(9 MA.RRYAT (Frederick). The Pirate, and the Three Cutters. 8vo., 
 FIRST EDITION, vAth 20 illustrations by Glarhson Stanfield ; original cloth 
 
 1836 
 

 V 
 
THE PIRATE, 
 
 AND 
 
 THE THREE CUTTERS. 
 
LONDON: 
 
 Printed by J. Moyes, Castle Street, Leicester Square. 
 
wsm^^ "'msm 
 
 r.ondon.PuMshea DecT 1,1835. lor thr 
 
"1^ ft ^^ 
 
 FI 
 
 Tb 
 
 TME TMEEE COTTE 
 
 oyOz/^^'' ■^'cc/u^' 
 
 ■y.M^-JM. 
 
 ^'.ilirr'A^''' 
 
 ROVr. DEC* iS.^fa. 
 
/?i''^:?>v'V<;^::^^<^ 
 
 fyt^e^ifCA^'i^^^f ^- 
 
 THE PIRATE, 
 
 AND 
 
 THE THREE CUTTERS, 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPTAIN MARRYAT, R.N. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TWENTY SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS 
 
 Jfrom Bratomgs 
 By CLARKSON STANFIELD, ESQ. R.A. 
 
 * > > > 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PUBLISHKD FOR THE PROPRIETOR BY 
 
 LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN. 
 
 1836. 
 

CONTENTS. 
 
 Vtie pirate. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGB 
 
 I. THE BAY OF BISCAY 1 
 
 II. THE BACHELOR 9 
 
 III. THE GALE 21 
 
 IV. THE LEAK 28 
 
 V. THE OLD MAID 39 
 
 VL THE MIDSHIPMAN 50 
 
 VIL SLEEPER'S BAY 58 
 
 VIIL THE ATTACK 73 
 
 IX. THE CAPTURE 84 
 
 X. THE SAND-BANK 106 
 
 XL THE ESCAPE 115 
 
 XIL THE LIEUTENANT 128 
 
 Xm. THE LANDING 137 
 
 XIV. THE MEETING c 153 
 
 XV. THE MISTAKE 168 
 
 XVI. THE CAICOS 182 
 
 XVIL THE TRIAL 198 
 
 XVin. CONCLUSION 216 
 
 €\)t '^f)ttt d^utUx^. 
 
 I. CUTTER THE FIRST 229 
 
 IL CUTTER THE SECOND 246 
 
 in. CUTTER THE THIRD 256 
 
 IV. PORTLAND BILL 264 
 
 V. THE TRAVESTIE 277 
 
 VI. THE SMUGGLING YACHT 292 
 
 VIL CONCLUSION 302 
 
 M125264 
 
LIST OF PLATES. 
 
 PACK 
 
 THE MAST-HEADED MIDSHIPMAN (Title) Vide 54 
 
 CAPTAIN MARRYAT, R.N. (Frontispiece) 
 
 THE BAY OF BISCAY 7 
 
 CUTTING AWAY THE MASTS 26 
 
 ABANDONING THE CIRCASSIAN 36 
 
 SLEEPER'S BAY 59 
 
 THE DECK OF THE AVENGER 62 
 
 THE CAPTURE 82 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIAMAN 94 
 
 THE SAND-BANK 113 
 
 ESCAPE ON THE RAFT 122 
 
 THE SHIP ON FIRE 124 
 
 RESCUING THE CREW FROM THE BURNING VESSEL ••. 126 
 
 THE RETREAT OF THE PIRATES 152 
 
 THE WRECK OF THE AVENGER 189 
 
 CAVE OF THE CAICOS 192 
 
 CAIN IN THE CAVERN 218 
 
 THE ARROW AT PLYMOUTH • 230 
 
 THE ACTIVE AT PORTSMOUTH 246 
 
 THE HAPPY-GO-LUCKY AT ST. MALOES 257 
 
/ 
 
THE PIRATE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 It was in the latter part of the month of June, of the 
 year 179-, that the angry waves of the Bay of Biscay 
 were gradually subsiding, after a gale of wind as vio- 
 lent as it was unusual during that period of the year. 
 Still they rolled heavily ; and, at times, the wind blew 
 up in fitful, angry gusts, as if it would fain renew 
 the elemental combat ; but each effort was more feeble, 
 and the dark clouds which had been summoned to the 
 storm, now fled in every quarter before the powerful 
 rays of the sun, who burst their masses asunder with a 
 glorious flood of light and heat : and, as he poured 
 down his resplendent beams, piercing deep into the 
 waters of that portion of the Atlantic to which we now 
 refer, with the exception of one object, hardly visible, 
 as at creation, there was a vast circumference of water, 
 bounded by the fancied canopy of heaven. We have 
 said, with the exception of one object; for in the centre 
 of this picture, so simple, yet so sublime, composed of 
 
 B 
 
THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 the three great elements, there was a remnant of the 
 fourth. We say a remnant, for it was but the hull of 
 a vessel, dismasted, water-logged, its upper works only 
 floating occasionally above the waves, when a transient 
 repose from their still violent undulation permitted it 
 to reassume its buoyancy. But this was seldom ; one 
 moment it was deluged by the seas, which broke as 
 they poured over its gunwale ; and the next, it rose 
 from its submersion, as the water escaped from the 
 port-holes at its sides. 
 
 How many thousands of vessels — how many mil- 
 lions of property — have been abandoned, and eventu- 
 ally consigned to the all-receiving depths of the ocean, 
 through ignorance or through fear ! What a mine of 
 wealth must lie buried in its sands, what riches lie 
 entangled amongst its rocks, or remain suspended in 
 its unfathomable gulf, where the compressed fluid is 
 equal in gravity to that which it encircles, there to 
 remain secured in its embedment from corruption and 
 decay, until the destruction of the universe, and the 
 return of chaos. Yet, immense as the accumulated 
 loss must be, the major part of it has been occasioned 
 from an ignorance of one of the first laws of nature, 
 that of specific gravity. The vessel to which we have 
 referred, was, to all appearance, in a situation of as 
 extreme hazard as that of a drowning man clinging 
 to a single rope-yarn; yet, in reality, she was more 
 secure from descending to the abyss below than many 
 gallantly careering on the waters, their occupants dis- 
 missing all fear, and only calculating upon a quick 
 arrival into port. 
 
THE BAY OF BISCAY. O 
 
 The Circassian had sailed from New Orleans, a 
 gallant and well-appointed ship, with a cargo, the major 
 part of which consisted of cotton. The captain was, in 
 the usual acceptation of the term, a good sailor ; the 
 crew were hardy and able seamen. As they crossed 
 the Atlantic, they had encountered the gale to which 
 we have referred, were driven down into the Bay of 
 Biscay, where, as we shall hereafter explain, the vessel 
 was dismasted, and sprang a leak, which baffled all 
 their exertions to keep under. It was now five days 
 since the frightened crew had quitted the vessel in 
 two of her boats, one of which had swamped, and 
 every soul that occupied it had perished; the fate 
 of the other was uncertain. 
 
 We said that the crew had deserted the vessel, but 
 we did not assert that every existing being had been 
 removed out of her. Had such been the case, we should 
 not have taken up the reader's time in describing in- 
 animate matter. It is life that we portray, and life 
 there still was, in the shattered hull thus abandoned 
 to the mockery of the ocean. In the caboose of the 
 Circassian, that is, in the cooking-house, secured on 
 deck, and which fortunately had been so well fixed 
 as to resist the force of the breaking waves, remained 
 three beings — a man, a woman, and a child. The 
 two first mentioned were of that inferior race which 
 have, for so long a period, been procured from the 
 sultry Afric coast, to toil, but reap not for them- 
 selves ; the child which lay at the breast of the female 
 was of European blood, now, indeed, deadly pale, 
 as it attempted in vain to draw sustenance from its 
 
4 THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 exhausted nurse, down whose sable cheeks the tears 
 coursed, as she occasionally pressed the infant to her 
 breast, or turned it round to leeward to screen it from 
 the spray, which dashed over them at each returning 
 swell. Indifferent to all else, save her little charge, 
 she spoke not, although she shuddered with the cold, 
 as the water washed her knees each time that the hull 
 was careened into the wave. Cold and terror had pro- 
 duced a change in her complexion, which now wore a 
 yellow, or sort of copper hue. 
 
 The male, who was her companion, sat opposite to 
 her upon the iron range, which once had been the 
 receptacle of light and heat, but was now but a weary 
 seat to a drenched and worn-out wretch. He, too, had 
 not spoken for many hours ; with the muscles of his 
 face relaxed, his thick lips pouting far in advance of 
 his collapsed cheeks, his high cheek-bones, prominent 
 as budding-horns, his eyes displaying little but their 
 whites, he appeared to be an object of greater misery 
 than the female, whose thoughts were directed to the 
 infant, and not unto herself. Yet his feelings were still 
 acute, although his faculties appeared to be deadened 
 by excess of suffering. 
 
 " Eh, me !" cried the negro woman faintly, after a 
 long silence, her head falling back with extreme ex- 
 haustion. Her companion made no reply, but, roused 
 at the sound of her voice, bent forward, slided open 
 the door a little, and looked out to windward. The 
 heavy spray dashed into his glassy eyes, and obscured 
 his vision ; he groaned, and fell back into his former 
 position. '* What you tink, Coco?" inquired the 
 
THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 negress, covering up more carefully the child, as she 
 bent her head down upon it. A look of despair, and 
 a shudder from cold and hunger, were the only reply. 
 
 It was then about eight o'clock in the morning, and 
 the swell of the ocean was fast subsiding. At noon the 
 warmth of the sun was communicated to them through 
 the planks of the caboose, while its rays poured a small 
 stream of vivid light through the chinks of the closed 
 panels. The negro appeared gradually to revive : at 
 last he rose, and with some difficulty contrived again 
 to slide open the door. The sea had gradually de- 
 creased its violence, and but occasionally broke over 
 the vessel; carefully holding on by the door-jambs, 
 Coco gained the outside, that he might survey the 
 horizon. 
 
 *^ What you see, Coco?" said the female, observing 
 from the caboose that his eyes were fixed upon a certain 
 quarter. 
 
 '* So help me God, me tink me see something ; but 
 ab so much salt water in um eye, me no see clear," 
 replied Coco, rubbing away the salt, which had crys- 
 tallised on his face during the morning. 
 
 " What you tink um like, Coco ?" 
 
 " Only one bit cloud," replied he, entering the 
 caboose, and resuming his seat upon the grate with a 
 heavy sigh. 
 
 *' Eh, me ! " cried the negress, who had uncovered 
 the child to look at it, and whose powers were sinking 
 fast. " Poor lilly Massa Eddard, him look very bad 
 indeed — him die very soon, me fear. Look, Coco, no 
 ab breath."' 
 
b THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 The child's head fell back from the breast of its 
 nurse, and life appeared to be extinct. 
 
 ^^ Judy, you no ab milk for piccaninny ; suppose 
 um no ab milk, how can live? Eh! stop, Judy, me 
 put lilly finger in um mouth ; suppose Massa Eddard 
 no dead, him pull." 
 
 Coco inserted his finger into the child's mouth, 
 and felt a slight drawing pressure. " Judy," cried 
 Coco, " Massa Eddard no dead yet. Try now, suppose 
 you ab lilly drop oder side." 
 
 Poor Judy shook her head mournfully, and a tear 
 rolled down her cheek ; she was aware that nature was 
 exhausted. " Coco," said she, wiping her cheek with 
 the back of her hand, " me give me heart blood for 
 Massa Eddard ; but no ab milk — all gone." 
 
 This forcible expression of love for the child, which 
 was used by Judy, gave an idea to Coco. He drew 
 his knife out of his pocket, and very coolly sawed 
 to the bone of his fore-finger. The blood flowed and 
 trickled down to the extremity, which he applied to 
 the mouth of the infant. 
 
 *' See, Judy, Massa Eddard suck — him not dead," 
 cried Coco, chuckling at the fortunate result of the 
 experiment, and forgetting, at the moment, their almost 
 hopeless situation. 
 
 The child revived by the strange sustenance, gra- 
 dually recovered its powers, and in a few minutes it 
 pulled at the finger with a certain degree of vigour. 
 
 " Look, Judy, how Massa Eddard take it," con- 
 tinued Coco. " Pull away, Massa Edward, pull away. 
 Coco ab ten finger, and take long while suck em all 
 
THE BAY OF BISCAY. 7 
 
 dry." But the child was soon satisfied, and fell asleep 
 in the arms of Judy. 
 
 '* Coco, suppose you go see again," observed Judy. 
 The negro again crawled out, and again he scanned 
 the horizon. 
 
 '^ So help me God, this time me tink, Judy — yes, 
 so help me God, me see a ship!" cried Coco joyfully. 
 
 '* Eh!" screamed Judy, faintly, with delight; *^ den 
 Massa Eddard no die." 
 
 " Yes, so help me God — he come dis way!" and 
 Coco, who appeared to have recovered a portion of his 
 former strength and activity, clambered on the top of 
 the caboose, where he sat, cross-legged, waving his 
 yellow handkerchief, with the hope of attracting the 
 attention of those on board ; for he knew that it was 
 very possible that an object floating little more than 
 level with the water's surface might escape notice. 
 
 As it fortunately happened, the frigate, for such she 
 was, continued her course precisely for the wreck, al- 
 though it had not been perceived by the look-out men 
 at the mast-heads, whose eyes had been directed to the 
 line of the horizon. In less than an hour, our little 
 party were threatened with a new danger, that of being 
 run over by the frigate, which was now within a cable's 
 length of them, driving the seas before her in one 
 widely extended foam, as she pursued her rapid and 
 impetuous course. Coco shouted to his utmost, and 
 fortunately attracted the notice of the men who were 
 on the bowsprit, stowing away the foretopmast-staysail, 
 which had been hoisted up to dry after the gale. 
 
 " Starboard, hard!" was roared out. 
 
8 THE BAY OF BISCAY. 
 
 *' Starboard it is," was the reply from the quarter- 
 deck, and the helm was shifted without inquiry, as it 
 always is on board of a man-of-war, although, at the 
 same time, it behoves people to be rather careful how 
 they pass such an order, without being prepared with a 
 subsequent and most satisfactory explanation. 
 
 The topmast studding-sail flapped and fluttered, 
 the foresail shivered, and the jib filled as the frigate 
 rounded to, narrowly missing the wreck, which was now 
 under the bows, rocking so violently in the white foam 
 of the agitated waters, that it was with difficulty that 
 Coco could, by clinging to the stump of the mainmast, 
 retain his elevated position. The frigate shortened 
 sail, hove to, and lowered down a quarter-boat, and in 
 less than five minutes, Coco, Judy, and the infant, were 
 rescued from their awful situation. Poor Judy, who 
 had borne up against all for the sake of the child, 
 placed it in the arms of the officer who relieved them, 
 and then fell back in a state of insensibility, in which 
 condition she was carried on board. Coco, as he took 
 his place in the stern-sheets of the boat, gazed wildly 
 round him, and then broke out into peals of extrava- 
 gant laughter, which continued without intermission, 
 and were the only replies which he could give to the 
 interrogatories of the quarter-deck, until he fell down 
 in a swoon, and was intrusted to the care of the 
 surgeon. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 On the evening of the same day on which the child 
 and the two negroes had been saved from the wreck 
 by the fortunate appearance of the frigate, Mr. Wither- 
 ington, of Finsbury Square, was sitting alone in his 
 dining-room, wondering what could have become of the 
 Circassian, and why he had not received intelligence of 
 her arrival. Mr. Witherington, as we said before, was 
 alone ; he had his port and his sherry before him ; and 
 although the weather was rather warm, there was a 
 small fire in the grate, because, as Mr. Witherington 
 asserted, it looked comfortable. Mr. Witherington 
 having watched the ceiling of the room for some time, 
 although there was certainly nothing new to be dis- 
 covered, filled another glass of wine, and then proceeded 
 to make himself more comfortable by unbuttoning three 
 more buttons of his waistcoat, pushing his wig farther 
 back off his head, and casting loose all the buttons at 
 the knees of his breeches; he completed his arrange- 
 ments by dragging towards him two chairs within his 
 reach, putting his legs upon one while he rested his 
 arm upon the other : and why was not Mr. Withering- 
 ton to make himself comfortable ? He had good health, 
 a good conscience, and eight thousand a-year. 
 
10 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 Satisfied with all his little arrangements, Mr. 
 Witherington sipped his port wine, and putting down 
 his glass again, fell back in his chair, placed his hands 
 on his breast, interwove his fingers ; and in this most 
 comfortable position recommenced his speculations as 
 to the non-arrival of the Circassian. 
 
 We will leave him to his cogitations while we intro- 
 duce him more particularly to our readers. 
 
 The father of Mr. Witherington was a younger son 
 of one of the oldest and proudest families in the West 
 Riding of Yorkshire : he had his choice of the four 
 professions allotted to younger sons whose veins are 
 filled with patrician blood — the army, the navy, the law, 
 and the church. The army did not suit him, he said, as 
 marching and counter-marching were not comfortable ; 
 the navy did not suit him, as there was little comfort in 
 gales of wind and mouldy biscuit ; the law did not suit 
 him, as he was not sure that he would be at ease with 
 his conscience, which would not be comfortable ; the 
 church was also rejected, as it was, with him, connected 
 with the idea of a small stipend, hard duty, a wife and 
 eleven children, which were any thing but comfortable. 
 Much to the horror of his family he eschewed all the 
 liberal professions, and embraced the offer of an old 
 backslider of an uncle, who proposed to him a situation 
 in his banking-house, and a partnership as soon as he 
 deserved it : the consequence was, that his relations bade 
 him an indignant farewell, and then made no further 
 inquiries about him : he was as decidedly cut as one of 
 the female branches of the family would have been had 
 she committed a faux pas. 
 
THE BACHELOR. 11 
 
 Nevertheless, Mr. Witherington senior stuck dili- 
 gently to his business, in a few years was a partner, 
 and, at the death of the old gentleman, his uncle, found 
 himself in possession of a good property, and every year 
 coining money at his bank. 
 
 Mr. Witherington senior then purchased a house in 
 Finsbury Square, and thought it advisable to look out 
 for a wife. 
 
 Having still much of the family pride in his compo- 
 sition, he resolved not to muddle the blood of the Wither- 
 ington s by any cross from Cateaton Street or Mincing 
 Lane ; and, after a proper degree of research, he selected 
 the daughter of a Scotch earl, who went to London 
 with a bevy of nine in a Leith smack to barter blood 
 for wealth. Mr. Witherington being so fortunate as 
 to be the first-comer, had the pick of the nine ladies 
 by courtesy ; his choice was light-haired, blue-eyed, a 
 little freckled, and very tall, by no means bad looking, 
 and standing on the list in the family Bible No. IV. 
 From this union Mr. Witherington had issue ; first, a 
 daughter, christened Moggy, whom we shall soon have 
 to introduce to our reader as a spinster of forty-seven ; 
 and second, Anthony Alexander Witherington, Esquire, 
 whom we just now have left in a very comfortable 
 position, and in a very brown study. 
 
 Mr. Witherington senior persuaded his son to enter 
 the banking-house ; and, as a dutiful son, he entered it 
 every day, but he did nothing more, having made the 
 fortunate discovery that " his father was born before 
 him ; " or, in other words, that his father had plenty of 
 money, and would be necessitated to leave it behind him. 
 
12 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 As Mr. Witherington senior had always studied 
 comfort, his son had early imbibed the same idea, and 
 carried his feelings, in that respect, to a much greater 
 excess : he divided things into comfortable and uncom- 
 fortable. One fine day, Lady Mary Witherington, after 
 paying all the household bills, paid the debt of Nature ; 
 that is, she died : her husband paid the undertaker's bill, 
 so it is to be presumed that she was buried. 
 
 Mr. Witherington senior shortly afterwards had a 
 stroke of apoplexy, which knocked him down. Death, 
 who has no feelings of honour, struck him when down. 
 And Mr. Witherington, after having laid a few days in 
 bed, was by a second stroke laid in the same vault as 
 Lady Mary Witherington : and Mr. Witherington 
 junior (our Mr. Witherington), after deducting 40,000/. 
 for his sister's fortune, found himself in possession of a 
 clear 8,000/. per annum, and an excellent house in 
 Finsbury Square. Mr. Witherington considered this a 
 comfortable income, and he therefore retired altogether 
 from business. 
 
 During the lifetime of his parents he had been witness 
 to one or two matrimonial scenes, which had induced 
 him to put down matrimony as one of the things not 
 comfortable ; therefore he remained a bachelor. 
 
 His sister Moggy also remained unmarried ; but 
 whether it were from a very unprepossessing squint 
 which deterred suitors, or from the same dislike to 
 matrimony as her brother had imbibed, it is not in our 
 power to say. Mr. Witherington was three years 
 younger than his sister ; and, although he had for some 
 time worn a wig, it was only because he considered it 
 
THE BACHELOR. 13 
 
 more comfortable. Mr. Witherington's whole character 
 might be summed up in two words — eccentricity and 
 benevolence : eccentric he certainly was, as most bache- 
 lors usually are. Man is but a rough pebble without 
 the attrition received from contact with the gentler sex : 
 it is wonderful how the ladies pumice a man down into 
 a smoothness which occasions him to roll over and over 
 with the rest of his species, jostling but not wounding 
 his neighbours, as the waves of circumstance bring 
 him into collision with them. 
 
 Mr. Witherington roused himself from his deep 
 reverie, and felt for the string connected with the bell- 
 pull, which it was the butler's duty invariably to attach 
 to the arm of his master's chair previous to his last 
 exit from the dining-room ; for, as Mr. Witherington 
 very truly observed, it was very uncomfortable to be 
 obliged to get up and ring the bell ; indeed, more than 
 once Mr. Witherington had calculated the advantages 
 and disadvantages of having a daughter about eight 
 years old who could ring the bell, air the newspapers, 
 and cut the leaves of a new novel. 
 
 When, however, he called to mind that she could 
 not always remain at that precise age, he decided that 
 the balance of comfort was against it. 
 
 Mr. Witherington having pulled the bell again, fell 
 into, a brown study. 
 
 Mr. Jonathan, the butler, made his appearance ; but 
 observing that his master was occupied, he immediately 
 stopped at the door, erect, motionless, and with a face 
 as melancholy as if he was performing mute at the porch 
 of some departed peer of the realm ; for it is an under- 
 
14 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 stood thing that the greater the rank of the defunct, the 
 longer must be the face, and, of course, the better must 
 be the pay. 
 
 Now, as Mr. Witherington is still in profound 
 thought, and Mr. Jonathan will stand as long as a 
 hackney-coach horse, we will just leave them as they 
 are, while we introduce the brief history of the latter to 
 our readers. Jonathan Trapp had served as iooiboy, 
 which term, we believe, is derived from those who are in 
 that humble capacity receiving a quantum suff. of the 
 application of the feet of those above them to increase 
 the energy of their service; then as footwzaw, which 
 implies that they have been promoted to the more agree- 
 able right of administering instead of receiving the 
 above dishonourable applications; and lastly, for pro- 
 motion could go no higher in the family, he had been 
 raised to the dignity of butler in the service of Mr. 
 Witherington senior. Jonathan then fell in love, for 
 butlers are guilty of indiscretions as well as their 
 masters : neither he nor his fair flame, who was a lady's 
 maid in another family, notwithstanding that they had 
 witnessed the consequences of this error in others, would 
 take warning : they gave warning, and they married. 
 
 Like most butlers and ladies' maids who pair off, they 
 set up a public house ; and it is but justice to the lady's 
 maid to say, that she would have preferred an eating- 
 house, but was overruled by Jonathan, who argued, that 
 although people would drink when they were not dry, 
 they never would eat unless they were hungry. 
 
 Now, although there was truth in the observation, 
 this is certain, that business did not prosper ; it has 
 
THE BACHELOR. 15 
 
 been surmised that Jonathan's tall, lank, lean figure, 
 injured his custom, as people are but too much inclined 
 to judge of the goodness of the ale by the rubicund face 
 and rotundity of the landlord ; and therefore inferred 
 that there could be no good beer where mine host was 
 the picture of famine. There certainly is much in 
 appearances in this world ; and it appears, that in con- 
 sequence of Jonathan's cadaverous appearance, he very 
 soon appeared in the gazette : but what ruined Jonathan 
 in one profession procured him immediate employment 
 in another. An appraiser, upholsterer, and undertaker, 
 who was called in to value the fixtures, fixed his eye 
 upon Jonathan, and knowing the value of his pecu- 
 liarly lugubrious appearance, and having a half- 
 brother of equal height, offered him immediate em- 
 ployment as a mute. Jonathan soon forgot to mourn 
 his own loss of a few hundreds in his new occupation 
 of mourning the loss of thousands ; and his erect, stiff, 
 statue-like carriage, and long melancholy face, as he 
 stood at the portals of those who ; had entered the 
 portals of the next world, were but too often a sarcasm 
 upon the grief of the inheritors. Even grief is worth 
 nothing in this trafiicking world unless it is paid for. 
 Jonathan buried many, and at last buried his wife* 
 So far all was well ; but at last he buried his master, 
 the undertaker, which was not quite so desirable. 
 Although Jonathan wept not, yet did he express mute 
 sorrow as he marshalled him to his long home, and 
 drank to his memory in a pot of porter as he returned 
 from the funeral, perched, with many others, like car- 
 rion crows on the top of the hearse. 
 
16 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 And now Jonathan was thrown out of employment 
 from a reason which most people would have thought 
 the highest recommendation. Every undertaker re- 
 fused to take him, because they could not match him. 
 In this unfortunate dilemma, Jonathan thought of Mr. 
 Witherington junior ; he had served and he had buried 
 Mr. Witherington his father, and Lady Mary his 
 mother ; he felt that he had strong claims for such 
 variety of services, and he applied to the bachelor. 
 Fortunately for Jonathan, Mr. Witherington's butler- 
 incumbent was just about to commit the same folly as 
 Jonathan had done before, and Jonathan was again 
 installed, resolving in his own mind to lead his former 
 life, and have nothing more to do with ladies' maids. 
 But from habit Jonathan still carried himself as a mute 
 on all ordinary occasions — never indulging in an ap- 
 proximation to mirth, except when he perceived that 
 his master was in high spirits, and then rather from a 
 sense of duty than from any real hilarity of heart. 
 
 Jonathan was no mean scholar for his station in 
 life, and, during his service with the undertaker, he 
 had acquired the English of all the Latin mottoes 
 which are placed upon the hatchments; and these 
 mottoes, when he considered them as apt, he was very 
 apt to quote. We left Jonathan standing at the door; 
 he had closed it, and the handle still remained in his 
 hand. " Jonathan," said Mr. Witherington, after a 
 long pause — *^ I wish to look at the last letter from 
 New York, you will find it on my dressing-table.'' 
 
 Jonathan quitted the room without reply, and 
 made his reappearance with the letter. 
 
THE BACHELOR. 17 
 
 ** It is a long- time that I have been expecting this 
 vessel, Jonathan," observed Mr. Witherington, unfold- 
 ing the letter. 
 
 " Yes, sir, a long while; tempus fugit" replied the 
 butler in a low tone, half shutting his eyes. 
 
 " I hope to God no accident has happened," con- 
 tinued Mr. Witherington ; ** my poor little cousin and 
 her twins, e'en now that I speak, they may be all at 
 the bottom of the sea." 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied the butler ; " the sea defrauds 
 many an honest undertaker of his profits." 
 
 " By the blood of the Witheringtons ! I may be left 
 without an heir, and shall be obliged to marry, which 
 would be very uncomfortable." 
 
 ** Very little comfort," echoed Jonathan — " my 
 wife is dead. In coelo quies.'' 
 
 " Well, we must hope for the best : but this sus- 
 pense is any thing but comfortable," observed Mr. 
 Witherington, after looking over the contents of the 
 letter for at least the twentieth time. 
 
 " That will do, Jonathan ; I'll ring for coffee pre- 
 sently :" and Mr. Witherington was again alone and 
 with his eyes fixed upon the ceiling. 
 
 A cousin of Mr. Witherington, and a very great 
 favourite (for Mr. Witherington having a large fortune, 
 and not having any thing to do with business, was 
 courted by his relations), had, to a certain degree, com- 
 mitted herself; that is to say, that, notwithstanding the 
 injunctions of her parents, she had fallen in love with 
 a young lieutenant in a marching regiment, whose 
 pedigree was but respectable, and whose fortune was 
 
 c 
 
}S THE BACHELOB. 
 
 any thing but respectable, consisting merely of a sub- 
 altern's pay. Poor men, unfortunately, always make 
 love better than those who are rich, because, having 
 less to care about, and not being puffed up with their 
 own consequence, they are not so selfish, and think 
 much more of the lady than of themselves. Young 
 ladies, also, who fall in love, never consider whether 
 there is sufficient to *^ make the pot boil" — probably 
 because young ladies in love lose their appetites, and 
 not feeling inclined to eat at that time, they imagine 
 that love will always supply the want of food. Now, 
 we will appeal to the married ladies whether we are 
 not right in asserting, that, although the collation 
 spread for them and their friends on the day of the 
 marriage is looked upon with almost loathing, they 
 do not find their appetites return with interest soon 
 afterwards. This was precisely the case with Cecilia 
 Witherington, or rather Cecilia Templemore, for she 
 had changed her name the day before. It was also 
 the case with her husband, who always had a good 
 appetite, even during his days of courtship ; and the 
 consequence was, that the messman's account, for they 
 lived in barracks, was, in a few weeks, rather alarm- 
 ing. Cecilia applied to her family, who very kindly 
 sent her word that she might starve : but the advice 
 neither suiting her nor her husband, she then wrote to 
 her cousin Antony, who sent her word that he should 
 be most happy to receive them at his table, and that 
 they should take up their abode in Finsbury Square. 
 This was exactly what they wished ; but still there was 
 a certain difficulty — Lieutenant Templemore's regiment 
 
THE BACHELOR. 19 
 
 was quartered in a town in Yorkshire, which was some 
 trifling distance from Finsbury Square, and to be at 
 Mr. Witherington's dinner-table at six p.m., with 
 the necessity of appearing at parade every morning at 
 nine a.m., was a dilemma not to be got out of. 
 Several letters were interchanged upon this knotty 
 subject ; and at last it was agreed that Mr. Templemore 
 should sell out, and come up to Mr. Witherington with 
 his pretty wife : he did so, and found that it was much 
 more comfortable to turn out at nine o'clock in the 
 morning to a good breakfast than to a martial parade. 
 But Mr. Templemore had an honest pride and inde- 
 pendence of character which would not permit him to 
 eat the bread of idleness, and, after a sojourn of two 
 months in most comfortable quarters, without a mess- 
 man's bill, he frankly stated his feelings to Mr. Wi- 
 therington, and requested his assistance to procure for 
 himself an honourable livelihood. Mr. Witherington, 
 who had become attached to them both, would have 
 remonstrated, observing that Cecilia was his own 
 cousin, and that he was a confirmed bachelor : but, in 
 this instance, Mr. Templemore was firm, and Mr. 
 Witherington very unwillingly consented. A mercan- 
 tile house of the highest respectability required a 
 partner who could superintend their consignments to 
 America. Mr. Witherington advanced the sum re- 
 quired ; and, in a few weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Temple- 
 more sailed for New York. 
 
 Mr. Templemore was active and intelligent ; their 
 affairs prospered ; and, in a few years, they anticipated 
 a return to their native soil with a competence. But 
 
20 THE BACHELOR. 
 
 the autumn of the second year after their arrival proved 
 very sickly ; the yellow fever raged ; and, among the 
 thousands who were carried off, Mr. Templemore was 
 a victim, about three weeks after his wife had been 
 brought to bed of twins. Mrs. Templemore rose from 
 her couch a widow and the mother of two fine boys. 
 The loss of Mr. Templemore was replaced by the 
 establishment with which he was connected, and 
 Mr. Witherington offered to his cousin that asylum 
 which, in her mournful and unexpected bereavement, 
 she so much required. In three months her affairs 
 were arranged; and, with her little boys hanging at 
 the breasts of two negro nurses, for no others could 
 be procured who would undertake the voyage, Mrs. 
 Templemore, with Coco as a male servant, embarked 
 on board of the good ship Circassian, A. 1., bound to 
 Liverpool. 
 
21 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE GALE. 
 
 Those who, standing on the pier, had witnessed the 
 proud hearing of the Circassian as she gave her canvass 
 to the winds, little contemplated her fate : still less 
 did those on board ; for confidence is the characteristic 
 of seamen, and they have the happy talent of imparting 
 their confidence to whomever may be in their company. 
 We shall pass over the voyage, confining ourselves to 
 a description of the catastrophe. 
 
 It was during a gale from the north-west, which 
 had continued for three days, and by which the 
 Circassian had been driven into the Bay of Biscay, 
 that, at about twelve o'clock at night, a slight lull was 
 perceptible. The captain, who had remained on deck, 
 sent down for the chief mate. " Oswald," said Captain 
 Ingram, *' the gale is breaking, and I think before 
 morning we shall have had the worst of it. I shall 
 lie down for an hour or two : call me if there be any 
 change." 
 
 Oswald Bareth, a tall, sinewy-built, and handsome 
 specimen of transatlantic growth, examined the whole 
 circumference of the horizon before he replied. At 
 last his eyes were steadily fixed to leeward : " I've a 
 
22 THE GALE. 
 
 notion not, sir," said he ; "I see no signs of clearing 
 off, to leeward ; only a lull for relief, and a fresh hand 
 at the bellows, depend upon it." 
 
 " We have now had it three days," replied Captain 
 Ingram, *^ and that's the life of a summer's gale." 
 
 " Yes," rejoined the mate ; " but always provided 
 that it don't blow back again. I don't like the look 
 of it, sir ; and have it back we shall, as sure as there's 
 snakes in Virginny." 
 
 *' Well, so be if so be," was the safe reply of the 
 captain. " You must keep a sharp look-out, Bareth, 
 and don't leave the deck to call me ; send a hand 
 down." 
 
 The captain descended to his cabin. Oswald looked 
 at the compass in the bittacle — spoke a few words 
 to the man at the helm — gave one or two terrible 
 kicks in the ribs to some of the men who were caulking 
 ' — sounded the pump-well — put a fresh quid of tobacco 
 into his cheek, and then proceeded to examine the 
 heavens above. A cloud, much darker and more 
 descending than the others which obscured the firma- 
 ment, spread over the zenith, and based itself upon the 
 horizon to leeward. Oswald's eye had been fixed upon 
 it but a few seconds, when he beheld a small lambent 
 gleam of lightning pierce through the most opaque 
 part; then another, and more vivid. Of a sudden the 
 wind lulled, and the Circassian righted from her 
 careen. Again the wind howled — and again the 
 vessel was pressed down to her bearings by its force : 
 again another flash of lightning, which was followed 
 by a distant peal of thunder. 
 
THE GALE. 23 
 
 " Had the worst of it, did you say, captain? I've 
 a notion that the worst is yet to come ; " muttered 
 Oswald, still watching the heavens. 
 
 *' How does she carry her helm, Matthew?" in- 
 quired Oswald, walking aft* 
 
 " Spoke a-weather." 
 
 *^ rU have that trysail off of her, at any rate," 
 continued the mate. ** Aft, there, my lads ! and lower 
 down the trysail. Keep the sheet fast till it's down, 
 or the flogging will frighten the lady-passenger out 
 of her wits. Well, if ever I own a craft, I'll have no 
 women on board. Dollars shan't tempt me." 
 
 The lightning now played in rapid forks ; and the 
 loud thunder, which instantaneously followed each 
 flash, proved its near approach. A deluge of slanting 
 rain descended — the wind lulled — roared again — 
 then lulled — shifted a point or two, and the drenched 
 and heavy sails flapped. 
 
 " Up with the helm. Mat!" cried Oswald, as a 
 near flash of lightning for a moment blinded, and the 
 accompanying peal of thunder deafened, those on deck. 
 Again the wind blew strong — it ceased, and it was 
 a dead calm. The sails hung down from the yards, 
 and the rain descended in perpendicular torrents, 
 while the ship rocked to and fro in the trough of 
 the sea, and the darkness became suddenly intense. 
 
 " Down, there, one of you! and call the captain," 
 said Oswald. ^' By the Lord I we shall have it. Main 
 braces there, men, and square the yards. Be smart ! 
 That topsail should have been in," muttered the mate ; 
 *' but I'm not captain. . Square away the yards, my 
 
24 THE GALE. 
 
 lads !" continued he ; " quick, quick ! — there's no 
 child's play here!" 
 
 Owing to the difficulty of finding and passing the 
 ropes to each other, from the intensity of the darkness, 
 and the deluge of rain which blinded them, the men 
 were not able to execute the order of the mate so soon 
 as it was necessary ; and, before they could accomplish 
 their task, or Captain Ingram could gain the deck, 
 the wind suddenly burst upon the devoted vessel 
 from the quarter directly opposite to that from which 
 the gale had blown, taking her all a-back, and 
 throwing her on her beam-ends. The man at the 
 helm was hurled over the wheel ; while the rest, who 
 were with Oswald at the main bits, with the coils of 
 ropes and every other article on deck not secured, 
 were rolled into the scuppers, struggling to extricate 
 themselves from the mass of confusion and the water 
 in which they floundered. The sudden revulsion awoke 
 all the men below, who imagined that the ship was 
 foundering ; and, from the only hatchway not secured, 
 they poured up in their shirts, with their other gar- 
 ments in their hands, to put them on — if fate per- 
 mitted. 
 
 Oswald Bareth was the first who clambered up 
 from to leeward. He gained the helm, which he put 
 hard up. Captain Ingram and some of the seamen 
 also gained the helm. It is the rendezvous of all 
 good seamen in emergencies of this description : but 
 the howling of the gale — the blinding of the rain and 
 salt spray — the seas checked in their running by the 
 shift of wind, and breaking over the ship in vast masses 
 
THE GALE. 25 
 
 of water — the tremendous peals of thunder — and the 
 intense darkness which accompanied these horrors, 
 added to the inclined position of the vessel, which 
 obliged them to climb from one part of the deck to 
 another, for some time checked all profitable commu- 
 nication. Their only friend, in this conflict of the 
 elements, was the lightning (unhappy, indeed, the 
 situation in which lightning can be welcomed as a 
 friend) ; but its vivid and forked flames, darting down 
 upon every quarter of the horizon, enabled them to 
 perceive their situation : and, awful as it was, when 
 momentarily presented to their sight, it was not so 
 awful as darkness and uncertainty. To those who 
 have been accustomed to the difficulties and dangers 
 of a sea-faring life, there are no lines which speak 
 more forcibly to the imagination, or prove the beauty 
 and power of the Greek poet, than those in the noble 
 prayer of Ajax : 
 
 " Lord of earth and air, 
 O king ! O father ! hear my humble prayer. 
 Dispel this cloud, the light of heaven restore; 
 Give me to see — and Ajax asks no more. 
 If Greece must perish — we thy will obey : 
 But let us perish in the face of day T^ 
 
 Oswald gave the helm to two of the seamen, and 
 with his knife cut adrift the axes, which were lashed 
 round the mizen-mast in painted canvass covers. One 
 he retained for himself, — the others he put into the 
 hands of the boatswain and the second mate. To speak 
 so as to be heard was almost impossible, from the 
 
26 THE GALE. 
 
 tremendous roaring of the wind ; but the lamp still burned 
 in the bittacle, and, by its feeble light, Captain Ingram 
 could distinguish the signs made by the mate, and 
 could give his consent. It was necessary that the ship 
 should be put before the wind, and the helm had no 
 power over her. In a short time the lanyards of the 
 mizen rigging were severed, and the mizen-mast went 
 over the side, almost unperceived by the crew on the 
 other parts of the deck, or even those near, had it 
 not been from blows received by those who were too 
 close to it, from the falling of the topsail-sheets and 
 the rigging about the mast. 
 
 Oswald, with his companions, regained the bittacle, 
 and for some little while watched the compass. The 
 ship did not pay off, and appeared to settle down more 
 into the water. Again Oswald made his signs, and 
 again the captain gave his assent. Forward sprang 
 the undaunted mate, clinging to the bulwark and 
 belaying-pins, and followed by his hardy companions, 
 until they had all three gained the main-channels. 
 Here, their exposure to the force of the breaking 
 waves, and the stoutness of the ropes yielding but 
 slowly to the blows of the axes, which were used 
 almost under water, rendered the service one of ex- 
 treme difficulty and danger. The boatswain was 
 washed over the bulwark and dashed to leeward, 
 where the lee-rigging only saved him from a watery 
 grave. Unsubdued, he again climbed up to wind- 
 ward, rejoined and assisted his companions. The last 
 blow was given by Oswald — the lanyards flew through 
 the dead-eyes — and the tall mast disappeared in the 
 
THE GALE. 27 
 
 foaming seas. Oswald and his companions hastened 
 from their dangerous position, and rejoined the cap- 
 tain, who, with many of the crew, still remained near 
 the wheel. The ship now slowly paid off and righted. 
 In a few minutes she was flying hefore the gale, rolling 
 heavily, and occasionally striking upon the wrecks of 
 the masts, which she towed with her by the lee- 
 rigging. 
 
 Although the wind blew with as much violence as 
 before, still it was not with the same noise, now that 
 the ship was before the wind with her after-masts 
 gone. The next service was to clear the ship of the 
 wrecks of the masts ; but, although all now assisted, 
 but little could be effected until the day had dawned, 
 and even then it was a service of danger, as the ship 
 rolled gunwale under. Those who performed the 
 duty were slung in ropes, that they might not be 
 washed away ; and hardly was it completed, when 
 a heavy roll, assisted by a jerking heave from a sea 
 which struck her on the chess-tree, sent the foremast 
 over the starboard cat-head. Thus was the Circassian 
 dismasted in the gale. 
 
28 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE LEAK. 
 
 The wreck of the foremast was cleared from the ship ; 
 the gale continued ; but the sun shone brightly and 
 w^armly. The Circassian was again brought to the wind. 
 All danger was now considered to be over, and the 
 seamen joked and laughed as they were busied in 
 preparing jury-masts, to enable them to reach their 
 destined port. 
 
 " I wouldn't have cared so much about this spree," 
 said the boatswain, " if it warn't for the mainmast; 
 it was such a beauty. There's not another stick to 
 be found equal to it in the whole length of the 
 Mississippi." 
 
 *' Bah ! man," replied Oswald, *^ there's as good 
 fish in the sea as ever came out of it, and as good 
 sticks growing as ever were felled ; but I guess we'll 
 pay pretty dear for our spars when we get to Liverpool 
 — but that concerns the owners." 
 
 The wind, which, at the time of its sudden change 
 to the southward and eastward, had blown with the 
 force of a hurricane, now settled into a regular strong 
 gale, such as sailors are prepared to meet and laugh 
 at. The sky was also bright and clear, and they had 
 
THE LEAK. 29 
 
 not the danger of a lee shore. It was a delightful 
 change after a night of darkness, danger, and con- 
 fusion ; and the men worked that they might get 
 sufficient sail on the ship to steady her, and enable 
 them to shape a course. 
 
 " I suppose, now that we have the trysail on her 
 forward, the captain will be for running for it," 
 observed one who was busy turning in a dead-eye. 
 
 " Yes," replied the boatswain ; ** and with this 
 wind on our quarter we shan't want much sail, I've 
 a notion." 
 
 " Well, then, one advantage in losing your masts — 
 you havn't much trouble about the rigging." 
 
 *' Trouble enough, though, Bill, when we get in," 
 replied another, gruffly : " new lower rigging to parcel 
 and sarve, and every block to turn in afresh." 
 
 " Never mind, longer in port — I'll get spliced." 
 
 '* Why, how often do you mean to get spliced. 
 Bill? you've a wife in every State, to my sartain 
 knowledge." 
 
 *' I arn't got one at Liverpool, Jack," 
 
 " Well, you may take one there, Bill ; for you've 
 been sweet upon that nigger girl for these last three 
 weeks." 
 
 " Any port in a storm, but she won't do for har- 
 bour duty : but the fact is, you're all wrong there, 
 Jack. It's the babbies I likes — I likes to see them 
 both together hanging at the nigger's breasts. I 
 always thinks of two spider monkeys nursing two 
 kittens." 
 
 " I knows the women, but I never knows the 
 
30 THE LEAK, 
 
 children. It's just six of one and half-a-dozen of the 
 other, an't it, Bill?." 
 
 " Yes ; like two bright bullets out of the same 
 mould : I say, Bill, did any of your wives ever have 
 twins ?'* 
 
 *^ No; nor I don't intend, until the owners give 
 us double pay." 
 
 *^ By the by," interrupted Oswald, who had been 
 standing under the weather bulk-head, listening to the 
 conversation, and watching the work in progress, ** we 
 may just as well see if she has made any water with 
 all this straining and buffeting. By the Lord ! I never 
 thought of that. Carpenter, lay down your adze and 
 sound the well." 
 
 The carpenter, who, notwithstanding the uneasiness 
 of the dismasted vessel, was performing his important 
 share of the work, immediately complied with the 
 order. He drew up the rope-yarn, to which an iron 
 rule had been suspended, and lowered down into the 
 pump-well, and perceived that the water was dripping 
 from it. Imagining that it must have been wet from 
 the quantity of water shipped over all, the carpenter 
 disengaged the rope-yarn from the rule, drew another 
 from the junk lying on the deck, which the seamen 
 were working up, and then carefully proceeded to 
 plumb the well. He hauled it up, and, looking at it 
 for some moments aghast, exclaimed " Seven feet water 
 in the hold, by G — d ! " 
 
 If the crew of the Circassian, the whole of which 
 were on deck, had been struck with an electric shock, 
 the sudden change in their countenances could not 
 
THE LEAK. 31 
 
 have been greater than was produced by this appalling 
 intelligence. 
 
 Heap upon sailors every disaster, every danger 
 which can be accumulated from the waves, the wind, 
 the elements, or the enemy, and they will bear up 
 against them with a courage amounting to heroism. 
 All they demand is, that the one plank " between 
 them and death" is sound, and they will trust to their 
 own energies, and will be confident in their own skill ; 
 but spring a leak, and they are half paralysed ; and if 
 it gain upon them they are subdued; for when they 
 find that their exertions are futile, they are little better 
 than children. 
 
 Oswald sprang to the pumps, when he heard the 
 carpenter's report. " Try again, Abel — it cannot be : 
 cut away that line; hand us here a dry rope-yarn." 
 
 Once more the well was sounded by Oswald, and 
 the results were the same. ** We must rig the pumps, 
 my lads," said the mate, endeavouring to conceal his 
 own fears ; " half this water must have found its way 
 in her when she was on her beam-ends." 
 
 This idea, so judiciously thrown out, was caught 
 at by the seamen, who hastened to obey the order, 
 while Oswald went down to acquaint the captain, who, 
 worn out with watching and fatigue, had, now that 
 danger was considered to be over, thrown himself into 
 his cot to obtain a few hours' repose. 
 
 " Do you think, Bareth, that we have sprung a 
 leak ?" said the captain, earnestly ; " she never could 
 have taken in that quantity of water." 
 
 ** Never, sir," replied the mate; " but she has- 
 
32 
 
 THE LEAK. 
 
 been so strained that she may have opened her top- 
 sides. I trust it is no worse." 
 
 " What is your opinion then ?" 
 
 " I am afraid that the wreck of the masts have 
 injured her: you may recollect how often we struck 
 against them before we could clear ourselves of them ; 
 once, particularly, the main-mast appeared to be right 
 under her bottom, I recollect, and she struck very heavy 
 
 " Well, it is God's will : let us get on deck as 
 fast as we can.'* 
 
 When they arrived on deck, the carpenter walked 
 up to the captain, and quietly said to him, " Seven feet 
 three^ sir." The pumps were then in full action ; the 
 men had divided, by the directions of the boatswain, 
 and, stripped naked to the waist, relieved each other 
 every two minutes. For half an hour they laboured 
 incessantly. 
 
 This was the half-hour of suspense : the great point 
 to be ascertained was, whether she leaked through the 
 top-sides, and had taken in the water during the 
 second gale ; if so, there was every hope of keeping it 
 under. Captain Ingram and the mate remained in 
 silence near the capstern, the former with his watch in 
 his hand, during the time that the sailors exerted them- 
 selves to the utmost. It was ten minutes past seven 
 when the half hour had expired ; the well was sounded, 
 and the line carefully measured — seven feet six inches! 
 So that the water had gained upon them notwithstand- 
 ing they had plied the pumps to the utmost of their 
 strength. 
 
THE LEAK. 33 
 
 A mute look of despair was exchanged among the 
 crew, but it was followed up by curses and execrations. 
 Captain Ingram remained silent, with his lips com- 
 pressed. 
 
 " It*s all over with us ! " exclaimed one of the 
 men. 
 
 " Not yet, my lads; we have one more chance," 
 said Oswald ; " I've a notion that the ship's sides have 
 been opened by the infernal straining of last night, and 
 that she is now taking it in at the top-sides generally : 
 if so, we have only to put her before the wind again, 
 and have another good spell at the pumps. When no 
 longer strained, as she is now with her broadside to 
 the sea, she will close all up again." 
 
 '^ I shouldn't wonder if Mr. Bareth is not right," re- 
 plied the carpenter; " however, that's my notion too." 
 
 " And mine," added Captain Ingram. " Come, 
 my men! never say die while there's a shot in the 
 locker. Let's try her again." And, to encourage the 
 men, Captain Ingram threw off his coat and assisted at 
 the first spell, while Oswald went to the helm and put 
 the ship before the wind. 
 
 As the Circassian rolled before the gale, the lazy 
 manner in which she righted proved how much water 
 there was in the hold. The seamen exerted themselves 
 for a whole hour without intermission, and the well 
 was again sounded — eight feet ! 
 
 The men did not assert that they would pump no 
 longer ; but they too plainly shewed their intentions by 
 each resuming in silence his shirt and jacket, which he 
 had taken off at the commencement of his exertions. 
 
34 
 
 THE LEAK. 
 
 " What's to be done, Oswald?" said Captain Ingram, 
 as they walked aft. " You see the men will pump no 
 longer ; nor, indeed, would it be of any use. We are 
 doomed." 
 
 " The Circassian is, sir, I am afraid," replied the 
 mate: '^ pumping is of no avail; they could not keep 
 her afloat till day-break. We must, therefore, trust to 
 our boats, which I believe to be all sound, and quit her 
 before night." 
 
 " Crowded boats in such a sea as this!" replied 
 Captain Ingram, shaking his head mournfully — 
 
 " Are bad enough, I grant; but better than the sea 
 itself. All we can do now is to try and keep the men 
 sober, and if we can do so it will be better than to 
 fatigue them uselessly ; they'll want all their strength 
 before they put foot again upon dry land — if ever they 
 are so fortunate. Shall I speak to them ?'* 
 
 '^ Do, Oswald," replied the captain ; "for myself I 
 care little, God knows ; but my wife — my children !" 
 
 *' My lads," said Oswald, going forward to the men, 
 who had waited in moody silence the result of the 
 conference — " as for pumping any longer it would be 
 only wearing out your strength for no good. We must 
 now look to our boats ; and a good boat is better than 
 a bad ship. Still, this gale and cross-running sea are 
 rather too much for boats at present ; we had therefore 
 better stick to the ship as long as we can. Let us set 
 to with a will and get the boats ready, with provisions, 
 water, and what else may be needful, and then we must 
 trust to God's mercy and our own endeavours." 
 
 " No boat can stand this sea," observed one of the 
 
THE LEAK. 35 
 
 men ; " I'm of opinion, as it's to be a short life, it may 
 as well be a merry one. What d'ye say, my lads'?" 
 continued he, appealing to the men. 
 
 Several of the crew were of the same opinion : but 
 Oswald, stepping forward, seized one of the axes which 
 lay at the main-bitts, and going up to the seaman who 
 had spoken, looked him steadfastly in the face ; — 
 
 " Williams," said the mate, " a short life it may 
 be to all of us, but not a merry one ; the meaning of 
 which I understand very well. Sorry I shall be to 
 have your blood, or that of others, on my hands ; but, 
 as sure as there's a heaven, I'll cleave to the shoulder 
 the first man who attempts to break into the spirit- 
 room. You know I never joke. Shame upon you ! 
 Do you call yourselves men, when, for the sake of a 
 little liquor now, you would lose your only chance 
 of getting drunk every day, as soon as we get on shore 
 again ? There's a time for all things ; and I've a 
 notion this is a time to be sober." 
 
 As most of the crew sided with Oswald, the weaker 
 party were obliged to submit, and the preparations 
 were commenced. The two boats on the booms were 
 found to be in good condition. One party was em- 
 ployed cutting away the bulwarks, that the boats might 
 be launched over the side, as there were no means 
 of hoisting them out. The well was again sounded. 
 Nine feet water in the hold, and the ship evidently 
 settling fast. Two hours had now passed, and the 
 gale was not so violent ; the sea, also, which, at the 
 change of wind, had been cross, appeared to have 
 recovered its regular run. All was ready ; the sailors, 
 
36 THE LEAK. 
 
 once at work again, had, in some measure, recovered 
 their spirits, and were buoyed up with fresh hopes at 
 the slight change in their favour from the decrease 
 of the wind. The two boats were quite large enough 
 to contain the whole of the crew and passengers ; but, 
 as the sailors said among themselves (proving the 
 kindness of their hearts), *' What was to become of 
 those two poor babbies, in an open boat for days and 
 nights, perhaps ? " Captain Ingram had gone down 
 to Mrs. Templemore, to impart to her their melan- 
 choly prospects ; and the mother's heart, as well as 
 the mother's voice, echoed the words of the seamen, 
 " What will become of my poor babes?" 
 
 It was not till nearly six o'clock in the evening 
 that all was ready: the ship was slowly brought to 
 the wind again, and the boats launched over the 
 side. By this time the gale was much abated; but 
 the vessel was full of water, and was expected soon 
 to go down. 
 
 There is no time in which coolness and determin- 
 ation are more required than in a situation like the 
 one which we have attempted to describe. It is 
 impossible to know the precise moment at which a 
 water-logged vessel, in a heavy sea, may go down ; 
 and its occupants are in a state of mental fever, with 
 the idea of their remaining in her so late that she 
 will suddenly submerge, and leave them to struggle 
 in the wave. This feeling actuated many of the crew 
 of the Circassian, and they had already retreated to 
 the boats. All was arranged; Oswald had charge of 
 one boat, and it was agreed that the larger should 
 
THE LEAK. 37 
 
 receive Mrs. Templemore and her children, under the 
 protection of Captain Ingram. The number appointed 
 to Oswald's boat being completed, he shoved off, to 
 make room for the other, and laid to to leeward, 
 waiting to keep company. Mrs. Templemore came 
 up with Captain Ingram, and was assisted by him 
 into the boat. The nurse, with one child, was at last 
 placed by her side ; Coco was leading Judy, the other 
 nurse, with the remaining infant in her arms, and 
 Captain Ingram, who had been obliged to go into the 
 boat with the first child, was about to return to 
 assist Judy with the other, when the ship gave a 
 heavy pitch, and her forecastle was buried in the 
 wave ; at the same time the gunwale of the boat was 
 stove by coming in contact with the side of the vessel. 
 '' She's down, by God !" exclaimed the alarmed seamen 
 in the boat ; shoving off to escape from the vortex. 
 
 Captain Ingram, who was standing on the boat's 
 thwarts to assist Judy, was thrown back into the bot- 
 tom of the boat ; and, before he could extricate him- 
 self, the boat was separated from the ship, and had 
 drifted to leeward. 
 
 " My child !" screamed the mother ; " my child !" 
 
 " Pull to again, my lads !" cried Captain Ingram, 
 seizing the tiller. 
 
 The men, who had been alarmed at the idea that 
 the ship was going down, now that they saw that she 
 was still afloat, got out the oars and attempted to 
 regain her, but in vain — they could not make head 
 against the sea and wind. Further and further did 
 they drift to leeward, notwithstanding their exertions ; 
 
38 THE LEAK. 
 
 while tlie frantic mother extended her arms, imploring 
 and entreating. Captain Ingram, who had stimu- 
 lated the sailors to the utmost, perceived that further 
 attempts were useless. 
 
 ** My child! my child!" screamed Mrs. Temple- 
 more, standing up, and holding out her arms towards 
 the vessel. At a sign from the captain, the head of 
 the boat was veered round. The bereaved mother 
 knew that all hope was gone, and she fell down in a 
 state of insensibility. 
 
39 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 One morning, shortly after the disasters which we 
 have described, Mr. Witherington descended to his 
 breakfast-room somewhat earlier than usual, and found 
 his green morocco easy-chair already tenanted by no 
 less a personage than William, the footman, who, with 
 his feet on the fender, was so attentively reading the 
 newspaper that he did not hear his master's entrance. 
 " By my ancestor, who fought on his stumps ! but I 
 hope you are quite comfortable, Mr. William ; nay, I 
 beg I may not disturb you, sir." 
 
 William, although as impudent as most of his fra- 
 ternity, was a little taken aback : " I beg your pardon, 
 sir, but Mr. Jonathan had not time to look over the 
 paper." 
 
 " Nor is it required that he should, that I know of, 
 sir. 
 
 " Mr. Jonathan says, sir, that it is always right to 
 look over the deaths, that news of that kind may not 
 shock you." 
 
 " Very considerate, indeed !" 
 
 *' And there is a story there, sir, about a shipwreck." 
 
 *' A shipwreck ! where, William? God bless me! 
 where is it ? " 
 
40 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 " I am afraid it is the same ship you are so anxious 
 
 about, sir, — the ; I forget the name, sir." 
 
 Mr. Witherington took the newspaper, and his eye 
 soon caught the paragraph in which the rescue of the 
 two negroes and child from the wreck of the Circassian 
 was fully detailed. 
 
 *' It is, indeed!" exclaimed Mr. Witherington ; " my 
 poor Cecilia in an open boat ! one of the boats was seen 
 to go down, — perhaps she's dead — merciful God ! one 
 boy saved. Mercy on me! where's Jonathan ?" 
 
 " Here, sir," replied Jonathan, very solemnly, who 
 had just brought in the eggs, and now stood erect as 
 a mute behind his master's chair, for it was a case of 
 danger, if not of death. 
 
 " I must go to Portsmouth immediately after break- 
 fast — shan't eat though — appetite all gone." 
 
 " People seldom do, sir, on these melancholy occa- 
 sions," replied Jonathan ; " will you take your own 
 carriage, sir, or a mourning coach ?" 
 
 " A mourning coach at fourteen miles an hour, 
 with two pair of horses ! Jonathan, you're crazy." 
 
 " Will you please to have black silk hatbands and 
 gloves for the coachman and servants who attend you, 
 sir?" 
 
 '* Confound your shop! no; this is a resurrection, 
 not a death : it appears that the negro thinks only one 
 of the boats went down." 
 
 *' Mors omnia vincit,'' quoth Jonathan, casting up 
 his eyes. 
 
 *' Never you mind that; mind your own business. 
 That's the postman's knock — see if there are any letters." 
 
THE OLD MAID. 41 
 
 There were several ; and, amongst the others, there 
 was one from Captain Maxwell, of the Eurydice, 
 detailing the circumstances already known, and in- 
 forming Mr. Witherington that he had despatched the 
 two negroes and the child to his address hy that day's 
 coach, and that one of the officers, who was going to 
 town hy the same conveyance, would see them safe to 
 his house. 
 
 Captain Maxwell was an old acquaintance of Mr. 
 Witherington — had dined at his house in company 
 with the Templemores, and therefore had extracted 
 quite enough information from the negroes to know 
 where to direct them. 
 
 " By the blood of my ancestors ! they'll be here 
 to-night," cried Mr. Witherington; " and I have saved 
 my journey. What is to be done? better tell Mary 
 to get rooms ready : d'ye hear, William ? beds for one 
 little boy and two niggers.'' 
 
 *' Yes, sir," replied William; ^' but where are the 
 black people to be put?" 
 
 *' Put! I don't care; one may sleep with cook, the 
 other with Mary." 
 
 a Very well, sir, I'll tell them," replied William, 
 hastening away, delighted at the row which he antici- 
 pated in the kitchen. 
 
 *^ If you please, sir," observed Jonathan, '' one of 
 the negroes is, I believe, a man." 
 
 " Well, what then ?" 
 
 " Only, sir, the maids may object to sleep with 
 him." 
 
 " By all the plagues of the Witheringtons ! that is 
 
42 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 true; well, you may take him, Jonathan — you like 
 that colour." 
 
 " Not in the dark, sir," replied Jonathan, with a 
 bow. 
 
 " Well, then, let them sleep together : so, that affair 
 is settled." 
 
 *' Are they man and wife, sir?" said the butler. 
 
 " The devil take them both ! how should I know ? 
 let me have my breakfast, and we'll talk over the mat- 
 ter by and by." 
 
 Mr. Witherington applied to his eggs and muffin, 
 eating his breakfast as fast as he could, without know- 
 ing why ; but the reason was that he was puzzled and 
 perplexed with the anticipated arrival, and longed to 
 think quietly over the dilemma, for it was a dilemma 
 to an old bachelor. As soon as he had swallowed his 
 second cup of tea he put himself into his easy-chair, 
 in an easy attitude, and was very soon soliloquising as 
 follows : — 
 
 *' By the blood of the Witheringtons ! what am I, 
 an old bachelor, to do with a baby and a wetnurse as 
 black as the ace of spades, and another black fellow 
 in the bargain? Send him back again? yes, that's 
 best : but the child — woke every morning at five o'clock 
 with its squalling — obliged to kiss it three times a 
 day — pleasant! — and then that nigger of a nurse — 
 thick lips — kissing child all day, and then holding it 
 out to me — io-norant as a cow — if child has the 
 stomach-ache she'll cram a pepper-pod down its throat 
 — West India fashion — children never without the 
 stomach-ache — my poor, poor cousin ! — what has be- 
 
THE OLD MAID. 43 
 
 come of her and the other child, too ? — wish they may 
 pick her up, poor dear ! and then she will come and 
 take care of her own children — don't know what to 
 do — great mind to send for sister Moggy — but she's 
 so fussy — wont be in a hurry. Think again.'* 
 
 Here Mr. Witherington was interrupted by two 
 taps at the door. 
 
 " Come in," said he ; and the cook, with her 
 face as red as if she had been dressing a dinner for 
 eighteen, made her appearance without the usual clean 
 apron. 
 
 " If you please, sir," said she, curtseying, ^' I will 
 thank you to suit yourself with another cook." 
 
 " Oh, very well," replied Mr. Witherington, angry 
 at the interruption. 
 
 '' And, if you please, sir, I should like to go this 
 very day — indeed, sir, I shall not stay.'* 
 
 *' Go to the devil ! if you please," replied Mr. 
 Witherington, angrily ;] " but first go out and shut 
 the door after you." 
 
 The cook retired, and Mr. Witherington was again 
 alone. 
 
 " Confound the old woman — what a huff she is 
 in! won't cook for black people, I suppose — yes, 
 that's it." 
 
 Here Mr. Witherington was again interrupted by a 
 second double tap at the door. 
 
 '* Oh! thought better of it, I suppose. Come in." 
 
 It was not the cook, but Mary, the housemaid, that 
 entered . 
 
44 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 " If you please, sir," said she, whimpering, " I 
 should wish to leave my situation." 
 
 " A conspiracy, by heavens ! Well, you may go." 
 
 " To-night, sir, if you please," answered the woman. 
 
 " This moment, for all I care!" exclaimed Mr. 
 Witherington in his wrath. 
 
 The housemaid retired ; and Mr. Witherington took 
 some time to compose himself. 
 
 *' Servants all going to the devil in this country,'* 
 said he at last; "proud fools — won't clean rooms 
 after black people, I suppose — yes, that's it — confound 
 them all, black and white ! here's my whole establish- 
 ment upset by the arrival of a baby — well, it is very 
 uncomfortable — what shall I do? — send for sister 
 Moggy? — no, I'll send for Jonathan." 
 
 Mr. Witherington rang the bell, and Jonathan 
 made his appearance. 
 
 "What is all this, Jonathan?" said he; "cook 
 angry — Mary crying — both going away — what's it 
 all about?" 
 
 " Why, sir, they were told by William that it was 
 your positive order that the two black people were to 
 sleep with them ; and I believe he told Mary that the 
 man was to sleep with her." 
 
 "Confound that fellow! he's always at mischief; 
 you know, Jonathan, I never meant that." 
 
 " I thought not, sir, as it is quite contrary to 
 custom," replied Jonathan. 
 
 " Well, then, tell them so, and let's hear no more 
 about it." 
 
THE OLD MAID. 45 
 
 Mr. Witherington then entered into a consultation 
 with his butler, and acceded to the arrangements pro- 
 posed by him. The parties arrived in due time, and 
 were properly accommodated. Master Edward was 
 not troubled with the stomach-ache, neither did he 
 wake Mr. Witherington at five o'clock in the morn- 
 ing ; and, after all, it was not so very uncomfortable. 
 But, although things were not quite so uncomfortable 
 as Mr. Witherington had anticipated, still they were 
 not comfortable ; and Mr. Witherington was so an- 
 noyed by continual skirmishes between his servants, 
 complaints from Judy, in bad English, of the cook, 
 who, it must be owned, had taken a prejudice 
 against her and Coco, occasional illness of the child, 
 et cetera, that he found his house no longer quiet and 
 peaceable. Three months had now nearly passed, and 
 no tidings of the boats had been received ; and Captain 
 Maxwell, who came up to see Mr. Witherington, gave 
 it as his decided opinion that they must have foundered 
 in the gale. As, therefore, there appeared to be no 
 chance of Mrs. Templemore coming to take care of 
 her child, Mr. Witherington at last resolved to write 
 to Bath, where his sister resided, and acquaint her 
 with the whole story, requesting her to come and 
 superintend his domestic concerns. A few days after- 
 wards he received the following reply : 
 
 " Bath, August. 
 " My dear Brother Antony, 
 
 " Your letter arrived safe to hand on Wednesday 
 
 last, and I must say that I was not a little surprised at 
 
 its contents; indeed, I thought so much about it that I 
 
46 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 revoked at Lady Betty Blabkin's whist-party, and lost four 
 shillings and sixpence. You say that you have a child at 
 your house belonging to your cousin, who married in so 
 indecorous a manner. I hope what you say is true : but, 
 at the same time, I know what bachelors are guilty of; 
 although, as Lady Betty says, it is better never to talk or 
 even to hint about these improper things. I cannot imagine 
 why men should consider themselves, in an unmarried state, 
 as absolved from that purity which maidens are so careful 
 to preserve ; and so says Lady Betty, with whom I had a 
 little conversation on the subject. As, however, the thing 
 is done, she agrees with me that it is better to hush it up 
 as well as we can. 
 
 " I presume that you do not intend to make the child 
 your heir, which I should consider as highly improper; 
 and, indeed, Lady Betty tells me that the legacy-duty is 
 ten per cent, and that it cannot be avoided. However, 
 I make it a rule never to talk about these sort of thing-s. 
 As for your request that I will come up and superintend 
 your establishment, I have advised with Lady Betty on the 
 subject, and she agrees with me that, for the honour of the 
 family, it is better that I should come, as it will save appear- 
 ances. You are in a peck of troubles, as most men are 
 who are free-livers, and are led astray by artful and alluring 
 females. However, as Lady Betty says, * the least said the 
 soonest mended.' 
 
 " I will, therefore, make the necessary arrangements for 
 letting my house, and hope to join you in about ten days ; 
 sooner I cannot, as I find that my engagements extend to 
 that period. Many questions have already been put to me 
 on this unpleasant subject ; but I always give but one 
 answer, which is, that bachelors will be bachelors; and 
 
THE OLD MAID. 47 
 
 that, at all events, it is not so bad as if you were a married 
 
 man ; for I make it a rule never to talk about, or even to 
 
 hint about these sort of things, for, as Lady Betty says, 
 
 * Men will get into scrapes, and the sooner things are hushed 
 
 up the better.' So no more at present from your affectionate 
 
 sister, 
 
 *' Margaret Witherington." 
 
 " P.S. — Lady Betty and I both agree that you are very 
 
 right in hiring two black people to bring the child into your 
 
 house, as it makes the thing look foreign to the neighbours, 
 
 and we can keep our own secrets. 
 
 " M. W." 
 
 '* Now, by all the sins of the Witheringtons, if this 
 is not enough to drive a man out of his senses ! — Con- 
 found the suspicious old maid ! — I'll not let her come 
 into this house. Confound Lady Betty, and all scan- 
 dal-loving old tabbies like her ! Bless me !" continued 
 Mr. Witherington, throvs^ing the letter on the table, 
 with a deep sigh, '^ this is any thing but comfortable." 
 
 But if Mr. Witherington found it any thing but 
 comfortable at the commencement, he found it un- 
 bearable in the sequel. 
 
 His sister Moggy arrived, and installed herself in 
 the house with all the pomp and protecting air of one 
 who was the saviour of her brother's reputation and 
 character. When the child was first brought down 
 to her, instead of perceiving at once its likeness to 
 Mr. Templemore, which was very strong, she looked 
 at it and at her brother's face with her only eye, and, 
 shaking her finger, exclaimed — 
 
48 THE OLD MAID. 
 
 " Oh, Antony ! Antony ! and did you expect to 
 deceive me? — the nose — the mouth exact — Antony, 
 for shame ! fie, for shame ! " 
 
 But we must hurry over the misery that Mr. 
 Witherington's kindness and benevolence brought upon 
 him. Not a day passed — scarcely an hour, without 
 his ears being galled with his sister's insinuations. 
 Judy and Coco were sent back to America ; the ser- 
 vants, who had remained so long in his service, gave 
 warning one by one, and, afterwards, were changed as 
 often almost as there was a change in the moon. She 
 ruled the house and her brother despotically ; and all 
 poor Mr. Witherington's comfort was gone until the 
 time arrived when Master Edward was to be sent to 
 school. Mr. Witherington then plucked up courage; 
 and, after a few stormy months, drove his sister back 
 to Bath, and once more found himself comfortable. 
 
 Edward came home during the holidays, and was 
 a great favourite; but the idea had become current 
 that he was the son of the old gentleman, and the 
 remarks made were so unpleasant and grating to him, 
 that he was not sorry, much as he was attached to 
 the boy, when he declared his intention to choose the 
 profession of a sailor. 
 
 Captain Maxwell introduced him into the service ; 
 and afterwards, when, in consequence of ill health and 
 exhaustion, he was himself obliged to leave it for a 
 time, he procured for his protege other ships. We 
 must, therefore, allow some years to pass away, during 
 which time Edward Templemore pursues his career — 
 Mr. Witherington grows older and more particular. 
 
THE OLD MAID. 49 
 
 and his sister Moggy amuses herself with Lady Betty's 
 remarks, and her darling game of whist. 
 
 During all this period, no tidings of the boats, or 
 of Mrs. Templemore and her infant, had been heard ; 
 it was therefore naturally conjectured that they had 
 all perished, and they were remembered but as things 
 that had been. 
 
50 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 THE MIDSHIPMAN. 
 
 The weather side of the quarter-deck of H.M. frigate 
 Unicorn was occupied by two very great personages : 
 Captain Plumbton, commanding the ship ; who was 
 very great in width if not in height, taking much more 
 than his allowance of the deck, if it were not that 
 he was the proprietor thereof, and entitled to the lion's 
 share. Captain P. was not more than four feet ten 
 inches in height ; but then he was equal to that in 
 girt : there was quite enough of him, if he had only 
 been rolled out. He walked with his coat flying open, 
 his thumbs stuck into the arm-holes of his waistcoat, 
 so as to throw his shoulders back and increase his 
 horizontal dimensions. He also held his head well 
 aft, which threw his chest and stomach well forward. 
 He was the prototype of pomposity and good-nature, 
 and he strutted like an actor in a procession. 
 
 The other personage was the first-lieutenant, whom 
 nature had pleased to fashion in another mould. He 
 was as tall as the captain was short — as thin as his su- 
 perior was corpulent. His long, lanky legs were nearly 
 up to the captain's shoulders; and he bowed down 
 over the head of his superior, as if he were the crane 
 to hoist up, and the captain the bale of goods to be 
 hoisted. He carried his hands behind his back, with 
 
THE MIDSHIPMAN. 51 
 
 two fingers twisted together; and his chief difficulty 
 appeared to be to reduce his own stride to the parrot 
 march of the captain. His features were sharp and 
 lean as was his body, and wore every appearance of a 
 cross-grained temper. 
 
 He had been making divers complaints of divers 
 persons, and the captain had hitherto appeared im- 
 perturbable. Captain Plumbton was an even-tem- 
 pered man, who was satisfied with a good dinner. 
 Lieutenant Markitall was an odd-tempered man, who 
 would quarrel with his bread and butter. 
 
 " Quite impossible, sir," continued the first-lieu- 
 tenant, " to carry on the duty without support." 
 
 This oracular observation, which, from the relative 
 forms of the two parties, descended as it were from 
 above, was replied to by the captain with a " Very 
 true." 
 
 " Then, sir, I presume you will not object to my 
 putting that man in the report for punishment." 
 
 " I'll think about it, Mr. Markitall." This, with 
 Captain Plumbton, was as much as to say, no. 
 
 " The young gentlemen, sir, I am sorry to say, 
 are very troublesome." 
 
 " Boys always are," replied the captain. 
 
 " Yes, sir ; but the duty must be carried on, and I 
 cannot do without them." 
 
 " Very true — midshipman are very useful.^' 
 
 " But I'm sorry to say, sir, that they are not. Now, 
 sir, there's Mr. Templemore; I can do nothing with 
 him — he does nothing but laugh." 
 
 " Laugh ! — Mr. Markitall, does he laugh at you?" 
 
52 THE MIDSHIPMAN. 
 
 " Not exactly, sir ; but he laughs at every thing. 
 If I send him to the mast-head, he goes up laughing ; 
 if I call him down, he comes down laughing ; if I find 
 fault with him, he laughs the next minute : in fact, 
 sir, he does nothing but laugh. I should particularly 
 wish, sir, that you would speak to him, and see if any 
 interference on your part " 
 
 "Would make him cry — eh? better to laugh 
 than cry in this world. Does he never cry, Mr. 
 Markitall?" 
 
 " Yes, sir, and very unseasonably. The other day, 
 you may recollect, when you punished Wilson the 
 marine, whom I appointed to take care of his chest and 
 hammock, he was crying the whole time ; almost 
 tantamount — at least an indirect species of mutiny on 
 his part, as it implied " 
 
 " That the boy was sorry that his servant was 
 punished ; I never flog a man but I'm sorry myself, 
 Mr. Markitall." 
 
 " Well, I do not press the question of his crying — 
 that I might look over ; but his laughing, sir, I must 
 beg that you will take notice of that. Here he is, 
 sir, coming up the hatchway. Mr. Templemore, the 
 captain wishes to speak to you." 
 
 Now, the captain did not wish to speak to him, 
 but, forced upon him as it was by the first-lieutenant, 
 he could do no less. So Mr. Templemore touched his 
 hat, and stood before the captain, we regret to say, 
 with such a good-humoured, sly, confiding smirk on 
 his countenance, as at once established the proof of 
 the accusation, and the enormity of the offence. 
 
THE MIDSHIPMAN. 53 
 
 *' So, sir," said Captain Plumbton, stopping in his 
 perambulation, and squaring his shoulders still more, 
 " I find that you laugh at the first-lieutenant." 
 
 *' I, sir?" replied the boy, the smirk expanding 
 into a broad grin. 
 
 " Yes, you, sir," said the first - lieutenant, now 
 drawing up to his full height ; " why, you're laughing 
 now, sir." 
 
 '^ I can't help it, sir — it's not my fault; and Fm 
 sure it's not yours, sir," added the boy, demurely. 
 
 "Are you aware, Edward — Mr. Templemore, I 
 mean — of the impropriety of disrespect to your superior 
 officer?" 
 
 " I never laughed at Mr. Markitall but once, sir, 
 that I can recollect, and that was when he tumbled 
 over the messenger." 
 
 " And why did you laugh at him then, sir." 
 
 " I always do laugh when any one tumbles down," 
 replied the lad; " I can't help it, sir." 
 
 " Then, sir, I suppose you would laugh if you saw 
 me rolling in the lee scuppers," said the captain. 
 
 " Oh ! " replied the boy, no longer able to contain 
 himself, " I'm sure I should burst myself with laugh- 
 ing — I think I see you now, sir." 
 
 " Do you, indeed ! I'm very glad that you do not; 
 though I'm afraid, young gentleman, you stand con- 
 victed by your own confession." 
 
 " Yes, sir, of laughing, if that is any crime ; but 
 it's not in the articles of war." 
 
 " No, sir ; but disrespect is. You laugh when you 
 go to the mast-head." 
 
54 THE MIDSHIPMAN. 
 
 " But I obey the order, sir, immediately — do I 
 not, Mr. Markitall?" 
 
 '^ Yes, sir, you obey the order ; but, at the same 
 time, your laughing proves that you do not mind the 
 punishment." 
 
 " No more I do, sir. I spend half my life at the 
 mast-head, and I'm used to it now." 
 
 '* But, Mr. Templemore, ought you not to feel 
 the disgrace of the punishment," inquired the captain, 
 severely. 
 
 " Yes, sir, if I felt that I deserved it I should. I 
 should not laugh, sir, if yon sent me to the mast-head," 
 replied the boy, assuming a serious countenance. 
 
 '* You see, Mr. Markitall, that he can be grave," 
 observed the captain. 
 
 " I've tried all I can to make him so, sir," replied 
 the first-lieutenant ; *' but I wish to ask Mr. Temple- 
 more what he means to imply by saying, ' when he 
 deserves it.' Does he mean to say that I have ever 
 punished him unjustly?" 
 
 *' Yes, sir," replied the boy boldly ; " five times 
 out of six, I am mast-headed for nothing — and that's 
 the reason why I do not mind it." 
 
 " For nothing, sir ! Do you call laughing nothing?" 
 
 " I pay every attention that I can to my duty, sir ; I 
 always obey your orders ; I try all I can to make you 
 pleased with me — but you are always punishing me." 
 
 " Yes, sir, for laughing, and, what is worse, making 
 the ship's company laugh." 
 
 ** They ' haul and hold' just the same, sir — ^I think 
 they work all the better for being merry." 
 
THE MIDSHIPMAN. 55 
 
 " And pray, sir, what business have you to think," 
 replied the first-lieutenant, now very angry. *^ Captain 
 Plumbton, as this young gentleman thinks proper to 
 interfere with me and the discipline of the ship, I beg 
 you will see what effect your punishing may have upon 
 him." 
 
 " Mr. Templemore," said the captain, '' you are, in 
 the first place, too free in your speech, and, in the next 
 place, too fond of laughing. There is, Mr. Temple- 
 more, a time for all things — a time to be merry, and 
 a time to be serious. The quarter-deck is not the fit 
 place for mirth." 
 
 ^' I'm sure the gangway is not," shrewdly interrupted 
 the boy. 
 
 " No — you are right, nor the gangway; but you 
 may laugh on the forecastle, and when below with your 
 messmates." 
 
 " No, sir, we may not ; Mr. Markitall always sends 
 out if he hears us laughing." 
 
 " Because, Mr. Templemore, you are always 
 laughing." 
 
 ^^ I believe I am, sir ; and if it's wrong I'm sorry 
 to displease you, but I mean no disrespect. I laugh 
 in my sleep — I laugh when I awake — I laugh when 
 the sun shines — I always feel so happy; but although 
 you do mast-head me, Mr. Markitall, I should not 
 laugh, but be very sorry, if any misfortune happened 
 to you." 
 
 " I believe you would, boy — I do, indeed, Mr. 
 Markitall," said the captain. 
 
 " Well, sir," replied the first-lieutenant, " as Mr. 
 
56 THE MIDSHIPMAN. 
 
 Templemore appears to be aware of his error, I do not 
 wish to press my complaint — I have only to request 
 that he will never laugh again." 
 
 "You hear, boy, what the first -lieutenant says; 
 it's very reasonable, and I beg I may hear no more 
 complaints. Mr. Markitall, let me know when the 
 foot of that foretopsail will be repaired — I should like 
 to shift it to-night." 
 
 Mr. Markitall went down under the half-deck to 
 make the inquiry. 
 
 " And, Edward," said Captain Plumbton, as soon 
 as the lieutenant was out of ear-shot, " I have a good 
 deal more to say to you upon this subject, but I have 
 no time now. So come and dine with me — at my 
 table, you know, I allow laughing in moderation." 
 
 The boy touched his hat, and with a grateful, happy 
 countenance, walked away. 
 
 We have introduced this little scene, that the reader 
 may form some idea of the character of Edward Temple- 
 more. He was indeed the soul of mirth, good-humour, 
 and kindly feelings towards others ; he even felt kindly 
 towards the first -lieutenant, who persecuted him for 
 his risible propensities. We do not say that the boy 
 was right in laughing at all times, or that the first- 
 lieutenant was wrong in attempting to check it. As 
 the captain said, there is a time for all things, and 
 Edward's laugh was not always seasonable ; but it 
 was his nature, and he could not help it. He was 
 joyous as the May morning ; and thus he continued 
 for years, laughing at every thing — pleased with 
 every body — almost universally liked — and his bold, 
 
THE MIDSHIPMAN. 57 
 
 free, and happy spirit, unchecked by vicissitude or 
 hardship. 
 
 He served his time — was nearly turned back, when 
 he was passing his examination, for laughing, and then 
 went laughing to sea again — was in command of a 
 boat at the cutting-out of a French corv ette, and, when 
 on board, was so much amused by the little French 
 captain skipping about with his rapier, which proved 
 fatal to many, that, at last, he received a pink from the 
 little gentleman himself, which laid him on the deck. 
 For this affair, and in consideration of his wound, he 
 obtained his promotion to the rank of lieutenant — was 
 appointed to a line-of-battle ship in the West Indies — 
 laughed at the yellow fever — was appointed to the 
 tender of that ship, a fine schooner, and was sent to 
 cruise for prize-money for the admiral, and promotion 
 for himself, if he could, by any fortunate encounter, be 
 so lucky as to obtain it. 
 
58 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SLEEPER'S BAY. 
 
 On the western coast of Africa there is a small bay 
 which has received more than one name from its occa- 
 sional visitors. That by which it was designated by 
 the adventurous Portuguese, who first dared to cleave 
 the waves of the southern Atlantic, has been forgotten 
 with their lost maritime pre-eminence ; the name al- 
 lotted to it by the woolly-headed natives of the coast 
 has never, perhaps, been ascertained : it is, however, 
 marked down in some of the old English charts as 
 Sleeper's Bay. 
 
 The main-land which, by its curvature, has formed 
 this little dent on a coast possessing, and certainly at 
 present requiring, few harbours, displays, perhaps, the 
 least inviting of all prospects ; offering to the view 
 nothing but a shelving beach of dazzling white sand, 
 backed with a few small hummocks beat up by the 
 occasional fury of the Atlantic gales — arid, bare, and 
 without the slightest appearance of vegetable life. 
 The inland prospect is shrouded over by a dense 
 mirage, through which here and there are to be dis- 
 covered the stems of a few distant palm-trees, so 
 broken and disjoined by refraction that they present 
 
\\^-. 
 
sleeper's ba^y. 59 
 
 to the imagination any thing but the idea of foliage 
 or shade. The water in the bay is calm and smooth 
 as the polished mirror ; not the smallest ripple is 
 to be heard on the beach, to break through the 
 silence of nature; not a breath of air sweeps over its 
 glassy surface, which is heated with the intense rays 
 of a vertical noon-day sun, pouring down a withering 
 flood of light and heat ; not a sea-bird is to be discovered 
 wheeling on its flight, or balancing on its wing as it 
 pierces the deep with its searching eye, ready to dart 
 upon its prey. All is silence, solitude, and desolation, 
 save that occasionally may be seen the fin of some 
 huge shark, either sluggishly moving through the 
 heated element, or stationary in the torpor of the 
 mid-day heat. A site so sterile, so stagnant, so little 
 adapted to human life, cannot well be conceived, un- 
 less, by flying to extremes, we were to portray the 
 chilling blast, the transfixing cold, and " close-ribbed 
 ice," at the frozen poles. 
 
 At the entrance of this bay, in about three fathoms 
 water, heedless of the spring cable, which hung down 
 as a rope which had fallen overboard, there floated, 
 motionless as death, a vessel whose proportions would 
 have challenged the unanimous admiration of those 
 who could appreciate the merits of her build, had 
 she been anchored in the most frequented and busy 
 harbour of the universe. So beautiful were her 
 lines, that you might almost have imagined her a 
 created being that the ocean had been ordered to 
 receive, as if fashioned by the Divine Architect, to 
 add to the beauty and variety of his works ; for. 
 
60 sleeper's bay. 
 
 from the huge leviathan to the smallest of the finny 
 tribe — from the towering albatross to the boding 
 peteral of the storm — where could be found, among the 
 winged or finned frequenters of the ocean, a form more 
 appropriate, more fitting, than this specimen of human 
 skill, whose beautiful model and elegant tapering spars 
 were now all that could be discovered to break the 
 meeting lines of the firmament and horizon of the 
 offing. 
 
 Alas ! she was fashioned, at the will of avarice, for 
 the aid of cruelty and injustice ; and now was even 
 more nefariously employed. She had been a slaver — 
 she was now the far-famed, still more dreaded, pirate- 
 schooner, the " Avenger." 
 
 Not a man-of-war which scoured the deep but had 
 her instructions relative to this vessel, which had been 
 so successful in her career of crime — not a trader in 
 any portion of the navigable globe but whose crew shud- 
 dered at the mention of her name, and the remem- 
 brance of the atrocities which had been practised by 
 her reckless crew. She had been every where — in 
 the east, the west, the north, and the south, leaving 
 a track behind her of rapine and of murder. There 
 she lay, in motionless beauty ; her low sides were 
 painted black, with one small, narrow riband of red — 
 her raking masts were clean scraped — her topmasts, 
 her cross-trees, caps, and even running -blocks, were 
 painted in pure white. Awnings were spread fore 
 and aft to protect the crew from the powerful rays 
 of the sun ; her ropes were hauled taut ; and in every 
 point she wore the appearance of being under the 
 
sleeper's bay. 61 
 
 control of seamanship and strict discipline. Through 
 the clear smooth water her copper shone brightly ; 
 and, as you looked over her taffrail down into the 
 calm blue sea, you could plainly discover the sandy 
 bottom beneath her, and the anchor which then lay 
 under her counter. A small boat floated astern, the 
 weight of the rope which attached her appearing, in 
 the perfect calm, to draw her towards the schooner. 
 
 We must now go on board, and our first cause 
 of surprise will be the deception relative to the ton- 
 nage of the schooner, when viewed from a distance. 
 Instead of a small vessel of about ninety tons, we 
 discover that she is upwards of two hundred; that 
 her breadth of beam is enormous ; and that those spars 
 which appeared so light and elegant, are of unexpected 
 dimensions. . Her decks are of narrow fir planks, 
 without the least spring or rise ; her ropes are of 
 Manilla hemp, neatly secured to copper belaying-pins, 
 and coiled down on the deck, whose whiteness is well 
 contrasted with the bright green paint of her bul- 
 warks ; her capstern and binnacles are cased in fluted 
 mahogany, and ornamented with brass ; metal stan- 
 chions protect the skylights, and the bright muskets 
 are arranged in front of the mainmast, while the 
 boarding-pikes are lashed round the mainboom. 
 
 In the centre of the vessel, between the fore and 
 main masts, there is a long brass 32-pounder, fixed 
 upon a carriage, revolving in a circle, and so arranged 
 that in bad weather it can be lowered down and 
 housed ; while on each side of her decks are mounted 
 eight brass guns, of smaller calibre and of exquisite 
 
62 sleeper's bay. 
 
 workmanship. Her build proves the skill of the 
 architect ; her fitting-out, a judgment in which naught 
 has been sacrificed to, although every thing has been 
 directed by, taste ; and her neatness and arrangement, 
 that, in the person of her commander, to the strictest 
 discipline there is united the practical knowledge of a 
 thorough seaman. How, indeed, otherwise could she 
 have so long continued her lawless yet successful career? 
 How could it have been possible to unite a crew of 
 miscreants, who feared nor God nor man, most of 
 whom had perpetrated foul murders, or had been 
 guilty of even blacker iniquities ? It was because he 
 who commanded the vessel was so superior as to find 
 in her no rivalry. Superior in talent, in knowledge 
 of his profession, in courage, and moreover in physical 
 strength — which in him was almost Herculean. Un- 
 fortunately, he was also superior to all in villany, in 
 cruelty, and contempt of all injunctions, moral and 
 Divine. 
 
 What had been the early life of this person was 
 but imperfectly known. It was undoubted that he 
 had received an excellent education, and it was said 
 that he was of an ancient border family, on the banks 
 of the Tweed ; by what chances he had become a 
 pirate — by what errors he had fallen from his station 
 in society, until he became an outcast, had never been 
 revealed ; it was only known that he had been some 
 years employed in the slave-trade, previous to his 
 seizing this vessel and commencing his reckless career. 
 The name by which he was known to the crew of the 
 pirate- vessel was ^' Cain," and well had he chosen 
 
sleeper's bay. 63 
 
 this appellation ; for, had not his hand for more than 
 three years been against every man's, and every man's 
 hand against his? In person, he was above six feet 
 high, with a breadth of shoulders and of chest de- 
 noting the utmost of physical force which, perhaps, 
 has ever been allotted to man. His features would 
 have been handsome, had they not been scarred with 
 wounds; and, strange to say, his eye was mild, and 
 of a soft blue. His mouth was well formed, and his 
 teeth of a pearly white ; the hair of his head was 
 crisped and wavy, and his beard, which he wore, as 
 did every person composing the crew of the pirate, 
 covered the lower part of his face, in strong, waving, 
 and continued curls. The proportions of his body were 
 perfect ; but, from their vastness, they became almost 
 terrific. His costume was elegant, and well adapted 
 to his form : linen trousers, and untanned yellow 
 leather boots, such as are made at the Western Isles ; 
 a broad-striped cotton shirt ; a red Cashmere shawl 
 round his waist as a sash ; a vest embroidered in gold 
 tissue, with a jacket of dark velvet, and pendant gold 
 buttons, hanging over his left shoulder, after the 
 fashion of the Mediterranean seamen ; a round Turkish 
 skull-cap, handsomely embroidered ; a pair of pistols, 
 and a long knife in his sash, completed his attire. 
 
 The crew consisted in all of 165 men, of almost 
 every nation; but it was to be remarked, that all 
 those in authority were either Englishmen or from the 
 northern countries : the others were chiefly Spaniards 
 and Maltese. Still there were Portuguese, Brazilians, 
 negroes, and others, who made up the complement, 
 
64 sleeper's bay. 
 
 which, at the time we now speak, was increased by 
 twenty-five additional hands. These were Krournen, 
 a race of blacks well known at present, who inhabit 
 the coast near Cape Palmas, and are often employed 
 by our men-of-war stationed on the coast, to relieve 
 the English seamen from duties which would be too 
 severe to those who were not inured to the climate. 
 They are powerful, athletic men, good sailors, of a 
 happy, merry disposition, and, unlike other Africans, 
 will work hard. Fond of the English, they generally 
 speak the language sufficiently to be understood, and 
 are very glad to receive a baptism when they come 
 on board. The name first given them they usually 
 adhere to as long as they live ; and you will now on 
 the coast meet with a Blucher, a Wellington, a Nelson, 
 &c., who will wring swabs, or do any other of the 
 meanest description of work, without feeling that it 
 is discreditable to sponsorials so grand. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that these men had volun- 
 tarily come on board of the pirate ; they had been 
 employed in some British vessels, trading on the coast, 
 and had been taken out of them when the vessels 
 were burnt, and the Europeans of the crews murdered. 
 They had received a promise of reward, if they did 
 their duty ; but, not expecting it, they waited for the 
 earliest opportunity to make their escape. 
 
 The captain of the schooner is abaft, with his glass 
 in his hand, occasionally sweeping the offing in ex- 
 pectation of a vessel heaving in sight ; the officers 
 and crew are lying down, or lounging listlessly about 
 the decks, panting with the extreme heat, and impa- 
 
sleeper's bay. 65 
 
 tiently waiting for the sea-breeze to fan their parched 
 foreheads. With their rough beards and exposed chests, 
 and their weather-beaten, fierce countenances, they 
 form a group which is terrible even in repose. 
 
 We must now descend into the cabin of the 
 schooner. The fittings-up of this apartment are 
 simple : on each side is a standing bed-place ; against 
 the after bulk-head is a large buffet, originally intended 
 for glass and china, but now loaded with silver and 
 gold vessels of every size and description, collected 
 by the pirate from the different ships which he had 
 plundered ; the lamps are also of silver, and evidently 
 had been intended to ornament the shrine of some 
 Catholic saint. 
 
 In this cabin there are two individuals to whom 
 we shall now direct the reader's attention. The one is 
 a pleasant- countenanced, good-humoured Krouman, 
 who had been christened " Pompey the Great;" most 
 probably on account of his large proportions. He 
 wears a pair of duck trousers ; the rest of his body is 
 naked, and presents a sleek, glossy skin, covering 
 muscles which an anatomist or a sculptor would have 
 viewed with admiration. The other is a youth of 
 eighteen, or thereabouts, with an intelligent, hand- 
 some countenance, evidently of European blood. 
 There is, however, an habitually mournful cast upon 
 his features : he is dressed much in the same way 
 as w^e have described the captain, but the costume 
 hangs more gracefully upon his slender, yet well- 
 formed limbs. He is seated on a sofa, fixed in the 
 fore part of the cabin, with a book in his hand, which 
 
66 sleeper's bay. 
 
 occasionally he refers to, and then lifts his eyes from, 
 to watch the motions of the Krouman, who is busy in 
 the office of steward, arranging and cleaning the costly 
 articles in the buffet. 
 
 '' Massa Francisco, dis really fine ting ; " said 
 Pompey, holding up a splendidly embossed tankard, 
 which he had been rubbing. 
 
 " Yes," replied Francisco, gravely; " it is, indeed, 
 Pompey." 
 
 " How Captain Cain came by dis?" 
 
 Francisco shook his head ; and Pompey put his 
 finger up to his mouth, his eyes, full of meaning, 
 fixed upon Francisco. 
 
 At this moment the personage referred to was 
 heard descending the companion-ladder. Pompey 
 recommenced rubbing the silver, and Francisco drop- 
 ped his eyes upon the book. 
 
 What was the tie which appeared to bind the 
 captain to this lad was not known; but, as the lat- 
 ter had always accompanied, and lived altogether 
 with him, it was generally supposed that he was the 
 captain's son ; and he was as often designated by the 
 crew as young Cain, as he was by his Christian name 
 of Francisco. Still it was observed, that latterly they 
 had frequently been heard in altercation, and that the 
 captain was very suspicious of Francisco's movements. 
 
 " I beg I may not interrupt your conversation," 
 said Cain, on entering the cabin ; " the information 
 you may obtain from a Krouman must be very im- 
 portant." 
 
 Francisco made no reply, but appeared to be read- 
 
sleeper's bay. 67 
 
 ing his book. Cain's eyes passed from one to the other, 
 as if to read their thoughts. 
 
 ^* Pray, what were you saying, Mr. Pompey ? " 
 
 " Me say, Massa captain? me only tell young 
 massa dis very fine ting; ask where you get him — 
 Massa Francisco no tell.'' 
 
 " And what might it be to you, you black scoun- 
 drel?" cried the captain, seizing the goblet, and 
 striking the man with it a blow on the head which 
 flattened the vessel, and at the same time felled the 
 Krouman, powerful as he was, to the deck. The 
 blood streamed, as the man slowly rose, stupified and 
 trembling from the violent concussion. Without 
 saying a word, he staggered out of the cabin, and 
 Cain threw himself on one of the lockers in front 
 of the standing bed -place, saying, with a bitter smile, 
 " So much for your intimates, Francisco!" 
 
 " Rather, so much for your cruelty and injustice 
 towards an unoffending man," replied Francisco, 
 laying his book on the table. ^' His question was 
 an innocent one — for he knew not the particulars 
 connected with the obtaining of that flagon." 
 
 '^ And you, I presume, do not forget them ? Well, 
 be it so, young man; but I warn you again — as I 
 have warned you often — nothing but the remembrance 
 of your mother has prevented me, long before this, 
 from throwing your body to the sharks." 
 
 *' What influence my mother's memory may have 
 over you I know not; I only regret that, in any way, 
 she had the misfortune to be connected with you." 
 
 '^ She had the influence," replied Cain, " which 
 
68 sleeper's bay. 
 
 a woman must have over a man v^^hen they have for 
 years swung in the same cot ; but that is wearing off 
 fast. I tell you so candidly : I will not allow even 
 her memory to check me, if 1 find you continue your 
 late course. You have shewn dissaffection before the 
 crew — you have disputed my orders — and I have 
 every reason to believe that you are now plotting 
 against me." 
 
 '* Can I do otherwise than shew my abhorrence," 
 replied Francisco, ** when I witness such acts of 
 horror, of cruelty — cold-blooded cruelty, as lately 
 have been perpetrated 1 Why did you bring me here ? 
 and why do you now detain me ? All I ask is, that 
 you will allow me to leave the vessel. You are not 
 my father ; you have told me so." 
 
 " No, I am not your father ; but — you are your 
 mother's son." 
 
 " That gives you no right to have power over 
 me, even if you had been married to my mother; 
 which " 
 
 *^ I was not." 
 
 " I thank God ; for marriage with you would have 
 been even greater disgrace." 
 
 "What!" cried Cain, starting up, seizing the 
 young man by the neck, and lifting him off his seat 
 as if he had been a puppet ; " but no — I cannot 
 forget your mother." Cain released Francisco, and 
 resumed his seat on the locker. 
 
 " As you please," said Francisco, as soon as he 
 had recovered himself; " it matters little whether I 
 am brained by your own hand, or launched overboard 
 
sleeper's bay. 69 
 
 as a meal for the sharks ; it will be but one more 
 murder." 
 
 ** Mad fool! why do you tempt me thus?" replied 
 Cain, again starting up and hastily quitting the 
 cabin. 
 
 The altercation which we have just described was 
 not unheard on deck, as the doors of the cabin were 
 open, and the sky-light removed to admit the air. 
 The face of Cain was flushed as he ascended the 
 ladder. He perceived his chief mate standing by the 
 hatchway, and many of the men, who had been slum- 
 bering abaft, with their heads raised on their elbows, 
 as if they had been listening to the conversation 
 below. 
 
 " It will never do, sir," said Hawkhurst, the mate, 
 shaking his head. 
 
 " No," replied the captain; " not if he were my 
 own son. But what is to be done ? — he knows no 
 fear." 
 
 Hawkhurst pointed to the entering-port. 
 
 " When I ask your advice, you may give it," said 
 the captain, turning gloomily away. 
 
 In the meantime Francisco paced the cabin in 
 deep thought. Young as he was, he was indif- 
 ferent to death ; for he had no tie to render life 
 precious. He remembered his mother, but not her 
 demise; that had been concealed from him. At the 
 age of seven he had sailed with Cain in a slaver, and 
 had ever since continued with him. Until lately, he 
 had been led to suppose that the captain was his 
 father. During the years that he had been in the 
 
70 sleeper's bay. 
 
 slave-trade, Cain had devoted much time to his educa- 
 tion : it so happened that the only book which could 
 be found on board of the vessel, when Cain first com- 
 menced teaching, was a Bible belonging to Francisco's 
 mother. Out of this book he learned to read ; and, as 
 his education advanced, other books were procured. 
 It may appear strange that the very traffic in which 
 his reputed father was engaged did not corrupt the 
 boy's mind ; but, accustomed to it from his infancy, he 
 had considered these negroes as another species, — an 
 idea fully warranted by the cruelty of the Europeans 
 towards them. 
 
 There are some dispositions so naturally kind and 
 ingenuous that even example and evil contact cannot 
 debase them : such was the disposition of Francisco. 
 As he gained in years and knowledge, he thought 
 more and more for himself, and had already become 
 disgusted with the cruelties practised upon the unfor- 
 tunate negroes, when the slave- vessel was seized upon 
 by Cain and converted into a pirate. At first, the 
 enormities committed had not been so great; vessels 
 had been seized and plundered, but life had been 
 spared. In the course of crime, however, the descent 
 is rapid : and as, from information given by those who 
 had been released, the schooner was more than once 
 in danger of being captured, latterly no lives had 
 been spared : and but too often the murders had been 
 attended with deeds even more atrocious. 
 
 Francisco had witnessed scenes of horror until his 
 young blood curdled : he had expostulated to save, 
 but in vain. Disgusted with the captain and the 
 
sleeper's bay. 71 
 
 crew, and their deeds of cruelty, he had latterly ex- 
 pressed his opinions fearlessly, and defied the captain ; 
 for, in the heat of an altercation, Cain had acknow- 
 ledged that Francisco was not his son. 
 
 Had any of the crew or officers expressed but a 
 tithe of what had fallen from the bold lips of Fran- 
 cisco, they would have long before paid the forfeit of 
 their temerity ; but there was a feeling towards Fran- 
 cisco which could not be stifled in the breast of Cain — 
 it was the feeling of association and habit. The boy 
 had been his companion for years; and, from assue- 
 tude, had become, as it were, a part of himself. There 
 is a principle in our natures which, even when that 
 nature is most debased, will never leave us — that of 
 requiring something to love — something to protect and 
 watch over: it is shewn towards a dog, or any other 
 animal, if it cannot be lavished upon one of our own 
 species. Such was the feeling which so forcibly held 
 Cain towards Francisco ; such was the feeling which 
 had hitherto saved his life. 
 
 After having paced up and down for some time, 
 the youth took his seat on the locker which the captain 
 had (Quitted : his eye soon caught the head of Pompey, 
 who looked into the cabin and beckoned with his 
 finger. 
 
 Francisco rose, and, taking up a flagon from the 
 buffet which contained some spirits, walked to the 
 door, and, without saying a word, handed it to the 
 Krouman. 
 
 " Massa Francisco," whispered Pompey, " Pom- 
 pey say — all Krouman say — suppose they run away. 
 
72 sleeper's bay. 
 
 you go too. Pompey say — all Krouman say — suppose 
 they try kill you ! Nebber kill you while one Krou- 
 man alive." 
 
 The negro then gently pushed Francisco back with 
 his hand, as if not wishing to hear his answer, and 
 hastened forward on the berth deck. 
 
73 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE ATTACK. 
 
 In the mean time the sea-breeze had risen in the 
 offing, and was sweeping along the surface to where 
 the schooner was at anchor. The captain ordered a 
 man to the cross-trees, directing him to keep a good 
 look-out, while he walked the deck in company with 
 his first mate. 
 
 " She may not have sailed until a day or two later," 
 said the captain, continuing the conversation ; "I have 
 made allowance for that, and depend upon it, as she 
 makes the eastern passage we must soon fall in with 
 her; if she does not heave in sight this evening by 
 daylight, I shall stretch out in the offing : I know the 
 Portuguese well. The sea-breeze has caught our craft ; 
 let them run up the inner jib, and see that she does 
 not foul her anchor." 
 
 It was now late in the afternoon, and dinner had 
 been sent into the cabin ; the captain descended and 
 took his seat at the table with Francisco, who ate in 
 silence. Once or twice the captain, whose wrath had 
 subsided, and whose kindly feelings towards Fran- 
 cisco, checked for a time, had returned with greater 
 force, tried, but in vain, to rally him into conversa- 
 
74 THE ATTACK. 
 
 tion, when " sail, ho /" was shouted from the mast- 
 head. 
 
 " There she is, by G — d !" cried the captain, jump- 
 ing from, and then, as if checking himself, immediately 
 resuming his seat. 
 
 Francisco put his hand to his forehead, covering 
 his eyes as his elbow leant upon the table. 
 
 " A large ship, sir; we can see down to the second 
 reef of her topsails," said Hawkhurst, looking down 
 the sky-light. 
 
 The captain hastily swallowed some wine from a 
 flagon, cast a look of scorn and anger upon Francisco, 
 and rushed on deck. 
 
 " Be smart, lads!" cried the captain, after a few 
 seconds' survey of the vessel through his glass ; " that's 
 her : furl the awnings, and run the anchor up to the 
 bows : there's more silver in that vessel, my lads, than 
 your chests will hold; and the good saints of the 
 churches at Goa will have to wait a little longer for 
 their gold candlesticks." 
 
 The crew were immediately on the alert ; the 
 awnings were furled, and all the men, stretching aft 
 the spring cable, walked the anchor up to the bows. In 
 two minutes more the Avenger was standing out on 
 the starboard tack, shaping her course so as to cut 
 off the ill-fated vessel. The breeze freshened, and the' 
 schooner darted through the smooth water with the 
 impetuosity of a dolphin after its prey. In an hour 
 the hull of the ship was plainly to be distinguished ; 
 but the sun was near to the horizon, and before they 
 could ascertain what her force might be, daylight had 
 
THE ATTACK. 75 
 
 disappeared. Whether the schooner had been per- 
 ceived or not it was impossible to say ; at all events, 
 the course of the ship had not been altered, and if she 
 had seen the schooner, she evidently treated her Mviih 
 contempt. On board the Avenger they were not idle ; 
 the long gun in the centre had been cleared from the 
 incumbrances which surrounded it, the other guns had 
 been cast loose, shot handed up, and every thing pre- 
 pared for action, with all the energy and discipline of 
 a man-of-war. The chase had not been lost sight of, 
 and the eyes of the pirate-captain were fixed upon her 
 through a night-glass. In about an hour more the 
 schooner was within a mile of the ship, and now al- 
 tered her course so as to range up within a cable's 
 length of her to leeward. Cain stood upon the gun- 
 wale and hailed. The answer was in Portuguese. 
 
 " Heave to, or I'll sink you !" replied he in the 
 same language. 
 
 A general discharge from a broadside of carronades, 
 and a heavy volley of muskets from the Portuguese, 
 was the decided answer ; the broadside, too much 
 elevated to hit the low hull of the schooner, was still 
 not without effect — the foretop-mast fell, the jaws of 
 the main-gaff were severed, and a large proportion of 
 the standing, as well as the running-rigging, came 
 rattling down on her decks. The volley of musketry 
 was more fatal : thirteen of the pirates were wounded, 
 some of them severely. 
 
 " Well done ! John Portuguese,'' cried Hawkhurst ; 
 '^ by the holy poker! I never gave you credit for so 
 much pluck." 
 
76 THE ATTACK. 
 
 *^ Which they shall pay dearly for," was the cool 
 reply of Cain, as he still remained in his exposed 
 situation. 
 
 *' Blood for blood ! if I drink it," observed the second 
 mate, as he looked at the crimson rivulet trickling 
 down the fingers of his left hand from a wound in his 
 arm — " just tie my handkerchief round this, Bill." 
 
 In the interim, Cain had desired his crew to elevate 
 their guns, and the broadside was returned. 
 
 ** That will do, my lads : starboard ; ease off the 
 boom-sheet; let her go right round, Hawkhurst — we 
 cannot afford to lose our men." 
 
 The schooner wore round, and ran astern of her 
 opponent. 
 
 The Portuguese on board the ship, imagining that 
 the schooner, finding she had met with unexpected 
 resistance, had sheered off, gave a loud cheer. 
 
 '^ The last you will ever give, my fine fellows!" 
 observed Cain, with a sneer. 
 
 In a few moments the schooner had run a mile 
 astern of the ship. 
 
 " Now, then, Hawkhurst, let her come to and 
 about; man the long gun, and see that every shot is 
 pitched into her, while the rest of them get up a new 
 foretop-mast, and knot and splice the rigging." 
 
 The schooner's head was again turned towards the 
 ship; her position was right astern, about a mile dis- 
 tant, or rather more ; the long 32-pounder gun a-mid- 
 ships was now regularly served, every shot passing 
 through the cabin-windows, or some other part of the 
 ship's stern, raking her fore and aft. In vain did the 
 
THE ATTACK. 77 
 
 ship alter her course, and present her broadside to the 
 schooner ; the latter was immediately checked in her 
 speed, so as to keep the prescribed distance at which 
 the carronades of the ship were useless, and the ex- 
 ecution from the long gun decisive. The ship was at 
 the mercy of the pirate ; and, as may be expected, 
 no mercy was shewn. For three hours did this mur- 
 derous attack continue, when the gun, which, as before 
 observed, was of brass, became so heated that the 
 pirate captain desired his men to discontinue. Whe- 
 ther the ship had surrendered or not it was impossible 
 to say, as it was too dark to distinguish : while the 
 long gun was served, the foretop-mast and main-gafF 
 had been shifted, and all the standing and running- 
 rigging made good ; the schooner keeping her dis- 
 tance, and following in the wake of the ship until 
 daylight. 
 
 We must now repair on board of the ship : she 
 was an Indiaman ; one of the very few that occa- 
 sionally are sent out by the Portuguese government 
 to a country which once owned their undivided sway, 
 but in which, at present, they hold but a few miles 
 of territory. She was bound to Goa, and had on board 
 a small detachment of troops, a new governor and 
 his two sons, a bishop and his niece, with her at- 
 tendant. The sailing of a vessel with such a freight 
 was a circumstance of rare occurrence; and was, of 
 course, generally bruited about long before her de- 
 parture. Cain had, for some months, received all the 
 necessary intelligence relative to her cargo and de- 
 stination ; but, as usual with the Portuguese of the 
 
78 THE ATTACK. 
 
 present day, delay upon delay had followed, and it was 
 not until about three weeks previous that he had been 
 assured of her immediate departure. He then ran down 
 the coast to the bay we have mentioned that he might 
 intercept her ; and, as the event has proved, shewed his 
 usual judgment and decision. The fire of the schooner 
 had been most destructive : many of the Indiaman's 
 crew, as well as of the troops, had been mowed down 
 one after another ; until, at last, finding that all their 
 efforts to defend themselves were useless, most of those 
 who were still unhurt had consulted their safety, and 
 hastened down to the lowest recesses of the hold to 
 avoid the raking and destructive shot. At the time 
 that the schooner had discontinued her fire to allow 
 the gun to cool, there was no one on deck but the 
 Portuguese captain and one old weather-beaten seaman 
 who stood at the helm. Below, in the orlop deck, 
 the remainder of the crew and the passengers were 
 huddled together in a small space : some were attend- 
 ing to the wounded, who were numerous ; others were 
 invoking the saints to their assistance ; the bishop, a 
 tall, dignified person, apparently nearly sixty years of 
 age, was kneeling in the centre of the group, which 
 was dimly lighted by two or three lanterns, at one 
 time in fervent prayer, at another, interrupted, that he 
 might give absolution to those wounded men whose 
 spirits were departing, and who were brought down 
 and laid before him by their comrades. On one side 
 of him knelt his orphan niece, a young girl of about 
 seventeen years of age, watching his countenance as 
 he prayed, or bending down with a look of pity and 
 
THE ATTACK. 79 
 
 tearful eyes on her expiring countrymen, whose last 
 moments were gladdened by his holy offices. On the 
 other side of the bishop stood the governor, Don Philip 
 de Ribiera, and his two sons, youths in their prime, 
 and holding commissions in the king's service. There 
 was melancholy on the brow of Don Ribiera ; he was 
 prepared for, and he anticipated the worst. The eldest 
 son had his eyes fixed upon the sweet countenance of 
 Teresa de Silva — that very evening, as they walked 
 together on the deck, had they exchanged their vows — 
 that very evening they had luxuriated in the present, 
 and had dwelt with delightful anticipation on the 
 future. But we must leave them and return on deck. 
 
 The captain of the Portuguese ship had walked 
 aft, and now went up to Antonio, the old seaman, who 
 was standing at the wheel. 
 
 " I still see her with the glass, Antonio, and yet 
 she has not fired for nearly two hours ; do you think 
 any accident has happened to her long gun ? if so, we 
 may have some chance." 
 
 Antonio shook his head. " We have but little 
 chance, I am afraid, my captain ; I knew by the ring 
 of the gun, when she first fired it, that it was brass ; 
 indeed, no schooner could carry a long iron gun of that 
 calibre. Depend upon it, she only waits for the metal 
 to cool and daylight to return : a long gun or two 
 might have saved us, but now, as she has the advantage 
 of us in heels, we are at her mercy." 
 
 *' What can she be — a French privateer?" 
 
 " I trust it may be so ; and I have promised a 
 silver candlestick to St. Antonio that it may prove no 
 
80 THE ATTACK. 
 
 worse : we then may have some chance of seeing our 
 homes again ; but I fear not." 
 
 *^ What, then, do you imagine her to be, Antonio?" 
 
 " The pirate which we have heard so much of." 
 
 ^' Jesu protect us! we must then sell our lives as 
 dearly as we can." 
 
 *' So I intend to do, my captain," replied Antonio, 
 shifting the helm a spoke. 
 
 The day broke, and shewed the schooner continuing 
 her pursuit at the same distance astern, without any 
 apparent movement on board. It was not until the 
 sun was some degrees above the horizon that the smoke 
 was again seen to envelope her bows, and the shot 
 crashed through the timbers of the Portuguese ship. 
 The reason for this delay was, that the pirate waited 
 till the sun was up to ascertain if there were any other 
 vessels to be seen, previous to his pouncing on his 
 quarry. The Portuguese captain went aft and hoisted 
 his ensign, but no flag was shewn by the schooner. 
 Again whistled the ball, and again did it tear up the 
 decks of the unfortunate ship : many of those who had 
 reascended to ascertain what was going on, now hastily 
 sought their former retreat. 
 
 '^ Mind the helm, Antonio," said the Portuguese 
 captain ; "I must go down and consult with the 
 governor." 
 
 " Never fear, my captain ; as long as these limbs 
 hold together I will do my duty," replied the old 
 man, exhausted as he was by long watching and 
 fatigue. 
 
 The captain descended to the orlop-deck, where he 
 
THE ATTACK. 81 
 
 found the major part of the crew and passengers 
 assembled. 
 
 " My lords," said he, addressing the governor and 
 bishop, ** the schooner has not shewn any colours, 
 although our own are hoisted. I am come down to 
 know your pleasure. Defence we can make none ; and 
 I fear that we are at the mercy of a pirate." 
 
 " A pirate !" ejaculated several, beating their breasts 
 and calling upon their saints. 
 
 " Silence, my good people, silence," quietly observed 
 the bishop ; '* as to what it may be best to do," con- 
 tinued he, turning to the captain, " I cannot advise ; I 
 am a man of peace, and unfit to hold a place in a 
 council of war. Don Ribiera, I must refer the point 
 to you and your sons. Tremble not, my dear Teresa ; 
 are we not under the protection of the Almighty?" 
 
 " Holy Virgin, pity us!" exclaimed Teresa. 
 
 " Come, my sons," said Don Ribiera, " we will 
 go on deck and consult : let not any of the men fol- 
 low us ; it is useless risking lives which may yet be 
 valuable." 
 
 Don Ribiera and his sons followed the captain 
 to the quarter-deck, and with him and Antonio they 
 held a consultation. 
 
 " We have but one chance," observed the old man, 
 after a time : "let us haul down our colours as if in 
 submission ; they will then range up alongside, and 
 either board us from the schooner, or from their boats ; 
 at all events, we shall find out what she is, and, if a 
 pirate, we must sell our lives as dearly as we can. If, 
 when we haul down the colours, she ranges up along- 
 
82 THE ATTACK. 
 
 side, as I expect she will, let all the men be prepared 
 for a desperate struggle." 
 
 *' You are right, Antonio," replied the governor ; 
 *^ go aft, captain, and haul down the colours; — let us 
 see what she does now. Down, my boys! and prepare 
 the men to do their duty." 
 
 As Antonio had predicted, so soon as the colours 
 were hauled down, the schooner ceased firing and 
 made sail. She ranged up on the quarter of the ship, 
 and up to her main peak soared the terrific black flag; 
 her broadside was poured into the Indiaman, and 
 before the smoke had cleared aw^ay there was a con- 
 cussion from the meeting sides, and the bearded pirates 
 poured upon her decks. 
 
 The crew of the Portuguese, with the detachment 
 of troops, still formed a considerable body of men. 
 The sight of the black flag had struck ice into every 
 heart, but the feeling was resolved into one of des- 
 peration. 
 
 *' Knives, men ! knives !" roared Antonio, rushing on 
 to the attack, followed by the most brave. 
 
 " Blood for blood!" cried the second mate, aiming 
 a blow at the old man. 
 
 " You have it," replied Antonio, as his knife en- 
 tered the pirate's heart, while, at the same moment, he 
 fell and was himself a corpse. 
 
 The struggle was deadly, but the numbers and fero- 
 city of the pirates prevailed. Cain rushed forward 
 followed by Hawkhurst, bearing down all who opposed 
 them. With one blow from the pirate-captain the 
 head of Don Ribiera was severed to the shoulder ; 
 
THE ATTACK. 83 
 
 a second struck down the eldest son, while the sword 
 of Hawkhurst passed through the body of the other. 
 The Portuguese captain had already fallen, and the 
 men no longer stood their ground. A general massacre 
 ensued, and the bodies were thrown overboard as fast 
 as the men were slaughtered. In less than five minutes 
 there was not a living Portuguese on the bloody decks 
 of the ill-fated ship. 
 
 I 
 
84 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 " Pass the word for not a man to go below, Hawk- 
 hurst ! " said the pirate-captain. 
 
 " I have, sir ; and sentries are stationed at the 
 hatchways. Shall we haul the schooner off?" 
 
 '^ No, let her remain ; the breeze is faint already : 
 we shall have a calm in half an hour. Have we lost 
 many men ?" 
 
 *' Only seven, that I can reckon ; but we have lost 
 Wallace" (the second mate). 
 
 " A little promotion will do no harm," replied 
 Cain ; " take a dozen of our best men and search the 
 ship, there are others alive yet. By the by, send a 
 watch on board of the schooner ; she is left to the 
 mercy of the Kroumen, and " 
 
 *• One who is better out of her," replied Hawkhurst. 
 " And those we find below " continued the mate. 
 
 '^ Alive!" 
 
 " True ; we may else be puzzled where to find that 
 portion of her cargo which suits us," said Hawkhurst, 
 going down the hatchway to collect the men who were 
 plundering on the main deck and in the captain's 
 cabin. 
 
 "Here, you Maltese! up, there! and look well 
 
THE CAPTURE. 85 
 
 round if there is any thing in sight," said the captain, 
 walking aft. 
 
 Before Hawkhurst had collected the men and 
 ordered them on board of the schooner, as usual in 
 those latitudes, it had fallen a perfect calm. 
 
 Where was Francisco during this scene of blood? 
 He had remained in the cabin of the schooner. Cain 
 had more than once gone down to him, to persuade 
 him to come on deck and assist at the boarding of the 
 Portuguese, but in vain — his sole reply to the threats 
 and solicitations of the pirate was, — 
 
 " Do with me as you please — I have made up my 
 mind — you know I do not fear death — so long as 
 I remain on board of this vessel I will take no part in 
 your atrocities. If you do respect my mother's me- 
 mory, suffer her son to seek an honest and honourable 
 livelihood." 
 
 These words of Francisco were ringing in the ears 
 of Cain as he walked up and down on the quarter- 
 deck of the Portuguese vessel, and, debased as he was, 
 he could not help feeling that the youth was his equal 
 in animal, and his superior in mental courage — he was 
 arguing in his own mind upon the course he should 
 pursue with respect to Francisco, when Hawkhurst 
 made his appearance on deck, followed by his men, 
 who dragged up six individuals who had escaped the 
 massacre. These were the bishop ; his niece ; a Portu- 
 guese girl, her attendant; the supercargo of the vessel; 
 a sacristan ; and a servant of the ecclesiastic : they were 
 hauled along the deck and placed in a row before the 
 captain, who cast his eyes upon them in severe scrutiny. 
 
86 
 
 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 The bishop and his niece looked round, the one proudly 
 meeting the eye of Cain, although he felt that his hour 
 was come ; the other, carefully avoiding his gaze, and 
 glancing round to ascertain whether thei-e were any 
 other prisoners, and, if so, if her betrothed was amongst 
 them ; but her eye discovered not what she sought — 
 it was met only by the bearded faces of the pirate-crew, 
 and the blood which bespattered the deck. 
 
 She covered her face with her hands. 
 
 '^ Bring that man forward," said Cain, pointing to 
 the servant. " Who are you?" 
 
 '* A servant of my lord the bishop." 
 
 '* And you ? " continued the captain. 
 
 " A poor sacristan attending upon my lord the 
 bishop." 
 
 *' And you?" cried he to the third. 
 
 " The supercargo of this vessel." 
 
 " Put him aside, Hawkhurst !" 
 
 " Do you want the others?" inquired Hawkhurst, 
 significantly. 
 
 '^ No." 
 
 Hawkhurst gave a signal to some of the pirates, 
 who led away the sacristan and the servant. A stifled 
 shriek and a heavy plunge in the water were heard 
 a few seconds after. During this time, the pirate had 
 been questioning the supercargo as to the contents of 
 the vessel and her stowage, when he was suddenly 
 interrupted by one of the pirates, who, in a hurried 
 voice, stated that the ship had received several shot 
 between wind and water, and was sinking fast. Cain, 
 who was standing on the slide of the carronade with 
 
THE CAPTURE. 87 
 
 his sword in his hand, raised his arm and struck the 
 pirate a blow on his head with the hilt, which, whether 
 intended or not, fractured his skull, and the man fell 
 upon the deck. 
 
 " Take that, babbler ! for your intelligence; if these 
 men are obstinate, we may have worked for nothing." 
 
 The crew, who felt the truth of their captain's 
 remark, did not appear to object to the punishment 
 inflicted, and the body of the man was dragged away, 
 
 " What mercy can we expect from those who shew 
 no mercy even to each other?" observed the bishop, 
 lifting up his eyes to heaven. 
 
 " Silence !" cried Cain ; who now interrogated the 
 supercargo as to the contents of the hold — the poor 
 man answered as well as he could — " the plate ! the 
 money for the troops — where are ihej ? " 
 
 " The money for the troops is in the spirit-room, 
 but of the plate I know nothing ; it is in some of the 
 cases belonging to my lord the bishop." 
 
 *' Hawkhurst! down at once into the spirit-room 
 and see to the money ; in the mean time I will ask a 
 few questions of this reverend father." 
 
 " And the supercargo — do you want him any 
 
 " No ; he may go." 
 
 The poor man fell down on his knees in thankful- 
 ness at what he considered his escape : he was dragged 
 away by the pirates, and, it is scarcely necessary to 
 add, that in a minute his body was torn to pieces by 
 the sharks, who, scenting their prey from a distance, 
 were now playing in shoals around the two vessels. 
 
88 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 The party on the quarter-deck were now (unper- 
 ceived by the captain) joined by Francisco, who, hear- 
 ing from the Krouman, Pompey, that there were pri- 
 soners still on board, and amongst them two females, 
 had come over to plead the cause of mercy. 
 
 " Most reverend father," observed Cain, after a short 
 pause ; *' you have many articles of value in this vessel ?" 
 
 " None," replied the bishop, " except this poor 
 girl ; she is, indeed, beyond price, and will, I trust, 
 be soon an angel in heaven." 
 
 " Yet is this world, if what you preach be true, a 
 purgatory which must be passed through previous to 
 arriving there, and that girl may think death a blessing 
 compared to what she may expect if you refuse to tell 
 me what I would know. You have good store of gold 
 and silver ornaments for your churches — where are 
 they?" 
 
 " They are among the packages intrusted to my 
 care." 
 
 ** How many may you have in all?" 
 
 ** A hundred, if not more." 
 
 " Will you deign to inform me where I may find 
 what I require?" 
 
 " The gold and silver are not mine, but are the 
 property of that God to whom they have been dedi- 
 cated," replied the bishop. 
 
 " Answer quickly ; no more subterfuge, good sir. 
 Where is it to be found ? " 
 
 ''I will not tell, thou blood-stained man; at least, 
 in this instance, there shall be disappointment, and the 
 sea shall swallow up those earthly treasures to obtain 
 
THE CAPTURE. OU 
 
 which thou hast so deeply imbrued thy hands. Pirate ! 
 I repeat it, I will not tell." 
 
 " Seize that girl, my lads !" cried Cain ; " she is 
 yours, do with her as you please." 
 
 " Save me ! oh, save me !" shrieked Teresa, clinging 
 to the bishop's robe. 
 
 The pirates advanced and laid hold of Teresa. 
 Francisco bounded from where he stood behind the 
 captain, and dashed away the foremost. 
 
 " Are you men?" cried he, as the pirates retreated. 
 ** Holy sir, I honour you. Alas ! I cannot save you," 
 continued Francisco mournfully. " Yet will I try. 
 On my knees — by the love you bore my mother — by 
 the affection you once bore me — do not commit this 
 horrid deed. My lads!" continued Francisco, appeal- 
 ing to the pirates, *' join with me and entreat your 
 captain; ye are too brave, too manly, to injure the 
 helpless and the innocent — above all to shed the blood 
 of a holy man, and of this poor trembling maiden." 
 
 There was a pause — even the pirates appeared 
 to side with Francisco, though none of them dared to 
 speak. The muscles of the captain's face quivered 
 with emotion, but from what source could not be 
 ascertained. 
 
 At this moment the interest of the scene was height- 
 ened. The girl who attended upon Teresa, crouched on 
 her knees with terror, had been casting her fearful eyes 
 upon the men which composed the pirate-crew; sud- 
 denly she uttered a scream of delight as she discovered 
 among them one that she well knew. He was a young 
 man, about twenty-five years of age, with little or no 
 
90 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 beard. He had been her lover in his more innocent 
 days ; and she, for more than a year, had mourned him 
 as dead, for the vessel in which he sailed had never 
 been heard of. It had been taken by the pirate, and, 
 to save his life, he had joined the crew. 
 
 *' Filippo ! Filippo!" screamed the girl, rushing 
 into his arms. '' Mistress! it is Filippo; and we are 
 safe." 
 
 Filippo instantly recognised -her : the sight of her 
 brought back to his memory his days of happiness and 
 of innocence ; and the lovers were clasped in each 
 other's arms. 
 
 " Save them ! spare them ! — by the spirit of my 
 mother ! I charge you," repeated Francisco, again ap- 
 pealing to the captain. 
 
 ** May God bless thee, thou good young man," 
 said the bishop, advancing and placing his hand upon 
 Francisco's head. 
 
 Cain answered not ; but his broad expanded chest 
 heaved with emotion — when Hawkhurst burst into the 
 group. 
 
 " We are too late for the money, captain ; the 
 water is already six feet above it. We must now try 
 for the treasure." 
 
 This intelligence appeared to check the current of 
 the captain's feelings. 
 
 " Now, in one word, sir," said he to the bishop, 
 " where is the treasure ? tritie not, or, by hea- 
 ven !" 
 
 ** Name not heaven," replied the bishop : " you 
 have had my answer." 
 
THE CAPTURE. 91 
 
 The captain turned away, and gave some directions 
 to Hawkhurst, who hastened below. 
 
 " Remove that boy," said Cain to the pirates, point- 
 ing to Francisco. *' Separate those two fools," con- 
 tinued he, looking towards Filippo and the girl, who 
 were sobbing in each other's arms. 
 
 *^ Never!" cried Filippo. 
 
 ** Throw the girl to the sharks! Do you hear? 
 am I to be obeyed ? " cried Cain, raising his cutlass. 
 
 Filippo started up, disengaged himself from the 
 girl, and, drawing his knife, rushed towards the captain 
 to plunge it in his bosom. 
 
 With the quickness of lightning the captain caught 
 his uplifted hand, and, breaking his wrist, hurled him 
 to the deck. 
 
 *^ Indeed ! " cried he, with a sneer. 
 
 " You shall not separate us," said Filippo, attempt- 
 ing to rise. 
 
 " I do not intend it, my good lad," replied Cain ; 
 " lash them both together and launch them over- 
 board." 
 
 This order was now obeyed ; for the pirates not 
 only quailed before the captain's cool courage, but 
 were indignant that his life had been attempted. There 
 was little occasion to tie the unhappy pair together; 
 they were locked so fast in each other's arms that it 
 would have been impossible almost to separate them. 
 In this state they were carried to the entering-port, 
 and cast into the sea. 
 
 " Monster!" cried the bishop, as he heard the 
 splash, '' thou wilt have a heavy reckoning for this." 
 
92 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 " Now bring these forward," said Cain, with a 
 savage voice. 
 
 The bishop and his niece were led to the gang- 
 way. 
 
 "What dost thou see, good bishop?" said Cain, 
 pointing to the discoloured water, and the rapid motion 
 of the fins of the sharks — eager in the anticipation of 
 a further supply. 
 
 " I see ravenous creatures after their kind," replied 
 the bishop, " who will, in all probability, soon tear 
 asunder these poor limbs ; but I see no monster like 
 thyself. Teresa, dearest, fear not ; there is a God, an 
 avenging God, as well as a rewarding one." 
 
 But Teresa's eyes were closed — she could not look 
 upon the scene. 
 
 " You have your choice ; first torture, and then 
 your body to those sharks for your own portion : and, 
 as for the girl, this moment I hand her over to my 
 crew." 
 
 " Never!" shrieked Teresa, springing from the 
 deck and plunging into the wave. 
 
 There was the splash of contention, the lashing of 
 tails, until the water was in a foam, and then the dark 
 colour gradually cleared away, and naught was to be 
 seen but the pure blue wave and the still unsatiated 
 monsters of the deep. 
 
 " The screws — the screws — quick ! we'll have the 
 secret from him," cried the pirate-captain, turning to 
 his crew, who, villains as they were, had been shocked 
 at this last catastrophe — " seize him ! " 
 
 '^ Touch him not!" cried Francisco, standing on 
 
THE CAPTURE. 93 
 
 the hammock-nettings; " touch him not! if you are 
 men." 
 
 Boiling with rage, Cain let go the arm of the bishop, 
 drew his pistol, and levelled it at Francisco. The 
 bishop threw up the arm of Cain as he fired ; saw that 
 he had missed his aim, and clasped his hands, rais- 
 ing his eyes to heaven in thankfulness at Francisco's 
 escape. In this position he was collared by Hawkhurst, 
 whose anger overcame his discretion, and who hurled 
 him through the entering-port into the sea. 
 
 '' Officious fool !" muttered Cain, when he per- 
 ceived what the mate had done. Then, recollecting 
 himself, he cried, — " Seize that boy and bring him 
 here." 
 
 One or two of the crew advanced to obey his orders ; 
 but Pompey and the Kroumen, who had been atten- 
 tive to what was going on, had collected round Fran- 
 cisco, and a scuffle ensued. The pirates, not being 
 very determined, nor very anxious to take Francisco, 
 allowed him to be hurried away in the centre of the 
 Kroumen, who bore him safely to the schooner. 
 
 In the mean time Hawkhurst, and the major part 
 of the men on board of the ship, had been tearing up 
 the hold to obtain the valuables, but without success. 
 The water had now reached above the orlop-deck, and 
 all further attempts were unavailing. The ship was 
 settling fast, and it became necessary to quit her, and 
 haul off the schooner, that she might not be endan- 
 gered by the vortex of the sinking vessel. Cain and 
 Hawkhurst, with their disappointed crew, returned on 
 board the schooner, and, before they had succeeded in 
 
94 TPIE CAPTURE. 
 
 detaching the two vessels a cahle's length, the ship 
 went down with all the treasure so coveted. The 
 indignation and rage which were expressed by the cap- 
 tain as he rapidly walked the deck in company wdth 
 his first mate— his violent gesticulations — proved to the 
 crew that there was mischief brewing. Francisco did 
 not return to the cabin ; he remained forward with the 
 Kroumen, who, although but a small portion of the 
 ship's company, were known to be resolute and not to 
 be despised. It was also observed that all of tliem 
 had supplied themselves with arms, and were collected 
 forward, huddled together, watching every motion and 
 manoeuvre, and talking rapidly in their own language. 
 The schooner was now steered to the north-westward 
 under all press of sail. The sun again disappeared, 
 but Francisco returned not to the cabin — he went be- 
 low, surrounded by the Kroumen, who appeared to 
 have devoted themselves to his protection. Once 
 during the night Hawkhui^t summoned them on deck, 
 but they obeyed not the order; and, to the expostu- 
 lation of the boatswain's mate who came down, they 
 made no reply. But there were many of the pirates 
 in the schooner who appeared to coincide with the 
 Kroumen in their regard for Francisco. There are 
 shades of villany in the most profligate of societies ; 
 and, among the pirate's crew, some were not yet wholly 
 debased. The foul murder of a holy man — the cruel 
 fate of the beautiful Teresa — and the barbarous conduct 
 of the captain towards Filippo and his mistress, were 
 deeds of an atrocity to which even the most hard- 
 ened were unaccustomed. Francisco's pleadings in 
 
THE CAPTURE. 95 
 
 behalf of mercy were at least no crime; and yet 
 they considered that Francisco was doomed. He 
 was a general favourite ; the worst disposed of the 
 pirates, with the exception of Hawkhurst, if they 
 did not love, could not forbear respecting him ; al- 
 though, at the same time, they felt that if Francisco 
 remained on board, the power even of Cain himself 
 would soon be destroyed. For many months Hawk- 
 hurst, who detested the youth, had been most earnest 
 that he should be sent out of the schooner. Now he 
 pressed the captain for his removal in any way, as 
 necessary for their mutual safety, pointing out to Cain 
 the conduct of the Kroumen, and his fears that a large 
 proportion of the ship's company were equally dis- 
 affected. Cain felt the truth of Hawkhurst's repre- 
 sentation ; and he went down to his cabin to consider 
 upon what should be done. 
 
 It was past midnight, ^vlien Cain, worn out with 
 the conflicting passions of the day, fell into an uneasy 
 slumber. His dreams were of Francisco's mother — 
 she appeared to him pleading for her son, and 
 Cain '* babbled in his sleep." At this time Francisco, 
 with Pompey, had softly crawled aft, that they might 
 obtain, if they found the captain asleep, the pistols 
 of Francisco, with some ammunition. Pompey slipped 
 in first, and started back when he heard the captain's 
 voice. They remained at the cabin -door listening. 
 " No — no," muttered Cain, *' he must die — useless — 
 plead not, woman! — I know I murdered thee — plead 
 not, he dies ! " 
 
 In one of the sockets of the silver lamp there was a 
 
96 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 lighted wick, the rays of which were sufficient to afford 
 a dim view of the cabin. Francisco, overhearing the 
 words of Cain, stepped in, and walked up to the side of 
 the bed. " Boy ! plead not," continued Cain, lying on 
 his back and breathing heavily — '' plead not — woman! 
 to-morrow he dies." A pause ensued, as if the sleep- 
 ing man was listening to a reply. " Yes, as I mur- 
 dered thee, so will I murder him." 
 
 " Wretch," said Francisco, in a low solemn voice, 
 " didst thou kill my mother?" 
 
 *' I did — I did," responded Cain, still sleeping. 
 
 *^ And why?" continued Francisco, who, at this 
 acknowledgement on the part of the sleeping captain, 
 was careless of discovery. 
 
 ** In my mood — she vexed me," answered Cain. 
 
 " Fiend ! thou hast then confessed it," cried 
 Francisco in a loud voice, which awoke the captain, 
 who started up, but, before his senses were well re- 
 covered, or his eyes opened so as to distinguish their 
 forms, Pompey struck out the light, and all was 
 darkness ; he then put his hand to Francisco's mouth, 
 and led him out of the cabin. 
 
 " Who's there? — who's there?" cried Cain. 
 
 The officer in charge of the deck hastened down. 
 " Did you call, sir?" 
 
 " Call," repeated the captain — " I thought there 
 was some one in the cabin. I want a light — that's 
 all," continued he, recovering himself, as he wiped 
 the cold perspiration from his forehead. 
 
 In the mean time Francisco, with Pompey, had 
 gained his former place of refuge with the Kroumen. 
 
THE CAPTURE. 97^ 
 
 The feelings of the young man changed from agony 
 to revenge ; his object in returning to the cabin to 
 recover his vs'eapons had been frustrated, but his 
 determination now was to take the life of the captain 
 if he possibly could. The following morning the 
 Kroumen again refused to work or go on deck ; and 
 the state of affairs was reported by Hawkhurst to his 
 chief. The mate now assumed another tone; for he 
 had sounded not the majority but the most steady 
 and influential men on board, who, like himself, were 
 veterans in crime. 
 
 " It must be, sir; or you will no longer command 
 this A^essel. I am desired to say so." 
 
 " Indeed," replied Cain, with a sneer ; ^' perhaps 
 you have already chosen my successor." 
 
 Hawkhurst perceived that he had lost ground, and 
 he changed his manner. " I speak but for yourself; 
 if you do not command this vessel I shall not remain 
 in her — if you quit her, I quit also; and we must find 
 another." 
 
 Cain was pacified, and the subject was not renewed. 
 
 *^ Turn the hands up," at last said the captain. 
 The pirate- crew assembled aft. 
 
 " My lads, I am sorry that our laws oblige me to 
 make an example ; but mutiny and disaffection must 
 be punished. I am equally bound as yourselves by 
 the laws which we have laid down for our guidance 
 while we sail together; and you may believe that in 
 doing my duty in this instance, I am guided by a sense 
 of justice, and wish to prove to you that I am worthy 
 to command. Francisco has been with me since he 
 
98 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 was a child ; he has lived with me, and it is painful 
 to part with him : but I am here to see that our laws 
 are put in force. He has been guilty of repeated 
 mutiny and contempt, and — he must die." 
 
 " Death! death!" cried several of the pirates in 
 advance — " death and justice!" 
 
 " No more murder!" said several voices from 
 behind. 
 
 " Who's that— that speaks?" 
 
 " Too much murder yesterday — no more murder!" 
 shouted several voices at once. 
 
 " Let the men come forward who speak," cried 
 Cain, with a withering look. No one obeyed this order. 
 ** Down, then, my men ! and bring up Francisco." 
 
 The whole of the pirate-crew hastened below, but 
 with different intentions ; some were determined to 
 seize Francisco, and hand him over to death — others 
 to protect him. A confused noise was heard — the 
 shouts of Down, and seize him ! opposed to those of 
 No murder ! No murder ! 
 
 Both parties had snatched up their arms ; those 
 who sided with Francisco joined the Kroumen, whilst 
 the others also hastened below to bring him on deck. 
 A slight scuffle ensued before they separated, and 
 ascertained by the separation the strength of the con- 
 tending parties. Francisco, perceiving that he was 
 joined by a large body, desired his men to follow him, 
 went up the fore ladder, and took possession of the 
 forecastle. The pirates on his side supplied him with 
 arms, and Francisco stood forward in advance. Hawk- 
 hurst, and those of the crew who sided with him, had 
 
THE CAPTURE. 99 
 
 retreated to the quarter-deck, and rallied round the 
 captain, who leaned against the capstern. They were 
 then able to estimate their comparative strength. The 
 number, on the whole, preponderated in favour of 
 Francisco; but on the captain's side were the older 
 and more athletic of the crew, and, we may add, the 
 more determined. Still, the captain and Hawkhurst 
 perceived the danger of their situation, and it was 
 thought advisable to parley for the present, and wreak 
 their vengeance hereafter. For a few minutes there 
 was a low consultation between both parties; at last 
 Cain advanced. 
 
 *' My lads," said he, addressing those who had 
 rallied round Francisco, " I little thought that a 
 firebrand would have been cast in this vessel to set 
 us all at variance. It was my duty, as your captain, 
 to propose that our laws should be enforced. Tell 
 me, now, what it is that you wish. I am only here 
 as your captain, and to take the sense of the whole 
 crew. I have no animosity against that lad ; I have 
 loved him — I have cherished him; but, like a viper, 
 he has stung me in return. Instead of being in arms 
 against each other, ought we not to be united? I 
 have, therefore, one proposal to make to you, which 
 is this : Let the sentence go by vote or ballot, if you 
 please ; and whatever the sentence may be, I shall be 
 guided by it. Can I say more 1 " 
 
 " My lads," replied Francisco, when the captain 
 had done speaking, ^* I think it better that you should 
 accept this proposal, rather than that blood should be 
 shed. My life is of little consequence; say, then. 
 
100 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 will you agree to the vote, and submit to those laws, 
 which, as the captain says, have been laid down to 
 regulate the discipline of the vessel ?" 
 
 The pirates on Francisco's side looked round 
 among their party, and, perceiving that they were the 
 most numerous, consented to the proposal ; but Hawk- 
 hurst stepped forward and observed : " Of course, the 
 Kroumen can have no votes, as they do not belong to 
 the vessel." 
 
 This objection was important, as they amounted to 
 twenty-five, and, after that number was deducted, in all 
 probability, Francisco's adherents would have been in 
 the minority. The pirates with Francisco objected, 
 and again assumed the attitude of defence. 
 
 *^ One moment," said Francisco, stepping in ad- 
 vance ; '* before this point is settled, I wish to take 
 the sense of all of you as to another of your laws. I 
 ask you, Hawkhurst, and all you who are now opposed 
 to me, whether you have not one law which is. Blood 
 for blood." 
 
 " Yes — yes," shouted all the pirates. 
 
 " Then let your captain stand forward, and answer 
 to my charge, if he dares." 
 
 Cain curled his lip in derision, and walked within 
 two yards of Francisco. 
 
 '* Well, boy, I'm here; and what is your charge?" 
 
 " First — I ask you, Captain Cain, who are so anxi- 
 ous that the laws should be enforced, whether you 
 acknowledge that * Blood for blood' is a just law ?" 
 
 " Most just : and, when shed, the party who re- 
 venges is not amenable." 
 
THE CAPTURE. 101 
 
 " 'Tis well : then, villain that thou art, answer — 
 Didst thou not murder my mother?" 
 
 Cain, at this accusation, started. 
 
 " Answer the truth, or lie like a recreant," repeated 
 Francisco ; " Did you not murder my mother?" 
 
 The captain's lips and the muscles of his face 
 quivered, but he did not reply. 
 
 " Blood for blood!" cried Francisco, as he fired his 
 pistol at Cain, who staggered, and fell on the deck. 
 
 Hawkhurst and several of the pirates hastened to 
 the captain, and raised him. 
 
 " She must have told him last night," said Cain, 
 speaking with difiiculty, as the blood flowed from the 
 wound. 
 
 *' He told me so himself," said Francisco, turning 
 round to those who stood by him. 
 
 Cain was taken down into the cabin. On examina- 
 tion, his wound was not mortal, although the loss of 
 blood had been rapid and very great. In a few minutes 
 Hawkhurst joined the party on the quarter-deck. He 
 found that the tide had turned more in Francisco's 
 favour than he had expected ; the law of " Blood for 
 blood" was held most sacred : indeed, it was but the 
 knowledge that it was solemnly recognised, and that, 
 if one pirate wounded another, that other was at liberty 
 to take his life, without punishment, which prevented 
 constant affrays between parties, whose knives would 
 otherwise have been the answer to every affront. It 
 was a more debased law of duelling, which kept such 
 profligate associates on good terms. Finding, there- 
 fore, that this feeling predominated, even among those 
 
102 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 who were opposed to Francisco on the other question, 
 Hawkhurst thought it advisable to parley. 
 
 '■' Hawkhurst," said Francisco, " I have but one 
 request to make, which, if complied with, will put an 
 end to this contention ; it is, that you will put me 
 on shore at the first land that we make. If you and 
 your party engage to do this, I will desire those who 
 support me to return to their obedience." 
 
 " I grant it," replied Hawkhurst ; '^ and so will the 
 others. Will you not, my men 1 " 
 
 " Agreed — agreed upon all sides," cried the pirates, 
 throwing away their weapons and mingling with each 
 other, as if they never had been opposed. 
 
 There is an old saying, that there is honour amongst 
 thieves : and so it often proves. Every man in the 
 vessel knew that this agreement would be strictly ad- 
 hered to ; and Francisco now walked the deck with 
 as much composure as if nothing had occurred. 
 
 Hawkhurst, who was aware that he must fulfil his 
 promise, carefully examined the charts when he went 
 down below, came up and altered the course of the 
 schooner two points more to the northward. The 
 next morning he was up at the mast-head nearly half 
 an hour, when he descended, and again altered the 
 course. By nine o'clock, a low sandy island appeared 
 on the lee bow ; when within half a mile of it, he 
 ordered the schooner to be hove to, and lowered down 
 the small boat from the stern. He then turned the 
 hands up. " My lads, we must keep our promise, to 
 put Francisco on shore at the first land which we 
 made. There it is ;" and a malicious smile played on 
 
THE CAPTURE. 103 
 
 the miscreant's features, as he pointed out to them the 
 barren sand-bank, which promised nothing but starv- 
 ation and a lingering death. Several of the crew 
 murmured ; but Hawkhurst was supported by his own 
 party, and had, moreover, taken the precaution quietly 
 to remove all the arms, with the exception of those 
 with which his adherents were provided. 
 
 *' An agreement is an agreement ; it is what he 
 requested himself, and we promised to perform. Send 
 for Francisco." 
 
 " I am here, Hawkhurst ; and I tell you candidly, 
 that desolate as is that barren spot, I prefer it to re- 
 maining in your company. I will bring my chest up 
 immediately." 
 
 " ]No — no ; that was not a part of the agreement," 
 cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 '' Every man here has a right to his own property. 
 I appeal to the whole of the crew." 
 
 " True — true," replied the pirates; and Hawkhurst 
 found himself again in the minority. 
 
 " Be it so." 
 
 The chest of Francisco was handed into the boat. 
 
 " Is that all?" cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 " My lads, am I to have no provisions or water?" 
 inquired Francisco. 
 
 " No," replied Hawkhurst. 
 
 *> Yes — yes," cried most of the pirates. 
 
 Hawkhurst did not dare put it to the vote; he 
 turned sulkily away. The Kroumen brought up two 
 breakers of water, and some pieces of pork. 
 
104 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 " Here, massa," said Pompey, putting into Fran- 
 cisco's hand a fishing-line with hooks. 
 
 "Thank you, Pompey; but I had forgot — that 
 book in the cabin — you know which I mean." 
 
 Pompey nodded his head, and went below ; but it 
 was some time before he returned, during which Hawk- 
 hurst became impatient. It was a very small boat 
 which had been lowered down; it had a lug-sail 
 and two pair of sculls in it, and was quite full when 
 Francisco's chest and the other articles had been 
 put in. 
 
 *^ Come ! I have no time to wait," said Hawkhurst ; 
 " in the boat!" 
 
 Francisco shook hands with many of the crew, and 
 wished all of them farewell. Indeed, now that they 
 beheld the poor lad about to be cast on a desolate 
 island, even those most opposed to him, felt some 
 emotions of pity. Although they acknowledged that 
 his absence was necessary, yet they knew his deter- 
 mined courage ; and with them that quality was 
 always a strong appeal. 
 
 " Who will row this lad ashore, and bring the 
 boat off?" 
 
 " Not I," replied one ; " it would haunt me ever 
 afterwards." 
 
 So they all appeared to think, for no one volun- 
 teered. Francisco jumped into the boat. 
 
 " There is no room for any one but me; and I will 
 row myself on shore," cried he. " Farewell, my lads ! 
 farewell ! " 
 
THE CAPTURE. 105 
 
 " Stop ! not so ; he must not have the boat — he 
 may escape from the island," cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 " And why shouldn't he, poor fellow?" replied the 
 men ; "let him have the boat." 
 
 *^ Yes — yes, let him have the boat ;" and Hawk- 
 hurst was again overruled. 
 
 *' Here, Massa Francisco — here de book." 
 
 "What's that, sir?" cried Hawkhurst, snatching 
 the book out of Pompey's hand. 
 
 " Him, massa, Bible." Francisco waited for the 
 book. 
 
 " Shove off!" cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 " Give me my book, Mr. Hawkhurst?" 
 
 *' No !" replied the malignant rascal, tossing the 
 Bible over the taffrail ; "he shall not have that. 
 I've heard say that there is consolation in it to the 
 afflicted." 
 
 Francisco shoved off his boat, and, seizing his 
 sculls, pushed astern, picked up the book, which still 
 floated, and laid it to dry on the after-thwart of the 
 boat. He then pulled in for the shore. In the mean- 
 time the schooner had let draw her foresheet, and had 
 already left him a quarter of a mile astern. Before 
 Francisco had gained the sand -bank, she was hull- 
 down to the northward. 
 
106 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE SAND-BANK. 
 
 The first half hour that Francisco was on this deso- 
 late spot he watched the receding schooner : his 
 thoughts were unconnected and vague. Wandering 
 through the various scenes which had passed on the 
 decks of that vessel, and recalling to his memory the 
 different characters of those on board of her, much as 
 he had longed to quit her — disgusted as he had been 
 with those with whom he had been forced to associate ; 
 still, as her sails grew fainter and fainter to his view, 
 as she increased her distance, he more than once felt 
 that even remaining on board of her would have been 
 preferable to his present deserted lot. " No, no!" ex- 
 claimed he, after a little farther reflection, " I had 
 rather perish here, than continue to witness the scenes 
 which I have been forced to behold.*' 
 
 He once more fixed his eyes upon her white sails, 
 and then sat down on the loose sand, and remained in 
 deep and melancholy reverie until the scorching heat 
 reminded him of his situation ; he afterwards rose and 
 turned his thoughts upon his present situation, and 
 to what would be the measures most advisable to take. 
 He hauled his little boat still farther on the beach, 
 and attached the painter to one of the oars, which 
 
THE SAND-BANK. 107 
 
 he fixed deep in the sand ; he then proceeded to 
 survey the bank, and found that but a small portion 
 was uncovered at high-water ; for, trifling as was the 
 rise of the tide, the bank was so low that the water 
 flowed almost over it. The most elevated part was not 
 more than fifteen feet above high-water mark, and that 
 was a small knoll of about fifty feet in circumference. 
 
 To this part he resolved to remove his effects : 
 he returned to the boat, and, having lifted out his 
 chest, the water, and provisions, with the other articles 
 which he had obtained, he dragged them up, one by 
 one, until they were all collected at the spot he had 
 chosen. He then took out of the boat the oars and 
 little sail, which, fortunately, had remained in her. 
 His last object, to haul the little boat up to the same 
 spot, was one which demanded all his exertion ; but, 
 after considerable fatigue, he contrived, by first lifting 
 round her bow, and then her stern, to efiect his 
 object. 
 
 Tired and exhausted, he then repaired to one 
 of the breakers of water and refreshed himself. The 
 heat, as the day advanced, had become intolerable ; 
 but it stimulated him to fresh exertion. He turned 
 over the boat, and contrived that the bow and stern 
 should rest upon two little hillocks, so as to raise 
 it above the level of the sand beneath it two or three 
 feet ; he spread out the sail from the keel above, with 
 the thole -pins as pegs, so as to keep off the rays 
 of the sun. Dragging the breakers of water and the 
 provisions underneath the boat, he left his chest out- 
 side; and, having thus formed for himself a sort of 
 
108 THE SAND-BANK. 
 
 covering which would protect him from the heat of the 
 day and the damp of the night, he crept in, to shelter 
 himself until the evening. 
 
 Although Francisco had not been on deck, he knew 
 pretty well whereabouts he then was. Taking out a 
 chart from his chest, he examined the coast to ascer- 
 tain the probable distance which he might be from 
 any prospect of succour. He calculated that he was 
 on one of a patch of sand-banks, off the coast of 
 Loango, and about seven hundred miles from the Isle 
 of St. Thomas — the nearest place where he might ex- 
 pect to fall in with an European face. From the coast 
 he felt certain that he could not be more than forty 
 or fifty miles at the most ; but could he trust himself 
 among the savage natives who inhabited it ? He knew 
 how ill they had been treated by Europeans ; for, at 
 that period, it was quite as common for the slave- 
 traders to land and take the inhabitants away as slaves 
 by force, as to purchase them in the more northern 
 territories ; still, he might be fortunate enough to fall 
 in with some trader on the coast, as there were a few 
 who still carried on a barter for gold-dust and ivory. 
 
 We do not know — we cannot conceive a situation 
 much more deplorable than the one we have just 
 described to have been that of Francisco. Alone — 
 without a chance of assistance — with only a sufficiency 
 of food for a few days, and cut off from the rest of his 
 fellow- creatures, with only so much terra firma as 
 would prevent his being swallowed up by the vast, 
 unfathomable ocean, into which the horizon fell on 
 every side around him, and his chance of escape how 
 
THE SAND-BANK. 109 
 
 small! Hundreds of miles from any from whom he 
 might expect assistance, and the only means of reach- 
 ing them a small boat — a mere cockle-shell, which the 
 first rough gale would inevitably destroy. 
 
 Such, indeed, were the first thoughts of Francisco ; 
 but he soon recovered from his despondency. He was 
 young, courageous, and buoyant with hope ; and there 
 is a feeling of pride — of trust in our own resources 
 and exertions, which increases and stimulates us in 
 proportion to our danger and difficulty : it is the 
 daring of the soul, proving its celestial origin and 
 eternal duration. 
 
 So intense was the heat that Francisco almost 
 panted for sufficient air to support life, as he lay 
 under the shade of the boat during the whole of that 
 day ; not a breath of wind disturbed the glassy wave — 
 all nature appeared hushed into one horrible calm. It 
 was not until the shades of night were covering the 
 solitude, that Francisco ventured forth from his retreat ; 
 but he found little relief; there was an unnatural 
 closeness in the air — a suffocation unusual even in 
 those climes. Francisco cast his eyes up to the 
 vault of heaven, and was astonished to find that there 
 were no stars visible — a gray mist covered the whole 
 firmament. He directed his view downwards to the 
 horizon, and that, too, was not to be defined; there 
 was a dark bank all around it. He walked to the edge 
 of the sand-bank ; there was not even a ripple — the 
 wide ocean appeared to be in a trance, in a state of 
 lethargy or stupor. 
 
 He parted the hair from his feverish brow, and 
 
no THE SAND-BANK. 
 
 once more surveying the horrible, lifeless, stagnant 
 waste, his soul sickened, and he cast himself upon the 
 sand. There he lay for many hours in a state border- 
 ing upon wild despair. At last he recovered himself; 
 and, rising to his knees, he prayed for strength, and 
 submission to the will of Heaven. 
 
 When he was once more upon his feet, and had 
 again scanned the ocean, he perceived that there 
 was a change rapidly approaching. The dark bank 
 on the horizon had now risen higher up ; the opaque- 
 ness was every where more dense ; and low mur- 
 murs were heard, as if there was wind stirring aloft, 
 although the sea was still glassy as a lake. Signs 
 of some movement about to take place were evident, 
 and the solitary youth watched and watched. And 
 now the sounds increased — and here and there a wild 
 thread of air — whence coming, who could tell? and 
 as rapidly disappearing, would ruffle, for a second, a 
 portion of the stagnant sea. Then came whizzing 
 sounds and moans, and then the rumbling noise of 
 distant thunder — loud and louder yet — still louder — 
 a broad black line is seen sweeping along the expanse 
 of water — fearful in its rapidity — it comes I — it 
 comes! — and the hurricane burst, at once and with 
 all its force, and all its terrific sounds, upon the 
 isolated Francisco. 
 
 The first blast was so powerful and so unexpected 
 that it threw him down ; and prudence dictated to him 
 to remain in that position, for the loose sand was 
 swept off and whirled in such force as to blind and 
 prevent his seeing a foot from him ; he would have 
 
THE SAND-BANK. Ill 
 
 crawled to the boat for security, but he knew not in 
 which direction to proceed. But this did not last; 
 for now the water was borne up upon the strong wings 
 of the hurricane, and the sand was rendered firm by 
 its saturation with the element. 
 
 Francisco felt that he was drenched, and he raised 
 his head. All he could discover was, that the firma- 
 ment was mantled with a darkness, horrible from its 
 intensity, and that the sea was in one extended foam — 
 boiling every where, and white as milk — but still 
 smooth, as if the power of the wind had compelled it 
 to be so ; but the water had encroached, and one half 
 the sand-bank was covered with it, while over the other 
 the foam whirled, each portion chasing the other with 
 wild rapidity. 
 
 And now the windows of heaven were opened ; 
 and the rain, mingled with the spray caught up by 
 the hurricane, was dashed and hurled upon the forlorn 
 youth, who still lay where he had been first thrown 
 down. But of a sudden, a wash of water told him 
 that he could there remain no longer : the sea was 
 rising — rising fast ; and, before he could gain a few 
 paces on his hands and knees, another wave, as if 
 it chased him in its wrath, repeated the warning of 
 his extreme danger, and he was obliged to rise on 
 his feet and hasten to the high part of the sand- 
 bank, where he had drawn up his boat and his pro- 
 visions. 
 
 Blinded as he was by the rain and spray, he could 
 distinguish nothing. Of a sudden, he fell violently ; 
 he had stumbled over one of the breakers of water, and 
 
112 THE SAND-BANK. 
 
 his head struck against his sea-chest. Where, then, was 
 the boat ? it was gone ! — it must have been swept away 
 by the fury of the wind. Alas! then, all chance was 
 over ! and, if not washed away by the angry waters, he 
 had but to prolong his existence but a few days, and 
 then to die. The effect of the blow he had received 
 on his forehead, with the shock of mind occasioned 
 by the disappearance of the boat, overpowered him, 
 and he remained for some time in a state of in- 
 sensibility. 
 
 When Francisco recovered, the scene was again 
 changed ; the wide expanse was now in a state of wild 
 and fearful commotion, and the waters roared as loud 
 as did the hurricane. The whole sand-bank, with the 
 exception of that part on which he stood, was now 
 covered with tumultuous foam ; and his place of refuge 
 was occasionally invaded, when some vast mass o'er- 
 lording the other waves, expended all its fury even 
 to his feet. Francisco prepared to die ! 
 
 But gradually the darkness of the heavens disap- 
 peared, and there was no longer a bank upon the 
 horizon ; and Francisco hoped — alas ! hoped what ? — 
 that he might be saved from the present impending 
 death to be reserved for one still more horrible ; to be 
 saved from the fury of the waves, which would swal- 
 low him up, and in a few seconds remove him from 
 all pain and suffering, to perish for want of sustenance 
 under a burning sun ; to be withered — to be parched 
 to death — calling in his agony for water; and, as 
 Francisco thought of this, he covered his face with 
 his hands, and prayed, " Oh, God ! thy will be done ! 
 

THE SAND-BANK. 113 
 
 but, in thy mercy, raise — still higher raise the 
 waters ! " 
 
 But the waters did not rise higher. The howling 
 of the wind gradually decreased, and the foaming 
 seas had obeyed the Divine injunction — they had 
 gone so far, but no farther! And the day dawned, 
 and the sky cleared ; and the first red tints, an- 
 nouncing the return of light and heat, had appeared 
 on the broken horizon, when the eyes of the despair- 
 ing youth were directed to a black mass on the tu- 
 multuous waters. It was a vessel, with but one mast 
 standing ; rolling heavily, and running before the gale 
 right on for the sand-bank where he stood ; her hull 
 one moment borne aloft, and the next disappearing 
 from his view in the hollow of the agitated waters. 
 She will be dashed to pieces, thought Francisco ; she 
 will be lost — they cannot see the bank ! and he 
 would have made a signal to her, if he had been able, 
 to warn her of her danger, forgetting, at the time, his 
 own desolate situation. 
 
 As Francisco watched, the sun rose, bright and 
 joyous, over this scene of anxiety and pain. On came 
 the vessel, flying before the gale ; while the seas 
 chased her as if they would fain overwhelm her. It 
 was fearful to see her scud — agonising to know that 
 she was rushing to destruction. 
 
 At last he could distinguish those on board. He 
 waved his hand, but they perceived him not; he 
 shouted, but his voice was borne away by the gale. 
 On came the vessel, as if doomed. She was within 
 two cables* length of the bank, when those on board 
 
114 THE SAND-BANK. 
 
 perceived their danger. It was too late ! — they 
 rounded her to — another and another wave hurled 
 her towards the sand. She struck ! — her only remain- 
 ing mast fell over the side — and the roaring waves 
 hastened to complete their work of destruction and 
 of death! 
 
115 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 Francisco's eyes were fixed upon the vessel, over 
 which the sea now broke with terrific violence. There 
 appeared to be about eight or nine men on her deck, 
 who sheltered themselves under the weather bulwarks. 
 Each wave, as it broke against her side and then 
 dashed in foam over her, threw her, with a convulsive 
 jerk, still farther on the sand-bank. At last she was 
 so high up that their fury was partly spent before they 
 dashed against her frame. Had the vessel been strong 
 and well built ; had she been a collier coasting the 
 English shores, there was a fair chance that she might 
 have withstood the fury of the storm until it had sub- 
 sided, and that by remaining on board, the crew might 
 have survived ; but she was of a very different mould, 
 and, as Francisco justly surmised, an American brig, 
 built for swift sailing, very sharp, and, moreover, very 
 slightly put together. 
 
 Francisco's eyes, as may easily be supposed, were 
 never removed from the only object which could now 
 interest him — the unexpected appearance and imminent 
 danger of his fellow-creatures at this desolated spot. 
 He perceived that two of the men went to the hatches, 
 
116 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 and slid them over to leeward : they then descended, 
 and, although the seas broke over the vessel, and a 
 large quantity of water must have poured into her, the 
 hatches were not put on again by those who remained 
 on deck. But in a few minutes this mystery was 
 solved ; one after another at first, and then by dozens, 
 poured forth out of the hold, the kidnapped Africans, 
 who composed her cargo. In a short time the decks 
 were covered with them : the poor creatures had been 
 released by the humanity of two of the English sailors, 
 that they might have the same chance with themselves 
 of saving their lives. Still, no attempt was made to 
 quit the vessel. Huddled together, like a flock of 
 sheep, with the wild waves breaking over them, there 
 they all remained, both European and African ; and, as 
 the heavy blows of the seas upon the sides of the vessel 
 careened and shook her, they were seen to cling, in 
 every direction, with no distinction between the cap- 
 tured and their oppressors. 
 
 But this scene was soon changed ; the frame of the 
 vessel could no longer withstand the violence of the 
 waves; and, as Francisco watched, of a sudden it was 
 seen to divide a-midships, and each portion to turn 
 over. Then was the struggle for life ; hundreds were 
 floating on the raging element, and wrestling for exist- 
 ence, and the white foam of the ocean was dotted by 
 the black heads of the negroes who attempted to gain 
 the bank. It was an awful, terrible scene, to witness 
 so many at one moment tossed and dashed about by 
 the waves — so many fellow-beings threatened with 
 eternity. At one moment, they were close to the 
 
THE ESCAPE. 117 
 
 beach, forced on to it by some tremendous wave ; at 
 the next, the receding water and the undertow swept 
 them all back ; and, of the many who had been swim- 
 ming, one half had disappeared to rise no more. 
 Francisco watched with agony as he perceived that the 
 number decreased, and that none had yet gained the 
 shore. At last he snatched up the haulyards of his 
 boat's sail which were near him, and hastened down to 
 the spot to afford such succour as might be possible; 
 nor were his efforts in vain. As the seas washed the 
 apparently inanimate bodies on shore, and would then 
 have again swept them away to return them in mock- 
 ery, he caught hold of them and dragged them safe 
 on the bank, and thus did he continue his exertions 
 until fifteen of the bodies of the negroes were spread 
 upon the beach. Although exhausted and senseless, 
 they were not dead, and long before he had dragged 
 up the last of the number, many of those previously 
 saved had, without any other assistance than the heat 
 of the sun, recovered from their insensibility. 
 
 Francisco would have continued his task of huma- 
 nity, but the parted vessel had now been riven into 
 fragments by the force of the waves, and the whole 
 beach was strewed with her timbers and her stores, 
 which were dashed on shore by the waters, and then 
 swept back again by the return. In a short time the 
 severe blows he received from these fragments disabled 
 him from further exertion, and he sank exhausted on 
 the sand; indeed, all further attempts were useless. 
 All on board of the vessel had been launched into the 
 sea at the same moment, and those who were not now 
 
118 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 on shore were past all succour. Francisco walked up 
 to those who had been saved : he found twelve of them 
 were recovered and sitting on their hams ; the rest 
 were still in a state of insensibility. He then went up 
 to the knoll, where his chest and provisions had been 
 placed ; and, throwing himself down by them, surveyed 
 the scene. 
 
 The wind had lulled, the sun shone brightly, and the 
 sea was much less violent. The waves had subsided, 
 and, no longer hurried on by the force of the hurri- 
 cane, broke majestically and solemnly, but not with 
 the wildness and force which, but a few hours before, 
 they had displayed. The whole of the beach was 
 strewed with the fragments of the vessel, with spars 
 and water- casks ; and every moment was to be ob- 
 served the corpse of a negro turning round and round 
 in the froth of the wave, and then disappearing. 
 
 For an hour did he watch and reflect, and then 
 he walked again to where the men who had been 
 rescued were sitting, not more than thirty yards from 
 him ; they were sickly emaciated forms, but belonging 
 to a tribe who inhabited the coast, and who having been 
 accustomed, from their infancy, to be all the day in the 
 water, had supported themselves better than the other 
 slaves who had been procured from the interior, or 
 the European crew of the vessel, all of whom had 
 perished. 
 
 The Africans appeared to recover fast by the heat 
 of the sun, so oppressive to Francisco, and were now 
 exchanging a few words with each other. The whole 
 of them had revived, but those who were most in need 
 
THE ESCAPE. 119 
 
 of aid were neglected by the others. Francisco made 
 signs to them, but they understood him not. He re- 
 turned to the knoll, and, pouring out water in a tin 
 pan from the breaker, brought it down to them. He 
 offered it to one who seized it eagerly ; water was a 
 luxury seldom obtained in the hold of a slave-vessel. 
 The man drank deeply, and would have drained the 
 cup, but Francisco prevented him, and held it to the 
 lips of another. He was obliged to refill it three times 
 before they had all been supplied: he then brought 
 them a handful of biscuit and left them, for he reflected 
 that, without some precautions, the whole sustenance 
 would soon be seized by them and devoured. He 
 buried half a foot deep, and covered over with sand the 
 breakers of water and the provisions, and, by the time 
 he had finished this task unperceived by the negroes, 
 who still squatted together, the sun had again sunk 
 below the horizon. Francisco had already matured 
 his plans, which were, to form a raft out of the frag- 
 ments of the vessel, and, with the assistance of the 
 negroes, attempt to gain the main land. He lay down, 
 for, the second night, on this eventful spot of desolation, 
 and, commending himself to the Almighty protection, 
 was soon in a deep slumber. 
 
 It was not until the powerful rays of the sun blazed 
 on the eyes of the youth that he awoke, so tired had 
 he been with the anxiety and fatigue of the preceding 
 day, and the sleepless harrowing night which had 
 introduced it ; he rose and seated himself upon his sea- 
 chest : how different was the scene from that of yester- 
 day ! Again the ocean slept, the sky was serene, and 
 
120 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 not a cloud to be distinguished throughout the whole 
 firmament; the horizontal line was clear, even, and 
 well defined ; a soft breeze just rippled over the dark 
 blue sea which now had retired to its former boundary, 
 and left the sand-bank as extended as when first Fran- 
 cisco had been put on shore. But here the beauty of 
 the landscape terminated, the foreground was horrible 
 to look upon ; the whole of the beach was covered with 
 the timbers of the wreck, with water-casks, and other 
 articles, in some parts heaped and thrown up one upon 
 another; and, among them, lay jammed and mangled 
 the bodies of the many Avho had perished. In other 
 parts there were corpses thrown up high and dry, or 
 still rolling and turning to the rippling wave : it was a 
 scene of desolation and of death. 
 
 The negroes who had been saved were all huddled 
 up together, apparently in deep sleep, and Francisco 
 quitted his elevated position and walked down to the 
 low beach to survey the means which the disaster of 
 others afforded him for his own escape. To his great 
 joy he found not only plenty of casks, but many of 
 them full of fresh water, provisions also in sufficiency, 
 and, indeed, every thing that could be required to form 
 a raft, as well as the means of support for a consi- 
 derable time for himself and the negroes who had 
 survived. He then walked up to them and called to 
 them, but they answered not, nor even moved. He 
 pushed them, but in vain ; and his heart beat quick, 
 for he was fearful that they were dead from pre- 
 vious exhaustion. He applied his foot to one of them, 
 and it was not until he had used force, which in any 
 
THE ESCAPE. 121 
 
 other case he would have dispensed with, that the 
 negro awoke from his state of lethargy and looked 
 vacantly about him. Francisco had some little know- 
 ledge of the language of the Kroumen, and he ad- 
 dressed the negro in that tongue. To his great joy, he 
 was answered in a language which, if not the same, 
 had so great an affinity to it, that communication be- 
 came easy. With the assistance of the negro, who 
 used still less ceremony with his comrades, the remain- 
 der of them were awakened and a palaver ensued. 
 
 Francisco soon made them understand that they 
 were to make a raft and go back to their own country ; 
 explaining to them that if they remained there, the 
 water and provisions would soon be exhausted, and 
 they would all perish. The poor creatures hardly 
 knew whether to consider him a supernatural being 
 or not ; they talked among themselves ; they remarked 
 at his having brought them fresh water the day be- 
 fore ; they knew that he did not belong to the vessel 
 in which they had been wrecked, and they were 
 puzzled. 
 
 Whatever might be their speculations they had one 
 good effect, which was, that they looked upon the 
 youth as a superior and a friend, and most willingly 
 obeyed him. He led them up to the knoll, and, de- 
 siring them to scrape away the sand, supplied them 
 again with fresh water and biscuit. Perhaps the very 
 supply, and the way in which it was given to them, 
 excited their astonishment as much as any thing. 
 Francisco ate with them, and selecting from his sea- 
 chest the few tools in his possession, desired them to 
 
122 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 follow him. The casks were collected and rolled 
 up; the empty ones arranged for the raft; the spars 
 were hauled up, cleared of the rigging, which was 
 carefully separated for lashings; the one or two sails 
 which had been found rolled up on the spars were 
 spread out to dry; and the provisions and articles of 
 clothing, which might be useful, laid together on 
 one side. The negroes worked willingly, and shewed 
 much intelligence : before the evening closed, every 
 thing which might be available was secured, and 
 the waves now only tossed about lifeless forms and 
 the small fragments of timber which could not be 
 serviceable. 
 
 It would occupy too much time were we to detail 
 all the proceedings of Francisco and the negroes for 
 the space of four days, during which they laboured 
 hard. Necessity is truly the mother of invention, 
 and many were the ingenious resources of the party 
 before they could succeed in forming a raft large 
 enough to carry them and their provisions, with a 
 mast and sail well secured. At length it was accom- 
 plished ; and, on the fifth day, Francisco and his men 
 embarked, and having pushed clear of the bank with 
 poles, they were at last able to hoist their sail to a line 
 breeze, and steer for the coast before the wind at the 
 rate of about three miles an hour. But it was not 
 until they had gained half a mile from the bank that 
 they were no longer annoyed by the dreadful smell 
 arising from the putrefaction of so many bodies, for to 
 bury them all would have been a work of too great 
 time. The last two days of their remaining on the 
 
^ 
 
THE ESCAPE. 123 
 
 island, the effluvia had become so powerful as to be 
 a source of the greatest horror and disgust even to the 
 negroes. 
 
 But before night, when the raft was about eight 
 leagues from the sand-bank it fell calm, and continued 
 so for the next day, when a breeze sprang up from the 
 south-east, to which they trimmed their sail with their 
 head to the northward. 
 
 This wind, and the course steered, sent them off 
 from the land, but there was no help for it, and Fran- 
 cisco felt grateful that they had such an ample supply 
 of provisions and water as to enable them to yield to a 
 few days' contrary wind without danger of want. But 
 the breeze continued steady and fresh, and they were now 
 crossing the Bight of Benin ; the weather was fine and 
 the sea smooth; the flying fish rose in shoals, and 
 dropped down into the raft, which still forced its way 
 through the water to the northward. 
 
 Thus did Francisco and his negro crew remain for 
 a fortnight floating on the wide ocean without any 
 object meeting their view. Day after day it was the 
 same dreary " sky and water," and, by the reckoning 
 of Francisco, they could not be far from the land, 
 when, on the fifteenth day, they perceived two sail to 
 the northward. 
 
 Francisco's heart bounded with joy and gratitude 
 to Heaven ; he had no telescope to examine them, but 
 he steered directly for them, and, about dark, he made 
 them out to be a ship and a schooner hove to. 
 
 As Francisco scanned them, surmising what they 
 might be, the sun set behind the two vessels, and, after 
 
124 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 it had sunk below the horizon their forms were, for 
 a few minutes, delineated with remarkable precision 
 and clearness. There could be no mistake. — Francisco 
 felt convinced that the schooner was the Avenger ! and 
 his first impulse was to run to the sweep with which 
 they were steered, and put the head of the raft again 
 to the northward. A moment's reflection determined 
 him to act otherwise ; he lowered down his sail that he 
 might escape observation, and watched the motions of 
 the vessels during the few minutes of light which re- 
 mained. That the ship had been captured, and that 
 her capture had been attended with the usual scene of 
 outrao;e and violence he had no doubt. He was now 
 about four miles from them, and just as they were 
 vanishing from his straining eyes, he perceived that 
 the schooner had made all sail to the westward. Fran- 
 cisco feeling that he was then secure from being 
 picked up by her, again hoisted his sail with the hope 
 of reaching the ship, which, if not scuttled, he in- 
 tended to remove on board of, and then make sail 
 for the first port on the coast. But hardly had the 
 raft regained her way when the horizon was lighted up, 
 and he perceived that the pirates had set fire to the 
 vessel. Then it was useless to proceed towards her; 
 and Franciscp again thought of putting the head of 
 the raft to the northward, when the idea struck him, 
 knowing the character and cruelty of the pirates, that 
 there might be some unfortunate people left on board 
 to perish in the flames. He, therefore, continued his 
 course, watching the burning vessel ; the flames in- 
 creased in violence, mounting up to the masts and 
 
THE ESCAPE. 125 
 
 catching the sails one after the other. The wind blew 
 fresh, and the vessel was kept before the wind — a 
 circumstance that assured Francisco that there were 
 people on board. At first she appeared to leave the 
 raft, but, as her sails, one after another, were consumed 
 by the element, so did she decrease her speed, and 
 Francisco, in about an hour, was close to her and 
 under her counter. 
 
 The ship was now one mass of fire from her bows 
 to her mainmast ; a volume of flame poured from her 
 main hold, rising higher than her lower masts, and 
 ending in a huge mass of smoke carried by the wind 
 a-head of her; the quarter-deck was still free from 
 fire, but the heat on it was so intense, that those on 
 board were all collected at the taffrail ; and there they 
 remained, some violent, others in mute despair, for 
 the Avenger's people, in their barbarity, had cut away 
 and destroyed all the boats to prevent their escape. 
 From the light thrown round the vessel, those on board 
 had perceived the approach of Francisco to their rescue, 
 and immediately that it was under the counter, and 
 the sail lowered, almost all of them had descended by 
 ropes, or the stern ladder, and gained a place in her. 
 In a few minutes, without scarcely an exchange of a 
 word, they were all out of the brig, and Francisco 
 pushed off just as the flames burst from the cabin win- 
 dows, darting out in a horizontal line like the tongues 
 of fiery serpents. The raft, now encumbered with 
 twelve more persons, was then steered to the north- 
 ward ; and as soon as those who had been saved had been 
 supplied with some water which they so much needed, 
 
126 THE ESCAPE. 
 
 Francisco obtained the intelligence which he desired. 
 The ship was from Carthagena, South America ; had 
 sailed from thence to Lisbon with a Don Cumanos, who 
 had large property up the Magdalen river. He had 
 wished to visit a part of his family at Lisbon, and from 
 thence had sailed to the Canary isles, where he also had 
 property, in their way from Lisbon to South America. 
 They had been beaten by stress of weather to the south- 
 ward, and afterwards had been chased by the Aven- 
 ger ; being a very fast sailer she had run down several 
 degrees before she had been captured. When the pirate 
 took possession, and found that she had little or no cargo 
 of value to them, for her hold was chiefly filled with 
 furniture and other articles for the use of Don Cumanos, 
 angry at their disappointment, they had first destroyed 
 all their boats and then set fire to the vessel, taking 
 care not to leave her until all chance of the fire being 
 put out was hopeless. And thus had these miscreants 
 left innocent and unfortunate people to perish. 
 
 Francisco heard the narrative of Don Cumanos, and 
 then informed him in what manner he had left the 
 schooner and his subsequent adventures. Francisco 
 was now very anxious to make the land, or obtain 
 succour from some vessel. The many who were now 
 on board, and the time that he had already been at sea, 
 obliged him to reduce the allowance of water. Fortune 
 favoured him after all his trials ; on the third day a 
 vessel hove in sight, and they were seen by her. She 
 made sail for them, and took them all on board. It 
 was a schooner trafficking on the coast for gold-dust 
 and ivory j but the magnificent offers of Don Cumanos 
 
^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 s^-' 
 
 '?<^ 
 
THE ESCAPE. 127 
 
 induced them to give up their voyage and run across 
 the Atlantic to Carthagena. To Francisco it was of 
 little moment vt^here he went, and in Don Cumanos 
 he had found a sincere friend. 
 
 " You have been my preserver," said the Spaniard ; 
 ^^ allow me to return the obligation — come and live 
 with me." 
 
 As Francisco was equally pleased with Don Cu- 
 manos, he accepted the offer : they all arrived safely at 
 Carthagena, and from thence proceeded to his estate on 
 the Magdalen river. 
 
128 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE LIEUTENANT. 
 
 When we last mentioned Edward Templemore, we 
 stated that he was a lieutenant of the admiral's ship on 
 the West India station, commanding the tender. Now 
 the name of the tender was the Enterprise ; and it 
 was singular that she was one of two schooners built 
 at Baltimore, remarkable for their beauty and good 
 qualities : yet how different were their employments ! 
 Both had originally been built for the slave-trade ; 
 now one hoisted the English pennant, and cruised as 
 the Enterprise ; the other threw out the black flag, 
 and scoured the seas as the Avenger. 
 
 The Enterprise was fitted much in the same way as 
 we have already described her sister vessel, — that is, 
 with one long brass gun a-midships, and smaller ones 
 for her broadside. But in the numbers of their crew 
 there was a great disparity ; the Enterprise not being 
 manned with more than sixty-five English sailors, 
 belonging to the admiral's ship. She was employed, 
 as most admirals' tenders usually were, sometimes car- 
 rying a tender made for a supply of provisions, or a 
 tender of services, if required, from the admiral; or, if 
 not particularly wanted, with the important charge of a 
 
THE LIEUTENANT. 129 
 
 tender billet-doux to some fair friend. But this is a 
 tender subject to toucli upon. In the mean time, it 
 must be understood that she had the same commission 
 to sink, burn, and destroy, as all other of his Ma- 
 jesty's vessels, if any thing came in her way ; but, as 
 she usually carried dispatches, the real importance of 
 which were, of course, unknown, she was not to go 
 out of her way upon such service. 
 
 Edward Templemore did, however, occasionally go 
 a little out of his way, and had lately captured a very 
 fine privateer, after a smart action, for which he anti- 
 cipated his promotion ; but the admiral thought him 
 too young, and therefore gave the next vacancy to his 
 own nephew, who, the admiral quite forgot, was much 
 younger. 
 
 Edward laughed when he heard of it, upon his 
 arrival at Port Royal ; and the admiral, who expected 
 that he would make his appearance pouting with disap- 
 pointment, when he came up to the Penn to report 
 himself, was so pleased with his good-humour that he 
 made a vow that Templemore should have the next 
 vacancy ; but this he also quite forgot, because Edward 
 happened to be, at the time it occurred, on a long 
 cruise, — and " out of sight out of mind" is a proverb so 
 well established, that it may be urged as an excuse for 
 a person who had so many other things to think of as 
 the admiral intrusted with the command of the West 
 India station. 
 
 Lieutenant Templemore had, in consequence, com- 
 manded the Enterprise for nearly two years, and 
 without grumbling; for he was of a happy disposition, 
 
130 THE LIEUTENANT. 
 
 and passed a very happy sort of life. Mr. Withering- 
 ton was very indulgent to him, and allowed him to 
 draw liberally ; he had plenty of money for himself 
 or for a friend who required it, and he had plenty of 
 amusement. Amongst other diversions, he had fallen 
 most desperately in love : for, in one of his trips to 
 the Leeward Isles (so called from their being to wind- 
 ward) he had succoured a Spanish vessel, which had on 
 board the new governor of Porto Rico, with his family, 
 and had taken upon himself to land them on that 
 island in safety ; for which service the English admiral 
 received a handsome letter, concluding with the mo- 
 derate wish that his excellency might live a thousand 
 years, and Edward Templemore an invitation to go 
 and see them whenever he might pass that way; 
 which, like most general invitations, was as much a 
 compliment as the wish which wound up the letter to 
 the admiral. It did, however, so happen that the 
 Spanish governor had a very beautiful and only 
 daughter, carefully guarded by a duenna, and a monk 
 who was the depository of all the sins of the gover- 
 nor's establishment ; and it was with this daughter 
 that Edward Templemore fell into the heresy of love. 
 She was, indeed, very beautiful ; and, like all her 
 countrywomen, was ardent in her affections. The 
 few days that she was on board the schooner with 
 her father, during the time that the Enterprise con- 
 voyed the Spanish vessel into port, were quite sufficient 
 to ignite two such inflammable beings as Clara 
 d'Alfarez and Edward Templemore. The monk had 
 been left on board of the leaky vessel ; there was no 
 
THE LIEUTENANT. 131 
 
 accommodation in the schooner for either him or the 
 duenna, and Don Felix de Maxos de Cobas de Manilla 
 d'Alfarez was too busy with his cigar to pay attention 
 to his daughter. 
 
 When they were landed, Edward Templemore was 
 asked to their residence, which was not in the town, 
 but at a lovely bay on the south side of the island. 
 The town mansion was appropriated to business and 
 the ceremony of the court : it was too hot for a per- 
 manent abode, and the governor only went there for 
 a few hours each day. 
 
 Edward Templemore remained a short time at 
 the island, and, at his departure, received the afore- 
 mentioned letter from the father to the English ad- 
 miral, and an assurance of unalterable fidelity from the 
 daughter to the English lieutenant. On his return, 
 he presented the letter, and the admiral was satisfied 
 with his conduct. 
 
 When ordered out to cruise, which he always was 
 when there was nothing else to do, he submitted to the 
 admiral whether, if he should happen to be near Porto 
 Rico, he could not leave an answer to the Spanish 
 governor's letter ; and the admiral, who knew the 
 value of keeping up a good understanding with foreign 
 relations, took the hint, and gave him one to deliver, 
 if convenient. The second meeting was, as may be 
 supposed, more cordial than the first on the part of 
 the young lady ; not so, however, on the part of the 
 duenna and holy friar, who soon found out that their 
 charge was in danger from heretical opinions. 
 
132 THE LIEUTENANT. 
 
 Caution became necessary ; and, as secresy adds a 
 charm to an amour, Clara received a long letter and 
 a telescope from Edward. The letter informed her 
 that, whenever he could, he would make his appear- 
 ance in his schooner off the south of the island, and 
 await a signal made by her at a certain window, ac- 
 knowledging her recognition of his vessel. On the 
 night of that signal, he would land in his boat and 
 meet her at an appointed spot. This was all very 
 delightful ; and it so happened that Edward had four 
 or five times contrived, during the last year, to meet 
 Clara without discovery, and again and again to 
 exchange his vows. It was agreed between them 
 that when he quitted the station, she should quit her 
 father and her home, and trust her future happiness 
 to an Englishman and a heretic. 
 
 It may be a matter of surprise to some of our 
 readers that the admiral should not have discovered 
 the frequent visits of the Enterprise to Porto Rico, as 
 Edward was obliged to bring his log for examination 
 every time that he returned ; but the admiral was 
 satisfied with Edward's conduct, and his anxiety to 
 cruise, when there was nothing else for him to do. 
 His logs were brought on shore to the admiral's secre- 
 tary carefully rolled and sealed up. The admiral's 
 secretary threw the packages on one side, and thought 
 no more of the matter, and Edward had always a 
 ready story to tell when he took his seat at the ad- 
 miral's dinner-table ; besides, he is a very unfit person 
 to command a vessel who does not know how to write 
 
THE LIEUTENANT. 133 
 
 a log that will bear an investigation. A certain lati- 
 tude is always allowed in every degree of latitude as 
 well as longitude. 
 
 The Enterprise had been dispatched to Antigua, 
 and Edward thought this an excellent opportunity to 
 pay a visit to Clara d'Alfarez ; he therefore, upon his 
 return, hove to off the usual headland, and soon per- 
 ceived the white curtain thrown out of the window. 
 
 " There it is, sir," said one of the midshipmen who 
 was near him — for he had been there so often that the 
 whole crew of the Enterprise were aware of his attach- 
 ment — " she has shewn her flag of truce." 
 
 *' A truce to your nonsense, Mr. Warren," replied 
 Edward, laughing ; " how came you to know any 
 thing about it?" 
 
 '* I only judge by cause and effect, sir ; and I 
 know that I shall have to go on shore and wait for 
 you to-night. 
 
 " That's not unlikely : but let draw the fore-sheet ; 
 we must now get behind the headland." 
 
 The youngster was right : that evening, a little 
 before dark, he attended his commander on shore, 
 the Enterprise lying to with a lantern at her peak. 
 
 *' Once more, dearest Clara!" said Edward, as he 
 threw off her long veil and pressed her in his arms. 
 
 " Yes, Edward, once more — but I am afraid only 
 once more ; for my maid, Inez, has been dangerously 
 ill, and has confessed to Friar Ricardo. I fear much 
 that, in her fright (for she thought that she was dying), 
 she has told all. She is better now." 
 
 " Why should you imagine so, Clara?" 
 
]34 THE LIEUTENANT. 
 
 " Oh, you know not what a frightened fool that 
 Inez is when she is ill. Our religion is not like 
 yours." 
 
 "No, dear, it is not; but I will teach you a 
 better." 
 
 " Hush, Edward, you must not say that. Holy 
 Virgin ! if Friar Ricardo should hear you ! I think 
 that Inez must have told him, for he fixes his dark 
 eyes upon me so earnestly. Yesterday he observed to 
 me that I had not confessed." 
 
 " Tell him to mind his own business." 
 
 *' That is his business, and I was obliged to confess 
 to him last night. I told him a great many things, 
 and then he asked me if that was all. His eyes went 
 through me. I trembled as I uttered an untruth — for 
 I said it was." 
 
 ^' I confess my sins but to my Maker, Clara; and 
 I confess my love but to you. Follow my plan, 
 dearest ! " 
 
 " I will half obey you, Edward. I will not tell 
 my love." 
 
 " And sins you have none, Clara; so you will 
 obey me in all." 
 
 '' Hush, Edward, you must not say that. We all 
 have sins ; and, oh ! what a grievous sin they say it 
 is to love you, who are a heretic! Holy Virgin, 
 pardon me ! but I could not help it." 
 
 " If that is your only sin, dearest, I can safely give 
 you absolution." 
 
 " Nay, Edward, don't joke, but hear me. If Inez 
 has confessed, they will look for me here; and we 
 
THE LIEUTENANT. 135 
 
 must not meet again — at least not in this place. You 
 know the little bay behind the rock — it is not much 
 farther off, and there is a cave where I can wait : 
 another time it must be there." 
 
 '^ It shall be there, dearest ; but is it not too near 
 the beach ? will you not be afraid of the men in the 
 boat, who must see you ? " 
 
 *' But we can leave the beach. It is Ricardo, 
 alone, that I am in dread of — and the Donna Maria. 
 Merciful heaven ! should my father know it all, we 
 should be lost ! be separated for ever !" and Clara 
 laid her forehead on Edward's shoulder, as her tears 
 fell fast." 
 
 ^' There is nought to fear, Clara. Hush ! I heard 
 a rustling in those orange-trees. Listen!" 
 
 "Yes! yes!" whispered Clara, hastily; " there is 
 some one ! Away ! dear Edward, away ! " 
 
 Clara sprang from his side, and hastened up the 
 grove. Edward made his retreat; and, flying down 
 the rocky and narrow path through the underwood, 
 was soon on the beach and into his boat. The Enter- 
 prise arrived at head-quarters, and Edward reported 
 himself to the admiral. 
 
 " I have work for you, Mr. Templemore," said the 
 admiral ; " you must be ready to proceed on service 
 immediately. We've found your match." 
 
 " I hope I may find her, sir," replied the lieutenant. 
 
 " I hope so, too ; for, if you give a good account of 
 her, it will put another swab on your shoulder. The 
 pirate schooner which has so long infested the At- 
 lantic has been seen and chased, off Barbadoes, by 
 
136 THE LIEUTENANT. 
 
 the Amelia ; but it appears that there is not a vessel in 
 the squadron which can come near her unless it be the 
 Enterprise. She has since captured two West India- 
 men, and was seen steering with them towards the 
 coast of Guiana. Now, I am going to give you thirty 
 additional hands, and send you after her." 
 
 " Thank you, sir," replied Edward, his counte- 
 nance beaming with delight. 
 
 *' How soon will you be ready?" inquired the 
 admiral. 
 
 " To-morrow morning, sir." 
 
 " Very good. Tell Mr. Hadley to bring me the 
 order for the men, and your sailing-orders, and I will 
 sign them; but recollect, Mr. Templemore, you will 
 have an awkward customer. Be prudent — brave I 
 know you to be." 
 
 Edward Templemore promised every thing, as most 
 people do in such cases ; and, before the next evening, 
 the Enterprise was well in the ofEng, under a heavy 
 press of sail. 
 
137 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 THE LANDING. 
 
 The property of Don Cumanos, to which he had re- 
 tired with his family, accompanied by Francisco, ex- 
 tended from the mouth of, to many miles up, the Mag- 
 dalen river. It was a fine alluvial soil, forming one vast 
 strip of rich meadow, covered with numerous herds of 
 cattle. The house was not a hundred yards from the 
 banks of this magnificent stream, and a small but 
 deep creek ran up to the adjacent buildings, — for Don 
 Cumanos had property even more valuable, being 
 proprietor of a gold-mine near the town of Jam- 
 brano, about eighty miles farther up, and which mine 
 had latterly become exceedingly productive. The ore 
 was brought down the river in boats, and smelted in 
 the outhouses near the creek to which we have just 
 referred. 
 
 It will b6 necessary to observe that the establish- 
 ment of the noble Spaniard was numerous, consisting 
 of nearly one hundred persons, employed in the 
 smel ting-houses, or attached to the household. 
 
 For some time Francisco remained here happy and 
 contented ; he had become the confidential supervisor 
 of Don Cumanos' household, proved himself worthy 
 
138 THE LANDING. 
 
 of a trust so important, and was considered as one of 
 the family. 
 
 One morning, as Francisco was proceeding down 
 to the smelting-house to open the hatches of the small 
 decked boats which had arrived from Jambrano with 
 ore, and which were invariably secured with a padlock 
 by the superintendent above, to which Don Cumanos 
 had a corresponding key, one of the chief men in- 
 formed him that a vessel had anchored off the mouth 
 of the river the day before, and weighed again early 
 that morning, and that she was now standing off 
 and on. 
 
 '' From Carthagena, probably, beating up/' replied 
 Francisco. 
 
 *' Valga me dios, if I know that, sir," said Diego. 
 " I should have thought nothing about it ; but Giacomo 
 and Pedro, who went out to fish last night, as usual, 
 instead of coming back before midnight, have not been 
 heard of since." 
 
 " Indeed! that is strange. Did they ever stay so 
 long before ? " 
 
 " Never, sir; and they have fished together now 
 for seven years." 
 
 Francisco gave the key to the man, who opened 
 the locks of the hatches, and returned it. 
 
 "There she is!" cried the man; the head-sails 
 making their appearance as the vessel opened to their 
 view from the projecting point, — distant about four 
 miles. Francisco directed his eye towards her, and, 
 without further remark, hastened to the house. 
 
 " Well, Francisco!" said Don Cumanos. who was 
 
THE LANDING. 139 
 
 stirring a small cup of chocolate, *' what's the news 
 this morning?" 
 
 '' The Nostra Senora del Carmen and the Aguilla 
 have arrived, and I have just unlocked the hatches. 
 There is a vessel off the point which requires examina- 
 tion, and I have come for the telescope." 
 
 " Requires examination ! Why, Francisco ? " 
 
 *' Because Giacomo and Pedro, who went fishing 
 last night, have not returned ; and there are no tidings 
 of them." 
 
 " That is strange ! But how is this connected with 
 the vessel ? " 
 
 " That I will explain as soon as I have had an ex- 
 amination of her," replied Francisco, who had taken 
 up the telescope, and was drawing out the tube. 
 Francisco fixed the glass against the sill of the window, 
 and examined the vessel some time in silence. 
 
 " Yes ! by the living God! it is the Avenger, and 
 no other," exclaimed he, as he removed the telescope 
 from his eye. 
 
 " Eh?" cried Don Cumanos. 
 
 *' It is the pirate- vessel ! — the Avenger! — I'll for- 
 feit my life upon it! Don Cumanos, you must be 
 prepared. I know that they have long talked of a visit 
 to this quarter, and anticipate great booty; and they 
 have those on board who know the coast well. The 
 disappearance of your two men convinces me that they 
 sent up their boats last night to reconnoitre, and have 
 captured them. Torture will extract the informa- 
 tion which the pirates require ; and I have little 
 
140 THE LANDING. 
 
 doubt but that an attack will be made, when they 
 learn how much bullion there is, at present, on your 
 premises." 
 
 " You may be right," replied Don Cumanos, 
 thoughtfully; "that is, provided you are sure that 
 it is the pirate-vessel." 
 
 " Sure, Don Cumanos ! I know every timber and 
 plank in her ; there is not a rope or a block but I can 
 recognise. At the distance of four miles, with such a 
 glass as this, I can discover every little variety in her 
 rigging, from other craft. I will swear to her," repeated 
 Francisco, once more looking through the telescope. 
 
 " And if they attack, Francisco ? " 
 
 " We must defend ourselves ; and, I trust, beat 
 them oflP. They will come in their boats, and at night. 
 If they were to run in in the schooner by daylight, and 
 anchor abreast of us, we should have but a poor chance. 
 But they little think that I am here, and that they 
 are recognised. They will attack this night, I rather 
 think." 
 
 " And what do you then propose, Francisco?" 
 
 " That we should send all the females away to 
 Don Teodoro's — it is but five miles — and call the men 
 together, as soon as possible. We are strong enough 
 to beat them off, if we barricade the house. They 
 cannot land more than from ninety to one hundred 
 men, as some must remain in charge of the schooner; 
 and we can muster quite as many. It may be as 
 well to promise our men a reward, if they do their 
 duty." 
 
THE LANDING. 141 
 
 '^ That is all right enough ; and the bullion we 
 have here " 
 
 " Here we had better let it remain ; it will take too 
 much time to remove it, and, besides, will weaken our 
 force by the men who must be in charge of it. The 
 out-houses must be abandoned, and every thing which 
 is of consequence taken from them. Fire them they 
 will, in all probability. At all events, we have plenty 
 of time before us, if we begin at once." 
 
 " Well, Francisco, I shall make you commandant, 
 and leave the arrangements to you, while I go and 
 speak to Donna Isidora. Send for the men and speak 
 to them ; promise them rewards ; and act as if you 
 were ordering upon your own responsibility." 
 
 '* I trust I shall prove myself worthy of your con- 
 fidence, sir," replied Francisco. 
 
 '^ Carambo !" exclaimed the old don, as he left the 
 room, " but it is fortunate you are here. We might 
 all have been murdered in our beds." 
 
 Francisco sent for the head men of the establish- 
 ment, and told them what he was convinced they 
 would have to expect ; and he then explained to them 
 his views. The rest were all summoned ; and Fran- 
 cisco pointed out to them the little mercy they would 
 receive if the pirates were not repulsed, and the re- 
 wards which were promised by Don Cumanos if they 
 did their duty. 
 
 Spaniards are individually brave, and, encouraged 
 by Francisco, they agreed that they would defend the 
 property to the last. 
 
 The house of Don Cumanos was well suited to 
 
142 THE LANDING. 
 
 resist an attack of this description, in which musketry 
 only was expected to be employed. It was a long 
 parallelogram of stone walls, with a wooden veranda 
 on the first floor, — for it was only one story high. 
 The windows on the first story were more numerous, 
 but at the basement there were but two, and no 
 other opening but the door in the whole line of build- 
 ing. It was of a composite architecture, between the 
 Morisco and the Spanish. If the lower part of the 
 house, which was of stone, could be secured from 
 entrance, the assailants would, of course, fight under 
 a great disadvantage. The windows below were the 
 first secured, by piling a heavy mass of stones in the 
 interior of the rooms against them, rising to the ceiling 
 from a base like the segment of a pyramid extending 
 to the opposite side of the chamber ; and every prepa- 
 ration was made for effectually barricading the door 
 before night. Ladders were then fixed to ascend to 
 the veranda, which was rendered musket-proof nearly 
 as high as its railings, to protect the men. The Donna 
 Isidora, and the women of the establishment, were, in 
 the afternoon, despatched to Don Teodoro's; and, at 
 the request of Francisco, joined to the entreaties of 
 Donna Isidora, Don Cumanos was persuaded to ac- 
 company them. The Don called his men, and telling 
 them that he left Francisco in command, expected 
 them to do their duty ; and then shaking hands with 
 him, the cavalcade was soon lost in the w^oods behind 
 the narrow meadows which skirted the river. 
 
 There was no want of muskets and ammunition. 
 Some were employed casting bullets, and others in 
 
THE LANDING. 143 
 
 examining the arms which had long been laid by. 
 Before evening, all was ready ; every man had re- 
 ceived his arms and ammunition ; the flints had been 
 inspected : and Francisco had time to pay more atten- 
 tion to the schooner, which had, during the day, 
 increased her distance from the land, but was now 
 again standing in for the shore. Half-an-hour before 
 dusk, when within three miles, she wore round, and 
 put her head to the offing. 
 
 " They'll attack this night," said Francisco : " I 
 feel almost positive ; their yards and stay-tackles are 
 up ; all ready for hoisting out the long-boat." 
 
 " Let them come, seiior ; we will give them a warm 
 reception," replied Diego, the second in authority. 
 
 It was soon too dark to perceive the vessel. Fran- 
 cisco and Diego ordered every man, but ^ve, into the 
 house ; the door was firmly barricaded, and some 
 large pieces of rock, which had been rolled into the 
 passage, piled against it. Francisco then posted the 
 five men down the banks of the river, at a hundred 
 yards distant from each other, to give notice of the 
 approach of the boats. It was about ten o'clock at 
 night when Francisco and Diego descended the ladder, 
 and went to examine their outposts. 
 
 " Sefior," said Diego, as he and Francisco stood on 
 the bank of the river, " at what hour is it your idea 
 that these villains will make their attempt ? " 
 
 " That is difficult to say. If the same captain 
 commands them who did when I was on board of 
 her, it will not be until after the moon is down, 
 which will not be till midnight ; but should it be 
 
144 THE LANDING. 
 
 any other who is in authority, they may not be so 
 prudent." 
 
 " Holy Virgin ! seiior, were you ever on board of 
 that vessel ? " 
 
 '^ Yes, Diego, I was, and for a long while too ; 
 but not with my own good will. Had I not been on 
 board, I never should have recognised her." 
 
 " Very true, senor ; then we may thank the saints 
 that you have once been a pirate/' 
 
 " I hope that I never was that, Diego," replied 
 Francisco, smiling ; " but I have been a witness to 
 dreadful proceedings on board of that vessel, at the re- 
 membrance of which, even now, my blood curdles." 
 
 To pass away the time, Francisco then detailed 
 many scenes of horror to Diego which he had wit- 
 nessed when on board of the Avenger ; and he was still 
 in the middle of a narrative when a musket was dis- 
 charged by the farthermost sentinel. 
 
 *' Hark, Diego!" 
 
 Another, and another, nearer and nearer to them, 
 gave the signal that the boats were close at hand. In 
 a few minutes the men all came in, announcing that 
 the pirates were pulling up the stream in three boats, 
 and were less than a quarter of a mile from the 
 landing-place. 
 
 ** Diego, go to the house with these men, and see 
 that all is ready," said Francisco j *M will wait here 
 a little longer : but do not fire till I come to you." 
 
 Diego and the men departed, and Francisco was 
 left on the beach alone. 
 
 In another minute the sound of the oars was 
 
THE LANDING. 145 
 
 plainly distinguishable, and Francisco's ears were di- 
 rected to catch, if possible, the voices. " Yes, thought 
 he, you come with the intentions of murder and rob- 
 bery ; but you will, through me, be disappointed." 
 As the boats approached, he heard the voice of Hawk- 
 hurst. The signal muskets fired, had told the pirates 
 that they were discovered, and that, in all probability, 
 they would meet with resistance ; silence was, there- 
 fore, no longer of any advantage. 
 
 " Oars ! my lads — oars !" cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 One boat ceased rowing, and soon afterwards the 
 two others. The whole of them were now plainly seen 
 by Francisco, at the distance of about one cable's length 
 from where he stood ; and the clear still night carried 
 the sound of their voices along the water. 
 
 " Here is a creek, sir," said Hawkhurst, " leading 
 up to those buildings. Would it not be better to land 
 there, as, if they are not occupied, they will prove a 
 protection to us if we have a hard fight for it?" 
 
 *' Very true, Hawkhurst," replied a voice, which 
 Francisco immediately recognised to be that of Cain. 
 
 " He is alive, then," thought Francisco, " and his 
 blood is not yet upon my hands." 
 
 " Give way, my lads !" cried Hawkhurst. 
 
 The boats dashed up the creek, and Francisco 
 hastened back to the house. 
 
 *^ Now, my lads," said he, as he sprang up the 
 ladder, " you must be resolute ; we have to deal with 
 desperate men. I have heard the voices of the captain 
 and chief mate ; so there is no doubt as to its being the 
 pirate. The boats are up the creek, and will land 
 
146 THE LANDING. 
 
 behind the oiil-buildings. Haul up these ladders, and 
 lay them fore and aft on the veranda ; and do not fire 
 without taking a good aim. Silence ! my men — 
 silence ! Here they come." 
 
 The pirates were now seen advancing from the out- 
 buildings in strong force. In the direction in which 
 they came, it was only from the side of the veranda, 
 at which not more than eight or ten men could be 
 placed, that the enemy could be repulsed. Francisco, 
 therefore, gave orders that as soon as some of the 
 men had fired they should retreat and load their 
 muskets, to make room for others. 
 
 When the pirates had advanced half way to the 
 house, on the clear space between it and the out- 
 buildings, Francisco gave the word to fire. The volley 
 was answered by another, and a shout from the pirates, 
 who, with Hawkhurst and Cain at their head, now 
 pressed on, but not until they had received a second 
 discharge from the Spaniards, and the pirates had 
 fired in return. As the Spaniards could not at first 
 fire a volley of more than a dozen muskets at a 
 time, their opponents imagined their force to be much 
 less than it really was. They now made other ar- 
 rangements. They spread themselves in a semicircle 
 in front of the veranda, and kept up a continued 
 galling fire. This was returned by the party under 
 Francisco for nearly a quarter of an hour; and, as 
 all the muskets were now called into action, the pirates 
 found out that they had a more formidable enemy to 
 cope with than they had anticipated. 
 
 It was now quite dark, and not a figure was to be 
 
THE LANDING. 147 
 
 distinguished, except by the momentary flashing of the 
 fire-arms. Cain and Hawkhurst, leaving their men 
 to continue the attack, had gained the house, and a 
 position under the veranda. Examining the windows 
 and door, there appeared but little chance of forcing 
 an entrance ; but it immediately occurred to them, 
 that under the veranda their men would not be ex- 
 posed, and that they might fire through the wooden 
 floor of it upon those above. Hawkhurst hastened 
 away, and returned with about half the men, leaving 
 the others to continue their attack as before. The 
 advantage of this manoeuvre was soon evident. The 
 musket-balls of the pirates pierced the planks, and 
 wounded many of the Spaniards severely ; and Fran- 
 cisco was at last obliged to order his men to retreat 
 into the house, and fire out of the windows. 
 
 But even this warfare did not continue ; for the 
 supporting-pillars of the veranda being of wood and 
 very dry, they were set fire to by the pirates. Gradu- 
 ally the flames wound round them, and their forked 
 tongues licked the balustrade. At last, the whole of 
 the veranda was in flames. This was a great advan- 
 tage to the attacking party, who could now distinguish 
 the Spaniards without their being so clearly seen them- 
 selves. Many were killed and wounded. The smoke 
 and heat became so intense in the upper story, that 
 the men could no longer remain there ; and, by the 
 advice of Francisco, they retreated to the basement of 
 the house. 
 
 " What shall we do now, sefior?" said Diego, with 
 a grave face. 
 
148 THE LANDING. 
 
 " Do?'* replied Francisco; " they have burnt the 
 veranda, that is all. The house will not take fire; 
 it is of solid stone ; the roof indeed may ; but still here 
 we are. I do not see that they are more advanced 
 than they were before. As soon as the veranda has 
 burnt down, we must return above, and commence 
 firing again from the windows." 
 
 " Hark, sir ! they are trying the door." 
 
 "They may try a long while; they should have 
 tried the door while the veranda protected them from 
 our sight. As soon as it is burnt we shall be able to 
 drive them away from it. I will go up again and see 
 how things are." 
 
 " No, senor ; it is of no use. Why expose yourself 
 now that the flames are so bright ?" 
 
 " I must go and see if that is the case, Diego. 
 Put all the wounded men in the north chamber; it 
 will be the safest, and more out of the way." 
 
 Francisco ascended the stone staircase, and gained 
 the upper story. The rooms were filled with smoke, 
 and he could distinguish nothing. An occasional 
 bullet whistled past him. He walked towards the 
 windows, and sheltered himself behind the wall between 
 them. 
 
 The flames were not so violent, and the heat more 
 bearable. In a short time, a crash, and then another, 
 told him that the veranda had fallen in. He looked 
 through the window. The mass of lighted embers 
 had fallen down in front of the house, and had, for a 
 time, driven away the assailants. Nothing was left 
 of the veranda but the burning ends of the joists fixed 
 
THE LANDING. 149 
 
 in the wall above the windows, and the still glowing 
 remains of the posts which once supported it. 
 
 But the smoke from below now cleared away, and 
 the discharge of one or two muskets told Francisco 
 that he was perceived by the enemy. 
 
 " The roof is safe," thought he, as he withdrew 
 from the window ; " and now I do not know whether 
 the loss of the veranda may not prove a gain to us.'* 
 
 What were the intentions of the pirates it was 
 difficult to ascertain. For a time they left off firing, 
 and Francisco returned to his comrades. The smoke 
 had gradually cleared away, and they were able to 
 resume their position above ; but as the pirates did not 
 fire, they, of course, could do nothing, as it was only 
 by the flashing of the muskets that the enemy was 
 to be distinguished. No further attempts were made 
 at the door or windows below ; and Francisco in 
 vain puzzled himself as to the intended plans of the 
 assailants. 
 
 Nearly half- an -hour of suspense passed away. 
 Some of the Spaniards were of the opinion that they 
 had retreated to their boats and gone away, but Fran- 
 cisco knew them better. All he could do was to 
 remain above, and occasionally look out to discover 
 their motions. Diego, and one or two more, remained 
 with him ; the other men were kept below that they 
 might be out of danger. 
 
 " Holy Francis! but this has been a dreadful night, 
 seiior; how many hours until daylight?" said Diego. 
 
 " Two hours at least, I should think," replied 
 Francisco ; " but the affair will be decided before that." 
 
150 THE LANDING. 
 
 " The saints protect us ! See, sefior, are they not 
 coming?" 
 
 Francisco looked through the gloom, in the direc- 
 tion of the out-buildings, and perceived a group of 
 men advancing. A few moments, and he could clearly 
 make them out. 
 
 " Yes, truly, Diego; and they have made ladders, 
 vrhich they are carrying. They intend to storm the 
 vrindows. Call them all up ; and now we must fight 
 hard indeed." 
 
 The Spaniards hastened up and filled the room 
 above, which had three windows in the front, looking 
 towards the river, and which had been sheltered by the 
 veranda. 
 
 " Shall we fire now, sefior?" 
 
 "No — no; do not fire till your muzzles are at 
 their hearts. They cannot mount more than two at 
 a time at each window. Recollect, my lads, that you 
 must now fight hard, for your lives will not be spared ; 
 they will shew no quarter and no mercy." 
 
 The ends of the rude ladders now made their ap- 
 pearance above the sill of each window. They had 
 been hastily, yet firmly, constructed ; and were nearly 
 as wide as the windows. A loud cheer was followed 
 by a simultaneous mounting of the ladders. 
 
 Francisco was at the centre window, when Hawk- 
 hurst made his appearance, sabre in hand. He struck 
 aside a musket aimed at him, and the ball whizzed 
 harmless over the broad water of the river. Another 
 step, and he would have been in, when Francisco fired 
 his pistol : the ball entered the left shoulder of Hawk- 
 
THE LANDING. 151 
 
 hurst, and he dropped his hold. Before he could 
 regain it, a Spaniard charged at him with his musket, 
 and threw him back. He fell, bearing down with 
 him one or two of his comrades, who had been fol- 
 lowing him up the ladder. 
 
 Francisco felt as if the attack at that window was 
 of little consequence after the fall of Hawkhurst, whose 
 voice he had recognised ; and he hastened to the one 
 on the left, as he had heard Cain encouraging his men 
 in that direction. He was not wrong in his conjecture ; 
 Cain was at the window, attempting to force an en- 
 trance, but was opposed by Diego and other resolute 
 men. But the belt of the pirate captain was full of 
 pistols, and he had already fired three with effect. 
 Diego and the two best men were wounded, and the 
 others who opposed him were alarmed at his giant 
 proportions. Francisco rushed to attack him ; but 
 what was the force of so young a man against the 
 Herculean power of Cain? Still Francisco's left hand 
 was at the throat of the pirate, and the pistol was 
 pointed in his right, when the flash of another pistol, 
 fired by one who followed Cain, threw its momentary 
 vivid light upon the features of Francisco, as he cried 
 out "Blood for blood!" It was enough: the pirate 
 captain uttered a yell of terror at the supposed super- 
 natural appearance ; and he fell from the ladder in 
 a fit amongst the still burning embers of the veranda. 
 
 The fall of their two chiefs, and the determined 
 resistance of the Spaniards, checked the impetuosity 
 of the assailants. They hesitated ; and they at last 
 retreated, bearing away with them their wounded. 
 
152 THE LANDING. 
 
 The Spaniards cheered, and, led by Francisco, followed 
 them down the ladders, and, in their turn, became 
 the assailants. Still the pirates' retreat was orderly : 
 they fired, and retired rank behind rank successively. 
 They kept the Spaniards at bay, until they had arrived 
 at the boats ; when a charge was made, and a severe 
 conflict ensued. But the pirates had lost too many 
 men, and, without their commander, felt dispirited. 
 Hawkhurst was still on his legs, and giving orders 
 as coolly as ever. He espied Francisco, and rush- 
 ing at him, while the two parties were opposed muzzle 
 to muzzle, seized him by his collar and dragged him 
 in amongst the pirates. " Secure him at all events," 
 cried Hawkhurst, as they slowly retreated and gained 
 the out-houses. Francisco was overpowered and hauled 
 into one of the boats, all of which in a few minutes 
 afterwards were pulling with all their might to escape 
 from the muskets of the Spaniards, who followed the 
 pirates by the banks of the river, annoying them in 
 their retreat. 
 
1 .'^ 
 
 
 f J 
 
 
 
 '{ 
 
 iWMffi!!, .,!,, 
 
 "'^-'<IM^ 
 
 i 
 
153 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE MEETING. 
 
 The pirates returned to their vessel discomfited. 
 Those on board, who were prepared to hoist in ingots 
 of precious metal, had to receive nought but wounded 
 men, and many of their comrades had remained dead 
 on the shore. Their captain was melancholy and down- 
 cast. Hawkhurst was badly wounded, and obliged to be 
 carried below as soon as he came on board. The only 
 capture which they had made was their former associate 
 Francisco, who, by the last words spoken by Hawk- 
 hurst as he was supported to his cabin, was ordered to 
 be put into irons. The boats were hoisted in without 
 noise, and a general gloom prevailed. All sail was 
 then made upon the schooner, and, when the day 
 dawned, she was seen by the Spaniards far away to the 
 northward. 
 
 The report was soon spread through the schooner 
 that Francisco had been the cause of their defeat ; 
 and, although this was only a surmise, still, as they 
 considered that, had he not recognised the vessel, the 
 Spaniards would not have been prepared, they had 
 good grounds for what had swelled into an assertion. 
 He became, therefore, to many of them an object of 
 bitter enmity, and they looked forward with pleasure 
 
154 THE MEETING. 
 
 to his destruction, which his present confinement they 
 considered but the precursor of. 
 
 " Hist! Massa Francisco !" said a low voice near to 
 where Francisco sat on the chest. Francisco turned 
 round and beheld the Krouman, his old friend. 
 
 " Ah ! Pompey, are you all still on board," said 
 Francisco ? 
 
 "All! no," replied the man, shaking his head; 
 *' some die — some get away — only four Kroumen left. 
 Massa Francisco, how you come back again ? Every 
 body tink you dead. I say no, not dead — ab charm 
 with him — ab book." 
 
 *' If that was my charm, I have it still," replied 
 Francisco, taking the Bible out of his vest ; for, strange 
 to say, Francisco himself had a kind of superstition 
 relative to that Bible, and had put it into his bosom 
 previous to the attack made by the pirates. 
 
 '^ Dat very good, Massa Francisco ; den you quite 
 safe. Here come Johnson — he very bad man. I go 
 away." 
 
 In the mean time Cain had retired to his cabin 
 with feelings scarcely to be analysed. He was in a 
 bewilderment. Notwithstanding; the wound he had 
 received by the hand of Francisco, he would never have 
 sanctioned Hawkhurst putting him on shore on a 
 spot which promised nothing but a lingering and 
 miserable death. Irritated as he had been by the 
 young man's open defiance, he loved him, loved him 
 much more than he was aware of himself ; and when 
 he had recovered sufficiently from his wound, and had 
 been informed where Francisco had been sent on shore, 
 
THE MEETING. 155 
 
 he quarrelled with Hawkhurst, and reproached him 
 bitterly and sternly, in language which Hawkhurst 
 never forgot or forgave. The vision of the starving 
 lad haunted Cain, and rendered him miserable. His 
 affection for him, now that he was, as he supposed, lost 
 for ever, increased with tenfold force ; and since that 
 period Cain had never been seen to smile. He became 
 more gloomy, more ferocious than before, and the men 
 trembled when he appeared on deck. 
 
 The apparition of Francisco after so long an in- 
 terval, and in such an unexpected quarter of the globe, 
 acted, as we have before described, upon Cain. When 
 he was taken to the boat he was still confused in his 
 ideas ; and it was not until they were nearly on board, 
 that he perceived that this young man was indeed at 
 his side. He could have fallen on his neck and kissed 
 him ; for Francisco had become to him a capture more 
 prized than all the wealth of the Indies. But one 
 pure, good feeling was still unextinguished in the bosom 
 of Cain ; stained with every crime — with his hands so 
 deeply imbrued in blood — at enmity with all the rest 
 of the world; — that one feeling burnt bright and clear, 
 and was not to be quenched. It might have proved 
 a beacon-light to steer him back to repentance and to 
 good works. 
 
 But there were other feelings which also crowded 
 upon the mind of the pirate captain. He knew Fran- 
 cisco's firmness and decision. By some inscrutable 
 means, which Cain considered as supernatural, Fran- 
 cisco had obtained the knowledge, and had accused 
 him, of his mother's death. Would not the affection 
 
156 THE MEETING. 
 
 which he felt for the young man be met with hatred 
 and defiance ? He was but too sure that it would ; and 
 then his gloomy, cruel disposition would reassume its 
 influence, and he thought of revenging the attack 
 upon his life. His astonishment at the reappearance 
 of Francisco was equally great, and he trembled at the 
 sight of him as if he was his accusing and condemning 
 spirit. Thus did he wander from one fearful fancy to 
 another, until he at last summoned up resolution to 
 send for him. 
 
 A morose dark man, whom Francisco had not seen 
 when he was before in the schooner, obeyed the com- 
 mands of the captain. The irons were unlocked, and 
 Francisco was brought down into the cabin. The cap- 
 tain rose and shut the door. 
 
 '' I little thought to see you here, Francisco," said 
 Cain. 
 
 ^' Probably not," replied Francisco, boldly ; ** but 
 you have me again in your power, and may now wreak 
 your vengeance." 
 
 " I feel none, Francisco; nor would I have suf- 
 fered you to have been put on shore as you were, had 
 I known of it. Even now that our expedition has 
 failed through your means, I feel no anger towards 
 you, although I shall have some difficulty in preserving 
 you from the enmity of others. Indeed, Francisco, I 
 am glad to find that you are alive, and I have bitterly 
 mourned your loss :" and Cain extended his hand. 
 
 But Francisco folded his arms, and was silent. 
 
 " Are you then so unforgiving?" said the captain ; 
 ** you know that I tell the truth." 
 
THE MEETING. 157 
 
 *' I believe that you state the truth, Captain Cain, 
 for you are too bold to lie ; and, as far as I am con- 
 cerned, you have all the forgiveness you may wish : 
 but I cannot take that hand — nor are our accounts 
 still settled." 
 
 "What would you more? Cannot- we be friends 
 again? I do not ask you to remain on board. You 
 are free to go where you please. Come, Francisco, 
 take my hand, and let us forget what is passed." 
 
 " The hand that is imbrued with my mother's blood, 
 perhaps !" exclaimed Francisco — '' Never !" 
 
 " Not so, by God !" exclaimed Cain. " No, no ; 
 not quite so bad as that. In my mood I struck your 
 mother, I grant it. I did not intend to injure her, but 
 I did, and she died. I will not lie — that is the fact ; 
 and it is also the fact that I wept over her, Francisco, 
 for I loved her as I do you. (It was a hasty, bitter 
 blow that," continued Cain, soliloquising, with his hand 
 to his forehead, and unconscious of Francisco's presence 
 at the moment. " It made me what I am, for it made 
 me reckless). Francisco," said Cain, raising his 
 head, " I was bad, but I was no pirate when your 
 mother lived. There is a curse upon me ; that which 
 I love most I treat the worst. Of all the world, I loved 
 your mother most — yet did she from me receive most 
 injury, and at last I caused her death. Next to your 
 mother, whose memory I at once revere and love, and 
 tremble when I think of — and each night does she 
 appear to me — I have loved you, Francisco — for 
 you, like her, have an angel's feelings ; yet have I 
 
158 THE MEETING. 
 
 treated you as ill. You thwarted me, and you were 
 right. Had you heen wrong I had not cared, but you 
 were right, and it maddened me — your appeals by day 
 — your mother's in my dreams." 
 
 Francisco's heart was softened ; if not repentance, 
 there was at least contrition. " Indeed, I pity you," 
 replied Francisco. 
 
 " You must do more, Francisco ; you must be 
 friends with me," said Cain, again extending his 
 hand. 
 
 " I cannot take that hand — it is too deeply died in 
 blood," replied Francisco. 
 
 *' Well, well, so would have said your mother. 
 But hear me, Francisco," said Cain, lowering his voice 
 to a whisper, lest he should be overheard — " I am tired 
 of this life — perhaps sorry for what I have done — I 
 wish to leave it — have wealth in plenty concealed 
 where others know it not. Tell me, Francisco, shall 
 we both quit this vessel, and live together happily 
 and without doing wrong ? You shall share all, 
 Francisco. Say, now, does that please you?" 
 
 " Yes ; it pleases me to hear that you will abandon 
 your lawless life, Captain Cain : but share your wealth 
 I cannot, for how has it been gained ?" 
 
 " It cannot be returned, Francisco ; I will do good 
 with it. I will, indeed, Francisco. I — will — repent :" 
 and again the hand was extended. 
 
 Francisco hesitated. 
 
 '^ I do — so help me God! I do repent, Francisco," 
 exclaimed the pirate captain. 
 
THE MEETING. 159 
 
 " And I, as a Christian, do forgive you all," replied 
 Francisco, taking the still extended hand. " May God 
 forgive you, too !" 
 
 " Amen !" replied the pirate, solemnly, covering his 
 face up in his hands. 
 
 In this position he remained some minutes, Fran- 
 cisco vs^atching him in silence. At last the face was 
 uncovered, and, to the surprise of Francisco, a tear 
 vras on the cheek of Cain, and his eyes suffused with 
 moisture. Francisco no longer waited for the hand to 
 be extended ; he walked up to the captain, and, taking 
 him by the hand, pressed it warmly. 
 
 " God bless you, boy! God bless you !" said Cain ; 
 " but leave me now." 
 
 Francisco returned on deck with a light and grate- 
 ful heart. His countenance at once told those who 
 were near him that he was not condemned, and many 
 who dared not before take notice of, now saluted him. 
 The man who had taken him out of irons looked 
 round ; he was a creature of Hawkhurst, and he knew 
 not how to act. Francisco observed him, and, with a 
 wave of his hand, ordered him to go below. That 
 Francisco was again in authority was instantly per- 
 ceived ; and the first proof of it was, that the new 
 second mate reported to him that there was a sail on 
 the weather bow. 
 
 Francisco took the glass to examine her. It was a 
 large schooner under all sail. Not wishing that any 
 one should enter the cabin but himself, he went down 
 to the cabin-door, and knocked before he entered, and 
 reported the vessel. 
 
160 THE MEETING. 
 
 '^ Thank you, Francisco ; you must take Hawk- 
 hurst's duty for the present — it shall not be for long; 
 and fear not that I shall make another capture. I 
 swear to you I will not, Francisco. But this schooner — 
 I know very well what she is : she has been looking 
 after us some time ; and a week ago, Francisco, I was 
 anxious to meet her that I might shed more blood. 
 Now I will do all I can to avoid her, and escape. I 
 can do no more, Francisco. I must not be taken." 
 
 " There I cannot blame you. To avoid her will 
 be easy, I should think; the Avenger outsails every 
 thing." 
 
 '^ Except, I believe, the Enterprise, which is a sister 
 vessel. By heavens ! it's a fair match," continued Cain, 
 his feelings of combativeness returning for a moment ; 
 " and it will look like a craven to refuse the fight : 
 but fear not, Francisco — I have promised you, and I 
 shall keep my word." 
 
 Cain went on deck, and surveyed the vessel through 
 the glass. 
 
 " Yes, it must be her," said he aloud, so as to be 
 heard by the pirates ; " she has been sent out by the 
 admiral on purpose, full of his best men. What a pity 
 we are so shorthanded !" 
 
 " There's enough of us, sir," observed the boat- 
 swain. 
 
 " Yes," replied Cain, " if there was any thing but 
 hard blows to be got; but that is all, and I cannot 
 spare more men. Ready, about!" continued he, walk- 
 ing aft. 
 
THE MEETING. 161 
 
 The Enterprise, for she was the vessel in pursuit, was 
 then about five miles distant, steering for the Avenger, 
 who was on a wind. As soon as the Avenger tacked, 
 the Enterprise took in her topmast studding-sail, and 
 hauled her wind. This brought the Enterprise well 
 on the weather-quarter of the Avenger, who now made 
 all sail. The pirates, who had had quite enough of 
 fighting, and were not stimulated by the presence of 
 Hawkhurst, or the wishes of their captain, now shewed 
 as much anxiety to avoid as they usually did to seek 
 a combat. 
 
 At the first trial of sailing between the two schooners 
 there was no perceptible difference; for half an hour 
 they both continued on a wind, and, when Edward 
 Templemore examined his sextant a second time, he 
 could not perceive that he had gained upon the Avenger 
 one cable's length. 
 
 " We will keep away half a point," said Edward to 
 his second in command. " We can afford that, and 
 still hold the weather-gage." 
 
 The Enterprise was kept away, and increased her 
 speed : they neared the Avenger more than a quarter 
 of a mile. 
 
 " They are nearing us," observed Francisco ; ^' we 
 must keep away a point." 
 
 Away went the Avenger, and would have recovered 
 her distance, but the Enterprise was again steered more 
 off the wind. 
 
 Thus did they continue altering their course until the 
 studding-sails below and aloft were set by both, and the 
 position of the schooners was changed ; the Enterprise 
 
162 THE MEETING. 
 
 now being on the starboard instead of the larboard 
 quarter of the Avenger. The relative distance between 
 the two schooners was, however, nearly the same, that 
 is, about three miles and a half from each other ; and 
 there was every prospect of a long and weary chase on 
 the part of the Enterprise, who again kept away a point 
 to near the Avenger. Both vessels were now running 
 to the eastward. 
 
 It was about an hour before dark that another sail 
 hove in sight right a-head of the Avenger, and was 
 clearly made out to be a frigate. The pirates were 
 alarmed at this unfortunate circumstance, as there was 
 little doubt but that she would prove a British cruiser ; 
 and, if not, they had equally reason to expect that she 
 would assist in their capture. She had evidently per- 
 ceived the two schooners, and had made all sail, 
 tacking every quarter of an hour so as to keep her 
 relative position. The Enterprise, who had also made 
 out the frigate, to attract her attention, although not 
 within range of the Avenger, commenced firing with 
 her long-gun. 
 
 " This is rather awkward," observed Cain. 
 
 " It will be dark in less than an hour,'' observed 
 Francisco ; " and that is our only chance." 
 
 Cain reflected a minute. 
 
 *' Get the long-gun ready, my lads ! We will 
 return her fire, Francisco, and hoist American colours ; 
 that will puzzle the frigate at all events, and the night 
 may do the rest." 
 
 The long-gun of the Avenger was ready. 
 
 " I would not fire the long-gun," observed Fran- 
 
THE MEETING. 163 
 
 cisco ; "it will shew our force, and will give no 
 reason for our attempt to escape. Now, if we were 
 to fire our broadside guns, the difference of report 
 between them and the one of large calibre fired by 
 the other schooner, would induce them to think that 
 we are an American vessel." 
 
 " Very true," replied Cain ; " and as America is 
 at peace with all the world, that our antagonist is 
 a pirate. Hold fast the long-gun, there ! and unship 
 the starboard ports. See that that ensign blows out 
 clear." 
 
 The Avenger commenced firing an occasional gun 
 from her broadside, the reports of which were hardly 
 to be heard by those on board of the frigate ; while the 
 long -gun of the Enterprise reverberated along the 
 water, and its loud resonance was swept by the wind to 
 the frigate to leeward. 
 
 Such was the state of affairs when the sun sank 
 down in the wave, and darkness obscured the vessels 
 from each other's sight, except with the assistance of 
 the night-telescopes. 
 
 " What do you propose to do, Captain Cain?" said 
 Francisco. 
 
 " I have made up my mind to do a bold thing. 
 I will run down to the frigate as if for shelter; tell 
 him that the other vessel is a pirate, and claim his 
 protection. Leave me to escape afterwards ; the moon 
 will not rise till nearly one o'clock." 
 
 " That will be a bold ruse indeed ; but suppose 
 you are once under her broadside, and she suspects 
 
 you?" 
 
164 THE MEETING. 
 
 " Then I will shew her my heels. I should care 
 nothing for her and her broadside if the schooner was 
 not here." 
 
 In an hour after dark, the Avenger was close to 
 the frigate, having steered directly for her. She 
 shortened sail gradually, as if she had few hands on 
 board ; and, keeping his men out of sight, Cain ran 
 under the stern of the frigate. 
 
 '* Schooner, ahoy ! What schooner is that ?" 
 
 " Eliza of Baltimore, from Carthagena," replied 
 Cain, rounding to under the lee of the man-of-war, 
 and then continuing : " That vessel in chase is a pirate. 
 Shall I send a boat on board ? " 
 
 ** No ; keep company with us." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," replied Cain. 
 
 " Hands, about ship !" now resounded with the boat- 
 swain's whistles on board of the frigate, and in a 
 minute they were on the other tack. The Avenger 
 also tacked and kept close under the frigate's counter. 
 
 In the mean time, Edward Templemore and those 
 on board of the Enterprise, who by the course steered 
 had gradually neared them, perceiving the motions of 
 the two other vessels, were quite puzzled. At one 
 time they thought they had made a mistake, and that 
 it was not the pirate vessel ; at another they surmised 
 that the crew had mutinied and surrendered to the 
 frigate. Edward hauled his wind, and steered directly 
 for them, to ascertain what the real facts were. The 
 captain of the frigate, who had never lost sight of 
 either vessel, was equally astonished at the boldness 
 of the supposed pirate. 
 
THE MEETING. 1G5 
 
 " Surely the rascal does not intend to board us," 
 said he to the first-lieutenant. 
 
 " There is no saying, sir ; you know what a character 
 he has : and some say there are ttiree hundred men on 
 board, which is equal to our ship's company." 
 
 " Or, perhaps, sir, he will pass to windward of us, 
 and give us a broadside, and be off in the wind's-eye 
 again." 
 
 '^ At all events we will have a broadside ready for 
 him," replied the captain. " Clear away the starboard 
 guns, and take out the tompions. Pipe starboard-watch 
 to quarters." 
 
 The Enterprise closed with the frigate to windward, 
 intending to run round her stern and bring to on the 
 same tack. 
 
 *' He does not shorten sail yet, sir," said the first- 
 lieutenant, as the schooner appeared skimming along 
 about a cable's length on their weather bow. 
 
 " And she is full of men, sir," said the master, 
 looking at her through the night-glass. 
 
 " Fire a gun at her!" said the captain. 
 
 Bang ! The smoke cleared away, and the 
 schooner's foretopsail, which she was in act of 
 clewing up, lay over her side. The shot had struck 
 the foremast of the Enterprise, and cut it in two 
 below the catharpings. The Enterprise was, for the 
 time, completely disabled. 
 
 " Schooner, ahoy ! What schooner is that ?" 
 
 " His majesty's schooner Enterprise." 
 
 '* Send a boat on board immediately." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir." 
 
166 THE MEETING. 
 
 " Turn the hands up ! Shorten sail !" 
 
 The top-gallants and courses of the frigate were 
 taken in, and the mainsail hove to the mast. 
 
 " Signalman, whereabouts is that other schooner 
 now?" 
 
 " The schooner, sir? On the quarter," replied the 
 signalman, who, with every body else on board, was 
 so anxious about the Enterprise, that they had neg- 
 lected to watch the motions of the supposed American. 
 The man had replied at random, and he now jumped 
 upon the signal-chests abaft to look for her. But she 
 was not to be seen. Cain, who had watched all that 
 passed between the other two vessels, and had been 
 prepared to slip off at a moment's warning, as soon 
 as the gun was fired at the other schooner, had wore 
 round and made all sail on a wind. The night-glass 
 discovered her half a mile astern ; and the ruse was 
 immediately perceived. The frigate filled and made 
 sail, leaving Edward to return on board — for there 
 was no time to stop for the boat — tacked, and gave 
 chase. But the Avenger was soon in the wind's-eye 
 of her ; and at daylight was no longer to be seen. 
 
 In the mean time Edward Tempi emore had fol- 
 lowed the frigate as soon as he could set sail on his 
 vessel, indignant at his treatment, and vowing that 
 he would demand a court-martial. About noon the 
 frigate rejoined him, when matters were fully ex- 
 plained. Annoyed as they all felt at not having cap- 
 tured the pirate, it was unanimously agreed, that by 
 his audacity and coolness he deserved to escape. It 
 was found that the mast of the Enterprise could be 
 
THE MEETING. 167 
 
 fished and scarfed, so as to enable her to continue her 
 cruise. The carpenters of the frigate were sent on 
 board ; and in two days the injury was repaired, and 
 Edward Templemore once more went in pursuit of the 
 Avenger. 
 
168 
 
 CHAPTER XV, 
 
 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 The Avenger stood under a press of sail to the north- 
 ward. She had left her pursuers far behind ; and 
 there was not a speck on the horizon, when, on the 
 second morning, Francisco, who had resumed his berth 
 in the captain's cabin, went up on deck. Notwithstand- 
 ing the request of Cain, Francisco refused to take any 
 part in the command of the schooner, considering him- 
 self as a passenger, or prisoner on parole. He had not 
 been on deck but a few minutes, when he observed the 
 two Spanish fishermen belonging to the establishment 
 of Don Cumanos conversing together forward. Their 
 capture had quite escaped his memory, and he went 
 forward to speak to them. Their surprise at seeing 
 him was great, until Francisco informed them of what 
 had passed. They then recounted what had occurred 
 to them, and shewed their thumbs, which had been put 
 into screws to torture from them the truth. Francisco 
 shuddered, but consoled them, promising that they 
 should soon be at liberty, and return to their former 
 master. 
 
 As Francisco returned from forward, he found 
 Hawkhurst on the deck. Their eyes met and flashed 
 
THE MISTAKE. 169 
 
 in enmity. Hawkhurst was pale from loss of blood, 
 and evidently suffering ; but he had been informed of 
 the apparent reconciliation between Francisco and the 
 captain, and he could no longer remain in his bed. 
 He knew, also, how the captain had avoided the 
 combat with the Enterprise ; and something told him 
 that there was a revolution of feeling in more than in 
 one point. Suffering as he was, he resolved to be a 
 spectator of what passed, and to watch narrowly. For 
 both Francisco and Cain he had imbibed a deadly 
 hatred, and was watching for an opportunity to wreak 
 his revenge. At present they were too powerful ; but 
 he felt that the time was coming when he might be 
 triumphant. 
 
 Francisco passed Hawkhurst without speaking. 
 
 " You are at liberty again, I see," observed Hawk- 
 hurst with a sneer. 
 
 " I am not, at all events, indebted to you for it," 
 replied Francisco haughtily; ^' nor for my life either." 
 
 " No, indeed ; but I believe that I am indebted 
 to you for this bullet in my shoulder," replied the 
 mate. 
 
 *' You are," replied Francisco coolly. 
 
 " And depend upon it the debt shall be repaid with 
 usury." 
 
 " I have no doubt of it, if ever it is in your power; 
 but I fear you not." 
 
 As Francisco made this reply, the captain came 
 up the ladder. Hawkhurst turned away and walked 
 forward. 
 
 " There is mischief in that man, Francisco," said 
 
170 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 the captain in an under tone ; " I hardly know whom 
 to trust; but he must be watched. He is tampering 
 with the men, and has been for some time; not that 
 it is of much consequence, if he does but remain quiet 
 for a little while. The command of this vessel he is 
 welcome to very soon ; but if he attempts too early — " 
 
 " I have those I can trust to/' replied Francisco. 
 *' Let us go below." 
 
 Francisco sent for Pompey the Krouman, and gave 
 him his directions in the presence of the captain. That 
 night, to the surprise of all, Hawkhurst kept his watch ; 
 and, notwithstanding the fatigue, appeared every day 
 to be rapidly recovering from his wound. 
 
 Nothing occurred for several days, during which 
 the Avenger still continued her course. What the 
 captain's intentions were did not transpire ; they were 
 known only to Francisco. 
 
 " We are very short of water, sir," reported Hawk- 
 hurst one. morning : " shall we have enough to last 
 us to where we are going ? " 
 
 " How many days of full allowance have we on 
 board?" 
 
 " Not above twelve at the most." 
 
 " Then we must go on half allowance," replied 
 Cain. 
 
 " The ship's company wish to know where we are 
 going, sir." 
 
 " Have they deputed you to ask the question ?" 
 
 ^' Not exactly, sir ; but I wish to know myself," 
 replied Hawkhurst, with an insolent air. 
 
 " Turn the hands up," replied Cain : *' as one of 
 
THE MISTAKE. 171 
 
 the ship's company under my orders, you will, with 
 the others, receive the information you require." 
 
 The crew of the pirate collected aft. 
 
 " My lads !" said Cain, ^' I understand, from the 
 first mate, that you are anxious to know where you 
 are going? In reply, I acquaint you, that having so 
 many wounded men on board, and so much plunder 
 in the hold, I intend to repair to our rendezvous when 
 we were formerly in this part of the world — the 
 Caicos. Is there any other question you may wish 
 to ask of me?" 
 
 *' Yes," replied Hawkhurst ; '^ we wish to know 
 what your intentions are relative to that young man, 
 Francisco ? We have lost immense wealth ; we have 
 now thirty men wounded in the hammocks, and 
 nine we left dead on the shore ; and I have a bullet 
 through my body ; all which has been occasioned by 
 him. We demand justice !" 
 
 Here Hawkhurst was supported by several of the 
 pirates ; and there were many voices which repeated 
 the cry of ^' Justice !" 
 
 " My men ! You demand justice, and you shall 
 have it," replied Cain. " This lad you all know well ; 
 I have brought him up as a child. He has always 
 disliked our mode of life, and has often requested to 
 leave it, and has been refused. He challenged me by 
 our own laws, ' Blood for blood ! ' He wounded me ; 
 but he was right in his challenge, and, therefore, I bear 
 no malice. Had I been aware that he was to have 
 been sent on shore to die with hunger, I would not 
 have permitted it. What crime had he committed? 
 
J pi THE MISTAKE. 
 
 None ; or, if any, it was against me. He was then 
 sentenced to death for no crime, and you yourselves 
 exclaimed against it. Is it not true?" 
 
 " Yes — yes," replied the majority of the pirates. 
 
 " By a miracle he escapes, and is put in charge 
 of another man's property. There was no crime in 
 defending that property. He is made a prisoner, and 
 now you demand justice. You shall have it. Allow- 
 ing that his life is forfeit for this offence, — you have 
 already sentenced him, and left him to death unjustly, 
 and therefore are bound in justice to give his life in this 
 instance. I ask it, my men, not only as his right, but 
 as a favour to your captain." 
 
 *' Agreed ! its all fair!" exclaimed the majority of 
 the pirate's crew. 
 
 " My men, I thank you," replied Cain ; *' and, in 
 return, as soon as we arrive at the Caicos, my share of 
 the plunder on board shall be divided among you." 
 
 This last observation completely turned the tables 
 in favour of the captain; and those who had joined 
 Hawkhurst, now sided with the captain. Hawkhurst 
 looked like a demon. 
 
 " Let those who choose to be bought off, take 
 your money," replied he ; " but I will not. Blood for 
 blood I will have ; and so I give you warning. That 
 lad's life is mine, and have it I will ! Prevent me, if 
 you can !" continued the mate ; holding up his clenched 
 hand, and shaking it almost in the pirate-captain's 
 face. 
 
 The blood mantled even to the forehead of Cain. 
 One moment he raised himself to his utmost height. 
 
THE MISTAKE. 173 
 
 then seizing a handspike, which lay near, he felled 
 Hawkhurst to the deck. 
 
 ''Take that, for your mutiny!" exclaimed Cain, 
 putting his foot on Hawkhurst's neck. " My lads, I 
 appeal to you. Is this man worthy to be in command, 
 as mate ? Is he to live ? " 
 
 " No! no!" cried the pirates; " Death!" 
 
 Francisco stepped forward. *' My men, you have 
 granted your captain one favour ; grant me another — 
 which is the life of this man. Recollect how often he 
 has led you to conquest, and how brave and faithful he 
 has been until now ! Recollect that he is suffering 
 under his wound, which has made him irritable. 
 Command you he cannot any longer, as he will never 
 have the confidence of your captain ; but let him live, 
 and quit the vessel." 
 
 ''Be it so, if you agree," replied Cain, looking at 
 the men ; " I do not seek his life." 
 
 The pirates consented. Hawkhurst rose slowly 
 from the deck, and was assisted below to his cabin. 
 The second mate was then appointed as the first, and the 
 choice of the man to fill up the vacancy was left to the 
 pirate-crew. 
 
 For three days after this scene all was quiet and 
 orderly on board of the pirate. Cain, now that he 
 had more fully made up his mind how to act, imparted 
 to Francisco his plans ; and his giving up to the men 
 his share of the booty still on board, was, to Fran- 
 cisco, an earnest of his good intentions. A cordiality, 
 even a kind of feeling which never existed before, was 
 created between them ; but of Francisco's mother, and 
 
174 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 and the former events of his own life, the pirate never 
 spoke. Francisco more than once put questions on the 
 subject; the answer was, — ^' You shall know some of 
 these days, Francisco, but not yet; you would hate 
 me too much!" 
 
 The Avenger was now clear of the English isles, 
 and, with light winds, running down the shores of Porto 
 Rico. In the evening of the day on which they had made 
 the land, the schooner was becalmed about three miles 
 from the shore, and the new first mate proposed that 
 he should land in the boat and obtain a further supply 
 of water, from a fall which they had discovered with 
 the glasses. As this was necessary, Cain gave his con- 
 sent, and the boat quitted the vessel full of breakers. 
 
 Now it happened that the Avenger lay becalmed 
 abreast of the country-seat of Don d'Alfarez, the 
 governor of the island. Clara had seen the schooner ; 
 and, as usual, had thrown out the white curtain as a signal 
 of recognition ; for there was no perceptible difference, 
 even to a sailor, at that distance, between the Avenger 
 and the Enterprise. She had hastened down to the 
 beach, and hurried into the cave, awaiting the arrival 
 of Edward Templemore. The pirate-boat landed at 
 the very spot of rendezvous, and the mate leaped out 
 of the boat. Clara flew to receive her Edward, and 
 was instantly seized by the mate, before she discovered 
 her mistake. 
 
 ** Holy Virgin ! who and what are you V cried she ; 
 struggling to disengage herself. 
 
 ** One who is very fond of a pretty girl!" replied 
 the pirate; still detaining her. 
 
THE MISTAKE. 175 
 
 " Unhand me, wretch ! " cried Clara ; " are you 
 aware whom you are addressing?" 
 
 " Not I ! nor do I care ; " replied the pirate. 
 
 " You will, perhaps, sir, when you learn that I am 
 the daughter of the governor!" exclaimed Clara, push- 
 ing him away. 
 
 ^' Yes ! by heavens ! you are right, pretty lady, I 
 do care ; for a governor's daughter will fetch a good 
 ransom at all events. So come, my lads, a little help 
 here ; for she is as strong as a young mule. Never 
 mind the water, throw the breakers into the boat 
 again! we have a prize worth taking!" 
 
 Clara screamed ; but she was gagged with a hand- 
 kerchief, and lifted into the boat, which immediately 
 rowed back to the schooner. 
 
 When the mate came on board and reported his 
 capture, the pirates were delighted at the prospect of 
 addition to their prize-money. Cain could not, of 
 course, raise any objections ; it would have been so 
 different from his general practice, that it would have 
 strengthened suspicions already set afloat by Hawk- 
 hurst, which Cain was most anxious just then to 
 remove. He ordered the girl to be taken down into 
 the cabin, hoisted in the boat, and the breeze springing 
 up again, made sail. 
 
 In the mean time Francisco was consoling the un- 
 fortunate Clara, and assuring her that she need be 
 under no alarm ; promising her protection from him- 
 self and the captain. 
 
 The poor girl wept bitterly; and it was not until 
 Cain came down into the cabin and corroborated the 
 
176 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 assurances of Francisco, that she could assume any 
 degree of composure ; but to find friends when she had 
 expected every insult and degradation — for Francisco 
 had acknowledged that the vessel was a pirate — was 
 some consolation. The kindness and attention of Fran- 
 cisco restored her to comparative tranquillity. 
 
 The next day, she confided to him the reason of her 
 coming to the beach, and her mistake with regard to 
 the two vessels ; and Francisco and Cain promised her 
 that they would themselves pay her ransom, and not 
 wait until she heard from her father. To divert her 
 thoughts, Francisco talked much about Edward Tem- 
 plemore ; and on that subject Clara could always talk. 
 Every circumstance attending the amour was soon 
 known to Francisco. 
 
 But the Avenger did not gain her rendezvous as 
 soon as she expected. When to the northward of Porto 
 Rico, an English frigate bore down upon her, and the 
 Avenger was obliged to run for it. Before the wind is 
 always a schooner's worst point of sailing; and the 
 chase was continued for three days before a fresh w^ind 
 from the southward, until they had passed the Ba- 
 hama Isles. 
 
 The pirates suffered much from want of water, as 
 it was necessary still further to reduce their allowance. 
 The frigate was still in sight, although the Avenger had 
 dropped her astern when the wind became light, and 
 at last it subsided into a calm, which lasted two days 
 more. The boats of the frigate were hoisted out on the 
 eve of the second day to attack the schooner, then 
 distant five miles, when a breeze sprang up from the 
 
THE MISTAKE. 
 
 northward, and. the schooner being then to windward, 
 left the enemy hull down. 
 
 It was not until the next day that Cain ventured 
 to run again to the southward, to procure at one of the 
 keys the water so much required. At last it was ob- 
 tained ; but with difficulty and much loss of time from 
 the scantiness of the supply, and they again made sail 
 for the Caicos. But they were so much impeded by 
 contrary winds and contrary currents, that it was not 
 until three weeks after thev had been chased from 
 Porto Rico that they made out the low land of their 
 former rendezvous. 
 
 We must now return to Edward Templemore in 
 the Enterprise, whom we left off the coast of South 
 America in search of the Avenger, which had so 
 strangely slipped through their fingers. Edward had 
 examined the whole coast, ran through the passage 
 and round Trinidad, and then started off to the Lee- 
 ward Isles in his pursuit. He had spoken every vessel 
 he met with, without gaining any information, and 
 had, at last, arrived off Porto Rico. 
 
 This was no time to think of Clara ; but, as it was 
 not out of his way, he had run down the island ; and 
 as it was just before dark before he arrived off that part 
 of the coast where the governor resided, he had hove 
 to for a little while, and had examined the windows ; 
 but the signal of recognition was not made ; and, after 
 waiting till dark, he again made sail, mad with dis- 
 appointment, and fearing that all had been discovered 
 by the governor ; whereas, the fact was, that he had 
 arrived only two days after the forcible abduction of 
 
178 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 Clara. Once more he directed his attention to the 
 discovery of the pirate ; and after a fortnight's exa- 
 mination of the inlets and bays of the Island of 
 St. Domingo, without success, his provisions and 
 vi^ater being nearly expended, he returned, in no very 
 happy mood, to Port Royal. 
 
 In the meantime, the disappearance of Clara had 
 created the greatest confusion in Porto Rico; and, 
 upon the examination of her attendant, who was con- 
 fronted by the friar and the duenna, the amour of her 
 mistress was confessed. The appearance of the Avenger 
 off the coast on that evening, confirmed their ideas that 
 the Donna Clara had been carried off by the English 
 lieutenant; and Don Alfarez immediately despatched 
 a vessel to Jamaica, complaining of the outrage, and 
 demanding the restoration of his daughter. 
 
 This vessel arrived at Port Royal a few days before 
 the Enterprise, and the admiral was very much asto- 
 nished. He returned a very polite answer to Don 
 Alfarez, promising an investigation immediately upon 
 the arrival of the schooner, and to send a vessel with 
 the result of the said investigation. 
 
 " This is a pretty business," said the admiral to his 
 secretary. '* Young madcap ! I sent him to look after 
 a pirate, and he goes after the governor's daughter ! 
 By the lord Harry ! Mr. Templemore, but you and 
 I shall have an account to settle." 
 
 ^* I can hardly believe it, sir," replied the secre- 
 tary ; " and yet it does look suspicious. But on so 
 short an acquaintance — " 
 
 " Who knows that, Mr. Hadley ? Send for his 
 
THE MISTAKE. 179 
 
 logs, and let us examine them ; he may have been 
 keeping up the acquaintance." 
 
 The logs of the Enterprise were examined, — and 
 there were the fatal words — Porto Rico — Porto Rico, 
 bearing in every division of the compass ; and in 
 every separate cruise, nay, even when the schooner 
 was charged with despatches. 
 
 ** Plain enough!" said the admiral. " Confounded 
 young scamp ! — to embroil me this way. Not that his 
 marrying the girl is any business of mine ; but I will 
 punish him for disobedience of orders, at all events ! 
 Try him by a court-martial, by heavens ! " 
 
 The secretary made no reply : he knew very well 
 that the admiral would do no such thing. 
 
 '' The Enterprise anchored at daylight, sir;" re- 
 ported the secretary, as the admiral sat down to 
 breakfast. 
 
 *' And where's Mr. Templemore?" 
 
 *' He is outside, in the verandah. They have told 
 him below of what he has been accused, and he swears 
 it is false. I believe him, sir; for he appears half mad 
 at the intelligence." 
 
 " Stop a moment ! Have you looked over his 
 log?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. It appears that he was off Porto Rico 
 on the 19th; but the Spanish governor's letter says 
 that he was there on the 17th, and again made his 
 appearance on the 19th. I mentioned it to him ; and 
 he declares, upon his honour, that he was only there 
 on the 19th, as stated in his log." 
 
 " Well! let him come in and speak for himself." 
 
180 THE MISTAKE. 
 
 Edward came in, in a state of great agitation. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Templemore ! — you have been playing 
 pretty tricks ! What is all this, sir ? — Where is the 
 girl, sir — the governor's daughter?" 
 
 " Where she is, sir, I cannot pretend to say ; but 
 I feel convinced that she has been carried off by the 
 pirates." 
 
 *' Pirates ! — Poor girl ! I pity her — and — I pity 
 you, too, Edward. Come, sit down here, and tell me 
 all that has happened." 
 
 Edward knew the admiral's character, so well that 
 he immediately disclosed all that had passed between 
 him and Clara. He then stated how the Avenger had 
 escaped him by deceiving the frigate ; and the agree- 
 ment made with Clara to meet for the future on the 
 beach; with his conviction that the pirate schooner, 
 so exactly similar in appearance to the Enterprise, 
 must have preceded him at Porto Rico, and have car- 
 ried oiF the object of his attachment. 
 
 Although Edward might have been severely taken 
 to task, yet the admiral pitied him, and therefore said 
 nothing about his visits to Porto Rico. When break- 
 fast was over, he ordered the signal to be made for a 
 sloop of war to prepare to weigh, and the Enterprise 
 to be re-victualled by the boats of the squadron. 
 
 " Now, Edward, you and the Comus shall sail in 
 company after this rascally pirate ; and 1 trust you will 
 give me a good account of her, and also of the gover- 
 nor's daughter. Cheer up, my boy ! depend upon it, 
 they will try for ransom before they do her any injury." 
 That evening the Enterprise and Comus sailed on 
 
THE MISTAKE. 181 
 
 their expedition ; and, having run by Porto Rico, and 
 delivered a letter to the governor, they steered to the 
 northward, and early the next morning made the land 
 of the Caicos, just as the Avenger had skirted the 
 reefs, and bore up for the narrow entrance. 
 
 " There she is !" exclaimed Edward ; " there she is, 
 by heavens ! " making the signal for the enemy ; which 
 was immediately answered by the Comus. 
 
182 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE CAICOS. 
 
 The small patch of islands called the Caicos or Cayques, 
 is situated about two degrees to the northward of St. 
 Domingo, and are nearly the southernmost of a chain 
 which extend up to the Bahamas. Most of the islands 
 of this chain are uninhabited, but were formerly the 
 resort of piratical vessels, as the reefs and shoals with 
 which they are all surrounded afforded them protection 
 from their larger pursuers; and the passages through 
 this dangerous navigation being known only to the 
 pirates who frequented them, proved an additional secu- 
 rity. The largest of the Caicos islands forms a curve 
 like an opened horse-shoe to the southward, with safe 
 and protected anchorage when once in the bay on the 
 southern side ; but, previous to arriving at the an- 
 chorage, there are coral reefs extending upwards of 
 forty miles, through which it is necessary to conduct 
 a vessel. This passage is extremely intricate, but was 
 well known to Hawkhurst, who had hitherto been 
 pilot. Cain was not so well acquainted with it, and 
 it required the greatest care in taking in the vessel, 
 as, on the present occasion, Hawkhurst could not be 
 called upon for this service. The islands themselves, 
 
THE CAICOS. 183 
 
 for there were several of them, were composed of coral 
 rock : a few cocoa-trees raised their lofty heads where 
 there was sufficient earth for vegetation, and stunted 
 brushwood rose up between the interstices of the rocks. 
 But the chief peculiarity of the islands, and which 
 rendered them suitable to those who frequented them, 
 was the numerous caves with which the rocks were 
 perforated, some above high-water mark, but the ma- 
 jority with the sea-water flowing in and out of them, 
 in some cases merely rushing in, and, at high-water, 
 filling deep pools, which were detached from each other 
 when the tide receded ; in others, with a sufficient 
 depth of water, at all times, to allow you to pull in with 
 a large boat. It is hardly necessary to observe how 
 convenient the higher and dry caves were as receptacles 
 for articles which were intended to be concealed until 
 an opportunity occurred for disposing of them. 
 
 In our last chapter we stated, that, just as the 
 Avenger had entered the passage through the reefs, 
 the Comus and Enterprise hove in sight and discovered 
 her : but it will be necessary to explain the positions 
 of the vessels. The Avenger had entered the southern 
 channel, with the wind from the southward, and had 
 carefully sounded her way for about four miles, under 
 little or no sail. 
 
 The Enterprise and Comus had been examining 
 Turk's Island, to the eastward of the Caicos, and had 
 passed to the northward of it on the larboard tack, 
 standing in for the northern point of the reef, which 
 joined on to the great Caicos Island. They were, there- 
 fore, in a situation to intercept the Avenger before she 
 
184 THE CAICOS. 
 
 arrived at her anchorage, had it not been for the reefs 
 which barred their passage. The only plan which the 
 English vessels could act upon, was to beat to the 
 southward, so as to arrive at the entrance of the pas- 
 sage, when the Enterprise would, of course, find suffi- 
 cient water to follow the Avenger ; for, as the passage 
 was too narrow to beat through, and the wind was 
 from the southward, the Avenger could not possibly- 
 escape. She was caught in a trap ; and all that she 
 had to trust to, was the defence which she might be 
 able to make in her stronghold against the force which 
 could be employed in the attack. The breeze was 
 fresh from the southward, and appeared inclined to 
 increase, when the Comus and Enterprise made all 
 sail, and worked, in short tacks, outside the reef. 
 
 On board the Avenger, the enemy and their motions 
 were clearly distinguished, and Cain perceived that he 
 was in an awkward dilemma. That they would be 
 attacked he had no doubt ; and, although at any other 
 time he would almost have rejoiced in such an oppor- 
 nity of discomfiting his assailants, yet now he thought 
 very differently, and would have sacrificed almost 
 every thing to have been able to avoid the rencontre, 
 and be permitted quietly to withdraw himself from his 
 associates without the spilling of more blood. Fran- 
 cisco was equally annoyed at this unfortunate collision ; 
 but no words were exchanged between him and the 
 pirate-captain during the time that they were on deck. 
 
 It was about nine o'clock, when having safely 
 passed nearly half through the channel, that Cain 
 ordered the kedge-anchor to be dropped, and sent 
 
THE CAICOS. 185 
 
 down the people to their breakfast. Francisco went 
 down into the cabin, and was explaining their situation 
 to Clara, when Cain entered. He threw himself on 
 the locker, and appeared lost in deep and sombre 
 meditation. 
 
 *' What do you intend to do?" said Francisco. 
 
 " I do not know ; I will not decide myself, Fran- 
 cisco," replied Cain ; ^* if I were to act upon my own 
 judgment, probably I should allow the schooner to re- 
 main where she is. They can only attack in the boats, 
 and, in such a case, I do not fear ; whereas, if we run 
 right through, we allow the other schooner to follow 
 us without defending the passage, and we may then 
 be attacked by her in the deep' water inside, and over- 
 powered by the number of men the two vessels will 
 be able to bring against us. On the other hand, we 
 certainly may defend the schooner from the shore as 
 well as on board, but we are weak-handed. I shall, 
 however, call up the ship's company and let them 
 decide. God knows ! if left to me, I would not fight 
 at all." 
 
 ** Is there no way of escape?" resumed Francisco. 
 
 " Yes, we might abandon the schooner ; and this 
 night, when they would not expect it, run with the 
 boats through the channel between the great island 
 and the north Cayque, but that I dare not propose, 
 and the men would not listen to it ; indeed, I very 
 much doubt if the enemy will allow us the time ; I knew 
 this morning, long before we saw those vessels, that 
 my fate would be decided before the sun went down." 
 
 " What do you mean ?" 
 
186 
 
 THE CAICOS. 
 
 '' I mean this, Francisco," said Cain; " that your 
 mother, who always has visited me in my dreams 
 whenever any thing, dreadful now to think of, was 
 about to take place, appeared to me last night, and 
 there was sorrow and pity in her sweet face as she 
 mournfully waved her hand as if to summon me to 
 follow her. Yes, thank God! she no longer looked 
 upon me as for many years she has done.'' 
 
 Francisco made no answer ; and Cain again seemed 
 to be lost in meditation. 
 
 After a little while Cain rose, and taking a small 
 packet from one of the drawers, put it into the hands 
 of Francisco. 
 
 " Preserve that," said the pirate-captain ; *' should 
 any accident happen to me, it will tell you who was 
 your mother : and it also contains directions for finding 
 treasure which I have buried. I leave every thing to 
 you, Francisco. It has been unfairly obtained ; but you 
 are not the guilty party, and there are none to claim it. 
 Do not answer me now. You may find friends, whom 
 you will make after I am gone, of the same opinion as 
 I am. I tell you again, be careful of that packet." 
 
 " I see little chance of it availing me," replied 
 Francisco ; " if I live, shall I not be considered as a 
 pirate ?" 
 
 " No, no ; you can prove the contrary." 
 
 '' I have my doubts ; but God's will be done." 
 
 *' Yes, God's will be done !" said Cain mournfully; 
 *' I dared not have said that a month ago." And the 
 pirate-captain went on deck, followed by Francisco. 
 
 The crew of the Avenger were summoned aft, and 
 

THE CAICOS. 187 
 
 called upon to decide as to the measures they consi- 
 dered to be most advisable. They preferred weighing 
 the anchor and running into the bay, where they would 
 be able to defend the schooner, in their opinion, much 
 better than by remaining where they were. 
 
 The crew of the pirate schooner weighed the anchor, 
 and continued their precarious course : the breeze had 
 freshened, and the water was in strong ripples, so 
 that they could no longer see the danger beneath her 
 bottom. In the meantime the sloop of war and En- 
 terprise continued to turn to windward outside of the 
 reef. 
 
 By noon the wind had considerably increased, and 
 the breakers now turned and broke in wild foam over 
 the coral reefs, in every direction. The sail was still 
 more reduced on board of the Avenger, and her diffi- 
 culties increased from the rapidity of her motion. 
 
 A storm-jib was set, and the other hauled down ; yet 
 even under this small sail she flew before the wind. 
 
 Cain stood at the bowsprit, giving his directions to 
 the helmsman. More than once they grazed the rocks, 
 and were clear again. Spars were towed a-stern, and 
 every means resorted to, to check her way. They had 
 no guide but the breaking of the wild water on each 
 side of them. 
 
 ii Why should not Hawkhurst, who knows the 
 passage so well, be made to pilot us?" said the boat- 
 swain to those who were near him on the forecastle. 
 
 "To be sure, let's have him up," cried several of 
 the crew ; and some of them went down below. 
 
 In a minute they reappeared with Hawkhurst, whom 
 
188 THE CAICOS. 
 
 they led forward : he did not make any resistance, and 
 the crew demanded that he should pilot the vessel. 
 
 " And suppose I will not," said Hawkhurst coolly. 
 
 " Then you lose your passage, that's all," replied 
 the boatswain ; " is it not so, my men ?" continued he, 
 appealing to the crew. 
 
 " Yes; either take us safe in, or — overboard," re- 
 plied several. 
 
 " I do not mind that threat, my lads," replied 
 Hawkhurst; " you have all known me as a good man 
 and true, and its not likely that I shall desert you now. 
 Well, since your captain there cannot save you, I sup- 
 pose I must; but," exclaimed he, looking about him — 
 " how's this ? Why, we are out of the passage already. 
 Yes, and whether we can get into it again I cannot 
 tell.'' 
 
 " We are not out of the passage," said Cain ; " you 
 know we are not." 
 
 " Well, then, if the captain knows better than I, 
 he had better take you through," rejoined Hawkhurst. 
 
 But the crew thought differently, and insisted that 
 Hawkhurst, who well knew the channel, should take 
 charge. Cain retired aft, as Hawkhurst went out on 
 the bowsprit. 
 
 ^* I will do my best, my lads," said Hawkhurst ; 
 " but, recollect, if we strike in trying to get into the 
 right channel, do not blame me. Starboard a little — 
 starboard yet — steady so — there's the true passage, 
 my lads !" cried he, pointing to some smoother water be- 
 tween the breakers — " port a little — steady." 
 
 But Hawkhurst, who knew that he was to be put 
 
THE CAICOS. 189 
 
 on shore as soon as convenient, had resolved to lose 
 the schooner, even if his own life was forfeited, and he 
 vsras now running her out of the passage on the rocks. 
 A minute after he had conned her, she struck heavily 
 again and again ; the third time she struck she came 
 broadside to the wind and heeled over : a sharp coral 
 rock found its way through her slight timbers and 
 planking, and the water poured in rapidly. 
 
 During this there was a dead silence on the part of 
 the marauders. 
 
 " My lads," said Hawkhurst, " I have done my 
 best, and now you may throw me overboard if you 
 please. It was not my fault, but his," continued he, 
 pointing to the captain. 
 
 " It is of little consequence whose fault it was, Mr. 
 Hawkhurst," replied Cain ; " we will settle that point 
 by and by ; at present we have too much on our hands. 
 Out boats, men ! as fast as you can, and let every man 
 provide himself with arms and ammunition. Be cool! 
 the schooner is fixed hard enough, and will not go 
 down ; we shall save every thing by and by." 
 
 The pirates obeyed the orders of the captain. The 
 three boats were hoisted out and lowered down. In 
 the first were placed all the wounded men and Clara 
 D'Alfarez, who was assisted up by Francisco. As 
 soon as the men had provided themselves with arms, 
 Francisco, to protect Clara, offered to take charge of 
 her, and the boat shoved off. 
 
 The men-of-war had seen the Avenger strike on 
 the rocks, and the preparations of the crew to take 
 to their boats. They immediately hove to, hoisted out 
 
190 THE CAICOS. 
 
 and manned their own boats with the hopes of cutting 
 them off before they could gain the island and prepare 
 for a vigorous defence ; for, although the vessels could 
 not approach the reefs, there was sufficient water in many 
 places for the boats to pass over them. Shortly after 
 Francisco, in the first boat, had shoved off from the 
 Avenger, the boats of the men-of-war were darting 
 through the surf to intercept them. The pirates per- 
 ceived this, and hastened their arrangements ; a second 
 boat soon left her, and into that Hawkhurst leaped as 
 it was shoving off. Cain remained on board, and 
 going round the lower decks to ascertain if any of the 
 wounded men were left, he then quitted the schooner 
 in the last boat and followed the others, being about 
 a quarter of a mile astern of the second, in which 
 Hawkhurst had secured his place. 
 
 At the time that Cain quitted the schooner, it was 
 difficult to say whether the men-of-war's boats would 
 succeed in intercepting any of the pirate's boats. Both 
 parties exerted themselves to their utmost ; and, when 
 the first boat, with Francisco and Clara, landed, the 
 headmost of the assailants was not much more than half 
 a mile from them ; but shallow water intervening, there 
 was a delay which was favourable to the pirate. Hawk- 
 hurst landed in his boat as the launch of the Comus 
 fired her eighteen pound carronade. The last boat 
 was yet two hundred yards from the beach, when 
 another shot from the Comus's launch, which had been 
 unable hitherto to find a passage through the reef, 
 struck her on the counter, and she filled and went 
 down. 
 
THE CAICOS. 191 
 
 " He is gone !" exclaimed Francisco, who had led 
 Clara to a cave, and stood at the mouth of it to protect 
 her : '^ they have sunk his boat — no, he is swimming 
 to the shore, and will be here now, long before the 
 English seamen can land." 
 
 This was true. Cain was breasting the water man- 
 fully, making for a small cove nearer to where the 
 boat was sunk than the one in which Francisco had 
 landed with Clara and the wounded men, and di- 
 vided from the other by a ridge of rocks which sepa- 
 rated the sandy beach, and extended some way into 
 the water before they were submerged. Francisco could 
 easily distinguish the pirate -captain from the other 
 men who also were swimming for the beach ; for 
 Cain was far a-head of them, and, as he gained nearer 
 to the shore, he was shut from Francisco's sight by 
 the ridge of rocks. Francisco, anxious for his safety, 
 climbed up the rocks and was watching. Cain was 
 within a few yards of the beach when there was the 
 report of a musket ; the pirate-captain was seen to rise 
 his body convulsively half out of the water — he floun- 
 dered — the clear blue wave was discoloured — he sank, 
 and was seen no more. 
 
 Francisco darted forward from the rocks, and per- 
 ceived Hawkhurst standing beneath them with the 
 musket in his hand, which he was recharging. 
 
 *' Villain!" exclaimed Francisco, '* you shall ac- 
 count for this." 
 
 Hawkhurst had reprimed his musket and shut the 
 pan. 
 
192 THE CAICOS. 
 
 *' Not to you," replied Hawkhurst, levelling his 
 piece, and taking aim at Francisco. 
 
 The ball struck Francisco on the breast ; he reeled 
 back from his position, staggered across the sand, gained 
 the cave, and fell at the feet of Clara. 
 
 " Oh, God!" exclaimed the poor girl, " are you 
 hurt; vrlio is there, then, to protect me?" 
 
 " I hardly know," replied Francisco faintly ; and, 
 at intervals, " I feel no vround. T feel stronger ;" and 
 Francisco put his hand to his heart. 
 
 Clara opened his vest, and found that the packet 
 given to Francisco by Cain, and which he had depo- 
 sited in his breast, had been struck by the bullet, which 
 had done him no injury further than the violent concus- 
 sion of the blow — notwithstanding he was faint from 
 the shock, and his head fell upon Clara's bosom. 
 
 But we must relate the proceedings of those who 
 were mixed up in this exciting scene. Edward Tem- 
 plemore had watched from his vessel with an eager 
 and painful curiosity the motions of the schooner — her 
 running on the rocks, and the subsequent actions of the 
 intrepid marauders. The long telescope enabled him 
 to perceive distinctly all that passed, and his feelings 
 were increased into a paroxysm of agony when his 
 straining eyes beheld the white and fluttering habili- 
 ments of a female for a moment at the gunnel of the 
 stranded vessel — her descent, as it appeared to him, 
 nothing loath into the boat — the arms held out to re- 
 ceive, and the extension of hers to meet those offered — 
 could it be Clara ! where was the reluctance, the 
 
THE CAICOS. 193 
 
 unavailing attempts at resistance which should have 
 characterised her situation ? Excited by feelings vrhich 
 he dared not analyse, he threw down his glass, and, 
 seizing his sword, sprang into his boat, which was 
 ready manned alongside, desiring the others to follow 
 him. For once, and the only time in his existence 
 when approaching the enemy, did he feel his heart 
 sink within him — a cold tremor ran through his whole 
 frame, and, as he called to mind the loose morals and 
 desperate habits of the pirates, horrible thoughts en- 
 tered his imagination. As he neared the shore, he 
 stood up in the stern-sheets of the boat, pale, hag- 
 gard, and with trembling lips — and the intensity of his 
 feelings would have been intolerable but for a more 
 violent thirst for revenge. He clenched his sword, 
 while the quick throbs of his heart seemed, at every 
 pulsation, to repeat to him his thoughts of blood ! 
 blood ! blood ! He approached the small bay and per- 
 ceived that there was a female at the mouth of the 
 cave — nearer and nearer, and he was certain that it 
 was his Clara — her name was on his lips when he heard 
 the two shots fired one after another by Hawkhurst — 
 he saw the retreat and fall of Francisco — when, 
 madness to behold! he perceived Clara rush forward, 
 and there lay the young man supported by her, and 
 with his head upon her bosom — could he believe what 
 he saw — could she really be his betrothed. Yes, there 
 she was, supporting the handsome figure of a young 
 man, and that man a pirate — she had even put her 
 hand into his vest, and was now watching over his 
 reviving form. Edward could bear no more ; he 
 
 o 
 
194 
 
 THE CAICOS. 
 
 covered his eyes, and now, maddened with jealousy, in 
 a voice of thunder, he called out — 
 
 *' Give way, my lads! for your lives, give way!" 
 The gig was within half-a-dozen strokes of the oar 
 from the heach, and Clara, unconscious of wrong, had 
 just taken the packet of papers from Francisco's vest, 
 when Hawkhurst made his appearance from behind 
 the rocks which separated the two little sandy coves. 
 Francisco had recovered his breath, and, perceiving the 
 approach of Hawkhurst, he sprang upon his feet to re- 
 cover his musket ; but, before he could succeed, Hawk- 
 hurst had closed in with him, and a short and dreadful 
 struggle ensued. It would soon have terminated fatally 
 to Francisco, for the superior strength of Hawkhurst 
 had enabled him to bear down the body of his oppo- 
 nent with his knee, and he was fast strangling him by 
 twisting his handkerchief round his throat, while Clara 
 shrieked, and attempted in vain to tear the pirate from 
 him. As the prostrate Francisco was fast blackening 
 into a corse, and the maiden screamed for pity, and 
 became frantic in her efforts for his rescue, the boat 
 dashed high up on the sand ; and, with the bound of 
 a maddened tiger, Edward sprang upon Hawkhurst, 
 tearing him down on his back, and severing his wrist 
 with his sword-blade until his hold of Francisco was 
 relaxed, and he wrestled in his own defence. 
 
 *' Seize him, my lads !" said Edward, pointing with 
 his left hand to Hawkhurst ; as with his sword directed 
 to the body of Francisco he bitterly continued, " this 
 victim is mine !" But, whatever were his intentions, they 
 were frustrated by Clara's recognition, who shrieked 
 
THE CAICOS. 195 
 
 out — " My Edward !" sprang into his arms, and was 
 immediately in a state of insensibility. 
 
 The seamen who had secured Hawkhurst looked 
 upon the scene with curious astonishment — while 
 Edward waited with mingled feelings of impatience 
 and doubt for Clara's recovery — he wished to be 
 assured by her that he was mistaken, and he turned 
 again and again from her face to that of Francisco, 
 who was fast recovering. During this painful suspense, 
 Hawkhurst was bound, and made to sit down. 
 
 " Edward ! dear Edward !" said Clara, at last, in 
 a faint voice, clinging more closely to him; " and am 
 I then rescued by thee, dearest?" 
 
 Edward felt the appeal ; but his jealousy had not 
 yet subsided. 
 
 " Who is that, Clara?" said he, sternly. 
 
 " It is Francisco. No pirate, Edward — but my 
 preserver." 
 
 " Ha, ha !" — laughed Hawkhurst, with a bitter sneer, 
 for he perceived how matters stood. 
 
 Edward Templemore turned towards him with an 
 inquiring look. 
 
 " Ha, ha!" continued Hawkhurst; *' why, he is 
 the captain's son. No pirate, eh ? Well, what will 
 women not swear to, to save those they doat upon." 
 
 " If the captain's son," said Edward, " why were 
 you contending?" 
 
 " Because just now I shot his scoundrel father." 
 
 " Edward!" said Clara, solemnly, " this is no time 
 for explanation, but, as I hope for mercy, what I have 
 said is true ; believe not that villain." 
 
196 THE CAICOS. 
 
 '' Yes," said Francisco, who was now sitting up^ 
 '* believe him when he says that he shot the captain, for 
 that is true ; but, sir, if you value your own peace of 
 mind, believe nothing to the prejudice of that young 
 lady." 
 
 " I hardly know what to believe," muttered Edward 
 Templemore ; " but, as the lady says, this is no time 
 for explanation. With your permission, madam," said 
 he to Clara, " my coxswain will see you in safety on 
 board of the schooner, or the other vessel, if you prefer 
 it ; my duty will not allow me to accompany you." 
 
 Clara darted a reproachful yet fond look on Edward, 
 as, with swimming eyes, she was led by the coxswain 
 to the boat which had been joined by the launch of 
 the Comus, the crew of which were, with their officers, 
 wading to the beach. The men of the gig remained 
 until they had given Hawkhurst and Francisco in 
 charge of the other seamen, and then shoved ojffwith 
 Clara for the schooner. Edward Templemore gave 
 one look at the gig as it conveyed Clara on board, and, 
 ordering Hawkhurst and Francisco to be taken to the 
 launch, and a guard to be kept over them, went up, with 
 the remainder of the men, in pursuit of the pirates. 
 
 During the scene we have described, the other 
 boats of the men-of-war had landed on the island, and 
 the Avenger's crew, deprived of their leaders, and 
 scattered in every direction, were many of them slain 
 or captured. In about two hours it was supposed that 
 the majority of the pirates had been accounted for, and 
 the prisoners being now very numerous, it was decided 
 that the boats should return with them to the Comus, 
 
THE CAICOS. 197 
 
 the captain of which vessel, as commanding-ofEcer, 
 would then issue orders as to their future proceedings. 
 
 The captured pirates, when mustered on the deck 
 of the Comus, amounted to nearly sixty, out of which 
 number one half were those who had been sent on 
 shore wounded, and had surrendered without resist- 
 ance. Of killed there were fifteen; and it was con- 
 jectured that as many more had been drowned in the 
 boat when she was sunk by the shot from the carronade 
 of the launch. Although, by the account given by the 
 captured pirates, the majority were secured, yet there 
 was reason to suppose that some were still left on the 
 island concealed in the caves. 
 
 As the captain of the Comus had orders to return 
 as soon as possible, he decided to sail immediately for 
 Port Royal with the prisoners, leaving the Enterprise 
 to secure the remainder, if there were any, and recover 
 any thing of value which might be left in the wreck of 
 the Avenger, and then to destroy her. 
 
 With the usual celerity of the service these orders 
 were obeyed. The pirates, among whom Francisco was 
 included, were secured, the boats hoisted up, and, in 
 half an hour, the Comus displayed her ensign, and 
 made all sail on a wind, leaving Edward Templemore, 
 with the Enterprise, at the back of the reef, to perform 
 the duties entailed upon him ; and Clara, who was on 
 board of the schooner, to remove the suspicion and 
 jealousy which had arisen in the bosom of her lover. 
 
198 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE TRIAL. 
 
 In a week, the Comus arrived at Port Royal, and the 
 captain went up to the Penn to inform the admiral of 
 the successful result of the expedition. 
 
 *' Thank God," said the admiral, " we have caught 
 these villains at last : a little hanging will do them 
 no harm. The captain, you say, was drowned ?" 
 
 *' So it is reported, sir," replied Captain Manly; 
 " he was in the last boat which left the schooner, and 
 she was sunk by a shot from the launch." 
 
 " I am sorry for that ; the death was too good for 
 him. However, we must make an example of the 
 rest : they must be tried by the Admiralty Court, 
 which has the jurisdiction of the high seas. Send 
 them on shore. Manly, and we wash our hands of 
 them." 
 
 '' Very good, sir ; but there are still some left on 
 the island, we have reason to believe j and the Enter- 
 prise is in search of them." 
 
 ^^ By the by, did Templemore find his lady ?" 
 
 *« Oh, yes, sir; and — all's right, I believe; but I 
 had very little to say with him on the subject." 
 
THE TRIAL. 199 
 
 " Humph !" replied the admiral, " I am glad to 
 hear it. Well, send them on shore. Manly, to the 
 proper authorities. If any more be found, they must 
 be hung afterwards when Templemore brings them 
 in. I am more pleased at having secured these 
 scoundrels than if we had taken a French frigate." 
 
 About three weeks after this conversation, the 
 secretary reported to the admiral that the Enterprise 
 had made her number outside; but that she was 
 becalmed, and would not probably be in until the 
 evening. 
 
 " That's a pity," replied the admiral ; ''for the 
 pirates are to be tried this morning. He may have 
 more of them on board." 
 
 *' Very true, sir; but the trial will hardly be over 
 to-day : the judge will not be in court till one o'clock 
 at the soonest." 
 
 '* It's of little consequence, certainly ; as it is, they 
 are so many that they must be hanged by divisions. 
 However, as he is within signal distance, let them 
 telegraph * Pirates now on trial.' He can pull on 
 shore in his gig, if he pleases." 
 
 It was about noon on the same day that the pirates, 
 and among them Francisco, escorted by a strong guard, 
 were conducted to the Court House, and placed at the 
 bar. The Court House was crowded to excess, for the 
 interest excited was intense. 
 
 Many of them who had been wounded in the 
 attack upon the property of Don Cumanos, and after- 
 wards captured, had died in their confinement. Still 
 forty-five were placed at the bar ; and their pic- 
 
200 THE TKIAL. 
 
 turesque costume, their bearded faces, and the atro- 
 cities which they had committed, created in those 
 present a sensation of anxiety mingled with horror 
 and indignation. 
 
 Two of the youngest amongst them had been per- 
 mitted to turn king's evidence. They had been on 
 board of the Avenger but a few months ; still their 
 testimony as to the murder of the crews of three West 
 India ships, and the attack upon the property of 
 Don Cumanos, was quite sufficient to condemn the 
 remainder. 
 
 Much time was necessarily expended in going 
 through the forms of the court ; in the pirates answer- 
 ing to their various names ; and, lastly, in taking down 
 the detailed evidence of the above men. It was late 
 when the evidence was read over to the pirates; and 
 they were asked if they had any thing to offer in their 
 defence. The question was repeated by the judge; 
 when Hawkhurst was the first to speak. To save 
 himself he could scarcely hope ; his only object was 
 to prevent Francisco pleading his cause successfully, 
 and escaping the same disgraceful death. 
 
 Hawkhurst declared, that he had been some time 
 on board of the Avenger; — but that he had been taken 
 out of a vessel and forced to serve against his will, as 
 could be proved by the captain's son, who stood there 
 (pointing to Francisco), who had been in the schooner 
 since her first fitting out : — that he had always opposed 
 the captain, who would not part with him, because he 
 was the only one on board who was competent to 
 navigate the schooner: — that he had intended to rise 
 
THE TRIAL. 201 
 
 against him, and take the vessel, having often stimu- 
 lated the crew so to do ; and that, as the other men, 
 as well as the captain's son, could prove, if they chose, 
 he actually was in confinement for that attempt when 
 the schooner was entering the passage to the Caicos; 
 and that he was only released because he was ac- 
 quainted with the passage, and threatened to be thrown 
 overboard if he did not take her in : — that, at every 
 risk, he had run her on the rocks ; and aware that 
 the captain would murder him, he had shot Cain 
 as he was swimming to the shore, as the captain's 
 son could prove; for he had taxed him with it, and 
 he was actually struggling with him for life, when 
 the officers and boats' crew separated them and made 
 them both prisoners: — that he hardly expected that 
 Francisco, the captain's son, would tell the truth to 
 save him, as he was his bitter enemy, and, in the 
 business at the Magdalen river, which had been long 
 planned (for Francisco had been sent on shore under 
 the pretence of being wrecked, but, in fact, to ascertain 
 where the booty was, and to assist the pirates in their 
 attack), Francisco had taken that opportunity of 
 putting a bullet through his shoulder, which was well 
 knov/n to the other pirates, and Francisco could not 
 venture to deny. He trusted that the court would 
 order the torture to Francisco, and then he would 
 probably speak the truth ; at all events let him speak 
 now. 
 
 When Hawkhurst had ceased to address the court, 
 there was an anxious pause for some minutes. The 
 day was fast declining, and most parts of the spacious 
 
202 THE TRIAL. 
 
 Court House were already deeply immersed in gloom ; 
 while the light, sober, solemn, and almost sad, gleamed 
 upon the savage and reckless countenances of the 
 prisoners at the bar. The sun had sunk down behind 
 a mass of heavy, yet gorgeous clouds, fringing their 
 edges with molten gold. Hawkhurst had spoken 
 fluently and energetically, and there was an appear- 
 ance of almost honesty in his coarse and deep-toned 
 voice. Even the occasional oaths with which his 
 speech was garnished, but which we have omitted, 
 seemed to be pronounced more in sincerity than in 
 blasphemy, and gave a more forcible impression to his 
 narrative. 
 
 We have said, that when he concluded there was 
 a profound silence ; and amid the fast-falling shadows 
 of the evening, those who were present began to feel, 
 for the first time, the awful importance of the drama 
 before them, the number of lives which were trembling 
 upon the verge of existence, depending upon the single 
 word of " Guilty." This painful silence, this harrow- 
 ing suspense, was at last broken by a restrained sob 
 from a female; but, owing to the obscurity involving 
 the body of the court, her person could not be distin- 
 guished. The wail of woman so unexpected — for who 
 could there be of that sex interested in the fate of these 
 desperate men? — touched the hearts of its auditors, 
 and appeared to sow the first seeds of compassionate 
 and human feeling among those, who had hitherto 
 expressed and felt nothing but indignation towards 
 the prisoners. 
 
 The judge upon the bench, the counsel at the bar, 
 
THE TRIAL. 203 
 
 and the jury impannelled in their box, felt the force 
 of the appeal ; and it softened down the evil impres- 
 sion created by the address of Hawkhurst against the 
 youthful Francisco. The eyes of all were now directed 
 towards the one doubly accused — accused not only 
 by the public prosecutor, but even by his associate in 
 crime, — and the survey was favourable. They ac- 
 knowledged that he was one whose personal qualities 
 might indeed challenge the love of woman in his 
 pride, and her lament in his disgrace ; and, as their 
 regard was directed towards him, the sun, which had 
 been obscured, now pierced through a break in the 
 mass of clouds, and threw a portion of his glorious 
 beams from a window opposite, upon him, and him 
 alone, while all the other prisoners who surrounded 
 him were buried more or less in deep shadow. It 
 was at once evident that his associates were bold yet 
 common-place villains — men who owed their courage, 
 their only virtue, perhaps to their habits, to their phy- 
 sical organisation, or the influence of those around 
 them. They were mere human butchers, with the 
 only adjunct, that now that the trade was to be ex- 
 ercised upon themselves, they could bear it with a 
 sullen apathy — a feeling how far removed from true 
 fortitude ! Even Hawkhurst, though more command- 
 ing than the rest, with all his daring mien and scowl 
 of defiance, looked nothing more than a distinguished 
 ruffian. With the exception of Francisco, the prisoners 
 had wholly neglected their personal appearance; and 
 in them the squalid and sordid look of the mendicant 
 seemed allied with the ferocity of the murderer. 
 
204 
 
 THE TRIAL. 
 
 Francisco was not only an exception, but formed 
 a beautiful contrast to the others; and, as the evening 
 beams lighted up his figure, he stood at the bar, if not 
 with all the splendour of a hero of romance, certainly 
 a most picturesque and interesting personage, elegantly, 
 if not richly, attired. 
 
 The low sobs at intervals repeated, as if impossible 
 to be checked, seemed to rouse and call him to a sense 
 of the important part which he was called upon to act 
 in the tragedy there and then performing. His face 
 was pale, yet composed ; his mien at once proud and 
 sorrowful ; his eye was bright, yet his glance was not 
 upon those in court, but far away, fixed, like an eagle's, 
 upon the gorgeous beams of the setting sun, which 
 glowed upon him through the window that was in 
 front of him. 
 
 At last the voice of Francisco was heard, and all 
 in that wide court started at the sound — deep, full, 
 and melodious as the evening chimes. The ears of 
 those present had, in the profound silence, but just 
 recovered from the harsh, deep-toned, and barbarous 
 idiom of Hawkhurst's address ; when the clear, silvery, 
 yet manly, voice of Francisco riveted their attention. 
 The jury stretched forth their heads, the counsel and 
 all in court turned anxiously round towards the pri- 
 soner, even the judge held up his forefinger, to intimate 
 his wish for perfect silence. 
 
 '' My lord and gentlemen," commenced Francisco ; 
 '^ when I first found myself in this degrading situa- 
 tion, I had not thought to have spoken or to have 
 uttered one word in my defence. He that has just 
 
THE TRIAL. 205 
 
 now accused me has recommended the torture to be 
 applied ; he has already had his wish, for what torture 
 can be more agonising than to find myself where I now 
 am ? So tortured, indeed, have I been through a short 
 yet wretched life, that I have often felt that any thing 
 short of self-destruction which would release me, would 
 be a blessing; : but within these few minutes I have 
 been made to acknowledge that I have still feelings in 
 unison with my fellow-creatures; that I am not yet 
 fit for death, and all too young, too unprepared to 
 die ; for who would unreluctant leave this world 
 while there is such a beauteous sky to love and look 
 upon, or while there is one female breast who holds 
 him innocent, and has evinced her pity for his mis- 
 fortunes? Yes, my lord; mercy, and pity, and com- 
 passion, have not yet fled from earth ; and, therefore, 
 do I feel I am too young to die. God forgive me ! but 
 I thought they had — for never have they been shewn 
 in those with whom, by fate, I have been connected ; 
 and it has been from this conviction that I have so 
 often longed for death. And now, may that righteous 
 God, who judges us not here, but hereafter, enable me 
 to prove that I do not deserve an ignominious punish- 
 ment from my fellow-sinners — men ! 
 
 " My lord, I know not the subtleties of the laws, 
 nor the intricacy of pleadings. First, let me assert 
 that I have never robbed, but I have restored unto 
 the plundered ; I have never murdered, but 1 have 
 stood between the assassin's knife and his victim. 
 For this have I been hated and reviled by my asso- 
 ciates, and for this is my life now threatened by those 
 
206 
 
 THE TRIAL. 
 
 laws, against which I never have offended. The man 
 who last addressed you has told you that I am the 
 pirate-captain's son. It is the assertion of the only 
 irreclaimable and utterly remorseless villain among 
 those who now stand before you to be judged — the 
 assertion of one, whose glory, whose joy, whose solace, 
 has been blood-shedding. 
 
 " My lord, I had it from the mouth of the captain 
 himself, previous to his murder by that man, that I 
 was not his son. His son ! thank God, not so. Con- 
 nected with him and in his power I was most cer- 
 tainly and most incomprehensibly. Before he died, 
 he delivered me a packet that would have told me 
 who I am ; but I have lost it, and deeply have 
 I felt the loss. One only fact I gained from him 
 whom they would call my father, which is, that 
 with his own hand he slew, yes, basely slew, my 
 mother." 
 
 The address of Francisco was here interrupted by 
 a low deep groan of anguish, which startled the 
 whole audience. It was now quite dark, and the 
 judge ordered the court to be lighted previous to 
 the defence being continued. The impatience and 
 anxiety of those present were shewn in low murmurs 
 of communication, until the lights were brought in. 
 The word " Silence!" from the judge produced an 
 immediate obedience, and the prisoner was ordered 
 to proceed. 
 
 Francisco then continued his address, commencinir 
 with the remembrances of his earliest childhood. As 
 he warmed with his subject, he became more eloquent ; 
 
THE TRIAL. 207 
 
 his action became energetical without violence ; and 
 the pallid and modest youth gradually grew into the 
 impassioned and inspired orator. He recapitulated 
 rapidly, yet distinctly and with terrible force, all the 
 startling events in his fearful life. There was truth 
 in the tones of his voice — there was conviction in his 
 animated countenance — there was innocence in his 
 open and expressive brow. 
 
 All who heard believed ; and scarcely had he con- 
 cluded his address, when the jury appeared impatient 
 to rise and give their verdict in his favour. But the 
 judge stood up, and addressing the jury, told them 
 that it was his most painful duty to remind them that 
 as yet they had heard but assertion, beautiful and al- 
 most convincing assertion truly ; but still it was not proof. 
 
 " Alas!" observed Francisco, " what evidence can 
 I bring forward, except the evidence of those around 
 me at the bar, which will not be admitted ? Can I 
 recall the dead from the grave? can I expect those 
 who have been murdered to rise again to assert my 
 innocence? can I expect that Don Cumanos will 
 appear from distant leagues to give evidence in my 
 behalf? Alas ! he knows not how I am situated, or 
 he would have flown to my succour. No — no; not 
 even can I expect that the sweet Spanish maiden, the 
 last to whom I offered my protection, will appear 
 in such a place as this, to meet the bold gaze of 
 hundreds ! " 
 
 *^ She is here !" replied a manly voice ; and a pas- 
 sage was made through the crowd : and Clara, sup- 
 ported by Edward Templemore, dressed in his uniform. 
 
208 THE TRIAL. 
 
 was ushered into the box for the witnesses. The ap- 
 pearance of the fair girl, who looked round her with 
 alarm, created a great sensation. As soon as she was 
 sufficiently composed, she was sworn, and gave her 
 evidence as to Francisco's behaviour during the time 
 that she was a prisoner on board of the Avenger. 
 She produced the packet which had saved the life 
 of Francisco, and substantiated a great part of his 
 defence. She extolled his kindness and his generosity ; 
 and when she had concluded, every one asked of him- 
 self. Can this young man be a pirate and a murderer? 
 The reply was, ** It is impossible." 
 
 " My lord," said Edward Templemore, " I request 
 permission to ask the prisoner a question. When I 
 was on board of the wreck of the Avenger, I found 
 this book floating in the cabin. I wish to ask the 
 prisoner, whether, as that young lady has informed 
 me, it is his?" And Edward Templemore produced 
 the Bible. 
 
 " It is mine," replied Francisco. 
 
 " May I ask you by what means it came into your 
 possession?" 
 
 *Mt is the only relic left of one who is now 
 no more. It was the consolation of my murdered 
 mother — it has since been mine. Give it to me, 
 sir; I may probably need its support now more 
 than ever." 
 
 " Was your mother murdered, say you?" cried 
 Edward Templemore, with much agitation. 
 
 " I have already said so ; and I now repeat it." 
 
 The judge again rose, and recapitulated the evi- 
 
THE TRIAL. 209 
 
 dence to the jury. Evidently friendly to Francisco, 
 he was obliged to point out to them, that, although 
 the evidence of the young lady had produced much 
 which might be offered in extenuation, and induce 
 him to submit it to His Majesty, in hopes of his 
 gracious pardon after condemnation; yet, that many 
 acts in which the prisoner had been involved had 
 endangered his life, and no testimony had been brought 
 forward to prove that he had not, at one time, acted 
 with the pirates, although he might since have re- 
 pented. They would, of course, remember that the 
 evidence of the mate, Hawkhurst, was not of any 
 value, and must dismiss any impression which it 
 might have made against Francisco. At the same 
 time, he had the unpleasant duty to point out, that the 
 evidence of the Spanish lady was so far prejudicial, that 
 it pointed out the good terms subsisting between the 
 young man and the pirate-captain. Much as he was 
 interested in his fate, he must reluctantly remind the 
 jury, that the evidence on the whole was not sufficient 
 to clear the prisoner ; and he considered it their duty 
 to return a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners 
 at the har. 
 
 *' My lord," said Edward Templemore, a few 
 seconds after the judge had resumed his seat; " may 
 not the contents of this packet, the seal of which I 
 have not ventured to break, afford some evidence in 
 favour of the prisoner ? Have you any objection that it 
 should be opened previous to the jury delivering their 
 verdict?" 
 
210 THE TRIAL. 
 
 '^ None," replied the judge ; " but what are its 
 supposed contents?" 
 
 " The contents, my lord," replied Francisco, " are 
 in the writing of the pirate-captain. He delivered that 
 packet into my hands, previous to our quitting the 
 schooner, stating that it would inform me who were 
 my parents. My lord, in my present situation I claim 
 that packet, and refuse that its contents shall be read 
 in court. If I am to die an ignominious death, at least 
 those who are connected with me shall not have to 
 blush at my disgrace, for the secret of my parentage 
 shall die with me." 
 
 " Nay — nay; be ruled by me," replied Edward 
 Templemore with much emotion: " in the narrative, 
 the hand-writing of which can be proved by the king's 
 evidence, there may be acknowledgment of all you 
 have stated, and it will be received as evidence ; will 
 it not, my lord 1 " 
 
 ** If the hand-writing is proved, I should think it 
 may," replied the judge, " particularly as the lady was 
 present when the packet was delivered, and heard the 
 captain's assertion. Will you allow it to be offered as 
 evidence, young man?" 
 
 " No, my lord," replied Francisco : " unless I have 
 permission first to peruse it myself, I will not have its 
 contents divulged, — unless I am sure of an honourable 
 acquittal : the jury must deliver their verdict." 
 
 The jury turned round to consult, during which 
 Edward Templemore walked to Francisco, accom- 
 panied by Clara, to entreat him to allow the packet 
 
THE TRIAL. 211 
 
 to be opened ; but Francisco was firm against both 
 their entreaties. At last the foreman of the jury rose 
 to deliver the verdict. A solemn and awful silence 
 prevailed throughout the court ; the suspense was 
 painful to a degree. 
 
 " My lord," said the foreman of the jury, " our 
 verdict is " 
 
 " Stop, sir!" said Edward Templemore, as he 
 clasped one arm round the astonished Francisco, and 
 extended his other towards the foreman. " Stop, sir! 
 harm him not! for he is my brother !" 
 
 " And my preserver !" cried Clara, kneeling on the 
 other side of Francisco, and holding up her hands in 
 supplication. 
 
 The announcement was electrical ; the foreman 
 dropped into his seat; the judge and whole court 
 were in mute astonishment. The dead silence was 
 followed by confusion, which, after a time, the judge 
 in vain attempted to put a stop to. 
 
 Edward Templemore, Clara, and Francisco, con- 
 tinued to form the same group ; and never was there 
 one more beautiful. And now that they were together, 
 every one in court perceived the strong resemblance 
 between the two young men. 
 
 Francisco's complexion was darker than Edward's, 
 from his constant exposure, from infancy, to a tropical 
 sun ; but the features of the two were the same. 
 
 It was some time before the judge could obtain 
 silence in the court ; and, when it had been obtained, 
 he was himself puzzled how to proceed. 
 
212 
 
 THE TRIAL. 
 
 Edward and Francisco, who had exchanged a few 
 words, were now standing side by side. 
 
 " My lord," said Edward Templemore, " the pri- 
 soner consents that the packet shall be opened." 
 
 *' I do," said Francisco, mournfully ; " although I 
 have but little hope from its contents. Alas ! now that 
 I have every thing to live for, — now that I cling to 
 life, I feel as if every chance was gone ! The days of 
 miracles have passed ; and nothing but the miracle of 
 the re-appearance of the pirate-captain from the grave 
 can prove my innocence." 
 
 *' He re-appears from the grave to prove thine inno- 
 cence, Francisco!" said a deep hollow voice, which 
 startled the whole court, — and most of all Hawkhurst 
 and the prisoners at the bar. Still more did fear and 
 horror distort their countenances, when into the wit- 
 ness-box stalked the giant form of Cain. 
 
 But it was no longer the figure which we have 
 described in the commencement of this narrative : his 
 beard had been removed, and he was pale, wan, and 
 emaciated. His sunken eyes — his hollow cheek, and 
 a short cough, which interrupted his speech, proved 
 that his days were nearly at a close. 
 
 *' My lord," said Cain, addressing the judge, *' I 
 am the pirate Cain, — and was the captain of the 
 Avenger ! Still am I free. I come here voluntarily, 
 that I may attest the innocence of that young man ! 
 As yet, my hand has not known the manacle, or my 
 feet the gyves ! I am not a prisoner, nor included in 
 the indictment ; and at present my evidence is good ! 
 
THE TRIAL. 213 
 
 None know me in this court, except those whose tes- 
 timony, as prisoners, is unavailing; and therefore, to 
 save that boy, and only to save him, I demand that I 
 may be sworn." 
 
 The oath was administered, with more than usual 
 solemnity. 
 
 " My lord, and gentlemen of the jury, — I have 
 been in court since the commencement of the trial, and 
 I declare that every word which Francisco has uttered 
 in his own defence is true. He is totally innocent of any 
 act of piracy or murder, — the packet would, indeed, 
 have proved as much ; but in that packet there are 
 secrets which I wished to remain unknown to all but 
 Francisco; and, rather than it should be opened, I 
 have come forward myself. How that young officer 
 discovered that Francisco is his brother I know not ; 
 but if he also is the son of Cecilia Templemore, it is 
 true. But the packet will explain all. 
 
 " And now, my lords, that my evidence is received, 
 I am content : I have done one good deed before I die, 
 and I surrender myself, as a pirate and a foul mur- 
 derer, to justice. True, my life is nearly closed,— 
 thanks to that villain, there; but I prefer that I should 
 meet that death I merit, as an expiation of my many 
 deeds of guilt." 
 
 Cain then turned to Hawkhurst, who was close to 
 him, but the mate appeared to be in a state of stupor ; 
 he had not recovered from his first terror, and still 
 imagined the appearance of Cain to be supernatural. 
 
 " Villain!" exclaimed Cain, putting his mouth close 
 to Hawkhurst's ear, '^ double d — d villain! thou'lt die 
 
214 THE TRIAL. 
 
 like a dog, and unrevenged ! the boy is safe, and I'm 
 alive!" 
 
 *' Art thou really living?" said Hawkhurst, recover- 
 ing from his fear. 
 
 " Yes, living ^ — yes, flesh and blood; feel, wretch! 
 feel this arm, and be convinced : thou hast felt the 
 power of it before now," continued Cain sarcastically. 
 " And now, my lord, I have done : Francisco, fare 
 thee well. I loved thee, and have proved my love. 
 Hate not then my memory, and forgive me — yes, 
 forgive me when I'm no more," said Cain, who then 
 turned his eyes to the ceiling of the Court House. — 
 " Yes, there she is, Francisco! — there she is! and see," 
 cried he, extending both arms above his head, " she 
 smiles upon — yes, Francisco, your sainted mother 
 smiles and pardons •" 
 
 The sentence was not finished ; for Hawkhurst, 
 when Cain's arms were upheld, perceived his knife 
 in his girdle, and, with the rapidity of thought, he 
 drew it out, and passed it through the body of the 
 pirate-captain. 
 
 Cain fell heavily on the floor, while the court was 
 again in confusion. Hawkhurst was secured, and Cain 
 raised from the ground. 
 
 '* I thank thee, Hawkhurst!" said Cain, in an ex- 
 piring voice; " another murder thou hast to answer 
 for : and you have saved me from the disgrace, not 
 of the gallows, but of the gallows in thy company. 
 Francisco, boy, farewell !" And Cain groaned deeply 
 and expired. 
 
 Thus perished the renowned pirate captain, who. 
 
THE TRIAL. 215 
 
 in his life, had shed so much blood, and whose death 
 produced another murder — Blood for blood ! 
 
 The body was removed ; and it now remained but 
 for the jury to give their verdict. All the prisoners 
 were found guilty, with the exception of Francisco, 
 who left the dock accompanied by his newly found 
 brother, and the congratulations of every individual 
 who could gain access to him. 
 
216 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Our first object will be to explain to the reader by 
 what means Edward Templemore was induced to sur- 
 mise that in Francisco, whom he had considered as a 
 rival, he had found a brother ; and also to account for 
 the re-appearance of the pirate Cain. 
 
 In pursuance of his orders, Edward Templemore 
 had proceeded on board of the wreck of the Avenger ; 
 and while his men were employed in collecting articles 
 of great value which were on board of her, he had 
 descended into the cabin, which was partly under water. 
 Here he had picked up a book floating near the lock- 
 ers, and, on examination, found it to be a Bible. 
 
 Surprised at seeing such a book on board of a pirate, 
 he had taken it with him when he returned to the En- 
 terprise, and had shewn it to Clara, who immediately 
 recognised it as the property of Francisco. The book 
 was saturated with the salt water, and as Edward 
 mechanically turned over the pages, he referred to the 
 title-page to see if there was any name upon it. There 
 was not: but he observed that the blank or fly-leaf 
 next to the binding had been pasted down, and that 
 there was writing on the other side. In its present 
 state it was easily detached from the cover ; and 
 
CONCLUSION. 217 
 
 then, to his astonishment, he read the name of Cecilia 
 Templemore — his own mother. He knew well the 
 history ; how he had been saved, and his mother and 
 brother supposed to be lost ; and it may readily be 
 imagined how great was his anxiety to ascertain by 
 what means her Bible had come into the possession of 
 Francisco. He dared not think Francisco was his 
 brother — that he was so closely connected with one he 
 still supposed to be a pirate ; but the circumstance was 
 possible ; and, although he had intended to have re- 
 mained a few days longer, he now listened to the 
 entreaties of Clara, whose peculiar position on board 
 was only to be justified by the peculiar position from 
 which she had been rescued, and, returning that 
 evening to the wreck, he set fire to her, and then 
 made all sail for Port Royal. 
 
 Fortunately he arrived, as we have stated, on the 
 day of the trial; and, as soon as the signal was made 
 by the admiral, he immediately manned his gig, and 
 taking Clara with him, in case her evidence might be 
 of use, arrived at the Court House when the trial was 
 about half over. 
 
 In our last chapter but one, we stated that Cain 
 had been wounded by Hawkhurst, when he was swim- 
 ming on shore, and had sunk : the ball had entered 
 his chest, and passed through his lungs. The contest 
 between Hawkhurst and Francisco, and their capture 
 by Edward, had taken place on the other side of the 
 ridge of rocks, in the adjacent cove ; and, although 
 Francisco had seen Cain disappear, and concluded that 
 he was dead, it was not so ; he had again risen above 
 
218 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 the water, and dropping his feet and finding bottom, he 
 contrived to crawl out, and wade into a cave adjacent, 
 where he laid down to die. 
 
 But in this cave there was one of the Avenger's 
 boats, two of the pirates, mortally wounded, and the 
 four Kroumen, who had concealed themselves there 
 with the intention of taking no part in the conflict, and, 
 as soon as it became dark, of making their escape in 
 the boat, which they had hauled up dry into the cave. 
 
 Cain staggered in, recovered the dry land, and felL 
 Pompey, the Krouman, perceiving his condition, went 
 to his assistance, and bound up his wound, and the 
 staunching of the blood soon revived the pirate-captain. 
 The other pirates died unaided. 
 
 Although the island was searched in every direction, 
 this cave, from the water flowing into it, escaped the 
 vigilance of the British seamen ; and when they re- 
 embarked, with the majority of the pirates captured, 
 Cain and the Kroumen were undiscovered. 
 
 As soon as it was dark, Cain informed them of his 
 intentions; and, although the Kroumen would, pro- 
 bably, have left him to his fate, yet as they required 
 his services to know how to steer to some other island, 
 he was assisted into the stern-sheets, and the boat was 
 backed out of the cave. 
 
 By the directions of Cain, they passed through the 
 passage between the great island and the northern 
 Caique, and before daylight were far away from any 
 chance of capture. 
 
 Cain had now, to a certain degree, recovered ; and, 
 knowing that they were in the channel of the small 
 
CONCLUSION. 219 
 
 traders, he pointed out to the Kroumen that, if sup- 
 posed to be pirates, they would inevitably be punished, 
 although not guilty, and that they must pass off as 
 the crew of a small coasting-vessel which had been 
 wrecked. He then, with the assistance of Pompey, 
 cut off his beard as close as he could, and arranged his 
 dress in a more European style. They had neither 
 water nor provisions, and were exposed to a vertical 
 sun. Fortunately for them, and still more fortunately 
 for Francisco, on the second day they were picked up 
 by an American brig bound to Antigua. 
 
 Cain narrated his fictitious disasters, and said 
 nothing about his wound ; the neglect of which would 
 certainly have occasioned his death a very few days 
 after he appeared at the trial, had he not fallen by the 
 malignity of Hawkhurst. 
 
 Anxious to find his way to Port Royal — for he was 
 indifferent as to his own life, and only wished to save 
 Francisco — he was overjoyed to meet a small schooner, 
 trading between the islands, bound to Port Royal. In 
 that vessel he obtained a passage for himself and the 
 Kroumen, and had arrived three days previous to the 
 trial, and during that time had remained concealed 
 until the day that the Admiralty Court assembled. 
 
 It may be as well here to remark, that Cain's reason 
 for not wishing the packet to be opened, was, that 
 among the other papers relative to Francisco, were 
 directions for the recovery of the treasure which he had 
 concealed, and which, of course, he wished to be com- 
 municated to Francisco alone. 
 
 We will leave the reader to imagine what passed 
 
220 CONCLUSION. 
 
 between Francisco and Edward after the discovery of 
 their kindred, and proceed to state the contents of the 
 packet, which the twin-brothers now opened in the 
 presence of Clara alone. 
 
 We must, however, condense the matter, which 
 was very voluminous. — It stated that Cain, whose 
 real name was Charles Osborne, had sailed, in a fine 
 schooner from Bilboa, for the coast of Africa, to pro- 
 cure a cargo of slaves ; and had been out about twenty- 
 four hours, when the crew perceived a boat, apparently 
 with no one in her, floating about a mile a-head of 
 them. The water was then smooth, and the vessel had 
 but little way. As soon as they came up with the 
 boat, they lowered down their skiff to examine her. 
 
 The men sent in the skiff soon returned, towing the 
 boat alongside. Lying at the bottom of the boat were 
 found several men, almost dead, and reduced to skele- 
 tons; and in the stern-sheets a negro-woman, with a 
 child at her breast, and a white female, in the last state 
 of exhaustion. 
 
 Osborne was then a gay and unprincipled man, 
 but not a hardened villain and murderer, as he after- 
 wards became ; he had compassion and feeling — they 
 were all taken on board the schooner : some recovered 
 — others were too much exhausted. Among those 
 restored was Cecilia Templemore and the infant, who 
 at first had been considered quite dead ; but the negro- 
 woman, exhausted by the demands of her nurseling 
 and her privations, expired, as she was being removed 
 from the boat. A goat, that fortunately was on board, 
 proved a substitute for the negress ; and, before Os- 
 
CONCLUSION. 221 
 
 borne had arrived off the coast, the child had recovered 
 its health and vigour, and the mother her extreme 
 beauty. 
 
 We must now pass over a considerable portion of 
 the narrative. Osborne was impetuous in his passions, 
 and Cecilia Templemore became his victim. He had, 
 indeed, afterwards quieted her qualms of conscience by 
 a pretended marriage, when he arrived at the Brazils 
 with his cargo of human flesh. But that was little 
 alleviation of her sufferings ; she, who had been in- 
 dulged in every luxury, who had been educated with 
 the greatest care, was now lost for ever — an outcast 
 from the society to which she could never hope to 
 return, and associating with those she both dreaded and 
 despised. She passed her days and her nights in tears ; 
 and had soon more cause for sorrow from the brutal 
 treatment she received from Osborne, who had been 
 her destroyer. Her child was her only solace ; but for 
 him, and the fear of leaving him to the demoralising 
 influence of those about him, she would have laid down 
 and died ; but she lived for him — for him attempted 
 to recall Osborne from his career of increasing guilt — 
 bore meekly with reproaches and with blows. At last 
 Osborne changed his nefarious life for one of deeper 
 guilt : he became a pirate, and still carried with him 
 Cecilia and her child. 
 
 This was the climax of her misery : she now wasted 
 from day to day, and grief would soon have terminated 
 her existence, had it not been hastened by the cruelty 
 of Cain, who, upon an expostulation on her part, fol- 
 lowed up with a denunciation of the consequences of 
 
222 CONCLUSION. 
 
 his guilty career, struck her with such violence that 
 she sank under the blow. She expired with a prayer 
 that her child might be rescued from a life of guilt ; 
 and, when the then repentant Cain promised what he 
 never did perform, she blessed him too, before she 
 died. 
 
 Such was the substance of the narrative, as far as it 
 related to the unfortunate mother of these two young 
 men, who, when they had concluded, sat, hand-in- 
 hand, in mournful silence. This, however, was soon 
 broken by the innumerable questions asked by Edward 
 of his brother, as to what he could remember of their 
 ill-fated parent, which were followed up by the history 
 of Francisco's eventful life. 
 
 ^' And the treasure, Edward — " said Francisco ! 
 " I cannot take possession of it." 
 
 " No, nor shall you either!" replied Edward; '' it 
 belongs to the captors, and must be shared as prize- 
 money. You will never touch one penny of it; but 
 I shall, I trust, pocket a very fair proportion of 
 it! However, keep this paper, as it is addressed to 
 you." 
 
 The admiral had been made acquainted with all the 
 particulars of this eventful trial, and had sent a mes- 
 sage to Edward, requesting that, as soon as he and his 
 brother could make it convenient, he would be happy 
 to see them at the Penn, as well as the daughter of the 
 Spanish governor, whom he must consider as being 
 under his protection during the time that she remained 
 at Port Royal. This offer was gladly accepted by 
 Clara ; and, on the second day after the trial, they 
 
CONCLUSION. 223 
 
 proceeded up to the Penn. Clara and Francisco were 
 introduced, and apartments and suitable attendance 
 provided for the latter. 
 
 *^ Templemore," said the admiral, *^ I'm afraid I 
 must send you away to Porto Rico, to assure the gover- 
 nor of his daughter's safety." 
 
 '^ I would rather you would send some one else, 
 sir, and I'll assure her happiness in the mean time." 
 
 ''What! by marrying her? Humph! you've a 
 good opinion of yourself! Wait till you're a captain, 
 sir. 
 
 " I hope I shall not have to wait long, sir," replied 
 Edward, demurely. 
 
 " By the by," said the admiral, " did you not say 
 you have notice of treasure concealed in those islands ?" 
 
 " My brother has : I have not." 
 
 " We must send for it. I think we must send you, 
 Edward. Mr. Francisco, you must go with him." 
 
 '' With pleasure, sir," replied Francisco, laughing; 
 " but I think I'd rather wait till Edward is a captain! 
 His wife and his fortune ought to come together. I 
 think I shall not deliver up my papers until the day 
 of his marriage ! " . 
 
 " Upon my word," said Captain Manly, " I wish, 
 Templemore, you had your commission, for there seems 
 to be so much depending on it — the young lady's hap- 
 piness, my share of the prize-money, and the ad- 
 miral's eighth. Really, admiral, it becomes a common 
 cause ; and I'm sure he deserves it I " 
 
 " So do I, Manly," replied the admiral ; '' and to 
 prove that I have thought so, here comes Mr. Hadley 
 
224 CONCLUSION. 
 
 with it in his hand : it only wants one little thing to 
 complete it — " 
 
 " Which is your signature, admiral, I presume ;" 
 replied Captain Manly, taking a pen full of ink, and 
 presenting it to his senior officer. 
 
 " Exactly ! " replied the admiral, scribbling at the 
 bottom of the paper; " and now — it does not want 
 that. Captain Templemore, I wish you joy !" 
 
 Edward made a very low obeisance, as his flushed 
 countenance indicated his satisfaction. 
 
 " I cannot give commissions, admiral," said Fran- 
 cisco, presenting a paper in return ; " but I can give 
 information — and you will find it not unimportant — 
 for the treasure appears to be of great value." 
 
 *^ God bless my soul ! Manly, you must start at 
 daylight!" exclaimed the admiral; "why, there is 
 enough to load your sloop ! There ! — read it ! — and 
 then I will write your orders, and enclose a copy of it, 
 for fear of accident." 
 
 " That was to have been my fortune," said Fran- 
 cisco, with a grave smile ; " but I would not touch it." 
 
 " Very right, boy ! — a fine principle ! But we are 
 not quite so particular," said the admiral. '^ Now, 
 where's the young lady ? let her know that dinner's on 
 the table." 
 
 A fortnight after this conversation, Captain Manly 
 returned with the treasure ; and the Enterprise, com- 
 manded by another officer, returned from Porto Rico, 
 with a letter from the governor in reply to one from 
 the admiral, in which the rescue of his daughter by 
 Edward had been communicated. The letter was full 
 
CONCLUSION. 225 
 
 of thanks to the admiral, and compliments to Edward ; 
 and, what was of more importance, it sanctioned the 
 union of the young officer with his daughter, with a 
 dozen boxes of gold doubloons. 
 
 About six weeks after the above-mentioned im- 
 portant conversation, Mr. Witherington, who had been 
 reading a voluminous packet of letters, in his breakfast- 
 room in Finsbury Square, pulled his bell so violently 
 that old Jonathan thought his master must be out of 
 his senses. This, however, did not induce him to ac- 
 celerate his solemn and measured pace ; and he made 
 his appearance at the door, as usual, without speaking. 
 
 " Why don't that fellow answer the bell?" cried 
 Mr. Witherington. 
 
 " I am here, sir;" said Jonathan, solemnly. 
 
 " Well, so you are ! but, confound you ! — you come 
 like the ghost of a butler ! But who do you think is 
 coming here, Jonathan ? " 
 
 " I cannot tell, sir." 
 
 " But I can! — you solemn old ! Edward's 
 
 coming here ! — coming home directly ! " 
 
 ** Is he to sleep in his old room, sir?" replied the 
 imperturbable butler. 
 
 "No! the best bed-room! Why, Jonathan, he is 
 married — he is made a captain ! — Captain Temple- 
 more!" 
 
 " Yes — sir." 
 
 " And he has found his brother, Jonathan ; his 
 twin-brother ! " 
 
 " Yes — sir." 
 
 " His brother Francis — that was supposed to be 
 Q 
 
226 CONCLUSION. 
 
 lost! But it's a long story, Jonathan! — and a very 
 wonderful one ! — his poor mother has long been 
 dead!" 
 
 *' In ccelo quies,'^ said Jonathan ; casting up his 
 eyes. 
 
 *^ But his brother has turned up again." 
 
 " Resurgam!" said the butler. 
 " They will" be here in ten days — so let every thing 
 be in readiness, Jonathan. God bless my soul!" con- 
 tinued the old gentleman, ^* 1 hardly know what I'm 
 about. It's a Spanish girl, Jonathan ! " 
 
 " What is, sir?" 
 
 " What is, sir? — why. Captain Templemore's wife, 
 and he was tried as a pirate ! " 
 
 "Who, sir?" 
 
 " Who, sir ? — why, Francis, his brother ! Jona- 
 than, you're a stupid old fellow!" 
 
 ** Have you any further commands, sir?" 
 
 '^ No — no! — there — that'll do — go away." 
 
 And in three weeks after this conversation, Cap- 
 tain and Mrs. Templemore, and his brother Frank, 
 were established in the house, to the great delight of 
 Mr. Witherington ; for he had long been tired of soli- 
 tude and old Jonathan. 
 
 The twin-brothers were a comfort to him in his 
 old age : they closed his eyes in peace — they divided 
 his blessing and his large fortune — and thus ends our 
 history of The Pirate! 
 
THE THREE CUTTERS. 
 
THE THREE CUTTERS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 Reader, have you ever been at Plymouth? If you 
 have, your eye must have dwelt with ecstasy upon the 
 beautiful property of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe : if 
 you have not been at Plymouth, the sooner that you 
 go there, the better. At Mount Edgcumbe you will 
 behold the finest timber in existence, towering up to 
 the summits of the hills, and feathering down to the 
 shingle on the beach. And from this lovely spot 
 you will witness one of the most splendid panoramas 
 in the world. You will see — I hardly know what you 
 will not see — you will see Ram Head, and Cawsand 
 Bay; and then you will see the Breakwater, and 
 Drake's Island, and the Devil's Bridge below you; 
 and the town of Plymouth and its fortifications, and 
 the Hoe ; and then you will come to the Devil's Point, 
 round which the tide runs devilish strong; and then 
 you will see the INew Victualling Office, — about which 
 Sir James Gordon used to stump all day, and take a 
 pinch of snuff from every man who carried a box, 
 
230 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 which all were delighted to give, and he was delighted 
 to receive, proving how much pleasure may be com- 
 municated merely by a pinch of snuff — and then you 
 will see Mount Wise and Mutton Cove ; the town of 
 Devonport, with its magnificent dock-yard and ar- 
 senals, North Corner, and the way which leads to 
 Saltash. And you will see ships building and ships 
 in ordinary ; and ships repairing and ships fitting ; and 
 hulks and convict-ships, and the guard-ship ; ships 
 ready to sail and ships under sail ; besides lighters, 
 man-of-war's boats, dock-yard boats, bum-boats, and 
 shore-boats. In short, there is a great deal to see at 
 Plymouth besides the sea itself: but what I par- 
 ticularly wish now, is, that you should stand at the 
 battery of Mount Edgcumbe and look into Barn Pool 
 below you, and there you will see, lying at single 
 anchor, a cutter; and you may also see, by her pen- 
 dant and ensign, that she is a yacht. 
 
 Of all the amusements entered into by the no- 
 bility and gentry of our island, there is not one so 
 manly, so exciting, so patriotic, or so national, as 
 yacht-sailing. It is peculiar to England, not only 
 from our insular position and our fine harbours, but 
 because it requires a certain degree of energy and a 
 certain amount of income rarely to be found else- 
 where. It has been wisely fostered by our sovereigns, 
 who have felt that the security of the kingdom is 
 increased by every man being more or less a sailor, 
 or connected with the nautical profession. It is an 
 amusement of the greatest importance to the country ; 
 as it has much improved our ship building and our 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 231 
 
 ship fitting, while it affords employment to our seamen 
 and shipwrights. But if I were to say all that I could 
 say in praise of yachts, I should never advance with my 
 narrative. I shall therefore drink a bumper to the 
 health of Admiral Lord Yarborough and the Yacht 
 Club, and proceed. 
 
 You observe that this yacht is cutter-rigged, and 
 that she sits gracefully on the smooth water. She is 
 just heaving up her anchor; her foresail is loose, all 
 ready to cast her — in a few minutes she will be under 
 weigh. You see that there are some ladies sitting at 
 the taffrail; and there are five haunches of venison 
 hanging over the stern. Of all amusements give me 
 yachting. But we must go on board. The deck, you 
 observe, is of narrow deal planks as white as snow; the 
 guns are of polished brass ; the bitts and binnacles of 
 mahogany ; she is painted with taste ; and all the 
 mouldings are gilded. There is nothing wanting ; and 
 yet how clear and how unencumbered are her decks! 
 Let us go below. This is the ladies' cabin : can any 
 thing be more tasteful or elegant? is it not luxurious? 
 and, although so small, does not its very confined 
 space astonish you, when you view so many comforts 
 so beautifully arranged? This is the dining-room, 
 and where the gentlemen repair. What can be 
 more complete or recherche? and just peep into their 
 state-rooms and bed-places. Here is the steward's 
 room and the beaufet : the steward is squeezing 
 lemons for the punch, and there is the champagne 
 in ice; and by the side of the pail, the long-corks 
 are ranged up, all ready. Now, let us go forwards; 
 
232 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 here are the men's berths, not confined as in a 
 man-of-war. No! luxury starts from abaft, and is 
 not wholly lost, even at the fore-peak. This is the 
 kitchen : is it not admirably arranged ? What a 
 multum in parvo! and how delightful are the fumes of 
 the turtle-soup ! At sea we do meet with rough 
 weather at times ; but, for roughing it out, give me a 
 yacht. Now, that I have shewn you round the vessel, 
 I must introduce the parties on board. 
 
 You observe that florid, handsome man in white 
 trousers and blue jacket, who has a telescope in one 
 hand, and is sipping a glass of brandy and water which 
 he has just taken off the skylight. That is the owner 
 of the vessel, and a member of the Yacht Club. It is 
 
 Lord B^ : he looks like a sailor, and he does not 
 
 much belie his looks ; yet I have seen him in his robes 
 of state at the opening of the House of Lords. The 
 one near to him is Mr. Stewart, a lieutenant in the 
 navy. He holds on by the rigging with one hand, 
 because, having been actively employed all his life, 
 he does not know what to do with hands which have 
 nothing in them. He is a protege of Lord B. ; and 
 is now on board as sailing-master of the yacht. 
 
 That handsome, well-built man who is standing by 
 the binnacle, is a Mr. Hautaine. He served six years 
 as midshipman in the navy, and did not like it. He 
 then served six years in a cavalry regiment, and did not 
 like it. He then married, and, in a much shorter pro- 
 bation, found that he did not like that. But he is very 
 fond of yachts and other men's wives, if he does not 
 like his own ; and wherever he goes, he is welcome. 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 233 
 
 That young man with an embroidered silk waist- 
 coat and white gloves, bending to talk to one of the 
 ladies, is a Mr. Vaughan. He is to be seen at Almack's, 
 at Crockford's, and everywhere else. Every body 
 knows him, and he knows every body. He is a little 
 in debt, and yachting is convenient. 
 
 The one who sits by the lady is a relation of 
 Lord B. ; you see at once what he is. He apes the 
 sailor: he has not shaved, because sailors have no 
 time to shave every day; he has not changed his 
 linen, because sailors cannot change every day. He 
 has a cigar in his mouth, which makes him half sick 
 and annoys his company. He talks of the pleasure of 
 a rough sea, which will drive all the ladies below — and 
 then they will not perceive that he is more sick than 
 themselves. He has the misfortune to be born to a 
 large estate, and to be a. fool. His name is Ossulton. 
 
 The last of the gentlemen on board whom I have 
 to introduce, is Mr. Seagrove. He is slightly made, 
 with marked features full of intelligence. He has been 
 brought up to the bar ; and has every qualification but 
 application. He has never had a brief, nor has he a 
 chance of one. He is the fiddler of the company, and 
 he has locked up his chambers, and come, by invitation 
 of his lordship, to play on board of his yacht. 
 
 I have yet to describe the ladies — perhaps I should 
 have commenced with them — I must excuse myself 
 upon the principle of reserving the best to the last. All 
 puppet-showmen do so ; and what is this but the first 
 scene in my puppet-show. 
 
234 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 We will describe them according to seniority. That 
 tall, thin, cross-looking lady of forty-five is a spinster, 
 and sister to Lord B. She has been persuaded very 
 much against her will to come on board; but her 
 notions of propriety would not permit her niece to 
 embark under the protection o{ only her father. She 
 is frightened at every thing; if a rope is thrown 
 down on the deck, up she starts, and cries, " Oh!" 
 if on the deck, she thinks the water is rushing in 
 below ; if down below, and there is a noise, she is con- 
 vinced there is danger ; and, if it be perfectly still, she 
 is sure there is something wrong. She fidgets herself 
 and every body, and is quite a nuisance with her pride 
 and ill-humour; but she has strict notions of propriety, 
 and sacrifices herself as a martyr. She is the Hon. 
 Miss Ossulton. 
 
 The lady who, when she smiles, shews so many 
 dimples in her pretty oval face, is a young widow 
 of the name of Lascelles. She married an old man 
 to please her father and mother, which was very du- 
 tiful on her part. She was rewarded by finding herself 
 a widow with a large fortune. Having married the 
 first time to please her parents, she intends now to 
 marry to please herself; but she is very young, and is in 
 no hurry. 
 
 That young lady with such a sweet expression 
 of countenance, is the Hon. Miss Cecilia Ossulton. 
 She is lively, witty, and has no fear in her composition ; 
 but she is very young yet, not more than seventeen — 
 and nobody knows what she really is — she does not 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 235 
 
 know herself. These are the parties who meet in the 
 cabin of the yacht. The crew consists of ten fine 
 seamen, the steward, and the cook. There is also 
 Lord B.'s valet, Mr. Ossulton's gentleman, and the 
 lady's maid of Miss Ossulton. There not being ac- 
 commodation for them, the other servants have been 
 left on shore. 
 
 The yacht is now under weigh, and her sails are all 
 set. She is running between Drake's Island and the 
 main. Dinner has been announced. As the reader 
 has learnt something about the preparations, I leave 
 him to judge whether it be not very pleasant to sit 
 down to dinner in a yacht. The air had given every 
 body an appetite ; and it was not until the cloth was 
 removed that the conversation became general. 
 
 " Mr. Seagrove," said his lordship, " you very 
 nearly lost your passage; I expected you last Thurs- 
 day." 
 
 " I am sorry, my lord, that business prevented my 
 sooner attending to your lordship's kind summons." 
 
 " Come, Seagrove, don't be nonsensical," said 
 Hautaine ; " you told me yourself, the other evening, 
 when you were talkative, that you had never had a 
 brief in your life." 
 
 " And a very fortunate circumstance," replied 
 Seagrove ; " for if I had had a brief I should not have 
 known what to have done with it. It is not my fault ; 
 I am fit for nothing but a commissioner ; but still I 
 had business, and very important business, too ; I was 
 summoned by Ponsonby to go with him to Tattersall's, 
 
236 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 to give my opinion about a horse he wishes to purchase, 
 and then to attend him to Forest Wild to plead his 
 cause with his uncle." 
 
 " It appears, then, that you were retained," replied 
 Lord B. ; " may I ask you whether your friend gained 
 his cause ?" 
 
 " No, my lord, he lost his cause, but he gained a 
 suit." 
 
 " Expound your riddle, sir," said Cecilia Ossulton. 
 
 *' The fact is, that old Ponsonby is very anxious 
 that William should marry Miss Percival, whose es- 
 tates join on to Forest Wild. Now, my friend William 
 is about as fond of marriage as I am of law, and 
 thereby issue was joined." 
 
 ** But why were you to be called in?" inquired 
 Mrs. Lascelles. 
 
 " Because, madam, as Ponsonby never buys a 
 .horse without consulting me " 
 
 " I cannot see the analogy, sir," observed Miss 
 Ossulton, senior, bridling up. 
 
 " Pardon me, madam : the fact is," continued 
 Seagrove, " that, as I always have to back Pon- 
 sonby's horses, he thought it right that, in this 
 instance, I should back him ; he required special 
 pleading, but his uncle tried him for the capital 
 offence, and he was not allowed counsel. As soon as 
 we arrived, and I had bowed myself into the room, 
 Mr. Ponsonby bowed me out again — which would 
 have been infinitely more jarring to my feelings, had 
 not the door been left a-jar." 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 237 
 
 '' Do any thing but pun, Seagrove," interrupted 
 Hautaine. 
 
 ^' Well, then, I will take a glass of wine." 
 
 ^* Do so," said his lordship ; " but, recollect, the 
 whole company are impatient for your story." 
 
 ** I can assure you, my lord, that it was equal to 
 any scene in a comedy." 
 
 Now, be it observed, that Mr. Seagrove had a great 
 deal of comic talent ; he was an excellent mimic, and 
 could alter his voice almost as he pleased. It was a cus- 
 tom of his to act a scene as between other people, and 
 he performed it remarkably well. Whenever he said 
 that any thing he was going to narrate was ** as good 
 as a comedy," it was generally understood by those who 
 were acquainted with him, that he was to be asked so 
 to do. Cecilia Ossulton therefore immediately said, 
 " Pray act it, Mr. Seagrove." 
 
 Upon which Mr. Seagrove — premising that he had 
 not only heard, but also seen all that had passed — 
 changing his voice, and suiting the action to the word, 
 commenced. " It may," said he, " be called 
 
 Five Thousand Acres in a Ring- Fence J' 
 
 We shall not describe Mr. Seagrove's motions ; they 
 must be inferred from his words. 
 
 *^ * It will, then, William,' observed Mr. Ponsonby, 
 stopping, and turning to his nephew, after a rapid 
 walk up and down the room with his hands behind 
 him under his coat, so as to allow the tails to drop 
 their perpendicular about three inches clear of his 
 body, * I may say, without contradiction, be the finest 
 
238 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 property in the county — five thousand acres in a ring- 
 fence.' 
 
 " M dare say it will, uncle/ replied William, 
 tapping his foot as he lounged in a green morocco 
 easy-chair ; ' and so, because you have set your fancy 
 upon having these two estates enclosed together in a 
 ring-fence, you wish that I should also be enclosed in 
 a ring-fence,' 
 
 *' ' And a beautiful property it will be,' replied Mr. 
 Ponsonby. 
 
 a t Which, uncle? — the estate, or the wife?' 
 '* ' Both, nephew, both ; and I expect your consent.' 
 " ' Uncle, I am not avaricious. Your present pro- 
 perty is sufficient for me. With your permission, in- 
 stead of doubling the property, and doubling myself, 
 I will remain your sole heir, and single.' 
 
 *' ' Observe, William, such an opportunity may not 
 occur again for centuries. We shall restore Forest 
 Wild to its ancient boundaries. You know it has been 
 divided nearly two hundred years. We now have a 
 glorious, golden opportunity of re-uniting the two pro- 
 perties; and when joined, the estate will be exactly 
 what it was when granted to our ancestors by Henry 
 the Eighth, at the period of the Reformation. This 
 house must be pulled down, and the monastery left 
 standing. Then we shall have our own again, and the 
 property without encumbrance.' 
 
 *' ' Without encumbrance, uncle! — You forget that 
 there will be a wife.' 
 
 ** ^ And you forget that there will be five thousand 
 acres in a ring-fence.' 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 239 
 
 " * Indeed, uncle, you ring it too often in my ears, 
 that I should forget it; but much as I should like to 
 be the happy possessor of such a property, I do not 
 feel inclined to be the happy possessor of Miss Percival ; 
 and the more so, as I have never seen the property.' 
 
 " ' We will ride over it to morrow, William.' 
 
 *' * Ride over Miss Percival, uncle! that will not 
 be very gallant. I will, however, one of these days, 
 ride over the property with you, which, as well as 
 Miss Percival, I have not as yet seen.' 
 
 " ' Then I can tell you, she is a very pretty property.' 
 
 " * If she were not in a ring-fence.' 
 
 " * In good heart, William. — That is, I mean an 
 excellent disposition.' 
 
 ' ' Valuable in matrimony.' 
 
 *' ' And well tilled — I should say well educated, by 
 her three maiden aunts, who are the patterns of pro- 
 priety.' 
 
 " ' Does any one follow the fashion?' 
 
 '' * In a high state of cultivation ; that is, her mind 
 highly cultivated, and according to the last new 
 system — what is it?' 
 
 " ' A four-course shift, I presume,' replied William, 
 laughing ; ' that is, dancing, singing, music, and draw- 
 ing.' 
 
 " ' And only seventeen! — Capital soil, promising 
 good crops. — What would you have more?' 
 
 *' ' A very pretty estate, uncle, if it were not the 
 estate of matrimony. I am sorry, very sorry, to dis- 
 appoint you ; but I must decline taking a lease of it 
 for life.' 
 
240 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 " ' Then, sir, allow me to hint to you, that, in my 
 testament, you are only tenant at will. I consider it a 
 duty that I owe to the family, that the estate should be 
 re-united. That can only be done by one of our family 
 marrying Miss Percival; and, as you will not, 1 shall 
 now write to your cousin James, and if he accept 
 my proposal, shall make Jiim my heir. Probably he 
 will more fully appreciate the advantages of five thou- 
 sand acres in a ring-fence.' 
 
 " And Mr. Ponsonby directed his steps towards the 
 door. 
 
 " * Stop, my dear uncle,' cried William, rising up 
 from his easy-chair ; ^ we do not quite understand one 
 another. It is very true that I would prefer half the 
 property and remaining single to the two estates and 
 the estate of marriage ; but, at the same time, I did 
 not tell you that 1 would prefer beggary to a wife 
 and five thousand acres in a ring-fence. I know you 
 to be a man of your word ; — I accept your proposal, 
 and you need not put my cousin James to the expense 
 of postage.' 
 
 " * Very good, William ; I require no more : and as 
 I know you to be a man of your word, I shall consider 
 this match as settled. It was on this account only that 
 I sent for you, and now you may go back again as soon 
 as you please — I will let you know when all is ready.' 
 
 *•• * I must be at Tattersall's on Monday, uncle ; there 
 is a horse I must have for next season. Pray, uncle, 
 may I ask when you are likely to want me ? ' 
 
 *^ * Let me see — this is May — about July, I should 
 think.' 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 241 
 
 '* * July, uncle ! Spare me — I cannot marry in the 
 dog-days. — No, hang it, not July.' 
 
 '^ * Well, William, perhaps, as you must come down 
 once or twice to see the property — Miss Percival, I 
 should say — it may be too soon — suppose we put it off 
 till October.' 
 
 " ' October— I shall be down at Melton.' 
 
 " ' Pray, sir, may I then inquire what portion of the 
 year is not, with you, dog-dajsV 
 
 « * Why, uncle, next April now — I think that 
 would do.' 
 
 " ' Next April. — Eleven months, and a winter be- 
 tween. Suppose Miss Percival was to take a cold, and 
 die!—' 
 
 " ' I should be excessively obliged to her,' thought 
 William. 
 
 " 'No! no!' continued Mr. Ponsonby, 'there is 
 nothing certain in this world, William.' 
 
 " ' Well then, uncle, suppose we arrange it for the 
 first hard frost.' 
 
 " ' We have had no hard frosts lately, William. — 
 We may wait for years. — The sooner it is over the 
 better. — Go back to town, buy your horse, and then 
 come down here — my dear William, to oblige your 
 uncle — never mind the dog-days.' 
 
 " ' Well, sir, if I am to make a sacrifice, it shall 
 not be done by halves ; out of respect for you, I will 
 even marry in July, without any regard to the ther- 
 mometer.' 
 
 " ' You are a good boy, William. — Do you want a 
 cheque ? ' 
 
 K 
 
242 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 " ' I have had one to-day/ thought William, and 
 was almost at fault. ^ I shall be most thankful, sir — 
 they sell horse-flesh by the ounce nowadays/ 
 
 " ^ And you pay in pounds. — There, William.' 
 
 " ' Thank you, sir, I'm all obedience; and I'll keep 
 my word, even if there should be a comet. I'll go and 
 buy the horse, and then I shall be ready to take the 
 ring-fence as soon as you please.' 
 
 *' ' Yes, and you'll get over it cleverly, I've no 
 doubt. — Five thousand acres, William, and — a pretty 
 wife!' 
 
 " * Have you any further commands, uncle?' said 
 William, depositing the cheque in his pocket-book. 
 
 " * Now, my dear boy, are you going?' 
 
 *' ' Yes, sir; I dine at the Clarendon.' 
 
 " 'Well, then, good-bye. — Make my compliments 
 and excuses to your friend Seagrove. — You will come 
 Tuesday or Wednesday.' 
 
 " Thus was concluded the marriage between William 
 Ponsonby and Emily Percival, and the junction of the 
 two estates, which formed together the great desidera- 
 tum, — jive thousand acres in a ring -fence." 
 
 Mr. Seagrove finished, and looked round for ap- 
 probation. 
 
 " Very good, indeed, Seagrove," said his lordship, 
 ** you must take a glass of wine after that." 
 
 '^ I would not give much for Miss Percival's chance 
 of happiness," observed the elder Miss Ossulton. 
 
 '^ Of two evils choose the least, they say," observed 
 Mr. Hautaine. *' Poor Ponsonby could not help him- 
 self." 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 243 
 
 '* That's a very polite observation of yours, Mr. 
 Hautaine — I thank you in the name of the sex," re- 
 plied Cecilia Ossulton. 
 
 ** Nay, Miss Ossulton ; would you like to marry 
 a person whom you never saw ? '* 
 
 *' Most certainly not ; but when you mentioned the 
 two evils, Mr. Hautaine, I appeal to your honour, did 
 you not refer to marriage or beggary ? " 
 
 " I must confess it. Miss Ossulton ; but it is hardly 
 fair to call on my honour to get me into a scrape." 
 
 " I only wish that the offer had been made to me,'* 
 observed Vaughan ; *' I should not have hesitated as 
 Ponsonby did.'* 
 
 ** Then I beg you will not think of proposing 
 for me," said Mrs. Lascelles, laughing ; — for Mr. 
 Vaughan had been excessively attentive. 
 
 *' It appears to me, Vaughan," observed Seagrove, 
 *' that you have slightly committed yourself by that 
 remark." 
 
 Vaughan, who thought so too, replied : " Mrs. 
 Lascelles must be aware that I was only joking." 
 
 " Fie ! Mr. Vaughan," cried Cecilia Ossulton ; " you 
 know it came from your heart." 
 
 " My dear Cecilia," said the elder Miss Ossulton, 
 " you forget yourself — what can you possibly know 
 about gentlemen's hearts?" 
 
 " The Bible says, ' that they are deceitful and 
 desperately wicked,* aunt.*' 
 
 *' And cannot we also quote the Bible against your 
 sex. Miss Ossulton?" replied Seagrove. 
 
2-14 CUTTER THE FIRST. 
 
 " Yes, you could, perhaps, if any of you had ever 
 read it," replied Miss Ossulton, carelessly. 
 
 " Upon my word, Cissy, you are throwing the 
 gauntlet down to the gentlemen," observed Lord B. 
 *^ but I shall throw my warder down, and not permit 
 this combat a Voutrance. — I perceive you drink no 
 more wine, gentlemen, — we will take our coffee on 
 deck." 
 
 " We were just about to retire, my lord," observed 
 the elder Miss Ossulton, with great asperity : " I have 
 been trying to catch the eye of Mrs. Lascelles for 
 some time, but — " 
 
 " I was looking another way, I presume," inter- 
 rupted Mrs. Lascelles, smiling. 
 
 " I am afraid that I am the unfortunate culprit," 
 said Mr. Seagrove ; " I was telling a little anecdote to 
 Mrs. Lascelles — " 
 
 " Which, of course, from its being communicated 
 in an under tone, was not proper for all the company 
 to hear," replied the elder Miss Ossulton : " but if 
 Mrs. Lascelles is now ready — " continued she, bridling 
 up, as she rose from her chair. 
 
 " At all events, I can hear the remainder of it on 
 deck," replied Mrs. Lascelles. The ladies rose, and 
 went into the cabin : Cecilia and Mrs. Lascelles ex- 
 changing very significant smiles, as they followed the 
 precise spinster, who did not choose that Mrs. Lascelles 
 should take the lead, merely because she had once 
 happened to have been married — The gentlemen also 
 broke up, and went on deck. 
 
CUTTER THE FIRST. 246 
 
 " We have a nice breeze now, my lord," observed 
 Mr. Stewart, who had remained on deck, " and we 
 lie right up Channel." 
 
 " So much the better," replied his lordship; " we 
 ought to have been anchored at Cowes a week ago. 
 They will all be there before us." 
 
 ^' Tell Mr. Simpson to bring me a light for my 
 cigar," said Mr. Ossulton to one of the men. 
 
 Mr. Stewart went down to his dinner; the ladies 
 and the coffee came on deck ; the breeze was fine, the 
 weather (it was April) almost warm ; and the yacht, 
 whose name was the Arrow, assisted by the tide, soon 
 left the Mewstone far astern. 
 
246 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CUTTER THE SECOND. 
 
 Reader, have you ever been at Portsmouth ? If you 
 have, you must have been delighted with the view^ 
 from the saluting battery ; and, if you have not, you 
 had better go there as soon as you can. From the 
 saluting battery you may look up the harbour, and see 
 much of what I have described at Plymouth : the scenery 
 is different ; but similar arsenals and dock-yards, and an 
 equal portion of our stupendous navy, are to be found 
 there. — And you will see Gosport on the other side of 
 the harbour, and Sally Port close to you ; besides a 
 great many other places, which, from the saluting 
 battery, you cannot see. And then there is Southsea 
 Beach to your left. Before you, Spithead, with the 
 men-of-war, and the Motherbank, crowded with mer- 
 chant vessels ; — and there is the Buoy, where the Royal 
 George was wrecked, and where she still lies, the fish 
 swimming in and out of her cabin windows : but that 
 is not all; you can also see the Isle of Wight, — Ryde, 
 with its long wooden pier, and Cowes, where the yachts 
 lie. In fact, there is a great deal to be seen at Ports- 
 mouth as well as at Plymouth ; but what I wish you 
 particularly to see, just now, is a vessel holding fast 
 to the buoy, just off the saluting battery. She is a 
 
u 
 
CUTTER THE SECOND. 247 
 
 cutter; and you may know that she belongs to the 
 Preventive Service by the number of gigs and galleys 
 which she has hoisted up all round her. She looks 
 like a vessel that was about to sail with a cargo of 
 boats. Two on deck, one astern, one on each side of 
 her. You observe that she is painted black, and all 
 her boats are white. She is not such an elegant vessel 
 as the yacht, and she is much more lumbered up. She 
 has no haunches of venison over the stern ; but I think 
 there is a leg of mutton, and some cabbages hanging 
 by their stalks. But revenue-cutters are not yachts. — 
 You will find no turtle or champagne ; but, neverthe- 
 less, you will, perhaps, find a joint to carve at, a good 
 glass of grog, and a hearty welcome. 
 
 Let us go on board. — You observe the guns are iron, 
 and painted black, and her bulwarks are painted red : 
 it is not a very becoming colour ; but then it lasts a 
 long while, and the dock-yard is not very generous on 
 the score of paint — or lieutenants of the navy troubled 
 with much spare cash. She has plenty of men, and 
 fine men they are ; all dressed in red flannel shirts, 
 and blue trousers ; some of them have not taken off 
 their canvass or tarpawling petticoats, which are very 
 useful to them, as they are in the boats night and day, 
 and in all weathers. But we will at once go down 
 into the cabin, where we shall find the lieutenant who 
 commands her, a master's mate, and a midshipman. — 
 They have each their tumbler before them, and are drink- 
 ing gin-toddy, hot, with sugar — capital gin, too, 'bove 
 proof; it is from that small anker, standing under the 
 table. It was one that they forgot to return to the 
 
248 CUTTER THE SECOND. 
 
 custom-house when they made their last seizure. We 
 must introduce them. 
 
 The elderly personage, with grizzly hair and 
 whiskers, a round pale face, and a somewhat red 
 nose (being too much in the wind will make the nose 
 red, and this old officer is very often " in the wind," 
 of course from the very nature of his profession), is a 
 Lieutenant Appleboy. He has served in every class of 
 vessel in the service, and done the duty of first-lieu- 
 tenant for twenty years ; he is now on promotion — that 
 is to say, after he has taken a certain number of tubs 
 of gin, he will be rewarded with his rank as com- 
 mander. It is a pity that what he takes inside of him 
 does not count, for he takes it morning, noon, and 
 night. — He is just filling his fourteenth glass; he 
 always keeps a regular account, as he never exceeds 
 his limited number, which is seventeen : then he is 
 exactly down to his bearings. 
 
 The master's mate's name is Tomkins ; he has served 
 his six years three times over, and has now outgrown 
 his ambition, which is fortunate for him, as his chances 
 of promotion are small. He prefers a small vessel to 
 a large one, because he is not obliged to be so parti- 
 cular in his dress — and looks for his lieutenancy when- 
 ever there shall be another charity promotion. He is 
 fond of soft bread, for his teeth are all absent without 
 leave; he prefers porter to any other liquo?, but he 
 can drink his glass of grog, whether it be based upon 
 rum, brandy, or the liquor now before him. 
 
 Mr. Smith is the name of that young gentleman, 
 whose jacket is so out at the elbows ; he has been in- 
 
CUTTER THE SECOND. 249 
 
 tending to mend it these last two mouths, but is too 
 lazy to go to his chest for another. — He has been 
 turned out of half the ships in the service for laziness ; 
 but he was born so — and therefore it is not his fault. — 
 A revenue -cutter suits him, she is half her time hove 
 to; and he has no objection to boat-service, as he sits 
 down always in the stern-sheets, which is not fatiguing. 
 Creeping for tubs is his delight, as he gets over so little 
 ground. He is fond of grog, but there is some trouble 
 in carrying the tumbler so often to his mouth ; so he 
 looks at it, and lets it stand. He says little, because 
 he is too lazy to speak. He has served more than 
 eight years ; but as for passing — it has never come into 
 his head. Such are the three persons who are now 
 sitting in the cabin of the revenue -cutter, drinking 
 hot gin-toddy. 
 
 " Let me see, it was, I think, in ninety- three or 
 ninety- four. — Before you were in the service, Tom- 
 ms. — 
 
 " May-be, sir ; it's so long ago since I entered, that 
 I can't recollect dates, — but this I know, that my aunt 
 died three days before." 
 
 " Then the question is, when did your aunt die?" 
 
 '* Oh ! she died about a year after my uncle." 
 
 " And when did your uncle die ? " 
 
 " I'll be hanged if I know!" 
 
 *' Then, d' ye see, you 've no departure to work 
 from. However, I think you cannot have been in 
 the service at that time. We were not quite so parti- 
 cular about uniform as we are now." 
 
 '^ Then I think the service was all the better for 
 
250 CUTTER THE SECOND. 
 
 it. Nowadays, in your crack ships, a mate has to 
 go down in the hold or spirit-room, and after whip- 
 ping up fifty empty casks, and breaking out twenty 
 full ones, he is expected to come on the quarter-deck 
 as clean as if he w^as just come out of a bandbox." 
 
 " Well, there's plenty of water alongside, as far as 
 the outward man goes, and iron dust is soon brushed 
 off. However, as you say, perhaps, a little too much 
 is expected ; at least, in five of the ships in which I 
 was first-lieutenant, the captain was always hauling 
 me over the coals about the midshipmen not dressing 
 properly, as if I was their dry nurse. I wonder what 
 Captain Prigg would have said, if he'd seen such a 
 turn-out as you, Mr. Smith, on his quarter-deck." 
 
 " I should have had one turn-out more," drawled 
 Smith. 
 
 " With your out -at -elbows jacket, there, heh!'* 
 continued Mr. Appleboy. 
 
 Smith turned up his elbows, looked at one and 
 then at the other ; after so fatiguing an operation, he 
 was silent. 
 
 " Well, where was I? Oh! it was about ninety- 
 three or ninety-four, as I said, that it happened — 
 Tomkins, fill your glass, and hand me the sugar, — how 
 do I get on? — This is No. 15," said Appleboy, counting 
 some white lines on the table by him ; and taking up 
 the piece of chalk, he marked one more line on his 
 tally. ^* I don't think this so good a tub as the last, 
 Tomkins, there's a twang about it — a want of juniper 
 — however, I hope we shall have better luck this time. 
 — Of course, you know we sail to-morrow." 
 
CUTTER THE SECOND. 251 
 
 " I presume so, by the leg of mutton coming on 
 board." 
 
 *' True — true — I'm regular — as clock-work. — 
 After being twenty years a first-lieutenant, one gets a 
 little method — I like regularity. Now the admiral has 
 never omitted asking me to dinner once, every time 
 I have come into harbour, except this time. — I was 
 so certain of it, that I never expected to sail, and I 
 have but two shirts clean in consequence." 
 
 " That's odd, isn't it? and the more so, because he 
 has had such great people down here, and has been 
 giving large parties every day." 
 
 " And yet I made three seizures, besides sweeping 
 up those thirty-seven tubs." 
 
 " I swept them up," observed Smith. 
 
 " That's all the same thing, younker. — When 
 you've been a little longer in the service, you'll find 
 out that the commanding officer has the merit of all 
 that is done — but you're green yet. — Let me see, where 
 was I? Oh! — It was about ninety-three or ninety- 
 four, as I said. At that time I was in the Channel 
 fleet — Tomkins, I'll trouble you for the hot water — 
 this water's cold. — Mr. Smith, do me the favour to 
 ring the bell — Jem, some more hot water." 
 
 *' Please, sir," said Jem, who was barefooted, as 
 well as bareheaded, touching the lock of hair on his 
 forehead, " the cook has capsised the kettle — but he 
 has put more on." 
 
 '* Capsised the kettle! hah! — very well — we'll 
 talk about that to-morrow. — Mr. Tomkins do me the 
 favour to put him in the report, I may forget it. And 
 pray, sir, how long is it since he has put more on ? " 
 
252 CUTTER THE SECOND. 
 
 " Just this moment, sir, as I came aft." 
 
 " Very well, we'll see to that to-morrow: — you 
 bring the kettle aft as soon as it is ready. — I say, Mr. 
 Jem, is that fellow sober ? '' 
 
 " Yees, sir, he be sober as you be." 
 
 " It's quite astonishing what a propensity the com- 
 mon sailors have to liquor. Forty odd years have I 
 been in the service, and I 've never found any differ- 
 ence : I only wish I had a guinea for every time that 
 I have given a fellow seven -water grog during my 
 servitude as first-lieutenant, I wouldn't call the king 
 my cousin. Well, if there's no hot water we must 
 take lukewarm — it won't do to heave to. By the L — d 
 Harry! who would have thought it? — I 'm at No. 161 
 — Let me count — yes ! surely I must have made a 
 mistake. — A fact, by heaven!" continued Mr. Appleboy, 
 throwing the chalk down on the table. " Only one 
 more glass, after this — that is, if I have counted right — 
 I may have seen double." 
 
 " Yes," drawled Smith. 
 
 " Well, never mind — Let's go on with my story. — 
 It was either in the year ninety-three or ninety-four, 
 that I was in the Channel fleet — we were then a-breast 
 ofTorbay." 
 
 *' Here be the hot water, sir," cried Jem, putting 
 the kettle down on the deck. 
 
 ** Very well, boy. — By-the-by, has the jar of butter 
 come on board 1 " 
 
 " Yes, but it be broke all down the middle ; I tied 
 him up with a ropey arn." 
 
 '' Who broke it, sir?" 
 
 *' Coxswain says as how he didn't." 
 
CUTTER THE SECOND. 253 
 
 " But who did, sir?" 
 
 " Coxswain handed it up to Bill Jones, and he says 
 as how he didn't." 
 
 " But who did, sir?" 
 
 " Bill Jones gave it to me, and I'm sure as how 
 I didn't." 
 
 '' Then who did, sir, I ask you?" 
 
 *' I think it be Bill Jones, sir, 'cause he's fond of 
 butter, I know, and there be very little left in the jar." 
 
 " Very well, we'll see to that to-morrow morning. 
 Mr. Tomkins, you'll oblige me by putting the butter- 
 jar down in the report, in case it should slip my 
 memory. Bill Jones, indeed, looks as if butter wouldn't 
 melt in his mouth — never mind. Well, it was, as I 
 said before — it was in the year ninety-three or ninety- 
 four, when I was in the Channel fleet ; we were then 
 off Torbay, and had just taken two reefs in the top- 
 sails. Stop, before I go on with my story, I'll take 
 my last glass — I think it's the last: let me count — • 
 yes, by heavens I make out sixteen, well told ! Never 
 mind, it shall be a stiff one. Boy, bring the kettle, 
 and mind you don't pour the hot water into my shoes, 
 as you did the other night. There, that will do. Now, 
 Tomkins, fill up yours; and you, Mr. Smith: let us all 
 start fair, and then you shall have my story — and a 
 very curious one it is, I can tell you ; I wouldn't have 
 believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it. Hilloa ! what's 
 this ? Confound it ! what's the matter with the toddy ? 
 Heh, Mr. Tomkins?" 
 
 Mr. Tomkins tasted, but, like the lieutenant, he 
 had made it very stiff j and, as he had also taken largely 
 
254 CUTTER THE SECOND. 
 
 before, he was, like him, not quite so clear in his 
 discrimination: " It has a queer twang j sir; Smith, 
 what is it?" 
 
 Smith took up his glass, tasted the contents : 
 
 *^ Salt water,'" drawled the midshipman. 
 
 *^ Salt water! so it is, by heavens!" cried Mr. Ap- 
 pleboy. 
 
 " Salt as Lot's wife ! — by all that's infamous !" cried 
 the master's mate. 
 
 *' Salt water, sir!" cried Jem, in a fright — expect- 
 ing a salt eel for supper. 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied Mr. Appleboy, tossing the con- 
 tents of the tumbler in the boy's face, — " salt water. 
 Very well, sir — very well!" 
 
 " It warn't me, sir," replied the boy, making up 
 a piteous look. 
 
 '* No, sir, but you said the cook was sober." 
 
 " He was not so very much disguised, sir," replied 
 Jem. 
 
 " Oh ! very well — never mind. Mr. Tomkins, in 
 case I should forget it, do me the favour to put the 
 kettle of salt water down in the report. The scoundrel ! 
 I'm very sorry, gentlemen, but there's no means of 
 having any more gin-toddy, — but never mind, we'll see 
 to this to-morrow. Two can play at this ; and if I 
 don't salt-water their grog, and make them drink it, 
 too, I have been twenty years a first-lieutenant for 
 nothing — that's all. Good night, gentlemen; and," 
 continued the lieutenant, in a severe tone, " you'll 
 keep a sharp look-out, Mr. Smith — do you hear, 
 sir?" 
 
CUTTER THE SECOND. 255 
 
 " Yes," drawled Smith, '' but it's not my watch ; it 
 was my first watch, and, just now, it struck one bell." 
 
 " You'll keep the middle watch, then, Mr. Smith,'* 
 said Mr. Appleboy, who was not a little put out ; *' and, 
 Mr. Tomkins, let me know as soon as it's daylight. 
 Boy, get my bed made. Salt water, by all that's blue ! 
 However, we'll see to that to-morrow morning." 
 
 Mr. Appleboy then turned in ; so did Mr. Tomkins ; 
 and so did Mr. Smith, who had no idea of keeping 
 the middle watch because the cook was drunk and 
 had filled up the kettle with salt water. As for what 
 happened in ninety-three or ninety-four, I really would 
 inform the reader if I knew, but I'm afraid that that 
 most curious story is never to be handed down to 
 posterity. 
 
 The next morning, Mr. Tomkins, as usual, forgot 
 to report the cook, the jar of butter, and the kettle of 
 salt water; and Mr. Appleboy's wrath had long been 
 appeased before he remembered them. At daylight 
 the lieutenant came on deck, having only slept away 
 half of the sixteen, and a taste of the seventeenth salt 
 water glass of gin-toddy. He rubbed his gray eyes, 
 that he might peer through the gray of the morning ; 
 the fresh breeze blew about his grizzly locks, and 
 cooled his rubicund nose. The revenue-cutter, whose 
 name was the *' Active," cast off from the buoy ; and, 
 with a fresh breeze, steered her course for the Needles' 
 passage. 
 
256 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 CUTTER THE THIRD. 
 
 Reader ! have you been to St. Maloes ? If you have, 
 you were glad enough to leave the hole ; and, if you 
 have not, take my advice, and do not give yourself the 
 trouble to go and see that, or any other French port 
 in the Channel. There is not one worth looking 
 at. They have made one or two artificial ports, and 
 they are no great things ; there is no getting out, or 
 getting in. In fact, they have no harbours in the 
 Channel, while we have the finest in the world ; a 
 peculiar dispensation of Providence, because it knew 
 that we should want them, and France would not. In 
 France, what are called ports are all alike, nasty nar- 
 row holes, only to be entered at certain times of tide 
 and certain winds ; made up of basins and back-waters, 
 custom-houses, and cabarets ; just fit for smugglers to 
 run into, and nothing more: and, therefore, they are 
 used for very little else. 
 
 Now, in the dog-hole called St. Maloes there is 
 some pretty land, although a great deficiency of marine- 
 scenery. But never mind that : stay at home, and 
 don't go abroad to drink sour wine, because they call 
 it Bourdeaux, and eat villanous trash, so disguised by 
 

CUTTER THE THIRD. 257 
 
 cooking that you cannot possibly tell which of the 
 birds of the air, or beasts of the field, or fishes of the 
 sea, you are cramming down your throat. '^ If all is 
 right, there is no occasion for disguise," is an old say- 
 ing ; so depend upon it, that there is something wrong, 
 and that you are eating offal, under a grand French 
 name. They eat every thing in France, and would 
 serve you up the head of a monkey who has died 
 of the small- pox, as Singe au petite verole — that is, if 
 you did not understand French ; if you did, they would 
 call it, Ttte diamour a V Ethiopique, and then you 
 would be even more puzzled. As for their wine, 
 there is no disguise in that — it's half vinegar. No, 
 no ! stay at home : you can live just as cheaply, if 
 you choose ; and then you will have good meat, good 
 vegetables, good ale, good beer, and a good glass of 
 grog — and what is of more importance, you will be in 
 good company. Live with your friends, and don't make 
 a fool of yourself. 
 
 I would not have condescended to have noticed this 
 place, had it not been that I wish you to observe a 
 vessel which is lying along the pier -wharf, with a 
 plank from the shore to her gunnel. It is low water, 
 and she is aground, and the plank dips down at such 
 an angle, that it is a work of danger to go either in or 
 out of her. You observe that there is nothing very 
 remarkable in her. She is a cutter, and a good sea- 
 boat, and sails well before the wind. She is short for 
 her breadth of beam, and is not armed. Smugglers do 
 not arm now — the service is too dangerous ; they effect 
 their purpose by cunning, not by force. Nevertheless, 
 
258 CUTTER THE THIRD. 
 
 it requires that smugglers should be good seamen, 
 smart, active fellows, and keen-witted, or they can do 
 nothing. This vessel has not a large cargo in her, but 
 it is valuable. She has some thousand yards of lace, 
 a few hundred pounds of tea, a few bales of silk, and 
 about forty ankers of brandy — just as much as they can 
 land in one boat. All they ask is a heavy gale, or a 
 thick fog, and they trust to themselves for success. 
 
 There is nobody on board except a boy ; the crew 
 are all up at the cabaret, settling their little accounts 
 of every description — for they smuggle both ways, and 
 every man has his own private venture. There they 
 are all, fifteen of them, and fine-looking fellows, too, 
 sitting at that long table. They are very merry, but 
 quite sober, as they are to sail to-night. 
 
 The captain of the vessel (whose name, by-the-by, 
 is the " Happy-go-lucky," — the captain christened her 
 himself) is that fine-looking young man, with dark 
 whiskers, meeting under his throat. His name is Jack 
 Pickersgill. You perceive, at once, that he is much above 
 a common sailor in appearance. His manners are good, 
 he is remarkably handsome, very clean, and rather a 
 dandy in his dress. Observe, how very politely he takes 
 off his hat to that Frenchman, with whom he has just 
 settled accounts ; he beats Johnny Crapeau at his own 
 weapons. And then there is an air of command, a 
 feeling of conscious superiority about Jack ; see how he 
 treats the landlord, de haul en has, at the same time 
 that he is very civil. The fact is, that Jack is of a 
 very good, old family, and received a very excellent 
 education: but he was an orphan, his friends were 
 
CUTTER THE THIRD. 259 
 
 poor, and could do but little for him ; he went out to 
 India as a cadet, ran away, and served in a schooner 
 which smuggled opium into China, and then came 
 home. He took a liking to the employment, and is 
 now laying up a very pretty little sum : not that he 
 intends to stop; no, as soon as he has enough to fit 
 out a vessel for himself, he intends to start again for 
 India, and with two cargoes of opium, he will return, 
 he trusts, with a handsome fortune, and reassume his 
 family name. Such are Jack's intentions : and, as he 
 eventually means to reappear as a gentleman, he pre- 
 serves his gentlemanly habits ; he neither drinks, nor 
 chews, nor smokes. He keeps his hands clean, wears 
 rings, and sports a gold snuff- box ; notwithstanding 
 which, Jack is one of the boldest and best of sailors, 
 and the men know it. He is full of fun, and as keen 
 as a razor. Jack has a very heavy venture this time 
 — all the lace is his own speculation, and, if he gets 
 it in safe, he will clear some thousands of pounds. A 
 certain fashionable shop in London has already agreed 
 to take the whole off his hands. 
 
 That short, neatly made young man, is the second 
 in command, and the companion of the captain. He 
 is clever, and always has a remedy to propose when 
 there is a difficulty, which is a great quality in a second 
 in command. His name is Corbett. He is always 
 merry — half sailor, half tradesman ; knows the markets, 
 runs up to London, and does business as well as a 
 chapman — lives for the day, and laughs at to-morrow. 
 
 That little punchy old man, with long gray hair 
 and fat face, with a nose like a note of interrogation, 
 
260 CUTTER THE THIRD. 
 
 is the next personage of importance. He ought to be 
 called the sailing master, for, although he goes on shore 
 in France, off the English coast he never quits the 
 vessel. When they leave her with the goods, he re- 
 mains on board ; he is always to be found off any part 
 of the coast where he may be ordered ; holding his 
 position in defiance of gales, and tides, and fogs : as 
 for the revenue-vessels, they all know him well 
 enough, but they cannot touch a vessel in ballast, if 
 she has no more men on board than allowed by her 
 tonnage. He knows every creek, and hole, and 
 corner, of the coast ; how the tides run in — tide, half- 
 tide, eddy, or current. That is his value. His name 
 is Morrison. 
 
 You observe that Jack Pickersgill has two excellent 
 supporters in Corbett and Morrison ; his other men 
 are good seamen, active, and obedient, which is all that 
 he requires. I shall not particularly introduce them. 
 
 " Now you may call for another litre, my lads, 
 and that must be the last ; the tide is flowing fast, and 
 we shall be afloat in half an hour, and we have just 
 the breeze we want. What d'ye think, Morrison, shall 
 we have dirt?" 
 
 " I've been looking just now, and if it were any 
 other month in the year I should say, yes ; but there's 
 no trusting April, captain. Howsomever, if it does 
 blow off", I'll promise you a fog in three hours after- 
 wards." 
 
 " That will do as well. Corbett, have you settled 
 with Duval?" 
 
 *' Yes, after more noise and charivari than a panic 
 
CUTTER THE THIRD. 261 
 
 in the stock-exchange would make in England. He 
 fought and squabbled for an hour, and I found that, 
 without some abatement, I never should have settled 
 the affair." 
 
 *' What did you let him off?" 
 
 " Seventeen sous," replied Corbett, laughing. 
 
 ** And that satisfied him?" inquired Pickersgill. 
 
 " Yes — it was all he could prove to be a surf aire: 
 two of the knives were a little rusty. But he will 
 always have something off; he could not be happy 
 without it. I really think he would commit suicide, if 
 he had to pay a bill without a deduction." 
 
 " Let him live," replied Pickersgill. *' Jeannette, 
 a bottle of Volnay, of 1811, and three glasses." 
 
 Jeannette, who was the fille de cabaret, soon ap- 
 peared with a bottle of a wine, seldom called for, except 
 by the captain of the Happy-go-lucky. 
 
 " You sail to- night t" said she, as she placed the 
 bottle before him. 
 
 Pickersgill nodded his head. 
 
 " I had a strange dream," said Jeannette ; *' I 
 thought you were all taken by a revenue cutter, and 
 put into a cachot. I went to see you, and I did not 
 know one of you again — you were all changed." 
 
 " Very likely, Jeannette — you would not be the 
 first who did not know their friends again when in 
 misfortune. There was nothing strange in your dream." 
 
 *' Mais, mon JDieu ! je ne suis pas comme fa, moi." 
 
 " No, that you are not, Jeannette ; you are a good 
 girl, and some of these fine days I'll marry you," said 
 Corbett. 
 
262 CUTTER THE THIRD. 
 
 " Doit etre Men beau cejour Id, par exemple,'" re- 
 plied Jeannette, laughing ; ** you have promised to 
 marry me every time you have come in, these last 
 three years." 
 
 " Well, that proves I keep to my promise, any 
 how." 
 
 " Yes ; but you never go any farther." 
 
 " I can't spare him, Jeannette, that is the real 
 truth," said the captain; ** but vrait a little — in the 
 mean time, here is a five-franc-piece to add to your 
 petite fortune,'' 
 
 '' Merci bien, monsieur le capitaine ; bon voyage F' 
 Jeannette held her finger up to Corbett, saying, with a 
 smile, " mechant!" and then quitted the room. 
 
 " Come, Morrison, help us to empty this bottle, 
 and then we will all go on board." 
 
 " I wish that girl wouldn't come here with her 
 nonsensical dreams," said Morrison, taking his seat; 
 ** I don't like it. When she said that we should be 
 taken by a revenue cutter, I was looking at a blue and 
 a white pigeon sitting on the wall opposite ; and I said 
 to myself, now, if that be a warning, I will see : if 
 the blue pigeon flies away first, I shall be in jail in a 
 week ; if the white, I shall be back here." 
 
 " Well?'' said Pickersgill, laughing. 
 
 " It wasn't well," answered Morrison, tossing off 
 his wine, and putting the glass down with a deep sigh ; 
 ** for the cursed blue pigeon flew away immediately." 
 
 " Why, Morrison, you must have a chicken-heart 
 to be frightened at a blue pigeon," said Corbett, laugh- 
 ing, and looking out of the window ; "at all events, 
 
CUTTER THE THIRD. 263 
 
 he has come back again, and there he is sitting by the 
 white one." 
 
 " It's the first time that ever I was called chicken- 
 hearted," replied Morrison, in wrath. 
 
 " Nor do you deserve it, Morrison," replied Pick- 
 ersgill ; " but Corbett is only joking." 
 
 *^ Well, at all events I'll try my luck in the same 
 way, and see whether I am to be in jail : 1 shall take 
 the blue pigeon as my bad omen, as you did." 
 
 The sailors and Captain Pickersgill all rose and 
 went to the window, to ascertain Corbett's fortune by 
 this new species of augury. The blue pigeon flapped 
 his wings, and then he sidled up to the white one ; at 
 last, the white pigeon flew off the wall and settled on 
 the roof of the adjacent house. " Bravo! white 
 pigeon," said Corbett ; "I shall be here again in a 
 week." The whole party, laughing, then resumed 
 their seats ; and Morrison's countenance brightened 
 up. As he took the glass of wine poured out by 
 Pickersgill, he said, *' Here's your health, Corbett ; 
 it was all nonsense, after all — for, d'ye see, I can't be 
 put in jail without you are. We all sail in the same 
 boat, and when you leave me, you take with you every 
 thing that can condemn the vessel — so here's success 
 to our trip." 
 
 *^ We will all drink that toast, my lads, and then on 
 board," said the captain ; " here's success to our trip." 
 
 The captain rose, as did the mates and men, drank 
 the toast, turned down the drinking vessels on the 
 table, hastened to the wharf, and, in half an hour, the 
 Happy-go-lucky was clear of the port of St. Maloes. 
 
264 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 The Happy-go-lucky sailed with a fresh breeze and a 
 flowing sheet from St. Maloes, the evening before the 
 Arrow sailed from Barn Pool. The Active sailed from 
 Portsmouth the morning after. 
 
 The yacht, as we before observed, was bound to 
 Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. The Active had orders to 
 cruize wherever she pleased within the limits of the 
 admiral's station; and she ran for West Bay, on the 
 other side of the Bill of Portland. The Happy-go- 
 lucky was also bound for that bay to land her cargo. 
 
 The wind was light, and there was every appear- 
 ance of fine weather, when the Happy-go-lucky, at 10 
 o'clock on the Tuesday night, made the Portland 
 Lights; as it was impossible to run her cargo that 
 night, she hove to. 
 
 At 11 o'clock, the Portland lights were made by the 
 revenue cutter, Active. Mr. Appleboy went up to have 
 a look at them, ordered the cutter to be hove to, and 
 then went down to finish his allowance of gin-toddy. 
 At 12 o'clock, the yacht Arrow made the Portland 
 lights, and continued her course, hardly stemming the 
 ebb tide. 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 265 
 
 Day broke, and the horizon was clear. The first 
 on the look-out were, of course, the smugglers ; they, 
 and those on board of the revenue cutter, were the only 
 two interested parties — the yacht was neuter. 
 
 " There are two cutters in sight, sir," said Corbett 
 who had the watch ; for Pickersgill, having been up 
 almost the whole night, had thrown himself down on 
 his bed with his clothes on. 
 
 " What do they look like ?" said Pickersgill, who 
 was up in a moment. 
 
 " One is a yacht, and the other may be ; but I 
 rather think, as far as I can judge in the grey, that it 
 is our old friend off here." 
 
 " What! old Appleboy?" 
 
 " Yes, it looks like him ; but the day has scarcely 
 broke yet." 
 
 ** Well, he can do nothing in a light wind like 
 this; and, before the wind, we can shew him our 
 heels : but are you sure the other is a yacht ?" said 
 Pickersgill, coming on the deck. 
 
 '* Yes ; the king is more careful of his canvass." 
 
 " You're right," said Pickersgill, " that is a yacht; 
 and you're right there again in your guess — that is 
 the stupid old Active, which creeps about creeping for 
 tubs. W^ell, I see nothing to alarm us at present, 
 provided it don't fall a dead calm, and then we must 
 take to our boat as soon as he takes to his; we 
 are four miles from him at least. Watch his mo- 
 tions, Corbett, and see if he lowers a boat. What 
 does she go now? four knots — that will soon tire 
 their men." 
 
266 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 The positions of the three cutters were as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 The Happy-go-lucky was ahout four miles off 
 Portland Head, and well into West Bay. The re- 
 venue cutter was close to the Head. The yacht was 
 outside of the smuggler about two miles to the west- 
 ward, and about five or six miles from the revenue 
 cutter. 
 
 " Two vessels in sight, sir," said Mr. Smith, 
 coming down into the cabin to Mr. Appleboy. 
 
 *' Very well," replied the lieutenant, who was 
 lying down in his standing bed-place. 
 
 " The people say one is the Happy-go-lucky, sir," 
 drawled Smith. 
 
 " Heh ? what ! Happy-go-lucky ? yes, I recollect ; 
 I've boarded her twenty times — always empty. How's 
 she standing ?" 
 
 " She stands to the westward now, sir; but she 
 was hove to, they say, when they first saw her." 
 
 *' Then she has a cargo in her;" and Mr. Appleboy 
 shaved himself, dressed, and went on deck. 
 
 " Yes," said the lieutenant, rubbing his eyes again 
 and again, and then looking through the glass, " it is 
 her sure enough. Let draw the fore-sheet — hands 
 make sail. What vessel's the other?" 
 
 " Don't know, sir, — she's a cutter." 
 
 *' A cutter? yes; may be a yacht, or may be the 
 new cutter ordered on the station. Make all sail, 
 Mr. Tomkins; hoist our pendant, and fire a gun — 
 they will understand what we mean then ; they don't 
 know the Happy-go-lucky as well as we do." 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 267 
 
 In a few minutes the Active was under a press of 
 sail; she hoisted her pendant, and fired a gun. The 
 smuggler perceived that the Active had recognised 
 her, and she also threw out more canvass, and ran off 
 more to the westward. 
 
 " There's a gun, sir," reported one of the men to 
 Mr. Stewart, on board of the yacht. 
 
 " Yes; give me the glass — a revenue cutter; then 
 this vessel in shore, running towards us, must be a 
 smuggler." 
 
 '^ She has just now made all sail, sir." 
 
 '* Yes, there's no doubt of it ; I will go down to his 
 lordship — keep her as she goes." 
 
 Mr. Stewart then went down to inform Lord B. 
 of the circumstance. Not only Lord B., but most of 
 the gentlemen came on deck; as did soon afterwards 
 the ladles, who had received the intelligence from Lord 
 B., who spoke to them through the door of the cabin. 
 
 But the smuggler had more wind than the reve- 
 nue cutter, and increased her distance. 
 
 " If we were to wear round now, my lord," ob- 
 served Mr. Stewart, " she is just abreast of us and in 
 shore, we could prevent her escape." 
 
 " Round with her, Mr. Stewart," said Lord B., 
 " we must do our duty, and protect the laws." 
 
 " That will not be fair, papa," said Cecilia Ossul- 
 ton, " we have no quarrel with the smugglers ; I'm 
 sure the ladies have not, for they bring us beautiful 
 things." 
 
 *' Miss Ossulton," observed her aunt, " it is not 
 proper for you to offer an opinion." 
 
 The yacht wore round, and, sailing so fast, the 
 
268 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 smuggler had little chance of escaping her; but to 
 chase is one thing — to capture, another. 
 
 " Let us give her a gun," said Lord B., " that will 
 frighten her ; and he dare not cross our hawse." 
 
 The gun was loaded, and not being more than a 
 mile from the smuggler, actually threw the ball almost 
 a quarter of the way. 
 
 The gentlemen, as well as Lord B., were equally 
 excited by the ardour of pursuit ; but the wind died 
 away, and at last it was nearly calm. The revenue 
 cutter's boats were out, and coming up fast. 
 
 " Let us get our boat out, Stewart," said his lord- 
 ship ; " and help them, it is quite calm now." 
 
 The boat was soon out : it was a very large one, 
 usually stowed on, and occupied a large portion of, the 
 deck. It pulled six oars; and when it was manned, 
 Mr. Stewart jumped in, and Lord B. followed him. 
 
 " But you have no arms," said Mr. Hautaine. 
 
 *^ The smugglers never resist now," observed 
 Stewart. 
 
 '* Then you are going on a very gallant expedition, 
 indeed," observed Cecilia Ossulton ; '^ I wish you joy." 
 
 But Lord B. was too much excited to pay attention. 
 They shoved off, and pulled towards the smuggler. 
 
 At this time, the revenue boats were about five miles 
 astern of the Happy-go-lucky, and the yacht about 
 three quarters of a mile from her in the offing. Pick- 
 ersgill had, of course, observed the motions of the 
 yacht; had seen her wear on chase, hoist her ensign 
 and pendant, and fire her gun. 
 
 *' Well," said he, " this is the blackest ingratitude; 
 to be attacked by the very people whom we smuggle 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 for. I only wish she may come up with us ; and, let 
 her attempt to interfere, she shall rue the day : I don't 
 much like this, though." 
 
 As we before observed, it fell nearly calm, and 
 the revenue boats were in chase. Pickersgill watched 
 them as they came up. 
 
 "What shall we do," said Corbett, — " get the 
 boat out ?" 
 
 " Yes," replied Pickersgill, " we will get the boat 
 out, and have the goods in her all ready : but we can 
 pull faster than they do, in the first place ; and, in the 
 next, they will be pretty well tired before they come 
 up to us. We are fresh, and shall soon walk away 
 from them ; so I shall not leave the vessel till they are 
 within half a mile. We must sink the ankers, that 
 they may not seize the vessel, for it is not worth while 
 taking them with us. Pass them along ready to run 
 them over the bows, that they may not see us and swear 
 to it. But we have a good half hour and more." 
 
 " Ay, and you may hold all fast if you choose," 
 said Morrison, '^ although it's better to be on the right 
 side and get ready; otherwise, before half an hour, I'll 
 swear that we are out of their sight : look there," said 
 he, pointing to the eastward at a heavy bank, " it's 
 coming right down upon us, as I said it would." 
 
 " True enough, but still there is no saying which 
 will come up first, Morrison ; the boats or the fog, so 
 we must be prepared." 
 
 " Hilloa! what's this? why, there's a boat coming 
 from the yacht." 
 
 Pickersgill took out his glass. 
 
270 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 " Yes, and the yacht's own boat, with the name 
 painted on her bows. Well, let them come — we will 
 have no ceremony in resisting them; they are not in 
 the act of Parliament, and must take the consequences. 
 We have nought to fear. Get stretchers, my lads, and 
 hand-spikes ; they row six oars, and are three in the 
 stern-sheets — they must be good men if they take us." 
 
 In a few minutes Lord B. was close to the smuggler. 
 
 " Boat, ahoy! what do you want?" 
 
 *' Surrender, in the king's name." 
 
 " To what, and to whom, and what are we to sur- 
 render? We are an English vessel coasting along 
 shore." 
 
 " Pull on board, my lads," cried Stewart; " I ama 
 king's officer — we know her." 
 
 The boat darted alongside, and Stewart and Lord B., 
 followed by the men, jumped on the deck. 
 
 " Well, gentlemen, what do you want?" said Pick- 
 ersgill. 
 
 *^ We seize you — you are a smuggler; there's no 
 denying it — look at the casks of spirits stretched along 
 the deck." 
 
 '^ We never said that we were not smugglers," 
 replied Pickersgill ; " but what is that to you? you 
 are not a king's ship, or employed by the revenue." 
 
 " No, but we carry a pendant, and it is our duty 
 to protect the laws." 
 
 " And who are you?" said Pickersgill. 
 
 " I am Lord B." 
 
 " Then, my lord, allow me to say that you would 
 do much better to attend to the framing of laws, and 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 271 
 
 leave people of less consequence, like those astern of 
 nie, to execute them. ' Mind your own business/ is 
 an old adage. We shall not hurt you, my lord, as you 
 have only employed words, but we shall put it out of 
 your power to hurt us. Come aft, my lads. Now, my 
 lord, resistance is useless ; we are double your numbers, 
 and you have caught a Tartar." 
 
 Lord B. and Mr. Stewart perceived that they were 
 in an awkward predicament. 
 
 " You may do what you please," observed Mr. 
 Stewart, " but the revenue boats are coming up, re- 
 collect." 
 
 " Look you, sir, do you see the revenue cutter?" 
 said Pickersgill. 
 
 Stewart looked in that direction, and saw that she 
 was hidden in the fog. 
 
 '* In five minutes, sir, the boats will be out of sight 
 also, and so will your vessel ; we have nothing to fear 
 from them." 
 
 "Indeed, my lord, we had better return," said 
 Mr. Stewart, who perceived that Pickersgill was right. 
 
 " I beg your pardon, you will not go on board of 
 your yacht so soon as you expect. Take the oars out 
 of the boat, my lads, two or three of you, and throw in 
 a couple of our paddles for them to reach the shore 
 with. The rest of you knock down the first man who 
 offers to resist. You are not aware, perhaps, my lord, 
 that you have attempted piracy on the high seas." 
 
 Stewart looked at Lord B. It was true enough. 
 The men of the yacht could offer no resistance ; the 
 
272 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 oars were taken out of the boat, and the men put in 
 again. 
 
 " My lord," said Pickersgill, " your boat is 
 manned — do me the favour to step into it; and you, 
 sir, do the same. I should be sorry to lay my hands 
 upon a peer of the realm, or a king's officer even on 
 half pay." 
 
 Remonstrance was vain ; his lordship was led to 
 the boat by two of the smugglers, and Stewart fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 " I will leave your oars, my lord, at the Wey- 
 mouth custom-house; and I trust this will be a 
 lesson to you in future to ' mind your own business.'" 
 
 The boat was shoved oflf from the sloop by the 
 smugglers, and was soon lost sight of in the fog, which 
 had now covered the revenue boats as well as the 
 yacht; at the same time, it brought down a breeze 
 from the eastward. 
 
 " Haul to the wind, Morrison," said Pickersgill, 
 " we will stand out to get rid of the boats; if they 
 pull on, they will take it for granted that we shall run 
 into the bay, as will the revenue cutter." 
 
 Pickersgill and Corbett were in conversation abaft 
 for a short time, when the former desired the course to 
 be altered two points. 
 
 *' Keep silence all of you, my lads, and let me 
 know if you hear a gun or a bell from the yacht," 
 said Pickersgill. 
 
 '^ There is a gun, sir, close to us," said one of the 
 men- — '* the sound was right ahead." 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 273 
 
 *' That will do, keep her as she goes. Aft here, 
 my lads ; we cannot run our cargo in the bay, for the 
 cutter has been seen to chase us, and they will all be 
 on the look-out at the preventive stations for us on 
 shore. Now, my lads, I have made up my mind that, 
 as these yacht gentlemen have thought proper to in- 
 terfere, that I will take possession of the yacht for a 
 few days. We shall then outsail every thing, go 
 where we like unsuspected, and land our cargo with 
 ease. I shall run alongside of her — she can have but 
 few hands on board ; and mind, do not hurt any body, 
 but be civil and obey my orders. Morrison, you and 
 your four men and the boy will remain on board as 
 before, and take the vessel to Cherbourg, where we 
 will join you." 
 
 In a short time, another gun was fired from the 
 yacht. Those on board, particularly the ladies, were 
 alarmed ; the fog was very thick, and they could not 
 distinguish the length of the vessel. They had seen the 
 boat board, but had not seen her turned adrift without 
 oars, as the fog came on just at that time. The yacht 
 was left with only three seamen on board, and, should 
 it come on bad weather, they were in an awkward 
 predicament. Mr. Hautaine had taken the command, 
 and ordered the guns to be fired that the boat might be 
 enabled to find them. The fourth gun was loading, 
 when they perceived the smugglers' cutter close to 
 them, looming through the fog. 
 
 '^ Here they are," cried the seamen ; '^ and they 
 have brought the prize along with them. Three cheers 
 for the Arrow ! " 
 
274 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 " Hilloa! you'll be on board of lis," cried Hau- 
 taine. 
 
 " That's exactly what I intended to be, sir," replied 
 Pickersgill, jumping on the quarter-deck, followed by 
 his men. 
 
 " Who the devil are you?" 
 
 " That's exactly the same question that I asked 
 Lord B. when he boarded us," replied Pickersgill, 
 taking off his hat to the ladies. 
 
 " Well, but what business have you here ?" 
 
 *' Exactly the same question which I put to 
 Lord B.," replied Pickersgill. 
 
 " Where is Lord B., sir?" said Cecilia Ossulton, 
 going up to the smuggler; '* is he safe?" 
 
 *' Yes, madam, he is safe ; at least he is in his boat 
 with all his men, and unhurt — but you must excuse 
 me, if I request you and the other ladies to go down 
 below, while I speak to these gentlemen. Be under no 
 alarm, miss ; you will receive neither insult nor ill 
 treatment — I have only taken possession of this vessel 
 for the present." 
 
 ** Take possession," cried Hautaine, " of a yacht!" 
 
 " Yes, sir, since the owner of the yacht thought 
 proper to attempt to take possession of me. I always 
 thought that yachts were pleasure-vessels, sailing about 
 for amusement, respected themselves, and not inter- 
 fering with others ; but it appears that such is not the 
 case. The owner of this yacht has thought proper to 
 break through the neutrality, and commence aggres- 
 sion; and, under such circumstances, I have now, 
 in retaliation, taken possession of her." 
 
PORTLAND BILL. 275 
 
 " And, pray, what do you mean to do, sir?" 
 
 " Simply, for a few days, to make an exchange. I 
 shall send you on board of my vessel as smugglers, 
 while I remain here with the ladies, and amuse myself 
 with yachting." 
 
 " Why, sir, you cannot mean — " 
 
 " I have said, gentlemen, and that is enough ; I 
 should be sorry to resort to violence, but I must be 
 obeyed. You have, I perceive, three seamen only left : 
 they are not sufficient to take charge of the vessel, 
 and Lord B. and the others you will not meet for 
 several days. My regard for the ladies — even common 
 humanity, points out to me that I cannot leave the 
 vessel in this crippled condition. At the same time, 
 as I must have hands on board of my own, you will 
 oblige me by going on board, and taking her safely 
 into port. It is the least return you can make for my 
 kindness. In those dresses, gentlemen, you will not 
 be able to do your duty ; oblige me by shifting, and 
 putting on these." Corbett handed a flannel shirt, a 
 rough jacket and trousers, to Messrs. Hautaine, Ossul- 
 ton, Vaughan, and Seagrove. After some useless re- 
 sistance they were stripped, and, having put on the 
 smugglers' attire, they were handed on board of the 
 Happy-go-lucky . 
 
 The three English seamen were also sent on board, 
 and confined below, as well as Ossulton's servant, who 
 was also equipped like his master, and confined below 
 with the seamen. Corbett and the men then handed up 
 all the smuggled goods into the yacht, dropped the boat, 
 and made it fast astern ; and, Morrison having received 
 
276 PORTLAND BILL. 
 
 his directions, the vessels separated — Morrison running 
 for Cherbourg, and Pickersgill steering the yacht along 
 shore to the westward. About an hour after this ex- 
 change had been effected, the fog cleared up, and shewed 
 the revenue cutter hove to for her boats, which had 
 pulled back, and were close on board of her ; and the 
 Happy-go-lucky, about three miles in the offing. Lord 
 B. and his boat's crew were about four miles in shore, 
 paddling and drifting with the tide towards Portland. 
 As soon as the boats were on board, the revenue cutter 
 made all sail after the smuggler, paying no attention 
 to the yacht, and either not seeing or not caring about 
 the boat which was drifting about in West Bay. 
 
277 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE TRAVESTIE, 
 
 " Here we are, Corbett, and now I only wish my 
 venture had been double," observed Pickersgill ; *' but 
 I shall not allow business to absorb me wholly — we 
 must add a little amusement. It appears to me, Cor- 
 bett, that the gentleman's clothes which lie there will 
 fit you, and those of the good-looking fellow who was 
 spokesman will, I am sure, suit me well. Now, let 
 us dress ourselves, and then for breakfast." 
 
 Pickersgill then exchanged his clothes for those of 
 Mr. Hautaine, and Corbett fitted on those of Mr. Os- 
 sulton. The steward was summoned up, and he dared 
 not disobey ; he appeared on deck, trembling. 
 
 " Steward — you will take these clothes below," 
 said Pickersgill, " and, observe, I now command this 
 yacht; and, during the time that I am on board, you 
 will pay me the same respect as you did Lord B. ; nay, 
 more, you will always address me as Lord B. You 
 will prepare dinner and breakfast, and do your duty 
 just as if his lordship was on board, and take care 
 that you feed us well, for I will not allow the ladies 
 to be entertained in a less sumptuous manner than 
 before. — You will tell the cook what 1 say, — and now 
 
278 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 that you have heard me, take care that you obey ; if 
 not, recollect that I have my own men here, and if 
 I but point with my finger, overboard you go. — Do 
 you perfectly comprehend me?" 
 
 '^ Yes, — sir," stammered the steward. 
 
 " Yes, sir/— What did I tell you, sirrah? — Yes, 
 my lord. — Do you understand me?" 
 
 " Yes— my lord." 
 
 ^* Pray, steward, whose clothes has this gentleman 
 put on?" 
 
 " Mr. — Mr. Ossulton's, I think — sir — my lord — 
 I mean." 
 
 Very well, steward ; then recollect, in future you 
 always address that gentleman as Mr. Ossulton." 
 
 " Yes, my lord," and the steward went down below, 
 and was obliged to take a couple of glasses of brandy, 
 to keep himself from fainting. 
 
 " Who are they, and what are they ! Mr. Maddox?" 
 cried the lady*s-maid, who had been weeping. 
 
 " Pirates! — blood?/, murderous, stick-at-nothing pi- 
 rates !" replied the steward. 
 
 " Oh !" screamed the lady's-maid, *' what will be- 
 come of us, poor unprotected females!" and she hastened 
 into the cabin, to impart this dreadful intelligence. 
 
 The ladies in the cabin were not in a very enviable 
 situation. As for the elder Miss Ossulton, (but, per- 
 haps, it will be better in future, to distinguish the two 
 ladies, by calling the elder simply Miss Ossulton, and 
 her niece, Cecilia,) she was sitting with her salts to 
 her nose, agonised with a mixture of trepidation and 
 wounded pride. Mrs. Lascelles was weeping, but 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 279 
 
 weeping gently. Cecilia was sad, and her heart was 
 beating with anxiety and suspense — when the maid 
 rushed in. 
 
 " Oh madam ! Oh miss ! Oh Mrs. Lascelles ! I 
 have found it all out! — they are murderous, bloody, 
 do-every- thing pirates ! ! ! " 
 
 Mercy on us!" exclaimed Miss Ossulton, *^ surely 
 they will never dare ?" 
 
 *^ Oh, ma'am, they dare any thing! — they just now 
 were throwing the steward overboard — and they have 
 rummaged all the portmanteaus, and dressed them- 
 selves in the gentlemen's best clothes — the captain of 
 them told the steward that he was Lord B. — and that 
 if he dared to call him any thing else, he would cut 
 his throat from ear to ear — and if the cook don't give 
 them a good dinner, they swear that they '11 chop his 
 right hand off, and make him eat it, without pepper or 
 salt!" 
 
 Miss Ossulton screamed, and went off into hysterics. 
 — Mrs. Lascelles and Cecilia went to her assistance; 
 but the latter had not forgotten the very different 
 behaviour of Jack Pickersgill, and his polite manners, 
 when he boarded the vessel. She did not, therefore, 
 believe what the maid had reported, but still her 
 anxiety and suspense were great, especially about her 
 father. After having restored her aunt, she put on 
 her bonnet, which was lying on the sofa. 
 
 " Where are you going, dear?" said Mrs. Lascelles. 
 
 " On deck," replied Cecilia; '* I must and will 
 speak to these men." 
 
280 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 *^ Gracious heaven ! Miss Ossulton ; going on deck ! 
 have you heard what Phoebe says 1 " 
 
 " Yes, aunt, I have — but I can wait here no longer." 
 
 " Stop her I stop her! — she will be murdered! — 
 she will be — she is mad!" screamed Miss Ossulton; 
 but no one attempted to stop Cecilia, and on deck she 
 went. On her arrival, she found Jack Pickersgill and 
 Corbett walking the deck ; one of the smugglers at the 
 helm, and the rest forward, and as quiet as the crew 
 of the yacht. As soon as she made her appearance, 
 Jack took off his hat, and made her a bow. 
 
 " I do not know whom I have the honour of address- 
 ing, young lady I but I am flattered with this mark 
 of confidence. — You feel, and I assure you, you feel 
 correctly, that you are not exactly in lawless hands." 
 
 Cecilia looked with more surprise than fear at Pick- 
 ersgill ; Mr. Hautaine's dress became him, he was a 
 handsome, fine -looking man, and had nothing of the 
 rufiian in his appearance ; unless, like Byron's Corsair, 
 he was half savage, half soft. She could not help 
 thinking that she had met many with less pretensions, 
 as far as appearance went, to the claims of a gentle- 
 man at Al mack's, and other fashionable circles. 
 
 *^ I have ventured on deck, sir," said Cecilia, with 
 a little tremulousness in her voice, " to request, as a 
 favour, that you will inform me what your intentions 
 may be, with regard to the vessel, and with regard to 
 the ladies?" 
 
 " And I feel much obliged to you, for your so doing, 
 and I assure you, I will, as far as I have made up my 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 281 
 
 own mind, answer you candidly : but you tremble — 
 allow me to conduct you to a seat. In few words, then, 
 to remove your present alarm, I intend that the vessel 
 shall be returned to its owner, with every article in it, 
 as religiously respected as if they were church property. 
 With respect to you, and the other ladies on board, 
 I pledge you my honour, that you have nothing to 
 fear ; that you shall be treated with every respect ; 
 your privacy never invaded ; and that, in a few days, 
 you will be restored to your friends. Young lady, I 
 pledge my hopes of future salvation to the truth of this ; 
 but, at the same time, I must make a few conditions, 
 which, however, will not be very severe." 
 
 " But, sir," replied Cecilia, much relieved, for Pick- 
 ersgill had stood by her in the most respectful manner, 
 " you are, I presume, the captain of the smuggler? — 
 Pray, answer me one question more — What became 
 of the boat, with Lord B., — he is my father?" 
 
 ** I left him in his boat, without a hair of his head 
 touched, young lady ; but I took away the oars." 
 
 " Then he will perish!" cried Cecilia, putting her 
 handkerchief to her eyes. 
 
 '^ No, young lady, he is on shore probably by this 
 time ; although I took away his means of assisting to 
 capture us, 1 left him the means of gaining the land. 
 It is not every one who would have done that, after his 
 conduct to us." 
 
 '' I begged him not to go," said Cecilia; " I told 
 him that it was not fair, and that he had no quarrel 
 with the smugglers." 
 
 '^ I thank you even for that," replied Pickersgill; 
 
282 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 " and now, miss — I have not the pleasure of recollect- 
 ing his lordship's family name." 
 
 " Ossulton, sir," said Cecilia, looking at Pickersgill 
 with surprise. 
 
 *^ Then, with your permission, Miss Ossulton, I 
 will now make you my confidant ; excuse my using so 
 free a term, but it is because I wish to relieve your 
 fears ; at the same time, I cannot permit you to divulge 
 all my intentions to the whole party on board ; I feel 
 that I may trust you, for you have courage, and where 
 there is courage, there generally is truth ; but you 
 must first tell me whether you will condescend to 
 accept these terms?'* 
 
 Cecilia demurred a moment — the idea of being the 
 confidant of a smuggler rather startled her ; but still, 
 her knowledge of what his intentions were, if she 
 might not reveal them, might be important; as, per- 
 haps, she might dissuade him. She could be in no 
 worse position than she was now, and she might be in 
 a much better. The conduct of Pickersgill had been 
 such, up to the present, as to inspire confidence; and, 
 although he defied the laws, he appeared to regard 
 the courtesies of life. Cecilia was a courageous girl, 
 and at length she replied : — 
 
 <' Provided what you desire me to keep secret will 
 not be injurious to any one, or compromise me, in my 
 peculiar situation, I consent." 
 
 " I would not hurt a fly. Miss Ossulton, but in self- 
 defence, and I have too much respect for you, from 
 your conduct during our short meeting, to compromise 
 you. Allow me now to be very candid; and then. 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 283 
 
 perhaps, you will acknowledge that, in my situation, 
 others would do the same ; and, perhaps, not shew half 
 so much forbearance. Your father, without any right 
 whatever, interferes with me, and my calling ; he at- 
 tempts to make me a prisoner, to have me thrown in 
 jail ; heavily fined, and, perhaps, sent out of the country. 
 I will not enter into any defence of smuggling, it is 
 sufficient to say, that there are pains and penalties at- 
 tached to the infraction of certain laws, and that I 
 choose to risk them — but Lord B. was not empowered 
 by government to attack me — it was a gratuitous act, 
 and had I thrown him, and all his crew into the sea, 
 I should have been justified, for it was in short, an act 
 of piracy on their part. Now, as your father has thought 
 to turn a yacht into a revenue cutter, you cannot be 
 surprised at my retaliating, in turning her into a 
 smuggler; and as he has mixed up looking after the 
 revenue with yachting, he cannot be surprised if I re- 
 taliate, by mixing up a little yachting with smuggling. 
 I have dressed your male companions as smugglers, 
 and have sent them in the smuggling vessel to Cher- 
 bourg, where they will be safely landed ; and I have 
 dressed myself, and the only person whom I could join 
 with me in this frolic, as gentlemen, in their places. 
 My object is twofold ; one is, to land my cargo, which 
 I have now on board, and which is very valuable; 
 the other is, to retaliate upon your father and his 
 companions, far their attempt upon me, by stepping 
 into their shoes, and enjoying, for a day or two, their 
 luxuries. It is my intention to make free with nothing, 
 but his lordship's wine and eatables, — that you may be 
 
284 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 assured of; but I shall have no pleasure, if the ladies do 
 not sit down to the dinner- table with us, as they did 
 before with your father and his friends." 
 
 '^ You can hardly expect that, sir," said Cecilia. 
 
 *' Yes, I do ; and that will be not only the price of 
 the early release of the yacht and themselves, but it 
 will also be the only means by which they will obtain 
 any thing to eat. You observe. Miss Ossulton, the 
 sins of the fathers are visited on the children. I have 
 now told you what I mean to do, and what I wish. I 
 leave you to think of it, and decide whether it will not 
 be best for all parties to consent. You have my per- 
 mission to tell the other ladies, that whatever may 
 be their conduct, they are as secure from ill treatment 
 or rudeness, as if they were in Grosvenor Square ; but 
 I cannot answer that they will not be hungry, if, after 
 such forbearance in every point, they shew so little 
 gratitude, as not to honour me with their company." 
 
 " Then I am to understand, that we are to be 
 starved into submission." 
 
 " No, not starved. Miss Ossulton ; but recollect, 
 that you will be on bread and water, and detained 
 until you do consent, and your detention will increase 
 the anxiety of your father." 
 
 " You know how to persuade, sir," said Cecilia. 
 " As far as I am concerned, I trust I shall ever be 
 ready to sacrifice any feelings of pride, to spare my 
 father so much uneasiness. With your permission, I 
 will now go down into the cabin, and relieve my com- 
 panions from the worst of their fears. As for obtaining 
 what you wish, I can only say, that, as a young person. 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 285 
 
 I am not likely to have much influence with those 
 older than myself, and must inevitably be overruled, 
 as I have not permission to point out to them reasons 
 which might avail. Would you so far allow me to be 
 relieved from my promise, as to communicate all you 
 have said to me, to the only married woman on board ? 
 I think I then might obtain your wishes, which, I must 
 candidly tell you, I shall attempt to effect, only because 
 I am most anxious to rejoin my friends." 
 
 " And be relieved of my company," replied Pick- 
 ersgill, smiling, ironically, — *' of course you are ; but I 
 must and will have my petty revenge ; and although 
 you may, and probably will detest me, at all events, 
 you shall not have any very formidable charge to make 
 against me. — Before you go below, Miss Ossulton, I 
 give you my permission to add the married lady to the 
 number of my confidants ; and you must permit me to 
 introduce my friend, Mr. Ossulton," and Pickersgill 
 waved his hand in the direction of Corbett, who took 
 off his hat, and made a low obeisance. 
 
 It was impossible for Cecilia Ossulton to help 
 smiling. 
 
 " And," continued Pickersgill, " having taken the 
 command of this yacht, instead of his lordship, it is 
 absolutely necessary that I also take his lordship's name. 
 While on board, I am Lord B. ; and allow me to in- 
 troduce myself under that name — I cannot be addressed 
 otherwise. Depend upon it, Miss Ossulton, that I shall 
 have a most paternal solicitude to make you happy 
 and comfortable." 
 
 Had Cecilia Ossulton dared to have given vent to 
 
286 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 her real feelings at that time, she would have hurst into 
 a fit of laughter, it was too ludicrous. At the same 
 time the very burlesque reassured her still more. She 
 went into the cabin with a heavy weight removed from 
 her heart. 
 
 In the meantime, Miss Ossulton and Mrs. Lascelles 
 remained below, in the greatest anxiety at Cecilia's 
 prolonged stay ; they knew not what to think, and 
 dared not go on deck. Mrs. Lascelles had once de- 
 termined at all risks to go up ; but Miss Ossulton and 
 Phoebe had screamed, and implored her so fervently 
 not to leave them, that she unwillingly consented to 
 remain. Cecilia's countenance, when she entered the 
 cabin, reassured Mrs. Lascelles, but not her aunt, who 
 ran to her, crying and sobbing, and clinging to her, 
 saying, " What have they done to you, my poor, poor 
 Cecilia?" 
 
 " Nothing at all, aunt;"^ replied Cecilia, ^' the 
 captain speaks very fairly, and says that he shall re- 
 spect us in every possible way, provided that we obey 
 his orders, but if not — " 
 
 " If not — what, Cecilia?" said Miss Ossulton, 
 grasping her niece's arm. 
 
 " He will starve us, and not let us go!" 
 
 " God have mercy on us ! '' — cried Miss Ossulton, 
 renewing her sobs. 
 
 Cecilia then went to Mrs. Lascelles, and communi- 
 cated to her, apart, all that had passed. Mrs. Lascelles 
 agreed with Cecilia, that they were in no danger of 
 insult; and as they talked over the matter, they at 
 last began to laugh; there was a novelty in it, and 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 287 
 
 there was something so ridiculous in all the gentle- 
 men being turned into smugglers. Cecilia was glad 
 that she could not tell her aunt, as she wished her to be 
 so frightened, as never to have her company on board 
 of the yacht again ; and Mrs. Lascelles was too glad 
 to annoy her for many and various insults received. 
 The matter was, therefore, canvassed over very satis- 
 factorily, and Mrs. Lascelles felt a natural curiosity 
 to see this new Lord B. and the second Mr. Ossulton. 
 But they had had no breakfast, and were feeling very 
 hungi-y, now that their alarm was over. They desired 
 Phoebe to ask the steward for some tea or coffee. The 
 reply was, that " Breakfast was laid in the cabin, and 
 Lord B. trusted that the ladies would come to partake 
 of it." 
 
 " No, no,'' replied Mrs. Lascelles, " I never can, 
 without being introduced to them first." 
 
 *' Nor will I go," replied Cecilia, " but I will write 
 a note, and we will have our breakfast here." Cecilia 
 wrote a note in pencil as follows. 
 
 " Miss Ossulton 's compliments to Lord B., and, as 
 the ladies feel rather indisposed after the alarm of this 
 morning, they trust that his lordship will excuse their 
 coming to breakfast ; but hope to meet his lordship at 
 dinner, if not before that time, on deck." 
 
 The answer was propitious, and the steward soon 
 appeared with the breakfast in the ladies' cabin. 
 
 ^' Well Maddox," said Cecilia, " how do you get 
 on with your new master ? " 
 
 The steward looked at the door to see if it was 
 closed, shook his head, and then said with a look of 
 
288 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 despair, '' He has ordered a haunch of venison for 
 dinner, miss, and he has twice threatened to toss me 
 overboard/' 
 
 *' You must obey him, Maddox, or he certainly 
 will. These pirates are dreadful fellows; be attentive, 
 and serve him just as if he was my father." 
 
 " Yes, yes, ma'am, I will, but our time may come ; 
 it's burglary on the high seas, and I'll go fifty miles to 
 see him hanged." 
 
 '* Steward!" cried Pickersgill, from the cabin. 
 
 *' O, lord! he can't have heard me — d'ye think he 
 did, miss?" 
 
 ** The partitions are very thin, and you spoke very 
 loud," said Mrs. Lascelles ; ** at all events, go to him 
 quickly." 
 
 *' Good bye, miss ; good bye, ma'am ; if I shouldn't 
 see you any more," said Maddox, trembling with fear, 
 as he obeyed the awful summons — which was to de- 
 mand a toothpick. 
 
 Miss Ossulton would not touch the breakfast ; not 
 so Mrs. Lascelles and Cecilia, who ate very heartily. 
 
 *' It's very dull to be shut up in this cabin," said 
 Mrs. Lascelles ; " come, Cecilia, let's go on deck." 
 
 " And leave me," cried Miss Ossulton. 
 
 ** There is Phoebe here, aunt ; we are going up to 
 persuade the pirates to put us all on shore." 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles and Cecilia put on their bonnets and 
 went up. Lord B. took off his hat, and begged the 
 honour of being introduced to the pretty widow. He 
 handed the ladies to a seat, and then commenced 
 conversing upon various subjects, which, at the same 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 289 
 
 time, possessed great novelty. His lordship talked 
 about France, and described its ports; told now and 
 then a good anecdote ; pointed out the different head- 
 lands, bays, towns, and villages, w^hich they were passing 
 rapidly, and always had some little story connected 
 with each. Before the ladies had been two hours on 
 deck, they found themselves, to their infinite surprise, 
 not only interested, but in conversation with the cap- 
 tain of the smuggler, and more than once they laughed 
 outright. But the soi-disant Lord B. had inspired them 
 with confidence ; they fully believed that what he had 
 told them was true, and that he had taken possession 
 of the yacht to smuggle his goods, to be revenged, 
 and to have a laugh. Now none of these three 
 offences are capital in the eyes of the fair sex; and 
 Jack was a handsome, fine-looking fellow, of excel- 
 lent manners, and very agreeable conversation, at the 
 same time, neither he nor his friend were in their 
 general deportment or behaviour otherwise than most 
 respectful. 
 
 " Ladies, as you are not afraid of me, which is a 
 greater happiness than I had reason to expect, I think 
 you may be amused to witness the fear of those who 
 accuse your sex of cowardice. With your permission, 
 I will send for the cook and steward, and inquire 
 about the dinner ?" 
 
 '' I should like to know what there is for dinner," 
 observed Mrs. Lascelles demurely ; *' would'nt you, Ce- 
 cilia?'' 
 
 Cecilia put her handkerchief to her mouth, 
 u 
 
290 
 
 THE TRAVESTIE. 
 
 *' Tell the steward and the cook both to come aft 
 immediately," cried Pickersgill. 
 
 In a few seconds they both made their appearance. 
 
 " Steward ! " cried Pickersgill, with a loud voice. 
 
 '' Yes, my lord," replied Maddox, with his hat 
 in his hand. 
 
 " What wines have you put out for dinner?" 
 
 " Champagne, my lord ; and claret, my lord ; and 
 Madeira and sherry, my lord." 
 
 '* No Burgundy, sir ? '* 
 
 " No, my lord ; there is no Burgundy on board." 
 
 " No Burgundy, sir ! do you dare to tell me 
 that?" 
 
 " Upon my soul, my lord," cried Maddox, drop- 
 ping on his knees, '^ there is no Burgundy on board — 
 ask the ladies." 
 
 " Very well, sir; you may go." 
 
 " Cook, what have you got for dinner?" 
 
 '* Sir, a haunch of mutt — of venison, my lord," 
 replied the cook, with his white night-cap in his hand. 
 
 " What else, sirrah ?" 
 
 '* A boiled calf s head," my lord. 
 
 " A boiled calfs head? Let it be roasted, or I'll 
 roast you, sir," cried Pickersgill in an angry tone. 
 
 " Yes, my lord ; Pll roast it." 
 
 " And what else, sir?" 
 
 *' Maintenon cutlets, my lord." 
 
 " Maintenon cutlets! I hate them — I won't have 
 them, sir. Let them be dressed a Vomhre Chinoise." 
 
 *' I don't know what that is, my lord." 
 
THE TRAVESTIE. 291 
 
 '' I don't care for that, sirrah; if you don't find 
 out by dinner-time, you're food for fishes — that's all : 
 you may go." 
 
 The cook walked off wringing his hands and his 
 night-cap as well — for he still held it in his right hand 
 — and disappeared down the fore-hatchway. 
 
 " I have done this to pay you a deserved compli- 
 ment, ladies ; you have more courage than the other 
 sex." 
 
 " Recollect that we have had confidence given to 
 us in consequence of your pledging your word, my 
 lord." 
 
 " You do me, then, the honour of believing me." 
 
 " I did not until I saw you," replied Mrs. Lascelles; 
 " but now I am convinced that you will perform your 
 promise." 
 
 " You do, indeed, encourage me, madam, to pursue 
 what is right," said Pickersgill, bowing ; *^ for your 
 approbation I should be most sorry to lose, still more 
 sorry to prove myself unworthy of it." 
 
 As the reader will observe, every thing was going 
 on remarkably well. 
 
292 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 
 
 Cecilia returned to the cabin, to ascertain whether 
 her aunt was more composed ; but Mrs. Lascelles re- 
 mained on deck. She was much pleased with Pickers- 
 gill ; and they continued their conversation. Pickers- 
 gill entered into a defence of his conduct to Lord B. ; 
 and Mrs. Lascelles could not but admit the provocation. 
 After a long conversation, she hinted at his profession, 
 and how superior he appeared to be to such a lawless 
 life. 
 
 *' You may be incredulous, madam," replied Pickers- 
 gill, " if I tell you that I have as good a right to 
 quarter my arms as Lord B. himself; and that I am 
 not under my real name. Smuggling is, at all events, 
 no crime ; and T infinitely prefer the wild life I lead 
 at the head of my men, to being spurned by society 
 because I am poor. The greatest crime in this country 
 is poverty. I may, if I am fortunate, some day resume 
 my name. You may, perhaps, meet me, and, if you 
 please, you may expose me." 
 
 *^ That I should not be likely to do," replied the 
 widow ; '^ but still I regret to see a person, evidently 
 intended for better things, employed in so disreputable 
 a profession." 
 
THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 293 
 
 " I hardly know, madam, what is and what is 
 not disreputable in this conventional world. It is 
 not considered disreputable to cringe to the vices of a 
 court, or to accept a pension, wrung from the indus- 
 try of the nation, in return for base servility. It is 
 not considered disreputable to take tithes, intended 
 for the service of God, and lavish them away at water- 
 ing-places or elsewhere, seeking pleasure instead of 
 doing God service. It is not considered disreputable 
 to take fee after fee to uphold injustice, to plead 
 against innocence, to pervert truth, and to aid the 
 devil. It is not considered disreputable to gamble 
 on the stock exchange, or to corrupt the honesty of 
 electors by bribes, to doing which the penalty attached 
 is equal to that decreed to the offence of which I am 
 guilty. All these, and much more, are not considered 
 disreputable ; yet, by all these are the moral bonds of 
 society loosened, while in mine we cause no guilt in 
 others " 
 
 *' But still it is a crime." 
 
 " A violation of the revenue-laws, and no more. Ob- 
 serve, madam, the English government encourage the 
 smuggling of our manufactures to the Continent, at 
 the same time that they take every step to prevent 
 articles being smuggled into this country. Now, 
 madam, can that be a crime ^ when the head of the 
 vessel is turned north, which becomes no crime when 
 she steers the opposite way ? " 
 
 *^ There is a stigma attached to it, you must allow." 
 
 " That I grant you, madam ; and as soon as I can 
 quit the profession I shall. No captive ever sighed 
 
294 
 
 THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 
 
 more to be released from his chains ; but I will not 
 leave it, till I find that I am in a situation not to be 
 spurned and neglected by those with whom I have a 
 right to associate." 
 
 At this moment, the steward was seen forward 
 making signs to Mrs. Lascelles, who excused herself, 
 and went to him. 
 
 '' For the love of God, madam," said Maddox, 
 ^' as he appears to be friendly with you, do pray find 
 out how these cutlets are to be dressed ; the cook is 
 tearing his hair, and we shall never have any dinner ; 
 and then it will all fall upon me, and I — shall be 
 tossed overboard." 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles desired poor Maddox to wait there 
 while she obtained the desired information. In a few 
 minutes she returned to him. 
 
 " I have found it out. They are first to be boiled 
 in vinegar ; then fried in batter, and served up with 
 a sauce of anchovy and Malaga raisins." 
 
 " First fried in vinegar ; then boiled in batter, and 
 served up with the almonds and raisins." 
 
 *' No — no!" Mrs. Lascelles repeated the injunc- 
 tion to the frightened steward ; and then returned aft, 
 and re-entered into a conversation with Pickersgill, in 
 which, for the first time, Corbett now joined. Corbett 
 had sense enough to feel, that the less he came forward 
 until his superior had established himself in the good 
 graces of the ladies, the more favourable w^ould be the 
 result. 
 
 In the mean time Cecilia had gone down to her 
 aunt, who still continued to wail and lament. The 
 
THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 295 
 
 young lady tried all she could to console her, and to 
 persuade her that if they were civil and obedient they 
 had nothing to fear. 
 
 " Civil and obedient, indeed!" cried Miss Ossulton, 
 '* to a fellow who is a smuggler and a pirate. I, the 
 sister of Lord B. Never ! The presumption of the 
 wretch !" 
 
 '* That is all very well, aunt; but recollect, we must 
 submit to circumstances. These men insist upon our 
 dining with them ; and we must go, or we shall have 
 no dinner." 
 
 *' I sit down with a pirate ! Never ! I'll have no 
 dinner — I'll starve — I'll die ! " 
 
 '' But, my dear aunt, it's the only chance we have 
 of obtaining our release ; and if you do not do it, 
 Mrs. Lascelles will think that you wish to remain with 
 them." 
 
 " Mrs. Lascelles judges of other people by herself." 
 
 " The captain is certainly a very well-behaved, hand- 
 some man. He looks like a nobleman in disguise. 
 What an odd thing it would be, aunt, if this should be 
 all a hoax ? " 
 
 *^ A hoax, child ? " replied Miss Ossulton, sitting up 
 on the sofa. 
 
 Cecilia found that she had hit the right nail, as the 
 saying is ; and she brought forward so many arguments 
 to prove that she thought it was a hoax to frighten 
 them, and that the gentleman above was a man of con- 
 sequence, that her aunt began to listen to reason, and 
 at last consented to join the dinner-party. Mrs. Las- 
 celles now came down below ; and when dinner was 
 
296 THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 
 
 announced, they repaired to the large cabin, where 
 they found Pickersgill and Corbett waiting for them. 
 
 Miss Ossulton did not venture to look up, until she 
 heard Pickersgill say to Mrs. Lascelles, '^ Perhaps, 
 madam, you will do me the favour to introduce me to 
 that lady, whom I have not had the honour of seeing 
 before?" 
 
 *^ Certainly, my lord," replied Mrs. Lascelles ; '^ Miss 
 Ossulton, the aunt of this young lady." 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles purposely did not introduce his lord- 
 ship in return, that she might mystify the old spinster. 
 
 " I feel highly honoured in finding myself in the 
 company of Miss Ossulton," said Pickersgill. '* Ladies, 
 we wait but for you to sit down. Ossulton, take the 
 head of the table and serve the soup." 
 
 Miss Ossulton was astonished; she looked at the 
 smugglers, and perceived two well-dressed gentlemanly 
 men, one of whom was apparently a lord, and the other 
 having the same family name. 
 
 " It must be all a hoax," thought she; and she 
 very quietly took to her soup. 
 
 The dinner passed off very pleasantly ; Pickersgill 
 was agreeable, Corbett funny, and Miss Ossulton so far 
 recovered herself as to drink wine with his lordship, 
 and to ask Corbett what branch of their family he 
 belonged to. 
 
 ^' I presume it's the Irish branch," said Mrs. Las- 
 celles, prompting him. 
 
 " Exactly, madam," replied Corbett. 
 
 " Have you ever been to Torquay, ladies?" inquired 
 Pickersgill. 
 
THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 297 
 
 *^ No, my lord," answered Mrs. Lascelles. 
 
 " We shall anchor there in the course of an hour, 
 and probably remain there till to-morrow. Steward, 
 bring coffee. Tell the cook these cutlets were remark- 
 ably well dressed.'' 
 
 The ladies retired to the cabin. Miss Ossulton was 
 now convinced that it was all a hoax ; but said she, 
 " I shall tell Lord B. my opinion of their practical 
 jokes when he returns. What is his lordship's name 
 who is on board ? " 
 
 ^' He won't tell us," replied Mrs. Lascelles ; " but 
 I think I know ; it is Lord Blarney." 
 
 " Lord Blaney you mean, I presume," said Miss 
 Ossulton; "however, the thing is carried too far. 
 Cecilia, we will go on shore at Torquay, and wait till 
 the yacht returns with Lord B. I don't like these 
 jokes : they may do very well for widows, and people 
 of no rank." 
 
 Now, Mrs. Lascelles was sorry to find Miss Os- 
 sulton so much at her ease. She owed her no little 
 spite, and wished for revenge. Ladies will go very 
 far to obtain this. How far Mrs. Lascelles would 
 have gone, I will not pretend to say; but this is cer- 
 tain, that the last inuendo of Miss Ossulton very 
 much added to her determination. She took her bon- 
 net and went on deck, at once told Pickersgill that 
 he could not please her or Cecilia more than by fright- 
 ening Miss Ossulton, who, under the idea that it was 
 all a hoax, had quite recovered her spirits ; talked of 
 her pride and ill-nature, and wished her to receive a 
 useful lesson. Thus, to follow up her revenge, did 
 
298 THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles commit herself so far, as to be confi- 
 dential with the smuojgler in return. 
 
 " Mrs. Lascelles, I shall be able to obey you, and, 
 at the same time, to combine business with pleasure." 
 
 After a short conversation, the yacht dropped her 
 anchor at Torquay. It was then about two hours 
 before sunset. As soon as the sails were furled, one 
 or two gentlemen, who resided there, came on board 
 to pay their respects to Lord B. ; and, as Pickersgill 
 had found out from Cecilia that her father was ac- 
 quainted with no one there, he received them in per- 
 son ; asked them down in the cabin ; called for wine ; 
 and desired them to send their boat away, as his own 
 was going on shore. The smugglers took great care, 
 that the steward, cook, and lady's maid, should have 
 no communication with the guests ; one of them, by 
 Corbett*s direction, being a sentinel over each indivi- 
 dual. The gentlemen remained about half-an-hour on 
 board, during which Corbett and the smugglers had 
 filled the portmanteaus found in the cabin with the lace, 
 and they were put in the boat. Corbett then landed 
 the gentlemen in the same boat, and went up to the 
 hotel, the smugglers following him with the port- 
 manteaus, without any suspicion or interruption. As 
 soon as he was there, he ordered post-horses, and set 
 ofi" for a town close by, where he had correspondents ; 
 and thus the major part of the cargo was secured. 
 Corbett then returned in the night, bringing with him 
 people to receive the goods ; and the smugglers landed 
 the silks, teas, &c. with the same good fortune. Every 
 thing was out of the yacht except a portion of the lace, 
 
THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 299 
 
 which the portmanteaus would not hold. Plckersgill 
 might easily have sent this on shore; but, to please 
 Mrs. Lascelles, he arranged otherwise. 
 
 The next morning, about an hour after breakfast 
 was finished, Mrs. Lascelles entered the cabin pre- 
 tending to be in the greatest consternation, and fell 
 on the sofa, as if she were going to faint. 
 
 '' Good heavens! what is the matter?" exclaimed 
 Cecilia, who knew very well what was coming. 
 
 " Oh, the wretch! he has made such proposals." 
 
 "Proposals! what proposals? what! LordBlaney?" 
 cried Miss Ossulton. 
 
 *^ Oh, he's no lord ; he's a villain and a smuggler : 
 and he insists that we shall both fill our pockets full 
 of lace, and go on shore with him." 
 
 *' Mercy on me ! then it is no hoax after all ; and 
 I've been sitting down to dinner with a smuggler !" 
 
 " Sitting down, madam ! — if it were to be no more 
 than that — but we are to take his arm up to the hotel. 
 Oh, dear ! Cecilia, I am ordered on deck, pray come 
 with me." 
 
 Miss Ossulton rolled on the sofa, and rang for 
 Phoebe ; she was in a state of great alarm. 
 
 A knock at the door. 
 
 *' Come in," said Miss Ossulton, thinking it was 
 Phoebe ; when Pickersgill made his appearance. 
 
 " What do you want, sir? go out, sir ! go out di- 
 rectly, or I'll scream." 
 
 ** It is no use screaming, madam ; recollect that 
 all on board are at my service. You will oblige me by 
 listening to me, Miss Ossulton. I am, as you know, 
 
300 THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 
 
 a smuggler, and I must send this lace on shore. You 
 will oblige me by putting it into your pockets, or about 
 your person, and prepare to go on shore with me. 
 As soon as we arrive at the hotel, you will deliver it 
 to me, and I then shall reconduct you on board of the 
 yacht. You are not the first lady who has gone on 
 shore with contraband articles about her person. 
 
 '' Me, sir, go on shore in that way? no, sir, 
 never! what will the world say? the Hon. Miss Ossul- 
 ton walking with a smuggler! No, sir, never!" 
 
 " Yes, madam, walking arm-and-arm with a smug- 
 gler : I shall have you on one arm, and Mrs. Lascelles 
 on the other ; and I would advise you to take it very 
 quietly, for, in the first place, it will be you who smug- 
 gle, as the goods will be found on your person, and you 
 will certainly be put in prison, for, at the least ap- 
 pearance of insubordination, we run and inform against 
 you ; and, further, your niece will remain on board as 
 a hostage for your good behaviour, and if you have any 
 regard for her liberty, you will consent immediately." 
 
 Pickersgill left the cabin, and shortly afterwards 
 Cecilia and Mrs. Lascelles entered, apparently much 
 distressed. They had been informed of all, and Mrs. 
 Lascelles declared, that, for her part, sooner than leave 
 her poor Cecilia to the mercy of such people, she had 
 made up her mind to submit to the smuggler's de- 
 mands. Cecilia also begged so earnestly, that Miss 
 Ossulton, who had no idea that it was a trick, with 
 much sobbing and blubbering, consented. 
 
 When all was ready, Cecilia left the cabin; 
 Pickersgill came down, handed up the two ladies, 
 
THE SMUGGLING YACHT. 301 
 
 who had not exchanged a word with each other du- 
 ring Cecilia's absence; the boat was ready alongside, 
 they went in, and pulled on shore. Every thing suc- 
 ceeded to the smuggler's satisfaction. Miss Ossulton, 
 frightened out of her wits, took his arm ; and, with 
 Mrs. Lascelles on the other, they went up to the 
 hotel, followed by four of his boat's crew. As soon 
 as they were shewn into a room, Corbett, who was 
 already on shore, asked for Lord B., and joined 
 them. The ladies retired to another apartment, di- 
 vested themselves of their contraband goods, and, after 
 calling for some sandwiches and wine, Pickersgill 
 waited an hour, and then returned on board. Mrs. 
 Lascelles was triumphant ; and she rewarded her new 
 ally, the smuggler, with one of her sweetest smiles. 
 Community of interest will sometimes make strange 
 friendships. 
 
302 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 We must now return to the other parties who have 
 assisted in the acts of this little drama. Lord B., after 
 paddling and paddling, the men relieving each other in 
 order to make head against the wind which was off 
 shore, arrived about midnight at a small town in West 
 Bay, from whence he took a chaise on to Portsmouth, 
 taking it for granted that his yacht would arrive as soon 
 as, if not before himself, little imagining that it was in 
 possession of the smugglers. There he remained three 
 or four days, when, becoming impatient, he applied to 
 one of his friends who had a yacht at Cowes, and 
 sailed with him to look after his own. 
 
 We left the Happy-go-lucky chased by the revenue 
 cutter. At first the smuggler had the advantage before 
 the wind ; but, by degrees, the wind went round with 
 the sun, and brought the revenue cutter to leeward j it 
 was then a chase on a wind, and the revenue cutter 
 came fast up with her. 
 
 Morrison perceiving that he had no chance of es- 
 cape, let run the ankers of brandy that he might not 
 be condemned; but still he was in an awkward situ- 
 ation, as he had more men on board than allowed by 
 
CONCLUSION. 303 
 
 act of Parliament. He therefore stood on, notwith- 
 standing the shot of the cutter went over and over him, 
 hoping that a fog or night might enable him to escape ; 
 but he had no such good fortune, — one of the shot 
 carried away the head of his mast, and the Happy-go- 
 lucky 's luck was all over. He was boarded and taken 
 possession of; he asserted that the extra men were only 
 passengers ; but, in the first place, they were dressed 
 in seamen's clothes ; and, in the second, as soon as the 
 boat was aboard of her, Appleboy had gone down to his 
 gin toddy, and was not to be disturbed. The gen- 
 tlemen smugglers therefore passed an uncomfortable 
 night ; and the cutter going to Portland by daylight 
 before Appleboy was out of bed, they were taken on 
 shore to the magistrate. Hautaine explained the 
 whole affair, and they were immediately released and 
 treated with respect; but they were not permitted to 
 depart until they were bound over to appear against 
 the smugglers, and prove the brandy having been on 
 board. They then set off for Portsmouth in the sea- 
 men's clothes, having had quite enough of yachting 
 for that season, Mr. Ossulton declaring that he only 
 wanted to get his luggage, and then he would take 
 care how he put himself again in the way of the shot 
 of a revenue cruiser, or of sleeping a night on her decks. 
 
 In the meantime, Morrison and his men were 
 locked up in the jail, the old man, as the key was 
 turned on him, exclaiming, as he raised his foot in 
 vexation, "That cursed blue pigeon!" 
 
 We will now return to the yacht. 
 
 About an hour after Pickersgill had come on 
 
304 CONCLUSION. 
 
 board, Corbett had made all his arrangements and fol- 
 lowed him. It was not advisable to remain at Torquay 
 any longer, through fear of discovery ; he, therefore, 
 weighed the anchor before dinner, and made sail. 
 
 " What do you intend to do now, my lord," said 
 Mrs. Lascelles. 
 
 *' I intend to run down to Cowes, anchor the yacht 
 in the night ; and an hour before daylight have you in 
 my boat with all my men. I will take care that you 
 are in perfect safety, depend upon it, even if I run a 
 risk. I should, indeed, be miserable, if, through my 
 wild freaks, any accident should happen to Mrs. Las- 
 celles or Miss Ossulton." 
 
 " I am very anxious about my father," observed 
 Cecilia. " I trust that you will keep your promise." 
 
 *' I always have hitherto, Miss Ossulton ; have I 
 not?" 
 
 '* Ours is but a short and strange acquaintance." 
 
 " I grant it ; but it will serve for you to talk about 
 long after. I shall disappear as suddenly as I have 
 come — you will neither of you, in all probability, ever 
 see me again." 
 
 The dinner was announced, and they sat dovm to 
 table as before ; but the elderly spinster refused to 
 make her appearance ; and Mrs. Lascelles and Cecilia, 
 who thought she had been frightened enough, did not 
 attempt to force her. Pickersgill immediately yielded to 
 these remonstrances, and, from that time, she remained 
 undisturbed in the ladies' cabin, meditating over the 
 indignity of having sat down to table, having drank 
 wine, and been obliged to walk on shore, taking the 
 
CONCLUSION. 305 
 
 arm of a smuggler, and appear in such a humiliating 
 situation. 
 
 The wind was light, and they made but little pro- 
 gress, and were not abreast of Portland till the second 
 day, when another yacht appeared in sight, and the 
 two vessels slowly neared until in the afternoon they 
 were within four miles of each other. It then fell a 
 dead calm — signals were thrown out by the other 
 yacht, but could not be distinguished, and, for the last 
 time, they sat down to dinner. Three days' companion- 
 ship on board of a vessel, cooped up together, and having 
 no one else to converse with, will produce intimacy ; 
 and Pickersgill was a young man of so much originality 
 and information, that he was listened to with pleasure. 
 He never attempted to advance beyond the line of strict 
 decorum and politeness ; and his companion was equally 
 unpresuming. Situated as they were, and feeling what 
 must have been the case had they fallen into other 
 hands, both Cecilia and Mrs. Lascelles felt some degree 
 of gratitude towards him ; and, although anxious to be 
 relieved from so strange a position, they had gradually 
 acquired a perfect confidence in him, and this had pro- 
 duced a degree of familiarity, on their parts, although 
 never ventured upon by the smuggler. As Corbett 
 was at the table, one of the men came down and 
 made a sign. Corbett shortly after quitted the table 
 and went on deck. " I wish, my lord, you would come 
 up a moment, and see if you can make this flag out," 
 said Corbett, giving a significant nod to Pickersgill. 
 *' Excuse me, ladies, one moment," said Pickersgill, 
 who went on deck. 
 
306 CONCLUSION. 
 
 " It is the boat of the yacht coming on board," said 
 Corbett ; " and Lord B. is in the stern-sheets with the 
 gentleman who was with him." 
 
 " And how many men in the boat? — let me see — 
 only four. Well, let his lordship and his friend come : 
 when they are on the deck, have the men ready in case 
 of accident ; but if you can manage to tell the boat's 
 crew that they are to go on board again, and get rid of 
 them that way, so much the better. Arrange this with 
 Adams, and then come down again — his lordship must 
 see us all at dinner." 
 
 Pickersgill then descended, and Corbett had hardly 
 time to give his directions and to resume his seat, 
 before his lordship and Mr. Stewart pulled up along- 
 side and jumped on deck. There was no one to receive 
 them but the seamen, and those whom they did not 
 know. They looked around in amazement; at last his 
 lordship said to Adams, who stood forward, 
 
 *' What men are you?" 
 
 *' Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour." 
 
 Lord B. heard laughing in the cabin : he would 
 not wait to interrogate the men ; he walked aft, fol- 
 lowed by Mr. Stewart, looked down the skylight, and 
 perceived his daughter and Mrs. Lascelles with, as he 
 supposed, Hautaine and Ossulton. 
 
 Pickersgill had heard the boat rub the side, and the 
 sound of the feet on deck, and he talked the more loud- 
 ly that the ladies might be caught by Lord B. as they 
 were. He heard their feet at the skylight, and knew 
 that they could hear what passed ; and at that moment 
 he proposed to the ladies that as this was their last 
 
CONCLUSION. 307 
 
 meeting at table they should all take a glass of cham- 
 pagne to drink to " their happy meeting with Lord B." 
 This was a toast which they did not refuse. Maddox 
 poured out the wine, and they were all bowing to each 
 other, when his lordship, who had come down the lad- 
 der, walked into the cabin, followed by Mr. Stewart. 
 
 Cecilia perceived her father ; the champagne-glass 
 dropped from her hand — she flew into his arms, and 
 burst into tears. 
 
 *' Who would not be a father, Mrs. Lascelles," said 
 Pickersgill, quietly seating himself, after having first 
 risen to receive Lord B. 
 
 '^ And pray, whom may I have the honour of find- 
 ing established here?" said Lord B. in an angry tone, 
 speaking over his daughter's head, who still lay in his 
 arms. "By Heavens, yes ! — Stewart, it is the smug- 
 gling captain dressed out." 
 
 " Even so, my lord," replied Pickersgill. *' You 
 abandoned your yacht to capture me ; you left these 
 ladies in a vessel crippled for want of men : they might 
 have been lost. I have returned good for evil by coming 
 on board with my own people, and taking charge of 
 them. This night, I expected to have anchored your 
 vessel in Cowes, and have left them in safety." 
 
 " By the " cried Stewart. 
 
 " Stop, sir, if you please!" cried Pickersgill; *' re- 
 collect you have once already attacked one who never 
 offended. Oblige me by refraining from intemperate 
 language ; for I tell you I will not put up with it. Re- 
 collect, sir, that I have refrained from that, and also 
 from taking advantage of you when you were in my 
 
308 CONCLUSION. 
 
 power. Recollect, sir, also, that the yacht is still in 
 possession of the smugglers, and that you are in no 
 condition to insult with impunity. My lord, allow 
 me to observe, that we men are too hot of tem- 
 perament to argue, or listen coolly. With your per- 
 mission, your friend, and my friend, and I, will repair 
 on deck, leaving you to hear from your daughter 
 and that lady all that has passed. After that, my lord, 
 I shall be most happy to hear any thing which your 
 lordship may please to say." 
 
 *' Upon my word — " commenced Mr. Stewart. 
 *' Mr. Stewart," interrupted Cecilia Ossulton, " I 
 request your silence; nay, more, if ever we are 
 again to sail in the same vessel together, I insist 
 upon it." 
 
 " Your lordship will oblige me by enforcing Miss 
 Ossulton's request," said Mrs. Lascelles. 
 
 Mr. Stewart was dumbfounded, no wonder, to find 
 the ladies siding with the smuggler. 
 
 ** I am obliged to you ladies for your interference," 
 said Pickersgill ; " for, although I have the means of 
 enforcing conditions, I should be sorry to avail myself 
 of them. I wait for his lordship's reply." 
 
 Lord B. was very much surprised. He wished for 
 an explanation ; he bowed with hauteur. Every body 
 appeared to be in a false position ; even he, Lord B., 
 somehow or another, had bowed to a smuggler. 
 
 Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck, walking up 
 and down, crossing each other without speaking, but 
 reminding you of two dogs who both are anxious to 
 fight, but have been restrained by the voice of their 
 
CONCLUSION, 309 
 
 masters. Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone 
 to Pickersgill ; Stewart went over to leeward to see if 
 the boat was still alongside, but it had long before re- 
 turned to the yacht. Miss Ossulton had heard her 
 brother's voice, but did not come out of the after-cabin ; 
 she wished to be magnificent; and, at the same time, 
 she was not sure whether all was right, Phoebe having 
 informed her that there was nobody with her brother 
 and Mr. Stewart, and that the smugglers still had the 
 command of the vessel. After a while, Pickersgill and 
 Corbett went down forward, and returned dressed in 
 the smugglers' clothes, when they resumed their walk 
 on the deck. 
 
 In the meantime, it was dark; the cutter flew 
 along the coast ; and the Needles' lights were on the 
 larboard bow. The conversation between Cecilia, Mrs. 
 Lascelles, and her father, was long. When all had 
 been detailed, and the conduct of Pickersgill duly re- 
 presented. Lord B. acknowledged that, by attacking 
 the smuggler, he had laid himself open to retaliation ; 
 that Pickersgill had shewn a great deal of forbearance 
 in every instance; and, after all, had he not gone on 
 board the yacht she might have been lost, with only 
 three seamen on board. He was amused with the 
 smuggling and the fright of his sister ; still more, 
 with the gentlemen being sent to Cherbourg; and 
 much consoled that he was not the only one to be 
 laughed at. He was also much pleased with Pick- 
 ersgill's intention of leaving the yacht safe in Cowes 
 harbour, his respect to the property on board, and his 
 
31Q CONCLUSION. 
 
 conduct to the ladies. On the whole, he felt grateful 
 to Pickersgill ; and where there is gratitude, there is 
 always good will. 
 
 '' But who can he be?" said Mrs. Lascelles, '^ his 
 name he acknowledges not to be Pickersgill; and he 
 told me confidentially that he was of good family." 
 
 " Confidentially ! my dear Mrs. Lascelles," said 
 Lord B. 
 
 " Oh, yes ! we are both his confidants. Are we 
 not, Cecilia 1 " 
 
 ** Upon my honour, Mrs. Lascelles, this smuggler 
 appears to have made an impression which many have 
 attempted in vain." 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles did not reply to that remark, but 
 said, " Now, my lord, you must decide ; and I trust 
 you will to oblige us — treat him as he has treated us, 
 with the greatest respect and kindness." 
 
 ** Why should you suppose otherwise?" replied 
 Lord B. ; " it is not only my wish, but my interest 
 so to do. He may take us over to France to-night, 
 or any where else. Has he not possession of the 
 vessel?" 
 
 " Yes," replied Cecilia; '' but we flatter ourselves 
 that we have the command. Shall we call him down, 
 papa?" 
 
 " Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell Mr. Pickers- 
 gill, who is on deck, that I wish to speak with him, 
 and shall be obliged by his stepping down into the 
 cabin." 
 
 *^ Who, my lord? What! Him?'' 
 
CONCLUSION. 311 
 
 " Yes, hiniy* replied Cecilia, laughing. 
 
 " Must I call him, my lord, now, miss?" 
 
 " You may do as you please, Maddox ; but recol- 
 lect, he still is in possession of the vessel," replied 
 Cecilia. 
 
 " Then, with your lordship's permission, I will; it's 
 the safest way." 
 
 The smuggler entered the cabin ; the ladies started 
 as he appeared in his rough costume, with his throat 
 open, and his loose black handkerchief. He was the 
 heaU'ideal of a handsome sailor. 
 
 " Your lordship wishes to communicate with me?" 
 
 " Mr. Pickersgill, I feel that you have had cause 
 of enmity against me, and that you have behaved with 
 forbearance. I thank you for your considerate treat- 
 ment of the ladies; and I assure you, that I feel no 
 resentment for what has passed." 
 
 *' My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have 
 said; and I only hope that, in future, you will not 
 interfere with a poor smuggler, who may be striving, 
 by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence 
 for himself and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these 
 ladies my intention of anchoring the yacht this night 
 at Cowes, and leaving her as soon as she was in safety. 
 Your unexpected presence will only make this differ- 
 ence, which is, that I must previously obtain your lord- 
 ship's assurance that those with you, will allow me and 
 my men to quit her without molestation, after we have 
 performed this service." 
 
 " I pledge you my word, Mr. Pickersgill, and I 
 
312 CONCLUSION. 
 
 thank you into the bargain. I trust you will allow me 
 to offer some remuneration." 
 
 " Most certainly not, my lord." 
 
 '^ At all events, Mr. Pickersgill, if, at any other 
 time, I can be of service, you may command me." 
 
 Pickersgill made no reply. 
 
 " Surely, Mr. Pickersgill, " 
 
 '^ Pickersgill! how I hate that name!" said the 
 smuggler, musing. ^* I beg your lordship's pardon — • 
 if I may require your assistance for any of my unfor- 
 tunate companions " 
 
 ^' Not for yourself, Mr. Pickersgill?" said Mrs. 
 Lascelles. 
 
 '^ Madam, I smuggle no more." 
 
 " For the pleasure I feel in hearing that resolution, 
 Mr. Pickersgill," said Cecilia, ^' take my hand, and 
 thanks." 
 
 *' And mine," said Mrs. Lascelles, half crying. 
 
 " And mine, too," said Lord B., rising up. 
 
 Pickersgill passed the back of his hand across his 
 eyes, turned round, and left the cabin. 
 
 " I'm so happy!" said Mrs. Lascelles, bursting into 
 tears. 
 
 *' He's a masrnificent fellow," observed Lord B. 
 *' Gome, let us all go on deck." 
 
 " You have not seen my aunt, papa." 
 
 " True ; I'll go in to her, and then follow you." 
 
 The ladies went upon deck. Cecilia entered into 
 conversation with Mr. Stewart, giving him a narrative 
 of what had happened. Mrs. Lascelles sat abaft at the 
 
CONCLUSION. 313 
 
 taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek, 
 looking very much a la Juliette. 
 
 " Mrs. Lascelles," said Pickersgill, " before we 
 part, allow me to observe, that it is you who have in- 
 duced me to give up my profession " 
 
 '' Why me, Mr. Pickersgill?" 
 
 " You said that you did not like it." 
 
 Mrs. Lascelles felt the force of the compliment. 
 '^ You said, just now, that you hated the name of 
 Pickersgill : why do you call yourself so ? " 
 
 " It was my smuggling name, Mrs. Lascelles." 
 
 " And now, that you have left off smuggling, pray 
 what may be the name we are to call you by ?" 
 
 " I cannot resume it, till I have not only left this 
 vessel, but shaken hands with, and bid farewell to, my 
 companions ; and by that time, Mrs. Lascelles, I shall 
 be away from you." 
 
 *' But I've a great curiosity to know it, and a lady's 
 curiosity must be gratified. You must call upon me 
 some day and tell it me. Here is my address." 
 
 Pickersgill received the card with a low bow ; and 
 Lord B. coming on deck, Mrs. Lascelles hastened to 
 meet him. 
 
 The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the 
 Needles, and the smuggler piloted her on. As soon 
 as they were clear and well inside, the whole party 
 went down into the cabin, Lord B. requesting Pickers- 
 gill and Corbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr. 
 Stewart, who had received the account of what had 
 passed from Cecilia, was very attentive to Pickersgill, 
 and took an opportunity of saying, that he was sorry 
 
314 CONCLUSION. 
 
 that he had said or done any thing to annoy him. 
 Every one recovered his spirits; and all was good 
 humour and mirth, because Miss Ossulton adhered to 
 her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could 
 quit the yacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. 
 Pickersgill took his leave of the honourable company, 
 and went in his boat with his men ; and Lord B. was 
 again in possession of his vessel, although he had not 
 a ship's company. Maddox recovered his usual tone ; 
 and the cook flourished his knife, swearing that he 
 should like to see the smuggler who would again order 
 him to dress cutlets a V ombre Chinoise. 
 
 The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when 
 Lord B. received a letter from Pickersgill, stating that 
 the men of his vessel had been captured, and would be 
 condemned, in consequence of their having the gentle- 
 men on board, who were bound to appear against them, 
 to prove that they had sunk the brandy. Lord B. 
 paid all the recognisances, and the men were liberated 
 for want of evidence. 
 
 It was about two years after this that Cecilia 
 Ossulton, who was sitting at her work-table in deep 
 mourning for her aunt, was presented with a letter 
 by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs. Lascelles, 
 informing her that she was married again to a Mr. 
 Davenant, and intended to pay her a short visit on 
 her way to the Continent. Mr. and Mrs. Davenant 
 arrived the next day ; and when the latter introduced 
 her husband, she said to Miss Ossulton, " Look, Cecilia 
 dear, and tell me if you have ever seen Davenant 
 before." 
 
CONCLUSION. 315 
 
 Cecilia looked earnestly. " I have, indeed," cried 
 she at last, extending her hand with warmth ; " and 
 happy am I to meet with him again." 
 
 For in Mr. Davenant she recognised her old ac- 
 quaintance, the captain of the Happy-go-Lucky, Jack 
 Pickersgill, the smuggler. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY JAMES MOYES, CASTLK STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE. 
 
Q4 
 
,ex 
 
 f 
 
 > 
 
 .^^ 
 
 \ 
 
 '^^^ 
 
 ^Vf 
 

M125264 
 
 --' '-^ 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA LIBRARY