V * * * f ✓ 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 From the collection of 
 Julius Doerner, Chicago 
 Purchased, 1918. 
 
 82.3 
 
 Sell 
 

 
SlONmi JO Al!Sa3AiNf| 
 
 3HI iO 
 
 Mitotan 
 
THE SEA FIGHT 
 
SEA STORIES. 
 
 '§g an <$It» Sailor. 
 
 " Ah 1 what pleasant visions haunt me 
 A* I gaze upon the sea ? 
 
 All the old romantic legends, 
 
 All my dreams, come back to me. 
 
 “ ‘ Wouldst thou,’ said the helmsman, 
 
 * Learn the secret of the sea ? 
 
 Only those who brave its dangers 
 Comprehend its mystery.’ ” 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
 EDINBURGH ; AND NEW YORK, 
 
 1 ^ 73 - 
 
VfrctZ’S 0et l cl - ck / 
 
 4 
 
 “$ £ II 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB ... ^ 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORK' 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT 
 
 morris’s ISLANDS 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE 
 
 THE WARLOCK 
 
 old betty’s nook 
 
 9 
 
 61 
 
 15 
 
 93 
 
 129 
 
 158 
 
 191 
 
 226 
 
 242 
 
 277 
 
 690584 : 
 

SEA STORIES. 
 
 Cfw pan anir tin |Camb. 
 
 “ 0 Nature! how thyself thou blazonest 
 In these two princely hoys.” 
 
 Cymbeline. 
 
 “ The first lieutenant says, sir, that the boat's waiting for 
 you, sir; and if you don’t bear a hand, you’ll have to get 
 ashore upon the sheet anchor, and take the best bower for a 
 walking-stick,” — was the exclamation of an old quarter- 
 master in the cockpit of the Darling frigate, then lying dis- 
 mantled in Sheerness harbour, to a youthful midshipman, 
 who was taking one last, lingering look at the solitary berth 
 that had been his home for a period of three years ; for, 
 after having braved “ the battle and the breeze” till rendered 
 unserviceable, the gallant old Darling was paid off to be laid 
 up in ordinary, and all the officers and crew (except the 
 gunner, boatswain, carpenter, and cook, who were considered, 
 
10 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 according to the regulations of the service, as timber heads) 
 were at that moment quitting her, to be separated, perhaps, 
 for ever. 
 
 The youngster had recollected stowing away some precious 
 relic in one of the lockers, and he had quietly slipped down 
 below to recover the missing prize. “ I’ll be on deck directly. 
 Phillips,” replied the young officer ; K tell the first lieutenant 
 I’m almost ready; there’s a good old soul— do!” 
 
 “ Ay, ay, Mr. Lewis,” returned the veteran, looking rather 
 ruefully along the deserted mess-deck, so lately teeming with 
 life and animation, and where he had risen from a mizzen- 
 topman to hold his present rank of petty officer — “ ay, ay, 
 Mr. Lewis ; but bear a hand, sir, and don’t put Mr. Gilmour 
 in a bad humour, just as we are all about to be scattered, 
 we don’t know where. Ah, there’s the ould berth in which 
 — but no matter, I arn’t agoing to turn croaker, Mr. Lewis ; 
 howsomever, I loved the little hooker — but now, Mr. Lewis, 
 spring your luff, here’s a squall coming, for I feel the breath 
 of his voice.” 
 
 “ Cockpit there!” shouted the first lieutenant down the 
 after-hatchway. “Mr. Lewis!” he again impatiently sung 
 out. 
 
 “ He’s just agoing, sir,” replied the quarter-master up 
 the same aperture, and then addressing the midshipman 
 in an under tone,— “ Now, do make haste, Mr. Lewis ; 
 start on end up the ladder and through the port — there’s 
 no guns in ’em now,” added he, sorrowfully; “and where- 
 somever you go, Mr. Lewis, give a thought now and then 
 to ould Phillips. He’s off!” ruminated the tar — “God 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 11 
 
 bless him, for he’s a kind-hearted lad— and now, my gallant 
 hooker—” 
 
 “ Below there !” again shouted Mr. Gilmour. “Phillips, 
 you old dog-fish, why are you not in the boat? If I have 
 to call you again, sir, you shall find me alongside of you, 
 and at the same time be convinced that all the inch-and- 
 a-half’s not out of the ship ! The pennant’s not down yet, 
 sir, and my commission holds good to the last.” 
 
 The first lieutenant might have spared part of his address ; 
 for the quarter-master, knowing the fiery impetuosity of his 
 officer, had hastily followed his young friend through the 
 port, and a voice alongside exclaiming, “ All ready with the 
 cutter, sir,” she was directed to “ shove off.” 
 
 It was a bright summer day— now I am no hand at the 
 pathetic or the sympathetic, nor am I much gifted with 
 the powers of description in the aerial, celestial, or linear 
 way ; besides, the light, silvery clouds — the warm breathings 
 of the balmy breeze — the azure vault of heaven, &c., are 
 terms so hackneyed, that I shall content myself with saying 
 that it was a bright summer day — the hills looked beautiful, 
 covered with the growing staff of life in all the richness of 
 its green colouring, so refreshing to the eye to look upon : 
 and the waters, like the cheeks of a coy maiden, were dimp- 
 ling here and there, as the sportive wind kissed their smooth 
 surface. 
 
 The old Barling lay quietly reposing on the bosom of the 
 stream, like a giant refreshing himself with sleep, whilst 
 fourteen or fifteen large boats, completely crowded fore and 
 aft with men and hammocks, lay off upon their oars on the 
 
12 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 larboard side, as the ship rode to the tide of ebb. The 
 restraints of strict discipline were for the moment relaxed : 
 the brave fellows had fought together ; had shared danger, 
 privation, and toil; and now, after several years of such 
 strong brotherhood, they were to be divided hither and 
 thither, away from each other; and what to several was still 
 more distressing, they were quitting the craft that had borne 
 them through all — the creature almost of their own creation, 
 and that had been the object of their fond regard and care. 
 Still, with the daring recklessness of British tars, the hearty 
 laugh and the merry joke resounded as efforts to stifle the 
 regrets that were struggling in the breast ; and Jamie Welsh, 
 the ship’s fiddler, stuck up in the bows of the Namur's 
 launch, was scraping away on the catgut the tune of “ Jack’s 
 the lad.” 
 
 Suddenly the noise ceased, and a deathlike silence pre- 
 vailed — indeed, it seemed as if a sudden gust of wind had 
 swept away the sounds of mirth to leave a melancholy 
 gloom. The uninitiated and the stranger would have been 
 struck with astonishment at the instantaneous cessation of 
 boisterous revelry; but had they looked at the larboard 
 gangway of the frigate the cause would have been imme- 
 diately explained: for there stood the veteran Captain 
 Denton, the almost worshipped of his men. His head was 
 uncovered ; his white, fleecy hair wantoned in the breeze, 
 whilst the muscles of his face, which had remained rigid 
 and unmoved amidst the struggles of the battle, or the howl- 
 ings of the storm, were now quivering with emotion ; and 
 the voice that had so loudly cheered the boarders, or had 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 13 
 
 been beard above tbe roaring of the tempest, was low and 
 tremulous. But, with a sudden impulse, he waved his hat, 
 as he exclaimed, “ Good-bye, lads. God bless you all. 
 Always do your duty to your king and country, and let your 
 future conduct be as good as the past. Farewell, old Dar- 
 lings! farewell!” 
 
 For a few seconds stillness reigned profound. The old 
 man again waved his hat, and was turning away, with a 
 tear trembling in his eye, when there arose a loud, a long, 
 an impetuous shout, and three real British cheers resounded 
 from upwards of three hundred men. Captain Denton, 
 his first lieutenant, and the warrant officers returned it; 
 one cheer more ascended from the parting seamen in answer, 
 and the boats were put in motion with the several drafts 
 for their respective ships. 
 
 The Darlings had been a happy and an excellent crew, 
 and the strongest attachment prevailed amongst them. 
 Captain Denton was a kind, indulgent man; and though 
 the first lieutenant, Mr. Gilmour, was a most rigid discipli- 
 narian, yet he did not harass the people by unnecessary 
 labour ; and, though no polished bolts or shining stanchions 
 met the eye, the frigate was always ready for instantaneous 
 service. But the craft they all loved — she that had stood 
 under them in many an hour of peril— would no more breast 
 the foaming surge, nor echo to the noise of broadsides. The 
 boats moved away, and 
 
 “ They left her alone in her glory ! n 
 
 A launch and a cutter pulled down with the ebb, and, 
 
14 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 giving the Garrison Point a wide berth, made their course 
 towards the Great Nore, where lay that well-known veteran 
 of the ocean, “ the old Namur? In the cutter was the mid- 
 shipman whom I have already noticed by the name of Lewis 
 with two or three of his messmates, for whom ships had not 
 been provided. 
 
 “Were you ever on board a guard-ship, Lewis?” inquired 
 one of the midshipmen. “ I can tell you, you’ll have to cut a 
 hole in your blankets and reeve your head through them all 
 night, to keep some Jcind, honest rascal from borrowing 
 them. I was in the Royal Billy once, and some fellow 
 actually stole a loose tooth out of my mouth!” 
 
 “Tell that, to the marines, Caswell,” said a tall, thin 
 young man, with red hair and laughing features. “ Don’t 
 mind what he says, Lewis ; never fear but we’ll weather it 
 out ; and though they do call you * my lady,’ I’ll stand your 
 friend, my old girl, in spite of all the guardoes in the ser- 
 vice.” 
 
 “ You. ha.ve always been very good to me, Jay,” replied 
 the youngster ; “ but I really do not feel any very great 
 degree of alarm. I suppose I must do my duty, and it 
 matters but little where it is done.” 
 
 “ Duty!” exclaimed Jay; “nonsense, boy! Supernumer- 
 aries, unless they are quite raw, never do any duty in guard- 
 ships ; they can hardly get through the lots of skylarking 
 that’s done in a day. I was once in yon old hooker for two 
 months — it was before I joined the Darling — and I left a 
 long arrear of mischief to make up ; so keep in my wake, 
 Lewis, I’ll soon make an old guardo of you ; though, posi- 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 15 
 
 tively, you must try and get a little colour to relieve the 
 milk and water in your face.” 
 
 “ And, Betty, give this cheek a little red ! ” quoted Cas- 
 well ; and then, turning to a master’s mate by his side, he 
 continued, “but what do you say, Jemmy the barber 1 ? I’m 
 told you’ve passed your examination in the cockpit of every 
 guard-ship in the service, from the Thisbe at Greenwich to 
 the old Salvador at Plymouth. Perhaps you can give £ my 
 lady’ a little insight into the mysteries.” 
 
 “ You may say that,” replied the person addressed — a full- 
 featured, heavy-eyed, bloat-faced young man, who at that 
 very moment manifested inclinations of a besetting sin, 
 having indulged too freely in his potations previously to 
 quitting the frigate — “ you may say that, Caswell, anyhow. 
 I generally, however, contrived to chime in with some old 
 shipmate or other, so I never found much to care about ; but, 
 certainly, them guard-ships are bad enough for youngsters, 
 anyhow. I remember an acting doctor’s mate coming 
 aboard the Namur. Poor fellow! he had just served his 
 time to an apothecary in some inland town — but anything 
 did for pill-builders in them days — and so some middies got 
 hold of him at Sheerness ; and, finding that he had a good 
 six months’ store of self-conceit aboard, they took him under 
 their marciful 'protection ; and it warn’t long before he was 
 rigged out in a full surgeon’s coat, with the addition of a 
 fine pair of gold swabs, white pantaloons, top-boots and 
 spurs, a regular nor-west for-and-after, with a full bottomed, 
 well powdered wig under it, and a captain’s long regulation 
 sword. So alongside he comes, and old R , twigging 
 
16 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 the epaulettes, the boatswain pipes the side ; the best ropes 
 were shipped, and the guard of marines turned out. Well, 
 when he got upon the quarter-deck of the first ship he had 
 
 ever boarded, he walked up to old R , and, with a grand 
 
 salaam, as the marines presented arms, he gave orders to 
 get the old guardo underway to take him up the river to 
 
 Surgeons’ Hall. Oh, if you had only seen old R , 
 
 as he scrutinized the uniform, and listened to the order! 
 At last, giving him one of his impressive looks, he asked, 
 ‘ And pray, sir, who may you be?’ ‘I am acting assistant 
 surgeon, in his Britannic Majesty’s service, sir,’ replied the 
 dupe, ‘ and here is my letter of introduction ; but I am 
 desirous of getting up to Surgeons’ Hall to pass my exami- 
 nation, and the sooner we sail the better.’ ‘ Indeed!’ said 
 
 old R , with a roguish sneer, as he took the letter — and 
 
 by this time all the reefers, great and small, had mustered 
 
 round him, seeing there was some fun going on. Old R 
 
 read the chit, drew up the corners of his mouth in a sort of 
 half grin between anger and mirth, and then read aloud 
 
 from the written paper, ‘ This is to certify that is the 
 
 most arrant coxcomb and puppy that ever aspired to the 
 honour of cracking the king’s biscuit. He wishes to be a 
 doctor’s mate, and having carefully examined his qualifica- 
 tions, we hereby declare that he is fully competent to bleed 
 a calf, physic a dead marine.’ ‘What can all this mean?’ 
 
 ejaculated the astonished physic-grinder. But old R 
 
 went on — ‘jphysic a dead marine, set a wooden leg; and, 
 as a dresser, we must refer to his own peculiar style in 
 proprid persona. Trusting he will meet with the reception 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 17 
 
 due to his merit, and this our recommendation, we here- 
 unto set our hands and seals : — Charles Bothergill, Captain 
 1st Battalion Marine Dragoons ; Timothy Split whistle, 
 Bum-boat Master of H. M. S. Huffy ; Peter Pulvis Anti- 
 monialis, M.D., Physician Extraordinary to Admiral Bottle- 
 nose.’ ” 
 
 A hearty laugh, in which the seamen joined, shook the 
 boat as she flew through the yielding element, to the great 
 delight of the master’s mate, who had caused it. 
 
 “ Heave ahead, Jemmy,” exclaimed Caswell, when the 
 joyous cachinnation had somewhat subsided. “ Heave 
 ahead, my boy ; you’ll beat Tom Pepper yet — it is a capital 
 yarn, however.” 
 
 “ It’s true enough,” replied the person addressed, “ for I 
 
 saw and heard it myself. So when old R had finished 
 
 reading, you may just calculate there warn’t a small burst 
 of merriment among the middies, and no little consternation 
 
 in the unfortunate mortar-pounder. However, old R 
 
 smoked the trick (which had been played by some reefers of 
 the Indefatigable), and turning round to us said, ‘ Young 
 gentlemen, I intrust this distinguished officer to your care ; 
 take him below and show him the midshipmen’s berth.’ 
 Poor creature ! we waited upon him in procession down the 
 ladder and I shall never forget his horror when the canvas 
 screen was put aside, and we ushered him in in state. There 
 were a couple of purser’s dips, ninety to the pound, just 
 making darkness visible — it was the supernumeraries’ berth 
 on the starboard side — and ten or twelve youngsters were 
 diverting themselves with a good round game at able- 
 
18 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 whackit,* making no trifle of noise, you may be sure. Well, 
 the doctor was formally introduced; some grog was set 
 abroach, and to show good fellowship, he took to it as 
 kindly as we could wish, so that in about an hour he was 
 quite comfortable. A scuffle, however, took place amongst 
 some of the reefers, and the doctor’s wig got disarranged ; 
 so Moriarty and Sherer would carry it, as they said, to the 
 ship’s barber to have it redressed. They dipped it, however, 
 in a bowl of molasses, and then, having sprinkled it well 
 with flour, they brought it back and placed it upon the 
 head of the conceited young man, who, unconscious of the 
 mischief, thanked them very cordially for their kindness. 
 By-and-by the molasses came trickling down his face, and 
 this was the signal for general confusion. The wig flew 
 about the cockpit, first at one and then at another, till 
 
 Neptune, Captain A ’s beautiful Newfoundland dog, 
 
 joined the sport, and eventually bore off the wig in triumph 
 up the ladder to the quarter-deck, where he laid it down at 
 
 old R ’s feet. The first lieutenant turned it over and 
 
 over, and had just made out what it was, when poor Pill- 
 garlic himself appeared, in a most rueful condition, sweating 
 treacle at every pore, and about three parts sprung. He 
 exclaimed loudly that ‘he would inform his friend, the 
 
 * The game of “ Able-Whackit ” is well known in the midshipmen’s berth, 
 and, indeed, amongst seamen generally. The play is with cards, something 
 like three card loo. On any infringement of the rules, or the loss of the 
 game, the culprit is severely punished with a blow from a hard knotted hand- 
 kerchief on his open hand from all the others playing; the handkerchief, called 
 by some out-of-the-way name, which I do not recollect, is, on pain of punish- 
 ment, thrust into the breast of the last who used it, to be kept warm. 
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 19 
 
 member for , and have his case brought before Parlia- 
 
 ment;’ and this let us into the secret that his entrance 
 into the service had been purchased at the poll table. Old 
 
 R was, or pretended to be, extremely angry. He sent 
 
 for the supernumeraries, and examined them ; but, of course , 
 not a soul knew anything about it, and all looked as inno- 
 cent as sucking turkeys. The doctor, however, picked out 
 Moriarty as the only one he could identify; but a good 
 and substantial alibi was immediately proved by two of 
 the seamen; and, a shore boat being alongside, Signor 
 Medico solicited and obtained permission to ‘ go on leave.’ 
 What became of him I don’t know, but he never returned 
 for his wig.” 
 
 “ Well hove and strong, Jemmy,” said Jay; “ you’ve spun 
 
 that yarn well. I remember when I was in the L 
 
 frigate, we had a thorough dandy joined us of the name of 
 
 E . He had never been five fathoms from his mother’s 
 
 apron string since the hour of his birth, and was heir 
 to a princely fortune. What induced him to enter the 
 service perhaps he didn’t know himself, unless it was the 
 uniform; but a more perfect fop my eyes never beheld. 
 
 Now I do most mortally detest a naval puppy, and E 
 
 had been so accustomed to dandle after mamma that he was 
 ridiculously effeminate. The first day he came aboard he 
 talked very big, and tried to make himself large. He 
 showed us a case of handsome duelling pistols, and over- 
 hauled a tolerable scope of slack as to what he could and 
 would do with them ; and he spoke of his titled relatives as 
 if he had been a gentleman in disguise, going to sea to wear 
 
 (i8) o 
 
20 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 his old clothes out. At night he went to his hammock, and 
 soon after his bed-posts parted, and down he came by the 
 run; then a leak was discovered over his head, and the 
 water poured upon him ; next, his hammock gear took wings, 
 and whilst he was looking for his blankets, his sheets dis- 
 appeared. All this was done without hands — at least, 
 nobody was seen ; and the next day, when he complained to 
 the first lieutenant, it was done in such an impertinent way, 
 that Mr. O’Shaugnessy, who had climbed to his rank with 
 about the same ease that a marine would climb up a 
 greased topmast, paid no attention to it, but muttered to 
 himself, ‘A hopeful sprig of fashion, indeed! Small 
 blame to the boys for ruffling his feathers ; we’ve too many 
 
 of such know-nothings in the sarvice !’ E went ashore 
 
 for the day; but he returned at night, and found his sheets 
 reefed, so that he was obliged to be content with his 
 blankets, to which he fastened some ribbon, and slung it 
 round his neck to keep all fast. About seven bells the 
 whole cockpit was in an uproar, there was such a shrieking 
 and shouting. The quarter-master and the sentry ran down 
 
 with their lanterns, and there was E hung up to the 
 
 beam by his great toes, and his head upon the deck. How 
 he came so nobody could or would give any account; but 
 they cut him down from his awkward position, and he sat 
 upon the deck, vowing vengeance on the perpetrator of the 
 mischief, if he could catch him. The indignation of his 
 titled and wealthy relatives should stop the culprit’s pro- 
 motion and turn him out of the service in disgrace. The 
 next morning he made his toilette with much precision, 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 21 
 
 putting on his white pantaloons, and using lots of scented 
 soap to wash him, as he was determined on going to the 
 Admiralty to see one of the lords and narrate his grievances. 
 4 Every mid in the frigate was to he disrated, and Mr. 
 O’Shaugnessy deprived of his commission !’ He would have 
 got a thrashing; but then that, you know, would have 
 fixed the affair on somebody, and. as it was, nobody had 
 the blame. At length he was full togged, all but his 
 handsome Hessian boots, and on he drew the first, and 
 squash went his foot into a pint of tar : but he said 
 nothing, though he drew a tremendous long breath, and 
 pulled a face something shorter than my arm. On went 
 the other boot, and then squash the second. He rushed 
 up the ladder in a state of desperation, hurried ashore, and 
 a day or two afterwards his traps followed him. We never 
 heard any more of the matter, as the ship sailed shortly 
 after; but about two years subsequent I fell in with the 
 gentleman, a cornet in the 10th Hussars.” 
 
 This narrative did not excite so much mirth as the other ; 
 and poor Lewis, a delicate and handsome youth, whose fair 
 complexion and gentle manners had acquired for him the 
 title of “My Lady,” felt more uneasy than he liked to 
 express at the thoughts of being drafted to the Namur ; 
 but he had a noble and intrepid mind, that could endure 
 hardships, however much he suffered from them, without 
 venting complaints. Jay had, on most occasions, stood his 
 friend when any of the oldsters wished to impose upon or 
 oppress him; and Lewis’s amiable disposition had so won 
 upon Jay’s rugged nature, that they loved each other like 
 
22 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 brothers; indeed, their friendship was so well understood 
 that they were known amongst the seamen of the Darling 
 by the names of “ The Lion and the Lamb.” 
 
 “I wonder what craft we shall hail for next!” said a 
 young tar of the main-top to a veteran boatswain’s mate, 
 as they sat together in the bows of the boat. “ I’m afeared 
 we shan’t find many such skippers as Captain Denton ; and 
 though Mr. Gilmour was strict, yet he made every soul, 
 fore and aft, do his duty like a man — and that’s what I call 
 being ship-shape.” 
 
 “ Why, in the regard o’ the matter of that ’ere, Jem,” 
 replied the boatswain’s mate, “it’s just setting a case as this 
 here — ’cause why ? — a man who knows his duty, and does 
 it to the best of his ’bility, oughtn’t to be bamboozled and 
 flabbergasted by his officers, not by no manner o’ means 
 whatsomever. But you know, Jem, as well as I do, that it 
 often happened after sarving under a good captain — one as 
 knew the trim of his ship and the oddments of a tar — why 
 the skipper was superseded, and some stray slip of know- 
 nothingness was appointed, as full of lavender and pomatum 
 as a sarjeant of jollies is of pipe-clay. And what was the 
 upshot of the thing? Why, setting another case, it was 
 just as this here— ’cause why? The compass I may say is, 
 like the ship’s Bible, to show her right course from one 
 port to another; and the binnacle lamp is like what the 
 clargyman used to call ‘light upon the understanding;’ 
 so that, when it is dark night, and the wind is whistling 
 through the blocks — as the Dutchman said, when he’d only 
 half a sheave at his mast-head— it may still shine u pon the 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 23 
 
 face of our best guide, so as to keep her steady when going 
 free, and show how she heads, when full-and-by, upon a 
 hand- taut bowline. Now, messmate, if so be there’s no 
 lamp lighted, why then it stands to reason, the man what’s 
 got the trick at the helm can’t see the card, and knows no 
 more where he’s running to than nothing at all; so that 
 there’s a Flemish account in the log, and by-and-by a false 
 reckoning bumps her slap ashore. Well, d’ye mind, just so 
 it was with some o’ your young sky-scraper captains— they’d 
 no binnacle lamp to glimmer on their hearts, so as to direct 
 them how to treat a poor fellow like an unlarned seaman 
 that hadn’t much of edi cation to show him which way 
 exactly to shape the course of his manners ; and if, instead 
 of taking off his hat every time he was hailed, he ounly 
 touched it w r ith his hand — why it was considered a fore 
 paw , and there was a long yarn about respect to superiors — 
 the gratings were rigged at the gangway — a telegraph was 
 read out o’ the articles of war, and boasun’s mate give him 
 a couple o’ dozen ! Them are hard lines, messmate ; and oh, 
 how different to our warthy ould skipper, from w r hom we 
 have just parted ! Not but I’m sartin it’s the best for all 
 hands in the end to carry a pretty taut strain upon discipline 
 — and setting a case, ’cause why?— it makes every man 
 know his station in doing the ship’s duty, and there’s no 
 skulkers in the black list. To my thinking, Jem, a craft 
 that is all gingerbread in her upper works, with a worm- 
 eaten bottom, is not the craft to weather a gale o’ wind ; she 
 may look pretty, and keep afloat in a tide-way, but will 
 have bright pump-bolts in anything of a sea-way. Mayhap, 
 
24 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 I mayn’t make myself altogether understood, Jem; but it’s 
 all as clear to me as Beachy Head in a fog.” 
 
 “ Why, Bill,” returned the main-topman, “ it arn’t for a 
 man without edication or laming to hoist in all the palaver 
 he hears without carrying a taut strain upon the laniards of 
 his conscience; but howsomever, bending to your better 
 experience, my ideas is just as this here, and it doesn’t need 
 the wit or cunning of a lawyer to follow in the wake of your 
 argument, which I take to be no more nor less than to mean 
 that a good captain’s a good captain, and a bad captain’s a 
 bad captain.” 
 
 “ You’re right, Jem, to an amagraphy,” said the boat- 
 swain’s mate, “ and setting a case, ’cause why ? — it’s as plain 
 as the lubber’s point in the compass box; and I can tell 
 you, Jem, in the regard o’ the matter o’ that, I was once in 
 
 the ould 98, and the skipper was as kind-hearted an 
 
 officer as ever had a command; he was strict too, Jem; 
 but the long and the short of it is, he was just after my 
 own heart. I was young then, Jem, and had been pressed 
 out of a marchantman, where I was doing duty as second 
 mate ; and, being a smart likely fellow, they puts me into 
 the fore-top in the three decker. Well, in course I tried to 
 get my discharge — ’cause why 1 ? — I had a little wife as I 
 loved most dearly, and I didn’t like to leave her alone. But 
 I couldn’t get clear, Jem, so I resolved to do my duty, as in 
 honour bound, to my king and country. 
 
 “ Now, the skipper had a fine lad aboard, his only son ; 
 and one day, when the young gentlemen were skylarking, 
 the youngster tripped over the combings of the after-hatch- 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 25 
 
 way, and down he came by the long run. Well, d’ye mind, 
 it so happened that I was standing just in the square of the 
 hatchway, and seeing him coming with his arms outspread, 
 I rigged out both mine, like a couple of studd’n-sel booms, 
 and so I catches him all snug — just as I’d catch a ball o’ 
 spun yarn — and some’ut puts it into my head to shin up the 
 after-ladder with him. Well, messmate, I did so ; and I 
 met the skipper on the middle deck, coming down at a 
 rattling rate, and he sees me bringing up the boy safe and 
 sound, except a little shook in his timbers. So, in the 
 regard o’ that, he laughed and wept for joy— ’cause why, 
 Jem — ’cause why?— it was his child, his own flesh and 
 blood, Jem, and he’d a father’s love in his breast. None 
 can tell what that is, messmate, but them as has felt it ; 
 and the captain expected to see the pretty lad disfigured, 
 and mangled, and dead ; but when he snatched him from 
 me, and heard his voice, as he sung out, ‘ Father, I arn’t 
 hurt; Bill Buntline saved me;’ then, Jem, as I say, he 
 laughed and wept for joy; and he fumbles in his pockets, 
 but could find nothing ; and so he pulls out a gould watch 
 from his fob, and hands it over to me, as I thought, to see 
 how many bells it was, so as he might log it down correctly. 
 ‘It’s just five bells, sir,’ says I, offering the turnip back 
 again. But he sings out, ‘ Keep it, my man, keep it ;’ and he 
 started off up the ladder with the boy, and away into his 
 cabin. ‘ Well,’ thinks I to myself, ‘ whatsomever am I to 
 do with this here consarn! Bill Buntline with a gould 
 watch as big as the drum-head o’ the capstan ! but I won’t 
 have it!’ 
 
26 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 “ So I axed permission to speak to the skipper, and the 
 steward took me into his presence. ‘ Many thanks to your 
 honour!’ says I, ‘I arn’t got no manner o’ use whatsomever 
 for the turnip— ’cause why? — I can hear the bell strike, and 
 knows when they pipe to grub ; so, if your honour pleases, 
 I’d rather not have it!’ ‘Well, my man,’ says he, ‘your 
 wish shall be complied with ; but is there anything short of 
 your discharge that I can do for you?’ ‘ Thank your 
 honour,’ says I, ‘but I’m almost afeard to ax you; for, 
 setting a case as this here, it’s hard lines, your honour, to 
 be parted just now — ’cause why? — she’s been ailing, and 
 it would be a great comfort to her if so be as I could be 
 within hailing distance.’ ‘What do you mean, my man?’ 
 says the skipper, quite constreperously, as if he was speak- 
 ing to his equals. So I up and tells him all about it, and 
 then I axes for a week’s leave. But he looked rather duber- 
 some, and I thought he was only meaning to sham me 
 off, and I felt hurt at it, Jem, for he had offered fairly, 
 and I took his offer freely. ‘ I would do it, my man,’ says 
 he, ‘but there’s one thing you must promise.’ ‘Thank 
 your honour !’ says I — for it just came that moment into 
 my head what he was arter — ‘ Thanks to your honour !’ 
 says I ; ‘ you don’t like to give me leave — ’cause why? — you 
 think I shall run. But no, your honour, in the regard o’ 
 the matter o’ that, I scorn to take advantage of good natur’. 
 Tell me when to be aboard again, and you shall have no 
 reason to say black’s the white o’ my eye!’ 
 
 “ Well, Jem, the upshot of it was, I got the week’s leave, 
 and saw the smiling faces of my own wife and child. I 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 27 
 
 never shall forget that moment, Jem; it seemed to change 
 all the natur’ in my heart, like as shifting ould running 
 gear for new. Well, I got aboard again exactly to my time, 
 and the captain gave me money to send to my wife. The 
 fleet sailed, and we were absent about two months ; and 
 when we returned into port, poor Jane — that’s my wife, 
 Jem — came aboard, and the good-hearted skipper allowed 
 her to go to sea with us, and we had a snug berth screened 
 in, in the fore cockpit, and we were both as happy as a king 
 and queen — ” 
 
 “ I’ve heard, Bill,” said the main-topman, interrupting his 
 shipmate rather unceremoniously, “I’ve heard that them 
 crowned heads are generally oneasy from the great weight 
 they have upon them — ” 
 
 “ Why, in the regard o’ the matter o’ that, Jem,” returned 
 the boatswain’s mate, interrupting in his turn, “ it may be 
 all very true — ’cause why? — there’s an ould saying, 1 Nobody 
 can tell where the shoe pinches but them as wears it ;’ and 
 so it is, as I take it, all the same with the crown. How- 
 somever, this I do know, Jane and I were happy; and 
 when it was my watch below, I took to nursing the pica- 
 ninny ; and it grew and grew, and the sight of its pretty 
 little laughing cherub’s face gladdened my heart, Jem. For 
 the matter o’ that, the infant didn’t want for nurses ; and 
 though some on ’em was just as handy as a bear, yet all 
 did their best, and nobody can do more. Them were 
 joyous times, messmate, and the remembrance of them 
 comes over my mind like the deep fresh waters of a running 
 stream to the fevered patient. But for the matter o’ that, I’ve 
 
28 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 thought of ’em so often, Jem, that every scene is as familiar 
 to my memory as the face of the starry heavens, or the 
 bosom of the ocean depths is to my nat’ral eyesight — ’cause 
 why? — the cable of affection was double-bitted round my 
 heart!” 
 
 “ Mayhap so, Bill, mayhap so,” assented his friend of the 
 main-top ; “ but, as for the matter o’ what your ’long-shore 
 folks calls love, I never was in the latitude or longitude of 
 the thing, and so I never worked the traverse. Still, Bill, I 
 can believe you was happy.” 
 
 “I was, Jem! I was!” returned the boatswain’s mate; 
 “ but it didn’t last long — ’cause why? the old hooker was 
 paid off, and the ship’s company was drafted amongst the 
 fleet, all the same as we’ve been to-day. It was a heavy 
 parting for us all; and when I looked at Jane and the 
 baby, and observationed the horizon of the future, my 
 bridle-ports shipped a spray or two ; though, for the matter 
 o’ that, there’s no manner o’ use whatsomever in grieving. 
 But then, Jem, I was sorely jammed in a clinch, and 
 never a knife to cut the seizing, for I was drafted into the 
 
 74, commanded by a man as was well known through 
 
 the sarvice by the nieknomer of ‘ Flogging Jack;’ and I’ve 
 mostly found, messmate, that in them craft where there’s 
 tyranny in the captain, the rest of the officers are pretty 
 well tarred with the same brush; for, setting a case, Jem, 
 it’s just as this here — ‘ like loves like ;’ nevertheless, I 
 was detarmined to do my duty, and keep a bright eye to 
 windward to look out for squalls. I was still stationed 
 as a fore-topman in the new craft, and whilst we were in 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 29 
 
 port, it was plain sailing enough, and everything went 
 pretty smooth ; but at last, up went blue-peter, and all the 
 women were ordered ashore ; so, in course, I was obligated 
 to part company with poor Jane and the baby. But I bore 
 it like a Briton, messmate— ’cause why? I knew it was in 
 the regulations, and the captain was shaping his course 
 according to the strict letter of the articles of war, and so, 
 d’ye mind, I’d the true bearings and distance of the thing. 
 Yet, messmate, when I looked upon the pale face of ndy 
 wife, and saw the tears standing upon the port-sills of 
 her daylights, and then obsarved the infant crowing and 
 laughing in its joyous ignorance, there was a stark calm 
 in my heart, and the sails of hope hung flapping against the 
 mast. Howsomever, we weathered that bout ; but, some- 
 how, I did not feel like the same man without the child ; 
 it seemed as if one of my own timbers had been badly 
 sprung, and I warn’t so strong as before ; or like as if a butt- 
 end had started in my heart and carried away my breast- 
 work with it. 
 
 “ Well, Jem, during the cruise I did my best on all occa- 
 sions. But we had some lubbers in the top as loved to 
 skulk, — some o’ your Tom Coxe’s traverse gentry ; and one 
 arternoon, whilst reefing top-sails in a bit of a breeze, we 
 disparaged the skipper in the regard of being a minute 
 behind the main-topmen; and so he calls us down off 
 the yard ; and, without discrimmaging into the right 
 and the wrong of the thing, or overhauling the calculus, 
 as I may say, between the good man and the bad, he 
 turns it all into his own conscience as easy as I’d turn in 
 
30 ’ 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 a dead-eye, and orders us a couple o’ dozen a-piece. Now, 
 messmate, I’d never had a lick o’ the cat’s tails in my life, 
 nor never a hand had been raised again me, barring when I 
 warn’t higher than a tin pannikin, and then, mayhap, a 
 clout o’ the head freshened my way, and the ship’s duty 
 was all the better done for it; but now I felt as if a hot 
 wind was rioting in my heart, and scalding blood was 
 running through my veins, and the steam and the heat 
 got into my head, and was shrivelling and scorching up 
 my brains — ’cause why? I knew I’d done my best, Jem, 
 and where’s the seaman that can do more? and the con- 
 vincement of it, with the prospect of being seized up at 
 the gangway, maddened me. Nor was that all, messmate. I 
 was a husband ; and how could I again look upon the face 
 of my wife with the marks of disgrace eternally logged upon 
 my back? I was a father ; and, Jem, the little bright eyes 
 of the picaninny seemed, to my fancy, to be witnessing the 
 debasement, as I stood amongst the topmen, till it came to 
 my turn to strip. Six dozen had been shared out among 
 three on ’em, and though I had seen punishment many 
 times before, yet, messmate, I never sliliddered at it so much 
 as now — ’cause why? it was close aboard o’ my own shoulders. 
 At last my name was called out, and the master-at-arms led 
 me to the gratings and began bowsing away at the collar o’ 
 my shirt ; and then I pushed him back, and says I, ‘ Captain 
 
 B , I’ve always done my duty like a man since I was 
 
 pressed into the sarvice, and there’s never an officer can say 
 a word again’ me. It was no fault o’ mine, sir, that the 
 main-topmen headed us ; I tried my best, sir, and I hope 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 31 
 
 you’ll make some discrimmagement, for I’Ve never yet had 
 a blow or an angry threat since I come aboard a man-o’-war.’ 
 ‘ Haven’t you, my man?’ says the skipper — for all the world 
 as cool as a breeze off the coast of Greenland — ‘ haven’t 
 you, my man?’ says he ; ‘then a taste of the cat will stretch 
 your hide a bit, and make you more active in future. Seize 
 him up, and, boasun’s mate, give him a couple o’ dozen.’ 
 Well, Jem, his words ran like a flash o’ lightning through 
 me ; there was a red flame dancing afore my eyes, and a fire 
 raging all over my hull ; so when the master-at-arms comes 
 to me again, I falls slap aboard of him with my grappling- 
 hooks, and dowsed him like a widow’s pig, and the next 
 moment I was upon the hammock-nettings to throw myself 
 overboard; but the boasun and a jolly catches hold o’ me 
 by the slack o’ my trousers, and I was once more a prisoner. 
 Well, messmate, they seized me up, and now I made no 
 resistance, and I took the two dozen without a wry face or 
 a groan ; and when I was cast off they put me both legs in 
 irons, to be tried by a court-martial for striking my superior 
 officer; and there I was, for many a long day, bowed down 
 in spirit, and almost broken-hearted — for setting a case, 
 Jem — ’cause why? — I knew I had done wrong in striking 
 the ould man, bad as he was ; for if ever a fellow was a 
 real bad one, it was just that ould master-at-arms; never- 
 theless, as I was a-saying, I had no right to run foul of him, 
 seeing that he was only obeying orders, and the thoughts o’ 
 the matter made me feel ashamed and guilty. Though in 
 the regard o’ that, Jem, just setting a case, I’ll ax any man 
 whether it arn’t the match that flashes the priming before 
 
3*2 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 the shot makes headway out o’ the muzzle ; and so, mess- 
 mate, the skipper’s words fired me all over, and that was 
 the first and foremost cause of the misery I was suffering. 
 
 “ Well, Jem, at last we runs in for Spithead, and I thought 
 it best not to telegraph poor Jane about the matter o’ the 
 court-martial till it was over, and I had received sentence ; 
 for there warn’t a man fore and aft but felt morally sartain' 
 there would be a yard-rope rove soon after, and poor Bill 
 would be swinging aloft like a jewel-block; and, as a fellow 
 can die but once, you know, why I made up my mind that 
 the cruise of life was nearly out, and even my only hope of 
 escape from execution was most terribly chafed in the 
 clinch — ’cause why ? I trusted to the humanity of the court ; 
 and that, where discipline is stranded, is just no more than 
 holding on by the eyelids. Well, Jem, a day or two arter 
 our mooring ship at Spithead, the skipper and first lertenant 
 being ashore, the commanding officer gave me leave to walk 
 the folksle to ease my timbers a bit, — it was kind of him, 
 Jem, and it sarved him a good turn afterwards. So as I 
 was a-stretching out and enjoying the fresh breeze — for it 
 was pretty squally, messmate, and the scud was flying afore 
 it — one of my ould shipmates, who was quarter-master of 
 the deck, comes up to me to overhaul a few words by the 
 way of convarsing. ‘ What cheer, Bill V says he, in a whisper ; 
 ‘keep your weather eye up, my boy, and it’ll go hard 
 if we don’t luff you out o’ this scrape yet.’ I shook my 
 head, Jem, — ’cause why? hope had foundered in my breast, 
 and I’d no tackle to raise the hull — no, not so much as the 
 matter of an inch. Howsomever, there was an arnestness 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 33 
 
 in his manner that, for the moment, gave a surge round my 
 heart, for I thought of poor Jane and the babby. 
 
 “ Well, d’ye see, the wind was blowing slap into the har- 
 bour, and so my shipmate claps his glass upon the hammock- 
 rail and looks at a shore-boat that was working out in a 
 lubberly fashion, sometimes luffing, till every sail shook like 
 a lascar in a snow-storm, and then running off with his 
 sheets dead aft, and pressing her gunnel down in the water. 
 ‘ Look’ee, Bill,’ says my shipmate, ‘ if that waterman arn’t 
 ’tosticated, and there’s a woman in the boat with an infant 
 in her arms.’ I don’t know how it was, Jem, but my heart 
 sunk like a dipsy lead. ‘ That fellow’ll capsize his wherry,’ 
 says my shipmate, ‘ and the poor woman seems aware she’s 
 in danger. See nearly if he arn’t over now ; no, there he 
 rises again, and is shoving her nose right into the wind’s 
 eye ; there’s a smart squall sweeping in from St. Helen’s.’ 
 He ran aft and told the officer of the watch, who, in course, 
 informed the second lertenant, and he immediately ordered 
 the small cutter away to render assistance. Well, mess- 
 mate, she shoved off, and the lads up sail to run down ; but the 
 squall was faster than the cutter, and it came raging along 
 thickly and heavily, and for a minute or two the boats were 
 shrouded in the gloom. When it cleared, messmate, the 
 cutter was lying on her oars, but there was no other boat to 
 be seen ; and says my shipmate, as he looked through his 
 glass, ‘ Mr. Losack is missing, sir ; no, I see him now, he is 
 overboard, sir.’ * No fear of him,’ says the lertenant, ‘ he can 
 swim like a fish.’ ‘ Look ! there he is,’ says my ship- 
 mate again, ‘ he’s handing the babby up to the coxson, and 
 
34 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 now down he dives arter somebody else.’ ‘ He’s a noble 
 fellow/ says the officer. And when I heard about the infant, 
 I felt as if something was rising in my throat to choke me, 
 for I thought of my own wife and child; and though, I 
 must confess, I had forgotten far too much the prayers 
 my mother had taught me, yet now I could not help 
 offering up a prayer for their happiness and safety, and 
 the choking went down again. By this time the ports and 
 nettings were crowded, and boats were shoving off from 
 the other ships. ‘ There he rises, sir/ said my shipmate, 
 ‘just under the cutter’s bows ; and now they’re helping him 
 on board — he’s got nothing else, sir, — and now they’re pulling 
 for the ship.’ Well, messmate, the boat came alongside, 
 and forgetting I was a prisoner, I walked aft to the gang- 
 way, and the jolly that had me in charge, being curious to 
 overhaul the affair, made no objections, and so we saw the 
 babby handed up the side, and, being close to the sentry, it 
 was put into my arms. 0 Jem, that moment was a dread- 
 ful one ! I looked at the innocent as it gasped for breath. I 
 knew the small locket that was hung round its neck — the 
 memory of its featurs rushed upon me— my heart was burst- 
 ing in my breast — Jem, it was my own babby.” 
 
 Here the tar paused for a moment to give vent to the 
 sudden overflow of his emotion, and his companion, covering 
 his face with his hands, coughed loudly to keep down the 
 hysteric risings which the annunciation had caused. “ Poor 
 Bill!” said he, as soon as he could master utterance — “poor 
 Bill, them are hard lines indeed!” 
 
 “ Well, J em,” continued the boatswain’s mate, “ I made 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 35 
 
 sail down to the sick bay, and one o’ the doctor’s mates took 
 the infant, whilst I stood and looked on, dumbfoundered and 
 heart-broken ; and the marine comes and orders me below, 
 to be once more clapped in the darbies. ‘ But no,’ says I, 
 
 * you will not, — you cannot. Do, doctor, stand my friend ; 
 they would take the father from his dying child.’ Well, 
 Jem, my ould shipmate, the quarter-master, had found out 
 the latitude and longitude of the consarn, and so he tells the 
 commanding officer, and the commanding officer orders the 
 marine away ; and I stayed with the little cherub till God 
 Almighty pleased to take it away. And oh, messmate, 
 I can’t tell you what I suffered, — wife and child both gone, 
 and I a prisoner expecting death. Poor Jane’s body was 
 picked up a day or two arterwards, upon South-sea Beach, 
 near the castle, and taken to the town. One of the car- 
 penter’s crew knocked a few bits o’ deal together for the 
 babby; I gave its pale cheek a last kiss; the coffin was 
 lashed up, and I stowed it in the starn sheets of the boat. 
 It was raining, messmate, at the time, and somehow or 
 other I couldn’t bear the thought that the little creatur, 
 that I had so often warmed in my own breast, should be 
 exposed to the chill showers, so I wrapped the coffin in my 
 pea-jacket, and my ould shipmate, the quarter-master, axed 
 leave to go ashore and ’tend the funeral; for you know, 
 Jem, I was waiting for my court-martial, and the captain 
 wouldn’t let me go out of the ship ; and when the second 
 lertenant axed him, he abused me for a mutinous dog, and 
 refused. Poor Jane I never saw at all. Well, the next 
 
 day I was to be tried, and now I felt quite resignation to 
 ( 18 ) 3 
 
36 
 
 THE LION AND THE LA.MB. 
 
 whatever might come ; for, Jem, I was heart-broken — I was 
 indeed. When my ould shipmate returned aboard again, he 
 came down in the cockpit, where I was both legs in irons, 
 and he squeezed my hand, but never opened his lips, — and 
 the captain abused him for showing marcy to me in the 
 regard o’ burying my wife. Well, Jem, I slept but little 
 that night, and there seemed to be a sort o’ commothering 
 among the petty officers ; and when the hands were turned 
 up cross to’-gall’nt-yards at eight o’clock in the morning, I 
 heard the most desperut shouts, and it seemed to roll from 
 ship to ship like the rolling of thunder, and then I remembered 
 my ould shipmate’s saying about ‘ luffing out o’ the scrape,’ 
 and it struck me at once there was a mutiny ; and so it was, 
 Jem, it was the mutiny at Spithead, and I was soon out of 
 the bilboes, and — . But it’s no use overhauling much upon 
 
 that consarn now. Captain B was towed ashore upon 
 
 a grating, and the court-martial in course was at an end — 
 ’cause why ? they’d other matters to attend to. But, mess- 
 mate, it was many years before I got over it ; and always, 
 when we goes to Spithead or Portsmouth, I pass the 
 turn of a glass or two at the grave of poor J ane and the 
 babby.” 
 
 The veteran ceased just as the boat was sweeping round 
 with a broad sheer alongside the Namur. The young 
 officers ascended to the quarter-deck, where they were 
 accosted by a lieutenant, with a florid complexion, wrinkled 
 features, a shabby cocked hat, athwart ship, upon his head, 
 a well-worn coat buttoned up d la militaire , a black stock 
 round his neck, under which peeped what had once been a 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 37 
 
 red silk li an dker chief, but without displaying the slightest 
 vestige of a shirt. “Where are you from, young gentle- 
 men?” inquired he. 
 
 “ From the Darling , sir,” replied J ay, touching his hat. 
 “ The ship is paid off, and the men have all been drafted to- 
 day, sir.” 
 
 “ And the refuse has been sent out here, I suppose,” 
 remarked the lieutenant, eyeing the master’s mate, men- 
 tioned as “Jemmy the Barber,” with a keen, scrutinizing 
 eye. “ But you are too late to be victualled on the books 
 to-day. Have you brought any grub with you?” 
 
 “ I believe not, sir,” replied Jay, with the usual salute; 
 “ but I daresay we shall be able to make out till to- 
 morrow.” 
 
 “ Take some hands and get your traps on board as quick 
 as possible ; and mind me, look sharp after them.” This was 
 uttered in a voice of harsh authority by the lieutenant, who 
 was turning away ; but, catching sight of Lewis, he inquired, 
 in a tone and manner of considerable feeling and kindness, 
 “ Are you ill, young gentleman ?” 
 
 “No, sir,” replied the youth, with some degree of agita- 
 tion. 
 
 “ It’s the nature of the I beg pardon— I mean, sir, 
 
 ’tis the lad’s natural complexion,” said Jay, who was well 
 
 known to Lieutenant R . “ They served out nothing 
 
 but white paint in the dock-yard where he was built, 
 sir.” 
 
 “ As graceless as ever, Mr. Jay,” ejaculated the lieutenant. 
 “ I hope you have the prospect of joining a ship soon; for, 
 
38 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 rely upon it, I shall have no more of your skylarking and 
 nonsense about the decks, nor any of the games you carried 
 on when you was last borne upon the books.” 
 
 “ I have no prospects at present, sir,” returned Jay, 
 demurely. “ I am going to pass, sir, in a week or two, and 
 I anticipate their lordships won’t let a young man of my 
 
 merit be long without a commission. I’m sure, Mr. R , 
 
 I shall have your good word.” 
 
 “ You shall, if they ask it,” smartly rejoined the other, 
 “ for the most mischievous skylarking monkey that ever 
 first lieutenant was plagued with. However, if you 
 remain in the Namur , sir, I shall keep a taut hand upon 
 you.” 
 
 “ Perhaps, sir, you’d be good enough to give me a fort- 
 night’s leave, sir,” said Jay, inquiringly, and assuming a 
 countenance of perfect simplicity and innocence. 
 
 “ You have the same stock of assurance, I perceive,” 
 
 exclaimed Mr. R , rather harshly, whilst his eyes 
 
 twinkled with secret pleasure at the bold bearing of the 
 young man ; for it has been generally found that old officers 
 love to see a smart spirit in the aspirant for naval honours. 
 “ But,” continued he, again looking kindly at Lewis, “ keep 
 a bright eye upon your young friend ; there’s some rough 
 hands below; perhaps he had better go into Mr. Clarke’s 
 mess.” 
 
 “ I’ll nurse him well, sir,” said Jay, catching hold of 
 Lewis by the arm. “I’ll be as busy as a hen with one 
 chick, sir!” and away he started with his young com- 
 panion. 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 39 
 
 The cockpit of the Namur was in utter, ay, almost pal- 
 pable darkness; for even the purser’s steward had closed 
 his half-hatch door, so as entirely to eclipse the rays from 
 his rat-gnawed candle. Jay and his brother mid put out 
 their feelers, and were yawing, and rolling, and pitching, 
 about, amongst huge chests and trunks, hammocks rolled 
 up, &c., till a dim, indescribable shining through the gloom, 
 somewhat resembling the mysterious beam of light that first 
 gleamed through the dusky haze at the breaking up of 
 chaos, attracted their attention as a beacon, whilst a noise, 
 which might well be compared to the confusion of tongues, 
 proclaimed that they were nearing the supernumeraries’ 
 berth. 
 
 “ Now, Lewis,” said Jay, “pipe all your courage to 
 muster, and stand by your guns, my boy.” He pushed 
 aside the canvass screen, and Lewis caught a sort of phan- 
 tasmagoria! view of the vision within, — it showed upwards 
 of twenty “ young gentlemen,” at a long table that might 
 have excited many classical recollections, from the relics of 
 grease upon its surface. There was a purser’s dip at each 
 extreme; and at the far end a battle-royal was going on 
 between five or six, who sat near the candle, and those who 
 occupied the middle of the table at cards, and who claimed 
 their right to a full share of the glim, the midshipmen main- 
 taining that “ every church ought to stand in the centre of 
 the parish.” Close to the entrance were four or five 
 youngsters, with tin japanned cups before them, taking 
 their grog (obtained upon the sly), and singing to the music 
 of as strange a band as could be well collected together. 
 
40 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 Screwed to the timbers in the wing were six door-knockers 
 (that had been borrowed from their rightful occupation 
 in some spree ashore), arranged according to their tones 
 approaching to the notes of the gamut, and these were 
 played like the keys of a piano, except that they were lifted 
 up instead of being pressed down ; a flute, an octave, two 
 pocket-combs covered with paper, and placed between the 
 lips like a jew’s harp; an empty quadrant-case for a drum, 
 with the handles of a couple of dirks for drum-sticks ; a tin 
 funnel for a trumpet ; and a marine’s ramrod, slung by a 
 rope-yarn, and struck with a table-knife, for triangles— 
 composed the orchestra. Poor Lewis shrunk back from 
 the spectacle, though his friend held a firm grip of his arm ; 
 but Jay pushed boldly in, and elevating his voice above the 
 medley of discords, he shouted out, “ Yo hoy, reefers!” and 
 snatching up one of the tin cups of grog, and handing 
 another to Lewis, with the admonition, “ Do as I do, and 
 obey signals,” he again bellowed forth, “ Yo hoy, reefers ! 
 here’s all the skin off your noses !” and away went the 
 mixture down his throat. Lewis attempted to follow the 
 example; but the youngster, who had been thus uncere- 
 moniously deprived of his beverage, sprang up and grappled 
 him by the throat. 
 
 “ Mutiny ! rank mutiny !” exclaimed Jay, by a sudden 
 jerk releasing his messmate, and throwing his opponent off 
 his balance, he sent him flat upon the deck. “ That’s duty,” 
 he continued ; “ humble yourself before your superior officer 
 —take off your grog, ‘My Lady;’” and then, in an under 
 tone, “ don’t hesitate, for your life.” 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 41 
 
 Lewis drank the grog, whilst a general laugh burst forth 
 from all who witnessed the downright impudence of the 
 thing. In an instant the noise ceased, and several of the 
 middies gathered round the aggressor, whom they welcomed 
 with delighted warmth, as their well-known leader and 
 doughty champion in many a midnight spree ashore, and as 
 the gallant young officer who had more than once or twice 
 sealed his devotion to the service with his blood. Jay was 
 instantly at home, and installed captain of the berth ; and 
 the first orders that he issued, in a tone and manner which 
 plainly indicated that he would be obeyed, were that “ every 
 possible respect and attention should be paid to ‘ her lady- 
 ship , 5 under pain of his displeasure,” which, in other words, 
 meant “ a good thrashing.” 
 
 Everything went on swimmingly for some time; Jay 
 passed his examination for a lieutenancy in triumph, and 
 Lewis found nothing to complain of ; when an unfortunate 
 occurrence, arising from Jay’s propensity to fun, bade fair 
 to annihilate the future prospects of the latter. The ward- 
 room dinner was over, and the first lieutenant, according to 
 his invariable custom, had turned his face from the table, 
 and was leaning over the back of his chair, when Captain 
 
 A sent for him into the cabin on duty. The lieutenants 
 
 being all below, and the people at their supper, Jay and 
 several of the middies had found “ Jemmy the barber” 
 (whose real name was James Wright, and in that circum- 
 stance originated his cognomen) fast asleep from over in- 
 dulgence in his favourite drink. To black his face and play 
 him other tricks was the work of a few moments, and he 
 
42 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 was aroused from his slumbers by the smart stroke from 
 the flat of a boot-jack. Starting up with the pain, Jemmy 
 immediately gave chase to his tormentors, who rushed up 
 the ladders, and eventually on to the quarter-deck, where 
 their pursuer followed, grasping a broken oar that he had 
 picked up in his progress. The chase continued round the 
 gangways, and Jay, in his retreat, snatched up a boat’ 3 
 mop, well saturated, which he thrust into Jemmy’s face, 
 thereby rendering him more eager and desperate. Round 
 
 the quarter-deck they came again, just as Mr. R was 
 
 coming up the companion, and Jay, whilst aiming a smart 
 blow at his opponent, sent the wet mop slap in the first 
 lieutenant’s face. For an instant the reckless young man 
 shook with laughter at the rueful countenance of the 
 veteran officer ; but the sense of the awkward predicament 
 in which he had placed himself rushed upon his mind, and 
 he stood for a moment like a statue, unnerved and speech- 
 less, and then rushed forward and down the main-hatchway 
 before the lieutenant had recovered the use of his visual 
 organs. No one had witnessed the transaction but Wright 
 and Lewis, who was accidentally close to the spot where 
 Jay stood ; and as the former immediately got out of the 
 way, the only person the lieutenant saw was poor Lewis, 
 who had picked up the mop which J ay had thrown down 
 
 in his hasty retreat. Mr. R looked at the youngster for 
 
 a moment, and pity seemed to be struggling with mortified 
 
 pride and indignation, when Captain A himself issued 
 
 from the cabin, and with astonishment and anger saw the 
 bleeding and soiled face of his chief officer. “ How, Mr. 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 43 
 
 R ; what is this, sir ? who has dared to use you in that 
 
 manner 1 ?” 
 
 “ There stands the culprit, sir,” replied the lieutenant, 
 with energy, pointing to Lewis, who trembled with appre- 
 hension, but determined not to betray his friend ; “ it was 
 yon milk-sop boy that struck me, though” — and his voice 
 was softened as he looked upon the pale face of the youth — 
 “ I do not think it was done designedly.” 
 
 “ Designedly or not, sir, he shall be well punished for it,” 
 exclaimed the captain, in anger. “ Here, massenger, call 
 the master-at-arms and a boasun’s mate — yet, no, I will not 
 do things in a passion — send him into the gun-room, Mr. 
 R ; put him in irons, and a sentry over him.” 
 
 Lewis made no excuse ; he remained silent, and was con- 
 ducted to the gun-room (which was used as a school for the 
 boys of the ship), where he was seated on the deck, the 
 shackles were placed round his legs, and the bolt held him 
 fast in this debasing and degrading situation ; but still his 
 noble spirit gained an accession of strength as he contem- 
 plated the probability of saving his friend. 
 
 Now, the cabin on the larboard side abaft was occupied 
 by the second lieutenant and his wife and children ; and the 
 kind, affectionate-hearted lady could not refrain from shed- 
 ding tears when she saw the poor youth thus manacled, and 
 with earnest solicitude she inquired into the cause of such 
 harsh treatment. Poor Lewis narrated the circumstance, 
 substituting his own name for that of Jay, and attributing 
 the occurrence to pure accident, though certainly originating 
 in a gross breach of discipline. From Mrs. H he 
 
44 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 received that soothing sympathy which women know so 
 well how to bestow. In about a couple of hours he was 
 
 summoned to the captain’s cabin, and Mrs. H sought a 
 
 private interview with the wife of the commander, to plead 
 for the interesting lad. But there was another also who 
 was not idle — Jay, though perplexed and confused at first, 
 had too high a sense of honour to submit to witness the 
 punishment of another for his fault ; and, calling the school- 
 master (a young man of colour) to his aid, he penned a peni- 
 tential letter, exonerating Lewis, and announcing himself 
 as the sole aggressor — at the same time expressing deep 
 contrition for what had taken place, and throwing himself 
 
 upon the mercy of the captain and Mr. R , entreating 
 
 them not to blast his hopes of retrieving the past by stopping 
 his prospects of promotion, and breaking the heart of an 
 indulgent father. 
 
 Lewis entered the cabin with downcast looks, and stood 
 before the captain, who sat at his table eyeing the youth 
 with a searching look. “ And pray, sir, how did this breach 
 of every necessary duty occur? You look incapable of 
 
 malice; Mr. R has spoken in your favour, and you 
 
 come wdth an excellent character from Captain Denton; 
 how is it, sir, that you have thus forgot yourself?” 
 
 The youth spoke feebly of its being accidental, but 
 earnestly begged for pardon of Mr. R , though he ad- 
 
 mitted that he merited punishment for the offence which 
 caused it. 
 
 “ And punishment you shall have, young gentleman, be 
 assured,” exclaimed the captain ; “ though from the respect 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 45 
 
 I bear to Captain Denton and your previous good conduct, 
 I will neither destroy your future expectations, nor disgrace 
 you in public. Here, quarter-master, seize him up to that 
 gun, and, boasun’s mate, take five tails of the cat.” 
 
 Lewis suffered himself passively to be led to the gun ; but 
 his heart sunk within him when he saw in the person of the 
 boatswain’s mate one of the old Darlings, — even our friend 
 Bill Buntline, who was hitching up his trousers, fumbling 
 with the cat, scratching his head, biting his quid, and seem- 
 ingly doing anything but obeying orders. Lewis was seized 
 up, his person exposed — not a murmur escaped him, though 
 the perspiration was rushing out at every pore. “ Boasun’s 
 mate, give him a dozen,” said the captain. 
 
 Bill slued round, felt the seizings, took his station, raised 
 the cat, flourished it over his head, but suddenly letting the 
 tails fall by his side, he muttered some unintelligible words. 
 
 “ Do your duty, boasun’s mate,” exclaimed the captain, 
 in a voice of anger, “ or I’ll have you seized up in his 
 place.” 
 
 “ Captain A ,” returned the veteran, “ will your hon- 
 
 our allow me, in all humblification, to say a few words — 
 for, setting a case — ’cause why, your honour? you are a 
 father, and I have loved this youth as if he wur my own.” 
 The captain gazed earnestly upon the speaker, and seemed 
 to be recalling some past event to his memory. “Please 
 your honour,” continued the tar, “ I’m sartin sure there’s 
 some mistake; and mayhap your honour will remember 
 Bill Buntline, though it’s many years since I was under your 
 honour’s orders in the ould 
 
46 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 The captain jumped up. “ I do remember you, my man,” 
 said he; “you saved my child from death; but I cannot 
 spare this boy, even at your intercession — he must suffer 
 punishment, that it may make him the better officer, should 
 he ever hold a responsible rank. You shall not, however, 
 inflict it. Quarter-master, fetch another boasun’s mate.” 
 “Ay, ay, sir,” replied the quarter-master, retreating; but 
 Bill was again pleading — “ Please your honour, I don’t 
 know much o’ the matter of ‘cessions’ or ‘sponsibles’ — 
 ’cause why? I never had any laming; but I’ll stake my 
 ould life that this lad is innocent, if your honour will but 
 overhaul the consarn, and try for the right transmogrifica- 
 tion of the thing.” 
 
 “It is impossible,” said Captain A ; “he does not 
 
 deny it — nay, was caught in the fact ; but you may retire, 
 my man, here is another boasun’s mate.” 
 
 A grim-visaged, surly-looldng fellow entered the cabin, 
 and advanced to old Bill to receive the implement of flagel- 
 lation, which the other, however, held fast ; and poor Lewis, 
 in an agony of suspense and agitation, was fast sinking 
 
 into imbecility from delay. At this moment Mr. R 
 
 hurriedly entered the cabin without any announcement, 
 and was instantly followed by Jay, who, stripping off his 
 coat, ran and threw it over his young friend, and then for a 
 moment stood and sobbed like a child. 
 
 “ Captain A ,” said the lieutenant, a tear starting to 
 
 his eye, “ we were unintentionally, and ignorantly, about to 
 commit an act of injustice ; that noble-spirited lad is inno- 
 cent; there is the real culprit,” pointing to Jay; “he has 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 47 
 
 confessed the whole, after writing this letter to you, which 
 he intended to forward ; but, hearing of what was taking 
 place, he hastened to me and informed me of the whole.” 
 
 “ I knew it,” exclaimed Bill Buntline, snatching the cat 
 away from his brother mate ; “ I was sartin of it, your hon- 
 our, though, for the matter o’ that, Mr. Jay’s as good an 
 officer as ever breathed, barring a bit o’ the monkey — and 
 he once saved my life, your honour, in a cutting out consarn, 
 under Hellygoland.” 
 
 “ What you say is indeed strange,” said Captain A 
 
 addressing the first lieutenant ; “ cast the lad loose — but, 
 avast, let me first read this letter.” The letter was read ; 
 Jay was questioned — he acknowledged all — and, ready to 
 sink with shame that bowed down his daring mind, he 
 declared himself resigned to the punishment intended for 
 his young friend. “ But how am I to account for the con- 
 duct of the youth, in so readily taking the guilt upon him- 
 self?” inquired the captain. 
 
 “ Please your honour,” exclaimed Bill Buntline, giving a 
 tremendous knowing hitch to his trousers, and taking a 
 severe turn with his quid, — “ Please your honour, them there 
 young gentlemen were always friends to one another in the 
 ould Darling , and every soul fore and aft respected them— 
 they were like a couple o’ sister blocks, never apart, and we 
 used to delight in seeing them, your honour — ’cause why? 
 they were called ‘ the lion and the lamb.’ ” 
 
 “Cast the youngster loose,” said the captain, his voice 
 faltering with emotion, and hurrying himself across the 
 cabin to assist in executing his own orders. Poor Lewis 
 
48 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 arranged his dress, and then seizing Jay’s hand, he earnestly 
 
 implored the captain to spare his friend. Mr. R joined 
 
 in the entreaty (for J ay was a great favourite with him), 
 and the two ladies entering from the after-cabin united 
 their petitions. Jay was forgiven; and, after a serious 
 
 admonition from Captain A , he went below a wiser 
 
 and a better man. 
 
 A few days afterwards the young friends, with several 
 others of the Darlings, were drafted into a smart frigate, 
 under the command of a nobleman, whose daring achieve- 
 ments were the pride and the boast of the British navy ; 
 and they were sent to cruise between the north coast of 
 Spain and the south of France — a station requiring vigilance 
 and activity, but which was amply rewarded by lots of 
 
 prizes. Lord C was not long idle; and, what with 
 
 shore work at the batteries upon the coast, and night duty 
 in the boats, the men were compelled to rest well when 
 opportunity offered, and the slumber was sweet that pro- 
 ceeded from robust health and roughly exercised toil. 
 
 One afternoon, it was towards the close of autumn, the 
 beautifully proportioned craft was dodging about snugly 
 under her three top-sails, double reefed, in a fresh breeze, 
 but smooth water — the hammocks had been piped down for 
 the men to repose, or, as the seamen termed it, “ to bottle off 
 a little sleep,” — as it was known to be his lordship’s inten- 
 tion to stand in for the mouth of the Caronne as soon as it 
 was dark, and the boats were all in readiness for cutting out 
 several armed vessels and chasse-marees that were lying at 
 anchor near Royan. The two friends had the watch — Jay 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 49 
 
 took his proper station on the forecastle, and Lewis 
 stealthily quitted the lee-side of the quarter-deck to join 
 his cheerful messmate. 
 
 “ You are to have the pinnace to-night, Jay,” said Lewis ; 
 “ how I do wish I was going with you !” 
 
 “Do you, indeed?” returned Jay, laughing; “why, that 
 pale face of yours, my lady, would make the Frenchmen 
 believe we feed you on pipe-clay. They would find no 
 chicken-heart, however, for you behaved very well in that 
 affair down in the bight of the bay, and I’m sure you’re no 
 coward. Go and ask the gunner for a little of the red 
 paint he rubs round the tompions of the guns, and clap 
 some upon your own muzzle, and then if you can stow 
 yourself away in the bows of the boat, why all well and 
 good, but, remember, I’m to know nothing about it. There’ll 
 be smart work for the eyes, as the monkey said when he 
 caught the cat to shave her, and the doctor will get some 
 good practice before it is over. You may take my pistols — 
 those that I got from the French privateer, — they’ve straight 
 barrels, and go slap to the mark, considering they have 
 smooth bores ; and now listen to a piece of advice — when 
 your ladyship uses them, keep a steady hand, and let fly 
 either at the head or the heart, for there’s no use in ‘ scotch- 
 ing a snake,’ and it’s best not to mangle a poor creature and 
 let him linger in pain, when you can put him out of his 
 misery at once. Why, Lewis, that look is more fit for the 
 nursery than a king’s ship — well, well, I know what you 
 would say about humanity, but depend upon it I’m right- 
 ask old Bill there if I’m not.” 
 
50 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 The veteran boatswain’s mate, Will Buntline, who had 
 heard the conversation without presuming to make any 
 observations until spoken to by the young officers, now find- 
 ing an appeal made to his judgment, slued round his quid, 
 hitched up his trousers, and “ It’s true enough, Mr. Lewis,” 
 said he; “ Mr. Jay ounly squares the thipgs by the lifts and 
 braces— ’cause why? in the heat of a conflict, such as board- 
 ing and cutting out, there’s no nice discrimmagement in 
 picking out a fleshy limb, or telling by a random shot 
 whether you disparage your opponent or not ; but an eyelet 
 hole in the skull, or an ounce ball in the heart, puts the 
 consarn beyond all dubification — besides, self-preservation 
 teaches it like nat’ral instinct, that in all them there sort of 
 affairs it’s either kill or be killed.” 
 
 “ I told you so, my lady,” said Jay ; “ but see there’s 
 Mr. Jennings hailing you — bear a hand aft, old girl, or you’ll 
 get your neck twisted into grannies’ knots.” 
 
 Lewis obeyed, and, as soon as twilight began to spread its 
 gloom, the frigate’s head was hove round towards the land ; 
 the courses, top-gallant sails, jib and spanker, were set, and 
 the majestic vessel launched proudly on her way. The night 
 was fine and clear, and, after running through several intri- 
 cate passages between the sands (which, however, were well 
 known to Lord C ), and having passed those ever-foam- 
 
 ing waters that rage incessantly at the base of the Chaseron 
 light-house, the sails were brought in graceful folds to the 
 yards, and the gaskets twined round them; the anchor was 
 let go with a spring upon the cable; the messenger was 
 passed; and the capstan-bars were laid in readiness for 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 51 
 
 weighing ; whilst sharp axes were placed near the bitts, to 
 cut, should necessity require it. The boats were hoisted out 
 from the booms and lowered down from the quarters ; to 
 man them with crews well armed occupied but a few 
 
 minutes ; and Lord C , taking the lead in his long gig, 
 
 was followed by the launch, the two pinnaces, and a couple 
 of double-banked cutters, in a line astern, their oars muffled 
 and cautiously plied ; and thus the flotilla proceeded noise- 
 lessly, like dark spirits of the deep, moving on the face of 
 the troubled waters. 
 
 “ I’m here, Jay,” whispered a voice close by the side of 
 the young officer, who now perceived that the seat next him 
 had just been occupied by Lewis, who had crept aft from 
 the bows. “ I’m here, and I hope this night will bring you 
 a commission .” 
 
 “ Or death and glory, boy!” said Jay, in the same low 
 tone, interrupting his companion, and giving his hand a 
 friendly pressure. “ I love such work as this, lad ! Every- 
 thing favours us ; we have the last quarter flood, with the 
 wind dead down the river, and we’ve only to board and 
 cut the cables to bring all the craft out into honest com- 
 pany.” 
 
 “ But they will be well defended, Jay,” returned Lewis; 
 “ they know we are on the coast.” 
 
 “ Come, come, youngster, don’t run away so large in your 
 talk,” remonstrated Jay; “that we is a big word from a 
 small mouth. No doubt they will be defended, and well 
 defended too; but so much the better — there will be the 
 greater credit in capturing them.” 
 
 (18) 4 
 
52 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 “ You know, Jay, I intended no allusion to myself when 
 I said we,” rejoined Lewis. “ I meant the frigate and Lord 
 
 C : I’m not so presumptuous as to suppose my efforts 
 
 can be of any use.” 
 
 “ Now, that’s what I call lady-like modesty, Lewis,” re- 
 turned Jay, “ and all very ship-shape and proper to your 
 superior officer; but, I can tell you, I’m as happy just now 
 as if I carried a flag. Halloo, who have I got for a coxson 
 —look out, keep in the wake of the launch, the gig is alter- 
 ing her course — mind your helm, boy — but who have I got 
 at the tiller?” 
 
 “ It’s ould Bill, Mr. Jay,” replied the veteran boatswain’s 
 mate, in an under-tone; “Jem was wounded in that last 
 do, so I just axed the first lertenant to let me make one — 
 ’cause why? for the honour of the ould Darling and Captain 
 Denton.” 
 
 “ Bravely done, old boy!” said Jay; “I am glad you are 
 with me to-night, for I mean to win the white lapelles, and 
 his lordship has given me a fair opportunity of doing so. 
 You remember the brig we chased in the other day — she’s 
 a national craft, mounting ten guns, and a crew of seventy 
 men — she’s to be our’s, Lewis, before yon bright planet” 
 (pointing to Jupiter), “gains his meridian altitude, and it 
 wants scarce three-quarters of an hour to the time. The 
 king of the gods is rising — there’s warlike Mars close at his 
 heels, and we’ve old Neptune to steer us” — Bill Buntline’s 
 iron visage relaxed. “ What do you think of that, my 
 lady?” 
 
 “ Is the brig to be attacked the first i” inquired 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 53 
 
 Lewis. “ I thought they were going to make a slap 
 at all.” 
 
 “ And so they are, my boy,” returned Jay ; “ but the brig 
 is for our boat’s crew alone ; and in another hour old Bill 
 shall be piping all hands to skylark under the lee of the 
 frigate. There’ll be some black eyes and bloody noses, no 
 doubt, and I think a fellow’s arm looks rather graceful in a 
 sling.” 
 
 “ I know one that thinks differently,” said Lewis, in a 
 low whisper, so as to be unheard by all except the individual 
 to whom it was addressed ; “ and oh, how her little heart 
 would beat if she knew what we are engaged upon at this 
 moment!” 
 
 “ Hush, Harry! hush !” returned Jay, in the same sup- 
 pressed tones, “ you cannot think that I forget her, even 
 with another mistress in view — glory, boy — glory. Should 
 I fall, Harry, next to my country and the service, your sister 
 shall claim the last throb of my existence. You already 
 have my instructions, and I have yours. You should not 
 have started the subject just now;” and then in a somewhat 
 louder tone, as if to banish unpleasant feelings from the 
 mind, he continued, turning the steersman, “ Bill, have you 
 an ensign in the boat?” 
 
 “ Ay, ay, sir,” replied the veteran, “ I brought both ensign 
 and pennant — they’re here in the locker— for setting a case — 
 ’cause why? we shall want to hoist ’em over Johnny Crapo’s 
 consarn.” 
 
 The boats were now rapidly approaching their intended 
 prey, and had closed nearer together. All was still on 
 
54 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 shore, and the armed vessels and their convoy, now distinctly 
 visible, seemed slumbering in tranquil repose. “ They must 
 be all asleep, and we shall make an easy conquest,” whis- 
 pered Lewis. 
 
 “ Not a bit of it, my lady,” returned his friend, rising in 
 the stern sheets, and carefully bending his earnest gaze to 
 distinguish the object of his attack; not a bit of it— they’re 
 having the black fellow’s sleep, depend upon it — one eye 
 shut and the other open. But, there she is, Bill — that’s the 
 craft with the taut sticks and the t’-gallant yards crossed, 
 that’s our prize, old boy — the moment I tell you, run us slaf 
 under the larboard fore-channels — don’t stand to wind her, 
 but have a boat-hook abaft here to hold on. Men,” he said 
 in a louder voice, “ we’re for the brig — are there many olu 
 Darlings in the pinnace?” 
 
 “ They’re all Darlings, sir,” answered Bill Buntline, 
 chuckling with pleasure. “I managed that, Mr. Jay — 
 they’re all of the ould craft except the jollies, for, in the 
 regard o’ the matter o’ that, I thought we might just take 
 the shine off the boasting rascals, and I’m blest if we shan’t 
 do it this very night of all others — ’cause why? that ’ere 
 brig’s as safe ours as if she lay alongside the quay in the 
 basin at Portsmouth dock-yard.” 
 
 “ Harry,” said Jay, re-seating himself, and taking hold of 
 the youngster’s hand, which he pressed with fervour — 
 “ Harry, my fine fellow', are your pistols ready?” 
 
 “ Yes, Charles,” replied the youth, returning the pressure 
 of his friend ; “ I’ve just renewed the priming.” 
 
 “ That’s right !” remember the advice I gave you, continued 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 55 
 
 Jay, “cover your man well. You know how to use the 
 bayonet with your left hand, so that, as soon as you have 
 done with the barking-irons, drop them, and grasp your 
 cutlass firmly, keeping the bayonet ready either for defence 
 or mischief. Bear in mind that we lead the old Darlings, 
 and don’t get far from me in the struggle, Harry — now, do 
 you understand?” 
 
 “I do, Charles, and God bless you!” said Lewis; “I’ll 
 follow your directions to the very letter — and, whatever 
 happens, don’t forget Maria.” 
 
 A silent squeeze of the hand was the only reply, for the 
 boats were now close to the convoy, and Jay, standing up, 
 
 was awaiting the signal from Lord C to single out his 
 
 opponent ; before, however, it could be made, a tremendous 
 shout arose from all the enemy’s vessels; red flames and 
 crashing reports issued from those that were armed, and the 
 whole gave sufficient indications that the visitors were not 
 
 unexpected or unlooked for. Lord C rose in his gig ; 
 
 he waved his hat : a responsive shout was uttered ; the 
 boats separated, and Jay, with his brave band, ran alongside 
 the brig. In an instant the fore-channels were filled with 
 British seamen, but the lofty boarding nettings held the 
 daring fellows in check. This, however, had been foreseen ; 
 sharp knives went to work, and an opening was made to 
 two of the ports. The first man that entered met his death ; 
 but the second, shoving the body in before him, made good 
 his footing on the deck, just as the two friends, with old 
 Bill Buntline and some others, had surmounted the barrier, 
 and came dropping from the rigging. “ The old Darling for 
 
56 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 ever!” shouted Jay; “the union jack, and down with the 
 tri-colour! Huzza, lads! huzza!” 
 
 The party hastily formed, and, with the two young officers 
 leading, rushed aft in pursuit of the retreating Frenchmen. 
 Desperate grew the conflict. “ Hard up, and she cracks!” 
 cried Bill, as his cutlass fell upon the head of a handsome 
 French officer, who staggered a few paces from the blow ; 
 the blood ran streaming down his face ; he clasped his hands 
 to his forehead and fell a corpse ; but at the same moment 
 a musket ball pierced the breast of the old man, who had so 
 sternly dealt out death to others. Still he pushed on after 
 the young midshipmen, and the whole were soon involved 
 in the confusion of the melee — a confusion that baffles all 
 description. Nearly overpowered by numbers, the British 
 were getting the worst of it, — when loud cheers at no great 
 distance smote on the ears of the French like the voice of 
 succour to their assailants. Jay had fought his way to the 
 taffarel, and Lewis was at his side, whilst old Bill, with 
 undaunted courage — though a bayonet wound in the side 
 had opened a passage for the red stream of life, and he was 
 otherwise much mangled — old Bill still did his work with 
 destructive execution. Again the British charged the 
 enemy, who gave way before them, and again were Jay and 
 his gallant fellows driven back abaft. But the veteran 
 boatswain’s mate was now exhausted, and, mustering his 
 last feeble effort, he gave a shout, and crawled between two 
 guns. A French marine approached him, poising his musket 
 high to give the wounded hero the full force of the bayonet. 
 “ Ah, do, you lubber ! ” said the old man, without attempting 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 57 
 
 defence ; but Jay saw it, and the next moment the marine 
 lay prostrate, but not till the murderous weapon had entered 
 the body of the veteran tar. The comrade of the fallen 
 Frenchman rushed to avenge him on his adversary ; he was 
 in the rear of the young officer ; his bayonet was at the 
 charge ; he pushed desperately forward. J ay was unaware 
 of his approach, and in another instant the cold steel would 
 have passed through his heart ; but some one threw himself 
 between— the blood-stained instrument was foiled of its 
 victim, though the generous fellow who had thus saved the 
 British officer quivered for a moment in one last convulsive 
 struggling death-pang; Jay turned sharply round, and poor 
 Lewis dropped lifeless into his arms. He laid him on the 
 deck, for mad revenge had stirred up all his vital energies, 
 and, as he was cheering on the men to a renewed attack, he 
 became sensible that a mightier than he now ruled their 
 destiny. A cocked hat was waved high in the air, and the 
 
 voice of Lord C was heard above the tumult, as he led 
 
 on the crew of his gig. Inspirited by succour, the British 
 joined the cheer, the Frenchmen were driven below, and the 
 red cross of St. George surmounted the tri-colour. 
 
 Jay looked for his commander, to surrender the sword of 
 the lieutenant de vaisseau, but he was gone, and the gig was 
 seen pulling to another craft where the struggle still continued. 
 The hatches of the brig were secured ; her cables cut ; the sails 
 one after the other fell from the yards ; and she was walking 
 out to join the frigate, under a smart fire from the batteries 
 ashore. Some of the chasse-marSes had already taken their 
 departure, and the whole eventually were brought off. 
 
58 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 As soon as duty would permit, Jay hastened to the spot 
 where he had left the dead body of his young friend. Old 
 Bill was yet alive, and the assistant surgeon was bending 
 over him to examine his wounds. The veteran had placed 
 the head of the dead youth in his lap, as he sat supporting 
 himself against the side, and had firmly grasped one of the 
 hands of the corpse between his own. “ In the regard o’ 
 
 the matter o’ life and death, Mr. ,” said the expiring 
 
 seaman, “ I know it’s all over with me ; so, if it makes no 
 difference to you, doctor, I’ll thank you to leave off over- 
 hauling me — ’cause why? it’s of no manner o’ use what- 
 somever, and there are others upon their beam-ends that 
 you may set upright again. Ha, Mr. Jay,” he smilingly 
 continued, as the youth approached, “ you’ll be my certificate 
 that I have done my duty, and, as for that lubberly French 
 jolly, whose spoon you stuck in the wall — but I arn’t got 
 time to waste upon ’em now — ’cause why? I’m outward 
 bound, Mr. Jay, and death is bringing my anchor home like 
 a sou-wester in the Downs. Look here, Mr. Jay,” he con- 
 tinued mournfully, and with his wasting strength raising 
 the yet warm hand of poor Lewis, “ he received the thrust 
 that was meant for you, and lost his own life in saving 
 yours.” 
 
 The young officer knelt down, and was about to take the 
 hand which was still retained by the veteran. “ Ho, no, 
 Mr. Jay,” said he, “ not that hand, if you please. I carn’t 
 spare it you, for, though the boy — and I loved him as 
 my own flesh and blood, Mr. Jay — but, as I was a saying, 
 though he’s got the start o’ me, by token that his cable was 
 
THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 59 
 
 cut in a moment, yet I feel the moorings of life are slipping 
 fast from me, and — I shall soon — he in his wake.” 
 
 “ My excellent old friend,” said Jay (taking the other hand 
 of the dead youth), whilst the tears were streaming from his 
 eyes, “ have you any wish to express — anything to commu- 
 nicate ? — I will hold your requests most sacred.” 
 
 “ I know you wull, I know you wull,” replied the wasting 
 veteran, “ and, therefore, first, let me have a seamen’s grave 
 — I did hope — ” and his voice faltered, so as to he almost 
 inarticulate, but, rallying again, he added, “ now, may the 
 God of my country he my strength, and keep me from 
 slipping my manhood afore a conquered enemy ! A seaman’s 
 grave, Mr. Jay, and mayhap this fair-haired boy will keep 
 me company.” 
 
 “ Have you no relatives, no friends ?” inquired Jay. 
 
 “ None, sir, none,” returned the tar ; “ but there’s a small 
 matter o’ prize money due to me, besides what will come for 
 the present do — and I meant to have the consarn rigged out 
 the next time we moored at Spithead. Mayhap you wouldn’t 
 think it a trouble, Mr. Jay.” The young officer assured him 
 that his requests should be complied with. “ Well, then, 
 you know the spot where the mutineers were buried— don’t 
 
 interrupt me, for my ground-tackle is loosing fast . 
 
 Close by there — is — a small grave with a wooden post — a 
 post at the head — carved with a foul anchor and a brace of 
 Js, for the babby was named arter — arter its mother — I’m 
 going — I feel I’m — but d’ye mind me, Mr. Jay — there’s a 
 bit o’ paper on my larboard bulwark — near my heart as will 
 splain it all.” — He rallied again : “ I know you will do it — 
 
60 
 
 THE LION AND THE LAMB. 
 
 ’cause why? just to the memory of ould Bill. Put a head' 
 stone to the grave, and join two Bs to the other letters, 
 with a timber-hitch round ’em, and mayhap, Mr. Jay, if you 
 was to log the memorial of your young messmate upon the 
 same stone — it would please me, and wouldn’t — no, I’m 
 thinking it wouldn’t be much disparagement to have his 
 name entered by the side of ould Will’s, seeing we died — 
 yes, both on us died in the same cause. Ha,” he started 
 convulsively, “ they’re bowsing a taut strain — but you’ll do 
 it, Mr. Jay— mind, over Jane and the babby. God bless 
 you, sir ! Just tell the boasun there’s a bad chafe in the — 
 ay, in the fore cat-harpins, and the buoy of the best bower 
 — the buoy wants a spile druv in it — my anchor’s away, 
 Mr. Jay — I’m paying round off — ” then, making one last 
 effort, he raised himself for an instant, “Hurrah!” he 
 shouted ; “ hurrah ; shipmates, here lies the slaughtered 
 
 LAMB— MAY THE BRITISH LION LIVE — LIVE FOR EVER!”— 
 
 he fell back, and his noble spirit reluctantly quitted its strong 
 tenement. 
 
 Jay got his commission, married the sister of his devoted 
 friend, and the head-stone, I believe, stands to this day, 
 unless modern improvements have swept it away. 
 
(Smitfokjj ||0spttaL 
 
 “ Wliat do you say to get some of the worthy old blues, my messmate,” — 
 (Dick is a pensioner), — “to spin out a yarn or two about the shattered old hulks 
 In Greenwich moorings?” 
 
 “ Say no more, say no more! ” exclaimed I; “it shall be done directly.” 
 
 “ And get ’em printed in one of your periodicals,” continued Dick. 
 
 “ The very thing! — the very thing! ” 
 
 Greenwich Hospital: a Series of Naval Sketches. 
 
 Ay, there it is ! — the grand depository of human fragments 
 — the snug harbour for docked remnants — Greenwich Hos- 
 pital! Who is there that has stood on that fine terrace, 
 when the calm of evening has shed its influence on the 
 spirit, and Nature’s pencil, intermingling light and shade, 
 has graced the landscape with its various tints, without 
 feeling delighted at the spectacle? No sound is heard to 
 break the stillness of the hour, save where the sea-boy trills 
 his plaintive ditty, studious to grace the turnings of his song ; 
 for it was his mother taught it him, and her he strives to 
 imitate. To him the tide rolls on unheeded ; he sees not the 
 tall mast, the drooping sail; ah, no! his heart is in the 
 cottage where he knew his first affection, when, with a 
 smile of infantile delight, he drew his nourishment from 
 that fond bosom lately bedewed with tears at parting. Who 
 is there that has not exulted in the scene, when the proud 
 ship has spread her canvas to the breeze, to carry forth the 
 produce of our country to distant lands ; or, when returning 
 
62 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 to lier own home-shores, laden with the luxuries of foreign 
 climes, the gallant tars have “ hailed each well-known object 
 with delight 1 ?” Ay, there they stand! the veterans of the 
 ocean, bidding defiance to the frowns of fate, although they 
 are moored in tiers. They are critics too — deep critics ; but 
 they cannot fancy the steam-vessel, with a chimney for a 
 mast, and a long line of smoke for a pendant. These are 
 the men that Smollett pictured — the Jack Rattlins and the 
 Tom Pipes of former years. Ay, those were rattling days, 
 and piping times! There is no place upon earth except 
 Greenwich in which we can now meet with them, or find 
 the weather-roll or the lee-lurch to perfection. They are all 
 thorough-bred ; and a thorough-bred seaman is one of the 
 drollest compounds in existence: a mixture of all that is 
 ludicrous and grave— of undaunted courage and silly fear. 
 I do not mean the every-day sailor, but the bold, daring, 
 intrepid man-of-war’s man ; him who in the time of action 
 primed his wit and his gun together without a fear of either 
 missing fire. He has a language peculiarly his own, and 
 his figures of rhetoric are perfect reef-knots to the under- 
 standing of a landsman. If he speaks of his ship, his elo- 
 quence surpasses the orations of a Demosthenes, and he 
 revels in the luxuriance of metaphor. The same powers of 
 elocution, with precisely the same terms, are applied to his 
 wife, and it is a matter of doubt which engrosses the greatest 
 portion of his affection ; to him they are both lady-ships. 
 Hear him expatiate on his little barkey , as he calls his 
 wooden island, though she may be able to carry a hundred 
 and fifty guns, and a crew of a thousand men. “ Oh ! she 
 
GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 63 
 
 is the fleetest of the fleet — sits on the water like a duck- 
 stands under her canvas as stiff as a crutch — and turns to 
 windward like a witch!” Of his wife he observes, “ What 
 a clean run from stem to stern ! She carries her t’-gallants 
 through every breeze, and in turning hank for hank never 
 misses stays.” He will point to the bows of his ship, and 
 swear she is as sharp as a wedge, never stops at a sea, but 
 goes smack through all. He looks at his wife, admires her 
 head-gear and bow-lines, compares her eyes to dolphin- 
 strikers, boasts of her fancy and fashion-pieces, and declares 
 that she darts along with all the grace of a bonnetta. When 
 he parts with his wife to go on a cruise, no tear moistens 
 his cheek ; there is the honest pressure of the hand, the 
 fervent kiss, and then he claps on the topsail-halliards, or 
 walks round at the capstan to the lively sounds of music. 
 But when he quits his ship, the being he has rigged with 
 his own fingers, that has stood under him in many a dark 
 and trying hour, whilst the wild waves have dashed over 
 them with relentless fury, then — then — the scuppers of his 
 heart are unplugged, and overflow with the soft droppings 
 of sensibility. How often has he stood upon that deck and 
 eyed the swelling sails, lest the breezes of heaven should 
 visit their “face too roughly!” How many hours has he 
 stood at that helm, and watched her coming up and falling 
 off ! and when the roaring billows have threatened to engulph 
 her in the bubbling foam of the dark waters, he has eased 
 her to the sea with all the tender anxiety that a mother 
 feels for her darling child. With what pride has he beheld 
 her top the mountain wave, and climb the rolling swell, 
 
64 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 while every groan of labour that she gave carried a taut 
 strain upon his own heart-strings ! 
 
 Place confidence in what he says, and he will use no 
 deception ; doubt his word, and he will indulge you with 
 some of the purest rhodomontade that ingenious fancy can in- 
 vent. He will assure you that he had a messmate who knew 
 the man in the moon, and on one occasion went hand-over- 
 hand up a rainbow to pay him a visit. He himself was once 
 powder-monkey in the Volcano bomb, and he will tell you 
 a story of his falling asleep in the mortar at the bombard- 
 ment of Toulon, and his body being discharged from its 
 mouth instead of a carcass. With all the precision of an 
 engineer, he will describe his evolutions in the air when 
 they fired him off, and the manner in which he was saved 
 from being dashed to pieces in his fall. 
 
 All this he repeats without a smile upon his countenance 
 —and he expects you to believe it: but you may soon 
 balance the account; for, tell him what absurdity you will, 
 he receives it with the utmost credulity, and is convinced of 
 its truth. His courage is undoubted, for he will stand on 
 the deck undismayed, amidst the blood and slaughter of 
 battle ; yet on shore he is seized with indescribable appre- 
 hensions at the sight of a coffin. The wailings of distress 
 find a ready passport to his heart ; but, to disguise the real 
 motives which prompt immediate aid, he asserts that the 
 object of his charity does not deserve a copper, yet gives a 
 pound, with only this provision, that the individual relieved 
 does not bother him about gratitude. You may know him 
 from a thousand ; for though in his dress conspicuously 
 
GREEN WICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 65 
 
 neat, and his standing and running rigging in exact order, 
 yet they are arranged with a certain careless ease, as if he 
 had but just come down from reefing topsails. The truck 
 at the mast-head does not sit better than his tarpawling hat, 
 neither does the shoe upon the pea of the anchor fit tighter 
 than his long-quartered pumps. Grog is his ambrosia, his 
 neck-tar , and he takes it cold, without sugar, that he may 
 have the full smack of the rum. 
 
 And these are the characters at Greenwich Hospital, who, 
 after fighting the battles of their country, are honoured with 
 a palace. Oh, it was a proud display of national gratitude 
 to such brave defenders ! England has been compared to a 
 huge marine animal, a sort of lobster, whose ports were its 
 mouths, and whose navy formed its claws. What, then, is 
 Greenwich but a receptacle for superannuated claws? I 
 dearly love to get amongst them— nearly two thousand 
 shattered emblems of Britain’s triumphs. Then, to see them 
 strolling about the park, luxuriating on its green mossy 
 banks, or holding strange converse with the deer, they 
 always remind me, in their blue dresses, of bachelor’s buttons 
 springing from the sward. 
 
 You were with Nelson then?” said I to a pensioner with 
 whom I had entered into conversation. He was a short, 
 thick-set man, apparently between sixty and seventy years 
 of age \ and, as he hobbled along on his wooden leg, he 
 strongly reminded me of a heavy-laden Indiaman, with a 
 heel to port, rolling down before the wind from the Cape of 
 Good Hope to Saint Helena. His countenance was one of 
 mild benevolence ; and yet there was a daring in his look 
 
66 
 
 GKEENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 that told at once a tale of unsubdued and noble intrepidity ; 
 whilst the deep bronze upon his skin was finely contrasted 
 with the silky white locks which hung straggling on his 
 brow. 
 
 “ You were with Nelson?” said I. 
 
 “I was, your honour,” he replied; “and those were the 
 proudest days of my life. I was with him when he bore up 
 out of the line of Cape St. Vincent, and saved old Jarvis 
 from disgrace. I was in his own ship too — the Victory — 
 fighting on the same quarter-deck.” 
 
 This was spoken with such an air of triumph that the old 
 man's features were lighted up with animation ; it called to 
 his remembrance scenes in which he had shared the glory of 
 the day and saved his country. His eye sparkled with 
 delight, as if he again saw the British ensign floating in the 
 breeze, as the proud signal for conquest, or was labouring 
 at the oar, with his darling chief, like a tutelar deity of old, 
 guiding the boat through the yielding element, and leading 
 on to some daring and desperate enterprise. At this moment 
 I felt somewhat of a mischievous inclination to try the 
 veteran’s temper, and therefore remarked, “ Nelson was a 
 brave man, no doubt, but then he was tyrannical and 
 cruel.” 
 
 The hoary tar stopped, and looked me full in the face : a 
 storm was gathering in his heart, or rather, like a vessel 
 taken aback in a sudden squall, he stood perplexed which 
 way to scud. But it was only for a moment ; and, as his 
 features relaxed their sternness, he replied, “ No matter, 
 your honour! — no matter! You have been kind to me and 
 
GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 67 
 
 mine, and I’m no dog to bite the hand that helped me in 
 adversity.” 
 
 This seemed to be uttered with the mingling emotions of 
 defiance and melancholy ; and, to urge him further, I con- 
 tinued : — “ But, my friend, what can you say of the treat- 
 ment poor Caraccioli experienced ? You remember that, I 
 suppose ?” 
 
 “I’ do, indeed!” he replied. “Poor old man! how ear- 
 nestly he pleaded for the few short days which nature at 
 the utmost could have allowed him ! But, sir,” added he, 
 grasping my arm, “ do you know what it is to have a fiend 
 at the helm, who, when Humanity cries ‘ Port!’ will clap it 
 hard a-starboard in spite of you 1 ?— one who, in loveliness 
 and fascination, is like an angel of light, but whose heart 
 resembles an infernal machine, ready to explode whenever 
 passion touches the secret spring of vengeance V’ 
 
 I had merely put the question to him by way of joke, 
 little expecting the result ; but I had to listen to a tale of 
 horror. 
 
 “You give a pretty picture, truly, old friend,” said I. 
 “ And pray, who may this fiend be ? ” 
 
 “ A woman, your honour ; one full of smiles and sweetness, 
 but she could gaze with indifference on a deed of blood, and 
 exult over the victim her perfidy betrayed. It is a long 
 story, but I must tell it you, that you may not think Nelson 
 was cruel or unjust. His generous heart was deceived, and 
 brought a stain upon the British flag, which he afterwards 
 washed out with his blood. Obedience is the test of a sea- 
 man’s duty — to reverence his king, and to fight for his 
 
 ( 18 ) . 5 
 
68 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 country. This I have done, and therefore speak without 
 fear, though* I know nothing of parliaments and politics. 
 Well, your honour, it was at the time when there was a 
 mutiny among the people at Naples, and prince Caraccioli 
 joined one of the parties against the court; but afterwards 
 a sort of amnesty, or damnification I think they call it, was 
 passed, by way of pardon to the rebels, many of whom sur- 
 rendered, but they were all made prisoners, and numbers of 
 them were executed. 
 
 “ Well, one day I was standing at the gangway, getting 
 the barge’s sails ready, when a shore-boat came alongside, 
 full of people who were making a terrible noise. At last 
 they brought a venerable old man up the side ; he was 
 dressed as a peasant, and his arms were pinioned so tight 
 behind that he seemed to be suffering considerable pain. 
 As soon as they had all reached the deck, the rabble gathered 
 round him, some cursing, others buffeting, and one wretch, 
 unmindful of his gray hairs, spat upon him. This was too 
 much to see and not to speak about ; the man was their 
 prisoner, and they had him secure — the very nature of his. 
 situation should have been sufficient protection ; so I gave 
 the unmannerly fellow a tap with this little fist” — holding 
 up a hand like a sledge-hammer — “ and sent him flying into 
 the boat again without the aid of a rope. ‘Well done, 
 Jack!’ exclaimed a young midshipman, who is now a post- 
 captain ; ‘ well done, my boy ! I owe you a glass of grog 
 for that ; it was the best summerset I ever saw in my life.’ 
 ‘ Thank you for your glass o’ grog, sir,’ said I ; ‘ you see I’ve 
 made a tumbler already.’ And indeed, your honour, he spun 
 
GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 69 
 
 head over heels, head over heels, astonishingly clever. I 
 was brought up to the quarter-deck for it, to be sure, because 
 they said I had used the why-hit-armis ; but I soon con- 
 vinced them I had only used my fist, and the young officer 
 who saw the transaction stood my friend, and so I got off. 
 
 Well, there stood the old man as firm as the rock of 
 Giberaltar, not a single feature betraying the anguish he 
 must have felt. His face was turned away from the quarter- 
 deck, and his head was uncovered in the presence of his 
 enemies. The Neapolitans still kept up an incessant din, 
 which brought the first lieutenant to the gangway; he 
 advanced behind the prisoner, and, pushing aside the 
 abusive rabble, swore at them pretty fiercely for their in- 
 humanity, although, at the same time, seizing the old man 
 roughly, he brought him in his front. ‘ What traitor have 
 we here 1 ?’ exclaimed the lieutenant; but checking himself on 
 viewing the mild countenance of the prisoner, he gazed more 
 intently upon him. ‘ Eh, no — it surely cannot be — and yet 
 it is’ — his hat was instantly removed, with every token of 
 respect, as he continued — ‘ it is the prince !’ 
 
 “ The old man, with calm dignity, bowed his hoary head 
 to the salute, and at this moment Nelson himself, who had 
 been disturbed by the shouting of the captors, came from 
 his cabin to the deck. He advanced quickly to the scene, 
 and called out in his hasty way when vexed, ‘ Am I to be 
 eternally annoyed by the confusion these fellows create! 
 What is the matter here ? ’ But when his eye had caught 
 the time-and-toil-worn features of the prisoner, he sprang 
 forward, and with his own hands commenced unbinding the 
 
70 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 cords. ‘ Monsters !’ said lie, ‘ is it thus that age should be 
 treated ? Cowards ! do you fear a weak and unarmed old 
 man ? Honoured prince, I grieve to see you degraded and 
 injured by such baseness, and now,’ he added, as the last 
 turn released his arms, ‘ dear Caraccioli, you are free !’ I 
 thought a tear rolled down Nelson’s cheek as he cast loose 
 the lashing, which having finished, he took the prince’s 
 hand, and they both walked aft together. 
 
 “ They say the devil knows precisely the nick of time 
 when the most mischief is to be done, and so it happened 
 now, for a certain lady followed Nelson to the deck, and 
 approached him with her usual bewitching smile. But oh, 
 your honour, how was that smile changed to the black 
 scowl of a demon wiien she pierced the disguise of the 
 peasant and recognised the prince, who, on some particular 
 occasion at court, had thwarted her views and treated her 
 with indignity. It had never been forgiven, and now — he 
 was in her power. Forcibly she grasped Nelson by the 
 arm, and led him to the cabin. 
 
 “ ‘ His doom is sealed,’ said one of the lieutenants, con- 
 versing in an under-tone with a brother officer ; ‘ no power 
 on earth can save him.’ ‘On earth !’ rejoined the other, 
 ‘ no, nor in the air, nor in the ocean, for I suspect he will 
 meet his death in the one, and find his grave in the other.’ 
 £ Yet surely,’ said the surgeon, who came up, ‘Nelson will 
 remember his former friendship for the prince, who once 
 served under him. Every sympathetic feeling which is dear 
 to a noble mind must operate to avert his death.’ ‘ All the 
 virtues in your medicine- chest, doctor,’ rejoined the first, 
 
GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 71 
 
 ‘ would not preserve him many hours from destruction, 
 unless you could pour an opiate on the deadly malignity of 
 here he put his finger upon his lip and walked away. 
 
 “ Well, your honour, the old man was given up to his 
 bitter foes, who went through the mockery of a court- 
 martial, for they condemned him first and tried him after- 
 wards. In vain he implored for mercy ; in vain he pleaded 
 the proclamation, and pointed to his hoary head ; in vain 
 he solicited the mediation of Nelson, for a revengeful fury 
 had possession of his better purposes, and dammed the rising 
 tide of generosity in the hero’s soul ; in vain he implored 
 the pardon and intercession of — — ; but here I follow the 
 example of my officer, and lay my finger on my lip. 
 
 “ A few hours more, and the brave old man, the veteran 
 prince, in his eightieth year, hung suspended from the fore- 
 yard-arm of a ship he had once commanded. Never shall I 
 forget the burst of indignation with which the signal-gun 
 was heard by our crew, and a simultaneous execration was 
 uttered fore and. aft. 
 
 “ Nelson walked the deck with unusual quickness, nay he 
 almost ran, and every limb seemed violently agitated. He 
 heard the half-suppressed murmurs of the men, and a con- 
 viction of dishonour seemed to be awakening in his mind. 
 But, 0 sir! where was pity, where was feminine delicacy 
 and feeling ? The lady approached him in the most seducing 
 manner, and attracted his attention : he stopped short, 
 looked at her for a mpment with stern severity, and again 
 walked on. ‘ What ails you, Bronte?’ said she ; ‘ you appear 
 to be ill !’ and the witchery of her commanding look subdued 
 
72 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 the sternness of his features— he gazed upon her and was 
 tranquil. ‘ See !’ said she, pointing out at the port to where 
 the body of Caraccioli was still writhing in convulsive 
 agony ; ‘ see ! his mortal struggles wiil soon be over. Poor 
 prince ! I grieve we could not save him. But come, Bronte, 
 man the barge, and let us go and take a parting look at our 
 old friend.’ I shuddered, your honour, and actually looked 
 down at her feet to see if I could make out anything like a 
 cloven hoof. £ What a fiend she is ! ’ exclaimed a voice in a 
 half whisper behind me that made me start, for I thought 
 the speaker had certainly made the discovery, but it was 
 only one of the officers giving vent to his pious indignation. 
 
 “ Well, the barge was manned, and away we pulled, with 
 Nelson and the lady, round the ship where the unfortunate 
 prince was hanging. He had no cap upon his head, nor 
 was his face covered, but his white hair streamed in the 
 breeze above the livid contortions which the last death-pang 
 had left upon his features. The Neapolitans were shouting, 
 and insulting his memory ; but they were rank cowards, for 
 the truly brave will never wreak their vengeance on a dead 
 enemy. 
 
 “ Nelson and the lady conversed in whispers, but it was 
 plain to be seen his spirit was agonized, and his fair but ' 
 frail companion was employing every art to soothe him. 
 She affected to weep, but there was a glistening pleasure in 
 her eyes, as she looked at the corpse, which had well-nigh 
 made the boat’s crew set all duty at defiance. Nelson — 
 and no man was better acquainted with the characteristics 
 of a sailor— saw this, and ordered to be rowed on board. 
 
GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 73 
 
 She upbraided him for what she called his weakness, but 
 his soul was stirred beyond the power of her influence to 
 control his actions. 
 
 “ A few days afterwards, a pleasure party was made up 
 amongst the nobility for an excursion on the water, and the 
 barge, with Nelson and his mistress, took the lead. It was 
 a' beautiful sight to see the gilded galleys, with their silken 
 canopies and pennons flashing in the sun, and reflecting 
 their glittering beauties on the smooth surface of the clear 
 blue waters, whilst the measured sweep of the oars kept 
 time with the sweet sounds of music. Not a cloud veiled 
 the sky, not a breath curled the transparent crest of the 
 gentle billow ; all was gaiety and mirth. 
 
 “ After pulling for some miles to the entrance of the bay, 
 we were returning towards the shore, when a dark object, 
 resembling a bale of goods, appeared floating ahead of the 
 barge. The bow men were directed to lay-in their oars and 
 see what it was. They obeyed, and stood ready with their 
 boat-hooks, which, the moment they were near enough, 
 were used in grappling the supposed prize. But in an 
 instant they were loosened again, and ‘ a dead body ! a dead 
 body!’ was uttered in a suppressed tone by both. The boat 
 held on her way, and, as the corpse passed astern, the face 
 turned upwards, and showed the well-remembered counte- 
 nance of poor Caraccioli. Yes ! as the lieutenant had said, 
 he met his death in the air, and the ocean had been his 
 grave ; but that grave had given up its dead, and the lady 
 seldom smiled afterwards. 
 
 “ Nelson hailed one of the cutters that were in attendance. 
 
74 
 
 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. 
 
 and directed that the body should be taken on board, and 
 receive the funeral ceremonies suitable to the rank which 
 the unfortunate prince had held whilst living. The music 
 ceased its joyous sounds for notes of melancholy wailing, 
 and the voice of mirth was changed to lamentation and 
 sadness. 
 
 “Years passed away, and Nelson fell in the hour of 
 victory ; but the lady ! ah, her end was terrible ! The mur- 
 dered prince was ever present to her mind ; and as she lay 
 upon her death-bed, like a stranded wreck that would never 
 moie spread canvas to the breeze, her groans, her shrieks, 
 were still on Caraccioli. ‘ I see him !’ she would cry, ‘ there, 
 there ! look at his white locks, and his straining eyeballs ! 
 England England is ungrateful, or this would have been 
 prevented. But I follow— I follow’— and then she would 
 shriek with dismay, and hide herself from sight. But she 
 is gone, your honour, to give in her reckoning to the 
 Judge of all. She died in a foreign land, without one real 
 friend to close her eyes ; and she was buried in a stranger’s 
 grave, without one mourner to weep upon the turf which 
 covered her remains.” 
 
®{r £ ^&etr Jflag at tjre Jpor*. 
 
 *• Come, sit thee down by me, love! come, sit thee down by me. 
 
 And I will tell thee many a tale of the dangers of the sea ; 
 
 Ofthe perils of the deep, love, when the stormy tempests roar, 
 
 And the raging billows wildly dash upon the groaning shore.” 
 
 MS. Ballad. 
 
 Never shall I forget my emotions on first ascending the 
 side of the ship in which I commenced my career as a sailor. 
 It was just about the time when Nelson and the Nile was 
 the universal theme of conversation; our theatres echoed 
 to the shouts of “ Rule, Britannia,” and the senate-house 
 rang with plaudits for the achievements of naval valour. 
 But, ah! how few who rejoiced in the triumphs of victory 
 gave one thought to the hardships, privations, and oppres- 
 sions under which the gallant seaman laboured ! Boy-like, 
 I thought it was a jovial life; and, when standing on the 
 deck, with the British ensign floating at the peak, and the 
 bull-dogs (cannon) peeping from their port-holes, I felt, “ ay, 
 every inch a hero.” Besides, there was my handsome uni- 
 form, with bright gilt buttons bearing the impress of the 
 anchor ; and my dirk, just long enough to spit a partridge, 
 swinging like a cook’s skewer by my side ; and a leathern 
 
76 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 belt, with two fierce lions’ heads in front ; and, that summit 
 of a school-boy’s ambition, the cocked hat and gold rosettes. 
 What child of twelve years could resist the temptation ? So 
 I e’en kissed my poor mother — who used to compare the 
 rattling of the rain, as it ran down the spout into the water- 
 butt, to the roaring of the waves, and for whom gilded 
 buttons and cocked-up hats had no charms — shook my 
 father by the hand, as he gave me the bill for my outfit, to 
 make me (by calculating the expense) more careful of my 
 clothes — threw my arms round the neck of my weeping 
 sister, whilst she slyly thrust something into my waistcoat- 
 pocket, which I afterwards found was all her own private 
 little store of cash— and away I started, with glory in my 
 eye, to leave “ home, sweet home,” far, far behind me. 
 
 The ship which I was going to join was a fine dashing 
 frigate, commanded by a friend of my father’s friend, to 
 whom I received the most handsome recommendations. I 
 say friend of my father’s friend, for such he was represented 
 to me ; but the fact is, my worthy dad w T as a freeman of no 
 contemptible borough, besides holding a considerable influ- 
 ence over a certain number of independent voters ; and one 
 of the candidates, whilst canvassing for the general election, 
 had declared that “I was cut out for a sailor” — that “he 
 had interest at the Admiralty,” and made no doubt that, by 
 diligence and attention, I should soon carry the “ red flag at 
 the fore.” I thought so too ; but what the “ red flag at the 
 fore” meant, I was just as ignorant as I was of cuckoo-clock- 
 making. Nevertheless it sounded well; the candidate be- 
 came an M.P., and I was sent on board, a stranger among 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 77 
 
 strangers, and about as much patronized as a widow s pig 
 upon a village-green. 
 
 ' I had never seen a ship ; I had never seen the sea ; and 
 when the wide ocean burst upon my view, rolling its mighty 
 billows in majestic grandeur, I began to think that they 
 were not the most pleasant things in life to play with, 
 particularly for such a little fellow as myself; but when 
 the stupendous bulwarks of Britain appeared, as they lay at 
 anchor in the bay, with their shining sides reflected in the 
 waves, and their bright ensigns flashing in the sun, fear gave 
 way to admiration, and I began to sing, 
 
 “ I’m a jolly roving tar, 
 
 Fearing neither wound nor scar, 
 
 And many a tightish breeze, then, have I seen.” 
 
 And although I had seen nothing then, nevertheless, I 
 thought of the “red flag at the fore;” and as the boat 
 lightly skimmed the surface of the dark blue waters, a feeling 
 of honest pride swelled in my little breast henceforth I 
 was to be devoted to my king and country. 
 
 The first lieutenant received me very graciously. The 
 wonders which everywhere presented themselves almost 
 overwhelmed me with astonishment and delight. But, 
 alas! this was not of long duration; for a youngster about 
 my own age accompanied me to the cockpit, where I was to 
 take up my abode. The dark cavern which formed the 
 mess-berth, where a ray of daylight never entered, seemed 
 rather horrible to my imagination, and the motely group of 
 all ages, from ten to twenty-five, that filled it, did not inspire 
 me with much confidence. 
 
78 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 At the door stood a stout negro, scarcely visible, except 
 by his white teeth and his rolling eyes, which strongly 
 reminded me of Robinson Crusoe’s monster in the cave, and 
 a little sprig of a midshipman was venting imprecations on 
 him for not having the dinner ready. Surrounding a table 
 inside the berth, which was illumined by two dwarf candles, 
 that appeared as if they had never reached their proper 
 growth, sat eight or ten small officers employed in various 
 ways. One was playing a difficult piece of music on the 
 flute, with the notes placed before him, propped up by a 
 quart bottle. A companion, to annoy and ridicule him, had 
 put his pocket-comb between two pieces of paper, and, 
 applying it to his mouth, produced a sound more execrable 
 than the bagpipes, yet still endeavouring to imitate the 
 tune. Two youths in the furthest corner had quarrelled, and 
 were settling their dispute in a boxing-match. Another 
 seemed totally abstracted from the scene, and, leaning his 
 elbows on the table, was contemplating the miniature of a 
 fair-haired girl, whose mild blue eyes beamed with love and 
 constancy. On the opposite side of the table, two youngsters, 
 with a treatise on seamanship before them, were arguing in 
 no very gentle terms on their own proficiency in naval 
 tactics. At the head of the table an old master’s mate was 
 exercising his authority in preserving peace ; but as he was 
 engaged at the same time in mixing a good stiff glass of 
 grog, his orders were either disregarded or laughed at. But 
 theie was one pale-faced lad, with a countenance full of 
 intellectual expression, whom I shall never forget. He sat 
 by himself, with a small writing-desk before him, and on it 
 
THE RED FLAG- AT THE FORE. 79 
 
 % 
 
 lay a letter, the writer of which, not satisfied with filling up 
 each page with black ink, had crossed the lines with red ; 
 and this letter he was endeavouring to answer. The noise 
 had disturbed him, for sheet after sheet had been torn up, 
 and lay in a pile by his side. He looked at the combatants, 
 and a gentle murmur escaped him ; he turned to the 
 musicians, and a smile lighted up his features ; he cast his 
 eyes towards the youth whose thoughts were with the pole- 
 star of his affections, and a shade of melancholy sat upon 
 his brow. At this moment he caught sight of me, as I stood 
 at the door undetermined whether to advance or to recede, 
 and his hand was instantly extended. He closed his desk, 
 remarking that “ his sister must wait another day,” and — 
 but why need I recount every particular? — from that hour 
 we were friends. 
 
 Ay, how often, when the pale moon at midnight has 
 thrown her silver beams upon the bosom of the wave, or 
 when the star-gemmed canopy of heaven has glistened with 
 its myriads of glories, have w r e two stood together, holding- 
 sweet converse on the past, and picturing bright scenes of 
 future fame! Yes! hand in hand, we have stood like 
 brothers, talking of those sweet spots, endeared by every tie 
 of fond regard, where first we revelled in our infancy. Yet, 
 oh ! terrible remembrance ! — the vision is even now before 
 me — when I beheld that pale-faced youth struggling in the 
 agonies of death— those features full of mild benevolence, 
 still more deadly in their hue, and hideous in convulsive 
 writliings — the hand, that I had so often pressed with real 
 unabated friendship dyed in the life-stream from his heart 
 
80 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 as he worked his fingers in the deep wound that dismissed 
 his noble spirit ! It was in action, when rage and vengeance 
 lashed the passions into fury. Yes! there he fell, and the 
 ocean was his grave. 
 
 But to return to my introduction. Almost at the same 
 moment that I entered the berth, the quarter-master came 
 down, and inquired if Mr. Moriarty was below. A fine 
 handsome young man, about two and twenty, immediately 
 answered in the affirmative. “ Here’s a letter for you, sir,” 
 said the quarter-master, “ with the Admiralty seal on the 
 back, and a direction full of sheep-shanks and long splices 
 in the front.” 
 
 “Eh, eh, Johnson!” replied the young officer; “the old 
 story, I suppose. The door of promotion is shut, and by- 
 and-by, I daresay, they will send me word that the key’s 
 lost. But let us see, you old sea-dragon, and don’t stand 
 turning it over and over there, like a Lapland witch at her 
 incantations ! ” 
 
 The veteran was examining the letter with rather an 
 inquisitive eye ; for his other eye was on an equally inquisi- 
 torial visit to a full bottle of rum that stood upon the 
 table; and he hesitated to give up his charge to the young 
 officer, who, I now perceived, had his right arm in a sling, 
 in consequence, as I afterwards learned, of a wound received 
 in the battle of Aboukir. 
 
 “ Cantations, or no cantations, sir,” replied the old 
 quarter-master ; “ this here letter weighs heavy, and I’ve 
 been close-hauled for these two days past; and it’s dry 
 work, sir, that tack and half-tack.” 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 81 
 
 “Well, well, Johnson,” rejoined the midshipman; “you 
 want a glass of grog, and you shall have it ; so, steward, 
 give him one, d’ye hear? And now hand over the scrawl.” 
 “Eh, eh, sir!” said Johnson; “and if it arn’t freighted 
 with a pair of white lapelles — put some more rum in, you 
 black angel! — then call old Johnson a lubber, that’s all.” 
 Moriarty laughed ; but it was evident he took the letter 
 with some degree of tremor, especially as one of the young- 
 sters jocosely addressed him as “ Lieutenant Moriarty.” 
 “Hold your prating, simpleton!” said he; “you won’t 
 find commissions so plentiful when you come to my age, 
 unless you happen to be a stray slip of nobility, or have 
 strong parliamentary interest to back you.” 
 
 The old quarter-master had been wrangling with the black 
 steward for another drop, and then, holding up his grog, 
 exclaimed, “ Your health, Lieutenant Moriarty ! and I hope 
 I shall live to see you carry the 1 red flag at the fore.’ ” 
 
 “ With all my heart, Johnson,” replied Moriarty, his eyes 
 sparkling with pleasure, for the letter was now unfolded ; 
 “ and see here is the first step up the ratlines, sure enough ; 
 whether I shall ever reach the mast-head or not is another 
 thing.” 
 
 It was an order from the Admiralty to go on shore and 
 receive his commission ; and every one crowded round him 
 full of congratulations. 
 
 I cannot say but I felt a little jealous about the “ red flag 
 at the fore ;” for I considered that as my exclusive right, 
 though utterly ignorant what it meant. But I was soon 
 enlightened on the subject; for, being naturally communi* 
 
82 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 cative, I mentioned my expectations of getting the “red 
 flag at the fore” during dinner, and several of the little 
 midshipmen nearly choked themselves with laughing at me. 
 I then learned that “ the red flag at the fore” was the dis- 
 tinction of a vice-admiral of the red, — a station that not 
 more than one officer in five thousand ever attained, and 
 even then only through very distinguished merit or peculiar 
 good fortune. Nevertheless I was nothing daunted, and 
 “ the red flag at the fore” urged me on. 
 
 We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay 
 and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neigh- 
 bourhood of the Cape of Good Hope. We had not quitted 
 port more than a week when we encountered a very severe 
 gale. It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such 
 commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand. The noble 
 ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean, at the mercy of 
 the tempest, which howled through the rigging, so as to 
 deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy 
 sails upon the yards. Billow after billow beat over us; 
 and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to 
 heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not 
 help thinking how different the noise was from the com- 
 parison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter 
 into the water-butt. The convoy, too, heavy-laden Indiamen 
 and transports with troops, were scattered in every direction; 
 but now and then we could distinguish one or two, as they 
 appeared for a moment on the summit of the foaming surge, 
 like dim specks upon the verge of the horizon. 
 
 Night came, and brought its frowning horrors— a pitchy 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 83 
 
 darkness, which seemed almost palpable to the touch, hung 
 with a funereal gloom above, whilst the wild waves, lashed 
 by the raging tempest into sparkling foam, served but to 
 render the blackness of the heavens more dense and horrible. 
 At the commencement of the gale the wind was dead against 
 us, and the ship was hove-to under a close-reefed main-top- 
 sail ; but towards midnight the wind veered in our favour, 
 and we flew through the liquid element with astonishing 
 rapidity. The shifting of the gale had produced a still 
 wilder commotion in the waves, which seemed to be 
 struggling for the mastery. Wave after wave came raging 
 after us, and threatening to ingulf the frigate; but, like a 
 bird upon the wing, the gallant vessel lifted to the swell, 
 and rushed down the steep abyss, tracking her path with 
 brilliancy and light. 
 
 I cannot say but the spectacle rather terrified me, and I 
 more than once wished the “red flag at the fore” at the — 
 
 “Stop!” says the reader, “and do not conclude the 
 sentence.” 
 
 But really, gentle reader, I. must — for I was merely going 
 to say that I wished the “red flag at the fore” at the mast- 
 head, and myself snug in my own little bed-room, with my 
 poor mother to tie my night-cap, and to tuck me in. 
 
 Ossian, or Byron, I forget which, says : “ Once more upon 
 the waters, yet once more, and the waves bound beneath 
 me as a steed that knows his rider;” but I found a vast 
 deal of difference between mounting the speckled waves and 
 riding my own pretty little pie-bald pony 
 
 Morning at length appeared ; the wind had again changed, 
 
 ( 18 ) 6 
 
84 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 and the ship was once more hove-to. But, if the gale of 
 the preceding night had been furious, it now came with 
 redoubled violence, and the stately vessel, which had so 
 lately steered her course in majesty and pride, lay writhing 
 and groaning between the billows, like the soul of the 
 mighty struggling with the last pangs of mortality. 
 
 Orders were given to furl the fore-sail, and about sixty of 
 the best seamen sprang aloft to execute the command. 
 Already had they extended themselves upon the yard, and 
 were gathering up the folds of the heavy canvass, when a 
 tremendous sea came, like an Alpine mountain, rushing 
 towards us. As the poor wretch, when the fierce eye of 
 some famished beast of prey is glaring on him, stands fixed 
 and immovable, so did the seamen suspend their labours 
 when they saw the waters of destruction approaching. No 
 human voice could warn them of their danger, no hand 
 could be outstretched to save. There seemed to be a 
 momentary stillness in the storm, and a shuddering instinct 
 crept through every spirit— a horrible dread of they knew 
 not what. 
 
 Still onward rolled the wave — it struck the vessel on the 
 bows, and threw its ponderous burden on the deck. A 
 crash, mingled with a wild, tumultuous yell, ensued, and 
 when the spray had cleared, it was found that the fore-mast 
 had been swept away, and upwards of fifty brave fellows 
 were buried in the waves. Some still remained entangled 
 in the rigging, but man after man was washed away, till 
 one alone was left. We could see him — we could speak to 
 him — but only that Power who holds the tempests in his 
 
THE STORM 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 85 
 
 hand could rescue him from death. There he struggled— 
 blank despair in every feature, as his strong limbs writhed 
 round the shattered mast, and with convulsive agony he 
 buffeted the waves. Of what avail was human strength in 
 such an hour of peril ? His hold relaxed— it became weaker, 
 and slowly he settled in his watery grave. 
 
 I need not describe the effects which such a scene pro- 
 duced upon the mind of a boy not thirteen years of age ; 
 and even at this moment, so strong are first impressions,' 
 the crash, the yell, and the agonized contortions of that 
 drowning man, are present to my mind in all their horrors. 
 
 The wreck was cleared, the storm abated. A jury-mast 
 was erected, and once more the stately frigate held her way 
 upon the glassy surface of the azure wave. The first duty 
 was to collect the convoy, and heavy forebodings of their 
 fate were whispered among the crew. One by one, however, 
 they gathered round us, showing manifest indications of the 
 recent storm. 
 
 Ihere is something peculiarly interesting to a seaman in 
 the assembling of ships after a gale of wind. It occasions a 
 sensation which a landman can never feel, unless it is that 
 sort of melancholy satisfaction when friends meet who have 
 surmounted adversity together, but with the apprehension 
 of similar calamity still before them. Several of the convoy 
 were yet undiscovered, and as the evening was closing in, the 
 heavy report of a distant gun came booming on the waters. 
 Another and another followed in rapid succession, and the 
 frigate’s course was directed towards the spot whence the 
 sounds proceeded. 
 
86 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 The sun went down in glory — its radiance tinged the 
 bosom of the liquid element, but it never rose again on those 
 whose signals of distress we heard. They must have seen 
 his last beams arching the heavens with their golden 
 brightness, and light and hope must have expired to them 
 for ever. 
 
 The wind opposed our progress, and the swell still rolled 
 against us, though now it was only the heaving of the sea, 
 without its breaking violence. Still we approached nearer 
 to the object of our search, as the noise of the guns was 
 more distinct, and the flashes were plainly visible. At 
 length, about midnight, by the help of glasses, a dismasted 
 ship was distinguished rolling like a log upon the waters. 
 Every nerve was strained, every effort was made to intimate 
 that assistance was at hand, and the boats were prepared to 
 give succour, or to snatch from destruction. The sight was 
 eagerly bent towards the spot where the clear horizon was 
 broken by the dark object of our good intentions. Suddenly 
 the curve appeared connected — in vain the eye sought the 
 vessel in distress, for nothing obstructed the union of sky 
 and ocean, and “ She’s gone ! she’s gone !” was simultaneously 
 exclaimed by officers and men. 
 
 Yes, she was gone ; and the gallant ship that had endured 
 the fury of the tempest sunk when its wrath was spent. 
 But that tempest had doubtless shaken her stout frame, and 
 rent her joints asunder. Yet it was hard to perish almost 
 within the grasp of safety. 
 
 Hopes were still entertained that some, if not all, had 
 escaped in the boats. Our own were hoisted out, and having 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 87 
 
 neared tlie supposed spot, were immediately despatched. 
 The morning dawned in magnificence and splendour— the 
 sun rose in glorious majesty, hut his earliest beams glanced 
 on a scattered wreck that told a tale of death. The boats 
 were actively employed in passing to and fro, but no appear- 
 ance of a human being could be discerned. The launch was 
 discovered bottom upwards, and another boat broken nearly 
 in two. The truth was soon disclosed, for the name Atlas 
 on the stern of the launch informed us that nearly two 
 hundred victims had perished in the deep. How the 
 catastrophe had happened could only be matter of con- 
 jecture. 
 
 One of our boats fell in with some floating spars, which 
 were lashed together so as to form a kind of floating raft ; 
 and, on turning them over, a scene presented itself that 
 filled every soul with anguish. A young female, apparently 
 about twenty-two, with an infant fastened round her body, 
 had been secured to the timber — perhaps the last sad office 
 of a tender husband, who, in the affectionate solicitude of 
 his heart, had vainly hoped to rescue them from death. 
 They were taken on board the frigate, sewed up in a ham- 
 mock, and again consigned to that element at once their 
 destruction and their grave. 
 
 One other ship was still missing : what became of her I 
 never heard ; but, after waiting a proper time, we pursued 
 our way to the island of St. Jago, the place of rendezvous. 
 A succession of fine weather soon deadened the remembrance 
 of the past, and by the time of our reaching the Cape de 
 Verds, the “ red flag at the fore” had once more gained the 
 
88 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 ascendancy. The novelties which presented themselves at 
 Port Praya — the oranges, the cocoa-nuts, and, above all, the 
 monkeys, sporting in their native cunning, unrestrained, 
 among the green foliage— were delightful ; whilst the waters 
 in the bay were so clear and transparent, that fish could be 
 distinctly seen at the depth of from thirty to forty feet, 
 swimming above the silver sand that covered the bottom. 
 
 Having refitted and watered, the anchor was once more 
 weighed, and we again directed our course to the place of 
 destination. At the latitude appointed we parted from our 
 convoy, and then were left alone. Days, weeks passed on, 
 and no sail ever appeared in sight to change the dull 
 monotony. It was still the same unvaried scene of sky and 
 ocean, and not unfrequently severe and boisterous weather. 
 At the end of five weeks we were gratified by the sight of a 
 ship steering towards us, and in a few hours had retaken a 
 fine Indiaman, prize to a French frigate. Ho time was lost 
 in securing her ; but the irreparable devastation among oui 
 crew rendered it necessary to proceed with our recapture to 
 Madras ; and thither we hastened. 
 
 On our arrival, fresh scenes, that appeared like enchant- 
 ment, opened upon me. The natives on their catamarans, 
 formed of three or four logs lashed together, dashing with- 
 out dismay through the tremendous surf that rolled upon 
 the beach with everlasting roar, and the manners and habits 
 of the people, filled my young mind with wonder and 
 admiration. I regret that my first letter to my poor mother 
 is not forthcoming : in fact, the worthy soul considered it 
 such a concentration of genius and talent — I much question 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 89 
 
 whether there was not some little exaggeration in my 
 descriptions — that she wore it completely out by carrying 
 it in her pocket to show to all her friends and neighbours. 
 
 We remained three years in the East Indies without any- 
 thing material occurring, and then the cry was, “ Huzza, 
 for old Englaud !” But it would be an almost endless task 
 were I to enumerate all my adventures, perilous and humour- 
 ous, and sometimes a combination of both, in my strenuous 
 endeavours to attain to the “ red flag at the fore.” Before 
 my six years had expired I had been in seven different 
 engagements, received three wounds (one of them severe), 
 been once shipwrecked, and once taken prisoner, but escaped. 
 Storms I had weathered many; had visited the coast of 
 Africa, South America, and Hew South Wales; but still 1 
 endured everything for the sake of the “ red flag at the fore.” 
 
 At the expiration of six years I passed my examination 
 for lieutenant, and received my certificate of qualification, 
 which, after waiting a modest time, I forwarded with a 
 memorial to my patron, who had been elevated to the house 
 of peers. His answer was, that “ things were materially 
 changed since I first went to sea ; the same individuals were 
 not now in office, and he much questioned whether he could 
 obtain my promotion ; indeed, he hinted that it would be 
 better for me to quit the service and apply myself to some 
 other profession.” I cannot describe my disappointment 
 and vexation. Through the representations of this man I 
 had given up the sweets of childhood to endure the severest 
 hardships and privations. I had toiled unflinchingly in my 
 duty ; I had fought the battles of my country, and could 
 
90 
 
 THE EED FLAG AT THE FOEE. 
 
 show my honourable scars ; and thus to have the “ red flag 
 at the fore” torn down by the hand I expected to raise me ! 
 — my pride and every feeling of my heart revolted against 
 it. I was determined to persevere. 
 
 Other six years passed away, in which I was a partaker 
 of some of the most brilliant achievements of the war, when 
 I was honoured, after thirteen years’ servitude, with a lieu- 
 tenant’s commission. But even then it was not gained by 
 any desperate act of valour, or by those feats which are 
 dear and precious to every British sailor’s heart ; but simply 
 by obtaining (through the present of a handsome Cashmere 
 shawl) the interest of a fair lady highly esteemed by the 
 first lord of the Admiralty. However, I got the white 
 lapelles ; and that was, as Moriarty observed, “ the first 
 step up the ratlines” towards the “red flag at the 
 fore.” 
 
 After this, things went on tolerably ill, among some sharp 
 fighting and many hard knocks. My poor mother slipt 
 her cable for the blessed haven of eternal rest. My sister 
 got married to a pirate, who plundered my father’s pro- 
 perty, and then cast her adrift upon the world. The old 
 gentleman’s grey hairs were brought with sorrow to the 
 grave ; my sister’s coffin was soon placed upon his breast, 
 and I was left desolate. 
 
 Still the “red flag at the fore,” like a will-o’-the-wisp, 
 lured me on. I conducted one of the fire-ships at Lord 
 Cochrane’s attack upon the French fleet in Basque Road ; 
 had the command of a gun-boat at the storming of Saint 
 Sebastian ; and was with the army at the sortie from Bay- 
 
THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 91 
 
 onne, in which I got a crack on the head — not big enough 
 to jump in, to be sure ; but it set my brains spinning for a 
 month. I commanded a fast-sailing schooner, charged with 
 despatches for Wellington, when he was expected to occupy 
 Bordeaux, and entered the Garonne in the dead of the 
 night, lighted on my way by the flames of a French eighty- 
 gun ship, that had been set on fire to prevent her falling 
 into the hands of the English; and, having anchored. in a 
 secure position, left my vessel in a four-oared boat, passed 
 the batteries undiscovered, and executed my orders, as the 
 brave marshal stood in the great square, with white flags 
 and beauty greeting his arrival. 
 
 Peace came : Bonaparte was elbowed off to Elba; and 
 the “ red flag at the fore ” was as far off as ever. My vessel 
 was paid off, and after many years of activity 1 entered 
 upon a life of indolence. But, as Dr. Watts very wisely 
 observes, in one of the hymns which I was compelled to 
 learn at school when a child, — 
 
 “ Satan finds some mischief stiU 
 For idle hands to do ” — 
 
 so I e’en got married. The fair lady (she is now peeping 
 over my shoulder) attracted my attention at church by the 
 broad and bright red ribands that graced the front of her 
 bonnet. They reminded me of the “ red flag at the fore,” 
 and an inglorious sigh escaped. Now, everybody knows 
 that a sigh is the beginning of love, for Byron says, — 
 
 “ Oh, love ! what is it in this world of ours 
 That makes it fatal to he loved ? Ah, why 
 With cypress dost thou wreath thy bowers, 
 
 And make thy best interpreter a sigh ? ” 
 
92 
 
 THE RED FLAG AT THE FORE. 
 
 Well, but to make short of it, I got married ; but, no 
 sooner had Napoleon returned from Elba than I was again 
 at my duty. I was sent by Sir Pulteney Malcolm, then 
 naval commander-in-chief at Ostend, with a party of seamen, 
 to man the great guns in the army under Wellington on the 
 plains of Waterloo, and the “red flag at the fore” once more 
 opened on my view. It was on the very morning after the 
 decisive battle that, between Brussels and Bruges, I met 
 the first detachment of prisoners coming down, and was 
 ordered to take charge of them to Ostend. There were 
 about two thousand, officers and men, most of them wounded, 
 and without a single application or dressing to the mangled 
 parts; yet their devotion to Napoleon was unabated; and 
 with their stiffened limbs sore with laceration, and their 
 bodies gashed and scored with sabre-cuts, they still shouted, 
 “ Vive V Empereur /” 
 
 The battle of Waterloo ended the war, Bonaparte was 
 despatched to St. Helena, and all prospects of promotion are 
 over. My noble patron has accomplished the number of 
 his days, and no “ red flag at the fore” will ever fall to my 
 lot, unless, indeed, I include a certain Bardolphian tinge to 
 the most prominent feature of my face, which has been 
 “ red at the fore ” for some years past ; but, excepting the 
 half-pay of a lieutenant, a small remnant of prize-money, 
 and a wife and seven children, I am as poor as a church- 
 warden’s charity-box. 
 
®{xe gtlrate H 0mt» 
 
 “ In companions 
 
 That do converse and waste the time together. 
 
 Whose souls do bear an equal yoke in love, 
 
 There must needs be a like proportion 
 Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit.” 
 
 In one of the beautiful marine villas that skirt the coast of 
 the British Channel on the Isle of Wight formerly resided 
 Lieutenant-General Sir Capsicum Absolute, a veteran who, 
 in earlier life, had been inured to hard service, and whose 
 last appointment was that of Governor of a West India 
 island, over which he had exercised unlimited control — that 
 is, in his own way. His figure was tall, and would have 
 been majestic but for a certain stiffness he had acquired 
 when adjutant of a regiment, and which, notwithstanding 
 the lassitude incident to the atmosphere of a sugar colony, 
 never forsook him. The common expression of his counte- 
 nance was mild benevolence, especially when he was fast 
 asleep ; but it must be owned that there were times — and I 
 am sorry to say they were rather frequent — when, like the 
 cloth over the table-land at the Cape of Good Hope, his 
 brow and face assumed an aspect of darkness, through which 
 the lightning of his eyes darted in vivid flashes. The 
 veteran’s disposition was, on the whole, humane and gene- 
 
94 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 rous ; but it cannot be denied that his temper, by its fiery 
 irritability,- too often frightened his disposition into com- 
 pliance with its humours and demands: in fact, a more 
 hasty and passionate old gentleman never held the rank of 
 Lieutenant-General in the army, or flogged a nigger in the 
 far West for wearing his master’s clothes. He possessed an 
 ample fortune, and was fond of displaying the luxuries of 
 life, but never indulged to excess; and, though himself 
 despising personal assistance, he kept up a large and hand- 
 some establishment, for the purpose of exercising his pro- 
 pensity for rigid discipline. With him, order was ever 
 looked upon as “heaven’s first law;” and certainly it would 
 have been a difficult matter to discover a more thorough 
 practical expounder of the celestial statute. 
 
 Sir Capsicum was a widower. By what means he had 
 contrived to persuade or induce any one to marry him must 
 remain among those mysteries that puzzle the brains of 
 philosophers : at all events, he did get married to a kind and 
 gentle being, who humoured her husband’s peculiarities, and 
 managed to live tolerably happy with him, notwithstanding 
 the wide difference in their natural characters ; nay, more — 
 she held a strong influence over his mind through her 
 constant and unerring obedience to command. But the 
 unhealthy climate of the West Indies, operating upon a 
 delicate frame, gradually destroyed health and ultimately 
 life ; a female child of tender years being left to suffer by 
 her death. 
 
 It was at first supposed by many of the colonists that 
 Sir Capsicum, whose affliction at the loss of his lady was 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 95 
 
 very great, would resign his command, and return to Eng- 
 land; but those who thought so knew very little of the 
 tough material of which he was composed : it is true, resigna- 
 tion did follow the decease of his wife, but it was resignation 
 to circumstances, and not the throwing up of his command, 
 for he became a stricter disciplinarian than ever. But it is 
 undeniable that the Governor deeply mourned his bereave- 
 ment ; and he was frequently heard to declare that “ upon 
 every ‘ delicate point’ her ladyship set an example of sub- 
 ordination to the whole garrison.” Still he exhibited no 
 open manifestations of sorrow, but sternly concealed it 
 within his own breast, except at those periods when, 
 in the stillness of night, he bent over the couch and gazed 
 upon his sleeping child : then Nature triumphed, and the 
 strong man wept. 
 
 Emma inherited the best qualities of her mother, mingled 
 with a few pungent and caustic spices of her father’s temper. 
 She was too young to feel much deprivation from her 
 mother’s death : the West Indies is not a place in which to 
 indulge much feeling beyond that of selfishness. European 
 ladies soon become enervated and helpless ; and the over- 
 powering heat and tormenting mosquitoes absorb all the 
 better faculties connected with domestic enjoyment : even 
 thinking becomes a trouble, except when memory is busy 
 picturing scenes of home — that is, England ; for, wherever 
 an Englishman’s lot is cast, he still calls the place of his 
 nativity home. Emma had always experienced the utmost 
 solicitude and tenderness from her maternal parent ; nor 
 was her father deficient in anxious wishes and kind exertions 
 
96 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 for her comfort and welfare ; but, whilst with the former 
 good counsel and care were administered with judgment, 
 the General in his treatment of his daughter unceasingly 
 adhered to his military principle, that “ obedience is the best 
 test of duty.” 
 
 Her mother’s illness had prevented the necessary attention 
 to the daughter, who was left to the unskilful management 
 of a French governess, and the debasing influences of negress 
 slaves, who indulged the fair girl in every wish that she 
 expressed, in order that they might in turn do just as they 
 liked. The demise of the lady speedily brought a change : 
 the General was acutely alive to the facts ; and though so 
 fervently attached to his child as to feel a strong desire to 
 keep her with him, yet he saw the probable consequences of 
 her remaining ; and at once, with his accustomed prompti- 
 tude, he resolved on sending her to England, to a maternal 
 aunt, who had recently become a widow; her husband, Sir 
 Frederick Thomond, the gallant captain of a frigate, having 
 died from the effects of severe wounds received during a 
 sanguinary contest with an enemy’s ship which he captured. 
 
 It was during one of the sharpest periods of the war with 
 France that the General came to this determination, and he 
 was sorely puzzled as to the best mode of carrying his design 
 into execution. The republican cruisers and privateers were 
 constantly on the alert ; and, notwithstanding the vigilance 
 of the English ships of war, they made many valuable 
 captures, so that merchantmen and even packets were 
 exposed to the risk of being taken. Reports were also rife 
 that a French fleet was then in the West Indies, watching 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 97 
 
 a suitable opportunity to make a descent upon those islands 
 which had been wrested from the possession of the enemy 
 by British valour. 
 
 It so happened that, while the General was in this 
 dilemma, the Diomede of fifty guns, commanded by the 
 Honourable Captain Montgomery, anchored in the roads, 
 under orders for England ; and as the Governor and he had 
 been old schoolfellows, they now very naturally renewed 
 former friendship. The difficulty of sending Emma home 
 was soon obviated : Captain Montgomery readily offered 
 to undertake the charge of her, and the offer was gladly 
 accepted. 
 
 On the day previous to embarkation, the Captain brought 
 with him to the Government House a fine, handsome youth, 
 about two years the senior of Emma, whom he introduced 
 as his son, one of the “ young gentlemen” of his ship; and 
 the gallant little midshipman, having in his intercourse 
 with society rubbed off the bashfulness of the school-boy, 
 tried to make himself agreeable to the Governor’s daughter, 
 whom, however, he looked upon as a helpless, spoiled 
 darling, about to be separated from her only parent. He 
 strove to draw her into conversation ; spoke of the noble 
 accommodations of the ship she was to sail in, of her 
 qualities as a sea-boat, and the pleasure he should enjoy in 
 contributing to her satisfaction and amusement whilst she 
 remained on board. He next described the beauties of 
 English scenery and society, of which Emma remembered 
 nothing, and continued his endeavours to remove as much 
 as possible the painful sensations which, as he supposed, 
 
98 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 must be excited by the thoughts of leaving her father. 
 But though he cheerfully persevered for some time in his 
 generous intentions, the fair girl could not be induced to 
 utter more than monosyllables, and even those were evidently 
 constrained : the fact was, that her black attendants had 
 filled her heart with pride, and persuaded her that she 
 would degrade herself by associating with “ piccaninny 
 midshipmen.” Young Augustus Montgomery, finding that 
 his efforts to please were unavailing, desisted; and Emma, 
 who was really pleased at his attentions, experienced a dis- 
 appointment that not only made her angry, but actually 
 rendered her imperious and insolent to the youth, who 
 merely bowed, and withdrew to converse with an officer of 
 the staff well known for his suavity of manners and general 
 intelligence. 
 
 On the following morning the embarkation took place. 
 The anchor was hove up, the sails were set ; the General 
 gave his daughter a farewell embrace, and entered his barge 
 as the first gun of a parting salute was fired ; but the stern 
 old warrior valued it not : his feelings as a bereaved father 
 prevailed over all others, and the ceremony seemed a 
 mockery of his distress. Emma watched the boat till it 
 touched the shore. The tears were trickling down her pale 
 face : she had no one to whom she could communicate her 
 sorrows, for the attendants were too busy about their own 
 concerns to heed her expressions of regret; Captain Mont- 
 gomery was engaged in navigating his ship; every officer 
 was at his proper station ; and the fair mourner felt a 
 desolation and a want of friendly greeting in her very soul 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 99 
 
 She could no longer see her former residence; the island 
 
 itself was rapidly fading away in the distance; and, burying 
 
 her face in her hands, she sobbed convulsively. It was at 
 
 this moment that a gentle pressure of the arm aroused her, 
 
 and, raising her head, she beheld the mild and commiserating 
 
 look of Augustus Montgomery fixed earnestly upon her. \ 
 
 His eyes too were suffused with tears, which he dashed 
 
 hastily away, and, bending down, impressed a kiss upon 
 
 the cheek of the sorrowing child. Never did encouragement 
 
 come more gratefully to the human breast in the period of 
 
 affliction than that which thrilled through the fair girl at 
 
 this unlooked-for kindness from one whom she had treated 
 
 with disrespect. She indulged in no resentment for the 
 
 familiarity — it was a pure and holy offering ; and, throwing 
 
 her arms round his neck, in the sudden impulse of one in 
 
 tribulation who has unexpectedly found a dear friend, she 
 
 clung to him as the only being in existence who seemed to 
 
 care for her. 
 
 Augustus had been sent by his father into the after-cabin 
 for a chart, and beheld what has already been narrated ; 
 but a sudden recollection of his duty returned, and, pressing 
 her to his heart and promising to return, he hurried away 
 to the quarter-deck, and, having executed his commission, 
 requested and obtained leave to cheer the loneliness of the 
 Governor’s daughter. And well did he execute the task he 
 had undertaken ; for he soothed her distress, brought smiles 
 upon her features, and Emma, if not altogether happy, felt 
 relieved by the acquisition she had made in the brotherly 
 
 regard of the young midshipman. During the voyage home, 
 
 ( 18 ) 7 
 
100 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 their frequent companionship endeared them more and more 
 to each other ; and when, on the ship’s arrival at Ports- 
 mouth, they were about to separate, deep and heartfelt was 
 the regret of both. 
 
 Lady Thomond strongly resembled her deceased sister in 
 mildness and amiability: she most willingly received her 
 niece; the General exercised the utmost liberality in his 
 remittances ; the Cottage in the Isle of Wight was taken ; 
 suitable teachers were engaged; and, having no family of 
 her own, the worthy lady directed all her energies to advance 
 the education and improvement of her niece, both of which 
 had not only been much neglected, but Emma had also to 
 unlearn the false tastes and imperious habits which she had 
 acquired. At first, this was rather irksome ; but her natural 
 sweetness of disposition, aided by the judicious management 
 of Lady Thomond, in time subdued her repugnance to 
 manners and customs so widely differing from those which 
 she had been used to as a Governor’s daughter in a slave 
 colony; and she eventually became contented and happy, 
 increasing in loveliness, goodness, and truth. Augustus 
 Montgomery embraced every favourable opportunity of 
 visiting the Cottage; his affection for the fair girl grew 
 stronger and stronger; and, though but little was said 
 upon the subject, each felt the full effects of that deathless 
 passion which sweetens the cup of human existence. 
 
 Years passed away, and the Honourable Captain Mont- 
 gomery was gathered to the tomb of his titled ancestors, 
 leaving his gallant son a few hundred pounds and a lieu- 
 tenant’s commission ; the latter having, however, been gained 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 101 
 
 by active service and daring acts of bravery. But, though 
 the young man bore an unblemished reputation, and stood 
 high in the respect and estimation of all who knew him, his 
 noble relatives scarcely ever noticed him personally ; and in 
 no instance did the heads of this extremely wealthy family 
 proffer to assist him in his glorious career. They were 
 proud to associate his name and actions with their own ; 
 but, though aware that he had nothing but his pay to rely 
 upon, no one stood forward as his friend. Lady Thomond 
 could not be insensible to the growing attachment of the 
 young couple, but she saw no just reasons to check it ; and 
 Augustus was always a welcome guest at the Cottage when- 
 ever leisure admitted of a temporary absence from duty; 
 and, as the Lieutenant was appointed to a channel cruiser, 
 the opportunities were more numerous than they could 
 otherwise have been. Even when he was not at Spithead, 
 they could on many occasions still hold communion, for the 
 ship was often seen from the island. Emma was well ac- 
 quainted with her appearance ; a summer-house on the Cliff 
 and an excellent Dollond facilitated operations. Augustus 
 had taught her the use of signals ; and though he could not 
 venture to show any flags from the vessel, yet he managed 
 a code of his own, and the glasses were often in requisition. 
 
 Thus affairs stood when the Governor was promoted to 
 the rank of Lieutenant-General, and ordered home to Eng- 
 land. He arrived safely at the Cottage, was greatly de- 
 lighted with the improvement of his daughter, and earnestly 
 expressed his gratitude to Lady Thomond for her motherly 
 attention and kindness to the child of his heart. Augustus 
 
102 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 came, and the veteran warmly declared his gratification at 
 seeing him whenever he could get ashore ; nay, more — he 
 promised to act as a father to him, in lieu of the one he had 
 lost. All this was delightful to the young officer, and bright 
 prospects of future happiness danced before his mental 
 vision — Emma, the pride, the joy of his very soul, would be 
 his own ; fair and honourable patronage, added to his per- 
 sonal exertions, would open to him the way to speedy pro- 
 motion. He resolved upon the line of conduct he would 
 pursue to win a glorious name, which, he flattered himself, 
 would be taken as an equivalent for worldly wealth. It is 
 true, the thoughts of his poverty brought a' keen pang, such 
 as he had never felt before, but it did not last long ; the 
 open, candid, and generous behaviour of the Lieutenant- 
 General calmed his apprehensions, and his breast swelled 
 with fervent gratitude. 
 
 The arrival of Sir Capsicum brought many visitors to the 
 Cottage, and numerous suitors to Emma, whose beauty and 
 supposed fortune were great attractions. Several eligible 
 offers were made, but, to the surprise and sometimes the 
 anger of the General, she declined them all. Among others 
 who came was Lord Frederick Milford, a nobleman of 
 polished exterior and manners, heir to an earldom and one 
 of the finest estates in England, and already Lieutenant- 
 Colonel of a crack regiment of light dragoons. He also 
 made proposals for the hand of the fair Emma; and so 
 unexceptionable appeared to be his person and deportment, 
 that the beautiful girl was not a little gratified and fascinated 
 by his addresses : but the delusion soon vanished ; the 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 103 
 
 remembrance of her true-hearted sailor returned with 
 stronger energy, and real love gained the victory. Lord 
 Frederick received a polite refusal. But the nobleman was 
 not to be so easily repulsed ; his self-esteem was wounded ; 
 his character as valued by the fair sex was at stake. He 
 wormed himself into the entire confidence of the General, 
 who sanctioned his persevering in his suit, and peremptorily 
 commanded his daughter to look upon his lordship as her 
 future husband. Emma considered Lord Frederick’s con- 
 duct, as well as her father’s mandate, with grief and indig- 
 nation ; the proud and impetuous spirit inherited from her 
 sire was aroused within her, and, but for her kind aunt, 
 open rebellion would have been the consequence. Lady 
 Thomond, aware of her niece’s partiality for Augustus 
 Montgomery, endeavoured to propitiate matters by delay, 
 hoping that time would give a favourable turn to the young 
 Lieutenant’s views and wishes; she therefore persuaded 
 Emma to appear to acquiesce in some measure in her father’s 
 injunction, so as not to draw down upon herself his vehement 
 anger ; and meanwhile the good lady proposed to embrace 
 every opportunity to appease the General, and try to recon- 
 cile him to that which now appeared inevitable. As to Sir 
 Capsicum himself, he never for a moment entertained a 
 thought that the affections of his daughter were pre-engaged. 
 
 The fair girl had, with the candour of her nature, con- 
 fided to her aunt every thing that had won her affections 
 for Augustus. It is true that he had made her no offer, nor 
 had the warmth of passion led him at any period to make 
 an open declaration of his regard ; but the position in which 
 
104 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 they were placed was so well understood between them, 
 that neither the one nor the other doubted for a moment 
 the love which both so fervently cherished. 
 
 The Earl of Bestwood, Lord Frederick’s father, was con- 
 siderably advanced in life ; he was a proud, austere, avari- 
 cious man ; and, though his wealth was immense, he still 
 coveted more, and impressed earnestly upon his two sons 
 the advantages of marrying large fortunes, to support the 
 pomp and magnificence which had for ages characterized the 
 family. Nor were the young men backward in following 
 his instructions ; the younger seeking personal aggrandize- 
 ment as well as property ; the elder, certain of rank, looking 
 for a large fortune to unite with his own, that he might 
 the better indulge in extravagance and dissipation ; for his 
 bland and gentle demeanour was but assumed, the better 
 to carry on his designs. The General had known the Earl 
 from the days of boyhood; this had led to a renewal of 
 intimacy on the return of the Governor to his native land, 
 and hence arose the visit of Lord Frederick ; both father 
 and son being fully apprised of the great value (in cash and 
 expectations) of the heiress. His lordship had heard nothing 
 of her qualifications, either personal or mental; it was 
 sufficient for him that she would be extremely rich on the 
 demise of Sir Capsicum, and that he would be enabled to 
 gratify his love of splendour, and to indulge the extrava- 
 gant tastes which had been carefully concealed from the 
 penetration of his father. As a commanding officer, he was 
 a perfect martinet, torturing the men by a discipline as 
 harsh as it was unnecessary and cruel, and keeping his sub- 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 105 
 
 ordinates in constant hot water by a system of espionage 
 upon their actions, which was as subversive of confidence 
 and respect as it was mean and paltry. Yet he was high 
 in favour at Court ; and the casual glance of royalty pro- 
 nounced him to be a good officer and an exemplary young 
 man, who well merited the station which he occupied. 
 
 But when Lord Frederick arrived at the Cottage, and 
 beheld the beautiful girl whom he had previously felt sure 
 of making his wife, stronger feelings than those prompted 
 by avarice came over him, and, though vain of his own 
 handsome appearance, a few doubts arose in his mind with 
 respect to his rendering himself at once acceptable; but he 
 never contemplated a total failure of success. After con- 
 versing with her, and finding that she possessed a cultivated 
 mind, his line of conduct was quickly marked out and 
 steadily pursued, so as to dazzle the object of his ambition ; 
 and proud was he at the progress which he had made. The 
 attainment of his hopes seemed certain; judge then of his 
 surprise, when offering his hand and rank, on receiving a 
 decided but respectful refusal. The old Earl, who under- 
 stood that everything was going on swimmingly, was more 
 than astonished— he was enraged — that his son should be 
 rejected, and immediately wrote the General, imploring his 
 good offices in behalf of the future possessor of one of the 
 oldest titles in the peerage. Lord Frederick acted up to 
 his father’s counsels in persisting to force his proffered 
 regards on the fair Emma, who, following the advice 
 of her aunt, reluctantly and distantly submitted to the 
 infliction. 
 
IOC 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 Augustus had been absent several months, on account 
 of the removal of his ship to a more distant station, when 
 intelligence arrived of her having fought a gallant and 
 determined action with a superior force, in which the 
 captain had been killed, and the command had devolved 
 upon Montgomery as the next senior officer. The event, 
 after a desperate struggle, was in favour of the British flag. 
 The French surrendered; but their fire had so shattered 
 their diminutive conqueror that it was found impossible to 
 keep her afloat ; and, on the second day after the battle, she 
 went down, the officers and crew barely escaping with their 
 lives to the prize, in which, however, they had safely arrived 
 at Portsmouth. Montgomery was promoted to the rank of 
 commander, and appointed to a fine eighteen gun brig, then 
 newly launched, and nearly ready for sea. 
 
 The news filled Emma with a delight which she could not 
 disguise ; all the fondest emotions of her heart were called 
 into play, and the unrepressed gratification that sparkled in 
 her-full and brilliant eyes opened to Lord Frederick, who wit- 
 nessed all, a new solution to the enigma of his first rejection ; 
 but he experienced no anger, and displayed no resentment. 
 He now considered himself as the accepted of the fair girl, 
 though in good truth her coldness to his advances rather 
 chilled his admiration ; and, but for the promised honey, he 
 probably would have quitted the hive. A suspected rival 
 in the field, however, roused his self-estimation ; he had now 
 an additional stimulus to exertion, and he resolved to come 
 off victorious. 
 
 In the full and free indulgence of every noble sentiment 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 107 
 
 that actuates an honest, upright, and manly heart, Augustus 
 visited the Cottage. On entering the grounds, he was met 
 by her on whom the thoughts of his soul had so ardently 
 dwelt, with Lord Frederick Milford walking by her side. 
 They did not appear to see him; and, before a recognition took 
 place, he had time to observe that his lordship was speaking 
 in the language of persuasion, and his companion seemed to 
 be attentively listening. An acute and unaccustomed thrill 
 of vexation pained the young seaman for an instant, but it 
 was soon forgotten, when Emma, having caught sight of 
 her lover, promptly quitted the side of Lord Frederick and 
 bounded towards Montgomery, with her hand extended, and 
 every feature of her countenance glowing with animated 
 pleasure, which she did not strive to repress. 
 
 The gentlemen approached each other: Montgomery’s 
 look was expressive of mortified surprise; his lordship’s 
 indicated the pride of triumph. A distant salutation passed 
 between them, though it was evident, from the manner of 
 both, that this was not the first moment of their acquaint- 
 ance. Restraint, however, with Augustus had no long 
 duration ; he was too happy to be near the almost worship- 
 ped Emma to yield to the domination of unpleasant feelings, 
 and their mutual cordial greetings were warmly given and 
 as warmly received. Even his lordship relaxed, and tendered 
 his congratulations to Captain Montgomery on his good 
 fortune in action and subsequent promotion ; which the 
 other coldly acknowledged, and Emma was completely 
 mystified. 
 
 The General welcomed the young naval hero with enthu- 
 
108 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 fiiasrn. All his latent remembrances of fights and battle- 
 fields were revived, and taking the youthful commander by 
 the arm, he insisted upon his sitting down at once and 
 recounting every particular of the engagement that had won 
 him his step ; and Augustus, anxious to secure the veteran’s 
 good opinion, readily complied. Lord Frederick proposed 
 a further walk to Emma, but this she declined, and was 
 supported by the authority of her father, who directed her 
 to be seated near her old shipmate and friend till his 
 narrative was concluded. The young noble withdrew, on 
 pretence that he had letters to write ; and shortly afterwards 
 he mounted his horse and rode to Newport, the head- 
 quarters of his regiment. 
 
 As soon as decorum would permit, Augustus and Emma 
 wandered through the grounds alone, and after a pleasant 
 conversation on past enjoyments, he inquired, “ how long 
 Lord Frederick had been at the Cottage?” 
 
 “ He is an occasional visitor,” replied the rather embar- 
 rassed girl ; “ he frequently rides over and passes a day or 
 two with us here ; in fact ,” and she stopped. 
 
 “ What were you about to say, Emma?” asked the young 
 seaman, who conjectured what was likely to follow; he then 
 quickly added — “ But no, my love, I have no right to 
 question you; the same spotless integrity that has ever 
 characterized your conduct assures me that you remain 
 unchanged.” 
 
 “ Indeed, indeed, Augustus, I know of nothing that merits 
 severe reprehension,” responded she, “ unless it is a little 
 deception that has been practised ; and even that had its 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 109 
 
 origin in ” Once more she ceased, for delicacy forbade 
 
 her to add “ my affection for yon.” But she promptly con- 
 tinued, after a short pause — “ in an earnest wish not to vex 
 
 the General . Another time I will tell you all about it, 
 
 if my aunt does not anticipate me, and I would rather that 
 she should.” 
 
 “ As you please, Emma,” returned the Captain ; “ but 
 may I ask whether you — that is, I mean the General — is 
 much attached to the society of my cousin?” 
 
 “Of your cousin, Augustus!” repeated his companion, 
 with some degree of surprise ; “ I really cannot inform you ; 
 I was not aware that he was acquainted with any cousin of 
 yours.” 
 
 Montgomery gazed earnestly upon the countenance of the 
 young lady ; for a moment he was incredulous ; but the 
 calm serenity that sat upon her features assured him that, 
 however strange it might appear, she was uttering the 
 truth. 
 
 “ And do you not know,” said he, “ that Lord Frederick 
 is my cousin ? — that my father, whom you must remember, 
 was brother to the Earl of Bestwood? though he was not 
 an earl when you came over to England in the Diomede. 
 Surely some one must have told you?” 
 
 “ I was not aware of it, Augustus, till this moment,” 
 replied Emma ; “ but, if this is the case, why are you, as 
 relatives, so distant to each other?” 
 
 “ It is a long story, Emma, if related in detail,” answered 
 Augustus, mournfully; “it embraces mental suffering and 
 bodily affliction ; but it may also be briefly told. When I 
 
110 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 lost my revered father, I was left alone in the world.” The 
 fair girl looked at him reproachfully, and he comprehended 
 the reproof. “Well, well! not exactly alone, Emma, for, 
 young as you were at the time, you were then, as you have 
 ever been, the chief solace and delight of my existence. Oh, 
 that I could at once declare the unbounded love that is 
 cherished in my inmost soul for you! But, Emma, I am 
 now, as I w T as before, poor, wretchedly poor ! My pay and 
 some little prize-money are all that I can call my own ; it is 
 barely sufficient for my expenses. I cannot keep company 
 with my brother officers, for I must and will be just before 
 I am extravagant, or even generous. Emma, my dearest 
 and best love, you know not, you cannot conceive, what it 
 has been my lot to endure;” and bitter recollections caused 
 him to cover his face with his hands. 
 
 The language of her lover thrilled 'with agony through 
 the heart of his fair companion ; but it was quickly succeeded 
 by pleasurable emotions at his declaration with regard to 
 herself. She already knew that she was beloved by him ; 
 she had often felt surprised that he was not more explicit 
 in his avowals ; but now the whole truth flashed upon her 
 mind — it was his poverty that had deterred him, and, come 
 what might, she was determined to share it with him, should 
 her father refuse his consent to their union. 
 
 “ You have disclosed, Augustus, within these few minutes, 
 circumstances that have hitherto greatly puzzled me,” said 
 she ; “ but tell me — for I am deeply interested in the matter 
 — tell me what cause of difference exists between you and 
 Lord Frederick Milford?” 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 Ill 
 
 “ I have already informed you, Emma,” replied he, “ that 
 my father, at his decease, was unable to make any future 
 provision for me. I was almost destitute ; my noble rela- 
 tives would have left me to struggle with every difficulty ; 
 in fact they did so ; nay, more — the earl refused to make 
 over a small estate, that ought to have belonged by right to 
 my father, because there were some imperfections in the 
 deed under which he claimed it. There are other circum- 
 stances, Emma, which I will not shock your ears by men- 
 tioning, especially as no proof can be adduced — at least, 
 none has been discovered —of the real facts of the case. 
 Lord Frederick is wild and dissolute, proud and revengeful ; 
 but, dearest, I heed them not ; the dread of losing you is the 
 all-engrossing subject that fills my mind.” 
 
 “ But why should you lose me, Augustus?” affectionately 
 inquired the agitated girl. “ And if Lord Frederick is what 
 you represent him to be, I will have nothing more to say to 
 him, but discard him at once.” 
 
 “Discard him, Emma!” exclaimed the young officer, 
 looking perplexedly in her face ; “ discard, dearest, is an 
 authoritative word. What does it mean ? surely he has not 
 presumed — and yet, why should he not do so? He has 
 rank, however it may have been attained ; he has riches in 
 possession, and large additions in prospect. All must 
 admire and esteem you, Emma; but,” he added, dejectedly, 
 “ I cannot endure the thought of your becoming his wife.” 
 
 “ Nor will I ever be so, Augustus,” replied she firmly ; 
 “oh, why do you think so contemptibly of me?” and she 
 burst into tears. 
 
112 
 
 THE DELICA.TE POINT. 
 
 Montgomery pressed her to his really aching heart. He 
 was unacquainted with the extent of what had passed while 
 he was away, but longed to hear from her own lips all that 
 had occurred; nor was he disappointed; she candidly told 
 him everything, and an oppressive weight w~as removed from 
 his spirit. But with returning consciousness of her unaltered 
 regard came also painful apprehensions that the General 
 would never receive him as a son-in-law. Still hope sus- 
 tained him ; he was in the service of his sovereign, and had 
 been rewarded by him for bravery; his reputation was 
 unblemished; the struggles with a gallant enemy opened 
 the path to distinction, honour, and glory ; he resolved that 
 nothing should be wanting on his part to achieve all three ; 
 and, though he despaired of being rich, yet he did not con- 
 template a life of wretched poverty. These alternate lights 
 and shades were placed in full review before the General’s 
 daughter ; and, before they returned to the Cottage, solemn 
 pledges of love and constancy had been mutually given. 
 
 Several days passed on in the sweet interchange of affec- 
 tionate solicitude and thought. Augustus would have spoken 
 at once to Sir Capsicum upon the subject ; but Lady 
 Thomond advised the exercise of patience and perfect 
 reliance on each other, especially as the fiery governor had 
 manifested symptoms of suspicion, for, in fact, Lord Frederick 
 had anonymously intimated by letter the true position of 
 affairs. 
 
 “ I am thinking, Lady Thomond,” said the General, 
 shortly after receiving the epistle, which he made no secret 
 of — “ I am thinking that it is time for Emma to come to 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 113 
 
 some decision respecting Milford. I do not understand this 
 shilly-shally work ; my way has been to storm where the 
 parties would not capitulate or surrender; and she shall 
 have him before long, or I’ll know the reason why. Do 
 you think, my lady, legal commands are to be thus trifled 
 with?” 
 
 “But, if there is no real attachment between the young 
 couple, Sir Capsicum, I trust you would not press a marriage 
 against poor Emma’s inclination.” 
 
 “There — there you go with your ‘real attachments’ and 
 your ‘inclinations,’ as if a young and dutiful child, like 
 Emma, was privileged to cherish either the one or the other 
 in defiance of the orders — ay, written orders, too — of a fond 
 father. Nonsense, my lady; nature revolts at the idea. I 
 have provided her a handsome young fellow — a lord, too ; 
 and, though it is rather a delicate point insisting upon the 
 thing, I say she shall be his wife.” 
 
 “ I fear it will never come to pass,” answered the lady ; 
 “ I have every reason to suppose that her affections are pre- 
 engaged.” 
 
 “ Pre-engaged !” uttered the General, with vehemence. 
 “ Pre-and-fiddlestick ! my lady — pre-engaged, indeed ! the 
 thing is impossible, utterly impossible; it would be sheer 
 disobedience. And, pray, who do you imagine has dared to 
 venture upon so hazardous an experiment ?” 
 
 “I will not positively assert the conjecture as a fact, Sir 
 Capsicum,” answered Lady Thomond, “but there is a young 
 man to whose society she has been accustomed from the 
 period of her leaving the West Indies.” 
 
114 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 “ Oil, is that all?” said the General, ironically; “but I tell 
 you again and again it is all nonsense; and, though they 
 have been so much together, which is certainly a delicate 
 point, they would not dare to fall in love without orders. 
 Besides, Montgomery has nothing but his pay, and Emma 
 will be entitled— that is, if she behaves herself handsomely 
 — yes, she will be entitled to a splendid fortune. No, no, 
 Lord Frederick must be her husband.” 
 
 “Have you no other objections to Augustus than his 
 poverty ?” inquired the lady. 
 
 “ None — none whatever,” answered the ex-Governor ; “ he 
 is a bold, hearty, manly fellow, and I hope I shall live to 
 see him an Admiral — shan’t want for my help, either— but 
 as for marrying my daughter without a gilder in the world 
 to bless himself— no, no, it would never do.” 
 
 “ Oh, that a little dross, that we can neither bring into 
 the world nor carry out with us, should separate hearts that 
 are fondly attached!” ejaculated the lady. “You have 
 ample means for both, Sir Capsicum. Emma is averse to 
 his Lordship, but she loves Augustus.” 
 
 “ I will not believe it, Lady Thomond,” responded the 
 General ; “ it would be a breach of discipline that I could 
 never pardon.” 
 
 “ But, my dear Sir Capsicum, have you not indirectly en- 
 couraged their attachment by sanctioning their repeated 
 interviews ?” 
 
 “ That’s a delicate point, truly, Lady Thomond,” replied 
 the veteran — “ a very delicate point, but not sufficient war- 
 rant to excuse a breach of discipline ; but I do not believe a 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 115 
 
 word of it, and, Apropos, here they come to answer for them- 
 selves.” 
 
 This, however, was anything but apropos for the young 
 couple or for Lady Thomond, as Augustus and Emma en- 
 tered the room from the lawn through a glazed door, and 
 were instantly addressed by Sir Capsicum. “ So, Captain 
 Montgomery, there’s a pretty report made against you to 
 head-quarters — nothing short of mutiny, sir ; and you, too, 
 Emma, are implicated in the affair. But I know there is 
 no truth in it ; however, you shall have an opportunity of 
 denying it yourself.” 
 
 “I am not aware to what your allusions tend, General,” 
 replied the perplexed Augustus, “but shall deeply regret 
 if *1 have said or done anything to forfeit your good 
 opinion” 
 
 “ Right — right ! I am well convinced of it, my boy,” said 
 the veteran, with pleased self-complacendy ; “ I knew it was 
 all a farce ; you have never dared to fall in love, as they call 
 it, with Emma ? say so frankly and at once, and then Lady 
 Thomond will be satisfied.” 
 
 Augustus was silent, and the young lady, much embar- 
 rassed, looked inquiringly to her aunt, who smiled, but gave 
 no other indication of understanding her meaning. Not a 
 word was spoken for upwards of a minute, when the 
 General again vociferated, somewhat more sternly than 
 before : “ Well, Captain Montgomery, I am awaiting your 
 reply ; have you presumed to love my daughter, or have you 
 not?” 
 
 The young officer was rather confused by the sudden- 
 
 ( 18 ) g 
 
116 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 ness of the question ; but he resolved neither to deny nor 
 to equivocate ; and he felt that it would be the best, or, 
 at least, the most honourable course, to make a candid dis- 
 closure. 
 
 “I am sensible, Sir Capsicum,” said he, deliberately, 
 “ that it must be presumption in me to love Miss Emma, 
 whose worth so far exceeds my poor deserts.” 
 
 “A delicate point, and nicely distinguished, ,v said the 
 General. “ Augustus, you are a worthy and sensible fellow 
 —orders must be obeyed.” 
 
 “ But,” continued Montgomery, scarcely waiting for the 
 veteran to finish his disjointed sentences — “but it would be 
 utterly impossible to associate with one so good and excel- 
 lent without loving her ; and, if to love her is a crime, it is 
 one which I can never repent committing.” 
 
 “ Eh ! — what ! Young man, this to my face !” exclaimed 
 the mortified and -exasperated Governor, “treason under 
 my very nose, in my own house, ay, my garrison, as I 
 may call it ! And you, miss — what have you to say 
 for yourself? — come, quick, and mind the word of com- 
 mand.” 
 
 “I will confess the truth, my dear father,” replied the 
 beautiful girl, as the blushes suffused her cheeks, and the 
 tears started to her eyes, “I will conceal nothing; Augustus 
 and 1 have long loved each other — ” 
 
 “ And your sanction, General,” said Montgomery, as he 
 took the young lady’s hand, and both bent the knee— “your 
 sanction, General, is all that we require to render our hap- 
 piness complete.” 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 117 
 
 The rage of the veteran was smothered for a moment, to 
 burst forth with redoubled vehemence. “ Out of my sight 
 both of you !” roared he ; “ a most delicate point, truly ! As 
 for you, miss, the black hole and bread and water for a 
 month, or till you marry Lord Frederick — ” 
 
 “ At the risk of incurring your greater displeasure, Gene- 
 ral,” said the Captain, “ I must appeal to your better feel- 
 ings against so harsh a decree. I can never cease to love 
 your daughter — ” 
 
 “And,” continued Emma, taking up the thread with a 
 spirit worthy of the ex-Governor himself, “that daughter 
 would die rather than give her hand to Lord Frederick 
 Milford.” 
 
 This was worse than all. Had a dozen shells exploded 
 before the General he would have stood unshrinking and 
 unmoved ; but to be thus addressed by his daughter was be- 
 yond the endurance of human nerves. He stood dumb with 
 astonishment and passion ; his authority was set at nought, 
 and a defiance hurled in his teeth in the heart of his cita- 
 del; his orders had proved to be no more than so much 
 wasted breath. Had lightning struck him he could not 
 have been more shocked ; with a hasty bound or two, he 
 spraug through the unclosed door, his lips quivering, and 
 his face livid with rage. 
 
 “You must leave us, Augustus, instantly,” said Lady 
 Thomond, deprecatingly. ‘ Trust to each other’s truth, and 
 I will carefully watch over the interests and welfare of both ; 
 but, indeed, Augustus, you must take your departure; to 
 remain would only irritate him beyond all bounds; and, 
 
118 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 Emma, bear in mind, my love, that Sir Capsicum is your 
 father.” 
 
 Augustus would have opposed this request ; but Emma, 
 who well knew the implacability of her parent when labour- 
 ing under contradiction or disappointment, joined in the 
 entreaty of her aunt ; and Montgomery, made sensible that 
 no advantage could be gained by remaining under existing 
 circumstances, pressed the fair girl to his heart, and, after a 
 renewal of their solemn pledge, left the Cottage. Unfor- 
 tunately, he met Lord Frederick at the outer gate, and, in 
 the vexation of the moment, taunted him upon his unman- 
 liness in persecuting a lady, who, he was well aware, had 
 not one atom of regard for him. This produced a retort 
 equally discourteous ; but, as the young nobleman was cool, 
 he had the advantage over his naval cousin, who, wrung 
 with vexation and anguish, seemed to have utterly lost his 
 usual evenness of temper. He reviled his Lordship; and 
 the words “dastard” and “coward” slipping out, swords 
 were promptly drawn, and a few passes made, without in- 
 jury to either, except a scratch on the wrist of Lord 
 Frederick, who suddenly put spurs to his horse and rode 
 off, leaving Montgomery master of the field. 
 
 We must now pass over an interval of several months, 
 during which Augustus greatly signalized himself, and his 
 gallantry met with further reward. Lord Frederick per- 
 sisted in his devoirs to Emma, who treated him with cold 
 contempt. The General had relaxed in his austerity, and 
 again indulged his daughter kindly; when, unexpectedly, 
 orders arrived for his Lordship’s regiment to embark with- 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 119 
 
 out delay for Spain, and Sir Capsicum, to his great delight, 
 was appointed to the command of a division of the army 
 under Lord Wellington. All was instantly bustle ; for not 
 only did the General resolve to embark forthwith, but he 
 determined that Emma should accompany him; and, as 
 Lady Thomond was desirious of being near her niece, she 
 was also included. In a few days all was ready, and they 
 set out for Portsmouth, where they were received on board 
 a large transport, carrying the band and staff of Lord 
 Frederick’s regiment. A fine eight- and-thirty gun frigate 
 took the troop-ships under convoy ; with a fair breeze they 
 quitted the harbour, and in a few hours were running down 
 the British Channel. 
 
 The Bay of Biscay was gained, but the weather, which 
 had hitherto been fine, became stormy. The wind chopped 
 round dead against them, and hurried down in fitful gusts ; 
 there was every appearance of an approaching gale, and pre- 
 parations were promptly made for meeting its fury. The 
 frigate had kept her accustomed station pretty regularly, 
 and, as the transport in which the General and his daughter 
 had embarked sailed well, she was ordered to keep near the 
 Commodore. But she was extremely crowded, and her 
 accommodations were very little better than those usual in 
 such ships (and what they were at the period of which I am 
 writing many brave officers can well remember); so that, 
 though the passengers were distinguished, yet but small 
 comfort could be obtained. The General seemed to care 
 nothing about it as far as he himself was concerned ; but 
 the ladies and their servants suffered terribly ; and often did 
 
120 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 the veteran look at the beautiful frigate and wish they were 
 on board of her. Nor was his wish long ungratified, for, 
 while the gale was showing its teeth previously to a 
 thorough set-to, a handsome barge came alongside with a 
 polite message from the captain of the man-of-war, offering 
 his cabin to the use of Sir Capsicum and the ladies. With 
 his accustomed quickness and decision, the General accepted 
 it ; some baggage was hastily stowed in the boat ; the 
 General’s party, including Lord Frederick, who, though not 
 invited, chose to consider himself a member of the family — 
 followed, and in a short half hour they were all safe on 
 board the frigate. The Captain was not on deck when they 
 arrived, but he ascended shortly afterwards, and respectfully 
 uncovering his head to the General, presented to him the 
 noble and manly countenance of Augustus Montgomery. A 
 flush of anger passed over the veteran’s cheeks, and old 
 resentments were kindling in his heart ; a generous feeling, 
 nevertheless, struggled with it, when he called to mind the 
 unkind treatment which Augustus had experienced at his 
 hands, and compared it with the generous action of giving 
 up his cabin for their comfort and convenience ; he returned 
 Montgomery’s salute rather stiffly, but the next minute his 
 hand was, extended. 
 
 “ Well, well, Augustus ! — that is, Captain Montgomery,” 
 said he, “ I thank you for your kind consideration — it is a 
 delicate point, too — perhaps, had I known who commanded 
 — but there — there ; you have acted nobly, and I forgive 
 you ; delicate as the point is, Emma will be glad to see an 
 old acquaintance.” 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 121 
 
 Glad ! — if the delight that was sparkling in her eyes could 
 be taken as an evidence of gladness, her heart must indeed 
 have been full of it ; especially when Augustus respectfully 
 offered the support of his arm, and she felt a gentle pressure 
 of her own that thrilled through every vein. Lady 
 Thomond was gratified beyond measure, for she loved the 
 young man as if he had been her own son. Lord Frederick 
 appeared to be much embarrassed : a formal salute passed 
 between the two cousins ; but, while Montgomery stood firm 
 upon his sea-legs, yielding to the motion of his gallant ship, 
 the young noble, affected by it, could not stand without the 
 aid of a seaman. The Captain conducted the party below, 
 where a pleasing comparison was drawn between the con- 
 fined and nauseous space which they had quitted, and the 
 capacious and airy cabin of a fine frigate. Arrangements 
 had already been made for every one, or there would have 
 been but short time for them, as down came the gale with 
 tremendous fury, and the fierce war of elements began — the 
 proud ship riding triumphantly amidst the battle, as if ap- 
 pointed umpire of the strife. 
 
 The first care of Montgomery was for his frigate, which, 
 by the efforts of his fine crew, was soon under snug canvas, 
 and lifting over the billows like a pintado bird off the 
 stormy Cape. The transports obeyed the signals and evolu- 
 tions of the Commodore ; and, though some of them were 
 evidently making bad weather of it, yet on the whole they 
 were in pretty good order ; and Montgomery, having done 
 his utmost to preserve it, issued his directions to his officers 
 and then paid a visit to his passengers. The General had 
 
122 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 crossed the ocean too often to suffer much from the effects 
 of the gale ; but Emma and Lady Thomond were labouring 
 under that utter incapability of self-exertion which sea sick- 
 ness mostly produces ; nor was Lord Frederick much better 
 than the ladies. All that kindness and maritime skill could 
 devise was put in practice by the Captain to alleviate their 
 distress, while the anxious but impetuous father could not 
 but be struck by the coolness and intrepidity of the sailor, 
 as compared with what he had himself witnessed in the 
 conduct of his titled cousin; admiration was growing into 
 warm respect, and respect promised to ripen to esteem. 
 Several times he was heard muttering to himself, “ He is a 
 fine fellow, a brave youth, that Augustus. ’Tis a delicate 
 point — a very delicate point — wish he was rich and had a 
 title.” 
 
 The day was succeeded by a dark and dreary night. The 
 conflict between the winds and waves grew more and more 
 terrible as each in wrath poured out the increasing strength 
 of their mighty power. The beautiful frigate, though 
 buoyant as a petrel, frequently trembled and quivered be- 
 neath the raging seas that broke relentlessly over her ; the 
 giant spars bent like twigs, as the weather -roll brought 
 them in fiercer combat with the roaring winds ; and thus 
 for three days did the tempest continue unabated in its 
 passion, the ship driving down into the Bay upon the 
 Spanish coast. The transports were all dispersed — not a 
 vessel of the convoy was to be seen ; but shattered pieces of 
 wreck, as they drifted past, told a tale of destruction and 
 death. 
 
I 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 123 
 
 On the fourth day, the gale appeared to be breaking, 
 when a large ship of war was discovered amidst the haze, 
 about three miles under their lee, and the frigate, on edging 
 towards her, ascertained that she was of a similar class to 
 herself: from not displaying her ensign, or responding to 
 signals, she was at once pronounced to be an enemy; and, 
 amidst the elemental strife, preparations were made for 
 attacking her. But the stranger manifested no desire for a 
 nearer acquaintance, as she too kept away, having friendly 
 ports of shelter to leeward. Eager to frustrate this attempt 
 to escape, Captain Montgomery ordered sail to be made, and 
 the noble craft staggered and reeled under its pressure. 
 About noon the sky became clearer, and the high land of 
 the coast of Spain was visible, not three leagues distant, 
 and they found themselves at the opening of a deep bay 
 near to Cape Ortegal. But this did not daunt the daring 
 spirit of Montgomery ; he was well aware that to leave so 
 powerful a foe in the vicinity of his scattered convoy was 
 extremely hazardous to their safety, and, therefore, he 
 boldly pushed on after the retreating ship, upon which he 
 was gaining fast ; and, in little more than an hour, when 
 they were close in upon the rocks, he got alongside and 
 opened a brisk fire from every gun he could bring to bear. 
 Ihe stranger had hoisted French colours and roundecT-to for 
 the purpose of engaging ; but, as she hauled up and felt the 
 heavy pressure of the wind, her mainmast went over the 
 side, dragging with it the foretopmast and jib-boom. Again 
 she put away before it; but no port appeared to leeward 
 except a narrow entrance between two lofty ridges of 
 
124 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 craggy mountains, into which, she could hardly hope to 
 enter ; her head, nevertheless, was standing for it. Mont- 
 gomery ran across her forefoot and raked her — the wreck 
 of the masts encumbered her progress — down came the 
 colours : but the English frigate was too near that iron 
 bound shore to take possession. Montgomery had fulfilled 
 his duty by disabling his opponent, (who soon afterward 
 drifted on the rocks), and now turned all his best energies 
 to get out of the difficulty and peril which he had so gal- 
 lantly incurred. 
 
 The veteran General had been witness to the whole : 
 Lord Frederick was sick, and could not make his appear- 
 ance. 
 
 “ Bravo, Augustus !” bellowed Sir Capsicum close to the 
 Captain’s ear, “you did that well. Yes, yes, it was well 
 done : pity you could not bring the fellow out — sure of 
 knighthood then ; now the point will be delicate, very deli- 
 cate, indeed. However, you have my best wishes, and shall 
 have my earnest recommendation; that is, provided we get 
 safe out of this.” 
 
 “ I will use my best endeavours, General,” returned the 
 Captain ; “ the ship has always behaved well, and we should 
 never despair .” 
 
 This last was uttered with an emphasis which seemed to 
 make some impression on the veteran ; and, in fact, their 
 situation was of so perilous a nature as to require consider- 
 able talent and strong nerve to extricate them. In the 
 eagerness of pursuit and attack, the frigate had got deeply 
 embayed ; and, as the gale rather increased than diminished, 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 125 
 
 the whole line of coast, about a cable’s length to leeward, 
 presented one continued range of creamy foam. The only 
 chance of escape was to weather the westernmost point 
 of the bay; and this could be done by no other means 
 than carrying a broad spread of canvas. The courses, a 
 close-reefed main-top-sail, try-sail, and fore-stay-sail, were 
 set upon the starboard tack; her lee broadside was under 
 water, and she dashed through whole seas that covered her 
 decks. 
 
 She neared the spot of greatest danger— a mass of craggy 
 rocks, over which the breakers were beating fearfully. 
 It was a moment of intense anxiety to all ; for it was 
 evident that, if she cleared the rocks, it would be only 
 by very close shaving. The sun was going down amidst 
 an angry glare of clouds that crimsoned the horizon and 
 threw its ruddy tints upon the boiling surge. Nearly three 
 hundred living souls, encompassed within those wooden 
 walls, might in a single instant be hurled into eternity ; 
 and there the sturdy seamen stood, awaiting in stern 
 silence the result of their Captain’s skill. The General 
 was thinking of his daughter with all the feelings of a 
 father. 
 
 “Will she do it, Augustus? will she weather it?” he 
 asked. “We do not open it : it is a delicate point in- 
 deed.” 
 
 “ But it is steep-to, sir,” answered the Captain ; “ and 
 if our sticks and canvas will but hold, I have yet 
 hopes.” 
 
 At this moment, a heavy broken sea came in over the 
 
126 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 starboard quarter, and rent the stern of the boat that 
 was hanging at the after -davits clean away. Still on- 
 ward dashed the noble ship ; and, had but a tack, or 
 a sheet, or a mast, been carried away, her bones would 
 very soon have been picked up in small pieces along- 
 shore. At length they were close to the rocks ; and, 
 according to the General’s phraseology, a truly “deli- 
 cate point ” it was. The broken and bubbling waters 
 came hissing and dashing over them. For several 
 minutes it was a matter of doubt whether she would 
 accomplish the hazardous undertaking. Death, in the 
 most horrible form, was under their lee, whilst, half 
 a cable’s length ahead, all was clear and open, and 
 they could see a stranger on the weather bow (to whom 
 the colours were hoisted) in perfect safety, going away 
 free.* 
 
 The point was gained; all stood in breathless atten- 
 tion — a man might have easily pitched a biscuit and 
 hit the rock — the raging surge was bursting over them ; 
 but Augustus knew the admirable qualities of his ship, 
 and that the recoil was in her favour, though it buried 
 her in spray. She did not wait to surmount the waves, 
 but clave them in twain, till the danger was weathered ; 
 and then, as the helm was put up, like a fine water- 
 dog, she shook herself from the seas, and bore away 
 to the open ocean. A shout of delight would probably 
 have arisen, but the people looked at their Captain, 
 
 * This is the moment which my worthy friend, E. Duncan, has selected for 
 his admirable picture.— The Old Sailok. 
 
THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 127 
 
 whose hands were clasped together in fervent gratitude to 
 Heaven. 
 
 “You have done it, Augustus, you have done it!” 
 exclaimed the General, seizing the Captain’s arm. “It 
 has been a severe struggle — but the delicate point is 
 mastered, and she’s your own, my boy — she’s your 
 own !” 
 
 “ I am happy to have gained your approbation, General,” 
 said the Captain ; “ the frigate, under the blessing of 
 Heaven, is now our own.” 
 
 “ Ho, no,” eagerly responded the veteran ; “I do not 
 mean the frigate, but Emma : yes, Emma is your own ; 
 you shall have her, boy— you shall have her ; for you 
 are worthy of her. I have had my misgivings ever since 
 Lord Frederick ran away from you at the Cottage gate: 
 but it was a delicate point, my good fellow — a very 
 delicate point. That is all over now. Go and tell her 
 what I say, and let her know that we are in safety 
 There — there — no acknowledgments; away with you — 
 away.” 
 
 “ Heed I say anything of the happiness of two at- 
 tached hearts, thus sanctioned in their love? Ho; it 
 is not necessary for me to add more than that the 
 gale abated; the convoy, though much damaged, were 
 collected together ; the port ' was ultimately gained ; a 
 regimental chaplain united Augustus and Emma; the 
 General assumed his command, whilst Lord Frederick’s 
 health was so much deranged by the voyage, that he 
 was compelled to be sent home just on the eve of a 
 
123 
 
 THE DELICATE POINT. 
 
 great battle. Malicious rumours arose which spoke of 
 another cause for leaving the army at so important a 
 moment ; but it would be hazardous to mention them, 
 because speaking after other people is always “ a delicate 
 point.” 
 
fttiuris’s Jsltmbs. 
 
 “ Oh, Love ! true Love ! what alters thee ? Not all 
 The changes that flit o’er the heart of man! 
 
 Thou art the fruit that ripens — not to fall ; 
 
 The flower that lives beyond the summer’s span.” 
 
 Magnificent, truly magnificent, is the harbour of Rio de 
 Janeiro; and, perhaps, there is not more splendid panoramic 
 scenery in the whole world than is presented to the eye 
 from the place of anchorage between the city of St. Sebastian 
 on the south, and the pretty island of Braganza on the north. 
 The entrance to this place is spacious, with almost per- 
 pendicular mountains on either hand, one of which, from 
 its peculiar form, is called the Sugar Loaf. To the west- 
 ward, in the distance, are innumerable small islands, just 
 dotting the surface of the broad river, assuming a rich 
 purple tint at the rising and setting of the sun. Behind 
 the city, the mountains, covered with eternal verdure, rise 
 sublimely grand, climbing up into the very heavens ; while, 
 on the Braganza, rise others not less stupendous, mantled 
 with gigantic trees down to the water’s edge, and broken 
 occasionally at the base by small bays of silvery sand, that 
 glisten and sparkle in the bright rays of the sun, delightfully 
 contrasting with the delicious green of the wide-spreading 
 
130 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 foliage that hangs clustering above, and from which here 
 and there are seen the white convent, or the chapel, breaking 
 through the mass of branches, like a coy virgin peeping 
 from the shade. The city, with its spacious monasteries 
 and churches, its palaces and luxurious gardens, looked 
 temptingly from ship-board, and the whole awakened in 
 the breasts of Englishmen that veneration and worship for 
 romantic scenery which has ever been a characteristic of my 
 countrymen. 
 
 And yet how fallen, how degraded, were those on whom 
 Providence had conferred such innumerable blessings; and 
 how strange it is, that, in a country where the precious 
 metals were as common for household purposes as earthen- 
 ware in England, so much real poverty, ignorance, bigotry, 
 and superstition, should prevail ! I have seen the ingots of 
 gold and silver in piles eight feet high, arranged with 
 scrupulous care to the amount of millions in value beneath 
 the regent’s palace, in vaults resembling a blacksmith’s 
 forge,— yet the court was poor, and the people wretched, 
 because they trusted to the perishing dross, instead of 
 exerting their own industry in the cultivation of the soil 
 and the extension of commerce. It was England that reaped 
 the abundant harvest ; and it is worthy of notice, that the 
 enterprise, ingenuity, and skill of my countrymen have 
 profited most in those parts of the world where wealth 
 particularly abounded. 
 
 I was at Kio with the gallant Sir Sidney Smith, when he 
 conveyed the royal family of Portugal from their own home- 
 shores to this delightful region ; and, had Don John pos- 
 
HARBOUR OF RIO JANEIRO 
 

morris’s islands. 
 
 131 
 
 sessed common sense, and a moderate stock of intellect, lie 
 might have rendered his dominion in the South American 
 provinces far more valuable to himself and more formidable 
 to his enemies than the slice of continent which he left 
 behind in Europe. But Don John was an ignorant bigot; 
 yet it is not to him that my tale relates : the circumstances 
 occurred long, long before he had being; and though the 
 priesthood, even when I was at Rio, held unbounded influ- 
 ence over the minds of the sovereign and people, so as 
 to compel the royal family to be bearers of a silken canopy 
 over the pampered bishop, yet that was nothing to the days 
 when the “ Anathema Maranatha” sealed the fate of thou- 
 sands, and men rushed to untimely death through fear of 
 denunciation from the Church. 
 
 One of the most pleasant places in the neighbourhood of 
 the city of San Sebastian is the Bahia da Gloria, or, in 
 English, Glory Bay ; and refreshing is the sea-breeze as it 
 sweeps over the surface of the waters to cool the temperature 
 of the air. I was sitting one lovely afternoon in the balcony 
 of a pretty residence on the shores of the bay ; my companion 
 was an officer in the Portuguese service, who had passed a 
 considerable portion of his time in travelling, had resided 
 many months in England, and could speak both French and 
 my native tongue with considerable accuracy. He had 
 picked up and treasured a great fund of information, and 
 was particularly fond of collecting romantic legends, of 
 which he had a stock sufficient to form a tolerable circu- 
 lating library. Nor was he sparing or backward in narrating 
 
 the intelligence lie had gained, when he thought it would be 
 (is) 9 
 
132 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 amusing to the parties with whom he might happen to be. 
 We had been conversing on the legendary lore of England, 
 which he declared to be more extensive than that of any 
 other country in the world ; and in the course of discussion 
 we very naturally reverted to the region we were then in. 
 Before us, right in the centre of the passage into the har- 
 bour, lay the rocky island of Yillegagnon,* with its low fort, 
 in which some French invaders had been compelled to 
 shelter themselves when driven from the city, and they 
 held the battery for a long time, in defiance of the force 
 that was brought against it. From that subject we passed 
 to a cluster of small islands, three or four miles outside the 
 harbour, called Morris’s Islands. They were nearly circular 
 in form, and thickly covered down to the verge of the sea 
 with trees in perpetual verdure. I had noticed them when 
 we first made the land, and wondered that such apparently 
 beautiful spots should be left to slumber in their loneliness 
 upon the ocean. 
 
 “ What a delightful residence one might have on the 
 largest of those islands,” said I, “ away from the turmoil 
 and care of the world ! There is plenty of fish and turtle ; 
 a small space might be cleared for a garden, a few poultry 
 to breed, and a cow to give milk, or even goats, would do.” 
 
 My companion shook liis head. “ You would soon grow 
 weary of it,” said he ; “ it is all very pretty in imagination, 
 but quite another thing when reduced to practice. Fish and 
 
 * It was thus named after the leader of the French party, a man of un- 
 doubted courage, who, in 1556, conveyed Queen Mary from Scotland to 
 Fiance. 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 133 
 
 turtle you might occasionally get, but for the rest, it would 
 require great labour, and no little expense, to supply your 
 wants.” 
 
 “ But would it not be gratifying to the mind to live in 
 pleasant retirement,” urged I, “ away from the excitements 
 that rouse the passions, and disturb our peace?” 
 
 “ You mistake the thing,” argued he; “ man is a domesti- 
 cated being. The Creator has ordained that he should be 
 so, and the perpetual solitude of those islands would but ill 
 accord with that expansive benevolence which is implanted 
 within us for the best and wisest of purposes. The recluse 
 who shuts himself up from intercourse with his fellow- 
 creatures wilfully sacrifices the choicest pleasures of exist- 
 ence.” 
 
 “ But I would not be entirely alone,” observed I ; “it is not 
 necessary. I would have a dear and amiable companion.” 
 
 “ Of the feminine gender, of course,” interrupted he, 
 laughingly, as he laid his hand upon my arm. 
 
 “ As a matter of course,” returned I, full of delight at the 
 thoughts I had conjured up. 
 
 “ And what woman do you suppose would bury herself 
 alive, merely because you wished it?” asked he : “women 
 are too worldly for that; they worship the fashions, and if 
 you only procured her a new dress of seal-skins by your own 
 hunting of the animal, she would long to make a public 
 display of it. Besides, my dear friend, it would be impos- 
 sible to run out of doors and fetch the nurse and the doctor 
 when you wanted them. Fancy and reality are two widely 
 different things.” 
 
134 
 
 mokeis’s islands. 
 
 Now these latter were affairs upon which I had not 
 calculated, but the mere mention of them brought me down 
 from my romantic stilts. “ And yet,” said I, “ it would be 
 pleasant for a while;” 
 
 " If you are in tlle tumour for a story,” said he, “ there is 
 one connected with that very island you have been speaking 
 of, that may serve to illustrate our subject. The hero was 
 a countryman of yours. I have been at some pains in 
 collecting the particulars, and believe that I have obtained 
 them pretty correctly. Have I your sanction 1 ” 
 
 “ Oh, most certainly,” responded I, for I always loved 
 a good yarn, and knew he was no bad hand at spinning 
 one ; “ it will afford me much pleasure to listen.” 
 
 “Then we will have another bottle of this delicious 
 claret,” said he; “it is as cool' as in the mountains of the 
 Gironde-the first pressure of the grape, rich to the palate, 
 and purifying to the blood. Here, boy ” 
 
 An old negro of sixty made his appearance with a “ Si, 
 
 signor, ’ and then stopped at a deferential distance to await 
 orders. 
 
 Another bottle from the same case, daddy,” commanded 
 the officer, returning him that which had been emptied. 
 
 “ Be careful not t0 A ake it ; and let us have clean glasses 
 and fresh cigaros.” 
 
 Si, signor,” replied the enduring black, as he withdrew; 
 and in a few minutes he re-appeared with the articles 
 required, which he placed on a stand before us, and then 
 retired. 
 
 National prejudice,” said my companion, as he lighted 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 135 
 
 his cigar, “ national prejudice very naturally places indi- 
 viduals of the land of our birth among the most profound 
 scholars, statesmen, and warriors of the times. But I have 
 been too long a citizen of the world to give undue preference 
 to my countrymen ; and it certainly must be admitted, that 
 the viceroys who formerly governed this colony were not 
 the most remarkable for their learning and knowledge.” 
 
 “ I am aware of that,” assented I, with some degree of 
 pride. “ When Captain Cook put in here in his voyage 
 round the world, he stated the object of his enterprise to 
 be the making of observations on the transit of Yenus ; but 
 the viceroy and his court could make nothing of it but the 
 north star taking a trip to the South Pole.” 
 
 “ Malice ! sheer malice !” returned he, composedly, though 
 it was evident that this citizen of the world was every inch 
 a Portuguese, and did not like the reflection upon the igno- 
 rance of his countrymen. Slander is current in all parts of 
 the globe, but detraction has ever turned out to be base 
 metal. However, to my tale.” 
 
 I cannot fix the precise date, but it was many years ago, 
 probably in the reign of your second Charles, when pro- 
 fligacy at court could be maintained only by extraordinary 
 exactions, that licenses were granted to private armed ships 
 to go round to the western coast of this continent to trade 
 — that is, to force contraband dealings, and to fight the 
 guardacostas, should they presume to interfere in the traffic. 
 It is true that instructions were given to the English men- 
 of-war to seize, take, burn, and destroy all buccaneers ; but 
 
136 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 this was a sort of legalized marauding, that smoothed down 
 an uneasy conscience, should blood be shed in carrying it 
 on. Oh, there is nothing like a royal privilege for sacrilege 
 and plunder ! and many a church altar was cleared of its 
 plate during the darkness of the night in a most unaccount- 
 able way, not a single trace remaining on the following 
 morning of the picaroons, though an ominous white speck 
 might be seen lifting on the verge of the horizon out at sea, 
 like a gull dipping the extremity of its wings, as it sportively 
 played over the coom of a billow. 
 
 It was somewhere about this period that a handsome and 
 well-appointed ship, commanded by a Captain Morris— I 
 have seen it spelt Marice, but that is not an English name — 
 anchored off Lisbon to procure a supply of wine. She was 
 admirably manned and well armed, and as her avowed 
 destination was Rio Janeiro, for which place, it was stated, 
 she had a valuable cargo, Don Jose etcetera etcetera Ferreira, 
 who had been appointed as superintendent of the gold 
 mines of San Paulo, as well as governor of that district, was 
 desirous of taking a passage in her. Morris at first respect- 
 fully declined the venture, lest his real destination should 
 be detected — for he was bound round Cape Horn — and the 
 Spaniards should be apprized of his intention. But Don 
 Jose invited the captain to his house, and introduced him 
 to his wife and daughter, who were to share with him the 
 perils of crossing the ocean. 
 
 Your countrymen, signor, are like tinder beneath the 
 sparkling eye of a pretty woman ; they catch in an instant ; 
 and Don Jose’s daughter was, I understand, more than is 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 137 
 
 implied by the term pretty. She was very lovely ; and, if 
 Don Jose had not been more intent upon his own aggrandize- 
 ment than the chances in favour of an attachment to the 
 bold Englishman, he would have reasoned cautiously upon 
 the ready assent of the captain to receive him on board, 
 although he had only a short time before positively refused 
 to take any passengers. But, signor, there’s no accounting 
 for these things ; and in a week from that time, the future 
 governor of San Paulo embarked in the Swallow, with his 
 family and household gods, and the following day they left 
 the Tagus under a cloud of canvas, and the vessel was 
 speeding her way, like her namesake, upon the open ocean. 
 
 At first the ladies were sea-sick, and this afforded Morris 
 an opportunity of assisting that utter helplessness which 
 this malady is sure to bring on. Donna Inez, the mother, 
 had a share of his attention; but his whole soul seemed 
 devoted to Donna Clara, the daughter, who, suffering in the 
 extreme under the distressing and debilitating symptoms, 
 clung to him with the same eagerness that a drowning 
 wretch would do to his preserver. Now, though sea-sickness 
 is no great heightener of female beauty, yet there is a 
 delightful feeling attendant upon the conviction that the 
 being who is under its influence is, in a manner, dependent 
 upon you as a refuge in affliction ; and it is sweet to cherish 
 the thought that you are rendering service to one who, 
 without your aid, would suffer in hopeless wretchedness. 
 We love to have the weaker sex reclining on our stronger 
 nature, and we never feel more firmly attached to one dear 
 object than when her whole reliance is placed upon our 
 
138 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 honour. And yet, signor, how many thousands perish through 
 that very reliance ! 
 
 Donna Clara was young, artless, and inexperienced — she 
 was not eighteen. Morris was the noble, handsome-looking 
 seaman of five-and-twenty ; and, therefore, it can excite no 
 wonder if, shut up within the wooden walls of a ship, the 
 one weak and confiding, the other affording gentle protection, 
 gratitude and generosity should form a mutual attachment. 
 Captain Morris had resigned his own state-room to Clara, 
 and had a temporary accommodation erected for himself 
 next to it forward, so that only a slight bulk-head parted 
 them. But, whilst the sea-sickness lasted, he was both 
 night and day unremitting in his kind attentions to the 
 suffering lady. 
 
 At length, use to the motion of the vessel and fine weather 
 overcame the indisposition, and the passengers assembled 
 on the deck to enjoy the cool and invigorating breeze, which, 
 in the increased heat of the atmosphere, was rendered most 
 grateful. You know what it is, signor, to gaze upon the 
 moon-lit waters while the vessel gallantly cleaves the ocean, 
 and the sky and sea, in their subdued brilliancy and beauty, 
 harmonize with the pensive feelings of the heart. A be- 
 witching hour is that of evening, when stillness reigns 
 throughout the ship, and not a sound is heard but the 
 whispering of the waves, as the bold craft divides them 
 hither and thither. Oh, how the generous emotions of the 
 breast expand, and thoughts of home and those beloved 
 steal upon the mind in all the varying shades of joy and 
 sorrow ! But you, probably, have never experienced what 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 139 
 
 it was at such a period to have a fair and exquisitely-formed 
 arm passed through your own, and leaning upon it for 
 support, while eyes that rivalled the sparkling gems of the 
 billow were looking in your face with the full expression of 
 innocent delight. Oh! there is, there must be, a soul- 
 thrilling pleasure at such moments ; for, though much may 
 be said of the glowing evenings in the palazzos of Italy, or 
 the Bay of Naples, yet, for perfect felicity in love, nothing 
 can equal the sweet embrace upon the wide ocean, where 
 fond attachment fears no rival to awaken jealousy, and all 
 the mental energies are concentrated in peace, and joy, and 
 confidence. 
 
 Morris and Donna Clara felt all this ; but, as affection 
 grew stronger and stronger within, so did outward caution . 
 more powerfully prevail for the purpose of preventing their 
 secret from becoming known. They loved, passionately 
 loved each other, but both were well aware that, if suspicion 
 of the truth entered the mind of Don Jose, the father, or 
 Donna Inez, his lady, all future communications would be 
 prohibited: nor were they the only parties who excited fear ; 
 thete were both male and female attendants on board ; and 
 though the former seldom interfered with the cabin arrange- 
 ments except at meal-times, the latter were mostly associated 
 with the ladies, and slept in the standing bed-places of the 
 great cabin. One of these, Marietta, was a pretty black-eyed 
 girl, of unexceptionable figure and smart address ; and from 
 the time of her embarkation she had admired the handsome 
 captain, which admiration progressively increased, till she 
 became perfectly enamoured of his person, and sought 
 
140 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 numerous opportunities to convince him of the fact. But 
 Morris was insensible to her blandishments, for his heart 
 was pre-engaged ; still he was fully mindful that the dis- 
 appointed girl would, in all probability, conjecture the 
 cause, and keep a watchful eye upon his actions, to ascertain 
 whether her conj ectures were correct. Hence arose a necessity 
 for the utmost precaution on the part of the lovers, who, 
 notwithstanding their strong affection, were compelled to 
 act with reserve and distant respect when together.. It was 
 in the evenings, the delightful tropical evenings, that they 
 had opportunity to hold sweet converse, while leaning over 
 the bulwark of the high quarter-deck, and gazing apparently 
 on the wide expanse of waters. But this was only for short 
 intervals ; and at last even these became few and far between, 
 so that, had suspicion been excited, the apparent indifference 
 of the captain to Donna Clara, and of Donna Clara to the 
 captain, must have very soon removed it. 
 
 But you will ask, Were the lovers really insensible to each 
 other? Ho, signor, they were more firmly, more fondly, 
 more devotedly attached than ever; but their interviews 
 were stolen when all besides were wrapt in slumber ; and 
 though their conversations were low and brief, yet Morris 
 could fold her in his arms, could press her to his heart, and 
 she would recline her head upon his breast, and sleep in 
 happy security. The fact was, signor, the captain had con- 
 trived a shifting panel in the bulk-head that divided his 
 cabin from that of Donna Clara, and they passed many un- 
 obstructed hours together. 
 
 Thus matters stood when they made Cape Frio, and ran 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 141 
 
 down with a fine breeze off the land towards those islands 
 to which Morris was subsequently to give his name. Don 
 Jose and his partner rejoiced at the prospect of a speedy 
 termination to their voyage ; but their daughter beheld in it 
 a painful separation from one whom she enthusiastically 
 loved, and she mourned over it with heaviness of spirit. It 
 was sunset — a glorious sunset — as the vessel lay becalmed 
 off the islands, and the towering Sugarloaf, darkened into 
 intense blue at its watery base, but gleaming in the golden 
 sky of the west, received upon its summit the last rays of 
 the declining luminary. Morris gazed upon each well- 
 remembered object (for he had been here before), but a 
 dejection had crept over him; he, too, was contemplating 
 the hour of parting with melancholy forebodings of future 
 loneliness in the prosecution of his voyage to the South 
 Atlantic, and debating with himself whether he should not 
 seize some coasting vessel, in which to put Don Jose and 
 his suite, so as to send them into the harbour, whilst he 
 continued his course with Donna Clara to the River Plate. 
 It is true, he wanted water for his ship, and, individually, 
 he would have endured any hardship to keep his affianced 
 with him ; but his generosity triumphed over selfish persua- 
 sions; the health of his crew demanded his care, and he 
 determined to risk his own happiness rather than that they 
 should suffer privation or distress. 
 
 That night, the last they could truly call their own, was 
 passed in anguish and bitterness of heart. Morris, indeed, 
 was determined not so easily to resign his prize, for he had 
 contemplated plans of carrying off Donna Clara as soon as 
 
142 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 his vessel was again ready for sea ; and though he knew the 
 difficulty he should have in persuading her to leave her 
 parents, and was well assured of the great danger of the 
 undertaking, as well as the certainty of death if detected 
 and unsuccessful, yet he hoped, by skilful management and 
 unflinching courage, to prevail over all. Donna Clara had 
 no such stay to sustain her in the approaching trial; hers 
 was deep and hopeless despondency; and, while her wet 
 cheek was pressed to his, she saw before her an immense 
 void, which fancy was filling up with pictures of perpetual 
 misery. They could not converse ; for they feared that the 
 expectations of the morrow might deprive some of the in- 
 mates of the great cabin of sleep, and to be discovered would 
 at once put an end to future casual interviews. 
 
 Never had daylight been a more unwelcome visitor to 
 aching hearts, for it fixed the barbed arrow deeper ; and 
 never was agony more excruciating than that which wrung 
 the bosom of Donna Clara, as the faint beams grew into 
 stronger light, and warned the lovers to part. Morris could 
 scarcely free himself from the grasp of the despairing girl ; 
 and when he at length retired to his cot, he solemnly swore 
 never to love another, and that, ultimately, nothing but death 
 should divide them. 
 
 The sun rose in splendour, and his fierce rays poured 
 down upon the ship, as she still lay becalmed near the 
 islands, to which they had been drifted by the current so 
 close as to be within a cable’s length. The foliage looked 
 gorgeous, as well as refreshing to the eye, and Morris 
 thought how happily he could pass his days on such a spot, 
 
MOKRIS’S ISLANDS. 
 
 143 
 
 with Donna Clara to sweeten the cup of existence. I —ay, 
 and thousands of others — have cherished the same idea, 
 signor ; but, believe me, it would not stand the test of 
 practice. 
 
 Don Jose and his family remained below, preparing for 
 disembarkation, and Donna Clara was late before she 
 quitted her cabin, because the overpowering heat of the sun, 
 which had risen high in the heavens, deterred her from 
 ascending to the deck. But the truth was, that she durst 
 not venture to be near Morris, lest she should betray the 
 grief which was almost overwhelming her. You have been 
 in a calm outside, and know what it is to be sinking under 
 the lassitude arising from an overheated atmosphere ; you 
 must have felt a faintness creeping over both your mental 
 and physical energies, a heavy weight that oppresses the 
 vital functions, a relaxation of the system, which seems to 
 be the precursor of the dissolution of nature. You must 
 remember, also, that the ocean lies like a dead sea, mirroring 
 the ethereal blue of a cloudless sky, and reflecting its radiant 
 splendour with dazzling brightness, as from a plate of 
 polished steel. Suddenly the horizon to the eastward darkens 
 to a deep and intense blue ; the line advances, continues to 
 approach, leaving its ruffling effects upon the space which it 
 has traversed. The sleeping sails, that hung listlessly down 
 the masts, begin to shake and tremble ; the breeze — the sea- 
 breeze — is coming, bringing with it refreshment and relief 
 from torture ; it comes with delicious coolness, bracing the 
 nerves, and dissipating languor; every fibre acquires its 
 proper tension; sickness departs, and cheerful health re- 
 
144 morris’s islands. 
 
 sumes its sway: is it not, then, most appropriately termed 
 “ the doctor?” 
 
 The Swallow caught the sea-breeze, her canvas was 
 trimmed, and onward she sped past the lofty Sugarloaf, 
 saluting the heavy battery of Santa Cruz, and boldly steering 
 for the anchorage near the island Da Cobra, where she 
 brought up. The boats were manned, and Captain Morris 
 conducted his passengers ashore to the viceregal palace. 
 Here he left them, and, after transacting some business, 
 returned to his ship. Oh, how desolate did that cabin 
 appear, which had been so recently tenanted by one whom 
 he ardently loved ! They had passed together nearly three 
 months, a considerable portion of which they had been 
 inseparable, and now he was alone and sad. 
 
 In a day or two, Morris received an invitation to visit 
 Don Jose at a pretty house, which he had taken on the 
 shores of this bay; it stood, signor, upon yon promontory 
 that rises from the sea, and near the chapel which, you now 
 see, forms a prominent feature in the landscape. It was 
 surrounded by a walled garden, in excellent cultivation, and 
 full of the delicious fruits that grow so profusely in this 
 climate. The boundary- wall of the place still remains, but 
 the garden has been renewed, and a more modern edifice 
 erected. You may judge for yourself that it is a beautiful 
 spot. Well, thither went Morris on horseback, preferring 
 the journey by land, that he might not expose his after- 
 intentions of removing Donna Clara by means of his boats. 
 His reception was cordial and kind, and compunctious 
 visitings stole over him as he thought of the injury which 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 145 
 
 he purposed to bring upon the devoted parents. Donna 
 Clara, though she strove to be guarded, could not suffi- 
 ciently restrain the warm gush of impulse when the captain 
 approached. The glow upon her cheeks, the bright flashing 
 of her full-orbed eyes, the tumultuous swellings of her 
 bosom, manifested her rapturous delight ; and, but that her 
 parents attributed it to her excess of generous feeling, she 
 would have stood convicted before them. In fact, they 
 themselves were warm admirers of the captain, who had 
 treated them, whilst on board, with every attention and 
 respect ; so that, in the exercise of their own grateful feelings, 
 they made allowance for those of their daughter. 
 
 But there was one who silently looked on, and was not to 
 be so easily deluded. The gnawing worm of blighted hope 
 and disappointed affection had cankered the heart of Marietta, 
 who, with woman’s intuitive quickness, saw in the conduct 
 of her young mistress the cause of the neglect and coldness 
 which she had experienced from Captain Morris. For a 
 minute or two, she felt as if the blood had ceased to circulate 
 through her veins; then came a sudden reaction — a deep 
 scarlet subdued the paleness of her cheeks and brow ; her 
 heart swelled almost to bursting; jealousy gnawed at her 
 very vitals ; and falling on her knees as soon as she was 
 alone, she uttered a fearful oath that she would have 
 revenge. 
 
 The lovers were unconscious of this, and, in the evening, 
 in the privacy of the pleasant garden, they renewed their 
 vows of eternal fidelity and love. The time they were thus 
 together was but short; it sufficed, however, to restore 
 
146 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 greater tranquillity to both. Oh, how much would their 
 alarm and uneasiness have increased, had they been aware 
 that the lynx-eyed watch of demoniac jealousy was upon 
 them ! Marietta, availing herself of the umbrageous foliage, 
 had contrived to steal upon them, and, though she could 
 not hear what passed, yet she beheld the Englishman press 
 the yielding Clara to his breast, and imprint impassioned 
 kisses on her lips. Every bad and malignant passion was 
 excited; her suspicions were fully confirmed; and, in the 
 maddening certainty, she gave herself up with infernal hate 
 to meditate deeds of vengeance. 
 
 Morris from this time frequently visited at Don Jose’s, 
 and on these occasions he opened to Donna Clara his plan 
 for elopement ; but, devoted as she was to the Englishman, 
 she nevertheless shuddered at the proposal of abandoning 
 her parents, and drawing down their imprecations on her 
 head: but she did not positively reject the plan, for she 
 shrunk from the thought of making her lover wretched. To 
 a union with Morris she was convinced her father would 
 never consent, for the latter, being a rigid Catholic, looked 
 upon a Protestant as a heretic, beyond the pale of salvation; 
 besides, Don Jose prided himself too much on the antiquity 
 and nobility of his ancestors, to sanction so disproportionate 
 a match between the daughter of a grandee and a roving 
 English adventurer. 
 
 The captain’s scheme was to quit the harbour as soon as 
 he 'was ready for sea, and to bring up for the night out of 
 reach of the batteries. He intended then to return in a 
 light skiff to a little bay beneath the promontory on which 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 147 
 
 the residence of Don Jose stood. Clara was to join him 
 outside the garden, and they were to embark together in 
 the Swallow , which, once under way, with the land-breeze 
 to blow them along, would soon be safe from pursuit. To 
 this arrangement Clara assented ; for though she was reluc- 
 tant to leave her parents, yet if she remained it would be at 
 the expense of an eternal farewell to Morris. 
 
 Marietta was aware that something was in progress, but 
 she could not fathom what it was. Still, judging by herself, 
 she supposed that her young mistress would find means to 
 accompany the captain to sea ; and, as the ship was nearly 
 ready for sailing, she very naturally assumed that there was 
 no time to be lost in preventing it. Marietta, therefore, at 
 the confessional, artfully denounced the lovers to the priest. 
 A conclave was held, to consult on the best means of 
 punishing the base, heretical captain, and of compelling the 
 rebellious lady to pass the remainder of her days within the 
 walls of a nunnery. A deputation waited on the astonished 
 Don Jose, and, with great circumlocution and innumerable 
 denunciations, represented the whole affair, heightened by 
 exaggerations that were calculated to terrify advancing age. 
 They insisted that a convent was the only place for Donna 
 Clara, who was summoned before them and ordered to 
 prepare herself for the terrible change. The beautiful girl 
 was ready to expire, when she found that her love for the 
 Englishman was known; and dreadful was her horror at 
 the prospect of being separated for life from all that was 
 precious and desirable. In the meantime, she was closely 
 
 confined to her apartment; Marietta was appointed by 
 (» 8 ) 10 
 
148 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 ecclesiastical authority as her jailer; and, trusting to the 
 watchfulness of the latter, the priests thought themselves 
 secure. 
 
 That evening Morris came as usual, but met with a 
 chilling repulse. Marietta, in the name of Don Jose, in- 
 formed him that his visits must be discontinued, and that 
 henceforth it would be dangerous to approach his residence, 
 as his duplicity had been discovered and his vile schemes 
 thwarted. A spiteful, mischievous devil lurked in the eye 
 of the waiting- woman as she delivered her message: she 
 yielded to the full indulgence of malignity, and, for the 
 moment, exulted in the wretchedness which she had caused. 
 But it was only for the moment — the passion which she had 
 cherished for Morris was not 'eradicated ; and, when she 
 saw him turn despondingly away, her strong regard returned 
 with full force, and she would willingly have fallen at his 
 feet, and implored his pardon, if only to have gained a smile 
 of favour. But it was too late ; for the captain, afraid of 
 involving Donna Clara if he should attempt to thrust him- 
 self into the presence of her father, had manifested indigna- 
 tion at the insult offered, and returned to the city. 
 
 Among the followers of Don Jose was a youth, to whom 
 Captain Morris had been particularly kind during the voyage 
 out; and, in one instance, while fishing for an enormous 
 shark, had caught him when falling overboard, and, in all 
 human probability, saved his life. The youth was much 
 attached to Donna Clara, and grateful to the captain; 
 he therefore readily became the means of communication 
 between them ; and as Morris, fearing that detection might 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 149 
 
 take place, had arranged to come at night in his boat to the 
 little sandy bay at the foot of the promontory, he kept his 
 word, and there had an interview with his young friend, 
 who had scaled the walls of the garden when all had retired 
 to bed, and, descending the rock, was waiting to receive 
 him. Both spoke the French language fluently, and there- 
 fore they were enabled to converse with freedom ; and now 
 it was that Morris learned the exact position in which Donna 
 Clara was placed, and the intention of immuring her for life 
 in a convent. 
 
 Half distracted with passion, Morris threatened to bring 
 an armed band to attack the house and carry off his mistress; 
 and, had his ship been fully equipped for sea, it is not im- 
 probable that he would have done so, and thereby caused 
 great injury to his countrymen who should thereafter visit 
 the place. But, happily, he was not prepared for sailing, 
 and consequently he saw the impolicy and futility of rash- 
 ness. By the messenger he sent the strongest professions to 
 the lady, and promised to be in the same place on each suc- 
 ceeding night, under a hope that vigilance might be relaxed 
 through his seeming indifference, and that Donna Clara 
 might be induced, if it was in any way possible, to meet 
 him there. Accordingly, on the following night, he again 
 repaired in his boat to the spot appointed, taking with him 
 a rope ladder, which had been made by the seamen, to 
 assist Donna Clara in surmounting the enclosure, should 
 they not be successful in obtaining the key of the gate. 
 Long and anxiously did he wait, but no one came; and, 
 impatient at the occurrence, the captain climbed the rock, 
 
160 
 
 moeris’s islands. 
 
 and at all hazards entered the grounds, but everything was 
 still and tranquil. There was a lamp burning in Marietta’s 
 room, and this assured him that she was still an inmate of 
 the house. After watching for some time in the shrubbery, 
 he became convinced that it would be both useless and 
 hazardous to remain longer, and therefore, with a heavy 
 heart, he regained his boat, having concealed the ladder, as 
 agreed upon, in a nook of the rock, where the youth might 
 find it. 
 
 Arduous were the exertions of Morris on the succeeding 
 day to prepare for his departure ; but obstacles were thrown 
 in his way: he no longer met with courtesy from the 
 authorities, and it became evident to him that the tide of 
 influence was against him. Whether this arose from what 
 had passed at Don Jose’s, or from suspicion being excited 
 as to the real character of the Swallow, he could not tell ; 
 but it determined him to be off, at all hazards, as early as 
 was at all practicable. 
 
 No sooner had thick darkness veiled the sky, than his 
 little boat was again in motion, and in a short time he was 
 once more at the rendezvous, where he had not waited long 
 before he was joined by the youth, who had discovered and 
 secured the ladder. He learned that Donna Clara was still 
 guarded with great strictness, and, it was expected, would 
 be removed in a day or two ; that, in fact, it was only owing 
 to the entreaties of her parents that she had been suffered 
 to stay, as the bishop had issued his decree for her safe 
 custody, as one that was contumacious to the Church. 
 Morris would have again entered the garden, but was dis- 
 
MORRIS’S ISLANDS. 
 
 151 
 
 suaded from his purpose, as no benefit whatever could be 
 derived from it ; and the chances were that much mischief 
 might ensue, as it was impossible for him to see, much less 
 speak to, the idol of his affections, whose regard he was 
 assured continued undiminished and unchanged. 
 
 For two successive nights after this, he was in the bay, 
 but had to return each time without obtaining intelligence, 
 as the messenger never made his appearance; and doubt 
 and uncertainty racked his mind, so that he resolved on the 
 next occasion to accomplish his purpose, or perish in the 
 attempt. But on the third night, he had been but a few 
 moments on the beach, when the youth approached, accom- 
 panied by a second person, who was instantly pressed in the 
 impassioned embrace of the captain — it was Donna Clara. 
 Half yielding, half reluctant, the poor girl was conveyed to 
 the boat. A heavy purse rewarded the youth ; and in a few 
 minutes the light skiff was dancing on the waters at some 
 distance from the shore, and drifting out of the harbour 
 with the ebbing tide. 
 
 An arduous task now devolved upon Morris, who, though 
 his heart thrilled with delight, as he sat with his arm 
 encircling Donna Clara, while she reclined her head upon 
 his shoulder, yet felt all the danger of his situation. To 
 take her on board the Swallow would, he was well aware, 
 be exposing both to discovery and most probably to death. 
 He knew that, under one pretext or other, his ship would 
 be rigidly searched, not only while in the harbour, but also 
 when passing out under the guns of Santa Cruz, one dis- 
 charge from which, in case of not bringing-to, must sink 
 
152 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 him. There was only one alternative —to land, and leave 
 his companion on one of the islands outside, where he might 
 pick her up in running out to sea. This he proposed to 
 Clara, who was ready to assent to anything that might save 
 her from the convent, which she was to have entered the 
 next day. Thither, then, they directed their course ; every 
 instant was precious, and the trembling girl Was landed to 
 pass the remainder of the night and the succeeding day 
 alone — the only human being on that desolate spot — without 
 shelter and without food, excepting a few biscuits and some 
 fresh water. 
 
 But what will not woman’s love endure for the object of 
 her regard ! Oh, signor, they may talk of the fortitude of 
 man, but what is to be compared with the patient suffering 
 of woman, who will brave every trial, every peril, for the 
 individual on whom her heart’s best and dearest affections 
 have been placed % Donna Clara, the high-born and well- 
 attended girl, submitted without a murmur; and Morris, 
 after promising to visit her as soon as darkness should again 
 cover the waters, rowed back with all speed to his ship, 
 which he had not reached more than a quarter of an hour 
 when she was boarded by the guard-boat ; and, under pre- 
 tence of searching for deserters, every part was subjected to 
 a rigid examination. But it was without avail, and they 
 discovered nothing that could implicate the captain in the 
 abduction of the lady; for, no doubt, that was the main 
 object they had in view. In fact, Morris assumed such an 
 open frankness of manner that even suspicion was lulled to 
 rest. 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 153 
 
 The return of night, however, again saw Morris afloat in 
 his small boat ; and this time he went prepared with 
 necessaries, to render the detention of Donna Clara more 
 comfortable. He found the terrified girl anxiously expecting 
 him; and great was her joy at his arrival. The seamen 
 promptly set to work, and, with the sails they had brought, 
 very soon erected a commodious tent; branches of trees 
 were piled up, on which a mattress was spread, and a well- 
 filled basket of provisions furnished a supply for the cravings 
 of nature ; whilst, to add to her gratification, the captain 
 informed her that the next day but one he should quit the 
 harbour, and take her on board again, but that he would 
 not fail to come the night previous to see her. 
 
 What the feelings of Donna Clara were during the solitude 
 which she passed, it is not easy to say. No doubt, thoughts 
 of her parents and the home she had quitted for ever 
 weighed heavily on her mind; and, though she ardently 
 loved the Englishman, still there was before her a dark 
 future, which it was utterly impossible to penetrate. That 
 evening the Swallow was nearly ready for sea; and the 
 captain, in the fulfilment of his promise, set out to encourage 
 and cheer the lady of the isle. But he never returned ; the 
 boat was discovered the following morning upset near the 
 rocks off Fort Yillegagnon ; the oars and a man’s hat were 
 floating on the water, whence it- was supposed that every 
 soul had perished ; but, though search was made for 
 the bodies, they were never found. The Swallow was 
 detained for several days in order to have the matter 
 investigated : the mate assumed the command, and nc 
 
154 
 
 morris’s islands. 
 
 further intelligence being obtained, he sailed upon his 
 cruise. 
 
 Whether the mate was acquainted with the fact of Donna 
 Clara having been conveyed to the island is unknown. The 
 probability is, that only the seamen who accompanied the 
 captain were in the secret ; though, perhaps, the mate, sup- 
 posing the captain might have been saved, and ambitious of 
 his new power, had forborne to explore the place, lest he 
 should be superseded. Be this as it may, the Swallow 
 sailed, and every one believed that Morris and his men were 
 drowned. 
 
 It was nearly twenty years after this event that an 
 English frigate put into Rio, on her passage out to India ; 
 and one day, as her boat lay off the palace stairs, an old and 
 wretched-looking man presented himself to the officer in 
 charge, and earnestly requested to be taken on board. He 
 declared that he was a native of England, and claimed the 
 protection of the British flag. The captain of the frigate, 
 coming down to embark, granted the poor fellow’s request ; 
 and nothing could exceed his delight when he again found 
 himself among his countrymen. He was supplied with food 
 and clothing ; and then, being summoned to the quarter- 
 deck, he gave the following account of himself. He stated 
 that he had been a seaman in the SvklIIow free trader, and 
 was one of those who accompanied Captain Morris in his 
 excursions to Donna Clara. On the last night of their 
 visits, while lying in a small cove at the island, waiting for 
 their commander, who was up at the tent with the lady, a 
 Portuguese barge with muffled oars ran into the same place, 
 
MORRIS’S ISLANDS. 
 
 155 
 
 gagged and bound the two English seamen without noise, 
 and, throwing them into the barge, took the small boat in 
 tow, and pulled away, leaving Morris and Donna Clara 
 behind. When they had got into the harbour, the small 
 boat was purposely capsized and abandoned, and he and his 
 shipmate were landed in Gloria Bay, whence they were 
 hurried into a cart, and escorted to a convent several miles 
 in the interior, where they were interrogated, and suffered 
 great torture, to compel them to confess the whole of the 
 proceedings. They were then sent in secrecy to the mines, 
 in the neighbourhood of San Paulo, as state prisoners, and 
 buried under ground, scarcely ever beholding a gleam of day- 
 light. His shipmate had died in the fourth year of their 
 captivity, and since then he had been compelled to toil 
 unceasingly, until, after repeated trials, he at length effected 
 his escape, and was fortunate enough to get on board the 
 frigate. Of the fate of Morris and the lady he was utterly 
 ignorant, but thought it very likely that both had beeu 
 murdered. 
 
 Captain Gwatkin, who commanded the frigate, made it a 
 point to institute inquiry into the truth of this statement ; 
 but he could glean very little information on shore, although 
 numbers remembered the boat being found bottom up, and 
 so far the tale of the poor fellow was corroborated. Both 
 Don J ose and his wife were dead, but a female w 7 ho had 
 lived in the family was a Sister of Charity at one of the 
 public hospitals. Thither Captain Gwatkin repaired; the 
 sister readily attended. It was Marietta ; and from her he 
 lejtrned, amidst tears and lamentations, the part which she 
 
156 
 
 MORRIS’S ISLANDS. 
 
 had been induced to act in the tragic drama. She expressed 
 her conviction that her young mistress and her lover had 
 fallen victims to the vengeance of the priests, but of their 
 actual fate she knew nothing, except that they had never 
 been seen since. The seaman was confronted with her, and 
 mutual recognition took place. The whole of the circum- 
 stances seemed so strange and romantic that Captain Gwat- 
 kin determined to visit the island, and ascertain if any clue 
 remained to the fate of the unfortunate couple. The viceroy, 
 an intelligent man, offered to accompany him, and a party 
 was made up more for a pleasant excursion and curiosity 
 than from any other motive. 
 
 The viceroy’s state-barge was manned; the frigate’s boats 
 were also in attendance; and on a splendid morning the 
 procession, with gay streamers flying, and a well-dressed 
 company beneath the awnings, pulled out of the harbour, 
 and, guided by the seaman of the Swallow , the viceroy’s 
 barge entered the cove, and the party were soon landed. 
 The man led the way up the rising ground, till they came 
 within sight of a flat, where the trees grew in great luxuri- 
 ance, and the thick foliage darkened all beneath it. But the 
 sun was shining brightly, and his rays penetrated through the 
 leaves ; so that everything, though dim, was yet discernible. 
 The ends of two or three ropes hung from the branches ; and on 
 the ground lay the tattered remnants of a sail. This the man 
 declared to be the spot on which they had erected the tent ; 
 and the singularly romantic history of the unhappy pair, rush- 
 ing upon the minds of all present, caused a deep silence, as the 
 party halted at a short distance with something like reverence. 
 
morris’s islands. 
 
 157 
 
 At length Captain Gwatkin and the viceroy advanced, 
 followed by as many as the space would admit. The seaman 
 laid hold of the remnant of the sail, and drew it on one side. 
 A shuddering thrill ran through the spectators, which was 
 succeeded by deep groans and piercing shrieks, the females 
 starting back in horror ; for there, at a short distance from 
 each other, lay the perishing relics of two human beings, in 
 the last stages of decay. That these were the remains of 
 the lovers was speedily confirmed by the discovery of some 
 imperishable articles that were identified by the seaman, 
 and the certainty was that they had died from starvation. 
 Oh, signor, what must have been their agony, when they 
 saw the Swallow pass and put out no boat to take them off! 
 with what horrible anguish must they have watched the 
 receding ship as she diminished in the distance, and then 
 disappeared ! 
 
 The bones were gathered together, and, on the following 
 day, a grave was dug on the very spot where they were 
 found. Captain Gwatkin, with several of his officers, and 
 surrounded by the brave crew of his barge, read the funeral 
 service, as they committed all that was left of the ill-fated 
 lovers to the earth. From that time these insular mounds 
 have been called Morris’s Islands. 
 
Jpn-mif of fljt |U{h. 
 
 It was shortly after the battle of the Nile (in which, young 
 as I was, I had the honour of being one), the old Goliath , 
 under the command of Captain T. Foley, was ordered from 
 Aboukir Bay to look after a large felucca that had been 
 cruising near St. Jean d’Acre, and, though under Turkish 
 colours, made free with the vessels of all nations that fell in 
 her way ; in short, there was every reason to believe that 
 she was a pirate, holding respect for nothing but superior 
 force, which it had been the captain’s good fortune to escape 
 from or to avoid ; and in either case he was greatly aided 
 by a swift-sailing craft and his own peculiar skill in her 
 management. The felucca had frequently been chased, and, 
 sometimes trusting to the fleetness of her heels, had suffered 
 the pursuers to approach within gunshot, and then, suddenly 
 making sail, was soon lost sight of in the distance. As a 
 matter of course, our destination and its object being known 
 to the ship’s company, stories, either fabulously invented by 
 sheer imagination or founded upon a pin’s point of fact that 
 rumour had spread abroad, were rife amongst them. 
 
THE HEEMIT OF THE HOCK. 
 
 159 
 
 “ Turk or no Turk,” exclaimed a seaman to his shipmate 
 on the forecastle, “ I’ve haarde from them as ought to know 
 somut of the jogmigraphy of the thing from having been 
 close aboard of his starn gallery, and he coils away a pre- 
 cious long tail in the slack of his trousers abaft, and when 
 he’s angry, it runs out as stiff as the spanker-boom over the 
 ship’s taffrail ; but, when he’s pleased, it riggles about, and 
 is as restless as the vane of the mast-head in a stark calm.” 
 
 “ And I’ve been told by one of his own men who once 
 sailed with him,” said another, “ that when he onkivers his 
 tuppenny loaf, there’s a couple of bumkins — ay, regular 
 bumkins, messmates — as sprouts out from his bow T s ; and 
 they run tapering away to the eend, for all the world like 
 marlinspikes, and as sharp as a sail-maker’s needle.” 
 
 “ Exactly so,” uttered a strange and apparently unearthly 
 voice, in a tone of solemnity that operated powerfully on the 
 ears of the simple listeners, who looked eagerly around to 
 discover whence the words had proceeded ; but, with the 
 exception of the three or four in their own immediate circle, 
 there was nobody near to them. The fourth lieutenant, with 
 his spyglass in his hand, was scanning the horizon before 
 the sun disappeared below it ; but he seemed to be too much 
 engaged in his own necessary duty to heed or even to hear 
 the conversation of the tars. 
 
 “ Which of you was it as spoke ?” inquired he who had 
 been the first to address them. All denied having opened 
 their lips. “ Well, to my thinking, there’s a sort of a strange- 
 ness about it, if so be as not none of you had nothing to 
 say. But it’s gammon you’re pitching, for whosomever 
 
160 
 
 THE HEEMIT OF THE EOCK. 
 
 haarde such a thing as a voice without there being a mouth 
 to it?” 
 
 “ Onless,” said a third, looking suspiciously around, “ the 
 genelman as you were talking about and overhauling his 
 u oty j a whizzing noise, like the flapping of wings, was 
 heard over their heads ; and the seaman, instantly changing 
 his tone, continued “ I means, handsome fashion-pieces, 
 has hauled his wind this here way, and has got alongside of 
 us onseen.” 
 
 You re right, my man,” uttered the solemn, mysterious 
 voice again, seeming at this time to ascend from the very 
 deck on which they were all seated ; “ quite right.” 
 
 Once more the worthy tars looked at each other with 
 wonder, but not a soul attempted to remove ; although most 
 probably desirous that an example should be set them for 
 the purpose of avoiding the hateful proximity to a deadly 
 enemy, yet no one stirred to take the lead. I was on my 
 feet, leaning against the foremast ; and, as I distinctly heard 
 all that passed, I must own that a secret and undefined 
 dread was creeping over my senses, even in defiance of my 
 better judgment, which induced me to suppose that one of 
 the party was practising a trick upon the rest, but in what 
 manner it w~as accomplished, I could not comprehend. The 
 oldest of the tars turned an inquiring gaze on me, as if sus- 
 pecting that I was the cause of their dilemma, but he mut- 
 tered to himself, “ No, no; it warn’t the young genelman ; 
 not by no manner o’ means ; his breath never came out in 
 that onnatral way, like a blacksmith’s bellows with a fit of 
 assmer. I tell you what it is, shipmates— I’m blest if it 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 161 
 
 is not that ’ere lubberly, pickarooning wagabone, Davy 
 Jones !” 
 
 “ Right again, Jack Wilson ; I’m here, sure enough,” 
 uttered the voice once more, but now it was right in the 
 midst of them, and much louder than before. The man who 
 had been named, in the suddenness of hearing himself hailed, 
 clapped one hand upon the deck and was about to spring 
 up ; but, quietly resuming his former attitude, he clenched 
 his fists, as if to clear for action should he be attacked, and 
 exclaimed, “ I defies you, Davy Jones, or no Davy Jones ! — 
 yes, I defies you out and out ! What harm, you lubberly 
 father of all mischief, did you ever know of Jack Wilson V’ 
 
 “ It wouldn’t be proper or ship-shape for one friend to tell 
 of another,” returned the voice. “ But ask Dick Welsh, as 
 he sits beside you, who it was that prigged the captain’s 
 bottle of rum after the engagement in Aboukir Bay. Oh, 
 Jack, Jack! you see I know you, and we shall be better 
 acquainted by-and-by.” 
 
 Notwithstanding the utter bewilderment in which the sea- 
 men had been thrown, a burst of noisy laughter followed 
 this personal allusion, to the great annoyance of Jack Wil- 
 son, who, however, merely replied, “ Ay, ay, everybody as 
 knows anything knows as you’re a false ould scamp, and 
 won’t stand for the disparagement of the cha-rackter of the 
 honestest man as lives, and so it’s of no manner o’ use mind- 
 ing you.” 
 
 “ It’s true enough though what he says,” slowly remarked 
 Dick Welsh in an audible whisper, “ and nobody knowed a 
 word of it but you and I, Jack — that’s certain.” 
 
162 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 “Silence here forud!” shouted the fourth lieutenant, 
 aroused by the noisy contention ; “ you’re kicking up such a 
 bobbery amongst you that I cannot hold my glass steady. 
 Less confusion and more vigilance, my lads ! Keep your 
 mouths shut and your eyes open, if you wish to catch the 
 Turkish rover.” 
 
 Old Jack rose, and, touching the rim of his tarpaulin hat, 
 “ I should be sorry, sir, to disobey orders or sail on a differ- 
 ent tack to any of my officers ; but I sadly misdoubts, sir, 
 as we shall ever catch a craft that is commanded by Davy 
 Jones himself, let her cruise under Turkish colours or what- 
 somever colours she may. Give me a real substancheon enemy 
 of right arnest flesh and blood, and J ack Wilson is not the 
 man to shrink from facing him ; but it arn’t in natur, sir, to 
 run alongside an invisible foe, who can carry his craft right 
 slap into a thunder-cloud ; and, to my thinking, sir, that’s 
 just the way this here buccaneering chap has escaped 
 from captur.” 
 
 “ Precisely, Jack,” said the voice, so close to the veteran’s 
 ear that he actually put up his hard, horny hand for the 
 purpose of driving his tormentor away ; and an oath slipped 
 out, as he anathematized him for a “ shabby, sneaking ould 
 blaggard.” 
 
 “ What do you mean by that, sir ?” asked the lieutentant 
 angrily, under an impression that the language had been 
 addressed to him. “ This is insubordination to your superior, 
 sir ; it is rank mutiny, and I shall instantly report it to the 
 captain.” 
 
 “ Pitch it again, Jack,” whispered the voice, within a 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 163 
 
 few inches of the side of his head ; “ never mind, my 
 hearty!” 
 
 “ I will pitch it again, you ondeckorous, baboon-wisaged 
 scamp !” roared Jack in a rage, to the amazement of the col- 
 lecting tars, who now crowded the forecastle without know- 
 ing the cause of his irritation. They were all of them well 
 acquainted with the general placid and obedient demeanour 
 of the veteran, and imagined that he must have been seized 
 with sudden madness to use such abusive epithets to an 
 officer w T ho was universally esteemed. 
 
 “ This is horrible insolence,” exclaimed the lieutenant ; 
 “ and yet surely the man cannot be in his right senses — he 
 never behaved so before.” 
 
 “ Please your honour, it arn’t you, sir, as I’m speaking to,” 
 said old Jack : “ I only wish I could see him in front of me, 
 but he is bam-bagering about out of sight.” 
 
 “ Go it, Jack Wilson !” ^whispered the voice, apparently in 
 mischievous glee ; “ I’m skipper of the felucca and general 
 agent for prize-money down below.” 
 
 “ I wish you was down below now,” vociferated the en- 
 raged veteran. “ But,” touching his hat again to the lieu- 
 tenant, “ I hopes your honour don’t never go for to think I 
 was using such ambigerous language to you. It’s in regard 
 of the captain of the Turk — that is- no Turk, after all — and 
 yet we are in chase of him.” 
 
 “ Really this is inexplicable ; I can make nothing of it,” 
 said the lieutenant. “ Poor fellow ! his brain must be affected. 
 Take him below to the sick bay, men ; the doctor will most 
 likely shave his head and clap a blister on.” 
 
164 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 “ Hurrah, Jack!” whispered the voice, “blistered, and 
 bled ; gruel and sago, and not a drop of grog.” 
 
 “ Howld your nonsensical confabbylation, do !” sung out 
 the seaman, and then, continuing to the officer he exclaimed, 
 “ Shaved and blistered, your honour ! Ho, no ; you carn’t 
 never go for to mean that : why, I’m as onsensibly in my 
 right mind as any man fore and aft. But it’s completely 
 bothered I am with woices, and skippers, and feluccas, 
 pirate’s craft, and all the rest ; my brains — what few I’ve got 
 — are jammed hard and fast, and my thoughts haven’t never 
 got no room to steer, stay, or wear. But I won’t speak 
 another word, except to observe, in the most obedient and 
 obstropelous manner, as I’m very sure no doctor in creation 
 shall shave my head !” 
 
 The lieutenant walked aft to the quarter-deck, and I was 
 almost as much puzzled as Jack Wilson to account for what 
 had passed. The story, however, very soon got spread over 
 the ship, and, together with other marvellous yarns, occu- 
 pied the hours of the night-watches, till a conviction began 
 to prevail that there must be witchcraft in the matter, and 
 all dreaded yet longed to fall in with the pirate. Hor were 
 they disappointed ; for, two days afterwards, we got sight of 
 a vessel exactly answering her description, and every stitch 
 of broadcloth was extended in pursuit. The breeze, at first 
 only light and variable, gradually freshened, and the swell- 
 ing canvas bore us proudly along ; but, though we got within 
 a certain distance of the felucca, yet we could not shorten it 
 between us, and, as evening came on, she walked away from 
 us altogether, and we lost sight of her. During the chase, 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 165 
 
 every part of the ship that commanded a view of the supposed 
 pirate was crowded with eager spectators, and none kept a 
 more rigid look-out than the gallant veteran, Jack Wilson ; 
 and, when the enemy disappeared in the gloom, he shrugged 
 his shoulders, bit his quid, and hitching up his trousers with 
 his wrists, exclaimed to his messmate, “ There the beggar 
 goes !— just as I expected he would, Dick. Oh, the babbling, 
 sheep- shanked, cow-hoofed, ugly ould monster, as takes the 
 con when he wants men to sin; and, after carrying ’em 
 right slap into the bight of trouble to suit his own pur- 
 poses, over-hauls a range of mischief to bring us up and be- 
 tray us!— oh, he’s a precious sinner J” 
 
 “ I was afeard the leftenant would have heard about the 
 captain’s rum when the fellow split upon us,” said Dick. 
 
 “ But how pat he had the story, shipmate ! — one might 
 have supposed that he had been in at the drinking of it.” 
 
 “ And so I was, Dick,” plainly sounded in the ears of the 
 seamen, who started, stared around them, and then quickly 
 separated. 
 
 For several days we were occasionally tantalized with 
 the sight of the felucca, but could not get near to her ; and, 
 as a matter of course, she did not come within hail of us. 
 
 “ It is in vain, England, to chase this creature of the 
 wind,” said Captain Foley, as he sat on the poop, to his 
 senior lieutenant, as brave and worthy a little fellow as ever 
 wore the royal uniform; “she is all legs and wings — and 
 yet, I do not like to be laughed at.” 
 
 “ The best plan would be, sir,” returned Mr. England in 
 his quiet way, “ to pick up some vessel that would decoy 
 
160 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 her. We might put a crew of picked hands, a party of 
 marines, and a long gun aboard of her ; and, my life for, it, 
 they would soon render a fair account of the marauder.” 
 
 “ We’ll try it, England— we’ll try it,” observed the cap- 
 tain. “ Look over the watch-lists and select a crew. Let 
 Mr. Jennings (fourth lieutenant) hold himself in readiness 
 to take the command. The subordinates I leave to your 
 decision. We shall not be long in finding a suitable craft : 
 and whereabouts would be the best to trap him ?” 
 
 “ I have heard, sir, that he is accustomed to run for the 
 island of Cyprus,” answered Mr. England. “We must get 
 out of the way, as if we had quitted the ground ; and Jen- 
 nings is shrewd, keen, and cautious, so that every trust may 
 be safely reposed in him.” 
 
 “ It shall be done — the plan is a good one ; and unless he 
 is indeed what the people fancy him to be, we shall soon 
 have the fellow alongside.” 
 
 Such was the response of the captain, and the first lieu- 
 tenant lost no time in making arrangements according to the 
 orders he had received. Mr. Jennings, with a master’s- 
 mate, two midshipmen and sixty blue-jackets, a lieutenant 
 of marines, with fourteen of that class, and an assistant sur- 
 geon, were to form the intended crew. The Goliath stretched 
 away to sea, and, in a few days, we Jell in with a smart 
 little brig under English colours, bound to Tripoli on specu- 
 lation. Captain Foley had the master on board, and pointing 
 out to him the certainty of his' being captured and plundered 
 if he pursued his course, offered to pay him handsomely if he 
 would place the vessel for hire in the service. A bargain 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 167 
 
 was soon struck, and Mr. Jennings, with his chosen men, 
 was quickly transferred to the Peggy Pawn of Dundee. 
 Arms, provisions, stores, ammunition, and a long twenty- 
 four-pounder were supplied; and, with three cheers from 
 the old Goliaths, we parted company. 
 
 From some cause or other, I had become a bit of a 
 favourite with Mr. Jennings, and he selected me to accom- 
 pany him as his aid-de-camp : Jack Wilson and Dick 
 Welsh were also of the party, both having volunteered, in 
 order, as Jack said, “to see the eend of it; for it never 
 should be tould that he feared such a cantankerous lubber 
 as Davy Jones.” 
 
 We stood, as preconcerted, for the island of Cyprus, and 
 during our progress, Long Tom (as they called the twenty- 
 four-pounder) was mounted. Though the brig was much 
 crowded by our numbers, yet the prospect of taking the 
 felucca made atonement for inconvenience, and, the weather 
 being delightfully fine, the awnings were spread, and the 
 men took their meals upon deck. We had a jovial time of 
 it, for the battle of the Nile had cemented the bond of 
 brotherhood, and the particular duty we were all engaged 
 upon relaxed the strictness of discipline. Many a laugh was 
 raised at the expense of Jack Wilson, who persisted that 
 “ Davy Jones still attended upon him, and spun him a yarn 
 that nobody could hear but himself; but he scorned to 
 flinch, and hoped to get hand to hand with the wagabone, so 
 as he might teach him better manners.” 
 
 Nearly a fortnight had elapsed, when, one lovely morn- 
 ing, we made the land, and sure enough there was the 
 
168 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 felucca, her white sails showing like polished silver against 
 the dark back-ground, as she lay about midway between the 
 brig and the shore. Every man, except three or four, was 
 ordered below, the long gun was carefully concealed by tar- 
 paulins, and means were adopted to lead to a belief that our 
 brig was nothing more than a trader. Still the pirate was 
 wary ; and Jack Wilson, who was at the helm of the Peggy 
 Pawn, shook his head doubtfully as to the chance of catch- 
 ing the pirate. 
 
 “ What makes you think he will escape us, Jack ?” asked 
 the lieutenant, who had divested himself of his uniform, and 
 appeared in a blue jacket and duck trousers ; “ we shall 
 soon have him within reach of our shot.” 
 
 “ I am greatly misdubersome of that, sir,” replied the 
 seaman ; “them no-man’s-land sort of craft play all manners 
 of imperent tricks, and it’s just as easy for him to kick up a 
 fog-bank and slip into it, as it ud be for me to drink a glass 
 of grog, if so be as I could get one.” 
 
 “ Exactly so,” uttered the well-remembered voice close to 
 his ear ; “ recollect the captain’s bottle of rum.” 
 
 J ack shook his head, in much the same way as a horse 
 would do with a sting-fly tickling his nose. “ I wants to 
 have no sort of confab with you,” said he. 
 
 “Oh, very well !” exclaimed the lieutenant, as if he had 
 been addressed ; “ but mind your helm, Wilson, or perhaps 
 I shall have a little confab with you.” 
 
 “ I sees as it’s of no use trying to argyfy the matter, sir,” 
 returned the seaman solemnly, “but he’s close alongside of 
 me now. Yet it’s onpossible to grab hold of a consarn as 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 169 
 
 is no more than a woice, and about as much substance as 
 comes to nothing ; and what he can want with me is more 
 than all my laming can displain ; but I’ll sarve him put 
 yet.” 
 
 By the manoeuvring of the felucca, it was evident that 
 the commander was cautious not to commit himself ; and, 
 therefore, without taking any further notice of her than a 
 display of our colours, we continued our course towards the 
 island, Jack declaring we “ might just as well run after the 
 moonshine as chase sich a craft as that.” 
 
 The day wore rapidly away ; the wind was light ; but 
 though the object we had in view hoisted Turkish colours 
 and kept us company, yet it was at a respectful distance, 
 which induced Mr. J ennings to believe that a night attack 
 was intended, and for this he made every preparation. The 
 men were in a state of the greatest excitement, for they had no 
 notion of being stowed away in secresy and inaction in sight 
 of a single vessel, especially after having so recently banged 
 the French fleet, and many half-hints were given that “ it 
 warn’t by no manner of means Nelson-fashion to be clapped 
 under hatches in the presence of an enemy.” But all was 
 lost on the lieutenant, who steadily kept on, as if he had 
 been sent there for any other purpose than ridding the seas 
 of a dangerous buccaneer. 
 
 Night came, and we were within a league of the island, 
 whose dark summits showed distinctly against the still 
 bright sky, whilst a hazy mistiness spread itself over the 
 surface of the waters. A vigilant look-out was ordered to 
 be kept, the men lay down ready armed, and the officers 
 
170 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 took their stations abaft, to watch and wait for whatever 
 might happen. It was nearly midnight, and all around us 
 was perfectly calm, when we distinctly heard the wash of 
 oars as they dipped in the water, and not a doubt was enter- 
 tained that it was the felucca rowing towards us. 
 
 “ Stand by, my lads ; be cool and steady,” said the lieu- 
 tenant ; “ every man of you knows your duty. Let there be 
 no noise ; listen attentively for the word, and, the moment 
 it is given, dash on them, and we shall see what Davy Jones 
 is made of.” 
 
 “ Jack, Jack Wilson !” muttered one of the men, “ if your 
 owld friend should come to visit you afore we gets fairly 
 alongside, just hand us down the eend of his tail, and we’ll 
 pass it along, so as all hands may clap on and rouse aboard 
 the main-tack with it.” 
 
 But Jack Wilson said nothing, though he kept clutching 
 his cutlass and handling his pistol, as if eager for the fray. 
 His shipmates passed their jokes upon him, but he did not 
 heed them, his thoughts being apparently wholly absorbed 
 by the coming contest, and his mind confused by what he 
 fully believed to be supernatural agency. 
 
 Mr. Jennings was the first to detect the felucca emerging 
 from the gloom, as she swept rapidly towards us, and curled 
 up the sparkling waters beneath her bows ; and, notwith- 
 standing the accustomed coolness of British seamen when 
 meeting the foe, it must be owned that great excitement pre- 
 vailed: for there were many who had laughed at Jack 
 Wilson that were strongly tinctured by similar feelings, 
 though they would not acknowledge it. Still everything 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 171 
 
 was silent ; not a sound was to be heard in the brig — all 
 seemed to be tranquilly sleeping, and onward came the 
 enemy, stealing along like the wily snake, to dart upon its 
 prey. 
 
 And there lay the Peggy Bawn , uncontrolled by helm or 
 canvas, for there was not the slightest breath of wind to aid 
 the efforts of the mariner in keeping her head the right way. 
 This was rather awkward for us, as the felucca would be 
 enabled to take us on any point she pleased ; but, trusting 
 to the well-tried courage and devotion of his people, the 
 lieutenant betrayed no apprehension, and the only sign of im- 
 patience was an occasional low whistle, to attract the breeze, 
 which, however, refused “ to obey the voice of the charmer, 
 let him charm ever so wisely.” 
 
 The twenty-four pounder was, as I have already said, 
 covered over' with tarpaulins, beneath which were also con- 
 cealed a sufficient number of men to handle it, and between 
 whom and Mr. J ennings snatches of conversation passed in 
 low tones, as he apprised them of the situation of the felucca, 
 that was nearing us fast; but, when about two cables’ length 
 off, she ceased rowing, and soon lay motionless on the surface 
 of the still waters. The long gun well directed might at once 
 have sent her to the bottom, but the lieutenant was desir- 
 ous of carrying his trophy into port ; besides, he was not 
 actually aware of her real character, and therefore refrained 
 from firing. 
 
 The moon was just commencing her last quarter, and now 
 rose to illumine both land and. sea ; and, though there was a 
 haze below, yet all overhead was bright, and clear, and shin- 
 
172 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 ing. A small boat from the felucca pulled towards us, and 
 our lieutenant gave orders for the people to huddle together 
 as close as possible, and not to utter a word. In a short 
 time the boat was within hail, and Mr. Jennings inquired 
 what they wanted. The answer was that the felucca was 
 a free trader, or, in other words, a smuggler, and wished to 
 purchase any contraband that the brig might have on board. 
 The boat was permitted to come alongside, and out of it 
 came a man tastefully attired in a costume partly Turkish 
 and partly Italian : he had a scarlet turban on his head, and 
 loose white trousers below, drawn round the ankle ; a blue 
 fancy jacket, trimmed with gold lace, was on his body ; and 
 a crimson silk scarf was bound round his waist. His fea- 
 tures were particularly handsome, and betokened either 
 Italian birth or Italian origin, but the former seemed the 
 more probable, as his voice corresponded with the supposi- 
 tion. 
 
 The lieutenant received him with the rough politeness of 
 a seaman, and the other responded with ease approaching 
 to elegance, and for about the space of half an hour they 
 walked the quarter-deck, conversing with seeming freedom. 
 It was' no difficult matter, however, to see that the stranger 
 was restless and frequently gave an earnest gaze at the 
 covered gun, while Mr. Jennings watched his every action, more 
 than ever convinced of his real character. As for Jack Wil- 
 son, it was with great difficulty they could keep him quiet, 
 as he said it was none other than the foul fiend himself, 
 and “ in good right he ought to have a slap at him.” His 
 excitement was greatly increased when Mr. Jennings and 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 173 
 
 the officer of the felucca parted, apparently the best friends 
 in the world, and the boat rowed away from the brig. 
 
 “ Well, to my thinking, your honour,” said Wilson, as he 
 ascended to the deck and addressed the lieutenant, “ to my 
 thinking, that ere was eather Davy J ones hisself, or one of 
 his relations.” 
 
 “ You’re right, Jack,” uttered the well-remembered voice 
 close to his ear ; “ and what a fool you was for letting me 
 slip through your fingers. But never mind, I will be along- 
 side of you again presently.” 
 
 “ And so you really believe that was old Davy, eh, Wil- 
 son ? ” asked the lieutenant good-humouredly. 
 
 “Iam sartin of it, your honour, for he’s just tould me so 
 hisself ; and the wagabone says he’ll be aboard again directly,” 
 responded Jack. 
 
 “ In that I will be voucher for his intentions,” said Mr. 
 Jennings with sternness ; and then, going to the hatch- way, 
 he spoke in an under-tone to the officers and men below : 
 “ A few minutes, my lads, will bring us into action ; the 
 captain of the felucca” (“ The devil !” mumbled Wilson) “has 
 paid me a visit, and will shortly sweep down to us to trade. 
 Be ready, my boys ; and Jack” (turning to Wilson), “you shall 
 man-handle your old friend.” 
 
 “ That is, if' you can catch him/ Jack,” said the voice the 
 moment the lieutenant had finished. 
 
 “ I ounly wishes I could get my grapplin-irons on you,” 
 retorted the seaman; “but I’m thinking you’re too wise to 
 come within my grip.” 
 
 It was rather more than half an hour when the felucca 
 
174 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 was again in motion ; but it soon became evident that, in- 
 stead of pulling towards us, her head was in a contrary direc- 
 tion, and that she was rapidly receding from us. 
 
 “ I knew it, your honour,” exclaimed Jack Wilson ; “ the 
 fellow daren’t face us, arter all.” 
 
 “ Uncover the gun, my lads,” shouted Mr. J ennings ; 
 “ look smart, but keep yourselves cool ;” and he himself in- 
 stantly took the lead in accomplishing his own orders. The 
 twenty -four-pounder was promptly in readiness; the lieu- 
 tenant pointed it, the match was applied, and away flew the 
 shot, but without our being able to perceive the effect pro- 
 duced. To load and fire as expeditiously as possible was 
 now our only couise, but there was no wind to blow away 
 the smoke that settled down upon the waters, so as at times 
 entirely to obscure the felucca from our view. Nor was the 
 enemy idle with her guns, as the shot rattled about us, but 
 without doing any material injury. 
 
 The lieutenant was exceedingly mortified, as he feared 
 that the pirate must escape him. The gun was well plied ; 
 a breeze sprang up, every stitch of canvas that would draw 
 was packed upon the brig, and the Peggy Pawn, as if awak- 
 ing from a refreshing rest, danced over the sea with renewed 
 swiftness. But the spread of sail, aided by the oars, gave 
 the felucca a decided advantage, and she was walking off 
 two feet to our one, when a shot brought down her main-sail, 
 which fell among the rowers and prevented their exertions. 
 
 Daylight came upon us, one of those lovely mornings that 
 are often witnessed in the Mediterranean, but never appear 
 so beautiful in any other part of the world. By the help of 
 
THE HERMIT OE THE ROCK. 
 
 175 
 
 the glasses, we could now plainly discover that our shot had 
 caused considerable havoc on board the felucca ; and, though 
 the sweeps were still worked with energy, yet it was in 
 seeming desperation that wasted its own strength. The 
 Peggy Pawn was a good sailer, and the freshening wind 
 carried her along faster than ever she had been known to 
 travel before; but this Jack Wilson attributed to Davy 
 Jones having “ a concealed tow-line by which he was 
 dragging ’em all to destruction.” 
 
 The felucca was making for the lee-side of the island of 
 Cyprus, under the hope, as Mr. J ennings believed, of getting 
 into some nook or hole, where she might lie concealed, or 
 where the crew, by abandoning the vessel, might endeavour 
 to find on shore safety from capture. Our long gun, how- 
 ever, was admirably served, and, as the water was smooth, 
 scarcely a shot was thrown away ; and thus we continued 
 till the felucca’s fore-sail came down, and, cutting away the 
 wreck, they pulled in directly for the land. But even this 
 did not last long : it was evident that she had been struck 
 between wind and water, and the chances were that, in the 
 confused and exhausted state of the crew, she would sink 
 and every soul perish ; whilst, to add to the peril of their 
 condition, the men were deserting their oars. We could see 
 the commander of the felucca ranging about the decks, and 
 by blows and entreaties trying to recall them to a sense of 
 duty ; but his efforts were employed in vain : terror seemed 
 to have taken possession of their faculties ; many were on 
 their knees, others tearing their hair, and a few labouring 
 in dogged stubbornness. 
 
176 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 “ Cease firing,” exclaimed Mr. Jennings; “she must be 
 ours if she will but float a little longer.” 
 
 And true enough, we were soon alongside. The lieutenant, 
 through his trumpet, ordered them to surrender ; but their 
 chief, with pistol in each hand, stationed himself at the en- 
 sign halliards, and none were found hardy enough to ap- 
 proach him for the purpose of striking the colours. We 
 were on his weather-beam — not a moment was to be lost. 
 
 “Up helm!” commanded the lieutenant, and he was in- 
 stantly obeyed. “ Boarders, away !” and the gallant seamen 
 stood all ready with their half-pikes and cutlasses. “ Luff- 
 to and lay him alongside,” was the next order, which was 
 cleverly performed; and, headed by Mr. Jennings in his 
 uniform, a brave band poured upon the rover’s deck. There 
 was but little resistance, except from the daring and re- 
 solute chief, who seemed determined to defy us to the last; 
 and Jack Wilson would most probably have settled his 
 business, but Mr. Jennings sprang between and saved him. 
 This noble act made a deeper impression on the pirate’s 
 mind than any dread of death could do; he dropped the point 
 of his sword (for he had already discharged his pistols and 
 thrown them away) and instantly surrendered. Not another 
 shot was fired, and no other blow was struck ; the colours 
 were hauled down ; the felucca was indeed our own ; and, 
 while one party secured the prisoners, another diligently 
 strove to stop the leak, and pump out the water from the 
 hold. These objects were speedily accomplished : a suit- 
 able crew was put on board the prize ; we hauled to 
 leeward of Cape Cormachitti, where we anchored, got 
 
THE HEEMIT OF THE EOCK. 
 
 177 
 
 jury-masts upon the felucca, and landed a portion of her 
 crew. In two days more we were again under way for 
 Aboukir Bay; but, falling in with the Goliath in our pas- 
 sage, the brig was dismissed, and Lieutenant Jennings re- 
 ceived orders to accompany the seventy-four to Naples, to 
 join the squadron under Lord Nelson. 
 
 From the moment that the piratical captain surrendered, 
 no further animosity existed between the lieutenant and 
 him — in fact, there was something so superior in the man- 
 ners and address of the rover, that it was impossible not to 
 come to the conclusion that he was no ordinary being ; and 
 one evening when in confidential conversation with Mr. 
 Jennings, he communicated the following particulars. 
 
 “ Signor,” said he, “ you see me here by your side a pri- 
 soner, rendered so more by your generosity than by any 
 love of life. I am by birth a Genoese, and was born to title 
 and to fortune in the Strada Nuova, where the palazzo of 
 my father stood, and where I was nursed and brought up in 
 luxurious ease. But as I grew older, though still a youth, a 
 spirit of manhood, united with the love of chivalrous adven- 
 ture, filled my breast. I could not endure an inactive exist- 
 ence ; I longed, like my countrymen of yore, to discover and 
 explore new regions ; and, before I was eighteen, I had ac- 
 complished several voyages, and amongst other parts of 
 Europe had visited England, and learned to love your nation. 
 I also traversed France, and was a witness to many of the 
 horrors and atrocities of the Revolution. Freedom was my 
 idol, signor. In your country, I found it governed only by 
 reason and wholesome laws ; in France, under the name of 
 
178 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 Liberty, the people were slaves ; they pretended to worship 
 the image whilst they yielded to the fetters forged by their 
 own wild and lawless passions ; they offered human sacrifice 
 to the goddess of freedom, and gorged her with the blood of 
 their fellow-citizens. I loathed their very name. 
 
 “ Continuing my career, I became an expert and skilful 
 seaman. It was to me a source of delight to brave the tem- 
 pest in its fury, and to mount the ocean billows in their 
 rage. I had left my home with all its soft indulgences, to 
 encounter a life of hardship and privation, and I gloried in 
 it. My visits to other shores had opened to me sources of 
 practical information that I could never have obtained by 
 remaining at the palazzo in indolence ; and I had acquired a 
 daring and hardihood that rendered me honoured and re- 
 spected by my countrymen. It was a rare spectacle to wit- 
 ness one of their nobles voluntarily encountering all the 
 perils of a sea-life, to gain knowledge and lay the foundation 
 of future fame. I was projecting another voyage of longer 
 duration and more distant than any I had yet taken, when 
 intelligence reached us that the French army under General 
 Buonaparte, having crossed the Alps, had invaded Italy, and 
 were threatening our territory. This was enough to delay 
 my project. I took up arms on land instead of crossing the 
 ocean, and, my active disposition pointing me out as suited 
 to command, the small navy of the republic was placed at 
 my disposal. I was not long in raising a band of sailors ; 
 but there was more to be done on shore than there was at 
 sea, and so I took my brave fellows and joined the Austrians 
 under General de Yins, but was soon afterwards recalled, 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 179 
 
 and served under your own intrepid admiral, Nelson, in sur- 
 veying and strengthening the western coast of the Gulf of 
 Genoa, from the great city to Nice. 
 
 “ Signor, I blush for the pusillanimity of my countrymen ; 
 they sold themselves to France, and became worse than mid- 
 night robbers. French privateers were allowed to harbour 
 in Genoese ports, whence they sallied forth to perpetrate 
 depredations on our only friends, and returned unmolested 
 by the authorities, who received bribes to blind them to 
 their duty. Often, in concert with the English boats, have 
 I engaged these desperadoes, and more than once or twice 
 was honoured by the commendations of your heroic admiral. 
 But, signor, these affairs were not to continue long: the 
 treacherous Austrians betrayed a cause in which they had 
 never heartily engaged, and, like cowardly poltroons, took to 
 their heels the moment they saw the French. In fact, sig- 
 nor, there were thousands that never met them at all ; they 
 were defeated by fear — rascally fear. Still I adhered to my 
 country, and fought her battles till Genoa yielded to French 
 rule ; and, on account of my hostility to the measure, I was 
 denounced, my possessions were declared forfeited, a high 
 reward was offered for my head, and I was driven into exile 
 by those in whose cause I had so freely shed my blood. 
 
 “ Thus situated, I secretly raised all the money I possibly 
 could, and at the island of Capraja I purchased the felucca, 
 manned her as well as I was able, procured arms and 
 ammunition at every opportunity, and, without commission 
 or warrant, I cruised close in shore upon the French coast, 
 and now and then visited the Genoese ports, where I dis- 
 
180 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 posed of my prizes, paid my men handsomely, and provided 
 myself with every requisite for either attack or defence. 
 My successes procured me an excellent crew for the work I 
 required, and, when Spain joined France, and declared war 
 against England, I also declared war against Spain, and 
 several of their richly-freighted vessels fell into my hands. 
 Yet, notwithstanding this, my wealth did not greatly increase; 
 for I took care to divide ample funds among my people, in 
 order to encourage them to undertake any enterprise that I 
 might plan, and truly they were not few. 
 
 “ And now, signor,” continued he, “ if your patience is not 
 exhausted, I must revert to a subject that brings to my 
 heart the extremes of pain and pleasure. Ardent as I was 
 in temperament, it can hardly be supposed that I was in- 
 sensible to female beauty ; and, in truth, signor, I did love 
 with an eager warmth of feeling that was closely allied to 
 my nature. The lady was young, amiable, and lovely, and 
 related to the first families in Genoa. Her devotion to me 
 was as strong as was mine to her, and we enjoyed each 
 other’s confidence in all things, so that, when I became a 
 proscribed outcast, not a single doubt of her fidelity ever 
 crossed my mind. But I could not divest myself of fears 
 for her safety ; I knew the character of our conquerors too 
 well not to dread the wreaking of their vengeance upon the 
 helpless ; and I resolved, at all hazards, to bring her away * 
 from the city to a more tranquil spot. By dint of per- 
 severance and large payments, I was enabled to accom- 
 plish this : she forsook all to share my fortunes, and I ob- 
 tained an asylum for her in the island of Cyprus. It was a 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 181 
 
 lovely place, signor ; and, but for my restless desire to re- 
 cover my name, and rank, and property, I might have lived 
 a life of calm, dispassionate pleasure : but, having provided 
 for the object of my soul’s regard, I once more launched 
 upon the ocean to pursue my hazardous achievements, which 
 gained me an infernal notoriety, that galled my spirit, 
 though it soothed my pride. I have been at war with every 
 flag but that of England, and it is by the British ensign I 
 am torn from all that is delightful, and am now a prisoner. 
 It is true that I at first took you for a Portuguese, and I 
 honestly confess I should have had no hesitation in helping 
 myself to anything I might have wanted ; but, on approach- 
 ing nearer, doubts arose, which your colours, when you 
 showed them, greatly increased. It was to gain an accurate 
 knowledge that I boarded you in my little boat ; and, when 
 I discovered that you were indeed English, and probably 
 pretty well armed, I left you as rapidly as my vessel could 
 go ; but it was not till your shot came on board of us that 
 I guessed, by the weight of the metal, that a trap had been 
 laid for my capture. However, it is the fortune of preda- 
 tory warfare, and I am here, though, if Nelson still bears me 
 in remembrance, and my tale of wrong can move his sym- 
 pathy, I have no fear for my life.” 
 
 Thus he ended his narrative, which I well recollect 
 operated powerfully on my boyish sensibility (for, being too 
 young to be considered of consequence, I had remained close 
 to the lieutenant during the recital), and more than once I 
 felt the moisture gathering in my eyes. 
 
 “ It must be owned,” said Mr. Jennings, “ that the reports 
 
182 
 
 THE HERMIT OE THE ROCK. 
 
 of your exploits have raised you a not very enviable fame, 
 and there are many of my men whom it would be almost 
 impossible to persuade into the belief that you are not in 
 reality an evil spirit. It is true, for the sake of amusement, 
 I have somewhat aided in the deception by a curious power 
 of utterance which I possess, and which has so bothered one 
 of my poor fellows, that he imagines himself bewitched ; 
 and I observe he never looks at you without a malicious 
 grin, that plainly indicates what he would do if he durst.” 
 
 “ Indeed !” returned the rover ; “ I should like to be friends 
 with that man, as well as to learn the mode by which you 
 have practised on his credulity.” 
 
 We were seated near the taffrail during this conversation, 
 and it happened that Jack Wilson was at the helm. In an 
 instant, I heard the voice that had caused so much per- 
 plexity to the seamen exclaim, “ Have a care, Jack, my eye 
 is upon you.” 
 
 “ I know it, you wagabone,” vociferated the tar ; “ don’t 
 think to gammon me as you’ve done my officer ; and I’m 
 thinking he’ll make but a bad day’s work on it in the long 
 run.” 
 
 “ Mind your helm, Wilson,” said the lieutenant ; “ keep 
 her full-and-by ; you’ll be bringing her aback if you hug the 
 wind so close.” 
 
 “ I ax pardon, your honour, but it’s onpossible to stand 
 here like a mummy, whilst ould Davy — though he’s but a 
 young un as has brought up alongside of you — yet I’m say- 
 ing it arn’t in natur to stand quiet here whilst the enemy of 
 sowls is practising his tricks upon me. Ounly say the 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 183 
 
 word, and give me fair play, and I’m his match any 
 day.” 
 
 In fact, Mr. Jennings was a capital ventriloquist, and he 
 called Jack to him, in order to explain the nature of his 
 talent ; but the seaman remained incredulous : superstition 
 was stronger than any other influence; and, when we joined 
 the Goliath , he preferred a request to return to his ship, as 
 he declared “ no good could come of sailing with Davy Jones 
 for a consort.” His wish was complied with ; but, to the 
 great chagrin of the worthy seaman, the very individual 
 he had so vehemently defied was removed to the seventy- 
 four with him, and poor Jack was almost at his wit’s 
 end. 
 
 Whoever has visited the Bay of Naples cannot fail to re- 
 member the beautiful panoramic spectacle that is everywhere 
 presented to the sight, beneath a lovely sky, clear and re- 
 splendent, whose face is not concealed by the silver-hued, 
 gauzy clouds, that resemble the pinions and drapery of unseen 
 angels sportively playing in the balmy breeze. The scenery 
 alone is quite sufficient to excite the most ardent admira- 
 tion, earth, ocean, air, harmonizing with exquisite grace, 
 and displaying the glories and wonders of creation, deli- 
 cately toned by those rich tints of natural brilliancy 
 which the painter loves to portray whilst striving at the 
 choicest cultivation of his art. But when, to the grati- 
 fication derived from contemplating the picturesque in 
 its most delightful garb of mingled simplicity and gran- 
 deur, is superadded a knowledge of ancient historic lore 
 connected with the locality, and vivid imagination con- 
 
184 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 jures up bright visions of former magnificence and great- 
 ness — 
 
 “ When Rome, the mistress of the world, 
 
 Of yore her eagle- wings unfurled,” 
 
 and spread them over the empire that bowed beneath her 
 powerful sway— then, indeed, is the pleasure heightened to 
 an elevation that produces sublime emotions, and the mind 
 roams freely over the mountains and valleys of the romance 
 of life associated with classic recollections. 
 
 There, too, stands the gorgeous city, reviving pleasant 
 memorials of the Neapolitan poet of old, who sang of the 
 early architect in strains as melodious as hers who chose the 
 site and raised the structure : — 
 
 “ Built by sweete Siren ; said to be built by 
 Sterne Phaleris: his Empire’s happy glory. 
 
 Called the rare hortyard of faire Cyprades: 
 
 Called the new field of valiant Hercules; 
 
 Called the fat soile of Ceres, crowned with corne ; 
 
 Called the rich vineyard of the God unshorne. 
 
 No marvell ; for no city like to thine 
 
 For sweetnesse, empire, beauty, strength, corne, wine." 
 
 After a quick passage we entered this superb bay, where 
 we found the Vanguard , the Alexander , and the Culloden; 
 and, soon after anchoring, the rover was transferred to the 
 flag-ship. The felucca was condemned, and we quitted her 
 for the Goliath , which was ordered back to Alexandria. 
 
 I must now pass over an interval of several years, during 
 which Mr. Jennings was made a commander, and I obtained 
 my commission as a lieutenant. The turmoils of war were 
 at an end. Napoleon had resigned the imperial crown, to 
 take upon himself the sovereignty of Elba, and a squadron 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 185 
 
 of English frigates was stationed in his neighbourhood to 
 watch his proceedings. I was then second lieutenant of a 
 fine eight-and-thirty, cruising on the western shores of Italy, 
 enjoying all the delights of the climate and the gaiety of the 
 different places we visited, among which was Naples; and 
 here we remained some time, for it was the season of the 
 Carnival. 
 
 From my early years I had been partial to reading old 
 books of voyages and travels, so as to gain information of 
 former events and collect the views and opinions of ancient 
 writers. In accordance with the locality, I had been perus- 
 ing the work of George Sandys, published in 1621, and was 
 highly amused with his descriptions of the Holy Land and 
 Italy, particularly of the neighbourhood in which we then 
 were ; and I resolved to solicit permission to take one of 
 the cutters and examine the Grot of Pausilype, with other 
 wonders adjacent to it. My request was complied with ; 
 and, with eight stout hands and well provisioned, we 
 started. The wind was light but favourable, and a few 
 hours brought us to our destination, which we (for I took 
 one of the midshipmen with me) explored in every direction. 
 Thence we proceeded to Puteoli, and, in rounding the point 
 that forms the eastern extreme of the bay, I was much 
 struck by seeing a beautifully-wrought marble figure, which, 
 with body inclined and extended arm, was pointing towards 
 the projecting land of Pausilippo. On a rock, lying at a 
 short distance from the base of the eminence on which the 
 statue was placed, the rough trunk of a tree was fixed, 
 from the extremity of which a basket was suspended. 
 
186 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 Here then was food for the romantic mind to feed upon ; 
 and, laying the cutter’s head to the land, I and my young 
 companion were soon on shore : and, after inspecting the 
 figure, we entered an ancient ruin that was close by, and 
 discovered a venerable man clothed in a white garment, with 
 a beard and scattered hair singularly blanched. 
 
 “ What seek you with the hermit of the rock 2” asked 
 he in a voice that I fancied I had heard before. 
 
 “ We can only apologize for intruding,” answered I ; “ but 
 I must assure you that I had no idea any human being in- 
 habited the place.” 
 
 “ You are English,” added he, “ and they are always wel- 
 come. I have loved your countrymen, though they have 
 done me injury. But it is not for a worm like me to 
 complain.” 
 
 “You have chosen a lonely dwelling,” remarked I ; “ may 
 I presume upon your favour to make me acquainted with its 
 history 1” 
 
 “ What it was in ancient days I am unable to inform you,” 
 answered he ; “ but, as it respects myself, it has connection 
 with a mournful tale, evidencing the fallibility of human 
 happiness. Would you wish to hear it ?” 
 
 Such a question was readily replied to, and he commenced 
 his narrative with the words, — 
 
 “ I am by birth a Genoese, and was born to title and for- 
 tune in the Strada Nuova, where the palazzo of my father 
 stood, and where I was nursed and brought up in luxurious 
 ease — ” 
 
 “ Stop, stop !” exclaimed I, as memory exerted all her 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 187 
 
 powers; “why, those are the very words uttered by the 
 commander of a felucca we captured, when relating his 
 history.” I looked steadily and keenly at him, and 
 though his head was silvered and his beard descended 
 to his chest, there was no mistaking the features. “ You 
 are — you must be — the very man of whom I’m speaking, 
 that was captured by an English brig off the island ol 
 Cyprus.” 
 
 He appeared to be greatly agitated for more than a 
 minute, and then replied, “You are right, signor; that 
 wretched man is now before you.” 
 
 I was not long in reminding him of my identity with the 
 youngster who shared in that enterprise, and I requested 
 him to inform me of what had occurred after our separation. 
 He was by no means averse to communicate, and he con- 
 tinued : “ When I landed at Naples, a prisoner, I sought 
 and obtained an interview with Nelson, to whom I told the 
 story of my wrongs, and vowed revenge upon the French. 
 He listened attentively to all I had to say, and not only 
 granted me my liberty, but, through the intercession of Lady 
 Hamilton, I obtained a commission in the Neapolitan 
 marine, with the command of a division of gun-boats, and 
 once more I was employed against my enemies— the French. 
 But my heart’s best affections were at Cyprus ; my capture 
 must be well known there ; and oh, what agony would she 
 suffer till apprised of my fate ! As day succeeded day, so 
 did my anxiety and longing desire to be near her increase. 
 Tormenting fears for her safety constantly assailed me ; till, 
 at length, I obtained leave of absence, and having hired a 
 
188 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 vessel, I sailed for the island. There I found her, still faith- 
 ful, and mourning my loss. 
 
 “ The effects I had accumulated in that spot were of con- 
 siderable value, and it occupied a day or two to get them 
 embarked; and, this effected, I took my departure from 
 Cyprus with her I loved, purposing to return to the Bay of 
 Naples. Fortune seemed to be propitious : we had delight- 
 ful weather and pleasant breezes till we made the island of 
 Capri, when one of those sudden gales common to the Medi- 
 terranean came on, and our frail vessel could ill withstand 
 its fury. We were driven at its mercy across the opening 
 of the bay to Point Miseno, when the wind shifted, without 
 abating its strength, and we dropped down upon Baise, 
 where we tried to anchor, but the storm was too powerful 
 for the anchors to hold. The sea came rolling in like mov- 
 ing mountains, and we were forced to cut and try to weather 
 this point of Puteoli, against which the breakers were dash- 
 ing higher than our mast-heads. The pilot assured me there 
 were no hidden dangers, but that the shore was steep, and, 
 could we once get to windward of it, we might find a port 
 of refuge. Earnestly did I labour to attain this end ; all my 
 qualifications as a seaman were called into exercise, and 
 having close-reefed the sails, I myself took the helm. 
 
 “ All my worldly property — even the treasure that was 
 most dear to my soul — was with me in the same craft, and 
 it was with pride I found that the vessel behaved well under 
 the pressure of difficulty : she sprang to the wind — the tide 
 was in our favour — the point was opening broad upon our lee- 
 bow — the breakers were roaring as if enraged to lose their prey. 
 
THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 189 
 
 and my heart exulted in the prospect of safety. Alas, sig- 
 nor, the pilot had deceived me : a huge curling billow broke 
 over us — the next instant we struck upon a sunken rock — 
 our timbers were rent to pieces. I had only time to clasp 
 Imogene in one arm, whilst with the other I clung to a spar, 
 when the vessel went down in deep water, and we were 
 dashed towards the shore. Hard did I struggle to gain a 
 footing, but the recoil of the sea washed us away again, till 
 we drifted round the point; then insensibility came over 
 me, and I recollect no more till I recovered consciousness in 
 this very building, with the dead Imogene lying by my side. 
 We were alone, for the worthy people who had dragged us 
 from the breakers and conveyed us hither, fancying that life 
 had quitted both, left us to render aid to others and to 
 gather portions of the wreck. 0 signor, you may in some 
 degree conjecture what I suffered, but can never know the 
 full extent. All that I possessed, all that I valued in the 
 world, was gone from me for ever — I was deserted, desolate, 
 and despairing. 
 
 “ I resolved that this ruinous building should henceforth 
 be my home. Imogene lies buried in yonder corner, and 
 above her grave I make my nightly bed. Intelligence 
 reached me that the French had departed from Genoa, and 
 that my estates were again at my disposal. But my spirit 
 was too much bowed down for earthly grandeur to revive ; 
 besides, my resolution had been taken, and I determined 
 to adhere to it. At great expense I purchased, from the 
 governor of Capri, the figure which you saw upon the 
 point. The outstretched arm directs to the spot where lies 
 
190 
 
 THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
 the concealed rock ; and in the dark hours of the night a 
 brilliant lamp burns beneath the figure to warn the mariner 
 of his danger. It is my voluntary task to trim this lamp, 
 and render aid to vessels in distress. The fishermen and 
 boatmen are not ungrateful ; the basket suspended from the 
 pole receives their offerings ; and as they pass my dwelling, 
 upon their bended knees they breathe a prayer and thanks- 
 giving for THE HERMIT OF THE ROCK. 
 
CIj£ (Sratafom foitljout a ft aim* 
 
 “ They raised a pillar o’er her grave, 
 
 A simple mass of naked stone, 
 
 Hewn M'ith such art as sorrow gave, 
 
 Ere haughty sculpture yet was known.” 
 
 For neat rural villages and pretty cottages there is, perhaps, 
 no county in England that surpasses the county of Kent. 
 The same remark will apply to its village churches, as they 
 rear their antique heads above the dwellings of honest 
 industry ; and, while the finger of the ancient steeple-clock 
 tells of the rapid flight of time on earth, the humble spire, 
 pointing to the bright and glorious heavens, directs the mind 
 to those mansions of the blest within the boundless round 
 of an Eternity. 
 
 I dearly love a country ramble, away from the noise and 
 bustle of the busy town; my heart never expands with 
 more benevolence towards all created beings than when 
 standing on some green eminence, with a prospect all around 
 of woods and streams, and sunny vales and spots of rustic 
 beauty : it is then delightful to feel the irrepressible stirrings 
 of nature in the breast ; the sold swells with gratitude and 
 praise to the Creator, and the sweet bond of union is ex- 
 pressed, — “ My Father, Our Father, made them all!” 
 
192 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 It is now some few years since duty required my departure 
 from the metropolis, to attend “ on his majesty’s service” at 
 that famed key to the Continent, the town of Dover; but, 
 as the business did not require haste, I determined to 
 “ chance the road,” walk when I felt inclined, and get a lift 
 when I was weary. The weather was most delightful for 
 the undertaking; it was neither too sultry nor too cold; 
 there was warmth enough to be pleasant, but not sufficient 
 to be oppressive; and thus, meeting with many curious 
 adventures, I pilgrimaged as far as the city of Canterbury; 
 and, after a night of refreshing sleep, sweetened by healthy 
 toil, the early morning saw me traversing away from the 
 main road by a cross-country route towards Waldershare 
 Park, the seat of the Earl of Guilford — a charming place, 
 endeared to me by old remembrances, which cannot even 
 now, though blunted and deadened by time and circum- 
 stances, be wholly effaced from the mind. I had passed 
 many happy hours there : hours on which the memory loves 
 to dwell without any other regret than that they flew away 
 too soon. 
 
 The sun had reached its greatest altitude, when I stopped 
 to rest and refresh at a village that seemed to stand apart 
 from all the world— so silent and so retired, that Solitude 
 herself could not have selected a more suitable place for 
 habitation: the cottages were small, and almost hidden 
 amidst foliage and flowers that grew in rich luxuriance, 
 mantling the walls with clematis and roses. There was no 
 inn or public house, but I obtained from a kind-hearted 
 dame a draught of new milk, for which she would accept no 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 193 
 
 remuneration, and then entered the hallowed precincts of 
 the churchyard. Death had fulfilled his mission even here : 
 the white stones and the green grass mounds all bore witness 
 to the frailty of human existence. 
 
 There is, perhaps, no contemplation better calculated to 
 harmonize the mind and to fill it with holy sentiments 
 than that which is held among the habitations of the dead ; 
 it is the link which unites Time with Eternity. Here man, 
 while reading the records of mortality, feels humbled in his 
 pride. Here envy, hatred, and malice become powerless; 
 for, who could nurture these against his brethren of the 
 dust, with the certainty before him that all must soon 
 mingle with the clods of the valley h It teaches the im- 
 portance and value of time ; for how many are cut down in 
 youth ! It shows the swiftness of its flight ; for here are 
 memorials of distant generations, who are buried in one 
 common grave. It instructs us in the principles of love 
 and charity to all our fellow-creatures; for man is like a 
 thing of nought; his days pass away like a shadow, and 
 “ the place which once knew him will know him no more 
 for ever.” Yes, even in this delightful spot Death had 
 been busy; and a hoary-headed grave-digger was forming 
 another receptacle for the body to moulder into dust, as I 
 walked among the tombs and read the memorials engraven 
 on them. But there was one without a name ; it stood in 
 a lone corner, overshadowed by an old elm-tree : there was 
 not even a letter or a date. Yet the turf that covered the 
 remains of those who slept below was not neglected. The 
 odoriferous violet and the pale primrose breathed forth their 
 
194 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 sweet perfumes, looking beautiful amidst the verdant grass 
 that trembled with each wind as it lightly swept over its 
 surface like a gentle sigh of sorrow. 
 
 “ And wll °se is yon nameless grave?” inquired I, addressing 
 the old man, as he stood resting on his spade; “ the tomb- 
 cutter has forgot his duty.” 
 
 “ Nay ! not so,” returned the aged man, mournfully shaking 
 his head ; “ it was her own request, and the minister com- 
 plied with it.” 
 
 It was a curious whim to wish for a head-stone without 
 a record on it,” said I. 
 
 The old man smiled, but it was a smile of melancholy 
 musing; and, after a short pause, he answered: “ You may 
 call it what you please, sir, but it is a long story, and I’ve 
 no time to tell it you, seeing that I have this grave to finish 
 by the afternoon. But the minister knows all about it' ; and, 
 look, there he is, coming across the stile.” 
 
 I looked in the direction pointed out, and saw a venerable 
 man approaching, whose countenance was the very emblem 
 of mildness and meekness. A bow from each was a suffi- 
 cient introduction : in a few minutes we were deeply 
 engaged in conversation relative to the tenant of the lonely 
 grave; and, perceiving that I took very great interest in 
 the circumstances, he invited me to his residence. After 
 dinner he kindly furnished me with oral information and 
 written memorandums, the result of which I now lay before 
 my readers. 
 
 In the romantic village of , resided a widow lady 
 
THE GKAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 195 
 
 with her only daughter; it had been their residence for 
 
 several years ; indeed, Ellen Courtney had known no other 
 
 home, for, in very early life, the death of her father, and 
 
 the consequent diminution of income, had induced her 
 
 mother to retire from the world to this secluded but beautiful 
 
 spot, and here she grew, like a simple but lovely flower, in- 
 
 purity and in peace. The cottage they inhabited was but 
 
 of small dimensions, when compared with the mansion in 
 
 which she had been born; but there was sufficient space 
 
 for comfort, and they enjoyed that happiness which springs 
 
 from contentment of mind. An aged domestic, who had 
 
 lived through a long life in the service of the family, and a 
 
 maid-servant of younger years, for a considerable length of 
 
 time made up the whole of their establishment ; but when 
 
 Ellen had attained the sixteenth anniversary of her birth, a 
 
 maiden aunt (who was reported to possess the gift of second 
 
 sight), came to take up her abode with them. She was a 
 
 tall, gaunt figure, but with a mild expression of countenance 
 
 betokening benevolence ; and it was only on certain occasions 
 
 that her features underwent a change at once terrible and 
 
 terrifying : her eyes assumed a flashing wildness ; her cheeks 
 
 were wrinkled up, as if withered by a sudden blast; her 
 
 mouth was distended, and showed the decayed teeth, which 
 
 more resembled the tusks of some carnivorous animal than 
 
 seemed to belong to a human being. Her cap, thrown off, 
 
 displayed her long grey hair, descending over her face and 
 
 shoulders ; and the constant variations of look and manner 
 
 made the spectator shudder as his imagination deemed 
 
 her to be the creature of a world unknown, or some 
 as) 13 
 
196 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 wretched maniac escaped from the custody of her keepers. 
 She had been well educated ; her understanding was richly 
 stored with knowledge, and in all but one thing Ellen 
 found a most able and willing instructress. This was her 
 story 
 
 In her eighteenth year she became acquainted with a 
 young man of splendid acquirements and of unexceptionable 
 person. To her young mind he appeared the model of per- 
 fection ; his speech was ever in praise of virtue ; his conduct 
 was respectful, but affectionate ; without pretending to 
 learning or talent, he constantly displayed both; and he 
 seemed to take great pleasure in imparting by the most 
 diffident manner information and instruction to all who 
 listened to him. Margaret de Yere knew that he had been 
 educated for the Church, and, a Protestant herself, she 
 thought of no other Church than that established by the 
 law of the land. They were much together ; and as Margaret 
 was then in the full vigour of youth and beauty, a mutual 
 attachment very soon grew into that deep, strong, deathless 
 passion which lasts a whole existence. 
 
 Still Albert Hammond spoke not of love, though his looks 
 betrayed how deeply it was rooted in his heart. Thus 
 stood affairs when the devoted maiden ascertained that the 
 object of her soul’s regard was of the Catholic faith, and 
 destined to the service of his Creator ; that in a short time 
 he should be wedded to his celestial bride ; and that even 
 now it was impious on his part to indulge in thoughts, 
 wishes, or sentiments that were not connected with the 
 sacred office to which he aspired. Bitter was her distress, 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 197 
 
 and heartfelt was her agony, as she beheld the bright 
 structure which fond fancy had raised and hope had sweetly 
 smiled upon, at once and for ever crushed, and its fragments 
 scattered by the winds of disappointment. Yet she felt that 
 she was beloved, and she nourished the certainty, as a kind 
 mother would her illegitimate offspring, when deserted by 
 all the world. 
 
 Albert, too, indulged in somewhat similar feelings; but 
 he was incapable of the high resolves, the determined con- 
 duct, which marked the affection of poor Margaret. She 
 knew that Albert had high expectations in his Church, and, 
 though she would have gladly shared an humble cottage 
 with him as her husband, yet she resolutely resigned all 
 desires of worldly enjoyment so that she might witness the 
 elevation of the man she loved, and be enabled to look up 
 to him as the guide of her future existence. She felt that 
 his love for her was equal to her own for him ; but there 
 was the conviction that, though she could not be his wife, 
 yet he was debarred from every other union ; and, therefore, 
 she resolved to devote her whole existence to prove the 
 strength of her affection. Her first step was to abjure 
 the creed of her fathers, and to embrace the Catholic faith ; 
 and when Albert became a priest, she entered a nunnery 
 where he often visited, and to which he at length became 
 confessor. 
 
 At his death, which happened when he was under thirty 
 years of age, the tie to the religion she had chosen was 
 broken, and she wished once more to return within the 
 pale of the Protestant Church ; but the superior, becoming 
 
198 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 acquainted with the fact, at first used gentle persuasions, 
 and finding them of no avail, resorted to coercion, and 
 Margaret was confined in a noxious dungeon which a ray 
 of light never entered. Reader, this was not in England, 
 for Albert had gone to Rome, and thither had Margaret 
 followed him. It was during this confinement that her 
 intellect became somewhat disordered, and she was supposed 
 to have acquired that spirit of divination which was sub- 
 sequently exercised in so remarkable a manner as to induce 
 a belief of supernatural agency. At length she escaped; 
 and, when her relatives had long considered her as the inmate 
 of a grave, she once more appeared among them — but oh, 
 how changed ! Such was the being who, at the expiration 
 of several years, became the companion and instructress of 
 Ellen Courtney. 
 
 I must now carry the imagination of my readers to a 
 beautiful summer evening, when the eastern horizon, with 
 its gloomy twilight, offered a striking contrast to the 
 glorious glowing tints of vermilion and gold that flushed 
 the western sky. It was one of those realities in scenery 
 in which the poet and the painter love to luxuriate ; and 
 never was there a spot, even in the bright and rosy clime 
 of Italy, better adapted to the enjoyment of such an 
 evening, than that on which Ellen Courtney resided, and 
 more particularly the small alcove that formed the entrance 
 to the garden at the back part of the cottage, clustering 
 with flowers that wantonly flung their fragrance to the 
 passing winds. 
 
 And there stood Ellen, her delicate and finely-proportioned 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A N AME . 
 
 199 
 
 hand resting on the shoulder of a manly-looking youth of 
 some twenty years of age, whose strong arm was twined 
 round the slender waist of the fair girl, their eyes beaming 
 more and more with the delight of ardent affection, as the 
 deepening shades gradually grew darker and darker to 
 screen them from each other’s observation. Nor was the 
 interview less dear in its interests from being a stolen one. 
 Edmund Foster was a noble-looking fellow, one on whom 
 Nature would have conferred an exalted title in her peerage, 
 were she accustomed to make those honorary distinctions. 
 His countenance bespoke the hardy seaman, and, though 
 the expression was that of open candour and benevolence, 
 yet there was at times a look of such fixed determination 
 and scorn of danger, as made him rather the object of 
 reverence than love. His dress was scrupulously neat ; the 
 snow-white trousers and waistcoat, the blue surtout, and 
 the black neckerchief, knotted over a fine linen shirt; in 
 short, all displayed marks of taste that assumed a careless 
 ease ; and his manners and knowledge manifested a superior 
 education. 
 
 But who was Edmund Foster ? Of his connections and 
 situation in life Ellen was wholly ignorant ; he had rendered 
 her an important service by a timely rescue from the hands 
 of a gang of smugglers, running their crop from the coast. 
 Ellen had strayed far from home to an eminence that com- 
 manded a view of the distant sea : here she had lingered, 
 watching the setting sun, as he cooled his fervid beams in 
 the azure wave, gorgeously blending the intense blue with 
 his golden rays. Evening hurried on — a rich autumnal 
 
200 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 evening — the white sails on the bosom of the ocean gradually 
 disappeared in the thickening gloom. The Foreland was 
 throwing its dazzling watch-light far over the waters, to 
 guide the course of the adventurous mariner amidst those 
 restless sands, the death-bed of thousands. Still Ellen 
 lingered, for now imagination peopled the vacant space 
 with objects of her mind’s creation. She thought that the 
 moon would soon rise, and that she should enjoy her walk 
 back to the cottage, lighted by its pale lustre, which would 
 shed a pleasing influence on her ardent spirit. She knew 
 not the prognostics of the weather ; she was not aware that 
 the red glare of the heavens on which she had gazed with 
 admiration foretold the coming storm ; she was unconscious 
 that the rapid breeze, as it danced with fitful gusts over the 
 rolling swell, gave warning to the seaman that ere long it 
 would burst with fury on his head, and lash the billows into 
 maddened rage. 
 
 The moon rose, and Ellen returned on her path to the . 
 peaceful cottage ; but the howlings of the rushing tempest 
 were in the air ; the lightnings played with fearful splendour 
 among the blackened clouds; the pale luminary of night 
 was shrouded in funereal darkness ; the rain began to fall 
 in heavy drops ; the way was dark and dreary; and Ellen 
 was alone. Agitated and alarmed, the maiden approached 
 a barn-like building, which she had often passed unheeded, 
 but which now seemed to offer a kindly shelter from the 
 storm. The door, however, defied her efforts to open it, and 
 she was near sinking with affright, when the noise of horses’ 
 feet upon the road attracted her attention. Hope revived 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 201 
 
 her courage, but it was to sink her into deeper terror and 
 distress, when a band of armed men surrounded the spot 
 where she was standing, and one, abruptly flinging himself 
 from the back of his strong animal, clutched the lovely girl 
 by the arm. 
 
 “ How now 1 ” said he ; “ who have we here ? What ! 
 turning spy, my lass? ’Twere pity but you’d a better 
 calling.” 
 
 “’Tis some poor gipsy wanderer,” exclaimed another; 
 “ and it would be misfortunate to harm her, Ned, seeing 
 that them cattle can read the book of fate.” 
 
 “ The book of humbug,” said a third, dismounting ; “ the 
 sisters of the craft are too wise to show their noses on such 
 a night as this. It is some young female who has lost her 
 way ; but, at all events, she must bear us company till we 
 take a fresh departure; and a drop of something warm 
 within will serve to fend off the cold without.” 
 
 By this time the whole party had alighted ; the door of 
 the barn was thrown open, and each man led in his horse, 
 apparently heavily laden. A few minutes afterwards, Ellen 
 Courtney was compelled to enter, and found herself in the 
 midst of a band of desperate outlaws, whose countenances 
 assumed a more ferocious aspect from their being but dimly 
 seen by the light of dark lanterns, from which the shades 
 were removed. Ellen had heard many extravagant tales 
 of the reckless and hardened depravity of smugglers, and 
 she trembled with apprehension that her life would be 
 sacrificed. Still she replied clearly and distinctly to the 
 questions that were put to her, and the answers were so 
 
202 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 artless as to carry conviction to the most suspicious 
 mind. 
 
 “ It matters not,” said one of the most determined and 
 desperate of the party ; “ the girl must go with us, till our 
 own safety is past doubt. Here we must lie upon our oars 
 till midnight, and then every man to his station. Conduct 
 the young lady to the far corner of the barn ; there is clean 
 straw for her to rest her delicate limbs upon. And now, 
 lads, let us laugh at the gale, and drive away care.” 
 
 “ Oh, in mercy, in pity,” implored Ellen, “ do not detain 
 me ! I do not fear the storm. Let me return to my only 
 parent, whose anguish at my absence may be fatal.” 
 
 “ You should have thought of that before, young lady,” 
 returned the man, “and not have wandered so far from 
 home. All entreaties, all complaints, are useless now. It 
 is true, mayhap, that you do not mean to inform upon us, 
 but, suppose you should fall in with the Philistines, and 
 they should question you, would you deny your having seen 
 us ? You know our profession, I suppose?” 
 
 “ I do,” returned the frightened girl, “ but, indeed, indeed 
 I will not betray you. Oh, let me implore you to suffer me 
 to go to my mother!” 
 
 “If you know our trade, young woman,” expostulated 
 the smuggler, “ you must also know the risks we run, and 
 therefore, we will take good care you do not betray us. 
 Take her away, Teetotum,* to yon corner, as I order you, 
 and take the first spell in watching her ; or mayhap she 
 
 * Every smuggler is known to his associates by some quaint or peculiar name, 
 and in no instance is the christened or surname of the party used. 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 203 
 
 would rather sit amongst a set of jovial fellows, and share 
 our grog. Come, come,” continued he, passing his arm 
 familiarly and rudely round her waist ; “ I dearly love a 
 pretty girl, and you shall be my queen of the feast,” and he 
 essayed to press his lips to hers. 
 
 “Spare me! spare me!” shrieked the terrified Ellen, as 
 she struggled to disengage herself ; “ as you are men, do not 
 insult the defenceless!” 
 
 “ Oh, oh, pretty one !” returned the fellow, “ you have 
 let the secret out ! If you were not defenceless, then, you 
 would set us at defiance ? But take her away,” added he, 
 with more sternness ; “ and, d’ye hear, girl ; no attempts at 
 escape, for ” — showing the bright barrel of a pistol — “ this 
 will send a quick and faithful messenger after you.” 
 
 The shrinking Ellen accompanied the man designated 
 Teetotum to the far end of the barn, where she sat herself 
 down on some hard substance that was covered with loose 
 straw, the smuggler placing himself by her side. “ The 
 ould Badger is too hard upon you, Miss,” said the man; 
 “ but he has no young blood in his veins now ; and, besides, 
 that ugly figure-head of his arn’t much likely to win a lady’s 
 favour. You are hard up in a clinch, that’s for sartin ; but, 
 still, if you could fancy a handsome young fellow, like 
 myself, why, I might be tempted to run a little hazard in 
 releasing you. What say you, my beauty 1 ?” And the 
 fellow threw his arm round her neck, indelicately placing 
 his hand upon a bosom as pure as it was fair. Insulted 
 virtue gave strength to the lovely maiden, and indignantly 
 she flung from his embrace. “ Is this England?” said she, 
 
204 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 “ the land that protects the desolate, and whose laws are 
 the boast of the civilized world ? Keep from me, villain ! ” 
 for he was again pressing closer to her, “ or I shall rouse 
 your master, who w r ill make you know your duty. The base 
 insulter of innocence is generally a coward at heart.” 
 
 “ Oh, well ! ” returned the wretch, “ there’s no accounting 
 for tastes ! Mayhap you may like ould Badger better nor 
 me ; but, howsomever, you are my prize, for it was I who 
 first grappled with you, and so I’ll e’en have my due. You 
 see they’re hard at it bowsing up their jibs, and, before 
 they purchase their anchors, there’ll be some scrimmaging, 
 and black eyes, and bloody noses. Now, we hate all laws 
 except of our own making, and how you’ll weather it out 
 among a set of drunken desperadoes is for your consideration, 
 any more than I’d wish to sarve a pretty girl if she’s ounly 
 kind and again the smuggler attempted the same indecent 
 liberty he had before taken ; but Ellen firmly repulsed him, 
 and the fellow threw himself back upon the straw, muttering 
 curses, and swearing that he would have his revenge before 
 they parted. 
 
 The building they were in was an immense barn, appro- 
 priated to the receipt of grain when no farm-house stood 
 upon the land. It was substantially erected in the old style, 
 to endure for ages, and having a lofty roof, with blackened 
 rafters and stout oak cross-beams. It had long been the 
 occasional resort of smugglers, the occupier, for a handsome 
 consideration, keeping everything prepared for their recep- 
 tion. Ellen looked upon the group of about thirty men, 
 most of them in the dress of country labourers (but there 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 205 
 
 were two or three evidently superior to the rest), as they 
 sat on the scattered straw upon the ground and passed 
 round the liquor. She shuddered at the thought of their 
 becoming intoxicated, and secretly offered up fervent prayers 
 to the Almighty for protection in this hour of peril. The 
 lights shed a dim lustre on their revelry, but every now 
 and then the flashing lightning threw its red glare through 
 the crevices, and gave a brilliancy to every object, whilst 
 the terrified horses pawed with their hoofs or started from 
 side to side, heedless of restraint. It was a study for the 
 painter. 
 
 “ I say, Master Coldtoast,” exclaimed the leader, who had 
 been designated as old Badger, “ if you ever disobey my. 
 orders again, as you did to-day, remember, there’s fishes in 
 blue water as wants feeding.” 
 
 “ Tut, man,” responded the individual addressed, a Her- 
 cules-looking being, with monstrous black shaggy whiskers, 
 and features indicative of villainy and cunning : “ Tut, man, 
 when I strops a block, I does it my own way ; and when I 
 handles a musket, I points it at who I pleases.” 
 
 “ You’ll get hanged some day for your murderous qualities,” 
 returned the first ; “ and we shall be tarred with the same 
 brush for being found in such blackguard company.” 
 
 “ I’m thinking,” said Coldtoast, with a demoniac grin, 
 “ that there’ll be a piece of new rope cut for most of us on 
 the day we slip our wind. But I tell you, master, to your 
 teeth, that I’m no child to be snubbed and crossed by a 
 waspish nurse. If I am to stick by you, and do my duty, 
 why, let me steer by my own compass ; and, if not, then 
 
206 
 
 THE GKAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 give me my discharge, square the accounts, and let’s part 
 friends.” 
 
 “ Let us have no wrangling now,” said another ; “ it’s ill 
 work quarrelling amongst ourselves, when mayhap the 
 enemy is close aboard of us. If Coldtoast did shoot the 
 fellow, it was more in self-defence than otherwise; but 
 where’s the body ?” 
 
 “ They’ve stowed it away under the straw, there,” replied 
 a fourth, pointing in the direction where Ellen was sitting, 
 and indistinctly catching the purport of their conversation ; 
 “ but we must shove it down the hatchway, as soon as we 
 can find a snug spot, for, though they say dead men tell no 
 tales, yet they give strong evidence above ground.” 
 
 From the language that had been overheard, Ellen became 
 aware that murder had been committed, and her heart 
 sickened at the thought of such companionship. It was 
 evident that there were men among them whose unbridled 
 passions were capable of leading them to the perpetration 
 of the worst of crimes. Some of their hands were already 
 stained with blood, and there did not appear to be a single 
 individual to whom she could look for protection. 
 
 “ Keep sober, all of you,” exclaimed old Badger, himself 
 fast approaching to that state of inebriation which renders 
 the hardened drunkard desperate and dangerous. “ Keep 
 sober, I say; we shall soon have a pair of eyes upon us 
 that none of you can deceive. Juniper, look out and see 
 what sort of weather it is. These summer squalls are like 
 woman’s tears, soon passed away, and dried up by the breath 
 of pleasure.” 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 207 
 
 The man obeyed, and Ellen observed that he stood for 
 some time at the door of the building in conversation with 
 another person, whilst the carousal went on within. At 
 length he returned and reported the subsiding of the storm. 
 The terrified girl determined to make one more effort to 
 regain her liberty, and, advancing to old Badger, she en- 
 treated him in the most earnest manner to let her depart ; 
 but he was determinately stubborn against all her prayers, 
 and rudely commanded her to return to the place she had 
 quitted through the carelessness of her keeper, who had 
 fallen into a deep sleep. A smart blow from the hoary 
 smuggler roused him to his duty, and Ellen again seated 
 herself in her former position. 
 
 “ Come, come, young woman,” said Teetotum, stretching 
 himself by the side of the trembling maiden, and by the 
 rudeness of the act displacing the scattered straw ; “ come, 
 come, no more slipping from your moorings, if you please. 
 I must just take the liberty of lashing these pretty feet 
 together, and then, in spite of ould Badger, I’ll have my 
 snooze out.” He produced a piece of cord, and was about 
 to put his threat into execution, when Ellen stretched forth 
 her hand to assist her in rising from her seat, and she placed 
 it on a cold, clammy substance, which the feeble light 
 showed her was the face of a corpse. A wild, piercing 
 shriek rang through the building : the men started to their 
 arms ; the lamps were extinguished or concealed ; and Ellen, 
 with horrible sensations, unable to stir, yet sensible of her 
 situation, lay crouching by the side of the murdered man, 
 with darkness all around her. There was for a few moments 
 
208 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 a dead silence, which was broken by the sound of a shrill 
 whistle outside the building, and the sudden entrance of 
 some one, who immediately closed the doors. Again the 
 loud shriek of the tortured girl was heard, but suddenly she 
 felt the fingers of a rough hand clutching her throat, and 
 there was a whispering in her ear like the hissing of a 
 serpent, which uttered, “ Silence, devil ! it was a woman 
 who first betrayed man to death. Another murmur, louder 
 than an infant’s sigh, and it shall be your last in this world, 
 if I get scragged for it to-morrow.” 
 
 A loud knocking was heard at the door of the barn, but 
 all was quiet within. A confused noise of voices in high 
 dispute reached poor Ellen’s ear, and, in the hope that 
 rescue was near, she would have cried out for help ; but the 
 hand pressed heavily on her throat, and its grip tightened, 
 as if the smuggler was apprehensive of her design. 
 
 “ Move but a limb,” whispered he, “ and it shall soon 
 stiffen into death. Stir but your tongue, and I will tear it 
 from its roots. One murder has already been committed, 
 and two won’t bring a heavier punishment.” 
 
 The knocking was renewed, and Ellen became sensible of 
 the fact that attempts were making to force an entrance. A 
 slight bustle and whispering took place within the building, 
 and there was that peculiar sound, unlike all others, which was 
 emitted from the preparation of fire-arms by the clicking of 
 locks. “ They’re here! they’re here!” was shouted outside ; 
 and then an audible whisper within exclaimed, “ Stand 
 steady, lads! ’tis Moody’s men; fire by sixes. Juniper, 
 take the first shot ; old Badger next. Where is Coldtoast?” 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 209 
 
 “I am here,” replied the wretch, who was grasping 
 Ellen’s neck, and instant recollection told her that the hand 
 of the murderer was upon her. “ I am here, at my post, 
 and ready to do my office.” 
 
 “Villain as you are, if you commit one act of injury 
 upon that innocent girl, I will demand a fearful reckoning!” 
 returned the first; which was answered by a low, stifled 
 laugh of derision. 
 
 “ Come out, ould Badger!” shouted a voice from the out- 
 side, as the party were making strenuous efforts to break 
 open the door. “ Come out, you ould varmint ; Young Lion 
 is not with you now; we have him caged safe enough;” 
 and again, amidst curses and hammering, the door shook 
 with the assault. 
 
 “ Men ! the young Lion is not caged,” uttered in an under- 
 tone the individual who had issued his directions to the 
 smugglers relative to the order in which they were to 
 fire. “ He is here, among you, unshackled and free ; be 
 firm, and take steady aim. Do not leave a rascal of the 
 cutter to sup his broth again. We have nothing left but to 
 fight for it.” 
 
 Ellen became aware that a deadly conflict was at hand. 
 She could see nothing. The smuggler’s grasp still com- 
 pressed her small throat, and the corpse of the murdered 
 man was at her side. Suddenly bright flashes lighted up 
 the building, and the sharp crack of fire-arms echoed round 
 its walls. The entrance had been forced, and the foremost 
 of the assailants had either met their death or fallen 
 dangerously wounded. A discharge of musketry was poured 
 
210 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 in from tlie attacking party. Ellen heard the halls as they 
 whistled past her ; the shrieks of those in agony and the 
 groans of the dying were mingled with cheers and impreca- 
 tions. The hand that clutched her tightened for a moment 
 almost to strangulation; there was a convulsive effort to 
 force the spirit from its earthly tenement ; Ellen felt that 
 her end was approaching, and in that trying hour she 
 prayed to Him whose ear is never closed; she 'prayed for 
 succour, and she prayed for pardon from her Maker. No 
 sound escaped her lips ; the great name was not upon her 
 tongue; the aspirations were those of the mind; and the 
 fervent petition arose from the deep recesses of the heart. 
 A fresh discharge of fire-arms shook the building — one 
 pistol was fired so close to her that it set fire to her dress — 
 the smuggler’s hold relaxed. “ I am sold,” said he, “ but I 
 , will not die unrevenged. What treacherous scoundrel is it 
 that has shot me?” 
 
 “ It is I, your leader,” answered his comrade, in a tone of 
 defiance; “murderous villain, would you take the life of 
 innocence ? You have disobeyed my orders, and you have 
 paid the forfeit. Up, up, young lady ! quick ! this is no 
 place for you ; that rascal cannot detain you now.” 
 
 “Traitor, base traitor!” shouted the dying smuggler, 
 “ this to your heart, and may it destroy both soul and body !” 
 but before he could fire, his pistol was struck up — the 
 wretch fell a corpse by the side of his victim, and the 
 smuggler chief escaped. Ellen instantly rose, but she was 
 left alone, the companion of the dead. Terrible grew the 
 hand-to-hand contest ; the horses broke loose ancl ran wildly 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 211 
 
 about, when a lurid glare of light shot up towards the roof, 
 and instantly the whole scene was fearfully revealed. The 
 straw had taken fire ; the flames ascended ; they ran rapidly 
 along from stack to stack of unthreshed corn, till in a few 
 minutes the desolating element triumphed, and threatened 
 destruction to all within its reach. At length the revenue- 
 men were driven back ; the smugglers were victorious ; and 
 with considerable difficulty they succeeded in getting out 
 the terrified horses. All were soon mounted and in full 
 speed from the place of conflict, whilst poor Ellen was left 
 amidst the burning pile, almost surrounded by the devouring 
 flames. Self-preservation prompted exertion, but she knew 
 not which way to turn, and death again seemed certain of 
 his prey, when she was raised in the athletic arms of a 
 powerful young man, who bore her off in safety, having 
 sustained but little personal injury, though her upper 
 dress was entirely consumed. Her preserver was Edmund 
 Foster. 
 
 Was it, then, a circumstance to excite wonder that the 
 maiden should love the youth who saved her, or that he 
 should cherish the existence he had preserved ? They had 
 often met after this eventful night, though at his request 
 their meetings were held in secret. She did not stop to 
 consider the cause or the probable consequences of clan- 
 destine correspondence ; she placed implicit confidence in 
 his integrity and affection; for, had he not snatched her 
 from a horrible and almost certain fate ? And now they 
 stood, as before described, within the umbrageous foliage of 
 
 the alcove. 
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 14 
 
212 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 “ Nay, dearest,” exclaimed Edmund, half chidingly, as he 
 parted the clustering ringlets from her fair forehead, “ do 
 not let our present parting excite melancholy forebodings 
 respecting the future. Are we not bound together by the 
 most solemn vows ? and can you think, my own Ellen, that 
 I will ever give you cause for complaint ? ” 
 
 “ No, Edmund, no,” returned the agitated girl ; “ I can 
 never believe you purpose to deceive me. Such a thought 
 finds no encouragement in my mind. It would kill me — 
 indeed it would, Edmund — should I cherish suspicion of 
 your fidelity or honour. Yet, Edmund, there are times when 
 sickly apprehensions steal across me — ” 
 
 “ Of my love, Ellen ?” inquired the young man, interrupting 
 her, in a tone somewhat indicating reproach. “ You surely 
 cannot doubt my love for you ! Have I not again and 
 again assured you that you alone of all earthly beings 
 should ever hold possession of my soul’s regard? Come, 
 come, my Ellen, this is rendering parting doubly painful, 
 and perhaps — ; ” he paused. 
 
 “What, Edmund? what?” exclaimed the excited maiden. 
 “ Oh, tell me what you were going to say ; let me implore 
 you to give utterance to your thoughts!” 
 
 “ It was nothing, Ellen,” returned Foster, fondly pressing 
 her in his arms ; “ the cloud that crossed your mind threw 
 a passing shadow upon mine, and for the moment I yielded 
 to it; but now fair sunshine smiles upon us once more. 
 Another kiss, my Ellen, and then, dearest, I must away to 
 duty. A few weeks hence, and we shall meet again ; in the 
 meantime, love, you shall hear from me as usual.” 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 213 
 
 “ Edmund,” said Miss Courtney, solemnly, “ Edmund, a 
 heavy weight is on my spirit, an oppression that crushes 
 my rising hope. You know the strength of my affection ; 
 but you do not know the extent of my regard, or what it is 
 capable of enduring. I believe — I am certain — that you 
 love me ; but where there is love, there ought also to be 
 confidence. I confide implicitly in you, but you do not think 
 me worthy of sharing the secrets of your heart.” 
 
 “ Ellen,” returned the young man, in a voice of melancholy, 
 “ my own Ellen, your very words refute themselves. Circum- 
 stances may occur, nay, have occurred, which for the present 
 require that I should appear beneath a shade even to you. 
 You say that you confide in me, yet allow suspicion to prey 
 upon your happiness; if you deem me worthy of trust, 
 suffer a short time to elapse, and the mystery shall be 
 solved. Then, Ellen, then will I claim you for my bride. 
 We will be all the world to each other, and set the cold 
 formalities of unmeaning frivolity at defiance. Yes, Ellen,” 
 he added with more vehemence, “ at defiance ! But come, 
 love, come, the last sweet kiss — ay, lay your head against 
 my breast, and let me press it there.” 
 
 “ Like a lily blooming on a grave, like a ray of light 
 beaming on desolation,” mournfully uttered a musical and 
 plaintive voice close to them, which Ellen instantly knew to 
 be her aunt’s. “ Edmund Foster, or whatever your name 
 may be, forbear !” 
 
 The young man’s faculties were for the moment paralyzed, 
 but it was only for the moment. Shaking off the super- 
 stitious dread that had suddenly seized him, he exclaimed ; 
 
214 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 “ How now ! what impertinent intruder, what eaves-dropping 
 creature, is this?” but Ellen’s whisper, “It is my aunt,” 
 silenced his harshness, and he continued with more softness, 
 “ Your relatives should be mine, Ellen; they claim my 
 respect, though their language may not be altogether suited 
 to my feelings.” 
 
 “Hush! hush!” said the same plaintive and melodious 
 voice. “ I see the vision ; it is even now before me. There 
 is a burning pile, and armed men ; a deed of blood, and a 
 deed of bravery ; that fire hath enkindled in the human 
 heart a flame which death alone can quench!” She ceased 
 for a moment or two, amidst profound silence, and pro- 
 ceeded : “ It is past, it is gone ; and now the dimly veiled 
 future opens on my sight. Ha !” she faintly shrieked, 
 “ what is it that flits before my eyes ? No, no, it cannot be. 
 Oh, anguish! this is mockery — it cannot be; and yet ’tis 
 there — a nameless death, and a broken heart. Ellen Court- 
 ney, child of my sister’s love, beware ! Young man, depart. 
 Oh, hasten hence ; there is danger to all whilst you remain. 
 If you are generous, and brave, and noble-minded, depart, I 
 say, and come here no more. Remember the warning — a 
 nameless death, and a broken heart !” and they heard her 
 retiring footsteps outside the alcove. 
 
 Both stood for several minutes gazing at each other. The 
 light of day was nearly gone, but there was a flush of 
 crimson on the western sky that was reflected upon their 
 faces, and heightened the colour on their cheeks. At 
 length Ellen broke silence. “ 0 Edmund,” said she im- 
 ploringly, “ what is this that has come upon us ? Tell me, 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 215 
 
 tell me all ; indeed, I can endure anything for your 
 sake.” 
 
 The young man hesitated, and for an instant trembled ; 
 but, again assuming his usual boldness, he uttered with a 
 degree of bitterness that smote painfully upon poor Ellen’s 
 heart, “Do you expect me to become accountable for the 
 wild ravings of a maniac ? Have you engaged a lunatic to 
 aid you in your scheme of wringing from me a secret, which 
 T am bound by oath to keep inviolate? This is not the 
 Ellen Courtney who clung to me in the hour of peril. This 
 is not the Ellen Courtney whose faith was so solemnly 
 pledged to me.” 
 
 “ Edmund, dear Edmund, do not upbraid me thus,” said 
 the weeping maiden; “do not part from me in anger; 
 indeed, indeed I was not aware of Aunt Margaret’s pre- 
 sence. And her words — oh, • they were fearful words, 
 Edmund, and fearful must be their meaning ! What danger 
 do you apprehend ? what danger is at hand ? I know I am 
 but a child in heart, Edmund, but, believe me, I would 
 brave everything but dishonour to secure your safety.” 
 
 “ Danger, Ellen!” proudly returned the young man, as he 
 firmly planted his foot upon the green sward, and pressed 
 the fair girl more closely in his arm, “ I fear no danger ; it 
 has been familiar to me from my childhood. My only fear 
 is that you will brood over the ranting foolery of your aunt; 
 and her words really amount to nothing, after all — the mere 
 effects of a distempered imagination; but, as I say, my 
 only fear is that you will brood over them during my 
 absence and make yourself wretched. I spoke too hastily, 
 
216 
 
 THE GKAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 in my vexation at such mummery; for, what is there to 
 dread? But come, dearest, let it he forgotten; the time 
 for my departure has arrived. Smile upon me, Ellen, 
 before I go. Yes, let me see one of those sweet smiles that 
 shed the sun-light of hope upon my heart, to cheer me 
 when away. Oh, my soul always clings with fond remem- 
 brance to your last look of innocence and beauty ; amid the 
 howlings of the storm, it is the bright star that bursts 
 through every cloud ; in the hour of battle, it shall guide 
 me on to victory ! Your smile, Ellen ! your smile !” 
 
 The affectionate maiden looked on her lover’s animated 
 countenance, and tried to smile, but tears forced their way, 
 till, by gentle soothings, he had calmed the perturbation of 
 her mind ; and then, after an ardent embrace of fond regard 
 and solemn promises of fidelity, they parted, Ellen almost 
 verifying her aunt’s prediction, and Edmund — ; but J 
 must not forestall my story. 
 
 The course of events must now carry me to another scene, 
 and in a different kingdom. It was morning ; the sun rose 
 angrily, imparting the reddened hue of his inflamed wrath 
 to the dark clouds that hung upon the horizon, like the 
 mantling curtains of his night’s pavilion. The breeze was 
 fresh, approaching to a gale. Within the port of Flushing 
 lay one of those handsome luggers which the well-practised 
 eye of a seaman loves to gaze upon, and more especially if 
 such seaman is in the service of his country, or engaged in 
 the contraband. She was a smuggler. Her hull was 
 painted white, and deep in the water; her working lugs 
 were all ready for setting, and the crew were busily employed 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 217 
 
 in the necessary acts of preparation for sailing. An uncouth 
 elderly man sat abaft upon the companion, with a long 
 Flemish pipe in his mouth, which he removed occasionally 
 for the purpose of giving orders, or holding conversation 
 with those who were near him, whilst a huge mug of grog 
 was placed by his side, and partaken of equally and freely 
 by all on deck. 
 
 “ The Saucy SuJce will have a fine run to-night, I pre- 
 dicts,” said the apparent superior after a long whiff, and 
 the smoke scudding away to leeward, as if from the muzzle 
 of a gun; “here’s wind and weather in our favour; the 
 cruisers all snug at anchor, for your Tong-shore groupers 
 loves to shelter their noses from a rough night-gale. Clap 
 a piece of twine round the fag eend of them main halliards, 
 Juniper; lugs in good condition; craft in excellent trim; 
 off she goes, lads ; Flamborough Head and the boys all 
 ready.” 
 
 “ Ould Badger has it by heart,” rejoined Juniper, laugh- 
 ing ; “ and mayhap it’s all right, for, happy-go-lucky’s the 
 best arter all. What time is Young Lion to be aboard? ” 
 
 “ Yonder he stands, upon the quay,” answered the other, 
 pointing to a young man clothed in canvas trousers, a warm 
 Flushing jacket, with a hairy cap that partly concealed his 
 features. “ Well, that youngster is a- clever fellow, for sartin. 
 How famously he brought us off that night in Saint Marget’s 
 barn ! it was ‘ touch and go ’ with us. We’ve had many a 
 carouse there, that’s true ; and now the blackened ruins will 
 sarve for some o’ your nonsensical novel-writers to spin a 
 yarn about. They may call it ‘ The Smuggler’s Disaster ; 
 
218 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 or, the Tragical Eend of Coldtoast the Murderer.’” A 
 laugh succeeded this sally, and the hardened veteran went 
 on : “ It’s very odd, though, Young Lion has been a 
 different sort of fellow since, and he talks of this being 
 his last trip. Well, well, let him bring up wheresomever 
 he likes — the free trade will lose one of its best hands, 
 and ould Dangerfield will never get such another gallant 
 fellow to do his sarvice. See, he is waving for the punt ; 
 jump into the boat, Teetotum, and fetch the skipper 
 aboard.” 
 
 Teetotum (who with the others will be recognised as old 
 acquaintances) immediately obeyed, and the commander 
 was soon pacing the deck, issuing his directions for getting 
 under way, and in a short space of time the Saucy Suke 
 was rattling through the Duerloo channel, bound on an 
 adventurous voyage to England. The lugger was one of 
 the largest of her class, admeasuring nearly two hundred 
 tons, and carrying sixteen guns, with a crew of sixty 
 determined men. The gale blew strong, with a broken 
 cross sea ; and, as the lovely craft danced over the waters 
 like a flying fish, she threw the spray about as if in 
 sportive play with her native element. The skipper, with 
 watchful and eager eye, not only kept a good look- out on 
 every straining motion of his vessel, but his spy-glass was 
 constantly in his hand, , observing every stranger that hove 
 in sight. 
 
 It was nearly six bells in the afternoon watch, when a 
 large cutter made her appearance on their weather-beam, 
 standing in for the English coast, and the smuggler instantly 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 219 
 
 knew her to be the Lively , under the flag of the revenue. 
 “ She sees us,” exclaimed the captain, addressing old Badger, 
 his second in command, “ and he will run in with us for the 
 purpose of deception. Never mind, keep her in her course, 
 lad, and steer small.” 
 
 “ Ay, ay,” responded old Badger, “ we do not fear him ; 
 our guns are as heavy as his, and we are better manned ; 
 both men and metal would like to do a bit of talking with 
 them chaps.” 
 
 “ I know it,” replied the captain, and then added musingly, 
 “ still, it will not suit my designs to fight, if I can avoid it ; 
 but I will not run away.” 
 
 That the revenue cutter had recognised the smuggler w T as 
 evident : the former kept edging off to close the latter, who, 
 however, had the heels of his opponent, and would soon 
 have left her, had not a large ship appeared right ahead, 
 which, by the squareness and nice set of her close-reefed 
 top-sails and large courses, Young Lion knew to be a heavy 
 sloop, or a frigate a little off the wind. Somewhat chagrined, 
 but nothing daunted, the skipper revolved in his mind what 
 was best to be done. If he ran away before it, he should 
 be carried off from his ground, and the frigate might set a 
 press of canvas that would bring her alongside. If he came 
 to the wind, he must close with the cutter, whose signals 
 were already informing the man-of-war that a smuggler 
 was in sight. It is true, he might return towards the port 
 which he had left, but there was still the chance of being 
 intercepted by some of the numerous cruisers that were 
 constantly in those seas ; he was dead under the lee of the 
 
220 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 cutter, "but to windward of the ship which had immediately 
 hauled up in chase. Under all circumstances, he came to 
 the wind on the larboard tack, bringing the cutter a hand- 
 spike’s length open on his weather how ; and she, observing 
 the manoeuvre, wore round upon the starboard tack, to keep 
 the weather-gage, as well also as to close the lugger. “ There 
 is too much sea for the guns to be of any use,” exclaimed 
 old Badger, addressing the commander ; “ but, if the Lively 
 comes to speak us, our small arms may keep ’em civil. 
 We shall soon have a dark night, and then we can bid ’em 
 good-bye.” 
 
 “ We have nothing to fear,” returned the captain ; “ the 
 Saucy SuJce will sail round the cutter in this breeze. Our 
 sticks are good, for that new fore-mast, though it bends but 
 little, carries the canvas well. We will hold on to the wind 
 till dark, and then keep our course again.” 
 
 The two vessels were now rapidly approaching each 
 other. The cutter hoisted her ensign at the peak, and 
 swallow-tailed flag at the mast head; the lugger showed 
 the horizontal tricolours of Holland on her mizen-staff. The 
 Lively edged down towards her opponent, well knowing her 
 character and the determined and daring men she had to 
 deal with. Affairs were in this position; the cutter had 
 reached within musket-shot; the lugger’s crew, excepting 
 the captain, old Badger, and a few hands to tend the sheets, 
 were sheltering (fire-arms in hand) below, when a short, 
 broken sea struck the Saucy Suke on her bow. There was 
 a cracking and crashing of spars, and the new fore-mast lay 
 in splintered wreck over the side ; the fore yard-arm passing 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 221 
 
 through the main-sail, and rending it from clew to ear-ring. 
 The cutter beheld the catastrophe, and a loud shout came 
 down upon the breeze across the waters to the embarrassed 
 smugglers. The shout was, however, promptly returned, as 
 the crew of the lugger turned-to with hearty good-will to 
 repair the damages as well as it was possible to do so. The 
 cutter passed within hail, and a musket-shot, whether by 
 design or accident, struck old Badger, and wounded him 
 in the arm. The smugglers, inflamed with resentment, 
 immediately returned the fire, and a smart engagement 
 ensued, in which several on both sides were killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 Young Lion saw his men fall with feelings approaching 
 to maddened desperation; he knew himself more than a 
 match for the cutter, but he looked at the wreck of the 
 fore-mast as it was cut clear from the side and went astern ; 
 he saw the frigate was creeping up to windward, and, 
 therefore, he determined to run for it. The tattered main 
 lug was shifted for a sail of much larger dimensions, and, 
 putting up the helm, the lugger was placed as near before 
 the wind as could be allowed without danger of gibing. 
 Away she went over the green seas, nearly burying her 
 bows beneath the waves. The cutter followed in her wake, 
 firing as long as she was within reach of musketry, and 
 many a stout fellow was driven wounded from the helm. 
 The frigate had also borne up and shaken out her reefs, but 
 the Saucy Suke outsailed them both, till, darkness veiling 
 the sky and ocean, and a jury fore-mast having been rigged, 
 she once more stood in for the British coast. But the wind 
 
222 
 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 fell, and a thick fog came on, which at first the smugglers 
 deemed favourable, and for a time it concealed them ; but 
 an unforeseen circumstance brought them again into collision 
 with their foe. 
 
 The lugger had rounded-to for the purpose of sounding; 
 when a heavy shock upon the quarter, that nearly threw 
 her on her beam ends, told them they had been run foul 
 of, and a cutter’s bowsprit between their two after-masts 
 informed them of the character of the vessel which had 
 struck them. At first, consternation reigned in both vessels ; 
 but a few minutes served to change the feeling into deadly 
 animosity, when each discovered their old opponent — the 
 Lively and the Smuggler. Forgetting their immediate 
 danger, forgetting all but the hatred they mutually bore, 
 both parties closed in deadly strife. The revenue men 
 boarded and were repulsed; and the smugglers, in their 
 eagerness to drive them back, followed the retreating 
 enemy to the Lively's deck. Old Badger fought with 
 desperation, till the commander of the cutter put a pistol- 
 ball through his head; which was immediately retaliated by 
 Young Lion passing his sword through the heart of the 
 captain of the Lively , and the cutter surrendered. The 
 heavy booming of an eighteen-pounder at no great distance 
 startled the smugglers, who, in an almost sinking state, cut 
 themselves clear of the conquered craft. But the cutter’s 
 bowsprit had split the main-sail, and, before they could shift 
 it for the great one, a partial clear showed them the frigate 
 close aboard of them, and all hopes of escape were at an 
 end. In another quarter of an hour, the Saucy Suke was 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 223 
 
 prize to his Majesty’s ship the Fisgard; which, as soon 
 as the lugger’s damages were repaired, stood with her for 
 the Downs. 
 
 The daring hand of outlaws were sent to Maidstone jail, 
 where they were tried for murder, and, being convicted, 
 received various sentences, some to be transported for life, 
 and others to an ignominious death ; and amongst the latter 
 was the smuggler chief, Young Lion, who was sworn to as 
 having killed the captain of the cutter. 
 
 But to return to Ellen. After Edmund’s departure, she 
 had frequently heard from him, and his letters breathed 
 the pure spirit of affection. Hope revived her pleasing 
 anticipations of his return, and the last letter she received 
 had fixed the period when they were to meet again. The 
 time arrived, and passed away ; days, weeks, rolled on, and 
 yet he came not, and her heart sickened and sickened, as 
 continued disappointment marred her expectations. 
 
 It was on a cold morning of January that business called 
 Aunt Margaret to Dover, and her niece accompanied her in 
 a small pony chaise; and, as their road lay across the 
 country, they met with but little interruption, till, coming 
 upon the turnpike, they were surprised at observing numerous 
 groups of people hastening towards the town. At Charlton 
 Lane-end the crowd was so dense that it was next to im- 
 possible to press through it, and their little carriage became 
 so completely enveloped by the surrounding mass, that even 
 to turn back was impracticable. The reason of this assem- 
 blage was soon made manifest to their senses; for there, 
 across the end of the lane, stood the supporters and cross- 
 
224 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 beam of a gallows ! Young Lion and the most desperate of 
 the crew had been selected to suffer the penalty of the law 
 at Dover, as a fearful warning to the smugglers of that 
 neighbourhood. Aunt Margaret sat in a sort of stupor ; but 
 her arm was convulsively grasped round the terrified Ellen, 
 who had scarcely time to conjecture the meaning of what 
 she witnessed, before the melancholy cavalcade approached 
 the fatal tree, and at last drew up beneath it. She would 
 have closed her eyes, but an indescribable dread prevented 
 her, and she gazed upon the spectacle with breathless 
 horror. The unhappy culprits knelt with the reverend 
 clergyman in prayer. Young Lion had his back towards 
 her, but in the countenance of his fellow-sufferer she remem- 
 bered the features indelibly impressed upon her memory 
 during the adventure in St. Margaret’s barn — it was Teeto- 
 tum. They rose from their knees, their neckerchiefs were 
 removed, and the noose was adjusted round the neck. 
 Young Lion drew a small packet from his breast, and pre- 
 sented it to the divine, who, by his gesticulations, seemed 
 promising to comply with some request. The young man 
 then turned to the crowd, but, oh ! what was Ellen’s 
 anguish and despair when she beheld in that dying man 
 the first, the only love of her heart — Edmund Fester ! A 
 shriek, a wild and piercing shriek, drew his attention 
 towards the spot ; but the wretched girl had fallen prostrate 
 in the carriage, and Edmund saw her not. A few minutes 
 more, and he hung a corpse. 
 
 Ellen was conveyed home in a state of insensibility ; and 
 when she recovered a partial glimmering of reason, her con- 
 
THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
 225 
 
 stant, her earnest request was, that the body of her lover 
 might be interred in the village church-yard. Through the 
 intervention of friends, this wish was ultimately accom- 
 plished : an unsculptured stone was placed at the head of 
 the green sods, and a few months afterwards the devoted 
 girl was laid within the same cold tenement, where stands 
 THE GRAVESTONE WITHOUT A NAME. 
 
Jj me ira Dtafrle. 
 
 Whoever has visited Italy must retain a lasting remem- 
 brance of its romantic beauties, its delicious climate, and 
 the balmy odours exhaled from the glowing productions of 
 its soil. It was in one of the most delightful parts of this 
 luxuriant country that Joachim Galeazzo cultivated his 
 extensive vineyards, and his wealth and influence rendered 
 him of considerable importance, not only in the immediate 
 neighbourhood, but throughout the province where he 
 resided. Possessed of a fine manly form, and endowed with 
 a countenance of mild benevolence, it could be no wonder 
 that he was united to a woman whose loveliness first 
 attracted his attention, and whose sweetness of disposition 
 secured the best affections of his heart. Smiling little 
 cherubs blessed their union ; gladdening prospects crowned 
 their industry; and happiness shed contentment on their 
 days. It was delightful to see the merry children, after the 
 heat of the day had subsided, playing round the margin of 
 the clear fountain, where the graceful peasant girls were 
 drawing water, or revelling on the verdant lawn, and sport- 
 in their innocence and gaiety. 
 
 But this was a bliss too pure to continue long. That 
 plague of kings and scourge of nations— ambition — urged 
 
FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 227 
 
 Napoleon on to conquest; and war, with its attendant 
 horrors, spread devastation through the fertile valleys, 
 while ravages heightened by ruthless ferocity marked the 
 progress of the invaders. In vain did the peasants rush to 
 defend their country and their homes; the army of the 
 conqueror advanced amid smoking ruins and burning villages, 
 the ashes of which were quenched only by the blood of 
 slaughtered victims. Galeazzo possessed a soul of un- 
 daunted courage, and he determined to exert his utmost 
 efforts to repel the approaching storm. He assembled a 
 band of the bravest of his countrymen, and a solemn 
 oath was pledged upon the altar that they would expel the 
 sanguinary invaders from their native soil, or die in the 
 attempt. 
 
 It was an affecting sight to see those self-devoted heroes 
 parting from their families and friends. Mothers and 
 maidens, amid all the anxious emotions which fill the 
 female heart with apprehension, looked with glowing pride 
 upon the men they loved ; and the small but firm phalanx 
 bade adieu to their peaceful habitations, and to those whom 
 danger bound more strongly round their hearts, determined 
 that no disgrace should tarnish their fair fame. 
 
 Galeazzo and his band of patriots marched towards the 
 enemy, and nearly the wdiole of them fell in the desperate 
 struggle for liberty. They had, however, inspired their 
 countrymen with fresh vigour, and the career of Napoleon 
 was for a short time checked. The gallant conduct of 
 Galeazzo, who still survived, pointed him out as a fit person 
 to assume a higher command : a number of select and well- 
 
 CIS) 15 
 
228 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 tried men were therefore placed at his disposal, and, without 
 risking a general engagement, he commenced that species of 
 guerilla warfare which afterwards became so terrible to the 
 French. 
 
 But Fortune, which at first crowned the efforts of Galeazzo 
 with success, at length forsook him : in an evil hour he fell 
 into a snare that had been laid to entrap him ; his men were 
 either killed or dispersed, and, wounded almost to death, he 
 returned to his own estate, to aid the flight of his family to 
 the mountains. 
 
 Almost fainting with the loss of blood, he arrived at the 
 midnight hour on the borders of his vineyards. But the 
 hand of the destroyer had been speedy; the red hue of the 
 crackling flames streamed upon his sight, and, overpowered 
 with agony and weakness, he sank to the ground behind a 
 hedge of myrtle that screened him from observation. In- 
 sensibility would have been a blessing, but it came not; 
 for, though unable to rise from the spot where he had 
 fallen, his mind was still acutely alive to all that passed 
 within his view. He saw his little innocents butchered by 
 the murderous hands of the inebriated troops ; he saw his 
 beautiful wife struggling in vain against the brutal violence 
 of the soldiery ; he beheld the bodies of his children — 
 
 “ Their silver skins laced with their golden blood 
 
 thrown among the burning embers of their once happy 
 home. His soul sickened at the spectacle, and his senses 
 forsook him. 
 
 At length the ruthless passions of the troops were satiated; 
 
FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 229 
 
 demolition ceased, for there was nothing more to destroy ; 
 and they quitted the work of their impious hands to immolate 
 other victims, and to offer fresh sacrifices at the shrine of 
 Napoleon’s ambition. 
 
 Morning dawned upon the wretched sufferer, who awoke 
 once more to sense and misery ; yet all around was calm, 
 except when the solemn stillness was broken by the piercing 
 death-shriek of some poor wretch in his mortal agony, or 
 the distant discharge of artillery that told a tale of slaughter. 
 Still, serenely beautiful was the clear blue sky, tinged with 
 the golden radiance of the sun ; and the blushing flowers 
 that had drunk the moistening dew breathed forth their 
 odours to the morning breeze, blending the soul of sweetness 
 with the cooling winds. But the song of the peasant, as he 
 early plied his wonted task among the purple clusters of the 
 vine, was heard no more. The very birds, scared by the 
 blackening smoke that curled towards the heavens, and, like 
 the blood of Abel, cried for vengeance, had left the spot 
 where desolation triumphed. 
 
 Life was rapidly passing away from the wretched Galeazzo; 
 his wounds had burst out afresh in his struggles to rise, and 
 he felt approaching dissolution spread its film over his eyes : 
 still he continued fearfully sensible of his situation, and 
 waited for the hour when his mortal agony should cease. 
 
 At this moment the whole expanse was filled with a wild, 
 unnatural yell, like the mingling laugh and shriek of the 
 tortured maniac ; and a female figure, her hair dishevelled 
 and hanging on her bare and bleeding bosom, her white 
 dress rent and deeply stained with human gore, appeared 
 
230 
 
 FREREDU DIABLE. 
 
 upon the lawn. Her left hand was writhed in the hair of a 
 French soldier, who was wounded beyond the power of 
 resistance; and, with strength almost surpassing nature, 
 she dragged him towards the still glowing ashes of her once 
 joyous habitation. Her right hand grasped a dagger which 
 was reeking with blood, and there she stood like another 
 Hecate oyer her fallen prey. There was a maddened laugh 
 ■ — a scream — a shout of triumph — as she buried the ruddy 
 steel in the body of the soldier, then flashed it in the sun, 
 and again plunged it to the hilt in his breast. She gazed 
 upon her prostrate enemy with the fiend-like expression of 
 a demon, and seemed to feel a terrible gratification in 
 turning over every mangled corpse that bore the uniform of 
 France, and with a direful vengeance thrusting the daggel 
 into many a heart that had long ceased to beat. Unsatiated 
 by revenge, she looked around for fresh offerings to her fury, 
 and at length came to the spot where Galeazzo was crouched, 
 
 *• Breathing the slow remains of life away." 
 
 She looked on his sunken eye and hollow cheek, and, raising 
 the weapon in her hand, “ Die, wretch,” said she, “ for thou 
 hast nought to live for now!” But Nature refused com- 
 pliance with her purpose; the dagger dropped from her 
 unnerved grasp, and she fell senseless by his side — it was 
 his wife ! 
 
 * * 
 
 The French army continued to advance almost unmolested, 
 and thousands fled to the mountains to escape the ravages 
 of war. But, though these remained quiescent and passive 
 
FEEEE DU DIABLE. 
 
 231 
 
 at first, yet, when the impulse of terror had subsided, the 
 guerillas again formed themselves into an organized band, 
 and swore eternal enmity to France. Their leader was a 
 man of dauntless intrepidity and cool determination. Ever 
 foremost in the conflict, and always the last in the retreat, 
 he soon became a conspicuous object to the invaders; and, 
 when the army encamped near Capua, his single hand per- 
 formed prodigies of valour. The outposts were constantly 
 attacked ; the sentinels, even in the very centre of the main 
 body, were found dead upon their post ; and but few of the 
 foraging parties ever returned to supply the wants of the 
 soldiery. All succour was cut off from seaward by the 
 British cruisers, and provisions began rapidly to diminish, 
 in spite of even the masterly commissariat of Buonaparte. 
 
 The officers had been accustomed to make excursions into 
 the surrounding country, but this was at last forbidden, for 
 there was scarcely a jutting crag or a thicket that did not 
 conceal a desperate enemy, whose shining blade or long 
 fusee was prompt to deal destruction. In vain were whole 
 brigades called out to scour the country — the guerillas were 
 secure in their mountain-holds, and bade defiance to their 
 foes. Attempts were made to dislodge them from their 
 positions, but they were utterly fruitless ; for, though a few 
 prisoners fell into the hands of the French, and, after 
 suffering torture, were hung upon the branches of trees, as 
 spectacles for their companions, yet this did but instigate 
 them to firmer resolve and to deeper revenge. 
 
 The chief had been known repeatedly to visit the camp of 
 the invading army in disguise ; and once, on being detected 
 
232 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 and pursued, the bullets whistled round him in every direc- 
 tion; but he escaped unhurt, and superstition whispered 
 that his body was impervious to shot ! The sentinels 
 declared that they had seen him assume a variety of shapes, 
 for he was sometimes perceived in the form of a wolf 
 stealing from bush to bush, and then he would suddenly 
 emerge in all the vigour and pride of manhood ; but pursuit 
 seemed useless, for he was said to disappear so suddenly 
 that none but those who were under the protection of super- 
 human agency could otherwise have escaped. A general 
 consternation spread among the soldiery, even the com- 
 manders caught the infection; and this desperate leader 
 became known to the whole army under the appellation of 
 Frere du Diable. Large rewards were set upon his head ; 
 many of the officers bound themselves by oath to take him 
 dead or alive, but their oath was generally sealed in death. 
 Oftentimes, when the wine was set upon the convivial 
 board and the canvas walls echoed to the sounds of mirth, 
 the alarm was given that Frere du Diable was in the camp, 
 and every weapon was prepared, and every eye alert for 
 action. Oftentimes, at the evening hour, when the generous 
 liquor had warmed the flagging courage, would some one or 
 other, more bold than his companions, laugh at their 
 pusillanimity, and swear to destroy the common foe ; but 
 the morning light generally saw him a corpse, with some 
 certain token that either Frdre du Diable or one of his com- 
 rades had dealt the blow. 
 
 It was about this time that Sir Sidney Smith commanded 
 a fine frigate in the Mediterranean, and few men were 
 
FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 233 
 
 better adapted for the conducting of that sort of amphibious 
 warfare' which attended the hostilities on the shores of 
 Italy. Dauntless intrepidity and daring resolution were 
 mingled with a skilful knowledge of his profession, and 
 there was a certain degree of romantic enthusiasm in his 
 enterprises which strongly displayed his adventurous and 
 chivalrous spirit. The defeat of the French at Acre and 
 other places was an incontestable proof how well he could 
 conduct operations on land; and, in boarding and cutting 
 out the vessels of the enemy from under the embrasures of 
 well-mounted batteries, or in storming the batteries them- 
 selves, his cool courage and his steady skill were regarded 
 as pledges of victory by the intrepid seamen. But his chief 
 delight was to lead his men, under the cover of the twilight 
 glow of an Italian night, through the dark mazes of the 
 forest, or winding among the huge masses of rock that lined 
 the coast, where the wild guerilla crossed his path, or joined 
 his band and gave intelligence of the enemy. 
 
 It would be impossible for language to do adequate 
 justice to such a scene. The slow movements of a hundred 
 men, who crept from bush to bush without a whisper — 
 the cautious and silent advance upon the enemy — the red 
 watch-fire that marked the temporary encampment of the 
 French, and the occasional challenge of the drowsy sentinel 
 at the outpost, which died away upon the breeze as tran- 
 quillity was restored — the crouching down in breathless 
 silence till suspicion was lulled— oh ! there was a degree of 
 enchantment in the whole, which then was realized, but 
 cannot now be described. 
 
234 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 To the seamen these expeditions were a source of real 
 amusement, and they afforded them repeated opportunities 
 for indulging in their characteristic humour. When the 
 word was passed for the boats to be manned (and none but 
 volunteers were permitted to go with the captain) the 
 hoarse voice of the boatswain’s mate followed his shrill pipe, 
 and, as the words “Bush-fighters, away!” resounded down 
 the hatchways, every man fore and aft knew the purport of 
 the summons, and all would have gladly joined the party 
 for the shore. 
 
 But, though I say all, it must be admitted that the old 
 master was an exception ; he would have fought any enemy 
 in his ship, or would have run her flying-jib-boom into 
 the largest ship in the French Navy ; but he had no idea 
 of “land-privateering,” as he termed it. “A sailor,” he 
 said, “always gets out of soundings ashore, and without 
 knowing his bearings and distances, generally runs upon a 
 false reckoning.” The fact was, he was as much a piece 
 of the frigate as any timber-head on her hull ; and nothing 
 short of being wrecked or blown up could have separated 
 them. 
 
 Sir Sidney had obtained intelligence that Frere du 
 Diable was in the neighbourhood of his cruising-ground, 
 and, wishing to communicate with him, for the purpose of 
 ascertaining the precise situation and operations of the 
 French, the boats were manned and armed, and, an hour 
 before day-break, the whole party landed in a small cove, 
 formed by rocks that entirely concealed from view the means 
 of debarkation. 
 
FREEE DU DIA.BLE. 
 
 235 
 
 Leaving the principal portion of the men by the boats, 
 with strict orders to the officer not to suffer any one to 
 stray away, but to be extremely vigilant, Sir Sidney, with a 
 lieutenant, two midshipmen, and twelve men, proceeded on 
 his way, over rock and stone, through bush and brier, 
 towards the spot where it was most probable the guerilla 
 chief would be found. It was a lovely morning ; the stars 
 still glistened in the clear blue heaven of an Italian sky, 
 and there was that sort of dubious light vftiich greatly 
 added to the beauty of the romantic scenery. Sometimes 
 the party had to climb by aid of their hands and knees to 
 the summit of the frowning, precipice, and at others to 
 slide down huge masses of rock; so necessary was it to 
 keep from every beaten track, for the purpose of avoiding 
 any stragglers from the enemy’s camp who might raise an 
 alarm. 
 
 At length, after considerable exertion, and just as the 
 sun appeared above the verge of the horizon, they arrived 
 at a place in the interior of a thick forest, and nearly at 
 the extreme height of a mountain, which evidently dis- 
 played strong lines of defence, but so inartificially contrived 
 as to appear more the work of Nature than of the hand 
 of man. Huge trees lay piled in various directions, as if 
 thrown down by some gust of the wild tempest, yet in 
 such positions as to afford occasional shelter to a retreating 
 party, and offering an admirable post for harassing an 
 advancing foe. 
 
 Scarcely was the first of these barriers passed when a 
 shrill whistle sounded close to them, and, in a few minutes, 
 
236 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 they burst into an open space, that had been cleared of the 
 underwood and some of the trees, and now formed a pleasant 
 alcove. Here the scene became highly interesting : it was 
 one of those which Salvator Rosa would have gloried in 
 transferring to the canvas. In one corner, upon an elevated 
 mound, so as to command a view of the whole area, sat a 
 majestic-looking figure, with a countenance of mild serenity, 
 but yet of a commanding aspect. Over his shoulders was 
 hung the skin of a wolf, and the lower part of his body was 
 enveloped in a cloak of furs. The butts of his pistols were 
 just seen, as they stuck in his broad girdle; a heavy sword 
 and a carbine lay by his side, and in his hand he held that 
 peculiar kind of knife so well known as the favourite weapon 
 of the guerilla. Resting upon one knee, and her arm leaning 
 on his shoulder, was a female of great beauty; she was 
 gazing tenderly upon him, but at intervals there was a 
 fierce flashing of the eyes, an agitated contortion of feature, 
 that rendered her terrible to sight. There was nevertheless 
 a fascinating beauty still, though it was constantly changing 
 from the glance of fervid affection to the fiend-like expres- 
 sion of a fallen angel. These were Fr&re du Diable and his 
 wife, or, in other words, Galeazzo and Camilla. 
 
 The guerilla band were assembled in separate groups, yet 
 so connected as to be ready for action at a moment’s warning. 
 Some were stretched upon the ground, and still buried in the 
 deep sleep which exertion and fatigue render so delicious to 
 the weary frame ; others were awaking from their slumbers 
 and stretching their sinewy limbs ; whilst a few were 
 examining their arms or polishing their knives. 
 
FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 237 
 
 The shrill whistle again sounded, when a single blast 
 from a bugle roused every soul in an instant, and, carbine in 
 hand, they stood prepared for battle. Sir Sidney advanced, 
 was immediately recognised, and a loud shout of joy pro- 
 claimed his welcome. The guerillas laid down their arms, 
 and received the seamen with demonstrations of attachment. 
 The chiefs met and embraced in token of amity, whilst the 
 beautiful Camilla testified her satisfaction to see the enemies 
 of the French. A multitude of conflicting feelings seemed 
 to agitate her soul, as she pressed the hand of Sir Sidney to 
 her heart, and called upon him as “ the avenger of blood.” 
 
 As soon as order was restored, the two chiefs held a con- 
 ference together, after which refreshments were spread upon 
 the green sward, consisting of dried venison, hard cheese, 
 bread, fruits, and wine. On the elevated mound Galeazzo, 
 Camilla, Sir Sidney, and the British officers were seated on 
 the grass. Behind the guerilla chief, a little to the right, 
 stood the bugleman, and on the left, the sword-bearer, both 
 prompt to obey commands. The seamen joined in the 
 messes of the band, and the utmost harmony prevailed. 
 
 A few minutes had elapsed since these arrangements were 
 made, when suddenly a bright flash was seen among the 
 bushes on the opposite side to that where the chief sat, and, 
 as the report of fire-arms echoed' among the rocks, the 
 bugleman fell dead upon Sir Sidney’s shoulder. All parties 
 were instantly on their feet, and the chiefs dealt mutual 
 looks of distrust at each other. It was evident that the 
 ball had been designed for one of them, and suspicion per- 
 vaded the minds of both that treachery was at work. Tha 
 
238 
 
 FRERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 dauntless look of defiance was exchanged, but it was only 
 momentary, for the shrill voice of Camilla was heard. “ Do 
 they seek the lion in his den?” she exclaimed with bitter- 
 ness ; “ on, on ! and destroy the common foe !” 
 
 The features of the guerilla changed; he grasped Sir 
 Sidney’s hand with impetuosity, gazed for a moment on the 
 corpse, and then, seizing the bugle, blew a blast so loud and 
 shrill that every rock and glen re-echoed the noise. He 
 ceased, and the whole band stood in breathless silence, 
 watching their leader, who appeared like a statue ; but no 
 sound was heard except the gentle rustling of the leaves in 
 the morning breeze. Again with wild haste the chief raised 
 the bugle, and sounded louder and longer than before, and 
 again all subsided to the deepest attention. At length, 
 answering blasts were heard in different directions, and the 
 chief, dashing the bugle on the ground, gave orders for the 
 immediate departure of his band. Sir Sidney wished to 
 accompany him, but this offer was politely declined; yet, 
 turning to Camilla, he requested her to remain with the 
 English captain till his return. She gave her husband a 
 look of stern reproach. “Am I not bereaved?” said she. 
 “ Is not the blood of my offspring on their hands ? Will 
 not the wolf fight for her whelps, and shall I shrink ? On ! 
 on, Galeazzo ! the death-shriek of my murdered children is 
 ringing in my ears, and nought but deep and terrible revenge 
 can satisfy me now !” 
 
 The chief raised the wolf’s skin from his shoulders, and, 
 drawing the head part over his own, so that the nostrils 
 covered his brow, he assumed that terrific appearance 
 
FKERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 239 
 
 which at all times rendered him so conspicuous an object in 
 his encounters with the enemy. He again grasped Sir 
 Sidney’s hand, and requested him to return to his ship ; and, 
 as soon as he saw smoke rising from the spot on which he 
 then stood, he might consider it as a signal for him to retrace 
 his steps to the place of rendezvous. 
 
 The guerilla band spread themselves into small parties, 
 and pursued different routes, though only at such distances 
 from each other as to be ready to unite in one body if it 
 should be necessary; and in a few minutes not a vestige of 
 the troop remained, except the corpse, the broken food, and 
 the half-emptied flagons. 
 
 The British party returned to the frigate, and a careful 
 watch was set to look out for the concerted signal. The 
 officers were constantly directing their spy-glasses towards 
 the spot, but nothing was seen ; and the day passed away 
 in restless impatience, not unaccompanied with suspicion of 
 Fr&re du Liable's intentions. 
 
 Night came — a beautiful clear Italian night — reviving in 
 the mind all the strong fervour of romance. The deep blue 
 of the sky, reflected on the transparent wave, which gave 
 back its lovely hue, was beautifully contrasted with the 
 dark foliage and the rocky masses which bound the shore, 
 affording no indication of human dwelling — all was still 
 and passionless. The eye was eagerly strained towards 
 the thick wood, which frowned in gloom and pride, when, 
 about the middle of the first watch, light wreaths of smoke 
 curled upward above the trees, followed by bright flashes, 
 and, in a few minutes, the red glare of ascending flames 
 
240 
 
 FKERE DU DIABLE. 
 
 gave a grand and terrific change to the quiet of the 
 scene. 
 
 The boats were again manned, and soon sweeping through 
 the liquid element to the spot they had quitted in the 
 morning ; and, in an hour, Sir Sidney, with a more numerous 
 retinue than before, arrived at the appointed place. But, 
 though the scene of the early day was striking, it was a 
 mere tranquil spectacle when compared with the present, 
 where ferocity was heightened by wild intoxication and 
 horrid cruelty. In the centre of the space the dry trunks 
 of trees were piled on end, so as to form a spiral elevation 
 and terminate almost in a point at the summit. They 
 were burning with great rapidity, and cast a red tinge 
 on the figures that were spread around. The chief leaned 
 upon his heavy sword near the fire, and his wife stood 
 laughing by his side ; but that laugh was utterly destitute 
 of human pleasure — it was like the laugh of a fallen angel 
 exulting over mortal agony. She was terrible in her beauty, 
 and the soul trembled before her demoniac gaze. A loud 
 shout proclaimed Sir Sidney’s presence, and he immediately 
 advanced towards the chief, who received him in the most 
 cordial manner ; whilst Camilla, in wild accents, exclaimed, 
 “ They would seek the lion in his den ! But more blood 
 has been shed as a sacrifice to avenge my murdered babes ” 
 — and she threw another log into the flames. 
 
 The chief informed Sir Sidney that the pursuit of the 
 guerillas had not been unavailing, for they had followed the 
 delinquent (who proved to be a French soldier, under pledge 
 to destroy Fr&re du I) [able ) down to the very outposts of 
 
FREJRE DU DIABUE. 
 
 241 
 
 the enemy’s camp, where, after a slight skirmish, he was 
 captured and brought back to the stronghold of the band, 
 “ And see,” said the chief, opening the blazing pile with his 
 sword and showing the mutilated remains of a human body 
 consuming in the flames, “ thus perish all our enemies ! ” 
 “ Ay, perish, perish for ever!” responded Camilla. “This 
 is he,” continued the chief, “ who fired the shot this morning. 
 He confessed that it was designed for me, but thus — thus 
 am I avenged!” The miserable victim had been burnt 
 alive. 
 
Cjjt W&nxlatk. 
 
 About twenty-four hours’ sail to the southward of Rio 
 Janeiro, on the east coast of Brazil, lies the island of San ctos, 
 which though entirely separated from the mainland, yet is so 
 completely dovetailed into it as to appear a part of the conti- 
 nent ; and when seen from the sea it is impossible to detect 
 the broken line of coast. The town, bearing the same name 
 as the island, is situated on that side which is most distant 
 from the ocean ; the streets are remarkably clean, and the 
 houses present a very neat appearance, considering that the 
 inhabitants are Portuguese. But then it must also be taken 
 into account that it is the isolated residence of persons who 
 have scarcely any intercourse with the rest of mankind, and 
 whose principal occupation is to superintend and manage the 
 gold mines of San Paulo, situated a few leagues in the interior. 
 
 Some twenty-five or thirty years ago, Sanctos could, per- 
 haps, boast of a greater number of beautiful women than 
 any town of its dimensions in the world ; but their educa- 
 tion was so very limited, and they were so constantly under 
 the influence of interested priests, that bigotry and super- 
 stition were the leading features of their characters. Still 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 243 
 
 their beauty was irresistible : there was the large, full, and 
 expressive black eye, fringed with its glossy lashes ; there 
 was the roseate bloom of health stealing through the deep 
 mellow tinge of brown upon the cheek ; there was the long 
 raven hair braided round the forehead ; and there was an 
 exquisite symmetry of form, that made an indelible impres- 
 sion on the heart, whilst the blandishments of their bewitch- 
 ing smile operated like the spirit of enchantment on the young 
 and ardent mind. 
 
 A ship had never been seen in Sanctos river since Drake 
 circumnavigated the globe; and tradition had handed down 
 such romantic and ridiculous tales respecting the uncere- 
 monious manner in which he had plundered the place, that 
 the name of English seaman was considered synonymous 
 with that of robber ; and though the ladies, by direction of 
 the priests, put great confidence in two handsome-looking 
 white forts, over which the flag of Portugal was proudly dis- 
 played, yet, like the negro who thought “ -King George hab 
 a lion for one arm and a unicorn for toder,” they formed the 
 most strange conceptions of the prowess and diablerie of that 
 curious compound, a British Jack Tar. 
 
 It was early in the month of July 18 — , when the heat of 
 the sun in that part of the world was tempered by its north- 
 ern declination, that the inhabitants of Sanctos were greatly 
 alarmed one lovely morning at seeing what appeared to be 
 an immense silvery cloud, floating on the surface of the river, 
 and approaching the town with amazing rapidity. As it 
 drew nearer it became more defined, and then broad sheets 
 of canvas were plainly distinguished as they were widely 
 
 as) 1 6 
 
244 
 
 THE WAKLOCK. 
 
 distended and just sleeping in the light breeze that filled 
 them out. Over all were three slender, tapering spars 
 of different heights, and from the centre one curled a long 
 red pennant, that nearly touched the water. The Sanctonians 
 gazed upon the spectacle with superstitious dread ; nor were 
 their apprehensions lessened when the strange visitant became 
 in a moment disencumbered of its expanded cloth, and 
 brought into view a long, low, snake-like hull, as black as 
 midnight ; whilst the tall raking masts, towering one above 
 the other, raised their lofty heads into the air, as if daring 
 the element they were meant to encounter. 
 
 As soon as this phenomenon had arrived abreast of the 
 town, a loud splash was heard under the bows, and the sea- 
 men were almost instantly spread out upon the yards, toss- 
 ing up the folds of each sail in a skin as smooth as an in- 
 fant’s ; whilst, at the same moment, the heavy reports of 
 artillery on the deck were re-echoed among the hills, and the 
 curling smoke, in many a circular wreath, spread itself like a 
 dense mist upon the waters, till the low black hull was totally 
 obscured, and the spectators could only guess at its position 
 by the flame which issued from the muzzles of the guns. 
 
 Hundreds of people thronged the quays, and anxiously 
 watched for some demonstration of reply from the two white 
 forts ; but though the heavy cannon looked braggingly enough 
 through the embrasures, they were wholly silent. None 
 knew whence the mysterious stranger had come ; none knew 
 the purport of its visit ; and a feeling approaching to dread 
 spread through the assembled multitude, as they witnessed 
 its extraordinary proceedings. 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 245 
 
 At length the gentle breeze wafted away the thick volumes 
 of smoke that rolled along upon the surface of the river, and 
 gradually the whole ship was displayed to the sight in all 
 her symmetry and beauty. The British ensign waved 
 proudly at the gaff-end ; the pennant of a man-of-war threw 
 its graceful curves from the main truck ; and the blue quar- 
 tered Jack, with its w T hite and red crosses, was spread by the 
 light winds at the bowsprit end. Strains of martial music 
 sounded on the ear and then died away upon the waters ; 
 whilst the ship, by means imperceptible to those on shore, 
 slowly moved to a particular station, where she became fixed 
 like a thing of magic slumbering on the bosom of the stream. 
 
 The captain waited upon Don Jose-y-Pinta, the governor, 
 and informed him that he had been ordered by Sir Sidney 
 Smith to anchor his Britannic Majesty’s ship The Warlock 
 in that port for the purpose of refreshing the seamen ; and 
 the name of the vessel, which was well known from her 
 long station on the coast, increased the perplexity of the 
 Don and his attendants. In fact, the Warlock had been 
 cruising several months in that part of the world. Her 
 peculiar construction, beauty of form, swiftness of sailing, and 
 other eminent qualities, had gained her the name of “ The 
 Wizard of the Sea ; ” and Captain Pearce had on every occa- 
 sion endeavoured to justify the title by performing feats, 
 which, though merely the effects of nautical science, were 
 attributed to the power of necromancy. Under such circum- 
 stances it can excite no great wonder to hear that the in- 
 habitants of Sanctos looked upon the ship as an unwelcome 
 intruder, and, instigated by the priests, connected the officers 
 
246 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 and men with the character which she bore. The governor, 
 however, had his own private suspicions ; and Captain Pearce 
 knew that he himself was armed with secret powers from 
 the Prince Regent of Portugal. An apology was made for 
 not returning the salute, on the ground that the major com- 
 mandant at one of the forts was in a dying state, and the 
 noise might disturb his last moments ; but the wily Don 
 might have said with more truth that the major was already 
 dead and the guns honeycombed. 
 
 About three weeks after their arrival the second lieutenant, 
 Hamilton, a fine specimen of Britain’s pride, was sent with 
 a party of men to an adjacent river for the purpose of ob- 
 taining fresh water ; and the spot chosen was particularly 
 remarkable for its romantic scenery. An impetuous torrent 
 that rushed down the side of a steep mountain had hollowed 
 a deep bed invisible to mortal eye, till it emptied itself beneath 
 a natural archway, and bounded from rock to rock down a 
 gentle descent, from which a broad channel conducted it to 
 an immense basin, about twelve feet above the level of the 
 river, where its waters became beautifully clear and smooth, 
 and were discharged through a tunnel about four feet above 
 the river’s brink, forming an elegant cascade. On each side 
 of the basin was a flat of greensward, bordered by the dark, 
 frowning, and almost impenetrable forest that hung upon 
 the sides of the mountain ; whilst the dashing of the waters, 
 as they fell from cliff to cliff, and the hollow roar, as they 
 passed through some caverns in their rapid course, produced 
 a terrible and awful sound that greatly heightened the inter- 
 est of the spectacle. 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 247 
 
 On one of the flats a marquee was pitched for Lieutenant 
 Hamilton and two junior officers, whilst the other flat was 
 occupied by a long tent for the seamen and marines of the 
 party. The second morning Hamilton lay reclining in his 
 marquee, when he was roused by a peculiar kind of growl, 
 that seemed to come from a shelving rock at some distance 
 above his head ; but, on looking towards the place, he could 
 perceive nothing to excite apprehension, and he let fall the 
 barrel of the rifle which he had hastily snatched up, into 
 the hollow of his left arm. Again the growl was heard, but 
 fiercer than before ; and then the lieutenant clearly distin- 
 guished a black panther, standing on the arm of a tree, in the 
 attitude of making a spring, and lashing himself with his tail. 
 Hamilton raised the rifle to his shoulder, and, extending his 
 left hand to the barrel, prepared to take a steady aim, when 
 a female voice uttering a piercing shriek distracted his pur- 
 pose — but it was only for a moment : he pulled the trigger 
 — there was a flash and a report — and the enraged animal 
 bounded from the tree and fell upon the greensward below, 
 within a few yards of the spot where the officer was stand- 
 ing. Though wounded and maimed, it was still strong and 
 vigorous, and Hamilton preferred remaining on the defen- 
 sive, so as to receive the creature when it leaped. Onward 
 it came, lashing its sides with its tail, and showing two rows 
 of bristling teeth that had a fearful appearance — onward it 
 came, but there were several on the opposite flat who were 
 not idle spectators of the scene. Musket after musket sent 
 forth its red flame, and the animal rolled over and over, biting 
 the ground in rage and agony. Still the infuriated beast 
 
248 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 faced upon its foes, and, though life was ebbing fast, it ma de 
 one desperate spring, and alighted upon the lieutenant’s 
 shoulder ; but the exertion hastened its dissolution, and it 
 fell lifeless at Hamilton’s feet, without doing any other in- 
 jury than tearing the sleeve of his coat and raising the skin 
 upon his arm. 
 
 The moment the conflict ceased, the attention of the lieu- 
 tenant was directed to the spot whence the shriek had pro- 
 ceeded; and looking up he saw an aged negro standing on 
 the rock imploring assistance. Certain, however, that the 
 voice he had heard was that of a female, he endeavoured to 
 break through the entangled bushes ; but they resisted his 
 strongest efforts : and he was projecting means to scale the 
 face of the precipice when the negro suddenly appeared be- 
 neath the natural archw T ay through which the torrent gushed, 
 and Hamilton leaped from rock to rock above the bubbling 
 foam, till, turning an angle of the archway, where one false 
 step would have precipitated him to certain destruction, he 
 observed a loose and irregular path winding up the moun- 
 tain, only a few feet from the roaring waters that scattered 
 the spray upon his clothes. 
 
 Ascending this dangerous passage, he followed the negro 
 to a few stunted bushes at the back of the shelving projec- 
 tion, and there, stretched upon the earth, lay a young girl, 
 whom terror had deprived of animation. The officer raised 
 her in his arms, and, after some exertion, had the pleasure 
 of seeing her restored to sensibility, and hearing her in plain- 
 tive accents request the negro to lay her gently down and 
 hasten for some water. Then, recovering still more, she 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 249 
 
 opened her eyes, stared wildly at the lieutenant, on whose 
 breast her head had been reclining, uttered a piercing shriek, 
 and starting up, buried her face in her hands. In vain did 
 Hamilton address her — she knew not a word of his lan- 
 guage : in vain did the gentle and soothing expressions fall 
 from his lips — she continued to shut out the light, and to 
 gasp with agony, as if dismay was depriving her of respira- 
 tion. 
 
 Hamilton felt rather nettled at this seeming wantonness, 
 but at length he became convinced that her fear was too 
 natural to proceed from anything but reality ; and never be- 
 fore had he seen so lovely a creature as the young maiden 
 before him. The clustering ringlets of long black hair fell 
 over a forehead as smooth as polished marble, and descended 
 to a snow white bosom that was finely contrasted by the 
 jet black of the glossy curls which rested on it. The large 
 black eyes were rendered fearfully expressive under the in- 
 fluence of alarm, and the flush upon her agitated counte- 
 nance gave additional beauty to her well-formed features. 
 The lieutenant gazed with delight and rapture on her sylph- 
 like figure, — feelings that he had never before experienced 
 crept upon his heart. He longed to press the lovely girl to 
 his breast and assure her of safety and protection ; but the 
 trembling dismay which she evinced whenever he approached 
 her produced astonishment and distress in his mind. Still 
 she reiterated her cries for water, and kept repeating prayer 
 .after prayer for deliverance. Hamilton hastened down the 
 pathway for the purpose of obtaining some vessel in which 
 he might convey the cool liquid to her lips. The young 
 
250 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 girl was informed of his departure by the negro, and, seat- 
 ing herself upon a bank, she sought relief in tears. “ Oh, 
 Diego,” said she convulsively, “ what a wonderful escape I 
 have had ! ” 
 
 “Yes, missy,” replied the negro, “him great black cat 
 make no more of you dan littlee mouse.” 
 
 “ I was not thinking of the panther,” responded the shrink- 
 ing maiden, “ but of the terrible being who has just quitted 
 us. Yet its voice was soothing, too — but Father Jerome 
 says these demons assume the most enticing forms, and use 
 the most seductive language, that they may the more easily 
 draw our souls into the snare. Oh, Diego, are you sure it 
 is gone ? ” 
 
 “ Yes, missy,” answered the black, “ me bery sure gone, 
 though p’rhaps he come again ! ” 
 
 “ The Virgin Mother forbid ! ” exclaimed the maiden, “ for 
 Father Jerome says, ‘ Resist the Evil One and he will flee 
 from you/ I did resist, Diego; but I feel the thrilling touch 
 of its fingers on my brow ! — and oh, sinner that I am, I fear 
 that I am lost for ever. It was — it was one of the demons from 
 the enchanted ship ! — Speak, Diego, was it not a devil 1 ” 
 
 “ Yes, missy,” assented the negro, “ him debil for true, and 
 bery handsome debil, too.” 
 
 “ But what has become of the panther, Diego?” inquired 
 the alarmed girl. “ Oh how horribly its glaring eyes were 
 fixed upon me ! — was it driven away ?” 
 
 “ No, missy,” replied Diego, shaking his head ; “ de debil 
 shoot him, and den he lay down atop o’ de flat — he neber 
 jump again ! ” 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 251 
 
 “ Is it really dead, then 1 ” said the maiden, “ or was it 
 merely a deception of the fallen angel to try a poor frail crea- 
 ture of the dust h Yet no ! there was too much of reality in 
 that terrible look, and Father Jerome himself would have 
 shrunk with horror from his rage. But are you certain that 
 the gentle creature who destroyed it is one of the demons 
 from the magic bark ? ” 
 
 “ Oh yes, missy, chuckled the black, “me bery sure one 
 of Fader Jerram debil — dere two, free, twenty, down dere — 
 red debil, blue debil, white debil — but p’rhaps he come again 
 in a littlee moment.” 
 
 “ You are right, Diego,” exclaimed the agitated girl, “ and 
 therefore let us instantly quit the place whilst I have strength 
 and power to do so. Haste, Diego, give me your arm, and 
 let us away.” 
 
 The obedient negro complied ; beauty and ugliness were 
 linked together ; and, when the anxious and eager lieuten- 
 ant returned with a goblet of pure water, he found the spot 
 deserted. Vexed and disappointed, he would have followed 
 their track, which was easily to be found by the broken 
 branches; but a prudential sense of duty deterred him, and 
 he returned to his party mortified and dispirited. Never- 
 theless, he determined on pursuing the adventure after the 
 boats had been sent away with the full casks. 
 
 The sun was rapidly hurrying down to the western hori- 
 zon, when Hamilton, selecting a favourite seaman, left strict 
 orders with the midshipman to keep the party together, and 
 then, with his humble associate, he set out on his expedi- 
 tion. 
 
252 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 Ben Transom had known his officer when, to use his own 
 term, “ he was no higher than the windlass-end and Ben 
 had unremittingly endeavoured to give the lad instruction 
 in what he called “ the readyments of seamanship. Nor did 
 the pupil do any discredit to his teacher, for Ned Hamilton 
 soon outstripped his messmates, and was particularly noticed 
 by his commander, till he mounted the white lapels, which 
 were earned by an act of bravery. A sorb of natural affec- 
 tion had grown up between the two ; for Hamilton looked 
 up to Ben as his nautical father, and Ben, in his advanced 
 life, received constant kindness and protection from the young 
 officer. 
 
 Such were the pair who now disappeared from their friends 
 under the archway : the lieutenant having his rifle slung at 
 his back, and a pair of silver-mounted pistols stuck in his 
 belt, from which was suspended a stout dirk. Ben also was 
 armed with pistols, and carried a strong broad cutlass and 
 a bayonet strapped round his waist. 
 
 “ I’m thinking, sir,” said the veteran, as he followed his 
 officer, “ a voyage of discovery without lead or compass will 
 be apt to turn out a misfailure arter all, for you can neither 
 get soundings nor bearings.” 
 
 “ Our feet, Ben,” replied the lieutenant, “ must find our 
 best soundings; and as for a compass, we shall have the stars 
 to steer by when the sun has set.” 
 
 “ Ay, ay,” answered Ben, “ that may be all very well, sir, 
 but you know the danger of steering amongst rocks with- 
 out a chart to prick your way.” 
 
 “ I do, my old friend,” responded Hamilton ; “but the per- 
 
THE WAELOCK. 
 
 253 
 
 sons who made the charts must first of all have incurred the 
 danger.” 
 
 “ True, Mr. Hamilton, very true,” assented the seaman ; 
 “ but, if I’m not making too bould, I should like to know 
 what you expect to meet with amongst these rocks and forest 
 trees : for, to my thinking, it is better to be under a reefed 
 fore-sail in an open sea than backing and filling, like a collier 
 in the Pool with scarcely six inches of daylight under the keel. 
 In less than an hour the sun will be in the bush, and, according 
 to my notions, the night will be as dark as a chimbley sweep.” 
 He then added with much solemnity, “ To my thinking, sir, 
 it seems to be a defying o’ the Creator and his marciful pro- 
 tection, for the creaturs he has made for his own peculiar 
 sarvice on the ocean to be overhauling his secret works upon 
 the land. They tell me no foot of man has ever trod these 
 hills and then returned to tell what had been seen — why, 
 then, sir — I ax pardon — why then should we presume ? ” 
 
 “ Whoever bade you log that in your memory, old man,” 
 said the lieutenant, “ was telling you to keep a false reckon- 
 ing ! You saw the black to-day ? ” 
 
 “The nigger? yes, sir, we all saw him,” returned Ben, 
 “ and there Was them among us that were ready to swear 
 he was somewhat akin to the ’long-shore Davy Jones.” 
 
 “ If he was a limb of Satan,” said the officer, “ he had an 
 angel with him, and it isn’t often they sail in company.” 
 
 “ Ah, well,” sighed the old tar, shaking his head, “ they 
 say the mountain is haunted. And did ye really see an 
 angel?” 
 
 “ If extreme loveliness without a blemish, and a voice of 
 
254 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 bewitching harmony, can constitute an inhabitant of the 
 heavenly regions, then the sweet girl I saw to-day was an 
 angel.” 
 
 “ Whew — ew — ew ! ” whistled Ben, “the line’s run slap off 
 the reel — now I begins to see the latitude and longitude of 
 the thing. But are you sartin it warn’t a spirit ? ” 
 
 “ Quite sure of it, old boy,” answered the lieutenant : 
 “ but I am much mistaken, Ben — and I speak to you as to 
 one in whom I can confide — I say I am much mistaken if 
 there is not something more serious than we are aware of in 
 our being here. The royal family of Portugal no sooner reach 
 Rio than our skipper is despatched — in preference to their 
 own men-of-war — with secret instructions ; and here we are, 
 in a spot like the garden of Eden for loveliness, treated very 
 little better than fiends.” 
 
 “ I’d wager my six months’ whack against a scupper-nail,” 
 cried the veteran, “ that the Yankee schooner we spoke off 
 Whale Island, at the entrance of the river, has something to 
 do with it. Uncle Sam * is always at the bottom of mischief, 
 particularly when there’s any gould to be got.” 
 
 Gold !” reiterated Hamilton ; “ why, ay, now you speak- — 
 but, no — they were engaged in the pursuit of science : there 
 was a party on board botanizing along the coast.” 
 
 “ So they might be bottomizing,” said Ben, “ but, rely 
 upon it, these same bottomizers know wdiere-away the mines 
 are to be found.” 
 
 “ You have hit it, Ben,” exclaimed the lieutenant ; “ and 
 
 * During the first American war, the troops of the United States had U. & 
 painted on their knapsacks, which tl^e royalists interpreted Uncle Sam. 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 255 
 
 this is the cause of our boat’s rowing guard after sun-down 
 — they are obtaining gold clandestinely. — But, halloo ! — what 
 have we here 1 ” 
 
 They had reached a small flat, about two thirds up the 
 mountain, which was nearly cleared of the trees, but in the 
 back part, almost hid under the foliage of the bush, was a 
 rude building, or rather cavern, formed of large rough masses 
 of rock, the entrance to which was through an aperture only 
 large enough to admit a man upon his hands and knees, and 
 against this a heavy stone was rolled. 
 
 “ By your leave,” exclaimed Ben, displacing the obstruc- 
 tion, and then falling in the rear of his officer, to whom he 
 felt in duty bound to assign the post of honour. The lieu- 
 tenant crawled in, and was followed by his companion. They 
 found the interior more commodious than they could have 
 imagined. There was a bench and a. table ; but what sur- 
 prised the officer most was a seacot and bedding surrounded 
 by mosquito curtains, which hung in one corner, plainly show- 
 ing that it had been inhabited, but when or by whom it was 
 impossible even to conjecture. 
 
 “ I’ve got summat here,” exclaimed Ben, dragging a light 
 material to the aperture, “ and, I declare, ’tis nothing more 
 nor less than a set of signal-flags; aud I’m much mistaken 
 if here arn’t Jonathan’s gridiron!* I told you, Mr. 
 Hamilton, the Yankee was cadgering, and there’s a staff 
 somewhere close at hand, depend upon it.” 
 
 The last glimmering of day threw but very little light 
 
 * The colours of the United States were thus named on account of the stripes 
 resembling the bars of a gridiron. 
 
256 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 into the aperture, and the old tar, with a book in his hand, 
 stretched himself through the opening, and endeavoured to 
 trace with his forefinger something that appeared upon the 
 leaves ; but, shaking his head, he muttered, “ Them there 
 crinkum-crankums, that look like sheepshanks in a t’gallant 
 backstay, are beyond my education. I used to could read a 
 little, too — anything like Christian words that had the A B C 
 for pilots. But as for these ! — the fellows must have wry 
 mouths that could get such crooked characters into ’em.” 
 He drew in his head like a tortoise under its shell, and 
 Hamilton discovered that the object of the old man’s solilo- 
 quy was a signal-book, in a cipher that fully warranted the 
 term “crooked.” 
 
 As the moon would rise soon after midnight, the lieuten- 
 ant determined to remain where he was till that time, and 
 then prosecute his discoveries further. Their arms were placed 
 in readiness for action ; and, after some short conversation, 
 both resigned themselves to a sweet and refreshing sleep. 
 
 In about an hour their slumbers were broken by the sound 
 of voices near; and, though neither of them spoke to the other, 
 they were fully aware that both were in readiness by hear- 
 ing the click of the lock as each cocked his pistol. 
 
 “ Well,” exclaimed a voice in genuine English, “ and what 
 do you propose by seeking me here ? ” 
 
 “Your immediate departure,” replied another ; “the scheme 
 cannot be much longer concealed ; the Don is getting alarmed, 
 and it would be hardship, indeed, to be compelled to dig the 
 root for others when we may enjoy the fruit ourselves.” 
 
 “ These are some of the botanists,” thought Hamilton. 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 257 
 
 “ Folly — rank folly and fear,” said the first, in tones of 
 bitterness. “ If your craven spirit shrinks from a bold de- 
 sign because it is attached to danger it is useless to proceed.” 
 “ But you do not know the man,” argued a third ; “ he is 
 too keen and penetrating not to see through our disguise.” 
 
 “ He means Captain Pearce,” thought Hamilton. 
 
 “ I have not seen but I know him,” replied the first : “ he 
 is a seaman — so am I : he has an object in view — so have I : 
 he affects to possess a mysterious power — I have it in reality, 
 and set him at defiance.” 
 
 Ben thought of the hobgoblins in the mountains, grasped 
 his pistol more firmly, and gave a severe turn to his quid. 
 
 “ The bars are all ready for shipping,” said the second 
 speaker ; “ what need therefore of delay ? The old man and 
 his daughter may embark ; we can dispose of them at sea, 
 and send the priest in their company, that they may have a 
 sure passport to heaven.” 
 
 “ You jest, sir,” observed the first speaker. 
 
 “I have but little cause for jesting,” replied the other; 
 “ the people are complaining of your inactivity, and murmur 
 mutiny — ” 
 
 “ Mutiny ! ” exclaimed the first man, in a tone which was 
 loudly echoed by the surrounding rocks, “ and dare they 
 threaten, too ? But ’tis just what may be expected of men 
 to whom plunder would be valueless, unless it were stained 
 with blood. And you, sir ! — you would brave me, too ! Yet 
 forgive me,” he added mournfully : “ my temper is growing 
 petulant, and my nature seems to be upon the change. Now 
 listen to my plans. The ingots are all ready, but the gover- 
 
258 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 nor will not allow them to he shipped without adding him* 
 self and family to the freight. W retched dotard !— he thinks 
 we are honest traders, and yet bribes us to connive at rob- 
 bery, which, if known, would expose him to death by torture, 
 and we should be sent to drag out a miserable existence 
 in the mines. Well, well ! his blood be upon his own head ! 
 — he shall on board— but I would spare the daughter from 
 the lawless set by which she will be surrounded. Nay, not 
 a word of remonstrance or complaint. Ye cannot do with- 
 out me, for if ye attempt it ye will perish. There is gold 
 enough to enrich you all to your very hearts’ content ; but no 
 woman shall be murdered whilst I retain command. I have 
 never seen Don Jose’s child, and, therefore, cannot be sup- 
 posed to have any personal interest in her welfare ; but there 
 is one female who will accompany — no matter, I will settle 
 it hereafter. Haste both of you on board the schooner, and 
 have everything in readiness for a start. Leave the white 
 boat in the cove, near where the drowsy man-of-war’s men 
 sleep. I shall not be long after you.” 
 
 The three men departed, and all doubts were chased from 
 Hamilton’s mind relative to the character of the vessel they 
 had spoken, whilst it was probable that her commander had 
 been for some time a resident in the very place in which 
 they then were, and to which he would most likely return 
 in a few minutes. Hamilton and his humble companion 
 immediately quitted the cavern, and concealed themselves 
 behind a projecting rock, determined, if possible, to seize the 
 man as he was entering the aperture. 
 
 Nearly an hour had elapsed, and the rising moon shed her 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 259 
 
 pale lustre on the scene, when suddenly a distant shriek 
 was heard ; it seemed to proceed from a spot higher up on 
 the mountain. “Did you hear that, old man?” inquired 
 the lieutenant. “ Jump up, Ben, and try the direction.” 
 
 “ It w r as plain enough to hear, sir,” answered the seaman, 
 without stirring from his position. “ They are still at their 
 infarnal work, defiling this beautiful earth with their cante- 
 rations. Satan always chooses some terrustyal paradise as 
 the scene of his labours, because it bears some resemblance 
 to the heaven from which he fell. ” 
 
 Another shriek was heard. “ It is repeated, Ben ! ” ex- 
 claimed the lieutenant, “ and, come what may, I am deter- 
 mined to discover the cause. You may go or remain just as 
 you please.” 
 
 “ That was unkindly said, Ned — I beg pardon, Mr. Hamil- 
 ton, I mean. Lead on; you shall find me close at your starn.” 
 The lieutenant and the seaman rushed through the tangled 
 pathway, and ascended the mountain. 
 
 Donna Marietta, the young girl whom Hamilton rescued 
 from the panther, had reached her residence near the summit 
 of the mountain in safety ; and r desirous of averting the evil 
 which she dreaded, she determined to pass the night in the 
 small chapel attached to the house, where, prostrate before 
 the altar, she might propitiate the blessed Virgin. But in 
 vain the innocent and unsuspecting girl struggled to banish 
 the remembrance of Hamilton from her mind : his figure 
 was constantly present to her imagination, and the soothing 
 accents of his voice continued to vibrate on her ears. She 
 believed herself bewitched to her soul’s perdition ; but there 
 ( 18 ) 17 
 
260 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 was something so truly ecstatic in the feelings which glowed 
 in her heart that she yielded to their influences, and nour- 
 ished the sweet sensation that bewildered her, till she sunk 
 into a deep rest, as tranquil as the slumber of an infant. 
 
 It was past midnight, when suddenly there appeared near 
 the chapel the figure of a man clothed in rich black velvet : 
 a massive gold chain encompassed his neck, and, falling on 
 his breast, the lower bight was thrust inside his garment. 
 He wore a Spanish hat and plume, and a stout rapier hung 
 at his side. “ This, then, is the spot,” he communed with 
 himself, in a subdued voice, but in pure English — “this, 
 then, is the spot that contains the lovely creature, who should 
 be an angel of light, if such beings there really are. But no 
 —she is mortal, like myself— like myself, do I say?” A 
 shuddering came over him. “ No, no, her heart is innocent 
 —her hands are unpolluted by blood ! Pshaw ! — I grow a 
 driveller ! This mountain air breathes such purity that it 
 makes me love to feel its influences ” He paused a while, 
 apparently in deep abstraction. “She sleeps, no doubt, 
 sweetly sleeps, and but little dreams that the spoiler is at 
 hand. The spoiler ? — no — if she remains here she will be 
 wedded to some senseless churl who prizes not her beauty, 
 and her existence will drag on in one common round of list- 
 lessness. But it shall not be ! — she shall repose upon the 
 breast of bravery. Those glorious eyes shall flash with fire 
 in the affray, and those small taper fingers shall clutch the 
 shining steel. Yet, pirate, robber as I am, shall I destroy 
 such loveliness ? ’Tis vain to think— she is now unprotected, 
 and she shall be mine.” 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 2G1 
 
 The stranger moved slowly on, till, catching sight of the 
 feeble rays of the lamp within the chapel, he cautiously ap- 
 proached, and, opehing the door, looked stealthily in. Ex- 
 tended before the altar lay the beautiful girl, and a demoniac 
 smile of satisfaction passed over the countenance of the in- 
 truder. Noiselessly he went towards her, but wearied nature 
 had assumed her right, and Marietta slept. He gently raised 
 her in his arms, but she awoke not. He quitted the sanc- 
 tuary with slow and measured step, pillowing her head upon 
 his shoulder ; yet her slumber, though uneasy, was still un- 
 broken. He passed the gates, and carefully descended the 
 rugged path. A murmur escaped her lips, but it was not 
 till they were at some distance from the house that she was 
 aroused to a full sense of her situation. Her shrieks and 
 struggles were violent, but only the rocks replied to the one, 
 and the other were like the futile efforts of a child in the 
 grasp of a giant. Still the stranger found himself thwarted 
 in his design of urging her forward. His persuasions, his 
 threats, his caresses, even his stiletto glistening in the moon- 
 beams, were alike unavailing. He tried to soothe her agi- 
 tation, and she listened to his words, for he spoke her lan- 
 guage fluently ; he talked to her of his devoted love, and she 
 spurned his offers with contempt ; till, exasperated at her 
 resistance, and passion gaining the ascendency, he resolved 
 at once to sacrifice her to his wicked desire. He grasped 
 his victim, whilst her shrieks for help and her appeals for 
 mercy were borne upon the same breath of wind. But they 
 were not uttered in vain; there was one who heard the well- 
 remembered voice ; and, guided by its sound, Hamilton 
 
262 
 
 THE WAULOCK. 
 
 stretched the villain upon the earth by a blow from the butt 
 of his rifle. 
 
 Marietta clung to her preserver; and though, in her terror, 
 she did not immediately recognise the young lieutenant, yet 
 spontaneous gratitude flowed from her heart, and Hamilton, 
 feeling the pressure of her delicate frame upon his breast, 
 with strong arm but gentle touch clasped her to his beating 
 heart. 
 
 “ His anchor holds on yet, sir,” said Ben, who had closely 
 followed his officer, and, raising the fallen man, had placed 
 his hand upon the seat of life ; “ his anchor holds, but I’m 
 thinking there’s a desperate bad chafe near the clinch.” 
 
 “ ’Tis well,” said Hamilton ; “ for, though he deserve 
 death, I should rather he received it from the hands of the 
 executioner.” 
 
 Marietta, caught by the sounds of the lieutenant’s voice, 
 looked hurriedly in his face, and then, recognising him, en- 
 deavoured to extricate herself from his embrace; but at that 
 instant there was a convulsive motion in the stranger’s limbs, 
 and she again threw her small arm over Hamilton’s shoulder. 
 The officer gave directions to his humble companion to re- 
 main with the stranger and try to restore animation, whilst 
 he himself conducted the lovely girl to a place of safety. He 
 passed the arm of the young woman within his own, 
 and, as well as he was able, made her comprehend his in- 
 tentions. 
 
 Marietta had become fully sensible of the identity of her 
 protector, but she no longer felt that fear and reserve which 
 she had manifested on the previous morning ; besides, since 
 
THE 'WARLOCK. 
 
 263 
 
 then the whole tenor of her mind had undergone a change ; 
 and the being who in visionary pleasure had occupied her 
 thoughts was now actually by her side, and had rendered 
 her the most important services. Hamilton, though he under- 
 stood something of the Portuguese language, was not pro- 
 ficient enough to converse in it, and was, therefore, unable 
 to inquire the cause of the scene which he had beheld ; but 
 Marietta poured forth the fulness of her heart in grateful 
 acknowledgments, and, whilst warm affection gave a free 
 translation of her speech, her little delicate hand was pressed 
 to the lieutenant’s lips. Love has a language of its own, 
 which cannot be misunderstood — it produces a sweet com- 
 munion of spirit, that requires but little aid from the tongue 
 to express its full and perfect meaning. 
 
 The attendants of Marietta had been aroused by her cries, 
 and with Diego were delighted to see her return, though the 
 latter could not help exclaiming, “ Da handsome debil come 
 again.” The lieutenant was about to resign her to their care, 
 when for an instant he felt his arm firmly but convulsively 
 grasped by the sweet girl, who, however, soon quitted her 
 hold : then, respectfully taking the officer’s hand, she pressed 
 it between her own soft palms, and, as she again drew her- 
 self away, Hamilton felt that, either by accident or design, 
 a ring was left between his fingers. 
 
 Without a moment’s delay, the young officer hastened 
 back to the place where he had left his veteran companion and 
 the wounded man — but all was deserted : no traces of either 
 could be seen. He shouted and called, but no answer was 
 returned ; and, imagining that Ben might have removed the 
 
264 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 stranger to the cavern, he rapidly descended; but there also 
 all was lonely and still. Full of wild conjecture, Hamilton 
 rushed down the declivity, reckless of danger, and, leaping 
 from rock to rock, he at length reached his own party by the 
 river’s side, and eagerly inquired for his aged friend. But 
 Ben had not been seen; and, though he despatched several of 
 the seamen to explore the mountain, no tidings of him or 
 the stranger could be obtained. 
 
 On the arrival of the boats from the ship, the lieutenant 
 again ascended to the residence of Donna Marietta; but 
 during his short absence, the place had been abandoned, and 
 only an aged negro was left. From him they could extract 
 no information whatever, and horrible thoughts crossed his 
 mind as to the fate of the lovely girl and his veteran friend. 
 
 Once more descending the mountain, Hamilton embarked 
 in the swiftest boat, and the oars bent to the sinewy arms 
 of the men, as they propelled her down the river towards 
 the ship ; but the current was strong against them, and it 
 was not till the afternoon that the young officer obtained an 
 interview with his commander, and related the circumstances 
 that had occurred. Captain Pearce listened with deep at- 
 tention, but issued no orders till darkness veiled the sky, 
 Then silently but quickly the Warlock ^as unmoored ; the 
 boats, on their return from watering, were manned and 
 armed ; the marines were ordered into them, and, in a few 
 minutes, Captain Pearce with eighty men had landed at the 
 palace stairs and taken possession of every post. Hasten- 
 ing to the principal apartments, he found the household in 
 confusion and dismay ; the governor had disappeared, and 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 265 
 
 no one could or would give an account of what had become 
 of him. 
 
 Leaving a guard in the palace, Captain Pearce returned 
 on board, and, as soon as day dawned upon the verge of the 
 eastern horizon, the Warlock was dropping down the river 
 with the tide. But this was a work of time and labour, and 
 it was not till evening that the ship was brought up within 
 the outer bar, over which there would not be sufficient water 
 for several hours. 
 
 Just as the sun was sinking in the west, the tall raking 
 masts of the American schooner were seen moving along 
 above a low point of land that stretched out into the sea ; 
 the breeze, though light, was off the shore, and she was out- 
 side the bar without the least obstruction to retard her pro- 
 gress. 
 
 This was a galling spectacle to Captain Pearce; and, still 
 further to add to its bitterness, the saucy schooner had no 
 sooner cleared the land than she fired a gun at the ship; and 
 a broad black flag was spread from her mast-head, looking 
 more deadly and unnatural against the bright and gorgeous 
 sky in the distance. 
 
 The breeze freshened, and away danced the beautiful 
 schooner over the smooth sea, whilst the crew of the War- 
 lock were compelled to be idle and inactive spectators. 
 About midnight, however, the bar was passable : the anchor 
 was weighed, the sails were spread, and gallantly did the 
 tall ship bend to the growing wind, and launch into the ocean. 
 Captain Pearce knew that the schooner would endeavour to 
 make a good offing before she stood upon a direct course, and 
 
266 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 indeed that she must have already gained at least thirty 
 miles start of him ; but, trusting to the heels of his swift 
 craft, he did not despair that something or other would occur 
 to bring him up with the pirate— for that such was the 
 schooners character did not admit of one moment’s doubt. 
 
 Attentively and anxiously did the look-outs remain at 
 their stations during the night; whilst Hamilton, with tu- 
 multuous feelings and agonized mind, thought of the lovely 
 Marietta, whose family, whose circumstances, whose fate 
 remained unknown to him, and he feared that they were 
 parted for ever. 
 
 Daylight broke upon the expanse of waters as the rushing 
 craft pursued her foamy way, but no sail appeared in sight : 
 the whole circle of the horizon was one connected line. The 
 utmost vigilance was still preserved ; and Captain Pearce 
 briefly informed his officers (what Hamilton well knew) that 
 the schooner was richly freighted with gold bars, the pro- 
 duce of the mines, which the governor of Sanctos had sur- 
 reptitiously conveyed away — he had, however, fallen into the 
 hands of pirates, who would doubtless sacrifice the lives of 
 the whole family and keep the booty to themselves. 
 
 Towards night the Warlock's course was changed to a 
 more northerly direction, and every eye was wakeful, in the 
 hope of winning so rich a prize. Daybreak again illumined 
 the eastern sky, when notice was given of a strange sail 
 away on the starboard bow, and the ship’s head was imme- 
 diately directed towards it. 
 
 Hope and expectation animated every breast, till fancy 
 became certainty that the vessel in view was the identical 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 267 
 
 schooner they were in pursuit of ; and every stitch of can- 
 vas that could draw a breath of wind was packed upon the 
 ship, whilst the noble craft, as if conscious that speed was 
 required, rushed on her way with impetuous haste. They 
 were rapidly rising the pirate, so as to be able clearly to dis- 
 tinguish her manoeuvres ; and much surprise was expressed 
 at finding that she made no effort to escape, but was appa- 
 rently lying-to, evidently for the purpose of waiting for her 
 enemy. On a nearer approach, however, they became sen- 
 sible that the utmost confusion prevailed on board the 
 schooner : the sails were flying adrift ; she was much deeper 
 in the water than she ought to have been ; and, by the aid of 
 glasses, the crew w T ere seen running about the decks in a 
 state of distraction. 
 
 The Warlock had gained within about two miles of the 
 pirate, when the latter suddenly gave a heel over, and in a 
 few moments wholly disappeared, carrying with her every 
 soul on board. One or two miserable victims could be dis- 
 cerned struggling in the waters for a short time ; but, when 
 the Warlock reached the spot where the schooner had sunk, 
 the waves rolled on as smoothly as ever, and not a living 
 creature was left to tell the dismal tale of their disaster. 
 Horror at the sacrifice of human life, and disappointment at 
 the loss of so rich a prize, pervaded the ship’s company ; and 
 after standing across and across several times, without being 
 able to do more than pick up a few loose spars that had 
 floated from the sinking wreck, Captain Pearce trimmed his 
 sails for the harbour of Rio Janeiro, to make his report to 
 the commander-in-chief. What had caused the catastrophe 
 
268 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 to the pirate set even conjecure at defiance, for the weather 
 had been moderate ; there were neither rocks nor shoals on 
 which she could have struck ; and the most probable suppo- 
 sition was that she had started a plank, speedily filled, and 
 her murderous crew been swallowed up in that grave which 
 they designed only for Don Jose and his family. Their ill- 
 gotten gold had perished with them. 
 
 Stealthily and in subdued tones did the seamen converse 
 together through the day on the events of that morning, 
 whilst wild superstition revelled in the horrible and wonder- 
 ful; and during the night-watches they huddled in confused 
 groups, and even the men on the look-out endeavoured to 
 get a watch-mate to bear them company. Nor were the 
 officers, though better educated, less solemnly impressed. 
 
 Hamilton had the middle watch, * and, as he paced the 
 quarter-deck to and fro, his thoughts were violently agitated 
 respecting the occurrences of the last few days. His love for 
 the beautiful Marietta was now no matter of doubt to him, 
 and he feared that his hopes of again seeing her were blighted 
 for ever. Of his worthy old friend, Ben Transom, nothing 
 was known, and apprehensions that he had perished excited 
 the most painful sensations. 
 
 The night was rather hazy ; the breeze fresh, with smooth 
 water : the distended sails swelled with the wind as they 
 bore the lofty ship triumphantly along. “ Sail ho ! ” 
 exclaimed the look-out at the lee cat-head— a sail close to 
 us, broad away upon the lee bow ! ” 
 
 From midnight to four o’clock in the morning. 
 
THE WAELOCK. 
 
 269 
 
 Hamilton sprang forward, whilst many a shudder ran 
 through the gathering seamen, who at first entertained sus- 
 picions that it was the spectre of the schooner that lay buried 
 in the depths of the ocean : but soon the three masts of a 
 large ship were distinctly visible, and the clean set and trim 
 of her sails gave indications that she was a vessel of war. 
 
 The stranger was reaching in upon the same course as the 
 Warlock , and under a press of canvas, but apparently insen- 
 sible to the close approximation of the British man-of-war. 
 Captain Pearce was summoned to the deck, and, in a few 
 minutes, the Warlock ran under the stranger’s lee and hailed. 
 The hail was not promptly returned, though the movements 
 of the crew showed that every one was on the alert ; but in 
 a short time it was ascertained by the stranger’s reply that 
 she was a Spanish armed ship, bearing the name of Los Tres 
 Hermanos , bound from Monte Video to the United States, 
 but intending to touch at Rio Janeiro. Satisfied with the 
 account which she gave, Captain Pearce pursued his way ; 
 and at daylight the land was seen streaking the western sky 
 with its undulating curve, whilst the stranger, who had at 
 first kept way with the Warlock , was now falling astern as 
 if she lay at anchor. This, however, excited no suspicion, 
 and the gallant ship stood on till Morris’s Islands were clearly 
 distinguished, dotting the ocean with their living green, 
 whilst the tall sugar-loaf at the entrance of the harbour 
 served as an admirable guide to direct their course. 
 
 The land-breeze met them as they approached the shore, 
 and, shortly afterwards, it fell calm, the Spaniard being then 
 about three miles distant. As the sea-breeze was not ex- 
 
270 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 pected to set in for two or three hours, Captain Pearce de- 
 spatched Lieutenant Hamilton in a boat to the stranger, hop- 
 ing to gain some information relative to the previous move- 
 ments of the piratical schooner, as he well knew she had 
 last fitted out and sailed from Monte Video ; but, on nearing 
 the Spaniard, the officer was warned off on account of the 
 fever raging violently on board. Still, indulging no appre- 
 hensions from merely ascending the deck, he pushed boldly 
 alongside, and passing up the gangway, was instantly made 
 prisoner : his eyes were blindfolded, and, though he strongly 
 resisted, yet he was compelled to yield. 
 
 The young lieutenant was conducted below, and a rough, 
 hoarse voice warned him that if he attempted to move from 
 the place of his confinement nothing could avert his instant 
 death. Hamilton had seen quite sufficient to convince him 
 that the ship he was on board of was equal in point of arma- 
 ment to his own ; and, though the number of hands on deck 
 were barely sufficient to work her, yet he rightly conjectured 
 that there was a numerous, bold, and lawless crew in 
 the between-decks. The mixture of languages which he 
 could plainly hear convinced him that the ship was either a 
 forced trader or a pirate, and in either case he was in bad 
 hands, though he made no doubt that Captain Pearce would 
 come in chase the moment the breeze sprung up ; yet, in such 
 case, the Warlock would be at least three or four miles dead 
 to leeward, and it was far from improbable that the ship 
 would escape and his fate be inevitably sealed. 
 
 The place of the lieutenant’s confinement was a sort of 
 store-room under the great cabin, and here he lay in dark- 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 271 
 
 ness, revolving in his mind the tricks which Fortune had 
 played him in so short a time. Sometimes he thought 
 he could hear groans, and sighs, and the murmurings of dis- 
 tress; but they were so indistinct that he could not be cer- 
 tain whether it was the utterance of human voices or the 
 noise arising from the motion of the ship. 
 
 At length the vessel became more steady, and by her heel- 
 ing Hamilton was aware the sea-breeze had set in, whilst 
 the rippling of the water against her run convinced him that 
 she was walking along at a racing pace, and, by her lying 
 over, that not an inch of canvas was spared. About noon, 
 as nigh as he could conjecture, the scuttle to' his prison was 
 opened, and a bottle of wine, some biscuits, and other eat- 
 ables were hastily handed down, but by whom he could not 
 see. 
 
 Hour after hour passed on : the breeze freshened to a 
 strong gale, and the young lieutenant became aware, by the 
 manner in which they were dragging on the ship, that it could 
 only proceed from strenuous efforts to get away from some 
 pursuer, and that pursuer hope told him was the WarlocJc. 
 He knew his captain would not desert him, and, whilst in- 
 dulging pleasing expectations, tired nature became over- 
 powered, and he fell into a deep and refreshing sleep. How 
 long this continued he could not tell, but he was awoke by 
 a heavy and rough hand pressing upon him, and a voice that 
 he instantly recognised, although in whisper, warned him to 
 be silent. “ Ax no questions, sir,” said his visitor ; 14 let it 
 suffice that ould Ben is near you. God bless you, Ned ! Mr. 
 Hamilton, I mean. You are in peril, but here, take these” 
 
272 
 
 THE WARLOCK. 
 
 —giving him a stout bayonet and a pistol — “ they’ll serve 
 in case of emergency. Keep close to your quarters — the 
 ould craft has us in sight ; and though mayhap a hangman’s 
 noose may be fitted to my neck, yet no matter so as I can 
 but save you.” 
 
 Hamilton was not only confused by his dreams but actu- 
 ally confounded on awaking to find his humble companion, 
 Ben Transom, by his side. Vivid recollections, however, 
 soon returned, and he hastily inquired the cause of the old 
 man’s presence. 
 
 “ ’Tis a box-the-compass sort of a traverse to work, sir,” 
 answered Ben, “ and no time to do it in. I must leave you 
 now, but will come again if I can before long.” The old tar 
 took his departure, and apparently went forward towards 
 the hold, but it was too dark to ascertain correctly. Left 
 once more to himself, he first concealed his weapons, and 
 then endeavoured to trace in what manner his old friend 
 came to be aboard the ship. It was a vain and Useless task, 
 and he again composed himself to slumber. 
 
 A rending, crashing noise, which was immediately followed 
 by heavy discharges of artillery, once more aroused the lieu- 
 tenant to a consciousness of his situation, and a conviction 
 that the ship was entering into action. To remain stationary 
 under such circumstances he felt to be impossible, and, tak- 
 ing his weapons, he endeavoured to grope his way in the 
 direction which he supposed Ben had taken ; but just abaft 
 the after-hatchway, he found the bulk-head extended the 
 whole breadth of the ship, and was about giving up his 
 search in despair, when the faint twinkling of daylight in a 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 273 
 
 narrow chink led him to a sliding door, through which he 
 speedily passed into the after-hold. Here rich bales of silk 
 and massive bars of gold were promiscuously stowed, dis- 
 playing a mass of wealth that dazzled the eyes of the young 
 lieutenant. He passed thence into the main-hold, where 
 the light was more dim ; but his long confinement in dark- 
 ness had rendered his sight more clear, and in the fore part, 
 to his great astonishment, he beheld an elderly man in the 
 dress of a Portuguese officer, sitting on a bale, whilst a body 
 —whether living or dead he could not discern — was stretched 
 by his side, with a covering drawn over it. Hamilton at 
 first hesitated to advance, but, the officer turning his face 
 towards him, the lieutenant faintly discerned the features 
 of the runaway governor of Sanctos. Here was fresh food 
 for wonder, but there was no time to indulge in it, for an ex- 
 clamation from Don Jose aroused his extended companion. 
 Who can describe the emotions of Hamilton, when in that 
 companion he beheld Marietta ! Their recognition was mu- 
 tual : notwithstanding the presence of a third person, they 
 were in an instant clasped in each other’s arms. 
 
 But virgin bashfulness soon recalled Marietta to a sense 
 of her situation, and then she made Hamilton understand 
 that Don Jose was her father. A new light broke in upon 
 his mind, and her hasty departure from the mountain was 
 fully explained ; but still how came she on board the ship they 
 were then in, as it was believed that the governor with his 
 family had embarked in the schooner ? She was vainly try- 
 ing to make him comprehend this mysterious affair, when a 
 tremendous shock convinced the lieutenant that the vessels 
 
274 
 
 • THE WARLOCK. 
 
 had come in collision, and that one party or the other was 
 about to board. Anxious to be on the side of his friends, 
 he tried the several hatchways, but all were battened down : 
 he was then proceeding aft to the scuttle above his old place 
 of confinement, for he could hear that the struggle had 
 reached the lower deck, and blood came running down 
 through the rent tarpaulins. 
 
 Suddenly a str eam of light was let into the forepart of the 
 ship, and Hamilton hurried to Marietta’s side to protect her 
 in case of danger. Concealing himself behind a bale, he lay 
 at full length, but at the same time was enabled to command 
 a perfect view of all that was going on. A man descended 
 the fore-scuttle — his rich dress of black velvet torn and stained 
 with blood : a gold chain, with the links dissevered, hung 
 confusedly from his neck, and Hamilton beheld the identi- 
 cal individual from whose brutal ferocity he had rescued 
 Marietta on the mountain. In his hand gleamed a bright 
 stiletto, and, as he advanced towards the beautiful girl, his 
 murderous purpose became fully evident. Grasping the 
 shrinking maiden, he raised the dagger, which was descend- 
 ing on her bosom, when a ball from Hamilton’s pistol 
 shattered his wrist, and the blow fell heavy but erring— 
 Marietta was saved. Quitting his hold of the fainting girl, 
 he sprang upon Hamilton, who had only half risen, and could 
 not at the moment seize the bayonet. 
 
 “ May curses rest upon you ! ” exclaimed the wounded man 
 in English, as he directed the stiletto to Hamilton’s breast ; 
 and the stab must have been sure but for the intervention of 
 Ben Transom, who struck the fellow senseless, and the lieu- 
 
THE WARLOCK. 
 
 275 
 
 tenant was uninjured. In a few minutes more loud shouts 
 from the brave Warlocks proved that the victory was won, 
 and Hamilton hastened on deck to receive the congratula- 
 tions of his messmates and commander. 
 
 The mystery was soon explained by honest Ben. Whilst 
 waiting on the mountain, some of the schooner’s crew came to 
 the spot, and, finding their captain (the man in black velvet) 
 senseless, they seized Ben, and conducted him to the boat, to 
 which also they conveyed the apparently inanimate body. On 
 the recovery of the captain, he had given Ben the alternative 
 to “ walk the plank” * or j oin his crew. The old man, though 
 he did not fear the king of terrors in close fight, yet could 
 not reconcile his mind to suffer execution in cold blood ; and, 
 on Marietta’s coming aboard the schooner, he joined the 
 pirates, as affording the only means of rendering himself ser- 
 viceable to her. The night after sailing they descried the 
 Spanish ship, which could have blown the pirate out of the 
 water, had the Spaniards been aware of her approach ; but 
 she ran alongside, and poured a hundred men upon her decks 
 before any resistance could be made. The contest was short, 
 and the pirates triumphed. Removing the gold ingots and 
 the most valuable articles from the schooner, she was scuttled 
 by boring holes in her bottom, and the unconscious Spaniards 
 were put on board. The sails were cut to ribands ; the rudder 
 was choked to render it immovable ; the boats were taken 
 away ; and, leaving the poor wretches in this condition, the 
 
 * “ Walking the plank ” is another term for death. A plank is extended 
 lengthways over the vessel’s side: the man is compelled to walk along it till it 
 overbalances and launches him into the ocean. 
 
 18 
 
276 
 
 THE WAKLOCK. 
 
 piratical captain sailed away. The sinking of the schooner 
 has been already related. ■ 
 
 The chief of the pirates was an Englishman, and before his 
 death (which occurred a few hours after from his wounds) he 
 confessed to Hamilton that when he bore off Marietta on the 
 mountain he entertained no idea that she was Don Jose’s 
 daughter and the individual who was to embark with him ; 
 but having seen her from his cavern retreat (where he had 
 collected a considerable hoard of gold) he determined to carry 
 her off. His cupidity was his ruin. 
 
 The Warlock returned to Rio J aneiro with her valuable 
 prize. Don Jose’s life was spared, in consequence of his 
 making some important disclosures ; but he was banished 
 from the country. Hamilton was sent to England in charge 
 of Los Tres Rermanos , and the late governor of Sanctos and 
 his lovely daughter accompanied him as passengers. Don 
 Jose had still an ample fortune left, and Hamilton’s share 
 of prize-money was considerable. On their arrival, Marietta 
 and the young lieutenant were united, and I believe they are 
 still living, though Hamilton is now an old post-captain and 
 K.C.B. Ben Transom stuck by his officer through the re- 
 mainder of his life, and breathed his last sigh in his arms. 
 The pirates were tried for murder, and many of them exe- 
 cuted ; while the Warlock, after running her full time, was 
 broken up at Deptford 
 
#It» Defto’s Hob Is. 
 
 On the British coast — no matter as to the precise spot, and 
 probably, if the reader knows anything of the geography of 
 his country, he will find it out before long — on the British 
 coast, most romantically and beautifully situated, stood one 
 of those antiquated mansions which are looked upon with 
 reverence by the lovers of romance. It was capacious, and 
 still retained its ancient character, though the parts next to 
 the sea had been somewhat modernized by verandahs and 
 trelliswork, which, at the proper season, were nearly ob- 
 scured by the clustering clematis and myriads of roses. The 
 deep embayed windows had been lengthened to the ground, 
 so as to open with glazed doors to marble steps that de- 
 scended to the lawn, where both art and nature had been 
 called into active subserviency, to render the spot lovely to 
 the eye and grateful to the sense. It was near the summit 
 of a cliff rising some two hundred feet in height, from which 
 the ground ascended very gradually for two miles to an eleva- 
 tion of a hundred feet more, so that the dwelling was on a 
 gentle slope, embedded — except towards the ocean — among 
 lofty trees, and presenting a charming piece of picturesque 
 scenery, peculiarly British, to vessels running up or passing 
 down the channel. 
 
 This was the residence of a baronet of the old school, who 
 had come to his title and estates when very young, and from 
 
278 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 early education, as well as the associates he had gathered 
 round him, w~as rigid in the performance of his own duties, 
 and sternly exacted obedience from all who moved within the 
 sphere of his power. As a host, he was hospitable, but proud 
 —as a landlord, he was just to his tenants, but scrupulously 
 insisted on the payment of his rents as soon as they became 
 due — as a magistrate, he adhered strictly to the laws, but 
 showed no mercy to the culprit, if his offence was proved, 
 and to the smugglers who frequented that part of the coast 
 he was implacable and unrelenting — as a master, he was 
 profuse to his servants, but austere in his manners — and as 
 a husband and a father, his indulgence was unbounded ; 
 but he was destitute of those endearments on which sincere 
 attachment is grounded— he was cold, reserved, and un- 
 social. 
 
 Such were the leading characteristics of Sir James Esdaile’s 
 temper and disposition. He had married an amiable lady, 
 whose warm heart and affectionate nature were the reverse 
 of his own ; but the union had been one of convenience on 
 the part of the lady’s parents, and she was severed from an 
 honest and gallant young sailor, without high birth or pre- 
 tensions, to become Lady Esdaile. But still her breast 
 treasured remembrances of him whom she had fervently 
 loved, and, though parted for ever from him, and united to 
 splendour, rank, and riches, often would her regrets steal 
 away memory to the sweet spot of her infancy, and where, 
 in maturer years, she had in innocent delight enjoyed the 
 visits and society of William Blakeney. But William was 
 in humble circumstances — the parents of Amelia were dazz- 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 279 
 
 led by the magnificent offers of Sir James— who, to do him 
 justice, knew nothing of the previous attachment— and the 
 wretched girl, overwhelmed by the entreaties of her natural 
 protectors, who were under pecuniary obligations to the 
 baronet — borne away by the prayers and representations of 
 relatives, who expected to profit by the union, became Lady 
 Esdaile. But Sir James soon made it apparent that, though 
 he had married Amelia, he, nevertheless, formed no compact 
 with her family. Their visits were discountenanced, and 
 soon ceased ; and the unhappy parents, when too late, saw 
 that they had sacrificed the happiness of their daughter to 
 save themselves. 
 
 At the period of the wedding, William Blakeney had been 
 several months at sea ; but what was his agony when, on his 
 return, the truth was revealed to him ! He had been build- 
 ing his hopes, his joy, on a structure that had fallen *away 
 from under them ; on his watch at night, and during his duty 
 by day, Amelia had been the main-spring that moved and 
 regulated his actions, the motive that prompted him to as- 
 siduity in his profession, trusting that he might, by diligent 
 application and bravery, rise to an eminence that would render 
 him worthy of her hand. Now all was blighted, withered, 
 crushed — he did not wait to ascertain the means that had 
 been used to detach them — he did not inquire into any par- 
 ticulars ; he saw that she was the wife of another ; he felt 
 that the hand of desolation had spread over his young heart, 
 and he was heard of no more. 
 
 Lady Esdaile bore her husband two children : a boy, the 
 elder, and a blooming girl, and the baronet relaxed a little 
 
280 
 
 old betty’s nook 
 
 from his habitual sternness when he beheld his offspring en- 
 joying their infantile amusements on the lawn; for who has 
 ever contemplated the diversions of the young and innocent, 
 and still retained asperity in the heart ! But the feelings of 
 paternal affection were about to be severely taxed ; for his 
 first-born, then in his third year, who was to hand down his 
 name and rank, suddenly disappeared, and no traces could 
 be discovered as to what had become of him. Conjecture 
 framed a hundred different tales ; he might have fallen over 
 the cliff and perished, or have lost himself in one of the 
 chasms with which the rocks in the neighbourhood abound. 
 Wells were searched, every means resorted to, but without 
 avail ; and the baronet, mourning his loss, but particularly 
 the manner of it, grew more morose in his manners and rigid 
 in his exactions. 
 
 Sad and cheerless amidst every luxury was the path of 
 Lady Esdaile ; yet she did not complain, or manifest much 
 outward show of sorrow. !No; it was in the moments of 
 her privacy, in the secrecy of retirement, that she wept her 
 fate, and her anguished spirit grieved for her lost one. “ Oh, 
 could she but tell whether he was yet living or numbered 
 with the dead, there would be some certainty for the mind 
 to rest upon, but now all was withering doubt and torturing 
 suspense.” 
 
 Years passed away, and, notwithstanding vast sums had 
 been expended, and inquiries prosecuted with the utmost 
 vigour, no tidings could be obtained of the boy. Every re- 
 mote possibility, every rumour, was eagerly embraced and 
 followed up, but without avail ; and at length they were com- 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 281 
 
 pelled to give credence to his death, though there were times 
 when the mother, in the communings with her own heart, 
 could hear the still small voice that assured her he was yet 
 in existence. But she did not neglect her daughter, who 
 grew up both amiable and lovely, and bade fair to become 
 one of the most beautiful of her sex. Lady Esdaile seldom 
 quitted the mansion (for Sir James had secluded himself 
 from the world), and, therefore, the whole of her time was 
 devoted to the education of her child. 
 
 But a change was at hand, and the young Amelia, in her 
 sixteenth year, was deprived of her father by the hand of 
 death. The coffin of the baronet was placed among the 
 perishing remains of his ancestors, and Lady Esdaile was 
 freed from that restraint which she had so long and so 
 patiently endured. Sir James had been just in his will : he 
 bequeathed the great bulk of his property to his daughter, 
 under trust to her mother as long as she remained single, 
 and, should she marry, then the trust was to devolve into 
 other hands. There was, however, throughout the whole a 
 reservation in behalf of the lost son, should he ever be dis- 
 covered. 
 
 Thus far all promised well, but the inexperienced widow 
 was not suffered to remain long in tranquillity. A claimant 
 arose to the Estate, under the plea that, when Lady Esdaile 
 became the wife of Sir James, she was already married to 
 William Blakeney, who, it was proved by witnesses that had 
 seen and conversed with him, was alive after the birth of 
 the second child, and was frequently known to be in the 
 neighbourhood of the Belle Vue (the name given to the man- 
 
282 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 sion) though what had become of him for several years no 
 one could tell, and it was believed that he was drowned at 
 sea. Other witnesses were brought forward who were ready 
 to swear that they had been present at the marriage with 
 Blakeney, aud partook of the wedding feast ; and these were 
 from among Lady Esdaile’s intimates and companions in her 
 younger years, before the canker-worm of grief had preyed 
 upon her heart. Indeed, there seemed to be so much justice 
 and equity on the side of the claimant, that most persons 
 considered his title good and certain. 
 
 Lady Esdaile consulted an eminent barrister. She strenu- 
 ously denied the accusation, but her word was unsupported 
 by proof, and, on a meeting of counsel, her case appeared 
 almost hopeless. The claimant, heir at law, was himself a 
 solicitor, though not of the most honourable reputation 
 among the members of the profession, and he had collected 
 a mass of testimony apparently of an undeniable nature. 
 The parents of Lady Esdaile, the clergyman who was stated 
 to have performed the ceremony, were in their graves • the 
 clerk was childish and bed-ridden ; while a certificate, pur- 
 porting to be extracted from the register-book, seemed to set 
 at rest all doubt. It is true no corresponding entry was 
 found, but it was said in explanation that, as the marriage 
 was secret, the record had been written on a loose piece of 
 paper, and suffered to remain so. The handwriting was in 
 every particular similar to other entries made by the clergy- 
 man, and the subscribing witnesses were ready to prove their 
 signatures, 
 
 Mr. Dimsdale, the claimant, was a young man of no con- 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 283 
 
 temptible pretensions as to person. He was tlie descen- 
 dant of a distant branch of the baronet’s family, and, being 
 the only male in right of succession, he assumed the title on 
 the death of Sir James. But he was, comparatively speak- 
 ing, poor, for, though he had an admirable practice, yet he 
 had expended his incfome annually in high living, and, ex- 
 cepting a legacy, he had obtained but little with the baro- 
 netcy. 
 
 Still Lady Esdaile most solemnly denied the allegations 
 that had been brought against her, and her conduct and 
 character had been irreproachable. She declared the whole 
 to be a deep-laid scheme to ruin her and her daughter by 
 putting aside the will, and she denounced the witnesses as 
 ready to perjure themselves from the double motive of re- 
 venge and gain — revenge, because on her union with Sir 
 James she had declined at his command all intercourse with 
 her old associates ; and gain, inasmuch as they, doubtless, 
 had been well bribed to give false evidence. The papers of 
 the day pampered the vitiated taste of the public with true 
 and particular accounts, most of which told against the 
 widow, and, though all were different, yet each asserted its 
 correctness. 
 
 It was whilst affairs were in this state that the beautiful 
 Amelia, in her seventeenth year, attracted the attention of 
 the claimant, and he made an offer of his hand as a sort of 
 propitiatory sacrifice, to terminate the contention. To the 
 surprise of every one who believed Lady Esdaile guilty, this 
 overture was indignantly refused ; but Dimsdale was not to 
 be easily repulsed ; he visited Belle Vue, and protested that 
 
284 
 
 old Betty’s nook. 
 
 his object in seeking a union was grounded in strong and 
 ardent affection, and that he was ready to make such pro- 
 vision for his wife as her mother should deem fitting for her. 
 His personal communications were couched in humble terms 
 —there was a reality in the language, which seemed sincere. 
 He deplored the course which he had been compelled to pur- 
 sue by a sense of justice to himself, spoke feelingly of the 
 strong evidence he was prepared to bring forward, and ear- 
 nestly implored Lady Esdaile and her daughter to accede to 
 his request, so as to prevent all further exposure. 
 
 “What,” exclaimed the impassioned lady, “would you, 
 who have endeavoured to blast the reputation of the mother, 
 would you, with the prospect of wealth and distinction be- 
 fore you, take to your arms the almost penniless girl, whom 
 you would deprive of legitimacy 1 ” 
 
 “ Indeed, indeed, my dear lady,” returned the pleader, “ 1 
 am prepared to do that ; and the fervour of my affection 
 would prompt me to do more. Miss Amelia, have you not 
 one word of encouragement to give me ? ” 
 
 “ First acknowledge the vile plot by which you have tried 
 to throw odium on my mother,” replied the spirited girl ; 
 “ clear her character of the base charges you have fabricated. 
 But no — no ; I will not resemble you in the practice of de- 
 ception, and therefore, I tell you, sir, I would prefer death 
 to a union with a man whose conduct my soul abhors.” 
 
 “ Alas ! my dear young lady, you are yourself deceived,” 
 exclaimed Dimsdale, in a tone of abject supplication, though 
 there was a restless fierceness in his eyes. “ I have no wish 
 to probe your feelings ; there are proofs strong as holy writ — ” 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 285 
 
 “ A forgery ! a villanous, wicked forgery ! and you know 
 it, sir ! ” interrupted Lady Esdaile. 
 
 “ The witnesses,” said Dimsdale, with a shake of the head, 
 but whether in persuasion or menace was doubtful — “ there 
 are the witnesses — ” 
 
 '* Whom you have suborned to suit your own unholy pur- 
 poses,” returned Lady Esdaile with energy. “ Sooner would 
 I see my daughter suffering at the stake, than give her hand 
 to one so detestably wicked ; her groans would be music to 
 my ears, compared with the forced responses at the altar. 
 You have your answer, sir. Go on with your infernal con- 
 spiracy. I put my innocence and the welfare of my child 
 under the protection of that Great Being, who has declared 
 himself in his recorded word the father of the fatherless and 
 the widow’s God and Judge.” 
 
 The lawyer quailed before the majestic look of the lady. 
 “ Why will you, madam, urge me to extremities ? ” said he. 
 “ Oh do not, do not extinguish your only hope. Think of 
 your daughter, young and beautiful, cast upon a pitiless 
 world ; think of this delightful home, which you must im- 
 mediately quit if you refuse compliance with my earnest and 
 honest request. Think — ” 
 
 “You need go no further in your appeal, sir,” interrupted 
 Lady Esdaile. “ Your motives are sufficiently explained — it 
 is not affection for my child that prompts you to this seem- 
 ingly generous offer, else you would have refrained from 
 threats. No, no ; it is fear that prompts you — ay, fear lest 
 your nefarious designs should fail; and, by securing the 
 daughter’s person, you would convert doubts of success to 
 
286 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 certainty. I am ready to brave all the injury you may have 
 the power and the will to inflict, conscious of my integrity, 
 and convinced that a day of retribution will come. Go, sir ; 
 quit the innocent society you have insulted by your presence. 
 Go, sir ; even the law has not yet sanctioned your intrusion 
 here. Go, go ; and take with you my unmeasured contempt, 
 my sickening disgust, and my heartfelt defiance.” And, hav- 
 ing rung the bell, she took her daughter’s arm, and quitted 
 the room, the lawyer in a low tone muttering something 
 about “ ejectment.” 
 
 The moment the door was closed upon the retiring mother 
 and child, Dimsdale ground his teeth together, and, raising 
 his clenched fist, shook it in a threatening manner towards 
 the place of their exit, whilst his face, from a look of humi- 
 lity, changed to the aspect of a demon. Smothered curses 
 escaped him, amidst ill-repressed hysterical laughter, and, 
 whilst in this attitude, the door suddenly re-opened, and an 
 elderly servant entered. “ Did your honour ring ? ” inquired 
 he, as he stopped short at the entrance, surprised at what 
 he beheld. 
 
 “No, my good fellow — that is— ah ! I believe your mis- 
 tress rang,” returned the rather embarrassed lawyer, and he 
 paused. 
 
 Now, old Thomas had been a seaman, and though he had 
 quitted the ocean nearly fifteen years since, yet he still re- 
 tained all the peculiarities of the veteran tar. He had been 
 wrecked in the rocky bay beneath the cliff, and brought in a 
 state of great suffering from broken limbs and bruises to 
 Belle Yue, where he had been kindly attended to, and, after 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 287 
 
 a long confinement, restored to health. But he would not 
 leave his benefactors, and, as he made himself useful in many 
 instances, and was always handy with the glass to point out 
 particular ships that appeared off the coast, he had been 
 suffered to remain a devoted and attached servant to the 
 family. Thomas stopped at the door, as if waiting for some 
 command. 
 
 “Come in,” said the lawyer, and the veteran obeyed. 
 “ This is a pretty place, here, my good fellow ; fine view of 
 the channel. You would not like to quit it, I suppose.” 
 
 “ It’s just as the Almighty pleases, your honour,” re- 
 sponded the old man : “ he druv me here in a gale o’ wind, 
 and mayhap he may carry me off in a hurrycane ; no mar 
 knows what may be logged down for the future.” 
 
 “ True, true, very true,” returned Dimsdale ; “ but you 
 have lived here many years— a sailor, too, I presume?” 
 
 “ A seaman, your honour ; one who knows his duty, and 
 always done it, alow or aloft, in breeze or battle,” answered 
 the veteran, jealous of his nautical character. 
 
 “ Why, what difference, old man, can there be between a 
 sailor and a seaman ? ” inquired Dimsdale. “ The terms are 
 synonymous.” 
 
 “ They may be singnonnymus, your honour,” responded 
 old Thomas ; “ but there’s a great difference for all that. A 
 seaman is a lad as has had edecation and experience on the 
 ocean — one as can hand, reef, and steer, rig a mast, swab a 
 deck, splice a cable, and clear a hawse. But, as to your sailor, 
 why, your honour, or any know-nothing, as washes his hands 
 in a ship’s bucket of salt water, may hail for a sailor.” 
 
288 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 “ A valuable and excellent definition, my good fellow,” 
 said the lawyer ; “ and so you are very snugly moored here, 
 and of course would like to remain ? ” 
 
 “ I hope her ladyship arn’t seen never no cause to find fault 
 with me ? ” urged the veteran. 
 
 “ No, no ; it is not that,” responded Dimsdale, “ not ex- 
 actly that ; but, as her ladyship, as you call her, is about to 
 leave Belle Yue, which will pass into other hands, why — ” 
 
 “ I’ll shape my course along with her, your honour,” in- 
 terrupted the old man. “ But you’ll not take it amiss in an 
 owld tar, if I misdoubts your reckoning in regard o’ the mat- 
 ter of topping our booms ! ” 
 
 “ It is true, though ; in a few days Lady Esdaile will be 
 removed by ejectment, unless you, who I understand are in 
 great favour, will prevail upon Miss Amelia to change her 
 mind,” argued the new baronet. 
 
 “ Now, your honour, don’t go for to pitch the slack of your 
 gammon at owld Tom,” exclaimed the veteran laughingly. 
 “ Move my lady by jackments ! that be blow’d ! What do I 
 know or care about jackments, any more than the jack at 
 the bosprit eend in harbour, or at the foretop-gall’nt-mast 
 head as a signal for a pilot off the coast ? And what am I 
 to prewail upon the young lady to change her mind about?” 
 “ Why, my man, this property has passed into the hands 
 of the lawful heir,” said the lawyer, and he paused. 
 
 “ Well, your honour, I knows that, and she’s now enjoying 
 the sweets on it, bless her soul !” replied the veteran. 
 
 ‘‘All a mistake on your part, my good fellow,” urged 
 Dimsdale, condescendingly taking hold of the seaman’s arm. 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 289 
 
 “ The case stands thus. The estate by law must go into other 
 hands, unless Miss Amelia can be induced to marry the new 
 baronet.” 
 
 “.What, Sir Edward Dismal, as they calls him ] ” inquired 
 the veteran, bending his whole attention to the subject. 
 
 “ You are right in your conjecture, though not quite cor- 
 rect as to the name,” returned the lawyer. “ You have the 
 fact, and, unless she marries Sir Edward, why they will both 
 have to turn out upon the world.” 
 
 “ Them is hard lines any how,” uttered old Thomas mourn- 
 fully ; but his face immediately brightened up again, as he 
 exclaimed, slapping his hand upon his thigh : “ I have it now ! 
 They’ve hoisted signals of distress, and your honour’s 
 answered ’em, and bore down to their assistance, eh 1 That’s 
 it!” 
 
 “ You are not entirely wrong in your conclusions, my good 
 fellow,” returned the baronet. “ I would be more than a 
 friend to those dear ladies.” 
 
 “Lord love your honour’s heart for that ’ere!” responded 
 the old man ; “ they wanted to bamboozle me as you wur 
 somebody else, but I know’d you warn’t by the cut o’ your 
 jib. What is there that owld Tom can do to sarve your 
 honour ? ” 
 
 The lawyer took out his purse, which was rather weighty, 
 and held it up before the veteran’s face. “ This and another 
 shall be your’s — provision for life —if you will use your per- 
 suasions with Lady Esdaile and her daughter.” 
 
 “ For what, your honour ?” asked the veteran, as he dis- 
 engaged his arm and recoiled a pace or two. 
 
200 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 “ For Miss Amelia to marry Sir Edward Dimsdale,” an- 
 swered the lawyer. 
 
 “ Marry Sir Edward Dismal ! Not for the world ! ” 
 vociferated the blunt old seaman. “ What ! ax her to be 
 spliced to that ere pirating wagabone as has put sorrow into 
 hearts as ought to be happy ? — a lubberly land-shark, as ud 
 look best wi’ a hook in his nose, and a runnin boline under 
 his fins 1 Never, your honour ; but you doesn’t mean it in 
 arnest.” 
 
 “I am serious, old man,” returned the lawyer, who, how- 
 ever much he felt nettled at the observations of the seaman, 
 was yet determined not to throw away a chance, “ Only 
 use your persuasions, and, whether you succeed or not, 
 whether her ladyship goes or stays, this house shall be your 
 home for the remainder of your days.” 
 
 “Thankee, thankee, your honour, mayhaps you means 
 well,” responded old Thomas, “but you’ve got rather a 
 comical way of showing it ! What I, Tom Jessop, as 
 never had an angry word from them dear lips : I, as nursed 
 and played with Miss Mealy, when she warn’t no bigger than 
 a tin pannikin, I turn traitor and insinivator, and backbiter, 
 and who knows what besides, to get her afore the parson 
 with Sir Edward Dismal ! You’ve a silly head indeed ! 
 Do you see that brow of the cliff there h ” The baro- 
 net nodded. “Well, then, take this ’ere from owld Tom : 
 I’d sooner leap from that place on to the hard rocks below — 
 and I’ve tried ’em once in my life — than I’d see my precious 
 young lady in tow of that ’ere flinty-hearted lubber as they 
 hails as Sir Edward Dismal.” 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 291 
 
 Tlie lawyer writhed under the lash, but, recovering forti- 
 tude through irritation, he exclaimed, “Fellow, I am Sir 
 Edward Dimsdale ! ” 
 
 “ Mayhap so, your honour,” vociferated the excited sea- 
 man. “ You may be Sir Neddy Dismal, or you mornt, but, 
 if so be as you are, ware hawse with owld Tom athwart 
 your forefoot. What ! ax a British seaman to desart his 
 friends, and them two lone and dessolute females, in time of 
 trouble ! offer him money to betray his trust ! Out o’ that, 
 you oncontemptible scamp ! make short miles of it, Dismal 
 or not Dismal, or see if I don’t make ’em toss you 
 in a blanket till I pipes belay ! — we’ll hangticipate Jack 
 Ketch, and larn you a few steps of the dance-upon-nothing 
 afore you gets the running noose round your neck. What I 
 abandon the Missus and Miss Mealy, cause they’re in dis- 
 tress, and through you, too ! Arn’t you ashamed o’ yourself, 
 you onnatural thing, you ? ” 
 
 The lawyer became at once aware of the impossibility of 
 propitiating the enraged veteran, and, therefore, he thought 
 to intimidate him. “ I tell you what it is, my fine fellow,” 
 said he ; “ you bully it well now, but when I come again I’ll 
 make you remember this insolence. You shall turn out dir- 
 ectly, and perhaps something worse ; yes, I’ll make you re- 
 member it.” 
 
 “And, lest your honour should forget it,” said the old 
 man, giving the baronet a smart blow with the flat of his 
 hand upon his ear, “ there’s sommut to log it down in your 
 head ! You lubberly bragmedoxy,” added he, with a strong 
 expression of contempt, “ how you made your lucky into this 
 
 (is) 19 
 
292 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 here port rather flabbergasts calkilations. But you arn’t 
 master yet, and never will be, I hope. But I’m saying you 
 arn’t master yet, and in course arn’t never got no manner 
 of right to dirty these here carpets ; and so ” — grasping the 
 back part of the lawyer’s coat collar, and with the strength 
 of a giant lifting him at arm’s length from the ground — “ by 
 yer leave,” he carried him in this manner out of the glazed 
 doorway, and, dropping his burden over the terrace, cried : 
 — “ Bear a hand out o’ that, or see if we don’t show you a 
 flea in the blanket yet ! ” 
 
 The young man took his departure, for he had on more 
 occasions than one proved that discretion is the better part 
 of valour, and he felt no further inclination to come within 
 the grasp of the choleric old seaman. Lady Esdaile and her 
 daughter were both amused and gratified with the conduct 
 of old Tom, who thenceforth installed himself champion to 
 the ladies. 
 
 Several days passed on, when one night, just as a dense 
 fog, which had continued for twenty-four hours, was clear- 
 ing away, a loud knock was heard at the main entrance to 
 the mansion. The servants were hastening to withdraw the 
 bolts, but the stentorian voice of old Tom resounded through 
 the hall, as he shouted, “ Avast there, boys ! keep all fast till 
 I’ve brought the stranger within hail ; ” for the veteran, 
 having become better acquainted with the term “ ejectment,” 
 had taken especial good care to see, as he called it, “ the 
 gangways made up, and the ports shut down.” From an upper 
 window, therefore, he projected his body, so as to command 
 a view of the porch, beneath which the visitant was con* 
 
OLD BETTY’S NOOK. 
 
 293 
 
 cealed, and lie was soon heard calling out : — “ Ship ahoy ! 
 who and what are you ? ” 
 
 “ A messenger, on urgent business to Lady Esdaile,” re- 
 turned the stranger, without, however, displaying his person. 
 
 “ All right, in course,” uttered the seaman ; “ but just have 
 the goodness to turn out and show us your colours.” He 
 then muttered to himself ; “ Ho jackments anyhow.” 
 
 There was a momentary bustle under the porch, and then 
 a tall stout man in a riding-dress presented himself to view. 
 “ I hope you will not delay my interview with Lady Esdaile.” 
 said he ; “ it is absolutely necessary that I should see her at 
 once.” 
 
 “ Mayhap so, brother, mayhap so,” ejaculated the veteran ; 
 “ but I’ve larned never to let boats alongside arter hours, 
 without knowing what lay they’re upon. How, if so be as 
 you means honest, and have got any letters for the lady, just 
 stow ’em in this here basket, will you ? ” and he lowered one 
 out of the window by a cord. 
 
 The stranger hesitated for a few moments, and the quick 
 ear of the tar detected a whispering sound. “My communi- 
 cations for her ladyship are not written — they are verbal.” 
 
 “Werbal, you lubber?” returned the seaman; “you’d 
 better not pitch none o’ your ’long-shore sauce at the ladies. 
 AVerbal, indeed ! But I’m saying, shipmates, if you’ve get 
 no letters, why, then, you can speak to her ladyship by word 
 of mouth.” 
 
 “ That is what I wish to do,” responded the man ; “ and 
 as I am in a hurry, the sooner you open the door the quicker 
 will my mission be accomplished.” 
 
294 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 “ But, I say, owld un, you can talk without unbarring the 
 gangway port,” argued the veteran. “ Here’s her ladyship 
 herself coming, and may-hap your comrade there, who keeps 
 under hatches, like jack-in-the-box, will just show us the 
 cut of his figure-head.” 
 
 “ I am entirely alone,” responded the stranger ; but at this 
 moment one of the gardeners ran hastily up, and shouted : 
 — “ Are you all safe ? there’s robbers, plunderers, murderers, 
 about the grounds. Don’t open the house, Mr. Thomas. 
 Fire and thieves ! help ! help ! ” 
 
 A shrill whistle followed this appeal, and in a few minutes 
 a band of sturdy-looking men emerged from the plantations, 
 and assembled near the porch. 
 
 “ I tell you what it is, my fine fellows,” roared Tom ; “ I’d 
 advise you not to be too familiar with that ere porch ; for 
 there’s a four-pounder chockful of musket-balls just inside 
 the door, and the cook with a red-hot poker close to the 
 priming. Stand by, cook ; if they attempts to board us that 
 passage, just touch the powder, and blow ’em all to Davy 
 Jones.” 
 
 “ I’m all ready,’’ responded the cook, and it was evident 
 that the communication had a sensible effect upon the party ; 
 for they drew up on each side clear of the range, and a man 
 came forth from the porch, who appeared to be the leader, 
 and whose voice, while giving orders, was quickly recog- 
 nised by old Tom as very like that of the baronet. 
 
 “ Ho, ho ! ” exclaimed the veteran ; “ the wind sits in that 
 quarter, does it ? What ! it’s you, Muster Dismal, is it? Then 
 bad weather to me if I didn’t think so ! Howsomever, weVe 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 295 
 
 beat to quarters, and we’ll very soon sarve out the gruel in a 
 way you won’t like, if you arn’t out of that ! What ! did 
 you think to catch owld Tom hove down under the lee of his 
 night-cap, eh r i ” 
 
 “ What does this intrusion mean ? ” inquired Lady Esdaile 
 from the window. “ If you are there, Dimsdale, answer me.” 
 
 “ I must have admission, Lady Esdaile,” returned Sir 
 Edward in propria persona. “ If you refuse me, I will force 
 an entrance.” 
 
 “ There’s two words to that, you lubber,” shouted old Tom ; 
 but his mistress commanded him to be silent. 
 
 “ Was I not right,” exclaimed her ladyship, whilst prompt 
 attention prevailed : — “ was I not right, Dimsdale, when I 
 rejected your offers with scorn 1 This violence is additional 
 proof of the injustice of your cause.” 
 
 “ Ownly give the word, my lady, and see if I don’t pepper 
 ’em !” said old Tom. 
 
 “ You have compelled me to resort to these measures,” 
 rejoined the baronet. “ Resistance is utterly useless. I 
 have every implement for breaking in, and these men only 
 await my commands to batter down the door.” 
 
 “ Remember the four-pounder, Muster Dismal ; it’s all 
 ready there,” shouted the veteran, “ charged to the muzzle, 
 too ! ” 
 
 “ Will you admit me or not, madam ? ” demanded the 
 lawyer, in a voice of anger. “ I must and will have posses- 
 sion.” 
 
 “ Leave me to manage him, my lady,” entreated the sea- 
 man. “ These here matters, as they calls bellygereant, arn’t 
 
29 6 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 not by no manner o’ means fit for women. The gardener’s 
 gone to get assistance, and we can howld out till they come. 
 The lubber’s nothing more nor a coward, arter all said and 
 done.” 
 
 “ Do you still refuse to admit me ? ” once more demanded 
 Dimsdale, raising his voice still higher. 
 
 “ I do,” responded her ladyship, firmly, as she retired. 
 
 “Ay, that we do,” repeated the veteran; “so go your 
 hardest. Up ports, my lad — we’re all prepared,” and the 
 open windows displayed the servants with their missiles. 
 
 “ Then I’ve no alternative,” said Dimsdale. “ Rush on, 
 men, and break down the door.” 
 
 The invading party once more gathered in front, and were 
 proceeding to the attack, when old Tom’s voice, “ Stand by 
 your gun, cook ! ” brought them to a halt, and again they 
 separated on each side. 
 
 “ Cowards !” ejaculated Sir Edward, who, however, took 
 care to keep away from the porch. “They will not dare to 
 fire — on, on then, to the attack ! ” 
 
 “Lay hold of a crow-bar, and take the lead then,” uttered 
 one of the party to the lawyer. “ That jack tar won’t stand 
 for trifles— -if we are to be shot, why not take your chance 
 with the rest 1 ” 
 
 But this the baronet declined. “ Try the windows then,” 
 said he, “ and perhaps they will the soonest yield.” 
 
 The crashing of shutters and the ringing of broken glass 
 gave indications that the attack had begun ; but a charge of 
 swan shot, scattered among the assailants from a blunder- 
 buss, again drove them away. 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 297 
 
 “ Thomas, I will have no firing,” whispered her ladyship, 
 “ unless they resort to it. It would embitter the rest of my 
 days, should a human life be sacrificed — I would rather sur- 
 render at once.” 
 
 “ Surrender, your ladyship ! ” repeated the tar, whose ears 
 were scandalized 'by the very term. “No ! not whilst owld 
 Tom is able to defend you. Here they come again.’' 
 
 “The blood of my men be upon your head, madam!” 
 shouted the lawyer, in a state of great excitement. 
 
 “ Oh, never you mind that,” responded the veteran : “ it 
 worn’t her ladyship as fired the swivel. But I’m saying, 
 Muster Dismal, just make sail with your squadron, and part 
 company, will you ? ” 
 
 Again the attack was renewed, in spite of the missiles of 
 every sort that flew from the windows — for firing was pro- 
 hibited. “ Bravo, my lads ! ” shouted the lawyer ; “ a few 
 minutes more and the place is our own. Prize that shutter 
 open with the crow-bar. Twenty guineas and a dozen of 
 wine for the first man in — ” 
 
 “ Wine ! ” repeated Tom ; “ it’s wine you want, Muster 
 Dismal, is it ? then there is sommut to drink it out on,” and 
 away flew a china jug, of no small dimensions, direct at the 
 baronet’s head — a slight movement, however, brought it to 
 the back of his neck, and he measured his length on the 
 terrace, by the side of two or three others who had fallen 
 before him. 
 
 “ Hurrah ! ” bellowed the veteran. “ Hurrah ! he’s gone to 
 the bottom ! All hands repel boarders ! ” and away he started 
 for the room in which the windows were being forced in. 
 
298 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 At this moment, a second party appeared upon the lawn, 
 in something like military array, and the frightened assail- 
 ants instantly quitted their labour, and attempted to escape, 
 but without avail, as every man was made prisoner. Old 
 Thomas saw this scene through the fractured shutters, and 
 immediately concluded that the gardener had promptly 
 brought the expected succour, and therefore, without a mo- 
 ment’s delay, he ordered the massive doors to be unbarred, 
 and lights displayed in the hall, where the four-pounder 
 really stood, but harmlessly charged with nothing but pow- 
 der. Lady Esdaile and her daughter, having been informed 
 of the rescue and Dimsdale’s defeat, came themselves to 
 welcome their deliverers. The doors were unclosed before 
 the candles or lamps were brought in, and instantly a dense 
 body of men rushed forward, uttering to Tom’s ears the most 
 uncouth noises, but which her ladyship at once recognised 
 as the French language ; and, a few minutes afterwards, 
 when the hall became illumined, a strong body of armed 
 men had taken full possession of the place. 
 
 One of them, in something like a uniform, approached the 
 ladies, and, removing an enormous cocked hat, made a very 
 ceremonious bow as he uttered, “ It sal give me beaucoup de 
 plaisir — not for to make de offence to de jollie Anglice dame 
 — mais mes enfans,” pointing to his ill-looking scoundrels, 
 “ have de grand penchant for de argent — de plate — de moniesh 
 — vat you call guinea — for make de petite feast for les de- 
 moiselles de la grande nation.” 
 
 “ Dead beat, after all ; ” ruefully exclaimed the old seaman, 
 eyeing the Frenchman with stern indignation and contempt, 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 299 
 
 yet perfectly convinced that all attempts at resistance were 
 utterly useless. “Pray, Mountseir, where do you hail 
 from?” 
 
 “Ka, ha, mon ami,” returned the officer, “you sal he 
 von Anglice sailor — parbleu — ver good dat— oui — oui, bien 
 bon.” 
 
 “ Parblue ! where is that ? ” demanded old Tom. “ I 
 never haarde of such a port in the channel afore.” 
 
 “ Monsieur,” said her ladyship, in French, to the officer, 
 “to what am I indebted for the honour of this visit V* 
 
 “We are poor privateers-men, my lady,” responded the 
 man, in the same language, again bowing with deferential 
 respect, “ belonging to the port of Cherbourg. Fortune has 
 favoured us to-night — our necessities and not our inclinations 
 compel us to levy contributions ; but, rest assured, madame, 
 no personal incivilities will be offered.” 
 
 While this conversation was passing, old Tom had gained 
 sufficient from one of the Frenchmen, who spoke imperfect 
 English, to comprehend that three large row boats had taken 
 advantage of the thick fog during the day to cross the channel 
 in a marauding excursion. They had succeeded in reaching 
 the British coast without interruption, and, the nearest ob- 
 ject of attraction being Belle Yue, the party, under the guid- 
 ance of an old smuggler, had quietly gained the place, and, 
 though they turned the tables upon Dimsdale and his gang, 
 were themselves in the most polite way imaginable deter- 
 mined upon plunder. 
 
 “ Well, Pm blest,” ejaculated the old seaman, “ if this here 
 doesn’t beat me out-and-out— captured, colours down, and 
 
300 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 not a gun fired ! Avast though, just for the honour and 
 eredit of the thing he stole quietly away, and in another 
 moment the four-pounder bellowed forth as if by magic. 
 
 Who sal have beende coquin for fire de signal?” inquired 
 the French officer, angrily. “ Diable !— ayez la bont4 for 
 tell me dat, mes enfans.” 
 
 No one could afford him the required information, though 
 suspicion strongly pointed out old Tom, who in fact it was ; 
 nor did the signal remain long unanswered, as, to the vete- 
 ran’s great gratification, a blue light sent forth its bright 
 flame from some vessel afloat, which no doubt was cruising 
 on the station. 
 
 The servants of the hall were locked up in an apartment, 
 together with Dimsdale and his gang ; the only restraint the 
 ladies experienced was a watchful sentry over them, but 
 Jessop was permitted to accompany the Frenchmen over 
 the hall to witness the work of plunder. Every article of 
 plate, jewellery, and all valuables, were packed up in the 
 most orderly manner, though somewhat hurried in the per- 
 formance. It had just turned midnight when the arrange- 
 ments were completed ; and the whole party, with their booty 
 and prisoners, after searching the hall, proceeded down a 
 sloping descent to the beach. Nor had the stunned and 
 wounded been left behind, the cautious Frenchman carefully 
 removing every possibility of raising an alarm. But his 
 astonishment and horror may be more readily conceived than 
 described, when, on reaching the spot where the boats had 
 been left, he could nowhere perceive them, while an irresis- 
 tible party, nearly treble the number of his called upon him 
 
old betty’s fook. 
 
 301 
 
 to surrender. But this event will necessarily take us hack 
 to an earlier part of the day. 
 
 It so happened— and which is generally the case — that 
 during the fog which prevailed, there had 1 een little or no 
 wind, and consequently a gallant, hut rather antiquated frigate, 
 recently returned from the East India station, and now going 
 round to the river Medway to he paid off, was lying nearly 
 becalmed at no great distance from the shore. The even- 
 ing, however, brought a light breeze, with clear weather, 
 so that, at the period when Dimsdale made his attack, she 
 was nearly abreast of Belle Vue, barely holding her course 
 against the current, that was running strong down channel. 
 The night was beautifully fine — the sails just slept in tran- 
 quillity — the watch were seated together in groups, while the 
 look-outs at their respective stations gave the challenge, 
 “ All’s well,” every time the bell was struck. Captain Dave* 
 nant, the commander of the frigate, had been for some time 
 standing upon one of the quarter-deck guns, and with his 
 arms leaning over the hammock-netting, he gazed intently on 
 the shore. He had seen severe service, and nearly the whole 
 of his servitude, from the period of obtaining his first com- 
 mission, had been in the East Indies, till he had attained his 
 present rank, and a fame that had nothing to tarnish or sully 
 it. Pacing to and fro, on the weather-side of the quarter- 
 deck was the lieutenant of the watch (who, by the way, was 
 the captain’s son, and had shared all his perils), carefully 
 attending to his duties, and occasionally whistling for a 
 breeze. 
 
 “Well, Bobbo,” hailed one of the boatswain’s mates, ad- 
 
302 
 
 OLD BETT¥% KOOK. 
 
 dressing the look-out fore-castle man at the larboard cat* 
 head, “ and what do you make of the land now, boy ? ” 
 
 “ Just what it always was,” answered the other : “ white 
 cliffs and green hills — shingly beach and black rocks.” 
 
 “ Why, ay, shipmate, I thinks you hail from somewhere 
 away in this latitude,” remarked the botswain’s mate. 
 
 “ I do, Bill, I do,” responded the look-out, raising himself 
 from a recumbent position. “ It is many years since I 
 last saw the ould spot, but still it brings to my mind 
 all the consarns of my boyhood, and when I was a gay, rol- 
 licking young fellow as never cared a bite of pig-tail for 
 nobody whatsomever. Many’s the spree, Bill, I’ve had down 
 alongshore there— and many’s the drop of raal stuff I’ve 
 landed — I wish we had a toothful now, messmate.” 
 
 “ Why, ay, Bob, just for what the Yankees calls a fogmatic 
 —seeing as we’ve had thick weather all day,” feelingly re- 
 turned the boatswain’s mate. “ But keep a sharp look-out, 
 my boy, and mayhap we may twig a tub-boat creeping in for 
 the land.” 
 
 “ It’s a perilous life, Bill, that of a smuggler,” urged the 
 forecastle man, “ and I shouldn’t much like to fall in with 
 any on ’em. No ! no ! it would be dog bite dog — and 
 who can tell, mayhap, some o’ my own kindred may be 
 in the craft. But I tell you what it is, Bill, there’s a sommut 
 as is always weighing down upon my mind in regard o’ that 
 place, and though I was ounly a youngster then, and had 
 no say in the matter, yet when it comes athwart my con- 
 science — ■” 
 
 “ Avast, shipmate,” interrupted the boatswain’s mate ; “ a 
 
OLD BETTY'S NOOK. 
 
 303 
 
 man-of-war’s man arn’t never got no right to have a con- 
 science, seeing as he’s not master of his own actions. It’s 
 only the officers as has got consciences got sarved out among 
 ’em, and then they’re shared pretty nearly according to the 
 paying o’ prize-money.” 
 
 “ Well, well, Bill, mayhap you’re right, ould boy,” assented 
 the other ; “ but, if it arn’t conscience, why then it’s where 
 the carpenter’s hand-saw stuck — and that’s gizzard— and it 
 makes me malancholly whensomever I thinks of it.” 
 
 “ Why, what was it, Bob ? it’s just the time for a yarn, and 
 I say, shipmate, it ud be sommut new to enter in the log 
 that larking Bobby had got the molanchollies,” exclaimed 
 the boatswain’s mate. 
 
 “ There’s many a merry face as hides a sorrowing heart, 
 Bill,” asserted the other, mournfully, “ and many a smooth 
 surface as hides a sunken rock. But I’ll tell you all about 
 it, messmate. My owld father owned a boat or two as used 
 to go across to Garnsey and Jarsey, and thereaway, without 
 clearing out at the Custom House, and in course I was brought 
 up to the trade from a child, and so took to it in the natral 
 way. Well, Bill, we’d all sorts of luck, sometimes running 
 our cargo quite safe, and at other some losing the tubs, but 
 saving the boats. I say, shipmate, do you see them lights 
 moving about up there, like fireflies in the bush ? ” 
 
 “What ! at top of the cliff?— why ay, to. be sure I do,” 
 answered the boatswain’s mate, pointing in the direction of 
 Belle Vue. 
 
 “ Ay, ay, shipmate, that’s the place,” continued the other, 
 “ and there lived one o’ your great men as they calls a bar- 
 
304 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 rownight, and he was a magistrate, and a precious hard- 
 ‘ hearted one, too, for he never wouldn’t let any on us have a 
 moment’s peace — sarching the houses and ramshackling the 
 people : and if he cotcht any on ’em with a bit of contraband, 
 there was stone walls and darbies directly.” 
 
 “ Well, Bob, but that was all in the way of dooty, you 
 know,” argued the boatswain’s mate. 
 
 “ I arn’t never going to say nothing again dooty,” returned 
 Bob, “ though it was never yet made out clear to my satis- 
 faction what right they has to put high dooties on a drop of 
 stuff, so as only to let the rich share it out among ’em, while 
 the poor must be content with swipes. But it was the rich 
 as made the law, Bill, and then they built custom-houses, 
 and rigged cutters, and set a fleet o’ wagabones adrift as 
 they called officers ; but such fellows ! — they warn’t no 
 more like officers than the main-tack is like the skipper’s 
 happylet. But, the law being made, why in course it was 
 the magistrate’s dooty to see it kept — just as the captain does 
 the articles of war, and I arn’t never got a word to say again 
 it. But setting a case just as this here, Bill — ’spose the 
 skipper was to take it into his head that some on us had 
 a little grog concealed in our berths, and he was to set spies 
 and watch us, and pipe the boys up three or four times a 
 day, and overhaul ’em, wouldn’t you call it wexatious, ship- 
 mate ?” 
 
 “ Why in course I should,” returned the boatswain’s mate ; 
 “ and now, Bob, I sees whot your meaning is.” 
 
 “ Ay, ay, Bill, there’s nothing like making the shoe pinch 
 to diskiver where the corn is,” argued Bob ; “ and so, d’ye see, 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 305 
 
 the magistrate not only did his dooty, but he made a pre- 
 cious long stretch beyond it ; and, to come slap to the pint, 
 my owld dad was marked out for his vengeance, and many’s 
 the time he tried to catch the owld-un upon the ground-hop ; 
 but you may think that warn’t a thing easily to be done. At 
 last, however, as ill-luck would have it, one the boats was 
 seized and Drought in, and an onfortunate brother o’ mine 
 was in her, and got grabbed, and so they takes him afore Sir 
 James — 1 remembers the time as if it was but yesterday, 
 shipmate — Jem was younger nor me, and the owld woman 
 doated* on him, and when she haarde that he’d been pucky- 
 low’d by the sharks, everybody thought she’d have gone 
 mad. As for father, he took it sadly to heart, and he went 
 down on his stiff and stubborn owld knees to Sir James — and 
 mother got the lady to speak for her, but it Was all of no 
 use. Father had often set him at defiance, and so he swore 
 he’d wipe off all long-standing scores, and poor Jem was 
 clapped in the stone safe, and put in ierns, and arterwards 
 sent to the county jail to take his trial. Well, Bill, the way 
 to the county jail was lonely, and so a party of the boys 
 stowed themselves away among the hedges and tried at a 
 rescue, but it failed, and there was a good many broken heads 
 and bruised limbs, as my poor onfortunate skull can testify, 
 and the upshot on it was that Jem suffered for the attempt, 
 and was sentenced to seven years’ transportation.” 
 
 Here the pooi fellow paused, as if overcome by remem- 
 brances of the past, but at length he proceeded : “ It’s many 
 years ago now, Bill, but somehow or another whenever I 
 thinks of it there’s a curious kind of a choking comes up in 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 806 
 
 my throat, and I feels as if I was going to be strangled. It 
 broke poor owld mother’s heart — she never held up her 
 head from the day he was sent away, and she pined and 
 pined, till news came of Jem’s death, and then she laid down 
 and died. It was a sorrowful day, Bill, when they laid the 
 owld woman under ground — for she was a kind neighbour, 
 and though now and then a squall would blow itself out, yet 
 everybody loved her ; and deep and deadly was the oath 
 father took upon her grave to be revenged. Well, shipmate, 
 and now I comes to the pint that has always been a rock 
 ahead of me during life. Sir James had two youngsters, a 
 boy and a gal, but the boy was the eldest, and father used 
 to go watching round the grounds just like a tiger on Saugor 
 island ; but I was a long while before I could make out what 
 he was arter ; but one evening he comes hurrying into the 
 cottage, and, ‘ I’ve done it, Bob, at last,’ says he ; * bear a 
 hand down to the boat — get the boys together — we must go 
 across this very night, and not a moment must be lost. Ask 
 no questions,’ says he, for he saw I was a bit mazed, ‘ but 
 do my bidding.’ In course I went out : but, thinks I to my- 
 self, ‘ I’ll just watch what you’re arter, owld chap ;’ and I 
 saw him go into an outbuilding and bring out a youngster, 
 with its hands and legs bound, and its head muffled up. He 
 cotcht sight of me : ‘ What, not gone ? ’ says he ; 4 howsom- 
 ever it’s all well as it is— here, lend me a hand down with this 
 brat. Sir James, too, shall feel what it is to lose a child.’ 
 Well, shipmate, I trembled like a Lascar in a snow-storm, 
 for my thoughts were upon the tender mother, and not upon 
 the hard-hearted magistrate, who, mayhap, wouldn’t care 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 307 
 
 much about it, so says I, * But there’s the lady, father — Sir 
 James won’t be at all hurt, and — ■’ ‘Silence, boy,’ says he, ‘the 
 magistrate is proud — this is his heir, his first-born— away 
 with you ! carry him down to the beach — no words but do it.’ 
 “ So, Bill, I makes sail for the boat, with the young un in 
 my arms, and I whispers to him not to be frightened, but 
 he took no notice of it, and when we got to the beach none 
 of the men were there. ‘ Bear a hand, Bob,’ says my father 
 to me ; ‘ stow your crop in this here cave,’ and he pointed out 
 a little cave in the rock, * and run and call sky-rocket J ack 
 — he lives the nighest.’ I did as I was towld— shoved the 
 youngster into Owld Betty’s Nook, as they called the cave, 
 and then carried on a taut press for the berth of sky-rocket 
 Jack. I wan’t long away, shipmate, and when I comes back, 
 in course I runs to the stow-hole, afeard that the poor boy 
 would be stuffocated — but he was gone, Bill, and there warn’t 
 never a sowl there. I natrally thought father had removed 
 him ; but when he came, about half an hour arterwards, as 
 soon as the boats was ready for launching, and towld me to 
 fetch the child, a horrible thought came across my mind, 
 that took away my strength. ‘Where is he?’ says I.— 
 ‘ Where you left him,’ says he. — ‘ He’s not there,’ says I ; 
 4 and I thought you’d taken him away — he was gone when 
 I come back.’ — ‘ It’s a lie,’ says he, and he gripp’d howld 
 of my throat, ‘ a lie, a lie ; tell me, wretch, what you 
 have done with him ! — you have gone too far — I did not 
 purpose his death.’ It was plain, Bill, he took me for a 
 murderer. But the long and short on it is, shipmate, that 
 the child couldn’t be found, and when I last left England, 
 
308 
 
 OLD BETTY S NOOK. 
 
 which was lour or five years arterwards, never had been 
 found.” 
 
 “ That’s a strange tale, my man,” exclaimed the mate of 
 the watch, who evidently had been listening to the recital ; 
 
 “ is it really true, or pure invention ?” 
 
 “ It’s as true as gospel, Muster Wilkinson,” answered the 
 the man, “though I little thought that any but our two 
 selves haarde what was said.” 
 
 “ Halloo ! what is that ! ” exclaimed the mate, as a bright 
 flash shone from the cliff, (it was when old Tom discharged 
 the blunderbuss). “ A signal to some smuggler in the offing, 
 no doubt,” and he walked aft, where the captain and the 
 lieutenant were in earnest conversation. He approached, 
 and, respectfully touching his hat, reported what he had 
 observed 
 
 “ Wo-saw it, too, Mr. Wilkinson,” said the lieutenant, and 
 then shouted, “ The watch, out pinnace — aft here, and lower 
 away the large cutter.” 
 
 The boats were soon in the water, and manned and armed. 
 “ Take the pinnace, Mr. Wilkinson,” said the captain ; “ keep 
 the cutter in company. Mr. Sandora” (one of the midship- 
 men), “follow Mr. Wilkinson’s orders, sir ;” then, turning to 
 the mate, “ Pull close in-shore, and board and overhaul every 
 boat you meet with. Three lights and a gun will be the 
 signal of recall.” 
 
 “ Ay, ay, sir,” responded the young officer, and then, ad- 
 vancing close to the lieutenant, he said, “may I take Soames 
 with me, sir ? he is a native of this part of the coast, and knows 
 every nook and corner — he will make a good pilot in 
 
OLD BETTY’S NOOK. 
 
 309 
 
 “ How do you know that, Mr. Wilkinson ? ” asked the 
 lieutenant, somewhat sharply. 
 
 “ He says so himself, sir,” answered the mate ; “ indeed I 
 accidentally overheard a long yarn he has been spinning on 
 the fokstle about his stealing a child from here, several years 
 ago-” 
 
 “ What ! what is that ? ” demanded the captain abruptly ; 
 “ who has been talking about stealing a child ? eh, sir ? who 
 dare talk of such things on board this ship h ” 
 
 “ I was speaking of Robert Soames, sir,” returned the mate, 
 respectfully, touching his hat ; “ Soames, the fokstle man, 
 sir, — he knows every inch of the place, sir ? ” 
 
 “ Bear a hand in your boat, sir,” ordered the captain ; 
 “ take a blue light with you, and, should you want more help 
 burn it. Away, sir, and keep a sharp look-out.” The mate 
 promptly obeyed, and the captain, turning to the quarter- 
 master at the con, quietly said, “ Send Robert Soames aft 
 here.” 
 
 In a few minutes, poor Bob stood before his commander, 
 who had retired aft to the taffrail, and, dowsing his tarpau- 
 lin hat, waited for the captain to begin. Their conversation 
 was long and earnest till it was disturbed by a hail from the 
 gangway, “ Boat ahoy ! ” and immediately the voice of Mr. 
 Sandom was heard answering, “No, ho.” In another minute 
 or two, he was alongside in a fine row-boat, and reported 
 that they had captured three of a similar kind lying concealed 
 among the rocks, the crews having gone on shore to plunder 
 Belle Vue. This was ascertained from the boat -keepers ; 
 and Mr. Wilkinson, fearful of alarming the party (who were 
 
310 
 
 OLD BETTV S NOOK. 
 
 treble his numbers), by showing the blue light, had sent of! 
 young Sandom with the prisoners, and to request further 
 assistance. The prisoners were ordered on board and ques- 
 tioned, about the time the four-pounder on the cliff was dis- 
 charged, and the captain instantly directed that the French 
 boat should be remanned and well armed with both seamen 
 and marines, gave the frigate in charge to the first lieutenant, 
 and, commanding his son to follow him in the barge, hurried 
 over the side, as the blue light of Mr. Wilkinson sent forth 
 its lurid flame upon the ocean. The row-boat pulled eigh- 
 teen oars ; and, now they were double-manned, and ever? 
 soul, fore and aft, pulled with a willing and free spirit, she 
 flew through the water at a tremendous rate, and in a short 
 space of time Captain Davenant, with nearly fifty stout fel- 
 lows, was on the beach. The barge, with twenty more, was 
 not long after him ; but, to make assurance doubly sure, with- 
 out endangering the life of a single man, the row-boat was 
 sent back for a reinforcement, which was not long in arriving. 
 The disposal of his force was promptly arranged by Captain 
 Davenant : the boats were hauled out to a distance, and laid 
 at a grapnel, and everything being completed, the commander 
 resumed his conversation with the forecastle man. 
 
 “ This, then, is the spot,” said the captain, looking around 
 him, “ but you spoke of some small cavern.” 
 
 “Owld Betty’s Nook, your honour,” returned Bob ; “it’s 
 just here-away, if your honour wishes to see it. 
 
 They walked towards the foot of the cliff, and the seaman 
 pointed out the place. “ But what became of your father, 
 Soames ? ” inquired the captain. 
 
OLD BETTY’S NOOK. 
 
 311 
 
 “ He did not hold to windardiong arterwards, your honour,” 
 replied the man, “ and was soon laid alongside of the owld 
 woman.” 
 
 “ How came y° u in the service, my man ? ” asked the cap- 
 tain. 
 
 “I entered to a Garnsey privateer— got taken by the French 
 
 made my escape from prison — was crimped foranlngeeman 
 —had the voyage out— was pressed in Madderas Roads, 
 and drafted into the frigate,” replied Bob. 
 
 “ This a strange tale you have been telling me, Soames,” 
 said the captain ; “ and, if the child has not been discovered 
 since, you may be arraigned for murder.” 
 
 I hopes not, your honour, for I’m as innocent as an on- 
 born babby,” returned the seaman. 
 
 A signal from one of the lookers-out apprized them that 
 * the enem y was approaching, and in a instant every soul was 
 crouching or lying down, so as not to be perceived. The 
 Frenchmen, with their captives and their plunder, descended 
 to the beach— the ladies weeping and terrified, surrounded 
 by female domestics— Dimsdale (who had recovered) and 
 old Tom, bound together, with their arms lashed behind them 
 venting their anger in reproaches and imprecations. The 
 men who accompanied the baronet, as well as the male ser- 
 vants, carried the booty, whilst the Frenchmen, escorting 
 the whole, were priding themselves on the cleverness with 
 which they had executed their project. 
 
 “What are your intentions, monsieur?” inquired Lady 
 Esdaile of the officer who walked by her side. “ You surely 
 do not mean to carry us to France ? ” 
 
312 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 “ Non, non, madame,” returned the Frenchman ; “ mais 
 every one must remain here till my men have embarked, and 
 we put to sea. Then are you free. It gives me much grief, 
 mi ladi, to put you to such inconvenience, but our own per- 
 sonal safety requires it.” 
 
 “ I do not think you will meet with encouragement from 
 your countrymen for such an act, monsieur,’ said the lady, 
 
 “ to say nothing of the want of courtesy and kindness to 
 females ; I think the fact of your turning robber will meet 
 with retaliation and punishment. The law of nations—” 
 
 « Pardonnez, madame,” interrupted the officer, “ it is the 
 law of necessity — the prize we have made, if dnc§ across the 
 channel, will help to support existence, and enable us to 
 fit out a larger vessel than these boats. But, eh ! where 
 are they gone ? Jaques ! Pierre ! Jean ! ” 
 
 No answer was given to his hail, for Jacques, Pierre, and . 
 Jean were safe on board the frigate. The whole detach- 
 ment were by this time close to the water, and yet nothing 
 could be seen, to the excessive consternation of the French- 
 men. 
 
 At this moment a shrill whistle was heard reverberating 
 from the cliff— the next instant four or five blue lights were 
 burning in different directions so as to show the overwhelm- 
 ing force of Captain Davenant, who rushed singly forward, 
 commanding them to surrender, or, as pirates, they should 
 meet with no mercy. Had not terror paralyzed the facul- 
 ties of the Frenchman, he might have been assured that the 
 English would not have fired a shot whilst their own country- 
 men and women would have been exposed to its destructive 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 313 
 
 effect. But Captain Davenant, as soon as he'heard the voices 
 of females, suspected what had taken place, and consequently 
 had passed the word for the lights to be shown that the 
 enemy might at once perceive all resistance to be useless. 
 And so it turned out, for, on the British officer ordering 
 them to lay down their arms, they turned and gazed with 
 dread upon the opposing array, and promptly complied. 
 Some, indeed, who detected the boats lying at their grapnels, 
 plunged into the sea and swam towards them, to find that 
 they w r ere in other hands, and to resign themselves as 
 prisoners. 
 
 To secure the Frenchmen, hail the boats, and put the 
 whole on board, was the work of very short time. Old Tom 
 got released from the baronet, who, apprehensive that his 
 own conduct might not appear very proper in the estima- 
 tion of Captain Davenant, was seeking an opportunity to 
 steal away, but the veteran stuck close to him, and charged 
 a sergeant of marines to take him into safe keeping, which 
 being backed by Lady Esdaile, the Dimsdale party were taken 
 into custody — the main body of "the seamen embarked with 
 orders to return on board, and Captain Davenant, having 
 directed that none but his own barge should w~ait for him, 
 offered his arm to Lady Esdaile, and, requesting his son, the 
 young lieutenant, to render the same assistance to the fair 
 daughter, they quitted the beach, a party of marines under 
 a sergeant guarding the captives. 
 
 Sweet to the heart are the effusions of gratitude from 
 female lips, and fervent were the thanks of Lady Esdaile as 
 she walked by the side of her gallant deliverer, and narrated 
 
314 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 the events connected with the attack of Dimsdale, &c. But 
 the captain’s responses were few, and having been many 
 years in a hot climate, the cold air as he ascended seemed to 
 make him tremble. On the other hand, the young lieuten- 
 ant was never more communicative — he related to the fair 
 girl the cause of their coming to the rescue, with every par- 
 ticular that had since occurred, and expressed in warm terms, 
 the happiness he felt at having been the humble (!) instru- 
 ment of service to one so young and beautiful. The maiden 
 on her part, was not backward in describing the attack of 
 Dimsdale, the intrepid behaviour of old Tom, and their as- 
 tonishment when they found their supposed succour con- 
 verted into a desperate enemy. Delightedly did the young 
 officer listen to the commendations of the fair girl, and, when 
 they reached the lodge at the entrance to the grounds, they 
 were happy in each other’s society, and reserve had been 
 banished from both their minds. 
 
 In a very short time, the Belle Vue was (comparatively 
 speaking) restored to order. Lady Esdaile and her daughter 
 retired to change their dresses, and Captain Davenant em- 
 braced the opportunity of having the lawyer brought before 
 him. 
 
 “ You are, sir, I understand, an Englishman and a relative 
 of Lady Esdaile’s,” said the captain, as he stood, a noble- 
 looking figure, in his handsome uniform, leaning against the 
 mantel-piece by the fire. The lieutenant was standing a 
 short distance from him, and near the door were the sergeant 
 and Soames. 
 
 “ I am, as you observe, an Englishman, and a relative of 
 
315 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 the late Sir James Esdaile, to whose title 1 have succeeded,’ 
 answered the lawyer. 
 
 “And yet, sir, you not only insult the widow and her 
 daughter, hut, like a thief, a robber, you break in upon her 
 dwelling, and endeavour to rob her of her right, and murder 
 her peace ! ” sternly exclaimed the captain. 
 
 « I am not accountable to you for any of my actions, Cap- 
 tain Davenant” returned the baronet proudly, “nor do I 
 see by what law you have thought fit to detain me here.” 
 
 “ Wretch ! do not assume the bully,” vociferated the officer. 
 
 “ Let it suffice that I have detained you— that I will detain 
 you. You may seek your remedy afterwards, in any way 
 you choose.” 
 
 The lawyer found he had a determined man to deal with, 
 and, sensible that he had himself exceeded the law, he 
 changed his tactics to a more humble position. “ I admit. 
 Captain Davenant,” said he, “ that my conduct must appear 
 extremely strange and even indecorous to you; but remember, 
 sir, you have only heard an ex-parte statement, and much as 
 gentlemen of your cloth are attached to the ladies, yet I have 
 heard that justice in your decisions prevails over even that. 
 Have I your permission to proceed in my narrative ? 
 
 « Go on, sir,” said the captain, “and that I may not appear 
 discourteous— though I do but usurp- authority— I beg you 
 would be seated.” 
 
 The lawyer, however, declined ; he had been accustomed 
 to stand whilst speaking, and to sit now might weaken his 
 arguments. With the well initiated adroitness of his pro- 
 fession, he entered upon the history of his case, so as deeply 
 
316 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 fco interest the passions and feelings of the naval chief. He 
 spoke with energy and warmth of the early attachment of 
 Lady Esdaile to young Blakeney— insisted upon a union 
 between them having taken place, and his having incontest- 
 able evidence to prove it. He then skilfully described in 
 glowing colours the anguish and grief of Lady Esdaile at 
 being compelled to marry Sir James during Blakeney’s ab- 
 sence at sea— the return of the young man— the means that 
 were used to soothe him- his quitting his native land, but 
 having been again seen since the births of the children— his 
 once more embarking for India, and sinking in a wreck in 
 the Atlantic Ocean— in short, nothing was omitted that 
 could possibly tell in his favour ; and to those parts that 
 were adverse to him he gave such a false colouring as to make 
 the worse appear the better cause. “ Thus, Captain Dave- 
 nant,” he continued, “ you must perceive that, in the delicacy 
 of my situation, I have done all that could be required of 
 me. Had Miss Amelia graciously listened to my proposi- 
 tion— which I call heaven to witness was made as much in 
 consideration of her welfare as my own happiness— had she 
 consented, I should not in a moment of intemperance and 
 disappointment have acted with the rashness of which they 
 certainly have just cause to complain. By the death of the 
 late baronet, the title descended to me— the estates he had 
 willed to his heirs lawfully begotten— mark that, sir, for it 
 is the most important feature of the whole— the estates, I 
 say, he had willed to his heirs lawfully begotten, and, as the 
 lady had committed bigamy—” 
 
 Liar ! detestable liar ! ” shouted the captain, in a voice 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 317 
 
 of thunder, just at the moment when, unperceived by him, 
 the door of the room was opening. “ The fame of her whom 
 you would sully is as pure as that of an angel ! Viliam ! 
 wretch ! coward! I am William Blakeney ! 
 
 Dimsdale recoiled in real alarm, so angry and‘determined 
 was the countenance of the naval commander, and it is pro- 
 bable that the latter, in his indignation and wrath, might have 
 been induced to inflict personal chastisement, but the open- 
 ing door was suddenly thrown back, and Lady Esdaile, who 
 had heard the announcement, uttered a hurried exclamation, 
 and, rushing into the room, seized the captain by the arm. 
 The light from a powerful lamp fell strongly on his face ; 
 the features, though time-worn and furrowed, were promptly 
 recognised, and the gasping lady, to the astonishment of the 
 young lieutenant and Miss Esdaile, ejaculated, It is ! it is ! 
 it must be William ! ” and fainted in his arms. Old feelings 
 and affections, that had never been thorougly subdued, burst 
 out with renewed vigour ; the captain pressed the woman 
 he had once so tenderly loved to his brave and generous 
 heart ; restoratives were promptly applied, and Lady Esdaile 
 recovering, exclaimed, “ William ! William ! can you forgive 
 me?” 
 
 “ Forgive you, Amelia ! ” uttered the captain ; oh, there 
 is much on both sides to be forgiven. I must tell you all, 
 but promise, promise that when you have heard what I have 
 to communicate, you will not — yet no, it would be dishonour- 
 able to exact promises ; and, as my narrative will, in a great 
 degree, affect this would-be baronet, he may remain and hear 
 it, I must first revert to that soul-sickening moment when, 
 
318 old betty’s nook. 
 
 With eager hope and ardent love, I returned from my voyage 
 to find you the bride of another. As for that fellow’s tale 
 Of a previous marriage, it is a vile fabrication of his own in- 
 venting, and I dare him to the proof-he will not attempt 
 su omation of perjury with a living witness to refute the 
 whole-and as for his title !-but I will proceed. Almost 
 heart-broken and despairing, Lady Esdaile, many were the 
 weary and heavy hours I passed concealed in this neighbour- 
 hood, that I mightat times unseenbehold you; and, the better 
 to disguise my purpose, both name and habit were changed 
 and, on my return from every voyage, I have lingered after 
 nightfall round this dwelling only to catch one glimpse of the 
 woman I had so ardently loved. I cannot divine the motive 
 that urged me to this-it seemed a species of monomania for 
 notwithstanding the bitter anguish almost to madness that 
 it caused me, I could not refrain, and the only pleasure in 
 ife I experienced was being near you, though unseen, un- 
 -nown, uncared for. It was about twelve months after this 
 event that I entered the service of my eountiy-officers were 
 scarce, and a burning, inextinguishable desire took posses- 
 sion of my breast to rise in my profession, that at some future 
 time you might ascertain that the man whom you had aban- 
 doned was not unworthy of you.” 
 
 Lady Esdaile was about to speak Do not interrupt 
 me, my lady, I entreat,” said the captain ; “ hear me before 
 
 you u tter praise, or pronounce my condemnation.” The lady 
 was silent. 
 
 “ We cruised for some time upon the Portsmouth station, 
 and my visits were necessarily short-long absence not being 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 31.0 
 
 allowed — but every moment I could steal from duty, every 
 four-and-twenty hours’ leave I could obtain, was spent dis- 
 guised in the neighbourhood of Belle Vue. One evening, I 
 was going to say chance, but it must have been the hand of 
 Providence, directed me to the foot of the Blackgang Chine 
 — it was dark, very dark, and, hearing voices approaching, 
 
 I retired into a small cavern, and concealed myself in a re- 
 cess at the extremity, beyond the reach of any person walk- 
 ing about, unless they stooped purposely to grope for me. I 
 had often been in the place before, and now, as I said, hold- 
 ing my breath, I overheard a conversation between two per- 
 sons relative to a child-a boy that one of them had stolen 
 from his home.” 
 
 “ William— Captain Davenant, or Blakeney, whatever 
 your name may be- have mercy !— do not keep me in 
 suspense ! ” exclaimed Lady Esdaile : “ that child the boy 
 __ say _ was it—” and she looked imploringly in his face, 
 
 “ was it my own, my lost one 3 ” 
 
 There was not an individual in the room, but had listened 
 with eager, almost breathless, attention to the captain s re- 
 cital ; but it was evident that towards the latter part no one 
 was more excited than Bob Soames. He gasped convul- 
 sively-uttered occasional ejaculations— crushed his hat be- 
 ween his hands, and seemed ready to start away. But when 
 he heard the appeal, he cried like an infant, and, running 
 forward, fell at her ladyship’s feet, almost choked with agi- 
 tation. Lady Esdaile looked upon him, at first supposing 
 that he might be her long-mourned son— but the age of the 
 man forbade the hope. 
 
320 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 “ How’s this, Soames ? ” inquired the captain. “ Silence, 
 sir,” and, turning to the young lieutenant, “ have the good- 
 ness to remove him from the room, and remain till sent for.” 
 The officer obeyed. “ And now, Amelia — that is, Lady Es- 
 daile — I will readily answer your question. I have every 
 reason to believe it was your son.” 
 
 “ Does he live, William, was his life spared 1 ” eagerly 
 asked the lady. “ Oh, pity the agony of a bereaved mother, 
 and tell me all ! ” 
 
 “ I will, my lady, I will,” replied the agitated captain ; 
 “ but for the sake of all, I must pursue my own course — rest 
 satisfied, Amelia— dearest Amelia, rest satisfied — I will con- 
 ceal nothing. From the conversation of the two men, I 
 feared that murder was contemplated — however, they quitted 
 the cave, leaving the child behind. I crept from my conceal- 
 ment, found where the boy was lying bound, and, taking 
 him in my arms, succeeded in getting away unperceived. 
 At first my purpose was to carry him to Belle Vue, and prove 
 to. you that I still had your happiness at heart — but some 
 demon instilled a vengeful feeling into my soul — it whispered, 
 * You have been despised once ; what if you should be again 
 spurned ! ’ and then revenge took possession of my faculties. 
 I will not, however, harass you or myself by a repetition of 
 my motives ; let it suffice that I took the boy on board with 
 me — framed an excuse to my commander, with whom I was 
 an especial favourite — that it was my own — its mother dead 
 — and earnestly implored permission for it to remain with 
 me.” Lady Esdaile drew her breath convulsively. “The 
 prayer was granted — the very next day our foretopsel was 
 
old betty’s nook. 
 
 321 
 
 loosed for the East Indies, and the day following we were 
 running down channel with a fair wind.” He rang the bell. 
 “ Lady Esdaile— as James Davenant, that lad has shared my 
 fortune, which has not been niggardly.” The lieutenant 
 entered, and the captain, taking him by the hand, said, with 
 strong emotion, as he approached the lady, “ And now I have 
 pride and joy in presenting to his mother Sir James Esdaile.” 
 Earnest was the gaze of the affectionate parent as she held 
 the young officer at a distance, the better to look upon his 
 features, then throwing her arms round the neck of the as- 
 tonished youth, she exclaimed, “ It is, it is my child ! Ame- 
 lia, embrace your brother ! ” 
 
 The affair was promptly explained to the lieutenant, whose 
 gratification was unbounded. “ And now, sir, I presume,” 
 said the captain, addressing Dimsdale, “you must be satis- 
 fied that your claim to title or estate vanishes into nothing, 
 and you are at the mercy of Lady Esdaile.” 
 
 “ I have nothing but your bare assertion, sir,” returned 
 the lawyer. “ The child you found might not have been the 
 lost son of Sir James Esdaile.” 
 
 “ You shall have further proof, sir,” declared the captain. 
 “ Sergeant, call in Robert Soames.” 
 
 Poor Bob made his appearance, and, at the command of 
 his superior, repeated his strange, eventful tale, and this 
 time, being the third, he did it well, leaving not a shadow 
 of a doubt of the young lieutenant’s identity. There , were 
 joyous hearts that night at Belle Vue, and old Tom was in 
 his glory. Dimsdale and his party were turned out with 
 ignominy, and Captain Davenant gave his protege leave of 
 
322 
 
 old betty’s nook. 
 
 absence. But his own immediate duty demanded his pre- 
 sence aboard, and taking leave, he was soon on the deck of 
 his frigate. 
 
 The rest may be summed up in a few words. The lawyer 
 saw that all his plans were defeated and staged the suit. 
 Lady Esdaile was married to her first lover, and several 
 years afterwards Captain Sir James Esdaile followed the re- 
 mains of his step-father, Vice-Admiral Davenant, to the 
 house appointed for all living. Lady Davenant and old Tom 
 did not long survive him, and both were buried in the same 
 tomb. Old Betty’s Nook may be seen unchanged to the 
 present day.