F aK!!3!^^OT!5^^ \C\ LIBRARY OF THE U N I V ER5 ITY or ILLINOIS Ah57n V.I /. h ri NEW WOBKS IN THE TRESS. I. In Ono Vol. Price 10s. Ca. THE ADVENTURES OF A SERF WIFE AMONG THE MINES OF SIBERIA. II. In Three Vols. Trice 31s. 6d. AN OLD MAN'S SECRET A NoveL By FRANK TROLLOTE, Author of "A Right-Minded Woman." III. In Three Vols. Trice Sis. Cd. IT :MAY BE TRUE A Novel, By MRS. WOOD. IV. In Three Vola. Trico Sis. 6^ X X^ 1Z^ J^/L G TJ :ElJSr X IST G- ju:iNo TEE LARGEST IN EUROPE. MOURNING COSTUME OF EVERY DESCRIITION KEPT READY-MADE, And can bo forwarded to Tovn or Country at a moment's notice. The most rensonablo Prices aro charged, and the wear ol every Article Guarauteed. THE LONDON GENERAL MOURNING WAREHOUSE, 2M & 218, REGENT STREET, (neat the ClliClS.) JAY'S. rn THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. A NAUTICAL ROMANCE. IN THREE VOLUMES. F . C . A E M S T R N G , Author of *' The Two Miasliipmen," " The Lily of Devon,' "The Medora," "The Quocn of the Seas," Ac, &c. VOL. I. T. CAUTLEY NEWLY, PUBLISlIEli 30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, 18G5. [the right of tr.ocslation is reserved.] SZ3 THE NAVAL LIEUTENAx\T. CHAPTER I. It was night, a dark aiul stormy night; the thunder of the cannon from the ramparts of Santa Crnz had ceased, not even the report of a musket broke upon the stiUness ; neither >houts of victory nor the cries ot the wounded were to be heard ; all was quiet, after several hours of a fierce and terrible cannonading. The British fleet, under the command of a Trowbridge, and a Nelson, and other gallant officers, had stormed the almost impregnable lortress of Santa Cruz, and failed. The long line of mole, leadinir from the lauding place to VOL. 1. B 2 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. tlie great gate of the fortress, was literally strewed witli English dead ; there was not' supposed to be one left alive of the heroic party that had attempted to storm tlie walls of the fortress. When night closed the contest, the boats with the survivors of the attack returned to the fleet, and silence reigned in place of the terrible uproar that had filled the air during the period of conflict. Amongst the heaps of dead covering the mole of Santa Cruz, wounded, but not very severely, lay the insensible body of a young officer of the Leander, fifty gun ship. Three times, after all his superior officers were slain, he had led his enraged and gallant followers to storm the gates ; but showers of grape, and volleys of musketry, at pistol-shot distance, swept the mole incessantly — the iron shower mowing down his men ; and when left almost alone, a musket shot in the shoulder and another striking him obliquely on the head, felled hiui insensible to the iirouiid, and fallin;>- THK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 8 nccar the edge of the mole, he rolled over, pitching upon a heap of dead, thus escaping a fall that otherwise might have perilled life and limb. Augustus Chamberlain, acting Lieutenant of the Leander, the young officer who lay stretched upon the dead, was at this period scarcely more than nineteen, of a fine athletic form, and more than prepossessing features, remarkable for his gallantry, skill, and knowledge of his profession ; no wonder that, with a generous and noble nature, he became a favourite wdth his superior officers, and the pet of the crews of the two ships in which he had passed his six years of pro- bation. Having passed his examination. Captain Thompson, of the Leander, an old friend of his father's, who had died a post captain, gave him the rank of Lieutenant, till his pro- motion could be confirmed by the Admiralty. How long Augustus Chamberlain lay in- sensible he knew not, but it was dark when 4 THE NAVAL IJ KIT IKXAXT. he raised his head, wliich had been piHowed on the cold breast of a dead comrade. The nig'ht wind was sweeping over the blood-stained mole, and the wash of the sea, — breaking in a sullen murmur, as the tide rose close to the ill-fated dead, — roused him from liis stupor, recollection gradually returned; and with a shudder, with difficulty he attained an upright posture. He felt dizzy and sick, as, wiping the blood from his face and eyes, he staggered on in the dark, till suddenly coming with considerable force against a black object, he fell over it and pitched into the bottom of a large boat, and, striking his head violently against an iron bolt, again relapsed into insensibility. Eapidly the tide rose, and dashed against the sides of the boat, which soon floated, and the wild gusts of wind from the heights drove it from the beach ; once clear of the mole, it drifted rapidly out to sea, before a strong gale, and in a different direction from where the Briti.sh ships lay at anchor. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 5 When the young Lieutenant a second time recovered his senses, a summer night had passed away, and a dazzling sun threw its scorching rays over the white-topped seas ; the clouds that had obscured the past night liad vanished, and a clear, deep blue sky had succeeded. It required but a moment, after conscious- ness returned, to satisfy our hero that he was once more on the element he loved ; at first he imagined he had been rescued and carried on board Ids own ship, but a second glance around satisfied him that such was not the case. The open boat rolled and tossed, and plunged violently, as she at one time came broadside to the seas, or turned stern or stem to the 11, the spray flew over her, and Augustus Chamberlain was very soon con- vinced it would be necessary to get her be- fore the gale, or she would fill. So, rousing liimself from his stupor, he raised himself, and, bending over the gunwale, bathed his head, wiped away the clotted blood from his 6 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. eyes and face, and then took a survey of all aronnd. The boat had drifted about fifteen niiles to sea during the hours of the night, but thi* lofty peak of Teneriffe still showed boldly an I grandly against the deep blue of the sky. Ship or boat he saw neither. The strong breeze curled the wave, and the dazzling sun sparkled on the crest. He looked anxiously over the boat, which he feared was a ship's long-boat. Neither mast nor sail could he see ; but to his great joy there was one long oar jammed under the thwarts. In some measure regaining his strength, and always hopeful, he disengaged the oar, and perceiving some tive or six yards of rope fastened to the ring in the bow of the boat, the remains of the painter, he cut it off, luckily having a knife in his pocket. His left arm was exceedingly sore, and almost useless, from the deep wound made by the musket ball, which, providen- tially had not lodged in the flesh. Neverthe- less, he contrived to fasten the long oar to the THE NAVAL LTKUTENANr. 7 Stern of the boat, aiul, lashing it ainiJsliips, got the boat to steer dead before the breeze, and then baled the water out with a tin bread- ease he found in the loeker, with a jar of water, and a few soaked biscuits, which he placed out in the sun to dry, rejoicing that he had what would keep life in him, at all events for three or four days, and before that time expired he felt confident he shoukl fall in with some ship. As he sat gazing over the boundless sea stretched around, his thoughts reverted to the attack upon Santa Cruz, and, as he feared, the melancholy fat3 of his comrades. The second lieutenant who liad the command of the storming party on the mole, he remembered, was killed in the very first discharge of grape- shot from the ramparts over the gate. The command then fell on himself; two brave young midshipmen, also, to his deep grief, met a gallant and early death. His party was then joined by the gallant Captain Bowen, of t'le Terpsichore, and his first lieutenant, both 8 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. of whom perislicd together with all then* men. From one of the officers our hero had heard that the Fox, cutter, with a crew of ninety-seven men, was sunk by the shot from the ramparts, and every soul on board had perished. It was with Captain Bowen's assistance that they were enabled to carry the mole head, which was defended by a thousand men, and six twenty-four pounders. Every possible dis- aster attended this most unfortunate expedi- tion. It was here that Rear-Adniiral Nelson lost his right arm. All these matters floated through Augustus Chamberlain^s brain as he sat buried in thought, gazing back in the direction of the bold peak of Teneriife, till the shades of even- ing fell, and the short night threw a gloom over the still agitated deep. The island be- came lost to view. As our hero, tired and suf- fering much from his wounds, having ate a biscuit or two, and washed them down witli a small quantity of water, threw himself on the sttrn sheets, and shortly, despite pain and TJIE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 9 distressing thoughts, fell into a troubled slumber. A second day and second night passed, and only one vessel steering east met his gaze. Though he hoisted his coat on the oar, and held it aloft to attract attention, she stood away on her course, doubtless without per- ceiving him. The last biscuit was consumed, and the last drop of water drank, and then our hero began to fear that he had a fearful fate before him. Help was, however, at hand, and with a heartfelt thanksgiving to Providence, he be- held a large bark steering direct for him, though he suspected he was not seen, in the dim light of a southern twilight, by those on board. In a few minutes it would be too dark to perceive him, though only twenty yards distant. But, providentially, the vessel was steering with all sail set direct for him. As soon as sufficiently near he hailed, shouting with all the strength he could muster ; at the same time, seizing the oar, he B 5 10 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. impelled the boat as miicli out of tlic direct course of the ship as he could, for fear of being run down. His hail was answered, and the bark rounded to, almost rubbing the sides of the boat, at the same time casting a rope toliiin, wliich he caught and made fast to th(^ ring in the bows. On being hauled alongside, he was ques- tioned by one of the mates of the strange ship, and, to his great joy, in his own language. On stating that he was an English officer, he was at once assisted on deck, and the boat, which was a remarkably fine one, wns also hoisted on board. The captain came forward and invited our hero to follow him into the cabin, which he willingly did. The cabin of the bark Sea Drift was large and comfort- able. The vessel hailed from Liverpool, and was bound to Bridgetown, Barbadoes. Captain Henderson was extremely kind and attentive to the young officer, had his wounds well washed and dressed by one of his pas- sengers, a young surgeon, going out to Barba- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 11 does to better his fortunes. As soon as this was done, and he had partaken of some re- freshment, our hero retired to rest, com- pletely worn out, after five days of great pri- vation and no little suffermg. There were six or eight passengers on board the Sea Drift, residents on the island, and all planters. Augustus Chamberlain's fine person and handsome features greatly interested them, and all were anxious to know how he came to be adrift in an open boat, on the wide ocean, without provisions or water, and no other help than an oar to guide or manage his craft. Captain Henderson would not allow his guest to be questioned the previous night, for he perceived that he was greatly exhausted, and suff'ering from two severe wounds. However, the next day, after a hearty breakfast, he satisfied the curiosity of the party assembled at the breakfast-table. Two of the planters, wealthy slave-owners on the island, requested our hero to make their residences his home whilst he remained 12 THK NAVAL LIEUIKNANT. in Barbadoes, and offered him any assistance in money or anything else he might require. All were extremely sorry to liear of the< failure of the attack on Teneriffe, and orieved to think that such men as Nelson and Trow- bridge should have suffered so severe a defeat. After a pleasant voyage, the Sea Drift ran into Bridgetown harbour, and l\Ir. Joyce, a bachelor, and a most hospitable man, in- sisted on our hero's taking up his residence with him— havino- a larcre mansion in the town. After thanking Captain Henderson, and distributing amongst the crew all the cash he had in his pocket, he went ashore and took up his abode with Mr. Joyce, intending to take his departure in the first ship-of-war bound for great Britain, that should touch at the island. Our hero found no difficulty in getting a supply of cash, through the introduction and kindness of Mr. Joyce, and having a change of dress made, and his wounds getting per- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 13 fectly cured, he determined to see as much of the island as he could ere leaving. One day, rambling along the sea shore, some few miles from the town, he came to an abrupt point, barring all further progress. He looked up at the cliff above him, rising to eighty or ninety feet, rather precipitous, but still possible of ascent. Rather than turn back, he commenced climbing the height, and after a sharp struggle, gained the summit. He then perceived, on looking around, that he had trespassed into a fine plantation, and before him was a very handsome mansion, with its lawn in front, and a broad, well-rolled avenue leading from the house door in a serpentine form to where he stood, and turn- ing ofi', continued to a lodge gate, some two hundred feet further down the walk. Whilst he stood admiring the place, and the beauty of the various plants and shrubs bordering the avenue, he perceived a young lady mounted on a seemingly high-spirited jennet, which she was restraining as if waiting for a J 4 Tin: NAVAL LIEU IE N ANT. gentleman who stood conversing with a lady on the doorsteps, whilst two negroes were liolding a couple of saddle horses. Seeing that he was intruding on private property, uur hero was about to return tlic way he came, hut just then the young girl, th'ed of curbing her spirited steed, waved her hand to the gentleman, let her impatient animal have the reins, and away down the avenue he galloped at a quick pace. Augustus Chauiberlain was particularly struck with the grace and elegance with which the girl managed her steed, and waited a moment longer. Just then the animal trod upon a sharp stone, and stumbled. The f^udden jerk, and the rider looking round at the moment, nearly unhorsed her, causing her to lose her hold of the reins. Perhaps the animal was frightened, or wild at feeling himself free, for he at once tossed his head, neighed liercely, and plunging into a mad gallop, cleared the ornamental fence be- tween the avenue and the precipice, and the THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 15 next moment, with his fair burden, would have plunged over the cliff, had not the strong hand of our hero seized the bridle, and, by a powerful jerk, forced the animal back on its haunches, on the very edge of th»^ precipice. Catching the falling girl in his arms, but staggering with the impetus and the great exertion he had used, he lost his balance, and over the precipice he went, just having time and strength to push the girl back before he fell. Over our hero went, bringing a considerable amount of earth and stones with him, whilst the girl, her hat knocked off, her hair streaming wildly in the sea breeze, uttered a wild, pierc- ing wy, changing to a shriek. She gazed over the edge, expecting to see her preserver dashed to the bottom and killed. But Augustus, accustomed to accidents of all sorts, had been alive to the fate that awaited him, could he not by some means break his fall ; he first grasped a goodly-sized shrub growing out of a fissure of the rock. This, though IG THE NAVAL LIHUTENANT. it gave way, checked his rapid descent, but he came with great violence against a projecting inass of rock. He was much bruised, and his left arm benumbed by the shock, but he never- theless took a steady grip of the projecting rock, and finally arrested his progress down- wards, and then lay quite helpless on a small projecting ledge, thirty feet from tlie summit. His first tliought was to look up, and his eyes rested upon the pale, anxious face of the girl, gazing down at him. " God be praised,'^ she uttered aloud, " he is not killed ! he is looking up at me ! " and she waved her hand, crying out, ''hold fast; lielp is coming.'^ '' Do not be alarmed,'* he returned. " I'm all right, only I cannot get up again without assistance." ''Ah! Thank God! here is papa, and help," and the next moment he beheld a gentleman anxiously gazing down at him, and also the faces of half a dozen negroes, uttering all manner of strange gibberings. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 17 '' Do not move," shouted the gentleman, "you are on a very slight and narrow ledge; there are ropes coming; any bones broken ? " " No, 1 fancy not," replied our hero, " but I cannot very well use either my right leg or my left arm." "Ah!" exclaimed the giil, clasping her hands. " He is greatly hurt ; oh ! papa, but for him, I should have been dashed to pieces, what could have made Eollo do so wicked a thing—'' " How grateful ought we to be to Provi- dence," said the gentleman, turning to a lady who just then arrived, and. clasping her daughter in her arms, burst into a flood of tears. In the meantime four Negroes returned with ropes and a large easy chair. " Can you fasten the rope round your waist," asked the stranger from above, "or shall the chair be lowered?" " No occasion for anything but a rope, I'm a sailor, and well know how to use it." 18 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. ''Good Heaven," returned the Englishman, '- half my wealth would not pay for the ser- vice you have rendered us." A stout coil of rope was lowered, but not oue of the chattering negroes would attempt the descent even with assistance of the rope — " Well," thought our Hero, " here's a nice mess I am in — shall not be able to use my leg for a month — and am not certain that my thigh is not broken; but I would run the same risk again for that sweet little face." Having fastened the rope round his waist, and steadied himself with a grasp of his right hand, he called out to those above to haul up gently, helping himself as well as he could, and fending off the rocks with his left leg when he swung against a projecting one. He at length reached the top, and four stout negroes caught him in their arms, and placed him at once in the easy chair, giving him a considerable amount of pain, in doing so. The girl, who was not more than fifteen, at once caught his hand in hers, and, with the THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 19 tears streaming clown her pale but exquisitely lovely face, said, "Oh, Sir, you have saved my life, and nearly killed yourself/' "No, ray dear young lady," replied our hero. " I have a great deal of life in me yet, and would risk a dozen lives to save so sweet a face from harm," and kissing the small fair hand that held his so tightly, he looked up into the cfentleman's handsome features who was gazing at him most earnestly. '• 1 really, sir — and the brow too — pardon me for thinking at such a moment, but your extraordinary resemblance to a dear old friend amazes me ; but now let us to the house, a suroreon will be here directlv.* and the neo^roes at once lifting the chair, and tollowed by the crentleman and his wife and dau^fhter, proceeded to the house. 20 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. CHAPTER II. Before the arrival of the doctor, Augustus Chamberlain had been undressed and placed in bed in one of the most comfortable chambers of Mr. Mortimer's house, and a messenger had also been sent to inform his kind host, j\lr. Joyce, of the accident, as he would be alarmed. It chanced that very day that a man-of-war brig, the Dasher, had put into Port Royal on her way to England, and would sail again in a day or two. Our hero, was, however, much more seriously hurt than he was aware of, and after a critical examination by the doctor, the latter said that " Owing to his robust and strong frame,and great exertion in saving him- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 21 self, he had escaped breaking any bones, but he was much bruised, and his right leg and thigh so severely wounded that a month or two must elapse before he could expect to walk well, or be able to exert himself." The invalid was annoyed. " You do not know my constitution, Mr. Belmont," he said ; '' besides, we sailors are so accustomed to be knocked about, and take so little pains to cure ourselves, that I feel sure I shall be able to move about in a week." "My dear young gentleman," answered Mr. Belmont, with a smile, " if you attempt any such thing you will walk lame for the rest of your life." Mr. Mortimer, a keen reader of the human countenance, saw what was passing in tho young lieutenant's mind. Pressing his hand, he said, with niucli emotion — " You are thinking, my dear sir, that you are troublesome to us. You, who have saved the treasure of our lives. Let tliis liouse be 22 THE NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. your home, and every soul in it will testify by attention and kindness the deep gratitude that we owe you. You have escaped a frightful death, even if you had not saved our child. What we do for you is a very poor return for the services rendered us seventeen years ago by your father. Captain John (Chamberlain, of the Racehorse, whose son I am sure you are." Our hero looked amazed ; but the doctor reconiraending quiet for a few days, at least, l\Ir. Mortimer acquiesced, and promised very soon to make him fully acquainted with liis early friendship with his father. Our hero, though he chafed at confinement, and bitterly lamented not being able to sail in the man-of-war brig for England, could not but be sensible of the extraordinary kind- ness lavished on him, not only by the attend- ants, but by Mr. and Mrs. ^Mortimer. The young girl, whose lovely features haunted his memory, w^as for a few days confined to her room, having slightly sprained her ankle, but THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 23 she sent her love to him every day, and all the books she could think of for him to read, promising, the moment she was able, to come and see him. '' She is only a child," said our hero to himself, musing, " her father is almost a millionaire. In a year or two Annie Morti- mer will be a dangerous companion for a poor lieutenant. By Jove, I do not consider I have a right now, as far as my feelings are concerned, but they do say that midshipmen are always in love, and I can scarcely call myself a lieutenant yet; and, faith, a lieute- nant is quite as susceptible as a midshipman. It's only when you get to be post- captain that you can consider yourself safe, and, by Jove, one rarely gets that rank till the heart grows cold." Our impatient hero left his bed before the week expired, sitting in an easy chair by the window, his leg propped up on cushions, and a table loaded with books and delicacies of all khids beside him. As he gazed out on *:4 TriK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. the lovely view before liiin, Mrs. Mor- timer and her daughter entered the room. Augustus made a movement as if inclined to rise; but Annie Mortimer, with anxiety vividly expressed in her youthful features, ran to his side, and, with all the freedom of extreme youth, pressed lier hand upon his arm, to keep him quiet, saying, whilst her eyes sparkled with delight, " Oh, I am so glad, so very glad, to see you up ; it gives me such pleasure, you can- not think. I have been fretting about you ever since my naughty Rollo behaved so badly. T have scolded her well for her wickedness." Our hero took the little white hand in his, and, for his life, he could not help kissing it, though he blushed as he did so, and his eyes rested on Mrs. Mortimer's countenance; but there he saw naught but a pleased and happy smile, as she came and sat down on the sofa beside him, saying, '^ Annie has been longing to come and see you ; and indeed it rejoices us all to have you THK NAVAL LI KUTKNAN P. ZO up, and I trust before a fortnight expires you will be able to walk." " Oh, dear mada-n, with such care as I have had long before that 1 hope. I am sure \ can never be sufficiently grateful for all the kindness I have experienced here." '' It would have been a desolate lionie, but for your courage," said Mrs. Mortimer, earnestly. '"'' Mr. M')rtiiner is anxi )us to have a long chat with you. He has been, and is still, so very busy preparing everything for our return immediately to England, that he is seldom at home during the day. I expect in a month we sliall be able to sail fur Great Britain." '' xVh! not for a month," said Annie Mor- timer, eagerly. '•'' Well, Mr. Cha iiberlain," she contiimed, looking oul- hero earnestly in the face, ^^ You must get well soon. I so much want to show y(ju all the beautiful rides and walks about this place; you cannot think how lovely tliey are. You were never here before, 1 bve can, I am happy to say, give him THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 45 a warm reception, if he is inclined to try our metal/' The Cumberland had a crew of men an 1 boys, thirty-five in all, four 12 -pounders and two swivels, mounted on each quarter. The guns had all been shotted the previous day, and the men now turned up ariued wit!i cutlass and pistol. Our hero, Lieut. Gorlins, and Mr. Mortimer, and three steerage pas- sengers all eagerly offered their assistanc ', and received arms, in case of need. The wind was blowing fresh ; and to wind- ward there seemed a thick bank of fo::', coming directly down upon them. Augustus Chamberlain suddenly seized Captain Inglis's arm, and exclaimed. — " She is French and full of men ; there's no time to lose; she sees this fog coming, and will run us on board without firing a shot; let us be prepared." Captain Inglis started, but at once requested our hero to select the best and youngest men to repel the attempt to board. The next in- stant the schooner ran up lier flag, and fired 46 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. a shotted gun, which knocked a whole shower of splinters out of the bowsprit, cutting away the stay, and letting the gib fly loose. Bang went the two twelve pounders of the Cumber- land, and tlie next instant the privateer, with her decks crowded, ran her on board, pitching grapnels into her rigging. The Cumberland was a high ship, and the schooner, though a longer vessel, was very low, so that the men in the latter had to scramble over the bulwarks to get to the deck of the former. Whilst several of the Cumberland's men hurried to cut away the grapnels, our licro, with his twenty stout, active, and picked crew, gave the enemy so severe a lesson with cutlass and pistol that the first boarders were hurled back upon the deck of the schooner; many wounded, and three killed. Exasperated at this repulse, the captain, a short, but very powerful man, shouted to his men, and cheered them to a second attack. There were more than sixty men in the privateer. She had THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 47 eight large guns, and a swivel amidsbipg. By this time the dense fog caiue sweeping over the agitated sea, brhiging a strong wind with it. The captain of tlie privateer had gained the deck, when Augustus Chamberlain faced him, cutlass in hand. Whilst Captain Inglis, Lieutenant Gorlins, and Mr. Mortimer were driving the boarding party over the bows, and casting off the grapnels, a fierce fight took place between our hero and the privateer captain. It was at that moment that Annie Mortimer, fearfully excited, and trembling for her father's and her lover's life, contrived to gain the cabin stairs, and gaze out over the blood- stained deck of the Cumberland. With a look of intense anxiety she beheld her lover cast the man he was fighting with against the bulwark, whilst the mate of the privateer, rushing up, fired his pistol at the young lieutenant's head. Uttering a cry of horror Annie, involuntarily sprang on deck, 48 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. but lier lover remained unhurt, and the next instant lie hurled tlie privateer captain over the side ; as he did so, a violent squall struck the two vessels, and a dense fog enveloped both, whilst the wind and the breaking of the grapnels and chains forced the two vessels asunder, and so dense was the fog that in less than five minutes they were invisible to each other, though the enraged privateers fired several guns in the direction they sup- posed the Cumberland to be. But Captain Tnglis had at once braced round the yards, and stood away for the Irish coast. Augustus Chamberlain, with one or two sharp cutlass wounds, had rushed to the side of Annie, and at once hurrying her, lialf faint- ing below, gave her to tlie care of her terrified mother. Having pacified the females by stating that there was no further danger, the privateer having been beaten ofi", he re- turned upon deck. Captain Inglis shook him heartily by the hand, saying '' Your spirited conduct and desperate attacks upon the THE NAVAL LIEUTHXANT. 49 boarders and the hurling the privateer skipper over the side has saved tlie ship. I regret to say we have two men killed, and seven injured, Lieut. Gorlins slightly wounded from a pistol shot, and Mr. ^[ortimer with a flesh wound.*' Three of the privateer's men remained prisoners on board the Cumberland. One was the second mate of the schooner. The prisoners were in a high state of excite- ment, swearing that the crew of the Cumber- land should pay dearly for their temporary success, which they declared they owed entirely to the coming on of the fog. They, however, grew calmer after some hours' confinement, and then they stated that the schooner was the much feared and celebrated privateer Belle Poule, which hailed from Brest. This privateer had done immense mischief to English merchant vessels, and had hitherto baffled the fastest British cruisers. Her captain, Jacques Belot Brossac, was noto- VOL. 1. D 50 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. rious for liis sava;j;e cruelty and desperate courage. Captain Inglis lio])ed to get close in with the Irish coast the following day, and thus avoid any more French cruisers or privateers. But, unfortunately, none on board the Cumber- land were aware that they were running into the lions mouth ; for at this period a French fleet was attempting the invasion of Iicland. This expedition, however, met with a most disastrous fate. During the short contest with the privateer, the female passengers had remained in the cabin in a state of intense agitation. Mrs. Mortimer, trembling for the safety of her husband, and clasping her darling boy to her bosom ; whilst all feared captivity. Amongst tlie group, however, was the French emigrant the Count de IVlaule. He looked exceedingly pale and excited; still he mado several efforts to be attentive to I\Irs. and Miss Mortimer, lamenting his hard fate that he could not fight against his countrymen, and saying it was try- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 51 ing to his feelings to see other ineu gallantly defending their ship, whilst he was forced to remain inactive. From the very commencement of the voyage, Annie Mortimer had taken a most peculiar dislike to this man. Constantly, when he had an opportunity, he addressed her, and he was continually keeping his eyes fixed upon her, with a strange expression, extremely disagreeable to her. She would have noticed this to her mother and to our hero ; but, young as she was, she had become aware how naturally tiery the temper of her betrothed was, and how enraged he would be, if he only knew the Frenchman annoyed her. She kept her thoughts, therefore, to herself concerning the Count de Maule, knowing how short a time she would be subject to his dis- agreeable manner. Mrs. Mortimer, too, had very little be- lief in ilie Count's pretensions to being one of the FrLiich noblesse; she strongly sus- pected he was playing apart; when, therefore, D 2 UBRARV UNIVERSITY OF IlLINOfS 52 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. he began lamenting his fate, and not being able to assist the gallant defenders of the ship in driving away the privateer, she said, quietly — '* Surely, Monsieur, as a loyal subject of the Bourbons, you ought to feel as great a desire to haul down the tri-colour as anyone on board this ship." The Count looked disconcerted, and was stammering out some sort of apology, when a loud and triumphant cheer from the crew of the Cumberland, was so significant of victory, that the ladies felt ready to join in it, whilst the Count started up and rushed upon deck. Whilst every attention was being paid to the wounded, the ladies humanely offering their services, Capt. Inglis and his crew were busy repairing damages, splicing rigging, and replacing the running rigging, and getting the ship ready to face a gale, which was evidently coming on. There was no fear of the privateer, for the foo was so dense that, standing by the helm, the bowsprit of the ship was invisible. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 53 Augustus Cliamberlain made very light in- deed of the two or three cutlass wounds he had received ; having washed and bandaged the worst, he gave all his attention and care to Ills beautiful betrothed, whilst nursin^r the little boy, who doted on him, and would scarcely quit his arms to go to his nurse. Mr. Mortimer sat by his beloved partner's side, recounting to her the particulars of the fight, and enthusiastically declaring they owed their safety to our hero, for had not the privateer's skipper been checked in his attempt to board, the swarm of men that were follow- ing him would have swept the deck of the Cumberland. Alas ! in the joy of their hearts at escaping from perhaps a long captivity, they never calculated or thought of what the morrow might bring. During the night it blew very hard, almost a gale, and the fog continued, the packet standing in for the Irish coast under treble-reefed topsails. Before morning, it began to rain licavily, and just as tlie dawn made, Capt. Inglis and our hero .54 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. M ent on deck. There was a very rough sea, jind the CumLerland, having a heavy cargo, laboured considerably, but being a strongly built ship, she stood the shocks of tlic head seas bravely. " It blew hard during the night, Captain,^' said our hero to the skipper, '' there is more sea up now than this breeze warrants.'' '• I expect we had only the tail end of the gale," returned Capt. Inglis, '' and I think before long we shall have the wind into the north-west. The fog, I fancy, is lifting." " This heavy rain," said the young lieu- tenant, will cause a change. I wonder where La Belle Poule is. I should like to take that privateer ; I heard of several of her exploits just before we left England in the " " Do you see how it is clearing towards the nor' west?" remarked the skipper. In less than twenty minutes the fog began to change its direction, the clouds to break, and the easterly wind to lull. Ten minutes more, and the sky opened clearly to the north, the breeze THK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 55 suddenly, in a strong blast, threw the top- sails against tlie mast, the rain ceased, and a strong squally nor' wester scattered the white tops of the seas over the agitated waters. " A sail, ho !" shouted the man on the look- out, " Where away ?" asked the skipper. All hands looked anxiously in the nor' west quarter, where the sail was indicated by the look out. All thought of La Belle Poule, but one look through the glass, and the skipper, lianding it to our hero, said, '' It's a very large ship, probably one of our two deckers. See, the land is distinctly visible, and no French vessel of that size would hug the Irish coast." Our hero, who was by no means satisfied that the skipper's assertion was correct, ascended to the main-top, and thtn bent the glass upon the strange ship which was rapidly approaching them. Very few minutes' (observation satisfied him tliat the stranger was a gun ship running out from the Irish 56 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. coast, and no doul)! steering direct towards them, but wlicther English or French he coiihl not say. If French, their fate was de- cided. Feeling deeply anxious, he descended to the deck. ** Well, my drar sir, what do you tliiidv of her? She comes rapidly up with us." '' She's a seventy-four, Captain, and I fear French." " Good heaven ! then our capture is cer- tain," said the skipper despond ingly, '' there is not another craft in sight. It is not usual for a seventy-four of the enemy to be cruising so close in with the Irish coast. I will alter our course, however, and see if she will notice us.'' With the British ensign flying at her peak, the Cumberland altered her course, tacking in for Three Castle Head, which could now be distinctly seen with the glass. Almost im- mediately the seventy-four hauled to the wind, and stood right across the course of the ))acket ; at the same time the tri-colour flew THE NAVAL LTEUTENANT. 57 out from her mizen peak, and a wreath of smoke curled out from her starboard bow, whilst the boom of a heavy gun, shotted, pealed over the deep, sending dismay into many a lieart on board the Cumberland. The captain turned with a deeply cha- grined countenance, and said to our hero, who was looking very serious. " It's all up with us ; flight is useless." "Perfectly so," returned Augustus Chamber- lain. '' Still hope is not lost, we may expect to fall in with an English ship of war before yonder ship can carry us into port. I will go below and break this sad news to our passengers." Mrs. Mortimer and Annie were overwhelmed with dismay. Mr. Mortimer, who was not very well at this time, though he concealed his ill- ness from his family, took tliis unexpected event greatly to heart; within sight of their native land, successful in beating off a French privateer, and now to fall into the power of a D 5 58 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. ship from which there was no escape. Tlie cup of happiness seemed dashed from their lips, in its ytead separation and a dreary imprison- ment. From this despondency our liero strove to rouse them, Annie who was of a hopeful and cheerful temper aiding lier lover. *' You will no doubt be immediately ex- changed," remarked the young man, ''cartels are constantly granted between the two countries, and prisoners are well treated." Having succeeded in producing some degree of hope in the Mortimer family, he returned to tlie deck. There all were desponding; all knew captivity and loss of property awaited them. The huge ship was within two miles of them, when a shot across the fore foot of the Cum- berland warned her to lie to. Our hero gazed sadly at the approaching foe- The wind blew very fresh, and the sea was heavy. It was a grand sight ; the great THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 59 ship spurning the huge waves, as they rudely- leaped against her monstrous bows, dasliing themselves into wreaths of foam, and scatter- ing their glittering sprays harmlessly over her lofty decks. GO THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. CHAPTER IV. The French ship, whose decks were crowded with men, great numbers being soldiers, as soon as she came within two lumdred yards of the Cumberland, swung round her immense yards, and lay to, and at once got ready to put down her boats. This ship was the Droits de T Homme, the flag-ship of rear Admiral Bouvet, but then commanded by Commodore Le Crosse. She formed one of the fleet of ships intended for the invasion of Ireland ; on board was the fiimous General Humbert. All on the deck of the Cumberland awaited with intense anxiety the approach of the French boats. They soon came alongside,and two or TRK NAVAL LTRUTENANT. 61 three officers ascended to the deck, and took possession of lier as a prize, ordering the hands to come up from below and assemble on deck, as they were immediately to be re- moved on board the man-of-war. As one of the French officers turned round, our hero caught sight of his features ; he was a very young man scarcely a year older than himself, and ex- tremely good looking ; he was attired in a lieutenant's uniform. Walking up to the Frenchman, our hero said, laying his hand on his arm, '^ Monsieur Pusaye, do you remem- ber me?" '* Ah, parbleu ! I do," returned the lieu- tenant, catching him by the hand, which he pressed kindly, '^ when last we met I was the prisoner, and you the conqueror; but, never fear, it delights inc to be able to return kind- ness for kindness. Commodore le Crosse, who commands the Droit is my uncle, and he is a kind and considerate commander; he will be pleased to show kindness and attention to one who so essentially served his nephew." 62 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. " Then," said our hero, '' I will beg your interference for a family of the name of Mortimer, passengers on board this ill-starred ship. Mr. Mortimer is one of the wealthiest merchants in England, and has his wife, daughter, infant son, and two female servants with him." " Soyez tranquille^ mon ami^' said Lieut. Pusaye, " I will see to that. Now let us get them into the long-boat; once on the deck of the Droits, every attention will be paid them." " So far," said our hero, as he turned into the cabin, " this is a bit of good fortune.'' The females were full of anxiety, but Augustus told them of his fortunate meeting with an old acquaintance amongst the enemy's officers. He then wrapped up little Henry in shawls, and carried him, whilst Annie grasped his disengaged arm, Mr. Mortimer, taking care of his beloved wife, they thus ascended to the deck. The grace and elegance of Mrs. Mortimer, and the extraordi- Tin: NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. 63 nary beauty of her daughter, instantly attracted tlie attention of the French officers. Lieut. Pusaye gave orders that any luggage they required, if their servants pointed it out, should be taken on board the Droits. The sea was so rough, that it took more than three hours to transport all on board the Cumberland to the decks of the Droits. Mrs. Mortimer and her youthful daughter created great interest. Commodore le Crosse, at once ordered them private cabins in the after part of the ship, and begged them to use the state cabin when they pleased. Mr. Mortimer and Captain Inglis were put under the pur- ser's care, Lieut. Pusaye took charge of our hero ; and the rest of the prisoners were placed in the cable tier. A prize master was then sent on board the captured vessel, retaining the chief mate and the cook. The Cumberland was then des- patched to seek a French port. Lieutenant Chamberlain shared the French lieutenant's cabin, and speaking the French 64 THE NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. language fluently, his situation was far from disagreeable, especially as Commodore Ic Crosse had assured Mrs. Mortimer that their imprisonment would be short, for, on ar- riving at Brest, steps would be immediately taken for an exchange of prisoners. One day, whilst walking the deck with Mrs. Mortimer and daughter, Annie, who was quite resigned and exceedingly cheerful, asked her lover how he came so fortunately to know Lieutenant Pusaye, who was so kind and attentive to them all. " My previous knowledge of Lieutenant Pusaye has turned out most fortunate, my dearest Annie. About three years ago (I was a midshipman then, and our ship re-fitting in spars in Falmouth), some of the pilots of that port brought in word to Captain Pellew, the commander of a thirty -two gun frigate which was in Falmouth Harbour, that a French frigate was cruising three or four leagues off the Lizard Point. Captain Pellew instantly started in pursuit, and as we were TIFE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 65 all Idle and the frigate short of hands, one of our lieutenants, myself, and half a dozen hands, got leave to go out for a cruise in search of the French ship.'* " How you sailors do love to go where you risk life," said Annie, looking into her lover's face with a sweet, half serious, expression on her countenance. '' Yes, dearest, we do, but we seek, in risking life, our country's glory and our own fame. Well, we sailed, and the third day fell In witli a French cruiser, a large, first class frigate, of more guns and superior tonnage than ours. Nevertheless, we fought her for twelve hours, and took her; audit was allowed by both French and English judges, one of the most spirited contests on record. During the boarding, I perceived a young midshipman, about my own age, knocked down by a blow from a sailor's cutlass; a man with a pike was just on the point of finishing his career, when I ran up, guarded (jQ THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. off the thrust of the pike, and saved the midshipman by making him my prisoner. That midshipman was Lieutenant Pusaye. " We returned to Falmoutli in triumph with our prize, and during a fortnight the young Frenchman remained on board our ship, and soon after we sailed he was ex- changed. Captain Pellew now commands the Indefatigable, one of the finest ships in our service." *' We never know, dear Augustus, when a kind, generous act will reap its reward ; but tell me why this great ship keeps going in and out of Irish ports ; why does she not re- turn to France.'* " The fact ivS, Annie, the great expedition against Ireland must have failed. I only speak from some conversation I hear now and then amongst the officers, who expected to fall in with the fleet that left Brest, which I have no doubt our men-of-war have dis- persed, and perhaps captured many vessels. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. G7 However, I licar that they intend to- morrow, if none of the ships of their fleet make their appearance, to return to Brest." The English officer was riglit respecting the movements of the Droits de I'Homme, the next day she shaped her course across channel for the French coast, intending to make her first land-fall at Belle Isle. On the 9th they lost sight of the coast of Ireland, and for several days made little progress ; on the 13th Commodore le Crosse considered himself to be about twenty- five leagues from the French coast, and thick, blowing weather coming in, he determined not to approach any nearer ; accordingly the Droits stood to the southward, under easy sail, the wind fresh and squally. About noon the next day, a sliip was seen to windward, which in the fog loomed very large. Slie was scarcely a league distant ; almost immediately after a second ship was seen astern of the first. Judging them to be enemies, the Droits immediately prepared for action, and 68 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. also set more sail, so as to gain time for pre- parations. The wind from the westward increased considerably, and tlic sea became turbulent. Ilavinnr nm some distance to the south-east, two other ships were discovered, endeavouring to cut off the French vessel from the land. By tliis time the two ships first seen had come near enough to distinguisli them clearly. Lieutenant Pusaye was regarding them with his glass, our hero standing close beside him. '' They are English," said the French lieutenant, handing Chamberlain the glass, ''perhaps you may recognize them. The nearest is a very large frigate." Our hero, after a steady look, returned the glass, saying, '' Yes, 1 recognize the nearest ship. It is the " Indefatigable," a forty- four gun frigate, and commanded by one of the finest fellows in our navy. You may remember Captain Pellew, who commanded the Nymph in her spirited action witli the Cleopatra." THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. GD '' Ah, sacre bleu ! I ought to remember it well," returned the lieutenant, '' but surely the frigate will scarcely run the terrible risk of encountering a seventy -four gun ship, ami her consort more than a league astern." Our hero smiled, saying, ''We shall see." '' If she does," said Lieutenant Pusaye, " you surely need not run the risk of being shot down by your countrymen's fire." '' If I am permitted," said our hero, " I will remain on deck." Whilst yet speaking, a sudden and tre- mendous squall struck the huge ship, carried away the main-top braces, and at the same time her fore and main top- masts. All for the moment became confusion ; the sea was so rough that the lower deck ports were shut, whilst the ship was going through the water about six knots under her courses and mizen topsail. The Indefatigable was full eight miles ahead of her consort, a thirty-six gun frigate, called the Amazon. 70 THE NAVAI. Lir.UTKNANT. The English frigate, to the great amazement of the officers of the Droits, hauled up to pour in u raking fire, but tlie Droits hauled up also, discharged her broadside, and poured in a tremendous fire of musketry from the troops onboard. The Indefatigable then tried to pass ahead, but the enemy defeated that manoeuvre, and attempted to storm the deck of the frigate, but this intent was skil- fully avoided by the British commander. Tlie violence of the sea had rendered her broad- side comparatively harmless. For two hours aspirited fight was maintained between the two ill-matched combatants. Till, about six o'clock p.m., the Amazon came up under a press of sail and poured her broad- side into the seventy -four, at scarcely pistol- shot distance. The incidents of our tale will not per- mit us to dwell upon the particulars of this most extraordinary conflict between the two frigates and the French ship. One on each side of the Droits, they kept up an incessant THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 71 fire, a tremendous gale continuing the entire time. The Droits having expended all her round shot, began firing shells ; many of the crew were slain, but not till the morning of the 14th were any of the officers wounded, when a grape shot struck the arm of one of the lieutenants, and Lieut. Pusaye, beside whom our hero was standing watcliing this strange and furious contest, was struck down by a splinter. He was raised to be taken below ; but he had been only stunned for a moment, and refused to leave the deck. During the whole of this action, the sea ran so high that the crew and people on the main deck of the frigates, were up to their middles in water,*^ and so violent was the motion of the ships, that the guns of the Indefatigable drew out the ring-bolts; she had also four feet of water in the hold. Worn out with fatigue, the crews of all the ships ceased from their * James's Naval History, 72 Till-: NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. fourteen hours' contention. More terrible perils awaited them. Mrs. Mortimer and family remained in sus- pense and terror, confined to their couches from the terrible rolling and plunging of the almost ungovernable sliip. '^ Thank God," said the mother to her daughter, '' this horrible firing has ceased at last, and my poor terrified boy sleeps." " Ah, poor Harry, what a trial for so young a child," said Annie trembling. Her heart and thoughts were with Aufrustus, for well sl:c knew he would keep the deck. Mrs. Mrnri- mer was aware that her husband was not ex- posed to the firing, for our hero wrote ri few lines on a slip of paper, and Lieutenant Pusaye got it conveyed to the terrified wif •. Alas, how little they tliought of the terrible enemy they were too soon to contend with. About four o'clock a.m., of the fourteenth, the moon suddenly shone forth from amid the storm-tossed clouds. With a cry of horror several of the crew shouted " Land I Land, THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 73 ri^lit ahead ! " This cry struck a chill to the liearts of all that heard it. Lieutenant Chamberlain was holdin^^ on, and gazhig anxiously at the Indefatigable, which was then close to the Droits' starboard, and the Amazon near on the larboard. The British frigate nmst have seen the Lmd at the same time, for instantly the crew hauled on board the tacks, and made sail to the southward; the Amazon unfortunately bore to the northward. " Gallantly and bravely done," exclaimed our hero enthusiastically, as he beheld the noble ship respond to the cool efforts of her crew, and turned on the foaming deep, dash- ing the wild waves, as if in scorn, from her bows though buried in a world of waters. She still answered lier helm, and stood triumphantly out of the awful peril, that, ten minutes later, overwhelmed her consort and the ill-fated Droits dc rilounne. Utterly helpless, the ragged main-sail dragging through the wild seas, the forc- VOL. I. E 74 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. mast and bowsprit, falling over the bows, there was nothing left but to let go the anchors ; but all the anchors except two had been lost in Bantry Bay, and the cables had been cut through by the sliot of the enemy. Two anchors however, were let go, in twelve fathoms water, but they did not hold for an instant, and on went the doomed ship to her grave. Five minutes of horror, and she struck, with a terrible shock ; at the second shock her mainmast went by the board. The French sailors, in their terrible situ- ation had still the gallantry and courage of their nation in their hearts. They rushed to the hatchways, calling out, in loud voices, •' Pauvre Anglais ! Come up on deck, quick ; we are all lost.'' Our hero well knew that no effort of man could save the ship, and all restraint being now at an end, he and the distracted Mr. Mortimer hurried to join his wife and family. Mrs. Mortimer, with her boy clasped to her heart, rushed to meet her husband. Our hero TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 75 clasped the hand of his betrothed ; she was firm and calm. " Do not give way to despair, dear Mrs. Mortimer," said our hero, " every effort will be made, and, depend on it, the French sea- men are as gallant and as anxious to save the lives of the females, as any other nation under the sun ; so, dear lady, keep up your spirit and heart, this ship will not break up for days, at all events, and the gale is sure to moderate to-night, or indeed at any mo- ment." " You inspire me with hope, dear Augustus," replied Mrs. Mortimer, kissing the fair forehead of her sleeping boy, whilst a tear fell on its little f^ice. *' God is merciful," she continued, '' I do not dread death myself, but these dear young souls, only springing into life, to be crushed in the bud ; alas ! alas ! " and she bent her head to hide the tears that would flow. Mr. Mortimer was not of a sannruine dis- position ; he looked sad and disturbed, but E 2 7C) THE NAVAL l.IEUTKNANT. joined in tlie words of hope spoken by the English sailor. As to Annie IMortinier, she gazed fondly into her lover's hopeful counte- nance, pressed liis liand, as lie was departing, nnd whispered to him, with a look that sunk into his heart, '' Ixemembcr, we live or die together." " Live, beloved, is my hope,'' returned the youth ; " but if death it is to be, it shall be as you say, together." ]\Ieanwhile, the vessel swayed backwards and forwards fearfully with each blow she received from the huge rollers that dashed with relentless force against her sides, deluging the deck, and dashing the helpless soldiers and women about the deck, and even washing some of them overboard. All hands were heaving the guns into the sea, in order if possible to keep her upright, 'lust opposite the little village of Audierne — for on a bank that crossed that bay the Droits de r Homme lay — amidst the spray raised by the breakers, could now and then be seen THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT, 77 the hull of the unfortunate Amazon, over which the wild waves broke with awful force. It was, in truth, an awful sight which the deck of the doomed Droits presented to the gaze of our hero. Even the seas that washed over her had not cleared away the traces and marks of the sanguinary combat so fatally interrupted ; not a mast was standing, whilst a crowd of unmanageable and terri- fied sohliers, driven here and there, and knocked down by the shocks the ship re- ceived from the seas — some, in stupified groups — WL-re clinging to any object they could grasp. As night came on the remorseless sea increased in fury, and, as tlie tide again rose, the rollers came thundering against the lofty sides of the ship, glorying in their might, and liurrying to destruction their disabled victim. All distinction of rank, all attempts at disci- pline, became submerged in the one feeling — dear life. Commodore le Crosse and General Humbert, however, did all they could to pro- 78 THE NATAL LIEUTENANT. tect tlic ladies, and had a place barricaded and filled with mattresses to enable them to bear the terrible shocks the vessel received as the tide came to its height. An awful night was passed, in hourly expectation of the sliip*s parting asunder. During the darkness numbers perished — swept off the decks by the raging sea. The next day the shore could be seen, lined with people, but, in the fearful gale still raging, no assist- ance could be rendered. As soon as it was low^ water some of the boats were launched, the first two were dashed to pieces before a soul could enter them. A pass-rope was tried, and then a raft, which was made fast and slacked by degrees from the ship to per- mit it to drift ashore ; but the furious seas washed some off, and then tlie rest cut the rope, and the raft, with some eiglit or ten, reached the shore. After various and many failures, the day closed, and another awful night ensued. The stern was stove in and filled the cabin with water. THE NAVAL LIEUTENFNT. 79 All on board had now been thirty liours with- out food. On the third day the captain and English seamen, formerly the crew of the Cumberland, came to our hero, and told him they were going to attempt to make land in a small boat, and wanted him to join them and steer ; they felt confident that they would succeed at low water in reaching the shore. " Frenchmen/' said Captain Inglis, '' are bad managers of small boats." At this time it was very evident that in ano- ther day, exposed and half-starved as all were, ^Irs. Mortimer and the baby would succumb to their trials. ^Ir. Mortimer laboured mider affliction of body, as well as mind. Annie, during the long and terrible night, was sup- ported by the arms of her betrothed, and any food and wine he procured by immense exer- tions on his part, was divided between the baby and Annie. She did not know that he had not tasted food himself for thirty hours. In reply to the English sailor's request, Augustus Chamberlain said — 80 THE NAVAL LIKL'TKNANT. " As to me I cannot accept your offer, but take in my place Mrs. ^lortimcr and her child;' '' Most wllllnf^ly/' exclaimed the men, '^ make liaste and prepare her, ami, ])lease God, we will make the shore." Our hero hurried to the place of shelter, if shelter it could now be called, where the females crouched together, sobbing and la- menting their sad fate. When he named the plan of relief, and hope of safety, father and mother shuddered — but our hero felt so con- fident of the skill of the crew of the Cumber- land, that Mrs. Mortimer said — " For the sake of this dear babe I will go ; live till to-morrow here, we cannot." Mr. Mortimer himself feebly consented, and after a heart-rending embrace of husband and child, the mother and her baby, wrapped closely in shawls, were conducted by our hero on deck. For a moment ^Irs. T\Iortimer became bewildered by tlie sight of horror the deck presented. At this time three THE NAVAL LILUTENANT. 81 liundred of the souls aboard the ship liad perished. Not a single Frenchman would attempt a landing in so small a boat — it was certain death they said — Alas ! was not death already busy aboard. '^ Go, Mr. Chamberlain," said one of the English crew ; ^' go with the lady, and I will stay here and take my chance." " No, my gaUant fellow," said our hero, " I have a task to accomplish, or perish." " Then, blow me," said Tom Darking, the name of the sailor, a great favourite of our hero, when on board the Cumberland, '^ if I don't stay and help you ; the boat will be lighter and better without me. There will be four of us left to assist you to get Miss Mortimer safe ashore." Our hero pressed the youn^ man's hand firmly, saying '^ Those words shall not be for- gotten if Providence enables us to get out of this doomed ship to the shore." The boat was carefully launched, and Mrs. Mortimer safely placed with her darling boy in E 5 S2 TIIK NAVAL LIKUTENANT. the stern sheets. As the frail barque shoved off, even amid their snfferin2fs, a clieer from all Avho belu'ld tlie departure mingled with the liowl of the pitiless wind. " ^lon Dicu ! " said Captain T.e Crosse, who just tlien came up " tliat boat will never reach tlie shore witli tliot unfortunate lady and child." Looking up into the Frenchman's face, the expression of whicli was sad and solemn, our hero said, " with God's help it will ; I am con- fident of the skill and courage of the men who man that boat; besides," he added, in a voice trembling with emotion, "another night and the mother and child would cease to exist." " Alas 1 " said the commodore "you are right, we are in the hands of God. If this gale lasts thirty hours longer, few will re- main alive, to tell the tale of our disaster." All watched the little craft, almost uncon- scious of their own suiferings, so mtense was their anxiety for the gallant souls in the little boat. Over the huge waves it rose, at times THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 83 bid bj sbowers of spray, tbeii down into tbe gulf between tbe seas, tben again skilfully bandied, it rose to view, and presently plunged into tbe rollers, and one buge one caugbt it, lifted it aloft, and tben, witb tbe speed of tbe raceborse, it rusbed upon tbe rocks, but numbers were already in tbe sea to receive and save tbe living freigbt, and be- fore tbe boat struck, all bad been seized, and carried asbore. '' Grace i\dieu ! " cried Lieutenant Pusaye, looking at those on tbe sbore witb bis glass '' tbey are all saved, and now, Monsieur Cbamberlain, wbat will you do for ber wbo is dearer to you tban life?" Tbe young man started, but immediately said, " I will attempt to save ber and ber fatber on a raft. It is too late to-day ; if God spares us anotber, it must be tried." " Yes," observed tbe Frencb lieutenant, " You are rigbt, delay is deatb, tbis fearful gale bas a dozen lives." Augustus Cbamberlain tben beld a consul- 84: THE NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. tiition witli the sailor Tom Darkinj^, a fine, liigh-spiritcd, athletic yoiin;^ fellow, who said that lie and his four comrades of the Cumberland could construct a raft^ lashing empty banvls to the sides, and carrying sail, that should take them to the hmd safely. '' These Frenchmen, your honour," said Tom, " are brave, kind fellows, and fight till all's blue, and die plucky, but they are no hands in small boats ; once wrecked they are done for, they become helpless/' *' Well, Tom, get all ready, and, please God, if we survive the night, we'll push off for the shore." Notwithstanding every exertion on the part of our hero, and the heroic self denial of Annie Mortimer, who, in concealing her own great sufferings, sought to cheer the terrible despondency of Mr, Mortimer, all was vain They did not know that Mr. Mortimer suffered from disease of the heart, which had become greatly aggravated by their misfortunes in being captured by the THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 85 Droits, followed by the disastrous shipwreck. Our hero assured him of his wife's and child's safety, for which he thanked God fervently. " Still," said Mr. Morthner, "• look at the state to which we are reduced; we cannot last another night and day without food or drink. You have given the last drop of wine, denying yourself, to Annie, and she, poor child, insisted on giving it to me, for she feared I was sinking." " Be of good heart, sir,'' said the young lieutenant, "1 have a raft constructing, and a few gallant hearts to man it. These Frenchmen, half dead as they are, will not peril the little life they have left upon a raft ; the fate of those who embarked on the two last has terrified all." That night the storm increased in violence ; and the unfortunate beings on the wreck were momentarily perishing. Commodore Le Crosse secretly gave our hero a bottle of wine, one of the last he possessed, to support Miss Mortimer and the other fe- 86 THE NAVAL lii:utp:nant. males, in the place of shelter they still retained. How fervently they blessed the noble hearted youth, wlio served each of them with a glass, thinking nothing of him- self. Annie with the tears running down her wasted cheeks, implored him to take even half a glass. But he laughed clieerfully, saying " he did not need if, he was strong enough, and hud had a good draught of water." Alas ! that was not truth, for water at this time it was impossible to have. But during the night it rained, and water was caught, which saved many from madness. Two hours after day-break, the gale still blowing furiously, Tom Barking announced that the raft was ready. The huge seas flew furiously over the vessel, shaking her to her keelson. Our hero tried to persuade one or two of the females to come with them ; the} shuddered at the idea ; none had the courage to brave instant death for the chance of life. " You are not afraid, my beloved," said our hero, to the sweet, fair, faded girl he almost THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 87 carried in his arms, whilst Tom Darking supported Mr. ^lortimer. " Afraid," answered Annie, " oli, no. Not afraid, whilst with you.*' The kind-hearted Frenchmen did all they could to assist the brave Anglais. '' You are going to certain deatli,'' they said, " the first sea after you clear the ship will wash you all off." The four sailors got on the raft, the ropes held by some of the French crew. With considerable care and great attention, Augus- tus Chamberlain, supporting Annie in his arms was lowered on to the raft — a work of great difficulty, Tom Darking staying to assist ^Ir. Mortimer who was in a kind of stupor. At that moment an enormous roller came suddenly upon the ship ; it reared its great crested head, and broke with a hideous roar against the side of the seventy- four, sweeping many of the men into the surge, breaking the rope of the raft, and sending the raft itself fifty yards from the 88 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. ship; but not before Tom Darklng, quick as thought, tlircw hiuiself on to the raft, just as it rose and dasliecl from the ship. A cry of intense agony escaped Annie ^lortimer's lips. She just knew that her be- loved fatlier was left behind, and then she fainted — completely overcome. Back no human power could take them ; that morning there was a slight shift of wind, which would, if the raft survived the shocks of the seas, in passing over the bank, take them some distance up the bay, by which cir- cumstance they would avoid the dangerous reefs of rocks that lined the shore by Audierne. Lashing Annie carefully to the middle of the raft, and seizing the great spar, Tom had lashed to one end of the raft to steer by, our hero guided the wildly-tossed raft, whilst the five men hoisted a lug sail. This sail preserved them — each having also a rope*s end, to secure himself from being washed off. After clearing the ship the sea broke furiously Tilt: NAVAL LIEUTENANr. 89 over tliem ; Init tlic raft, under her sail, drove before the gale, and, by superhuman exertions, they carried her through the great rollers on the bank, and getting into deeper water, the regular sea was then more easily encountered. Leaving Tom to steer, our hero took his affianced' s head upon his knee, pushed back her long tresses of rich auburn hair, and gazed anxiously and earnestly into her death- like features. The poor drenched and worn- out maiden opened her eyes — her first words were, ^' Oh, my father ! my father ! we have left him to perish." Just then one of the men called out " A sail. A sail to windward of the seventy-four stand- ing towards her/' Augustus looked round, and saw a large vessel, judging by the loftiness of her topsail, standing into the bay. " Look, dearest," and he raised the young girl, till her eyes rested on the distant sail. " That ship will anchor near the wreck, and before to-morrow your father will be saved." 90 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. Annie gave a sigh of relief ; the poor girl was nearly exhausted. '* Now, sir/' shouted Tom Darking, '' We are getting quite close to the breakers." Augustus saw elearly that there would be a desperate struggle to undergo In passing through the breakingscas that tliundered down upon the beach. All objects on the shore were hidden by the clouds of spray from the crests of the surges, as they raced madly towards the beach. Augustus's first care was to unloose the young girl from the cords that had saved her from being washed off. He had a strong leather belt round his own waist. '' Now, dearest, grasp this belt firmly ; when the raft strikes we shall, no doubt, be thrown off. Yet do not give way to fear. I will, with God's blessing, bear you to the shore." The roller came high over them — it towered. Annie closed her eyes, and grasped the belt, whilst our hero, encircling her with THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 91 his Strong arm, awaited the struggle for life. The roller came on, dashed pitilessly upon the frail craft, and swept everyone upon it into the boiling surf A bold swimmer, and of wonderful power of endurance, Augustus sustained his helpless burden. Keeping her head above water, and lettinfj the next roller drive them on to the beach, and then, exerting his last remnant of strength, he bore her up out of reacli of the next sea, and then sank down beside her, nearly overcome. It was quite true that the sail those on the raftsa.v was the sail of a man-of-war brig, calh'd the Arrogant. This vessel, and a cutter, called the Aiguille, botli French, stood as far into the bay as safety warranted, and then anchored. As soon as possible, they hoi?ted out their boats, and courageously pulled through the breaking seas to the wreck. V>y this time it was almost night- Nevertheless, eager to assist those still on board the wreck, they eagerly prepared a 92 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. lai'fi^c raft, and before night one limidrcd and fifty, out of nearly four hundred wlio still remained on board, were safe in the brig. Night, and a return of the gale, forced the boats to discontinue ; but the next morning the wind suddenly lulled, and the boats put off. But, alas! during the long hours of the night, nearly two hundred had perished, one way or another, amongst them the unfortunate Mr. Mortimer, whose suffer- ings of mind and body left him incapable of sustaining another night of agony ; and though Commodore Le Crosse had his body taken on board the cutter, no remedies applied could restore life. General Humbert and a Lieutenant Pipon were saved, and, with the captain of the ship, were taken to the cutter, which got immediately under wcigli, and proceeded to Brest. There Mr. Mortimer was decently burled, by order of the commodore. Messen- gers were sent also by his directions to Audierne, to bring Mrs. Mortimer and infant THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 03 and daughter, if saved, to Brest; but the awful cahimity that had fallen on the Morti- mer family by the capture of the Cumberland was only to end in death of father, mother, and infant. Though saved and carried to Audierne, and treated kindly by the people of the place, the poor boy had gone through too much suffering to live, and sank to rest in his mother's arms the second day after leavinsr the wreck. The distraction of the mother was pitiable ; her distress being- aggravated by the French authorities sending a party of soldiers to take all the Englisli saved from the wreck to Quimper. There tlie unfortunate lady was attacked by fever, and though treated kindly, and some English females, also prisoners, allowed to attend on her, she gradually sank, and, murmuring the name of her husband, her adored boy, and daughter, she ceased to exist. In the parisli churchyard of St. Etienne was Mrs. Mortimer buried, and a few days after, two other females, who also ow^ed their deatli to their suffer- 94 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. ings on board the doomed seventy -four. The remainder of the English prisoners, along with the officers and crew of the Amazon, were sent on to Brest; and the French government, in consideration of their suffer- ings, and the help they had given to save the lives of the people cast ashore from the Droits de r Homme, granted them a cartel, and, finally, in tlie month of March, they were all landed in Plymouth, without exchange or ransom. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 95 CHAPTER IV. The non-arrival of the Cumberland Packet in England some weeks after the time of its expected appearance had elapsed, caused great anxiety and uneasiness to many besides her owners. Mr. ]\Iortimer and family were known to have embarked, for a Government vessel had touched at Barbadoes three days after the departure of the Cumberland, and brought home, besides other particulars, a list of the passengers. In a handsome house in Cavendish Square resided a gentleman of the name of Calthurst, a solicitor of high character, good standing, great practice, and experience. He was Mr. 9G TIIK NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. Mortimer's agent and solicitor, and liaJ the entire control of his accumulated wealth. Some months previous to the opening chapter of our tale, he had made a most advantageous })urchase of a fine mansion and estate, called St. Quentin, within six miles of Christchurch ; and situated on the sea coast. This estate he had purchased for £85,000. The house attached had only been built a few years, and was considered remarkably handsome, both as regarded its exterior appearance, and the beauty of the grounds surrounding it. Mv. Calthurst had also received the purchase- money of the Barbadoes estate, and had it safely invested till Mr. Mortimer's return to England. As everything was prepared at St. Quentin for the immediate reception of the family when they should arrive, Mr. Calthurst and his family (consisting of his wife, one son, and two daughters), became every day more anxious concerning the arrival of the Cumberland Packet. But when three weeks had passed beyond THE NAVAL LIKUrnXANT. 97 the naturally expected time of her arrival, their anxiety became exchanged for alarm. Mr. Calthurst came home one day to his dinner very late ; his fiimily were waiting for him, and his agitated manner as lie entered the drawing-room at once attracted their attention. '' No bad news, father, I hope," said his son John (a youth of twenty -two), ''of the expected packet? " '' I deeply regret to say," returned the father, '' that there are very ugly and serious rumours afloat at Lloyd's. It is reported, indeed, positively asserted, that the Cumber- htnd Packet has been captured by some French vessel -of-war." *' Good heavens! liow unfortunate," ex- claimed mother and daugliters. '' But wlio could bring such intelligence?" " Better tliat, however," said the son, " than being lost at sea. But who spread such a report, sir? " " A schooner from Cadiz bound to Fal- V(;L. 1. F 1)8 THK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. mouth," said ]\Ir. Caltliurst. ''Her captain stated to Lloyd's agent there, that on the first of January he spoke the Cumberland Packet, tlien like himself working to windward — that night a thick fog and heavy weather separated them ; but on the third, when the fog cleared, lie was then on the starboard tack, the coast of Ireland in sight, and he saw through his glass the Cumberland lying-to, and close to her also a 74 or 90-gun ship, with French colours flying — that he at once slacked his sheets, and made for the mouth of the Shannon, and anchored — that continual bad weather kept him there nearly three weeks. At Lloyd's this account is believed to be true. The servant announcing dinner, the family proceeded to the dining parlour. During the repast the conversation continually reverted to the Mortimers. Suddenly John Calthurst laid aside his knife and fork, saying, " By-the-by, father, who would succeed to the ^lortimer property, THt: NAVAL LiEurnxANr. 99 should any fatality overwlieliii the whole family ? " " Who," said tlic father, looking up into his son's face with a very serious expression, '' a person ijou know very well, John, and against whose acquaintance, beyond mere civility, I have often cautioned you. I mean ]Mr. Herbert Delme ; he, by law, is the next heir, but he is a notorious profligate, a gambler, and a spendthrift — a man without a shillino:." John Calthurst coloured a little, but he immediately said, " Why, sir, you know I cannot, in the way of business, avoid speaking to .Mr. Herbert Delme ; he calls here con- stantly, enquiring after the Mortimers, and besides my sister Bella was introduced to him at Mr. Gardener's party, and I think, Bella, you said you thought him a very agreeable partner, and a very handsome man." Bella Calthurst had a deeper colour on her pretty fair cheek than her brother, as she said, '' Surely Mrs. Gardener ought not to 100 TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. have introduced ■Mr. Delme to me if he bears sucli a character as papa gives him." The dessert was on tlie table, and the ser- vant had retired, when Mr. Calthurst said, " Mr. Dehne's cliaracter is not generally known in such circles as we move in. Besides, he is a client of Mr. Gardener's.'' " But, John," interrupted Mrs. Caltliurst, turning to her husband. '' How is Mr. Her- bert Delme the next heir to Mr. Mortimer's property ? " " He is only heir to his property," replied Mr. Calthurst, '^ in case of the death of the whole family — father, mother, son and daughter — which I sincerely trust is not at all probable. If tliey are prisoners, all they will have to suffer is captivity ; they will be exchanged or ransomed. What put such an idea in John's head I cannot imagine." *' It was only a sudden thought," said the son, helping himself to wine ; " but now I have started the subject, do tell me, father, something about this Mr. Herbert Delme, for TIIK NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 101 certainly he is a very fashionable young man, mixes in aristocratic society, drives and rides good horses, and seems always flush of cash, and is, they say, next heir to a baronetcy/' " His gold is gained one day at the gaming table," said Mr. Caltliurst, '• lost the next at the SAme phice. Plunged head and ears in debt ; he is left at liberty because his creditors know he is not worth a sliilling." '^ Good gracious ! '' said ]\Irs. Calthurst, laughing. '' How silly of them to trust a man they know to be worth a nothing." '' At times he possesses large sums, and he spends them freely ; he boasts of be- ing the only nephew of ]\lr. ]\Iortimer, who is known to be worth half a million, and that relationship goes a long way with his creditors." " Well, really," said Mrs. Calthurst, '' I did not know he was Mr. Mortimer's nephew, though I knew he was a relation. ]\Ir. ^lor- timer had no brother." '' No," said Mr. Calthurst, '' but he had a 102 THE NAVAL MEUTKNANT. sister. 1 liavc iiover touched upon, or spoken before you, or nuy of my family, u])()n tlie subject of tlie Mortimer family. 1 saw no need of it. Now that, unhappily, there is this strange rumour afloat of even a worse ca- lamity than captivity, I will make you acquainted with a very short family history." '^ But what calamity do you speak of worse than captivity?" anxiously enquired mother and daughters. " I will tell you. It is reported that the Indefatigable, a frigate commanded by Cap- tain Pellew, arrived in Plymouth, greatly cut up from an engagement with a French 71-gun ship, the Droits de 1' Homme. She had with her as consort the Amazon frigate; that, after a furious engagement of two days, the Droits de I'Homme and the Amazon were driven ashore on the French coast, and totally wrecked. The Indefatigable, by a miracle, avoided the same fate, and, almost in a sinking condition, managed to make Ply- mouth. Now, although this 74-gun ship might THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 103 liave been the seventy-four that took the Packet, there is nothing positive in it, except that the dates correspond. Still, even supposing the report true, it does not follow that the ^Mortimers were on board ; they might have remained prisoners in the Cumberland, and the prize might have made a safe port. Besides, though the seventy-four was driven ashore, a huge ship like that would not break up like a coaster — tlierefore tliere is every probability of some of them being saved, for surely all could not perish." John Calthurst, the son, looked exceedingly thoughtful as he said, seeing his mother and sisters retiring, " You have not told us, sir, how the Mortimer family — " '* Oh ! " interrupted Mr. Calthurst, "• T forcjot. I am so vcrv concerned and anxious about my old friend and his family, and so perplexed by this disastrous intelligence, that 1 scarcely know wliat to think or do." "Well, my dear," said :\Irs. Calthurst, '' I do not see that you can do anything; a few JO-1 Tin: NAVAL LIEUTENANT. days may enlighten us on this subject. If Mr. Mortimer and family sliould most unfortu- nately have perished, it will be a very grand thino: for Mr. Herbert Delme. I will leave you now to tell John the Mortimer history, as we are going to a quiet party at the Gardeners* to-night, and must go and dress, for we have dined very late." Mr. Calthurst looked after the showy figure of his better half with rather a puzzled look. They were a very attached couple, notwith- standing that their views and intentions were v/idely different ; but our story will explain and disclose the various views and projects of the Calthurst family. We must except, however, the worthy Mr. Calthurst himself, who never entertained but one view or project in his whole life, and that was to rise in the world by honest industry, and by acting, in every case and sense, with the strictest inte- grity. " Well, sir,'' said the son, pusliing tlic decanter over to his father, who seemed THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 105 plunged in tliouglit, '' I am waiting for your promised account of how Mr. Herbert Delme becomes the next heir to ]\Ir. ^lortimer's entire property?'^ " He will never inherit the wealth left by Mr. Mortimer, if, which God forbid, the family have perished," said Mr. Calthurst, emphati- cally, " let that be sufficient for you to know. I will just, in a few words, give you the pri- vate history of my old friend, whom, I trust in God, still lives. " Mr. Mortimer's father was a very wealthy merchant. He owned large estates in Bar- badoes, and when he died left the entire of his wealth, excepting twenty thousand pounds, to his only son, Henry. The twenty thousand pounds were bequeathed to his only daughter, Maria; and in his will he distinctly stated, that if she married against the consent of her brother she should forfeit the twenty thousand pounds, which would then revert to Henry Mortimer. Mr. ]\Iortimev continued the mercantile pursuits ; but, four years after F 5 lOG Tin-: NAVAL lieutenant. lior father's death, ^IIss Mortuner tell In love ^vIth the then notorious Adolphus Herbert Delme, the father of tlie present Herbert your friend. " Mr. Adolphus Delme could boast of his high descent and aristocratic connections, but there ended his qualifications, if we except a very handsome person and most insinuating manners, especially with women. Before he liad reached his thirtieth year he had run through a fortune of nearly eighty thousand pounds, became in debt for half that sum, had fuight a dozen duels, killed two of his ill- starred adversaries, and wounded others. He was a dreaded man, for he was a dead shot, a most practiced and skilful swordsman, and never forgave the sliglitest provocation. Mr. Delme secretly gained the love of Miss Mor- timer, privately married her, and then, witli- out his wife*s knowledf^e, sought out an opportunity to be publicly rude to Mr. Mortimer, who had not the most remote idea that the man who had so grossly insulted him THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 107 was liis sister's husband. Duelling was then,** even more tliau now, tlie curse of society. ^Ir. Delme knew that he would never be able to procure Mr. Mortimer's consent to liis marriage with his sister, and he actually conceived the horrible design of provoking his brother-in-law Into a duel, In order to get quit of him. Mr. Mortimer dead, his wife would inherit her brother's wealth ; for Mr. ]\IortI- mer, though engaged, was then unmarried. Though detesting duelling, Mr. ^lortimer was obliged to give way to the customs and usages of society. He had the choice of weapons, and he chose the small sword, then worn by all gentlemen. He sent for me. I was an old college friend of his, and some four years his senior. I was then just com- mencing my profession. So sincerely did IMr. Mortimer love his sister, and so little did he suspect his confidence in her abused, that he made a will entirely In her favour, should • About Uie year 1770 108 TITF NAVAL LIKUTENANT. lie fall in liis contest witli Mr. Delme. I was sorely troubled and c^ricved. T knew it was quite useless to try and prevail on my friend to dc- (dine the iiglitinp^ ; who thougli a most amiable nnd quiet man in all liis pursuits, had a high and haughty spirit. A blow in the face, before the members of the club to wliich he and Mr. Delme botli belono;ed, was not to be bori>€ with impunity. Well, to shorten my tale, and a sad tale it is — and it strongly points out that man may plan and devise, but God directs, that the race is not always to the swift, or the battle to the strong — strange to say, without any particular skill in his weapon, whilst his adversary was renowned for his consummate dexterity, Mr. Mortimer ran ]\Ir. Delme through the body the very third pass made between them ; the seconds on both sides stood con- founded — this was a result none expected. Adolphus Herbert Delme was, however, mor- tally wounded. Struck with remorse, he implored Mr. Mortimer's forgiveness, stated THE NAVAL LIIiUIENANT. 103 tliiit he was his sister's hiisbaiul, and that he liad purposely provoked the duel that so terribly ended Ids career. " Mr. Mortimer was horrified, shocked, and distracted ; he had killed his sister's husband, though certainly without knowing him to be such ; the idea was overpowering, and the next day he was in a high fever. Three months elapsed before he recovered his mind and health. During that time his sister had given birth to the present ^Ir. Delme, and died. '' I shall not attempt to describe or to analyze ^Ir. Mortimer's feelings — sufficient to say he sometime after married, and at once em- barked for Barbadoes, leaving his sister's child under the care of guardians, and settling upon him a sum of forty thousand pounds. I declined to be one of the guardians. I had my own reasons for so doing, and Mr. ^lortimer did not attempt to refute them. When Mr. Herbert Delme became of age he consequently succeeded to the forty thousand pounds and 110 Tin-: NAVAL MKUTENAXT. the .nccumulatod anioiiiit of intorost, ma'^lc the most of durliiu: a loiirr inlnoritv. Tlis guardians, I must say, did tlicir duty witli the money entrusted to thoir care ; but they had not troubled themselves mueh how the young man was brought up. Tic went to Harrow and to Oxford, certainly; but lie only brought away tlie vices, and none of the learning or accomplishments to be gained in tliose places. " The career of Mr. Herbert Delme I need not paint to you — you have heard enough of it Tt will be quite sufficient to say that in six or seven years after getting possession of his noble fortune he was without a shilling, and, like his father, over head and ears in debt. Mr. ^lortimer was quite aware of the career his nephew was running, and at first tned, by all the means in his power, to check it ; but only received vain promises of reform, lill, disgusted, he left him to pursue a course that has finished by making him the most unprincipled profligate in this great city. THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. Ill " Now let us go up, and ;;ct a cup of tea — this re-calling of the past has been painful to nie ; but I hope you may profit by it." Whilst V\\ Calthurst was relating the liistory just recorded, in the dining room, his wife and lier two daughters were partaking of a cup of coffee or tea in the drawing room, previous to retiring to dress. Tlie two Miss (Jalthursts were really fine, showy girls, and quite conscious that they were so. BcUa, tlie youngest, then eighteen, was generally admitted to be a very liandsome girl. She liad brilliant dark eyes and hair, a beautiful com- plexion, and a very elegant figure — the only drawback was a ^'' nez retrousse;'' but some admired this sort of feature. Be it as it may, it certainly became her. The elder sister was nearly twenty — tall and well-made — a blonde, and with better features altogether than her sister ; but was not, by any means, so much admired. They were both accomplished girls, and might, but 112 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. lor one fault, have made excellent wives, if they had had the good fortune to have looked lor liusbands in their own sphere of life; but their whole thoughts «ind ideas, encouraged by their ambitious mother, was to marry out of their own station in society. Thus their otherwise amiable dispositions became wrecked upon the rock of ambition. Now, though Mr. Herbert Delme was not worth, as Mr. Calthurst said, a single shilling, he was, nevertheless, heir to a barren baro- netcy, and that was something in the eyes ot the world. Sir Edgar llopeton Delme was the last, if we except Mr. Herbert Delme, of the male descendants of a once high and opulent family. He had lived a life of wild extravagance in continental cities, and, at the age of eighty-four, was existing on a small annuity bestowed upon him by an old friend, to keep him from the sufferings of real poverty. So, as far as the title went, Mr. Herbert Delme could boast of being the pro- bable successor in a very short period, for Sir TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. Il3 Edgar could not live tlirougli the winter, his doctor said. ^Irs. Calthurst, as she poured out the tea and coffee, said to lier daughters, '* This is a very sudden calamity — this loss of ^Ir. Mor- timer's family — for I cannot divest my mind of tlie idea but that they are all lost. It's very terrible to think of such a catastrophe as a whole family, and possessed of such wealth, perishing, as you may say, within sight of their native shores.'* " It is indeed fearful, mamma," said Bella, '' quite sliocking. They must have suffered so much, too, when they were taken by the French ship-of-war." '^ I think it quite possible," said the elder sister, " that one out of the four may have been saved." '' It's very possible," said Mrs. Calthurst; *' still, in my opinion, Mr. Dolme has every chance of succeeding to an immense fortune. Mrs. Gardener says his follies and extrava- gance are greaily magnified — he is not a 114 THE NAVAL LIEUTRNANT. quarter so bad as report represents him to be. 1 daresay wc shall see him to-iiif^lit. lie is usually very attentive to you, Bel hi." '' Oh, I think liim very- agreeable, and certainly he is very handsome," replied Bella. " When a man marries, and he likes liis wife," said ]Mrs. Calthurst, 'Mic soon deter- mines to lead a steadier life." '' You may depend on it, mother," said the eldest Miss Calthurst, '' once this intelligence of the Mortimers' melanclioly fate gets abroad, and is positively verified, and ]\Ir. Deluie steps into the shoes of tlie old baronet, his youthful follies will be styled — exube- rance of spirit and thoughtlessness, and a too generous disposition — lie will have plenty of admirers amongst our sex." '^ Such is my opinion," answered Mrs. Cal- thurst, '' and I tell you what, Mrs. Gardener told me in confidence that Bella had made a great impression on ^Ir. Dclme ; and, although Sir Edgar Delme is living on a small annuity, the moment he died, an estate in Somerset- Tin: NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 115 8hire, wortli more than two tlioiisancl a-vcar, would be liable to dispute ; and if ^Ir. Delme liad Funds to carry on the lawsuit tlnit estate, at all events, would be his. But come, we must go and dress. By the way, if tliis intelligence is positively true, it would be very wrong for us to go out this evening ; but as it is a mere rumour, of course there is no impropriety in our going to a quiet party.'' " I should think not," said ]\Iiss Calthurst, who expected to meet the Honourable William Hall Pemberton, a gentleman client of ^Ir. Gardener, who was trying to borrow some twenty thousand pounds, upon very scanty security, and who would have had no objec- tion to a plebeian wife with that amount of incumbrance. Mr. Calthurst's office, where his six clerks worked from nine o'clock a.m. to five p.m. was in Welbeck-street ; there he had also his own private sitting room and office in which to receive his clients. His son John was about to be taken into IIG THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. partnership. ^Ir. Calthurst had amassed a very fine fortune — he could give each of his two daughters during his life six thousand pounds, with a prospect of having as much more at his death. About one o'clock in the day on the fol- lowing morning, Mr. John Calthurst, junior, was sitting in his father's office, reading the Times, or imagining that he was reading that broad sheet; but, in point of fact, he was thinking of matters very irrelevant to news- paper intelligence. He had been engaged the preceding evening, and therefore did not accompan}^ his mother and sisters to Mr. Gardener's. One of the clerks entered the room, saying, '' Mr. Delme washes to see you, Mr. Jolin. He first enquired for your father. I told him your fother w^as engaged in the city. He then asked for you, saying you would do as well. Shall I show him in ? " '' Certainly, Gilmore — shew liiui In ; 1 cannot refuse to see Mr. Delme." In less than five minutes that gentleman THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 117 entered the office ; he immediately turned round, and looked steadfastly at tlie clerk, who, bowhig and somewhat discomposed, closed the door as he retired. " Ah !" said Mr. Delme, with alight laugh, *' a discreet young man. Well, John, how goes it," holding out his hand. '4ium is riz, and sugars is fell, as they say east of Temple Bar, eh, John, what do you think ?" " Well, upon my faith I do not know what to think, Herbert. 1 know I lost seventy odd pounds last night, and that my exchequer is a I low tide." '' Never mind, my lad; the 'jade fortune' is as fickle as — what the deuce shall I say ; — I'm sick of quoting women ; but, look here." And he took a roll of notes out of his pocket as he threw himself into a chair. " After you left I made a splendid haul. There is a cool hundred for you to commence business with to-morrow night. When one's up, the other's down. There, pocket these," and he coolly tossed John Calthurst two fifty-pound 118 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. notes, which the young man quietly accepted, saying — '' What's the figure now ?" '' Oh, curse the figure, never urnid totals, I have news worth lialf a million, provided I have your help." " I know what you mean ; but there's no re- liance to be placed upon the reports about the Mortimers." '' 1 know better. 1 will tell you to-night. I expected to meet only you here, for I saw your worthy dad half-an-hour ago going otl* to the city, so 1 came on to see you, tor there's no time to lose. 1 will leave you now. ]\lin(l and be punctual to-night. By the bye, what's in that innnense iron chest let into yonder wall ?" '' Ah, that's father's sanctum sanctorum. It contains wills and important deeds ; the house might burn down, but the contents of that chest would be quite safe." Mr. Delme stood a moment, regarding it with a steady look and a half smile on his THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 119 handsome features. lie was a tall and ex- ceedingly well-made man, dark, clustering hair, fine complexion, and hands remarkably small, and delicately white. Though ex- tremely handsome, and wltli large, dark, restless eyes, there was a peculiar formatioii of the mouth when at rest, that gave a some- what sinister expression to his features, but his countenance must have been cauf^ht at rest, fur an observer to notice this peculiar expression, for in general his features were continually underfroine: chano-e. '' Well, adieu, John," said ^Ir. Delme. '^ By-the-by, Sir Edgar's life is nearly run out, he won't stand the wear and tear of an- other week. Should like to make your pretty sister Bella Lady Herbert Dclme — eh? what would the old boy say ?" ''Why, faith, to tell you the trutli, he would say — No, she should never be Lady Delme with my consent.'* *' Ah, never mind; once Lady Delme, and backed by nearly half- a- million, it will matter very little how he will rtceive his re- 120 THE NAVAL l.IKUTENANT. pentant son-in-law — ta ! ta ! — don't be very late to-night." Shaking John Calthurst by the liand, Mr. Delnie passed out, closing the door after him. He had a well-appointed curricle waiting for hiui at the door ; but, as he walked through the office, one of the clerks, a young man of some six or seven and twenty years, got up and accompanied him to the door. In the hall Mr. Delme said, in a low voice, " In that iron chest, I suppose." " Yes," returned the clerk, whose name was Thomas Adams. "Very good!" returned Mr. Delme, ''be punctual to-night — eleven o'clock, to the minute, for I am to meet John Calthurst at twelve." '' All right," said the clerk, and proceeded on down the street. Mr. Delme paused at the hall door, looked at the two handsome iron greys in his splendid curricle, laughed, and then humming a tune, he sprang in, took the reins, and drove off. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 121 CHAPTER V. The month of March set in, as it usually does in our eliangeable climate, cold, stormy, and every way uncomfortable. Mr. Calthurst had written to an old friend, a solicitor, practising in Plymouth, begging him to spare neithei expense nor trouble in making enquiries from ships of war entering that port concerning the fate of the passengers taken from the Cumberland Packet aboard the Droits de THomme, and also to learn, if possible, the names of all the English saved from the wreck of that ^hip in Audierne bay, espe- cially if a family of the name of Mortimer were saved — mentioning the members of the VOL. I. G 122 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. family to consist of father, motlicr, son, and fl a lighter, and two female domestics. Up to the fiftli of March, all the Intelligence lie had received was a confirmation of the previous rumour that the Cumberland Packet was taken by the French seventy-four, and her passengers transferred to the Droits ; but on the nineteenth of March he received the following letter from the Plymouth solicitor — '' My dear Friend, " It grieves me to find I must put a final close to ycur sanguine expectations that any of the unfortunate family of Morti- mer were saved from the fearful wreck of the Droits de THomme/' Mr. Calthurst laid down tlie letter, and buried his face in his hands, and remained so for several moments. He was greatly grieved and affected. " Alas ! not one," he murmured to himself several times. '' I could not bring my mind to believe in such a fearful and tragical ending to my dear old friend, and his. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 123 T may say, young wife and family. lie had a prophetic feeling, I do think, pressing upon his mind when he wrote. his last letter to me; but let me see how it came to pass." Tak- ing up the letter, he continued — " Two days ago there arrived in this port a vessel from Brest, full of English prisoners released by the government of France, and sent to England without ransom or exchange. These persons were all landed, and I soon learned that the captain of the Cumberland was one of the number. I immediately waited upoTi him at the Crown Hotel. Captain Inglis gave me all the particulars of his unfortunate capture, and liorrible suf- ferings when shipwrecked in the Droits de THomme: but as ^Irs. lleartlev, Mrs. Morti- mer^s attached attendant, was one of the saved, and, after terrible sufferings, was taken aboard a French gun brig, carried to Brest, then released anritanny. Imuiense piles of cliimneys, higli peaked roof, covered witli hright red tiles, v-hh long avenues of trees, leading to the principal entrance. A terrace, a fountain, and several statues, formed the orna- mental portion of the front entrance. Nume- rous domestics were summoned when the cavalcade, with the now insensible Miss ^Mor- timer, entered the hall. The housekeeper, a fine stately old dame, with a very benevolent countenance, made her appearance, and to her care Annie was consiirned bv Monsieur de liauteville, with orders to use the warm bath and restoratives, and then to wrap her up and immediately to put her in bed. Augustus Chamberlain let Annie's cold hand drop from his with a sigh of reo-ret, and a look of profound sorrow. TIIK NATAL LIKUTENANT. 155 " Nay, monsieur," said De Hauteville, who ■\\'as obsei*vinfr him with a somewhat sino^uhir expression of countenance, '' you need not be ahirmed for your sister's life. She will rapidly recover when properly treated, and she shall have the best of care." ^' I deeply feel your kindness, monsieur," re- plied our hero. " She has suffered terribly for four days, and her mind, I am satisfied, suflfers more than her body — the uncertainty she remains in respecting her parents tortures her." Our hero did not perceive the smile on ^lonsieurde Hauteville'slips, as he said ''her parents;** but he had no longer the intention to keep up the deception of being Miss Mortimer's brother. It would, he felt, be useless. " It is time, monsieur," said the owner of the chateau, " that you change your soaked garments ; though you are so young, there is little difference in our stature," and, summon- ing an attendant, he desired him to conduct the 156 THE NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. Kngllsliman to a cliamber, and to take him every necessary article of clotliing lie required. ** When voii have chanrred your clothes, and taken a glass or two of wine, we will dine — n meal, I dare say, that will be acceptable to you.'' Our hero bowed, and returned the hospit- able Monsieur de Ilauteville thanks, and, greatly surprised, in truth, somewhat mystified, followed the domestic up a grand staircase? across a gallery, and into a large lofty cham- ber, furnished in all the massive pomp of the times of Louis the fifteenth. " I will bring you a change of linen, monsieur," said the domestic, "and a shooting dress of my master's — they will fit you well, to-morrow your own will be dried, and fit to put on." '' Thank you," replied Augustus Chamber- lain. *' What is your master's name and title?'' '' His name, monsieur, is De Hauteville — he was a marquis, and was also a general." THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 157 ''Is lie married?" our hero ventured to enquire. " No, monsieur, lie is a widower," and then lie retired, but presently returned with an abundance of elothing. *' Well," thought our hero, '^ all this is very strange. This generous hospitality, and to enemies of the republic. It is very clear, my entertainer possesses power in this part of the country." In the meantime, ^lonsieur de Hauteville entered a very handsome saloon, furnished in the prevailing taste of the day. On the tables, and scattered over the room, were various articles, betokening the use of the saloon by a female, a piano and harp, guitar, music on the side tables, and various articles of women's taste in those days — some seventy years ago. Monsieur de Hauteville paced the chamber, seemingly in deep thought ] he then suddenly sat down, and drawing a desk to him, took out writing materials, and commenced rapidly writing. Whilst so engaged, the door 168 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. opened, and a young lady entered tlie room. She was not more tlian two-and-twenty, tall, graceful, and elegant in her attire and manner, with features, if not strictly perfect, yet ex- ceedingly fascinating in their expression, with dark expressive eyes, and a profusion of rich auburn hair. " Who on earth, uncle," said the lady, taking a chair, *' is this beautiful girl —child, I might almost say — that you have brought here half dead and insensible. She would not have lived another hour without help, and that of the tenderest kind." *' Has she revived?*' asked Louis de Haute- ville, looking up anxiously into his niece's countenance. " Slie has revived, certainly ; and Dame Godelet is exerting all her naturally kind qualities to solace her ; but she raves about father, mother, and brother, and some one she calls Augustus, and who seems to be very dear to her — her brother, I suppose, for she is too young to have a lover.*' TFIE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 159 '' Ila," murmured Monsieur de Hautevillc, '' I am glad she revives. Not that I feared a fiital result ; though T knew the shock she has received might rende? recovery long and difficult." '* Restoration to health will be long and difficult," replied his niece. '' But who is she? I know she is English, and that she was saved from the wn-eck of that unfor- tunate man-of-war ; but why she is brought here, and only some of the other prisoners with her, surprises me." " Why, Eugenie," said Louis de Hauteville, '' you would not let her perisli, or be handed over to the tender mercies of Captain Popatin, and conveyed to prison like the other miserable wretches saved from the wreck ? " " Mon Dieu ! no," returned the French girl with a flush over her handsome features. " 1 would not trust a pet dog to your prot(^^g6, Monsieur Popatin. No. I will do all in my power to restore this charming-looking girl to health. Is she to be given up to imprison- IGO TIIK NAVAL LIKUIKNANT. inciit afterwards ; and wliere is vour other guest— whore is he?" '' You arc somowliat curious, my dear niece," returned ^lonsiour ITautcville, with a smile. ^' Well, after all, it is but natural. As to my male guest, all 1 know of him is what he tells me, that he is in the navy — a midship- ma!i, holding the rank of lieutenant, and that he is the girl's brother. At least, so I heard him tell Popatin, whom you call my prot6g(^'. He must be a youth of gallant spirit, and undoubted vigour, for he swam through a tremendous surf; and I think, my fair niece, if your heart were disengaged you would run a good chance of losing it, for this youth is singularly handsome, and with a noble figure." '' What?" returned the French demoiselle, laughing, '^ give my heart to a heretic, and a bitter enemy to your model republic?" '' Hush ! " said the general, " the young Englisman is coming down the stairs attired in a suit of mine. Parbleu ! for a youth THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 101 of twenty, he is fitted well in my hunting suit." Eugenie de Morni turned ; the door of the saloon was open, and the grand stair- case faced it. Augustus Chamberlain was then crossing the hall, a domestic shewing him tlie way to the saloon. Mademoiselle de Morni looked at tlic tall, elegant figure of the niidsliipman with surprise, and a great deal of interest. She had expected to see a well- grown lad, by her uncle's description, and now she beheld a young man fully as tall, and nearly as muscular, as her uncle himself. He became the handsome green hunting suit he wore ; but was exceedingly pale, his features clouded, and wore a sad and thoughtful aspect. As the youth entered the saloon, he beheld I'-ugenie de Morni, witli a look of surprise, and bowed low. Monsieur de Haute ville rose saying — *^ This is my niece. Mademoiselle de Morni. I leave you to make each other's acquaintance, whilst I change my dress — we 162 Tin: naym. lieutenant. will tlicn to dinner." lie then left the room. Our hero took a chair, and, seating hin^self, said, as he looked earnestly into the face of tlie French girl, '' May T enquire, mademoiselle, for my companion in misfortune, ^liss Mor- timer, wlio lias been so kindly and liospltably received into this chateau. I am deeply anxious about her." '' T can imagine so, monsieur," returned Eugenie, " is slie your sister?" '' No, mademoiselle, she is not — neither is she a relative ; but she is dearer to me than life." Tliere was a something in tlie tone, the manner, and the look of Augustus Chamber- lain tliat forcibly interested Eugenie de ^lorni. '' I am happy to tell you, monsieur," she returned, " i\Iiss ]\Iortimer has rallied, and, I have no doubt, will eventually recover. She suffers as much in mind as in body. I understood from my uncle that you were her brother." THE NAVAL LIKUTEXANT. 1G3 " When we were cast lialf-dcad upon the beach, mademoiselle/' said our hero, '' witli the certainty of being made prisoners, the harshness of a Captain Popatin, who an- nounced that we were prisoners, and to be separated, induced me to say I was Annie's brother, hoping to be allowed to watch over her during her terrible trials ; but I trust her mother and little brother are, though pri- soners, alive, and recovering from the sufferings they experienced. Miss Mortimer's father we were, unfortunately, forced to leave behind, for the raft broke adrift before he could, in his weak state, be put on it." " You have, in truth, monsieur," said Eu- genie, exceedingly interested, ''gone through great trials, the harder to be borne when your voyage was so nearly accomplished in safety ; but, as far as mademoiselle's welfare and health is concerned, you may depend that every attention shall be lavished upon her. She is almost a child in years, keenly sensitive, and deeply attached to her parents." 164 THE NATAL LIEUTENANT. '^ Thank yoii, niadcinoiscllc/' said our hero, warmly, '^ 1 shall never forget the kind- ness we have received. The. more you know of Miss Mortimer the more you will be charmed with her, for slic is gifted, fur one so young, wltli an energy and strength of mind and intellect truly surprising. She bore her own sufferings without a murmur, cheering her poor mother, whose only thought was the safetv of her children.'' Euo-enie do Morni looked serious and o thoughtful ; but before she could reply Mon- sieur de Ilauteville returned, and almost immediately they proceeded to the dining room, where a well-served dinner awaited them. Though our hero had scarcely touched any food, save a biscuit and a very small quantity of water, for several days, he felt too ex- hausted and weary in mind and body to do justice to the good things before him. ** You speak French so well, Monsieur Chamberlain," said Mademoiselle de Morni, TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 1G5 '' that I could almost fancy you came from a distant province, and were a Frenchman." " [ was, when young, mademoiselle, taught by a French gentleman, who took great pains with mc ; and afterwards I had good practice in speaking as an interpreter at a French settlement/' *' Your ships. Monsieur Chamberlain," said Eugenie's uncle, '' were very severely handled in tliat unfortunate attack, by some of your most skilful commanders, upon Santa Cruz?" ** Pardon me, monsieur," returned our hero, " our ships were not engaged at all. We attempted the assault of an almost impreg- nable place with our boats. As to me, I do not know to this moment how tlie assault ended. I was engaged in the attack upon the sea ramparts from the quay ; but we were mowed down like sheep by the terrible fire from the ramparts that commanded tlic whole length of the quay. I was nearly the last left alive on the wall, when a musket shot threw me off the quay.'' 160 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. *' I can tell you how the uftalr ended," said Monsieur dc llautcvillc, ^* for it made a sensa- tion in Paris, and, I confess, considerable rejoic- ing. Four or ^ve commanders such as Nelson and Trowbrid;j:c failino; in then* attack was sometbinfT new. The Eno^lish were forced to surrender to the Spaniards — those who got ashore, and hito the town ; but, sin;^'ular enough, your gallant countrymen actually demanded terms of surrender, sucb as con- querors would demand after a victory, and the Spanish governor acceded to them. Thus, droll enough, they returned to their ships, and left tiie place unmolested; but your renowned Nelson lost an arm, and several superior officers were killed and wounded. Pray, what ship did you belong to, monsieur? " '' The Leander, fifty -gun ship," returned our hero. '' I trust Captain Thompson's name was not amongst the killed or badly wounded ? " ''Thompson!" repeated De llautevlUe, THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 1G7 tliougiitfully. '' No, there was no name like that — let me see. Ali, now I remember, there was a Captain Bone, or something like that." " Ah ! you mean Bowen, Captain Bowen, of the Terpsichore frigate — alas ! is that gal- lant spirit quenched ? " " Yes, that is the name," returned Monsieur de Hauteville. " I remember the name of the ship." '' But how," exclaimed Eugenie de Morni, *' did you escape, monsieur, after being wounded, and remaining, even till now, igno- rant of the fate of your ship or your com- rades?" Our hero briefly explained to the French demoiselle what is already known to our readers. She seemed great l)r interested ; but plainly perceived that our hero was overcome with weakness and weariness. She at cnce said, '' I think, monsieur, you must be greatly in need of rest^ and the very best thing you can do is to seek repose." *'You are right,Eugenie," observed Monsieur 1G8 TIIK NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. De Hautvillc, summoniiin^ a domestic, '• I was very \vroii«^ in not thinking of tliis sooner; l)ut a good night's rest will greatly restore you." *' You are very kind, monsieur," said our licro, rising. '' I am worn our, and, but for your generous hospitality, my sufferings wouhl liave been tenfold greater." Then, wishing mademoiselle o:ood nin^lit, and shaking' hands with monsieur, he followed the domestic to the chamber prepared for him. After the departure of our hero, uncle and niece remained seated near a blazing log fire for some time without speaking. At length Eugenie looking up into the very serious countenance of her uncle, said — " I suppose, Louis, I must postpone my departure till this poor girl recovers suffi- ciently to be restored to her parents." '' I shall feel obliged by your doing so, Eugenie. Your mother will not be at Cou- lange for a fortnight at least, so there is no hurry." He hesitated a moment, and then THE NAVAL LI KU TENANT. 1G9 continued, '^ This girFs uiotlier will never recover — she Is dying." " Mon DIeu ! how do you know that, uncle," asked the Frcneligirl, looking serious. *' I have had full particulars from Quiinper this morning, with a list of the passengers Hnd English prisoners saved from the Droits. It appears that Mrs. Mortimer and her infant son were saved in a boat manned by English sailors ; the child had suffered much on board the wreck, and died eight hours after landing. The mother, already reduced by suffering, became distracted, and the autho- rities imprudently moved her, witii the rest of the prisoners, to Quimpcr. She was seized with a dangerous fever, and I hear has no chance of living till to-morrow." " (Jod help the unfortunate child we have here, then — this intelligence must be kept from her, or it will kill her." " Such is my wisli," returned l)e liauteville. '^ But Louis," interrupted Mademoiselle de Morni, " what are your projects with respect VOL. I. I 170 THE NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. to this girl and her lover. He is most de- votedly attached to licr, I can easily see." '^ Rah ! " interrupted Monsieur De Ilaut- villc, '^ wb.at is a cliiM's attachment — she will forget tliis love in a twelvemonth ; and as to the young man — who ever heard of a midshipman being in love for tliree months at a stretch. He is easily disposed of. I will send him to Quimper to-morrow, or the day after." '' No, Louis," said mademoiselle earnestly. " You cannot act so cruelly. Why profess so much kindness — treat him as a guest, and then hand him over to captivity." '' Just order in the coffee, my dear niece, and whilst we are sipping it I will let you into a secret that will explain all to you." Shortly after, the coffee was placed on the table, poured out, and the servants retired. Monsieur drew his chair closer to his niece, and, after a moment's thought, said — '' 1 remember, Eugenie, telling you many strange thhigs of my unfortunate grandmother, TFFK NAVAL LTKUTENANT. 171 the late ^larchioness de Coulanffe. You then laughed at me, and said the old woman was mad, and that her prophecies were wild dreams. I was angry, and said no more at the time. But I now tell you that what you call ravings and wild dreams were, without a doubt, the inevitable decrees of fate, and the ])rophecy she uttered is now working itself out." An incredulous smile sat on the lips of the French demoiselle ; but she remained silent. " You very well know, Eugenie," con- tinued Monsieur de Hauteville, " tliat 1 am the last male descendant of one of the noblest houses in France— with me perishes tlie name of De Hauteville. But I tell you, and my information comes froai an undoubted source, that the time is rapidly approaching when our titles and our grandeur will be restored. Jt is notorious that my ill-starred grandmother, when on the scaffold — which she mounted in her seventy-eighth year, with the heroic fortitude of a martyr — with her last breath I 2 172 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. prophesied, that a man would rise out of the ashes of our wasted republic, who woukl put his foot upon the necks of the people of France, and instal himself on the throne with a power and grandeur greater than ever a Bourbon possessed ; but that even he should be swept from his throne, and perish miserably. I saved your mother and yourself from the same fate as my mifortunate grandmother; but her I could not save." " I know all this,'^ said Eugenie, sadly, '' and how, dear uncle, you risked life to save your sister and me from the monster, Marat. But, alas ! your grandmother's senses fled after the execution of the poor queen ; and her prophecies were the mere ravings of an unsound mind.'' '* No, niece, they were the promptings of fate. Is not a part of that prophecy already accomplished. I tell you, 1 firmly believe, before another year expires, that Bonaparte, our present consul, will be a crowned king. However, let time work its way. Now listen THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 173 to her predictions before she went, as you state, mad ; but first I will tell you a remarkable incident — you will call it a legend — of our ancient house/' 174 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. CHAPTER VII. "WHf':N Henri Qiiatre/' began Monsieur de Hautevllle, iinlsliing his cup of coffee, '' was king of France, Philippe de Hauteville, our ancestor, was lord chamberlain, and greatly beloved by the king. Some days or weeks before a vile assassin robbed France of a good king, Philippe de Hauteville,ata very late hour, loft the king's chamber, and was retiring alon^r a jxallerv that led to his chamber in tlie palace, and had just reached the door, when he suddenly perceived, standing right before him, a tall figure, muffled from head to foot in an immense roquelaure. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. Ill) " Surprised at seeing anyone in that part of the pah\ce at that hour of the night, he laid his hand upon his sword, and, as lie lield up his h\inp, he said, ' Who are you, sir, th.it intrudes liere at such an hour ? ' " * I am one,* exclaimed the stranger, ^ inte- rested in tlie noble house of De Hautevillc. Before many days elapse, a royal head will be laid low by the dagger of an assassin. If you wish to save your life, and your name from unmerited disgrace, quit France in four- and-twenty hours, and retire to your estates.' '' The marquis, in a rage at hearing this strange prophecy, instantly attempted to seize the unknown ; but the lamp in an unaccount- able way was dashed from his hand, and the corridor became involved in darkness. Not liking to create a disturbance in the palace at that \u)UY of the night, he entered his room, found his valet ask-r}) before the fire, and the lamp expiring. Rousing his confi- dential attendant, he lighted a wax taper, and went out into the corridor. He picked up the 17G THK NAVAL LIKUTKN.vNT. dropped lamp ; but no human being was to be seen in the corridor. '' Wlicrc, my dear Lonis," said Eugenie, '* have you picked up such a wild legend?'' '' It is no legend. It is to be read in valu- able manuscripts I saved at tlic sacking of Chateau Coulange/' said De Haute ville, '' but mark the result.'^ '' My ancestor, it seems, paid little heed to this warning, but it appears he spoke of it in a somewhat bantering tone to some of the courtiers. But the day foretold came, Henri Quatre fell by the dagger of the regicide Eavaillac. " When Philippe de Hauteville heard this horrible news, he became bewildered, and the following day was arrested and at once hurried off and incarcerated in the Bastile. The marquis's son was at this time with the army in Flanders. When he heard of his father's imprisonment, on a supposed charge of being concerned in the assassination of the King, he left the army and returned to France. THE NAVAL lii:utp:nant. 177 On reaching Paris he boldly demanded justice for his father, and that he should be brousrh: to trial and heard. The Kincr at once as- sented, but the next day the unfortunate marquis was found dead in his bed. It was stated by the physician of the Bastile, that he died from over-excitement, and a rusli of blood to the head. '^For a whole generation the De Haute- villes were exiles from the court of France, remaining on their estates in Brittany and in the Vaude. But during the reign of Louis the Fifteenth, they again ap- peared at Court, and after a time regained their former position, and in after years another Philippe do Hauteville became a great favourite with tlie royal family. Now it appears very strange that each marriage of the heir of De Hauteville produced only one son, but several daughters. My grandfather had but one son, and, as you know, t am an only son. ^ Louis,' said my grandmother to me one day. I was then about twenty-two or I 5 178 Tin-: naval lieutenant. twenty-three years of iv^c. ' Louis, — You Avill liave no cliildrrn, except under one con- dition, and think of that, and the house of De Hanteville, six liundred years old. The De Ilautevilles will Ijccoine extinct.' " ' I hope not, grandmother,' said T, ' for I am ffoinrr to niarrv Anne de Chilli. ' '^ ' Yes,' said she, ' but you will have no children.' '' At that time 1 thought little of her pre- dictions; but in four years T was a widower and childless. Three years afterwards 1 wedded the young and beautiful Justina le Croix. There was a fearful fatality in my marriages. Young, healthy, and of pure blood, Justina, whom T fondly loved, lived but six years. I was again a widower, disconsolate and childless. When my noble grandmother was seized and condemned, and ordered for execution, for her determined affection and loyalty to our ill-starred Queen. I was permitted to see and take leave of her. She was perfectly resigned and undaunted, THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 179 ' Why grieve for me, Louis, ' said she, * what could I expect after living seventy-eight years but death, and perhaps, a lingering and painful death. The guillotine has no terrors fur mc — a brief second, and my soul will be before my Alaker — but listen to my last words. I have seen the stranger who predicted Henri Quatre's assassination to your ancestor, who was barbarously murdered in the Bastile, by order of the King's prime minister. A fear- ful time is coming, but, as I told you before, France will rise triumphant from her degra- dation — but let me speak of yourself. You have been twice wedded, and are childless. The house of De Hauteville can only be saved from extinction by your marrying a foreigTi maiden, a castaway, and of a country always hostile to France. This is the decree of fate, and inevitable. ' " Guards entered the prison ; 1 embraced my venerable grandmother with overpower- ing emotion, and, as the soldiers separated us, she called out. 180 Till-: NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. (I ( Remember, Louis, and promise you will, wlic'u the opportunity oeeurs, fulfil the destiny ofyour house. ' '^ ^ I ])romisc, ' I exelaimcd, ami the next instant she was torn away." Louis de ILuittville paused, and cast a scrutinizing glance at his niece, who had lis- tened to the recital of her uncle without a word of interruption. Tliere was a long pause, and then Louis de Hauteville said, — '' Do you now comprehend the motive that lias actuated my present conduct ? " *' I can very readily imagine, uncle," re- turned Eugenie, in a very serious tone, and looking troubled, '' that you have let the words of your poor grandmother make a deep impression upon you." "Deep impression!" repeated Monsieur de HauteviUr, with exceeding earnestness, "be- lieve me, the traditions of my race have eaten into my heart, and the words of my grand- mother are written in characters of fire upon my brain. When first I beheld this girl, TlIK NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. 181 who lies between life and doatli in the very chamber so often occupied by my grand- mother, for in that chambLT she was born — I say, when I first looked into the pale, worn, but lovely face of that child, as her head lay upon the breast of the youth wlio called himself her brother, I was struck with a strange and overpowering feeling. ^le- tli ought the last words of Madame de Coulange were hissed into my ear — ' Re- member your promise/ '' My thoughts were as rapid as the electric fluid. I said to myself, this girl is a cast- away, and slie comes of a race ever hostile to France. Here is my destiny. Tliis is the motive which induced me to act as I liavc acted. Now do you understand my phm.'* '^Alas! Louis, I perfectly understand tliis wihl and impossible project. You dreamed of making this child your wife, for a child in comparison to you she is, and with her heart devoted to another. Have you considered for one single moment tlie innumerable obstaclcB 182 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. tliat stand in the way of so wild, and T may say, so insane a scheme ? Even if tliis poor girl's motlier dies, her father may live, and her lover lives, and 1 know in my heart, Louis, your nature is far from cruel ; you have brooded over wild rhapsodies till — " "Nay, Eugenie/' interrupted Monsieur de Hauteville, hastily and angrily, ''I will listen to you, and even yield somewhat to your judgment, which I have seen, under trying circumstances, is sound and discriminating; but I will not permit the solemn words of the dead, spoken in the hour of doom, to be treated irreverently. ^ly project is neither wild nor unattainable. Miss Mortimer is too young for serious attachments. I intend to place her for two years under the care and protection of your mother, who han, like myself, implicit faith in the prophecies of my grandmother. At the expiration of two years she becomes my wife." '* And what is to become of that brave young man. Monsieur Chamberlain, who idolizes this THE NAVAL LIEUIKNANT. 183 cliild in years, but with ;\ woman's heart. Will you destroy his happiness for ever, and crush Ills memory from this girl's heart. You can- not do this, Louis; no, no, you have too noble a nature to become a — " " Silence, girl, 1 will no more of this romantic nonsense," fiercely exclaimed Monsieur de Hauteville. '^ You try me too far. I tell you this once for all, 1 will carry out this resolve, or perish," and, without another word, Louis de Hauteville left the saloon. Eucrenie de Morni's cheek flushed as her uncle left the room ; he had spoken harshly to her for the first time. She would liave felt deeply grieved at this at any other moment. She loved her uncle sincerely; to save her and her mother from tlie doom of many an aristocratic head in those troublesome times, he had perilled life and fortune ; she knew he possessed in reality a most kind and liberal disposition, but she also knew he was a man of strong and fiery passions, and that, once resolved upon a project, no obstacles would 184 THE NAVAL LI IIUTENANT. turn lilm from his pursuit. A personal and attaclicd friend of General Bonaparte, with whom he liad served in Italy, and gained, wlien scarcely more tliun twenty-two years of age, the rank of general of brigade, he quarrelled witli a superior officer, and in a duel nearly killed liis antagonist. A severe rebuke from Bonaparte, then in com- mand of the army, caused him, in a fit of passion, to throw up his commission and retire from the army. The thouglit, too, of tlie house of Ilauteville becoming extinct, preyed upon his mind, for, with all his superior intellect and understand- ing, he was a firm believer in destiny, and placed implicit faith in the delirious ravings of the old Marchioness de Coulange, who was notorious for her prophecies and denunciations. Eugenie therefore felt satisfied, now that he had so strangely met witli a female, who in his mind forcibly came up to the prophecy of his grandmotlier, being English, a castaway, and an enemy to France, he would yield to no THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. 185 persuasion, allow no obstacle to interfere witli liis determination. " If," said Eugenie to herself, '' I can save him from the commission of what is certainly a great crime, without shame or reproach being cast upon his name, I will do so — these young people interest me much, and I cannot help thinking this poor child will be both mother- less and fatherless ; if so, her whole love of existence will be centered upon that young lover of hers." After remaining some time in thought, she rose, and, taking the light, proceeded up the grand staircase to visit the invalid before retiring to rest. Upon a bed in a lofty and strangely fur- nished chamber — for Monsieur de Hauteville would not permit the heavy antique, but splendid furniture of the room to be removed — lay Annie Mortimer ; a briglit log fire in the immense hearth gave a cheerful look to tht? otherwise gloomy chamber. Eugenie gently 186 TflE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. drew back tlie curtains, and gazed with deep interest uj)on the pale calm features of the g\r\. " She IS sleeping/' she said to the house- keeper. '' Slie has a sweet pretty face," the dame replied. " Yes," answered the French demoiselle, emphatically. " She is very lovely ; sucli a face once seen is not easily forgotten ; and if Louis, who saw, and considered her, when half drowned, and pale as a corpse, beautiful, what will he tliink when he sees her in health ? Alas ! I fear there is trouble, and sorrow, and trials for that fair being to undergo. She is young to feel the passion of love ; but Monsieur Chamberlain is just the age when romance lends to the passion an intensity overpower- ing; he loves this girl as a child. How will it be a few years hence ?" Dropping the curtain, she approached the THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 187 fire, and sat clown. '' How long, Dame Morelle, has slie been asleep?^* asked Eugenie of the housekeeper. '' ^lore than three hours, mademoiselle. I really thought at one time she would not come round. She's a pretty young creature, and over young for sueh trials, mademoiselle.'* " You are right, dame, and I fear, besides the trials she has endured, she will have greater to suffer. They say her mother will not survive, and her little brother is already dead." " Oh ! Bon Dieu ! have merey upon the poor thing. If you tell it to her now, it will kill her." A shriek rang through the room, so heart-rending, so piercing, that Mademoiselle de Morni's heart beat painfully, and she trembled greatly, as the curtains were dashed partially aside, and Annie Mortimer threw herself wildly from the bed, and, dash- ing herself on her knees before the horror- struck Eugenie, exclaiming — '* Oh, take me in mercy to my mother — my 188 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. own beloved mother. She is dying, I heard you say. Oh, God ! " andslic threw her arms wildly into the air. '^ I saw her. She is dead!" and the young girl fell, as if struck down, totally insensible on the floor. Her piercing shriek had rung through the chateau, and struck terror to the inmates. Monsieur de Hauteville heard it as he was ascending the stairs. Alarmed, he rushed on, and entered the chamber as the housekeeper and Eugenie were lifting the insensible and unfortunate girl into the bed. *^ Mon Dieu ! how is this ? what is the matter? " exclaimed De Hauteville, gazing bewildered upon the corpse-like features of Annie Mortimer. '^ She is dead. Grand Dieu ! is it so ? " " No, no," said Eugenie, impatiently. '' Leave us. She has only fainted. We thought her asleep, and we spoke of her brother's death and her mother's illness. Pray leave us, Monsieur de Hauteville." Monsieur de Hauteville stood as if power- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 189 fully excited by some peculiar feeling, and then exclaiming, '' It is destiny — it cannot be helped," cast one more look at the inani- mate face before him \ and left the room. 190 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. CHAPTER yjll. Augustus Chambkrlain fortunately did not hear the shriek that disturbed so many in the Chateau de Hauteville that night. He rested in a remote chambe^', and slept a sleep that would have required the report of a cannon to disturb. When he awoke in the morning, a domestic brought him his own oannents, and stated that liis master awaited. him in the saloon, where breakfast was on the table. Anxious to hear how Annie Mortimer had passed the night, he dressed liiinself in a few minutes, and was crossing the gallery to tlic great staircase, when he encountered Eugenie de Morni. As he saluted her and politely re- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 191 turned her kind enquiries, he said, '' 1 trust, mademoiselle, that Miss ^lortimer is some- what restored to-day after a night's rest, and also that tidings have been received of her mother's safety and health ? " As he asked the question he observed that Mademoiselle de Morni looked rather pale, and that the expression of her countenance was sad. "Mademoiselle Mortimer,^' said the French maiden, '' is still very weak and ill ; anxiety concerning her family retards her recovery. It will take some time to restore her." '^ If reunited to her family. Mademoiselle," observed our hero, '' her health would rapidly improve. She has a line constitution, anil great fortitude." As he spoke the words, they entered the breakfast saloon. Monsieur de Huuteviile was pacing the room backwards and for- wards. Seeing the midshipman, he held out his hand, saying, as he looked into his face, '^ I am glad to see that a night's rest has 192 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. made a great improvement In your looks. One would scarcely imagine you had borne four days' starvation, and other suffering besides." " In our profession, ^lonsieur de Hauteville, we are accustomed to many vicissitudes, and hard trials of all kinds ; our constitutions get hardened ; so if we are down one day we are up the next. Have you lieard, monsieur, from Audierne or Quimper?" " Sit down and do justice to the fare before you, Monsieur Chamberlain," said De Hauteville, " and we will converse afterwards. In most situations in life, rough or smooth, and I have experienced enough of both to be able to speak confidently, a man bears himself always better after breaking a fast of twelve hours." Augustus Chamberlain sat down beside Eugenie de Morni. There was an ample and well-furnished table ; coffee, fruit, pasties, game, and choice wines. During the meal Monsieur de Hauteville turned the conversa- tion upon subjects foreign to existing circum- THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 193 stances. He spoke of the state of France, of the war with Enoflaiid and the chances of peace. He insensibly led our hero to converse of his early life, and the various scenes he had been eno^arced in. Euo:enie wasunusiiallv silent ; but she listened with groat interest to what Aucrustus Chamberlain said. Just as breakfast was over, a domestic entered, saying that Captain Popatin wishe I particularly to see Monsieur de Hauteville. " Eequest the captain to walk in here/' said De Hauteville. '' Tlien f tliink. Monsieur Chamberlain, you and I had better retire," said Eugenia de ^lorni, looking by no means pleased. '^ Well, as you please," remarked her uncle ; " go out tlirough those glass doors and take a turn in the gardens ; this redoubtable captain will not detain me long." Tlie large window of the breakfast-room reached to the floor, and led into a handsome, well-arranffed ji^arden: it was not exactlv the time of year to see a garden in its beauty, let VOL. 1. K 194 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. It be ever so well laid out. Eugenie de Morni led the way, and Augustus folio A^ed, find both disappeared as Captain Popatin, bowing and grimacing, entered tlie saloon. " Sit down, Popatin, sit down," said De Hauteville, '' and help yourself to a few glasses of Lucerne or Chambertin, it's a raw morning, and the gale scarcely subsided yet." Captain Popatin accordingly sat down and very willingly drew a flask of Lucerne towards him, and filled a glass with the sparkling wine. '' Well, Popatin, what has occurred during the night?" ^' Monsieur, not much ; the two vessels anchored off the wreck have sailed with all the people they could save. Those saved are all here, except three, who, ac- cording to your drsire, are still in tlie fort ; the rest were marched to Quimper." '^ In your report you have, as I requested, k'ft out the young naval officer and his sister." *^ Oui, monsieur, they are not mentioned." THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 195 " Bien," returned De Hauteville, " you may reckon on having your captain's couimissiou before a montli is out." Popatin was in ecstasies ; to be called cap- tain, was not exactly being a captain, and re- ceiving a captain's pay. ''" Do you think a boat can put to sea to- morrow from our creek, provided the weather moderates?" '' Most undoubtedly, monsieur," returned the captain. '' The wind has shifted, the two vessels anchored off the wreck led out of the bay safely ; the sea is falling rapidly." " Well, then, all you will have to do will be to take care that none of your men sight the boat running past the fort to-morrow night. I am anxious it should not attract anyone's attention." '' Rest satistied, monsieur. None in the fort shall see the length of their noses ; of course you will excuse their being too drunk to see. Half my men are gone with Sergeant Dempriere to Quimper, and the remainder, ex- K 2 196 THK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. cepting four, retained in the /ort, 1 will send on an expedition to Audierne to watcli that nothing is plundered that comes from the s. AVhilst this conversation was taking place, Eugenie de Morni and the midshipman were walking in a sheltered part of the garden. '^ I beg of you, mademoiselle," said Augustus Cliamberlain, '' to let me know what you have heard respecting those unfor- tunates saved from the wreck. I can see plainly by your countenance that something has happened to disturb you, and, if I am not a very bad judge of human nature, I should say yours is a feeling heart, and that you are above disguise of any kind." •'You are flattering, monsieur," said Eugenie, with a faint smile ; '' however, you aic, alas, correct in your surmises. We have had tidings from Audierne and Quimper, and 1 deeply regret to tell you Mrs. Mortimer's infant son has died from the effects of al'. he suffered in that ill-fated ship." THI-: NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 107 " My God !'* exclaimed tlic inidslilp- man, tears, despite every effort to conceal them, stealing down liis bronzed cheek. '' Little Cliarlie dead, — the child I loved so dearly, and would have sacrificed a dozen lives to save, —and his young innocent life is sacrificed. Alas ! mademoiselle, my sorrow is great, pardon this weakness. After all, man is in some cases as weak as a woman. I have sf^en death in all shapes. Death in all its horrible forms, but that sweet child's death unmans me/^ Eugenie de Morni liad as susceptible a heart as ever beat in the breast of a woman. She gazed at the young sailor, as he passed his handkerchief across his face. She read every thought of his heart, and she said to herself — " She who first wins the love of this youth will holds it whilst life last. lie will never love another, but will love, cherish, and save lier. He does love, and will love, with all the fervour of his ardent nature.'* '^ Pray, mademoiselle," said Chamberlain, 198 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. after a pause, '^ have you heard how tliepoor motlier bears this fresh and to her terrible misfortune. Little Charley was the mother's and father's only hope and joy ; for him was the father's vast wealth intended; for liim they delayed their departure from Barbadoes — fatal delay ! Had they sailed in the Race- horse frigate, as intended, all would have been, saved." '' ]\Ian proposes, but God disposes," said Eugenie, sadly. " The mother, alas ! is in a dangerous fever, and Mademoiselle Morti- mer having heard intelligence not intended for her to hear just now, has half the night been passing from one hysterical fit to another. I never kft her side till they in a great measure subsided." Augustus Cliambcrlain felt as if struck to the earth. Suddenly taking tlie French girl's hand, he said, his voice choked with emotion — " Mademoiselle, 1 have scarcely the power to utter in words the feelings of my heart. 1 confess to you that the happiness of THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 1")9 my whole future life is wrapped up in that apparent child. When lier mother quitted the wn-ecked sliip, with despair in her heart, and a foreboding of evil agonising her soul, prostrating her more than even her sufferings had done, she said to me — ' *' I go to save my boy, and tlius abandon husband and daugliter. To you I leave my child ; if you are saved, she is yours. Cherish her as you would your life." " Then,*' said T, as 1 lowered her into the boat, '' we live or die together. '' She is as yet little more than a child in years ; but to her my destiny is linked irre- vocably. I shall be removed to Quimper to- day or to-morrow, and months, perhaps years, may elapse before I regain my freedom. Miss Mortimer will thus, if licr father and motlier cease to exist, be utterly alone. May I im- plore you, as far as lies in your power, to afford her your protection till she can be restored to her own country. If her father survives, but, alas ! I left him in a fearfully exhausted 200 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. state, of course lie will seek and recMvcr his eliiUl, till then, sliielJ her as far as lies in your power, and may God in his nierey and good- ness protect her, and reward you for your acquiescence in my wishes." Eugenie de Morni listened to tlie midship- man's appeal to her heart in fav^our oftiie Eng- lish girl, with considerable emotion. She had felt a singular interest in the young man from the very first interview. In his manly, simple, kind-hearted nature, there was no disguise, every emotion agitating his heart could be read in his open interesting coun- tenance. '* You may rest satisfied, Monsieur Chamber- lain," said Mademoiselle de Morni, ^^ that the young lady shall receive every atten- tion, and that I will devote my energy to insure her restoration to her country ; and till that can be done she shall not quit my sight, except a force is applied that I cannot resist. I do not think she will be claimed by the authorities as an English subject, and be THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 201 detained a captive ; for my uncle has great authority over this district, and Captain Popatin, the only person aware of her being in the chateau, wouhl not on any account act contrary to his wishes. Mrs. Mortimer may recover, if so, it will be easy to let her know where her daughter is. She will, of course, demand her restoration, and the authorities will grant her request. But here is Monsieur de Hauteville. Under every circum- stance, you may depend on me." Kissing the hand he pressed, in acknow- ledgment, he thanked the kind hearted French demoiselle from his heart. When Monsieur de Hauteville joined them. Eugenic left them, returning into the house. " I am rather puzzled how to act,'* said the count, as they sauntered down the long avenue of the garden, well gravelled, and bordered on each side by trcllised vines, which in the proper season, covered the long walk with a delightful shade. '' You must go on to Quimper with Popatin to-morrow, at K 5 ?02 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. fnrtliest. I have insisted on that delay. They arc sending all the ])risoner8 to Brest. Jladenioiselle Mortimer is totally unable to go; to move lier would kill her, I shall be able to save her from this journey, till restored to liealth, and some elearcr aecount of her parents is reeeivcd. Till an account comes from Brest, we cannot know who was saved from tlie wreck of the Droits, by the two ships anchored there yesterday. I had a lettter this morning from Quimper, and I am surprised to hear that they are acting with much rigour to the English prisoners, and that they may expect a long captivity, the government being greatly incensed, indeed infuriated, by the total failure of the grand expedition to Ire- land. ]\Iost of our fine fleet has been dispersed one way or another, and this loss of a favourite ship the Droits, adds to the feeling of exaspe- ration against your countrymen." " I am careless as to my own fate, Monsieur,'' said Augustus, after a moment's reflection, '' as a prisoner T cannot assist the TriK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 203 unfortunate daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer, and that is the sole object of my thoughts. What will become of this young girl, 1 ask you, Monsieur de Ilauteville, as a gentleman and a man of honour," and he looked steadily into the Frenchman's face. '*Well, Monsieur Chamberlain," returned De Hauteville, ^' thus far you cannot find fault with what I have done to serve you both." *' God forbid I should be ungrateful, ^lon- sieur de Hauteville," interrupted our hero, hastily, and with a flush on Ids cheek, '^ you have been most kind and generous, and for tlie kindness we have received, accept my warmest and heartfelt thanks; but when I am taken away to-morrow, and consigned to a prison. Miss Mortimer, who is, 1 hear, ex- ceedingly unwell, will remain, entirely de- pendent on your help and assistance, to restore her to her father or motiier if they live. Should neither, which God forbid, be in existence, what then will become of this bereaved girl ; to be sent to a prison would kill her." 204 THE NAVAL LIKUTKNANT. " She will be perfectly safe under the care ;ui(l protection of my niece, Kugenia dc ^lorni, who will shortly be proceeding to join licr motlicr, my sister, a woman of as kind and noble a heart as anv in existence, and (piite independent. Her liasband, the Count dc ^lorni, fell defending his King; his wife and (hiughter would have perished under the guillotine, but the party I espoused were at the time all-powerful, and after a fierce struggle, during which they underwent many singular adventures, I got them safe into the country. After the fall of Robespierre, things changed, and now Madame de Morni lias had part of her husband's estates restored, and lives retired in Chateau Morni. T propose, when Mademoiselle Mortimer is able to travel (should she not be claimed by her parents), that she shall accompany my niece, and remain under the care of Madame de Morni till you get to England, and make some en- quiry after her friends, for relatives or friends she must have, as her father, you say, possesses Tin: NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 205 great wealth, and there must be some agent in Enghincl who attends to his affairs." " But should I remain In captivity for any lengthened period," said our hero, '^ my power of serving this poor girl will be small indeed. Your kindness and generosity, Monsieur de Hauteville, I duly appreciate, and warmly thank you." *' I have all this day," said Monsieur de Hauteville, " been thinking of a scheme tliat would, if it succeeds, be a great benefit to you, and enable you to materially serve ^liss ^lortimer. Let us suppose you had an oppor- tunity of escaping, and a means offered you of getting to England, would you feel inclined to make tlie attempt? " The young man started, and tlic flush of excitement coloured his cheek as he said, ** Most undoubtedly I would, monsieur. As long as I remain a prisoner, I can be of no earthly service to anyone, but let me once reach England, I feel satisfied I should be able to set her father's confidential agent to 206 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. work to efTcct botli her release and that of her parents if still alive." " Well, I certainly think the benefit would be worth the risk ; if it fails, you will only be a prisoner, as before," said De Hauteville, thoughtfully, '' Monsieur Mortimer may live ; It is quite possible. If so he will be carried to Brest, but I candidly tell you 1 luive very little, if any, hope of Madame Mortimer surviv- ing. One English lady has died, I understand, since her removal to Quimper. Their sufferings must have been tenible on board that ill-fated ship." " Terrible, indeed," observed our hero, sadly. '' Strong men gave way the second day, and the third they sunk ; — but in what manner, monsieur, could I possibly escape, and reach the coast of England? " " I will tell you how it is possible to man- age it," said de Hauteville, '' but you must not hint at it in any way before my niece. I am one of those who cannot believe that a woman can keep a secret, and this project of THi: NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 207 mine must not be breathed to a human being." " You wrong tlie aex, Monsieur de Ilaute- ville," returned the midshipman, earnestly. ''Ah! nion ami, you are young; before you reach my age it is possible you may think otherwise. My niece is a noble hearted, generous girl. She is engaged to a gallant officer, and must not be made a party in this somewhat dangerous affair." " Not for any consideration, monsieur," said our hero, " wouhl I involve eitlicr you or mademoiselle in any peril." '' There will be no peril or difficulty in carrying out my plan, as long as the particu- lars are confined to ourselves. I will now explain to you how my project of escape may be carried out. '' About two miles from the chateau, there is a sheltered creek, and a rough stone pier. In tliis little creek, which dries at low water, I keep a small, fast-sailing lugger, of about twenty tons. I use her for occasional sea trips 208 THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. ill tiR- suininer, but liiivc not yet liiiulud her up, or taken licr sails out ; would you, if you Imd two or throe of your own countrymen, all sailors, attempt tlie run across the channel in so small a boat, at this season of the year.'^ '^ I should not feel the slightest hesitation in making the attempt,'* said our hero, greatly sui-prised, '' but in getting out of this bay, a boat must pass close under the battery, where we were cast ashore. We should be perceived." '' Do not trouble yourself about the battery of Pierre Point. Monsieur Popatin is devoted to me; I can make or mar his fortune; he shall be blind. Confined in the fort are tliree English sailors, three out of the six who came ashore with you on the raft; they weretobesent on to Quimper this morning, but I prevented their departure. You have interested me, and I wish to give you a chance of escape, instead of losing the precious years of your youth in a dreary captivity," ''You are generous, Monsieur de Hauteville," TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 209 said our hero, really iifYeetod by the kindness of ail enemy. '* You would doubtless do the same for lue, were I placed in a similar position," replied the Frenchman. '' Everything shall be in readiness for your escape to-morrow night. 1 will provide provisions for a few days, and will let it be known that 1 am going to have a look at the wreck of the Droits. The three sailors shall be in readiness, the boat will float about ten o'clock, and you can clear the bay long before daylight. You must keep well to the northward, mind that, and there is no doubt you will fall in with one of your own cruisers, for the port of Urest is now beset by British ships-of-war. We have no cruisers nearer than the Penmarks ; one or two small ones keep off those rocks, but us your course is to the northward, you will run no chance of being chased by tlirm. To- morrow I will take you a walk after break- fast, show you the creek and the lugger, so that when you leave the chateau at midnight, you 210 THE NAVAL LIICUTKNANT. ^vill easily know your road to tlic creek. So now, till I have completed my arrangements, let us say no more about it. We will go in, and, remember, not a word before my niece." As they entered the chateau, our hero told Monsieur de Hauteville, that he was most in- tensely anxious to see Miss Mortimer; he should then be able to judge wliat hope there was of a speedy recovery. " There can be no objection, that I can see/' said De Hauteville, ''I will send for Dame Morelle, who will let us know whether the excitement would be too much for the young lady. By-the-by, should you see her able to converse, there will be no harm in statincr that you have a hope of getting to England, where you can be of more service in arranging for her and her parents release, than remaining for months in a prison, where you will be forced to go if you remain here ; only caution her not to speak of this to any one." Just then Dame Morelle entered the room. THE NAVAL LIEUTENANT. 211 "' Well, dame," said ^lonsieiir do Ilautcvlllc, ^* how is your young patient/' " She is very low indeed, monsieur," re- turned the housekeeper, " she persists in thinking her mother is dead, and is constantly praying to see monsieur, her brother." " Then take monsieur to her at once, dame. I sent for you for tliat purpose ; the sight of one dear to her may have a beneficial effect." '' It will do her more good than a doctor," said the housekeeper, '^ for the mind, more than the body, is killing her. Mademoiselle Eugenie is with her now." ^^ Then please go with Dame Morelle," said De Har.teville to our liero, and he abruptly left the room. Our hero, exceedingly agitated, followed the housekeeper, and shortly arrived at tlic door of the sick chamber. "Just stay a moment, monsieur, 1 will tell her that you are coming, so that she may not be too suddenly excited." 212 THE NAVAL LIKUTENANT. Augustus Chauibcrhiiii had not long to waste in anxiety ; tlic door re-opened, and ^ladenioiselle de Morni came out, saying, ^' You can go in, monsieur, but pray avoid exciting subjects, give lier hope; having hope she may live; destroy, it and she dies/' She then descended the stairs, and our hero entered the room, and closed the door. We have said that the chamber was a very lofty one, with antique furniture, grand and massive ; the bed was of the time of Louis XV., several feet from the floor, of great width, and surmounted by a carved canopy and plumes of feathers. Lying in the middle of this immense bed, was the once fair form of Annie Mortimer. Dame Morelle had drawn back the heavy curtains, and partly raised the blinds of the windows, so that some portion of light fell upon the pale, worn features of the sad girl. Iler large and still beautiful eyes, but sunk into the head, were turned, with an ex- pression of intense anxiety, towards the door, TIIK NAVAL LIEUTKNANT. 213 and licr tliin transparent hand extended from the bed, as if anxious to grasp tliat of one she dearly loved. When Augustus Chamberlain's eyes rested upon the invalid's face, and he beheld the terrible change her sufferings of mind and body had wrouoht in so short a time, he felt as if his heart had ceased to beat, so fearfully unnerved was ho. A change came over licr countenance as she beheld liim, his face pale from overpowering anxiety and grief, whilst, bending over the bed, and holding her little hand in his, he pressed his lips to her pale, cold forehead, saying, " Ah, my poor Annie, what you have suffered ;" he could not restrain liis tears, which fell fast upon the wasted chi ek of tlie young girl. '' Do not weep for me, dear Augustus," said the maiden, in a low voice, '' for I shall soon be happy with my own loved mother and our little Charley. Thank God, T liavo soon you once more." 214 TIIK NAVAL LIEUTENANT. "But Annie," ami Aunrustus exerted him- self to check the trembling of liis voice, ''yoii are giving way to despair, you have frightened yourself into the belief that your dear, mother is worse than she really is." '' Ah, Augustus, and do you, too, try to de- ceive me. 1 know my mamma no longer lives.' " On my soul, you /«x#g