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diff --git a/43766-8.txt b/43766-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9e2a3a0..0000000 --- a/43766-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8723 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of With Porter in the Essex, by James Otis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: With Porter in the Essex - A Story of his Famous Cruise in the Southern Waters during - the War of 1812 - -Author: James Otis - -Illustrator: William F. Stecher - -Release Date: September 19, 2013 [EBook #43766] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -BOOKS BY JAMES OTIS. - - - +WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE.+ A TALE OF 1812. 307 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - +WITH PREBLE AT TRIPOLI.+ A STORY OF "OLD IRONSIDES" AND THE - TRIPOLITAN WAR. 349 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - +WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX.+ A STORY OF HIS FAMOUS CRUISE IN SOUTHERN - WATERS DURING THE WAR OF 1812. 344 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - +THE CRUISE OF THE ENTERPRISE.+ BEING THE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE AND - DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH PRIVATEERING EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE UNITED - STATES IN 1779. 359 pp. Cloth. $1.50. - - -[Illustration: IT WAS ONLY NECESSARY THAT THE CREW SHOULD REACH OUT AND -PULL US ON BOARD.] - - - - -WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX - -_A Story of his Famous Cruise in Southern -Waters during the War of 1812_ - - -BY -JAMES OTIS - - -ILLUSTRATED BY -WILLIAM F. STECHER - -[Illustration: Logo] - -BOSTON AND CHICAGO -W. A. WILDE COMPANY - - -_Copyright, 1901_, -BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY. -_All rights reserved._ - - - - -WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -CHAPTER PAGE - I. INTRODUCING MYSELF 17 - - II. THE COAST OF CHILI 34 - - III. OLIVER BENSON'S SCHEME 57 - - IV. AMONG THE WHALERS 80 - - V. THE NEW FLEET 103 - - VI. A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS 126 - - VII. AN ISLAND PORT 149 - -VIII. NUKUHEVA 172 - - IX. AN OLD ENEMY 195 - - X. AMONG THE TYPEES 218 - - XI. A NAVAL STATION 241 - - XII. AT VALPARAISO 264 - -XIII. THE BRITISHERS 287 - - XIV. THE BATTLE 311 - - XV. ON PAROLE 334 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - PAGE -"It was only necessary that the crew should reach out and -pull us on board" _Frontispiece_ 28 - -"He forced the iron rods from their sockets in short order" 77 - -"Soon we were out of reach of the grape, and then we ran -across the ship's bow" 158 - -"The party came in, waving green palm-leaves" 244 - -"Nearer and nearer came the _Phoebe_" 295 - - - - -PROLOGUE. - - -The manuscript of this story was written by Ezra McKnight, a cousin of -that Stephen Decatur McKnight of Hartford, Connecticut, who was captured -after the action between the _Essex_ and the _Phoebe_ and _Cherub_, and -with a companion named James Lyman went to Rio de Janeiro as exchanged -prisoners of war. From that port, according to Lossing, these two -shipped for England in a Swedish vessel, and, although the ship arrived -in safety, her captain never gave any account of his prisoners, nor was -it known what had become of them. That they were murdered would be the -natural inference, since in event of their being treacherously sent to -England some record must have been found regarding them. - -He who wrote the story of the cruise of the _Essex_ which follows here, -searched long but vainly for some clew to the fate of his brave cousin; -in fact, after leaving the United States Navy it was his lifework to -discover the fate of that brave lieutenant who was the only officer -uninjured on board the _Essex_ after that unequal conquest was cowardly -forced upon her by Captain Hillyar of the _Phoebe_, whose vessel and -life had once been spared by Captain Porter. - -Failing to gain any information concerning the lieutenant, Ezra McKnight -set himself down to write the story of that marvellous cruise of the -_Essex_, the United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by -Captain David Porter who was born in Boston on the first of February, -1780. How this manuscript came into the hands of the editor it is not -necessary to state. Suffice it to say that no change has been made in -the original arrangement of the tale, nor in any of the details; it is -here presented virtually as Ezra McKnight wrote it, with only so much of -editing as seemed necessary in order to bring it within the requirements -of a story of the present day. - -To those who may read that which follows for the purpose of learning -somewhat of their country's history, it is well to state a few facts -which would not naturally appear in what was originally intended for an -account of the adventurous voyage. - -The commander of the _Essex_ gained his first experience in the navy on -board the frigate _Constellation_, which vessel he entered as midshipman -in 1798. Concerning him Lossing says that "he was in the action between -the _Constellation_ and the _L'Insurgente_ in February, 1799, when his -gallantry was so conspicuous that he was immediately promoted to -lieutenant. He accompanied the first United States squadron that ever -sailed to the Mediterranean in 1803, and was on board the _Philadelphia_ -when she struck on the rock in the harbor of Tripoli. There he suffered -imprisonment. In 1806 he was appointed to the command of the -_Enterprise_, and cruised in the Mediterranean for six years. On his -return to the United States he was placed in command of the flotilla -station near New Orleans, where he remained until war was declared in -1812, when he was promoted to captain and assigned to the command of the -frigate _Essex_, taking with him, on this last cruise, his adopted son, -David G. Farragut, who, during the War of the Rebellion, was made an -admiral." - -Now, in order that the memory of the reader may be refreshed as to the -strength of the United States Navy while this cruise was being made, the -following extract is taken from Lossing's "War of 1812." - -"As we take a survey from a standpoint at mid-autumn, 1813, we observe -with astonishment only three American frigates at sea, namely, the -_President_, 44; the _Congress_, 38; and the _Essex_, 32. The -_Constitution_, 44, was undergoing repairs; the _Constellation_, 38, -was blockaded at Norfolk; and the _United States_, 44, and _Macedonian_, -38, were prisoners in the Thames above New London. The _Adams_, 28, was -undergoing repairs and alterations, while the _John Adams_, 28, _New -York_, 36, and _Boston_, 28, were virtually condemned. All the brigs, -excepting the _Enterprise_, had been captured, and she was not to be -trusted at sea much longer. The _Essex_, Commodore Porter, was the only -government vessel of size which was then sustaining the reputation of -the American Navy, and she was in far distant seas, with a track equal -to more than a third of the circumference of the globe between her and -the home port from which she sailed. She was then making one of the most -remarkable cruises on record." - -In October, 1812, Captain William Bainbridge was appointed the successor -of Captain Hull in the command of the _Constitution_; and, according to -Lossing, "a small squadron, consisting of the _Constitution_, 44, -_Essex_, 32, and _Hornet_, 18, were placed in his charge. When -Bainbridge entered upon his duty in the new sphere of flag officer, the -_Constitution_ and _Hornet_ were lying in Boston harbor, and the -_Essex_, Captain Porter, was in the Delaware. Orders were sent to the -latter to cruise in the track of the English West Indiamen, and at the -specified time to rendezvous at certain ports, when, if he should not -fall in with the flagship of the squadron, he would be at liberty to -follow the dictates of his own judgment. Such contingency occurred, and -the _Essex_ sailed on a very long and most eventful cruise in the South -Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." - -The _Essex_ left the Delaware October, 1812, in pursuance with the -command received by Captain Porter; and he must have already outlined in -his own mind what course to pursue in case he failed to meet the little -squadron, for Lossing says, "Captain Porter took with him a larger -number of officers and crew than was common for a vessel of that size. -Her muster roll contained three hundred and nineteen names; and her -supplies were so ample that she sank deep in the water, which greatly -impeded her sailing qualities." - -On Porter's monument, which stands in Woodlawn Cemetery, Pennsylvania, -are the following inscriptions: - -"Commodore David Porter, one of the most heroic sons of Pennsylvania, -having long represented his country with fidelity as minister resident -at Constantinople, died at that city in the patriotic discharge of his -duties March 3, 1843." - -"In the War of 1812 his merits were exhibited not merely as an intrepid -commander, but in exploring new fields of success and glory. A career -of brilliant good fortune was crowned by an engagement against superior -force and fearful advantages, which history records as an event among -the most remarkable in naval warfare." - -"His early youth was conspicuous for skill and gallantry in the naval -services of the United States when the American arms were exercised with -romantic chivalry before the battlements of Tripoli. He was on all -occasions among the bravest of the brave; zealous in the performance of -every duty; ardent and resolute in the trying hour of calamity; composed -and steady in the blaze of victory." - -JAMES OTIS. - - - - -WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -INTRODUCING MYSELF. - - -An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to -enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of -thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter. My desire ever had -been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had -already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I -was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year -to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of -action than that of serving my country upon the ocean. - -War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a -lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I -intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have -gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than -a boy. - -Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I? True, there were -times when my heart grew cowardly; but as I figured it to myself at such -moments, I was too timorous even to run, and therefore might gain the -credit of being a hero, when in reality, had I been a trifle more brave, -I might have shown the white feather. - -Perhaps it is not well for me to set down all that was in my mind when I -went on board the _Essex_, for it can be of no especial interest to -those who may chance to read what is written here. It is enough if I say -that two days before the _Essex_ left the Delaware River, or in other -words, on the 28th of October in the year 1812, I was rated on her -papers as "boy," and had already begun to make the acquaintance of one -Philip Robbins, a lad of about my own age, who held the same rank. If -there had been any lower station aboard the frigate, of a truth we two -would have been found occupying it, for he knew no more concerning a -seaman's duty than did I. - -A certain portion of the cruise, which proved to be one of the most -adventurous ever made by a vessel of war, must be omitted here for the -very good reason that I have little or no knowledge concerning it. -During three days after we left the capes of the Delaware it was to -Philip Robbins and myself as if we lingered in the very shadow of death, -and while so lingering received no word of cheer from those around us -because of the fact that we were enduring only that which every lad must -endure who sets out to learn the trade of a sailor. Sick? It was to me -as if that man who should put an end to my life would have been -rendering me a service, for I doubted not but that death must eventually -come, and only when it did would I be free from the pangs of that -overpowering illness which beset me. - -Both Philip and I had vaunted ourselves before the lads of Philadelphia -because we could lay claim to being members of the crew of the _Essex_; -but from the moment the good ship courtesied to the swell of the -Atlantic until we were recovered and could laugh at the past, either of -us would willingly have given up all which we prized most dearly in the -world for the sake of being set back on shore in the humblest station -that might be imagined. - -It is enough if I say that we gained the experience which comes to all -who venture upon the sea, whether for pleasure or for profit, and once -having gained it, were in proper condition ever after to laugh at those -who might be learning the same severe and disagreeable lesson. - -There was never a man on board the ship who did not know that she was -bound for the purpose firstly, of capturing any English vessels that we -might be able to cope with, and secondly, to come across the -_Constitution_ and the _Hornet_, with which ships we would afterward -cruise in company. - -Among our crew, and there were, counting officers as well as men, three -hundred and nineteen all told, were a dozen or more who had fought under -Preble at Tripoli; and while we were headed for Port Praya we heard so -many yarns concerning the doings of our fleet with the Barbary pirates -as would more than suffice to fill a dozen such books as I count this -will make. Therefore it is not well that I attempt to set down any of -them, entertaining though the least exciting would prove. - -When Philip and I signed our names to the ship's papers, both believed -that we should be called upon to take part in sea battles from the time -we gained the offing until we were once more in port; but yet there was -nothing of bloodshed, save such as could be found in the yarns spun by -the men, from the time of sailing until the 27th of November, when we -sighted the mountains of St. Jago and entered the harbor of Port Praya, -hoping there to gain some news of Commodore Bainbridge. - -Nothing was learned, however, as we on the gun-deck soon came to know; -for it must be understood that the crew soon have repeated to them every -word which is spoken aft. Some old shellback hears a bit now and then, -and by piecing the fragments together generally hits upon the truth; -while the marines on guard are ever ready to carry forward such scraps -of conversation as they have overheard when on duty. It is thus, as I -have said, that the ordinary seaman, who is supposed to be in ignorance -of everything save the happenings of the moment, is generally possessed -within a few hours of all the information gained by his superior -officers. - -All we got from the Portuguese governor of Port Praya was a bountiful -supply of pigs, sheep, poultry, and fruit, and it can well be supposed -that our officers were not exerting themselves to let him understand -exactly why we had to enter the port. When we set sail again, it was on -a seaward course, as if we were bound for an African port; but as soon -as we were beyond sight of land the ship was hauled around to the -southwest, and on the 11th of December we crossed the equator in -longitude 30° west. - -Philip and I were in no very comfortable frame of mind as we neared the -equator, knowing full well that lads, and for that matter seamen, who -have never crossed the imaginary line, are subjected to rough if not -absolutely brutal treatment at the hands of every messmate; and we -expected, because of certain remarks that had been made, to receive an -unusually severe dose. - -But fortune favored Captain Porter as well as our humble selves; for -just at noon, when the men were making ready to introduce us to King -Neptune, a Britisher hove in sight, and there was no longer thought of -playing pranks. The enemy had been sighted at last, and even the eldest -among us were quivering with excitement, for it was believed that our -success or failure in this first enterprise which presented itself would -indicate the results of the voyage. - -I was burning with a desire to question my cousin McKnight as to what -might possibly be the result of losing this craft; but you must -understand that a boy on board a frigate is not supposed to speak to his -superior officer without permission. Even had the lieutenant been my -father, I should have been forced by the rules of the ship to keep at -quite as respectful a distance from him as from Captain Porter himself. - -Up to this time neither Philip nor I had succeeded in cultivating the -acquaintance of the older members of the crew; therefore we stood alone, -so to speak, ignorant of what might be the possibilities, but not daring -to ask a single question lest we bring the ridicule of the seamen upon -us. - -If the success of this first venture since we left port had been a true -token of the entire voyage, then were Philip Robbins and myself to reap -the greatest possible benefit from it; for when the _Essex_ was finally -come up with the Britisher on the following day, we lads not only aided -in the capture of the rich prize, but made ourselves such a friend among -the crew as we most needed. - -A lad on board a man-of-war sees hard lines if there be not one among -the older seamen who stands in a certain degree sponsor for him; -otherwise the younger members of the crew will put upon him until his is -indeed a slavish life. Now up to this day we boys could call no man our -friend, and in this I am not counting my cousin, the lieutenant, for his -kindness toward us would count for but little while we were among our -shipmates. - -However, I am saying overly much of myself, and perchance may be -accused of giving undue importance to those members of the ship's -company who were looked upon as of no especial consequence. - -As I have said, we crossed the equator and sighted a strange sail on the -same day. As a matter of course chase was made at once, and before the -sun went down we knew beyond a peradventure that at last we had before -us one of the enemy's vessels. - -There was nothing particularly interesting in the chase as it presented -itself to me. During the greater portion of the time Philip and I were -kept at work below by one task-master or another, and all we knew -regarding our chances of overhauling the stranger was what could be -gathered from those who came near where we were. When night fell, and we -lads were at liberty to go on deck, there was absolutely nothing to be -seen. - -In the morning, however, when the first shot was fired, just before -daybreak, Philip and I tumbled out of our hammocks, wild with -excitement, and at the same time inwardly quaking lest peradventure we -were upon the eve of a naval engagement. - -I question if any orders, however strict, could have kept us below. We -forgot for the moment that one is not allowed to roam over a naval -vessel at will, but clambered on deck as if free to follow our every -inclination; and well for us, perhaps, was it that both officers and -crew were considerably excited at the prospect of finally taking a -prize, otherwise we might have been treated to a dose of the rope's end -because of having unwittingly ventured so far aft. - -The stranger was the British government packet, _Nocton_, carrying ten -guns, and had been hove to when our shot went across her bow. There was -no attempt made at resistance, and she fell into our hands as a ripe -apple falls from the tree, with no particular effort on our part. - -Later, and while the prize crew was being told off to take possession of -her, we learned that she carried thirty-one men, was bound for Falmouth, -and had on board fifty-five thousand dollars in gold and silver coin. - -Lieutenant Finch was made prize-master, and a crew of seventeen told off -to man the packet; for Captain Porter counted on sending her to the -United States, she being a craft that would make a reasonably good -addition to our small navy. - -These men were transferred from our ship to the prize without delay, and -then was begun the work of bringing back the specie,--a task, it is -needless to say, in which Philip and I had no share. - -The scene was such, however, as to attract the attention of any one, -however much experience he might have had in such matters, and we lads -watched with breathless eagerness all the manoeuvres, as the two vessels -rolled lazily upon the long swell, while the small boats plied to and -fro like ants. We gazed curiously at the iron-bound boxes which were -said to be filled with gold or silver, and in our ignorance it seemed as -if already was the cruise a success, since we had taken from the enemy -such a vast amount of money. - -Among the crews of our boats was a seaman by the name of Hiram Hackett, -with whom Philip and I had vainly tried to scrape an acquaintance. A -weather-beaten old shellback was he, who had, against his will, served -the king, having been made prisoner by one of the press-gangs, and who -escaped only a few months before enlisting on board the _Essex_. - -His shipmates looked up to him as to a man of great experience, and well -they might, for I question if Hiram Hackett had not seen more of the ups -and downs of a sailor's life than any among us. He was the only member -of the crew who had not made sport of, or imposed upon, us two in some -way; but yet never a kindly word had he given us. - -Master Hackett was pulling the bow oar of No. 2 boat when she came -alongside with a load of stores, for Captain Porter was taking from the -prize such provisions as would not be needed during the homeward voyage. - -The goods were being hoisted out while the boats lay a few yards off our -lee rail; and as this work was being done a cheese incased in a wooden -box slipped from the sling, and, falling, struck Master Hackett a -glancing blow on the head and shoulder, knocking him senseless into the -sea. - -The only thought in my mind at the instant, and Philip and I were -perched on the brig's rail directly opposite the boat, was that the -seaman, having been rendered unconscious by the blow, would be quickly -drowned; and without stopping to think of possible danger, I leaped -overboard. - -Philip was moved by the same impulse at the same instant, and we struck -the water side by side. - -Looking back upon that attempt at rescue, after so many years of -experience, I believe of a verity that not once in twenty times would -two lads succeed in the effort; for the chances were that we should -come up directly beneath the frigate, or, as we rose to the surface, be -dashed against the hull with force sufficient to kill us. - -As it was, however, we went down side by side until we came in contact -with the man we would save, and him we brought to the surface to -windward of the boat, yet so near her that it was only necessary the -crew should reach out and pull us on board. - -We had done nothing which merited praise,--in fact, should have been -blamed for interfering when we might have hampered the movements of -those who knew better what ought to be done; and yet Captain Porter was -pleased to compliment us when we clambered on board looking like a -couple of half-drowned rats, and the sailors clasped us by the hands as -if to say that in their opinion we had proved ourselves worthy to be -called shipmates. - -It was natural that I should be somewhat puffed up by the attention -which was paid us; but I little dreamed what an important bearing it -would have upon our lives. - -The old sailor, still unconscious, was taken below; Philip and I -overhung the rail once more, watching the men as they transferred the -provisions and specie, for the work had not been interrupted many -moments by the mishap, and all was as before, save for that sense of -satisfaction and pride within my heart when Master Hackett, looking none -the worse for the blow and the ducking, came up behind us. - -We were not aware of his presence until he laid his hands on our -shoulders, and said in a deep, grave voice, much as if speaking to -himself:-- - -"I don't know whether it was a service or contrariwise that you lads did -me, for I'm told that but for your tumblin' over the rail I was like to -have lost the number of my mess, bein' knocked out by the blow in such -fashion that I went down like a stone, with but little chance of -risin'." - -I looked around at the old sailor, hardly understanding what he said; -and he, gazing to windward as if there he saw something which we could -not, continued:-- - -"An old shellback like me is of but little account; and if he hangs on -to life, mayhap it's only to pay off some grudge which them as claim to -know say shouldn't be harbored." - -I knew from this that he referred to the grudge he owed the Britishers -for having pressed him into the king's service, and wondered why he -should speak in such a solemn tone when it stood to reason he ought to -be rejoicing because of having escaped death. - -It was a full minute before the old man went on, and then he spoke more -nearly natural, as it seemed to me:-- - -"We'll set it down that you two lads have done a big service--that you -saved my life--an' it isn't much for me to say that I'm obliged to you, -'cause mere words are cheap. Boys aboard a ship stand in need of a -friendly hand, an' that's what I'm allowin' to hold out toward you until -such time as I've squared off the account begun this day. Whatsoever a -sailorman can do for a mate, I'm bound to do for you; an' all hands are -to understand that what's sauce for you is certain to be sauce for me, -or they'll know the reason why." - -Having said this, Master Hackett went aft to where Lieutenant McKnight -was standing, tugged at a wisp of hair which hung over his forehead, and -at the same time scraped one foot behind him, which answered for a -sailor's bow, saying as he did so:-- - -"I'm ready for duty, sir." - -"Your place in the boat has been taken, therefore you are at liberty -until we get under way," my cousin said with a smile, whereupon the old -man went below, never so much as looking at Philip or me. - -It seemed as if his manner was decidedly curt. After having voluntarily -acknowledged that we saved his life, it appeared as if he might have -said something more, or at least stood near us a few moments to let it -be seen that he had indeed taken us under his wing, and I said -laughingly to Philip:-- - -"Master Hackett is proving to us that words are indeed cheap. He has -thanked us, and that seems to be all that is necessary." - -"And so it is," Philip replied, for he was a better-natured lad than I -by far, and ever ready to make excuses where I found fault. "It was -really nothing of consequence for us to go overboard where there are so -many to lend a helping hand, and when we came on deck again I was -trembling with fear lest one of the officers give us a tongue lashing -for putting ourselves forward at such a time." - -"If we hadn't done so, Master Hackett would likely have gone to the -bottom, for I saw no one making ready to go after him." - -"You didn't give them time, Ezra McKnight," Philip replied laughingly. -"The old man had no more than struck the water before we were on the -rail; and yet I am not to be praised for it, because, to tell the truth, -I didn't realize what I was about." - -That same was true in my case; but there was no reason just then why I -should speak overly much regarding it when I was hungering for yet more -praise, and I put an end to the conversation by turning my attention -once more to the work going on before us. - -The task of transferring the provisions and specie to our ship was not a -long one, and perhaps no more than three hours elapsed from the time the -_Nocton_ hove to until the _Essex_ was on her course once more, while -the prize, with her prisoners below decks, was stretching off for the -home port. - -Before the sun set on this night, Philip and I had good proof that -Master Hackett's gratitude was more than the mere thanks we had -received. Every member of the crew treated us in a different -fashion--more as if we were in fact shipmates, although I saw no -particular change in the old man's behavior. - -It is difficult for me to explain the difference in our positions, and -yet it was very decided. We were called upon to do quite as much work, -to wait upon this one or that one as before, and yet the orders were -given in a more friendly tone. There were not so many kicks bestowed -upon us, nor did a single man lay a rope's end upon our backs; whereas -from the time of leaving port until we leaped overboard for Master -Hackett I question if there was a waking hour when we did not receive a -blow from some one. - -The old man who had declared he would stand our friend no longer wore an -air which seemed to forbid our coming nearer him, and yet I cannot say -that he spoke any very kindly words; but we understood that, if ever we -needed a helping hand, his would be stretched forth. - -That night when we were ready to get into our hammocks, Philip said to -me with a certain tone of triumph:-- - -"This has been a lucky day for the _Essex_. She has captured a prize -that will bring all hands money with which to tassel our handkerchiefs, -if it be so the _Nocton_ reaches a home port, and Captain Porter has the -credit of gathering in fifty-five thousand dollars from the enemy; but I -question if any aboard have been so fortunate since sunrise as you and -me, for we have suddenly become shipmates with the one man among all the -crew who is able to put us on a better footing with those who have -lorded it over us." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE COAST OF CHILI. - - -In order to hold a true course to my story, if perchance it should prove -to be a story, it is necessary I set down here very much of what is -little more than pricking out on a chart the movements of the _Essex_, -for many a long, weary day passed before we had opportunity to work harm -to shipping belonging to subjects of the English king, whom we were -teaching a lesson in good manners. - -On the second day after the capture of the _Nocton_ we hove into sight -the island of Fernando de Noronha; and as our commander had been told at -this place we might gain information of Commodore Bainbridge's squadron, -we came to anchor, but not before the ship had been disguised as a -merchantman. - -Then, flying English colors, we let go our ground tackle off the port, -and Lieutenant Downes went ashore to ask permission of the governor for -us to take on water and such stores as might readily be procured. - -The lieutenant came back with a quantity of fruit for the cabin, and -information that two alleged British vessels of war had called at the -island a week previous, and left there a letter for Sir James Yeo of his -Majesty's ship _Southampton_. - -It seems, as we of the crew learned later, that these were the names -agreed upon between Commodore Bainbridge and our commander, to be used -in an unfriendly port. Captain Porter believed that a lie was not a lie -when told for the benefit of one's country, therefore he sent the -lieutenant back with a present of cheese and ale, and the assurance that -a gentleman on board our vessel, a friend of Sir James Yeo's, counted on -sailing for England from Brazil, and would take the letter with him. - -The governor could do no less than deliver up the missive; and on being -brought aboard it was found to be only such a letter as one English -commander might send to another, with nothing in it to show that the -writer was an American. - -Captain Porter had no idea that the commodore would be such a simple as -to trust his secret with a Britisher, and therefore set about trying to -solve the mystery which he felt confident was contained in the letter. - -Finally, by holding the sheet for some time over a lighted candle, it -was found that a second message had been written in what is known as -sympathetic ink, and this the heat brought out plainly, showing, as was -afterward told us on the gun-deck, the following lines:-- - -"I am bound for St. Salvador, thence off Cape Frio, where I intend to -cruise until the 1st of January. Go off Cape Frio, to the northward of -Rio Janeiro, and keep a lookout for me." - -It surely seemed now as if the course was marked out for us clearly, and -that we would soon be in the company of friends; but it was not to come -about, else I might not be trying to set down the particulars of that -which proved to be a most extraordinary voyage. - -Day after day we cruised up and down the Brazilian coast between Cape -Frio and St. Catherine, but meeting neither American nor English -vessels. The Portuguese craft which we spoke from time to time could -give us no information; and from Captain Porter down to Phil Robbins and -myself, all hands were most decidedly puzzled to know what would be the -outcome of the voyage, when it seemed, despite the luck which attended -us in the beginning, that we had cut ourselves off so completely from -both friend and foe that it might not be possible to get back. - -The old shellbacks told us youngsters that the Brazilian government, -being at peace with England, would not allow us to provision the ship at -any of their ports, and it was unnecessary we be told that the supplies -were growing lower every day. With three hundred men to be fed, even a -full cargo of stores soon grows slim. - -Finally one of the marines who had been on guard in the cabin, told us -that he heard Captain Porter say to some of his officers that it had now -come to a choice between capture, a blockade, or starvation. - -As a matter of course all the sea lawyers on the gun-deck argued the -matter in and out of season, laying down the law in great shape, -according to their own ideas; but, so far as Phil or I could see, not -suggesting anything which offered the slightest hope of relief. - -I might fill many pages with an account of what we two lads thought and -said during this time when it appeared as if the _Essex_ had got the -worst of the voyage, although having captured the only enemy she came -across; but it would be of little interest to a stranger if I should -make the attempt. It is enough to say that every man of the crew, and -the boys, too, for the matter of that, believed we would have a taste of -an English prison before many days had passed, when, suddenly, came most -startling news from one of the marines who had been on duty aft. - -The man declared, and we afterward came to know he spoke no more than -the truth, that he had overheard a consultation between Captain Porter -and his officers, when it was decided that, having failed to find -Commodore Bainbridge, we were to double Cape Horn and strike a blow at -the British whaling fleet in the Pacific. - -Captain Porter argued, so the tale-bearing marine told us, that among -the whalers he stood a good chance of replenishing his naval stores, for -the vessels in that trade were always well armed, and it would be -possible to provision the ship as often as might be necessary, once we -were among the South Sea Islands. He had decided to live on the enemy, -and it only remained to be seen whether that might indeed be possible. - -Of all who heard the story as told by the marine, none believed it save -Master Hackett; and he said, in answer to my question as to whether he -thought we might be able to come out of the scrape with whole skins:-- - -"Ay, that I do, lad; an' it's in my mind that the _Essex_ can do -British shippin' more harm in the Pacific than would be possible -elsewhere. For a time we'll have everything our own way, an' then the -king will have a pretty good idee of what the Yankees can do." - -"But how will it be possible to get home, Master Hackett?" I asked, -thinking more of my own safety than of brave deeds to be accomplished. - -"That's somethin' that don't concern us,--leastways, not until the -_Essex_ has come to the end of her cruise. We've shipped to do all the -harm we can to Englishmen, for that's the meanin' of war, lad. After -we've done our duty will be time enough to think about ourselves, though -I'm allowin' that if we ever see the United States again it'll be after -we've had a reasonably long taste of British prisons." - -Such talk as that was not calculated to make me very comfortable in -mind. As a matter of course I wanted to strike a blow at the king, since -we'd shipped for that purpose; but I wasn't well pleased at doing so -when it was a foregone conclusion that the task would be concluded only -when we were prisoners. We had captured a rich prize already, and I for -one would have felt better if it had been decided that we were to take -the chances of starvation while working back to the home port. This -cutting loose, as it were, did not strike me in a pleasant fashion. - -Before many hours had passed, however, the doubters understood that the -marine had told no more than the truth. - -We were off the harbor of St. Catherine when Captain Porter decided to -take chances which would have deterred many another, and next morning, -that is to say, on the 26th day of January, 1813, the _Essex_ was headed -down the coast for Cape Horn. - -It seemed strange to me at the time, and even at this late day I am -moved to wonderment that such should have been the case--it seemed -strange, I say, that almost without exception the members of our crew -hailed with delight the captain's determination to push forward rather -than turn back. Surely it was a hazardous venture to leave friendly -ports behind, and sail away toward that portion of the world where the -power of the British was exceeding strong. - -Those among the crew who argued in favor of thus trying our fortunes in -the Pacific Ocean were forced to admit that we would be treated with but -scant courtesy by the small nations, who dared not brave the anger of -the English by showing friendship for us. Ours was but a single vessel -of thirty-two guns, and should we come upon two or three whalers at the -same time, it was reasonable to believe that we might find ourselves -opposed by a weight of metal exceeding our own. - -We could not depend upon the government of the United States for so much -as a spare belaying-pin, and all we might get, whether in the way of -stores or ammunition, must come from the enemy. I do not believe any -vessel of war was ever sent into such danger of every form, and it is -hardly to be wondered at that Phil Robbins and I were filled with -apprehension as to the result of the cruise, more particularly since we -heard the evils described in most glowing colors during nearly every -hour of the day, even by those who were in favor of the enterprise. - -"We didn't ship with the agreement that we'd do our best to run into -every possible danger when it might be better to shape a course for -home," Phil said, in what was very like a mutinous tone. "When it comes -to fighting Britishers, then we're bound to risk our lives in the hope -of killing them; but sailing around the world with fair chance of -starving to death before we can run across a craft of any kind, is a -good bit outside of duty." - -Phil was not the only member of the crew who spoke in much the same -tone, and yet I defy any person to say with truth that we were in the -slightest degree mutinous as we faced such a venture as was never known -before. - -Master Hackett seemed well content on the day when the bow of the -_Essex_ was turned toward the south pole, and I was resolved he should -have no opportunity of believing that Phil and I were afraid of what -might lie in our path. - -As a matter of course, we two lads discussed the weighty affair in all -its aspects, enabled to do so with some degree of fairness because of -the opinions which we heard on every side; but we took good care to do -so where no one might overhear us. - -It was only during the first day of this venturesome cruise, however, -that we indulged in what was neither more nor less than mutinous -criticism of our officers' plans; for within twenty-four hours after -leaving the harbor of St. Catherine the wind increased to a full gale, -which for more than eighteen days showed no signs of abatement. - -Never before had I believed it possible that a ship could be so tossed -and buffeted by the waves without being literally torn to pieces! It was -as if our craft had been no larger than a long-boat, and I dare venture -to say that many times she actually stood on end. - -Phil and I were both sick and frightened, and in about the same degree, -which was fortunate for us; for had we been one whit less ill, we might -have lost our wits entirely. Whenever the deathly nausea permitted of -thought I was firmly convinced we would all go to the bottom before -making Cape Horn, and by the time this idea had become firmly fixed in -my mind the sickness of the sea overwhelmed me again, bringing in its -train partial unconsciousness of my surroundings. - -Nor were we lads alarmed without good cause; it was possible to -understand by the behavior of the crew, at such times as we were able to -understand anything, that every man jack believed the _Essex_ would be -finally overcome in her struggle with the elements; and once, when the -turmoil was at its height, Master Hackett came to where I lay in my -hammock for no other apparent purpose than to clasp my hand. - -It was much as though he was bidding me good-by, and I wept bitter tears -of sorrow because I was not to see my dear mother again in this world. - -I could write very much concerning the dreary, painful hours we spent -while it seemed as if death stood very near to each of us; but it is not -well to allow such personal matters to interfere with the tale of what -was accomplished before the good ship _Essex_ was destroyed through a -British trick and British cowardice. - -On the 14th day of February Master Hackett brought word to Phil and me -that we were at last off Cape Horn; and to give a faint idea of the -situation I will set down the fact that, old seaman though he was, it -had become absolutely necessary for him to crawl along the gun-deck like -a crab, otherwise he would have been flung fore and aft by the wild -movements of the ship. - -During that night I fancied we were in smoother water, and within -twenty-four hours it was possible for Phil and me to leave our hammocks -with some degree of safety. - -Almost immediately after rounding the cape the wind shifted to the -southwest, blowing with no more force than was needed to keep our canvas -full; and from that hour we began to live once more. - -We skirted the coasts of Patagonia and Lower Chili for nineteen days, -and at the end of that time the glittering peaks of the Andes were seen -far, far in the distance, and those who had been most despondent -concerning the outcome to the cruise, now began to believe that it would -be possible for us to give a good account of ourselves to the people at -home before death overtook us. - -We now talked of taking rich prizes, even as we previously had discussed -the probability of immediate disaster, and speculated as to how we might -weather the cape once more when, the work having been accomplished, we -would be homeward bound. - -It was the 5th day of March when we were off the island of Mocha, on the -coast of Araucania, with the prospect of a day to be spent on shore -after so many dangers had been encountered and passed. - -To us two lads, who were sick with the odor of the salt breeze, the -scene was entrancing. The mountain on the island towered a full thousand -feet from the sea line, and around it could be seen countless numbers of -birds, while in the surf near the shore hundreds upon hundreds of seals -played like so many dogs. - -For the first time since leaving St. Catherine our ground tackle was let -go, and word came from the cabin that on the morrow we were to be given -a full day's hunting. This last was become a real necessity, rather -than a pleasure, for our stores were sadly in need of being replenished; -but we thought not of this last fact, preferring to believe that -permission to go ashore had been given solely that we might enjoy -ourselves. - -And what a day it proved to be! The island had been inhabited by -Spaniards before the buccaneers reigned in that region, and the forest -was literally teeming with hogs and horses so tame that but little skill -was necessary to shoot them down. - -From sunrise to sunset we hunted, and before noon had proved to our -entire satisfaction that horseflesh was more palatable than pork, -therefore we killed no more hogs than persisted in coming within easy -range. By nightfall we had fresh meat enough to furnish us with food for -many a long day, provided it was salted down before becoming tainted. - -The next day was spent in caring for what we had captured, and in -filling the ship's water-casks, after which we were in fairly good -condition to continue the voyage. The eight-and-forty hours spent on -shore had been sufficient to raise the courage of the most timorous, -among whom could be counted Phil and myself; and all hands were in the -best of spirits as the _Essex_ filled away on her course once more, -despite the fact that there was no possibility of receiving aid from -the friends at home. - -As we ran up the coast Captain Porter made preparations for the work -which all hoped we should find in plenty. The running rigging of the -_Essex_ was carefully overhauled; the ship was repainted and otherwise -put in as good condition as was possible without going into dock. The -boats we carried--seven in all--were strengthened in every manner, and -crews told off for each, so that at a moment's notice we might send out -a flotilla of small craft against an enemy. - -Lieutenant Downes was given command of this little squadron; and from -the way in which he looked after the armament, we knew without being -told that he was ready for any kind of fighting which might come his -way. - -It was in a certain sense a relief to Phil and myself when the boats -were made ready for independent action; as a matter of course, our -strength was not increased one whit by such means, yet it seemed to us -lads that we were in much better trim to meet an enemy than before such -preparations had been made. - -Greatly to our disappointment we were not told off as members of the -boats' crews; and I plucked up sufficient courage to ask Master Hackett -concerning what seemed to us an oversight, hoping he might aid us in -receiving treatment such as we believed to be our due. - -"Frettin' because you haven't been given an independent command, eh?" he -said with a laugh, when I had made what was little less than a -complaint. - -"We are not such fools as to think we can do anything very brave or -wonderful; but at the same time it seems much as if we might perform our -fair share of work," I replied, considerably nettled because he appeared -to treat us as if we were children. - -"I'm allowin', lad, that you'll be called on for all the tasks you can -do conveniently. It stands to reason that the pick of the crew should be -detailed for the boats, seein's how them as put off from the ship under -Lieutenant Downes's command will be forced to jump lively, both as to -fightin' an' work. Now, it looks to me as if you two would have chances -enough, once that fleet of small craft have left us; for the _Essex_ -will be short-handed, an' you lads'll be asked to do the duty of men." - -With this we were content, knowing that Master Hackett would not buoy us -up with false hopes; and it began to seem as if we might, within a -reasonably short time, show that we were made of such material as -warranted our being reckoned among the _men_ on board the _Essex_. - -From the day of leaving the island of Mocha a watch was kept for the -enemy, and each morning we two lads tumbled out of our hammocks firm in -the belief that by nightfall we should be in chase of another prize. -Then, as the sun set before we had sighted the British flag, we felt -quite as positive we should see it when the morning came again. - -Thus the time passed in anticipation unfulfilled until the 14th day of -March, when, on rounding the Point of Angels, the city of Valparaiso lay -full before us like something which had suddenly been thrown up by the -sea. - -Until this moment we had had a stiff breeze, such as sent the _Essex_ -along at a full ten knots an hour; but on rounding the point the wind -died out suddenly, leaving us becalmed under the guns of a battery, -which was hardly to our liking, for we believed Chili was still under -the rule of Spain. - -Captain Porter, not minded to take any more chances than was absolutely -necessary, had hoisted English colors; and as we came into view it gave -me a most disagreeable feeling in the region of the heart to see an -armed American brig tricing up her ports as she prepared for action, -although I could not restrain a sensation of pride that my countrymen -should be willing to fight at an instant's notice, and against great -odds, to uphold the stars and stripes. - -Three Spanish ships were getting under way, and Captain Porter -understood that he might miss many a rich prize if he allowed the crews -of those vessels to know who we were and why we had come. - -Therefore it was that three boats' crews were called away to pull the -ship's head around beyond the point, where she might catch so much of a -breeze as was stirring outside, and in less than two hours we were -beyond sight of the city. - -Phil and I mourned the necessity of being forced to leave port so soon, -when we might have met countrymen who could give us later news from home -than we had; but Master Hackett did much toward consoling us when he -said:-- - -"Take my words for it, lads, we'll be in the harbor of Valparaiso before -you're very much older. The captain didn't count on lettin' the -Spaniards find out who we are, thus puttin' the Britishers on their -guard." - -The old man was in the right, as was usually the case, for on the next -day we ran into port; and our anchors were hardly down when we heard -important news. - -Chili had just gained her independence from the Spaniards, and was more -than ready to welcome us as friends; but it was reported that the -Viceroy of Peru was fitting out armed cruisers to prey upon the American -shipping in the Pacific. - -Of a verity we had arrived in the nick of time, and there was great -rejoicing fore and aft because of such fact. So long as we could keep -secret from the British government the fact of our whereabouts, we might -work the enemy great damage at the same time we protected Yankee -vessels; and even after it was known that we had ventured so far from -home, there was fair opportunity of taking many a prize before being -overhauled by a British squadron. - -Well, the people of Valparaiso gave us a royal welcome. The forts -saluted the stars and stripes with twenty-one guns; nine shots were -fired by the armed brig, and we replied to them all, as a matter of -course, until it was as if everybody was celebrating the Fourth of July. - -The American Consul General came down from Santiago to greet us; the -Chilians strove to show how friendly they felt toward the United States, -and there was a great time, in which the officers gathered most of the -fun, for ordinary seamen are not counted in at such affairs. - -The commissioned officers must have enjoyed themselves in fine style, -however, and we of the crew managed to get a small slice of the welcome -which repaid all hands for the long, disagreeable voyage. - -Only a portion of our crew were allowed shore leave at a time, and by -rare good luck Phil and I were given liberty on the same day when Master -Hackett took his furlough; therefore we saw more of the city than would -have been possible had we set out alone. - -The old gunner was well acquainted in Valparaiso, and before setting out -to visit acquaintances, he showed us all the sights. Then, presenting -each of us with two silver shillings, he went his way, after cautioning -us to be at the shore in time to go aboard before sunset. - -It would have pleased both Phil and me had the old man remained with us; -but it could not be expected that he would give all his time of liberty -to two lads, even though they had gone over the rail to save his life; -therefore we made it appear as if we were eager to be by ourselves, and -began to explore the chief seaport town of Chili. - -Unable to speak the language, we could not expect to make any new -acquaintances ashore, nor did we try, although more than one Chilian lad -gave token that he was as ready to extend the hospitalities of the port -to Yankees as were the dignitaries of the town. - -We had wandered here and there as fancy dictated until noontime, and -Phil proposed that, since we had had our fill of sight-seeing it would -be a good idea to go on ship, or find some of our messmates. - -Strolling with a party of sailors whose chief aim would most likely be -to take aboard all the liquor they could drink, was not to my liking, -and I had just suggested that we go to the rendezvous on the chance of -finding a boat putting off for the _Essex_, when we were surprised by a -hail in our native tongue. - -"Hello, you two lads! Are you from the Yankee ship?" - -Wheeling suddenly around, we saw a boy eighteen years of age or -thereabouts, who was regarding us with an expression which might equally -well have been one of friendship or enmity. - -"We're from the _Essex_," Phil replied, and as he spoke the stranger -came toward us. - -"Can you speak Spanish?" he asked; whereat I replied glibly:-- - -"Not a word, and more's the pity, else we might have had companions in -our sight-seeing." - -"If that's all you're wanting, come with me. I'll show you a good -time." - -"Do you live here?" I asked, fancying that he spoke like one lately from -England. - -"Yes, for the time being; and since I have nothing better to do, suppose -we travel together." - -Every person in the town had been so friendly toward us that we had no -reason to suspect evil, and even though we had considered the -possibility that any one was wickedly disposed, why should harm come to -us who were of so little importance? - -Phil was so delighted at the idea of making a friend in this place where -almost nothing but Spanish was spoken, that he accepted the proposition -without delay, and at once we three set off in company. - -Oliver Benson was the name of this friendly appearing lad, as we soon -learned; and before we had been together half an hour he knew very -nearly as much as we ourselves concerning our position and life aboard -the _Essex_. - -"Boys are not of much account on Yankee ships, according to your story," -he said, in a peculiar tone; and Phil replied glibly:-- - -"It doesn't seem so, except when there's a lot of dirty work to be done. -If we never went back to the _Essex_, I reckon there wouldn't be much -mourning over our loss." - -I insisted that Master Hackett at least would miss us, and declared that -my cousin Stephen's heart would be sore with grief if any accident -happened to either of us; but Benson laughed me to scorn. - -"If you failed to return there isn't one aboard who'd remember your -absence after four-and-twenty hours," he said. "An enemy might work his -will on you and stand no chance of coming to grief, for I doubt not but -that the frigate will sail by to-morrow." - -"We have no enemies here," Phil replied with a laugh, "therefore we -needn't spend time discussing that question." - -I noted a peculiar expression on Benson's face, but gave no great heed -to it, for at that instant he had turned down a narrow street and was -unlocking the door of a stone dwelling. - -"Do you live here?" Phil asked. - -"Yes; and I count on showing you two lads what a Chilian dinner is like. -It will be something to talk about when you get home." - -He held the door open as invitation for us to enter; and although there -was absolutely no reason why I should suspect him of having unfriendly -designs upon us, I hesitated about going in. - -"Go on," Phil said, pushing me forward. "We're fortunate in having run -across Benson, for there are not many lads, either here or at home, who -would spend their time entertaining strangers." - -I could do no less than follow our host, who led us up one flight of -stairs, and thence to the rear of the building. Then he opened the door -of a room and stepped back a pace, that we might advance in front of -him. - -At the outer entrance, I led the way, and while Phil followed close at -my heels, the door was slammed behind us, the clicking of iron telling -that we had been locked in. - -For an instant I was so bewildered as to be incapable of speech, and -then I heard from the other side of the locked door a mocking voice:-- - -"I'll keep you two Yankees here till your ship sails, and then find you -a berth aboard a British whaler; it will be a paying speculation for me, -and you'll have good opportunities for seeing the world." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -OLIVER BENSON'S SCHEME. - - -Phil Robbins and I stood gazing into each other's eyes as if incapable -of speech, during at least sixty seconds after the fellow who had -trapped us announced the purpose of his scheme. That we two lads, who -were of no consequence whatsoever in the sight of the officers of the -_Essex_, should have been made the victims of a plot seemed too -ridiculous to be true; but yet the locked door was sufficient evidence -for the most incredulous. - -It was Phil who first found his tongue, and he asked sharply, as if -positive I could give him a satisfactory answer:-- - -"What does the villain mean by locking us in here? He must think we are -rare prizes!" - -"I'm not making any mistake as to what you're worth," Benson cried from -the hallway. "Yankees don't bring any extravagant price in this part of -the world; but the demand is so great that I won't be forced to keep -you many hours after your tub of a ship leaves port." - -My head was so thick that even then I failed to understand his purpose, -but had an idea the fellow looked upon us as his personal enemies -because England was at war with the United States, and said to Phil, -giving no heed to the fact that I spoke sufficiently loud for Benson to -hear:-- - -"The fellow is such a fool as to believe he serves his country by -imprisoning us." - -"That's where you are making a big mistake, my Yankee cub. Whalers in -this portion of the world are not overly particular as to how they ship -a crew, and pay a decently good price to whoever delivers them -able-bodied hands." - -Now I understood what this enterprising Britisher had in mind. I -remembered reading, before I left home, a long account of how sailors -were trapped in foreign ports by the captains of whaling vessels who had -lost members of their crews by death or desertion. - -If we could be held prisoners until there was no longer any American -vessels in port, Benson might literally sell us to a British whaler; and -once on board such a craft, our chances for escape or relief before the -voyage had come to an end would be very small. - -I was overwhelmed with grief and anger. The knowledge of our -helplessness increased my wrath until for a certain length of time I was -little better than an insane lad. - -I stormed and raved from one end of the small apartment to the other, -now and again throwing myself against the stoutly barred door as if by -such means I might break it down; and during the paroxysm Phil lay at -full length on the floor, giving noisy vent to his sorrow and despair. -There was no care in my mind that Benson was most likely listening to -all we said or did, and would set us down as chicken-hearted; I only -gave heed to our situation, knowing full well how entirely we were in -his power. - -It was not to be supposed that the _Essex_ would remain many days longer -in port; in eight-and-forty hours she would most likely get under way, -and we two lads who had dreamed of winning honor and promotion would be -set down as deserters. Even Master Hackett must believe we had run away, -since, by trying to make him think we were not eager to remain in his -company, lest he should waste all his time of liberty upon us, we had -made it appear as if our greatest desire was to be alone. - -Like a flash all the possibilities of the situation came into my mind. I -heard the comments of our shipmates, saw the word "deserter" written -opposite our names on the ship's register, and imagined the grief of my -parents when the _Essex_ returned to port with such a disgraceful story -concerning us. Meanwhile I could see Phil and myself forced to this or -that disagreeable task, and the end of it all, a tardy release in some -foreign port from which we would be forced to work our way home as best -we might. - -It was a most mournful picture, view it in whatever light I might, and -the stoutest-hearted could well be excused for growing faint and sick -with apprehension. - -Whether we spent one hour or three in such useless wailings I am unable -to say; it seemed to me much as if we had been a full day in that place -before I so far recovered composure of mind as to be able to look at the -situation with some degree of common sense, and then my first act was to -soothe Phil, who still remained stretched at full length upon the floor, -weeping and wailing. - -It was not a difficult task to persuade him into something approaching -calmness; he had literally exhausted himself by giving way so violently -to sorrow, and was, like myself, ready to play a more manly part. - -Our first act, after thus coming to our senses, so to speak, was to -make a thorough examination of this apartment which served as prison; -for of course the thought of escape had been uppermost in our minds, -even when our grief was most violent. - -The room was not different from what one might have fancied after seeing -the exterior of the building. It was, however, twelve feet square, with -a ceiling so low that I could touch it by standing on tiptoe. There were -two windows, both closely barred with iron, as I had already noticed was -usual in Valparaiso, and the view from them was confined to a small plat -of ground enclosed by a high wall of stone, the top of which was nearly -on a level with one of the windows. - -"If we could get out of here, it would not be a difficult task to reach -the ground," Phil said, in a certain tone of hopefulness. - -"I'd guarantee to bring up on the ground all right, wall or no wall, if -it wasn't for the bars." - -Then, with one accord, we laid hold of the iron rods, wrenching at them -with all our strength, but not moving them by so much as a single hair's -breadth, so far as I could see. - -That Benson yet remained in the hall outside, and could hear all that -was said or done, we knew when he cried mockingly:-- - -"Keep on pulling at the bars so long as such work pleases you; they -have held stronger men than you ever will be, and I'm not afraid of your -giving me the slip in that way!" - -Thus we knew that the wretch had made a business of trapping strangers -to sell them to whalers, and this but served to make our case appear -more hopeless; for if he had had experience in such scoundrelly work, it -was probable he would be on his guard against anything we might try to -do. - -By this time I was weary, mentally and bodily, and, not minded to give -the villain any more pleasure,--for I doubted not but that he enjoyed -hearing his prisoners beat vainly against the bars of their cage,--I -whispered to Phil:-- - -"Don't speak nor move. We'll remain silent until he grows tired of -listening and goes away." - -My comrade nodded to show that he agreed, and, seating ourselves on the -floor where we could look out of the window, even though there was -nothing save the small patch of grass to be seen, we held our peace -until the shadows of evening began to lengthen. - -Now was come the time when our shipmates would be returning to the -_Essex_ after a day's pleasuring, and as I fancied them standing on the -shore, discussing the cause of our absence, it was impossible to -restrain my tears. - -Not until the night had fully come did we hear anything from the -hallway, and then the faint sound of stealthy footsteps told that the -villanous Benson, wearied with his fruitless vigil, was descending the -stairs. - -We listened in vain for some noise betokening that the building had -other occupants than our enemy and ourselves; not a sound broke the -silence, and it seemed only reasonable that the scoundrel put the -dwelling to no other purpose than that of a prison. - -It would be useless for me to make any attempt at setting down here all -Phil and I said during the hours of the night, for much of our -conversation was wild in the extreme, and we repeated the same words -again and again, as would any lads in such a situation as we had so -suddenly been plunged. - -About midnight we fell asleep, still sitting on the floor, for there was -no furniture whatsoever in the room; and the day was just breaking when -a noise in the yard outside awakened us. - -Looking out from between the bars we saw Benson, who was placing a -ladder against the building, directly under our window. - -"If he'd only come near enough for me to hit one blow!" Phil muttered -between his teeth, and I wished we might have so much satisfaction as -that, even while knowing he would never give us such an opportunity. - -"I'm not counting on starving you Yankees," the villain said with a -laugh, "and yet I'm no such fool as to open the door long enough to -shove in food. You see I'm running this business alone, for the profits -are not large enough to permit of my hiring a clerk, therefore some of -my arrangements are not really convenient. I'm going to pass you the end -of a rope. Then I can stand on the ground and serve you with food and -water to be hauled up." - -"I wonder if he thinks we'll indulge him in his monkey shines?" Phil -whispered angrily; and I, suddenly realizing that we could only succeed -in biting our own noses if we went contrary to Benson's commands, said -hurriedly in a low tone:-- - -"Hold your tongue! We're bound to eat and drink if we count on making -any effort at getting away. Take what he gives us, and we may thereby -keep up our strength to be used in case an opportunity for escape -presents itself." - -By this time Benson was nearly at the top of the ladder; but he took -good care not to come within reach of our fists. - -He passed in to us a half-inch Manila rope, and I seized the end, -whereupon the villain descended and bent on a small tin vessel filled -with what appeared to be a stew of beans and other vegetables. - -"When you've hauled in, let down the rope again and I'll send you up -some water," Benson cried; and I obeyed his commands in silence. - -When we had thus been served, he said in the tone of one who imparts -pleasing information:-- - -"You'll have to get along without me to-day, for I'm counting on -catching two or three more Yankees before sunset." - -Phil shook his fist at the scoundrel; but I, without knowing exactly -why, felt a certain amount of satisfaction because he reckoned on making -more prisoners. - -Then the fellow disappeared from view, and Phil said angrily:-- - -"I hope our messmates will have more sense than we displayed when we -agreed to let him show us the town." - -"And I'm hoping he'll make a big haul." - -Phil gazed at me in anger and astonishment, whereupon I hastened to -explain myself. - -"There is no doubt but that he can easily do with us as he has proposed, -and our officers will make no great effort to find two boys who are -believed to have deserted. If that scoundrelly Britisher can capture -half a dozen of our crew there'll be a big stir aboard ship, and, in -addition, he won't be able to work his will with so many. One or more -may succeed in escaping, and then the truth will be known." - -Phil's face brightened wonderfully, for he had not looked at the matter -in that light before, and without further conversation we set about -making a hearty breakfast. - -Once our stomachs were filled, hope revived. We were eager that a large -number of our men might be entrapped by Benson, and discussed the -possibility of his success with as much zest as he might have done. - -Then, after two hours or more had elapsed, we began to reflect that it -would not be possible for a lad like him to scrape acquaintance with men -as easily as he had with us boys, and we grew despondent once more. - -Finally I gave up all belief that he could entice any of the crew into -his prison, and said with more of hope in my tones than was actually in -my heart:-- - -"Two great hulking lads like ourselves should be able to get out of an -ordinary house! If this place had been built for a jail, the situation -would be changed; but it is no more than an ordinary dwelling, and I -dare say these bars are not set in the wall so solidly but that we can -succeed in moving them." - -"Tell me how to go about it, and I'll do my best; but I fail to -understand how we can accomplish anything." - -Phil's despair served to give me what was very like courage; and even -though there was but little hope in my heart that we could effect -anything, I spoke as if certain of success. - -"We have our knives, and with such tools many a man has worked his way -toward freedom. The mortar which holds the wall in place can be picked -out in time, and Benson won't have a chance to sell us for several days -after the _Essex_ leaves port." - -"It would require a month of hard work to loosen even one of these -stones," Phil replied gloomily. - -"We shall be better off by making some effort at escape, even though we -never succeed. It is almost cowardly to sit here idle, waiting until -that villain can entrap our comrades." - -Having said this I set myself at work pricking out particles of mortar -with the point of my knife; and although the work progressed but slowly, -I could soon see some slight results. - -Phil watched me listlessly until I had taken out as much as would fill -a large spoon, and then he began to see that the task was possible if we -had sufficient time. - -"It's better than doing nothing," he said, as if the idea was his own, -and at once began upon the seam of mortar next that on which I was -working. - -Occupation of some kind was what we most needed; and as the moments wore -on we increased our efforts until, when the sun marked the hour of noon, -we had made quite a showing, although at the expense of grinding away -our knife-points. - -We had worked upon that stone which held the side bar in place, and if -it might be removed we would have an aperture not less than eight inches -in width. As a matter of course, neither of us could pass through such a -narrow space; but if two of the bars were pulled out, then was the way -open. - -We were both resting from our labors when I was seized by a sudden -thought, and cried exultantly:-- - -"We can escape if no time is wasted!" - -"I can't see but that the situation is much the same as when we were -first thrust into this place," Phil said gloomily. - -"So it is; but since the villanous Benson passed us the rope, I'm of the -idea that we can do considerable work." - -"How?" - -"We have surely done something toward loosening the stones. Now, if we -make the rope fast to the lower end of the bar, and also to the handle -of the door, one or the other must give way when we get purchase -enough." - -"Yes, I reckon all that is true; but we're no more likely to get a -purchase on it than we are to walk out of here this minute." - -"I believe it can be done." - -"Then the handle of the door will give way first." - -This was rather in the nature of a wet blanket on my hopes; but I would -not admit that the plan had any defects which might not be rectified, -and set about solving the problem. - -Finally I hit upon a plan,--not anything very brilliant, but a makeshift -which might possibly serve our purpose. - -Doubling the rope, I made one end fast to the bar set into the stone we -had been working upon, and the other end I bent on to the corresponding -bar in the next window, hauling it taut as possible. - -"With our feet against the lower edge of the window we should be able to -fetch something away," I said in a hopeful tone; "and even though we -fail at first, the plan is sure to succeed after we've picked out a -little more of the mortar." - -Well, we tugged and strained to the utmost of our strength for ten -minutes or more, and then, just as I had said to myself that we never -could succeed, one end of the bar started ever so slightly. - -"It can be done!" Phil cried exultantly, and would have bent himself -once more for a supreme effort but that I stopped him. - -"There's little chance we could pull two bars out before sunset, and if -the job is but half done when Benson comes back, he'll understand what -we're trying to do. A fellow who makes a business of trapping men won't -stop at anything, however desperate, in order to prevent his villany -from being known to the authorities." - -"Well, are we to sit here idle?" Phil asked angrily. - -"Not a bit of it! We'll amuse ourselves picking mortar from the next -seam, and thus have both stones loosened by nightfall. After dark we can -yank two bars out, or I'm mistaken." - -Now it seemed as if liberty was near at hand; and after I had cast off -the rope that we might be able to lower it from the window in case -Benson proposed to give us any more food, we set to work on the -difficult task of scraping away the hard mortar. - -It must not be supposed that we removed any very great amount during -this long day; but we had laid bare a deep seam, and thus accomplished -more than I had at first believed would be possible. - -When evening had come there was no doubt in my mind but that we could, -by aid of the rope, wrench away the bars, and I felt brave as a lion -when footsteps on the stairs outside told that the scoundrelly Benson -was returning. - -"He didn't succeed in trapping any one else!" Phil said jubilantly. "We -were the only fools on board the _Essex_." - -"Hello in there!" Benson cried out; and I said gruffly:-- - -"Well, what do you want?" - -"It's well to let you know that I'm around. Your ship is ready to leave -port in the morning, and forty-eight hours later you two duffers will be -getting an idea of whale fishing." - -"Which will be better than staying here forced to listen to the voice of -a cur like you!" Phil replied. - -"That little show of temper will cost you your supper," Benson cried in -a rage. "I'll starve you into submission, if you turn rusty, so have a -care." - -"I reckon you've lost your temper because of not finding any more fools -among the crew of the _Essex_!" - -"I don't keep all my birds in one cage." - -"But you've got all from the _Essex_ in this one, and we two make up the -list," Phil cried with a laugh, for he was finding considerable sport in -thus baiting the villain. - -"Better keep a quiet tongue in your head," I whispered, "otherwise he -might come inside and see what we've been doing." - -"I only wish he would!" and Phil flourished his knife in a manner which -told what he would do if our enemy should be so indiscreet as to come -within striking distance. - -Benson stalked to and fro in the hallway when we ceased to reply to his -jibes, and after half an hour or more we heard him descending the stairs -again. - -Then, by gazing through the bars, we could see that he had gone into the -enclosure,--most likely to make certain everything was as he had left -it; and we listened to the noise of his movements until all was silent -once more. - -"He's gone out in the hope of catching such of our men as have -overstayed their shore leave," Phil whispered. "Now is our time to -begin work with the rope." - -I insisted that we wait ten minutes longer, to make it more certain the -scoundrel had left the building, and then we began the task which I -confidently expected would result in our release. - -The rope was made fast as before, and we two laid hold of it with a -will; but haul and pull as we would, the bars remained firmly in place. -That one which we had started during the afternoon was immovable, and -the perspiration was running down our faces in tiny streams before we -were ready to admit that the plan was a failure. - -"He'll work his will with us," Phil said with a sob as we ceased our -efforts and stood facing each other in the darkness. "We can't get out!" - -"Don't lose your courage so soon. We can work at the mortar all day -to-morrow, and then I'm certain the bars will yield." - -"By that time the _Essex_ will have left port." - -"Other American vessels put in here, and surely we can work our way home -without being forced to serve on board a whaler. Besides, the _Essex_ is -likely to visit this port more than once before her work in the Pacific -is concluded." - -Phil would not be soothed, and he turned from me impatiently just as I -fancied a low whistle sounded outside, near the garden wall. - -In an instant I was at the window, pressing my face against the bars -until the iron made great ridges on my cheeks; but the silence was -profound, and I believed that which I heard was nothing more than the -wind. - -Turning from the window in disappointment, I was about to speak to Phil, -when the whistle sounded again, low and soft, but so distinctly that -there could be no mistake. - -Phil heard it as I did, and we two sprang to the gratings once more, -expecting, hoping, to hear the voices of our messmates. - -Everything was silent, and I stood there like a simple fully thirty -seconds before gathering sufficient sense to speak. Then I cried -softly:-- - -"_Essex_ ahoy!" - -"Ahoy in the shanty!" a voice replied, and I sank to my knees in fervent -thanksgiving, for I recognized the tones of Master Hackett. Now, even -though we might not be released, it would be known aboard ship that we -had not deserted. - -"Where are you?" the old seaman asked in a loud whisper, after remaining -silent a few seconds. - -"At a window just above the height of the wall," Phil replied, and then -a happy thought came to me. - -"We've got a half-inch rope here, Master Hackett, and can let it down if -perchance you might be able to use it." - -"If an old shellback like me can't use a rope, I'd like to see the man -who can. Let it down, lads, an' move lively, for I've had hard work to -keep out of the course of a British cub who's been actin' in a way that -don't seem honest." - -While he spoke I was lowering the rope over the wall, and when Master -Hackett sung out that he had it, we belayed the remaining portion to a -couple of the bars, knowing full well that the old man would soon appear -at the top of the wall unless some one on the street interfered with -him. - -Nor were we mistaken. Before I could have counted ten he was clutching -the bars of our prison, asking how we chanced to be in such a scrape. - -In the fewest possible words I explained how we had been trapped and -what Benson proposed to do with us; whereupon the old man said half to -himself:-- - -"Now I can see what he was after when he came rubbin' alongside some of -us, offerin' to show fine sights if we'd go with him. But instead of -standin' here yarnin', I reckon we'd better get you out of the trap." - -"Wouldn't it be well to report on board that we've been made prisoners, -and ask that a squad of men be sent on shore?" Phil asked timidly. "If -Benson should get an inkling of your being here, he'd make more trouble -for us in some way; and it won't pay to take any chances." - -"I don't count on takin' any more'n is wholesome, an' at the same time -ain't willin' to flash up on board with the yarn that I couldn't get the -best of one Britisher, an' him in a foreign country." - -Then Master Hackett made an examination of the bars, after which he -suddenly disappeared from view, and, to my great surprise, I saw that, -pulling the rope inside the wall, he had slipped into the enclosure. - -Now he was almost as much of a prisoner as were we; and if the Britisher -should come back, the old man might find himself in tight quarters, for -it was reasonable to suppose that a man engaged in such a villanous -business as was Benson always went well armed. - -However, it was destined that Master Hackett should not be disturbed; -and we could see him faintly in the darkness, moving here and there as -if in search of something. - -Then he placed the ladder against the wall, and when he had ascended to -the level of our window we saw that he had with him a short piece of -joist. - -Using this as a lever, after we had told him which bars we had been -working on, he forced the iron rods from their sockets in short order, -thus making for us an open door through which we could pass to the top -of the wall. - -[Illustration: HE FORCED THE IRON RODS FROM THEIR SOCKETS IN SHORT -ORDER.] - -"You can come out now," the old man said with a chuckle, "an' the next -time you're in a strange port I reckon you'll be more careful about -followin' them as agree to give a free blow-out." - -It can readily be imagined that we lost no time in acting upon the -suggestion, and by the aid of the rope we slid down to the ground, -exulting in the sense of freedom. - -Master Hackett led us into one of the main streets, and while doing so -explained that when we failed to return to the ship on time he suspected -we had fallen into trouble, although more than one of the men suggested -that we had deserted. - -"I didn't reckon you were the kind of lads who'd turn around in that -fashion, an' so got permission to come ashore for a spell, agreein' to -report to-morrow mornin' if I hadn't come across anything that would -show why you'd failed to turn up. Then it was I run across that -Britisher, an' found he was mighty anxious to give me a free spree. It -was that which made me believe he could tell somethin' about you, an' I -set about findin' where he lived. It wasn't any easy matter for an old -shellback to follow that sneak, who had good reason for thinkin' some of -us might want to know where he anchored hisself nights; but I managed -the traverse in fair shape, an' here we are." - -"Can we go on board the _Essex_ to-night?" Phil asked. - -"I reckon we might by hirin' a boatman; but there's no reason why we -need be in a hurry." - -"I'd rather be on the gun-deck than in this town," Phil replied with a -shudder, and at that instant, just as we were turning a corner, we came -face to face with Oliver Benson, the young Britisher who made a business -of selling Yankee seamen to English whalers. - -My first impulse was to run away, but before I could so much as move -Master Hackett had leaped upon the villain, and then I would not have -beat a retreat no matter what might have been the cost of remaining. - -I joined the fray, for the Britisher immediately began to fight -desperately; and during several moments the three of us had quite as -much of a task as we could perform, for Benson was armed with a wicked -looking knife, and knew right well how to use it. - -But for Phil, the villain would have succeeded in stabbing Master -Hackett in the back while the two were locked in each other's embrace; -but once his weapon was taken from him, the scoundrel showed signs of -submission. - -"Don't give him a chance to play us any tricks," the old man said as he -unknotted his neckerchief preparatory to binding Benson's hands behind -his back; and I wondered greatly why we should burden ourselves with a -prisoner in a town where, for aught we knew, he might have many friends -or accomplices. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -AMONG THE WHALERS. - - -This taking a prisoner in a friendly port was, as I considered the -matter for the moment, a serious affair, and without waiting to reflect -I advised Master Hackett to let the fellow go free. - -"He can't do us any more harm, and we'll warn others as to his scheme. -There's no knowing how much of a row may be kicked up by our depriving -him of his liberty." - -"That's no more'n he did to you, an' the chances are that many a poor -fellow is eatin' his heart out aboard a British whaler because of him. -We've got the scoundrel fast, an' I count on keepin' him so, at least -until after he's been brought face to face with Captain Porter." - -Benson spoke no word; the pallor of his face told that he was afraid, -and if we had not known it before, we understood then that at heart he -was a thorough coward. - -I expected each instant that he would call for help, and there were -enough rough characters around Valparaiso to give us no end of trouble -in case they espoused his cause. - -But Benson remained silent, therefore after a time I came to believe he -did not stand on very good terms with the inhabitants of the town, and -had good reason for thinking his summons would not be answered by aid. -This last surmise of mine was soon found to be very nearly correct, as -will presently be seen. - -After tying the Britisher's hands behind his back, Master Hackett seized -him by the arm and led the way toward the shore, followed closely, as -may be supposed, by Phil and me. - -It was near to midnight; the peace-loving inhabitants of the town were -asleep, and the rougher element must have had a rendezvous at some -distance from the water's edge, for we did not meet a single person -until after having walked to and fro on the shore half an hour or more -shouting for a boatman. - -Then a sleepy looking fellow lounged up to Master Hackett, professing -his willingness to do whatsoever might be required, providing a -sufficient amount of money was forthcoming. - -He had no more than given us to understand this much when a moonbeam -lighted up Benson's face, and in an instant the boatman was animated. - -"Where did you get that fellow?" he asked of Master Hackett in Spanish, -and the latter replied in the same language, repeating the conversation -to Phil and me after we were on board the _Essex_; but for the time we -were completely in the dark so far as understanding the drift of the -talk was concerned. - -"We picked him up a short distance from here," the old seaman replied. -"He had jugged two boys belongin' to our ship, countin' on sellin' 'em -to British whalers after the _Essex_ left port." - -"I know him for a villain, an' have had it in mind that he spent his -time shanghaing sailors, but never could bring it home to him. His game -doesn't stop at Yankees; for when there are none in port he'll pick up -anybody, so it's said." - -"Then you have no objections to carryin' him aboard the ship?" - -"What will you do with him there?" - -"Let the captain settle his hash. We've got good proof of what he's been -up to, an' I promise you he won't be treated any too gently." - -"I'll carry you an' him out to the ship for nothing, if by so doing we -can rid ourselves of the villain." - -"I can't say whether the captain will take him out of your way; but you -may be certain it'll go hard with him." - -Until some time later Phil and I were surprised at seeing the boatman -scurrying around as if we had been commissioned officers who promised a -big fee; and he it was who tossed Benson on board the small boat with no -more ceremony than he would have used in handling a bundle of -merchandise. - -In a twinkling we were hailed by the sentry on board the _Essex_, so -rapidly did the boatman work his oars, and Master Hackett gave such an -account of his party as gained us permission to come up the gangway -ladder. - -Not seeing the old seaman offer to pay the man for having pulled us out -to the ship, I took one of the silver shillings from my pocket, offering -it to him; but he shook his head as he pointed with a grin to where -Master Hackett stood arm in arm with Benson. - -The remainder of the night was spent by the Britisher in the prison of -the ship, or, as a sailor would put it, "in the brig"; and we two lads, -after hearing from the old seaman a literal translation of the -conversation he had had with the boatman, tumbled into our hammocks with -thankful hearts. - -A few hours previous it had seemed certain we would be sent on board a -whaler, while our friends believed us deserters, and now we were in our -proper stations once more. Surely, Master Hackett had repaid whatsoever -of a debt he might have owed us for jumping over the rail to rescue him! - -The reception we met with from our messmates next morning was well -calculated to make lads feel proud. Every man jack came up with some -pleasant word as if we were particular friends with all the crew; and -many were the hopes expressed that the Britisher, Benson, would get such -sauce as he deserved. - -There was never a man on board who did not believe our captain would -deal out the most severe punishment in his power, yet it was agreed by -the idlers on the gun-deck that if the villain was let off too easily, -they would ask for permission to go on shore again and make it their -duty to trim him in proper fashion. - -The yarn which had been told Phil and me regarding the sailing of the -_Essex_ was a hoax. She was taking on board provisions for a long -cruise, and it was hardly probable could be got under way for two or -three days at the earliest. - -Half an hour after inspection one of the marines brought the word -forward that Phil and I were to go aft for an interview with the -captain; and while it was no more than we had been expecting, both of us -were considerably excited by the prospect. - -We were rigged out in our best bibs and tuckers, Master Hackett himself -seeing to it that our hats were properly tilted on "three hairs," and -half a dozen of the older men inspecting us gravely to make certain we -were togged in shipshape and Bristol fashion. - -We found the captain with half a dozen of the officers, among whom was -my cousin, Stephen McKnight, seated around a large table in the after -cabin, looking grave as owls; and certain it is that I was trembling -like a leaf when I bowed and scraped in such fashion as Master Hackett -had said was proper. - -"Well, lads," the captain said, speaking as if he believed we were as -good as himself, "I understand that you had quite an adventure ashore -yesterday, and were near coming to grief." - -"Yes, sir," I replied, after waiting in vain for Phil to speak, and my -voice quivered till it was like a wheezy flute. - -"Tell us the whole story from the time you left Hackett, and do not be -afraid of making it too long." - -Again I waited for Phil; but since he showed no signs of piping up I was -obliged to spin the yarn, for it would never have done to keep the -captain waiting. - -All hands were still as mice while I told of our meeting with Benson; -and to make certain they'd believe me, I made Phil pipe up from time to -time with his, "That's true, sir," or, "It's all as Ezra says, sir." - -When I was at the end of the yarn,--and it was a long one, as you may -believe, for I told every little detail from our meeting with Benson -until we were on board ship again,--the captain said, as polite as a -fiddler:-- - -"You may go, lads, and send Hackett aft." - -Phil came very near tumbling over me as he tried to get out of the cabin -in a hurry; and we were hardly more than amidships before we met Master -Hackett, togged out within an inch of his life. - -"The captain has sent for you, sir," I said with all due respect; and -instead of making any reply, the old fellow turned on his heel stiff as -a ramrod, walking aft till his bowlegs cut a perfect circle. - -Once on the gun-deck again we two lads were forced to tell the idlers -all that had occurred; and we were no sooner done with our yarn than -Master Hackett appeared, looking much as if he had just been made master -of a prize. - -With all his fine looks and lordly manner, he could not tell the idlers -more than we had already done, and all hands of us were forced to wait -in suspense until some long-eared marine should come forward with his -budget of news gathered by eavesdropping. - -Half an hour later the crew of the cutter was called away to carry -Lieutenant Downes ashore; and when that officer came back No. 4 boat was -manned, and the prisoner, Benson, put on board. - -It was not until the next day that we learned the whole of the story, -and then all hands were satisfied that justice would be done by the -Chilian authorities in such a fashion that the Britisher would for some -time be unable to continue his scheme of catching Yankees. - -What we finally learned was much like this: Having inquired into the -case thoroughly, as I have already set down, Captain Porter was -convinced that a flogging would be too slight punishment for such a -villain as Benson, and Mr. Downes made an official report of the case to -the authorities of the port. Those officers promised that the -enterprising Britisher should be imprisoned with hard labor for a year -at the very least; and that this was done, Master Hackett, Phil, and I -knew before the _Essex_ left port, for we three visited the jail and saw -the scoundrel picking oakum under charge of well-armed keepers. - -He glanced out of the corner of his eye at us for a single second, and -then looked steadily at his work, nor could we provoke him into -speaking. I thought at the time, however, and had good reason to -remember it afterward, that if the opportunity should ever present -itself for him to get one or all three of us into his power, he would -not be likely to show us much mercy. - -It was on the day we visited the jail that the brig _Jane_, an American -whaler, came into port, and from her master Captain Porter learned very -much which it was necessary he should know. It was reported that nearly -all the British whalers were armed and provided with letters of marque, -which really put them on a footing with ships of war; and, unless their -plans were speedily nipped in the bud, all the vessels hailing from the -United States would be captured. In fact one of them had already been -seized, the Britisher having no difficulty in coming alongside because -the Yankee craft had been so long at sea that her commander had no idea -war had been proclaimed. - -Captain Porter did not linger after receiving such information. He had -proposed to put additional stores on board; but now decided that he -could not afford to spend any more time in port, and immediately signals -were hoisted recalling those who were in the town on shore leave. - -Master Hackett, Phil, and I were no more than on board before the -_Essex_ was under way, and I believe of a verity we would have been left -behind had we loitered half an hour longer. - -We had been at sea two days when we spoke the Yankee whaleship -_Charles_, and ran so close alongside that it was possible to hail her, -when the skipper was summoned on board to give information. - -A more surprised set of men than those who rowed the Nantucket captain -over to us, I never saw. They stared at the _Essex_ in open-mouthed -amaze, and fired volleys of questions at us as we overhung the rail, -knowing full well that we could get the same news from these men as was -being dealt out in the cabin to our commander. - -Not until after we had explained the meaning of our being in the -Pacific, however, could we get any information, and then we learned that -there was work in plenty before us. - -A Peruvian corsair, in company with an armed British brig, had already -captured the ships _Walker_ and _Barclay_ while they were cruising off -Coquimbo, and unless we took a hand the entire Yankee fleet would soon -be gobbled up. - -The Nantucket skipper did not stay in the cabin more than half an hour; -and immediately he was over the rail, our ship was being brought around -"to take a hand in the fun," as Master Hackett announced, while the -_Charles_ followed in the wake of the _Essex_. - -It can readily be imagined that all hands were in a fine state of -excitement by this time, knowing as we did that our work was cut out for -us; but we counted on cruising two or three days at the very least -before coming up with an enemy. - -Our surprise was quite as great as our pleasure, when, not more than -three hours later, and while the _Charles_ was within two miles of us, -we sighted the Peruvian vessel to the northward. - -In a twinkling we ran up the British colors to coax her within striking -distance; and the captain of the _Charles_ showed himself to be quite as -shrewd as are Nantucket men in general, for no sooner was our false -ensign straightened out than he hoisted the English flag over the stars -and stripes, thus making it appear as if he had been captured by us. - -The Peruvian fell into the trap at once, and came down upon us in fine -style, throwing a shot ahead of the _Essex_ when he was about a mile -away. It was carrying matters with a high hand; but I reckon Captain -Porter wasn't very greatly displeased, since it only made our work more -simple. - -Orders were at once given to pitch three shots directly over the -stranger as a token for him to come nearer, which the Peruvian did, at -the same time sending an armed boat to board us. - -Every man jack of us, save those at the starboard guns, were on deck -when the boat came alongside, a lieutenant in full rig standing in the -stern-sheets, and thus it was Phil and I heard all that was said between -this fine fellow and our commander. - -Captain Porter professed to be in a towering rage; he ordered the -lieutenant to go back at once with an order for the Peruvian to run -under our lee, and then send an officer on board to apologize for having -dared to fire at an English man-of-war. - -How that fellow scurried back! He never so much as suspected that we -were other than what had been represented, and in the shortest possible -space of time another lieutenant, wearing so much gold lace that he -looked like a brazen image, came up the gangway ladder grinning and -bowing like an ape. - -Captain Porter received him on the quarter, but never so much as invited -him into the cabin, and Phil and I crowded well aft to hear what we -allowed would be a mighty interesting conversation. - -The lieutenant reported that his ship was the Peruvian privateer -_Nereyda_, armed with fifteen guns, and carrying a full crew. They were -cruising for Americans, he said, and had already captured two,--the -_Walker_ and the _Barclay_; but the British letter of marque _Nimrod_, a -whaler, had driven their prize crew from the _Walker_ and taken -possession of her. The Peruvian had mistaken us for the _Nimrod_, and -fired for the purpose of showing that they did not count on having their -prizes taken from them in such an unceremonious fashion. - -It puzzled me to make out how the Peruvians, who were under Spanish -rule, dared to attack our vessels while Spain was not at war with the -United States; but the old sea lawyers of the gun-deck explained matters -that evening to their entire satisfaction, by saying the Peruvians must -have believed that Spain, who was so dependent upon England, would soon -declare war against us because the king of Great Britain had done so, -and this would make the capture of the whalers legal. - -Whether that was the right view of the case or not, I can't say; but it -satisfied our old shellbacks, and that was enough. - -But to go back to the Peruvian lieutenant who stood on the quarter -shaking hands with himself because he had straightened out the matter of -having fired on us. I suppose he thought our captain would pat him on -the back for being engaged in the work of destroying Yankee whalers, and -was most likely counting on being invited into the cabin to a blow-out -of the best from the officers' stores. - -It was comical to see the fellow jump when Captain Porter gave a signal -for the British ensign to be hauled down and the stars and stripes run -up! He stared first at the flag, and then at the men amidships who were -watching him, until our gun-deck crowd laughed aloud. - -Captain Porter scowled, for it wasn't good manners to make sport of a -prisoner, and then told the Peruvian who we were, although there was -little need of that after he had seen our flag. - -The next minute orders were given to pitch a couple of shots over the -_Nereyda_, and down came her colors as if our balls had cut away the -halliards. They didn't care to dispute the question, but surrendered -off-hand, as if afraid we might take it into our heads to sink their -piratical craft. - -After that, and until three hours were passed, our men had a lively time -taking the privateer's crew aboard the _Essex_ and stowing them in the -cages on the lower deck. It was good practice for Lieutenant Downes's -fleet of boats, and he did all the work, us idlers overhanging the rail -as we watched the sport. - -When all this had been done and the ship's brig was literally packed -with prisoners, Lieutenant McKnight, my cousin, was sent on board the -_Nereyda_ with a prize crew, and all three vessels (for the Nantucket -skipper hung close to us, as if eager to take part in a fight) stood -inshore to look into Coquimbo with the hope of finding there the -_Nimrod_ and her prizes. - -I had almost forgotten to say that when the _Nereyda_ was overhauled, -our men found in the privateer's brig the master and crew of the -captured ship _Barclay_. Of course they were brought on board the -_Essex_, the officers being quartered aft, and the men messing with us -of the gun-deck. A mighty happy crowd they were on finding themselves on -an American man-of-war, after feeling certain they'd be sent to a -Spanish prison. - -From them we learned that there were no less than twenty-three Yankee -whalers in the Pacific, and fully twenty Britishers, all of the -last-named being heavily armed and on the lookout to capture our ships. -The Englishmen were neglecting the fishery, so the newcomers told us, in -order to catch a Yankee, and the _Essex_ hadn't arrived an hour too -soon. Surely, it seemed as if our misfortune in not meeting Commodore -Bainbridge was a blessing in disguise. - -Well, we didn't find in the harbor of Coquimbo that for which we were -searching, and the captain of the _Charles_, disappointed in not getting -an opportunity to take part in a scrimmage, hauled off to attend to the -whales. - -There was no reason why we should hold possession of the Peruvian, and -good cause why we ought to give her up, for we were not at war with -Spain; therefore, after our unsuccessful visit to Coquimbo, the two -ships were hove to within a mile of each other, that Lieutenant Downes's -fleet might gain more experience in handling their boats. - -In the first place, all the privateer's ammunition, shot, small arms, -and light sails were thrown overboard, which left that craft in such -shape that she couldn't do much harm to anything except herself, and -then her crew was sent on board once more. One of the marines told us -that Captain Porter had made the officers of the _Nereyda_ swear to -deliver a letter to the viceroy of Peru as the price of their liberty, -and in that letter our commander denounced the conduct of the -privateer's captain, insisting that he be punished for having acted as a -pirate. - -Both Phil and I would like very much to know if that letter was ever -delivered, and in case the officers kept their promise, what was done -with them for having made prizes of vessels belonging to a nation with -which Spain was not at war. - -There was no need for any one to ask what our course would be after -parting company with the Peruvian cruiser. Captain Porter would search -for the captured Yankees, as a matter of fact; and the only question in -the minds of us on the gun-deck was as to where he would look for them. - -It goes without saying that our old shellbacks wagged their tongues -furiously over this, and finally it was settled among them that the -_Essex_ must perforce cruise around the island of San Gallan. It was -exactly this which our commander did, and those who had predicted it -plumed their feathers mightily at showing so much seamanship. - -Well, we made good headway until the 28th day of March, with nothing of -interest occurring save that half the crew were constantly on the -lookout for the captured vessels, and then we were well up with San -Gallan. On this day we hauled off to the northward and westward, -counting to cross the track of inward-bound craft. - -It appeared that again were we just in the nick of time, for in less -than sixteen hours after changing the course we sighted three sail -standing for Callao. - -It was a case of prize money and no mistake, for there wasn't one chance -in an hundred that either of the strangers was a Yankee, and there was -some lively jumping and hauling as we put the _Essex_ in trim for a -stiff chase. - -The crew of the _Barclay_ declared that the craft nearest was the one -which had been taken from them by the Peruvian, and Captain Porter set -about cutting her out, regardless of others. - -During four hours we had a most exciting time of it, and then it began -to look very much as if we would get the worst end of the bargain. I -wish I was able to set down here a picture of our ship and crew as we -stood with our eyes fixed on the chase, save at such times as it became -necessary to perform some task; but it is beyond a thickheaded lad like -me. One must needs take part in such a race in order to understand all -the sensations which come to a fellow as he watches eagerly the progress -of the craft, trembling with excitement lest the chase will escape, and -then feeling the cold shivers run down his spine as he realizes that -when he is once where he wants to be, he may, perhaps, be called upon -to scrape an acquaintance with death; for if all the enemy in those -waters were heavily armed, it was not probable every one would fall into -our hands as readily as had the Peruvian privateer. - -It was the "luck of the _Essex_," so Master Hackett declared, which -enabled us to win that race; for when the chase doubled the point of San -Lorenzo we were fully three miles astern, and the most sanguine among us -believed that she'd gain harbor before we could run near enough to fire -a shot. - -We kept on, however, as if believing our chances were of the best, -although knowing that in a short time we would be in the unfriendly port -of Callao, and ten minutes later Master Hackett cried out the words I -have just set down. It was the "luck of the _Essex_" that the wind -should leave the chase as she rounded the point, and we brought a good -breeze with us until we were less than half a mile off. - -Then Lieutenant Downes's command was called to quarters; the small fleet -of boats was lowered away, and the crew bent to the oars as if a fortune -of gold awaited every man jack of them. - -We had no idea but that the chase would make some kind of a fight, and -yet, much though I disliked running my head into the path of a round -shot, so great was my excitement that I would have given all my small -possessions could I have been on board the foremost boat. - -Nor was Phil Robbins behind me in enthusiasm. As the fleet got under way -he flung his arms around my neck and bawled in my ears as if I had -suddenly gone stone deaf:-- - -"Why couldn't it be our luck to be there! Why don't Lieutenant Downes -give us lads half a chance?" - -I shook him off just as Master Hackett came near where we were standing, -and was about to make some impatient reply, for it seemed as if we lads -were receiving shabby treatment by being thus left out of all the good -things; but the old seaman interrupted me by saying:-- - -"You young cubs needn't howl because of not gettin' the thick end of all -that's goin' on. Unless our captain has changed from what he was as a -lieutenant when we licked the Turks, you'll get all the 'burnin' powder' -that's needed before this cruise comes to an end." - -Phil and I were not greatly consoled at being thus told that our turn -would come by and by; but in our chagrin we did not lose sight of what -was taking place so near at hand. - -We saw the boats as they approached the becalmed craft spread out like -a fan, that the attack, in case one was needed, might come from all -points at the same time; and to our great surprise the ship's colors -were struck before a gun had been fired. - -She was the _Barclay_, as the blindest among us could see, for the name -was painted on her rail, and we had robbed the Peruvian privateer of -half her prizes! - -Lieutenant Downes did not even take the trouble of sending the prize -crew off to us as prisoners. He put them beneath the hatches, hoisted -three of his boats inboard and sent the others back, signalling to know -what the next move was to be. - -It was by long odds the tamest capture I ever saw, for not a single -grain of powder was burned, and there was no noise save when our crew -cheered the returning boats. - -Captain Porter soon told, by means of the tiny signal flags, what he -expected of those who were in possession of the whaler. We hoisted the -British colors, and the _Barclay_ sent up the English ensign over the -stars and stripes, after which the wind breezed up with sufficient force -to carry us into Callao. - -We were to enter the port as an Englishman with a prize, and there get -such information as might be useful. - -It was my cousin Stephen who went ashore with a boat's crew, never -heeding the fact that both Phil and I were eager to go with him; and -when he came out, two hours later, signals were shown for both vessels -to gain an offing. - -As we on the gun-deck afterward learned, the fact that the _Essex_ was -so far from home had not yet been made known along the coast, and our -commander was not the kind of a man to dawdle in port when he might be -out attending to business. - -Once we had gained a good offing, the officers and crew of the _Barclay_ -were given the opportunity to go on board their own craft; but nearly -all of them decided to remain with us, and some of our people were -drafted to man her. - -It seems, as we soon came to know, that the captain of the _Barclay_ -proposed that his ship cruise with us, acting as pilot to point out the -enemy, and this proposition was accepted. - -Captain Porter now had a fleet of two ships, and with them he stretched -off the coast to the northward and westward, hunting for whatsoever -might be picked up in the way of Britishers. - -On that night, when our cruise was begun from a new point of departure, -the sea lawyers began to argue as to what should be done now we were on -profitable grounds, and before it was time to turn in they had settled -to their own satisfaction all that our commander should or should not -do. - -I was tired with hearing their tongues wag, and had turned to go further -aft where the chin music was not so loud, when Phil came up, the -expression on his face telling plainly that he had some important matter -in mind. - -"You're to go to your cousin to-morrow morning, Ezra, and beg of him -that we be given permission to join Lieutenant Downes's fleet. It is not -fair that we should miss all the most exciting portion of the work by -being forced to remain aboard the _Essex_ when there are prizes to be -captured." - -"It may be exciting enough if we fall afoul of a Britisher who is in -trim to fight," I said grimly, not minded to let him know how sore my -heart was because we had not been selected by Lieutenant Downes when he -drafted his crew. - -"Master Hackett says we won't see a real fight this side of Cape Horn, -because there's nothing here with metal enough to stand us off, except -the British 64-gun _Standard_, and it's reported that she has already -left Lima, bound for England." - -"We may find some craft that will show her teeth, despite all Master -Hackett says," I replied, little dreaming how nearly the truth I was -speaking. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE NEW FLEET. - - -It would please me greatly to be able to go into all the details of what -was done by the officers and crew of the _Essex_ while a new fleet was -being gotten together, for we did actually collect a squadron of vessels -while so far from the home port; but we met with so many startling -adventures, each of which would be of greater interest to a stranger -than the setting down exactly how that or the other vessel was captured, -that I shall tell this portion of the yarn as briefly as possible. - -First let me say, however, that Phil Robbins and I were treated by the -men on the gun-deck more as shipmates and less like boys after our -adventure in Valparaiso, although why there should have been any change -I am wholly unable to say, for we did nothing of moment, save to show, -by our willingness to accompany Benson when he baited the trap for us, -that we were more simple than lads of our age ought to have been. - -It is not to be supposed that the old shellbacks showed any very intense -desire to be with us, and sometimes plainly said that the room we -occupied was better than our company; but they spoke with us now and -then as if we were in fact shipmates, sometimes even going so far as to -tell us a particularly interesting yarn. It goes without saying that we -were forced to wait upon the whole boiling of them, and were seldom -allowed an idle hour; but, to describe the situation in a word, there -was a decided and agreeable change so far as we two lads were concerned. - -After the _Barclay_ had been recaptured and remanned, we stood across -from the mainland toward the islands without meeting a craft of any -kind. On the 17th of April we made Chatham Island, but were not rewarded -by the sight of an enemy, and a few days later we hove to off Charles's -Island, where was located the whalers' post-office. - -This last consisted only of a stout box nailed to a tree, where the -fishermen deposited letters for each other, or to be taken home by the -craft heading in that direction. Captain Porter did not hesitate to -rifle the "mail," and by so doing gained much valuable information -concerning the different ships in the Pacific. - -We cruised around among the islands, seeing nothing which interested us -in the way of business, until the 29th of April, just at sunrise, when -all hands rushed on deck at the welcome cry of "Sail ho!" the first we -had heard since the day we came across the _Barclay_. - -A large ship could be seen to the westward, and an hour after we began -the chase two other craft were sighted a trifle farther south. - -With three ships in sight, and the odds in favor of all being enemies, -it can well be understood that we were in a fine state of excitement. - -Until this time I had positively refused to do as Phil desired in the -way of asking my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, to use his influence with -Lieutenant Downes to the end that we might be considered as members of -his fleet; but on this morning, when it seemed positive there would be -hot work in plenty before night, I plucked up sufficient courage, as my -kinsman was standing on the break of the quarter, to approach him. - -It was the first time since we left port that I had ventured so far as -to speak to an officer without first being accosted, and Stephen--I mean -Lieutenant McKnight--looked surprised, as indeed he had good cause to -be, since it is not customary for boys aboard a man-of-war to address -familiarly those who are so far above them in station. - -However, it so chanced that the lieutenant was in good humor, as he -should have been, with so many possible prizes in sight, and kindly -answered my salute by asking what I would have. - -Had he been ashore and had I never sailed under his command, I should -have accosted him by the name of Stephen, and made known my wants -boldly; but now I stuttered and stammered like a simple, thus showing -what a difference a uniform and a commission can make. - -After a time, however, I managed to say, he kindly encouraging me to -"speak up man fashion":-- - -"There's like to be much work for all hands before night, sir, and -Philip Robbins and I are sore at heart because of never having a chance -to prove that we can do more than falls to the lot of boys aboard ship." - -"So!" the lieutenant said with a laugh. "You are growing down-hearted -because there isn't danger enough?" - -"It's not exactly that, sir; but when danger does come, we want our full -share of it." - -"Then you have no cause for complaint, lad. A round shot is as likely to -take you off as me; aboard ship we all run the same chances." - -"But those who are under Lieutenant Downes when his fleet is called away -are likely to see more service and have better opportunities for earning -advancement," I stammered, whereat he laughed heartily, thus putting me -considerably more at my ease. - -"You are eager to try your hand at close work?" he said, rather than -asked; and I fancied he was not displeased because I had ventured to -approach him on such an errand. - -"That is what we most desire, sir," I replied. "If you could only -persuade Lieutenant Downes to take us with him when next the boats are -called away, I would do anything I could to repay you when we get -ashore." - -"But what would my uncle, your father, say when I saw him? Do you think -he is as eager that his son should be shot as you are?" - -"We're not counting on that part of it, sir. All who come to close -quarters with an enemy are not shot, else you would never be standing on -this quarter-deck, wearing the uniform of a lieutenant." - -He smiled at this bold speech of mine, whereat I plucked up courage -sufficient to continue by saying:-- - -"Unless you had been given an opportunity of showing what you could do, -a commission would never have come your way." - -"Now we are getting at the real reason for this request!" he exclaimed -cheerily. "You and Robbins believe that by taking part in one sharp -engagement rapid advancement is assured?" - -"We never will advance, sir, until we have shown ourselves worthy, and -there is no great chance of doing good work while we loiter on board -when others are paving their way to a commission." - -"You speak right sensibly, Cousin Ezra," he said, in a tone which went -straight to my heart; for it proved that he had not forgotten the ties -of kinship which bound us, even though he was so much higher in station. -"I will do all I may properly to persuade Mr. Downes to take you under -his wing. If I succeed, remember that I would be equally shamed if you -showed the white feather." - -"None of the McKnights have ever done anything of the kind, sir, and -it's not likely your cousin would be the first to write himself down a -coward." - -"I begin to believe that you're of the right sort, Ezra; and if you -don't make your way in the navy, it won't be because I haven't done my -share toward it." - -Surely, a lad could not ask for a fairer promise than that; and after -saluting properly I went forward, feeling remarkably well pleased with -myself. - -I found Phil on the forecastle-deck, and the lad was so overjoyed by the -news, having come to believe I would never dare ask such a favor of my -cousin, that he would have kissed me then and there, but I sprang back -in time to prevent an exhibition which must have made us the -laughing-stock of all our messmates. - -From this time on it can well be imagined that we watched the chase with -even more of interest than would ordinarily have been displayed, and -Phil said again and again that he hoped the wind would die away, so we -might be called to the boats. - -If all his wishes could have been granted so quickly, he might have -counted himself the most fortunate lad in all the world. - -We rapidly overhauled the ship first sighted, and it was no more than -nine o'clock in the morning when we came within half a mile, pitching a -shot across her bows which brought her to in short order. - -The _Essex_ was run within hailing distance, and then we learned that -our prize was the British whaleship _Montezuma_, with fourteen hundred -barrels of oil on board. - -We could not afford to spend very much time on her because the other two -craft were near at hand, and without further ceremony than that of -hailing to learn who she was, a prize crew was called away to board her. - -We waited only long enough to make certain our men were not opposed -when they went over the rail, and then the _Essex_ was headed for the -other ships, both of whom were clawing off at the best possible speed. - -For two hours we cracked on every inch of canvas that could be spread, -overhauling the strangers in fine style, and then, while we were yet -fully eight miles distant, Phil's wish was granted. The wind died away -so suddenly that, save for the general excitement of taking prizes, all -hands would have been on the lookout for a squall, and Phil cried in my -ear:-- - -"Now we shall see something of real business. Those craft won't submit -tamely to our small boats, and we shall know what a sea-fight is like!" - -I believed he spoke only the truth, and once more the cold shivers -chased themselves up and down my backbone; for despite all the fine -words with which I had regaled my cousin, I was not really hankering to -put myself in the way of the smallest shot that might be fired. The -mischief had been done, however, and by no one but myself; therefore the -least I could do was to look pleasant, although I hoped most fervently -that Mr. Downes would give no heed to my cousin's request. - -In this last I was most wofully disappointed, for Phil had hardly more -than ceased speaking when a marine came to summon me aft. - -I went, knowing full well why the order had been sent, and blaming -myself for a meddling fool, when by holding my tongue I might have -remained safe and sound on board the _Essex_ instead of pulling a heavy -oar two or three hours simply that the Britishers could have an -opportunity to kill me. - -Lieutenant Downes was on the quarter talking with Captain Porter when I -came up, and not until his interview with the commander was come to an -end did he turn toward me. Then it was to say:-- - -"So you and your comrade are eager for a taste of boat-work?" - -I could do no less than agree with him after all the fine speeches I had -made to my cousin; and he said, as if believing he was doing me a -wonderful favor:-- - -"When the boat crews are called away, you two lads will take your places -alongside me. I have promised Mr. McKnight to have an eye out on you -bloodthirsty youngsters, and it won't be my fault if he doesn't hear -exactly how you behaved under fire." - -If I had not been on the quarter-deck I believe of a verity I should -have groaned; as it was I said to my miserable self that if we caught it -very hot, my cousin would wish I had never been born. - -I thanked the lieutenant in a shaky voice, and, saluting, went forward -to wreak my vengeance on Phil for having persuaded me into such a scrape -when there was no sense in it. - -I changed my mind very quickly after joining the lad; he, like me, had -grown faint-hearted now the opportunity for hot work was close at hand, -and I knew by the expression on his face that he regretted, as did I, -having made any such foolish request. - -"I suppose we've got to go," he said in a faint tone; and the contrast -between his manner now and when I first told him what my cousin had -promised, was so comical that I could not keep my face straight. "It's -all very well for you who are really brave," he continued, believing -from the smile on my face that there was no fear in my heart; "but I -don't think I want to go." - -Since he had given me the credit of being brave when, as a matter of -fact, I was more cowardly even than he, I did not propose to undeceive -him, but said as stoutly as possible:-- - -"You can't back out now, Phil, else every man on board will set you -down for the veriest kind of a coward." - -"That's just what I am," he whispered, and again I laughed, this time -because I had earned the reputation of being stout-hearted when any lamb -would have outclassed me in that respect. - -We were not given much time to mourn over the situation. Our -conversation was hardly more than come to its sorrowful end when the -word was given for the crews of the boats to stand ready, and we two -lads ranged ourselves meekly beside Mr. Downes. - -We embarked in proper fashion once the boats came alongside, and were -stationed in the stern-sheets near the lieutenant, when it would have -been more to my liking had we been forced to work the oars; for by so -doing we might keep our thoughts from what seemed surely to be before -us. - -As I have said, it was about eleven o'clock when the wind died out, and -the _Essex_ was fully eight miles from the nearest stranger. - -I could see that the men were settling to the oars for a long pull, and -the knowledge that whatsoever danger awaited us was an hour or more in -the future enabled me to keep my cowardly fears in check. Phil also -revived when he understood that some considerable time must elapse -before we had come within range of the enemy's guns, and looked quite -cheerful as we answered the cheers of those on board the _Essex_. - -Not until two o'clock, and by that time I was terribly cramped with -sitting so long in one position, did we come near the strangers. Then we -were about a mile distant when they hoisted the British colors and -opened fire. - -We were so far away, and their aim was so bad, that the shots failed to -come within an hundred yards of us, whereat my courage increased once -more; my heart came out of my boots where it had gone at the sound of -the first gun, and I began to think the danger was not so great as had -been represented. - -Phil remained silent, clutching my belt, and I could feel his hand -trembling violently. - -"They can't send a shot anywhere near us," I whispered encouragingly. - -"Ay, there's little danger while we're so far away; but we're going -nearer each moment, and then of a surety they must strike us." - -This was a very unpleasant suggestion, and I ceased my efforts at -bolstering up his courage as I tried to stiffen my own. - -The Britishers were lying about a quarter of a mile apart, and because -the men were at the guns ready for action, I fancied we were very near a -bloody engagement. - -Lieutenant Downes gave a command for the boats to form in open order, -and each craft shot out of line until she was heading a course of her -own, the whole advancing after the fashion of the sticks of a fan. - -It seemed strange to me that the enemy ceased firing at the moment we -began the advance in proper fashion. We could see that on board the -nearest ship they were training their guns on us, and expected each -instant one of our craft would be struck, yet not a piece was -discharged. - -Nearer and nearer we approached, until it was possible to see distinctly -every person on deck; but still the guns remained silent. - -I hardly dared to breathe, nor would I look at Phil lest he should read -in my eyes the fear that was in my heart. - -We were come within fifty yards; every gun on the port side was trained -upon us, and the officers on the quarter stood as if on the point of -giving the order to open fire. - -I shut my eyes, for it seemed certain that the battle could not longer -be delayed, and to my mind there was little chance any of our boats -would survive the first broadside. - -The rousing cheers of the men startled me into opening my eyes again, -and for an instant I could not understand the meaning of the shouts; but -Phil soon enlightened me as he exclaimed in a tone of most intense -relief:-- - -"They've struck their colors! They've struck their colors!" - -It was indeed a fact, and our boat's crew scrambled on board, we two -lads following in silent amazement, hardly conscious of what we were -doing until Lieutenant Downes began calling off the names of those who -would remain on board as prize crew. - -We had captured the _Georgiana_, a British whaler which had originally -been built for the East India Company's service, and was credited with -being a fast sailer. She was pierced for eighteen guns, but had only six -mounted when we took possession of her. - -After the crew had been sent below, the hatches closed, and the officers -were imprisoned in the cabin, Lieutenant Downes called away such of our -men as had been selected to man the prize, and off we went to try -conclusions with the second craft. - -By this time Phil and I were quite brave; we had come to understand -that danger cannot be lessened by fear, and were disposed to believe -that the British whalers were not such fighters as had been supposed. - -Our small fleet dashed on toward the second ship in the same order as -when we came upon the _Georgiana_, and the same peaceful capture was -ours. All the ship's crew were at the guns, yet they hauled down their -colors when we were close upon them, and the Essex had taken three -prizes in one day. - -This last ship proved to be the _Policy_, a whaler, pierced for eighteen -guns and having ten mounted. - -How our men cheered when we were on board the third prize without so -much as a scratch! It was something to boast of, this taking three fine -ships in one day, and again did it appear as if the "luck of the -_Essex_" was an established fact. - -Lieutenant Downes did not think it necessary to pull back to the frigate -now that the work was finished and there did not appear to be anything -of importance on hand. The crews were set about this trifling duty or -that, and we waited until sunset for a wind, when the prizes were sailed -down to where the flagship lay close alongside the _Barclay_ and the -_Montezuma_. - -It was a veritable fleet which Captain Porter now had under his command, -and the only drawback was the number of prisoners we were forced to -look after; but that was a trifling matter when one considered it as the -only cost of four fine ships. - -Master Hackett thought it proper to compliment Phil and me on our -manliness in applying for permission to go with Lieutenant Downes at a -time when it seemed positive there was hot work ahead, and I felt much -as though I was acting a lie when I remained silent while the old man -was bestowing so much praise upon us. - -If he had known all that was in our hearts as we were pulling toward the -whalers, I question if he would so much as have spoken to us again. - -Now we two, Phil and I, began to ask ourselves if we were regularly -drafted to Mr. Downes's fleet, or whether we had been taken for that one -cruise only; and, ashamed though I should be to confess it, there was a -great hope in my heart that in the future we would be forced to remain -on board the _Essex_ when there was any more cutting out to be done. - -Before another day had come to an end we of the gun-deck learned, -through one of the marines, as a matter of course, that Captain Porter -had decided to equip the _Georgiana_ as a cruiser, with Lieutenant -Downes as commander. By so doing he would have an able assistant in -searching for the enemy, and also a consort on which the crew of the -_Essex_ might find refuge in case of any serious injury to the frigate. - -And now it was that, remaining at sea as if we were in dock, the work of -making the fleet ready for service was begun; and the old shellbacks -insisted that by so doing we were adding to the marvellous achievements -of our ship. She had sailed halfway around the world, depending upon the -enemy for supplies, going where there could be no possibility of -receiving assistance in case she was overtaken by disaster,--which was -something that had never been attempted before,--and now we were to -eclipse even that feat by remodelling the enemy's merchantmen into war -vessels while in mid-ocean, using for the purpose supplies we had just -captured. - -If ever there was a case of living on the enemy, ours surely was this -situation. - -From this day until the difficult task had been performed every man and -boy was kept busy from early dawn until darkness rendered it difficult -to see what we were about; and in this general furbishing our own ship -was not neglected. The rigging of the _Essex_ was overhauled and tarred; -strained spars were replaced by new ones, and the frigate was given a -complete coat of paint. - -The _Georgiana_ was transformed by the taking down of her try-work, -which had been used for getting oil from the blubber of whales, and all -the small arms from the other prizes were sent on board. She was given -her full complement of guns, those from the _Policy_ being transshipped, -and on the 18th day of May Lieutenant Commandant Downes hoisted the -American pennant on board the _Georgiana_, 16, firing a salute of -seventeen guns, all of which were answered by the _Essex_, while the -remaining prizes made as much noise as was possible. - -We had a great celebration that day when a new ship was added to the -United States Navy, and the cooks did their share toward it by filling -our duff so full of plums that one could almost believe he was eating a -regular, home-made pudding. - -The manning of our prizes cost us so many of our crew that after all the -ships were in sailing trim we had on board the _Essex_ only two hundred -and sixty-four, including officers, a small number, as Master Hackett -declared, to handle the frigate in case we found ourselves in -action,--an event which seemed only too probable when it should be known -in England what mischief we were working among the whalers. - -Our new man-of-war was given a fair trial to prove whether she was as -good a sailer as had been believed, and we soon learned that the -Britishers were decidedly at fault regarding her. She could not hold her -own with the _Essex_ even under the most favorable circumstances; but -yet she was by no means a tub, and might be of great service before -falling in with an enemy sufficiently heavy to send her to the bottom. - -Four days after being put into commission the _Georgiana_ set off on an -independent cruise, and we hung around Charles's Island until the 28th -of May before sighting another sail. - -Then one hove in sight dead ahead, and, success having made us -confident, we piled on the canvas, believing she was the same as ours -already. - -Our three prizes, with good working crews, were close aboard us at the -moment the stranger was sighted, and away we dashed in the finest style, -ready to meet anything from a line-of-battle ship to a couple of -frigates. - -The chase was begun late in the afternoon, and we held on all night, -keeping her well in sight, and heaving in view another sail of which we -took no notice, save to send a couple of boats after her, for the bird -which we had almost in our hand was worth any two well down on the -horizon. - -The stranger was a big ship, and sailed well; but she could not hold -her own with the _Essex_, and by nine o'clock next morning we were -alongside with the crew at quarters. - -We believed of a verity that this fellow would fight, since he had ten -ports on a side, and once more did I feel too nervous for comfort; but -no sooner were we in a position to open the battle than she surrendered, -and we were in possession of the British whaler _Atlantic_, of three -hundred and fifty-five tons burden, carrying twenty-four men. She had -eight eighteen-pounders mounted, and might have held us in check long -enough to show that English sailors are the gluttons at fighting which -they claim to be. - -No sooner had we thrown a prize crew on board, and seen to it that the -Britishers were secured where they couldn't make any trouble for our -men, than the _Essex_ was put about in chase of the sail we had sighted -during the night, our consorts following a long distance in our wake, -unable to keep the pace we were setting. - -We came up with the chase about noon, and then were becalmed within two -miles of her. - -She appeared to be heavily armed, and we were short-handed in -consequence of having distributed so many men among the prizes taken -thus far, as well as sending out the two boats, which had probably been -picked up by some of our fleet before this time. - -To equip the fleet of small boats would require nearly every man and boy -on board, leaving no one to handle the frigate in case the wind sprang -up, and as we noted this fact--I mean as the old shellbacks discussed -it--Master Hackett said to me with a long-drawn sigh of relief:-- - -"It's the luck of the _Essex_ to find Britishers so plentiful; but this -time she's got more'n a mouthful, an' that fellow yonder is like to give -us the slip unless our slow-movin' prizes work up this way before the -wind rises." - -"Do you mean, Master Hackett, that we can't make any effort at capturing -her?" I asked in surprise. - -"Look about an' see if that ain't the size of it. Do you reckon Captain -Porter would strip his own ship, leavin' her helpless in case this 'ere -calm ended with a squall?" - -It surely did not seem possible our commander would do anything of the -kind, and my heart was heavy as I gazed at the Britisher lying so near -at hand and we unable to so much as come up with her. - -Before our crew had much time for discussion we were startled, and some -of the oldest hands almost frightened, by being called to man the boats; -and our surprise may be imagined when we learned that every craft was to -be sent off. - -I saw the old shellbacks looking at each other furtively, exchanging odd -glances and shrugging their shoulders as much as to say that Captain -Porter must have taken leave of his senses; but into the boats they -went, and all hands followed until there were none left aboard the -frigate except the captain himself, the chaplain, the captain's clerk, -and the boatswain. - -Four men only to look after the _Essex_ in case of sudden danger, or in -event of our being forced to surrender! It surely seemed as if we were -gazing upon the frigate for the last time, when the boats were pulled -away, and I heard Master Hackett mutter to the man nearest him:-- - -"Take your good-by squint at the old hooker, matey, for I'm reckonin' -there's many a chance you'll never see her again. I'm willin' to admit -that a man-o'-warsman is bound to run many a risk; but this 'ere beats -anything I ever saw or heard of before." - -And from the expression on the faces of all I understood that to a man -the crew believed we were going far beyond our duty,--which fact, as may -well be imagined, was not calculated to make me very comfortable in -mind. There were an hundred things likely to happen that would leave us -without a ship, and it was by no means even chances that we could gain a -foothold on the deck of the stranger. Surely, the day must come when we -should find a Britisher who would fight, even though he was no more than -a whaler, and this might be the day. - -Looking back I could see Captain Porter pacing the quarter-deck, and I -wondered if he believed himself fully justified in thus leaving the -frigate to the mercy of the sea and weather when we might not succeed in -our errand. - -However, it was not for a lad like me to speculate as to whether the -captain was going beyond duty and reason. I was a member of the boat's -crew, and as such must do my utmost to make of the expedition a success, -regardless of what threatened the _Essex_. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. - - -Our fears as to what fate might overtake the _Essex_ while we were away -and she had only four men to care for her, were forgotten in a great -measure as we neared the Britisher. - -Probably the question in the minds of all was as to whether the stranger -would show fight. I know it fully occupied my thoughts; but, greatly to -my surprise, I was not very much afraid of what might happen. Perhaps -because there were so many things to think about, I gave less heed to -the enemy than I would have done under other circumstances. - -There is no good reason why I should spin out this portion of the yarn -any longer than is absolutely necessary, more especially since there is -so much of later happening and greater importance to be set down. - -It is enough to say that we approached the enemy in proper fashion, -ready for any kind of a scrimmage, and instead of firing a gun he hauled -down his colors as the others had done. Cowardly though I was, it -disappointed me because these Britishers submitted so tamely. - -We now had, as the second prize of the day, the letter of marque ship -_Greenwich_, three hundred and thirty-eight tons burden, carrying ten -guns and a crew of twenty-five men. - -Captain Porter had taken many chances in sending us all away at the same -time, yet by doing so he had gained another prize which, had she been -left at liberty, might have worked serious mischief to our merchantmen. - -It can readily be supposed that we did not lose any time in getting back -to the frigate. Men enough to take care of the prisoners and work the -prize were left on board, and the remainder of us pulled to the _Essex_ -at full speed, feeling, when we went on deck once more, as if the old -ship had escaped some deadly peril. - -By the time the remainder of our fleet came up, bringing with them the -two boats we had sent out during the night, the _Essex_ was lying -alongside two fine prizes which had not cost us a single charge of -powder. - -We now had four prizes, in addition to the _Barclay_, and I was arguing -with Phil as to how it would be possible to care for them all, and at -the same time take any more, when Master Hackett joined us. - -"I reckon you lads think the old _Essex_ has got about as much as she -can stagger under, eh?" he began; and I repeated to him what Phil and I -had been saying. - -"I allow we've got a good big job on our hands, lads," the old man said, -speaking thoughtfully, as if weighing well every word, "an' now's come -the time when Captain Porter is bound to make port. We're feedin' a -crowd of men, an' can't do any great amount of work with so many craft -to look after." - -"Will we go to Valparaiso?" Phil asked, thinking of Benson. - -"It's beyond an old shellback like me to say, lad; but if I was the -captain of this 'ere frigate, I'd think twice before I poked my nose -into that port the second time." - -"Why? They treated us well before." - -"Ay, an' that's why I'd keep my weather-eye liftin' while we're in these -waters. England is a strong nation, an' these 'ere young republics won't -dare hold out against her commands very long. There'll be a big lot of -kickin' in Great Britain when word is sent there of what we've been -doin', an' you'll find that she'll shut every port on the Pacific -against us." - -I did not fully understand all Master Hackett said; but no particular -harm was done because of my ignorance, since it matters little whether a -boy aboard ship knows the whys and wherefores of everything. - -However, there must have been good reasoning in the old man's words, -since Captain Porter did exactly that which Master Hackett would have -advised. - -When prize crews were on board all our captured ships we were so short -of hands that Lieutenant Gamble of the marines was given charge of the -_Greenwich_, because we had no naval officer to put in command, and the -entire fleet was gotten under way without unnecessary delay. - -None of us on the gun-deck knew for what port we were bound, until the -19th of June, when we ran into the harbor of Tumbez, and came to anchor. - -Why it was, none of our old sea lawyers could determine satisfactorily; -but not one of the crew was given shore liberty. There was no unusual -amount of work to be done on the ships, yet we were kept aboard as close -as if there was danger some of us might desert. - -The captain went on shore every day to bargain for provisions to be -paid for with the money we captured from the _Nocton_, and boatloads of -stores were put aboard this ship or that; therefore it was certain the -inhabitants were friendly, or would be so long as our cash lasted. - -There was no little amount of grumbling because we were kept so snug; -but as a matter of course none of the hard words were spoken where they -might be overheard by the officers, therefore nothing came of it. - -Five days after we let go our ground tackle three sail were seen -standing into the bay, and we were summoned to get the frigate under -way, but the order was countermanded when those on the foremost ship -lowered a boat as if to come ashore. - -Captain Porter waited to learn who the visitors were, and soon we had -the great satisfaction of seeing Lieutenant Downes in the stern-sheets -of the boat, although it puzzled us not a little as to why he had -returned thus soon. - -Of course the lieutenant came on board the _Essex_, as did those who had -manned his boat, and we of the gun-deck heard the whole story of the -_Georgiana's_ adventures while Mr. Downes was having his confab in the -cabin. - -And what a story it was! We cheered and yelled as our old shipmates -spun it off, and nearly went wild with rejoicing. - -Here is the yarn boiled down, and that it was true we knew full well, -for yonder were the prizes coming to close under the _Georgiana_ stern. - -It seems that after leaving us Lieutenant Downes cruised off James's -Island, where he fell in with two Britishers. Hoisting the English -colors, he soon had the captains of the whalers sitting comfortably in -his cabin, and then he told them who he was. Well, the prizes were taken -without resistance, as a matter of course, and the United States entered -into possession, less what prize money would be coming to us, of the -ship _Catherine_ of two hundred and seventy tons burden, carrying eight -guns and twenty-nine men, and the _Rose_, two hundred and twenty tons, -eight guns and twenty-one men. - -After manning these prizes, Lieutenant Downes had only twenty as a crew -all told, and yet that fact did not prevent him from giving chase next -day to the whaler _Hector_, a ship of two hundred and seventy tons, -twenty-five men, and carrying eleven guns, although she was pierced for -twenty. - -This last craft was a Britisher who stood ready to fight, and when Mr. -Downes understood that he had an action on his hands, with hardly men -enough to work his ship, he put the prisoners in irons so that they -might not be able to lend a hand to their countrymen. - -When the _Hector_ was ordered to surrender she refused, and Mr. Downes -let her have a broadside which brought down her main-topmast. The crew -had good pluck, however, and fought their ship until nearly all her -standing and running rigging was shot away, when they could do no less -than haul down their colors. The Britishers had two men killed and six -wounded. - -After putting a prize crew on board this last capture, Lieutenant Downes -had but ten men left in the _Georgiana_, and, including the wounded, he -held seventy-three prisoners. Now it seems that the _Rose_ was an old -tub of a ship which it wouldn't pay to bring into port under the -circumstances; therefore he threw her guns overboard, and filled her -with the prisoners, on condition that they head direct for St. Helena. - -When that had been done he steered for Tumbez, for it appears that he -and Captain Porter had agreed to go there when it was necessary to make -a port. - -Now our fleet consisted of nine sail, and it began to look as if we -might take possession of every port in the Pacific Ocean, if we were so -minded. The beauty of it was that all our ships and ammunition had come -from the Britishers, which was surely an economical way of carrying on a -war. - -Even Phil and I were puffed up with pride because of what had been -accomplished, and we crowed as loud as any man on the gun-deck when we -went over and over again the "luck of the _Essex_." - -We soon learned that the fleet was not yet to the captain's liking, and -on the morning after the arrival of Mr. Downes our people set about -making a change. - -The _Atlantic_, which, as you will remember, we captured just before -running for Tumbez, was an hundred tons larger than the _Georgiana_, and -had shown herself to be a better sailer, as well as possessing superior -qualifications for a cruiser; therefore Mr. Downes and his crew were -transferred to her. Twenty guns were mounted in this new sloop of war, -and she was manned by sixty men. Her name was changed to _Essex Junior_, -and a right trim little ship she was, I can assure you. - -The _Greenwich_ we made over into a store-ship, and all the spare stores -of the other vessels were put into her. She was armed with twenty guns, -but had no more of a crew than was absolutely necessary to work her; -therefore we could not count that she would do much in the way of making -prizes. - -The carpenters were yet busily at work on the _Essex Junior_ when we -left port; but we had become accustomed to fitting at sea, therefore a -little thing like that did not disturb the most nervous. - -A brave show we made as we passed out of the harbor with the stars and -stripes floating in the breeze, and I would have given half my share of -prize money if the people at home could have seen us, and known how this -squadron had been gotten together. - -We were yet at sea on the Fourth of July, and then was held a Yankee -celebration which must have astonished the mermaids. Every ship fired a -salute, and, what pleased us most, did it with powder we had taken from -the Britishers. We had plum duff till we could eat no more, to say -nothing of roast pig, vegetables, and other such cabin stores as tickle -the appetite. - -Phil and I had by this time come to believe we were quite brave, and -counted on the moment when in action we should do that which would cause -Captain Porter to praise us from the quarter-deck in the presence of all -the ship's company. - -On the 9th of July the _Essex Junior_ was in good sailing trim, and the -fleet was hove to in order to part company with the new sloop of war. -Our commander had decided to send the prizes, _Hector_, _Catherine_, -_Policy_, and _Montezuma_, as well as the recaptured ship _Barclay_, -into Valparaiso, and Commandant Downes was to take charge of the matter. - -We parted company about noon, the frigate, with the _Greenwich_ and -_Georgiana_, remaining hove to until the _Essex Junior_ and her convoy -were hull down in the distance, after which we squared away for a cruise -among the Gallipagos, so the marines who had stood guard in the cabin -reported; but we knew that between where we then were and the islands in -question was a good chance of taking more prizes, and, because of the -"luck of the _Essex_," reckoned on adding to our list of captures before -arriving at this new cruising ground. - -We counted on having our average good fortune; but never dreamed, -confident though we were, of the success which was so soon to be ours. - -Four days after we parted company with our prizes and the _Essex -Junior_, that is to say, on the 13th day of July, the lookouts sighted -three sail off Banks's Bay, all on a wind, but a good deal separated. - -Phil and I were no longer excited by such information. Both of us felt -elated; but we had thus far captured everything which had been sighted, -and when a sail was reported, we of the gun-deck at once reckoned her -as a prize. Had we failed to take two or three craft during our cruise, -then we would have been in suspense until the chase was ended; but so -good had been our fortune that the worst grumblers among the crew began -to find fault because the Britishers fell into our hands like over-ripe -apples. - -Our little fleet was in a bunch, hardly more than a quarter of a mile -separating each craft, when the word was given that more ships had come -up to be captured; and on this day we had an opportunity of learning how -well the squadron could manoeuvre. - -Captain Porter signalled that he would give chase to the ship in the -middle of the line, which was farthest down to leeward, while the -_Greenwich_ and the _Georgiana_ endeavored to cut off one of the others. - -This race was different from others which had fallen to our lot, -inasmuch as we were eager to know what was going on astern as well as -ahead; and every man jack of us off duty gathered on the -forecastle-deck, confident that all three of the strangers would be -taken, but curious as to how it might be done. - -We of the frigate overhauled our portion of the chase rapidly; but the -stranger was so far to leeward that we were forced to run a long -distance from our consorts, and when the _Essex_ was a couple of -leagues off, those who were watching astern could see that one of the -strangers which we had left for the _Georgiana_ and the _Greenwich_ to -look after, had tacked, and was evidently manoeuvring to cut the -_Georgiana_ out. - -Now had matters become interesting for a verity. Short-handed as our -consorts were, there was a good chance that one would be captured while -we were running to leeward, and I literally held my breath in suspense, -expecting each moment to see the tiny wisp of red and white which we -knew to be the stars and stripes, hauled down in response to the -stranger's threats. - -If any proof had been needed that Yankees were not inclined to surrender -without a fight, we had it then, when we saw the _Greenwich_ heave to, -take a portion of the crew from the _Georgiana_, and bear boldly down on -the enemy. - -What a cheer went up from our men when this had been done! I was proud -of my countrymen then, and could have hugged every old shellback on -board the _Greenwich_ with a good zest, had it been possible to get at -them. - -"I'll answer for it that our comrades hold those two Britishers in check -until we can get back," Master Hackett said in a tone of satisfaction, -and again we cheered until those on the ship we were overhauling so -rapidly must have heard and wondered why we were making such a fuss -about the capture of a whaler. - -Well, we bore down on the chase hand over hand, and when we were so near -that a shot might have been pitched into any part of her, the ship hove -to without the slightest show of resistance. - -Captain Porter hailed as the British colors were hauled down, and then -we learned that this last prize was the English whaler _Charlton_, two -hundred and seventy-four tons, with ten guns and twenty-one men. - -Her officers were transferred to the _Essex_, a prize crew was thrown on -board in a twinkling, and the frigate hauled her wind to take care of -the others. - -Captain Porter was so eager for information that he questioned the -captain of the _Charlton_ on the quarter-deck, and many of the gun-deck -inquisitives heard the whole story. - -By this means our commander learned that the largest of the ships we now -counted on taking was the _Seringapatam_, three hundred and fifty-seven -tons, carrying fourteen guns and forty men. It was this craft which had -been manoeuvring to cut out the _Georgiana_, and unless we had been -near at hand to lend assistance the job might have been done. - -The other Britisher was the _New Zealander_, of two hundred and -fifty-nine tons, eight guns, and twenty-three men. - -The _Seringapatam_ had been built for a cruiser, so our prisoners said, -and was the most dangerous ship, so far as the American trade was -concerned, of any craft west of Cape Horn. - -There was not one of us who did not feel the most intense desire to -capture this craft, and particularly to do so before she could work any -serious damage to our consorts. - -We could see that the _Greenwich_ had already gone into action with the -Britisher, and we cheered ourselves hoarse by way of encouragement to -the brave fellows who had tackled a craft heavier than themselves, -although there was not the slightest chance they would hear our cries. - -Our ship, meaning the _Greenwich_, was manoeuvred beautifully; she -poured in three broadsides before the enemy could get into position to -fire one, and we were yet more than a league distant when the Britisher -showed that she had had enough. As her colors came down we cheered and -shouted like wild men, some of the old shellbacks dancing around the -deck like apes who have suddenly gone mad; but before many minutes -passed we saw that we had begun our rejoicings a trifle too early. - -After giving token of surrender the captain of the _Seringapatam_ -evidently thought he yet had an opportunity to escape, for he slipped -off to windward before a prize crew could be thrown on board. - -We gazed in breathless suspense as the _Greenwich_, never stopping to -pick up the crew in the two boats which had been lowered to take -possession of the prize, crept up on the enemy's quarter and poured in -such a fire as was most surprising, considering the number of men which -were left on board. - -The Britisher soon came to understand that we Yankees were too much for -him, even though he outclassed us both as to metal and men, for he wore -around and came down to us as meekly as any lamb. - -Captain Porter lost no time in throwing a prize crew on board, after -transshipping the officers, and away we went for the _New Zealander_, -who was doing her feeble best to crawl out of the way; but succeeding -very badly. - -When we passed within half a mile of the _Greenwich_ our crew lined the -yards and gave her the heartiest of salutes, while Captain Porter -winked at the performance when he should have reprimanded us severely -for daring to do so without permission or orders. - -The _New Zealander_ was taken without opposition, and again we found -ourselves with more prizes and prisoners than could conveniently be -managed. - -Before nightfall Captain Porter learned that the commander of the -_Seringapatam_ had taken one prize illegally, he having no letter of -marque; and since this was neither more nor less than piracy, the -venturesome Britisher was put in irons to be sent home for trial. - -Next morning the _Charlton's_ guns, ammunition, small arms, and spare -sails were taken out; all the prisoners were put on board, and she was -allowed to make sail for Rio de Janeiro, every man jack being under -parole to go to that port and none other. - -Hardly had she filled away on her course than we set to work putting the -_Seringapatam_ into shape for our own use. The guns of the _New -Zealander_ were mounted in her, which brought up the number to -twenty-two, but we could leave on board no more than a sufficient crew -to work her. - -Then orders were given that the oil which we had taken, and which was -stored on the _Essex_, the _Greenwich_, and the _Georgiana_, should be -put on board the latter ship, and she sent home. - -Loading a ship in mid ocean with such heavy articles as casks of oil, is -a slow and laborious task, as we soon learned. It was necessary to sling -each hogshead into a boat, pull to the craft which was being loaded, and -there hoist it inboard, working disadvantageously all the while because -of the heavy swell. - -It was not until the 24th day of July that the _Georgiana_ was ready for -the voyage to the United States, and then the captain of the -_Seringapatam_ had been sent on board as a prisoner to be closely -guarded; but no crew selected to take charge of her. - -On this evening our men, greasy and stained with their work of handling -oil, were called amidships while Captain Porter stood on the break of -the quarter. - -All hands knew that we were now to learn who would sail in the -_Georgiana_, and each man looked at his neighbor to know how he felt -about going home while the most dangerous portion of the work yet -remained to be done, which would be when the British men-of-war came -around the Horn to wind up our career. - -The captain began by reminding us that our term of service had nearly -expired, and that a certain number must be sent home to work the -_Georgiana_. - -"I will give you all the same show," he said; "and if too many -volunteer to make up the crew, we will take those whose time of -enlistment is nearest at an end. You are to think it over this evening; -try to settle the matter among yourselves; but if that can't be done, I -will take a hand at it to-morrow morning." - -With this we were dismissed, and once all hands were on the gun-deck, -with the exception of those who remained above on watch, a most -tremendous jawing was begun. Every man tried to speak at the same time, -and the uproar was so great that no single word could be distinguished. -I could not make out whether the men were excited lest they should not -be able to go, or if there was a desire to remain. - -Phil and I went into a corner by ourselves, where we could hear each -other speak, and there I asked him what he thought about volunteering -for the _Georgiana_. - -"I count on staying here, if Captain Porter don't drive me out," he said -emphatically, thus showing that his decision had been made before we -came below. "You know, Ezra, that I don't amount to much when it comes -to a show of bravery; but I'm not such a coward as to turn now, when the -greatest danger is yet to be met." - -I flung my arms around the dear fellow and kissed him on both cheeks. -He had spoken that which was in my own heart, although I could not have -put it in such proper words; and then it was decided between us that we -would remain by the _Essex_ so long as should be permitted us. - -By the time we two had settled the question, Master Hackett had -succeeded in quieting the wranglers sufficiently to make himself heard, -and the old man proved to be quite a dandy at handling a meeting. - -"Hold your jaw, you lubbers!" he shouted with such a volume of sound -that he must have been heard distinctly by those on the quarter-deck. -"The captain wants to know how many of us is achin' to get home before -the Britishers send half a dozen frigates down here to blow us out of -the water, an' he'll never get the information unless you settle down -into peaceable sailormen. There's no use waggin' your chins over this -thing; every man has a right to do what pleases him best, an' now he's -got a fair chance. What I say is this: Let them as want to go aboard the -_Georgiana_ toddle to the port side, and them who count on holdin' by -the old hooker, step over to starboard." - -The men looked around curiously for an instant, and then every one of -them moved to starboard, Phil and I among the rest. - -There was a broad grin on Master Hackett's face when he cried with a -semblance of anger:-- - -"This 'ere won't do at all. Some of us are bound to go, seein's how we -can't let that cargo of oil run to waste. Of course _I'll_ hold to the -frigate; but them as have got wives an' children ashore ought 'er get -over to port, an' we'll feel no shame for 'em, knowin' as we do that a -crew must be made up for the _Georgiana_." - -"It's none of your business how many wives or children we've got, Hiram -Hackett!" one of the throng shouted. "It's as much our right as yours to -stick to the frigate, an' we count on doin' it. Why not send the boys? -They can do the work of sailormen aboard the _Georgiana_! Then you'll -have two towards a crew." - -"Come here, you skulkers!" Master Hackett roared, looking at Phil and -me, and there was nothing for it but to step out from among the crew. - -"Act as spokesman, Phil," I whispered. "You can go ahead of me when it -comes to jawing; but remember that they can't drive us off unless the -captain gives the word, and I'm thinking that my cousin Stephen will -stand up for our rights." - -"Are you two infants ready to obey orders an' go aboard the -_Georgiana_?" Master Hackett asked, looking as fierce as if he counted -on eating us. - -"No, sir!" Phil shouted at the full strength of his lungs. "We've got -as much right to stay as you have, an' we won't volunteer!" - -"Three cheers for the infants!" some one shouted, and the men yelled -until their throats were like to split. - -Then the crew crowded around Master Hackett, each man trying to make -himself heard, and I understood that there was little chance of finding -a crew for the _Georgiana_ if every one was to do as he pleased. - -By this time the noise was so great that Lieutenant McKnight was sent -below to learn whether or no a riot was in progress, and, luckily, I -succeeded in gaining speech with him before the men knew he was on the -gun-deck. - -"Surely you will stand our friend in this matter, Cousin Stephen," I -said, clutching him by the coat-sleeve without regard to the -proprieties; for it is looked upon as insubordination for a common -sailor to lay hold of an officer. - -"In what way, Ezra? Are so many eager to see home again that you fear -there'll be no room for you?" - -"It's just the other way, sir," Phil broke in. "Not a man will -volunteer, and some of them have said that we two lads must go whether -we like it or not." - -"It isn't right to force us because we are lads!" I cried. "We've done -our duty so far as we knew, and our age shouldn't give license for -injustice!" - -"See here, my lads, you're not looking at this matter in the proper -light. We shall soon be turning and twisting to get out of a British -frigate's way, and many of us will lose the number of his mess before -the _Essex_ doubles Cape Horn again. You can go now without being called -a coward, and it's far better to get out of the scrape while affairs are -flourishing as they are at present." - -"Are you going in the _Georgiana_, Cousin Stephen?" I asked. - -"What? Me? Never, unless the captain gives a positive order to that -effect." - -"If you are allowed to remain, why should we be forced to go?" - -He turned from me quickly, and, without making any attempt to restore -order, went on deck. - -The men jawed and argued more violently than ever after my cousin -disappeared, and very soon the master-at-arms came below with an order -for every man jack of us to show himself abaft the mainmast. - -We found the captain waiting for us as before; and although there was -very good reason why he should read the riot act because of the uproar, -I understood by the expression on his face that he was well pleased the -men had not shown a willingness to leave the frigate. - -When all hands had quieted down once more he made a little speech in -which he thanked us for being so eager to stay by the _Essex_, and -declared that he felt proud of every old barnacle there; but at the same -time it was absolutely necessary a crew be sent on board the -_Georgiana_. - -"Those men who have families must go," he said finally, after declaring -that it had become necessary for him to settle the matter, since the -crew themselves could not. "A list shall be made out of such as have -others depending upon them, and it will then be posted on the gun-deck. -Abide by my decision as you ever have, and I will make it my solemn duty -to let the people of the United States know that those who returned in -the _Georgiana_ did not do so of their own free will." - -We were sent below once more, and Phil and I felt well content, for by -the captain's ruling we could not be sent home in the oil-laden craft. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -AN ISLAND PORT. - - -The _Georgiana_ left us next morning, carrying a sorrowful-looking crew, -as can well be imagined, for every man jack of them felt as if he might -be accused of cowardice in leaving the _Essex_ at a time when there was -good reason to expect she would meet with a superior force. - -I fail to understand yet why it had come into the minds of all that we -would never double Cape Horn in the old frigate. No one put such a -belief into words, and yet I knew full well it was looked upon as a -fact, because of certain remarks let drop now and then when was being -discussed the question of seeing the friends at home. - -It had really come to be the belief of us all, although carefully kept -in the background, that the time must come when we would meet with such -a force of Britishers as could put an end to the "luck of the _Essex_." - -And it is little wonder that our crew, even counting the boys, should -have considered it as inevitable that the dear old frigate would come -to an end of her cruising before many months had passed, for we knew -full well the English people must soon demand that we who had done so -much mischief be put out of the way of working yet further damage. - -Consider well what had been done, and then it may be seen that the -British navy would speedily come after us with a heavy force. Here is -the situation as it was defined by a member of the United States Navy, -he looking at the matter a few weeks after the _Georgiana_ had sailed, -and we were in an island port refitting and overhauling the fleet:-- - -"The situation of the _Essex_ was sufficiently remarkable, at this -moment, to merit a brief notice. She had been the first American to -carry the pennant of a man-of-war round the Cape of Good Hope, and now -she had been the first to bring it into the distant ocean. More than ten -thousand miles from home, without colonies, stations, or even a friendly -port to repair to, short of stores, without a consort, and otherwise in -possession of none of the required means of subsistence and efficiency, -she had boldly steered into this distant region, where she had found all -that she required, through her own activity; and having swept the seas -of her enemies, she had now retired to these little-frequented islands -to refit, with the security of a ship at home. It is due to the officer -who so promptly adopted and so successfully executed this plan, to add, -that his enterprise, self-reliance, and skill indicated a man of bold -and masculine courage; qualities that are indispensable in forming a -naval captain. - -"In the way of service to the public, perhaps the greatest performed by -the _Essex_ was protecting American ships in the Pacific, nearly all of -which would probably have fallen into the hands of the enemy but for her -appearance in that ocean. But the positive injury done the English -commerce was far from trifling. The _Essex_ had now captured about four -thousand tons of its shipping, made near four hundred prisoners, and for -the moment had literally destroyed its fisheries in this part of the -world. In October, 1812, she had sailed from America alone, with six -months' provisions and the usual stores in her; and in October, 1813, -she was lying, in perfect security, at an island in the Pacific, with a -respectable consort, surrounded by prizes, and in possession of all the -means that were necessary to render a frigate of her class efficient. -Throughout the whole of these movements we see a constant tendency to -distress the enemy, and to maintain the character of the ship as an -active, well-organized, and high-toned man-of-war." - -All this was written concerning us after we had made that island port -which I shall describe later; but before entering it we were to see some -service, and experience our first disappointment in the way of capturing -every sail we sighted. - -It was on the 25th day of July when the _Georgiana_ left us, only to be -recaptured, as we afterward learned to our sorrow, before gaining an -American port. - -We remained hove to until the oil-laden prize was hull down on the -horizon, and then, with the _Essex_ leading, our little squadron, -consisting of the frigate, the _Greenwich_, _Seringapatam_, and _New -Zealander_, trailing along in fine style, cruised here and there in -search of another Britisher. - -On the morning of the third day thereafter, while we lay becalmed, a -strange sail was sighted carrying with her a fine breeze. - -As a matter of course she soon ran out of our range of vision, but -Captain Porter was not the kind of a commander to give up the hope of -catching an enemy, once having clapped his eyes on her; and at sunset, -when the wind sprang up again, signals were set for every ship to crowd -on sail in pursuit of the Britisher, although by this time she had many -leagues the start. - -The "luck of the _Essex_" was with us yet, for next morning at sunrise -the lookouts at the masthead sighted the stranger standing across our -bow on a bowline. - -By this time the breeze fined down again, and the dullest among us knew -that unless we could get the frigate through the water at a better pace, -our hope of taking another prize that day was at an end. - -Captain Porter had a scheme of his own, however, and at once set about -executing it, to the surprise and admiration of all our old shellbacks, -even though it cost us considerable labor. - -A three-cornered frame was knocked together by the carpenters, covered -with canvas, and weighted by four-pound shot on one side. This was -rigged to run from the spritsail-yard to an outrigger aft. It was -dropped into the water forward, and then half the crew, trailing on to a -small hawser made fast to the triangle as boys tie the string of a kite, -hauled it quickly astern. - -This, acting as a paddle, sent us ahead in fine style, and as soon as -the contrivance was well aft, it would be hoisted out of the water, run -forward, and dropped again. - -The labor required to work such a machine was very great; but we made -light of it on seeing that we were forging ahead faster than the -stranger could sail, and, with the perspiration running in great -streams down our bodies, we pulled and hauled with a will until, having -come within about four miles of the ship, we counted on making a prize. - -By this time it could be seen that she was a British whaler, and an -uncommonly fine craft. What was more, we began to understand that she, -unlike many we had already overhauled, did not intend that we should -capture her without paying the piper for our dancing. - -Her boats were got out to tow, and we could not work the canvas-paddle -fast enough to hold our own in the way of speed. - -The remainder of our fleet were hull down astern, therefore it was -useless to expect assistance from them,--a fact which caused Master -Hackett to say despairingly:-- - -"I allow, lads, that we've come to an end of the 'luck' for the time -bein'. That 'ere craft will muster more men accordin' to her size than -we can." - -"Gettin' afraid, eh?" some one shouted scornfully; whereat Master -Hackett replied with considerable show of spirit:-- - -"Not a bit of it, you lubber; but men count in the kind of a breeze -we're tryin' to work up, an' towin' that ship with boats is child's -play compared with what it would be to drag the _Essex_ through the -water." - -I believed our men would begin squabbling among themselves, because of -their disappointment in being thus prevented from taking a prize; but -one of the lieutenants quickly put an end to the words by bawling out an -order which showed us that the Britisher might not find towing a very -profitable job. - -The word was passed to lower the gig and one of the whale-boats, and our -men cheered lustily while this was being done, for they had a fairly -good idea of what the captain was counting on doing. - -Lieutenant McKnight, my cousin Stephen, was announced as commander of -the small expedition, and he began calling off the names of those whom -he counted on taking with him, after word had been passed that each man, -as he was thus chosen, should arm himself with a musket and plenty of -powder and bullets. - -Master Hackett was the first selected, and then followed name after name -so rapidly that I soon understood Phil and I would be left out of the -business unless something was done quickly. - -Without waiting to consult my comrade, I walked across the deck, -coughing loudly, and passing within a few feet of where the lieutenant -was standing. - -He looked up, smiled oddly, and then, after a show of hesitation -called:-- - -"Ezra McKnight! Philip Robbins!" - -"You're a beauty!" Phil whispered, as he ran past me on his way below to -get the musket and ammunition, and my only regret at that moment was -because I could not thank my cousin for the favor he had done us. - -We two lads tumbled into the gig alongside Master Hackett, who asked -gruffly:-- - -"What is the lieutenant thinkin' of to send a couple of infants out on a -job like this?" - -"Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to ask him; I don't care to -take the chances of so doing, even though your curiosity is not -satisfied," I said pertly. "If shooting is to be done, which seems -reasonable after we've been ordered to arm ourselves, I reckon the -'infants' can do as much as some others who are older." - -Master Hackett did not reply; but by the movements of his mouth I knew -he was not so displeased but that he was trying to hide a smile. - -Just then Stephen McKnight stepped aboard the gig, and as he did so -Captain Porter cried over the rail:-- - -"Remember, McKnight, that you are not to make any effort at boarding, -however tempting may be the opportunity. Get ahead of the chase and -drive in her boats, after which you will return as soon as possible." - -"I understand, sir," Stephen replied, and then came the order to "give -way with a will." - -Phil and I were not counted among the oarsmen, as I saw when the work -was begun; but we did a trifle toward helping the good work along by -pushing on Master Hackett's oar, and he made no effort to prevent us, -even though we were "infants." - -It would not have been good seamanship to go any nearer the enemy than -was necessary, in the effort to get ahead of her, therefore we made a -wide sweep around to port; and when we were opposite, not more than -three hundred yards distant, her gunners let fly a couple of pieces -which had been loaded with grape. - -The whistling of the shot, which struck everywhere around us, sent the -cold shivers up and down my back; but I pushed on Master Hackett's oar -all the harder, keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead lest the old man -should read in them more than I cared to have him know. - -Phil started ever so slightly; but managed to hold himself firm after -that, and each of us knew that the other was sorely afraid, although it -is certain neither would have gone back had the opportunity presented -itself. - -We were treated to more grape, the biggest portion of which passed over -our heads, and after that second volley I somehow forgot that I was -frightened; but loaded my musket carefully, hoping the time would soon -come when I could do a little to help balance the account. - -Soon we were out of range of the grape, and then we ran across the -ship's bow, every man loading and discharging his musket at the crew of -the towing-boats as rapidly as possible. - -[Illustration: SOON WE WERE OUT OF REACH OF THE GRAPE, AND THEN WE RAN -ACROSS THE SHIP'S BOW.] - -"They can't stand that kind of a game very long," Master Hackett said, -as he wounded one of the Britishers in the foremost boat. "They've come -out to pull an oar an' ain't in shape for a fight, so it don't stand to -reason they'll hold their ground a great while." - -The British oarsmen were already beginning to slacken their pace, and I -looked astern to make out what our people counted on doing while we lay -there preventing the work of towing. - -The sight was one to warm the blood even of a coward. All our boats were -out and being manned rapidly, and I had no need to ask what would be the -next move. - -"Ay, lad, the captain is goin' to board her," Master Hackett said -quietly, when I called his attention to the frigate. "I counted the old -man would be at that fun mighty soon after we'd got into position, an' -the worst of it is that we don't have a hand in the scrimmage." - -We soon learned to our sorrow that we had a scrimmage of our own which -would occupy us in good shape so long as the towing-boats were kept out. - -The Britishers had brought two guns on the forecastle-deck, and began -giving us our medicine just as the _Essex's_ crew were pulling away from -her side. - -The first discharge did us no damage; but it was not difficult to guess -that after the gunners once got our range we would suffer severely, and -again I had hard work to prevent showing the white feather. - -The grape came nearer and nearer, the gunners working the pieces faster -than I had ever thought could be possible, and we kept peppering away at -the men in the boats, firing so lively that soon they were driven in; -but it had cost two of our fellows slight wounds. - -The grapeshot would settle our business very speedily, I believed, -unless our boarding party came along soon, and I looked anxiously -astern. - -The oars flashed in the water at the rate of forty strokes a minute, -and our men were cheering lustily as they thought of adding another to -the long list of prizes credited to the _Essex_. - -Now the grape was coming with truer aim; two of our oars had been -sheered off close to the rail, as neatly as if done by an axe, and it -seemed certain some one of us would soon lose the number of his mess; -yet, strange to say, I was not so terribly frightened as the situation -warranted. - -"The boarders will soon be goin' over the Britisher's rail, an' then -comes the time for us to pull a little nearer," Master Hackett whispered -to me, as if thinking I needed cheering. "Take aim at the gunners, an' -it'll make you a heap easier in mind if you can knock one over." - -I discharged my musket with careful aim, and then looked over my -shoulder while reloading to ascertain whether the rest of our people -were coming up. - -The boats from the _Essex_ were making rapid way over the water, the -spray from their bows glittering in the sunlight like diamonds, and the -enemy now turned his attention from us ahead to those who were so -rapidly overhauling him from astern. - -A full broadside was fired at the boarders, but the heavy shot passed -over their heads without doing any damage, and we in advance added our -shouts of joy to those of the boarding party. - -The Britishers must have turned cowardly as they saw our men coming -toward them without heed to their fire, and in another instant we were -yelling at the full strength of our lungs, as the English flag was -hauled down in token of surrender. - -"The 'luck of the _Essex_' still holds good," Master Hackett cried -gleefully. "Yonder ship will show well among our fleet, an' it's a pity -we can't give her a crew of decent size." - -The boats which we had been trying to drive in were now called -alongside, and our people were coming hand over hand to take possession, -when a breeze from the eastward sprang up like a squall, filling the -sails of the prize in an instant. - -Before I was well aware of what had happened the Britisher was hauled up -close on the wind. Her colors were hoisted again, and off she went to -the northward like a flash, leaving the boarding party astern as if -their craft had been anchored. - -Just for an instant I believed the enemy would succeed in running down -those of us who were in the gig and whale-boat. She came up until we -were close under her forefoot; but the helmsman could not bring her -nearer, and we swept astern like a flash. - -It was well for us that she came so close, otherwise we might have been -knocked to flinders, for no less than six charges of grape were fired -point-blank at our boats; but the missiles passed over our heads, and, -instead of congratulating themselves upon the escape from instant death, -the men grumbled long and loud because we had lost the first ship which -by rights should have been made a prize. - -"If that 'ere squall had held off five minutes longer, we'd have been in -possession," Master Hackett said in a tone so sorrowful that one could -well believe the tears were very near his eyelids. - -To Phil and me it was most singular, this seeing one ship filling away -with all the wind she needed, and another, our frigate, lying no more -than four miles distant with not breeze enough to lift the vane at her -masthead. - -The only thing which prevented our men from having a desperate fit of -the sulks was the belief that when the _Essex_ did get the wind she -would make chase; but as the hours wore on we understood that the -Britisher was really lost to us, for this time at least. - -It was near to nine o'clock in the evening before the last of our boats -was hoisted inboard, and, owing to the darkness which hid the enemy from -view, it was useless to think of making sail. - -We laid hove to until our consorts came up, and then the fleet was kept -jogging to and fro in the hope that when morning came the "luck of the -_Essex_" would show us the Britisher. - -We were doomed to disappointment, however, so far as this particular -craft was concerned, for when day broke not a sail was to be seen. - -Captain Porter did all a commander should do under the circumstances. -During three days we cruised to the northward and eastward, and at the -end of that time there was no longer any question, even in the minds of -the most sanguine, but that the Britisher had given us the slip. - -Once this unpleasant fact was impressed upon him beyond the shadow of a -doubt, Captain Porter hauled away for James's Island, where we had good -reason to believe more British whalers might be found. - -Not a sail was to be seen in the little bay when we entered on the 4th -day of August; but, believing the men would be the better for a short -cruise ashore, our commander gave the word to anchor. - -Next morning, before a single man had time to ask for liberty, it was -reported by one of the gunners that a goodly portion of the powder which -we had brought with us from the United States, had been damaged by water -while we were doubling the Horn. But for the fact that this particular -man was nosing around where he really had no business to be, the _Essex_ -might have gone into action only to discover, when it was too late, that -she had nothing with which to fight. - -"What will we do?" I asked of Master Hackett when our misfortune was -known on the gun-deck. "We're not likely to come across ammunition in -these waters, unless by taking more prizes; and it begins to appear as -if we'd driven all the Britishers away." - -"It ain't as bad as it might be, lad, although I allow it's rough -enough. Accordin' to all accounts the _Seringapatam_ has enough aboard, -although when the _Essex_ takes what she needs, it'll leave Lieutenant -Downes well-nigh helpless." - -It was a disaster so great, that not a man so much as thought of asking -for shore leave, and on the gun-deck we gathered to discuss the sudden -change of affairs until word was brought that one watch might land to -enjoy themselves, at the same time that they took in a supply of wood -and water. - -After a short run on the island the men succeeded in putting from their -minds all thoughts of the discovery made by the meddlesome gunner, -believing that Captain Porter would succeed, no one knew how, in -supplying the lack of powder. - -During more than two weeks we lay at James's Island, bringing in -supplies of pork, water, and wood, and during all that time not a single -sail hove in sight. - -Then came the word, on the evening of August 21, that the fleet would -proceed to Banks's Bay, and next morning we were under way, making the -run in thirty-six hours. - -No sooner had the ship been brought to anchor than we understood how -Captain Porter proposed to supply us with ammunition. It was reported, -by one of the marines, as a matter of course, that the _Essex_ would on -the next morning make a short cruise by herself, leaving the prizes in -the bay. - -Our old shellbacks were perfectly satisfied on hearing this news. The -only way in which more powder could be procured, was by taking it from -the Britishers, and we had no doubt but that we should soon pick up an -armed whaler who would be forced to supply us. - -Well, to make a long story short, we cruised from the 24th of August -until the 15th of September without seeing anything in the form of a -sailing craft, and all hands were growing discouraged when, in the early -morning, a ship was reported apparently lying to a long distance to the -southward, and to windward. - -There was no hope of coming up with her if we began the business boldly, -for she had a big advantage of us in position; therefore our commander -set about playing a trick which might bring the stranger into our hands -with but little labor. - -Our light yards were sent down, and the frigate otherwise disguised -until she had much the look of a whaler. Then she was slowly kept -turning to windward, each moment drawing nearer the Britisher, for by -this time we had settled in our minds that the stranger was one of the -enemy's ships. - -This trick worked to a charm, and by noon we were so near that it was -possible to see that our intended prize was fast to a whale, which she -was cutting in, at the same time drifting rapidly down on us. - -An hour later we were no more than four miles apart, and then it was -that the Britisher began to scent our trick. He had come to the -conclusion that a big ship like ours, even though she might be a -whaler, would not loaf around in that fashion unless for mischief; and -once this idea was in his head the skipper cast off from his prize, -making all sail to windward. - -There was no longer any reason why we should keep the disguise. Our -yards were hoisted once more, and with everything drawing we began the -chase, each man of our crew watching the progress eagerly, for the -capture of this ship meant something more than taking a prize. We could -see that she was pierced with six ports on a side, and it was reasonable -to suppose that on board was powder enough to provide us with as much as -might be needed until another armed Britisher could be overhauled. - -Not until four o'clock in the afternoon did we come near enough to pitch -a few shots ahead and over her, when she hove to under our lee, and a -mighty shout of mingled satisfaction and triumph went up from the crew. - -This prize was the _Sir Andrew Hammond_, of three hundred and one tons, -twelve guns, and thirty-one men. - -And now comes the odd part of the capture: From the time our ship had -brought her well in sight the men declared that she had a familiar look; -and when finally she came to within half a mile of us, Master Hackett -cried joyously:-- - -"We haven't outrun our luck, an' that's a fact! Yonder craft is the same -we lost in the squall--the one that gave us such a long job with nothin' -but a few broken oars to show for it!" - -That the old seaman had spoken only the truth we all understood now it -had been suggested; the ship lying under our lee was none other than the -last we had chased and lost, but only to find again on this day when we -were growing discouraged with much useless cruising. - -The _Hammond_ proved to be a rich prize for us just at that time, for -she had on board a large supply of prime beef, pork, bread, wood, and -water, and none of such stores would be wasted. The ammunition was in -good condition, but not of such quantity as to satisfy us; however, half -a loaf is better than none at all, and after taking the prisoners on -board the _Essex_, leaving a small prize crew to handle the new addition -to our fleet, we made sail for Banks's Bay. - -We had hardly more than arrived there and overhauled the _Hammond_, -than the _Essex Junior_ came into port on her return from Valparaiso, -where she had left the prizes to be sold. - -She reported that five or six heavy frigates had been sent out from -England to search for us, and, what seemed of more importance at the -time, that the Chilian government was no longer as friendly to us as -when we left port. The Britishers had most likely been threatening them. - -"Well," Master Hackett said deliberately, when the news I have set down -above was made known on the gun-deck, "if we had all the powder that our -fleet needs, I reckon we could afford to wait for the Britishers, an', -what's more, flog the whole boilin' of 'em when they come. But seein's -how we ain't in condition for heavy work, it's bound to be a case of -twistin' an' turnin' till we can clean up our job of capturin' whalers." - -"What then, Master Hackett?" Phil asked. - -"What then, lad? Why, I reckon we'll have to take our medicine like -little men; an' in the swallowin' of it we'll know what British prison -ships are like." - -"Then you don't believe we can double the Horn without coming upon some -of them?" I asked, my spine growing chilly for an instant. - -"I'm allowin' that the old frigate will see her finish this side the -cape, for it ain't good sense to believe she can fight her way through. -I've said all along that the Britishers were bound to smash us some day, -'cause it don't stand to reason a nation what claims to rule the sea can -afford to let a little craft like ours play hob with 'em in such fashion -as we've been doin'. For the sake of their reputation they've got to -gather us in." - -It could plainly be seen that the majority of our crew held the same -opinion as did Master Hackett, and yet I failed to discover anything -which looked like fear. The men were satisfied that they had worked the -game for all there was in it, and now believed the day to be near at -hand when we'd be forced to haul down the stars and stripes, although I -venture to say that never one of them fancied it would be brought about -in such a cowardly fashion as finally was the case. - -The marines soon brought important news to us of the gun-deck. They -reported that Captain Porter and his officers had decided to make port -somewhere among the Marquesas, that group of islands in the Pacific -concerning which so little was known at the time. - -We were to search for some secluded harbor, so the marines declared, -and there refit the fleet for the homeward bound voyage, which was to be -begun at the earliest possible moment, in the faint hope that we might -save the frigate from those who were coming in such force to capture -her. - -Two days afterward, when the stores from the _Sir Andrew Hammond_ had -been distributed among the vessels of the fleet, all the craft were -ordered to get under way, and we set out to find a natural dockyard, for -it must be remembered that ships cannot remain long at sea without -gathering so much marine growth on their bottoms that the swiftest soon -becomes a sluggish sailer. - -It was to scrape the hulls, paint all the woodwork and put it in -condition for that battle with the elements which awaited us off Cape -Horn, if we succeeded in getting there, and otherwise make ready for -whatever might be before us, that we set off in search of a hiding-place -which should at the time serve as a dock for refitting our battered -fleet. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -NUKUHEVA. - - -We set sail from Banks's Bay October 2, in company with the _Essex -Junior_ and our prizes, but the latter were such slow sailers as -compared with the frigate that we did not make the group of the -Marquesas until the 23d, when we ran here and there seeking such a -harbor as would admit of our performing the work the captain counted on -doing. - -Not until four days more had passed did we find that which seemed to -suit us in every particular, and then the fleet came to anchor in a fine -bay at the island of Nukuheva. - -Now a word in regard to the spelling of the island's name. My cousin, -Lieutenant McKnight, gave it as set down above; but I have since seen it -written "Nooaheevah," and "Noukahiva," therefore the reader, if it so -chances that any one ever reads what has cost me so much time to set -down, may take his choice of the names. I believe, however, that it -should be written Nukuheva, because my cousin, the lieutenant, told me -so. - -And now, before I relate anything concerning our visit to this island, -which proved to be so full of adventure, I ask permission to copy here -that which I read many years afterward, and this I do because it would -be impossible otherwise to describe the beautiful place--the most -beautiful I have ever seen. - -That which follows was written by a sailor[1] who spent many months on -the island, and was fortunate in being able to describe in a most -entertaining manner everything he saw, which is by long odds more than I -can do. - -"The cluster comprising the islands of Roohka, Ropo, and Nukuheva were -altogether unknown to the world until the year 1791, when they were -discovered by Captain Ingraham of Boston, nearly two centuries after the -discovery of the adjacent islands by the agent of the Spanish viceroy. - -"Nukuheva is the most important of these islands, being the only one at -which ships are much in the habit of touching, and is celebrated as -being the place where the adventurous Captain Porter refitted his ships -during the late war between England and the United States, and whence -he sallied out upon the large whaling fleet then sailing under the -enemy's flag in the surrounding seas. This island is about twenty miles -in length and nearly as many in breadth. It has three good harbors on -its coast; the largest and best of which is called by the people living -in its vicinity, 'Tyohee,' and by Captain Porter was denominated -Massachusetts Bay. Among the adverse tribes dwelling about the shores of -the other bays, and by all voyagers, it is generally known by the name -bestowed upon the island itself--Nukuheva. - -"In the bay of Nukuheva was the anchorage we desired to reach. We had -perceived the loom of the mountains about sunset; so that after running -all night with a very light breeze, we found ourselves close in with the -island the next morning; but as the bay we sought lay on its farther -side, we were obliged to sail some distance along the shore, catching, -as we proceeded, short glimpses of blooming valleys, deep glens, -waterfalls, and waving groves, hidden here and there by projecting and -rocky headlands, every moment opening to the view some new and startling -scene of beauty. - -"Those who for the first time visit the South Seas, generally are -surprised at the appearance of the islands when beheld from the sea. -From the vague accounts we sometimes have of their beauty, many people -are apt to picture to themselves enamelled and softly swelling plains, -shaded over with delicious groves, and watered by purling brooks, and -the entire country but little elevated above the surrounding ocean. The -reality is very different; bold rock-bound coasts with the surf beating -high against the lofty cliffs, and broken here and there into deep -inlets which open to the view thickly wooded valleys separated by the -spurs of mountains clothed with tufted grass, and sweeping down toward -the sea from an elevated and furrowed interior, form the principal -features of these islands. - -"... As we slowly advanced up the bay, numerous canoes pushed off from -the surrounding shores, and we were soon in the midst of quite a -flotilla of them, their savage occupants struggling to get aboard of us, -and jostling one another in their ineffectual attempts. - -"Occasionally the projecting outriggers of their slight shallops, -running foul of one another, would become entangled beneath the water, -threatening to capsize the canoes, when a scene of confusion would ensue -that baffles description. Such strange outcries and passionate -gesticulations I never certainly heard or saw before. You would have -thought the islanders were on the point of flying at one another's -throats, whereas they were only amicably engaged in disentangling their -boats. - -"Scattered here and there among the canoes might be seen numbers of -cocoanuts floating closely together in circular groups, and bobbing up -and down with every wave. By some inexplicable means these cocoanuts -were all steadily approaching toward the ship. As I leaned curiously -over the side, endeavoring to solve their mysterious movements, one mass -far in advance of the rest attracted my attention. In its centre was -something I could take for nothing less than a cocoanut, but which I -certainly considered one of the most extraordinary specimens of the -fruit I had ever seen. It kept twirling and dancing about among the rest -in the most singular manner, and as it grew nearer I thought it bore a -remarkable resemblance to the brown shaven skull of one of the savages. -Presently it betrayed a pair of eyes, and soon I became aware that what -I had supposed to have been one of the fruit was nothing else than the -head of an Islander, who had adopted this singular method of bringing -his produce to market. The cocoanuts were all attached to one another by -strips of the husk, partly torn from the shell and rudely fashioned -together. Their proprietor, inserting his head into the midst of them, -impelled his necklace of cocoanuts through the water by striking out -beneath the surface with his feet. - -"... We had approached within a mile and a half, perhaps, of the foot of -the bay, when some of the islanders, who by this time had managed to -scramble aboard of us at the risk of swamping their canoes, directed our -attention to a singular commotion in the water ahead of the vessel. At -first I imagined it to be produced by a shoal of fish sporting on the -surface, but our savage friends assured us that it was caused by a shoal -of 'whinhenies' (young girls), who in this manner were coming off from -the shore to welcome us. As they drew nearer, and I watched the rising -and sinking of their forms, and beheld the uplifted right arm bearing -above the water the girdle of tappa, and their long dark hair trailing -behind them as they swam, I almost fancied they could be nothing else -than so many mermaids--and very like mermaids they behaved too.... - -"The bay of Nukuheva in which we were then lying is an expanse of water -not unlike in figure the space included within the limits of a -horseshoe. It is, perhaps, nine miles in circumference. You approach it -from the sea by a narrow entrance, flanked on either side by two small -twin islets which soar conically to the height of some five hundred -feet. From these the shore recedes on both hands, and describes a deep -semicircle. - -"From the verge of the water the land rises uniformly on all sides, with -green and sloping acclivities, until from gentle rolling hillsides and -moderate elevations it insensibly swells into lofty and majestic -heights, whose blue outlines, ranged all around, close in the view. The -beautiful aspect of the shore is heightened by deep and romantic glens, -which come down to it at almost equal distances, all apparently -radiating from a common centre, and the upper extremities of which are -lost to the eye beneath the shadow of the mountains. Down each of these -little valleys flows a clear stream, here and there assuming the form of -a slender cascade, then stealing invisibly along until it bursts upon -the sight again in larger and more noisy waterfalls, and at last -demurely wanders along to the sea. - -"The houses of the natives, constructed of the yellow bamboo, tastefully -twisted together in a kind of wickerwork, and thatched with the long -tapering leaves of the palmetto, are scattered irregularly along these -valleys beneath the shady branches of the cocoanut tree. - -"Nothing can exceed the imposing scenery of this bay. Viewed from our -ship as she lay at anchor in the middle of the harbor, it presented the -appearance of a vast natural amphitheatre in decay, and overgrown with -vines, the deep glens that furrowed its sides appearing like enormous -fissures caused by the ravages of time. Very often when lost in -admiration of its beauty, I have experienced a pang of regret that a -scene so enchanting should be hidden from the world in these remote -seas, and seldom meet the eyes of devoted lovers of nature. - -"Besides this bay the shores of the island are indented by several other -extensive inlets, into which descend broad and verdant valleys. These -are inhabited by as many different kinds of savages, who, although -speaking kindred dialects of a common language, and having the same -religion and laws, have from time immemorial waged hereditary warfare -against each other. The intervening mountains, generally two or three -thousand feet above the level of the sea, geographically define the -territories of each of these hostile tribes who never cross them, save -on some expedition of war or plunder. Immediately adjacent to Nukuheva, -and only separated from it by the mountains seen from the harbor, lies -the lovely valley of Happar, whose inmates cherish the most friendly -relations with the inhabitants of Nukuheva. On the other side of -Happar, and closely adjoining it, is the magnificent valley of the -dreaded Typees, the unappeasable enemies of both these tribes. - -"These celebrated warriors appear to inspire the other islanders with -unspeakable terrors. Their very name is a frightful one; for the word -'Typee' in the Marquesan dialect signifies a lover of human flesh. - -"It is rather singular that the title should have been bestowed upon -them exclusively, inasmuch as the natives of all this group are -irreclaimable cannibals. The name may, perhaps, have been given to -denote the powerful ferocity of this clan, and to convey a special -stigma along with it. - -"These same Typees enjoy a prodigious notoriety all over the islands. -The natives of Nukuheva would frequently recount in pantomime to our -ship's company their terrible feats, and would show the marks of wounds -they had received in desperate encounters with them. When ashore they -would try to frighten us by pointing to one of their own number, and -calling him a 'Typee,' manifesting no little surprise that we did not -take to our heels at so terrible an announcement. It was quite amusing, -too, to see with what earnestness they disclaimed all cannibal -propensities on their own part, while they denounced their enemies--the -Typees--as inveterate gormandizers of human flesh.... - -"Although I was convinced that the inhabitants of our bay were as arrant -cannibals as any of the other tribes on the island, still I could not -but feel a particular and most unqualified repugnance to the aforesaid -Typees. Even before visiting the Marquesas, I had heard from men who had -touched at the group on former voyages, some revolting stories in -connection with these savages; and fresh in my remembrance was the -adventure of the master of the _Katherine_, who only a few months -previous, imprudently venturing into this bay in an armed boat for the -purpose of barter, was seized by the natives, carried back a little -distance into their valley, and was only saved from a cruel death by the -intervention of a young girl, who facilitated his escape by night along -the beach to Nukuheva. - -"I have heard too of an English vessel that many years ago, after a -weary cruise, sought to enter the bay of Nukuheva, and arriving within -two or three miles of the land, was met by a large canoe filled with -natives, who offered to lead the way to the place of their destination. -The captain, unacquainted with the localities of the island, joyfully -acceded to the proposition--the canoe paddled on and the ship followed. -She was soon conducted to a beautiful inlet, and dropped her anchor in -its waters beneath the shadows of the lofty shore. That same night the -perfidious Typees, who had thus inveigled her into their fatal bay, -flocked aboard the doomed vessel by hundreds, and at a given signal -murdered every soul on board." - -After reading the description which I have copied word for word, it is -possible to have a good idea concerning that harbor into which our fleet -sailed, all hands knowing full well that here we might remain secure -alike from the elements and Britishers, so long as it should please us -to stay. - -In addition, we were free from any fears regarding what the natives -might attempt to do, partly owing to our strength, but chiefly because -the first person to greet us was neither more nor less than a member of -the American navy. - -Fancy meeting a Yankee gentleman in this out-of-the-way place whose -inhabitants were credited with being the most ferocious of cannibals, -eager to devour anything in the way of human flesh that crossed their -path! - -The natives came out in boats to meet us exactly as is set down in that -which I have copied; but all hands gave way to a canoe in which we saw -one of our own countrymen. - -He came over the side, spoke a few words with Lieutenant McKnight, who -immediately treated him with the greatest consideration, and then -introduced the stranger to our captain. - -It can well be supposed that every man jack of our crew stood by in -open-mouthed astonishment at seeing this white man come aboard as if he -felt himself at home in the Marquesas group; but we were forced to -remain in ignorance until that evening, when one of the marines -unravelled the yarn which at first had seemed too strange to us. - -Our visitor was Mr. John Maury, a midshipman of the navy, who, with -three sailors, had been left in this harbor by the captain of an -American merchantman, himself a lieutenant in the service, to gather -sandalwood while the ship was gone to China. Now that he heard of the -war for the first time, and believed his captain would not dare come to -fetch him away, the midshipman proposed to Captain Porter that he and -his companions join our frigate; a proposition which was quickly -accepted. A little later that evening the three sailors came on board, -and mighty good shipmates did they prove to be. - -These last told us of the gun-deck that a fierce war was raging between -the Typees over the mountains and the Happars who dwelt along the shore -of the bay, and most likely it would be necessary for us to take part in -it against the Typees if we counted on being allowed to remain -unmolested while the repairs were being made to our ships. - -This did not cause us very much uneasiness, however, and Master Hackett -but echoed the thought in the minds of all when he said to the -newcomers:-- - -"Seein's how we've driven the Britishers out of the Pacific Ocean, so to -speak, I reckon it won't be any very hard job to wipe up the earth with -a lot of niggers that ain't supposed to know the muzzle of a musket from -the stock." - -The new sailors made no reply to this rather bold remark, and I fancied -from the expression on their faces that they did not believe we would -find it very easy work to do the "wiping," even though the Typees were -ignorant as to the use of a musket. - -These jolly fellows also told us another yarn which caused some -surprise, and led us to wonder whether we might not find more of our -countrymen on the island. - -According to the story which they had heard from the Happars, a small -schooner had gone ashore further up the coast, and at least one of her -crew was yet living with the Typees, which went to prove, according to -my way of thinking, that these natives were not quite the cannibals -they had been represented; although Phil suggested that the man, too -lean for good eating, was thus being kept until he had gathered fat -enough for the roasting. - -However, we gave but little heed to the story, because in the first -place, none of our visitors had seen the man, and secondly, owing to the -fact that the natives might easily have been mistaken. - -Perhaps it would have been better for Phil and me had we paid more -attention to the yarn and kept it well in mind. - -Next morning when the captain and two of the lieutenants went on shore, -Mr. Maury accompanied them. He, having learned the language, was to act -as interpreter, which assistance, so all hands believed, would help us -along in great shape. - -It was owing to my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, that Phil and I had an -opportunity of seeing the landing, which was a rare sight, I assure you. - -When the boat's crew was called away Stephen motioned for us two lads to -take our places in the boat, and since each of us pulled an oar, it is -doubtful if the captain knew that we were out of place. - -The natives had been swimming around our ship since early daylight, -passing up fruit and flowers until the gun-deck of the _Essex_ had much -the appearance of a country fair-ground; and now when the captain was -rowed ashore they followed our boat, tossing and tumbling in the water -like a lot of seals, or, perhaps, mermaids, though I'm not just certain -how these last would act under the same circumstances. - -Well, the natives gave Captain Porter a fine reception,--though perhaps -they would have made him into a stew but for the fact that they were -needing help in their war,--and, later in the day, we learned by way of -the marines that our commander had agreed to do whatever he might to end -the war. - -As we were situated he couldn't have done less than agree to this, so -our old sea lawyers declared after a tremendous lot of jawing; for -unless the natives were willing to help us with the repairs and keep the -peace, Nukuheva harbor was no place for us. - -During the afternoon one watch from each ship was given shore leave, and -every Happar who owned a house set out his best in the way of a feast -for the frolicsome sailors. - -We were given quarts and quarts of peoo-peoo, which looks exactly like -thick flour paste and tastes like a nice stew, and in the eating of it -we made fun enough for the natives to keep them laughing half a -life-time. It seems, as we learned afterward, that the people stick -their finger into the stuff, twist it around a bit, and manage to hook -up a portion as large as a walnut; but there's considerable of a knack -in that kind of work, as we soon learned to our cost. - -Master Hackett, Phil, and I, the guests of an old native who was covered -with tattooing till his body looked like a piece of calico, contrived to -cover our hands and face with the sticky stuff; and if the old woman who -appeared to be our host's wife had not swabbed us off with a mop, we -would have been glued fast to whatever we touched. - -We were also treated to the milk of young cocoanuts, which comes -precious near being the best drink you ever tasted, and fruit of all -kinds, which would have been received with more show of gratitude but -for the fact that the gun-deck of the _Essex_ was literally lumbered up -with such stuff. - -Describe what we saw and did that afternoon? It's beyond me entirely, -and I must give over the attempt by saying that it was the queerest and -quite the most enjoyable half day I ever spent. Of course we couldn't do -any chinning with the natives; but we looked at them and laughed, and -they looked at us laughing still harder, until we managed to get the -same idea they probably did, that the whole boiling of us were firm -friends forever. - -I wish you could have seen those boys and girls swim! They were like so -many ducks in the water, and spent the greater portion of their time, -when there was no company at home, drifting around the bay with, so far -as Phil and I could make out, no effort whatever to keep themselves -afloat. - -Next morning the other watch was given shore leave, and meanwhile our -officers were making preparations for the war which must be fought -before we could set about getting the fleet into trim for another rub -with the Britishers. - -There was more than one man on our gun-deck who began to believe, now -there was no question but we should have a scrimmage ashore, that it was -risky for our captain to take any part in the quarrel, and the argument -they put forth was a good one, as even Master Hackett was forced to -admit. - -In the first place we were so few in numbers that not a single vessel in -the fleet was fully manned, and there would be no opportunity to enlist -others to make up a crew. Every man killed or disabled would weaken our -force just so much when we met the British ships of war, and such -chances as these we had no right to take. - -In the second place our jackies understood nothing about fighting on -land, particularly in such a wild country as we saw before us. The -natives might not be overly well armed; but we knew for a fact that they -possessed weapons of some kind and could use them to good advantage. - -"How much show would an old shellback who must depend upon a cutlass or -a boarding pike, stand against these black fellows in a bit of woods so -thick that you couldn't swing a cat?" one of the men asked, and Master -Hackett replied sharply:-- - -"We've muskets enough to arm all hands, an' I allow that you've got -sense enough to pull the trigger after the piece has been loaded, eh?" - -"I can do that much all right, matey; but what about the rest of it. -While I'm mixed up with a lot of bushes tryin' to reload, how am I to -keep the villains from comin' to close quarters where I'm outclassed?" - -"If you're goin' to pick up sich imaginin's as that, I reckon you -wouldn't be fit timber for a shore fight; but I'd hate to say I was a -Yankee, an' didn't dare to stand up in front of these heathen." - -"I'm willin' enough to stand up pervidin' I can find out what it all -amounts to. We're mixin' in this 'ere row without gettin' any benefit -from it." - -"We shall have the use of the bay while we're refittin', an' won't -stand in danger of bein' knocked over by a dirty heathen and a club." - -"There's plenty of islands about here with bays as big as we need, an' -no bloomin' war on hand," the old barnacle said in a surly tone, -whereupon Master Hackett jumped upon him, so to speak:-- - -"How do you know that? Have you been knockin' 'round these seas so many -years that you can call to mind every hole and corner? If three white -men can live here a matter of ten months, as we know has been the case, -why isn't it the choice island of the whole group for us?" - -"I ain't kickin' about the island; it's the war that sticks in my crop." - -"Let it stick there then," Master Hackett growled. "Send word aft that -you've got a rush of light-colored blood to the head, an' ain't fit to -be trusted ashore. I reckon the captain will let you off without makin' -much of a fuss." - -"See here, Hiram Hackett, you're too free with your tongue, an' that's -no lie either. When I try to get out of a scrimmage, jest let me know, -an' I'll make you a present of the best pair of black eyes you ever -wore. I reckon a man can have his growl without it bein' told all over -the ship that he's gettin' weak in the upper story, eh?" - -This last remark brought the squabble to a close, and each man appeared -to think that he had come off at the top of the heap, when, according to -my idea, they ended in the same place they began. - -Phil and I did a good bit of thinking and arguing over this new war in -which we were to take part; but we were mighty careful not to speak of -it where any sailorman might hear us, and in the meantime we watched and -took part in the preparations. - -On the third day after our arrival a crowd of Typees appeared on the -crests of the mountains, brandishing spears and clubs as if they counted -on killing and eating us in short order. - -One of the marines told us of the gun-deck that Captain Porter had sent -word to the Typees that he had force enough to take possession of the -island, and if they didn't mind their eyes and keep peaceable, he'd -settle the hash of the whole tribe before their chief could so much as -say, scat! I didn't believe the yarn, however, for if all that Mr. -Maury's sailormen had told us was true, where did the captain find a -messenger to carry his threats? - -Phil and I had supposed, from the preparations which were being made, -and the talk we had heard, that we'd begin our share of the war before -work was commenced on the vessels; but this we soon learned was a -mistake. - -The muskets, cutlasses, and ammunition had been taken out where we might -get at them handily, I suppose, and the boats were fitted up with small -2-pounder guns, after which we were set to work on other duties. - -Camps, made of spare sails, were set up in a grove a short distance from -the shore, and the frigate pulled in where we might clean her bottom by -diving, or, what was better still, hire the natives to do it. - -Phil and I were detailed for shore duty, and we had a soft snap of it, -since our only work was to help the cooks; and while the men were -setting up rigging, scraping spars, or slushing down the masts, we -loafed in the cool grove, enjoying ourselves mightily. - -We didn't see anything that looked like war, except once in a while when -a crowd of Typees came out on the top of the mountain and shook their -clubs at us; but all that was such harmless amusement for them, and did -not interfere with us in the slightest, that we came to think of the -promise to the natives as something already forgotten. - -Now and again we would hear of the white man who was with the Typees, -evidently enjoying himself, and more than one of our crew seemed to -think it was the captain's duty to go in search of him; but nothing was -done in that line, and meanwhile the work on the fleet was progressing -in great shape. - -All the ships had been cleaned of the marine growth which prevented them -from sailing at their best speed, and on each a fair share of other work -had been done. - -Captain Porter had given out that the name of the bay was to be -"Massachusetts" instead of Nukuheva; but otherwise than that, and the -fact that we had grown fast friends with the natives, particularly the -girls and young fellows, all was as when we first arrived. - -Then came the day when we found that our commander meant all he -promised, so far as taking a hand in the war was concerned. - -The Typees, having danced and shaken their clubs without being -disturbed, probably came to believe that we wouldn't attempt to do them -any harm if they cut capers with the Happars, so they began operations -by coming into the valley one dark night, tearing down houses, trampling -over gardens, and killing bread-fruit trees. - -The scoundrels did a big lot of mischief, and having grown bolder by -action, even had the cheek to send a messenger to Captain Porter with -the announcement that he was a coward who didn't dare come on the -mountains. - -Master Hackett was near by when the Typee boy arrived, and heard Mr. -Maury translate the message. This is the old sailor's story:-- - -"The captain kept his face straight when the lad begun, and then Mr. -Maury tried to back down from repeatin' all that was said; but our -commander wouldn't have any such sneakin' as that. 'Repeat every word, -sir!' he cried, an' the little midshipman went at it lookin' as if he -counted on bein' kicked after it was finished. When all was said, the -captain sent his message back, which was this: 'Tell him who sent you -that I will be on the mountain before the sun has risen three times, an' -then it will be seen which of us is the coward.' The boy went off, -though some of the Happars claimed he ought 'er be killed jest for the -sake of keepin' their hand in at such work; an' I reckon we'll know -mighty soon what it's like to be standin' up against a lot of niggers -with nothin' but a musket an' a cutlass to help out." - -The island war was to be begun, and I felt very uncomfortable in the -region of my spine, for there was good reason to believe I would soon -succeed in proving myself an arrant coward. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[1] Herman Melville. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -AN OLD ENEMY. - - -Phil and I were not the only ones who felt disturbed in mind by the -knowledge that within a few hours we should be waging war against the -natives. - -Many an old shellback shook his head ominously on hearing of the message -sent by Captain Porter, and more than one predicted that the "luck of -the _Essex_" would desert her immediately we began to "fool 'round on -shore, sticking our noses into other people's business." - -It was not for a couple of lads like Phil and me to criticise the -movements of our commander, and yet we did venture to do so when certain -there was no one within earshot to repeat our words where trouble might -be brewed for us. - -Thus far we had succeeded in carrying on the work of refitting, with no -interruption whatsoever,--unless you might reckon it a disturbing -influence to have a crowd of Typees on a hill-top two or three miles -away shaking their clubs at us,--and, so far as any one could say, we -might be able to continue at the task until it was finished. - -At all events, so Phil argued, it would be wiser if we kept at work as -long as possible, and knocked off to fight only when it was absolutely -necessary to do so in order to save our lives or protect our property. - -It was not reasonable to suppose that our sailormen would be able to -make much of a fist at fighting amid the thickets and on the cliffs -against those who had been accustomed all their lives to such work, even -though ours might be superior weapons; and should we gain the victory, -the cost might be greater than we could afford. - -When a commander lacks a sufficient number of men to handle all the -vessels of his fleet, it surely seems like taking a great risk to run -the chance of having that number made less by the spears of an enemy, to -vanquish whom can be no very great honor. - -Thus Phil and I argued; but there was another phase of this war which -struck us more keenly, although we did not talk about it very much. -Suppose any of us should be taken prisoners! There appeared to be no -question but that the natives were cannibals, and the idea of being -cooked and eaten was something so horrible that we did not venture to -so much as speak of it. The possible fact remained in our minds more -clearly, perhaps, because we did not put the thoughts into words. - -It did not afford any great relief to know that Master Hackett had very -much the same mental trouble. After we three had done our share in -bringing on shore a 6-pounder to be used in the battle on the mountain, -and were lying in the grove taking a short rest, the old man said -musingly, as if speaking to himself:-- - -"I don't reckon him as serves for the roast at one of these 'ere feasts -knows very much about what's goin' on, seein's how he's dead an' baked; -but it has always struck me that I'd rather have a grave in the ground, -than inside one of these 'ere niggers." - -"Do you suppose they eat all who are killed in battle?" Phil asked, his -voice trembling perceptibly. - -"It would come to that in the end, lad; though if the fight was a big -one, I reckon some of them as were dead would have to be salted down." - -"I wish we were to get under way to-morrow, instead of going out through -that tangle of trees and vines to prove that Captain Porter is no -coward," Phil said with a sigh. - -"So do I, lad. I reckon we could refit our ships without doin' very -much fightin', an' what little trouble might be necessary could be -carried on here in the open, where we sailormen would have a fair show." - -More than this Master Hackett did not say at the time, but from it I -understood that he had come to look upon a battle with the Typees as -something which might well be postponed until we had a larger crew. - -I must say a word in favor of our commander's decision, otherwise it may -be thought that he sent his men into danger without due cause. - -In order to gain the assistance of those natives living near about the -bay, he had been forced to promise the Happars that he would give the -Typees a lesson such as they deserved; and now was come the time when -that should be done, otherwise we might count on having trouble with -those who had stood our friends. - -While Master Hackett and we lads were taking our ease in the grove, a -party of natives numbering two or three hundred carried the 6-pounder to -the summit of the nearest mountain, and from that moment until the -expedition was really begun the Happar warriors continued to come in -from their homes ready for battle until there were not less, so my -cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, declared, than two thousand men stationed -on or near the hill where was the gun, all in something approaching -military order. - -These soldiers were most imposing in appearance, even though they were -heathen. The ordinary costume, now they were attired for battle, was -much like this, and I have taken the description from a writer who, -having lived two years among them, can well be considered as an -authority:-- - -"The splendid, long, drooping tail-feathers of the tropical bird, -thickly interspersed with the gaudy plumage of the cock, were disposed -in an immense upright semicircle upon his head, their lower extremities -being fixed in a crescent of guinea-beads which spanned the forehead. -Around his neck were several enormous necklaces of boar's tusks, -polished like ivory, and disposed in such a manner that the longest #and -largest were upon his capacious chest. - -"Thrust forward through the large apertures in his ears were two small -and finely shaped sperm-whale teeth, presenting their cavities in front, -stuffed with freshly plucked leaves, and curiously wrought at the other -end into strange little images and devices. The loins of the warrior -were girt about with heavy folds of dark-colored tappa, hanging before -and behind in clusters of braided tassels, while anklets and bracelets -of curling human hair completed his unique costume. In his right hand -he grasped a beautifully carved paddle spear, nearly fifteen feet in -length, made of the bright koa wood, one end sharply pointed, and the -other flattened like an oar blade. - -"Hanging obliquely from his girdle by a loop of sinnate, was a richly -decorated pipe; the slender stem was colored with a red pigment, and -round it, as well as the idol-bowl, fluttered little streamers of -thinnest tappa. But that which was most-remarkable in the appearance of -the splendid islander was the elaborate tattooing displayed on every -noble limb. All imaginable lines and curves and figures were delineated -over his whole body, and in their grotesque variety and infinite -profusion I could only compare them to the crowded groupings of quaint -patterns we sometimes see in costly pieces of lacework." - -Now fancy that two thousand of these fierce-looking fellows were hanging -around, while you knew that just over the mountain were seven or eight -thousand more, and you will have some idea of how Phil and I felt when -we knew that our little company of white people were to make, or help -make war, understanding full well that the dead and those taken -prisoners would serve as food for the living victors. - -It was by no means a cheering prospect, view it from whatever -standpoint you choose. - -However, all troubles are greatest when looked at from a distance, and -this was no exception to the rule. - -On the morning of the second day, when Phil and I had worked ourselves -into a regular perspiration of fear, the Happar army, with the exception -of those on the mountain guarding the 6-pounder, were drawn up near the -beach awaiting the coming of our men before proceeding to smoke out the -Typees. - -I listened in fear and trembling to hear the order for all hands to fall -into line, and my surprise was as great as my relief, which is putting -it very strong, when I learned that Captain Porter did not count on -risking many of his men in an encounter. - -Forty sailors and marines had already been told off, and Lieutenant -Downes was placed in command, after which Mr. Maury was ordered to let -the Happar leaders know that our force was ready. - -Master Hackett was not among the number chosen, and although he had -protested that we had no right to take part in this war, he appeared -decidedly disgruntled because of being left behind. - -"I see they've taken the younger sailors," he said to Phil and me as we -watched the small body of white men, completely encircled by the -fierce-looking savages, march off toward the mountain. "If the captain -thinks that a crowd of boys will do the work of men, then I allow he's -makin' the mistake of his life." - -"After all that's been said against the war, you ought to be well -satisfied that you're not called upon to take part," I said in surprise, -whereat the old man turned upon me as if in anger. - -"It makes no difference what I think, when a part of the crew are called -out on an expedition like this. It's my right to go with 'em, an' -perhaps Captain Porter will come to the conclusion, before this day is -ended, that he's made a mistake in puttin' all his dependence on young -fellows who haven't had experience enough to steady them!" - -Neither Phil nor I were disposed to quarrel with that which enabled us -to remain in a position of at least partial security, while the other -poor fellows were perspiring and fuming as they made their way through -the jungle on a six-mile tramp. - -It would be no slight task to scale the mountains when the heat, even -while one remained on the seashore, was most intense; and we could well -fancy what the temperature must be amid the thicket. - -Ten minutes after the rear-guard of the army had passed by our -lounging-place, the entire force was hidden from view by the foliage, -and we saw nothing more of them until two hours later, when the foremost -of the gaudily bedecked warriors appeared on the naked mountain-side -above the line of trees. - -At such a distance they looked like ants, rather than human beings; and -finding it impossible to distinguish our men from the savages, we ceased -to strain our eyes, accounting it too much of an exertion while the heat -was so great. - -Mr. Maury had told us that the Typees had a strong fort on the summit of -the second mountain, and it was probable the engagement, if one ensued, -would be at such a distance from the shore that we could have no view of -it whatsoever; therefore we set about our duties of waiting upon the -cooks, well content with such menial offices as we thought of our -shipmates in the forest. - -Master Hackett found enough on board the _Essex_ to occupy his time -profitably, and half an hour after the army set forth, all hands of us -on the shore of the bay were working as quietly as if there was no -possibility a battle would be fought which might affect us most keenly. - -Until dinner had been cooked and eaten we two lads found little -opportunity for conversation with one another; but after the meal had -come to an end, and those detailed for work upon the ships were at their -tasks once more, our hour of idleness was come. - -We were at liberty to do as we pleased until it was time to prepare -supper, and Phil said, when I started for our old lounging-place, the -grove:-- - -"With all the afternoon before us, why shouldn't we have a look at -what's going on over yonder?" and he pointed toward the mountain summit. - -"Do you mean that we, being clear of such danger because of our duties, -shall voluntarily take part in a fight?" I asked in surprise. - -"I'm not counting on having anything to do with one, save as spectator," -he replied with a laugh. "Mr. Maury has said that the Typee fort is on -the second summit, therefore our people have far to go before beginning -their work. Now, it wouldn't be such a very hard task for us to climb to -the top of this first mountain and there have a full view of all that's -being done. A battle between savages must be something fine, and there -are few lads who ever had such an opportunity as is ours if we choose to -take advantage of it." - -There was much of truth in what he said. The idea had not come into my -head before, that I might, from some secure spot, see all that was being -done, but now that it had been suggested I was decidedly in favor of the -plan. - -True, it would cost us severe labor to climb the mountain-side; but the -descent would be easy, and surely we could well afford to spend some of -our strength in order to witness such a sight as might at this moment be -presented. - -"I'm with you," was my reply as I rose quickly to my feet. "Shall we -tell Master Hackett what we propose doing?" - -"There's no real need of it, and it would cost us a good half hour's -time to go out to the _Essex_ and back. By hurrying up a bit now, we can -be down here again before he has knocked off work." - -"Come on!" I cried gleefully, and we ran forward, following the -footsteps of the war party until we were come to some huge boulders -about two miles from the shore, directly over which the trail seemed to -lead. - -"We can afford to go around such a barrier as that," I said lazily, as -we came to a halt. "The savages, accustomed to such climbing, and in -haste to get into position, most likely took the shortest cut." - -Phil was of my opinion, and thus each of us proved himself to be a -simple, for we should have realized that the Happars would take the best -course, and if a pile of boulders might be avoided by a slight detour, -they would not hesitate about making it. - -We went on our own course, however, and after climbing for half an hour -over the mossy slope which seemed slippery as glass, found the barrier -still on the port side, with no indication of coming to an end. - -"It can't make much difference to us," Phil said cheerily. "We're not -bound for the Typee fort; but only ask for a place where we can see what -is being done on the next mountain." - -During fully half an hour more we climbed, and then, without warning, -found ourselves in the midst of tall yellow weeds growing together as -thickly as they could stand, and as tough and stubborn as so much iron. - -I tried to force them apart with my hands; but such an attempt was -useless, and, half crouching, I brought my shoulder to bear against the -yellow stalks, when I found it possible, by the exercise of all my -strength, to move forward slowly. - -We toiled on for thirty minutes more, expecting each instant to come to -the end of the growth, and then Phil threw himself down exhausted. - -The reeds closed in upon us as we advanced, and thus we were completely -shut out from any breath of air which might be stirring. The heat was -more intense than I had ever experienced, and it seemed almost -impossible that I could continue the ascent ten minutes longer. - -"We'd best put back, and try our luck over the boulders!" Phil said, -panting so heavily that it was only with difficulty he could speak -intelligently. - -"We've fought our way through this stuff for an hour, and it will take -us as long to go back," I said petulantly. "It stands to reason that we -must come to an end of such work very soon, and we'd better push on, if -only to find an easier way of descent." - -Phil made no decided objection to this proposition, and after a short -time of rest I led the way once more, straining my eyes in vain for some -token that we were near the end of this most fatiguing journey. - -On, on we pressed, I wishing most devoutly that I had never fallen in -with Phil's scheme, and then, suddenly, the ironlike weeds became less -dense. It was possible to make my way with far less exertion, and I -shouted the joyful information to Phil, who I knew needed something to -cheer him on. - -"We're getting out where it will be possible to take our choice of -paths!" I cried; "and if you're of the same opinion, we won't travel -many miles farther for the sake of seeing a battle between the savages, -but make our way back to the shore." - -I had no more than thus spoken when there was a rustling of the stiff -stalks just in front of me, and looking up quickly I saw the muzzle of a -musket within three or four inches of my face. - -While standing like a statue gazing at the metal tube, so much surprised -that it was impossible to speak, a voice cried harshly:-- - -"Throw down your weapon, or I'll put a bullet through you." - -"We haven't any weapons!" I cried; and a great simple I was for having -given such information. - -Then there came into my mind the thought that he who had shouted must be -one of our men, because it was not probable there were any on the island -besides them who spoke English, and I cried gleefully to Phil:-- - -"Come on, lad, we've run upon our sailors!" - -Phil increased his pace as much as possible, and was just at my heels -when I stepped out to find myself confronted by none other than the lad -who, I had good reason for believing, was in prison at -Valparaiso--Oliver Benson. - -He stood there grinning, with musket at his shoulder, ready to fire at -the first show of enmity from either of us. - -Phil was quite as much astonished as I had been, when finally he came -into view; but it was possible for him to speak, and he cried:-- - -"Where did you come from?" - -"The last port I left was Valparaiso, where you and your friends spent -so much time lodging me in jail. I'm stopping on this island just now -with the natives who count on wiping your folks out of sight this -afternoon, and I had an idea that you two young scoundrels might be -picked up in the rear of the sailors, for I knew full well you wouldn't -be found in front." - -We stood gazing at him in speechless astonishment, and he, grinning as -usual, seemed to enjoy our display of cowardice. - -"Come up here one at a time and turn your pockets inside out." - -"What's this for?" I asked; but at the same moment taking good care to -obey promptly. - -"I want to make certain you haven't any weapons." - -"We're willing to give you our word as to that," Phil said promptly. - -"I'd rather have better proof," the Britisher replied sharply; and in a -very few seconds we convinced him of our defenceless condition. - -While we were thus being overhauled, I asked myself bitterly how it -chanced that we had been such idiots as to leave camp without so much as -a knife between us; but could find no satisfactory answer to the -question. - -When he was convinced that we were really without weapons, Benson laid -the musket carefully down at his feet and drew a huge clasp-knife, which -he opened. - -"Stand around here!" he commanded sharply, and, as a matter of course, -we did as we were bidden. - -Then the fellow drew from his pocket a small coil of ratline-stuff with -which he proceeded to tie my left arm to Phil's right one in such a -manner that we could not get at the knots with our free hands. - -Now we were entirely in his power and he proceeded to get such -satisfaction as was possible out of the capture. - -"Look at me!" he said sharply. "Did you count that there wouldn't be a -day of reckoning when you left me in jail?" - -"We never thought anything about it," I replied, my anger causing me to -appear bold. "You deserved punishment, and should be behind the bars -this very moment." - -"You evidently know very little about Chilian jails," he went on -complacently. "Money will buy the freedom of any prisoner who is not -accused of murder, and even such an one has been known to escape if he -could show gold enough to convince the keepers. As soon as your -miserable ships were out of the harbor, I quietly walked away one fine -night, for I'd made enough selling Yankees to have a very -respectable-sized hoard where no one could get at it but myself." - -"But how did you chance to be on this island?" Phil asked, curiosity -overcoming his fear. - -"I took passage on a craft bound to the Galapagos on a trading voyage. -We met heavy weather, and were cast away here. Four came ashore; but -three have been roasted, and I'm living on the fat of the land, having -shown the king of the Typees that I can be of more service to him alive -than dead." - -"Then you knew we were in Nukuheva Bay?" I stammered, so much surprised -that I could not speak in proper fashion. - -"Of course I did, and more than once I've crept near enough the shore to -see you lads. I made up my mind that you would soon be where I could -work off old scores, and began operations by advising the king to send -that message to Captain Porter, knowing he'd come out. I believed you -two sneaks would be with the war-party; but on finding you had hung -back, like cowards, was on my way to learn where you were." - -Having made such explanation Benson, who had been seated while we stood -like culprits before him, leaned back in a more comfortable fashion, -surveying us gloatingly. - -"Well, what do you propose doing with us now that the plan has worked to -your satisfaction?" - -"I count on waiting here till your crew and the Happars have been -thoroughly whipped, when I'll take you into the valley and see Typees -roast you in proper fashion. I know how it's done, for I saw the three -who came on shore with me slaughtered and cooked in fine style. My only -trouble is, they'll cut your throats as if you were pigs, and that's too -easy a death for those who did what they could to keep me in jail." - -I had no doubt whatsoever but that the wretch would do exactly as he had -said, and it is not surprising that I literally grew sick with terror. - -Involuntarily I glanced at Phil. His face was pallid, and beadlike -drops of perspiration stood on his forehead, telling of the fear in his -heart. - -It was reasonable to suppose that Benson was well acquainted with the -paths from one mountain to the other, and could readily keep out of the -way of the Happar army, whether it should be successful or beaten. There -appeared to be no ray of hope for us; but I did my poor best to prevent -the murderous Britisher from understanding what was in my heart. - -Phil showed himself braver than was I, for instead of being forced to -spend his time trying to keep himself from showing cowardice, he could -afford to indulge in anger, and he cried, bold as if we were the masters -instead of Benson:-- - -"It's a bad practice to crow very loudly before you've worked your will. -We have more friends on this island than you may claim; and if it so -chances that you can turn us over to the cannibals, they will make you -suffer." - -"If the situation was different, my bantam, I'd admit that what you say -might turn out true; but your people haven't any idea that Oliver Benson -is anywhere except in the jail at Valparaiso, and will set it all down -to the account of the Typees. I shouldn't cry very much if a few hundred -of them were killed to pay for having eaten you." - -After that we fell silent for a time, Benson eying us greedily, as if -he had it in mind to learn what human flesh tasted like, and Phil and I -trying in vain to devise some relief from our troubles. - -There was no way out, as I speedily came to believe. This vindictive -fellow could easily keep us hidden from the returning Happars, and that -the Typees would welcome more captives we knew full well. - -When perhaps fifteen minutes had passed and Benson gave no sign of -leaving this hiding-place in the stiff weeds, Phil asked curtly:-- - -"How much longer do you count on staying here? There'll be no chance of -seeing us roasted, unless you try a hand at the cooking, while we are -hidden in this place." - -"You shall have a chance to travel in due time, so don't grow impatient. -I reckon on staying here until the battle is over, and then there won't -be any risk, so far as I am concerned, in going across the valley." - -Even as he spoke I fancied it was possible to hear faintly the report of -muskets; but it might have been that my imagination played me a trick, -because I was eager to hear such sounds close at hand. - -We remained standing in front of Benson, while he lolled on the ground -at his ease, until it seemed impossible to remain on my feet another -second longer. The work of climbing up the mountain had brought us -almost to the verge of exhaustion, which was forgotten for the time -being in our fears, but now made itself felt more keenly than before. - -Save for that of which I have already spoken, not a sound had been heard -to give token that there were other human beings on the island, and I -began to believe that neither Happars nor Typees were within many miles -of us. - -"Look here, Benson," I finally said, speaking as though he was in my -power rather than I in his, "if you keep us standing here much longer -it'll be a case of carrying us bodily to the roasting-place, for we've -had more of a tramp this day than is really good for our bones." - -"If you so much as move a finger, I'll shoot you like curs." - -"Shoot and have done with it!" Phil cried boldly, scuffling his feet and -waving his arm to provoke the fellow. "I allow that it's within your -power to carry us where we'll be roasted and eaten, therefore the -greatest favor you can do is to shoot now without further parley." - -Having said this Phil threw himself on the ground, dragging me with -him, and I could have kissed the lad for displaying so much spirit while -I was acting the more cowardly part. - -Benson did not shoot, and for two very good reasons: first, he wanted to -carry us in as prisoners that he might gain credit for having captured -two white fellows; and secondly, because he dared not discharge his -musket, lest by so doing he bring down upon him a party of Happars, or, -perhaps, some of our own men. - -I believe that I would have welcomed death if it came in the guise of a -musket ball, so positive did I feel that we should be delivered to the -Typees within a certain length of time, when I had good cause for -knowing what our fate would be; and I would have done anything within my -power to provoke him into killing us quickly, even though I was usually -so cowardly when death seemed near at hand. - -Strange, and almost extravagant, as it may seem, Phil's eyes were closed -in slumber within a very few minutes after he was stretched at full -length upon the ground. The dear lad was so nearly exhausted after his -long climb and the subsequent struggle with the stiff yellow weeds, that -bodily fatigue caused him to forget the danger. - -I, who was probably less weary, could not have lost myself in the -unconsciousness of slumber even though my bed had been the most -rest-inviting ever made. Death was standing very near to me at that -time, and I believed the supreme moment must come before many hours had -passed, for it was not probable we would be aided by those of our crew -who had gone to fight the battles of the friendly Happars. - -Then, after many moments, came a gleam of light into my mind. Benson's -eyes were beginning to grow narrow; I saw his head droop on his bosom, -and he roused up with a start, thus showing that slumber would be -grateful to him. Then it was that a great hope looked in at my heart. - -If he should be overcome by slumber, it was not impossible that Phil and -I might be able to creep up on him so far as to gain possession of the -musket; and once that weapon was in our hands, we would give the villain -a most pressing invitation to go with us to where he could have a second -interview with Captain Porter. - -I watched him as a cat watches a mouse, literally holding my breath in -suspense, and ready to take any chance, however desperate, when the -opportunity should come. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -AMONG THE TYPEES. - - -Then, when I was praying most fervently that sleep would overpower him, -his head drooped lower and lower until I understood that the chains of -slumber had bound him for a certain time at least. - -It was most unfortunate that Phil was also asleep. I tugged gently at -his arm, not daring to make any movement which would result in the -slightest noise; but without arousing him. Had his eyes been open as -wide as were mine, I venture to say that without a peradventure we might -have succeeded in gaining our freedom. - -As it was, however, it became necessary to awaken him, regardless of the -possibility that Benson might take alarm, and I pressed my free hand -over his mouth while I prodded him vigorously with my shoulder. - -Even such a violent effort as this failed of its purpose until after -three or four precious moments had elapsed, and then he stared up into -my face inquiringly:-- - -Softly as possible I whispered in his ear:-- - -"Benson is asleep; by leaping upon him suddenly we should be able to get -the upper hands, bound though we are." - -Now he understood what I would have him do, and motioned that he was -ready for any venture. - -Together we worked our way toward the sleeping Britisher. It is not to -be supposed that we two, fettered as we were, could move without making -some noise; but yet we advanced with reasonable stillness until arriving -within two feet of Benson. - -It was my idea that we throw ourselves upon him, pinning the villain -where he lay, with the chance that during the struggle one or the other -of us lads might gain possession of the musket. - -There was no time to decide upon any combined course of action, for it -would have been in the highest degree dangerous had we attempted to -carry on a whispered conversation just then. - -We rose to our feet softly; but were hardly more than standing erect -when Benson leaped up as if he had been watching from under his eyelids, -and in a twinkling struck me down with the butt of his musket. - -Phil would most likely have been treated to the same kind of a dose; -but, as a matter of course, he fell when I did, or, rather, was dragged -down by me, and the Britisher stood over us with a grin of satisfaction. - -"Thought to get the best of me, eh?" he asked in a loud voice. "Do you -two lads think I'm to be done up like a lamb?" - -Then he began kicking us, helpless though we were, and I believed that -more than one of our bones would be broken before he came to an end of -such amusement. - -We endured the punishment in silence, for it would have afforded him too -much satisfaction had we cried aloud with pain, and not until he was -wearied with the exertion did he cease. - -"You're going into the valley of the Typees, my fine birds, kick against -it as you may; and I shall see you roasted and eaten before eight and -forty hours have passed!" - -Phil was about to make an angry reply; but I prodded him with my -shoulder as token that he remain silent, for it was giving this brute -too much pleasure to bandy words with him. - -Now that our attempt at escape had failed, there was no doubt in my mind -but that what he said would come true, and I bent all my energies to -appearing unconcerned; but fearing meanwhile that at the supreme moment -I should give evidence of the cowardice in my heart. - -Benson knew, of course, that he had fallen asleep, and most likely had -no idea of how long a time he remained unconscious. He must have -believed that the nap lasted quite a while, for now he began hurriedly, -after having berated us to his heart's content, to look about with a -view to continuing the journey. - -He forced us to remain perfectly quiet, threatening to fell us with his -musket if we made any noise, while he listened for some token of friend -or foe. - -No sound was heard; it seemed as if we, among all the inhabitants of the -island, were the only ones upon the mountain. - -"I reckon we'll move ahead," he said at length. "You two cubs are to -march in front of me; and if you try to kick up any bobbery, I'll put a -stop to it by a blow over the head,--such as won't kill outright, but -will give a good idea of what's to follow. Step out now, and don't dare -to shout! It won't do you any good, and will cost a lot of trouble." - -We obeyed; what else was there for us to do? My head was humming like a -top from the effects of the blow he had already delivered, and I knew -full well he would not hesitate to maltreat us in any way which came to -his evil mind. - -After we had marched straight ahead for half an hour over a trail which -led first up and then down a stiff slope, we heard sounds of triumph and -joyful songs from what appeared to be a large party three or four -hundred yards to the left of us. - -Benson stopped suddenly, listened an instant, and then a look of -perplexity came over his face, the reason for which I could not so much -as guess. - -When the noise had died away in the distance, those who made it being -apparently on their way to the bay, Benson ordered us forward once more; -but he had lost his confident bearing, and seemed to be studying deeply -over some vexing problem. - -He continued in such mood until we arrived at what had evidently been at -some time a flourishing village, but was now only a smoking ruin. - -Phil and I glanced at each other in triumph. Now we understood why -Benson was perplexed. He had recognized the shouts of triumph as coming -from the Happars instead of the Typees, and began to believe his friends -had lost the battle. Until that moment he was confident the Typees could -vanquish any force sent against them, and that the fact had thus been -disproved, probably worried him. - -I was at a loss to understand whether this might work to our benefit or -injury; but for the time being it pleased me that Benson was not -getting along as swimmingly as he fancied when we first ran so unluckily -upon him. - -The Britisher stood facing the ruins for an instant as if at a loss to -know what course to pursue, and then he bade us march ahead of him up a -narrow path which led to the right through a dense thicket. - -We travelled at a smart pace for fifteen or twenty minutes, and then -were come to a dwelling, unoccupied, which Benson entered without -hesitation and with evident relief of mind. - -This same house has been described by another, and I can do no better -than give his exact words in picturing it:-- - -"About midway up the ascent of a rather abrupt rise of ground waving -with richest verdure, a number of large stones were laid in successive -courses to the height of nearly eight feet, and disposed in such a -manner that their level surface corresponded in shape with the -habitation which was perched upon it. - -"A narrow space, however, was reserved in front of the dwelling, upon -the summit of this pile of stones (called by the natives a 'pi-pi'), -which, being enclosed by a little picket of canes gave it somewhat the -appearance of a veranda. - -"The frame of the house was constructed of large bamboos planted -uprightly, and secured together at intervals by transverse stalks of the -light wood of the hibiscus, lashed with thongs of bark. The rear of the -tenement--built up with successive ranges of cocoanut boughs bound one -upon another, with their leaflets cunningly woven together--inclined a -little from the vertical, and extended from the extreme edge of the -'pi-pi' to about twenty feet from its surface; whence the shelving -roof--thatched with the long, tapering leaves of the palmetto--sloped -steeply off to within about five feet of the floor; leaving the eaves -drooping with tassel-like appendages from the front of the habitation. - -"This dwelling was constructed of light and elegant canes, in a kind of -open screen-work, tastefully adorned with bindings of variegated -sinnate, which served to hold together its various parts. The sides of -the house were similarly built; thus presenting three-quarters for the -circulation of the air, while the whole was impervious to the rain. - -"In length this picturesque building was perhaps twelve yards, while in -breadth it could not have exceeded as many feet. - -"Stooping a little, you passed through a narrow aperture in its front; -and facing you on entering lay two long, perfectly straight, and well -polished trunks of the cocoanut tree, extending the full length of the -dwelling, one of them placed closely against the rear, and the other -lying parallel with it some two yards distant, the interval between them -being spread with a multitude of gayly worked mats, nearly all of a -different pattern. This space formed the common couch and lounging place -of the natives, answering the purpose of a divan in Oriental countries. -Here they would slumber through the hours of the night and recline -luxuriously during the greater part of the day. The remainder of the -floor presented only the cool, shining surfaces of the large stones of -which the 'pi-pi' was composed. - -"From the ridge-pole of the house hung suspended a number of large -packages enveloped in coarse tappa; some of which contained festival -dresses and various other matters of the wardrobe held in high -estimation. These were easily accessible by means of a line which, -passing over the ridge-pole, had one end attached to a bundle, while -with the other, which led to the side of the dwelling and was there -secured, the package could be lowered or elevated at pleasure. - -"Against the farther wall of the house were arranged in tasteful figures -a variety of spears and javelins and other implements of savage -warfare. Outside of the habitation, and built upon the piazza-like area -in its front, was a little shed used as a sort of larder or pantry, and -in which were stored various articles of domestic use and convenience. A -few yards from the 'pi-pi' was a large shed built of cocoanut boughs, -where the process of preparing the peoo-peoo' was carried on and all -culinary operations attended to." - -Such is a good picture of the dwelling which Benson entered, we walking -ahead according to his orders; and here he appeared to be perfectly at -home. - -I fancied that he was somewhat surprised because there was no one to -greet him; but he made himself comfortable by lying stretched out on the -divan at full length, while we two lads were ordered to make a -resting-place of the stone floor. - -My first glance fell upon the collection of weapons, and I must have -been eying it eagerly, for the Britisher said threateningly:-- - -"Thinking that if you could get hold of them I might have the worst of -it, eh? Well, don't you dare so much as move, else I'll knock in the -whole top of your head!" - -To this threat we made no reply, for it was useless to bandy words with -the fellow, who held us securely in his power. We were so weary that -even the smooth side of a stone seemed rest-inviting, and, despite our -danger, enjoyed this being able to stretch out at full length on our -backs. - -At that moment, sore in both body and mind, I would have welcomed the -assurance that we were to remain here undisturbed until another morning -had come. But it seemed as if we had no more than settled ourselves down -as well as the rope on our arms would permit, than the head of a native -appeared from around the corner of the building; and after satisfying -himself that there were no enemies to be feared, the owner of the head -entered, followed by no less than ten men, all of whom appeared to have -been having a rough-and-tumble fight. - -Benson, without troubling himself to rise, said something to the leader -in the party; and because he pointed at us from time to time, both Phil -and I believed he was giving an account of our capture. - -I was literally shaking with fear, fancying we would immediately be -taken out and eaten; but, greatly to my surprise, all the men seemed to -be angry with Benson. - -He talked to them sharply for an instant, and was replied to in such -fashion that I understood the villain was alarmed, for he arose with a -certain degree of humility, and began making a long speech. - -Before this was ended a large crowd came in, filling the building to -its utmost capacity, and Phil whispered to me:-- - -"It seems as if every man, woman, and boy had some cause for complaint -against the Britisher, and there's no question but that he's feeling -uncomfortable in mind. I wonder why they don't set about roasting us?" - -"I reckon Benson has done something they don't like, and he'll be hauled -over the coals before anything is done with us," and as I spoke a faint -hope sprang up in my heart, although I could not understand that there -was any reason for it. - -The Britisher talked for more than ten minutes, the Typees listening to -him most intently; but no sooner had he come to an end than the man who -entered first--he to whom I believed the dwelling belonged--began to -question Benson angrily, and before he was come to an end every man -present was speaking. - -Then, when the uproar was greatest, one of the party cut the bonds which -bound Phil and me, indicating by gestures that we were to recline on the -couch just vacated by the Britisher. - -This was indeed a startling reception, as compared with what we had -anticipated, and our surprise amounted almost to bewilderment when -another of the party brought us a young cocoanut with the top removed -that we might drink the milk, while a third and fourth offered fruit -which they laid before us on the divan. - -While we were thus being treated as honored guests, the majority of the -party were evidently scolding Benson with many a menacing gesture. - -"He's got himself into trouble somehow," Phil said with a chuckle of -content, "and we seem to be getting the best of this party. Talk about -your cannibals! Why, these people couldn't treat us any better if they -were missionaries!" - -Presently Benson seemed to have lost his temper, and, after loud words, -attempted to stalk out of the building with his musket under his arm. - -Before one would have had time to wink, the Britisher was lying on the -stones of the pi-pi, and the chief man of the party was in possession of -the gun. - -It was a most startling transformation, and Benson appeared quite as -surprised as Phil and I; but instead of showing fight he rose to a -sitting posture, where he remained as meek as any lamb, evidently -satisfied that it would not be well for him to make further move toward -leaving the building. - -With the Britisher thus disposed of, there was a tremendous lot of -jawing done by the men, and at short intervals other parties came up, -the greater number looking as if they had been running, until it seemed -as if we had near us the entire population of the town which had been -destroyed. - -Puzzle our brains as we might, Phil and I were wholly at a loss to -understand the meaning of what was going on around us; but were -perfectly satisfied with the position of affairs so far as we were -concerned. - -But for the knowledge that Benson was treated so roughly, I should have -thought that we were being fed up in order to get us in a better -condition for roasting; but it had been shown that he was in disgrace, -and no one could have mistaken the fact that they wished us to look upon -them as our very friendly hosts. - -Finally there was a great commotion outside and an old man appeared, -showing by his manner as well as his costume that he was higher in -authority than any of those around him. - -The owner of the dwelling now began to tell him about our having been -taken prisoners, as we could understand from the gestures; and when the -story was come to an end, some order was given the Britisher, who came -to his feet all standing. - -The chief man--he may have been the king, for all I know--seemed to be -giving Benson a severe rating; and when he had come to an end, our enemy -approached us so sweetly that butter wouldn't have melted in his mouth. -It was difficult then to realize that he was the same villain who had -promised we should be roasted and eaten. - -"You lads are to be taken to Nukuheva Bay, if you feel able to walk so -far before resting," he said without raising his eyes. - -"Nukuheva Bay!" I repeated in astonishment. "Do you mean that the Typees -no longer intend to serve us up as a roast?" and a glimmer of the truth -now flashed across my mind. - -"The Typees are your friends." - -"Then how does it happen you reckoned so confidently on our being -killed?" I asked, grown bolder now the danger appeared to be over. - -"The Yankees have beaten them in the battle which was fought this -forenoon, and you are to be sent back as a peace offering," Benson said -meekly; but it must have cost him an effort to admit the truth of the -matter. - -"And what about you?" Phil asked curiously. - -"I am in more danger than since the first hour after being cast ashore, -when my companions were being killed. If the battle had gone in the -Typees' favor, then I should have been praised for bringing you in; but -now they make a scapegoat of me, and I stand a good chance of being -roasted myself before this scrape is over." - -The fellow really believed what he said, and I could not keep down a -feeling of pity for him; but Phil was less soft-hearted, and said -quickly:-- - -"I think it will be a very nice ending, Master Benson. When you have -satisfied the hunger of these natives, you will probably have done the -first really good deed of your life. Besides, it will save you from -being hanged." - -That Benson was thoroughly cowed and terrified could be told from the -fact that he made no reply to this cruel speech, and my pity for him -increased, although it is doubtful if I would have saved him had it been -in my power, unless I knew for a certainty that he would be sent -immediately to a prison from which he could not escape. - -The Britisher stood before us silently until one of the men prodded him -with a sharp point of a knife, and he asked humbly:-- - -"Are you ready to go back to Nukuheva Bay now, or would you like to -rest a while longer?" - -"We'll go now," I replied quickly, thinking it wisest to take the Typees -while they were in the humor, lest they should suddenly come to believe -that more might be gained by holding us prisoners; and Phil nodded his -head to show that he was quite in my way of thinking. - -No sooner had Benson repeated the words than two men stepped forward, -and the Britisher explained that they would act as our guides during the -journey. - -"Won't you do good for evil by telling Captain Porter that a white man -is here in great danger of being killed?" he asked piteously. "Whatever -your commander asks now will be granted; and if he sends back such -request by those who conduct you, I shall be saved." - -"You would be brought to Nukuheva Bay, and once there our captain would -make you close prisoner." - -"I care not what he does, so that I am saved from these cannibals." - -"An hour ago they were your very good friends; but now you are howling -to be taken from them," Phil suggested. - -"They were my friends, and would be now but for the fact that I advised -them to make war against the Yankees and the Happars, assuring them -they would whip the whole boiling in a twinkling." - -"And now, after trying not only to have us killed, but to bring about -the death of all hands, you coax us to save your miserable life!" Phil -cried angrily, whereat half a dozen pairs of hands were stretched out, -pulling the Britisher violently backward until he fell with a thud on -the stones of the pi-pi. - -Phil and I rose to our feet, although feeling mighty sore in the joints, -and the throng separated in a friendly fashion to give us passage. - -As we walked out of the building Benson cried piteously on us to do what -we could to persuade the captain into demanding his release; and the -last sound we heard on leaving the dwelling where we had fully expected -to meet death in a most horrible form, was his prayers that we would be -merciful. - -The whole change in affairs was rather perplexing, despite the brief -explanation made by Benson; but at the time we gave very little heed to -our ignorance, because of the fact that we were comparatively free once -more. - -If I have set down but few words concerning our feelings while we were -prisoners, and afterward when walking rapidly toward Nukuheva Bay, it is -because I cannot even make a beginning at describing our condition of -mind. To be at one moment the most miserable of human beings, and in -another freed from all troubles, is such a wonderful change that words -fail of picturing it. - -The Typees who conducted us were not disposed to delay on the journey, -although again and again they asked by gestures if we would like to rest -a while, and to each of these questions in turn we shook our heads most -decidedly. I had no desire for rest, wearied though I was, when a couple -of cannibals were to stand watch over us. The sooner I was out of such -company the better pleased should I be. - -There is no reason for making an overly long story of our tramp across -the mountains, for it would be repeating over and over an account of our -great fatigue--fatigue which could not have been borne, I believe, under -less dangerous circumstances. - -Not until late in the evening did we come within hailing distance of the -Happar village near the shore of the bay, and then our guides told us by -gestures that we must lead the way. They evidently did not care to take -the chances of advancing boldly into the settlement while all hands were -celebrating the victory which had been won that day. - -Neither Phil nor I felt any too secure about suddenly appearing before -the Happars, and instead of entering the village, we stood on the -outskirts shouting "_Essex_ ahoy!" at the full strength of our lungs. - -More than fifteen minutes was spent in this effort to summon our -shipmates before the cries were answered, and then who should suddenly -appear before us but Master Hackett! - -I fancied he would greet us affectionately after all the dangers we had -encountered; but in this I was mistaken. - -"Well, have you two infants got enough of skylarkin'?" he asked in a -severe tone, and Phil cried:-- - -"Skylarking! If you have any idea we've been enjoying ourselves, it -would please me well for you to have a turn at such fun." - -"Don't wag your tongues about nothin'; but tell me where you've been, -an' what you count on doin' with them niggers." - -We made a short story of our adventures, for we were so nearly exhausted -that it seemed impossible we could remain on our feet another moment; -but the time had not yet come when we might indulge in rest. - -"You're to go aboard that the captain may speak with you, an' I reckon -them two fellers had better keep close behind." - -"Can't we speak with the captain in the morning?" I asked, hoping to be -allowed a long trick below in my hammock. - -"Not a bit of it. After givin' us all to understand that you'd come to -grief, an' bein' the means of havin' half a dozen men trampin' over -these bloomin' mountains in search of you, the least to be done is to -make a report in proper shape." - -Without further protest we followed the old sailor, our Typee guards -keeping close behind us, and as we walked toward the shore I asked -Master Hackett for an account of the day's doings. - -"There ain't much of a yarn to it," he replied laughingly. "Our men did -the most of the business, an' might have worked the traverse alone, -accordin' to all accounts. They marched over the mountains, drivin' the -Typees before 'em, until comin' to a kind of fort, where it's said no -less than four thousand of the niggers made a stand. Then the Yankees -an' the 6-pounder got in their work. It wasn't any great shakes of a -battle, 'cause it was so soon over. We drove 'em right an' left, an' -wound up the business by pullin' the fort apart. I reckon all the -natives on this 'ere island think we're the toughest fighters they ever -struck. Our people came in about three o'clock, an' since then we've had -visits from this gang an' that, all claimin' to be our best friends. -When them as have been sent out to search for you get back, they'll be -feelin' sore 'cause a couple of worthless infants have caused 'em so -much hard labor." - -Then it was that I thought of Benson's prayers and entreaties until my -heart grew soft, and I asked Master Hackett if he believed the captain -would do anything toward saving his worthless life. - -"I allow he will, lad, though it seems like a waste of good breath to -spend it talkin' about him. Even though we are at war with the -Britishers, we can't let one of 'em be roasted an' ate up like a pig; -but I'll guarantee the captain will keep the brute carefully caged till -we can put him into a stronger prison than is to be found in Chili." - -"And you believe we should say anything about it to Captain Porter, -after Benson did his best to have us roasted and eaten?" Phil asked -sharply. - -"I do for a fact, lad. Just at present you're hot against him; but in a -month from now you'd be eatin' your heart out if you'd held your tongue -when he might 'er been saved." - -We ceased talking of Benson after this, and Master Hackett regaled us -with stories of the battle which he had got from those of our people who -took part in it, until we were on board the ship in Captain Porter's -cabin. - -"Tell me all you have done and seen this day," the captain said when -Master Hackett, with many a flourish and tug at his hair, reported -having found us and our guides. - -We obeyed the command, he interrupting us with questions from time to -time, and then Mr. Maury was summoned that he might act as interpreter -for the Typees. - -This ended the interview so far as we were concerned, for Master Hackett -dragged us backward out of the cabin, leaving the two savages looking -around very suspiciously. - -We had repeated Benson's request, and stated as our belief that he would -speedily be killed and eaten unless a demand was made that he be brought -on board the ship; but to all this the captain gave no reply, and we -left the cabin uncertain as to whether the Britisher would be rescued, -or left to take the punishment he had brought upon himself through -trying to do the Yankees a mischief. - -"Why didn't you let us stay and hear what was said?" Phil asked angrily -of Master Hackett when we were outside. - -"Because he'd got through with you. Are you thinkin' a couple of -troublesome infants like you can loiter around in the after cabin at -your own sweet will?" - -"We might at least have stayed until Captain Porter told us to go," Phil -retorted in an injured tone. - -"That's exactly what he did do when he nodded to me. It was jest the -same as if he'd said, 'Take 'em away,' an' I did it to save you from a -wiggin' such as our captain can give a man with more vim than I ever -heard put into it by any one else." - -I was not quite certain that Master Hackett had received such a signal; -but it was too late now to repair the mischief, and we went below ready -for our hammocks, as you can well believe. - -Never before had I even fancied that a sailor's bed was soft; but on -this night I had been inside of it no more than two minutes before I was -snoring like a top. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A NAVAL STATION. - - -Next morning at sunrise Phil and I were routed out by the cry of "All -hands ahoy!" and if we had expected to be received with open arms and by -our shipmates' congratulations on a narrow escape from death, we would -have been most wofully mistaken. - -Many of the crew, including those who had been forced to roam over the -mountains in search of us, believed we should be brought up for -punishment because of having left the encampment during hostilities -without orders or permission; and those who held to it that there was no -reason, in the absence of orders to the contrary, why we were not -allowed to move around at will, blamed us severely for being such fools -as to run blindly into the arms of an enemy. - -Thus it was that, in one way or another, we had earned a reproof from -all our comrades; and it was administered by their silence or severe -looks when we made our appearance believing a warm reception awaited us. - -Even Master Hackett glanced at us reproachfully for a time; but he grew -more friendly as the forenoon wore on, and then we ventured to ask if he -knew what Captain Porter had done in regard to Benson's appeal for aid. - -"The two natives stayed aboard all night, an' were set ashore less than -half an hour before you turned out. Of course I don't know what orders -our captain gave them; but I'll wager a doughnut against a dollar that -they'll be here again, bringin' the Britisher with 'em, if it so be he's -yet alive, before sunset." - -"What will the men say to being thus careful of a man who admits having -made a business of trapping Yankee sailors in order that he may sell -them like so many slaves?" Phil asked indignantly. - -"I ain't overly certain as to what they'll say; but you can set it down -as a fact that never a mother's son of 'em will so much as open his -mouth where there's a chance his words may be repeated aft. Captain -Porter ain't the kind of a seaman that a crew can afford to monkey with. -He'll do as he believes right, no matter what them as sail under him may -say." - -This conversation was interrupted by a command which surprised even the -oldest shellbacks among us. - -Word was passed that a party of forty men were to take four 6-pounders -from the _Greenwich_, and put them in position on a small hill -overlooking the harbor and our encampment ashore. - -Another force was called off to carry empty water-casks to the same -place, and Master Hackett muttered sufficiently loud for me to hear the -words:-- - -"I reckon we're to make a naval station of this 'ere island; an' if it -so be we show our heels to the Britishers who've been sent out to sink -us, this will be a likely property to hold in the name of the United -States." - -Phil and I knew full well that we had no right to linger on board the -_Essex_, for we had been assigned to duty ashore; and, therefore, while -the working parties I have spoken of were being made up, we clambered -into the first boat that put off for the land. - -Then, as a matter of course, we took up our tasks as cooks' assistants -once more, although it would have pleased us better had we been allowed -to take part in the work of building the fort; for that, as we soon came -to understand, was the purpose for which our men had been called off -from the labor of refitting. - -We two lads had ample time, however, in which to observe all that was -being done, for, as I have already set down, we were allowed many a -spare hour between meals. - -The empty water-casks were filled with earth and sunk a couple of feet -into the summit of the hill in such manner as to form a circle. Then -sand was shovelled against the outside of these, and an excavation made -inside, until we had a breastwork not to be despised even as a -protection against musket balls. The guns were mounted so that they -would cover the harbor and camp, and a flag-staff, on which was hoisted -the stars and stripes, set up in the middle of the enclosure, the whole -presenting the appearance of a regular fort. - -Before all this work had been completed, however, we saw two of the -Typees coming down the mountain-side, escorting a third person whom we -knew full well was none other than Benson, and the question as to -whether our captain would take any trouble to save the life of a -Britisher was answered. - -Phil and I were near the beach when this party came in, waving green -palm-leaves, which answered the purpose of a white flag; and while they -halted, awaiting some word from the ship as to where they should leave -the living peace-offering, we two lads had an opportunity of holding -converse with our enemy. - -[Illustration: THE PARTY CAME IN, WAVING GREEN PALM-LEAVES.] - -He was as humble and friendly as possible, as well he might be, -considering the fact that we had been the means of saving him from being -served up as a Typee roast or stew. - -"If ever it comes my way, I'll do you boys a good turn," he said in a -tone of thankfulness, and I was disposed to let the promise pass without -comment; but Phil did not hold the same opinion. - -"That is to say, you count on being friendly to us until another chance -comes your way of selling us to the whalers, or of seeing us roasted and -eaten," he said angrily; whereupon Benson replied with what I believed -was sincere regret for having attempted to do us bodily harm:-- - -"If you'd been in my position since yesterday, you'd know full well that -I couldn't be other than thankful for what you have done." - -"I allow we were in much the same situation when you had us in your -keeping, and was determined we should be roasted!" the lad said hotly. -"But for the fact that the Typees got the worst of the battle, we'd be -ready for cooking this very minute." - -Benson could make no reply to what was neither more nor less than the -truth, and he hung his head, as seemed to me most proper. - -After a few moments of silence he asked:-- - -"Do you know what your captain counts on doing with me?" - -"He isn't in the custom of telling the crew what he proposes to do," -Phil said curtly; "but this you can set down for a fact, that if he -turns you loose around the bay, you'd better be mighty careful, for -there are those among the men who wouldn't count it a crime to kill you -as they would a mad dog." - -By this time a boat had come ashore from the _Essex_; Benson and the -Typees who had brought him in were taken on board, and we did not get a -glimpse of the Britisher until many days afterward. The natives, -however, came ashore half an hour later and were conducted by our men a -short distance up the mountain, lest the Happars, disregarding the flag -of truce, should set upon them. - -Three days later Captain Porter took possession of the fort and island -in a formal manner. He and his officers went into the fortification -where the flag, which had been lowered a few moments previous, was -hoisted while the ships saluted it in fine style, and then it was -announced that the island had become a portion of the United States. -From that hour, so the captain declared, Nukuheva should be known as -Madison Island, in honor of the President, and the fort was given the -same name. The bay had already been christened Massachusetts, and at the -time it seemed to me that my country had come into possession of a -valuable territory; but those at home thought differently, for in after -years no effort was made to hold what the gallant old _Essex_ had fairly -won. - -The remainder of this day when we took possession was spent in sport, -all hands having full liberty until one hour before sunset; and a grand -jollification we had, visiting the most respectable Happar families. - -Next morning twenty-one men were told off as the force to man the fort, -and command of the same was bestowed upon Lieutenant Gamble of the -Marines. The duty of this little party was to guard the remainder of the -company while at work on the fleet, and otherwise keep peace between the -Happars and the Typees. Then the task of putting the ships into sailing -trim was continued, and Phil and I sincerely regretted having been -assigned to the cook's department, otherwise we might have been numbered -among the defenders of the fort,--a position which would have pleased me -mightily, for it seemed certain that the Typees were more than willing -to let us severely alone. - -As I stop writing at this point for an instant, I come to realize that -my yarn is being spun out too long. It would please me greatly to be -able to set down here all we did while on Madison Island, for we spent -many a happy hour there, despite the hard work; but by so doing I might -never come to an end of that which I hope will pass for what landsmen -call a "story," although every word is no more than the truth, as all -our ship's company can testify. - -In order, therefore, that nothing of importance concerning the cruise of -the _Essex_ may be omitted through lack of time and space, I will copy -here what was afterward written by a great historian[2] concerning what -cost us three days of fighting, and to relate which in detail would -force me to write over many pages. - -"After their first fears had been allayed, or they came to understand -how small was our force, the powerful Typees remained hostile, and -became more and more defiant, to the great discomfort of the Happars and -the annoyance of the Americans. At length Porter resolved to make war -upon them. - -"An expedition of thirty-five Americans, including Captain Porter, and -five thousand Taeehs and Happars, moved against the incorrigibles. The -Typees, armed with slings and spears, met them with such overwhelming -numbers and fierce determination, that at the end of the first day they -were compelled to fall back to the beach, numbering among their -casualties a shattered leg belonging to Lieutenant Downes, caused by a -sling-man's stone. That night the valley of the Typees resounded with -shouts of victory, and the sonorous reverberations of many beaten drums. - -"Porter renewed the attempt the next day, and led his motley army boldly -over the rugged hills into the Typee valley, in the midst of great -exposure to hostile missiles from concealed foes, and many privations. - -"Village after village was destroyed until they came to the principal -town, in which were fine buildings, a large public square, temples and -gods, huge war-canoes, and other exhibitions of half-savage life. These -were all reduced to ashes, and by the broom of desolation that beautiful -valley, four miles in width and nine in length, was made a blackened -desert. The Typees, utterly ruined and humbled, now submissively paid -tribute." - -It seems almost cruel to tell so brave a yarn in such few words; but for -the fact that there are yet more important adventures of our cruise to -be set down, it should not thus be hurried over. - -Neither Phil nor I was of the party which Captain Porter himself led -over the mountains. I am not prepared to say that we would have gone -with the army if permission had been given; we knew what fate awaited -those who might be made prisoners, and would have shrunk from thus -taking the chances of being the principal dish at a Typee feast. - -When our men came back to the beach whipped, at the close of the first -day's fight, and we saw Lieutenant Downes brought in by four Happars, -looking as if death sat on the litter with him, it began to appear as if -Massachusetts Bay was not a desirable naval station. - -Nor were Phil and I the only ones among the company who grew -faint-hearted when the reverses were made known. The old shellbacks who -had previously grumbled because we were to take part in a native war, -now came out strong with their predictions of evil; and to have heard -them scold and mutter, one would have said that already were we -hopelessly overcome. - -Next day, when our men set out leading the entire army, we watched until -they were lost to view in the distance, firmly believing we would never -see them again. During the time we spent anxiously waiting for news from -the battle-field, all hands were in the fort or on board the ships, -ready to open fire if the Typees should chase our people to the shore of -the bay; but at nightfall our anxiety was changed to rejoicing. - -A Happar messenger came in with the information that Captain Porter had -whipped the Typees thoroughly, and would remain absent from the bay -another day in order to destroy the villages belonging to the enemy. - -It was my good fortune to have the opportunity of carrying this news to -Lieutenant Downes, who lay in his cabin on board the _Essex_, and to my -great surprise I discovered that he had never been in doubt as to the -result of the expedition. - -"It couldn't have been otherwise," he said, when I had emptied my budget -of news. "Thirty-five white men with ample supply of ammunition could -beat off all the natives of the island, providing they were not -ambushed. It went without saying that Captain Porter would flog them -into submission." - -Because he spoke to me so familiarly, I ventured to ask him concerning -Benson, for up to this time neither Phil nor I had been able to learn -anything regarding him. - -"He is below, in such snug quarters that I promise you there is no -chance of his escaping." - -"Will he be taken back to Valparaiso?" I ventured to ask. - -"I think not, my lad. It is my opinion that he will remain on board -until we arrive at the home port, and then be delivered over to the -proper authorities. So long as Captain Porter holds command of the -_Essex_, there's little chance the young scoundrel will play any more -tricks on honest seamen." - -As a matter of course, Phil and I knew full well that Benson was on -board the frigate; but we were not just certain what the captain -proposed to do with him when we made Valparaiso again, and this -assurance of Lieutenant Downes's caused me to feel decidedly better -mentally, for we were not minded he should escape his just deserts. - -When our people came back, escorted by the triumphant Happars and -followed by the chief men of the Typees, who were eager that peace be -made between us, we gave them a grand reception, which was not -prolonged, for on the following morning the work of refitting the ships -of the fleet was continued as if our commander was impatient to be at -sea once more, as really was the case if the statements made by Master -Hackett the evening following the return of the army were true. - -I had asked him why Captain Porter was bent on pushing the work forward -to the utmost limit of speed, and the old man said gravely, as if he -considered it an exceedingly serious matter:-- - -"It is near time for the arrival in the Pacific of one or more of the -frigates sent out from England to destroy us. From all I've gathered, -an' by puttin' this an' that together when I've overheard the officers -talkin' it amounts to considerable, it's our commander's idee to meet -the Britishers one by one as fast as they arrive, instead of givin' them -a chance to come at us with a squadron after due preparation. We've got -to fight our way home, if we ever get there; an' accordin' to my way of -thinkin' Captain Porter couldn't do a wiser thing than to meet the enemy -as soon as possible after they round the Horn." - -"Why then, Master Hackett?" - -"Because after such a voyage every ship is bound to be at her worst, an' -it's our best chance; if we give them time to overhaul an' lay plans, we -stand a show to get beaten." - -"And are we to give up the island after having so much trouble to subdue -the Typees?" - -"Not a bit of it, if all I've heard be true. Lieutenant Gamble, with -midshipmen Feltus an' Clapp, are to remain behind in command of the -force detailed for the fort." - -"And they are to stay here to keep peace among the natives," Phil -exclaimed in a tone of surprise, whereupon Master Hackett corrected him -by saying:-- - -"It goes without sayin' that they will keep peace on the island; but -that ain't the reason for leavin' 'em here, by a long shot. We'll need a -harbor for repairs while we stay in the Pacific, especially after two or -three battles at sea, which I reckon will fall to our share. Them as -remain behind will see to it that the Britishers don't take possession -by some of their whalin' vessels or otherwise, an' we'll have a port to -run to if the odds are too great against us." - -I failed to figure out what was to become of those left behind in case -the _Essex_ was destroyed, or if she was forced to flee around the Horn; -and Master Hackett could not help me to a solution. He seemed to treat -it as one of the chances of war which the defenders of the fort must -take, and as such, not worthy of discussion. - -Well, the refitting was pushed forward with all speed, and near about -the first of December we were so far ready for sea that it was only -necessary to take in a quantity of water and fresh provisions. - -The prizes were warped in close under the fort, and moored there in -such manner that nothing short of a most violent tempest could disturb -them. - -The encampment ashore was broken up, and all the men ordered on board -the ships which were to venture out. - -When this last order was given, we had signs of serious trouble. - -The natives, who had become fast friends with our men, set up a terrible -howl, and from morning until night we could see them on the beach crying -and begging that the crew be sent ashore again, while on board the -frigate and the _Essex Junior_ the sailormen themselves were bewailing a -fate which seemed unnecessarily hard. - -There was little mutinous talk on our ship; but we heard again and again -that the crew of the _Essex Junior_ was nearly in a mutinous frame of -mind because the pleasant stay ashore had come to an end. - -As a matter of course the old shellbacks were not concerned in this -insubordination. They recognized the fact that we must put to sea as -speedily as possible, and were even eager to be gone; but many of the -younger fellows would have deserted except for the strong guard which -was kept both night and day. - -Only those who could best be trusted were sent on shore for the stores, -and among these was Master Hackett, therefore we lads heard much of what -was happening aboard of our consort. - -It was the evening of the second day after we had been ordered aboard -ship that Master Hackett told Phil and me, while he was smoking -comfortably near No. I gun, the following startling news:-- - -"Bob White of the _Essex Junior_ has been blowin' his gaff so loud that -it has come to the ears of our officers, an' all hands will be called up -for a wiggin' from the commander before another day goes by, or I'm a -Dutchman, which I ain't." - -"What has he been saying?" Phil asked curiously. - -"That we of the frigate have come to a solemn agreement not to get under -way when the order comes; or, if we're forced to do that, we're to seize -the ship in three days after leavin' port, an' them on the _Essex -Junior_ are to stand by us." - -"But all that is a lie!" I cried hotly. "If there had been a mutiny on -board this ship, surely it would have come to the ears of Phil and me!" - -"I allow that some of our youngsters have been makin' foolish talk -against puttin' to sea when there's so much fun to be had ashore; but as -for downright mutiny, why it's all in your eye, Biddy Martin. I count -that the worst insubordination has been argufied in my hearin', an' that -only went so far as to swimmin' ashore for a night's frolic. Bob White -will find himself in trouble, or I'm mistaken." - -Master Hackett's prediction was verified early next morning, when the -crew of the _Essex Junior_ was ordered aboard the frigate, and, in -company with all our men, summoned to the break of the quarter, where -was standing Captain Porter and his officers, decked out in their newest -uniforms. - -The captain did not show any sign of anger when we stood before him, but -began like a preacher, by telling what he had heard was talked of among -the men. - -It goes without saying that this was the same yarn Master Hackett had -spun for us the night before, and the commander said flatly that he -didn't allow there was any truth in it. - -"I can't believe any of you who have braved so many dangers during this -most glorious cruise would turn mutineers simply because life on the -island is so pleasing. If it should be, however, that you came to such a -pass, rather than allow the shame put upon us, I will without hesitation -hold a match to the magazine and blow all hands into eternity, for it -is better that the ship and every man in her perish, than have it told -at home that we were ready to sacrifice the interests of our country to -personal desires. While I don't believe it possible such an agreement -could have been made, there may be some hot heads among you who do not -care for the disgrace which would come upon all this ship's company, -therefore I wish to see who will agree to obey my commands in the future -as you have in the past. Let those who are ready to do their duty like -men, by remaining on board when we go to meet the enemy, step over on -the starboard side--I mean those who are not only willing, but eager, to -get the good ship _Essex_ under way when the order may be given to do -so." - -In a twinkling every man jack of us was lining the starboard rail, -looking curiously behind to see who would dare show himself mutinously -inclined. - -No one remained on the port side, and Captain Porter looked pleased; but -the end of the matter was not yet, as he then proved by saying:-- - -"Let Bob White come forward!" - -The mutinous sailor obeyed sheepishly; and when he stood out from the -rest of us, a mark for every eye, the captain said sternly:-- - -"This is the man who has reported that you had not only agreed to -disobey orders, but were ready to turn pirates for the sake of spending -your lives on the island. He who will spin such yarns about honest -sailormen is not fit to associate with them. Mr. McKnight," he added, -turning to my cousin Stephen, "see to it that this scoundrel is dropped -into one of the canoes which are hanging around, and let it be -understood that the sentries are to fire at him if he makes any effort -to come aboard again." - -My cousin had hardly more than stepped off the quarter to give the -necessary order, when Master Hackett and a couple of his cronies seized -Bob White, and before one could have counted ten the mutineer was -kicking and splashing in the water alongside. They had not taken the -trouble to see whether a canoe was close at hand. - -There were so many islanders near about, however, that White was -speedily picked up, and from that time he was never seen again, unless, -perchance, it may have been by those who garrisoned the fort. - -Then, after thanking us for what we had already done while under his -command, and for what he expected we would do in the future, the captain -dismissed us that we might get about the work of the day. - -It was only natural that while engaged in this task or the other my -mind should be filled with thoughts of the insubordination, and the -possible result if the crew had been able to remain on the island. - -The seamen among us who had had the most experience in such matters, -believed that we stood but little show against those ships which had -been sent from England in search of us; that the _Essex_ would never -round Cape Horn with the stars and stripes flying. In such case we had -only death or imprisonment to look forward to, and it is not so very -surprising that some of the men should desire to remain among the -islanders. - -As for myself, and I can also speak for Phil in the same words, cowardly -at heart though I was, it seemed far wiser to make a brave fight for it -than go into voluntary exile among cannibals. Yet, while I thus decided, -there was a great fear in my heart concerning our fate, and I would have -given up anything I possessed, with a mortgage on everything which might -come to me in the future, had it been possible to step at that moment -into my own quiet home. I had seen enough of war, although having viewed -it only from the brightest side, and I quaked at the prospect of what -lay before us, even though we might, in the end, succeed in giving our -enemies the slip. - -It was the morning of December 12, 1813, when we got under way, amid -the booming of the guns from Fort Madison, and I venture to say there -was not a man in either ship, whether officer, ordinary seaman, or -marine, who did not wish we might have remained there a few weeks -longer, providing it could be done safely and honorably. - -The prizes were left under the guns of the fort, for now we were going -out to meet the foe in battle, and could not be bothered with such as -they. The _Essex Junior_ and the frigate were to perform the hard work, -receive the British fire, and then, if we were successful, which hardly -seemed probable, would return to take our captured craft to a home port. - -By nightfall the island was lost to view in the distance, and on the -vast expanse of the ocean nothing could be seen by us save the good -frigate _Essex_ and her namesake and consort, _Essex Junior_. - -Now let me set down something which I have copied from a yarn spun by an -old sea-dog[3] who can jockey a spar or make a book with equal ease:-- - -"Up to this time not a dollar had been drawn to meet the expenses of the -frigate. The enemy had furnished provisions, sails, cordage, medicines, -guns, anchors, cables, and slops. A considerable amount of pay even, -had been given to the officers and men, by means of the money taken in -the _Nocton_. Thus far the cruise had been singularly useful and -fortunate, affording an instance of the perfection of naval warfare in -all that relates to distressing an enemy, with the least possible charge -to the assailants; and it remained only to terminate it with a victory -over a ship of equal force, to render it brilliant. It is, perhaps, a -higher eulogium on the officers and crew of this memorable little -frigate to add, that while her good fortune appeared at last to desert -her, they gave this character to their enterprise by the manner in which -they struggled with adversity." - -On this our first evening at sea, after so long a stay in port, Master -Hackett was unusually agreeable and friendly with us lads who had done -our best toward saving his life, whether that best was ill-advised or -opportune. Instead of smoking in the company of the other old sea-dogs, -he joined us near No. 1 gun, and there began to hold forth on the "luck -of the _Essex_" as if believing we needed heartening now that we were -pressing forward to meet an enemy of equal or greater strength than our -own. - -"You lads haven't made quite as bad a fist of sailorin' as I counted on -when you first came aboard," he began. "You've given good attention to -your duties, an' when next you ship, I reckon it should be as ordinary -seamen--" - -"Providing we ever get a chance to ship again," Phil interrupted. "It -seems to be the opinion among all hands that we're on our last cruise." - -"Pay no attention to what those old croakers are sayin'," Master Hackett -replied quickly. "Sailormen always borrow trouble when there's little -show for it, an' don't take the pains to work out the traverse that can -be made. I hold that the 'luck of the _Essex_' is still with her, an' -will be when we meet the Britishers yard-arm to yard-arm, or at whatever -range our commander believes to be best. No man can go into an -engagement an' do his full duty if he counts on bein' knocked out before -it's over. Believe that you've _got_ to lick the other fellow, an' then -you'll have an advantage." - -Master Hackett could not have said anything which would have caused me -to believe more firmly that he, like many another on board the _Essex_, -was convinced we had come to an end of our "luck," and I turned away -abruptly rather than listen further. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[2] Benson J. Lossing. - -[3] J. Fenimore Cooper. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -AT VALPARAISO. - - -I forgot to set down the fact that we brought away from Nukuheva, or, I -suppose I should say, from Madison Island, Mr. Maury and his companions. -They had had quite enough of the place and the life there, beautiful -though the first was, and enticing as the latter might be. It was said -Captain Porter proposed that these men remain in the fort, since, -conversant with the language as they were, communication with the -natives would be more readily had. - -To such a proposition they declined flatly, and this fact should have -been sufficient to show those of our crew who still hankered for the -flesh-pots of Nukuheva, what would have been their condition of mind -after having remained as long in that veritable garden of Eden. - -Our voyage had hardly more than begun, that is to say, it was on the -second day after leaving port, when one of the marines brought word that -Phil and I had been summoned to the quarter-deck. - -The wooden-headed fellow had not taken the trouble to find out why such -an order was given, nor which of the officers had sent it; he only knew -that his sergeant told him to summon us, and we two lads were in a fine -state of excitement. Even Master Hackett looked grave when he questioned -us closely as to whether we had made foolish talk which might have been -overheard by the officers, or if our duties had been seriously neglected -at any time lately. - -He was helping us make ready for the visit all the while he asked these -questions, therefore no time was lost in such converse. - -We could not have neglected our duties, for, as a matter of fact, we had -none while at sea save to answer the beck and call of every member of -the ship's crew, and were so far beneath the officers in station that -they did not even take the trouble to look at us, except when our -services were required. - -However, there was neither rhyme nor reason in our speculating very long -as to why we were thus summoned. We were bound to answer the call as -soon as might be or find ourselves slated for punishment; and as soon as -Master Hackett announced that we were togged out in proper fashion, Phil -and I went aft feeling very uncomfortable in mind. And we came to know -then, if never before, that there is no sense in crossing bridges till -you come to them, or, in other words, it's unwise "to trouble trouble -till trouble troubles you." - -On going aft we found my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, standing near the -break of the quarter-deck, and, saluting him as I would have done had -there been no kinship between us, I asked if he knew who had summoned -us. - -"I did, lad," he replied. "It is the captain's orders that you and your -mate look after the prisoner, Oliver Benson. He has been cared for by -one of Robert White's cronies, and it is believed best to give him in -charge of those who have personal reasons for holding him fast, -particularly while we are in the harbor of Valparaiso. You'll find him -in the brig, and separate rations will be served out for him. See to it -that he holds no communication with any of the crew; but allow him to -walk about for half an hour every day while you stand guard over him -with loaded muskets. In order to render you more careful, lads, I may -say that we believe the fellow has some plan for escape in his mind, and -you are detailed as his keepers in order that we may be certain of -nipping it in the bud." - -This was the longest speech the lieutenant, my cousin, had favored me -with since I came on board, and it pleased me mightily, as did also the -fact that we two lads were rated by our officers as being better able to -look after the prisoner than some others of the crew. - -Having spoken, Lieutenant McKnight turned on his heel, and we were left -to set about the new duties according to our own ideas as to how they -should be performed. - -We went below from the after end of the gun-deck, and there found the -gloomy cage guarded by a single sentinel, with whom Benson appeared to -be carrying on a lively conversation. - -This portion of the ship would have been shrouded in darkness but for a -lantern which hung over against the bench where I fancied the guard -should remain, and the light was so dim that for the moment Benson did -not recognize us. - -"Have you come to relieve me?" the marine said as we approached, and -while replying to him I was seized by a sudden thought. - -"Will you ask Lieutenant McKnight if he expects us both to remain on -duty, or may we stand watch and watch?" - -"It ain't likely he counts on two lads at the same time lookin' after -one man who's locked in where he can neither help hisself nor hurt -others," the marine replied pertly, whereupon I told him that we should -expect him to bring an answer directly from the lieutenant, otherwise I -would go on deck and learn the reason why. - -He looked at me for an instant as if surprised that a boy aboard ship -should speak to him in such a fashion, and indeed I was rather -astonished at my own air of authority; but I would not lower the words, -once having given them utterance, and he, most likely knowing of the -kinship between the lieutenant and myself, turned on his heel without -giving vent to the sharp words I believed were trembling on the tip of -his tongue. - -Five minutes later, and before either Phil or I had gone so near the -cage that Benson could distinguish our features, the man came back with -the word that we were to look after the prisoner according to our own -ideas of how such work should be done. - -When the marine had left us once more, I went boldly up to the bars of -the prison, and Benson uttered a low cry of what I took to be mingled -disappointment and anger. - -"So you two are to look after me?" he said with a sneer, evidently -having forgotten that he had promised ever to remember us with -liveliest gratitude because of what we had done when he was in the power -of the cannibals. - -Phil, who had never believed soft words should be wasted on a villain -like Benson, answered his remark, which was at the same time a -question:-- - -"It is only right we should do so, if for no other reason than to repay -you for the care you have had over us on two occasions. We shan't -threaten, however, either to sell you to the whalers or make certain you -are roasted and eaten; therefore the account won't be really squared -however long a time may elapse before we gain a home port." - -"Home port?" he cried as if in dismay. "Am I not to be sent ashore at -Valparaiso?" - -"Captain Porter doesn't consider it necessary to tell us all he intends -to do; but I'd be willing to wager considerable that you'll remain in -this cage until we are anchored in some port of the United States." - -Benson appeared to be staggered by this reply, and during two or three -minutes remained as if in deep thought, after which he asked sharply:-- - -"Why has the guard been changed? Isn't an armed marine enough to keep me -here, when it would be impossible to get out unless some one supplied -me with the proper tools for prying off the bars?" - -"We know nothing more than that we have been ordered on duty," Phil -replied curtly. "If the captain had counted on your understanding fully -about the business, I reckon one of the lieutenants would have been here -before this to make explanations." - -Benson gave over for the time being trying to learn the reason for our -coming, and appeared eager to be friendly with us, as might be seen when -he tried to enter into conversation; but neither Phil nor I gave him any -encouragement. We believed there was some serious cause for thus -changing the guard, and were determined not to hold more converse with -the prisoner than was absolutely necessary. - -It was agreed between us that we would stand watch and watch, two hours -at a stretch, and that he who was off duty should not leave the other -alone more than fifteen minutes at one time. - -You see, we suspected that the marines had shown themselves too friendly -to the Britisher; and because it was believed by our officers that an -escape was being connived at, we were assigned the duty of making -certain the sailor-selling Benson remained on board the frigate until -he might be sent to some prison more secure than could be found in -Chili. - -Quarters on the gun-deck were luxurious as compared with those we were -forced to occupy while acting as jailers. Above we had good air and -plenty of it, save during a severe gale; but in the hold of the frigate -we were shut out from everything, even the light of day. One hour was -the same as another in that place of blackness; the _Essex_ might -overhaul and capture half a dozen prizes without our being any the -wiser, and we could only judge what might be the weather by the heel or -lurch of the ship. All this we understood before having been on duty an -hour; and as I realized that many, many long, dreary days might be spent -by us in this disagreeable task, I began to wish most fervently that the -Britisher had been left in the Typee village to supply the cannibals -with the materials for a feast. - -When an hour had passed and we had come to an end of discussing the -reasons for our having been assigned to this duty, we drew lots to -decide who should take the first trick, and Phil was thus selected; -whereupon I proposed to go and have a chat with Master Hackett, to learn -if he could throw any light on the subject. - -"Remember, you are not to remain away more than fifteen minutes," Phil -said warningly, and I promised to keep that fact well in mind. - -When I gained the gun-deck once more, I found the old sailor in a fine -state of anxiety concerning us. Because we had not returned, he believed -we yet remained in the cabin, and was worrying lest we had been accused -of some serious misdemeanor. - -He was evidently relieved and considerably surprised by my explanations, -but could give us no information whatsoever, save that he, like us lads, -believed the captain had reason to suspect that one or more of the -marines had become too friendly with the prisoner. - -"I'll keep my eyes an' ears open, lad, an' it'll be odd if I don't pick -up a bit of news here an' there. It goes without sayin' that the captain -has good cause for givin' such an order, an' the reason is bound to leak -out sooner or later." - -"Will you come below sometimes and have your smoke with us?" I asked. - -"If it so be there are no objections made, I will, lad. It might be a -good plan, in case you have a chance of speakin' with Lieutenant -McKnight, to ask if I would be allowed there. The rule is that none save -the guards are to go near the brig." - -It was time for me to join Phil once more, the fifteen minutes having -been spent, as nearly as I could judge, and back I went to the dreary -post of duty. - -I had hardly more than repeated to him the brief conversation held with -Master Hackett, when my cousin Stephen came down the ladder, greeting us -in most friendly fashion. - -After he had spoken of our duties, enjoining upon us the necessity of -keeping the prisoner in full view all the time, he was pleased to give -the following explanation for what appeared almost like an excess of -precaution:-- - -"It is your especial duty to see that no one has an opportunity of -speaking with the prisoner. It is not supposed that he can escape -unaided; there is a possibility some of our people have been taken in by -his smooth talk, and the captain is determined he be lodged in prison at -a port where we may be certain he will be held." - -Then it was that I made bold to ask if Master Hackett might be allowed -to visit us, and the permission was given without hesitation. - -"There is nothing to prevent his paying you a visit at such times as he -is off duty; but if any other member of the crew should come without -authority from one of the officers, you are to warn him away at once, -and in case he refuses to go immediately, give the alarm aft without -delay." - -With that the lieutenant left us, and Benson, who must have overheard at -least a portion of the conversation, said mockingly:-- - -"I always believed the Yankees were cowards; but never before fancied -the crew of a frigate could be scared by one Englishman." - -Phil would have made an angry reply, but that I motioned him to be -silent, afterward saying in a low tone:-- - -"It is worse than foolish to bandy words with the fellow. We know by his -anger that our coming here has broken up some scheme he had in mind, and -he may as well be allowed the poor satisfaction of gibing at us now and -then." - -"He may have full swing of his tongue once in a while, but I'm not -minded to let him go on as he pleases all the time. While you were on -deck he had altogether too much to say. Suppose you let Master Hackett -know what Lieutenant McKnight said, and then we'll settle down to the -work in shipshape fashion." - -Once more I went on deck; the old sailor seemed greatly pleased at the -confidence which the officers appeared to have in him, by thus -stipulating he should be the only visitor allowed near the brig, and -promised to keep us posted on all that was happening aboard ship. - -And he kept his promise to the letter. No less than twice each day, and -sometimes much oftener, he sat with us repeating the talk of his -shipmates, until we who were forced to remain alone in the darkness had -a very good idea of what was going on above us. - -The gun-deck barnacles were positive, according to Master Hackett, that -at least two of the marines had been detected in favoring the prisoner -more than was allowable, and some of them went so far as to say with -assurance that a plot to liberate him when the first port was made had -been discovered. - -Not until the new year had begun did we learn anything of the outside -world, and then Master Hackett reported that we were lying at San Maria, -on the coast of South America, taking in water. No sail had been sighted -during all this time; but information was given us at this port that the -British frigate _Phoebe_, 36, Captain Hillyar, had weathered the Horn -searching for the _Essex_. - -One week after this, Master Hackett reported that we were entering the -port of Conception; and before the day had come to an end we learned -that no vessels had been found, but that the news regarding the -_Phoebe_ was confirmed. - -"We're now under way for Valparaiso," the old man said, "an' unless I'm -way off in my reckonin', we'll find there that the Chilian authorities -have had a change of heart so far as we Yankees are concerned." - -"Are you of the mind that they'll make trouble for us?" Phil asked. - -"I ain't reckonin' they'll go quite so far as that, but it'll stand us -in hand to be prepared for anything while we're lyin' there." - -"Why doesn't the captain give that port the go-by?" I asked. "Why should -we put in there if the Chilians are like to be disagreeable to us?" - -"Captain Porter isn't the kind of a man to run away from an enemy, lad, -an' that's what it would look like if we tried to slip around the Horn -just now. His plan, accordin' to my way of reckonin', an' I've said it -before, is to take the Britishers one by one as they come along, until -we've given the whole boilin' of 'em a floggin'. If we didn't look in at -Valparaiso, the enemy would say we were afraid to tackle anything but a -whaler." - -"How much heavier than our frigate is a 36-gun ship?" - -"She'd be about the same in weight of metal, though there might be -considerable difference in the way it was distributed. Now, a regular -36-gun ship should carry twenty-six long eighteens below, with sixteen -32-pound carronades an' two chase guns above, makin' forty-four in all. -We've got, as you know, forty 32-pound carronades, an' six long twelves, -which would make the _Phoebe_ heavier than the _Essex_, even though our -craft has two guns more. Now, there isn't a man aboard this 'ere frigate -who wouldn't kick, an' kick hard, if Captain Porter should try to run -away from the Britisher. Give us half a show, an' we'll prove that -whalers are only taken by us in order to replenish stores an' protect -our own merchantmen." - -"That's brave talk; but you'll sing a different tune when we're -alongside the _Phoebe_!" Benson cried from his cage; and this taunt -threw Master Hackett into a towering passion. - -Although it was forbidden that he should hold any converse with the -prisoner, he freed his mind by telling us in a tone sufficiently loud to -be heard by the Britisher, what he would do, regardless of rules, in -case "that chimpanzee in the cage" had anything more to say against the -Yankees. - -"I've heard too much talk from him already," the old man continued, "an' -the next time he so much as peeps while I'm around, I shall go straight -aft an' ask permission to give him a dozen flicks with the cat, laid on -by myself, which will be all he'll need by way of puttin' a stopper on -his tongue." - -From that moment until we were done with him forever, Benson never so -much as snored while Master Hackett was near at hand. - -On the 3d day of February we knew the frigate had come to an anchor, and -shortly afterward the old sailor appeared to give us the news. - -"Yes, we're in Valparaiso again, an' now we're salutin' the fort." - -We could both hear and feel the report of the guns as they were -discharged, and already knew as much as the old man was telling us. - -"The captain will go ashore to chin with the governor accordin' to the -rules an' regulations of the navy, an' after that the old chap will -visit us." - -"But what of a change of heart, Master Hackett?" I asked with a laugh. -"I thought you counted on our getting a different reception from what we -met with last." - -"All this visitin' an' firin' salutes don't cut any ice. It's a way -these 'ere swells have, no matter how they're feelin'. That puffed up -old governor might come aboard of us a dozen times, hobnobbin' with the -officers, an' yet be jest as willin' to cut our throats. Wait till the -_Phoebe_ heaves in sight, an' then we'll have a fairly good idee of -whether they're friendly or not." - -"Are we lying at our old anchorage?" Phil asked. - -"Not a bit of it, my lad. We're well out in the bay, where we can get -under way in a jiffy, an' the _Essex Junior_ is cruisin' around outside, -so's to give us warnin' when the Britisher heaves in sight." - -"Then the captain is expecting a fight?" - -"Expectin' it, lad? Why, he knows it's got to come! The only thing we're -in the dark about is how soon the Britisher will show up." - -Phil and I took turns going on deck during this and the following day, -and I was on the forecastle twenty-four hours after our arrival, when -the governor, his wife, and a boat-load of officers, came off to pay a -ceremonious visit. - -It was near sunset when Master Hackett visited us again, and this time -he had quite a budget of news to unfold. - -In view of the fact that the enemy might appear at any moment, shore -leave was forbidden the crew, and only three of the officers had been -allowed to land since they made their calls upon the governor; but these -last visits were enough to show that Master Hackett's predictions were -verified. - -The officers found, so the marine gossips reported, that there was no -longer any great show of friendliness among the people regarding us, -and, in fact, it was openly said that the Chilians would be well pleased -if we were beaten in the battle which seemed so near at hand. - -"The British government has been threatenin', I reckon," Master Hackett -said with an air of great wisdom, "an' the governor himself is countin' -on our gettin' the worst of the fight; but there's where he's makin' a -mistake, unless it so chances that too many Englishmen come up at the -same time." - -"We shall have the _Essex Junior_ to help us," I said like a simple, -whereupon the old man replied scornfully:-- - -"What would she amount to in a fight? In an action with a frigate she -wouldn't be any force to speak of. A craft carryin' ten 18-pound -carronades and ten short sixes, with a crew of only sixty men, would -likely be in the way rather than lend any help. No, lad, the _Junior_ -ain't to be thought of; an' when we go to quarters, you'll find that -she'll get orders to keep at a proper distance, if only for the sake of -showin' that we don't put two craft against one. The _Phoebe_ will get -fair play, an' no mistake." - -There was never a thought in Master Hackett's mind that the commander of -the _Phoebe_ might not count on giving us fair play; but the fact was -soon made known to us. - -"How many men can we muster?" Phil asked. - -"What with prize crews, an' them as have been drafted to the _Junior_, -I'm told that there are only two hundred an' twenty-five aboard this -'ere ship, countin' officers, cooks, boys, and sich-like useless -raffle." - -"How many would likely be on board the _Phoebe_?" - -"A full hundred more than we've got, an' when it comes to boardin', or -close quarters where muskets can be used, that extra hundred will count -against us terrible." - -"Are you growing faint-hearted, Master Hackett?" Phil asked with a -laugh; at which question the old man turned upon him savagely. - -"An old shellback like me grow faint-hearted? You're talkin' at random, -lad! My time is bound to come before many years have passed, an' I only -hope to lose the number of my mess while standin' by the guns in a fair -fight. A sailorman ain't built to die in his bed, nor does it beseem him -to be buried on shore. What he needs to put him out of this world -comfortably is the roaring of a broadside, the cheers of his messmates, -an' a shot tied to his feet when he's dropped over the rail after havin' -done his duty. So that we win the battle, it don't make much difference -when I go into the next life; but if you should speak of bein' took -prisoner, an' kept cooped up in a cage like that day in an' day out, -there's where I might show the white feather, an' small blame to me." - -The conversation was taking on altogether too gloomy a turn, more -especially since we knew beyond a peradventure that before many days the -frigate would be in action, and I put an end to it by proposing that one -or the other of us go on deck for a whiff of fresh air. - -Phil took advantage of the opportunity; Master Hackett followed him up -the ladder, and I was left with only my gloomy thoughts for company, -unless one counts the prisoner, as perhaps would be correct, since on -this occasion he took it upon himself to be unusually friendly. - -"I'm not counting on saying what your chances will be when the _Essex_ -meets the _Phoebe_" he began. "Your people may get the best of her--" - -"As we surely will!" I replied angrily, for I did not like the tone of -doubt which accompanied the words. - -"Very well, say that you whip her handsomely. Do you think it can be -done without sacrificing some of your men?" - -"Of course we must expect that more than one poor fellow will lose the -number of his mess." - -"The _Phoebe_ isn't the only ship that's likely been sent out against -you; and even though you whip the first two or three you come across, -the time must arrive when you'll be too short-handed to work the -frigate. In other words, no matter how successful your ship may be, -you're bound to come to grief finally." - -It was some such thought as this which was in my own mind, and it -angered me that the Britisher should put it into words, for I did not -relish being reminded of what appeared to be a fact. - -"Why should you figure on our meeting vessel after vessel until we no -longer have a crew left?" I asked sharply. - -"Because it proves that in the long run I shall be set free by my -countrymen, and then will come the time when I'll have the upper hand -once more." - -"Well?" I asked, failing to grasp his meaning. - -"Well?" he said with a laugh. "To save your own neck, why not make -friends with me now? It isn't to be expected that you could set me -ashore; but you might leave the door unlocked by accident, and when the -time came that you were in the brig of a British man-of-war, I would do -you a good turn." - -It surprised me so much, this speech of Benson's, that I allowed him to -finish, instead of checking the villain as I should have done when it -first dawned upon me that he was proposing I play the traitor. - -"Look you, Oliver Benson!" I cried, speaking slowly that the words would -have more weight. "If I knew beyond a peradventure that I might save my -own life by doing the wicked thing you propose, I would say 'no' with my -last breath. If you so much as hint at such a proposition again I will -go straight to the captain with the story, and then you may be certain -he'll give you a taste of the cat." - -"My turn will come before the _Essex_ is out of this scrape, and of that -there is no doubt," he replied venomously; and I questioned not but that -he would wreak vengeance upon Phil and me whenever the opportunity -presented itself. - -I was yet in the dumps when Phil returned, refreshed by a sniff of the -sea air and a glimpse of the sun; but did not think it well to give him -an account of the conversation just held with Benson. In the first place -it could do no good, and, secondly, might make him as dispirited as I -had become; for a fellow may not speak of death or imprisonment, when -one or the other is sure to come soon, without experiencing a certain -heaviness of heart which does not tend to mental comfort. - -If we were to suffer death or imprisonment as the conclusion of the -cruise, there was no good reason for looking forward to it. - -Phil reported that the _Essex Junior_ could be seen in the offing; that -the frigate was lying near the entrance of the harbor where she could be -gotten under way whatever the direction of the wind, and that -everything, save the taking down of the bulkheads aft, was in trim for a -fight. - -"You'd hardly recognize the gun-deck now," he said in conclusion. "The -men are not lounging around jawing or spinning yarns; but appear on the -alert as if expecting the call to quarters at any instant, and it needs -only sand on the deck, so Master Hackett says, to give the proper -showing. - -"Sand on the deck?" I repeated. - -"Ay, so that the planks shall not be slippery when covered with the -blood of our men. I am told that it is always strewn around before a -ship goes into action." - -I could not repress a shudder. It was bad enough to hear Benson talk of -what must surely come to us finally, without listening to an account of -the preparations made for the actual approach of death. - -At that time, when it seemed as if we were cornered like rats, I thought -of my home which I had left so many months, and with the thought came a -great wonderment that boys should ever be eager to leave their mother's -side in order to take part in the wickedness of the world--for surely a -war is wicked, whatever the cause. - -While I sat there in the darkness, staring at the bars of Benson's -prison, I heard again my mother's voice, and for the hundredth time -since leaving home realized that she was my best friend; that I had -voluntarily left her in order to come at last face to face with death or -a lingering imprisonment. - -Surely, this world never held a lad so foolish as I had proved myself to -be! - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE BRITISHERS. - - -After making the proposition that I allow him to escape, Benson gave -over holding any intercourse with Phil and me. According to orders, we -allowed him to come out of the cage every day and pace to and fro on the -deck by way of exercise; but he did so in silence, and I was by no means -disgruntled because he held his peace. - -Master Hackett spent considerable time with us two lads while we were in -port awaiting the enemy; but, after the conversation lately set down, he -did not indulge in any speculations which might arouse disagreeable -thoughts in our minds. Perhaps he understood that, confined in the dark -hold, we would quite naturally give ourselves more wholly up to -reflection and foreboding than would be possible on the gun-deck, and -brooding over possible dangers while we were thus virtually alone would -cause them to seem greater than they really were. - -Whatever may have been his motive, I noted with satisfaction the fact -that he spoke in a more cheery strain of the expected action, and on one -or two occasions even went so far as to predict that the _Essex_ would -live to carry the stars and stripes around the Horn again. - -Both Phil and I had come to believe that when the Britishers did arrive -to give us battle, he and I would be forced to remain below, guarding -our prisoner, and again and again we questioned the wisdom of setting -two to watch one when the frigate was really short-handed. - -Despite the cowardly thoughts which we realized would come into our -minds as soon as an engagement was begun, we were sad because there -seemed to be no chance we should bear our share of it. It would have -pleased both of us very decidedly if it could have been possible to sail -the _Essex_ into a home port without a severe fight; but since one must -come, we were eager to perform our full part, whatever might be the -result, and this could not be done if we were forced to act as jailers. - -However, this, like many another trouble, was of slight consequence when -the decisive moment arrived, as we soon learned. - -One morning when the men were beginning to believe that the information -regarding the Britishers having passed around Cape Horn was false, -Master Hackett came below with every evidence of excitement on his face -and in his movements. - -"The enemy are in the offin' at last!" he cried, slapping us two lads on -the back as if believing he had brought most glorious news. - -"Can we see them from the deck?" Phil asked as he leaped toward the -ladder, for it was my time of duty. - -"No, lad, not yet: but the _Junior_ is headin' for the harbor with -signals set that she has sighted the enemy, an' it won't be very long -now before we'll be showin' the _Phoebe_ what we're made of!" - -Having said this much Master Hackett went swiftly on deck again, and I -was left with my own fears and Oliver Benson for company. - -I fully expected that he would try once more to persuade me into letting -him escape, but fortunately for his own skin he said not a word, and I -sat there silent and motionless, trying to picture my behavior in case -it should by some lucky chance be possible for me to bear a hand in the -action which seemed to be so near at hand. - -The moments passed slowly yet quickly, and I believed that a full hour -had elapsed when Phil finally showed himself with excuses for having -stayed away so long. - -"The _Junior_ is close alongside with her anchors down, and Lieutenant -Downes is with Captain Porter, most likely getting orders as to how his -ship is to be handled during the engagement." - -"Can you see the Britisher?" I asked breathlessly. - -"Not yet; the boat's crew which brought the lieutenant on board says -that they should be off the harbor in an hour at the longest." - -"_They_ should be off the harbor. Is there more than one?" - -"Ay, two, so it's reported, and Master Hackett says we'll tackle all -that come, even if it's a whole squadron." - -"He is talking foolishly!" I cried petulantly. "It isn't reasonable to -suppose our commander will take any more chances than are absolutely -necessary." - -"I can't say what he may do; but our people are wild with excitement, -and if the decision was left to them I doubt not but that Master -Hackett's statement would sound less improbable. Go on deck and have a -look around; but give me a chance when the Britishers heave in sight." - -I lost no time in acting on his proposition, and as I came into the -open air I saw Lieutenant McKnight approaching. - -"Well, lads, your disagreeable work has come to an end for a time at -least, and I can't fancy that you'll be sorry." - -I looked perplexed, as indeed I was, and my cousin added:-- - -"The prisoner will be sent on board the _Junior_ for a while." - -"May I ask why, sir?" - -"Because it would not be quite the proper treatment to keep him under -fire. As soon as Lieutenant Downes comes on deck again some of our men -will be sent below to iron the fellow and bring him on deck for -transshipment." - -I did not wait to hear more, or even to take a look around; but ran -below with all speed to impart the cheering news to Phil. - -On hearing what my cousin Stephen had said the lad was almost beside -himself with joy; but Benson was overpowered by rage. He tore and beat -with his fists at the bars of the cage, now crying out that we should be -paid off with interest for treating him in such a manner, and again -begging that we ask Captain Porter to allow him to remain on board. - -There could be but one cause for his frenzy, which was that he had -really made friends with some of the marines, and counted on their -aiding his escape during the excitement of a battle. - -We gave no attention to either his threats or entreaties; but it was a -wonderful relief when three men, headed by Master Hackett, came below, -the latter telling us we were free to go on deck since there was nothing -we might do to aid them in their work. - -I breathed freely for the first time since we had been given charge of -the Britisher, when we stepped on the spar-deck and had a look around. - -Within half a cable's length lay the _Essex Junior_, her boat alongside -our ship, and in the offing two British men-of-war standing directly -into the harbor. - -"I wonder if the fighting will be done while we lay at anchor?" I said -like a simple that I was, and Phil replied with the air of one who is -wiser than his comrade:-- - -"Certainly not. In the first place, Master Hackett says it is against -all the rules for ships to fight in a harbor belonging to a nation with -which we are not at war. Then again, it is necessary to manoeuvre the -frigate while the fighting is going on, and to do that she must be on -the open ocean." - -"I see no signs of our getting under way." - -"Then you must be blind indeed! Notice the men; each is at his proper -station, and on the gun-deck the ammunition has already been brought -out. Perhaps they have sanded the decks." - -I turned away from him impatiently. Of what good was it to mention such -a sinister preparation as that? It quickened the blood in one's veins to -see the crew standing motionless, ready to execute on the instant the -first order which should be given; and made the cold chills run down a -fellow's spine to think that measures were being taken to cover that -which represented the life of our people. - -While I stood, half a coward and half eager to have a hand in the work -about to be done, Benson was brought up from below--literally brought -up, for he refused to lift hand or foot--and then dropped bodily into -the boat alongside. - -Lieutenant Downes took his station in the stern-sheets, and the small -craft was pulled quickly away, leaving us on the _Essex_ to meet the -coming enemy. - -The wind fined down as the Britishers came into the harbor, the -_Phoebe_ leading the way, and we had a good opportunity of examining -them minutely. - -I had taken a station by Master Hackett's side, and therefore came to -know a good many things which otherwise would have failed of attracting -my attention. - -"They've taken on extra metal to meet us," the old sailor said with a -chuckle, as if such fact pleased him wonderfully. "Thirty long -eighteens, sixteen 32-pound carronades, one howitzer, an' six 3-pounders -in her tops. That's givin' us the credit of bein' good fighters, even -though they do accuse us of not darin' to tackle anything but whalers." - -"Did you ever see the other ship, Master Hackett?" I asked. - -"Ay, lad, time and time again. She's the _Cherub_, a 20-gun ship; but -now she's carryin' twenty-eight in all--eighteen 32-pound carronades -below, with eight 24-pound carronades and two long nines above. There -can't be less than two hundred men on board, an' take it all in all, -we've got a decently tough job laid out for us; but we'll tackle it in -great style, lad. Why, the fact that the Britishers don't care to meet -us with such a frigate as the _Phoebe_ alone, is enough to stiffen the -backbone of every man jack belongin' to this 'ere craft." - -As the leading ship came nearer we could see that her crew was at -quarters, and more than one old sea-dog looked aft questioningly, as if -expecting our captain would give the word to prepare for action. - -Friendly port or not, it seemed very much as if the Britisher was making -ready to give us a broadside without the courtesy of hailing. - -Nearer and nearer came the _Phoebe_, forging ahead slowly, and when she -was less than a pistol shot distant her commander, Captain Hillyar, -hailed, asking after Captain Porter's health as if the two were warm -friends. - -[Illustration: NEARER AND NEARER CAME THE PHOEBE.] - -Our commander answered politely, and then warned the Britisher that he -was coming too near. - -"If you foul us, sir," Captain Porter cried, "there will necessarily be -much confusion, and I cannot be answerable for the consequences." - -"I certainly do not meditate making an attack, my dear sir," the -Britisher replied with a bow; but there was that in his voice which -caused me to believe he was not speaking the truth, and Master Hackett -muttered:-- - -"He'll take us if he gets into position, an' now's the time when our -captain should give him somethin' more'n soft talk. If I was in command -of this 'ere frigate I'd sink him off-hand." - -At that moment the wind shifted, taking the _Phoebe_ suddenly aback, -and her bow payed off directly upon the _Essex_. - -It was as if they were minded to board us, and Captain Porter must have -believed that such was the case, for suddenly came the command to call -away the boarders. - -"Now we're in for it, lad!" Master Hackett cried gleefully as he ran to -his station, I following close by his side. "The Britisher counts on -havin' a scrimmage whether we're in a neutral port or not, an' I reckon -we're in the mood to give him all he wants!" - -"I do not intend to board you, sir!" the British captain shouted when he -saw that we were ready for him, and Captain Porter replied with a warmth -that pleased me wonderfully, considering the fact that at heart I am a -coward:-- - -"If your ship fouls this frigate, sir, I shall open upon you, for I am -fully prepared for action!" - -"I do not intend to board you, sir!" Captain Hillyar cried again; but -all the while the _Phoebe_ was creeping nearer to us. - -"Stand ready, boarders!" Captain Porter shouted, giving no further heed -to the Britisher's announcement. "Get away the instant she touches us, -and once on her decks you know your duty!" - -By this time the jib-boom of the _Phoebe_ was across our forecastle, and -the ship in such a position that we might have sunk her before the -_Cherub_ could come near enough to take part in the work. Master Hackett -had already laid hold of the spar, and I was alongside of him, never for -an instant remembering that I should have been frightened. Phil, a huge -cutlass in his hands, was looking about for a place on which to leap; -and, taking it all in all, if I had been capable of connected thought, I -would have said that neither ship could avoid an action. - -Fortunately--there were many aboard us who would say -_unfortunately_--the two frigates did not come into actual contact, and, -seeing that he had put his ship into a most dangerous situation, Captain -Hillyar began shouting:-- - -"It is all an accident, sir! I have no intention of opening an -engagement!" - -While he spoke he waved his hands, the better to attract attention, and -otherwise behaved much like a man who is afraid after he has voluntarily -got himself into a bad scrape. - -Captain Porter gave the word for our men to retire from the -forecastle-deck, and the Britisher slowly drifted by, her captain bowing -and waving his hat, as well he might, considering the fact that our -commander would have been justified in sinking him while it was not -possible for him to strike a blow. - -How our men raved and stormed when the Englishman went by to the inner -harbor uninjured; but they took precious good care that our commander -did not hear their angry words. - -Then, after the _Cherub_ passed us and joined the _Phoebe_ at a berth -nearer the town, leaving our men at liberty to do as they pleased, what -a noisy confab went on among the deck lawyers! All were agreed that we -should have sunk the Britisher; that the boarders should have been sent -away because by coming across us there was every indication that the -enemy intended mischief; and again, that there can be but one meaning -when a man-of-war approaches with her crew at quarters. - -I do not think the men were actually enraged with Captain Porter for not -having taken advantage of the opportunity; but they blamed him severely -for accepting the apology instead of beginning an action which could -have had but one ending, owing to the fact that the _Phoebe_ would -surely have been sunk before her consort could creep up. - -"Mark my words!" one of the old barnacles shouted. "Captain Porter -won't find the Britisher so willin' to let him sneak out of a small -hole; an' if the time ever comes when he can get at us unfairly, we may -count on his doin' it." - -"That's the solemn truth!" half a dozen voices shouted, and I asked -Master Hackett to tell me exactly what he thought of the whole affair. - -"Well," the old man said slowly and thoughtfully, "I don't feel called -upon to rough into our commander simply because he acted the part of a -gentleman. That man Hillyar is a bully, or he'd never come into the -harbor with his men at quarters, an' I'll lay all my prize money against -a herrin', that if he'd found us unprepared, his boarders would have -been called away in short order." - -"Then you think he really meant to attack us?" Phil, who had just come -up, asked. - -"What else could he have counted on doin'? He was takin' the chances of -gettin' the advantage in some way; but his consort didn't keep quite as -near as he'd have liked, an' then when the ship was taken aback, he -found himself at our mercy. If he wasn't up to mischief, why should he -have come so close alongside before luffin'? Captain Porter wouldn't be -fooled by the fine words thrown aboard the _Essex_ when the Britisher -was quakin' in his boots; but he acted the gentleman, as sailors always -should, an' I ain't the man to blame him, though I do wish he could have -seen it in his way to rake the _Phoebe_ when she'd come into such a -beautiful position for the work!" - -The people aboard the _Essex Junior_ were in quite as high a state of -excitement as were we. When word was passed for the boarders, Lieutenant -Downes began warping his ship alongside the frigate in order that he -might have a hand in the scrimmage, and now the _Junior_ was so near -that we could talk in whispers to her crew, who still overhung the rail. - -I suppose Captain Porter knew full well how disappointed our people were -because of having lost such a fine opportunity. He went below, calling -some of the lieutenants after him, and it is in my mind that he did so -simply in order that our old shellbacks might have a chance to ease -their hearts by hard words. - -The Britishers were at anchor, therefore all hands knew we would not -have an encounter for some time to come; and after each man had talked -himself hoarse over the matter, we began to turn our attention to other -things. - -Phil and I were eager to learn if Benson would be kept safely on board -the _Junior_, and questioned some of her men regarding the villain. - -"Don't worry your heads about him," one of the crew replied with a grin. -"We've got no bloomin' marines here, an' every man jack of us has it -well in mind that he's to get what's due him this time. He'll stay where -he is until we make the home port, unless it so be that some of his -friends overhaul us." - -"Is there a brig aboard the _Junior_?" I asked. - -"We've got what answers much the same purpose. He's ironed, an' made -fast to a stanchion." - -"How long are you to keep him?" - -"Until you've given that Britisher the floggin' he deserves, an' ought -to have had half an hour ago. Don't fear the Yankee-seller will give us -the slip; an' if you're feelin' lonesome on his account, come aboard an' -see him now an' then." - -"No, thank you, we've had all we want of that fellow, although we'd -rather take him on board if there's any chance of his getting overboard -in the harbor," I replied with a laugh, feeling much relieved in mind at -knowing that we were not to be burdened with him again immediately. - -Simply to show that we of the frigate were not the only ones who -believed Captain Hillyar had not spoken the truth when he apologized -for coming alongside, I want to set down here that which was written by -the historian Lossing many years after the occurrence, while I have been -trying to put this yarn into something like proper shape for reading:-- - -He says: "It was afterward generally believed that Hillyar had positive -orders to attack the _Essex_, even in a neutral South American port, and -that his intentions were hostile, until the moment when he discovered -his imminent peril in the power of the gallant American." - -Twenty-four hours later the British ships stood out to sea, having taken -on board whatever supplies they needed, and you may be certain they gave -us a wide berth while passing. Our crew was at quarters, ready for any -kind of a trick they might attempt; but Captain Hillyar had had quite -enough of running us down; one experience was sufficient to show him -that Yankee sailors in an unfriendly port are not easily caught napping. - -Now all hands were certain the _Phoebe_ would speedily show her -willingness to engage us, for she was the heavier craft, and we remained -with our nerves strung to their highest tension until it was shown -plainly that the Britisher did not intend to tackle us except at that -moment when it would be possible for her to take us at a disadvantage. - -On the day after the two ships left the harbor we stood boldly out, with -good reason to expect that a ship carrying so much metal as did the -_Phoebe_ would not hesitate to attack us even though the _Essex Junior_ -was near at hand; but, if you please, that valiant Captain Hillyar had -no idea of fighting us on anywhere near even terms. His ship was -superior to ours by at least twenty-five per cent, and yet when we were -outside, ready for a fair battle, he refused to fight until the _Cherub_ -was in position to share a full half of the scrimmage. - -It is not to be supposed that our commander would engage against both -the Britishers, if it could be avoided. He was ready enough to show them -of what stuff his crew was made; but did not propose to do so when it -was impossible we could even so much as hold our own. - -The days went by until four weeks had passed, we ready to fight the -_Phoebe_ alone, and Captain Hillyar showing the white feather on every -occasion when an engagement was possible and the Cherub chanced to be at -a distance. - -Our men chafed and fumed at the cowardice, as we called it, but all in -vain; and one day I asked Master Hackett flatly if he believed Captain -Hillyar was afraid to tackle us. - -"No, lad, I don't," he replied promptly. "It's showin' yourself a fool -to claim that all the Yankees are brave, an' all the Britishers cowards. -The commander of the _Phoebe_ has had his orders to capture or sink us. -He and his consort together can readily do it, an' considerin' that he's -got us bottled up where we've no choice as to comin' out, he counts to -hold the advantage. From his standpoint it's all right, an' I'm not -certain but that our commander would do much the same thing if the -tables were turned." - -It wasn't all idleness with us, however, as we waited for a chance to -engage one or the other of the enemy singly. - -Time and again we got under way as if determined to tackle them both, -and, standing out of the harbor, gave the Britishers an opportunity of -measuring speed with us. We might have shirked a battle by leaving the -_Essex Junior_ to her fate; but Captain Porter did not count on doing -one or the other. - -Each time we stirred up the Englishmen we came back to our anchorage -again, as much as to say that we would leave in company with our -consort, or not at all. - -One day I overheard little Midshipman David Farragut talking with -Lieutenant McKnight about a boat expedition which was to be sent out -some dark night for the purpose of capturing the _Cherub_, and I burned -to make one of the party; but when I spoke of it to my cousin he -reproved me sharply, saying that it was not seemly for boys to be -listening to the conversations of their superiors. - -Now, I never looked upon midshipmen as my superiors. Of course they -lived aft, and ordered the other boys, and old men for that matter, -about in the most ferocious manner; but it seemed as if the lieutenant -was stretching matters when he allowed that thirteen-year-old David -Farragut's conversation should not be listened to by such as me, even -though he was the captain's adopted son. - -However, nothing came of the boat expedition, and perhaps no one save -Midshipman Farragut seriously thought of such a rash venture. - -It was on the 27th day of February when we believed the time had come -for the battle; when Captain Hillyar gave every evidence of being -willing to meet us singly. - -The _Cherub_ was fully a league to windward when the _Phoebe_ ran in -toward the entrance to the harbor, and hoisted a banner on which were -the words, "God and Our Country; British Sailors' Best Rights: Traitors -Offend Both." Then she fired a gun to windward, giving as plain a signal -as sailormen could that she was ready for action. - -You may well believe that we did not spend many minutes in getting under -way, and on the _Essex_ was flying a banner with this motto, one which -we had run up many times before when coaxing the Britishers to stand up -like men:-- - -"Free Trade and Sailors' Rights!" - -It seems that the sail-makers had been at work on another banner, for as -we came out of the harbor a second was run up to the masthead of the -_Essex_, and on it in bold letters were the words:-- - -"God, Our Country, and Liberty; Tyrants Offend Them." - -Our crew was at quarters, Phil and I among the rest, with the officers -in fighting trim on the quarter-deck, and I heard little Midshipman -Farragut say to one of the lieutenants:-- - -"This time we've got them, and we'll show how Yankees fight!" - -I took a fancy to the lad from that moment, although I had seen but -little of him previous to this last visit at Valparaiso; and even though -he was a Spaniard by birth, it did not surprise me to hear him claim to -be a Yankee, although he had no right to the name save by grace of his -adopted father, our commander. - -The crew cheered lustily when the _Phoebe_ stood her ground until we -were within range, and every man was worked up to the highest pitch of -excitement as the order was given for us to let fly a broadside. - -The cheers were changed to groans and yells a moment later, however, for -the Britisher, instead of returning our fire, ran down and joined her -consort. - -After that, even Master Hackett allowed there must be a strain of -cowardly blood in the make-up of Captain Hillyar. - -Once more I set down what another[4] has written, this time concerning -the trick the Britisher played us that day:-- - -"This conduct excited a good deal of feeling among the officers of the -_Essex_, who rightly judged that the challenge should not have been -given if it was not the intention of the enemy to engage singly. Taking -all these circumstances in connection, there can be little question that -Captain Hillyar had been positively instructed not to fight the _Essex_ -alone, if he could possibly avoid it. As he bore the character of a good -and brave officer, it is not easy to find any other reasonable solution -of the course he pursued. His challenge off the port was probably -intended as a ruse to get the _Essex_ into his power; for demonstrations -of this nature are not subject to the severe laws which regulate more -precise defiances to combat." - -Well, we went back to our anchorage again, not in the best of spirits, -for we believed firmly that we could whip the _Phoebe_ in a fair fight, -and every man jack among us, including several of the officers, had -harsh words in his mouth regarding the British captain, Hillyar. - -Within a very few days after this Captain Porter learned that other -English frigates were working their way up to Valparaiso; and when the -blockade should be stronger, it was almost positive both our ships would -fall prizes to the enemy. - -All this we heard from the marines, as a matter of course, and finally -they brought that information which aroused us to the highest pitch once -more. - -It was said by these eavesdroppers that there had been a consultation -of officers in Captain Porter's cabin, and it had been decided that we -bend all our energies to giving the _Essex Junior_ an opportunity of -escape, while we would remain and take the brunt of the fight. - -On some day in the near future, when the wind should be strong and -favorable, we were to put out as if willing to meet both the Britishers. -The _Essex_ could outsail them, as had been proven several times -already, and she was to run two or three leagues off the coast, knowing -full well that the enemy would follow. - -When we were hull down in the distance, the _Essex Junior_ would get -under way, and do her prettiest at doubling the Horn without running -afoul of a British frigate. - -Surely, it seemed as if that plan would work without a hitch, so our old -sea-dogs argued, for the _Phoebe_ and _Cherub_ must follow us, since -neither of them was willing to meet us singly, and they could not run -the chance of waiting for the _Junior_, because we might be trying to -save our own skins, which would not seem improbable in view of the fact -that the frigate was the more valuable ship of the two. - -By such a course we would not be bringing the matter to an issue as far -as the _Essex_ was concerned; but it would open the way for the -_Junior_ to make a home port and give tidings of us who were ready to -venture all rather than have it believed we dared not stand up to a ship -of our size, or even two of them. - -Now we thought and talked of nothing save the scheme to outwit the -Britisher, and it is safe to say that never a crew watched the sky more -intently than did we, for a strong, favoring wind was to be the signal -for getting under way, as we knew by this time from the officers as well -as the marines. - -We were to make a venture which might bring us to grief; but we believed -firmly that the _Junior_ would get safely out of the scrape. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[4] J. Fenimore Cooper. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE BATTLE. - - -We were not kept long watching the weather, nor did we play the ruse -exactly in the same manner which had been determined upon, as will be -seen shortly. - -It seems, as I afterward learned, that when the eavesdropping marines -announced to us of the gun-deck that the scheme had been decided upon, -our officers were as yet only discussing it. - -To be precise, as one should be while setting down facts which go to the -making up of history, it was not until the afternoon of March 27 when -Captain Porter came to the conclusion that, under the circumstances, -there was nothing better to be done than give the _Essex Junior_ an -opportunity to slip out of the harbor while we were leading the -Britishers a long chase seaward. - -In case the _Junior_ got safely off, we would not soon again be troubled -with Oliver Benson; for, as Master Hackett declared, there was every -reason now why he should remain where he was, and, if all went right -with us Americans, he would soon find himself in a prison from which he -could not depart at will. - -I will set down at this point, lest it be forgotten in that whirl of -excitement which always comes over me when I ponder upon the thrilling -deeds of bravery I witnessed within a few hours after Captain Porter had -decided to give the _Junior_ a chance for her life--I will set it down -that from that 27th day of March I ceased to know aught concerning -Oliver Benson. He was in irons on the evening before the gallant frigate -was overtaken by misfortune, and there his history ends so far as I am -concerned. Neither Phil nor I heard of the villain again, although in -after years we made many inquiries concerning him. - -And now I am come to that portion of my poor yarn where the _Essex_ lost -her "luck," and the losing of it cost the life of many a brave man, each -of whom stood facing death with a cheer and a smile until the grim -messenger gained the victory. - -No time in my life stands out in memory so vividly as does the evening -of March 27, 1814, and yet nothing of particular interest to a stranger -occurred at that time. That portion of the crew not on duty had gathered -well forward on the gun-deck, discussing the chances that the _Junior_ -would take in trying to weather the Horn when we knew that the -Britishers had many ships between that point and a home port. - -The majority of our men believed she would pull through all right, for -Mr. Downes was a skilful and at the same time careful seaman, who would -not run unnecessary risks. Besides this fact, our people still relied on -the "luck of the _Essex_," for they were as yet ignorant of the fact -that it had at last deserted the old frigate whose career had been so -glorious. - -There was much jawing and arguing on that evening, but in a friendly -way. Never a man lost his temper, and, to the best of my knowledge, not -a harsh word was spoken during that time of tongue wagging. All hands -were in the best of spirits, thinking that soon we would show the -Britishers a trick worth half a dozen of their clumsy ones, and -believing we might yet prove the _Essex_ to be a match for both the -ships in the offing. It was the most enjoyable time I ever spent aboard -the frigate, for on the eve of that terrible disaster we had forgotten -entirely the dangers which threatened. - -And now let me describe the entrance of Valparaiso harbor, for the -better understanding of that which follows:-- - -It opens to the northward, being formed by a headland on its western -side, and a cove that makes to the southward within it; the main coast -sweeping round to the north and east again, affording the necessary -protection. - -When Phil and I turned in on this 27th day of March it was nearly a dead -calm, with no indication landward that a stiff breeze was concealed by -the fleecy clouds which had been lighted to a crimson glory by the -setting sun. - -Next morning on turning out we found the wind blowing half a gale from -the southward, and the frigate leaping and plunging to the anchors as if -bent on getting under way on her own account. - -My first thought was that the moment had come when we might play our -trick on the Britishers, and I went directly to Master Hackett to learn -if there was any show of leaving port that day. - -"I reckon we'll hold to the ground, lad," the old man said as he gazed -around after the general fashion of sailormen before replying to a -question regarding the weather. "That 'ere Britisher is so careful of -himself that he mightn't think it safe to chase us very far at such a -time, so it stands to reason we'll stay where we are till things look -more promisin'." - -Having satisfied myself on this score, I went with Phil for our -pannikins of tea and whatever the cooks might be pleased to dish out in -the shape of breakfast; but before we had succeeded in our purpose, and -while yet standing in line, with a dozen men ahead of us, the ship gave -a mighty plunge; we heard a noise like the muffled report of a -24-pounder, and the frigate swung around with a lurch that brought us up -all standing against the starboard rail. - -For the instant I was at a loss to understand what had happened, and -then came the cry:-- - -"The port cable has carried away!" - -The heavy chain had snapped under the enormous strain put upon it as the -frigate made a wilder plunge than usual, and in an instant we were being -driven stern foremost directly toward the entrance of the harbor, where -could be seen, less than a mile in the offing, the two Britishers with -everything snugged down to the gale. - -In a twinkling there was a scene of apparent confusion on board the -frigate, although as a matter of fact the seamen were working with a -well-defined purpose, each intent on his portion of the task. - -There was nothing to be done but crowd on all sail, and, whether we were -ready or no, begin that trick which we believed would result in giving -the _Junior_ an opportunity of running the blockade. - -Our men worked like beavers, and even Phil and I took a hand in pulling -and hauling until the good frigate was well under way, staggering toward -that jutting land known as the Point of Angels, a dangerous bluff to -double in the best of weather, because of the sudden and violent squalls -which are frequent there. As a rule all ships reef down while going -around, and here was the _Essex_ under full sail. - -We expected the order which came a moment later, and the topmen were -already standing by the rail to execute it. - -In with the gallant-sails! We were going to haul close by the wind, -counting on holding our weatherly position, and surely it seemed as if -all would go as was desired; but the "luck" of the _Essex_ had left her! - -The Britishers were at such a distance that we might easily, by hugging -the land, give them the slip, and then the chase would begin. - -There was no time for tongue wagging. Every man stood at his post ready -for the next command which might be given, and Phil and I, sheltered by -the starboard rail and the forecastle-deck, were breathlessly watching -the old ship's gallant fight against both the elements and the enemy. - -On the maintop four men stood ready to loose the canvas after we passed -the danger point, and it was to me as if we had already doubled the -bluff when there was a great crash, a swaying of the ship as if she had -received a deadly wound, and we saw the maintopmast with its raffle of -cordage trailing in the water alongside, pounding and threshing against -the side as if bent on staving in the planks. - -The four brave seamen went with the spar; but no effort could be made to -save them. It was a case of holding on hard and running for dear life, -otherwise the _Essex_ would soon have been piled up on the rocks with -all hands battling to keep off death a few seconds longer. - -Phil gripped my arm till it was as if an iron band encircled it, and I -believe of a verity that I ceased to breathe for a full minute. - -To run before the wind with our top hamper dragging astern would have -been to throw ourselves into the arms of the enemy, and while one -portion of the crew were trying to cut away the wreckage, the remainder -did their best to put the frigate about. - -Even green lads like Phil and me understood that we could not beat up to -our old anchorage, even though the frigate had not been wounded, and we -gazed anxiously aft to learn what might be the course whereby we should -slip past the Britishers and the yet more dangerous headlands. - -That question was speedily answered when the _Essex_ was headed directly -across the harbor entrance to its northeastern side, and the anchors -were let go within a pistol shot of the shore, just under a bluff on -which was the Chilian battery. - -I drew a long breath of relief. The ship was no more than three miles -from the town; she lay hard by the land, and equally as much, if not -more so, within a neutral port as before. - -"That was a tight squeeze!" I said, bawling in Phil's ear, because the -roar of the wind rendered ordinary conversation difficult; and he -replied by saying:-- - -"At one time I counted it as a certainty that we must run on such a -course as would allow the Britishers to rake us!" - -At the same instant I noted the fact that while our crew should have -been snugging down the canvas, they were moving here and there as if -going to quarters, and, pouncing on Master Hackett who chanced to pass -near at hand, I asked him for an explanation. - -"Look yonder, lad," he cried. "Are you blind that you can't see both -the Britishers comin' down upon us with motto flags and jacks set? The -brave Captain Hillyar whom our commander spared when we might have sent -him to the bottom, is countin' on tacklin' us while we're wrecked aloft, -an' in no position to manoeuvre." - -"But we're still in the port!" I cried, almost beside myself with -astonishment and fear. - -"He doesn't give a fig for the port, now we're the same as disabled. -It's what the coward has been waitin' for, an' he'd take advantage of us -if we were lyin' just off the town! A gallant Britisher he, who wouldn't -give fair battle, but hangs off an' on till he finds us in a tight -place! Show me a Yankee who'd play so contemptible a game, an' I'll help -keel-haul him!" - -The first boat's crew was called away to get a spring on our cable, and -the _Phoebe_ was bearing down upon us with her men at quarters, thus -showing, if we had had any doubt before, that it was her intention to -open the action when we were well-nigh helpless. - -Our commander was not one to show the white feather, however great the -danger. At every point where we could reeve a halliard, flags were -hoisted, and orders were given to go to quarters, although if the -spring was not got on the cable we might never be able to give them a -broadside. - -None but a bully and a braggart like Captain Hillyar would have attacked -an enemy while in such a condition. - -The _Phoebe_ rounded to when nearly astern of us, and while our men were -working at the spring she opened fire at long range. The _Cherub_ hauled -off our starboard bow and blazed away at the same time. - -The engagement was on, and I hardly realized that I was taking part in -as cruel a sea-fight as was ever waged. Phil and I served the ammunition -for Nos. 1 and 2 guns, and so rapidly did our people deliver their fire -that we were kept on the jump every minute. - -I saw the men throwing sand on the decks, and forgot to be frightened. I -even understood how necessary it was, how greatly it might be to my -advantage in the work, for a 24-pound shot had come through one of the -midship ports, killing three men and wounding as many more, and the red -blood with its odor of salt flowing across the planks where no sand had -been strewn, caused me to slip and slide as if on greased timbers. - -My shirt was covered with blood; my throat smarted with the fumes of -burning powder, and my eyes were half blinded by the smoke. Here and -there lay the body of a shipmate who would never again answer to the -call of his superior; a wounded man had crawled against the forward -bulkhead and was trying to stanch the flow of life fluid, and amid it -all I had no consciousness of fear. The fever of battle was upon me like -a consuming fire, and my only thought, outside of the duties I should -perform, was that we might be mowing down as many of their men as they -were of ours. - -Now and then I saw Phil dimly through the smoke as he passed me going to -and from the magazine. His shirt had been torn away, or flung off, and -thus, half-clad, begrimed with powder until one might have mistaken him -for an African, he cheered whenever we succeeded in firing a broadside, -or waved his arms now and then in response to some command from the -gunners. - -Now I heard a shout from the hatchway that a spring had been got on the -cable, and as we sent a broadside toward the _Phoebe_ or the _Cherub_, -as the case might be, I added my voice to the others, exulting in the -thought that we had sent death aboard the cowardly Britishers. - -Again I heard the cry that our springs had been cut away by a shot, and -was sensible of the fact that the gallant old frigate was being swung -around by the wind until the after gunners were forced to cease work -because they could not bring their pieces to bear. - -Three several times did our brave fellows, working under the enemy's -heavy fire, succeed in getting the springs on the cable, and as often -were the hawsers shot away. - -"The _Phoebe_ is punishing us terribly," so I heard Midshipman Farragut -say; but through an open port I saw the _Cherub_ running down to leeward -to take a position near her consort. Surely, we had given that ship -enough, although not succeeding in doing the frigate any great injury. - -The _Phoebe_ was so far away that we had hardly a gun which could touch -her, while because of her station and long pieces, she sent nearly every -shot aboard us. - -Then came a lull in the fighting, and I heard the word passed from one -to the other that we were to get three long twelves out aft, and side by -side with Phil I aided to the best of my ability in the work. - -The Britishers poured in a heavy fire while we were thus engaged, and -here, there, and everywhere on our decks were dead or wounded men before -we got the new pieces in position. - -Then our most skilful gunners were sent to the long twelves, and we lads -brought ammunition till we were ready to drop from mingled excitement -and fatigue, yet were hardly conscious of our condition, for now were -our guns beginning to tell, and we could see that the Britishers were -suffering as they had made us suffer. - -Then, suddenly, a deafening cheer went up from our men, and running to -one of the ports I squeezed my body out past the gun till I could see -the _Phoebe_ and _Cherub_ hauling off like crippled ducks. - -I believed the battle was at an end, and began to cheer like a crazy -lad, when Master Hackett caught me by the shoulder with a jerk that -brought me up all standing. - -"I reckon the fumes of powder an' blood have gone to your head, lad. -Quiet down a bit, or you'll need to be sent into the cockpit." - -"We've whipped the Britishers!" I shouted, trying vainly to squirm out -of the old sailor's grasp. "They thought to cut us up because we were -well-nigh helpless, and it's themselves who've got the worst of it." - -"Hold your jaw, you young monkey! This is no time for such crowin' as -you're doin'. We've beat 'em off for a time, an' it's allowable we kick -up a bit of a shindy over it; but the battle isn't ended by a long -shot." - -"Not ended?" I cried, coming to my senses in a measure. "Then why have -the Britishers crawled away?" - -"They've only hauled off for repairs, an' it stands you in hand to help -make ready for what's yet to come. Stow your jaw, an' bear a hand with -the rest of us!" - -I was to "bear a hand" in moving the dead to one side where they would -not hamper our movements, and aid in carrying the wounded below, as I -soon saw, and straightway it was as if all strength had departed. - -Now that the heat and excitement of the action was past for the time -being, my stomach revolted at the horrible sights everywhere around, -and, leaning out one of the ports, I yielded to the sickness which beset -me even as it had when first we put to sea. - -That I could have gloried in the terrible carnage; that I had passed the -dead bodies of those who that morning had greeted me with a friendly -word, and not felt my heart quiver, seemed incredible, and I shed -bitter tears because of my hard-heartedness. - -It was cruel as it was wicked, and I must have been possessed by a demon -to have found a savage pleasure in such sickening work! - -Almost without being aware of the fact I listened to a conversation -among the men as to the injury we had received. - -Eleven men had been killed outright, twenty-one were wounded, and two -died after being carried into the cockpit. Our topsail sheets, topsail -halliards, jib and foretopmast staysail halliards had been cut away, and -almost the only canvas that could have been spread was the flying jib. -How many shot had hulled us it was impossible to say; but, looking over -the rail, one could see the big splinters sticking up here and there -until it seemed that we must have been wounded in every square yard of -hull on the stern and starboard side from the water line upward. - -It seemed impossible that we could continue the action another moment, -and yet our men were cheerily making preparations to renew the fight. - -I believe it was the knowledge that we would soon be under fire again -which aided me in so far pulling myself together that I could obey -orders; and even when I was in the thick of the terrible work the sight -of a pool of blood would cause an upheaval of my stomach, although when -the wounds were received and I might have said a soothing word to the -dying, all this carnage was as nothing. - -It is beyond my poor skill with a pen to set down the second portion of -this wicked fight into which we had been so cowardly forced, and also -because I know very little of it from my own knowledge. When the -Britishers came down upon us again the fever of battle took hold of me -once more, and I was little less than crazy. - -Here is the remainder of the story, at which Britishers should blush, as -told by one who quietly pieced together the accounts given him by the -survivors:-- - -"The enemy was not long in making his repairs, and both ships next took -a position on the starboard quarter of the _Essex_, where it was not in -the power of the latter vessel to bring a single gun to bear upon him, -as he was too distant to be reached by carronades. His fire was very -galling, and it left no alternative to Captain Porter between submission -and running down to assail him. He gallantly decided on the latter. But -by this time the _Essex_ had received many serious injuries in addition -to the loss of her topmast. The only sail that could be got upon the -ship to make her head pay off was the flying jib, which was hoisted when -the cable was cut, and the vessel edged away with the intention of -laying the _Phoebe_ aboard. - -"The foretopsail and the foresail were not let fall, though for want of -tacks and sheets they were nearly useless. Still the _Essex_ drove down -on her assailants, closing near enough to open with her carronades. For -a few minutes the firing on both sides was tremendous, the people of the -_Essex_ proving their discipline and gallantry at that trying moment in -a way to justify all the high expectations that had been formed of them, -though their decks were already strewn with killed, and the cockpit was -crowded with the wounded. This work proved too hot for the _Cherub_, -which hauled off a second time, nor did she come near enough to use her -carronades again, during the remainder of the action keeping up a -distant fire with her long guns. - -"The _Phoebe_ discovered no disposition to throw away the immense -advantage she possessed in her long eighteens; and when she found the -_Essex's_ fire becoming warm she kept edging off, throwing her shot at -the same time with fatal effect, cutting down the people of her -antagonist almost with impunity to herself. By this time many of the -guns of the American ship were disabled, and the crews of several had -been swept away. One particular gun was a scene of carnage that is -seldom witnessed in a naval combat, nearly three entire crews falling at -it in the course of the action. Its captain alone escaped with a slight -wound. - -"This scene of almost unresisting carnage had now lasted nearly two -hours, and finding it impossible to close with his adversary, who chose -his distance at pleasure, Captain Porter felt the necessity of taking -some prompt measure if he would prevent the enemy from getting -possession of his ship. The wind had hauled to the westward, and he saw -a hope of running her ashore at a spot where he might land his people -and set her on fire. For a few minutes everything appeared to favor this -design, and the _Essex_ had drifted within musket-shot of the beach when -the wind suddenly shifted from the land, paying the ship's head off in a -way to leave her exposed to a dreadful raking fire. Still, as she was -again closing with the _Phoebe_, Captain Porter indulged a hope of -finally laying that ship aboard. - -"At this moment Lieutenant Commandant Downes came alongside the _Essex_ -in order to receive the orders of his commanding officer, having pulled -through all the fire in order to effect this object. He could be of no -use, for the enemy again put his helm up and kept away, when Mr. Downes, -after remaining in the _Essex_ ten minutes, was directed to return to -his own ship and make preparations to defend, or, at need, to destroy -her. On going away he carried off several of the _Essex's_ wounded, -leaving three of his own men behind him in order to make room in the -boat. - -"The slaughter in the _Essex_ having got to be too horrible, the enemy -firing with deliberation and hulling her at almost every shot, Captain -Porter, as a last resort, ordered a hawser to be bent to the sheet -anchor, and the latter let go in order to bring the head of the ship -around. This effected the object, and once more the Americans got their -broadside to bear, remaining stationary themselves, while their enemy, a -good deal crippled, was drifting slowly to leeward. Even in these -desperate circumstances a ray of hope gleamed through this little -advantage, and Captain Porter was beginning to believe that the _Phoebe_ -would drift out of gun-shot before she discovered his expedient, when -the hawser parted with the strain. - -"There was no longer any chance of saving the ship. To add to his -distress she was on fire, the flames coming up both the main and forward -hatchways; and for a few moments it was thought she would thus be -destroyed. An explosion of powder also occurred below, to add to the -horrors of the scene, and Captain Porter told his people that, in -preference to being blown up, all who chose to incur the risk might -attempt to reach the shore by swimming. Many availed themselves of this -permission, and some succeeded in effecting their escape. Others -perished, while a few, after drifting about on bits of spars, were -picked up by the boats of the enemy. Much the greater part of the crew, -however, remained in the ship, and they set about an attempt to -extinguish the flames, although the shot of the enemy was committing its -havoc the whole time. Fortunately, the fire was got under, when the few -brave men who were left went again to the long guns. - -"The moment had now arrived when Captain Porter was to decide between -submission or the destruction of the remainder of his people. In the -midst of this scene of slaughter he had himself been untouched, and it -would seem that he felt himself called upon to resist as long as his own -strength allowed. But his remaining people entreated him to remember -his wounded, and he at last consented to summon his officers. Only one, -Lieutenant McKnight, could join him on the quarter-deck! The first -lieutenant, Mr. Wilmer, had been knocked overboard by a splinter and -drowned, while getting the sheet anchor from the bows; Lieutenant -Cowell, the next in rank, was mortally wounded; Lieutenant Odenheimer -had just been knocked overboard from the quarter, and did not regain the -vessel for several moments. The reports of the state of the ship were -fearful. A large portion of the guns were disabled, even had there been -men left to fight them. The berth-deck, steerage, wardroom, and cockpit -were full of wounded, and the latter were even killed by shot while -under the surgeon's hands. The carpenter was sent for, and he stated -that of his crew, he alone could perform any duty. He had been over the -side to stop shot-holes, when his slings were cut away and he narrowly -escaped drowning. In short, seventy-five men, officers included, were -all that remained for duty, and the enemy, in perfectly smooth water, -was firing his long eighteens at a nearly unresisting ship, with as much -precision as he could have discharged them at a target. It became an -imperative duty to strike, and the colors were accordingly hauled down -after one of the most remarkable combats to be found in the history of -naval warfare. - -"In this bloody contest the _Essex_ had fifty-eight men killed, -including those who soon died of their hurts, and sixty-six wounded, -making a total of one hundred and twenty-four, or nearly half of all who -were on board at the commencement of the action. Of the missing there -were thirty-one, most of whom were probably drowned, either in -attempting to swim ashore when the ship was on fire, or by being knocked -overboard by splinters or pieces of rigging. Including the missing, the -entire loss was one hundred and fifty-two out of two hundred and -fifty-five. - -"The _Essex_, with a very trifling exception while closing, fought this -battle with her six long twelves, opposed by fifteen long eighteens in -broadside, the long guns of the _Cherub_, and, a good deal of the time, -while they lay on her quarter, by the carronades of both the enemy's -ships. Captain Hillyar's published official letter makes the loss of the -_Phoebe_ four killed and seven wounded; that of the _Cherub_ one killed -and three wounded. Captain Tucker of the _Cherub_ was wounded, and the -first lieutenant of the _Phoebe_ was killed. - -"The English ships were cut up more than could have been expected under -the circumstances, the latter having received no less than eighteen -12-pound shots below the water line. It would seem that the smoothness -of the water rendered the fire very certain on both sides, and it is -only to be regretted that the _Essex_ could not have engaged under her -three topsails from the commencement. - -"The engagement lasted nearly two hours and a half, the long guns of the -_Essex_, it is said, having been fired no less than seventy-five times, -each, in broadside. The enemy must have thrown, agreeably to the -statements made at the time, not less than seven hundred 18-pound shot -at the _Essex_." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -ON PAROLE. - - -During the greater portion of that terrible time which has been so -vividly described by one who afterward became familiar with all the -horrible details, I had but little idea of what was going on, save among -us on the gun-deck. - -We had nothing to do with the poor efforts at handling the sorely -wounded ship, and could only load and fire so long as a gun's crew -remained alive. - -When one fell dead or wounded at his task another was called to fill his -place, and speedily the deck was so littered with the lifeless or the -dying that some of us would be summoned to aid the surgeon's force in -dragging them out of the way. - -As during the first portion of the engagement, I was burning with the -fever of battle, and had so little knowledge of what was being done that -I could not have said whether one hour or ten had elapsed since the -action was begun. It seemed to me as if we had been half an ordinary -lifetime at this business, and I had stood so long beneath the shadow -of the death angel's wings that I took it for granted I should be -numbered with the slain when the conflict ceased, but gave no heed to -such possibility. - -Phil and I knew vaguely, because of the dreadful slaughter which -followed, when the frigate's bow payed off while Captain Porter was -trying to beach her, and we came to realize dimly--as though it was -something which did not concern us personally--that we were being so -badly cut to pieces as to make it certain our people must finally yield -to the enemy; but above all was the one thought, a single desire, to do -as much damage as possible to the Britishers before our ship went down. - -Then, when we were in position where we could fire a broadside, we began -to cheer once more, believing that after all our disadvantages we might -compel the foe to retire; but our hearts did not sink, perhaps because -we were too much excited to realize it, when the hawser of the sheet -anchor parted, leaving us once again where we could be raked. - -When the ship was on fire we ran to the spar-deck, yet fighting the -flames, and neither Phil nor I knew until afterward that permission had -been given the men to leap overboard and save themselves. - -We would not have deserted the ship, however, because both of us were -following Master Hackett very closely; it seemed much as though he had -become a part of us, and we could do nothing save by his side or under -his direction. - -Why we three, when all those brave hearts were sent into eternity on -that 28th day of March, should have escaped a wound I am unable to say; -it must have been, as my mother said, that God was not yet ready to -receive us into that portion of his kingdom that had been allotted us. - -The old man took us lads by the hand when finally Captain Porter gave -orders that the colors be hauled down in token of surrender, and there -we stood as if unable to move or speak, when the Britishers came on -board. - -The living were allowed to bury the dead; the wounded were taken on -shore, and then we were, with many others, sent on board the _Cherub_, -where we were by no means badly treated. More than one Britisher on -board that ship was ashamed, as I myself heard them say, at our having -been attacked while disabled, and nearly all did whatsoever they might -to ease the burden of grief and disappointment. - -There is no good reason why I should set down here what we did or said -during such time as we remained in the harbor of Valparaiso, for it -would be sad reading. It can well be supposed that we mourned for our -brave fellows who had been killed, and our hearts went out in sympathy -to those wounded ashore; but as for ourselves, we could do nothing save -exist. - -Then came the day when it was made known that Captain Hillyar had -decided it would be quite out of the question to hamper himself with so -many prisoners, and the _Essex Junior_ was to be converted into a -cartel[5] to take us home after we had given our paroles. - -It seemed most wonderful that after passing through so many dangers we -were really to see our native country once more. I wept tears of joy -when the news came to me, and was not ashamed of so doing. During the -fight, and for many a long day afterward, I thought of myself as so -nearly in the clutches of death that I was already done with the things -of this world. - -When the arrangements had finally been made, however, we learned that my -cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, Mr. Adams, the chaplain, Mr. Lyman, a -master's mate, and eleven of our sailors had already been exchanged for -some prisoners taken from the _Sir Andrew Hammond_, and were then on -board the _Essex Junior_. - -Later, after we had sailed for the United States, my cousin and Mr. -Lyman went to Rio de Janeiro in the _Phoebe_ in order to give some -testimony in behalf of the captors. From that port they sailed in a -Swedish brig bound to England, and since that moment it has been -impossible to learn aught concerning their fate. The captain of the brig -declares that his passengers were sent on board the British sloop-of-war -_Wasp_, at their own request. The _Wasp_ was never heard from after she -parted company with the brig; but it is my opinion, and shared by many, -that Lieutenant McKnight and his companion were foully murdered by the -Swede. - -We left the port of Valparaiso with our papers in good order, and all on -board rejoicing at the prospect of seeing their loved ones once more. At -that time I believed nothing could tempt me to leave my mother again; -but "once a sailor always a sailor" is the proverb, and I am inclined to -think it has in it much truth. - -The voyage was a prosperous one; we doubled Cape Horn without -difficulty or incident, and had we but been in the good ship _Essex_, -returning home after a successful cruise, the days would not have been -long enough for all our happiness. As it was, however, we lived over and -over again the past, discussing the battle which had cost us so dearly -and left the poor old frigate a wreck in the harbor of Valparaiso, and -speaking tenderly with many a choking sob of the shipmates who stood -gallantly to their posts of duty until death struck them down. - -Now we were returning on parole, the survivors of a ship's company which -had struck their colors to the enemy, and it weighed us down, even -though we knew full well that the cruise of the _Essex_ had been of -greatest value to our country. - -We talked of the old ship as if she had once been a living thing, and -regretted most deeply that we had not succeeded in beaching her, or that -we had extinguished the flames when her hold was apparently a mass of -fire. - -In fact, we went over all the details of our voyage which was ending so -sadly, never tiring during all the long weeks, and many times did we -conjure up pictures of our shipmates who had been left behind on -Nukuheva, wondering what they would do after months had passed and we -failed to return, or speculating upon the possibility that they would -attempt the homeward cruise in one of the prizes. - -Poor fellows! While we spoke of them as living happily and amid plenty, -they were battling for life, as I may one day set down in detail, if it -so be that this feeble apology for a landsman's yarn finds favor with -those who may read it. - -The voyage on the cartel was a prosperous one, as I have already said, -and in due time we were off the port of New York, believing that within -a few hours, at the longest, we would be at liberty to go wheresoever it -pleased us. The _Essex Junior_ was no more than thirty miles from land -when we sighted a Britisher who speedily gave us to understand that we -must heave to and show our papers. - -The stranger proved to be the _Saturn_, a razee (meaning a ship-of-war -cut down to a smaller size by reducing the number of decks), commanded -by Captain Nash. - -We had not supposed there might be any question of our detention, for we -had a passport in due form from Captain Hillyar; but this Britisher took -it into his head that there must be something wrong with our craft; he -even questioned the right of Captain Hillyar to parole us, and ended by -giving the order that we lay by him during the night. - -Immediately visions of a British prison danced before our eyes. We had -been forced into a fight when our ship was little better than a wreck, -by one Englishman, and now here was another who proposed to take in -charge a lot of paroled men who were free to sail to their port of -destination according to the usages of war among all nations. - -After a time of jawing and tongue wagging among our sailors, we came to -believe that Captain Porter was the one whom the Britisher particularly -desired to hold; for surely he could have no wish to hamper himself with -a lot of seamen whom he must, beyond a peradventure, set at liberty when -his government learned the facts in the case. - -What they would do with our captain no one seemed to so much as guess; -we had decided among ourselves that some indignity would be put upon -him, and when the word was passed from one to another that Captain -Porter was inclined to make his escape in one of the small boats, every -man jack volunteered to pull him ashore. - -To row a ship's boat thirty miles, with the chances of being lost in the -fog which was even then creeping over the waters, seemed like a -desperate undertaking; but when Master Hackett, who had been selected by -the crew as their spokesman, went aft and made known to Captain Porter -what they desired to do, he accepted the offer without hesitation. - -One of our boats was launched to leeward, where she might not be seen by -those on the razee, and our commander, with little Midshipman Farragut -by his side, lowered himself into the stern-sheets after the crew were -at their stations. - -Six hardy seamen gave way at the oars, and Phil and I waved our hats in -parting at Master Hackett, whom we did not see again until many a long -day had passed. - -The Britisher caught a glimpse of the small boat as she pulled out past -our ship, and he pitched a shot after her as a signal to heave to; but -the old shellbacks who sat at the oars were not the kind to be -frightened by the burning of British powder. They had sniffed the odor -many times before, and if they would voluntarily remain on a burning -ship while the enemy was plugging ball after ball into her as if she had -been no more than a target, they could be depended upon to hold their -course regardless of Captain Nash and the razee _Saturn_. - -Before the Britishers could fire at them again they were lost to view -in the fog, and, as we learned two days afterward, landed in safety on -Long Island. - -Next morning Captain Nash, after examining our papers once more, gave us -permission to continue the voyage, and before nightfall we were lying in -the harbor of New York, rejoicing at having escaped death or a British -prison. - -Yes, we were made much of, once it was known in the city who we were, -but of that there is no reason why I should speak at any length. - -I should add, however, that after sailing and rowing sixty miles or -more, the boat in which was our commander arrived at Babylon, on the -south side of Long Island, and even then her occupants were not free -from trouble. Captain Porter was suspected by the citizens of being a -British officer, and but for the fact that he had his commission from -Congress in his pocket, he might have been detained. - -He made his way to New York, where he was received with demonstrations -of most profound respect; and when the exploits of the _Essex_ had been -told, every city, village, and hamlet in the country sung the praises of -the frigate and those who manned her. - -Phil and I went home as soon as it was possible to escape from those who -were eager to show their admiration of what had been done by the -_Essex_, and I carried in my pocket a song which was made especially for -the frigate. It was printed and sold on the streets; there was in the -verses no little praise for all hands; but the lines I set down here -pleased me more than all the rest, since they referred to that gallant -sailor who by his skill and courage had made it possible for any of us -to see home again. - - - "From the laurel's fairest bough - Let the muse her garland twine, - To adorn our Porter's brow, - Who, beyond the burning line, - Led his caravan of tars o'er the tide. - To the pilgrims fill the bowl, - Who, around the southern pole, - Saw new constellations roll, - For their guide." - - -FOOTNOTE: - -[5] A ship employed in the exchange of prisoners, or in communicating -with the enemy. - - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS - - -WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE - -A TALE OF 1812 - -_By James Otis_ - -_307 pp. Cloth, $1.50_ - - -Characters and incidents largely historical. A lively rendering of a -memorable event.--_The Outlook._ - - -Graphically does Mr. Otis tell the story of the naval battle won by -Commodore Perry. The well-known tale, rehearsed in a new manner, though -with strict adherence to history, is given in the first person by a boy, -who, with the Commodore's young brother, was concerned in all the -important events of that battle, as well as in previously warding off -the capture of Presque Isle. It is one of the best of Revolutionary -tales, in manner, facts, and interest, published within the last year or -two, and the covers are attractive.--_The Literary World._ - - -An account of the brave but often fruitless struggles and attempts of -young Commodore Perry to get into fighting trim the famous Lake Erie -fleet, handicapped as he was by lack of men and material. The author has -in no wise departed from the strict truth, as given by the best -historians, and it is this fact which renders his entertaining story -particularly valuable as a book for the young.--_Dial._ - - -_With Preble at Tripoli_ - -A STORY OF "OLD IRONSIDES" AND THE TRIPOLITAN WAR - -BY JAMES OTIS - -349 pages. Cloth. 12mo. $1.50 - -Second Volume in "_The Great Admiral Series_" - - -It is a typical, dashing, instructive, and thrilling story. It is -intended for boys, but there is hardly a person, young or old, who would -not be intensely interested in it. Such a book as this should be -welcomed by every parent.--_Boston Journal._ - - -This volume gives us a most vivid description of the exploits of the old -"Constitution" and the brave men under Commander Preble's command. It is -of the best juvenile literature.--_The Indianapolis Journal._ - - -It is a thrilling account of the loss of the "Philadelphia," and of the -most famous "cutting out" party in our naval history. It adds a second -volume to one of our most interesting series of books for young -people.--_The Dial._ - - -The ever-stimulating account of "Old Ironsides" and her famous campaign -against the Tripolitan pirates forms the basis of one of Mr. Otis's best -stories; correct in its historical facts, interesting from beginning to -end, it will be welcomed not only by the younger reader, but by the -older one as well.--_The Presbyterian._ - - -_BOOKS BY WILLIAM DRYSDALE_ - -THE YOUNG REPORTER - -A STORY OF PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE - -_300 pp. Cloth. $1.50_ - - -If ever a writer knew how to tell a rattling story that almost lifts you -off your feet on the first page, it is William Drysdale. His style is -vivacious and racy, and the events hurry along like the current of a -stream above a cascade. The story in itself is intensely interesting, -but, aside from its interest, it gives an insight into the life of a -great daily paper of the city that it would be hard to find elsewhere. -Thus the book is instructive as well as captivating.--_Lutheran -Evangelist._ - - -"The Young Reporter" is a rattling book for boys. It is written by Mr. -William Drysdale, a retired journalist, who has held responsible desks -upon the Sun, the Recorder and other papers, and who knows just what he -is talking about.--_New York Recorder_. - - -A genuine boys' book for genuine boys. It is full of life, clean, clear -cut, and inspiring. We can commend this book to any lover of boys' -stories. It is illustrated with spirit, the pictures adding greatly to -the attractiveness of the book.--_Journal of Education._ - - -This is a story of real power, full of life and action, and will enlist -the interest of every stirring and wide-awake boy.--_Herald & -Presbyter._ - - -_Fighting Under the Southern Cross._ - -A Story of the Chile-Peruvian War. - -BY - -_CLAUDE H. WETMORE._ - -335 pages. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - -_CONTAINING PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY AND MAP OF CALLAO BAY_ - - -This is one of the best stories for boys that has been issued, and with -great pleasure we heartily recommend it.--_Observer._ - - -This story is full of thrilling interest and dramatic power. The many -picturesque descriptions give a real portrayal of the country and its -people.--_Book News._ - - -This volume is so real that one imagines he is in the centre of action. -This doubtless is due to the author's thorough acquaintance with the -customs and conditions of these countries.--_St. Louis Star._ - - -Just now when there are so many reminders of the differences existing -between the South American States, and while the influence of the -Pan-American Congress in Mexico is being so strongly felt, this book is -very timely. It is a very vivid picture of the war between Chile and -Peru in 1879, and a portrayal of the customs and manners of these states -that is extremely interesting, and that throws much light on present -problems.--_Christian Endeavor World._ - - -The bitter war of conquest waged by Chile against Peru has never been -given any popular presentation until now. The author is a traveler who -has covered all of South America and was a resident of Peru when the war -broke out. His picture of that period is absorbingly interesting, and -the promised sequel of this volume will be awaited with great -eagerness.--_The Interior._ - -W. A. WILDE COMPANY, Boston and Chicago. - - -_Incaland_ - -A Story of Adventure in the interior of Peru and the closing chapters of -the War with Chile. - -BY - -_CLAUDE H. WETMORE._ - -309 pp. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50 - -_CONTAINING PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY._ - - -"The author is thoroughly acquainted with the history and records of the -far-famed land of the Incas, and the story is full of interest -historically as well as a work of excellent romance and -fiction."--_Chronicle-Telegraph._ - - -"Mr. Wetmore has shown in 'Incaland' how that the Chile-Peruvian War was -to the latter people a blessing in disguise, and how that, casting aside -her antiquated systems, Peru introduced many improvements, until she has -to-day attained a most enviable position among the South American -republics. All this information the author has clothed in the attractive -guise of a story, full of interesting and stirring accounts in which -boys will find great delight."--_New York Examiner._ - - -"'Incaland' deals with the history and wonderful progress of Peru -subsequent to the War, and it overflows with historical interest, and, -as it is in a most picturesque setting, it will surely find a hearty -welcome."--_Christian Endeavor World._ - - -"This volume is not only steeped in the Indian lore of the past, but it -embraces as well some of the stirring instances of the Chile-Peruvian -War, and any boy who has read this stirring narrative has unconsciously -acquired not only familiarity with a certain period in history, but with -the manners and aspect of this historic country. It is a ringing boys' -story, full of interest and enthusiasm."--_Free Press, Milwaukee._ - -W. A. WILDE COMPANY, Boston and Chicago. - - -CADET STANDISH OF THE ST. LOUIS - -A STORY OF OUR NAVAL CAMPAIGN IN CUBAN WATERS. - -_352 pages. Cloth. $1.50._ - - -In "Cadet Standish of the St. Louis" Mr. William Drysdale tells the -story of an American boy to whom the Spanish war brought some novel and -exciting experiences. The lad took part in the cable cutting off -Guantanamo, the first exploit in which the great "merchant cruiser" -distinguished herself. Not only is Mr. Drysdale an accomplished writer, -but he has an intimate knowledge of the West Indian regions where most -of the scenes are laid. The result is a most graphic and entertaining -volume.--_Boston Journal._ - - -This is a story of the recent naval combat in Cuban waters. The book is -picturesque and interesting from cover to cover. The local color is -presented in a series of vivid touches and is skillfully interwoven with -the narrative interest. The story is that of a young cadet on board the -_St. Louis_, who is detailed for dangerous shore duty. His adventures -make up the story that at once attracts and informs the reader.--_The -Baptist Union._ - - -It is pleasant to be able to say that this tale of Cadet Standish is -interesting, wholesome, natural, even among exciting scenes. The hero is -a fine fellow in every way: in his relations to his widowed mother, as a -young business man, and with his associates in the navy.--_The Literary -World._ - - -_IN COLONIAL TIMES_ - -IN THE CAMP OF CORNWALLIS: - -A STORY OF REUBEN DENTON AND HIS EXPERIENCES DURING THE NEW JERSEY -CAMPAIGN OF 1777. - -_By Everett T. Tomlinson, Ph. D._ - -_12mo. 353 pp. Cloth, $1.50. Ill._ - - -This story is patriotic, exciting, and pleasing, and instructs in the -early history of our country without appearing to do so.--_Tribune._ - - -Dr. Tomlinson's Revolutionary stories have so whetted the appetites of -his many boy readers that they will begin this one with avidity, and lay -it down with gratitude for the pleasure and information it has -given.--_Christian Endeavor World._ - - -No books are more welcome than those from the pen of this writer. -Besides being thoroughly interesting and of literary merit, they strike -a most patriotic chord, for it is the author's intention to convey a -knowledge of our country's history in an entertaining -manner.--_Inter-Ocean._ - - -This volume is patriotic in tone and treatment, and has all the fire and -spirit that have made the author's "War of the Revolution Series" such -prime favorites with young people. - -This author's books are not only entertaining for the moment, but they -are written with the deeper purpose of creating a desire on the part of -the youthful reader for personal investigation into our national -history.--_Bookseller, Newsdealer & Stationer._ - - -Dr. Tomlinson has done remarkably helpful work along the line of -supplying young people with history in a most attractive form. In this -volume he combines historical facts with exciting and interesting -adventure, which meets the most vigorous demands of a practical -imagination.--_Cumulative Index._ - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With Porter in the Essex, by James Otis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH PORTER IN THE ESSEX *** - -***** This file should be named 43766-8.txt or 43766-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/7/6/43766/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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