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diff --git a/old/68480-0.txt b/old/68480-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 55f24a4..0000000 --- a/old/68480-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10000 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The naval cadet, by Gordon Stables - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The naval cadet - A story of adventures on land and sea - -Author: Gordon Stables - -Illustrator: William Rainey - -Release Date: July 8, 2022 [eBook #68480] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NAVAL CADET *** - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Cover art] - - - -The Naval Cadet - -A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea - - - -BY - -DR. GORDON STABLES - -Author of "In the Great White Land" &c. - - - -_ILLUSTRATED BY WILLIAM RAINEY, R.I._ - - - -BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED - -LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY - - - - - _Printed in Great Britain by - Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_ - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - Chap. - - I. The Hermit of Kilmara - II. The Night came on before its Time - III. The Storm - IV. Story of the Skye Clearings - V. A Terrible Adventure - VI. In Search of Adventure - VII. Lost in a Highland Mist - VIII. Creggan and Oscar - IX. On Board the Gunboat _Rattler_ - X. War Ahead! - XI. The City of Blood - XII. Capture of the City of Benin - XIII. In a Wild and Lovely Mountain-land - XIV. A Fearful Night - XV. Welcome Back to Skye - XVI. Life on the Good Ship _Osprey_ - XVII. Mess-room Fun - XVIII. St. Elmo's Fire - XIX. The Burning Ship - XX. Gun-room Fun - XXI. Jacko Steals the Captain's Pudding - XXII. In the Wilds of Venezuela - XXIII. Dolce Far Niente - XXIV. On the Lonesome Llanos - XXV. Promotion - XXVI. Adventure in a Papuan Lake-Village - XXVII. A Terrible Tragedy - XXVIII. "The Battle rages Loud and Long" - XXIX. Like a Battle of Olden Times - XXX. Court-martialed - XXXI. Safely Home at Last - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - -The Ju-Ju king sprang up ... _Frontispiece_ [Missing from source book] - -Creggan kept the boat head-on to each threatening wave - -"Well, my lad, you're one of the 'Rattler's' middies, aren't you?" - -Just in the nick of time, Creggan fires [Missing from source book] - -"Antoine was in a state of mesmeric fascination, and pale as death" - - - - -THE NAVAL CADET. - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE HERMIT OF KILMARA. - -There was something in the reply given by young Creggan M'Vayne to -Elliott Nugent, Esq., that this gentleman did not altogether relish. -He could not have complained of any want of respect in the boy's -utterance or in his manner, but there was an air of independence -about the lad that jarred against his feelings, and made him a trifle -cross--for the time being, that is. - -For Nugent was a great man,--in his own country at all events. He -was an ex-secretary from one of the Colonies, and at home in -Australia he had been like the centurion we read of in the New -Testament, and had had many men under him to whom he could say "Do -this" with the certainty of finding it done, for in his own great -office his word had been law. - -But here stood this kilted ghillie with his collie dog by his -side--stay, though, till I present my young hero to you, reader. You -will then know a little more of the merits of the case. - -Than young Creggan M'Vayne, then, no boy was better known on land or -at sea, all along the wild rocky shores that stretch from Loch -Snizort to the very northernmost cape of Skye, well-named in the -Gaelic "The Island of Wings". At any time of the day or by moonlight -his little skiff of a boat might be met by sturdy fishermen speeding -over the waves of the blue Minch, or lazily floating in some -rock-guarded bay, while its solitary occupant lured from the dark, -deep water many a silvery dancing fish. But inland, too, he was -well-known, on lonely moor and on mountain brow. - -And Creggan was welcome wherever he went. Welcome when he appeared -at the doors of the rude huts that were huddled along the sea-shore, -welcome in the shepherd's shieling far away on the hills, and welcome -even at the firesides of gamekeepers themselves. - -Up to the present time, at all events, Creggan's life had been a -half-wild one, to say the least of it. Though tall for his years, -which barely numbered fourteen, he was as strong and well-knit as the -sinewy deer of the mountains. Good-looking he certainly was, with a -depth of chin that pronounced him more English than Scotch; the -bluest of eyes, a sun-kissed face, and fair, curly hair of so -self-assertive a nature that Creggan's Highland bonnet never by any -chance got within three inches of his brow. - -From that same bonnet, then, down to his boots, or rather brogues, -the lad looked every inch a gentleman. He was just a trifle shy in -presence of his elders and those who moved in a superior walk of life -to him; but every really good honest-hearted lad is so. Among the -peasantry, however, he was always his own manly self. - -There was one thing concerning Creggan's wild life that he did not -care for anyone to know, not even his best friend, M'Ian the -minister. And it was this: he was kind to the very poor. The fact -is, that the lad was always either in pursuit of game, as he chose to -call even rabbits, or fishing from his skiff or from the rocks, so -that he had generally more than sufficed for his own needs and those -of his guardian, whom I shall presently introduce to you. So when he -appeared at the door of widow M'Donald, M'Leod, or M'Rae, as the case -might be--for they were nearly all Macs thereabout,--you couldn't -have guessed that he was carrying a beautiful string of codling or a -"sonsy" rabbit, so carefully was it concealed in his well-worn and -somewhat tattered plaid. - -I am quite sure that Creggan's faithful collie, whose name was Oscar, -quite approved of what his master did; he always looked so pleased, -and sometimes even barked for joy, when Creggan presented those -welcome gifts, and while the recipients called blessings down from -heaven on the boy's curly head. - -But not only did the poorest among the crofters, or squatters as they -might have been called, love the winsome, happy-visaged boy, but many -of them looked upon him with a strange mixture of superstition and -awe. He was supposed to bear a kind of charmed life, because a -mystery hung over his advent which might never, never be cleared up. -For Creggan was an ocean-child in the truest sense of the word. When -a mere infant he had been found in a small boat which was stranded on -the rock-bound Isle of Kilmara, off the shores of Skye, one morning -after a gale of wind. In this islet, which indeed is but little more -than a sea-girt rock, he had dwelt for many years with the strange -being who had picked him up half-frozen, and had wooed him back to -life, and became not only a father to him but a tutor as well. - -A strange being indeed was old Tomnahurich, the Hermit of Kilmara, -the name by which he was generally known. Only old people could -remember his coming to and taking possession of the island, which -probably belonged to no one in particular, although in summer-time a -few sheep used to be sent to crop the scanty herbage that grew -thereon. But one beautiful spring morning,--with snow-white -cloudlets in the blue sky, and a light breeze rippling the Minch, -till from the mainland of Skye it looked like some mighty river -rolling onwards and north 'twixt the Outer and Inner Hebrides,--some -fisher-lads on landing were confronted by a tall, brown-bearded -stranger, dressed in seaman's clothes, and with a cast of countenance -and bearing that showed he was every inch a sailor. He had come out -from a cave, and into this, with smiles and nods and talking in the -purest of Gaelic, he had invited the young fellows. They found a -fire burning here, and fish boiling; there was a rude bench, several -stools, and various articles of culinary utility, to say nothing of a -row of brown stone bottles, the contents of one of which he begged -them to taste. - -But where the hermit had come from, or how or why he had come, nobody -could tell, and he never even referred to his own history. - -He had ceased to dwell in the cave after a time, and with wood from a -shipwrecked barque he had built himself, in a sheltered corner, a -most substantial though very uncouth kind of a dwelling-hut. As the -time went on, silver threads had begun to appear in the brown of the -hermit's beard; and now it was nearly white. He was apparently as -strong and sturdy as ever, notwithstanding the wintryness of his -hair, and the boy loved his strange guardian far more than any friend -he had, and was never so happy anywhere as at the rude fireside of -his island home. - -We never think of what Fate may have in store for us, especially when -we are young, nor at what particular date fortune's tide may be going -to flow for us. - -This morning, for instance, when Creggan came on shore with Oscar, he -had no idea that anything particular was going to happen. He had -first and foremost drawn up his little boat--the very skiff it was in -which he had been cradled on the billowy ocean,--then gone straight -away up to the manse. Here he was a great favourite, and M'Ian, the -kind-hearted minister, had for years been his teacher, educating the -boy with his own two children, Rory and Maggie, both his juniors. - -I am not going to say that Creggan was more clever than children of -his age usually are, but as the instruction he received was given -gratuitously or for love, he felt it to be his bounden duty to learn -all he could so as to gratify his teacher. - -His English was therefore exceptionally good already, and he had made -good progress in geography, history, arithmetic, and knew the first -two books of Euclid; and he could even prattle in French, which he -had learned from the hermit. It was usual for Creggan to spend an -hour or two playing with Rory and little winsome Maggie, after -lessons, but to-day they were going with their father to the distant -town of Portree, so, after bidding them good-bye he shouldered his -little gun, a gift from M'Ian, and, whistling for Oscar, went off to -the cairns to find a rabbit or two. - -The cairns where the rabbits dwelt were small rounded hills about a -quarter of a mile inland from the wild cliffs that frowned over the -deep, dark sea. These knolls were everywhere covered with stones, -and hundreds of wild rabbits played about among these. But no sooner -had Creggan shot just one than the rest disappeared into their -burrows as if by magic. The boy had plenty of patience, however, so -he simply lay down and began to read. Not to study, though. His -school-books he had left in the graveyard on an old tombstone, and -near to the last resting-place of the romantic Flora M'Donald, the -lady who had saved the unfortunate Prince Charlie Stuart. - -After half an hour he secured two more rabbits, and as the sun began -to wester, he strolled slowly backwards towards the spot where he had -beached his boat, with no intention, however, of putting out to sea -for some little time. - -With the exception of his school-books poor Creggan's library was -wonderfully small, and his literature was nearly always borrowed or -given to him. For instance, even in the most squalid huts he had -often found books that gave him no end of pleasure. They were mostly -in the grand old Gaelic; but Creggan could read the language well, -and in the long dark forenights of winter he used to delight the old -hermit by trotting out the mysterious and Homeric-like lines of -Ossian's poems. Then tourists, to whom he acted in the capacity of -guide in summer-time, sometimes gave him a book, and M'Ian's library -was always at his service. - -So to-day he had thrown himself on his face on the green cliff-top, -and had commenced to read his Ossian. - -What a glorious summer afternoon! There was the blue Minch asleep in -the sunshine, and stretching away and away far over to the hazy hills -of Harris and Lewis. White gulls were floating on its billows close -inshore, or wheeling high in air around the stupendous cliffs, where -their nests were,--their plaintive, melancholy notes mingling with -the song of the lark, the mavis, and the merle, while the solemn boom -of the breaking waves made a sweet but awful diapason. - -The air all around was warm and balmy, and laden with the sweet -breath of wild thyme. - -And Creggan M'Vayne was just reading one of his favourite, because -most romantic passages, when the dry and business-like tones of -Elliott Nugent fell upon his ear. Beautiful, indeed, did the boy -consider every line of that wild and weird poem _Carric-Thura_. The -ghost scene therein made him shudder; but it was the death of the -lovers on the field of battle--the death of Connal and Crimora that -affected him most. She had given him his arms with sad and woesome -foreboding, but at the same time had determined to follow him into -the fight. - -_Here was the din of arms; here the groans of the dying. Bloody are -the wars of Fingal, O Connal, and it was here thou didst fall! Thine -arm was like a storm; thy sword a beam of the sky; thy height a rock -upon the plain; thine eyes a furnace of fire. Warriors fell by thy -sword as the thistles by the staff of a boy. Then Dargo the mighty -came on, darkening in his wrath._ - -_Bright rose their swords on each side; loud was the clang of their -steel._ - -_But Crimora was near, bright in the armour of man. Her yellow hair -is loose behind, her bow is in her hand._ - -_She drew the string on Dargo; but--erring--she pierced her Connal. -He falls like an oak on the plain; like a rock from the shaggy hill. -What now can she do, O hapless maiden? See how he bleeds, her Connal -dies!_ - -_All night long she weeps and all the livelong day. O Connal, O -Connal, my love and my friend!_ - -But with grief the maiden dies, and in the same grave they sleep. -Undisturbed they now sleep together; in the tomb on the mountain they -rest alone, and the wind sighs through the long green grass that -grows twixt the stones of the grave. - -_Autumn is dark on the mountains; gray mists rest on the hills. Dark -rolls the river through the narrow plain. A tree stands alone on the -hill and marks the slumbering Connal. The leaves whirl round in the -wind and strew the grave of the dead. Soft be their rest, hapless -children of streamy Loda._ - -Here Creggan had closed the book with a sigh. - -"Boy, are you willing to earn an honest shilling? Keep back that -dog, please!" - -The boy had sprung to his feet and seized the all-too-impetuous Oscar -by the collar. - -Nugent's appearance was somewhat out of keeping with the grandeur of -the scenery around him. Thin and wan he was, with close-trimmed -whiskers turning to gray, a London coat, and a soft felt hat. - -"Earn a shilling, sir?" - -"I said earn a shilling, an honest shilling. But perhaps you are -above that sort of thing. You Skye Highlanders are, as a rule, so -lazy." - -"Thank you, sir, but I am not a Skyeman, though I should not be -ashamed to be. I was born on the high seas, and I have neither -mother nor father." - -Nugent's voice softened at once. His whole bearing was altered. - -"Poor boy!" he said. "I fear I talked harshly. But come, we were -directed here by an old man who told us you could guide us over the -mountains inland. My wife is an artist, and wants to make a sketch -or two. See, yonder she comes, and my little daughter, Matty. Come, -you seem to be a superior sort of lad, you shall have half a crown." - -"I don't want your money. I sha'n't touch it. But if you wait a few -minutes I will guide you to a strange land far away among the hills. -There will just be time to return before sunset." - -"And you will take no reward?" - -"Oh yes, sir, I will. I love books. I would have a book if you -could lend it to me." - -"That we will, with pleasure. I have a boy just about your -age--sixteen, and he lives in books. You are a little over sixteen, -perhaps?" - -Creggan smiled. - -"No, sir," he replied, taking off his bonnet now, for Mrs. Nugent and -Matty had come up; "I want some months of fourteen." - -"You are a very beautiful Highland boy," said Matty, gazing up at -Creggan with innocent admiration; "and if you is good, mamma will -paint you." - -"Hush, dear, hush!" cried the stately mother. - -Creggan looked at the child. He had never seen anyone so lovely -before, not even in Portree. But there was a little green knoll high -up in a glen that he knew of, on which, as the old people told him, -fairies danced and played in the moonlight. He had never seen any of -these, though many times and oft he had watched for them. But he -thought now that Matty must just be like one. - -I must confess that there was a small hole in each of the elbows of -Creggan's tweed jacket, but nevertheless when he stepped right up, as -if moved by some sudden impulse and shook Matty's tiny hand, his -bearing was in keeping with the action, and even Nugent himself -admitted afterwards that he looked a perfect little gentleman. - -"I wish you were my sister." - -That is all he said. - -But for the next few minutes very busy was Creggan indeed. - -First and foremost he made a flag of his handkerchief and hoisted it -on the end of his gun. This he waved in the air, until presently an -answering signal could be seen on the distant island. - -Then to right and to left, alow and aloft, he made signals with the -flag, much to the delight of little blue-eyed Matty, ending all by -holding his gun perpendicularly and high in air, after which he -turned to his new acquaintances. - -"I'm quite ready," he said. - -The march towards the mountains was now commenced. But the road led -past the manse, and thither ran Creggan, returning almost immediately -with a tiny Shetland pony. This consequential little fellow was -fully caparisoned, with not only a child's saddle but saddle-bags. -Into the latter Mrs. Nugent's sketching-gear was put, and then -Creggan picked Matty up and placed her on the saddle. Oscar barked, -and the child screamed with joy, as off they headed for the wild -mountains. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -High above the blue-gray hills of Harris lay streak on streak of -carmine clouds, with saffron all between, as Creggan's skiff went -dancing over the waves that evening, towards his little island home. -But the boy saw them not, saw nothing in fact till his boat's keel -rasped upon the beach, where his foster-father stood, ready to haul -her up. - -For Creggan's thoughts were all with his newly-found friends and the -doings of this eventful day. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE NIGHT CAME ON BEFORE ITS TIME. - -The home of Hermit M'Vayne, which was Creggan's foster-father's real -name, was indeed a strange one. Situated under the south-western -side of a rock, partly leaning against it, in fact, stood the strong -and sturdy hut. The sides, and even the roof, were of timber, the -latter thatched with heather and grass; though only one gable was of -stone, and here was the chimney that conducted the smoke from the low -hearth upwards and outwards to the sky. - -And night and day around this log-house moaned the wind, for even -when almost calm on the mainland a breeze was blowing here, and ever -and aye on the dark cliff-foot beneath broke and boomed the waves of -the restless Minch. But when the storm-king rose in his wrath and -went shrieking across the bleak island, the spray from the breakers -was dashed high and white, far over the hut, and would have found its -way down the chimney itself had this not been protected by a moving -cowl. - -But I really think that the higher the wind blew, and the louder it -howled, while the waves sullenly boomed and thundered on the rocks -below, the cosier and happier did the hermit and his foster-child -feel within. - -Although, strangely enough, the hermit had never as yet told Creggan -the story of his own past life, nor his reasons for settling down on -this sea-girdled little morsel of rock and moorland, still he never -seemed to tire of telling the boy about his adventures on many lands -and many seas, nor did the lad ever weary of listening to these. And -the wilder they were the better he liked them. - -It was on stormy nights, especially in winter, that Creggan's strange -foster-father became most communicative. But on such nights, before -even the frugal supper was placed upon the board, the hermit felt he -had a duty to perform, and he never neglected it. For high on a rock -on the centre of the island he had erected a little hollow tower of -stone. It was in reality a kind of slow-combustion stove filled with -peats and chunks of wood, and with pieces of sea-weed over all. It -was lit from below, and when the wind blew through the chinks and -crannies, it sent forth a glare that could be seen far and high over -the storm-tossed ocean. Many a brave brig or barque staggering up -the Minch, and many a fisherman's boat also, on dark and windy nights -had to thank the hermit's beacon-light that warned them off the -Whaleback rocks. - -Having set fire to his storm-signal, the old man's work was done for -the day. Supper finished, a chapter from the Book of Books was read, -then a prayer was prayed--not read from a printed book,--and after -this the inmates of this rude but cosy hut drew their stools more -closely to the fire. No light was lit if not needed, and indeed it -was seldom necessary, the blazing peats and the crackling logs gave -forth a glare that, though fitful, was far more pleasant to talk by -than any lamp could have been. - -Now, Mr. Nugent and his wife had promised to visit Creggan some -evening on his lonely island, and not only Matty but her brother also -were to accompany them. They did not say when the visit would be -made. Their lives were as unlike Creggan's as one could possibly -imagine. They were spending the summer here in Skye, living in a -rough sort of a shanty, which, however, they had furnished themselves -and made exceedingly comfortable; and every day brought them some new -pleasure: boating parties, long journeys over the mountains, -painting, botanizing, or collecting specimens and even fossils, for -on no island in all our possessions, does nature display her stores -on a more liberal scale than in this same wildly romantic Skye. - -The afternoon's outing for which they were indebted to young Creggan -Ogg M'Vayne had been pronounced delightful beyond compare. It was -indeed a strange land they had reached at last, pastoral and poetic -as well. Bonnie green valleys, watered by many a rippling burn, and -little waterfalls that came trickling down from the rocks, and -studded over with lazy, well-fed cattle and a few sheep. There were -but two huts here, near-by the banks of a little stream, that went -singing onwards till its brown waters were swallowed up in a small -lake, the surface of which was everywhere wrinkled by sportive trout, -leaping high to catch gnats or midges even in the air. - -The Nugents were surprised, but charmed to find that the tiny -encampment was inhabited only by sturdy bare-footed, bare-headed -lassies, who were here to tend the cows, and to make butter and -cheese, which would afterwards be sold at the distant market town of -Portree. - -Creggan had to be interpreter, for never a word of English had these -girls to bless themselves in. - -And Mrs. Nugent stayed long enough to make several delightful -sketches in water-colours, over which the lassies went into raptures. -The clouds in the blue sky, the distant peeps of ocean, with here and -there a little sail, the darkling rocks, the mountain peaks, and -nearer still in the foreground, the foaming linns, the green braes, -and the beautiful cows, with their attendants, all came out on the -paper by the magic touch of the artist's brush. - -Long before they had once more reached the cliffs by the sea that -night, Matty and Creggan seemed to have established a friendship as -frank and free as if they had known each other for many and many a -year. Then good-byes had been said, and the promise given by Mr. -Nugent to come out to the island some afternoon, or to take it in -their way home from the far-off island of Harris. But a fortnight -passed by and they had not yet appeared. Nor, although he thought -about them, and especially about Matty, times without number, had -Creggan seen them even at a distance. - -One afternoon, the boy in his skiff returned home much sooner than -usual. - -It is not in winter only that wild storms sweep up or down or across -the Minch, for even in summer, and suddenly too, gales arise, and -while, as far as eye can see, the Atlantic is one wide chaos of -broken and foaming water, the cliffs and hills seem shaken to their -rude foundations by wind and wave. Yet speedily as such tempests -come, there are generally indications beforehand that tell the -fishermen abroad in their open boats that they must run quickly for -the nearest shelter, if dear life itself is to be saved. - -"Right glad to see you, lad," said the hermit, as he helped Creggan -to secure his boat high and dry behind a rock, where, blow as it -might, nothing could damage her. - -"You think it is going to blow, Daddy?" - -"Aye, sonny, that it is. Night will come on, too, long hours before -its time. Ah, boy, we'll have to pray for those at sea to-night! I -hope your friends will not think of leaving Lewis." - -"You have seen them, father?" - -"Aye, boy, aye. They passed the island almost within hail of me, in -a half-deck boat, which I think must have been hired at Portree." - -"And was little Matty there?" - -"Yes, lad, and her father and mother, and a boy older than -you--though not so brave-looking." - -The old hermit put his hand fondly on young Creggan's curly head as -he spoke. No father could have been fonder of a son than was he of -this motherless bairn. - -"But, dear boy, you haven't come empty-handed, I see." - -"No; I never had a better forenoon among the trout. Look!" - -From under a thwart of the boat forward, Creggan lugged forth and -held up for admiration, a string of crimson-spotted mountain trout -that would have caused many a Cockney sportsman to bite his lips with -envy. - -The old man smiled, patted the boy once again, then hand in -hand--such was their habit--they took their way along the winding -path which led to the hut. - -Oscar had been at home all day, but he now came bounding out with -many a joyous bark, to welcome his master back. More quietly, too, -though none the less sincerely did Gilbert, a huge, red tabby cat, -bid the boy welcome, rubbing his great head against Creggan's -stocking and purring loudly, while from the inner recesses of the hut -a voice could be heard shouting: - -"_Come in, Creggan! Come in, come in!_" - -It was the voice of no human being, however, but that of a beautiful -gray parrot, who had been the hermit's companion since ever he had -taken up his residence on this little isle of the ocean. - -The afternoon wore away quickly enough, as afternoons always do when -one is busy. And Creggan had hooks to busk, and his foster-father -was busy mending nets. - -But the sun set at last, in lurid fiery clouds, over the hills of -Harris, and soon after those very clouds, dark and threatening now, -began to bank up and roll forward over the sea, on the wings of a -moaning wind, shortening the twilight and obscuring the rising stars -that had already begun to twinkle in the east. - -The beacon had not been lit for many weeks, but to-night the hermit -seemed to take extra pains with it, and as soon as the shadows of -night fell over the sea its red glimmer shone far over the darkling -waves, on which already white horses had begun to appear. - -Bleak and cold blew the wind, too, for in these northern climes -summer is not always the synonym for warmth of weather. - -But supper and prayers over, the two Crusoes, as we well might term -them, drew closer round the fire. Even Polly asserted her right to -join the circle. - -"_Poor Polly!_" she cried; "_poor dear old, old Polly! Polly wants -to come!_" - -Then Creggan carried her cage forward and placed it in a corner, -where the firelight might dance and flicker on it. Collie curled up -in front of the fire, and close beside him Gibbie the cat sat down. -And before seating himself near to his foster-father's big -easy-chair, the boy handed him his pipe, and not that alone, but a -fine old fiddle that he took from a green baize bag which hung upon -the wall. - -"And now," said Creggan; "now, dear Daddy, I feel just very happy, -but I'm not quite sure yet what I shall make you do. You shall sing, -anyhow, over the fiddle, some fine old sea-song, father, that will -bring right up before me all the romance of your early days, just as -this little book of Ossian's poems makes me think I am living in the -olden times, and can hear the clang and crash of battle, or the sweet -notes of harps sounding low and sweet in halls by the stormy sea." - -"Verily, boy, you are a poet yourself. Ah, lad, when you enter life -all will be stern reality!" - -"I never want to enter life, Daddy dear; I want always, always to be -here with you on our own little island home. But listen, Daddy, was -that not a scream? There again?" - -"Nay, boy, nay, it is but the cry of some storm-frightened night-bird -rising shrill and high over the wail of the wind and dash of the -waves. Yet may Heaven in its mercy protect any craft on a lee shore -to-night!" - -But Creggan felt uneasy, and for quite a long time he sat in silence, -while the hermit, gazing quietly into the blazing fire as he smoked, -seemed to recall many a strange event in his former life. - -Suddenly Creggan sprang up. He had keen ears. The dog ran towards -the door at the same time, barking aloud. - -For adown the wind, twice repeated, had floated the sharp sound of a -rifle or gun. - -"Oh, Daddy," cried Creggan, now pale with agitation, "some ship or -boat is on the Whaleback rocks out yonder! That was a signal of -distress." - -"Then, boy, we must give all the assistance in our power, and if in -doing so we die, we shall die doing our duty. Light the great -hurricane-lamp. Keep calm, lad; while there is life there is hope." - -Next minute both stood together on the edge of the cliff that pointed -nor'ard and west, while behind them on a pole was fixed the -hurricane-lamp. - -What a wild turmoil of a sea was down below. As each white wave -dashed against the beetling rocks, high upwards almost to their feet -rose the singing seething water. But at present the sky was not -wholly overcast. There were rifts among the scudding, hurrying -clouds, and now and then the moon shone through. - -"Look! look!" cried Creggan. "Can you see it, Daddy? High and dark -on Lorna's rock! The boat, the boat, with the waves sweeping past -and over it!" - -The hermit passed his hand across his brow and eyes, and strained -forward to gaze into the darkness. - -Just then the moon cast a pale glimmer across the waves, and every -line of the stranded boat stood darkling out against a background of -white and stormy water. - -The old man shuddered. - -"Heaven be near to help us, boy," he cried, "but yonder is the -Nugents' boat!" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE STORM. - -Never would I dare to detract from the glory and honour that hangs, -halo-like, around the memory of one of our nation's heroines--poor -Grace Darling; but there are deeds done along the shores of this land -of ours every winter, ay, and every summer too, that, although they -shine not in story, are as bravely undertaken and as courageously -carried out as that rescue at the Longstone lighthouse. - -Though the hermit was white as to hair, though his beard flowed -backwards now in the breeze like a silver stream as he stood in the -glare of the hurricane-lamp, he was not an aged man. Every limb was -straight, every muscle was strong, and his lowered brows nearly hid -eyes that burned like living coals as he stood there on the -cliff-top, pointing towards the doomed and stranded boat. - -"Creggan, my lad," he cried, "we may not be able to save a single -life, but our duty lies plain before us--we shall try!" - -He unfastened the lamp and swung it to and fro for a spell, as if to -give heart to those on board, then hastened with it down to the -beach, closely followed by Creggan. - -Not only was there here, in a little rock-bound cove, Creggan's own -skiff, but one of far broader beam, one with a sturdy keel, and -encircled as to its outside with a great and thick band of cork. The -old man called it his lifeboat, and it had done duty more than once -before, but never perhaps on so wild and stormy a night as this. - -It was quickly launched now, and, being to the manner born, Creggan -seized the tiller and the hermit took the oars. - -Every rock around the islet was well-known to both. The lamp was -hung aloft on a morsel of mast that was stepped near to the fore -thwart, and cast its red glare on the seas ahead as well as on the -faces of these daring heroes. - -Once beyond the protection of the black jutting rocks, it was all -that M'Vayne could do--strong though his arms were--to keep the boat -from broaching-to, but soon he got weigh on her and then the rudder -told. - -But how the wind howled, and how the seething, angry waves dashed -over them! Sometimes the bows were tossed clean out of the water, -and it seemed for a second or two that she would go down stem first -into the trough of the sea; and as that wave went racing past her, -down dashed the bows again with a slapping sound that could be heard -high over the roar of the wind. - -[Illustration: CREGGAN KEPT THE BOAT HEAD-ON TO EACH THREATENING WAVE] - -Not a word was spoken. Not a word could have been heard in the -turmoil, unless it were shrieked. Yet Creggan knew enough to keep -her head on to each advancing, threatening wave. Neither the fury of -the tempest nor the anger of the curling waves frightened him. He -felt in that state of exultation which danger never fails to raise in -the hearts of the truly brave, and beside which fear finds no place. - -So sturdily did the hermit row, that in less than twenty minutes' -time--and this did not seem long--the boat was well to windward of -the stranded craft. - -The danger now was great. To bear down on the wave-tops and get -alongside seemed almost a hopeless task. - -But although she shipped some water she came bravely round, and went -heading inland now, like a bird adrift on the ocean tide. - -The Skyemen on board the stranded craft saw her, and did not require -to be told to throw a rope. Next minute it seemed--so quickly did -the minutes fly--that the tiny lifeboat was alongside and fast. - -"Quick now!" shouted the hermit. "Lower down the ladies and the boy. -We can only manage three. Bear a hand, my lads. Bear a hand!" - -It seemed in answer to the hermit's prayers that at this moment a -lull in the storm took place, and the moon shone out bright and clear -over the tempestuous sea. - -Nevertheless, the labour of getting the trembling lady and frightened -little Matty on board was most dangerous, and had to be undertaken -with the greatest caution. - -Nugent shouted to his son Willie to go next, but the brave boy -positively refused to get over the side until the boat returned from -the shore when his father had landed. His father must go first, he -said. - -She did return, and then took off young Nugent and two seamen, all -she could stow away with safety. There was but one man left in the -lugger now. - -Alas, for his fate! - -Just as M'Vayne's boat was once more leaving the beach, a heavier -squall than any that yet had swept over the sea dashed her back and -beached her. When the wind subsided somewhat she was once more -launched, but had not proceeded far from the shore when she found -herself surrounded by wreckage. - -Just for one moment, in the side of a darkling wave and in a glimpse -of moonlight, a white face could be seen and a raised arm. - -That was all, and the unfortunate fisherman's body was never found. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Everything possible was done for the comfort of Matty and her mother -and father. A bigger fire was made up, and from his cupboard, -honest, kind-hearted Tomnahurich brought forth refreshments for them -as they sat before the roaring fire to get dry and warm. The hermit -even made tea for his guests, a luxury he seldom indulged in himself, -or Creggan either. Then he said "Good-night", blessed them in his -semi-patriarchal kind of way, and left with Willie Nugent. They -reached the bottom of the cliff by the zigzag path safely enough, -though the spray dashed over them in sheets of white and blinding -foam. It was indeed a fearful night. - -The boat had already been secured, and when they entered the cave -they found that a good fire had already been lit by Creggan, and was -roaring up the rude chimney that led into a cleft in the rocks. - -For a long time the hermit, with the two seamen and Willie and -Creggan, sat around the fire, talking low during a lull in the storm, -or remaining silent and awe-struck when the huge waves boomed and -crashed against the rocks, seeming to shake the very island to its -foundations. - -Sorrow induces sleep, and at last all turned in on beds of heather, -and the events of this terrible night were forgotten. - -Morning broke, bright and clear, but still the storm raged on. - -Skyemen, like most Highlanders, are very superstitious, and one of -these honest fishermen declared that he had slept but little, for -every now and then he had heard poor Matheson--the drowned -sailor--calling, calling, calling from the deep. - -The hermit assured him that it was but the scream of the frightened -sea-birds. - -"Och and och no, Mr. Tomnahurich. Mind you, I'll no be sayin' it was -Matheson himself--it was his wraith, sure and sure enough!" - -Prayers were row said, and a hymn sung to that beautiful old melody -called "Martyrdom", the hermit leading with his clear and manly -voice, which many a night, when far at sea, had been heard high over -the raging storm and the dash of angry seas:-- - - "Take comfort, Christians, when your friends - In Jesus fall asleep; - Their better being never ends: - Why then dejected weep? - - "Why inconsolable as those - To whom no hope is given? - Death is the messenger of peace, - And calls the soul to heaven." - - -All seemed more cheerful after this, and breakfast was cooked and -eaten with relish. - -Then the hermit and the two boys, who were already great friends, -ascended the cliff. They met Nugent, and were glad to hear that -Matty and her mother were well and happy. They had been told nothing -about the lost sailor. - -"There will be no getting on shore to-day, I fear," said Mr Nugent. - -The hermit shook his head and pointed to the seething sea, on which -white horses[1] were riding. - - -[1] White horses=the spume on the breaking waves. - - -"No, sir, no," he said; "but we have plenty of food and plenty of -fire. Heaven be praised!" - -Tomnahurich all that day laid himself out to please his guests. He -did all the cooking himself; and the food was by no means to be -despised, for the old man was plentifully supplied with stores from -shore, Creggan being the purchaser. Well, they had fish and bacon, -and the eggs of sea-birds, so beautiful in colour and markings that -Nugent said it was almost a sin to break them. The fish were of the -best, for off the rocks mullet can be caught with rod and line. Rock -pigs these delightful little seafarers are called. - -They had potatoes, butter, and, last but not least, beautiful -lobsters. What more could anyone expect on a hermit's isle? - -When the sun went down the storm lulled somewhat, but it was thought -advisable to remain one more night on the island. - -After an early supper in the hut, and, the cave also, where the -fishermen remained as troglodytes--if you don't know this word, dear -young reader, take your dictionary and look it up;--after an early -supper, I say, the hermit went down the cliff and returned soon. - -"I'm going to bring up my wife," he said with a quiet smile. - -"Your wife, Mr. M'Vayne!" cried Mrs. Nugent in astonishment. "Have -you a wife, then? We will be delighted to see her." - -"That you shall, and hear her too. Her voice is sweetness itself." - -There was a roguish smile playing about his eyes as he departed. - -Creggan was in a corner near the fire talking low to Matty, Pussy was -curled up beside Collie (Oscar), and Polly was making droll remarks -to all, when Tomnahurich entered with his "wife". - -He carried her in a green baize bag. A strange place to stow away a -wife in, it must be admitted. - -"Have you brought Mrs. M'Vayne?" - -"Yes," said the hermit, "and here she is!" - -As he spoke he opened the green baize bag, and pulled out his Cremona -fiddle. - -He smiled, but he sighed as well. "Och hey!" he said; "this is the -only wife I have now!" - -But sweet was the music he brought from that old fiddle. Sweet and -plaintive at first. Then he sang over it,--grand old sea-songs in -which his listeners could fancy they heard the "coo" and the "moan" -of the waves, as they dashed along the quarter of some gallant ship, -far, far at sea. - -Then looking up, and thinking he was making the young folks a trifle -_triste_ or sad, he burst into such a rattling cheery sailor's -hornpipe, that the children laughed aloud in spite of themselves, -while Polly danced for joy on her perch, uttering every now and then -that real Irish "whoop!" which used to be heard at Donnybrook Fair. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -That evening, as all sat in a wide circle around the fire-peats and -wood, and after a momentary lull in the conversation, Mrs. Nugent -addressed the hermit. - -"Mr. M'Vayne," she said, "I noticed that you sighed deeply when you -took your violin from its bag. Now, I know yours may be a sad story, -but will you not tell it to us?" - -"Oh, tell us a stoly!" cried bonnie Matty, clapping her tiny hands. - -"I have never told my story to anyone hereabouts yet," said the -hermit; "not even to my sonny, Creggan Ogg. But," he added, "when -ladies ask, what can I do but obey." - -"Well, light your pipe." - -"May I?" - -"Certainly." - -The hermit smoked for a minute or two, looking into the fire, as if -to renovate his memories of the past. - -Then he began. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -STORY OF THE SKYE CLEARINGS. - -"I must be brief, madam," the hermit began, as he glanced at a little -"wag-at-the-wa'",[1] "for night comes on apace." - - -[1] A small clock, with weights and pendulum exposed, that is hung -against the wall. - - -"I was born, then, in Skye, and not fifty miles from the spot where I -and Creggan here now live." - -"You were born in Skye," interrupted Mrs. Nugent, "and yet you never -go on shore!" - -"Ah, madam! there is a reason for that, which I will presently tell -you. But for just one day I shall go, I hope, before I die, and -visit a green and lonesome grave close to the cliffs where the -sea-birds scream, and where, for ever and for aye, one can hear the -moan of the waves--the sweet, sad song of the sea. - -"I was born in a beautiful glen, and down near to the beach was my -father's cottage, only one of many that clustered here and there, -forming a village without either street or lane, and more like the -towns one sees in Madagascar than anything else. We were all poor -enough, goodness knows, but still we were happy. Our farms were mere -crofts, and we tilled only the tops of the ridge with the wooden -plough, or what is called the crooked spade. We paid but little -rent, it is true, but our wants were easily satisfied. We were -called lazy by visitors who in summer passed through the glen. We -were not. For well we knew that if we improved our land as some did, -the grasping landlord would at once raise our rent. - -"We were--and many Skyemen are to this day--in a condition of -serfdom. The old feudal system still existed, and we had even to -leave our own corn standing until we cut down and stooked that on the -minister's large and beautiful glebe. For this we received nothing, -and often before we were finished at the manse, a wild, wet storm -would come on and our own little patches of grain would be spoiled. - -"So far was feudalism carried, that the first and choicest of the -fish we caught, whether mullet or saith or codling, had to be given -to the minister, and the best of the crabs and lobsters also. In -return for this the minister visited the sick, with medicine in his -pocket--salts and senna or a nauseous pill. But he never brought -food. And many an old man or woman, aye, and many an innocent child -died, not of disease, but of sheer starvation, although the -minister's barns and stackyards, and the landlord's also, were full -to overflowing. - -"It was not from choice that we dwelt in those windowless huts, with -a raised stone in the centre, around which the fire was built, with -simply a hole in the roof to let out the eye-racking smoke when it -chose to go. - -"But in dark, dreary winters those roof-holes not only permitted a -little smoke to escape, but the snow to drift in. The soft, powdery -snow also sifted in under the door, and through the apertures in the -eaves which did duty as windows. - -"It was no uncommon thing for some of these huts to be entirely -buried in the snow. When one or two neighbours escaped they dug the -rest out. For water we often had to melt the snow. - -"Food? Well, madam, in summer we were not so badly off; we had -oatmeal and fish and a herring harvest. But in some icy winters, -when we couldn't launch a boat, and when fishing from the rocks was -useless, as the mullet refused to bite, we lived principally on -oatmeal--often bad at the best,--and limpets that we gathered from -the great black rocks when the tide was back. They are poor eating, -but we gathered dulse from the boulders, roasted it with a red-hot -poker, and ate it with the limpets. At every door you would have -seen a large pile of empty limpet-shells, that told of the poverty -within. - -"My father's hut was one of two rooms. Our two cows were turned into -one at night and we occupied the other. There were many other huts -with two rooms and a cow, or perhaps more than one. Often the -dividing partition between the cow's room and the family apartment -was but a few ragged old Highland plaids hung upon a rope. - -"They used to say that the breath of the kine and the smoke were -healthy, and kept us all strong and hardy. Well, as a boy I -preferred the fresh air. I got plenty of this, because every day it -was my duty to collect all the cattle in the village, after they had -been milked, and, assisted by two honest collie dogs, drive them far -away to the uplands for pasture. Would you believe it, madam, that -even this privilege was finally taken from us, and there being but -little herbage in the glen, many of us had to take our cows to -Portree and sell them? Yes, our homes were miserable enough; but -still they were homes, and we dearly loved them--loved the seas that -swept the craggy shores, loved the green braes, the rocks and cliffs, -and the grand old hills that frowned brown o'er all the scene. For -home is home, be it ever so humble. - -"Well, I grew up to manhood. Both father and mother were now dead, -and when one day the neighbours saw me and some friends start -building a better sort of hut, they smiled to each other, nodded and -winked. They knew what was coming. True enough, for I loved sweet -Mary Gray as I believe only Highlanders can love. I won't bother you -with this part of my history. But I just went on building my house. -You see it was like this, madam. Many of the lads of the glen went -every year to the herring-fishery at Peterhead, and thus we saved a -little money; why, I even got real glass windows from Portree, and -had a real chimney in my hut, chairs, and a good bed. I built also a -byre for my two cows, so that I was considered the richest man in the -glen. - -"Then one day Mary and I got married, and I'm sure that when we were -settled in our home there was no more happy couple in all the glen, -or in any other glen. I had no ambition then. I only wanted to live -and die in our cottage by the sea. And I used to take down my -fiddle, a gift from an Englishman whom I had saved from drowning, and -sing over it such love ditties as this." - -And the hermit played: - - "O, whar was ye sae[2] late yestreen, - My bonnie Jeannie Gray? - Your mither missed you late at e'en, - And eke at break o' day." - - * * * * * * * * - - "Dear sister, sit ye doon by me, - And let nae body ken, - For I hae promised late yestreen - To wed young Jamie Glen." - - - -[2] To English boys. 'Sae' and 'hae' are pronounced 'say' and 'hay', -and in all Scotch words ending in '-ae' the 'ae' sounds like 'ay'. - - -"Well, time wore on; a year and a half--Oh, what a happy time! Then -a beautiful child saw the light of day, and our joy was trebled. But -about three months after this came a bolt from the blue--an order -that every man, woman, and child was to clear out of the glen. - -"We would have a free passage to America, but the glen was wanted as -a sheep-farm. - -"What wailing and anguish there was now in every hut and hamlet! - -"But the men were furious. They would take no notice of the cowardly -edict. They could not, would not, leave their Highlands. - -"Another month went past, and then half a dozen men from Portree -arrived with summonses and delivered them. These long blue letters -were torn from their hands, rent in pieces, and thrown fluttering on -the breeze. The men tried to use their sticks. There was a battle, -but a brief one. The minions of an unjust law were soundly thrashed, -and two were thrown into a pond. They were glad to get away with -their lives, I think. - -"Police were sent next, and a more terrible fight ensued. Many of -our brave glensmen were wounded, but eventually this enemy also had -to beat a speedy retreat. - -"Nothing more happened for three weeks, and we were beginning to -think we should be left in the peaceful possession of our bonnie -glen. But one day, much to our surprise, a small steamer cast anchor -in the bay, and on her deck were redcoats. Alas! I knew now the -grief had come. But still we determined to resist to the bitter end. -Bitter it was bound to be, for it was a cold, bleak day in early -winter. - -"We speedily placed heaps of stones where they would be handiest. - -"The fight lasted till nearly darkling. We kept well beyond reach of -the fixed bayonets, and battered the soldiers severely with stones. -Again and again the order was given to charge. But these fellows -might as well have tried to follow Highland deer on foot as lithe and -active Skyemen like us. - -"At last the order was given to fire, and two of our poor fellows -were stretched bleeding on the grass. - -"The end had come. What is a stone-armed mob against soldiers with -ball cartridge! - -"So we gave in, and I myself advanced with a white rag tied to my -stick as a flag of truce. - -"But the officer in charge was furious. He must do his duty, he -said. He had dallied too long. Out we must turn. He would give us -an hour to save any small articles we valued, no more. - -"Oh, madam, fancy the sadness of that night! The old, the young, and -the infirm were turned forth into the bleak cold of a wind-swept -glen. The sick were carried out in blankets, and put down on the -bare green braes to die or to live. - -"Then at midnight every hamlet was fired, and the glen was lit up by -a blood-red blaze that tipped even the distant hills with carmine, -while tongues of flame, mounting every moment higher and higher, -seemed to lick up the rolling clouds of smoke, while showers of -sparks, thick as flakes of snow in a winter's storm, were carried far -away to leeward. - -"I was dazed. I knew not what to do. I knelt beside my poor Mary, -but she spoke not. How cold her hand was! And her face. 'Ah,' I -shrieked, 'my wife, my wife is dead!' - -"I remember nothing more. I had fainted, but in the dusk of the -morning I recovered my senses. Not only was Mary dead, but poor baby -had rolled over her on to the grass, and there lay stark and stiff." - -Tears were trickling down the hermit's cheeks, and it was some time -before he felt fit to continue his story. - -"Ah, madam," he said, "that was a sad morning. The people of the -glen, I could just see, were all loaded on to that steamer, which was -to bear them away, far away across the broad Atlantic. I could hear -their weeping and wailing, I could see the women wringing their hands -and the men tearing their hair as they gazed on the land they should -never see again. The soldiers, too, were on board, and steam up. -Speedily she rounded the cape, and I was left alone with the dead. - -"All that day I lay beside Mary and baby, and all the next bleak, -cold night. The people that crowded in kindness to the deserted glen -could not get me to move. - -"But next day I consented to have my darlings buried. - -"And there they lie, and my heart lies also in that shallow grave. - -"Since then, madam, and until I came to this island, my life has been -one of constant wandering by land and on the sea. I am a good -sailor, but I have also been gold-miner, treasure-hunter, and -pearl-fisher by turns. Anything that could give me excitement and -help me to forget was new life to me, so my career has been a -chequered one. - -"I have made a little money, and that is safe. But at long last an -indescribable longing to visit dear old Skye seized me, and I -returned to Glasgow. Here I bought a boat, and having been offered a -passage as far as Skye in a sailing ship, which, however, did not -mean to put in there, I gladly accepted it, buying stores, &c., and -feeling that if it were possible I should get a site for a house -however humble, and live once more near to baby's and Mary's lonely -grave. - -"Well, my heart failed me at the last moment, and when the kindly -skipper lowered my boat and stores and bade me farewell, instead of -rowing to the glen I landed here with my parrot. And here I have -been ever since, and here I may remain, madam, till God calls me. I -am willing to live, but I am also ready to die. - -"And my sonny here,"--he put an arm over Creggan's shoulder as he -spoke,--"who came to me in so strange a way, and has been such -comfort to me, he, I say, must go out into life soon and see the -world. - -"Hush, lad, hush! You must have a career--you must be a sailor! - -"Why," he added, "you may yet clear up the mystery of your childhood. -But come, children, I fear I have saddened you;" and once more this -strange mortal put his fiddle under his chin, and dashed off into one -of the maddest, merriest airs the Nugents had ever listened to. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Next morning all the hermits were landed, Matty being delighted -because Creggan took her, and her only, in his skiff. - -It was a lovely day now, blue sky above and rippling waves beneath -and around, that broke in long white lisping lines on the beach where -they landed. - -M'Ian and Creggan's two playmates, Rory and Maggie, were delighted to -see them all. Their anxiety had been very great, for pieces of -wreckage had been washed up on the beach, and they believed that -every soul on board the lugger had perished. They dined at the -manse, and afterwards Nugent took Creggan aside. - -"Come with me for a walk, my boy. I have something to say to you, -but I must have you all alone." - -So off they went, down along the cliffs, and at last seated -themselves on the grass, high above the blue Minch, the summer -sunshine sparkling on the sea, and the soft summer wind perfumed with -the odour of wild thyme. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE. - -Mr. Nugent sat down among the wild thyme, and beckoned to Creggan to -follow his example. - -Then he lit a huge meerschaum, and smoked in silence for a time, -gazing thoughtfully far over the Minch at the mountains of Harris, -that lay like clouds of blue on the horizon. - -"Now boy," he said at last, "I'm a plain-spoken man. You were -instrumental in saving my life, my wife's, and dear Matty's. How can -I reward you? Not with money, I know. You couldn't have lived so -long in Skye without being proud." - -He smiled as he spoke, afraid apparently of offending the brave and -spirited lad. - -"Well, sir, I don't want any reward at all, I only did my duty, and -the hermit has often told me that when I clearly saw my duty, I was -to go straight for it, through thick and thin. But, sir--" - -He paused, looking shy. - -"Well, lad?" - -"You may lend me a book to read." - -Mr. Nugent took his pipe out of his mouth to laugh aloud. - -"A book, my boy! A book for saving all our lives! Ha, ha, ha! This -is really too amusing. - -"But, tell me," he added, "what you would like to be?" - -"Nothing at all. Just live on the island with Daddy." - -"Nonsense, that will never do." - -"Well, sir, I suppose I must leave Daddy and Oscar, but if I do, I -shall go to sea, before the mast." - -"That will never do either. Now, your hermit Daddy told me that he -had gold, and that all was yours. I have not very much gold, but, -lad, I have influence, much influence, and it is into the Royal Navy -you must go as a brave cadet, and if you keep up your self-respect -and never give way to temptations, I feel certain your career will be -a brilliant one. What do you say?" - -There was a big lump in Creggan's throat, and as he gazed across the -Minch he could see his dear island home only through a mist of tears. - -But he turned bravely round and said to Nugent: - -"Thank you, sir; I will go into the navy and try to do my duty." - -"Well, that is spoken right manfully. Leave all the rest to me. All -you have got to do is to continue your studies; but take plenty of -open air exercise as well, for in the service they like strong hardy -boys." - -Then he shook hands with Creggan and rose to go. - -"We will be three weeks longer in this wild and romantic island, and -during that time you'll be our guide, won't you?" - -"That I will, sir," said Creggan, his eyes all in a sparkle now. -"I'll show you everything, and Matty can always ride on the Shetland -pony. Can't she?" - -"You young rascal," replied Mr. Nugent laughing. "I believe you have -fallen in love with my little Matty!" - -Creggan blushed, but spoke out straightforwardly. - -"I don't know about love, sir. I love Oscar and Daddy, but I like -Matty so very, very much. To be sure she is a child; but she is -pretty, and talks just like a linnet." - -"Well, well, boy, the sea will soon drive all that out of your -noddle." - -So they parted, and soon Creggan's little skiff was dancing over the -wavelets, her prow turned towards Kilmara. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Dear boy readers, I hope that many of you will one day visit the -Island of Wings--Skye. I've travelled the world around, but I have -never yet landed on a wilder or more romantic island. I have no idea -of describing the grandeur of its scenery. Walter Scott himself were -he alive could not do that; but if I now close my eyes just for a -moment, it rises before me, its mountains towering far into the blue -of the skies; its thousand-feet-high cliffs; its bonnie bosky glens; -its long stretches of heath-clad moorland; its streams; its torrents; -its castles, mostly ruins, that carry the thoughts back and away into -the long forgotten feudal past; and, last but not least, its dark -tarns or lochs, and the awful desolation of some of its cañons. - -But independent of the wildness of its scenery, Skye is not only a -man's paradise as regards sport, but a boy's as well, if he is fond -of fishing. The dark lakes abound in trout, and all around the -island the sea is alive with fish. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -It was not only for three weeks, but four, that the Nugents remained -on the island, and happy weeks indeed they were to Creggan, and I'm -sure to Matty also. The bracing sea breezes that blew across the -hills and braes had heightened her colour, and she now looked more -like a fairy than ever. Only, as a rule fairies don't ride on -Shetland ponies through the bonnie crimson heather. - -Many a dark night at sea while keeping the middle watch, when hardly -a sound was to be heard, except now and then the nap of a great sail -overhead, or the dreary cry of some belated sea-bird, did Creggan's -thoughts revert to those days he had spent in the Island of Wings -with the Nugents. - -And when the stars were shining overhead, so big, so clear, and so -close that it seemed as if the main-truck could touch them, the -sailor-boy used to hope, aye, and pray, that he might be spared to go -back to Skye, to see old Daddy, and to meet the Nugents--especially -Matty--once again. - -His adventures with the child were principally among the heather or -at sea in the skiff. He was so strong a boy, and so tall and brave -that neither Nugent himself nor his wife were afraid to trust him -with the child. So, on fine days he used to row her right away out -to the hermit's isle itself, and spend hours listening to the old -man's yarns, but above all to his music. - -Well, the two would sink baited lobster-traps in the deep water near -the towering cliffs, on which stood the grand old castle of Duntulm. -They used to go for those lobster creels next day, and always found -plenty of shell-fish. - -Or they would fish from the boat lent them by a fisherman, the saith -leaping at times around them as thick as rain-drops in a thunderstorm. - -But it was even more pleasant to sit on the rocks, and fish with a -white fly for mullet or herring. The idea of angling for herring may -seem a droll one to a South Briton, but it is done nevertheless, and -many is the good haul I have made myself. - -From the place where the children used to fish, to Nugent's little -home was a good three miles' walk. They had to pass over a chain of -boulders, where wild cats dwelt. One evening they had stayed longer -fishing than usual, and it was quite gloaming ere they reached the -stony chaos. - -Matty was trembling with fear, so Creggan threw his plaid around her, -placing her on his right hand, because that was nearest to the sea, -and not to that cleft and precipitous mountain face where the danger -lay. Matty crept as close to the boy as she could. - -Now, Creggan usually carried a stout stick with a pointed iron-shod -end. It was well, indeed, that he had it to-night. For they had -hardly got half-way through the chaotic mass of boulders, when the -boy saw something dark in the road ahead that made his heart beat -quicker for Matty's sake. - -The something dark sprang off the road as Creggan and Matty slowly -advanced. Indeed the child had not seen it, for she had quite buried -her head and face in the plaid. The boy was beginning to think that -the danger was over, but he grasped his cudgel nevertheless. Lucky -for him he did so, for they had advanced but fifty yards farther, -when with an unearthly and eldritch yell that dark something sprang -at Creggan's neck. - -It was doubtless the scent of the fish that had excited the monster. -But the lad's stout plaid saved him. Matty had disengaged herself -and stood trembling by the roadside, while Creggan fought this -miniature tiger. - -Again and again it charged, its eyes gleaming like yellow diamonds. -Again and again the lad drove it off. - -Victory came at last, for with one well-aimed blow it was laid dead -on the road. - -"It's all right now, Matty," cried Creggan cheerfully. "Come on, a -run will warm us." - -So it did, and they soon got clear of the "Wild Cats Cairns", as the -ugly place was called. - -But they never permitted themselves to be belated again. - -These wild cats are still common enough in Sutherlandshire, and the -adventure I have just related is very similar to one a boy had in -that county. The cat on this occasion sprang from a tree. The lad -was severely wounded, and although he managed to beat the beast off -he did not succeed in killing it. - -In the soft and fleshy part of the middle finger of my left hand are -still the marks of the bite of a wild cat, with whom I had a -difference of opinion. The beast had the best of it, and I went -about with my arm slung to my head for three weeks at least. - -That ruined castle of Duntulm was a favourite resort with the -children. The donjon-keep was still entire, and from a window, or -the hole where a window had been, one could look down over the -precipice into the deep but clear water; and Matty used to clap her -hands with joy to witness the great medusæ or jellyfish swimming -about. Very beautiful indeed they were; some as big as a small open -parasol, and fringed with long soft legs that kicked about in the -drollest fashion. - -Creggan used to read Ossian in English to Matty, and she would listen -with open eyes to the wild and wondrous stories, all so full of -romance and war. He knew the history of the castle too. It was at -one time, he told Matty, the head stronghold of one of the M'Donald -clans, and here dwelt the warlike chief. But across the sea-loch was -the M'Leod country, and in his strong castle of Dunvegan dwelt the -head of the clan. This castle is still inhabitable. Between the -M'Donalds and the M'Leods was a blood feud, and many a fearful fight -was the result. - -Once the M'Donalds surprised the M'Leods in church. They heaped up -banks of peats and wood in front of doors and windows, and burned or -smothered every man, woman, and child. But the M'Leods took a -terrible revenge, and for a long time the M'Donalds were quiet. But -a thirst for revenge still lay latent in the breast of the Highland -chief, and one day, under the guise of friendship, he enticed M'Leod -to Duntulm Castle. When M'Leod arrived with his followers the latter -were immediately set upon and slain, and although M'Leod himself laid -about him boldly with his broad claymore, he was eventually captured -and thrust into the donjon-keep. - -Here he was kept for nearly two days without food. Then a trencher -of salt beef was handed into him, and a large flagon which M'Leod -thought was sack--a kind of claret. He ate heartily, then turned to -the flagon to allay his thirst. - -Alas, it contained only sea-water! - -So poor M'Leod perished miserably of thirst and delirium. - -This is a strange story, reader, but I have every reason to believe -it is a true one. It quite entranced little Matty, and when Creggan -had finished she sighed, looked wistfully into his face with her -bonnie blue eyes, and said: - -"Do tell us some more!" - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. - -Willie Nugent was as far from being what we call a "snob" as anyone -could well wish. Looks are nothing, so long as one is pleasant and -affable, so long as the ready smile--not the artificial -one--beginning at the lips spreads upwards over the face like morning -sunrise, and so long as heart and soul speak through a pair of kindly -sympathetic eyes. - -Well, Willie Nugent was not extremely good-looking. For my own part -I do not like to see what we called "pretty boys", because they are -usually goody-goody, namby-pamby, and affected, sometimes even -effeminate. But Willie was manly in appearance, and so kind-hearted -that I am certain he would not have trampled on a beetle crossing his -path. - -Creggan Ogg[1] M'Vayne was at best, for the present at all events, -only a peasant boy, and had not Willie been a bold, frank Colonial -young gentleman he might have treated Creggan with some approach to -hauteur. In his face at times, had he been a snob, there might have -been a look that said plainly enough, "Not too near, please". - - -[1] Ogg is really a Gaelic word, and the "o" is pronounced long: thus -"Oag". It signifies "young". - - -Instead of this he noted at a glance all the good in Creggan'a -character, and, figuratively speaking, held out to him the right hand -of fellowship and _camaraderie_ from the first day they met. - -Willie was like his little sister in many of his ways, and Creggan -loved him all the more for this. - -I think that nothing cements friendship between two boys more than a -long tour on the road. Skye isn't much of a place for cycling, you -must know. If you attempted to cross country your bike would be just -as often on your back as beneath you, and there is a probability that -a dive over a precipice might end your earthly career. But there is -no grander country in which to travel that I know of, even if you do -not climb the mountains, many of which, however, are all but -inaccessible, even to members of Alpine clubs. - -So one beautiful summer day, when a wavy transparency like molten -glass or the clearest of water seemed rising from the ground, when -the sky was ethereal-blue, with here and there just the ghost of a -cloud, and a gentle breeze blowing from far over the wide Atlantic, -Willie and Creggan, with their knapsacks on their backs and sticks in -their hands, started to explore the land. Of course Matty had a good -cry, and kissed both boys. - -"Oh," she cried, in semi-Scriptural language, "don't let any naughty -evil beast devour you!" - -Away the lads went, their hearts as light and joyous as that of the -laverock[2] yonder, who, hovering high in the brightness of the sky, -so high that he could hardly be seen, trilled his jubilant morning -song. - - -[2] Scottice="lark", but a much more musical word. - - -Creggan had on his very best Highland costume, the suit he wore every -Sunday to kirk, and Willie was neatly clad in strong Scotch tweed, so -neither were likely to suffer from the dews of night should they be -belated. - -They bent their steps first to the bonnie wee village of Uig that -nestles close to the loch, an arm of the sea. And here they had an -excellent second breakfast, and much enjoyed the well-cooked mullet, -the delicious ham and eggs--the latter those of the seagulls,--and -the butter and white crisp cakes. - -They had tea. - -The landlady was good-hearted evidently. - -"And is it," she said, "is it that you won't be taken just a -thistleful[3] of mountain-dew to make your meal digest?" - - -[3] A glass shaped like a thistle. - - -But the boys only laughed and shook their heads. - -The sea out yonder was very blue and still to-day, but while Willie -was gazing away across it, somewhat pensively perhaps, suddenly first -one then another and a third great fountain of snow-white spray was -thrown about twenty feet into the air. - -"Oh, look, look, Creggan! What can it be?" - -"Only the blowing whales," our young hero replied. "They are always -about. And there are always plenty of seals about the low rocks, but -I never shoot them, because they are so beautiful, and have eyes that -look through and through you." - -In their march across a long heathy moorland on their way to -Quiraing, for the first time in his life Willie Nugent had the -pleasure of seeing a real Scottish eagle. He was wheeling round and -round in circles, but ever upwards, as if he would seek to reach the -sun itself, and ever and anon his wild whistling scream made hills -and rocks resound. - -"There now," cried Creggan, pointing skywards, "that isn't a lark -this time. And that isn't a lark's song." - -"No," said Willie, gazing wonderingly up at the huge bird. - -He added: - -"I think I should like to be an eagle. Is it true they take babies -to their nests?" - -"They build," said Creggan, "on shelves of rock, that in some parts -here rise sheer up from the sea a thousand feet or more. Their nests -are huge bundles of sticks, built as a wild pigeon arranges her nest, -and in the centre is often moss, hay, and feathers. These are called -eeries. Men or big boys have sometimes been let down by ropes to rob -these of their yellow, fluffy, red-throated gaping fledglings; but Mr -M'Ian says it is very cruel, and highly dangerous. Once, when a man -went down like this and stood on the eerie, where whole skeletons of -lambs lay bleaching in the sun, and many other strange bones as well, -the she-eagle with a deafening scream dashed at him. He managed to -beat her off, and the fight for a time was fearful. He signalled -soon to be hauled up, but hardly was he in the air before the eagle -swooped down again. This time she tore at the rope, and--oh! wasn't -it awful, Willie?--it snapped, and the man was hurled down, down -eight hundred feet into the sea." - -"Terrible!" - -"Yes. But though his body was found it was a headless trunk, for in -his descent, you know, and when about half-way down, a piece of sharp -rock cut the head clean off; and they do say that when well out to -sea you can see the bleached skull, if you have a good glass, -grinning on that shelf of rock."[4] - - -[4] The same kind of accident occurred to a shepherd in Skye, who had -fallen over a precipice while trying to save a lamb. - - -They went on now. - -Not only was the moorland covered with moss and green heather, but -many charming wild flowers were scattered about, with here and there -patches of sweetly-scented bog-myrtle and white downy toad's-tail, -and the whole place was musical with the song of tit-larks and -linnets. - -They climbed that day high up into the crater of the extinct volcano -Quiraing. Right in the centre is a round raised green plot, big -enough to drill a company of soldiers on. At one side the wall of -rock is black, wet, and solid, but at the other it is split up into -needles, higher far than Cleopatra's on the Thames embankment, and -between these, to-day, the boy-adventurers could catch glimpses of a -sea of Italian blue, dotted here and there with many a sail, -snow-white or brown. - -To gaze on such a scene as this, in a silence so dread that you could -hear the water dropping from the rocks, is very impressive; but like -everything solemn and beautiful in nature, I think it brings one into -closer union with God. - -Having slid down about five hundred feet through a chaos of shingle, -the boys completed the descent on firm ground, and then bent their -footsteps back to Uig. They were tired enough to sleep soundly after -a capital supper, and next day they crossed the loch to visit the -land of the M'Leods, and the grand old feudal castle of Dunvegan. - -And so, on and on and on for many days, by moor and mount and fell, -and by many a brown and lonesome tarn, the boys wandered. They cared -not either to fish or to collect specimens. Amidst such scenery and -surroundings, in the glad sunshine and bracing air, to live was -sufficient happiness. - -I cannot say they had any wild adventures worth the name. They saw -many huge heather snakes curled up in the sunshine asleep, but passed -them by. - -Once when on a moorland, they felt very hungry and there was no house -near. But after walking a mile or two farther, a shepherd's hut hove -in sight There was no one inside except the comely wife of the -shepherd, who was away on the hills with his flocks. - -But this woman was as kindly as comely, and regaled the lads with -pea-meal bannocks and creamy milk. Willie averred it was the best -meal ever he sat down to. Nor would the good lady accept even -sixpence for her hospitality. - -They bade her good-bye. - -"The nearest road," she said in Gaelic, "is across that grassy moor. -It would save three miles, but it is swarming with adders. I advise -you to go round." - -But the saving of those three miles tempted the lads, and they took -to the grassy moor. The patch altogether was barely two hundred -yards across. The grass was longish, withered and dry, and they soon -found to their dismay that it literally swarmed with vipers. It was -the home of the viper, and the viper was at home. They heard them in -their hundreds rustling about, and they saw them too. But the lads -would not show the white feather. To walk across, however, would -have increased the danger. So they took to their heels and ran, as -barefooted boys do when passing across a field of low white clover, -with bees in thousands on it. The bees haven't time to sting, and in -this case the vipers hadn't time to bite even if trampled on. - -"That's a sweater!" said Willie, when they landed safe on bare ground. - -"I'll go round by the road next time," said Creggan laughing. - -However, all is well that ends well, so they went on their way -rejoicing. - -It wasn't the first time that Creggan, young though he was, had made -a walking tour in Skye, so he made an excellent guide for his friend. - -Near to the wildest scenery of Scavaig, Coruisk, and the Cuchullin -mountains, they lived for a day or two at a hotel that was palatial. -Almost too much so, indeed, for simple Creggan's taste. He was not -accustomed to carpeted rooms and silver forks, so he told Willie. He -was at home in a moorland, he said, but not among lords and ladies -dressed in silk and satin. - -But Willie only laughed, and did all he could to put him to rights, -and to teach him the manners and customs of polite society, both at -table and in the drawing-room. - -However, Creggan sighed like a steam-engine--a sigh of relief, -however,--when he found himself once more in the cosy parlour of an -old-fashioned glen inn. - -"This is true pleasure, Willie," he said. - -"Well," answered Willie, "I'm not shy, you know. I am as much at -home in an old farmer's house as in a nobleman's drawing-room. -Always keep cool, Creggan. Don't imagine people are staring at you -in particular, and if ladies in society say pretty things to you or -praise you up, don't get hysterical, for they never mean it." - -Creggan laughed. - -"Sometimes," continued Willie, "I am asked to sing or recite. By -people who don't know me, I mean. They say, 'Now, Master Nugent, I'm -sure you can favour us with a song, or a recitation'. 'Most -certainly', I reply, and do both; but as I sing like a crow and -recite like a hen that has just dropped an egg, they never ask me -twice." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -There were just one or two little things that marred the pleasure of -this wild and delightful tour. They were indeed little, but very -wicked. First there were the midges. Among the bushes or in a -garden in the glens, there is no going out of doors of an evening -without muslin over one's face. If one neglects this, the face will -be bitten all over, till it resembles badly pickled cabbage. - -Then the gnats or mosquitoes are very venomous. Centipeds abound in -some parts, great healthy greenish-brown brutes, and if they bite you -in a tender part, it is nearly as bad as a snap from an adder. In -the dark you may see these fellows hurrying through the short grass -like miniature railway-trains, all aglow with a phosphorescence that -streams out from both sides of them. Centipeds are nasty persons and -have more legs than they know what to do with. - -Away up on the moorlands, however, you don't find these things; only -daddy-long-legs in millions in August. They are so tame that they -are troublesome. Their favourite seat is a-straddle of one's nose. - -"Give us a ride old chap," they seem to say. "I'm going the same way -as you." - -I believe myself that the best plan is to leave the duddy on your -nose, though I confess it looks funny; but, as certain as sunrise, if -you knock one off another gets on. So what are you to do? - -Well, at long last the two young tourists, somewhat dusty and tired, -and sadly in need of clean collars, bore round to Portree. - -Here they rested one night. - -Portree is a nice little town, and the people are kind and obliging. -But there is a herring there, and you can scent him, either in boats -or reclining in a frying-pan, wherever you go. - -I forget how many miles it is from Portree round the northern portion -of the island to Duntulm Castle. Perhaps thirty. The boys hired a -boat to take them round, and a more delightful row or grander -rock-and-mountain scenery it would indeed be difficult to conceive. - -Willie wondered to see the tartan rocks, but he wondered still more -to see a waterfall shoot right over a cliff many hundreds of feet in -height, so that you could have sailed a boat between the rock and the -linn, and hardly get wet even with the spray. - -There are no such sunsets anywhere in Britain as there are in Skye. -This evening the sun went down in a glory of crimson, gray, and -orange, which it is impossible to describe. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Matty could not have been more rejoiced to see Creggan had he been -away for a year. - -"Oh, I is glad you've comed!" she cried, jumping on his knee with -childish abandon. - -Then in the starlight, Creggan launched his skiff and rowed swiftly -away across a heaving waveless sea, to where the beacon burned afar -on his own little island home of Kilmara. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -LOST IN A HIGHLAND MIST. - -Soon now the scene must change, and we shall find ourselves afloat on -the dark blue sea, and taking part in adventures far more thrilling -than any that could possibly be met with even in the wild Island of -Wings itself. I have said that, when not fishing or boating with -Matty, Creggan used to be guide to Mr. Nugent and show him all the -sights. In these devious wanderings both rode, when the ground -permitted it, Nugent on a pretty bay mare, Creggan on a daft little -Shetland pony, who sometimes pitched him off and then rolled on him. -Only play certainly, but play may be a trifle rough at times. - -For example, I was walking--in full uniform--one day in a lonely part -of the city of Zanzibar. Well, just as I entered one end of a rather -narrow lane a camel entered the other. There wasn't a soul in the -street but our two selves. - -"There is plenty of room to pass," I said to myself. So on I went, -and on came the camel, with his head half a mile in the air (more or -less). When we met about the centre, instead of nodding to me in a -friendly way and saying "_Yambo sana_" (good luck to you), he snuffed -the air, grinned, uttered a little scream and made straight for me. -I thought my hour had come. He didn't bite, however--he did worse. -He crunched me against the wall and turned me right round. Oh, how I -ached! For the next hour or two I felt as flat as a pancake. I have -never trusted camel or dromedary since. - -But just one little adventure before we leave dear old romantic -Skye--for a time, at all events. - -It was early morning. - -Creggan had just finished a homely but delicious breakfast of mullet, -crisp oat-cakes with butter, and sea-gulls' eggs, and after bidding -Daddy good-bye, had launched his skiff, and with faithful Oscar in -the bows might have been seen speeding shorewards over a blue but -somewhat uncertain sea. - -"Might have been seen," I said. Yes, and was seen. For look yonder, -a tiny tottie of a child high on the cliff-top waving a white -handkerchief to him. - -Creggan replies, and at once Matty disappears. She is making a -somewhat perilous descent a-down the high cliff, which here is of -grass and rock commingled. She is there on the beach to meet Creggan -and his collie doggie nevertheless. And now after the usual -affectionate greetings she scrambles into the skiff, and, with reason -or none, the lad has to take her for a little row. - -They are soon on shore again, for Creggan has promised to guide Mr. -Nugent far over the mountains, in order that he may make some -additions to his collection of Skye flora. - -"Ah, welcome, Creggan lad!" he cried, as the latter, hand in hand -with Matty, came up the little path that led to the bungalow. "What -do you think of the weather, my child of the ocean wave?" he added -merrily. For despite the severe style of his whiskers he could be -right merry when he liked. - -"I don't quite like it," answered Creggan dubiously. - -"And why, lad?" - -"Well, sir, you see it is nine now, and the hills haven't taken their -night-caps[1] off yet. That is one thing. Then the sea is a bit -lumpy, and every now and then comes a puff, making big cat's-paws on -it." - - -[1] The morning mist on the mountain-tops is so called. - - -"Well, lad, I start in two days' time for the tame, domestic south of -England, so if you are willing I'll venture." - -"Oh," answered Creggan flushing a little, "I'm ready, sir, aye ready!" - -"Bravo!" - -Willie and his mother were off to Portree, so poor Matty would have a -lonesome day with only the servants to amuse her. The journey would -have been too much for Matty at any rate. After a second breakfast -at eleven o'clock they started. One, by the by, can always eat two -breakfasts in Skye, just as I do while travelling in my caravan, "The -Wanderer". - -Oscar went with them of course. Oscar went everywhere. And so much -did Creggan love the dog, that his heart beat high and the tears -sprang to his eyes when he thought that in about six months' time -they would have to part. - -And who can blame one for loving a dog? - -Right happy were Mr. Nugent and Creggan as they set out over the moor -towards the mountains that forenoon, while Oscar ran on in front -barking for joy, sometimes starting a bird, and actually pretending -to jump after it into the sky. - -"If I only had bits of wings," he appeared to say, "I'd soon catch -that quack-quacking old duck." - -The hills had by this time thrown off their nightcaps and were fully -awake, but the wind seemed on the increase, blowing in uncertain -squalls, then dying away again into a calm. This is always an ugly -sign. Besides, there was a nasty bank of "sugar-loaf clouds", as -Creggan called them, rising slowly in the west. Nor did Creggan like -the appearance of them, and said so to Mr. Nugent. - -"Never meet troubles half-way, my lad," was the answer. "For -troubles, you know, are never quite so bad when they do come as we -imagined they would be. The cloud approaching the moon is black and -dark, but lo! when it gets in front the light shines through." - -"Well, sir," said Creggan, "I shall always try to think of that, but -I myself do not mind storms. I was thinking of lonely Matty's father -if we get lost." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Creggan had a botanical case slung over his shoulder and Nugent a -much larger one. This latter contained the luncheon. - -They collected a large number of specimens on an upland moor they -reached about one o'clock. Many of these were well-known to the boy, -but he could only give Gaelic and English names to them. - -Now, in a mountainous or Alpine region like that of Skye, however -high you climb it seems there are still higher hills ahead of you. -By three o'clock Creggan suggested that they should not go farther. - -It was good advice, for the sea-damp wind from the west was -increasing every minute, while away to the east the moisture had -already condensed against the cold sides of the lofty hills, and here -the wind was blowing high, sweeping before it a genuine Scotch mist. - -Very few people in England have any idea what a real Scotch mist -means. Some think it is a fog, some a drizzle. It is neither. It -is rain broken up into mist by the violence of the wind, and driven -along the sides of the hills or valleys in intermittent clouds. It -is searching, bitter, miserable, and will not only wet an Englishman -to the skin in five minutes, but will penetrate even the plaid of a -Scot. - -They now sat down to luncheon. It was a very sumptuous one, for -Nugent was nothing if not a good and generous eater. As he discussed -his meal he talked away right merrily, and told Creggan scores of -humorous and other anecdotes of colonial life and adventure. So -delightful were these that Creggan said he longed to be there. - -"If," he continued, "I could only take poor Oscar." - -"Look here, my boy; Oscar is young, isn't he?" - -"Only two, sir." - -"And you love him?" - -"Very, very much." - -"Well, I have a deal more influence than I care to boast about. So, -after you have passed through the _Britannia_, if you are appointed -to a small ship, as you most likely will be, I'll see to it that -Oscar and you shall not be parted." - -Creggan's joy was so great that for a few moments he dared not trust -himself to speak. - -"Oh, thank you, thank you, sir!" he said at last; and then Oscar had -an extra hug, for a load had been lifted off his master's mind. - -While talking thus they did not observe a bank of rolling fog -creeping gradually up the hillside. - -Creggan saw the danger first and sprung to his feet. - -"We must hurry, sir; it is a fearful thing to be lost in the mist all -among the lonely mountains. - -"If we hurry, though," he added, "I think we can reach old Donald -Clearach's cottage before the mist gets near us." - -All sail was now made downwards and homewards. But this meant -meeting the mist! - -In less than an hour, and while only a mile from the shepherd's hut, -they were enveloped in so dense a fog that even Oscar was puzzled. -Donald's hut stood on a bit of moorland, that, though far above the -level of the sea, afforded excellent pasture for the sheep he tended. - -Well, it is far more confusing to walk in a fog like this than in the -dark of the darkest night, for one speedily loses his bearings, and -owing to the muscles of the right side of the body being stronger -than those of the left, the person who is lost usually walks round in -a circle. - -"What's to be done, boy?" said Nugent uneasily. - -"Nothing, sir, but wrap our plaids about us and wait. Even Oscar -could not guide us now." - -Mr. Nugent smiled faintly, lit his pipe, and sat down. - -The wind now began to get higher and higher, but it had no visible -effect upon the fog. - -The time went on and on, oh! so slowly, although Nugent continued to -talk and tell of far-off lands beyond the seas. - -Six o'clock, seven, eight o'clock, came and passed. But still no -change. Creggan had a splendid plaid, and his companion a stout coat -of frieze, but the wet, cold mist that went curling round their necks -made them shiver and shudder. - -"Is it not possible to proceed, lad?" - -"No sir; we are on level ground now, you see, and we should only go -round and round and further astray. We might fall into a wild-duck -pond and get drowned. Even if we were on a hillside, though we could -descend, we might go astray and tumble over a precipice." - -"You speak like an old man--wisely," said Mr. Nugent. "Well, anyhow -we can have supper. That will warm us." - -By the time they had finished it was dark. - -The darkness soon grew dismal. Not a star would shine to-night, -except far away beyond the clouds. It was pleasant, though, to think -and know that the stars and moon were there. - -Both now remained silent for a very long time. Their faculties were -quite benumbed with the cold. - -Then Nugent lay back. - -"Are you going to sleep, sir?" - -"Yes, just forty winks." - -"No, no, no! I cannot let you, for many and many a man lost on the -moors as we now are has been found stark and stiff when the mist -cleared away, just because of falling asleep." - -His companion, now thoroughly aroused to a true sense of his danger, -tried to pull himself together. He even tried to tell more stories, -but his teeth were chattering in his head, and his lips were all but -frozen. He could not. - -Soon after there was a wild blood-curdling eldritch yell heard, that -startled both. - -"Heavens! what is it?" cried Nugent. - -Something dark rushed past next moment at their very feet. It was a -wild cat, and Oscar jumped up to pursue it, but Creggan quickly -caught him by the collar. - -"No, Oscar, no. I might never see you more, and you're going to sea -with me, you know." - -Another long dreary hour passed, perhaps two. Both were now resigned -to their fate. They must spend the night on the moor. - -Even Creggan himself began to nod. - -Suddenly Oscar sprang up and uttered a short defiant or challenging -bark. - -And lo! not far off, a light appeared glimmering hazily through the -dismal fog, and a spectre-like figure, so magnified by the mist that -it seemed to reach from earth to heaven, slowly approached. - -"Is it that there is any-pody here at all at all whatefer?" - -Once more Oscar barked, but it was with a ring of joy and pleasure. - -"Oh, Donald, is that yourself?" - -"To be surely, boy, to be surely; and is it you, my dear lad Creggan?" - -"Oh, I am so glad you've come! This is my friend Mr. Nugent, and -we're lost, you know." - -"Well, well, well, but it isn't long lost you'll be whatefer. Sure I -know the sheepies' tracks, and can guide you safely to my hut. - -"Ay," he continued, "and it's as dead as braxie you'd have been 'fore -mornin' if I hadn't been out lookin' for a sheepie." - -How gladly they followed him need not be told, and how delighted they -were to find themselves seated once more in front of a fire of wood -and peats. - -Donald hastened to make supper--oatmeal porridge and milk. Though -eaten from caups[2] and with horn spoons, Nugent told the old -shepherd that he had never supped more sumptuously in his life. - - -[2] Round, strong, wooden bowls. - - -Then Donald himself sat down, and while the two collies fraternized -in a corner, the men folks had a long and enjoyable conversation. - -Donald next made "shake-downs", or heather beds, for both, and they -slept as sound as babies. - -Early astir they were, however, and after more porridge and milk -Nugent thanked the shepherd--solidly, and away they went down the -hill with poor Donald's blessing ringing in their ears. - -It was a bright and beautiful morning, with ne'er a cloud in all the -sky. - -What a relief for poor Mrs. Nugent when they entered the bungalow! -And innocent wee Matty must jump up into Creggan's arms and cry for -joy. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -CREGGAN AND OSCAR. - -"Boy, you've been crying," said the hermit one forenoon, as Creggan -jumped on shore with Oscar from his little skiff. - -He had been rowing more slowly to-day towards his little island home. -Usually he made the skiff dance over the water, singing as he rowed, -but his arms seemed to be lead this morning. - -"Well, Daddy," said Creggan, with an apology for a smile, "I--I--I'm -afraid that I did let a tear or two fall. - -"I've been parting from the Nugents, you know, and Matty would hang -about my neck and cry--and so I really couldn't help joining in for a -moment. Oh, only for a moment, Daddy! But partings are such nasty -things, aren't they?" - -The hermit put his hand on the boy's head, and looked kindly in his -sunburnt face. - -"Boy," he said, "never be ashamed to shed an honest tear. It is -nature's way of showing that the heart is in the right place. As to -partings, they are always sad, and one of the joys of heaven will -rest on the fact that there won't be any more partings. You mind -what the hymn says:[1] - - "'A few short years of evil past, - We reach the happy shore, - Where death-divided friends at last - Shall meet to part no more'. - - -[1] _1 Thessalonians_, iv. 13 to the end. - - -"But come on, Creggan, and have dinner, I've something very nice, and -then I'll tell you stories. Ah, we'll all be happy yet!" - -But Creggan had another sad grief to face that evening. - -It will be remembered that Nugent had not only promised to get him a -cadetship for the Royal Navy--if he could pass the -examinations,--but, if appointed to a small ship, work the oracle so -that he might take poor Oscar with him. - -Well, as the boy and his foster-father sat by the fire with the -collie between: - -"I'm so pleased you're going to the service, lad," the hermit said. -"Oh, there's nothing like a life on the ocean wave, and I've sailed -the seas so long that dearly do I love it. I'm gladder still to -think that from the pile I made at the gold-diggings and pearl -fisheries, I can make you a comfortable allowance. Bah! what is the -dross to me, and it will be all yours when I am gone." - -"Oh, don't talk of death, Daddy; though you are gray you are not old." - -"Well, no, I cannot as yet give myself airs about my age, but I'm -wearing on. But to business, lad. The examination is a stiff one." - -"Yes, Daddy. But won't I study just; and I'm sure I'll pass even in -history, though I hate it. I'll read up like fun." - -"There won't be much fun in it. But I'll coach you in French anyhow. -You are right as to age for eight months to come. Well, of course -your old Daddy will get your outfit. And as they give no pay to -cadets in the _Britannia_, but demand £75 a year, I'll make it £85." - -"Oh, thanks, dear Daddy!" - -"Fain would I go south with you, but I shall not leave my island for -some time yet. Don't imagine I am going to be downright -unhappy,--because I sha'n't be. Your friend Archie M'Laren will -bring me all I want off from the shore. Fishermen will often visit -me, and your minister M'Ian. Then I shall have my fiddle, and, last -but not least, our dear doggie here. We'll both miss you, but I -shall think of you every time I gaze into his loving eyes." - -If a bomb-shell had suddenly burst over the hut it would have had a -far less stunning effect upon poor Creggan than the hermit's last -words. Would he, after all, have to go away without his doggie? Had -he looked at Oscar for even a moment, he would have burst out crying -like a girl. - -He just gazed into the fire for a few minutes in silence, then rose. - -"I'll be back in a very short time, Daddy," he said. "And shall I -light the beacon?" - -"Do, like a good lad." - -Creggan went out into the clear and starry summer's night. - -A great round moon had just arisen, and was casting a broad -triangular light across the sea, the apex down there close to the -island, its base on the far-off horizon. How calmly it shone! It -seemed a holy light. But neither moon nor the bright silvery stars -could soothe our young hero then. - -He lit the beacon almost automatically and afterwards paced up and -down for five minutes or over, then stood by the beacon resolved and -firm. - -A brave boy now--a hero, indeed! - -"I'll do it," he said half-aloud. "Oh, how I should like to take my -Oscar with me, but I shall not, cannot! I'll suffer myself rather -than let dear kind Daddy suffer." - -He felt easier now and happier, and returned smiling to the hut; and -the hermit played and sang for an hour at least. - -There was a kind of incubus at Creggan's heart when he awoke next -morning, and for a time he could not quite make out what it meant. -Then all at once he remembered his doggie. The recollection came so -suddenly back to him that at first he was nearly crying. But he -jumped out of bed, and lightly dressing went down the cliffs with -Oscar to enjoy his morning swim. - -Then back to breakfast. - -Well, you know, reader, "sorrow may endure for a night but joy cometh -in the morning". - -It did. For that very forenoon a humble friend of -Creggan's--Archie--came off in a shore-boat, bringing a long letter -for the hermit, and a childish but loving scrawl from Matty to -Creggan. He put that carefully away, and determined to take it to -sea with him. - -He certainly was a romantic boy, and this is not to be wondered at -seeing the wild life he led, the wild scenery around him, and the -voice of the sounding sea ever changing and ever telling him -something new. - -As soon as the hermit had read the letter he jumped up and took -Creggan's hand. - -"This is from Nugent, dear sonny, and he is going to get leave to let -you have Oscar with you." - -"No, no, no, no!" cried the boy. "He must stay with you and make you -happy." - -"And I say 'no, no, no!'" replied the hermit, laughing now. "Go he -shall; I have my bird, my cat, and my violin. Oh, believe me, boy, I -shall be happy enough till you come back to see me." - -And so it was decided. - -Archie was but a crofter's son, but he was a particular friend of -Creggan's, and they used to be constantly together before the Nugents -came, fishing, shooting, or wandering over the hills and far away. - -Archie thought that Creggan was very clever, and laughed inordinately -at all the stories he made up and told him while they lay together on -the cliff-top, where the wild thyme grew. It was here they used to -meet, and Archie always brought his dambrod (draughts) with him. He -had made it himself, and together in the sunshine they used to play -for hours and hours. They had no real men, only bits of carrots and -parsnips to represent the black and the white, and as Archie was a -far better player than Creggan, he always removed a few men from his -own side before the game began. - -But Archie could play chess as well, and always solved the problems -given in the weekly papers, which the minister kindly lent him. -Creggan had no patience with so deep a game. Life, he appeared to -think, was too short for chess. Well, so far I believe he was right, -for in studying for an exam. one wastes brain power by playing so -difficult a game. - -Poor Archie was just a year or two older than Creggan, but over and -over again, as they used to lie together on the wild-thyme cliff, he -would say with all the ingenuousness and frankness of youth: - -"Oh, Creggan, you don't know how much I love you, and I'll just cry -my heart out when you go away." - -Ay, and there wouldn't be a hut in which there would be no sorrow, -when our young hero went to sea. - -By the way, I may mention just one thing to prove the genuineness of -the old hermit's kindness. - -Archie had a brother called Rory, a tall yellow-haired sturdy young -fellow, but somewhat of a doll. The father was dead, the two boys -tilled the small croft and tended the cows; but somehow Rory took it -into his head to enlist. Some recruiters came marching through the -parish with kilts and plumes and ribbons fluttering in the wind, and -they marched off with Rory and some other young fellows too. - -Well, that same evening Archie met Creggan near the manse. - -His eyelashes were wet with tears. - -"Oh, man!" he cried, "what will we do? Rory has gone off with the -soldiers. Oh, come and see poor mother!" - -Creggan went at once, and entered the hut. Such grief he had never -witnessed before. Among the ashes by the fireside, with little on -save a petticoat, sat Rory's distracted mother, her gray hair hanging -dishevelled over her shoulders, and her body swaying to and fro -constantly in the agony of her sorrow. She was mourning in the -Gaelic. - -"Oh, my son, my son! Oh, Rory, Rory, love of my heart, my Rory! Oh, -heaven look down and help me! Rory, Rory, will I never never see you -more!" - -Her face was wet with tears and covered with ashes. - -She was still sitting there when Creggan left at eight o'clock, still -swaying her body, still mourning, mourning, and mourning. - -And when Creggan returned early next day there was no change. - -There she sat, as she had sat all night long, among the ashes, still -swaying to and fro, still plaintively calling for Rory. - -"Love of my heart, my Rory, will you never, never come again?" - -Ah, but Creggan had glorious news for her. "Cheer up, dear mother," -he said, showing her shining gold, "I am going to Portree to bring -your Rory back." - -And Creggan, with the hermit's money, did buy the foolish lad off, -and Rory never left his mother more until she was laid in the quiet -churchyard beside the blue and rolling Minch. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ON BOARD THE GUNBOAT _RATTLER_. - -Creggan Ogg M'Vayne worked very hard indeed to make sure of passing. -I am quite certain of one thing, that did any lad study so hard in a -city, burning perhaps the midnight oil and sitting in a -badly-ventilated, stuffy room, although at the examination he might -make quite a good show, still "his face would be sicklied o'er with -the pale cast of thought". He could not be in good health; and I -have known many a boy who, bright in intellect, was too weakly to -"pass the doctor", as it is called. - -But it was all so very different with Creggan. - -There is no more bracing or healthy island in the world than Skye, -and during the summer, and all throughout the autumn till the "fa' o' -the year", his study was out of doors. - -On fine days it was always on that green-topped cliff where the wild -thyme grew. I verily believe, and Creggan himself used to think so, -that the song of the sea as the waves broke lazily on the brown -weed-covered boulders, far beneath the cliff, making a solemn bass to -the musical cry of the gulls, the kittiwakes, and skuas, helped the -lad along. It lulled him, soothed him, so that his head was always -clear and his mind never too exalted. - -City students often need a wet towel to tie around their brows when -at work. Creggan needed none of that; his bonnet lay near him, on -Oscar's ear, and the cool and gentle breezes fanned his brow, so that -hard though his "grind" undoubtedly was his face remained hard and -brown, with a tint of carmine on his cheeks. - -On stormy days even, he did not go indoors, for M'Ian the minister -knew the value of fresh air, and had a kind of summer-house study -built in his garden for his son and daughter, Rory and Maggie, and -Creggan. - -Both were very fond of Creggan. In fact, being brought up together, -they were like brother and sister to him, in a manner of speaking, -and well he loved them in return. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -But the winter itself wore away at last. And a wild tempestuous -winter it had been. There were weeks at a time when Creggan could -not leave his little island home, for the seas that tumbled and -heaved around, and surged in foaming cataracts high up the sides of -the black and beetling cliffs, would have sunk the stoutest boat that -was ever built. - -But Creggan had not been idle for all that. There had come a six -weeks' spell of calm, clear, frosty weather, with seldom a breath of -wind or cat's-paw to ruffle the glassy surface of the smooth Atlantic -rollers. So high were these "doldrums" at times, that when Creggan's -skiff was down in the trough of the seas as he rowed manfully -shorewards, there were long seconds during which Rory and Maggie, -watching his progress eagerly, could not see him. - -Then, when he mounted a house-high wave, they would rejoicingly wave -their handkerchiefs to him, and he his bonnet to them. - -Yes, winter flew far away back to the icy Arctic regions on -snow-white wings, and soft gentle spring returned, laden with bird -and bud and green bourgeon to scatter over hill and brae and moorland. - -And next came Creggan's time to start for the far south to face his -examiners. I shall not linger over the leave-takings. He departed -with many blessings, and many prayers would be prayed for his -success. M'Ian kindly accompanied him to Portree and saw the steamer -off. Then the boy was all alone in the world, because for the time -being he had left even poor sad-eyed Oscar with Daddy the hermit. - -Yes, Creggan was bold enough to take the journey all by himself--by -steamer to Glasgow, by train to Leith, and by steamer again to -London. He had been recommended to a small but comfortable hotel, -and here he took up his abode till the exam. days came round. Of -course everything in London streets was strangely foreign to Creggan, -and very confusing. He didn't like it. The twangy jargon of the -guttersnipe boys grated harshly on his ear; the streets were thick in -greasy mud; all aloft was gloom and fog, and never a green thing -about. - -"I'll do my best to pass well," he said to himself as he left one day -to be present at the examination; "I'll do my best to pass, but I -sha'n't be sorry if I don't." - -There were other boys trying to enter the Navy creditably, and though -many were bold, handsome English lads, most were pale, nervous, and -frightened. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -About a week afterwards Archie M'Laren's boat might have been seen -driving over the Minch towards the island. - -The hermit knew from his face that he was the bearer of good tidings. - -"Hurrah, sir!" he cried, waving a letter aloft. "I've had one -myself. Creggan has passed with more marks than anybody. Aren't you -joyful, sir?" - -The hermit, as he rapidly read Creggan's schoolboyish caligraphy, was -indeed too joyful to speak, and I'm not sure but that his eyes were -moist with tears. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Before going to sea, of course, Creggan had to put in time on board -the _Britannia_, and after that to be further examined. He was a -great favourite with the other cadets, and a noisy, joyous lot they -were, brimful of fun, commingled with a modicum of mischief. - -At long last he was appointed to a small ship, and this was an -ironclad too. He didn't like her. This wasn't his idea of a ship. -She lay at Sheerness; and he didn't like Sheerness either, and I -never knew anyone who did. - -But the _Rattler_ was only a gunboat, and bound for the African -shores. - -Now Creggan was a brave lad, so he took a step that few boys would -have dared to take. He went to visit Captain, or rather Commander -Jeffries at his hotel. He found that gallant gentleman lingering -over dessert. A very tall and handsome man, with a jolly, smiling -face, but exceedingly stout. - -"Well, my lad," he said, "come in and bring yourself to anchor. -You're one of the _Rattler's_ middies, aren't you?" - -[Illustration: "WELL, MY LAD, YOU'RE ONE OF THE 'RATTLER'S' MIDDIES, -AREN'T YOU?"] - -"Yes, sir." - -"Have a glass of wine, my lad. No? Better without. But what can I -do for you?" - -"If you please, Captain Jeffries, I have a lovely gentle collie dog. -Can I take him to sea?" - -"I love dogs, my lad, and would gladly have your collie. But," he -paused and laughed till the glasses rung, "a curious thing has -happened. I cannot go to sea in the _Rattler_, and another officer -must be appointed in my place." - -"May I ask, sir--" - -"Yes, I'll tell you the 'why', and it is just here where the smile -comes in. I am too big to get below, through the companion, and I -couldn't remain on deck all the cruise, you know. I've had a deal of -correspondence and red-tapery already about it. 'You must take up -your appointment', said their lordships. I wrote a few days ago -saying plainly 'I sha'n't', adding, 'What's the use of a commander -taking a ship if he can't get more than just his legs below'." - -"Yes, sir," said Creggan smiling. - -"Well, at last they are going to appoint another officer, and I'm -sorry to tell you, my lad, that Captain Flint, who is what we call a -kind of sea-lawyer, and pretends to know everything, hates both dogs -and music. I'm sorry for you, boy, but keep up your spirits. Your -ship won't be more than two years out, and when you return, owing to -the splendid show I hear you made at your examinations, you'll be -entitled to apply for any ship you like, and if I'm in England call -on me and I'll put you up to the ropes. There, good-bye. Keep up -your heart, my lad, and you'll do well." - -Creggan walked briskly and quickly towards the pier; he was -determined he would not give way for anything. - -Just two years after this we still find the _Rattler_ cruising about -the west coast of Africa, and despite its unhealthiness there was no -extra sickness on board and no fever. - -Captain Flint was really a good sailor, but snappish and ill-natured. -He bullied everyone around him, and often punished his men and boys -severely. - -Under such a commander it is almost needless to say that Creggan's -life was not altogether a happy one. However, he did his duty, and -did it with method and precision. He was so strong and healthy that -there was no one on board that ship who could make him nervous. But -he used to pity some of his messmates who, though a year or two -older, were smaller and less bold than he. Both the first and second -lieutenants were real good fellows, but this little fiery-haired, -ferret-eyed commander, or skipper, as all hands plainly called him -when out of hearing, cowed even these. - -I do not suppose that Flint could help himself, and it is always -best, I think, to say all one can for even bad men. Now, -whisper--the commander's wine-cellar was far too big for him. I do -not think anybody ever saw the little man intoxicated, on deck at all -events, but that curse of our nation--alcohol--made him crabbed and -peevish, and he did not care then whom he insulted. - -One or two instances of how Flint carried on may serve to show my -readers what a tyrant even the commander of a Royal Navy screw -gunboat may make himself, on a lonely coast like that of the western -shores of Africa. - -Please remember that I am not depending on my imagination for my -facts, the experiences were my own. - -The surgeon of the _Rattler_--and there was but one--for the craft -was only 800 tons, was a sturdy Scot, who did his duty, and did not -care a pin-head for anyone. His very independence annoyed Flint. - -"I'll bring that saucy Scot to his senses," he said one night to his -first lieutenant, who was dining with him. - -The first luff, laughing, told the doctor next morning that he was to -be brought down a peg, and asked him how he would like it. - -The surgeon--Grant, let us call him--merely laughed and said quietly: - -"It won't be that little skin-Flint that will do it. Why, Lacy, I -could take him up with one hand and hold him overboard while I shook -his teeth out into the sea. I could mop up the quarter-deck with -him, then stand him on his head on the top of the capstan." - -Everyone laughed, because everyone liked the surgeon. - -But as the commander had said he would make the surgeon haul down his -flag, he determined to act, and went to bed grinning to himself. - -The persecution began next morning. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -WAR AHEAD! - -The skipper was on the bridge near the quarter-deck next morning, -when the surgeon tripped up the ladder, saluted, and handed him the -sick-list book. - -"What!" shouted Flint. "Fifteen on the sick-list, sir, out of a -small crew like this?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"What's the meaning of it, sir? What's the meaning of it? I've been -in a line-of-battle ship with no more on the list than this." - -"The cases, Captain Flint, are chiefly coast ulcer. I do my duty, -sir, and it will go hard with anyone who denies it. And it is also -my duty, sir, to inform you, that if you continue to get into -red-faced rages, like that from which you are now suffering, you will -before long have a fit of apoplexy." - -"When I want your valuable advice, Dr. Grant, I will send for you." - -"Thank you, Captain Flint. Delighted, I'm sure!" - -The captain took a turn up and down the bridge. - -Then returning to the charge: - -"Is there any hygienic measure you could suggest for the removal of -this ulcer plague?" he roared. - -"Oh, yes, the place where the sick lie is as hot and stuffy as the -stoke-hole. I'd like screen-berths on deck." - -"Well, well, have my quarter-deck by all means!" - -The commander was talking sarcastically now, of course. - -But the surgeon's chance had come. - -"Thank you, sir," he cried, laughing in spite of himself. Then he -wheeled, and was down below before Flint had time to utter another -word. - -Now, the little man dearly loved his quarter-deck. He was king -there; a sea-king and monarch of all he surveyed. Well, he was in -the habit of taking a sleep-siesta every afternoon, as soon as -luncheon was over. And this was the surgeon's time. He got the -carpenter and his mate to remove their shoes, and put up the -screen-berths and hang the hammocks as silently as moles work. Then -the worst cases were got up and put to bed. - -It was really very nice for them, because they could look at the blue -sparkling sea, get fresh air, and watch everything that went on -around them. When the skipper came on deck, he was fain to catch -hold of a stay to prevent himself from falling. So at least the -quarter-master said. But he himself had given the order, and as the -surgeon had obeyed it, nothing could now be done. - -Two days after was the Sabbath, and before divisions the commander -and first lieutenant, accompanied by Surgeon Grant, walked round the -ship and down below to inspect. As usual, those of the sick who -could stand were drawn up in single file. Now, the skipper ought to -have asked the surgeon, not the men, about their complaints, only -Flint was still intent on bringing the doctor low. - -"What's the matter with you, my man? And what is the surgeon giving -you?" - -"It is my business to answer that question, sir," said the surgeon -angrily. - -"I'm not talking to you, doctor." - -Grant said nothing. He simply lifted his cap, wheeled about and -walked on deck. - -His flag wasn't down yet. - -The war went on. - -Next morning a boy was, by the captain's orders, introduced to the -gunner's daughter for some trifling offence. This means that without -being undressed, a boy is tied breast-downwards to a gun, and in this -position receives a rope's-ending. - -The doctor was walking the quarter-deck laughing and chatting with a -messmate, when the commander advanced. - -"Surgeon Grant," he said, "attend to that boy's flogging." - -Now, if a real flogging[1] or "flaying match" had to be played, and a -man--guilty of some great crime--was stripped to the waist and tied -to the rigging to receive four dozen with the cat, not only the -doctor, in cocked hat and lashed to his sword, but all the officers -and crew as well would have to be piped up to witness this fearful -punishment. But it was no part of the surgeon's duty to attend a -boy's birching. That indeed would have been _infra dig_. So, on -this occasion the surgeon simply gave Flint a haughty stare, then -continued his conversation. - - -[1] Flogging is now done away with in our Navy. - - -"Why, this is insubordination, sir! I've a good mind to put you -under arrest." - -Then, as the bo's'n's mate expressed it, "the doctor's dander riz". -But he kept his temper. - -"Captain Flint," he said, "you can put me under arrest if you please, -but I shall not lower the dignity of a profession which is as -honourable as yours by attending a boy's rope's-ending." - -The commander stamped and paused. - -"I'll--I'll--" he began. - -"Now, now, now," cried the surgeon, "you'll have a fit! I warn you, -sir. You're short-necked, sir, and excitable, and if--" - -He got no further. - -"Confound you, sir, I'll pay you out for this!" - -Then he rushed below. - -But there was nothing done about it. Flint simply nursed his wrath -to keep it warm. - -One day, some time after this, the ship grounded on a sand-bank. -Luckily it was at low tide, so when the tide began to rise, all -hands, even the officers, had orders from the commander to arm -themselves each with a 56-lb. shot, and rush fore and aft, and aft -and fore, in a body to help to swing the ship off. - -But Grant stood quietly by the binnacle. - -"Did you hear the order, sir?" roared the commander. "Get your shot -and join the crew." - -"Na, na, na," answered Grant, in his native Doric. "Man, I've gotten -a laddie's back to see till, and a poultice to mak. Jist tak' a shot -yoursel', man." - -On this occasion the captain had to smile. - -But the war culminated about a month after this, and on that -occasion, it must be confessed, the doctor did lose his temper, and -had the captain been able to get witnesses he could have tried the -surgeon by court-martial, for Grant's conduct amounted almost to -mutiny, albeit the provocation he received was very great. - -You cannot insult a Scot more than by attempting to throw mud at his -country. - -Well, while anchored near a village the officers generally went on -shore in mufti, and Grant was in the habit of wearing a Scotch -Glengarry bonnet (called a cap by the English). - -Now it occurred to the commander that he might give the surgeon a -knock-down over this. So he called the assistant paymaster, and -ordered him to write what is called "a memo.", which is really a -tyrannical edict, which all the officers, however, must sign. - -Flint dictated the memo., and when presented to him for inspection, -it read as follows:-- - - -_MEMO._ - -_It is my directions that the officers of this ship shall go on shore -dressed as gentlemen._ - - -This would have been insult enough to poor Grant, but the skipper -added to it greatly, for between the words _as_ and _gentlemen_ he -wrote the word _English_, making the memo, read as _English -gentlemen_. - -The doctor was writing in his cabin, between which and the -commander's saloon there was only a single bulkhead. He was the last -officer to be asked to sign the memo. - -When he read it, then indeed his "dander riz". - -His fury was fearful to behold, and the commander could hear all that -was said. - -Grant sprang to his feet. - -"This from Flint!" he roared; "and he dares ask me to sign it! Is -not a Scotch gentleman as good as an English gentleman any day? See -here, Maxwell, I tear it in pieces, and fling them on the deck. Take -it back to him thus if you choose, but he shall not insult my native -land!" - -At this moment the commander was heard shouting: - -"Quartermaster!" - -"Ay, ay, sir." - -"Send Dr. Grant to my cabin at once." - -Grant required no two biddings. He rushed up the ward-room companion -and thundered down the captain's stair, while officers, -quartermaster, and all rushed forward, determined not to be witnesses -to anything that might happen. - -Perhaps never on board a man-o'-war before did such a scene take -place in a commander's cabin. - -Grant had picked up a handful of the torn-up memo., and quickly now -drawing back Flint's curtain he stood like an angry bull in the -doorway. - -The skipper started to his feet. He had been sitting in his -easy-chair. - -"Sir--" he began. - -But he got no further. - -"You sent this memo. to me? There! I fling it at your feet. I -ought to fling it into your white and frightened face. How dare you -insult my country, sir? You little tippling whipper-snapper!" - -"This is rank mutiny!" cried the skipper. "I'll call the first -lieutenant and quartermaster." - -"You may call till you are hoarse, and they will not come to witness -against me. Even your boy has fled, and now I'll speak my mind." - -Here the commander attempted to run the blockade and force his way -out. - -"Stand back, sir," cried Grant, "or worse will happen!" - -"Now, sir, listen to me. I have stood your tyranny long enough and -as calmly as I could, and now it is my turn, and I tell you plainly -that whenever and wherever I find you on shore in plain clothes, I'll -give you such a thrashing that you won't forget it the longest day -you live. Good-morning." - -This ended the scene. - -Some captains would have shot Grant where he stood. But Flint was -terror-stricken and silent. - -He was on deck again half an hour afterwards, looking as if nothing -had happened. - -Next evening the steward came in to say, with Captain Flint's -compliments, that he wished Dr. Grant to come and share a bottle of -wine with him. - -"Tell the captain, with my compliments, that I refuse." - -That was the answer. - -The steward returned in three minutes' time. - -"The captain wants to see you, sir." - -"Oh, certainly; that is an order." - -And off he marched to obey it. - -When he entered Flint stood up, smiling. - -"I'm afraid, doctor," he said, "I've been too hard. Are you willing -to let bygones be bygones?" - -Who could have resisted an appeal like this? It was as nearly an -apology as any captain could make to a junior officer. And he held -out his hand as he spoke. - -"Willing," cried Grant with Scotch enthusiasm, "ay, and delighted! -You know, sir, I'm only a wild Highlander, so I lost my balance -when--but there, never mind. 'Tis past and gone for ever and for -aye." - -Then there was a hearty handshake and both sat down. - -"There is the wine," said the commander, "and there is the whisky." - -"I'll have the whisky," said Grant, "though not much. But it is the -wine of my country, sir." - -The commander smiled, and Grant drew the cruet towards him, quoting -as he did so and while he tapped the bottle, the words of Burns: - - "When neebors anger at a plea, - And just as wud[2] as wud can be, - How easy can the barley-bree - Cement the quarrel! - It's aye the cheapest lawyer's fee - To taste the barrel." - - -[2] Wud=angry. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Some time after this the commander fell ill, and so kind was Grant to -him, and so constant in his attentions, that all animosity fled for -ever, and Flint really got fond of Grant, whom he delighted when -visiting on shore to call "my surgeon". - -Well, whatever ill-feeling officers or men may exhibit toward each -other if penned up in a small mess, when war comes it is all -forgotten, and the British sailors and marines, when sent on shore to -fight, stand shoulder to shoulder, and woe be to the foe who faces -them. - -One day, while lying off Loanda, startling intelligence came to the -commander of the _Rattler_ from a steam launch that had been -despatched in all haste to hurry her up to the mouth of the Benin -river. A party of European traders, many British as well as foreign, -had been surrounded and massacred to a man. The steam launch -belonged to H.M.S. _Centiped_, a cruiser far larger than the -_Rattler_. The officer in charge could hardly stop to eat or drink, -but food was handed over the side, and in ten minutes' time she was -once more under weigh and steering rapidly north. - -A glance at a map of Africa will show you that Loanda lies well to -the south of the Bight of Benin, and show you, too, where the great -river Niger or Quorra empties itself into the Gulf of Guinea. - -All was now bustle and stir on board the _Rattler_. Steam was -ordered to be got up at once. There used to be disputes between the -engineer and captain, but these were all forgotten now. - -Would you believe it, reader, that all hands, from the commander to -the dark-skinned Kroomen from Sierra Leone, were as merry and happy -as if they were going to a fancy ball instead of to battle and to -carnage. Such is your British sailor. - -Dinner was ordered half an hour sooner, so that the men should have -plenty of time to get their arms and accoutrements into perfect -fighting trim before the sun went down at four bells in the first -dog-watch. - -The captain felt in fine form; for whatever faults he had, he -certainly was no coward. - -He liked his middies well, too, when he had not those nasty little -fits of bad temper on. To-day he walked up and down the quarter-deck -holding our hero Creggan by the arm, and not only talking to him but -encouraging the boy himself to talk. - -Creggan was nothing loath. But from some words he let fall, -Commander Flint found he had a romantic early history. - -"You must come and dine with me to-night," he said, "and tell me all -your story. You and Dr. Grant." - -"Oh, thank you, sir. - -"And now," added Creggan, "may I take the liberty of asking you just -one question?" - -"Certainly, Mr. M'Vayne, certainly." - -"Well, sir, do you think we shall have a real battle with the -savages?" - -"Sure to, and perhaps half a dozen. The case seems very grave, you -know." - -"Well, I'll be glad to see some fighting." - -"Bravo! And now you can go and tell the steward I want him." - -Off went Creggan, and next minute up popped the steward. - -"Sir?" he said. - -"Splice the main brace," said the commander. - -(This means, reader, an extra glass of rum to all hands.) - -By this time the _Rattler_ was ploughing her way through the bright -blue sea, and heading for the north. - -Exciting adventures were before them. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE CITY OF BLOOD - -"In the city of Benin," said the commander, that night at dinner, -"and all around it, westward to Dahomey, Abomey, and Ashantee, they -are a bad lot, an accursed lot, treacherous and cruel to a degree." - -"I've heard it said," Creggan ventured to remark, "that the men of -Benin are not brave, Captain Flint." - -The captain shook his head and smiled. - -"We must not believe all we hear. Remarks like these are generally -made by gentlemen journalists who live at home at ease. But I've -been there, lad, and found it altogether different." - -The dinner passed off very comfortably indeed. Dr. Grant would not -touch wine, but when dessert had been removed, and the commander -ordered the steward to bring in the tumblers, he helped himself -somewhat liberally to the wine of his native land. - -"Well, Captain Flint," he said, "I haven't really been a dog's -watch[1] in the service, as you might say, and with the exception of -a brush with the Arabs on the East Coast of Africa, and north of the -Equator, I've never seen what we in Scotland term 'solid fighting'." - - -[1] The dog-watches are from four to six and six to eight every -evening, and therefore only two hours long, while all the others are -four hours. - - -"I think you will have a chance now, doctor." - -"Ay, sir; and I won't begrudge flailing around with the claymore a -bit, and seeing my patients afterwards." - -"Tell us something about Benin, sir, if you please," said Creggan. - -"Well, lad, I've told you that the people are fearful savages when -aroused, although seemingly quiet enough at all other times. Benin, -you know, is really a country extending to Ashantee. Once -exceedingly powerful, and densely populated still, it is now divided -into many half-independent states. - -"The city itself lies nearly eighty miles up the river Niger, from -the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Guinea. It is about twenty miles -inland. This river is miles wide where it joins the sea, and if you -once get over the bar, it may be cautiously navigated by boats and -launches nearly all the way up. But there is the dreaded bar to -cross. What are those lines, lad, about Greenland's icy mountains?" - -"Oh, I know," said Creggan, holding up one arm as if he were a -school-boy. - - "'From Greenland's icy mountains, - From India's coral strand; - Where Afric's sunny fountains - Roll down their golden sand.' - - -"Is there a lot of golden sand, sir?" - -"There is a lot of constantly shifting black-brown mud, but if you -expect to find gold or see it, you'll be sadly disappointed. - -"The city itself contains from twelve to twenty thousand natives, as -well as I could guess. - -"The king is a savage emperor of the deepest and blackest dye. His -reign is a reign of terror. He rules his unhappy subjects with rods -of iron and knives of steel. I hope you'll never see what I have -seen there. The sight of those human sacrifices, boy, would return -to your dreams for years afterwards. They do to mine, whenever I am -ill or troubled." - -"You saw them, sir?" - -"I was despatched on a mission of peace, one might say. I had a -body-guard of fifty armed men, and blue-jackets and marines, and had -need been, we could have fought our way to our boats through all the -king's fanatics. - -"The mission was this. You must know that all the coast-line is -British, and the people at home were constantly being shocked to hear -of the terrible human sacrifices occurring in Benin, while it was -nothing uncommon to find a mutilated and headless corpse, that the -sharks had spared, cast up with outspread arms on the beach." - -"Terrible!" said Dr. Grant. - -"Yes. And my mission was not to take revenge, but to endeavour -pacifically to get the king to give up those massacres of men, women, -and helpless children, for whom he had no more pity than the -self-named sportsmen who follow the Queen's hounds have for the -innocent and hunted stag. - -"The king was amply supplied with bad rum or arrack, the worst and -most fiery of all spirits. He got this stuff from the palm-oil -traders of Gato, men who came from Portugal and even Britain itself. - -"He was three sheets in the wind when we arrived on a beautiful -afternoon. He told us, through our interpreter, how delighted he was -to see us, and how he would give us a grand show next morning. - -"We occupied portions of his grass-hut palace, keeping well together -after lying down on grass mats, with our arms by our sides; for as -the king had got drunker and drunker, and was now yelling and -whooping like a madman, we feared he would make an attempt to murder -us all before morning. - -"You see, Creggan, that cutting throats was a fancy or fad of this -brutal monarch's, just as collecting foreign stamps is with most -English boys. - -"All around the back part of the palace lay bleaching skulls and -skeletons, that the blue-bottle flies and ants had polished, and -recent corpses also, from which so fearful a stench arose and -poisoned the air that we could scarcely sleep. - -"But I fell off at last, and the sun was shining over the dense -forests of the East before I awoke. Something was going on behind. -Something dreadful, I felt sure. There was a low and pitiful -moaning, but no cries. Yet every now and then came a dull thud, -similar to that which a butcher makes in splitting a pig in two. - -"I peeped through the back wattled wall. Oh, lad, may you never see -such a sight! - -"Over fifty poor creatures were huddled together mournfully awaiting -their doom. Every half-minute one was dragged out, and stood with -his or her hands between the knees and head bent down, till the cruel -blow fell that severed that head from the body. - -"But three or four were crucified in another corner. - -"My remonstrances were in vain. The king only laughed, and told me -that it was all got up in my honour. - -"As no more could be done, we left almost immediately. We regaled -ourselves on fruits as we passed on through the jungle to our -sailor-guarded boat, and glad enough were we all when we found -ourselves rowing once more down the beautiful river, on each bank of -which--alive with beautiful birds--the foliage and trees were like -the forests and woodlands of fairyland. - -"But," continued the commander, "to change the subject to one more -pleasant, tell us the story of your young life, my lad." - -Nothing loath, Creggan told the doctor and him all he knew from his -babyhood, and all about the hermit also. - -"Why, it is a perfect romance, Creggan," said Flint. - -"Indeed it is," said Grant. "I'll take more interest in the lad now -than ever." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Arrived at the mouth of the Niger, they found the _Centiped_ anchored -outside the bar. - -She was not going to venture across, being too large. - -On the bar itself the breakers were dashing and curling house-high. -There was just one gap in the centre, and through this the saucy -_Rattler_ must force her way. - -Before proceeding she was lightened as much as possible, that is, all -men not required were sent on board the cruiser. - -Then "Go ahead at full speed", was the order. - -The _Rattler's_ full speed was nothing very extraordinary, but when -she reached the gap at last and entered it, poor Creggan felt -appalled. The roar of a seeming Niagara at each side was so -terrible, that even through the speaking-trumpet scarcely could the -skipper's voice be heard. - -The roar was mingled with a seething, hissing sound, which was even -more deafening than the thunder of the breakers itself. - -She bumped her keel several times on the bottom, which here was hard, -so violently that the men were thrown down, and Creggan began to say -his prayers, thinking the ship must undoubtedly become a wreck. -Nevertheless, in a minute or two they were into the deep smooth water -inside the bar. Here she was anchored for a time, until all the -marines and blue-jackets of both ships were got on board the -_Rattler_. The boats and steam launch would accompany the -expedition, and after all were loaded up with armed men, the advance -was made up stream. - -It was now about two bells in the forenoon watch, and they expected -to get up as high as it was possible before night. - -This it was found impossible to do, so she was anchored, and next day -succeeded in reaching a station some forty miles from the sea, called -Sapelé. This in launches, the gun-boat being left further down. -Here to their joy they found a fort or barracks, containing in all -about two hundred and fifty officers and men (soldiers). - -The expeditionary force from the _Rattler_ was soon landed and hailed -with delight. Together they were now quite a strong little army. - -The commanding officer told Captain[2] Flint a sickening story of the -massacre of the traders. - - -[2] A Commander in the Royal Navy is not in reality a captain, but is -usually addressed so by courtesy. - - -"The king, in fact," he said, "is jealous of the approach of the -Protectorate." - -After the murders he, the officer, had sent a sergeant with a flag of -truce and several Kroomen, to ask for an interview with the tyrant. - -Two days afterwards the white sergeant dragged himself, wounded and -half-dead, into barracks. Before he expired, poor fellow, he had -only time to report that every Krooman was murdered, and that Benin -was in a state of terrible ferment, like a hive of hornets. - -"And so, Captain Flint," he added, "between your force and mine, I -think we can give this murderous assassin such a drubbing that he -will not forget it for years." - -"We'll do our best," said Flint; "and I suppose the sooner we start -the better." - -"Certainly; it is always wiser to attack than wait to be attacked." - -So it was determined to give the little army a hearty supper, let -them turn in early, and ready to start by three, inland now through -the jungle, towards Benin. The real distance from Sapelé to Benin -is, I believe, about twenty-five miles, but the road, if road it -could be called, was bad enough in all conscience. - -Nevertheless, it was determined to drag along two guns, with a good -supply of shell. The bugle sounded prettily over woods and dells and -river, shortly after two, and on finishing their hurried breakfast -the force fell in. - -Very proud indeed was Creggan to be allowed to go along with it, -armed not only with a good cutlass, instead of the almost useless -dirk, but with a revolver. - -This was indeed a forced march, for before four o'clock next day they -had got within twelve miles of the dismal city, with only one halt to -partake of food, although much wood had to be cut down. They -immediately hewed trees and bushes and went into laager, expecting an -attack at any moment. When as safe as could be, fires were lit and -supper cooked. Under other circumstances they would have remained -silent and in the dark, but the commanding officer well knew that -long before this time the blood-stained king would have heard of -their advance. So, no attempt at concealment was necessary. - -But the men were tired, so soon after supper fires were banked, and -in an hour's time there was hardly a sound to be heard in the laager. - -Dr. Grant and Creggan were the last to stretch themselves on their -pallets of grass. Grant in his own wild Highland home had been used -to roughing it, and Creggan, as we know, led a very active life on -the Island of Wings. So neither felt tired. - -The night was balmy with the odour of many gorgeous wild flowers, and -it was even cool. The moon shone like a disc of gold, high up near -the zenith, dimming even the effulgence of the brightest stars, and -casting a strange, dreamy, phosphorescent light over the shapeless -masses of cloud-like trees, and a brighter glimmer on the tall -feathery cocoa-nut palms. Now and then away in the woods, there -arose the mournful cry of some bird of prey, a cry that would make -the marvellously beautiful king-fishers crouch lower to the perches -on which they sat, and thrill their hearts with terror. - -Now and then a fleecy, snow-white cloudlet would sail gently over the -moon's disc, making the light scenery momentarily dimmer, but soon -all was brightness once more. From an adjacent creek at times would -come the sound of a heavy plunge, but whether from ghastly crocodile -or hippopotamus they could not tell. - -"It is indeed a goodly night," said Grant. - -"Oh, it is heavenly!" cried Creggan; "but will we all be alive this -time to-morrow?" - -"Who can tell, my lad? No one dies till his day comes. - -"But," he added with some hesitation, "you're not afraid, are you?" - -"Oh, no indeed, doctor; just a little anxious, that is all. This -will be my first fight, you know. But I am seventeen now--" - -"Yes, and hard and strong, Creggan." - -"So, doctor, if I get a chance to hit a nigger, I mean to hit him -just as hard as I know how to." - -"Very good. So shall I; but let me give you a word of good advice, -because I'm older than you. Don't get carried away by excitement. -He fights best who fights as calmly as possible. Keep to the -fighting line or square, as the case may be, and you'll do well. - -"And now I think I'll turn in, and may God in his mercy preserve us -both to-morrow, and our Captain Flint as well." - -"Amen!" said Creggan. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -In less than half an hour after this Creggan was fast asleep, and -dreaming that he was bounding over the smooth waves of the blue Minch -in his skiff, with poor honest Oscar in the bows, and bonnie wee -fair-haired Matty in the stern-sheets all smiles and dimples, her -eyes twinkling with fun and merriment. - -The dream seemed a very short one. - -"Surely," he said, when the bugle sounded, "I cannot have slept an -hour." - -Yet it was already half-past one, and the moon had westered and was -slowly sinking towards the horizon. - -Before two breakfast was finished, a ration of rum served out, and -the march resumed. - -They must walk silently now. - -The road was better, so that under the light of the stars only, for -the moon had sunk, they had reached the wide straggling city by five -o'clock. - -Here the forces separated, the marines and blue-jackets lying in wait -in a piece of jungle in the east; the soldiers making a silent detour -to the back of the city, where was a dense primeval forest. - -The guns were a long way behind, but just as the sun was tipping the -glorious clouds of palms with its crimson rays, they were dragged in. - -The sound of one gun and a bursting shell was to give notice to the -soldiers hidden in the forest that the battle had indeed begun. - -Just as the sun cast his bright beams across the darkling forest a -buzz of awakening life began to arise from the city. - -A spy had informed the naval commander where the king's forces, to -the number of five thousand at least, were concentrated. - -He now pointed out the very spot, a kind of fort and eminence in the -centre of the town, and not far from the awful blood-stained palace. - -"Now, gunner," cried Captain Flint cheerily, "give us the best shot -ever you fired in your life." - -"I'll do my level best," was the reply. - -There was no quaver in the man's voice, no quiver in his hand. - -The gun rang out in the morning air, echoed and re-echoed from forest -and brae, and the shell was planted right in the centre of that -heathen fort, bursting, and evidently doing tremendous damage. The -battle had begun. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -CAPTURE OF THE CITY OF BENIN. - -There is nothing that African savages dread more than shells and -war-rockets, and Arabs themselves are equally demoralized by these -dread missiles. - -They care but little--I am talking from my own experience--for -ordinary round shot, if they are any distance off, in their dhows. -From the cruiser's black side they can see arise a white cloud of -smoke, with a spiteful tongue of fire in the centre; in a few seconds -they hear the roar of the gun, and see the shot itself. - -Well, they but utter a word of prayer to Allah, and ten to one the -shot goes hurtling past high overhead, or it doesn't reach, but goes -ricochetting past, half a mile astern perhaps, taking leaps of fifty -yards at a time, throwing a cloud of foam up from every wave it -strikes, till at last it sinks down to the slime of the fathomless -sea. - -If a cannon ball comes near enough to dash the sea-spray inboard, the -Arab captain curses the British as heartily as he prays for himself, -though he keeps cracking on. - -But the shells, ah! the shells, that hiss and hurtle and fly into -splinters in the air above the dhow, scattering death and destruction -along its decks and poop; they will not yield to prayer, and I never -yet saw an Arab captain who would or could stand the brunt of three -or four well-aimed ones. - -If one of these shells hit a mast, even if you are unwounded, the -fall of that spar is something terrorizing to look upon, with its -tangled rigging as well. - -It does not come down quickly; it quivers and reels uncertainly for a -time, while you gaze upwards and probably utter involuntarily a -helpless moan. - -It is coming down on you, and how can you escape death? More -quickly, more and more quickly now, it descends. Then there is a -crash, smashed bulwarks, and splinters flying in all directions. -But, you are safe after all! - -Captain Flint and his men had a good supply of shells, and it was -lucky that the guns got up in time and were not damaged, for during -the march there had been many small streams to cross, in which it was -difficult at times to find a ford. - -What wild yelling and shouting comes from the city now! Were it a -large, compact town, with high houses and towers, Flint would shell -it. But it were a pity to expend a shell in knocking a few grass -huts to pieces, and scaring, killing, or wounding, perhaps, only -helpless women and children. - -"Just one other startler, sir,--shall I?" - -The tall, dark young gunner was as good a shot as ever drew lanyard, -and he told a messmate before he addressed the commander that he was -spoiling for a shot or two that would astonish the weak nerves of the -niggers. - -"Well, Mr. Gill," said Flint smiling, "just one other; but I want to -spare the ammunition till we see the foe." - -"_Br--br--brang!_" went the gun a few seconds after, and the great -shell went shrieking away on its mission of death. - -Louder yelling than before followed the bursting of this shell. - -Still the enemy did not appear. - -Some men would have stormed the town, and attempted after a rifle -volley or two to take it at the bayonet's point. - -But this Ju-Ju king, with his naked feet caked with the blood of the -victims that he had walked among, had a force of fiendish soldiers at -least ten times greater in number than Flint's sailors and the -soldiers behind. With these the king over-awed the the neighbouring -states, and carried fire and spear and sword into their midst if they -owned not his superiority and greatness. - -Two hours passed away and still they did not show face, though the -blue-jackets were stamping on the ground, and itching to get at them. -Waiting for a tight makes the bravest sailor or soldier nervous. - -The cause of the delay was that Benin, being completely under the -dominion of a set of bloodthirsty scoundrels of priests, there were -fetishes or oracles to be consulted, and all kinds of mumbo-jumbo -business to be gone through, before the Ju-Ju king's army could come -forth. Oh, as for the king himself, his person was far too sacred to -risk. The priests told him so, and he was by no means loath to -believe it. Besides, he was so covered with beads from chin to -ankle, that he had some difficulty in walking much. - -Far better to stay in his harem, and listen to the yelling of his -soldiers, the rattling of the musketry, and roar of the guns, until, -as the priests assured him would be the case, the British -prisoners--all that were not slain--should be brought in. - -Ah! then, he said to himself, the fun would begin. He would roast -some alive. "Man meat", as these cannibals call human flesh, which, -by the way, is sold openly in the market-place, is ever so much more -tender and juicy when cooked alive. Well, the king made up his mind -to roast a few; he would torture and crucify others on trees, with -widely-extended arms and legs, and wooden pegs nailed through the -flesh of feet, legs, and arms to hold them up. Others, again, he -would tie to stakes, where he could see them starve to death in the -broiling sunshine, half-eaten alive at night by loathsome beetles and -other fearful insects. All the rest he would either behead, or hand -over to the women to be tied down and slowly disembowelled alive! - -That was the programme. - -And now it was to be carried out. So the king believed. The British -tars and marines were well stationed on slightly rising ground, -half-sheltered by straggling bush, and were all ready when the enemy -appeared in his thousands. - -Mercy on us, how they yelled, and waved aloft shield and spear or -guns, as they came on like a black and awful avalanche! - -They fired first, and a few of our fellows fell, but only wounded. - -"Reserve your fire, lads, till they get nearer!" cried Flint, for the -blood of the sailors was getting hot. - -Still on came that yelling avalanche. The sailors could see their -red mouths, flashing teeth, and fearful eyes, when the captain -shouted: - -"Aim low, lads. Fire!" - -That was a splendid volley! - -Its effects were startling. The enemy was packed together, and some -of the British bullets must have killed or wounded two at a time. It -was followed up by others quite as good, and the dark skins, kicking -and squirming like wounded rats, blackened the ground as their -comrades sprang past or over them. - -Nor did the hissing, spluttering war-rockets, tearing through their -centre, repel their determined advance. - -It seemed for a time that win the battle they must, by mere force of -numbers. - -Their terrible yelling now increased. All savages make these sounds, -which they believe paralyses the enemy. Our brave Jacks and Joes, -however, don't paralyse worth a groat. They were now formed into -squares for a time, which the Ju-Ju's devils could not break. - -Revolvers did lovely work! - -Again and again the black savages advanced, only to be hurled back. - -Then they threw their spears. - -This was nasty, and wounded many of the man-o'-war's men. - -"Fix bayonets!" cried Flint. - -The bayonets were really cutlasses, and our fellows know how to use -them too. - -"Charge!" - -How our men cheered, as they dashed on to the work of death! A true -British cheer. The king heard it and trembled. - -For a time it was a hand-to-hand tussle. But look yonder, in a more -open space the captain himself has fallen, and three armed savages -are on him instantly; two have spears--one is about to dash Flint's -brains out with the butt-end of a beggarly Brummagen gun, when in the -nick of time Creggan, who is near at hand, fires, and the fellow, -with arms aloft, falls dead. Then, cutlass in hand, our hero rushes -at the other two, as did the wild cat at his neck on that starlit -night long ago, when he was returning home with dear Matty by his -side. He has cut one across the neck with terrible effect, but the -very strength and impulse of the blow, somehow, makes poor Creggan -stumble and fall. - -Next moment savage No. 3 has a spear very near to his chest indeed. - -Yes; but the captain has now sprung up,--he was merely stunned,--the -spear is splintered with the first blow, the second cleaves the -savage's skull through to the eyes. - -"God bless you, boy," cried Flint, "for your timely aid! I'll not -forget it." - -And blood-dripping hands are shaken there and then. - -But how goes the battle? - -Ah! right bravely. You can tell that by the royal cheers of Jack and -Joe. - -The foe reels backwards, wavers, flies. No use for blue-jacket or -marine to follow. These fiends run swift as deer! - -But shells and war-rockets do dread work now, and sadly thin the -ranks of those shrieking fiends. - -Nor is it all over yet. For look, right in front of the defeated and -fleeing army there suddenly springs, as if from the earth itself, a -thin red line of British soldiers. - -_Rip--rip--rip_ go the crackling rifles all along this line. As -pretty platoon firing as one could wish to see or hear. - -And the effect is deadly. The black army bids fair to be wiped out. -They attempt to fly to the right--to the left. But Flint has divided -his little army and outflanks them on both sides. Then, cowed and -appalled, those among them who are still intact throw away their -arms, throw themselves on the ground, throw themselves even across -the bleeding bodies of the slain, and shriek aloud for mercy. Mercy? -It is never refused by British soldiers to beseeching foemen. - -The carnage has been dreadful, but silence reigns now, except for the -pitiful moaning of the wounded. No sound of rifle, no slash of -cutlass, or hiss of flying spear! - -A blue sky above, and bright sunshine, in which the woods around seem -to swelter and steam. The blue above--the blood below! - -Yes, readers, war may be glorious, but it is after the battle has -ceased to rage that one sees Bellona[1] in all her dreadful -deshabille, her blood-stained arms, her soaking hair, and cruel and -fiercely flaming eyes. May heaven in its mercy keep war and famine -far away from our own sweet island home! - - -[1] The goddess of war. - - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The arms were now taken from the prisoners, and they were left -huddled together like an immense herd of seals, for all were lying -down exhausted. Only fifty men were left to keep them together. The -main little army then marched into the city. - -Will it be believed that women and children rushed to meet our -heroes, kneeling in the dust and weeping, embracing our blue-jackets' -knees, till more than one tar was heard to remark: "I'm blessed, -Bill" (or Jim as the case might be), "I'm blessed if I don't feel -like blubbering my blooming self." - -For the British sailor, though the bravest of the brave in battle, -has ever a tender heart to a child or woman. - -But there was one particular cry that rang all through this poor -forlorn mob. When translated it was found to mean: - -"Kill the devil--Oh, kill the devil-king!" - -The awful odour of this blood-stained city cannot be described. Nor -can the sights that were seen in the market-place and around the -palace. The skulls set on sticks, the skeletons, the putrid bodies; -the crucified men still rotting on the trees, their heads fallen down -till the chins touched the breast-bone; the "man-meat" in joints left -on the now deserted stalls, the joints not unlike those of black pig. -But the most disgusting sight of all, perhaps, was to see naked black -children squatting on the murdered dead or drumming on their chests -with the bones of the skeletons. And there was, as Burns says, in -his inimitable _Tam o' Shanter_, - - "Mair o' horrible and awfu', - Which ev'n to name wad be unlawfu'". - - -What a surprise his sable Majesty got when our blue-jackets, to the -number of twenty, stormed his harem! - -He had expected his own warriors, with British heads to set on poles, -with British joints to roast for dinner, and British men to torture -and burn. - -Tom Sinclair, of the _Rattler_, a beau-ideal seaman, led the rest. -His white "bags", as he called them, were red and brown with blood, -and his shirt besprinkled too. But his sun-tanned face looked as -jolly as if he had only just come from a ball instead of a field of -carnage. - -"_Yambo sana!_" (a Swahili salute). - -"_Yambo sana!_" he said to the king, who was stretched on a raised, -mat-covered couch. "W'y, what a luxurious old cockalorum you are, to -be sure!" - -Tom hitched up his trousers as he spoke, and looked pleasant. - -But like fire from flint the Ju-Ju king sprang up, and attempted to -knife poor Tom. And Tom with a single twist disarmed him, and next -moment the king in his beads was lying on his back, the blood flowing -from his nasal organ. - -Tom was as calm as a judge. - -"'Xcuse me, old chap," he said, "for making your morsel of a nose -bleed. Would have preferred giving ye a pair of black eyes, only -they wouldn't show like, your skin's so dark. - -"Seems to me," he added, "yer soul's as black as yer blooming skin. -Wouldn't I like to trice yer Majesty up and give ye four dozen. - -"Here, interpreter," continued this tormenting Tom, "'terpret wot I -says to this ere himage o' Satan. Are ye ready?" - -"Tell him that we've wiped out his sodgers, and ask if he could -oblige us by turning out a new army. We were only just a-settlin' -down to serious fightin' when the beggars bolted. - -"Told him?" - -"Yes, sah. And now he groan and shake his big head plenty mooch, for -true!" - -"Tell him not to be afeard, that we won't scupper him (kill him) for -a day or two, but that we means only to put a hook through his nose -and 'ang him to a branch. Have you got a grip o' that, 'terpreter?" - -"Yes, sah. And see, he shake his big head once more. Hoo, hoo! How -he make me laugh!" - -"Tell him that we may also build a fire under him just to keep his -toes warm, 'cause it would be a terrible thing if a monarch like he -was to catch his death o' cold." - -The interpreter had barely finished telling the trembling king all -this, when a stir in the after part of the room announced the arrival -of the commanding officer, Fraser, and Captain Flint. - -The sailors fixed bayonets, and drew silently up. - -Then Colonel Fraser, through the interpreter, sternly ordered the -king to stand up, and just as sternly addressed him. Pointing out to -the assassin the enormity of all his fearful crimes, and what his -punishment might be, if he, the commanding officer, cared to go to -extremes. He told him much else that need not be mentioned here. -But the palaver thus begun did not end for days. - -The soldiers and sailors meanwhile commanded a large body of niggers -to go everywhere over the town and bury every human carcase, and even -every bone. The market stalls were heaped around the crucifixion -trees and fired. The trees themselves burned fiercely. - -The king's special murder-yard was also seen to. Then a grass and -bamboo house was run up for the king in a different part of the town. -To this he was escorted, laughed at and jeered by women and children, -while his old blood-stained palace and everything in it was burned to -the ground. Many of the adjoining huts caught fire, but the -conflagration, though at night it looked very alarming, did not -extend far, and was soon got under by the natives themselves throwing -earth over it. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -In another week's time the brave little army was once more on the -march back to the river at Sapelé. - -But the king had almost emptied his treasures of gold-dust to pay the -demanded indemnity; he agreed also to send to New Benin much ivory, -copal, nutmegs, and spices and palm-oil. A treaty was signed (it has -not been kept, by the way) which bound his Majesty down to -discontinue the awful human sacrifices, and to rule his subjects -peacefully, on pain of another invasion by British forces, who next -time, the commanding officer informed him, would hang him on the -nearest tree and annex his country. - -Just before the sailors and soldiers commenced their march to the -river a strange and curious thing occurred. - -There came emissaries from the hill tribes of the Wild West seeking -an interview with Colonel Fraser. - -The men, who were as wild-looking as any savages ever seen, and armed -with spears and strong shields, looked nevertheless far from -unpleasant. - -The colonel was found after a little delay, and then the interpreter. - -The first thing these strange men did was to lay their spears and -their shields at the colonel's feet, then they grovelled, head down, -in the dust, which, as they muttered some strange words, they mingled -with their bushy heads of hair. - -"Tell them to rise," said Colonel Fraser. "I cannot spare long time -in ceremony." - -The savage emissaries arose at once and stood before him. - -"What can I do for you, my men?" said the commandant. - -Their answer was so voluble that even the interpreter could not for a -time understand it. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -IN A WILD AND LOVELY MOUNTAIN-LAND. - -I believe, reader, that human nature is pretty much the same all the -world over. The motto, "Don't sit on a man when he is down", is -strictly adhered to, only the word "don't" is always deleted. And -when a man is down, physically, morally, or financially, people, even -old "friends", do sit on him, just as a cabby sits on his fallen -horse's head to keep him down. - -There is hardly any such thing as extending a kindly hand to a fallen -man to help him up again, or even giving him a word of encouragement -which might save his life itself. He is simply ostracized. - -But in very truth there was considerable excuse for those hillmen -from the Wild West. That blood-stained Ju-Ju king had ruled them -with a rod of steel, ravaged their country, killed the men who could -not escape, and carried off their women and children. - -And now their time had come. The trampled worm had turned, and their -proposal was simplicity in itself. It may best be expressed in the -interpreter's own words. - -"Dese gentlemans," he began, as he pointed to the niggers, and -Creggan and some other officers smiled aloud; "dese gentlemans come -from de far-away mountain. Plenty cold sometimes up dere. Dey want -to bringee down five, ten tousand warrior to help we. Dey kill all, -all dey men-men, take away de women-men and de little chillen. All -de men-men dey eat plenty quick, and dey will nail de debil-king to a -tree, all spread out, and roast he alive, for true. De king, when -all nice and plopah, dey give to you to gobble up." - -Colonel Fraser had a hearty laugh over this, then he made a short -speech, in which he said he did not see his way at present to accede -to their request, but if they would promise not to attack the king -till he, Colonel Fraser, returned to punish him again, he would -accept their proposal, but was not quite certain that he would eat -the king, even if he were done to a turn. - -Then with his own hands he returned to them their spears and shields, -and, bowing and salaaming, thanked them. - -Those emissaries of a poor oppressed race went back to their -mountains rejoicing, and the march to the river was at once commenced. - -They carried the wounded and even the dead in hammocks. Had they -buried the latter anywhere near Benin they would, Colonel Fraser -thought, be speedily disinterred and eaten. - -In the woods, ten miles from the City of Blood, they buried their -fallen comrades, after Colonel Fraser himself had said a prayer--not -a printed one, but an earnest prayer from his honest, kindly heart. - -Many a tear trickled down the cheeks of the blue-jackets and marines -as comrade after comrade was laid side by side in the deeply-dug -trench, while such expressions as the following were heard on every -side: - -"Good-bye, Bill, we'll never see you more!" - -"Ah, Joe, you and I 'as spent many a 'appy day together. Farewell, -old man, farewell!" - -"Jim, if I thought a pipe 'ud comfort ye, I'd put all my 'baccy -beside ye in the grave. Blest if I wouldn't, messmates!" - -Rough but kindly words, and not without a certain degree of pathos. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -There was no need to hurry back; so, after crossing a creek about ten -miles from the river they bivouacked at Siri, a wretched village, for -the night. But the inhabitants had heard of the battle, and the -downfall of the assassin king, and brought them presents of fruit and -cassava, besides nutmegs and spices, for all of which they were -substantially thanked with gifts of coloured beads, which made the -sable ladies chuckle and coo with delight. - -Next day the expedition reached the river and crossed to Sapelé, and -soon after the sailors reached their ship. - -But they had not quite done with Benin yet. The wounded soldiers had -been safely seen to at Sapelé, but the colonel and a Lieutenant -Aswood boarded the _Rattler_ to dine with Flint and his officers, and -considering everything, a very jolly evening was spent. The doctor -had reported that the wounded would all do well, so Commander Flint -gave a dinner-party, and orders to splice the main brace, from the -gun-room aft right away forward to the cook's galley. - -There was jollity, therefore, forward. Yarns were told, songs were -sung, and every now and then the sweet music of guitar and fiddle -floated aft. - -It was for all the world like an old-fashioned Saturday-night at sea. - -And those in the saloon or commander's cabin, including the soldiers, -the ship's doctor, first lieutenant, and Creggan, felt very happy -indeed. The chief talk naturally centred on the recent fight, and -the terrible condition of the City of Blood. - -"Now, Flint, as far as niggers go I'm not a bad prophet." This from -the colonel. "And I'll tell you what will happen." - -"Well, Fraser," said Flint, "heave round and give us your ideas." - -"Well, then, I'm half-sorry now that I didn't hang that -blood-drunkard of a king to begin with. But the king that the -priests would have then placed on the stool called a throne might -have been quite as bad, if not worse." - -"True, Fraser, true." - -"Do you think he will be influenced by that treaty?" - -"About a week, perhaps." - -"Just so." - -"On the other hand," said the colonel, "I am half-sorry I didn't -allow the mountain-men to wipe the savages out. - -"But," he continued, "that Ju-Ju monarch is no more to be restrained -from sacrificing his subjects than a cat could be from catching -sparrows. Now he'll go on till he gets hold of some whites and -massacres these. Then there will be another war. If we do not kill -the king, he'll be sent down to the coast and imprisoned for life." - -"I follow you," said Flint. "What next?" - -"Oh, annexation of course, and the whole of this rich and lovely -country will become ours. - -"What do you think of its healthiness?" he added, turning to Dr. -Grant. - -"Give a dog a bad name," replied Grant, "and you may kill him as soon -as you like. When we annex this land of Benin, the niggers under our -kindly sway--and they swarm in millions, you know--will till it and -drain it for us; cut down useless jungles, fell valuable timber, -which will help to dry up the creeks and bogs. All unhealthiness -will then vanish, sir, like the morning mist from the mountain tops; -land will be cheap and good, and colonists will come from Scotland by -the shipload. As for sickness, we shall have splendid sanatoriums -far away among those lofty mountains, where the climate must be -temperate, and even bracing." - -"Capital, Dr. Grant! Capital! Just my own ideas," said the colonel, -"only expressed in far prettier language than any I could use. And -now, Flint, what say you to stay for a week here, while we explore -the country as Moses did the Holy Land?" - -"Oh, Colonel Fraser," cried Creggan laughing, "it wasn't Moses, but -Caleb and Joshua. Poor Moses only had a bird's-eye view of it from a -hill-head, you remember." - -"Quite right, boy, and thank you. Well, Flint, suppose you and I on -this occasion go and spy out the land, which must eventually be ours, -you know." - -"Good!" said the commander. "We shall go in peace, and with -peace-offerings for the people." - -"Beads and bonnie things," said Grant, with a broad Scotch smile. - -"That's it, doctor," said the colonel. "Beads and bonnie things. -But an escort as well, eh?" - -"Yes, fifty marines and blue-jackets." - -"And start to-morrow?" - -"Capital!" - -"And now, Grant, I know you sing and play. Yonder is the piano; sit -down and delight us." - -Grant required no second bidding. - -After a most charming prelude he said smiling: - -"I'm going to sing you songs of the triune nation--Scotland, England, -and Ireland." - -And so he did. - -After a beautiful, sad, and plaintive Scotch song, he rattled off -into a strathspey and reel. After singing "_Good-bye, Sweetheart, -Good-bye_", he played a waltz, and on concluding "_The Harp that once -through Tara's Halls_", he dashed off into such a soul-inspiring, -maddening, droll old jig, that everybody all round the table clapped -their hands and shouted "Encore!" - -Well, on the whole, the evening passed away most delightfully, but by -eight bells or the end of the first watch, all on board save those on -duty were sound asleep in hammock or cot. - -The exploration of the country was commenced next day. Tents were -not taken, but tins of potted meats, and potted vegetables. They -would sleep beneath the stars in open ground. Rum was also taken, -but it was mixed with quinine. - -The explorers were fifty-and-six all told, including Creggan and Dr. -Grant. Creggan, being a mountaineer, proved himself invaluable. He -was so light to run, too, and went on ahead here, there, and -everywhere, even shinning up trees to find out the best roads. - -The people they encountered were none too gentle. They even looked -askance at the presents. So Colonel Fraser decided not to make use -of any as guides, for fear of being led into an ambush. - -When they came at last to--altering Scott somewhat--a - - Land of green heath and shaggy wood, - Land of mountain and of flood, - -the forests grew denser, darker, and deeper. The roar of wild -beasts, too, was heard by day as well as by night, so that caution -had to be used. And here were many lakes, though there were streams -instead of creeks. And these lakes were literally alive with fish. - -"Beautiful! Beautiful! What a happy hunting-ground!" exclaimed -Fraser, as two strange deer went past like the wind. - -"It is indeed a land flowing with milk and honey," said the doctor. - -"And all to be ours. All to be British!" - -They passed the forests safely enough, and now got fairly into the -mountain-land. Here were glens, as bonnie and bosky as any in -Scotland. They entered one particularly beautiful dell. - -They had paused to admire and wonder, when the distant sound of -war-drums or tom-toms fell upon their ears, and presently a huge band -of savage warriors appeared, as if by magic, on the opposite brae. -So suddenly did they spring up, that the brave lines of the poet came -back with a rush to Creggan's mind. Yonder, of course, were no -waving tartans or plumes. Yet that dark army rose from the bush in -the same startling way. It is in Roderick Dhu's interview with the -Saxon Fitz-James on the Highland hills. Roderick cries: - - "'Have, then, thy wish!' He whistled shrill - And he was answered from the hill; - Wild as the scream of the curlew, - From crag to crag the signal flew. - Instant, through copse and heath, arose - Bonnets and spears and bended bows; - On right, on left, above, below, - Sprang up at once the lurking foe; - From shingles gray their lances start, - The bracken bush sends forth the dart; - The rushes and the willow-wand - Are bristling into axe and brand, - And every tuft of broom gives life - To plaided warrior armed for strife. - That whistle garrisoned the glen - At once with full five hundred men, - As if the yawning hill, to heaven - A subterranean host had given." - - -"Why," said Colonel Fraser, pointing to the hillside, "just look -yonder, Flint. We don't want to fight these poor hill-men. They are -doubtless the same from whom the emissaries came." - -"Well, anyhow," said Flint, "they look as vicious as vipers. Let us -send our interpreter over at once. He will explain things." - -"Good!" - -So this was done. - -But it was evident that the hill-men were not open to reason, for the -poor fellow was immediately seized and bound. - -"Now," cried the colonel, "we must and shall advance. If there were -twice five hundred we should not submit to that indignity." - -So the little brave band proceeded at once to descend the hill and -ford the stream. Bayonets were fixed, and all were climbing slowly -up the steep brae on the other side, but a long way to the right, in -order to get higher than the threatening savages and thus have all -the advantage, when wild whooping and yells arose above them. - -They could not understand this, until down rushed the guide and -interpreter--a free man. - -"All right, sah, all right! De men who come to Benin, dey am dere -now, and all de oder sabages am plopah fliends now. - -"Come on! Come on!" he added. - -And on they went. - -They were received by the hill-men with shouts of joy, and one tall, -very black savage, much ornamented with feathers and beads, insisted -on taking Colonel Fraser's hand, and bending low over it touched it -with his brow. He repeated the same ceremony with all the officers, -then waved his dark hand in quite a dignified way to the blue-jackets -and marines. - -Strange to say, he could even talk a little English. - -"I am please, I am mooch delight," he said. "At Gwato I meet plenty -goot trader, ah! and plenty vely bad. Ha, ha!" - -The officers laughed. - -"Well, chief, we have thrashed the cruel king of Benin, and now we -want to see your dear mountain-land, because one day we shall kill -the Ju-Ju king, and then the kind-hearted Great White Queen shall -reign over you, and you will be all very happy." - -"I guide you, I guide! Be delight,--plenty mooch delight!" - -So, high up into the mountains marched the sailor-band, with the -chief and twenty savages as guides. - -It was getting late now, but before sunset they arrived at a mountain -village, the huts of which seemed to be perched upon the shelves of -the rock, like eagles' eyries. - -They found the village clean and sweet. - -The chief took the officers into the largest hut, which he had caused -to be rebedded with withered ferns, while the couches all round were -made of beautiful heaths, intermingled with wild flowers. - -Then Creggan and the gunner went out to see to the men's supper, and -found them all contented and jolly. - -When he returned, lo! a banquet of fried fish, sweet potatoes, roast -yams, capsicums, and fruit of many kinds, was spread on boards or -pieces of bark before his shipmates. - -"Take seat, take seat!" cried the chief, "and eatee plenty mooch foh -true!" - -"Why," said Creggan, as he squatted on the ferns, "this is indeed a -land flowing with milk and honey." - -It was, and behind each officer kneeled a little girl with a -palm-leaf fan to keep the guests cool. - -A modicum of rum was served out, and the chief, Gabo, was asked to -drink. - -He drew back in horror. - -"No, soldiers, no!" he cried. "Dat am de debil foh true. Sometime -we hab plenty from the oil-traders at Gwato. Den we all go mad, and -mooch kill eberybody. Now we nebber look at he." - -A band of girls came in afterwards, and danced while they sang. A -strange wild dance it was, with many wonderful swayings of arms and -bodies. - -An hour after this the British were sleeping soundly. - -All hands were called just a little before sunrise, and what a -gorgeous sight they beheld! Only a Turner could have done justice to -that sky of orange gray and gold, and to the splendid landscape of -forest and water that lay between. Lake on lake, stream or creek -everywhere, and the purple mist of distance over all, save where a -lake caught the crimson glare of the sun and was turned into blood. - -And down beneath them the nearest braes were clad in a wealth of wild -heaths and geraniums, and many a charming flower hugging the barer -patches. The officers were silent as they gazed on all this -loveliness. - -"No beauty such as this," said Grant at last, "can be seen even in -Scotland." - -But every bush seemed to be alive with bird-song, every leaf appeared -to hide some feathered songster; and when any of these flitted from -tree to tree, it was found that they were quite as beautiful in -colour as the flowers themselves. - -The air, too, was cool and delightful. - -Creggan and Grant went for a little walk farther up the hill, where -they found a great basin of rock filled with clear limpid water, and -here they bathed, so that the appetite both had for the excellent -breakfast, roast wild game, birds, and mountain trout, with, as -before, yams and sweet potatoes, was quite striking--striking down, I -may say. - -They all went hunting that day. But up in the hills there were few -wild animals of any sort, yet they enjoyed the tramp nevertheless. - -They stayed with this wild tribe for over a week, and every day -brought them something fresh in adventure or pleasure. - -Colonel Fraser made sketches, and took many observations of this -beautiful land of wild bird, tree, flower, and fruit, which at no -distant date will become the possession of the enterprising British -colonist, and give riches to men now starving perhaps in the -overcrowded cities of our island home. - -Soon may this day come! - -There is nothing impossible in Africa. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A FEARFUL NIGHT. - -But the scene changes, and will change still more as this story runs -on. - -Our heroes are back once more in the _Rattler_, that only last night -bumped out over the bar, and is now lying alongside the _Centiped_. - -Colonel Fraser, of course, has returned to his own barracks, and the -officers of the expedition, including Creggan, are at dinner on board -the larger ship, telling and talking of all their wild adventures. - -"Now, gentlemen," said the captain, "I have news for you, which I -would not tell you before, lest it should spoil your appetites." - -They all waited to hear it. - -"The _Wasp_, outward bound for the slave-coast of Eastern Africa, -lay-to here three days ago and sent a boat with letters for you all." - -"How delightful!" cried Creggan excitedly. - -"And, Captain Flint,--the _Rattler_ is ordered home." - -"Hurrah!" cried Grant, and there was a general clapping of hands all -round the table, and I'm not sure but that Creggan's eyes filled with -tears. He was little more than a boy, remember. - -Well, the sackful of letters was duly put in the _Rattler's_ boat -when she was hauled up, and that night everybody on board that saucy -gun-boat got good news--or bad. - -Creggan had quite a bunch of letters, which he read in the gun-room, -and again by daylight next day. - -That old song keeps running through my head as I write-- - - "Good news from home, good news for me, - Has come across the dark blue sea, - From friends that I had left in tears, - From friends I have not seen for years. - - "And since we parted long ago, - My life has been a scene of woe; - But now a joyful hour has come, - For I have got good news from home." - - -The second line of the second verse is, however, hardly correct as -far Creggan was concerned. On the whole he had passed his time very -pleasantly indeed, with some little griefs, of course. Many a storm -had the _Rattler_ weathered, and many a strange sight had he seen. - -He would be entitled to a good long spell of leave when the gun-boat -was paid off, and what tales he would have to tell the old hermit -(his Daddy) and Archie, and last, though not least, dear wee Matty! -But stay, she would be eleven years old, for Creggan was eighteen or -almost. - -But here were the letters from home, one each, and long ones too, -from Daddy, Mr. M'Ian, Rory and Maggie, Nugent and Matty. - -He kept the latter to the last. What a dear, innocent little epistle -it was, and though no praise could be given to the caligraphy, which -was a trifle scrawly, childish, innocent love breathed from every -line. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -It was a bright and beautiful morning when the _Rattler_ weighed -anchor, left the Bight of Benin, and steered west and away, homeward -bound for Merrie England. - -As the gun-boat passed the _Centiped_, which would now take her place -on this station, there was many a shout of "_bon voyage_" from the -quarter-deck; the rigging was crowded with sailors like bees on a -bush, and after three cheers were given, the little band of the -_Centiped_ struck up _Home, Sweet Home_. - -The notes came quavering sweetly, sadly over the water, but soon they -died away, and in an hour's time the ship they had left behind them -could hardly be seen against the greenery of the trees that lined the -Afric foreshore. - -They made a good run that day, and when, after the ward-room dinner -and gun-room supper, Grant and Creggan met upon the quarter-deck, -steam had been turned off and the fires banked, for there was just -enough wind to send the _Rattler_ on. She ran before it, for it blew -off the land, with stunsails set alow and aloft. - -It was a delightful night, though not bright, but the clouds that -covered the sky were very high and gauzy. They had many a rift of -blue, however, and whenever she had a chance while the clouds went -scudding on, the moon shone down on the sea with a radiance brighter -than diamonds. - -Now and then a shoal of playful dolphins would go leaping and dancing -past. It was evident that they enjoyed the beauty of the night as -well, if not better, than even Grant or Creggan could. - -The _Rattler's_ record till she reached the Bay of Biscay, which she -skirted only, was really a good one for a ship of such small -horse-power. Though an iron-clad, remember, she had sails and -rigging as well as steam. But now the scene changed! The glass went -down like falling over a cliff, banks of sugarloaf clouds rose one -evening threateningly in the east, and it was evident to every -seafarer on board that it was to be a dirty night. So sails were got -in, and the ship made snug, while the engineer speedily got up steam. - -Creggan was in the first mate's watch, and they had the middle watch -to keep to-night. - -A man had come down below to shake his hammock and call him. That -hammock required a good deal of shaking before Creggan was thoroughly -aroused. But he turned out at once. - -"Better put on your oil-skins, sir," said the seaman. - -"Is it blowing, then?" - -"Hark, don't you hear it roar, sir? It's blowing real big guns, -Dahlgrens and Armstrongs, all in a heap. Hurry up, sir! It's gone -eight bells minutes ago." - -Creggan was not long in getting on deck. He tied the flaps of his -oil-skin over his ears and under his chin. A good thing, too, for -the wind was wild enough to have torn one's hair off. Creggan could -scarcely stand or stagger against it. Nor could the gun-boat make -much headway either. Hardly, perhaps, a knot an hour. - -The lad got aft to look at the compass. Yes, her head was north and -a trifle westerly. She was boldly holding her course at all events. - -It was very dark indeed, for all round the vessel the horizon was -close on board of her, and the inky clouds must have been miles deep. -The ship's masts seemed to cut through them when high on the top of a -storm-tormented wave, and when down in the deep trough between two -seas these waves thundered over the bows and came rushing aft in -white foam, a rolling cataract, which, had the ship not been battened -down, would have flooded the engine-room and probably drowned out the -fires. - -Creggan was perfectly alive to the extreme danger, for if the ship -from any accident broached to, in all probability she would turn -turtle and be heard of nevermore, until the sea gave up its dead. - -Yet Creggan managed to get forward a few yards to the spot where the -first lieutenant stood clinging to a stay, and they managed to carry -on a conversation for a while. - -But a kind of drowsiness stole over both, and presently they became -silent. - -Creggan was awakened from his lethargy by the crashing of wood -forward. A mighty wave had splintered the bulwarks, and for just -about half a minute the vessel fell off her course. - -It was found necessary to put an extra hand to the wheel. - -The storm was now at its worst. Ever and anon the waves, more than -houses high, made a clean breach over her, the spray dashing as high -as the fore-top, and even down the funnel. - -To add to the terror, peal after peal of thunder appeared to shake -the ship to her very keel. Louder far than the roar of the savage -waves was this thunder, and the lightning lit up the slippery decks, -and showed the men crouching and shivering aft, their faces like the -faces of the dead, while over the ocean it shot and glimmered till -the sea itself looked an ocean of fire. - -Indeed, indeed a dreadful night! - -Neither the first lieutenant nor Creggan was sorry when they were -relieved. - -The former beckoned the lad into the ward-room. Then he produced the -beef and "fixings", as he called bread, butter, and the cruets. Both -were hungry, and between them they made the joint look small. - -Then Creggan went off to his hammock, commending himself as he lay -down to that God who can hold the sea in the hollow of His hand. - -Four hours of sweetest dreamless slumber, and when our hero went on -deck after breakfast, though the wind had gone down and gone round, -the seas were still high and darkling blue. - -But it was now a beam wind, so fires were banked, and she went -dancing on her course, as if she well knew that after all her trials -and buffetings she would soon be safe in Plymouth Sound. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The evening before the _Rattler_ sighted the chalk-cliffs of Old -England Creggan had kept the first watch, from eight to twelve, -therefore he would have what sailors call "all night in". That is, -he turned in at twelve, and did not have to leave his hammock till -about half-past seven. - -On board a ship in harbour, the time youngsters turn out is five -bells. I slept in a hammock myself when I first joined, and I assure -the reader I didn't like to be called at five bells, or half-past -six; but the quartermaster was inexorable, he used to pass along the -orlop deck, where all our hammocks hung, and strike each a dig with -his thumb underneath. - -"Five bells, sir, please! Five bells, sir, please!" - -This resounded all along the deck, and if we had not turned out in -five minutes, then he took the number of the hammock and reported it -to the commander. The owner of that hammock was planked. That is, -he was brought on the quarter-deck and severely reprimanded. - -Our sea-chests stood all round the deck, and as soon as we got up, -our servants folded the bed-clothes, lashed up the hammocks, and -trundled them away to the upper deck to be neatly stowed in the -topgallant bulwarks. - -But though we got up, we didn't always, if ever, begin to dress -immediately. No, we used to mount to the top of our sea-chests, and -with our night-shirts drawn down to cover the toes, and our knees up -to our chins, squat there for perhaps a quarter of an hour, looking -for all the world like a row of fan-tail pigeons. - -Then we grew lively, opened our sea-chests, which, you know, contain -a complete toilet service at the top, washed and towelled, skylarked, -stole each others socks, and pelted each other with wet sponges. I -dare say our marine servants were to be pitied in their almost -fruitless endeavours to maintain order. - -Ah! those dear old days are past and gone, and they will never come -again! - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -However, although he had all night in, somehow it was quite an hour -before Creggan dosed off. He was reviewing in his mind the events of -the cruise, and thinking of home at the same time, anxiously too. It -must have been months and months since the last batch of letters -received were written, and some of his dear friends may have died -since then. This thought made his heart beat uneasily. - -Then he remembered that he had hurried into his hammock without -saying his prayers. - -But he did so now, and so felt more contented and happy. - -All the scenes of the past three years then presented themselves in -single file before his mind's eye. Had he done all he could for the -service? - -He really thought he had. - -Poor old Daddy the hermit had given Creggan three maxims before he -left his little island home, and the lad had always borne these in -mind. They are not sentimental or namby-pamby, or I would not repeat -them. They are just good, honest rules, that would help any -sailor-boy to get his foot well on to the first rung of the ladder -that leads to fame and fortune. - -"My dear sonny," said the hermit, "mind you this, and mind it all -your life:-- - -"First--If a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well. - -"Second--'Work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh when -no man can work'. - -"Third--Try to see your duty and make sure of it, and when you see -it, go straight for it." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -But Creggan dosed off at last, and soon slept soundly enough. - -When he got into the gun-room next morning, he was saluted by his -merry messmates in the following fashion. - -"Creggan Ogg, hillo!" - -"Hillo--o--o, old Creggan!" - -"Creggan, ain't you just too awfully glad for anything?" - -Our hero looked from one to the other in a kind of puzzled way. - -"Are you all mad?" he said. - -"No, no, no, but we're nearly home, man alive!" - -"He isn't half-alive! He isn't awake yet!" - -Then it began to dawn upon Creggan. - -He jumped up on the locker, and had a peep out through the tiny port, -or scuttle-hole. - -Why, it was like looking through a mirror into fairyland. The -picture was very limited, it is true, but yonder, high up on a green -brae, was a long, white-washed cottage with a woman at a tub washing -clothes in front of it, and a brindled cow quietly chewing her cud -and looking on. - -And this was home at last! A little picture from dear old England! - -Creggan stopped longer upon the locker than there was any need for, -because the tears had sprung to his eyes, and he cared not that his -chaffing messmates should witness such weakness. - -Well, soon after this they got past the breakwater and well into the -beautiful Sound. - -Boats in swarms begin to surround her, but not a soul, woman or man, -can get on board till the medical officer comes and they get -pratique, a clean bill of health. - -But the men are allowed to talk from the gun-ports to their friends -and relatives beneath. All are anxious all are either sad or joyful. - -How the wife beams when she sees her Jack's brown face peeping -smilingly down. - -But oh! the grief and sorrow of some poor women when they ask some -other sailor about their Tom or Bill. - -"Where is Bill?" - -"Where is my Tom?" - -It is hard, hard to answer such questions, but it must be done. - -"Ah, missus," says Jack at the port, "we've been a-fightin' hard wi' -bloomin' niggers, and poor Tom got scuppered!" - -Some women faint. Some turn pale, dazed, and sink down stunned in -the stern-sheets. - -But see, yonder comes the medical officer, and in a very short time -the ship is free. - -Then up swarm friends and relations, and meetings and greetings are -very joyful indeed. There is a rattling fire of questions and -answers all over the ship, and many a jolly laugh rings shoreward -over the sea. - -Creggan is on the quarter-deck. He expects no one, but suddenly he -is hailed. - -"Creggan, old man! How you have grown!" - -"Why, is it you, Willie Nugent? And you've grown too, a little paler -though." - -"Oh, I wish I was as brown as you, Creggan, but I'm being dragged up -for a political career, you know. And I do hate it. I wish I'd been -a sailor." - -"And how is your father?" - -"Jolly." - -"And Matty?" - -"Your wee sweetheart is beautiful, and we are all well. My father -has a better and larger bungalow now in Skye, and we often go out to -see the hermit. He looks no older. Fact, I think he is getting -young again." - -"Oscar?" - -"Oh, he did miss you at first. But Tomnahurich has another dog now, -because he thinks on your next cruise you are bound to get Oscar with -you. So Kooran, and he is a beauty, will then be his companion." - -"Well, you're making me so happy, Willie; but just one more question. -Ever see Archie?" - -Willie laughed right merrily and mischievously. - -"Why, he is here, Creggan; I was keeping this bit of news to astound -you." - -"Archie here!" - -"Yes; I'll call him up now." - -Next minute, with kindly hand extended, there walked, smiling but -with eyes glistening with tears of joy, a fashionably-dressed young -gentleman with a budding moustache. - -"Man, is it your very, very self?" - -"It is no other, dear old friend." - -"I'd hardly have known you, Creggan." - -"Nor I you. But explain, my boy. Why all this extensive -rig-out--the top hat, the morning coat, the trousers instead of the -kilt? Why all this thusness? Anybody left you a fortune, Archie?" - -"No, no! I've lots of money, though," laughed Archie. "I've taken a -small farm for mother and Kory, and they live in a red stone house, -and have horses, cows, and sheep." - -"But--" - -"I'll tell you in a minute. You'll mind our games of draughts with -the bits of carrot and parsnip for men?" - -"Indeed I do." - -"Well, a draught-player in Edinburgh challenged all Scotland for £20 -to play with him. After you left I often played wi' Tomnahurich. He -plays well, but though I took off men of my own, I very soon whipped -off all his. - -"'You'll go down to Edinburgh,' he said, 'and beat this boasting -fellow. I'll lend you the money.' - -"'But,' says I, 'suppose I lose it?' - -"'Never mind,' says he. 'Off you go.' - -"And off I went, Creggan, just the kilted ghillie I was when you left -us. Well, there must have been a hundred great ladies and gentlemen -to watch our ten games. They gave me a little cheer, but my opponent -looked at me in proud disdain. I didn't like it, and determined to -win. You know the old Cameronian motto--_Whate'er a man dares he can -do_,--and by St. Kilda, Creggan, I soon lowered that toff's play. I -won the first four games, getting his last crowned head in a fix -every time. - -"The room was stuffy and hot, and my head swam a bit, so he licked me -in the fifth. Ah! playing in a hot room isn't like playing on the -breezy cliffs, or among the wild thyme. - -"Well, they opened a window, and our table was drawn near to it--and, -Creggan boy, that toff never won another game. - -"What cheering! what rejoicing! Why, a duchess took me in her arms -and kissed me, and a tall swell caught me by the hand. - -"'You dear little Highlander! You've got to come to my house -to-morrow. I backed you for two thou., and I'll make you share it.' - -"And now, Creggan, I'm champion player of Britain; but I've been -challenged out to the States, and I hope I'll win there too." - -Next day the three friends dined together at the chief hotel. Oh, -such a happy night! Then, as soon as leave was obtained--the ship -being paid off,--they all started for Glasgow by boat, and thence, -again by boat, to the beautiful Island of Wings. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -WELCOME BACK TO SKYE. - -Creggan Ogg M'Vayne might well sing of - - "A life on the ocean wave, - A home on the rolling deep". - -Well, any man who is worth the noble name of sailor loves his ship, -and looks upon her as "home" in the real sense of the word. Nor does -he long for any other while the commission lasts. But oh! when the -order to return comes on board, then there is something within him -that, though it may have been slumbering for years, awakes at once, -and he is eager, even to excitement, to see once more the woods and -flowery fields of England, or the wild straths and glens of green -Caledonia. - -When the boat discharged Willie and Creggan at Portree, the latter -felt that he was indeed at home. - -"No, Willie, we won't walk. I'm too impatient far for that." - -"I'll do whatever you do, old man." - -So they hired a fast horse and dogcart; the driver a man who could -hold the ribbons well, the nag as sure-footed as a mule. - -The day was bright and bracing, so that Creggan's spirits rose with -every milestone passed. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Perhaps in no country in all the wide world is the early autumn more -lovely than in our own dear Scottish Highlands. The fierce heat of -summer that erst was reflected from the lofty crags and mountain -brows to the straths below, is mitigated now. The grass is still -green in the bonnie bosky dells, through which streamlets meander -over their pebbly beds and go singing to the sea. Though the winds -are whispering now among the birchen foliage, and the tall needled -pine-trees, with a harsher voice than that of sweet spring-time, the -tall ferns in many a quiet and sylvan nook wave wild and bonnie, -their fronds of green and brown making a charming background to the -crimson nodding bells of the foxglove. And the hills above are -purple and crimson with heather and heath, with many a rugged crag or -gray rock peeping through, which only serve to enhance their beauty. - -But here in the north of Skye are no trees, though the heather is a -sight to see, and so you hardly miss the dark waving pines. - -"I'm just so happy," said Creggan, "that I believe I could sing." - -"My dear boy," said Willie, "I already know enough about politics to -be able to assure you that no act of parliament has yet been passed -against singing. Heave round, as you sailors say, and give us a -ditty." - -"Give us a bass then, Willie." - -"That I will, and the horse himself will beat time to your melody." - -"Well, I'll sing you a song our bo's'n used to troll at the fo'castle -head in starlight evenings, when our ship was far at sea. But I have -not his voice. It is called-- - - - THE SAILOR'S RETURN. - - Bleak was the morn when William left his Nancy, - The fleecy snow frown'd on the whitened shore, - Cold as the fears that chilled her dreary fancy, - While she her sailor from her bosom tore. - To his fill'd heart a little Nancy pressing, - While a young tar the ample trousers eyed, - In need of firmness, in this state distressing, - Will checked the rising sigh, and fondly cried: - 'Ne'er fear the perils of the fickle ocean, - Sorrow's all a notion, - Grief all in vain; - Sweet love, take heart, - For we but part - In joy to meet again.' - - Loud blew the wind, when, leaning on that willow - Where the dear name of William printed stood, - Poor Nancy saw, tossed by a faithless billow, - A ship dash'd 'gainst a rock that topped the flood. - Her tender heart, with frantic sorrow thrilling, - Wild as the storm that howl'd along the shore, - No longer could resist a stroke so killing: - ''Tis he,' she cried, 'nor shall I see him more! - Why did he ever trust the fickle ocean? - Sorrow's my portion, - Misery and pain! - Break, my poor heart, - For now we part, - Never to meet again.' - - Mild was the eye, all nature was smiling, - Four tedious years had Nancy passed in grief, - When, with her children, the sad hours beguiling, - She saw her William fly to her relief! - Sunk in his arms with bliss he quickly found her, - But soon return'd to life, to love, and joy; - While her grown young ones anxiously surround her, - And now Will clasps his girl, and now his boy. - 'Did I not say, though 'tis a fickle ocean, - Sorrow's all a notion, - Grief all in vain? - My joy how sweet! - For now we meet, - Never to part again.' - - -As the horse went merrily trotting along the road, and the voices of -those happy boys raised in song was echoed from rock and brae, little -kilted lads and kirtled lassies ran out from cottage doors--for joy -is infectious--to shout and wave their bonnets as long as they could -see the trap. - -And now, here is Uig once more. The landlady just as buxom and jolly -as before, though at first she did not know Creggan. - -Here a good luncheon was made, and the horse fed. Then on again for -many a mile, till the gray ruins of the warlike old castle of Duntulm -hove in sight, the swift rolling Minch, and, far beyond, the blue -hills of Harris. And yonder, too, was the hermit's isle of Kilmara. - -Some distance from the sea was Nugent's bungalow, but all were at the -door to meet Willie and Creggan, the sailor-boy. - -Matty could talk better English now, though still a child, and just -as innocent as ever. While Creggan rested on a chair under the -pretty verandah, trying to answer about a hundred questions at the -same time, wee Matty climbed his knee, and with one soft arm around -his neck, claimed her sailor all to herself. - -Then there was the visit to the manse. More welcomes there from -Rory, Maggie, and Mr. M'Ian. - -Oh, it is really worth going to sea for a few years, if only to -receive a welcome home like this! - -The sea to-day was blue and smooth, so Willie had his skiff taken -down from the manse, and with Matty in the stern-sheets---just in the -dear old way--he paddled out to visit his Daddy. - -That was indeed a delightful meeting, but I cannot describe it. The -new dog came furious, barking at Creggan, but poor Oscar knew him at -a glance, and simply went wild with joy. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Let no one ever tell me that a dog forgets a kind master. When I -myself first went to sea--in the Royal Navy--I left my beautiful -collie with my mother. Not only did he know me when I returned after -several years, but on the day my arrival was announced mother said to -him: "Tyro, doggie, your master is coming to-day". He never left the -window after that. Never ceased to watch till, afar off, he could -see me. Then his impatience was unbounded till the door was opened, -and he came rushing down the road to meet me. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Creggan spent the night with Daddy, who had not altered a bit, but he -rowed Matty home first. - -That evening a strange but true tale of the sea was related to -Creggan, and the mystery that surrounded his childhood was cleared up -once and for ever. - -It was thought best by the minister, and by Nugent also, that the -hermit should break the news to the lad. - -Know then, that not more than a month ago, a lady in black, still -beautiful, though she must have been verging on forty, was travelling -in a dog-cart through Skye, with her own maid and coachman. - -Calling at the manse, M'Ian happened among other things to tell her -of the strange story of the finding of Creggan in the skiff on the -beach of Kilmara isle. - -She seemed strangely agitated. - -"Is the skiff still to the fore, and might I see it?" - -"Certainly, my dear lady." - -She had hardly looked at it before she almost fainted, and would have -fallen had not M'Ian's strong arms supported her. - -"Oh, sir, that was our boat! Is the boy still alive?" - -"Yes, and at sea. We expect him back in a month. He was brought up -by the hermit of Kilmara out yonder." - -"Do row me over there, will you?" - -"With pleasure, madam." - -And the minister's own boat was launched and soon reached the island. - -The hermit was mystified at first, but soon recovering, told her all -the reader already knows. - -Then she told her sad story. - -The _Sea-Swallow_--her husband's ship--was lying at Harris in a -little bay. He, her husband, had been, alas! drinking hard some -weeks before this, but seemed quite recovered, and one day she -received an invitation from the minister of the parish to go on a -picnic excursion with his children to see the beauties of the island. -She would be back before ten. It was autumn, and the nights were -long, with bright starlight and a little frost. Her husband would -not go on shore, but appeared delighted to be left in charge of the -child. The mother had not been gone over two hours, and night had -fallen, when he told the first to call away the skiff, a light kind -of dinghy. He told him he was going on shore to the manse, and would -take the child with him. He was in no way excited, but quiet and -calm, and singing low to the child as he went down the gangway ladder. - -The mate watched him rowing himself towards the shore, then went -below. - -The captain was never seen again. - -His name was Mearns, and the _Sea-Swallow_ was as much a yacht as a -trader, though she did bring cargoes of fruit from Italy. - -Mrs. Mearns was prostrated with grief, and for many a long week never -left her bed. The most Christian conclusion she could come to was -that the boat had been swamped and sunk, and both the husband and -child drowned. - -But the _Sea-Swallow_ was sold, and ever since poor Mrs. Mearns had -lived alone with her grief, in her beautiful home down near to -Torquay. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -"And this lady is--my--mother, Daddy?" - -"Yes, my lad; and you will see her to-morrow." - -And next day he was early on shore with Oscar, and went straight to -the manse. - -The lady in black came slowly up the garden path about mid-day. - -Something seemed to whisper to Creggan, telling him that this was -indeed his mother. He ran to meet her. - -She held him at arm's-length for a few seconds, while she turned -white and red by turns. - -"It is indeed my long-lost son!" she cried. "Oh, heaven be praised -for the dawn of this day!" - -Then woman-like she relieved her feelings by weeping. - -Mrs. Mearns took up her abode at the manse for two months, all the -time, in fact, that Creggan spent in Skye. But she seemed quite a -changed woman, and looked ten years younger at least. - -She no longer wore mourning, but light-coloured, beautiful dresses. -She played and sang too, in a manner that quite fascinated the -minister, and she took part in all the rambles about this wild -romantic island. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Well, partings came again, and with them tears and blessings. Oh, -that sad word "Farewell"! - -In a week after this Creggan and his mother were at Torquay. But a -delightful old-fashioned wooden paddle frigate was commissioned at -Plymouth. She was going on Special Service, to carry despatches -here, there, and everywhere. Creggan went on purpose to see her, and -though the carpenters, or wood-peckers as we used to call them, were -still on board, the lad--who, by the way, had been promoted to -sub-lieutenant, wore a stripe and carried a sword--liked her so much, -that he made an application to be appointed to her. - -His appointment came in a few days. - -Then Creggan once more took the bold step of calling on the captain, -and with him went Oscar. - -Captain Leeward opened the door, and when the young sub-lieutenant -introduced himself-- - -"Oh, come in, my good fellow. No, no, don't shut the door in the -dear doggie's face." - -So in went Creggan and in went Oscar. - -"I say," said Captain Leeward, a most pleasant-faced man, "I must ask -you to bring this beautiful animal with you. I have a lovely black -Newfoundland, and they will be excellent companions." - -Had anyone handed Creggan a cheque for £10,000, he could not have -been more delighted than he was at this moment. - -Then in stalked the very dog the captain had mentioned. Creggan had -never seen so noble a fellow before. - -He appeared a little surprised at seeing another dog in the room, but -as soon as Oscar went up and licked his ear--a dog's kiss--he took to -him at once, and before Creggan left they both lay asleep together -before the fire. - -"I've heard all about you from Captain Flint himself--rather a tartar -sometimes, but possessed of a right good heart. You must stay to -supper, and we'll swap yarns, you know. - -"By the way," he added, "do you know that your bold messmate, Dr. -Grant, has been appointed to this ship?" - -"I didn't know, but I feel so pleased!" - -A very delightful evening Creggan spent, till nine o'clock, then he -begged leave to go. - -The last thing that Captain Leeward said as he shook Creggan's hand -was this: - -"You saved your captain's life, lad. Your courage in presence of the -enemy was conspicuous, and although the Admiralty is slow--it won't -forget you! - -"Good-night. Join your ship in a week's time." - -"Good-night, sir. You have made me very happy." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -LIFE ON THE GOOD SHIP _OSPREY_. - -It was a stormy day in the end of October when the good frigate -_Osprey_ got up steam and put out to sea. - -Signals had been exchanged for an hour before this between the -admiral's office and the ship. The admiral thought it most imprudent -to sail on such a day. - -Captain Leeward was persistent, however, and at last, like any other -wilful man, he had his way. - -The wind was from the east-south-east, cold and bitter and high. The -air, too, was filled with sleet or snow. - -When they passed the breakwater it caught her bows smartly, and slued -her for a few moments out of her course. But the helmsman quickly -put her up, and the strong paddles fought the water fiercely, and -successfully too. - -Balked in its design of driving the _Osprey_ against the breakwater, -the wind did all sorts of ill-natured things. It cut the smoke of -the funnel clean off, and drove its dark wreaths to leeward; it -rattled the braces, it shook the rigging; it slammed the companion -doorways, swayed the hanging boats about, and dashed the spray -inboard with sometimes a green sea, till everybody who had to be on -deck and hadn't an oilskin on was drenched to the skin. A nasty, -disagreeable old wind! - -The _Osprey_ didn't seem to mind it a bit. She had a broad beam of -her own, a strong bowsprit and jibboom, and she lifted her bows -slowly, and with a sturdy disdain that showed she cared for neither -wind nor sea. - -Nor did the men either--every one of whom had been picked and chosen -by Captain Leeward himself, every one of whom was as hardy as the -vikings of old. - -Before the ship was two miles from the Sound, and while standing -amidships talking to Grant,--the _Osprey's_ head being now turned to -west-and-south, so that spray no longer flew inboard,--Creggan said: - -"Listen, doctor; what a grand singer!" - -For up from the forehatch rose high above the roar of the wind a -manly voice, singing one of Dibdin's most favourite songs:-- - - "Blow high, blow low, let tempests tear - The mainmast by the board, - My heart with thoughts of thee, my dear, - And love well stor'd, - Shall brave all danger, scorn all fear; - The roaring winds, the raging sea; - In hopes on shore - To be once more - Safe moor'd with thee." - - -"Yes, he sings well. And do you know, that with the kindliest heart -that ever was in sailor's breast, Captain Leeward has his -peculiarities." - -"Yes?" - -"Yes. I've known him before, and sailed with him, always in a wooden -ship. He hates an iron-clad, and he must see canvas bellying out -aloft if there be a bit of wind at all. He is really an independent -man, and wouldn't take a ship at all unless he had all his own way. -So every man-jack is a jolly tar of the good old school, and his -officers too, are, I have always found, genuine fellows. He must -have somebody to dine with him every night, and it is just as often a -middie as a ward-room officer. As for myself, I have always a knife -and fork laid for me, and if I don't dine with Leeward I look in -after dessert, and many a yarn he spins me." - -"So different from Flint." - -"Oh, yes; but we must never say a word against the absent." - -"No." - -"Hark!" cried Grant; "didn't I tell you?" - -The ship's head was kept away a point or two. - -Next minute the bo's'n's shrill pipe was heard. -"_Eep--eep--peep--peep--ee--ee--ee!_ All hands make sail!" - -Up rattle the watches below, and aloft they went right cheerily. - -Creggan had never seen a ship's sails cast loose so speedily, nor so -quickly braced up. - -"They are indeed good sailors, Dr. Grant." - -"Yes, I told you. But look here, old fellow, just call me 'Grant', -and 'douse' the 'Dr.'." - -"All right, Grant," said Creggan, laughing. - -The fires were now let down and the paddles thrown out of gear, and -presently that old _Osprey_ was doing ten knots an hour on a beam -wind. - -I suppose that Captain Leeward had some inkling of where he was going -to, else he would not have held this course. - -But the sealed orders were opened next morning, and he found that the -_Osprey_ was on particular service, her first destination being -Venezuela. - -He told his officers this, and that they might then look in at Rio -and open further orders there--probably. - -If, reader mine, you knew the Service as well as I do, you would -remark that it was very good of the gallant Captain Leeward to be -thus explicit with his officers. Many men that I know, or have -known, would have shrouded themselves in their cold dignity, and to -any inquiry made by an officer as to their destination, would simply -have replied-- - -"Venezuela." - -If asked, "And where next, sir?" such men would reply, "I really -can't tell you at present". - -Well, lads who mean to join the glorious British Navy, and serve -either as young officers or boys under-- - - "'The flag that braved a thousand years - The battle and the breeze', - -must not expect their lives to be all sunshine, any more than they -need expect the sea around to be always blue, rippled by balmy winds, -and domed over with an azure sky, flecked with fleecy cloudlets, and -at night studded with silver-shining stars. - -In some ships they will find that fighting the waves is not fun by -any means, because many of the best of our navy ships are sent to sea -defective. Machinery--and it is marvellously intricate nowadays--may -break down at an untimely moment, even in the midst of a terrible -storm, and having no serviceable sail, even the largest iron-clad -will then be at the mercy of the waves. Oh, how she rolls and yaws -and plunges and careens at such a time! - -The best sailors on board cannot keep their feet, their heads swim -with the awful motion. Things break loose and play pitch-and-toss -about the deck, the ward-room furniture may be all one chaotic heap, -and all the while the seas are making a plaything of her, dashing -over her, high as the conning tower, and rushing in cataracts fore to -aft, or even vice versa. At such a time it seems as if the ocean -wished to show those poor wave-beleaguered sailors how small the -strongest works of man are, compared to those of God. - -But independently of storms without or the breaking down of -machinery, the ship may not be a happy one as far as officers and men -are concerned. The crew, all told, may be a badly assorted one, and -I have been in ships, only for a short spell, thank goodness, that -were known on the station as "floating hells". - -Much depends upon one's captain. If he is a kind-hearted, genuine -fellow he can do everything to keep things smooth fore and aft. The -ward-room officers take their cue from him, the gun-room follows the -example which the ward-room sets them on deck or below, the -midshipmen influence the warrant officers, and these in their turn -the able and ordinary seamen and the first and second class boys -themselves. - -But I must heave ahead with my story, instead of hauling my fore-yard -aback or lying-to, in order to ruminate and preach. Oh, I know my -own faults, my lads; I have so much to say about sea and a life on -the ocean wave, that, with a pen in my hand, I want to say it or -write it all at once. - -Well, Creggan hadn't been a day at sea before he found out that the -_Osprey_ was going to be a real happy ship. - -They soon lost sight of land in the haze of the storm, though all day -long the beautiful gulls kept sailing around the ship, tack and -half-tack in the air. For these sea-gulls look upon ships as their -own, because from them they receive their main supply of food; so -they always follow them afar, trying, as it were, by their plaintive -calls, to get them to return. - -It was dark enough at eight o'clock to-night, and the gulls had all -returned shorewards. The gale still raged, but the _Osprey_ was -under easy sail, and the motion was by no means disagreeable to a -sailor. - -Creggan had been keeping the second dog-watch, but now went below. -There was first the fighting deck to pass through, where the great -port-holes were, and the black, shining guns, each with its -snow-white lanyard prettily coiled and lying on the breach. A fine -open breezy deck, the shot and shell neatly arranged in racks around -the hatchways, and the sick-bay far away forward yonder. Abaft here -was the captain's quarters or saloon, with a red-coated, armed sentry -walking near it, slowly fore and aft. - -Then Creggan dived below. Aft again on this deck and right under the -captain's quarters, only coming more forward, was the well-lighted -ward-room, from which issued the sound of merry voices and laughing. -Turning forward and on the port side there was first a cabin or two, -and then the gun-room. - -Below this was the orlop deck, where many hammocks were hung, and -which was lined with two rows of dingy, dark, though white-washed -cabins, lighted by day only by the round scuttle-hole, and at night -by a candle hung in jimbles. These cabins were told off to warrant -officers, bo's'n, carpenter, &c., &c., and to senior officers of the -gun-room. But really most of these preferred a hammock just outside, -for the sake of fresher air. - -To-night, Creggan, to whom one of these cabins, and a good one too, -was allotted, had occasion to go below. He heard a sad moaning -proceeding from a hammock, and a white, white melancholy face hanging -half over the side. - -"I say!" - -"Yes, my lad." - -"Are you the surgeon? I'm very dickey. I'm a a clerk, and I wish I -had never, never left the land." - -"Well, I'm sub, and the second senior member of your mess. Don't -give way. I'll go and get the surgeon." - -And so he did. - -Kind-hearted Grant first gave him a doze of something, which I know -well but must not mention, then a tumblerful of good champagne, and -in five minutes' time poor little Mr. Todd was wrapt in dreamless -slumber. - -There were two more of Neptune's young children who wanted seeing to. -Having done so, Grant went aloft again. - -Then Creggan went to his quarters. - -"Come along, sir," cried one of three bold middies who sat around the -gun-room table when Creggan drew back the curtain; "come along, and -have a hand at whist." - -"Thank you, messmates, but I must feed first." - -"Steward!" - -"Ay ay, sorr," said an unmistakably Irish voice. "That's me, myself, -sorr;" and a tallish, smart fellow, with black buttons on his short -jacket, and a blue ground to his beardless face, entered the mess. - -"Bring in the beef, and all kinds of fixings." - -"Any dhrink, sorr?" - -"No drink, thanks. What's your name?" - -"M'Carthy, sorr, sure enough." - -"Well, Mac, heave round." - -"Be back afore ye could say knife, sorr." - -Creggan made a capital supper. Then he had just one game to please -the youngsters. - -"I'm dying with sleep, boys," he said, "so I'll turn in. Ta-ta, see -you all in the morning." - -He departed, leaving them singing, and, turning in, was soon sound -and fast. And thus he slept till called to keep the morning watch. - -It was a little cold, but Creggan had bent on his thickest pilot -jacket, and the second lieutenant soon came stumping up, and he also -had on his foul-weather gear. - -But the wind had gone down considerably, and with it the sea. She -had lost way, too. So Mellor sent men aloft to loosen and shake out -sails. The effect was magical, and with the wind well abaft the beam -the _Osprey_ pulled herself together, threw off dull sloth and went -through the water like a thing of life. All along the top-gallant -bulwarks forward, the spray was sprinkled as the good ship spurned -the billows, but nothing came aft. - -Mr. Mellor, the lieutenant, a round-faced, fair-haired young -Cornishman, strode up and down the deck talking, and smoking a short -clay. Creggan and he were swapping yarns--humorous yarns mostly--and -exchanging experiences, and were soon as well acquainted as if they -had known each other for years. - -Soon after five bells, a light was seen gradually spreading over the -eastern horizon, getting higher and higher momentarily. It looked at -first like the reflection of a far-off city on a dark night. - -But the light grew whiter and brighter. - -It was gray dawn now. Then high up in the west a streak of a cloud -began to glow with orange and crimson beauty. Rolling clouds on the -horizon astern were lit up with a fringe of gold and carmine. Then -all the east became a glory of colour that was almost dazzling, but -very beautiful. The god of day was rising, and this -dazzlingly-painted orient formed the curtains of his couch. - -Soon now, red and fiery, his beams spread in a path of blood across -the sea, and lo! it was day. - -Both Creggan and Mellor spent that watch very pleasantly, and before -going below the latter held out his hand, and Creggan gladly grasped -it. - -"Good-bye," said Mellor. "We're going to be friends, you know." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -MESS-ROOM FUN. - -The gun-room mess of H.M.S. _Osprey_ was by no means an overcrowded -one--three middies, an assistant-paymaster, a clerk, another -sub-lieutenant, Mr. Wickens,[1] and Creggan himself. - - -[1] My prototype for this young officer was Sydney Dickens, the son -of the great novelist, with whom I was shipmate, the dearest little -fellow I ever knew.--G.S. - - -One middie did not really belong to the mess. He was a -supernumerary, going out to join the flag-ship on the South American -coast. - -Midshipman Robertson was a funny little fellow. Not bad-looking, but -choke-full of merriment and ideas for practical jokes, and when he -talked to his messmates down below, he always screwed his face into -puckers and dimples with the laughter he tried in vain to conceal. -He was an Edinburgh boy, while young O'Callaghan, the supernumerary, -came from Killarney, and was just as Irish as the steward. - -Many a droll logomachy used to take place at dinner-time between -little Scottie and this Killarney lad. All in fun, of course. - -Young Bobbie, as he was called, delighted to tease Paddy O'Callaghan. - -"Oh, don't give Paddy another morsel!" cried Bobbie one day at -dinner, as the Irish boy passed his plate to sub-lieutenant Sidney -Wickens for another slice of beef. - -"And why not, you Dougal Crayture?"[2] cried O'Callaghan. - - -[2] The red-haired Highlander in Scott's tale of "Rob Roy". - - -"For your own sweet sake, Paddy. I really must look after you. -Coming from a land of potatoes and buttermilk and--want and woe, -over-indulgence in the roast beef of Old England might have serious -consequences. Indeed, indeed it might." - -"Want yourself! I hurl the insinuation back. Sure, it wasn't for -want that I came here." - -"No, Paddy, no,--because you had too much of that at home, you know." - -And the laugh was all against poor Paddy this time. - -When the plum-pudding came on that day, again Bobbie held up a -warning finger. - -"Mind what I told you, Paddy," he said solemnly, "or I'll have to -write to your mother, and she'll take you back home to look after the -pigs." - -"Sure it's yourself that should go home," retorted O'Callaghan. "If -all reports be true, you'd make more money in bonnie Scotland than -here." - -"But how, Paddy darlint?" - -"How? Is it yourself that asks? Didn't the Duke of Argyle--God -bless him--put up rubbing-stones in every field? Well, you'd make a -dacint living if you just stood beside one and sold butter and -brimstone. That's for you this time!" - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -After the first storm the weather became glorious. A splendid -breeze, that filled every sail, blew over the sparkling sea--a breeze -that made every sailor's heart beat with joy, a breeze that made -every man-Jack lithe and active, ay, and happy, bringing merry -laughter to the lips and song from the very heart. - -Captain Leeward was very proud of his ship. - -"She isn't much of a fighter perhaps, you know," he said, "and I dare -say a shell or two from a big gun would speedily rip her up, but she -is comfortable and dry and nice, and for all the world like a yacht, -and so I love her." - -"You wouldn't be a sailor if you didn't, sir," said Grant, whom he -was addressing. "But I never saw a ship before so prettily finished, -both on the upper and fighting decks. The Lords Commissioners have -been good to you." - -"Ha, ha!" laughed the captain. "It is little indeed you can get out -of them. I did the decorations--extra paint and gilding, and all -that--out of my own pocket, doctor." - -"You have zeal for the Service, then?" - -"Not a bit of it. The Admiralty hold out no encouragement for men to -be zealous. But I have zeal for my own comfort, and you won't catch -me in a box-heater (ironclad), or a torpedo-boat either, if I can -help it." - -In the captain's private cabin was a large sealed box of private -despatches. This, on being opened, was found to contain letters for -war-ships both at the Azores and Bermuda. So the vessel's course was -changed to a more southerly direction, and on she sped, with -stun'sails set. - -Well might Leeward be proud of the appearance of his ship's decks. -Brass-work shone like burnished gold; hard wood glittered like -boatman beetles. Never a rope's-end was left uncoiled; the decks -themselves, scrubbed early every morning, were as white as -piano-keys, and so were even the capstan bars; while the sailors -themselves, with their brown, hardy faces, were dressed in white -trousers and jackets of blue. - -It was not a temperance ship, yet, although the man who did the day's -cooking for each mess of sixteen men had a plentiful allowance of -rum, no one was ever reported by the master-at-arms as being even a -trifle the worse of drink. On fine evenings Captain Leeward -encouraged games. Ship's quoits was a favourite pastime, so was the -running high-leap; hop-step-and-jump; and leap-frog, once begun, -would be kept up all round the deck till the men were ready to drop. -Of course, with the swaying of the ship, the men had many a tumble, -but this only added to the general mirth and merriment. - -Don't imagine, dear reader, that the gun-room officers took no part -in these sports. They couldn't keep out of them, and Paddy and -little Scottie might have been seen vaulting over each other, time -about, as if their very lives depended on it. - -Dr. Grant must have his little joke at times, and one day he -announced to the officers of the gun-room mess that he was in a mood -to offer a first, second, and third prize for the winners at standing -high-leap. - -Next forenoon the sports came off. Well, the ship that day was -rolling rather, so that it was a difficult thing to stand at all. - -However, everyone had the same chance, so the game came off. Creggan -made a fairly good third, but Paddy and Bobbie tied for first. - -"It's you and me, old stupidnumerary," cried Scottie. "You first. -_Ignis via_--fire away!" - -The rod was lowered several pegs, and the "stupid-numerary" cleared -it easily. - -So did Bobbie. - -Up another peg, again the same, and so on till some inches over four -feet. - -Now, as Paddy was about to leap, the ship gave a bit of a bob, and -the poor "stupidnumerary" kicked off the rod and fell on the softest -part of his body. - -"Hurrah!" cried Bobbie. "Scotland's going to clear it!" - -He waited a few seconds till the _Osprey_ was on an even keel, then -sprang over it like a bird. - -He had won, and the cheering was deafening, even Hurricane Bob the -Newfoundland and Oscar joined in and made the welkin ring, while -Bobbie pretended to clap his wings and crow. - -Then all hands, including the victorious trio, drew aft to be present -at the distribution of the prizes. - -"Midshipman Robertson--First Prize." - -Bobby sprang forward with alacrity and received--a mustard leaf. - -"What is this for?" he said, with a droll look. - -"Damp it," said the doctor, "and put it on your face to make you -blush. I'm sure nothing else can." - -"Midshipman O'Callaghan--Second Prize." - -Up came the supernumerary and received--an ounce of Epsom salts. - -"But, doctor, dear," cried Paddy, "what am I to do with them, at all, -at all?" - -"Swallow them, lad, to draw the blood from your head. - -"Third Prize--a box of rhubarb pills." - -Creggan laughed. - -"Pills," said Dr. Grant, "and medicine of nearly every sort, are the -best things in the world for the inside--of a rat's hole." - -Creggan thanked him, and retired. - -That evening the captain gave a dinner-party, invited to which were -Creggan, Grant, and the second lieutenant. - -It was a pretty little dinner. The captain's cook was really a -_chef_, and the steward a smart young fellow from Austria, whom he -had picked up at a London hotel, and who now acted also in the -capacity of valet and took the greatest interest in all his master -said and did. They say that no man is ever a hero to his valet, but -it is the exception that proves the rule. - -Antonio Brisha was that exception. - -Both Hurricane Bob and Oscar were among the invited guests to the -dinner-party. - -Now there was only one drawback to Hurricane Bob's presence either -outside or inside the captain's quarters. He was so black that the -steward, who, when the ship was rolling a bit had to keep his eye on -the dish he was carrying so as to balance it, could not see him in -the gloaming, and more than once he had tumbled right over the honest -dog, while the dish was smashed and the joint of meat continued the -journey on its own account. - -On such occasions Antonio used to say "Bother!" only he said it more -so. - -But on this particular evening everything passed off delightfully. -When told they must behave, "Oh, certainly, sir", the dogs seemed to -reply, and Hurricane Bob at once jumped up and on to the captain's -beautiful sofa--the room was furnished like a lady's boudoir. - -But Oscar, with his bonnie face and long sable coat, was not going to -lie on the deck any more than his companion. So he not only leapt -upon the sofa, but from thence on to the top of the piano, there -lying down on the loose sheets of music with his chin upon his -fore-paws, so that he commanded a bird's-eye view of the table and -everything thereon--the snow-white cloth, the bright silver, the -sparkling cruets and crystal, the flowers, and the fairy-lights. - -"Oh, sir," cried Creggan half-rising, "shall I turn him out?" - -"Not a bit of it. Let poor Oscar lie there, he has more good -qualities than many a Christian." - -Oscar moved not. But he shook his bushy tail by way of thanks. - -During this delightful little dinner-party, the conversation was -quite untrammelled by anything like conventionality--free and easy, -as a sailor's dinner should be. No one attempted to restrain himself -from laughing, if there was a good thing said; and, as is the case -wherever sailors meet, the conversation changed from one tack to -another, often going right about, like a ship in a sea-way, if any -new subject suggested itself. - -"Yes, Captain Leeward," said Grant, "I believe I will have another -small slice of that most delicious beef. Ah, sir," he added, "I fear -we won't live like this all the cruise. Fighting cocks aren't in it, -sir." - -The captain laughed as he helped his doctor. - -"Ever been nearly starved, sir?" - -"I can't really say I have. You?" - -"Oh yes," replied the Doctor, "more than once. But on one occasion, -while slaver-hunting on the East Coast of Africa in the little -_P----_, our mess ran into debt. The commander was honest to a -fault, and determined we should live on ship's provisions--salt junk, -pork, peas, &c., with rancid butter and barrelled eggs--ugh!--till we -cleared off our debt. But this wasn't the worst, for our ship's -stores had run short, and it would be months before we could get -another supply, so we were put six upon four." - -Creggan looked inquiringly. - -"I mean, Creggan," said Mr. Grant, "that six men--the number in our -mess--had to live on the allowance of four, and share it as well as -they could. - -"We had plenty of biscuits, however, but so full of dust and weevils -were they, and so black with the attentions the huge cockroaches had -paid them, that before we could eat them they had to be fried in -bacon fat. - -"There was no growling or snarling, however, we were all very young, -and formed as jolly a little mess as anyone could wish to be member -of. - -"I was caterer. It was a red-letter day, or two even, if, while on -shore at say Mozambique, I could fall in with a sucking-pig." - -"You requisitioned it?" said the captain. - -"That's it. I used to say, Piggie, I arrest you in the Queen's name. -Piggie spoke out, but I used to hand it to my marine, and he stopped -the squealing. - -"Huge yams roasted in the engine-room ashes, we thought a dish fit to -set before a king. One yam, with pepper, salt, butter, and fried -biscuit, would make a midnight supper for four of us. Then we could -sleep. - -"Sometimes on shore I stumbled across an Arab who had a few ostrich's -eggs for sale, and again we were in clover." - -"Are they very large, Grant?" said Creggan. - -"Well, one broken and made into a kind of mash was all that six of us -could eat for breakfast, flanked, of course, by a morsel of salt -pork. After such a breakfast as this we would go singing on deck. -We did manage to shoot some gulls now and then, and when skinned they -didn't taste so very fishy. - -"One day we caught a young shark; he made some trouble on deck, but -gave up the ghost at last, and submitted to be cut up and shared with -all the crew. - -"Flying-fish wouldn't come near us, but a bonito was sometimes -hooked, and when inshore we got bucketfuls of rock-oysters. So we -didn't do so badly upon the whole, except when far out in the Indian -Ocean making a long passage from one island to another. - -"We took a Bishop of Central Africa[3] and a Doctor of Divinity down -with us to the Cape--a three weeks' voyage from Zanzibar. It was -then we suffered most, for even the skipper's "prog" ran short, and -as we couldn't have the Church suffer, we used to give them some of -our scanty allowance, in return for which Captain Mill never failed -to send us a bottle of wine--we had no rum. We mulled that bottle of -port at eventide, steeped weevily biscuits in it, then drank and -yarned and sang. - - -[3] Bishop Tozer. - - -"While eating our miserable dinner our chief conversation turned upon -the 'spreads' we had enjoyed at English hotels, and the 'feeds' we -meant to have when we once more reached - - 'The home of the brave and the free'." - - -"Well," said Captain Leeward, "your yarn, doctor, reminds me, that -when I was a mite of a middle, only thirteen years of age, and that -is longer ago than I like to believe, I was serving in the old -flagship _Princess Royal_, on the China station, the ward-room mess, -which contained some sprigs of nobility, got terribly into debt. - -"This was a serious matter for the chief engineer, a plain-going old -fellow, who had a wife and healthy family at home in England, and for -the staff-commander, or master also. But the latter undertook to -cater for a time, so as to free the mess from debt. He was to cater -on the most economical principles. I may tell you, however, that -between the chief engineer and master there was almost a blood feud. -But the former, although objecting to expenses, dearly loved a good -luncheon, and this was the meanest meal of the day. - -"The chief would come below, give one glance over the table, then -sink into his chair as sulky as a badger. Then didn't the wags -around the mess-table tease him anyhow." - -At this point of the yarn there was a smart knock at the ward-room -door, the midshipman, or rather the midshipmite, of the watch -entered, and, saluting the captain, told him that there was a clear -light far away on the weather bow, and so low in the water was it, -that the first lieutenant thought it must be in a boat, and that as -the light was being waved about as if to attract attention, the men -must be in distress. - -"Is there much wind?" - -"No, sir; we're not doing more than two knots an hour." - -"Well, bear up towards the mysterious light, anyhow, and let me know -again when you get alongside." - -"Ay ay, sir," said Bobbie, backing astern and shutting the door -carefully after him. - -"Now, sir," said Grant, "perhaps you'll finish your yarn." - -"Oh, certainly." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -ST. ELMO'S FIRE. - -"I was saying," he went on, "when Mr. Robertson came in, that knowing -the chief engineer's weakness, they chaffed him unmercifully. - -"'Dalison,'[1] one would say, 'allow me to send you some liver?' - - -[1] Not the chief's real name. - - -"'No, thank 'ee,' gruffly from the chief, as he leant back in his -chair and frowned. - -"'May I help you to some tripe, Dalison?' This from another -tormentor. - -"'No, thank 'ee.' - -"'A morsel of kidney or heart, Dalison?' - -"'No, thank 'ee.' - -"Then he would bang his fist on the table, shouting, 'None of your -hoffals (offals) for me! Stooard, bring in a lump o' bread and the -blue cheese!'" - -After the rippling laughter ceased, the captain, cracking a walnut, -continued: - -"Chaff was much more common in the service in those days than it is -now, and if a brother officer had any peculiarity, he was sure to -catch it hot. - -"Dr. R---- was a grumpy old surgeon that I was shipmate with. He was -not only grumpy, but surly and uncongenial towards his fellows. He -was generally a little late for breakfast, and on his entering the -ward-room detested being talked to. - -"Here was food for game, and as soon as he came in, every officer all -round the table had a kind word and inquiry for him. - -"'Oh, good-morning, doctor.' - -"'How have you slept, doctor?' - -"'How do you feel on the whole, this morning?' - -"'I trust I see you well?' - -"At first he merely growled and grunted, but at last getting fully -exasperated he would suddenly turn round and roar out: - -"'Oh, good-morning! Good-morning! Good-morning! Hang the whole lot -of you!'" - -"Capital!" cried Grant. "Give us just one more doctor's yarn, -Captain Leeward." - -"Well, then, this next one hinges upon an admiral as well as a -doctor. This gallant officer was always fancying himself ill, though -there was never anything of the slightest importance the matter with -him, and was never happy unless his fleet-surgeon, a dear little -Irishman, paid him a daily visit and ordered medicine. - -"A certain pill used to be prescribed, and was found to be most -efficacious. - -"But one day the admiral, or 'Ral', as he was called for short, gave -a great dinner-party, and many mighty magnates, gentlemen and ladies -as well, came off shore. Among the guests was, of course, the Irish -fleet-surgeon. - -"During the dinner the admiral somewhat inopportunely called out: - -"Oh, doctor, those pills you gave me last are by far the best ever -I've had. You must let me have the prescription when we pay off. -What are they composed of?' - -"Now, the good doctor did not half-relish the notion of 'shop' being -brought on the tapis at so fashionable a dinner-party, so he answered -with emphasis: - -"'What are they made of? Why, bread! Bread, sir; nothing else!' - -"There was a momentary silence around the table, and everyone looked -aghast to see how the reply would be taken. But the admiral was a -gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and always most -considerate for the feelings of others. He saw that he had touched -on a very unpleasant theme, so he smiled kindly, and passed it off by -saying in his quiet way: - -"'Well, well, well, such is Faith!' - -"But the pills were really rhubarb after all." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -So with pleasant chat a whole hour passed away, and then once more -the midshipmite Bobbie knocked at the door. - -"It is a boat, sir. Five poor men in it. Two lying apparently dead -under the thwarts. The first lieutenant has hauled the fore-yard -aback and is sending some men over the side." - -The _Osprey_, I may say here, had already visited the lovely fairy -isles called The Azores, and was now well out into the Atlantic, -steering about west-sou'-west. - -The captain's room was soon emptied now, all going on deck. The -night was very clear and starry, with a bright scimitar of a moon -slowly sinking in the west. - -Yes, Bobbie was right. Two men were dead, and the other three could -scarcely speak, owing to sheer exhaustion. - -"We'll hear their story to-morrow. Dr. Grant, I'll leave them in -your charge." - -"I shall see to them, sir," said Grant. - -Then he shouted "Sentry!" - -"Ay ay, sir." - -"Pass the word for the sick-bay man." - -In another quarter of an hour the poor fellows, English merchantmen, -were snug and warm in hammocks. Grant ordered some beef-tea, with a -modicum of brandy, and they soon fell sound asleep. - -But so weak were they next day that the doctor forbade their talking, -and it was three whole days before they were strong enough to tell -their story. - - -A TERRIBLE TALE OF THE SEA. - -There was no false pride about Captain Leeward of H.M. paddle-frigate -_Osprey_. Some commanding officers that I have known would have had -one of these unfortunate castaways to tell his story in the sick-bay. -But instead of this the captain told the doctor to bring him in to -his quarters. - -He was a brown-faced, hardy, bearded sailor, but his cheeks were -hollow now from his want of food and terrible suffering. - -One hand was tied up in a sling. - -He bowed and scraped as he came in, and if ever a sailor looked shy -he did. - -He gave just one glance around him, and then looked at Leeward's -pleasant smiling face. The glance reassured him. - -"Why, jigger me," he said, hitching up his trousers with one hand, -"jigger me, sir, if ever I cast anchor in such a pretty saloon as -this afore. Easy chairs, sofa, piano, fiddle and all, to say nothing -about flowers and fairy-lights. Cap'n Leeward, sir, I ain't in a -dream, am I? Mebbe the doctor here will 'blige by sticking a pin in -me, up to the blessed head, if I am." - -"Never a dream, Mr. Goodwin. Well, if you will bring yourself to an -anchor, we'd like to hear your story. Have a little wine, sir?" - -"Purser's wine is the only sort as suits me, sir." - -"Steward, the rum!" - -A tumbler and wine-glass were placed before the good sailor. The -latter he pushed aside. Then, while the castaway held the tumbler -with all the four fingers turned towards the captain, the steward -filled it fully four inches. This is what is called "a bo's'n's nip". - -"A little water, my lad?" - -"No, sir, no; not for me. This rum is too good to be drowned." - -He quaffed it, sighed, and put down the empty tumbler. - -"Ah, sir!" he said, "now that very word 'drowned' makes me shiver. -I've been, on and off, boy and man, at sea for well-nigh twenty -years. Just entered as a boy, a tow-headed lad of Liverpool. -Nothing to do till I growed a bit 'cepting to empty cook's ashes and -pail, look after the dogs and ship's cat, feed the monkeys, and get -kicked about all over the deck by anybody who wanted to stretch his -legs a bit. - -"But I grew into an able seaman at last. After'n which I gets to be -second mate o' a Newcastle collier. Then fust mate. Then I up and -studies for my certificate. You wouldn't think it, mebbe, of a rough -chap like me, but I passed with flying colours, and steered -homewards, wi' stunsails 'low and aloft, jolly happy now. - -"I meets some maties, and two more overhauled me. So what could I do -but go with 'em to wet my certificate. - -"Sakes alive, cap'n! but I'd blush like a wirgin even now, if I -weren't so brown and weather-beaten that ye wouldn't notice it. - -"For, sir, I awoke next morning with a two-horse headache, and a -tongue like kippered salmon. Clothes all on too, boots and all. I'd -turned in all standing, but couldn't remember who'd brought me into -port. - -"Never mind, sir. 'Twere a lesson to me I ain't going to forget. -Thankee, sir, I will have just another nip. - -"But I s'pect, cap'n, I'm a kind o' hinderin' you I always do take -longer time to tune my fiddle than to play my tune. - -"Well, sir, it ain't more'n six weeks since I sailed from Glasgow, in -what I might call the sailing steamer-barque _Ossian_. Our orders -were to visit Azores, Madeira, St. Helena, Ascension, on our way to -the Cape and Madagascar, and our supercargo, a business Scot, was to -deal everywhere, for cash or goods, for we were laden up with -'notions' as the Yank calls 'em. - -"Well, cap'n, our ship was as nice a craft as ever I stepped on board -of, and the crew, too, was on the whole fairish; only too many -blessed foreigners among them to please me. Most o' these'll work, -ay, and sing too, in fair weather and fair wind, but they ain't no -hand, sir, at reefin' topsails in a dirty night, wi' green seas -a-tumbling in, and mebbe the yard-arms 'most a-touching the water -every time the ship leans over. - -"And we had dirty weather all along; sometimes 'twould be blowin' so -hard we wouldn't be doin' more'n two knots against wind and sea, full -steam up. - -"We dawdled about the islands a bit, and the fine weather sort o' -come at last, cause we was told to sail all we could and save the -coals. - -"We weighed at last, and had made a good offing into the Atlantic, -'cause it had occurred to Brown, the supercargo, that he could do a -bit of honest biz at Bermuda, and the man was all in the interest of -his owners. - -"Some two or three hundred miles to the west here, we got into a -circular storm and suffered severely. Our foremast was torn out of -her, and two men slipped overboard in clearing away the wreck. - -"Thankee, cap'n; but mind ye, this makes my third nip. Howsomedever, -it's as mild as cocoa-nut milk. - -"When we got clear away from that baby tornado, we was pretty nearly -all wreck, gentleman. Bulwarks anyhow, mainyard even fallen (a rare -accident), and our very winch half-throwed up on its end. - -"But worse were to come, cap'n. - -"First and foremost the weather got finer, but there was a strange -kind o' a haze in the sky that I didn't like. That shortened the -sunbeams considerable, and brought night and darkness aboard of us -before they was due; and the moon couldn't well be 'xpected to shine -through clouds that the sun hadn't been able to tackle. We managed -to step jury-mast and bend new sails. But the wind was nothin' to -signify now, and I made bold to tell the skipper that he ought to -clue and get up steam. - -"'There's no hurry, Jim," he answered; 'even if we be becalmed a bit, -it's cheaper than burning tons o' coal." - -"Well, gentlemen, becalmed we was just after tea-time. - -"I went on deck arter this, and such a night I'd never seen afore. -Never a puff o' wind, sails hangin' idle, and the waves, as much as -we could see of them, just like glycerine. I expected to see dead -fish floating about on their sides. - -"The bo's'n was walkin' with me in the ship's waist; but none of us -had very cheery yarns to spin, we just stuck to our pipes and spoke -but little. - -"I could feel the bo's'n's arm tremble a little, though, as more than -once a long quavering cry came over the surface of that hazy, oily -ocean, dyin' away in a kind o' wail, like some poor creature in -faintin' agony. - -"Yes, I believe 'twere on'y a bird, sir; and there do be a shark that -cries thus on windless nights near to the echoless ocean--the Sea of -Weeds, or Sargasso. And 'twere there we were at this time. Every -now and then we could observe long dark strips of the slimy stuff -layin' along the rippleless waves' sides, dark and fearful, and -looking for all the world like dead serpents. - -"I'se a kind o' partial to pottery (poetry), cap'n, and lines from -Coleridge's _Ancient Mariner_ would keep risin' up in my mind, and -didn't seem out o' place either on a night like that. 'Cause you see -that, here and there, there was phosphorescence in the sea, and a -shark had once or twice appeared on the surface, his sly eyes -flashing, his fins dropping fire, and we could see him as he dived -below getting smaller and smaller, till like a little wriggling worm -of flame. Even little strips of weed that floated here and there -looked like water-serpents. - - "'The moving moon went up the sky, - And nowhere did abide: - Softly she was going up, - And a star or two beside. - . . . . . . . . - But where the ship's huge shadow lay, - The charmed water burned alway, - A still and awful red. - - "'Beyond the shadow of the ship - I watched the water snakes; - They moved in tracks of shining white, - And when they reared--the elfish light - Fell off in hoary flakes.' - - -"But, cap'n, when ye looked horizon-way--and the horizon weren't far -off,--at one moment only the moon haze was there, next moment the -summer lightning played along fitful but incessant. Then you could -see great banks of ugly rock-and-castle clouds in front, a sight that -made us think another baby tornado was a-brewin'. - -"I was drawin' away at my pipe, and not saying a deal, when all of a -sudden the bo's'n seized me by the arm. - -"He was all of a shake now, and his eyes was eyes of terror, as he -pointed aloft with outstretched arm. - -"'Look! oh, look!' - -"Yes, sure enough, cap'n, on the mizen topgallant mast-head, burned a -strange tapering light as tall as a man's arm. - -"We both stood mute with fear. It burned brightly for a minute, then -flickered and went out. Only to reappear, however, in a few seconds, -this time more blue than white. Then, flickering once more, it fled, -and we saw it not again. - -"Neither spoke for long seconds. We looked into each others' faces -inquiringly-like. - -"'That,' said the bo's'n, 'is St. Helmo's (St. Elmo's) fire, and this -bloomin' ship is doomed.' - -"I said nothing. I merely walked below, and passin' thro' the saloon -entered the skipper's cabin and touched him gentle-like on the -shoulder. Two candles was burnin' in jimbles, and a book he had been -reading lay on the white coverlet. Sound asleep as a baby he were, -but sailor-like he opened his eyes the moment I touched him. - -"'Well, Goodwin, anything up?' - -"'Nothin' much, sir. Only St. Helmo's fire been a burnin' on the -mizen truck.' - -"'That's nothing, lad. How's the ship's head?' - -"'Why,' says I, 'you might as well ask how her stern is. Both are -anyhow. Not a capful o' wind. She is (again I was quoting pottery)-- - - "'As idle as a painted ship - Upon a painted ocean'. - - -"'And,' I adds, 'we may as well get the fires up, for we're precious -near the Sea of Sargasso. If we gets swallowed up there with mebbe a -broken screw it may be a two years' job, if ever we sees blue water -again in this world.' - -"'Well, well, lad. If the winds doesn't blow get steam up. -Meanwhile, go and whistle for the wind. I'm tired!' - -"I left the cabin slowly, only just stopping to have a tot o' rum, -for there was a kind o' hincubus a-weighing me down. But little did -I know of the horror to come." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE BURNING SHIP. - -"At twelve o'clock," continued Goodwin, "I went below to call old -Deadlight, our first mate. - -"When he came up, I stopped a few minutes to talk to him and tell him -what we'd seen, and the captain's orders in case of getting too near -the Sargasso Sea. - -"I was just slueing round to go below, when I couldn't help thinking -I felt smoke, like. - -"At first the mate wouldn't have it. It was my imagination, he said. -I'd been thinking too much about St. Elmo's fire, and all that rot. -I'd better go and turn in, I should be better in the morning. He -were just agoin' on like this and laughin' low to hisself, when up -the fore-hatch comes the bo's'n. - -"'Beggin' your pardon, sir,' he said, 'but I think the cargo is -a-fire on the port side.' - -"Deadlight and I hurried below now. Yes, sure enough, there was -smoke coming up from the hold through the crevices of the hatchway. - -"The cap'n was called, and was on deck afore you could have said -'binnacle'. - -"He and the mate were very cool. So was all hands; and, cap'n, I -always think it is a blessing when the ship and precious lives are in -danger not to have any ladies on board, or longshore passenger -swells. They beat creation with the fuss they make. - -"I was precious sorry now that I hadn't got steam up instead of -waitin' for the wind, for then we could have turned it into the hold -and soon put out the fire. - -"All hands were called and the pumps were manned. - -"We cut a hole in the fore-hatch of the hold, and poured tons of -water down. But even there where we stood our soles burned with -heat, and we walked cautiously lest we should fall through the -under-charred deck and be devoured by the fire below. - -"I guess, cap'n, that the water we poured in just sunk through a -portion o' the cargo, like, and lay at the bottom. - -"It was an anxious time,--you bet your last rupee on that, sir!--but -all hands worked like grim death in cholera times, and we hadn't time -to funk. - -"Hours and hours, taking turn and turn about. Provisions and rum -were got to the upper deck, and water too, for it was evident that -the skipper feared the worst. At the same time the boats were -hoisted to the davits and hung over the sea, all ready to let go. -And they were provisioned, every one of the three o' them, for ten -days. - -"Nothing was forgotten, gentlemen, that seamanship could suggest. - -"To our dismay we found that the fire was now working farther aft, so -we determined to clear the after-hold of cargo. - -"A working-party was at once organized, but, cap'n, when the hatch -was opened, such a stream of sparks and such stiflin' clouds of smoke -rolled up, that glad was we when we got that hatch back in position. - -"Fires was now well lit, though, and steam was turned into the hold. - -"This seemed to do good at first, and we worked with redoubled -vigour, singing merry sea-songs as we did so. But while so engaged, -suddenly not only did volumes of smoke roll up, but tongues of flame -ten feet high, that soon would have fired the middle-deck had we not -succeeded in battening it down. - -"Our object was to keep the fire confined to the hold, until we -should succeed, if possible, in reaching some of the islands of the -Azores, there to beach her and escape in our boats. - -"It was not to be, although the boys worked like African slaves. - -"We scuppered the decks now in the cabin, and down through the hole -made thus, cap'n, we put the nozzle of the hose. - -"And so we worked away all that fearful night and long into next -forenoon. We didn't think much o' rest, gentlemen, nor food either. -We just choked down a bit o' junk now and then, or a morsel o' -biscuit, and kept it down with a peg o' rum. But, bless you, sir, -our eyes was burnin', our faces hangin' in bags of blisters, and our -mouths so dry by this time that there was no good trying to sing, for -we were hardly fit to talk. - -"Soon, now, the deck all along became so hot that the men had to -leave in relays to put their shoes on. - -"The end came so suddenly that we was thunderstruck. Somewhere near -the fore-hatch the deck blew up with the force of the steam. - -"Ah, what a sight! The clouds of smoke risin' as high as the -foretop, and the tongues of red flame following and licking them up! - -"About the same time the fire spread up out of the scuppered hole, -and the saloon was all in a blaze 'fore ye could have said -'marling-spike'. It was all over now. - -"But, next minute, and just as we was preparin' to lower the boats, a -white squall came thunderin' over the sea, took the _Ossian_ aback, -and for five minutes at least we stood holding on to the riggin' or -stays, while she went ploughin' astern. We 'xpected, cap'n, to see -her go under, stern foremost, every minute. Mebbe I was a bit white, -cap'n. I don't know, but my pals was." - -"It was really a fearful situation," said Captain Leeward. - -"Yes, sir, and gettin' worse as the time went on, for so long as the -squall lasted the smoke and fire and sparks flew over us. But it -stopped at last, and the breeze came round the other way. - -"Then we worked like devils, cap'n, to get her afore it, and when we -did it weren't quite so bad. - -"Well, you know, gentlemen, a squall often brings on dirty weather. -So did this. Seemed to me it was a choice o' deaths--to stay on -board and sink with the burnin' ship, or lower the boats to go to -Davy Jones in them. There was more hope in the last idea, so we -lowered the boats one by one. I insisted on the skipper goin' in the -gig--she was a good boat,--and then came the lowerin' o' the last, -and that was the one, sir, that God's mercy enabled us to fetch you -in. - -"The lowerin' o' a boat, as you know, sir, is a ticklish thing in a -heavy sea-way. Somehow our boat didn't take the water on an even -keel, but stern first, but we got her righted and scrambled in at -last. Night were a-comin' on now, cap'n, fast and dark, and a dirty -night it were bound to be. - -"We had a compass in each boat, but not a rag of a sail, just the -oars; and so wild was the sea that, what with keepin' her head on to -the big coombing waves that else would have sunk us, precious little -progress was made, I can assure you. - -"We saw that burning ship an hour after we'd left her. Then she -suddenly disappeared, and at the same moment the roar of an -explosion, louder 'n thunder, rolled over the sea, and for the time -being the waves hadn't a chance o' bein' heard. - -"About the beginning of the middle watch the wind began to go down, -and the sea too. 'I think, boys,' I said to my pals, 'we can have a -bite and a sup, now.' But, mercy on us, sir! when I bent down to -scramble for the provisions--none was there! The tack must have -slipped overboard as we lowered the boat stern first. - -"There was a bottle o' rum, that was all. I poured out just a -little, in the shell of an old silver watch my poor mother had given -me, and the men was thankful. - -"But they was mostly exhausted, and I was feared they'd sleep. So, -getting hold of some lanyard, I made 'em make the oars fast to the -rowlocks, with freedom to move and no more. - -"In an hour's time the storm had passed away, and the night was -clear. I put just two to the oars, leaving two men to sleep and to -relieve their pals when they began to nod. Good thing I'd tied the -oars, cap'n, for by an' by one poor beggar fell off the thwart and I -kicked up a sleeping chap to take his place. - -"Well, now that the sea was quiet, steerin' was of no account like. -I just told 'em to go on and keep their weather eye on a certain star -I pointed out. - -"Then I curled up and slept like a stone. It was daybreak when I -awoke. There was a glittering blood-red path across the waters where -the crimson sun was shinin'. The sea was lumpy now, but the day -promised fine." - -"Where were the other boats?" - -"Not one, sir, to be seen near or far, and we've never seen or -overhauled them since. This was a terrible trial for us, as we had -no food. No, nor water. On'y the rum, that could only excite us and -make us by and by more wretched and unhappy. - -"I put it to the vote, cap'n. Should we drink the rum or leave it -till it was more wanted? Right bravely came the answer, ringing from -for'ard: - -"'We won't touch or taste it, till we ain't able to sit up.' - -"All that day we rowed as well as we could, watchin' sea, watchin' -sky, for a sight of a boat of our own, for sight of a sail. But the -sun went down like a great blood orange, and weary and faint now, we -hardly cared to row. - -"There was neither moon nor stars that night, and so I just lashed -the helm so as to keep her driftin' a kind of in her course. - -"We stepped a little mast for'ard, and hung up our lantern. We -blessed God that we had this, anyhow. - -"Then we tumbled down to sleep, and long and sound that sleep must -have been, for it was the short gray gloamin' o' mornin' when we -pulled ourselves together again. - -"And what think you was the first thing my hot eyes caught sight of? - -"Why, cap'n, as sure as,--thanks to you!--I'm now a livin' man, it -was our own biggest boat--a kind o' pinnace. She was stove in at the -bows, and bottom up." - -"How could it have happened?" said Captain Leeward, sympathetically. - -"She must have fouled the other boat, sir, and without doubt both of -the crews went to Davy Jones together. The skipper had been in the -big boat. Poor chap! he leaves a young wife and three pretty kids. - -"Our hearts sunk down, down after this. No one cared to speak much -above his breath, and I noticed more'n once that day, cap'n, the -tears quietly streamin' over the cheeks of a young sailor. Our fate, -we feared, would be worse by far than that of our other brave -shipmates. - -"I told out a watch-shell of rum all round at eight bells, and we -were a little heartened after this. - -"But now, cap'n, the wind began to rise and moan over the sea once -more, and though it was right for us, if it increased we couldn't -keep her long afloat. Well, what does we do, sir, but tie two -jackets together to make a sail, and bent them on two oars. - -"The poor fellows were half-dead now, and couldn't have rowed two -hours longer. After a rest and a kind of dreamy doze, we found the -wind still higher, and the seas breakin' on board of us all the time. - -"Nothing for it now but bail her out. We had two pannikins and our -sou'-westers, and wi' these we just managed to keep her afloat till -the second dog-watch. - -"Another little tot o' rum at eight, and when the sea and most o' the -wind went down we bailed her out once more, and then just tumbled -down in the bottom, wet, shivery, wretched. - -"When day dawned, and there was still no sail nor land in sight, we -kind o' gave up in despair. The young sailor,--Tom Ball were his -name,--sort of went dotty, cap'n, and tried to eat the flesh oft the -ball of his thumb. I gave him four watch-shells of rum, and he sunk -like a wet swab down between the thwarts. Bill Jones took off his -own coat and covered him up. - -"We suffered more from thirst than hunger, though, and Tom had drunk -salt water, which sent him nearly mad, you see. So none o' the -others touched it. - -"I dozed again several times that day, and always my dreams, cap'n, -was the self-same. I was wanderin' among beautiful woods, near my -own old home in Berkshire, birds was singin' in the trees, there was -wild flowers all along the banks of a stream, and again and again I -stooped to drink, then all became dark and dreadful and I awoke with -a shriek. - -"You don't mind me quotin' pottery, cap'n, do you? For I really is -main fond of it. - - "'All in a hot and copper sky, - The bloody sun, at noon, - Right up above the mast did stand. - No bigger than the moon. - - "'Water, water everywhere, - And all the boards did shrink: - Water, water everywhere, - Nor any drop to drink.' - - -"And again, sir, I may say: - - "'There passed a weary time. Each throat - Was parched, and glazed each eye; - A weary time, a weary time, - How glazed each weary eye!' - - -"How that night wore along I cannot tell you, cap'n. No one rowed, -no one steered. - -"Next day our sufferings were fearful. Oh, cap'n, may you never know -what it is to be afloat in a foodless boat on the bosom of a deserted -ocean. - - "'And every tongue, through utter drought, - Was withered at the root; - We could not speak, no more than if - We had been choked with soot.' - - -"I served out more rum towards evening. - -"Having swallowed it, Mearns, an able-bodied seaman, leant forward -towards me and said hoarsely, with a mad gleam in his bloodshot eyes: - -"'Mate, we must cast lots who shall die, or shall we chance it and -kill the young un?" - -"I knew this man would soon be a raving maniac, so I gave him four -more shells of the rum; then he slept. - -"Another sunset. - -"Another weary night begun. - -"I prayed then, cap'n, as I'd never prayed before, that God in his -mercy would let us pass from life before we woke. - -"Then once more I dozed, once more I dreamt, and again the green -summer woods all a-wavin' in the sunshine, the bird-song and the -purlin' brook. - -"But I had not slept long ere I was aroused. It was the young Tom -Ball shriekin' in a strange high-pitched voice--for his throat was as -dry as emery paper. - -"'Mate, mate, mate!' - -"'Yes, yes, here am I, boy.' - -"'A ship, sir,--away down yonder!" - -"I rubbed my eyes for a time, then saw your lights through a kind of -haze. - -"'The lantern--quick!' I cried. - -"It was handed me, and with my hand all a-shakin' I brought out my -match-box. - -"O God, cap'n, there was but one lucifer there! On this our lives -depended, and I felt that, if I did not succeed in lightin' that -lamp, I myself should go mad and throw myself into the sea, to be -devoured by the shark that, all throughout this weary time, had -followed in our wake. I stood the hurricane-lantern under the -stern-sheets; then I put one hand holdin' the empty box inside, lest -a breath of air should blow out our only hope. - -"Then I struck the match. A flare at first, then only a tiny blaze -of blue. I turned it round, and its light grew brighter and whiter. - -"The lantern was lit, and Bill Jones seized it from me, just as I -fell down in the bottom of the boat in a dead faint. - -"Young Tom Ball crept aft to me, while Bill kept waving the lantern -on high. - -"I was all doubled up, with my chin on my breast, and but for that -young fellow Tom I should have died. But he laid me flat out, and -rubbed my chest with rum, and when I sighed--a sad, sobbing kind of -sigh it were, so he says--he got me to swallow a mouthful, and just -as we got alongside your ship, cap'n, I was able to sit up. - -"And I knew we was saved, though I didn't know then that the two -hands lying asleep, like, in the bottom of the boat, was dead." - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -GUN-ROOM FUN. - -If the reader--who I sincerely hope is going to be a sailor, for -there is no life like that on the ocean wave--will take a glance at a -map of the world and ferret out Venezuela, he will note that by -sailing south-west by west in almost a bee-line for about 4700 miles, -he would strike this land of beauty, and land of flowers and forests. - -After leaving Azores, if his ship called there, he would find himself -in a long and lonesome sea indeed, and after some weeks the Caribbean -Islands would heave in sight, and our young sailor would know then he -was far, far away from home. - -Our own land--God bless it, and wouldn't you and I fight for it -just?--is but like the cloud of fog that hangs over a city, compared -to the loveliness of many of these fairy isles. The blue sky is -fringed with the tall palm-trees that shoot from the soil, the -islands themselves as you approach them appear to hang on the -horizon, and so azure is the ocean, so cerulean the sky, you scarce -can tell in fine weather where they meet and kiss. - -The water around one's yacht or ship is sometimes so clear, so -pellucid, that you see the bottom full ten fathoms beneath, where -corals lie deep, where gorgeous and magnificently coloured shell-fish -move slowly about, where marine gardens--more lovely far than any on -earth,--planted and attended to by mermaids one would think, dazzle -the eyes and delight the senses, and where on clear yellow patches of -sand you may see flat fishes float, their sides so bedecked with -patches of bright crimson, orange, and blue, that you cannot help -thinking there must be a fish's fancy-dress ball on. - -Then between you and the bottom float medusæ or jelly-fishes--bigger -and more transparent than even those in Skye, for the limbs of these -seem to be rainbow-tinted, or studded with gems of purest ray serene, -diamonds, rubies, and amethysts. Yet all the creatures in that -submarine garden wide and wild are not beautiful. Perhaps you are -lying in a boat, gazing down through your water-telescope entranced, -and half believing you will presently see a mermaid come out of a -little cave combing her bonnie yellow hair, when, instead of the tiny -mermaid, some patches of black-brown weeds are visibly stirred, and -an awful head with fore-fins or fore-feet and claws, you cannot tell -which, is protruded. Oh that deformed, scaly, warty head and these -awful eyes, bearing some faint resemblance to a nightmarish -caricature of man or fiend! If you are a nervous lad you will think -and dream about this slimy apparition for weeks. - -Well, all around Bermuda the rocks and sea-gardens are almost quite -as lovely. Had the _Osprey_ been going straight to Venezuela it -would have been out of her course to stop here, but she had -despatches to leave. - -Two of the _Ossian's_ shipwrecked crew were left there, but the mate -begged to be allowed to remain and the captain had no objections. -Goodwin was a naval reserve man, and even a lieutenant in that -service. - -This mate of a merchantman was in some ways a singular being, for -although I think that the English he spoke was often rude, he could -talk the language purely when he chose. Moreover, he was a student -of gunnery, and could have worked a gun with any officer afloat. He -was made an honorary member of the warrant officers' mess, and having -no particular duties to perform, he spent most of his time making -models of the newest guns and machinery of great iron-clads. Having -got together, with the aid of the gunner and carpenter, some nice -models, he announced in the gun-room that he was willing to give -lessons to the midshipmen therein which would be of use to them when -war's pennant floated red and bloody over the main. And many availed -themselves of the kind offer, chief among them being Creggan himself -and the Ugly Duckling--more about the latter presently. But even -some of the ward-room officers, and now and then the captain himself, -would look on as this ultra-enthusiast in naval warfare described the -play of a battle of giant iron-clads, and the use of the terrible -guns. - -"Ah, boys," he would say, "there was much romance attached to the -glorious days of Nelson, when hostile fleets lay in rows, mebbe two -deep, one to support t'other like. When it was ship to ship, and -hammer and tongs till one blazed, blew up, and sank, or when the -skipper of a Britisher shouted through his trumpet to the master at -the wheel: 'Lay us aboard that frog-eating Frenchman!' When the -master steered so close to the foe that guns met muzzle to muzzle, -and high o'er the din o' battle rang out the order: 'Away, boarders! -Give the beggars Rule Britannia, lads!' The days when our brave -blue-jackets used to swarm over the sides of the enemy's ship, or -creep in through the ports, pistol in hand, cutlass in mouth perhaps, -and lay the Frenchees dead at their guns. - -"Yes, boys, these were the dashin' days of old, and somehow I sighs -w'en I think they're gone. - -"But the future sea-fights, young gents, are goin' to be fought with -cool heads on sturdy shoulders. Excitement or rashness will mean -annihilation; manoeuvring will be prominent, ay, and pre-eminent." - -Here Goodwin would pause perhaps, look funnily down at his models and -smile. - -"You may think it a droll remark o' me to make, lads, but I do -believe that, given two hostile battleships, encountering each other, -then that skipper who is a good whist player, and has a long head -that can see a bit into futurity as it were, or guesses before-hand -what t'other chap will do when he, the whist man, plays his next -card, will win the game o' war. - -"This will kind o' knock some o' the romance out o' naval warfare. -But not so much as we may think. Moral courage, mind you, boys, is -of a far higher sort of quality than physical. And altho' the poet -asks-- - - "'And how can man die better, - Than facing fearful odds, - For the ashes of his fathers - And the temples of his gods?' - -one might answer him thus: He may die more truly courageously, more -bravely too, if calm, if he meets his fate on a sinking iron-clad -man-o'-war." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -After their visit to Bermuda, and a delightful ramble through the -beautiful island, Creggan was glad enough to find himself steering -south and away via Puerto Rico, and bearing up for Venezuela. For -the sea had already cast a glad glamour over the young man's life and -soul. - -Whenever he had time he wrote long delightful letters to his mother, -to Daddy the hermit, to Archie, and to the Nugents, as well as to the -manse. Perhaps his best and dearest of letters were those received -by Matty. For Creggan couldn't help loving the child, and often he -used to dream of her when far away at sea. Somehow she always -appeared to him sitting in the stern of the skiff, her bonnie yellow -hair toyed with by the breeze, and her eyes glistening with joy and -happiness. - -It was not pleasant, however, to be awakened from such a delightful -dream at the dark hour of midnight to go on deck to keep watch on an -angry sea. - -It is needless to say that Creggan's letters were received at home -with joy, read over and over again, and even laid aside for future -perusal. - -Goodwin was frequently invited to spend an evening in the gun-room -mess, and these were red-letter nights for the middies, for this -warlike mate of a merchantman could even make the sallow-faced young -clerk smile. As for the Ugly Duckling, he smiled aloud till the -beams rung and the plates on the table wanted to skip like lambs. - -This midshipman's mess was always a merry one. Guns may change their -form in the service, and ships as well, but our bold blue-jackets, -and our daft, fun-loving and gallant middies, will never change as -long as Britain's flag is unfurled, - - "To brave the battle and the breeze". - - -Creggan, though somewhat older than midshipman Robertson, the -plain-faced lad whose sense of humour nevertheless carried his -mess-mates by storm, liked the droll boy very much, and they were -together on shore whenever there was a chance. Along with them -usually went the gentle Sidney Wickens. - -Poor Sidney--he is dead and gone now--enjoyed a joke but never played -one, but his smile was very pleasant, and at times even sad. He had, -however, a quiet, quaint way of putting things that often made his -mess-mates laugh. His fad during this cruise, as well as in the -flag-ship at Sheerness, was the collection of beautiful gold rings. -He often asked one or two of the warrant officers to look at these of -an evening. And if the bo's'n, for instance, particularly fancied -and admired one, Sidney would quietly hand it over his shoulder, -saying, "Here, will you accept it, and wear it for my sake?" - -Gun-room officers are fond of chaff, and unsparing in the use of it, -no matter how it gives offence or how it is taken. But they always -like best when the banter is returned. There is the banterer and the -banteree, and woe betide the latter if he gets angry! - -I believe Sidney--he was always called by his Christian name in a -kindly, brotherly way, and somehow no one ever chaffed him--Sidney, I -was going to say, was often sorry for the Ugly Duckling. But nothing -could possibly upset the Ugly Duckling himself. Not even Bobbie's -chaff. So good-natured was this droll duckling, that his extreme and -quaint ugliness was really never observable. And his manner was as -soft and gentle as that of a young girl, except when his soul was -just bursting with fun and merriment, then he used to take to the -rigging with Admiral Jacko to expand his extra steam, and allay his -feelings. - -A question whether Admiral Jacko or Duckie was the uglier, at times -arose in the mess, even in the lad's presence. One day midshipmite -Bobbie had the cheek to ask the Duckling to sit side by side with the -Admiral during dinner, so that the right conclusion might be arrived -at, and our friend did so readily and good-naturedly. - -The Ugly Duckling is, you will readily believe when I tell you, a -sketch from the life, and now that my memory brings him once more up -before my mind's eye, I believe I am right in asserting that poor Mr. -Duckling's face was more droll than ugly. Somewhat difficult to -describe too. Forehead receded somewhat; nose nowhere, or hardly -anywhere; eyes half-shut and full of fun; plenty of cheek, moral and -physical; a longish, protruding upper lip; and an immense square jaw. -His ears stuck out too, like lug-sails. - -"Mind, Mr. Ugly Duckling," Bobbie told him one day at mess, "you must -never get lost on the coast of Benin." - -"Why, Scottie?" - -"Why? How can you ask? Forgotten all your history? The king of -Benin, you know, always nails his captives by the ears to a tree, and -your ears you know, _mon ami_, are wonderfully suggestive!" - -That day when the Duckling sat beside Admiral Jacko there was a good -deal of amusement. The Admiral, I may tell you, was a very large and -by no means handsome species of ape, and though he could not use a -knife and fork, he ate most contentedly from the plate that M'Carthy -the steward always placed before him, and he even used a -table-napkin. On this particular day he more than once put his head -cheek-by-jowl with the Duckling's, and the merriment increased. - -The Admiral was exceedingly fond of the Ugly Duckling. - -"Oh, look, mess-mates, look, now that their heads are together!" -This from Bobbie. "Why, I declare that Jacko takes the cake!" - -"For ugliness?" - -"No; for beauty, boys!" - -But Admiral Jacko had another very dear friend, namely, the ship's -cat, a beautiful, half-bred brindled Persian. - -After every meal Jacko used to collect tit-bits and stuff them into -his jowl till his cheek stuck out, then he went at once in search of -pussy and fed him. The action was almost human. Indeed it might -have been called more so, for the "lower animals", as we are all too -fond of calling them, often exhibit more kindness to each other than -mankind does to any of them. - -There was something quite out of the common about Jacko in many ways. -He really had less mischief in his mental composition than monkeys -generally. Hurricane Bob and Oscar used to be washed regularly once -a week. The gun-room steward, superintended by Creggan himself, used -to perform this operation. After the rubbing and rinsing with warm -water and soap, they were always deluged with pailfuls of clear, soft -water, and after they were dried down with half a dozen towels--the -dogs' own property--they were combed and brushed. - -Then ensued a wild scamper round and round the _Osprey's_ decks, that -made everyone laugh who saw it. - -Admiral Jacko used to squat on top of the capstan while the doggies -were being washed, and from the long, doleful face he wore, it was -evident he pitied them. But as soon as the scamper up and down the -decks after belaying-pins that the men threw to them was over, both -dogs went and lay down on the quarter-deck in the sunshine. And now -Jacko considered that his duties had commenced. He would leap -solemnly down from the top of the capstan, Creggan would hand him the -comb, then off he went to his friends the dogs. No peasant woman in -Normandy could have combed her boy's hair more carefully than did -Jacko go over Hurricane Bob's coat first, and then honest Oscar's, -with finger-nails and brush. Well, if he did catch an errant flea it -was executed on the spot; but the earnestness with which Jacko did -the work, and the exceeding gravity of his face while at it, would -have drawn laughter from a California mule. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -I myself have never yet seen a more active middy on board a British -man-o'-war than the Ugly Duckling was. No part of the ship's rigging -was inaccessible to him. He would climb to the main-truck and wave -his cap to those below. - -One day, however, he attempted a feat that, although he had often -performed it in harbour, was undoubtedly dangerous at sea, even on -the calmest day. The sea all around that forenoon was as still and -quiet as the grave, and the _Osprey_ was on an even keel. They were -now nearing the north coast of South America, and though steam was -up, and the ship churning up a long wake of froth that trailed for -miles in the rear, it made no other motion save vibration. Well, -Jacko and the Ugly Duckling had been having fine fun that forenoon, -much to the delight of those below. Up aloft they went, to top after -top, and down again to deck by a back-stay. Hand over hand up that -back-stay again, and so on, seeming to have no tire in them. But at -last, to the horror, it must be said, of the officers on the -quarter-deck, the Ugly Duckling slowly drew himself up to the top of -the gilded truck, and then slowly and cautiously stood up. - -There was no laughing now among those below, all were mute with fears -for the poor boy's fate. This daring middy balanced himself first on -one foot and then on the other, and then--will it be believed?--he -took from his jacket pocket a tiny ebony fife, at playing which he -was a great adept, and commenced to pipe _The Girl I left behind me_. - -He never finished the tune, however. - -Something had suddenly unnerved him, and well he knew that to fall -deckwards would be death. He was seen, therefore, to suddenly -crouch, and putting his hands in swimming fashion above his head, to -spring into the air. He came down like a flash, and sunk far into -the water, many yards on the port side of the ship. - -"Away, life-boat's crew!" - -Never, perhaps, was that life-boat launched more speedily. A -life-buoy, too, had been thrown overboard. - -The Ugly Duckling was too good a swimmer, however, to need such -assistance, only he kept close to it, as he did not wish it to be -lost. - -Now the great danger was the sharks, cruel tigers of the seas, that -in these hot latitudes swarm. - -But the boat picked the middy up just at the very moment that two -monster sharks sprang at the life-buoy and hauled it down. - -The Ugly Duckling had stuck to his fife all the time, and now much to -the amusement of the life-boat's crew commenced once more to play -_The Girl I left behind me_, and continued to play till the boat got -alongside. Then up ran the still dripping Duckling, and on gaining -the quarter-deck first saluted it and then saluted Captain Leeward. - -"Come to report myself, sir," he said, "for leaving the ship without -leave." - -"And I ought to punish you, sir," said the captain, trying in vain to -suppress a smile; "but I will forgive you if you promise not to stand -on the truck again." - -"I promise, sir, readily; for, sir, it wouldn't be half good enough -to be swallowed by a shark, fife and all." - -And down below dived this queer middy to change his dripping garments. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -JACKO STEALS THE CAPTAIN'S PUDDING. - -It would take a good many chapters to tell my readers all the tricks -that this favourite of the gun-room mess played. - -The surgeon, Dr. Grant, and he were excellent friends, and were often -together; and sometimes if one of his mess-mates was a bit off -colour, the Ugly Duckling would prescribe or pretend to prescribe for -him, and his prescriptions were at times droll, to say the least. - -One day, for instance, the white-faced young clerk was ailing. He -frequently was. - -"No use you going to Dr. Grant," said the Duckling; "he'll only give -you black-strap and make you worse. Here, out with your note-book -and I'll dictate a prescription. Are you ready?" - -"Yes, Duckie." - -"Well then, heave round: '_Recipe_'. Got that down? It's Latin, you -know, so have a care, but all the rest is English. Place a saucepan -on the galley fire, and when it is heated to redness pour therein -seven ounces of spirits of wine." - -"Yes." - -"When it comes to the boil place therein the tail of a toad--" - -"But toads have got no tails." - -"Well, a frog's tail will do." - -"And frogs have no tails, Duckie. You're a bit off your natural -history." - -"Well," cried the Duckling, "a garden worm will do. That's all tail. -Got 'im down?" - -"Yes." - -"Next, place in your cauldron a hair of the dog that bit you." - -"Yes." - -"And next--mind, this is very important, and will greatly aid the -efficacy of the medicine--five drops of the sweat of a murderer's -right hand." - -The white-faced young clerk glared up aghast. - -"Wh--wh--why," he faltered, "there is no murderer on board!" - -"Well then, kill somebody yourself!" shouted the Ugly Duckling. -"Ta-ta! I'm off to give the doctor a dancing lesson on the -main-deck." - -Well, that was precisely what he was doing five minutes after. - -Dr. Grant was a splendid dancer of Highland flings and reels, &c., -but, good-looking fellow though he was, he would have told you -himself that he always felt a fool at an English ball or hop, and he -hated being a wall-flower. - -So the Ugly Duckling had offered to teach him, and had you come -forward on the fighting-deck during practising-time, you would have -seen a sight to amuse you. There was the chief bo's'n, a capital -violinist, seated astraddle on one of the big guns, and playing some -sweet, sad waltz, and yonder the little Duckling and the great Scotch -doctor floating round and round the deck, with an awkwardness, -however, that caused all the onlookers to shout with merriment. - -The doctor didn't laugh a bit. It was a very serious matter for him -indeed. His happiness was at stake; so he stuck to it, and tripped -on the not very light fantastic toe. - -His assiduity was finally rewarded, however, and he became one of the -best dancers on board, and on shore was quite a favourite with the -ladies. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -At first the great monkey had been simply called Jacko, or -Able-seaman Jacko. But the Duckling determined to raise him to the -rank of admiral. First and foremost, however, he took no small pains -in teaching his simian friend to walk erect. This he soon learned. -Then to salute, &c. - -After he was perfect in these accomplishments Jacko's promotion came. -Well, you know, reader, it isn't the first time one of a ship's crew -has risen from powder-monkey to admiral. - -Then why shouldn't Jacko? Why not indeed? - -The Duckling took up some nice ship's serge and buttons and gold-lace -from the paymaster, and then he made friends with the ship's tailor. -In less than a week after this, behold Jacko rigged out in the -full-dress of a rear-admiral, cocked-hat, sword, and all. - -No ward-room officer except Dr. Grant was "in the know", and the -doctor good-naturedly gave the Duckling the use of the sick-bay for -training purposes, and for the practice of their evolutions. - -I verily believe, from the aptitude to learn which Jacko evinced, -that the droll rascal was not a little proud of his splendid uniform -and epaulettes. - -Anyhow, his education was soon complete. So one evening, as the -captain, all alone in his quarters, was bending over a chart--the -ship being then not far from land,--Bobbie, the wee Scotch -midshipmite, who was a great favourite with Captain Leeward, knocked -smartly at his door and quickly entered. - -"An admiral come off to see you, sir!" he squeaked. "Shall I show -him in?" - -"Most certainly, Mr. Robertson. But--" - -And the captain rose in some agitation, and pushed back his chair. - -The state of his feelings may be better conceived than printed when -in marched Admiral Jacko. - -Jacko took off his cocked hat, and bowed. - -"Ah--ha--ah--ha," the monkey said, for all the world like a nervous -man beginning a speech, and held out his little black hand as if to -shake. - -Bobbie stuffed his mouth with his handkerchief. It would have been -rude to laugh before his captain, but when the latter threw himself -down in his chair in an apparent state of convulsions, then the -midshipmite laughed too, and even the captain's steward could not -refrain from joining the chorus. - -Five minutes after this the ship seemed shaken from stem to stern by -the wild hilarity of the ward-room officers. They had been at their -dessert when Bobbie introduced the Admiral. - -The best of it all was, that Jacko himself looked as grave as an -Oxford don. Never a smile was on his face. Not even the ghost of -one. - -But the new admiral was given a chair and a plate, and, behaving -himself with all decorum, enjoyed a hearty feast of nuts and raisins. -After this, accompanied by Bobbie, he bowed and took his leave. He -had taken good care, however, to stuff one of his cheeks with nuts -before he got down off his chair, till it stuck out like--so the -doctor phrased it--a very bad case of inflammation of the parotid -gland. - -Admiral Jacko, it must be admitted, was a very funny fellow, but I -fear I could not certify that he was strictly honest. Real -rear-admirals would never, for instance, do what Admiral Jacko did -once. He was on the fighting-deck one day, and noticed the captain's -steward pass into the saloon with a nice little plum-pudding. - -Jacko, in full uniform, walked past the door several times and had a -sniff, the sentry smiling and presenting arms to him. But presently -an officer entered to inform the captain that a strange man-o'-war -was in sight, and leaving his luncheon he went on deck to have a look -at her. This was the Rear-admiral's chance. He rushed in and as -quickly came out again, hugging the brown and savoury pudding in his -arms. - -The sentry didn't present arms to him this time, only he determined -not to tell upon poor Jacko. - -"Bring in the pudding, steward," said Captain Leeward. - -"Oh, sir, I brought it!" - -"Then where is it?" - -"That's what I should like to know, sir!" - -He clapped his hand to his head, and for a moment looked confused. - -"Oh, sir," he cried next minute, "I'd lay my life if you'd let me, -sir, that Admiral Jacko has collared it! Shall I run and hunt him up -and recover it?" - -"No, no, steward; it wouldn't be much worth by this time." - -And, sure enough, there was Admiral Jacko in the main-top discussing -that delicious "plum-duff", with half-shut eyes and all the airs and -graces of an epicure. After he had eaten all he could swallow, he -stuffed both cheeks, pitched the remains down on the head of an able -seaman, then slid down a stay to find and feed the cat. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -On the whole, then, I think it must be admitted that the _Osprey_ was -rather a happy ship. - -When they neared the coast of Venezuela they had the good luck to -fall in with the flag-ship of the station. Captain Leeward delivered -his despatches and letters for officers and crew, and then to his -surprise found that the admiral had a cablegram for him. It was to -the effect that he, Captain Leeward, was to join the South American -fleet for a few months. This was on account of a cloud that was -gathering in Venezuela concerning disputed British possessions on the -borders. At that time the cloud was no bigger than a man's hand, but -it might spread till it covered all the sky, and darken even our -relations with the United States of America, whose president was -apparently spoiling for a fight with Britain. - -The fleet was to hold itself in readiness to land blue-jackets and -marines at any moment. - -So they all went cruising together. - -The poor Irish "stupidnumerary" was transferred for service to a tiny -gun-vessel, and very sorry indeed he was to part with his mess-mates. -For, bar chaff, they had all been as happy together as a summer's day -is long. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -For months the fleet hovered around the coast, only putting out to -sea now and then if a storm threatened to blow them on to a -lee-shore. But there was much intercourse between the various ships, -and at the towns they anchored near, the inhabitants were most -hospitable. The flag-ship often gave a dinner or a dance on the -upper deck, which was tented over in its after part, and gay with -flags and flowers and perfumed foliage. - -What a happy, jolly life is that of a young naval officer on -occasions like these, and how quickly, while waltzing with some -lovely young girl to dreamy music, does he forget all the dangers of -the ocean that he has come through! - -He just lives for the present. And oh! that present glides far, far -too quickly away, yet it is something to look back to with pleasure -when once more he is out upon the lone blue sea! - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -IN THE WILDS OF VENEZUELA. - -Although the _Osprey's_ visit to Venezuela may have but little -interest for the reader, still it would be unfair to drag him away -from that land without first inviting him on shore to have a look at -some of its wild and lovely scenery. - -A young fellow--a Spaniard, though he talked capital English--came -off one forenoon. He was received by Creggan and the Duckling at the -gangway, and after talking for a short time on deck they invited him -below. - -This Spaniard was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and -possessed of all that old Castalian courtesy and urbanity which you -see so little of in these matter-of-fact days. He owned, too, that -he was independent, if not indeed rich. - -"Oh, señor," he said to Creggan, "think you that your captain would -permit you to spend a few weeks on shore with me? And your dear -friend here? I will do all I can to make you happy." - -"I do not doubt that for a moment," said Creggan, "and if we can -succeed in getting leave we are at your command." - -"Oh, I rejoice!" cried young Miguel. - -"I myself," he added, "am bound up in botany, in sport, and in -natural history. Ah! we will enjoy our little selves, see if we -don't!" - -Leave was asked for and granted that very day. The _Osprey_ was -going down the coast and would leave them here, returning again in -three weeks' time. - -"Ah!" said dark-eyed young Miguel, "that does mean six, my capitan. -You look good, and good you must be." - -The captain smiled. - -"Oh, señor, Venezuela is a vast country!" - -"Well, well, Miguel, I'll let the young fellows oft for five or six -weeks. I think they will be safe with you, and it will do them both -good." - -"Oh, safe, sir, as the everlasting mountains. And I have two -houses--one is my yacht, and the other my dwelling on shore on the -banks of the great Orinoco. You have no such rivers in Britain, I -believe, señor capitan?" - -"Well, no," replied Leeward, smiling. "You see, we are somewhat -cramped for space, and a river broader than any of our two counties -we should find somewhat inconvenient, to say the least." - -"A thousand thanks for the leave, sir!" cried Creggan impulsively. - -Then he added: - -"Pardon me, sir, but you are so different from Commander Flint." - -Well, Creggan and the Ugly Duckling had as many good-byes and -hand-shakings given them as if they had been going off for a whole -year to fight for their Queen and country. - -The Duckling's parting from Admiral Jacko was quite affecting, as far -as feeling on the part of this strange but clever ape went. Perhaps -from his excessive and droll ugliness Jacko looked upon the middy as -a brother. Be that as it may, he hung with his arms around his neck -and his cheek against the Duckling's, and the expression of his face -was so sad that the gun-room officers would not have been at all -surprised had he burst into tears. - -"Take care of my brother Jacko, boys!" - -These were the Ugly Duckling's last words as he seated himself in -Miguel's boat, and the sturdy semi-Spanish sailors bent bravely to -their work. Out there, where the _Osprey_ lay at anchor near to a -small but beautiful island, there was a kind of "jabble" of small -waves, caused by cross seas and currents. But after bearing in -towards the green-fringed shore for about three miles, the men -singing as they rowed to the sweet, soft notes of a guitar touched by -the fingers of Miguel himself, they rounded another island, and were -soon lost to view from the deck of the _Osprey_. - -The water was now more smooth, though the outward current ran high. -The tide in fact was ebbing. When it flows here it flows fast and -furiously, and there are times when the battle betwixt sea and river -is so furious, that no boat could float in the turmoil of breaking -waters. - -The Orinoco is undoubtedly a grand river, though certainly not so -wide as Captain Leeward would lead one to infer. It is a grand -stream, and a wildly romantic one too--higher up, I mean, for, like -the river Nile, it forms a delta. This is about one hundred and -thirty miles from the wide Atlantic, and here it divides itself into -a great number of mouths, most of them navigable. - -The principal mouth or main-stream is called the Boca de Navios, and -it was up this great stream that our heroes went with Miguel next -morning, in his pretty little steam-yacht, of which the young fellow -was so justly proud. - -So light was this craft and so little water did she draw, that she -could go anywhere, and being strong even in a buffeting sea-way, -could have done anything. She was not, however, quite so light as -the Yankee's boat that was warranted to sail wherever there was a -heavy dew. - -I am writing from memory only, so I cannot give the exact tonnage of -the _Orinoco Queen_, but fifty tons is near enough. Her beam was -broad, though. Her little cabin or cuddy quite a lady's boudoir, -adorned and perfumed with the rarest tropical flowers, through which -at night peeped coyly the glow of fairy-lights. The one great lamp -that swung from the skylight had a crimson shade, and thus the cabin -looked like a scene from dream-land. - -At night Miguel played his guitar, and sang wild and martial ballads -of the romantic Spain of years gone by, or soft lullaby-like love -ditties. The music of these latter seemed to breathe o'er the -strings. You could have told it was a serenade, and in imagination -you might have seen a beautiful girl-face appear one moment at an -open lattice-window above, and next, from a white and shapely hand -extended, you might imagine a flower drop down, to be rapturously -caught and pressed to the lips of the serenader. Spain, deprived of -its romance, were nothing now. - -Hammocks were hung on deck, and surrounded, as far as Miguel's guests -were concerned, by mosquito curtains. But the captain, Miguel -himself, slept on a grass mat. - -The crew of the _Orinoco Queen_ consisted of five men and a boy, two -of the men being engineers. This little river craft, however, had a -main and fore mast, on which were carried, alow and aloft only, -fore-and-aft sails. The men were lanky and brown, dark in hair and -eyes, with bare necks and chests, and legs all exposed below the -knees. But they were as lithe and active as panthers. - -From the very first Creggan and the Duckling knew that they were -going to have a real good time of it. Miguel believed in taking life -easy. With half-shut eyes, while the yacht steamed slowly up the -river, he would lie or recline on a grass hammock on deck, a small -perfumed cigar between his lips, making little else save -interjectional remarks for an hour at a time. - -Miguel had no middle-mind, if I may so express it; that is, he was -either dreamy happy in a kind of lethargy, or as active as a pole-cat -on the war-path. - -In this respect he resembled the monster caymans, or huge alligators -with which the yellow-white waters of the river swarmed. Terrible -monsters indeed these are! You can see their great heads protruding -over the moon-lit water, if you are keeping the middle watch. So -lazy look they, that scarcely could you believe that anything could -excite them, or wake them into activity. But let a man fall -overboard, or--awful accident!--a boat capsize, and they cleave the -water, quick as seals, and Heaven have mercy on the mariners, for the -caymans have none! - -In five days' time, taking it very easy, and often-times landing on -wooded islands, or at the mouths of rivers--tributaries to the -"Mother of Waters",--they reached Ciudad Bolivar. - -Both the Ugly Duckling and Creggan were fond of the beautiful in -nature, and everything they saw on the pretty arboreal islands which -they touched at was new and strange. Many of these were inhabited, -and the languid natives, who lived in thatch huts of wattle and clay, -existing for the most part on fish, I think, were exceedingly kind to -them. They brought them light wine, fruit, eggs, fish, and goat's -milk. - -Sometimes on a day of racing clouds and sunshine, Miguel would cast -anchor at the mouth of a tributary river, and in his boat would start -up stream with his guests. - -Such rivers were wondrously beautiful. The overhanging trees, laden -down with green foliage till the tips of the branches touched the -water, were cloud-lands of a beauty that was rich and rare. For not -only were their leaves a sight to see, but the climbing flowers that -often bound them into great crimson, blue, or orange garlands, -dazzled the eyes with their loveliness. - -I said the branches bent downwards, yes, and formed cool sylvan -arbours, in which the boat could lie for luncheon. - -Miguel--kind-hearted he was and thoughtful--had forgotten nothing -that could minister to the comfort of his guests, and serve to make -this visit to Venezuela an ever-memorable one. - -The mosquitoes of these regions are very lively little persons, and -very fond of British blood, but a tincture that Miguel gave to the -boys with which to rub face and hands, kept them well at bay. - -After luncheon Miguel would sing and play for an hour. - -Meanwhile the great snakes that lay sometimes all their length on the -branches above, or hung head down therefrom, were no source of -comfort either to Creggan or his friend. They could not keep from -looking at them at first, fearful lest they might drop into the boat; -and these serpents are deadly monsters. - -"Do not look, my friends," said Miguel; "they may fascinate you." - -"Is that story about fascination not all a myth?" said Creggan. - -Miguel leaned forward and lit another cigarette before he replied: -"Not so, Creggan. I have heard many stories of the power these -monsters possess over the minds of men. - -"But," he added, "one I do remember personally. I and a friend from -Trinidad were hunting the panther in a piece of forest-land far away -north of here, and among the Llanos[1]. - - -[1] Tracks of uplands, covered with wild grass, trees, &c., and with -cañons between. - - -"We came to a snake-infested jungle, but being very tired we -determined to camp there for the night. We tied our donkeys to -leafless cocoanut-trees, that looked at a distance like masts of -ships. Then we swung our grass hammocks ready, and cooked supper. - -"We were only on the borders of the ugly jungle. Yet it contained -game-birds, and in pursuit of these Antoine and I entered its gloom. -We got several, and were returning to our camp, I being about ten -yards ahead of my companion. Suddenly--it makes me shudder even -now--I heard my friend utter that strange quavering low scream that -issues from a man in nightmare. - -"_Oo--oo--hoo--oo!_ - -"I turned quickly. There stood poor Antoine, a huge snake depending -from a tree not a yard from his face, and evidently about to strike. - -[Illustration: ANTOINE WAS IN A STATE OF MESMERIC FASCINATION, AND -PALE AS DEATH] - -"Antoine was in a state of mesmeric fascination--visage pale as -death, staring upturned eyes, arms straight down by his side, and -clenched hands. - -"I fired at once, and the snake fell with shattered head, but -writhing, leaping, and dancing body. - -"A snake, my friends, never looks more hideous than when, headless, -he twists and coils in the thraldom of death. - -"My friend Antoine had fainted, but though he soon revived I noted -something strange in his manner. It put me in mind of the childish -hysterical nervousness of speech and movement a wine-bibber sometimes -exhibits. - -"But I marked also, that whenever that day he saw a huge snake -hanging on a tree, he would stop and gaze at it with dilated eyes, -and even after passing on he would turn again and again to look once -more into the ever-open glassy eyes of the serpent. - -"My friends, the worst was to come. I may tell you first, that the -nights at this time were brightly moonlit. Well, we supped and -turned into our hammocks, but after I had slept for hours I awoke -suddenly with a strange kind of fear and coldness at my heart. - -"I naturally glanced towards Antoine's hammock. It was too loose and -puckered to have anyone in it. - -"My friend had fled! - -"I turned out at once and roused my men, and together we hurried down -through a bit of savannah to the jungle. I was hoping against hope. -But to all our shouting no response was given, except from the -throats of wild beasts. We returned to camp now disheartened, to -await the coming of daylight. - -"At last, dear friends, the sun's crimson rays darted through the -deep orange hue on the horizon, and after a hasty breakfast we -hastened back to the jungle. - -"We had not entered far, when, O Dios! my friends, the sight that met -our gaze seemed to turn our hearts to ice. I shall never, never -forget it. - -"Antoine lay on his back; his face and hands were purple and swollen; -on his brow were two vivid spots of vermilion; while his open glassy -eyes were staring unmeaningly heavenwards through the trees. - -"Dead? Yes, my friend was dead, and coiled around his neck was a -large and fearful snake!" - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -As Miguel finished his little story, Creggan gazed upwards at the -overhanging boughs and the ever-present snakes. But his host -hastened to reassure him. - -"Do not fear," he cried, "do not dread. Snakes are never vicious. -They are good and kindly creatures, and at no time will they strike -unless attacked, or in defence of their homes and their progeny." - -I--the author--have had in my time a larger experience of snakes than -I ever at any time desired, and I can quite believe the story that -Miguel told his guests that day. Nevertheless, Creggan was never -very sorry when the boat was once more out in the open stream. - -The bird and insect life in these lonely dreamy woods it would be -impossible for me to describe. Suffice it to say, that they were -beautiful beyond compare. And yet the birds--that looked like flying -flowers--had but little song. Their beauty of colour is granted them -by God that they may resemble the orchids, and so deceive their -reptile foes. If they sang much their presence would be revealed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -DOLCE FAR NIENTE. - -Few authors bother themselves, or their friends either, with maps. -But I am an exception. Wherever my bark may be, in whatever part of -the globe, on whatever sea, I like to know my bearings and view my -position on the chart. It is the same if I journey inland. - -Then, when writing my tales, I like my boy and girl readers to be -with me, and each of them to keep his or her weather eye lifting, as -I do mine. Indeed, as to my latitude and longitude in any portion of -this small world, I am as particular and as "pernicketty" as any old -maid is over her cat, or her cup of brown tea. - -So--if thou lovest me, lad or lass,--just take your atlas and turn to -the northern parts of South America, and you shall speedily find -Venezuela, and the great Orinoco river also. Cast your eyes inland, -along this mighty stream, and you will strike Ciudad Bolivar -(Angostura) on the south bank and Soledad on the other. - -It was for Soledad that Miguel made tracks first, and here he and his -guests went on shore and dined at the poseda or hotel. It was a -brisk time here at this business season. For to Soledad come now -many a well-laden wain, and many a string of hardy, loaded mules, -bringing with them the produce of the northern interior to ship over -across stream for Ciudad Bolivar itself. - -Tobacco, cereals, horns, hoofs, and hides, with cotton, corn, and -rice, great cheeses, poor ill-used pigs, and quacking ducks with -fowls in bundles and baskets. - -Our heroes were lucky to arrive at such a time, and the landlady, -though busy, set aside her best rooms and cooked her best dishes to -please the "boy" Miguel, as she fondly called him. The boy had -brought his guitar with him, and rejoiced the hearts of many lads and -lasses from up country, who had come down with their fathers' wains -to buy their dresses and bonnie things, and so go back again happy to -the solitude of upland and forest. - -Heigho! I fear Miguel was a sad flirt. He wasn't going to play the -guitar all the evening, I can assure you. No, he must needs hand the -instrument to a friend, while he mingled in the glad, the mad, the -merry fandango. Well, those beautifully graceful girl dancers, with -their innocent sweetness of face and dark languishing eyes, were -enough to make a less susceptive young fellow than Miguel flirt. I -cannot say whether Creggan flirted or not--I shouldn't like to say he -didn't, but I know he danced, though it was hot work. - -Poor Duckling! He was sitting half-hidden in a bank of flowers that -adorned one end of the hall. - -"I'm too ugly," he told Creggan, "to get a partner. I'll be a -wall-flower for one night." - -But--think of it--a sweetly pretty girl, after waltzing past through -several dances, eyed him many times and oft. I'm sure from what -followed that she pitied the poor sailor-boy in his sad loneliness. -For presently, fanning herself prettily, she sat near to him. - -She peeped shyly over the top of her fan a few times, then summoned -courage to say: - -"You no can dance--valse?" - -He smiled drolly. - -"Oh yes, dear, I can dance well. But--but--I think I am too ugly to -find a partner." - -"No, señor; no, no. A good heart is yours. I see it in your eye. -Come, dance with me." - -And she waltzed with him almost continually till the poseda closed. - -Kind-hearted was she not? - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Well, after a few days spent here the yacht was taken over to Ciudad -Bolivar, in the neighbourhood of which was Miguel's house. Here -dwelt this rich roving lad's mother, and he was the only son. The -father had been a man who for many years held very high rank in the -country, but the excitement of business and politics killed him at -last. - -I wish I had time and space to linger over the happy life those young -sailors spent for over a fortnight at Miguel's mansion. His little -sister--strange to say, she was blue-eyed--took quite a fancy to the -Ugly Duckling. It might have been a case of Beauty and the Beast! -Some ill-natured beings would not have hesitated to say so, but -Natina saw only the boy's mind, and his kindly ways and manners. - -She was only twelve. But in her innocence and naïveté she told him -once that if he returned in a few years she would love him still -more, and that then the _padre_ should join their hands, and they -would and should live happy ever after. - -Creggan had never seen the Duckling blush before, but he did so now. -Still, he held out his brown sailor hand and clasped Natina's wee -white one: - -"I'll come back, Natina, and marry you. - -"Ah!" thought true-hearted Duckie, "shall I ever get here again? Do -sailors e'er return?" - -However, he ratified the agreement in the most natural way possible, -and this precocious little lady henceforward considered herself of no -small account, being engaged, you know. - -Duckie, as his mess-mates often called him, mostly for fun but partly -for fondness, measured her finger and promised to send her a ring. I -may as well add here that he did, and that the correspondence kept up -between them was, on her part anyhow, of a somewhat gushing -description. - -The temptation to remain longer at this beautiful house, with its -terraced lawns, its tropical gardens, in which were fountains through -the spray of which rare and beautiful birds dashed backwards and -forwards all day long, and with the grand old forest stretching away -behind to the far-off Llanos, was very great indeed, but time -pressed, and there was yet very much to be seen in this land of -delight. As to the parting between Natina and Duckie, I must tell -you that Natina cried a good deal in a quiet way, wiping her eyes -with her bonnie black hair, and that, woman-like, one of the last -things she said was: - -"Señor Duckie will not forget his Natina's little ring?" - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Ships from all nations call at Ciudad Bolivar, although the -population cannot be over seventy thousand, judging from memory. -Then, though the streets are narrow in the business parts, Ciudad -Bolivar looks charming as seen on a bright moonlight night--as seen -from the river, I mean. The stream here makes an inward bend, -forming a kind of bay, and is escarped by bold rocks, on which wave a -few trees. Then the houses and mansions rise up and up the hill in -rows or crescents, till they reach the top, where stands the lofty -cathedral. - -Creggan and his friend brought from Ciudad Bolivar many strange -curios, and at the first chance that offered he sent these home to -his mother, and many to Matty, for sailors when far away at sea never -forget the dear ones at home. - -After dropping down to the mouth of the river Orinoco, young Señor -Miguel stood out to sea some distance to be clear of shoals. Then -the wind being fair, though light, fires were banked on the little -yacht, and slowly along the coast northwards they held a course. - -All around here the sea is very lovely indeed--beyond compare. - -When at Miguel's mansion our heroes had been startled by a shock of -earthquake, accompanied by terrible thunder and lightning, more vivid -than they had ever seen before. Miguel made light of it next day. -He said it was only a baby-quake, and couldn't have rocked a cradle -or basinette. - -Anyhow, it seemed to have brought fine weather, and now the sky above -and the sea below were both an azure blue, the wavelets sparkling -like diamond dust, and now and then breaking into tiny caps of -snow-white spray, as the gentle wind toyed with and fanned them. - -Skip-jacks now and then darted from wave to wave; blue-black -flying-fish, too, flew high into the sunshine, apparently singing _I -would I were a bird_. - -Sometimes these got on board at night, leaping high towards the -lanterns. When Creggan saw them there, he picked them up and threw -them safely back into the sea. - -"Why should we," he said, "who have so many of the good things of -this world, cruelly take the lives of those gems of the ocean wave?" - -Shoals of porpoises were common enough, and occasionally a sea-cow -with splendid eyes would raise her beautiful sleek, dark head above -the water, and gaze long and curiously at the white-sailed passing -yacht. - -Sometimes Miguel laid to his vessel and lowered a boat, that he and -his guests might enjoy a few hours' fishing. And it was fishing, -too. The fish seemed as keen to be caught as they were in Duntulm -Bay when Creggan, our hero, was a little boy, and this brought back -to him sunny memories of days never to be forgotten, so that he often -closed his eyes in the bright sunshine that he might think once more -of the past, and long to be back again in Skye, the Island of Wings. - -A week after this we find our heroes in the yacht anchored in the -Caño Colorado--Caño meaning a creek; but in this case, at all events, -it really is no creek, but the long quiet mouth of El rio del -Guarapiche, a river that, rising afar among the wild hills and -forests of the west and north, sweeps briskly on for many a league, -forming here and there a cataract, and here and there a broad brown -pool, where fishes love to bask in the sweet sunshine or leap gladly -up to catch the passing flies. - -It is all youth and sunshine and joy with the river at first. -Beautiful wild flowers nod over its banks and use it as a mirror, -bright-winged birds dip in it as they go skimming through the air, -and cloudlands of trees bend down to kiss the gurgling stream. But -after many more miles, it goes roaring through dark wild cañons, and -is overhung by frowning rocks which narrow and deepen it. The river -passes through jungle also, where nightly the wild beasts fight and -roar. Then, getting broader now--its happy youth all gone,--less -transparent old age seems to gather over its once glad waters, till, -weary at last, it glides calmly, softly, into the great Atlantic -Ocean. - -Miguel landed at the Caño. The young fellow appeared to have friends -everywhere, and to be everywhere as welcome as early primroses. - -The owner of a property that lay up a creeklet, and had thereon a -pretty wooden bungalow, was most happy to see Miguel and his friends. -Of course they must stay to dinner, and that meal was one that -Creggan could not despise. Delightful curry, most delicious fish, -plantains, sweet potatoes, and the rarest of fruit. - -And so with talk and song the evening passed away. Then down the -creek in the starlight they dropped, and just about - - "The wee short 'oor ayont the twal" - -everybody was fast asleep--except the sentry--on board the yacht. - -On next day towards Maturin. - -In no hurry, however. 'Twas best to lounge and dawdle thus, enjoying -the _dolce far niente_ by the river's green wooded banks, or out -amid-stream in the sparkling sunshine. - -On shore many times and oft, however, to enjoy the scenery. Once a -huge and insolent cayman attempted to seize a boatman where he sat. -They were just then nearing the yacht. Almost instantly after the -crack of a heavy rifle in the bows of the _Queen_ sounded the -death-knell of that terrible cayman. Even before the sound had -ceased to reverberate from rock to rock, he was lashing the water -with his tail like some fabled monster of a bygone age, and dyeing -the water with his blood. - -Once they landed on the north bank of the river, and after dragging -the light boat a long way through a rough country, they launched her -on a lovely lake of cerulean blue, that, extending far on every side, -looked like some vast inland sea. - -Miguel had brought along to-day an extra good luncheon. The water -teemed with fish, so sport was excellent. They landed in a little -cove, - - "O'erhung with wild woods, thickening green", - -and there in cool umbrageous shade they dined. Then romantic Miguel, -who never went anywhere without his sweet-and-sad guitar, played and -sang. - -They returned not until the moon was shining high and clear over the -mirrored lake. Some hands from the yacht met them in the -landing-cove, and the boat was again dragged riverwards. - -Not without adventure, however. - -Creggan always took with him from his ship a Highland plaid, to be -worn at night if belated. He was wrapped in that--happily for -him--on this particular evening. - -The boat was still being dragged along a terribly rough cattle-track, -and Creggan was a little way behind. Suddenly from out the jungle -came a roar that seemed to shake the earth, and next moment a huge -dark beast sprang high in the moonlit air, and our hero was thrown -violently to the ground. - -The American lion, his yellow eyes glaring, his red mouth spitting -spume, tore at the Highland plaid. But the beast's last hour had -come, for with an activity but little less than his own, Miguel -attacked him. It was a clear-shining dagger that shone aloft. It -descended with a dull thud, and was lifted again wet with red blood. -In less than ten seconds the wild beast was despatched. - -His skin was taken as a trophy by the men, and presented, after being -cured, to Creggan himself. That skin is now lying as a rug in the -drawing-room of Creggan's mother's house at Torquay. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Half-way up the river Guarapiche lies the town or city of Maturin. -Spanish, of course, with quaintly-tiled or thatched houses, laid out -in terraces, streets, and squares. - -The people are peaceable enough, though sometimes quarrels ensue in -gambling or drinking dens, knives are drawn, and red blood spurts all -over glasses, decanters, and counter. - -There are many Europeans here, and, I think, they stand by Scotch or -Italian. The latter may occasionally draw a stiletto, but Sandie -doesn't. Sandie usually owns a fist as hard and big as the butt-end -of an elephant rifle, and if a row begins, he finds that fist -wondrous handy. - -I believe that Miguel never thought anything about the cruelty of -cock-fighting and bull-baiting; and at his invitation our young -heroes went to see both. They were disgusted with the former, and -even more so with the latter. The poor horses are often gored even -to death, and on that night our Creggan and his friends saw one -unhappy animal rushing wildly around the arena with--will it be -believed?--a portion of his entrails gushing from his side. The only -incident of this one-sided bull-fight which the Ugly Duckling really -enjoyed, was when a bull picked a fallen matador airily up by the -trews--the fellow was on his face--and flung him over into the crowd. - -The twisting of the tails of the bulls is very cruel and shocking. -The matadors want Britishers to believe that they throw the bull over -by sheer strength of arm. Nothing of the sort. The nobler animal -throws himself over to avoid the excruciating agony of the twist. - -These matadors are, as far as I could ever judge, cowardly fellows, -as all cruel men are. I asked one once to have a boxing round or two -with me, for love. He excused himself prettily in Spanish, and I -think he did well, because there was no hospital anywhere near to -carry him to after the engagement. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Well, the time was getting on, flying fast indeed, but to return -without seeing the strange, wild, and dreary scenery of the Llanos -would have been out of the question. - -The yacht was left in charge of its somewhat ragged crew, and the -three friends with servants and plenty of arms for sport--well -provisioned too--started at last, and after a long, stiff climb found -themselves, full three hundred feet above the sea-level, on a wide -and open plain. - -It extended--oh, such a distance far away to the horizon! The sea -itself seemed less extensive than these - - "High plains...... - And vast savannahs, where the wandering eye, - Unfixed, is in a verdant ocean lost". - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -ON THE LONESOME LLANOS. - -The vast and lonesome uplands, called Llanos, on which our heroes now -found themselves, are the pampas of the far southern districts of -South America. - -There is a weirdness about them, especially in the silence of the -night, that strikes one with awe. But sometimes, indeed, day is more -silent than night, for then the stillness is unbroken by howl of wild -beasts or scream of birds of prey. So quiet is it then on some -portions of the Llanos, that you can hear the sound of the human -voice in ordinary conversation full two hundred yards away, while if -you wander long here, so great is the strain on one's nerves that the -slightest sound will make one start--a tiny snake rustling among the -grass, a breaking reed, or lizard nibbling at a stalk of couch. - -Humboldt, the great traveller, is not, I fear, much read nowadays, -but he speaks about these solitary regions as follows:-- - -"Here in the Llanos, all around us, the plains seemed to rise to -heaven; and this vast and silent desert appeared to our eyes like a -sea that is covered with sea-weed, or the algae of the deep ocean. -According to the inequality of the vapour floating on the atmosphere, -and the alternate temperature of the breezes contending against each -other, was the appearance of the horizon; in some places clearly and -sharply defined, in others wavy, crooked, and, as it were, striped. - -"The earth there seemed to mingle with heaven. Through the dry mist -we sometimes perceived palm-trees in the distance. Stripped of their -leaves and green feathery summits, these stems, rising out of the -low-lying fog, resembled the masts of ships, which one descries on -the horizon at sea." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Miguel's little party was accompanied by donkeys; some of these had -panniers, on which the luggage or baggage was carried, as well as the -general commissariat. But while two of Miguel's sailors trotted on -foot, he himself with Creggan and his friends bestrode strong and -agile donkeys. - -As guides, they had two hardy Llaneros or plainsmen. These fellows -are wilder far than your Mexican cow-boy,--who, by the way, is just -as often as not a braggart and a coward. But your true Llanero, with -his brown skin, his tattered clothes and cow-hide boots, and the -ever-ready lasso across his chest, a knife or pistol in his belt, is -as daring as a puma or panther itself. He knows no fear, and takes -no hurt wherever he sleeps, or however hard his toil and poor his -fare. - -No need for a traveller to fear these men. Treat them fairly and -squarely, and they will do their duty, ay, and fight to grim death -for the man they have undertaken to watch and guide. - -Our brave youngsters were marching southwards and west, and would so -march for days, until, after crossing many a creek and cañon, and -many a river that goes roaring, brown and awful, through gorges among -the hills and woods, they should strike the River Tigre itself. - -One of the rivers they crossed is wildly beautiful--the Mapiriti. -They spent two nights and days near to its green banks, and in a -bonny wooded and bosky glen. But they had shooting and fishing also. - -Night alone was dreary--and dangerous too. To protect the donkeys -from the attacks of wild beasts, they had to cut down branches and -throw up a kind of laager, for after supper was cooked and eaten, and -the fires burning low warned them that it was time to sleep, the -cries and roaring of beasts of prey began, and the brutes came all -too close to camp to be agreeable. But the sentries--two there -were--had orders to fire if they heard but a bush stirring. The -quick sharp ring of the rifles generally ensured peace for a time. - -Miguel slept on some bundles of grass, with a pillow of the same -material. Nor wild beasts, snakes, nor mosquitoes ever seemed to -annoy him. - -But the Ugly Duckling and Creggan had each a hammock, hung -gipsy-fashion from crossed sticks a few feet above the ground. - -After Creggan had said his prayers and lain down, he used to promise -himself that he would lie awake for some time and think of his -far-off Highland home. But he never succeeded in doing so with any -degree of satisfaction. The fatigue of travel, the pure, fresh, and -bracing air, to say nothing of a good supper, all tended to induce -slumber, and soon indeed was he in the land of forgetfulness, seldom -opening his eyes till breakfast was steaming and simmering over the -fire. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -I must draw in my horns, as the snail said to the blackbird; for it -was not my intention to give an elaborate account of this great land -of Llanos, of broad bright rivers studded with islands like emerald -gems, of cayman-haunted creeks, of green savannahs, of waving palms, -of deep dark forests surrounding many a lonesome gloomy leaden lake, -and of mountains towering to the moon. No; see Venezuela for -yourselves, boys. If you do, you can say afterwards that you have -lived, should you never visit any other foreign land save itself. - -Suffice it to say that, laden with the spoils of the chase, the -_Queen_ one beautiful forenoon brought our heroes safely back to the -mouth of the great river Orinoco, and that their arrival was a scene -of rejoicing. - -Poor Admiral Jacko was worn and thin, for sadly had he missed his -Ugly Duckling, and now sprang into his arms with a fond and plaintive -cry, and in his own strange language told him a weary, weary tale. - -It was delightful to get home again to the ship after all, and that -night, after they had dined with the captain, Miguel being also a -guest, our wanderers slept more soundly than they had done for many -and many a day. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -PROMOTION. - -I may tell my would-be or will-be sailor-boys, that time flies fast -enough when one is serving in a pleasant and happy ship on a foreign -shore. Just a little weariness and longing there may be for the -first month or two, then one settles down. - -You do not cease to think of home, however. As regards love of home, -absence really makes the heart grow fonder. You think of it often -and often when keeping your lonesome middle-watch, as you gaze -upwards at the star-studded sky, or outwards far across the darkling -sea, and you dream of it while rocked in your hammock or tiny -cabin-cot; and somehow these dreams are nearly always pleasant. Then -again, a dear delight it is to receive letters from home. The next -greatest pleasure is in writing them. - -Writing letters home, as far as the Royal Navy is concerned, is an -occupation one should engage in at all odd moments. The letters -should be ready to go at any time, for you never know when a chance -may occur. A homeward-bound ship may be sighted and lie to, then aft -and forward rings the cry, "Letters for home!" - -If the midshipman of the watch or a bo's'n draws aside the gun-room -curtain, and shouts "Any letters for England, gentlemen?" and you -have not got yours ready, owing to a spirit of procrastination that -lately dominated you,--well, you will be ready to bite the tip off -your tongue. You will feel just real mad with yourself. - -But so many incidents and adventures, to say nothing of duty's strict -routine, go to make up a sailor's life, whether young or not, that it -is wonderful how speedily pass the months, ay, and the years too, -until the "Ordered home" arrives. - -Then indeed is there excitement. But once the jib-boom is pointing -straight ahead towards our own beloved land, time no longer flies, it -abjures the swift, darting flight of the swallow and lags along at -the pace of a slug. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Well now, two whole years have passed away since Creggan and his -friend made that memorable though all too brief tour in Venezuela -with the kindly young landsman Miguel, and it would be difficult -indeed to cram the story of all their ups and downs into even a dozen -chapters. I have no such intention. In fact, though I tell this -story from the life, it is impossible for me to remember all they did -or didn't do in that time. - -I will just inform you, that at the end of two years they were once -more back again at the mouth of the great white rolling Orinoco, and, -as history repeats itself, Miguel once more came on board, looking -not a bit changed, and once more Creggan and the Ugly Duckling went -with him up stream to his mother's beautiful mansion. - -This time they intended going no farther, but they were accompanied -by dear, kind little Sidney Wickens, and also by their two staunch -friends, Hurricane Bob and Oscar. - -Now, I must tell you something. Sidney was a genial but quiet young -fellow, whose very manner appeared to invite the confidence of his -fellows, and when, one evening, nobody but he and Duckie sat together -in their little mess-room--this was shortly after their first visit -to Venezuela,--the latter had suddenly begun to laugh. - -"Oh," cried Sidney, "give us a chance to join you, old man. A good -laugh is invaluable, from a health point of view." - -"Well, I'll tell you, though I wouldn't tell everybody." - -"No? Well, let me hear." - -"Then," said the Duckling, "you wouldn't think that anyone so awfully -ugly as I am would have a little sweetheart." - -"My dear fellow," said Sidney soothingly, "I'll tell you the truth. -As to beauty you are not an Adonis, but your manner is so -good-natured and pleasant and humorsome and all that, one never -thinks about your features. Besides, as a rule girls hate pretty -faces on men; that is, sensible girls do." - -"Well, but my sweetheart is only a child." - -"Tell me." - -The Ugly Duckling did, from the beginning of the story down to the -parting and the promised engagement-ring. - -Sidney was much interested. - -Then getting up he said quietly, "I'll be back in a minute." - -He drew aside, the curtain and disappeared. Down to his big -sea-chest in the cockpit he dived, and soon returned singing low to -himself, with his jewel-case in one hand. He placed it on the table, -and opened his show of sparkling gems. - -"Give me that bit of cardboard," he said, "with the size of Natina's -finger in it. Ah!" he cried jubilantly a moment after, "this one -will just fit. A trifle large, but her sweet wee finger will grow to -it. See how it sparkles! Isn't it just too awfully lovely for -anything?" - -"But, dear Wickens, I--I--" - -"Come now, none of that. If you won't have it, why, I'll keep it and -give it to the pretty Natina myself, and so cut you out." - -"I shall have it," cried his companion laughing as he stretched out -his hand, "But, how can I thank you?" - -"By not saying a word. If you thank me I'll shy a bit of biscuit at -you. So there!" - -Well, on this second visit the Ugly Duckling would not go up stream -without Sidney, and they all spent a most happy week. - -Of course Natina was greatly delighted with the ring, and just as -pretty and affectionate as ever, only she divided her affections most -impartially between the dogs and the Duckling. - -Miguel gave a party and a dance or play every night. His guests -stopped at the mansion, and when good-byes were said at last they -were very sincere indeed, and, as far as innocent little Natty was -concerned, accompanied by tears. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The _Osprey_ had got her anchor up, and started now on a very long -cruise indeed--all the way to New Zealand and Australia. - -I always think the study of a really good map of the world is quite a -delight. It gives one such a thorough insight as to the bearings of -his own little land, to the seas and vast continents in other parts -of the globe. Geography, I believe, should always be taught and -learned in the easiest and most pleasant way possible. - -Now, I suppose that if I were to tell you that Cape Horn was the -southernmost point of land in South America, and that the ship was -now going to coast down and round this stormy cape, you would -naturally think her course would lie south all the way. - -Not at all. Oblige me by looking at your map. - -And now let us sail along in the jolly old frigate. - -We leave, then, the mouth of the mighty Orinoco, and instead of -steering south it is pretty nearly all easting until we reach -Trinidad, the most southerly of all the West India islands, then our -course is about south-east and by east till we cross the burning -equator and round Cape St. Roque, then about south till we look in at -Rio Janeiro. - -Rio Janeiro stands next to Edinburgh as the most romantic in -situation and surroundings in the world. The city itself perhaps -looks best at a distance--well, Scot though I be, I must confess that -there are some parts of Old Edinburgh itself that at best will hardly -bear close inspection. Rio simply means a river, and Rio Janeiro is -the city of romance. - -We take a course now with a bit of westerly in it, and in time reach -another Rio--the Rio de la Plata. Yonder on our starboard beam lies -the great and painfully-neglected Argentine Republic. - -Coasting still to the south we skirt the shores of Patagonia. - -Somehow we associate everything big and large with this long stretch -of wild country. Land of giants, land of the llama and -swiftly-bounding guanaco. Land of the lasso, too, and stalwart men -on fleet horses that can use it. Not a bad lot of fellows at all, if -you take them the right way. - -But here we are at the entrance to the Straits of Magellan. No, we -are not going through this voyage. We pass between the coast and the -lonely Falkland Islands. These islands of the far south are somewhat -akin in climate to our Orkneys, healthy and bracing, though the -country is subject to terrible storms. It has hills and dells and -glens, with many a dark tarn and rippling stream, crowded with fish -that are by no means shy. The islands number about eighty in all. -The summer is very pleasant. If you and I go there to spend a few -months, reader, we'll have excellent sport, and no letters or morning -papers to worry over. The Falklands are almost treeless, but that -does not signify much so long as one is happy and can eat a good -breakfast. - -Well, here is Staten Island. Rather different is this Argentine isle -from the Staten of New York. - -Ugh! how bitterly the north-western winds are howling around its -rocks. And see, yonder--summer though it be--its dark gloomy cliffs, -home of the penguin and many a strange bird besides, are capped with -snow; so, too, are its mountains. - -Occasionally now a sea-elephant looks up to stare at us, and now and -then a shoal of the ubiquitous porpoises go dancing and cooing past, -or a solitary whale ploughs across our hawse but deigns not even to -look at us. He or she is intent only on her own business. Perhaps -she has a calf alongside her sucking like an overgrown puppy--great, -sweet innocent,--and she is taking it north to warmer water. - -My conscience!--as they say in the north of bonnie Scotland,--how -ships that can only sail have to rough it while rounding the Cape! -Snow and fog, icebergs, and sometimes howling winds from the -west-north-west! - - "And now there came both mist and snow, - And it grew wondrous cold; - And ice, mast-high, came floating by, - As green as emerald." - - -Yes, green enough as to its sides sometimes, but all clad in deep, -deep snow above. - -And we now walk the icy decks carefully, blowing occasionally on our -half-frozen though mitted fingers. The ear-lappets of our -sou'-westers are pulled down, our faces being either blue or white -according to the strength of the circulation. - -Small pieces of ice rattle along our quarters and bump us, but we -care not for that; we do but pray that in the darkness of night we -may not foul the fore-foot of some fearful berg. Should we do so, -backward our barque would reel and stagger, to sink all too soon in -the deepest, blackest sea, that rolls anywhere around this -terrestrial ball. - -To our starboard, though we cannot see it, lies the terrible island -of Tierra del Fuego, literally the Land of Fire. Land of the canoe -islanders, the most implacable savages to be met with anywhere. Who -is going to take his life in his hand and spend a year in exploring -this wild country? Will you come with me, boy-readers? Why, we -should make a name to ourselves, if not fortunes. We should come -back, if the savages didn't roast and eat us, with a book. We should -add much to the geography and the anthropology of the world, and -discover--coals. - -But our ship is clear away from the black stormy sea at last, and -clear of the ice. - -So we sail merrily on across a wide and trackless ocean on a beam -wind for weeks and weeks, till, hurrah! we are past Bounty Island and -reach bonnie Dunedin itself. And here let me tell you, that if there -be a single drop of Scottish blood in your veins, you are sure of a -Highland welcome. - -The cruise described in this chapter is just as near to the life as I -can make it, and pretty much what our bold crew of the _Osprey_ found -it. And the paddle-frigate soon after this came across the new -flag-ship for the Australian station. Captain Leeward himself -boarded her, accompanied by a lieutenant, leaving the other officers -to wait impatiently for his return. - -"I wonder," said the Ugly Duckling to Dr. Grant, "if we shall be -ordered home." - -"Not the ghost of a chance of that, mother's brave and beautiful -boy," replied Grant; "but we'll have letters, and lots of further -despatches sending us off wild-goose chasing all over the world." - -"Well, I like it," said Creggan. - -"So do I," said Sidney Wickens. - -Creggan was twenty-one now, and a handsome sailor he looked in his -jacket of blue, with his budding moustache of darkest down, his -bright face, and happy smile that nothing could banish. - -When Captain Leeward returned, they soon found that Grant was right -in his surmise. There was no "Ordered home", but plenty of -despatches for many parts of the world. - -There were letters from home. It is needless to say that these were -hailed with delight. - -But there was something else as well, namely, an order addressed to -sub-lieutenants Creggan Ogg M'Vayne and Sidney Wickens to repair -forthwith on board the flag-ship and pay their respects to the -admiral. - -"Something good, I'll be bound!" said Grant. "Ah, you're lucky lads! -The Lords Commissioners seldom think of us poor slaving surgeons. -Heigho!" - -The admiral received them on his quarter-deck with great affability. -Then he asked them in to his own quarters and bade them be seated. - -"I have good news for you both," he said, "and, not to go about the -bush, you are both promoted to be lieutenants. - -"And," he added, "you can go home in the _D----_, which will sail -from Port Phillip a month hence, and take up your commissions." - -Both the young fellows smiled joyously and thanked him. - -"Well, sir," said Creggan, "is it absolutely necessary that I should -go home? Could you not grant me leave to remain in the dear old -_Osprey_, mess in the gun-room, and see all that is to be seen until -the paddler is ordered home?" - -The admiral laughed right heartily. - -"Well," he said, "it is the drollest application ever I heard. What -about you, Mr. Wickens?" - -"Oh please, admiral, I'll go home." - -"Then I grant you leave to stay, Mr. M'Vayne. But I have still -better news to give you. - -"Commander Flint," he added with that pleasant smile of his, "under -whom you served, and whose life you saved in a particularly gallant -way, has been moving heaven and earth, and Whitehall as well, to -obtain for you the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery in presence -of the foe. And I think I can assure you he will be successful, so -you may look forward, Mr. M'Vayne, to having that grand decoration -conferred on you by the hands of our dear Queen herself." - -Creggan felt himself growing red and white by turns. He could only -blurt out a few words which I dare say were very stupid. But the -admiral laid a kindly hand on his shoulder. - -"Go on board your own ship now, Lieutenant M'Vayne, and say no more. -But you must both come and dine with me to-night. Till then, adieu." - -Every man-Jack felt sad when Sidney Wickens sailed for home. He had -endeared himself to all. And his mess-mates never saw him more. He -was buried, I think, at sea, in the bosom of the blue Levant. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -ADVENTURE IN A PAPUAN LAKE-VILLAGE. - -And now, if you will take one further wee glance at that -prettily-coloured map of yours, you shall find Australia easily -enough. But look at its northern shores, and you will be able to see -a great gap there called the Gulf of Carpentaria, and on its eastern -shore and point is Cape York, separated from the large island called -New Guinea by the Straits of Torres. There! I am teaching you -geography in a more pleasant way than you have it dished up at school. - -Well, this vast island has never been really or thoroughly explored, -for two reasons principally, because the inhabitants--a mixture of -Papuans and aboriginal Australians--are never quite civil to white -men, and because the climate is moist among the forests or tropical -verdure that lies low along the shores, and fever, therefore, always -ready to make a victim of the adventurer. But inland, if one gets -safely through the regions of damp and forest fogs, will be found -many a beautiful hill and dell, quite a mountain-land, exceeding in -romantic grandeur some parts of Scotland itself. - -It was in 1889 that brave Sir W. M'Gregor explored the island--to -some considerable extent. New Guinea, he found, is almost everywhere -clothed with rich and highly diversified flora. His party, after -passing successively through the dominions of tropical plants, such -as the cocoa-nut, sago, banana, mango, taro, and sugar-cane, and of -such temperate or sub-tropical growth as the cedar, oak, fig, acacia, -pine, and tree-fern, were gladdened in the higher slopes by the sight -of the wild strawberry, forget-me-not, daisy, buttercup, and other -familiar British plants; while towards the summit these were -succeeded by a true Alpine flora, in which Himalayan, Bohean, New -Zealand, and sub-Antarctic forms were all numerously represented. - -And this was the strange wild island to which the _Osprey_ was now to -steer. On what business bent I never could say for certain. But I -rather think it was to spy out the land; our own half that is, for we -kindly and considerately permit the Germans and Dutch to do what they -like with the other half. Neither make good colonists; the Dutch are -too slow, the Germans too frightened at natives. - -These savages are either quite peaceable and industrious, or wild and -fierce, with a strong liking for "man-meat" or "long-pig". These -terrible wretches like pork, but will lick the backs of their black -hands, and declare to you, that there is nothing in the world to beat -roast missionary, as a _piece de resistance_, or cold side-dish. The -fiercest tribes live among the mountains. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The _Osprey_, with fine weather nearly all the way, reached Cape -York, lying in for a few days at the port of Albany. - -Then she stood right away north to Port Moresby, where is a British -government-station--not of great consequence, it must be admitted. -Here the anchor was let go, and boats came off from shore. Our -people shook brown, sun-tanned hands with their countrymen, and a -hearty welcome was accorded to all. - -The blue-jackets were permitted to land in relays, on pain, however, -of punishment if they interfered in any way with the Papuan natives. -For really Jack's ways with niggers--as he calls all black or even -brown people--are sometimes rather free and easy, to say the least of -it. - -Now, Captain Leeward was fully alive to the quiet pluck and bravery -that Creggan and his friend the Ugly Duckling had ever exhibited in -the presence of danger, and would have trusted them to go anywhere -and do anything. And they were always so willing and cheerful, that -it was a pleasure to the captain to let them go exploring whenever so -minded. He knew they would not be foolishly rash. - -Well, when Creggan and his friend landed, they determined to have a -good look around, and even to make a dive into the splendid tropical -forest behind the settlement. - -They took Goodwin the mate with them for a bodyguard, with one -sailor, bold Jack Hing--poor fellow, he was afterwards drowned on the -China station. For a handful of coppers they obtained the guidance -of a "boy". This "boy", however, was fully forty years of age, -judging from appearance. But he seemed kindly disposed, showed a -splendid set of teeth when he smiled, and looked generally jolly. - -Both Hurricane Bob and Oscar went on this picnic, and how they did -scamper around and enjoy themselves, to be sure! But I must add that -they sadly frightened the black ladies and children, as the Ugly -Duckling grandly called them. They ran shrieking away as soon as -Bob's voice sounded along the beach, and hid themselves in the cool -darkness of their leaf-and-bamboo huts. - -This tribe seemed very industrious. They were allowed but little -rum. It is that which turns the ordinary savage into a wild raving -maniac, and causes him to run "amok" with knife, or spear, or nulla, -slaying every man, woman, or child he meets till he himself is slain. - -The people here made pretty baskets, and worked in clay also, even -young children assisting. Then Creggan found near to the shore many -cultivated fields surrounded by wattling and hedges. In these grew -paddy, sweet potatoes, and the lordly yam. - -The men, too, went out fishing. There are two species of boats here. -One I might describe as a kind of Papuan gondola of large dimensions. -About fifteen tons or over. These boats are low in the centre, but -sweep upwards at the stern and bows, rather prettily too. Then there -is the ordinary dug-out, which is simply a tree-trunk formed into -boat-shape by axe and adze, the inside finished off with fire to -harden it, after which thwarts are nailed, or rather pegged across. -But your dug-out would turn turtle if not fitted on each side with -long out-riggers. This dug-out is common also in most parts of -savage Africa. - -Creggan's guide on this occasion was a very good specimen of his -tribe. When you see one grown man you know what the rest are like. -The guide, then, was as black as--as--I was going to say soot, but -that is really a black that has a rusty tinge in it. As black, then, -as the inside of an empty tar-barrel with the bung in. - -Well, Ephraim--as Creggan called him, though why I am sure I could -not tell you--had, to begin with, such a mop of frizzly hair, that -had you turned him upside down it might have been used to sweep the -decks with. This hair was black, but intermixed with silvery -threads. Both brows and nose were rather prominent. His nostrils -were wide, and moved about with every word he said. He was most -spirited too, emphasizing every voluble sentence with strange -gestures and shrugging of shoulders. - -Most of the men seen had their hair and beards stained with reddish -clay, but not so Ephraim. He was proud of his gray hairs. His mouth -was quite the same as the real African nigger; wide enough to have -engulfed an ordinary-sized turnip, and the lips were very bulgy and -thick. Armlets, bangles, and ear-rings of brass are common to both -sexes. - -Little children went about entirely naked. Ephraim's whole suit of -wearing apparel could not have cost much anywhere. He had a bit of -manilla rope round the waist, to which his sheathed knife was fixed, -and to which also was attached what looked like a dirty towel. This -was tied to the rope in front, passed between the limbs, and was tied -to the rope again at the back. But there was nothing repulsive about -this man. He looked bold, erect, and honest; nor would his glance -have quailed before the Queen. - -His wife, for he had one, was positively prepossessing; and I am -really glad to testify to this, for the pictures of Papuans placed -before our school-boys are terrible caricatures. - -Ephraim's wife was certainly undressed from the waist upwards, with -the exception of bangles and a necklace of teeth, and pretty shells, -pink and snow-white. From the waist to the knees she wore a skirt of -grass cloth, surmounted by a shorter one of fringed cocoa-nut fibre. -She smiled affably and innocently when Creggan spoke to her, showing -teeth as white as those of a six-months-old Newfoundland dog, and she -glanced upwards at the handsome lieutenant with eyes that were -certainly beautiful. - -There was something truly good in Treekee's heart, I'm sure, for -seeing the dogs pant, she brought a calabash of water, and lying down -beside them in the shade of a tree-fern, made them drink from the -half of a cocoanut-shell. - -Honest Bob licked Treekee's black face to show his gratitude. - -That day our heroes had a long tour through the forest with Ephraim -and his wife. They had come armed, but did not find much to shoot, -so they contented themselves by making a collection of splendid -butterflies and beautifully-coloured beetles. - -Ephraim got them back by three o'clock. He then proposed that they -should be rowed over in dug-outs to visit a lake-village. Their own -boat was hauled up safely under the banana-trees. So away they went. - -It was certainly the strangest little town that Creggan had ever -visited. It consisted of about sixty huts in all, each of which was -elevated above the water on strong poles or scaffolding, fully nine -feet above the surface. - -The walls of these huts were of bamboo, that is, the framework. Over -this slabs of pith were placed. The roofs were of grass and plantain -leaves, and each was supplied with a shutter, generally open all day -to admit light and air, and get rid of smoke. Into one of the -largest of these huts our heroes crawled by a withy ladder, while -Ephraim returned, promising to be back an hour before sunset. - -Well, Creggan was quite astonished at the amount of room inside this -lake-dwelling, although the walls from platform to eaves were only -about five feet high. - -The floor was of pith over bamboo, and spread with a -charmingly-worked grass carpet. A fire could be lit, when needed for -cooking purposes, on a red-clay hearth at one end. But at present it -was out, so the room was delightfully cool. - -Their welcome was a hearty one, and as Creggan had brought beads and -ribbons and tobacco as gifts, the owner--a fine-looking -specimen,--his young wife, and two toddling children were all -delighted. - -But Creggan, or rather Goodwin, had brought also a bountiful repast. -There was quite enough for all. - -The chief--if chief he was--nodded significantly to his wife, -muttering something that our young fellows could not understand. She -immediately arose and put both children to bed in a corner. They -didn't require any undressing, for the dear wee black totties, as -Ugly Duckling called them, wore nothing save a string of kangaroo -teeth. - -Then the good lady brought knives and spears, and other implements of -savage warfare, and laid them down on the mat on which Creggan and -his friends were squatting. - -This was an act of good faith, and said plainly enough: - -"Lo! you are safe in my hut. Behold I place all my weapons at your -feet." - -But this chief could talk fairly good English, and he spun some -terrible yarns, about the fierce men who dwelt among the wild -mountains. He entreated them not to venture there, else they would -return "plenty dead, and much bloody". - -This was not encouraging, so Creggan thought over a plan he had -formed for visiting the hills, and finally gave it up, for a time at -all events. - -"Plenty bad mountain men. Plenty white men dey makee fat, den roast -and gobble up. Brains smashee out wi' one club. Oh, mountain men -plenty mooch big fellows!" - -"But for all that," said Creggan to his friend, "I should like to go -some day." - -"Yes," replied the Duckling; "but I wouldn't like to be fed up and -killed and cooked--eh, would you?" - -"Roast duckling and green peas," said Creggan maliciously. "Come, -sing these folks a song, old chap, and you sha'n't be cooked. There!" - -The Duckling did as told, and the chief and his wife seemed charmed. -Even the children sat up on one end in the corner, and rolled their -white eyes in ecstasy. - -So the time passed away very cheerfully indeed. But lo! just before -the hour for the dug-outs to arrive a squall came on, the water or -spray dashed high over the roof of the hut, and when Creggan peeped -out it was all a-smother as far as he could see. - -They hoped against hope that the weather would moderate, but squall -succeeded squall, and soon darkness fell over land and water. It was -evident, therefore, that our heroes were prisoners for one night. - -Well, your true sailor always tries to make the best of every -adventure. They had plenty to eat of their own, and lighting the -fire the kindly Papuan lady cooked and placed fish before them on -palm-leaf plates. - -Then they had delicious fruit--bananas such as you never see in our -land, guavas that tasted like strawberries smothered in cream, -glorious rosy mangoes, and cocoanut-milk to drink. - -They were happy. - -More songs were sung, more stories told, and then, with the utmost -confidence, our sailor-lads laid themselves back on their mats, using -their jackets for pillows, and were soon sound and fast asleep. - -Daylight was shimmering in through the crevices of door and shutter -when Creggan awoke. The room was hot, so, seeing him wipe the -perspiration from his brow, the chief, after nodding a kindly -good-morning, opened the gable door. - -The water was deeply blue, not a cloud was to be seen in the cerulean -sky, and the wind was hushed. Beyond was the beautiful cloudland of -forest trees and waving palms, and away on the horizon the -everlasting hills. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. - -The others were still asleep. - -"No wake," said the chief. "No wake, poor boys. Plenty soon I -catchee breakfast. Den my vife she cook. Ah! man-meat no good. -Arrack no good. God heself he send de cocoa-nut and de fish. -Missional man he tell me foh true." - -Then down squatted this strange black man in his doorway, with his -legs dangling over, outside. He had a short rod and line, and really -the fish required but little coaxing, for he soon hauled up seven or -eight big beauties. - -These were sprinkled with salt and various kinds of pepper, placed on -hot stones over the fire, and covered with fragrant wet leaves. They -were soon done to a turn. So were yams and sweet potatoes. Then -Creggan asked a blessing, and all declared that they had never eaten -a more delightful breakfast in their lives. - -By and by a strange kind of chant was heard coming nearer and nearer -to the village, and presently the plash of paddles. - -Lo! the dug-outs had arrived. So, bidding their kind host and -hostess adieu, after filling the children's hands with sweets, they -lowered themselves into the canoes and were quickly paddled on shore. - -They reached their own ship that forenoon in safety, much delighted -with all they had seen and heard, and now, business being transacted, -steam was got up, and the _Osprey_ went heading away for far northern -China seas. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The letters from home which last mail had brought Creggan were very -delightful reading, especially those from Daddy the hermit, from his -mother, and little Matty Nugent. Nugent's own letter brought him sad -enough news, however, to the effect that poor M'Ian the minister had -been borne to his long home by his loving parishioners, and that all -that country-side of Skye was plunged in grief. - -Mrs. M'Ian and her children, Rory and Maggie, had gone to reside in -Perth for the better education of the latter. Maggie, or Sister -Maggie, wrote a sad little letter to Creggan--it was really blurred -with tears, and grief was en evidence throughout every page of it. - -The voyage to Chinese and Japanese waters was a very long but -somewhat uneventful one. It took them westward through Torres -Straits first, then across the bright and beautiful Sea of Arafura, -all dotted with little green-fringed islands hung like emeralds on -the horizon. Next, across the Sea of Banda, and so away and away -past Molucca and Gilolo, till they skirted the Philippine Isles, -Formosa, and Loo-choo, then they were indeed in Chinese waters. - -But no storm or tempest had marred the pleasure of this almost -idyllic voyage, and they reached Shanghai in safety. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Here they met several man-of-war ships, more than they expected to, -and everybody had a real good time of it. Some of these ships of war -were sent from the East India station hurriedly, their object being -to protect British interests in these waters, and north beyond Corea, -in the Sea of Japan. - -Well, Japan seems, to look at it on a map, only a little, little -island compared to that vast tract of land called China, that teems -with its hundreds of millions. True, but Japan is civilized. Japan -has a splendid army of fire-eating soldiers, and a navy fit to go -anywhere and do anything, while China is still wrapped in the mists -of heathendom, and ruled by a government as blind as it is ignorant. -Foreigners are hated by the Chinese. Hated and hooted wherever they -go. The country is two thousand years behind the age, and not even -while I write is it yet opened up to commerce. - -Well, Captain Leeward learned now for the first time that war-clouds -were banking up in the eastern horizon, that the war-wind would blow -from the east, and that soon the storm would burst in all its fury -over Corea and the self-conceited Chinese. - -No one knew the day or the hour when the first angry shot should go -shrieking through the air. - -It was a season of breathless suspense, like that which thrills the -mariner's heart with its very silence, before the down-come of an -awful hurricane at sea; when the stillness is a stillness that can be -felt, when the very birds are silent and float listlessly on the -smooth oily billows, or perch on the fins of some basking shark. - -But a vessel was now sent round to Bombay, and here despatches -awaited her which she was to carry back with her to the British fleet -in Chinese waters. - -We were, it must be remembered, quite neutral in this great and -bloody war, but I think that the heart of every true-born Scot or -Englishman went out towards the brave Japanese, and followed them -with intense interest throughout all their glorious career. - -I have no desire at this part of my story to be dry and technical. I -am never so. I am built, I trust, on the keel of common sense, but I -would rather laugh and be merry any day than talk politics, and would -rather spin a good sailor's yarn than preach. - -But still it will do the reader no harm to know somewhat of the -provocation, that the brave Japanese received, before they let slip -the dogs of war. I shall let the historian speak, however. The bone -of contention really was the great Peninsula of Corea. - -"The first complication in Corea," says the historian, "which -threatened the peace of the three countries of the far east, happened -in July, 1882. Kim-Ok-Kim and other Coreans had been over to Japan. -Surprised and pleased at the wonders they had seen, they came back -partisans of progress and enthusiastic supporters of Japanese -influence. Their ideas were not favourably received by the -ex-regent, or Tai-Wen-Kun, who was a hater of everything foreign, and -he began to intrigue with the Min, a peaceful faction in Corea. - -"It was then decided to drive the Japanese out of the country by -violence. The soldiers were infuriated by having their rations -diminished, and then malicious reports about the Japanese were spread -about the capital. A furious mob began to hunt to death all the -defenceless Japanese that could be found. - -"A Japanese officer, who had been drilling the Corean troops, and -seven others, were murdered in one day, the Legation was attacked and -burned, and the minister with twenty-eight Japanese had to fight -their way through the streets of Seoul (the capital), and through the -country to the sea, where they embarked in a junk, and were picked up -by the British gun-boat _Flying Fish_, which took them to Nagasaki. - -"The Japanese government at once took measures to obtain redress for -the outrage; troops were got ready for any emergency, and the -minister was sent back to Seoul with a military force. The Chinese -also sent troops to Corea. The Corean government had then to -apologize to Japan, pay a large indemnity, and give pensions to the -widows and relations of the slain. - -"Moreover, Japanese soldiers were now stationed permanently at Seoul -to protect the Legation." - -China did not quite like this, and she sent a still larger detachment -of her hen-hearted soldiers; a soldiery that cannot fight half so -well as Newhaven fishwives, an opium-eating, deteriorated race, which -but to look at makes one think that the end of the world cannot be -far away, or that if these creatures called the Chinese are really -descended from the ape--with apologies to the monkey tribe,--they are -speedily "throwing back", as breeders say, to their ancestry. - -Well, for two years longer things went smoothly enough in Corea, -though the Min or old fogey party had all the best places. - -In December, 1884, a great party was given to celebrate the opening -of the post-office at Seoul. This was more than the Chinese could -stand, an attack was made, the party was broken up, and there was a -massacre of ministers. The old-fashioned Coreans, dominated by the -Chinese, wouldn't have progress at any price. There were now the -same murderous riots and scenes in Corea, though on a larger scale, -that had taken place two years before, and not only were the Japs -attacked by a Corean mob, but by Chinese soldiers also. - -A convention was afterwards signed between China and Japan, and it -was thought that peace would be permanent, but lo! in 1894, -Kim-Ok-Kim, the leader in the awful massacres of 1884, was murdered. -The facts are these. After the defeat of his party he had fled to -Japan, but now he was prevailed upon to visit Shanghai by a Corean, -whose front name was Hung. Perhaps he would have been better hung. -But he received great provocation from his highness Kim, for the -latter gave him a bogus cheque, for money owing, to the tune of five -thousand dollars. Hung returned furious and made his way to Kim's -bedroom, where he found the man who had fooled him lying down. He -shot him twice, and on Kim springing up and rushing into the -corridor, his assassin followed and completed the job. He then fled. - -Both these men were Coreans, but till now, at all events, Corea was -considered but a portion of China, subject to its rule and sway in -every way. - -Things went on from bad to worse. Two men nagging at each other -usually come to blows, and it is the same with nations. - -Japan proposed reforms in Corea, China refused to honour these. -Corea was shilly-shallying. Corea was like the fat party who sits -between two stools, and ultimately falls with legs in the air. Japan -was discontented. The memory of the murders rankled in her mind, and -she cared not how soon she drew the sword and went straight for stale -old China--China the multitudinous, China the effete. - -Then came an attack on the king's palace at Seoul. - -While hostilities had really broken out war was not yet officially -declared. But that lurid cloud hovering over Corea and the seas -around, was soon to burst now, and terrible would be the results. - -Next comes a brisk little naval action. Chinese men-of-war had been -despatched to Corea, and three of the fastest Jap cruisers had at the -same time left Sasebo. I don't want the reader to worry over the -names of these, for though to my ear they are musical enough they are -difficult to remember. - -It was not very long before the Japanese cruisers met the two -battle-ships of China, near to the island of Phung. (N.B.--So far as -the Chinamen were concerned, Phunk would have been a better name for -it.) - -Now, although the Chinese knew of the doings in Corea and the attack -on the king's palace at Seoul, the Japanese had been at sea for -several days and didn't. They were, therefore, much surprised to -note that the China captains did not return their salute, and that -they had really cleared for action. - -"Oh, if that's their game," said the commander-in-chief of the three -cruisers, "it is one that we can bear a hand in!" - -Now, I don't go in for cock-fighting--dog-fighting is worse, and -bull-fighting is terribly cruel; but I must confess that the story of -a neat little fight at sea makes my eyes sparkle, and I rub my hands -with delight. - -I sha'n't say much about this battle, however, but the Japs tried to -get the Chinamen more into open water. They meant business. The -former didn't like it. I suppose they thought the nearer to the land -they were the better. Feather-bed sailors, you see. So they opened -fire in a nasty, shabby kind of way. - -Then at them went the Japs, hammer and tongs. Oh, it was just too -awfully lovely for anything, as the Yankees express it. How the guns -roared! How viciously the fire spat out through the clouds of white -smoke! How I wish I could have seen it! - -Well, boys, in a very short time the _Kuang-yi_ (China) was _hors de -combat_, and had to run ashore, and the other battle-ship put up helm -and fled to Wei-hai-Wei, so riddled with shot that she looked like a -pepper-box, while down from her scupper-holes trickled the blood of -her wounded and slain. - -But the Chinese--who are nothing if not distorters of the -truth--spread the report, or rather tried to, that on the whole they -had the best of it - -It makes one laugh to read the Chinese report of the battle, -especially that yarn about killing the Jap admiral. He was on the -bridge, says John, when he was shot, and he leapt so high in the air -that he turned three somersaults before descending, dead. Well, I -have seen many a Chinaman turn somersaults, but Japanese are not so -cowardly active and tricky. - -But this brisk little action did not terminate here, for it ended in -a fearful tragedy, thus. While the Jap cruisers were chasing the -Chinamen, two other ships hove in sight. One was a Chinese gun-boat, -acting as tender to the British S.S. _Kowshing_. This steamer had -been chartered by the Chinese to carry troops to Corea, and had on -board about twelve hundred Chinese officers and men, with guns, -ammunition, &c. The gun-boat was at once captured, and the -_Kowshing_ overhauled. - -The European officers declared their willingness to return, but the -Chinese soldiers rushed to arms. Fools! - -The commander of the Jap cruiser, _Naniwa_, ordered the Europeans to -leave. They were not allowed to by the Chinese. Then after a -reasonable time the Jap cruiser ranged alongside. - -Oh, it was horrible! This great ship-load of helpless men was to be -sacrificed to the goddess of war. - -Hear the roar of the great guns and the swish of the awful torpedo! - -An awful explosion follows on board the _Kowshing_, and the vessel is -enveloped in black smoke and coal dust. The European officers spring -overboard to swim for their lives, amidst a rain of Chinese bullets. -Again and again the guns of the _Naniwa_ roll their thunders over the -sea, and in twenty minutes' time the _Kowshing_ sinks. - -No less than a thousand went down in that doomed ship. Nor can we -altogether blame the Japs, but I do blame that British greed of gain -that leads us to carry the troops of foreign nations, and defiantly -run blockades. No one can pity such merchantmen when they come to -grief. - -The sinking of this ship probably went far to decide the future fate -of China in Corea, for had these twelve hundred picked men, under the -command of a skilful German general, landed in Corea, it would have -gone hard with the Japs at Asar. - -War was at length formally declared, and soon it raged fast and -furious. But in almost every engagement the Chinese, though double, -sometimes even triple in numbers, had to give way before the brave -and well-drilled Japs. - -I have now to relate an adventure of a somewhat extraordinary kind, -and very sad in its way, which is more intimately connected with our -story than any narrative of the China-Japanese war could be. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -"THE BATTLE RAGES LOUD AND LONG." - -I do not really know how far the old-fashioned, out of-date paddler -_Osprey_ could have gone in for protecting British interests. In an -engagement, even with a cowardly Chinaman, she would very soon have -been paddle-less, and a good shell would have blown her two decks -into one. - -I grant all this, but the bonnie white flag with its red jack in the -corner, that floats astern even on an unarmed man-o'-war officer's -boat, is one to be respected, and one that has made many a tyrant -tremble and pause thoughtfully, with, figuratively speaking, his hand -at his pistol-pocket. - -That flag is respected wherever it waves, in battle or in breeze. -For behind it, though unseen, lies all the might and power of -Britain. Moral suasion is often of more use than Gatling guns, and -so here is the _Osprey_, while around her, many times and oft, - - "The battle rages loud and long, - And the stormy winds do blow". - - -One morning early, while lying off a Chinese river, it was necessary -to send letters to some British families--traders who, with their -wives and children, desired to be taken to a place of safety, the -Chinese having threatened their lives. - -The messages sent were to assure them of protection. They were told -to hold themselves in readiness, and that as soon as the weather -moderated they would be taken off. - -Creggan was sent with this boat--the pinnace,--the Ugly Duckling -also, and Goodwin went as interpreter. A good show of marines was -also to the fore, and these were to be left with our poor countrymen -by the river's brink. - -Though the breakers ran mountains high on the bar, there was a gap, -and after a long pull and a strong pull Creggan and his merry men got -inside. They then hugged the bank, and were at their destination by -seven bells in the forenoon watch. - -They had come in time, for the Foo-kies, as our blue-jackets used to -call the Chinamen, were in swarms, and threatening to fire the houses -of the "foreign devils". - -I may state here that they afterwards did so, and that our countrymen -had to fight for their lives in a laager, till rescued some days -afterwards. - -Having dispersed the cowardly mob at the bayonet point, and received -assurance from the head-man that nothing should happen to the -Europeans, Creggan made all haste to join his ship. - -They rushed the boat down-stream therefore, and were soon at the gap. -Here great caution was necessary, for a boiling sea was being driven -in on a high wind to fight with the quick-rolling river. - -Alas! they had not gone far, ere a heavy sea struck the port bow and -dashed the boat round, broad-side on, to the waves. At the same time -three men were washed away and speedily sank. - -The breakers rushed over them now, and almost filled the pinnace. To -make matters worse, night had all but fallen, despite the haste -Creggan had made. Through the mist of that turmoil of breaking water -they could just descry the lights of the _Osprey_, and as Creggan had -got the boat's head round again, hope once more began to rise in his -heart. - -Alas for hope in this case! She was speedily struck by a huge wave, -and this time turned keel uppermost. - -The officers and one man managed to cling to the upset boat, but so -terrible was the war 'twixt river and sea on this dread bar, that the -boat was sometimes keel uppermost, and sometimes right side up but -swamped. - -How they struggled for life no one can ever understand who has not -been in the same fearful situation. - -The sailor suddenly let go hold, and with a wild shriek threw up his -arms and disappeared. - -Creggan gave all up for lost. All his young life and loves arose -before his mind's eye now, and he prayed, as perhaps he had never -prayed before, that God in his mercy might spare them. He soon found -that he could hold on no longer, but at that moment a light flashed -across his eyes, and a cheery hail resounded loud over the roar of -the breakers. - -He knew no more until he opened his eyes and gazed bewilderingly -around. - -A surgeon--Japanese--was bending over him, bathing tenderly a wound -in his temple. - -"This is not the _Osprey_?" Creggan managed to mutter. - -"No; your ship had dragged her anchor, and when nearly on the rocks -got up steam in time and saved herself by putting out to sea." - -All this in perfect English. - -"Pray, rest quiet," he continued; "you will be safe and sound -to-morrow. This is our flag-ship, the _Matsushima_." - -"One word, sir; are any saved but me?" - -"Yes, sir; one officer--young, not handsome--and one brave brown man. -He would not permit himself to be saved until you and your friend -were hauled on board our boat." - -How glad was Creggan next morning to meet Goodwin and the Duck. All -were fresh, though the memory of the terrible accident lay heavy at -their hearts. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -The Japanese officers were more than civil, they were the -quintessence of hospitality. They would do all they could for our -_Osprey_ heroes, but meanwhile they were guarding a fleet of thirty -transports, under the command of Marshal Yamagata, who was proceeding -to Corea to land 10,000 men, 4500 coolies, and nearly 4000 horses. - -The Chinese fleet was somewhere else similarly engaged, and the bold -Japs were hoping to meet them. - -"Ah!" said the surgeon laughing, as he addressed Creggan, "depend -upon it, we shall give them battle and blazes both. You shall see -how our bold iron-clad navy can fight." - -Both Creggan and his companions were delighted. - -"If an engagement does take place," said the former, "I greatly fear -that we will not be able to resist the temptation to work a gun or -two." - -"I was thinking," said the Jap doctor, "that as you belong to a -neutral nation, I should requisition your services to assist me with -the wounded down below." - -"Too tame, doctor, too tame; I'm a Scot, sir." - -"Oh!" cried the Jap doctor, "I have read your splendid history, and -of all your terrible struggles against the Saxons of the south, five -times your number. I loved your Bruce, your Wallace, ay, and even -your bold Rob Roy." - -"If I may speak a word," said Goodwin, "I am equally unwilling to do -cockpit duty." - -"Well, well, well!" cried the bright, busy little doctor. "I shall -address our admiral, and you all shall fight!" - -Not as long as he lives will Creggan forget that memorable morning of -September 17th, 1894. Both he and his true-hearted friends were up -betimes. Time enough at all events to witness the rich and beautiful -sunrise. The fleet, in fine order, was off Hai-Yang, in the estuary -of the Yalu river, and were now under steam for Tahi Island, when -there came a hail from aloft which, though couched in Japanese, even -Creggan could understand. - -"The Chinese fleet in sight!" - -This was at 11.30. - -How that shout made the pulses of every man and officer in the -flag-ship, and in every other ship, thrill with joy-- - - "That stern joy which warriors feel - In foemen worthy of their steel!" - - -Bustle and excitement followed. Yet not to any very great extent, -for in war-time the Japs are like the Britons, "Ready, aye ready". - -Now, as far as my knowledge of the battle goes, I think that the -fleets were well matched, although the Chinese fleet numbered two -ships more (twelve against ten). The Japs had it somewhat in tonnage -if not in guns. - -But, boys mine, do not let anyone persuade you that because the -dashing days of old have passed away, with its ship-to-ship fights -and boarding cutlass in hand, men of heart and pluck count for -nothing. - -Indeed, indeed they do. Give me an admiral as courageous as a lion, -smart and clever, and possessed of an eye like a Scottish eagle, with -bold captains under him ready to obey every signal, and blue-jackets -of the British type on every ship, then I should not care if, in -action, the enemy's vessels outnumbered ours. We should capture, -sink, or burn them, - - "For England, home, and beauty". - - -The Chinese were well supplied with torpedo boats, and could handle -them too, but in manoeuvring they did not show half the skill -exhibited by the now cool-headed and calculating Japs. - -The battle was almost like a game of whist, owing to the Japanese -admiral's far-sightedness. There were also gallant fellows enough to -work the signals. - -The Jap fleet was divided into a flying and a main squadron. Admiral -Ito had one disadvantage to contend against from the first, and I -trust we British will not forget the lesson. The ships in his two -squadrons were not of the same speed, so that the swift fliers had to -wait for the slow. - -It would be impossible, without diagrams, to give a correct notion of -the evolutions. However, I can refer boys interested in this noble -naval battle to books on the China-Japanese war. - -It was one o'clock before the two fleets approached on deadly warfare -bent. The Chinese in a single line, its strongest ships in the -centre, which Ting the Chinese admiral thought would have to bear the -brunt of Ito's awful onset. - -The flying squadron led the Japanese van, but soon separated and -skirted the enemy's right in fine form. - -The main squadron also deviated, the bold _Yoshino_ leading and -bearing the brunt of a terrible fire from the foe. But they -outflanked the Chinese thus early, and the Chinese weaker ships, -which had been placed at each end, were skilfully riddled, and the -_Yang-Wei_ was soon in flames. - -Ito had meant to sweep right round the left flank of the enemy, and -the flying squadron had already ported to do so. But seeing two new -Chinamen and six torpedo boats coming up to join, the flying squadron -attacked these and they fled. - -And now the main squadron swept past the Chinese right, and soon had -another of their ships on fire. - -It will be seen how pitiable it is to have ships in action of unequal -speed, when I tell you that the Japanese _Hiyei_ had to lag behind. -She was 2200 tons, but, exposed to the Chinese line, would soon have -been sunk, had not her brave commander instead of passing along this -fearful line of fire boldly dashed through the enemy's centre. -Fortune favours the brave, and this vessel escaped even the -torpedoes; but alas! when she rejoined her squadron she was in -flames. She signalled to that effect, and a brave little ship, but -slow, steamed to her assistance. Oh, the pluck of this bold wee -_Akaji_! Mind, she was little over five hundred tons.[1] She was -chased by a Chinaman double her size, her commander was killed, her -steam-pipe destroyed, still she fought like a fiend, and when her -main-mast was carried away she hoisted her flag upon the stump. But -at last this brave wee Jap set her foe on fire, and the duel ended. -The _Akaji_ and _Hiyei_, however, were still in great danger, and -other Chinamen took up the pursuit. - - -[1] The _Akaji_ has not been reckoned in line of battle, nor the -_Saikio Maru_. - - -Admiral Ito ordered the flying squadron to their assistance, and some -terribly hot work ensued at 2.30 P.M. For the Jap called the _Saikio -Maru_, was catching it very hot between two fires, while a torpedo -boat crossing her bows launched at her two torpedoes, both missing -their mark. Down crashed the flying squadron and turned the odds, so -the three weaklings of the Jap fleet escaped and got out of battle -and reach. - -Then the two squadrons swept round the Chinamen in opposite -directions. The two Japanese fleets have now closed upon the foe on -both sides, and - - "The battle rages loud and long". - -It was then that the two flag-ships _Matsushima_ and the Chinese -_Ting-Yuen_ faced each other, and fought the most fearful naval duel -of modern times. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -LIKE A BATTLE OF OLDEN TIMES. - -The fight between those two splendid battle-ships _Ting-Yuen_ of 7430 -tons and the _Matsushima_ of 4300 tons, was a combat that puts us in -mind of some of the battles of olden days, when chiefs met -single-handed, and before their assembled armies decided the fate of -the day. - -It will be observed that the Chinese ship was fully three thousand -tons heavier than the Japanese, and she carried more heavy guns too. - -But the admiral of the latter had skill and daring and his vessel had -far greater speed, for, while the Chinaman could only steam fourteen -knots, the Jap could do over seventeen. She had also more -quick-firing guns, and no living thing can stand a moment before -these terrible weapons of modern naval warfare. - -Creggan was stationed in one barbette--the port--and his friend in -another, while Goodwin worked a gun not far from our hero. - -I have never had a chance of interviewing my friend the Ugly Duckling -as to his feelings during their terrible ship-to-ship engagement, but -it is not long since I talked with Creggan himself. He describes the -battle as a fearful tempest of fire and blood. - -"What were your feelings, Creggan?" I asked. - -"You mean," he answered, "when we ranged up to fight the Chinese -flag-ship?" - -"Yes," I said. - -"Well," he replied, "I cannot very well tell you. For to begin with, -the _Matsushima_ had already received her baptism of blood, and I had -shuddered to see men mangled out of all shape of humanity by bursting -shells, and others borne below, leaving here a limb and there a -ghastly arm behind, the blood spurting fountain-like over the faces -and clothes of the bearers. - -"It might be my turn next, and that of the brave men who crowded the -barbette. - -"Was I afraid?" he continued. "I confess I was. It was something -more than fear that took possession of my soul. I felt a cold terror -creeping round my heart, for I had no hopes of life. Such terror as -this it must be that a doomed man experiences when walking towards -the scaffold with trembling limbs and cold perspiring knees. But I -had prayer to support me. I do not know if you will quite understand -me, when I say that I could see far beyond the awful din and roar and -smoke of battle, see an eye above bidding me be of good cheer, -whether death should come or not. - -"Every bullet has it billet. Yes, but a bursting projectile in -modern warfare has not one billet, but a hundred. The destruction -some of these shells cause cannot be grasped by anyone who has not -seen it. - -"But here is a curious thing. No sooner did the first great boom of -one of our guns take place, and our huge shell go roaring away on its -mission of destruction, than all fear and terror passed away. I was -as exalted now, although calm, as if I had taken a great dose of -morphia, such as Dr. Grant once gave me. - -"The first shot came from the foe--I mean the first that told. We -could see from where I stood the quick, spiteful puff of white smoke -and its awful tongue of red fire, and almost at the same time nearly -every man around me had fallen to the deck with the fearful -concussion as the Chinese projectile struck us almost amidships. - -"But now the battle raged fast and furious. Small though we were in -comparison with the Chinaman, we circled around, and hardly did we -fire a shot which did not tell. - -"We soon had the intense satisfaction of seeing the _Ting-Yuen_ in -flames. A few more of our shots and a torpedo would have sunk her, -had not her sister ship, the _Chen-Yuen_, come to her and stood by -her. - -"The Chinese flag-ship was now unable to work her guns, but if," said -Creggan, "my memory serves me right, it was the last shell she fired -which worked such fearful havoc on board our poor ship. - -"This shell was not only terrible in itself, but, bursting near to a -large heap of ammunition, it exploded it, tearing our decks almost to -pieces, and killing or wounding about eighty of our crew. - -"I myself escaped that time," he continued. - -"Yes," I said, "but you have an empty sleeve." - -"True, but it was a shell from another vessel that tore away my -forearm after this. - -"But poor honest Goodwin was rent in pieces. I marked his brave -looks but a minute or two before this, next when I saw him he formed -one in that awful heap of carnage, when arms, limbs, heads, and -bodies were huddled together, with stanchions, broken pieces of -conning-tower, all torn up like pasteboard, and the smoke of warfare -rising slowly from the bleeding mass. - -"Ah, well! so quick was the death, that honest Goodwin couldn't have -known what hit him. - -"Meanwhile the battle raged on, and it was just an hour after this -when I had my own disaster. I felt no pain. There was a bright -flash of light across my eyes, that was all; and I was advancing to -assist in training my gun, when a comrade flung himself towards me. -I was for the moment unaware that I was wounded, but fell fainting to -the deck. - -"When I recovered my senses, I was lying in the battery with a -tourniquet around my arm. I was shortly after removed below, and saw -no more of the fearful fight. But I was told that at half-past three -we sank the _King-Yuen_, and after this our fleet, which in its two -divisions, had circled right round the Chinese, causing them great -confusion, hemmed them in. - -"The flying squadron passed the _Chih-Yuen_, giving her fits, turned, -swept back again, and finally under its terrible fire she heeled over -and sank with all hands. - -"I may say that the carnage in our tops was fearful. Blood spurting -from the dead and dying, and rushing in a red stream adown the masts. - -"Owing to their wonderful strength and fourteen-inch armour belts, -the Chinese flag-ship and her sister, though utterly wrecked and -riddled as to their upper works, continued to float and fight to the -end. - -"The Chinamen had certainly fought well, but shortly before sunset -thought they had had enough of it and fled. Our flying squadron -followed, peppering them as they went, but just as gloaming was -descending on the now gray sea they were recalled, and thus ended the -ever-memorable naval battle of the Yalu river." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -This brilliant Japanese victory, reader, had a great effect on the -campaign on land. - -"Even without it," says the historian, "Japan's military superiority -was so overwhelming and China's collapse so complete, that no single -event could have altered the fortunes of the war. But the crushing -defeat of the Chinese fleet, and the consequent command of the sea -held by the Japanese, facilitated all their operations, and enabled -them to land their armies when and where they chose, and to conceive -bold plans of campaign, which would have been too hazardous without -such a naval supremacy." - -I must refer the reader who is interested in the subsequent triumphs -of Japanese soldiers to books on history. And these are plentiful -enough. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -One day about six weeks after the fearful fight in which Creggan had -lost his forearm, the British paddle-frigate _Osprey_ hove in sight, -and both our chief hero and the Duckling, who, by the way, had come -through the fiery ordeal all safe and unscathed, were transferred -once more to their floating home. - -They were both very sorry indeed to bid adieu to the brave Japs. -Every officer was a gentleman, and had treated them with the greatest -kindness. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -COURT-MARTIALED. - -It would be difficult indeed to say which of the animals was most -glad to welcome our heroes on their return. - -Hurricane Bob, after a rough canine salute, must go dashing round and -round the deck, to the danger of the limbs if not the lives of the -honest sailors, flashing his white teeth and his red flag of a tongue -in a vain effort to allay his feelings. - -Oscar was different, he had so much to say to his master, who was -once again soothing and petting him, that he got great-hearted, and -whined and scolded and cried by turns. Just like a dog, you know. - -But Admiral Jacko confined his attentions almost solely to his -master, and his joy was one of fondness, if not effusion. He crept -into the Ugly Duckling's arms, and it was said that he really shed -tears. But I do not quite believe that, for I am of opinion that man -is, after all, the only animal who weeps, or rather woman is. Yes, I -have often heard of crocodiles' tears, and what is better still, I -have more than once examined the face of one of these saurian -monsters who dwell in the marshy interior of Africa, and I have never -seen the vestige of a tear about the ugly beast's cheeks. - -Perhaps you may say I didn't go near enough. - -No, catch me doing anything of the sort, because the crocodile would -have played the game of "catch me quick". But I have stood at a -respectful distance, and made my inspection through the telescope. - -Well, I have never seen a monkey weep. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Having done her duty in Chinese waters, and heard that the Foo-kies -had been well thrashed, as indeed they deserved to be, the good ship -_Osprey_ sailed once more for Bombay. - -Thence she was sent down to Zanzibar with dispatches, and from that -place to the Cape of Good Hope again. - -On boarding the flag-ship in company with poor one-armed Creggan, his -junior lieutenant, Captain Leeward was not sorry to find that at -long, long last the "Ordered home" had arrived. - -It was time; the commission had been a long one, and the sanitary -condition of the ship was not everything that could be desired. This -was principally owing to the millions of gigantic cockroaches that -swarmed everywhere. - -There were very many other creepie-creepies on board the _Osprey_ as -well as cockroaches. Of these latter there were two species, one the -little sort, about three-quarters of an inch in length, the other, -the true _Blatta orientalis_, two inches and a half from stem to -stern, with feelers three inches long, of immense breadth of beam, -spiked legs, and an outspread of wing when they flew of about three -inches. - -Well, there were many kinds of spiders, scorpions, earwigs, an -occasional tarantula, whose bite may produce delirium and death, and -whole colonies of little ants. But now and then a gigantic centiped -would appear, and these are dreaded even more than are snakes. - -So on the whole, the _Osprey_ at the tail end of the commission -offered a fine field for the study of natural history. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Homeward-bound! What joy it spreads over every heart on board a -ship, from that of the boy who helps the cook, feeds the pets, and -gets kicked about by all hands, to the captain himself, who, if he -does not say much, cannot hide the pleasure that beams in his face -and eyes. - -There is a commander in the Royal Navy (retired), still alive while I -write, who was present at the funeral of Britain's greatest hero, -Admiral Nelson. This officer might well be called the father of the -navy, for he is now in his hundredth year. - -Well, had he come on board on Saturday night while the _Osprey_ was -making her long homeward-bound passage from the Cape to England, he -would certainly have considered himself back once more in the dear -days of old. - -There certainly was not the same amount of tossing of cans, but the -main-brace was spliced by the captain's orders, and away forward down -below, around the galley and at the fo'c's'le head, many a song was -heard, many a yarn spun, and many a heart beat high and warm with the -thoughts of home and Merrie England. - -It really appeared that the _Osprey_ herself knew she was homeward -bound. - -She was the sauciest of the saucy, "for an old un", as Jack phrased -it. - -"The old jade!" someone would remark, as she curtseyed to a wave, -flinging the spray far over the bows; "the old jade! I believe she -is doing it on purpose. Whoa, lass, whoa!" - -And some of the songs sung on that Saturday night were perhaps homely -enough, but every one of them breathed of the brine and the billows. -Two verses, for example--they were trolled by Chips the carpenter, -the hoarse old bo's'n putting in a good bass, and some of Mother -Carey's chickens piping a tenor as they dashed from blue wave to blue -wave after itinerant white-bait--I give below: - - - JACK AND HIS NANCY. - - "Scarce the foul hurricane was cleared, - Scarce winds and waves had ceased to rattle, - Ere a bold enemy appeared, - And, dauntless, we prepared for battle. - And now while some lov'd friend or wife - Like lightning rush'd on ev'ry fancy, - To Providence I trusted life, - Put up a prayer--and thought of Nancy. - - "At last--'twas in the month of May, - The crew, it being lovely weather, - At three A.M. discovered day - And England's chalky cliffs together; - At seven up Channel how we bore! - While hopes and fears rush'd on my fancy; - At twelve I gaily jumped on shore, - And to my throbbing heart press'd Nancy." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Well, that is all very well in song, but nowadays at all events Jack -doesn't get leave to jump on shore at twelve if his ship comes in at -seven. Nor for a day or two, or even three. There is a clean bill -of health to be got first, and any amount of little matters and -morsels of red tape to be seen to. - -But Nancy may come on board, and Jack isn't a bit shy at such times. -Oh no, I never met a true sailor who was. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -I have now to relate a very strange experience that befell Creggan -and his friend the Ugly Duckling. - -The ship had not long lain at anchor off the Hoe, when, after a deal -of signalling from the admiral's office, Captain Leeward, with a -strange smile on his face, came up to the place where the two young -officers stood looking over the bulwarks at the crowd of shore-boats, -and passing many a quaint and humorous remark. - -Seeing the captain, they turned and saluted at once. - -"I regret to inform you, gentlemen," said Captain Leeward, "that you -are both prisoners. Don't be afraid; it will be a mere formality, I -am sure. Meanwhile, I must do my duty. You are on parole, if you -give me your word you will make no attempt to leave the ship." - -"Oh, certainly, sir. But--may--may I ask you what we shall be tried -for?" - -The captain laughed now. - -"Why," he answered, "only for assisting the Japs against an enemy -with whom we are at peace. Keep up your hearts, boys. I sha'n't put -a sentry over you, but just give up your sword, Lieutenant Creggan -Ogg M'Vayne, and you, young sir, your dirk, to the officer of the -watch." - -I have no desire at this end of my story to describe the -formalities--solemn enough in all conscience--of the court of inquiry. - -That sword of Creggan's and the Ugly Duckling's dirk lay side by side -on the green-baize-covered table, surrounded by officers in fullest -uniform, and the two prisoners stood between marines with fixed -bayonets, near one end of the table. - -Neither of the young officers denied anything, and when asked what he -had to say in his defence, Creggan replied: - -"Nothing at all, except that I wear an empty sleeve in commemoration -of the grandest naval battle of modern times. But I must add that I -would do the same again, for it isn't in British human nature to -stand by with finger in mouth while battle is raging round." - -There was much grave conversation after the prisoners had been -withdrawn, and finally they were ordered in. - -"I dare say," whispered the Duckling to Creggan a minute before this, -"it will be a shooting case. Heigh-ho! what will become of poor -Jacko, and I'm sure my sister will break her heart!" - -But to their joy, when they returned looking pale and anxious, the -sword and dirk were handed back, and they were told that they left -the court without a stain on their character. - -There were positively tears in the eyes of both young fellows as the -officers shook hands with them. - -The admiral of the port invited both to dinner that evening. He was -as anxious as anybody could be to hear a personal narrative of the -great sea-fight. - -I may mention here as well as elsewhere, that before Creggan went -back to his mother's house at Torquay he received the Victoria Cross -from the hands of Her Majesty herself, and for such an honour as this -I believe the bold young fellow would have been content to go through -far more than he had done. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -SAFELY HOME AT LAST. - -Yes, after all their tales and adventures, our heroes are once more -safe on British ground. What says Dibdin? - - "No more of winds and waves the sport, - Our vessel is arrived in port; - At anchor, see, she safely rides, - And gay red ropes adorn her sides. - The sails are furl'd, the sheets belay'd; - The flag that floats astern display'd, - Deserted are the useless shrouds, - The lasses row aboard by crowds. - Then come, my lads, let joy abound, - We're safely moor'd on English ground!" - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -It only remains for me to "muster by open list", as we say in the -Royal Navy. - -Let me say a word or two, then, about my _dramatis personæ_, and so -clue up. - -There are always a few surprises awaiting the sailor when he returns -home after a long cruise. Jack looks forward to these with some -anxiety, as the ship is getting nearer and still more near to the -chalky cliffs of Old England. He thinks himself a very happy man -indeed if these surprises turn out to be pleasant ones; which, alas! -they are not always. Some dear one,--father, mother, wife, sister, -or sweetheart, who ought to have come out in a shore-boat to meet -him, is missing. - -But there are friends alongside to bear him the sad tidings. - -She is dead! He is dead! - -And poor Jack had been so expectantly happy for days and weeks before -this! He had entirely forgotten that there was any such thing as -death in the world. - -Look at his sadly bewildered face now. - -"Courage, Jack, courage!" says some brave mess-mate with a tear in -his eye. Jack returns the pressure of the hard yet friendly hand, -but--goes down below to weep. - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -As soon as the _Osprey_ was paid off, and he had bade farewell to his -mess-mates, Creggan, accompanied by his dearest friend the Ugly -Duckling, took train for Torquay. - -He did not even telegraph to say he was coming. The two arm in arm, -after paying off the hansom they had chartered, sauntered up the -terraced garden and rang the great hall bell. - -Ah! but Matty herself had been watching. A lovely girl she was now -of sweet seventeen. - -The meeting of the lovers, for lovers I now may call them, was -heartfelt and cordial; but Creggan did not venture to kiss her. - -Then she spied the empty sleeve, and, girl-like, burst into tears. - -"Ah, never mind, dear!" said Creggan soothingly. "See what it has -brought me--honour and glory, and the Victoria Cross." - -"Oh, Creggan, Creggan," cried Matty, "the poor arm was worth a -thousand Victoria Crosses!" - -"Oh, it wasn't for that I got the Cross! But how do you come to be -here, Matty?" - -"Oh, I've been living here for months. Just keeping your dear mother -company." - -"And where is mother?" - -"She has gone into the town. She will be home soon. You will have -time to tell me quite a deal before she comes." - -The Ugly Duckling, with Admiral Jacko in full uniform, had been -standing at some little distance, but now Creggan beckoned him -forward and introduced him. - -"My dearest friend and shipmate, Matty." - -The Duckling bowed, ship-shape and sailor-fashion; so did the Admiral. - -Matty was laughing now right merrily. - -"I'm sure," said his master, "Admiral Jacko would make a speech if he -could. I must make one in his stead. Well, Miss Matty, I can't help -saying what I think, you're just about the sweetest, all-tautest -little craft I've seen since I left Venezuela, and if I were not -engaged to be married, why--I'd--I'd run my friend aboard, cut him -out, and marry you myself." - -Matty bent down over Oscar to caress him, but at the same time to -hide her blushes. - -"Well, I'm going to take Jacko inside," said the Duckling. "I'm sure -I shall find something for him to eat, and something to drink." - -And away he marched, which was really very kind and thoughtful of him. - -Then hand in hand down through the shrubbery and rose lawns went -Creggan and Matty. Ah!-- - - "There's nothing half so sweet in life - As love's young dream". - -Creggan felt almost too happy to speak. But he did speak at last, -and from all I know he told the old, old, but ever new tale. - -"Now tell me, Matty," he said after this, "how your father is. You -have said my mother is well." - -"Yes, and dear old father too. But he is much in London now." - -"And Willie?" - -"Oh, that is why Daddy is in London. Willie, you know, stood for the -borough of Blankham, and was duly elected. Weren't we all so happy -just? And I've been to the strangers' gallery myself, and saw Willie -in his place. And really he looked by far the nicest there. I only -wonder that--" - -She paused. - -"That what, Matty?" - -"That when he rose to make a speech they coughed him down." - -"Exceedingly rude!" - -"Yes, but they did; and Willie got so red in the face, and I thought -he was going to cry. But he just took up his hat and was going to -leave, when a kind-faced gentleman with long white hair put a hand on -his shoulder. I don't know what he said, but Willie went straight -back to his seat and sat down again." - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -"But you haven't said a word about my Daddy the hermit, and I hope he -lives." - -"Not only does he live, Creggan, but he has left Skye and his lonely -island, and has come to settle down close beside us here. He dines -with us every night." - -"How delightful!" - -"The minister says he is clothed and in his right mind." - -"Poor old Daddy, he always was in his right mind." - -"Ah! but you should see how nicely he dresses now. You would take -him for some reverend old professor. You will see him to-night." - -"And Archie M'Lean?" - -"Still in America, and I think will remain there for years. They say -he is making money, and that he means to come back and marry Maggie." - -"What, Maggie M'Ian?" - -"Yes." - -"Heigh-ho!" sighed Creggan. "I feel getting very old." - -Matty laughed right merrily. "Poor old sailor!" she said roguishly. -"But, oh, look, here comes Daddy himself!" And so it was. - -Matty might well have said he looked like an old professor. His hair -was long and gray, and he was dressed in broadcloth. Yet there was -no sign of age about him as the glad smile of surprise brightened his -face, and he hurried up with both hands extended to greet and welcome -Creggan home. - -"My own dear sailor boy!" - -He could say no more just then, and like Matty took refuge in the -caresses he bestowed on Oscar. - -Yes, Oscar knew him well after all these years, for dogs never, never -do forget the dear ones they love. - -Need I add that the meeting betwixt Creggan and his mother was a -happy one? Surely that is unnecessary. - -The Ugly Duckling and Admiral Jacko were declared to be prisoners for -three weeks. - -"But my sister, madam!" was all the former urged against his -imprisonment. - -That objection was quickly set aside, for Creggan's mother sent for -her, and she joined the jolly party at "The Pines". - -* * * * * * * * * * * - -Years have gone since then. - -Creggan has retired, of course. One-armed sailors are not considered -available for active service. - -But it is only a few months since our hero led Matty to the altar, a -bonnie, bonnie young bride indeed. - -And the Ugly Duckling, who has also retired, having come into some -money, is now master of a beautiful barque (clipper), and she is all -his own. - -He took the newly-wedded couple down the Mediterranean on a long -honeymoon. This was all the more jolly because the hermit himself, -with Oscar and Admiral Jacko, were of the party. - -And so the story ends. - -Oh no, not quite; I must let the Ugly Duckling have the very last -word. - -He and Creggan were sitting together on the quarter-deck while -sailing down the blue Levant, and while the stars, so lustreful, -shone above them and were reflected from the sea, it was in answer to -a remark of Creggan's that he spoke. - -"Yes, dear boy," he said, "I'm going out to Venezuela soon, and if -Natina still loves me, she shall be my bride. For who but romantic -Natina could think of giving her heart and hand to so ugly a duckling -as poor me?" - - - - - THE BOYS' LIBRARY - - Uniform with this Volume - - Silas Verney. Edgar Pickering. - The Missing Merchantman. Harry Collingwood. - Brothers in Arms. F. Bayford Harrison. - The Lost Explorers. Alex. Macdonald. - The Great White Chief. R. M. Macdonald. - Brownsmith's Boy. G. Manville Fenn. - Nat the Naturalist. G. Manville Fenn. - Bunyip Land. G. Manville Fenn. - The Pirate Island. Harry Collingwood. - Dick o' the Fens. G. Manville Fenn. - Devon Boys. G. Manville Fenn. - In the King's Name. G. Manville Fenn. - The Golden Magnet. G. Manville Fenn. - The Log of the "Flying Fish". Harry Collingwood. - Across the Spanish Main. Harry Collingwood. - The Pilots of Pomona. Robert Leighton. - The Golden Galleon. Robert Leighton. - The Naval Cadet. Dr. Gordon Stables. - Grit Will Tell. R. 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