in an unknown tongue, then +the renegade Englishman turned towards us again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Listen, men," he said, addressing my +companions in adversity. "Join us and you'll have +a life that cannot be beaten. Light work, a fair +share of fighting, and plenty of booty. In two +years you'll be rich enough to buy the best inns +in England, and can live like gentlemen to the +end of your days. Refuse, and----" Here +he jerked his thumb significantly in the direction +of the entry port.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And as for you, you white-livered young +cub," he added, addressing me, "our captain +here has given you to me, and, let me say, +Dick Swyre will be avenged. I'll have a little +way of my own that will make you wish that +his end at the hands of the hangman were +yours. Now, my lads, what do you say? Wilt +join our merry crew?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The men who were appealed to were not long +in making up their minds. Tom Black and +George Wilson firmly and emphatically refused, +and their example was followed by the two +remaining Gannets--Dick Blake and a man whose +name I knew not, he being always called Old +Shellback. The fifth was the blackamoor who +had been a galley slave. He, miserable cur +that he was, assented with alacrity, and was +sent for'ard to join the rascally crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">My four men were led away, and for a time +I was left to myself. I was still dizzy from the +effects of the blow I had received, and this +probably accounted for the complete indifference +that I felt with regard to my fate. My wrists +and ankles were tied, making it impossible for +me to move, save by crawling and worming +along the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">The pirates were still busily engaged in +making preparations for the coming fight, and from +the general direction of the glances that they +made I came to the conclusion that the <em class="italics">Friend +of the Sea</em> was in this case the fugitive. So +busy were they that I edged towards an +arm-rack, and, placing my bound wrists against a +sharp cutlass, I succeeded in freeing them from +the cords that bound them. This done, it was +an easy matter to loose the ropes that fastened +my ankles; then, lying in a position that hid +my limbs from any passing pirate, I tried to +form a plan of escape.</p> +<p class="pnext">I could, of course, leap through a port into +the sea, taking my chance of being picked up +by the pursuing craft, which I fondly hoped +would be the avenging <em class="italics">Gannet</em>; but I did not +know what distance separated us, and even +then, in the eagerness of the chase, there was +little likelihood of their noticing me, still less +of heaving to and picking me up.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly I thought of the foretop. If only +I could reach that I could defy the whole of +the pirate crew, and at the same time render +material assistance to their foes. Now that I +was free, my lethargy vanished, and I was the +personification of active revenge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Taking advantage of the confusion I ran +for'ard, and before I was recognized I had +gained the nettings and was well on my way +up the shrouds. A hoarse shout announced +that my escape was discovered, and a pistol +bullet buzzed close to my head, quickly followed +by another, that flattened itself against a +chainplate.</p> +<p class="pnext">I redoubled my efforts, and, racing over the +futtock shrouds, I gained the top, where I threw +myself down, panting and almost exhausted.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-how-i-defended-the-foretop"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id11">CHAPTER X--How I Defended the Foretop</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">For full five minutes I lay motionless, listening +to the zip of the bullets as the pirates kept up +a hot fire on my perilous position. Then I +raised myself and peered cautiously over the +edge of the top.</p> +<p class="pnext">The situation was a grave one, but I had a +fighting chance. I was on a platform some ten +feet square, but the lubber's holes reduced the +standing room by nearly a quarter. The after +side of the top was protected by a mantlet of +stout wood, while the sides were fitted with a +low breastwork.</p> +<p class="pnext">Where I was lying was thus fairly secure. +The only danger was that I might be picked +off by musketeers in the maintop or crosstrees, +the foremast itself protecting me from any shots +from for'ard. The planking of the top also was +stout enough to resist a musket ball, though the +thud of shots as they struck the under side of +the top at first filled me with misgiving.</p> +<p class="pnext">After firing for some time the rascally crew +apparently came to the conclusion that they were +doing too much damage to their own sails and +rigging, the fore-topsail being holed in many +places; so I could look around in comparative +security.</p> +<p class="pnext">The tops were to be utilized by sharpshooters +in the coming fight, for to my delight I found +a whole armoury stowed away on the foretop--muskets, +pistols, cutlasses, and two sharp +axes, with plenty of powder and ball. Had I +delayed my desperate plan much longer the +top would have been filled with men. I +examined the muskets and the pistols and found +them already loaded. I next turned my +attention to the deck of the pirate ship. The guns' +crews were at their stations, and were either +looking astern or else regarding my position. +The captain and his scarred-faced lieutenant +were almost speechless with rage, for they knew +that for the time being I held the trump card.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a sign could I see of my four men, but +presently the wretched negro was hauled out, +a knife was thrust into his hand, and by shouts +and dumb-show he was ordered to go into the +rigging and bring me down.</p> +<p class="pnext">The recreant blackamoor was almost mad with +terror, his skin turned a dusky-greyish hue, and +his eyes rolled about in an agony of fright. +Behind and below him were the knives and +pistols of the pirates, above him was I, covering +his trembling body with a pistol that I steadied +against the edge of the lubber's hole.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly he climbed till, urged on by the shouts +of the fiendish crew, he reached the futtock +shrouds. Here he stopped, and in a low, +agonized voice he whispered: "No shoot, Massa; +only pretend to shoot! Me come to you; me +help you! No shoot me!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing that this man would be useful in the +defence of the top, I fired, the bullet passing +well over his head. He then climbed up +hurriedly, till his head and shoulders were +through the lubber's hole. Then with a yell +of triumph the treacherous black seized my +right wrist in his powerful grip, and his knife +flashed in the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">But he reckoned not on the other weapons that +I had. Seizing another pistol in my left hand, +I fired point-blank at his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through the smoke I saw the gaping hole cut +by the ball, his grip relaxed, and he fell. For +a brief space his body hung suspended on the +inside of the futtock shrouds, then it slowly +over-balanced and crashed with a heavy thud across +a gun carriage on the deck below.</p> +<p class="pnext">A loud yell came from the pirate crew, and +once more a heavy fire was opened on the +foretop, but, lying snugly under the shelter of the +mantlet, I remained in perfect safety. The only +chance they had of bringing me down was by +training a piece of ordnance on the top; but +either they did not possess a cannon capable of +being elevated to that height, or else they feared +that the damage done would be greater than the +success of getting rid of me.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the firing ceased I again looked over +the edge of the breastwork, the deadeye +lanyards making me practically invisible from the +deck. Cautiously taking a musket, I thrust its +muzzle over the edge and aimed at my particular +enemy, the scarred-faced pirate and smuggler. +I fired, and though I missed him, the bullet +struck the pirate captain in the back, and he +fell to the deck. Leaving him where he was +lying, the lieutenant took refuge on the aft +side of the mainmast, cursing at me in a lusty voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">Encouraged by my success, I opened a steady +fire on the crew, and in a few moments the whole +of the deck that was visible from the foretop was +deserted.</p> +<p class="pnext">But only for a time. Groups of men made +their way towards the foremast shrouds, holding +thick planks of wood over their heads. Under +these rude mantlets they made preparations for +storming the foretop, some making for the +weather shrouds, others for the lee.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seizing one of the axes, I attacked the lower +rigging vigorously, cutting through shrouds, +slings, braces, and halyards, everything that +came within reach, thus making my position +secure from escalade.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Friend of the Sea</em> was sailing close hauled +on the starboard tack, and as I continued my +work of destruction I could see the head sails +coming down, while, deprived of its principal +supports, the foremast swayed and creaked +ominously.</p> +<p class="pnext">In spite of the frantic efforts of the helmsman, +the pirate ship flew up into the wind, her +maintopsail was taken aback, and she was hove to in +a helpless state.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then for the first time I could see the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> +coming down on the <em class="italics">Friend of the Sea</em>, the +sun shining on her clouds of weatherworn +canvas.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having the weather gauge, she soon ranged +up and opened fire. Why she had not done so +before I could not understand, till a crowd of the +pirates came for'ard, dragging with them my +four men. While the chase lasted they had, so +I afterwards learned, suspended their prisoners +over the stern, thus preventing our humane +captain from opening fire; but, now the chase +was at an end, there was no further use for the +doomed men.</p> +<p class="pnext">Blindfolded, and with their arms tied behind +their backs, the unfortunate men were marched +to the entry port and pushed into the sea in +sight of their comrades, who were powerless to +prevent yet ready to avenge their deaths.</p> +<p class="pnext">Both ships were firing rapidly, the shot from +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> whistling through the pirate's +rigging and crashing through her hull at every +broadside.</p> +<p class="pnext">Though overmatched both in number and +weight of guns, the <em class="italics">Friend of the Sea</em> fought +bravely, and from my elevated position I could +see the men stricken down by dozens, yet their +fire was vigorously kept up.</p> +<p class="pnext">Being sure that escape was impossible, the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> devoted all her attention to the hull of +her foe, at the same time shortening the distance +between them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now through the drifting smoke I could +distinguish the crew of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>. There was +Captain Poynings standing unmoved amid the +crash and din of the fight, the master standing by +the wheel, his head bound with a blood-stained +scarf, several men, still in death, encumbering +her decks, while amid the throng of excited +fighters a continuous procession of wounded was +winding its way towards the main hatch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Finally both vessels came within a few yards +of each other, and I heard the order given: +"Prepare to board!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The pirates had now abandoned their guns, +and had begun to cluster for'ard, under the +shelter of the bulwarks, each man armed with +pistol and cutlass. They knew what the issue +meant, and each man prepared to sell his life +dearly.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the crash came, and the two ships were +interlocked, the Gannets, headed by their gallant +captain, poured over the hammock nettings and +gained their enemy's deck. Every inch was +grimly contested, several of the <em class="italics">Gannets</em> falling +between the two vessels and meeting a miserable +fate by being ground between the heaving sides.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Poynings singled out the scarred-faced +lieutenant, and, being well ahead of his +men, his position was for a time one of considerable +danger. I watched the fight without fear of +being made a mark by the pirates, who were too +hard pressed to heed me. The sight held me +spellbound, till I observed one of the pirates +covering our captain with a musket. The man +waited, with finger on trigger, till the position of +the combatants would give him an opportunity +to fire without injuring his leader.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing this, I grasped a loaded musket, and at +fifteen yards' distance put a ball through the +villain's head. Almost at the same time Captain +Poynings ran his opponent through the arm, +and the latter, jumping backwards, turned and +ran towards the hatchway.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then came a cry, from which side I knew not: +"The magazine! the magazine!" and immediately +the captain shouted: "Back, men, for your lives!"</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a rush for the shelter of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, +and, realizing the danger, I crept along the +foot-rope of the foreyard, gained the foreyard of the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em>, and thence made for her foretop. Once +there I lost no time in descending to the deck, +heartily thankful at treading the planks of a +British man-o'-war once more, though my return +in the confusion was unnoticed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fighting was practically at an end, the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> being busily engaged in trying to free +herself from the pirate's embrace, and keeping +back the frenzied rushes of the doomed crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the last grappling was severed, the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> swung slowly round, her flying jibboom +still entangled in the pirate's bowsprit shrouds. +Suddenly there was a blinding flash, followed +by an appalling roar--the desperate villain had +fired the magazine.</p> +<p class="pnext">Luckily the <em class="italics">Friend of the Sea</em> had by this time +used nearly all her ammunition, so that the +explosion, though disastrous to herself, did us +very little damage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the debris flung high in the air by +the explosion had fallen, the pirate ship had +sunk beneath the waves, taking our flying +jibboom and part of the jibboom with her, while +a heavy pall of smoke covered the place where +a moment before she was lying like a wounded +animal at bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now that all danger was past, the effects of the +hardships I had undergone began to tell. I was +faint, weary, and hungry; my clothes were in +rags, my hands blistered, and my face +blackened with powder. However, I made my way +aft to report myself.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no sign of Captain Poynings on +the quarterdeck, so I went towards his cabin. +As I passed underneath the break of the poop +I came face to face with young Greville Drake.</p> +<p class="pnext">He stood stockstill for a moment, his eyes +starting from his head in terror, till, realizing +that I was flesh and blood, and not a phantom, +he gasped: "Good heavens, 'tis Aubrey Wentworth +back from the dead!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing I was like to fall, he took me by the +arm and led me below. "But I must report +myself," I said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then report to me, Aubrey."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You? Why not the captain?"</p> +<p class="pnext">His answer was a suggestive jerk of his thumb +towards the cockpit hatch, where the grim +procession of mangled seamen still continued.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What!" I exclaimed. "Is Captain Poynings down?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes; struck down at the last of the fight, +and so are all the other officers. In me you see +the senior unwounded officer, and as such I +am in command of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>."</p> +<p class="pnext">It was only too true. Our gallant captain had +been hurled to the deck by a piece of falling +timber from the doomed ship. The lieutenants +were all either killed or dangerously wounded; +the master, though he remained at his post +during the engagement, had fallen through loss +of blood; and the purser, who took his part +in the fight as bravely as the rest, had had his +left arm shattered above the elbow.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the crew the mortality had been fearful, +while hardly forty men were uninjured. With +an undermanned, severely damaged ship, it was +a question whether we should ever reach port +again. Only a continued spell of fine weather +would guarantee our safety.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having washed, changed my ragged garments, +and eaten a hearty meal, I went below +to the cockpit.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here, lighted by the dismal glimmer of a few +ship's lanterns, a ghastly sight met my eyes, +while a hot, fetid stench filled the gloomy region +like a cloud. Stretched upon rough wooden +trestles, or huddled in rows upon the bare +deck, were dozens of human beings, some +moaning, others shrieking and cursing in their agony.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our surgeon was about to operate upon a +little powder-monkey, a lad of about fifteen +years of age, who had received a ball in +the shoulder. Lying by the lad's side was +his father, whose leg had just been removed, +the pitch with which the stump had been +smeared still smoking. In spite of the pain +caused by the rough-and-ready surgery, the +father grasped his son's hand, encouraging and +comforting the boy, as the surgeon probed for +the bullet.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length I found Captain Poynings. He, +refusing the comfort of his own cabin, preferred +to share with his gallant crew the horrors of the +cockpit, and lay, with his head and shoulders +swathed in bandages, on a rough mattress, as +if he had been an ordinary mariner.</p> +<p class="pnext">Added to the dismal noises came the dull +thud of the carpenters' hammers and mallets +as they drove plugs into the shot holes betwixt +wind and water, while the creaking of the +ship's pumps betokened that she was leaking freely.</p> +<p class="pnext">On going on deck I found that, as the next +officer fit for duty after Drake, I was put in +charge of the starboard watch, and had to take +my share in the responsibility of navigating +the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> to the nearest port.</p> +<p class="pnext">This happened to be Gibraltar, which we +reached after thirty-six hours of anxiety and +arduous labour, and when the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> dropped +anchor off the mole our feelings were those of +relief and thanksgiving.</p> +<p class="pnext">I accompanied Drake on shore to pay a visit +to the Spanish authorities, asking them to afford +us assistance in refitting. This request was +readily and courteously granted, and during our +stay, extending over three weeks, we had +frequent opportunities of visiting the famous +rock.</p> +<p class="pnext">My companion often called my attention to +the fact that military discipline seemed very lax +at this great fortress; so when, forty-one years +later, it was captured by a <em class="italics">coup de main</em> by +Admirals Rooke and Shovel, the news of its +falling an easy prey to us did not come as a +great surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was again fit for sea; +our captain was well enough to take command, +and on the tenth day of September, 1663, we +sailed for the shores of Old England.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-of-the-manner-of-my-homecoming"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI--Of the Manner of my Homecoming</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Bad weather dogged us during our homeward +voyage. Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were +battened down for three days, and, save on one +occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time +the storm raged.</p> +<p class="pnext">That occasion called for every available hand, +for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns +had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly +weapons charged to and fro across the ship, +carrying destruction in their passage. After +strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but +at a cost of four men washed overboard and +five injured, either by the heavy seas that came +tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career +of the derelict weapons. After the gale came +a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days +we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Poynings, after deliberating with the +master, came to the conclusion that land was +not far off, but the weather did not allow of the +use of either sextant or quadrant. The lead, +then, was our only guide; so a man was +stationed in the chains, and minute-guns were +fired in the hope that we might hear an +answering and reassuring sound.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the first cast a depth of thirty fathoms +was obtained, and shortly afterwards the fog +cleared, disclosing a bold headland on our +larboard bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Land! land!" was the cry, and amongst the +men for'ard there was almost a wrangle, some +affirming that the headland was the Start, others +the Lizard or "The Bill", while a few sanguine +men expressed their belief that it was the coast +of the Wight.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep the lead going," shouted the master, +as the fog again swept down upon us like a +pall, shutting us out of the sight of the land +we so eagerly desired.</p> +<p class="pnext">With great regularity the lead gave a +gradual shoaling till twenty-four fathoms were +announced.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly we were startled by the lookout +shouting: "Breakers ahead!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Bout ship!" ordered the master, and with +a creaking of blocks and a slatting of sails the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em> stood off on the other tack.</p> +<p class="pnext">We could hear the dull roar of rushing +water, but how far the sound came we could +not determine..</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep her as she is, bos'n's mate," +commanded the master. "Faith, as if I did not +know; this is none other than the Race of +Portland!"</p> +<p class="pnext">As night came on, the wind, hitherto steady, +increased into a gale, and before midnight it +blew a hurricane such as had not been known +for years; and to sheer off a dangerous coast +we had to keep under storm canvas, though had +we had searoom the master would have had +the ship to lay to.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour after midnight our mainsail, though +treble-reefed, parted with a report that was heard +above the storm, the torn canvas streaming out +to lee'ard like so many whips; and +simultaneously our bowsprit carried away close to +the gammonings, with the result that the ship +yawed, then shot up into the wind.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a shuddering crash the foremast went +by the board, and we were helpless in the midst +of the raging sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">I kept close to Captain Poynings, who gave +no sign of the presentiment that the <em class="italics">Gannet's</em> +last hour had come.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rapidly we drifted shorewards, where, in the +inky blackness, a line of phosphorescent light +denoted the breaking of the boiling water upon +an ironbound coast.</p> +<p class="pnext">The master came aft and shouted in the +captain's ear. What he said I could not tell, the +noise of the elements deadening all other sound, +but to his question the captain merely shook his +head. Again the master appealed, pointing to +the now rapidly nearing cliffs. A deprecatory +shrug was the reply, and Captain Poynings, +turning on his heel, walked to the shelter of +the poop.</p> +<p class="pnext">The master made his way for'ard, and, +turning out some of the seamen, bade them let go +the anchor. With a rush and a roar the stout +hempen cable ran through the hawsepipe, the +vessel snubbed, swung round, and the next +moment the cable parted as if made of pack thread.</p> +<p class="pnext">Anticipating the worst, we all gripped the +first object that came to our hands and awaited +the shock.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not long in coming. There was a +crash that shook the ship from stem to stern; +her keel had struck a rock. Again she swung +till her bows pointed inshore. Then came +another crash, the main and mizzen masts went +over the side, and after one or two violent +motions the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> remained hard and fast, the +heavy seas pouring right over her.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the day had dawned, and we +could see that the ship's bows were close +inshore, so that had our bowsprit and jibboom +remained they would have been touching the +rocks, up which the broken water dashed in a +terrific manner that made any attempt to swim +ashore a matter of utter impossibility.</p> +<p class="pnext">The after part of the ship was now breaking +up fast. Our gallant captain still remained on +the quarterdeck, having buckled on his sword +as if going into action. Grasping his +speaking-trumpet he shouted his last order: "Look +to yourselves, men, and God have mercy on +us all!" Then came a huge, tumbling, +white-crested wave that swept the doomed vessel from +the stern as far for'ard as the foremast.</p> +<p class="pnext">When it had passed, not a sign was to be seen +of the brave and ill-fated captain, who, with a +score of his men, had been swept against the +pitiless rocks.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clustered in blank despair on the fo'c'sle were +all that remained of the once smart crew of the +<em class="italics">Gannet</em>. I remember seeing the lieutenant, the +bos'n, Greville Drake, and about a score of the +men, but, huddled on the lee side of the +bulwarks, I remained, chilled to the bone and +drenched by the drifting spray, hardly conscious +of my peril or the presence of my shipmates in +distress.</p> +<p class="pnext">Above the slight motion caused by the heavy +seas striking the hull there came a greater shock +--the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> had parted amidships.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bos'n's voice was heard faintly above +the roar of the elements, and looking up I saw +that, by the breaking of the ship, the forepart +of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> was raised in consequence of +the 'midship portion subsiding, and that her +bows were nearly level with a flat, rocky ledge +but twenty feet away.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the same time several men appeared on +shore, looking at us intently, yet making no +offer of assistance. We waved, making signs to +them to throw a rope, but, to our astonishment, +our appeals were met with a callous indifference. +"You miserable wretches!" yelled the bos'n, +shaking his fist in the direction of the +inhospitable men. "Would I could get at you, ye +cowardly landlubbers!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Then a seaman close to me cried out: "Never +a helping hand will we get from they, bos'n. +I know where we be, for yon's the Tilly Whim +Caves, and nought but smugglers and wreckers +bide hereabouts."</p> +<p class="pnext">Smugglers and wreckers! Instantly my mind +harked back to the scene in the court at Winton, +when Master Joseph Hawkes gave testimony +against the two rascally Dorset smugglers.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, men, bestir yourselves," said the +bos'n, turning towards us. "Bear a hand with +that spar, and with the help of Providence we'll +save our skins yet."</p> +<p class="pnext">The prospect of safety lashed the worn-out +crew to action. By their combined efforts a +fore-t'gallant spar was dragged to the spot where +the broken bowsprit formed a secure support. +With a hoarse "Yo ho!" the spar was thrust +forward, and just as its weight was on the point +of overbalancing the weight of the seamen on +the inboard part, the extremity touched the edge +of the rocks. With another effort it was thrust +securely on to the ledge, and the bos'n, with +a line round his waist, crawled carefully ashore.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rope served as a guideline to the rest, +and without further mishap the twenty-two +survivors of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> made the perilous passage, +though after three years' knocking about on the +high seas it was a sorry homecoming.</p> +<p class="pnext">The inhuman spectators of our plight had +vanished, and not a single being was to be seen. +In our wretched and half-starved condition we +were nearly exhausted; in fact, many of the +seamen dropped on the ground from sheer want +of strength.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bos'n, who was the life and soul of the +survivors, then picked out the more active men +to explore the locality. The old seaman who +had recognized the coast said that two villages +were within easy distance--Worth Matravers +and Swanage--though a lofty barren line of +rugged hills separated us from both of them.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time I had recovered sufficiently to +look around. We were on a flat ledge some +fifty yards in length and about ten broad, thirty +feet from the water, and close on a hundred from +the top of the cliffs that towered above us. +Running back into the cliff were two or three small +caves, but there was nothing in them save a +few broken barrels and a coil of rope. The ledge +itself, though level, was encumbered by +numerous massive boulders that had at one time fallen +from the beetling cliffs, while to the left ran a +path which undoubtedly led to the top of the +dizzy heights above us.</p> +<p class="pnext">All the while the spray dashed over us, while +swiftly the irresistible breakers were grinding +to pieces the wreck of the ill-fated <em class="italics">Gannet</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">But there was no time for mournful reveries +on the untimely end of our noble craft and her +gallant captain, for already the exploring party +had returned with the news that the cliff path +had been found, and that a village was not far +distant.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sorry remnant moved forward, those +whose strength failed them supported by the +arms of their stronger companions.</p> +<p class="pnext">The path was steep and rugged. After +having been so long on board, and being weak in +body through the hardships I had undergone, +I felt weary and ill before half the ascent was +completed; so, while my shipmates proceeded, +I was obliged to sit down to recover my breath.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few moments I felt better; then, starting +to my feet, I hurried after them, half running, +half walking up the path.</p> +<p class="pnext">I had not gone farther than twenty paces when +my ankles turned under me, and I fell sideways, +crashing into a thick bush.</p> +<p class="pnext">Vainly endeavouring to save myself, I clutched +at the bush, but the ground all around seemed +to be flying upwards. The daylight gave way +to pitch darkness, and I was falling, falling,...</p> +<p class="pnext">Then I dimly remember striking on some +hard substance, and with that I lost consciousness.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-the-smugglers-cave"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII--The Smugglers' Cave</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">How long I remained insensible I cannot say, +but with the return of my senses I found myself +lying on some warm, soft substance, though what +the object was the gloom did not permit me to +ascertain.</p> +<p class="pnext">The darkness was intense, and for some time +I imagined it to be night, till the remembrance +of my fall gradually dawned upon me. Once I +thought I was dead, and pinched my limbs to +make sure that I was not. My head throbbed +terribly, while my wet clothes struck a chill that +was still more striking by reason of the coldness +of the hole or cave into which I had fallen.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then I moved my hands around to try and +discover my surroundings. The object on which +I was lying was an animal, which, though +motionless, was either stunned or recently dead, +for its body was still warm.</p> +<p class="pnext">As far as my arms could reach I could touch +nothing else save the floor, which appeared to +be of smooth rock. Then I looked upwards, +where, far above, a dim light flickered through +a hole which was wellnigh covered with brushwood. +The light was not sufficient to illuminate +the bottom of the pit, the hole being, I imagined, +some thirty feet in depth.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here I was, then, in a kind of natural bottle +dungeon or "oubliette", such as I have often +seen since, both on the Spanish Main and in +our own country. In fact, it can be well likened +to the dungeons of the castle at Newark (which +was dismantled by the rebels), where a dismal +hole some twenty feet below ground is only +accessible by a rope ladder dropped through a +narrow opening above.</p> +<p class="pnext">How, then, could I escape? Climbing was +an impossibility, so I staggered to my feet and +began a round of exploration, carefully shuffling +one foot in front of the other for fear of some +hidden pitfall, making towards the sound of +water trickling from the roof, a sound that +seemed a long way off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently my outstretched hand touched a +wall of rock. Turning to the left, I followed +the direction of the wall, which, for a cave, +was very regular. At length my left hand +touched a rock; either I had reached a corner +of the cave, or this was a pillar of detached +stone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Carefully feeling with both hands, I discovered +that I was standing in an angle, and right in the +corner my hand came in contact with an object +that, on inspection, proved to be a gun; also, by +the smoothness of the barrel I knew that it had +recently been in use, there being no rust on the +ironwork.</p> +<p class="pnext">This discovery cheered me, as the cave would +before long be visited by the owner of the piece. +Taking the musket in my hand I felt the pan, +removed the powder from it, then cocked the +hammer. On pulling the trigger the flash of +the flint gave a tolerable illumination. This +action I repeated several times, till I could +form some idea of the cave.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the part opposite where I was standing +I saw more weapons, several large casks, and +bundles of what looked like woollen and silk goods.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then the truth flashed across my mind: I +was in one of the storehouses of the Tilly +Whim smugglers!</p> +<p class="pnext">Replacing the musket where I found it, I +made my way cautiously towards the barrels. +Here I felt about carefully, till my hand alighted +on an opened box of coarse biscuits, which +served as a meal, as I was wellnigh spent with +hunger. Then, after a drink from the water +that trickled through the roof of the cave, I +resumed my tour of inspection.</p> +<p class="pnext">Groping on, my knees came in contact with +a large wooden box. Its contents were +apparently hay and straw, but curiosity prompted +me to plunge my hand through the upper +surface, and it was no surprise to me to find that +underneath was a thick layer of silk. The box +or crate was some six or seven feet in length and +three in breadth, the depth being about the same +as the breadth; so its contents must have been +worth several hundreds of pounds.</p> +<p class="pnext">While engaged in my investigations I heard +the sound of footsteps and voices. The +smugglers were coming to their storehouse!</p> +<p class="pnext">There was not a moment to be lost, and +rapidly making up my mind, I burrowed +underneath the hay and straw, and concealed myself +on the layers of silk.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sound of shuffling feet drew nearer, there +was a noise like the throwing back of a +curtain, and the cave was flooded with a subdued +daylight.</p> +<p class="pnext">The men feared no interruption, for they were +singing a lusty song in broad Dorset dialect, the +chorus of which ran:</p> +<blockquote> +<div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">"He used to laugh a horrible laugh,</div> +<div class="line">His fav'rite cry was 'Priddys',</div> +<div class="line">His life he held in his own right arm,</div> +<div class="line">His soul was Cap'n Kiddie's!"</div> +</div> +</div> +</blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">Often in my younger days had old Henry +Martin and Master Collings told me tales of a +buccaneering Captain Kidd and his bloodthirsty +henchman, a renegade Scotsman called Angus +Priddys, whose career was ended at Execution +Dock; so I formed a conclusion that these +smugglers were men whose illicit dealings +were not the worst of their accomplishments.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through a knot hole in the side of the box +I could see the whole of the rascally crew.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were about thirty, all well armed and +dressed in usual mariner's style, save that two +or three wore smocks. Several carried beakers +on their shoulders, while two bore between them +a small but heavy chest. They had evidently +had a successful haul, for all were in high spirits, +and the chorus of their gruesome song echoed +along the walls of the cavern. The refrain was +interrupted by one of the men exclaiming that +their stores had been disturbed, and a search +commenced which might have ended with my +discovery but for the fact that in the far end +of the cave, immediately underneath the funnel +through which I had fallen, lay the dead body +of a fox, whose body had broken my headlong +descent. Deeming this a satisfactory explanation +for this interruption, the rogues resumed +their carousing.</p> +<p class="pnext">I could now see how near I had been to +regaining my freedom, for just beyond the place +where my tour of exploration had abruptly +terminated was the entrance to the cave, skilfully +hidden by a heavy screen of painted canvas +that, even at a short distance, would deceive +all who were not acquainted with the secret.</p> +<p class="pnext">For nearly an hour the smugglers devoted +themselves to a reckless carouse, till at length +their leader called for silence. With a discipline +that is rare amongst such people, the gang sat +down on barrels and rough stools and awaited +their captain's orders.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the broad Dorset dialect their leader +recounted the various successful runs they had +made, as if vainglorious of their deeds, and +finished by demanding: "Be there any of ye +as be not content with his share?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Their answer, with one voice, was "No". +"Then," resumed the speaker, "if so be as +that ye are all content, how comes it that one +of ye must needs taake bloodmoney from the +gaugers? And how comes it that dree[1] of our'n +have been stuck wi' a Bridport dagger?"[2]</p> +<!-- vspace: 2 --> +<p class="left pnext small">[1] Dree=three, still used in Wilts and Dorset.</p> +<p class="pnext">[2] "Stuck wi' a Bridport dagger".--A local witticism meaning to be +hanged, Bridport being noted for the manufacture of hempen rope.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">The smugglers looked at one another in amazement. +Clearly there was a Judas amongst them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand out, Ned Crocker!"</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a scuffling in the farther corner of +the cavern, and presently a man was roughly +hauled out into the centre of the assembly. I +could see him distinctly; he was a little, +under-sized apology for a man, with sharp, pointed +features, a nose resembling a bird's beak, a +loose, weak-natured mouth, and small, shifty +eyes. His complexion was dark, almost of a +dirty yellow, while his face was covered with +blotches and pimples.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his terror his skin turned almost a greyish +white, while his thin legs, which struck me as +being too weak for even his undersized body, +were bent and shaking like a reed in a March gale.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the rogues hurled imprecations at +him, but their leader silenced them by raising +his hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I bain't a done nothin'!" cried the miserable +wretch.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know as 'ow ye've been taxed wi' +aught," ejaculated the captain, "but I'll do +it now. Look you, Ned Crocker, have ye at +any time been unfairly done by? No? Then +why did ye blab on the run we made nigh +Dancing Ledge, when Thompson, John Light, +and Long Will of Corfe were taken?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tweren't me, maaster!" answered the rogue +sturdily and doggedly, though his bearing did +not fit with his manner of speech.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not ye? Ah, now harken! Know'st Jim +Harker, the court-leet man and king's officer +at Wareham?"</p> +<p class="pnext">A shake of the head was the only reply, +though the accused man shook more violently +than before.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No? Then methinks ye'll know him no +more on this earth, for he's dead!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The speaker paused to mark the effect of his +words, then he continued:</p> +<p class="pnext">"An', what's more, we killed him close to +Arishmell Gap. 'Twas his own doin'. But on +him we found this. Now, being no scholard, I +ax Master Fallowfield to read what's on this +paaper."</p> +<p class="pnext">Master Fallowfield, who, as I afterwards +learned from the conversation, was the parish +clerk of Worth Matravers church on Sabbaths +and holydays, and an arrant smuggler at other +times, took the paper and read in a sonorous +voice a message from a neighbouring justice +to the ill-fated James Harker, telling him that +the reward due to the informer Crocker would +be paid at any time after Martinmas.</p> +<p class="pnext">A deathly silence, broken only by the short +gasps of the doomed wretch, followed this +announcement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And the sentence is----?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Death! Death!" shouted the smugglers with +no uncertain voice. Crocker made a desperate +effort, shook off the men who advanced to hold +him, and, flinging himself down before the +captain, clasped his knees and begged for mercy. +In a second, however, his executioners sprang +upon him and bound him hand and foot, and +a scarf was fastened over his eyes. One of the +men drew a pistol. I watched the scene, for the +moment unmindful of my dangerous position, +but drawn by an indescribable feeling to watch +the last moments of a doubly-dyed rogue.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly the pistol was raised till its muzzle was +level with the doomed man's temple. I could +even see the smuggler's finger resting lightly on +the trigger, while his eyes were turned towards +the leader as if awaiting the signal to fire. The +remainder of the rascals looked on impassively, +as if thoroughly used to this kind of rough-and-ready +justice.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the fatal signal never came. The captain +signed for the pistol to be lowered, the bandage +was removed, and the culprit, already half-dead +with fear, was told that he was pardoned +conditionally.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without waiting to hear the conditions, +Crocker lurched forward and fell heavily to the +ground in a dead faint.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hark ye, George Davies! When yon lubber +comes to himself, tell him to make hotfoot for +Lyme, and put hundreds of leagues of sea +betwixt him and us. If he says nay, keep him +safely till we return."</p> +<p class="pnext">Once more the drunken revels were resumed, +and again the rollicking chorus, for the men +would sing naught else, echoed through the cave:</p> +<blockquote> +<div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">"He used to laugh a horrible laugh,</div> +<div class="line">His fav'rite cry was 'Priddys'!"</div> +</div> +</div> +</blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">Gradually the dim light of the cave +diminished, and I knew that night was falling. +Torches and lanterns were lighted, and still the +smugglers kept high carnival.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly, above the noise of the revellers, +came a shrill whistle, and as if by magic the +din of merrymaking gave place to an almost +oppressive silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the whistle was repeated--like the cry +of some bird of night--and one of the smugglers +replied with a sound like the hooting of an owl.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then came the noise of brushwood being +removed, and a block and tackle were lowered +through the chimneylike aperture.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, my lads, look alive; casks first."</p> +<p class="pnext">The smugglers worked with a will. The casks +were rolled under the tackle, and whipped up +to the open air. Six in all were sent up, and +then the men began to handle the bales. At +length two of the rogues laid hands on the +box of silks wherein I lay concealed. I had a +difficulty in restraining myself from springing +up; but with a great effort I remained perfectly +quiet, though expecting every moment to find +a knife passed through my body, or a dozen +rough hands seize me in their merciless grip.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Be this one to go?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bide a bit. I'll ax."</p> +<p class="pnext">The footsteps died away and came again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, Charlie, up with it!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What a weight!" muttered one man with an +oath. "Here, Dick, come here a moment and +bear a hand. Who'd a thought as that silk be +so weighty?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is the straw agoin' too?"</p> +<p class="pnext">My heart was literally in my mouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; but stop! P'raps it'll save questions +being axed, and straw's cheap enow."</p> +<p class="pnext">I felt myself being lifted with my luxurious +bed and carried across the floor of the cave. +Then slings were fastened round the crate, the +tackle creaked, and I was on my way to the +open air, the box rubbing and grinding against +the sides of the shaft in its ascent.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-the-escape"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII--The Escape</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Strong hands seized the box and lifted it on to +a cart, the rough springs of which shook +alarmingly as they felt the weighty load.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then came a hurried discussion as to the +destination of the booty, some, including the +parish clerk, Fallowfield, who had gained the +upper regions by means of the tackle, urging +that it had best be taken and placed in the +tower of Worth Church, the others insisting that +it would be best to make one journey do, and +convey it as close to Wareham as possible, +where their accomplices could make arrangements +for its distribution.</p> +<p class="pnext">The latter argument prevailed; a heavy +tarpaulin was thrown over the cart, a whip cracked, +and we were off. I could hear the sound of the +brushwood being replaced and the rough +farewell greetings of the smugglers, and, by the +jolting of the cart and the muffled noise of the +wheels, I knew that the route lay across a grassy +down.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently I became emboldened sufficiently to +clear away the material that prevented an +outlook through the hole in the woodwork of the +box. But my task was unavailing, for it was +night, and the darkness so intense that nothing +could be distinguished.</p> +<p class="pnext">For quite half an hour the cart jolted over the +sward, then the wheels struck the hard surface of +a road, and the pace became quicker but more even.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were but two men with the cart, and +their conversation was carried on in a series of +short sentences spoken in the broadest Dorset dialect.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently a low oath came from one of the men, +and the cart was dragged off the roadway and +hidden in a hollow, or such I thought it to be.</p> +<p class="pnext">Wondering at the cause of this, I heard the +sound of horse's hoofs coming nearer and +nearer; then, with a deafening clatter on the +stony road, the animal passed by, and the +sounds died away in the distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It be 'e, sure enow," muttered one of the men.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, it be. Howsoever 'e bain't seen we, so +let's get the cart back to t' roaad."</p> +<p class="pnext">Who the mysterious "'e" might be I could +not discover; one of the king's officers, +perchance, though in this lawless district they rarely +ride alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">The task of getting the cart back to the +roadway was longer than the men had reckoned +upon, and when at length they succeeded, one +remarked in a breathless voice that dawn was +breaking.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon the light was sufficient for me to see out +of my spyhole. We were descending a steep +hill, and on one side towered a lofty down, +round which the white mists of morning still +hung like fleecy clouds.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tis no use to go to Wareham," remarked +one of the men. "We'd be stopped, sure as faate."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's so," replied the other. "There's but +one thing to do."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Leave the stuff at Carfe and take caart home."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where! Why, in the castle, ye dolt!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon the cart was being driven through a +village street. I could see the houses distinctly. +They were all built of stone, and most of them +were roofed with stone as well. This, then, was +Corfe, or Carfe, as the inhabitants call it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here a thought occurred to me to spring from +my hiding place and make a dash for freedom, +but the weight of the tarpaulin, which was +securely lashed down, prevented me; so I was +perforce obliged to remain, though firmly +resolved to free myself at the first favourable +opportunity.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cart proceeded on its way, and passed +through a wide marketplace in the centre of +which stood a cross. Then it rumbled over a +stone bridge and entered the courtyard of the castle.</p> +<p class="pnext">Corfe Castle was well known by reason of its +stubborn defence against the malignants during +the Great Rebellion, Lady Banks having all but +successfully withstood a lengthy siege when rank +treachery did its fell work.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the fall of the fortress it was "slighted" +by order of Old Noll himself, and the keep and +walls were blown up with powder. So strong +was the construction of the masonry that the +work of destruction was only partially done, +though the keep was riven from base to summit, +and several of the smaller towers were thrown +bodily out of plumb.</p> +<p class="pnext">This much I had heard from report, and now, +in spite of my cramped position, and faintness +from want of food, I could not help looking +with interest on the shattered walls, which still +showed the black marks of the powder, though +now, after a lapse of twenty years, their barrenness +was beginning to be hidden by a kindly garb of ivy.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fear of sorcery and witchcraft was firmly +fixed in the minds of the Dorset peasantry, and +in consequence few would venture amid the +grim ruins by day, still less by night, so the +smugglers' hiding place was practically free +from interruption.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cart came to a sudden stop in an +archway under the keep, and, with a hurried +warning: "Look alive; the sun's nearly up", the +men proceeded to unfasten the tarpaulin. This +was done, the canvas fell in a heap on the ground, +and the men began to unload the straw.</p> +<p class="pnext">The time for action had arrived. With a +bound I sprang from the cart, nearly +overthrowing the astonished men, who yelled with +terror, as if his Satanic Majesty had suddenly +appeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">I did not stop to think in which direction I +should run, but started off towards a gap in the +walls. Passing through this, I found myself +on a steep bank, at the bottom of which a white +chalky road led towards a town some miles away, +the towers of whose churches were plainly visible +in the morning light, while away to the right was +a large expanse of water which I guessed +correctly was the harbour of Poole.</p> +<p class="pnext">Descending the steep, grassy mound at a +breakneck pace, I gained the road and headed +northwards, keeping the sun on my right hand. After +running a quarter of a mile or so, and finding +no signs of pursuit, I slackened my pace and +walked, the effect of my prolonged fast being +very evident.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour later I was crossing a long causeway +close to the town. Here I met a cowherd, who +looked at me in astonishment, my clothes being +in rags and covered with wisps of straw, while +my face, blackened with dirt, was surmounted +by a crop of ruffled hair that did duty for a hat.</p> +<p class="pnext">In answer to my question he told me that I +was in Wareham, and a few minutes afterwards +I was sitting in a bakery, eagerly devouring a +half-loaf and a cup of milk that a kindly baker +provided for me.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing that I was utterly exhausted, he allowed +me to lie down in front of his oven, and, in spite +of the hardness of my couch, I slept soundly till +midday, when I was aroused by Greville Drake +and some of the late crew of the <em class="italics">Gannet</em>, who +were being entertained in the town till they +could be conveyed to their homes.</p> +<p class="pnext">I was, however, too ill to be moved; so the +kindly baker, hearing my story, and being +informed of my rank, had me put to bed in his +own house, where later in the day a magistrate +attended to take down my depositions as to the +gang of smugglers.</p> +<p class="pnext">That night I got worse, and for three weeks +I lay betwixt life and death with an ague brought +about by the cold and exposure.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then one morning I awoke to find my Uncle +George sitting by my bedside. The kindly little +man had heard of my being ill at Wareham, +and had immediately travelled posthaste to my side.</p> +<p class="pnext">From that day my recovery became rapid, +and in less than a fortnight I could sit up.</p> +<p class="pnext">One afternoon, as the late autumnal sun was +sinking in the west, I heard the tramping of feet +and the clanking of fetters. My uncle helped +me to the window, and on looking out I saw +the whole gang of smugglers, save two who +had preferred death to capture, being led through +the town on the way to Dorchester Jail.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fortunately I was spared the ordeal of attending +the trial, but I heard that the gallows or +transportation to the West Indies accounted for +the whole of the rascally crew, against whom +the barbaric crime of wrecking, as well as +smuggling, was proved right up to the hilt.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was late in December, in clear, frosty +weather, that we started on our homeward +journey, proceeding by easy stages through +Wimborne, Ringwood, and the New Forest to +Southampton, and on the last day of December +of the year 1663 I arrived at Portsmouth again, +after an absence of over three years.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-i-set-out-to-fight-the-dutch"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV--I Set Out to Fight the Dutch</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">I must now pass over a space of a year, there +being but little of interest to record. All this +time it must not be imagined that I had given +up the quest for my father's murderer; indeed, +as I grew older, my thoughts of bringing the +villain to justice waxed hotter instead of waning. +My uncle, Sir George Lee, and Lawyer Whitehead +had each prosecuted vigorous enquiries, +but all attempts to run the felon to earth had +proved fruitless.</p> +<p class="pnext">The loss of the mysterious metal box also +caused me considerable misgivings, and the +vague hints thrown out by my uncle at sundry +times did much to increase my uneasiness on +that score.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile it seemed as if the earth had opened +and swallowed both Increase Joyce and the box +(for in my mind the two were inseparably +associated), though I had a presentiment that I +should obtain satisfaction in the end.</p> +<p class="pnext">But to resume my story. Twelve months +sped swiftly by ere my physical condition +became as good as before my malady, and with +the lengthening days of January I entertained +great hopes of going again to sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Rumours of a rupture with the States of +Holland were in the air, and, taking the +aggressive action of the Dutchmen in mercantile +matters into consideration, the prospect of a +war was hailed with delight.</p> +<p class="pnext">One day early in February I went to call on +my benefactor, Sir Thomas Middleton, in the +hope that he would get me appointed to a ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">He received me kindly, but held out little +hope of my desire being fulfilled.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Would that I could, Aubrey," he remarked +sorrowfully. "My whole time is spent in +writing to Master Samuel Pepys praying for money +to pay the arrears of both seamen and workmen. +God knows, the poor wretches are hard put; but +the money that should go for the defence of +the realm finds its way into the hands of His +Majesty's favourites. There is a new ship to +be launched this month, but there is not a man +belonging to her except the officers, whose +work is to look about them. Never did we +require cordage and hemp more than we do now. +Fifteen ships now in port are making demands +for rope, and what we have in store signifies +nothing. The blockmakers and joiners have +gone away, refusing to work any longer without +money; the sawyers threaten to do the same. +I am even now going the rounds of the yard, +so if you will bear me company you can see for +yourself to what straits we are put."</p> +<p class="pnext">So saying, the commissioner led the way to +the dockyard, past the ropehouse to the +building slips, where a tall vessel lay ready for +launching, yet hardly a workman was to be +seen. Instead, a mob of women and children +followed Sir Thomas at a distance, reviling and +cursing the king, the commissioner, and the +navy in general by reason of the non-payment +of their husbands' and fathers' wages.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Faith, 'tis hard on them," remarked Sir +Thomas; "but for foulness of tongue they +out-vie the daughters of Billingsgate. Now, we'll +make for yonder workshop, for there will be +found the only reliable men working in the +dockyard."</p> +<p class="pnext">But alas for the commissioner's hopes! On +entering the shop he found that, instead of being +diligently employed, the men were listening to +a heated discourse from a malcontent from +another part of the dockyard. This last straw +raised Sir Thomas's ire. Seizing a stout cudgel +from one of the men, he struck out right and +left at the astonished party till bruised and cut +pates became the order of the day. Then, +having thoroughly cowed the malcontents by taking +more pains in the use of the stick than in any +business for the last twelve months (as he +afterwards expressed it), he sent for the guard and +clapped three of the ringleaders in the stocks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You see, Aubrey," he exclaimed on our +return to his house, "how I am put upon. +Though I would gladly serve His Majesty in +great and small matters, yet how can I when +the lack of money hangeth like a millstone +round my neck? As for you, the moment I +can get you a vessel I'll do my utmost, but, as +things are, I can hold out but little hope."</p> +<p class="pnext">I thanked him and withdrew, feeling sick at +heart at the prospect of a life of idleness when +I might be serving the king at sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Towards the end of February news came that +war had been proclaimed against the Dutch, and +the beating of drums and the firing of cannons +welcomed the announcement. What ships there +were in the harbour weighed and sailed for the +Downs, to join the fleet that lay there under the +command of the Duke of York. Disconsolately +I watched their departure, regretting the fact +that I was unable to take a part in the coming +struggle.</p> +<p class="pnext">As time wore on, news of sanguinary naval +engagements reached us, while occasionally a +Dutch vessel would be brought into the +harbour, her ensign hoisted beneath the cross of +St. George, and her crew battened down in +the hold.</p> +<p class="pnext">The captives were invariably taken to +Porchester Castle, a building of immense strength +that lay on the shores of Portsmouth harbour, +some four miles away by water.</p> +<p class="pnext">Spring came and went, yet to my great +mortification I was not sent to join a ship, though +in the interval I engaged in a private venture--a +few gentlemen of Hampshire having fitted +out a small vessel to prey upon Dutch +merchantmen. But the task was not to my liking; +little renown was to be gained, and after three +weeks I was glad to return home.</p> +<p class="pnext">One evening in June I went down to the +Sally Port, as was my wont, to look towards +Spithead, in the hope of seeing part of our +victorious fleet return. The guard had been +doubled since the declaration of hostilities, and +every vessel and boat that made for the harbour +was vigorously searched.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, Master Wentworth," remarked the captain +of the guard, who dwelt not far from us in +St. Thomas's Street, and whose acquaintance +I had made some time back, "our town hath +other enemies to fight besides the Hollanders!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh!" I ejaculated, in a manner that implied +that I wanted to be further enlightened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, 'tis true. The Dutchmen we can fight +man to man in a straightforward manner, but +our latest foe is not to be conquered by strength +of arms--'tis the plague!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"The plague?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yea. From Southampton comes news that +the plague is in that town, and eight houses are +shut up. Sir Thomas Middleton hath given +orders that the shipwrights who dwell there +are not to be allowed to go home, and those +already living there are not to be readmitted +to the dockyard. Furthermore, the poor there +will not suffer the rich to leave, neither doth +our governor permit ships from Southampton +to land their cargoes here."</p> +<p class="pnext">Here was grave news. I hurried homewards +and communicated the captain's information to +my uncle. He shook his head sorrowfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The plague is rampant in London. In +Chichester eleven persons have died. At Newport +there have been two cases, yet in this town we +are free, though in dire straits. Still, Aubrey, +let not a word escape to alarm your aunt. I +must see that we lay in a goodly store of brimstone."</p> +<p class="pnext">Throughout the long sultry summer we were +mercifully preserved from the contagion; then, +as autumn came, and still the plague did not +appear amongst us, people began to think that +with the approach of the cold weather all danger +was past.</p> +<p class="pnext">But this was not the case. Winter drew on, +and with it the cold was intense, a sharp frost +lasting for over six weeks.</p> +<p class="pnext">Towards the end of December the <em class="italics">Essex</em>, +man-of-war, came into port, and hardly had +she moored alongside the jetty when the report +spread about that she was infected with the +dread disease. Immediately there was a panic +amongst the workmen, and, throwing down +their tools, they betook themselves off, vowing +that neither the king nor the king's enemies +would make them resume work till the <em class="italics">Essex</em> +had gone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Finding threats and entreaties useless, the +commissioner ordered the <em class="italics">Essex</em> to moor in +the centre of the harbour. This was done, but +rumour had it that at midnight the bodies of +eight men, victims of the plague, were taken +ashore and buried secretly in the Pest House +fields.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two days afterwards it was known that three +more of her crew had died, and were buried +on the foreshore at Gosport; while, to disinfect +the ship, great quantities of brimstone were +burnt, but to no purpose.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, strange to relate, the plague broke out +in Gosport town, whither some three hundred +men pass over every day to work in the dockyard, +so it was not surprising to learn that at +length the dreaded scourge had appeared in +our own town.</p> +<p class="pnext">With fierce violence it spread. Many houses +were shut up, their doors marked by a cross +with the words "God have mercy upon us" +written underneath. At first passers-by would +cross in fear and trembling to the other side +of the street whenever this mournful sign met +their eyes, but as the number of cases increased +people became hardened to the danger.</p> +<p class="pnext">Many put the cause of the disease, rightly +enough, to the filthy habits of the poorer people, +and hearing that salt water was a preventive, +scores of the inhabitants repaired daily to the +seashore, plunging into the bitterly cold waves +in the hope of staving off the malady.</p> +<p class="pnext">Day and night large fires were lighted in +the streets, while, to add to the misery, the +silent watches of the night were broken by +the hoarse shout of the watchmen, who, ringing +their bells, cried out in solemn tones: "Bring +out your dead."</p> +<p class="pnext">All the time the war with the Dutch was +waged unceasingly, till it was reported that the +French, apprehensive of our supremacy at sea, +joined forces with the States of Holland and +declared war against us.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early in April, to my great joy, Sir Thomas +Middleton informed me that I was to join the +<em class="italics">Prince Royal</em>, a ship of 100 guns, then lying at +Chatham with the rest of the fleet under the +command of the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert.</p> +<p class="pnext">"As the pestilence rages in London town," +said he, "it is not meet that a man should +risk an inglorious death when he would serve +His Majesty better by dying for his country +while fighting the Dutch. Therefore, instead +of going by coach to London, and thence to +Chatham by river, we are sending a shallop +to Dover, whence you can travel through the +county of Kent to Chatham. Several officers +and men are making the passage, to bring up +the crew of the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> to full strength, +for she has had some hard knocks, and +promotion is sure to be rapid should she again +meet with the Dutch."</p> +<p class="pnext">I thanked the commissioner heartily and +withdrew. Having bade farewell to my friends, and +gathered together my few personal belongings, I +retired for the night, as the shallop was to sail +at six the next morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">On going aboard I found that not less than +four officers and thirty men were packed in +this little craft. To my surprise and delight +Greville Drake was amongst the former, he +having been promoted to lieutenant. There +were also several of the old Gannets, and +to me it seemed as if the glorious doings in +the stout old craft would be worthily followed +by the crew of the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">The shallop was but fifty feet over all, +unarmed save for the muskets and swords carried +by the men, and relied on her speed only for +safety in case of attack.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a fair wind the little craft tore eastwards, +passing through the Looe before nine o'clock. +Then the wind fell lighter as the sun rose higher, +and midday found us forging slowly along off +Littlehampton, on the Sussex coast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Four hours later we had Brighthelmstone on +our larboard bow, the master of the shallop +keeping close inshore for fear of being attacked +by a French or Dutch man-of-war. Finding, +however, that there was more wind offshore, he +altered the helm and stood more to the south-east.</p> +<p class="pnext">At sunset a thick mist came on, which caused +our careful and anxious master to lose his +bearings. Most of us remained on deck, though the +weather was exceedingly cold. As darkness set +in our position became still more uncertain, and +even the oldest seamen began to look alarmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Drake and I stood side by side conversing in +low tones as we clung to the weather rails, the +lively motion of the little craft making it a +difficult matter to keep one's feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Between the gusts of wind I thought I heard +a sound. Drake listened, but could hear nothing. +In a few minutes the noise was repeated, several +of the crew hearing it besides myself. It was +the roll of a drum.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the sound was heard, this time nearer; +but almost immediately it was answered by +another faint beating, another, and yet another, +till the sea seemed to echo with the rapid roll of +drums.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand by, lads, to 'bout ship!" shouted the +master, slacking off the tiller lines. "We are +across the bows of a large fleet, if I mistake not."</p> +<p class="pnext">"God forfend 'tis not the French!" remarked +Greville. "'Tis not to my liking to see the +inside of a French prison."</p> +<p class="pnext">We peered through the mist and darkness of +the night, but nothing could be distinguished. +Sea met mist in an undefined blur at less than +twenty yards from us.</p> +<p class="pnext">Half an hour passed in breathless suspense, +then the noise broke out again, this time close +ahead and far away on both quarters as well.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tis no use to go about now," said I to my +companion. "We are sailing right across the +van of a great fleet."</p> +<p class="pnext">The master was of the same mind, for in a few +minutes he put the shallop's head more before +the wind, so that she lay in the supposed +direction of the invisible squadron.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now we could hear the rush of the water from +the vessels' cutwaters, the straining of the ropes +and the creaking of the blocks, while the ships +were continually hailing one another so as to +keep in touch.</p> +<p class="pnext">In what language they were talking we could +not make out, but it did not sound like an +English hail. Anxiety was stamped on all our faces, +for we had to run the risk not only of collision +with a vessel ten times our size, but of being +taken by a French or Dutch man-of-war.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the moon had risen, dispelling +the darkness, though the fog hung around as +thick as ever; but withal there was enough light +to see the length of our craft.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly, with a swirl of beaten water, a +huge vessel loomed out of the mist, her flying +jibboom seeming to project right over our stern. +Our master and one of the seamen flung +themselves on the tiller and put it hard down. The +shallop ran up into the wind and lost way, and +as she did so the man-of-war thrashed by us so +near that we could see the gunports of her lofty +tumble-home sides, though her spars and sails +were lost in the mist.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were seen by those on board. Shouts +followed the discovery, and every moment we +expected to find some heavy weight crashing +down upon us, or a discharge from some of her +lower-deck guns; but beyond the shouting we +were not molested.</p> +<p class="pnext">We rubbed sides with the hulking ship as +she shot past, and when clear of her quarter we +read the name <em class="italics">Jeanne d' Arc</em> emblazoned on her +stern gallery, with an elaborate embellishment +of gilded eagles and fleurs-de-lis.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh for a barrel of powder and a slow match +lashed to her rudder pintle!" exclaimed Drake. +"But stand by, here comes another!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Such was the case, and before the <em class="italics">Jeanne +d' Arc</em> was lost in the mist the bows of another +vessel loomed up. By this time the shallop +was wearing and gathering way, so the master +ordered both sails to be lowered, a manoeuvre +that was smartly executed, and as the second +Frenchman passed us our craft was lying +motionless on the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time fortune did not smile on us, for as +the shallop was on the Frenchman's lee a spurt +of flame burst from the man-of-war, immediately +followed by a deafening roar, and with it our +mizzen mast went by the board with a terrific crash.</p> +<p class="pnext">The shot was replied to by the nearest Frenchman, +and for the space of a quarter of an hour +a spirited pitched battle occurred between the +various ships of the squadron, friend firing into +friend in the confusion and excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">Though several shots pitched close to us, we +escaped without further injury, and ere the +echoes of the last report had died away we +were far behind the now invisible fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">The anxiety of the master on account of the +fog had vanished utterly on meeting with the +Frenchmen, and with spirited promptness he +set the crew to clear away the wreckage and +parbuckle the broken mast.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My men," he cried, "that fleet is none other +than the forty sail of the Duke of Beaufort, who +seeks to effect a junction with the Dutch! Yo +ho! Straight for the nearest land we'll make +now. Whether we beach the shallop on an +exposed coast or bring her into port I care +not, but land we must, and bear tidings +hot-foot to His Grace the Duke of Albemarle."</p> +<p class="pnext">So saying, he turned the shallop's head due +north, and as daylight dawned the mist +dispersed, and we found ourselves a few miles +from the Kentish coast, with Rye plainly visible.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour later and the shallop was making +her way cautiously into the sand-encumbered +harbour, and, the moment we landed, the officers, +myself included, obtained horses and set out for +Chatham, leaving the men to follow afoot as +best they might. Meanwhile the news that the +Duke of Beaufort's squadron was really in the +Channel had spread abroad, causing the timid +inhabitants of Rye to make preparations for a +hurried exodus, while the trainbands were called +out by beat of drum, and had assembled in the +marketplace.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our journey to Chatham was performed +without incident, though the heavy rains had made +the roads a perfect quagmire in many places. +Tenterden we reached in an hour, and two hours +later we were clattering through the streets of +Maidstone.</p> +<p class="pnext">At four in the afternoon five weatherworn and +mud-bespattered travellers arrived at Chatham, +where a rowboat took us to Albemarle's flagship, +which lay at anchor in Gillingham Reach.</p> +<p class="pnext">Honest George, as the seamen still loved to +call the gallant duke, was now getting on in +years and weighed down by physical infirmity, +yet in time of danger his energy and fearless +determination would have put to shame many +a younger man. If he had had but a free hand, +I warrant the disgrace of the Dutch in the +Medway would never have occurred; but the +baneful influence of the court beauties drove +His Majesty almost to poverty, so that when +retrenchment had to come it was the fleet that +suffered.</p> +<p class="pnext">The admiral received us kindly, and on receipt +of our news ordered a signal to be flown +recalling all officers and men belonging to the +fleet who were on shore, and ere sunset the +English squadron was making its way towards +the Nore to chase and destroy the Hollanders' ally.</p> +<p class="pnext">On joining the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> I was surprised +at her size, equipment, and smartness. +Practically a new ship, she was commanded by the +veteran Sir George Ascue, and her crew were +all men who had seen active service against +the Dutch, the Spaniards, or the Barbary +pirates. Compared with the <em class="italics">Gannet</em> the <em class="italics">Prince +Royal</em> was as a mastiff by the side of a lapdog, +while the smallest of her 100 guns was larger +than the heaviest piece of ordnance in my first ship.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a favourable wind the fleet arrived off +the Forelands and thence beat up for the Downs, +where we were in a position to meet either the +Dutch or the French squadrons; but off Dover +we learned from a fishing boat that Beaufort was +seen heading back towards Brest in order to +refit some of his ships, so that for the time our +chances of smelling powder were very remote.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-of-the-famous-sea-fight-of-four-days"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV--Of the Famous Sea Fight of Four Days</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">During the whole of the month of May the +English fleet remained cruising betwixt +Gravelines and Dover, till Albemarle began to revile +the Dutch for their cowardice in fearing to leave +their harbours, while of de Beaufort we had +neither signs nor tidings.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length, on the last day of May, news was +brought that the French fleet was actually in +the Channel once more, and that de Ruyter +and Van Tromp, with eighty sail, were already +on the way to effect a union with de Beaufort.</p> +<p class="pnext">A hurried council of war was held on board +the flagship, and here Albemarle made the first +great mistake of his life; for it is reported he +held the Dutch so cheaply that he ordered +Prince Rupert to take twenty vessels of our +fleet and make to the westward to find and +engage the French, while he relied on his +remaining fifty-four ships to meet the formidable +array of Dutchmen.</p> +<p class="pnext">This counsel our captain, Sir George Ascue, +ventured to oppose, but honest George in his +wrath bade him hold his tongue, and Prince +Rupert hastened on board his ship to detach +the squadron of twenty ships in order to seek +de Beaufort. Before nightfall we saw them +hull down, and we set sail so as to arrive off +the coast of Holland and destroy de Ruyter's +craven fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Craven we dubbed them; but when, on the +morning of the 1st of June, we found the Dutch +fleet lying at anchor, to our surprise they +immediately slipped their cables and stood out +to meet us, with a courage and determination +that made Albemarle bitterly regret his lack +of caution.</p> +<p class="pnext">On board the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> all was bustle and +excitement, yet our preparations were made +without untoward confusion. Sir George made a +stirring speech, the drums beat to quarters, and +then came that irksome interval before opening +fire that tells so acutely on the nerves of even +the most hardened veteran.</p> +<p class="pnext">The action began in a strong wind that, blowing +athwart the tide, raised such a steep sea that +most of our ships were unable to open their +lee'ard lower-deck ports, a misfortune that more +than outbalanced our advantage in having the +weather gauge.</p> +<p class="pnext">When within a mile of the enemy a signal +was made to shorten sail, but the hot-headed +vice-admiral, Sir William Berkeley, kept on +till, half a mile ahead of the rest of us, he +encountered the fire of over twenty of the +Dutchmen.</p> +<p class="pnext">We watched the gallant though unequal +conflict. Unflinchingly his ship received the +tremendous broadsides of the enemy, and, +undaunted, Sir William returned the fire, till at +length the combatants were lost in a heavy pall +of smoke. Gradually the noise of the struggle +ceased and the smoke cleared away. Then, to +our dismay, we saw the gallant vessel a helpless, +dismasted wreck in the possession of the Dutch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now came our turn, and before we were +within a comfortable distance our spars and +rigging began to fall on the deck in a manner +that none of us had previously experienced. +The solution of the mystery was afforded shortly +afterwards by three seamen being cut in two +apparently by one shot, which finished up its +career of death by splintering the base of the +mainmast.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bos'n, who was standing close to me, +hastened to where the missile lay, and lifting it +up he exclaimed: "That's where they have +us! 'Tis a chain shot--a new invention of +that stubborn fiend de Wit!"</p> +<p class="pnext">We were soon hotly engaged. Dead and +wounded encumbered our decks, while the new +and stately appearance of the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> +altered till our ship resembled a butcher's +shambles. Nevertheless, against tremendous +odds, we kept up a hot fire, and had the +satisfaction of seeing more than one of the towering +sides of the Dutchmen crumbled into a shapeless +mass of charred and splintered timbers.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the approach of night both fleets withdrew; +but for us there was little rest, as all +hands were employed reeving fresh rigging, +splicing spars, and plugging shot holes, while +our dead were committed to the deep, and the +wounded transhipped to one of the smaller vessels.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the sun rose we descried the enemy lying +a mile from us. Without hesitation both sides +made ready to renew the sanguinary combat. +The wind was now much lighter, and in +consequence our ships triced up our lower-deck +ports and ran out their formidable array of +guns--a sight that gave us additional courage,--and +the result was not lost upon the Dutch.</p> +<p class="pnext">In spite of their number we stuck closely to +them, the flagship of Van Tromp, who fought +in a manner worthy of our former foeman, his +redoubtable sire, being singled out as a prize +worth taking. Three vessels engaged his ship, +and were within an ace of making him haul +down his flag, when de Ruyter threw seven of +his largest vessels between Van Tromp and +our shattered ships. Then through the smoke +we perceived that sixteen ships had reinforced +the already superior number of the Dutchmen, +and, to save ourselves from total destruction, +Albemarle hoisted a signal for the English +to retreat slowly towards the mouth of the Thames.</p> +<p class="pnext">Smarting under the disgrace, we obeyed, +firing as we went. Scarce thirty English ships +remained out of the fifty-four that commenced +the fight. Keeping close together, and yawing +from time to time in order to deliver a broadside +at our pursuers, we held doggedly on our +course, till at length a flat calm set in, and both +fleets lay inactive at a mile apart, in which +situation darkness again overtook us.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through sheer exhaustion our men were +unable to execute even the smallest, necessary +repairs, and throughout the short summer's +night they slept heavily at their posts.</p> +<p class="pnext">As daylight dawned upon the third day of the +fight we continued our retreat, and as a faint +southerly wind sprang up the enemy drew near +with the intention of renewing the fight, +concentrating their efforts on Albemarle's ship, +which, covering the retreat, presented an +undaunted spectacle to our relentless foes.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> was next in line ahead, +and so close were we that one of Albemarle's +officers hailed us to the effect that the admiral +had expressed his intention of firing the +magazines should things come to the worst.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shortly after midday a loud shout rose from +the Dutch ships, and their rigging was alive +with men gazing southward and frantically +waving their arms.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Send a man aloft there," ordered Sir George +Ascue, his face crimson with excitement, "and +see what those beggars are clamouring over."</p> +<p class="pnext">The command was obeyed with alacrity, and +several of our vessels also sent a seaman to the +masthead on a similar errand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sail, ho!" sang out the lookout. "There's +a fleet hull down to the south'ard."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heaven grant 'tis Rupert's squadron!" +ejaculated our captain; "though methinks by +their noise those scurvy Dutchmen are sure +'tis de Beaufort."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few hours would decide whether the +English ships would be hopelessly trapped betwixt +the two fleets, or whether Prince Rupert's +vessels would arrive to turn a retreat into a +decisive victory.</p> +<p class="pnext">The suspense was far more trying than the +heat of the engagement had been, but about +six o'clock Albemarle hoisted a signal that +decided the matter. It was: "Fleet turn four +points to the south'ard to effect junction with +Prince Rupert."</p> +<p class="pnext">Eagerly was the manoeuvre executed, and our +shattered fleet bore up to meet our welcome +reinforcements; but at this juncture an accident +occurred that, as far as we were concerned, +threw us into the direst misfortune.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em>, on the new course, was the +leemost vessel, and to bring her more into line +the master sailed her more off the wind than +the rest.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly a heavy thud shook us from stem to +stern, and our damaged mizzen mast went by +the board. Shouts and execrations arose, and +all was confusion; we were hard and fast +aground on the Galloper Sands, while we had +the mortification of seeing the rest of the fleet +stand off and leave us to our fate.</p> +<p class="pnext">With the falling tide the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em> listed +heavily to starboard, so that her guns were +for the most part unworkable, and her great +sides were exposed an easy target for the enemy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Above the din we heard Sir George's voice +ordering the men to fall into their stations +quietly and orderly. "We're safe enough for +the present, my lads," he exclaimed, "for the +rascally Dutchmen cannot approach us save in +their pinnaces. These we can easily drive off. +At this range, too, their fire will be ineffective. +They themselves will be too busy with our +ships, and with the next tide we'll float easily +enough."</p> +<p class="pnext">His example animated the men, who immediately +began to load their muskets and serve +out boarding pikes and broadswords, while the +master took steps to lay out a couple of anchors +in readiness to warp the ship into deep water +directly the floodtide should release her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile our consorts were miles away, +though probably the desired junction had been +made, and we expected to see their topsails fill +as they turned to renew the combat. But our +attention was drawn by the near approach of the +Hollanders. Four large vessels hove to at a +quarter of a mile to windward of us and opened +a furious fire. Their shots punished us terribly, +though, as if hoping to take possession of us, +they spared us betwixt wind and water, and +directed their fire on our upper works and spars. +An hour we lay thus, receiving their combined +storm of shot, yet unable to reply. Splinters +flew, ropes, blocks, and spars came tumbling +down from aloft, men fell dead or wounded, and +shrieks and groans rent the air, while all we +could do was to shake our fists in useless rage +at our unapproachable foes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently we saw boatloads of armed men +leaving the Dutch ships, and we realized that an +attempt was to be made to carry us by boarding. +This spurred us to action, and directly the boats +came within musket range a hot fire was opened +on them, though in this act many of our men, +exposing themselves recklessly, were shot down +by the fire from the guns of the ships.</p> +<p class="pnext">Several of the boats were sunk by a well-directed +fire from our swivel guns, but eight +or nine gained the side of the <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em>, +and, passing under the comparative shelter +afforded by our lofty stern, boarded us on the +starboard side, where, owing to the list, our +bulwarks were much lower than on the other side.</p> +<p class="pnext">They clambered up our sides with the greatest +intrepidity, but were met with equal resolution +and courage. More boats were sunk alongside +by dropping heavy shot into them, those of their +crew who wore breastplates perishing miserably +in the sea. Evidently the Dutchmen thought our +losses under fire had been greater than they +actually were; but they soon realized their mistake, +and with thrust of pike, swordthrusts, musket +and pistol shots, they were swept aside as fast +as their heads appeared above the bulwarks.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-29"> +<span id="they-clambered-up-our-sides-with-the-greatest-intrepidity"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-176.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +"THEY CLAMBERED UP OUR SIDES WITH THE GREATEST INTREPIDITY"</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Only one of the enemy reached our deck, and +he was dragged on board by the clever cast +of a running bowline thrown by a seaman, +who, seizing his captive in his powerful grasp, +demanded and obtained his surrender at the +point of a gleaming knife, while his comrades +roared with laughter at the hapless Dutchman's +discomfiture.</p> +<p class="pnext">The attempt to board us failed dismally, only +four boats, filled with more or less wounded +men, getting clear from our sides, their retreat +being hailed with shouts of derision from our +exultant seamen.</p> +<p class="pnext">But our joy was turned to feelings of dismay +when we perceived that two small ships had +joined the Dutch men-of-war, and that they +were brought to with reduced canvas +immediately to windward of us, and were held by +stern moorings only, so that their bows were +pointed straight at our luckless vessel. Most +of us knew too much of the art of war to need +to have these new tactics explained: we were +to be attacked by fire ships!</p> +<p class="pnext">In our helpless position we were doomed. +Not a boat did we carry that was in a condition +to float, otherwise volunteers would not have been +lacking who would have risked their lives in an +attempt to tow these furnaces clear of us. The +officers held a consultation--Sir George Ascue +was not one of them; whether he was killed or +wounded I did not at that time know--and the +opinion of the council was that if we were +grappled by the fire ships our fate would no +doubt be a glorious one, but of little use to +His Majesty the King. On the other hand, if +we surrendered, there was a possibility of being +recaptured by our consorts, and thus our services +would be still at His Majesty's command.</p> +<p class="pnext">The latter alternative was accepted, and, amidst +the furious and indignant shouts of the seamen, +the Cross of St. George was struck, and a +white flag fluttered from our mainmast truck.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Dutchmen immediately sent boats to take +possession of the unfortunate <em class="italics">Prince Royal</em>, but +ere the first boat came alongside, most of the +crew had secured their personal belongings. +I, for my part, went below and placed all the +money I had in a leather pouch, which I strapped +to my waist with a belt underneath my +clothing--though it is reported the Hollanders always +respect personal property. Then I came on +deck and joined my comrades, who stood in a +disconsolate group awaiting the arrival of our +captors.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were curtly ordered over the side, and +hurriedly the whole of the crew were transferred +to the various Dutch ships. The officers were +taken on board the admiral's, where de Ruyter +himself accepted our surrender, complimenting +us on our gallant defence, and permitting the +senior officers to retain their swords.</p> +<p class="pnext">This done, we were sent on board a frigate +and placed in a dark, stuffy hole below the +waterline. Faintly we could hear the dull booming +of the guns, which told us that the fleets were +re-engaged, but gradually the sound died away.</p> +<p class="pnext">Greville Drake had a pocket compass, which +showed us that the vessel was heading eastward. +Our captors had taken good care that we should +not fall into the hands of our friends: we were +on our way to Holland and captivity.</p> +<p class="pnext">How the engagement would end we knew not, +but our spirits were greatly depressed with our +misfortunes, and one and all, having seen that +the courage and fortitude of our enemies had +been unduly depreciated by our leaders, were far +from sanguine as to the prospects of a victory +of our hitherto redoubtable fleet.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our reveries were cut short by the appearance +of a stolid Dutchman, who brought us a liberal +supply of food that, compared with our hard fare +of the last month, was a bounteous feast. We +plied him with eager questions, but his only +reply was an expressionless shake of his massive +head, and for the time being vague surmises had +to suffice.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length, worn out with bodily fatigue, we +threw ourselves down on our rough and hard +pallets, and slept soundly till we were awakened +by the unmistakable sounds that accompany the +action of a ship taking in sail.</p> +<p class="pnext">We had arrived in the land of our captivity.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-i-meet-an-old-enemy"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI--I Meet an Old Enemy</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Directly our prison ship was moored alongside +a quay we were summoned on deck, where an +escort of soldiers was in waiting to convey us to +a place of confinement on shore.</p> +<p class="pnext">Some of our officers immediately recognized +the port as Rotterdam, which to me appeared +a city of lofty buildings beset with canals and +waterways.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was soon evident that we were to be separated, +and seeing this to be the case I kept close +to Drake and another young lieutenant, Hubert +Felgate by name, who had been slightly wounded +in the right arm during the first day's +engagement. He was of a somewhat taciturn +disposition, though, when properly understood, he was +a good-hearted and reliable friend.</p> +<p class="pnext">To our great satisfaction the three of us were +taken to a magistrate's office. As none of us +could speak their language, a Dutchman was +called in to act as interpreter, but so quaint was +his attempt at speaking English that it was with +the greatest difficulty that we could understand +what was required of us.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length we discovered that if we gave our +parole we should be allowed comparative freedom +within the city; if not, well--a meaning shrug +of the shoulders completed the unspoken sentence.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were permitted to reason the proposition +out among ourselves, which we did in an +undertone. Young and hot-headed, the idea of +a possible exchange of prisoners never entered +our heads, but on the other hand the excitement +of an attempt at escape held out an inducement +to refuse our parole. We quickly decided on the +latter course. The magistrate closed a book in +front of him in a manner that denoted a feeling +of disappointment, then, signing to our guards, +he motioned us to be removed.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were conducted along a stone passage +and down a spiral staircase, the weapons of our +guards clanking dismally as they struck the +stone steps. At the bottom of the staircase we +proceeded along another passage, which was +lighted by a few feeble lamps, while water +trickled through the roof in such a manner as +to suggest that we were passing under some +canal. At the end an iron door barred the way. +This the sergeant of the guard unlocked and +threw open, disclosing a large room with a +vaulted stone roof, lighted only by two small +grated windows some twelve feet from the +ground. The atmosphere was rank, while +moisture was everywhere--on the walls, floor, and +even on the top of a massive oak table, the +polish of which was cut and scraped till it +resembled a butcher's block.</p> +<p class="pnext">As our eyes grew accustomed to the dim light +we perceived that the room was a torture +chamber. In one corner stood a ponderous +rack, its rollers still glistening with a coating +of oil. Other instruments of torture were placed +round the walls in an orderly manner, showing +by their brightness that they were still kept in use.</p> +<p class="pnext">I must confess the sight turned us, though we +had never yet had accounts of prisoners of war +being put to the torture. We were not left long +in suspense, for the soldiers, having carefully +searched us (though they left us our money), +went out and locked and barred the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">Left to ourselves, we began to discuss our +situation. Escape from this horrible hole was +out of the question, but we began a tour of the +room to ascertain our bearings.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I almost wish that we had given the burgomaster +our parole," remarked Felgate dolefully. +"To eke out an existence for a few months, or +even weeks or days, in this den would almost +drive one to madness."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do they mean by putting us in here?" +asked Drake. "Surely they don't mean to put us +to the torture as if we were political prisoners?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't think that," I remarked, "otherwise +those rascals would have relieved us of our money."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, they took my knife," grumbled +Felgate. "Ah! What fools these Dutchmen are! +Look! Why should we not take some small +articles that might aid our escape?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He pointed to the walls, where hung several +small knives. We immediately secured one +each, and in addition concealed a few iron spikes +under our clothing, chuckling to ourselves at the +folly of our captors in searching us before we +were left alone amid so terrible yet useful an +array of instruments.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, having completed our inspection, we +seated ourselves on the framework of the rack, +relapsing into a silence that was broken only by +the occasional scamper of a swarm of rats across +the floor, and the rippling of a stream of water +outside the thick stone walls of our prison.</p> +<p class="pnext">The solitude was unbearable, though we never +stopped to consider what it would have been +like had we been placed in separate rooms. At +length Felgate stood up, and, seizing a hammer +that was used apparently to drive the wedges +into the boot, he strode across to the door and +began to thunder a rain of blows upon it. Then +he waited, but for all the good it did he might +well have saved himself the trouble. No one +came to see who was the cause of the clamour, +and silence again reigned supreme.</p> +<p class="pnext">The hours rolled slowly by, and just as the +daylight that filtered through the narrow +windows began to fade, our prison door was thrown +open and the guards reappeared. Hardly able +to repress a smile that flitted across his grim +features, the sergeant deliberately walked up +to Felgate, relieved him of the knife and two +spikes that he had concealed, and replaced them. +Greville and I were served in the same manner, +our crestfallen faces plainly showing our dismay. +We had been watched through some secret +spy-hole during the whole time we were left, as we +had imagined, alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once more we were taken into the presence of +the magistrate, who, phlegmatic as ever, merely +raised one eyebrow slightly and tapped the +book in front of him with the feathered end of +his pen.</p> +<p class="pnext">The gesture was impressive with its silent +enquiry, but with the obstinacy of our race we +again refused to give any pledge that would +debar us from making any attempt at escape. +A sign, and we were hurried from the burgomaster's +presence, and, with a file of pikemen +surrounding us, we were taken, not to that +loathsome dungeon, but into the open air.</p> +<p class="pnext">Through crowds of silent spectators we were +marched, along a broad street planted with tall +trees, the light of the buildings on the far side +being reflected in the placid waters of a canal. +Then we crossed a drawbridge, and a hundred +yards farther our guards halted outside a +building the entrance to which was gained by a +double flight of broad stone steps.</p> +<p class="pnext">A challenge and a password were exchanged, +and we were handed over to another armed +guard, who escorted us to a small room, which, +though roughly furnished, was a surprisingly +comfortable prison. Some bundles of straw +were thrown on the floor, a plain though ample +meal was provided, and we were left to ourselves +once more.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now late, but for several hours we +tossed uneasily on our straw couches, till, worn +out with the excitement and fatigue, we fell +asleep, to be awakened only too soon by the +entry of our jailers.</p> +<p class="pnext">By signs they informed us that we were to +start on a long journey, and providing us with +blankets and klompen, or wooden shoes similar +to the sabots of the French, they left us to enjoy +another meal of porridge, rusk bread, and cheese.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour later they returned, and rolling our +blankets they fastened them bandolier fashion +across one shoulder and under the other. Our +shoes, though admirable for wear on board ship, +were useless on a rough road, so these were +slung round our necks and the klompen were +placed upon our feet. Our captors were of +a mind to treat us kindly, but I must admit +that walking in these clumsy wooden shoes +occasioned us no little discomfort.</p> +<p class="pnext">Where our destination was we could not +discover. Our guards would not, or could not, +understand the enquiries we made in dumb-show, +but when clear of the city our route lay +to the north.</p> +<p class="pnext">For miles we marched between the files of our +escort of pikemen, and we had ample opportunities +of studying the nature of the land, which +in no small measure well deserves the name of +the Low Countries. The road was bordered +with an avenue of trees that served to break +the monotony that the broad expanse of flat +country affords. There were scores of +windmills all busily engaged, not in grinding wheat, +but in pumping water from the drains and +throwing it over the dykes.</p> +<p class="pnext">These dykes, which were cut by the Hollanders +to such good purpose during their desperate +resistance against the might of Spain, were +massive embankments planted with sedge and +reeds, and faced in places with straw so as to +resist the sea better. As we progressed we saw +nothing of the ocean, though it was said that +the place where we were walking was well below +the sea level.</p> +<p class="pnext">We passed through numerous villages, the +inhabitants of which flocked out to see us, though +they behaved courteously, and refrained from +insulting us, a contrast to the behaviour of our +own countrymen to their Dutch prisoners.</p> +<p class="pnext">After marching for over two hours we arrived +at a town called Delft, where the curiosity caused +by our progress was somewhat alienated by a +sight that greatly astonished us. A crowd of +townspeople was approaching us, and in the +centre walked a portly <em class="italics">vrouw</em>, wearing a weighty +vessel not unlike a butter churn, her head +appearing through a hole, the rest of her being +hidden inside the wooden barrel. Her miserable +plight made her the butt of the crowd. But +for what reason she was undergoing this punishment +we could not discover, though I doubt not +that she was a scold, such as we in England +place in the ducking stool.</p> +<p class="pnext">We halted for an hour at Delft, the pikemen +refreshing themselves by taking enormous +quantities of ale, while we were fain to be content +with a loaf of bread, cheese, and a pitcher of +water. A woman, taking compassion on us, +however, sent a little girl to us with a jug +brimming with fresh milk.</p> +<p class="pnext">We talked freely, none of the soldiers +apparently understanding our conversation, and +discussed the possibility of making our escape.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Could we but once slip between the men, I +think we should be swift-footed enough to shake +them off," remarked Felgate. "What with +their breastplates and headpieces their +running would be like to that of Goliath of Gath."</p> +<p class="pnext">"True!" replied Drake. "But with these +wretched wooden shoes----" and he pointed +meaningly at his feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can make out that they gall our heels, +and take them off for a while; then at the +favourable moment--you, Drake, can give the +word--we'll make a dash for freedom."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And after----?" I enquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That remains to be seen," rejoined Felgate.</p> +<p class="pnext">While we conversed I could not help noticing +that the sergeant eyed us sharply more than +once; and whether it was merely fancy or not, +I could not help thinking that I had seen him +before. But as very few Dutchmen had made +my acquaintance (and these only as enemies) +I dismissed the idea from my mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man was short, thick-set, with a heavy +beard that concealed most of his features, but +the look in his eyes betokened that he was no +infant in the art of war, and could, if occasion +served, prove a harsh taskmaster.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length the order was given to proceed. At +a mile from Delft, Felgate began to limp. His +example was quickly followed by Drake, and +shortly after I adopted the same ruse, though in +reality I had good cause to do so, the +unaccustomed nature of my footgear beginning to have +an ill effect.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon Drake stopped, pointed to his shoes, +and made signs that he could not walk farther. +The pikemen came to a halt and looked at +us sympathetically, while the sergeant talked +volubly. We seized the opportunity of pulling +off the klompen and replacing our own shoes, +and the march was resumed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The country was perfectly flat, as hitherto, but +the dykes were at a greater distance from the +road. Though they shut in our range of vision +we knew that dry land lay beyond, as we could +discern several windmills, roofs of houses, and +trees on the other side.</p> +<p class="pnext">The pikemen struggled on, apparently fatigued +by the heat of the day. Drake touched my +arm and whispered: "Be ready!" I was all +alertness, waiting for the signal to break away.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly Felgate staggered, as if seized with +faintness, and fell on his hands and knees. The +soldier immediately behind, unable to check +himself, fell over him; then, with a loud cry of +"Now!" Felgate jumped to his feet, and, +followed by us, rushed off towards the nearest dyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our guards, to our surprise, did not attempt +to follow us; instead, they stood looking at us, +till, at a command from the sergeant, they spread +out, some remaining still, the rest marching +slowly in both directions along the road.</p> +<p class="pnext">Wondering at this manoeuvre we still ran, +looking backwards at intervals. When close +to the dyke we saw that the pikemen had +extended over a distance of one hundred yards, +and were now making their way in a long +straggling line straight for the dyke.</p> +<p class="pnext">We redoubled our efforts, climbed up the soft +sandy embankment, and gained the top. Here +we found that a broad ditch barred our progress. +"On, lads, on!" cried Felgate. "These scurvy +pikemen will never dare cross this with the +weight of their accoutrements."</p> +<p class="pnext">Carried away by his words, we dashed down +the slope of the dyke, only to find, too late, that +a broad belt of liquid mud, thickly interspersed +with sedge, lay betwixt us and the water. In a +moment we were all struggling up to our waists +in the impenetrable ooze.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length, worn out by our fruitless endeavours +to extricate ourselves, we waited motionless in +the slime till the grinning faces of the pikemen +appeared above the bank. By this time we had +sunk nearly to our shoulders; but by the aid +of the men's pikes we were hauled on to dry +land, amid the coarse jests and laughter of our +rescuers.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were in a truly miserable plight, the mud +clinging to our wet garments like pitch, while +the stench was abominable. To complete our +discomfiture, the sergeant tapped his petronel +significantly and exclaimed in perfect English: +"Now, sirrahs, you will perceive that escape +is no easy matter. Another attempt and I'll +warrant ye will not fare half so lightly."</p> +<p class="pnext">We gazed on him in amazement; then Drake +exclaimed: "My man, if thou'rt not a renegade, +then may I not see England again!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"As you will," rejoined the sergeant, and +ordered the men to fall in. Then we regained +the highway and resumed our weary way.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was late in the evening ere we arrived at +our destination, which proved to be the town +of Haarlem, of which I had heard much with +reference to its stubborn defence against the +Spaniards. This was to be our prison for many +dreary months.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were placed in separate rooms, though +during the day we were permitted to take exercise +together. For a long time we hardly dared +mention the possibilities of escape, with the +thought of our previous attempt fresh in our +minds. We frequently discoursed on the +probable events that were occurring at home, but +our guards refrained from giving us any +information on the subject, though one or two of +our new custodians spoke a few words of broken +English at intervals.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus we knew not of the glorious victory of +Albemarle over de Ruyter on the 25th of July +following our capture; but by the sullen +demeanour of the soldiers we guessed that once +more the States of Holland were suffering for +their audacity in questioning our supremacy on +the sea.</p> +<p class="pnext">Autumn passed, and winter, with intense cold, +drew on apace. About this time I made an +important discovery, which served to throw a +little light on the mystery that enshrouded my +existence.</p> +<p class="pnext">One day the renegade sergeant came into my +apartment. He had grown somewhat communicative +of late, talking freely of the country in +whose service he was, though very reserved in +matters pertaining to the land of his birth. The +feeling that I had seen him before grew apace, +till on this occasion I asked him bluntly why +he took service with our enemies.</p> +<p class="pnext">His reply was a hideous scowl, and like a +flash the truth came to my mind--it was Increase +Joyce, my father's murderer!</p> +<p class="pnext">For a moment I could scarce refrain from +throwing myself upon him; but reflecting that +little would be gained thus, and that much might +be obtained by strategy, I refrained, and, +shrugging my shoulders indifferently, I turned from +him and walked to the farther part of the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">I saw him no more that day, but on the day +following he again entered my apartment or +cell--call it which you will. Though feigning +to avoid conversation with him, I found that +his moody fit had passed, and that he was +willing to talk.</p> +<p class="pnext">Little by little I gathered his history, which, +though mostly lies, gave me an insight into his +movements and plans.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had, he said, fled the country at the +Restoration for political reasons, a price having +been set upon his head. (I smiled grimly at +this, knowing only too well why his head was +thus valued.) He had served as a soldier of +fortune on the Rhine and in the Low Countries, +finally joining the army of the States of Holland +and rising to his present rank; though, in justice +to the Dutch be it said, he was never allowed to +take up arms against his own countrymen.</p> +<p class="pnext">I had heard enough for once, and for the time +being I resolved not to mention the matter either +to Drake or to Felgate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of what was taking place betwixt England +and Holland we learned little. Occasionally we +had a visit from the governor of the fortress, a +Major Van der Wycke, a courteous and honest +soldier, who carefully refrained from hurting our +susceptibilities with reference to the war, though +he told us of the great fire that practically +destroyed the best part of London. This we were +told on Christmas Day, over three months after +its occurrence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Very slowly the days passed. Winter gave +place to spring, yet no sign of our being +released was given us, neither did any loophole +of escape present itself. One day Joyce came +into my room with the news that he was leaving +the service of the States of Holland, and had a +good offer for his sword from the King of France. +He seemed very elated, and now was the time to +obtain what information I could.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thou art a Yorkshireman, perchance?" I +enquired offhandedly, interrupting him in the +midst of a rambling statement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I a Yorkshireman? Never, young sir!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then from Lincolnshire, doubtless?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nor from Lincolnshire. Why didst think so?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"From thy manner of speech, Sergeant," I +replied, forcing a laugh. "It savours much of +the north."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have travelled much, and know both those +counties well."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then perchance Midgley is known to you, Sergeant?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot recall the name. Where is it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is my native village," I asserted, with a +slight deviation from the truth. "It lies betwixt +Pontefract and Holwick."</p> +<p class="pnext">At the mention of Holwick he started, yet, +retaining command over his feelings, he +remarked: "I know it not. But, beshrew me! +the name of Holwick reminds me---- Dost +know Holwick well?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Passably," I replied offhandedly. "There +is a market cross, a church, a score or so of +stone houses, a castle more or less in ruin, and +a----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A castle, sayest thou?" he interrupted +excitedly. "And who lives there?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot say."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! Now, concerning this castle," he +remarked, tapping his clay pipe on his heel with +such vehemence that the stem broke in three +places, "I have heard that a goodly store of +treasure lies hidden there. In fact, an old +comrade of mine, who lay stricken to death on the +field of Marston Moor, did bestow upon me a +paper whereby the treasure should be mine. +But either he was befooling himself or me, for +I could find nothing."</p> +<p class="pnext">Here was a piece of good fortune.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where did you look?" I enquired disinterestedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where did I look? Now, out on me for a +dolt! I delved every night for more than a +fortnight, till the countryside rang with tales +of the ghost of Holwick, and none would +venture near o' nights, and hardly by day."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Were the directions fully adhered to?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He looked fixedly at me for a moment, as if +suspecting my thoughts, then from his pocket +he produced the identical metal box that he had +filched from my father's corse. Again I could +hardly refrain from springing upon him; but +discretion is ever the better part of valour.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the box he drew a folded paper, yellow +with age, and discoloured and torn with frequent +usage.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Mark you, what a jargon! 'Without ye +two tall of ye thirty-two paces right dig +Holwick may the treasure give full out mine +whereas my----' Did ever a man have such +a frail clue?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then what did you do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do? I dug thirty-two paces from the castle +walls on all sides save the west, for at that +distance there was naught but a muddy stream. +It might be thirty-two paces from the church, +the cross, or what not. But I have a mind to +make one more attempt ere I go to France. If +that fails, then my right I'll sell to the first Jew +that makes me an offer."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let me see if I can make aught of it," I said, +carelessly stretching out my hand. To my +delight Joyce handed it to me, and I saw the +writing I knew so well.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over an hour we talked, I, for my part, +throwing out idle suggestions and listening to +Joyce's explanations, trying at the same time +to commit the apparently senseless words to memory.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly the door was flung open and the +governor appeared. With a motion of his hand +he signed for Joyce to withdraw, and the villain +went out, leaving the precious document in my +hands. Major Van der Wycke used to do the +rounds in a somewhat erratic fashion, and for +this once I thanked his eccentricity. When he +went he desired the sergeant to accompany him, +and for the time being I was at liberty to copy +the mysterious message.</p> +<p class="pnext">I had not quill nor crayon nor paper. I +had read of men writing with their blood, but +this method appeared very unsatisfactory. At +length I bethought me of the fire, and taking a +piece of charcoal I scrawled the words on the +under side of my table. This I did, promising +myself to ask for pens and paper at the first +opportunity, and barely had I finished my task +when the renegade reappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where's that paper?" asked he. "I'll +venture that your wits are no sharper than mine."</p> +<p class="pnext">I handed it back to him with the remark that +it conveyed nothing, and wished him all the +luck he deserved. This double-barrelled +compliment he took as favourable to himself, and +after a short further conversation he left.</p> +<p class="pnext">That night Joyce quitted Haarlem, and I was +not fated to see him again for some time.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvii-showing-that-there-are-two-means-of-leaving-a-prison"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id18">CHAPTER XVII--Showing that there are Two Means of Leaving a Prison</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">With the lengthening days our hopes of effecting +an escape increased. The vigilance of our +guards had somewhat relaxed, and we were +allowed to remain in one another's company for +a much longer period.</p> +<p class="pnext">Felgate and Greville discussed innumerable +plans with me, but in every case a serious +obstacle arose that necessitated the abandonment +of that particular scheme, till one day the +long-hoped-for opportunity arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the middle of the month of June--I had +just celebrated my twentieth birthday in a very +despondent style--Van der Wycke came to us +one morning with a beaming face that showed +that something very unusual had occurred to +upset the stolidity of this typical Dutchman.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, Mynheer Drake," he said in his very +broken English, "I must tell you ze goot news +for us, but bad news for you. Our ships have +broken all ze Englischman, Chatham is burnt, +and ve vill even now take London." And in +this style he told us the heartbreaking news of +the never-to-be-forgotten disgrace at Chatham, +of the burning or sinking of the <em class="italics">Royal Oak</em>, the +<em class="italics">James</em>, the <em class="italics">London</em>, and several other smaller +vessels. He also said that His Majesty and the +Court and Parliament had removed to Bristol, +though this latter information afterwards proved +to be false.</p> +<p class="pnext">For days we remained too sick at heart to +attempt an escape; but early in the month of +July we were informed that our prison was to +be limewashed, and that for a few days at least +we were to be kept in one room at the farther +side of the building.</p> +<p class="pnext">I had long before this secured a careful copy +of the paper that Increase Joyce had shown me, +and this I kept concealed on my person, so that +in any case I should still retain what might +subsequently prove a valuable piece of information.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our new quarters overlooked the town walls, +and, the windows being lower and larger than +those of our former prison, we could easily +observe what was going on.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Hollanders were evidently making preparations +to celebrate their victory, for garlands +and decorated masts were being displayed. This +served to increase our bitterness at heart, and, +curiously enough, our guards became particularly +lax in their duties. In fact, but for the purpose +of supplying us with food, we were practically +ignored.</p> +<p class="pnext">We soon discovered that the bars of one of +the windows could easily be wrenched from their +fastenings, and with these removed only a +ten-foot drop lay between us and freedom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Carefully setting apart a portion of our rations, +we soon secured enough food to last us for a +couple of days, and one evening, directly the +guards had visited us for the last time that +night, Greville climbed on Felgate's shoulders +and attacked the crumbling mortar that kept +the bars in position.</p> +<p class="pnext">In less than an hour we succeeded, by dint of +plenty of hard work, in removing the bars, and +all was ready for our flight.</p> +<p class="pnext">The night was dark, the stars being constantly +hidden by dense masses of drifting clouds, while +the wind howled mournfully amid the trees that +lined the roadway within the ramparts.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steady tramp of a sentry showed the +necessity of extreme caution, and the clocks +chimed ten ere the man was visited by the +rounds. Half an hour later he left his post +and disappeared--in all probability to enjoy a +quiet sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now is our time," whispered Drake, and +squeezing his body through the aperture he +dropped lightly upon the pavement. His +example was quickly and cautiously followed, and +in less time than we expected we were creeping +along in the darkest shadows towards the open +country.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instinct took us towards the sea, from which +blew a stinging, salt-laden breeze that caused +a sensation of freedom, and when at length we +gained the summit of the last rush-grown dyke, +we could see the waves lashing the beach in +so violent a manner as to make an attempt to +escape by boat an absolute impossibility.</p> +<p class="pnext">However, the hours of darkness were fleeting +fast, so we pressed on along the shore, peering +through the darkness to try and secure a safe +shelter. Soon we came upon a small hamlet, +of which every house was in darkness, though +the occasional barking of dogs warned us that +the place was to be avoided. A short distance +beyond was a small haven, wherein we could +see several boats of all sizes riding easily at +anchor.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wind had now veered more to the north-'ard, +and with it a heavy rain came on. This +decided us, and, trusting that the downpour +would deaden the force of the wind, we launched +a small boat and pulled off to a galliot of about +twenty tons burthen.</p> +<p class="pnext">We approached her cautiously, for fear that +she might have someone sleeping on board. +On coming alongside we fended off our frail +cockle shell, while Felgate climbed softly up +her sides and gained the deck. She was open +amidships, but had a cuddy for'ard and a small +cabin under her poop.</p> +<p class="pnext">Felgate made his way aft, and we saw him +disappear under the shadow of the poop. A +moment later and he reappeared, glided across +the deck, and explored the cuddy. Everything +appeared satisfactory, so we joined him, sending +the dinghy adrift.</p> +<p class="pnext">The galliot carried two masts, the after one +only being set up. The foremast was housed +in a tabernacle and lay on the deck. We +manned a windlass, and with a dismal creaking, +that alarmed us mightily, the mast slowly rose +to an upright position. Then it was an easy +matter to spread the great tanned sail, and +having slipped the cable we stood westwards +towards England and freedom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once clear of the haven we felt the lift of the +ocean as the vessel heeled to the breeze. Drake +and I stood by the tiller, while Felgate went +for'ard to keep a bright lookout.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no longer need for silence, and +our tongues wagged merrily at the thought of +our escape. The galliot was, like all Dutch +craft, of great beam, with bluff bows and an +ugly square stern. She would, we had little +doubt, prove a good sea boat, but sluggish in +a light wind. As it was, the steady breeze was +just strong enough to make her lively, and it +was with satisfaction that we saw the dim +outline of the low-lying coast get fainter and +fainter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly a massive post, crowned by a +triangle, loomed out on our starboard bow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Steady there!" shouted Felgate; "there's +a beacon ahead."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Which side shall we make for?" asked Greville.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quick, Aubrey, try a cast!" said Felgate, +and I picked up a heavy piece of metal which +happened to be lying near, fastened a line to +it, and threw it overboard. Less than three +fathoms! Again I tried, and touched the bottom +in little more than two.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Bout ship!" shouted Drake, bearing down +on the long tiller, and the galliot, her sails +flapping in the wind like the wings of a +wounded bird, came about slowly yet surely, +the breeze filled her sails as she lay on the +other tack, and once more she slipped into +deep water.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the result of this manoeuvre was bewildering. +The blackness that precedes the dawn is +always greatest; the shore was invisible, and +our sole guide as to direction was the wind, +which we hoped still blew from the same quarter. +All around were the short, steep, white-crested +waves that are so typical of the shallow waters +around the Dutch coasts, while our range of +vision on all sides was limited to a space of +about a hundred yards of heaving water.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Keep the lead going!" ordered Greville, +and feverishly I made cast after cast with my +rough-and-ready leadline.</p> +<p class="pnext">For some time I found no bottom with four +fathoms, which was the available length of the +line, and I was on the point of giving up the +task with a feeling that we were clear of the +shallows, when I felt the sinker touch bottom.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat was once more put about and the +lead kept going, but still the depth remained +the same, or, rather, slightly shoaling. Again +we tacked, but our efforts to find deeper water +were unavailing, and at last the galliot ran +aground with a slight shock on a bed of soft sand.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a falling tide our position was hopeless, +and when daylight dawned and objects became +visible, we found to our dismay that we were +within half a mile of the shore, and in full view +of the hamlet from which we had taken the galliot. +As we had been sailing for over two hours, we +must have doubled backwards and forwards for +want of keeping a proper course, our numerous +tacks having completely bewildered us.</p> +<p class="pnext">The inhabitants of the town of Haarlem +were abroad early, and it was evident that our +ignominious situation had come to their knowledge, +for crowds lined the shore looking steadfastly +in our direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">At about six in the morning the tide had left +us high and dry, and the boundless expanse of +sandbanks showed us how hopeless was our task +on a dark night. Thoroughly disheartened and +ashamed, we withdrew to the cabin, where we +awaited the arrival of the soldiers who were to +take us back to captivity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, goot-morning, Mynheer!" was the +greeting of the governor, as he made his way +across the sloping deck of the galliot, his usually +grave visage puckered with a thousand wrinkles, +while his eyes twinkled with grim humour.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Take us and do whatever you will," replied +Felgate savagely, "but for any sake taunt us not!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Van der Wycke bowed in well-feigned gravity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pardon, Mynheer," he replied, "but you +yourselves haf put to much trouble for nothing. +You are now free!"</p> +<p class="pnext">And to our astonishment we learned how that +peace had been proclaimed at Breda on the +previous day, and that our futile attempt might +well not have taken place.</p> +<p class="pnext">Needless to say, our further stay in the Low +Countries was hurried as quickly as possible, +and next day a stout little brig conveyed us +from Rotterdam to London. The joys of +seeing our native land once more were somewhat +damped by the pitiful sight of the blackened +hulls of our men-of-war that had been sunk off +the mouth of the Thames.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviii-the-veil-is-partly-drawn"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id19">CHAPTER XVIII--The Veil is Partly Drawn</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Directly I set foot once more on English soil +I hastened to Portsmouth, though on my journey +thither I did stay a while at Rake, for the sake +of old memories. On my arrival at Portsmouth +I found my uncle looking careworn and haggard, +due to the constant strain and worry that his +duties in the dockyard entailed, for discontent +amongst the workmen had almost grown into +open mutiny. So ill paid were they that in +some cases families were starving while work +was plentiful.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the 23rd day of April, 1668, drew near, +that being my twenty-first birthday, I found +that I was becoming more and more excited +over the vague rumours that I had heard from +time to time respecting the remarkable +disclosures that were to be made under the terms +of my father's will.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nor was the excitement confined to myself. +My uncle busied himself till all traces of his +worry lost themselves in his activity; my aunt +bustled about the house, driving the servants +hither and thither, bringing linen from the huge +oak chest, furbishing the massive furniture, and +causing a huge supply of viands to be prepared +for the entertainment of our guests--for the +invited company numbered close on a score, so +that our house would be filled to overflowing, +and rooms had to be engaged at "The Bell Inn" +and "The Blue Posts".</p> +<p class="pnext">On the Monday preceding the eventful day +the guests began to arrive. There were Sir +George Lee, greyer and more bent than of +yore, Master Hugh Salesbury, Lawyer Whitehead, +all from the neighbourhood of Rake; my +old shipmates, Greville Drake and Felgate, the +latter accompanied by his young wife, whom +he had lately wedded, and several others who +had been friends of my father long before I +could remember.</p> +<p class="pnext">My birthday eve they kept in high style, the +men smoking long clay pipes, till our +dining-room was enveloped in a cloud of tobacco smoke, +so that my aunt declared that her best hangings +would reek for days like a London coffee tavern, +whereat Sir George pacified her by saying that +the weed of Virginia is ever a sovereign +safeguard against the plague!</p> +<p class="pnext">My twenty-first birthday came at last, and +at ten in the morning we all assembled in our +largest room, where, after I had received the +congratulations of my friends, the long-expected +legal formality began.</p> +<p class="pnext">I sat at the head of the long oak table, with +Lawyer Whitehead on my right and Sir George +on my left, the others being seated at the sides. +Before the lawyer was placed a heavy +brass-bound box, which, besides being locked, was +fastened with a formidable-looking red seal.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a solemn bow Master Whitehead stood +up, and, clearing his throat with a professional +cough, began in a dry, legal manner:</p> +<p class="pnext">"In accordance with the instruction laid down +by my late client, Master Owen Wentworth, I +have to make the announcement that his son, +who this day attains his majority, can now take +upon himself his rightful title, Sir Aubrey +Wentworth of Holwick, in the county of Yorks."</p> +<p class="pnext">At this astounding information my senses +became numb, and I could but dimly see the +faces of my friends and hear the indistinct +murmur of astonishment and congratulation +from those of my guests who up to the present +were not in the secret.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The late Owen Wentworth, by reason of +his excessive loyalty to His Majesty the King, +and of his careful thought for the proper +upbringing of his son during the past troublous +times, did part with a portion of his family +estates and personal property in order to furnish +His Majesty with such aid as all loyal cavaliers +were bound by their duty to give. The residue, +which is no inconsiderable amount, he hid in a +secure place, taking good care that it should come +to his son on his attaining the age of twenty-one, +provided that he showed great promise of filling +his position in a right and proper manner. The +recovery of the hidden treasure will depend on +certain conditions imposed by Sir Owen (to give +him his rightful title), and these conditions were +written and entrusted to my keeping." Here +the lawyer tapped the box with his finger and +proceeded to break the seal. This done, he +produced a small key and unlocked the box. The +hinges creaked as he threw back the lid and +disclosed a number of parchments all neatly +tied with faded ribbon.</p> +<p class="pnext">Placing the documents on the table, the lawyer +continued. "I have here," he said, "a third +part of a sheet of writing, which, when united +to its fellows, will disclose the exact position of +the hidden riches of Holwick. Another portion +worthy Sir George hath, while you, Sir Aubrey, +must in truth produce the third part."</p> +<p class="pnext">At this the knight laid down a paper which +I recognized as the one that had been read by +him under such strange circumstances at Rake, +some eight years before, and the light flashed +across me--the senseless jargon that he had +read was part of a secret code whereby I should +inherit my fortune.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, Sir Aubrey, where is your share of +the document?"</p> +<p class="pnext">I stammered that I had not such a paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stay one moment, Master Whitehead," said +Sir George; "if I remember aught, Sir Aubrey +never had his part of the document delivered +to him. His father expressly stated that a +metal box was to be given to him, and under +pains and penalties he was not to open it to +this day. But, as we know, that box was +filched, and therefore Sir Aubrey could not +possibly have opened it, neither can he be held +accountable for its contents."</p> +<p class="pnext">"True, true! Sir George," replied Master +Whitehead; "but unfortunately, though Sir +Aubrey is not to be held accountable, the fact +remains that the complete solution is missing, +and, as my late client refused to make a +duplicate, the secret is as far off as ever."</p> +<p class="pnext">Here I could not forbear from interrupting the +argument betwixt the knight and the lawyer.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I have a copy of the part that should +have been entrusted to me!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Heaven bless the boy!" ejaculated Sir George. +"Where is it, and how came you by it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">In answer I rushed off to my own room, laid +hold of the precious copy, and returned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here it is!" I shouted triumphantly, handing +it to Master Whitehead, and straightway I told +them of my meeting with Increase Joyce, and +how I secured the temporary possession of the +filched document.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now for the test," remarked Sir George +when I had finished my tale, and straightway +the three papers were placed side by side on +the table, everyone crowding round to read +what the joint document would reveal.</p> +<p class="pnext">The paper which I produced did not correspond +with the others, and the lawyer twisted +and turned them about for some considerable +time. At length a puckered frown overspread +his wizened face, and he beat upon the table +with his fingers with the air of a man who has +sustained a momentary check.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'To Beverley without ye gate on ye highway----' +that reads aright; but the next line +doth not seem in keeping with the rest. How +now, Sir George, if thy wits are as sharp as +thy sword----"</p> +<p class="pnext">But Sir George Lee shook his head. "Troth!" +he ejaculated, "if a man of law cannot frame the +wording of a document, how can I, a country +gentleman, hope to do it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Methinks I can help you," spoke a soft, +sweet voice, and looking up I saw Mistress +Felgate, who, hand in hand with her husband, +had been a silent yet interested listener to the +discussion.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lawyer rose, and with great courtesy +placed his hand over his heart and bowed, yet +his manner betokened a professional scorn for +feminine advice.</p> +<p class="pnext">"At your service, madam."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then begin with the bottommost line and +read upwards."</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Whereas my sonne having trulie carried +out mine desires----'"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Faith, sweetest, thy wits have proved better +than the lawyer's!" interrupted Felgate, bringing +his fist down heavily on the table in his excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'----Mine desires'" resumed Master Whitehead, +receiving the interruption with a deprecatory +cough, "'I doe hereby give full directions +in soe that the treasures of mine house at Holwick +may come to him by right. Digge IIJ feet down +at XXXII paces from y^e west side of y^e wall, +keeping in line II tall fir trees that doe lie +without y^e gate on y^e highway to Beverley.'"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing particularly difficult about these +instructions," remarked my uncle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think so too," I replied; "and even now +that villain Joyce may be making a second and +possibly successful attempt to recover what is +mine by rights. Indeed, from what he told +me, he must have been very near the spot."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There is little time to be lost," replied Sir +George. "My advice to you is that you travel +hotfoot to Holwick, and leave nothing undone +till you lay hands on the treasure. Would I +were a score or so of years younger and I would +bear you company with the greatest of pleasure."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll start to-morrow!" I exclaimed resolutely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am with you, Aubrey," said Drake, +grasping my hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And I cannot desert my old shipmates," +added Felgate. "So I hoist the signal for +permission to part company; and if my senior +officer will comply, I'll weigh anchor with you +to-morrow."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mistress Felgate gave her permission with +the stipulation that her husband must run no +needless risks, the compact was sealed by a kiss +bestowed by her gallant and unabashed bridegroom, +and the conversation was resumed, while +mirth and gaiety reigned supreme.</p> +<p class="pnext">My mind, however, was too full of feverish +anxiety for me to enjoy the festivities, and +drawing Greville aside, I discussed our forthcoming +journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And if you find that Joyce has forestalled +you?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then I'll track him to the utmost end of the earth."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And then----?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Greville, you know that I am not a revengeful +man by nature, but I swear that that villain +dies by my hand."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then why didn't you kill him at Haarlem?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"And get hanged for my pains? No, no! +'Tis a waiting game."</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently Felgate joined us, and together we +slipped out of the house, crossed the street, and +entered the establishment that Nicholas Wade +ran under the designation of posting stables.</p> +<p class="pnext">The owner, bald-headed, high-shouldered, and +bow-legged like many of his class, came forth +and mincingly asked what we required.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Horses, man, horses! The best you have +in your stables.</p> +<p class="pnext">"For how long, your honour?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"As long as it serves us. This bay will suit me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And I take a fancy to that black mare," +added Drake.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nay, you've forestalled me," rejoined +Felgate laughingly. "But no matter, the brown +nag will serve me, for of a verity I feel more at +home in a jollyboat than on the back of that +beast."</p> +<p class="pnext">The question of terms was quickly settled, and +the mounts were ordered to be brought round at +nine the next morning. Then we went back to +enjoy the festivities, longing the while for the +morrow to come.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xix-how-three-horsemen-set-out-for-the-north"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIX--How Three Horsemen set out for the North</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Punctually to the minute our steeds were +brought round, the farewells were said, and +with a loose rein we cantered down the narrow +cobble-paved street towards the Landport Gate. +The horses' hoofs echoed under the dark +gateway and clattered across the drawbridge, the +town of Portsmouth was left behind, and the +dense cluster of timbered and red-tiled houses +gave place to verdant fields and clumps of tall +trees that even now were beginning to burst +into leaf.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were each armed with sword and pistols, +for the highways were far from safe, and we wot +not what awaited us at our journey's end. The +fine spring morning told on our spirits and we +were in good humour. Conversation, mingled +with laugh and jest, flowed fast, and one would +have imagined we were setting out for a +holiday rather than on an expedition on which +fortune, nay life and death, depended.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the summit of Portsdown we halted to +look back upon the good old seaport once more, +then we cantered easily down the long slope +to the village of Purbrook. Then came the +steady climb through the Forest of Bere, where +memories of a journey seven years before rose +before my mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Butser we reined our horses while I +pointed out the scene of my encounter with the +three Dorset smugglers. Then we reached the +lofty summit of the road, from which the +magnificent view of the valley of the Rother could be +seen under its fairest conditions.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Petersfield we stopped for our midday +meal, and after giving our horses a well-earned +rest, we resumed our way northward till the bold +headline of Hindhead loomed up in front of us.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Rake we stopped to visit the scenes of old +associations, calling in at the "Flying Bull", +where Giles Perrin, now grey-haired, bent, and +decrepit, still followed his calling.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Lord ha' mercy on me if 'tis not young +Master Wentworth!" he exclaimed, showing that, +though grown in stature, I had not outgrown +the appearance of my boyhood; and when +Drake told him of my newly found title, the old +man tottered away to let the frequenters of the +inn know the news; whereat we, unwilling to +tarry longer, pushed on towards the towering +heights of Hindhead.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently we crossed a heath beyond which we +could perceive the village of Liphook. In the +distance we could make out a crowd of people +whose infuriated shouts were plainly audible.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come on, lads, let's see what this uproar +means!" shouted Felgate, and, setting spur to +our steeds, we soon covered the distance that lay +between us and the howling mob.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cause of the tumult was soon plain. At +the outskirts of the village was a small stagnant +pond, by the side of which was erected a post +with a swinging beam. At one end of the beam +was a rough chair in which was bound a +miserable old woman of repulsive appearance, whose +face bore a look of mute despair. Around her +the crowd surged, yelling: "Duck her! Duck +the witch!" while eggs and filth were thrown +with no uncertain aim at the unhappy specimen +of humanity whom the mob had seen fit to bait.</p> +<p class="pnext">As we approached, the crowd, too intent to +notice our coming, had seized the beam and +were swinging it over the pond with the object +of immersing the occupant of the ducking stool.</p> +<p class="pnext">We reined in for a moment to take counsel +amongst ourselves.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rescue her by all means," said Felgate.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But she is a witch; beware of the evil eye," +demurred Drake, who, like all West-countrymen, +deeply believed in witchcraft and sorcery, +far more so than dwellers in other parts of +England.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Witch or no witch, she is a woman," retorted +Felgate, "and it behoves all true gentlemen to +protect a woman in danger."</p> +<p class="pnext">With that we spurred forward and reached the +outskirts of the crowd just as the great beam was +being slowly lowered into the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold!" shouted Felgate authoritatively, +forcing his horse into the press. The mob gave +way, still shouting fierce imprecations against +the terrified old woman, and making hostile +demonstrations against the interrupters of their +fiendish sport.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who is responsible for this conventicle?" +he continued, urging his horse towards the +ducking stool.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am, worthy sir," replied a short, stout man +with heavy, beetling brows, who stood his +ground doggedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And who are you, sirrah?" demanded +Felgate, giving him a fierce look that cowed him +for the time. "And where is your warrant for +this deed?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"By virtue of the act passed in the reign of +His Majesty King James the First, of blessed +memory, concerning the punishment of sorcerers, +witches, warlocks, and the like."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tut, tut, man, the statute is dead! Have +you a magistrate's warrant, Form 226, giving +you authority for this? Quick, answer me! +I am a King's officer, so on your peril speak truly!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The man shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then let her go free!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Here the mob redoubled its cries, and a few +missiles came hurtling through the air towards us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Draw, comrades, draw!" shouted Felgate, +and, unsheathing our swords, we urged our +horses through the crowd till we reined up +abreast of our chivalrous friend.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Would ye have 'em take a witch out of your +hands?" cried the officious man, appealing to the +crowd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No! No! Down with them, and death to +the witch!" came like a hoarse roar from the +excited crowd.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay, ay, down with them!" repeated their +incautious leader, seizing Felgate's horse by the +bridle and attempting to force it on its haunches.</p> +<p class="pnext">His ill-advised action soon earned its +reward, for Felgate struck him a heavy blow with +the hilt of his sword, then, clutching at him as +he fell, he backed his horse through the crowd +till he reached the edge of the pond. Then with +a mighty effort he flung the man into the slimy +water, where he fell with a heavy splash. A +moment later he reappeared, clambered to the +bank, and made his way towards the village, +cursing us at the top of his voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the danger was not yet over, for the mob +showed signs of a combined and active +resistance. Fortunately we were together by the +side of the pool, so that none of our attackers +could get behind us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Draw your pistols and fire at the first man +who steps forward!" said Felgate, loud enough +for all to hear him.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the sight of six levelled weapons the crowd +drew back; then, satisfied that the cowards were +properly cowed, Felgate jumped from his horse, +made his way to the ducking stool, and cut the +bonds that held the old crone to the chair.</p> +<p class="pnext">Baulked of their prey, the mob still surged +round us, and with a shout of: "Let 'em have +the cat!" a great black object was sent flying +towards us, and, striking my horse on the +crupper, resolved itself into an enormous black +cat, that spat and howled, digging its claws into +the horse's hide, and arching its back like the +demon cat that is the reputed companion of every +witch.</p> +<p class="pnext">A word from the old woman caused the animal +to jump towards her, and, climbing on her +shoulders, it mewed and purred with a +fearsome delight.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lifting the beldam to his horse, Felgate +placed her pillionwise behind him. We closed +in on either side, and, forcing our way through +the mob, our pistols still pointed ominously at +them, we gained the highroad once more, and +trotted unmolested through the village of Liphook.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now that the danger was past, Drake and +I could not help laughing at our cavalier +companion and his fair burden, for the hag had +clasped him tightly round the waist with her +skinny arms, while the cat, perched on her +shoulders, was rubbing its head against the +back of Felgate's plumed hat, so that it was +being continually thrust over his eyes despite +his frequent attempts to place it firmly on his +head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How far do you journey with your gentle +burden?" quoth Greville.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bless me for a landlubber if I thought of it +at all!" replied Felgate. "Say, mistress, where +shall we set you down?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"At the top of the Devil's Punch Bowl, if it +pleases you, sir," replied the old woman in a +quavering voice, "for then I shall be safe."</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tis a big request, Felgate," I remarked, +knowing that the summit of Hindhead, close +to which the Bowl is situated, was a good six +miles off, and an uphill road the whole way.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Never mind; a good deed but half done is +a sorry performance." And with this we set +spurs to our horses and trotted briskly up the +long slope that led to the towering heights that +showed clearly before us.</p> +<p class="pnext">Although I had oft journeyed across this +bleak hill, never before had I seen it under such +depressing circumstances. The sun had long +vanished behind a bank of dark-grey, undefined +clouds, while a cold wind howled across our +path, moaning through the treetops and raising +clouds of choking dust on the sun-dried highway.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just as we reached the summit, where the +road makes a vast horseshoe curve round the +dark, forbidding cavity known as the Devil's +Punch Bowl, a heavy rainstorm came on, +blotting out the horizon, while a vivid flash of +lightning, followed at a short interval by a +tremendous clap of thunder, startled our horses, +and, be it confessed, ourselves as well.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thunder in April! And in company with +a witch! This smacks of His Satanic Majesty +with a vengeance!" muttered Drake, drawing +closer to me.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Set me down here, sir," whined the hag, +and Felgate having done so, she turned towards us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have not far to go now--my home is down +there," indicating with a skinny finger the +rain-blotted heathery pit beneath us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And now," she continued, "take an old +dame's blessing for your kindness in helping +the helpless, and may success reward your search."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Our search?" exclaimed Greville, astonished +at her words.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay, your search," mumbled the old crone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And shall we succeed?" I asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not till the waters run dry!" she replied +mysteriously, and with that another flash of +lightning left us blinking in semi-darkness. +When we looked round the witch had gone. +A moment later we saw her making her way +with great agility down the steep slope of the +Bowl, till she disappeared from our view behind +a large clump of heather and gorse.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, I'm----," and here Felgate broke off +for want of a word to express his surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How did she know we were on a treasure hunt?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's more than I can tell," replied Drake, +and drawing our cloaks tighter around our +shivering bodies, we rode down the hill, silent +and depressed, through the driving rain, +towards the town of Godalming.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xx-what-we-heard-and-saw-at-holwick"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id21">CHAPTER XX--What we Heard and Saw at Holwick.</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The rest of our journey northward passed almost +without incident. The day after our arrival at +Godalming we rode quickly through Guildford +to London, where we tarried no longer than we +could possibly help, staying that night in the +village of Highgate.</p> +<p class="pnext">Four days later, following the seemingly +endless Great North Road, we arrived at the village +of Bawtry, from which it is said most of our +New England colonists had come. This place +is just over the Yorkshire border, and to our +unaccustomed ears the broad dialect seemed +almost a foreign tongue.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here we stayed the night, intending to make +an early start, so as to be at Holwick before +sunset. An old farmer advised us to go by +Thorne rather than by Doncaster, and, taking +his advice, we rode over a fairly level road, +which in three hours brought us in sight of the +former place.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here we followed a broad, sluggish river, +whereon lay many broad-bottomed craft not +unlike those we had seen on the inland waters of +the Dutch Republic. This river they call the +Don. When we left it we crossed another--the +Aire--at a place called Snaith.</p> +<p class="pnext">We were now but a few miles from our +destination, and our hopes and fears ran high. +At Carleton we left the main road, and after a +few miles of a narrow winding lane the gaunt +tower of Holwick rose before us.</p> +<p class="pnext">The village was a straggling one, consisting +of a few stone cottages, an indifferent inn, and +a small church, its square tower, blackened by +fire, a silent witness to a long-forgotten Scottish +raid. From its lead-covered summit Old Noll +himself had directed the attack upon my father's +stronghold.</p> +<p class="pnext">Poverty, through manorial neglect, was only +too apparent, and I could not help exclaiming +despondently: "Look, friends! What a heritage, +and hardly a scrap of paper to prove my +right to it!"</p> +<p class="pnext">We halted at the old inn, and enquired in +a seemingly casual tone whether we could be +accommodated there. "For," quoth Felgate +to the servile landlord, "we have a desire to +know more of this old castle, and methinks that +good fishing is obtainable in this stream."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Eh, my masters," replied he, "'tis not to +be beaten in all Yorkshire for good sport--trout, +dace, chub, and even the lordly salmon; +and as for t'old castle--well, 'tis said that spooks +be about. Leastwise I never care to go yonder +missen, for strange noises affright the whole +countryside!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh!" I ejaculated. "And is that so?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ay, young sir. With the disappearance of +Sir Owen, the owner of Holwick, after the taking +of the castle some two-and-twenty years ago by +the malignants--and a curse be on 'em all--Sir +Owen was last seen fighting his way through +the rebel foot. They say he was killed, and his +body buried in the dry moat by the rebels; and +ever since that time we often hear most fearsome +cries and noises."</p> +<p class="pnext">When we had arranged for a few days' stay, +a serving man led our horses away, and we +entered the best room of the place. It was an +oak-panelled, wainscoted room, with a low, +smoke-grimed ceiling that was traversed by +a massive beam. The floor was paved with +large stones, while an ingle nook and settle +imparted a cheerful aspect to the apartment. But +what attracted my attention most was a mattock +and a couple of spades, with the rich red clay still +sticking to them, lying in a corner of the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is our host a gravedigger as well as an +innkeeper?" asked Drake, his eye following the +glance I gave at the implements.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nay, Greville, it means that we are forestalled; +someone is already at work here."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll wager 'tis none other than that villain +Increase Joyce."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ho, landlord!" shouted Felgate, in a voice +that sounded like the bellowing of a bull.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our host soon appeared, cringing and bowing +like the menial that he was.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where is the man that uses these things?" +I demanded, pointing to the spades and mattock.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our host, taken aback, stammered some inaudible reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Speak up, man!" I commanded sternly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"'Tis but a king's officer making a survey of +the castle."</p> +<p class="pnext">"King's officer, forsooth! Now, listen! As +you value your hide, answer truly. We are +king's officers; he is an arrant rogue and villain. +For aught I know you may be his accomplice. +Now, where is he?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"He rode off this morning to Selby."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And he returns----?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir, I know not--on my honour!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Whether the man lied or not I could not tell. +His crafty face was expressionless.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, listen, sirrah! Say not one word that +we are here, but directly he returns let us know. +Fail us, or play us false, and you'll answer to +the king's justices at York."</p> +<p class="pnext">The landlord, thoroughly cowed, promised +compliance, and we withdrew to a remote room +to await events.</p> +<p class="pnext">Twilight was drawing in as the sound of +horse's hoofs was heard on the hard road. We +made our way to a window where we could +overlook the front of the inn, and the horseman +proved without doubt to be the rogue Joyce, +though he was arrayed more gaily than of yore, +and a close-trimmed beard hid the lower part +of his face.</p> +<p class="pnext">The landlord took his horse to the stables +where ours were kept, and Joyce made to follow, +but with some inaudible remark the former +succeeded in inducing the villain to enter the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few minutes we heard him calling for +food and drink, and the clattering of knives +and platters showed that he was appeasing his +appetite with zest.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a pitch-dark night; a keen easterly +wind whistled through the trees, while rain-laden, +murky, ill-defined clouds drifted across +the sky.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hist!" whispered Felgate, laying his hand +on my arm.</p> +<p class="pnext">Cautiously out of the doorway crept the figure +of a man, his form muffled in a dark cloak, +while a broad-brimmed hat was pulled down +over his face. In his hand he carried a horn +lantern, while the jangle of steel showed that +the spades were to be brought to work. It was +Increase Joyce.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a stealthy tread he vanished down the +road, hugging the buildings as if fearful of +meeting a benighted stranger in the now +deserted village.</p> +<p class="pnext">Without a word we buckled on our swords +and left the inn, following carefully in his track, +pausing ever and anon to try and detect the +sound of his footsteps.</p> +<p class="pnext">At length we came to the confines of the +castle grounds, where a thick belt of trees +added to the already overpowering darkness. +Groping blindly forward, stumbling over roots +and colliding with unseen trunks of trees, we +continued our quest, fearful lest the crackling +of a dry twig or the clanking of our weapons +should betray our whereabouts.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just as we reached the far side of the wood +the sudden gleam of a lantern being lit arrested +us. Simultaneously we dropped on the +dew-sodden grass and awaited further developments.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ghostly light of the lantern flickered +upon the grey walls of the tower, casting the +long shadow of the man upon it in grotesque +shapes. For a moment Joyce paused, then, +turning towards us, began to walk, counting the +paces as he went. At the thirty-second he set +the lantern down, and, plying his spade with +great vigour, sent the soil in all directions, +some of the dirt falling close to us.</p> +<p class="pnext">For over an hour he delved, till his laboured +breathing showed how great his efforts were. +Five feet down he dug, till the heap of soil hid +him from us.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now!" whispered Felgate, laying his hand +on his swordhilt.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nay! He has found naught. Let him +enjoy his disappointment for a while."</p> +<p class="pnext">Muttering curses at his want of success, Joyce +dragged himself out of the pit and walked +towards the castle, leaving the lantern on the +ground. Then he began to pace afresh, but in +a different direction, till his form was lost in +the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a while no sound save the occasional hoot +of an owl and the rapidly dying breeze broke +the stillness as we waited for some signs of the +renewed efforts of the treasure seeker.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly a hideous cry, so terrifying that it +caused the blood to freeze in our veins, echoed +through the silence of the night. Accustomed +though we were to scenes of bloodshed and +violence, this weird outburst, the concentrated +expression of mortal agony, held us spellbound.</p> +<p class="pnext">Drake was the first to recover himself, and, +springing to his feet with a shout, he drew his +sword and dashed across the open space of +grass, while we followed close at his heels.</p> +<p class="pnext">Stopping but for a moment to possess himself +of the lantern, he made his way in the direction +from which the sound had come.</p> +<p class="pnext">Something compelled him to halt, and we +stopped too. At our feet flowed the stream, +its weed-encumbered waters looking black and +forbidding in the dim light of the lantern, as +with silent eddies it swirled between the steep +rush-lined banks.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Aubrey, that man is beyond your vengeance; +a Higher Power has claimed him," exclaimed +Greville, pointing with his weapon at a dark +object that, arrested by a dense growth of +weeds, floated in the centre of the stream. It +was the hat of the doomed man, but not a +bubble marked the spot where he had sunk.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the presence of Death, that great leveller +of rank and persons, we removed our hats and +stood in silence, our eyes riveted on the spot +under which the remains of my mortal enemy +lay hidden from our view.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then, extinguishing the lantern, we made our +way through the wood, regained the road, and +returned to the inn.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxi-our-search-for-the-treasure"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id22">CHAPTER XXI--Our Search for the Treasure</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The excitement of the previous night banished +sleep from our eyes, and rising betimes we +formed our plans for the day's work. Now that +Joyce had gone to his last account there was no +longer need for caution or concealment of our +plans, and to the utmost astonishment of the +crafty host of the Wentworth Inn, I was +presented to him as the rightful lord of Holwick.</p> +<p class="pnext">We thereupon breakfasted, and then made our +way to the castle grounds. Viewed by daylight +the whole scene was changed. The grey old +tower, blackened by powder and fire, was so +badly damaged as to be useless as a place of +abode, little tendrils of ivy already serving to +clothe the ruin with a kindly garb. The stream +that looked so black in the darkness now glittered +in the warm sunlight, as if unmindful of the +tragedy that had been enacted but a few hours before.</p> +<p class="pnext">A careful search amid the dense masses of +weed failed to give any clue to the mysterious +disappearance of the double-dyed villain, so we +concluded that his body must have escaped the +tenacious grip of the thick vegetable growth.</p> +<p class="pnext">On all sides rose little mounds of excavated +earth, showing how vigorously Joyce had +pursued his quest for the hidden treasure, each +mound being thirty-two paces from the wall.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, Aubrey, let's to work," exclaimed +Felgate, throwing off his cloak and vest and +rolling up his sleeves in a manner that showed +his enthusiasm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here, take the document and apply the +directions to the actual place," I remarked. +"This is the west side; yonder are two tall +fir trees. Now, measure off thirty-two paces."</p> +<p class="pnext">Felgate commenced to do so, Drake following +at his heels.</p> +<p class="pnext">"... Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty---- Ha!"</p> +<p class="pnext">For the thirtieth pace had brought him to the +edge of the stream, and the thirty-second would +be as near as anything right in the centre of the +river bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a moment we stood aghast. Surely there +must be some mistake! Then Drake, slapping +me soundly on the back, exclaimed in excited +tones: "Bethink thee, Aubrey, the old hag's +words: 'Till the waters run dry'!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"And what of that?" I replied, dull of comprehension.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Simply that the treasure lies in the bed of +the stream. We must divert its course and the +hiding place will be revealed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Let me try," exclaimed the impetuous +Felgate, and in spite of our protests he waded into +the water, which seemingly rose no higher than +his knees.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the third step he suddenly lurched forward, +threw out his arms in a frantic effort to regain +his balance, then disappeared beneath the surface.</p> +<p class="pnext">The next instant he reappeared; but though +he kept his head above the water, his legs were +held by the weeds, and a look of horror +overspread his face when he realized the danger of +his position.</p> +<p class="pnext">Had we not been there, his fate would have +been sealed; but, cautiously wading in, Drake +holding my left hand, I extended my right arm +towards him.</p> +<p class="pnext">I grasped him with a great effort, and we +dragged him out of the hole, his jack boot being +wrenched from his foot by the unrelenting grip +of the tendrils.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are right, Drake," he panted. "There's +a deep hole there, and the treasure lies in it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Come, then, at once," said Drake, "to the +village, and enrol every man who can use +mattock and spade. We'll have a channel cut here" +(indicating a semicircle of about forty yards in +diameter), "and dam the stream on each side of +this hole."</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no need to go as far as the village. +Already the strange tidings had spread, and a +motley throng of villagers were gathered around +the entrance to the estate, curious, yet loath to +come nearer.</p> +<p class="pnext">They raised a cheer at our approach, and +when we told them of our wants there was a +general stampede on the part of the men folk +for digging implements.</p> +<p class="pnext">While we awaited their return, a man having +the air of petty authority stepped up to us and, +addressing me, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are Sir Aubrey Wentworth, I am told."</p> +<p class="pnext">I assented, and at the same time asked the +fellow his business.</p> +<p class="pnext">"In me you see the lawful representative of +the sheriff of York. Before you delve, or take +possession of, any portion of this land, I must +have his authority. For aught I know, saving +your presence, ye may be adventurers of low +degree, outlaws, or the like."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And where is your authority?" I demanded, +wroth at being interfered with on my own land.</p> +<p class="pnext">For answer he pulled a parchment from his +pouch and held it up for my inspection.</p> +<p class="pnext">"And have you any proof, sir, that you are +lord of Holwick?" he continued.</p> +<p class="pnext">Save for a few papers relating to the finding +of the treasure I had none; even the title deeds, +though close at hand, were not to be produced +till the stream had been diverted; so I shook my +head. Surely it was a pretty pass--a knight +without a scrap of script to prove himself such!</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then, till you get authority from the sheriff +I cannot allow you to tarry here," said the bailiff +in a deferential yet decisive tone.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then there remains but for me to journey to +York," I replied. "How far lies the city?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"One hour's ride by Fulford will bring you +to Walmgate Bar. The sheriff, methinks, will +be found at Clifford's Tower."</p> +<p class="pnext">Ten minutes later Drake and I were spurring +hotly towards York, Felgate, by reason of having +but one jack boot and wet clothes, being +compelled to stay behind, and before long the +massive towers of the Minster showed above the +skyline.</p> +<p class="pnext">So strong was our pace that in less than the +hour our horses' hoofs clattered under the +archway of the Bar.</p> +<p class="pnext">On our being ushered into the presence of the +sheriff, that worthy, a man of fierce and resolute +aspect, curtly demanded our business.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sir Aubrey Wentworth, forsooth," he cried, +"and not a word in writing to prove your right! +Nay, good sirs, I cannot grant you your desires +on so weighty a matter with so light a claim. +A person of repute must identify you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I know no man in the whole of Yorkshire!" +I exclaimed, feeling the hopelessness of +my position.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then authority must be obtained from the +King's Court at St. James's. I can say no +more to you, Sir Aubrey, so I wish you good-day."</p> +<p class="pnext">His manner showed that the interview had +ended, and, sick at heart, I left his presence, +Drake offering me wasted yet well-meaning +consolation.</p> +<p class="pnext">We walked slowly towards Petergate, where +our steeds had been stabled. As we turned into +that street an officer came swiftly round the +corner, so that we ran violently against each +other. In a moment I recognized him; he was +none other than Ralph Slingsby, who brought +the tidings of the Restoration to us at the +"Flying Bull" at Rake on the same evening +that my father was murdered.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, Captain Slingsby!" I exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">He eyed me with astonishment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I know you not, young sir, and as for the +captain, that is but a bygone handle to my +name, for I am Colonel Ralph Slingsby at your +service."</p> +<p class="pnext">Briefly I recalled the scene in the "Flying Bull".</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then you are Sir Owen Wentworth's son?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">I assented, and told him briefly of what had +happened.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Back with me to the sheriff's house," he +said. "It would ill repay the friendship I owed +your father if I did not render this slight service +to his son. Young sir, I see now that you are +the very image of your father when first I knew him."</p> +<p class="pnext">With Slingsby to aid us, the interview with +the sheriff was of short duration, and, armed with +a warrant, I left his presence in a far better mood +than I was in an hour before.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shaking the colonel warmly by the hand, I +bade him farewell, promising to call upon him +directly my affairs were settled, and, mounting +our horses, Drake and I sped joyfully back +towards Holwick, which we reached within four +hours of our departure.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the rest of the day our army of workers +toiled at their arduous task, and before nightfall +a cutting was made sufficiently wide and deep +to divert the stream.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next morning the men commenced to construct +the two dams, and so well did they labour +that by noon the river was diverted, and only +a pool of water covered the mysterious hole +where we supposed the treasure was lying.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then came the difficulty of getting rid of the +water and emptying the cavity in the old bed +of the river. Pumps were procured, yet the +progress was slow, and as the sun sank to rest +the bed was dry, though a pool of dark water +showed clearly the position of the hiding place.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why did Sir Owen go to that extreme +trouble?" remarked Drake, as we were returning +to the inn. "Surely he could have deposited +the treasure and the papers with Master Whitehead?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot tell," I replied, "except, perhaps, +that his faith in lawyers was none too strong."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then he was like my sire," rejoined Felgate, +laughing. "For he used to say: 'Show me a +lawyer and I'll show you a thief!'"</p> +<p class="pnext">Early next morning the work of pumping was +resumed, and as the water sank slowly down +the mouth of the cavity, a dark object showed +amidst the lank weeds. One of the men pounced +upon it, cut the restraining tendrils, and held +the object up for our inspection. It was +Felgate's jack boot.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before noon the pumps sucked dry; the hole +was emptied of water. A ladder was thrust +down, and found a firm bottom at about fifteen +feet. Armed with lanterns, Felgate and I +prepared to descend, and, having fastened a rope +round our waists, we commenced carefully to +climb down the ladder.</p> +<p class="pnext">By the fitful glimmer of the candles we could +see that we were in a vaulted chamber, the roof +of which had caved in, forming the aperture +through which we had descended. Apparently +it had at one time been a subterranean passage +between the castle and the village, but walls had +been built, converting it into a small chamber +of about twenty feet in length and six in breadth.</p> +<p class="pnext">The floor was slimy with mud, and when our +eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness we +perceived an object lying close to our feet. +Felgate stooped and flashed the lantern on it. +It was the body of Increase Joyce, his features +drawn horribly in his death struggles!</p> +<p class="pnext">We shouted for another rope to be let down, +and, tying it round the limp, lifeless form, we +gave the signal, and the body of the unfortunate +ruffian was drawn up to the light of day.</p> +<p class="pnext">Another object met our gaze; it was the +skeleton of a man encased in armour that showed +him to have been a Roundhead. He must have +perished during the attack on the castle, for his +heavy broadsword was found by his side.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Send a man down with a spade," called +Felgate to those above, and presently a man +came down the ladder, followed by Drake. In +less than an hour the mud was heaped in one +corner of the vault, laying bare a hard, roughly +paved floor. Still there was no sign of the +much-sought-for prize.</p> +<p class="pnext">The damp, unhealthy atmosphere made our +heads swim, so for a time the work was +suspended and we gained the upper air, where a +crowd of morbid countrymen were dividing their +attention between the corpse of the unfortunate +Increase Joyce and the gaping hole from which +we had emerged.</p> +<p class="pnext">A rest of half an hour revived us, and we +returned to the attack with feverish anxiety.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Three feet down and we'll come across it +right enough," said Drake, and lustily two stout +countrymen plied their tools.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cobbles, set in cement, were like an iron +plate, but once these were removed the work of +digging a hole became easy. As the depth +increased our excitement rose, till at length one +of the mattocks struck something that emitted +a metallic sound. It was a heavy iron chest.</p> +<p class="pnext">When laid bare, the box was about three feet +in length, about two feet in breadth, and a foot +and a half in depth. Two handles, rusted with +age, were sufficiently strong to enable the chest +to be hoisted by means of a stout rope, and +with a shout of suppressed excitement from the +crowd the precious box was hauled up and +deposited on the grass.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 62%" id="figure-30"> +<span id="the-chest-is-hoisted-to-the-surface"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-232.jpg" /> +<div class="caption figure"> +THE CHEST IS HOISTED TO THE SURFACE</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">As we had no keys a cold chisel was required, +but, this not being forthcoming, a man was +dispatched to the village to procure one.</p> +<p class="pnext">While we were waiting, the bailiff, who was +now most civil and obliging, placed in my +hands an object that had been found in Joyce's +pocket. It was the long-lost metal box which +my father had mentioned in his will, but its +contents were simply two pieces of faded and +much-handled paper containing one-third of the +mysterious directions that had so puzzled the +murderer and would-be thief.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the messenger's return we used the cold +chisel to such good purpose that the massive lid +flew open with a clang and a groan, disclosing +a number of canvas sacks filled with coins of +all sorts. Underneath were a few pieces of +silver-plate, such as had not been melted down for the +use of His Late Majesty King Charles, the +martyr, while at the bottom of the chest was a +package carefully protected by a covering of +oiled silk.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tearing open the covering, I found all the +documentary evidence that was required to prove +my right to the Manor of Holwick--the cup of +joy was filled to overflowing, and, in spite of +my surroundings, I sought relief in a flood of tears.</p> +<div class="center transition"> +<p class="pfirst">――――</p> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Concerning the events that marked the close +of the strange history of my father's will there +is but little to write.</p> +<p class="pnext">The contents of the treasure chest were +sufficient for me to restore the Manor of Holwick to +its former greatness. The castle still stands, a +venerable ruin, but a small yet stately mansion, +designed by the great Wren himself, occupies +a commanding position within a mile of the +shattered remains of our ancestral hall.</p> +<p class="pnext">Still the years roll on. The Merrie Monarch +was succeeded by his brother James, whose +ill-advised acts alienated his subjects. William +and Mary then reigned, William being +succeeded by his wife's sister, good Queen Anne, +whom God preserve. All these monarchs I +have actively served; and when the call of duty +has not taken me to the high seas, or on service +in some foreign land, my leisure time has always +been spent in the quietness of Holwick.</p> +<p class="pnext">One by one the friends of my youth have +gone. None have I grieved for more than for +Felgate when I learned of his glorious death +in the moment of victory at the battle of La +Hogue. Greville Drake still remains my tried +and trusted companion, and our greatest +pleasure during our frequent meetings is to talk of +the many adventures of our youth in the days +of the Merrie Monarch.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> +<div class="backmatter"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39490 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |