UCSB LIBRARY
 
 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM H. G. KINGSTON. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 J. E. TILTON AND COMPANY. 
 
 1865.
 
 STEREOTYPED BY 
 
 C. J. PETERS <fc SON, 
 Xo. 13 WASHINGTON ST. 
 
 PRESS OF GKU. 0. HAND <t Aveur.
 
 ANTONY WAYMOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. ' 
 
 " WHAT ! Ned Raymond ahoy ! Heave to, lad. 
 What ! dost seek to give a wide berth to an old 
 friend ? That once was not your wont. Ned 
 Raymond ahoy, I say ! " 
 
 The slight dark mustache on the lip of the 
 person addressed showed that he had just reached 
 the age of manhood. His raven hair hung in 
 ringlets from his head. A black velvet cloak 
 thrown over one shoulder, and a tightly-fitting 
 dress of the same material and hue, set off his 
 well-made, active figure. His plumed cap and the 
 sword by his side showed that he claimed to belong 
 to the upper rank of society. Indeed, no one look- 
 ing at the refined expression of his features and his 
 intelligent countenance could doubt that such was 
 his right. He was walking somewhat rapidly 
 through the narrow and irregularly-built streets of 
 the seaport town of Plymouth, at that time one of 
 the chief ports of departure for the numerous naval 
 
 5
 
 6 ANTONY WAYMOUTHi OR. 
 
 expeditions which went forth to the West and to the 
 East in search of new lands, and of regions of gold 
 and diamonds and other precious stones. 
 
 It is worthy of remark that the people of Devon- 
 shire and Cornwall have from the earliest days 
 shown a strong propensity for naval adventure. 
 This arises not alone from their geographical posi- 
 tion, but has descended to them from their pro- 
 genitors, who were, there can be but little doubt, 
 Phoenicians, or their descendants the Cartha- 
 ginians, perhaps, sailors, merchants, and others 
 attracted from the northern shores of Africa for the 
 sake of the tin found in those counties. Even at 
 the present day many of their customs and the 
 nautical terms they employed are retained. The 
 clotted cream of Devonshire and on the coast of 
 Barbary is the same, as is the mode m which the 
 people manage their farms. Caboose was the name 
 of the temple carried by the fire-worshipping Phoe- 
 nicians on the decks of their vessels ; the cook's 
 house on board ship is now so called. Davit in 
 Arabic is a crooked piece of wood ; the same term 
 we apply to the timbers by which boats are hoisted 
 up to the sides of ships. However, we are now 
 talking of more modern days, and must proceed. 
 
 Good Queen Bess sat on the throne of England, 
 and ruled the realm as few sovereigns have done 
 before or since, greatly to the furtherance of Brit- 
 ain's glory and wealth, and to the firm establish- 
 ment of religion and true liberty, for which let all
 
 THE QENTLEMKJH ADVENTURERS. 7 
 
 honest Englishmen be grateful, and talk not of her 
 womanly weaknesses and failings. 
 
 The young gentleman, hearing his name called, 
 stopped and looked earnestly at the person who had 
 addressed him, and who was following rapidly in 
 his footsteps. The costume of his pursuer was far 
 more gay and dashing than was his, being com- 
 posed of bright - colored velvet and silks, with a 
 golden chain round his neck, a plumed hat set 
 jauntily on his head, and a jewel-hilted sword by 
 his side. He had a laughing blue eye and light 
 curling locks, and though his countenance was well 
 bronzed, and his voice strong and manly, his fea- 
 tures still bore the impress of early youth. Indeed, 
 his hairless lip and beardless chin showed that he 
 had scarcely emerged from boyhood. He ran up to 
 the person of whom he was in pursuit, and frankly 
 held out his hand. 
 
 " Really, sir, you have the advantage of me," 
 said the elder gallant, gravely drawing himself 
 up. 
 
 On this the younger gave way to a merry peal of 
 laughter, exclaiming, " If I am changed, surely you 
 are not, good coz.' I see that. What! Ned Ned, 
 most oblivious of mortals, don't you remember 
 little Tony "Waymouth, whom you pulled out of the 
 water just in time to prevent him from becoming 
 food for the fishes, at the risk of your far more 
 valuable life, and to whom you ever gave the best 
 of advice, and set the best of examples, neither of
 
 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 which, graceless vagabond that he was, is, and I 
 fear ever will be, he took or followed ? " 
 
 There was no longer any hesitation on the part 
 of the elder in seizing the proffered hand, but he 
 found his fingers wrung in so hearty a way, and 
 with so vice-like a grasp, that he could scarcely 
 refrain from crying out with pain. 
 
 The lad saw by the expression of his friend's 
 countenance that in the warmth of his affection he 
 had really hurt him. 
 
 " Marry, pardon me, dear Ned, that my fingers 
 have been thus heedless. They have been so accus- 
 tomed to haul at ropes, tug at the oar, and dabble 
 in the tar-bucket, that they have, like their owner, 
 lost, I fear me, all civilized habits and customs," he 
 exclaimed, exhibiting his horny-palmed, thoroughly- 
 bronzed hand. 
 
 " Say not a word, Tony," answered Raymond. 
 " Far rather would I feel the grasp of thy honest 
 fist than the gingerly touch of the soft-palmed cour- 
 tier. But tell me, lad, where hast thou been these 
 long years since we parted at school, where I fear 
 me, Tony, there was not much knowledge packed 
 away in that then small head of thine ? I have 
 heard rumors of your existence, and that is all." 
 
 " Wandering over the ocean, and battling with 
 the elements and strong-armed men," answered 
 young Waymouth. " But the spectacle of two 
 such gay gallants as we are in this quiet street has 
 already attracted attention. I see down there the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 9 
 
 sign of the White Swan, a good hostelrie, I know. 
 Let us step in there ; it is about the hour of dinner, 
 and I know full well that we shall find a cup of 
 good sack to wash down the viands. While discuss- 
 ing it I will tell you briefly of my doings and listen 
 gladly to yours. I long to hear of your past life 
 and future prospects." 
 
 " Agreed," said Raymond ; " but before we enter 
 let me advise you, Tony, to take but one cup ; the 
 second is apt to do harm." 
 
 " An' it be a jolly big one, then," answered Way- 
 mouth, as they entered the inn. " We rovers of 
 the sea get so much salt water down our throats 
 that we require a fair portion of good liquor to cor- 
 rect its ill effects." 
 
 " The same as of old," observed Raymond, as 
 they took their seats in the public room and waited 
 till dinner was placed before them, preceded by the 
 promised sack. " And now, Tony, that your throat 
 is washed, tell me all that time will allow of your- 
 self," he added, after Way mouth had tasted and 
 expressed his approbation of the sack. 
 
 " With all my heart, then, that I may the sooner 
 come at yours, Ned, I'll begin," said Way mouth, 
 in his light, cheery tone. " You know that I al- 
 ways had a fancy for a life at sea ; not that I knew 
 any thing about it, but I thought I did, which 
 comes to the same thing. Many of my relatives 
 followed the sea, both on my father's and mother's 
 side, and among them was as brave a gentleman as
 
 10 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OS, 
 
 ever stepped my worthy cousin, Captain John 
 Foster, of the good ship Primrose, belonging to the 
 port of London. I had frequently seen him and 
 won his regards, and so at last I told him my hopes 
 and wishes. He promised to intercede for me, and 
 kept his word. My father gave his consent, and 
 the next time he put to sea he took me with him as 
 cabin-boy.' The Primrose was bound for Bilboa, 
 on the north coast of Spain, with bale goods. We 
 had a quick run across the Bay of Biscay, were 
 politely received by the Spaniards, and soon made 
 arrangements to dispose of our cargo. To show his 
 regard, the chief magistrate of the district, the cor- 
 regidor, sent word that he would pay us a visit. 
 He came off in a large boat, with a dozen or more 
 dons, highly respectable merchants, he told us, who 
 wished to make our acquaintance. The captain in- 
 troduced me to the corregidor as a young relative 
 who had come to sea for the first time to try how 
 he liked a life on the ocean. The magistrate made 
 a great deal of me, and patted me on the head, and 
 said all sorts of complimentary things which I 
 didn't understand ; but there was a language in his 
 eye which I did understand, though, and I saw 
 glances exchanged between him and the dark eyes 
 of his companions which still further aroused my 
 suspicions. I slipped out of the cabin and told the 
 captain. ' Good boy ! ' he remarked ; * I'm on the 
 watch.' 
 
 " Dinner was brought in, and wine in abundance.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. H 
 
 The corregidor, after sparingly partaking of some 
 food and wine, departed with some of his followers, 
 leaving, however, five in the cabin, who at once 
 made themselves at home, laughing, and singing, 
 and talking at their ease, trying to make the captain 
 and officers drink with them. I observed that they 
 did not swallow nearly as much as they pretended 
 to take, and that the flasks but slowly became empty. 
 They kept on their cloaks, and I caught sight of the 
 scabbards of their swords and of a long dagger in 
 the belt of one of them. Still we mustered twenty- 
 seven men, stout and true, on board, so that we had 
 nothing to fear from these five Spaniards. As to 
 purchasing the cargo, the object for which they said 
 that they had come, they were, it seemed, too much 
 overcome with wine to talk about the matter. 
 
 " Leaving them in the cabin, I went on deck, 
 where I found that the captain had served out arms 
 to all the men, and loaded the guns ready for action. 
 Some of our people were sent below, others lounged 
 about the deck with their weapons concealed under 
 their clothes. He had good reason for this precau- 
 tion, for as I looked over the side I saw two boats 
 pulling off towards us, one containing twenty or 
 thirty men, the other near a hundred, it seemed. 
 
 " The corregidor, in the smaller boat, was the 
 first to come alongside and to step on board with 
 all imaginable frankness and cordiality. He had 
 brought with him some dozen or more Biscayan 
 merchants, who were desirous of trading with their 
 friends the English.
 
 12 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " * If these are Biscayan merchants, they have a 
 very martial look about them,' observed the captain 
 to one of our officers. ' Now, Senhor Corregidor,' 
 he continued, ' you'll understand that no more of 
 those gentry come up the side ; they crowd our 
 decks and incommode the men in their duties.' 
 
 " The corregidor with many a grin agreed to this, 
 but still the boats remained alongside. Our captain 
 on this was about to order them off, when Seiihor 
 Corregidor whips out a white wand of office, and 
 cries out in a loud voice, ' Yield, fpr you are our 
 prisoners,' while the seeming merchants draw their 
 daggers and swords and present them at the cap- 
 tain's breast. 
 
 " ' We are betrayed, lads ! ' he shouts, knocking 
 up the -weapons with a handspike. 
 
 "At the same moment a drum beats in the big 
 boat, and the Spaniards, soldiers in disguise, begin 
 to climb up the sides. I run aft and clap the hatch 
 over the cabin, so as to keep the five gentlemen 
 there quiet, while our men, drawing out their 
 weapons, begin to lay about them with a will which 
 astonishes the dons. Some run to the guns and 
 point them down at the boats ; others, with axes, 
 force back the men who are climbing the sides. 
 Our decks are slippery with blood. Several of our 
 men are wounded. A shot strikes a shipmate stand- 
 ing in front of me, and, falling dead, he knocks me 
 over. It saves my life, for a Spaniard is making a 
 cut at me, which misses, and our captain cuts him
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 13 
 
 down. Still we fight on against fearful odds. Our 
 enemies gain the deck, but it is only to add to the 
 heap of the slain. At last the corregidor cries out. 
 and begs our captain to order his men to cease 
 fighting. 
 
 " ' Marry, very likely ! ' says the captain, in the 
 sort of Spanish lingo he spoke. ' Why, my fellows 
 are such fire-eating dogs that they would kill me if 
 I was to make such a proposal. Is it the Inquisi- 
 tion, with a turn at the thumb-screws, the rack, and 
 the stake, or liberty and Old England, you look for, 
 my brave lads ? ' continues the captain, turning to 
 the men. 
 
 " ' Liberty and Old England ! ' shout all our com- 
 pany. 
 
 " ' Then let us trundle these treacherous scoun- 
 drels overboard, cut our cable, and make sail,' he 
 exclaims in return. 
 
 " Scarce a minute passed and it was done ; some 
 were thrown into the hold, and the rest overboard, 
 and a strong breeze coming off the land, the cable 
 was cut, the sails filled, and away we glided out 
 ahead of a dozen boats which came off in pursuit. 
 We plied them well with our ordnance, till, like 
 baffled hounds, they turned tail and went back to 
 their kennel. 
 
 " Clear of the land, we turned to examine our 
 prisoners. The five caged in the cabin had whole 
 skins, the rest were wounded. Among them was 
 the smooth-spoken corregidor, now wofully crest-
 
 14 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OS, 
 
 fallen. "We dressed his and the other people's hurts 
 as well as we could, seeing that we had no leech 
 aboard, and with a fair wind stood across the Bay 
 of Biscay. The captain, whose kindness seemed to 
 touch the feelings of the don, at last asked him 
 what made him act so treacherous a part. On this 
 out of his pocket he pulls a paper, which was just 
 an order from King Philip to seize every ship of 
 Holland, Zealand, Easterland, and England, in his 
 ports, letting none escape, that he might increase 
 his own fleet, by which he proposed to strike a blow 
 to overwhelm Old England and all Protestant coun- 
 tries together. 
 
 " 'Ah! is that so, Senhor Don? Then our gra- 
 cious sovereign lady shall know all about it, an' my 
 name be John Foster,' exclaimed the captain ; and 
 you may be sure that, favored by fine weather, we 
 carried all sail night and day until we arrived safely 
 in the Thames. 
 
 " The captain, taking me with him, hurried up to 
 London with our prisoners, strongly guarded. We 
 got audience of the queen and of the great Lord 
 Burleigh ; and the captain, albeit not much of a 
 courtier, did his devoir right courteously to her 
 majesty, who took the paper with her own gracious 
 hand, and ordered a gentleman standing by to read 
 it to her. When she heard its contents her whole 
 countenance changed. 
 
 " ' We'll be on the watch for you, cousin Philip,' 
 she exclaimed ; but I heard no more, for her majesty
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 15 
 
 turned to my Lord Burleigh and other noblemen and 
 gentlemen to bold secret converse with them. 
 
 " But the captain was not the man to go away 
 without fulfilling all his intentions. He took me by 
 the hand, and, presenting me to the queen, told her 
 that I had given him the first hint of the intentions 
 of the Spaniards, and confirmed the opinion he had 
 formed, and he hoped that her majesty would gra- 
 ciously keep me in mind. 
 
 " ' Ah, ah ! the little varlet, we'll not forget him,' 
 was her majesty's reply ; nor, by my troth, did she. 
 There's not an expedition of note, nor an adventure 
 which has promised honor or wealth, since under- 
 taken, in which I have not been engaged. I sailed 
 with Admiral Sir Francis Drake to the West Indies 
 in the Sea Dragon, commanded by honest Harry 
 White. We did the Spaniards no small damage, 
 burning their towns and sinking their ships without 
 number, and came back with our pockets lined 
 with doubloons, and six hundred thousand golden 
 pounds, and brass cannon, and jewels, and orna- 
 ments of all sorts on board. I served aboard the 
 Mary Rose, under the brave Captain Fenton, when 
 the Spaniards' Grand Armada entered the Channel ; 
 and, following them up, we at length broke through 
 their line, led by the admiral himself. Then we 
 engaged broadside to broadside a huge Spanish gal- 
 leon, which we compelled to strike, and carried into 
 port. But I weary you, good coz, with my adven- 
 tures ; I might go on talking till midnight, and yet
 
 16 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 not tell thee half the things I have done and seen. 
 I may well say, that, since the time I made my first 
 voyage in the Primrose, for not one single month at 
 a time has my foot rested on terra fir ma" 
 
 " Weary me, Tony ! " exclaimed Raymond, who 
 had been listening with the deepest attention, and 
 an expression of wonder in his countenance, to every 
 word his young companion had uttered. " Indeed 
 you do not. If I did not know you to have been as 
 a boy the soul of honor, and incapable of falsehood, 
 I should only have been inclined to doubt that you 
 had gone through all ihe adventures you describe." 
 
 " Ah, that is because all these years you have 
 been living quietly on shore, as I suspect, where 
 weeks and months pass by you scarcely know how," 
 answered Waymouth, in a tone of compassion. 
 " But now that I have told you somewhat about my 
 worthless self, let me ask you how you have passed 
 the last few years of your mortal existence ? " 
 
 " Briefly I will reply," said Raymond. " At 
 school and college. The learned University of Ox- 
 ford is my alma mater, and even now I am debating 
 to what profession to devote my energies the law, 
 the Church, or physic. Sometimes I fancy public 
 life, or to seek my fortune at court, where I have 
 kindred who might aid me ; but yet, in truth, I am 
 undecided." 
 
 "Ah, that's good," exclaimed Waymouth with 
 animation. "The law to persuade your hearers 
 that black is white, and to set men by the ears 
 let that alone an' you value your soul."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 17 
 
 It is not surprising that the young seaman should 
 give expression to a vulgar and ignorant prejudice 
 against one of the most necessary of professions. 
 
 " Physic ! ' Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none 
 on't,' as Will Shakspeare has it," continued Way- 
 mouth. "No, no, Ned, learn not to murder thy 
 friends and those that trust thee. As to the Church, 
 I'll say nothing against that if thou hast a calling to 
 the ministry. To care for the soul's welfare is a 
 noble office, but if sought for the sake of filthy lucre 
 it's a mean, despicable trade, so we hold who follow 
 the sea. And then thou talkest of seeking thy for- 
 tune at court. As well seek it on the slippery ice. 
 No, no ; listen to me, Ned. Seek it with us. It's a 
 secret as yet, and I cannot tell thee particulars ; but 
 this much I may say. There is as bold an adventure 
 even now preparing as ever set forth from these 
 shores. Hark, Ned : I know that thou art trust- 
 worthy. It is for the far-off lands of India, Cathay, 
 the Spice Islands, and maybe the wide Pacific, where 
 many a richly laden galleon or Portugal ship may 
 be fallen in with. Become an adventurer with us. 
 Our lists are not filled up. Think that in two or 
 three short years, at most, thou wilt become for 
 certain a man of wealth, fit to wed the proudest 
 lady in the land. Then the wonders of those distant 
 lands ! They make no more count of gold and sil- 
 ver, of diamonds and other precious stones, than we 
 do of tin and iron, and of pebbles from the seaside. 
 Come, come, Ned ; say yes to my proposal."
 
 18 ANTONY WAYMOUTH ^ OR, 
 
 But Raymond did not say yes, and Waymouth 
 continued in the same strain for some considerable 
 time longer. At length Raymond answered, while 
 the color mantled on his cheeks 
 
 " I would fain go with thee, good coz, but the 
 truth is, there is one I love here in England from 
 whom I could not bear to be parted. We trust to 
 wed some day, and all my hopes of happiness on 
 earth are bound up in her." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! I might have thought so," said Way- 
 mouth. " That comes of living on shore. Now at 
 sea we have no time for thinking of such matters. 
 I doubt not, however, that the fair one, whoever she 
 may be, is worthy of your love. Tell me, do I know 
 her ? " 
 
 " It is no secret she is the Lady Beatrice Wil- 
 loughby. Her grandfather was that noble captain 
 who perished in the attempt to discover a passage 
 to Cathay by the north-west. You have doubtless 
 heard the tale how he and all his men were found 
 frozen to death in the icy sea, the admiral seated in 
 his cabin, his pen in his hand, his journal before 
 him." 
 
 " Ay, that have I, and reverence his name," said 
 Waymouth with' feeling. " But what fortune hast 
 thou, coz, to support a wife ? They say these ladies 
 of fashion are not content unless they have their 
 coach, their running footmen, and their waiting- 
 women, and I know not what else beside." 
 
 Raymond sighed. " My fortune is to be made 
 I live on hope," he answered.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 19 
 
 " Such often maketh the heart sick and the body 
 lean," replied the young sailor. "Follow my ad- 
 vice. Go tell the Lady Beatrice the truth. Vow 
 eternal constancy, and comfort her with all the 
 soothing speeches thou canst make, and I'll war- 
 rant that, in three short years at furthest, thou wilt 
 return with wealth sufficient to support a wife as 
 becomes your family and hers." 
 
 There can be no doubt that Antony Waymouth 
 spoke what he believed to be the truth, and gave, 
 as he fancied, excellent advice. It may appear 
 surprising, however, that Raymond, a scholar and 
 a man of good parts and judgment, should have 
 been so strongly influenced as he was by the argu- 
 ments of a mere youth ; but, as far as acquaintance 
 with the world was concerned, Waymouth was the 
 oldest of the two. He had been left since a child 
 almost to work his own way in the world, helped 
 onward by the queen, and had mixed with every 
 variety of men. This gave him a confidence in 
 himself and an independence of manner which 
 Raymond had had no opportunity of gaining. 
 
 While the young men were still eagerly talking, 
 a clock from a neighboring tower struck the hour 
 of 'one past noon. Waymouth started up with an 
 exclamation of astonishment, saying 
 
 " The hours have sped faster than I thought. I 
 should have been aboard by this time to see how the 
 artificers get on with their fittings. But come, coz, 
 you shall be my excuse, and I'll show thee as stout 
 ships as ever sailed the salt ocean."
 
 20 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " Agreed," was the answer, and the two friends 
 set off. All the way Antony plied his companion 
 with the most glowing descriptions of the wealth and 
 fortune to be obtained in the distant East, not to 
 speak of the honor, and glory, and renown. Portu- 
 gal ships and Spaniards without number were sure 
 to be taken, even should the land fail to, yield what 
 might be expected. And then the wonders to be 
 seen the curious people the palaces of silver and 
 precious stones the Great Mogul on his throne of 
 gold, and the Emperor of Cathay, with his robes 
 of rubies and diamonds not to speak of the possi- 
 bility of falling in with Prester John, whose do- 
 minions were undoubtedly on that side of Africa ; 
 and then the Spice Islands, which might be dis- 
 cerned by their fragrance even when miles away ! 
 
 Enlarging, as Way mouth did, with an eloquence 
 which perfect confidence in the truth of what he 
 was saying gave him, and a strong desire to gain 
 over his friend, it is not surprising that Raymond 
 yielded to such seductive arguments, and began to 
 grow eager to join the expedition as an adventurer. 
 Aboard the ships which were fitting in the harbor, 
 Waymouth introduced him to several other adven- 
 turers, who naturally wished to obtain a gentleman 
 of such good parts and family as a brother in their 
 company. Raymond had, he fancied, a small patri- 
 mony at his command. Could he do better than 
 risk it in so promising an adventure, and in three 
 short years come back and marry his beloved Bea-
 
 \ 
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 21 
 
 trice ? Still he would do nothing rashly ; he would 
 make no engagement till he had talked the matter 
 over with her. Accordingly, leaving Waymouth 
 on board to attend to his nautical duties, early next 
 morning lie took horse and set off for Exetor, in the 
 neighborhood of which city the Lady Willoughby, 
 with her daughter and the rest of her family, re- 
 sided. 
 
 Raymond was welcomed as he always was, but he 
 could not bring himself at first to announce the 
 object of his visit. He spoke, however, of his meet- 
 ing with Waymouth, and of his descriptions of the 
 wonders of the East, and the wealth to be speedily 
 obtained in those distant seas. His auditors were 
 even more interested than he expected. It was but, 
 natural that young Hugh Willoughby should be so, 
 but so likewise was Hugh's uncle, Sir John Jourdan, 
 a brother of Lady Willoughby's, and guardian to 
 her children. 
 
 The early dinner over, Raymond and Beatrice 
 wandered forth into the grounds, for they were 
 acknowledged lovers, and enjoyed a liberty which 
 would otherwise have been denied them. Raymond 
 saw at once that Beatrice was sad at heart. He felt 
 tongue-tied. She spoke first. 
 
 *' I know what has been passing in your mind, 
 dear Edward. You long to join these adventurers, 
 and I know why for the sake of the wealth you 
 hope to obtain." 
 
 She gazed tenderly at him, her blue eyes suffused
 
 22 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 with .tears. Beatrice was fair and graceful. Ray- 
 mond thought her beauty faultless : so did many 
 others. How could he withstand such an appeal ? 
 He acknowledged that she was right in her conjec- 
 tures, but expressed himself ready to be guided by 
 her decision. 
 
 " Stay, then," she whispered. " Wealth I do not 
 value. I would be content to be your wife however 
 humble your lot, but I have that confidence in your 
 steadiness, and perseverance, and love for me, that, 
 with the many honorable careers open to you at 
 home, I feel sure that you will ere long secure a 
 sufficient competency to support me in that station 
 of life in which we have been born." 
 
 Raymond thanked her over and over again for 
 this kind and encouraging speech. In a moment 
 all his dreams of adventure and the wealth he was 
 suddenly to acquire vanished into thin air. He 
 promised to be worthy of the high opinion she had 
 formed of him, and to labor on bravely in England, 
 having the enjoyment and support of her society. 
 They wandered on through the grounds, beneath 
 the shade of stately elms and sturdy oaks, in the 
 delightful feeling that they were not to be parted, 
 and regardless of all sublunary affairs but their own. 
 Little, therefore, were they prepared for the blow 
 which was to fall on their heads on their return to 
 the hall in the evening. 
 
 It appeared as if both Sir John and Hugh had 
 divined Raymond's thoughts when he had arrived
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 23 
 
 in the morning at the hall, for they immediately 
 commenced the subject of an adventure to Cathay, 
 and inquired if he had formed any plans for making 
 one. Raymond did not like the tone in which he 
 was addressed, and replied simply that, had such an 
 intention crossed his mind, he had abandoned it. 
 On this the knight looked glum, and Hugh showed 
 an inclination to fume ; but no further words then 
 passed. 
 
 It was not till the ladies had retired to their 
 chambers that Sir John again opened on the subject. 
 He spoke very explicitly. He was the guardian of 
 his niece Beatrice, and as such had the undoubted 
 disposal of her hand. Love and poverty might do 
 in theory, but were objectionable in practice. He 
 had a great respect for Master Raymond, as he had 
 for Sir Thomas his father, and for all his family, but 
 the interests of his ward must be his first consider- 
 ation. Now he had discovered, imprimis, that Mas- 
 ter Raymond had much less fortune than he had 
 supposed ; and, secondly, that his prospects of mak- 
 ing a fortune, or of pushing his way in the world, 
 were much smaller than desirable, and that, there- 
 fore, he was in duty bound to withhold the consent 
 previously given to his marriage to Beatrice till such 
 times as he could show that he possessed the means 
 in fact, and not only in prospect, of maintaining her 
 as a gentlewoman. 
 
 Poor Raymond felt his heart sinking lower and 
 lower while listening to these remarks, till it seemed
 
 24 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 to have gone out of his bosom altogether. What 
 could he say ? He stammered out, at length, that 
 his love would give him strength and courage to 
 achieve any thing mortal man could do, and that he 
 was sure of success. But what sounded a very 
 plausible argument to his ears was so much prunella 
 to those of the old knight. 
 
 " I'll tell thee what, lad : from thine own show- 
 ing this morning, there is a course open to thee by 
 which thou mayst gain speedily both wealth and 
 honor, and all a gentleman of spirit can desire, and 
 that I take thee to be. Go, think about it on thy 
 couch, and to-morrow I'll warrant that thou wilt 
 agree that I have given thee sound counsel and 
 advice." 
 
 Edward went to his couch, but not a wink did he 
 sleep. His heart was torn with a variety of con- 
 flicting emotions. He could not help owning that 
 there was -truth in what Sir John had said, and yet 
 he felt that he had the power to win his way to for- 
 tune by honest labor with such a being as Beatrice 
 Willoughby at his side. Hot and feverish, he rose 
 early to take a turn in the park. He had not gone 
 far when he heard footsteps behind him. He 
 turned, and saw Hugh Willoughby following him 
 at a rapid pace. There was a frown on the young 
 man's brow, and his lips were compressed in a way 
 which showed that he was in no good humor. 
 
 " Well met, this fine morning," he exclaimed in 
 an angry tone. " I must have a word or two with
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 25 
 
 you, Master Edward Raymond. It seems, sir, that 
 you have been deceiving us leading us 'to suppose 
 that your fortune is far greater than it turns out to 
 be. I'll tell you, sir, that my sister shall never wed 
 a beggar while I have a sword with which to run 
 that beggar through the body who dares to wish it." 
 Edward gasped for breath such bitter, taunting, 
 cruel words, how could he abide them ? He had a 
 sword by his side, but nothing should make him 
 draw it on the brother of his Beatrice. He took 
 two or three turns up and down on the green- 
 sward. 
 
 " Hugh," he exclaimed, " you wrong me cruelly. 
 Your uncle knows more of the state of my affairs 
 than I do myself. My earnest desire has been to 
 obtain a fortune to support your sister as becomes 
 her. Kut two days ago the offer was made me to 
 undertake such an expedition as that proposed by 
 your uncle. Not your taunts, not your threats, 
 not your anger, shall compel me to go ; but I be- 
 lieve that I shall be doing right in going. On one 
 condition I will consent that no force or restraint 
 be put on your sister's inclinations. If she cares no 
 longer for me, let her marry whom she will ; but if 
 she remains faithful to me as I know right well 
 she will, and as I shall to her then I have your 
 word, that, on my return with the wealth I may 
 have won, I may claim her as my bride." 
 
 "Fairly and right nobly spoken," exclaimed 
 Hugh, who, though hot-tempered, was of a gener-
 
 26 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 ous disposition, and had been worked up to act as 
 he had done by his uncle. " Agreed agreed ; I'll 
 tell Beatrice what you have said, and, no doubt, she 
 will see its wisdom." 
 
 In more friendly intercourse than from their first 
 meeting might have been expected, the two young 
 men continued their walk, and returned to such a 
 breakfast as is seldom, in these degenerate days, 
 seen on the table. 
 
 Sorely against her judgment and inclination, Bea- 
 trice yielded to her uncle's demands. Deep was 
 her sorrow at parting from Edward, and reiterated 
 were their mutual vows of constancy ; not that 
 either had the slightest doubt of each other's de- 
 voted love. It was more for the sake of influencing 
 others than the'mselves that vows were exchanged 
 that they might say, "We have vowed; we 'cannot 
 break our vows." 
 
 Edward had to return home to make his prepara- 
 tions. The old knight, his father, heard of this his 
 sudden resolve with a sorrowing heart. His own 
 health had given way sadly of late. He knew that 
 the change which no mortal can avoid must soon 
 come upon him, and should his well-loved son go 
 away, even for a few years, he could scarcely hope 
 that his eyes would rest on him again on this side 
 the grave. He was fully aware, too, of the perils, 
 great and innumerable, to which he must inevitably 
 be exposed Still, though gentle and loving, he 
 was stout of heart ; peril had never daunted him.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. ' 27 
 
 If his son desired to go on this adventure, he would 
 not withhold his consent. Lady Raymond was no 
 more ; but there was another member of his family, 
 to part from whom cost Edward a severe pang his 
 lovely sister Constance. She was not only lovely, 
 graceful, and good, but fall of animation and spirit, 
 combined with a calm courage and determination 
 which, when difficulties came in her way, made her 
 take pleasure in overcoming them. Few who ob- 
 served her gentle and quiet demeanor would have 
 supposed her likely to perform the deeds of devotion 
 and courage of which she was capable. 
 
 " I wish that I were a man, that I, too, might 
 take part in so gallant an enterprise, and win for 
 myself such a bride as is your Beatrice," she ex- 
 claimed when her brother told her of his purpose ; 
 but she added, "and yet, dear Edward, it grieves 
 me sorely to part with you. I would go myself, 
 and yet I would not have you go ; and yet, again, I 
 cannot say you nay. Go, go ! It must be so, I see, 
 and I will join my prayers with those I know your 
 sweet Beatrice will offer up night and day for your 
 safe return." 
 
 " The die is cast," said Edward with a sigh, and 
 he wrote to Waymouth to say he would join him. 
 In the course of four ^iays he set forth from Exeter, 
 with a couple of packhorses to carry his worldly 
 goods, and a serving-man, equipped for his projected 
 voyage to the far East.
 
 28 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A. GOODLY fleet of stout ships, with bulging sails, 
 and gayly-colored banners and streamers flying, 
 sailed down Plymouth Sound before a favoring 
 breeze, which promised to waft them along .steadily 
 towards the sunny latitudes of the tropics. There 
 sailed the Red Dragon, pf full three hundred tons 
 and forty pieces of ordnance the admiral's ship; 
 and there was the Serpent, of not less than two hun- 
 dred and fifty tons the vice-admiral's ship ; and 
 the Lion, of not much less tonnage and armament 
 than the Serpent ; there was the Lion's Whelp, 
 a tall ship, and two pinnaces, the Sunshine and 
 Moonshine, the larger ships carrying each from one 
 hundred to one hundred and thirty men, and the 
 pinnaces thirty men each ; and as for arms, besides 
 great guns, they were amply provided with culver- 
 ins, sakers, falconets, and murtherers, the latter 
 unpleasantly-named pieces being similar to blunder- 
 busses on swivels, and loaded with small shot, and 
 scraps of iron, lead, or stones. No little squad- 
 ron in those days could have been more amply 
 equipped, provisioned, and found in every way, or 
 better manned or commanded. 
 
 It must be remarked that the pictorial repre-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 29 
 
 sentations of ships of those days ,give us a very 
 erroneous notion of what ships really were. Ships 
 capable of performing long voyages in tempestuous 
 seas, and ships on tapestry worked by fair fingers, 
 which, however ably they might have plied their 
 needles, were scarcely capable of delineating accu- 
 rately those wonderful constructions on which the 
 eyes of the workers had probably never rested are 
 very different from each other. The ships now de- 
 scribed sailing down Plymouth Sound were strong- 
 ly-built craft, with bows not over-bluff aiid sides not 
 over-high. They had erections on deck, both at the 
 bows and stern, rising some five feet above it, or a 
 little more, perhaps, on the top of which men could 
 stand for fighting or working some of the sheets and 
 braces of the lighter sails, while the halyards and 
 other chief ropes lead to the main deck. In these 
 said erections, or castles, as they were called, still to 
 be seen in most foreign and many English mer- 
 chantmen, somewhat modified and in more pacific 
 guise, there were port-holes, with guns projecting 
 from them both at the sides and outer ends, and 
 also along the deck. Thus an enemy having gained 
 the deck would be exposed to a hot fire from the de- 
 fenders under shelter of the wooden walls of the 
 two castles. On the fore and main mast the sails 
 were square, and there were also staysails fore and 
 aft. On the mizzen-niast there was a large lateen 
 yard and sail, such as is still seen in the Mediterra- 
 nean. It was a useful and powerful sail for plying
 
 30 AXTONT WAYMOUTB; OR, 
 
 to windward, gaff-sails not having, then been invent- 
 ed. The tops were circular, and heavier than would 
 now be approved of, but certainly not the heavy 
 constructions they are represented in pictures. The 
 holds of those vessels were very capacious, and the 
 cabins were fitted not without regard to comfort 
 and luxury, and were often richly ornamented. 
 
 Such was the squadron to which the Lion 
 belonged, and on board the Lion sailed Antony 
 Waymouth as master's mate or chief officer under 
 the captain, and his friend Edward Raymond, to 
 whom was awarded the office of cosmographer, he 
 being at the same time an adventurer of some three 
 hundred pounds. Of the Lion an honorable gen- 
 tleman, John Wood, was captain, and Master James 
 Walker, a truly worthy man, and pious withal, the 
 minister. Captain Lancaster, a man of renown and 
 valor, was the admiral and general ; and Nicholas 
 Parker, captain of the Serpent, the vice-admiral. 
 Of the rest of the officers and gentlemen adven- 
 turers it is not necessary here to speak. That they 
 were not a godless or a lawless company, intent 
 only on plunder, may be proved by the folloAving 
 rules and articles set down for their guidance : 
 
 " The usual service appointed by the Church of 
 England to be said twice a day. Due reverence to 
 be given to the ministers. Not to suffer swearing, 
 dicing, card-playing, or other vain talk. Conspir- 
 ing against the life of the general or any other in 
 authority to be punished by death. To follow the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 31 
 
 admiral day and night ? ^and no man to bo so bold as 
 to go before him. To speak with him every morn- 
 ing and night. Not to be more than an English 
 mile from him. Signals : Not to give chase without 
 the admiral's orders. Watchwords: 'If God be 
 with us ;' answer,. ' Who shall be against us ? ' If 
 an enemy be encountered, rather to be on the de- 
 fensive than the offensive." 
 
 Waymouth showed these articles to Raymond, 
 observing "You see, Ned, we seamen are not. 
 the godless reprobates some who gro,w rich upon 
 our toil and danger would wish to make it appear. 
 Where would you find a more humble Christian 
 man than good Master Walker, our minister ? and 
 surely the example he and the other chaplains of 
 the fleet set is not without its due influence among 
 the crews." 
 
 Waymouth spoke the truth. It was not till 
 many years after this that the character of the 
 British seaman changed very much for the worse. 
 No chaplains were then sent to sea; religion was 
 ignored, and, as a consequence, the mass of seamen 
 became godless, swearing, vicious reprobates, little 
 better than heathens in their religion or morality. 
 On board Captain Lancaster's fleet, however, order 
 was well maintained, and the ministers setting a 
 good example, religion flourished more than among 
 most communities on shore. 
 
 All honor be to our sea-going ancestors ! They 
 were brave, sincere, zealous, and energetic men ;
 
 32 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 black was black with them, and white white. They 
 had, it must be owned, some queer notions as to 
 right and wrong, and honest traders on the north of 
 the line seemed to consider themselves justified in 
 acting the part of pirates to the south of it. Like 
 the Arabs of the desert, their hand was against 
 every man, and every man's hand against them. In 
 the East, Spaniards, Portugals, Hollanders, and 
 English were at ceaseless war with each "other; or 
 when the Hollanders pretended to side with the lat- 
 ter, it was simply for the purpose of betraying them 
 and injuring their commerce in those parts. 
 
 As Raymond stood on the aftercastle of the Lion, 
 watching the fast-receding shores of Old England, 
 his spirit sank within him. He was thinking and 
 shame, to him if he was not of Beatrice. Not for 
 a moment did he doubt her love and constancy ; but 
 he thought of the dangers to which she might be 
 exposed should troublous times again arise of her 
 grief should he not be destined to return. He had 
 others, also, whom he loved at home ; his widowed 
 mother, his brothers, and, above all, his sister Con- 
 stance, the dear friend of his Beatrice, unlike her 
 in appearance, for Constance was a dark-eyed, dark- 
 haired beauty, full of life and animation, but like 
 her in goodness and sense, and the sweetness of her 
 disposition. Hugh Willoughby affected her, but it 
 was evidently with a mere boyish admiration, and 
 she regarded him in no other light than as her 
 friend's brother.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 33 
 
 9 
 
 Edward's reveries were broken in on by Way- 
 mouth, who sprang up on the deck of the aftercastle 
 and clapped him, as was his wont, on the shoulder, 
 exclaiming 
 
 " What ! disconsolate, Ned ? Turn thee about, 
 lad ; the old country will not move till we come 
 back, depend on that. Look ahead ! that's the way 
 we seamen set our eyes. Even now the admiral 
 has made a signal that several sail are- in sight 
 under all canvas, steering for the south. Spaniards 
 or Portugals I hope they may prove, and if so, and 
 we come up with them, thou'lt have the satisfaction 
 of enjoying a sea fight before we've been forty-eight 
 hours on the salt ocean." 
 
 Edward's attention was instantly aroused. Noth- 
 ing in the then state of his feelings he would so 
 much enjoy as a battle. Not that he had seen one, 
 nor had he pictured its horrors very clearly to him- 
 self. Had he, possibly he would not have been so 
 anxious for it. The hope of booty animated the 
 ship's company generally, though some declared 
 that it was the desire to destroy Papists, the born 
 enemies of England, at which their minister, Master 
 Walker, severely rebuked them, telling them that it 
 was filthy lucre, and that alone, they desired, and 
 that the sword was not the weapon to win men over 
 to the truth, or to use against men who held not the 
 truth. 
 
 " The sword repelleth friends," he continued. 
 ".Kind words and gentle usage attract those who 
 
 3
 
 34 -4A"FOA*r WAYATOUTH; OR, 
 
 have been our foes. Such are the weapons Protest- 
 ants should use against their Papist adversaries." 
 
 Master Walker's plain speaking and honest deal- 
 ing with those over whose spiritual welfare he had 
 the charge made him generally beloved, though a 
 few bad tempers disliked him. To Waymouth and 
 Raymond he was a sincere and warm friend, as he 
 was in truth, as far as they would let him, to all who 
 sailed on board the fleet. The chase continued ; 
 but the strangers, whatever their nation, were fleet 
 craft. So far they had been gained on as to be seen 
 from the tops of the Lion. Though outnumbering 
 the English, they continued their flight ; southward 
 they sailed, and southward after them sailed their 
 pursuers. The Spaniards had received so many 
 severe lessons of late that they had learned to con- 
 sider discretion the best part of valor. Henceforth 
 their history was to show a retrogressive movement. 
 Their black injustice and horrible cruelties to the 
 natives of Mexico and Peru were to meet with just 
 retribution. The cries of thousands ascejiding from 
 their inquisitorial prisons were not unheard. Na- 
 tional sins were to meet with national punishment. 
 They had been tried in the balance, and found want- 
 ing. So it has gone on. The land of Spain, boun- 
 tifully blessed by Nature, still holds a people grovel- 
 ling in the dust of ignorance and superstition. At 
 that time it is difficult to overstate, though not to 
 believe, the utter detestation in which the Spaniards 
 were held by all true-hearted Englishmen, and in
 
 THE GEXTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 35 
 
 which the Portugals over whom tliey hald sway had 
 to share. The chase continued till night hid the 
 strangers from the sharp eyes of the men on the 
 lookout at the mast-heads. In vain were they looked 
 for the next morning. 
 
 " Never mind," said Waymouth as he walked the 
 deck ; " the world is round : Sir Francis Drake has 
 proved it so. We'll come up with them in the 
 course of the circle." 
 
 The belief that the enemy were ahead urged the 
 bold mariners to carry sail night and day, so that 
 their run to the south was unusually rapid. Ray- 
 mond devoted himself to the study of navigation 
 and to practising the use of such nautical instru- 
 ments as were then invented ; nor did he neglect to 
 gain a knowledge of the object of the ropes and 
 sails, and the mode of dealing with a ship under 
 various circumstances, so that Waymouth soon pro- 
 nounced him an accomplished seaman. There oc- 
 curred but one event worth narrating for some 
 time. Sixteen sail were seen approaching, and the 
 fleet got ready for action. The strangers, however, 
 turned out to be Ha.mburg hulks from Lisbon ; but 
 the obstinate Hollanders refused to strike to the 
 English flag a piece of folly not to be borne so 
 they were fired into and compelled to heave to. 
 Boats were then sent on board, and such articles as 
 were likely to prove useful were taken out of them, 
 it being evident that they were loaded with Spanish 
 property. They were then charitably allowed to
 
 36 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 proceed on their voyage. We will not describe the 
 mummeries and other ceremonies which took place 
 on crossing the line, introduced by some Genoese 
 seamen on board, such as they said their country- 
 men were wont to indulge in formerly on passing 
 through the " Gut of Gibbelterra," and now of late, 
 in these same latitudes. It was not much to good 
 Master Walker's taste, seeing that numerous pro- 
 fane gods and goddesses of the sea were introduced 
 Hercules and Orion, and Venus and Neptune, 
 and others, Tritons and odd fish of all sorts. With- 
 out misadventure the squadron reached Sierra 
 Leone, where the blacks were friendly, and, taking 
 in water and fresh provisions, stood across to the 
 coast of Brazil. Here a brighter lookout than ever 
 was kept, and not without avail, for when about 
 eight leagues from the shore they descried a small 
 Portugal ship, which they chased and took, of about 
 fifty tons' burden, bound up the River Plate. She had 
 forty -two negroes on board for Peru, and two Por- 
 tugal women and a child passengers, with some 
 sugar, rice, and sweetmeats. The next day another 
 Portugal ship was captured. Wayrnouth in his 
 journal remarked, " that the only riches in her 
 besides slaves and friars were beads, pictures, and 
 other spiritual trinkets furniture designed for the 
 use of a new monastery." 
 
 The pilot of this ship turned out to be an Eng- 
 lishman one Dick Carter, from Limehouse who 
 had been so long away from home that he had 
 almost lost all use of his native tongue.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 37 
 
 " Why, lad, we have a man aboard Tom Carter 
 from the same place," observed Waymouth, as 
 the man tried in broken accents to narrate his his- 
 tory. 
 
 ' Tom was sent for, and, sure enough, the two 
 proved to be brothers. Dick gladly consented to 
 serve on board the Lion, and informed Wayniouth, 
 in gratitude for his kind treatment, that a Spanish 
 squadron of considerable force was daily expected 
 in the Plate. The admiral, however, instead of 
 trying to avoid them, resolved to await their com 
 ing, and, entering the river, cast anchor. 
 
 "Now, Ned, we shall have our hearts' desire," 
 exclaimed Waymoutli, as he stopped for a minute 
 near his friend while going round the decks to see 
 that the ship was ready for a fight. 
 
 The day was passing away, when, about four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, five sail of large ships and 
 several smaller ones were seen rounding a point in 
 the river. The English, therefore, in warlike man- 
 ner set their watch, the trumpets sounded, the 
 drums beat, and the admiral opened fire on the 
 approaching, enemy, who, however, anchored out of 
 shot, the better to prepare for the expected fight. 
 They were some little time in doing this, and then 
 once more they advanced, it being now nightfall. 
 The wind had dropped, so the Spaniards' boats 
 towed on their big ships with the intent of board- 
 ing the English. Both sides were, meantime, 
 plying their guns and small arms with vigor ; the
 
 38 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 English with the greater success, as their men were 
 more at liberty. The Spanish vice-admiral was 
 seen with two smaller ships bearing down on the 
 Lion ; Captain Wood was, therefore, compelled to 
 slip his cable, to prevent them driving athwart his 
 hawse. A breeze springing up, he was able to make 
 sail and lay the galleon alongside, caring little for 
 the smaller ships. Now began a most desperate- 
 fight, the bright flashes of the guns making night 
 appear like day ; the rattle of the small arms, the 
 roar of the heavy ordnance, the sounding of the 1 
 trumpets and drums, the shouts and shrieks of 
 combatants, creating a turmoil terrible to novices 
 and confusing to the senses. 
 
 The Lion enjoyed a large share of the fight, every- 
 body being actively engaged, the captain himself 
 firing a musket like the rest. One of the Spanish 
 frigates, coming too near her, received so heavy a 
 storm of shot, that, one penetrating her magazine, 
 with a loud roar she blew up, when her companion 
 sheered off, not wishing to share the same fate. 
 The Lion now turned her whole fury on the galleon, 
 which she kept at a respectful distance. Suddenly 
 the galleon's fire ceased. The darkness was great ; 
 she could nowhere be seen. Captain Wood now 
 stood away to support the admiral and the other 
 ships ; they were hard pressed, though fighting 
 valiantly. The Lion soon had an enemy worthy to 
 contend with in a Portugal galleon which had come 
 in with the Spaniards, and now hoped, by attacking
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 39 
 
 a ship partly disabled by a long combat, to come 
 off the conqueror. The English captain, as did his 
 young lieutenant, called on their men to exert 
 themselves to the utmost to fight for the honor of 
 Old England. Raymond supported them bravely, 
 and, though at length wounded in the arm, he re- 
 fused to leave the deck. Thus the fight continued, 
 Captain Wood making several attempts to board 
 his opponent, which the latter nimbly avoided. 
 The admiral and vice-admiral were all the time 
 hotly engaged. The former was seen to run a large 
 Spaniard aboard, when, after a hot discharge of 
 great guns, flames were observed to burst forth 
 from one ship or the other, and thus they drove by 
 till no longer to be distinguished. The last seen of 
 the Serpent was in chase of some Spaniard, as her 
 tall masts, like some huge monster of the deep, 
 glided by past the Lion. Towards morning the 
 moon disappeared, clouds overspread the sky, the 
 Portugal thought it wise to sheer otf, and the brave 
 ship's company of the Lion waited anxiously for 
 daylight to ascertain the fate of their friends and 
 foes. For fear of the ship being drifted on shore, 
 Captain Wood again anchored. 
 
 As soon as the fight was over, Waymouth hastened 
 to look for his friend. He found him below in the 
 hands of the surgeon. Raymond bore the pain 
 bravely. Waymouth congratulated him. 
 
 " You've had a taste of what a sea fight is like, 
 Ned," he observed. " Maybe before we get back
 
 40 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 to Old England we may have to count scores such, 
 for, no doubt, the Portugals and Spaniards, and 
 even the Hollanders, will give us plenty of occa- 
 sions to prove our valor." 
 
 Raymond replied that he was ready for another 
 fight, and should be willing to meet the foes of 
 England wherever they were to be found. 
 
 It appeared probable that he would at once have 
 another opportunity, for, as daylight broke, a large 
 ship was discerned bearing down on them under all 
 sail. She was the Portugal. The Lion's crew flew 
 to their guns, and as she came near plied her so 
 well with their shot that she was fain to sheer off, 
 and to stand down towards the river's mouth. As 
 she stood away, an officer of rank so he seemed 
 by his fine garments and feather in his cap 
 sprang on the aftercastle, and, shaking his fist, cried 
 out through his trumpet 
 
 " We shall meet you again ere long, you hated 
 English, and then we shall have our revenge." 
 
 " Let the dog bark who runs away. Though he 
 shows his teeth he dare not use them," exclaimed 
 Waymouth with a scornful laugh. 
 
 The increasing light had shown some way astern 
 the topmasts of a ship out of the water, crowded with 
 people. Was the foundered ship a friend or foe ? 
 As soon as they were clear of the Portugal ship two 
 boats were lowered, and made towards the spot 
 where the masts appeared. At the same time sev- 
 eral boats were seen putting off from the shore,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 41 
 
 clearly belonging to Spaniards. When they, on 
 their part, beheld the English approaching, fearing 
 their prowess, from which they had suffered so much, 
 they put back, leaving their countrymen to their 
 fate. 
 
 The poor people on the masts, who had been 
 clinging there for the greater part of the night, held 
 out their hands, imploring succor. This English 
 sailors have ever been ready to give to those in dis- 
 tress, whether friends or foes. The boats, therefore, 
 approached to take off the nearly-exhausted people. 
 Waymouth, who was in the first boat, perceived, as 
 he fancied, the flutter of a female's dress. On the 
 cross-trees, just above the water, lay a young lady, 
 her head resting on the arm of an old and dignified- 
 looking man, while the two were further supported 
 by four or five faithful seamen who clung near them. 
 The seamen waved their hands to attract the notice 
 of the English. 
 
 " Take this lady off first," they cried out. " Save 
 her and her father ; mind not us." 
 
 Waymouth required no further inducement to 
 exertion than the sight that feminine gear had ex- 
 cited. The Spanish seamen refrained from leaping 
 into the boat as she came up to the mast, allowing 
 Waymouth to climb up and release the lady from 
 her painful and perilous position. Carefully he 
 lifted her into the boat, and placed her in the after- 
 part. 
 
 " Oh, meu pai ! meu pai ! " she cried out in the
 
 42 ANTON J WAYMOtfTH; OR, 
 
 tongue of the Portugals "Oh, my father! my 
 father!" 
 
 " Have no fe ir, fair lady," cried Waymouth, who 
 understood it slightly; "he is safe." And, spring- 
 ing back, he assisted the old gentleman into the 
 boat. The latter, as far as his exhausted state 
 would allow, expressed his thanks. 
 
 Not till now did the Spanish seamen descend into 
 the boat. As soon as he had received as many as 
 she could carry, Waymouth returned with them to 
 the Lion. The care of the surgeon and good Master 
 Walker soon restored the young lady for young 
 she was and beautiful to a state of consciousness 
 and quietude. Her nerves had been sorely shaken 
 by the combat, the sinking of the ship, and terrible 
 danger to which she had been exposed. Her father, 
 the old gentleman, was, it appeared, Doni Joao Pinto 
 d' Almeida, the governor of a Portugal settlement in 
 the East ; she was the Donna Isabel d'Almeida, his 
 only child. Though Portugals, they had taken 
 passage aboard this Spanish ship, intending to pro- 
 ceed on their farther voyage in the one which had 
 escaped and left them to their fate. The Portugal 
 ship was the Santa Barba, and her captain Dom 
 Pedro de Lima. Dom Joao seemed glad to hear 
 that the Santa Barba had escaped capture, and sup- 
 posed that in the darkness Dom Pedro had not seen 
 the wreck. Meantime most of the people from the 
 masts had been rescued and brought on board the 
 Lion.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 43 
 
 While the boats were thus engaged, firing was 
 heard, and several ships were seen approaching, 
 hotly engaged, down the mighty Plate stream, com- 
 pared to which the rivers of Europe seem but purling 
 brooks. It was a sad fate for the poor wretches on 
 the masts to be thus left to starve or fall off and be 
 drowned, but there was no time for delay. The 
 Lion lifted her anchor, and made sail to .join in the 
 combat. Her rigging had been repaired as far as 
 practicable, so that she was fresh for the fight. The 
 rest of the English squadron and four Spaniards or 
 Portugals were observed fiercely exchanging shots 
 with each other. The enemy, probably, had already 
 enjoyed a sufficient taste of the qiiality of the 
 English to be tired of the fight, for no sooner was 
 the Lion observed drawing near with drums beating, 
 trumpets braying forth defiance, and ordnance 
 speaking a still more decided language, than they 
 steered for the shore on either side, and ran hard 
 and fast aground. Some of the people in the 
 enemy's ships took to their boats, others leaped 
 overboard and swam to the shore, and several were 
 seen running backwards and forwards at their wits' 
 end, the English cannon thundering furiously at 
 them ; while a few bold spirits stood at their quar- 
 ters, and returned the fire from their own pieces. 
 However, they could not long maintain the unequal 
 fight ; flames burst forth from the ports of the ships, 
 and one after the other, before any booty could be 
 obtained from them, they blew up, till not a Span-
 
 44 AS TONY WAY MOUTH; OH, 
 
 iard remained to dispute the passage of the river. 
 Now the English admiral thought fit to anchor his 
 fleet opposite a pleasant spot near the mouth of the 
 river, and, the larger number of the company land- 
 ing, a fort was erected to guard against surprise, 
 and the repairing of the ships commenced. 
 
 As yet they had gained much of what men call 
 glory and renown, concerning the value of which 
 there may be some dispute ; but they had obtained 
 no booty, about the desirableness of which there can- 
 not be two opinions. So thought the adventurers. 
 They were all eager, therefore, to proceed to the 
 East, where they expected to find it in abundance, 
 and accordingly hurried on the refitting of the ships. 
 It was well that they did so, for scarcely was the 
 squadron once more clear of the laud than a large 
 fleet was seen approaching the mouth of the river. 
 The English ships stood on their course, for the 
 strangers, undoubtedly Spaniards and Portugal*, 
 were too numerous to be trifled with. The enemy 
 were soon seen to make sail in chase. The English 
 set all their canvas, not to avoid the fight, but to 
 separate the ships of the enemy, so as to deal first 
 with the faster sailers. The plan answered ; but 
 the leading Spanish ships soon got such a taste of 
 the guns of the Dragon, the Serpent, and the Lion, 
 that they dropped astern, the rest not deeming it 
 prudent to take their places, content with boasting 
 that they had put an English squadron to flight. 
 
 Thus triumphantly the English ships sailed on
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 45 
 
 their way across the Atlantic till they iieared the 
 Cape Bona Spei, or Bona Speranza, as in those days 
 the Cape of Good Hope was frequently called. Once 
 more they dropped anchor in Saldanha Bay, a place 
 at which most vessels sailing to Cathay were wont 
 to touch. The common people among the prisoners 
 had been left on shore in America ; but the officers 
 and the Portugal governor and his daughter, and 
 some attendants, had been carried on, the admiral 
 deeming that they might be useful to exchange 
 with any English persons of quality who might have 
 been captured by the Portugals ; or, if not, that a 
 good ransom might be obtained for them. Dom 
 Joao and Donna Isabel remained accordingly on 
 board the Lion, where Captain Wood, as did his 
 young lieutenant, paid them all the attention in 
 their power. 
 
 Waymouth admired the fair captive. He could 
 speak her language better than most on board, and 
 many an hour, not unnaturally, he passed in her 
 company. It is possible that his feelings might 
 have run away with him altogether had he not had 
 so grave a monitor as Edward Raymond by his side, 
 who was ever whispering that Donna Isabel was of 
 a country at enmity with his, of a faith differing 
 greatly from his, and that, though her attractions 
 were great, there were many fair ladies in England 
 possessed of still greater, and more suited to be his 
 bride. These remarks did not exactly go in at one 
 ear and out the other; but no sooner did Donna
 
 46 ANTOXY WAYMOUTHi OR, 
 
 Isabel appear on deck than they were forgotten for 
 the time. That Donna Isabel had, however, any 
 other feeling than that of gratitude for Antony 
 Waymouth, no one on board could say, for she was 
 equally courteous to Raymond and to all the other 
 officers. 
 
 Dorn Joao meantime was very anxious to be lib- 
 erated, as he wanted to get to his government, and 
 he was continually urging his captors to allow him 
 to depart on board the first Portugal ship they 
 might meet, he undertaking to pay a large ransom 
 for himself and daughter. Captain Wood was a 
 jovial-hearted and mannered man. He laughed 
 loudly art the proposal. 
 
 " Thine own ransom, worthy senhor, we shall fix 
 at not less than five hundred golden pieces ; and for 
 thy daughter, we must allow Antony Waymouth to 
 arrange that." 
 
 The captain spoke in jest, but to Waymouth the 
 proposal caused sore perplexity. He was grieved 
 to have to part with her, in the first place. In the 
 second, if he named a ransom at what he consid- 
 ered her value, it would be high indeed ; if he men- 
 tioned a small sum, it would appear as if he held 
 her in low esteem. He was very much inclined to 
 quarrel with his captain on the matter; but the 
 more perplexed he appeared the more determined 
 Captain Wood became to fix him to the point. He 
 walked the deck in a state of great agitation. All 
 sorts of mad schemes occurred to him.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 47 
 
 
 
 He had paced up and down for some time when 
 he was joined by Raymond, who had heard of his 
 perplexity. 
 
 " Let me judge if I may help to get thee free of 
 thy difficulty," said Raymond, who, having an older 
 head on his shoulders, was not so troubled as his 
 younger friend about the matter. " You have to 
 name the value of this fair Portugal donna; you 
 esteem her very highly too." 
 
 " Yes, indeed I do. She is the most charming, 
 sweet, enchanting creature my eyes have ever be- 
 held or expect to behold," exclaimed Waymouth, 
 uttering many other rhapsodical expressions, which 
 his friend did not interrupt. When he ceased, the 
 latter quietly remarked 
 
 " Well, repeat all you have said to our captain, 
 and then declare that, as she is above all price, so 
 no price would pay her ransom, and that, therefore, 
 she is entitled to go free." 
 
 Waymouth struck his forehead, surprised that so 
 bright a thought had never occurred to him, and, 
 thanking Edward, hastened to the captain to give 
 his reply. 
 
 It was taken in' good part ; no one was inclined 
 to gainsay it ; and Dom Joao undertook to pay the 
 required sum, how, when, and where it might be 
 demanded. 
 
 " At your own castle, when we can get there, and 
 to whomsoever we may depute," was the reply. 
 
 Perfect confidence was placed in Dom Joao that
 
 48 AXTONY WAf MOUTH; OR, 
 
 
 
 he would pay the money. At that time the Portu- 
 gals and the Spaniards were held in respect for 
 their rigid adherence to the code of honor which 
 they had laid down for themselves. 
 
 The difficulty was to find a ship by which to send 
 them, as the admiral was unwilling to go out of his 
 course to land them. Hitherto the squadron had 
 avoided ail disaster, though not successful in mak- 
 ing prizes. They were now in a part of the ocean 
 where fearful hurricanes were at times to be ex- 
 pected, and in a latitude full of little-known islands 
 and rocks ; at the same time, they might hope to 
 meet with numerous ships of the enemy. 
 
 Waymouth, as he thought on having to part with 
 Donna Isabel so soon, became more and more down- 
 cast, though Edward and good Master Walker, the 
 minister, and the other officers, did their utmost to 
 keep up his spirits ; some, like Raymond and Master 
 Walker, by entering into his feelings ; others, like 
 Captain Wood, by bantering and quizzing. 
 
 " A sail ! a sail ! " was shouted from the mast- 
 head, whence a bright lookout was constantly kept. 
 Chase was made the stranger was overtaken. She 
 proved to be a Portugal, a straggler from a large 
 squadron supposed to be far ahead. 
 
 Not a moment was to be lost. Every article of 
 value was taken from her except the fittings of her 
 chief cabin, some guns for signals, and provisions 
 sufficient to last her till she could reach the Malabar 
 coast. The admiral then ordered the prisoners to
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 49 
 
 be placed in her. Way mouth had the duty of con- 
 veying them. 
 
 Donna Isabel spoke but little, keeping her head 
 muffled in her hood. The English lieutenant tried 
 to talk, but never had he felt so tongue-tied. This 
 was not surprising. He could say nothing definite 
 about the future, and he had little to say about the 
 past. He carefully helped her up the side, and 
 placed her on a seat on the deck of the Tiger. Dom 
 Joao was profuse in his expressions of gratitude for 
 the treatment he and his daughter had received, 
 and over and over again declared that it would 
 afford him intense satisfaction to pay his ransom 
 whenever demanded. Waymouth, like a true sailor, 
 had hurried below to see what arrangements could 
 be made for the comfort and convenience of Donna 
 Isabel, and, having pointed out to the officers of the 
 ship what was to be done, had returned on deck 
 resolved to pour out all his feelings into her ear, 
 when a gun from the admiral, repeated by the Lion, 
 warned him that he must not delay another mo- 
 ment. All he could do was to bow low as he passed 
 the lady and her father, utter a low farewell, and, 
 leaping into his b'oat, pull back to the Lion as fast 
 as his men could bend to their oars. The squadron 
 instantly made all sail in chase of the enemy sup- 
 posed to be ahead. For some time Waymouth had 
 too much to do to look towards the ship on board 
 which he had left the Portugal governor and his 
 daughter, and when he did look she appeared but a
 
 50 ANTONY WAYAfOUTH, OR, 
 
 speck on the horizon. He stood gazing, lost in a 
 revery. He was aroused by a slap on the shoulder. 
 
 " Look ahead ! that's the way we seamen set our 
 faces," said a voice near him, " quoting your own 
 words, coz. We have changed places, methinks." 
 
 Waymouth, looking round, saw Raymond and 
 several other officers standing behind him. He 
 heaved a sigh, and then joined in the laugh in which 
 the rest were indulging. He had been too long at 
 sea not to know the folly of growing angry under 
 such circumstances. Besides, as he confessed to 
 Raymond, he could not help feeling relieved at 
 having no longer so important a charge. A brighter 
 lookout than ever was kept on board the squadron, 
 that they might not pass the enemy. Just before 
 noon on the third day some strange sail were 
 descried ahead. They increased in numbers : they 
 were tall ships. There could be no doubt that they 
 were those of the Portugal fleet they were in chase 
 of, but far more numerous than they had been led 
 to expect. Still undaunted, the brave admiral and 
 his officers resolved to attack them. The Portugals 
 saw the English approaching, and no longer, like 
 caitiffs, flying before the foe, hauled their wind, 
 and, forming a semicircle, prepared to receive them. 
 In spite of the mighty superiority of the Portugals, 
 the English sailed on in compact order, the men at 
 their guns, their matches in their hands ready to 
 open fire, every one in the fleet prepared for death 
 or victory.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 51 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 
 
 THE Portugal fleet, which the little English 
 squadron was now rapidly approaching, looked for- 
 midable indeed, numbering as it did four times as 
 many tall ships as the latter, but not a heart among 
 the stout men who formed the crew of the Red 
 Dragon, the Serpent, or the Lion, the Sunshine or 
 Moonshine, quailed with the thoughts of combating 
 against odds so great. 
 
 Good Master Walker, the minister of the Lion, 
 went round among the crew as they stood at their 
 quarters, reminding them that they were about to 
 fight for their sovereign, their country, their honor, 
 and their religion. 
 
 " And, dear lads," he added, " now is not the 
 time to preach to you ; but I have taught you all 
 faithfully the truth, and would beseech all who 
 have listened to remember and adhere by it." 
 
 The admiral had formed his line of battle, and, 
 passing by each ship on his way to form the van, 
 hailed through his speaking-trumpet, encouraging 
 the crews to fight bravely for St. George and merry 
 England, and promising them, if they gained the 
 victory, the rich freights of all the ships they could 
 capture. It was a bold feat of the gallant admiral
 
 52 ANTOSY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 thus to sail into the very midst of his foes, who he 
 knew must surround him. 
 
 The Portugals were formed, as has been said, in 
 a semicircle, with the concave side of their line 
 turned toward the English, so that they might 
 quickly overlap them in aland fight an important 
 point to gain, but at sea of slight advantage. The 
 English were formed as a wedge ; the Ked Dragon 
 led, the Serpent following, then came the two pin- 
 naces, the Lion and Lion's Whelp bringing up the 
 rear. 
 
 As the hostile fleets drew near, drums began to 
 beat and trumpets to bray forth their discordant 
 sounds, when, with a loud crashing roar, the artil- 
 lery on both sides opened. The great guns sent 
 forth their round shots, and the culverins, sakers, 
 falconets, and murtherers their death-dealing show- 
 ers of iron and lead, causing havoc and destruction 
 wherever they fell. Ill pleased were the Portu- 
 gals with this proceeding. Numbers were falling 
 on board every ship. In vain they called on their 
 saints to improve their aim and strengthen their 
 powder the shot seemed to have no effect on the 
 heretical Englishmen the saints paid them no 
 attention. They had found a Tartar, and sur- 
 rounded him, but were as disagreeably placed as if 
 they had been dancing round an exploding maga- 
 zine. Bravely plied the gallant English their guns. 
 As long as any one of them had legs to stand on or 
 arms to work with he refused to desert his quarters.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 53 
 
 If one stopped for a moment from working his gun, 
 it was to help a messmate bind a handkerchief round 
 a wounded limb, or to tie one round his own leg or 
 side. Officers and men vied with each other as to 
 who should perform deeds most worthy of fame. 
 Tlie Portugals, on the contrary, though their trum- 
 pets brayed forth far louder than those of their foes, 
 forgetful of their ancient renown, hastened below 
 the instant they were wounded, however slight their 
 hurts, crying out for the medico to come and help 
 them ; and some, when the English shots rattled on 
 board, were seen to run away from their guns, even 
 though unwounded. Still, numbers in so close a 
 fight gave a great advantage to the Portugals. 
 
 The admiral's ship, the Red Dragon, especially 
 was hard pressed, the enemy seeming resolved to 
 destroy her first, hoping thus to gain an easy victory 
 over the rest. But the brave Lancaster was not a 
 man to be daunted. As fresh foes pressed around 
 him he kept shouting to his crew 
 
 "The more the merrier, lads! the more the mer- 
 rier ! We've pills enough on board to dose them 
 all till they'll wish they'd come to some other doc- 
 tor for their physic." 
 
 Captain Wood, too, was scarcely less hard pressed. 
 He had sent the Lion's Whelp ahead to the support 
 of the Sunshine and Moonshine, which seemed in 
 danger of being altogether overwhelmed by the 
 huge ships of the enemy which clustered around 
 them, and thus the stout Lion had to encounter 
 a whole host of foes bv herself.
 
 54 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " Come one, corne all ! " shouted Captain Wood. 
 " Brave lads, we are ready for them ! " 
 
 " Ay, ay ! one and all ! " echoed Antony Way- 
 mouth. " Hurrah for merry England ! Give it 
 them, lads ! A few more doses like that and they'll 
 cry peccavi and'strike their flags." 
 
 "Peccavimus you should have said," remarked 
 Raymond, whom Way mouth was passing as he hur- 
 ried from gun to gun to assure himself that all 
 were being fought to the best advantage. 
 
 " Ay, marry, not one, but fifty, will sing that 
 song to-day, coz," said Antony, laughing. 
 
 In truth, even in the heat of battle both officers 
 and men indulged themselves in cutting jokes when- 
 ever an occasion occurred. Not, however, that the 
 fight was any joking matter, for never in those seas 
 had a more desperate one taken place. The brave 
 men on board the Lion were falling thickly, some 
 to rise no more, others to be carried below and 
 placed in the hands of the surgeon, and to these 
 Master Walker was rendering all the assistance in 
 his power, and affording spiritual counsel and con- 
 solation at the same time. It was a dark, close 
 place down in the depths of the ship, dimly lighted 
 by two lanterns overhead, with a table in the centre 
 and hammocks slung on either side, already occu- 
 pied by wounded men. Others lay on the deck^ 
 beneath, and one poor fellow was on the table, the 
 surgeon and his assistants standing over him exam- 
 ining a dreadfully shattered limb. Master Walker
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 55 
 
 was holding his hand and giving him some wine, of 
 which, with vinegar and burnt feathers, the place 
 was redolent, although they could not overcome 
 that indescribable odor, dreadful and sickening, 
 found wherever wounded men are collected to- 
 gether. 
 
 " It must be done, lad," said Master Walker 
 kindly. " There's no help for it ; the leg must 
 come off to save thy life." 
 
 " What ! lose my leg ! never again to dance a 
 hornpipe on Deerbrook Green among the lassies of 
 our village ? No more to come the double-shuffle 
 and hear the merry clapping of the old people's 
 hands ? I'd as lief lose my life ! But let the sur- 
 geon do his wofst," murmured the lad, who was one 
 of Waymouth's followers ; " I'll bear it." 
 
 " Like a lion, I hope, lad," said the minister ; 
 " and pray to Heaven for strength that's where 
 you'll get the most." 
 
 " Seldom I've ever gone there for any thing," an- 
 swered the lad with a sigh, and then, following the 
 good minister, he endeavored to utter a prayer. It 
 soon broke into groans, for the surgeons were ope- 
 rating on his limb, and these, in spite of his resolu- 
 tion, were succeeded by shrieks and cries, echoed 
 by many of his poor shipmates who lay around him 
 in the same sad plight. Not even the roar of the 
 cannon overhead and the crashing of timbers, the 
 shouts of the combatants and the rattle of the small 
 arms, and the braying of the trumpets and other
 
 56 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 instruments, could altogether overpower those sad 
 cries. Yet the sounds on deck grew louder and 
 louder. 
 
 " There must be terrible work, I fear me, going 
 on, Ap Reece," observed Master Walker to the 
 Welsh surgeon, who had come round to feel the 
 patient's wrist ; " we've had no one brought down 
 for the last five minutes." 
 
 The surgeon made no answer, but signed to the 
 minister to pour some cordial down the young sea- 
 man's throat. " More more ! or he'll slip through 
 our fingers," he whispered. The minister obeyed. 
 The lad opened his eyes, and turning them towards 
 him with an expression of gratitude, gasped out 
 
 " Tell mother I've not forgotten flie " 
 
 A convulsive shudder passed over his frame, the 
 blood started from beyond the tourniquet, and be- 
 fore the assistants could replace it the youth was a 
 corpse. 
 
 " Peace be with him," said the minister solemnly, 
 as the body was quickly removed to give place to 
 another yet breathing victim of battle. Such is one 
 of the many dark sides to the pictures of warfare. 
 If this alone were to be seen, few would be eager for 
 the combat. 
 
 " No more coming," once more observed the min- 
 ister. " Either we must be hard pressed indeed, or 
 have put the Portugals to flight." 
 
 " I fear me much the former," said Ap Reece. 
 " I'd lief take a sword and go help our brave fel-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. - 57 
 
 lows. If the foe gain the day, they'll not leave one 
 of us alive to tell the tale. What say you, Master 
 Walker ? will you come ? " 
 
 "Nay, Ap Eeece, abide where you are. Every 
 man at his proper work you tending- the hurt, I 
 speaking the truth to the salvation of their souls. 
 Thus should we be found even were the end of the 
 world approaching." 
 
 The high-spirited Welshman returned to his post, 
 and though he had no more legs and arms to cut 
 off, there was ample work for his skill. The dread- 
 ful uproar continued. It was evident that some of 
 the enemy's ships had got alongside, and that the 
 Lion's crew were engaged in repelling the Portugals 
 who were attempting to board. Who was gaining 
 the day it was impossible to say. It was a time 
 truly of anxious suspense. Ap Reece could at 
 length endure it no longer. 
 
 " If you go not on deck to learn how it fares 
 with our men, Master Walker, I must go myself," 
 he exclaimed ; and, seeing that the minister did not 
 move, he seized a sword which had been brought 
 below by a wounded man, and sprang up the ladder. 
 The chaplain looked hesitatingly in the same direc- 
 tion. 
 
 " No, no ; my duty is with the suffering and 
 dying, though I'd lief strike a blow as in days of 
 yore for our reformed faith and merry England," 
 said he to himself, and again turned to attend to a 
 sorely wounded man by whose side he had been 
 sitting.
 
 58 AXTO\'T WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Ap Reece soon gained the deck ; he had been in 
 many a fight, but never in a more desperate one. 
 The Lion was closely surrounded by a forest of 
 masts, with shattered spars, and burning sails, and 
 severed ropes and blocks swinging to and fro, and 
 splinters rattling from aloft, while round shots 
 and bullets were flying thickly about, and from 
 every side the loud clashing of steel showed that 
 the combatants were striving hand to hand. The 
 Portugals were attempting to board on every side 
 of the Lion, but no sooner did they reach her deck 
 than they were driven back with loss, and often fol- 
 lowed on board their own ships. A new combatant 
 had just come up on the Lion's quarter, and was 
 pouring his crew on board. Wayrnouth caught 
 sight of what was occurring, and with a handful of 
 men sprang to repel the boarders. Hard pressed 
 by the leader of the Portugals, he was well-nigh 
 being driven back at the moment Ap Reece reached 
 the deck. The surgeon saw at a glance where his 
 services would be of most use, and shouting at the 
 top of his voice a Welsh war-cry, he rushed to the 
 lieutenant's assistance. Down before his sturdy 
 blade went foe after foe till he reached Waymouth's 
 side. 
 
 " A rescue ! a rescue ! " he shouted, and cleaving 
 to the chin the head of one of the lieutenant's many 
 assailants, the rest sprang hastily back, some into 
 their own vessel, and some, missing their footing, 
 overboard. " On, on ! " shouted Waymouth. " On,
 
 THE GEXTLEMEX ADrEXTCnr.RS. 59 
 
 
 
 on, nd the enemy's ours ! " cried Ap Reece ; and 
 following the retreating boarders they drove them 
 across the deck of their ship, cutting down many, 
 till the remainder cried out for quarter, when their 
 flag was hauled down and the capture was com- 
 plete. 
 
 " We have more prizes to make before the day is 
 over, lads," cried Waymouth, and at that instant 
 another large Portugal ship driving against the 
 prize, he, with the brave Ap Reece and a number 
 of followers, threw himself on her deck. So fierce 
 was this onslaught that the enemy did not stand a 
 moment, but tumbling below one over the other, or 
 in their fright jumping overboard, or casting down 
 their weapons, they allowed speedy possession to be 
 taken of their ship. Waymouth and his companions 
 then lashed the two prizes together, and not with- 
 out difficulty regained the Lion, on the other side 
 of which more of the enemy were congregated. Of 
 one Captain Wood had taken possession. Way- 
 mouth and Ap Reece now sprang on board another 
 about midships, when, dividing their forces, one 
 swept forward and the other aft, driving their 
 loudly vociferating foes before them till the Portu- 
 gal's flag was hauled down. 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah ! my brave boys," shouted Way- 
 mouth. "Four prizes in the Lion's maw the 
 fattest in all the fleet, too, I have a notion one 
 more yonder she comes. Strike fast, and strike 
 *ome."
 
 60 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Thus shouting, he seized the helm of the prize, 
 and steered her so a^ to fall foul of yet another big 
 Portugal ship. 
 
 " Shall we once more tempt fortune ? " cried 
 Waymouth to the fighting surgeon. "What say 
 you, Ap Reece ? There must be ducats not a few 
 aboard our tall friend here." 
 
 " But one answer to that question. On, on ! " 
 exclaimed the Welshman. 
 
 And no sooner did the sides of the two ships 
 grind together than Waymouth lashed them by the 
 shrouds, and then sprang on board the new-comer. 
 She was full of men who showed every intention to 
 defend her ; but undaunted by numbers, the Eng- 
 lishmen threw themselves among them, with their 
 sharp swords flashing rapidly, and soon hewed a 
 lane for themselves from one side to the other. 
 They had begun to cut a second when the Portu- 
 gals, dreading the result, hauled down their own 
 flag, and yielded. By this time such of the 
 Portugal ships as were in a condition to escape 
 were making the best of their way under all sail 
 to the northward, leaving the rest in the hands 
 of the English, who were in no condition to follow. 
 The victors had indeed suffered severely, though it 
 was some time before Waymouth, and those with 
 him, could ascertain the true state of affairs. At 
 length he brought his last-captured prize up to the 
 Lion, where the rest were collected, and having 
 secured his prisoners, and left a few men on boar9
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 61 
 
 to watch them, he returned to his own ship. The 
 Lion with her torn sails, shattered spars, and ropes 
 hanging in disordered festoons, looked any thing 
 but like a victor, yet she was in a better plight than 
 her consorts. Far ahead lay the admiral with three 
 of the enemy's ships he had captured, but his masts 
 were tottering, and it was evident that he had suf- 
 fered severely in the fight. The Serpent, though 
 she had taken a couple of prizes, was even in a. 
 worse condition, while of the three smaller ships 
 the poor little Moonshine had disappeared alto- 
 gether, the Lion's Whelp lay a dismasted hulk on 
 the waters, and the Sunshine appeared in a sinking 
 condition. Three prizes, proofs of their prowess, 
 lay near them, and it was to be hoped that some of 
 the crew of the Moonshine had found safety on board 
 them. 
 
 And now the surgeon, Ap Reece, his fiery blood 
 beginning to cool, bethought him that he ought to 
 go and look after his patients below, while Way- 
 mouth began to make inquiries as to who had been 
 killed and who wounded among his shipmates. His 
 grief was sincere when he heard of his young fol- 
 lower's death. He looked round, also, anxiously 
 for Raymond. He was nowhere to be seen. Was 
 he on board any of the prizes ? No ; such and such 
 officers had charge of them. He sprang below. 
 Master W^alker could give him no tidings of his 
 friend. He inquired eagerly of all the survrving 
 officers. It was remembered that he had headed a
 
 (J2 AXTONY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 party who had repulsed the boarders from a large 
 Portugal ship, which had afterwards sheered off. 
 Several men were missing who could not be ac- 
 counted for, and it was supposed possible that he, 
 with them, had gone on board the enemy, and that 
 they had been carried off as prisoners. Waymouth 
 hoped such might be the case, as it was the only 
 chance of again seeing his friend, but, attached 
 though he was to him, he had no time just then 
 to mourn his loss. 
 
 Fearful had been the slaughter on board the Lion 
 and the injuries she had received, while so many of 
 her people had been taken off to man the prizes 
 that not enough remained to repair the damages 
 which she had received. The energies of every one 
 on board unwounded were taxed to the utmost, nor 
 could assistance be expected from the other ships, 
 which had enough to do to look after their own 
 prizes. The ships now closed up with each other, 
 and the Lion was able to hail the admiral's ship. 
 
 " Sad news sad news," was the answer. " Cap- 
 tain Lancaster was slain at the beginning of the 
 fight, and though we have gained the victory we 
 have bought it with the loss of half our men." 
 
 The loss on board the Serpent was also very 
 great, though she had suffered less than the ad- 
 miral's ship ; but the Lion's Whelp and the Sun- 
 shine had lost, in proportion to their crews, as many 
 meff as the latter ; while of the unfortunate Moon- 
 shine scarcely a third had escaped on board the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. (J3 
 
 prizes : all her wounded had gone down in her. 
 The captain of the Serpent was also desperately 
 wounded, and Captain Wood sent Waymouth on 
 board to see him and receive his orders, as he was 
 now chief in command/ Waymouth, finding his 
 way among the dying and wounded, reached the 
 cockpit where Captain Nicholas Parker lay. He 
 was groaning with anguish, which the surgeon, who 
 stood by his side, was endeavoring to alleviate with 
 a cordial. In vain. The groans continued, but 
 grew fainter. The surgeon felt the captain's pulse. 
 Waymouth stepped up. 
 
 " I have come to receive orders from the admiral, 
 for such he now is, since Captain Lancaster has 
 been killed," he said. 
 
 " Our brave captain will never give orders more," 
 answered the surgeon with much feeling. " Your 
 captain, Master Waymouth, will be admiral ere 
 many minutes are over. We've gained victory at 
 heavy cost." 
 
 Before Waymouth left the ship Captain Parker 
 had breathed his last, and he pulled hastily back to 
 announce the sad event to Captain Wood, who had 
 now become commander-in-chief, but seemed but 
 little elated with the circumstance. Master Walker 
 was pacing the deck to recover from the effects 
 of the close atmosphere he had endured below, and 
 the harrowing scenes he had witnessed. 
 
 " This is what men -call glory, and what young 
 men sigh after and long to engage in," he observed,
 
 61 A&TONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 while Waymouth stood quiet for a few seconds dis- 
 cussing some food which had been brought to him, 
 for he had no time to go below. " Look there ; see 
 what man's avarice and rage and folly have brought 
 about in a few short hours." 
 
 He pointed with a melancholy glance at a num- 
 ber of slain arranged around the mainmast, and to 
 several wounded who had been mercifully brought 
 on deck to breathe a purer atmosphere than that to 
 be found below ; then to the Lion's shattered masts 
 and bulwarks ; and, lastly, moving his hand round 
 to their almost dismasted, and yet more shattered, 
 consorts and prizes, from one of which, taken, by the 
 Serpent, at that instant flames were seen to burst 
 forth. The Lion had but one boat which could 
 float, and into her an officer and crew jumped and 
 pulled away to the assistance of the burning vessel, 
 the men being urged to speed, not impossibly, in 
 the hope of obtaining some of the plunder on board. 
 
 The Serpent had sent off two of her boats, and 
 the Red Dragon another, but the Portugals either 
 would not go to the assistance of their countrymen 
 or their boats were knocked to pieces, or the officers 
 in charge of the prizes would not let them go, for 
 no assistance was sent, though several were near the 
 burning vessel. The boats pulled rapidly through 
 the water ; and good cause they had so to do, for 
 the flames rose higher and higher, bursting out from 
 all the ports from stem to stern till there appeared 
 not a spot on which a human being could stand
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. . 65 
 
 unscorched by the fire. Busily as all on board the 
 Lion were employed, they stopped to gaze on- the 
 scene. Even amid the flames they could see the 
 unhappy men rushing here and there, seeking in 
 vain for safety : some were casting themselves into 
 the sea ; others, unable probably to swim, waited 
 anxiously for the boats. In vain ! in vain ! Ere 
 the boats reached them the burning masts and spars 
 rose gradually up from the hull up, up, they shot 
 into the air ; the deck followed, the flames increas- 
 ing with tenfold fury, a loud report announcing 
 that the magazine had exploded, and that the rich 
 argosy, with all still living on board, had been hur- 
 ried to destruction. Those in the boats pulled 
 back, endeavoring to avoid the burning fragments 
 of spars and wreck which came hissing in a thick 
 shower around them. Then recollecting that some 
 might yet be floating near where the wreck had 
 been, like true British tars they again dashed on, in 
 the hope of rescuing them. So rapidly had the 
 catastrophe occurred after the first outbreak of the 
 fire, that Waymouth had not moved from the minis- 
 ter's side. 
 
 "There, there-! " continued the latter, "surely 
 such work as that is the invention of Satan that 
 roaring lion who is ever going about seeking whom 
 he may devour. What mad folly in men thus to 
 yield to him, and to destroy each other at his will 
 and beck! " 
 
 " What you say, Master Walker, may be true 
 
 5
 
 66 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 all very true ; but we are in for it, and must carry 
 through our enterprise, or perish," exclaimed Way- 
 mouth, with iv,tlier more impatience than he was 
 wont to address the minister. " "We have taken 
 prizes enough to make every man of us wealthy for 
 the rest of our lives ; but our loss of brave fellows 
 has been heavy, I grant you, and I'd give up every 
 ducat that falls to my share for the sake of knowing 
 what has become of Edward Raymond, and all the 
 gold I may ever possess to get him back safe aboard 
 here." 
 
 " He was a worthy gentleman, and I pray that he 
 may still be reckoned among the living," said the 
 chaplain, and he was about to commence an exhor- 
 tation to his young friend when Waymouth was 
 called away to attend to one of the numberless 
 duties which, in consequence of the loss of many of 
 his messmates, now fell to his lot. 
 
 As soon as shot-holes had been plugged, the 
 wounded masts and spars strengthened, the shrouds 
 set up, and damaged rigging repaired, an examina- 
 tion of the prizes commenced. The wealth they 
 contained surpassed even the expectation of the 
 adventurers. Besides gold and silver in bars, there 
 were cases of diamonds and pearls and other pre- 
 cious stones, and casks and cases of rich spices, and 
 strange and rich silks, and a variety of other articles 
 from India. In truth, there appeared to be more 
 than enough to enrich even the commonest seaman 
 of the squadron, although by far the largest share 
 would go to the officers.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 67 
 
 Fortunately, the weather remained calm, or more 
 of the ships would have gone to the bottom. Every 
 one exerted himself to the utmost, and good reason 
 he had so to do, for a storm might arise, or the 
 enemy return with greater force, and all the treas- 
 ure gained by so much toil and bloodshed might be 
 lost. 
 
 Before the day was over, the signal was made 
 from the Serpent that Captain Parker had ceased 
 to breathe. Captain Wood therefore assumed the 
 chief command, and ordered the Red Dragon to 
 come near that he might go on board her, leaving 
 Waymouth in command of the Lion. 
 
 A consultation of all the chief officers was now 
 held, and it was determined to abandon and destroy 
 the Sunshine and Lion's Whelp, to shift their crews 
 on board the two largest and least injured of the 
 Portugal ships, to select a third on board which to 
 put all the prisoners, and to burn the remainder. 
 The plan was at once put into execution, and the 
 wealth of all her prizes was carried on board the Lion. 
 Not, however, till two days had passed were the 
 prizes sufficiently gutted of their stores and provis- 
 ions to be abandoned. A short time before night- 
 fall they were set on fire ; and it was a sad though 
 a fine sight to see eight tall ships burning away 
 together. Master Walker again had reason to shake 
 his head. 
 
 " Another example of man's folly," he exclaimed. 
 " See yon beautiful fabrics, on which so much
 
 68 ANTONY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 thought, time, and labor was expended, being de- 
 stroyed in a few short minutes ! " 
 
 " But you would not have us tow the useless 
 hulls round the world, Master Walker, would 
 you ? " asked Waymouth, with some little hastiness 
 not to be wondered at. " 
 
 " No, Captain Waymouth, but I would, that the 
 hulls were not useless, and still freighted with hon- 
 est merchandise, that we and the Portugals were at 
 peace, as Christian men should be, and each pursu- 
 ing our own course as gentlemen adventurers for 
 our own profit and advantage and that of our 
 respective countries. When I joined the expedition 
 I understood such was to be the case. We were to 
 be armed to resist attack, as is lawful not to 
 attack others, which is wrong. But all these doings 
 of blood and destruction have opened my eyes, and 
 made me wish that I had remained quiet at home, 
 even though my stipend was small and precarious. 
 I love you right well, as you of a surety do know, 
 Captain Waymouth, and I tell you that no good can 
 come of these doings. 
 
 " I see not the strength of your reasoning, Master 
 Walker," said Waymouth. " We all knew when 
 we left Old England that we were embarking in an 
 adventure in which we should meet with hard blows 
 as well as rich prizes. We are in no wise worse 
 than Drake, and see what honors have been heaped 
 on him." 
 
 " I say nothing against the powers that be ; and
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 69 
 
 her gracious majesty may have had her reasons for 
 honoring Sir Francis; but there are persons who 
 consider his expedition round the world as worthy 
 only of a sea-rover of old or of a downright pirate," 
 observed the minister. 
 
 "Let be, let be, Master Walker," exclaimed Way- 
 mouth petulantly ; " I can brook more from you 
 than from any man alive, but I have heard enough." 
 
 The minister was too wise to proceed, but he 
 shook his head mournfully. 
 
 The prisoners were now all collected on board one 
 ship. Among the wild spirits found among the 
 English crews some were not wanting who suggested 
 that they should be sent adrift without compass, 
 guns, or provisions ; some even hinted that to bore 
 holes in the ship's bottom would be the surest way 
 of disposing of them; others considered that it 
 would be wise to keep them as prisoners, and to 
 insure their keeping with the fleet they should only 
 be furnished day by day with the necessary provis- 
 ions, and that two ships should be appointed espe- 
 cially to watch them. More generous counsels, how- 
 ever, prevailed. 
 
 " No, no, by my halidom ! " exclaimed Captain 
 Wood ; " Portugals though they are, they have 
 fought bravely, and like honest gentlemen shall be 
 treated. We'll give them arms to defend their lives, 
 and provisions to fill their insides, and a compass to 
 find their way to some one of their own ports or facto- 
 ries on the coast of the Indies, and all we'll demand
 
 70 AS TOy Y WAYMOUTH i OR, 
 
 of them is that if they find any Englishmen in 
 the same plight as they are themselves that they 
 treat them in the same way as they are treated by 
 us." 
 
 Waymouth warmly seconded the admiral's pro- 
 posal ; so did several of the superior officers, though 
 others grumbled at letting the prisoners off without 
 a ransom, or trusting to their honor to return the 
 favor they were to receive. 
 
 Away sailed the Portugal ship with all the pris- 
 oners on board ; not, however, without Waymouth 
 having extracted a promise from all the officers to 
 make inquiries for his friend Raymond, and to let 
 him know, if alive, where he was to be found. 
 Waymouth hoped that among them some at least 
 would do their utmost to redeem their promise. 
 
 Once more the English fleet was sailing proudly 
 over the seas, but sadly diminished in the number 
 of their men. The wealth collected seemed prodi- 
 gious in the eyes of the crews, and little short of that 
 obtained by Drake of the Spaniards. Still their 
 success only made them greedy for more, and the 
 seamen especially expressed their aversion to the 
 trading part of the enterprise, and loudly proclaimed 
 their desire to cruise against any enemy to be 
 found Dutch, if Portugals could not be found, or 
 Spaniards if they could be fallen in with. Way- 
 mouth, especially, found that he had a very muti- 
 nously inclined crew to deal with. Who was the 
 chief instigator he determined to discover, in the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 71 
 
 hope that by punishing him he might bring the rest 
 under better discipline. 
 
 The officer next in command to him was Miles 
 Carlingford, an honest, straight-forward seaman, on 
 whom he knew that he could depend as well as he 
 could on Master Walker and the surgeon Ap Resce 
 as to faithfulness ; but Master Walker was a non- 
 combatant, and would be averse to any stringent 
 measures ; and Ap Reece, from his hot-headed im- 
 petuosity, would be likely to betray any counsel 
 with which he was intrusted. 
 
 Captain Wood had brought two cabin-boys with 
 him or, as they would now be called, midship- 
 men and these he had left under Waymouth's 
 especial care. Poor fellows ! early indeed were 
 they to be initiated into the stern realities of life. 
 It would have been difficult to find a stronger 
 contrast than between the two lads, and yet they 
 were great friends. The eldest, Alfred Stanhope, 
 was of high birth, of which he was fully conscious. 
 He was refined in appearance and mariners, and 
 was light-hearted and gay in the extreme. He was 
 never out of spirits or out of humor, and was 
 utterly indifferent t6 danger. His talents, however, 
 were not great, and the knowledge he did possess 
 was very superficial. 'His father was a spendthrift 
 and a ruined man, and had allowed him to come 
 to sea in the hope of his being provided for in one 
 way or another. 
 
 His companion, Oliver Marston, was the son of a
 
 72 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OH, 
 
 stout English yeoman to whom Captain Wood's 
 family was under some obligations, and, as a way 
 of repaying him, he had offered to take Oliver, 
 one of ten sons, on an adventure through which he 
 would be certain to secure his fortune. The lad, 
 though he had never seen a ship except worked on 
 tapestry, had no objection to go to sea. He was a 
 short, stout, strongly-built little fellow, able to hold 
 his own with all competitors. While poor Alfred 
 Stanhope had been nurtured in the lap of luxury, 
 Oliver had been brought up in the roughest style, 
 and was therefore much better able than his com- 
 panion to .buffet with the storms of life they were 
 doomed to encounter. He had much more sense 
 and shrewdness in his round little head than might 
 have been supposed, while all about him' was ster- 
 ling stuff of the toughest nature, except his heart, 
 in one respect, and that was as soft and gentle as 
 that of a true sailor is said to be. Oliver was a 
 favorite with "Waymouth, who, though he did not 
 spoil him, encouraged him to speak more openly to 
 him than he allowed any one else to do except 
 Master Walker. 
 
 It was night. Waymouth was seated in his cabin. 
 A lamp hung from the beam above, the light of 
 which fell on a chart he was anxiously scanning. 
 Unwonted cares oppressed even his buoyant spirit. 
 His ship had suffered much ; he had a large amount 
 of wealth on board ; his crew was much weakened, 
 some were disaffected, and he was about to enter
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 73 
 
 seas difficult of navigation, and where typhoons 
 might be expected. He mourned, too, his friend 
 Raymond's loss, though he did not believe that he 
 was dead, but that he had been carried off a pris- 
 oner by the enemy. Still, how could he hear of 
 him, and how rescue him if he was a prisoner ? 
 He fell into a revery. He was aroused by the 
 sentry at the announcement that an officer wished 
 to see him. 
 
 " Let him come," was the answer ; and Oliver 
 Marston stood before him. 
 
 " What now, Oliver ? " asked the captain. 
 
 " You know, Captain Waymouth, that I am not 
 a tale-bearer ; but I've just heard some matters 
 which I bethought me I ought to convey to you 
 without delay," answered Marston. " There's mu- 
 tiny in the ship, sir, or what may come to worse." 
 
 " Ah ! how come you to know that, boy ? " asked 
 the captain anxiously, for the announcement some- 
 what confirmed his own suspicions. 
 
 The youngster answered promptly "It is my 
 first watch, sir, and as I had no fancy for turning 
 in for a short time, I lay down for a snooze on a 
 chest outside the boatswain's cabin. I was afraid 
 of oversleeping myself, so quickly awoke, and was 
 about to jump up, when I heard voices near me. 
 The words were spoken in an undertone, as if the 
 speakers desired not to be overheard. Who the 
 speakers were, I am not certain ; they talked of 
 the wealth that was on board, and how you and the
 
 74 ANTO2HY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 other captains would get the lion's share, but that 
 if they acted with spirit and stuck together they 
 might have the whole of it." 
 
 " And you heard the whole of this, and were not 
 dreaming, boy ? " 
 
 " Every word, sir, and I was wide awake," an- 
 swered Oliver. 
 
 " You have done well to come to me at once," 
 said the captain. " Speak to no one of what you 
 have heard, and appear ev.en to your messmates 
 as if all were going on right. To-morrow morning 
 I will communicate with the admiral, and we will 
 soon have these would-be mutineers in limbo. Have 
 you no idea who were the speakers ? " 
 
 " I like not, sir, to bring an accusation against 
 any man without perfect certainty, but to the best 
 of my belief there were Peter Hagger, the boat- 
 swain, and John Moss, his mate, among the .chief 
 speakers," answered Oliver. " As to the rest I 
 might be mistaken, but I think not of those two. 
 I recognized also Dick Soper's voice, and he is not 
 likely to be left out if such work is proposed." 
 
 " He'll swing ere long at the yard-arm, an' I mis- 
 take not ; but enough now, lad," said the captain. 
 " Keep counsel and your eyes about you, and we'll 
 defeat the rebels. They'll attempt nothing while 
 we are with the admiral ; they know him, and I 
 thought they knew me too. Who has the first 
 watch ? " 
 
 " Mr. Carlingford, sir," said Marston.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 75 
 
 " Tell him to keep close up with the admiral, as 
 I want to speak him at dawn," said Waymouth ; 
 " and call me should the weather "give signs of 
 change. You have acted most commendably." 
 
 The lad took his leave well pleased with the 
 praise bestowed on him by his captain, and very 
 indifferent to the danger to which he as well as all 
 the officers on board were exposed. 
 
 The young captain sat for some time meditating 
 on the matter. He could not tell how many of the 
 crew might be engaged in the plot, and on what 
 support the conspirators depended. He might dis- 
 cover who were the ringleaders, but find that the 
 greater part of the crew sided with them. Cau- 
 tion, courage, and decision would be required ho 
 trusted he should not be -wanting in either of the 
 three. The last few days had been a time of unusual 
 exertion and care. He required rest to restore his 
 well-nigh exhausted energies. Examining his fire- 
 arms with more care than usual, and placing his 
 sword by his side ready for instant use, though he 
 firmly believed that no attempt would be made by 
 the mutineers, he threw himself on his bed. He had 
 resolved to take the Lion next morning under the 
 guns of the Red Dragon, and having informed Cap- 
 tain Wood of what he knew, call out the three men 
 whose voices young Marston recognized, and send 
 them on board the flagship for punishment. He 
 soon, however, forgot his anxieties in a sound sleep.
 
 76 ANTONY WAYMOVTH; OR, 
 
 lie was awoke by the voice of Oliver Marston loudly 
 calling him. 
 
 " What is it ? " he asked, starting up with his 
 sword grasped in his hand.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 77 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " WHAT is it ? " exclaimed the young captain of 
 the Lion, as he sprang from his bed, on which he 
 had thrown himself without undressing. He did 
 not require the cabin-boy's answer, for by the way 
 the ship was heeling over he knew that it was blow- 
 ing a heavy gale. " I bade you call me the instant 
 there were signs of a change of weather," he ob- 
 served as he hurried towards the cabin-door to gain 
 tlio deck. 
 
 " The ship but this instant was struck by a squall, 
 sir, and we are shortening sail as fast as we can," 
 said Marston, though the captain did not stay to 
 hear his last words. 
 
 The deck of the Lion appeared, as the captain 
 reached it, to be a scene of the greatest confusion. 
 Showers of spray, torn up from the ocean by the 
 sudden squall, were thrown over her in dense 
 masses. The wind howled and whistled through 
 the rigging, the sales were flapping loudly in the 
 gale some torn from their bolt-ropes, others with 
 the sheets let go, which were lashing and slashing 
 wildly and twisting into a thousand knots. Huge 
 blocks, too, were swinging to and fro, threatening
 
 78 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 the seamen with destruction, while some of the 
 spars wounded in the action now gave way, and 
 their fragments came thundering down on deck, 
 sweeping all before them. The sea roared, the 
 thunder in crashing peals rattled along the sky, and 
 the forked lightning ran hissing in vivid flashes 
 from out of the dark clouds along the foaming 
 waves, and played round the ship. The officers 
 were shouting to the men many, with axes and 
 knives in their hands, rushing here and there at the 
 risk of their lives to cut clear the blocks and the 
 wreck of the spars, without which it was scarcely 
 possible to go aloft to furl the remaining sails. 
 
 Waymouth at once saw that the only safe course 
 to pursue was to put the ship before the wind. As 
 lie issued the required orders he looked out for the 
 admiral's ship, but the signal lanterns at her stern 
 were nowhere to be seen. Mr. Carlingford asserted 
 that they were close to them when the squall struck 
 the ship ; so did Stanhope, who did the duty of a 
 signal midshipman. The captain could only hope, 
 therefore, that the admiral had at once bore up 
 when the hurricane struck his ship. Two lights 
 were still visible in the direction the other ships were 
 supposed to be, but at some distance, and the Lion 
 was apparently fast leaving them. Her crew had 
 indeed enough to do to attend to themselves their 
 own safety demanded all their energies. Way- 
 mouth's firm, commanding voice soon called order 
 out of chaos. The ship answered her helm, and,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 79 
 
 getting before the wind once more, rose on an even 
 keel, and flew rushing on through the darkness. 
 Sail after sail was taken in the loftier masts and 
 spars had been carried away by the wind, and were 
 mostly cut clear of the ship. The foretopmast had 
 escaped being hit in the action, and had stood. 
 The hurricane was increasing in power, rolling up 
 the ocean into huge seas ; higher and higher they 
 grew, their crests curling masses of foam, following 
 eagerly astern as wild beasts in pursuit of their fly- 
 ing prey. Often, while the forked lightning played 
 round the ship, had the captain gazed anxiously at 
 the foretopmast to ascertain how it stood the in- 
 creasing pressure deprived of its usual support. 
 He scarcely hoped to save it. The hurricane gave 
 no signs of abating ; on the contrary, it was increas- 
 ing in strength. 
 
 " It must be done ! " he exclaimed, seizing a 
 sharp axe ; " better choose our time than let it fall 
 when we are unprepared. Volunteers to cut away 
 the foretopmast ! " 
 
 " I'll go," cried Miles Carlingford, and his words 
 wore echoed by several others. 
 
 " No, Carlingford ; you stay to take care of the 
 ship. I can let no man lead but myself in a task 
 of such peril." 
 
 Marston and Stanhope both volunteered, but the 
 captain ordered them to remain with the lieutenant. 
 
 Followed by a daring crew, Waymouth sprang 
 aloft, each man armed with axe or knife. Some
 
 80 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 remained on deck to cut the ropes which led down 
 there. All had their tasks assigned them. The 
 least important ropes and stays were first severed. 
 
 " Remember, lads, wait till I give the word, and 
 then cut with a will," cried the captain. As he 
 stood on the top his axe was lifted in the air. 
 " Cut! " he shouted, as, gleaming in the lightning, 
 it descended with a force which half severed through 
 the spar. Over it fell with a crash into the sea, and, 
 free from all ropes, floated clear of the ship. The 
 crew uttered a hearty cheer as the captain descended 
 on deck after the performance ,of this gallant and 
 skilful act without the loss of a man. None cheered 
 more loudly than the boatswain and his two mates. 
 
 The ship drove on before the hurricane, but, re- 
 lieved of so much top hamper, she labored far less 
 than she had been doing. The storm had not 
 abated its fury ; the mad waves followed fiercely 
 after the ship, and leaped up, foam-covered, on 
 either side, threatening to fall down on her decks 
 and sweep everybody from off them, or to send the 
 stout bark herself to the bottom. The thunder 
 roared loudly as at first, the lightning flashed vividly 
 as ever, and ran its zigzag course crackling and 
 hissing through the air-, and along the summits of 
 the waves, and round the storm-driven ship, now 
 seeming to dart along her spars, and then to light 
 with a lambent flame the summit of her masts. 
 
 The crew were collected on deck ready for any 
 work required of them, sheltering themselves as
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 81 
 
 best they could under the bulwarks for fear of being 
 washed away. Waymouth stood with his first lieu- 
 tenant on the aftercastle away from the crew. He 
 told him of the conspiracy of which he had gained 
 information. 
 
 " What think you, Carlingford ? " he added. 
 " Shall we seize the villains now, tax them with 
 their intended crime, and call on all who are for 
 discipline and order to rally round us ; or let them 
 go on plotting till they find a fit occasion to put 
 their plots into execution ? It were a bold stroke 
 at such a moment, and would be sure of success." 
 
 " No one would be found willing to differ from 
 you now," answered the lieutenant ; " I doubt, 
 therefore, that you would ascertain who are the 
 conspirators, and it would only give them a certain 
 vantage-ground by showing them that you doubt 
 their honesty." 
 
 Waymouth yielded to this advice, and allowed the 
 opportunity of seizing the supposed mutineers to 
 pass. He had no fear that they would make any 
 attempt to gain possession of the ship while the 
 gale might last. In spite of the danger in which 
 his own ship was placed, he turned his thoughts 
 more than once to the rest of the squadron. What 
 had become of them ? Were they still afloat, driven 
 here and there before the hurricane, or had they all 
 met the fate from which the Lion herself had so nar- 
 rowly escaped, and foundered ? He could not help 
 dreading that the latter might have been the case. 
 
 6
 
 82 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Hour after hour passed by, and the wind blew 
 fiercely as at the commencement of the storm. No 
 fire could be lighted. Scarcely any one had even 
 tasted food, and the fierce spirits who had been 
 before inclined to mutiny must have been consider- 
 ably tamed by the buffeting and fasting they had 
 been compelled to undergo. 
 
 " I've heard say that it's an ill wind that blows 
 no one good," observed Carlingford to his captain. 
 " I doubt if the knaves who so notably were pro- 
 posing to take possession of the ship will be inclined 
 to make the attempt for some time to come." 
 
 "We will keep 'an eye on them, at all events," 
 said Waymouth. " In the present battered condi- 
 tion of our good ship, they will be too wise to wish 
 to run away with her, or all the labor of putting 
 her to rights would fall on their hands. Ah, no, 
 the rogues ! they will let us first do the work for 
 them, and then cut our throats. I have met before 
 with villains such as these, and know how to tackle 
 them." 
 
 Although occasionally brave villains are found, as 
 a rule ill-doers are cowards ; and the would-be mu- 
 tineers on board the Lion were no exception to the 
 rule. The captain and his lieutenant noted those 
 who on that awful night showed most fear, and they 
 proved to be the very men Marston had mentioned. 
 Even the boatswain, who was generally a bold fel- 
 low, evidently shrank from the performance of any 
 duty of especial danger, and while the captain went
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 83 
 
 aloft to cut away the topmast was not one of those 
 who had volunteered io accompany him, though 
 under ordinary circumstances it would have been 
 his duty to perform the work. 
 
 Morning broke at length upon the wide waste of 
 foam-covered heaving waters, but in vain did the 
 anxious officers of the Lion look around for any of 
 her consorts. She herself was laboring heavily. 
 The well was sounded. There were three feet of 
 water in the hold ; that was much in a ship of the 
 Lion's build. There must be a leak. The pumps 
 were manned ; all hands must work spell and spell. 
 Even then scarcely could the leak be kept under. 
 Those men who had shown the greatest courage 
 during the night labored the hardest now ; the 
 conspirators worked with an air of desperation. 
 
 When the water still gained on them, " Let's to 
 the spirit-room, and die jovial," cried one. 
 
 " Ay, ay, to the spirit-room ; a last glass before 
 we quit the world," was echoed by several. 
 
 Deserting their stations, they rushed tumultu- 
 ously to the hold. They found three soldiers sta- 
 tioned there, with their muskets ready to fire. 
 Strange that the very men who were about to stu- 
 pefy themselves with liquor, and so to go out of the 
 world, were afraid of dying by the hands of their 
 countrymen ! Growling like cowed mastiffs they 
 shrank back, some returning to the deck, and 
 others turning into their hammocks, where they 
 intended to remain while the ship sank.
 
 84 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; Oil, 
 
 But a few only behaved thus. The greater num- 
 ber, as true British seamen always have done, re- 
 mained at their posts to face the danger. Their per- 
 severance was rewarded. About noon the gale 
 began to abate, the sea to decrease. As tbe ship la- 
 bored less there was a hope that the leaks might be 
 got under, and the carpenters, after sounding, re- 
 ported that there was not more than the usual quan- 
 tity of water in the well. The news was received 
 with loud cheers by the crew, but they soon found 
 that continued exertion would be necessary to keep 
 the ship afloat. The skulkers were accordingly 
 routed out of their berths, and compelled to take 
 their turn at the pumps. 
 
 Waymouth well knew that idleness is the mother 
 of many a crime, and he determined that his crew 
 should have no such excuse. As soon as the sea 
 became calm, there was ample work to employ all 
 hands in repairing the damages the ship had re- 
 ceived in the battle and the storm. 
 
 " Any day we may meet an enemy, and the ship 
 must be in a state to fight him, lads," the captain 
 was continually remarking, especially when he saw 
 the men slacken at their work. A course had been 
 shaped for the Island of Java, where in the Harbor 
 of Bantam he still entertained hopes of falling in 
 with the rest of the squadron. 
 
 Day after day the Lion continued her voyage 
 without further adventure, and every day saw some 
 advance made in restoring her to her former con-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTUREUS. 85 
 
 dition, so that, had she encountered a Portugal ship, 
 she would have been as ready as ever for the fight. 
 
 In appearance, however, she still wore a very 
 battered and forlorn state. Such was the guise in 
 which she at length entered the harbor of Bantam, 
 making the best show that was possible, with ban- 
 ners and streamers flying, and drums and fifes, 
 and other music, playing. Very different, how- 
 ever, was the figure they made from what they 
 had expected, and what it would have been, had 
 the whole English squadron sailed in at the same 
 time. Very different also was the reception they 
 received from the King of Bantam, in those days 
 a powerful sovereign with a magnificent court of 
 nobles dressed in rich robes. Perceiving the cold- 
 ness of their reception, Waymouth, habiting him- 
 self in his most imposing attire, and taking a 
 number of followers, attired in all the bravery they 
 could command, went on shore, and, on obtain- 
 ing admission to the palace, informed his majesty 
 that his ship was only the first of a large fleet which 
 had just obtained a glorious victory over the Port- 
 ugals, and that he hoped they would soon enter the 
 harbor and spend- a large portion of their wealth 
 among him and his people. When this fact became 
 clear to the royal mind, the king's conduct under- 
 went a considerable alteration, and he seemed now 
 only anxious to ascertain how he could best please 
 his guests. There was no lack of entertainments 
 of all sorts fights of wild animals, shows, and
 
 86 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; On, 
 
 dances. These served to amuse the men, and to 
 prevent them from thinking of the future. But 
 Waymouth and his chief officers could not get rid 
 of their anxiety for their companions. They still, 
 however, lived on in hopes. In the mean time, the 
 captain's chief uneasiness arose from the conduct 
 of the boatswain, who was clearly endeavoring to 
 ingratiate himself with the crew by overlooking 
 their faults and shielding them from punishment. 
 The consequence was that the discipline of the ship, 
 spite of all the captain and superior officers could 
 do to prevent it, became worse than it had ever 
 been before. Miles Carlingford advised Waymouth 
 to have Hagger and his supposed associates seized, 
 and run up to the yard-arm, or shot ; but there 
 were many reasons against this summary proceed- 
 ing. They were in the port of a treacherous 
 people, who would very likely take advantage of 
 any dissensions among themselves, and it was im- 
 possible to say how many of the crew might join 
 Hagger. 
 
 " We must either wait the arrival of the rest of 
 the fleet or seize the fellow in blue water, with no 
 one to interfere with us," answered Waymouth. 
 
 However, day after day passed by, and week after 
 week, and the fleet did not appear. It became at 
 last too probable that they had all foundered. Still 
 it was possible that they might have put into some 
 other port to refit, and might arrive at the ren- 
 dezvous after all.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 87 
 
 The time passed pleasantly enough on shore, as 
 great respect was shown to the strangers by the king 
 and chiefs. The English, in return, tried to make 
 themselves popular with all classes, and traded suc- 
 cessfully with them, taking care not to -allow them 
 to know the amount of wealth they had on board. 
 Hope grew meantime fainter and fainter, and it 
 struck Waymouth that the behavior of the natives 
 towards them had of late changed for the worse. 
 Among the merchants with whom he had dealings 
 was one who appeared to be especially honest, and 
 more disposed to be friendly than any of his coun- 
 trymen. One day he made his appearance on board, 
 saying that he had come to trade, and he began in 
 the usual way, but while so engaged he contrived 
 with a peculiar gesture to give a paper to Way- 
 mouth, on which was drawn a ship under full sail. 
 Above the ship was a hand, showing the very ges- 
 ture the merchant had just made. Waymouth 
 could scarcely fail to understand the hieroglyphic. 
 That the merchant wished the Lion to sail away 
 there could be no doubt. The expression of the 
 man's countenance convinced him that he was 
 friendly and in earnest. Some danger threatened. 
 Perhaps the king had got information of the wealth 
 contained in the ship, and intended to seize her. 
 Whatever enemies they might have on shore, there 
 was one who could not be kept out of the ship. 
 The unhealthy season was approaching. Fever 
 made its appearance on board ; several were struck
 
 88 ANTONY WAYMOUTII; OR, 
 
 down with it ; one after the other died ; the sur- 
 geon declared that the only way of saving the 
 lives of all on board was to put forthwith to sea. 
 
 Once more the Lion was ploughing the waters of 
 the deep. ,"A sail! a sail!" was the cry. A 
 vessel was seen making for the harbor of Bantam. 
 She might be one of the long-missing squadron. 
 Sail was made in chase. As the Lion approached, 
 the stranger showed the Portugal flag. Hurrah ! 
 another prize was to be made. The thought put 
 every one in high spirits. Even the sick came up 
 from their beds to have a look at the enemy. The 
 object of the Portugal was to enter the harbor of 
 Bantam before the Lion, under the belief that he 
 would there find protection. On sprang the king 
 of beasts. It soon became obvious, unless there 
 was a change of wind, that the prey would have 
 little chance of escape. The officers and crew of 
 the Lion eagerly watched the Portugal ship, specu- 
 lating on the value of her cargo, and whether she 
 was* likely to offer resistance. Such an idea was 
 generally treated with scorn. What was the sur- 
 prise, therefore, of all on board to see the chase 
 suddenly haul up her courses and heave her 
 maintopsail aback to await the coming of her pur- 
 suer ! 
 
 " Can it be that any on board are ^treacherous, 
 and wish thus to gain our favor ? " said Way- 
 mouth. 
 
 " More likely that they are cowards all, and think
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 89 
 
 discretion the best part of valor," observed Carling- 
 ford : " we shall soon learn, though." 
 
 " Ay, that shall we," answered Waymouth. 
 " But, see, what flags are those ? They look not 
 as if the Portugal was in a humble mood." 
 
 As he was speaking, several flags were hoisted 
 to the mastheads of the stranger, conspicuous 
 among all being that of Portugal flying above the 
 flag of England. The sight caused a general shout 
 of indignation among the English crew, and 
 doubled their desire to get alongside the foe. As 
 they got still nearer, the Portugal once more let 
 fall his sails and stood boldly towards them, letting 
 fly a shot in defiance. 
 
 " Now this is what does the heart good," ex- 
 claimed Waymouth in high glee. "Yonder is a 
 brave fellow and a worthy foe. I had ten times 
 rather meet such a one than the coward who runs 
 away and then yields when he is caught without 
 striking a blow. We shall take yonder gentleman 
 of that there is no doubt ; and it will be a satis- 
 faction to treat him as a brave man should be 
 treated with honor and distinction." 
 
 " I would that 'we could avoid fighting," said 
 Master Walker. " Here are we both from Europe 
 two ships, the remnant, probably, of the proud 
 fleets which left our native shores and we must 
 needs set to work to knock each other to pieces. 
 What, prithee, is to be gained by it ? " 
 
 " Honor, good Master Walker ! honor, which we
 
 90 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 gentlemen of the sword sigh for and live for, not 
 to speak of the golden doubloons and other articles 
 of value with which these Portugals think fit to 
 freight their ships," answered Waymouth with a 
 laugh which showed the cool if not light spirit with 
 which he could enter into the deadly fight. 
 
 Nearer and nearer drew the two ships. The Por- 
 tugal was the first to fire, and all his guns were 
 aimed high, as if he was anxious to cripple his op- 
 ponent. The reason was obvious. His decks were 
 crowded with men, and he hoped by running on 
 board the English ship to take her easily with his 
 overwhelming numbers. Waymouth saw that his 
 proper plan was to give the Portugals a wide berth 
 and keep firing away till he had thinned those num- 
 bers, at the same time that it was very much against 
 his usual system and inclination, as it was against 
 that of his followers. 
 
 Now the guns of the Lion began to play vigor- 
 ously, some of them being, according to the cap- 
 tain's orders, fired high, and others low. Although 
 now and then her spars and ropes were hit, she 
 was inflicting equal injury on the rigging of her 
 opponent, while such of her guns as were trained 
 low were making fearful havoc among the people 
 on the deck of the Portugal. She, in return, was 
 employing every manoeuvre to close with the Lion, 
 till it -appeared as if the English were actually afraid 
 of her. 
 
 " This must not last longer," exclaime"d Way-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 91 
 
 mouth. " British steel has seldom failed, how- 
 ever great the odds. We'll give the Portugals 
 their way." 
 
 The remark was received with a loud shout by 
 his men, on which he ordered the Lion to be steered 
 to close with her antagonist. The two ships met 
 with a crash; and before the Portugals, who had 
 been mustering on purpose, could reach the side 
 of the Lion, her gallant crew, led by Way mouth, 
 had boarded the enemy. And now, in truth, was 
 shown what English steel could do ; and well as 
 many of the Portugals fought, the decks were soon 
 cleared of all but a gallant few, who, surrounding 
 the Portugal captain, stood at bay. That Portugal 
 captain was a young man of a noble bearing; 
 though wounded, he seemed resolved to resist to 
 the last. 
 
 "Yield thee yield thee, brave senhor!" cried 
 Waymouth. " Life and liberty shall be yours. I 
 would fain not kill thee." 
 
 " To you, brave Captain Waymouth, I will yield 
 me, if you will order your men to refrain from 
 striking," was the answer. " Truly, they strike so 
 hard and fast, that otherwise not one of my com- 
 rades will remain alive." 
 
 " You are a brave gentleman. It shall be as you 
 desire. We have met before, I suspect," shouted 
 the English captain, ordering his men to let drop 
 the points of their weapons. 
 
 The deck, so lately the scene of a fierce conflict,
 
 92 ANTONY WATMOUTfl; OR, 
 
 was in an instant quiet, though" the planks, slippery 
 with gore, and the human forms strewed thickly 
 from one end to the other, showed the desperate 
 nature of the drama which had there been enacted. 
 The Portugal captain delivered his sword to Way- 
 mouth, who courteously returned it, recognizing 
 him as 'the bravest of those captains who had been 
 captured in the great battle fought by the whole 
 fleet Don Antonio de Mello by name. The prize 
 was richly freighted, and as the Lion would require 
 some repairs after the battle, it was resolved to 
 carry her back to Bantam. 
 
 The return of the English so soon with a cap- 
 tured enemy raised them very much in the estima- 
 tion of the people of Bantam, and proportionately 
 lowered the Portugals. The repairs of both ships 
 were soon completed, and the more valuable part 
 of the cargo of the prize transferred to the Lion. 
 Waymouth's generous feelings prompted him* to 
 restore the captured ship to Don Antonio, taking 
 his word that neither he nor his officers or men 
 would again serve against the English. He made 
 the proposal, however, first to his own officers, who 
 all, with the exception of Peter Hagger, readily 
 agreed to forego their share of the prize that the 
 prisoners might have an opportunity of returning 
 to their own country.. The boatswain, on the con- 
 trary, vowed, that, as they had won the booty by 
 hai?d fighting, they would keep it, and that he and 
 many other good men that he knew of would not 
 give up a nail of what was their own.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 93 
 
 " Well said, Master Hagger ; let me know who 
 are these good men of whom you speak, and your 
 share and theirs of what is restored to the Portugals 
 shall be calculated and given to you," said Captain 
 Waymouth, looking sternly at the boatswain. " I 
 wish to deprive no man of what he considers his 
 own ; but it strikes me that when a fair estimate is 
 made of the real value of your share it will not be 
 worth disputing about." 
 
 Notwithstanding these remarks of the captain, 
 Hagger insisted on having his share, but he was 
 only able to send in the names of rather more than 
 a dozen men who agreed with him. The super- 
 cargo, or accountant, of the Lion, was therefore 
 summoned, and directed to make out an estimate 
 of the value of the shares in question. 
 
 " Now deduct therefrom," said Waymouth, 
 " wages of officers 'and crew of the Portugal to 
 conduct her home ; risk of capture or loss ; in- 
 creased risk of loss or capture of the Lion in con- 
 sequence of her being short-handed." 
 
 " In that case, sir, the balance is against Master 
 Hagger and the rest," remarked the accountant. 
 
 "I thought as -much," observed Waymouth, 
 laughing. 
 
 The boatswain's anger and disappointment were 
 very great when he found how the tables had been 
 turned, and that, instead of gaining any thing, he 
 had merely shown who were the men among the 
 crew plotting with him.
 
 9-1 AS TONY WAf MOUTH; OR, 
 
 The Portugals' satisfaction was very great when 
 they found that they were not to be detained at 
 Bantam, where, from the unhealthiness of the cli- 
 mate during the hot months, they could expect only 
 to find graves. Don Antonio warmly expressed his 
 gratitude. 
 
 " I had some information, noble captain, which I 
 purposed giving before parting, at all events, but 
 which I have now a double gratification in afford- 
 ing," he said, addressing Waymouth. " During 
 that dreadful fight, when your fleet destroyed so- 
 many of ours, some few Englishmen were carried 
 off prisoners by those which escaped. Among them 
 was an officer who belonged to the Lion. I saw 
 him but once, and his name I did not hear, though 
 I doubt not that he is the friend whose fate you so 
 much desired to learn. He is now a prisoner in 
 the Castle of San Pedro, to the south of Goa. I 
 had resolved to take the earliest opportunity of 
 sending you this information according to my 
 promise, little supposing that I should be able to 
 deliver it under, to me, such unfortunate circum- 
 stances." 
 
 This news raised Waymouth's spirits higher than 
 they had been for some time. It made him feel 
 almost sure that Raymond had survived the battle, 
 because, as all the other officers of the Lion had 
 been accounted for, it could be only him of whom 
 Don Antonio spoke. On hearing this, it at once 
 flashed across Waymouth's thoughts that he had
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 95 
 
 done unwisely in giving the prisoners their liberty 
 with so few conditions. 
 
 "I ought to have bargained that any English 
 who might be in the hands of their countrymen 
 should promptly be liberated without ransom ; but 
 yet 110 ; I have done a liberal deed, and I will 
 not regret it. If these Portugals have any feeling 
 of honor, they will let my friend go free when I 
 demand him." 
 
 From a subsequent conversation with Don Anto- 
 nio, Waymouth was compelled to abandon the last 
 expressed hope. It appeared that the governor of 
 the castle of San Pedro was a certain Don Lobo, 
 who was noted for his ferocity and avarice, so that 
 lie was well called Lobo, which means in the Por- 
 tugal tongue a wolf. 
 
 Don Antonio stated that he was never known to 
 do a noble or generous act, and that he was not 
 likely to deliver up his prisoner unless a heavy ran- 
 som was paid, arid that so bitter was his animosity 
 against the English that it was possible he would 
 not even set him at liberty. . 
 
 " Then the Lion shall force the wolf to succumb," 
 exclaimed Waymouth. " I will not ask you, Don 
 Antonio, to fight against your countrymen, but I 
 must beg you to give me such information as may 
 assist me in liberating my friend, and I must then 
 exact a promise from you that you will not return 
 to San Pedro, or by any means allow notice of our 
 approach to be carried there."
 
 96 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Don Antonio, without hesitation, gave the prom- 
 ise required, the more readily, perhaps, that the 
 Lion would have the start of him for some days, 
 and, being short of provisions and water, he could 
 not attempt to make so long a passage as that from 
 Bantam to Goa without being amply supplied with 
 both. Yet further to prevent the chance of Don 
 Lobo being informed of the approach of the Lioii, 
 Waymouth afterwards extracted an additional prom- 
 ise from Don Antonio that he would not attempt to 
 sail for a week after her. 
 
 " Ned, dear coz, we shall once more shake hands, 
 and drink a bowl together to the health of thy lady 
 love," he exclaimed, apostrophizing his friend while 
 walking his quarter-deck, as the Lion, under all 
 sail, clove her way towards the west through the 
 limpid ocean.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 97 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 OUR chronicle takes us back to the time when the 
 fight between the English and Portugal fleets was 
 raging most furiously, and when, to an inexperienced 
 eye like that of Edward Raymond, on finding his 
 ship surrounded, it might naturally have appeared 
 that victory was siding with his foes rather than 
 with his own party. He believed, however, that by 
 a desperate effort the day might be retrieved, and 
 he gallantly resolved on his part to make the effort, 
 trusting that others would be doing the like at 
 the same moment. Just then he caught sight of 
 Waymouth repelling the boarders from one of the 
 Portugal ships, and so calling on all the men near 
 to follow, he led them on to the deck of another of 
 the enemy's ships which had at that moment run 
 alongside. So fierce was his attack, that the foe 
 gave way, and before many minutes were over he 
 found himself master of the ship ; but in the mean 
 time she had broken clear of the Lion, and was 
 drifting down on another Portugal ship coming 
 freshly into the fight. The two were soon locked 
 together, and while he with his handful of followers 
 was endeavoring to defend his prize at one end of 
 the ship, a party of Portugals rushed on board at
 
 98 ANTONT WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 the other. In vain he fought with the greatest 
 heroism. Most of his followers were cut down. 
 Pressed on all sides, he had not a prospect of suc- 
 cess. Another Portugal ship came up. His prize, so 
 gallantly taken, was already recaptured. Unable 
 to parry a stroke made at him, he was severely 
 wounded, and dropping the point of his sword, he 
 yielded himself a prisoner to the reiterated demands 
 of a Portugal captain who had headed the chief 
 body of his assailants. The three Portugal ships 
 had, however, fallen within the fire of the Red Dra- 
 gon and the Serpent, whose shot crashing on board 
 made them glad to set all the sail they could spread 
 and draw off. As Edward stood on the deck and 
 saw the shattered condition of the English ships, he 
 could scarcely believe that the enemy were really 
 drawing off; but when he afterwards saw some of 
 the Portugals actually sinking, and others with 
 their masts gone, he could not refrain from uttering 
 a cheer, faint though it was, at the thought that 
 his countrymen had gained the hard-fought victory. 
 In this he was joined by the few survivors of his 
 brave followers, all of whom were more or less 
 wounded. On hearing the cheer, some of the Por- 
 tugals came towards them with threatening gestures, 
 one of them exclaiming, in tolerably good English 
 
 " You are impudent fellows indeed to cheer when 
 you are miserable prisoners on board the ship of an 
 enemy. Do not you see that we are victorious ? " 
 
 " Running away is a funny mode of proving it,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 99 
 
 Senhor Portugal," answered Dick Lizard, one of 
 the seamen, cocking his eye at the speaker. " If 
 you had cheered, now, we might have thought you 
 had won the day ; but I sticks to my opinion that 
 it's we have won the day; and so I say, one 
 cheer more for Old England. Old England for- 
 ever ! " 
 
 The Portugal's rage was so great that he would 
 have given Dick a clout on the head which wou*ld 
 have finished his shouting, had not Raymond, weak 
 as he was, stepped forward to defend his follower, 
 who was much hurt. 
 
 " Shame on you, Senhor Portugal," he exclaimed, 
 standing over Dick with a broken spar which he 
 had grasped to defend him. " What ! would you 
 strike a wounded man simply because he sjiows the 
 satisfaction he feels that our countrymen are free, 
 if not the victors, and not as we are, prisoners ? " 
 
 " You crow loudly for a cock with his leg tied," 
 said the man, desisting, however, from his attempt 
 to strike poor Dick. 
 
 Some more seamen had now assembled, threat- 
 ening to punish the English for their audacity, when 
 their captain made his appearance among them, 
 inquiring the cause of the disturbance. 
 
 " Senhor," he said, turning to Edward, " you are 
 my prisoifer, though I wish to treat you as a brave 
 man and a gentleman ; but I cannot always re- 
 strain my people, who are somewhat lawless in 
 their notions ; and I must therefore request that,
 
 100 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 whatever may be the feelings of your countrymen, 
 they will keep them within bounds." 
 
 So many of the Portugals were wounded, that it 
 was some time before the not very skilful surgeons 
 of the ship could attend to the English, who had, 
 and perhaps fortunately for themselves, to doctor 
 their own hurts, which they did, one helping the 
 other in their own rough but efficacious way. It 
 was pleasant to see the hardy tars helping each 
 other like brethren, washing and cleansing each 
 other's wounds several of them tearing up their 
 shirts to bind up their comrades' limbs, or letting 
 their heads rest with tender care in their laps. 
 Those who had still strength to stand anxiously 
 watched the fast-receding fleet of the English till 
 their loftier masts sank below the horizon, and all 
 hope of being pursued and retaken was abandoned. 
 
 " Troth, sir, I suppose, then, we must make the 
 best of a bad job," said Lizard, shrugging his shoul- 
 ders. " That's my philosophy. I learned it when 
 I was a little chap from my father, who was a great 
 philosopher, seeing that he was a cobbler, and have 
 stuck to it ever since, and never found it fail. 
 What's the odds ? says I. Why should a man sigh 
 and groan if he can laugh ? why should he cry and 
 moan if he can sing ? If things are bad, they can 
 be mended just as my father used to say of the 
 old shoes brought to him. If that isn't a comfort, 
 I don't know what is." 
 
 Most of the Portugal ships escaping from the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 101 
 
 fight kept together ; but meeting the same hurricane 
 which caused such fearful havoc among the English 
 fleet, they also were separated, some going where so 
 many proud argosies have gone to the bottom 
 the Santa Maria, the ship on board which Edward 
 found himself, being left alone to pursue her voyage. 
 Edward suffered much from his wound, and had far 
 from recovered -his strength when the Santa Maria 
 arrived at Goa. Goa was at that time the largest 
 European settlement in the East ; and here the Por- 
 tugals, to impress the natives with the beauty of_the 
 faith they professed, had established that admirable 
 institution, the benign Inquisition. Here those edi- 
 fying spectacles, autos-da-fe, frequently took place, 
 when men of all ages, women, and even children, 
 were paraded forth, dressed in hideous garments, to 
 be burned alive in consequence of their unwilling- 
 ness to confess their belief in the doctrines held by 
 the Church. Our chronicle does not decide whether 
 the Portugal priesthood were right or wrong in their 
 proceedings; but, undoubtedly, very few converts 
 were made to the Christian faith, and the influence 
 of their country in the East has long since decreased 
 to zero. The appearance of the place, though decep- 
 tive, was in its favor, and innumerable large churches, 
 monasteries, and other public buildings reared their 
 1 leads on its sandy shores. Those were the days of 
 old Goa's grandeur and magnificence, soon to depart 
 for ever. 
 
 Instead, however, of being landed here, the
 
 102 AXTOXY WAYMOUTB; OR, 
 
 prisoners were conveyed to the Fort of San Pedro, 
 to the south, lest inconvenient questions might be 
 too often asked as to how they came to be there, 
 and what had become of the rest of the fleet which 
 captured them. 
 
 The Castle of San Pedro was a strong fortress 
 with high walls and towers a gloomy- looking 
 place, as gloomy as any spot in that land of sun- 
 shine can be, but gloomy undoubtedly it appeared 
 to poor Edward and his companions, as, strongly 
 guarded, they were conducted through "its portals, 
 not knowing when they might repass them and 
 obtain their liberty. They were first conducted 
 into the presence of the governor, a surly old don 
 of the most immovable character ; his face was like 
 smoke-dried parchment, with beard of formal cut, 
 and eyes so sunk that nothing could be seen but 
 two small spots of jetty hue, overhung with gray 
 shaggy eyebrows. Without the slightest expression 
 of courtesy or commiseration, he at once commenced 
 interrogating Edward in the Portugal tongue, order- 
 ing a yellow-skinned trembling clerk, who squatted 
 at his side with a huge book before him, to write 
 down his replies. 
 
 Edward answered succinctly to all the questions 
 put to him, requesting that, as prisoners of war, he 
 and his men might be treated with the courtesy 
 usually awarded to persons in their position by 
 civilized nations, among whom the Portugals stood 
 prominent.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 103 
 
 " Call yourselves prisoners of war ! " exclaimed 
 Don Lobo, pulling his mustaches vehemently. 
 "You are pirates you and your countrymen 
 nothing better ; and as such deserve to be thrown 
 from the top of one of the towers of this castle, or 
 dangled from one of the turrets by a rope, or shot, 
 or drowned any death is too good for you ; burn- 
 ing at the stake as heretics ay, vile heretics as 
 you are is most fit for you. See that such is not 
 your lot." 
 
 Edward made no reply to this address, feeling 
 that such would only too probably exasperate the 
 petty tyrant. Dick Lizard was, however, not 
 so judicious. Having had a good deal of inter- 
 course with the Portugals, he knew enough of their 
 language to understand what was said ; so, putting 
 his left arm akimbo, and doubling his right fist, he 
 exclaimed 
 
 " Call us pirates ! I'll tell you what you and 
 your dastardly crew are, Senhor Don Governor: 
 you are a set of garlic-eating, oil-drinking sons of 
 sea-cooks, who rob the weak when you can catch 
 them, and run away from the strong like arrant 
 knaves and cowards as you are. You are " 
 
 What other complimentary remarks poor Dick 
 might have uttered it is impossible to say; for as 
 he was beginning his next sentence, a blow from 
 the but-end of an arquebuse laid him prostrate on 
 the floor. Edward, afraid that his bold country- 
 man had been killed, knelt down by his side. But
 
 104 ANTOXY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 Dick's head was too hard to succumb to the strength 
 of a Portugal's arm, even when wielding a heavy 
 weapon. 
 
 " All right, sir," he said, opening his eyes. " I'll 
 be at them again, and give 'em more of my mind, 
 and my fist too, if I can get at them." 
 
 Edward, however, advised him under the circum- 
 stances to keep both one and the other to himself, 
 and, as he did not feel disposed to be polite to his 
 masters, to hold his tongue. 
 
 " Masters ! Marry, masters, indeed ! " cried Dick. 
 " If you says they are masters, sir, I suppose they 
 be ; but they'll find me a terrible obstinate servant 
 to deal with, let me tell them." 
 
 " No, don't tell them, Lizard, that or any thing 
 else," said Edward soothingly. " You see that at 
 all events we are in their power, and unless they 
 let .us go we may have some difficulty hi escap- 
 ing." 
 
 "Not if we can get some planks to float on, sir," 
 whispered Lizard. " That notion of yours, sir, has 
 brought me to sooner nor any thing. ! thinks as 
 how now, sir, I can keep a civil tongue in my head 
 to those baboon-faced, sneaking, blackguard scoun- 
 drels." 
 
 " Get up, then, man, and remember not to speak 
 a word while I explain your sentiments," said Ed- 
 ward, glad by any means to save his follower from 
 ill treatment. 
 
 The Portugals, who fully believed that the blow
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 105 
 
 must have inflicted a mortal injury on the man, 
 fancied that his officer was receiving his last dying 
 words, a message to his distant home, and did not 
 interfere with him. Their surprise, therefore, was 
 proportionately great when they saw him get up on 
 his legs, give a hitch to his waistband, and, after 
 sundry scratches and pulls at his shaggy locks, once 
 more address the governor. 
 
 " An' may it please your honor, Senhor Don Gov- 
 ernor, I axes your reverence's pardon for calling 
 you and your people yellow-faced sons of sea-cooks 
 (because as how to my mind your fathers and 
 mothers were never any thing so respectable," he 
 added in a low tone). " Howsomdever, as your 
 honor knows, I am but a rough seaman who's fol- 
 lowed his calling on the fealt water all the days of 
 his life, and will follow it, maybe, to the end, and 
 therefore much manners can't be expected ; and so, 
 Senhor Scarecrow, or whatever is your name, I hope 
 you'll not log down against my officer here or my 
 shipmates any thing you've heard." 
 
 Edward, as soon as he could put in a word, began 
 to offer an interpretation of what had been said. It 
 was not very literal, but interpreters are seldom 
 exact in translation. He remarked that his fol- 
 lower had forgotten himself, that the blow had 
 brought him to his senses, and that he now wished 
 to render every apology in his power to one like 
 Senhor Don Lobo, who so greatly merited his re- 
 spect.
 
 106 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OB, 
 
 The old governor pulled away at his beard for 
 some time, and twirled his mustaches, but was at 
 length pacified sufficiently to order the prisoners to 
 be carried off to the ward prepared for them. 
 
 Edward, determined to maintain a courteous de- 
 meanor in spite of the harshness with which he was 
 treated, bowed to the governor as he was marched 
 off between two guards, who seemed to think that 
 the pugnacious Englishmen would by some means 
 or other break away from them, and effect their 
 escape. For that reason Dick Lizard had no less 
 than six guards, one on each side, and two in front, 
 and two behind ; and certainly, as he rolled along 
 with his sea cap stuck on the back of his head, his 
 brawny arms bare, and his bpoad chest exposed, he 
 appeared capable of successfully accomplishing any 
 design he might conceive on his captors. The rest 
 of the seamen imitated him with more or less effect, 
 and were evidently customers of whom the Portti- 
 gals stood- greatly in awe. 
 
 The ward in which the English prisoners were 
 placed was a room in a tower on a third floor over- 
 looking the sea. It might have made a not un- 
 pleasant chamber if nicely fitted up, but as the only 
 aperture to admit light and air was strongly barred, 
 as the walls were of rough stone, the floor dirty, 
 and heaps of not the cleanest straw were made to 
 do duty for beds, the state of the case was very 
 different. There were no chairs or tables ; so that 
 when the prisoners got tired of walking about they
 
 THE CE2JTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 107 
 
 were obliged to betake themselves to 'their heaps of 
 straw. Here day after day passed by. Edward, 
 however, with the aid of Dick, who firmly believed 
 in his power of escaping, kept up the spirits of the 
 party by inducing them to tell their long and as- 
 tounding yarns, and singing a variety of songs. 
 Sometimes their guards came in to inquire why 
 they were making so much noise, but they were not 
 generally interfered with. Occasionally they re- 
 ceived a visit from the surly old governor, when 
 Edward, instead of asking for better quarters, as he 
 might reasonably have done, treated him with the 
 same respect as at first. Dick Lizard pretended to 
 do the same ; but as soon as the stately don had 
 passed him the expression of his features and his 
 gestures showed that his respect was not of an 
 enduring quality. As the governor passed along 
 the ward, Dick would imitate his strut and would 
 give a stately bow, now on one side, now on the 
 other, his countenance all the time in a broad grin. 
 Even the warders and guards were amused by his 
 antics, and for fear of putting a stop to them only 
 gave way to their laughter when they saw that the 
 governor was not looking towards them. 
 
 " All right, sir," said Dick to Edward one day, 
 after he had been indulging in more than his usual 
 facetiousness, and the governor had taken his de- 
 parture. " To my mind these Portugals care very 
 little for their old don, or they wouldn't laugh at 
 him as they do ; and it's my belief that we shall be
 
 108 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 able to bribe them to lef us slip out one of these 
 fine nights without making any noise about it, and 
 when the morning comes we shall be gone." 
 
 Edward's heart beat with joy at the thought, but 
 after reflecting a little he answered, with a sigh 
 
 " A bright idea, Dick, but I fear me much the 
 wherewithal to bribe is sadly wanting. The rogues 
 have left us little else but the clothes on our backs." 
 
 The seaman gave a well-satisfied hitch to his 
 waistband a movement indicative of satisfaction 
 or hesitation, as well as other emotions of the mind, 
 among nautical characters in all nges and ob- 
 served 
 
 " The dons are not quite as clever as they think, 
 sir. They left us our clothes, but I and two more 
 of us had lined them pretty thickly with good 
 lots of yellow-boys, and there they are all safe. 
 You know, sir, a seaman never knows what may 
 happen, and to my mind it's a wise custom among 
 some of us. To be sure, if we corned to be cast 
 away on a desolate island, all the gold in the world 
 wouldn't help a man to get off so much as a sharp 
 axe and a chest of carpenter's tools ; but among 
 people with manners and customs, though I can't 
 say much for either one or the other of those here- 
 abouts, there's nothing like gold ! " 
 
 " True indeed, Lizard," said Edward, partaking 
 somewhat of the confidence of his follower, at the 
 same time that he saw more clearly, probably, the. 
 difficulties in their way. He therefore entreated
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 109 
 
 Dick and the rest to act with the greatest circum- 
 spection, and to appear to submit with perfect 
 readiness to the rules and regulations of the place. 
 The good effect of this conduct was apparent by the 
 greater liberty which the prisoners obtained, and 
 they were now allowed to take their exercise in the 
 open air on the flat roof of part of the castle. 
 Thence in a short time they were allowed to descend 
 to a terrace overlooking the sea, where, however, 
 they were watched by several lynx-eyed guards 
 stationed above them. 
 
 It is seldom that those shores are visited by 
 storms, but when the wind does blow it makes 
 ample amends for its usual state of quiescence. In 
 spite of a gale which had sprung up, Edward, with 
 Dick Lizard and several of the other prisoners, was 
 walking up and down on the said terrace, when 
 Dick, whose eyes were of the sharpest, exclaimed 
 that he saw a tall ship driving on before the gale, 
 which set directly on the coast. 
 
 " Alas for the hapless crew ! " exclaimed Edward. 
 " I fear me they will all be lost ! " 
 
 " Not a doubt about it, sir, unless some true- 
 hearted seamen venture out to their rescue when 
 the ship strikes, as strike she must before many 
 hours are over." 
 
 " Are you ready to go, Lizard ? " asked Edward. 
 
 " An' that I am,, sir, and all the rest of us, I'll 
 warrant, if a boat can be found to swim in such a 
 sea," answered Dick.
 
 110 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 " Then I'll lead you, my brave lads ! " said Ed- 
 ward warmly. " I'll go seek the governor and get 
 from him a boat fit for our purpose. Whoever they 
 are, I could not bear to see our fellow-creatures 
 perish without an effort to save them. But perhaps 
 the Portugals themselves will be eager to go, and 
 not thank us for making the offer." 
 
 " Not a bit of it," answered Dick sturdily. " I've 
 seen brave Portugals, I'll allow, but when they 
 come out to this country all the good gets burnt 
 out of them./' 
 
 Dick was not far from right. Edward got access 
 to the governor, who at once inquired if any one 
 was ready to volunteer to go to the rescue of the 
 crew of the ship now closely approaching the land ; 
 but when it was understood that the English pris- 
 oners had offered to risk their lives in the under- 
 taking, no one was found willing to deprive them 
 of the honor. 
 
 A fine seaworthy boat was placed at Edward's" 
 disposal, and at the head of his men, who were in 
 the highest spirits, he walked out once more from 
 prison. 
 
 Of what nation was the approaching ship was the 
 question. To the honest tars aud the brave gentle- 
 men they followed it mattered nothing whether she 
 was friend or foe. The Portugals had, however, 
 discovered her to belong to their own people, and 
 this, although it did not make them the more dis- 
 posed to risk their own lives, induced them the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS, HI 
 
 more willingly to allow the English to do so to any 
 extent they might see fit. Great was the eagerness 
 they exhibited in bringing oars, and tholes, and 
 boathooks, and ropes down to the boat, and still 
 more, when the English had got into her, in launch- 
 ing her into deep water. This could not have been 
 done on the open beach, on which the sea broke 
 with terrific force, but she was hauled up on the 
 shore of a natural harbor formed by two ledges of 
 rocks rising a considerable height above the water. 
 As the outer ends circled round and overlapped 
 each other, the water inside the basin thus formed 
 was comparatively smooth. Outside, however, the 
 sea broke with terrific fury, threatening to over- 
 whelm any boat or other floating machine which 
 might get within its influence. 
 
 Some way to the north was another wide extend- 
 ing ledge of rocks, towards which it appeared that 
 the unfortunate ship was drifting ; but even should 
 she escape that particular lodge and drive 011 the 
 beach, the chance that any of those on board would 
 escape was small indeed, for so high were the rollers 
 and so powerful the reflux that once within their 
 influence the stoutest ship could not hold together 
 many minutes, and should any living beings washed 
 towards the shore escape being dashed to pieces or 
 killed by the broken planks and spars, they would 
 be carried again out to sea and lost. Edward and 
 Dick Lizard saw clearly this state of things, but 
 they were not in consequence deterred from attempt-
 
 112 ANTONY WAYMOUTH: OB, 
 
 ing to perform their errand of mercy. They also 
 saw that if they would be successful there must be 
 no delay. Each man having secured his oar with 
 a rope, and himself to his seat by the same means, 
 Edward gave the sign to the Portugals to shove off 
 the boat. With loud shouts they placed their 
 shoulders under her sides, and then, shrieking and 
 grunting in concert, they almost lifted her along 
 the sand till she floated, when the English prisoners 
 bringing their oars into play shoved her off into the 
 middle of the basin. Dick Lizard took the helm, 
 while Edward stood up to judge of the best moment 
 for crossing through the breakers. The crew went, 
 steadily to their work. No one was ignorant of 
 the danger to be gone through. At the entrance 
 of the little harbor a white wall of water rose up 
 before them, curling round and topped with masses 
 of glittering foam, which fell in dense showers, 
 blown by the gale over them, tending to blind and 
 bewilder even the most experienced seaman of' the 
 party. Edward was at first in despair of finding a 
 channel through which the boat could by any pos- 
 sibility pass and live. Some of the Portugals had, 
 iiowever, assured him that at times between the 
 intervals of the heavier seas he- would be able to get 
 through, and he resolved to persevere if his men 
 were ready to do so. 
 
 " Ready, ay, ready, every one of us, Master Ray- 
 mond," answered Dick Lizard, after the briefest of 
 consultations with his comrades. " Where's the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 113 
 
 odds ? We can but die once, whether with a Por- 
 tugal's bullet through us, or by the vomito preito, 
 or under yonder foaming seas what matters it? 
 An' you wish to go, we, to a man, will go too." 
 
 " Thanks, my brave lads ; and now, when I order 
 you to give way, give way you must, or be ready to 
 back water at the word," exclaimed Edward, stand- 
 ing up in the stern-sheets of the boat so as to com- 
 mand a view over the mass of seething, raging, 
 roaring water which rose before him. Sea after 
 sea rolled in, and with a voice of thunder broke on 
 the rocks with a force sufficient, it seemed, to dash 
 them to fragments ; but, placed there by the hand 
 of Omnipotence to curb the fury of the wild ocean, 
 the proud waters were hurled back upon themselves 
 again and again, unable to gain a foot on their fixed 
 confines, shattered into minute atoms of foam which 
 the wind bore far away on its fleet wings, while the 
 iron rocks remained fixed as of old, laughing to 
 scorn their reiterated attacks. 
 
 The ship meantime was approaching nearer and 
 nearer to the shore. Had she been drifting directly 
 on it, she would by that time have been cast help- 
 less on the stern rocks, but happily part of her fore- 
 mast was still standing, on which a sail being set, 
 her course was somewhat diagonal, and she was 
 therefore longer in reaching her impending fate 
 than had at first appeared likely to be the case. 
 Now she rose on the summit of a foaming sea, now 
 she sank into the hollow, seemingly as if never to
 
 114 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 appear again ; but bravely she struggled on, like a 
 being endued with life, resolved to battle to the 
 last, yet knowing that destruction was inevitable. 
 Edward observed that although at first there ap- 
 peared to be no difference in the height of the 
 rollers, yet that after a time several of less apparent 
 strength came tumbling in unbroken till they ac- 
 tually touched the rocks, leaving a narrow yet 
 clear space between them. Through this space he 
 determined to urge his boat. He pulled down to 
 the very mouth of the harbor; the crew lay on 
 their oars. A huge sea came roaring on majesti- 
 cally, and breaking into foam almost overwhelmed 
 the boat. Directly afterwards the clear channel 
 appeared. 
 
 " Give way, give way, brave lads ! " shouted Ed- 
 ward. 
 
 The boat sprang on. Immediate destruction or 
 success awaited them. The blades of the oars were 
 concealed amid the seething waters on either side, 
 and the foam came bubbling up over the gunwales, 
 but the boat still held her course outward. She 
 rose towards the summit of a lofty sea ; the men 
 strained every nerve. Up she climbed ; then down- 
 ward she slid rapidly to meet another sea, up 
 which she worked her way as before. Another 
 and another appeared in rapid succession ; she sur- 
 mounted them all, and the open ocean was gained. 
 
 Having gained a sufficient distance from the land, 
 they had to keep along shore wjth the sea stream
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 115 
 
 a dangerous position, as, should the boat be caught 
 by a roller, she would most certainly be turned 
 over and over till she was dashed in fragments on 
 the beach. On they came to the ship, plunging 
 through the seas, and appearing as if every instant 
 would be her last, even before she could reach the 
 fatal strand. As they drew near they could dis- 
 tinguish the people on board in various attitudes 
 indicative of despair. There were many hapless 
 beings sailors, soldiers, civilians, and women and 
 children, some infants in arms, all full of life, and 
 yet, ere many fleeting minutes could pass away, to 
 be numbered with the dead. One last desperate 
 effort was, it was seen, now made by the crew of 
 the ship to save their lives. Two anchors were let 
 go, the cables flying out like lightning from the 
 bows, while at the same moment gleaming axes ifiut 
 away the remaining part of the foremast, which 
 plunged free of the ship into the sea. It was a 
 well-executed, seamanlike manasuvre. The stout 
 ship was brought up, and although she plunged 
 with her lofty bow almost under the seas, it seemed 
 that her anchors were about to hold her. Hope 
 revived in the breasts' of those on board. Edward 
 and his brave companions pulled alongside ; ropes 
 were hove to them, and they maintained the position 
 they had gained, although in the greatest possible 
 peril of being swamped. To climb up to the deck 
 of the ship was almost impossible, but Raymond 
 shouted out that he was ready to convey as many
 
 116 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 of the passengers to the shore as were willing to 
 trust themselves to his charge. Many of those who 
 but a short time before had given way to despair 
 were now unwilling to leave the stout ship which 
 still floated under them for a small open boat. 
 Some who had less confidence in the power of the 
 anchors to hold the ship, hurried to the side, and 
 showed by their gestures that they wished to enter 
 the boat. Without assistance, however, to make the 
 attempt were madness, and the Portugal seamen 
 exhibited no intention of helping them. 
 
 " I'll do it, Master Raymond," cried Dick Lizard, 
 seizing a rope which hung over the side, and with 
 a nimbleness which alone prevented him from 
 being crushed between the boat and the ship he 
 climbed up over her bulwarks. Two seamen fol- 
 lowed his example. 
 
 Several more persons came crowding to the side 
 of the vessel on seeing the hardihood of the British 
 seamen in venturing to their assistance. Dick 
 seized the person he found nearest to him as he 
 leaped on deck. It was a young girl. She was 
 clasping the arm of a gray-headed, tall old man, 
 who seemed to be her father. 
 
 "No time for ceremony, fair lady," cried Dick; 
 " bless your sweet face, I'll make all square when 
 we gets you safe on shore ; just now, do you see, 
 you mustn't mind a little rough handling. There ! 
 there ! let go the old gentleman's fist ; we'll lower 
 him after you, never fear. Hold on taut by the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 117 
 
 rope, as you love me. A drop of tar won't hurt 
 your pretty hands. There ! there ! away you go ! 
 Look out below there ! Gingerly, lads, lower away. 
 Now, old gentleman, you follows your daughter, I 
 suppose ? " 
 
 These exclamations were all uttered while Dick 
 and his companions were securing a rope round the 
 young lady's waist, and lowering her into the boat. 
 She gazed upward at her father with a look of 
 affection as she felt herself hanging over the raging 
 ocean while the boat seemed receding from her. A 
 loud shriek of terror escaped her. Dick waited till 
 the boat had again risen, and just as it was about 
 to descend into the trough, he let the young girl drop 
 into the arms of Raymond, who stood ready to re- 
 ceive lier, and with a sharp knife cut the rope above 
 her head, not waiting to cast it loose. The next 
 comer was, as Dick promised, the old gentleman, 
 who, even less able to help himself than the young 
 lady, was treated much in the same way. 
 
 A young mother with her child, whom with one 
 arm she clutched convulsively to her bosom, while 
 with the other with a parent's loving instinct she 
 endeavored to prevent the infant from being dashed 
 against the ship's side, was next lowered. Not a 
 sound did she utter. Once the ship, gave an unex- 
 pected roll, and she was thrown rudely against the 
 side, but she only clasped her infant the tighter, 
 and heeded not the cruel blows she was receiving. 
 Barely could Edward with all his strength secure
 
 118 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 her and free her from the rope before the boat was 
 dashed off to a distance from the ship. Again, how- 
 ever, the boat was hauled up alongside. Lizard 
 had now slung two little boys together. Though 
 pale with terror, they bravely encouraged each other 
 as they hung over the foaming ocean till the position 
 of the boat enabled them to be lowered into her. 
 
 Their father stood on the bulwarks watching 
 them with all a father's affection, he himself wishing 
 to follow immediately, but being prohibited from 
 making the attempt till some more women and 
 children had been lowered. Lizard and his com- 
 panions labored on unceasingly, for none of the 
 Portugal's crew would render them any assistance. 
 Several other people were thus conveyed to the boat, 
 but many who seemed at first inclined to leave the 
 ship lost courage as they saw the hazard of the un- 
 dertaking. Some, again, as they gazed towards the 
 foam-covered shore, and heard the roar of the seas 
 as they dashed on the wild rocks, or rolled up on 
 the shingly beach, showed that they would rather 
 trust their safety to the boat than to the laboring 
 ship. Among them was a young man who pushed 
 forward requesting to be lowered. 
 
 " No, no, senhor don," said Lizard. " Do ye 
 see that there are more women and children to go 
 first ? We must look after the weaker ones, who 
 can't help themselves. That's the rule we rovers 
 of the ocean stick to." 
 
 The young man, either not comprehending him,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 119 
 
 or so eager to escape as to forget all other consider- 
 ations, sprang up on the bulwarks, and, seizing a 
 rope, attempted to lower himself without assistance. 
 Miscalculating the time, he descended rapidly ; the 
 ship gave a sudden lurch, the boat swung off, and 
 the foaming sea surging up tore him from the rope, 
 and with a fearful cry of despair he sank for ever. 
 He was the first victim claimed by the ocean. His* 
 fate deterred others from making a like attempt. 
 
 " Come, senhor," said Lizard to the father of the 
 little boys, " if you wish to go with us it's fair you 
 should, seeing that others are thinking about the 
 matter instead of acting. You just trust to me, and 
 I'll land you safely." 
 
 Comprehending what Lizard meant by his ges- 
 tures, rather than by his words, he submitted him- 
 self to his guidance, and was placed by the side of 
 his boys. At that instant a cry arose on board the 
 ship that the anchors were dragging. Lizard soon 
 saw that the report was too true. Now numbers 
 were eager to jump into the boat. She might have 
 carried three more persons, but in the attempt to 
 receive them scores might have leaped in, and the 
 boat would have been swamped. Dick and his 
 companions had no fancy to be wrecked with the 
 ship ; so, seizing ropes, they swung themselves into 
 the boat. The next moment the rope which held 
 the boat was cut, and she floated clear of the ship. 
 The oars were got out and hastily plied by the 
 sturdy seamen. Good reason had they to exert all
 
 1:20 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 v 
 
 their strength, for the ship, while dragging her 
 anchors, had already carried them fearfully near 
 the roaring line of breakers among which she her- 
 self was about to be ingulfed. With horror those 
 who had been rescued contemplated the impending 
 fate of their late companions. Slowly the boat 
 worked her way out to sea, while the ship, with far 
 "greater rapidity, drove towards the shore. Now the 
 wind, which appeared for an instant to have lulled, 
 breezed up again. Hardly could the boat hold her 
 own. Edward and Lizard had to keep their eyes 
 seaward to watch the waves in order to steer their 
 boat amid their foaming crests. The hapless people 
 on board too well knew what must be their own fate. 
 In vain they shrieked for help ; in vain they held 
 out their arms ; vain, truly, was the help of man. 
 A furious blast swept over the ocean. A mass of 
 foam broke over the boat. Raymond believed that 
 she could not rise to the coming sea, but, buoyantly 
 as before, she climbed up its watery side, struggling 
 bravely. As she reached its summit a cry escaped 
 the rowers " The anchors have parted ! Good 
 God ! the anchors have parted ! " 
 
 In an instant more the raging seas, foaming and 
 hissing, broke over the stout ship, ingulfing in their 
 eager embrace many of those who were till then 
 standing on the deck full of life and strength. Still 
 the waters seemed to cry out for more. Each time 
 they rushed up more and more were torn from their 
 hold. Some strong swimmers struggled for a few
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 121 
 
 1 
 
 moments amid the boiling surges for dear life, but 
 the shrieks of most of them were speedily silenced 
 in death. The stout ship, too, stout as she was, 
 quickly yielded to the fury of the breakers. The 
 high poop was torn- away as if made of thin paste- 
 board ; the wide forecastle, with the remainder of 
 the crew still clinging to it, was carried off and 
 speedily dashed to fragments ; the stout hull next, 
 with a wild crash, was rent asunder, and huge tim- 
 bers, and beams, and planks were dashed to and fro 
 amid the foaming billows, speedily silencing the 
 agonized shrieks of those who yet hoped though 
 hoped in vain to reach the land where hundreds 
 upon hundreds of their fellow-creatures stood bewail- 
 ing their fate, but unable to render them assistance. 
 But a few minutes had passed by since the tall ship 
 had struck on those cruel rocks, and now her shat- 
 tered fragments strewed the ocean, some carried 
 back by the receding waves, others cast, torn and 
 splintered, on the beach with tangled masses of 
 ropes, and spars, and seaweed. Here and there a 
 human form, mangled, pallid, and lifeless, could be 
 discerned, surrounded by the remnants of the wreck, 
 now approaching 1 , now again dashed off suddenly 
 from the shore ; now an arm might be seen lifted 
 up as if imploringly for help ; now the head, now 
 the very lips, might be seen to move, but it was but 
 the dead mocking at the living. No sound escaped 
 those lips ; for ever they were to be silent. Most of 
 those thus momentarily seen were swept off again
 
 122 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 to become the prey of the ravenous monsters of the 
 deep. A few of the poor remnants of frail mortality 
 were cast up and left upon the shore, whence they 
 were carried up by the pitying hands of charity to 
 be interred in their mother earth, but by far the 
 greater number were among those who shall rest in 
 their ocean graves till the time arrives when the sea 
 shall give up her dead, and all, from every land and 
 every clime throughout all ages since the world was 
 peopled, shall meet together for judgment.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 123 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 
 
 " How fares it with the good ship, Dick ? " asked 
 Edward, fearing for one moment to withdraw his 
 eyes from off his arduous task of steering the boat 
 amid the raging seas. 
 
 The answer came not from the British seaman, 
 but from one of the passengers taken from the 
 ship : 
 
 " Mother of Heaven ! they are lost all lost ! " 
 
 The words, uttered by the young lady who had 
 been the first received into the boat, were followed 
 by a heart-rending shriek as she sank fainting into 
 the arms of her father. Many of those who had 
 been saved had relatives, all had friends and acquain- 
 tances, on board the ship. Some others cried out 
 and expressed their horror or regret, but the greater 
 number looked on with stolid indifference, satisfied 
 that they had themselves escaped immediate de- 
 struction, or absorbed in the selfish contemplation of 
 iheir own pending fate. It seemed even now scarce- 
 ly possible that the boat, heavily laden as she was, 
 could escape being swamped. Humanly speaking, 
 her safety depended on the bone and muscle and 
 perseverance of her crew. None but true British 
 seamen could have held out as they did. Many
 
 124 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 hours had elapsed since the ship was first seen ; 
 night was approaching, and the sea still ran so high 
 that it would be next to madness to attempt re-enter- 
 ing the little harbor a task far more difficult than 
 getting out of it, as the slightest deviation to the 
 right or left would have caused the instant destruc- ' 
 tion of the boat and of all on board her. There 
 was nothing, therefore, but to continue at sea. 
 There was no other harbor for many miles either 
 to the north or south which they could hope to 
 reach within many days. 
 
 " An' we had but provender aboard, Master Ray- 
 mond, we might give the Portugals the slip, and 
 never let them see our handsome faces again," 
 observed Dick, after keeping silence for a considera- 
 ble time. i 
 
 " True, Dick," answered Edward, and hope rose 
 in his heart at the bare mention of escaping ; but 
 with a sigh he added, " First, though, we have no 
 provender, and had we, in duty we are bound to 
 land these poor people as soon as we can with safety 
 venture so to do. Already they are almost worn 
 out, and a few hours more of exposure may destroy 
 their lives, which we have undergone this peril to 
 preserve. Then, again, the Portugals allowed us to- 
 take the boat on the faith that we were to return. 
 Duty is duty, Dick ; the temptations to neglect it 
 do not alter its nature, whatever the old tempter 
 Satan may say to the contrary. Let us stick to duty 
 and never mind the consequences."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 125 
 
 "That's all true, no doubt, Master Raymond, 
 what you say," replied Lizard. " But it would bo 
 hard, if there was a chance of getting away, to go 
 back to prison. Liberty is sweet, especially to sea- 
 men." 
 
 " Duty is duty, Dick," repeated Raymond. 
 " What is right is the right thing to do ever since 
 the world began. Maybe the gale will go down, 
 and by dawn we may land these poor people with- 
 out danger. It will be a happy thing to us to have 
 saved them ; and, to my mind, even our prison will 
 be less dreary from having done it." 
 
 All hands were soon brought round to their 
 officer's opinion. Tho sun was now setting, and 
 darkness in that latitude comes on immediately 
 afterwards. Their prospect was therefore dreary 
 and trying in the extreme. It was difficult to keep 
 the boat free from water in the day ; still more diffi- 
 cult would it be while night shrouded the ocean 
 with her sombre mantle. Hunger, too, was assail- 
 ing the insides of the crew; but, still undaunted, 
 they prepared to combat with all their difficulties. 
 Rest they must not expect ; their safety depended 
 on their pulling- away without ceasing at the oars. 
 Pull they did right manfully. Now one broke into 
 a song ; now another cheered the hearts of his com- 
 panions with a stave, which he trolled forth at the 
 top of his voice. The example was infectious, and 
 in spite of hunger and fatigue, jokes and laughter 
 and songs succeeded each other in rapid succession.
 
 126 ANTONY WAYMOUTU; Oli, 
 
 The jokes were none of the most refined, nor were 
 the songs replete with wisdom; but the laughter, 
 at all events, was loud and hearty ; above all 
 things, it had the effect of raising the drooping 
 spirits of the poor beings who had been confided to 
 them by Providence. 
 
 As they sang, and joked, and rowed, the sea 
 began to go down, and thus, as their strength 
 decreased, the necessity of exerting it became less ; 
 still they were compelled to pull on to keep the 
 boat off the land and her head to the sea. At 
 length the singers' voices grew lower and lower, 
 and the jokers ceased their jokes, and the heads of 
 some as they rowed dropped on their bosoms for an 
 instant, but were speedily raised again with a jerk* 
 and a shake as they strove to arouse their faculties. 
 Edward had need of all his energies to keep him- 
 self to his task, and he told Dick to warn him 
 should he show any signs of drowsiness. 
 
 The hours as the morning approached appeared 
 doubly long. The dawn came at last, and then the 
 sun in a blaze of glory shot upward through .the 
 sky and cast his burning rays across the waters 
 upon the boat, with her living but almost exhausted 
 ' freight yet struggling bravely. The wind had fallen. 
 There was a perfect calm, but yet the billows rolled 
 on, moved, it seemed, by some mysterious power 
 unseen to human eye not, as before, broken and 
 foaming, but in long, smooth, glassy rollers. 
 Smooth as they were, they would have proved
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTUMEUS. 127 
 
 fatally treacherous to the boat had Raymond ven- 
 tured to laud. As they approached the beach they 
 gained strength and height, and then broke with 
 tremendous fury on the smooth sand or rugged 
 rocks, as if indignant at being stayed in their 
 course. Again and again Edward and his com- 
 panions gazed wistfully at the coast. That formi- 
 dable line of breakers still prohibited approach. He 
 and his companions had before been suffering from 
 hunger. As the sun rose higher and became hotter 
 and hotter, thirst assailed them thirst more ter- 
 rible and more fatal than hunger. The poor pas- 
 sengers suffered most ; it seemed as if they had 
 escaped a speedy death on the previous day, to 
 suffer one more painful and lingering. Raymond 
 had been unable till now to pay them much atten- 
 tion personally, leaving them to assist each other as 
 best they could. He was now attracted by the 
 affectionate manner in which the young lady who 
 had been at first saved tended her aged father, and 
 at length, when he could with safety leave the 
 helm, on stooping down to aid her, he recognized in 
 her features, careworn as they were, those of Donna 
 Isabel d' Almeida. He addressed her by name. 
 
 " What ! then our gallant deliverer is the English- 
 man Don Edoardo, the friend of Don Antonio ! " 
 she exclaimed. " Father, father, we are safe among 
 friends ; they will surely take us to the shore when 
 they can. I perceived the likeness from the first, 
 but, overcome with terror and confusion, I could
 
 128 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 
 
 not assure myself of the fact. You will forgive me, 
 Don Edoardo." 
 
 "Indeed, fair lady, I have nothing to forgive," 
 said Edward. " I rejoice to have been the means 
 of thus far preserving one for whom I have so 
 high an esteem from a dreadful fate. I cannot 
 but believe that Providence, which has saved us 
 thus far, will enable us yet to reach the shore hi 
 safety." 
 
 " ECeaven and all the saints grant that we may ! 
 and under your guidance I have no fear," answered 
 Donna Isabel. "But, Don Edoardo " 
 
 The young lady stopped and hesitated, and then 
 continued in a faint voice 
 
 " There was another brave officer of your ship I 
 would ask after Don Antonio. I could never 
 pronounce his family name. How is it that he is 
 not with you ? " 
 
 This question very naturally led Edward to 
 describe the battle, and how he had been taken 
 prisoner and brought to Goa, and thence transferred 
 to the safe keeping of Don Lobo, and how' he and 
 his companions had been treated, and how they had 
 been enabled to come off to the assistance of the 
 ship in consequence of the cowardice of her coun- 
 trymen, who were glad to get others to do the work 
 which they were afraid to attempt. 
 
 This account was listened to with interest by the 
 rest of the passengers, who all exclaimed against 
 the cruelty and injustice of Don Lobo, and prom-
 
 THE GEXTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 129 
 
 ised, should they be preserved, to use their influence 
 in obtaining the liberty of the brave Englishmen. 
 
 " See, Dick, did I not say right when I told thee 
 that we should do our duty, and leave the conse- 
 quences to Providence ? " Raymond could not help 
 remarking to Lizard. " We shall now have many 
 friends about us on shore, and some of them will 
 get us set free, depend on that." 
 
 " I hope you are right, Master Raymond ; but to 
 my mind the Portugal chaps haven't much gratitude 
 in their nature, and out of sight with them is out 
 of mind," was Dick's reply. 
 
 As the day drew on, the anxiety of all in the 
 boat to reach the land increased ; indeed, it was 
 very evident that without "water several would be 
 unable to exist through another night. Accord- 
 ingly, about four hours after noon, as was guessed 
 by the height of the sun, Raymond announced his 
 intention of making the attempt to run into the 
 harbor. He had carefully noted the bearings of 
 the marks at the entrance on coming out, so that 
 he was able to steer a direct course for the spot. 
 The long swells still rolled in, and broke along the 
 coast in sheets of foam, and all he hoped to find 
 were a few yards of green water through which he 
 might steer his boat. The belief that their toils 
 were to come to an end roused up even the most 
 exhausted of the crew. On glided the boat. Now 
 those on board looked down on the shore full in 
 view before them now a smooth green wall of
 
 130 ANTONY WAYMOUTffi OR, 
 
 water rose up and shut it from their sight. Even 
 the bravest held their breath as they approached 
 the rocks, and the loud roar of the breakers sounded 
 iii their cars. Edward and Lizard stood up, grasp- 
 ing the tiller between them. There was no going 
 back now. Had they allowed the boat to come 
 broadside to one of those watery heights she would 
 instantly have been rolled over and over, and cast 
 helpless on the rocks. Many a silent prayer was 
 offered up that such a fate might be averted. 
 Nearer and nearer the boat approached the rocks. 
 " Back water back water, lads ! " cried Raymond, 
 and a huge roller lifted the boat high above the 
 shore, but failed to carry her forward. It broke with 
 a thundering roar into sheets of foam, and then 
 opened before them a smooth channel. " Pull 
 pull for your lives, lads ! " cried Edward. The 
 seamen obeyed with a will. The boat shot on, and, 
 amid showers of spray on either hand : ere a breath 
 could be completely drawn, she was gliding forward, 
 all dangers passed, towards the beach, where hun- 
 dreds of persons, Portugals and natives, stood ready 
 to receive them. The boat was hauled up on the 
 beach, and, this task accomplished, even Edward 
 and Lizard sank down, unable to support them- 
 selves. They and their companions were carried 
 up to the . castle, and, although somewhat better 
 chambers were provided for them, they found them- 
 selves still prisoners, and strictly guarded. 
 
 "I told you so, Master Raymond I told you
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 131 
 
 so ! " exclaimed Dick. " There's iio gratitude in 
 these Portugals." 
 
 However, after the lapse of a few days their con- 
 dition was altered very much for the better, and 
 provisions and luxuries of various sorts were sent 
 in as presents from those who had heard of their 
 brave exploit. Raymond also received visits from 
 Don Joao d' Almeida, as also from various other 
 persons of .influence. He was himself allowed 
 rather more liberty than before, and was even per- 
 mitted to ride out in a morning with an escort, in 
 company with some of the officers of the fort, and 
 to enter into such society as the place afforded. He 
 thus constantly met the young Donna Isabel, whom 
 he could not help regarding with interest. At the 
 same time, whatever might have been his private 
 opinion regarding the attractions of that fair lady, 
 even had they been far greater than he esteemed 
 them, he would not have allowed himself to be in- 
 fluenced by them; first because there was one in 
 his far-off home to whom his troth was plighted, and 
 secondly because he fancied that her affections were 
 fixed on Waymouth, and though he devoutly hoped 
 that his friend -would never marry her, yet he con- 
 sidered that as a messmate and a friend he was not 
 the person to stand between them. These were 
 the very reasons which suggested themselves to his 
 mind as an excuse, as it were, for not following the 
 rules of all romances, and falling desperately in love 
 with the young lady whom he had been the means 
 of preserving from a dreadful death.
 
 132 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 It is possible that even had Edward not been in- 
 fluenced by these two reasons for not falling in love, 
 as the phrase goes, with Donna Isabel, he might 
 have found others indeed, that she was a Roman- 
 ist and of a different nation would have had great 
 power with him alone but it is not necessary to 
 enter into them ; the fact remains, he did not in the 
 slightest degree set his affections on her. He, how- 
 ever, believing firmly that she was in love with Way- 
 mouth, and having a true and honest heart himself, 
 placing full confidence in the constancy of woman, 
 undoubtedly paid her great attention such cour- 
 teous attention as a brother would pay a sister, or 
 an honest man his friend's wife, certainly thinking 
 no evil, or that evil could arise therefrom. 
 
 Now it happened that Don Lobo, the governor of 
 the Castle of San Pedro and its dependencies, was a 
 bachelor, and, although a surly, cruel, and morose 
 fellow, had a heart susceptible of the tender passion, 
 or rather of what he fancied was the tender passion, 
 for it would be difficult to suppose any thing tender 
 connected with him. It had been very long since 
 he had seen anybody so young and so beautiful as 
 Donna Isabel, and no sooner did he set eyes on her 
 after she had recovered from the effects of her voy- 
 age and exposure in the open boat than he began to 
 be unusually agitated, nor could he rest night or day 
 for thinking of her. His siestas in his hammock at 
 noon, with slaves fanning his face, brought him no 
 rest, nor was it afforded by his couch at night. He
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 133 
 
 resolved to make Donna Isabel his wife. He did all 
 he could to exhibit his feelings towards her; but, 
 powerful as they might have been, and although she 
 might have discovered what they were, she certainly 
 did not return them. 
 
 Notwithstanding this, matters went on smoothly 
 enough for some time. Don Lobo was not a de- 
 spairing lover, and he knew enough of the female 
 sex to be aware that their feelings are not altogether 
 immutable, even if they change only by slow degrees. 
 Donna Isabel's sentiments might alter, and he 
 might reach a high point in her favor. Time, how- 
 ever, passed on as it has done ever since the world 
 began, and no such change as the governor antici- 
 pated took place ; on the contrary, as the young 
 lady's eyes were more and more opened to the true 
 state of the case, so did her dislike to the don the 
 more and more increase. Indeed, whenever she 
 looked at him, or thought about him, or heard him 
 spoken of, it was with a feeling rather akin to dis- 
 gust than to devotion. She did not, nevertheless, 
 exhibit these uncomplimentary sentiments as forci- 
 bly as under other circumstances she might have 
 done. She and her father were, in the first place, 
 guests of Don Lobo, and dependent on him. Poor 
 Don Joao had also lost all his property in the ship, 
 and, it having been supposed that he was lost, 
 another person had been appointed to his proposed 
 government, and he had to wait till he could receive 
 a fresh appointment from home. Don Lobo was also
 
 134 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 rich, and had pressed money on Don Joao, which he 
 had accepted, and had thus become still more in- 
 debted to him. All these circumstances would 
 have made it very impolitic in Donna Isabel to ex- 
 hibit her real sentiments, which she was thus in 
 part compelled to disguise, though she could not 
 do so altogether ; nor did she afford the slightest en- 
 couragement to her unattractive admirer. At first 
 the surly don was very indifferent to this state of 
 things. 
 
 "She'll yield she'll yield before long to my 
 powerful persuasions and personal attractions," he 
 observed to his confidant and factotum, Pedro Pa- 
 checo, a worthy always ready to do his master's be- 
 hests, whatever they might be. "I'll put on my 
 new doublet and hose, and my jewel-hiltcd sword, 
 and I'll attack her again this day manfully." 
 
 " Certainly, most certainly, Senhor Don Lobo. 
 A man of your excellency's superlative qualities, no 
 female heart, however hard, can possibly long with- 
 stand," observed Pedro. 
 
 " I knew that would be your opinion, my faithful 
 Pedro," said the governor the fact being that the 
 faithful Pedro always did agree with his patron, not 
 troubling himself to decide whether he thought him 
 right or wrong. In this instance both were wrong. 
 
 The governor, to the surprise of the garrison, who 
 had been always accustomed to see him wearing a 
 greasy old doublet and a rusty-hilted sword, made 
 his appearance in a richly ornamented suit, which,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 135 
 
 though somewhat fusty from having been long shut 
 up, had the advantage of being costly. 
 
 He was received, however, as usual by Donna 
 Isabel, who, though she could not help remarking 
 that he wore a handsomer dress than usual, said 
 nothing whatever which might lead him to suppose 
 that she saw in him the least improvement. He 
 tried to talk, but in vain ; not a word of sense could 
 he produce. Then he tried to look unutterable 
 things, but he only grinned and squinted horribly, 
 till he frightened the young lady out of her senses, 
 and made her suppose that he was thoroughly bent 
 on going into a fit. Although he did not suspect 
 the cause, he had the wit to discover that he had 
 not made a favorable impression, and returned to 
 his quarters disappointed and not a little angry with 
 his ill success. Pedro Pacheco could only advise 
 him to try again. He might have acted a more 
 friendly part if he had said " Give it up." Don 
 Lobo did try again, and with the like ill success. 
 
 "Persevere," said Pedro. 
 
 The governor did persevere day after day, and at 
 length, in spite of the entire absence, of all en- 
 couragement, declared his passion. Donna Isabel 
 frankly told him that she did not love him, and 
 did not believe that she ever should. She might 
 have said she did not think she ever could. He 
 said nothing, but made his bow and exit. He told 
 Pedro Pacheco of his ill fortune. 
 
 " Then she loves another ! " observed Pedro.
 
 136 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " Who can he be ? " exclaimed the governor in a 
 fierce voice. 
 
 " Where have your excellency's eyes been of 
 late ? " asked the confidant quietly. 
 
 " What ! " cried Don Lobo, giving a furious pull 
 at his beard, " that Englishman ? " 
 
 "The same," said Pedro Pacheco, nodding his 
 head. 
 
 " Then I will take good care he no longer inter- 
 feres with me," said the don in a savage tone. 
 
 " Of course it would be unwise not to exert 
 your authority when you have him in your power," 
 said Pedro. " Better put him out of the way 
 altogether." 
 
 " He has friends I must have an excuse," said 
 the governor. 
 
 " He has been plotting or will be plotting to 
 make his escape," observed Pedro. " To effect this 
 he would not scruple to murder all in the castle. 
 He and his companions have shown what daring 
 rogues they are by going out to the rescue of Donna 
 Isabel and the rest when none of our heroic coun- 
 trymen would attempt the exploit. Ah, those En- 
 glish are terrible fellows ! " 
 
 " Proof must be brought to me of their abomi- 
 nable intentions, and then we shall have this officer 
 and his men in our power," observed the governor 
 savagely. 
 
 "Proof, your excellency! there will be no. want 
 of that, considering that our garrison consists of the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 137 
 
 very scum of the streets of Lisbon," answered the 
 confidant. " Why, we have men here who for a 
 peQO have sworn away the lives of their most inti- 
 mate acquaintances. Of course, in so admirable a 
 cause they would have no scruple in swearing 
 whatever we may dictate, even should it not be 
 absolutely correct." 
 
 "What you may dictate, honest Pacheco, not 
 we, understand," said the governor. " They may 
 bungle when brought into court as witnesses, and 
 though under ordinary circumstances that would 
 not matter, some of these shipwrecked persons are 
 likely to be favorable to them, and might report 
 unfavorably of me if matters did not go smoothly. 
 As to the means I am indifferent when so important 
 a result is to be attained." 
 
 " Ah, most noble governor, I understand all 
 about your wishes in the matter, and will take care 
 that the affair is carried out in a satisfactory way," 
 answered the honest Pedro, making his master an 
 obsequious bow as he left the room. 
 
 Don Lobo clinched his fist, and, grinding his 
 teeth, struck out as if he had got his prisoner's face 
 directly in front of him. The performance of this 
 act seemed to afford him infinite satisfaction, for he 
 walked up and down the room with a grin which 
 might in courtesy have been called a smile on his 
 countenance for some time till his legs grew weary 
 of the exercise. 
 
 Not long after this, Edward was one evening
 
 138 ANTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 pacing the terrace facing the sea, casting many a 
 longing glance over the glass-like water of the 
 ocean, on which the rays of the setting sun had 
 spread a sheet of golden hue, and he was consid- 
 ering by what means he could possibly with his 
 companions make his escape, when rough hands 
 were laid on his shoulders and he found his arms 
 suddenly pinioned from behind. His first impulse 
 was to endeavor to shake them off, and having by a 
 violent effort done so, his next was to double his 
 fists and to strike at them right and left, knocking 
 two of them down at the instant in a true British 
 fashion. At that instant, Dick Lizard, coming on 
 the terrace and seeing his officer assailed, rushed 
 forward to his assistance, and quickly sent two 
 more Portugals tumbling head over heels right and 
 left of him. 
 
 " To the rescue ! to the rescue ! " he shouted out, 
 and his voice quickly collected all the English pris- 
 oners who were within hearing. Of course more 
 Portugals hurried up to the spot, who at once joined 
 in the fray. Swords and daggers were drawn, which 
 the Englishmen quickly wrenched from the hands 
 of their assailants, though not till several of the 
 prisoners had been wounded ; and now the clash of 
 steel was heard and fire-arms were discharged, and 
 the skirmish became general. In the midst of it 
 Pedro Pacheco rushed out of his quarters, crying 
 out 
 
 " Treason ! treason ! the English are rising and
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 139" 
 
 t 
 
 murdering every one of us," and at the same mo- 
 ment he levelled a pistol at Raymond's head. The 
 bullet would probably have, ended the life of the 
 gallant adventurer had not Dick Lizard struck up 
 the -Portugal's arm, for he had no time in the first 
 instance to do more, but a second blow from his fist 
 sent Senhor Pedro sprawling on the ground among 
 several others of his party who had been placed in 
 the same horizontal position by the sturdy Eng- 
 lishmen. 
 
 In spite of the superior numbers of the Portugals, 
 the fate of so many of their party made the rest 
 unwilling to close with the prisoners, who, not 
 knowing what was intended, stood boldly at bay, 
 resolved to sell their lives dearly, Dick Lizard 
 singing out 
 
 " Come on come on, ye varlets ! we don't fear 
 ye. One Spaniard lick two Portugee, one English- 
 man lick all three ! " 
 
 This state of things could not, however, last long. 
 Trumpets were sounding, drums were beating, and 
 soldiers from all quarters were collecting, who now 
 with Don Lobo at their head surrounded the Eng- 
 lishmen. At the -command of the governor they 
 were levelling their matchlocks (fortunately the 
 matter of discharging them was not a speedy opera- 
 tion), when Don Joao d' Almeida and his daughter 
 Donna Isabel made their appearance on the scene 
 with most of those who had been preserved from 
 the wreck.
 
 140 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 \ 
 
 " Hold, hold, countrymen ! " cried Don Joao. 
 " What ! are you about to slaughter those who 
 so 'gallantly risked their lives to save ours? Hold, 
 I say; I am SJTS that you, Don Edoardo, have 
 done nothing intentionally to deserve this treat- 
 ment." 
 
 Donna Isabel joined her entreaties with those of 
 her father. 
 
 " Certainly I have no wish to break the peace," 
 answered Raymond. " The arms we hold were 
 taken from those who assailed us, and we are 
 ready to lay them down instantly at the command 
 of the governor, in whose lawful custody we con- 
 sider ourselves." 
 
 Thus appealed to, Don Lobo could not, without 
 outraging all law, order the destruction of his 
 prisoners. Those who had possessed themselves 
 of weapons put them down, when they were imme- 
 diately seized each by not less than six Portugals, 
 and marched oif to the cells in which they had at 
 first been confined. 
 
 " I must inquire into the cause of this outbreak, 
 when punishment will be awarded to the guilty," 
 said Don Lobo, as he stalked back to his quarters. 
 
 The unpleasant look which the governor cast on 
 him made Edward feel that evil was intended. His 
 suspicions were speedily confirmed, for instead of 
 being taken to the chamber he had lately occupied, 
 he was marched off to the prison in which he and 
 his companions had at first been confined, and was
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 141 
 
 thrust alone into a dark, close, foul dungeon, at a 
 distance, he feared, from Lizard and his other men. 
 He knew nothing of the jealous feelings which had 
 sprung \ip in the bosom of Don Lobo, or his appre- 
 hensions would naturally have been greatly in- 
 creased. The air of the dungeon was noxious and 
 oppressive, and he had not been in it many hours 
 before he began to feel its ill effects. 
 
 " A week or two in such a hole as this will bring 
 my days to a close," he said to himself as he sur- 
 veyed, as far as the obscurity would allow, the nar- 
 row confines of his prison-house. " Alas ! alas ! my 
 adventure has turned out ill indeed. My own Bea- 
 trice, for thy sake I left my native" land, and thou 
 wilt have, ere long, to mourn me dead. For thy 
 sake, sweet girl, I pray that I may escape." 
 
 In this strain he soliloquized for some time, as 
 people in his circumstances are apt to do, and then . 
 he set to work to consider how, by his own exer- 
 tions, he might be able to get free. He was fain to 
 confess, that, unaided, he had not the slightest 
 chance of escape. Of one thing, however, he was 
 certain that Dick Lizard would not rest day or 
 night till he had made an attempt to help him. 
 And he knew that Dick, with all a sailor's bluntness 
 and thoughtlessness, had a considerable amount of 
 ready wit, and of caution too, where it was neces- 
 sary for the accomplishment of an important object. 
 Edward hoped also that- his friends would prove 
 true, and exert themselves in his favor.
 
 142 AXTOXY W.IYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 All this time Don Lobo had resolved on his de- 
 struction, and only waited the best opportunity of 
 accomplishing it. Knowing the character of the 
 dungeon in which his prisoner was confined, he be- 
 lieved that he should have very little trouble about 
 the matter. Edward's constitution was, however, 
 very sound, and though he certainly suffered in 
 health, he did not break down altogether, as the 
 governor expected would be the case. Don Lobo, 
 therefore, announced publicly that he intended to 
 bring the prisoners engaged in the late outbreak to 
 a trial. This every one knew well would result in 
 their being shot. Day after day passed by. Ed- 
 ward found his imprisonment more and more irk- 
 some, while he had not yet succeeded in communi- 
 cating with Lizard, nor could he ascertain even 
 where the honest fellow was shut up. His jailers 
 .were only conversable when they had any disagree- 
 able news to communicate, and it is extraordinary 
 how loquacious they became when the day of his 
 trial was fixed, and the opinion as to his fate was 
 formed. They seemed to take especial delight in 
 taunting him and in annoying him in every way. 
 
 " Ah, senhor, many an honest man has been hung 
 before now, and many a rogue, and neither seems to 
 think it a pleasant operation," remarked one of the 
 fellows, imitating the contortions of countenance of 
 a strangled person. 
 
 " To which class does the noble senhor belong, I 
 wonder ? " said another.
 
 TEE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 143 
 
 " Maybe to the last, if he will pardon me saying 
 so," observed a third with a grin. 
 
 " But, ah me ! rogue or honest, there will be some 
 fair ladies mourning for him in more ports than one," 
 cried another, who was considered the wit of the 
 gang. "Permit me, senhor, to convey your last 
 dying message to some or all of them. Maybe in 
 your own land there is some fair young dame from 
 whom you would not willingly be parted, eh ? I 
 thought that I should hit the right nail on the 
 head." 
 
 " Peace peace, men ! " exclaimed Edward. 
 " For your own sakes, lest you should ever be in 
 a like condition, allow me to be alone." 
 
 His appeal, made with dignity and calmness, had 
 more effect than he expected, and the men shrank 
 back, for a time, at least, abashed. Their last 
 remarks did not, however, affect his feelings as 
 might have been supposed, the fact being that his 
 Beatrice was never out of his thoughts, and night 
 and day his prayers had been for blessings on her 
 head. 
 
 The day of the Englishmen's trial approached. 
 Of the result there could not be a shadow of doubt. 
 Numerous witnesses were able to prove that they 
 had been found in open insurrection with arms in 
 their hands, while there was no one to speak in their 
 favor. Any thing, also, like justice was unknown in 
 the land. Still, Don Lobo, having resolved to ge,t 
 rid of his supposed rival, wished to give as great an
 
 144 AX TONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 air of formality and legality to his proceedings as 
 he possibly could. 
 
 Edward, from all he could ascertain, felt con- 
 vinced that he had not many days to live. The 
 night before his trial arrived he had thrown himself 
 on the heap of straw which served as his bed by 
 night and his only seat by day, that he might obtain 
 some repose, the better to go through his ordeal on 
 the morrow, when he heard his prison-door open 
 gently, without the usual creaking noise which 
 announced the appearance of his jailers, and a 
 bright light streamed on his closed eyes. He fan- 
 cied that 'he must be dreaming, till he unclosed 
 them and discovered that the light was held by a 
 being habited in a white robe, beautiful in appear- 
 ance, whether celestial or human he could not at 
 first decide. If the latter, she was young and of 
 the fair sex. He looked again. Yes Donna Isa* 
 bel d'Almeida stood before him. She put her finger 
 to her lips to impose silence, and kneeling down by 
 his side whispered for some time into his ears. She 
 then produced a couple of files and other instru- 
 ments for forcing off shackles, which she and the 
 prisoner plied so assiduously that scarcely half an 
 hour had passed before he stood up free from his 
 chains. 
 
 " Take off your shoes and put on these woollen 
 slippers, and follow me, senhor," whispered Donna 
 Isabel. " The guards are asleep, and if no noise is 
 made we need npt fear being stopped."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 145 
 
 X 
 
 Edward could scarcely believe his senses, and 
 fancied that he must be asleep, but still he wisely 
 did as he was bid. He, however, felt scarcely able 
 to walk after being shut up for so long in that pes- 
 tiferous dungeon. Donna Isabel, shrouding part of 
 the lantern, glided towards the door, which opening 
 noiselessly she passed out, he following. She led 
 the way up a narrow, dark, winding staircase. It 
 had not many steps, and Edward, to his surprise, 
 found himself pacing a long passage, the end of 
 which he could not distinguish. He had never 
 before been in that part of the fort. Not a sound 
 was heard, nor did his own nor his guide's footfall 
 make the slightest noise. He conjectured that the 
 guard had just before made the rounds, and that 
 the warders had settled themselves into their nooks 
 and corners and gone to sleep. Donna Isabel 
 seemed to have perfect confidence that all was right, 
 though he could not help expecting every instant to 
 come on one of these nooks, and to find a warder 
 prepared to dispute their onward progress. 
 
 He had been aware that his dungeon was at a 
 considerable depth, but, judging from the number 
 of steps he had to ascend, he found that it was even 
 deeper down than he had supposed. The gallery 
 was low and arched hewn out of the rock it 
 appeared, or built of rough stones, though, as may 
 be supposed, he made no very exact observations as 
 he hurried on. Suddenly Donna Isabel stopped, 
 and taking his arm led him round a corner into 
 10
 
 146 ANTONY WAYlfOUTH; OR, 
 
 another corridor or gallery. It was a side passage, 
 or, probably, rather a passage which had been com- 
 menced but not finished. Covering up her lantern, 
 they were in total darkness. Edward had, however, 
 time to ascertain that they were behind a buttress 
 or projecting part of the waif, which would conceal 
 them partially from any one passing along the main 
 gallery they had quitted. Donna Isabel had not 
 sought the place of concealment a moment too soon, 
 for scarcely was the light shrouded than footsteps 
 were heard and a glare of light appeared. The 
 light proceeded from a couple of torches held by 
 two men, and directly behind them stalked no less 
 a person than the governor himself, followed closely 
 by Pedro Pacheco. The glare penetrated to the 
 recess in which the fugitives stood, and Edward 
 expected every moment to be discovered by Don 
 Lobo. The don was, however, near-sighted, or so 
 occupied in earnest conversation, that he did not 
 turn his eyes in that direction. Edward could hear 
 his companion's heart beat. Discovery would have 
 been destruction to both of them probably to him 
 certainly. The governor, also as was his habit 
 walked along with his eyes on the ground, but those 
 of the worthy Pedro had the custom of continually 
 casting furtive glances here and there, as if he 
 expected some one to jump suddenly upon him and 
 give him a stab in the ribs or a kick in a less noble 
 part, or as if he thought a person was about to 
 creep behind him to listen to what he was saying.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 147 
 
 Edward had remarked this peculiarity in the gov- 
 ernor's confidant, and had very natural apprehen- 
 sions that it would lead to their detection. The 
 eyes went up and down, here and there, as usual 
 now, by a turn of the head, looking over one shoul- 
 der, now over the other, now into the governor's 
 face to ascertain what effect his remarks were 
 producing. Donna Isabel crouched down, really 
 now trembling with fear, for, as far as her gentle 
 nature would allow, she loathed Senhor Pedro even 
 more than his master. Edward stood bolt upright, 
 with his arms by his side and his eyes fixed, to 
 occupy as little space as possible. Round and round 
 went Pedro's lynx-like orbs. By what possibility 
 could they escape falling on the spot where Edward 
 was endeavoring to hide ? 
 
 A small matter often produces an important 
 result. A little stone, which hundreds of feet had 
 passed by without touching, lay on the ground. 
 The governor struck his toe against it, on which- toe 
 a painful callosity existed. Uttering an oath at the 
 pain he was caused, he stumbled forward, and 
 would have proved the hardness of the rock with 
 the tip of his nose had not Pedro caught him as he 
 fell. So assiduous were the attentions of the confi- 
 dant, that, though Don Lobo limped on slowly, they 
 had both passed beyond the spot from which they 
 could see the fugi'tives before Pedro's eyes turned 
 again towards the quarter where they stood. It 
 might be possible that other persons were following, 
 but no one else appeared.
 
 148 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 It occurred to Edward that the governor might 
 be on his way to see him in his cell, and if so their 
 flight would speedily be discovered. At all events, 
 not a moment was to be lost. Donna Isabel must 
 have thought the same, for, taking his hand, she 
 again led him along the chief gallery in the direc- 
 tion in which they were before going. 
 
 " The stumble of the governor might be fortu- 
 nate for more reasons than one," thought Edward. 
 " If he is going towards my cell, it may delay him 
 and give us a little longer start." 
 
 Distances appear much greater to persons walking 
 in the dark and in an unknown path, and thus 
 Edward believed that they must be close on some 
 outlet long before one was reached. More steps 
 were ascended and others descended, and long 
 passages traversed, when Donna Isabel led the way 
 through a narrow one which turned off at right 
 angles to a main gallery, and hurrying along it for 
 some way, they suddenly came to a door. The 
 cool night air came through an iron grating, show- 
 ing that it was an outlet, if not to the fort itself, to 
 that portion where the prison was placed. Iron 
 bars secured it, and a strong lock, apparently. The 
 lady beckoned to Edward to undertake the task 
 which her weaker arms were unable to perform, 
 throwing the light of the lantern for the purpose on 
 the door. The bolts having been without much 
 difficulty withdrawn, she produced a key, which 
 she handed to Edward. In vain he attempted to
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 149 
 
 fit it in the lock. It was clearly the wrong key, or 
 they had come to the wrong door. There was a 
 latch, but though he pulled at it and shook it, the 
 door would not open. 
 
 " Alas ! I trust the error is not fatal. "We should 
 have turned to the right instead of to the left," 
 whispered Donna Isabel. " It was the only point 
 about which I had any doubt." 
 
 Leaving the door with the bolts withdrawn, they 
 retraced their steps for some distance. 
 
 "Here! here!" whispered Donna Isabel. "This 
 is the right way." 
 
 Going on, they stood before a door similar to the 
 one they had before attempted. The bolts were 
 withdrawn with ease ; they had evidently lately 
 been oiled. Passing through the gateway, Edward 
 and the lady found themselves in the open air. 
 Edward expected to be outside the fort, but he soon 
 discovered that they were still within the outer 
 works. The heavy footsteps of a sentry as he paced 
 the ramparts could be distinctly heard, the bark of 
 a dog in the distance, and the steady lash of the 
 restless sea on the beach. A wide open space had 
 to be crossed. The attempt must be made, and yet 
 they might be seen by the sentry. Fortunately the 
 night was dark. Donna Isabel held Edward back 
 till the man had turned, and then whispering, 
 44 Quick, quick ! " led the way, running rapidly 
 across the open space. So quickly she ran, that 
 Edward could scarcely keep up with "her. Breath-
 
 150 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 less she reached the parapet of the outer works. 
 At the spot where they stood an angle sheltered 
 them from the sight of the sentry above. Edward 
 looked over, and found that it was directly above the 
 shore, and, as far as he could judge in the darkness, 
 the ditch seemed to have been almost filled with 
 sand. Donna Isabel, stooping down, produced a 
 strong rope from under a gun-carriage, to which 
 the end was secured. 
 
 " I doubt not its strength," she whispered ; " but 
 I will lead the way." 
 
 And before Edward could prevent her grasping 
 the rope, she had flung herself off the wall, and was 
 descending rapidly. Believing that she had reached 
 the bottom, he imitated her example. The rope 
 stretched and cracked as his weight was thrown on 
 it. Every moment he expected it to break, and he 
 was unable to tell the height he might have to fall, 
 or the nature of the ground which he should reach. 
 It was with inexpressible satisfaction that his feet 
 touched some hard, rugged rocks. 
 
 " We have yet farther to go," said Donna Isabel. 
 " Then, Don Edoardo, I must leave you with those 
 better able than a weak girl to render you assist- 
 ance." 
 
 Along the rough sea-beat rocks Donna Isabel, 
 with unfaltering steps, held her way. The softer 
 sand was gained, and now faster even than before 
 she fled along, urging Edward to still greater speed. 
 
 " Go befofe ine, brave Englishman," she ex-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 151 
 
 claimed. " Even now we may be pursued, and my 
 failing strength will not bear me on as fast as you 
 can run. On, on ; care not for me ; I will follow." 
 
 This, however, Edward could not bring himself to 
 do. It was contrary to all his manly feelings, his 
 ideas of chivalry. Half lifting and half supporting 
 the young lady, he bore her on towards the harbor. 
 As they went, the idea occurred to him, " What could 
 be Donna Isabel's intentions ? Did she propose flying 
 with him?" The question was perplexing. "I'll 
 tell her at once the truth, and return to prison 
 rather than place her in a wrong position." 
 
 While thus hurrying on, however, he found it 
 impossible to express his sentiments. 
 
 The beach which formed the inner side of the 
 little harbor was at length reached, but no boat 
 could Edward discern. 
 
 "It is farther out, concealed under the rocks," 
 said Donna Isabel. " We must endeavor to reach 
 it by walking along them." 
 
 The undertaking appeared very hazardous to 
 Edward, who remembered that there were numer- 
 ous crevices, and smooth, slippery places, down 
 which it would be difficult to avoid falling. Donna 
 Isabel, however, assured him that she was ac- 
 quainted with a secure path which had been cut in 
 the rocks. 
 
 After searching for a short time the path was 
 found, and cautiously she led the way along it. It 
 was necessary in the dark to feel every step in ad-
 
 1.32 ANTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 vance, lest a false one might precipitate her into 
 the water. The delay was very tr^sing. Neither of 
 them had once looked behind ; there would have 
 been no use in so doing. Even if pursued, they 
 could not have fled faster than they had done. 
 Suddenly Donna -Isabel stopped. 
 
 " I cannot find the path," she exclaimed, after 
 searching round for some time. 
 
 In vain Edward tried to discover it. 
 
 While stopping in consequence of this, their eyes 
 were directed 'for the first time towards the castle. 
 In front of it appeared several bright lights ; they 
 were those of torches and lanterns. After flitting 
 about for some time, the lights began to move 
 towards the harbor. They were pursued. If the 
 boat could not be found, they would inevitably be 
 captured. 
 
 " I will go first and search for the boat, at all 
 hazards," exclaimed Edward. 
 
 He walked on. Donna Isabel in her alarm had 
 fancied that they were out of the path, though it 
 was but some roughness of the rock that had misled 
 her. They were soon again in it. With renewed 
 spirits Edward pushed on. He fancied that he saw 
 the boat close under a projecting part of the rock. 
 He hailed. 
 
 " All right, huzza ! " answered a voice. He rec- 
 ognized it as that of Dick Lizard. " We are here, 
 most of us. The Portugals have got three still, nut 
 they'll be out soon and come on here."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 153 
 
 Dick, being low down, had not seen the lights 
 near the castle. Edward told him of the circum- 
 stance. 
 
 " Then the poor fellows will be caught," cried 
 Dick. " If we had a chance we'd go back and help 
 them ; but we've none. It's the chance of war. If 
 the scoundrel Portugals kill them, we'll avenge 
 them some day. But step in, sir, and we'll shove 
 off. We are sadly short-handed, that's the worst of 
 it, if we are chased. However, it can't be helped." 
 
 Edward had not spoken to Donna Isabel for some 
 seconds, or it might be a minute or two ; certainly 
 not since he had heard Lizard's voice. Now came 
 the perplexing point, what would she do ? Don 
 Joao was not in the boat, nor any of her country- 
 men. Would she desire to accompany him ? He 
 turned to address her, to express his deep gratitude 
 for her noble exertions, and the arrangements she 
 had made thus far so successfully to enable him to 
 escape. Great and painful was his astonishment, 
 however, when, on turning, Donna Isabel was no- 
 where to be seen. Lizard had not perceived her. 
 
 " When I first caught sight of you, Master Ray- 
 mond, you were alone ; that I'll swear, sir," he re- 
 plied. 
 
 Edward sprang back horrified. 
 
 " Donna Isabel ! Donna Isabel ! " he shouted. 
 He felt as grieved and alarmed as he would have 
 done had she been a beloved sister. The dreadful 
 idea seized him that she must have slipped off the
 
 1~4 AXTONY WAY MOUTH i OR, 
 
 rock and been drowned ; for calm as was the sea, 
 the swell sent a constant current into the harbor, 
 which would instantly have drawn her away from 
 the spot where she had fallen. 
 
 " Donna Isabel ! Donna Isabel !' " he again 
 shouted. , 
 
 No answer was given. To delay longer would 
 have been useless. Dick and the other men had 
 joined in the fruitless search. They now literally 
 forced him into the boat, and, shoving off, began to 
 pull down the harbor. As they did so, one of the 
 men declared he saw an object floating by an up- 
 lifted hand. On they pulled ; it was ahead. Again 
 it was seen. At that moment lights appeared on 
 the beach, and advancing along the rocks. The 
 fugitives were, however, 011 the element they loved. 
 They were free. A few strokes more and they 
 would be out of the harbor, when, alas ! the stem 
 of the boat struck against a chain drawn tightly 
 across the mouth, and the loud cries and derisive 
 shouts of the Portugals told them that their hopes 
 of escape were vain.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 155 
 
 CHAPTER VH. 
 
 IT would be impossible thoroughly to describe 
 the feelings of disappointment which the English- 
 men experienced when they discovered that they 
 were caught like fish in a net. The Portugals were 
 advancing along the rocks on both sides of the har- 
 bor, and in the narrow channel where they were 
 they would all be shot down, or must yield directly 
 they were summoned. In vain they tried to break 
 through the chain. Again and again they dashed 
 the stem of their boat against it. No weapon of suf- 
 ficient strength to cut it was to be found in the boat. 
 Dick and another man leaped overboard, and, bal- 
 ancing themselves on the chain, attempted to lift 
 the boat over," but she was far too heavy to allow 
 them a chance of success. Hitherto the Portugals 
 had not fired ; it might have been because they be- 
 lieved that Donna Isabel was with them, or that, 
 having to scramble along the rocks, they had left 
 their weapons behind them. 
 
 " Oh, boys ! if we had but a place to swim to, 
 we'd swim rather than be caught by these baboon- 
 faced Portugals," cried Dick, as he reluctantly 
 re-entered the boat. 
 
 Lights were now seen as if on the water itself.
 
 156 ANTONY WAYMOUTUs OK, 
 
 " The Portugals have launched some boats, and 
 are coming in pursuit ! " shouted Lizard. 
 
 " Never mind, lads ; if we can but get through 
 their chain, we'll hold them a long chase yet. Now, 
 lads, a hearty pull and pull all together." 
 
 Heartily the seamen did pull, and stove in the 
 bow of the boat, and sprang every one of their oars. 
 With no very complimentary remarks on the Portu- 
 gals' rotten spars, they broke them completely in 
 two, and each man, grasping the inner end, prepared 
 to use it as a quarter-staff. Scarcely had they thus 
 armed themselves when three boats dashed up along- 
 side them. Several voices ordered them to yield 
 themselves prisoners. 
 
 " Yield ourselves prisoners ! " exclaimed Dick. 
 " Come and take us, you blackguards ! We'll just 
 have the pleasure of cracking some of your skulls 
 first." 
 
 Although the Portugals did not understand Dick's 
 polite observations, they concluded from the tone of 
 his voice that they were not conciliatory, and there- 
 fore, with threats of vengeance, they pressed round 
 them. Great was their astonishment and indigna- 
 tion as they were about to jump on board the fugi- 
 tives' boat to find showers of blows descend on their 
 heads with such hearty good-will, that with many 
 a cracked skull they sprang back into their own 
 boats faster than they had left them. The Portu- 
 gals in the boats so thickly surrounded the English 
 that the former could not use their fire-arms, whilo
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 157 
 
 those on the rocks were also afraid to fire for fear 
 of hitting their friends. Bravely and gallantly the 
 seamen held out. 
 
 " Hurrah for the true English quarter-staves, 
 lads ! " cried Dick, as he dealt blow after blow on 
 the heads of the Portugals, his example being ably 
 followed by the rest of the men. 
 
 Edward shouted and encouraged his followers, 
 though less vociferously. Several of the Portugals 
 were knocked overboard ; others, stunned, fell back 
 into the bottom of their boats ; and others, with 
 broken arms and bruised shoulders, shouted 
 " Treachery ! treachery ! Help ! help ! Fire ! fire ! " 
 and all sorts of cries, under the belief that the num- 
 bers of the fugitives were far greater than was the 
 case. 
 
 As long as the enemy could be kept at close 
 quarters the English had greatly the advantage ; 
 but at length so greatly worsted were the Portugals 
 that the survivors and the unmaimed, getting out 
 their oars, and shoving off from the boat which con- 
 tained the audacious English, fairly took to flight, 
 and pulled away up the harbor, maliciously shouting 
 as they went . 
 
 " Fire ! fire at the chain ! " 
 
 Their cries were heard, and the rattle of fire-arms 
 followed, and the bright flashes were seen, while the 
 shot whistled over the only spot at which the pris- 
 oners could hope to make their escape, even if they 
 could manage to cut or force the chain. As it
 
 158 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OK. 
 
 would have been certain death to make the attempt, 
 Raymond proposed a still more daring scheme to 
 pull up the harbor after the Portugal boats, to 
 board one of them before the people had recovered 
 from their panic, to seize their arms, and then to try 
 and make terms with the enemy, or to die fighting 
 bravely with weapons in their hands which might be 
 used at a longer distance than could their quarter- 
 staves. The idea was no sooner suggested than put 
 into execution. The boats had only gone up a 
 short distance, and before the Portugals were aware 
 that they were pursued, the English, with their 
 dreaded quarter -staves, were battering away on 
 their skulls, and in a few seconds had possessed 
 themselves of all the fire-arms, ammunition, and 
 swords to be found on board. Another boat was 
 overtaken, and before those on board had recovered 
 from their astonishment they were also deprived of 
 their arms. The English now dashed on so as to 
 reach the shore before their opponents, and be 
 ready to stand on their defence. Their success was 
 greater than they anticipated. As the Portugals 
 were looking in other directions, no one opposed 
 them, and they had time not only to leap on shore, 
 but to reach a rock on the beach which Raymond 
 recollected so close to the water that it prevented 
 any one approaching on that side, while the rock 
 itself formed a rampart in front, behind which they 
 could fight. Here Edward found himself with Dick 
 Lizard and ten other men, some of them more or
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 159 
 
 less wounded, but all able to use their weapons. 
 Although they knew that they must ultimately be 
 starved out or overwhelmed by numbers, yet, like 
 brave men, they agreed not to yield while resistance 
 could by any possibility avail them. Some time 
 passed no enemy appeared. What were the Por- 
 tugals about to do ? was the question. 
 
 " They don't know where we've got to, and 
 they're boasting that they've killed us," suggested 
 Dick in a low voice. 
 
 Edward had still a lingering hope that they might 
 escape. The minutes were very long, but they 
 increased into hours, and at last the day dawned, 
 and Dick, looking out from behind his hiding-place, 
 could see the Portugals scattered about among the 
 rocks near the harbor still looking for them. Day- 
 light, however, exhibited the boat on the beach, and 
 the marks of their feet on the sand. Their place 
 of refuge was soon discovered, and now in numbers 
 the Portugals came crowding up from all quarters, 
 thinking that they were about to take their prey on 
 easy terms, and vowing vengeance on their heads. 
 The rock, however, formed a breastwork which no 
 bullets could penetrate, nor even could round shot 
 from ordnance make any impression on it. The 
 shape was that of a half-moon, the convex side 
 being towards the shore, with the two horns running 
 some way into the water where it was too deep for 
 any one to wade, except the sea was unusually 
 smooth.
 
 100 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 On the sea side there was deep water, outside of 
 which was a ledge of broken rocks here and there 
 showing their heads, forming a barrier no boats 
 could pas's, with what may be described as a lagoon 
 of smooth water inside the rocks. Thus Raymond 
 and his party were completely protected from the 
 sea, unless a boat could be dragged overland and 
 launched beyond the rock into the lagoon. This 
 could easily have been done under ordinary cir- 
 cumstances, but any persons now attempting it 
 would have been exposed to the fire of the English 
 from the rock. Edward had noted some of the ad- 
 vantages offered by the rock as a place where a few 
 determined men might defend themselves, but the 
 strength of its position surpassed his expectations. 
 It was the recollection of this rock which made him 
 propose the bold attack on the Portugals in their 
 boats which proved so successful. Some of the Por- 
 tugals, it was observed, advanced bravely enough, 
 but others, whose heads were bandaged, though 
 they shouted and urged on their countrymen, hung 
 back, and seemed in no way inclined to encounter 
 the daring Englishmen. Dick Lizard pointed them 
 out to his companions. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! the varlets ! " he exclaimed. " They 
 know the flavor of our English quarter-staves, and 
 don't want a second taste of them." 
 
 Raymond had no necessity to counsel his men to 
 be steady, for every one had his weapons ready, and 
 stood as cool as if no enemy were advancing to the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 161 
 
 attack. Still the number of their opponents was 
 sufficient to daunt the stoutest hearts. Not only 
 were there Portugals, but swarthy natives in light 
 garments and long matchlocks, nimble fellows who 
 looked capable of climbing over the rocks like wild- 
 cats, and proving troublesome at close quarters. 
 There were some gayly-bedecked cavaliers on horse- 
 back, but of them the seamqn took but little ac- 
 count. 
 
 " All we've to do, lads, is to kill the steeds, and 
 then your horsemen become clumsy footmen," ex- 
 claimed Lizard as he saw them galloping up over 
 the sand-hills from the interior. 
 
 The Portugals, who, like wise men, seemed to be 
 lovers of long shots, began to fire towards the rock, 
 not all together nor taking good aim, but as each 
 man thought he could hit an enemy without being 
 hit himself. The leaden bullets mostly flew high 
 overhead, but a few came spluttering against the 
 rock to fall flattened into the crevices or to roll 
 down into the sand. Edward ordered his followers 
 to keep under cover, he alone watching the progress 
 of their foes. On they came, the showers of shots 
 increasing in thickness, but being perfectly innoc- 
 uous. The nearer they got the higher the shot 
 flew, so that no harm was' done except to the Por- 
 tugals themselves by the bursting of some of their 
 fire-arms. 
 
 " Wait, lads, till they get close up to the rock, 
 
 and then fire and knock over the foremost dozen at 
 11
 
 162 ANTONY WAYMOVTH; OR, 
 
 the least," he cried out. " Maybe they won't ex- 
 pect the warm reception we can give them." 
 
 Raymond, like a good officer, having made the 
 utmost of his position and taken every proper pre- 
 caution to insure success, did his best to encourage 
 his men and to make them despise their enemies. 
 Foolish and ignorant officers neglect the necessary 
 preparations and precautions, and yet fancy that 
 they are exhibiting their bravery by despising their 
 foes. This has ever been a great cause of defeat 
 and disaster. There was a pause. The Portugals 
 had not the heart to make a rush forward, and the 
 English were unwilling to throw their precious shot 
 away. 
 
 The Portugals were seen to halt, as if to hold a 
 consultation. The perfect quietness of the Eng- 
 lish alarmed them more than loud shouting and 
 noise would have done. They did not know what 
 to make of it. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! they've no stomach for the fight," 
 whispered Dick, who had popped up his head to see 
 what was going- forward. " They're just thinking 
 whether they'll go back to their wives and families, 
 or come on and be shot. We'll teach them the 
 wisest thing to do." 
 
 The pause was broken by the sound of a trumpet, 
 and a cavalcade was seen approaching from the 
 direction of the castle. As it drew near, Edward 
 recognize^ by his dress and bearing DoixLobo at its 
 head. An officer was now seen to gallop forward
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 163 
 
 towards what might be called the storming party, 
 but that they appeared to have no great inclination 
 to storm. His message seemed to expedite their 
 movements, and with loud shouts and a hotter fire 
 they once more advanced. Finding also that the 
 garrison of the rock did not reply, their courage in- 
 creased as did their shouts and their speed, although 
 it requires a stout heart to march towards an enemy 
 over heavy sand. 
 
 " They'll go back, an' I mistake not, faster than 
 they are coming on," whispered Dick. 
 
 " Steady, my merry men," cried Raymond as the 
 Portugals were crowding on within a few paces of 
 the rock. 
 
 Numbers had already begun to climb its slippery 
 sides, pressing on each other, the hinder ones urging 
 on those in front, the rearmost feeling their valor at 
 the highest pitch, when Edward perceived that the 
 time for action had arrived. 
 
 " Now, lads, give it them ! " he exclaimed, setting 
 the example by firing his piece, which was of the 
 blunderbuss genus, rammed full of shot, and knock- 
 ing over three if not more of the stormers. The 
 rest of the party discharged their fire-arms at the 
 same moment, lodging their contents in the bodies 
 of some score or more of their assailants. They, 
 the most part killed, with many who, though unhurt, 
 were terribly alarmed, tumbled back on their com- 
 rades in the rear, all rolling down the rock together, 
 and so thoroughly bedabbled with blood that it
 
 164 AXTONY WAYMOUTH: OR, 
 
 appeared as if the whole party were desperately 
 wounded. This damped the courage of the rest. 
 Some stood irresolute, others actually ran, and 
 others shouted to their comrades to go on, but did 
 not themselves advance. This enabled the English 
 seamen to reload their fire-arms, and as it was evi- 
 dent that the fight would be carried on at close 
 quarters, each man put as many shot into his piece 
 as it would hold. 
 
 " Now we are ready once more for the Portugals ! 
 Hurrah, lads ! give it them again ! " shouted Dick, 
 while the enemy hesitated to advance. 
 
 Several fire-arms had been taken from the boats 
 besides those of which each man had possessed him- 
 self. These were also loaded and placed ready for 
 use. The spirits of the seamen rose as they saw 
 the way in which the first attack had been repulsed. 
 Of the future they did not think. Edward, on the 
 contrary, could not help thinking of the result, and 
 felt that their lives must be sacrificed in the end, 
 and that, as they had resolved to sell them dear, 
 the longer they fought was but adding to their 
 price. Still he kept his courage up and resolved to 
 persevere to the end. Still the enemy did not ad- 
 vance. The governor was seen in the distance, and 
 appeared to be furious at the hesitation of his men. 
 Message after message was sent to them to goad 
 them on. The trumpets sounded the charge, and 
 with shouts and cries they once more advanced to 
 climb the rock. Again Edward allowed them to
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 165 
 
 approach till the most daring had got high enough 
 to bring their breasts up to the muzzles of the 
 pieces. 
 
 " Fire, my merry men, fire ! " he shouted. 
 
 The result was even more terrible than at first, 
 and numbers of killed and wounded men rolled 
 back on their comrades, throwing their ranks once 
 more into confusion. ' This time, however, others 
 attempted to come on, but Edward, leaving two of 
 his party to reload the fire-arms, led on the rest 
 armed with their quarter-staves, and leaping on the 
 rock gave the foe so unexpected a reception that 
 they were driven helter-skelter back and fairly put 
 to flight. Edward restrained his men from firing 
 a volley after them, as ammunition was too precious 
 to be thrown away. This success gave them a short 
 breathing-time. Raymond had little hopes, how- 
 ever, of obtaining fair and honorable terms. Car- 
 rying off their wounded, but leaving their dead 
 under the rock, the Portugal* withdrew to a dis- 
 tance. 
 
 The Englishmen had time now to consider their 
 position and what was to be done. They were as 
 unanimous as at first in determining to hold out to 
 the last gasp. Indeed, Edward reminded them that 
 if they yielded they would certainly be put to death. 
 Without saying any thing, Dick slipped from among 
 the rest, and with a large knife in his hand rushed 
 into the water. He speedily returned with a large 
 bunch of clams and other shell-fish.
 
 166 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! the Portugals will not starve us out 
 as quickly as they think," he exclaimed triumph- 
 antly. " That's the reason, I take it, that they hold 
 back." 
 
 Probably Dick was right in his conjecture. There 
 was no want of driftwood under the rock, and, 
 though raw shell-fish have often been eaten, even 
 seamen prefer them cooked. A fire was soon 
 lighted, and all the garrison were speedily employed 
 in roasting the shell-fish. The Portugals on seeing 
 the smoke must have guessed its cause, for they 
 were soon again seen assembling to renew the at- 
 tack. Edward saw that the time had come when 
 they must prepare to die like brave men, for he 
 could not hope to repulse another attack as success- 
 fully as he had done the first. Often did the brave 
 band wish they were on the deck of a stout ship 
 prepared to do battle on somewhat equal terms, 
 with a prospect of victory in the end, or at worst to 
 go down with colors flying to find their graves in 
 the element they loved so well. Ever and anon, 
 and naturally enough, they turned a wistful gaze 
 over the ocean, and a sail was now descried in the 
 horizon. The circumstance could scarcely give 
 rise to hope, and yet often and often, as men would 
 do, they turned their eyes in the same direction to 
 watch her progress. She was, however, not direct- 
 ly approaching the shore, for the land breeze yet 
 blew strongly off it, but she was standing along it 
 close-hauled from the southward.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 107 
 
 " She is edging in for the land ! " cried Dick 
 Lizard. " She may be a Portugal, or a Spaniard, 
 or a Hollander ; but oh, boys ! she may she may 
 be an honest Englishman, and bring us help at our 
 great need." 
 
 " The Lord grant that so it may be ! " said Ed- 
 ward, who, without pretension, had true religious 
 principles, and was not ashamed of his feelings. 
 " We are in his hands. Let us pray for protection, 
 and he will not desert us." 
 
 And then and there, on the sand and rocks, like 
 sturdy believers as they were, they knelt down, 
 with their arms in their hands, and humbly poured 
 out their petition to Heaven for aid. Then they 
 rose and looked out for the enemy. The land wind, 
 as has been said, was blowing, and the heat was 
 very great, especially on the sands, and the Portu- 
 gals seemed rather inclined to take their siesta than 
 to fight with enemies whom they believed they had 
 got securely in a trap from which they could not 
 ultimately escape death or capture. 
 
 As the sun rose the wind died away, and the heat 
 became almost unbearable. Some of Edward's 
 party declared that they should be roasted alive, 
 and that they felt themselves bubbling and hissing 
 already. 
 
 " Never mind, lads, a plunge in the sea will soon 
 cool us ; and that's what I propose we take to when 
 our ammunition is all gone," cried Dick. 
 
 Even while he was talking, however, a ripple was
 
 168 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 seen to play over the surface of the lagoon, and a 
 faint breeze fanned their scorched cheeks. 
 
 " Hurrah, lads ! here comes the honest sea wind," 
 exclaimed Dick. " May it blow us good luck ! " 
 
 Stronger and stronger it blew, and now the 
 strange ship was seen to be rapidly approaching 
 the land under all sail, having squared away her 
 yards before it. Had the Portugals been more wide 
 awake they would have long since seen her. They 
 seemed, indeed, in no way disconcerted at her 
 appearance. After a time, the Portugal flag was 
 seen flying at her peak, and they were evidently 
 prepared to welcome her as a friend. The hopes 
 of most of the party again sank low. Dick, how- 
 ever, constantly kept his eye on the stranger, 
 scanning her sails and rigging and lofty hull. He 
 had not much time to engage in this agreeable 
 occupation before Raymond called his men to their 
 posts, for the enemy were seen mustering in great 
 numbers, probably ashamed that their countrymen 
 should find them kept at bay by a mere handful of 
 foreigners. Don Lobo himself rode forth from the 
 castle with his staff of officers, and drums beat, and 
 trumpets brayed, and cymbals clashed as the troops 
 rushed forward to the assault. On they came. 
 
 " Steady as before, my brave men, and we'll beat 
 them off again," cried Edward. 
 
 Up the rock they climbed with fierce shouts and 
 denunciations of vengeance, but the same mistake 
 was again committed as at first the bravest had
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS, 169 
 
 been allowed to go first, the more cowardly follow- 
 ing. Again the little English band of heroes let fly 
 their pieces, knocking over the leaders, who, falling 
 back, threw the rest into disorder. Some struggled 
 on, and the English quarter-staves again came into 
 use. Several of the English were, however, wounded 
 by the pistols of the Portugals. Raymond got a 
 severe cut on his left arm, and a bullet went 
 through the brain of another man. Still the sea- 
 men struggled on, and making a rush all together, 
 drove the Portugals once more to the bottom of the 
 rock. Now, had the cowards led the way they 
 would have undoubtedly been killed by the volley 
 of the English; but before the latter could reload, 
 the braver men would have been upon them, and 
 would probably have ended the unequal contest. 
 As it was, so great was the awe inspired by the 
 English seamen's determined bravery, that it was 
 some time before the Portugals could be again 
 brought up to the attack. 
 
 During the interval the stranger ship had 
 approached as near the shore as it was safe to ven- 
 ^tire, and had there cast anchor, just beyond the 
 range of the guns of the castle. Several boats 
 were seen to be lowered from her lofty sides. They 
 were at once filled with men and pulled towards 
 the shore, under cover of the ship's guns. The 
 ship had come to an anchor while the fighting was 
 going forward, and no sooner were the enemy 
 repulsed than Lizard turned his eyes towards the
 
 170 ANTONY WATAIOUTH; OR, 
 
 ocean to ascertain what the stranger was about. 
 He took a steady gaze at her, and then giving 
 a loud slap with his hand on his thigh, he ex- 
 claimed 
 
 " The Lion, lads, the Lion ! Hurrah ! Old 
 England for ever ! Hurrah ! " 
 
 His shouts made all his companions turn their 
 eyes in the same direction, and so asborbed were 
 they in gazing at the stranger, that had the enemy 
 stormed at that moment the little English band 
 would have been cut to pieces. A second glance 
 was not necessary to convince Edward that the ship 
 he saw was indeed the Lion herself. 
 
 The Portugals, it seemed by their movements, 
 began to have some suspicions of the character of 
 the stranger, and of the object of the boats in coming 
 on shore. It made them still more eager to recap- 
 ture their former prisoners, and to retire to the fort. 
 Doubly resolved, however, ^were Raymond and his 
 men to hold out till their countrymen could come 
 to their rescue. The boats were steering for a bay 
 between the rock and the castle. Again the Portu- 
 gals began to assail the rock with fierce cries of 
 vengeance. The seamen shouted in return. Hot- 
 ter Mid hotter grew the fight ; the eleven defenders 
 of the rock stood boldly at bay, hurling the Portu- 
 gals down the rock, casting their pistols, which they 
 snatched from their hands, after them, and often 
 bringing their own quarter-staves into play. Still, 
 from loss of blood and the constant attacks of the
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 171 
 
 enemy, their strength began to fail ; even Edward 
 felt that nature would give way, when the stranger's 
 boats reached the beach. Each boat was full of 
 men, who leaped on shore and formed in two par- 
 ties one pushing towards the castle, the other, 
 shouting " St. George and Merry England ! " to- 
 wards the rock. On they came. There was no 
 doubt that they were friends. Some of the Portu- 
 gals faced about to meet them ; but so furiously did 
 the strangers charge, that, after exchanging several 
 blows, resulting in not a few cracked skulls, those 
 who could run took to their heels and fled. Edward, 
 seeing this, charged down on his assailants, driving 
 them before him to the bottom of the rock, which 
 his friends at the same moment reached. The re- 
 mainder of the enemy, finding themselves between 
 two fires, made no attempt at defence, but as many 
 as could escape ran off inland, the rest being cut to 
 pieces or made prisoners. 
 
 Hearty were the greetings as shipmates, long 
 separated, clasped the hands of shipmates for the 
 new-comers were the brave Lions. Raymond's first 
 inquiry was for Antony Waymouth. 
 
 " The captain is leading the other party," was 
 the answer. " Our orders are to push on to join 
 him." 
 
 "Oh, let us go ! " cried Edward, forgetting his 
 wounds, fatigue, and every thing, and eager only to 
 join his friend. 
 
 On they went over the hot sands, not altogether
 
 172 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 unmolested ; for the Portugals fired at them from a 
 distance, and here and there one of the party was 
 hit ; but no one seemed to care for wounds the 
 Castle of San Pedro, with the reputed riches of its 
 savage governor, was to be their prize. The two 
 parties met under the walls. There was a short but 
 hearty greeting between Antony Waymouth and 
 Edward Raymond. 
 
 " We have no lack of gold and jewels already 
 aboard the Lion," exclaimed the former ; " but an' 
 we become masters of what this castle holds we may 
 turn our bows homeward, and no longer go roam- 
 ing the world around for gold ; that those who have 
 lady-loves may wed and live like lords of the land to 
 the end of their days. Yet I tell thee, Ned, I am 
 more glad to see thee alive and hearty than if I had 
 gained this fortress." 
 
 There was no time for Edward to tell his story. 
 Waymouth assured him that, had he suspected he 
 was with the defenders of the rock, he should have 
 come in person to his assistance. Waymouth's 
 party had landed with some scaling-ladders and a 
 small ram used for battering open gates. The men 
 were all eager to begin the attack. They had halted 
 under shelter of some rocks near the forts. With a 
 loud cheer the men sprang forward as the bugles 
 sounded for the assault. Some placed the scaling- 
 ladders against the walls, and began to climb up 
 with a celerity and activity which only seamen can 
 display ; others bore on the battering-ram towards
 
 'THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 173 
 
 one of the gates, which they battered with vigorous 
 blows ; while a third party, armed with arquebuses 
 aud cross-bows, shot bullets and bolts towards the 
 walls, bringing down all who appeared upon them. 
 
 Although, from so great a number of the Portu- 
 gals having been put to flight, the defenders were 
 few, the walls were high and the gates strong, and , 
 to get into the castle was no easy matter. As to 
 the gate, the Portugals let the battering-ram do its 
 worst without interfering, while they united all 
 their efforts in opposing the escaladers, who, as they 
 reached the summit of the ladders, again and again 
 were hurled down, some with broken heads and 
 gashed shoulders and arms, and others killed out- 
 right, though not a few were ready, as at first, to 
 climb up and renew the attack. 
 
 Wayniouth and his officers exerted themselves 
 gallantly, but discovered that stone walls are hard 
 things for men to knock their heads against, and 
 many began to fear that the exploit must be aban- 
 doned, <when Edward, who, in spite of his wound, 
 had not been behindhand in exhibiting his courage, 
 recollected the gate out of which Donna Isabel had 
 conducted him 'the previous night, and the angle of 
 the wall down which he had slipped. Telling Way- 
 mouth what he proposed doing, he summoned Dick 
 Lizard and some of his companions in captivity, 
 with a few other fresh men, and, briefly explaining 
 his plans, led them round close under the walls on 
 the sand where it was evidently generally washed
 
 174 ANTOtfY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 by the sea. The angle was reached, and by the 
 rope which Edward had left hanging over when 
 making his escape he prepared to climb up, though 
 each of his men was eager to lead. Young Marston, 
 who was the only midshipman of the party, espe- 
 cially entreated that he might go. 
 
 " I'll be at the top in a moment, sir," he whis- 
 pered. " I'll let you kiio\v if there are any Portu- 
 gals near, and if they tumble me over it will matter 
 nothing." 
 
 Edward, however, would allow no one to precede 
 him. He grasped the rope, and began his ascent. 
 How different were his feelings from what they had 
 been when descending a few hours before ! Mars- 
 ton followed directly after him. Up he climbed, 
 expecting every moment a Portugal's head to appear 
 over the parapet, and to see the rope cut above him. 
 On he went, though. The summit was reached, and 
 throwing himself on it, he drew his sword and stood 
 ready to defend the spot till his men should have 
 likewise gained a footing. Marston was by his side 
 in a moment. When they looked around, not a 
 Portugal was to be seen to stop their progress. 
 Forward they rushed accordingly, and got half way 
 across the open before they were discovered by one 
 of the garrison. The man who first saw them sum- 
 moned others, and a pretty strong party was col- 
 lected to oppose them, who, rushing down, met them 
 before they reached the gate at which they were 
 aiming. So furiously, however, did the seamen
 
 THE GBNTLBMkX ADVENTURERS. 175 
 
 charge the enemy, that they were driven back, cut 
 down, or put to flight before any one had time to 
 shut the gate, which, as Edward had hoped might be 
 the case, was left open. A few rushed in before 
 them, and a desperate struggle ensued. In the 
 end not a Portugal remained alive. The passages 
 resounded with the tramp of armed men, the clash 
 of steel, the reports of pistols, and the cries of the 
 wounded, while clouds of smoke rolled along them. 
 
 " On ! on ! " was the cry. 
 
 Dick Lizard happily knew the way to the principal 
 gate. 
 
 " I'll tell you, Master Raymond, by and by how I 
 came to know it," he remarked. "It's all of the 
 lady who helped us out." 
 
 On they went. It was every thing to reach the 
 principal gate without further opposition. As Ed- 
 ward had hoped, all the defenders were on the 
 ramparts. No one had remained inside the gate, 
 which from its strength it was supposed would with- 
 stand any attempt to batter it down. Dick was not 
 mistaken. The thundering of the battering-ram 
 guided them also to the spot. Passing under a 
 broad archway, they found themselves just within the 
 great gate. The din of the battle outside had pre- 
 vented their approach being heard, while every one 
 was too busy to observe them. Bars and bolts innu- 
 merable guarded the gate. These Edward and his 
 followers began to withdraw, but they were so huge 
 and rusty that it was with difficulty they could be
 
 176 ANTOXY WAYtfOVTHi Oil, 
 
 removed. While the seamen were still laboring 
 away, Raymond, turning his head, saw at the far- 
 ther end of the passage a number of men approach- 
 ing. At their head he recognized Don Lobo him- 
 self. With cries of veugeance, the governor led on 
 his men. The blood of the Lusitanian was up, and, 
 cruel tyrant and extortioner as he had been, when 
 he found himself pushed to extremities, and his ene- 
 mies already within his stronghold, he resolved to 
 drive them out or die as became him in its defence. 
 As the governor approached, Edward and part of 
 his company faced about to encounter him, while 
 Dick Lizard and the rest plied crowbars and ham- 
 mers in beating back the huge bolts which secured 
 the gate. The battering-ram was all the time thun- 
 dering away outside. The object of Don Lobo was 
 to destroy the daring band of Englishmen who had 
 got inside, and to replace the bolts before the ram 
 had forced the gate. Nobly Edward and his little 
 party kept their numerous foes, hard pressing on 
 them, at bay. Don Lobo himself rushed forward at 
 length in desperation, and his blade crossed that of 
 Edward. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! I hate you, and you know the reason, 
 vile Englishman!" he exclaimed, as he made a 
 lunge at his opponent's breast. 
 
 Edward turned the weapon aside, and that in- 
 stant Dick shouted 
 
 " Stand from under, lads ! stand from under ! " 
 
 For the huge gate was cracking in every part,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 177 
 
 and with a loud crash down it came, crushing one 
 poor fellow, the rest with difficulty escaping. Don 
 Lobo heard the shout and the crash. His eye was 
 for an instant withdrawn from his sword's point to 
 look at the falling gate. That instant was fatal 
 to him, and Edward's weapon entering his bosom, 
 he fell- backwards to the ground, while his own 
 sword fell useless from his grasp. As the gate gave 
 way, the fierce and eager countenances of the English 
 seamen were seen in the entrance, led on by Way- 
 mouth. 
 
 " St. George and merry England ! " they shouted. 
 " Down with the Portugals ! Hurrah ! hurrah !" 
 
 "An' you cry ' Down with the Portugals ! ' just 
 be sure if there are Portugals to put down," cried 
 Dick. " The mouse has got into the cheese before 
 you, mates ; but there is no lack of mites yet to eat. 
 On on, lads!" 
 
 Dick narrowly escaped a clout on the head by 
 his facetiousness. Fortunately, daylight came in 
 through the open gateway, and through the smoke 
 and dust his features were recognized in time. The 
 whole party now rushed forward. Some of the Por- 
 tugals in narrow, passages made a stand, but they 
 were forced back and driven from chamber to cham- 
 ber till every part of the castle was in the hands of 
 the English. 
 
 " The miser's gold ! the miser's gold ! " was now 
 the cry. " Where are his strong boxes ? Bring him 
 forth, and make him tell us!" 
 
 12 _ .
 
 178 ANTONY WAYMOUTHj OR, 
 
 Several hurried off to search for the late gov- 
 ernor. Edward might have told them of his fate, 
 but he, mindful of poor Don Joao, had gone to look 
 for his unfortunate acquaintance, and to save him, 
 if possible, from insult or violence. 
 
 Here and there the sound of strife might still 
 be Jieard as a few of the braver spirits who had re- 
 treated, not aware how entirely the castle was in 
 the power of the English, were defending them- 
 selves in rooms and galleries from small parties of 
 adventurers who had separated from the main body 
 in search of plunder. 
 
 Edward had made inquiries both of Portugals 
 and English if they knew aught of Don Joao. At 
 length, led by the sound of clashing steel, he found 
 his way, with the few men he had got to follow him, 
 into the circular chamber of a distant tower. Tliere 
 in a deep window recess clustered three or four 
 priests holding crucifixes in their hands, some dark- 
 skinned women in their picturesque costume, and 
 some native attendants. Before them stood Don 
 Joao, with five or six Portugal soldiers, defending 
 themselves with their swords against the attacks of 
 four or five English sailors, who were hewing and 
 hacking away, not with much science, but with such 
 furious blows that they had already cut down two 
 or more Portugals, and were now hard pressing the 
 old soldier. He was bleeding from more than one 
 wound, and was evidently little able to hold out 
 against assailants so persevering. Edward hurried
 
 ^ THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS, 179 
 
 forward, ordering the Englishmen to desist ; but 
 they either would not or did not hear him, and be- 
 fore he could interpose his own weapon, a heavy cut 
 from a rapier brought the old man to the ground. 
 
 " For shame, men ! " exclaimed Edward, saving 
 the old soldier from another blow. " We war not 
 with gray hairs, with priests and women. Let not 
 another blow be struck." 
 
 The Portugals, finding resistance hopeless, threw 
 down their arms. Edward knelt down by the old 
 man's side, and raised his head. It was very evident 
 that his last hours were passing by. 
 
 " My daughter ? " he asked in a faint voice. 
 " Brave Englishman, can you tell me any thing of 
 my daughter ? She had my leave to aid in your 
 escape. I would have accompanied her had I been 
 able." 
 
 Edward felt sick at heart at having to tell the 
 poor father of his daughter's fate. Yet what could 
 he say ? 
 
 " Alas ! I cannot say but I fear the worst," was 
 his reply. 
 
 " I dreaded to hear this, but do not blame you, 
 noble Englishman.. The last link which bound me 
 to earth is broken, and I am ready to quit this 
 world, which man's folly and wickedness has made 
 so full of woe and suffering." 
 
 These were almost the last words the old man 
 spoke, though the priests came round and adminis- 
 tered the rites of their faith ere his spirit quitted its
 
 180 ANTONY WAYMOUTHj OR, 
 
 
 
 frail tenement. Even the rough seamen, despisers 
 and haters of all papistical ceremonies, looked on 
 with respect and awe as the old soldier's head sank 
 on his breast, and his hand fell powerless by his 
 side. 
 
 Waymouth had taken precautions to secure all 
 the entrances to the castle while the garrison were 
 committed to the dungeons in which they had been 
 accustomed to confine the enemies who had the 
 misfortune of falling into their hands. Those who 
 had gone in search of Don Lobo soon returned, 
 bearing on a litter his dead body, an officer holding 
 up in triumph a bunch of keys which had been 
 found in his pockets, and shouting 
 
 " The keys of his money- chests ! the keys of his 
 money-chests ! " 
 
 " The keys are but of small service to us without 
 the chests," remarked the captain. " Find the 
 chests, men, and we may make small account of 
 the keys." 
 
 A diligent search was therefore commenced for 
 the reputed wealth of the old governor. It was 
 said that he had employed thirty years in collecting 
 it, and that he had purposed shortly returning to 
 Europe, under the vain belief that it would afford 
 him enjoyment and contentment. Every passage, 
 and corner, and crevice of the castle from top to 
 bottom was searched, and not, sign of a money-box 
 could be discovered. Some declared that the gov- 
 ernor's wealth was really fabulous that is to say,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 181 
 
 it had no existence ; while others affirmed that it 
 did exist, and would somewhere be discovered. 
 Midshipmen generally consider hunting for rabbits 
 very good fun, but hunting for money- chests was 
 very much better. All the cabin-boys of the Lion 
 hunted round and round and up and down with 
 wonderful zeal. The captain at last promised that 
 whoever found the wealth should have a tenth por- 
 tion, of it. This still further excited the diligence 
 of all hands. Still no chests were forthcoming. 
 Some, in revenge, proposed burning down the castle, 
 till the captain announced that whoever set it on 
 fire should be cast into the flames. Again and 
 again the search was renewed. The prisoners were 
 interrogated, but no one could tell. Rewards were 
 offered without effect. It was evident that they did 
 not know. Several said that Pedro Pacheco knew ; 
 but that worthy had been run through the body by 
 a pike, which had struck him in the back as he was 
 making his escape with a bag of gold under his arm, 
 which he refused to stop and deliver. The booty 
 was, after all, not so contemptible, for there were 
 silver plate in large quantities, and jewelled orna- 
 ments, and golden coin ; but, as it was not what was 
 expected, no one was contented. 
 
 At last Oliver Marston happened to strike his 
 foot against a ring in the corner of a small room on 
 the ground floor of the castle. It served as the 
 handle of a stone which without difficulty he lifted. 
 Lights were brought. A flight of stone steps led to
 
 182 AXTOSY WAYMOVTlIi OR, 
 
 a vault, in which was an iron door. Crowbars, 
 eagerly brought, forced it open, and there exposed 
 to view were a dozen large iron chests. The gov- 
 ernor's keys were applied, the lids opened, and 
 exposed to view ingots of gold and silver, and jewels 
 and coins scarcely to be counted. Wild were the 
 shouts of delight as chest after chest was opened, 
 and each one in succession appeared to contain 
 more gold and jewels than the first. The chests 
 were computed to contain property of even greater 
 value than what was already on board the Lion. 
 It was no easy work to carry off the chests, but it 
 was accomplished before the eyelids of one of the 
 victors closed in sleep. The prisoners were allowed 
 their liberty, the castle was set on fire, and, while 
 the flames were bursting out on all sides, the Lion 
 made sail with her rich freight, and stood away to 
 the southward.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 183 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 AWAY sailed the Lion, those on board exulting in 
 the rich booty they had obtained, and looking ere 
 many months had passed by once more to tread the 
 shores of Old England and to enjoy the wealth they 
 had gotten with so much toil and danger. Good 
 Master Walker, the minister, did his best to warn 
 them not to trust to the riches they had acquired, 
 that riches are apt to take to themselves wings and 
 flee away, and that it in no way follows that be- 
 cause people possess wealth they will have the 
 power of enjoying it. These and other similar re- 
 marks were received by the officers and men in 
 general with no good grace, and Master Walker lost 
 popularity simply because no one could deny the 
 truth of his remarks. 
 
 " There is many a slip between the cup and the 
 lip," he added one day, most gr.eatly to the annoy- 
 ance of his hearers. 
 
 The more conscious people are that a thing may 
 probably come to pass, the more angry they are, if 
 it is against their wish that it should happen, 
 when they are told so. Antony Way mouth was no 
 despiser of gold or rather the good things of life 
 which gold procures but he loved his honor more,
 
 184 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 and he considered it his duty to go in search of the 
 commander-in-chief and the rest of the fleet, if haply 
 they might have reached the rendezvous at Bantam. 
 Waymouth had full experience of the* responsibility 
 of power, though he had able assistants in Raymond 
 and his first officer, Carlingford. Several of the 
 crew had for many months" shown a mutinous dis- 
 position, though the storms to which they had been 
 exposed, the fights in which they had been engaged, 
 and the prospect of the attack on the Castle of San 
 Pedro, had prevented any gerious outbreak. Now, 
 however, they loudly expressed their disapproval of 
 continuing the search for Captain Wood, declaring 
 that he and his consorts must long since have per- 
 ished, and that they, having collected so large an 
 amount of wealth, would be acting like fools to 
 remain out a day longer than they could help. 
 Round the mess-table by day and during the watches 
 of the night the only subject of conversation was 
 the way in which they would spend their wealth 
 when they got on shore. Then* disappointment and 
 anger 'therefore increased greatly when they found 
 that the time for their return might be indefinitely 
 delayed. Those even who had hitherto been obedi- 
 ent began to express themselves in a mutinous 
 manner, and to hint that the sooner another man 
 was captain the better it would be for all hands 
 fore and aft. This state of things was not unknown 
 to Waymouth and his officers, and it put them on 
 their guard ; but while no overt act was committed,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 
 
 it was impossible to take active steps to bring about 
 a change. As at first, Peter Hagger, the boatswain, 
 with his mate and Dick Soper, a seaman, were sup- 
 posed to be the ringleaders. Though narrowly 
 watched, nothing could be proved against them. 
 The captain's two cabin-boys, Oliver Marston and 
 Alfred Stanhope, proud of the approval they had 
 before received, determined to discover, if possible, 
 what was wrong. They had taken Dick Lizard into 
 their councils, assured that he, at all events, might 
 be depended on. In spite of all their wealth and 
 their anticipations of the pleasures it might pro- 
 cure, none of either high or low degree on board 
 could boast of much enjoyment. The happiest 
 person was Master Walker. He was doing his 
 duty, and leaving the consequences in the hand of 
 Heaven. The Island of Java was once more sighted 
 and the Harbor of Bantam entered. No certain 
 news could there be obtained of Captain Wood. 
 'Several large ships of the Hollanders had, however, 
 visited the place since their departure, and the 
 people had done their best to spread evil reports of 
 the English. Wayinouth cared little for this, but 
 he vowed, should he ever come across the Hol- 
 landers, he would make them pay for their slanders, 
 and those who knew him best had no doubt that he 
 would put his threat into execution. Still his 
 chief desire was to go in search of his friends, but 
 even this could not be done without delay, for, he 
 having ordered a survey of the Lion, the carpenters
 
 186 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 reported that she must undergo a thorough repair 
 before she would be fit to put to sea. No man 
 knew better thua the bold captain of the Lion how 
 to get into the good graces of people in power, and 
 he soon gained the confidence and good-will of the 
 King of Bantam. At the same time he was too wise 
 to put more confidence in his majesty than was 
 necessary; he therefore carefully kept concealed 
 from him the amount of wealth the Lion had on 
 board, and rather let him suppose that he and his 
 company were needy adventurers who had yet their 
 fortunes to make at the point of their swords, at the 
 sa.me time that the little they possessed they were 
 ready to expend liberally. This policy answered 
 so well that the repairs of the Lion were allowed to 
 proceed without interruption. 
 
 One enemy, however, could by no means be kept 
 at a distance. It was the black fever. While still 
 many necessary repairs were yet to be done, it 
 made its baneful appearance. Strong men who had 
 boldly confronted the fiercest foes and the raging 
 storm turned pale when they heard that it had 
 already carried off six of their shipmates. From" 
 that time not a day passed but two or more died. 
 Every one of the company labored hard to get the 
 ship ready for sea, under the belief that they should 
 leave the fell destroyer behind them. Now the 
 qualities of Master "Walker, the chaplain, shone 
 forth brightly, for while others shrank back from 
 attending on the plague-stricken, he boldly went
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 187 
 
 among the sick and attended the dying, giving 
 them spiritual counsel and consolation, tending 
 them, and administering medicines prescribed by 
 the surgeon. Full thirty of her brave crew had 
 succumbed to the destroyer, before the Lion, having 
 been got ready for sea, once more ploughed the 
 waters of the ocean. Still the fever raged. Gladly 
 would those on board have given all their wealth 
 to have escaped with health from the plague- 
 stricken ship. Day after day more and more were 
 called away. A small number only of those who 
 were attacked survived, but so sick and weak did 
 they remain that their recovery was hardly ex- 
 pected. 
 
 Wayinouth had received intimation that some 
 ships, supposed to be English, had been seen farther 
 to the eastward, and from the description given, 
 believing them to be Captain Wood's squadron, he 
 steered a course in that direction. On sailed the 
 Lion on her solitary course. The Angel of| Death 
 still pursued her, continuing to summon one after 
 another of her crew. Hope of finding his consorts, 
 however, allured the brave captain on in spite of 
 the ravages of the plague and the warnings given 
 him of the increasing discontent of the crew. 
 
 "I know the varlets, and fear them not," he 
 answered. " I showed them before who was master, 
 and will show them again to their cost." 
 
 Meantime, Peter Hagger, the boatswain, had 
 been biding his time and strengthening his party by
 
 188 ANTOXY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 every device he could think of. He well knew that 
 he was watched, but he strove to throw the captain 
 off his guard by a frankness of manner, an unusual 
 attention to his duties, and the strictness with 
 which all orders were obeyed. He appeared to 
 have succeeded so far as to make Waymouth believe 
 that he had abandoned his evil designs, and might 
 be trusted. In the fore part of the ship, far down 
 in her inward depths, was situated his principal 
 storeroom. There the light of day had never 
 entered since the huge structure had been put 
 together, nor had fresh air penetrated. It was 
 redolent of pitchy and tarry odors, with numerous 
 others of a far from fragrant character. A large 
 horn lantern hung from a beam above, and shed a 
 sickly light throughout the chamber. Here, seated 
 on chests and casks, with their heads bent forward 
 together as if in earnest consultation, were about a 
 dozen seamen. Their naturally ill-favored counte- 
 nances were not improved by long exposure to the 
 burning sun of the tropics. The presiding spirit 
 among them was evidently Peter Hagger, the boat- 
 swain. 
 
 " Afe we all agreed, mates ? " he asked in his 
 usual gruff voice. 
 
 " All," said several. " Provided we take no 
 lives," added others. " The fever has been doing 
 enough of that work lately among us." 
 
 " Dead men tell no tales," observed Hagger. 
 
 " If we secure the gold we need fear neither dead
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 189 
 
 nor living men," observed one of the men, who, 
 from the tone of his voice, was evidently of superior 
 education to the rest. " If they were ever to come 
 back without a stiver in their pockets, who would 
 take their word against ours, when we are rolling 
 in wealth?" 
 
 " But if we don't heave them overboard or run 
 them up to the yard-arm, what are we to do with 
 them ? " was a question put by another speaker. 
 
 " Why, land them on a desolate island, or sell 
 them to some of these Easterns, or put them on 
 board a prize with provisions to take them to the 
 nearest shore, that would be giving them a fair 
 chance of escape, and no one need complain," was 
 the remark of a mutineer who had sided with 
 Hagger. 
 
 " That will do," observed the boatswain. " And 
 now, mates, the sooner we set about this work the 
 better. To my mind there's no time like the present. 
 Every day we are going farther and farther to the 
 eastward, and every day getting more and more out 
 of our reckoning. Now d'ye see ? All we've to do 
 is to sail west, and when we get into the longitude 
 of Bon Esperanza Cape, steer north, and we'll find 
 our way back to Old England, never fear." 
 
 " Ay, ay ! with you as captain, Master Hagger," 
 exclaimed several mutineers, " we shall go straight 
 forward, not be running here and there, looking 
 into this port and that port, and all to no purpose, 
 to look for people who have long since gone to Davy
 
 190 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Jones's locker. Peter Hagger for captain ! He's 
 the man we want." 
 
 Peter Hagger bent forward, for the height of the 
 cabin did not allow him to stand upright. 
 
 " Mates, I take your terms," he said in a low 
 voice. " I've no wish to injure any man, least of 
 all Master Waymouth, who has good qualities, I'll 
 allow ; but we must have our rights, and if he has 
 lost his wits as there's no doubt he has it is 
 seemly that some better man should take his place, 
 and as you choose me, mates, why, I'm not the man 
 to gainsay you." 
 
 " All right, Captain Hagger ; all right," said 
 several of the men. " But what is it you would 
 have us do ? " 
 
 " That's what I was coming to," answered 
 Hagger, still more lowering his voice till it was 
 only audible to those who put their ears close to 
 his mouth. 
 
 The men talked long and earnestly together, till 
 all their plans seemed matured. Not only were 
 their plans matured, but they appeared confident of 
 success. One by one they stole off from their place 
 of meeting. They had no fear of having been 
 overheard, for, suspecting that such had before been 
 the case, they had now placed sentries to give notice 
 of the approach of any one they might suspect. 
 Separating, they went to their hammocks, and, what 
 may seem strange, all except the arch-mutineer 
 slept as soundly as if their consciences were free
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 191 
 
 i 
 
 from blame. He could not rest ; for though he be- 
 lieved that he was on the point of obtaining the object 
 of his desires the larger portion of the store of 
 wealth contained in the Lion yet all the time 
 he was conscious that he had not the ability to 
 retain command over the lawless band who had 
 selected him as their leader, nor the knowledge 
 necessary to navigate the ship to an English port. 
 Still he was determined to persevere in his mad 
 course. He trusted to chance for the future. The 
 wealth he was resolved to have at all risks. The 
 following night had been fixed on for the outbreak. 
 
 It was the middle watch. The weather even for 
 those latitudes was hot and close. Many of the 
 officers found their cabins too warm to allow them 
 to sleep, and had come on deck to endeavor to 
 obtain rest. Some had thrown themselves down in 
 spots where they were unobserved, and had gone to 
 sleep. Miles Carlingford had charge of the watch, 
 with the two young cabin-boys, Stanhope and Mars- 
 ton, under him. The captain, accompanied by 
 Edward Raymond, after a time came also on deck. 
 Waymouth cast his eyes round the horizon several 
 tunes as he slowly paced up and down with Ray- 
 mond. 
 
 "I like not the look of the midnight sky," he 
 observed to Carlingford ; " I have known black 
 storms, with fury so terrible that scarcely the stoutest 
 ships could withstand them, spring out of such. We 
 must be on the watch. With our weakened crew
 
 AXTGXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 we cannot shorten sail as we were wont to do, and 
 yet I would not rouse up the men unnecessarily." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir, I'll not let my eyes wink," answered 
 Carlingford ; " but I hope the weather may clear 
 without the storm. Still, there is no telling in these 
 latitudes what may happen. I would we were out 
 of them." 
 
 " So do I, Master Carlingford, believe me, most 
 heartily," answered the captain. " I promise you, 
 txfo, that if in two days we do not discover the 
 admiral we will shape a course for the Cape of Bon 
 Esperanza ; after recruiting ourselves there we will 
 lose no time in sailing for Old England." 
 
 " It will be a happy time indeed, sir, when we 
 again see the white cliffs of our native land," 
 remarked Raymond, anxious to keep his chief up 
 to his intentions. " I would that the crew were 
 made acquainted with your intentions ; it would 
 tranquillize their minds, and banish the discontent 
 in which they now indulge." 
 
 " They will know in good time," answered Way- 
 mouth, somewhat angrily. " It does not do to yield 
 to their fancies, or they will become masters over 
 those they are bound to obey." 
 
 Scarcely had he spoken when from each of the 
 hatchways, which had been left open on account of 
 the heat, numerous dark forms sprang up, though 
 so silently that neither did he nor the other officers 
 who were looking seaward hear or observe them. 
 Like tigers on their prey the men threw themselves
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 193 
 
 on the knot of officers, who wore instantly brought 
 violently to the deck, and pinioned before they had 
 time to cry out. In vain they struggled ; they were 
 dragged to the guns, to one of which Waymouth, 
 Carlingford, Raymond, and the- two cabin-boys were 
 securely lashed almost before the rest of the officers 
 on deck had sprung to their feet, aroused by the 
 cries they made. None had arms ; and the rest of 
 the mutineers, rushing aft, grappled with them, 
 threatening vengeance if they resisted. Surprised 
 and bewildered by the suddenness of the attack, 
 scarcely aware by whom it was made, they were 
 easily knocked down and secured. 
 
 The Welsh surgeon, Ap Reece, was below, sleep- 
 ing soundly in spite of the heat and the noise, fa- 
 tigued with his attendance on the sick, who were 
 still numerous. The shouts and cries of his strug- 
 gling brother officers awoke him, and, seizing a 
 rapier and a brace of pistols, which he stuck in 
 his belt, he was about to spring on deck to their 
 assistance, when it occurred to him that it would 
 be wiser to ascertain exactly what was occurring. 
 The words which reached his ears " Mutiny ! 
 mutiny ! Help ! help ! Loyal men to the rescue ! " 
 showed him clearly the state of the case. 
 
 " The scoundrels will be waiting to knock all who 
 are below on the head as they come up," he thought 
 to himself; " but I will disappoint them." 
 
 Thereon he began to make his way forward, 
 where he was sure of finding some of the men ready 
 
 18
 
 194 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 to side with him. There was a passage from one 
 end of the ship to the other, and at the division 
 between the officers' quarters and the fore-part a 
 sentry was usually placed, but sickness had so 
 diminished the numbers of the crew that there were 
 not enough men to perform any but the most neces- 
 sary duties. Ap Reece groped his way on in dark- 
 ness. He heard some men haHooing out, but it 
 was evident that they were bound, and could render 
 him no assistance till they were released. On a 
 sudden a hand grasped his arm. 
 
 " "Who is this ? " said a voice which he recognized 
 as that of honest Dick Lizard. 
 
 " A friend to all hands," answered the surgeon. 
 " I hope that you have not turned mutineer, Dick." 
 
 " No, indeed, I should hope not, sir," replied 
 Dick indignantly ; " I have a guess'of what's going 
 on. What can we do to help the officers ? All the 
 true men are bound hand and foot, and I'm the 
 only one who managed to slip away." 
 
 " We won't despair, Dick ; are you armed ? " 
 asked the surgeon. 
 
 " I've a hanger, sir," was the answer. 
 
 " Come here and I'll give you some pistols," said 
 Ap Reece. " Now we'll first loose all the true men, 
 and then make a rush together and release the cap- 
 tain, if we can find him. With a sword in his 
 hand he'll soon give good account of the mutineers 
 and bring them to terms." 
 
 The surgeon, stepping back, armed Dick as he
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 195 
 
 had promised, and together they found their way 
 without interruption to the fore-hatch. As they got 
 their heads up to the coamings they perceived that 
 the scuffling had ceased, though the voices of a few 
 of the officers were heard upbraiding the men for 
 their treachery. 
 
 " My friends, I beseech you to be silent. Let me 
 speak to these misguided men," said a voice which 
 they recognized to be that of Master Walker, the 
 minister. " Mutineers ! for such you are you 
 are triumphing now in the success of your scheme, 
 and the fancied possession of all the wealth this 
 ship contains; but first let me ask you what does it 
 advantage you now ? Nothing. What can it ever 
 advantage you ? You can never enjoy it ; for be 
 assured that the vengeance of Heaven will overtake 
 you sooner or later ; even now, wretched men, it is 
 preparing for you." 
 
 " Cease, cease, Master Walker," exclaimed Hag- 
 ger, stepping up to the minister. " We wish you no 
 ill ; necessity makes us act as we do. We want to 
 injure no one, but we won't stand opposition, and 
 I for one cannot be answerable for the conse- 
 quences." 
 
 It is needless to say that this threat was accom- 
 panied by numerous oaths which need not be re- 
 peated ; in truth, Peter Hagger never spoke with- 
 out interlarding his remarks with expressions of 
 that description. 
 
 Ap Reece guessed correctly that the appeal of
 
 103 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Master Walker would have no present beneficial 
 effect, and therefore he and Lizard slipped down 
 below again and made their way to the cabins of 
 some of the inferior officers whom the latter believed' 
 had not joined in the mutiny. Two of them, the 
 gunner and carpenter, were found lashed in their 
 berths, not having the slightest conception of what 
 had occurred, and believing that they were the only 
 sufferers. A few brief words explained matters to 
 them. Three other men who had positively refused 
 to join the mutiny were found lashed in different 
 parts of the ship. They were releasd, hangers were 
 placed in their hands, and, together, led by Ap 
 Recce, they sprang on deck and rushed aft to where 
 the officers lay bound, their principal object being 
 to release Captain Waymouth and then to attack 
 the mutineers. 
 
 As they were on their way, a shout and a loud 
 oath from Hagger, who saw them coming, called the 
 attention of his followers, the boatswain throwing 
 himself before the captain at the moment Ap Reece 
 was about with his hanger to sever the lashings 
 which bound him. The surgeon was therefore com- 
 pelled to use his weapon to defend his own life, for 
 the boatswain, seeing what he was about, attacked 
 him with the greatest fury, and a desperate com- 
 bat ensued. Lizard and the other men, foiled in 
 their attempt to release some of the officers, were 
 fighting for their lives. Dick and his party were, 
 however, able to keep their immediate opponents at
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTUKERS. 197 
 
 bay, the chief interest centring between Ap Reece 
 and the boatswain. Hagger Vas a huge, powerful 
 man, with a -round bullet-head covered by black 
 shaggy hair, and a face of the bull-dog type. Ap 
 Reece, on the contrary, was a slight active man, 
 but lie made up by activity what he wanted in 
 strength. He, too, had science, which the boat-, 
 swain had not, and altogether the combatants were 
 not unevenly matched. The great strength of the 
 boatswain gave him, however, somewhat the advan- 
 tage, as he wisely only stood on the defensive, al- 
 lowing 'the surgeon to exhaust his powers. Ap 
 Reece sprang round and round him now he re- 
 treated, now he advanced, but to no purpose 
 Hagger was not to be betrayed into abandoning his 
 tactics. He waited his opportunity. It came. 
 The surgeon's foot slipped, and unable to recover 
 himself, his knees came with great force on the 
 deck. At that instant a flash of lightning darting 
 from the clouds revealed the combatants to each* 
 other. 
 
 "Hagger, I saved your life once when all hope 
 seemed gone," exclaimed Ap Reece, as the muti- 
 neer's weapon was about to descend on his head. 
 " I don't ask for my life from you or such a one as 
 you. Strike, and add a gross act of folly to your 
 crimes and madness. But the fever has not left 
 the ship yet ; and the time will come ere long 
 when you and your comrades in your night's work 
 will want my aid, and will be ready to give for it
 
 198 ANTONY WAYMOUTHi OB, 
 
 all the gold you have got in your possession. Strike, 
 I say." 
 
 The boatswain's hanger was again lifted as if 
 to strike, when one of his own party sprang for- 
 ward. 
 
 " Hold, hold, Master Hagger," he cried out, in- 
 terposing his own weapon. " Our surgeon speaks 
 the truth. We, any one of us, may want doctoring 
 ere an hour be over, and who's to doctor us an' we 
 trust to Tim Rosemerry, who swears he knows the 
 whole art, from having served an apprenticeship for 
 six months to a foreign leech in the city of West- 
 minster? I put it, mates, are we to have a doctor 
 who knows nothing, or a friend who has set many 
 of us on his legs when we thought that we were 
 never to walk again ? " 
 
 " Let the doctor live! let the doctor live! " ex- 
 claimed all the men, surrounding the boatswain, 
 who dropped the point of his weapon. 
 
 " Thanks, friends. I accept my life, for I have 
 no wish to lose it," said Ap Reece, rising to his feet. 
 " The sick I will doctor as before ; but remember, 
 I will sanction no act of violence or cruelty while 
 I remain with you." 
 
 " Oh, we are all honorable men here," cried 
 several of the men in a derisive tone, to which re- 
 mark the surgeon thought it imprudent to reply. 
 
 While this scene was acting, Dick Lizard and his 
 companions were exchanging blows with the rest of 
 the mutineers ; but overwhelmed by numbers, two
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 199 
 
 were killed, and Dick and another were brought to 
 the deck badly wounded. Dick had been a general 
 favorite ; and although the mutineers were exas- 
 perated with him for the attack he had made 
 on them, and for the unmeasured abuse he now 
 heaped on their heads, they agreed he was too good 
 a fellow to be put out of the way, and that if he 
 would keep a civil tongue in his head, he should 
 live. This was a somewhat difficult task for honest 
 Dick, though, when his life was offered, like a wise 
 nmn he accepted it without thinking it necessary to 
 make any stipulations. 
 
 The mutineers had now decidedly gained the 
 day ; the officers were forced at the sword's point to 
 go below, and each was confined in his own cabin. 
 The threatening state of the weather made Hagger 
 anxious to arrange matters. There was no wind, 
 but an ominous swell had got up which made the 
 ship roll heavily, and loud claps of thunder rattled 
 through the sky, while vivid flashes of forked 
 lightning darted from the clouds, hissing like fiery 
 serpents along the surface of the ocean, or playing 
 round the masts and threatening the Lion with de- 
 struction. 
 
 Way mouth lay in his cabin, feeling like a chained 
 beast of the forest eager to be loose, indignant at the 
 treachery practised on him, and feeling also the 
 probability that the ignorant men who had been 
 guilty of this act of atrocity would wreck the ship, 
 and involve both themselves and him and his
 
 200 ANWXY WAYMOUTHi OJt, 
 
 officers iii a common destruction. He knew that 
 they were totally unaware of the intricacies of the 
 navigation through which the Lion had got so far to 
 the eastward, and that it would be impossible for 
 them unaided to retrace their course. He had per- 
 haps a grim satisfaction in contemplating this, 
 though all his own prospects of wealth would vanish, 
 and life itself be lost. At length, however, the very 
 intensity of his feelings overcame him, and he fell 
 asleep. His sleep was far from refreshing, and his 
 dreams were strangely troubled. Yet on he slept 
 for some time, he believed. Whenever he felt him- 
 self waking, he forced himself to doze off again 
 rather than awake to the disagreeable realities of 
 his position. At length, however, the violent roll- 
 ing and pitching of the ship roused him completely 
 up. The roar of the sea, the howling of the wind, 
 the dashing of the waves on the side of the ship, 
 the rattling of blocks and ropes, and the tramp and 
 shouts of men overhead, convinced him that the 
 long-expected strife of the elements had begun. 
 The rolling and pitching and jerking of the ship 
 became more and more violent, the washing of the 
 water up the sides and over the deck showed him 
 that the sea was running high, and the way in 
 which the ship occasionally heeled over showed him 
 that the gale was blowing furiously. The sounds 
 which reached him 'from the deck told him also that 
 efforts were being made to shorten sail. 
 
 " The mutinous varlets ! Now is the occasion to
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 201 
 
 prove their seamanship, if .they have any," he mut- 
 tered to himself. " What the idiots will do it is 
 hard to say, except let the good ship drive on the 
 rocks. What are they about now ? There's not 
 one of them can stow the mainsail properly but Hag- 
 gcr in a gale like this. They'll capsize the stout 
 ship, or send the masts over the sides the idiots ! " 
 
 Thus he spoke, or rather thought, for some time. 
 The ship plunged on through the mountainous seas, 
 her timbers creaking and groaning as if they were 
 about to be torn asunder. The cabin was in ob- 
 scurity, for all the hatches were battened down, and 
 not without good reason, for the foaming seas often 
 broke so completely over the ship that without this 
 precaution she might have filled and gone bodily 
 down. Waymouth believed that the day was ad- 
 vancing from the sensations of hunger which he was 
 beginning to experience. In vain he tried to release 
 himself from the ropes which bound him. The 
 more he struggled the tighter they became. Nor 
 could he manage to get his mouth down to any part 
 of the rope, or he would have tried to gnaw it 
 asunder with his teeth. He shouted over and over 
 again to his friends in captivity ; but though the 
 sound of his voice reached them, he could not, from 
 the noises in the interior of the ship, make out what 
 they said in return. They were evidently as se- 
 curely bound as he was, and also confined in their 
 cabins. 
 
 " Patience is a virtue, I doubt not, but it is sore
 
 202 ANTONY WAYMOUTH: OR, 
 
 difficult to exercise it just now," he said to himself, 
 with a mocking laugh. 
 
 Suddenly the ship heeled over more than over 
 there was a loud crash the sea seemed with fierce 
 roars to be washing over her shrieks and cries of 
 distress reached his ears even where he lay. Again 
 she righted, and seemed to go tearing on through 
 the ocean as before. 
 
 " One or more of our masts have gone," muttered 
 Waymouth. " Well, let them go ; it is but the be- 
 ginning of the end. The sooner those scoundrels 
 find out their folly the better. Had we shortened 
 sail as I was about to do, this disaster would have 
 been avoided." 
 
 On, on went the ship, plunging down, again to be 
 lifted up, truly reeling to and fro like a drunken 
 man. Once more she was pressed down ; another 
 fearful crash followed, and there were piercing 
 shrieks and cries. Waymouth believ.ed fully that 
 the ship was foundering ; but no, she rose again, 
 and rushed on still more unsteadily than before. 
 On, on she went. Time was pressing. A hatch 
 was removed for an instant, and a gleam of light 
 penetrated into the cabin. Again it was obscured, 
 and a lantern was lighted ; three or four men de- 
 scended. Waymouth heard them go to his lieuten- 
 ant's cabin. They were offering him the command, 
 if he would help them out of their difficulties. An 
 indignant refusal was the reply. 
 
 " Scoundrels that you are, you may all sink with
 
 THE GEXTLEMEX ADVENTURERS. 203 
 
 us before I'll take charge of the ship while the 
 rightful commander remains alive," said Carlingford. 
 
 They then applied to Raymond, who was known 
 to be a good navigator. His reply was of the same 
 nature. None of the temptations the mutineers 
 could hold out would induce an officer of any rank 
 acquainted with navigation to take command. A 
 consultation was then held, and after some time the 
 mutineers approached the cabin where Waymouth 
 lay. The light of a lantern flashed on his eyes, and, 
 the door opening, Hagger, Soper, and other mu- 
 tineers stood before him. 
 
 " What is your pleasure with me, knaves ? " he 
 asked in a haughty, undaunted tone. 
 
 " An' please your honor, the ship is driving we 
 know not where, and is like to strike on some strange 
 rock or island, if she go not down first," said Hagger, 
 holding his hat in his hand. 
 
 " Maybe : it is what I expected," answered Way- 
 mouth calmly. " When fools take the helm, they 
 are certain to steer to destruction." 
 
 "An' please your honor, we wish to know whether 
 you will please to take charge of the ship, and save 
 her and all on board," said Soper humbly. 
 
 "Likely enough to have my throat cut, and 
 the throats of the gentlemen with. me, by you muti- 
 nous varlets, when you find the ship in safety," 
 answered Waymouth. "No, knaves; you have 
 brought yourselves into this strait, and you may 
 gel out of it as best you may."
 
 204 ANTONY WAYAtourni on, 
 
 "If your honor will take command and save the 
 ship, and overlook our conduct, we will be obedient 
 in future," said Soper, who acted as spokesman. 
 
 " Seize that man, then, and put him in irons first," 
 answered Waymouth, casting his glance on Hagger, 
 who clapped his hand on his hanger, as if about to 
 defend himself, but the rest threw themselves on 
 him, and bore him in spite of his great strength to 
 the deck. 
 
 " Now haste and release my officers, and beg 
 them to come here," continued Waymouth, address- 
 ing one of the men who was not required to hold 
 the chief mutineer. 
 
 Raymond, Carlingford, Master Walker, Ap Reece, 
 and the other officers quickly made their appearance, 
 surprised at the turn matters had taken. In their 
 presence he made the mutineers cast off his fetters, 
 and ordering Hagger to be bound and secured in a 
 place of safety, he exclaimed, " Follow me, gentle- 
 men ! " and sprang with an elastic step on deck. 
 The scene which met his eye was, however, far from 
 encouraging. Two of the masts had gone by the 
 board, and now hung with a mass of rigging and 
 sbattered spars over the sides. Part of the foremast 
 only was standing, on which the foresail was set, 
 driving the ship on furiously through the water, 
 while the seas, foaming up on either hand, threatened 
 to overwhelm her, and sent the masts and spars 
 dashing like battering-rams against the sides as if 
 about to stave them in. All the boats were gone or
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 205 
 
 knocked to pieces, and booms and caboose indeed, 
 the sea had made a clean sweep of every thing mo- 
 vable on deck. Fearfully, too, was the number of 
 the crew diminished not a dozen mutineers re- 
 mained alive ; the rest had been carried away when 
 the masts fell, or had been swept off the decks by the 
 raging seas which had broken on board. The officers 
 and men who had remained faithful outnumbered 
 the mutineers. It appeared, however, that human 
 skill and courage would be but of little avail, and 
 that the gallant ship was doomed to destruction. 
 
 " The scoundrels have summoned us too late," 
 said Waymouth to Miles Carlingford, a sigh, unheard 
 amid the howling of the tempest, for the first time 
 escaping his bosom. " Howbeit, we'll do what men 
 can do to save the ship. Summon all hands with 
 axes to clear the wreck of the masts." 
 
 In an instant every man, accustomed to the com- 
 manding voice of his chief, was actively employed. 
 Ropes and broken spars were quickly severed, and 
 the shattered masts and their heavy rigging were 
 soon floating away astern. The huge foresail, 
 which had hitherto threatened to tear the mast out 
 of the ship, was skilfully reefed, and with some- 
 what diminished speed the Lion plunged onward 
 through the foaming ocean. Still the rate at which 
 she drove was far too great for safety, yet all had 
 been done that could be done, and Waymouth and 
 his followers resigned themselves like brave believ- 
 ing men to the rule of Him who rules the universe,
 
 206 AX TONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 and without whose will not a sparrow falls to the 
 ground. As they tore on, the inasts of a tall ship 
 appeared ahead. Her more lofty spars and masts 
 were snugly housed, and with the little sail she 
 carried, evenly balanced, she rode hove to nearly 
 head to wind. On, on drove the Lion. It was 
 feared that she might strike the stranger. With 
 difficulty this was avoided. People were seen on 
 the stranger's deck, but no assistance could be ex- 
 pected from them. No flag flew from her peak.' 
 Her nation could not be ascertained ; she might be 
 a Hollander or a Portugal scarcely English, from 
 the appearance of the people and her build ; cer- 
 tainly not one of Admiral Wood's squadron. The 
 people on board waved and shouted, but their voices 
 were unheard. A board was shown, but ere what 
 was written on it could be deciphered the Lion had 
 driven a long way by. Soon the stranger was lost 
 to sight ; no aid could be hoped for from her. On, 
 on drove the once gallant Lion, now a helpless 
 wreck on the waste of waters. Far from abating, 
 the fury of the storm increased. Another damage 
 was discovered ; the wreck of the mast had struck 
 the rudder, and now a sea carried it away. Dread- 
 fully the battered ship labored through the foaming 
 seas. The well was sounded. Aghast, the car- 
 penters declared that there were seven feet of water 
 in the hold. 
 
 " To the pumps ! to the pumps ! " was the cry. 
 
 The diminished crew began to labor at the pumps,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 207 
 
 but weakened by disease they could hardly gain on 
 the water. Buckets were employed, and those who 
 could not work at the pumps passed them from hand 
 to hand from below, but even thus but little prog- 
 ress was made iii freeing the ship. All hands 
 must work. The arch-mutineer Hagger was re- 
 leased from his shackles, and came to take his spell 
 at the pumps. Without remonstrance he obeyed,, 
 though somewhat sulkily. The sick came from 
 below, but soon sank overcome with the exertion. 
 Others, too, who had hitherto escaped were struck 
 by the fever. Those whom the sea had spared dis- 
 ease now grasped, and the numbers of the crew of 
 the ill-fated Lion began again fearfully to diminish. 
 Still thfr gale blew, and still the ship drove on. At 
 last, the almost unknown Pacific was entered. 
 What laud would bring them up no one could tell. 
 They had no chart to guide no knowledge of 
 the unmeasured ocean across which they were driv- 
 ing. Thus the Lion helplessly pursued her course, 
 the sport of the raging tempest, and vanished, as it 
 were, into obscurity.
 
 208 ANTONY WAYJIOUTH; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 WE left Antony Waymouth and his companions 
 in misfortune on board the ill-starred Lion, which 
 was driving at furious speed across the wide Pacific. 
 For many days no observation had been taken, for 
 neither sun nor stars had been visible. One com- 
 pass alone remained uninjured, and that told them 
 that their course was still easterly, and some began 
 to assert that they would meet with no land till 
 they struck on the vast continent of America. 
 Would their crazy, battered bark float as long ? 
 Would their provisions and water hold out till they 
 could reach some hospitable shore ? No longer was 
 the once docile ship under control ; the rudder had 
 been carried away, and with the scant materials at 
 their disposal they could not construct a new one, 
 nor while the sea ran so high could they attempt to 
 rig it. The foresail still stood and dragged the ship 
 forward, nor could it with safety be lowered, for 
 without it she might have broached to, and all on 
 board have been swept from the decks. By con- 
 tant bailing and laboring at the pumps the leaks 
 could with difficulty be kept under. Yet hope in 
 the bosoms of Waymouth, Raymond, Ap Reece, 
 and some of the braver spirits, was not extinct.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 209 
 
 The more ignorant men, however, began to despair, 
 and would, had not strict watch been kept, have 
 broken into the spirit-room and drunk till they 
 became unconscious of all that was occurring 
 around. 
 
 The fever caught at Bantam had not yet left the 
 crew, and many still lay struck down by it in their 
 berths, while one or more continued every day to be 
 added to the list of victims. Not a day passed that 
 one was not carried off. No one knew who would 
 next be called away. Seldom that more than one 
 died in the day, yet that circumstance seemed to 
 create greater terror than had several died together. 
 " Who has gone to-night ? " was the question asked 
 by the survivors as each morning they met on deck 
 after their troubled rest below. Thus gradually the 
 crew diminished in numbers. How valueless ap- 
 peared the wealth they had with so much toil and 
 danger collected ! Of the officers, Way mouth, Ray- 
 mond, Carlingford, and Ap Reece, with Master 
 Walker and the two young cabin-boys, were the 
 only ones who had hitherto escaped. All .the rest 
 whose names have not been mentioned in this chroni- 
 cle had sunk under the fell disease. Honest Dick 
 Lizard was among' the survivors, and so likewise 
 were Hagger and Soper, and several of the muti- 
 neers. Including them, of seamen, soldiers, and 
 idlers or landsmen not a score and a half still lived. 
 Master Walker had not exhorted in vain, and, 
 abashed and confounded, many of the mutineers 
 
 14
 
 210 ANTONY WAYMOVTH; OR, 
 
 believed that they had by their crime brought down 
 the vengeance of Heaven on their heads. 
 
 Still Hagger and others clung to the idea of pos- 
 sessing the gold, and, hoping that the ship would 
 escape foundering, waited for an opportunity to 
 make off with it, though not knowing whither they 
 could go. They had set. their hearts on the gold, 
 though, like the miser gloating over his hoard, they 
 did not recollect how utterly without value it would 
 be unless it could be exchangd for objects they 
 might require. 
 
 For many days the storm had continued without 
 abating. With short intervals of rest, every one on 
 board had labored at the pumps, and the full, clear 
 streams which flowed from the scuppers as the ship 
 rolled from side to side showed the quantity of 
 water which found an entrance between the planks. 
 Now, as on she drove amidst mist and spray, dim 
 outlines might be seen of land, or seeming land, 
 often high as if composed of mountain-ranges, at 
 other times low, like banks just rising above the 
 water. Some, however, deemed the forms but 
 those of clouds either floating high in the sky or 
 resting on the ocean, and that could they have 
 approached the spots where they were supposed to 
 be, they would have vanished from the sight. 
 
 For several days no such appearances were ob- 
 served ; then, again, more were seen, and once 
 more the ship drove on without a break in the circle 
 of the horizon. At length the storm gave signs of
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 211 
 
 breaking tho seas began to lessen in height, and 
 the wind to howl less shrilly through the rigging 
 of the remaining masts. Almost as suddenly as- it 
 had commenced, the tempest ceased, and the sea, no 
 longer stirred by its power, went rapidly down. 
 
 Next day, as the sun rose brilliantly over the 
 waste of waters, the wind fell altogether. Not a 
 ripple broke the glass-like surface of the ocean ; 
 there was a perfect calm. Slowly at first the huge 
 ship rolled from side to side, and then by degrees 
 all movement ceased, and she lay like a log on 
 the watery waste. No longer tossed to and fro, the 
 planks between which the sea had found an en- 
 trance closed, and the pumps gained triumphantly 
 on the leak. Waymouth, with his few surviving 
 officers and friends, stood on the deck of the shat- 
 tered bark ; the crew lay or sat grouped about 
 forward. 
 
 It was evident to the officers that no longer had 
 they power to guide their ship, and it was proposed 
 to build a boat and in her seek some island where 
 at all events they might find food and water, and no 
 longer be the sport oft the elements. 
 
 Waymouth shook his head. 
 
 " I in no wise object, gentlemen and dear friends, 
 to build a boat," he observed. " By her means we 
 may guide our ship into a port ; but while a plank 
 of her holds together, I, her captain, can by no 
 means desert her. Others may do as they judge 
 convenient I will not counsel ; but my maxim 
 has ever been to stay by the ship to the last."
 
 212 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " And I, dear friend, will stay by you ! " ex- 
 claimed Raymond, stepping forward and grasping 
 "Waymouth's hand. "We are in the power of 
 Providence, and if it is thought fit that we die on 
 some foreign strand why should we complain ? Or, 
 if not, the means will be found by which once more 
 we may visit our native shores." 
 
 " Well spoken and truly," said Master Walker. 
 " I, too, will abide with our brave captain and share 
 his fortunes." 
 
 " I never thought of doing otherwise," cried Ap 
 Reece, " for, to say the truth, I was sure that the 
 knaves who would have deserted him would not be 
 worth caring for." 
 
 The two cabin-boys declared that their only wish 
 was to remain with their brave captain. 
 
 A boat, however, must be built as the surest means 
 of guiding the ship into a harbor or to an anchorage, 
 and at once all hands set to work to accomplish the 
 object. Planks, and ribs, and nails enough for the 
 purpose were found, and all worked most diligently. 
 There was no idleness now. No one showed greater 
 zeal than Peter Hagger and*his former associates. 
 Waymouth, in the generosity of his heart, believed 
 that he was desirous of making amends for his for- 
 mer misconduct. 
 
 The boat was of good size, so that she might, if 
 it was required, carry all hands, either should the 
 ship be about to sink, or be driven against rocks, or 
 cast on shore. Masts and sails were fitted to her,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 213 
 
 and long sweeps, at each of which two men might 
 pull. She was speedily ready, and with reason, for 
 no one could tell at what moment she might be 
 wanted. 
 
 " I hope that we may not want her to carry us all, 
 for it would be a brave thing to take back the good 
 ship, if so be we may find a harbor of refuge to re- 
 fit," observed the captain as he contemplated the 
 boat just completed. 
 
 The storm had continued long, but it seemed as 
 if the calm was about to continue for a still longer 
 period. Day after day the sun rose and shed a hot 
 glare over the glass-like surface of the ocean ; but 
 there the storm-battered ship lay like a deserted 
 wreck, scarcely capable of holding human beings, 
 so forlorn and helpless she looked. Hopeless was 
 the attempt to rig jury-masts, for not a spar "re- 
 mained of a size sufficient to bear a sail. Exertions, 
 however, were made to build a rudder, by which, 
 when the breeze returned, the ship might be guided 
 free from any dangers which might appear ahead, 
 or steered towards a promising anchorage. Mate- 
 rials, however, were scanty, and little expectation 
 was entertained that it would stand any rough 
 usage of the sea. Death, in taking away so many 
 of the crew, had left fewer mouths to feed, and thus 
 there appeared to be a sufficiency of provisions to 
 last for many months, and of water there were 
 many casks full. 
 
 Strange to narrate, the fever at length, in spite
 
 214 AXTONY WAYMOUTFI; OR, 
 
 of the calm, had quitted the ship ; those \vho had 
 last been taken ill were recovering, and the spirits 
 of all somewhat revived. They expected deliverance 
 of some sort, though they could not tell whence 
 it might come. Some had spoken with seamen 
 who had sailed with the famous Sir Francis Drake, 
 and they told of beautiful islands with lofty hills, 
 and fountains of .bright waters, and groves of 
 cocoa-nuts, and many trees with delicious fruits, 
 and roots of various descriptions fit for food, so 
 easy of cultivation that the happy natives lived at 
 ease without the necessity of labor. They failed 
 not, also, to tell of other advantages peculiarly at- 
 tractive to* the taste of seamen. It is not surprising 
 that the delights offered by a life in one of these 
 happy islands became the constant theme of conver- 
 sation among the seamen, till they began to per- 
 suade themselves, that, although their gold might 
 be of little value, they might pass their days with 
 no small amount of contentment. 
 
 Few on board felt their situation more painfully 
 than Edward Raymond. For the sake of one he 
 dearly loved he had become an adventurer that 
 he might make his fortune. He had obtained the 
 wealth he coveted, and now it appeared that he was 
 doomed never to enjoy it. 
 
 While the gale lasted the ship was driving on- 
 ward, and might in reality be approaching home, 
 but now she was motionless, and it seemed that thus 
 she might remain till their food should be exhausted
 
 THE ffENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 215 
 
 and all should die, and the rigging should rot, and 
 the bulwarks and decks decay, and at length the 
 ship herself go down into the depths of the sea. 
 That such had been the fate of many a stout ship 
 with her gallant crew there could be no doubt. 
 Waymouth fully believing, however, that some 
 island would be reached ere long where provisions 
 and water could be obtained, had in no way stinted 
 the crew of their usual allowance. One day, how- 
 ever, the carpenter desired to speak with him. His 
 countenance, expressive of consternation, showed 
 that something was very wrong. 
 
 " What ails it with thee ? " asked the captain, 
 concealing his own anxiety. 
 
 " An' it please your honor, the casks which I 
 deemed full of water have leaked till not a drop in 
 most of them remains," was the appalling answer. 
 " We have not water for another three days."- 
 
 " Bad news indeed, Master Auger, but, ere three 
 days are over, maybe we shall reach some green 
 island where there will be no lack of water and 
 other things to refresh the men," answered the cap- 
 tain calmly. " Make not the news public, however. 
 We must lessen the allowance, and trust that a 
 good Providence will send us relief." 
 
 More than ever was a breeze prayed for. All on 
 board were placed on an allowance of water suffi- 
 cient only to moisten their parched tongues ; yet 
 even thus, as the calm continued, it appeared too 
 likely that it would altogether fail. Gladly would
 
 216 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 the hapless crew have given all the gold on board 
 the Lion for a few casks of the precious fluid. Way- 
 mouth made every effort to keep them employed. 
 A great object was to ascertain the situation of the 
 chief leaks ; and this by perseverance he was ena- 
 bled to do, as well as to stop them. By making the 
 men constantly bathe he prevented them feeling so 
 much as they might have done the want of fresh 
 water ; but, in spite of all his watchful care, there 
 were some bad hearts among the crew who did not 
 cease to plot against him. For a time, notwithstand- 
 ing all their trials and hardships, the bold Gentle- 
 men Adventurers kept up a gallant appearance ; 
 but now, at length, their sufferings began to tell 
 upon them, and their sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, 
 and haggard looks told plainly what they endured. 
 No longer in brave attire with elastic step they paced 
 the deck, but unshaven and with unarranged gar- 
 ments they leaned against the bulwarks, or slowly 
 dragged their feet for a few minutes where they 
 were wont to walk so briskly. 
 
 With longing eyes the horizon was scanned for 
 the signs of a coming breeze. The wind came at 
 last from the west, and once more the ship moved 
 slowly through the water. Hope revived. For two 
 days she continued her course, towing after her the 
 boat which had been launched during the calm in 
 readiness for use. Again the fitful breeze ceased, 
 and the ship lay motionless as before. A slight 
 breeze came, and clouds assembled, and showers
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 217 
 
 fell. The grateful rain was collected in sails and 
 buckets, and saved by every means, and afforded 
 important relief to all remaining on board. So light 
 was the wind that it scarce moved the heavy ship 
 through the water. Three more days passed, and 
 once again the ship began to move. More and more 
 rapidly she glided along towards the east. 
 
 " America will be reached at last, friends, and 
 then it will be hard if some Spaniard fall not in our 
 way whom we may compel to convoy us back to Old 
 England," observed Waymouth as he watched the 
 progress of the ship through the water. 
 
 Once more the hearts of all on board revived ; 
 and well might they, for the sea was calm, the air 
 pure, and the sun shone brightly from out of the 
 blue firmament. Of provisions there were sufficient 
 to last for some time, and the water, if husbanded 
 with good care, might hold out till more rain should 
 fall. The want, however, of fresh meat and vegeta- 
 bles began to tell, and that scourge of mariners, the 
 scurvy, made its appearance. More than ever, there- 
 fore, did Waymouth desire to meet with some green 
 island where his crew might refresh. The pleasant 
 breeze continued, and wafted the ship along at mod- 
 erate speed. 
 
 So limited was the number of officers that "Way- 
 mouth took his watch like the rest. He had been 
 on deck all the afternoon. Edward Raymond took 
 the first night watch. He walked the deck thinking 
 of home. Should he ever return there ? Should
 
 218 ANTONY WAYMOUTB ; O7?, 
 
 he ever be united to her he loved ? He believed in 
 her truth and constancy, and until she received un- 
 doubted proof of his fate, she would not believe him 
 lost. What a solace, what a pure delight was it to 
 him to think of her, of her bright love, of all her 
 noble qualities ! He pitied his friend, and wished 
 that he, too, had before he left England fixed his 
 affections on one worthy of him. His watch at 
 length was out, and he was relieved by Carlingford. 
 The boatswain had appeared to be so completely con- 
 trite that he had been allowed to return to his duty, 
 and was to have the morning watch. 
 
 Wayinouth had slept longer than usual. He 
 knew not how it was. More than once he had tried 
 to arouse himself, and had again fallen off into 
 slumber ; while his cabin-boy had neglected to call 
 him at the proper hour. At length he sprang up, 
 and, dressing with the rapidity of a seaman, he 
 hastened on deck. He gazed for a moment around 
 with mute astonishment. No officer stood ready to 
 receive him, not a man was to be se.en on deck. 
 The sails were lowered, and the ship lay motionless 
 like a log upon the water. He looked astern ; the 
 boat was gone. A dreadful suspicion flashed across 
 his mind : he was deserted. Yet could this be pos- 
 sible ? Surely no. Raymond, his long-tried friend, 
 the soul of honor he would not have left him ! 
 Carlingford, the gallant seaman ! Master Walker 
 the minister, he surely was no hypocrite. Ap Reece, 
 though hot-headed, was warm-hearted and true as
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 219 
 
 steel. He shouted, again and again, " All hands 
 on deck ! all hands on deck ! Your captain calls ! " 
 There was no reply. Was it fancy ? A sound came 
 forward. Before going there, he shouted once more 
 down the after-hatchway. He had got down about 
 half the length of the deck when Raymond's voice 
 arrested him. He for some moments could with 
 difficulty comprehend what had happened. He, 
 too, had likewise only just then awoke from an unu- 
 sually sound sleep. Together they hastened forward. 
 There lay, bound and gagged, Mr. Carlingford, Dick 
 Lizard, and several of the crew. They had all felt 
 unusually drowsy on their watch. Suddenly they 
 had been set upon by Hagger, Soper, and the 
 wretches who had mutinied and been pardoned, 
 and, before they could offer any resistance, they 
 were all knocked down, prevented from crying out, 
 and bound hand and foot. Several of the watch 
 below were treated in the same manner, and with- 
 out delay chests of treasure and provisions had been 
 got up from the hold and placed in the boat, and 
 the mutineers, leaping into her, after lowering the 
 sails, had quitted the ship. For some time after- 
 wards there had been a breeze, so that the sails in 
 the boat must much have aided them in getting to 
 a distance. Waymouth on hearing this at once 
 suspected the whole plan of the treacherous plot 
 which had been so successfully carried out. The 
 mutineers had obtained some narcotic, with which 
 he and his officers and the loyal part of the crew
 
 220 ANTONY WAYMOUTH, OR, 
 
 had been drugged, and thus the watch on deck had 
 been easily overpowered, and allowed them time to 
 load the boat with all they desired and to make 
 their escape. The rest of the officers were found 
 below, unconscious of what had happened ; and 
 Ap Reece, on awaking and examining bis medi- 
 cine stores, discovered that certain drugs had been 
 abstracted which were calculated to produce sleep. 
 
 " Let the villains go. I wish them no further evil 
 than their own deeds will assuredly produce," said 
 the captain. 
 
 " Add, my brother, th'at they may be led to see 
 the error of their ways and repent," said Master 
 Walker. " They have souls, and those souls are 
 precious ; never let us forget that." 
 
 A theft of far greater value than that of the gold 
 was the two casks of water, one only, partly con- 
 sumed, being left. 
 
 " It behooves us to husband this with even greater 
 care than before, though we may be thankful that 
 we have fewer mouths to consume it," was the only 
 remark made by the captain. 
 
 Still the truth must be said. The hearts of those 
 left could not but burn with indignation at the 
 treachery of their late shipmates. It was soon dis- 
 covered to be even greater than at first supposed ; 
 for as soon as the sails were again set and hands 
 were sent to the helm, it was found that the newly 
 constructed rudder had been cut adrift, and that 
 the ship was once more left without the means of
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 221 
 
 being guided so as to escape a threatened danger or 
 to enter a friendly port. Yet there was faith in the 
 hearts of those brave men in God's mercy, which 
 had preserved them hitherto so long, not in their 
 own strength and wisdom, which they had found so 
 utterly to fail them, and they did not despair. 
 
 Towards evening a breeze arose, and once more 
 they were wafted onward in the same direction as 
 before. Such means as seamen have often used 
 were employed to guide the ship, by towing several 
 boards, weighted at one end, astern ; but they only 
 served to keep her head in one direction. All night 
 long they sailed calmly on. When morning broke 
 there was a cry, " Land, land on the larboard bow ! " 
 The sun arose, the blue sea sparkled brightly, and 
 a lovely island appeared, with yellow sand fringed 
 by palms and numerous graceful trees and shrubs, 
 and picturesque hills covered with wood, and water- 
 falls dashing down amid rocks, and pure streams 
 flowing towards the ocean, and blue mountains 
 rising towards the sky in the distance. The ship 
 glided on, nearing the shore. Should she cast an- 
 chor there ? A boat was seen ahead. It was their 
 own boat, carried off by the mutineers. There was 
 a calm spot between the rocks ; the boat ran in. 
 The ship's course would carry her clear of the land 
 unless great efforts were made to guide her in. 
 They watched with anxiety the proceedings of those 
 in the boat. From amid the beautiful groves nu- 
 merous bands of natives rushed out. Their skins
 
 222 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 were dark ; their hair strangely dressed. They had 
 bows and large clubs in their hands. Those in the 
 boat made signs to show that they desired to be 
 friendly, but the dark-skinned natives disregarded 
 them. The seamen endeavored to shove off, but 
 the savages, sending a thick flight of arrows, rushed 
 into the water and seized the boat. The hapless 
 crew in vain endeavored to defend themselves. The 
 savages surrounded them, grappled with them, tore 
 them from the boat with uplifted clubs, and ere 
 many seconds had passed their brains were scattered 
 on the sands. The remaining crew of the Lion 
 gazed with horror on the scene. Not one of their 
 late shipmates remained alive. Truly had retribu- 
 tion speedily overtaken them. 
 
 Quickly, however, the savages were seen to be 
 launching canoes of large dimensions, each capable 
 of containing three to five score of men. It was 
 evident that pursuit was intended. The Lion's 
 guns might have put them to the rout, but her 
 powder had been well-nigh expended, and the little 
 that remained had been greatly damaged by the 
 water. 
 
 Had the ship been under proper government, 
 she might, it was supposed, have run down the 
 canoes, or, at all events, have avoided them, and 
 not allowed them to come alongside ; but as it was, 
 there appeared great probability that the fate of the 
 mutineers might be theirs. Still, like brave men, 
 they felt that they had to do their best and leave
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 223 
 
 the rest to Providence. Thus, with the little pow- 
 der they possessed fit for use, four of the after-guns 
 and a number of the small arms were loaded, and 
 they continued their course. Should any reef be 
 in the way on which it should be their fate to strike, 
 they knew that their fate must be sealed. They 
 could see the black savages making violent and 
 threatening gesticulations as they labored at forcing 
 their canoes into the water. Happily the operation 
 was a long one. The canoes when afloat appeared 
 even larger than on shore ; they were like two 
 large boats united by one wide deck or platform, 
 with one mast. On this a vast sail of matting was 
 set, and over the water they glided at a rapid rate. 
 The warriors on board meantime were brandishing 
 their weapons, and leaping, and dancing, and shout- 
 ing. More and more canoes were launched till a 
 whole fleet was in pursuit of the Lion, which glided 
 on in silence as if unconscious of their presence. 
 A fair breeze had been blowing it began to 
 increase. The farther the Lion got from the land 
 the stronger it blew ; the sea, too, became rougher 
 and rougher. The canoes were closely approach- 
 ing, for in the smopth water they sailed three times 
 as fast as the Lion. Their numbers were over- 
 whelming. Should they persevere, even the Lion's 
 shot would avail nothing against them. Waymouth 
 ordered that not a gun should be fired till he should 
 give the word. On came the foe. The leading 
 canoes were almost up to the Lion, but,4io longer
 
 224 ANTONY WAYMOUTHi OB, 
 
 steady, she began to roll and pitch in the rising sea. 
 Still eager for their prey, the savages persevered. 
 The headmost darted alongside. The Lion's guns 
 were depressed. " Fire, my brave men ! Fire 
 down into them ! " cried Waymouth, setting the 
 example and bringing down a savage, who, by his 
 appearance and gestures, seemed to be a chief. 
 Not a shot was thrown away. Some of the savages 
 who were climbing up the ship's sides were driven 
 back, but others, as the canoes came up, succeeded 
 them. More and more were coming on. Just then 
 a heavy squall struck the ship. Like a restive 
 steed she gave a plunge forward, then rolled from 
 side to side, shaking herself clear of the canoes 
 surrounding her. The savages were driven from 
 their hold ; the canoes were thrown one upon the 
 other, and on sprang the gallant Lion free from her 
 foes. Her after-guns played upon them for a few 
 minutes, but when, baffled and confused, they 
 showed no signs of pursuing, the English ceased 
 firing, and the ship pursued her course unmolested. 
 Grateful as they were for their preservation, it was 
 tantalizing to the crew to sail away from that seem- 
 ingly lovely shore where water and the vegetables 
 they so much needed might be procured in abun- 
 dance. 
 
 " Were it not for the light of gospel truth we 
 might be such as they are," observed Master 
 Walker, pointing at the island. " See the earth
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 225 
 
 in that sweet spot as God hath made it, and see 
 man in those savages as sin has made him, and as 
 he will continue till that blessed light irradiates his 
 mind and heart." 
 
 15
 
 226 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE sorely- battered Lion pursued her course 
 across the wide Pacific. The island of tRe black 
 savages was soon lost sight of. 
 
 " It was the wretches' skins made them so fierce 
 and savage," observed Dick Lizard to a messmate 
 in the minister's hearing. 
 
 " White or black thou wilt find it the same, 
 Dick," he remarked. " The skin is in no way to 
 blame. It is the heart of man which is by nature 
 so desperately wicked. Maybe we shall fall in with 
 some white savages and find them no wise better 
 than the black who have destroyed our late ship- 
 mates and from whom we have escaped." 
 
 The health of the survivors of the once-gallant 
 company of officers and men of the stout ship be- 
 came worse and worse. Scarcely one but showed 
 some signs of the dreadful disease which had at- 
 tacked them. It appeared too probable that the 
 fears of those who predicted that they and their 
 ship would rot away in that mighty ocean their 
 fate unknown would be realized. Again scarce 
 a drop of water remained, but when the last drop 
 was gone, clouds gathered and grateful showers 
 gave them a supply for a few days longer.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 227 
 
 " Were those showers sent without design ? " 
 asked Master Walker. " Surely not ; let us hope 
 on, still trusting in the Lord." 
 
 On, on they glided, sometimes becalmed if driven 
 west, always regaining their lost ground and ad- 
 vancing to the east. Once more their water failed. 
 With parched mouths they began to wish for death 
 to end their sufferings. There was a shout from 
 those on the lookout on deck "Land! land!" 
 Nearer they drew: they could not miss it. An 
 island with hills and groves of trees ; pure water 
 must be there. Some spoke of savages to oppose 
 their landing. As they advanced, a reef was seen 
 over which the sea broke. Were all their hopes to 
 be disappointed ? A passage appeared through the 
 reef, wide enough, it was hoped, for the ship to 
 pass. Could she be taken through ? Anxiously 
 all watched her progress. A temporary steering 
 apparatus, which in smooth water partly served the 
 purpose of a rudder, had been rigged. It required, 
 however, the united strength of all on board who 
 could be spared to work it. Thus no one was idle. 
 Raymond was stationed at the bowsprit end to 
 watch for the appearance of sunken roclis or reefs 
 and to give timely notice to Waymouth, who stood 
 aft to direct the steering and to manage the sails. 
 The land looked more and more beautiful as the 
 Lion approached ; greater would be the disappoint- 
 ment to the suffering mariners should they be 
 unable to land. Before them rose the land as if
 
 228 ANTONY WATMOUTU; OR, 
 
 just painted by the hand of Nature. There were 
 the glittering sands, the palm-trees laden with re- 
 freshing fruit, the shady groves beneath which the 
 cool breeze played wantonly, fertile valleys, hills of 
 fantastic shapes covered with a rich verdure, rug- 
 ged rocks projecting from their sides, and amid 
 them sparkling waterfalls leaping downwards and 
 sending up wreaths of snowy foam as they reached 
 some crystal pools or rushing streamlets at their 
 base. What rest, what quiet, what luxury might 
 be theirs if they could but reach that lovely land ! 
 No natives were seen to impede their landing or to 
 interrupt their enjoyment. That dreadful reef of 
 hard coral was still before them, the sea, elsewhere 
 so calm and blue, dashing against it with fury as if 
 enraged at the barrier it offered to its approach. 
 Still there was that one narrow passage clearly 
 defined, and within they hoped to find a calm 
 lagoon where the ship at length might be brought 
 to an anchor if they could pass through it in safety. 
 
 The breeze increased, driving the Lion either to 
 safety or to utter destruction. Raymond stood 
 pointing right ahead, with his hand now diverging 
 slightly on one side, now on the other. 
 
 "Haul away, lads, haul away!" shouted Way- 
 mouth. " Now steady ! steady! " 
 
 The foam rose high on either side, curling over 
 and falling in showers on the inside of the reef, the 
 wind blowing it here and there, and, as the ship 
 plungedr onward amid it, almost concealing Ray-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS 229 
 
 mond, who, however, made no sign of alarm. The 
 ship pitched violently, the breakers roared, the foam 
 flew around her, and then gliding on, her crew per- 
 ceived that she floated in a tranquil lagoon shel- 
 tered completely from the howling gales or raging 
 seas. A cheer burst from their throats very dif- 
 ferent from the battle-shouts of former days which 
 were wont to make the Portugals tremble in their 
 shoes. The sails were furled, the anchor let go. 
 
 " Brethren, let us, as is becoming, offer our hum- 
 ble thanks to a merciful Heaven, which has brought 
 us into this haven of safety," exclaimed Master 
 Walker, and all joined heartily in the good minis- 
 ter's prayer. 
 
 Those were days when men were not ashamed 
 to worship together and to acknowledge the lov- 
 ing Providence which guarded them from danger. 
 Boats were lowered, and while one-half of the rem- 
 nant of the once-gallant crew remained on board 
 to guard the ship in cas"e of surprise, the other, well 
 armed, proceeded on shore to explore the island, 
 and to procure, without delay, the much-longed-for 
 fruit and water. The party in the boats, led by 
 Waymouth, proceeded cautiously. They had had 
 evidence of the ' treachery of the natives in those 
 regions, and they every moment expected to see a 
 band of savages rush out from among the rocks and 
 trees to attack them. All was silent. Eagerly 
 they stepped on shore. Waymouth posted a few 
 men on the lookout, while the rest proceeded to
 
 230 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 knock down the cocoa-nuts and to suck out the de- 
 licious juice, not forgetting to take some to their 
 comrades on guard. Then they hurried on to the 
 nearest fountain, which gushed forth from the rocky 
 side of a hill. Here filling their water-casks, they 
 rolled them down to the boats, one of which, laden 
 with them and cocoa-nuts, forthwith returned to the 
 ship. Waymouth, with his small band, next pro- 
 ceeded to examine the island. He could scarcely 
 believe that so lovely a spot should remain unin- 
 habited, yet so it seemed no sign of life, at all 
 events, was there. The whole circuit of the island 
 was made, and not a human being was seen. On 
 their return, however, Ap Reece, who was explor- 
 ing in a sheltered bay hitherto unvisited, shouted to 
 "Waymouth and the rest to come to him. They de- 
 scended, and a spectacle met their view which told 
 too clearly the sad history of those who had once 
 inhabited that lovely island. Scattered about above 
 high-water mark lay the fleshless bones of numbers 
 of men, the spears and arrows or darts which had 
 deprived them of life still remaining. They were 
 warriors, for the bony fingers of some still grasped 
 the spears or clubs with which they had in vain at- 
 tempted to defend their native shore. But where 
 were the women and children ? They had undoubt- 
 edly been carried off by the conquerors. It was a 
 melancholy scene, on which, probably, from the 
 day of the battle no human eye had rested no tear 
 had been dropped for their fate. A stricter search
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 231 
 
 was now instituted. Fields were observed in which 
 roots and various plants were cultivated. On as- 
 cending the hills, in sheltered nooks, and always in 
 some picturesque situation, habitations were discov- 
 ered of curious and neat workmanship, apparently 
 riot long deserted. Ap Reece declared it as his 
 opinion that the island was of volcanic origin, and 
 that probably a burning mountain would be found 
 in it. They continued their explorations, and on 
 reaching the summit of one of the highest hills in 
 the island they observed in the distant horizon what 
 looked like faint blue clouds resting on the water, 
 but which Waymouth pronounced positively to be 
 land. -It was, therefore, probable that, although 
 the island on which they were was uninhabited, 
 they had neighbors from whom a hostile visit might 
 some day be expected. 
 
 " Lest they should come we must be prepared for 
 them," said Waymouth. 
 
 " What we have seen, dear friends, proves that, 
 lovely as is this earth, wherever man is found there 
 a paradise does not exist," observed Master Walker. 
 " Those who search for such a spot search in vain, 
 believe me." 
 
 Many of those who heard Master Walker's remarks 
 might at other times have refused to acknowledge 
 their justice, .but suffering had tamed the pride of 
 all, and all were inclined to agree with one who had 
 ever shown himself a true friend and counsellor. 
 One thing was certain, that the island would afford
 
 232 ANTOXY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 them ample means for refreshment, and a delightful 
 abode ; the land was evidently fertile in the extreme, 
 the scenery lovely, and the climate delicious. Hav- 
 ing come to this conclusion, they returned on board 
 to take the place of their comrades, who had been 
 panting to put foot on shore. 
 
 Waymouth had a consultation with his officers, 
 and it was agreed that their first work should be to 
 land the guns, and stores, and freight, and to heave 
 down the ship that her damages might be examined, 
 and, if possible, repaired. Short-handed as they 
 were, this was a work of time. The freight was 
 very great, and although the mutineers had carried 
 off much gold, still a vast quantity of immense 
 value remained. There was gold and silver in 
 bars and coins, and in numberless utensils, and fig- 
 ures, and crucifixes, and candlesticks, and there were 
 precious stones, and silks, and spices, and all sorts 
 of rare and rich commodities ; but as their owners 
 hoisted them with aching arms out of the hold, and 
 conveyed them to the shore, they sighed as they 
 thought how utterly valueless they were to them 
 now, and how, too, probably they might never 
 reach England, where they could be enjoyed. Huts 
 were built in which all these valuables were stored, 
 even before the adventurers erected habitations for 
 themselves. Those were warlike times, and, accus- 
 tomed to fighting as they were, their next care was 
 to dig trenches and to pkce their guns in position, 
 so that they might defend themselves and their
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 233 
 
 property should any foes attack their island. A 
 considerable time was consumed in these labors, 
 though, Waymoutli setting the example, the officers 
 . worked as hard as the men. Often, indeed, so 
 unequal at first was their strength to the task they 
 had undertaken, that even the strongest fell faint- 
 ing to the ground from their exertions. Gradually, 
 however, with the pure air and water, and the 
 ample vegetable diet they enjoyed, they regained 
 their health and strength, even though the rest they 
 so much required was denied them. Having com- 
 pletely emptied their ship and dismantled her, even 
 her ballast being got out, they waited till a high 
 tide, and placed her on shore. It was with anxious 
 eyes that they watched the carpenter as he made an 
 examination of her hull. With auger and mallet 
 in hand he went over every part of the ship. He 
 then desired to speak to the captain alone. It 
 was some time before Antony "Waymoufch again 
 appeared among them. 
 
 " Friends, hear me," he said in a firm voice. 
 " You are brave men, and will dare all that men 
 can dare, but it is the opinion of our carpenter (and 
 you know that his judgment is good) that our once 
 stout ship is not 'in a fit condition to continue our 
 voyage. Had we the means of repairing her we 
 might do so, but they do not exist, and we must be 
 content to abide our time here, or to proceed by 
 such other means as Providence may send us." 
 
 This address of the captain was warmly received,
 
 234 ANTONY WAYMOUTS; OK, 
 
 and his spirit appeared to be infused into theirs. 
 Raymond probably heard the announcement with 
 more pain than any one else. His hopes of return- 
 ing home seemed forever cut off. Should he ever 
 again see his beloved Beatrice ? What probability 
 was there of a ship visiting that island ? In build- 
 ing the boat carried off by the mutineers they had 
 exhausted so large a portion of the remnant of their 
 stores that they had not sufficient to build another. 
 One thing he was determined to do. He would 
 cherish his love for Beatrice to the last gasp of life, 
 and would make every effort which strength and 
 means would afford to return to Old England. 
 Waymouth highly applauded his resolution. 
 
 " Beshrew me, dear coz," he said, "it was a 
 cruel wrong that I unwillingly did thee when I 
 induced thee by my persuasions to come out to 
 these savage regions ; yet I did it for love of thee, 
 and with good intentions, and thus I know that 
 thou harborest no ill-will towards me in conse- 
 quence. But keep up thy heart, Ned; we know 
 not what happy turn fortune may take. Perchance, 
 after all, we may patch up the old Lion so that she 
 may perform the remainder of the voyage across 
 this wide Pacific. We have well-nigh performed 
 half of it already. Then courage, Ned, courage. 
 Let us live on in hope." 
 
 " Thanks, dear captain. I neither blame thee 
 nor allow hope and my heart to part company," 
 answered Raymond. " I know not how it may
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 235 
 
 
 
 happen, but still I hope to see the white cliffs of 
 England before I die." 
 
 " So, marry, do I," exclaimed Waymouth, his 
 own spirits rising as he talked with his friend. 
 " We'll make the old Lion swim. There are trees 
 for planks and spars ; we must set our saws to 
 work, and try what can be done. It may take time, 
 but what matters that, provided we succeed in the 
 end ? " 
 
 The people generally, however, made no com- 
 plaint of their lot, and as Waymouth kept them 
 constantly employed without over-exerting them, 
 they had no time to contemplate the future. , 
 
 The most important question which arose was 
 how they should support existence after the pro- 
 visions which they had brought in the ship were 
 exhausted. Fish might be caught, and there were 
 roots, and fruits, and herbs which Ap Keece and 
 Master Walker pronounced to be nutritive and good 
 when properly cooked, but such diet would scarcely 
 suit the stomachs and support the strength of Eng- 
 lishmen accustomed to the meat diet of their native 
 land. There were no beasts on which they could 
 feed, and the birds, which were mostly water-fowl, 
 could only be obtained by being shot. Now although 
 there was no want of fire-arms, nor of lead for 
 bullets and small shot, there was only powder 
 enough left to enable them to discharge the great 
 guns once, or fire a few rounds of musketry. This 
 matter caused the officers considerable concern.
 
 236 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 Should they repair the ship or huild another craft, 
 they must have provisions, and powder for their 
 defence and for procuring provisions ; crossbows, 
 to be sure, might be manufactured, but they were 
 inefficient weapons compared to fire-arms, though 
 several on board were well accustomed to their use. 
 There was a great probability, also, that they 
 would be attacked some day by the natives of the 
 islands they saw in the distance, and although vic- 
 tory would be certain if they could use their fire- 
 arms, without them they might be overwhelmed 
 by numbers and conquered. Still they went on 
 strengthening their fort, improving their dwelling- 
 houses, and making experiments in the cultivation 
 of the various roots and fruit-bearing plants and 
 shrubs they found in the island, as if they fully 
 expected to remain, at all events, some time on the 
 spot. They then began fashioning planks and spars 
 for the ship, setting up a forge for the iron-work, 
 and, as their canvas had been almost exhausted, 
 in converting some of their rich silks damaged, 
 however, by the water into sails by sewing many 
 folded together, thus making them far stronger 
 than any ordinary canvas. All these were works 
 which must of necessity occupy a length of time. 
 There was but one carpenter and one artificer who 
 understood the blacksmith's craft. All the others 
 had to be instructed before they could render any 
 efficient aid, but as all were anxious for the result 
 they labored willingly and learned rapidly.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 237 
 
 On examining the stores which had been landed, 
 four well-secured casks were discovered which had 
 been taken out of one of the last prizes captured. 
 The contents were not known till one day Ap 
 Reece, searching for a chest of drugs, examined 
 one of them, and pronounced them to. contain 
 saltpetre. 
 
 " Ah ! that villanous drug of which Will Shak- 
 speare speaks," exclaimed Way mouth. "To us it 
 might be precious if combined with charcoal and 
 sulphur; but whence is the latter to be pro- 
 cured ? " 
 
 " We'll see ; perchance it may not be so hard 
 to find as my noble captain supposes," answered 
 Ap Reece. 
 
 On hearing this Waymouth cheered up greatly. 
 
 " Many are the obligations we are under to you 
 already, my good friend, and a still greater debt 
 shall we owe to you if you discover the means of 
 thus supplying our chief wants. Sulphur, I know, 
 is brought home in ships from Italy, but in what 
 other parts of the world it is found I know not," 
 answered Waymouth, who made no profession of 
 scientific knowledge. 
 
 " In a few days I hope to prove that I am right in 
 my conjectures/' answered the surgeon. " At all 
 events, I pray thee have the saltpetre carefully 
 guarded. I will set forth at break of day to-mor- 
 row in search of this article we so much covet." 
 
 When Master Walker heard of the search for 
 sulphur, he shook his head, exclaiming
 
 238 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " Alack ! alack ! but the other day we were all 
 pronouncing this isle to be a paradise on earth, and 
 now are eagerly seeking for the means of destroying 
 life. Believe me, no paradise can exist where the 
 sUafts of death can reach." 
 
 Ap Reece was right in his conjectures. After 
 searching for several days, he not only discovered 
 a large amount of sulphur, but the crater of a vol- 
 cano whence it had proceeded. Charcoal was next 
 to be made, and when that was produced the sur- 
 geon commenced his preparation of gunpowder. 
 Great was the disappointment, however, when the 
 result appeared to be a complete failure. A black 
 powder was produced, which burnt, but its explosive 
 qualities were very imperfect. 
 
 Nothing daunted, however, he again set to work. 
 Numberless experiments were made, and at length 
 success crowned his efforts. The powder was pro- 
 nounced as good as that in the small cask they had 
 remaining. Months, however, had rolled on from 
 the time of their first landing till the powder was 
 produced. Though all had worked hard, the re- 
 pairs of the big ship had made no great progress. 
 Want of skill and want of tools was the cause of 
 this. They had now, however, forged tools, and 
 were gaining skill. Necessity truly is the mother 
 of invention. Those who had never before handled 
 axe or hammer were becoming fair carpenters and 
 smiths. Sometimes as they examined the old Lion, 
 and timber after timber and the whole lower part
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 239 
 
 of the planking was found to be rotten, they were 
 almost in despair. Some even declared that it 
 would be useless to continue the work, till Way- 
 mouth's cheerful voice aroused them. 
 
 " Look at those noble trees, lads ! Cannot they 
 be made to produce as good timbers and planks 
 as those that are rotten, think ye ? " he exclaimed. 
 " See the planks we have already formed ! All we 
 want is time. What we may not effect in six 
 months we surely can in twelve. Cheer up, brave 
 lads ! cheer up ! " 
 
 Such were the encouraging words he was wont to 
 address to his men, and they had their effect. Two 
 canoes had been formed ; they were merely trunks 
 of trees hollowed out, but they served the purpose 
 for which they were intended to fish from in the 
 calm lagoons round the coast. Since a supply of 
 powder had been obtained they were used for shoot- 
 ing wild fowls, whose haunts could be approached 
 by their means on the water far more easily than by 
 land. 
 
 Such was the state of affairs when one day 
 Edward and Carlingford, with the two young cabin- 
 boys, Dick Lizard, and another man, had gone out 
 in the canoes prepared either to shoot birds or to 
 fish. The weather being calm, and they also being 
 on the lee side of the island, they ventured outside 
 the reef to a greater distance than was their custom 
 in order to visit a rock some little way off on which 
 they expected to find an abundance of birds. They
 
 240 AS TON Y WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 reached the rock in safety, and found not only birds 
 but eggs in vast quantities, which would afford a 
 healthful and pleasant change of diet. Well pleased 
 with thus obtaining an ample supply of food with 
 little trouble for the eggs were to be had for the 
 picking up, and the birds by knocking them down 
 with sticks without firing a shot they at once 
 began to fill their canoes. They had well-nigh com- 
 pleted their cargoes, when, on looking seaward, 
 Edward's eye fell on an object on the water seem- 
 ingly approaching them. They soon discovered it 
 to be a large double canoe. They had had proof 
 of the treacherous nature of the savages of those 
 regions. They soon came to Jhe conclusion that 
 unless they wisheti to engage in a sanguinary contest 
 with the people on board the big canoe it would be 
 wiser to return forthwith to the mainland. By the 
 aid of their fire-arms they might undoubtedly come 
 off victorious, but not without killing many of the 
 savages, and this Edward was most anxious to avoid 
 doing. All the scenes of battle and bloodshed 
 through which he had gone had not hardened his 
 heart, and he longed for the time when he might 
 sheathe his sword and never draw it more. 
 
 The Englishmen took their seats in their small 
 skiffs, and the savages in their large vessel ap- 
 proached the rock. They had come probably for 
 the purpose also of .collecting eggs and birds. The 
 canoes had got about half way to the main island 
 when they landed on the rock. They could not
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 241 
 
 have been long there before they must have discov- 
 ered that it had been visited, and their eyes being 
 directed towards the island, they must have dis- 
 covered the canoes. 
 
 Although the large double canoes of those seas 
 sail at a prodigious rate when once launched, they 
 are so heavy that they cannot with ease be pushed 
 off from the land. Before this was accomplished 
 the wind had risen, blowing from the island towards 
 the rock. Edward and his companions paddled on 
 with all their might. Their fire-arms would avail 
 them nothing if the strangers were to attempt to 
 run them down. It was with great satisfaction, 
 therefore, that they saw the breeze rise, which as 
 they drew near the shore offered no opposition to 
 their light canoes. 
 
 " Very probably those savages are some of the 
 people who destroyed the inhabitants of this island," 
 said Carlingford. " They will have discovered our 
 traces on the rock, and will fancy that some of their 
 enemies must have escaped them." 
 
 " Whatever they think, we may expect a visit 
 from them ere long," answered Edward. " We 
 must be prepared for them, and as maybe there is 
 no time for delay and we cannot afford to lose these 
 birds and eggs, we must load ourselves with them 
 and carry them across the island." 
 
 Drawing their canoes out of the water and con- 
 cealing them in the bushes, they loaded themselves 
 with the birds, carrying the eggs in baskets, and 
 
 16
 
 242 ANTONY WAYMOUTR; OR, 
 
 hurried on, leaving Mr. Carlingford to watch the 
 proceedings of the strangers. 
 
 On receiving the information brought by Edward, 
 Waymouth summoned his followers from all direc- 
 tions into the fort and made arrangements for their 
 defence. The canoes which had pursued them 
 must have each carried a hundred men or more, 
 and as they did not muster altogether more than 
 tbirty souls, they could not expect without some 
 difficulty to drive off their assailants. All their 
 preparations were completed when the lieutenant 
 brought word that the strange canoes had sailed 
 away towards the land in the north-east. This in- 
 cident showed them more than ever the necessity of 
 being on their guard against surprise, and conse- 
 quently lookouts were stationed on two high points 
 in different parts of the island to give notice of the 
 approach of any strange canoes. 
 
 Fortunate was it for the adventurers that they 
 had a leader possessed of so much judgment and dis- 
 cretion as well as bravery. Some had begun to 
 grumble at having two persons taken off every day 
 from the important work of repairing the ship, when, 
 ten days after the circumstance above mentioned, 
 one of the watchmen came hurrying in to announce 
 the appearance of a large fleet of double canoes 
 there might be fifteen or more, but it was difficult 
 at the distance they were off to count them. The 
 other lookout-man having been sent for, the first, 
 with Lizard, went out to watch the proceedings of
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 243 
 
 the strangers. Waymouth, urged by Master Walker 
 and Raymond, resolved, if possible, to treat them as 
 friends, and to avoid bloodshed as long as he could. 
 One of the chief objects in building the fort was to 
 defend the ship, and some of the guns were so 
 placed as to play upon all approaching her. 
 
 Every possible precaution had been taken, when, 
 in the evening, Lizard arrived, bringing the infor- 
 mation that the enemy had lauded, and appeared 
 to be making preparations to encamp on the shore. 
 He computed that there could not be much fewer 
 than a thousand of them. There were no women or 
 children ; and as they were all armed, and decked 
 out with paint and feathers, there could be no doubt 
 that they had come with some hostile intention. 
 Night came on, and the savages did not approach. 
 It was possible that they might not be aware of the 
 presence of the white men ; or if they had by any 
 means discovered the erection of the fort, they 
 might purpose to attack it during the night. At 
 all events, it was necessary for the adventurers to 
 keep a vigilant watch. 
 
 The hours of darkness passed away. No foes 
 had appeared. It was possible, however, that they 
 might be watching in ambush in the neighborhood 
 to rush into the fort as soon as the little garrison 
 were off their guard. Waymouth was not a com- 
 mander to be thus taken by surprise. As soon as 
 dawn had broke he sent out scouts to examine the 
 thickets around. No foes were there concealed ;
 
 244 ANTONY WAYMOUTHj OR, 
 
 they therefore advanced farther and farther. Gain- 
 ing a height which commanded a valley along 
 which the savages would probably approach, a party 
 of them were seen advancing along it and examining 
 the country on either side ; some going first were 
 evidently scouts, and tracing out the track made by 
 the adventurers as they crossed the island. The 
 savages were seen to halt, and they remained station- 
 ary till they were joined by a considerably larger 
 body. The English scouts hurried back to the fort. 
 They had not long reached it when the scouts of 
 the enemy were seen emerging from the valley. 
 They drew back when they caught sight of the fort, 
 and evidently understood its object. One thing, 
 however, it was very evident that they did not under- 
 stand the power of the guns mounted within 
 it for in a short time their whole army collected 
 within range, so that it would have been in the 
 power of the English to have destroyed a large 
 number without giving them warning. 
 
 At Master Walker's suggestion, Way mouth, be- 
 fore allowing a shot to be fired, resolved to try what 
 negotiation might effect. A white flag was hoisted 
 in the fort, but it was totally disregarded : the sav- 
 ages did not understand its meaning. Several then 
 volunteered to go out and speak to them ; but as 
 no one comprehended their language, that would 
 be of no use. Master Walker recommended that 
 some presents should be carried and placed on the 
 ground midway between them. This was done ;
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 245 
 
 but the savages, instead of placing others in their 
 stead, rushing forward, carried them off with shouts 
 of derisive laughter, taking the gifts more as a 
 tribute than as a token of amity. 
 
 Another effort was to be made. Edward and 
 Carlingford advanced, making signs of amity, but 
 it seemed that they were not understood, for sud- 
 denly some hundreds of the savages, with fearful 
 yells, rushed forward, with clubs uplifted as if to 
 destroy them. -Such evidently was their intention. 
 Waymouth saw that there was but one way to save 
 the lives of his friends, and he gave the order to 
 the arquebusiers to open their fire to the right and 
 left of the English and over their heads, while at 
 the same time the great guns belched forth flame 
 and shot on the advancing masses. The effect was 
 magical. Numbers fell to the ground overpowered 
 by fear rather than by wounds, some fled, others 
 stood still, but none advanced. Before any had 
 recovered from their panic, Edward and his com- 
 panion were in the fort. The savages, after a short 
 time regaining courage, collected in vast numbers 
 on the land side of the fort, gazing with wonder at 
 it, and at the ship, of which they could obtain a 
 good view. The artillery had not done sufficient 
 execution to show them its power ; and once more 
 flourishing their clubs, and leaping and shouting, 
 they advanced towards the fort. 
 
 This was no time for trifling. Should they per- 
 severe in the face of the fire-arms, they might by
 
 246 ANTONY WAYAIOUTH; OR, 
 
 their numbers alone overwhelm the little garrison. 
 Waymouth ordered the guns to be fired this time 
 directly at the foe. The effect exhibited when the 
 smoke cleared off was indeed like the work of 
 magic ; the space lately filled with leaping, shout- 
 ing beings was entirely emptied, except here and 
 there a few dark forms which lay writhing or 
 stretched at length and motionless on the ground. 
 Not another savage was to be seen. 
 
 A shout was bursting from the lips of the adventu- 
 rers at this speedy repulse of their foes, when there 
 was a burst of flame, a terrific roar, the earth shook 
 under their feet, earth, and rafters, and clods of 
 grass came showering down on their heads, and the 
 cries and groans of wounded men struck the ears 
 of the rest with alarm. Their magazine had ex- 
 ploded, and every grain of powder, except such as 
 was in the guns turned seaward and in the pouches 
 of the arquebusiers, was destroyed. Two of their 
 number had been killed by the explosion, and 
 several were wounded by the falling fragments of 
 the building. Even the bravest began to despair, 
 and to believe that they were about to be slaugh- 
 tered by the savages. The voice of Waymouth 
 once more restored their confidence. 
 
 " What, lads ! are we, who have for years past 
 fought and conquered countless numbers of Portu- 
 gals, Turks, and infidels of all sorts, to be downcast 
 because a few casks of gunpowder blow up and a 
 few score of naked savages are shrieking away in
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 247 
 
 front of us ? " he exclaimed. " Cheer up ! What 
 has happened is but the fortune of war. Probably 
 the savages, having had a specimen of our prowess, 
 will not venture again to molest us, and if- they do 
 we have still some powder and sharp swords with 
 which to defend ourselves." 
 
 These words had the effect intended. Ap Reece 
 attended to the wounded. The two poor fellows 
 who had been killed bringing out the powder were 
 buried, and the adventurers waited with calmness 
 for the return of the savages, should they again 
 venture on an attack. Waymouth was certain that 
 they still remained in the neighborhood, as now and 
 then a person could be seen passing in the far dis- 
 tance, and he was loath to send out a scout lest -he 
 might be set on by any natives lying in ambush and 
 carried off. 
 
 Darkness returned. Strict watch was kept, and 
 few of the adventurers closed their eyes in sleep. 
 Long and dreary seemed the night. "Would the 
 savages pluck up courage and return to the attack ? 
 If they were of the same character as those who 
 had destroyed the mutineers, more ferocious sav- 
 ages it would be hard to find. Sounds were heard 
 during the night, but the stars were obscured by 
 clouds and mist, and no object could be discerned 
 at any distance from the fort. 
 
 Morning at length returned, and by the light of 
 day it was discovered that both the dead and the 
 wounded had been carried off. It was important
 
 248 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OK, 
 
 to ascertain whether the enemy still lurked in the 
 neighborhood. Several of the party volunteered to 
 go out for this object. Waymouth accepted the 
 offer of* Carlingford and young Martin. Their 
 progress was anxiously watched from the fort. 
 They at length disappeared among the trees. Their 
 friends trembled lest the savages might set on them. 
 Now two objects were seen moving on a hill in the 
 distance : it might be them. Two hours passed 
 away. They did not appear. Either the enemy 
 having taken their departure, they had proceeded 
 across the island, or they had been set upon and 
 destroyed. Several wished to go out to search for 
 their friends, but this Waymouth would not allow. 
 Their fears were, however, banished .when their lost 
 friends were seen approaching. They brought the 
 intelligence that the savages had embarked in their 
 large canoes and had sailed away. This was satis- 
 factory news. 
 
 In vain, however, did they endeavor to manufac- 
 ture some powder instead of that which had been 
 destroyed. Without saltpetre they could do nothing. 
 For some time, also, they could make no progress 
 with the ship. The carpenter and smith had both 
 been injured by the explosion, and the two men 
 killed had been among the best artificers. Often as 
 Waymouth and Edward examined the work, they 
 agreed that it might have been wiser to have built a 
 new vessel altogether of much smaller dimensions. 
 Still, notwithstanding all their disappointments
 
 
 f 1 H| 
 
 m
 
 THE GEXTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 249 
 
 and difficulties, they proved themselves to be true 
 men by perseveringly laboring on. One error was 
 allowed to bo committed. When all fears of the 
 return of the savages had subsided, the desire to 
 obtain birds was so great that the powder was ex- 
 pended to shoot them, those on the rock having been 
 mostly frightened away. Many more months passed 
 away. Had it not been for good Master Walker, 
 who ever reminded them of the Sabbath, and ex- 
 horted them on that day to refrain from work, they 
 would have lost all note of time. 
 
 The hull was at length almost completed ; the 
 sails were manufactured, and a supply of cordage ; 
 the masts had next to be formed and got in, as also 
 the spars. The larger trees best suited for the pur- 
 pose were on the opposite side of the island, and a 
 party had gone across to select some for the purpose 
 required, when, after a time, they were seen hurry- 
 ing back with looks of consternation. They had 
 cause for alarm. A fleet of canoes twice as numer- 
 ous as that of their former visitors was seen approach- 
 ing the island, and would sooii be on shore. Signals 
 were made to recall all those at a distance into the 
 fort. Every means which could be thought of was 
 taken to strengthen the fortifications. An examina- 
 tion was made of the remaining powder. The error 
 which had been committed was evident ; there was 
 not enough to load all the great guns, leaving none 
 for the smaller pieces, and of that little which re- 
 mained a considerable portion was damp, and would 
 require to be dried before it could be used.
 
 250 ANTONY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 Wayinouth, in this emergency, endeavored as 
 before to inspire his followers with courage. He 
 ordered .three guns to be loaded pointing in the 
 direction by which it was expected the savages 
 would approach if their purpose was to attack the 
 fort. The rest was divided among the arquebusiers, 
 who were charged not to throw a shot away. There 
 were a few crossbows which were eagerly brought 
 into requisition, and every man had besides a pike, 
 battle-axe, and sword, so that, compared to the 
 savages, they were well armed. Still it was fearful 
 odds for eight and twenty men to contend against 
 a thousand. The night was approaching. The 
 sun went down in an angry mood, and the wind 
 began to blow strongly, and went on increasing till 
 it raged fearfully among the tall palm-trees, which 
 bent like willow wands before its fury. Fiercer and 
 fiercer it blew. 
 
 Sentinels were posted round the fort, for it was 
 conjectured that the savages might make their ap- 
 proach during the darkness, in the hopes of taking 
 the garrison by surprise. The gray dawn appeared. 
 No foe was in sight. Just, however, before the sun 
 should arise for his beams could not penetrate 
 through the dark canopy of clouds overhead sud- 
 denly from every quarter on the land side appeared 
 from among the trees large bodies of savages dressed 
 with their war ornaments, and wildly flourishing 
 their weapons, while, as they rushed on, they ut- 
 tered the most fearful shrieks. Nearer they ap-
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 251 
 
 preached. At a signal from Waymouth the guns 
 opened on them ; but though many were laid low, 
 this did not stop the rest. The guns no longer 
 roared. The foe came on as before ; like ants they 
 swarmed round the fort. The arquebusiers reserved 
 their fire till the enemy was close upon them. Now 
 began the fierce strife. As the savages rushed on 
 they were driven back with the bullets which hailed 
 on them, with thrusts of pikes and blows of battle- 
 axes. Still more came on. These were no ordi- 
 nary savages. It was evident that they were well 
 accustomed to scenes of bloodshed : they fought 
 more like demons than men. They were driven 
 back only to return with greater fury, like the 
 waves of the stormy ocean. 
 
 Three of the adventurers lay dead, several more 
 were wounded ; still the brave band encouraged 
 each other to persevere. They mostly fought with 
 desperation, not expecting to escape, but resolved 
 to sell their lives dearly. More savages were com- 
 ing on, when suddenly they paused. Those who 
 were fighting drew back with astonishment in their 
 countenances. Waymouth, who was everywhere, 
 rushing here and there to aid those the most hard 
 pressed, turned his eyes seaward, and there he 
 beheld a fine ship with her tacks aboard, endeavor- 
 ing to beat off the island, which it was evident she 
 had discovered at daybreak, when too late, close 
 under her lee. She might escape the most danger- 
 ous reef, but there was a point of land on which he
 
 252 siXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OB, 
 
 judged that she must inevitably strike. All the Can- 
 vas she could carry was set, and heeling over to tho 
 gale she plunged furiously through the foaming 
 seas. He shuddered to think what would be the 
 fate of her crew should they fall into the hands of 
 the savages, and he longed to be able to hurry to 
 their assistance. The savages, meantime, it seemed, 
 believed that she was some being sent to the as- 
 sistance of those with whom they were fighting, 
 and, calling loudly to each other, they sprang 
 back out of the conflict, and the whole body rushed 
 away into the cocoa-nut grove, and were soon hid 
 from view.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 253 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 BEATRICE WILLOUGHBY was seated, with her em- 
 broidery before her, in the with drawing-room of 
 the old hall where her childhood's happier days had 
 been passed. Her dress showed that she had los't 
 some near relative. In truth, the Lady Willoughby, 
 her mother, had been summoned to happier realms, 
 and she and Hugh were left orphans, alone in the 
 world, all in all to each other. Hugh had altered 
 much for the better. He felt his responsibilities 
 that his dear sister was greatly dependent on him 
 anu her happiness had become his chief care. She 
 was not, however, dependent for support on him, 
 for she had a handsome dower, which would enable 
 her to live as became her rank. She was not alone ; 
 Hugh was there, seated at a window, engrossed in a 
 book of travels, for to see the wide world had be- 
 come the great desire of his heart. Unable himself 
 to wander forth to foreign lands, he obtained every 
 .book in his power which described distant countries 
 and the adventures of those who had visited them. 
 
 Beatrice had a more sociable companion than her 
 brother in sweet Constance Raymond, who, having 
 lost the old knight her father, had lately taken up 
 her abode with her friend. Both girls were mis-
 
 254 ANTONY WAYMOUTHi OR, 
 
 tresses of themselves, and enjoyed no small satisfac- 
 tion in feeling their independence. Hugh no longer 
 affected Mistress Constance. He had been so long 
 in her company that he had learned to look on her 
 in the light of a sister whom it was his duty to pro- 
 tect and support as he felt that lie should his own 
 sister Beatrice. In truth, sweet Mistress Constance, 
 being a year or more older than Hugh, and of a 
 somewhat vehement if not imperious temper, had 
 herself done much to cure him of the tender senti- 
 ment which at one time seemed about to spring up 
 in his bosom. 
 
 The young people were not, however, without 
 one who acted the part of a guardian, although he 
 could not claim the legal right of being so. This 
 was honest John Langton Captain John Langton 
 a devoted friend and follower of their honored 
 father, Sir Hugh Willoughby. Sickness had pre- 
 vented him from going that fatal voyage from which 
 the brave knight never returned. Captain Langton 
 was an experienced seaman ; he had made many 
 voyages to various regions, and was a man of great 
 judgment and discretion. Although the snow of the 
 winter of life had already sprinkled his head, his 
 health and strength were unimpaired, while the 
 spirit of adventure which had tempted him abroad 
 in his younger days lay smouldering within his bo- 
 som, ready to burn up should occasion blow upon 
 it. He lived in a small mansion close by the hall, 
 where he was an almost daily visitor.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 255 
 
 It may be supposed that the very constant sub- 
 ject of conversation between the two young maidens 
 was the fate of him who had been so long absent, 
 and of whom since they had last received tidings 
 more than two years had passed long, long years 
 they had been to them. Still they lived on in hope 
 of hearing of Edward, or some day of seeing him 
 walk in, full of health and strength, and to hear him 
 recount the adventures he had gone through. As 
 to the wealth he had coveted, it mattered little to 
 them whether he brought it or not, provided he was 
 never again tempted to go in search of it. There 
 was another, too, in whose fate, though he knew not 
 of it, the lovely Constance was interested. When 
 Edward had written home he had spoken little of 
 his own deeds, but he had enlarged greatly on the 
 gallantry of his friend Waymouth, and her enthu- 
 siastic imagination adding lustre to his acts, she 
 had pictured him to herself as worthy of being a 
 hero of romance, and had without hesitation en- 
 couraged that sentiment towards him, which, if not 
 love, was nearly allied to it. 
 
 Hugh, who had come'to the end of his book, and 
 was gazing out of the window, wondering when he 
 should have the opportunity of visiting the scenes 
 described therein, suddenly exclaimed 
 
 "There is a stranger coming along the paths. 
 His dress, much the worse for wear, betokens him 
 to be a seafaring man, and his features are dark and 
 weather-beaten. Maybe he brings tidings from the 
 distant Eastern seas."
 
 256 AXTOXY WAY110UTU; on, 
 
 The hearts of his fair hearers beat quick as they 
 heard these words. Who could this weather-beaten 
 stranger be ? They in the same breath- entreated 
 Hugh to hasten out and to bring in the seaman lest 
 he should pass by, not that i| was likely he would 
 so do without stopping to ask an alms or the means 
 of proceeding on his way. He was evidently foot- 
 sore and weary, and probably hungry and poor, and 
 as such alone claimed their compassion. Hugh 
 gladly hurried out, and soon returned with the way- 
 farer. He was a man of middle age, and, though 
 his countenance spoke of toil and torrid climes, he 
 was stout of limb and broad of shoulder, and had 
 no lack of work in him ; and, though his garments 
 were worn almost to tatters, they had once been of 
 a rich description. He doffed his battered beaver 
 as he entered the hall, and stood before the fair 
 dames in a humble posture, waiting till they ad- 
 dressed him. 
 
 " Whence come you, stranger, and what brings 
 you into these parts? " asked Beatrice in a gentle 
 voice calculated to give encouragement to the per- 
 son she addressed. 
 
 She spoke not without hesitation, and in truth 
 she had no great expectation of hearing aught of 
 him she loved. 
 
 " I come, lady, from far-distant regions ; my call- 
 ing is on the sea, my birthplace near Gloucester ; 
 and landing at Plymouth without rhino in my 
 purse, food in my pouch, or friends to afford me
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 257 
 
 any, I have been working my way as best I could to 
 that home where I hope to find rest and quiet after 
 all my toils," answered the stranger bluntly. 
 
 "What took you to those foreign lands?" asked 
 Beatrice, somewhat disappointed with the answer. 
 
 " My own folly, and, maybe, greed of gain," he 
 replied in the same tone. " I gained wisdom, and 
 might have gained wealth had it not taken to itself 
 wings and flown away." 
 
 But with whom did you sail to those far-distant 
 realms ? Surely you went not alone ? " said Con- 
 stance in a tone which showed that she might not 
 be inclined to brook a saucy answer. 
 
 " Your pardon, fair ladies ; I saw not the drift of 
 your questions," replied the seaman. " I sailed in 
 the company of a brave admiral, 'Captain Lancaster, 
 on board his tall ship the Red Dragon, with several 
 other goodly ships, the Serpent, the Lion, the Lion's 
 Whelp " 
 
 " Can you give us tidings of any on board the 
 Lion ? " exclaimed Beatrice, eagerly interrupting 
 him. 
 
 The stranger shook his head. 
 
 " Bad tidings only, I fear, sweet ladies," he an- 
 swered with some feeling. " Of all that gallant 
 company, captains, and officers, and men, I am the 
 only one, to the best of my belief, who yet breathes 
 the air of heaven except," he added, seeing the 
 effect his words were producing on his fair auditors, 
 " one of the ships, storm-driven, found a haven of 
 
 17
 
 '258 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 which I know nothing ; the remainder of the brave 
 squadron I saw go down into the ocean depths with 
 all their gallant crews " 
 
 "What what was the name of the ship which 
 may have escaped that dreadful doom ? " exclaimed 
 both the fair girls at once in accents scarcely artic- 
 ulate from agitation. 
 
 " The Lion was the ship, once commanded by 
 Captain Wood, and, when he became admiral, by 
 Captain Antony Waymouth, as brave an officer as 
 ever held a sword," answered the seaman, evidently 
 now wishing to speak to the purpose. " We had 
 long been parted from him, I being still on board 
 the Red Dragon, when a fierce tempest arose so 
 fierce I had never before encountered. One by one 
 we saw consorts, long battered by the waves and 
 shattered in battles innumerable, go down, all on 
 board perishing. Scarcely could the Red Dragon 
 keep afloat, much less render assistance to others. 
 Her turn came. We had been driving to the east, 
 hoping to find a haven where we might repair our 
 damages, when, even in sight of land, the tempest 
 still raging, a whole plank, it seemed, started, for, 
 without many minutes for preparation, the big ship 
 began to settle bodily down into the sea. There 
 was no time to cut loose the boats no time to 
 form a raft. I felt the deck sink under me ; shrieks 
 and cries arose. I clutched a large spar which had 
 been left unsecured on deck, and found myself 
 floating amid the foaming waves. My companions
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 259 
 
 in misfortune gradually disappeared. One by one 
 they sank down till I was alone. The storm sub- 
 sided. For nearly, two days I clung to the spar, 
 and when my strength was well-nigh gone, a ship 
 of the Hollanders, sailing from land, took me aboard. 
 The gale had but sunk to rest for a season. It 
 rose again, and the stout ship was driven before it 
 far to the east amid islands with which no one on 
 board was acquainted. We explored among them 
 for a long time, but the hurricane season was not 
 over. Our captain observed signs of a coming 
 storm, and with a sagacity for which those Hol- 
 landers are justly famed he brought up inside a 
 reef, where, sheltered from the sea, we might lie 
 safely at anchor. While there, the gale continuing, 
 I saw a ship approaching, and feared greatly that 
 she might be dashed on the reef. Anxiously I 
 watched her as she drew near. I knew her at once, 
 having so long sailed in her company. She was the 
 once tall ship the Lion, now sadly shattered and 
 shorn of her beauty. She escaped the reef but by 
 half a cable's length, it seemed, and on she drove to 
 the westward. As long as I could see her from the 
 mast-head, to which I ascended, escaping all dan- 
 gers, she drove in the same direction. Scarcely 
 could I hope, however, with the numberless islands 
 which besprinkle 'that ocean, she could drive clear 
 of them all. Still she may have escaped. The 
 gale continued for many days. Sometimes the 
 wind dropped, but the skipper refused to leave the
 
 260 AX ray Y WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 shelter of the reef, and sure enough before long the 
 storm raged again more furiously than ever. It 
 was his opinion, too, that the gale would continue 
 blowing on towards the east, so that a ship might 
 be driven half round the world by it before she 
 would again find herself in a calm. But I weary 
 you, fair ladies." 
 
 " Go on, go on, good friend ! " exclaimed Bea- 
 trice, her bosom heaving with agitation. " Didst 
 ever gain further tidings of the Lion ? " 
 
 " No, lady, not from that day to this," answered 
 the seaman. " All I know is that it was the Hol- 
 lander's opinion if any of her company survive they 
 must be dwelling on one of the islands of the 
 Pacific, on whose shore, undoubtedly, the ribs of 
 the good ship are lying." 
 
 " Beatrice ! Hugh ! let us go and search for 
 them ! " exclaimed Constance, springing up with 
 her eyes streaming, and her hands clasped in an 
 appealing attitude, first turning to one and then to 
 the other. " Stranger, could you guide a ship in 
 the direction in which you think they were driven ? 
 We would search every shore, we would visit every 
 island in that mighty Pacific, till we found them. 
 It were a shame if we were to allow my noble 
 brother Edward and that gallant Captain Antony 
 Waymouth to perish on some desert isle without 
 making an effort to save them, and bring them 
 back to their native shores. Hugh, the credit of 
 your manhood is at stake an' you decline to help
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 261 
 
 us, and I know Beatrice too well to doubt that she 
 will bear me company, and go I will round and 
 round the world if I can find men to man the 
 ship." 
 
 " I promise you, sweet coz, that if you go I will 
 bear you company, and I will answer for brother 
 Hugh," said Beatrice, taking her friend's hand. " I 
 would, however, that good Master John Langton 
 could have a word with this stranger ; he would 
 understand far more of his account than, with our 
 small knowledge of sea affairs, we can do. What 
 is thy name, friend ? We will ask Captain Lang- 
 ton to come up to the hall to see thee." 
 
 The seaman looked somewhat puzzled as he 
 replied 
 
 " I am known, lady, as simple Josiah Weedon, 
 and I will gladly talk with Master Langton, but I 
 have an aged mother and sister, and a wife who 
 was sorely displeased at my leaving her before, and 
 I doubt that she will let me quit home again ; yet 
 to please two such sweet ladies as you are, and to 
 bring back to the world two such gallant gentlemen 
 as Captain Antony Waymouth, and his lieutenant 
 Master Edward Raymond, I would again risk the 
 dangers of the sea and part from my loving spouse, 
 provided we were simply to make the voyage out 
 and home, spending some fixed time in the search." 
 " Thanks, Master Weedon, thanks ! " exclaimed 
 Constance enthusiastically ; " we would join our 
 prayers with yours to persuade your wife to let you 
 come, if that would avail."
 
 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " My better-half, ladies, is one woman in a thou- 
 sand. If she will, she will, you may depend on't ; 
 if she won't, she won't, and there's an end on^t. I 
 will hie me home, and should she consent I will 
 send you word ; if not, you will know that I am 
 kept bound in the chains of matrimony." 
 
 Suddenly Hugh recollected that probably the 
 stranger was hungry, which he confessed to be the 
 case. Refreshment was therefore placed for him in 
 the dining-hall, to which he set himself to do ample 
 justice, and while he was discussing it Beatrice 
 sent a messenger to summon Master Langton. The 
 old captain soon appeared. His astonishment at 
 hearing the account given by Weedon was very 
 great, but far greater was it on hearing of the 
 resolution to which his fair friends had so suddenly 
 arrived. He knew Constance too well by this time 
 to attempt to combat it. Before he made any 
 remark, however, he had a long conversation with 
 the stranger. He seemed perfectly satisfied that 
 he was honest and his statements true, though he 
 doubted much the likelihood of the missing ship 
 being found. It was not a matter to be settled in a 
 hurry ; much discussion would be required, and he 
 could not find it in his heart to oppose the scheme 
 altogether. 
 
 Pressed by Hugh, Master Weedon gladly con- 
 sented to remain that night at the hall to rest, and 
 if he ate and drank abundantly he deserved his 
 provender in return for the way he plied his tongue
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 263 
 
 for Hugh's benefit. Hugh would scarcely have 
 allowed him to sleep had he not cried out that his 
 tongue could wag no more. Next morning, while 
 discussing the ale and beef and whcaten bread 
 placed before him at breakfast, he was compelled by 
 the young man to begin again, and before he was 
 permitted to go on his way he had given Hugh a 
 large amount of information about those eastern 
 seas and strange lands among which he had so long 
 wandered. The ladies had filled a satchel with 
 good food, and pressed on the seaman a purse 
 with a store of coin to enable him with ease to 
 reach his journey's end. There was little doubt 
 that the subject Would be discussed by the two 
 maidens and Hugh. In truth, morning, noon, and 
 even, it was the only matter about which they could 
 speak ; even Captain Langton caught much of 
 their enthusiasm. Hugh was fully as warm as his 
 sister or Constance. Means would not be wanting 
 between them to fit out a tall ship able to sail 
 round the world. John Langton must be cap- 
 tain ; they would take no refusal. Master Josiah 
 Weedon should be pilot if his wife would let him 
 go, and if not, no doubt he could give such direc- 
 tions to Captain Langton as would enable him to 
 sail in the direction they desired, where they might 
 perchance discover the Lion. At length their 
 importunity, if not their reasoning, succeeded in 
 overcoming all Master Langton's scruples, and he 
 consented to search for a suitable ship, to fit her
 
 264 AXTONY WAYMOUTH) OR, 
 
 out and store her, and to find the necessary officers 
 and crew. Not many days had elapsed, and just as 
 Captain Langton was about to set off for Plymouth, 
 when Josiah Weedoii arrived habited exactly as' 
 before. 
 
 " Fair ladies, Master Hugh, I am ready to sail 
 with you to any part of the world you may desire," 
 he exclaimed as he entered the house. " Things 
 are changed since I left home, and beshrew me I 
 was an idiot to expect it to be otherwise. My good 
 old mother is in her grave ; had she been alive I 
 should have had a different tale to tell. My sister 
 is married and gone far away I know not whither, 
 and my wife, why she has gone away with my sister 
 and a new husband of her own into the bargain, 
 and not a soul in the place would acknowledge me. 
 My doublet is threadbare and tattered. Josiah 
 Weedon was always the best-dressed man in the 
 village. I was a wretched beggar. Josiah Weedon 
 was to come back with a dozen packhorses laden 
 with gold and precious stones. Many more bitter 
 remarks were made, and finally I was kicked out 
 of the village as a rogue and vagabond, and glad 
 enough to hurry back that I may lay my sword and 
 services at your feet, fair ladies, right willing to do 
 your behests in any way you may command me." 
 
 The young people did not doubt the truth of Mas- 
 ter Weedon's story, and, after he had fed, Hugh 
 hurried him off to Captain Langton that he might 
 accompany him the next morning to Plymouth.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 265 
 
 While the captain and pilot were selecting a ship 
 and fitting her out, Hugh, with his sister and Con- 
 stance, was engaged with those learned in the law 
 in arranging for the necessary funds and the dis- 
 posal of their estates, should they not live to return 
 to the shores of Old England. Yet so sanguine is 
 youth that not one of them ever for a moment 
 believed that they should not return successful. 
 Hugh was the least likely to be disappointed ; he 
 would, at all events, see much of the world, and 
 would meet with many adventures. He forgot that 
 it is possible to meet with disagreeable as well as 
 agreeable adventures. 
 
 Before long Captain Langton wrote word that he 
 had purchased a stout ship, which Constance insisted 
 should be called the Esperanza, or Hope. Captain 
 Langton was well known, and he had little difficulty 
 in selecting a goodly company, especially when the 
 object of the voyage was understood. Many young 
 gallants offered their services on hearing that Mis- 
 tress Beatrice Willoughby and Mistress Constance 
 Raymond were themselves going on it, and were 
 much disappointed on having them courteously re- 
 fused. Captain Langton selected as his officers 
 staid, steady, and' trusty men, who were likely to 
 keep one object in view their duty and not 'to 
 depart from it. 
 
 The tall ship Esperanza, with banners and 
 streamers flying and the white canvas spread to the 
 breeze, sailed down Plymouth Sound on her way to
 
 266 ANTONY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 the far-off lands of the East. Never ship bare richer 
 freight, for never sailed over the salt seas two fairer 
 damsels with more loving, faithful hearts. Fair 
 blew the breeze, calm was the sea, just rippled by 
 the joyous wind, and bright the sky overhead. 
 Even John Langton caught some of the enthusiasm 
 of his young charges, and could not help predicting 
 a favorable termination to the adventure. Well 
 was the good ship called the Esperanza, for all on 
 board felt hope reigning in their bosoms except 
 Master "Weedon, the pilot. When rallied on his 
 gravity he replied 
 
 " I prithee do not ask me to rejoice at the pros- 
 pect of the future who have been oft so cruelly 
 deceived. If matters turn out well, good ; it will 
 be time enough to rejoice then ; if ill, it will be but 
 as I expect. I shall at least have the satisfaction 
 of knowing that I have not laughed in vain. 
 Meantime I will do my duty, and guide the ship 
 towards those regions where the fair dames and 
 their brother desire to proceed. May their star be 
 a happier one than mine ! " 
 
 This was the usual style of Weedon's remarks. 
 Inside a rough shell there was a tender heart, 
 which had been sorely wounded by the reception he 
 had encountered on his return to the place of his 
 birth. 
 
 Hugh Willoughby, on the contrary, was full of 
 life and animation. Every thing he saw was new 
 and strange, and afforded him delight, and he
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 267 
 
 looked forward without doubt to the complete suc- 
 cess of their enterprise. The ship sailed on without 
 interruption till the burning rays of the sun, which 
 shone down on the deck, making the pitch to 
 bubble up out of the seams, and driving the ladies 
 to seek the shadow of the sails, warned them that 
 they were already in southern latitudes. The elder 
 seamen laughed at the notion of the weather being 
 hot. 
 
 "Do you call this hot?" said Master Weedon. 
 " Why, good friends, we were wont during calms in 
 those eastern seas to cook our victuals on the bare 
 planks or on a sheet of tin placed on the deck. I 
 can certify that we shall have it far hotter than 
 this." 
 
 The breeze still held fair, though coming off the 
 lanc^of Africa, said to lie some twenty leagues away 
 on the larboard beam. 
 
 " A sail ! a sail ! " was shouted by the seaman on 
 the watch in the top. "To the eastward, and 
 seemingly approaching us," he replied to the 
 questions put to him. 
 
 Mariners sailing over the ocean in those days had 
 to be on their guard against foes in every direction. 
 Every preparation was made to give the stranger a 
 warm reception should he prove an enemy. The 
 heavy guns and all fire-arms were loaded ; battle- 
 axes, pikes were got up, and placed with slow 
 matches in readiness for use ; swords were girded 
 on, and the deck of the Esperanza generally so
 
 208 ANTOXY WAY MOUTH; OR, 
 
 quiet and peaceful assumed a thoroughly warlike 
 appearance. 
 
 When all things were ready, Hugh approached 
 the ladies. 
 
 " Fair friend and sweet sister, I am about to 
 exert some little authority over you," he said. 
 " Should yonder stranger prove to be a foe, you 
 must descend into the hold, where you will be free 
 from danger. When we have driven off, or cap- 
 tured, or sunk the enemy, we will summon you 
 from your prison-house to rejoice with us in our 
 victory, and to reward those 'who have exhibited 
 most valor in the fight." 
 
 To this arrangement neither Beatrice nor Con- 
 stance showed any inclination to agree. 
 
 " But suppose one of the foeman's shot was to 
 deprive you of life," argued Hugh. " In battle, 
 methiiiks, bullets pay little respect to persons." 
 
 " We shall but die in the performance of our duty 
 and in the execution of our mission," answered 
 Constance. 
 
 Hugh, not quite comprehending her remark, 
 observed 
 
 " Yes ; but one might die, and one might escape 
 and alack for the survivor ! " 
 
 Still the ladies insisted on remaining. 
 
 " Take your will, take your will, fair ladies. I 
 would not quarrel with you at such a time," he said 
 in a mournful tone. " But I pray that neither of 
 you may be killed, though, perchance, a bullet may
 
 THE GEXTLEMKN ADVENTURERS. 269 
 
 tear open that fair cheek, or a splinter may deprive 
 sweet Beatrice of an eye. Although I doubt not 
 Edward's love would stand the test, it would be a 
 sorry plight in which to greet him should we haply 
 discover the land where the Lion is cast away." 
 
 The fair damsels looked at each other. 
 
 " Brother Hugh, we will follow your counsel and 
 seek shelter in the hold,, where we may offer up 
 prayers for your safety," said Beatrice humbly, 
 Constance signifying, at the same time, tiiat she 
 agreed with her friend. 
 
 The stranger approached. A crescent was seen 
 on her green ensign. She was undoubtedly a Sallee 
 Rover. They were in the latitude where those vul- 
 tures of the ocean were wont to cruise. Hugh hur- 
 ried the ladies below. The ports of the Esperanza 
 were closed, and many of the crew hidden away 
 under the bulwarks, so that she looked but little 
 able to defend herself. Not that any ship in those 
 days went to sea unarmed as well might a lamb 
 attempt to sport among a troop of hungry lions. 
 The Sallee Rover approached, with her infidel ban- 
 ners flying, her brazen trumpets braying, and her 
 deck covered with turbaned swarthy Moors, expect- 
 ing to obtain an easy victory. 
 
 John Langton kept his good ship on her course 
 without replying. He well knew that, should vic- 
 tory not be obtained, the alternative must be death, 
 or worse than death a life-long slavery. Not a 
 man on board but resolved to triumph or to go down
 
 270 ANTONY WAYMOUTII; OR, 
 
 fighting for his own sake, but much more for the 
 sake of the fair ladies he had sworn to serve and 
 protect. 
 
 Louder blew the trumpets of the Moors as their 
 ship came within shot of the Bsperanza. Nearer 
 and nearer they drew. Their purpose, it seemed, 
 was to run the English ship on board, and to over- 
 come her crew by superior numbers. Captain 
 Langton watched for the best moment to fire. Al- 
 ready the dark-skinned infidels stood, with their 
 cimeters in hand, crowding the side, and some in 
 the rigging, ready to spring on board. 
 
 " Raise the ports, and give it them ! " shouted the 
 brave English captain. 
 
 His gallant crew cheerfully obeyed, and the next 
 instant twenty Moors were seen struggling or dead, 
 prostrate on the deck of the Rover, which made a 
 vain attempt to haul her tack aboard and sheer off. 
 Again the English crew loaded their guns ready to 
 fire, as with a crash she ran alongside. This time 
 they were pointed at her hull, and fearful was the 
 execution they caused. Many of the Moors endeav- 
 ored to spring on the deck of the Esperanza, but 
 they were driven headlong back with pikes and bat- 
 tle-axes, too late to regain their ship, which broke 
 clear of the Englishman, and they fell headlong 
 into the sea. Then fearful shrieks arose as the Es- 
 peranza sailed on the Sallee Rover was sinking. 
 Was mercy to be shown to those who never showed 
 it to others? The choice was not'allowed them.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 271 
 
 Before the canvas could be taken off the English 
 ship, the Rover had sunk beneath the sea, and not 
 a Moor remained struggling on the surface. 
 
 Beatrice and Constance, finding that the firing 
 and turmoil of battle had ceased, entreated that 
 they might come on deck. They gazed around in 
 astonishment on every side ; no foe was there ; and 
 except a few of the crew with limbs bound up, and 
 here and there the white splinters where the shot 
 from the Rover had struck the bulwarks, not a 
 vestige of the fight was to be seen. Even then the 
 eyes of most on board were gazing at the spot where 
 the Rover had gone down, as if they expected to 
 see her emerge again from her watery grave. The 
 damsels could scarcely believe their senses. 
 
 " Heaven has fought for us," said Captain Lang- 
 ton. " We did our duty, but no power of ours 
 could have accomplished what has been done. I 
 pray that it may prove the first of many successes 
 leading to that which may crown our hopes." 
 
 "I pray so too, kind friend," answered Beatrice, 
 her eyes filling with tears as she thought of the 
 danger from which they had been preserved. 
 
 Such was the tone of feeling of the voyagers 
 ay, and of many of the boldest adventurers of 
 those days. They gave Heaven the praise for all 
 their deliverances and successes, and threw the 
 blame when they failed on their own folly and neg- 
 lect. There were clear-sighted, right-judging, and 
 truly pious men in those days, who were laying the
 
 272 AXTOxr WAYMOUTH; on, 
 
 foundation of England's glory and power. The ago 
 which produced a Shakspeare produced many other 
 gigantic intellects and true men. 
 
 The Esperanza sailed on, hope swelling the hearts 
 of her owners and a fair wind her canvas, till Afric's 
 southern cape, known by the name she bore, that of 
 Bona Esperanza, appeared in sight. 
 
 Master Weedon counselled that they should not 
 enter Table Bay, but proceed on to Saldanha Bay 
 as more convenient for watering, and where they 
 were less likely to receive interruption. As they 
 drew near two tall ships were seen at anchor. 
 They might be foes more likely than friends, where 
 foes were so numerous and friends so few. The 
 captain seemed doubtful whether it were wise to 
 enter. 
 
 " We may fight them if they oppose us, and 
 conquer them as we did the Rover," cried Hugh. 
 " Maybe when they know our errand, whatever 
 their nation, they may be inclined to aid us." 
 
 Master Weedon seemed rather doubtful of this, 
 but Captain Langton sided with Hugh, and. the Es- 
 peranza was accordingly steered towards the bay, 
 running up a white flag as a signal of truce at the 
 fore. It was well that this precaution was taken, 
 for the strangers proved to be two Hollanders, 
 always jealous of the English who appeared in 
 those parts. The captains, however, when they 
 found that their trade was not to be interfered 
 with, and that there were two fair ladies on board
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 273 
 
 the Esperanza, proved themselves to be honorable 
 and courteous gentlemen. They begged permission 
 to visit the English ship, and offered all the aid in 
 their power to forward the object of the adventu- 
 rers. 
 
 This aid was gratefully accepted, and picked men 
 from their crews being sent by them the rigging of 
 the Esperanza was quickly set up, and other repairs 
 effected, and wood and water got on board, so that 
 she' was able to sail to the east in their company. 
 Scarcely were the three ships out of sight of land 
 when several sail were espied coming from the west. 
 The Hollanders hailed to notify that they must be 
 part of a Portugal fleet which they had reason to 
 expect ere long in those seas. Should the Portu- 
 gals espy them they would assuredly make chase and 
 not spare either ships or crews should they come 
 off victorious. As more strange ships were seen 
 coming up, flight was their only prudent course. 
 All sail was made, accordingly, to escape. The 
 strangers had espied them, for they also crowded 
 on canvas in pursuit. Captain Langton informed 
 the Hollanders that no English fleet had of late 
 sailed with so many ships as now appeared. 
 
 " Then they are Portugals, and we must escape 
 them if we value our lives or liberty," was the an- 
 swer. 
 
 Though the Hollanders were stout ships, yet the 
 Portugals had faster keels, it seemed, for in spite of 
 the wide spread of canvas set by the former they 
 
 18
 
 274 ASTON? WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 gained rapidly on them. The Esperanza might have 
 gone far ahead ; and though the Hollanders hailed 
 and begged Captain Langtou so to do, he replied that 
 it went against his stomach to do such an act to 
 desert those who had befriended him. Hugh ap- 
 plauded his resolution, and Beatrice and Constance 
 agreed with him. The Esperanza therefore short- 
 ened sail that she might not run away from her 
 heavier-sailing consorts. They insisted, however, 
 that she should keep a short distance ahead, that 
 they might bear the first onslaught. 
 
 Theresas ample time to make every preparation 
 for the fight, and the shades of evening were coming 
 on before the leading ships of the Portugals got up 
 with the stout Hollanders. It was now to be seen 
 whether to sail fast or to fight stoutly were of most 
 avail. So fiercely did the Hollanders receive their 
 assailants that the first three of them dropped astern 
 in confusion ; others coming up were treated in 
 the same manner. Hugh was so delighted with the 
 bravery of the Hollanders that he begged Captain 
 Langton to drop astern into the fight. 
 
 " No, no, the post of honor is the station assigned 
 to them," answered the captain. " Should any of the 
 Portugals pass our friends it will then be our duty 
 to fight them. Let us not wish to deprive the brave 
 Hollanders of the glory they are winning for them- 
 selves."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 275 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE Hollanders sailed steadily on : the wind 
 freshened. Still more of the Portugal ships were 
 coming up : the three friends held steadily on their 
 way. The Hollanders sent heavy shot from their 
 sterns, sorely discomposing their pursuers. The 
 wind, too, was increasing, and clouds were gather- 
 ing, and darkness coming on. It was clear that the 
 Portugals were being drawn away from their intend- 
 ed port. This encouraged the Hollanders to hold 
 out ; yet they contended against fearful odds. Now 
 the whole Portugal fleet, crowding on still more sail, 
 pressed up to overwhelm them. It would have been 
 wiser of the said Portugals had they allowed their 
 expected prey to pass on their way unmolested. A 
 terrific blast struck their ships, rending sails and 
 snapping spars and topmasts in every direction, and 
 throwing the whole fleet into confusion ; while the 
 stout Hollanders, with their stronger canvas, glided 
 calmly on, uninjured by the gale, though sorely bat- 
 tered by the shot of the enemy. Darkness speedily 
 came on, and shut out their foes from their sight. 
 When morning broke, not an enemy's ship was to be 
 seen. Captain Langton hailed the Hollanders grate- 
 fully to acknowledge, the gallant protection they had
 
 276 ANTONY ITAYMOUTHi 07?,. 
 
 afforded the Esperanza ; whereon the two captains 
 appeared, and, waving their hats, assured him that it 
 was their delight and pleasure to serve ladies as fair 
 and excellent as those who sailed on board her. The 
 heavy sea running prevented any further .commu- 
 nication for some days. Thus escorted, the Espe- 
 ranza sailed on towards Batavia ; whence it was pro- 
 posed that she should take fresh departure towards 
 the little-known seas to the east, whither the Lion 
 had been seen driving. Space will not allow an ac- 
 count of all the attentions paid to Beatrice and 
 Constance at Batavia, and the magnificent fete 
 which the governor gave in their honor ; for, even in 
 those good old days, fair ladies were not often found 
 sailing round the world in search of lost lovers and 
 Bothers, albeit the so doing was a most praiseworthy 
 ami commendable act. Certes, few damsels would 
 be so confident as were these two heroines, that, 
 should they succeed in their search, the brothers or 
 lovers would be ready to exhibit that amount of 
 gratitude which Beatrice and Constance looked for 
 as their reward. It was reported that Constance, 
 who wr^ V-o-.vii only to be looking for her brother, 
 received and refused .uncounted offers of marriage 
 from the governor, as well as from all the chief un- 
 married officers of the colony who could aspire to 
 that honor, and that she was entreated to reconsider 
 the subject, and to return to their fair port ; while 
 Beatrice was assured, with all the delicacy of which 
 the mind and language of a .tlondiiaer is capable,
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. ' 277 
 
 that, should she not succeed in her search, it would 
 be entirely her own fault should she remain long in 
 single blessedness. 
 
 Happily, the sickly season had not commenced at 
 Batavia. before the Esperanza was once more ready 
 for sea ; and thus the adventurers escaped the fate 
 which has overtaken so many voyagers who have 
 visited those sickness-causing shores. The governor 
 and all the chief officers accompanied the ladies to 
 their boat ; the whole population gathered to see 
 them embark ; handkerchiefs waved, shouts arose, 
 prayers for their safety were uttered ; and the guns 
 from the forts and all the shipping in the harbor 
 fired as the anchor of the Esperanza was won from 
 its oozy bed, and, the sails being spread, she glided 
 forth on her perilous way. 
 
 It was reported that the governor and several of 
 his officers shed tears as they thought of all the 
 numberless dangers to which those fair dames would 
 be exposed ; but on that point the author of this 
 faithful chronicle feels some doubt, for reasons which 
 he does not consider right to disclose. 
 
 The fair damsels themselves felt few alarms or 
 doubts : they were grateful for all the kindness they 
 had received, and still more thankful that they had 
 escaped from the place, and were once more on the 
 free ocean. They had no longer cause to dread in- 
 terruption from Portugals or from the ships of other 
 civilized nations. The Governor of Batavia had 
 given them letters charging all true Hollanders to
 
 278 AX TONY WAYMOUTHi OR, 
 
 render them every assistance in their power, and 
 they hoped by watchfulness and prudence to escape 
 from the hands of the savage people inhabiting the 
 countries towards which they were sailing. They 
 were well supplied with provisions and ammunition, 
 and hoped that they might be delayed in no place, 
 except to make the necessary inquiries for the Lion, 
 and to take in water and wood ; for, albeit heroines 
 are described in romances as performing long jour- 
 neys without food or shelter, ships cannot sail over 
 the ocean without stopping to take in fresh supplies 
 of water that their crews may drink, and wood with 
 which to cook their victuals. 
 
 As yet, not a word respecting the Lion or her pos- 
 sible fate had they heard. Still their spirits did not 
 flag while they approached the spot where Master 
 Weedon had last beheld her. Seamen were sta- 
 tioned in the tops to keep a lookout for any strange 
 sail, or for islands where the information they sought 
 might be obtained. Again want of space prevents 
 a description of the many places at which they 
 touched, and the strange people they beheld. The 
 Esperanza held her course to the east, skilfully nav- 
 igated, and escaping many dangers. Right well and 
 faithfully did Master Weedon fulfil his engagement : 
 he pointed out the very reef within which the Hol- 
 lander had taken shelter when he had seen the Lion 
 drive by. 
 
 " Henceforward," he concluded, " I will submit 
 to the superior knowledge of Captain Langton in 
 the guidance of our good ship."
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 279 
 
 Due east the Esperanza now sailed. Mariners in 
 those days troubled not their heads about circular 
 storms or any such theories ; and therefore it was 
 concluded, that if a gale was blowing from the west, 
 before which the Lion was driven, she most assuredly 
 would be found to the east. Now on one hand, now 
 on the other, islands were espied and visited ; but 
 no information was obtained. Either .there were no 
 natives, or they fled at the approach of the strange 
 ship ; or, when natives were found, no means ex- 
 isted of exchanging ideas between the voyagers and 
 them. 
 
 At length an isle appeared ahead ; its mountains, 
 as first seen, scarcely to be distinguished from the 
 sky, as they rose out of the blue ocean, now growing 
 more and more distinct, till they assumed new and 
 picturesque forms, some exhibiting dark and rugged 
 rocks, lofty precipices, towering pinnacles, or round- 
 ed and gentle slopes covered with umbrageous 
 groves. Here bays or inlets were seen, and green 
 valleys and dark ravines extending far inland. A 
 reef appeared, extending partly round the island, 
 with openings in it through which the ship might 
 sail, and find a secure anchorage within. No dan- 
 gers appeared ahead ; and, skilfully piloted, the Es- 
 peranza came to an anchor. Captain Langton, 
 however, like a wise leader, observed carefully how 
 he might speedily again get to sea should circum- 
 stances require it. Words would fail to describe 
 the beauty of the island to which the adventurers
 
 280 ANTONY WATMOUTH; OU, 
 
 had come, the brightness of the atmosphere, the 
 purity of the air, the sparkling waterfalls, the yellow 
 sand, the tall palm-trees, the gorgeous flowers, the 
 groves, the valleys, and the mountains before men- 
 tioned. There were natives ; for their habitations 
 of considerable size and varied form were perceived 
 amid the trees. Before long, some were seen com- 
 ing off in canoes ; but it seemed that the ship was 
 a strange thing to them, for none of them dared 
 approach her. As observed at a distance, they were 
 dark-skinned men, tall of figure, with much rude 
 ornament, and their hair curiously dressed out in 
 various forms. Still it was possible that they might 
 be mild and gentle of disposition ; and as the adven- 
 turers were anxious to hold communication with 
 them, Master Weedon offered to visit the shore, and, 
 presenting trinkets and such-like things which had 
 been brought for the purpose, invite them on board. 
 It was with no small amount of anxiety that he 
 was watched, as, with four men in his boat, he ap- 
 proached the beach. No one drew nearer till he 
 had landed: when, taking the treasures he had 
 brought from the boat, he held them up, first to- 
 wards one canoe, then towards another ; and then he 
 placed them on the sand, and returned to his boat. 
 Thus tempted, the savages landed, and quickly 
 made their way towards the articles on the beach. 
 They were soon seized on and examined ; and in a 
 brief space of time afterwards the savages seemed 
 as ready to go on board the ship as they before
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 281 
 
 seemed desirous of keeping away from her. Before 
 long, canoes appeared from many other quarters. 
 Captain Langton, observing this, considered a while, 
 and then called Hugh to him. 
 
 " There is a saying, Master Hugh, that we should 
 look upon all men as honest till we find them rogues ; 
 but methinks it were safer in these regions to con- 
 sider all rogues till we find from long experience 
 that they are honest," he observed. " Now, I sus- 
 pect, from the way these people at first avoided us, 
 they had some reason to believe we would do them 
 harm; but that, seeing that such is not our thought, 
 they now come without fear of us. From this I 
 argue that some other ship has been here, to whose 
 company they gave cause of offence ; and they might 
 suppose that our ship is the same, or that we have 
 come to avenge the injury they may have done our 
 friends. We will not say this to the ladies, lest it 
 alarm them without cause ; but we will take due 
 precautions against troachery, of which they are 
 assuredly capable, or their looks belie them." 
 
 Hugh fully agreed with Captain Langton in his 
 opinion, and Master Weedon and the other officers 
 of the ship were warned to be on their guard. 
 Many of the savages had by this time collected 
 round the ship, and a few chiefs and others came 
 on board. Beatrice and Constance had retired to 
 their cabin ; for they neither liked the appearance of 
 the savages, nor desired to be seen of them. They 
 looked curiously at every thing on board, especially
 
 282 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 at the guns, of the use of which they clearly had 
 some idea. As evening drew on, they took their 
 departure, seemingly on excellent terms with their 
 white visitors. The seamen began to consider them 
 very well-behaved savages ; but Captain Langton 
 warned them not to trust to appearances, nor would 
 he allow any of the crew to visit the shore. 
 
 The next day, some large canoes came sailing up 
 from other parts of the coast, and many more sav- 
 ages assembled round the ship. Nearly half the 
 ship's company had been below, either asleep or 
 engaged in various occupations, when the savages 
 were on board the first day. Captain Langton, 
 remembering this, determined to keep half the 
 people concealed, and at the same time well armed, 
 while those on deck also were armed ; the guns, 
 were loaded, the slow matches ready, the cable was 
 hove short, and the sails loosed. 
 
 " Maybe the savages mean us well, and these 
 precautions may prove not to have been necessary," 
 he observed to Hugh, who seemed to think that he 
 was over-careful ; " but suppose they mean us ill, 
 and purpose suddenly setting on us, we shall have 
 cause to be thankful that we took them. I know 
 what savages are ; and I need not tell thee, if they 
 were to succeed, what w.ould be the fate of those you 
 love best, and of all on board. I like not the looks 
 of these gentry ; though, for naked savages, their 
 manners are wondrously courteous." 
 
 Hugh could not but agree that his friend was
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 283 
 
 right ; though it was tantalizing not to be allowed to 
 wander along that glittering strand, or through 
 those shady groves, or to climb those picturesque 
 hills he gazed at with so much admiration. Water 
 and fuel were, however, to be got off, and, if 
 possible, vegetables : as to meat, as no animals 
 were seen, it was concluded that none was to be 
 obtained. Three or four chiefs and about a dozen 
 followers were allowed on board, and to them was 
 explained by signs what was required. The chiefs 
 quickly understood, and, after talking some time 
 together, ordered away ten of the canoes to the 
 shore ; still leaving, however, the same number 
 alongside, full of men armed with clubs and spears. 
 They themselves, however, showed no inclination to 
 quit the ship, but rather to remain to acquaint 
 themselves with every thing about her. They seemed 
 much disconcerted at not being allowed to go below ; 
 and for some time sat moodily on the deck, address- 
 ing no one. When, however, the canoes were seen 
 coming off, they again rose to their feet, and their 
 animation returned : but, instead of ten, there were 
 now thirty canoes ; ten appeared to be laden with 
 calabashes of water, ten with wood chopped fit for 
 burning, and ten with roots and vegetables. 
 
 " Surely these people mean us no ill, or they 
 would not thus attend to our wants," cried Hugh, 
 who had from the first been unwilling to mistrust 
 them. 
 
 " Wait till we see how they proceed," answered 
 Captain Langton.
 
 284 ANTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 The savages now thronged more thickly than 
 ever round the ship. Many sprang on hoard, and 
 they began to hand up the calabashes and wood ; 
 but Hugh observed, on looking down over the side, 
 that there was no large quantity of either wood or 
 water, and that many more people had come on 
 board than were necessary to perform the work. 
 The seamen had rolled some casks up to the side, 
 that the water might be emptied into them ; so that, 
 for that purpose, no one need have come on deck. 
 The savages, too, began to mingle among the crew ; 
 and Captain Langton observed that three or four 
 attached themselves especially to each seaman, and 
 at the same time that more canoes were coming off 
 from the shore. Matters had already proceeded far 
 enough. Ordering his men to be on their guard, and 
 to separate themselves from the savages, he signified 
 to the chiefs that he was ready to pay them with the 
 articles he had promised, but that their countrymen 
 must leave the ship. The chiefs gazed around : 
 there were at least four savages, to one English man 
 on board, and ten times as many around the ship. 
 A signal was made, and in an instant each black 
 man raised his club to strike a sailor. 
 
 " Hugh, beware ! " cried Captain Langton, pre- 
 senting his pistol at the breast of a chief whose club 
 was about to dash out young Willoughby's brains. 
 
 Hugh sprang aside ; the savage fell, whirling his 
 club in the air. The seamen, mostly on the watch, 
 avoided the blows of the savages, returning them
 
 THE GENTLEMEN AD VENTURERS. 285 
 
 with interest with their sharp hangers or battle-axes. 
 The report of the captain's pistol was the signal for 
 those below to appear. Up through the hatches 
 they sprang, shooting, cutting down, and driving 
 before them, the treacherous blacks. They quickly 
 fought their way up to the guns, one of which, dis- 
 charged, made the natives in the canoes paddle off 
 in terror towards the shore. Not so the chiefs. 
 Two seamen lay stretched lifeless on the deck from 
 the blows of their clubs ; others were wounded. 
 They themselves stood whirling their heavy weapons 
 around them. A shot laid one low ; another, the 
 youngest, driven to the bulwarks, having hurled his 
 club at his foes, sprang overboard, and attempted 
 to reach the canoes by swimming ; while a third, 
 fighting to the last, was cut down by Master 
 Weedon's hanger. A few of the canoes were struck 
 by the shots ; but the greater number escaped unhurt 
 to the shore. 
 
 While the guns were still firing, Beatrice and Con- 
 stance appeared on deck, and entreated that the sav- 
 ages might be spared. Although Captain Langton 
 and Master Weedon considered such leniency ill be- 
 stowed, they obeyed the wishes of the fair ladies they 
 served. 
 
 The nature of these savages was, however, before 
 long, proved. Not many hours had passed when 
 warlike sounds of horns and drums, with shrieks 
 and cries, were heard; and round a point were seen 
 coming towards the ship a fleet of large canoes, each
 
 286 AXTOfff WA7 MOUTH; OR, 
 
 like two vessels joined together with one mast and 
 huge sail. Five, ten, nearly twenty, were counted. 
 Nearly a hundred men were on board each ; and, by 
 their fierce and frantic gestures, there could be no 
 doubt what were their intentions. It was possible 
 that the guns of the Esperanza might have destroyed 
 many of them, if not the whole : but such a wise 
 commander as Captain Langton considered that 
 nothing would be gained by remaining, and much 
 might "be lost ; and, as the wind was fair to pass 
 through the nearest passage in the reef, he ordered 
 the anchor to be tripped, the sails to be sheeted 
 home ; and, before the canoes got near, the Espe- 
 ranza, under all sail, was standing out to sea. 
 
 " Once on the open ocean, with a fair breeze, I care 
 not how many of those savages come round us," 
 cried the captain, as he guided the ship towards the 
 passage in the reef. 
 
 Every man was at his station to trim the sails ; for, 
 should the fickle wind change or fall, the Esperanza 
 might be cast helplessly on the rugged mass of coral 
 near which she was passing. The savages showed 
 that they had no intention of abandoning their prey, 
 while stronger proof was given of Captain Langton's 
 wisdom in being cautious of them. The rocks, over 
 which the water formed and leaped, were on every 
 side. 
 
 The Esperauza glided on. It seemed that a per- 
 son might spring from her yard-arms to the rocks. 
 It was here the savages must have hoped to overtake
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 287 
 
 | 
 
 her. They were close astern, and the warriors on their 
 decks even now began to cast their' darts towards 
 the ship. Had there been but a few minutes' delay 
 in getting under way, they would have come 
 alongside at a moment most perilous to the safety 
 of the ship. A loud cheer burst from the lips of 
 the British seamen as they found themselves once 
 more on the open ocean. Still their persevering foes 
 came on. By their numbers alone, should they once 
 succeed in getting alongside, they might gain the 
 victory. The after-guns were pointed towards the 
 headmost canoes ; but though struck by the shot, 
 and though several of their warriors were killed, 
 they yet came on. So rapidly, too, did they glide 
 over the water, that many of them ranged up on 
 either side. Little could they, however, have ex- 
 pected the shower of shot and bullets which crashed 
 down upon them, tearing open the sides of their frail 
 vessels, rending their sails, shattering the masts, 
 and sweeping the warriors off their decks. It would 
 have been scant mercy to themselves had the ad- 
 venturers shown mercy. Some of the canoes got 
 alongside ; and the enraged savages, attempting to 
 climb up, were driven back with pike and pistol 
 and battle-axe, while the big guns, playing down on 
 them, tore open the sides of their canoes, and sent 
 them to the bottom, leaving those on board to swim 
 for their lives. Soon the whole sea astern of the 
 ship was alive with the forms of the savages as they 
 swam on, either to reach the canoes of their friends
 
 288 AXTONY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 or to gain the shore. The breeze increased. The 
 Esperanza rushed through the water. In vain the 
 savages attempted to get on board : numbers had 
 been slain, half their finest canoes had been sunk or 
 disabled. With gratitude and rejoicing the adventu- 
 rers saw the remainder, suddenly altering their 
 sails, dash towards the shore. 
 
 On this one occasion, not an Englishman had been 
 wounded. They waited till they had got far out to 
 sea before they committed to the deep the bodies of 
 their poor shipmates killed in the morning. The 
 breeze which had enabled them to escape from the 
 savages increased rapidly to a gale, and the gale to 
 a fearful storm. They would thankfully have been 
 within the shelter of some friendly port. Dangers 
 seemed thickening around them. On drove the 
 ship ; the wild seas reared their foaming heads on 
 either side, the wind howled and whistled through 
 the rigging, the thunder roared, the lightning flashed. 
 Darkness came on ; but still the helpless ship drove 
 before the tempest. 
 
 Brave Hugh remembered whose son he was, and 
 never lost heart. He went into the cabin, where his 
 sister and Constance were seated, their hands 
 clasped together, for the purpose of encouraging 
 them ; for the way in which the stout ship rolled and 
 pitched and tumbled about, the timbers and bulk- 
 heads groaned and creaked, the water washed over- 
 head, combined with the sounds before described 
 and the shouts of the seamen, made him conclude 
 that they would be overcome with terror.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 289 
 
 " Why should we be alarmed ?" asked Beatrice, 
 looking up. " We have been protected hitherto : 
 why not to the end ? We calculated the risks we 
 were to run before we embarked : we are prepared 
 for all the dangers we may have to encounter." 
 
 " Brave sister ! " cried Hugh as he left the cabin 
 to return to his duty on deck. " I pray that Ed- 
 ward, for whom you have sacrificed so -much, may 
 prove worthy of you, should we succeed in finding 
 him." 
 
 All night long the ship drove on before the gale. 
 No object even a cable's length ahead could have 
 been discerned, except when the bright flashes of 
 lightning, darting from the inky clouds, played over 
 the foam-crests of the heavy seas. Who could tell 
 at 'What moment the good ship might be cast on 
 some coral reef or on some desert shore, and be 
 dashed to fragments ? What prospect that the life 
 of any one of them would be saved ? or if by any un- 
 expected means their lives should be preserved, 
 that they should escape from falling into the power 
 of savages such as those whom they had lately en- 
 countered? 
 
 Dawn approached. With daylight, dangers might 
 be seen, and perchance avoided. The spirits of all 
 rose. Those on the watch ahead looked out eagerly 
 for the first faint streaks of light in the eastern sky. 
 Suddenly a cry arose, a fearful cry to those who 
 knew its import, 
 
 " Land ahead ! Breakers ahead ! " 
 
 19
 
 290 AXTOXY WAYMOUTH; OR, 
 
 " Down with the helm ! Haul the starboard 
 tacks aboard, the sheets well aft ! " cried Captain 
 Langton in a tone which showed no sign of trepida- 
 tion. " We may yet weather yonder reef, if the 
 mast proves faithful. Courage, friends ; courage!" 
 
 Each order was promptly obeyed. The ship 
 heeled over to the blast, staggering through the 
 seas. The reef might be avoided ; but there was a 
 point beyond that it seemed impossible to weather. 
 Captain Langton shook his head. 
 
 " Heaven may preserve our lives, but the fate of 
 the good ship is sealed," he answered to Hugh's in- 
 quiries. " Be prepared to bring your sweet sister 
 and Mistress Raymond on deck. Assure them that 
 each man on board will cheerfully yield up his own 
 life so that theirs may be preserved." 
 
 Hugh entered the cabin. In a short time he re- 
 turned, conducting the two fair girls. They gazed 
 around, not without terror; and yet they retained a 
 calmness and self-possession which many of the other 
 sex might have envied. On one" side was the raging 
 sea, on the other a smiling island ; but dark rocks, 
 the dread of mariners, intervened. 
 
 " Heaven will assuredly hear our prayer, and 
 cause the wild waves to take us, rather than that we 
 should fall into the hands of savages such as those 
 from whom we have just escaped," said Beatrice in 
 answer to a remark of her friend. 
 
 " Yet there are savages. Even now I see a nu- 
 merous band moving along the shore !" exclaimed 
 Constance.
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 291 
 
 " Still be of courage, sweet sister. The ship may 
 hold together; and we have arms with which to 
 fight, and brave men to use them." 
 
 The seamen, though striving to the utmost, knew 
 that the unavoidable catastrophe was approaching. 
 Already the ship was embayed, and the captain was 
 looking out for some spot where she might, with the 
 best chance of preserving their lives, be allowed to 
 drive on shore, should the last resource fail. The 
 anchors had been got ready to let go. Trusty sea- 
 men stood with gleaming axes to cut away the 
 masts. Hugh hurried his charges under shelter; 
 for Captain Langton's uplifted hand showed what 
 was about to occur. The shrouds were severed, 
 the axes struck the tall masts, and one by one they 
 fell into the raging sea. One anchor was let go, 
 and speedily another. 
 
 " Do the anchors hold ? " was the cry. 
 
 " Ay, ay," was the answer. " The ship no longer 
 drives ; the wind is falling ; the sea breaks here 
 with far less force than farther out. Heaven be 
 praised ! Even now the ship may be saved ! " 
 
 Such were the exclamations uttered by those on 
 board the Esperanza. The ship had driven into a 
 bay, where, against all expectation, the anchors 
 held. Should the gale not again increase, fresh 
 masts might be procured from the shore, and the 
 voyage be continued. All depended on the charac- 
 ter of the natives. Persons were observed moving 
 on the beach, and apparently watcning the ship ;
 
 292 ANTONY WAY3IOUTH; OR, 
 
 but the sea was yet too rough to allow any boats to 
 come off with safety. Gradually the wind went 
 down, and Captain Langton resolved to communi- 
 cate with the shore, in order to ascertain the char- 
 acter of the inhabitants, that, at all events, the 
 ladies, and a party to guard them, might be placed 
 ^in safety till he could get the ship into a secure har- 
 bor. The shore was anxiously scanned by all. The 
 natives were still there. One man, who possessed 
 the best eyesight in the ship, affirmed that the sava- 
 ges were white, and wore clothes ; though, as might 
 be supposed, his assertion met with the ridicule it 
 deserved. 
 
 " We shall soon know the truth," cried Hugh, 
 who, with his sister and Constance, had been the 
 most eager of the spectators ; " for here corne two 
 canoes, which will speedily be alongside." 
 
 " Who can those be ? not savages, surely," cried 
 Constance, as the leading canoe drew near. 
 
 " My heart tells me, e'en though my eyes might 
 play me false ; " exclaimed Beatrice, trembling as 
 she had not with the terror of the expected ship- 
 wreck. 
 
 In another minute, Edward Raymond had sprung 
 up the side of the Esperanza, and had pressed her 
 in his arras ; scarcely heeding, for an instant, his 
 own sweet sister Constance. 
 
 " Among faithful, loving, daring women, surpass- 
 ing all ! Now we are rewarded for all our toils and 
 dangers ! " he exclaimed, as he looked again and
 
 THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. 293 
 
 again at the countenance of his beloved Beatrice to 
 assure himself that it was she who rested on one 
 arm, while his other hand pressed that of his devot- 
 ed sister. 
 
 In the second canoe came Antony Way mouth. 
 
 Constance received him, as in duty bound, as a 
 relative, albeit a distant one. Whether or not he 
 came up to the picture her imagination had painted 
 of a perfect knight, our chronicle says not. Certain, 
 however, is it, that from the moment his eyes beheld 
 her, and he heard of the sacrifice she had made to 
 friendship in accompanying the fair Beatrice, his 
 heart became enslaved, under the belief that she 
 would be willing to make a far greater sacrifice for 
 love. 
 
 Thus had the chief object of the voyage of the 
 Esperanzabeen accomplished, the long-lost adven- 
 turers were found. Much, however, had still to be 
 done. The boats were lowered, and the ladies, with 
 Hugh Willoughby and a few of the mariners who 
 were sick, were conveyed on shore. The savages, 
 it was found, had made their escape from the island ; 
 and, believing that the spirit who protected the 
 white man had come there to punish them for their 
 crime, no more returned to it. 
 
 The Esperanza was, the next day, towed into the 
 harbor where lay the battered hull tof the Lion. 
 All her company were thankful that they had not 
 repaired her before, and sailed away ; and it was 
 unanimously agreed that her rich freight should be
 
 294 ANTONY WAYMOUTH. 
 
 transferred to the Esperanza, in which ship all 
 should sail back to Old England. The masts in- 
 tended for the Lion were placed in the Esperanza, 
 which, in a wonderfully short space of time, was 
 got ready for sea. Certain it is, that, conducted by 
 Master Walker, a service was held, both crews be- 
 ing present, to return thanks for their preservation 
 thus far, and to offer up prayers for their protection 
 for the future. And, moreover, it seemed clear and 
 undoubted, if ladies have to wander round the 
 world, it is advisable, meet, and convenient, if pos- 
 sible, that they should have husbands to protect 
 them: therefore the same excellent minister was 
 called on to unite in the bonds of holy matrimony 
 Master Antony Waymouth and Mistress Constance 
 Raymond, and Master Edward Raymond, the brother 
 of the above Constance, and Mistress Beatrice Wil 
 loughby, before the Esperanza once more sailed on 
 her homeward voyage to Old England. 
 
 Traversing the vast Pacific towards the east, and 
 rounding the southern point of the New World, 
 the Esperanza reached Plymouth ; and never ship 
 returned home with richer freight of gold and of 
 precious stones, or truer or more loving hearts. 
 And here, in the peaceful haven, endeth our 
 " Chronicle of the Sea." 
 
 THE END.
 
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 trated by HAMMATT BILLINGS. 
 
 Price . . . . . . . $1.50
 
 J. E. TILTON & CO. '8 PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 FAIRY DREAMS, 
 
 A BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATED FAIRY BOOK. 
 
 " Gentle stories from the rare and wonderful Fairy-land, told in ex- 
 quisite language. Printed on Delicately tinted paper, and illustrated with 
 fine engravings." Daily Sentinel. 
 
 Price 
 
 $1.00 
 
 BEL GRAY. A beautifully illustrated little volume, reprinted from 
 t the London Religious Tract Society's edition. 
 
 Price 
 
 50 cents.
 
 J. E. TILTON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE PLYMOUTH-ROCK SERIES. The three following vol- 
 urnes are now ready : 
 
 The Little Rebel. 
 The Tailor Boy. 
 "Willard T*rime. 
 
 Each volume in this series is written by one of the best modern writers 
 for the young, unconnected, beautifully illustrated and bound. It is in- 
 tended by the publishers that it shall far'excel all former libraries of similar 
 character. The manner in which they are named by the public is highly 
 encouraging to the publishers. 
 
 " We have had occasion before to notice the ' Plymouth-Rock Stories,' 
 published, in their usual admirable manner, by J. E. Tilton & Co. Every 
 juvenile book which inculcates high morality, true honor, and religious 
 feeling-, is a gain to the world. Boys and girls will read; and it is im- 
 portant that the books they have should be those calculated to mould their 
 characters on the highest plane. We believe this to be the aim of this 
 series; and we therefore give it a cordial welcome, and bespeak for it the 
 interest of the community." Christian Register. 
 
 Price, each $1.00 
 
 Sold separately, or the three in a neat box. 
 
 T 
 
 HE ALDEN JUVENILES. 
 
 Tlie Light-Hearted Grirl. 
 
 The Lost Lamb. 
 
 The Cardinal Flower. 
 
 The Burial of the First-Born. 
 
 The above four are by RKV. JOSEPH ALDEN, D.D. They are furnished 
 in a neat box, and beautifully illustrated. 
 
 " These four compose a series of most beautiful and fascinating story- 
 books for children." Syracuse Daily Courier. 
 
 " Dr. Alden has long been a favorite writer of books for the young; and 
 all his books have the excellent quality of being good in their moral influ- 
 ence." Boston Recorder. 
 
 Price, each 50 cents.
 
 J. E. TILTON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OP 
 
 ANDY JACK. 
 
 3Tull of Pictures of .Ajoimala. 
 
 "An ingeniously told story of a monkey, 
 which not only, from beginning to end, amuses 
 the youthful reader, but teaches him lessons 
 of natural history.' 
 
 Price 
 
 75 cents. 
 
 rRANKIE'S BOOK OF BIBLE MEN. 
 
 OU8AN AND FRANKIE. 
 
 OABBATH TALKS ABOUT JESUS. 
 
 QABBATH TALKS ON THE PSALMS OF DAVID. 
 
 " It is enough to say that these little ro'.nnx :; are written by Mrs. S. G. 
 Ashton, and published by Messrs. J. E. Tilton & Co., to insure their 
 hearty welcome, and a guaranty that they are as attractive as possible in 
 interest to the reader, and beauty of illustrations and binding." Enquirer. 
 
 Price, each 50 cents.
 
 J. E. TILTON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE WINNIE AND WALTER STORIES. 
 
 The Story of Our Darling Nellie. 
 Story-Telling at Thanksgiving. 
 Christinas Stories. 
 Talks about Old Times. 
 
 The ' ve four are by the same author, elegantly illustrated, and 
 f.; .... .icd in a neat box. 
 
 " Somebody is writing a series of agreeable stories, for children, about 
 W!nnie and Walter. The writer has evidently once been young, and has 
 not forgotten the time. Xay, we should also judge that he has seen and 
 conversed with children at a recent date, and possibly lias some juvenile 
 relatives who have aided in an important part of his education; for it is 
 quite true that children are efficient educators, and, altogether, furnish a 
 discipline which few can afford to do without. In return for this service, 
 we too often give them a literature unsuited to their tastes, if not beyond 
 their comprehension. But these books present no picture of tiny saints 
 upon stilts, or of patient martyrs to incessant moral lectures. Theirs is a 
 healthy, genuine, unmitigated childhood, of which a true manhood is the 
 ripened and appropriate fruit." Springfield Republican. 
 
 Price, each 50 cents. 
 
 PACK OF REWARDS. Containing THE TEX COMMANDMENTS; 
 THE LORD'S PRAYER; SELECTIONS FROM THE SERMON ON THK 
 MOUNT, AND THE PSALMS. (10 cards in all.) Beautifully illustrated. 
 
 Net, 75 cents per dozen packs ; $5.00 per hundred packs.
 
 UCSB LIBRARY
 
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