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} - .sigright { display: inline-block; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom; - width:64%; } - ins.correction { text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray; } - .quote { font-size: 95%; margin-top: 1.0em; margin-bottom: 1.0em; } - div.box { text-align:center; border:2px solid black; width:50%; padding:1em; - margin:auto; } - div.innerbox { text-align:center; border:2px solid black; width:98%; } - .linegroup .group { margin: 0em auto; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Black Barque, by T. Jenkins Hains - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Black Barque - A Tales of the Pirate Slave-Ship Gentle Hand on Her Last African Cruise - -Author: T. Jenkins Hains - -Illustrator: W. Herbert Dunton - -Release Date: November 20, 2017 [EBook #56017] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLACK BARQUE *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Transcriber’s Note:</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c001'>Footnotes have been collected at the end of each chapter, and are -linked for ease of reference.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s <a href='#endnote'>note</a> at the end of this text -for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered -during its preparation.</p> - -<div class='htmlonly'> - -<p class='c001'>Any corrections are indicated using an <ins class='correction' title='original'>underline</ins> -highlight. Placing the cursor over the correction will produce the -original text in a small popup.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='epubonly'> - -<p class='c001'>Any corrections are indicated as hyperlinks, which will navigate the -reader to the corresponding entry in the corrections table in the -note at the end of the text.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='c001'>The cover image has been created based on title page information, -and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/i001.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>A Tale of the Pirate Slave-Ship</div> - <div><span class='xlarge'><span class="blackletter">Gentle Hand</span></span></div> - <div>on Her Last African Cruise</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='box'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Works of</div> - <div><span class='large'>T. JENKINS HAINS</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/i002.jpg' alt='decoration' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='83%' /> -<col width='16%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c003'>The Windjammers</td> - <td class='c004'>$1.50</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'>The Black Barque</td> - <td class='c004'>1.50</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'>The Voyage of the Arrow</td> - <td class='c004'>1.50</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'>Bahama Bill</td> - <td class='c004'>1.50</td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/i002.jpg' alt='decoration' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>L. C. PAGE & COMPANY</span></div> - <div>New England Building</div> - <div>BOSTON MASS.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic004'> -<p>“SPRANG WITH THE EASE OF A CAT UPON OUR POOP-RAIL.”<br />(<i>See page 227</i>)</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='box'> - -<div class='innerbox'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c005'>The <br /> Black Barque</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div>A Tale of the Pirate Slave-Ship</div> - <div><span class='xlarge'>Gentle Hand</span></div> - <div>on Her Last African Cruise</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c006' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>By</div> - <div><span class='large'>T. JENKINS HAINS</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>AUTHOR OF</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>“THE STRIFE OF THE SEA,” “THE WIND-JAMMERS,” ETC.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c006' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='small'><span class="blackletter">Illustrated by</span></span></div> - <div>W. HERBERT DUNTON</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c006' /> -<div class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/i005.jpg' alt='colophon' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<hr class='c006' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>BOSTON</span></div> - <div><span class='large'>L. C. PAGE & COMPANY</span></div> - <div>PUBLISHERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c007'> - <div><i>Copyright</i>, 1905</div> - <div><span class='sc'>By L. C. Page & Company</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>(INCORPORATED)</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c008' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><i>All rights reserved</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c007'> - <div>Published February, 1905</div> - <div class='c000'>Fifth Impression, March, 1908.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c007'> - <div><i>COLONIAL PRESS</i></div> - <div><span class='small'><i>Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.</i></span></div> - <div><span class='small'><i>Boston, Mass., U.S.A.</i></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>TO THE</div> - <div>MEMORY OF MY GRANDFATHER</div> - <div><span class="blackletter">Thornton Jenkins</span></div> - <div>REAR-ADMIRAL UNITED STATES NAVY</div> - <div>AND HIS COUSIN</div> - <div><span class="blackletter">Sir Robert Jenkins, K.C.B.</span></div> - <div>VICE-ADMIRAL ROYAL NAVY</div> - <div>WHOSE SERVICES TO THE BLACK MAN SHOULD NOT</div> - <div>BE FORGOTTEN</div> - <div>THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<hr class='c010' /> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='14%' /> -<col width='74%' /> -<col width='11%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c011'> </td> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c004'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>I.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Seek a New Ship</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>II.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Captain Howard</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_8'>8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>III.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Barque</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_18'>18</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>IV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Shanghaied</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>V.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>In the Fo’c’sle</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_39'>39</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>VI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Become “Cock of the Walk”</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>VII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Two Kinds of Hand-shakes</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Our Bos’n</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_65'>65</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>IX.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Make Another Friend</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_72'>72</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>X.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Yankee Dan and His Daughter</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>We Make a Day of It</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>How the Day Ended</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_100'>100</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>A Surprising Salute</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_107'>107</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XIV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Decide to Leave the Barque</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Others Decide Otherwise</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XVI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>A Taste of Cold Iron</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XVII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Sir John and Miss Allen</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_144'>144</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XVIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Barque Has Ill Luck</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XIX.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>And Still More Ill Luck</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XX.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>What Happened in Madeira</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Strange Brig</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_180'>180</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXII.</td> - <td class='c003'>“<span class='sc'>Stand to It!</span>”</td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>What the Captain’s Chest Held</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXIV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Captain Shows His Mettle</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>We Hear of Long Tom</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_218'>218</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXVI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>We Repel Boarders</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_225'>225</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>XXVII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Our Captive</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_233'>233</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXVIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>My First Glimpse of Slavery</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_241'>241</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXIX.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>We Lay in Our Cargo</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_248'>248</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXX.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Suspect Treachery</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_254'>254</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>I Meet Cortelli</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_264'>264</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Open Mutiny</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXIII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Fight on Deck</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_280'>280</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXIV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Cargo Breaks Loose</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_288'>288</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXV.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>Our Last Chance</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_296'>296</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXVI.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The End of the Black Barque</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_305'>305</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c011'>XXXVII.</td> - <td class='c003'><span class='sc'>The Last Strand of My Yarn</span></td> - <td class='c004'><a href='#Page_313'>313</a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>THE SHIP’S COMPANY</div> - <div>OF THE</div> - <div><span class='large'><span class="blackletter">Gentle Hand</span></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>OFFICERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>William Howard</span>, master.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Richard Hawkson</span>, first officer.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>John Gull</span>, second officer.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Sherman Henry</span>, third officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>CREW</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Peter Richards</span>, American, boatswain.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>John Heywood</span>, American, gunner (who relates the story).</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table2' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c013'><i>Able Seamen</i></td> - <td class='blt c013'><i>Ordinary Seamen</i></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Tim</span>, American</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Johnson</span>, Dane</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Bill</span>, Norwegian</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Jones</span>, Welshman</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Heligoland</span>, Norwegian</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Anderson</span>, Swede</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Guinea</span>, Dago</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Holmberg</span>, Swede</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Ernest</span>, German</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Jennings</span>, Dutch</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Martin</span>, Scotch</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Pete</span>, Dago</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Johns</span>, German</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Tom</span>, Cockney</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Jorg</span>, Finn</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Jim</span>, Englishman</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Pat</span>, Irishman</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span>, half-breed Kanaka</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Gus</span>, Swede</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Johnson</span>, Norwegian</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'> </td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>Pacetti</span>, Dago</td> - </tr> -</table> -<hr class='c015' /> -<table class='table2' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><span class='sc'>Watkins</span>, steward</td> - <td class='blt c014'><span class='sc'>The</span> “<span class='sc'>Doctor</span>,” cook</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>OWNERS AND PASSENGERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table3' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='3%' /> -<col width='96%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c016'><span class='sc'>Yankee Dan</span>, of Nassau, trader (Daniel Allen).</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c016'><span class='sc'>Rose Allen</span>, his daughter.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c016'><span class='sc'>Lord Renshaw</span>, an outcast from society, with money in the enterprise.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c016'><span class='sc'>Sir John Hicks</span>, bankrupt, engaged in the slave traffic.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'> </td> - <td class='c016'><span class='sc'>Mr. Curtis</span>, engaged in the slave traffic.</td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id006'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> -<img src='images/i013.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER I. <br /> <span class='fss'>I SEEK A NEW SHIP</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>When I struck the beach in Havre, the war with -England had turned adrift upon that port’s dock -heads a strange assortment of men. Many had -served in either the American or English navy, and -many more had manned French privateers and had -fought under Napoleon’s eagles. The peace that -had followed turned hordes of these fighting men -into peaceable merchant sailors without ships, and -they drifted about without definite means of support.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had come over from the States in an old tub of -a barque called the <i>Washington</i>, after having served -as mate for two years on the schooner <i>General -Greene</i>. The war had taught me something, for I -had served in the navy in one of the South Pacific -cruises, and had fought in the frigate <i>Essex</i>. I was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>only a boy in years, but the service--and other -matters hardly worth mentioning here--had hardened -my nature and developed the disagreeable side -of my character. I was mate of the old hooker, -and could have made out well enough if the captain -hadn’t been somewhat down on me, for I never -cared especially for women, and I believed my experience -justified my opinion of them,--but no -matter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old man seemed to think I couldn’t be happy -without thrashing every day one or more of the -miserable dagoes he had had the assurance to tell -me were sailors, and, after a nasty voyage of fifty -days, I was not sorry to step ashore. I joined the -saturnine pier-enders with my pay and discharge -as being a remarkably hard and quarrelsome mate -with but small experience.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We tied up to one of the long docks, and I had -seen that all the canvas was properly unbent and -stowed below before being notified of my failings.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The dock-jumpers had made their leap, and we -were short-handed enough, so I may have been a -bit out of sorts with the extra work and the prospect -of breaking out the cargo with only four Portuguese -and a third mate, who was the captain’s son.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It wasn’t the work I dodged, however, nor was -it that which caused the outfly. It was started by -this third mate coming aboard with a very pretty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>girl whom he had met in town. To see him walking -about the main deck with her, when he should -have been hard at work, aggravated me. They said -he was to marry her, and the dagoes kept looking -after him instead of doing what I told them, and -then--well, after it was over I didn’t care very -much.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The only man aboard who seemed interested to -any extent was old Richards, the second mate. -Richards had served on the frigate <i>Essex</i> in her -famous cruise, and after the war he had chosen -to try his hand in merchant ships, for the change -of the man-o’-war’s man’s life from action to slothful -peace had been too much for him. Silent and -thoughtful, he had listened to me and was pained -at my speech. He was called old Richards because -of his quiet manner, although he was not much -over thirty-five, and I bore with his sour looks -while I went to the quarter-deck to finish my little -say with the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As an American man-o’-war’s man, it was my -duty to invite the captain ashore to prove to him -by the force of my hands that I was the best natured -young fellow afloat. As I was a powerful lad, -and had served two years under him, he had the -good judgment to explain to me that my argument -would prove most illogical, and that if I dared to -lift a hand against him, he would blow a hole -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>through me as big as a hawse-pipe. To lend emphasis -to his statement, he produced a huge horse-pistol, -and, sticking it under my nose so that I -might look carefully down the bore and see what -he had loaded it with, he bade me get hence.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was not very much afraid of the weapon, so -I gazed carefully into it, while I pronounced some -flattering comments about his birth and the nationality -of his mother. Then, lest I might really appear -quarrelsome to the few knaves who were enjoying -the spectacle, I spat into the muzzle as though it -were the receptacle for that purpose, and, turning -my back upon him, sauntered ashore, followed by -my second mate, whom I thought came to expostulate -with me and bring me to a better humour, and -return.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was in a somewhat grim humour, but not by -any means quarrelsome. I had lost my ship, but -I had a bit of American gold, and as long as a sailor -has this commodity he is cheerful enough. I had -no sooner landed on the pier than I was accosted -by a little ferret-faced fellow, who seemed busy -nosing around the dock after the manner of a nervous -little dog that noses everything rapidly and -seriously, as though its life depends upon its finding -something it is not looking for.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Bon jaw,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I turned upon him and looked into his ugly face.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>“I’m a Yankee sailor,” said I, “and if you want -any business with me you’ll have to speak something -I understand. And besides,” I added, edging -closer to him, “I don’t allow fellows to talk -about me in a foreign language,--unless I’ve got -a good reason to think they’re saying something -truthful. You savvey? Or I’ll make a handsome -monkey of you by changing that figurehead you’ve -got there.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>A sudden scowl came over the fellow’s face and -went again. “I kin give you all the langwidge -you need, young man, but I was only about to do -you a favour.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“‘Virtue is its own reward,’” I said, reaching -into my pocket as though for a piece of money. -“Cast loose!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s on account of that reward I reckon you -don’t practise it,” grinned the fellow. “Perhaps a -more substantial acknowledgment might--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shut up!” I snapped. “If you are an American -or English, let’s have your lay.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Is it a ship you want me to take? For, if -that’s your game, you better slant away. Don’t -you see I’ve enough ship for the rest of my life, -hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The creature sidled closer to me and attempted -to slip his arm through mine, but I brushed him -away. He flashed that fox-like scowl at me again, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>his little yellow eyes growing into two points. He -gave me an unpleasant feeling, and I watched his -hands to see if he made any movement. Then I -was more astonished, as I noticed his fingers. They -were enormous.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Look a-here now, don’t you think we cud do a -bit a bizness without all these here swabs a-looking -on? You look like you had sense enough to go -below when it rains right hard. What! you follow -me? Now there’s a ship without a navigator a-fitting -out not far from here, and, if you’ll come go -along with me, an’ talk the matter over, there’ll -be no harm done except to the spirruts,--an’ they’s -free.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was very thirsty and could talk no French, so, -more to be guided to a place to quench my thirst -on good ale than by curiosity, I allowed him to -lead me up the dock. I noticed several of the loungers -upon the pier-head scowl at me as I went my -way, and one tall, fierce-looking fellow, who had -been glancing at me frequently, gradually fell away -from the group of loafers and strolled up behind -us. I paid no further attention to these fellows, -but, as I reached the street with its babble of unfamiliar -language, a sudden feeling came upon -me. I don’t know what it was, but I was only a -boy, and the future seemed dark and lonely. I -turned and looked back at the <i>Washington</i>. She -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>was the only thing American in sight, and the -months I spent aboard her were not to be thrust -aside lightly. They had all been too full of work -and sorrow.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good-bye, old barkey,” I cried, holding my -right hand high up,--“good-bye, and may the -eternal God--no, bless you.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I hastened on to where the ferret-faced fellow -stood grinning at me. He was peculiarly aggressive, -and his shabby unnautical rig only added to -this disagreeable characteristic. Richards followed -slowly behind, his eyes holding a peculiar look as -he joined the little stranger. The man gave a sneer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Very sentimental and proper feeling,” said he. -“A ship’s like a person, more or less, an’ when -one gets used to her he don’t like to give her up.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What do you know about sentiment, you -swine?” I asked, fiercely. “I’ve a good notion -to whang you for your insolence.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A very fine spirit,” he commented, as though -to himself, as he walked ahead, “a very fine spirit -indeed, but guided by a fool. Here’s the ale-house -I spoke of, and the sooner we have a mug or two, -the better.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER II. <br /> <span class='fss'>CAPTAIN HOWARD</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>I might as well say in the beginning that, while -I have a sailor’s taste for liquor, I’m not especially -noted as a drunkard or spirit-wholloper. By the -latter I mean given to ruffianism or brawling while -under its influence. It is because of a naturally -refined and peaceful disposition that I am so constituted, -and I take no glory on that account. It -is nonsense to suppose all sailors ruffians and all -tales of the sea coarse, because some swabs have -found that the hand of a knowing mate or skipper -lies heavy upon an empty pate. The story of many -voyages on American ships is gentle and uneventful -as the daily run of a lady’s carriage. For evidence, -read their logs. We entered the den of our -little ferret-faced companion, and had no sooner -sat at a table to order the ale than I was aware -of the tall, dour man who had followed us from -the pier-head. My second mate was too much taken -up with the inmates of the place to notice anything -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>else. I might as well confess Richards was a very -pious fellow, and it must have been much against -his wish to have been where he was. The tall man -paid little attention to him, but looked at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He did not come into the room, but stood in the -doorway, his fierce eyes fixed upon my face, and -his long, drooping moustache hanging below his -jowls, giving him a most sinister appearance. Our -companion appeared not to perceive his presence -at first, and only when he tilted his mug and threw -his head back did his weasel eyes seem to fall in -with those of the stranger.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come in, you terrier!” I cried. “Come in and -have a mug to soak your whiskers in. Sink me, -but barbers must be scarce around here. Soldier -o’ the guard, hey? No one but a Voltigeer-r-r o’ -the guard-r-rd would wear such hangers.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Young man,” said the stranger, quietly, “your -language is rather unseemly, and should not be -applied to one of the cloth. Hark ye! I am a man -of peace, sir. I am Richard Raymond, chaplain -of the <i>Guerrière</i> frigate. I never indulge.” He -raised a lean, sinewy hand and shook his head -gently at the proffered ale.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“May the devil seize me if you ain’t the holy -joe I’m looking for!” I cried. “Sit down, man, -sit down.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not in such a place. I but came to plead with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>you not to fill yourself with that liquid. It is ruinous.” -Here he looked across the room where the -proprietor was attending to a group of sailors who -were about a table. “It is ruinous, I say, and -here I implore you not to drink too much. As -a man of God, I ask you, and the chaplain of the -<i>Guerrière</i>,” and he raised his eyes aloft and clasped -his hands as if in prayer. I now noticed his clothes -were somewhat clerical in cut, though shabby. At -this moment, a buxom maid brought some fresh -mugs, foaming full, and I tossed her a piece of -money. She looked at me and smiled, saying something -I failed to understand. Then casting a look -at the tall man in the door, she laughed and went -her way.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“And why not on the frigate now?” I asked -Mr. Raymond, who still seemed to be absorbed -in prayer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Lost, man, lost!” said my little companion, -taking a fresh mug. “Don’t you know she was -lost?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I cried, “what difference? Should a -holy man desert his ship any the sooner for being -holy, hey? Answer me that. Why didn’t you get -lost in her? Sink me, but I like a man who will -do something more than talk for the good of a -soul. I like a bit o’ sacrifice now and again to show -the meaning true. I’d like to see our friend drink -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>this mug of ale to save me from the devil, for, if -he’ll drink it, I vow I’ll not buy another for myself.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Deliver us from evil,” moaned Raymond. “Oh, -Henry, I couldn’t do it,” and his eyes rolled up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“So your name is Henry, is it?” I asked my -little companion.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He looked queerly at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Why didn’t you say so before?” I asked, -roughly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You never asked me,” said he. “The chaplain -has known me many years.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I cried, rising and advancing upon Mr. -Raymond, “you’ll either drink this ale or get it -in the face, for I’ll not be badgered by every hairy -heaven-yelper I run against. Drink!” and I held -the mug toward him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>His fierce eyes gleamed curiously, and he reached -for the tankard. Then he raised it to his lips, and -the long moustache was buried half a foot in the -foam. When he let it down it was empty. The -next instant something crashed against my head, -and I saw many stars. Then came a blank. It must -have been some minutes before I came to, and, -when I did, I found myself lying upon the floor -with my Mr. Henry and the barmaid wiping the -blood from my face. The tall man had disappeared, -and I struggled to my feet, my head whirling. -Upon the floor lay pieces of the mug.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>“Did that sky-pilot do it?” I asked, feebly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry grinned.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ah, ah, pauvre garçon, pauvre, pauvre--what -eet is, boy? Pauvre boy. C’est poar boy, poar -boy,” said the stout girl, wiping my clothes gently -and laying a hand on my shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The effect of a little sympathy was strange, especially -from a woman.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Never mind,” I said, taking her hand from -my shoulder and holding it a moment. “Get some -fresh ale. There is no damage done. If that fellow -was a man of peace, I should not like to come across -his breed as man of war. Sit down, you son of a -fox,” I continued to Henry, “and let’s have your -yarn, and if I see you so much as grin, this shop -will be unlucky.” We drew up again to the table.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I should think,” said Richards, “you have had -your say long enough now, and would listen to -reason. Steady yourself and get back into some ship -before you get in jail. I don’t care any more for -the hooker you just left than you do, and wouldn’t -go back in her if there was any other vessel wanting -hands.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I feel flattered at your attentions, my dear -Peter,” said I. “It is good of you to follow me -to take care of one so young. My morals are pretty -bad, and I need a nurse.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“That is certain,” said the sailor, with conviction -that angered me not a little.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Richards’s manner was a bit trying to me at all -times when I wanted to have a say, and this time -I lost patience. Yet, when I thought of it afterward, -I saw a steady head would have kept me out -of much trouble. He was a perfectly balanced man. -He would neither lose his head with joy, nor sink -with despair at some seeming desperate trouble. -He had learned this by experience, and his steady -eyes were not those of a dullard. He felt as much -as any one, as I soon learned when I gave him the -sharp edge of my tongue. He was not a large man, -but rather small and wiry. His size, I often thought, -had governed his actions, for aboard ship a small -man cannot talk too loud. Since he had served -with me, I had reason to believe his body had little -to do with his mind.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Peter,” I said, acidly, “I’m looking for a ship. -Will you go along in her with me?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That I will,” he said, but I thought he was -simply falling into my trap to gain time.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Then, my weasel,” said I, turning to Mr. Henry, -“you have two bully boys at your tow-line, for, sink -me, I’ll hold my mate to his word if I ship in nothing -better than a West Indian sugar-boat. Sail in, -my bully. Let’s have the old tune I’ve heard so -often.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Henry drew up his chair and gloated over us. -We were two good enough men to tempt any sort of -crimp, but, on account of my size, he addressed -himself to me as the leader. I have always had this -happen when there were others around, but I take -no especial note of it, for it was nothing that I was -a well-put-up man. I had nothing whatever to do -with my birth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You see,” said he, “I don’t make any bones wot -I’m up to. I’m after men sech as you an’ me. My -father were a Yankee sailor, though my mother -were sech as I have to break the commandment wot -arguefies for a long life every time I think of her.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You can honour her memory by keeping her -name off your tongue,” I growled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Perhaps so,” he assented; “maybe, but she were -hung right here in this town, and her property -taken, so that’s why I’m lookin’ out fer men wot’s -men. I get ten shillings a head per sailormen, an’ -I stands in with the crowd. No shanghai business -with me. It don’t pay. Why should a man ruin -his business just to shanghai one or two men who -will turn against him as soon as they come back, -hey? A matter o’ a pound or two an’ a good name -fer fair dealin’ gone. Oh, no! I don’t run fer bad -ships. I only takes the clippers, an’ I give handsome.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the hooker’s name?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>“That’s just what I’m coming to if you’ll only -say the word to go in her. They want a mate, and -they’ll pay a big whack for a good man.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Name, you wolf,” I repeated, draining my mug. -“Give the name, or pay for this ale and clear.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll take you to her--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He was interrupted by the entrance of a small -man who strode quickly into the room and sat at -once in an empty chair near the door. As the newcomer -entered, Henry half-rose and saluted, receiving -a slight nod of recognition in return.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who’s your friend?” I asked, gruffly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sh-h! not so loud,” and he scowled at me. -“That’s Captain Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who the saints is Captain Howard? Can he -drink ale?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wouldn’t ask him if I were you. He’s not -a man of peace,” and he looked at me slantwise.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I see,” I answered, and I looked the stranger -over carefully. He was quite small in stature and -his face was pale. His hands were soft, white, and -effeminate-looking. Upon one finger a huge diamond -sparkled. Just then he turned his gaze to -meet mine, and I must admit his eyes gave me quite -a turn. They were as glassy and expressionless as -those of a fish. His whole smooth face, in fact, -seemed to express nothing but vacancy. I had never -seen a human face so devoid of expression. There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>was hardly a line in it save about the drooping corners -of his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He don’t look dangerous,” I said, with a chuckle. -“However, I’m not hunting trouble, and, if you -think he’ll be offended at my acquaintance, he can -go without it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He’s related to the great English house,--them--them -ar’stocrats, ye know. That’s the way -he’s got the king’s pardon.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Pardon for what?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He glanced sidewise at me with that ferret look -upon his face. “You’ve heard, sure? No? Well, -then, that’s the skipper that held up the <i>Indian -Prince</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then I remembered well enough. He was the -little fellow with the pirate crew that had held up -the big East-Indianman in the China Sea some -years back. It was he who took the treasure and -squandered it in mad riot in the streets of Singapore, -and defied the authorities. Here, indeed, was -the man feared by both whites and savages of the -Eastern seas, sitting in this little ale-house as unconcerned -as though nothing unusual had happened -to excite curiosity. I was so taken up looking at -him and wondering at his foul crimes that he had -received and drunk off his liquor before I realized -what had happened. As he left, I seized my mug -and drank it.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>“Come along,” I said. “Show me your ship,” -and Mr. Henry paid the score and started for the -door, while I followed. As I reached it, I turned -to see what Richards would do, but he was game.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here comes your nourse, sonny,” he said. “I -was paid off yesterday, and don’t mind a change -if it’s for better,” and he looked so serious that I -burst out laughing.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER III. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE BARQUE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Henry led the way through the streets until we -came to the anchorage basin beyond the docks. He -was talkative enough, but my head ached from the -blow I had received from the man of peace, and -I paid little attention to the fellow’s words.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We passed a large American ship that had been -captured by the English during the war and sold. -She loomed up grandly from the small craft lying -near, her long, tapering masts still showing the unmistakable -Yankee rigging, and her yards having yet -a vestige of the white American cloth which has -since been a pleasant feature of all our craft. Her -paint was worn off, however, and upon her decks a -mongrel crew chattered away like a pack of monkeys. -I halted a moment and looked at her in disgust.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What ship is that?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The <i>Independence</i> of Boston. She were taken -by the English line ship <i>St. Marys</i> off Cape St. -Roque. She were stove up some. See that big -piece spliced into her stern where she was shot -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>away. Her mainyard’s fished in two places. Took -two whole broadsides to fetch her to, they say. -That trim-lookin’ craft beyond her is the one we’re -headin’ fer,--the one laying head on with the -foreyards cockbilled.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We went toward the vessel indicated, and I soon -saw what indeed appeared to be a fine craft. She -was large, probably five hundred tons, but she was -barque rigged, with her mainmast stepped well aft. -Her foreyards were lifted to starboard and her main -were braced to all angles, giving her the appearance -of having been suddenly deserted by her crew after -making port. Upon the spars the white canvas -lay bent and furled, the clews standing out a foot -or two clear of the bunt, and the gaskets hove in -taut as brass bands. Her black sides showed a -good freeboard, but I thought little of this, as nearly -all vessels bound to the westward were going pretty -light at that time. She was coppered, and the top -band was a good half-fathom clear of the water. -She was pierced for six guns on a side, and had -several more ports painted along the bulwarks on -the main-deck, as was the custom of the day. At -a distance she might have been taken for a vessel -of twenty or more guns. Her build was English, -but her rig was Scandinavian, and I noticed her -poop was painted white everywhere except on deck, -after the Yankee fashion.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>Three heavy boats were slung amidships on -booms. Forward of these a galley was built or -lashed upon the deck, and from its window appeared -the black head of an African. We went close to -the water’s edge and Henry hailed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Th-war-bull-yah! Ahoy!” he bellowed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s her name?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ha-Yah-Wah, ahoy!” he bellowed again in -answer, and the nigger in the galley waved a white -rag in reply.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“May the sharks eat me, you dock wrastler, but -that’s a queer name for a fine ship! How do you -call her?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He’s comin’ now,” said Henry, with a grin. -“Names is mostly just sounds, an’ furrin sounds -is just like others, only different. We’ll go aboard -her, and you can see the old man an’ settle with him. -Don’t be afraid o’ high pay. He’ll give it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a few minutes a boat left the barque from the -side opposite us, where it had been out of sight. -It rounded under her stern and came toward us, -with the nigger standing aft sculling with the peculiar -swing of the Bahama conch. He landed almost -at our feet, and Henry motioned me to jump aboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ole man aboard, hey?” asked Henry, stepping -in after me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yassir, disha boat just done taken him abo’d. -He’s done expected mos’ all han’s afo’ dis.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>“Well, take us over,” said Henry, and he settled -himself heavily upon a thwart.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a short time we were alongside. We clambered -up a long hanging ladder amidships, and then over -the rail to the main-deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we did so a venerable, white-haired old fellow -stepped out of the cabin door and greeted us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry took off his cap and bowed with uncommon -civility.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Captain Watkins, allow me to make known -Mr.--Mr.--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Heywood,” I suggested.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mr. Heywood,” continued Henry. “He is the -best mate in Havre, an’ is just off the American -ship <i>Washington</i>. I knowed you wanted a good -mate, so I brought you the best in town.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old fellow held out his hand gravely, and -said how glad he was to make my acquaintance.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I am just looking for a good navigator, and -if you’ll come at my terms, I’ll reckon we’ll deal.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I suggested that the terms be made known.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I reckon on thirty pound a month is all -I allow just now. Will you consider that?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>As this was five times as much as any mate I -had ever heard of received, I told him I would -consider the matter closed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“An’ your friend, here. I take it he is an American, -too,--an’ a sailorman from clew to earring.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>Richards looked at him steadily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You are a right smart of a guesser, Mr. Watkins,” -said he. “I was second in the <i>Washington</i>, -but I’ve been in better ships.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The insolence of old Peter calling the captain -mister was almost too much for me. Here was a -chance of a lifetime. I turned upon him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If you are going to act foolish with one drink -of ale, just for a chance to back down, you better -get ashore,” I snapped.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ve seen many men more sensible drunk than -you are sober, Heywood,” said he, looking calmly -at me, “but I’ll not back down.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Will you accept the same terms?” asked the -old man, kindly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Richards looked at him in scorn. Then he spat -on the white deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll go,” said he, and Captain Watkins turned -to me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There is no grog served aboard, and no swearing -on this ship, Mr. Heywood,” said he. “I am -an old man, as you see, and wish my crew orderly -and quiet. Do you wish to stay aboard at once?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I said I would just as soon turn to at once. The -rate of pay fairly frightened me, and I was afraid -if I went ashore he might get some one else in my -place. The appearance of the barque was much in -her favour. Her decks were as white as holystone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>could make them, and her gear was all new and -carefully selected. Such lines seldom found place -upon any ships save men-of-war, and her blocks, -with polished brass pins and sheaves, were marvels -to me. I stood idly pulling a topsail brace with -one hand and looking up at the fine rigging, while -Henry talked of his tip for bringing me. Even -the sheer-poles were polished brass. The old fellow -finally led us below, and handed Henry a small -gold piece, and then offered me a few pounds in -advance, requesting me to sign a receipt for the -same. This I did, and then Henry left, shaking -me heartily by the hand as he went over the side. -I returned his grip, for I felt he had indeed been -my friend.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may take the port room there, Mr. Heywood, -and put your things shipshape as soon as -Henry gets them off your vessel. If the second -or third mate comes aft to see me, don’t fail to call -me,--er--er, you know I’m quite without officers, -sir, but will probably have both them and a crew -aboard soon. The papers have not been made out -yet, but I believe I have your receipt for your advance. -Witnessed by Henry, it will do, I suppose, -but I am not afraid of you, Mr. Heywood. You -don’t look like a man to take advantage of a ship’s -generosity.” Then he went aft, and I went to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>port room. It meant that I was first mate, and I -opened the door with a high heart.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was nothing at all in the stateroom save -an old clay pipe and a twist of tobacco. The bunk -was bare, and I sat upon the edge of it speculating -upon my good fortune. Finally I lit the pipe and -smoked. The smoke wreaths rolled upward, and, -as I watched them, I built many pleasant things in -the future.</p> - -<p class='c001'>How long I dreamed I don’t know, but it was -quite late in the afternoon when I heard a hail from -the shore that sounded like Henry’s. I went on -deck and met the nigger coming from the galley -to the boat. I noticed what a strapping buck the -fellow was, and he saw me watching him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Disha hooker’ll have er crew soon. Yassir, -she will dat,” said he, grinning and showing a row -of teeth almost as pointed and white as those of -a shark. Then he climbed over the rail, and was -soon sculling to the shore, where I saw Henry and -two men waiting.</p> - -<p class='c001'>They came aboard and were ushered into the -cabin by the venerable skipper, whom I had awakened.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“This is Mr. Martin,” said Henry, introducing -the first one with the air of a man presenting a lord. -The fellow pulled off his hat and squared his shoulders, -and then looked somewhat disturbed by this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>mark of respect. He was clean shaven, with a great -broad head set upon an enormous pair of shoulders. -He was short but powerfully built, and his bright -eyes were restless. He was no drunken ship-rat, -but a strong, healthy sailor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mr. Martin, it gives me pleasure to meet you, -sir. As I understand you wish to sign as second -mate, I present you to Mr. Heywood, the first -officer,” and he nodded to me with a graceful sweep -of the hand. He had evidently forgotten Richards, -but I did not feel inclined to remind him at that -moment.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow looked at me and scowled, at the same -time nodding. This sort of thing was more than -he had expected. Then he broke forth in broad -Scotch that he would sign or go ashore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Would twenty pound a month do you?” asked -the skipper, wistfully.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow did not understand. The amount -probably dazed him. Captain Watkins repeated the -offer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Weel an’ guid! weel an’ guid!” he cried, slapping -his stout leg. “Let’s have a squint o’ th’ -goold.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I shall be glad to hand you a few pounds at -once in advance,” said the old skipper. “Please -sign this receipt for four pounds,” and so saying, -he produced the money.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>The fellow put it in his clothes and signed the -paper at once.</p> - -<p class='c001'>His companion stepped up. He was a Swede and -blond. His blue eyes were bleary with liquor, and -the old man looked at him and shook his head sadly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No drinkin’ and no swearin’ aboard here, my -friend--er--er--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Anderson,” said Henry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No drinking here, Mr. Anderson. If you’ll -accept fifteen pounds a month and three pounds in -advance, just scratch off a receipt and we’ll finish -up and have dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>This was done and the two men saw Henry over -the side, giving him, as I had done, a good tip for -his kind interest in getting them such fine berths. -Then the big nigger cleared the table and brought -in a very <a id='corr26.17'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='substanial'>substantial</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_26.17'><ins class='correction' title='substanial'>substantial</ins></a></span> meal, at which the captain and -we mates fell to.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was not a little astonished at the appearance of -Richards. He was all cleaned up and wore a scarf -tied under his newly shaved chin. He was always -neat in appearance, but here he was, without anything -apparently to tog out with, all rigged as fine -as though he were going ashore. His smooth face, -sunburned and lined as it was from exposure, seemed -to tell of much hardship in the past. He was a -solemn-looking fellow at best, and to see him togged -out in this shape, with his hands washed and old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>clothes brushed, was strange. He took his place at -the table without a word.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You see,” said Captain Watkins, looking at me -with his sharp eyes, “I believe in the equality of -all men.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I nodded, for it was not often the mates and -sailors of a ship had a chance to eat in the forward -cabin of a vessel, especially together. The Scotchman, -Martin, eyed the old fellow narrowly. We -could not all be mates.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“One man’s as good as another, and sometimes -even better,” said Richards, softly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That’s it. Even a black man is as good as a -white one. Some people don’t think so, but I know -it’s so,” said the skipper.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ve seen some I thought better,” said Richards, -helping himself to a piece of boiled meat, “but it -don’t keep people from jerking them up for slaves -when they get a chance.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have known slavers,” said the old man, gently, -“but they are a rough set and capable of any -crime. On our last voyage one of those fellows -wanted to visit me during a calm, but I was afraid -of him and warned him away. A desperate-looking -set they were.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Must have frightened you badly,” sneered -Richards.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old skipper looked at the sailor. There was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>something like sadness in his voice as he answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m of a somewhat timid nature, but cannot -help it. I cannot stand seeing poor coloured folk -made to suffer. You will know me better after you -have sailed with me for a voyage.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I thought I saw just the glimmer of a smile -around the corners of his mouth as he said this, -and looked for some reply from my talkative mate. -Richards made no further remark, and the conversation -turned to more sailor-like topics.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We talked rather late, as the skipper was most -fatherly in his manner, and, when the fellow Martin -suggested he would go ashore and get his dunnage, -it was found that Henry had taken the boat -without the nigger, and had not sent it back aboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It is of no great consequence, I hope,” said -Watkins. “You two, Mr. Heywood and Richards, -may turn in the port room; you, Mr. Martin and -Mr. Anderson, to starboard, and perhaps in the -morning I can let you have the day ashore.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then we separated. Richards and I tossed a coin -to see who would get the bunk, and I won. I arranged -my coat for a pillow and soon fell asleep, -leaving my roommate to shift for himself on the -deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Once or twice during the night I thought I heard -stealthy footsteps overhead, and once it seemed to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>me that the barque was heeling over a bit. Finally -I was awakened by a loud banging at my door, and, -springing up, found it was broad day. Then it -suddenly dawned upon me that the barque was under -way.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Opening the door, I found a strange fellow scowling -at me. He was dressed as a common sailor -and was a bit drunk.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It is just as well to start discipline right aboard -a ship, thought I, so I hitched my trousers’ belt the -tighter before sailing in to show how an American -mate whangs the deviltry and liquor out of a foreign -skin when aroused from pleasant dreams. I -noticed the absence of Richards, but thought he had -already turned out for duty. Then I accosted the -fellow and asked softly what he wanted.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What cher doin’ in my room, yer bloomin’ -swine?” he howled. “Git out an’--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had stopped him with a right swing on the jaw, -and the next instant we were loping about that cabin -in fine style. In a moment there was a rush of feet, -and something crashed on my head. Then followed -stars and darkness.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER IV. <br /> <span class='fss'>SHANGHAIED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>When I came again into this world, I found -myself lying in a dark, dirty hole of a forecastle. -There was not a man there, but, as I looked over -the empty berths, I saw plenty of clothes and bedding, -which gave evidence of a full crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Getting to my feet, I found my head sorely cut -and bruised, and wondered what had happened. A -throbbing pain across the eyes did little to aid my -thoughts, and, while I stood holding to the ladder -down which I had been flung, the scuttle above me -was thrust back and the fellow Martin started down.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Aha!” he said when he saw me, “’twas a guid -wan ye got ain yer haid. A clout will do ye na -harm, ye thievin’ trixter, ye deceivin’ rascal. Now -I’ll give you one for ald lang syne, an’ teach ye -better to deceive a honest mon ag’in.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>While talking, he turned back the sleeves of his -jumper and made ready to carry out his threat. -He saw I made no movement, however, and hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>“Defend yairself, mon, defend yairself. Do not -let me whollop yer like a babe,” and he advanced -toward me with his hands before him in some very -fair style.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“See here,” I said, “what the mischief has happened? -What are you driving at? I’ve played -no trick, but it looks like some one has played a -trick on me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ah, na backslidin’, ye corward, na backslidin’! -Yer can’t fool a canny sailormaun that way. Put -yer hands before yer ugly face, or I’ll whollop ye -like er babe.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m not afraid of your wholloping, Scotty. Let -me get a turn about my head a bit, and pull this -ragged shirt off. Wonderful clean fo’castle this. -No drunks, no filthy dunnage overhauled, no--what -infernal ship is this, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He saw I was not joking. Indeed, my appearance, -as his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, -put joking aside, and my last remark about the -vessel was true.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He dropped his hands and stared at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ware ye sure rung in like the rest? Waren’t -ye in the game?” Then he burst into a hoarse laugh -and held out his hand. At that minute the tramp -of feet sounded overhead, and a half-score of men -came clattering down the companion-ladder.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was a mixed crew,--Norwegians, Swedes, dagoes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>and Dutchmen,--but all with the unmistakable -swing of the deep-water sailor. They stared -at me, and then started a gabble of language that -in my disturbed condition I failed to understand. -They crowded around me and asked questions, and -I noticed Anderson eyeing me suspiciously. Then -Martin, with a sweep of his hand, cut them off, -and began telling how I came aboard. When he -was through with his flowery description of Henry, -I noticed several men shake their clenched hands -aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” said I, “I’m the mate, and I guess I’ll -go aft and find out who rapped me over the head. -Some fellows in the other watch, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>They burst into derisive laughter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We’re all mates and captains here,” sung out a -big Norwegian addressed as Bill. “You better -turn in while you may, friend Heywood. You’re -in Henry’s watch, an’ the captain ain’t turned out -yet.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who’s the old man?” I asked, bewildered, and -thinking I must still be daffy from the crack on the -head.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ain’t seen him yet,” said several at once.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, what infernal hooker am I in, anyway?” -I asked Martin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“They call her <i>The Gentle Hand</i>, but there ain’t -na name painted on her. Some says she’s the <i>Fly-by-Night</i>, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>Howard’s old pirate barque, but that -canna weel be. She’s light. Not a hundred ton -below decks, an’ that’s mostly stores.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The <i>Fly-by-Night</i> was a cruising brig before -the first war with England,” I said. “It can’t possibly -be that old hooker. Besides, she was used -against the French by your General Braddock.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, when you find out just what we’ve gotten -into, coom an’ tell us,” said Martin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It had been slowly dawning upon me that I had -been the victim of a trick, and I felt in my pocket -for the advance I had received the day before. The -barque was under way, that was certain, but no one -seemed to know where she was bound, and, as I -fumbled through my clothes, Martin laughed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Twas guid money, Heywood, but ’tis gone. I -missed mine this morning. Maybe Anderson can -tell where it is,” and he grinned.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The money was gone. That was certain. Yet it -was no dream. I had received it fair enough. Feeling -anger and hatred for the trick upon me, I bound -up my head and went up the ladder to the deck to -have a look around. Several men called out to me -to have a care of the mate, but most of them were -busy arranging their belongings, quarrelling and -fighting among themselves over the possession of -what clothes happened to be common to the crowd. -I saw Martin steal a pair of tarpaulin trousers from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>a fellow who was wrestling with the sailor Bill for -the possession of a bag of straw bedding. Then -I stepped on deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The cool air did me good. I went to the rail -and looked over. The barque was going steadily -to the southward with every rag set. She was heeling -but gently, and there was little wind or sea. -She was braced a bit to starboard, her port tack -aboard, and by her trimming I saw she was under -English officers. Every yard just in line with its -fellow, from the big main to the little royal that -crossed a good hundred and seventy feet above the -sea. Far away to the eastward showed the even -outline of the French coast, and between us many -sails strung along the band of blue, their hulls either -just below or rising above the horizon’s line. The -day was fine and the easterly breeze gentle, and the -barque was swinging easily along.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I looked aft and saw men of the mate’s watch -at work setting up the backstays in the main-rigging, -and some on the mizzen topsail-yard, apparently -under the direction of Richards, serving a -worn foot-rope. The canvas covers were off the -guns, and a dozen bright twelve-pounders of polished -brass shone in the sunlight. The white deck -beneath and the varnished spars above made a pretty -picture, and I grew warm to think that I was not -indeed the mate of such a craft. They had played -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>a fine trick on me to get me aboard sober and without -compulsion, signing a receipt for an advance -equal to a couple of months’ ordinary wages. There -were plenty of sailors about the pier-heads, for the -war had turned many adrift without means of getting -a ship, and there seemed to be no reason why -these fellows should try their land-shark game in -getting a crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As I looked aft it dawned upon me that these -men were much better than the ordinary run of -common sailors. There was something in the fellow’s -walk I now saw crossing the deck that spoke -of the war-ship. Even the watch I had just seen -below were remarkably rough and tough specimens -of a rugged humanity.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While I stood there taking in the scene, I saw a -man come from aft and walk to the break of the -poop. He looked over the barque carefully, and -as his gaze came down the fore-rigging it stopped -upon me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He was dressed something after the manner of -a preacher, with black cloth coat and stock, and his -hair was cut short. As I took his figure in, there -was little difficulty in recognizing Richard Raymond, -the man of peace. He beckoned me to come -aft, and, as I did so, he removed the huge drooping -moustache he had been wearing and tossed it over -the side.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>“I reckon you know me now, Heywood,” said -he, “though it’s been over six years since we parted. -I wanted you on this voyage, and took some pains -to get ye. That was the old man who welted ye -over the head. I’m sorry for it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was Hawkson, sure enough. I recognized him -easily now in spite of his gray hair and older look. -How I failed to recognize him at first even in his -disguise puzzled me. We had made the cruise in -the <i>Petrel</i> together, and had served on the man-of-war.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, you’ve got me fast enough, though you -played a mean trick getting me. Now what’s the -game?” said I.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old privateersman smiled, and his jaws -worked as though muttering to himself. His face -creased into ugly lines about his large mouth, and -he showed his teeth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m first officer here. That fellow Gull you -fouled this morning is second. Remember this first -and the rest’ll come easy. Henry is third mate, -and I hear them say that you’re to be made gunner. -How’s that?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who’s them?” I asked, somewhat nettled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Them’s us, sonny. The old man, the two gentlemen -aft, myself, and the rest.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Where are we bound for, and what’s the hooker’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>name? It’s all well enough to be cribbed aboard -a ship, but I’m going to find out what’s the game.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We’re bound for the South Pacific; that’s all -clear as mud, an’ we’ve got a picked crew because -the business in hand needs honest men.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I bow to myself,” I answered. “It’s well to -know.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What more do you want, hey? Go forrads an’ -turn in, an’ I’ll square ye with the fellow Gull. -Don’t let them see me talkin’ too much with ye, -sonny, or I’ll have to forget the past for the needs -o’ the present. You’re aboard a fine ship.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I answered, “that’s all good enough, but -I would like to know her name and who’s her skipper,--and -what’s more, I’m going to find out right -away.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson’s eyes glinted with that light I knew -so well meant danger, and his ugly mouth worked -nervously.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Perhaps you’d care to go aft and interview the -captain about it,” said he, with his drawl. “He’s -a gentleman every inch, and will be a revelation to -ye after them packets you’ve sailed in. Suppose -you lay aft and make out your own case. You -were always an obstinate youngster, but I reckon -since you’ve been mate your head’s swelled worse’n -ever.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I knew Hawkson to be one of the most dangerous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>men afloat when aroused, but about this time I was -not exactly a lambkin myself. A man does not -become mate of a western ocean packet with anything -lamblike in his make-up, unless it is by accident -for one voyage. I was not quarrelsome, but -resented with righteous indignation the manner in -which I had been kidnapped in broad daylight without -even being under the influence of liquor. The -simplicity of the whole affair maddened me, and -not even the fellowship of Martin and Anderson -or others in the list of victims detracted one jot -from the implied lack of ordinary precautions and -common sense. I started up the weather side of -the poop to go aft, and I noticed several fellows to -leeward looking at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Go to lor’ard,” growled Hawkson, fiercely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>But I paid no attention, and was half-way up the -steps when a man came up the after companion -and walked toward me. As he reached the deck -and turned before I had gotten up, I stopped short, -looking at him. It was Captain Howard, the pirate.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER V. <br /> <span class='fss'>IN THE FO’C’SLE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>I will admit my zeal abated a trifle when I met -the captain’s gaze, but I was not much afraid of -any man, so up the ladder I went and toward him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He saw me approaching and stopped. Then he -demanded in a high voice from Hawkson what I -wanted and why I was allowed up the weather side -of the quarter-deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He’s a bit daffy, sir,” said Hawkson, touching -his cap. “That crack on the pate you gave him has -turned his burgoo case. He’ll be all right soon, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Daffy or not,” said I, “I want to know what -ship I’m in and where she’s bound,--and I’m going -to find out.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The ugly face of Captain Howard was inscrutable. -His glassy eyes like those of some reptile -were fixed upon me. His thin, hooked nose appeared -like the beak of an albatross. He took off -his hat and bowed to me politely, saying:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It will give me great pleasure to listen to you, -sir.” I noticed his poll was as smooth and hairless -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>as the sole of my foot, only a red seam that -stretched from the crown to his left ear wrinkled -its bronzed roundness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I said, more mildly, “I would like to -find out what ship I’m in and where she’s going.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Were you drunk, sir, when you came aboard -her?” he asked, calmly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I was not,” I answered, warmly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Were you blind?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, then, you have permission to look about -you, and, if you’re the sailor you claim to be, you -will perceive this is a barque. She is called the -<i>Gentle Hand</i>. She is bound for the South Atlantic.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“But I shipped as mate of her,” I stammered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That is manifestly impossible. Mr. Hawkson -has been mate of her for some time. That was -probably a little joke of Watkins, the steward.” -Here he threw up his head and burst into a rattling -laugh, his mouth slightly open, but his face otherwise -unmoved.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He, he, he!” he rattled, “you’ll be a mate fast -enough,--a gunner’s mate. And, if that don’t -suit you, Mr. Hawkson will introduce you to the -gunner’s daughter. Go forward now and remember -that if you come on the weather side of the -quarter-deck while I’m here, I’ll write my name on -you with a hot iron. Do you see? Ho, ho, ho! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>That Watkins is a tricky knave and you have my -permission to manhandle him. There he is now. -Breakfast--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>As he spoke, the venerable old scoundrel emerged -from the door of the forward cabin, and, standing -upon the poop step, announced that the morning -meal was ready. There was little left for me but -to get forward. The “gunner’s daughter” on that -ship I knew was the sinister name applied to the -breech of one of the guns, and an introduction consisted -of being held over it with a naked back, while -a sailor cut the victim to ribbons with a cat-o’-nine-tails.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As the old rascal Watkins stood there announcing -breakfast, he recognized me and grinned.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It isn’t well to laugh early in the morning,” -I said, as I went past him. The captain went below, -and I stopped on the last step of the poop-ladder. -“For sometimes it’s rude.” Here I caught him a -cuff with the flat of my hand that sounded all over -the deck, knocking him a couple of fathoms toward -the main-hatch. A man to leeward laughed outright, -and even Hawkson chuckled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old fellow recovered himself, and his grin -was conspicuously absent as he came toward me -in a menacing manner.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now you trot along, Noah,” said I. “I’ll give -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>you one like that every little while until I find that -advance money back in my pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He stopped in front of me, and his mouth worked -nervously. His eyes seemed to disappear under -his shaggy brows, and his beard fairly bristled with -rage.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was a stout man among stout men, and he saw -there was little use speaking out loud. Then he -turned and went into the cabin, where Captain Howard -was bawling for him to bring his coffee.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Better have let the old man alone, Heywood,” -said Hawkson. “There’s a lot of trouble bottled -up in his old carcass.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I’m uncorking a few of my own,” I said, -“and if that second mate turns out while I have -my hands warm, there’ll be some more.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson chuckled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’re taking things rather hard, ain’t ye? -You’ll be mighty glad they took ye aboard the old -pirate before you’re through.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I said, “you’ve not answered my question, -and I’m going to find out a few things in -my own way. Piracy is nonsense these days, though -if there were such things, you’d be in them all right. -How did that skipper get command of this vessel, -anyway, and where is she headed for?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I told you we were bound for the South Atlantic. -Just where, you’ll find out by the time we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>get there. We’re to stop at Nassau to take the -owners aboard and then go ahead. That’s all there -is to it. Sailing to the Bahamas and then around -the Cape of Good Hope over to where the owners -want to go. That’s plain as mud, ain’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“How about the pay? Do you suppose I’ll go -for nothing?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The pay is good, no fear. You won’t lose anything. -Why, most of these fellows here have -shipped without knowing any more’n you do, so -what’s the use making trouble for yourself? It’s -a regular trading voyage. Just plain trading in -the Atlantic, an’ if we get the best of some trades, -why--so much the better for the owners and all -hands. The owners are all right, sonny, an’ they’ll -be here to settle.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, if you had only told me this,” I answered, -“I would probably have shipped anyhow, though I -don’t care about going forrard again.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That’s what I was afraid of, an’ the officers’ -berths were full. Three or four o’ the A. B.’s forrards -has been mates before. You’ll be all right -as gunner if you leave this after-guard alone. It’s -goin’ to take all your care now to clear Watkins. -He’ll kill you the first chance he gets.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Bah!” I said, turning to go.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson left me and went aft. I hesitated a -few moments, looking around to see if any one on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>deck had heard our talk, but there was no one near -enough, and those who saw us might have thought -the mate was giving me a reprimand for whanging -the old steward. Hawkson would be friendly in -a rough way, and I did not care for all hands to -know it. As I was in Mr. Gull’s watch, I had four -hours below before confronting that gentleman, -and I might as well take advantage of them, as my -head was very painful. Taking one more look over -the vessel and beyond where sunlight danced upon -the wrinkled blue surface of the ocean, I went to -the forecastle hatch and forthwith below. Here I -took possession of a bunk which the thoughtful -owners had cleaned and painted, and, announcing -my claim to the watch who had finished a late breakfast, -sat upon its edge and munched a piece of hard -bread.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I see ye whack the old duffer Watkins,” said -the fellow Bill. “What’d yer hit him for?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I told him, and looked at Martin to see if he -agreed to my accusations against the old rascal’s -honesty. He smoked in silence.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“D’ye know who Watkins is?” asked a big Finn -with a long black beard, “because if you don’t, -you’re apt to find out too late.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Do you know me?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow looked surlily at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“Because if you fellows down here don’t, some -of you will find out all of a sudden.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had noticed that they had left the mess things -lying about, as if awaiting something, and then I -had a grave suspicion that the something was myself, -whom they would delegate to clean up after -them. It was just as well to take the matter in -hand at the beginning, and if there was to be a -fracas to see who was to be the boss of that crowd, -the earlier the better.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The big Finn gazed at me, but said nothing, and -Bill seemed to size me up closely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who and what is that old swab, Watkins?” -I asked, suddenly turning upon Bill.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“They say he was mate with Howard when he -was a boy. Served thirty years for a few things -they did in the China Seas. Killed more’n forty -men.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I answered, “if some one had taken him -in hand before he’d killed the last thirty-nine, he -would have a better chance than he has now for -keeping out of the devil’s company. Now you get -hold of those mess things, William, and make the -Czar’s cousin here lend a hand. If you don’t, I’ll -make you wish Watkins was here to run this mess -when the watch is called.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Here I lounged back in my pew, finishing off -with a chunk of salt beef and a cup of cold water. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Afterward I lit a pipe and smoked complacently, -while keeping a lookout to see what the crowd would -do.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill was a fine specimen of the Norwegian sailor, -and he surveyed the mess things contemptuously -for a few minutes. Then he seized upon a stocky -little Dane, and bade him carry the things away. -The men, having finished, were talking and smoking, -sitting in their pews or upon the sea-chests the -more lucky happened to bring aboard. They saw -Bill’s move, and a murmur of disapproval ran -among them. Several pointed at me, but I smoked -in silence, feeling much better for having eaten something, -and recovered my usual strength and spirits. -In a few minutes we might be called on deck, perhaps, -to trim sail, but if not, the after-breakfast -smoke would be followed by an arranging of the -forecastle. The little Dane entered a loud protest -against his new duties, but Bill silenced him quickly -with an oath.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You do as I tell yer. I’ll settle with the Yank -later,” said he.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There’s no time like the present,” said I, putting -my pipe away and slowly rising out of my pew. -“I’m the high cock of this roost, and when I give -an order below here there needn’t be any settlement -called for. Peel off! Get ready, for I’m coming -for you, William.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>The loungers looked up, and Martin chuckled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Coom, coom, a fair fight, an’ may the best mon -win,” he cried. “Gie us room, laddies, gie us room. -I’ll back the Yank, mon, and, Anderson, ye knave, -ye’ll back yer Scandinavian.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill was not a coward, but he had the blood of -a peaceful race in his veins. He was very strong -and able, and he cursed me heartily, while I calmly -pulled off my upper garment. His fierce threats -only made me more determined to put him through, -for the more he swore the angrier he became, telling -plainly that the matter was not so greatly to his -taste.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As gunner or petty officer of any rank aboard ship, -it was absolutely necessary to make a clear start, in -order to avoid disagreements later. The weaker -must be made to act as cook for the mess, and there -was no help for it. It was the rule that had to be -established in the same old way.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin drew a line across the deck with a piece -of charred wood. I stepped up to it and placed the -toe of my left foot upon it and was ready. Bill -quickly swaggered up, and I landed like lightning -upon his jaw. He staggered back into the arms -of Anderson. Then he spit out a mouthful of blood, -and came at me with an oath and a rush.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VI. <br /> <span class='fss'>I BECOME “COCK OF THE WALK”</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>There was nothing brutal or rough in this encounter, -and, if it savours of the commonplace -sailor’s brawl, I can only say that such are the customs -on deep-water ships, and they must continue -through all time. Life at sea is not always gentle. -There is no use trying to make it so. It is nearly -always a fight against the elements, and the roughness -prevents the customs from becoming effete as -those of the drawing-room, where an easy tongue -and sarcastic wit does the hurting. This is said -to be refined and not brutal, but for my part I have -seen men more brutally and cruelly hurt by words -than by fists. A person with a weak stomach will -stand an uncommon lot of verbal brutality, but -when it takes a physical form, they shrink from it -and cry out that it is degrading. It is less degrading -than a vile tongue.</p> - -<p class='c001'>When Bill landed upon me, there was something -of a mix-up, and some short-arm work that might -have proved interesting to lovers of sport. We -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>were in pretty good training, and the thuds of our -blows sounded healthily through the little forecastle. -The men lounging in their pews and gazing complacently -at us, their bodies and legs well out of the -way, made a very appreciative audience and left the -deck perfectly clear. Their remarks were not always -well advised, for they clamoured loudly for -Bill to put the finishing touches to me, while I jolted -him repeatedly upon the side of his bullet-head.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Finally Martin and Anderson separated us for -a breathing spell, and I had a chance to look about -the room with the one eye left me for duty. Then -I noticed the companionway blocked by the forms -of two men who were somewhat remarkable in appearance. -They were dressed in the height of fashion, -and sat upon the topmost steps smoking and -looking interested. The younger was about my -own age, and good-looking, and his companion was -nearer middle age, with a face describing free living.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have your money on that first round,” said -the younger. “The Yank drew first blood,” and -he pulled forth a handsome gold watch and noted -the time.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Two to one he loses yet,” said the older man, -carelessly, as though it was of no consequence whatever.</p> - -<p class='c001'>That stirred something within me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Perhaps you would care for a turn,” I suggested, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>turning sharply at him. But he laughed -immoderately, and the younger man joined, slapping -his leg, crying:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll take you! I’ll take you!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>At that instant time was called by Martin, and -we went at it again.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There is no use going into the details of the finish, -but it will suffice to say that the American eagle -which was tattooed upon my breast had no reason -to blush. I was somewhat aroused by the unfriendly -tone of the Englishman above, and I jolted Bill -rather roughly upon the point of his jaw. It was -not viciously done, but at the same time I put a -bit of weight into my hand, and my heavily limbed -antagonist dropped to the floor. Anderson tried to -get him to start again, but he reeled as he reached -his knees and swayed hopelessly for a space. The -motion of the ship seemed to bother him also.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“My money! My money!” cried the younger -man above. “The Yank has him going.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was more than that, and I felt sorry for Bill. -He was out of it, and a heavy jolt might mean -something serious. I went to my bunk and began -to put my clothes on, while Martin cried for me -to wait. “I’ll give you a turn another time,” I -said, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No, no, he isn’t done for yet,” they all cried, -but I knew better.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>Poor Bill! He turned his face up, and I saw -his vacant eyes trying to grasp the situation. He -was game enough, and struggled to rise, swaying -to and fro like an unstayed topmast. The deck -would slant away from him and his hand would -reach out for support. Then the barque heaved a -bit to leeward, and he staggered, swayed, and then -pitched forward prone and lay still.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Pour water over him, mon, pour water over -him,” cried Martin, and Anderson sluiced the allowance -in the forecastle over the fallen man’s -head. Then they raised him and put him in his -pew, and, by the time I had finished dressing, he -was sitting up regarding me curiously.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now, William,” said I, “just as soon as you feel -better, you take hold of these mess things and get -them cleaned up and shipshape. Jorg there can lend -you a hand this morning, and, if he doesn’t bear -a hand, I’ll see what kind of skin they raise in -Finland.” And I nodded to the bearded fellow -who had chosen to question me regarding Watkins. -Then I settled myself for a nap, and tied a rag over -my bruised side-light, while I smoked and listened -to the discussions around me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The younger man who sat in the companion, and -who had backed me, now arose and stood twisting -the ends of his little blond moustache while he looked -down. His face was tanned a ruddy brown, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>I was not inclined to find fault with his looks. His -companion cursed his luck and Bill, his face almost -purple with anger and his black beard fairly bristling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll own I’ve lost, Sir John, but may the curse -of the vikings strike that lubber I backed,” he -growled. “One wouldn’t think there was so little -in such a big fellow. I thought Hawkson had a -picked crew, but, if that fellow Bill’s the best, they’re -a poor lot.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I think the Yank proved satisfactorily the Sou’wegian -isn’t the best man in the forecastle. Bill -is all right enough. Come along. They’ll be all -right for our business.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“And what is their business?” I asked Martin, -as they went aft. “Is it to come forrard and try -and get on a fracas for their amusement? For -if that’s their lay, I’ll see they get one before long -if they are passengers.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I hear they’re part-owners. The owners will -join at the islands. It’s themselves who are runnin’ -the vessel an’ expedition,” said the Scot.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, they strike me as a queer lot, and the -whole thing don’t seem regular. Here we are in -Howard’s old pirate barque, being tricked into signing -on. The old rascal is in command, although -he must be more than three-quarters of a hundred -years old. And here we sail away on an expedition -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>no one seems to know anything about except the -owners themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There ain’t any such thing as piracy in these -times, hey?” said Martin, and he looked at me -hard with his bright gray eyes, his whole broad -face showing plainly enough that he was more than -willing that there should be.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No, of course not,” I said. “How the deuce -could a barque like this turn pirate? She isn’t fast -enough, in the first place.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ye is wrong there. There ain’t anything afloat -that’ll go to windward o’ this craft. Good mon, -just look how she travels! Na, na, friend Heywood, -this be a trim ship for a robber, and we’re uncommon -well manned. Twenty men forrards, and -there’ll be nigh a dozen more aft, making up to -forty when we ship the owners. ’Tis a biggish -crowd fer a barque o’ five hundred ton. Now I’ve -been a peaceable man an’ mate o’ a dozen ships,--as -you yoursel’,--but I wouldna gie thruppence fer -me conscience should th’ owld raskil aft say th’ -word. Be you afeard, friend Heywood?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not of you, Watkins, or Howard himself,” I -answered, “but it’s all foolishness to think of dodging -men-of-war in these days. I’ve sailed in a man-o’-war -that would clean the South Sea of all floating -things in six months. It’s not that they’re after. -They’re up to some expedition among the islands. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>Maybe the scoundrel has treasure hid, and these -bloods are going out to hunt it. That’s more like -the lay of it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Maybe, maybe, friend Heywood, but even so I’m -that keen for the adventure, I’ll not stand for the -money they robbed us of, if there’s a chance to get -it back.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I’ll clear at the Bahamas if I get a chance, -unless they show me that advance I missed,” I said, -warmly, “and I’ll make that old scoundrel sorry -for some of his sins.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then we smoked in silence until Hawkson’s voice -bawled out for eight bells, and a rough-looking -Dutchman poked his head below and bellowed the -news, receiving an old sea-boot full in the face from -Martin for his pains.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The morning had passed rapidly enough, and although -tired and sore from the incidents of the past -few hours, I was not sorry to go on deck and get -a breath of fresh sea air.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VII. <br /> <span class='fss'>TWO KINDS OF HAND-SHAKES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Mr. Gull, the second mate, was already on deck -when we arrived, and I expected to continue our -pleasantries of the early morning. He looked hard -at us and said nothing, and then I knew Hawkson -had put in a word for me, for no second mate could -otherwise have resisted the temptation of taking it -out of an able-bodied seaman, no matter how able-bodied -he might be. I was informed shortly that -I was made gunner, and was henceforth in charge -of the barque’s battery to see that it was kept in -order. But there was no more room aft for any -more petty officers. Henry and Watkins occupied -the only remaining room, on account of the space -occupied by the passengers and their luggage. Jorg, -the Finn, I found was the carpenter, but he also -had to share the forecastle.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before going below, Hawkson summoned all -hands, and he and Gull went through the old form -of choosing the watches.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>“Bos’n,” said Hawkson, addressing Richards, -“you may muster the men aft.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ay, ay, sir,” said the man-o’-war’s man, and -he touched his cap with his hand like in the old -days aboard the frigate when I had seen him speak -to the officer of the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was something of a surprise to me, and also -to the rest, to find the man who had served under -me as second mate as bos’n of that crowd. It made -me think that perhaps I might dispute the position -with him, for I was a navigator and capable of -working the ship’s position to a fairly accurate -extent, and old Peter Richards was only a plain -able seaman. But I soon saw why he had been -chosen. He was a trained man and used to the -discipline of a fighting ship, and there were plenty -of navigators aft. He was very sober and quiet -in his manner this day, and I wondered at it, for -I was under the impression he had been fooled into -going aboard like the rest of us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“How is it, Peter,” I asked, as he came near -me, “are you going to give me my orders?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yes, and I advise you to obey them without -making trouble for yourself,” said he, quietly. -“You came into the ship with your eyes wide open. -Now stand to it. I told you I’d follow you and -take care of you.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He said the last part of his speech with just a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>suspicion of a smile lurking about the corners of -his mouth, and I was not in the humour to be -laughed at.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“All right, my cock,” said I, “if you are one -of the officers and know the destination of this -hooker, you will oblige me by telling me her port -of destination. If you don’t, I might be tempted -to argue the question with you. You are not pretty, -Peter, when you smile.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t think I would tackle you, Heywood,” -said he, looking sternly at me. “You’ve been -aboard a fighting craft, and know just what I’ll do -if you don’t turn to when I say. I don’t know any -more about this vessel than you do, except--well, -except that I wouldn’t have picked her out as a -choice of ships. If you had used your eyes before -you signed on, you could have seen she was something -irregular. Brace up and do what you’re told -until you find out what you’re in for.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then he went along to get the rest of the crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The men who had temporarily gone below to -get their morning meal, and who had remained -below as the port watch, were now lined up with -those on deck, and Hawkson began by choosing a -huge fellow named Jones. He was a big, burly, red-headed -Welshman. Then Gull chose Bill in spite -of his appearance. And so it went until each had -an equal number of men on a side, Jorg going into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>the starboard, and myself into the port watch, for we -were in the forecastle with the rest, while Richards -slung his hammock in Hawkson’s room. I started -on the forward guns, and spent the rest of the day -polishing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The weather was fine and it was exhilarating to -sit in the gun-port to windward and watch the -old barque go. The land had now entirely disappeared -to the eastward, and we were rapidly drawing -off.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The barque was very fast. With a breeze of -not more than twelve knots, she was running a full -nine knots, seeming hardly to disturb the smooth -sea. Her wake was clean, and only the steady pouring -of her bow-wave whitened her path.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I sat for hours rubbing the muzzles of the guns -with whale-oil and dust, and, as I did so, I watched -the flaking foam of the side-wash spread away with -its musical hiss and tinkle. Down deep in the blue -below a piece of weed now and then flashed past, -looking like an eel or snake as the sunlight wavered -upon it. It was a warm, lazy day, and I pondered -long upon the strange turn of fortune that had -suddenly placed me upon the old barque with her -sinister past and mysterious future. Here she was -all fitted out for a long voyage, but without any -cargo to speak of, and that little stowed in such -a manner that it was easy of access.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>I gazed aloft at the fine rigging, and noted how -well her canvas was cut. Every sail was fitted as -aboard a man-o’-war, and all her running gear was -of new hemp line of the finest grade, totally unlike -the loose laid stuff they used for clew-lines, bunt-lines, -leach-lines, and even braces aboard the ordinary -western ocean merchantmen. Hawkson had -the yards trimmed in a shipshape and seamanlike -manner, and the grease or varnish upon them -brought out the grain of the wood. They were -large for a vessel of five hundred ton. High above, -the mainroyal swung across a cloud-flecked zenith, -a small white strip, while beneath, in regular rotation, -stretched the t’gallantsail, topsail, and mainsail -into increasing size until across the main-yard -the distance must have been full seventy feet or -more.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The breeze hummed and droned under the foot -of the great mainsail, sounding restful and pleasant -with the easy roll of the vessel.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was thinking how easy it would be to desert the -ship at Providence Harbour, in the Bahamas, and -return to the States. It was but a few days’ run -from there to Savannah, and plenty of small vessels -would be bound over at this time of the year. It -was degrading to have to polish brass like a common -foremast hand. However, if I tired of it, I was -really only working my way home. That was the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>best way to look at it. But the thought of home -changed the half-formed purpose. What was there -in the name for me? Only a poor old mother -living in a bit of a house, with a negro girl I had -brought from Jamaica some years before. They -were dependent entirely upon me and the little -money I had saved to eke out an existence, the girl -doing all the work and caring for the aged mother. -If I went back, there would be only one more to -draw on the small hoard, and I might not get another -berth very soon. Here was a very proper ship, -rigged almost like a man-o’-war, and evidently -bound on some special mission. Perhaps there was -money to be made. At all events, there would be -little lost by staying in her, for the pay in American -ships was almost as poor as the English.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While I thought over these matters, I watched -the two passengers, who were lounging aft on the -quarter, smoking long clay pipes and drinking ale -from a tankard filled from a keg in the lazarette. -They certainly appeared well-to-do people, and, if -they were part-owners, there was little doubt from -their manners that they were used to living as gentlemen -of wealth and position.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill came down from aloft along the weather -main-rigging above me, where he had been fastening -chafing-gear on the backstays at the point the -topsail-yard would touch. He saw me gazing aft -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>while I rubbed, and he dropped somewhat ostentatiously -upon the deck to attract my attention.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Welcome, hey?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Of course,” I answered, holding out a greasy -hand. “Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I’ve no grudge, John,” said he. “You -licked me fair enough.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You haven’t come for another one?” I asked, -smiling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No,” he said, grasping my fingers in a tarry -grip, “no, I believe you’re all right. I youst wanted -to ask what you t’ought of the passengers. They -say they’re part-owners. Now, I’ve been in American -ships ten years and more, an’ I never t’ought -to go in a wessel not knowin’ youst where she’s -bound, did you?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“How did you come to ship in her?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh, I signed all right. I youst saw she was a -fine wessel an’ the pay good,--more’n a mate of -an old country wessel,--so I t’ought it all right. -Only I’d youst like to find out, friend John, where -she’s bound for,--I mean what port.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The first is Nassau, but we’re signed for some -place in the South Atlantic or Pacific, and unless -you’re going to cut and run, or make a pier-head -jump, you’ll land in some of the South Sea Islands -for certain,” said I. “Who got you to come -aboard?”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>“A little fellow youst like a fox,--Henry they -called him; he hasn’t been on deck yet much. I -t’ought he’d be a bit backward turnin’ out--There -he is now, comin’ out on the main-deck. If you -soak him one, I’ll stand by, for it would youst serve -him right, or if you youst stand by, I’ll attend to -it, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No use, Bill,” I answered; “there’ll be enough -of real sure fracases before we’re on the beach -again. Let him alone. It will only make trouble -aft, and then the whole after-guard will be for -putting us through. I’ll look out he don’t put his -face in the forecastle, but he’s third mate, and he -belongs aft. These vessels are not like American -ships. A fellow don’t take rating by his hands, -and if you whollop an officer it only means trouble. -I like your style, Bill, and, if there’s trouble, I’ll stick -close to you; but there won’t be any unless you -make it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill held out his big fist again and squeezed mine. -There was an honest look in his blue eyes I liked, -albeit they were pretty well draped in black from -the discipline of the early morning. We were -friends from that moment, and I never had cause -to regret that hand-shake.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry saw us looking at him and came forward. -He was afraid of nothing on a ship’s deck, and, -if he were a tricky little sea-wolf, he was as grim -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>as any in the forests of the New England shores. -He swung up his hand to his cap as he reached -me, but took no notice of Bill. I kept on rubbing -the breech of the gun and took no notice, for I was -still a trifle sore at the way he had treated me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mister Heywood, I saluted you, sir,” said -Henry, stopping.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“So you did,” I answered, “and it does great -credit to that mother of yours that your manners -are proper. I always return the salute of an honest -man, though it’s hardly necessary aboard ship, especially -merchant vessels.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now, see here, Heywood, what’s the use of -keeping up a grudge? I got you into a good ship, -didn’t I? And, if you ain’t mate, you’re gunner.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If I had a grudge, I would wring your neck, -Henry,” I answered, calmly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No fear, Hi say,” he answered, smiling, and -held out his hand. “Put ’er there and we’ll call it -even, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I held out my hand, for there was really little -use keeping up a bad feeling aboard. I might as -well see the joke and bear a hand with the rest. I -held out a greasy paw to signify all was well.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The next instant his long fingers, which I had at -first noticed on the pier, closed upon mine like a -steel vice, and I involuntarily cried out with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>pain. Such a grip! There was nothing human -about it, and I felt my bones cracking.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Let go!” I roared, and Bill sprang upon him -at the same instant.</p> - -<p class='c001'>But Henry grabbed his arm before he could -strike, and there we stood like two boys for an -instant, unable to move, with the keen-faced rascal -between us. Before either could strike with the -disengaged hand, Henry cast us loose with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t you try it,” he grinned, as he passed -forward.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER VIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>OUR BOS’N</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The bos’n of an English ship usually has eight -hours or more below, and the best part of four -watches on deck. This enables him to walk around -after the men and take charge during the time they -are at work and the navigator is unable to leave -the poop or quarter-deck. Yankee bos’ns, or fourth -mates, as we used to call them, were distinguished by -a rough, strong voice made raucous by hard usage. -Yelling and swearing at delinquent mariners, as -the shore folk put it, was supposed to be their principal -occupation, and to a certain extent the shore -folk were right. But Richards was not noisy. -Neither did he have the rough voice of the man-o’-war -bos’n. He was as gentle as any shore-bred -person, and even while he had served as second -mate under me, he had never been anything but -“Old” Richards,--old because he was so quiet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>When he took in hand the crew of that ship, -it made me smile to think of him tackling men like -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Bill, Jones, or myself. Yet there he was over us, -and it soon began to look like Hawkson knew what -he was about when he put him in charge.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the first place he had been used to discipline. -He had served on a war-ship for so long that he -seemed to know just what to do to get men to -work without getting afoul of them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There is an art in this. It is born in some, cultivated -in others, but absolutely impossible to define -in a way that might be useful to the great -majority, for it is a mixture of so many qualities, -so many different freaks and phases of temperament, -and generally so dependent upon chance for -its establishment, that it must be dealt with only -as a peculiarity happening in human beings at remote -intervals.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Richards had the one necessary quality to begin -with, and that was a really kind disposition under -his silent exterior. There was nothing offensive in -him, and, while he never seemed to attract any -one, he did not repel them. Magnetism he possessed -in abundance, but this quality is of small use -among men who have to be made to do things -which often result in death and always in discomfort.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Often he would sit and listen to the arguments -of the men, and they would sometimes appeal to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>him as judge, because he was so quiet and always -gave them an answer they could understand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What makes ye sa keen fer carryin’ on discipline, -friend Richards?” asked Martin, good-humouredly, -one evening as the watch sat or lounged -about the forecastle scuttle waiting to be called.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s not your country’s ship; why d’ye care? -Now a war-ship an’ a patriot I kin understand. I -was a patriot mysel’.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I fou’t for England,” said big Jones, “but that -ware different.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’d have fought for China just as quick,” -said the bos’n, “if any men you knew were going -out to fight. It’s the same aboard a fighting craft -as it is here. I’ve seen clerks in the shipping-houses, -that couldn’t tell a cutlass from a pike, go crazy -to fight when the war broke out. They liked to -be called ‘patriots,’ too. All men like to fight if -the whole crowd go in. It’s excitement and vanity. -You’ll be more of a patriot and less a fighting man -after you get ashore to stay.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ay, that he will,” said Tim, the American. -“He’s too ready for fight, an’ a bit o’ discipline -will do him good.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ah, hark ye at the bit o’ a man,” sneered Martin. -“One might think he feared a little fracas, -hey?” and he leered at the small sailor, who looked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>him squarely in the eyes and swore at him, for a -bullying Scot he was.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Somehow, Richards never made trouble between -men. They rarely took offence at his answers, and -he never struck one.</p> - -<p class='c001'>To him the striking of a man lowered him at -once. If the man was an equal and had any self-respect, -it was necessary to go further into the matter -always, he explained. If he had not enough -self-respect to fight his smiter to the last limit, then -he was taking whatever chance the fellow had of -ever becoming a man, for no man, he held, could -be a person of spirit and courage and allow another -to strike him. It might work well in religious congregations, -where men were tricky and desperately -low and mean, stooping to any vile revenge, but -among men at sea upon a ship deck it was different. -To assault a man weaker than himself was -almost as bad in his eyes as assaulting a girl. In -either case, the victim’s self-respect was lost, and -the person consequently liable to be ruined. It would -require a nice adjustment, he claimed, to prevent -murder. He very plainly stated that, if Martin, -Jones, or any one of the heavy fellows who might -be tempted to try accounts with him at some disliked -order, should so far forget the discipline of -the ship and make a fight with him, he would be -bound by all law and precedent, as upon a man-of-war, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>to kill him. The turning of the smitten -cheek to the offender was not to be taken literally. -It meant a man should show due forbearance before -entering into a fracas, which would certainly end -fatally for one or the other.</p> - -<p class='c001'>This doctrine might not appeal to the landsman, -and from a certain point of view it might appear -unchristian. But, if there was ever a man who -practised kindness toward his fellow men, that man -was the bos’n of the old pirate barque. He was -honest.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had found that on former cruises to heathen -islands and countries, the heathen were usually all -right until some of the professed Christians appeared -to convert them. Afterward the histories of these -places were of a somewhat sinister character, and, -if ever there was an exception to prove the rule, -I had never heard tell of it. Every so-called Christian -country had allowed and advanced all kinds -of oppression among natives. Whether this was -for their spiritual welfare or not, it is not necessary -to inquire, the fact was always the same. Therefore, -I was interested in our future course, but, -from the steady discipline and forbearance of the -officers, expected to see very little of the usual kind -of conversion. Every ship full of canting religionists -came home full of black murder and worse. -There was much more to be expected from a vessel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>whose after-guard stood for easy ship in regard -to these matters.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Sometimes, in the evening dog-watches, Richards -would even take the liberty of coming into the forecastle -and joining in the talk, or sitting upon the -forecastle head in the warm wind and listening to a -chanty roared out by Martin or some one who had -served in the Eastern trade-ships. One of the favourite -songs, made up from different snatches heard -either upon the men-of-war or along the dock-ends -of Liverpool, ran something like this:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c018'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“We had come to anchor fine, sir,</div> - <div class='line'>In a vessel o’ the line, sir,</div> - <div class='line'>We had cruised for five years steady</div> - <div class='line'>Upon the Southern Seas--</div> - <div class='line'>When a boat from off the shore, sir,</div> - <div class='line'>Brought a lady out aboard, sir,</div> - <div class='line'>She was black as soot an’ mud, sir,</div> - <div class='line'>An’ she smelled o’ oil an’ grease--”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>Then all hands would roar out with will the refrain, -pointing to the bos’n:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c018'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Then up jumped the bos’n, up jumped the crew,</div> - <div class='line'>The first mate, second mate, the cook and steward too--</div> - <div class='line'>But the captain swore he’d have her,</div> - <div class='line'>An’ the mate ’e tried to grab her,</div> - <div class='line'>She couldn’t have ’em all, sir--</div> - <div class='line'>What could the lady do?”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>Sometimes the gentlemen from aft would come -forward and lend a hand with some new version -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>of an old song, but more often they were content -to listen from the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Old Howard never interfered with hilarity, but -rather encouraged it. I wondered at this, but remembered -the cruise had only just begun. I had -seen captains encourage men before. Sometimes -it held a more sinister meaning than simple delight -at their pleasure.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER IX. <br /> <span class='fss'>I MAKE ANOTHER FRIEND</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>During the next week’s run we made a deal of -westing, passing to the southward of the Azores -and getting well into the western ocean. The northeast -trade was picked up, and, as it was well to the -eastward, it enabled us to carry on stun’sails fore -and aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were better acquainted in the fo’castle now, -and I had learned to like several men of my watch. -Bill was a warm friend. Martin proved a very -entertaining fellow, but was absolutely without principle. -Anderson was quiet and attended to his -duties like the average Swede, being a good sailor -and an excellent hand for sewing canvas and making -chafing-gear. He went by the name of Goldy -in the forecastle on account of the colour of his -hair, which was bushy and covered his face.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the other watch was Jones, the giant Welshman, -who was one of the best men that ever stood -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>upon a ship’s deck. He was as strong as a whale -and as kind-hearted as a girl.</p> - -<p class='c001'>But the little fellow called Tim, who was in my -watch, was the man I chummed with. He was not -much to look at, being small, ugly, red-headed, and -freckled. He was an American, however, and there -was that something about him that drew me to him -as the magnet draws iron. He had been pressed -into the British navy before the war, and had served -his time. When the fighting was over and he received -his discharge, he shipped in an East-Indiaman, -and made two voyages around the world. -Why he never returned to his home in the States -was the cause of some speculation on my part, but, -as he never mentioned his people, I refrained from -trespassing. It is bad form for a sailor to inquire -too closely into his shipmate’s past.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim was so insignificant looking among those -picked men that I took little or no notice of him -until one night when it was blowing a stiff gale -and the barque was staggering along under topsails -through an ugly cross-sea that made her old timbers -groan with the wrench.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had occasion to go to the forecastle head, and, -while I stood there, leaning over the life-line which -did duty for a rail, I became absorbed for a few -minutes watching the fine phosphorescent display -in the bow wave. The night was very dark, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>the deep, booming note of the taut fabric above -and the rushing sound below drowned all minor -noises.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly I heard my name called loudly, and -something soft struck me in the back. I turned -and saw no one, but, while I searched the darkness -with my eyes, the door of the forward cabin opened, -and I saw for an instant the tall, erect form of Watkins, -the steward, against the light inside. I continued -to look over the side until a hand was laid -upon my shoulder, and the little man Tim, who was -really hardly more than a boy, slewed me around -none too gently.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Tain’t healthy,” said he, “to be near the side -o’ nights in a ship where things is queer. You -came nearer your end a minute ago than you ever -will again but once,” and he nodded aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The steward?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He nodded again, and looked so serious that my -first inclination to laugh died away at once. “He -was within two fathoms of you when I hailed, and -his knife was as long as that,” and he stuck forth -his arm with his left hand placed midway to the -shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“So that’s his game, is it?” I said. “I’ll keep -an eye on him hereafter. The whole outfit aft have -something queer about them. I’m obliged to you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>for the warning. What was it that struck me in -the back?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Pair o’ my rolled-up socks,--the only ones -I’ve got, too,--an’ if they’re gone overboard, I’ll -have to go barefooted, for I can’t abide shoes without -socks. Them ratlines do cut the bare feet of a -feller most uncommon though, an’ I’ll have a job -aloft in the morning sending down them t’gallantstun’sail-booms.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He searched about the forecastle deck for some -minutes in the darkness, but failed to find them. -The night being warm, we remained on deck, as -the stiff wind was invigorating and the forecastle -somewhat close. Finally we sat upon the weather -side of the windlass and leaned against it. There -was a man on lookout forward, but we were pretty -well out of the track of ships, and the only person -liable to disturb us was the third mate, who might -come forward to trim head-sail. The starboard -watch were grouped upon the main-hatch, lounging -and resting, and Hawkson walked fore and aft on -the poop, his tall form showing dimly now and -then as he passed the cabin skylights where the -light from within flared up. We snuggled down -comfortably to sleep, but the snore of the gale -through the rigging and under the forestaysail kept -us wakeful. I watched Tim alongside of me, and -saw he was still chewing his tobacco.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>“How did you come to get into the hooker without -clothes?” I asked, thinking he was tricked like -myself.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Signed all right. There’s money in her, if -what I believe is correct. She’ll pay a feller like -me. I’ve got no ties ashore. But they’re a tough -crowd. That feller, Sir John Hicks,--you’ve -heard of him, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Never did. What’s he done?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He ain’t done nothin’ in particular, but he’s the -wildest of the family. Got plenty o’ money, an’ -that Lord George Renshaw, the old un,--well, say, -Heywood, you’ve heard how he got chased out o’ -London?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had heard nothing, being an American.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I forgot,” he went on. “You see, I’m mighty -nigh an Englishman,” and he spoke sadly and -sighed, heaving his tobacco away.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Why do you stick to English ships after they -stuck you for three years? I should think you’d -drop them by this time,” I said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He turned upon me savagely, his eyes shining -and his face drawn.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Why do I?” he cried, hoarsely, his voice sounding -above the snore overhead. “Why do I? What -business is it of yours why I do it? Why would -any man do the thing I’ve done--but to forget--not -the British Navy, good God, no. It was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>bad enough, but you can forget it easy enough, and -to forget--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A woman?” I asked, boldly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What else,” he said, almost softly. “I was -a decent man once, Heywood, and not an outlaw--what -you will be if you stay aboard here. Yes, -I was married. Had as good girl as ever breathed. -But I was poor. What crime can a feller commit -equal to poverty, hey? You know the old, old -yarn. I go to sea as mate of an Indiaman, and -the owner saw the beauty of that angel. Do I -blame her? Not a bit. What chance would a poor -girl left alone for a few months have with a rich -young feller like him,--an’ him a rich ship-owner -standin’ for everything that’s good to the mind of -a poor girl. She was lost if he went unchecked, -an’ who would check the honourable gentleman? -Not her friends. Oh, no! He took her out on a -voyage with him--an’ left her without a cent--an’ -now I’ll forget.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s against the ship?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He seemed not to hear and was gazing aft, his -head thrown back against the windlass barrel. I -repeated the question.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Nothing I know of. But you can rest easy, -Heywood, they are up to some expedition that won’t -bear the light. If you take a fool’s advice, you’ll -make the jump at Nassau.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“Are you going there?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I don’t say. Mebbe I will, an’ mebbe no. But -you better.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m glad you take such an interest in my future,” -I said, rather shortly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He turned full upon me, and I saw his eyes shine -in the light. “Look here, Heywood, I don’t deserve -that. You’ve got a bad memory. I may have -been a fool to let off about myself. I reckon I was, -but I’ve liked you, and there’s not a damn thing -aboard here I ever could like except you. I say -again, it’ll be best for you if you jump her at Nassau.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” I said, “Tim, I’m pretty mean to say -you no after saving me from that Watkins’s carver, -though I reckon I could take care of the old duffer -even if he had forty knives. I didn’t mean to rough -you, for it’s with you whether I go or not. I’d stay -aboard to be with you, and that’s saying a bit more -than I’ve said to any man for some time.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He gazed steadily at me, and I thought his eyes -had a wistful look. Then he spoke low in a voice -I could hardly hear.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m glad you like me, Heywood. Maybe we’ll -go together. Yes, we might go together. Afterward--afterward--you -won’t mind a feller being, so -to say, a bit outside the law. There’ll be a line -for my neck, you know, if--well, no matter. If -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>you stay in the ship, there’ll be one for all hands, -if there’s any faith to be placed in signs.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then we remained silent for a long time. I -thought of Watkins and his dastardly attempt upon -me, and wondered if Tim was not a bit off in his -mind. But when I remembered the lost socks, I -knew he was not mistaken, for a sailor would hesitate -a long time before throwing his last pair away. -The danger must have been imminent. It was a -queer ship. That was certain. Half her crew had -been shipped by fraud, and her alleged owners were -not above reproach. As to her captain, there was -nothing he was not capable of, provided it was -wrong, in spite of his years and mask-like face, -withered and bare as a sun-scorched lemon. We -must have been asleep when the watch was called, -for I remember nothing of the bells, and suddenly -found myself looking into the rising sun, which -shone with unusual vigour over a windy sea.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim was just in the act of going below as I -looked at the forecastle scuttle. His face seemed -pale and drawn, but he smiled as he dived down -the companion-way.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You can get those gun-covers laced fast before -we start washing down decks,” said Mr. Gull, coming -to the edge of the forecastle, and I was soon -on the main-deck with my trousers up to my knees, -enjoying the rushing warm sea water the watch -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>were flinging along the gangway, following it aft -with squeegee and swab until the planks were spotless.</p> - -<p class='c001'>How refreshing is that breeze of the early day -at sea! The lines, all damp with the salt dew of -the night, hum a note of gladness to welcome the -rising disc of light. The brisk sea wind freshens, -wrinkling the broad ridges rushing before it, and -brushing their white crests into a wide spread of -glittering jewels that flash, sparkle, and hiss in the -growing light. The air braces the tired body, and -the appetite grows keen. The men of the morning -watch take on new life, and all eyes begin to cast -looks at the galley stovepipe, watching for the increasing -volume of smoke outpouring that tells of -the preparation of the morning meal.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER X. <br /> <span class='fss'>YANKEE DAN AND HIS DAUGHTER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>For the next three weeks we ran smoothly to -the westward, with nothing occurring aboard <i>The -Gentle Hand</i> to break the monotony of ship’s duty. -The stiff breeze, the edge of the northeast trade-wind, -bore us steadily on over warm seas bright -with sunlight and under blue skies flecked with the -lumpy trade clouds that hung apparently motionless -in the void above.</p> - -<p class='c001'>During this weather I had little to do, and had -a better chance of seeing something of the after-guard -while looking to the gear of the two long -twelves we carried upon the quarter-deck for stern-chasers. -We carried no metal on the forecastle, -and it appeared that these heavy guns aft were out -of all proportion to the rest of the battery.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I spoke to Hawkson about it, but he explained -that the natives of the Navigator, Society, and Fiji -groups were somewhat dangerous, and that, as our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>mission was one of peaceful trading, we would -always run when attacked rather than fight, and -the heavy twelves were for keeping large canoes -at a distance.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It would be a rather large canoe,” I admitted, -“that would face the fire of a long twelve-pounder -as heavy as any used in vessels of the frigate class. -The islands you speak of are not, however, in the -South Atlantic.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You always were a clever lad, Heywood,” said -he, with an ugly smile. “What a smart one you -were to see the error of that! But we’ll have a -try just to see what you can hit. Get a beef barrel -and heave it overboard, an’ get the men of the -gun-crew aft.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>After that we seldom let many days slip without -practice. Tim begged me to take him in the -gun-crew, and, as he was as active as a monkey, -I always let him have a chance. He grew very -quiet and sad as we drew near the Bahamas, and -when we ran clear of the trade, within a hundred -miles of the island, he seemed to be gazing over -the sunlit ocean, watching for a coming breeze.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Sometimes I had him aft, polishing the brass -of a gun-breech, and I noticed that he divided his -attention mostly between the captain, Hicks, and -Renshaw, and the southern horizon.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The great southern ocean is a lonely place, but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>its very loneliness and quietness on the edge of the -great winds makes it appeal to a turbulent soul.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim and I sat a long time on the breech of the -stern-chaser, rubbing the metal easily and gazing -out over the calm ocean. It was quiet aboard, and -the voices of the men on the main-deck sounded -loud and discordant. The slatting of the canvas -was the only sound aloft, the royals jerking at the -clews first as the barque swung easily on the swell, -and then the t’gallantsails followed by the topsails -fore and aft, the taut canvas fanning the almost -still air with the rolling swing, making the jerking -of the tacks and clews sound rhythmically upon -the ear. Below, the captain and his two passengers -smoked and drank their ale under the cabin -skylight, their jokes sounding particularly coarse in -the sunlit quiet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim suddenly stopped work and gazed to the -southward. Far away, miles and miles to windward, -the horizon darkened slightly where the deeper blue -of the ocean stood out against the pale azure of the -semitropical sky.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While he looked, there came a sound over the -water. It was a long, plaintive cry of immense -volume, but hardly distinct enough to be heard unless -the listener gave his attention. It was like a -wild minor chord of a harp, long continued and -sustained, rising and falling over the dark blue -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>heave of the swells where the light air darkened and -streaked the ruffled surface. Farther away to windward, -the ocean took on a deeper blue, and the air -filled the sails more steadily for a few minutes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim stood gazing into the distance, his eyes -bright and his lips parted, but there was an expression -of peace and tranquillity upon his freckled face -that I had never noticed before.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s the calling, Heywood, Heywood,” he whispered. -“It’s the great calling of the millions who -have gone before. Listen!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I heard it. The sad, wailing notes coming from -miles and miles away to windward over that smooth -sea, with the freshening breeze, made an impression -upon me I could not throw off. It vibrated -through my whole being, and was like the voice -of great loneliness calling from the vast world of -sea and sky. It was not like the hum of the trade -in the rigging or the snore of a gale under the -foot of a topsail, nor like the thunderous roar of -the hurricane through the rigging of a hove-to ship. -The melancholy sadness of the long-sustained wail -was musical to a degree. I sat there listening.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Of course, it must have been caused by the wind -over the surface of the sea at a great distance, or -by different currents of air in passing, but the effect -upon the imagination was like that which might -be caused by the prolonged cry of a distant host -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>from the vastness of sunlit waste. It pervaded my -whole being, and enforced listening to its call, seeming -to draw my soul to it as if out in that sparkling -world of rippling wavelets lay the end of all strife -and the great eternal peace.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim stretched forth his arm. His eyes held a -strange look in them, and he moved to the rail as -though in a dream.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I am coming, May, coming,” he whispered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before I realized what had happened, he had -gone over the side. Then I jumped to my feet with -a yell, and bawled out: “Man overboard!” at the -same time heaving the end of a gun-tackle over -the taffrail. The cry and noise of my rush brought -the entire watch to the side, and the captain and -Hawkson to the quarter-rail. The barque was -barely moving, and Tim was alongside. But he -refused to take the end of the line. There was an -exclamation beside me at the taffrail, and Renshaw -leaned his elbows upon the rail and looked over at -the sinking sailor. Their eyes met for an instant, -and Tim made a grab for the line. He was hauled -up quickly, and went forward without a word of -excuse to the captain and Hawkson’s inquiries as -to how he happened overboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was a strange occurrence, and I pondered over -it that evening while the barque rolled slowly toward -the islands under a bright moon, and our watch -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>stretched themselves upon the main-hatch to smoke -and spin yarns. Tim avoided me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The next morning we found ourselves close to -New Providence Harbour, the white water of the -Great Bahama bank stretching away on all sides.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The skipper seemed to know the bank pretty -well, for he sprung his luff and headed into the -harbour without waiting for a pilot. We ran close -in, clewing up the topsails as we went; then dropping -the head-sails, let go the hook within pistol-shot -of the town of Nassau. The town looked inviting -enough. There it lay, and any kind of a -swimmer could make the beach easily. In fact, -before we had the sails rolled up there were niggers -alongside, swimming out in utter disregard for -sharks, and begging for a coin to be tossed overboard -that they might dive for it and catch it before -it reached the bottom. I was anxious about -Tim. His strange action and talk made me expect -some peculiar happening, and I watched him closely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin came to me as I stood in the fore-rigging -and spoke, looking longingly at the white coral -beach, where the cocoanuts raised their bunchy, -long-leaved tops into the hot air and rustled softly -an invitation to the sailor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I say, Heywood, ye dare do it or no, hey?” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll see,” I answered; “but isn’t the barky all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>right? We’ve been treated mighty well even if -we were gulled in signing into her. I don’t know -the place, and we might be a great deal worse off -ashore.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Barky be sunk! What the devil care I for the -barky, man? Didn’t I sign on as mate?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill came down from aloft and joined us, and -then big Jones came forward with Tim. We made -a pretence of coiling down running-gear on the -pin-rail, while we gazed longingly at the shore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we looked, a whale-boat shot out from -the landing. It was rowed by eight strapping blacks, -the oars double-banked, and in the stern-sheets were -two men in white linen, looking very cool and trim -in the hot sunshine. As the craft drew nearer, we -saw she was heading for us, and the two men were -gazing at our quarter-deck, where Hawkson and -Captain Howard were talking earnestly with Hicks -and Renshaw. The one who was steering was a -medium-sized man with a smooth, red face, his -beard seeming to start just beneath his chin and -fill his collar with its shaggy growth that shot upward -from somewhere below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Behind this man in the stern-sheets, I caught the -flutter of a dress, and soon made out the figure of -a young girl dressed in white muslin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who is it?” asked Bill. “Looks youst like -an admiral.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>“It’s Yankee Dan,” said Tim. “I thought so. -That’s his daughter with him. He’s the biggest -trader north o’ Cuba.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The deil run away with him,” said Martin. -“If he’s backin’ this barque fer nothin’ but plain, -honest trade, I’m no man fer him. She ware a -pirit once, why not again? I slip before dark. Will -ye be the mon to follow, ye giant Jones, or be ye -nothin’ but a beefy lout like what ye look?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The big fellow scowled at this.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ef you are the better man, show me to-night,” -said he.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The boat had now drawn up alongside, and the -bearded fellow in charge stood up and hailed the -quarter-deck, where Howard, Hawkson, and the -rest were leaning over the rail watching him. Hicks -and Renshaw bowed and removed their hats in deference -to the young lady, but Hawkson and the -skipper stood stiff.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Didn’t expect to see you, Howard,” cried the -trader. “They haven’t hung you yet! How is it? -Rope scarce? Lines give out? This is my daughter,--and -you’ll be damn civil to her if you’ll do -any business with me. Swing over your ladder, -and don’t keep me waiting. I won’t wait for you or -any other bull-necked Britisher.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson had already had Mr. Gull swing out -the accommodation ladder from the poop, and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>second mate simply lowered it an inch or two as the -whale-boat swept up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Take in them oak gales,” roared Yankee Dan, -whacking the stroke oarsman over the knuckles -with a light cane he carried. Then pulling savagely -upon the port tiller-rope, the boat swung up alongside -the ladder under full headway.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stop her,” he bellowed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It looked as though she would go rasping along -the whole length of the barque with the impetus, -but the blacks were instantly at the rail, grasping -and seizing anything in their powerful hands, while -one man forward, who had banked the bow oar, -stood up with a huge hook and rammed its point -into our side to check her. She brought up so -suddenly that the trader was almost thrown from -his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come aboard, Whiskers, an’ don’t tear all our -paint off,” said Hawkson, swaying the man-ropes -so they fell aboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old trader glanced upward, the white hair -of his beard sticking out aggressively over his collar -and framing his otherwise hairless face in a sort of -bristling halo. I saw the young girl flash a glance -of disdain at the poop and then seize the man-ropes. -She sprang lightly upon the ladder and mounted -rapidly to the deck, followed by the younger man, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>who had replied to none of the salutations and had -quietly awaited events.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan followed and seized Hawkson’s hand, -greeting him as an old friend. Then he slapped -Captain Howard a rousing blow upon the back and -introduced his daughter. Mr. Curtis shook hands -all round, appearing to know every one, and we -rightly surmised that he was the principal owner.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The vociferous trader kept talking in high good -humour, being on familiar terms with Hicks, Renshaw, -and the captain, and our men were anxious -to hear his words, hoping to gather something in -reference to our cruise. As for me, I found my -attention drawn more toward the young lady, for -never had I seen such perfection in womanly form -or feature.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She was tall, and her figure, while not stout, had -a supple fulness that spoke of great strength and -grace. Her face was full and rosy, and her dark -eyes were exquisitely bright, glancing quickly at -a word or look. Her mouth, partly open, showed -strong white teeth, and her smile was a revelation. -There was nothing about her that spoke of her -father save her apparent good humour and disdain -for conventionalities. Her eyes were gentle, and -had nothing of the fierce twinkle of the trader’s. -Altogether I was so entirely taken up noting her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>charms that I was not aware of Mr. Gull until he -came close to us and bawled out:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Clear away the long-boat. All loafers who are -tired of the sea and want a run on the beach get -ready to go ashore.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XI. <br /> <span class='fss'>WE MAKE A DAY OF IT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“Did you fellers hear me?” asked Mr. Gull, -coming toward Martin and the rest of us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Harkee, Mr. Gull,” said the Scot, “d’ye mean -we can clear ef the wessel don’t suit? Is that the -lay o’ it? She’s a fine ship, Mr. Gull, an’ fer me -ye can lay to it. I’d never leave her, unless it’s the -wish o’ the matchless officers that commands her.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If you drunkards ain’t aboard again by eight -bells to-night, it’ll be a sorry crowd that’ll come -next day,--an’ ye can lay to that, ye fine Scotchman, -an’ with just as much scope as ye may care -for.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Big Jones smiled as he unbent the boat tackle. -It was evident our second mate was not as big a -fool as he looked, but it seemed strange we should -be allowed ashore unless the captain had good reason -to believe we could be back aboard again. Only -a few minutes before we were planning some desperate -means of reaching the beach, and now the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>invitation was offered to all who cared to avail themselves -of the captain’s liberality.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a very short time the boat was overboard, and -a liberty crew, consisting of Martin, Tim, Big Jones, -Bill, Anderson, a Norwegian of Gull’s watch, a German -called Ernest, the black cook, and myself, -jumped into her and started off.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If I come back again,” said Jones, “they’ll -need a good, strong heavy man over there or a pair -o’ mules to drag me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good-bye,” said Bill. “Youst keep awake when -we come alongside. ’Twould be a pity to rouse -you,” and he grinned knowingly at the men who -leaned over the rail to see us depart.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I saw the old rascal Watkins come out in the -waist and stand a moment gazing after us, and -Ernest bawled out a taunt in German which none -of us understood. Then we shot out of hearing -and headed for the landing, as wild for the beach -as so many apprentices.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The “Doctor,” who was a most powerful nigger, -grinned in anticipation of the joys on the shore. -His clothes were nondescript and bore evidence of -the galley, and his feet were big, black, and bare.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yah, yah, yah!” he laughed, “my feet is -laughin’ at my pore ole body, all rags and grease. -Dey’ll hab a time asho’. Ain’t seen no green grass -lately.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>The boat was run upon the coral, and all hands -sprung out without waiting to shove her up. We -splashed ashore through the shallow water, leaving -the Doctor to haul the boat up and make her -fast. It was evident he intended going back aboard, -but we were a bit differently inclined.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The black soon joined us and led the way to the -nearest rum-shop, the place all sailors steer for, -and, without comment, we filed into the dirty hole -for our first drink.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I says, Thunderbo’, give us disha stuff they -says do a nigger good,” said the Doctor, who -acted as our pilot. “My feet is sure laffin at my -belly, Thunderbo’, ’cause it’s as empty as yo’ haid.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Thunderbore, who was a huge, nautical-looking -pirate as black as the Doctor, showed a set of -white teeth and a large jar of a vile fluid which -fairly tore my throat to ribbons as I swallowed my -“whack.” Big Jones took his with a grimace, and -was followed by Martin and the rest until all had -drunk.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The stuff was pure fire, but the Doctor gulped a -full half-pint, and smacked his lips.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Thunderbo’, yo’ sho’ ain’t gwine to make a po’ -nigger drink sech holy water as disha. Give us -somethin’ that’ll scratch, yo’ ape, or I’ll have to -take charge here,--I sho’ will,” said the Doctor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Thunderbore had a good temper, but was used to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>dealing with all classes of desperadoes. He passed -the jar again, and drew a Spanish machete or corn-knife -from his belt. He reached over and smote -the Doctor playfully a blow with the flat of it that -sounded with a loud clap through the dirty den.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Some of the men laughed in derision, but the -Doctor showed his ugly teeth and glared at the -den-keeper. He took another drink, and the fiery -liquid began to show its effects. Even Martin’s -eyes looked queer after a second taste, and he edged -toward the huge, smiling African who held the jar -and knife.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I weel ken ye a murderer by yer eye,” said he, -“but dare ye lay aside the steel an’ stand forth, -I’ll trim ye, ye black ape. I’ll trim ye for th’ sake -o’ the good wittles the Doctor has cooked.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The pernicious effect of the liquor was showing -in the men’s faces. Even I, temperate and peacefully -disposed as I always am, began to feel a desire -to assert myself in a manner not in keeping with -my usual modesty. In fact, there were some there -who were so drunk they actually accused me afterward -of having precipitated trouble by driving my -fist into the good-natured Thunderbore’s anatomy -and seizing his machete. If I did such a thing, it -must have been in the same spirit of playfulness -that he exhibited when smiting the Doctor, for I -was that peacefully inclined that even after seeing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>a struggling pile of human forms upon the floor, -with the jar beneath them, I tried to separate a few -with all my strength. After exhausting this, I -remember Tim cautioned me to leave the intemperate -fellows, who still struggled, threatened, and -swore at the black Thunderbore, who, with several -friends who had rushed from an adjoining room -to his aid, now held the sailors at bay with a boarding-pike. -This he jabbed furiously at the Doctor, -and, because Big Jones would not allow him to be -impaled upon it, the sea cook took offence and turned -upon his saviour, with Martin as an able ally.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The whole scene soon resolved itself into a sailors’ -brawl, which I feel ashamed to describe. I therefore -withdrew with my companion Tim, who was -almost as averse to a quarrel as I was myself.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We left the den, and he guided the way through -the white streets of coral rock, which shone glaringly -in the sunshine. They were dazzling, and -the light made my head swim a bit, but we kept on -until we ran into a shady lane, where an old negress -had a small shanty, in front of which she displayed -a litter of shaddocks, sour-sops, and sapodillas. -Tim purchased some of the fruit, and then we struck -into the bush until we reached a small inlet. Here, -in the clear water into which one could see several -fathoms, we plunged, leaving our clothing upon -the bank.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>“That settles it for me,” I said. “I’ll not go -back in that ship. Even Mr. Curtis, with all his -money and influence, can’t get me back.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mr. Curtis is closely related to the governor, -and can get you easy enough if he wants you,” -said Tim. “But I feel myself like making the jump -right here. I’ve been here before. There ain’t -nothin’ can get off the island without he knows -it. That’s the only thing that keeps me from it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I thought you were so keen for me to get out -here,” I said, sourly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I didn’t suggest Nassau, did I?” said Tim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That’s the place,” I answered, “but I suppose -you were a bit loony. What made you act bug-house -and go over the side, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim looked at me strangely a moment.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I didn’t mean you to jump right here. You -can’t do it. They’ll have us back aboard to-morrow. -Wait till we get to the s’uthard for wood. There’ll -be a chance on the Caicos or Turk’s Island, and -we go in there.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I swam about, enjoying myself as much as possible -with a rising temper at the thought of going -back aboard. I began to study the question, and -asked about the size of the island and the distances -to the different points on the Bahama bank. Tim -had been all over the bank, and knew it pretty well, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>and I became absorbed listening to him and forming -my plans.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly it occurred to me I needed a smoke, -and started for the shore to get my pipe out of my -clothes. We could sit naked in the shade and enjoy -life a bit while trying a scheme.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Where the deuce did you put those clothes?” -I asked Tim, who followed me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I never touched them. What’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I don’t see them anywhere,” I answered, suspiciously.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were both on the bank, and stood there gazing -about us. There was nothing in the shape of -a garment near, not even a handkerchief. Tim’s -white, freckled body looked rather meagre, and I -noticed several huge flies that lit upon him and made -him jump with their bite. Then something got -foul of my back and stung me madly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Devil nab me,” I yelled, “what the mischief -is it?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Nothin’ but a fish-fly,” said Tim, slapping me -a rousing whack between the shoulders. “Our -clothes are gone all right, and we’ve got to foot -it back to the landing naked. What’s the use -growlin’ about it?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, you are a--” but words failed me. That -couldn’t express what I felt. I had trusted to Tim’s -knowledge of the place, and here was a mess. There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>was no possible means of clearing out without a -stitch of clothing, and the rascally thief who had -taken ours gave me an idea how closely a deserter -would be followed over the low island barren of -heavy timber. I looked along the bank, and saw -there was no use.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’re the biggest fool I ever knew,” I finally -said, and we started slowly back to the town, with -nothing to clothe us save an air of seeming chastity -not at all in keeping with civilization.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XII. <br /> <span class='fss'>HOW THE DAY ENDED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Immodesty is the principal vice I do not possess. -When we started to get back to <i>The Gentle -Hand</i> clothed in the odour of sanctity and villainous -liquor, I must say my heart failed me at the sight -of the town. We halted at the outskirts and tacked -ship, standing for the house of a conch, as the -Bahama bank men are called. The mosquitoes and -flies had by this time made life almost unbearable, -and something had to be done. I objected to stealing -on principle, but in practice I expected to err, -for, if a suit of clothes could be found not too dirty -to wear, I felt it my duty to quell my scruples in -the interest of the self-respecting citizens of Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Tim,” said I, “you little speckled leopard, you -shall go in front. You have, at least, some large -brown spots to cover your hide, while I’m as pure -white as the coral road we’re walking on.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim demurred at this.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the matter with you? Put your hulking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>carcass in front, and I’ll walk behind. There’s -no use making fun of the thing. You strut about -big enough on deck, glad enough to have any one -notice you--Hi! there’s an’ ole nigger woman -now,” and he crouched down in the long grass.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I sank instantly and hailed the old lady.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hi, there! Mammy, have you a spare--er--er -pair--I mean an apron or two you could lend?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Lawd sakes! How yo’ scart me!” cried the -old negress. “Where yo’ is, honey?” and she -looked about her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We’re over here in the grass. Lost our clothes -while swimming. Don’t come over, but just fetch -out a bit of dunnage and run away, that’s a good -ole gal,” I said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Run away! Huh! Who is you toe tell me to -run away. I’se Mr. Curtis’ nigger, an’ I doan’ run -fo’ no one, I jest tell yo’ dat,” and she advanced -toward us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ah, trot along,” growled Tim. “Get us some -clothes, or we’ll take some. We haven’t time to fool -with any blamed old nigger.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>She advanced close to us, and I noticed she held -a small black baby in her arms. Tim edged behind -me, and I tried to shove him in front.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Land sakes alive!” she cried. “He, he, he, -yah, yah! Well, I nebber. Yo’ is sho’ nuff nakid. -Jest as nakid as this little babe under his clothes. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>Yah, yah, he is sho’ just as nakid as you is under -his clothes. Well, I nebber--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>But we waited no longer. The situation was too -humiliating, and we sprang to our feet and dashed -down the path into the scrub.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What the deuce will we do?” I asked, when -we were out of sight. “If she wasn’t a woman, -I’d rip her clothes off pretty quick and make shift -of her skirt.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“S’pose we lay for some man, then,” said Tim. -“Seems to me you might turn your knowledge of -scrappin’ to some account.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ve a notion to practise a bit on you, you -speckled beauty,” said I, angrily. “It’s your foolishness -that got us in this fix.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here comes a feller your size. Try him.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I turned and followed his gaze, and there, sure -enough, loomed a huge black conch with a bucketful -of sour-sops in either hand, striding up the path. -Hung over his shoulder was a long blacksnake -whip, such as overseers sometimes used upon refractory -slaves.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hi, there, uncle,” I cried, “I would like to -buy some sops,” and we both stepped forth into -view.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow’s ugly visage wrinkled, and he set -his buckets upon the ground.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who is yo’?” he asked, sourly.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>“We? Why, we are visitors, friends of Mr. -Curtis,” I said. “We left our clothes over there -at the inlet, and some son of a polecat ran off with -them. Give us some sops and give us a shift. We’ll -pay you well for it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Whar’s yo’ munny?” he growled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“In our clothes. Sink you for a fool nigger, you -don’t suppose we have pockets in our skins, do -you?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who yo’ callin’ a fool nigger?” and he drew -his whip over his shoulder. “Don’t yo’ call me -no names, yo’ po’ white trash. I’ll cut yo’ toe ribbons, -dat I will.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before either of us could spring aside, the lash -flew out and caught first one and then the other -of us on our naked bodies. The pain was awful. -Tim dashed up the path instantly without waiting -for a second dose, and the huge conch sprang after -him, leaving me behind.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Away they went, the lash flying out like the -tongue of a snake, landing every time upon that -part of poor Tim’s anatomy which is said to be -equally discourteous to present to either friend or -enemy. And every time it landed, it brought forth -a yell. I stood grinning for an instant, in spite -of the pain I suffered, and then the sense of outraged -decency getting the best of my risibilities, -I launched myself full speed in pursuit.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>Away we went up that trail, Tim’s speckled body -leading the way, his red hair streaming in the wind, -and close behind him rushed that big black conch -with his cruel whip, his bare feet not heeding in -the least a thousand things that pricked and pained -the soles of mine, as I tore along in his wake.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hi, hi, go it, Jackson!” howled a black fellow -who stood in the path and watched the race.</p> - -<p class='c001'>An upper cut with my left fist did much to abate -his zeal, and left him lying upon his back, while -with undiminished speed I went ahead. Soon the -white coral street of the town showed a bit in front -through the bushes, and in another minute we were -fairly into the main street of Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was now thoroughly aroused, and forgot entirely -my predicament, so intent was I upon reaching -that rascal’s back. I called hoarsely for Tim -to stop, but, either because I was a bit winded or -our pace was too fast to allow the sound of my -voice to reach him, he heeded it not at all, but held -his pace under all sail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>White men now sprang from doorways to see -what had happened, as the yells came flying down -the thoroughfare, and many women immodestly -halted to view the spectacle. I don’t know how the -matter would have ended had not Tim turned a -corner suddenly, and plunged straight into the arms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>of Big Jones and Martin, who were rushing for -the pavement at the sound of alarm.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The Scotchman, with rare presence of mind, -made a grab at Tim’s speckled body, thinking it -some peculiar breed of ape that had escaped from -its keeper, and in doing so lost his drunken balance, -and plunged head foremost into the stomach of the -pursuing conch, and together they rolled over into -the street. Before they could disengage, I had a -grip upon that conch that he will remember yet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Deil save us, ye cateran, what is it?” gasped -the inebriated Scot, struggling to his feet. “What? -You Heywood! Ye immodest heathen! Hold him, -ye black feller, an’ I’ll lay the lash upon his unchaste -hide.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before he could come to the conch’s assistance, -a speckled form sprang upon him and bore him -back again into the street, and I saw Tim change -from a fugitive into a veritable leopard, striking -fiercely and tearing at the blouse of the sailor until -it had parted and come away in halves. Just then -I had business with the giant conch that needed -attention, and I saw nothing more of that fracas.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The black man was a powerful fellow, but he -lacked skill. The blow in the stomach had winded -him temporarily, and, before he had recovered, I -was cutting him up scientifically with his own whip, -while the crowd hooted and cheered in derision. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>When I desisted, he could hardly stand, much less -walk, and then Big Jones, who was enjoying the -spectacle, offered me his jumper. This I put on -by running my legs through the sleeves, after splitting -them, and buttoning it behind. Tim had by -this time divested Martin of his spare raiment, and, -dressed somewhat alike, we strode side by side with -much dignity to the boat, followed by Big Jones, -the Welshman, and an admiring throng of natives -who cheered us lustily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin and the well-thrashed overseer were left -behind to compare notes, while, with the blue eagle -upon my breast fairly red with mortification, we -stepped aboard and shoved off.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>A SURPRISING SALUTE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>As we drew up alongside <i>The Gentle Hand</i>, our -peculiar attire attracted more or less attention. -Hawkson called vociferously for Hicks, Renshaw, -and the rest to observe us. Captain Howard threw -back his head and cackled away like an old hen, -his bald poll turning red with exertion.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sink me!” he cried, “but you two men shall -lay aft here.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The Yankee trader shook with emotion, and insisted -that Mr. Gull fetch us aft to parade the quarter-deck. -This I had no intention of doing, so, -springing quickly into the channels, I made a rush -for the forecastle, and got below before we were -captured. But Tim was not so lucky. He was intercepted -by Mr. Gull, and escaped below only after -a vigorous chase, in which all hands joined, pelting -him with rope’s-ends and whatever they could lay -hands to. As the uproar of laughter on deck subsided, -we changed our jumpers for clothes, both -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>mad and disgusted thoroughly at the humiliating -performance we had undergone. But, tired as we -were, Mr. Gull turned us to with the men who had -stayed aboard and were sent below into the ’tween -deck, where the noise of hammering now became -apparent. Richards took no notice of us while he -was at work overhauling a pile of lumber brought -from the shore. Evidently he was disgusted at our -behaviour and took this way of showing it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jorg, the Finn, was working away with a gang -of men, building a platform around the sides of the -empty hold, and driving heavy staples into the -barque’s ceiling. He gave me a sour look as I -passed him, and then Mr. Gull led the way aft to -where Henry was at work cutting up planks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Better measure ’em off accurate, Heywood,” -he said, motioning to the pile of lumber that lay -near. “Allow six feet six inches fer them long -niggers, or they’ll be lame from hanging their heavy -feet over the edge.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then he passed on, leaving me alone with the -ferret-faced officer, who was sawing up a length of -plank. The long lines of staples with chains attached -began to have some meaning to me now, for the -effects of the run had done much to clear my head. -Henry saw my gaze following the line forward, and -stopped to mop the perspiration from his dripping -face.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>“What d’ye think, will she carry five hundred, -hey?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The horror of the thing began to dawn upon me. -The chains and staples were for human beings. The -temperature of that hold, as it was, could not have -been less than one hundred degrees. What would -it be with a mass of filthy black humanity packed -and wedged in as tight as they could be stowed!</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Is five hundred niggers her rating?” I asked, -with unconcern.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry shot his fox-like glance at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t you really know no better’n that?” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Slaving and piracy hasn’t been my chief occupation, -Henry,” I said. “My people have always -been respectable, and I have been a man-o’-war’s -man. Besides, my mother hasn’t been hung yet.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” he said, wincing at this last part of my -remark, “law an’ justice air two different things. -It hain’t a penal hoffence to bring a fool into the -world, but it should be,--an’ a capital one, too.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll admit justice miscarried in the case of your -parents, but let it go. Explain what’s wrong with -me. I don’t know any better than ask if five hundred -is this bark’s complement, cargo, or whatever -you choose to call it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, if ye’d ever been in a slaver before, Hi -cudn’t hexcuse yer foolishness, Heywood, but, since -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>ye ask me, ye may note that this here ’tween-decks -will mighty nigh accommodate a trifle o’ five hundred. -What about the lower hold, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Do you mean that they’ll fill her up solid with -human bodies?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh, no; they’ll let in a bit o’ air through the -hatch-gratings in good weather. The voyage ain’t -a-goin’ to last for ever. Say, d’ye think this is a -slow ship? You seen her run. Honest now, how -long d’ye calculate we be ’tween here an’ the Guinea -coast. A man, even a nigger, can stand bein’ shut -up a little while. An’ then, stave you, Heywood, -for a priest, don’t ye think a bit o’ sufferin’ is -worth goin’ through to be a good Christian an’ die -in the faith, hey? Every black bloomin’ son of a -gun’ll be as good Christian as you are afore he -dies.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I said no more. When I saw Tim he showed -no surprise.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I expected at least that,” he said. “It’s Yankee -Dan’s principal business. I was with them once -before, an’ that’s the reason I wanted you to clear.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s a strange Yankee that should be at the head -of such a business,” said I. “Now, if a Spaniard--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stow it!” said Tim, angrily. “There never -was any other real slaver than the Yankee, an’ -they’re the ones makin’ the most howl against it. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>Nearly every slave-ship that comes here has a -Yankee shipper.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>This I found later to be only too true. It was -more than disgraceful for the fact that, even at that -time, in the Northern States there had been angry -discussions upon the question, the South being scored -heavily for the slaves it held from necessity to work -the plantations.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was evident that the English governor winked -at the trade, and that few, if any, of our crew had -suspected before this time just what the barque’s -trade would be. As there seemed every prospect of -many of them not coming aboard again, I would -not worry myself about the matter when they would -learn the truth. As for Martin, he would be glad -to be in a slaver, and as for the morals of the rest -of the liberty crew, they were not worth considering -when pitted against a few English sovereigns or -American dollars. I went aft that evening to lower -the colours with a very disagreeable feeling at the -prospect in store.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was always the custom aboard <i>The Gentle -Hand</i>, I learned, to lower the colours in man-o’-war -style when the vessel was in soundings, so I repaired -to the quarter-deck to load one of the after guns, -and stand by to set the sun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim went with me, acting as quartermaster, and -I felt somewhat abashed at the presence of Miss -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>Allen, Yankee Dan’s daughter. I wondered if she -had seen me come aboard, and the memory of that -jumper put on upside down made my face wear a -smile that was not lost on Hawkson.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Glad to see you lookin’ happy, Heywood. Yer -see, this ain’t sech a bad ship, after all. Put a good -big charge in that twelve-pounder, and p’int her -straight for the governor’s house, and let him know -there’s some say t’us. It never hurts to put on a -bit o’ side to these lazy rulers,” said he, as I began -unlacing the gun-cover.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Do you want a shot rammed in it, too?” I -asked. “It might be just as well to stir him up -with a handful of good iron. It would probably -be small loss to his country if he happened to try -and stop it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That’s where you show a lot o’ foolishness,” he -replied. “There’s devilish few men like him, and, -if his country can spare him, we can’t. By no means -let a shot get in that gun.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we were talking, Miss Allen came up the -companionway accompanied by Hicks, Renshaw, and -Curtis. She looked magnificent as she stood there -in the fading sunlight, her hair taking on a deep -coppery-red colour, and her eyes sparkling with -amusement.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Will you let me fire it, Mr. Sailorman?” she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>asked, nodding toward the gun which I was loading.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Indeed he will not,” said Mr. Curtis, whom I -now observed to be a man of some presence, wearing -a single eye-glass and a look such as I had -imagined belonged to men much given to science -and books.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You have my permission,” laughed Sir John, -winking awkwardly, “but, of course, you must not -disobey.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have not promised to obey yet,” said the girl, -with a slight raising of the eyebrows. “Suppose, -Sir John, you allow your wit to flow in different -channels.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Wit!” growled Renshaw. “Don’t use the -word, I beg you, in connection with his speech. -One might really suppose there was such a quality -in his nature, since you suggest it, Miss Allen, -and much as I should like to--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh, stow it! Belay for the lady’s sake,” said -Sir John. “There is such a thing as talking a -person to death.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Between the two of you, she is in rather a -dangerous situation,” said Mr. Curtis, sourly, “but -I suppose there is some excuse for men who have -been at sea over a month.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Miss Allen had heard little or none of this last -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>remark, for she was advancing to me as I stood at -the breech of the fine brass gun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Do you give me the lock-spring. I see it does -not need a port-fire like those ashore,” said she, -coming to my side.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It is not time to fire yet,” I said. “Mr. Hawkson -will come from below and pass the word from -the old man--I mean, Captain Howard.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Why, he and papa will never get through talking -as long as there’s a bottle between them,” she -said. “Let me have the cord. What care I for -your Captain Howard?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here, you fellow! Don’t give Miss Allen that -lanyard,” said Mr. Curtis, in a tone such as he had -probably been accustomed to use to his niggers. It -rubbed me the wrong way. I was entitled to mister -while on the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I bowed and passed the string into her hand, and -noticed how firm and round were the fingers that -closed upon it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Fire whenever you are ready, Miss Allen,” said -I. “Jerk hard upon the cord.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The next instant there was a flash and roar. The -blue powder smoke swirled over the harbour, and -the echoes were loosened in the bay, while over all a -slight, droning snore, rapidly dying away in the -distance, told of a twelve-pound solid shot tearing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>its way through the quiet air between the ship and -the governor’s house.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I looked vainly to see the effect of the shot, wondering -how on earth the ball came to get into the -gun. Then the humming of the signal halyards -called my attention, and I saw Tim lowering the -ensign, with a peculiar glint in his eyes, while Hawkson, -Yankee Dan, and the captain came bounding -from below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What the devil has happened?” bawled Hawkson, -emerging first. “Who told you to fire that -gun?” and he glared at me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I just told the rascal not to,” said Mr. Curtis, -“and what does he do but deliberately do it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Captain Howard turned his mask-like face to me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Did you have shot in that piece?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not that I know of,” I stammered, hesitatingly, -for, though I had heard the shot as plainly as he, -I knew nothing of how it came in the gun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may put him in double irons until I want -him,” said Howard, dismissing the subject and -turning to the trader.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He did not fire that gun, and shall not go in -irons,” said Miss Allen, firmly, standing before her -father and the captain. “I fired that gun. Now, -what are you going to do about it?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard looked straight at her for a moment. -Then he broke forth into his cackling laugh.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>“Nothing, of course. He, he, he, ho, ho! not -a thing. If you fired that gun, it’s all right. Ho, -ho, ho! Now, Dan, you’d better go ashore and -explain to the governor how your daughter happened -to send a twelve-pounder into his house. -When you come back, maybe you’ll think ten thousand -pounds is a big price to pay for the risk we -run, and maybe you won’t. If he’s in a good humour, -I doubt if he lets you land.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XIV. <br /> <span class='fss'>I DECIDE TO LEAVE THE BARQUE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>I was allowed to go forward, followed by Tim, -who gave me a queer look as he passed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What did you do it for?” I asked, when we -were out of hearing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>But Tim only looked sullen and said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have half a notion to report you,” I said, -angrily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Call away the shore boat!” came Hawkson’s -hail, and, before we had a chance to say anything -more, we were hustled into her by Mr. Gull, while -the negro crew in Mr. Curtis’s gig dropped to the -gangway.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry came in our boat, with orders to collect -his men and bring them aboard, and we had just time -to see the trader and his daughter embark with Mr. -Curtis, followed by the jests of the gentlemen aboard -who handed the young lady down the ladder. I -felt very grateful to Miss Allen, and, as her laughter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>fell upon our ears, Henry turned and gazed -astern.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If I know the governor, there’ll be trouble yet,” -said he. “That Yankee ain’t too well liked.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we drew near the landing, we noticed a crowd -gathering, and an official-looking person in a peculiar -uniform or livery came to meet us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have a message for your captain,” said he.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Is it official?” asked Henry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It is, and both imperative and immediate,” said -the man.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I suppose, then, you want to deliver it?” asked -Henry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Your discernment does you great credit,” said -the man.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Why! Wh-o-o-a! Say not so,” said Henry, -with impressive gravity. “In a hurry, eh?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I am, and it’ll be the worse for you if you delay -me any longer.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now hark at that man!” cried Henry, as his -little eyes glittered. “Delay him! Here I am -a-goin’ right along about my business, an’ here this -chap comes up sayin’ I delay him. I’ll see the gove’nor -about this. Come along, bullies,” and he -sprang ashore, ordering us to follow.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s the governor who will see you, you fellow,” -said the man.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“An’ him a-callin’ me names,” cried Henry. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>Then in a lower tone, as we drew away: “Hi -reckon ’is ’ighness’ll get along without us. We’ll -want to hustle that crew aboard ’fore there’s trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>This seemed harder to me than it did to the third -mate, and I smiled as I thought of Jones, Martin, -and the fighting Doctor. We quickly left the -vicinity of the landing, and hurried through the -darkening streets in the direction of the den kept -by the truculent Thunderbore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>They were not there, and we hurried on in the -direction the big conch told us they had taken, -Henry apparently confident that we would have them -in hand shortly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As the darkness fell, and objects could not be -distinguished, the desire to desert the barque took -strong hold of me. Her mission was apparent now, -and I determined to make a dash for liberty at the -first opportunity. Tim’s peculiar behaviour troubled -me, and I was somewhat backward in taking him -into my confidence. However, when we struck into -an extremely dark street, I thought his knowledge -of the town would be of use, and I whispered my -intention of clearing. The next instant we were -plunging into the darkness, while Henry’s voice -bawled forth, dying away in the distance:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come back, ye blazin’ fools! Come back!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We ran wildly up the street until it ended in a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>thick thorn hedge, into which I foolishly plunged, -getting badly scratched for my pains. The impetus -of the run sent me through and into a ditch beyond, -followed by Tim, who plunged through the opening -my body had made. He landed heavily upon me, -knocking the breath out of my body, and for awhile -I lay there unable to rise. Then Mr. Henry’s voice, -cursing a couple of fools, sounded unpleasantly near, -and I started up, resolved to make a fight if necessary.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The little mate, however, refused to seize us, even -though he could easily have done so, as he reached -the bank of the ditch before we could get clear. -He tried to argue the question, preferring words -to blows in the darkness, doubtless fearing the knife -in such an encounter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the meanin’ of it, anyways?” he asked. -“What yer runnin’ fer?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Go on, Henry,” said I. “Go get the men, but -don’t try to get me back aboard the slaver, or there’ll -be trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, where ye a-goin’? What’s the sense o’ -playin’ the fool when you have to be a man, anyways. -I ain’t goin’ to te’ch you, but I’ll say right -here you’ll probably get irons for tryin’ this fool -trick.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“When I’m aboard, we’ll discuss the irons. Now -stand clear, or there’ll be trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>Tim and I started across the clearing, heading -for a light we saw in the distance. Henry declined -to follow, and we left him swearing at our stupidity. -Going on, we came to a pathway which led toward -the house, and we had hardly struck into it when -there was a rush of feet on the coral, followed by a -deep growling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Keep clear of the houses. Cut for the cover -back of the town,” said Tim, hoarsely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As I sheered off, a huge animal sprang upon me -and knocked me down, fastening its teeth in my -neck and shoulder. I heard Tim cry out, “Bloodhound,” -and then he flung himself upon the beast, -while I tried my best to pull out my knife and get -the animal in front of me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The dog let out a deep, baying cry as Tim struck, -and this was answered by several animals near the -house. I soon had my knife at work, and, in spite -of a lacerated shoulder, plunged it again and again -into the ferocious brute. Then he relaxed his hold, -and I stood up. A lantern flashed in the path, and, -before we could run, forms of men showed close -to us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who is it? What’s the matter?” said a strong -voice I recognized as Yankee Dan’s. Behind him -were Mr. Curtis, Miss Allen, and the two stalwart -conchs who accompanied them from the landing.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>It was now or never. The dog was evidently -done for, and we must run for it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come on,” I said to Tim, and away we went.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Halt!” came the deep voice of the trader. -“Halt, or I’ll fire!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s the sailors; don’t!” cried Miss Allen.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were going pretty fast, and must have been -out of sight in a few minutes. Perhaps the trader -did not wish to hit us. At all events, his shot whistled -past, and we were soon out of range. Had he -known the loss of his dog, he might have taken -better aim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were soon in the thick tropical jungle, and, -as it was almost impenetrable, we were forced to -halt. We waited a few minutes to try and get our -bearings, and then worked out into the open again, -keeping away from all lights. In this way we blundered -along for an hour or two, Tim swearing noisily -at the darkness and obstacles that came in our -path.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s all foolishness, anyhow, for you to clear -here,” said he. “They’ve hounds that’ll catch us -in half an hour, and there’s no way to leave this -island, without going to sea, before they hunt for -us.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, show me a boat,” said I, angrily. “Anything -that’ll carry a sail across the Florida channel -will do, and, if you think I’ll mind stealing it, you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>know mighty little how I want to clear. I’ll face -the savages of the Florida peninsula before going -with that gang of nigger hunters.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We skirted the town, and finally came out on the -shore near the harbour entrance. Here we could -find some kind of craft, for there were numerous -spongers and fishermen in the town.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim finally brought up on the beach and tried -to get his bearings. There was nothing in sight -that looked like a sailing craft, except a dim shadow -out in the harbour which gave promise of being -an able sloop, for the tapering line that went skyward -seemed to describe a tall mast. We cast about -to find some means of getting aboard without swimming, -for the water looked black and forbidding, -and the phosphorus flared weirdly in places, and -gave rise to a belief in the presence of that ugly -fish, the shark of the Bahama bank.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we skirted the fringe of rippling waves, -which flamed and sparkled as they rolled upon the -beach, we heard the deep-mouthed baying of hounds.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“My God! I told you so,” said Tim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“They’re a long way off yet,” I answered, surlily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A sailor ain’t much at running, ye know, an’ -we haven’t all night to clear,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, you’ve forgotten your gait mighty sudden, -then,” said I. “How about this morning?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>But Tim had struck into a quick trot, and I followed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>for the deep, musical cry of those dogs was -anything but nerve-steadying, sounding as it did -through the darkness, when not a tree or house -showed us a place of refuge. It was take to either -a tree or water, and, as there were no trees, I made -ready for a swim, willing to trust the hidden monsters -below the surface rather than those of dry -land.</p> - -<p class='c001'>After running for a few minutes toward the town, -the cry of the hounds sounded louder. They were -evidently upon our trail, and it would be but a few -minutes before they would close with us, and then -capture would be certain. It might be well if we -were captured before the brutes seized us, for, judging -from the size of the one we had killed, they -would make things pretty hot if it came to a -fight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Into the water!” panted Tim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We struck into the edge of the surf, splashing -through the water where it was but a few inches -deep, hoping thus to put the dogs off the scent. -In a little while, however, we found this failed to -check them, for, while they stopped a few minutes -at the spot we struck the water, they soon showed -sagacity enough to burst into full cry and come -tearing up the beach in our wake.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were now nearing houses again, and in a -moment bright lights shone ahead. A large building -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>on the edge of the town showed lights in many -windows, and the sound of music and hoarse voices -came forth. It was evidently a place for fishermen -and traders to carouse, and we headed straight for -it as the baying drew close to our heels. The door -was open, and in we dashed, flinging it to in the -faces of as ugly a pair of brutes as I ever saw.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The hounds were evidently well trained to hunt -slaves, for they flung themselves against the panels -until the lock burst and the door flew open, letting -them into the room in full cry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Our entrance into the company collected in that -place naturally caused some commotion. The big -Welshman, Jones, was in the act of footing a hornpipe -with a tall, yellow girl for a partner; Martin -sat with a mug of ale on one hand and a stout blond -woman on the other, and he fiercely squeezed and -pulled an old accordion, while the black Doctor -howled and patted time with his bare feet upon the -prostrate form of Ernest, the German. The rest -of the company were ranged about, looking at the -big Welshman, roaring or screaming as the case -happened to be.</p> - -<p class='c001'>For an instant the crowd stopped spellbound at -our headlong entrance. Martin was in the act of -hurling the accordion at us in his anger at being -interrupted. The door crashed in, and the two -black shapes leaped among them.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>The hounds, with their flaming eyes and lolling -tongues, presented a hideous spectacle, and the effect -of their headlong plunge was too much for the -nerves of the drunken crew. There was a wild -howl of terror and a general scramble. I knocked -over one lamp, and Tim adroitly dowsed the other, -causing total darkness, and then above the wild din -I could hear Martin’s voice, roaring:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Tis th’ dev’l, man! Tis th’ dev’l! Gawd save -us, ’tis th’ dev’l himsel’! Coom out an’ fight like -a man, ye coward! Coom in th’ light, an’ I’ll whollop -ye like a babe, ye sneakin’ traitor! Coom out -an’ stan’ to a true Christian sailor--ho-oo-t!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The screams of the women and bawling of the -men, coupled with the deep baying howls in the -darkness, caused a disorder hard to describe.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There were several windows in the large room, -but in the wild scramble these were overlooked by -some, and, before the hounds could disengage themselves -from the struggling crowd, Tim and I had -leaped out and were running wildly into the streets -of Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Windows were thrown open and heads peered -out, looking in the direction of the uproar, and I -distinctly heard several doubtful encomiums pronounced -upon the habits of sailors by some of the -more respectable residents of that not very pious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>town. Then we fell into a walk, somewhat amused -at our sudden deliverance, and soon mingled with -the loungers upon the broad street, which at this -early hour was still full of people.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XV. <br /> <span class='fss'>OTHERS DECIDE OTHERWISE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>After following the street for a time, we concluded -that our presence would be noted by the -natives, and we turned into a broad, poorly lighted -avenue, whose pavement shone white in the darkness. -Here the houses seemed of the better class, -and, as the avenue stretched away back inland to -the southward, we decided to get across to the -other side of the island, and trust to getting a -sponger or fisherman to take us to some of the deserted -cays until we could make good our escape.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If you didn’t leave such a confounded trail,” -said Tim, “the dogs couldn’t follow us. But you -must be mighty nigh as smelly as a nigger, for they -never even slowed down after they hit it fair.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was about to make a rather warm retort to this -remark, but at that instant the door of a large house -across the street opened, and a boy appeared upon -the threshold. He was joined instantly by a large -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>woman, whose strong face in profile showed plainly -against the light inside.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim halted and seized my arm. Then he swore -softly, and stood gazing at them while they came -out into the street. The door was closed with a -bang by the woman, but not before I had time to -note her figure. She was huge. Almost as tall -as myself, and her shoulders were those of a prize-fighter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Georgie, you dear,” she said, “if you run off -this time, you’ll be sorry.” And her voice was -peculiarly gentle and soft, almost absurdly so for -a person of her size. She locked the door, and they -came toward us until we started to turn aside to -pass.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mary!” said Tim, in a low tone.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The woman stopped as if turned to stone.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who is it?” she asked, sweetly, and I saw her -face clearly as she looked full at me. She was handsome. -It was dark, but her eyes shone, and I could -see the firm sweep of her chin and the well-cut -nose and lips. She was not young, but she had -all the colour and vigour of a girl.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s me,” said Tim, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The next instant the boy’s stick fell across his -shoulders with a loud whack.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Clear out, you rascal,” he said. “How dare -you speak to a lady! Oh, it’s you, is it--”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>In an instant the boy’s arms were around Tim’s -neck, and he was hugging him closely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh, papa, papa!” he was crying, while the -woman looked on silently.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a moment Tim put him aside and stood before -his wife. The scene was strange, and, as I stood by, -gazing at them, I thought of what the little sailor -had told me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim advanced and held out his hand. The woman -sprang forward and seized it, pressing it to her lips -and falling upon her knees.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Forgive me,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c001'>But the sailor could not or would not answer. -He stood looking down at her a long time.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh, Tim, Tim!” she pleaded, gazing up at him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was somewhat disturbed at the scene, for there -were people abroad on the streets, and here was a -fine, large woman, as good-looking as one would -care to see, kneeling before a pitiful-looking sailor, -who was as ragged and dirty looking as a forlorn -slave. If we were to make good an escape from -the barque, it was anything but the proper thing -to make a scene in the town streets.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He is aboard the barque,” said Tim, slowly. -“Will you give him up and come back to me if -I get away?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I knew he was speaking of Renshaw.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yes, yes,” moaned the woman; “only say you’ll -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>forgive me, Tim. I’ll try and help you get away. -You know I can handle a boat, and can come up -to you on the ship if you will let me--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He placed his hand upon her head and bade her -rise. As he did so, two men came from the shadow -of the houses across the street, and I immediately -recognized Renshaw, followed by the bos’n, who -came respectfully a few feet behind him. Old -Richards drew up alongside his master, and stood -ready for further orders.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Get back to your boat, sir,” said Renshaw, addressing -Tim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The little sailor waited to see his wife upon her -feet. Then he turned, and I expected to see him -make a break for it, as he struck me as being pretty -good at running. But I was mistaken.</p> - -<p class='c001'>With a sudden lunge, he struck Renshaw a terrific -blow in the face. The next instant the bos’n -sprang forward and tried to grab him, and would -have succeeded but for the fact that my foot slid -out between, and Richards went sprawling in the -dust.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It looked as though things would take a more -serious turn, for Tim had now been in open mutiny. -Renshaw had fallen and struck his head on a piece -of the flagging in front of the house, and lay quite -insensible.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>“For the Lord’s sake, Richards, let us get away,” -I said, as the bos’n arose angrily to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Into the house, quick,” cried Tim’s wife, as she -led the way toward the door.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He isn’t hurt half as badly as he ought to be,” -said Tim, pointing to the fallen man. “Take him -away, bos’n, before some one sees him.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then we crowded to the door, which was flung -open.</p> - -<p class='c001'>At that minute the deep baying of the hounds -fell upon our ears, sounding weirdly musical in the -night, and a few moments later human forms dashed -up the street, with the leaping animals straining at -the chains that held them, fairly pulling the men -into their tremendous stride.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Way there! way there!” bawled a voice I knew -was Henry’s, and, before I could move, one of the -animals, with a howl, leaped straight for my throat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All thought of escape was gone in an instant, and -I struggled desperately with the animal, while the -black conch beat and pulled to drag him off.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Finally, after I had my hands badly torn with -the brute’s teeth, they succeeded in quieting him, -and Henry clapped irons upon my wrists. Then -I saw Tim had also been taken, and was standing -quietly with his hands ironed behind him and his -head bowed forward, his thoughts evidently far -away from the barque or her crew. Upon the white -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>coral road lay a dark object, and, while I looked, -men raised it and bore it into the house the woman -had but left a few minutes before.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I stood gazing after them until Henry shoved -me roughly ahead.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come, git a move on ye,” said he. And his -fingers closed upon my arm like a vice.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We went some distance before reaching the landing -where we had come ashore, and I was more -astonished to find that, in spite of our wild run, -the boat was not only waiting for our return, but -had an uproarious crowd ironed in her. I could -hear the voice of Martin raised in an argument with -Bill, insisting the devil had taken charge and was -afraid to stand to a true Christian like himself. -And the big Norwegian would earnestly try to -strike him, and then bewailed his inability, owing -to his ironed hands. Above all, the deep roar of -Jones floated over the quiet harbour, joined now -and then by the thick tones of the Doctor bawling -for Thunderbo’ to bring him something that -would “scratch.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were hustled into the boat without ceremony, -and started for the barque.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we drew alongside, Hawkson’s voice hailed us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Got ’em all?” said he.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hevery bloomin’ one, sur,” answered Henry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Knock off their irons, then, and let ’em turn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>in. We’ll make a start early in the mornin’ if things -turn out all right.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There’s been a bit o’ trouble ashore,” said -Henry, climbing up the chains, and then he evidently -told Hawkson something of what had happened, -for Tim’s irons and mine were left on, and -we were hustled below, where we were hitched to -ring-bolts in the slave-deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Shortly afterward, the noise of the howling men -ceased, and I knew that they had either obeyed orders -and turned in, or had been gagged. It was -dark below, and I could see nothing of Tim. -I spoke his name softly, but received no answer. -Then I heard a voice, agonized and full of great -suffering, praying and pleading for some one to -come back again.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XVI. <br /> <span class='fss'>A TASTE OF COLD IRON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>It was hard to tell just when the morning dawned -in that dark hold of the slaver. I was awakened -by Henry coming below and leading us both on -deck, where our usual mess of bread and coffee was -served for breakfast. Then we were told to lay -aft, and, following Hawkson, we entered the cabin -to hear our sentence pronounced by Captain Howard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we entered, that strange old rascal was at -the table with Hicks, engaged in a most peculiar -game. The cloth was divided up into squares like -a checker-board, and from opposite sides the two -were hard at it, and paid no attention to Hawkson’s -entrance. In a short time I found that “beef was -king,” that is, a plate with meat upon it could jump -a dish of bread or cup of coffee, as with checkers, -the person losing not having any more of that victual -for the meal. While they played, they ate from -whatever dishes they could reach, and were so absorbed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>that it was not until Hicks jumped the old -man’s plate of sliced pineapple with a chunk of -salt beef that the old villain turned and noticed us. -Then he surlily demanded what was wanted.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Whether it was the loss of his fruit or memory -of the last night’s occurrence that oppressed him, -it was hard to tell, but his mask-like face showed -no feeling. He bade Hawkson stand us against -the cabin bulkhead, and called Watkins to hand him -pistols.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old steward obeyed with alacrity, for it was -only too evident what he wanted them for. Hicks, -however, burst forth into a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hold on, Captain Howard,” said he. “You -forget this isn’t exactly a pirate ship. Bless your -old heart, you would pistol them both.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“And I will,” said the old villain, cocking back -the flints of the weapons.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He had formerly had the playful habit of loosing -off one or both of his pistols under the table, to -suddenly emphasize an after-dinner argument, and -the rough habits of his early days stuck to him, -only now the weapons appeared above the board. -The game of grub, I learned, was one he had practised -with his mates in the old days when the gambling -habit had taken so strong hold upon him he -must play at something.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks, however, would hear of no such thing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>as shooting us without trial. The captain’s will, -he admitted, was law, but we were in an English -harbour and not on the high seas, and such action -might cause endless trouble if the governor heard -of it. Hawkson also urged the necessity of care -for the sake of the voyage, and indeed he appeared -somewhat worried about the matter until the pistols -were finally laid aside and our case taken up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Tim was asked if he had anything to say why -the sentence of death should not be pronounced -upon him. It would be fulfilled, with the governor’s -permission, sometime that day. He had admitted -the testimony of two witnesses, who swore -they had seen him wound Renshaw.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He was silent and hung his head. Then he raised -it and stood straight before them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I don’t mind the sentence,” said he, “but I do -mind it coming from such as you.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may gag and take him forward,” said -Howard. “He shall be blown from a gun.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He was led away, and they turned to me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>What had I to say? Well, I had considerable, -and I told at some length how I had nothing whatever -to do with Tim’s case.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may drop him overboard with a shot to -each foot,” said Howard, as I finished. “Call away -the gig, Mr. Hawkson. I’ll go over to the governor’s -before he gets too warm to see any one.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>The whole scene, the entire lack of feeling, the -disposing of our cases as though we were simply -niggers, made an impression upon me that can -hardly be described. Then the old pirate turned to -his meal as though nothing had happened, and finished -his coffee, while I was led forward.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Keep a stiff neck, Heywood,” said the old privateersman, -as we came on deck. “I believe you’re -all right. I’ve heard something of this Renshaw -before. He’s a feller of title, ye know, an’, if it -wasn’t for that, I could save the little red-headed -feller, too. But Sir John will insist on one o’ ye -goin’. Blow the little chap from a gun? I’ll see -he hears more o’ your story, an’, if worse comes -from it, I’ll--well, never mind. There’s plenty -o’ time between now and when the old man sees -the governor. He won’t do anything without permission -in port.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t take any trouble on my account,” I said, -angrily. “I’ve tried to clear fair enough, and would -have gone but for Tim meeting his wife. I’d as -soon stand in front as behind the guns of a slaver.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’ll never have sense enough to stand anywhere, -an’ that’s a fact,” growled Hawkson. “A -good ship, a good crew, and plenty of profit in sight. -D--n you, Heywood, I’ve a notion to take you at -your word.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>His fierce eyes held an evil light that I knew boded -no good, and his ugly mouth worked convulsively, -showing his teeth. I was aware my case was not -one to trifle with too freely, and concluded I would -hold my tongue. He left me with an ugly sneer, and -I went below attended by Mr. Gull, who eyed me -savagely, and hustled me with such energy that I -turned upon him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You want to bear a hand and remember that -a live sailor is worth a couple of fool slavers,” said -I. “It’ll pay you to be a bit more careful, Mr. -Gull.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shut up!” he answered, and hitched my shackle -to the ceiling. Then he turned and left me without -another word, while I cursed freely and fluently, -with as much bitterness as a man can express in -language.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was very dark, and I knew nothing of what -was going on above, although I noticed as I crossed -the deck that the fore and main topsails were hanging -up by their clews, all ready to sheet home, and -above them the royals were also hanging loose. -From this I gathered that there would be a start -made very soon, and even as I wondered at our -probable destination, I heard the distant clank and -rattle of the windlass. Then I recognized the Doctor’s -voice bawling the old refrain:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c018'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“Dey’s trouble ob-hyer, an’ dey’s trouble ober dar,</div> - <div class='line'>An’ I really do believe dat dey’s trouble ebbywhar--</div> - <div class='line'>Trouble--trouble--”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c019'>And I knew the mates were working the liquor out -of his black hide.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Soon the anchor was short, and then silence -reigned for a time, broken only by the scurrying -of a ship’s rat across the empty hold.</p> - -<p class='c001'>How oppressive the bilge heat was, and how -rank the stench of the hold! The barque had evidently -been built at a time when salting ships had -not come into fashion, and her old timbers stunk. -I tried to think of the events of yesterday, and wondered -what had become of poor Tim. I feared they -would give him the full penalty, for, although Renshaw -was a notorious adventurer, he was interested -in the craft, and was a friend of Hicks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>His position, also, called for summary vengeance -upon a common sailor, even though that sailor was -an American.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In my case, however, the affair was different. -I had done nothing to either aid or abet Tim in his -assault. I was deserting, and had admitted that, -but I knew nothing of the other affair that had -ended so uncomfortably and caused our arrest. -Hawkson knew this well enough, and it was with -him my fate rested. He might save me from a hanging -yet.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>I stood wondering when and how the case would -be settled, and was very hot and tired, but the -shackle would not allow me to either sit or lie down -upon the deck. The pain caused by the strain upon -my wrists was intense, and I swore loudly at the -men who had forced me into the cursed ship.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly I thought I heard a laugh. I strained -my eyes in the direction whence it came, and soon -made out a shape sitting upon the lower step of -the ladder leading on deck. It chuckled and grunted -for some minutes, and I wondered what it was, when -it rose, and I made out the figure of Watkins.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old steward came over and stood looking -with a hideous sneer upon his face. The light was -enough to see each outline of his features, for my -eyes were now accustomed to the gloom, and the -hatch let in a small ray of sunshine through the -crack of the slide.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You seem devilishly well pleased, Noah,” said -I, with as much composure as I could muster.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He made no reply, but came close to me, and, -leaning forward, as if about to whisper something -in my ear, he seized that member in his teeth and -bit it slowly. The pain was intense, and I roared -out, wiggling to free myself from the monster, -but he held on for many minutes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was fairly sick with pain, but the old fellow -failed to notice that my legs were not ironed. As -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>I was unable to move, he had doubtless supposed -they were shackled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>With what remaining strength I had left, I kicked -him, and by excellent luck landed full upon his -stomach. He gave a grunt and doubled up like -a pocket-knife, falling away from me and lying -motionless upon the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I mentally prayed I had killed him, and bawled -at the top of my voice for Hawkson and Gull to -come below. I might just as well have saved my -breath, for not a sound could reach the main-deck, -where they would evidently be at that time of day. -I tried to ease my ear a bit by pressing my shoulder -against the wound.</p> - -<p class='c001'>After a time that seemed an age, the pain let -up a little. I looked at the form upon the deck -before me, and saw it move and then rise and again -come toward me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You old cannibal,” I cried, “if ever I get clear -of these irons, I’ll cut you to ribbons for this.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If ever you do, you may,” he hissed. “How -would you like to shake hands on that.” And he -seized my irons behind my back, keeping to one -side from my kicks, and he twisted until I almost -fainted with agony. I roared and bawled and struggled, -but to no purpose. I could not shake the -horrible old creature off. Just when I thought I -could stand the pain no longer, and I verily believe -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>the fiend intended to kill me, the hatch was opened, -and the carpenter came down the ladder with an -armful of chains.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Instantly Watkins sprang away and disappeared, -leaving me calling for the fellow Jorg to lend me -a hand and keep the rascal off.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jorg came stolidly below, and began shackling -his chains to the ring-bolts, paying no more attention -to me than to a man raving in delirium. He -looked at me curiously and shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Youse’ll get over it, friend John, in a day or -two,” he said, and went on deck.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XVII. <br /> <span class='fss'>SIR JOHN AND MISS ALLEN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>While I stood there, sweating in the heat and -pain below, expecting the reappearance of the old -steward, I heard the windlass at work again, and -faint cries as of men straining up the topsails.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly I recognized Hawkson’s voice near the -main-hatch, and a moment later the section was -slid aside and he came below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Get me out of this!” I roared at him, as he -came up. “Get me out, or there’ll be murder -aboard.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Steady, steady! D’ye expect me to turn ye -loose when ye talk of murder? Sink ye, Heywood! -what’s come over ye, anyways?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If you’re the man you claim to be,” I said, hotly, -“turn my hands loose, and stand before me for -ten minutes. Only ten minutes, Hawkson, and, if -I don’t kill you, you may eat me alive. You may -choose any weapon, and I’ll take my bare--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Tut, tut, what kind o’ hysteria is this? What’d -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>I want t’eat ye alive for? Sink ye for a crazy boy! -who’d eat a tough youngster like you, boy? What--well--oh, -ho!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He had come close to me, and had noticed my -ear. Then he chuckled in his quiet way, his ugly -face working with amusement.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yes,” I said, “that’s the old steward’s doings, -and he’ll probably come back to finish me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, well, oh, ho, ho!” he laughed. “Didn’t -I tell you the old fellow would try his hand on you? -But it’s a trifle; stand clear.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Here he loosened the irons, and I stood forth, -rubbing my sore wrists that were now partly paralyzed -by being held so long.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s all right. Go up on deck and lend a hand, -as soon as you get your head cleared up. Mind ye, -now, it was a rat that bit ye, understand? Don’t -make any more trouble. If ye want to kill the -steward, do it some other time. I had hard work -savin’ ye, an’ I don’t want any more trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I went forward, and, after bathing my sore ear, -I went on deck in time to see the last of Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The sun was shining brightly and the air was -hot, but the trade-wind was fresh, and we went to -sea at a rapid rate under royals. Bill asked me -where I had been, and Martin stopped me to make -some remark of the wild day before, but neither -appeared to know what had happened, save that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>every one had gotten very drunk. Tim was not -aboard, and I never saw him again. He had disappeared, -and nothing but his broken irons were -left to tell of his departure. The bos’n, however, -was on watch, and he spoke vaguely afterward about -a small boat coming alongside with a woman in -it. Just what part Richards had played in the game, -it was, of course, impossible to find out, but before -long I knew that Tim and his family had made a -voyage across the Florida channel in a small boat, -and had probably succeeded in evading pursuit. -No further notice of the affair was taken by the -officers aft for reasons better known to themselves, -and Renshaw chose to remain ashore, taking no -further interest in the enterprise.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was now evident that we had started on our -voyage for blacks, and that escape from the barque -was impossible. I was angry enough, but remembered -that desertion merited some roughness, and, -upon the whole, I had been pretty well treated.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry gave me a furtive look from his ferret -eyes as I passed him on deck. He had done no -more than his duty in chasing me, and I, therefore, -bore him no malice because he had been successful. -It was several days before he would trust himself -near me, however, and kept his eyes busy as we -went about the vessel attending to our various occupations.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>The day was perfect for navigating the reef, and, -as my hands were badly used up, I spent much time -forward, watching the shoals and banks, that were -distinctly visible under five or six fathoms of water. -We could run in this, and at such a depth, with -the sun shining, a very small object could be seen -upon the coral bottom. Yankee Dan and his daughter -were upon the poop with Hicks and Howard. -The girl was to go with us as far as St. Helena on -our voyage to Africa.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Gull had volunteered this much information, -and the men were somewhat curious in their gaze -aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The passengers took no notice of this, but spent -the afternoon watching the reef or bank, the young -girl being much entertained by the various sights -upon the bottom.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the afternoon I went upon the poop to clean -the guns and otherwise attend them, and the young -lady gave me a nod of recognition. She evidently -remembered that shot, for I found out afterward -it had cost her father a pretty sum, and for a time -it looked as if there would be no slaver cleared at -Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The governor, however, compromised on a handsome -fee for damages, as the shot had plunged -clear through his parlour, leaving only a small hole -in both walls to mark its passage. How much of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>this fee found its way into Howard’s pocket, it was -hard to determine, but he evidently was not forgotten. -The affair was not alluded to again except -among the men.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks scowled at me, but said nothing, and then -I kept close watch upon him, as he appeared to -still bear me some malice for having been present -at Renshaw’s mishap. He was a bold and unscrupulous -rascal, and would have taken a lively interest -in my jump over-side, had they insisted on it, -with a shot to each foot. His manner toward the -young girl irritated me also, for, while I’m far from -being a priest, yet there is a certain respect for -young women every honest sailor has, and which -was apparently entirely absent in this man’s manner. -They were evidently talking of Renshaw, for I -heard Hicks mention his name sadly in connection -with the dishonourable affair at the card-table that -had caused his abandonment by people of his own -class.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I see,” said Miss Allen, “cheating over a game -of cards is highly wrong, but cheating a man out -of his wife’s affections is highly commendable. A -strange code of morals you Englishmen have. In -your class, perhaps, the money is more valuable. -Is that it?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Whatever his sins were, let us not judge them,” -said Hicks. “As for the class you speak of, I can -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>only answer that a wife’s affections are valued by -most men according to the wife. Don’t you think -a woman has pretty much the same gauge to measure -by?” And, as he spoke, he leaned toward her, -looking her straight in the eyes until she flushed -crimson.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have broken all of the ten commandments -for women,” said Hicks, slowly, still keeping his -gaze fixed upon her, “and I would break them all -gladly for the woman I love.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A self-confessed saint!” she answered, somewhat -uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, slaving is not the least of my ambitions,” -said he, carelessly. “Perhaps you think there is -nothing in running a cargo of blacks? It may be -there’s little, but, if we were overhauled with your -father aboard and a crowd below, even ‘trading’ -would not appear an innocent occupation.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I know it, but what can I do? Do you suppose -I think everything that papa does is right?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I would hardly accuse you of such lack of -judgment,” said Hicks, laughing and glancing at -Howard and her father in conversation near the -break of the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“But because papa does strange things, you -needn’t think I believe they are good,” she said, -with some feeling. “As for slavery, it’s only wrong -in the abstract. How could the poor blacks look -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>out for themselves? They must be taken care of. -What on earth would we do without servants?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I was not trying to convince you that you were -a desperate pirate,” said Hicks, still laughing. -“Only to show you what a saint had the pleasure -of talking to you. When you have lived with me -a time, you’ll realize it better--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“When what?” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“When we’ve been married a few seasons, -you’ll--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“When is a good word,” she said, angrily. -“How dare you speak to me like that, Sir John!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I dare much more,” he answered, quietly, his -handsome face setting into an expression of grim -determination, “but this is hardly the place to declare -it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I thought it was about time for me to leave that -vicinity, and I strapped the vent-cover on the gun -I was attending to ostentatiously, and started forward. -Hicks never gave me even a passing glance, -but, as I went forward, I heard steps sounding upon -the companionway aft, and, turning for a moment, -I beheld the head and shoulders of Mr. Curtis -emerging from the cabin. He looked a moment at -Hicks and the girl, and then went over to where -they stood, near the taffrail, while I joined the watch -on the main-deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As I went down the lee steps, I caught a glimpse -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>of Watkins in the cabin, making a grimace I could -hardly fail to understand. He was out of reach, -and I could only stop and curse him, until Mr. Gull -came out and asked me what was the matter. Then -I turned and lent Bill and Martin a hand at the -weather main-brace, for we had gotten well clear -of the bank, and were running off to the westward -on our course for the other side.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XVIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE BARQUE HAS ILL LUCK</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>I now come to that part of the narrative which -deals with the turning-point of our luck on this -cruise.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Since Renshaw’s leaving left much of the influence -to be desired out of the enterprise, Mr. Curtis -began to feel anxious about his responsibility in -the matter. It is true the gentleman was an outcast -from his own people, but he was a nobleman, -for all that, and the governor of New Providence -would be much influenced by him. It might be -necessary to have a friend at hand in case something -unpleasant turned up, especially as the laws governing -slaves were becoming more and more strict.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The bos’n was suspected in having aided Tim -to escape from the barque. At any rate, he was -responsible for him. He was an American also, -and often when the seaman would come upon the -poop, Curtis would find some harsh word to say -to him. Afterward he would complain to Howard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>so bitterly at the bos’n’s insolence that the old captain -began to experience some of the landsman’s bad -temper.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The discipline of the ship had been good, save -for the incidents of the run on the beach. Now -the real cruise had begun and there was no more -chance for desertion, the strictest laws of a war-ship -were easy in comparison to those enforced.</p> - -<p class='c001'>This put much work upon Richards, and began -to make unnecessary friction between him and the -men. Between the hard feeling caused by Curtis -aft, and the steady grumbling of such men as Martin -and some of his followers forward, the bos’n -began to have an unpleasant time of it, and a most -desperate affray was averted on several occasions -only by his steadiness and coolness of temper.</p> - -<p class='c001'>One day the bos’n was called to attend to some -repairs on the wheel-ropes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Curtis saw him, and either inadvertently or -deliberately jostled him as he came along the poop. -Hawkson saw the affair, and hastened to avert -trouble, but was too late. Curtis very foolishly -kicked the bos’n savagely and swore at him before -all the men of the watch on deck. Richards, true -to his creed, lashed out most vigorously, and knocked -the landsman half-way across the deck before Hawkson -caught him. It was only Hawkson’s steadiness -of purpose that prevented a general mix-up on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>board, for Curtis insisted upon the sailor being -flogged. Richards swore he would kill the man -who laid hands on him, and, as he had several -friends forward, including myself, who would have -stood by him, and as he had the chief officer aft, -there was a deal of trouble before anything like -order prevailed. When the outfly was patched up -by Yankee Dan and Sir John, who saw the danger -of such affairs, there was no longer anything like -smoothness again. The bos’n never attempted to -give an order, and went about his duties with a -set smile, which I tried to fathom on several occasions -and received a cold silence for my pains. Then -I knew trouble was coming, and prepared for it, -caring little, however, just when and in what shape -it would appear.</p> - -<p class='c001'>For a day or two we dragged slowly over the -blue water. The royals would pull a bit in the light -air, but our wake was not a long one.</p> - -<p class='c001'>On the third day, I was cleaning the forward -gun to windward, gazing over the beautiful calm -water. To the southward the deepening blue of -the sky seemed to show in peculiar contrast to the -ocean, and, while I gazed over the vast distance, -the water streaked and darkened under the light -draughts. The royals came to the masts every now -and then, when the breeze died almost entirely, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>flapped gently, coming full again as the barque -swung herself to windward on the swell.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Miss Allen was on the poop with Mr. Curtis, -and that saturnine young man, Hicks, was standing -aft gazing at them with an expression far from pleasant -upon his handsome face.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I became aware of a low, vibrant, wailing murmur -coming out of the sunlit void to the south’ard. -It was like the cry I had heard before and had had -such an effect upon poor Tim.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan’s daughter evidently heard it, for -she straightened up and listened, gazing steadily -to windward. As the cry rose and fell, dying away -as the breeze increased, it thrilled me through and -through.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the matter?” asked Henry, who had -come up and noticed my intense look.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t you hear it?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“S’pose Hi do; it’s nothin’. Have ye cooled -off?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was the first time he had spoken directly to me -since the affair with the hounds, and I took it for -an overture of friendship.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If you squeeze my hand, I’ll brain you,” I said, -and held it out. He took it, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What made ye bolt, anyways?” he asked. “Hi -could git ye anywheres on that island. Hi had to -pay fer that dog ye killed, too.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>He seated himself beside me, as it was nearly -eight bells, and we talked a few minutes, he describing -the amusement caused by the two hounds loosed -into the room of Thunderbo’s dance-hall.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Twas a fine sight, Heywood, to see that bloodhound -grab the conch by the heel. If Hi hadn’t -stopped there to laugh it out, Hi wud ha’ bust wide -open. There he was hanging out the window, with -Jones a-pullin’ one way an’ the dog the other, while -the Doctor whanged him over the buttocks as they -stretched ’im over the sill.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I felt little like laughing, although the scene of -confusion must have been amusing to an uninterested -spectator. Had he taken us sooner, the other -affair would not have followed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I cud ’a’ taken ye, but Hi had to laugh at that -conch,” explained Henry. “What d’yer s’pose -makes my fingers so big, anyways?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Poking them in other people’s business,” said I.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“An’ that’s a fact,” he answered. “Poking -them in other people’s business. Man, I was chief -garroter in Havana onct, an’ I ’as strangled more -men than there is in this ship. Hi ’av’ been a -detective an’ a executioner both. That’s how I -know how to handle dogs. Save ye, Heywood, d’ye -suppose Hawkson would ’a’ let you fellows loose -ashore ef he didn’t know Hi’d bring ye back all -standin’, as the sayin’ is?”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>Henry had never appeared prepossessing to me, -and now his statement as to his vocation did little -to draw him nearer. On the contrary, he noticed -my look of disgust and wonder, as I scanned his -huge fingers.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Never mind,” he said, with a grin, “’tain’t -likely they’ll be used on you, though Hi closed ’em -onct on the old man’s neck when he was taken -fer cuttin’ out them Spanish wood-hunters in the -Isle o’ Pines. They let him go just in time. Now -they use a screw, for there ain’t been a man there -since as c’u’d do the trick wid his fingers,--an’ -old Howard insisted that Hi must stick to him for -a lucky boy.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>While he talked, I noticed the barque gave a -sudden heave of much greater inclination than usual. -She seemed to take a new motion, as though a swell -from the westward had rolled up against the trade -swell. I looked over the side, and noticed a long -heave to the sea setting at a sharp angle to the -slight rise and fall we had been riding. Henry saw -it also, and gazed to the south’ard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Far away on the horizon a dim haziness seemed -forming in the otherwise cloudless sky. I looked -aft in time to see Howard come up the companion -and gaze around the horizon. Then he said something -to Hawkson, who had also appeared, and the -old mate came to the break of the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>“Take in them royals,” he called to the watch -on deck, and the men, who were expecting to hear -eight bells struck and dinner announced, had a job. -Henry sprang up and went aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“T’gallants’ls,” said Hawkson, laconically.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I pulled on the gun-cover, and had already gotten -it fast when the order came to clew up the mainsail. -Then, as I had to go aloft with the rest, I -joined Bill and Ernest in the weather main-rigging.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Fallin’ glass,” said Bill. “I youst heard the -mate tell Henry. Ole Richards looks worried. -Didn’t think he’d take that interest, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We rolled the sail up in short order, keeping an -eye on the poop, where Howard was now squinting -away at the sun with his sextant.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Eight bells,” came his hoarse croak, and a Norwegian -struck them off loudly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Roll up the spanker an’ foresail,” came the order, -and, instead of getting dinner, the watch turned -out with the rest, and all hands were kept busy. -Then came the topsails, and finally we reefed the -fore and main topsails, the barque rolling log-wise -in a very uneasy roll that came quickly from the -south’ard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was one bell before we were allowed on deck, -and then, all tired and hot, we scattered for cool -places to eat the deferred meal.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hardly had we finished than a cool, clammy mist -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>spread itself over the ocean, and a good breeze began -blowing from the north’ard. The sun appeared -like a copper ball, and as it dimmed the breeze increased. -The swell now began running with a -tremendous heave from the southwest, and the -barque rolled her channels under. All hands were -kept on deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The black Doctor had just gathered the last of -the forecastle truck into the galley, where the little -Dane, Johnson, was allowed to clean them up, when -we heard a deep moaning to the south’ard. The -bank of the mist seemed to grow thicker. Then, -with a slow rising, droning roar, the hurricane struck -the barque and laid her over on her side until her -lee dead-eyes were a foot below the sea.</p> - -<p class='c001'>How Miss Allen and Curtis climbed down off the -poop, I could never guess. The deep notes of the -wind rushing through the rigging drowned all sound -save the cries of Hawkson and Gull, who, hanging -on to the poop-rail, bawled for the men to man the -braces and get the ship hove to.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It struck us full upon the quarter, and nothing -had carried away, although the straining strips of -canvas aloft seemed marvellously strong to withstand -that furious outfly. The sea was as white as -a coral bank, looking as though covered with a finely -drifting snow, as the wind swept the top of the -ocean level and drove the foam before it.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>We were under the shortest canvas, and were -trying to get her on the wind before the sea made, -as it was sure to make, in a few minutes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we tailed on to the topsail-brace, I caught a -glimpse of Richards and Yankee Dan rolling the -wheel over, although the deck was as steep as the -ship’s sides. Slowly the old barque righted herself, -as she headed up within four points of it, scooping -her main-deck full of water, some of which found -its way below, as the main-hatch had not been battened -or caulked, and the flood rolled over it waist-deep. -Had we been taken aback, the topmasts would -surely have gone overboard in that blast, for it -was impossible to realize its tremendous power.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I could hear the captain’s hoarse croak from near -the mizzen, sounding faintly in the roar about us, -and I caught the look of Big Jones’s face as he -raised it over the rail and brought it back streaming -with the flying drift and gasping for breath. -Then we belayed the line, and started to get all -yards sharp on the starboard tack.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was desperate work, but it was finished at last, -and, by the time we had a chance to breathe and look -about us, the barque was riding into such a sea -as seldom runs in the western ocean, her topsails -hanging in short ribbons from the jack-stays, and a -gale thundering through her rigging that bid fair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>to drive her under by the sheer weight of the wind -in it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was no steady blow. Sometimes the roar -aloft would die down for a few minutes, and it -would seem as if the weight of it had passed. Then -would come a squall, snoring and roaring, rising -up into a wild chaos of sound that was almost deafening, -and the barque would be laid upon her side -for several minutes as it tore past.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jorg, with the pluck and perseverance of his race, -worked desperately at the hatches to get them battened -down firmly. Henry and I managed to get a -large timber over the canvas cover, and, lashing one -end fast to the ring-bolt on one side, we hove down -with it until we could get Richards, Bill, Jones, and -the rest to pass a lashing, heaving the lever over -as tight as our combined weight could make it go. -I saw Hawkson waving his hand, and crawled to -him along the pin-rail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Go aft to the wheel,” he roared in my ear, and -I climbed the poop.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XIX. <br /> <span class='fss'>AND STILL MORE ILL-LUCK</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>As I crawled up the lee steps of the poop of <i>The -Gentle Hand</i>, I began to believe it was blowing. -I could not possibly stand before that blast. Holding -to the poop-rail, I worked aft and relieved -Yankee Dan, who had helped the man already there -by taking the spokes to windward.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All about the barque were the lowering banks -of scud, darkening the ocean now almost to night, -and flying with the rapidity of the wind. Above -was the deep gray of the heavy pall of vapour.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I glanced into the binnacle and noticed that the -wind had already shifted, although it had been blowing -less than an hour. It had become more and -more squally, and the blasts roared down upon the -barque with incredible force. The sea was ugly, -but instead of the great, rolling sea of the Cape, -it was a short, quick mass of water that flung itself -with appalling force. High as she was, <i>The Gentle -Hand</i> took them now and again over the topgallant-rail, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>and flooded her main-deck waist-deep. -Soon her lee bulwarks tore away, letting the flood -have full sway across and overboard. This eased -her a trifle, and we strove to nurse her closer to -the wind, although, without canvas, the wheel would -have been as well lashed hard down.</p> - -<p class='c001'>For three hours more she headed up beautifully, -although sometimes the blasts would take her to -leeward and whirl her head up into the sea. Then -another would strike her full, and off she would -swing almost into the trough, while Hawkson and -the rest would struggle to get a cloth against the -weather mizzen ratlines.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly, after one wild, snoring rush of warm -wind, it fell dead calm. The sea was leaping wildly, -bursting over our bow one moment, and then the -next piling in amidships with a crash that tested -the strength of the old hull. She would seem to -settle under the load, and once there was nothing -visible forward of the break of the poop save the -end of her t’gallant forecastle. The men had to lay -aft and keep alive.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While the calm moments lasted, the air was oppressively -warm, and I noticed Hicks come from -behind the shelter of the spanker-boom and coolly -light his pipe, although the barque was rolling and -plunging so heavily it was hard to see how he kept -his feet without holding on. He made his way aft -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>just as Mr. Curtis emerged from the companion, -followed by Miss Allen.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The barque was plunging wildly, and I had all -I could do to hold the wheel-spokes. Suddenly I -heard a cry from forward. Captain Howard stood -clear of the mizzen for a moment and pointed aft. -Over the starboard quarter a huge sea rose like a -wall, then topped into a snoring comber, and flung -with the rush of an avalanche over the poop. The -dull, thunderous crash drowned all sound, and the -same instant I felt myself being torn from the wheel -by the flood. Then I went under, still holding on -with all my strength to the spokes, but feeling them -dragged from my hands by the prodigious power -washing me away.</p> - -<p class='c001'>When I came to my senses, I was lying against -the rise of the poop, where I had brought up -doubled over, my body on top and my legs hanging -in the swirl that rolled over to leeward. There was -no one at the wheel. The Norwegian had gone -overboard, and, as he had probably struck heavily -against the spokes, he was doubtless killed outright.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I crawled back, gasping and driving the brine -from my face. Then I remembered Miss Allen -and her lover, Mr. Curtis, and looked for them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the boiling foam of the side-wash a few -fathoms from the side, the girl’s head, with her hair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>floating in tangles, showed above the white. She -was apparently swimming, though feebly, for she -must have been hurled far below in the cataract that -poured to leeward. Near her was Mr. Curtis, his -eyes staring at the ship and his face expressing -surprise and anxiety. He struck out for the barque, -and did not help the girl near him, or, in fact, give -her any attention until he had grasped the lee mizzen -channels as the vessel rolled down. Here he -drew himself up, and started to coil a line trailing -overboard to throw to her. I started to the side, -letting go the wheel, but before I reached the rail, -I saw a form plunge from the mizzen sheer-pole, -and in an instant Hicks rose to the surface almost -alongside the young lady. It was boldly done, and -I caught the expression in his eyes as he seized her -by the shoulder and turned toward the ship.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson was bawling out something, and I -turned in time to feel the first puff of a squall that -came snoring down upon us with a rush that made -every line sing to the strain. In an instant the -barque was laying over to it, and as it struck her -abaft the beam she started ahead.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks was now alongside, and Curtis, aided by -Yankee Dan, was helping the young girl on deck. -It was a remarkable occurrence, happening as it -did in the centre of that hurricane, when the barque -was becalmed and without any headway. Otherwise -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>it would have been a certain death for any -one going over the side. In less than five minutes -the gale was blowing as hard as ever from an almost -opposite point of the compass, the squalls coming -with appalling force, sending us a good fifteen knots -an hour, with nothing but the bare yards aloft to -receive the pressure.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Two men came aft to relieve the wheel, which I -had rolled up with Mr. Gull’s help, and I had a -few minutes’ breathing space as we tore along, the -men forward trimming in the braces and squaring -the yards for a run before it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks stood upon the poop near the mizzen, -where he had climbed up, and he gazed after Curtis, -who, with Yankee Dan, half-dragged and half-carried -Miss Allen below. There was a strange look -in his eyes, and I saw him cursing in a sinister manner, -though what he said was lost in the uproar. -Then he joined the captain at the break of the poop, -where the old man had remained, having escaped -the flood by springing with the rest upon the -spanker-boom.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Sir John Hicks was a thorough rascal, according -to report, but somehow he showed up very well -with Mr. Curtis, who had been a well-known churchman -and piously inclined even to the time he had -bought his interest in <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As for the grim old villain in command, he made -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>no comment, but stood watching his ship without -a trace of anxiety upon his mask-like countenance. -Even as I watched him, he was calculating the time -to swing her up on the port tack to keep afloat in -that cross-sea, before which no vessel could run -very long.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I could hardly help thinking then that so much -nervous strength and control must have a limit -sometime. The old fellow had been through a good -deal, and certainly must have used up much of his -giant energy in earlier trials. I wondered vaguely -for a few moments when the time would come when -his stoical indifference and cruelty would be used -up and he become a debtor to nature. How would -the old man die? Would he be inscrutable and -implacable to the last? It would be a matter of -physical force with him, and he appeared pretty -tough yet, ready for many a rough fracas, and afraid -of nothing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yet I doubted whether his courage was any finer -than some others who were less reckless and held -responsibility as something of value. He finally -gave the order to Hawkson, and the deep voice of -the mate sounded above the booming, sonorous roar -overhead. A heavy tarpaulin was lashed in the -mizzen-rigging on the outside, so that the shrouds -might make a solid background to hold it against -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>the blast. It was an old hatch-cover, but of heavier -cloth than our topsail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The wheel was rolled hard down just as a heavy -squall showed signs of slacking, and a comparative -smooth space showed to windward. The old barque -came quickly into the trough, and, as she did so, -the full force of the hurricane could be felt. Over -and over she went until her lee rail disappeared -beneath the foam, while above her towered a sea -that bade fair to drive her under as it fell aboard. -She lay perfectly on end for an instant, the deck -being absolutely perpendicular, and her yard-arm -beneath the swirl to leeward, and the weight of that -rolling hill broke clear across, the larger part of it -landing in the sea to starboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The shock was terrific. Both fore and main topmasts -went out of her and trailed alongside in the -smother. There was no sound save the thundering -crash of the water, but as soon as the men who -had saved themselves could move from their places, -we tried to save the ship. Hawkson, Gull, Henry, -Richards, Jones, Martin, and the rest made their -way forward by holding to the pin-rail, and we cut -to clear away the foretopmast alongside. All the -time the barque was on end, her hatches under water, -and the wild, booming snore of the hurricane roaring -over her, sending cataracts of water over her -t’gallant-rail. By desperate work we led the wreckage -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>forward, and towed it by a heavy line from the -port cat-head. This finally had the effect, together -with the tarpaulin aft, of pulling her head into the -sea, and after a quarter of an hour, every minute -of which I expected to see her go under, she began -to right herself.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Too exhausted to speak and half-drowned by the -seas, we hung on under the shelter of the forecastle -until she once more rode safely into it. I looked -into the streaming faces of the men, and wondered -how many had gone to leeward that day, and then -it seemed to me that slaving for wealth might not -be any better than I had originally held it to be. -Aloft in that gray pall the scud were whirling past, -and I found myself thinking of Tim and the cry -of the South Sea. A sailor is apt to get superstitious -even without reason, and it struck me that -there would be little luck aboard the old pirate on -this cruise.</p> - -<p class='c001'>When we had a chance to leave, we found that -one dago and the little Dane had disappeared from -among us, and, as the gale wore down toward evening, -there was a sorry picture of a black barque -riding the quick sea of the western ocean, her rigging -hanging and trailing to leeward from the -stumps of her topmasts, and a half-drowned crew -holding on to anything they could.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before morning the hurricane had passed, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>we were again heading off across the ocean, with a -badly wrecked ship and an ugly, demoralized set of -men, cursing their luck, the ship, and especially her -officers in a manner that spoke of trouble ahead.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XX. <br /> <span class='fss'>WHAT HAPPENED IN MADEIRA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The days following that storm were full of labour -for all on board the barque. Rigging a jury -maintopmast, and securing the yards that had remained -fast to the line ahead, and which had acted -as a sea anchor or drag and thereby saved us, we -made the best of our way to Madeira. The voyage -was uneventful and long, owing to our wrecked -condition, but it ended at last.</p> - -<p class='c001'>During the days of toil the temper of the men -grew worse, and at one time Martin and Anderson -began to talk pretty freely in the watch below. -Howard tied the Scandinavian up in the rigging, -and was about to use even more severe methods, -but Hawkson and Hicks prevailed. He was apprised -of the murmurings forward by his steward, -Watkins, who took care he lost very little of what -went on.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson and Hicks, backed by Mr. Gull and -Henry, however, knew that to precipitate trouble -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>would ruin whatever prospects the voyage still held, -and they made it plain to the trader that his influence -was also necessary to curb the captain’s temper. -Together they held him in check, and we made harbour -without coming to desperate measures.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The behaviour of Mr. Curtis after the storm was -most peculiar. He prayed very often, and seemed -to develop a most pious disposition. This went to -the extent of asking permission to have the men -mustered on Sundays, so that by standing on the -break of the poop he could address and harangue -them upon religious matters.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The idea tickled Howard so keenly that he not -only agreed to it, but insisted that it should happen -twice a week until the men were in better temper. -It was being enforced when the towering sides of -Pico Ruivo rose above the eastern horizon.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Miss Allen had not been especially impressed by -these harangues, and this day joined Hicks upon -the poop, while the affair took place. Hicks had -been below, but had appeared forward talking confidentially -to Martin, and had passed a package -which the brawny Scot had taken below very hurriedly -just as all hands mustered. When Hicks -reached the poop, coming up the cabin companion, -we were already standing under the break, lounging -in various attitudes of inattention.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I hardly remember what Mr. Curtis said on this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>occasion, but he pointed to the distant mountains -and waxed very eloquent. We had seen this land -before, but he had not.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It is the prayers of us poor sinners,” said he, -stretching forth his hand, “that has at last saved -our barque from storm and calm. We are poor, -weak mortals, and must ask for help.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who calls er mon like me er weak mortil, hey?” -came a voice from the crowd, and there stood Martin, -the empty bottle in hand, his eyes shifty and -dangerous.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m a true Christian man, d’ye ken that, an’ -if ye dare say I be ither, I’ll wallop ye like er babe.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Curtis was off the poop in an instant, and there -was a mix-up that promised much in the way of -diversion, for whatever our preacher lacked, it was -not a quick temper. He seized the tipsy Scot by -the hair with both hands, and, in spite of the hoots -and wallops he received, was making a very fair -job of him when Jones and Henry separated them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard stood on the poop and cackled away, -enjoying the scene, refusing to do anything to Martin -unless Curtis ordered it. This the younger man’s -vanity would not permit, and upon the whole it -was just as well, for it made the feeling a little less -uncomfortable forward, which was a good thing -for a vessel going into a harbour where crews might -be scarce.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>There was some hesitancy on Hawkson’s part -about going in with such a large crew, for trading-vessels -generally were not heavily manned. It -might create enough comment to attract the attention -of a man-of-war, and even though our papers -might be fixed satisfactorily, a boarding of the -barque would be hazardous to a slaving enterprise. -At all events, it was decided that Mr. Gull should -take a boat’s crew and land upon the Desertas, the -rocks about a dozen miles to the southward. Here -they would kill as many wild goats and hogs as they -could, and await the barque’s signal before venturing -in, bucanning the meat for the voyage back.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We soon anchored in the open roadstead not very -far from the beach. The town of Funchal lay before -us to the north’ard, its terraces and vineyards -rising from the water up the steep sides of the -mountains. A very pretty place it was, and in a -short time the captain’s gig was called away to take -him ashore. Richards silently brought the boat to -the ladder, and sat stiff and motionless, a regular -man-o’-war cockswain. The whole after-guard, except -Henry and Watkins, clambered into the boat, -Yankee Dan and his daughter accompanied by -Hicks and Curtis.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old trader had been somewhat subdued in -spirits during the latter part of the trip across, owing -to our loss of gear and the leaky condition of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>vessel. Now he spoke with his usual spirits, which -rose as the distance between him and the shore lessened.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sink me!” said he, “if I don’t try to show -these dagoes how to drive a trade for them topmasts.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wouldn’t, if you intend staying ashore,” said -Hicks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Will I stay ashore?” said Miss Allen.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Until we can ship you to the Continent,” said -her father. “It won’t be long before we put you -and Curtis aboard some ship for Havre. Then -you’ll both be safe.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had realized before this that Mr. Curtis was -looked to as the fowl who was laying the golden -egg for the enterprise, while Dan was to do the -trading. His daughter was the principal tie between -them, and she was, doubtless, the innocent lever -the trader had used to get the younger man interested -in slaving. It looked as if there would soon -be a marriage.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The girl had nodded to me as I took the stroke -oar, and I will admit I felt interested in her future. -Whatever Sir John Hicks felt, he kept it well to -himself, for he joined the conversation right merrily, -although his behaviour toward Mr. Curtis was -unnecessarily polite. We rowed swiftly over the -swell of the blue roadstead, and ran the boat’s nose -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>upon the sand, the light surf splashing into the stern-sheets -just enough to cause some scrambling for -dry places. Then the boat was surrounded by natives, -who plunged into the water regardless of their -white breeches, and offered to carry the passengers -ashore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones and myself, however, placed a short board -for Miss Allen to sit upon, and then raised it to -the height of our shoulders with her upon it, bearing -her aloft, while she gave a bit of a scream and -fastened her fingers in our hair for support. Then -we strode ashore to the dry beach above high water, -with small regard for the scowling dagoes who -failed to earn their silver.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The rest were so busily engaged in getting ashore -dry that they failed to note that I seized the little -hand upon my head and kissed it fervently, much -to Big Jones’s delight and the young lady’s embarrassment.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You know what they’d do to you if they knew -you were so rude,” said she, flushing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ve risked death for less pleasure,” said I, -touching my forehead.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Then the fool-killer surely was not in the neighbourhood. -You forget your position,” said she, -haughtily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I was a mate once,” I answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, you’re not now. If it were not that Sir -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>John--I mean, Mr. Curtis would kill you, I should -report your insolence.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Tis a small deed to die for,” said I, “and, if -I must go, perhaps I had better make my end doubly -certain--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>At this moment Yankee Dan’s voice called, and -I turned in time to see him approaching.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones, who had walked toward the boat, glanced -back uneasily at me, but I touched my forelock, -having no cap, and left Miss Allen. The big Welshman -did not hear all of our conversation, but, lest -he retail part of it to the men, I took the trouble -to make it plain to him that such a trick would be -reckoned as a great discourtesy to the lady and -myself, and that a necessary settlement would therefore -take place. Jones, in spite of his size, was a -man of keen discernment and not without discretion. -He was silent.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As the island was well wooded with fine large -trees, it was but a short time before we had our -topmasts on the beach ready to take aboard and -set up. Jorg took charge of the spars, and we -floated them alongside and hoisted them on deck, -where he at once set to work upon them. Much -of the ironwork from the wreck we had saved, -and this shortened the job very considerably. -Within a week from the day we dropped anchor, -gant-lines were rigged and the new spars sent aloft. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>The backstays were then set up and the t’gallant-masts -were sent up, one of these having been saved -from the wreck and the other cut ashore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The work of rigging kept all hands busy day and -night, so we saw little of the town of Funchal. -We went ashore once to buy a second-hand suit -of t’gallantsails and royals, which were to be used -as good weather canvas, and have an old maintop-sail -recut, but there was little time even for sampling -the wines I had heard so much about.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we lay there, a large American brig came -in and anchored near us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She was evidently a trader by her look, and by -her build and rig she appeared very fast and rakish. -She flew the American ensign, and I was interested -in her. As soon as we had a little respite from -rigging, I asked permission to visit the stranger, -and, to my surprise, it was granted. Neither Hawkson -nor Howard appeared the least interested in -the vessel, and had neither received a visit from -her captain nor made a visit to him. When Bill, -Ernest, Martin, and myself took the small boat that -evening and started over to her, Hawkson called -me aside.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Take a peep below hatches if ye get the chance, -and see what sort o’ guns she carries. Maybe ye’ll -care to change ships,” said he, with his ugly smile.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As something of this nature had really been finding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>place in my mind, I suppose I flushed a bit. -I had intended to desert, should the brig clear first, -for slaving was no more to my taste now than -formerly. From Richards’s silent behaviour I felt -that I would not have to go alone, and I intended to -broach the subject to the bos’n that very night.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“All right,” I answered, with a sinking of spirits -I tried to conceal. “I’ll search her if I get the -chance.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>What Hawkson meant was evident as soon as -we came within a half-mile of her to leeward. A -most horrible odour, peculiar and penetrating, -seemed to come from her. I had never known it -before, but Bill stopped rowing at once and turned -toward her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Niggers,” said he, spitting in disgust.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Aboard of her?” I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not youst now, maybe, but she’s been full of -niggers more’n once. There’s youst a smell left -behind, and it never leaves.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXI. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE STRANGE BRIG</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>We reached the brig’s side, and a surly voice -hailed us. “Whatcher want?” it said, in the deep -baritone of the typical Yankee bos’n.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hoot, ye Yankee,” cried Martin, “we’ve come -visitin’, d’ye ken that? A-visitin’, an’, if ye be so -hospitable as ye have no reason t’ be, we’re dommed -welcome. If we ain’t, I’ll ask ye to show us cause -why, an’ maybe I ken prove ye’re wrong by the -strength o’ logic,” and he held up two brawny hands -like the paws of a tiger.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I don’t keer to have no drunken louts -aboard this here vessel,” said the fellow, leaning -over the rail so that I could get a glimpse of him. -“Ef yer got any money, sing out whatcher want. -This here’s a honest trading-brig, an’ kin give ye -all a good nip o’ prime American whiskey for a -mighty low price.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The man was quite uncommon-looking. He must -have stood six feet six, and was as lean as a flagstaff. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>His face was lined and burned, as though -used to a tropical sun, and his eyes were faded and -yellow.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ye be a rare raskil, an’ that’s a fact,” said Martin. -“Is there anything ye widna do for the coin? -Bide a bit, and let us coom aboard. ’Tis liquor I -crave for the sake of me system.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We ran the dingey alongside and prepared to -mount the channels to the deck, but, on looking up, -we noticed the long man had not moved or spoken, -but had drawn forth a huge horse-pistol, which he -poked over the rail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Youst hold on a bit with that,” said Bill. “We -know you’re a trader all right by the smell o’ yer. -We ain’t no men-o’-war’s men, so what’s that got -to do with us?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The tall man looked thoughtfully along the barrel -of the weapon, and then put it out of sight. -“Wall, come up, then, if ye know the smell so well.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Thus invited, we quickly made our way aboard, -and lost no time in purchasing some of the “good -American whiskey,” which turned out to be the -worst stuff afloat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All idea of changing ships left me as I stepped -on deck. She was without doubt a slaver, bound -out in the same rascally enterprise we were. But, -as she carried the American flag, she was free from -British men-of-war, and consequently less afraid -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>of detection. For, although slaving was now a -piracy, no British ship could take her without slaves -aboard, and there were only two or three small -American cruisers in the South Atlantic, and these -were too slow to capture a very fast ship. I wondered -why Hawkson allowed us aboard her, knowing -well that we were almost sure to tell of our -affairs. Then I remembered his request to note -her armament and crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The latter we found just below the hatches, all -armed to the teeth with pistols, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes, -awaiting the word of their captain to -spring on deck and defend their ship should occasion -arise. Our boat was a suspicious object that -the long skipper had been watching for some time, -and believed there was some game behind our innocent -call. The six little guns on each broadside -were all loaded, and we found that she would clear -just as soon as water could be brought aboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>After the men--there were twenty-six in all--had -put aside their arms and received us as companions, -we had the usual sailors’ orgy before starting -back. Yarns were told, and, if ever there was -a crew of unhung rascals, these self-confessed villains -would have formed them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin seemed pleased at last to find men who -stopped at nothing, and before he left was talking -piracy, and begging some of the hardiest to join -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>him. He was very drunk, however, and his railings -were counted as little, but I knew that he was -really speaking, as drunken men often do, from -their inmost hearts. One great hulking fellow, -with red whiskers, took a little with the scheme, -and another man, an Italian sailor, looked a bit -queer about the eyes when the Scot talked of gold. -The long skipper heard nothing of their ravings, -for, after allowing us aboard the vessel, he retired -to the cabin, where his mates were waiting to see -the outcome of the visit. When they saw we were -really only four able-bodied men of a strange barque, -their interest appeared to fade away entirely. We -finally shoved off, dizzy and sick with the poison -imbibed, myself thoroughly disgusted with the slaver’s -crew, and Martin and Ernest inviting them to -a meeting ashore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson took me aside when we returned, and -asked a few questions. My disgust for my countrymen -was too apparent not to be noticed, and the -mate evidently thought it safe to trust me now anywhere, -for I was allowed ashore again that evening.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Our liberty crews were unique and grotesque. -There was little care for desertion, evidently on -account of Henry’s ability to get the deserters without -trouble from any island where access to the -mainland could only be had by some large vessel -that could be easily seen. And, as we were mongrel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>in the extreme, there was much to be expected from -mixture.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill declared he should get very drunk at once -on the wine he had heard so much about but never -had tasted, and Martin declared he would do anything -a true Christian sailor might be expected to -do. His chum, Anderson, was surly and fierce, on -account of his recent ill-treatment aboard, and talked -openly of killing any one of our officers he might -meet on the beach. Watkins had gone in the captain’s -gig to attend to getting fresh provisions for -the after-guard, and the black Doctor came with -us, for it was to be our last run ashore, as we would -clear at once. The signal had been set and a gun -fired for the crew on the Desertas, and all was ready -again for our voyage. The goats’ and hogs’ meat -would be ready to be pickled, and would be stowed -at sea.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We landed on the beach, and a crowd of the -strangely dressed natives offered to pilot us around -to see the town of Funchal. The men wore tight -knee-breeches, and their thin, bare legs sticking out -of enormous boots looked remarkably queer. A -pair of them insisted on joining us, in spite of Martin’s -threat and the Doctor’s pugnacity, and, after -a scuffle or two, we let them lead the way to town. -Our other boats had rowed up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson had detained only Jorg and a couple -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>of Swedes aboard, and I wondered vaguely if it -were well to be so short-handed should a British -man-of-war rise above the horizon. I did not know -whether or not we could be taken, for, although -English built, we were evidently under Yankee -Dan’s charter. Still there must certainly be considerable -treasure aboard, in order to do the trading, -and, if searched and captured, there was a strong -probability of losing it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We finally reached the sailors’ harbour, that is, -a wine-shop, and because I had not forgotten the -effects of the last carouse I had in Nassau, I refused -to drink. The swinish crew insisted, and the Doctor -wished to know why I would not drink with -him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Disha nigger’s as good as any white man, an’, -if I am a slave, I belong to er man wat’s er m-a-an, -an’ he’s done quit drinkin’ milk. I never did think -much of you nohow, an’ I kin lick yo’ fur tuppence, -dat I kin,” said he, advancing and showing his ugly, -sharp teeth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was no earthly use of starting a fight, and -there was little glory in handling a man who was -bound by law to submit to the white man’s will. -I therefore left the crowd and went alone through -the town, hoping to see something besides debauch.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I strolled through the quaint streets, attracting -more or less attention, and somehow I found myself -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>straying in the direction of the inn where Yankee -Dan and his daughter were staying. Then I began -to feel a bit ashamed of my appearance, for, although -I rated a gunner, and therefore a petty -officer, I was dressed but little better than an average -sailor, and my linen, though put on fresh for the -beach, was not what I wished it to be. I soon recognized -the place, and looked to see Mr. Curtis -around, but he was evidently with the captain and -Dan, making a settlement for the spars we had -shipped, and fixing the barque’s papers.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I caught sight of the flutter of a dress on the -broad loggia, and then saw Miss Allen sitting there -in the breeze. An unaccountable impulse made me -stop and head directly toward her, for she was the -only thing that relieved the coarseness and roughness -of the life I had led aboard the barque.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good evening, Miss Allen,” I said, stopping -just in front of her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good evening, John,” she answered, kindly, -as if addressing an old servant, and she smiled and -laid aside her book.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The tone disturbed me. Had she shown any -interest besides that for a hopelessly familiar chat -from a superior point of view, I might have passed -on and nothing would have happened. As it was, -my spirit rose a bit.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I am as well as any man can be who is fastened -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>to a ship he would like to get clear of,” said I, and -walked boldly upon the porch where she sat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wonder you can get along anywhere with -your amazing impudence,” she answered. “Can you -tell me what you would have me do to alleviate -your suffering? If papa saw you here talking to -me like this, I think you would even care less for -a voyage with him in <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hang your--I was about to say your father,” -I answered, “but as this fate is liable to overtake -all the men concerned, it would be unwise to tempt -Providence. I didn’t come here, however, to carry -tales to his daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Will you kindly state just what brought you, -then? You are an American, John, and I’m interested -in you to that extent.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That is most kind,” I answered, “and I will -make it perfectly plain before I leave.” Here I drew -up a chair, and sat quietly down at a respectful distance. -Her eyebrows raised a trifle at this action, -and her smile hardened a bit, but I was aroused -now and I paid no further attention to mere details.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXII. <br /> <span class='fss'>“STAND TO IT!”</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“I suppose,” I said, “that you believe me suffering -from sconce swellus.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It must be an extraordinary disorder for a -sailor,” she answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Translated into nautical language, it means -swelling of the frontal bone, producing an ecstatic -degree of self-complacency in a hitherto irresponsible -mind,” said I, “and it is more often found to -exist among young persons, much younger even -than I am. I wished to say that my exalted rank -on the barque was not such as to produce the disease.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I see,” said Miss Allen, raising her eyebrows -slightly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“In that case, I’ll proceed to tell you that slaving -is not my chosen vocation, and, if you are unfortunate -enough to marry Mr. Curtis, and thus control -the sinews of the enterprise, I would like to have -the crew diminished by one or two hands, beginning -with me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>“Did it ever occur to you that the captain might -be the person to whom you should make the request,” -she answered, smiling a little.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It did occur to me that he might be the one, -but, on considering his peculiar and hasty actions, -it occurred later to me that he might not.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, if you intend to wait until the misfortune -overtakes me that you suggest, I’m afraid -there is little use of your sublime impudence.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If that is really true,” said I, without hardly -knowing what I was saying, “I will be content -to be slaver, or even pirate, for that matter. If you -really don’t intend to--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That will do, sir! Be still!” she cried, now -aroused. Then she arose from her chair, and, looking -like an angry goddess, turned about to face -Mr. Curtis, who had stepped out of the house, and -who had evidently lost very little of the last part -of our conversation.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good evening, Miss Allen,” said he. “When -you get through talking to that sailor about your -private affairs, we might take a little stroll before -dark.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I hardly feel it necessary under the circumstances,” -said the girl.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You might later on,” said he. His voice was -cold, but his eyes held smouldering fires that flashed -ominously.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>“Is that a threat?” said she, haughtily, as steps -sounded on the gravel walk around the corner of -the house.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No fear,” I snapped out without thinking, and, -as I did so, Hicks and Captain Howard swung -around the corner and were alongside.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old pirate stopped and looked at me a moment. -“What’s this fellow doing here?” he asked, -noting my attitude, which was not of respect to -Mr. Curtis.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I don’t know,” said he; “but if you will kindly -lend me your cutlass, I’ll see if he has blood in him.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old fellow instantly drew forth the hanger -he always carried whenever going ashore, and -passed the hilt to Mr. Curtis. Hicks stood near, -smiling contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The affair began to have a serious look. I could -hardly run with honour, and Miss Allen would -sooner have cut off her right hand than ask him to -withhold the blade.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sir John,” she cried, turning to Hicks, “if that -man is harmed, you will live to be sorry for it. -Heywood,” she said, turning to me, “go about your -business.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not while he has that weapon in his hand,” -said I, “but if he will lay it aside, and step down -on the beach here--” Here he made a pass that -would have given me a bad stab had not Hicks -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>knocked the thrust aside with his heavy walking-stick, -which he now held before him like a sword.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Like a flash, Curtis turned upon him. The cutlass -rose and fell like rapid flashes of lightning in -the gathering darkness, but each stroke found the -thick cane in its path, and Hicks remained unhurt.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard burst into a loud guffaw. “Go it, bullies!” -he cried. “Poke him in the ribs, Curtis! -Whang him on the knuckles, Hicks! Stand to it! -Stand to it! No flinching!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan’s daughter stood upon the porch, -her hands clenched, and her breast heaving with -excitement. “Stop them! Oh, do stop them, Heywood,” -she gasped.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“If he does, I’ll stuff his hide for a figurehead,” -cried Howard, sitting down to fully enjoy the scene. -“Any one who stops such pretty play, my dear -child, will surely learn trouble. Look at that, an’ -that!”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Curtis had forced his adversary backward into -the road, and several persons came running to see -the scuffle. One of these had recklessly tried to -seize the cutlass, and had received a couple of good -slashes with the blade. The fellow screamed with -pain. I started forward, but was instantly ordered -back by Captain Howard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The slight diversion gave Hicks a chance to recover -himself from the suddenness of the attack, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>and land a blow upon Curtis’s knuckles, which -caused him to drop his weapon. Then, in spite of -Howard’s threats and the struggles of the combatants, -they were separated just as Yankee Dan and -the main official of the town appeared at the door -of the inn, followed by a crowd of servants and -sightseers.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s a shame your men interfere with such -sport,” said Captain Howard. “It’s an outrage, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan had evidently settled for the repairs -on the barque, and the officer’s good-will was not -held so high as formerly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Are you addressing me, sir?” asked the officer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I am, sir, I am. It’s a d----d outrage the way -you allow these rogues to interfere with gentlemen. -You owe me an apology for spoiling that sport.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’ll get something entirely different if you -entertain any such peculiar ideas regarding sport,” -said the official.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Tut, tut, stow the row!” said Yankee Dan. -“Come inside, Rose,” he continued to his daughter, -and she followed him out of sight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks came up at that moment and strode through -the staring group, and I thought it about time to -depart.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Curtis had disappeared, and a fellow handed Captain -Howard his cutlass. The old sailor’s face remained -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>as unmarked by passion as a piece of iron, -while he called the official names that would have -made a dog wince, and he thrust his cutlass back in -its scabbard with easy carelessness. Then he called -for something to drink, and seated himself comfortably -again to enjoy it. I slipped off down the -road, and he evidently forgot all about the incident -and the part I took in it before I was out of sight. -As I reached the landing, where we had left the -small boat, I noticed the big man, the skipper of -the Yankee trader, directing two of his crew to -lift a large box. He apparently did not see me -in the gloom of the evening, for it was now getting -quite dark, and he ordered his men about in rough -tones.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You, Sile, fling your end aboard, and don’t get -them slops wet, whatever you do. That Cap’n -Howard don’t want no wet slops a-comin’ aboard -his ship. Says he’s paid nine shillin’ sixpence fer -them jumpers wot’ll sell fer five shillin’ anywhere -outside London docks.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I approached and stood by, looking on. Suddenly -he noticed me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hello, mate,” said he, “be ye a-goin’ aboard -yer ship?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>There seemed little use staying ashore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Yes, I reckon I will when I get a boat,” I answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>“Well, hop right in there. I’ve got a bit o’ goods -fer yer cap’n, and so long as I’ve got tew take ’em -aboard, I’ll take ye along with ’em.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I stepped into the boat, and was followed by four -surly cutthroats, who sullenly took up the oars. -The captain followed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shove off!” he growled, and the men sent her -clear. Then two natives appeared and clamoured -for some payment, following the boat into the water.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Get clear, you Guineas!” growled the tall man, -giving one a rap over the head with the boat-hook, -and the other a sharp crack on the knuckles, where -he held the gunwale. This caused them to let go -and retreat to the beach, spluttering a string of -strange oaths, which the men heeded not the least, -but let fall their oars, and in a moment had the boat -heading out in the roadstead in the direction of -<i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I s’pose you uns ain’t goin’ out fer a day or -two yet?” said the tall skipper, after he had seated -himself in the stern-sheets.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I believe we’ll clear to-morrow,” I answered. -“Our crew out on the Desertas must have bucanned -enough goat to last half the tribes of the Senegal -six months.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“This feeding them blamed niggers is the very -devil,” said he, seeming to be remarkably communicative -for a captain who was talking to a strange -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>sailor. “Them coons has ter be kept fat. Just -as soon as they begin to pine, they goes almighty -fast. Now there’s ole Zack Richards, who’s too -mean to lay out anything except boiled rice. Why, -he left a trail o’ dead men clean acrost to Cuba, -an’ there warn’t an hour between bodies a-followin’ -in his wake. You say you’re well heeled with -grub?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I told him everything was first-class aboard <i>The -Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Got plenty o’ rocks, hey? Plenty o’ real money -ter back the game, hey? I s’pose they keeps a safe -aboard, with iron doors an’ regular money lock, -under the cabin. Never seen the cash outfit, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No,” said I; “I’m only the gunner aboard, -although I shipped as mate. I never got a chance -to see what’s aft.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’re most uncommon clever for a gunner, -sink me! but I took ye for first officer, at least. -’Course you’ve been mate an’ master, too, for that -matter. I c’u’d see that easy. I was just a-tellin’ -Sile, when you came over to-day, what a crackin’ -mate they had on that barque.” Here he looked -hard at the surly man with the stroke oar, who -nodded and spat abundantly over the side to emphasize -his corroboration.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Must be somethin’ of a wessel when she has -fellers like you below mate’s ratin’. She is a good-lookin’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>barque, but I reckon she’s pretty old. We’ll -swing up on the port quarter best, and you can hail -the deck. Tell ’em here’s a chest o’ slops fer Captain -Howard wot goes in his cabin. He sent ’em -off in this boat, an’ I won’t charge him nuthin’ fer -freight.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I bawled for a line, and Hawkson’s head appeared -over the taffrail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here’s a chest for the captain,” I said, “it -has--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It goes in his cabin,” said the long man, interrupting. -“Them’s his instructions.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s in it?” asked Hawkson.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Just common slops,” said the long skipper, -“though he’s paid a shillin’ or two more’n them -cheap goods is worth. As fer me, I wouldn’t vally -the whole contents o’ that chest ekal to the powder -an’ lead to blow ’em ter Davy Jones,--an’ I don’t -mind sayin’ it loud enough to be heard. He’s got -a lock on it big an’ strong enough ter hold solid -gold, an’ he’s kept the key. Pass a line an’ we’ll -heave it up. I must be goin’. Reckon I’ll clear in -a couple of hours.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>A couple of men dropped a line, which was quickly -bent to one of the handles of the chest, and in a -few moments it was aboard the barque. The small -boat hung alongside for some minutes, while the -long skipper swore and cursed at Sile for not having -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>been more careful about the barque’s paint, as -the chest scratched it a little. Then, hearing the -men carrying the affair below, he waved his cigar, -which shone in the darkness, and shoved off.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>WHAT THE CAPTAIN’S CHEST HELD</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“You may lower down that signal, Haywood,” -said Hawkson, after I had watched the long skipper -disappear in the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Glancing aloft, it was too dark to see what signal -he meant, so I hesitated, knowing all our bunting -was generally hauled down at sunset.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That pennant flying from the gaff,” said Hawkson, -noting my slowness. “That’s been flying all -afternoon for Mr. Gull on the Desertas. Signal -agreed on to call him in. We’re bound out to-morrow, -but didn’t have to tell the whole island about -it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I went to the spanker-boom and sought the signal -halyard. Then I hauled down the pennant, -which I remembered noting during the day, but -gave no particular thought. Rolling it up, I started -forward to turn in when Hawkson stopped me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wish you would keep a lookout aft there,” -said he, “I’m going below and turn in a bit, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>I want to be called when the old man comes aboard. -Get your supper from Heligoland, and then lay aft -until the gig comes alongside.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>On reaching the forecastle, I noticed Heligoland -eye me sharply, then he brought forth a piece of -paper folded squarely and sealed on the corners -in very fine style.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I wondered at this, for I had not received a note -from any one for a long time. Looking askance at -the Norwegian, I slowly tore it open, and spread -it forth under the forecastle lamp. At first I could -make little out of it, for it was a scrawl and somewhat -blotted. Then I finally made out the name -Richards at the bottom of it, and started in to read -it afresh.</p> - -<div class='quote'> - -<p class='c001'>“My dear friend Heywood,” it went, “when -you get this note, I will be off the ship. There -won’t be any use looking for me until I choose to -turn up, but you will see me again before long. I -wanted you to go with me, but it couldn’t be fixed. -If you take care not to get killed, maybe I can help -you live a bit longer.</p> -<div class='c020'><span class='sc'>Peter Richards.</span>”</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c001'>The letter was somewhat ambiguous, but Richards -was something of a scholar, having been a mate -and an officer on a man-of-war, so I thought that -it was perhaps simply a way he had of saying good-bye. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>I knew he intended to jump the ship, and supposed, -of course, he would not think of such a thing -without taking me in his confidence. Here he had -gone, and he made no excuse, save that it could -not be fixed. I swore at him for fully a minute, -and then Heligoland asked what it was. As he -could not read any language, let alone English, it -was safe to tell him the first thing that happened -not to bear in any way upon the case. He seemed -satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c001'>At eight bells I had eaten a bad meal cooked by -the Norwegian sailor left in charge, and betook -myself aft to the quarter-deck. The night was quite -dark, and the lights on the shore twinkled brightly, -sending their reflection streaming seaward over the -oily swell that rolled in gently upon the sand. -There was little wind, barely enough to feel, and -I lounged over the taffrail until I found myself -dozing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was close to two bells when I was roused by -a peculiar sound in the lazarette beneath me. There -was a noise as of some one sawing gently, and this -was followed by a scraping like that caused by -dragging something heavy across the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While I rested half upon the rail, with my eyes -fixed upon the lazarette hatch, I became aware of -the sound of voices in the water astern, coming -from seaward. Soon I distinguished the gentle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>rippling of water from a boat’s stem, and heard -Mr. Gull’s voice tell his men to take in their sail.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t seem to be any one on deck,” he growled, -surlily, as the boat came under the counter directly -beneath me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Give me your painter,” I said, quietly, reaching -over for it, and then, as it was tossed up, taking -it forward to the mizzen lanyards, where I proceeded -to make it fast.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While doing this, I became aware of two men -standing on the taffrail, carrying a heavy chest, -which they were balancing upon the rail while bending -on a line to it. At first I thought they were -from the boat alongside, but instantly remembered -the height of our quarter above the rail of the small -boat, and knew no one could have climbed up so -quickly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stand from under,” growled one, whose voice -sounded very like that of the red-headed villain -Martin had taken into his drunken confidence aboard -the brig. Then the chest disappeared over the rail, -and the other man quickly caught a turn with the -line about a belaying-pin, to ease it off. I was now -close beside them, and had no difficulty in recognizing -the silent one as the Guinea we had met in the -brig that morning.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Over with you!” growled the fellow who had -first spoken. “Don’t be all night about letting that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>go,” and, suiting his action to his words, he sprang -upon the rail and dropped over.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What the blazes is this?” roared Mr. Gull from -below, as the chest landed in his boat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow saw me as he slipped over the rail, -and flung his knife at my face, the blade just grazing -my cheek. Before I could recover myself, both -the men had cleared the side and had dropped below. -I rushed to the rail and peered over. Below there -were fierce oaths and the sound of a desperate struggle, -and in an instant several voices roared out for -the watch on deck. Mr. Gull could be heard and -dimly seen cursing and grappling with a man who -strove to get over the boat’s stern into the water, -while a black mass of men struggled in the boat’s -bottom, yelling and cursing wildly in a strenuous -combat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The sudden uproar aroused Hawkson, who came -bounding up the companion, with a cutlass in one -hand and pistol in the other.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the row?” he bawled, making to the -side.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may search me,” I answered. “Looks -like a lot of lunatics below there.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shore grog, I reckon. I’ll string that Martin -up for this, an’ give Jones a dozen--Break away -there, you blackguards, an’ come aboard, or I’ll fire -into ye,” he bellowed, levelling his pistol.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>“Hold on!” I cried. “It’s Mr. Gull and his -men.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Mr.--what?” he asked, peering over. “Sink -me, if it ain’t! What’s the matter below there? -D’ye want any help?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>At that moment a shadow shot out of the gloom, -and we saw a boat swing quickly alongside of the -one already fast to us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now, then, cut loose there,” drawled the voice -of the long skipper, and instantly the blackness was -streaked with flashes, as the weapons rang out.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then some of our men began clambering aboard -by the painter in the mizzen, while Hawkson roared -and fired his pistol at the new boat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bawling for men to follow, we slid down the -lines still trailing over the stern, but, before we -could reach the boat beneath, it was pulled from -under us, and then we were left hanging over the -black water. By the time Hawkson and I climbed -back on deck, the scuffle below had ceased, and the -long skipper was bawling out a hoarse farewell -from the darkness seaward, and being answered by -Mr. Gull from his boat in fitting terms.</p> - -<p class='c001'>When lanterns were brought out, it was seen that -several of our men were seriously hurt, and lay -upon the pile of provisions in the boat. The chest -had disappeared, and was evidently in the possession -of the skipper of the Yankee brig. At this, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>Hawkson plunged below, and came up a few minutes -later with the news that the barque’s treasure-chest -was missing, and that she must consequently be -made ready for sea at once.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The affair was now perfectly plain. Our men -were nearly all ashore, and it was impossible to get -them before morning. The long skipper had put -a couple of men in the chest, sent them aboard, and -they had worked the treasure-chest on deck, mistaking -Mr. Gull’s boat for their own, which they had -evidently arranged to have on hand at the appointed -time. But for the last part of the game, everything -would have gone quietly. The empty slop-chest, -with its large lock, was the only evidence, besides -some wounded men, to show that we had been -boarded and robbed in the most approved pirate -fashion.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We stood about, gazing at the empty chest with -its lock, which was put on to guard against inquisitive -persons opening it before the men within desired -to come out. Forgetting entirely that we were -within the sacred precincts of the captain’s cabin, -Hawkson stood gazing at the affair lying open -before him, swearing at the tricky skipper who had -so easily hoodwinked him, and apparently lost as -to the best method of regaining the chest.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly the sound of voices came down the -companion, and the noise of a boat bumping alongside. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>He sprang to the poop, cutlass in hand, ready-to -repel boarders, and the rest followed in his wake, -all armed now and in a temper for business.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We arrived just in time to meet Captain Howard -and Hicks, who climbed up the ladder to starboard, -and were on their way aft followed by Watkins, -the steward.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Gull had already started to explain matters, -and tell how he had been overpowered, but our -formidable appearance caused the old fellow to -draw his cutlass and stand on guard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s this mean? D’ye dare mutiny?” he -roared, and it was some moments before Hawkson -could explain that mutiny was our last thought, -but that our principal desire was to meet the long -trader and his crew. I was afraid I would suffer -from suspicion in the affair, but Mr. Gull told how -he sent me forward with his painter to make it fast -in the mizzen, and nothing was said to me about -the matter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Allen carried most of the specie ashore the day -after we came in,” I heard Hicks say to Mr. Gull. -“There was nothing of any value in that chest, -but, as it’ll be dead calm all night, we’ll have a -try at him to-morrow if he’s in sight. He won’t -get far, and, if we only had all hands here, we could -board him where he lays.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard, after seeing that everything was all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>right aboard, and that Mr. Gull had brought a ton -or more of goat meat, went below, while we rove -a tackle and unloaded the stuff on deck, the men -hurt in the fracas being allowed to turn in.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was nearly midnight before the rest of us went -into the forecastle, which now somewhat resembled -a hospital, and I stretched out in my pew, wondering -what would become of Mr. Curtis and Miss -Allen if the barque sailed in the morning with our -trader aboard.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIV. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE CAPTAIN SHOWS HIS METTLE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Before the light of the early morning filtered -below, we were aroused by the entrance of the liberty -crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Youst look at the mess,” cried Bill, staggering -down the companion. “Jump below, friend Martin, -an’ see the horsepittle they’ve made in this fo’c’sle.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hoot, ye Scandinavian imp, is any one hurt? -Mark ye, if there’s any fighting to be done, I’ll do -it! Ye ken that? I’ll do it. I’ll do it.” And he -followed Bill below, and after him trooped Big -Jones, Ernest, and the rest. There was noise enough -when we told our yarn of the evening before, and -all except Anderson took a peep from the hatch -seaward to try and raise the brig, which had cleared -during the night. She was out of sight, however, -and they came swarming below again, where the -surly Swede was thanking the fates the barque had -been robbed, and only mourned because none of -her officers were killed or wounded.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>Jennings and Jorg, the Finn, were about the only -men who had received no hurt from the fracas, except -myself. Even Heligoland had received a bad -scratch from a stray bullet, and all of Gull’s crew -were more or less bruised and banged about by the -villains. One of the boat’s crew took a crack over -the head that had put him out for many minutes, -and another a stab from a knife that rendered his -hand useless for the time being. Owing to the darkness, -no one had received a bullet from the long -skipper’s fire.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before we had time to speculate upon what we -would do, Hawkson’s voice bawled out for all hands, -and Henry appeared at the hatch.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We turned out and saw smoke flying from the -galley-pipe, and heard the voice of the Doctor singing -off the effects of shore grog while he hustled -the breakfast. In a few minutes we had eaten, and -were manning the windlass to heave short.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was a gentle breeze blowing, and the topsails -were loosened, the canvas falling from the -yards and hanging hauled up at the clews, ready to -sheet home at the word. Far away seaward, the -Desertas--the barren rocks infested only by wild -goats--stood out sharply against the southern sky. -Nothing white like a royal, however, broke the line -of blue, and it was evident that our friend, the brig, -had made a good offing during the night, in spite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>of the lack of wind. While Jim and Tom, our two -Liverpool cockneys, squeaked out a song, to which -Gus and Ernest added their guttural grunts, the -starboard watch hove on the windlass brakes, and -began to take the slack out of our cable. Before -we had taken twenty feet, however, we noticed a -boat coming from the shore, and soon recognized -Yankee Dan, the trader. In a few minutes he was -alongside bawling for Captain Howard. Then he -climbed over the side, and, without stopping to pay -his fare, started aft.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s a nice mess he’s made ashore,” he said, as -Hawkson appeared on the poop. “Don’t he know -he’ll have to fight? What’s he afraid of, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who?” asked the mate.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The old man, of course. Who else? Hasn’t -he insulted that Guinea officer ashore there? Don’t -he know he’s playing mighty strange, not showin’ -up when time’s called? Where is he?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Below,” said Hawkson, “but he’ll be on deck -if he hears you, fast enough. What’s the trouble?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I had reached the starboard quarter gun by this -time, and saw a smooth poll, like the knob of a door, -poked up the companion.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who’s making that racket?” growled a voice, -and Howard’s face appeared over the coamings.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ain’t you goin’ to meet your man?” bawled the -trader.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>“What man, you nigger-thief?” growled Howard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll settle with you afterward,” said the trader, -coming close to him. “You better attend to one -quarrel at a time. Are you goin’ to fight or not? -You know the man well enough, the officer you -insulted yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Where is he?” growled the old villain.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“On the beach, waitin’ for you. Are ye blind?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“That’ll do the anchor. Get the small boat -ready,” said he to the mate. “I reckon we’ll wait -a bit and see what’s up ashore.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a moment after, he had disappeared down the -companion. Howard came stiffly on deck again, -buckling on a cutlass. His face expressed nothing, -and, as he went toward the gangway, he called for -his steward to bring him a glass of grog. The -effect of this was instantaneous.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He limbered up, and, as Holmberg, Bill, and -myself brought the boat to the steps, he was pacing -fore and aft, cursing at our delay.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll have my breakfast when I come back,” he -growled to Watkins. “No fear, I’ll take the stiffness -out of somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then he climbed down the side ladder and sprang -into the boat, followed by Yankee Dan.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shove off!” he growled. Then he turned to -the trader. “Where’s this fracas to be, and what’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>it about? What am I fighting for, you nigger-thief?” -And he broke into a high, cackling laugh, -while his face hardly changed in expression, his -fishy eyes roving in their gaze toward the beach.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We gave way with a will, and were out of hailing -distance of the barque before Hicks appeared -on deck. I could see him waving, but, as the captain -sat with his back facing aft steering, I thought -it was little use to call his attention to the matter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were heading, under the trader’s guidance, -to a spot on the shore out of sight of the town, and -in a little cove where there was no surf from the -heave of the swell. Here the craft was beached, -and we sprang out to drag her up. Then the trader -and our skipper stepped ashore. Out from a thicket -of laurel sprang a trio of men, all wearing the Portuguese -uniform, and then I recognized one of them -as the dago officer who had been talking to the -trader the evening before, and whom our old captain -had cursed so villainously. Under the arm -of a younger man was a bunch of swords, such as -were used at the time for fencing in the army,--little -long, thin blades of the rapier pattern, and -sharp as needles.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sorry to have kept you folks waitin’ so long,” -said Yankee Dan, “but the old man had overslept -himself. I reckon he’ll fight fast enough. We’re -ready when you say the word.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>The younger officer passed him the hilts of a -couple of rapiers, and politely begged that he try -their temper and make a choice.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While he did so, our old skipper tossed aside his -coat, and stood forth in a none too clean shirt and -flowing trousers, held up by a broad leathern sword-belt. -This he began to unbuckle unconcernedly, -and, as he finished, he wrapped it around the scabbard -of his hanger and drew forth the blade.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I haven’t much time to waste on these Guineas,” -said he, breaking into a sudden cackling laugh which -ended abruptly. His face wore the same mahogany -mask-like look it always presented, and his eyes -were lustreless and fixed as those of a dead mackerel. -“If there’s any game goin’, let it start, for -we’ve a job in the offing to attend to.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here,” said the trader, presenting him the hilt -of a rapier he had chosen, “drop that meat-axe -and bear a hand. We’ll settle our little affair -later.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll settle you, if you don’t sheer off,” growled -Howard. “If the dago wants to fence, let him -come in. This is the sword for me, and, if he’s -finky about it, I’ll chase him clean up his chimney -before he’ll get clear of it.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan threw down his sword in disgust.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t let him worry on my account,” said the -officer, in good English. “Let him keep whatever -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>weapon he chooses. Perhaps he would like to have -a pistol also.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>It seemed strange that the officer, who was a -high official not far below the governor himself, -should want to fight a duel with a man like Howard. -He evidently intended to kill him, for he -took no pains to hinder his clearing with his ship, -and appeared eager to come to a personal settlement.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A line was drawn across the sand, and the two -combatants advanced to it, the officer not above -middle age and graceful, his sword held in proper -manner before him and his feet set at the right -distance apart, while his left hand he held poised -at a level with his shoulder in the rear.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard grasped his scabbard in his left hand, -with its belt wrapped about it, and, holding it high -above him, advanced his cutlass’s point, and proceeded -to work with no more concern than if he -were prodding a lazy sailor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The sun had risen, and the sea was a beautiful -blue offshore, the gentle rippling along the beach -sounding musically. The breeze just rustled the -foliage overhead, and made a low, continuous clicking -which blended with the sound of the steel. The -air was warm, but fresh with the odour of the sea, -and the two men facing each other felt its bracing -influences, for they were hard at it in an instant, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>the old skipper breaking forth into a high, cackling -laugh, as he swung his weapon with marvellous -quickness. It was evidently great sport for him, -and he was enjoying it.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The dago’s glinting black eyes shone fiercely as -he thrust and lunged, with the black lust of murder -in his heart, determined to rid the world of a villain. -He was an expert swordsman, and accounted Howard -a dead rascal. But the ways of Providence -are strange. It won’t do to trust that the wicked -will be punished and the good go unscathed. The -ways of the Almighty Power are inscrutable, and -to dictate a policy against crime, with oneself as -the avenger, is a dangerous undertaking. The Almighty -has a way of his own for dealing with all -things, and the fallible human being is not consulted -with a view to proving who or which is -best.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The very confidence of the officer made me nervous. -His fierce smile seemed to hold contempt and -disdain for his antagonist, who, with his old scabbard -held high in rear, ambled about the sandy shore -like some old reptile, the perspiration starting out -on the top of his bald poll and running down his -expressionless face in little streams.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Once he was pricked sorely in the side, but the -old fellow only laughed in his high, cackling voice, -and swung his cutlass with renewed vigour.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>Four, five, ten minutes passed, and the conflict -waxed hotter and the men began to breathe heavily. -The officer’s face was pale and calm with a fixed -resolution. His breath came in sharp, rasping jerks, -but his eye was bright and watchful, and he was -much lighter and quicker on his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly he lunged out and pressed the old man -fiercely. Howard’s scabbard sank lower and lower -behind him until he let it trail upon the ground. -He was getting tired, though his face showed nothing. -The officer stabbed him badly in the arm, -and there was a look in his eyes that told of the -finish. With a movement quick as lightning, the -sailor transferred his sword to his left hand, and -came on with his fresh wrist, working with the -precision of the trained fencer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then the old man stopped, stepped back a pace, -evidently thoroughly blown with the exertion. It -looked like the end now, and I began to feel sorry -for him, standing there to be spitted by the implacable -dago.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“To the death,” hissed the officer in good English, -and lunged out with a vigour that seemed to defy -a parry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It seemed to me his sword must go half a fathom -beyond the old man’s body, and I gave a little exclamation -of sympathy. Then something strange -happened. Howard dropped his point and jerked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>his sword backward. It sheered off the thrust to -starboard, and, before the officer could recover, the -cutlass rose and fell like a flash in the sunshine. -The blade landed fairly on his antagonist’s head, -and down he went on the sand like a poleaxed -bullock, while Howard broke forth into his cackling -laugh, and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. Then -he turned and strode toward the boat, where Bill -held his coat and hat. The rest crowded around -the wounded man, and cried out in excited tones.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shove her off,” growled our captain; “he isn’t -hurt much, but it’s too hot for this kind of play. -He, he, he! I’d a good notion to break his head, -Dan, he looked so wicked, hey! ’Twouldn’t do to -hurt one of those fellows if we want to come again. -He’ll be all right in a week. Hi, hi, hi! but he -hated me right fairly, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll call it quits,” said Yankee Dan, smiling, -as he climbed aboard. We shoved off, and were -soon on our way to <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we sent the craft sheering through the clear -water, I had a chance to look shoreward, for I -faced aft with the stroke oar. Upon the yellow -sand several forms now moved in a body, and, as -they opened a bit, I saw the wounded officer walking -away leaning upon the arm of his young comrade.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hi, hi, hi!” cackled Howard, “what an appetite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>a little play gives one, hey? Would you like -to try your hand, you man-eater, to-morrow?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m no butcher; the pistol is good enough for -me,” said Yankee Dan.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXV. <br /> <span class='fss'>WE HEAR OF LONG TOM</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>In less than half an hour we were back again -aboard, and as the trader clambered over the side, -he was greeted by his daughter. He was evidently -surprised, for he threw his head back until his beard, -sticking upward from his throat beneath his collar, -stood out straight in a most aggressive manner. -It evidently had its effect on the young lady’s spirits.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You don’t seem overpleased to have me here -again,” she said before he had spoken.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan gave a loud grunt of protest.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Are you going clear to the coast, and be aboard -when we take ’em on, hey?” said he, with a show -of sarcasm in his harsh voice.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m going with you, and you may put me ashore -with Aunt Mary at St. Helena, or on board some -vessel bound for New York, so I can get to Uncle -Henry’s. I’m not going to stay ashore here,” she -answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>Then the father turned away; the interview ended -as Hawkson came up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Fearing trouble for the vessel in her dismasted -condition when she arrived, her treasure had been -removed ashore, so that in case some prying man-of-war -should happen to take charge on suspicion, -it would be safe. This alone saved the enterprise -from failure that morning, but, when the story of -the brig’s rascally skipper had been related to the -trader, he instantly started ashore with Mr. Gull -and a couple of men, to get the gold at once from -Mr. Curtis, in order that there might be no delay -in getting to sea and overhauling the brig, if only -to give him a lesson in trading etiquette. At this -time slave-traders were not overscrupulous in their -dealing, and among themselves were little better -than pirates, for they would seldom hesitate to -overhaul or rob each other, knowing that the slaver -robbed could get no redress without admitting guilt -of similar transactions.</p> - -<p class='c001'>By the time he returned, the barque was hove -short, and her sails ready to sheet home, and the -young lady, who had already gone below to her -cabin, was not given much thought by either her -father or the old skipper. As the boat drew up -alongside, I noticed Mr. Curtis aboard, but he took -no thought of me as he came on deck. In an instant -we had hooked the boat on and whisked her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>on deck, and in less than five minutes we were starting -out to sea before a light westerly breeze that -sent us along about five knots.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I cleared the guns and loaded them all, and then -a man was sent aloft to keep a lookout for a sail, -which we all hoped might be the Yankee brig. We -were on our course for the African coast, but might -alter it if occasion offered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The old barque sailed well with her new topmasts, -and, if anything, she showed a bit faster, -as her main was now a foot higher and her new-cut -topsail a little deeper. Much of her fine gear -was gone, but what we had purchased in Funchal -was of the best quality, and we had lines enough -to rig another ship. Altogether she made a good -showing, and even Mr. Gull’s crew, who had eaten -much goat meat, and in consequence were in prime -condition, were not sorry to get back aboard her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All day we held to the southward over an almost -glassy ocean, ruffled here and there by the falling -breeze, and by sunset we were rewarded by Big -Jones’s yell from the foretop: “Sail dead ahead, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were going too slow to tell just what the -vessel might be before dark. Her royals were showing -white on the clear blue line, and the sun went -down before even her topsails rose above the horizon. -The white of her cloth, however, gave us -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>some hope, for Americans used white canvas, and -the brig could not be very far ahead of us, and undoubtedly -bound on the same course.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was calm all night, but somehow the barque -slid along, and by daylight the fellow ahead could -be made out plainly not over three miles distant. -It was the brig, and the long skipper was evidently -not much disturbed at our approach, for he took -in his after stunsails and wallowed along slowly -over the smooth swell.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were through breakfast before we knew anything -of Howard’s plans, although there had been -much speculation among the men forward, some, -who had suffered in the fracas the evening before, -being especially anxious to try conclusions with the -men who had inadvertently dropped the chest and -themselves on top of them and their goat meat in -the small boat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Gus, a stout Swede, and Pat, a heavy-built little -Irishman, showed bandaged arms which they wished -avenged, and Jennings, a Dutchman, who was a -good sailor, poked his swathed head over the rail -and swore an unintelligible oath at the Yankee. -Hawkson stood upon the poop and watched the -brig steadily, until Hicks and Howard came from -below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Will he fight?” asked Hicks, coming to the old -mate’s side.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“Did you ever see a Yankee sailor that -wouldn’t?” said Hawkson. “No fear! You’ll -see all the fighting you want, if we come in range,--an’ -we’re mighty near that now.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We’ll take him before eight bells,” said Howard, -without interest, as though it were a thing he -did every day. “Get the small arms ready, and -stand by.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were nearing the brig, although only going -about three knots an hour, and when within about -a mile of her, a puff of white flew from her starboard -quarter, and in a few moments later a six-pound -shot landed with a loud bang against our -side, and smashed through into the ’tween-decks, -drowning the faint boom of the gun with its slamming -around below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“He, he, he!” laughed Howard, his ugly mouth -showing barely a trace of amusement. “He means -fight without any talk. That’s plain enough. Suppose -you pop him one or two, just to try the range.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson stepped down on the main-deck and -went to a forward gun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Keep her off a couple of points,” he bawled -to Henry, and, as the barque yawed a little, he fired.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We watched to see the shot strike, and saw a -jet of water thrown against the brig’s side, telling -plainly that the ball had struck at or below the -water-line. Several men cheered, but behind me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>I heard a fierce oath. Turning, I saw Martin glaring -savagely at Hawkson, while near him stood -Anderson with a scowl on his face. Even as I -looked in surprise, the wily Scot caught my eye, -and his look changed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Tis a pity it didn’t hit him and cut his mast -out. Ye may ken it’s far better to knock out a -spar in a chase,” said he to me, in a low voice that -Hawkson could not hear. His tone was not natural, -however, and I wondered at him for some -time afterward, and thought of the possible ways -the long skipper could have heard of the barque’s -treasure-chest in the lazarette that he had run off -with so handily. We were soon busy firing the -guns of the port broadside as fast as we could serve -them at the enemy, now well within range.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Shot were striking the barque often, for the -Yankee was making excellent practice with his light -guns, but no one had been injured aboard. This -being cut up did not suit Howard. He valued the -old vessel too highly to have her hurt badly, and -knew also the difficulty of repairing old timbers.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Let her head up half a point,” said he, and we -were soon dead astern of the brig and creeping up -toward her, our own guns unable to fire, and receiving -only the fire of one little six-pounder they -brought on the poop. This single gun made havoc -with our sails, hitting them time and again, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>tearing our outer jib so badly that it was useless. -We drew closer, and suddenly the Yankee ceased -firing. We were very close to him now, and the -long skipper could be easily seen leaning indolently -upon the poop-rail, watching us with apparent unconcern.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson took up a speaking-trumpet and bawled -out.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Heave that vessel to, or we’ll sink you,” he -roared.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The long captain put his hand to his ear, as if -unable to understand, and the hail was repeated.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I can’t heave her to,” drawled the fellow. -“There’s too many men aboard her, an’ they won’t -let me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan now came from below, where he -had taken his daughter for protection, and gazed -at the brig.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s Long Tom Shannon,” said he, “and it -would have been a lot better if we hadn’t come up -with him. It’s strange you didn’t know him, the -worst rascal on the coast.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVI. <br /> <span class='fss'>WE REPEL BOARDERS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>There was no one in sight aboard the brig save -the skipper and the man at the wheel, but we knew -she had a full crew. The barque hauled up rapidly, -even while the mate and skipper spoke, and we -stood at the port guns, ready to let loose a broadside -that would finish our enemy.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hard aport,” came the order, and we expected -to swing quickly to starboard, and thus bring each -gun to bear at close range, our heavier battery of -twelve-pounders being sufficient to cripple any vessel -the size of the brig, who, with her little six-pounders, -could hardly hope for escape.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Some one, I think it must have been Martin, let -fly the jib-sheet as a little air filled it, and prevented -our paying off rapidly, and, as we went, we had the -satisfaction of seeing the brig port his helm also, -and swing up ahead of us, while he opened again -with his gun on the poop. Hawkson saw the mistake, -or trick, whichever it was, with the head-sheet, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>and, roaring out orders to flatten it in, he sprang -down upon the main-deck, followed by Gull and -Henry, and rushed forward to the braces.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A shot from the brig’s six-pounder struck Pete, -a dago, and cut him almost in half, flinging him -bodily upon Anderson, both going into the starboard -scuppers in a heap. Then, before the long Yankee -captain realized what we were about, we had braced -sharp on the starboard tack forward, and he, thinking -we would haul up to bring our battery to bear, -came up into the wind, and, falling off, drifted down -upon us until it was certain we would be alongside -in a few minutes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Tumble up here, ye bullies,” he cried, in his -drawling tones, and, as he spoke, his men came -bounding from below, rushing for the starboard -fore-rigging, to come aboard us the instant the -vessels fouled. Luckily the battery was loaded, -and in an instant Hawkson was at the guns with -Gull, Henry, and myself, bawling for men to leave -the main-braces and lend a hand, while Howard -himself rolled the wheel hard up again.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The brig fell off until her jib-boom came across -the poop, where Hicks and a couple of men tried to -bear it off astern. They only partly succeeded, but -they managed to keep it clear of the backstays and -prevent fouling, while the brig’s crew fired several -shot into us, getting in return our four heavy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>twelves, that did some execution among them, several -men falling upon the deck at the discharge. -Howard jumped forward on the poop, calling for -men to repel boarders, and, after firing the last -gun, we swarmed up the poop-ladder to check the -piratical-looking crew that had now left everything -on the brig’s deck, and was climbing into her chains, -armed with cutlass and pistol, for a spring aboard -us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The long skipper balanced himself on the fore -sheer-pole, with his cutlass swinging in his hand -and a belt stuck full of pistols. In an instant he -gave a yell for his men to follow, and sprang with -the ease of a cat upon our poop-rail, right among -us. It was a long jump, and only possible for a -man of great length of limb.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come on, Brannigan,” he drawled out to his -mate, making a slash at Howard’s bare poll, but the -old skipper warded off the blow, while we rushed -in upon him. Then we were favoured by a most -singular turn of fortune, aided by Hawkson’s skill.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A lively little puff of wind filled our spreading -canvas and shoved the barque ahead. Before the -brig could quite reach us, we had drawn a couple -of fathoms clear. One fellow threw a grappling-hook -over our rail, but Bill cut the line. Hawkson -jumped for the forebrace, calling for men to follow, -and, before the brig’s crew realized it, we had extended -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>the couple of fathoms into a dozen, and -were slipping along before the light breeze very -handsomely indeed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In vain did the Yankee crew fire at us with their -small arms. Not a soul was hit, and, while their -helmsman rolled the wheel up to follow in our wake, -I trained the heavy stern-chasers upon him, and -sent a couple of shots through his foresail, which -rendered that piece of canvas worse than useless. -While these affairs were taking place, Shannon -was having a lively time of it on our poop. He -sprang away from the first rush upon him, but so -covered our men that his own could not deliver -an effective shot without danger of killing their -leader. He bawled lustily for his mate, Brannigan, -and, being so hard pressed, he could not turn to -see what had happened, wondering why he had -been so suddenly deserted.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then he heard shouting recede astern, and, as -he listened to Mr. Brannigan’s tongue expressing -the grossest possible encomiums upon us, he realized -the game was up. He sprang backward a space -and turned to clear the rail, preferring to take his -chances swimming back to his vessel than to accept -our hospitality. At this instant, however, Yankee -Dan sprang upon him from behind and clasped him -firmly around the legs, at the same time calling for -some one to bring a lashing to make him fast. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>plucky trader would have had a hard time of it -but for Henry. Shannon tore him clear, and was -about to heave him over the side also, when the -ferret-faced man, with a bound like a monkey, -fastened those terrible fingers of his into Shannon’s -throat. It was useless to try to shake him off, for -well I knew the fatal strength of his grip. We let -him hold on while we passed a line about the struggling -man, hoping we would get him fast before the -strangle would kill.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The long man’s struggles were terrific. Twice -he flung Gull and myself from him, giving Yankee -Dan a kick that shot him clear across the deck, and -landed him helpless to leeward. Big Jones alone -managed to keep his hold beside Henry, and I heard -the high, cackling laugh of old Howard enjoying -the struggle. Up and down, sometimes all in a -tangle, we rolled over and over that poop, Shannon -gradually getting blue in the face and weakening -under that horrible grip. But he was an American, -and fought with the steadiness of a man who was -used to taking trouble lightly. Finally we drew the -line close about him, pinning his arms to his sides, -and then passed a gasket over his ankles. Then -Henry let go, but the want of air had done its work, -and the long fellow lay limp as a rag. We stood -up, gasping for breath from our exertions, and -then Howard’s high cackle sounded upon our ears.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>“Hi, hi, hi! don’t kill him. Throw a bucket -of water over the fellow,” he cried. “We want -that man. We need that long rascal.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Ernest started to get a draw-bucket, but, before -he left the poop, Watkins came from below with -a bottle of spirits, and, running to the long skipper, -raised his head and poured a little into his mouth. -This nearly finished Henry’s work, but, instead of -choking to death, Shannon gave a gasp and choke, -blowing the liquor out of his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>At this instant a shot from the brig struck the -deck close to Watkins, ripping a great rent in the -white planks, and driving a cloud of splinters among -us. One of these long pieces of pine struck the -old steward in the middle of the back. It drove -clear through his body, and came out several inches -in front, piercing him through and through. He -gave a sharp scream, dropped the bottle, and rose -to his feet with staring eyes. Then he drew forth -a pistol and pointed it at my head. Before he could -pull the trigger, he staggered and fell, the weapon -exploding harmlessly, and when we reached him -he was dead.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard came to where he lay, and gazed down -upon him for an instant, while Gull, Hawkson, and -the rest went at the long stern-chasers, and opened -fire again upon the brig, which was still within close -range. I stood but a moment gazing at the old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>steward, with somewhat mixed feelings in regard -to him, and, as Howard ordered a couple of men -to carry him below, I joined the rest at the guns.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We now delivered such a heavy and accurate fire -upon the pirate slaver that it soon silenced him, and -in half an hour we were well out of range, leaving -him with his foremast over the side and several of -his numerous crew killed and wounded.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We had lost two men, Pete, the dago, and Watkins, -the steward, while a fellow named Guinea -was badly wounded in the leg, and a German sailor, -named Johns, had received a bullet through the -arm. Altogether a heavy loss for a vessel without -a fighting crew. We had had a narrow escape from -being boarded by a stronger force, and, while I -knew we would have given a good account of ourselves, -our officers showed good judgment in not -engaging too closely a force of Americans with our -mongrel crowd. The brig was at our mercy before -we finished, but there was nothing to be gained -by taking her, and Howard seemed more than satisfied -in having taken her skipper. I expected him -to lay the barque across the brig’s bow, and fire at -her until she sank, but instead he kept straight away -on his course, without thought of revenge further -than the chastisement already administered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As we loaded the guns for the last time, holding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>the fire in reserve, a voice broke upon our ears that -had grown familiar of late.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wanter know! I wanter know! What the -devil has happened around here, anyway?” it -drawled. “Am I a soger, an’ this here a battlefield -covered with blood and glory, or am I on a -stinking slave-ship? That’s what’s worryin’ me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>And then Shannon proceeded to pronounce the -grossest possible things upon us.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVII. <br /> <span class='fss'>OUR CAPTAIN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Captain Shannon had recovered and had tried -to rise into a sitting position, but the lines upon -him were none too softly drawn, and he found himself -stiff as a mummy, being lashed from above -his able elbows to his long and pointed shoes.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Curtis, who had arrived on deck in time -to take part in the fracas, now insisted that our -captive be set free on the promise that he would -not attempt to either make further disturbances or -go overboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Disturbance! I wanter know,” said Shannon, -“who’s the one makin’ the disturbance? Here I -just politely hopped aboard your ole barque, an’ -some gorilla in breeches nabs me by the mizzen and -jest naturally stops my bazoo. Why didn’t ye -finish the job instead o’ bringing me to again to -swing me at your yard-arm.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We don’t intend to swing you,” said Curtis. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>“If you behave yourself, we’ll promise not to harm -you until--until--”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Until what, I wanter know?” said Shannon.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was evident that Mr. Curtis had meant to say -that he would deliver him over to the authorities -of law and order at the first port touched, but, upon -consideration, this seemed manifestly absurd. <i>The -Gentle Hand</i> was not hunting authorities for law -and order just at the time, and the matter must -necessarily be settled by the parties interested, which, -after all, is considered not unfair by most human -beings who do not care to bother their neighbours -with their personal affairs.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While this was taking place, Miss Allen, who -had remained below to escape injury during the -engagement, now appeared on deck, and instantly -noticed the captive. She gazed at him in astonishment, -and asked how he came aboard.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He seemed as much surprised at seeing a woman -aboard a slaver as if she had been a naval officer -in uniform. As he solemnly swore that he would -not fight any more, his lashings were cast adrift -below his waist, and he was raised to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, I wanter know,” was his first comment, -as he stood looking at the trader’s daughter. “Be -you goin’ to make the middle passage, miss?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The “middle passage” was that from the slave -coast, with human freight, to the point of destination -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>of the slave, and the term was used to distinguish -that part of the voyage from the one out -and the return. The term was American, but applied -as well to British ships, who, like ourselves, -sailed first out of some English port. Miss Allen -smiled at the long fellow and looked into his faded -yellow eyes, but she disdained to answer him, and -he was hustled forward by several men, while he -broke forth afresh in a low tone, pouring a stream -of the foulest invective upon them in the easy and -indolent manner that was characteristic of his speech.</p> - -<p class='c001'>During the following fortnight we made good -way to the southward, passing the high peak of -Teneriffe the third day out of Funchal, leaving -it a dark cloud upon the eastern horizon. We held -our course now closer in toward the coast, but still -distant enough to be offshore from any cruiser that -might be watching for slave-ships.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then we crossed the line and stood in through -the Guinea Current for the Gulf, heading straight -for the Bight of Benin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Our captive had by this time given abundant -evidence that he could be trusted about the decks -without danger of his trying to escape. In fact, -he appeared to take a fancy to <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin, who appeared drawn to the fellow, several -times announced that it was a shame to keep his -hands in irons, and, after repeating this to Henry -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>and Mr. Gull for some days, it reached Hawkson -and the captain.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were now three men short in the crew, and -an extra man, especially of Shannon’s build and -energy, was a matter to be considered. The mate -held out strenuously for either putting the long fellow -ashore or hanging him forthwith, but, as Curtis, -Hicks, and the rest were absolutely set against -such a measure as capital punishment, and the land -was some distance off, the inevitable took place. -That is, Shannon was practically shanghaied into -the ship, but chose to sign articles of his own free -will to become a member of her crew, and was -regularly installed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>His great delight was to dwell humourously upon -the adventure of the treasure-box in Funchal, telling -at some length how Brannigan, his mate, who -had come aboard in the chest, had dropped right -upon Jennings, the Dutch sailor’s back, when he -went over the side. This accounted for the state -of Jennings’s head, for the skipper assured us that -Mr. Brannigan was a man of parts, and could do -up a whole ship full of square-heads. He explained -how angry he had become at the mistake he had -made in taking Mr. Gull’s boat for the one meant -for him, and how he had thrashed each member -of the boat’s crew for not pulling harder and getting -under the stern half a minute sooner. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>only thing that prevented our capture in the last -encounter was the fact that Brannigan had failed -to jump aboard, but if he had, the two of them -could easily have taken the barque.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we had some doubts about the last statement, -we were entertained to a high degree, and -Shannon became rapidly a favourite. More especially -as we had already had some evidence of his -prowess, and a look from his faded eyes following -a drawling request for tobacco or other commodity -had the usual effect of producing considerable attention -from the person addressed. His arms, of -course, had been delivered aft, but he had a way -of gazing at one that made a person feel that his -good-will was of the utmost value. Martin was -his devoted companion, and Anderson, who had -been badly bruised and stunned by the shot that -had killed Pete, even forgave the damage and appeared -much more friendly than we had reason to -expect. Bill and I had several talks over the Scot’s -peculiar manner with the stranger, and we became -more friendly and confidential over the subject. -Big Jones kept his own counsel, and seemed to -admire the long limbs of the Yankee skipper, yet -did not care too much for his company.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jorg, with a gang of helpers consisting of Tom -and Tim, two Liverpool dock-rats of the other -watch, and Ernest and Heligoland, kept hard at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>work repairing the damage done us by the brig’s -six-pounders, and were hardly finished by the time -we sighted the low coast near Lagos.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The haze which hangs over the surf in the Guinea -Gulf hides the land until a vessel is almost upon -it. We were close in, and could hear the dull thunder -of the swell falling upon the sand before we -realized that the run was over, and the work of -trading and capturing human beings would begin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>No time was lost after we came to soundings. -The boats were made ready and the anchors gotten -over the bows, while the topsails, though clewed -up, were left hanging ready to sheet home at a -moment’s warning. A man was posted in the foretop -all day, and everything done to prevent a surprise -of some prowling man-of-war. Even Hawkson -showed signs of peculiar alertness, and his -nervousness, though slight, was quickly transmitted -to both Gull and Henry.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Only old Howard seemed impervious to the excitement, -and ambled about the poop unconcernedly, -watching the shore until we had reached the mouth -of a low, marshy river.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The breeze was off the land, and the barque was -hove to, while the small boat was manned and sent -in with Yankee Dan and Hicks to see if there were -any negroes to be procured.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I managed to pull stroke oar, and went more to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>see how the business was to be conducted than anything -else. We had half a dozen muskets in the -boat, with powder and lead, to use in defence, if -necessary, or in trade if possible. Yankee Dan -was so nervous that Hicks insisted on taking the -tiller as we headed for the beach, and he picked -up a loaded gun and laid it handy upon the stern-sheets -in case of emergency.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The breeze being light and offshore, the heat -of the equatorial sun was intense. It was about -nine o’clock in the morning when the barque stood -in, and it was nearly eight bells now, the sun being -at its height, and the sky a brazen dome of heat -above us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It took quite half an hour to pull in, for the -shore was really several miles distant, and by the -time we neared the huge white combers rolling in -upon the sand, we were so hot that under other conditions -an upset in the breakers would have been -welcomed by all hands.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As it was, we skirted the shore just outside the -lift of the outer breaker, and soon found an opening -over the bar at the river mouth. Hicks headed -in through this opening, regardless of consequences, -and we were soon carried by the current well in -behind the southern point of sand. Here we found -the marshy banks of the river stretching away inland, -and upon one just behind a little rise covered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>with low trees, we saw the slave factory, as the -pens were called where the unfortunates were corralled.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was not a sign of life anywhere, and the -only sound that broke the glaring stillness was the -deep-toned roar of the surf outside.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly there was a sharp “ping,” and a crack -upon the boat’s gunwale, followed by the report -of a rifle.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Way enough,” said Hicks, calmly. And we -rested on our oars, with our chins on our shoulders, -trying to see who had welcomed us so cordially.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan stood up and waved his hat from -side to side, in token of friendship, and almost instantly -a man strode out from the palisade, now but -fifty fathoms distant.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stop that firing and come aboard,” bawled the -trader.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Give way together,” said Hicks, and we sent -the boat rapidly towards the beach, and ran her nose -high and dry on the sand.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXVIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>MY FIRST GLIMPSE OF SLAVERY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>A heavy-built, squat Guinea, as the Portuguese -here are called, greeted us as we sprang ashore. -He was a villainous-looking scoundrel, and his rifle -and knife did little to improve his formidable appearance. -His white teeth showed in an ugly smile, -as he explained in broken English that we had been -mistaken for the boat of a British cruiser that had -been lately on the coast, and he had fired at us -accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks was not ready to believe his lie, and, had -it not been for the trader, would undoubtedly have -pistolled him where he stood, but Dan was used -to the tricks of the pirates, and knew better than -to show his feelings. Several rascally black men -armed with rifles now came from the palisade, and -we seized our rifles from the boat to be ready for -any tricks. The Guinea, however, only grinned -and shrugged his shoulders, and invited us to his -place to consider business. His followers, dressed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>only in gee-strings and ammunition-belts, laid aside -their arms in token of friendship, and thus reassured -we filed into the enclosure.</p> - -<p class='c001'>If I had at any time doubted my distaste for the -life I was leading, there could have been no chance -for such a thing after entering that “factory” where -slaves were made. Of all the horrible places on -earth, save perhaps the hold of the overdue slaver -at the end of the middle passage, that filthy den -was the most awful. In the mire made by their -own dung, like a lot of hogs, the cursed sons of -Ham lay or stood in the fierce sunshine, awaiting -the coming of some pirates like ourselves to take -them to a foreign land, and sell them into comparative -comfort and luxury to work for their white -masters. Ugly they were in the extreme, their -black, brutish faces having nothing more human -about them than those of apes, but even monkeys -should be shown some consideration if they would -be made to live. Women with infants were kept -in a separate pen, but the older ones were thrown -in with the men, without a vestige of clothing, not -even a clout or gee-string. The younger girls the -Guinea kept in his own house, having over fifty that -he formed into a seraglio for himself and guards.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Yankee Dan showed at once his familiarity with -the business in hand, and instantly began negotiations -by prodding a stalwart black in the ribs, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>pinching his biceps, while the poor creature smiled -and grinned, jabbering something unintelligible, -but at the same time trying to show that he was a -powerful fellow and should be taken away to work.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The hot stench of the pen made me sick, and for -a time I was nauseated to a degree. Gradually I -became used to it, but noticed that Gus and another -man were upset. As for Hicks, he simply kept his -handkerchief to his nose and gasped. I hardly -think he realized what slaving was when he embarked -in the enterprise, for the voyage was still -a thing just begun, and, with a hold full of the -filthy creatures, the smell can better be imagined -than described. I can only say that it was more -nauseating, penetrating, and more unlike any odour -I ever before encountered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a short time, Yankee Dan, who could speak -any language separately and fluently, and who could -curse and swear in all combined, had, with some -persuasion and some forceful epithets, convinced -the Guinea that he meant business, and would take -on the fifty-four human beings enclosed there at a -certain figure. Three other white men now entered, -and the wrangling became animated, the bargain, -however, being finally closed with the understanding -that we would leave the vicinity by noon the next -day, and pay in gold and arms.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was glad enough to get clear of the vile place, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>and, as we men were not invited to the slaver’s house -to take a drink to show good feeling, we missed the -foulness it contained. Hicks accompanied Dan to -the “palace,” and I must give him credit that he -did so with less grace than he usually showed upon -occasions of invitation. The rest of us sought the -shade of the river-bank, where some scrub-palms -offered shelter from the terrible sunshine. Here -we were joined by some of the slaver’s guard, who -now sought every opportunity to propitiate our -good-will, telling yarns and explaining the interesting -back country, where the curse of the bar and -shackle had laid its grisly hand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>One of the guards, although a black, had been to -London as a free man, having never been a slave, -but belonging to a Congo tribe that held sway to -the southward of St. Paul de Loando, and which, -owing to its control of a part of the coast, had to -be treated with respect by the villains that scoured -the Bight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>This fellow spoke English fairly well, and he -described at length how the slave-trade was being -ruined by the men-of-war that hunted and cruised -between the Congo and Senegal. These vessels were -sometimes quite small, some being only brigs of ten -to twelve guns, but most of them were very fast -and heavily manned, quite able to overhaul and -capture even the fast flyers that plied the trade -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>against the law. One of these cruisers, an American, -called the <i>Hornet</i>, was a sloop of war of the fastest -type, having overhauled the <i>Bat</i>, a schooner of some -two hundred tons, which had the record of being the -fastest vessel that had ever sailed out of New Orleans.</p> - -<p class='c001'>This conversation was interesting, especially as -the cruiser was last seen off Lagos only a month -before, and I wished more than ever that I had taken -more pains not to have joined the expedition. Then -I thought of the young girl aboard, and wondered -at her father bringing her into such scenes of danger -and bloodshed, with the shadow of the hangman’s -noose from the yard-arm continually over the black -barque and her crew.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Gus, the Swede, spoke uneasily of the future, but -the great black pirate only showed his teeth and -swore softly in Portuguese. For him life meant -very little indeed, and if he could capture a nice -young girl now and then and get ammunition for -his rifle, it was all he desired. No man-of-war -should take these small pleasures from him if desperate -fighting could prevent it, and, as for danger, -he lived on it. It was in the very air of the deadly -swamps and forests, and he survived solely because -he was fit.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Pointing to an indistinct object across the river, -he broke forth fiercely:</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>“That’s all left of a fine village. Plenty rum, -plenty slaves, plenty powder. Now all gone. Why? -Man-of-war fire it and destroy. Some day man-of-war -try factory here. Want to be here den,” -and he patted his rifle-stock affectionately. Part -of the gang to which he belonged were now up the -river hunting villages and scattered bands of negroes, -but they were becoming scarce, and the death-rate -being high, it hardly paid going up after them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a little while Hicks and Dan came back, accompanied -by the half-dozen Portuguese and some -black fellows, and we started to the ship to make -ready for our cargo. Slaves were more plentiful -to the eastward perhaps, but we would take what -we could get and hurry along, trusting to evade -a cruiser until the cargo was made up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We took one of the Guinea fellows back with -us to pilot us through the surf on the bar, and arrived -alongside without accident.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A line of heads peered over the topgallant-rail, -watching curiously our passenger, and, as the boat -fell alongside, the drawling tones of Shannon broke -forth.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s niggers at now, stranger?” said he, -addressing the Guinea.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Way down, way down. Bucks runnin’ for ten -to twenty. Fine gals thirty and forty,” cried the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>fellow from the boat, evidently thinking he was -addressing our commander.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Shannon gave a great sigh, and looked wistfully -at the shore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“An’ here I am,” said he, “without a ship. It’s -hard luck. I wanter know, I wanter know.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXIX. <br /> <span class='fss'>WE LAY IN OUR CARGO</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The next day was a busy one aboard <i>The Gentle -Hand</i>. All the boats were gotten out early, and the -barque headed in shore again. We had stood off at -night, for fear of a current setting us into the breakers, -and we did not care to let go an anchor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>By two bells (nine o’clock) in the forenoon, we -were close in to the bar at the river mouth, the -breeze giving us way at the rate of about five knots, -but, as we drew under the land, it became puffy -and showed signs of dying out altogether. It was -decided not to go in any closer, so the foreyards -were left full, the main backed, and the forestaysail -hauled amidship, heaving the barque to with a slight -reach to the southward.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Pretty nearly all hands tumbled into the boats -and rowed through the broiling sunshine for the -beach, it being the captain’s object to get all the -cargo aboard at once, and stand off to work along -to the eastward.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>By noon the first boat-load of the poor creatures -arrived. There were fourteen of them closely -packed and manacled in the bottom of the craft. -As they drew nearer, they set up a chattering like -a crowd of monkeys, and the Guinea in charge -rapped them severely over the head with a stout -stick, bidding them be quiet. Their white eyeballs -and teeth shone in contrast to their skins, and the -excitement they were undergoing made them show -both eyes and teeth much more than usual, giving -them a strange, wild look. Streaks of mud and -filth showed upon their black bodies. The men had -little kinky beards upon their chins and lips, and -the women had huge bunches of wool on their heads, -which were simply great nests of dirt and vermin. -Poor creatures, they were hardly human, but for all -that I felt sorry for them when I thought of the -’tween-decks of the barque under that torrid sun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry hustled them on deck, and Jorg, with a -couple of men, sent them below at once to get them -out of the way. By eight bells, we had the crowd -below, where they kept chattering until Gull went -among them with a long whip, and touched them -up lustily whenever they made a noise. Martin, -Anderson, Bill, Shannon, and myself went in for -the last boat-load.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The heat was terrible, and the breeze was almost -imperceptible after the bar was crossed, making all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>hands quiet and sullen with the exertion. Inside -the river mouth the same glaring quiet prevailed, -broken only now and then by the sound of a gull’s -scream, the dull, heavy rumble of the swell only -adding to the desolate stillness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“’Tis a good coast for the business,” said Martin, -in a low tone to the long sailor, who was rowing -stroke oar. I held the tiller, and had charge, -but Martin appeared to think my rating did not command -silence, and I let him speak.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fellow Shannon only looked over his shoulder -up the turbid stream that flowed around the distant -point of marsh in the direction of the heavy forest -beyond.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What better place d’ye want? ’Twould be a -good one to find ye in that glade,” continued the -Scot.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There’s mighty little water on the bar, Scotty,” -said Shannon. “What the devil would become of -yer ship, I wanter know?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Lighten her more, lighten her. Take out her -guns and ballast. She’d be a floatin’ fort until ye -were ready to go to sea full o’ niggers. Mon, mon, -na mon-o’-war c’u’d come after ye, an’ as fer small -boats--hoot!” And he gave a cry of contempt at -the idea.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Joust whin would ye do these things, friend -Martin?” asked Bill.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>“Shut up, ye square-head. Keep silence when -men are speakin’, or I’ll be fer whollopin’ ye the -minit we hit the beach,” growled Martin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then they rowed on in the heat without a word, -the regular clank of the oar-locks sounding over the -glassy surface of the stream with the regularity of -the ticking of a clock.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We ran the boat up near the “factory,” and the -villainous Guinea in charge brought down the last -instalment of the slaves. Some of them were young -girls barely in their teens, but all without any clothing -whatever. The sun would have flayed a white -man and cooked him to death in half an hour, but -they appeared not to suffer with the heat. Some of -the girls were made to spring into the river, with -a line attached, in order that they might get a last -bath before entering the hell in store for them. One -tried to remain under water and drown herself; at -least the Guinea feared that was her design, for -he hauled her in hand over hand, and administered -several whacks to brace her up, while I sat and -tried to invent some new opprobrious epithet to call -him, finally exhausting the English language without -apparent effect.</p> - -<p class='c001'>One girl, who had left behind her brother and -relatives, on account of their not coming up to -Yankee Dan’s standard of fitness for a middle passage, -was tearful and sad. This poor creature was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>flung into the water, and held by a strapping black -buck, who used a bunch of grass to scrub her clean. -Her piteous screams had no effect on him, so, when -my patience was quite exhausted by the heat, I -seized an oar. He was bending over, and wore nothing -but a gee-string. The swing of the oar landed -fair on his buttocks with all the weight and strength -I could put into it, and he shot forward with a crack, -making a very creditable dive into deep water. It -was only because payment had not been complete -that bloodshed was averted when he arose, for he -made straight for his rifle, which had to be forced -from him by half a dozen pirates as fierce and powerful -as himself. Finally we had the crowd all aboard, -and shoved off for the barque, meeting the boat -with the Portuguese fellow, who had gone aboard -for the pay, just as we cleared the breakers.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Arriving aboard, we soon had the blacks below, -and, as payment had been made in gold for our -cargo, we had nothing further to do with the scoundrels -on the beach. The yards were swung, and we -stood offshore to take advantage of the light breeze -and work along the coast to the eastward, in the -hope of picking up the rest of our cargo before some -prying ship-of-war should overhaul us. For several -days we worked along without any luck. One or -two places Dan knew of had been deserted since the -law against slaving had begun to be enforced, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>we had to row in through a heavy surf to find this -out. This caused the loss of one boat and the drowning -of a sailor named Tom, an English cockney chap -of little account. During this part of the cruise, -I had much to do on the poop, keeping the battery -in order and ready for instant action. I saw something -of the life aft, and the feeling between Mr. -Curtis and Hicks, which had shown itself that night -in the town of Funchal. These two men, whose -interests were identical, seldom spoke directly to -each other now, and only when the trader’s daughter -appeared on deck did they show anything but -polite hatred in their speech. Curtis was sarcastic, -and Hicks was almost as savage by the time we -reached Lagos and ran in to finish loading. Miss -Allen seemed to avoid both as much as possible, -although it was quite evident that she favoured the -bolder of the two adventurers. Curtis was anything -but a coward, but Hicks had a certain reckless gallantry -about him that could hardly fail to attract.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Forward I had been entertained several times by -Martin’s brutal jests regarding affairs aft, and, as -the girl had always been civil to me, it was all I -could do not to chastise the rogue for his foul tongue. -My apparent apathy, however, gave him cause to -believe I favoured him, and soon he spoke of things -that caused me to pay attention and watch him more -closely.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXX. <br /> <span class='fss'>I SUSPECT TREACHERY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The night we stood in for settlement, there was -a bright moon nearly full. We could hear the snore -of the surf before midnight, and we shortened the -barque down to her topsails in order not to go too -fast.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The breeze was fitful and squally off the land -as usual, and bringing with it the thick haze of -pollen from the rank vegetation on shore. The air -being hot, the watch below stayed on deck and lay -in the waterway or behind the deck-house, trying -to catch the draught blown on the deck from the -stretched canvas as it slid under the foot of the -main and foresails.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin was lying in the shadow of the foremast -to keep the moon out of his eyes, and he shifted his -position every little while as the bright light followed -him around the mast. Beside him lay Anderson, -and near by, in the open moonlight, in total disregard -for his eyes, was stretched the long skipper, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>Shannon, prone upon his back, with his shirt open -to catch the breeze.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I sat near the fore-hatchway and watched the -shadow of the fabric above swing to and fro upon -the deck planks, the lines of the rigging standing -out sharp and black on the white wood, the dark -blots of the canvas moving slowly within a certain -radius with each easy roll of the long swell. It -was a bright tropic moon, and it was serenely beautiful. -I lounged there, enjoying the silvery light, and -hated to sleep lest I miss some of the rare beauty -of the darker hours.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Gradually the men on watch settled themselves -comfortably, and only the steady tramp of the man -on lookout upon the forecastle head, and Hawkson’s -step upon the poop told of life aboard. Once or -twice the mate’s hoarse voice sounded gruffly, asking -Holmberg, who was at the wheel, how she -headed, and the answer came low and distinct -through the quiet night. The musical hiss and -twinkle of the side-wash sounded restful upon the -ear after the day’s toil and heat, and seemed to tell -of cool sprays. I had the right to sleep, but only -dozed, thinking of the disagreeable work in store -for us. We would probably take on many blacks -here, and nearly, if not quite, fill up with them. -Those already aboard gave forth an odour that was -far from reassuring, coming as it did up the open -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>hatchway, and I dreaded several hundred more -creatures jammed below there, where they must of -necessity die like vermin in a box.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While I dozed, I became aware of a whispered -conversation. Soon I recognized Martin’s voice, -though I could not quite hear his words. He seemed -to be talking to Shannon, who had now rolled over -in the shadow of the mast alongside of the Scot.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I listened again, for the fellow’s voice was eager, -as it was when he talked of any deviltry he expected -to enjoy, and I noticed the same tone he used to -me when we first made our acquaintance, and when -we discussed the probability of the barque becoming -a rover and preying upon any vessel of smaller -size.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“D’ye ken that? I say, ye long man, d’ye ken -that?” said he in answer to a question he had evidently -asked. “’Tis as easy fer us as not. There’s -Anderson waiting to kill the mate, an’ Jorg willin’ -to kill any one, and there’s Pat, Gus, Gilbert, an’ -the Doctor willin’ to follow. Hoot! we’d make a -finish, na fear. Why, ye c’u’d whollop half the crew -yerself, ye long cateran. Didn’t ye nigh do it the -day ye made yer jump into the hooker? Help ye? -Now, now, c’u’d I have helped ye? Na, na, don’t -ask mericles. I let fly the jib, but ’twould have been -murder an’ sudden death to have gone aft then. -All armed, an’ with that gunner man fightin’ like -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>a sack o’ wildcats, an’ the little fox havin’ a death-grip -on yer pipe. Talk sense an’ to the p’int.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You air a loose-jawed hell-dog, I wanter know,” -said Shannon. “D’you suppose it’s fear a-keepin’ -me, hey? What’d you know about the coast, anyways? -What’d you want to try an’ tell me?” Then -in a more friendly tone: “I know you air a navigator. -Good sailor, all right, an’ would stick to a -job, but there is a right time for business. I’m -a-runnin’ this thing, an’ all you’ve got to do is wait -till I says the word. I think a whole lot o’ ye, Martin, -an’ would hate to see you swing. There ain’t -no one I cares as much for, that’s a fact. An’ when -a fellow like me cares for a man,--I say a man, -Martin, for that’s what you are, hey? When a fellow -like me says that, that same thing, it stands fer -something. If it don’t, I wanter know.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>This sort of flattery evidently pleased the Scot. -He said something in a low tone, and I felt convinced -that he was easily within the power of the -long countryman of mine. It’s strange, but immediately -after hearing this, I must have lost consciousness, -for when I awoke it was gray dawn -and a chill filled the air. The watch was called, -and I turned out by simply standing up and then -sitting down again.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a little while we washed down the damp decks, -and I had a chance to get a look to the northeast, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>when the haze of the surf blotted out the shore-line. -By the time the Doctor had his fire started and we -had something warm, the sun rose and disclosed -the ruinous settlement of Lagos.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The conversation I had heard disturbed me. -There was something sinister in its meaning, and, -while I had no love for the barque, I did not care -to make a bad matter worse. However, I had no -chance to talk the matter over until we had run -in and dropped our anchor close to the settlement, -and there Yankee Dan appeared on deck ready to -go ashore for trading. Howard and Curtis also -turned out, and Miss Allen appeared at the companion, -very much interested in the distant shore, -where the houses were just visible in the morning -sunshine.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She smiled somewhat sadly at me as I went aft -and loosed the covers from the stern guns, and saw -that the priming was in good order. I had begun -to think the poor girl out of place long before, and -I now felt a sort of hatred for her father, who could -expose her to such scenes without any apparent pity. -But the trader had become callous from experience -in the slaving business, and saw nothing unusual -in cooping up a shipful of human beings. They -were no more than so many cattle to him, and, as -to his daughter’s feelings, he had offered her a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>chance to stay ashore. If she preferred the scenes -of violence, it was no concern of his.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Before I had a chance to see Hawkson, the shore -boat was called away. Bill, Jones, Jennings, and -myself manned the whale-boat, and we were soon -heading in over the swell for the slave factory that -was known to exist a short distance inland. Hicks -and Gull accompanied the trader ashore, and the -latter stood at the steering-oar to pilot us through -the surf. In spite of the calm weather in the Bight -of Benin, there is sometimes a heavy swell that sets -in from many miles offshore, where some passing -disturbance of the atmosphere has caused a heavy -blow. The swell is long and heaving, and not so -easily noticed until it begins to rise in the shoal -water. Then its size develops, and it goes up in -a wall until the top breaks and the whole mass goes -roaring shoreward in a great smother of foam. -From the sea side, the height of the breakers is hard -to judge, and they are very apt to be underestimated -on a calm day.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Gull stood up as we neared the first line of -snoring water, and I could see by his face that -he was a bit nervous. This had its effect on me, -for no one with any nervousness should attempt to -go through a heavy surf. The situation calls for -absolute coolness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Easy now,” came the order, and we lay waiting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>for a smooth spell. By some strange freak of nature, -seas always roll in sequences. That is, they -will run in twos and three or sixes and nines, with -a “smooth” between. A surfman will always watch -to see how they are running before going in. Gull -counted three heavy fellows that roared and thundered -in a most appalling manner, and then, grasping -the long steering-oar firmly, sung out to give -way lively.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We went racing for the beach, and were doing -well when, on looking over the stern, I saw an enormous -sea rising and coming quickly after us. It -rose like a wall astern and towered above the boat. -Then instantly it broke with a roar and rush, and -we were hurled before it. Gull tried to hold her -true, keeping her stern to the surge, but she took -a slew and the oar broke. Then she swung sideways -and rolled over and over with the rush, and -when I came to the surface of the foam, half-strangled -by being so quickly rolled out of the boat, -she lay bottom up some ten fathoms distant, floating -in the smother.</p> - -<p class='c001'>No one was visible, and I struck out for the craft, -as there was no bottom and the beach was fifty -fathoms distant. Suddenly I saw Bill spattering -and struggling, trying to reach the wreck, but showing -plainly that he could not swim a stroke. Ernest -suddenly appeared alongside of him, and, being -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>able to swim after a fashion, he aided him to reach -the gunwale, where both held on firmly, ducking the -following seas that flowed over them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jennings managed to keep his grip on the boat, -and was alongside, holding on, when I noticed a -form floating face downward pass me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was a fairly good swimmer, although it is a -strange fact that few real sailormen can swim at -all. I grasped the body and lifted the head clear -of the water with my hand just as another sea broke -heavily over me, dragging and crushing me down -with its weight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>My heart seemed bursting when I arose, still -holding the insensible man, and my first intake of -breath nearly strangled me. However, I was a -powerful fellow, and in a few strokes managed to -get started for the upturned boat that now floated -some distance nearer shore.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a few minutes I reached her, and Bill relieved -me for a moment while I passed a line over the -craft’s bottom. On the other side I found Jones -and Yankee Dan both safe and holding on. Together -we managed to hold Hicks, whom I now -recognized, clear of the water. He had been struck -on the head by the boat or an oar and knocked insensible. -Gull was nowhere about, and for some -time we gave him up for lost, but he had swum -in on a broken thwart.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>In a little while we heard shouting, and saw him -standing on the sand with a couple of black fellows, -who, at his direction, plunged in and came toward -us. The negroes helped us ashore, and we hauled -the boat up clear of the surf. It was a close call, -and Hicks still appeared either dead or senseless. -We carried him up the beach and laid him under -a palm, and set to work chafing his wrists and -ankles.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a little while he opened his eyes and noticed -me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the matter?” he asked, faintly, trying -to sit up. Bill caught his head and held it, while -Gull passed his arm under him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Trying to quit the expedition,” said Yankee -Dan, bluffly. “You were trying to leave us, my boy, -but this fellow, Heywood, here, nabbed you in time, -and swam in to the boat with you. Otherwise you’d -’a’ been drowned, an’ that’s a fact. You’d ’a’ been -drowned sure.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks looked at me seriously for some moments -and then spoke:</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s hard to owe one’s life to a fool, but here’s -my hand, Heywood,” said he, with a faint smile.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s as hard to acknowledge the favour from -one, sir,” I answered, with some little feeling, but -then I remembered the time at Funchal, and I smiled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>and held out my hand, which he grasped firmly, and -rose to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Sir John Hicks was a man of rather unsavoury -reputation, but he was not a man who would be -gross enough to forget.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXI. <br /> <span class='fss'>I MEET CORTELLI</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>While the trader, Mr. Gull, and Hicks were -ashore, there was no chance whatever of communicating -any of my suspicions concerning Martin and -Shannon. Just what these rascals intended to do -was certainly a matter of doubt, and, after all, the -talk had been so characteristic of the Scot that I -feared I was taking it too seriously to give it a -thought.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We tramped over the loose sand to the factory, -a couple of miles inland, and the heat of the marsh -was awful. Hicks, who had hardly recovered from -the accident of the morning, had difficulty in keeping -up, for his head was still giddy from the effects -of the blow he had received upon it. The black -fellows, who had sighted our barque before daylight, -had thought nothing of a run to the beach, and -they went ahead at a great rate along the jungle -path, caring neither for briars, spines, or any of -the various prickling things that make even a well-shod -man hesitate before treading on them. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>were a tall and powerful set of men, all armed with -old flint-lock muskets of ancient pattern; doubtless -some of them had been used in the first war between -the States and England. We finally arrived and -were ready for business. The compound, or slave -corral, was an immense enclosure completely out -of sight from the beach, and away from the prying -eyes of any cruiser that might be prowling along -the coast. Felado Cortelli, the half-breed Italian -slaver, whose presence had cursed the West African -coast for years, was in charge, and he came forth to -meet us. Our lack of arms seemed to give him -amusement, but when he heard how we had been -rolled over in the surf, he laughed loudly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Within two hours from the time we left the surf, -our arrangements had been made, and we were leading -between two and three hundred blacks to the -beach, where payment was to be made, and they -were to be shipped aboard, Cortelli’s own guard -of coast pirates making the escort for the unfortunates.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Our boat came alongside with its first load of -human freight. Hicks and Curtis stood at the quarter-rail -watching the creatures, and for the first time -in many days seemed on speaking terms. They -appeared to comment upon a girl who was crying -and sobbing bitterly, and who was shackled to a -huge buck, who sat stolidly gazing out to sea.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>The oily swell rocked the boat but little; the -barque, however, rolled lazily like a huge log, swinging -her long spars slowly from side to side, and the -momentum of each swing hove her down until her -channels brought up with a smacking jar upon the -surface.</p> - -<p class='c001'>This made it necessary for the boatman to use -some caution, for, if the small boat’s gunwale caught -anywhere upon the vessel’s side while she was on -her downward swing, it would instantly be forced -under and the craft upset.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Cortelli stood at the break of the poop, talking -to the trader, and, as the girl was told to make -ready for a spring aboard, he looked over the side -and grinned. The poor creature was frightened -and shrank back, delaying the unloading.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stir her up,” said the Guinea to one of his -bullies.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A black pirate laid the lash, and she screamed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hold on there!” cried Hicks, leaning over the -side. “If you do that again, I’ll pistol you.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>His face was flushed, and his hand sought his -broad leather belt, where hung his cutlass and long-barrelled -pistol belonging to the barque’s supply.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Sho, man, what’s the matter?” asked Yankee -Dan, and the Guinea scowled savagely.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Dis gal free,” said the big buck, standing up, -as he heard the conversation. “He no right to take -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>her--nor me. I Begna Sam, no slave. Lib right -ashore till you come. Den he cotch us both, an’ -say we slave ’cause long sailor, Shannon, he say -he buy us.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Cortelli grinned. It was not the first time he -had practised this trick, and, if the blacks had no -friends strong enough to protest, they invariably -went with the rest of the cargo.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Where are the girl’s people?” asked Hicks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What difference does it make?” asked Yankee -Dan. “I see no difference whether they’re ashore -here or back in the timber, do you?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Curtis nodded encouragingly. It was evident -he had no scruples how or where the girl had been -kidnapped.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The Guinea, Cortelli, shrugged his fat shoulders, -and shot a venomous look at the Englishman.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Shall I find out where each black resides when -at home?” he asked, sarcastically. Then he turned -away.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks, instead of following him, leaned over the -rail. A strange look of sadness came into his eyes. -He was a hard men among hard men, and he had -revolted at the squeal of a black woman. I watched -him a moment, and looked to see something more -happen.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He evidently saw that to send the girl ashore -meant to doom her to Cortelli’s will. There was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>only one way, and, as she stepped on deck with the -big buck, Sam, he went to him and asked about the -girl’s people. She was being separated from her -old mother and crippled sister, neither of whom -were of any value as slaves. Begna Sam was -hustled below with the rest, and Hicks went back -on the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Bring her mother and sister aboard,” said he -to Cortelli. “I’ll give you full price for both.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The little fat scoundrel glanced at him quickly -to see if he were in earnest. Hicks looked him -squarely in the eyes and repeated his request. Then -the Guinea went to the rail and said something to -the black bullies in the small boat that made them -grin, and the next boat brought off the desired pair. -Hicks had a separate place made for the three near -the open hatchway, and afterward paid for them -from his own pocket. Then he went aft, followed -by the smiles and winks of half the starboard watch, -and even Hawkson, who came to the edge of the -poop, could scarce suppress amusement. An exhibition -of human feeling appeared very strange to -the men of <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All that day we made landings in the heavy surf, -taking a few shackled blacks aboard at a time, being -aided a little by the filthy and indolent denizens -of the ruinous village, who came to the shore and -squatted around under the trees to give comment -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>upon the affair. They were good surfmen, and -sometimes helped to run out the boats when promised -a drink of rum. They were all half-breed -Guineas and scum from the slaving-ships, but some -had skins as black as the negro slaves they were -watching. Cortelli appeared to be the chief among -them, and it was said he sometimes seized upon -some of the blackest and sold them. They gave -him a wide berth as he strode among them, and -jumped at each word he uttered, no despot creating -greater awe among his subjects than this filthy -little fat rascal, whose black eyes had pointed the -way to death or worse to so many unfortunates of -that inhospitable region.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was dark before the last boat-load had been -stowed below hatches, for several boats had capsized -in the surf, and the delay of rescuing the -shackled prisoners from drowning had taken much -time. Only three were lost, the pirate guard, which -had contracted to do most of the rowing, proving -the best kind of boatmen, and the way they swam -about in the breakers was a thing to wonder at. -Sharks were swarming about the barque, and must -have been also in the surf, but the black men gave -them little thought.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The final payment was made in good yellow gold -to Cortelli, and he passed over the side into his own -boat, followed by the farewells of the trader, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>appeared to feel that he had not been badly cheated -in his purchase. The black bullies rowed the Italian -rapidly shoreward, while that worthy squatted -over his bag of money, which he made fast to a buoy, -in case of accident, and, drawing a long pistol, -cocked back the flint. It was evident that he would -take no chances in that country, where a piece of -yellow metal may be worth several human lives. -The last I saw of him, he was explaining to his -steersman that an accident meant certain death to -him, the steersman, at least, and therefore the utmost -caution should be exercised in going through the -surf. The money could not sink, but he never had -had accidents, and was not going to begin at this -time.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then the order came from our quarter-deck to -heave short, and we were ready to make the desperate -run for the other side. Hawkson had kept -a boat going all day between the ship and shore, -taking in fresh water, and our stores were in good -condition. We had taken in enough for an army -at Funchal.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Lay forrads, all ye starbowlins,” bawled Henry, -“an’ wake her up.” Then the feeling that we were -indeed homeward bound over the middle passage -took a strong hold of us, and we hove heavy on -the windlass brakes.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>“‘Ole Stormy, ’e was a good ole man,’” piped -a sailor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“‘Yo, ho! Oh, we storm along,’” bellowed the -watch in chorus, and, with the wild, crazy song, -we walked the anchor in, while the rest sheeted home -the topsails and romped up with the t’gallant-halyards.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a few minutes the land-breeze bore us off, and -we braced in the yards for a run off the land to -the southward. We would try to go clear of everything, -and then haul up and go across with every -rag we could crack on her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill, Ernest, and myself raced up the main-ratlines -to loose the royal and the topmast stun’sails. -In the dim light of the early evening, I saw the -low shore of the African continent for the last time. -When I finished with the gaskets, I waited a few -moments, watching it fade into the gloom of the -tropic night, and thinking of the hell of sorrow -and suffering the poor creatures bore who were -cursed by birth upon its hot lowlands and stinking -marshes. Even while I looked, the plaintive murmur -from the wretches below hatches told plainly -they knew their voyage to death and slavery had -begun, and I thought I could make out the wild -and sad refrain of some savage song. Over three -hundred black creatures packed below! I thanked -Heaven there had been no more to take, for I knew -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>they would have packed another three hundred into -her if they had been ready for sale. They would -make the run with these without further risk, and -trust to landing them in better condition, thus securing -a much higher price.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I started down the ratlines, but, before going -over the futtock-shrouds, I looked at the last bit -of light on the western sky-line.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It seemed to me I saw a bit of a speck showing -on the darkening horizon. Bill was opposite me, -and I called to him to look. He gazed steady for -a few seconds.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Youst like a brig’s royals, them little dots,” -said he, and went on down the ratlines to the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I followed, and forgot to report the object in -the hurry and hustle to get the anchor in on deck -and everything shipshape for sea.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXII. <br /> <span class='fss'>OPEN MUTINY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>My! How those blacks did smell! We had -worked well into the night, only stopping to eat -supper, and, when we did go below to turn in, all -tired out, the odour was something to remember. -The wind being aft, the cabin was clear, but the -forecastle was pretty bad, and we had only just -started.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It makes a fellow feel like goin’ out an’ getting -rid o’ some o’ his crimes,” said Big Jones, sniffing -and spitting upon the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hif dirt’s a crime, you’d been hung long ago,” -observed Jim. “Better turn in with hit.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Too hot,” said Bill. “It’s youst a little too -hot fer me. I’ve sweated all the water out of me -working, an’ I don’t want to sweat sleepin’. I’ll -take the deck an’ let her go.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A man’s ’bout one-third water, anyways, according -to some o’ them doctors’ sayings,” drawled -Shannon, who lounged in his bunk.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the rest,--likker?” asked Jim, wofully.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>And then the men split up, each seeking a spot -for resting during his watch below, some on deck -and some in the forecastle.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I followed Bill to the windlass, and we stretched -out in my old favourite spot, with our heads upon -a coil of the forestaysail-downhaul. Here we had -the draught from under the foot of the sail blowing -downward in our faces, and we instantly gave -way to its soothing influence and fell asleep. Since -Watkins had gone over the side, with a shot to -each foot, sewed tightly in canvas, I had been a bit -more free to sleep out on deck at night in the warm -weather, and I now rested as only a tired and healthy -sailor could. The barque held along steadily and -the motion was slight, and there was silence on board -save for the murmur coming from below. The first -thing I knew of trouble was being suddenly aroused -by a piercing scream. It was shrill and sharp and -full of terror and pain.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill started up at the same time, and both of -us asked each other what was the matter. I tried -to put out my hand to steady myself from the roll -of the barque and get to my feet, but something -held it firmly to the other in front of me. The -night was intensely black, as the moon had not yet -risen, and for an instant I was blundering about, -striving to free myself, until Bill blurted out that -he was ironed. Then I realized that my hands were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>shackled fast in iron bracelets, and that there was -little use to try to free them. Some one had slipped -them upon our wrists while we slept, and we were -as helpless as though paralyzed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I tried to see the watch on deck, and strained -my eyes through the gloom to catch sight of their -forms in the waist, where they usually grouped to -keep awake and tell yarns. There was not a soul -in sight. Even the poop seemed vacant, but, while -I looked, shadows appeared creeping up the gangways -over the break, and in a moment a flash lit the -darkness. Following the report, a perfect roar of -voices burst forth, yelling and bawling, interspersed -now and again with shouts and cries of wounded -men. Then Martin’s hoarse yell arose above the -uproar aft, and I began to realize what was happening.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Break loose, Bill, for God’s sake,” I cried, tugging -away at my irons. “Break loose, for that -devil, Martin, is going amuck, and Shannon is in -his wake.” Our legs were free, and I ran to the -windlass-bitts, which were covered with metal. -Raising my hands high above my head, I brought -the bracelets down with all my force upon the iron -tops.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The pain was awful. For some moments I could -do nothing but gasp, for it seemed to me that I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>had broken both my wrists. They were numb and -paralyzed with the shock.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Let me try,” said Bill, and he brought his hands -down with full force. The lock on his iron sprang -open, and he gave a groan.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Lay your wrists here,” he said, and I stretched -the connecting link over the bitt-head. Bill seized -a heavy chain-hook and smote again and again -upon the chain link until it bent, buckled, and finally -opened. I was free.</p> - -<p class='c001'>With my irons hanging to my wrists, we started -aft, where the fracas was now in full sway. Forms -were surging upon the break of the poop, and among -them I recognized some of our men mixed with -the naked black bodies of the Africans. We dived -into the forward cabin door to get at the cutlass -rack in the passage, where all the arms were hung. -As we did so, Mr. Curtis thrust a pistol into my -face and pulled the trigger. The damp, hot climate -had evidently affected the priming of the weapon, -for I heard the flint fall distinctly. Then I struck -up the muzzle as it exploded, the charge going upward -into the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Don’t shoot!” I bawled, as the report rang out. -“Don’t shoot! can’t you see us? Give us the cutlasses, -quick.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Bill reached for the rack where they hung, and -was about to take one, when a form swung out of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>the darkness, heaving some heavy weapon overhead. -There was no time to explain matters, so I sprang -upon the fellow and grasped him firmly before the -blow fell upon Bill’s head, and together we went -to the deck.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Instantly I recognized Jorg, the carpenter, as his -axe fell clattering across the cabin, and the rascal -gripped my throat with both hands. Before I could -disengage his hands, two more bodies fell over me, -scrambling, cursing, and struggling. A foot--I -think it was Bill’s--gave Jorg a kick under the -ear, and he slackened his hold on my throat.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What the mischief are you doing?” I gasped. -“Can’t you see we ain’t niggers? What’s the matter -with you?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Just then a lantern flashed, as the cabin door was -thrown open, and Mr. Gull stood before us, pike in -hand, ready for business. He seemed to hesitate -a moment, and looked inquiringly at me and then -at Bill, who had Curtis under him on the cabin -deck, calling upon him to let him get away, and trying -to disengage the Englishman’s hands, that had -fastened themselves firmly around his neck. The -noise overhead continued, and the rapid trampling -of men and shuffling of feet told of a fierce encounter. -Hawkson’s hoarse cry could be distinguished -cheering the men on about him, and Martin’s wild -yells and curses upon the ship, the crew, and everything -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>about her. It was evident something worse -than a rising of the blacks was taking place, and -I hurriedly asked the second mate what had happened. -He saw the manacles upon my wrists, where -they still hung, and this showed him I had been -a captive very recently. Then we knew the after-guard -had taken no prisoners and would never give -quarter.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Put on in my sleep,” I said, quickly. “Bill -and I both were ironed. Give us the weapons and -let us help.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I believe you, Heywood. Take a cutlass and -come along. The devil is loose to-night aboard -here,” he said, and he grabbed Curtis’s hands at -the same instant.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Let him go,” he said to Curtis. “Let him go -and get up. They’re all right.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was several moments before the Englishman -realized what was wanted, and kept calling for Gull -to run Bill through with his pike.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I grabbed a cutlass from the arm-rack just as -Jorg sat up, dazed and dizzy. He evidently expected -me to cut him down, and was much astonished -when I helped raise him and handed him his -axe.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’re youst a little bit too much in a hurry,” -said Bill to Curtis, as they got up, the sailor red -and angry at the choking he had received. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>Gull pressed a cutlass into his hand, and called for -us to follow, opening the door into the after-cabin. -There was no time to lose. The incident had already -cost us several minutes, and we might be too late.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“It’s Martin and the fellow Shannon,” said Gull, -as we piled through. “They’ve got half the port -watch an’ a dozen niggers with them. They’re the -fighting devils of Cortelli’s guard shipped in, all -ready to take a hand. Shannon and the Guinea -stood in together to do the job. Come along, for -God’s sake, come along!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXIII. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE FIGHT ON DECK</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>Gull led the way through the cabin, and, as we -neared the companionway, a stateroom door was -thrust open, and Miss Allen stood before us. She -held a pistol in her hand, and her eyes were bright -and sparkling. She seemed most beautiful to me, -as she stood there confronting five armed men.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Oh!” she exclaimed, “I’m glad it’s you. I -thought--” But she left her sentence unfinished. -We knew what she meant, and the pistol was not -a weapon for offence. It was her last defence, and -the thought of the girl waiting with it in her hand -gave me a turn. We hurried up the ladder while -she called after us, asking if her father was all right.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The blackness on the poop was lit up by Gull’s -lantern, and we saw a sight that made us grip our -weapons. A confused mass of men were closed -in desperate combat, cutting, thrusting, hacking, and -clutching at each other in the darkness. Guided -by Hawkson’s voice, we soon made out the mate, -surrounded by a crowd of the black devils from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>the beach and several of our own men. By his side -was Hicks and the sailor, Ernest, all hewing away -at the press about them. Several bodies lay beneath -Hawkson’s feet, telling of the old fighter’s desperate -sword-play.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A little farther on, with his back against the -mizzen, stood Howard, his bare poll shining in the -light of Gull’s lantern, showing the perspiration -pouring down over his face, his eyes steady and -shining like glass beads, his cutlass dripping in his -right hand, and an empty pistol in his left. He -was hard at it with Martin and Shannon, both of -whom pressed him sorely, in spite of Yankee Dan’s -help.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Henry was engaging Anderson and Gus at his -side, and the forms of two men lying between the -old captain and Martin told of the Scot’s and Shannon’s -deadly work. Shannon had cut down one -and Martin had put a man out of the way as we -rushed up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The fight now waxed hotter. The barque, being -without any one at the wheel, luffed slowly into -the breeze until her foreyards were aback and she -gathered sternway. The cracking of the slatting -canvas added to the noise of the yelling men, and -for a time there was chaos on the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Instinctively Gull and myself rushed to Howard’s -side. The old fellow was wary and quick, warding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>off the furious onslaughts of the long skipper with -a skill and strength that was amazing. He had his -old cutlass ahead of him, sword fashion, and he -hopped about that deck like some horrible old -monkey, laughing now and again in his high, cackling -voice, as he lunged and stabbed with a catlike -quickness. Even the long skipper’s giant -strength was powerless to force his guard for a -few moments, but, as we fell upon the long rascal, -we were met by Martin, who came in furiously, -yelling like a demon.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hoot, ye dogs! Stand out an’ die! Stand out -an’ die like true Christian men!” he bawled, and -as he did so he struck fiercely with a cutlass.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jennings, Pat, and Holmberg had gone against -us, and I caught a glimpse of them in the crush -about Hawkson, as I circled about Shannon, trying -to get within his guard, while he made long, full-arm -sweeps as he advanced that kept us busy getting -out of his way. Only Howard seemed to be able -to stand and yet clear them.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Curtis, Jorg, and Bill had fallen upon the crowd -pressing about the mate, and now some of the black -pirates left the press there and came to Shannon’s -aid. One of these sprang within the guard of the -trader and smote him heavily. Then he dodged -back again as Gull pressed him, cutting him again -and again with lightning-like strokes, his cutlass-blade -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>glinting like a flash of flame in the light of -the lantern set upon the companion slide.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Shannon came steadily on. Yankee Dan reeled -and struck out wildly. A pistol flashed somewhere -in the night, and he pitched forward under the long -man’s feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Everything now was mixed. A grinning black -face showed before me, and I cut at it with all my -power. A hoarse scream from the Doctor told me -that the blow had hit hard, although there seemed -little resistance to the blade. The rascally cook had -evidently joined the mutiny, and had gotten his -deserts. At the same time I did not stop to argue -the question of right or wrong. I had been gulled -into joining the ship, and had no reason to love her -or her officers, yet, when it came to standing by -her, there was no thought of shirking.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Had Martin been a different kind of a rascal, he -might have approached me, but he had judged -rightly that I had no use for him as a leader, and -he had ironed me for future consideration, not wishing -to part with any more men than necessary on the -short-handed ship. He might have knifed me and -tossed me over the side just as easily.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The death of Yankee Dan appeared to madden -Martin. He roared and cursed and swung a vicious -stroke at Gull. Then seeing me, his rage broke -forth in a torrent of oaths. He made a cut at me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>and missed. I stabbed him savagely in the ribs, -my point hitting him hard, for I had to jerk it clear. -He roared and rushed in upon me, followed by -Shannon, and I was beaten backward to the poop-rail. -In vain did Howard and Gull cut and lunge -at the long villain. Shannon beat their weapons -down, and came upon me, with the wounded Scot -at his side, now silent with pain and with the weakness -of his hurt. I fought with despairing energy, -but received a blow on my shoulder that almost -made me drop my cutlass. The long villain took -a stride nearer to me, and Martin stabbed me in -the leg, as I frantically drove his point downward -from my breast. I was hard pressed, and for an -instant it seemed that I could not escape. The rail -struck me in the small of the back, and I brought -up against it. I had reached the limit. Then Bill -did a thing that makes me believe in the honesty -and nobility of men. It was not what might have -been expected from a member of that crew, but -it was more than even the duty of a friend, and -we had once fought against each other.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Gull smote Jennings so sorely that he fell back -and opened the way to Martin. Like a flash the -second mate sprang in just as the wounded, but still -wary, Scot stabbed me, and he struck him so savagely -that he went staggering to one side. Pat and -a black fellow pressed Howard, and Shannon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>whirled up his blade to make a finish of me when -Bill sprang between and closed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Howard thrust the Irishman through the body, -and, as his cackling laugh broke out, the fellow fell -heavily, striking Shannon’s legs behind at the knee -joints. The impact of Bill in front brought all three -to the deck, where they rolled into a struggling, -kicking mass in the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As quickly as possible, Gull and myself sprang -in to finish the long skipper before Bill was done -for, but it was too late. The tall scoundrel arose -almost instantly to his feet and sprang clear of our -thrusts, leaving Bill lying stark dead upon the deck. -He had died to save me, poor sailorman though he -was, and, as I stepped over his bleeding body, I -could hardly repress a sob that rose in my throat. -John, Gilbert, Anderson, and Heligoland, with six -of Cortelli’s black scoundrels, had by this time -pressed Hawkson, Ernest, and Hicks so hard that -even the aid of Curtis and Jorg availed them but -little. In the general mix-up, the carpenter had -received a blow over the head with a dull cutlass, -which had rendered him insane for a time. I saw -him rushing forward, screaming, but gave him no -other thought, while I went for Shannon, determined -to avenge poor Bill.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Nearly every one had received several wounds -by this time, as the fighting had been close and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>furious, but Shannon appeared to brighten up and -go in for a finish. He had fought silently up to -the present moment, but now he began to drawl -out his oaths viciously at each stroke of his cutlass.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll have ye in a minute, ye long caterman,” -cried Howard, pressing upon him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I wanter know, I wanter know, you bald-headed -thief!” he roared in reply, and he mixed things -up so fast that his blade shone like a thousand gems -in the dim light of the lantern. Anderson came -to Martin’s aid and supported him, while the badly -wounded, <a id='corr286.12'></a><span class='htmlonly'><ins class='correction' title='thought'>though</ins></span><span class='epubonly'><a href='#c_286.12'><ins class='correction' title='thought'>though</ins></a></span> still undaunted, Scot bawled feebly -for his enemies to come on. He seized the rail -with his left hand, and still showed the point of -his cutlass ready for business.</p> - -<p class='c001'>During this last rally, I had noticed the uproar -below sounding like the surf on the shore. I thought -it was caused by the slaves in their fear, hearing -the sounds of the desperate fight on the deck above.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly the uproar swelled louder, and distinct -cries came from the main-deck. Forms flitted here -and there and came bounding upon the poop.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I saw Hawkson make a desperate rally and cut -down John and a black giant, and, as they fell, -Henry rushed in and finished them. Curtis fell, -badly wounded, but Hicks and Ernest drove the -crowd back. Again and again did Gull, Howard, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>and myself press Shannon, but the long fellow, while -not able to make any way against us, placed his -back to the poop-rail, and kept us a sword-length -away with ease.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Martin, Shannon, Anderson, and their followers -now crowded aft along the rail, and we were unable -to stop them. Hawkson swung clear of the press -about him, and Hicks followed.</p> - -<p class='c001'>At that instant a surging crowd of black forms -came pouring up the poop-ladders. They were naked -and unarmed, save for whatever bars and belaying-pins -they had found in the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Good God, the cargo’s loose!” cried Henry. -“Get aft, it’s the only chance.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXIV. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE CARGO BREAKS LOOSE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The pouring torrent of black men flowed and -swept between the mutineers and ourselves, and -we were borne along before them like a chip on the -crest of a wave. Their wild cries sounded above -the curses and yells of the fighting men, blending -into a wild, hoarse roar from three hundred deep -chests. By sticking close together, we managed to -make a retreat to the after-companionway, but it -was desperate work.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The Africans hurled their naked bodies upon our -weapons, regardless of cuts and thrusts that went -home every time, and they struck at us savagely -with the bars and staves they had collected.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Mr. Gull received a blow that stretched him senseless, -and it was only after a desperate stand that -we managed to haul him out from under the struggling -men who pitched upon him. Curtis, being -badly wounded, could not keep with us, and he was -pulled back into the crowd and never seen again. -Ernest, who bore himself so bravely, fell at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>companion, and it was Hawkson who tore his way -into a mass of mad blacks and hauled him over -the ladder.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There were only a few of us left. Hawkson, -Hicks, Henry, Howard, and myself could do duty, -but we were all badly wounded.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The light from the cabin below shone in our -faces, and we set our backs to the opening. I saw -Howard’s eyes shining from his mask-like face like -two bright, black beads. Blood poured down Hawkson’s -cheeks from a cut on the forehead, and made -him a grisly sight. Hicks was white as a sheet, -but cool and steady. He had received a thrust in -the breast that made him wheeze at each breath.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We made one desperate rally at the companion, -and I looked below over my shoulder. As I did -so, I saw a form staggering in from forward, and -heard the clank of the heavy door in the bulkhead. -I looked again, and saw Big Jones coming, with a -pair of broken irons on each wrist, and a pistol in -his left hand, while in his right he carried a shining -cutlass.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Stand clear, I’m a-comin’,” he said, and we -made way for him as he mounted the steps.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The light on the top of the companion, where -Gull had placed it, still burned. The slaves swarmed -everywhere, except on the glass skylight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>By the dim flare, I could see what was taking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>place. Shannon had been carried along the port -rail to the after end of the poop, and Martin had -thrust with all his remaining strength, hobbling -along, aided by Anderson. Over the heads of the -black crowd, I could make out Shannon’s tall form, -as he cut and slashed right and left, making a lane -through the men, and leaving a pile of bodies to -mark his course and ease the pressure upon him.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Coom on, ye black divils!” cried Martin, -faintly. “Coom on, an’ take the sailormen.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>A huge black towered above him, wielding a -hand-spike, and several more pressed Anderson back.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The Scotchman rose to his full height, and, seizing -his cutlass in both hands, smote the African -a blow that sank the blade down to his nose. Before -he could wrench it clear, the fellow went headlong -to the deck, carrying the blade with him, snapping -it free from the hilt, and leaving Martin helpless. -The mob surged upon him and he disappeared. -We saw him no more.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Anderson had a similar fate. A dozen giants in -ebony grasped his cutlass in their hands, regardless -of the blade. It was wrenched from him, and he -went down, followed by a dago named Guinea and -a couple of the blacks from the slave-pen. Gus, -Gilbert, and the rest of the mutineers had disappeared -already, leaving only one black and Shannon -of the entire crowd.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>The African, fighting against his fellows, lasted -but a few moments. He was crowded to the rail. -Throwing his cutlass into the mob, he sprang clear -of the side and was gone in the darkness, and Shannon -was left alone at the taffrail, where he made his -last stand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A great black fellow made his way aft, calling -out in a clear, deep bass voice. He was apparently -entirely naked, and his skin shone and glistened in -the lantern’s light. He carried a cutlass in his hand, -and thrust his followers aside, as he made his way -to the long skipper, who fought gamely on.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Ho! Benga Sam, I wanter know,” cried the -sailor. And the black giant called out something -in his clear tones.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was evident that there was a score to settle, -for the black man hurled his kind right and left -to get in. Some of the nearest drew back at the -sound of his deep voice, and pressed back the heavy -weight of the mob behind, clearing a small space -in front of Shannon. Into this the black giant -forced his way.</p> - -<p class='c001'>All this happened in an incredibly short time, -but the solid bank of human flesh before us was -pressing closer, in spite of Hawkson’s desperate -efforts.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Big Jones reached us, and, placing his pistol at -the breast of the nearest African, fired. Then he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>whirled his blade into the thick of them, and all -together we forced a space clear about the companion. -Howard was nearly spent. I was desperately -wounded, and leaned against the companion, -panting for breath, while Hicks grasped the -coaming to keep from falling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the breathing spell, while Jones held the way, -I saw what was taking place a few feet distant.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the open space cleared around the long skipper, -the big black fellow stood and called upon the -white man to pay the penalty of some past crime. -Shannon had been on the coast before, and he certainly -recognized the black. He had doubtless done -him some wrong. He met him with a spirit worthy -of a white man, and, in spite of his sins, he made -a gallant stand to the end.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The black set upon him with terrific force, his -blade rising and falling so fast that the eye could -hardly follow it. Shannon, drawing himself to -his full height, parried and returned stroke for -stroke, his amazing vigour unimpaired by the action -of the past half-hour. There was no retreating for -either. The black wall of human bodies held them -on all sides to the taffrail, and the nearest living -men strained their utmost to keep clear of the whirling -blades, while those behind pressed in and forced -them closer.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Both men were desperately wounded in a few -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>moments. Then Shannon, seeming to feel that his -life was ebbing, rose to one mighty effort.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He slashed with great vigour for some moments, -and then, without warning, sprang furiously forward, -and, taking the black’s blade through the body, -he drove his own into his black chest until I saw -the glint of the metal in the rear. They swayed -for a few seconds, and then went down, while the -mob surged over them and flowed around to where -we were holding the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Get below and shut the doors,” said Jones. “I -ken hold them fer a few minutes, that’s all.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson looked at him, and I saw a ghost of -an old smile flitting over his hard-lined face.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You’ll do for a big one, Jones,” said he, and -his teeth gleamed in the night.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You stand on either side,” said Howard. “I’ll -take the front.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson was about to remonstrate, but the old -pirate shut him off harshly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Who’s the captain here, me or you?” he cried.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You, but you won’t be within five minutes,” -said Hawkson.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Get below, Hicks and Heywood; maybe you -can bring Gull and Ernest back for short stand. -There’s liquor in the pantry.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were too badly hurt to stand much longer, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>and were worthless in a rush, so we went down -the companion and tried to tie up our hurts.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Miss Allen had already brought Gull around, and -had partly revived Ernest. She smiled faintly at -me, as I came down the companionway, limping and -clutching the rail at the side. Hicks was behind -me, and looked sadly at the girl as the noise of -the rush sounded behind us.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She came to us and tied us up the best she could, -stopping the bleeding, and, as she handed me a glass -of spirits, spoke.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Hicks,” said I, “you better take Miss Allen -below into the lazarette and bar the door. They -may overlook you there. It will only be a matter -of a few minutes’ more fighting. The barque is -doomed. Go while you can, for there is no other -to take her. Gull and I must make our last stand -on deck.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“And a precious short one at that,” said the -second mate, who was barely able to keep his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The liquor was burning within me now like oil -poured upon a dying flame, and under its influence -I grasped my cutlass and placed my foot on the stair, -to mount again and join the panting, struggling -men, whose backs showed against the opening now -and then, as they cut and lunged at the press before -them. They could not last long, and I could already -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>hear the high, rasping breathing of the old captain, -who was making his last fight.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You will come also,” said Miss Allen to me. -“You must know of some way to hide in a ship.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Her eyes held a mute appeal that was hard to -resist. She was filled with horror, and the terror -in her look made me hesitate. Yet, when I thought, -I knew Hicks could find a place easier than I, and -one would be less apt to be missed than two. Besides, -the men on deck were fighting, and my place -was there as long as I could stand. Sir John Hicks -looked at me, but said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’ll come later,” I answered. “Some one must -hold the stair. Hurry while there’s time.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then I mounted the companion, followed by Gull, -and came out into the last fight on the quarter-deck.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXV. <br /> <span class='fss'>OUR LAST CHANCE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>The big Welshman, Jones, had just swung into -the press about him as we came up, and Hawkson -had a breathing spell for a few moments. The old -privateersman saw me behind him in the doorway, -and the ghost of his old smile wrinkled the corners -of his ugly mouth. He was covered with blood, -and growing weak from exertion, but he held out -a long, sinewy hand, and I grasped it. He said -nothing, but looked at the surging crowd that was -pressing closer and closer against the struggling -Welshman and Howard. Henry clung to the companion -coaming with one hand, and closed the gap -between them. The black mass swung back toward -us, and instantly we were fighting desperately to -hold them in check.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A pile of black bodies in front impeded their -movement, but they pressed us so close that we -were jammed shoulder to shoulder, with Jones -slightly in advance to the right, and the old captain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>in front. Gull ducked below my arm, and stabbed -viciously upward at the Africans who came on.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There had been a short pause, caused by Jones’s -fierce fight, but, as he gradually slackened his efforts, -and the men behind pressed forward, the gap began -closing up. It would soon be over.</p> - -<p class='c001'>A huge black fellow reached out and grasped -Captain Howard. The old pirate ran him through -the body with marvellous quickness, but, before he -could disengage his weapon, several more seized -him and jerked him away from us. He disappeared -in the blackness, and we saw him no more. He -had gone to his account without a word, fighting -desperately to the last, and with him went the last -hope we had left.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hawkson was tiring. A couple of men seized -me and started to drag me out, but the old privateersman -made a last desperate rally, and I tore -myself free from dying clutches. But the fight -could not last for ever. A black giant, who wore -a gee-string, smote Hawkson’s blade a terrific blow -with a windlass-brake, knocking it out of his hand. -Instantly several seized him, and, though I cut and -stabbed frantically, they managed to pull him away, -to be served as had been the others who had fallen -into their hands.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly, while I cut wildly at the forms in front, -some one pulled me backwards. I expected to find -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>myself in the hands of the black tigers, thirsting for -blood and revenge, and was about to make one -last sweep, but my arm was seized, and I was pulled -down the companionway, while Jones slammed the -doors together and bolted them. The big sailor and -myself were all the men left on deck of our after-guard, -and he had pulled me back just in time. The -door would stand a few minutes against the assault. -Gull and Henry had both gone, the little ferret-faced -fellow fastening his great fingers firmly in the throat -of a man who drew him to his death. There was -now no hope but to delay the inevitable for as many -minutes as possible.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones and I had a short breathing spell, while -bars and handspikes crashed through the heavy -door panels. We took down several of the muskets -from the racks, and, placing their muzzles against -the rents in the wood, fired them one after the other, -with the result of abating the zeal of the fellows who -stood close against the other side. The room filled -with the dense powder smoke, and the light from -the swinging cabin lamps barely lit up the gloom -enough to distinguish objects. Ernest, who had -been left half-dead upon the cabin floor, now aroused -himself enough to stagger to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“The lazarette,” he gasped; “it’s our only -chance. Bring some muskets and ammunition. We -can make a stand there.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>Grasping an armful of the discharged weapons, I -led the way through a small door in the after-bulkhead, -as heavy blows crashed upon the door of the -forward cabin. Jones followed with an armful of -cartridges and a priming-flask, Ernest leaning heavily -upon him. Then I hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Put out the light. Let ’em think we’re waitin’ -in the dark,” said the big sailor.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I turned back and took the lamp out of the -bracket. It would serve to light the black hole we -were entering, for Hicks had taken no lantern with -him, being hardly able to walk, with weakness from -wounds and exertion.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones went ahead with Ernest, and I looked -quickly about the cabin for some means of preventing -entrance through the small, low door into the -stern of the boat. Nothing appeared handy, and I -turned to follow.</p> - -<p class='c001'>At that same instant the attack upon the companion -was resumed and the doors crashed in, letting -several black forms come plunging down the -steps.</p> - -<p class='c001'>There was no time to lose, so, quickly entering -the hole, I closed it and set the lamp close by on -the deck, where its dim rays would light the entrance -when the door would be burst in. The bulkhead -was not very thick, and it would take very few -minutes to smash the small door, but, as the passage -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>was only about three feet wide, two able men -with muskets and cutlasses could make it good from -the inside, for no matter what the press beyond, -the Africans would have to come in twos and threes -through the opening. They would not think to -cut a new way through, and, as long as they came -in front, we could pile them up as fast as they could -pull the dead and disabled away.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones had disappeared into the blackness farther -aft under the cockpit as I entered, but the sound -of the yelling blacks entering the cabin brought him -back to my side, and I motioned him to stand to -starboard, while I took the port side, our cutlass -blades a little more than overlapping as we held -them ready for the rush.</p> - -<p class='c001'>On all sides the ship’s stores were piled and stored -close up under the low deck. Spare canvas rolled -and stopped in long bundles lined the passageway, -placed near at hand that in case of emergency they -could be brought out quickly and bent to stripped -spars. We stood perfectly quiet, while the din below -increased, but, as the savages had no light, they -could not, at first, find the small door in the after-bulkhead.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While we waited, Hicks appeared, stooping and -coming along under the low beams. He had a -musket in each hand which he had loaded, and when -he saw us he stopped. Laying down the guns, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>began pulling at an old topsail, and Jones, seeing -what he wanted, hastened to help. Together they -rolled and dragged the canvas to the door, piling -it up to close the opening as much as possible, and -at the same time serve as a breastwork. Suddenly -a savage voice howled close against the bulkhead, -and instantly a rain of tremendous blows fell upon -the door. It splintered, broke, and was torn away -in an instant. Then the black bodies crowded in.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones on one side and myself on the other fell -upon them with our cutlasses, and the first three -lay groaning and blocking the way. Hicks crouched -down behind the pile of topsail and rested his -musket, with its muzzle about three feet from the -opening, but held his fire. He would wait until -one of us failed to stop our men.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The three bodies were whisked away, and a half-score -of black faces, with white eyeballs and ivory -teeth, filled the gap, each savage trying to get in -at once, none flinching in the least from the sword -cuts. Capstan-bars, muskets, and cutlasses were -shoved through, and we had to keep alert to prevent -being wounded. One huge negro, with a woolly -beard on his black chin, pulled a couple of his fellows -back from the opening, and thrust a long muscular -arm inside, holding a cutlass. He swung it -with marvellous quickness, and parried my stroke, -giving me a bad cut in return, but Jones reached him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>with a short-arm thrust, and, before he could recover, -I had him out of action. He was jerked -back before we could get hold of his weapon, and -others took his place.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It was a nightmare scene there in between the -decks of the old pirate barque. I could sometimes -catch a glimpse of Sir John Hicks lying in the bight -of the old topsail, with his eyes looking steadily -along the barrel of the musket and shining like -beads in the dim light. He was good for one fellow,--the -one we would miss. Opposite me the big -sailor slashed and cut at everything that came -through the opening, while just without the black -bodies crowded, and hideous black faces grinned -and yelled in savage fury.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Another rush, and then another, and Jones received -a stab from a cutlass thrust suddenly in at -the door. Three armed negroes tried to enter at -once, and almost succeeded. I stopped one, but -Jones’s man came through, and another started to -follow. Then the musket crashed in the passage, -and we were choked with smoke. But Hicks had -stopped the leader, and Jones then finished the -other. We still held our own.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly the faces and forms drew back from -the opening. A wild yelling was heard on deck, -followed by a scrambling up the companion. Some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>noises sounded at the doors, pounding and hammering. -We drew back and waited.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The minutes passed slowly. Hicks placed his -spare gun in position, and coolly proceeded to load -on the stores packed behind us. All was black and -quiet now in the cabin, save for the hammering at -the doors.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a little while I began to get nervous. The -yelling had begun to die away, and only now and -then voices sounded forward.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I reckon I’ll take a peep into the cabin,” I said. -“Bring the lamp, and stand for a rush if there are -any tricks played.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones took the light, and, standing just inside -the hole, let the rays fall upon the cabin-deck. It -was apparently deserted. Poking my cutlass ahead -of me, ready for a surprise, I made my way slowly -through the opening, keeping my eyes on both sides -as I came through. The cabin was empty.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I looked up at the companion entrance, and, as -my eyes became accustomed to the gloom, I saw the -doors were closed. The forward doors also had -been put in place, and the hammering had now -ceased. I distinctly heard the rattle of blocks with -the tackle running rapidly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No one here,” I whispered, and Jones came -through the bulkhead. Presently Hicks followed.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>“Better leave the light inside,” he suggested. -“They may have some trick to get us out.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones sniffed the air loudly for a few moments.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What’s the matter?” asked Sir John.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Seems to me they’ve already played it,” said -Jones, coolly. “I smell smoke, an’ I smell it strong.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Powder smoke, man; the place is thick with -it,” I said, choking and coughing a little.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones turned his great face toward me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You may be the gunner, Mr. Heywood, you -might know,” said he, “but I smells wood. There -ain’t no mistake. The barque’s on fire, an’ they’ve -nailed us below.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXVI. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE END OF THE BLACK BARQUE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>“For God’s sake bring the light,” said Hicks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Jones did so, and, as its rays lit up the cabin, -we saw that the smoke was thicker than when we -first stopped firing. The peculiar pungent odour of -burning tar and wood now became apparent.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The noise on deck had almost ceased entirely, -but, as we listened, there broke upon our ears the -dull boom of a heavy gun.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We looked at each other. Then it sounded again, -and a loud crash above told of a shot tearing through -our hull, while the dull report was repeated.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Man-o’-war,” said Jones, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Break down the door,” I cried. “We must get -Miss Allen and Ernest.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks had already started for the light, and -Jones bounded up the steps, cutting at the panels -as he reached the top, while we hurried back to -the lazarette.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Even as we went, the barque’s deck seemed to -slant a trifle forward, and I wondered at it vaguely, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>as we made our way along the dark passage under -the cockpit. In a few minutes we had made our -way clear aft to the vessel’s run. Here, behind -boxes and barrels of stores, that Hicks had broken -out and formed into a barricade, was Miss Allen. -She greeted us calmly, but I could see the terror -in the girl’s eyes that the horror of the night had -produced.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I expected you,” she said, her voice trembling.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks looked at her sadly, and held out his hand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Come,” he said, “we haven’t a minute to spare. -Where’s Ernest?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Here, sir,” said the sailor, rising from the deck. -He was badly hurt, and could hardly stand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Take a grip of my shoulder,” I said, “and -hurry along. We must get out of this.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Even as we went, the deck began sloping forward. -The incline was getting greater all the time, as -though the barque was settling by the head. By -the time we reached the cabin, she had listed to -starboard, and Jones, who was cutting away at the -shattered companion doors, broke through just as -the steps or ladder, torn from its fastenings by the -rush upon it when the savages came below, fell to -one side and crashed down upon the floor, bringing -the big sailor with it. We tried to place it back -again in position, but, while we lifted it, the deck -began to slant dangerously. A flickering light shone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>down through the opening Jones had made in the -barricade, and, as he staggered to his feet, he called -out that it was no use.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“She’s listed too much. It won’t stand. She’s -all afire forrads, and goin’ down by the head. The -devils have plugged her, too, an’ she’s fillin’ like a -basket! Put it on the starboard side, an’ I’ll hold -it while ye mount.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>We tried this method, but it wobbled so that Jones -was sent up first to hold the top.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The barque was now sinking rapidly. The blacks -had evidently cut a hole in her, besides setting her -afire, to make sure of catching us below. She was -to be our coffin,--a fitting end for men engaged -in the foul trade. Jorg must have gone forward -with his axe, mad with the blow he had received -from Shannon’s men, and, after he had liberated -some slaves by knocking the irons off, they had -evidently overpowered him, taken his axe, and cut -a hole in the vessel’s bottom, while the mass of them -had surged aft for vengeance.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It took several precious moments to clear the -barricade above sufficiently for a man to get out. -Jones tore and pried at the shattered woodwork, -but the negroes had piled a lot of gratings, lines, -etc., over the opening, after fastening the doors by -spiking some of their bunk-boards or slave-deck -timber over the shattered panels.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>They had intended to make certain of us before -leaving in the small boats.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Gradually Jones forced his way out, while the -noise of the escaping air under the sinking deck -grew into a deep snore, rushing as it did through -every aperture, while the sea followed after.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Quickly we passed Miss Allen up, while we felt -the ship settling. Then Ernest was lifted until -Jones could reach his hand and get him out. Then -the big sailor disappeared a moment from the opening, -and we knew he had taken the girl to safety, -if such a thing existed near. The listing motion -increased rapidly. There was a loud roaring below.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Hicks seized the ladder, while I held the foot -of it to keep it from sliding to starboard. Then he -turned.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“After you, Heywood,” he said, quickly. “Jump, -there’s no time to lose.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Go!” I yelled; “go while you may. She’s -going down now.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>But he turned his face to me, and for an instant -I saw its expression in the dim light of the lamp -still burning on the floor. There was no sign of -fear in it. Only a deep sadness, as in one who -has suffered a sudden great loss.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“After you,” he said, calmly, and made a motion -with his hand toward the sloping steps. There was -something of an old-time courtesy in that gesture -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>that told of men who had gone before. They who -had borne the name he had disgraced. Bad man -he may have been, but who shall judge him after -that gallant end?</p> - -<p class='c001'>I saw that argument would be useless, even had -there been time for it. Seizing the steps, I mounted -as quickly as I could, while I felt them slide beneath -me. I grasped the coamings as the steps left my -feet and fell away to starboard, leaving me hanging.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In a moment I had thrown a leg over the edge -of the opening, and drew myself panting and gasping -to the poop. Jones was just in the act of disappearing -over the rail, having lowered Miss Allen -and Ernest overboard to a couple of planks and -gratings he had hove in. I called to him for aid -to help me get Hicks out, but it was just too late.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The barque was now almost perpendicular, pointing -bow forward to the bottom. As I staggered -to my feet, she gave a sudden lurch. Then straight -as an arrow, she dived, and I found myself in the -roaring, swirling vortex she left behind.</p> - -<p class='c001'>In the choking blackness beneath the ocean’s surface, -I seemed to stay. Down and down I went, -in spite of frantic struggles. Then the suction -ceased, and I began to mount. If I could only hold -my breath a little longer!</p> - -<p class='c001'>A roaring was in my ears, and stars flashed in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>my eyes, and just when I was losing consciousness, -my head came out into the air again.</p> - -<p class='c001'>How good was that first breath! I was back -again in the world of air for another struggle. It -seemed useless, and I swam slowly, wondering why -I did so, yet my whole nature revolted against going -under. It would only be a matter of minutes, and -why not take the rest of a somewhat hard existence -easy? My reason began to assert itself, and the -uselessness of effort began to be manifest. Turning -over on my back, I floated easily, only striking -out now and then with a spasmodic kick.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Suddenly I heard voices. There were men near, -and I quickly turned over again to try to gaze about -me through the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Something made a rushing sound through the -water, and, following the swish of the spray, I made -out the regular stroke of oars. For an instant I -thought of the slaves who had taken our boats, and -I had no desire to call for aid. Then it struck me -that the oar-stroke was very regular and could only -come from trained men.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I called loudly, and soon had the satisfaction of -getting an answer. The craft headed toward me, -and in a moment I could make her out coming -head on.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I grasped the gunwale as she came up, and was -hauled inboard by a couple of men.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>“Here’s another rascal who’d rather hang than -drown,” said one to the other. Then loudly to -the man aft: “We’ve got him, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was bundled aft, and made to sit in the bottom -of the craft, which I now saw, by the aid of the -lantern the helmsman had between his feet, to be -a boat from a ship-of-war. The men were in uniform, -and the man at the helm was an officer of the -United States navy.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“How many of you got away in the boats?” -he asked, sternly. “And how did you happen to -be left behind?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I reckon I’m the only one left,” I said, sadly. -“None of us escaped except me.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“A likely yarn,” snapped the officer. “Who are -you, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I’m an American, like yourself, and was gunner -of the barque <i>The Gentle Hand</i>,” I answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I thought he would strike me when I said I was -like himself, but he saw I meant no offence.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Did all the slaves go down in her after you -fired her, when you saw you couldn’t get away from -us?” he asked again.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Then it suddenly dawned upon me that the cruiser -had thought we had burned and scuttled the ship -ourselves, after finding he was closing in and would -soon have her under his guns.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“We didn’t fire her,” I answered. “The blacks -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>did that, and there’s no one left alive of her crew -that I know of besides myself.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>He gave a grunt of disgust, as if it were no use -talking to a rascal, and headed for his vessel’s side. -I could see her lights now only half a mile away, -and I wondered who and what she was, and what -fate she had in store for me.</p> - -<p class='c001'>It looked as if I had made a mistake in leaving -<i>The Gentle Hand</i>, and visions of a figure swaying -at a yard-arm began flitting through my tired brain.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span> - <h2 class='c009'>CHAPTER XXXVII. <br /> <span class='fss'>THE LAST STRAND OF MY YARN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c017'>When we came alongside the man-of-war, another -small boat had already arrived. Lights were -in the gangway, and forms showed along the rail. -The vessel was a brig-rigged cruiser, not very large, -but, judging from the heaviness of her spars that -towered above in the darkness, she was very fast, -capable of overhauling the majority of traders. -She would not have caught <i>The Gentle Hand</i> in -a breeze of any weight, and, as I gazed at her, I -remembered the sail I had seen before dark, and -to which I had called Bill’s attention while aloft. -This vessel was evidently the one seen but not -reported, and she had probably crept up on us in -the darkness without our knowing it. Then came -the rising forward among the men, planned and -led by Shannon and Martin, who had plotted with -the slave-driver ashore for some of the profits. -They had intended taking the barque in themselves, -selling and landing the cargo somewhere on either -the Cuban or American coast, and then making -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>another trip, or sinking her before being overhauled -and found out. It was a game easily played among -dealers who asked few questions and who paid cost -prices. Clearing would not be difficult to men who -thought nothing of forging papers, and who would -close the mouths of certain officials of the Spanish -ports well known to them by handing over a small -percentage of the profits. How it all ended is now -known, and I seemed to be the sole survivor of -the affair.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We ranged alongside the cruiser, and the order -came to peak oars. How the accurate obedience -of the men and quick, certain movements brought -back memories of the days when I wore the blue -uniform and served frigate’s guns. Then we were -fast, and I was ordered to stand up.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Now then, up with you,” snapped the officer -aft. “Clap that fellow in irons as he comes aboard,” -he added to the quartermaster, who stood in the -gangway, and who promptly laid a heavy paw upon -my shoulder. I was seized by two sailors and -hustled below without further ado, and when I -arrived in the ’tween-decks, a fellow clapped the -irons upon my wrists.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Where’ll we put him?” asked one of the sailors -of the master-at-arms, who was superintending operations.</p> - -<p class='c001'>The light from the lanterns shone upon me, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>I must have presented a pretty hard spectacle. Several -wounds that I had received had begun to bleed -afresh, and the salt water mixed with the blood, -completely saturating my clothing.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You look like you had a clip or two, my friend,” -said the master-at-arms to me. “Had a bit of a -fracas, hey?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>The tone was familiar, and I looked hard at the -man. Then, in spite of his clean-shaved face and -uniform, I had no difficulty in recognizing old Peter -Richards, bos’n of <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well, how in thunder did you get here?” I -asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Didn’t you get my note?” said Richards.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I did, but am not the scholar you appear to -be. Sink you, Peter, how did you play it on me -so?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>Richards smiled grimly.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You know,” he said, “when you first signed -with old Watkins, I did not want to go in the barque. -Your gaff set me on, John, and I thought you such -a fool you would get in trouble. I knew what she -was, well enough, but I would have stayed with -her if they had treated me right. But folk in that -business don’t treat people right. The whole game -is one of wrong and oppression,--an’ you know it. -When I left, I knew she was going out the next -day, and tried to tell you, but you had just gone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>ashore, and when I found you had gone, I went -as far as the place where you had the outfly with -Curtis on account of the gal. I heard of the mess, -an’ got to the long skipper’s boat in time to see -him rowing you back to <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Did you know what he had in the chest, too?” -I asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“No, but I knew he was up to something. I -knew he couldn’t do much with the vessel he had, -and I thought I would come along in your wake in -this brig. We got here too late. Tell me how the -trouble came about.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>I told as much as I could of the rising, and before -I was through, an officer called him aft to give -instructions about me. I knew he would do what -he could, and hoped to have him stand between me -and the end of the gant-line.</p> - -<p class='c001'>While he was gone, a master’s mate came up and -took me in hand.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“What became of the rest of the crew?” he -asked,</p> - -<p class='c001'>“They killed all hands,” I answered, sullenly. -“I’m the only one left.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Not exactly,” answered the sailor, kindly. “Not -exactly, my boy. There’s a pretty good lump of a -Welshman and a fairly sized Dutchman already -ahead of you.”</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>“What!” I cried. “Did you pick up Miss Allen -and Big Jones?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I haven’t the honour of the gal’s acquaintance,” -said the fellow, “but we’ve got her aboard all right, -and the men with her. Who is the young lady,--the -skipper’s daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Daughter of the trader,” I answered, with a -feeling of relief. “Her father was killed with the -rest. So she’s aboard, is she?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“All safe, but we don’t hang women for piracy, -so I don’t know what the old man’ll do with her. -No, Sam, we won’t put him in the brig,” he said, -addressing one of the men. “It’s too hot, too much -like the hold of a slaver to suit him. I’ve always -noticed these fellows are mighty particular about -themselves. You can stow yourself there in that -hammock to-night, my friend, and here’s some togs -for you,” he continued to me, “and here’s a nip -of grog for you. Stand by for a call to come aft -and be sentenced.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>His tone was kindly, but so cool withal, when -discussing my probable end, that I hated the fellow. -Hadn’t I gone through enough? Must I be goaded -and hung, after all? I changed my dripping clothes, -with the help of a couple of men who loosed my -hands for a few minutes, and then the order was -passed to bring me aft to the captain for examination.</p> - -<p class='c001'><span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>Tired and exhausted as I was, I was hustled aft -between two sailors, and brought to the poop, where -sat the captain of the cruiser in a chair. He was -only partly dressed, on account of the heat, and -he smoked a long cigar of the kind rolled in Cuba. -Richards had passed a word for me, and he looked -less dangerous than I expected.</p> - -<p class='c001'>He was an intelligent officer, and, as I told my -story, beginning at the time I was tricked into signing -into the barque, he became interested, and I -could see he believed much I told. While I talked, -Jones was brought up, and, without hearing what -I had already said, corroborated me in all details. -Then we were allowed to go below and turn in, and -for twelve blessed hours I knew nothing. Ernest -was too far gone to talk that night, but the next -day his story was found to be in the main like ours.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As for Miss Allen, she was unable to leave her -room for several days, but when she could tell of -the affair, her testimony did much to save our lives.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were paroled and given the liberty of the -ship while she cruised to the eastward along the -coast of the Guinea Gulf and Bight of Benin.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Soon I found the cruiser, which proved to be the -<i>Hornet</i>, was looking for a brig commanded by a -fellow named Shannon, who had made a reputation -on the coast for being a most desperate pirate and -slaver. When the bos’n came aboard, they immediately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>gave chase to the barque. Then I explained -the affair that happened in Funchal, and the encounter -with the brig to the southward of that place. -It was evident from my description of the fellow -that it was the same man they were hunting, and -they finally had enough confidence in my testimony -to bear away again to the westward and start up -the coast.</p> - -<p class='c001'>After two weeks’ cruising under the hot sun, -we raised the topsails of a peculiar-looking craft -that was heading down toward the slave coast. Her -foretopmast was remarkably short, and, as we overhauled -her, I had no difficulty in recognizing Captain -Shannon’s vessel.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She saw us and stood inshore close-hauled, and -when within a mile of the beach, backed her foresail -and waited for us to come up. The brig fired a -shot or two across her, and then called away three -of her boats, which were filled with armed men, to -go in and take possession.</p> - -<p class='c001'>We were to leeward, and the odour that came -down the wind told plainly her occupation. Had -it been night, Brannigan would have dumped the -blacks he had aboard into the sea, for he was capable -of anything, but the sun was shining now, and -it was no use, for he had failed to recognize the -<i>Hornet</i> as a man-of-war until she was close enough -to see any such manœuvre from her tops. There -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>was nothing to do but either get rid of the cargo, -or get out of his vessel, and, as we could now see -her deck plainly, Brannigan chose the only course -to keep clear of the hangman’s noose. He lowered -down his boats, and, as ours started in for him, -he started for the beach, keeping up a rapid and -well-directed fire from muskets until he struck the -surf. His brig, which had been named the <i>Black -Jewel</i>, after the manner customary among facetious -slave-ship owners, was scuttled where she lay as -soon as the blacks were taken out of her.</p> - -<p class='c001'>As the <i>Hornet</i> had been some time on the coast, -just as soon as she put the slaves ashore, she stood -away for home. We crossed the line, picked up -the northeast trade, and made a straight course for -the States.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I was allowed the freedom of the deck after I -had made known my true rating, and had explained -how I had once served in a war-ship and as first -officer in several others. In this way I had a -chance to meet Miss Allen.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“You are a rough sailorman, are you not, Mr. -Heywood?” she asked one day, as we neared the -Carolina coast.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I suppose I may be classed as such,” I assented, -“but I’ve held a master’s position once, and been -mate of several ships.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Well,” she said, “I must confess that I like -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>rough sailormen very much. You know I’ve been -used to the society of gentlemen.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Your discernment in choosing acquaintance -does you immense credit, Miss Allen,” I answered. -“I’m sure I feel honoured.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“I have always associated with men who could -read and write, you know, and who have been to -school. But I do like rough sailormen. They have -much that is interesting about them,” she continued, -calmly, without heeding my interruption.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“There are over a hundred on board this ship,” -I asserted, getting my breath. “Possibly some of -them could sign their names, or, at least, make a -cross-mark opposite them. As for me, I fear so -much learning would be dangerous in so rough a -sailor.”</p> - -<p class='c001'>She flushed, and I saw at once that she had meant -nothing disagreeable. Then she asked me straightway -about Sir John Hicks.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“How was it he did not follow us?” she asked.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Because he held the ladder for me,” I answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>“And you let him stay below while you escaped,” -she cried, her eyes flooding scorn and contempt. -“You, a sailor, let him die, and ran to save yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c001'>“Only after he refused to go. I did all I could -to persuade him,” I answered.</p> - -<p class='c001'>She looked long and steadily at me. Then she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>turned and went slowly below, and I saw her no -more on board. We ran in between the Chesapeake -Capes, and Jones, Ernest, and myself were soon -given our liberty.</p> - -<p class='c001'>I took command of a coaster running general -cargo to Havana, and before I sailed I received a -letter from New York. I read it over and over -many times on the run south, and finally decided to -call on the writer at the end of the return voyage. -But this matter has nothing further to do with the -last voyage of <i>The Gentle Hand</i>.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Sometimes I wonder at the end of all those former -shipmates of mine, all the strange, savage, and -kindly crew of that old, ill-fated barque. Even -Tim, the little American sailor, had a history. -Where are all those faces, the strong, bad, saturnine, -and jovial? They flit like phantoms through my -memory,--men who have gone before. I have -missed their voices often. In the deserted forecastle -of some large, home-arrived ship, I have more -than once half-expected to meet one or more of -that last crew I sailed with as a man before the -mast.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Far away offshore, in the middle of the southern -ocean, I have heard that strange voice of the sea -again, the low, far-reaching, vibrating murmur that -thrills the soul of the listener until each fibre of -his being responds. It is then the sailor realizes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>the vast world of rest and peace of the countless -crews who have gone before, and wonders as though -the cry came from some mighty invisible host, calling -through the void of air and sunshine. He thinks -of the men he once knew, and wonders. They were -good. They were bad. They were a mixture of -the two. But they were all human. And who shall -say where they have gone?</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<p class='c001'><a id='endnote'></a></p> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>Transcriber’s Note</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c001'>Compound words which occur at line or page breaks retain the hyphen -if supported by other mid-line instances of the same word.</p> - -<p class='c001'>Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and -are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original. -The following issues should be noted, along with the resolutions.</p> - -<table class='table4' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='12%' /> -<col width='69%' /> -<col width='18%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c003'><a id='c_26.17'></a><a href='#corr26.17'>26.17</a></td> - <td class='c003'>brought in a very substan[t]ial meal</td> - <td class='c021'>Inserted.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c003'><a id='c_286.12'></a><a href='#corr286.12'>286.12</a></td> - <td class='c003'>while the badly wounded, though[t] still undaunted</td> - <td class='c021'>Removed.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Black Barque, by T. 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