diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/64082-h/64082-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/64082-h/64082-h.htm | 12561 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 12561 deletions
diff --git a/old/64082-h/64082-h.htm b/old/64082-h/64082-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 9775e9c..0000000 --- a/old/64082-h/64082-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12561 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> - -<head> - -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> - -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> - -<title> -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Morley Ashton, Volume III, by James Grant -</title> - -<style type="text/css"> -body { color: black; - background: white; - margin-right: 10%; - margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; - text-align: justify } - -p {text-indent: 4% } - -p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } - -p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 200%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - text-align: center } - -p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - text-align: center } - -p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 60%; - text-align: center } - -h1 { text-align: center } -h2 { text-align: center } -h3 { text-align: center } -h4 { text-align: center } -h5 { text-align: center } - -p.poem {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10%; } - -p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; - letter-spacing: 4em ; - text-align: center } - -p.letter {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -.smcap { font-variant: small-caps } - -p.transnote {text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.quote {text-indent: 4% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.finis { font-size: larger ; - text-align: center ; - text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Morley Ashton, Volume 3 (of 3), by James Grant - -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: Morley Ashton, Volume 3 (of 3) - A Story of the Sea - -Author: James Grant - -Release Date: December 20, 2020 [EBook #64082] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORLEY ASHTON, VOLUME 3 (OF 3) *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines - - - - - -</pre> - - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - MORLEY ASHTON:<br /> -</h1> - -<p class="t2"> - A Story of the Sea.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - JAMES GRANT,<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - AUTHOR OF "THE ROMANCE OF WAR," "FAIRER THAN A FAIRY," ETC<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - In Three Volumes<br /> -<br /> - VOL. III.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - LONDON:<br /> - TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, W.C.<br /> - 1876.<br /> - [<i>All rights reserved.</i>]<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> - CHARLKS DICKENS AND EVANS,<br /> - CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> -CONTENTS. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - CONTENTS.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER I.<br /> - <a href="#chap01">Sail Ho!</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER II.<br /> - <a href="#chap02">The Fortitude of Ethel</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER III.<br /> - <a href="#chap03">The Door in the Bulkhead</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER IV.<br /> - <a href="#chap04">Ethel among the Mutineers</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER V.<br /> - <a href="#chap05">A Snare Laid</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VI.<br /> - <a href="#chap06">Mr. Basset Deluded</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VII.<br /> - <a href="#chap07">Lux Venit ab Alto</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - <a href="#chap08">The Valley of the Shadow</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER IX.<br /> - <a href="#chap09">The Quarter-boat and its Freight</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER X.<br /> - <a href="#chap10">Pedro's Wound</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XI.<br /> - <a href="#chap11">Remorse</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XII.<br /> - <a href="#chap12">Story of a Modern Spanish Rogue</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - <a href="#chap13">Ignez de Moreno</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - <a href="#chap14">How Pedro provided Himself with a Horse and Valet</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XV.<br /> - <a href="#chap15">The Alameda de la Canada</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - <a href="#chap16">The Dressing-closet of Ignez</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - <a href="#chap17">The Great Crime of Pedro Barradas</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - <a href="#chap18">Committed to the Deep</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - <a href="#chap19">Dr. Heriot's Fee</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XX.<br /> - <a href="#chap20">Radama Puffadder</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - <a href="#chap21">The Mangrove Creek</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - <a href="#chap22">Eight Against Eighty</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - <a href="#chap23">"We'll go to Sea no more"</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - <a href="#chap24">The Anchor is let go</a><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER XXV.<br /> - <a href="#chap25">Conclusion</a><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p class="t2"> -MORLEY ASHTON -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I. -<br /><br /> -SAIL HO! -</h3> - -<p> -They deplored the death of poor Mr. Quail; but -their blood was too much "up," to use a common -phrase, and their own peril was too imminent, to -permit them indulging in the same soft regrets and -mournful sentiments, that were aroused by the -sudden disappearance of Adrian Manfredi. -</p> - -<p> -Notwithstanding the wild disorder that reigned -on board the unfortunate <i>Hermione</i>, the mutineers, -true to their original idea of keeping her, with the -vague intention of running her on their own account, -with Pedro Barradas as captain, and themselves as -crew and owners—a vague intention, indeed—steered -her towards Madagascar, under her fore and main -courses, jib, and spanker. They rigged jury-top-masts, -and crossed jury-yards thereon; and, as the -breeze was fair for the Mozambique, they steered -in what they, rightly enough, conceived to be that -direction. -</p> - -<p> -Sorely crippled though she was, and no longer -under a stately spread of snow-white canvas, as of -old, the fine ship flew on, and each night saw some -southern constellation sink into the horizon, to -appear no more. -</p> - -<p> -Thus, in four days, and as many nights, she ran -nearly eight hundred miles, which brought her so -close to the mouth of the Mozambique Channel, -that she soon began to feel the steady breath of the -south-west monsoon, which begins there to blow in -April, and continues till November, so the ship ran -as fairly as even Pedro could have wished her. -</p> - -<p> -During this time matters did not go quietly -between the adverse parties on board. -</p> - -<p> -A secret sally, made by Morley Ashton, Dr. Heriot, -and Noah Gawthrop, up the companion-stair, -with the intention of capturing the scuttle-butt -in a very dark night, nearly ended in their -being discovered and cut off by Pedro's drowsy and -half-drunken watch; the butt—a cask with a square -hole cut in its bilge, and always kept on deck for -the use of the crew—containing about seven gallons -of water, was fortunately taken, the cabin regained -in safety, and the barricades replaced. -</p> - -<p> -It was evident to our friends that a dread of their -well-supplied fire-arms, their truer aim and steady -determination, alone cooled the ardour of the crew, -and prevented them from making a vigorous -attempt, by a combined attack through the skylight -and companion-way, to storm the cabin and slay its -defenders. -</p> - -<p> -Once or twice, however, a shot was fired, or a -missile flung, down the skylight, or a threat, or a -malediction, was levelled at the occupants of the -cabin. Frequently shouts, cries, and quarrelling -were heard on deck, where evidently Pedro found -as much difficulty in enforcing obedience as his more -legal predecessor had done. -</p> - -<p> -At the stern-windows Captain Phillips and his -friends kept, by turns, a constant look-out for a -passing sail, which they meant to signal by waving -a flag or table-cloth, or by firing their pistols; but -none was ever visible, nor was aught to be seen but -Mother Carey's chickens tripping along, for even -the albatrosses appeared seldom, so far was the ship -from the region of the Cape. -</p> - -<p> -Under Captain Phillips and Tom Bartelot, those -in the cabin divided themselves into two watches, -which, to prevent surprise, were alternately vigilant -or sleeping by night. This saved the personal -strength of the whole; but they soon grew pale -with anxiety and watching, and had a worn, -unshaven, and uncouth appearance. -</p> - -<p> -The horror of their whole circumstances, and the -natural solicitude for the future, were somewhat -alleviated to Morley, who, in the dark watches of the -night, lay like a faithful mastiff at Ethel's -cabin-door, through which he, at times, conversed with -her in whispers, and had her dear hand passed to -him, that he might kiss and caress it; but all the -tales he had heard or read in his schoolboy-days, of -pirates, buccaneers, and other lawless folks upon the -high seas, crowded into memory now, and his soul -sickened within him, as he thought of how Ethel and -her sister would be situated, if the protection of -those who loved and guarded them failed. -</p> - -<p> -On the second morning after the mutiny broke -out, and while those in the cabin were making -almost merry over the capture of the scuttle-butt, -with its welcome seven gallons of fresh water, their -attention was arrested by a commotion on deck, and -Zuares Barradas, who was at the wheel, shouted: -</p> - -<p> -"Sail, ho!" -</p> - -<p> -"Where?" asked his brother and several others. -</p> - -<p> -"Estribord (starboard)," replied Zuares, as the -ship was running before the wind at the time. -</p> - -<p> -"A sail! a sail! hope at last!" exclaimed the -prisoners in the cabin, while Tom Bartelot sprang -up the stern-lockers, and looked forth, but saw sea -and sky alone. How to communicate with her, -without being immolated on the spot, was the first -and fullest idea of all. -</p> - -<p> -They writhed in agony of spirit at the prospect of -succour—it might be vengeance—being, perhaps, -within hail, all to be attained, or all lost for ever. -</p> - -<p> -At that moment, Badger, the long Yankee, -appeared at the open skylight, armed with a sharp -axe, which he shook significantly, and then shrank -back, lest a pistol-shot might respond to the -menace. -</p> - -<p> -This man had long served on board an American -otter-hunter, and was hence, perhaps, the most -lawless character on board, as these craft are all -armed with cannon, have their hammocks in netting, -man-o'-war fashion, and, being illegal traders, fight -their way through the Pacific, and among the -Sandwich Islands, and, somewhat like the buccaneers of -old, are not wont to stand on trifles, so, in such -a service, Badger had long been inured to crime -and outrage. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly a spare mizzen-topsail was drawn over -the skylight, nearly involving the cabin in darkness. -</p> - -<p> -"What does this mean?" asked Mr. Basset; -"are they about to smother us?: -</p> - -<p> -"It means that they are about to muffle us, for -the strange sail is close at hand," said Tom -Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -And almost immediately another sail was lowered, -as if to dry, over the taffrail, covering the four stern -windows like a thick curtain, and thus rendering the -cabin quite dark, and all communication with the -stranger impossible. -</p> - -<p> -"This is a most extraordinary proceeding," said -Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"Not at all, sir," said Captain Phillips. "These -are knowing rascals, who have us at their mercy; -and have resolved that, if possible, we shall neither -make signals to the stranger or overhear what -passes." -</p> - -<p> -"Hark—what sound is that?" asked Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Steam blowing off," replied Tom Bartelot, -listening intently. -</p> - -<p> -"Steam!" exclaimed Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Then, by heaven, it is a man-o'-war," said -Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"A man-o'-war—a man-o'-war," chorussed all in -great excitement. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Heaven! to be on the verge of safety, and -yet to be immured here with my two girls!" -exclaimed Mr. Basset, with great bitterness. "I shall -force my way on deck. I am commissioned by the -Crown—a judge—a—a——" -</p> - -<p> -"To be cut down, destroyed—Badger is armed -with an axe, and the first head that appears will be -cloven to the teeth. Oh, my dear sir," said Morley, -grasping his sleeve, "be wary—be persuaded." -</p> - -<p> -"D—n my eyes! think o' bein' bottled down -here, and a royal pennant within hail! It's enough -to make one's biler bust!" growled Noah, hitching -up his trousers. -</p> - -<p> -"Hark; they are hailing—now the pirates are -lying to," said Captain Phillips, as they heard -the now ungreased sling of the mainyard grating -under the top, when it was swung round, and the -ship lay to. -</p> - -<p> -"Ship ahoy!" cried a clear and somewhat -authoritative voice, that came distinctly over the water -about a hundred yards distant. -</p> - -<p> -"Hollo!" responded Pedro, through Captain -Phillips's speaking trumpet, as he sprang on one of -the starboard carronade slides, while the ship -plunged, as she rose and fell impatiently on the -long rollers and heavy swell made by what was -evidently the screw propeller of a large steamer. -</p> - -<p> -"What ship is that?" demanded the same voice. -</p> - -<p> -"The <i>General Jackson</i>, of Boston, United States," -replied Pedro without hesitation. -</p> - -<p> -"They did well to muffle up her stern—<i>Hermione</i>, -of London, is painted there plain enough," said -Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"Where from, and whither bound?" -</p> - -<p> -"From Boston to Bombay direct," replied Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"Why didn't you show your colours?" was -the next rather suspicious question of the British -officer. -</p> - -<p> -"Our signal-chest was washed overboard. How -does the Mozambique bear?" -</p> - -<p> -"Cape St. Mary bears about two hundred miles, -nor'-nor'-east." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you. What ship are you?" -</p> - -<p> -All listened breathlessly. -</p> - -<p> -"Her Britannic Majesty's steam-corvette the -<i>Clyde</i>, Captain Sir Horace Seymour. How did you -lose your masts?" -</p> - -<p> -"A typhoon carried them away." -</p> - -<p> -"A typhoon in these seas!" exclaimed the other, -through his trumpet. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"We felt nothing of it. Do you want any assistance? -We can send a boat's crew, or a gang of -carpenters, on board." -</p> - -<p> -"No, no," replied Pedro, hastily, as hope rose in -the panting hearts of those below, and curses to -the lips of those above; "we have lots of spare -spars." -</p> - -<p> -"Do you mean to pass through the Mozambique Channel?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Are you armed?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"How?" -</p> - -<p> -"With four six-pound carronades and some -small arms." -</p> - -<p> -"That is lucky; keep a bright look-out after you -pass the Europa rocks." -</p> - -<p> -"For what reason?" -</p> - -<p> -"Some Malay pirates, in three large red proas, -or country boats, have destroyed more than one ship -in that quarter, so be prepared." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you, we shall—good-bye." -</p> - -<p> -"Good-bye; pleasant voyage." -</p> - -<p> -Each vessel filled away, and the rush of the warship's -screw propeller was heard by those imprisoned -in the cabin as they separated, and as it died away -in the distance, so did hope die, and silent despair -gather in the hearts of our friends below. -</p> - -<p> -Repentant, and almost full of horror for the part -he was now acting, as the ship of war braced up her -yards, and her screw began to revolve, Cramply -Hawkshaw rushed to the starboard gangway, and was -about to hail her again. What he was about to say -he scarcely knew, but in a moment the powerful -hand of Pedro Barradas was on his throat. By -main strength the latter hurled him at full length -upon the deck, and with one knee planted on his -chest, and a knife upheld above him: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Silenzio, perro!</i> (Silence, dog!)" he hissed, -through his sharp white teeth; "one word, one -whisper, and it is your last!" -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's tawny visage was pale, almost pea-green -with rage, and with black eyes, that gleamed like -two sombre carbuncles, he glared into the very soul -of the miserable Hawkshaw, and continued to hold -him thus for some time. He then dragged him up, -and roughly shook him off, saying, as he did so, -with a ferocious grimace, and sheathing his knife: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Por ma vida</i>! I don't know why I don't kill -you now, as I mean to do so, at some time or -other." -</p> - -<p> -"So we are only 200 miles from El Cabo de Santa -Maria?" said Zuares, who was still at the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -"Nor'-nor'-east," added Pedro, giving a glance -at the compasses in the binnacle; "two points -more, Zuares." -</p> - -<p> -"The monsoon will soon bring us abreast of it, I -calc'late," drawled Badger, who now enjoyed the -honourable post of second in command. "Thunder! then -we shall all be liberty boys, and look out our -go-ashore togs. I reckons on bein' all the go -among the Malay gals, eh, Zuares!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Vivan los marineros!</i>" cried the young Mexican. -</p> - -<p> -"And down with the 'tarnal imps below!" added -Badger, striking his huge splay foot on the deck, as -he relieved the wheel, notwithstanding his brevet -rank. -</p> - -<p> -The headland named by the officer of the corvette -is the most southern point of the long narrow island -of Madagascar; but no sooner had all sounds -indicative of her presence died away, than Captain -Phillips and his companions, who had listened to -the colloquy above, as if spell-bound, broke into -expressions of bitter regret that they had not all -made a scramble on deck, and risked death or -anything, that some, at least, might have been -saved! but these ideas came too late, and they -could only hope for a better chance next time; so -true it is, as some one says, that regrets for the -past, and dreams for the future, make up the whole -career of human life, at sea as well as on shore. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II. -<br /><br /> -THE FORTITUDE OF ETHEL. -</h3> - -<p> -On the evening succeeding this day, Morley and -Mr. Basset spent some hours with Ethel and Rose -in the little cabin, while their friends kept their -anxious watch in the outer one, over the skylight of -which the sail was yet drawn. That which had been -hung over the taffrail was hauled in; but the use it -had been put to prevented Captain Phillips, on this -occasion, from chalking on a black board the -demand for succour which he meant to exhibit from -the cabin windows, if a feasible opportunity with a -passing sail occurred. -</p> - -<p> -There was but little conversation with the Bassets, -so the time passed in sad glances and sadder sighs; -but Ethel seemed to have more confidence, more -fortitude, and more hope for the future than any of -those about her. -</p> - -<p> -Old Nance Folgate lay on her bed, where, from -time to time, she sighed over the peaceful security -of her cottage in a green lane at Acton-Rennel, and -groaned heavily at the reflection that she would -never see it any more, or, perhaps, the solid earth -again. -</p> - -<p> -Rose sat on a hassock on the cabin-floor, with -her pretty head resting, child-like, on her father's -knee, while his hands were crossed caressingly -above it. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel half drooped her head on Morley's shoulder, -and so they sat, buried in thought and anxiety, each -for the others rather than themselves, for "the -passion of love and parental affection are -counterparts of each other," says Reid; "and, meeting -with a proper return, are the sources of all domestic -felicity, the greatest, next to that of a good -conscience, which this world affords. But its joys and -griefs are fitter to be sung than said." -</p> - -<p> -As Mr. Basset gazed upon his two daughters, and -summed up the dangers which menaced them, how -bitterly he repented that he had not remained in -England, even with the wreck of his fortune, and -sought subsistence there in any way, rather than -have stooped to the false pride which made him -seek that colonial appointment, and lured him away -from home. -</p> - -<p> -These, and many such ideas, occurred to him -when it was too late to retreat, or reverse the -dictates of fate. -</p> - -<p> -Morley's heart swelled with mingled love and -sorrow, as he looked on Ethel's pale and delicate -face. Could it be that they were only united, to be, -perhaps, more surely parted again? Surely no pair -of lovers, even in the most highly-spiced "sensational -novel," were ever the victims of adverse fate -so much as they. -</p> - -<p> -They were silent; but their hearts understood -each other, for their eyes were the interpreters of a -silent language, known to lovers only. Still, as -we have said, amid the horrors of anticipation, -Ethel singularly preserved her presence of mind, -and seemed to rise superior to the present occasion. -With one hand clasped in Morley's, she sat with her -Bible open on her knee, and, before they separated -for the night, she read aloud the twenty-first chapter -of Revelation, for religion and regard could soothe -or sweeten even their adverse destiny. -</p> - -<p> -On the fly-leaf of this Bible was written the -autograph of her mother, "Ethel Rose Basset, London," -dated on her bridal-day, just twenty-four years -before, so it was one of Ethels most valued relics; -and while she read, her pallor and beauty, her pure -profile and sublime composure, together with the -richness and softness of her sweet English voice, -were very touching; and she had listeners without -who bent their heads to hear her, for at the -cabin-door were Bartelot, Morrison, and Heriot, who sat -on guard, with old Noah, who, more reverent than -they, doffed his battered tarpaulin in a dark corner, -and, as the words fell from Ethel's lips, he hoped -they might prove prophetic, for sailors generally -are deeply impressed by anything appertaining to -religion, though having strong doubts about the -policy of voyaging with a black cat or a parson. -</p> - -<p> -So Ethel read on, and Noah's grizzled head bent -lower, as she read: -</p> - -<p> -"And God shall wipe away all tears from their -eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither -sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any -more pain, for the former things are passed -away. -</p> - -<p> -"He that overcometh shall inherit all things, for -I will be his God, and he shall be my son. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>But</i> the fearful, and unbelieving, the abominable, -and murderers, &c., shall have their part in -the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, -which is the second death." -</p> - -<p> -At such a time, in such a place, and with a dark -doom perhaps hanging over all, Ethel's sweet low -voice thrilled through every heart; so she continued -to inspire them with confidence, and there was -almost a smile upon her father's careworn and -anxious face as he kissed her and Rose, and retiring -with Morley, closed the cabin-door, and left them -to repose. -</p> - -<p> -"Good night, Morley—good night, dear papa," -was again whispered through the cabin-door. -</p> - -<p> -"Good night! God bless you both, darlings," -said Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"Sleep if you can, dear girls," added Morley, as -he and Mr. Basset picked their way through the -cabin by the light of a candle (which feebly replaced -the lamp that whilom swung from the beams), and -joined the party who were on watch under Captain -Phillips, while Tom Bartelot, with his three—for -there were only eight men in all in the cabin now, -opposed to twenty, including Hawkshaw—prepared -to sleep while they could. -</p> - -<p> -They heard the starboard tacks eased off, as the -wind—the south-west monsoon—came more duly -aft; and steering by the stars, Pedro, a skilful -mariner, kept the ship he had captured in the -course he wished her to pursue. -</p> - -<p> -So, as the night stole on, a strange quiet reigned -on deck—a silence which seemed almost ominous, -when the characters and purpose of those who held -the ship were considered; and they were more -numerous now, since the death of the first mate and -the steward. -</p> - -<p> -But the actual reason of the extreme quietness -was, that some of the crew were weary with working -at the jury rigging; others had dozed themselves off -to sleep, quite intoxicated, with some cases of Cliquot -which they had started out of the forehold; there -was scarcely any watch on deck save the man at the -wheel, who permitted the ship to yaw fearfully, -and to fall away from her course every moment; -while the two Barradas, with Badger and Sharkey, -were in the forecastle, devising means to get -possession of the cabin by stratagem, and to massacre -its male occupants, against whom, for their skilful -resistance, these pirates cherished a glow of real -vengeance, as if a wrong had been done them; and -if those in the cabin had but known the state of -matters on deck, they might have recaptured the -ship with ease, and closed the fore-scuttle like a -trap on the ruffians below. -</p> - -<p> -Captain Phillips was certain that they could -scarcely pass through the Mozambique Channel, the -narrowest part of which is about two hundred and -forty miles wide, and studded with many islands, -without being overhauled by some homeward-bound -ship; and though one great chance of succour had -gone for nothing, so assured did he feel of ultimately -getting the mutineers punished, that he kept about -his own person the muster-roll—a document which -every shipmaster must keep, for therein are specified -his own name, with the names of all his ship's -company, their birth-places, with their time and -place of entering before the mast, and so forth, -together with their register-tickets—all of which he -duly hoped to lay at a future day before a -commissioned officer in Her Majesty's service, or some -civil magistrate, prior to seeing the Barradas and -their companions swinging at the yard-arm; but, -unhappily for worthy Captain Phillips and his -friends, all these hopes of retribution seemed very -dim and distant yet. -</p> - -<p> -Slowly the night stole on. -</p> - -<p> -Morley felt, he knew not why, painfully wakeful; -and, unlike his companions in the captain's watch, -he had no necessity to pinch his arms, rub his eyes, -or so forth, to keep as much awake as possible. -</p> - -<p> -The cabin looked dreary and desolate by the -feeble light of the candle, which sputtered in the -wind that came between the skylight and the sail -which still covered it. The broken furniture, the -splintered panelling, the general air of wreck and -ruin that pervaded it, the deep shadows against -which the pale and haggard faces of his companions, -who slept with weapon in hand, were sharply defined, -seemed like a vision or dream altogether, and -such he might almost have deemed it, but for the -steady rolling of the ship, which was now running -before the wind; the noise of the water under the -counter; the clatter of the empty champagne bottles -which strewed the deck, and with every roll of the -ship flew, clashing and breaking, from port to -starboard; the clank of the rudder in its iron bands, -the whistling hum of the night-wind, that sung -monotonously through the rigging aloft! -</p> - -<p> -He frequently turned his eyes to the dim streak -of light that shone from under the door of the little -cabin occupied by the sisters, and hoped that now, -in the oblivion of sleep, they had found repose for a -time; and in imagination he saw their sweet faces -hushed upon the same pillow, with Rose's nestling -in Ethel's gentle bosom. -</p> - -<p> -Twice that streak of light seemed to die away in -obscurity, and twice the shadow of a foot seemed to -darken it. -</p> - -<p> -Were Rose or Ethel stirring? -</p> - -<p> -He listened, but all remained still there, till -suddenly a gasping sob, a wild, half-stifled cry, and -then the sound as of something or some one falling -heavily on the cabin floor, made him leap up as with -a shock of electricity, and spring towards their -door. -</p> - -<p> -Either it was fastened within, or his trembling -fingers failed in strength when most he needed it. -</p> - -<p> -Fully a minute elapsed ere he and Tom Bartelot -forced open the door, and they all crowded in, to -find the little cabin quite dark. -</p> - -<p> -"A light—a light! for Heaven's sake!" cried -Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, what new horror, what new calamity is this?" -added Mr. Basset, wringing his hands, as Captain -Phillips brought the candle from the tin sconce in -the outer cabin. -</p> - -<p> -Half disrobed for the night, as they were never -completely undressed now, Rose Basset lay on the -floor on her face in a swoon. Nance Folgate, beside -herself with terror, was coiled up among the blankets -of her berth, speechless or incoherent—otherwise -the little cabin was empty, for <i>Ethel was no longer -there</i>! -</p> - -<p> -The Bible from which she had been reading overnight -lay upon the floor, crushed and bruised, as if -by a heavy foot. Close by it was a black and -gold-coloured Indian shawl, which she had worn over her -shoulders; but no other trace remained in that -little cabin of Ethel Basset, who seemed to have -been strangely and mysteriously spirited out of it. -</p> - -<p> -Morley felt stunned, and felt also how immeasurably -all imagination and anticipation were unequal -to portray the horror of such a shock as this! -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III. -<br /><br /> -THE DOOR IN THE BULKHEAD. -</h3> - -<p> -We left the leaders of the mutiny in the forecastle, -consulting, in their own coarse and blustering -fashion, about the capture of the cabin, and thus -acquiring entire possession of the ship. -</p> - -<p> -"Batten down the companion-hatch—kiver up -the skylight with tarpaulin," suggested the short, -thickset ruffian Sharkey, "and then smoke 'em -out, like rats." -</p> - -<p> -"Wa-al, but look ye here—the tew gals," -drawled Badger, inserting an enormous quid in his -mouth with the point of his jack-knife. "Would ye -smoke 'em tew, till they went dead, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -"Aye, the senoritas," added Zuares, "that -would never do; they are the best plunder on -board—the plunder most to my taste, at least." -</p> - -<p> -"The cabin we must and shall get," said Pedro, -grinding his teeth. "While one of these men aft is -permitted to live, the ship cannot be said to be -ours." -</p> - -<p> -"And if one should escape, anyhow," added -Sharkey, "we might have some man-o'-war in our -wake before we knew where we were." -</p> - -<p> -"Dead men tell no tales, darn 'em, that's old -buccaneer style, long afore Kidd went a-cruising -in the <i>Vulture</i>," said the Yankee; "and they or we -must be gone coons, or, airthquakes and ginger! you -can't reckon on what may 'appen, you can't." -</p> - -<p> -"And they have possession of the bread, beef, -and spirit room, and all that we most require," -resumed Pedro, "for we can't eat the dry goods and -hardware in the forehold, mates; so the knife it -must be." -</p> - -<p> -As the pirate spoke, a fierce gleam came into his -eyes, and in his blind wrath he drove his knife -repeatedly into the lid of the sea-chest, around -which they were seated, and which proved to be -the property of his American compatriot, Mr. Badger. -</p> - -<p> -"Walley of Gehosophat! airthquakes and -alligators!" exclaimed that personage; "keep calm -dew, Pedro. Yew are getting tew riled, capting. -I'd like to gouge old Phillips, rayther, and prison -the whole bilin' of 'em aft!" -</p> - -<p> -"Massa Pedro, Massa Barradas," said Quaco, the -black cook, looking suddenly out of his berth with a -tremendous grin on his sable visage, "I could tell -you something funny—yaas! yaas!—I could." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Maldita!</i> then why the devil don't you tell -it," growled Pedro; "time is short, and I can't -get the Malay proas out of my head." -</p> - -<p> -"You know where the wite gals sleep?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; out with what you have got to say, you -dark-skinned fool." -</p> - -<p> -"Yaas! yaas!" grinned Quaco, whose yellow -eyeballs gleamed with mischief. -</p> - -<p> -"Presto, quick, or my knife may tickle your -ribs," roared Pedro, setting down a bottle, from -which he had sucked the last drop of a mixture of -champagne and brandy, compounded by Badger. -</p> - -<p> -"Under the companion-stair, Massa Pedro, a -door opens with a slide into the wite gals' cabin." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Demonio!</i> do you say so, darkey?" -</p> - -<p> -"Can yew make tracks ahead now, capting?" -</p> - -<p> -"You are certain of this, Quaco?" said Pedro, -bending his black brows as he looked at the cook. -</p> - -<p> -"Sartain as that um a living nigger, Massa -Pedro, yaas! yaas! Boy Joe, the steward, showed -it to Quaco many a time." -</p> - -<p> -"And what use would you make of this door, Quaco?" -</p> - -<p> -"What use?" repeated the negro, putting out a -long, red tongue, while a leer, like that of a fiend, -shone in his black, glittering, and half-shut eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Hombre!</i> yes, speak." -</p> - -<p> -"Get at the wite gals fust, and the cabin -arter—yaas! yaas!—eh, Massa Pedro?" -</p> - -<p> -"I reckons, Pedro, that the darkey is the only -one among us with any brains in his skull, a thick -'un though it be," said Badger; "but this sliding -door——" -</p> - -<p> -"I will look to it now," said Pedro, staggering -up, for he was very tipsy. "<i>Cuidado</i>, mates—take -care who follows me till I call for help," he added, -with a dark glance at Hawkshaw, who eyed him -with sullen resentment from a corner of the -comfortless den, of which he was now one of the -occupants. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Barradas," he exclaimed, "if you have a -human soul, spare them. They will surely die." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, <i>demonio</i>, yes—yes. These fine ladies have -a habit of dying, and always coming to again," said -Zuares, laughing. -</p> - -<p> -"Make way there," exclaimed Pedro, brandishing -his knife with something of mock and more of real -ferocity. "One of them is mine by a cast of the -dice, and mine she shall be," he added, hoarsely and -huskily, while reeling towards the ladder. -</p> - -<p> -"It is for my sins I am here," groaned Hawkshaw. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, it is not likely for your virtues that you -are among us, mate," said Zuares, laughing. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Cuidar el lobo</i> (Beware of the wolf)!" said -Pedro, with a cruel grin, as he went up through the -scuttle, or little hatch of the forecastle, and went -aft with a stealthy step. -</p> - -<p> -Inflamed to a dangerous pitch of rashness, lust, -and savagery by the champagne and brandy, which -he had been mixing and imbibing freely, this -powerful and agile ruffian left the bunks on his fatal -errand. -</p> - -<p> -Save Bolter, the Canadian, who was at the wheel, -and half tipsy too, there was not a man on deck now. -Under her courses the ship was going before the -wind, with a gentle breeze, which fanned pleasantly -the hot, flushed face of Pedro Barradas, who paused -for a moment, looked aloft, and then at the horizon. -</p> - -<p> -The moon had newly risen from the sea to the -eastward. To the west a line of deep crimson light, -but transparent as the purest crystal, lingered -between the dark horizon of the ocean and a long -straight bank of black cloud, and the wave-tops, of -a deeper tint than indigo, were seen to rise and fall -incessantly between. Amid this low and blood-red -belt of light, a few bright stars were twinkling. -</p> - -<p> -Though weird and impressive, the night was -solemn and pleasing; but all its gentle influences -were lost on the ruffianly soul of Pedro Barradas. -</p> - -<p> -Being barefooted, he crept along unheard, and at -the companion-way he paused to listen. -</p> - -<p> -No sound came from the cabin; but he knew -well that there were armed watchers below—armed -better than himself—so he looked carefully to the -powder in the pan of his old flint-lock and -brass-barrelled Spanish pistol, felt if his knife was loose -in its sheath, and then crept softly down the -companion-stair, and past the cabin-door, on the inside -of which Morley Ashton was seated on Mr. Basset's -trunk of law-books, as already described, listening -to the casual sounds, amongst which he heard -neither the large bare feet of Pedro nor the creaking -of the stairs, as the barricade and the straining -of the ship's timbers muffled everything in the -steerage. -</p> - -<p> -Stooping down on his hands and knees, with his -black eyes close to the bulkhead, or partition, Pedro -felt about for the door mentioned by the -mischievous Quaco, and discovered it at once. -</p> - -<p> -It was an aperture formed in the bulkhead, about -four feet high and nearly three feet broad; it slid -in grooves, like a window-sash, and could be pulled -up by two brass knobs, screwed into the middle of -the door for that purpose. It had evidently been -made for the conveyance of stores, casks, bales, &c., -in and out, when that cabin was not required by -passengers; and the strong hands of the swarthy -Pedro almost trembled with ferocious joy and -eagerness as he grasped the knobs, and essayed to remove -the only barrier that lay between him and his -helpless victims. -</p> - -<p> -Stiffened by long disuse, it refused for a time to -yield. At the third effort he started it, and a ray -of light shone out below its lower edge. Stealthily -as a tiger cat, Pedro paused to listen. All was still -within, and the perfect silence there assured him -that the two young ladies and their old attendant -slept. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Bueno!</i>" he muttered, with a chuckle of satisfaction. -</p> - -<p> -Then he inserted his hard, copper-coloured hands, -and slowly and gently drew the door up within its -slide, its creaking being lost amid the other sounds -incident to the motion of the ship. -</p> - -<p> -Stooping, he entered, and found himself almost -within arm's length of the bed wherein the sisters -lay, and he held his obnoxious breath as he drew -nearer. -</p> - -<p> -Accustomed to take every precaution, and fertile -in expedients, he glanced now at the cabin-door, and -saw a brass bolt on the inside. This he softly shot -into its place, to prevent surprise or interruption -by the occupants of the larger cabin. -</p> - -<p> -Now a sound made his heart start, his eyes gleam, -and his hand clutch the knife in his girdle; but it -was only a prolonged snore from the old attendant, -Nance Folgate. -</p> - -<p> -While his dark eyes flashed with impatience, the -swarthy Spanish American drew near, and looked -boldly and steadily upon the sleeping girls. Both -seemed so delicately pale, so beautiful and gentle, -when hushed together in repose, that for a moment, -as the gust of evil passion mounted to his head, he -knew not upon which to pounce. -</p> - -<p> -Both sisters were only partially undressed, but -the closeness of the little cabin had made them -partly throw off the coverlet. -</p> - -<p> -Rose lay with her soft cheek reposing on Ethel's -bare white shoulder, and their rounded arms, so -taper and delicately fair, were clasped about each -other. Shining like flossy silk, a dark tress of -Ethel's hair mingled with her sister's lighter braids. -</p> - -<p> -A smile that was singularly sweet played about -the childlike mouth of Rose; but Ethel's face was -pale and placid, and the length of the dark lashes -that fringed her snow-white eyelids imparted a -charming softness to her face, while a half sigh -that escaped her from time to time made her -swelling bosom heave beneath her sister's cheek. -</p> - -<p> -Never had their atrocious visitor looked on two -such fair, soft, English faces, nestling thus a-bed; -and there was such an air of enchanting innocence, -candour, and perfect modesty about the two sleeping -sisters, that, instead of calming the daring -thoughts which swelled in the heart of Barradas, it -served only to add fresh stings to them. -</p> - -<p> -We have said that, for a moment, he was doubtful -which to seize. Rose was certainly the smallest -and most easily borne; but Ethel's larger form -tempted him the most. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Que bonita!</i> it shall be you," he muttered. -</p> - -<p> -Drawing from his muscular bull-like throat a -dirty, greasy necktie, he suddenly twisted it tightly -over Ethel's face, and particularly across her mouth, -so that to make an outcry was impossible on her -part. -</p> - -<p> -He then drew her out of bed, and, in so doing, -awoke Rose, whose shrill shriek at once reached the -ears of Morley Ashton. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>A los infernos!</i>" cried Pedro, savagely. -</p> - -<p> -His knife was his first idea; but, as the girl's life -was not worth taking, he dashed out the cabin-lamp -with his clenched hand, tore Ethel with brutal -violence through the aperture by which he had entered, -and shut the sliding door with a crash, preventing, -but unintentionally, the entrance of his amiable -brother Zuares, who had glided after him like a -tawny snake, less with views of fraternal assistance -than with those of doing a little abduction on his -own account. -</p> - -<p> -Rose fell senseless on her face; but Ethel, -recovering something of her native energy and -strength, grasped the rail of the companion-stair -with such vigour that all the muscle of Barradas -was required to tear her tender hands away from it, -and then, with, an awful imprecation of mingled -rage and triumph, he sprang up and bore her along -the deck. -</p> - -<p> -On lifting up Ethel's Indian shawl, part of it was -found wedged in the port, or door in the bulkhead, -thus showing at once the place and mode of ingress. -</p> - -<p> -But so firmly had Barradas's strong hand shut it -down that it was not until after several efforts made -by Phillips and Bartelot, the avenue was opened. -Then Morley pressed through, and pistol in hand, -rushed like a madman on deck, just in time to see -Ethel—his tender and beloved Ethel—borne by -Pedro down the fore-scuttle, into the very den -and stronghold of the mutineers! -</p> - -<p> -As he sprang forward, an empty cask—part of -the plunder—started from the hold, rolled against -him; he slipped, and fell heavily on the deck. -Then, on rising, half stunned, he heard the sound -of pistol-shots in the forecastle, followed by a -despairing cry from Ethel, and a man's hoarse howl -of agony. -</p> - -<p> -At that awful moment the heart of Morley died -within him, and his blood seemed turned to water. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV. -<br /><br /> -ETHEL AMONG THE MUTINEERS. -</h3> - -<p> -In a preceding chapter we have described the -forecastle bunks of the <i>Hermione</i>, when the ship was in -a state of good order and discipline, and when that -portion of her hull was daily drenched with water, -when the head-pump was rigged by the morning -watch, and the swab and holystone were in daily use. -</p> - -<p> -Now that dreary little den was as filthy as its -dirty occupants could make it, and was strewn with -half-picked bones of beef and bacon, with broken -or empty bottles, and in almost every berth there -lay, with his clothes on, a half-drunk seaman. -</p> - -<p> -The atmosphere, redolent of tar, paint, and bilge, -was stifling; moreover, it was thick with the smoke -of coarse pig-tail tobacco, that obscured the rays of -the feeble lamp, and rendered the place more -noxious and horrible. -</p> - -<p> -It was damp and chill, too, for there was an -unheeded leak about the heel of the bowsprit, and -near the windlass-bitts, which came through the -deck into the forecastle, and it made the place more -comfortless still. -</p> - -<p> -The <i>tout ensemble</i> of it, the grimy faces which -looked forth upon her from the dark recesses of the -bunks, the great chin and cheek-bones of Badger, -the hideous Sharkey, the black visage of Quaco and -others, the ferocious character of the man in whose -grasp she found herself, helpless, abandoned, or -only to be rescued after a scene, perhaps, of -butchery and slaughter—the slaughter of her -dearest friends—appalled, beyond all description, -the soul of gentle Ethel Basset. -</p> - -<p> -In her extreme perturbation and agony of spirit, -she could not even pray; "but God often hears the -heart that is silent better than the lips that speak." -</p> - -<p> -"Jee-rusalem and apple-sarce!" exclaimed the -Yankee, Badger, leaping out of his berth, and -standing at about half his full height, with his long -fingers planted on his knees, for the space between -beams was very scanty, "here comes Capting -Pedro, with the black-eyed gal—the sarcy stunner -he's been nuts on so long!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Para!</i> hold! keep back!" said Pedro, panting, -and almost breathless, as he pushed aside -Badger, whose insolent face was peering within an -inch of Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"Jee-rusalem! kinder rum lover you'll make -her, I calkilate." -</p> - -<p> -"He'll make her a rough one, at any rate," -added Sharkey, while a roar of coarse laughter -greeted the appearance of the miserable girl, whom -Pedro seated with rough kindness on a sea-chest, -saying—— -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mi queridita—estrella mia,</i>* at Orizaba and -San Francisco I was the terror of the old women and -the idol of the young ones. So come, let us be -friends and shipmates." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="footnote"> -* My little dear—my star. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -He attempted to force a kiss; but Ethel uttered -a low wail, and an expression of such loathing and -terror filled her face, that even he paused, and she -pressed her hands upon her breast, as if her -emotion would burst it. -</p> - -<p> -Perceiving this action, Pedro roughly thrust his -daring hand into her bosom, and tore out a packet -which had lately been carried there for concealment. -While holding her with one hand, he held -up the packet with the other, and tore it open with -his teeth. -</p> - -<p> -Then he cast it from him with a malediction, on -finding that it contained but a few withered -leaves—the daisies she had gathered on her mother's -grave. -</p> - -<p> -Oh, that she were beside it now in peaceful Acton-Rennel! -</p> - -<p> -"Try some o' this, my gal," said Badger, -presenting a little gallipot full of rum-and-water; "it's -right Jamaiky; I takes to it unkimmin, marm, like -a babby to its mother's milk. Do have a -drop—'alf a totful, my gal." -</p> - -<p> -Ethel shrunk back in silent misery, and Pedro -kept his left hand resolutely round her waist, while -holding her right hand in his. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't yew be so darned proud, my sarcy -Britisher," resumed the bantering ruffian, with an -offended air. "We'll take the pride out o' yew -afore we're done with yew. I'm a true-blooded -Yankee, marm, though tall enough for a -Paddygonian. The Paddygonians come from South -'Merriker, Pedro's country, while I was raised -about Cape Cod. 'Guess yew never heerd o' sich -a cape in the stupid old country, though yew ought -to rayther, for we licked the Britishers there, as we -dew everywhere else on airth, and why shouldn't -we, when their hearts are like wooden nutmegs?" -</p> - -<p> -Ethel looked round despairingly, but saw no aid, -nor hope, nor mercy. -</p> - -<p> -Bad, wild, and cruel though he was, there came -something of pity into the eye and heart of Zuares -Barradas, when he saw this lovely girl, one so fair, -and so delicately nurtured, in this frightful -situation—her dress torn and disordered, and blood -trickling from her nostrils—in such a place, and in -such hands, for he knew what was about to ensue, -and he knew his elder brother to be an incarnate -fiend. -</p> - -<p> -There was another, half-concealed amid the -smoke of this murky den, who regarded her with -more than pity, and this was Cramply Hawkshaw; -but he felt that to protect her was to die, and to die -he had not yet the courage. -</p> - -<p> -At last her eyes met his. -</p> - -<p> -"Forgive me, Ethel Basset," he said, mournfully; -"oh, forgive me the past!" -</p> - -<p> -"I do forgive you," she replied, in a trembling -voice, "and trust a time may come when you will -be able to forgive yourself." -</p> - -<p> -Her soft, sweet voice seemed to thrill through the -marrow of his bones. -</p> - -<p> -Bad and reckless, desperate and wicked though -he was, the memory of pleasant and of peaceful -days—days of good-will and happiness, when he had -tried to forget his past wild life in South America—days -spent at Laurel Lodge amid all the elegances -of civilised life, came thronging now on Hawkshaw's -mind. So the inscrutable soul of this miserable -man seemed to die away within him, when he beheld, -now in a felon's daring grasp, one who had been his -hostess, his friend, and the object of his own most -selfish passions! -</p> - -<p> -Though she felt as if dying of shame and terror, -fearfully pale, and calm, and holy Ethel looked, for -she thanked God in her innocent heart that she had -been taken—even from Morley—and Rose left to -comfort, perhaps, their beloved father, and as she -folded her white and tremulous hands upon her -swelling bosom, she felt that the dread hour had -come when she must surely die. -</p> - -<p> -Oh, who could once have foretold the awful scene -of outrage through which, perhaps, her blameless -life was to pass away. -</p> - -<p> -And now, as Pedro's iron grasp about her -tightened, and the laughter rung around her, like -a chorus of devils, she lifted her imploring eyes -to Hawkshaw, and their gaze seemed to turn him -into stone. -</p> - -<p> -Sorrow, horror, and upbraiding—all were there -expressed. -</p> - -<p> -It was she, the same Ethel, that he—blood-guilty -though he was, and selfish too—had ventured -to love in peaceful England. She, who had never -coquettishly allured nor proudly repulsed him; but -had been gentle and polite, according to the rules of -well-bred society—gentle, even, and pitiful—until -she knew his crimes and his character, and learned -to abhor them. -</p> - -<p> -All this rushed like a flood upon his memory, and -Cramply Hawkshaw, with all his errors, faults, and -crimes, felt, for the moment, the soul of a hero -within him, and he resolved to save Ethel Basset -from disgrace, or die in the effort—yea, to save her -even for Morley Ashton. -</p> - -<p> -"Ethel," said he, in a breathless voice, "love me -as a friend, and I will protect—it may be, save you!" -</p> - -<p> -"Love—friendship—Oh Hawkshaw, save me if -you can, but talk not of love and friendship, after -the awful past, and in presence of companions such -as these," replied Ethel, shuddering. -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! I feel that guilt gives a shame and horror, -Ethel, which fail even to cure it." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Morte de Dios!</i>" growled Pedro, grinding his -teeth, and turning round with flashing eyes; "what -is this I hear?" -</p> - -<p> -"Your death-shot, wretch!—take that, and die!" -cried Hawkshaw, as he fired his pistol full at the -dark head of Pedro Barradas, who received the shot -in his elbow, just as he raised the arm to protect -his face. -</p> - -<p> -"Malediction!" he exclaimed, with a howl of -agony, as he dropped the limb, which was fearfully -shattered. Then Hawkshaw—endued with twice -his natural strength—for, when roused by passion, -or nerved by danger, he wras no ordinary -man—snatched Ethel amid the smoke, glided with her up -the steps and through the forescuttle, and placed -her in the arms of Dr. Heriot, who, with all her -friends came rushing forward, for this episode did -not occupy five minutes. -</p> - -<p> -As Ethel was borne aft, a dozen of hands and -arms came up through the forescuttle, and -Hawkshaw was torn down within it. -</p> - -<p> -"Gag him—lynch him—stick the 'tarnal varmint!" -cried Badger, and the death shrieks of the -miserable Hawkshaw were drowned amid the storm -of maledictions which accompanied the shots and -blows dealt him by the knives of Zuares, Badger, -Quaco, and others; and again and again they -continued to bury them in his body, long after he -was dead. -</p> - -<p> -It was Pedro's howl of agony, and the two first -pistol-shots, that were heard by Morley as he -staggered up, half-stunned, from the deck, and felt -himself seized by Tom Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -All hurried below with Ethel. The cabin was -regained, the barricades were again made fast, and -our friends remained ignorant that one half the -mutineers were in a state of helpless intoxication; -that their leader had received a severe wound, -which might prove mortal, and that the miserable -Hawkshaw was being butchered without mercy in -the forecastle bunks. -</p> - -<p> -And so closed this night of outrage on board the -<i>Hermione</i>. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V. -<br /><br /> -A SNARE LAID. -</h3> - -<p> -On Ethel the effects of all she had undergone—a -terror equal to the menace of death—the memory of -all she had seen, Pedro bleeding from the bullet of -Hawkshaw, and the latter torn back to be butchered -in the very den from which he had rescued her, -produced fits of hysteria and violent sickness, requiring -all the skill of Dr. Heriot to soothe and subdue -them. -</p> - -<p> -For a time she lay in a fainting fit as in a deep -sleep, with her breathing so low that it could -scarcely be perceived on a mirror. Morley was in -an agony of alarm, lest she should never wake more; -but this symptom was followed by strong convulsions, -till tears relieved and left her very weak. -</p> - -<p> -However, she was able to relate at intervals what -had taken place, and how she had escaped the -mutineers; after this, she was left for a time to the -care of Nance Folgate, who was great in the use of -burnt feathers, hartshorn, and asafoetida. -</p> - -<p> -With Rose, on recovering from her swoon, joy -for her sister's sudden restoration took the form of -alternate showers of tears and bursts of ringing -hysterical laughter, which were painful to hear and -difficult to allay, so, between them, the poor doctor -had his hands quite full. -</p> - -<p> -Morley and his nautical friends, who had never -seen anything of this kind before, were sorely -puzzled by the turns and symptoms of Rose's -ailment; for there is but little difference sometimes -between the crying and the laughing of an hysterical -young lady. -</p> - -<p> -Physical and mental exhaustion at length brought -on sleep, and Rose and Ethel lay with arms -entwined, the terrible past and the dreaded future -being alike committed to oblivion, unless when, at -intervals, the latter seemed to see, in fancy, those -grimy visages peering out from the dark berths, -freezing her with affright, and Pedro's black and -gloating eyes stupefying her with their terrible -expression. -</p> - -<p> -Gradually, however, both sisters were soothed, -and calm with perfect sleep came together. -</p> - -<p> -The sliding-door to the steerage was made fast by -strong screws against all attempts by that avenue -for the future. -</p> - -<p> -"Well," whispered Heriot, as they withdrew into -the cabin, "matters are improving for us forward." -</p> - -<p> -"How?" asked Tom Bartelot gloomily. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro Barradas has his right arm shattered—you -heard Miss Basset say so—and then there is -Hawkshaw killed and flung overboard." -</p> - -<p> -"Poor wretch!" said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Two almost out of their rogues' mess," added -Captain Phillips; "but I don't think Hawkshaw -was very warm in their cursed business." -</p> - -<p> -"His poor father, jolly old Tom Hawkshaw, of -Lincoln's Inn, little foresaw an end so miserable for -his only son. Poor Tom! how he did love that -boy!" exclaimed Mr. Basset, wringing his hands, -as he thought of his old friend. -</p> - -<p> -"Judging from the state in which Miss Basset -says she found those fellows forward," said Morrison, -"I don't see why we shouldn't make an effort to -recapture the ship, and make every one of them walk -the plank." -</p> - -<p> -"My very thoughts, Mr. Morrison," said Captain -Phillips, with great earnestness; "but, as yet, they -still outnumber us, and, unless by stratagem, I don't -see a way in the matter—a fair trial of strength -would only end in our own defeat." -</p> - -<p> -"Something is worth tryin', sir—I'm precious -weary o' bein' bottled down here, like a rat in the -cable tier," said Noah Gawthrop, who was on his -knees, lighting, and puffing with distended cheeks, -at a fire in the cabin-grate, preparatory to boiling -coffee, for the morning was far advanced, and no -one thought of sleeping now, even on the cabin-locker; -"but you see, your honour, unless we had -'em all in the bilboes, or shoved clean overboard, we -could never be safe." -</p> - -<p> -"Not even if we had them all secured in the -bunks, and the forescuttle shipped and battened -over them?" interrupted Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"No, sir, not even then," replied Noah very -emphatically. -</p> - -<p> -"How so?" -</p> - -<p> -"'Cos, if you didn't smother 'em, they'd set the -ship on fire, that all on us might go to old Davy -together. The greatest warmints on land and sea are -them Espanoles, as comes from South 'Meriker—I -knows 'em, I does." -</p> - -<p> -"Egad, Noah is right," said Tom Bartelot; "and -to get the weather-gage of these fellows we must try -some other plan than fisticuffs." -</p> - -<p> -During this time the crew were all heard on deck -rumbling about, growling and uttering threats; and -by the number of seas shipped over the bows, by -the lurching and pitching of the vessel, it was -evident to those below that the wind had freshened, -and that an unsteady hand was on the wheel, as she -was yawing, and steering wild. -</p> - -<p> -By noon Ethel was almost composed, and when -she reclined on her bed, with one hand clasped by -her father, another in Morley's, Rose bending over -her, and worthy young Dr. Heriot hovering about, -she felt soothed; through all her overtaxed frame -there seemed to flow a tranquillising and magnetic -influence; she almost forgot that the same ship -contained, but a few yards off, the source of her recent -terror; her over-wrought mind grew calm, and the -fever passed out of her. -</p> - -<p> -"Dear papa—dear papa—kiss me. Sit closer, -Morley dear," she said, in a sweet, low voice; -"where is your hand, Morley?" -</p> - -<p> -"Here—clasped on yours, Ethel." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, papa, if poor mamma only knew of all -this!" she was beginning, when tears choked her -utterance. -</p> - -<p> -"Do not think of these things," whispered Morley, -anxiously; "it is well she is not with us." -</p> - -<p> -"Even her loss was merciful, though it nearly -broke my heart, for all this would have killed her," -said Mr. Basset, in a low voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, when will it end!—when will it end!" -sobbed Rose. -</p> - -<p> -"When we reeve some of those fellows up to the -yard-arm, in the loop of a stout line," said -Dr. Heriot. "I can't help feeling assured that we -shall weather them, yet, and my countryman, -Morrison, who, perhaps, has the gift of the second sight, -among his other accomplishments, is of the same -opinion," added Heriot, with a pleasant laugh to -raise their spirits. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel felt safe comparatively—protected and -restored; but at what a price—a human life! The -life of that misguided being who first cast a shadow -on her path. -</p> - -<p> -She recalled his last words and forgave him all, -for his closing act had been one of devotion towards -herself. But for him, she might, or must have -been, destroyed. The imagination of all from -which he had saved her made her shudder in her -soul, and froze her very marrow! Poor Hawkshaw, -she might almost call him now, as he had gone so -summarily to his dread account, gashed with many -a wound, and cast into the sea, without prayer, or -shroud, or grave—cast with all his sins and errors -on his head and on his soul! -</p> - -<p> -She shuddered, we say, as she thought fearfully -of these dire things, and clasped more tightly the -kind hands of those who sat beside her. -</p> - -<p> -Morley, too, felt that he could freely forgive -Hawkshaw now; for his nature was brave, generous, -and gentle, and he wondered whether, when dying, -that unfortunate wretch had felt what <i>he</i> endured—first, -when he was flung over Acton Chine; and, -second, when the shattered wreck of the <i>Princess</i> -parted, and he found himself, as he believed, -drowning in the water—the intense rapidity with which -thought and memory rushed through his soul, as -he hung for a moment between two lives, one to -come, and one that seemed passing away—how all -the loves and memories, faces of friends and foes, -sins of omission and commission, all the errors and -shortcomings of his existence flashed with the -rapidity of light upon his maddened mind; bodily -suffering, on those two occasions, he had none—it -was all mental, and the most acute of its kind. -</p> - -<p> -Had Hawkshaw felt all this when the death-shot -rang in his ears, and the assassins' knives were -clashing in his body? -</p> - -<p> -He must have felt this emotion; and Morley, with -that conviction, and the knowledge that he (Hawkshaw) -had saved Ethel Basset at the price of his own -unhappy existence, felt in his honest heart that he -could freely forgive him all the past. -</p> - -<p> -But this spirit of forgiveness by no means -extended itself to Pedro Barradas, against whom he -cherished the most undying vengeance, when he -thought of the terror Ethel had suffered at his hands, -and, more than all, the horrors she had escaped. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, the elder Barradas, maddened with -the agony occasioned by his shattered limb, which -none on board, save Dr. Heriot, could dress or -reduce—for the fracture was compound, the ball and -socket of the elbow being completely smashed—was -scheming out revenge and fresh outrages, which he -found a difficulty in putting in practice, as the same -wound which reduced his bodily strength, and stung -his soul with rage and pain, deprived him of the -influence he formerly exercised over his companions—an -influence that he maintained physically rather -than morally. -</p> - -<p> -He supposed that they must be several miles up -the Mozambique Channel, and he remembered the -Malay proas; thus every hour rendered the necessity -greater for having entire possession of the ship -and for destroying those in the cabin, for if but one -of these escaped, he and all his companions might -yet swing as pirates, and, knowing that Mr. Basset -was a lawyer—a judge or legal functionary of high -position—caused the crew to cherish a peculiar -dread and aversion of him in particular. -</p> - -<p> -There were times when, in the intervals of his -bodily and mental fury—both of which the copious -use of ardent spirits had greatly inflamed—he -conceived the idea of running the ship ashore on the -first land he made, or of setting her on fire in -mid-ocean, that all might perish, and so frequently did -he mutter of these things that Zuares, Badger, -Sharkey, and the rest, knowing the desperation of -his character, and the resolute cruelty of which he -was capable, feared that he might put his terrible -threats into execution. -</p> - -<p> -As for asking Dr. Heriot to dress his wound, or -by a touch of his skill to lessen the agony that -wrung the bead-drops from his tawny brow, he -never thought of such a thing! To expect an act -of such mercy or generosity never occurred to his -cruel mind as being within the compass of possibility; -but he now conceived and prepared to execute a very -subtle plan for gaining possession of Ethel Basset, -and through her, as hostage, compelling Heriot to -dress his shattered limb, after which he would destroy -them all without mercy; and as these ideas occurred -to him he gnashed his sharp white teeth and uttered -a roar that was something between a laugh of savage -exultation and a howl of agony. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI. -<br /><br /> -MR. BASSET DELUDED. -</h3> - -<p> -Noon was drawing slowly on; Ethel and Rose were -still sleeping, when the tarpaulin, or spare -mizzen-topsail, which had so long covered the skylight, was -withdrawn from above, and a flood, it seemed, of -sunny radiance, streamed into the cabin, the -occupants of which saw the blue sky overhead for -the first time these several days past. -</p> - -<p> -"Below there, Captain Phillips!" cried a voice. -</p> - -<p> -"Hollo! who are you that hail?" -</p> - -<p> -"Bolter—Benjamin Bolter, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, fellow?" -</p> - -<p> -"May I talk to you a'thout bein' fired on?" -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly; come forward." -</p> - -<p> -Bolter, the Canadian, appeared at the rim of the -skylight, looking down with watery, bloodshot eyes, -a pale, unwholesome visage, and a black mouth, -furred by dissipation and squalor. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you want?" demanded Captain Phillips, -with a tone of impatience and authority. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro Barradas has sent me aft to speak to you." -</p> - -<p> -"About what?" -</p> - -<p> -"The state o' matters aboard, sir." -</p> - -<p> -"Oho! you are coming to your senses at last, -are you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perhaps so, sir," said Bolter, giving a covert -wink, full of sly wickedness, to Sharkey, who stood -near him on deck, unseen by those below, and with -his tongue thrust into his cheek. -</p> - -<p> -"Well—speak out!" -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro Barradas is severely wounded, sir; his -right elbow is knocked all to splinters." -</p> - -<p> -"Glad to hear it; hope he may slip his cable in -the turn of a hand. Which of his precious friends -did this for him?" -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Hawkshaw, who has been knocked on the -head and flung overboard, after a bit of a scrimmage -for'ard." -</p> - -<p> -"Well—well?" said the captain, impatiently. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro can't come aft, sir, so he wishes one of -the gentlemen below to come for'ard, that we may -all toe a line, beg pardon for what's past, and make -some terms with you." -</p> - -<p> -"Oho!" -</p> - -<p> -"He says, sir," resumed the Canadian, in a -whining voice, "that he would rather have -Mr. Basset than anyone else." -</p> - -<p> -"Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"Bein' a gentleman as is bred to the law, for -which he has a very particklar respect." -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset grew a little pale on hearing this -selection; but, knowing how important was the stroke -that might be won by a little skilful diplomacy— -</p> - -<p> -"I am ready to go—ready to meet these men, -if—if—you think good will come of it, Captain -Phillips," said he, while his mind became full of apt -quotations from the Mutiny Act, "Shee's Edition -of Lord Tenterden," and so forth, for the harangue -which, mentally, he proposed to make the misguided -and—as he supposed—now repentant mutineers. -</p> - -<p> -"But we have no hostage for your safety, sir," -urged Dr. Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"Hostage—safety—am I in danger, think you?" -stammered Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"The venture is not without peril. And why -have they selected you?" -</p> - -<p> -"As a legal man, and as a neutral party, I learn -from what their messenger says," replied Mr. Basset, -gathering courage as he thought of his commission -as judge in the supreme civil and criminal court of -the Isle of France. "Shall I go, Captain Phillips?" -</p> - -<p> -"If you will venture, and can succeed in bringing -back these fellows to a sense of their crimes, and of -their duty, an unspeakable boon will be conferred -on us all; but they must agree to put the leaders in -bilboes, or set them adrift in the dingy, which they -please. They must also give up all their knives, -pistols, and other weapons." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course, of course." -</p> - -<p> -"See, my dear sir, at all events, what they want." -</p> - -<p> -"There is one thing as we wants badly, sir," said -Bolter, twirling his tarpaulin hat, and scratching his -head; "and that is some brandy, or rum, we ain't -particklar which; and a few bottles would go a long -way to heal old sores." -</p> - -<p> -"Some brandy?—granted." -</p> - -<p> -"We have a gallon jar in the steward's locker," -said Mr. Foster, the second mate. -</p> - -<p> -"Then hoist it out." -</p> - -<p> -Dr. Heriot anticipated Foster by opening the -locker, when he soon found the jar, which he -proceeded at once to uncork. -</p> - -<p> -"Why, doctor, you don't mean to make it pay -toll, do you?" asked Tom Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -Heriot placed a finger on his lip, as if to impose -silence on the speaker, and, pouring out about a -pint of the brandy, he substituted for it the contents -of a large phial, a clear and pellucid fluid, after -which he passed up the jar into the hands of -Mr. Bolter, who received it with a very solicitous and -affectionate expression of eye. -</p> - -<p> -"What, in Heaven's name, have you done, doctor—not -poisoned the stuff—eh?" asked Phillips, in a -whisper of alarm; "what was that you poured -in?" -</p> - -<p> -"Morphia—strong morphia, and another powerful -narcotic—nearly all I had, too," replied the doctor, -in a similar whisper. "It will serve to throw some -of them, at least, into a sound sleep, and thus enable -us to overpower the rest, if need be. This will -render us independent of their terms, their -promises, and their repentance." -</p> - -<p> -"Now, will Mr. Basset come on deck and meet -Pedro Barradas?" asked the Canadian, in his nasal -twang. -</p> - -<p> -"Take care, my dear sir, that this is not some -lure?" said Morley, interposing. -</p> - -<p> -"Lure?" repeated Mr. Basset, turning pale again. -</p> - -<p> -"A snare, perhaps." -</p> - -<p> -"Aye—a regular plant—they're rum chaps, these -Spaniards and Yankees," added Noah, sententiously. -</p> - -<p> -"Nevertheless, I shall try," replied the good easy -man, as he thought of his two poor girls, and hoped -the time was almost come when they might be -considered comparatively safe. -</p> - -<p> -"You have your revolver, sir?" asked Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"All right," replied Mr. Basset, slapping his -breast confidently. -</p> - -<p> -"Is it loaded?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes—of course." -</p> - -<p> -"Let me see it, please?" -</p> - -<p> -"Whew," whistled the doctor; "my dear sir, -there is not a single cap on the nipples!" -</p> - -<p> -"Bless me, you don't say so?" ejaculated poor -Mr. Basset, who looked, what he really was, as -little used to the handling of revolvers as to facing -mutineers. -</p> - -<p> -Heriot examined the six chambers, and found -them all loaded; he capped the nipples, and gave -the weapon to Mr. Basset, who concealed it again in -the breast-pocket of his coat, and tried to assume a -jaunty air, but failed. -</p> - -<p> -"Now then, Mr. Basset, are you goin' to be all -day of tumblin' up?" growled Bolter, stamping on -the deck. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset gave a wistful glance at the door of -his girls' sleeping-place, as the barricades of the -cabin were secured, and then he ascended to the -deck, with a heart that beat very fast indeed! -</p> - -<p> -The dirty and disorderly state of the ship did not -strike Mr. Basset's unprofessional eye, so much as -the aspect of the crew impressed him, when he -descended from the break of the quarter-deck, and -walked forward to where Pedro Barradas was seated -on the horizontal beam of the windlass, endeavouring -to soothe himself by smoking, and in his rage half -chewing the paper cigaritos, which his brother -Zuares made for him; and close by was placed the -uncorked brandy jar, which Bolter had carried -forward, with a very triumphant expression. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset's heart sank, when he found himself -among these squalid desperadoes, whose persons -were now filthy in the extreme; their eyes were -wild and wolfish in expression, their faces bloated, -and obscured by sores and bruises; but still lower -would his heart have sunk, had his eye detected the -ominous noose that dangled at the weather-arm of -the foreyard! -</p> - -<p> -From his seat on the windlass, Pedro Barradas -surveyed the poor gentleman, with wild black eyes, -to which the glare of passionate hate and mental -insanity, conduced by extreme bodily pain, imparted -a terrible expression. -</p> - -<p> -Enveloped in bloody bandages, his right arm -hung powerless by his side. The fingers of the -once strong hand seemed dead and livid now. His -ear, which had been wounded by a pistol shot, was -now a festering sore, amid which his coal black hair -was matted; his bare brawny feet beat the deck -with restless impatience, and spitting out to leeward -the end of a paper cigarito, he showed all his white -glistening teeth beneath his dark moustache, on the -approach of Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"Presto! come forward quick, you lubberly -scribano," he roared out. -</p> - -<p> -"You wish to see me!" began Mr. Basset, in -faltering accents, for this mode of reception, and its -tone, by no means reassured him. -</p> - -<p> -"To see you—yes," said Pedro, while a spasm of -agony convulsed his tawny visage; "Badger, -overhaul and lash him fast!" he suddenly exclaimed. -</p> - -<p> -On hearing this alarming order, the meaning of -which he imperfectly understood, Mr. Basset was -about to rush away; but the powerful hand of the -gigantic Yankee was inserted in his collar, and -others were busy about his person: thus he was -speedily deprived of his watch, rings, and the -revolver, the appearance of which excited a shout of -derisive laughter. -</p> - -<p> -Then, almost before he knew where he was, -Bolter, the Canadian, had tied his wrists together -with a piece of cord. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, stranger, yew air fixed proper, I reckon—you -air," snivelled the Yankee, with a broad grin; -"Jeerusalem! yew air in an almighty fright!" -</p> - -<p> -"He shall be yet in a greater," said Pedro, in a -husky voice; "where is the line from the yard-arm?" -</p> - -<p> -"Here," said Zuares, as a rope was suddenly cast -over Mr. Basset's head, and looped round his -neck—a rope which, while his blood ran cold, he saw -came down from a block at the yard-arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Lash another line to him for a down-haul," -said Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -And Badger did so instantly, by looping a rope -round Mr. Basset's ankles. -</p> - -<p> -"My God! my God!—my good men," he said, -in trembling accents; "you do not—you, you cannot——" -</p> - -<p> -"Mean to hang you, eh? Yes, but we do," -grinned Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"Yaas—yaas, Massa Basset, we'll make you dance -ebber so 'igh," added Quaco, with a yelling laugh. -</p> - -<p> -"Silence, you black devil," roared Pedro, gnashing -his teeth; "who gave you leave to speak here. -Away to the caboose, and look after your coppers. -Yes, Mr. Basset, we mean to hang you unless -Dr. Heriot will come forward and dress my wounded -arm. And more than that—unless your two girls -come forward here among us, to ransom you. Do -you understand all that, eh?" -</p> - -<p> -Mute with fear, and the awful dread of impending -death, and such a death—feeling all the futility -of seeking mercy from the merciless—the unhappy -Mr. Basset stood in a cold sweat before this demon -of a man. He had but one idea prominent amid -the chaos of his thoughts, that never more would -he look upon the faces of his children. -</p> - -<p> -"Pass the word aft that the rope is knotted and -rove," said the inexorable Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -Badger ascended the break of the quarter-deck, -and peeping down the skylight, said: -</p> - -<p> -"You below thar?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well—hallo—what do you want?" asked -Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"Jest to say, friends, as Captain Barradas will -string your precious judge up to the arm of the -fore-yard in a brace o' shakes, if yew, Dr. Heriot, -don't come forward and dress his wounded arm" (at -these words, the proposal he heard of chaining him -to the mast, flashed upon Heriot's memory), "and -if yew all don't give up the tew gals you reckon on -keeping for yourselves. If yew understand all that, -yew had better be quick, yew had." -</p> - -<p> -"Be off, you rascally Yankee, or I'll mar your -seamanship!" said Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"I hope to crop that rascal's auricular appendages -before we part," said Heriot, in a voice not -unlike a groan. -</p> - -<p> -"Wa-al, lookye here, be quick, I say," resumed -Badger, in a nasal twang, "for Pedro's in a very -bad humour to-day, and there'll be an almighty -airthquake aboard in another minute." -</p> - -<p> -The words, the manner, and bearing of this -fellow created great consternation in the cabin. -More than once had Morley levelled the barrel of -his pistol at Badger's head, but paused, with his -finger throbbing on the trigger, and fearing to fire, -lest, by doing so, he might jeopardise the father of -Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"Are the girls coming?" said Pedro, in a low -voice of concentrated passion and pain, when -Badger returned. -</p> - -<p> -"Never—never, assassin and coward!" exclaimed -Mr. Basset; "destroy me, if you will—but—but—oh, -Heaven!—oh, my poor girls!" -</p> - -<p> -He hung his head and wept, as his voice failed -him, in the excess of his misery. -</p> - -<p> -"Hang the judge—hang him!" said the short, -squat ruffian, Sharkey, as he danced a hornpipe -with a vigorous double shuffle round their pale -victim; "no doubt he hopes to hang us some day." -</p> - -<p> -This idea was conclusive. -</p> - -<p> -"Mercy! Listen to me, good fellows—listen!" -cried poor Mr. Basset, starting wildly, as the rope -began to tighten. "Mercy—save me, save -me—Morley, Captain Phillips!" -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's eyes filled with their most dangerous -gleam. Despite the agony of his shattered arm, -in his hatred of law, lawyers, order, and persons in -authority, he almost smiled at the idea of thus -degrading and executing a legal functionary. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Ahorcar! ahorcar!</i>—to the yard-arm with <i>el -Senor Juez</i>! Away with him, and aft with the line!" -he exclaimed, in a hoarse voice, as the crew tallied -on and ran aft with a derisive cheer, and, at the -same moment, Mr. Basset was swung strangling off -his feet, and run, with a violent jerk, to the arm of -the foreyard to windward, where the unhappy man, -hanging, in strong convulsions, and in all the -agonies of death, presented a horrible spectacle to -Morley Ashton, who had crept up the companion-stair -and peeped out. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Father of Mercy!" he exclaimed, and sank -almost fainting on his knees, incapable for a few -moments of action or speech. -</p> - -<p> -After hanging thus for several minutes, the body -of Mr. Basset was lowered with another jerk, -brought on board by the down-haul attached to the -ankles, and, amid loud yells of derisive laughter, it -was flung into the cabin through the still open -skylight, just as Morley, deathly pale, and trembling -in every limb, tottered back to tell what he had -seen on deck. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII. -<br /><br /> -LUX VENIT AB ALTO. -</h3> - -<p> -Pity for Mr. Basset, and intense commiseration for -his two daughters, soon gave place in the hearts of -his friends to a dire longing for vengeance on the -treacherous authors of this new atrocity. -</p> - -<p> -"Secure the door, Morley—quick, or they may -be on us!" cried Heriot, as he threw off his coat -and rolled up his shirt-sleeves. -</p> - -<p> -"There is no danger of their attacking us," -replied Morley Ashton, panting and breathless. -</p> - -<p> -"Why so?" asked Phillips, with an oath. -</p> - -<p> -"Because these wretches are already busy with -the brandy jar." -</p> - -<p> -"All the better," replied the Scotch doctor, with -a sombre frown. "Keep your pistols and the gun -ready—pot the first villain who comes within range -through the skylight. Poor Mr. Basset! poor -Mr. Basset! Bartelot and Morrison, assist me, please; -we have work to do—quick, before the ladies awake -and hear us." -</p> - -<p> -The body of Mr. Basset was laid on Captain -Phillips's bed, and the hateful rope which still -compressed his throat, together with the cord that -secured his wrists, was cut off and flung away by -Heriot's ready hand. -</p> - -<p> -Blackened, swollen in features, and horribly -disfigured, with protruding eyes and tongue, few -would have recognised, save by his dress, the bland -and smiling smooth-skinned, close-shaved, and rather -florid gentleman of a few minutes ago. -</p> - -<p> -"Dead—quite dead!" groaned Morley, as he -hung over him; "my poor friend—oh, my poor -friend! so kind—so gentle—so amiable!" -</p> - -<p> -"What a fate his has been!" added Tom Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -"And who is to tell it to his poor girls?" said -Morrison. -</p> - -<p> -"Ethel, at least," whispered Heriot with a -significant glance at Morley, "must be kept as long as -possible in ignorance; after the shock of last night -to know of this might have a most serious effect -upon her nervous system." -</p> - -<p> -"Papa, papa, speak with me, please!" they heard -her soft, pleasant voice say at that moment. -</p> - -<p> -"Say what you will or can, Ashton; but Miss -Basset must not see her father yet," said Heriot, -hastily; "the shock, as I have said, might be -dangerous, for his aspect is terrible." -</p> - -<p> -"Speak to me, dear papa, for one moment. I -have had such a horrible dream, and all about you," -she said again. -</p> - -<p> -Amid the deep muttered expressions of rage and -commiseration made by his companions, Morley, -pale and trembling, tapped at her cabin door, and, -opening it a little way, whispered that Mr. Basset -was asleep, and must not be disturbed. -</p> - -<p> -"Must not," she repeated with alarm; "is papa -ill?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, no; but——" -</p> - -<p> -"But what?" -</p> - -<p> -"Only in a deep sleep," he replied, with a sigh of -bitterness, as he closed the door, fearing to excite -her alarm further. -</p> - -<p> -"Is this fatal outrage completed?—is the poor -gentleman quite dead?" asked Captain Phillips, in -a low and impressive voice. -</p> - -<p> -"I fear so, I fear so," replied Heriot, with -growing agitation; "I can detect no sign whatever of -life, and even warmth is passing away." -</p> - -<p> -"But remember, doctor," said Morrison, earnestly -and anxiously, "that the time of—of strangulation -was short, and death by being run up to the yardarm -is not so instantaneous as by the drop from a -regular scaffold ashore." -</p> - -<p> -"Of course, Morrison, I know that; but——" -the doctor paused, and shook his head sadly. -</p> - -<p> -"Horrible difference!" thought Morley, with a -shudder of mingled rage and grief, while he -clenched his teeth and hands. -</p> - -<p> -"But our poor friend was a heavy man and of a -full habit. He is already becoming cold. No -breath—no pulsation," added Heriot, placing his -hand on Mr. Basset's heart. -</p> - -<p> -"Quite dead, you think?" asked Morley, whose -eyes filled with tears, as the memory of happy years -long past, and sincere pity for the two girls, rushed -into his mind. -</p> - -<p> -"Beyond hope, I fear," muttered Heriot, who, -however, still continued, mechanically, as it were, -to feel the pulse and chafe the rigid limbs. -</p> - -<p> -"The scoundrels—the black-hearted scoundrels! -Oh, to have revenge for all this!" exclaimed Captain -Phillips, stamping his feet on the cabin floor. -</p> - -<p> -"Our numbers decrease. First we lost poor -Manfredi, then Joe, the steward, then Sam Quail, -and now Mr. Basset," said Foster, the second mate; -"whose turn will it be next?" -</p> - -<p> -"Hush!—remember the young ladies," said -Heriot, looking up, warningly. -</p> - -<p> -Cold nearly, ghastly pale, where not livid and -discoloured, and rendered horrible in feature by past -convulsions, poor Mr. Basset's case seemed, indeed, -hopeless; yet Leslie Heriot, inspired by his love for -Rose, by perhaps something of the dogged perseverance -of his country, by the regard he really bore -Mr. Basset, and an enthusiasm for his profession, -with a reliance on his own skill, which was by no -means small; imbued, we say, by all these, he felt -inclined to attempt something unusual in his art, -and proceeded at once to put it in practice. -</p> - -<p> -As the idea of struggling with death, of restoring -life and animation to that still and corpse-like form, -occurred to him, a sudden light shone in the -handsome young doctor's eyes; his cheek flushed, and -there was a charming brightness and animation in -all his features, as he bustled about, and unlocked -the medicine-chest and case of instruments. -</p> - -<p> -"At all events I will try, I will try," he muttered -to himself; "in great attempts 'tis glorious e'en, to -fail." -</p> - -<p> -He perceived that blood oozed out from a cut in -the forehead, received when the body of their victim -was flung by the mutineers through the skylight -into the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -The sight of this blood gave him fresh hope, and -he commenced operations at once, and with confident -determination, while those around, who had -never witnessed such a scene, or heard of such an -attempt before, beheld him with wonder, and obeyed -all his orders with alacrity. -</p> - -<p> -With his love for Rose, and his medical enthusiasm, -there mingled something of religious fervour -and much of human kindness, and selecting -carefully a lancet, he almost uttered a prayer of hope, as -he opened the temporal artery, and then the external -jugular—a vein which runs along the neck, just -beneath the skin, and returns the blood from the -head to the heart; but he sighed with doubt on -finding the circulation stopped in both, and that a -little coagulated blood only appeared at each -orifice. -</p> - -<p> -With the assistance of Morley and Tom Bartelot, -he stripped the body in haste, and proceeded to rub -the back, mouth, and neck vigorously, with volatile -salts and fine oil. -</p> - -<p> -When they grew weary, Captain Phillips and -Mr. Foster relieved them, and the arms and legs were -well lubricated in the same fashion, to restore and -promote circulation. -</p> - -<p> -Puffs of strong tobacco were blown up the nostrils -and into the mouth, when these were compressed; -but an hour and more elapsed without any sign of -returning animation, and even Heriot was beginning -to despair (as his companions had done long before) -when, after making a small incision in the skin of -the windpipe, through which, with his own breath, -he sought to inflate the lungs, by breathing -strongly through a cannula, a cry of joy escaped him. -</p> - -<p> -The blood from the temporal artery was now -trickling down the pale, discoloured face! -</p> - -<p> -Heriot snatched up Mr. Basset's right hand, and -applied his fingers to the wrist. -</p> - -<p> -"The pulse—the pulse begins to beat!" he exclaimed; -"quick, Morley!—place that bottle of -sal-ammoniac under his nostrils." -</p> - -<p> -Morley did so, and soon an exclamation escaped -from all, on beholding Mr. Basset open and close -each eye alternately. -</p> - -<p> -He was then raised up in the kind and sturdy -arms of Noah Gawthrop, while Heriot poured some -warm brandy-and-water down his throat; after -which a sound like a groan left his lips. -</p> - -<p> -"Victory! blessed be God!" exclaimed Heriot, -as he struck his hands together, and thought of -Rose Basset, with her sweet loving smiles, and an -honest moisture dimmed his eyes; "he lives, after -all!" -</p> - -<p> -"Thanks to your skill, doctor," said Tom Bartelot; -"the world should hear of this." -</p> - -<p> -"Nay—no thanks to me," replied Heriot; "what -used we to learn at school, Morrison? <i>Lux venit ab -alto!</i>" -</p> - -<p> -"'All light comes from above,'" translated -Morrison, without hesitation. -</p> - -<p> -A low wail beside them made all turn from the -bed whereon the body lay, and, to their dismay, -they beheld Ethel standing near, pale as death, -mute and rigid, her large dark eyes dilated with -blank horror and bewilderment, while surveying the -scene before her, as if she strove, but failed, to -realise or understand it. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII. -<br /><br /> -THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. -</h3> - -<p> -"Ah, Miss Basset; leave us—do leave us, for -Heaven's sake—this is no scene for you!" said -Heriot, half imperatively, half entreatingly. "Ashton, -I can ill spare you, but do lead her away. Tell her -all, if you choose, now. There is, I hope, no -further fear." -</p> - -<p> -Morley put his arms round Ethel, and lifted her -back into her cabin. -</p> - -<p> -Still she did not speak, though her pale lips and -inquiring eyes showed how eagerly she sought an -explanation of the terrible scene formed by the -busy group; but Morley was silent, for he knew not -how to begin, and contented himself by repeating, -as people usually do, that she must compose herself, -be calm, and so forth. -</p> - -<p> -"Compose myself for what?" she asked, -suddenly. "What has happened?—who is injured? -Not papa—not my papa, surely?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Ethel, your papa," replied Morley, retaining -her hands firmly in his own. -</p> - -<p> -She uttered a cry, and was breaking from him, -when he restrained her in his arms. -</p> - -<p> -"Pardon me, Ethel—dear Ethel, pardon me," he -continued to repeat; "your father has suffered much -maltreatment at the hands of those villains on deck; -but Dr. Heriot has nearly restored him—a little -time, and he shall tell you all about it himself." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh," she sobbed, and, overcome by emotion, -dropped her head on Morley's shoulder; "my -father—my loved papa!" -</p> - -<p> -And, as she spoke, how convulsively the white -bosom heaved. -</p> - -<p> -Impulsive, and wildly energetic, Rose Basset now -tried to escape from the cabin; but Morley placed -his back against the door, and strove to soothe and -to retain her. -</p> - -<p> -At first, it would appear that Ethel had not -recognised her father in that stripped man, whose face -was swollen, streaked with blood, and livid by recent -strangulation; and thus, unobserved, she had -overlooked the operations of Heriot for nearly a minute -in silent bewilderment and alarm. -</p> - -<p> -She was almost fainting again on learning that -this helpless patient was her father, but gathered -courage from the energy of Rose, who kept -incessantly repeating: -</p> - -<p> -"Let me out, Morley—let me go to papa! I -must—I shall get out! Mr. Ashton, will you dare -to keep me from papa, who is ill?" -</p> - -<p> -Then Ethel joined with her, and insisted so touchingly -and so vehemently, that Morley was compelled -to yield, and they rushed to the bedside of -Mr. Basset, just as Heriot and Tom Bartelot placed him -in a comfortable sitting posture, well bolstered up, -and covered with warm blankets, where he sat -breathing heavily; but with his eyes closed, and his -head reclining on the shoulder of the young doctor, -in whose face there shone a bright smile of joy and -triumph. -</p> - -<p> -"Papa, papa, speak to me!" cried Ethel, in a -piercing voice, as she thrust herself between Captain -Phillips and Tom Bartelot, knelt by the side of the -bed—which was nearly level with the cabin-floor—and -stroked his brow with a delicate and tremulous -hand, while caressingly she drew his head upon her -own breast; "you are not dying, papa—you cannot -be dying! oh, say so—speak to your own Ethel!" -</p> - -<p> -A slight quivering of the eyelids, and, if possible, -a heavier respiration, was his sole response. -</p> - -<p> -Again she spoke to him more imploringly, and -this time the head was raised for a moment, but -only to drop more heavily on her bosom. -</p> - -<p> -"Will he die?—will he die?—speak, Leslie!" -exclaimed Rose, while wringing her hands. -</p> - -<p> -"No, not if my skill, with God's blessing, can -save him, Rose. He is recovering rapidly." -</p> - -<p> -"But recovering from what?" asked Ethel, -shrilly; "what manner of ailment or maltreatment -is this?" -</p> - -<p> -"Himself will tell you all about it to-morrow; -to-day he must sleep—I say must, my dear Miss -Basset," said Heriot, in an impressive whisper. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, that by dying I could save my papa—my -own dear papa!" cried Rose, as she rocked herself -to and fro, her eyes streaming with tears the while. -</p> - -<p> -"Don't talk so, Rose," said Heriot, almost -angrily; "people can do more good by living than -by dying, so, if you are determined to stay here, let -us see what a dear little nurse you can make. There -is no assistant a medical man appreciates so much -as a capital nurse; so look alive, you little -fairy—end this bother, and squeeze that sponge." -</p> - -<p> -Heriot's cheerful and confident manner did more -to soothe and reassure Ethel and Rose than all the -friendly hopes expressed by the others—even by -Morley Ashton. Ethel patted him on the cheek -and kissed him, and bluff Captain Phillips too; -which made old Noah Gawthrop's eyes begin to -twinkle, and he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of -his jacket, and thrust his quid of pigtail into a -remote corner of his jaws, in the hope that his turn -would come in time. -</p> - -<p> -"There is a crisis in the life of everybody;" -Ethel Basset had passed that crisis, but it had been -one of woe and terror. She had passed, as it were, -through a tempest of emotions and alarms of -late—emotions that had separated her from her girlish -life, strengthened her mental powers, and developed -her faculties. So she sought to brace up her -energies for trials that might yet be to come—to be -a woman of action, rather than, like poor little -Rose, a girl of thoughts and tears. -</p> - -<p> -So now she bent all the energies of life and -affection to nursing her father, upon whom, as the -evening deepened, a heavy slumber stole; thus, -left by his side, alone—Rose had fallen asleep, -exhausted—she sat and watched, heedless of her -friends, who were occupied elsewhere, and heedless -whether the ship was becalmed, or rushing before a -gale of wind. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel remembered the death of her mother, and -the dull stunning sense of a mighty and unwonted -calamity and loss—the yawning of a chasm that -never more would close; the hushing of a familiar -voice that would never more be heard; the passing -away of a beloved face, that would never more be -seen; and she remembered the calm aspect of the -corpse disposed in its coffin, lined with white satin, -laid on her own bed, with white curtains, draped -up—the same bed in which all her children had been -born, around which they had all hovered for weeks -in the close atmosphere of a sick room, hushed into -silence and on tiptoe, and about which they had -all knelt with bowed heads, as the spirit that had -lingered for hours between eternity and time fled at -last on its mysterious and unknown journey; and -Ethel felt that then she could pray. -</p> - -<p> -Now she knelt by her father's side, in that little -and confined cabin, where no sound reached her but -his deep breathing, and the jarring of the night-lamp -that swung from the beam above, and swayed -to and fro as the ship rolled, casting weird gleams -alike on the pale face of the watcher, and the -discoloured features of the sleeper; but she, more -stunned and more bewildered than ever, had neither -words nor language, nor, at times, coherent thought -in her soul, yet that soul was full of a dumb, -despairing entreaty of Heaven, but in what form she -neither knew nor felt, and scarcely did the chaos of -her mind enable her to know what she would ask. -</p> - -<p> -Rose was not with her now, we have said. -</p> - -<p> -Poor child, her grief was noisy, and full of tears, -so she had long since cried herself to sleep beside -old Nance Folgate. -</p> - -<p> -"Is not all this some phantasmagoria, or am I -turning mad?" thought Ethel. "Why am I so far -away from Laurel Lodge—far away upon this world -of waters, and enduring all these miseries? Ah, my -God! if all these should be but the dreams of -insanity?" -</p> - -<p> -She feared this all the more that, by some -idiosyncrasy of the human mind, amid the horror of her -great grief, she was haunted, almost tormented, by -a frivolous song and air she used to sing at home. -</p> - -<p> -Why was this, and how was this? The number -of brass rings on the curtain rods, the gyrations of -the flies, that buzzed about the night-lamp and -clustered on the beams overhead, the knots in the -wainscot, that seemed, especially when in shadow, -to become quaint and freakish faces, all mingled -with the memory of this song, which struggled for -mastery with the prayers she sought to say, and -with the awful idea that her father was dying, and -that he and she were alone together in that fatal -ship upon the midnight sea. -</p> - -<p> -Anon, the singular and most unwonted silence -that reigned around her, the absence of all sounds -in the cabin, roused her at last to external objects. -</p> - -<p> -She looked out of the little state-room in which -her father lay; the cabin was empty; Morley, -Bartelot, Captain Phillips, and all were gone! -</p> - -<p> -She looked at her watch; the time was a quarter -to twelve. Midnight was at hand. -</p> - -<p> -New and vague terrors seized her; she ran to her -own cabin, and found Rose still asleep beside their -old nurse. -</p> - -<p> -"Morley!" cried Ethel, in great alarm; "Morley! where -are you?" -</p> - -<p> -But the cabin was dark; she received no answer, -and heard no sound but the regulated clatter of the -rudder in its case, and the wind whistling drearily -through the mizzentop. -</p> - -<p> -Ere this a great change had taken place on board -the <i>Hermione</i>; but the relation of what had occurred -deserves a chapter to itself. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX. -<br /><br /> -THE QUARTER-BOAT AND ITS FREIGHT. -</h3> - -<p> -The silence below was caused simply by the -circumstance—a somewhat unusual one now—of all her -friends being <i>on deck</i>. -</p> - -<p> -They had recovered complete possession of the -half-dismantled ship. -</p> - -<p> -So busy had they all been about the restoration -of Mr. Basset, that they heard nothing of the ribald -songs, the wild uproar, and systematic noise of the -crew, who were all clustered forward about the -forecastle and windlass-bitts—a coarse and brutish -hilarity induced by the contents of the brandy jar. -Of this they had all freely partaken; none more so, -perhaps, than Pedro Barradas, to deaden or drown -the sense of agony he endured in his wounded arm, -which was now bringing on a species of remorse for -the past, and that emotion he sedulously sought to -lull or stifle too. -</p> - -<p> -An unnatural stillness succeeding the uproar which -had reigned so long on deck, attracted, however, the -attention of Captain Phillips and Tom Bartelot; -and, as Mr. Basset had now been consigned to the -care of Ethel, they began to confer with the rest -about the probable results of the jar of drugged -brandy. -</p> - -<p> -"The scoundrels, I believe, are all asleep, or dead -drunk," suggested Dr. Heriot; "I was not particular -to a scruple about the morphia and belladonna -I poured in." -</p> - -<p> -"Then now is our time to retake the ship, and -send every one of them to leeward," said Captain -Phillips, starting up from the cabin-locker. "Look -to your pistols, my good friends, and follow me." -</p> - -<p> -The barricades were removed from the cabin-door, -and those who had been so long imprisoned below -crept up the companion-stairs, and peeped out in -succession. -</p> - -<p> -Overhead "the blue, wide shell of the sky," as -Ossian names it, was clear and starry, and the -waning moon, cold, pale, and white, shone over -the calm, still ocean from the horizon, casting the -weird shadow of the ship far to the westward, over -the silvered sea. -</p> - -<p> -The <i>Hermione</i> was almost becalmed, and most -fortunately for the safety of all. Her fore and -main courses, with a single neglected reef in each, -hung motionless, like two great tablecloths on a -clothes-line. Unhoisted, the jib and fore-staysail, -"lay in a blessed ruck," as Noah phrased it, each at -the foot of the stays. The driver was brailed up, -and its gaff and boom swayed idly to and fro. The -deck was encumbered by spars, yards, bundles of -sails, half-coiled ropes, and much of the debris -that had come down from aloft when the ship -broached to on the night of the mutiny, together -with casks, boxes, sacks, empty bottles, and other -things which had been brought out of the hold, one -of the hatches of which was still open; and thus -the disordered ship was floating like a log upon the -water, at the mercy of any sudden squall or gale, -her abandoned wheel, revolving some four or five -spokes from port to starboard ever and anon, with -an impatient jerk as the rudder grated from side to -side on its iron pintles, though it had been "made -fast," in a very loose fashion, by the steersman. -</p> - -<p> -Near it lay that official, a seaman named William -Cribbet, asleep, in a stupor apparently, so Noah -pulled a few fathoms of stout yarn from his pocket, -sprang upon him with an exclamation which was -not quite a benediction, turned him on his face, and -in a trice lashed his hands hard and fast behind his -back. -</p> - -<p> -Proceeding forward, they found fifteen or sixteen -of the crew lying about the break of the forecastle, -under the long-boat, or near the windlass-bitts, some -on pieces of sail, and others on the bare deck; but -all asleep, or snorting in a state of idiotic -intoxication. Broken in pieces, and scattered about were -fragments of the brandy-jar, the contents of which -brought all this to pass. -</p> - -<p> -Each man in succession they tied securely, though -one or two attempted to resist, even when the cold -muzzle of a cocked pistol was pressed against their -ears; and others began to threaten and revile their -captors, as the operation of binding roused, and -partially sobered them. At last every man was -bound and at their mercy. -</p> - -<p> -"What are we to do with them now, Captain -Phillips?" asked Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Short-handed as we are, we can never work the -ship, even dismantled as she is, and watch and cook -for all these villains, too," said Mr. Foster; "and -as for trusting 'em again——" -</p> - -<p> -"Trust them again—cook for them indeed!" -exclaimed Captain Phillips; "cook for a gang of -pirates and murderers—feed up what ought to be -hung! It is a mercy from Heaven that no breeze -or gale came on ere this, for we must have foundered -then, and all gone to the bottom together. No, -Mr. Foster; I shall neither keep them nor feed -them, but overboard they shall go, every man and -mother's son!" -</p> - -<p> -"Drown them, do you mean?" asked Tom -Bartelot, with anxious surprise. -</p> - -<p> -"No, for that might cause an unpleasant -imputation on us all." -</p> - -<p> -"What then?" -</p> - -<p> -"I mean simply to maroon the whole gang. They -shall have a chance for their worthless lives; but -not aboard my ship." -</p> - -<p> -"On an island—there should be several hereabout, -that is, if we are near Madagascar," observed -Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -"No, I shall not wait for the chance of sighting -land, but will sacrifice my good quarter-boat, and -with it get rid of them all. Noah Gawthrop, jump -into the quarter-boat and clear the fall tackle. -Mr. Morrison and Mr. Ashton, please to cast -off—stand by to lower away and bring her alongside." -</p> - -<p> -"Under the mizzen-chains?" asked Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, round here to the port-side." -</p> - -<p> -This order was promptly obeyed, for anything -like freedom became a luxury now. Quickly the -double-sheaved blocks revolved as the davits swung -round and tackles fell; then the boat was speedily -made fast by Noah to the side-chains by the bow-rope. -</p> - -<p> -"Mr. Foster," said Captain Phillips, "get up a -gang-cask of fresh water, and also a few dozen of -biscuit from the cabin-locker. More food or mercy -these piratical wretches shall not have from me; -and now let us all bear a hand, for I feel that -coolness in the air which always precedes a breeze; so -we have no time to lose. Search and disarm every -man; then chuck them into the boat, and cut it -adrift." -</p> - -<p> -The first who was collared and dragged over the -side was he whom Heriot had so peppered with the -fowling-piece, that, as Noah said, "his face looked -like plum-duff, with currants, on a Christmas-day." -</p> - -<p> -A sheath-knife was taken from his belt; he was -then half-lifted, half-flung into the boat, where he -lay across the thwarts, kicking and blaspheming, -but unable either to resist or pick himself up. -</p> - -<p> -"Who comes next?" asked the captain. -</p> - -<p> -"Cribbet, who was steering." -</p> - -<p> -"Cribbet, who was sleeping rather. Over with -him. Who is the next?' -</p> - -<p> -"Badger, the Yankee," replied Foster. -</p> - -<p> -"Give me his pistols," said Phillips, who, with -his new purpose, had resumed his tone of authority. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, airthquakes and sherry-cobbler! wot air -yew up to?" he stammered out. "I say, shipmates—hallo! -Vast heaving, yew bloated Britishers!" -</p> - -<p> -"Heave with a will! In with him—over with him!" -</p> - -<p> -And in a trice this long-legged son of Columbia -was sprawling over the thwarts below. -</p> - -<p> -The idea of cropping Badger's ears actually -occurred to Heriot; but he dismissed it as too -barbarous and unworthy, even while remembering all -the man's rascality. -</p> - -<p> -"What son of Old Scratch is this?" asked -Morrison, dragging one from under the -gallows-bitts, abaft the foremast. -</p> - -<p> -"Sharkey, with Mr. Basset's revolver in his belt." -</p> - -<p> -"The ugly villain!" -</p> - -<p> -"The murderer of my friend Manfredi, captain," -said Heriot, with mingled sadness and loathing. -</p> - -<p> -"An out-and-out ticket-o'-leaver," added Noah, -squirting his quid into Sharkey's eye, as he was cast -into the boat with a lurch that nearly overset it; -"we should lynch him at the yard-arm, captain, -that we should." -</p> - -<p> -"Quaco, the cook, next. Heave ahead, darkey," -said Foster. -</p> - -<p> -"Yaas, yaas, Master Foster!" grinned the negro, -who was helplessly intoxicated, and but partially -awake. -</p> - -<p> -"Black in heart, and black in face." -</p> - -<p> -"Bolter! Come along, you traitorous scoundrel!" -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Benjamin Bolter, who was more sober than -the rest, kicked vigorously, and nearly fell into the -sea, in which case he must have sunk like a stone, -as his arms were tied, and neither friends nor foes -could have saved him; but such were the comments -made by the recaptors of the ship, as the mutineers -were flung over the side into the boat, like so many -sacks of wool or flour. -</p> - -<p> -Zuares, who seemed in a perfect stupor, came last. -There were taken from them the revolver, of which -Mr. Basset had been deprived, with his watch and -rings, six old brass-barrelled pistols, and about a -dozen sheath-knives. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro Barradas—where is Pedro?" asked Captain -Phillips, suddenly; "every rascal is in the boat -but he." -</p> - -<p> -"He is not on deck, sir," said Mr. Foster. -</p> - -<p> -"Can he have been killed—or has he jumped overboard?" -</p> - -<p> -"Not likely the last—he is too cowardly to die if -he can help it." -</p> - -<p> -"Search the bunks forward—lose no time." -</p> - -<p> -"Aye, aye, sir." -</p> - -<p> -There Pedro was found and dragged forth. He -offered no resistance, but moaned heavily, and hung -lifeless in their hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Hoist the carrion up, and over with him," said -Captain Phillips, who, though naturally one of the -kindest and jolliest of men, seemed, for the time, to -be hardened and pitiless, as he said, "all mercy had -been quite squeezed out of him." -</p> - -<p> -"Stop, if you please," said Heriot, who looked -earnestly at Pedro's eyes, and felt his pulse; "we -must not be quite so merciless to them as they -would have been to us." -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean, doctor?" asked Phillips, -impatiently. -</p> - -<p> -"This man is dying," replied Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"Dying!" repeated all, drawing near. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes—look here," said Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -And certainly Pedro's face, when viewed by the -cold, clear light of the waning moon, presented a -most striking and appalling aspect. His features -were regular, even handsome; his black eyes, that -nearly met over the long and well-cut nose, seemed -darker now; his tawny hue was gone, and a death-like -tint, as of white marble, had replaced it, forming -a singular contrast to the intense blackness of his -beard, moustache, and curly hair; his lower jaw had -fallen, his eyes were almost closed, his respirations -were heavy and uncertain, his pulse was low and -sinking, and he drooped helplessly in the arms of -Foster and Morrison, who had dragged him to the -port gangway. -</p> - -<p> -"Are you sure of what you say, doctor?" asked -Captain Phillips, earnestly. -</p> - -<p> -"Quite, sir; ah! these terrible signs are not to -be mistaken." -</p> - -<p> -"Then, how long do you think he may live?" -</p> - -<p> -"Till midday to-morrow—certainly not until midnight." -</p> - -<p> -"In that case," said Captain Phillips, turning to -the others, after a pause, during which much -reviling and growling were heard alongside, "we -must temper justice with mercy. Our own safety -requires that we must rid ourselves of those rascals; -but this one, although the worst and leader of them -all, may remain on board, and die at his leisure. -Stow him away in the bunks, Foster; and, doctor, -give him a touch of your skill." -</p> - -<p> -"If he lives?" -</p> - -<p> -"He shall be hanged at Port Louis, and, if -he dies, why then he becomes what he would -have made each one of us—food for Jack -Shark." -</p> - -<p> -Morrison and Foster carried Pedro back into the -forecastle, and deposited him in one of the most -comfortable bunks—one of those farthest from the -cutwater and heel of the bowsprit, and there, soon -after, Heriot came to attend him. -</p> - -<p> -"Now in with the gang-cask and the biscuits," -said Captain Phillips; "look alive about it, Foster. -I feel a puff of wind, so we must soon attend to the -ship; throw them in a couple of oars, they can -unlash one another when sober, and pull whichever -way they please. Now, cut off the painter, Noah, -and set the mutinous spawn adrift." -</p> - -<p> -Promptly as the captain could have wished Noah -cast-off the painter; but the boat still clung close -to the mizzen-chains, and jarred—on the principle of -attraction—against the vessel's side. -</p> - -<p> -"Take a boot-hook, Noah, and shove her clear -off the counter," said Morrison, looking over the -side. "By the way the rudder hangs, there is a -strong current running here, and that will soon -drift her clear of the ship." -</p> - -<p> -The boat, with its as yet helpless load of -ruffianism, was soon shoved astern of the <i>Hermione</i>, -and, as Morrison foretold, it rapidly drifted -away on the starboard quarter. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, imagine what those fellows may—nay, -must—endure, when they all become sober after so many -days and nights of almost ceaseless intoxication!" -said Heriot, looking after the boat with very little -commiseration in his eye or voice, as it rose and fell -on the long glassy rollers that glittered in the full -sheen of the waning moon, whose disc was dipping -now at the horizon, and sending from thence a path -of dazzling light across the ocean. "Sea and sky -will be round them," continued the doctor. "As -the ballad says: -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - 'Water, water everywhere,<br /> - Yet not a drop to drink!'"<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Aye, yer honour; the contents o' that 'ere -gang-cask won't last 'em long," said Noah with a grin. -</p> - -<p> -"The poor wretches will go mad!" said Morley, -who thought of his own sufferings on the wreck. -</p> - -<p> -"Mad?" repeated Noah. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; and drink each other's blood, perhaps. I -have read of such things." -</p> - -<p> -"And I've heard of such things, many times, in -forecastle yarns; but as for men positively eating -one another——" -</p> - -<p> -"They may do so, and welcome, Noah," interrupted -Captain Phillips, who was surveying, with -increasing wrath, the disordered and dilapidated -state of his once beautiful ship, the pride of his -owners, and the pet of his heart. -</p> - -<p> -Already half-sobered, or becoming aware of their -situation, some of the crew began to shout and hail -the ship, particularly Badger. -</p> - -<p> -"Lookey har, capting! Halloo, yew Britishers!" -he cried, again and again; but the hail became -fainter as the boat drifted steadily away, first out of -the fading line of moonlight, and then on the face -of the sea, which darkened as the moon went down, -and the stars shone sharp and clear. -</p> - -<p> -"A breeze is coming fast," said Captain Phillips, -cheerfully, as he took the wheel. "Now, -gentlemen, our only real foremast-man is Noah, so we -must all become A.B.'s, and work together, and with -a will! Dr. Heriot and Mr. Ashton, set those -head-sails; up with the jib and staysail; haul taut and -belay. That will do. Now set the driver; haul -out and sheet home; ease off those starboard tacks; -coil up and belay everything that is loose or adrift -on deck. We have hard work before us, and our -lives yet depend upon how we perform it." -</p> - -<p> -"Give me the wheel, Captain Phillips," said Tom -Bartelot. "You have your whole ship to look -after." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank you, Captain Bartelot." -</p> - -<p> -"Our course——" began the latter. -</p> - -<p> -"Matters little to-night, or for the remainder of -the morning; only, not knowing our whereabouts, -we must keep a bright look-out. To-morrow's -observations will let us know all." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, we're in latitudes now where Admiral -Fitzroy's storm-drums, cones, barometers, -jigamarees, and all them sort o' things ain't no use," -said Noah; "it's Heaven's own blessed stars does -the business o' nights—here we read 'em as if they -were a pictur' book." -</p> - -<p> -The wind came puff after puff, till the breeze -grew fine and steady. The fore and main courses -soon filled and swelled out; the leach of each sail -formed a complete arc, and the once slack sheets -became taut, while the reef-points pattered as the -ship rose and fell on the rolling sea. -</p> - -<p> -Once again the <i>Hermione</i> walked through the -waters, while the first rays of the coming sun began -to play along the edge of the horizon, and on the -clouds above, in tints of gold and crimson; and far -astern she left the drifting quarter-boat, with its -freight of yelling and raving wretches, to their fate, -perhaps their death, upon the sea. -</p> - -<p> -By mid-day it could not be discerned, even with -the aid of the most powerful glass on board. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X. -<br /><br /> -PEDRO'S WOUND. -</h3> - -<p> -All the few who could work on board the <i>Hermione</i>—seven -in number—to wit, Captain Phillips, and -his second mate, Mr. Foster, Morley Ashton, Tom -Bartelot, and his mate, Morrison, Doctor Heriot, -and Noah Gawthrop, now became foremast-men, -and had to work hard in putting the long-neglected -ship in some order. Thus, they became riggers, -painters, ship-carpenters, and everything else in -turn. -</p> - -<p> -Morley and the doctor were invaluable in the use -of the hammer and saw, and in plaiting sinnet of -rope or spunyarn, and in assisting to get better jury -spars rigged, spare sails bent, and new chafing -clapped on back and forestays, or wherever necessary. -</p> - -<p> -The pumps were first attended to, and all the -debris flung into the cabin by the mutineers was -cleared out, the shot replaced round the coamings -of the hatchway, the hatchway itself reclosed, and -battened down; the buckets were hung again at the -break of the quarter-deck, ropes were coiled over -the belaying-pins, spare spars were lashed alongside, -and everything was tidied fore and aft, and made as -shipshape as the small number of workers and their -circumstances would permit; even the scuttle-butt -was lashed again to its ring-bolts on deck, and the -captain's spyglass and gutta-percha trumpet placed -on their brass cleats in the companion-way. -</p> - -<p> -All the rubbish accumulated during the disorderly -reign of the mutineers was thrown overboard; the -head-pump was rigged, and the deck, after being -deluged with water, was cleanly swabbed up. All -this unwonted work caused an unusual quantity of -pale ale to be consumed, together with more than -one case of Mr. Basset's still Cliquot and sparging -Moselle, which had escaped the investigations of -Pedro and his compatriots. -</p> - -<p> -Noah was installed as cook, and Heriot had to -take his "trick" at the wheel with the rest—in fact, -no one could be excused anything. All worked -with hearty good-will, and not without anxiety, -knowing that if a gale blew, or a sudden squall -came on, they would have to reduce the sails in -succession, and not at once, as the emergency of the -occasion might require. -</p> - -<p> -By mid-day Rose Basset, with a shawl pinned -over her braided hair, and old Nance Folgate, in a -straw bonnet of wonderful fashion and size, sat -smiling and wondering at all this, under the awning -on the quarter-deck. -</p> - -<p> -Even Ethel, pale, anxious, and tremulous, -ventured to leave the bedside of her father, who was -progressing favourably, and once more inhaled, for -a few minutes, the sea-breeze. She found it -delightful after the close atmosphere of the cabin for -so many days; but she was rather startled to see -Morley out on the arm of the mainyard, astride -above the deep, with his shirt-sleeves rolled up, and -a hank of spun-yarn between his teeth, as he was -busy, in a most workmanlike way, about the -weather-earing of the mainsail. After a time, -however, she ceased to feel either wonder or alarm at -Morley's feats of seamanship. -</p> - -<p> -Again the life of the vessel, though so slenderly -manned, seemed to be resumed; once more the -log-line was hove from time to time; daily the meridian -was taken, half-hourly the bell was clanged, and the -log-book was kept regularly. If less than -half-handed, the large ship was now considerably -under-rigged; yet the duty of watch and watch by night -and day became pretty severe. -</p> - -<p> -All the weapons in the cabin, together with those -taken from the marooned crew, were cleaned by -Noah, and put in order, with ammunition made up -for them, as the savages along the seaboard of the -coast of Madagascar were not to be trifled with by -the crew of a half-manned ship; and the warning -the officer of the corvette gave, concerning the three -piratical boats, was remembered with some anxiety -from time to time as an alarming and dangerous -contingency. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Foster entered in the log a full narrative of -all the late events, for the information of the owners, -and of the civil authorities of the first British -port—Port Louis all devoutly hoped it would be—at -which they might arrive. -</p> - -<p> -He inserted a list of the crew who were set adrift, -with all the cogent reasons therefor, and these -statements were duly attested by the signatures of -all on board. Thereto even Rose's pretty hand -appended her signature, and Nance Folgate added -"her X mark." -</p> - -<p> -In addition to his new duties as seaman, Leslie -Heriot had his two patients, and often Ethel, to -attend upon, as her health had suffered considerably -by the successive terrors her mind had undergone -of late. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset progressed, as we have said, favourably; -but so slowly that it was impossible to say -when he might be able to leave his bed, so terrible -was the shock his system had sustained; but Pedro -Barradas lived longer than the doctor had foretold, -and more than once had cooling drinks and possets -given him from Ethel's own hands. Such men as -Pedro take a long time to die, and Ethel, gentle and -forgiving, had no fear of him now. -</p> - -<p> -Dr. Heriot, on the night the ship was recaptured, -moved alike by that compassion in which his noble -profession is seldom deficient, and by the poor -wretch's repeated entreaties that he would dress his -wound—<i>por amor del Madre de Dios! por amor del -Maria Santissima!</i>—examined him carefully, and -found it necessary to amputate his right arm above -the elbow. -</p> - -<p> -With great <i>sang froid</i>, Noah, who received the -limb, carried it on deck, and tossed it overboard to -leeward. -</p> - -<p> -Heriot then gave Pedro a soothing draught, to -procure him sleep, and at length he slept, but with -the seal of death upon his features, for mortification -had set in. When awake, he endured an excess of -remorse, and fear of his approaching end, which -nearly drove him mad. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>A padre—a padre, por amor del Santo de los -Santos!</i>" was his constant and piercing cry, that, -according to the religion which he had professed in -youth, he might not die unconfessed and unabsolved; -and his cries of despair at times reached the ears of -Mr. Basset, in the after portion of the ship. -</p> - -<p> -Ere this, an observation had been taken by both -Captain Phillips and Tom Bartelot, who was an -equally good navigator; and, on comparing their -notes and working, they found that Pedro had -steered so well by the stars at night in the course he -had intended to pursue, that the ship was far up -the Mozambique Channel, and was then about south -latitude 21.8 deg., which made all those who knew -anything of the locality deem it almost miraculous -that the vessel, which had been so ill watched, had -not been cast away in the night on the Europa Rocks, -or some other of those treacherous reefs and little -islands that stud all the channel, but more especially -along the western coast of Madagascar—the Great -Britain of Africa, as it has been named. -</p> - -<p> -To put the ship about, and to beat to windward, -against the south-west monsoon, for nearly 400 -miles, until he could double Cape St. Mary, the -most southern point of that long island, and then -haul up for St. Louis, in the Mauritius, was the -plan at once decided upon by Captain Phillips; and -the evening of the second day saw the crippled -<i>Hermione</i>, running close-hauled, under all the -fore-and-aft canvas he could set upon her, making a long -tack towards the coast of Africa, while a tropical -sun, that crimsoned sea and sky, sunk amidst clouds -of flame in the north-western corner of the horizon. -</p> - -<p> -In one of these long tacks, they saw the Europa -Rocks, which looked like a long, low island, with -clouds of sea-birds wheeling over it in mid-air, like -gnats against the amber-tinted morning sky; but, -happily, as yet, they saw nothing of the three red -proas, which they heard the officer of the <i>Clyde</i> -mention, in conjunction with these rocky islets -which lie in the centre of the channel. -</p> - -<p> -Noah, when cleaning out the forecastle bunks—in -more than one of which were traces of blood—found -some withered daisies. These he brought to -Heriot, who gave them, with some complimentary -remark, to Ethel, and an exclamation of surprise -escaped him when he saw her kiss them, and, while -her eyes filled with tears, place them tenderly between -the leaves of her Bible; for they were those gathered -by her on that dear grave in Acton churchyard, and -torn from her breast on that night of terror by the -fierce hand of Pedro Barradas—that man, so long a -source of terror and aversion, now helpless and -gentle as a child in their hands. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI. -<br /><br /> -REMORSE. -</h3> - -<p> -On the morning after the ship was recaptured, while -the <i>Hermione</i> was "going free," and running -steadily with her staysails set, Morley and Bartelot -visited the dying wretch in the forecastle bunks for -a few minutes. His aspect was very striking. -</p> - -<p> -His sharp features were very pale; the rich olive -tint they usually wore had fled, and a tawny green -replaced it; his lips were black, and, being parted, -showed the strong white teeth, clenched firmly by -an agony that was mental rather than bodily; his -eyes were closed, and his thick black hair was -knotted in elf-like knots about his forehead. -Under the squalid blankets the Mexican desperado -was breathing low and heavily. -</p> - -<p> -Hearing them descend through the forescuttle, he -opened his eyes, and gave them a long and sullen -stare, expressive only of indifference, for he felt -that all ties and cares on earth were broken with -him now, for Heriot had not attempted to deceive, -but had told him that the hour of his departure was -approaching, that mortification had set in, that he -could not survive long. -</p> - -<p> -Morley lifted to the sufferer's lips the drinking -cup of weak wine-and-water, the only drink they -could procure him on board. Pedro moistened his -hard-baked mouth, and muttered something expressive -of gratitude. He was very weak and quite -gentle now. -</p> - -<p> -"How strangely things come to pass in this world," -said Tom Bartelot, in a low voice. "So this is a son -of the old hermit we buried in that lonely islet of -the South Sea." -</p> - -<p> -"Strange, indeed. We should speak to him about -that while he can understand us." -</p> - -<p> -"Barradas," said Bartelot, "your name is Pedro -Barradas, I believe?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," replied Pedro, opening his large, black, -bloodshot eyes, and surveying the speaker inquiringly -and with a sad earnestness. -</p> - -<p> -"A Mexican Spaniard?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, senores; or Spanish Mexican, which you -please," said he, sighing wearily. -</p> - -<p> -"From Orizaba, in La Vera Cruz—Orizaba, near -the Rio Blanco?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," replied Pedro, while something of native -suspicion crept suddenly over his pale face. -</p> - -<p> -"And your mother?" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, my mother!" he exclaimed in an indescribable -voice, "what of her?" -</p> - -<p> -"She was named Mariquita Escudero, a woman -of the Puebla de Perote?" said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -A convulsive spasm passed over the features of -Pedro, and with an effort he replied, in a low voice: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mia madre ha muerto</i>" (My mother is dead). -</p> - -<p> -"We know that she died in the Barranca Secca." -</p> - -<p> -"And who are you who know all this?" asked -Pedro, rallying his energies; "or how came you to -know it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Through him whom you killed," replied Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Cramply Hawkshaw?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -A gleam of malevolence flashed from Pedro's black -eyes; but remembering, perhaps, the cold hand that -was already on the pulses of his heart, he groaned, -muttered, and crossed himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Your father——" -</p> - -<p> -"Demonio! senores, speak not of my father." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Pedro?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I never knew him; but my mother, my -poor mother, who loved her boys so well, so tenderly," -he faltered, in a broken voice, while writhing -in his bed. -</p> - -<p> -"From Hawkshaw I learned the terrible story of -your mother's fate and the crime of your brother -Zuares, in the Barranca Secca," said Morley, who -looked with deep interest on the strange workings -of the mind exhibited by the expressive visage of -the dying ruffian, whose sole human weakness -seemed to be a strong love for the memory of his -mother. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Mia madre! mia madre!</i>" said the once strong -man, in a voice that became touching, while tears -welled up into his eyes, long, long unused to such a -moisture. "Oh, senores, bad, vile, cruel, wicked as -you deem me, at this terrible hour, when well-nigh -under weigh for—for—<i>where?</i>—it may be hell!—when -I think of <i>her</i>—of the only human being who -ever loved me—my heart swells with the old pang -that was so keen, so very keen at first, on that awful -evening in the Barranca Secca, and my memory goes -back to the happier years beyond. I feel myself -again a little boy and seem to hear her gentle voice -calling me—Pedrillo—<i>el muchacho Pedrillo</i>—the -same little boy who served at the altar of San Jago, -who waked up in the winter nights and wept for his -mother, and thought her dear, dear face the fondest, -the sweetest, and the fairest under heaven—yes, -fairer and kinder even than that of the blessed -Madonna which hung in San Jago de Chili. <i>Mia -madre ha muerto!</i>" he repeated, some four or five -times, with incoherent fondness. -</p> - -<p> -"And your father?" resumed Bartelot, after a -pause, for they could not but respect this grief. -</p> - -<p> -"I tell you, senores, I never knew my father," -said Pedro, almost with a frown. -</p> - -<p> -"Why?" -</p> - -<p> -"He was Don Pedro Zuares de Barradas, a Spanish -cavalier of high family, possessing great estates on -the table land of Anahuac, and who was captain of -the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, for the Government -of the Free United States of South America. He is -said to have perished at sea, by falling overboard in -a gale when being conveyed to Spain to be tried and -executed as a traitor to the king." -</p> - -<p> -"All that we know; but he did not perish as you -suppose," said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"How, senor, how then?" asked Pedro, looking -up with surprise. -</p> - -<p> -"He escaped drowning and became a hermit on -an island near Tristan d'Acunha." -</p> - -<p> -"My father—a hermit!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"And this is truth?" -</p> - -<p> -"Truth as we live and now address you," said -Bartelot; "what could we gain by any fabrication?" -</p> - -<p> -"And—and he died——" -</p> - -<p> -"After a long life of devotion and repentance." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh that his life and death may atone for mine -and for Zuares! But how know you all this, -senores?" -</p> - -<p> -"By a strange chance—a singular coincidence—Pedro -Barradas," said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"Bad as I am, fallen though I be, you would not, -I am assured, trifle with the agonies of a dying -wretch," said Pedro, in a low, moaning voice. -</p> - -<p> -"No," replied Tom Bartelot, gravely; "neither -of us are capable of doing so." -</p> - -<p> -"But tell me how you came by the knowledge of -these things?' -</p> - -<p> -"Landing on that solitary isle by chance, we -found an old recluse at the point of death, and -discovered his name by means of a written confession -which he left behind him." -</p> - -<p> -"And—and this confession, senores," said Pedro, -raising himself on his elbow, and looking at Morley -and Bartelot alternately, as if he would read their -very souls; "this confession—where is it?" -</p> - -<p> -"It was written on the blank leaves of a Spanish -missal, and was lost when my ship foundered at sea. -By that confession, however, we learned his name -and history, and also that he was a knight of the -Military Order of Santiago de Compostella," added -Tom Bartelot, as Morley drew from his pocket-book -the red enamelled cross of that famous old Spanish -confraternity, and gave it to Pedro, who pressed it -to his lips again and again with his only remaining -hand. -</p> - -<p> -"I feel now, senores, that you speak truth," said, -he, while the tears that flowed down his cheek -relieved his emotion, and cleared his utterance. -"When I am dead, senores, you will bury this cross -with me. And he died in your hands?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; and we buried him near his hut, setting -up a little wooden cross to mark his grave." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Ave Madre de Dios!</i> no cross will ever mark -mine; no prayer, or blessing, can accompany the -departure of me!" groaned Pedro, in a low voice, -as if communing with himself. -</p> - -<p> -"From that written confession, taken in connection -with the revelations of Hawkshaw" (at this -name something of the old devilish gleam passed -over Pedro's features) "we recognised both you and -your brother; and we learned that your mother, -Mariquita Escudero, had marked each of you, in -infancy, with a cross on the left shoulder." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, senor—dyed, tattooed redly on the skin, -with the juice of a plant that grows on the warm -slopes of the volcano at Orizaba. See," added -Pedro, as he drew back his blue shirt, and displayed -his brawny shoulder, on which there was distinctly -traced a cross like that of St. James. "Our poor -mother punctured that mark on each of her little -boys, in the hope that Santiago would take us under -his protection; but, alas! from infancy we were -the peculiar care of the infernal spirit." -</p> - -<p> -With all the impulsiveness of his race, Pedro -behaved at times in a very frantic manner, and -these paroxysms induced a subsequent weakness -and lethargy, that seemed the precursor of -dissolution; but he was a man of a powerful frame, and -the instinct of life was strong within him. He -expressed great satisfaction, almost joy, to learn that -Mr. Basset had survived the outrage contemplated -by him and the mutineers; and thus, that, thanks -to Dr. Heriot's skill, he had one sin less to atone for. -</p> - -<p> -Then he entreated that Ethel would come, that -he might implore her pardon. This the poor -creature sought in terms so touching that Ethel was -deeply moved, and ventured to speak with him in -terms of consolation. -</p> - -<p> -But there was ever the same reply from Pedro—there -was no priest on board, and he was beyond -being consoled. So Ethel proved his only soother, -and read to him at times from the Bible—her -mother's Bible—the same that had fallen from her -unconscious hand on the night when Pedro so -daringly carried her off; and a striking little group -they formed—the black-haired and black-bearded -Spanish ruffian, his tawny visage, already pale and -pinched by the touch of death, pressing to his lips -the red cross of Santiago again and again, while -striving to follow her words and understand them, -as they fell softly and distinctly from the lips of -that fair-skinned and delicate English girl, who sat -by the side of his bed, in the squalid and noisome -forecastle, with the half dim daylight struggling -through the square scuttle above, and, perhaps, -Morley, with his loving smile, or Tom Bartelot, with -his sun-burned face, listening near. -</p> - -<p> -Sometimes, in Pedro's paroxysms, his voice rose -almost to a shriek. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! senora," he would exclaim to poor shrinking -Ethel, "pray for me—pray for me. You are -good—you are kind—you are pure—while I—I—what -am I? Heaven will hear you when Heaven -will not hear me!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, do not speak thus," implored Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"I must, senora—I dare not pray for myself. To -me the ear of God will be deaf, or turn from me." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh! Pedro, why?" -</p> - -<p> -"I have been so wicked, so bad! I have -committed many sins, and <i>one most awful deed</i>, for -which I cannot hope for pardon from Him whom I -outraged, and whose altar I desecrated—never, oh -never!" -</p> - -<p> -His voice died away in low moans; but Pedro -seemed no longer the same piratical ruffian, for, -when speaking, his voice, manner, and diction were -all changed and improved. -</p> - -<p> -This scene, with his mental suffering and terror -of death, proved all too much for Ethel's nervous -system, and Morley wished to remove her; but -Pedro implored her to remain with him yet a little -while, and even caught her skirt as she rose to -withdraw. -</p> - -<p> -"Great though your sins may be, my poor man, -be assured that the mercy of God is greater still," -said Ethel, weeping. "Like the sea we traverse, it -is boundless." -</p> - -<p> -"But so may be God's vengeance, and I have -shed blood—the blood of many," he replied in a -low, concentrated voice, through his clenched -teeth. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel grew very, very pale on hearing this, and -drew back again, lest he might clutch her dress -once more. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, even those whose blood you shed may be -praying for you, if—if——" -</p> - -<p> -"What—what?" asked Pedro, huskily. -</p> - -<p> -"If you sincerely repent." -</p> - -<p> -"I do repent—I do repent, and sincerely too," he -said, impetuously; "but without a priest to absolve -me—to give me the last sacraments of that church -in whose belief my mother reared me—what matters -my repentance?" -</p> - -<p> -Then he howled and gnashed his strong white -teeth, while tearing his black glossy hair with his -only remaining hand. -</p> - -<p> -"Let hope for the future find a place in your -heart, Pedro, and grow there with repentance for the -past," urged Ethel, while shrinking close to Morley, -for the appearance of the patient terrified her. -</p> - -<p> -"And then, senora, you say nothing of penance?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because I know nothing of it," replied Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"A priest! a priest! Oh, that the sea would -give up its dead, for I know there is one, at least -there; but could I face <i>him</i>?" he added, wildly; -"oh! that night of horrors at Santiago—I see the -flames yet, and feel them in my soul!" -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Pedro Barradas," said Ethel, as this -paroxysm induced weakness, and nothing was heard -but his deep and heavy breathing; "whatever be -the sins you have committed, remember that this -book tells us 'there is more joy in heaven over one -sinner who truly repents than over ninety-nine just -men who do it not.'" -</p> - -<p> -"Hear her, O Lord, who created heaven and -earth, who divided light from darkness, and the sea -from the land!" prayed the poor wretch, while -crossing himself again and again, with his left hand, -"and who formed me out of dust, to which I shall -never return, because I must be buried in the sea," -he added with something of simplicity; then, as his -mind seemed to wander, he said, "<i>Mi madre</i>, listen -to me, am I praying aright?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, yes, Pedro, you pray aright," replied Ethel, -covering her face with her handkerchief, and taking -Morley's arm, "lead me away, dearest," she -whispered, "I must return to papa. Pray on, -Pedro, it is proper, it is good for you." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Ave Maria purissima!</i>" he said, "my own -mother is at your feet interceding for me. Oh, she -loved her little Pedrillo so well—and Zuares -too—could she have foreseen this end!" -</p> - -<p> -His voice completely failed him now, and Morley -led Ethel on deck. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII. -<br /><br /> -STORY OF A MODERN SPANISH ROGUE. -</h3> - -<p> -"The remorse of that unfortunate wretch has in it -something appalling," said Morley, as they walked aft. -</p> - -<p> -"Bah!" replied Captain Phillips, who was busy -with his quadrant; "I have seen something of this -kind before, Mr. Ashton, and know it is only a case -of 'the devil was sick:' you know the rest of the -couplet." -</p> - -<p> -"What crimes can he have committed?" said -Ethel, who was weeping with sympathy. -</p> - -<p> -"Crimes, Miss Basset!" repeated the captain, as -he wiped and adjusted the two speculums or horizon -glasses; "Lord love your kind heart, he'll have -committed every crime that ever was recorded in -Newgate, and would commit 'em all again, but old -King Death has brought him up with a round turn." -</p> - -<p> -Whether it was the result of Ethel's visit, or that -excess of despair had prostrated his nerves, we -know not; but as night approached Pedro became -more composed, and was heard to pray very -fervently. The iron had entered his soul; he wept -freely, and his tears relieved him; but the retrospect -of his past life still rose like a barrier of flame -before him, and this he said from time to time, when -Morley Ashton and Tom Bartelot watched him by -turns, or together, and gave him drink; for he was -tormented by a consuming fever and thirst. -</p> - -<p> -The night was fine and clear, the constellations -that look down on the mighty Indian Ocean were -shining amid the pure ether overhead, and the waves -sparkled in light as they rolled around the fleet -<i>Hermione</i>, for she was still running steadily, -close-hauled, making a long tack towards the distant -coast of Africa. -</p> - -<p> -Morley had bade "Good night" to Ethel, and he -and Tom Bartelot sat smoking on the steps of the -forecastle, when they could equally attend to the -wants of Pedro, and bear a hand with what was -wanted on deck. -</p> - -<p> -As if to relieve his mind, between his muttered -orisons, Pedro mentioned many dark episodes of his -career, among slavers in the West Indies, and -otter-hunters in the Pacific Ocean; among the -gold-diggers of California, and the robbers of the -Barranca Secca, between Zalappa and the Puebla -de Perote. The names of Hawkshaw and Zuares -occurred more than once in these wild stories, -which, with his casual remarks, indicated Pedro's -complicity in many heinous crimes, and filled his -listeners with wonder and repugnance; but there -was one story he related, with many pauses, filled -with sighs and outbursts of repentance, which -showed that he was more an incarnate fiend than a -mere common villain or everyday rogue. -</p> - -<p> -To rehearse it here, as he related it—he who -seemed to be in a Hades without hope—would prove -scarcely intelligible to the reader; so we shall give -this episode of Pedro's past life in our own words, -with many additions, the result of local inquiry. -These are woven up with the text of the story, as -being preferable to giving them in the tantalising -form of notes. -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -* * * * * * * * -</p> - -<p> -In their childhood Pedro and Zuares Barradas in -no way promised to become the outcasts of religion -and of nature they proved in future years. -</p> - -<p> -Aware of her own errors and frailty, for which she -repented in bitterness, in sackcloth and ashes, in -hours of sorrow, prayer, and self-inflicted penance, -known to Heaven and herself only, Mariquita -Escudero lived for her sons alone. Had she been -without them to cling to, in the rash impulsiveness -of her race and of her nature, she would probably -have committed suicide, after the sudden death of -her father, the catastrophe which happened to her -young brother, Juan, on the ramparts of San Juan -de Ulloa, and the loss of her lover, Don Pedro, who -was borne away beyond the sea. -</p> - -<p> -She educated her boys carefully and lovingly, -living with them the life of a recluse at her father's -solitary <i>granja</i>, on the slope of the Pico d'Orizaba, -and striving to impress them with a high sense of -religion and morality, and thought that she had -done so completely, all unaware, poor woman, of the -latent and inherent spark of the infernal spirit that -slumbered in the heart of each. -</p> - -<p> -Her whole hopes for the future, her entire soul, -were centred in her little boys, and this tender and -repentant mother was never weary of watching -them when they assisted at the service of mass, in -carrying tapers or little vessels of holy-water, and -when making responses, in attending the old Bishop -of Orizaba within the rails of the great altar. -</p> - -<p> -Neither was she ever weary of sewing and -dressing with her own hands the little white -surplices which they wore over their black soutans -on those occasions, for she knew that her boys were -handsome, and were alike the envy and the taunt of -other mothers. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro and Zuares spent nearly their whole time -in or about the old cathedral church—a fane, the -pride of the wooded valley, and founded of old by -a pious follower of Hernan Cortez. They sat or -played for hours daily on the steps of that great -altar, where Pedro Valdivia prayed in his armour, -ere he marched against the Aurucans of Chili. -</p> - -<p> -Thereon stood a beautiful image of Our Lady, -holding in her arms her divine Son, with arms -outspread, a miracle of sculpture and painting. She -was clad in an azure robe, with an aureole and -thirteen stars above her brow, all sparkling with -precious gems. -</p> - -<p> -Frequently Zuares used to talk to these figures as -if they were answering him; while hovering in the -side-aisles, with a finger on her lips, tears in her -eyes, and hope and gladness in her heart, Mariquita -watched and listened, assured that they would -become faithful servants of God, and as such would -atone for the errors of her own life, and again and -again she blessed her little boys, and whispered in -her mother's heart, "that of such was the kingdom -of heaven." -</p> - -<p> -Pedro at times spoke to the image of the little -child Jesus, as if it was a playfellow; while, like the -little chorister of the old legend of Chartres, Zuares -was wont to say that he had divided his heart into -three portions: "one he had given to God, one to -the Blessed Virgin, and one to his mother." Yet, -as years crept on, it seemed as if all the snares of -Satan had been set around to tempt and lure them, -for they rapidly fell into evil ways; they abandoned -the church, the morning mass and evening vespers, -with all their duties and services; they became the -companions of outlaws and robbers, and it was by -the hand of her youngest and best-beloved son that -the unfortunate Mariquita, long since broken in -heart and crushed in soul, perished, as we have -shown, in the savage gorge of the Barranca Secca. -</p> - -<p> -Even the old bishop wept as he cursed them. -</p> - -<p> -Zuares had early joined a band of outlaws in the -Barranca, where, among many other outrages, on a -dark night, when there was no other light on earth -or in heaven, save the flaming cone of Orizaba, -which lit up all the grove of peach trees that clothe -the valley, they waylaid and robbed a wealthy -<i>escribano</i>, or lawyer, of the city. Then with a -refinement of cruelty, they tied him across the nearest -line of railway, and watched to see him torn to -shreds by the first train which passed; but his cries -of despair—which they mimicked and mocked—reached -the ears of the engine-driver, the train was -stopped in time, and the escribano saved. He never -forgot the horrors of that night, and became an -honest man for ever after, abandoning for ever the -study and practice of the law. -</p> - -<p> -He denounced Zuares, however, and the reward -for his capture, offered by the alcalde, proving too -great for the cupidity of his companions, this -enterprising youth, ere long, found himself a captive in -the <i>carcel</i> or prison of Orizaba, under sentence to -die by the garotte. -</p> - -<p> -The day of his execution had been named, when -letters to the bishop and alcalde arrived, threatening -vengeance, and to the dismay of the people, the -famous image of Our Lady was missed from the -altar of the cathedral church, having been carried -off, with its golden aureole, the precious gems that -decked it, and the thirteen stars that sparkled -round her brow. -</p> - -<p> -In its place was found a piece of paper, on which -was written: -</p> - -<p class="letter"> -"A hostage for my brother. -</p> - -<p class="letter"> -"PEDRO BARRADAS." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -From the altar, the old bishop, in full pontificals, -denounced vengeance on the sacrilegious robber, -and threatened with condign punishment here and -hereafter all who were concerned in this new outrage, -which filled all the good people of Orizaba with -grief and indignation, for the image of Our Lady -was the peculiar palladium of their city. -</p> - -<p> -On the following day, this notice was found -appended to the cathedral door: -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="letter"> -"I, Pedro Barradas, know who stole the image of Our Lady -from the great altar; I know also in what part of the Barranca Secca -it is concealed. To the altar I shall restore it, but on two -conditions; first, the instant release of my brother Zuares, who is -condemned to die for mulcting a miserable escribano of a few -ill-gotten dollars; second, a pardon for myself; otherwise, the Holy -Image shall never more be seen." -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Great was the indignation of the entire community -at this insolence; but discretion was deemed -better than severity. Zuares was set at liberty by -the alcalde, who placed round the cathedral a guard -of soldiers, with orders to shoot down any <i>bandido</i> -who should appear, even if he bore the image of Our -Lady. -</p> - -<p> -How the act was achieved will never be known; -but in the night after the release of Zuares, the -image was replaced on the altar, unseen by the -guard and other watchers. Some there were who -said the soldiers were tipsy or asleep; others -stigmatised the whole affair as a trick of the Jesuits, of -course. But by far the greater number declared it -was a miracle, and Orizaba poured her thousands -towards the cathedral gates, shouting: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>La Madonna neustra! La Madonna del -Paradiso</i>! A miracle! a miracle!" -</p> - -<p> -The old bishop, however, did not share this -enthusiasm; neither did he think there was any -miracle in the matter: for the holy image had come -back denuded of its golden aureole and its thirteen -stars, each of which was composed of thirteen -magnificent rose diamonds. -</p> - -<p> -After this, the wooded valley of Orizaba, even the -recesses of the Barranca Secca, became too hot to -hold these wicked brothers; they fled to the sea -and took a passage for San Francisco, where, after -many wanderings in the lawless land of the -gold-diggers, they found their way to Vera Cruz, and -lived among some outlaws and <i>contrabandists</i> in their -old haunt, the Barranca. -</p> - -<p> -In the summer of last year, immediately after the -terrible episode of Zuares and his mother in that -wild place, Pedro and he quitted the valley of Orizaba -for the third time, and reaching the port of La Vera -Cruz, shipped as foremast-men on board a long, low, -sharp, and rakish-looking brigantine, bound, as her -captain stated vaguely, "for the Pacific, towards the -Bay of Mexilones." -</p> - -<p> -She proved to be an otter-hunter, and long ere -she doubled Cape Horn, she had her eight brass -guns, which had been concealed in the hold, hoisted -out and lashed to the ports, the wooden quakers -they replaced being sent below; and then sundry -pikes, cutlasses, and pistols, that had all been -invisible while the brigantine was within range of the -cannon of San Juan de Ulloa, were placed upon -racks in the steerage, and presented a goodly array; -for these otter-hunting craft are lawless and -contraband, and frequently their crews must fight their -way against Spanish and other war ships, like the -buccaneers of old. -</p> - -<p> -She ran along the coast of South America, in -sight of the snow-capped summits of the mighty -Andes, traversing a great portion of the Pacific, -without accident or adventure, until, in a forecastle -row, knives were drawn, and Zuares threatened to -stab the mate. In such a craft severe measures -were necessary, so Zuares was put in the bilboes, -and would have been scourged next day, by order -of the captain, save for an accident which happened -to the latter in the night. -</p> - -<p> -Taking advantage of an intense darkness about -the first hour of the morning watch, the worthy -brothers quitted the brigantine, dropping quietly -astern of her in the quarter-boat, when the harbour -lights of Valparaiso were visible about three leagues -distant on the lee bow, as they had resolved never -again to face the snows and horrors of doubling the -Horn, and reefing topsails that were stiff with -ice. -</p> - -<p> -They did not quit the brigantine, however, -without leaving tokens of their vengeance. The poor -captain was found in his berth, with the -sheath-knife of Zuares—that illegal weapon now so -constantly in use among seamen—planted in his heart; -and it was soon after discovered that a canvas bag, -containing two thousand Mexican dollars, was gone, -as well as the quarter-boat. -</p> - -<p> -But long ere this was known on board the armed -brigantine, her two deserters had pulled the boat -into the harbour of Valparaiso, where they scuttled -her, and landed at the Almendral, a suburb which -lies close by the shore, and is chiefly inhabited by -those who are employed about the shipping. -</p> - -<p> -Here they divided the contents of the bag between -them, and the precious pair having shaken hands, -they separated, each to shift for himself. -</p> - -<p> -Master of a thousand silver dollars, and of -himself—rid of his brother Zuares, whose petulant and -fiery temper was frequently the means of embroiling -him in useless, or what he deemed still worse, -unprofitable quarrels—Pedro hoped to enjoy himself -in Chili, and without fear, too, as the mates and -crew of the otter-hunter (of whom our late American -acquaintance, Mr. Bill Badger, formed one), were -already too far beyond the pale of all laws, even -those of South America, to seek either him or -Zuares, especially under the Cordilleras de los -Andes. -</p> - -<p> -He resolved to get rid of his sailor's costume; to -dress himself like an emigrant hidalgo; to take -upon himself the airs, and certainly all the ease of -one, until his money was spent, and something else -turned up. He was not without hope, too, of -replenishing his stock at the Casa de Juego, or -gaming-house (as we have related he was never -without a pair of cogged <i>dados</i>), and he knew, from -his previous habits and education, that he could act -tolerably well the part he meant to assume; and -who could say that he might not, if a run of fortune -favoured him, marry an heiress, and settle down -pleasantly till the money was spent. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Come esta el Senor Caballero Don Pedro,</i>" said -he, as he lit a cigarito, and slapped the bag -containing his dollars with great gusto; "courage, -and to work at once, for the day will soon -dawn." -</p> - -<p> -He quitted the Almendral, with its muddy streets -and unpaved narrow lanes, and just as the sun was -rising, or, rather, as its light was descending on the -steep red cliffs, and penetrating into the deep dark -mountain gullies that overhang the city of -Valparaiso—or the Valley of Paradise—he found himself -amid the opening shops and early morning bustle -of the spacious Plaza de la Victoria. -</p> - -<p> -He soon found the shop of a clothier (all -shopkeepers in Valparaiso are Frenchmen), under whose -auspices he substituted his forecastle attire for a -round jacket of fine claret colour, braided elaborately -with yellow and scarlet silk, especially about -the breast, and slit-up sleeves, loose, braided trousers -of some light material, girt at the waist by a Spanish -sash of the Chilian colours. His sou'-wester gave -place to a smart sombrero of black velvet, with a -plush bob of the same sable hue on one side, and a -long scarlet riband flowing on the other; and in -lieu of the dingy checked shirt, which was washed -once weekly, and strung on the mainstay to dry, -he exhibited one of spotless linen, with elaborate -needlework on the breast. -</p> - -<p> -A poncho cloak, black without and scarlet within, -was thrown over the left shoulder, for use by night, -for ornament by day, and to conceal the bowie-knife -and revolver, which completed his equipment. -</p> - -<p> -After a barber had shaved off his luxuriant beard -and whiskers, leaving only the heavy, black, and -well-trimmed moustache, Pedro walked along the -shady side of the Plaza de la Victoria, surveying his -outward mien, in the plate-glass windows as he -passed them, a long regalia between his lips, master -still of 930 dollars, and perfectly satisfied with -himself, and with the South American world in -general. -</p> - -<p> -In the shop of the barber he had filled up a spare -moment, by fitting on, and pocketing unseen, a -luxuriant red wig, which he thought might at some -time prove useful to him; and aware that a -traveller without baggage has always short credit and -a shady reputation, he next procured a handsome -trunk of ample dimensions, with screws to fix it to -the floor of any place which he might happen to -honour with his residence—a very old "dodge," -indeed, or, as the Spaniards would call it, -<i>tergiversation</i>. -</p> - -<p> -Repairing to the Posa de San Augustin, still kept -by a person named Felipe Fernandez, close by the -Church of the Augustin Friars, he chose an -apartment, from the lattice of which he could have a -view of the volcano of Aconcagua, sending a -tremendous column of smoke up to the very zenith, -through a sky of wonderful purity, against the blue -of which the snow-capped Andes stood in a clear -and awful outline; and this selection impressed -Signor Fernandez that his guest was a wealthy -hidalgo in search of the picturesque. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Basta!</i>" said Pedro, as he tore a roasted galina -to pieces at dinner, and devoured it with more -rapidity than grace, "I have eaten nothing for two -days; but this is excellent, and the wine, too—your -health, brother Zuares." -</p> - -<p> -At this posada Pedro resided for several days, -and ran up a goodly bill, chiefly for stronger liquors -than are usually drunk by noble hidalgos; but his -trunk being securely screwed to the floor, so as to -be quite immovable, Felipe Fernandez was quite -easy on the subject, believing that a guest with a -box so ponderous—full of duros, no doubt—could -not levant in a hurry. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's tastes and instincts would have led him -towards the alleys of the Almendral, the harbour, -and the shipping; but he remembered the little -accident which occurred on the last night he and -Zuares spent on board the brigantine, so he wisely -avoided the vicinity of the sea-shore, and turned -his thoughts inland. -</p> - -<p> -He actually gave himself airs of propriety, and -inquired of Signor Fernandez which was the most -attractive church in Valparaiso. Pedro meant -attractive in the number of fair devotees; but Felipe -understood him differently and replied: -</p> - -<p> -"The Matriz Church, senor. The Padres Eizagiuerro -and Ugarte, from Santiago, are preaching -there now. The former is the Apostolic Nuncio, -and friend of His Holiness the Pope." -</p> - -<p> -"And their preaching draws the people in numbers?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, senor," replied the host, bowing lower. -</p> - -<p> -"I am particularly fond of a good sermon, and -love to see a well-filled church." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, senor, the people go for various reasons," -continued Fernandez, smiling; "the women to -show themselves." -</p> - -<p> -"And the men—what do they go for?" -</p> - -<p> -"To see the women, or put off time till the -theatre opens." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Bueno</i>! I shall go to see the women, and hear -the Padre—what the devil's his name?" -</p> - -<p> -So Pedro hung a brass medal of the Madonna at -his neck, bought a rosary as thick as a hawser, and -went to the Matriz Church to vespers, and always -fell asleep. Mass was too early for him, he was -always a-bed then. As all the women were very old -or very ugly, he soon grew tired of the eloquence -of the Padres Ugarte and Eizagiuerro. -</p> - -<p> -The latter was the most popular; the church was -usually filled by a dense crowd, who stood, as there -was no sitting space, and through whom Pedro's -brawny arms and square shoulders forced a passage, -without ceremony, right and left, straight up to the -pulpit, in spite of crinoline or other obstructions, -and reiterated exclamations of annoyance. -</p> - -<p> -"Senor, the church is quite full!" -</p> - -<p> -"So I see, senora. A charming place, isn't it?" -</p> - -<p> -"Senor, you <i>cannot</i> pass further!" exclaimed -someone else. -</p> - -<p> -"I shall try," was the cool response. -</p> - -<p> -"Senor, how can you be so troublesome?" -exclaimed a young man angrily. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro turned to him with a dark scowl. -</p> - -<p> -A young lady, closely veiled, was hanging on his -arm. -</p> - -<p> -"Perez—dear Perez!" said she, entreatingly, -and, with a voice of great sweetness, added, "Senor, -do not crush me so, if you please." -</p> - -<p> -"Do I incommode you, senora?" stammered -Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"Very much indeed." -</p> - -<p> -"Pardon me—I shall make room." -</p> - -<p> -And he did so by lurching forward and squeezing -an old duenna against a pillar, where she was nearly -suffocated by his huge back, and from whence he -began to eye—almost ogle—the young lady who -had spoken. -</p> - -<p> -Her features, though partially hidden by a black -lace veil, were charming and soft, and the pressure -of the crowd had deranged it so far as to permit -Pedro's bold and wandering eye to see enough of -an adorable white neck and swelling bust to make -him long to look on more. -</p> - -<p> -Her nostrils and lips in contour were singularly -fine, her tresses were of a rich ripply brown, and a -valuable rosary was in her pretty hands, which were -cased in well-fitting gloves of lavender-coloured kid. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro was smitten. He continued to ogle and -leer, and make a cushion of the old lady behind, in -a mode of which the young girl was all unconscious, -for she never looked at him once, though her male -companion, whom she had named Perez, felt -undisguised anger and uneasiness from time to time. -</p> - -<p> -Of his frowns Pedro saw nothing, for his attention -was riveted on the sweet young girl, so nothing -heard he of the Reverend Padre Eizagiuerro's -denunciations of worldly sin and iniquity. -</p> - -<p> -The sermon over, and benediction given, Pedro -rushed to the font, that he might give her some -holy water in the hollow of his hand; but Perez, by -an awkward or intended motion, knocked it into the -eyes of Pedro, who was half blinded by its saline -property. He uttered a malediction, and resolved -to follow the little beauty; but she was driven away -in a handsome carriage. -</p> - -<p> -Again and again he came to vespers; but the -sweet girl was no longer there to mingle her soft -voice with the hymn; and, as we have said, the -other fair ones who attended the Matriz Church -were not to our adventurer's taste, he contented -himself by leering at all the girls who promenaded -in the Plaza, and this he did so pointedly, that, in -one or two instances, nothing saved him from being -punished summarily, even in that city of poniards -and police, but his towering figure, muscular limbs, -and dare-devil aspect. -</p> - -<p> -A fortnight slipped away without any adventure. -</p> - -<p> -He had not yet fallen on an heiress, and already -400 of his beloved dollars had slipped away, but -not in works of charity or devotion. Money is -easier spent than won everywhere, so Pedro began -to get tired of Valparaiso. -</p> - -<p> -He certainly led a very jolly life. There were no -watches to keep in the wind and rain; no hoarse -voice at the fore-scuttle summoned all hands to reef -topsails on a sleety night; no scrambling for the -best of the beef and potatoes in the filthy mess kid; -no weevils to pick out of the mouldy biscuits; no -pumps to work at, or decks to scrub; but withal -Pedro—he knew not why—began to be weary, and -wonder what Zuares was about: whether his share -of the spoil was spent, and where he had turned his -steps. -</p> - -<p> -In Valparaiso, the mercantile men are nearly all -Britons, Americans, or Germans. Thus, in the <i>cafés</i> -frequented by Pedro, his appearance and bearing -did not suit their taste exactly, and he never got -beyond receiving and giving a very cold bow, -exchanging a light for his cigar, or a civil remark now -and then. -</p> - -<p> -If he had the fumes of wine in his head—an -element it was seldom without—he rattled out a -forecastle oath in Spanish or English, which made -them stare at him, and then at each other. Though -twice at the Casa de Juego he had more than -replenished his exchequer so rapidly that suspicion of -foul play was excited, on one evening fortune was -so decidedly against him that he walked forth into -the Plaza with only ten dollars in his pocket, and -the prospect of receiving his bill at the posada, -amounting to 400 at least, which had been overdue -now more than a week. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Los Infernos!</i>" thought he; "what is to be done -now?" -</p> - -<p> -The idea of donning his red wig, taking a turn -through the streets after dark, and relieving some -belated citizen of his purse, occurred to him; but he -reflected on the acumen of the well-regulated police, -and, with a malediction on things in general, wished -himself at San Francisco, or La Villa Rica del Vera -Cruz. -</p> - -<p> -The evening was singularly beautiful; so much -so that even Pedro could not be insensible to its -lovely calm, and to the wonderful rocky scenery -that overhangs the Valley of Paradise, as he -rambled listlessly along the harbour towards the -fort, on which the flag of the Chilian Republic was -waving. -</p> - -<p> -The stupendous hills that overlook the city were -steeped in golden light, which streamed into the -ravines that yawned beneath them; and each of -these ravines seemed to be piled up on both sides -with white-walled houses—for every chasm formed -as it were a street, that branched upward from the -low-lying suburb, named the Almendral. -</p> - -<p> -The spires, the bay with its shipping, the cannon -on the batteries, were all burnished with the yellow -sheen, and over all, towering blue and dim in the -distance, rose the cone of Aconcagua, sending a -cloud of sombre smoke on the south wind, far away -towards the woody and snowy Andes, whose summits -rise above the limits of eternal frost—for the -burning mountain we have named is 23,000 feet -above the level of the sea at Valparaiso; and there -are thirteen similar peaks in Chili, all nearly in a -constant state of eruption, flame, smoke, and lava. -</p> - -<p> -The lattices of a thousand villas that nestled on -the sloping hills were gleaming in the light of the -setting sun, as he sunk into the waters of the Pacific, -casting the shadows of their walls and terraced roofs -on gardens, where the gorgeous, but scentless, -flowers of the tropics were closing their petals, and -where the deep green leaves of the guava contrasted -with the purple tints of the olive, the golden bulbs -of the orange, and the giant quinces of Chili, that -were ripening in his warmth—the glow of a summer -that never ceases. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro surveyed all this with a half-listless, -half-pleased eye; and he watched the groups of idlers, -in their picturesque dresses of gaudy colours, who -thronged the harbour mole and evening promenade. -There were the graceful Spanish whites, particularly -the donzellas, with their sparkling eyes and piquante -smiles, their black lace mantillas, short crinolines, -and taper ankles; the slenderly-formed and olive-skinned -mestizoes, and the half-naked, supple, and -grinning mulattoes, who sung so gaily as they -worked in gangs at cranes or capstan-bars. -</p> - -<p> -Several padres were among the promenaders, -chiefly Grey Friars, in greasy frocks and hoods, with -beads and cord complete; and Chilian soldiers were -not wanting, in tawdry uniforms, with plenty of -braid without, and plenty of fleas within. -</p> - -<p> -Two priests passed him—they were tall, thin, and -sallow men—for whom all made way, for they were -the famous preachers from Santiago, the Padres -Ugarte and Eizagiuerro; and when Pedro lifted -his sombrero, a pang shot through his heart as he -thought of Zuares, and their boyish days, when they -carried tapers, or swung the censer before the old -Bishop of Orizaba—of what they were, and what -they might have been. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Caramba!</i>" he muttered, "why should I think -of such things?" -</p> - -<p> -The harbour was full of shipping from Lima and -Peru, taking in Cordovan leather in brown bales, -cordage in vast coils, and dried fruit in boxes of all -sizes. The waves curled in golden prisms over the -great rock that lies near the shore, and the -yellow-billed and speckled seamews that always cluster -there fled screaming towards the offing, as the flag -was hauled down and the evening gun boomed -across the water from the fort which the Spaniards -built of old as a defence against the Indians. -</p> - -<p> -The evening was calm and mild, and the hum of -the city was carried away by the soft breeze that -swept across the bay, where hundreds of pleasure-boats -were shooting to and fro under sail or oar. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly a gaudy little pinnace, that was running -for the stairs near the old half-moon battery, caught -the nautical eye of Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"Luff, luff, presto!" he exclaimed, as he saw -there was something foul with the sheet; "luff, you -lubber!" -</p> - -<p> -The words had scarcely left his lips ere there was -a shout from the spectators. The shoulder-of-mutton -sail shivered and flapped as the boat -broached-to and capsized. -</p> - -<p> -Then a lady and gentleman were seen floundering -and splashing in the water. The latter succeeded -in reaching the keel of the inverted boat, to which -he clung, wildly shouting for help the while; but -the former was swept by the current that ran round -the harbour rock. -</p> - -<p> -"My daughter! <i>O Dios mio!</i> my poor daughter! -She will perish—she will drown! Who will save -her? <i>O Madre de Dios!</i> who will save her?" -exclaimed an old gentleman, rushing in despair along -the quay, wringing his hands, and gesticulating, as -foreigners only do, appealing to several men in -vain. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro saw the girl rising and sinking alternately -as her crinoline buoyed her up, and piteously she -shrieked every time she rose. He coolly measured -the distance from the quay to where she was drowning. -He could swim like a fish; but he thought of -his new finery, so recently donned, and was turning -away, when the unfortunate father rushed forward -and grasped his hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Can you swim, senor?" he asked, impetuously. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, a little," replied Pedro, with hesitation. -</p> - -<p> -"You can—you can!" -</p> - -<p> -"Like a duck or a dolphin sometimes." -</p> - -<p> -"A thousand dollars, if you save my poor girl, -shall be yours!" exclaimed the old man, weeping. -</p> - -<p> -"Are you sure that——" -</p> - -<p> -"I can pay you? Eh, eh. <i>O Dios mio!</i> she -will drown before my eyes while this wretch chaffers -for her life. Oh, my Ignez! my Ignez!" -</p> - -<p> -"Save her, if you can swim, I command you!" -cried the full, deep voice of the Padre Eizagiuerro, -who rushed forward. "Quick, senor! he who -implores you to save his child—his only child—is the -wealthy Moreno, the richest merchant in the city of -Santiago." -</p> - -<p> -"Too late!—too late!—she sinks! Pray to God -for her!" cried a hundred voices. -</p> - -<p> -"In, in!" exclaimed the Padres Ugarte and -Eizagiuerro together, for her father was almost -speechless with despair; "in, if you are a -swimmer—two thousand dollars if you save her!" -</p> - -<p> -"Half my fortune—yea, all, if you will but save -her!" groaned the unhappy father. -</p> - -<p> -"Shame! shame!" muttered the crowd. -</p> - -<p> -"Two thousand will do—<i>presto!</i> here goes!" -said Pedro, as he cast his sombrero, poncho, gaudy -jacket and vest, his knife and revolver, to the care -of old Moreno, and plunged into the water amid the -joyous yells of the negroes, and the loud "<i>Vivas!</i>" -of the white and yellow spectators, many of whom -were already stripping as if to anticipate him. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's head of black curly hair was soon seen -to rise above the water as he swam, unerringly as a -Newfoundland dog, to where the man was gesticulating -frantically on the keel of the capsized boat, -and to where the poor girl had sunk. -</p> - -<p> -There he dived down, and all who looked on held -their breath for a time; many crossed themselves -very devoutly; the two padres raised their hands -and eyes to heaven, and all the friars were on their -knees, with many of the people. -</p> - -<p> -Again a "<i>Viva!</i>" rent the air, as Pedro reappeared, -but a few yards off, with the girl on his -left arm, while he swam vigorously with his right, -and gained the battery steps, even before a boat -could reach her, for which he was by no means -anxious, as he wished to enjoy the entire credit and -profit of the enterprise; but life seemed almost -extinct in the poor creature. -</p> - -<p> -"Dead or alive," muttered the heartless Pedro; -"'tis nothing to me; 2,000 dollars are a good -set-off against a wet shirt!" -</p> - -<p> -The strong hand of the Padre Eizagieurro grasped -his, and assisted him up the slimy sea stair, where -he placed the senseless and dripping girl in her -father's arms, and then the poor man wept as he -covered her cold, wet cheek with kisses—the purest -that are ever bestowed in this world; and now the -shouts of "<i>Viva el noble caballero!</i>" that greeted -him on all sides, so applaudingly and so vociferously, -almost made Pedro Barradas believe himself the -disinterested and gallant fellow the simple people -believed him to be. -</p> - -<p> -The young gentleman, who clung to the keel of -the inverted boat, was almost immediately rescued -by the crew of a brigantine, in which Pedro -suddenly recognised, to his dismay, the otter-hunter; -but the lady's companion was viewed with singular -displeasure by all. Even the negroes ventured to -mock him, for Pedro was the hero of the whole -episode! -</p> - -<p> -A carriage was summoned; the young lady, in -whom Pedro discovered his beauty of the Matriz -Church, and, who was already reviving, was placed -therein, with her friend, or lover, as he appeared to -be, by his excessive alarm and tenderness. Her -father insisted on her preserver accompanying them, -and after a little affected demur and diffidence, he -gave an anxious glance at the brigantine, another at -the crowd, lest some of her crew might be there, -and, assenting, took his place beside Moreno. -</p> - -<p> -He remembered what the Padre Eizagiuerro had -said so hurriedly, that this old gentleman was the -richest merchant in Santiago, the capital of Chili -(of which the great city of Valparaiso is merely the -port); that the girl he had saved was an only child. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Caramba!</i>" thought he; "I may get the -daughter as well as the 2,000 <i>duros</i>. Courage, -Pedro, amigo mio, for fortune smiles more than ever! -How lucky it was that little accident occurred on -board the brigantine!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIII. -<br /><br /> -IGNEZ DE MORENO. -</h3> - -<p> -From the mole the carriage was driven to one of -the most splendid hotels in Valparaiso. Don -Salvador held his daughter in his arms, and hung over -her with great solicitude and affection. She soon -began to open her eyes, and the swinging motion of -the carriage tended to promote the circulation of -the blood. She was at once committed to the care -of a medical man and her own attendants, and ere -Pedro had dried his garments, and imbibed a stiff -glass of brandy-and-water, most favourable tidings -of her recovery were brought by her father, old -Don Salvador, who insisted that Pedro should stay -and sup with him, promising, that if Donna Ignez -were sufficiently recovered ere he left them—which -there was no reason to doubt—her preserver should -be introduced to her. -</p> - -<p> -"Bravo!" thought Pedro, as he approvingly -glanced at himself askance in a great mirror, that -ascended from the marble mantelpiece under which -the gilt brassero smouldered, to the lofty frescoed -ceiling; "bravo, Pedro!—so far so well!" -</p> - -<p> -A supper, consisting chiefly of light dishes, fruit, -and rare wines, served up in costly plate and -splendid crystal, made Pedro's eyes twinkle, and -ere the last flush of sunset had faded away on the -Pacific, of which they had a fine view from the -open windows of the hotel, they were joined by -the Padres Eizagiuerro and Ugarte (whose presence -Pedro could very well have spared); for the former -was the confessor of Donna Ignez, and the latter -was an old friend of her family. -</p> - -<p> -Don Perez, the young man who had cut such a -sorry figure on the keel of the inverted boat, also -joined the party, but he was silent, reserved, and -dissatisfied. -</p> - -<p> -"Pardon me, senor," began Salvador de Moreno—a -benevolent-looking old gentleman, whose silky -hair was white as snow, though his face, which was -noble in feature, wore a deep ruddy brown -hue—"pardon me," he continued, after having expressed -his gratitude in the most extravagant terms; "but -may I inquire the name of a gentleman to whom -my daughter owes her life, and I so much?" -</p> - -<p> -Now, Pedro had not thought of a name to -assume; but, with all the ready wit of a rogue, he -at once foresaw that to adopt any <i>other</i> Christian -cognomen than his own might prove awkward, if he -forgot it, or failed to keep his cue, so he replied: -</p> - -<p> -"Don Pedro Florez de Serrano." -</p> - -<p> -The old merchant bowed very low indeed, for the -name sounded well, and somehow not unfamiliar. -</p> - -<p> -"You have served——" -</p> - -<p> -"In the navy—yes," said Pedro, hastily. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah—I thought so." -</p> - -<p> -"Curse his clever eyes!" thought Pedro; "there -is no concealing a sailor's hands." -</p> - -<p> -Ere this, he had discovered a necessity for -concealing this circumstance, which had always excited -suspicions of his assumed character, for his hands -were, of course, browned by tar and exposure, and -hardened by tallying on to ropes, cables, and -capstan-bars. He resolved to invest in a box of kid -gloves forthwith, and to account for his nautical -bearing, said: -</p> - -<p> -"I am a lieutenant in the navy of the Southern -States, on parole not to serve during the war against -the North. I belonged to that famous ship, the -<i>Florida</i>." -</p> - -<p> -Don Salvador and the two padres bowed again, -while Don Perez, a pale, but rather handsome young -man, on whom Pedro's sharp eye turned from time -to time, stared before him straight at his -wine-glass, and looked, if possible, more discontented -than ever. -</p> - -<p> -"Jealous already, my old friend of the Matriz -Church!—ho! ho!" thought Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"As your name is Florez," said the Padre Ugarte, -"may I inquire whether you are any relation of -Don Florez de——?" -</p> - -<p> -Here the priest named a famous Spanish grandee. -On which the adventurous Pedro promptly replied, -while holding his glass to the liveried and aiguiletted -servant, to be filled with hock, iced and sparkling, -for the sixth time: -</p> - -<p> -"I am no relation whatever, I believe—only a -namesake." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed!" -</p> - -<p> -"Since the death of my uncle, the Corregidor of -Ciudad Rodrigo, in the old country, I have only one -relation in the world." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, indeed!" remarked Padre Eizagiuerro, who -seemed to be studying Pedro closely with his small, -keen eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"My father's cousin," he resumed, with a steady -stare, which somewhat abashed the worthy ecclesiastic. -</p> - -<p> -"May I inquire?" asked Perez, who had not yet -spoken. -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly—old Serrano, the Captain-General of -Cuba." -</p> - -<p> -"El Mariscal Duque de Serrano!" exclaimed -Ugarte. -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly—do you know him, Senor Padre?" -continued Pedro, with affected carelessness, while -rolling up a paper cigarito, knowing well that the -truth of this bold statement would never be tested in -the Republic of Chili; and though a citizen thereof, -Don Salvador now bowed very low indeed, for he -had enough of the old Spaniard in his disposition -to have a respect, bordering on awe, for long names -and long pedigrees. The priests glanced at each -other doubtfully, but remained silent, for they were -more acute men of the world than their worthy host. -</p> - -<p> -"And how came you among us here in Chili?" -asked Perez. -</p> - -<p> -"Simply by a stroke of fortune, senor. My -parole cuts me off indefinitely from naval employment; -my cousin will do nothing for me, either in -Castile or in Cuba, so I have come here to kill time -by travelling, attended by a young fellow named -Zuares, a faithful servant, whom I have lost; so I -find myself," added Pedro, who, thanks to the -tutelage of the old Bishop of Orizaba, could express -himself well when he chose, "by the great shores of -the Pacific without a single friend." -</p> - -<p> -"Do not say so, I entreat you, Senor Don Pedro," -exclaimed old Moreno, impulsively, as he shook the -speaker's hands; "oh," he added, while his eyes -filled, "how much do I owe you, <i>Madre de Dios!</i>—how much?" -</p> - -<p> -("Two thousand dollars, my golden pigeon!" -thought Pedro.) -</p> - -<p> -"I shall be your friend, senor, and so must our -kinsman Perez." -</p> - -<p> -Don Perez mumbled some reply half in his wine-glass, -for he evidently viewed our adventurer with -no favourable eyes. Indeed, though loving his -young cousin Ignez with all his soul, he had scarcely -grace to thank Pedro for fishing her up from the -bottom of the bay. Perez de Moreno was rather a -handsome young man; his black hair was shorn -short, and he had smart moustaches, that stuck -straight out right and left, terminating in sharp -points, and his costume, though provincial, became -him well. -</p> - -<p> -He wore a short, round jacket of dark figured -silk (surtouts and swallow-tails are unknown in -these regions); a rich vest of scarlet satin; a shirt -open at the neck, fastened by gold studs, in the -centre of each of which a diamond flashed; long, -straight pantaloons of chocolate-coloured velvet, -girt by a sash of yellow silk; a broad-brimmed -brown beaver, encircled by a gold band; -straw-coloured kid gloves, and a knife concealed -somewhere, no doubt, completed his attire. -</p> - -<p> -As yet not a word had been said about the -dollars, and notwithstanding his chivalrous -character and high connections, our friend Pedro was -getting impatient on the subject, and was very well -pleased when it was referred to, with a covert sneer, -by Don Perez. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, true, true, Dios mio! I had forgotten," -exclaimed Don Salvador, producing a gilt morocco -pocket-book, and opening it hastily; but Pedro, -knowing well the character of the merchant, and -having a deep and ultimate game in view, declined -to receive a single dollar for the service rendered. -Don Salvador expostulated, remonstrated, and was -almost indignant, while Pedro rose fifty per cent. in -the estimation of the two priests. At last, he could -with difficulty, apparently, be prevailed upon "to -accept, as his remittances from Charleston had been -delayed," a cheque from his host, on the bank of -Santiago, for 1,000 dollars. -</p> - -<p> -"We leave this to-morrow for Santiago, where -we reside. I should like my daughter to see you -ere we go; but I find that, if she is well enough, we -must start by sunrise. If you should ever visit our -city, don't forget us, senor—don't forget us, I -beseech you," and the old gentleman presented -his card, on which was engraved the name and -address: -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Don Salvador de Moreno, Alameda de la Canada.</i>" -</p> - -<p> -"I shall not forget, be assured, senor," said Pedro, -pocketing the cheque and the card; and now, -thinking, as the lights were beginning to multiply, -that the time had come when it would be prudent -to take his departure, he solemnly, and with much -profuse politeness, bade his intended father-in-law -adieu, for in this relationship he actually viewed -Don Salvador already. "I have some business to -transact, about—about—but it does not matter -what, so I shall not be long behind you here." -</p> - -<p> -He remembered the brigantine at anchor in the -bay, and resolved to quit Valparaiso without loss -of time. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Adios</i>, Padre Ugarte—Padre Eizagiuerro, -<i>adios</i>!" said he, waving his hat, and yawing some -what in his course towards the door; "<i>adios</i>, Don -Perez; don't forget to learn to swi—swi—swim. A -thousand farewells to you, Don Salvador." -</p> - -<p> -Fortunately the door was promptly opened by a -servant, or Pedro would have lurched against its -panels of plate-glass, and ere long he found himself -in the street, with his back against a lamp-post, and -very dim ideas of how he had quitted the hotel. -Then he thought Don Perez had insulted him, and a -vague notion of returning and punching that -individual's head floated through his own. -</p> - -<p> -The cool breeze from the Pacific partly sobered -him; he wrapped his poncho round him; felt if the -cheque was safe; and, then, remembering that he -was in a strange place, he searched next for his -knife and revolver. -</p> - -<p> -"All right—<i>bueno!</i>"—he hiccuped, "now for the -Posada de San Augustin. The church is just opposite -the posada—no, it is the posada that is opposite -the church, <i>amigo mio</i>." -</p> - -<p> -Though tipsy, he reflected that he had a heavy -bill due there; but as he had not the slightest -intention of liquidating it, the expenses of a night -more would matter little, as he meant to depart for -Santiago on the morrow and follow up his fortune -there without delay. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro lay long a-bed next day for divers weighty -reasons. He had a crushing headache—the result -of iced champagne, moselle, sherry, and brandy-punch; -he had to remember all the little romances -he had invented for the behoof of Don Salvador and -the jealous Don Perez; he also deemed it safer to -keep out of the way till nightfall—even though -skilfully disguised—than to wander about Valparaiso -while that devilish brigantine (he could see her from -the posada windows) was anchored off the battery. -</p> - -<p> -Among other things, Pedro reflected that he must -get rid of Don Perez, whom he already hated as a -rival. -</p> - -<p> -He knew well that attentions to the fair sex must -be gone warily about under the shadow of the -Andes; for though the women of South America -are handsome and gay, their ideas of morality are -somewhat cloudy and vague, hence the jealousy of -the men is extreme, their vengeance deadly and -sudden. Spanish and Indian blood make a fiery -mixture in that land of earthquakes and volcanoes. -</p> - -<p> -Gallantry to women, married or single, is often -repaid by the bullet or stiletto of a parent or lover; -and yet what a certain writer says of California suits -Chili, or any other of these regions, equally well, -for there the very men who would lay down their -lives to avenge the honour of their own family, -would risk the same lives to complete the dishonour -of another. -</p> - -<p> -But the intentions of Senor Don Pedro Florez de -Serrano, of the Southern navy, were strictly honourable. -He contemplated nothing but matrimony. -</p> - -<p> -Some woman he meant to marry; whether she -was a princess or a <i>paisano</i>, whether, like Ignez, the -heiress of uncounted pistoles, or the pretty keeper -of a <i>taberna</i>, mattered nothing to him provided she -could supply all his little exigences till he grew tired -of her, slipped his cable and ran off to sea again. -</p> - -<p> -So now an opportunity of the most golden and -unexpected kind—one favoured by fortune and -those good old romantic accessories of all lovers and -novelists—to wit, gratitude and adventure, had -suddenly opened up to him. -</p> - -<p> -It seemed that he had but to go in and win. He -was the rescuer from death of an heiress, young, -beautiful, tender, and simple "as a sucking turkey," -to use one of his own peculiar forecastle phrases; so -he leaped from bed about mid-day, called for a long -glass of brandy and potash iced, to assist in clearing -his faculties, after which he began to consider in -what fashion he would "levant" from the Posada -de San Augustin and set out for Santiago, without -seeking for his bill, to attempt which, when he had -but ten dollars in hand, would only have been an -insult to his worthy host, Felipe Fernandez, whom, -he had no desire to offend. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIV. -<br /><br /> -HOW PEDRO PROVIDED HIMSELF WITH A HORSE AND VALET. -</h3> - -<p> -Santiago lies sixty miles south-west of Valparaiso -towards the Andes, a rough and hilly road. To -proceed there on foot by no means suited Pedro's -ideas of locomotion, while to travel by any kind of -vehicle might lead to detection and other serious -annoyances, so, as evening approached, and Pedro -considered that old Moreno and his daughter must -have had ten or twelve hours' start, he became sorely -perplexed. -</p> - -<p> -The sun set, the moon rose, and still Pedro was -undecided. -</p> - -<p> -Slowly, solemnly, and majestically that broad, -round silver moon ascended from the calm waters of -the Pacific. White as snow shone all the plastered -streets of Valparaiso, and the sea that rolled rippling -into the bay, between the embattled forts, seemed a -sheet of liquid sheen; but in the blue sky her -silver light struggled for supremacy with a lurid -red cast—not upon the clouds, for there were -none—but upon the very ether itself, by the flames that -were now shooting upward from the vast cone of -Aconcagua. -</p> - -<p> -From the windows of the front drawing-room, or -large public saloon of the posada, which opened -towards the bay, Pedro sauntered, sunk in thought -and rage—perplexity always took that form with -him—to those of the back, which overlooked the -stable-yard, and there a violent altercation arrested -his attention. It was taking place between no less -a personage than Felipe Fernandez and a horseman -who had just arrived. -</p> - -<p> -"I have ridden from the Maypo River," said the -latter, "and must put up here." -</p> - -<p> -"A short distance, senor, and your horse is quite -fresh," replied the host; "it is useless dismounting, -as I cannot accommodate you." -</p> - -<p> -"Why?" asked the other, with a malediction -which sounded familiar to the ear of Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"We have no room." -</p> - -<p> -"Bah! I have been told that elsewhere." -</p> - -<p> -"Very likely," replied the host, drily, as he -turned to retire. -</p> - -<p> -"If you have no room inside, just shove a pole -out of the upper window, and I'll roost on that in -California fashion," urged the speaker, as he -deliberately dismounted, and, taking the lasso from his -saddlebow, threw it over his arm; "I must have a -bottle of wine, at least, ere I look for other -diggings—<i>caramba</i>." -</p> - -<p> -This interjection made Pedro regard the stranger -more closely as he passed from where he had -fastened his horse, and crossed the yard in the full -blaze of the moonlight. Then Barradas ground his -teeth as he recognised Cramply Hawkshaw, whom -he had not met since that afternoon of crime in the -Barranca Secca; and he was quite as much enraged -and bewildered on seeing Hawkshaw there in the -Posada de San Augustin as that personage had -been on beholding him when perched on the yard-arm -of the <i>Hermione</i>, on that evening after she left -London. -</p> - -<p> -But Pedro's measures were rapidly taken; already -he heard the footsteps of him he must avoid -ascending the broad marble-staircase of the hotel! Save -his poncho, knife, and revolver, Pedro had no -luggage that he cared about, so he thrust the weapons -in his sash, threw the poncho over his shoulders, -stuck his sombrero fiercely on his head, and brushed -past Hawkshaw just as that person entered the -room. -</p> - -<p> -Descending quickly to the stable-yard, Pedro -went straight to where Hawkshaw's horse was -standing in shadow, and after deliberately giving a -glance at the bit and bridle, and lengthening the -stirrup-leathers, to suit himself, he mounted, rode -softly out of the stable-yard, and before Captain -Hawkshaw, late of the Texan Partisan Rangers, had -finished his wine, and had another expostulation -with the <i>maestro de casa</i>, who either knew him of -old, or disliked his trapper-like equipment, Pedro -was fully three miles from Valparaiso, and was -ascending, at a slow pace, of course, the steep and -winding path which led to one of the many ravines -in the mountain range that overhangs the city. -</p> - -<p> -The horse had come from the Maypo River that -day, as Hawkshaw stated; but it was strong and -active, being one of that degenerated breed of -Spanish chargers, which are to be met with, -sometimes in herds of 10,000, on the vast plains which -extend from the shores of La Plata to the mountains -of Patagonia. His head was broad; his legs -clumsy; he was long-eared, rough-coated, and of -a chestnut bay colour; but, like his brethren of -the grassy prairies, he was possessed of great -strength and spirit, and thus ascended the rough -mountain path with unflagging zeal; but not so -quickly as to prevent another horse, whose hoofs -were heard behind, from gaining on him as they -entered the ravine in the hills, where their -galloping was re-echoed by the overhanging volcanic -rocks. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's hasty flight, together with the disappearance -of the horse of the unwelcome visitor, who -now stormed, and threatened to complain to the -nearest alcalde, having excited the suspicion of the -host, and a gust of rage in the breast of Hawkshaw, -the latter, on hearing of the ponderous and -immovable trunk, suggested that it should at once be -examined, for, being aware of every species of trick -under the sun, he at once suspected that it was full -alone of emptiness. -</p> - -<p> -Promptly acting on this alarming suggestion, -Fernandez burst it open, and then nothing was seen -in it, save the heads of the screws that secured it to -the floor. He tore his hair, said many irreverent -things of poor San Augustin, the patron of his -posada, and leaping on one of his own horses, after -a few inquiries, started in pursuit of the runaway -along the Santiago road. -</p> - -<p> -His horse being one of those which are imported -from San Domingo, was of pure Castilian breeding, -and rapidly overtook the Chilian nag ridden by -Pedro, whom Fernandez soon recognised in the -moonlight, as he jogged along, with his toes turned -out and his elbows squared, and whom he summoned -to stop, just as they gained the wildest part of the -ravine, where the hills overhung it darkly, though -at its western end, far down below, could be seen -white Valparaiso, its deep-blue bay and shipping, its -lighted thoroughfares, its spires and convents, spread -out like a fairy map in the silver sheen. -</p> - -<p> -"Hollo!" answered Pedro, reining up, "who -are you that follow a gentleman thus, shouting on -the road like a drunken Indian? What—is it you, -Senor Fernandez?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, tis I," replied the landlord, breathless -alike with rage and his hasty ride, yet resolving to -dissemble a little; "permit me to expostulate with -you, senor, on the double mistake you have -committed." -</p> - -<p> -"Mistake—I?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, senor!" -</p> - -<p> -"Explain yourself, and quickly too," replied -Pedro, fiercely, as he grasped the revolver under his -poncho. -</p> - -<p> -"You have taken a stranger's horse from my -house, and departed without paying the bill." -</p> - -<p> -"I have left baggage, fellow," Pedro was -beginning, with great loftiness. -</p> - -<p> -"Only an empty box," interrupted Fernandez, -but with rather a quavering voice, when remembering -with deep mortification that he had come on -this errand unarmed. -</p> - -<p> -"You know Don Salvador de Moreno?" -</p> - -<p> -"Perfectly." -</p> - -<p> -"I have here a cheque of his for a large sum, -sir," said Pedro, producing the old merchant's -stamped paper. "What change have you about -you?" -</p> - -<p> -"I regret, senor, that I have only twenty -pistoles," said the landlord, with sudden affability; -"yes—just twenty, and a few dollars." -</p> - -<p> -"All of which I require you to hand over instantly, -or I shall send this bullet through your brain!" -cried Pedro, with an oath, as he levelled the revolver -full at the head of the startled Fernandez. -</p> - -<p> -The latter saw the steel barrel glittering in the -moonlight; he saw the caps on the breech; and he -saw, too, that there was no misunderstanding the -fierce glitter in the eyes of Pedro. The path was -lonely, and no aid was nigh. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Presto!</i>" roared Pedro; "I have no time to spare." -</p> - -<p> -With a reluctance that was no way feigned, -Fernandez gave his purse, which Pedro thrust into -his pocket. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, senor," said Fernandez, "I beseech you -to give me the horse, for which I must account to -Captain Hawkshaw, as he left it on my premises." -</p> - -<p> -Pedro laughed aloud on hearing this request. -</p> - -<p> -"Harkye, shipmate, he rides seldom who only -rides borrowed horses; so I ride seldom, and, being -a sailor, don't overlike it. Captain Hawkshaw is an -old friend of mine, and may find his horse if he -inquires at Quillota." (This was said to mislead the -landlord as to his route.) "All my little mistakes -are rectified now, I think, eh? <i>Adios</i>! I shall -always recommend the Posada de San Augustin to -my friends. Your cooking is admirable, your wines -ditto. Be assured alike of my boundless custom -and most distinguished consideration when next I -visit your beautiful city of Valparaiso." -</p> - -<p> -And thus bantering, the ruffian rode off, leaving -Fernandez, speechless with rage, to retrace his steps -or enjoy the moonlight among the mountains, as he -chose, on very bad terms, however, with his patron, -San Augustin, whom he believed had handed him -over to the Evil One. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro's horse, if not swift, had good mettle in -him, and trotted steadily eastward up the ascent, -towards the higher ranges of hills, and ere long no -less than four volcanic peaks were visible, all flaming -at once, like the cones of a mighty natural furnace, -and casting from afar off a glow of fire even to the -zenith. -</p> - -<p> -At midnight, the moonshine was still glorious. -Pedro had ridden more than half-way to Santiago—thirty -miles—so he stopped to rest himself, rather -than the poor horse, in a little dell amid groves of -mimosa trees, where parroquets, flame-coloured and -green, chattered amid the branches; where the tall -ceibas, or cotton-wood timber, cast their shadows on -a deep and reedy lagune, whereon the giant water-flowers -of that tropical region floated, and where, -for coolness, the picaflor, or little humming-bird, -nestled in their cups by day. -</p> - -<p> -Though a South American, Pedro, as a seaman, -had been long unused to the saddle. He felt as if -all his bones had been mangled; wearily he threw -the bridle over the stump of a broken tree, and -stretched himself on the grass, while his nag drank -of the lagune. -</p> - -<p> -On the whole, Pedro was greatly pleased with -himself. He had Don Salvador's bill for 1,000 -dollars; he had ten dollars yet remaining of the -plunder from the brigantine, and he had twenty -pistoles and four dollars just taken from Fernandez. -Then there was Hawkshaw's horse, which, with its -furniture, he valued at 500 more. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Vamas!</i>" thought he; "at this rate I shall soon -realise a fortune." -</p> - -<p> -While Pedro was thus casting up this little sum, -gained by his industry, he did not perceive a dark, -lithe, and athletic young fellow, who had been -lurking among the luxuriant weeds, and who now stole -stealthily towards him, with a knife glittering in his -hand; and little thought Pedro that the clink of his -ill-gotten pistoles had been overheard. -</p> - -<p> -This stealthy personage wore a red baize shirt, a -yellow poncho cloak, or <i>surreppa</i>, an old-fashioned -Spanish hat, much broken and bruised, and long -brown leather leggings. -</p> - -<p> -He had a calf-skin girdle, fastened to which by a -thong the sheath of his knife was dangling, beside -an Indian bota, or drinking-flask. -</p> - -<p> -Gliding like a serpent or eel, he was close to -Pedro, ere a sound made the latter turn sharply, -with instinctive caution. -</p> - -<p> -Each uttered an imprecation—an expletive not to -be found in Johnson or Walker—there was a gleam -of the lurker's knife, and a flash of Pedro's pistol, as -they closed suddenly, and, without harming each -other, suddenly drew back. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro!" -</p> - -<p> -"Zuares!" -</p> - -<p> -Such were the exclamations that escaped the lips -of these worthies, just in time to prevent a little -culpable fratricide. -</p> - -<p> -The brothers now exchanged an account of their -adventures since they had scuttled the boat of the -brigantine at the harbour of the Almendral, and -separated, each to shift for himself. -</p> - -<p> -Those of Zuares were very simple, being merely -the breaking of all the commandments, and spending -his dollars in such a fashion that the atmosphere of -Valparaiso became too hot for his comfort, and he -was now travelling inland, to avoid the chance of -being legally garotted in a city where there was -no Sangrado equalling our friend Heriot in a skill -calculated to baffle even Calcraft. -</p> - -<p> -But Pedro's narrative and intentions filled Zuares -with genuine admiration and envy of his brother, -the part of whose valet he promptly resolved to -personate, in the prosecution of their scheme upon -the funds and family of Don Salvador de Moreno, -the account of whose simplicity, together with the -beauty of Donna Ignez, he vowed to be quite -delightful. -</p> - -<p> -"Of course. <i>Corpo Santo!</i> a rich man's only -daughter is always lovely," said Pedro; "but now, -Zuares, <i>hermano mio</i>, you must remember all I have -said, particularly about our—I mean <i>my</i> noble -relatives." -</p> - -<p> -"I have spelt them all over, I think. There is -Serrano, Captain-General of Ciudad Rodrigo, and -your cousin, Don Florez, who is alcalde of -Cuba——" -</p> - -<p> -"No, no, no!" exclaimed Pedro; "at this rate -you will play the devil with me. I am Don Pedro -Florez de Serrano, cousin to the Captain-General -of Cuba; my late uncle was corregidor of Ciudad -Rodrigo, as rich and as pious as you please." -</p> - -<p> -"And you—you are——" -</p> - -<p> -"A lieutenant of the Southern Navy on parole; -which will account for my brown hands, and other -shortcomings in the matter of gentility. You——" -</p> - -<p> -"I am a most attached and faithful servant." -</p> - -<p> -"A regular Sancho. You have your cue?" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Por vida del demonio</i>, what a game!" -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Glorioso! Vamos</i> (come)!" -</p> - -<p> -And the two rascals laughed heartily as they -resumed the road that led to Santiago, chatting, -and fraternally riding by turns the horse of -Hawkshaw, which now, poor animal, began to droop its -head and ears in weariness. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap15"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XV. -<br /><br /> -THE ALAMEDA DE LA CANADA. -</h3> - -<p> -"That Fortune is not nice in her morality," says -Maria Edgeworth; "that she frequently favours -those who do not adhere to truth more than those -who do, we have early had occasion to observe. But -whether fortune may not be in this, as in all the -rest, treacherous and capricious—whether she may -not by her first smiles and favours, lure her victims -to their cost, to their utter undoing at last, remains -to be seen." -</p> - -<p> -And so it remains to be seen how far the blind -goddess favoured Pedro and his well-beloved brother, -Zuares. -</p> - -<p> -Towards the close of the next day, they drew near -the great city of Santiago, and meeting a muleteer, -who was travelling towards Quillota, with a train of -mules, laden with jerked beef and hemp, they -further improved their financial resources by selling -to him the horse of Hawkshaw, with bridle and -saddle, for 100 dollars, and the muleteer was too -well pleased with his bargain to make any particular -inquiries respecting it; but took the precaution, -after he left the sellers, to halt in the first peach -grove, and shear off the horse's mane, dock his tail -and forelock, and otherwise disguise him. -</p> - -<p> -On entering Santiago, to avoid any further -mistakes, Pedro proceeded at once to get Don -Salvador's cheque turned into hard cash of the -Chilian Republic. Then he had the somewhat -picturesque costume of Zuares changed for a -handsome suit of Spanish livery; and, thirdly, he -betook himself to the Alameda de la Canada, just as -the streets were being lighted, in search of the -house of the Morenos. -</p> - -<p> -The Alameda of Santiago is, perhaps, the most -magnificent promenade in any of the South -American cities. It is more than 150 years old. -Measuring 1,000 yards in length, it is divided into -three stately walks, on each side of which runs a -carriage-way. There are also three canals, which -intersect it, and six rows of gigantic poplars. -</p> - -<p> -Here is also the ancient convent of St. Francis, -with a church built of pure white stone, having a -lofty steeple, from the galleries of which may be -seen the fertile vale that stretches to the base of -the Andes—the land of gold and of fire. -</p> - -<p> -The stone seats were all occupied by ladies. All -were gay, and many of them were beautiful. Their -lace mantillas were all thrown back, to float over -their shoulders, for the evening was warm, and all -their large feather fans were at work. -</p> - -<p> -Gentlemen in sombreros hovered round their seats -in hundreds, and the fine band of a Lancer regiment -of the Chilian Republic played near the octagon -fountain, at the foot of the centre walk, and filled -the ambient air with the strains of "Il Trovatore." -</p> - -<p> -The December evening was lovely, as well as -warm (the thermometer rises to 85 degrees there in -January), and the yellow glory of the set sun yet -lingered on the giant summits of the snow-clad -Andes, shaded off into saffron, purple, and dark blue -in the ravines and valleys, through which roll those -rivers that mingle their gold-dust with the sand on -the shores of the Pacific—the Rio Monte and the -Aconcagua, whose banks are bordered by groves of -the orange, the fig, the peach, and the pomegranate, -for in Chili the land teems with all that can minister -to luxury and to wealth. -</p> - -<p> -Accompanied by his valet, who walked at a -respectful distance behind, bearing his poncho and -umbrella, our acquaintance, Don Pedro Florez, -walked along the Alameda, with a cigar in his -mouth, his sombrero stuck very much over his right -eye, and both hands thrust into his trousers pockets. -He peered or leered into the faces of all the ladies -with an air of assurance that he might not have -adopted, had he and Zuares not recently dined. He -inquired of a water-carrier for the mansion of Don -Salvador, and it was speedily pointed out to him. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Demonio!</i>" thought Pedro, as he ascended the -broad flight of marble steps in front; "it is a -regular palace, this! And what if Donna Ignez -should have been too ill to travel after her cold -bath?—she may be still at Valparaiso." -</p> - -<p> -Pedro was somewhat scared, and Zuares was so -completely, by the magnitude and magnificent -aspect of the mansion, the door of which was open, -revealing a lighted vestibule, and lamps were -shining through nearly all of its lofty windows. -The balconies were richly gilded; the Venetian -blinds were all up, and thus the rich curtains, the -draperies, and gilded ceilings of the apartments -could be seen from the Alameda. -</p> - -<p> -Don Salvador was at home. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro took his cloak from his valet, whom he -told, with great condescension, to amuse himself for -the remainder of the evening at the dancing-rooms, -but to be at their hotel before midnight. Zuares -touched his hat, with his tongue in his cheek, while -his brother was ushered into the <i>ante-cámera</i>, or -drawing-room, where Don Salvador, Don Perez, and -Padre Eizagiuerro (whom he could very well have -spared) received him with great politeness; but the -first alone with any cordiality. -</p> - -<p> -Coffee and chocolate were being served round, -and Donna Ignez came forward, blushing and -smiling, to be presented to her "brave preserver." -</p> - -<p> -She was, evidently, of pure Spanish blood; her -pale brunette complexion showing clearly that there -was no native mixture in her blue veins; while her -eyes, and their lashes and brows, were black as night. -</p> - -<p> -As Pedro surveyed the girl's pure loveliness, not -her least attractions seemed to be her necklace, her -long pendant ear-rings, her bracelets, and high -Spanish comb, all <i>en suite</i>—all blood-red rubies, -which sparkled all the brighter for the snowy pearls -that mingled with them in settings of richly-chased -gold, for Pedro Barradas had the eye and heart of a -pirate. -</p> - -<p> -Two sisters of the pale and discontented Don -Perez were present—Donna Erminia, a tall and -magnificent girl (whose broad white shoulders and -large proportions made Pedro wish that she had -been the merchant's daughter), and little Donna -Paula, who was only some ten years old or so, but -who seemed a miniature edition of Erminia, with a -high comb, fan, and veil, a demure little face, and -calm, black, inquiring eyes. She sat on a velvet -hassock near the knee of Don Salvador, with whom -she was an especial favourite. -</p> - -<p> -All unused to society such as this, Pedro was -sorely abashed for a time, till his natural impudence -came to his aid. His past education, and his service -as a boy in the cathedral church of Orizaba, he now -recalled with success, and the knowledge he had -gained of clerical matters, served him in his -endeavours to cast "dust in the eyes" of the Padre -Eizagiuerro as to his real character, and yet, withal, -the priest mistrusted him. -</p> - -<p> -He saw that there was something unreal about -this Don Pedro—that he was not a gentleman of -Spain, or any other place; and as for the Padre -Ugarte, he suspected something worse than mere -imposture. Yet, veiling the native ferocity of his -character, Pedro was now humble, fawning, and -discreet—oh! exceedingly discreet! He had a -great game to play—a rich end in view. -</p> - -<p> -"We met, senor, once before that accident," -said Donna Ignez, looking up with a bright smile in -her soft eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, senora," replied Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"At the Matriz Church—ah, you remember!" -</p> - -<p> -"Could I ever forget?" was the gallant response. -</p> - -<p> -"And the sermon?' -</p> - -<p> -"It was divine," said Pedro, in a low voice, but -yet distinct enough to reach the ear of the padre. -</p> - -<p> -So now they were friends at once, to an extent -that cousin Perez could neither understand nor -relish. -</p> - -<p> -Though, when inflamed by his potations, a mad -ruffian, as we have shown by his proceedings on -board the <i>Hermione</i>, Pedro was not altogether -destitute of the subtle art of winning female favour—the -art in which his father excelled so fatally, and -which was the only inheritance he had left him—so -he exerted every energy to please the fair young -Ignez, and to use with industry the time that fortune -gave him. -</p> - -<p> -So, after detailing a very bloody engagement -between the ships of the Federals and Confederates, -in which he alleged he was wounded and left for -dead on the enemy's deck, he suddenly affected to -discover a new source for deep interest in Donna -Ignez—a close and most remarkable resemblance -which she bore to "a sister, whom he loved dearly." -</p> - -<p> -"Where does she reside?" asked Donna Erminia; -"in Spain?" -</p> - -<p> -"Dear old Spain, of which papa talks so much," -added her cousin Ignez. -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! no," said Pedro, beginning to cudgel his -invention. -</p> - -<p> -"Is she dead?" asked Ignez, gently. -</p> - -<p> -"No." -</p> - -<p> -"Then she must be married, of course?" said -little Donna Paula, fanning herself with all the air -of her great-grandmother. -</p> - -<p> -"No—she became a nun, in spite of my advice," -said Pedro, sighing; "one of the sisters of Santa -Clara." -</p> - -<p> -"Where, senor?" asked Erminia; "we are very -curious, you see; but it is the privilege of our sex." -</p> - -<p> -"At Orizaba; and it was long before our good -friend, the bishop, who was her godfather——" -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, you know the Bishop of Orizaba, do you, -senor?" said the Padre Eizagiuerro, coming -suddenly forward. -</p> - -<p> -"Perfectly, padre," replied Pedro, wishing his -tongue had been bitten off. -</p> - -<p> -"Probably you have heard the story of the miraculous -image, which came back to the cathedral in the -night?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; but at that time I was on board the -<i>Florida</i>." -</p> - -<p> -"I have just had a letter from the bishop about it." -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed, padre," stammered Pedro, beginning to -feel far from comfortable, as the padre began to -search the pockets of his soutan. -</p> - -<p> -"Dear me—dear me——where can I have put it?—he -is an old college friend of mine—I have left it -in my vestry; but, senor, you will be glad to learn -that they have now distinct traces of the impious -thief, who so sacrilegiously stole the thirteen -diamond stars and the golden aureole from the holy -image of Our Lady." -</p> - -<p> -Pedro, who had hitherto been piling falsehood -upon falsehood, winced at this communication, and -felt himself grow pale; but, to his infinite relief, the -padre turned away to address Don Salvador. -</p> - -<p> -"Talking of thieves, ladies," said Pedro, "I had -a robber encounter last night, on the hills above -Valparaiso." -</p> - -<p> -"An encounter—<i>Madre de Dios</i>—of what nature?" -</p> - -<p> -And, thereupon, Pedro proceeded to detail a very -spirited scuffle, in which he must have perished, as -he had at least fifteen assailants, but for the -unexpected arrival of his servant, the faithful Zuares. -</p> - -<p> -"The man you lost at Valparaiso, senor?" said -Moreno. -</p> - -<p> -"Exactly—the same brave fellow." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Don Pedro, this is romance upon romance!" -exclaimed Ignez, as, with two very white hands, she -smoothed back the dark masses of her magnificent -hair, evidently greatly pleased with the impostor, to -whose rhodomontades she listened as a charming -and romantic young lady, whose life has just been -saved by a striking, athletic, and imposing dark -stranger, may be supposed to do. -</p> - -<p> -Her cousin and <i>fiancé</i>, who had clung for life or -death to the keel of the pinnace, which he had -overset by mismanagement, was fearfully at a -discount—even little Donna Paula did not mind him a -bit; and of this state of matters Don Pedro Florez, -cousin of the Marshal Duke de Serrano, hastened -ito make the best use, for he could temper his -assurance with vast art when he chose, affecting actually -to be timid and shy—he "had always been so, when -studying at Salamanca," as he whispered to Ignez, -when seated at the piano. -</p> - -<p> -He soon cherished a love (if we may call it so) -for this unsuspecting girl; but, like the love that -Hawkshaw bore for Ethel Basset, the lust of lucre -was its basis—recklessness and obstinacy did the -rest. -</p> - -<p> -On the other hand, a long, weary, and somewhat -tame engagement with her cousin—an understood -affair, that had lasted all her girlhood—rendered -Ignez, perhaps, more open to the advances of a -stranger, by the very novelty of his attentions. -</p> - -<p> -After making an appointment to drive with the -whole party to the beautiful valley of Mepooho -next day, Pedro returned to his hotel extremely well -pleased with himself, and just in time to prevent -Zuares, who had been imbibing too freely in the -Reeoba, or market-place, from being carried off by the -horse-police, for drawing his knife on the waiters, -kissing the chambermaids, and other little -eccentricities. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro made such admirable use of the opportunities -afforded by that expedition to the valley, and -others, in which the young ladies took him to see -the Jesuits' Church, the Chapel of Our Lady del -Rosario, the great Church of La Campagnia, and -other public sights, that he had thrice spoken of -love to Ignez, who only blushed and smiled, but did -not forbid him, or seek to avoid the subject, unless -when Perez or her father were within hearing, when -a quick warning glance from her charming eyes -withheld him. Thus the heedless girl, unfortunately -for herself, established with him a species of -secret understanding, which made Pedro conceive -a very daring scheme indeed—to compel her to -become his by a <i>coup-de-main</i>, as he dreaded the -result of the padre's correspondence with the bishop, -and an exposure of his escapade at the Posada de -San Augustin. -</p> - -<p> -More than one painful and unpleasant scene -ensued between Ignez and her cousin Perez now. She -was piqued, and he was furious; hence the coldness -that ensued between them favoured the adventurous -Pedro. Yet poor Don Perez loved the wilful girl to -distraction, as the phrase is. -</p> - -<p> -He was too feeble to compete in bodily strength -with such a bulky ruffian as Pedro, and was too -honourable to resort to secret means of getting rid -of him. Failing with Ignez herself, he disdained -to apply for the intervention of her father's authority, -and yet he saw daily, yea, hourly, how, misled by -her imagination alone, the heart of his beautiful -cousin was being corrupted, warped and turned -from him. -</p> - -<p> -"Why is this?—how is this?—answer me, -Ignez?" he once asked her, imploringly. -</p> - -<p> -"He saved me," said she, with her sweet face -half averted from him, "when you left me to -perish." -</p> - -<p> -"Ignez!" exclaimed the young man, in a voice of -shame and agony. -</p> - -<p> -"It is true, cousin Perez." -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot swim—I have told you so a hundred -times." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you should learn, my poor Perez." -</p> - -<p> -"I could but shout for succour." -</p> - -<p> -"And <i>he</i> came!" she said, with heaving breast -and flashing eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"Unless assisted by Heaven, I could not have -saved you, dear, dear Ignez," said he, almost in -tears. -</p> - -<p> -"Then you should have perished with me, if you -loved me." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>If I loved you!</i>" he repeated, in sorrowful -reproach; "but what need was there for perishing, -when I saw succour coming?" -</p> - -<p> -"You saw him—you saw him who saved me," -continued the pitiless little beauty, with each reply -planting an arrow in the heart of poor Perez. -</p> - -<p> -"He saved you for the bribe of a thousand -dollars!" said he, scornfully; "all on the mole -heard that plain enough." -</p> - -<p> -"In vain do you enviously seek to detract from -him, cousin Perez. He saved me for myself—perhaps -for himself too," was the still more cutting -rejoinder. -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, Senora de Moreno," said Perez, in a -towering passion; "I shall yet unmask this -piccaroon—this wretched impostor, if to do so should -cost me half my fortune!" -</p> - -<p> -As Perez uttered this threat, and retired by one -door of the drawing-room, it chanced that the -redoubtable and interesting Don Pedro Florez de -Serrano entered by another, and these words, which -he heard distinctly enough, made that worthy -cavalier feel very much as if in a Californian vapour -bath—the hottest of such contrivances; and he -felt, moreover, there was no time to be lost in -getting rid of Don Perez, and bringing matters to -issue with Ignez de Moreno. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap16"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVI. -<br /><br /> -THE DRESSING-CLOSET OF IGNEZ. -</h3> - -<p> -During these proceedings, Don Perez had many -conferences with the two priests. -</p> - -<p> -Padre Eizagiuerro, the confessor of Ignez, -suspected much, but Padre Ugarte, a stern and ascetic -enthusiast, suspected, and said more; for he openly -inveighed against the simplicity of Don Salvador, -in believing all the fine things Pedro said about his -relations in Spain, and his ample possessions on the -table land of Anahuac, as contrasted with his -cupidity on the mole, before he would consent to -save the drowning girl's life. -</p> - -<p> -"A seaman! he—a Confederate officer! was such -the conduct of either?" exclaimed the Nuncio. -</p> - -<p> -"But he refused, my dear padre, he flatly refused -to receive the 2,000 dollars!" urged Moreno, who -was too simple and too full of gratitude to suspect -Pedro. -</p> - -<p> -"Refuse—ha! ha!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -"Acting all—acting all!" said Ugarte, a sharp -observer of men and things. -</p> - -<p> -"But for him, I should to-night have been a poor -old childless man," replied Moreno. -</p> - -<p> -Perez and they employed an escribano, who had -correspondents in various quarters, and ere long -he gathered strange tidings of Pedro. The bishop -of Orizaba and the <i>escribano</i>, who had been robbed -in the Barranca Secca, the mate of the otter-hunter, -Hawkshaw, and the keeper of the Posada De San -Augustin, with others, were all written to—the -strands of evidence being untwisted as a lawyer alone -could discover and untwist them; telegraph and -railway appliances were all at work; and thus, all -unknown to Pedro and Zuares, who were already -under the surveillance of the alguazils, a network of -evidence was closing round them. -</p> - -<p> -The day had been mild and warm for December—February -being the hottest month of the year at -Santiago—and Donna Ignez had retired early to -her own apartments. All day she had been busy -with Donna Erminia, little Donna Paula, and other -ladies, in preparing artificial flowers and lanterns -for the grand religious festival, which was to be held -in the Church of La Campagnia, wherein the Padre -Ugarte and Eizagiuerra, the Nuncio, were to officiate, -a festival which was looked forward to with the -deepest interest by all in Santiago. -</p> - -<p> -Seated before the mirror, with all her fine dark hair -floating in rippling masses upon her smooth white -shoulders, the girl was lingering, ere she proceeded -further to undress, and seemed disposed to muse, -and to gaze at the reflection of her own charming -figure, while she repeated, re-acted, and reconsidered -with a soft, dreamy smile on her lips and in her eyes, -all that had passed of late between herself and -Pedro; and to think, with a sigh, of what her papa's -views might be, when he came to hear that their -visitor had adopted the character of an avowed -lover—that she was on bad terms with cousin Perez, -had well-nigh quarrelled with him, and dismissed -him! -</p> - -<p> -These thoughts rather agitated the little beauty, -and so immersed was she in them that she did not -hear a light step on the gilded balcony outside her -window, which was yet partly unclosed, nor did she -hear the sash pushed open, as a man cautiously -entered her apartment, and stood for a minute -surveying her with an expression of admiration, that on -this occasion was in no way feigned. -</p> - -<p> -This nocturnal visitor was no other than Pedro, -who, in the course of casual conversation, had -cunningly discovered from Ignez the locality of her -sleeping-place, and who, after supping with Don -Salvador, had taken an additional bottle of wine at -a taberna with Zuares, and returned to the house on -the Alameda. Then, selecting the window of Ignez, -he had cast his lasso over the balcony and swung -himself up, hand over hand, in a manner which his -past nautical experiences rendered easy enough. -</p> - -<p> -He approached slowly and stealthily, dreading an -outcry when she discovered him. He had but two -ideas. One was to persuade her to elope with him; -the other was the hope that she might so far -compromise herself that marriage alone could save her -honour. Cautious in all his proceedings, he had -gathered the lasso in his hand, for to leave it -dangling into the street might have attracted attention, -and caused premature discovery. Behind one of -the poplars in the Alameda, Zuares sat crouching on -his hams, and watching like a lynx. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro was within a pace of Ignez when she -started, and her dark eyes dilated as she saw his -form appear behind her own, reflected in the -mirror; but, ere a cry could escape her parting -lips, he threw his arms around her, and stifled it -with a kiss. -</p> - -<p> -"Pedro—Don Pedro!" she exclaimed, in a voice -of agitation and terror. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Ignez, 'tis I! <i>Nina mi alma</i>—'tis I." -</p> - -<p> -This forecastle phrase, which means literally, "my -little honey," by no means reassured her. -</p> - -<p> -"How—what does this mean?" she asked, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -"It means that—that my love, Ignez, can neither -tolerate absence nor delay." -</p> - -<p> -"Delay!" she faltered, while gathering up her -hair, by which she displayed a very taper waist, and -two polished elbows. -</p> - -<p> -"I dread alike the wiles and enmity of your cousin -Perez, and that devil of a Padre Eizagiuerro, with -many others who dislike me, and I have come hither -to-night that we may be separated no more." -</p> - -<p> -"What am I to understand by all this, senor?" -asked the girl, with increasing agitation. -</p> - -<p> -"Does not your own heart tell you?" asked -Pedro, embracing her. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>O madre de Dios</i>—what is all this I hear?" she -exclaimed, while flushing and palpitating in his -arms, and glancing nervously at the door. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Demonio</i>—I forget what I am about!" muttered -Pedro, as he hastened to the door, and softly turned -the key. -</p> - -<p> -"Leave me—retire as you came. Leave me, if -you hope for pardon—if you would not wish to see -me die at your feet, Don Pedro," said Ignez, gathering -her energies, and gazing at him with a glance -which was very loving and imploring, though there -was something in Pedro's aspect now, flushed as he -was with wine and presumptuous hopes, that almost -terrified her; for his features seemed unusually -coarse and swollen, and his eyes wore a very wild -expression. "Leave me," she repeated, "or I shall -be compelled to cry for aid; my father's room is not -very far from this." -</p> - -<p> -Pedro laughed. -</p> - -<p> -"Senora," said he, "you forget that your reputation -is at stake if you utter an outcry, and I am thus -discovered—so kiss me, and be quiet, will you? -Were it known that a man was in your bed-room, -even for ten minutes, all Santiago would ring with -it to-morrow; and think of the fuss there would be -about it on the Alameda. How the Padre -Eizagiuerro would raise his eyebrows, and the Padre -Ugarte his voice; how Donna Erminia would shrug -her white shoulders; and what would old papa -Salvador de Moreno say of it? So, my little beauty, -my darling Ignez, be quiet pray, for all our sakes. -Come, <i>mi queredita</i>, sit on my knee, and I shall soon -teach you to love me with all your heart." -</p> - -<p> -But Pedro's words—the very picture of shame -and exposure which his banter unwittingly -portrayed—instead of answering his purpose, fully -recalled the young lady to herself, and a sense of -her danger. -</p> - -<p> -The regard she bore him in her impulsive breast -first filled her eyes with tears of sorrow, that he -should dare to act thus, and then they flashed with -indignation that Pedro should conceive a scheme so -disastrous. -</p> - -<p> -"If you love me, as you say, Don Pedro, I beseech -you to retire," she said, sternly. -</p> - -<p> -"It is because I do love you as I say, that I am -here," urged Pedro, making another effort to clasp -her in his arms. -</p> - -<p> -But she eluded him, and in a voice there was no -mistaking—low, subdued, and full of angry -determination, she replied: -</p> - -<p> -"Begone, senor, or by the soul of my mother, I -shall summon my father, and he always sleeps with -fire-arms at hand." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Demonio!</i> what a little spitfire it is." -</p> - -<p> -At that moment there was a loud knock on the -chamber-door. -</p> - -<p> -"Who is there?" asked Ignez, growing deadly -pale, and sickening with the thought of the false -position in which Pedro had placed her. -</p> - -<p> -"Open, Ignez," said the voice of Don Salvador, -"'Tis I, your father." -</p> - -<p> -"What is the matter, senor?" asked Ignez, -almost sinking with distress. -</p> - -<p> -"A man has been seen to enter the house!" -</p> - -<p> -"A man!" -</p> - -<p> -"So your cousin Perez tells me." At this name -Pedro ground his teeth, and felt for his knife. -</p> - -<p> -"We have searched for him everywhere, save -here, and we must assure ourselves that your rooms -are safe; open." -</p> - -<p> -"In one moment, dearest papa," replied Ignez, -pointing to the window, pale and trembling, her -dark eyes flashing, her curved nostrils quivering; -but instead of retiring as he had entered, Pedro -snatched up his lasso, darted into a little closet, the -door of which was open, and concealed himself -among the cloaks, dresses, and other garments, which -hung from pegs upon the wall. -</p> - -<p> -This was the bath-room of Ignez, and a <i>brazero</i> of -lighted charcoal was smouldering on the floor. This -seriously incommoded Pedro, who remained -ensconced in the little apartment, bitterly repenting -the whole adventure, by which his safety was -compromised, and his hopes, perhaps, dashed for ever. -So he crouched and listened, with his hand on the -haft of his knife, ready to spring forth and kill Don -Salvador—even Ignez herself, if it were necessary—for -whenever he was at bay, or caught in his own -toils, the cruel impulses of his savage heart gained -their fullest sway. -</p> - -<p> -"I have heard or seen nothing to cause alarm, -papa," said Ignez, whose colourless face was closely -scanned by Don Perez, as he looked round the -apartment and over the balcony. -</p> - -<p> -"It is very odd," said Don Salvador; "but as -Perez passed homeward he saw a man enter the -house. I will report the affair to the alguazil-mayor, -for we have searched everywhere, and can find no -trace of the fellow. I am sorry we have disturbed -you, my child, when weary, as you must be with -your day's work at La Campagnia," he added, while -half-cocking his pistols. "But good-night, darling, -and pleasant dreams to you." -</p> - -<p> -"We have not searched this closet," said Perez, -whose pallor exceeded that of Inez, and her heart -seemed to die within her, as he opened the -dressing-room door. "Faugh!" he added, "such a smell of -charcoal. My dear Ignez, you should be careful -with that <i>brazero</i>." -</p> - -<p> -He then locked the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Come, Perez," said old Moreno, "Ignez looks pale." -</p> - -<p> -"May I speak with her for one minute, my dear -senor, and will you wait for me in the billiard-room?" -</p> - -<p> -"Certainly, my dear boy; but don't stay long," -said the old gentleman, as he smilingly retired. -</p> - -<p> -Ignez gazed anxiously, almost with a haggard -aspect, at her cousin, and then her eyes wandered -furtively towards the door of the fatal closet. -</p> - -<p> -"Ignez," said Perez, trembling in spite of himself. -</p> - -<p> -"Cousin!" -</p> - -<p> -"There is a man in that closet." -</p> - -<p> -Her dismay was now overwhelming, for it was -combined with a shame and terror against which -even her pure innocence failed to support her. -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Perez, my cousin, dare you accuse—dare -you suspect——" -</p> - -<p> -"I suspect and accuse you of nothing. Oh Ignez! -God forbid, though I have suffered much of late. -But a villain whom I do suspect has concealed -himself for some nefarious purpose in your -dressing-closet. On looking in I saw his feet, and he must -be got rid of quietly, for not a breath must stain the -reputation of you, my dearest Ignez. Leave me to -act," continued Perez, as he opened the closet door -and cocked a pistol. "Come forth," said he; "you -are discovered, Don Pedro. Come forth instantly, -and in silence too." -</p> - -<p> -There was no reply, but the body of Pedro was -seen extended at length on the floor! He was in a -state of exhaustion—overcome by his recent -potations at the <i>taberno</i>, combined with the noxious -fumes of the charcoal from the brazero. -</p> - -<p> -Perez kicked him with his foot, and smiled grimly. -</p> - -<p> -"I told you, my dear cousin, to be careful with -that <i>brazero</i>. Luckily there is no moon, the night -is cloudy, and this carrion may recover his senses -in the cool Alameda." -</p> - -<p> -Pale as death, bewildered and terrified, Ignez -gazed on the prostrate figure, and on those features -which seemed to be convulsed by the throes of -death. -</p> - -<p> -Don Perez tied the lasso under the arms of Pedro, -and dragging his body to the balcony, after carefully -ascertaining that there was no one in the street, -with no small exertion (for the lad was slight though -wiry) he hoisted the bulky intruder over the iron -railing, and lowered him to the ground—not very -tenderly, perhaps. He then dropped the lasso after -its proprietor, carefully closed and secured the -window-sashes, kissed his passive cousin, and -bidding her good night, retired. -</p> - -<p> -At that moment the great bell of the church of -La Campagnia (which was already beginning to be -lighted up with its countless lamps, for the great -festival of the morrow) tolled the hour of twelve. -Every stroke sounded like a knell in the soul of -Ignez, and she burst into tears. -</p> - -<p> -She was guiltless, and he had not suspected her; -yet in her innocent heart she felt terrified like one -who unwittingly has committed a great crime. Oh, -that Padre Eizagiuerro were here, that she might -confide it all to him, and solicit his advice! -</p> - -<p> -Was that the man who had so lately poured his -daring love speeches into her ears, and who had -striven to embrace her—he whom she had seen -Perez dragging forth, with an air of such mingled -anger and satisfaction—dying or dead? -</p> - -<p> -She dared not peep forth to satisfy the curiosity -that consumed her. Had she done so, about one -hour after Pedro was lowered over the balcony, she -might have seen him walking slowly away, leaning -on the arm of Zuares. -</p> - -<p> -The cool night breeze in the open Alameda had -revived him; but the fumes of the brazero in that -little closet were nearly being the means of cutting -short the career of Pedro Barradas, and so saving -us, and many others, a vast deal of trouble. -</p> - -<p> -On this night, the sleep of Ignez was far from -being a peaceful one. -</p> - -<p> -Perez slept like a dormouse. He was happy, and -his first thought in the morning was to open sundry -letters and telegrams from Valparaiso. -</p> - -<p> -"Oho, Don Pedro Florez de Serrano!" he -exclaimed, "lieutenant of the <i>Florida</i>, in the naval -service of the States, on his parole of honour, cousin -of the Captain-General of Cuba, nephew of the -Corregidor of Ciudad Rodrigo, student of -Salamanca, and the devil only knows all what more, so -we have caught you, have we? <i>Bueno viva!</i>" -</p> - -<p> -And the young man, as he drank his coffee and -lit a cigar, laughed loudly. -</p> - -<p> -How little could he foresee the awful events of -the night that were to follow! -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap17"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVII. -<br /><br /> -THE GREAT CRIME OF PEDRO BARRADAS. -</h3> - -<p> -In the cool night breeze, that swept through the -Alameda de la Canada, Pedro had recovered -consciousness, but he had no conception of how he -came to be there, nor had he a recollection of -anything that had occurred after he darted into the -dressing-closet of Ignez. He could remember that -an overpowering sleep fell upon him, and that -was all. -</p> - -<p> -During the day he was too unwell to visit the -house of the Morenos; but he hoped to meet Donna -Ignez, with the rest of her family, at the great -festival in the Church of La Campagnia, when, -doubtless, she would be able to explain all to him. -</p> - -<p> -"You are sure that matters are all right with -this girl?" asked Zuares, doubtfully, for he had -seen a man lowering what he at first supposed to -be his brother's dead body over the balcony. -</p> - -<p> -"Right—of course. <i>Vamos!</i> it is a clear case -with her now." -</p> - -<p> -"Clear case of what?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of going into consumption, or into a convent, if -she does not marry me," replied Pedro, who, -however, was not without some unpleasant doubts -himself, when remembering the unconcealed anger and -vexation exhibited by Ignez last night; "but, -Zuares, do you know that this old fellow——" -</p> - -<p> -"Who?" -</p> - -<p> -"Don Salvador de Moreno—— -</p> - -<p> -"Well?" -</p> - -<p> -"Possesses one of the thirty-four gold mines in -the Curacy of Colina, with one of the <i>laverados</i> on -the mountain of Giundo?" -</p> - -<p> -"Is it a bath?" asked Zuares. -</p> - -<p> -"No, you fool!" replied Pedro, angrily. -</p> - -<p> -"'Whoso calleth his brother a fool——'" -</p> - -<p> -"'Is in danger of hell-fire!' Bah! I learnt all -that long ago at Orizaba." -</p> - -<p> -"Well—and this <i>laverado</i>?" -</p> - -<p> -"Is a place where the gold-dust is washed from -the sand. Ignez shall be heiress of as many pistoles -as would fill yonder brigantine to the beams." -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Bueno!</i> then we shall see what we shall see. I -am beginning to tire of this kind of life, and long -for salt-water again." -</p> - -<p> -The night of the 8th December drew on, and -Pedro, with his brother, were among the first who -repaired to the Plazuela de la Campagnia. Long -before the doors of the vast church were open, -hundreds of splendid carriages, rolling from all -quarters of the city, deposited ladies in rich -summer dresses and ample crinolines—large beyond any -that we see in Europe—at the high-arched portal, -through which, and through every window of that -lofty pile, there glared a marvellous blaze of light, -for the edifice had been illuminated with a -splendour never seen before. Consequently the -excitement in Santiago was great, and great was -the competition among the wealthy and well-born -to procure admission. -</p> - -<p> -It was the great festival of the Immaculate -Conception, and more than 20,000 lights and lamps, of -every brilliant colour, mostly camphine, garlanded -the pillars, encircled the arches, lined the -cornices, or were festooned across the great church, -and so many coloured globes were used on this -occasion, that the whole interior resembled a hall -of dazzling fire. All was light and radiance—there -could be no shadow anywhere. -</p> - -<p> -The great altar was a veritable pyramid of light, -amid which there shone a marvellous image of the -Madonna, copied from Murillo's famous picture. -Her eyes were turned to heaven, her hands were -crossed upon her breast; her feet were placed upon -a crescent moon, and clouds of snow-white gauze -and muslin seemed to float around her. -</p> - -<p> -Never had such a display been witnessed in this -old church of the Jesuits (since the marriage of the -Conde de Sierra Bella, whose palace yet stands in -the great plaza), for old it was, when compared with -other buildings in the city, having been founded in -the early part of the seventeenth century. -</p> - -<p> -From the floor the altar rose to the roof of the -church, and as it did not reach from wall to wall, -on each side were great reliquaries, closed by doors -so richly gilded, that they shone like two vast plates -of polished gold. -</p> - -<p> -All on their knees before it knelt a congregation -composed of 2,000 women (and a few hundred -men), all richly attired, and many of them young, -noble, and beautiful. It was a sight such as never -before had been witnessed in Santiago. -</p> - -<p> -Thanks to the favour of the Nuncio, Donna Ignez, -with her cousin, Don Perez, and his sisters, Donna -Erminia and the little Donna Paula, had procured -places close to the glittering rail which surrounded -the vast altar, and there they were speedily joined -by Pedro, who left his brother among the valets in -livery at the church porch, and who, utterly -indifferent to, or oblivious of the long stare and -steady frown bestowed upon him by Don Perez, -presented his hand to Ignez, and—after he had -devoutly crossed himself, and smote his breast -sundry times—prepared to join in a whispered -conversation, for the service had not yet commenced. -</p> - -<p> -During the livelong day an idea that he was dead—that -he had been suffocated in the closet—had -haunted the mind of Ignez, who felt herself as if an -accomplice in a great crime, and thus, when she -found him kneeling beside her in church, she gave -him her daintily-gloved little hand with a bright -smile, that was full of real happiness; for though -this man had so nearly destroyed her honour, she -was most thankful to Heaven that he had not -perished, as her fears predicted. -</p> - -<p> -She felt no love for him now, but sincere gratitude -to faithful cousin Perez, and returning love, too; -but Pedro construed her smile in his own fashion, -and believing that his fortunes were still in a fair -way to prosper, he continued to whisper and kneel -by her side, greatly to the rage of Perez, of whose -agency in the episode of last night the bold impostor -was yet completely ignorant. -</p> - -<p> -Padre Ugarte was to preach, and Padre Eizagiuerro, -the Apostolic Nuncio, the friend of Pope Pius IX., -and founder of the American College at Rome, was -next to address the people. -</p> - -<p> -It had been said all over Santiago, some days -before, that in the house of the Morenos, the Nuncio -had expressed a regret that too probably the lighting -up of the Campagnia Church would be inferior to -the illuminations of the Romans. -</p> - -<p> -"Rome!" exclaimed Ugarte; "in Colina we -have four-and-thirty mines of gold; in Lampa -three of silver; the mountains of Caren are full of -gold, and gold laverados cover all the summit of -Calen. Our devotees are rich, Senor Nuncio, and -on that holy night I shall show you <i>such an -illumination as the world has never seen</i>!" -</p> - -<p> -Fearfully prophetic was the boast of Ugarte! -</p> - -<p> -While the people were still absorbed in prayer, -and many a bright eye, and many a young and -beautiful face turned in wonder and pleasure to the -countless lamps that covered all the church, and ere -the choir had struck up, or the procession of -ecclesiastics entered, Pedro saw his brother Zuares -forcing a passage, without much ceremony, through -the kneeling thousands, towards him. What did -this portend? -</p> - -<p> -Pedro first felt emotions of annoyance, then of -alarm, for the face of Zuares, who beckoned to him, -was pale with agitation. Pedro approached him by -a few paces. -</p> - -<p> -"We are lost! They have discovered everything!" -said Zuares, in a breathless whisper. -</p> - -<p> -"They—who?" -</p> - -<p> -"In the porch of the church I heard our names -mentioned, and so concealed myself behind a statue -to listen." -</p> - -<p> -"Well, well! Quick, quick!" -</p> - -<p> -"There, now in close consultation about the best -mode of seizing you as you leave the church, are -Don Salvador de Moreno, Felipe Fernandez, the -keeper of the Posada de Augustin, the mate of the -brigantine, and that accursed Englishman, -Hawkshaw. They have with them the alguazil-mayor, -and four horse-police, with their carbines, and I -heard them all whispering of sacrilege—robbery." -</p> - -<p> -"What more?" hissed Pedro, through his -clenched teeth. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>Murder!</i>" whispered Zuares, with pallid lips. -</p> - -<p> -The "trail of the serpent" was complete. -</p> - -<p> -"The door is watched, you say?" -</p> - -<p> -"And the church is surrounded by horse and foot -alguazils," replied Zuares, in the same low, hurried -whisper. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro glanced hastily about him; there seemed -to be no way of escape but by the porch, and that -was guarded. Don Perez had seen Zuares approach, -and his keen, stern eye was on the brothers. -Already he was rising as if to leave the church; -some plan for escape must be decided on, and -quickly, as if the great fiend had whispered it, a -diabolical thought occurred to Pedro Barradas. -</p> - -<p> -He glanced towards the magnificent altar, on -which, amid thousands of waxen and feather flowers, -there burned several hundred lights. It was a -transparent tabernacle, within which were -innumerable jets of liquid gas, and it was composed -entirely of woodwork with gilded pasteboard and -draperies of muslin. -</p> - -<p> -Pedro resolved to create an alarm, and attempt -an escape while it lasted. -</p> - -<p> -Just at that moment, when the Nuncio and Ugarte, -preceded by boys bearing censers and tapers, were -entering, just as the choir struck up, and while a -solemn murmur pervaded the vast church, for the -crescent moon beneath the feet of the Madonna -suddenly flashed forth a silvery splendour, unseen -by all, save Don Perez, who was retiring, Pedro -threw a lighted cigar match among the draperies of -the altar, and in a moment the light festoons and -muslin clouds, the whole figure of the Madonna, and -the altar, which was seventy feet in height, became -a roaring pyramid of fire. -</p> - -<p> -A wild cry from the kneeling congregation burst -over the whole church, and the door instantly -became blocked by fugitives, who fell, wedged over -each other in a hopeless pile, the upper stifling -those below, while the spread of the conflagration -exceeded in its speed the fear of those who would -have fled. -</p> - -<p> -An effect was produced beyond what Pedro had -anticipated. He hoped for a mere alarm, he produced -a catastrophe beyond all parallel in ancient or -modern times. -</p> - -<p> -Maddened, however, by double terror, he was -among the first who sought for safety. Trampling -women and children under foot and endued with -twice his natural strength and activity by sheer -desperation, he contrived to reach the sill of a -window, by climbing over a tomb, and dashing the -lozenged frame to pieces, was preparing to throw -himself headlong out, when his foot was seized -from below. -</p> - -<p> -He uttered an angry imprecation and looked down. -</p> - -<p> -Donna Ignez and little Donna Paula both clung -to him in the wildest terror. -</p> - -<p> -"Save us, Don Pedro—save us, for the love of -God!" cried they in despair, for the whole of that -fated church was now covered with sheets of flame, -its twenty thousand camphine lamps, as their cords -and festoons gave way, adding to the terror by -descending like a rain of fire, and setting aflame the -hair and light summer dresses of those below—that -struggling mass of horror-stricken people, who were -all hopelessly wreathed and wedged together. -</p> - -<p> -It was fire—fire—fire everywhere—above, below, -around—a seething mass of flaming figures, wavering -and scorching, a rising and descending sea of -red flame, for the church of God had now become a -living hell! -</p> - -<p> -"Save me! save me!" gasped Ignez, choking -in the heat, as her light summer dress caught fire. -</p> - -<p> -"No use to save her now from fire, as I did from -water. Perez, you don't require to swim here," -cried the barbarian, as he thrust the shrieking girl -and little Paula among the flames with his foot, -and, springing into the street without, fled from -Santiago. -</p> - -<p> -The public papers have told us how, in less than -a quarter of an hour, nearly all who were in that -fatal church—that stupendous holocaust—to the -number of nearly 3,000, perished; how a phalanx -of death choked up the porch, and how, in many -instances, tender hands and delicate arms were -wrenched, yea, literally torn off, in attempts to drag -forth the dying; how whole families were reduced -to cinders, side by side, and all in the lapse of a few -minutes. -</p> - -<p> -They also told us "how the voice of lamentation -was heard all over the land, and the bitter weeping -of fathers, of husbands, and lovers for those who -were the joy and brightness of their life, that -refuses to be comforted because they are not. -Hundreds of young girls, only yesterday radiant -and beautiful, in the luxuriant bloom of the fresh -and hopeful spring of life, to-day calcined, hideous -corpses, horrible, loathsome to the sight, and -impossible to be recognised! Within that quarter of an -hour 2,000 souls had passed through the ordeal of -fire to the judgment-seat of God!" -</p> - -<p> -Old Don Salvador de Moreno made frenzied -efforts to pierce through the pile of maddened and -suffocating women, who hopelessly blocked up the -door of the church, seeking to see, to save if he -could, his daughter—his only child. -</p> - -<p> -The screaming, the wringing of hands, the tearing -of hair, and beating of faces, the invocations of the -dying, and the roar of the advancing flames within -and beyond, imparting to the church portal an -appearance like to the entrance of a vast furnace, -seared his heart and his eyeballs. -</p> - -<p> -He saw not his daughter; but, amid this most -unearthly blaze, he could distinguish Donna -Erminia, and knew that Ignez could not be far off. -He could see the tall, fair-skinned, proud, and -beautiful Erminia, and little Paula, with her hair -dishevelled, like many others near her, undergo a -sudden and horrible transformation, as the lurid -flame seized upon their skirts and tresses. -</p> - -<p> -The sheet of scorching fire passed over them! -</p> - -<p> -They became blackened, lean, shrunken, rigid, -dead, sable statues, in contorted attitudes, and then -crumbled away amid the furnace, for such had the -church become. -</p> - -<p> -Suddenly a figure rose for an instant amid the -mass. It was Perez—Perez with Ignez in his arms, -and as he rose her father saw them—his hair and -her dress all ablaze; then both sank back into that -red sea of fire, to rise no more! -</p> - -<p> -The old man became senseless, and was borne out -of the press by the alguazil-mayor and Cramply -Hawkshaw. -</p> - -<p> -The Chilian papers tell us that a horseman threw -his lasso into the church where a hundred hands -tried to catch it. This man was Felipe Fernandez, -of Valparaiso, who by main strength dragged one -woman out in flames. -</p> - -<p> -Again he cast his lasso in, but the fire scorched -the leather thong away. -</p> - -<p> -Within the time we have stated—a brief quarter -of an hour—the roof, the dome, and cupola, -descended in flames, with a thundering crash upon -the church below, and all was over! -</p> - -<p> -There perished all the family of Moreno, and -their remains were never recognised. So poor -Perez, whom Ignez had taunted for not saving her -when in the water, died by her side in that sea of -flame! -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -* * * * * -</p> - -<p> -The silence of the grave succeeded to the cries of -despair that for a time had pierced the calm night -air, and, as the flames smouldered and died away on -the sloped strata of blackened corpses that lay -beneath the fallen dome, those who looked fearfully -through the windows could see, by the clear -splendour of the tropical moon, those thousands of -calcined dead, kneeling, standing, or lying all in their -last contorted posture, as the wasting fire, or the -agony of their awful end, had left them. -</p> - -<p> -For the remainder of that night, no sounds were -heard in Santiago but those of lamentation, and the -solemn tolling of the church bells, as the archbishop -summoned all to prayer for the souls that were -gone. -</p> - -<p> -Zuares was one of those men who effected an -escape by the sacristy-door, before it was blocked -up by fugitives, and meeting his brother on the -road that led to the mountains, they heard the -live-long night the tolling of the city bells in the -distance. -</p> - -<p> -Even they were overcome by dread and horror, as -they continued their flight in silence and desperation, -where they knew not and cared not, so that -they left the city of Santiago as far behind them as -possible. -</p> - -<p> -For days after this they lurked unseen, unknown, -and safely, in a great cane-brake, among the -feathery bamboos—the <i>guádua</i>—some of which are -ninety feet in height. -</p> - -<p> -Ere long they reached the sea-coast, and shipped -on board a short-handed brig that lay at the mouth -of the Maypo river, laden with guano, and bound -for Britain, and they gladly looked forward to face -again even the nights of bitter snow and -close-reefed foresails off Cape Horn. -</p> - -<p> -This vessel they left, when paid off in the London -Docks, and, to the misfortune of all concerned, were -shipped on board the <i>Hermione</i> by Captain Phillips, -who could little foresee the mischief they had in -store for him and his friends. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap18"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVIII. -<br /><br /> -COMMITTED TO THE DEEP. -</h3> - -<p> -The <i>Diaria de Valparaiso</i>, <i>El Mercurio del Vapor</i>, -and other papers, but chiefly documents of a private -nature belonging to the late Don Salvador de Moreno -(for the poor man did not long survive that terrible -8th of December), have assisted us in the compilation -of the foregoing narrative of the two brothers, -which forms a singular sequel to their father's secret -history; but until the fact fell from the baked and -faltering lips of Pedro Barradas, in no way were -Morley Ashton, Bartelot, Heriot, and others who -listened, prepared to hear that he was concerned in -bringing about a catastrophe so terrible as that -which closes our preceding chapter. -</p> - -<p> -"So that was the great crime of Pedro—the awful -deed which he has so frequently referred to in his -ravings," said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"An awful deed truly," added Captain Phillips. -"Who would live, even if he could, haunted by such -memories? A precious logbook of crime his life -presents?" -</p> - -<p> -Death, however, came on Pedro fast. One of his -last acts was to examine his wretched pallet for the -watch and ring which, as detailed in a previous -chapter, he had forcibly taken from Hawkshaw. -</p> - -<p> -His half-fatuous intention was now, probably, to -bestow them on some one; but a groan of pity and -disgust escaped him on finding that one of his -worthless compatriots had already abstracted them, and -now, perhaps, would gladly give them both for one -drop of water to cool his parched tongue in the -drifting quarter-boat. -</p> - -<p> -"The past, the past!" he moaned; "<i>misericordia! misericordia</i>! -My life—my lost life! Oh! that -with my present bitter experience I could live it -over once again—even a year of it—how different it -should be! How many have been misspent, frittered -away and blackened? Oh! for a month—a week—to -repent. One day—mother of God—only one -day; but it may not be—cannot be! Oh that I -might warn Zuares, ere it be too late also for -him—no absolution, no hope." -</p> - -<p> -As the life of Pedro ebbed—easily, however, -complete mortification having set in—and his senses -passed away, he muttered something again and -again; and Morley, who was in the forecastle, held -the lamp near—for night had come on—and stooped -over him to listen. -</p> - -<p> -He was delirious as well as dying, and his husky -and broken ravings were of the cathedral church of -Orizaba, and he averred that he saw at the foot of -his bed, in that wretched forecastle bunk, the figure -of a woman. -</p> - -<p> -"A figure—what is it like?" asked Morley, -glancing round in spite of himself. -</p> - -<p> -"A woman enshrined in light. She is clad in -blue, with thirteen stars around her head. <i>Ave -Maria purissima! Ave Maria purissima!</i>" he cried, -and, sinking back, closed his eyes, overcome by -weakness and excitement. -</p> - -<p> -It was the image so revered in his innocent -childhood, when he and Zuares prayed at their mother's -knee; and with this shadow before his visionary -eye—the same figure that in dreams had hung over -his cradle in infancy—the feet of which he and -Zuares had been taught to kiss—the same image, -with an aureole of light around its placid face, the -Madonna of Orizaba, with her feet resting on the -sharp, pale crescent moon, before his glazing eyes, -whose last expression was fear and ecstasy—the -soul of this inscrutable ruffian passed away! -</p> - -<p> -Then Morley Ashton, who was the last lonely -watcher, hastened on deck to report that all was -over. -</p> - -<p> -This perpetrator of so many crimes was dead! -Ferocity, avarice, cruelty, insatiate lust, unavailing -remorse, and all the stormy passions which had, in -turn, convulsed that lawless heart, that dark and -sombre visage, were gone now. The man was dead -and gone—gone as if he had never been! -</p> - -<p> -Before the ship's bell had clanged the last half -hour of the morning watch, Noah and Morrison had -rolled his body up in the blankets in which he died, -and had lashed a couple of shot in a canvas-bag to -his ankles. -</p> - -<p> -Then they laid him on a grating to leeward, -anxious to have the last rites over before the young -ladies came on deck. -</p> - -<p> -The red enamelled cross of San Jago, which -Morley had brought from the hermit's cell, was tied -up with him; indeed, it was found impossible to -take it from his hand, in which it was tightly -clenched. -</p> - -<p> -There was mental relief to all on board when the -burial of Pedro—the last act of a long and gloomy -drama—was over, and when his tall and muscular -form—herculean and ghastly it looked, rolled up in -blankets, and lashed round with spunyarn—went -surging, feet foremost, through the white foam, -vanishing for ever, in the deep green sea to leeward, -while the ship, as if lightened of a load, flew through -the shining waves of the Mozambique. -</p> - -<p> -This was on a Saturday, about 8 A.M., when -the golden sun shone in all its beauty on the fresh, -cool morning sea. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel could never think of Pedro without a cold -shudder, and often said, "Thus is sin its own -punishment;" but Rose, her terror past, had -imbibed almost a sentimental pity or sympathy for -the dead ruffian, who figured so largely in the diary -before mentioned, which was now resumed for the -benefit of her old gossip and companion, Lucy Page, -at Acton-Rennel. -</p> - -<p> -Captain Phillips, however, took a very different -view of the matter, and so much had his naturally -kind character been soured or warped by recent -events, that he could scarcely be prevailed upon to -read the burial service over the defunct mutineer; -and thus he cut it pretty short, upon the plea that a -rough day was before them, that he had few hands, -and wished to take in a reef in each of the courses; -so never were those words—so solemn and so -awful—under the usual circumstances "we thus commit -his body to the deep," so irreverently uttered, and -yet, worthy old Jack Phillips is the kindest of all -good fellows. -</p> - -<p> -The Saturday night came on, calm, clear, and -starry, the south-west monsoon blew fresh and -steadily, and as close-hauled as a square-rigged craft -could be, the <i>Hermione</i> was making a long tack -towards the southern point of Madagascar. Fortunately, -nothing had been seen yet of the three red -proas, of which such earnest warning had been -given by the officer of Her Majesty's corvette -the <i>Clyde</i>. -</p> - -<p> -The cheerful glass went round to "sweethearts -and wives," and to "all ships at sea." To these -weekly toasts, Captain Phillips added a special glass -of stiff grog, in honour of his airy friend, "the -clerk of the weather," whom Rose, who was writing, -supposed to be the late Admiral Fitzroy. Ethel was -occupying herself with crochet, Mr. Basset was -asleep, and Morley was at the wheel on deck, and -already it seemed that Pedro Barradas and the -particulars of his terrible history were forgotten. So— -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - "The wind blows out, the bubble dies,<br /> - The spring entombed in autumn lies,<br /> - The dew dries up, the star is shot,<br /> - The flight is past, and man forgot."<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap19"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIX. -<br /><br /> -DR. HERIOT'S FEE. -</h3> - -<p> -During the six preceding chapters, the reader may -have been kindly wondering how Mr. Basset's health -progressed after the night which succeeded the -skilful attempt of Dr. Heriot to rescue him from a -death that seemed all but accomplished. -</p> - -<p> -That night he had passed in heavy groans, in -nervous startings, and uneasy slumber; but next -morning he was able to articulate, and complained -to Ethel, in accents faint and weak as those of an -ailing child, of pains that spread over all his body; -these, however, were only consequent to the severe -friction he had undergone, to restore the circulation -of the blood. -</p> - -<p> -From Heriot's hands he received some warm -milk, mixed with brandy—milk from the stores of -soldered tin—and this luxury he swallowed with -ease; but yet seemed as one in a dream, and in -broken accents, he muttered of pain, and in a dreary -and bewildered way, of his "poor dear girls, whom -he should never see again." -</p> - -<p> -Then he fell into a sound sleep, with Ethel's soft -white arm under his head, and she listened to his -heavy respirations, more with fear than any other -emotion, lest each long-drawn breath might prove -the last. -</p> - -<p> -But Heriot, who patted her kindly and caressingly -on the head, sought to smile those fears away, by -telling her that "all danger was past now," and so -the second day of restoration gradually stole away. -</p> - -<p> -Another night of complete repose "sent Mr. Basset -a long way on the voyage of recovery," as -Captain Phillips said, when peeping into the little -cabin, where the pale, affectionate, and unwearied -watcher, though her eyes were bloodshot, and had -dark rings under them, yet hung over her charge, -and now Rose came to take her place. -</p> - -<p> -"How is dear papa this morning?" she asked, -anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -"All well, Rose, darling, if the old boy will only -keep up his pluck," was the doctor's unpoetical -reply, as he slyly kissed the pretty inquirer, and -led away Ethel, who he insisted should take a -little repose, with the announcement that she "was -quite killing herself; and he would not stand it, as -he was accountable to the captain for the health of -all on board—and then Morley must not see how ill -she was looking." -</p> - -<p> -As for poor Morley, she could see but little of -him just then, for he, with Bartelot, Morrison, -Gawthrop, and Foster, were never off the deck, -where by his skill and activity he won golden -opinions from the captain, whose anxieties (when -the distance he had yet to run, the size of his -crippled ship when compared with the slender crew, -the prospect of water running short, and having to -keep a look-out for those three proas, are all -considered) were certainly not small. -</p> - -<p> -To Rose Basset, our medical friend Leslie Heriot, -a good, kind-hearted, sensible, and practical Scotsman, -had been at first but a source of lively little -flirtation and fun—a dangler, an admirer, and -nothing more. At home she always had a dozen -such; it was Rose's habit and way; but now, as -his earnestness, and the troubles and dangers they -shared together, created a deeper emotion in her -breast, he gradually became the dream, the <i>beau-ideal</i> -of a warm-hearted young girl's passionate and -often senseless first love; and to the conclusion of -her portion of the voyage—when she, Ethel, and -papa would land at Port Louis, and when Leslie -must sail on to Singapore, a vast distance, of which -she had very little conception, save that it was -far, far away up the Indian seas—to that period, -we say, she looked forward with dismay and -alarm. -</p> - -<p> -Long and perilous though the voyage had been, -it was not yet long enough for Rose, who was -desperately in love with the young Scotch doctor. -</p> - -<p> -And now that Leslie, by his skill, care, and -tenderness, had saved her father from death, had -restored him to life and to his daughters, he became -an idol, whom she felt that she and Ethel should -worship with all their hearts; and Ethel's quiet, -earnest, and great gratitude to her sister's lover -was only equalled by the sincere regard and esteem -she had for him. -</p> - -<p> -On the other hand, the filial love, the tender -solicitude, and unwearying attention of these two -girls to their suffering father charmed all, but none -more than old Captain Phillips, whose experience of -the sex was chiefly gained amid the hurly-burly of -seaports. -</p> - -<p> -"Aha!" said he, slapping Morley on the back, -and winking knowingly to Heriot, "that is the sort -of thing I like to see; that is the kind of discipline -that prepares the daughter for the wife, and the -wife for being a mother. God bless them all!" he -added, uncorking a square case-bottle, to pour forth -a libation in honour of his opinions. -</p> - -<p> -"You are right, captain," said the doctor, who, in -his shirt-sleeves, was busy preparing breakfast, as -Noah came from the galley with a steaming kettle, -for they had now to do all things in turn. -</p> - -<p> -"Better to share a crust in a wigwam with a dear -good girl like Miss Ethel Basset, than have an -heiress with only her dirty acres to recommend -her—your health, doctor—them's Jack Phillips's -sentiments." -</p> - -<p> -Morley gave an unconscious sigh, for the poor -fellow felt bitterly that he had not even "the -crust" referred to by the captain. -</p> - -<p> -"Miss Basset has the patience of a vestal in these -long and pious vigils of the night," said Heriot, -with enthusiasm. "She and Rose have, indeed, -hearts formed for tenderness, and for doing all the -kind duties of life." -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, doctor, very true; and I begin to think, if -I could change my bachelor ways a bit, and warp -close into the matrimonial haven, there is a plump -little widow at Gravesend that wouldn't mind -changing her name to Mrs. Jack Phillips." -</p> - -<p> -As the captain said this, there was a gratified -twinkle in his merry blue eye, and quite a little -blush on his brown cheek; then he added, hastily: -</p> - -<p> -"Now, doctor, that ham seems done to a turn. -Pour out the coffee, Ashton; I must be off on deck -for the breeze holds steady, and this is our last tack -south-west'ard towards the coast of Africa." -</p> - -<p> -"Our last?" repeated Morley, mechanically. -</p> - -<p> -"Positively for the last time, as the play-bills -have it, thank Heaven, and the wind it sends us." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank Heaven, say I too. I only wish, further, -that we were round Cape St. Mary." -</p> - -<p> -"That will come too, all in good time, please God." -</p> - -<p> -Some time elapsed before Mr. Basset knew -all he had undergone, and before he became fully -aware of the vast service rendered to him by -Dr. Heriot. For a time the poor man was awed, -and humbled, and overwhelmed by all he had been -subjected to. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning he heard all this for the first -time, Captain Phillips shook him by the hand, and -said, laughing: -</p> - -<p> -"Bailie Nicol Jarvie says, 'My conscience, hang -a bailie!' but here we have actually had a judge -hanged at the yardarm, aboard this 'ere ship, and -yet never a hair the worse, thanks to Dr. Heriot -here." -</p> - -<p> -"Please, captain, don't speak of it," whispered -Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"God bless you, my dear sir," said Mr. Basset, -grasping both Heriot's hands in his. "He only can -reward you for your kindness and exercise of your -skill; but I am <i>the worse</i>, Captain Phillips, and -never again shall be half the man I was." -</p> - -<p> -"Take courage, sir," said Morley; "we never -know what is before us." -</p> - -<p> -"But I feel in every limb and fibre, Morley, that -I never shall fully recover the shock my nervous -system has sustained." -</p> - -<p> -"You shall, sir—you shall in time," said Heriot. -"Only take courage, as Ashton says." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, how miraculous it seems," murmured the -poor gentleman, as his wasted hand played with the -rich brown tresses of Rose, who half knelt and half -reclined beside his bed, with her eyes beaming -smiles alternately on him and on her lover, Heriot; -"how miraculous, indeed. Restored to life—restored -to life, and to my girls—restored, after -enduring, apparently, all the mental and bodily pangs -of a shocking and terrible death!" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, dearest papa; it is, indeed, a debt of -gratitude we owe to Dr. Heriot," said Ethel. -</p> - -<p> -"For Heaven's sake, Miss Basset, don't go on -this way," said Heriot. "You make a poor fellow -quite ashamed of doing his mere duty." -</p> - -<p> -"By what can I ever recompense you, Doctor -Heriot?" said Mr. Basset; "what reward can I -ever give you?" -</p> - -<p> -"I think I know, sir," said the captain, winking -with great mystery; while Rose, who felt a scene -impending, grew pale, and trembled. -</p> - -<p> -"You do?" asked Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; and so does Miss Ethel—and so do we all." -</p> - -<p> -"Look, papa—I think Dr. Heriot will consider -this the most valued fee you can give him," said -Ethel, as she playfully put Rose's right hand in that -of the doctor, who reddened to the roots of his -hair, and, for a brave and sensible fellow, really -looked very foolish. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset stared at them all round in perplexity; -then, as a sudden light seemed to break in -upon him, he smiled, and said: -</p> - -<p> -"Is it so, Ethel?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, dear papa." -</p> - -<p> -"And Rose, my little pet, what do you say?" -</p> - -<p> -Rose smiled, and sobbed, and grew pale and red, -and wished herself on deck. -</p> - -<p> -"So be it, then. I can't part with her, Heriot; -but God bless you both, and keep you ever by me," -said Mr. Basset, as he closed his eyes wearily, and -lay back to sleep. -</p> - -<p> -Poor Heriot's happiness made him giddy, and he -grew as pale as if sentence of death had been -passed on him. He could scarcely believe it all; -but he kissed Ethel, who had concocted this little -tableau; and Rose clasped the fat jolly captain -round his short neck, calling him her "dear old -thing." He returned her embrace with extreme -cordiality, and no doubt wished he was as close to -the plump widow of Gravesend. -</p> - -<p> -"How happy I am," said Ethel, blushing with -pleasure; "our troubles seem nearly over now." -</p> - -<p> -"And I, too, am happy—oh, so happy!" said -Rose; "I would not exchange positions, Leslie, to -be Queen of England—or Scotland, if you like it -better, Heriot, dear." -</p> - -<p> -"And never was M.D. of my old <i>Alma Mater</i> -rewarded by a fee so droll and handsome," said -Heriot, smiling fondly on the lively and laughing -girl, who clung to his arm as they went on deck -together. -</p> - -<p> -Thus, as Mrs. Lirriper says, "All true life is gain, -and the sorrows that befall us are none other than -solemn massive foundation-stones, laid below the -unfathomable gloom, that a measureless content -may be built upon them." -</p> - -<p> -But there were on board another pair of lovers in -whom we should be equally interested, and whose -prospects were not so bright, perhaps, for Heriot -had an income, however small, and plenty of -"expectations." -</p> - -<p> -When the excitement, consequent to Mr. Basset's -illness, if we may term it so, and to Pedro's story, -death, and burial were all passed, Morley Ashton -and Ethel resumed their usual habit of thought; -and again in their communings they began to speculate -on their future, and to hope that, on reaching -the Isle of France, Mr. Basset, by his legal -influence, would be able to procure for him some -suitable employment, by means of which he could -make an adequate livelihood—the hope that dawned -of old at Laurel Lodge—and their engagement -might be fulfilled. -</p> - -<p> -But Mr. Basset, to whom Morley had spoken of -these things, somewhat dashed their cherished -hopes, by frequently shaking his head, and declaring -that his health had suffered so much, that he felt -himself quite inadequate to assume his place on the -bench, and that hence all local and legal influence -would be gone. -</p> - -<p> -There were times, too, when he became quite -gloomy, and feared, he said, that he "might only -land to die—land to be laid in a foreign soil, far -from that God's acre, where his dear wife lay -at Acton-Rennel; and then, what would become -of his poor girls without a protector in the -world?" -</p> - -<p> -These gloomy forebodings filled Ethel with sickening -apprehension. This was a probable catastrophe, -the anticipation of which also made Morley -miserable, and he begged Mr. Basset not to speak thus -before his eldest daughter; but he rather liked the -luxury of dilating on the chances of his own -demise. -</p> - -<p> -However, they little knew what fate or fortune -had in store for them at the Isle of France, or -whether they should ever see that isle at all; and -despite his melancholy forebodings, which were -merely the result of his shaken nervous system, -Mr. Basset recovered rapidly, and on that day, when the -<i>Hermione</i> was near the close of her last long tack -towards the coast of Africa, he was conveyed on -deck, to have a look at Cape Corientes, which is the -most eastern portion of the land of Inhambane, and -is almost immediately under the Tropic of Capricorn. -</p> - -<p> -Faint and blue the headland rose at the horizon, -from a golden-coloured sea, about thirty miles -distant, and, through a double-barrelled glass, its -outline could be clearly distinguished against the -rarefied sky beyond. -</p> - -<p> -"And that is Africa!" said Ethel, regarding the -blue streak with her heart full of great thoughts, -and her dark eyes full of intelligence and interest as -she remembered all she had heard and read of Park -and Livingstone, Speke and Grant. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Miss Basset," said Morrison, "and a great -river, called the Inhambane, flows into the -Mozambique Channel but a few miles north of that -promontory." -</p> - -<p> -"How I should like to land—to tread the soil -there, where it but for only a minute, Morley." -</p> - -<p> -"Why so, Ethel?" asked Morley, smiling at her -enthusiasm. -</p> - -<p> -"I don't know, but I should like to do so, and -yet I know not why." -</p> - -<p> -"I think I could tell you, miss," said Morrison. -</p> - -<p> -"Indeed, sir?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; that you might say with the Roman of -old, 'Ego in Africa,'" replied the Scotch mate, -glancing from Ethel to the doctor, who smiled at -his countryman's apt allusion. -</p> - -<p> -"Is that your idea, Ethel?" asked Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes." -</p> - -<p> -But now there was a sudden bustle, when the -male inhabitants of this floating speck upon the sea -hastened to their various quarters, as she was to be -put about, on her last tack in the Mozambique—a -long run of many, many miles ere she would sight -the isle of Madagascar. -</p> - -<p> -"Ready about, my friends!" cried the captain, -as he took his station on the weather side of the -quarter-deck; "helm's a lee—tacks and sheets—let -go and haul!" followed each other rapidly. -</p> - -<p> -Noah had the wheel, and down went the helm at -a signal from Phillips, the fore tack and main sheet -were let go, round swung the yards in their iron -slings, aft came the main sheet, and then the spanker, -eased gradually off, fell away to leeward. -</p> - -<p> -Round came the ship bravely, and with the monsoon -filling all her sails, she stood off in the opposite -direction to that she had hitherto been pursuing, -her starboard tacks on board, and lying almost at a -right angle from her long white frothy wake, which -could be distinctly traced in the pure green of the -sea, and soon after the faint blue outline of Cape -Corientes sank into the evening haze upon the lee -quarter. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap20"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XX. -<br /><br /> -RADAMA PUFFADDER. -</h3> - -<p> -It was a pleasant sunny morning when Ethel was -roused by Morley tapping on her cabin-door, and -making the cheerful announcement that land was -in sight, almost ahead, so she and Rose made a -rapid toilette and joined him and the rest of their -friends on deck. -</p> - -<p> -The south-west wind held steadily, and its breath -rippled all the morning sea in wavelets that seemed -tipped with gold. The sunshine, bright and warm, -spread a yellow tint over all the western quarter of -the sky. In dark outline, as if tinted with indigo, -about ten miles distant, rose a mountain, in the -form of a sugar-loaf, blending at its base with -lesser ones that were near to the sea. -</p> - -<p> -"Madagascar, Ethel," said Morley, with a bright -smile, as he pointed to the coast. -</p> - -<p> -"And yonder headland is Cape St. Mary," added -Dr. Heriot. "I should know the place pretty well -by this time." -</p> - -<p> -"Why, Leslie?" asked Rose. -</p> - -<p> -"Because I see it now for the fourth time." -</p> - -<p> -"Poor Leslie!" said Rose; "and you have gone -those long voyages so often, when I knew nothing -of them." -</p> - -<p> -"Or—of me, Rose." -</p> - -<p> -"That does seem so strange now!" -</p> - -<p> -"However, Rose, I have no intention of voyaging -much more, 'for there's a good time coming,' as -the song says." -</p> - -<p> -Morrison had the wheel, and the captain desired -him to "hug the land, and keep close in shore, as -he wanted to procure fresh water." -</p> - -<p> -"I find that the needle varies at times in these -waters, sir," said Morrison. -</p> - -<p> -"Aye—but our patent steering compass always -holds true." -</p> - -<p> -Though the long and remarkable coast they were -approaching is flat and low near the shore, the sea -around it is without hidden danger in the form of -shoals, rocks, or reefs, and water fifty fathoms deep -can be found within four miles of it. -</p> - -<p> -As the ship drew nearer, objects became more -distinct—strange trees, gigantic plants, and fantastic -wigwams, like bee-hives; and after breakfast, Ethel -and Rose, with their op era-glasses, could see these -features plainly, and particularly a headland, covered -with tufted palm-trees. -</p> - -<p> -"And that is Cape St. Mary?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes," replied Morley, who, to support her, had -one arm round Ethel and another round the mizzen-shrouds, -for the deck was slippery with the morning -dew and the spray that flew over it now and then, -for the ship careened well over beneath the breeze, -which was now almost abeam. -</p> - -<p> -"Then we are out of the Mozambique Channel?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; or nearly so. By noon we shall be quite -out of it." -</p> - -<p> -"Thank Heaven! I wish we were only a little -nearer Port Louis." -</p> - -<p> -"We shall soon be so, Ethel, after leaving this -shore." -</p> - -<p> -"Don't deem me foolish, dearest; but, after all -we have suffered, I always tremble when I think -of—of——" -</p> - -<p> -"What, Ethel? -</p> - -<p> -"Of those three piratical proas which the captain -speaks about. I dreamt of them last night, and -saw them quite full of wild black fellows, with -spears, plumes, and war-paint—just like the pictures -we have seen of the savages who killed Captain -Cook." -</p> - -<p> -"The coast hereabout looks wild and solitary -indeed." -</p> - -<p> -"A few miles eastward lies Fort Dauphin," said -the doctor; "it was an old French settlement, but -was deserted and ruined long ago." -</p> - -<p> -Anxious, we have said, to procure water, the -captain stood close in towards one of the little isles -that lie about the south-western extremity of -Madagascar; and now every man on board, except the -convalescent Mr. Basset, had to work hard in taking -in and stowing some of the fore-and-aft canvas, -getting the kedge anchors and warps ready, having -the boats clear, and the soundings had to be -attended to without intermission. -</p> - -<p> -A curiously-built native boat was now seen -approaching swiftly from the shore, having suddenly -shot out of a creek. It was very long, very low, -and was paddled by two men. -</p> - -<p> -"Hollo, ladies!" cried Noah Gawthrop, who was -busy in the remaining quarter-boat, getting the -fall-tackles clear; "look at this swell coming along-side -in a cocked hat, like a wice-admiral o' the fleet! -But I beg parding, marm," he added, suddenly, as -Ethel adjusted the screw of her lorgnette, "you -mustn't look at him, for he ain't nothin' on but the -cocked hat and a necklace." -</p> - -<p> -"Sheep 'hoy!" cried a shrill voice, as the boat -rose and fell on the waves. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you want, darkey?" asked Noah. -</p> - -<p> -"You savey me?" cried the Malay. -</p> - -<p> -"No, I am blow'd if I do," was the surly reply. -</p> - -<p> -"What for you no savey me?" remonstrated the -other; "yam, yam—sell, sell—nice, nice, nice." -</p> - -<p> -Then he held up an inverted bottle, to show that -it was empty. -</p> - -<p> -"By Jove! 'tis old Captain Puffadder!" -exclaimed Captain Phillips, as the native boat came -sheering alongside, and a white-headed Malay, who -literally had no other attire than a necklace of -crystal beads and an old battered naval cocked hat, -which some man-o'-war wag had given him, -relinquishing his carved teak-wood paddle, caught -with great dexterity a line which was cast to him, -and made it fast to a round knob at the prow of -his boat, which, as the line became taut, fell at -once into the ship's wake astern. -</p> - -<p> -"It is old Radama Puffadder, whom we saw on -our two last voyages. He sells vegetables and -fruit to any ship that comes close enough in shore," -said Heriot, looking round for the young ladies; -but when the boat had come nearer, the utter want -of attire displayed by the two Malays had fairly -driven the Misses Basset and Nance Folgate down -the stair of the companion, where the merry but -half-stifled laugh of Rose could be heard from time -to time. -</p> - -<p> -"A sly old file!" said Mr. Foster, looking over -the taffrail. -</p> - -<p> -"How are you, Puff, my boy?" asked the doctor; -"what have you got for us?" -</p> - -<p> -The old Malay, who was hideously ugly, and -whose bare, attenuated form was brown as old -mahogany, lifted his cocked hat, and replied in what -seemed an unintelligible torrent of consonants, and -then held up a turtle by one of its hind feet, after -which he grinned and yelled. -</p> - -<p> -He and his companion next hauled in the tow-line, -hand over hand, till the boat was close to the -lee mizzen-chains—the chances of being swamped -seemed nothing to Captain Puffadder—and to -Morley, who stood on the channel-plate, he handed -on board whatever he had to offer, and in a short -time there was on deck a goodly pile of the -yellow-bellied gourds for boiling and eating, with butter -and milk; bananas, to roast like apples; peas, -beans, and water-melons; brown-skinned onions, -and golden-coloured oranges and lemons; together -with a great sprawling turtle, the sight of which -would have made an alderman's eyes twinkle; and -there, too, were six brace of wood-pigeons. -</p> - -<p> -For all this seasonable stock, the captain paid -him by six bottles of strong alcohol, three boxes of -lucifer-matches, and a dollar or two, and these coins, -when cut into four, form the circulating medium in -the "Great Britain of Africa." -</p> - -<p> -The captain and the doctor, who seemed to -understand and amuse themselves with the jargon -of "Captain" Puffadder, inquired where fresh -water was to be had, and he led them to understand -that, under the brow of the cliff to which he -pointed, there was a creek in one of the islets; that -there several springs flowed, and safe anchorage -would be found. -</p> - -<p> -"This will suit admirably," said Phillips, to -Bartelot. "We shall lie there a couple of days, -for some of our rigging requires overhauling -sorely." -</p> - -<p> -"Won't you come on board, Puff, and pilot us, -while we run in?" asked Mr. Foster. -</p> - -<p> -"I no savey <i>that</i>—no can do," replied the Malay, -as he let his boat drop astern, and, taking a long -pull at one of the rum-bottles, he grinned with -satisfaction and handed it to his longing companion. -</p> - -<p> -"Won't you remain with us till we have filled -our water-tank?" cried the captain over the -taffrail. -</p> - -<p> -Again the dingy Malay grinned and shook his -white head, which looked as if it had been snowed -over, and, pointing shoreward, to indicate that he -must return, cast off the tow-line, after which his -boat, that bobbed up and down like a cork, was -rapidly dropped astern. -</p> - -<p> -The wind was now becoming light, and, with -Morley and Heriot stripped to their shirt-sleeves, -pulling ahead in the quarter-boat, and Mr. Foster -in her bow, sounding carefully every minute with -hand-lead, the ship was steered by the captain in -person towards the creek, the entrance of which -was seen to open plainly enough under the brow of -the cliff, at the base of which some breakers were -boiling white upon a ridge of rock, "like the devil's -own milk," as Noah said, adding: -</p> - -<p> -"I wonder why the deuce that old fellow -wouldn't come aboard? I hope it isn't a snare, -this kind inwitation to anchor in a creek." -</p> - -<p> -"A snare, Noah?" repeated Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -"'Cause, sir, he has the look of an old wrecker, -to my mind." -</p> - -<p> -A dead calm soon fell upon the land and sea, and -from the square yards of the <i>Hermione</i>, her fore and -maincourse, and a jury main-topsail, hung down -straight and motionless, till they were hauled up -prior to furling, as she glided slowly, and with -almost imperceptible motion, through the narrow -gut of the creek. -</p> - -<p> -"Leather strip—ten fathoms; red rag—seven -fathoms; seven again; white rag—five fathoms," -Foster kept repeating from time to time, as he hove -the hand-line from the bow of the leading boat. -Bartelot and Morrison were also in it, and pulling -with all their strength, for they had the kedge -anchors and a couple of strong Manilla warps with -them. -</p> - -<p> -Beyond its narrow entrance, which was almost -shrouded in mangroves, that brushed the ship's -channels, the creek opened out into a tiny bay, or -oval-shaped basin, and there, before sunset had -beamed its red farewell upon the summit of the -rocks, the <i>Hermione</i>, with her courses hauled, her -jury topsail-yards lowered upon the cap, her spanker -brailed up, and her jib and stay-sails stowed away, -was moored quietly, as if in the middle of a dock, -by two warps, one at the stem and the other at -the stern, both being carried ashore to her kedge -anchors, which were embedded in the banks, among -the mangroves and other luxuriant vegetation that -grew down to the water's edge. -</p> - -<p> -"From here to Port Louis we have a run of -about seven hundred odd miles," said Captain -Phillips; "the season is fine; but we shall fall to -our work by daybreak to-morrow—fill the tank—overhaul -the fore rigging, have it tarred down and -rattled anew in some parts, and then be off with the -first breeze of wind, as I don't fancy the Madagascar -fever." -</p> - -<p> -"And this creek, with its mangroves dipping in -the slimy ooze, seems just the place to catch it," -said Tom Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -"I suppose it was in some such cliff as that, -Ethel," said Morley, looking up at the tall rocky -brow which overhung the creek, "that old Marco -Polo, who, it seems, wrote about Madagascar in the -thirteenth century, says the birds called the roc -built their nests." -</p> - -<p> -"Were they like Sindbad's roc?" asked Rose. -</p> - -<p> -"Larger, says old Marco, in form resembling an -eagle, and so huge that they would soar into the air -with the largest elephant in their talons, and let it -fall dead on the earth prior to devouring it; and -that their wings, which, when outspread, obscured -the sunshine like a flying cloud, measured forty-eight -feet apart, each pen-feather being twenty-four -feet in length." -</p> - -<p> -"There is nothing like telling a good story when -one is about it; but I hope the breed is extinct," -said Rose. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; like the giant wader of Australia, if it -ever existed at all." -</p> - -<p> -As the evening closed in, with no thought of -local danger or treachery, but enjoying the brief -cessation from the constant toil to which they were -subjected by the smallness of their number, and -thinking only of the termination of their voyage -and a happy future, our friends were all grouped -under the quarter-deck awning, and Noah was -enjoying a quiet pipe at the windlass-bitt, with a can -of grog beside him. -</p> - -<p> -Aft, the top of the cabin skylight had been -covered with a white cloth and improvised as a -table, on which were spread some of the luscious -fruits and sliced water-melon bought from the -Malay, Puffadder, and a bottle or two of the -captain's best wine. -</p> - -<p> -Then, that music might not be wanting, Ethel -and Rose, uniting their clear, sweet, happy voices, -while Heriot accompanied them on his flute, which -he played to perfection, sang one of their favourite -duets, waking the echoes of the rocks, and rousing -out of the mangroves the stork, the pelican, and the -samba, with its plumage red as fire: while the red -sunlight died away, and the tropical constellations -came out, and while the solemn shadows deepened -in that lonely creek, the soft English voices of the -two sisters so well attuned together, filled Noah's -stern eyes with moisture, and his rough old head -with sweet, sad holy thoughts of other times, as he -listened, and sat alone, the last occupant of the once -crowded and noisy forecastle-bunks. -</p> - -<p> -That lonely creek was fated to present a very -different scene about the same hour on the morrow! -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap21"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XXI. -<br /><br /> -THE MANGROVE CREEK. -</h3> - -<p> -The secluded creek in which the ship lay moored -had a little history of its own, that was better than -the misty recollections of old Marco Polo, who, -by-the-way, never visited Madagascar at all. It was -in this solitary little basin, or natural dock, that the -high-pooped and low-waisted caravella of the first -discoverer of Madagascar, Lorenzo Almieda (son of -Don Francisco Almieda, viceroy of India for Don -Emmanuel of Portugal, in 1506), came to anchor, -after a voyage that was long and perilous; and now, -as our friends Morley and Heriot gazed on its -strange and fantastic cliffs, the former thought of -the Serendib of the "Arabian Nights," and the -latter, who was better read, recalled the Island of -the Moon, and the Cerne of Pliny, with the works -of other writers, who averred that Madagascar was -an isle divided between two races—one of giants, -and another of dwarfs—the Kimos—about three -feet high. These were always at war, until the -former were victorious, at a place called Itapere, -two leagues south-west of Fort Dauphin, where a -pyramid of stones attests the alleged slaughter and -destruction of the poor dwarfs. -</p> - -<p> -The creek was also known to be the haunt of the -famous freebooter, Captain Avery, an Englishman -who gained vast plunder by his piracies against -the emperors of Mogul and China, and who, about -the latter year of Queen Anne's reign, lived in and -about Madagascar, with the strange title of King of -the Seas. -</p> - -<p> -Not the least remarkable features of this creek -were its enormous blocks of rock crystal, that -sparkled in the sunshine with a thousand prisms of -wonderful light and beauty. Trees surrounded it; -the tall and straight voua-azigne; the bushy fouraka, -distilling its green-coloured balsam; the wild fig, -whose fruit yields a milky juice; the palm-tree, -whose leaves are like feathers, and form roofing for -wigwams; the ancient papyrus, the cotton and the -nutmeg trees, all grew on the rocks; while betel, -pepper, and tobacco were the weeds that grew -among the jungle, where the puff adder—a -reptile about a yard long—and other serpents -lurked. -</p> - -<p> -Just as the sun was rising in his tropical splendour -from the sea, and through the opening to the -eastward sent a glorious flush of light into the leafy -recesses of the creek, Noah caught a couple of -gallant turtles, each weighing nearly three hundred -pounds. -</p> - -<p> -After bringing them on board, he lowered them -into the water by a line, tied, as sailors alone can -tie, round them, and left them to paddle about, to -swim, duck, or dive as they pleased, till required for -the larder. -</p> - -<p> -As for the one brought by Captain Puffadder, he -flatly refused to kill it till sunset, on the plea that "a -turtle never dies till the sun goes down, that he -warn't goin' to be so jolly cruel as to leave it a nole -day in a nagony." -</p> - -<p> -From the deck Ethel and Rose, with their opera-glasses, -were never weary of watching all the strange -trees, plants, birds, and insects that surrounded -them; everything seemed novel, save the turtles, -which, of course, were like those they had seen -squattering in fish-tubs at home. -</p> - -<p> -Prior to their appearance on deck, with the first -peep of dawn, a long hose, water-casks, and so -forth, had been put in operation, and thus, before -noon, a sufficient supply of pure water had been -pumped into the tank from a spring which flowed -over a mass of crystal rock, and through the decayed -trunk of a fallen tree, which formed a species of -natural duct. -</p> - -<p> -Morrison, Foster, and Noah Gawthrop then fell to -work upon the starboard side of the fore-rigging; -Phillips and Tom Bartelot on the other, and all -proceeded to tar down, and in many places to rattle -anew the shrouds, and various other repairs went on -with rapidity; while the doctor and Morley, with a -gun, went ashore, and ascended the rocks towards -the summit of the cliff, which overhangs the entrance -of the creek. -</p> - -<p> -The ascent proved long and toilsome, for -everywhere the matted jungle grew thick; the weedy -luxuriance there is wonderful, and so woven that it -seems the result, not of a season's rank vegetation, -but of ages; and as many little reptiles are always -lurking amid it, no small care is requisite for -avoiding them. -</p> - -<p> -At last the two explorers reached the plateau, or -summit of the cliff, and merrily gave a united shout, -which made their friends at work on the fore-rigging -pause and look up, and Ethel and Rose, who -were seated on the quarter-deck, wave their -handkerchiefs in response. -</p> - -<p> -From the elevation of more than 300 feet, the -creek, when viewed, seemed like a pool, the ship a -toy. -</p> - -<p> -Beyond the islet Morley and Heriot saw the -whole sweep of the southern end of the great island -of Madagascar, from Cape St. Mary towards Ainse -des Galiona, with the pale blue and distant summit -of Botistmeni, the highest mountain to the -southward of that lofty chain which divides the island -into two parts. -</p> - -<p> -In many places the coast was flat and low, and by -their glasses they could see that the shore looked -green and slimy, and here and there were dome-shaped -huts of mud and palm-leaves, sheltered by -clumps of ebony and raven trees. -</p> - -<p> -North-westward, the ocean they hoped to traverse -on the morrow was flashing in its noonday brilliance; -but it seemed lonely and void; not a sail was visible -on all its vast expanse. Towards the south-west -the higher portions of the islet hid the watery path -they had pursued from the great channel of the -Mozambique. -</p> - -<p> -"We may ascend higher in <i>that</i> direction," said -Morley, pointing, "and see if a sail is in sight -there." -</p> - -<p> -"Stop!" exclaimed Heriot, in an excited tone, as -he applied to his eyes his powerful double-barrelled -ship-glass, and gazed intently towards the mainland. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you see that interests you?" -</p> - -<p> -"Look, Ashton, look! What is that creeping out -from behind that wooded headland?" -</p> - -<p> -"Where?" -</p> - -<p> -"There—about five miles off." -</p> - -<p> -"A boat—a long craft of some kind, without -masts." -</p> - -<p> -"Another follows now." -</p> - -<p> -"And another—all painted red!" -</p> - -<p> -"Three!" said Heriot, in a low voice. -</p> - -<p> -"The proas—the three red proas!" -</p> - -<p> -"Down, Ashton, stoop down, lest they see our -figures at this distance against the clear sky!" -exclaimed the doctor, suiting the action to the word. -</p> - -<p> -Lying at full length among the thick grass that -covered all the summit of the cliff, the two friends, -resting on their elbows, took a long sight of the -strange boats. -</p> - -<p> -"Each is full of men. I could count their heads." -</p> - -<p> -"They are pulling fast, and steering direct for -this island!" exclaimed Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"We have been lured in here and deceived, I -doubt not, by that old Malay villain, Puffadder. -Old sailors have strange instincts at times, and -Noah seemed to suspect as much." -</p> - -<p> -"This is why he would neither come on board nor -pilot us into the creek. But we may do him an -injustice; he may not be in league with these -pirates at all." -</p> - -<p> -"Oh, Ethel!" exclaimed Morley, speaking as -if to himself, "your forebodings, your dreams are -perhaps about to be terribly realised." -</p> - -<p> -"Let us away to the ship, we have not a moment -to lose! See how the paddles flash in the sunshine. -They are all pulling as if the devil was after them!" -</p> - -<p> -Their mode of rowing was peculiar, for the -paddlers all faced the bow of each proa, and scooped -the water astern. -</p> - -<p> -Breathless with excitement, heat, and alarm, -and with their imaginations picturing visions of -cruelty and slaughter, Ashton and Heriot came -plunging down the jungle-covered steep with -such speed and impetuosity, that their friends in -the ship paused again and again to observe them -in wonder, though believing that they had some -very unusual reason for this sudden display of -activity. -</p> - -<p> -Both were young, light, and active; thus, in less -than a quarter of an hour, they had reached the ship -by means of the gig, which they had left moored -among the mangroves, sprang on deck, and -reported what they had observed towards the -mainland of Madagascar. -</p> - -<p> -Could they have seen a little way to the -south-west they might have observed something more; -but the sight of the three proas proved quite enough -for them. -</p> - -<p> -Their tidings produced instant consternation. -</p> - -<p> -"That wily old villain, Puffadder, has recommended -us to warp in here, and then betrayed our -whereabouts. By Heavens—we are in a precious -mess!" exclaimed the captain. -</p> - -<p> -"And Ethel and Rose," said Morley, turning to -Heriot, with a voice and face expressive of grief -and terror; "what is to be done now?" -</p> - -<p> -"Done! Why, sir, we must make the best of it," -said Noah, energetically, as his old man-o'-war -instincts came upon him, and he began to strip to -his waist; "if these etarnal warmints get hold o' the -ship, they'll pick every copper nail out of her!" -</p> - -<p> -"Captain Phillips," said Morrison, a sharp-witted -and resolute Scotchman, and who spoke with more -rapidity than his countrymen usually do; "the ship -is moored athwart the creek, with her port side to -the mouth of it. Bring over her two starboard -carronades, and work the four in battery together. -Thus we may knock these proas all to pieces by -round shot as they head for the creek in succession." -</p> - -<p> -"You speak like a nangel or a nadmiral, -Mr. Morrison!" said Noah. -</p> - -<p> -"Excellent!" cried Phillips; "to work and with -a will, my friends." He threw aside his coat, and -bouncing about with an agility remarkable for one -of his years and fat little figure, added, "Bring on -deck all the arms and ammunition we have, doctor; -get the powder out of the magazine aft, Mr. Ashton; -and take your daughters below, Mr. Basset, please, -for the sight of their pale and woe-begone faces -flurries me. Look alive, my hearties. Captain -Bartelot and Mr. Morrison help me here; bear a -hand to cast loose these two starboard guns." -</p> - -<p> -The two carronades were soon clear, their tompions -taken out, their touch-holes cleaned, and they -were run over to the port or larboard side. Originally -the <i>Hermione</i> had been pierced for twelve guns, -but, as we have stated, she had only four six-pound -carronades, and only four shot remaining for each. -They were loaded, shotted, and primed with great -rapidity by Noah, who used a capstan-bar as a -rammer. Then, diving below, he suddenly -reappeared from the steerage with a hamper full of -empty bottles. -</p> - -<p> -"What are these for?" asked Captain -Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"Grape and canister, sir," replied old Noah, as -he proceeded to smash the bottles and fill the -carronades with the fragments even to their very -muzzles. -</p> - -<p> -Morley was too busy distributing powder, even -to speak one farewell word to Ethel, as she was -taken below by Heriot, who soon after reappeared -with all the arms they had on board: to wit—his -own pair of excellent pistols, the captain's two -six-barrel revolvers, six old brass-barrelled pistols taken -from the mutineers, their sheath-knives, the -double-barrelled fowling-piece, a sharp hatchet, and a -harpoon. -</p> - -<p> -Thus they had nearly a brace of pistols each, and, -fortunately, plenty of ball ammunition made up into -cartridge form for the contingencies of the -Madagascar coast. -</p> - -<p> -In less than ten minutes all was in readiness; all -were certainly silent, pale, and desperate, for all felt -that death and utter destruction were awfully close -at hand. -</p> - -<p> -The misery of the Bassets and the two lovers was -more poignant than any emotion felt by their -companions, who were chiefly inspired by the natural -impulse of self-preservation, without the paralysing -horror that on their lives depended the lives of -others who were most dear to them; but the whole -affair had come upon them with the suddenness of a -thunderclap, and as yet, perhaps, they could scarcely -understand the terrors of their situation. -</p> - -<p> -"These cursed proas were about five miles off, -you say, doctor?" said the captain, in a low voice, -as he looked at his watch. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, sir; five to leeward of the island." -</p> - -<p> -"The wind is light, though increasing." -</p> - -<p> -"They had neither spars nor sails up, sir, and so -may not be here for more than an hour yet, though -swiftly paddled." -</p> - -<p> -"They may not come here at all," said Bartelot; -"for perhaps they may be quite ignorant that we -are lying in the creek." -</p> - -<p> -"If not aware now they will soon be," said -Morley; "they were steering directly for the creek, -and I don't think these mangroves will hide the -ship's spars." -</p> - -<p> -"Still they may pass it," said Tom, hopefully, as -he carefully capped his revolver, and slung it by his -side. -</p> - -<p> -The others shook their heads despondingly, and -Noah put a quid into his cheek, with the nowise -cheering reflection that it was "mayhap the last" -he would ever put there. -</p> - -<p> -"It was a fortunate proposal of yours to climb -the cliff, doctor," said Morley. -</p> - -<p> -"I thank Heaven for the thought," replied Heriot, -emphatically; "for had those Malay devils found us -unprepared——" -</p> - -<p> -"My blood runs cold at the idea." -</p> - -<p> -"How quietly they might have come upon us in -the night," suggested Morrison. -</p> - -<p> -"They are perhaps strong enough to despise -stratagem," said Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"More likely, sir, that old bumboatman, Puff, -hadn't time to blow the gaff on us, or we might all -have been with Davy Jones last night," said -Noah. -</p> - -<p> -All spoke in a species of whisper, and all looked -at their watches from time to time, and listened so -intently, that an uninformed spectator might have -thought they were waiting with impatience, but -they heard no sound, save the buzz of insect life in -the mangroves and dense jungle, around that slimy -creek. -</p> - -<p> -All was equally still below. Secured in the cabin, -Ethel and Rose were on their knees, with their old -nurse, in an agony of terror, amid which they strove -in vain to pray. Mr. Basset, too frail to work at the -guns, or be active in the defence of the deck, sat in -the companion-way, ready to reload the fire-arms -when they were discharged, and now Noah got the -matches ready. -</p> - -<p> -How the old fellow's eyes lit up! A brightness -spread over his storm-beaten and sorely-wrinkled -visage, making him seem almost young again, for -he felt that it was to him—the old man-o'-war's-man—he -who had heard the thunder of Sebastopol, and -seen the Russian bombs strewing all the Valley of -Death; he who had gone with Peel's Brigade and -Havelock's Highlanders to Lucknow and to Delhi—his -superiors and shipmates were now looking chiefly -for direction and advice. -</p> - -<p> -They all knew well enough how to load and fire, -or ram home the charge with a capstan-bar; but -skill in adjusting the sight and the quoin under the -breech became a different affair. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, gen'lemen shipmates by your leave," said -he, "we must fire and reload each gun as fast as -possible; but it will be safer if number four don't -fire till number <i>vun</i> is reloaded." -</p> - -<p> -Almost despairing alike of a successful defence, or -an ultimate victory, Captain Phillips suggested the -idea of putting Mr. Basset and his two daughters -into the gig, and sculling her to a secluded place -among the mangroves. -</p> - -<p> -"But, if the ship is taken, and we are all -destroyed," said Morley, "oh, what in Heaven's name -would become of them then? They would die of -terror, exposure, and starvation." -</p> - -<p> -"The creek is full of alligators, too!" added -Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"But what may happen to them on board if we -are all killed?" asked Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -The contemplation of that result nearly drove -Morley and Heriot mad, and they knew not what -to reply. -</p> - -<p> -"It might give the poor ladies, at least, one other -chance for life if we hid them in the maintop, for -we may have to take to the rigging yet, if these -warmint capture the deck by boarding, and up there -we may have to fight to the last with knives or -pistols, or whatever we have." -</p> - -<p> -"And how, Noah, if the Malays cut the mast away?" -</p> - -<p> -"Or fire the ship?" -</p> - -<p> -"No chance of escape, and none of rescue!" -groaned Captain Phillips; "there is a fine breeze in -the offing, as I can see by the whitening waves; but -here, with not hands enough to tow her out, the -crippled <i>Hermione</i> might as well be on the top of a -mountain." -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, if I had that artful savage with the cocked -hat within range of this!" said Morley, through -his clenched teeth, as he slapped the butt of his -gun. -</p> - -<p> -"Run up the ensign, Noah; let them look at -that, whoever they are. We'll die game under it, -anyhow," said Phillips, as something of a British -sailor's pride and defiant spirit filled his heart. -</p> - -<p> -"Aye," responded Noah, as he ran the scarlet -ensign up to the gaff-peak, where it floated languidly -at first on the still air of the sheltered creek, -but anon the coming breeze made it stream out -boldly; "many a round shot and Whistling-Dick -I've seen a bowlin' under you," added Noah, as he -made fast the halyards, looked up at the colour, and -nodded to it as to an old friend. -</p> - -<p> -Anxiously the eyes of the "few but undismayed"—for -their courage certainly rose with the -desperation of the emergency—were turned to the -mouth of the creek, where, between the rocks and -mangroves, the deep blue Indian sea, now flecked -with white by the breath of a fine steady breeze, -was seen stretching in the distance far, far away, -until it blended with the sky. -</p> - -<p> -Still nothing was seen and nothing heard! -</p> - -<p> -But ere long, each of the eight men on the deck -of the <i>Hermione</i> set his teeth, breathed hard, and -turned to his companions, eye seeking eye, while -all their hearts beat quicker. -</p> - -<p> -For suddenly there was an unmistakable sound of -paddling in the air, and then a shrill yell went up -to heaven, as the sharp red prow of a proa, full of -dark and active figures, shot round the entrance of -the creek, and a row of rapidly-worked round -paddles, shaped like huge battledores, furrowed up -all the slimy water into foam, as they headed her -straight for the ship. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap22"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XXII. -<br /><br /> -EIGHT AGAINST EIGHTY. -</h3> - -<p> -Noah had the first carronade on the right—that is, -abreast of the mainmast. Stooping down, he -trained it carefully, elevating and then slightly -depressing the muzzle till he covered the object. -He then smartly withdrew, lowered the match, and -the recoil and report of the gun was followed by a -yell from the Malays, whose rowers were seen -tumbling from side to side, as if making summersets; -for the shot, with its scattering accompaniment -of broken bottles, made a complete lane from -stem to stern, through the dingy occupants of the -proa. -</p> - -<p> -The echoes of the gun, with the cries of the -Malays, rung with a thousand reverberations amid -the rocks of the creek, startling clouds of wild birds -from the mangroves and cane-brake beyond them. -</p> - -<p> -"Fire number two—steady, Captain Phillips, -please; here comes the next proa. Blaze away at -the blasted warmint! Rake her fore and aft before -she forges ahead!" -</p> - -<p> -So shouted old Noah, while adroitly he assisted -the recoil of his carronade, ran it back with the -aid of Morley, and proceeded to reload and ram -home. Captain Phillips, less used to this kind of work -than he, levelled his carronade and fired; but he had -not trained it properly, for, although the additional -charge of broken bottles did some execution among -the thick skulls of the Malays, the round shot -whistled harmlessly over them all, and was seen -ricochetting over the waves, till it made a white -water-spout in the offing, far beyond the mouth of -the creek. -</p> - -<p> -Noah danced with disappointment and chagrin. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, Mr. Morrison," he cried; "number three—level -low—quick! here comes the next lot, a -paddling like so many devils. Sweep the scum into -eternity." -</p> - -<p> -Morrison fired, and carried away the whole line of -starboard paddles, and with them, perhaps, the -rower's arms. Then, veering round, she thus fell -foul of the first proa, just as the third came -sweeping round, and headed towards the creek. -</p> - -<p> -The scene was now terrible; there were some -seventy or eighty Malays, many streaming with -blood, all waving their paddles and weapons, and -uttering such yells as one might imagine to rise -from the infernal regions—yells inspired alike by -the hope of plunder and of vengeance. -</p> - -<p> -Then the contents of the third carronade, trained -by Heriot and Foster, sped on the errand of death, -right through them all, just as the leading proa got -clear. Half its starboard side was torn away, and -thus all its occupants were left to swim or flounder; -the dead to sink and the wounded to drown, amid -the slimy ooze of the creek. -</p> - -<p> -While more than twenty were swimming, splashing, -and scrambling ashore on each side, the -paddlers in the other proas resumed their work, -scooping the water astern with preternatural vigour, -but to avoid a raking shot, presented more of their -broadside to the ship, and hence retarded their own -progress; so Noah fired his carronade right through -one, just abaft the centre thwart, by this oblique -shot killing or disabling three or four. -</p> - -<p> -The yells were now appalling, the scene terrible, -and yet withal most picturesque and striking. -</p> - -<p> -The savage rabble in these proas were the -woolly-headed Madecasses, who are partly of African -descent; but all their leaders—and several -appeared in each proa—were olive-skinned men, -Hovahs, who are supposed to be of purer blood, and -are viewed by the people of Madagascar somewhat -as the Normans were by the Anglo-Saxons. -</p> - -<p> -These men wore tunics of scarlet silk, like those -of the Chinese, girt by sashes or belts; but their -negro followers were naked, a few only having -clothes about their middle, or wearing the ordinary -garment of the Madecasses, which is made of bark, -boiled and beaten, and shaped like a flour-sack, -with a hole for the head, and four others for the -legs and arms. -</p> - -<p> -All wore chains, ear-rings, and bracelets of crystal -cornelian, and even gold, and many were armed -with assegais, headed like spears, with long, sharp, -iron points; many had bucklers of hard wood, -covered with hides. Some had ten or twelve javelins -each; a few had clumsy old muskets, fortunately -much addicted to hanging fire; and all had the -native creese—a long, wavy, double-edged dagger. -When we add to this equipment their black, ferocious -faces, their shrill yells and diabolical activity, -their white, glistening teeth, their glaring eyeballs, -and whole <i>tout ensemble</i>, the reader may imagine -the scene presented at this crisis in the mangrove -creek. -</p> - -<p> -The explosion of the first carronade had drawn a -simultaneous shriek and shudder from the two -girls, and their old nurse, in the cabin, and a -cheer from their eight devoted friends on deck, -while with it, and with every future discharge, the -pintados, the black paroquets, the spoonbills, and -the turtle-doves flew in screaming coveys out of the -jungle. -</p> - -<p> -"Depress your muzzles!" cried Noah, who had, -by tacit consent apparently, constituted himself -master-gunner; "they're nearing us, mates." -</p> - -<p> -"Another dose of broken bottles; they make -first-rate grape and canister," added Morrison. -</p> - -<p> -"Crouch down—crouch down—here's a volley of -something coming!" shouted Captain Phillips, from -his gun, as four or five musket-bullets crashed -through the bulwarks, and a number of arrows or -javelins and assegais, whistled harmlessly over their -heads, and fell pattering on the starboard side of -the deck, as fast as the survivors of the shattered -proas scrambled ashore, and began to use their -weapons. -</p> - -<p> -"The warp—the starn warp!" shouted Noah, as -with muzzle depressed, he fired his carronade again; -"pick off some o' those d——d heathen niggers -afore they cuts it, some one." -</p> - -<p> -Two savages had already reached the warp, which -was carried through the taffrail to the kedge, -and were proceeding to slash through the strands -of the strong Manilla, hewing with their creeses, -and, had they done so, the ship must have swerved -round, and gone ashore, broadside on. -</p> - -<p> -Morley snatched up the double-barrelled gun -which Mr. Basset had just reloaded. Kneeling -down, he levelled it steadily through the taffrail, -and shot both down in quick succession—a strange -and wild emotion coming over him as he saw them -fall, and beat the earth with their hands and feet. -This cooled the ardour of five or six others, who -followed, for he saw them plunge down among the -mangroves, where they lay flat in concealment. -</p> - -<p> -At that moment, a Hovah, in a crimson shirt, -who had clambered, all wet and dripping, up the -mizzen chains, launched an assegai at Morley, which -skinned his right ear, and stuck quivering in the -deck, near the coaming of the main-hatch. He -then proceeded to scramble on board, with his -sharp creese in his teeth, and a savage glitter in his -eye, when Morley clubbed the double-barrelled gun. -and swinging it aloft at the full stretch of his arms, -dealt the Hovah a blow on his hard caput, which -tumbled him prone into the water; but the gun -was destroyed, as it snapped in two at the small -part of the butt. -</p> - -<p> -Morley rushed back to rejoin his friends at the -carronades; but found poor Noah grappling with a -gigantic Malay, who had dropped over the bulwark -near the starboard quarter, where they were rolling -over each other, Noah swearing, and the Malay -biting and howling, till the former, grasping the -long, tawny ears of the latter, rings and all, dashed -his head thrice on the deck, when he stunned, and -then flung him overboard. -</p> - -<p> -At that moment an arrow, which all feared might -be poisoned—whistled through Noah's cheeks, -knocking out a couple of his few remaining teeth; -but with a pistol he shot dead the archer, who was -nestling among the mangroves. -</p> - -<p> -So far as the eight unfortunates on the deck of -the <i>Hermione</i> could judge, they had been attacked -by not less than eighty men! -</p> - -<p> -Now the two proas were close alongside; another -moment would have seen the savage Malays swarming -in scores up the bulwarks and over the decks; -but just as a groan of dismay simultaneously burst -from the few devoted defenders of the <i>Hermione</i>, -her head warp was slashed through by creeses, and -she suddenly fell away round before the south-west -breeze, with her bow towards the sea, thus increasing -the distance between her assailants and herself by -the whole length of her stern warp, at a moment -when, all the Malays were in the act of standing up -to leap on board, and as she so swerved away, she -went right ashore, broadside on, amongst the -mangroves, with all her four carronades pointed to the -land, leaving her starboard side unprotected against -the yelling occupants of the two remaining proas. -</p> - -<p> -"God help us!" cried poor Captain Phillips, in -despair; "all is over now!" -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap23"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XXIII. -<br /><br /> -"WE'LL GO TO SEA NO MORE!" -</h3> - -<p> -The despairing exclamation of the worthy captain -had a very singular sequel, for scarcely had it left -his lips, and just when the paddlers were again -scooping away, as, with yells of exulting fury, the -Malays proceeded after the <i>Hermione</i>; just when -those who were ashore were forcing a passage to -her through the jungle, and when the full term -of another minute would have closed the whole -catastrophe—lo! with all the suddenness of a -spectral illusion, or of the Flying Dutchman's -famous craft, a noble-looking ship, all a cloud of -canvas, white as snow, swept round the verge of the -cliff, and lay to, right off the mouth off the creek. -</p> - -<p> -Bending gracefully over beneath the south-west -breeze, she had her royals and topsails set, and the -scarlet British ensign streamed from her gaff-peak. -</p> - -<p> -Like the work of magic, her lighter sails were -taken in, and her head-sails clewed up; then, as -she rounded to, under her mizzen-topsail, with her -broadside fairly opposed to the creek, a plunge was -heard as the great working anchor was let go. -</p> - -<p> -At the same moment, fire and smoke burst from -her quarter, and ran like a flashing garland along -her whole side, as, with two twelve-pounders, and -about twenty short Enfield rifles, her crew opened -a destructive discharge on the Malays. -</p> - -<p> -As the well-directed shot plunged through them, -the two remaining proas were dashed to pieces, and, -amid the fragments of wood, floating assegais, and -gouts of blood, their crews were seen making for -the mangroves, right and left, scrambling ashore, -and taking to flight in every direction. -</p> - -<p> -The great ship had no occasion to discharge her -guns again; but the short Enfields of her crew -knocked over a number of the Malays, as they -became visible at times, while prosecuting their -flight inland. -</p> - -<p> -The moment the firing ceased, and before the -white smoke had curled away, the yards were -manned, and the three topsails disappeared into -their bunt at once. From the foretopgallant-yard -down to the stay, came the men, sliding like -lightning, to furl and stow the jib in its netting. -</p> - -<p> -The great white courses were furled with equal -rapidity, and with a neatness that drew exclamations -of admiration, mingled with those of surprise and -joy, from those on the deck of the rescued <i>Hermione</i>. -Then down came the royal yards from aloft, and, -ere long, the great ship was bared of all, save -her bright scarlet ensign, which floated out -astern. -</p> - -<p> -She was a splendid ship, full-rigged and full-manned, -with a clean, white paint-stroke, and gaily-gilded -quarter-galleries; she was remarkably -straight in the bends, like a Spaniard or a Yankee, -with all her rigging and spars in the finest order. -Thus she presented a noble appearance, as she rode -at her anchor under the brow of the lofty cliff. Then, -with the same man-o'-war-like order and rapidity -which characterised all her other manoeuvres, a -boat was hoisted out, lowered away, and its crew -carried an anchor astern, to moor her more -securely. -</p> - -<p> -From the stern davits, the captain's gig, light -and smart as a London wherry, was lowered with a -splash into the water. He was seen to descend -the rope-ladder rapidly, to seat himself in the -stern and to grasp the yoke-lines, while a crew of -smart lads, chiefly ship-apprentices, pulled straight -through the bloody <i>débris</i> of the creek towards the -<i>Hermione</i>. -</p> - -<p> -The captain, a ruddy-visaged and sandy-haired -man, about thirty-five, with plenty of yellow beard -and moustache, stood up, as he drew near, and -waved his cap. -</p> - -<p> -"You have had some sharp work here, I think," -said he; "we heard the sound of the firing as we -stood round the island. Glad we have been in -time to save you." -</p> - -<p> -"Thanks be to Heaven, you have—and many -heartfelt thanks to you, for you have indeed saved -all our lives, and my ship, also!" exclaimed -Captain Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"<i>All</i>? There don't seem to be very many of -you," replied the stranger, as his boat came sheering -alongside, and the oars were all uplifted and laid in -together, while he swung himself up with great -agility, and jumped over the bulwarks on deck, -when the eight of the <i>Hermione</i> gathered round -him. "Creeping along the shore in search of -fresh water," he resumed, "we were told by an old -Malay boatman——" -</p> - -<p> -"Puffadder?" said Bartelot. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; you know him then—that we should find -it here." -</p> - -<p> -"The old scoundrel!" exclaimed Heriot. -</p> - -<p> -"With the same story he snared us into the -creek," added Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"Old Puffadder wasn't to blame, for he begged -me to make haste and assist a British ship that -some island pirates were attacking, so we clapped -on royals, skysails, gaff-topsail, and everything that -would draw, got our small arms up, our guns cast -loose and all ready to help you, and we seem just to -have been in time." -</p> - -<p> -"You have done well and bravely, sir," said -Mr. Basset, with gratitude and enthusiasm. -</p> - -<p> -"And what ship is yours?" asked Phillips. -</p> - -<p> -"The <i>Duke of Rothesay</i>, 800 tons, hailing from -Alloa, and bound for Singapore, Duncan Davidson, -master (that is me) at your service; and yours?" -</p> - -<p> -"The <i>Hermione</i>, of London, also bound for Singapore, -and touching at the Isle of France." -</p> - -<p> -And now various matters, which are already known -to the reader, were related and explained to the -Scotch skipper, which made him wonder very much; -and much more was his wonder excited when, on -being invited down to the cabin, he found himself -fairly hugged by Rose Basset, who, in fact, was -rather in a delirious state, after all the cannonading -she had heard and the number of savage brown -figures she had seen from the stern-windows -skipping among the mangroves. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel threw herself into her father's arms in a -passion of tears, and pressed Morley's hand to her -heart. -</p> - -<p> -"Saved, Ethel, saved!" said Mr. Basset, caressing -her tenderly. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, Ethel, saved," added Morley, "and except -my scratched ear and Noah's cheek, not a man of -us the worse of the whole affair." -</p> - -<p> -"By Heaven's mercy and this gallant seaman's -safe arrival, we have, indeed, escaped a great—it -would have been, indeed, a <i>last</i>—peril, Ethel," said -Mr. Basset, as she presented her hand to Captain -Davidson, who, though a rough, weather-beaten, -and rather plain Scotsman, surveyed her soft dark -eyes, her pale and thoughtful face, that beamed -with soul and feeling, her glossy hair and fine -figure, with an admiration that he was too honest -or too unsophisticated to conceal. So, while he -addressed some words of congratulation and soothing, -to the effect that "all danger was now over, as -he had knocked the black niggers into the middle -of next week," Captain Phillips, acting as his own -steward, has wedged his fat figure into a locker, -from whence he fished out sundry case-bottles and -glasses with nervous rapidity. -</p> - -<p> -And this fine stately ship of Alloa, on the Forth, -armed with four twelve-pounders, and having a -crew of forty men and boys, coming with all sails -crowded before a spanking breeze, from near the -cove where old Puffadder's wigwam stood, was what -Morley and Heriot would have seen had they -obtained a south-west view of the ocean, but, as we -have related, an eminence hid her from them, and -the entire islet hid her from the pirates, until, with -shotted guns, loaded rifles, and colours flying, she -came down full swoop upon them. -</p> - -<p> -The cutting of the warp and the circumstance of -the <i>Hermione</i> thereby falling away round from the -centre of the creek, greatly favoured the fire of this -friendly stranger's cannon and musketry. -</p> - -<p> -So old Radama Puffadder was no traitor, but the -means of saving them, after all! -</p> - -<p> -"Those were heavy guns you fired, sir," remarked -Morley to Captain Davidson, who had mixed his -grog, and prior to imbibing it drank every one's -health in the Scotch fashion. -</p> - -<p> -"Heavy for a merchantman—yes; twelve-pounders." -</p> - -<p> -"How came you to be so well armed?" asked -Mr. Basset. -</p> - -<p> -"Well, sir," replied Captain Davidson, laughing, -as he tossed off his glass of grog, "whether it is the -alleged national caution, or, what is better, the good -old national spirit of pugnacity, I don't know, -but our Scottish ships, especially in these seas, are -generally well armed, and seldom unprepared for -anything—and I have a splendid crew—the pick of -Leith and Grangemouth! So now, Captain Phillips, -my gig is alongside, and while our carpenters come -aboard of you, and put you into a little shape, I hope -the young ladies and your other friends will come -and dine with me, and see what we can find in the -lockers of the <i>Duke</i>? Don't be afraid, ladies—I -shall give you something better than sheep's-head -and haggis." -</p> - -<p> -This invitation was as promptly accepted as it was -hospitably given, and all prepared to accompany -Captain Davidson, save Mr. Foster and Noah, who -were obliged to remain on board; and fortunately, -Heriot could now prove that the arrow which pierced -the cheeks of the latter was not poisoned. -</p> - -<p> -In and around the ships, there was much to make -Ethel and her sister shudder. -</p> - -<p> -On the deck, near the taffrail, lay a dead -Madecasse, whose head Morrison had cloven with a -hatchet. He had the smooth European hair, the -Indian complexion, the broad forehead, the thin -lips (now pale and ghastly) of his mixed and peculiar -race. His right hand held a broken assegai, and -his left yet clutched the peak halyards, which he had -grasped on gaining the deck. -</p> - -<p> -Many bodies floated about in the creek, many -more had sunk, and several places bore unmistakable -tinges of blood among the ooze and green slime, -while four crocodiles were seen at one time devouring -the dead, till fired on by the Scotch sailors. -</p> - -<p> -But all these horrors, and their recent alarm, were -gradually forgotten, amid the hospitality and jollity -of Captain Davidson, his mates, and the numerous -crew of the new ship; and as soon as their water-tank -was filled next day, all bore a hand in getting -the <i>Hermione</i> ready for sea, shipping jury spars on -her fore and mizzen topmasts, and warping her out -of the creek. -</p> - -<p> -As the <i>Hermione</i> was so short of hands, Captain -Davidson offered to put three men and one of his -apprentices on board, to assist in working her; an -offer which Captain Phillips gladly accepted, and -they agreed to sail together in company. -</p> - -<p> -On the second day after the conflict with the -proas, both ships were ready for sea. -</p> - -<p> -Morning was dawning on the cliffs of that lonely -isle, and in great beauty. A long streak of -opal-tinted light spread over the horizon; gradually it -brightened into amber, and from amber melted into -crimson—the deep crimson of sunset, elsewhere as -the tall Alloa ship weighed anchor, set her canvas, -and began to stand off towards the north-east. -</p> - -<p> -A number of her men were still on board the -<i>Hermione</i>, assisting to warp her out. Her courses -hung in the clew-lines ready to be let fall; her -three jury-topsails were cast loose, and ready for -hoisting, and soon she was ready for sea. -</p> - -<p> -Then Ethel and Rose, as they nestled together on -their pillows in the cabin below, heard the cheerful -notes of a fiddle, the tramp of feet as the capstan -bars were shipped, and the Scotch sailors trod -merrily round, to the air of "The Boatie Bows," -while one sung a song well known on the banks -of the Forth; and louder stamped their feet, and -louder swelled their hearty voices at the chorus of -each verse, of which there were several, like this:— -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - "I have seen the waves as blue as air,<br /> - I have seen them green as grass;<br /> - But I never feared their heaving yet,<br /> - Frae Grangemouth to the Bass;<br /> - I have seen the sea as black as pitch,<br /> - I have seen it white as snow;<br /> - But I never feared its foaming yet,<br /> - Though winds blew high or low."<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Now, boys," shouted Morrison; "chorus—chorus! -Heave and rally! Walk away with it! -Hurrah!" -</p> - -<p> -Then heavier trod the feet, and louder swelled -the fiddle, and all their voices rose together: -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - "When squalls capsize our wooden walls,<br /> - When the French ride at the Nore,<br /> - When Leith meets Aberdeen halfway,<br /> - We'll go to sea no more.<br /> - No more,<br /> - We'll go to sea no more."*<br /> -</p> - -<p class="footnote"> -* Book of Scottish Song. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -The cheerful voice of Captain Phillips was soon -heard, ordering: -</p> - -<p> -"Let fall, and sheet home." -</p> - -<p> -"Good morning, Ethel," said Morley, tapping on -her cabin-door; "we are fairly clear of the creek -and its crocodiles, and under weigh for the Isle of -France." -</p> - -<p> -It was, indeed, a glorious morning. Under a -cloud of canvas, even to her royals and angular -sky-sails, the Scottish ship took the lead, and her -giant shadow fell far across the ocean. -</p> - -<p> -Red, round, and flashing in his effulgence, up -came the god of day, and the tall reedy cane-brakes -and solemn drooping palm groves of the shore they -were leaving, the sea ahead and the deck beneath -their feet, were all red as if aflame. Ruddy gold, -edged and gilt every rope, face, and object, the -shadows of the two ships falling in purple on the -crimson flush, which gradually melted away, as the -sun rose upward, and lit all the far horizon of the -Indian Sea. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap24"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XXIV. -<br /><br /> -THE ANCHOR IS LET GO. -</h3> - -<p> -Our story is now drawing to a close, but no sudden -or striking tableau, no tremendous <i>dénouement</i> or -poetical rhapsody will attend the fall of the curtain, -albeit that truth is stranger than fiction. -</p> - -<p> -The ships sailed in company. They were seldom -far apart, and often were so near that those on -board could hail each other and converse. -</p> - -<p> -The weather was fine, the trade-wind steady, and -the remainder of the voyage proved alike pleasant -and prosperous. -</p> - -<p> -Of the Isle of Bourbon they saw only the smoke -of its volcano, rising into the clear air of a calm -morning, and by sunset of the following day, the -colours displayed from the gaff-peak of the <i>Duke of -Rothesay</i>, which was ten miles ahead, and the -discharge of one of her twelve-pounders to windward, -announced that the Isle of France was in sight -although not visible from the main-top of the -<i>Hermione</i>; but the report of the gun sent a thrill -through the hearts of all on board. -</p> - -<p> -The stormy petrel was tripping around them the -same as ever; but they had no fears now, for after -sunset the harbour lights of Port Louis were seen to -twinkle over the sea; so the cables were roused out -of the tier, and rattled cheerily as they were laid -in fakes along the deck; they were bent to the -anchors; the deep sea lead was in constant requisition, -and the hawsers were brought up from between -decks. -</p> - -<p> -By daybreak next morning the ships were close -in shore, and in the pilot's charge, with a fine -breeze, ran in between Fort Blanc and the Isles -des Tonneliers, so the spires of the town were right -ahead. As the ship, with her courses clewed up, ran -under her jury topsails and driver into the fine old -harbour of Port Louis, Morley and Ethel were on -deck together. Rose was below with Nance -Folgate, busy packing, though her more thoughtful -sister had done all her own share of that duty long -ago. -</p> - -<p> -Morley seemed a prey to unusual sadness, and as -she caressed his hand kindly from time to time, and -while her gentle eyes filled alternately with pensive -tenderness or sparkling animation, she could barely -obtain a response to her inquiries; for now that the -voyage was ended, that their dangers were over, -and all excitement had passed away, he felt a -melancholy that he could not overcome, and against -which he struggled in vain. This emotion was very -natural. He knew not what was before him now -in this strange land—this half-French colony, where -on the morrow he would find himself without a -shilling in his pocket. -</p> - -<p> -Hesitatingly, and while his now weather-beaten -cheek glowed with honest shame, he said something -of this to Ethel; but she sought to cheer him, and -added that his friends, Captain Bartelot, the Scotch -mate Morrison, and old Noah were precisely in the -same predicament, yet they were all merry as -crickets, whistling and singing, while, with the -three men of the Scotch ship, they hoisted the -great rusty anchors over the bows. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah, Ethel, do not smile as if you would mock -me," said Morley, with unwonted irritation; "it is -our, or rather my, uncertain fortune that haunts and -galls me now." -</p> - -<p> -He knew, beyond a doubt, that the doctor would -marry Rose as soon as he could rejoin her, or get -quit of the ship; Morley knew that Heriot had his -profession, a moderate competence, and excellent -monetary prospects; but what had he? -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset's health was so hopelessly impaired by -all he had undergone as to preclude any chance of -his assuming his legal functions, or, indeed, doing -more in the matter of his judgeship than simply to -resign it on landing. -</p> - -<p> -His local influence would thus be dissipated, and -already he spoke of returning to England on the -first suitable opportunity, resolving to pass the -remainder of his days there, even with his crippled -means; so, after all they had endured, Morley and -Ethel, as they gazed mournfully and tenderly into -each other's eyes, felt that the course of true love -was as unlike a railway as possible. -</p> - -<p> -But now the sails were handed, the anchor let go -with a plunge into the seething flood, and exactly -three months and fourteen days from the time of -her leaving the London Docks, the <i>Hermione</i> swung -at her moorings in the harbour of Port Louis, -distant only a few fathoms from her late companion -and protector, the stately ship of Alloa. -</p> - -<p> -Quarantine laws, custom-house harpies, and all -such necessary annoyances satisfied, the ship brokers -came on board, and one of them brought for Mr. Basset -a packet of letters, which had arrived fully -a fortnight before, by a passing ship. -</p> - -<p> -There were letters for Ethel and Rose, from Jack -and Lucy Page, and other dear friends at Acton-Rennel, -full of home gossip, all of vast interest to -them now; and there were some very business-like -documents "for papa," who carefully wiped his gold -spectacles prior to reading them; while Morley, who -had not a friend in England, felt bitterly there was -nothing for him; so he slunk, as he thought, -unnoticed on deck, to watch the bustle of the port and -shipping, and to forget even himself, if he could, -for a time. -</p> - -<p> -The contents of his two first letters certainly -made Mr. Basset stare very much, and wipe his -glasses again, ere he read them a second time, and -fairly took in the full meaning of their contents. -</p> - -<p> -They were from his old friend, the M.P. for -Acton-Rennel, who had procured him the now useless -judgeship, and from his solicitor in Westminster, -informing him that, by two most unexpected deaths, -Ethel and Rose, in right of their deceased mother, -had become rich—quite heiresses in fact, of not less -than three thousand pounds each, yearly, in government -securities and other investments; full particulars -of which would be forwarded by the next mail. -</p> - -<p> -Ethel sat for a time like one bewitched, on hearing -this. -</p> - -<p> -Then, after Mr. Basset had explained it all to her, -she hurried on deck to where Morley Ashton, with -his head between his hands, was gazing moodily -and dreamily over the gunwale, at the slime and -ooze under the ship's counter; and caring little -whether she were seen or not, she stole one arm -tenderly round his neck, and whispered in his ear -the story of their good fortune, adding that now -she could reward him for all his love and faith, and -for all he had endured: and more than once she had -to repeat all this, ere she was fully understood by the -poor bewildered fellow. -</p> - -<p> -Thus, from a state of uncertainty, doubt, utter -despondency at times, was Morley Ashton rewarded, -indeed, for all he had undergone. The wheel of -fortune had revolved completely in his favour, and -he felt raised "to the seventh heaven" by Ethel's -happy news. -</p> - -<p> -So they were now safe, rich, and happy, with -their dearest wishes about to be realised! -</p> - -<p> -All around them seemed to be joyous and sunshiny. -All so quiet, so still, and yet such happiness -was theirs! -</p> - -<p> -Their double separation, the sorrow of Morley's -supposed death, his detention at Rio, and his -sufferings on the wreck; the mutiny, and the -piratical Malays; the entire past, with all its terrible -contingencies—where was it now? -</p> - -<p> -Gone indeed, and to be forgotten! -</p> - -<p> -The future—oh, they had no fears for it; the -present, the glorious, blissful present, was alone to -be considered. And so thought Ethel Basset, as on -the last evening they were to spend in the cabin of -the <i>Hermione</i> she sat hand in hand with Morley, -and alone, her head reclined upon his shoulder, and -his arm caressingly around her, as they whispered -of the arrangements they were to make at home, -and how they would have Laurel Lodge again, with -papa to care for, and how Rose and Leslie Heriot -would have one of those pretty new villas with the -green blinds and plate-glass windows at Cherrywood -Hill. -</p> - -<p> -Inquiries concerning, or, as the Scots say, "anent" -the loss of the <i>Princess</i>, and the marooning of the -crew of the <i>Hermione</i> in the Mozambique Channel, -were duly conducted by Captain Sir Horace Seymour, -of H.M.S. <i>Clyde</i>, and the nautical assessor of the -Board of Trade at Port Louis, and the decision of -the court freed our friends Bartelot and Phillips -from all blame, their captains' certificates being -returned to them by Sir Horace Seymour, with -many complimentary remarks. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Basset resigned his appointment into the -hands of the Governor, and prepared to return to -England; but as there is no true happiness without -alloy, Heriot could not procure a substitute or -successor, and so, when the <i>Hermione</i> was refitted and -fully manned, he found himself compelled to sail -with her to Singapore. -</p> - -<p> -Morrison went with her as chief mate, and Mr. Foster -as second, and she sailed out of Port Louis, -dipping adieux with her ensign, and firing her -carronades in gallant style, old Captain Phillips and -poor Heriot continuing to wave their hats so long as -two figures in light dresses were visible on the mole. -</p> - -<p> -Poor little Rose shed abundance of tears. She -thought herself Virginia torn from her Paul, and -the most ill-used young lady in the world. She -moped for a long time, and gave up her diary; it -was no use now, when she was so soon to see Lucy -Page again. -</p> - -<p> -We need not detail how, prior to their departure, -many a picnic was made to all the places consecrated -by the loves of Paul and Virginia, and how many a -sketch was made in Ethel's portfolio of the Shaddock -Grove, the marvellous Petterbotte, and other -places. -</p> - -<p> -Tom Bartelot was to return to England with -them, and get another ship. -</p> - -<p> -Noah had been offered a berth on board the -<i>Hermione</i>, but he declined. -</p> - -<p> -"No more marchantmen for me," said he; "I'm -for the Queen's sarvice, so long as I can lift tack or -sheet, hand or foot; then Grinnidge arter." -</p> - -<p> -So he shipped on board the <i>Clyde</i>, which about -this time steamed away towards the mouth of the -Mozambique Channel, in search of the pirates, who -had again made their appearance in several proas. -</p> - -<p> -Noah acted as a species of guide; but no trace of -their presence could be found in that quarter, save -the bare, bleached skull of poor old Captain -Puffadder, whose agency in our friends' escape had -been discovered by the Malays, and who had been -buried by them up to his neck in sand on the -seashore, and left thus to perish under the advancing -tide, like the famous Wigton martyrs of the delirious -sheriff of Dumfries. -</p> - -<p> -Notices will be found in the various newspapers -of that month, stating that, in north latitude 27 -deg. 30 min., and east longitude 40 deg. 10 min., near -the Europa Rocks, H.M.S. <i>Clyde</i> picked up a boat, -with two dead bodies in it. One was evidently that -of a South American, with rings in his ears; the -other was of great stature, and supposed to be a -Yankee seaman. -</p> - -<p> -Noah declared them to be Zuares Barradas and -Badger, from Cape Cod—the last of the mutineers. -By a curious coincidence, one of these papers -paragraphed that the Portuguese at Tristan d'Acunha -were building a chapel over the grave of the elder -Barradas, who among them has the reputation of -such great sanctity, that his island is now the scene -of annual summer pilgrimages. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap25"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XXV. -<br /><br /> -CONCLUSION. -</h3> - -<p> -Eight months after all this, it was in the drawing-room -of Laurel Lodge that those whose adventures -we have traced so far were all waiting for the boom -of the dinner-gong, for it was the evening of Ethel's -birthday; and she had been a bride four months, -while Rose had been wedded but a few weeks—so -both were all smiles, white lace, and loveliness. -</p> - -<p> -All that day the familiar chimes of Acton-Rennel -(which had rung in honour of their return) had -jangled merrily in the square Norman tower, sending -their notes over the chase, the mere, the long -green English lanes, and kindling joy in many a -worthy heart that loved the Bassets, and who now, -in home-brewed brown October, drank deep to their -healths, and welcome home! -</p> - -<p> -Many of "Papa's household gods," as Ethel -named them, which had been bought by old friends, -found their way back again to Laurel Lodge. -"Mamma's" picture hung in the usual place—even -on its old nails; and Rose's azaleas still bloomed in -the conservatory, as on the night when Hawkshaw -laughed at them. -</p> - -<p> -Morley and Ethel occupied her old room, and -often, when she drew the curtains, she thought of -that terrible morning when she looked up to Acton -Chine and thought a darkness had fallen on the -outer world. How difficult to realise all that had -passed since then! -</p> - -<p> -There was present the old rector (papa's friend); -he had read the last service for Ethel's mamma, and -who preached the sermon prior to their departure; -and there, too, were Lucy Page and her brother -Jack, who looked not a whit the worse for being -jilted by Rose, as all the folks in the village say he -was, for the rector's black-eyed daughter has -undertaken to console him, while Lucy leans with pleasant -confidence on the arm of the young fox-hunting -squire of Cherrywood Hill, in out-door sports the -rival of Jack, who is a first-class shot, and scores -with ease his ninety odd points among the members -of the 1st A.R.R.R.V.C., which mysterious letters -mean the Acton-Rennel Royal Rifle Volunteer -Corps, a distinguished body of men, which our -friend Morley has since joined. -</p> - -<p> -The squire of Acton-Rennel had come over in his -old lumbering coach, and sat as of yore in a cosy -easy-chair, opposite Mr. Basset, whose hair has -become rather gray, for he has been much aged by -all he has undergone, though carefully tended by -his daughters, by Morley and Heriot (who, though -quite independent, is rapidly acquiring a splendid -country practice at Acton-Kennel), and by old -Nance Folgate, whose voyaging she believes to -exceed in marvel all that ever was recorded by Sir -John Mandeville or old Richard Hakluyt. -</p> - -<p> -Bluff Captain Phillips (who is about to persuade -the plump little widow of Gravesend to change her -name to his) was there too, and his presence made -them regret the absence of honest Morrison, who -had gone home to Scotland, and of jovial Tom -Bartelot, who was in London, it was whispered, with -certain matrimonial views upon the girl of the -Hampton Court memories, in which he indulged -when on the wreck, and which views, we hope, he -may realise ere long. -</p> - -<p> -Noah Gawthrop, who was then, as he would have -phrased it, "a brilin' aboard the <i>Clyde</i>," in the -Indian Seas, was not forgotten when the cloth was -removed after dinner; and we believe he will yet -cast anchor in charge of the gate lodge, with its -heraldic unicorns, and may yet teach a little Morley -Ashton to handle an oar in the skiff on Acton mere, -and may become in the bar of the "Basset Arms" -a great oracle upon all that appertaineth unto salt -water. -</p> - -<p> -On this evening they were all very happy and -merry, and the jolly rector, in proposing Ethel's -health and prosperity, declared that Mr. Basset's -daughters were alike improved in quality and tint, -for having been—like good Madeira—twice round -the Cape, a species of compliment which the two -squires laughed at uproariously, so the hearty -good-humour and merriment waxed apace. -</p> - -<p> -"How unlike the past!" thought Morley, as he -glanced at his beautiful young wife in diamonds and -lace; "here, indeed, 'the world seems a good one to -live in, and easy to get on with!'" -</p> - -<p> -Morley felt half as in a dream. -</p> - -<p> -It was the last day of October, the sun's -declining rays were gilding the shamble-oak, and his -brethren of the old Saxon chase, the tower of the -village church, and the rocks of the chine. (You -remember them, reader? If you don't, we rather -think Mr. Ashton does.) A sky of clouds that were -white, broken, and dappled, edged with gold, and -floating in amber, was over all. Fragrance and -verdure, fertility and vegetable life, that they may -bud and bloom in all their strength in spring, were -going to sleep for the winter in the coppice and on -the uplands. -</p> - -<p> -The nearly-stripped woodlands loomed darkly out -of the golden evening haze, and the glorious sun, as -he sank, while the village chimes rang out, made -Morley feel somehow happy, charitable, and kind -to the world in general. And so he thought, as he -glanced from Ethel, who was now singing at the -piano one of her old familiar songs to Rose, who, -though a wedded wife, was seated on a hassock near -her father's knee, which had always been her place -after dinner, since she cut her first pearly teeth and -drank milk out of the sponsorial silver mug, given -her by old Mr. Page, Jack's father. -</p> - -<p> -She was rollicking, as of old, with Lucy, a -charming specimen of a frank-hearted, fresh-complexioned -country girl, and teasing her brother Jack, -a young Englishman complete, ruddy-cheeked, with -a smart moustache, long whiskers, and a head of -close curly brown hair. -</p> - -<p> -Though the prime bowler of the Acton eleven, -the crack shot of the Acton Corps, a fellow who -could run, leap, or shoot even with a Highlandman, -the good wine he had drunk loosed his tongue, and, -as Morley and he promenaded in the avenue, he told -him rather mysteriously, between the puffs of -Latakia, which rose from his meerschaum, that he -"had been jilted by Rose chiefly because he was a -thundering bad dancer, and never knew a note of -music in his life." But Jack, we have said, was -likely to find consolation. -</p> - -<p> -Though leaving them all happy in their old -English home, we feel loath alike to part with them -and with the reader, who has accompanied us so -far; but we leave them all, we hope, with health, -wealth, and young life before them. -</p> - -<p> -The sun has set, and the Acton bells have ceased, -so part we must, though, perhaps, for a time. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Morley Ashton, Volume 3 (of 3), by James Grant - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORLEY ASHTON, VOLUME 3 (OF 3) *** - -***** This file should be named 64082-h.htm or 64082-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/0/8/64082/ - -Produced by Al Haines -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> - -</html> - |