2032
[Transcriber's note: The spellinginconsistencies of the original havebeen retained in this etext. In somecases, they have been denoted by [sic].]
PETER SIMPLE
AND
THE THREE CUTTERS
BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT
VOL I
LONDON
J.M. DENT AND CO BOSTON:
LITTLE, BROWN AND CO.MDCCCXCV
Contents
VOLUME I
LIST OF MARRYAT'S WORKS, ETCix BIOGRAPHICALINTRODUCTION xi PREFATORYNOTE TO PETER SIMPLE ANDTHE THREE CUTTERS xxxiv
PETER SIMPLE
CHAPTER I 1
CHAPTER II 7
CHAPTER III 12
CHAPTER IV 18
CHAPTER V 24
CHAPTER VI 30
CHAPTER VII 37
CHAPTER VIII 43
CHAPTER IX 52
CHAPTER X 60
CHAPTER XI 67
CHAPTER XII 74
CHAPTER XIII 87
CHAPTER XIV 98
CHAPTER XV 111
CHAPTER XVI 124
CHAPTER XVII 139
CHAPTER XVIII 148
CHAPTER XIX 157
CHAPTER XX 164
CHAPTER XXI 172
CHAPTER XXII 181
CHAPTER XXIII 191
CHAPTER XXIV 197
CHAPTER XXV 203
CHAPTER XXVI 212
CHAPTER XXVII 219
CHAPTER XXVIII 228
CHAPTER XXIX 239
CHAPTER XXX 247
LIST OF MARRYAT'S WORKS.
IN THE ORDER OFPUBLICATION.
By FREDERICK MARRYAT. Born,July 1792. Died, Aug. 1848.
*SUGGESTIONS FOR THEABOLITION OF THE PRESENTSYSTEM OF IMPRESSMENT IN
THE NAVAL SERVICE 1822
ADVENTURES OF A NAVALOFFICER, OR FRANK MILDMAY1829
THE KING'S OWN 1830
NEWTON FORSTER 1832
PETER SIMPLE 1834
JACOB FAITHFUL 1834
PACHA OF MANY TALES 1835
MR MIDSHIPMAN EASY 1836
JAPHET IN SEARCH OF AFATHER 1836
THE PIRATE AND THE THREECUTTERS 1836
*A CODE OF SIGNALS FOR THEUSE OF VESSELS EMPLOYED INTHE MERCHANT SERVICE 1837
SNARLEY-YOW, OR THE DOGFIEND 1837
THE PHANTOM SHIP 1839
*DIARY IN AMERICA 1839
OLLA PODRIDA 1840
POOR JACK 1840
MASTERMAN READY 1841
JOSEPH RUSHBROOK, OR THEPOACHER 1841
PERCIVAL KEENE 1842
NARRATIVE OF THE TRAVELSAND ADVENTURES OFMONSIEUR VIOLET 1843
SETTLERS IN CANADA 1844
THE MISSION, OR SCENES INAFRICA 1845
THE PRIVATEER'S MAN 1846
THE CHILDREN OF THE NEWFOREST 1847
THE LITTLE SAVAGE 1848-49
VALERIE 1849
This edition will include all the novelsand tales, only omitting the three itemsmarked in the above list with anasterisk. The text will be, for the mostpart, that of the first editions, exceptfor the correction of a few obvious
errors and some modernisation ofspelling. Rattlin the Reefer, so frequentlyattributed to Marryat, will not bereprinted here. It was written byEdward Howard, subeditor, underMarryat, of the The MetropolitanMagazine, and author of Outward Bound,etc. On the title-page it is describedsimply as edited by Marryat and,according to his daughter, the Captaindid no more than stand literary sponsorto the production. In 1850, Saundersand Otley published: The FloralTelegraph, or, Affections Signals by the lateCaptain Marryat, R.N., but Mrs Leanknows nothing of the book, and it isprobably not Marryat's work.
The Life and Letters of Captain Marryat: byFlorence Marryat (Mrs Lean), in 2 vols.:Richard Bentley 1872, are the onlybiographical record of the novelistextant. In some matters they are verydetailed and personal, in others reticent.The story has been spiritedly retold,with reflections and criticisms, by MrDavid Hannay in the "Great Writers"Series, 1889.
The frontispiece is from a print,published by Henry Colburn in 1836,after the portrait by Simpson, thefavourite pupil of Sir ThomasLawrence, which was "considered morelike him than any other." CountD'Orsay took a portrait of Marryat, in
coloured crayons, about 1840, but itwas not a success. A portrait, in watercolours, by Behnes, was engraved as afrontispiece to The Pirate and The ThreeCutters. His bust was taken by Carew.
R.B.J.
Frederick Marryat
Without yielding implicit credence tothe handsome pedigree of the Marryatssupplied by Mrs Lean, the novelist'sdaughter, we may give a glance inpassing to the first-fruits of this familytree. They naturally came over with the
Conqueror, and emerged fromobscurity under Stephen as the proud"possessors of much lands at thevillage of Meryat, Ashton Meryat, andelsewhere in Somersetshire ... OneNicotas de Maryet is deputed to collectthe ransom of Richard Coeur de Leonthrough the county of Somerset ... Inthe reign of Edward I., Sir John deMaryet is called to attend the GreatParliament; in that of Edward II., hisson is excommunicated forembowelling his deceased wife; 'afancy,' says the county historian,'peculiar to the knightly family ofMeryat.'" Mrs Lean quotes records ofother Meryat "hearts" to which anhonourable burial has been accorded.
The house of Meryat finally lost itsproperty on the fall of Lady Jane Grey,to whom it had descended through thefemale line.
Captain Marryat belonged to theSuffolk branch of the family, of whom"one John de Maryat had the honourof dancing in a masque before theVirgin Queen at Trinity College,Cambridge ... was sent to aid theHuguenots in their wars in France ...escaped the massacre of StBartholemew and, in 1610, returned toEngland." Here he married "Mary, thedaughter and heiress of Daniel Luke,of the Covent Garden (a rank Puritanfamily in Hudibras), and again settled in
his paternal county of Suffolk." Lesspartial biographers neglect to trace theMarryats beyond this Huguenot officer,who is described by them as a refugee.
Whatever may be the truth of thesematters, it is certain that during the 17thand 18th centuries the Maryats were arespectable, middle-class Puritan familyministers, doctors, and business men.In the days of the merry monarch aJohn Marryat became distinguished as a"painful preacher," and was twiceexpelled from his livings for non-conformity. Captain Marryat'sgrandfather was a good doctor, and hisfather, Joseph Marryat of WimbledonHouse, was an M.P., chairman for the
committee of Lloyd's, and colonialagent for the island of Grenada asubstantial man, who refused abaronetcy, and was honoured by anelegy from Campbell. He marriedCharlotte Geyer, or Von Geyer, aHessian of good descent.
Frederick, born July 10, 1792, was oneof fifteen sons and daughters, "ofwhom ten attained maturity, and severalhave entered the lists of literature." Hiseldest brother, Joseph, was a famouscollector of china, and author of Potteryand Porcelain; the youngest, Horace,wrote One Year in Sweden, Jutland and theDanish Isles; and his sister, Mrs BuryPalliser, was the author of Nature and
Art (not to be confounded with MrsInchbald's novel of that name), TheHistory of Lace, and Historic Devices,Badges and War Cries. His father andgrandfather published political andmedical works, respectively, while thegeneration below was equally prolific.Marryat's youngest son, Frank,described his travels in Borneo and theEastern Archipelago and Mountains andMolehills, or Recollections of a BurntJournal; and his daughter Florence, MrsLean, the author of his Life and Letters,has written a great many popularnovels.
We can record little of Marryat'sboyhood beyond a general impression
of his discontent with school-mastersand parents. Mr Hannay is probablyright in regarding his hard pictures ofhome and school life as reflections ofhis own experience.
It is said that on one occasion he wasfound to be engaged in the pursuit ofknowledge while standing on his head;and that he accounted for thecircumstance with a humorousphilosophy almost worthy of Jack Easy"Well! I've been trying for three hoursto learn it on my feet, but I couldn't, soI thought I would try whether it wouldbe easier to learn it on my head."Another anecdote, of a contest with hisschool-fellow Babbage, is interesting
and characteristic. It appears that theinventor of the calculating machine,unlike Marryat, was a very diligent lad;and that he accordingly arranged, withsome kindred spirits, to begin work atthree in the morning. The restlessMarryat wished to join the party, buthis motives were suspected and theconspirators adopted the simpleexpedient of not waking him. Marryatrolled his bed across the door, andBabbage pushed it away. Marryat tied astring from his wrist to the doorhandle, and Babbage unfastened it. Athicker string was cut, a chain wasunlinked by pliers, but at last the futurecaptain forged a chain that was toostout for the future mathematician.
Babbage, however, secured his revenge;as soon as his comrade was safelyasleep he slipped a piece of pack threadthrough the chain and, carrying theother end to his own bed, was enabledby a few rapid jerks to waken Marryatwhenever he chose. Apparently satisfiedwith his victory in the gentle art oftormenting, Babbage yielded voluntarilyupon the original point of dispute.Marryat and others joined the readingparty, transformed it to a scene ofcarnival, and were discovered by theauthorities.
Meanwhile Marryat was constantlyrunning away to sea; according to hisown account because he was obliged to
wear his elder brother's old clothes. Onone occasion his father injudiciouslysent him back in a carriage with somemoney in his pocket. The wise youthslipped out, and finding his way homeby some quiet approach, carried off hisyounger brothers to the theatre. Hefinally ran away from a private tutor,and Mr Marryat recognised the wisdomof compliance. Being then fourteen,that is of age to hold a commission,Frederick was allowed to enter the navy,and on the 23rd of September 1806, hestarted on his first voyage on boardH.M.S. Imperieuse, Captain LordCochrane, for the Mediterranean.
He could scarcely have entered upon
his career under better auspices. In aline-of-battle ship he would have hadno chance of service at this stage ofthe war, when the most daring of theFrench could not be decoyed out ofport; but the frigates had always moreexciting work on hand than merepatrolling. There were cruisers to becaptured, privateers to be cut off,convoys to be taken, and work to bedone on the coast among the forts.And Lord Cochrane, Earl ofDundonald, was not the man to neglecthis opportunities. His daring gallantryand cool judgment are accredited tomost of Marryat's captains, particularlyin Frank Mildmay, where the cruise ofthe Imperieuse along the Spanish coast is
most graphically and literally described.Cochrane's Autobiography betrays thestrong, stern individuality of the man,invaluable in action, somewhatdisturbing in civil life. As a reformer inseason and out of season, at theAdmiralty or in the House ofCommons, his zeal became a bye-word,but Marryat knew him only on boardhis frigate, as an inspiring leader ofmen. He never passed an opportunityof serving his country and winningrenown, but his daring was not reckless.
"I must here remark," says Marryat inhis private log, "that I never knew anyone so careful of the lives of his ship'scompany as Lord Cochrane, or any one
who calculated so closely the risksattending any expedition. Many of themost brilliant achievements wereperformed without loss of a single life,so well did he calculate the chances;and one half the merit which hedeserves for what he did accomplishhas never been awarded him, merelybecause, in the official despatches, therehas not been a long list of killed andwounded to please the appetite of theEnglish public."
Marryat has left us a graphic accountof his first day at sea:
"The Imperieuse sailed; the Admiral ofthe port was one who would be obeyed,
but would not listen always to reason orcommon sense. The signal for sailingwas enforced by gun after gun; theanchor was hove up, and, with all herstores on deck, her guns not evenmounted, in a state of confusionunparalleled from her being obliged tohoist in faster than it was possible shecould stow away, she was driven out ofharbour to encounter a heavy gale. Afew hours more would have enabledher to proceed to sea with security, butthey were denied; the consequenceswere appalling, they might have beenfatal. In the general confusion someiron too near the binnacles hadattracted the needle of the compasses;the ship was steered out of her course.
At midnight, in a heavy gale at the closeof November, so dark that you couldnot distinguish any object, howeverclose, the Imperieuse dashed upon therocks between Ushant and the Main.The cry of terror which ran throughthe lower decks; the grating of the keelas she was forced in; the violence ofthe shocks which convulsed the frameof the vessel; the hurrying up of theship's company without their clothes;and then the enormous wave whichagain bore her up, and carried her cleanover the reef, will never be effaced frommy memory."
This, after all, was not an inappropriateintroduction to the stormy three years
which followed it. The story is writtenin the novels, particularly FrankMildmay[1] where every item of hisvaried and exciting experience isreproduced with dramatic effect. Itwould be impossible to rival Marryat'snarrative of episodes, and we shall gainno sense of reality by adjusting thematerials of fiction to an exactaccordance with fact. He says that thesebooks, except Frank Mildmay, are"wholly fictitious in characters, in plot,and in events," but they are none theless truthful pictures of his life at sea.Cochrane's Autobiography contains ahistory of the Imperieuse; it is from PeterSimple and his companions that wemust learn what Marryat thought and
suffered while on board.
Under Cochrane he cruised along thecoast of France from Ushant to themouth of the Gironde, saw some activeservice in the Mediterranean, and, aftera return to the ocean, was finallyengaged in the Basque Roads. A pageof his private log contains a livelyresume of the whole experience:
"The cruises of the Imperieuse wereperiods of continual excitement, fromthe hour in which she hove up heranchor till she dropped it again in port;the day that passed without a shotbeing fired in anger, was to us a blankday: the boats were hardly secured on
the booms than they were cast looseand out again; the yard and stay tackleswere forever hoisting up and loweringdown. The expedition with whichparties were formed for service; therapidity of the frigate's movementsnight and day; the hasty sleep snatchedat all hours; the waking up at the reportof the guns, which seemed the onlykeynote to the hearts of those onboard, the beautiful precision of ourfire, obtained by constant practice; thecoolness and courage of our captain,inoculating the whole of the ship'scompany; the suddenness of ourattacks, the gathering after the combat,the killed lamented, the woundedalmost envied; the powder so burnt
into our face that years could notremove it; the proved character of everyman and officer on board, the implicittrust and adoration we felt for ourcommander; the ludicrous situationswhich would occur in the extremestdanger and create mirth when deathwas staring you in the face, the hair-breadth escapes, and the indifference tolife shown by all when memory sweepsalong these years of excitement evennow, my pulse beats more quickly withthe reminiscence."
After some comparatively colourlessservice in other frigates, during whichhe gained the personal familiarity withWest Indian life of which his novels
show many traces, he completed histime as a midshipman, and in 1812,returned home to pass. As a lieutenanthis cruises were uneventful and, afterbeing several times invalided, he waspromoted Commander in 1815, just asthe Great War was closing. He was nowonly twenty-three, and had certainlyreceived an admirable training for thework with which he was soon toenchant the public. Though neverpresent at a great battle, and many goodofficers were in the same position, hehad seen much smart service and knewfrom others what lay beyond his ownexperience. He evidently took copiousnotes of all he saw and heard. He hadsailed in the North Sea, in the Channel,
in the Mediterranean, and along theEastern coast of America from NovaScotia to Surinam. He had been rapidlypromoted.
It is tolerably obvious that, both asmidshipman and lieutenant, he evincedthe cool daring and manlyindependence that characterises hisheroes, with a dash perhaps of JackEasy's philosophy. It was a rough lifeand he was not naturally amenable todiscipline, but probably his superiorsmade a favourite of the dashinghandsome lad. The habit, which helpsto redeem Frank Mildmay and evengraces Peter Simple, of saving othersfrom drowning, was always his own.
His daughter records, with pardonablepride, that he was presented while inthe navy with twenty-seven certificates,recommendations, and votes of thanksfor having saved the lives of others atthe risk of his own, besides receiving agold medal from the Humane Society.
During the peace of 1815 he "occupiedhimself in acquiring a perfectknowledge of such branches of scienceas might prove useful should the Lordsof the Admiralty think fit to employhim in a voyage of discovery orsurvey." A vaguely projected expeditionto Africa was, however, relinquished onaccount of his marriage with"Catherine, second daughter of Sir
Stephen Shairp, Knt., of Houston, Co.Linlithgow (for many years HerBritannic Majesty's Consul-General,and twice charge d'affaires at the court ofRussia);" which took place in January1819. In this same year he was elected aFellow of the Royal Society, accordingto tradition on account of his skill indrawing caricatures.
He was at sea again soon after hismarriage as commander of the Beaversloop, in which commission he wassent to mount guard over Napoleon atSt Helena until his death. He took asketch of the dead emperor in fullprofile, which was engraved in Englandand France, and considered a striking
likeness. He was meanwhile no doubtperfecting the code of signals for theuse of merchant vessels of all nations,including the cipher for secretcorrespondence, which wasimmediately adopted, and secured to itsinventor the Cross of the Legion ofHonour from Louis Philippe. It wasnot actually published in book form till1837, from which date its saleproduced an appreciable income.
After returning in the Rosario with thedespatches concerning Napoleon'sdeath, he was sent to escort the bodyof Queen Caroline to Cuxhaven. Hewas then told off for revenue duty inthe Channel, and had some smart
cruising for smugglers until the Rosariowas pronounced unseaworthy and paidoff on the 22nd of February 1822. Asa result of this experience he wrote along despatch to the Admiralty, inwhich he freely criticised the workingof the preventive service, and madesome practical suggestions for itsimprovement. In 1822 he alsopublished Suggestions for the abolition ofthe present system of impressment in theNaval Service, a pamphlet which is saidto have made him unpopular withRoyalty. He frequently in his novelsurges the same reform, which he veryearnestly desired.
He was appointed to the Larne in
March 1823, and saw some hard serviceagainst the Burmese, for which hereceived the thanks of the general andthe Indian Government, theCompanionship of the Bath, and thecommand of the Ariadne. Two yearslater, in November 1830, he resignedhis ship, and quitted active service,according to Mrs Lean, because of hisappointment as equerry to His RoyalHighness the Duke of Sussex.
He was probably influenced, however,by a distaste for routine duties in timeof peace, the claims of a growingfamily, and literary ambitions. He hadalready published Frank Mildmay, andreceived for it the handsome sum of
L400, and negotiations were verypossibly on foot concerning The King'sOwn, of which the composition hadbeen completed.
There is considerable difficulty infollowing the remainder of Marryat'slife, owing to the silence of our onlyauthority, Mrs Lean. No reasons can beassigned for the sudden flittings inwhich he constantly indulged, or for hishasty journeys to America and to theContinent. He was clearly impulsive inall things, and, though occasionallyshrewd, betrayed a mania forspeculation. Moreover, he was naturallyaddicted to the Bohemian pleasures oflife, being somewhat promiscuous in
hospitality, and absolutely prodigal inthe art of making presents. To satisfythese various demands on his pocket,he was often driven to spells ofdesperate work, in spite of the reallyhandsome sums he received from thepublishers and editors with whom hewas always at variance.
His first regular establishment wasSussex House, Hampstead, which hesoon "swapped," after dinner andchampagne, for a small estate of 1000acres at Langham, Norfolk; though hedid not finally settle in the country till1843. His original occupation ofLangham, which realised him a steadyannual deficit, was followed by a return
to London, a visit to Brighton and, in1835, a journey on the Continent toBrussels and Lausanne.
He had, meanwhile, been contributingto The Metropolitan Magazine, which heedited from 1832 to 1835, finally sellinghis proprietary rights to Saunders andOtley for L1050. His editorial work wasarduous, and many of his owncompositions were first published inThe Metropolitan. Here appeared NewtonForster, 1832, Peter Simple, 1833, JacobFaithful, Midshipman Easy, and Japhet insearch of a Father(!) 1834, besides acomedy in three acts, entitled The Gipsy,a tragedy called The Cavalier of Seville,and the miscellaneous papers
afterwards collected under the title, OllaPodrida.
In 1833 he stood, as a reformer, forTower Hamlets, but his methods ofcanvassing were imprudent. He dweltupon his own hobbies, and disregardedthose of the electors. He apparentlyexpected to carry the day by opposingthe pressgang in a time of peace, andeven permitted himself to repudiatephilanthropy towards the Africannegro. The gallantry with which, onone occasion, he saved the lives of hisaudience when the floor of the roomhad fallen in, was not permitted tocover the rash energy of his reply to apersistent questioner: "If ever you, or
one of your sons, should come undermy command at sea and deservepunishment, if there be no othereffectual mode of conferring it, I shallflog you." It is hardly necessary to addthat he lost the election.
He afterwards failed in a plan for theestablishment of brevet rank in thearmy, but gave some valuable assistancein the preparation of the MerchantShipping Bill of 1834.
It was about this time that Marryat iscurrently reported to have challengedF.D. Maurice to a duel. The latter hadpublished an anonymous novel, calledEustace Conway, in which "a prominent
character, represented in no amiablecolours, bore the name of CaptainMarryat." The truth of the story seemsto be that the Captain went in hotwrath to Bentley, and demanded anapology or a statement that thecoincidence was unintentional. Mauricereplied, through his publisher, that hehad never heard of Captain Marryat. Itmay be questioned whether the apologywas not more galling than the originaloffence.
In 1834 some legal difficulties arose inconnection with his father's memory,which Marryat accepted with admirablephilosophy:
"As for the Chancellor's judgment," hetold his mother, "I cannot say that Ithought anything about it, on thecontrary, it appears to me that he mighthave been much more severe if he hadthought proper. It is easy to imputemotives, and difficult to disprove them.I thought, considering his enmity, thathe let us off cheap; as there is nopunishing a chancellor, and he might saywhat he pleased with impunity. I didnot therefore roar, I only smiled. Theeffect will be nugatory. Not one in athousand will read it; those who do,know it refers to a person not in thisworld; and of those, those who knewmy father will not believe it, those whodid not will care little about it, and
forget the name in a week. Had hegiven the decision in our favour, Ishould have been better pleased, but it'sno use crying; what's done can't be helped."
This letter was written from Brighton,and the following year found Marryaton the Continent, at home in a circle ofgay spirits who might almost be calledthe outcasts of English society. Theywere pleasure-seekers, by no meansnecessarily depraved but, by narrowincomes or other causes, driven into acheerful exile. The captain was alwaysready to give and take in the matter ofentertainment, and he was invitedeverywhere though, on one occasion atleast, it is recorded that he proved an
uncongenial guest. Having dined, as arecognised lion among lions, he "didn'tmake a single joke during the wholeevening." His host remarked on hissilence the next morning, and Marryatreplied:
"Oh, if that's what you wanted youshould have asked me when you werealone. Why, did you imagine I wasgoing to let out any of my jokes forthose fellows to put in their next booksNo, that is not my plan. When I findmyself in such company as that I openmy ears and hold my tongue, glean all Ican, and give them nothing in return."
He did not always, however, play the
professional author so offensively, andwe hear of his taking part in privatetheatricals and dances, preparing aChristmas tree for the children, andcleverly packing his friends'portmanteaux.
Meanwhile, he was writing The Pirateand Three Cutters, for which he receivedL750, as well as Snarley-yow and thePacha of many Tales. He had beencontributing to the Metropolitan at 15guineas a sheet, until he paid a flyingvisit to England in 1836 in order totransfer his allegiance to the NewMonthly Magazine, from which hesecured 20 guineas. Mrs Lean states thather father received L1100 each for Peter
Simple, Jacob Faithful, Japhet, and The Pachaof many Tales; L1200 for MidshipmanEasy, L1300 for Snarley-yow, and L1600for the Diary in America. Yet "althoughCaptain Marryat and his publishersmutually benefited by their transactionswith each other, one would haveimagined, from the letters exchangedbetween them, that they had beennatural enemies." She relates how oneof the fraternity told Marryat he was"somewhat eccentric an odd creature,"and added, "I am somewhat warm-tempered myself, and therefore makeallowance for yours, which is certainlywarm enough."
Marryat justified the charge by replying:
"There was no occasion for you tomake the admission that you aresomewhat warm-tempered; your letterestablishes that fact. Considering yourage, you are a little volcano, and if theinsurance were aware of your frequentvisits at the Royal Exchange, they woulddemand double premium for thebuilding. Indeed, I have my surmisesnow as to the last conflagration.
* * * * *
Your remark as to the money I havereceived may sound well, mentioned asan isolated fact; but how does it soundwhen it is put in juxtaposition with the
sums you have received I, who havefound everything, receiving a pittance,while you, who have found nothingbut the shop to sell in, receiving such alion's share. I assert again that it isslavery. I am Sinbad the sailor, and youare the old man of the mountain,clinging on my back, and you must notbe surprised at my wishing to throwyou off the first convenientopportunity.
The fact is, you have the vice of old agevery strong upon you, and you areblinded by it; but put the question toyour sons, and ask them whether theyconsider the present agreement fair. Letthem arrange with me, and do you go
and read your Bible. We all have ourideas of Paradise, and if other authorsthink like me, the most pleasurableportion of anticipated bliss is that therewill be no publishers there. That ideaoften supports me after an interviewwith one of your fraternity."
Marryat only returned to England a fewmonths before hurrying off to Americain April 1837. The reasons for thismove it is impossible to conjecture, aswe can scarcely accept the apparentsignificance of his comments onSwitzerland in the Diary on the Continent:
"Do the faults of these people arisefrom the peculiarity of their
constitutions, or from the nature oftheir government To ascertain this, onemust compare them with those wholive under similar institutions. I must goto America that is decided."
He was received by the Americans witha curious mixture of suspicion andenthusiasm. English men and womenof letters in late years had been visitingthe Republic and criticising itsinstitutions to the mother country witha certain forgetfulness of hospitalitiesreceived that was not, to say the least ofit, in good taste. Marryat was also anauthor, and it seemed only tooprobable that he had come to spy outthe land. On the other hand, his books
were immensely popular over the waterand, but for dread of possibleconsequences, Jonathan was delightedto see him. His arrival at SaratogaSprings produced an outburst in thelocal papers of the most pronouncedjournalese:
"This distinguished writer is at presenta sojourner in our city. Before we knewthe gallant Captain was respiring ourbalmy air, we really did wonder whatlaughing gas had imbued ouratmosphere every one we met in thestreets appeared to be in such a state ofjollification; but when we heard thatthe author of Peter Simple was actuallypuffing a cigar amongst us we no
longer marvelled at the pleasantcountenances of our citizens. He hasoften made them laugh when he wasthousands of miles away. Surely now itis but natural that they ought to betickled to death at the idea of havinghim present."
The Bostonians were proud to claimhim as a compatriot through hismother, and a nautical drama from hispen The Ocean Wolf, or the Channel Outlawwas performed at New York withacclamation. He had some squabbleswith American publishers concerningcopyright, and was clever enough tosecure two thousand two hundred andfifty dollars from Messrs Carey & Hart
for his forthcoming Diary in Americaand The Phantom Ship, which latter firstappeared in the New Monthly, 1837 and1838. He evidently pleased theAmericans on the whole, and was notunfavourably impressed by what hesaw, but the six volumes which heproduced on his return are onlyrespectable specimens of bookmaking,and do not repay perusal. It was,indeed, his own opinion that he hadalready written enough. "If I were notrather in want of money," he says in aletter to his mother, "I certainly wouldnot write any more, for I am rather tiredof it. I should like to disengage myselffrom the fraternity of authors, and beknown in future only in my profession
as a good officer and seaman." He hadhoped to see some service in Canada,but the opportunity never came.
In England, to which he returned in1839, the want of money soon came tobe felt more seriously. His father'sfortune had been invested in the WestIndies, and began to show diminishingreturns. For this and other reasons heled a very wandering existence, foranother four or five years, until 1843. Ayear at 8 Duke Street, St James, wasfollowed by a short stay with hismother at Wimbledon House, fromwhich he took chambers at 120Piccadilly, and then again moved toSpanish Place, Manchester Square.
Apparently at this time he made anunsuccessful attempt to return to activeservice. He was meanwhile workinghard at Poor Jack, Masterman Ready, ThePoacher, Percival Keene, etc., and livinghard in the merry circle of a literaryBohemia, with Clarkson Stanfield,Rogers, Dickens, and Forster; to whomwere sometimes added LadyBlessington, Ainsworth, Cruickshank,and Lytton. The rival interests served tosour his spirits and weaken hisconstitution.
The publication of The Poacher in theEra newspaper involved its author in avery pretty controversy. A foolishcontributor to Fraser's Magazine got into
a rage with Harrison Ainsworth forcondescending to write in the weeklypapers, and expressed himself asfollows:
"If writing monthly fragmentsthreatened to deteriorate MrAinsworth's productions, what must bethe result of this hebdomadal habitCaptain Marryat, we are sorry to say,has taken to the same line. Both thesepopular authors may rely upon ourwarning, that they will live to see theirlaurels fade unless they more carefullycultivate a spirit of self-respect. Thatwhich was venial in a miserablestarveling of Grub Street is perfectlydisgusting in the extravagantly paid
novelists of these days the caressed, ofgenerous booksellers. Mr Ainsworthand Captain Marryat ought to disdainsuch pitiful peddling. Let them eschew itwithout delay."
Marryat's reply was, spirited and manly.After ridiculing Fraser's attempt "to setup a standard of precedency and rank inliterature," and humorously provingthat an author's works were not to beesteemed in proportion to the lengthof time elapsing between theirproduction, he turned to the moreserious and entirely honest defencethat, like Dickens, he was supplying thelower classes with wholesomerecreation:
"I would rather write for theinstruction, or even the amusement ofthe poor than for the amusement ofthe rich; and I would sooner raise asmile or create an interest in the honestmechanic or agricultural labourer whorequires relaxation, than I wouldcontribute to dispel the ennui of thosewho loll on their couches and wonderin their idleness what they shall do next.Is the rich man only to be amused aremirth and laughter to be made a luxury,confined to the upper classes, anddenied to the honest and hard-workingartisan ...
In a moral point of view, I hold that I
am right. We are educating the lowerclasses; generations have sprung upwho can read and write; and may Ienquire what it is that they have to read,in the way of amusement for I speaknot of the Bible, which is for privateexamination. They have scarcelyanything but the weekly newspapers,and, as they cannot commandamusement, they prefer those whichcreate the most excitement; and this Ibelieve to be the cause of the greatcirculation of the Weekly Dispatch,which has but too well succeeded indemoralising the public, in creatingdisaffection and ill-will towards thegovernment, and assisting the nefariousviews of demagogues and chartists. It
is certain that men would rather laughthan cry would rather be amused thanrendered gloomy and discontentedwould sooner dwell upon the joys orsorrows of others in a tale of fictionthan brood over their own supposedwrongs. If I put good and wholesomefood (and, as I trust, sound moral)before the lower classes, they willeventually eschew that which is coarseand disgusting, which is only resortedto because no better is supplied. Ourweekly newspapers are at present littlebetter than records of immorality andcrime, and the effect which arises fromhaving no other matter to read andcomment upon, is of serious injury tothe morality of the country ... I
consider, therefore, that in writing forthe amusement and instruction of thepoor man, I am doing that which hasbut been too much neglected that I amserving my country, and you surely willagree with me that to do so in not infra.dig. in the proudest Englishman; and, asa Conservative, you should commendrather than stigmatise my endeavours inthe manner which you have so hastilydone."
It has been said that Marryat'swandering ceased in 1843, and it was inthat year that he settled down atLangham to look after his own estate.Langham is in the northern division ofNorfolk, half way between Wells-next-
the-Sea and Holt. The Manor House,says Mrs Lean, "without having anygreat architectural pretensions, had acertain unconventional prettiness of itsown. It was a cottage in the Elizabethanstyle, built after the model of one atVirginia Water belonging to his latemajesty, George IV., with latticedwindows opening on to flights ofstone steps ornamented with vases offlowers, and leading down from thelong narrow dining-room, where(surrounded by Clarkson Stanfield'sillustrations of Poor Jack, with whichthe walls were clothed) Marryatcomposed his later works, to the lawnbehind. The house was thatched andgabled, and its pinkish white walls and
round porch were covered with rosesand ivy, which in some parts climbed ashigh as the roof itself."
In the unpublished fragment of his Lifeof Lord Napier Marryat had declaredthat retired sailors naturally turned toagriculture, and frequently made goodfarmers. A sailor on land, he ratherquaintly remarks, is "but a sort ofAdam a new creature, starting intoexistence as it were in his prime;" and"the greatest pleasures of man consistin imitating the Deity in his creativepower." The anticipated pleasure infarming he did to a great extent realise,but the profits were still to seek. It canonly be said that his losses were rather
smaller that they had been in hisabsence.
Thus:
1842. Total receipts, L154 2 9 "Expenditure, 1637 0 6 1846. Totalreceipts, 898 12 6 " Expenditure, 202310 8
His former tenant had indeed shownbut little respect for the property.Besides taking all he could out of theland without putting anything into it,he fitted up the drawing-room of themanor (which in its brightest days hadbeen known in the village as the"Room of Thousand Columns," from
an effect produced by mirrors set in thepanels of folding doors, reflectingtrellised pillars,) with rows of beds,which he let out to tramps at twopencea night!
Of these latter years on the farm wecan gather some distinctly pleasantimpressions. Marryat was evidently agood master at all times. He delightedto arrange for festivities in the servants'hall, but he was also very tolerant topoachers, and considered it his firstduty to find work for his men whentimes were bad. His model pigsties andcottages were unpopular, but he lovedhis animals and understood them. Thechief merit of his lazy and somewhat
asinine pony Dumpling consisted in histalent for standing still. Upon thispatient beast the captain wouldoccasionally sally forth to shoot,assisting his natural short-sightednessby a curious "invention of his own;" aplain piece of crystal surrounded by astrip of whalebone, hanging in front ofhis right eye from the brim of his"shocking bad hat." He was a carelessdresser, but scrupulously clean; nosmoker, but very fond of snuff. He hada fancy for pure white china which hadto be procured from the Continent.
Cordial invitations from friends seldomdrew him from his self-imposedlabours, and it appears that, in spite of
his son's debts and other domestictroubles, he led a fairly contentedexistence among his dogs and hischildren. To the latter, thoughoccasionally passionate, he was "a mostindulgent father and friend." He neverlocked anything away from them, orshut them out of any room in thehouse. Though severe on falsehoodand cowardice, he was indifferent tomischief, and one is certainly driven topity for the governess who wassummoned to look after them. Hismethods in this connection wereoriginal. "He kept a quantity of smallarticles for presents in his secretary; andat the termination of each week thechildren and governess, armed with a
report of their general behaviour, wereushered with much solemnity into thelibrary to render up an account. Thosewho had behaved well during thepreceding seven days received a prize,because they had been so good; andthose who had behaved ill also receivedone, in hopes that they would never benaughty again: the governess was alsopresented with a gift, that her criticismon the justice of the transaction mightbe disarmed." The father was not astrict disciplinarian, and it is related thatwhen a little one had made "a large rentin a new frock," for which she expectedpunishment from her governess, andran to him for advice, he "took hold ofthe rent and tore off the whole lower
part of the skirt," saying, "Tell her I didit."
The sons were seldom at home, but inspite of a certain constitutionalwildness and lack of prudence, theywere evidently a gallant couple,delighting their father's heart. Frederick,the eldest, became a distinguishedofficer, after conquering a strongpropensity to practical joking, and wasmuch regretted in the service whenwrecked at the age of twenty-seven. Hewas last seen "upbraiding, in his jocularmanner, some people who werefrightened, when a sea swept over theship and took him with it." Frank wasentered upon the roll of the navy at the
tender age of three, and presented tothe Port Admiral of Plymouth in fullcostume. The officer patted him on thehead, saying "Well, you're a fine littlefellow," to which the youngster replied,"and you're a fine old cock, too."
He became a cultivated and boldtraveller, beloved by his friends, and notunknown to fame. He only survived hisfather a few years, and died at the ageof twenty-eight.
Marryat now began his charming seriesof stories for children, a work to whichhe turned for a practical reason thatsounds strangely from his impulsivelips:
"I have lately taken to a different styleof writing, that is, for young people.My former productions, like all novels,have had their day, and for the present,at least, will sell no more; but it is notso with the juveniles; they have an annualdemand, and become a little income tome; which I infinitely prefer toreceiving any sum in a mass, which verysoon disappears somehow or other."Save for a little tendency to preachment,these volumes, particularly MastermanReady, and The Children of the New Forest,are admirably suited to their purposefrom the genuine childlikeness of theirconception and treatment.
Meanwhile Marryat's health was rapidlygiving way, and almost his lastappearance before the public was in1847, when he addressed a pathetic, butfairly dignified letter to the First Lordof the Admiralty, as a protest againstsome affront, which he suspected, tohis professional career. The exactcircumstances of the case cannot benow discovered, but it may be readilyconjectured that the formalism ofofficial courtesy did not match with theCaptain's taste, and that the necessityfor self-control on his own part hadirritated his resentment. The First Lordexpressed his regret at having woundeda distinguished officer, and bestowedon him a good service pension.
It may be said that the pension cametoo late, if indeed it would at any timehave been particularly serviceable.Marryat was now engaged in thatmelancholy chase for health whichgenerally augurs the beginning of theend. He had ruptured two bloodvessels, and was in great danger fromthe constitutional weakness which hadfirst attacked him as a young lieutenantin the West Indies. He moved to hismother's house in order to consult theLondon doctors. A mild climate wasrecommended, and he went down toHastings, where the news of his son'sdeath destroyed his own chances ofrecovery. After about a month's trial of
Brighton, he came back to the Londondoctors who told him that "in sixmonths he would be numbered withhis forefathers."
He went home to Langham to die.Through the summer of 1848 helingered on, "in the 'room of athousand columns,' with the mimic sky,and birds, and flowers, above andaround him, where he chose to lieupon a mattress, placed on the ground,and there, almost in darkness, often inpain, and without occupation, he laycheerful and uncomplaining, and attimes even humorous." His daughtersfrequently read aloud to him, and healways asked for fresh flowers. At the
last he became delirious, thoughcontinuing to dictate pages of talk andreflection. On the morning of August9th, 1848, he expired in perfect quiet.
"Although not handsome," says MrsLean, "Captain Marryat's personalappearance was very prepossessing. Infigure he was upright and broad-shouldered for his height, whichmeasured 5ft. 10in. His hands, withoutbeing undersized, were remarkablyperfect in form, and modelled by asculptor at Rome on account of theirsymmetry. The character of his mindwas borne out by his features, the mostsalient expression of which was thefrankness of an open heart. The firm
decisive mouth, and massive thoughtfulforehead were redeemed fromheaviness by the humorous light thattwinkled in his deep-set grey eyes,which, bright as diamonds, positivelyflashed out their fun, or theirreciprocation of the fun of others. As ayoung man, dark crisp curls covered hishead; but later in life, when, havingexchanged the sword for the pen andthe plougshare [sic], he affected asoberer and more patriarchal style ofdress and manner, he wore his grey hairlong, and almost down to his shoulder.His eyebrows were not alike, one beinghigher up and more arched than theother, which peculiarity gave his face alook of enquiry, even in repose. In the
upper lip was a deep cleft, and in thechin as deep a dimple."
Christopher North describes CaptainMarryat as "a captain in the navy, andan honour to it an admirable sailor, andan admirable writer and would that hewere with us on the leads, my lads, for apleasanter fellow, to those who know him,never enlivened the social board." It isevident, indeed, that an intimateknowledge of his character wasnecessary to its appreciation, for hisdaughter declares that "like most warm-hearted people he was quick to takeoffence, and no one could havedecided, after an absence of sixmonths, with whom he was friends,
and with whom he was not." One ofthe said friends wrote truly:
"His faults proceeded from an over-activemind, which could never be quietmorning, noon, or night. If he had noone to love, he quarrelled for want ofsomething better to do; he planned forhimself and for everybody, andchanged his mind ten times a-day."
"Many people have asked," says MrsLean "whether Captain Marryat, whenat home, was not 'very funny.' No,decidedly not. In society, with newtopics to discuss, and other wits abouthim on which to sharpen his own or,like flint and steel, to emit sparks by
friction he was as gay and humorous asthe best of them; but at home he wasalways a thoughtful, and, at times, avery grave man; for he was not exemptfrom those ills that all flesh is heir to,and had his sorrows and his difficultiesand moments of depression, like therest of us. At such times it wasdangerous to thwart and disturb him,for he was a man of strong passionsand indomitable determination."
It is not difficult to conceive thecharacter in outline "wise English-hearted Captain Marryat," Kingsleycalls him. He was incapable of anymean low vices, but his zest forpleasure was keen, and never restrained
by motives of prudence orconsideration for others. His strongpassions at times made himdisagreeably selfish and overbearing,qualities forgiven by acquaintances forhis social brilliancy, and by friends forhis frank affection. With some businesstalents and practical shrewdness, he wasquite incapable of wisely conductinghis affairs, by reason of a mania forspeculation and originality. There wasconsiderable waste of good material inhis fiery composition.
His books reveal the higher standard ofhis true nature. Their merits and faultsare alike on the surface. Lockhartdeclared that "he stood second in merit
to no living novelist but MissEdgeworth. His happy delineations andcontrasts of character, and easy play ofnative fun, redeem a thousand faults ofverbosity, clumsiness, and coarseness.His strong sense, and utter superiorityto affectation of all sorts, commandrespect, and in his quiet effectivenessof circumstantial narrative hesometimes approaches old Defoe."
It is easy to criticise Marryat, for hisgrammar is reckless, he could notconstruct a plot, he wrote too muchand too rapidly in order to earn money.But then he was an altogetheradmirable raconteur, and for thepurposes of narration his style was
peculiarly appropriate simple, rapid,lucid, and vigorous. He does not taxour powers of belief beyondendurance, or weary us with wonder.His crises are the more effective fromthe absence of any studiedintroduction or thunderous comment;and he carries his readers throughstirring adventures of storm and battlewith a business-like precision thatsilences doubt. He breathes the spiritof the sea, himself a genuine sailor,almost as childlike and simple as oneof his own creations. His books are realvoyages, in which a day of bustle anddanger is followed by peace and quiet,yarns on the quarter-deck, and somepractical joking among the middies.
He delights in the exhibition ofoddities, and the telling of tall storiesoutside the regular course of thenarrative, which bubbles over withsomewhat boisterous fun. And hishumour is genuine and spontaneous; itis farcical without descending tobuffoonery. His comic types are builtup on character, and, if not subtle, areundeniably human and living. They aredrawn, moreover, with sympathy.
The whole tone of Marryat's work issingularly fresh, wholesome, and manly.His heroes endure rough handling, butthey fight their way, for the most part,to the essential qualities of gentlemen.
They are no saints; but excellentcomrades, honest lovers, and brave tars.
R. BRIMLEY JOHNSON.
FOOTNOTES: [1] In dwelling uponthe autobiographical nature of theincident, in Frank Mildmay, it is necessaryto guard against the supposition thatMarryat's character in any way resembledhis hero's. See further Preface to F M.
PREFATORY NOTE
TO
PETER SIMPLE AND THE THREECUTTERS
From Nodes Ambrosianae:
Shepherd [HOGG]. Did Marry yachtwrite Peter Simple Peter Simple in his ainway's as gude's Parson Adams ... Hethat invented Peter Simple's a Sea-Fieldin'.
* * * * *
Peter Simple is printed from the firstedition, in three volumes. Saunders andOtley, 1834.
The Three Cutters is printed from the first
edition. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown,Green, and Longman, 1836.
The Three Cutters was first published inone volume with The Pirate, containinga portrait of Marryat Drawn by W.Behnes, engraved by H. Cook; and"illustrated with twenty splendidengravings from drawings by ClarksonStanfield, Esq., R.A."
Peter Simple
Chapter I
The great advantage of being the foolof the family My destiny is decided,and I am consigned to a stockbroker aspart of His Majesty's sea stockUnfortunately for me Mr Handycock isa bear, and I get very little dinner.
If I cannot narrate a life ofadventurous and daring exploits,fortunately I have no heavy crimes toconfess; and, if I do not rise in theestimation of the reader for acts ofgallantry and devotion in my country'scause, at least I may claim the merit ofzealous and persevering continuance inmy vocation. We are all of us variouslygifted from Above, and he who is
content to walk, instead of to run, onhis allotted path through life, althoughhe may not so rapidly attain the goal,has the advantage of not being out ofbreath upon his arrival. Not that Imean to infer that my life has not beenone of adventure. I only mean to saythat, in all which has occurred, I havebeen a passive, rather than an active,personage; and, if events of interest areto be recorded, they certainly have notbeen sought by me.
As well as I can recollect and analyzemy early propensities, I think that, had Ibeen permitted to select my ownprofession, I should in all probabilityhave bound myself apprentice to a
tailor; for I always envied thecomfortable seat which they appearedto enjoy upon the shopboard, and theirelevated position, which enabled themto look down upon the constantsuccession of the idle or the busy, whopassed in review before them in themain street of the country town, nearto which I passed the first fourteenyears of my existence.
But my father, who was a clergyman ofthe Church of England, and theyoungest brother of a noble family, hada lucrative living, and a "soul abovebuttons," if his son had not. It hasbeen from time immemorial theheathenish custom to sacrifice the
greatest fool of the family to theprosperity and naval superiority of thecountry, and, at the age of fourteen, Iwas selected as the victim. If thecustom be judicious, I had no reason tocomplain. There was not onedissentient voice, when it was proposedbefore all the varieties of my aunts andcousins, invited to partake of our new-year's festival. I was selected by generalacclamation. Flattered by such anunanimous acknowledgment of myqualification, and a stroke of myfather's hand down my head whichaccompanied it, I felt as proud, and,alas! as unconscious as the calf withgilded horns, who plays and mumbleswith the flowers of the garland which
designates his fate to every one buthimself. I even felt, or thought I felt, aslight degree of military ardour, and asort of vision of future grandeurpassed before me, in the distant vistaof which I perceived a coach with fourhorses and a service of plate. It was,however, driven away before I coulddecipher it, by positive bodily pain,occasioned by my elder brother Tom,who, having been directed by my fatherto snuff the candles, took theopportunity of my abstraction to inserta piece of the still ignited cotton intomy left ear. But as my story is not a veryshort one, I must not dwell too long onits commencement. I shall thereforeinform the reader, that my father, who
lived in the north of England, did notthink it right to fit me out at thecountry town, near to which weresided; but about a fortnight after thedecision which I have referred to, heforwarded me to London, on theoutside of the coach, with my best suitof bottle-green and six shirts. Toprevent mistakes, I was booked in theway-bill "to be delivered to Mr ThomasHandycock, No. 14, Saint Clement'sLane carriage paid." My parting withthe family was very affecting; mymother cried bitterly, for, like allmothers, she liked the greatest foolwhich she had presented to my father,better than all the rest; my sisters criedbecause my mother cried; Tom roared
for a short time more loudly than allthe rest, having been chastised by myfather for breaking his fourth windowin that week; during all which my fatherwalked up and down the room withimpatience, because he was kept fromhis dinner, and, like all orthodoxdivines, he was tenacious of the onlysensual enjoyment permitted to hiscloth.
At last I tore myself away. I hadblubbered till my eyes were so red andswollen, that the pupils were scarcely tobe distinguished, and tears and dirt hadveined my cheeks like the marble of thechimney-piece. My handkerchief wassoaked through with wiping my eyes
and blowing my nose, before the scenewas over. My brother Tom, with akindness which did honour to hisheart, exchanged his for mine, saying,with fraternal regard, "Here, Peter, takemine, it's as dry as a bone." But myfather would not wait for a secondhandkerchief to perform its duty. Heled me away through the hall, when,having shaken hands with all the menand kissed all the maids, who stood in arow with their aprons to their eyes, Iquitted my paternal roof.
The coachman accompanied me to theplace from whence the stage was tostart. Having seen me securely wedgedbetween two fat old women, and
having put my parcel inside, he took hisleave, and in a few minutes I was on myroad to London.
I was too much depressed to takenotice of anything during my journey.When we arrived in London, theydrove to the Blue Boar (in a street, thename of which I have forgotten). I hadnever seen or heard of such an animal,and certainly it did appear veryformidable; its mouth was open andteeth very large. What surprised me stillmore was to observe that its teeth andhoofs were of pure gold. Who knows,thought I, that in some of the strangecountries which I am doomed to visit,but that I may fall in with, and shoot
one of these terrific monsters withwhat haste shall I select those preciousparts, and with what joy should I, onmy return, pour them as an offering offilial affection into my mother's lap! andthen, as I thought of my mother, thetears again gushed into my eyes.
The coachman threw his whip to theostler, and the reins upon the horses'backs; he then dismounted, and callingto me, "Now, young gentleman, I'se a-waiting," he put a ladder up for me toget down by; then turning to a porter,he said to him, "Bill, you must take thishere young gem'man and that ere parcelto this here direction. Please toremember the coachman, sir." I replied
that I certainly would, if he wished it,and walked off with the porter; thecoachman observing, as I went away,"Well, he is a fool that's sartain." Iarrived quite safe at St Clement's-lane,when the porter received a shilling forhis trouble from the maid who let mein, and I was shown up into a parlour,where I found myself in company withMrs Handycock.
Mrs Handycock was a little meagrewoman, who did not speak very goodEnglish, and who appeared to me toemploy the major part of her time inbawling out from the top of the stairsto the servants below. I never saw hereither read a book or occupy herself
with needlework, during the whole timeI was in the house. She had a large greyparrot, and I really cannot tell whichscreamed the worse of the two but shewas very civil and kind to me, andasked me ten times a day when I hadlast heard of my grandfather, LordPrivilege. I observed that she always didso if any company happened to call induring my stay at her house. Before Ihad been there ten minutes, she told methat she "hadored sailors they were thedefendiours and preserviours of theirkings and countries," and that "MrHandycock would be home by fouro'clock, and then we should go todinner." Then she jumped off her chairto bawl to the cook from the head of
the stairs "Jemima, Jemima! ve'll ha'e theviting biled instead of fried." "Can't,marm," replied Jemima, "they be allbegged and crumbed, with their tails intheir mouths." "Vell, then, never mind,Jemima," replied the lady. "Don't putyour finger into the parrot's cage, mylove he's apt to be cross with strangers.Mr Handycock will be home at fouro'clock, and then we shall have ourdinner. Are you fond of viting "
As I was very anxious to see MrHandycock, and very anxious to havemy dinner, I was not sorry to hear theclock on the stairs strike four, whenMrs Handycock again jumped up, andput her head over the banisters,
"Jemima, Jemima, it's four o'clock!" "Ihear it, marm," replied the cook; andshe gave the frying-pan a twist, whichmade the hissing and the smell comeflying up into the parlour, and made memore hungry than ever.
Rap, tap, tap! "There's your master,Jemima," screamed the lady. "I hearhim, marm," replied the cook. "Rundown, my dear, and let Mr Handycockin," said his wife. "He'll be so surprisedat seeing you open the door."
I ran down, as Mrs Handycock desiredme, and opened the street-door. "Whothe devil are you " in a gruff voice,cried Mr Handycock; a man about six
feet high, dressed in blue cotton-netpantaloons and Hessian boots, with ablack coat and waistcoat. I was a littlerebuffed, I must own, but I replied thatI was Mr Simple. "And pray, Mr Simple,what would your grandfather say if hesaw you now I have servants in plentyto open my door, and the parlour is theproper place for young gentlemen."
"Law, Mr Handycock," said his wife,from the top of the stairs, "how canyou be so cross I told him to open thedoor to surprise you."
"And you have surprised me," repliedhe, "with your cursed folly."
While Mr Handycock was rubbing hisboots on the mat, I went upstairs rathermortified, I must own, as my father hadtold me that Mr Handycock was hisstockbroker, and would do all he couldto make me comfortable: indeed, hehad written to that effect in a letter,which my father showed to me before Ileft home. When I returned to theparlour, Mrs Handycock whispered tome, "Never mind, my dear, it's onlybecause there's something wrong on'Change. Mr Handycock is a bear justnow." I thought so too, but I made noanswer, for Mr Handycock cameupstairs, and walking with two stridesfrom the door of the parlour to thefire-place, turned his back to it, and
lifting up his coat-tails, began towhistle.
"Are you ready for your dinner, my dear" said the lady, almost trembling.
"If the dinner is ready for me. I believewe usually dine at four," answered herhusband, gruffly.
"Jemima, Jemima, dish up! do you hear,Jemima " "Yes, marm," replied thecook, "directly I've thickened thebutter;" and Mrs Handycock resumedher seat, with, "Well, Mr Simple, andhow is your grandfather, Lord Privilege" "He is quite well, ma'am," answered I,for the fifteenth time at least. But
dinner put an end to the silence whichfollowed this remark. Mr Handycocklowered his coat-tails and walkeddownstairs, leaving his wife and me tofollow at our leisure.
"Pray, ma'am," inquired I, as soon as hewas out of hearing, "what is the matterwith Mr Handycock, that he is so crossto you "
"Vy, my dear, it is one of themisfortunes of mater-mony, that venthe husband's put out, the vife is sureto have her share of it. Mr Handycockmust have lost money on 'Change, andthen he always comes home cross. Venhe vins, then he is as merry as a
cricket."
"Are you people coming down todinner " roared Mr Handycock frombelow. "Yes, my dear," replied the lady,"I thought that you were washing yourhands." We descended into the dining-room, where we found that MrHandycock had already devoured twoof the whitings, leaving only one onthe dish for his wife and me. "Vouldyou like a little bit of viting, my dear "said the lady to me. "It's not worthhalving," observed the gentleman, in asurly tone, taking up the fish with hisown knife and fork, and putting it onhis plate.
"Well, I'm so glad you like them, mydear," replied the lady meekly; thenturning to me, "there's some nice roastweal coming, my dear."
The veal made its appearance, andfortunately for us, Mr Handycockcould not devour it all. He took thelion's share, nevertheless, cutting off allthe brown, and then shoving the dishover to his wife to help herself and me.I had not put two pieces in my mouthbefore Mr Handycock desired me to getup and hand him the porter-pot, whichstood on the sideboard. I thought thatif it was not right for me to open adoor, neither was it for me to wait attable but I obeyed him without making
a remark.
After dinner, Mr Handycock wentdown to the cellar for a bottle of wine."O deary me!" exclaimed his wife, "hemust have lost a mint of money we hadbetter go up stairs and leave him alone;he'll be better after a bottle of port,perhaps." I was very glad to go away,and being very tired, I went to bedwithout any tea, for Mrs Handycockdared not venture to make it before herhusband came up stairs.
Chapter II
Fitting out on the shortest noticeFortunately for me, this day MrHandycock is a bear, and I fare verywell I set off for Portsmouth Behindthe coach I meet a man before the mastHe is disguised with liquor, but is notthe only disguise I fall in with in myjourney.
The next morning Mr Handycockappeared to be in somewhat betterhumour. One of the linendrapers whofitted out cadets, &c, "on the shortestnotice," was sent for, and orders givenfor my equipment, which MrHandycock insisted should be ready onthe day afterwards, or the articles wouldbe left on his hands; adding, that my
place was already taken in thePortsmouth coach.
"Really, sir," observed the man, "I'mafraid on such very short notice "
"Your card says, 'the shortest notice,'"rejoined Mr Handycock, with theconfidence and authority of a manwho is enabled to correct another byhis own assertions. "If you do notchoose to undertake the work, anotherwill."
This silenced the man, who made hispromise, took my measure, anddeparted; and soon afterwards MrHandycock also quitted the house.
What with my grandfather and theparrot, and Mrs Handycock wonderinghow much money her husband hadlost, running to the head of the stairsand talking to the cook, the day passedaway pretty well till four o'clock; when,as before, Mrs Handycock screamed,the cook screamed, the parrotscreamed, and Mr Handycock rapped atthe door, and was let in but not by me.He ascended the stair swith [sic] threebounds, and coming into the parlour,cried, "Well, Nancy, my love, how areyou " Then stooping over her, "Giveme a kiss, old girl. I'm as hungry as ahunter. Mr Simple, how do you do Ihope you have passed the morning
agreeably. I must wash my hands andchange my boots, my love; I am not fitto sit down to table with you in thispickle. Well, Polly, how are you "
"I'm glad you're hungry, my dear, I'vesuch a nice dinner for you," replied thewife, all smiles. "Jemima, be quick anddish up Mr Handycock is so hungry."
"Yes, marm," replied the cook; and MrsHandycock followed her husband intohis bedroom on the same floor, toassist him at his toilet.
"By Jove, Nancy, the bulls have beennicely taken in," said Mr Handycock, aswe sat down to dinner.
"O, I am so glad!" replied his wife,giggling; and so I believe she was, butwhy I did not understand.
"Mr Simple," said he, "will you allowme to offer you a little fish "
"If you do not want it all yourself, sir,"replied I politely.
Mrs Handycock frowned and shookher head at me, while her husbandhelped me. "My dove, a bit of fish "
We both had our share to-day, and Inever saw a man more polite than MrHandycock. He joked with his wife,
asked me to drink wine with him twoor three times, talked about mygrandfather; and, in short, we had avery pleasant evening.
The next morning all my clothes camehome, but Mr Handycock, who stillcontinued in good humour, said thathe would not allow me to travel bynight, that I should sleep there and setoff the next morning; which I did at sixo'clock, and before eight I had arrivedat the Elephant and Castle, where westopped for a quarter of an hour. I waslooking at the painting representing thisanimal with a castle on its back; andassuming that of Alnwick, which I hadseen, as a fair estimate of the size and
weight of that which he carried, wasattempting to enlarge my ideas so as tocomprehend the stupendous bulk ofthe elephant, when I observed a crowdassembled at the corner; and asking agentleman who sat by me in a plaidcloak, whether there was not somethingvery uncommon to attract so manypeople, he replied, "Not very, for it isonly a drunken sailor."
I rose from my seat, which was on thehinder part of the coach, that I mightsee him, for it was a new sight to me,and excited my curiosity, when to myastonishment, he staggered from thecrowd, and swore that he'd go toPortsmouth. He climbed up by the
wheel of the coach, and sat down byme. I believe that I stared at him verymuch, for he said to me, "What are yougaping at, you young sculping Do youwant to catch flies or did you never seea chap half-seas-over before "
I replied, "That I had never been at seain my life, but that I was going."
"Well, then, you're like a young bear, allyour sorrows to come that's all, myhearty," replied he. "When you get onboard, you'll find monkey's allowancemore kicks than half-pence. I say, youpewter-carrier, bring us another pint ofale."
The waiter of the inn, who wasattending the coach, brought out theale, half of which the sailor drank, andthe other half threw into the waiter'sface, telling him that was his"allowance: and now," said he, "what'sto pay " The waiter, who looked veryangry, but appeared too much afraid ofthe sailor to say anything, answeredfourpence; and the sailor pulled out ahandful of banknotes, mixed up withgold, silver, and coppers, and waspicking out the money to pay for hisbeer, when the coachman, who wasimpatient, drove off.
"There's cut and run," cried the sailor,thrusting all the money into his
breeches pocket. "That's what you'lllearn to do, my joker, before you'vebeen two cruises to sea."
In the meantime the gentleman in theplaid cloak, who was seated by me,smoked his cigar without saying aword. I commenced a conversationwith him relative to my profession, andasked him whether it was not verydifficult to learn. "Larn," cried thesailor, interrupting us, "no; it may bedifficult for such chaps as me beforethe mast to larn; but you, I presume, isa reefer, and they an't got much to larn,'cause why, they pipe-clays their weeklyaccounts, and walks up and down withtheir hands in their pockets. You must
larn to chaw baccy, drink grog, and callthe cat a beggar, and then you knowsall a midshipman's expected to knownowadays. Ar'n't I right, sir " said thesailor, appealing to the gentleman in aplaid cloak. "I axes you, because I seeyou're a sailor by the cut of your jib.Beg pardon, sir," continued he,touching his hat, "hope no offence."
"I am afraid that you have nearly hit themark, my good fellow," replied thegentleman.
The drunken fellow then entered intoconversation with him, stating that hehad been paid off from the Audacious atPortsmouth, and had come up to
London to spend his money with hismessmates, but that yesterday he haddiscovered that a Jew at Portsmouthhad sold him a seal as gold, for fifteenshillings, which proved to be copper,and that he was going back toPortsmouth to give the Jew a couple ofblack eyes for his rascality, and thatwhen he had done that he was toreturn to his messmates, who hadpromised to drink success to theexpedition at the Cock and Bottle, StMartin's Lane, until he should return.
The gentleman in the plaid cloakcommended him very much for hisresolution; for he said, "that althoughthe journey to and from Portsmouth
would cost twice the value of a goldseal, yet, that in the end it might beworth a Jew's Eye." What he meant I didnot comprehend.
Whenever the coach stopped, the sailorcalled for more ale, and always threwthe remainder which he could notdrink into the face of the man whobrought it out for him, just as the coachwas starting off, and then tossed thepewter pot on the ground for him topick up. He became more tipsy everystage, and the last from Portsmouth,when he pulled out his money, hecould find no silver, so he handeddown a note, and desired the waiter tochange it. The waiter crumpled it up
and put it into his pocket, and thenreturned the sailor the change for aone-pound note; but the gentleman inthe plaid had observed that it was afive-pound note which the sailor hadgiven, and insisted upon the waiterproducing it, and giving the properchange. The sailor took his money,which the waiter handed to him,begging pardon for the mistake,although he coloured up very much atbeing detected. "I really beg yourpardon," said he again, "it was quite amistake;" whereupon the sailor threwthe pewter pot at the waiter, saying, "Ireally beg your pardon, too," and withsuch force, that it flattened upon theman's head, who fell senseless on the
road. The coachman drove off, and Inever heard whether the man was killedor not.
After the coach had driven off, thesailor eyed the gentleman in the plaidcloak for a minute or two, and thensaid, "When I first looked at you I tookyou for some officer in mufti; but nowthat I see you look so sharp after therhino, it's my idea that you're somepoor devil of a Scotchman, mayhapsecond mate of a marchant vesselthere's half a crown for your servicesI'd give you more if I thought youwould spend it."
The gentleman laughed, and took the
half-crown, which I afterwardsobserved that he gave to a grey-headedbeggar at the bottom of PortsdownHill. I inquired of him how soon weshould be at Portsmouth; he answeredthat we were passing the lines; but Isaw no lines, and I was ashamed toshow my ignorance. He asked me whatship I was going to join. I could notrecollect her name, but I told him it waspainted on the outside of my chest,which was coming down by thewaggon; all that I could recollect wasthat it was a French name.
"Have you no letter of introduction tothe captain " said he.
"Yes I have," replied I; and I pulled outmy pocket-book in which the letterwas. "Captain Savage, H.M. shipDiomede," continued I, reading to him.
To my surprise he very coollyproceeded to open the letter, which,when I perceived what he was doing,occasioned me immediately to snatchthe letter from him, stating my opinionat the same time that it was a breach ofhonour, and that in my opinion he wasno gentleman.
"Just as you please, youngster," repliedhe. "Recollect, you have told me I amno gentleman."
He wrapped his plaid around him, andsaid no more; and I was not a littlepleased at having silenced him by myresolute behaviour.
Chapter III
I am made to look very blue at the BluePosts Find wild spirits around, and,soon after, hot spirits within me; atlength my spirits overcome me Call topay my respects to the Captain, andfind that I had had the pleasure ofmeeting him before No sooner out ofone scrape than into another.
When we stopped, I inquired of thecoachman which was the best inn. Heanswered "that it was the BluePostesses, where the midshipmen leavetheir chestesses, call for tea andtoastesses, and sometimes forget to payfor their breakfastesses." He laughedwhen he said it, and I thought that hewas joking with me; but he pointed outtwo large blue posts at the door nextthe coach-office, and told me that allthe midshipmen resorted to that hotel.He then asked me to remember thecoachman, which, by this time I hadfound out implied that I was not toforget to give him a shilling, which Idid, and then went into the inn. Thecoffee-room was full of midshipmen,
and, as I was anxious about my chest, Iinquired of one of them if he knewwhen the waggon would come in.
"Do you expect your mother by it "replied he.
"Oh no! but I expect my uniforms Ionly wear these bottle-greens until theycome."
"And pray what ship are you going tojoin "
"The Die-a-maid Captain ThomasKirkwall Savage."
"The Diomede I say, Robinson, a'n't that
the frigate in which the midshipmenhad four dozen apiece for not havingpipe-clayed their weekly accounts onthe Saturday "
"To be sure it is," replied the other;"why the captain gave a youngster fivedozen the other day for wearing ascarlet watch-riband."
"He's the greatest Tartar in the service,"continued the other; "he flogged thewhole starboard watch the last time thathe was on a cruise, because the shipwould only sail nine knots upon abowline."
"Oh dear," said I, "then I'm very sorry
that I am going to join him."
"'Pon my soul I pity you: you'll befagged to death: for there's only threemidshipmen in the ship now all the restran away. Didn't they, Robinson "
"There's only two left now; for poorMatthews died of fatigue. He wasworked all day, and kept watch all nightfor six weeks, and one morning he wasfound dead upon his chest."
"God bless my soul!" cried I; "and yet,on shore, they say he is such a kindman to his midshipmen."
"Yes," replied Robinson, "he spreads
that report every where. Now, observe,when you first call upon him, andreport your having come to join hisship, he'll tell you that he is very happyto see you, and that he hopes yourfamily are well then he'll recommendyou to go on board and learn yourduty. After that, stand clear. Now,recollect what I have said, and see if itdoes not prove true. Come, sit downwith us and take a glass of grog; it willkeep your spirits up."
These midshipmen told me so muchabout my captain, and the horridcruelties which he had practised, that Ihad some doubts whether I had notbetter set off home again. When I
asked their opinion, they said, that if Idid, I should be taken up as a deserterand hanged; that my best plan was tobeg his acceptance of a few gallons ofrum, for he was very fond of grog, andthat then I might perhaps be in hisgood graces, as long as the rum mightlast.
I am sorry to state that the midshipmenmade me very tipsy that evening. I don'trecollect being put to bed, but I foundmyself there the next morning, with adreadful headache, and a very confusedrecollection of what had passed. I wasvery much shocked at my having sosoon forgotten the injunctions of myparents, and was making vows never to
be so foolish again, when in came themidshipman who had been so kind tome the night before. "Come, MrBottlegreen," he bawled out, alluding, Isuppose, to the colour of my clothes,"rouse and bitt. There's the captain'scoxswain waiting for you below. By thepowers, you're in a pretty scrape forwhat you did last night!"
"Did last night!" replied I, astonished."Why, does the captain know that I wastipsy "
"I think you took devilish good care tolet him know it when you were at thetheatre."
"At the theatre! was I at the theatre "
"To be sure you were. You would go,do all we could to prevent you, thoughyou were as drunk as David's sow. Yourcaptain was there with the admiral'sdaughters. You called him a tyrant andsnapped your fingers at him. Why, don'tyou recollect You told him that you didnot care a fig for him."
"Oh dear! oh dear! what shall I do whatshall I do " cried I: "My mothercautioned me so about drinking andbad company."
"Bad company, you whelp what do youmean by that "
"O, I did not particularly refer to you."
"I should hope not! However, Irecommend you, as a friend, to go tothe George Inn as fast as you can, andsee your captain, for the longer you stayaway, the worse it will be for you. At allevents, it will be decided whether hereceives you or not. It is fortunate foryou that you are not on the ship'sbooks. Come, be quick, the coxswain isgone back."
"Not on the ship's books," replied Isorrowfully. "Now I recollect there wasa letter from the captain to my father,stating that he had put me on the
books."
"Upon my honour, I'm sorry very sorryindeed," replied the midshipman; andhe quitted the room, looking as grave asif the misfortune had happened tohimself. I got up with a heavy head,and heavier heart, and as soon as I wasdressed, I asked the way to the GeorgeInn. I took my letter of introductionwith me, although I was afraid it wouldbe of little service. When I arrived, Iasked, with a trembling voice, whetherCaptain Thomas Kirkwall Savage, ofH.M. ship Diomede, was staying there.The waiter replied, that he was atbreakfast with Captain Courtney, butthat he would take up my name. I gave
it him, and in a minute the waiterreturned, and desired that I would walkup. O how my heart beat! I never wasso frightened I thought I should havedropped on the stairs. Twice Iattempted to walk into the room, andeach time my legs failed me; at last Iwiped the perspiration from myforehead, and with a desperate effort Iwent into the room.
"Mr Simple, I am glad to see you," saida voice. I had held my head down, for Iwas afraid to look at him, but the voicewas so kind that I mustered upcourage; and, when I did look up, theresat with his uniform and epaulets, andhis sword by his side, the passenger in
the plaid cloak, who wanted to openmy letter, and whom I had told to hisface, that he was no gentleman.
I thought I should have died as theother midshipman did upon his chest. Iwas just sinking down upon my kneesto beg for mercy, when the captainperceiving my confusion, burst out intoa laugh, and said, "So you know meagain, Mr Simple Well, don't bealarmed, you did your duty in notpermitting me to open the letter,supposing me, as you did, to be someother person, and you were perfectlyright, under that supposition, to tell methat I was not a gentleman. I give youcredit for your conduct. Now sit down
and take some breakfast."
"Captain Courtney," said he to theother captain, who was at the table,"this is one of my youngsters justentering the service. We werepassengers yesterday by the samecoach." He then told him thecircumstance which occurred, at whichthey laughed heartily.
I now recovered my spirits a little butstill there was the affair at the theatre,and I thought that perhaps he did notrecognize me. I was, however, soonrelieved from my anxiety by the othercaptain inquiring, "Were you at thetheatre last night, Savage "
"No; I dined at the admiral's; there's nogetting away from those girls, they areso pleasant."
"I rather think you are a little taken inthat quarter."
"No, on my word! I might be if I hadtime to discover which I liked best; butmy ship is at present my wife, and theonly wife I intend to have until I amlaid on the shelf."
Well, thought I, if he was not at thetheatre, it could not have been him thatI insulted. Now if I can only give himthe rum, and make friends with him.
"Pray, Mr Simple, how are your fatherand mother " said the captain.
"Very well, I thank you, sir, and desireme to present their compliments."
"I am obliged to them. Now I think thesooner you go on board and learn yourduty the better." (Just what themidshipman told me the very words,thought I then it's all true and I beganto tremble again.)
"I have a little advice to offer you,"continued the captain. "In the firstplace, obey your superior officerswithout hesitation; it is for me, not you,
to decide whether an order is unjust ornot. In the next place, never swear ordrink spirits. The first is immoral andungentleman-like, the second is a vilehabit which will grow upon you. Inever touch spirit myself, and I expectthat my young gentlemen will refrainfrom it also. Now you may go, and assoon as your uniforms arrive, you willrepair on board. In the meantime, as Ihad some little insight into yourcharacter when we travelled together, letme recommend you not to be toointimate at first sight with those youmeet, or you may be led intoindiscretions. Good morning."
I quitted the room with a low bow, glad
to have surmounted so easily whatappeared to be a chaos of difficulty;but my mind was confused with thetestimony of the midshipman, so muchat variance with the language andbehaviour of the captain. When Iarrived at the Blue Posts, I found all themidshipmen in the coffee-room, and Irepeated to them all that had passed.When I had finished, they burst outlaughing, and said that they had onlybeen joking with me. "Well," said I tothe one who had called me up in themorning, "you may call it joking, but Icall it lying."
"Pray, Mr Bottlegreen, do you refer tome "
"Yes, I do," replied I.
"Then, sir, as a gentleman, I demandsatisfaction. Slugs in a saw-pit. Deathbefore dishonour, d e!"
"I shall not refuse you," replied I,"although I had rather not fight a duel;my father cautioned me on the subject,desiring me, if possible, to avoid it, as itwas flying in the face of my Creator;but aware that I must uphold mycharacter as an officer, he left me to myown discretion, should I ever be sounfortunate as to be in such adilemma."
"Well, we don't want one of yourfather's sermons at second-hand,"replied the midshipman, (for I had toldthem that my father was a clergyman);"the plain question is, will you fight, orwill you not "
"Could not the affair be arrangedotherwise " interrupted another. "Willnot Mr Bottlegreen retract "
"My name is Simple, sir, and notBottlegreen," replied I; "and as he didtell a falsehood, I will not retract."
"Then the affair must go on," said themidshipman. "Robinson, will youoblige me by acting as my second "
"It's an unpleasant business," repliedthe other; "you are so good a shot; butas you request it, I shall not refuse. MrSimple is not, I believe, provided with afriend."
"Yes, he is," replied another of themidshipmen. "He is a spunky fellow,and I'll be his second."
It was then arranged that we shouldmeet the next morning, with pistols. Iconsidered that as an officer and agentleman, I could not well refuse; butI was very unhappy. Not three days leftto my own guidance, and I had becomeintoxicated, and was now to fight a
duel. I went up into my room andwrote a long letter to my mother,enclosing a lock of my hair; and havingshed a few tears at the idea of howsorry she would be if I were killed, Iborrowed a bible from the waiter, andread it during the remainder of the day.
Chapter IV
I am taught on a cold morning, beforebreakfast, how to stand fire, and thusprove my courage After breakfast I alsoprove my gallantry My proof meetsreproof Woman at the bottom of allmischief By one I lose my liberty, and,
by another, my money.
When I began to wake the nextmorning I could not think what it wasthat felt like a weight upon my chest,but as I roused and recalled myscattered thoughts, I remembered thatin an hour or two it would be decidedwhether I were to exist another day. Iprayed fervently, and made a resolutionin my own mind that I would not havethe blood of another upon myconscience, and would fire my pistol upin the air. And after I had made thatresolution, I no longer felt the alarmwhich I did before. Before I wasdressed, the midshipman who hadvolunteered to be my second, came into
my room, and informed me that theaffair was to be decided in the gardenbehind the inn; that my adversary was avery good shot, and that I must expectto be winged if not drilled.
"And what is winged and drilled "inquired I. "I have not only neverfought a duel, but I have not even fireda pistol in my life."
He explained what he meant, whichwas, that being winged implied beingshot through the arm or leg, whereasbeing drilled was to be shot throughthe body. "But," continued he, "is itpossible that you have never fought aduel "
"No," replied I; "I am not yet fifteenyears old."
"Not fifteen! why I thought you wereeighteen at the least." (But I was verytall and stout for my age, and peoplegenerally thought me older than Iactually was.)
I dressed myself and followed mysecond into the garden, where I foundall the midshipmen and some of thewaiters of the inn. They all seemed verymerry, as if the life of a fellow-creaturewas of no consequence. The secondstalked apart for a little while, and thenmeasured the ground, which was
twelve paces; we then took our stations.I believe that I turned pale, for mysecond came to my side and whisperedthat I must not be frightened. I replied,that I was not frightened, but that Iconsidered that it was an awfulmoment. The second to my adversarythen came up and asked me whether Iwould make an apology, which Irefused to do as before: they handed apistol to each of us, and my secondshowed me how I was to pull thetrigger. It was arranged that at the wordgiven, we were to fire at the same time. Imade sure that I should be wounded, ifnot killed, and I shut my eyes as I firedmy pistol in the air. I felt my headswim, and thought I was hurt, but
fortunately I was not. The pistols wereloaded again, and we fired a secondtime. The seconds then interfered, andit was proposed that we should shakehands, which I was very glad to do, forI considered my life to have been savedby a miracle. We all went back to thecoffee-room, and sat down tobreakfast. They then told me that theyall belonged to the same ship that I did,and that they were glad to see that Icould stand fire, for the captain was aterrible fellow for cutting-out andrunning under the enemy's batteries.
The next day my chest arrived by thewaggon, and I threw off my "bottle-greens" and put on my uniform. I had
no cocked hat, or dirk, as thewarehouse people employed by MrHandycock did not supply thosearticles, and it was arranged that Ishould procure them at Portsmouth.When I inquired the price, I found thatthey cost more money than I had in mypocket, so I tore up the letter I hadwritten to my mother before the duel,and wrote another asking for aremittance, to purchase my dirk andcocked hat. I then walked out in myuniform, not a little proud, I mustconfess. I was now an officer in hisMajesty's service, not very high in rank,certainly, but still an officer and agentleman, and I made a vow that Iwould support the character, although I
was considered the greatest fool of thefamily.
I had arrived opposite a place calledSally Port, when a young lady, verynicely dressed, looked at me very hardand said, "Well, Reefer, how are you offfor soap " I was astonished at thequestion, and more so at the interestwhich she seemed to take in my affairs.I answered, "Thank you, I am very welloff; I have four cakes of Windsor, andtwo bars of yellow for washing." Shelaughed at my reply, and asked mewhether I would walk home and take abit of dinner with her. I was astonishedat this polite offer, which my modestyinduced me to ascribe more to my
uniform than to my own merits, and, asI felt no inclination to refuse thecompliment, I said that I should bemost happy. I thought I might ventureto offer my arm, which she accepted,and we proceeded up High Street onour way to her home.
Just as we passed the admiral's house, Iperceived my captain walking with twoof the admiral's daughters. I was not alittle proud to let him see that I hadfemale acquaintances as well as he had,and, as I passed him with the younglady under my protection, I took offmy hat, and made him a low bow. Tomy surprise, not only did he not returnthe salute, but he looked at me with a
very stern countenance. I concludedthat he was a very proud man, and didnot wish the admiral's daughters tosuppose that he knew midshipmen bysight; but I had not exactly made up mymind on the subject, when the captain,having seen the ladies into the admiral'shouse, sent one of the messengers afterme to desire that I would immediatelycome to him at the George Inn, whichwas nearly opposite.
I apologised to the young lady, andpromised to return immediately if shewould wait for me; but she replied, ifthat was my captain, it was her idea thatI should have a confounded wiggingand be sent on board. So, wishing me
good-bye, she left me and continuedher way home. I could as littlecomprehend all this as why the captainlooked so black when I passed him; butit was soon explained when I went upto him in the parlour at the George Inn."I am sorry, Mr Simple," said thecaptain, when I entered, "that a lad likeyou should show such early symptomsof depravity; still more so, that heshould not have the grace which eventhe most hardened are not whollydestitute of I mean to practiseimmorality in secret, and not degradethemselves and insult their captain byunblushingly avowing (I may sayglorying in) their iniquity, by exposing itin broad day, and in the most
frequented street of the town."
"Sir," replied I with astonishment, "Odear! O dear! what have I done "
The captain fixed his keen eyes uponme, so that they appeared to pierce methrough, and nail me to the wall. "Doyou pretend to say, sir, that you werenot aware of the character of theperson with whom you were walkingjust now "
"No, sir," replied I; "except that she wasvery kind and good-natured;" and thenI told him how she had addressed me,and what subsequently took place.
"And is it possible, Mr Simple, that youare so great a fool " I replied that Icertainly was considered the greatestfool of our family. "I should think youwere," replied he, drily. He thenexplained to me who the person waswith whom I was in company, and howany association with her wouldinevitably lead to my ruin and disgrace.
I cried very much, for I was shocked atthe narrow escape which I had had,and mortified at having fallen in hisgood opinion. He asked me how I hademployed my time since I had been atPortsmouth, and I made anacknowledgment of having been madetipsy, related all that the midshipmen
had told me, and how I had thatmorning fought a duel.
He listened to my whole story veryattentively, and I thought thatoccasionally there was a smile upon hisface, although he bit his lips to preventit. When I had finished, he said, "MrSimple, I can no longer trust you onshore until you are more experienced inthe world. I shall desire my coxswainnot to lose sight of you until you aresafe on board of the frigate. When youhave sailed a few months with me, youwill then be able to decide whether Ideserve the character which the younggentlemen have painted, with, I mustsay, I believe, the sole intention of
practising upon your inexperience."
Altogether I did not feel sorry when itwas over. I saw that the captain believedwhat I had stated, and that he wasdisposed to be kind to me, although hethought me very silly. The coxswain, inobedience to his orders, accompaniedme to the Blue Posts. I packed up myclothes, paid my bill, and the porterwheeled my chest down to the SallyPort, where the boat was waiting.
"Come, heave a-head, my lads, besmart. The captain says we are to takethe young gentleman on board directly.His liberty's stopped for getting drunkand running after the Dolly Mops!"
"I should thank you to be morerespectful in your remarks, MrCoxswain," said I with displeasure.
"Mister Coxswain! thanky, sir, for givingme a handle to my name," replied he."Come, be smart with your oars, mylads!"
"La, Bill Freeman," said a youngwoman on the beach, "what a niceyoung gentleman you have there! Helooks like a sucking Nelson. I say, mypretty young officer, could you lend mea shilling "
I was so pleased at the woman calling
me a young Nelson, that I immediatelycomplied with her request. "I have nota shilling in my pocket," said I, "buthere is half-a-crown, and you canchange it and bring me back theeighteen pence."
"Well, you are a nice young man,"replied she, taking the half-crown; "I'llbe back directly, my dear."
The men in the boat laughed, and thecoxswain desired them to shove off.
"No," observed I, "you must wait formy eighteen pence."
"We shall wait a devilish long while
then, I suspect. I know that girl, andshe has a very bad memory."
"She cannot be so dishonest orungrateful," replied I. "Coxswain, Iorder you to stay I am an officer."
"I know you are, sir, about six hoursold: well, then, I must go up and tellthe captain that you have another girl intow, and that you won't go on board."
"Oh no, Mr Coxswain, pray don't;shove off as soon as you please, andnever mind the eighteen pence."
The boat then shoved off, and pulledtowards the ship, which lay at Spithead.
Chapter V
I am introduced to the quarter-deckand first lieutenant, who pronouncesme very clever Trotted below to MrsTrotter Connubial bliss in a cock-pitMr Trotter takes me in as a mess-mateFeel very much surprised that so manypeople know that I am the son of myfather.
On our arrival on board, the coxswaingave a note from the captain to the firstlieutenant, who happened to be ondeck. He read the note, looked at me
earnestly, and then I overheard him sayto another lieutenant, "The service isgoing to the devil. As long as it was notpopular, if we had not mucheducation, we at least had the chancethat natural abilities gave us; but nowthat great people send their sons for aprovision into the navy, we have all therefuse of their families, as if anythingwas good enough to make a captain ofa man-of-war, who has occasionallymore responsibility on his shoulders,and is placed in situations requiringmore judgment, than any other peoplein existence. Here's another of the foolsof a family made a present of to thecountry another cub for me to lick intoshape. Well, I never saw the one yet I
did not make something of. Where's MrSimple "
"I am Mr Simple, sir," replied I, verymuch frightened at what I hadoverheard.
"Now, Mr Simple," said the firstlieutenant, "observe, and pay particularattention to what I say. The captain tellsme in this note that you have beenshamming stupid. Now, sir, I am not tobe taken in that way. You're somethinglike the monkeys, who won't speakbecause they are afraid they will bemade to work. I have looked attentivelyat your face, and I see at once that youare very clever, and if you do not prove
so in a very short time, why you hadbetter jump overboard, that's all.Perfectly understand me. I know thatyou are a very clever fellow, and havingtold you so, don't you pretend toimpose upon me, for it won't do."
I was very much terrified at this speech,but at the same time I was pleased tohear that he thought me clever, and Idetermined to do all in my power tokeep up such an unexpected reputation.
"Quarter-master," said the firstlieutenant, "tell Mr Trotter to come ondeck."
The quarter-master brought up Mr
Trotter, who apologized for being sodirty, as he was breaking casks out ofthe hold. He was a short, thick-set man,about thirty years of age, with a nosewhich had a red club to it, very dirtyteeth, and large black whiskers.
"Mr Trotter," said the first lieutenant,"here is a young gentleman who hasjoined the ship. Introduce him into theberth, and see his hammock slung. Youmust look after him a little."
"I really have very little time to lookafter any of them, sir," replied MrTrotter; "but I will do what I can.Follow me, youngster." Accordingly, Idescended the ladder after him; then I
went down another, and then to mysurprise I was desired by him to godown a third, which when I had done,he informed me that I was in the cock-pit.
"Now, youngster," said Mr Trotter,seating himself upon a large chest, "youmay do as you please. Themidshipmen's mess is on the deckabove this, and if you like to join, whyyou can; but this I will tell you as afriend, that you will be thrashed all daylong, and fare very badly; the weakestalways goes to the wall there, butperhaps you do not mind that. Nowthat we are in harbour, I mess here,because Mrs Trotter is on board. She is
a very charming woman, I can assureyou, and will be here directly; she hasjust gone up into the galley to lookafter a net of potatoes in the copper. Ifyou like it better, I will ask herpermission for you to mess with us.You will then be away from themidshipmen, who are a sad set, and willteach you nothing but what is immoraland improper, and you will have theadvantage of being in good society, forMrs Trotter has kept the very best inEngland. I make you this offer becauseI want to oblige the first lieutenant,who appears to take an interest aboutyou, otherwise I am not very fond ofhaving any intrusion upon mydomestic happiness."
I replied that I was much obliged tohim for his kindness, and that if itwould not put Mrs Trotter to aninconvenience, I should be happy toaccept of his offer; indeed, I thoughtmyself very fortunate in having metwith such a friend. I had scarcely timeto reply, when I perceived a pair of legs,cased in black cotton stockings, on theladder above us, and it proved that theybelonged to Mrs Trotter, who camedown the ladder with a net full ofsmoking potatoes.
"Upon my word, Mrs Trotter, you mustbe conscious of having a very prettyankle, or you would not venture to
display it, as you have to Mr Simple, ayoung gentleman whom I beg tointroduce to you, and who, with yourpermission, will join our mess."
"My dear Trotter, how cruel of you notto give me warning; I thought thatnobody was below. I declare I'm soashamed," continued the lady,simpering, and covering her face withthe hand which was unemployed.
"It can't be helped now, my love,neither was there anything to beashamed of. I trust Mr Simple and youwill be very good friends. I believe Imentioned his desire to join our mess."
"I am sure I shall be very happy in hiscompany. This is a strange place for meto live in, Mr Simple, after the society towhich I have been accustomed; butaffection can make any sacrifice; andrather than lose the company of mydear Trotter, who has been unfortunatein pecuniary matters "
"Say no more about it, my love.Domestic happiness is everything, andwill enliven even the gloom of a cock-pit."
"And yet," continued Mrs Trotter,"when I think of the time when weused to live in London, and keep ourcarriage. Have you ever been in
London, Mr Simple " I answered that Ihad.
"Then, probably, you may have beenacquainted with, or have heard of, theSmiths "
I replied that the only people that Iknew there were a Mr and MrsHandycock.
"Well, if I had known that you were inLondon, I should have been very gladto have given you a letter ofintroduction to the Smiths. They arequite the topping people of the place."
"But, my dear," interrupted Mr Trotter,
"is it not time to look after our dinner "
"Yes; I am going forward for it now. Wehave skewer pieces to-day. Mr Simple,will you excuse me " and then, with agreat deal of flirtation and laughingabout her ankles, and requesting me, asa favour, to turn my face away, MrsTrotter ascended the ladder.
As the reader may wish to know whatsort of looking personage she was, Iwill take this opportunity to describeher. Her figure was very good, and atone period of her life I thought herface must have been very handsome; atthe time I was introduced to her, itshowed the ravages of time or hardship
very distinctly; in short, she might betermed a faded beauty, flaunting in herdress, and not very clean in her person.
"Charming woman, Mrs Trotter, is shenot, Mr Simple " said the master's mate;to which, of course, I immediatelyacquiesced. "Now, Mr Simple,"continued he, "there are a fewarrangements which I had bettermention while Mrs Trotter is away, forshe would be shocked at our talkingabout such things. Of course, the styleof living which we indulge in is ratherexpensive. Mrs Trotter cannot dispensewith her tea and her other littlecomforts; at the same time I must putyou to no extra expense I had rather be
out of pocket myself. I propose thatduring the time you mess with us youshall only pay one guinea per week; andas for entrance money, why I think Imust not charge you more than acouple of guineas. Have you anymoney "
"Yes," I replied, "I have three guineasand a half left."
"Well, then, give me the three guineas,and the half-guinea you can reserve forpocket-money. You must write to yourfriends immediately for a furthersupply."
I handed him the money, which he put
in his pocket. "Your chest," continuedhe, "you shall bring down here, for MrsTrotter will, I am sure, if I request it,not only keep it in order for you, butsee that your clothes are properlymended. She is a charming woman, MrsTrotter, and very fond of younggentlemen. How old are you "
I replied that I was fifteen.
"No more! well, I am glad of that, forMrs Trotter is very particular after acertain age. I should recommend youon no account to associate with theother midshipmen. They are very angrywith me, because I would not permitMrs Trotter to join their mess, and they
are sad story-tellers."
"That they certainly are," replied I; buthere we were interrupted by MrsTrotter coming down with a piece ofstick in her hand upon which wereskewered about a dozen small pieces ofbeef and pork, which she first laid on aplate, and then began to lay the clothand prepare for dinner.
"Mr Simple is only fifteen, my dear,"observed Mr Trotter.
"Dear me!" replied Mrs Trotter, "why,how tall he is! He is quite as tall for hisage as young Lord Foutretown, whomyou used to take out with you in the
chay. Do you know Lord Foutretown,Mr Simple "
"No, I do not, ma'am," replied I; butwishing to let them know that I waswell connected, I continued, "but I daresay that my grandfather, Lord Privilege,does."
"God bless me! is Lord Privilege yourgrandfather Well, I thought I saw alikeness somewhere. Don't you recollectLord Privilege, my dear Trotter, that wemet at Lady Scamp's an elderly personIt's very ungrateful of you not torecollect him, for he sent you a veryfine haunch of venison."
"Privilege bless me, yes. Oh, yes! an oldgentleman, is he not " said Mr Trotter,appealing to me.
"Yes, sir," replied I, quite delighted tofind myself among those who wereacquainted with my family.
"Well, then, Mr Simple," said MrsTrotter, "since we have the pleasure ofbeing acquainted with your family, Ishall now take you under my owncharge, and I shall be so fond of youthat Trotter shall become quite jealous,"added she, laughing. "We have but apoor dinner to-day, for the bumboatwoman disappointed me. I particularlyrequested her to bring me off a leg of
lamb, but she says that there was nonein the market. It is rather early for it,that's true; but Trotter is very nice in hiseating. Now, let us sit down to dinner."
I felt very sick, indeed, and could eatnothing. Our dinner consisted of thepieces of beef and pork, the potatoes,and a baked pudding in a tin dish. MrTrotter went up to serve the spirits outto the ship's company, and returnedwith a bottle of rum.
"Have you got Mr Simple's allowance,my love " inquired Mrs Trotter.
"Yes; he is victualled to-day, as he cameon board before twelve o'clock. Do you
drink spirits, Mr Simple "
"No, I thank you," replied I; for Iremembered the captain's injunction.
"Taking, as I do, such an interest inyour welfare, I must earnestlyrecommend you to abstain from them,"said Mr Trotter. "It is a very bad habit,and once acquired, not easy to be leftoff. I am obliged to drink them, that Imay not check the perspiration afterworking in the hold; I have,nevertheless, a natural abhorrence ofthem; but my champagne and claretdays are gone by, and I must submit tocircumstances."
"My poor Trotter!" said the lady.
"Well," continued he, "it's a poor heartthat never rejoiceth." He then pouredout half a tumbler of rum, and filledthe glass up with water.
"My love, will you taste it "
"Now, Trotter, you know that I nevertouch it, except when the water is sobad that I must have the taste takenaway. How is the water to-day "
"As usual, my dear, not drinkable."After much persuasion Mrs Trotteragreed to sip a little out of his glass. Ithought that she took it pretty often,
considering that she did not like it, butI felt so unwell that I was obliged to goon the main-deck. There I was met by amidshipman whom I had not seenbefore. He looked very earnestly in myface, and then asked my name."Simple," said he. "What, are you theson of old Simple "
"Yes, sir," replied I, astonished that somany should know my family.
"Well, I thought so by the likeness. Andhow is your father "
"Very well, I thank you, sir."
"When you write to him, make my
compliments, and tell him that I desiredto be particularly remembered to him;"and he walked forward, but as heforgot to mention his own name, Icould not do it.
I went to bed very tired; Mr Trotter hadmy hammock hung up in the cock-pit,separated by a canvas-screen from thecot in which he slept with his wife. Ithought this very odd, but they told meit was the general custom on boardship, although Mrs Trotter's delicacywas very much shocked by it. I wasvery sick, but Mrs Trotter was verykind. When I was in bed she kissed me,and wished me good night, and verysoon afterwards I fell fast asleep.
Chapter VI
Puzzled with very common words MrsTrotter takes care of my wardrobe Amatrimonial duet, ending con strepito.
I awoke the next morning at daylightwith a noise over my head whichsounded like thunder; I found itproceeded from holystoning andwashing down the main-deck. I wasvery much refreshed nevertheless, anddid not feel the least sick or giddy. MrTrotter, who had been up at fouro'clock, came down, and directed one
of the marines to fetch me some water.I washed myself on my chest, and thenwent on the main-deck, which theywere swabbing dry. Standing by thesentry at the cabin-door, I met one ofthe midshipmen with whom I had beenin company at the Blue Posts.
"So, Master Simple, old Trotter and hisfaggot of a wife have got hold of youhave they " said he. I replied, that I didnot know the meaning of faggot, butthat I considered Mrs Trotter a verycharming woman. At which he burstinto a loud laugh. "Well," said he, "I'lljust give you a caution. Take care, orthey'll make a clean sweep. Has MrsTrotter shown you her ankle yet "
"Yes," I replied, "and a very pretty oneit is."
"Ah! she's at her old tricks. You hadmuch better have joined our mess atonce. You're not the first greenhornthat they have plucked. Well," said he,as he walked away, "keep the key ofyour own chest that's all."
But as Mr Trotter had warned me thatthe midshipmen would abuse them, Ipaid very little attention to what hesaid. When he left me I went on thequarter-deck. All the sailors were busyat work, and the first lieutenant criedout to the gunner, "Now, Mr Dispart, if
you are ready, we'll breech these guns."
"Now, my lads," said the first lieutenant,"we must slue (the part that breechescover) more forward." As I never heardof a gun having breeches, I was veryanxious to see what was going on, andwent up close to the first lieutenant,who said to me, "Youngster, hand methat monkey's tail." I saw nothing like amonkeys tail, but I was so frightened thatI snatched up the first thing that I saw,which was a short bar of iron, and it sohappened that it was the very articlewhich he wanted. When I gave it tohim, the first lieutenant looked at me,and said, "So you know what amonkey's tail is already, do you Now
don't you ever sham stupid after that."
Thought I to myself, I'm very lucky, butif that's a monkey's tail it's a very stiffone!
I resolved to learn the names ofeverything as fast as I could, that Imight be prepared; so I listenedattentively to what was said; but I soonbecame quite confused, and despairedof remembering anything.
"How is this to be finished off, sir "inquired a sailor of the boatswain.
"Why, I beg leave to hint to you, sir, inthe most delicate manner in the world,"
replied the boatswain, "that it must bewith a double-wall and be d d to youdon't you know that yet Captain of theforetop," said he, "up on your horses,and take your stirrups up three inches.""Ay, ay, sir." (I looked and looked, but Icould see no horses.)
"Mr Chucks," said the first lieutenant tothe boatswain, "what blocks have webelow not on charge "
"Let me see, sir, I've one sister, t'other wesplit in half the other day, and I think Ihave a couple of monkeys down in thestore-room. I say, you Smith, pass thatbrace through the bull's eye, and take thesheepshank out before you come down."
And then he asked the first lieutenantwhether something should not be fittedwith a mouse or only a Turk's head toldhim the goose-neck must be spread outby the armourer as soon as the forgewas up. In short, what with dead eyes andshrouds, cats and cat-blocks, dolphins anddolphin-strikers, whips and puddings, I wasso puzzled with what I heard, that Iwas about to leave the deck in absolutedespair.
"And, Mr Chucks, recollect thisafternoon that you bleed all the buoys."
Bleed the boys, thought I, what can thatbe for at all events, the surgeon appears
to be the proper person to perform thatoperation.
This last incomprehensible remarkdrove me off the deck, and I retreatedto the cock-pit, where I found MrsTrotter. "Oh, my dear!" said she, "I amglad you are come, as I wish to putyour clothes in order. Have you a list ofthem where is your key " I replied that Ihad not a list, and I handed her the key,although I did not forget the cautionof the midshipman; yet I consideredthat there could be no harm in herlooking over my clothes when I waspresent. She unlocked my chest, andpulled everything out, and thencommenced telling me what were likely
to be useful and what were not.
"Now these worsted stockings," shesaid, "will be very comfortable in coldweather, and in the summer time thesebrown cotton socks will be delightfullycool, and you have enough of each tolast you till you outgrow them; but asfor these fine cotton stockings, they areof no use only catch the dirt when thedecks are swept, and always lookuntidy. I wonder how they could be sofoolish as to send them; nobody wearsthem on board ship nowadays. They areonly fit for women I wonder if theywould fit me."
She turned her chair away, and put on
one of my stockings, laughing thewhole of the time. Then she turnedround to me and showed me hownicely they fitted her. "Bless you, MrSimple, it's well that Trotter is in thehold, he'd be so jealous do you knowwhat these stockings cost They are ofno use to you, and they fit me. I willspeak to Trotter, and take them offyour hands." I replied, that I could notthink of selling them, and as they wereof no use to me and fitted her, Ibegged that she would accept of thedozen pairs. At first she positivelyrefused, but as I pressed her, she at lastconsented, and I was very happy to givethem to her as she was very kind to me,and I thought, with her husband, that
she was a very charming woman.
We had beef-steaks and onions fordinner that day, but I could not bearthe smell of the onions. Mr Trottercame down very cross, because the firstlieutenant had found fault with him.He swore that he would cut the servicethat he had only remained to oblige thecaptain, who said that he would soonerpart with his right arm, and that hewould demand satisfaction of the firstlieutenant as soon as he could obtainhis discharge. Mrs Trotter did all shecould to pacify him, reminded him thathe had the protection of Lord this andSir Thomas that, who would see himrighted; but in vain. The first lieutenant
had told him, he said, that he was notworth his salt, and blood only couldwipe away the insult. He drank glass ofgrog after glass of grog, and at eachglass became more violent, and MrsTrotter drank also, I observed, a greatdeal more than I thought she ought tohave done; but she whispered to me,that she drank it that Trotter might not,as he would certainly be tipsy. I thoughtthis very devoted on her part; but theysat so late that I went to bed and leftthem he still drinking and vowingvengeance against the first lieutenant. Ihad not been asleep above two or threehours when I was awakened by a greatnoise and quarrelling, and I discoveredthat Mr Trotter was drunk and beating
his wife. Very much shocked that sucha charming woman should be beatenand ill-used, I scrambled out of myhammock to see if I could be of anyassistance, but it was dark, althoughthey scuffled as much as before. I askedthe marine, who was sentry at the gun-room door above, to bring his lantern,and was very much shocked at hisreplying that I had better go to bed andlet them fight it out.
Shortly afterwards Mrs Trotter, whohad not taken off her clothes, camefrom behind the screen. I perceived atonce that the poor woman could hardlystand; she reeled to my chest, where shesat down and cried. I pulled on my
clothes as fast as I could, and then wentup to her to console her, but she couldnot speak intelligibly. After attemptingin vain to comfort her, she made me noanswer, but staggered to my hammock,and, after several attempts, succeeded ingetting into it. I cannot say that I muchliked that, but what could I do So Ifinished dressing myself, and went upon the quarter-deck.
The midshipman who had the watchwas the one who had cautioned meagainst the Trotters; he was veryfriendly to me. "Well, Simple," said he,"what brings you on deck " I told himhow ill Mr Trotter had behaved to hiswife, and how she had turned into my
hammock.
"The cursed drunken old catamaran,"cried he; "I'll go and cut her down bythe head;" but I requested he wouldnot, as she was a lady.
"A lady!" replied he; "yes, there's plentyof ladies of her description;" and thenhe informed me that she had manyyears ago been the mistress of a manof fortune who kept a carriage for her;but that he grew tired of her, and hadgiven Trotter L200 to marry her, andthat now they did nothing but getdrunk together and fight with eachother.
I was very much annoyed to hear allthis; but as I perceived that Mrs Trotterwas not sober, I began to think thatwhat the midshipman said was true. "Ihope," added he, "that she has not hadtime to wheedle you out of any ofyour clothes."
I told him that I had given her a dozenpairs of stockings, and had paid MrTrotter three guineas for my mess."This must be looked to," replied he; "Ishall speak to the first lieutenant to-morrow. In the mean time, I shall getyour hammock for you. Quarter-master,keep a good look-out." He then wentbelow, and I followed him, to see whathe would do. He went to my hammock
and lowered it down at one end, so thatMrs Trotter lay with her head on thedeck in a very uncomfortable position.To my astonishment, she swore at himin a dreadful manner, but refused toturn out. He was abusing her, andshaking her in the hammock, when MrTrotter, who had been roused at thenoise, rushed from behind the screen."You villain! what are you doing withmy wife " cried he, pommelling at himas well as he could, for he was so tipsythat he could hardly stand.
I thought the midshipman able to takecare of himself, and did not wish tointerfere; so I remained above, lookingon the sentry standing by me with his
lantern over the coombings of thehatchway to give light to themidshipman, and to witness the fray.Mr Trotter was soon knocked down,when all of a sudden Mrs Trotterjumped up from the hammock, andcaught the midshipman by the hair, andpulled at him. Then the sentry thoughtright to interfere; he called out for themaster-at-arms, and went down himselfto help the midshipman, who wasfaring badly between the two. But MrsTrotter snatched the lantern out of hishand and smashed it all to pieces, andthen we were all left in darkness, and Icould not see what took place,although the scuffling continued. Suchwas the posture of affairs when the
master-at-arms came up with his light.The midshipman and sentry went upthe ladder, and Mr and Mrs Trottercontinued beating each other. To this,none of them paid any attention,saying, as the sentry had said before,"Let them fight it out."
After they had fought some time, theyretired behind the screen, and Ifollowed the advice of themidshipman, and got into myhammock, which the master-at-armshung up again for me. I heard Mr andMrs Trotter both crying and kissingeach other. "Cruel, cruel, Mr Trotter,"said she, blubbering.
"My life, my love, I was so jealous!"replied he.
"D n and blast your jealousy," repliedthe lady; "I've two nice black eyes forthe galley to-morrow." After about anhour of kissing and scolding, they bothfell asleep again.
The next morning before breakfast, themidshipman reported to the firstlieutenant the conduct of Mr Trotterand his wife. I was sent for and obligedto acknowledge that it was all true. Hesent for Mr Trotter, who replied that hewas not well, and could not come ondeck. Upon which the first lieutenantordered the sergeant of marines to
bring him up directly. Mr Trotter madehis appearance, with one eye closed,and his face very much scratched.
"Did not I desire you, sir," said the firstlieutenant, "to introduce this younggentleman into the midshipmen's berthinstead of which you have introducedhim to that disgraceful wife of yours,and have swindled him out of hisproperty. I order you immediately toreturn the three guineas which youreceived as mess-money, and also thatyour wife give back the stockings whichshe cajoled him out of."
But then I interposed, and told the firstlieutenant that the stockings had been a
free gift on my part and that, although Ihad been very foolish, yet that Iconsidered that I could not in honourdemand them back again.
"Well, youngster," replied the firstlieutenant, "perhaps your ideas arecorrect, and if you wish it, I will notenforce that part of my order; but,"continued he to Mr Trotter, "I desire,sir, that your wife leave the shipimmediately; and I trust that when Ihave reported your conduct to thecaptain, he will serve you in the samemanner. In the meantime, you willconsider yourself under an arrest fordrunkenness."
Chapter VII
Scandalum magnatum clearly proved Iprove to the captain that I consider hima gentleman, although I had told himthe contrary, and I prove to themidshipmen that I am a gentlemanmyself They prove their gratitude bypractising upon me, because practicemakes perfect.
The captain came on board abouttwelve o'clock, and ordered thedischarge of Mr Trotter to be madeout, as soon as the first lieutenant hadreported what had occurred. He then
sent for all the midshipmen on thequarter-deck.
"Gentlemen," said the captain to them,with a stern countenance, "I feel verymuch indebted to some of you for thecharacter which you have been pleasedto give of me to Mr Simple. I mustnow request that you will answer a fewquestions which I am about to put inhis presence. Did I ever flog the wholestarboard watch because the shipwould only sail nine knots on abowline "
"No, sir, no!" replied they all, very muchfrightened.
"Did I ever give a midshipman fourdozen for not having his weeklyaccounts pipe-clayed; or another fivedozen for wearing a scarlet watchribbon "
"No, sir," replied they all together.
"Did any midshipman ever die on hischest from fatigue "
They again replied in the negative.
"Then, gentlemen, you will oblige meby stating which of you thought properto assert these falsehoods in a publiccoffee-room; and further, which of youobliged this youngster to risk his life in
a duel "
They were all silent.
"Will you answer me, gentlemen "
"With respect to the duel, sir," repliedthe midshipman who had fought me, "Iheard say, that the pistols were onlycharged with powder. It was a joke."
"Well, sir, we'll allow that the duel wasonly a joke, (and I hope and trust thatyour report is correct); is the reputationof your captain only a joke, allow meto ask I request to know who of youdared to propagate such injuriousslander " (Here there was a dead pause.)
"Well, then, gentlemen, since you willnot confess yourselves, I must refer tomy authority. Mr Simple, have thegoodness to point out the person orpersons who gave you theinformation."
But I thought this would not be fair;and as they had all treated me verykindly after the duel, I resolved not totell; so I answered, "If you please, sir, Iconsider that I told you all that inconfidence."
"Confidence, sir!" replied the captain;"who ever heard of confidencebetween a post-captain and amidshipman "
"No, sir," replied I, "not between apost-captain and a midshipman, butbetween two gentlemen."
The first lieutenant, who stood by thecaptain, put his hand before his face tohide a laugh. "He may be a fool, sir,"observed he to the captain, aside; "but Ican assure you he is a very straight,forward one."
The captain bit his lip, and then turningto the midshipmen, said, "You maythank Mr Simple, gentlemen, that I donot press this matter further. I dobelieve that you were not serious whenyou calumniated me; but recollect, that
what is said in joke is too oftenrepeated in earnest. I trust that MrSimple's conduct will have its effect,and that you leave off practising uponhim, who has saved you from a verysevere punishment."
When the midshipmen went downbelow, they all shook hands with me,and said that I was a good fellow fornot peaching; but, as for the advice ofthe captain that they should notpractise upon me, as he termed it, theyforgot that, for they commenced againimmediately, and never left off untilthey found that I was not to bedeceived any longer.
I had not been ten minutes in theberth, before they began their remarksupon me. One said that I looked like ahardy fellow, and asked me whether Icould not bear a great deal of sleep.
I replied that I could, I dare say, if itwas necessary for the good of theservice; at which they laughed, and Isupposed that I had said a good thing.
"Why here's Tomkins," said themidshipman; "he'll show you how toperform that part of your duty. Heinherits it from his father, who was amarine officer. He can snore forfourteen hours on a stretch withoutonce turning round in his hammock,
and finish his nap on the chest duringthe whole of the day, except meal-times."
But Tomkins defended himself, bysaying, that "some people were veryquick in doing things, and others werevery slow; that he was one of the slowones, and that he did not in realityobtain more refreshment from his longnaps than other people did in shortones, because he slept much slowerthan they did."
This ingenious argument was, however,overruled nem. con., as it was provedthat he ate pudding faster than any onein the mess.
The postman came on board with theletters, and put his head into themidshipman's berth. I was very anxiousto have one from home, but I wasdisappointed. Some had letters andsome had not. Those who had not,declared that their parents were veryundutiful, and that they would cutthem off with a shilling; and those whohad letters, after they had read them,offered them for sale to the others,usually at half-price. I could notimagine why they sold, or why theothers bought them; but they did do so;and one that was full of good advicewas sold three times, from whichcircumstance I was inclined to form a
better opinion of the morals of mycompanions. The lowest-priced letterssold, were those written by sisters. I wasoffered one for a penny, but I declinedbuying, as I had plenty of sisters of myown. Directly I made that observation,they immediately inquired all theirnames and ages, and whether they werepretty or not. When I had informedthem, they quarrelled to whom theyshould belong. One would have Lucy,and another took Mary; but there was agreat dispute about Ellen, as I had saidthat she was the prettiest of the whole.At last they agreed to put her up toauction, and she was knocked down toa master's mate of the name ofO'Brien, who bid seventeen shillings
and a bottle of rum. They requestedthat I would write home to give theirlove to my sisters, and tell them howthey had been disposed of, which Ithought very strange; but I ought tohave been flattered at the price bid forEllen, as I repeatedly have since beenwitness to a very pretty sister being soldfor a glass of grog.
I mentioned the reason why I was soanxious for a letter, viz., because Iwanted to buy my dirk and cocked hat;upon which they told me that there wasno occasion for my spending mymoney, as, by the regulations of theservice, the purser's steward servedthem out to all the officers who applied
for them. As I knew where the purser'ssteward's room was, having seen itwhen down in the cock-pit with theTrotters, I went down immediately. "MrPurser's Steward," said I, "let me have acocked hat and a dirk immediately."
"Very good, sir," replied he, and hewrote an order upon a slip of paper,which he handed to me. "There is theorder for it, sir; but the cocked hats arekept in the chest up in the main-top;and as for the dirk, you must apply tothe butcher, who has them under hischarge."
I went up with the order, and thought Iwould first apply for the dirk; so I
inquired for the butcher, whom Ifound sitting in the sheep-pen with thesheep, mending his trousers. In reply tomy demand, he told me that he had notthe key of the store-room, which wasunder the charge of one of thecorporals of marines.
I inquired who, and he said, "Cheeks[1] the marine."
I went everywhere about the ship,inquiring for Cheeks the marine, butcould not find him. Some said that theybelieved he was in the fore-top,standing sentry over the wind, that itmight not change; others, that he was inthe galley, to prevent the midshipmen
from soaking their biscuit in thecaptain's dripping-pan. At last, Iinquired of some of the women whowere standing between the guns on themain-deck, and one of them answeredthat it was no use looking for himamong them, as they all had husbands,and Cheeks was a widows man.[2]
As I could not find the marine, Ithought I might as well go for mycocked hat, and get my dirk afterwards.I did not much like going up therigging, because I was afraid of turninggiddy, and if I fell overboard I couldnot swim; but one of the midshipmenoffered to accompany me, stating that Ineed not be afraid, if I fell overboard,
of sinking to the bottom, as if I wasgiddy, my head, at all events, would swim;so I determined to venture. I climbedup very near to the main-top, but notwithout missing the little ropes veryoften, and grazing the skin of my shins.Then I came to large ropes stretchedout from the mast, so that you mustclimb them with your head backwards.The midshipman told me these werecalled the cat-harpings, because theywere so difficult to climb, that a catwould expostulate if ordered to go outby them. I was afraid to venture, andthen he proposed that I should gothrough lubber's hole, which he saidhad been made for people like me. Iagreed to attempt it, as it appeared
more easy, and at last arrived, quite outof breath, and very happy to findmyself in the main-top.
The captain of the main-top was therewith two other sailors. The midshipmanintroduced me very politely: "MrJenkins Mr Simple, midshipman, MrSimple, Mr Jenkins, captain of themain-top. Mr Jenkins, Mr Simple hascome up with an order for a cockedhat." The captain of the top repliedthat he was very sorry that he had notone in store, but the last had beenserved out to the captain's monkey.This was very provoking. The captainof the top then asked me if I was readywith my footing.
I replied, "Not very, for I had lost it twoor three times when coming up." Helaughed and replied, that I should loseit altogether before I went down; andthat I must hand it out. "Hand out myfooting!" said I, puzzled, and appealingto the midshipman; "what does hemean " "He means that you must forkout a seven-shilling bit." I was just aswise as ever, and stared very much;when Mr Jenkins desired the other mento get half a dozen foxes and make aspread eagle of me, unless he had hisparkisite. I never should have foundout what it all meant, had not themidshipman, who laughed till he cried,at last informed me that it was the
custom to give the men something todrink the first time that I came aloft,and that if I did not, they would tie meup to the rigging.
Having no money in my pocket, Ipromised to pay them as soon as I wentbelow; but Mr Jenkins would not trustme. I then became very angry, andinquired of him "if he doubted myhonour." He replied, "Not in the least,but that he must have the sevenshillings before I went below." "Why,sir," said I, "do you know whom youare speaking to I am an officer and agentleman. Do you know who mygrandfather is "
"O yes," replied he, "very well."
"Then, who is he, sir " replied I veryangrily.
"Who is he! why he's the Lord knowswho."
"No," replied I, "that's not his name; heis Lord Privilege." (I was very muchsurprised that he knew that mygrandfather was a lord.) "And do yousuppose," continued I, "that I wouldforfeit the honour of my family for apaltry seven shillings "
This observation of mine, and apromise on the part of the
midshipman, who said he would bebail for me, satisfied Mr Jenkins, and heallowed me to go down the rigging. Iwent to my chest, and paid the sevenshillings to one of the top-men whofollowed me, and then went up on themain-deck, to learn as much as I couldof my profession. I asked a great manyquestions of the midshipmen relativeto the guns, and they crowded roundme to answer them. One told me theywere called the frigate's teeth, becausethey stopped the Frenchman's jaw.Another midshipman said that he hadbeen so often in action, that he wascalled the Fire-eater. I asked him how itwas that he escaped being killed. Hereplied that he always made it a rule,
upon the first cannon-ball comingthrough the ship's side, to put his headinto the hole which it had made; as, bya calculation made by ProfessorInnman, the odds were 32,647, andsome decimals to boot, that anotherball would not come in at the samehole. That's what I never should havethought of.
FOOTNOTES: [1] This celebratedpersonage is the prototype of MrNobody on board of a man-of-war.
[B] Widows' men are imaginary sailors,borne on the books, and receiving payand prize-money, which is appropriatedto Greenwich Hospital.
Chapter VIII
My messmates show me the folly ofrunning in debt Duty carried onpolitely I become acquainted with somegentlemen of the home departmentThe episode of Sholto M'Foy.
Now that I have been on board about amonth, I find that my life is notdisagreeable. I don't smell the pitch andtar, and I can get into my hammockwithout tumbling out on the other side.My messmates are good-tempered,although they laugh at me very much;
but I must say that they are not verynice in their ideas of honour Theyappear to consider that to take you in isa capital joke; and that because theylaugh at the time that they are cheatingyou, it then becomes no cheating at all.Now I cannot think otherwise than thatcheating is cheating, and that a personis not a bit more honest, because helaughs at you in the bargain. A few daysafter I came on board, I purchasedsome tarts of the bumboat woman, asshe is called; I wished to pay for them,but she had no change, and very civillytold me she would trust me. Sheproduced a narrow book, and said thatshe would open an account with me,and I could pay her when I thought
proper. To this arrangement I had noobjection, and I sent up for differentthings until I thought that my accountmust have amounted to eleven ortwelve shillings. As I promised myfather that I never would run in debt, Iconsidered that it was then time that itshould be settled. When I asked for it,what was my surprise to find that itamounted to L2 14s. 6d. I declared thatit was impossible, and requested thatshe would allow me to look at theitems, when I found that I was bookedfor at least three or four dozen tartsevery day, ordered by the younggentlemen, "to be put down to MrSimple's account." I was very muchshocked, not only at the sum of money
which I had to pay, but also at the wantof honesty on the part of mymessmates; but when I complained ofit in the berth, they all laughed at me.
At last one of them said, "Peter, tell thetruth; did not your father caution younot to run in debt "
"Yes, he did," replied I.
"I know that very well," replied he; "allfathers do the same when their sonsleave them; it's a matter of course. Nowobserve, Peter; it is out of regard toyou, that your messmates have beeneating tarts at your expense Youdisobeyed your father's injunctions
before you had been a month fromhome; and it is to give you a lesson thatmay be useful in after-life, that theyhave considered it their duty to orderthe tarts. I trust that it will not bethrown away upon you. Go to thewoman, pay your bill, and never run upanother."
"That I certainly shall not," replied I;but as I could not prove who orderedthe tarts, and did not think it fair thatthe woman should lose her money, Iwent up and paid the bill with adetermination never to open anaccount with anybody again.
But this left my pockets quite empty, so
I wrote to my father, stating the wholetransaction, and the consequent stateof my finances. My father, in hisanswer, observed that whatever mighthave been their motives, my messmateshad done me a friendly act; and that asI had lost my money by my owncarelessness, I must not expect that hewould allow me any more pocket-money. But my mother, who added apostscript to his letter, slipped in a five-pound note, and I do believe that it waswith my father's sanction, although hepretended to be very angry at myforgetting his injunctions. This timelyrelief made me quite comfortableagain. What a pleasure it is to receive aletter from one's friends when far away,
especially when there is same money init!
A few days before this, Mr Falcon, thefirst lieutenant, ordered me to put onmy side-arms to go away on duty. Ireplied that I had neither dirk norcocked hat, although I had applied forthem. He laughed at my story, and sentme on shore with the master, whobought them, and the first lieutenantsent up the bill to my father, who paidit, and wrote to thank him for histrouble. That morning, the firstlieutenant said to me, "Now, Mr Simple,we'll take the shine off that cocked hatand dirk of yours. You will go in theboat with Mr O'Brien, and take care
that none of the men slip away from it,and get drunk at the tap."
This was the first time that I had everbeen sent away on duty, and I was veryproud of being an officer in charge. Iput on my full uniform, and was readyat the gangway a quarter of an hourbefore the men were piped away. Wewere ordered to the dockyard to drawsea stores. When we arrived there, I wasquite astonished at the piles of timber,the ranges of storehouses, and theimmense anchors which lay on thewharf. There was such a bustle, everybody appeared to be so busy, that Iwanted to look every way at once. Closeto where the boat landed, they were
hauling a large frigate out of what theycalled the basin; and I was so interestedwith the sight, that I am sorry to say Iquite forgot all about the boat's crew,and my orders to look after them. Whatsurprised me most was, that althoughthe men employed appeared to besailors, their language was very differentfrom what I had been latelyaccustomed to on board of the frigate.Instead of damning and swearing,everybody was so polite. "Oblige mewith a pull of the starboard bowhawser, Mr Jones." "Ease off thelarboard hawser, Mr Jenkins, if youplease." "Side her over, gentlemen, sideher over." "My compliments to MrTompkins, and request that he will cast
off the quarter-check." "Side her over,gentlemen, side her over, if you please.""In the boat there, pull to Mr Simmons,and beg he'll do me the favour to checkher as she swings. What's the matter, MrJohnson " "Vy, there's one of them eremidshipmites has thrown a red hottater out of the stern-port, and hit ourofficer in the eye." "Report him to thecommissioner, Mr Wiggins; and obligeme by under-running the guess-warp.Tell Mr Simkins, with my compliments,to coil away upon the jetty. Side herover, side her over, gentlemen, if youplease."
I asked of a bystander who thesepeople were, and he told me that they
were dockyard mateys. I certainlythought that it appeared to be quite aseasy to say "If you please," as "D nyour eyes," and that it sounded muchmore agreeable.
During the time that I was looking atthe frigate being hauled out, two of themen belonging to the boat slippedaway, and on my return they were notto be seen. I was very much frightened,for I knew that I had neglected myduty, and that on the first occasion onwhich I had been intrusted with aresponsible service. What to do I didnot know I ran up and down every partof the dockyard until I was quite outof breath, asking everybody I met
whether they had seen my two men.Many of them said that they had seenplenty of men, but did not exactlyknow mine; some laughed, and calledme a greenhorn. At last I met amidshipman, who told me that he hadseen two men answering to mydescription on the roof of the coachstarting for London, and that I must bequick if I wished to catch them; but hewould not stop to answer any morequestions. I continued walking aboutthe yard until I met twenty or thirtymen with grey jackets and breeches, towhom I applied for information: theytold me that they had seen two sailorsskulking behind the piles of timber.They crowded round me, and appeared
very anxious to assist me, when theywere summoned away to carry down acable. I observed that they all hadnumbers on their jackets, and eitherone or two bright iron rings on theirlegs. I could not help inquiring,although I was in such a hurry, why therings were worn. One of them repliedthat they were orders of merit, given tothem for their good behaviour.
I was proceeding on verydisconsolately, when, as I turned acorner, to my great delight, I met mytwo men, who touched their hats andsaid that they had been looking for me.I did not believe that they told thetruth, but I was so glad to recover them
that I did not scold, but went withthem down to the boat, which hadbeen waiting some time for us. O'Brien,the master's mate, called me a youngsculping,[1] a word I never heardbefore. When we arrived on board, thefirst lieutenant asked O'Brien why hehad remained so long. He answeredthat two of the men had left the boat,but that I had found them. The firstlieutenant appeared to be pleased withme, observing, as he had said before,that I was no fool, and I went downbelow, overjoyed at my good fortune,and very much obliged to O'Brien fornot telling the whole truth. After I hadtaken off my dirk and cocked hat, I feltfor my pocket-handkerchief, and found
that it was not in my pocket, having inall probability been taken out by themen in grey jackets, whom, inconversation with my messmates, Idiscovered to be convicts condemnedto hard labour for stealing and pickingpockets.
A day or two afterwards, we had a newmessmate of the name of M'Foy. I wason the quarter-deck when he came onboard and presented a letter to thecaptain, inquiring first if his name was"Captain Sauvage." He was a floridyoung man, nearly six feet high, withsandy hair, yet very good-looking. Ashis career in the service was very short,I will tell at once, what I did not find
out till some time afterwards. Thecaptain had agreed to receive him tooblige a brother officer, who hadretired from the service, and lived in theHighlands of Scotland. The first noticewhich the captain had of the arrival ofMr M'Foy, was from a letter written tohim by the young man's uncle. Thisamused him so much, that he gave it tothe first lieutenant to read: it ran asfollows:
"Glasgow, April 25, 1 -
"Sir, Our much esteemed and mutualfriend, Captain M'Alpine, havingcommunicated by letter, dated the 14thinst., your kind intentions relative to my
nephew Sholto M'Foy, (for which youwill be pleased to accept my bestthanks), I write to acquaint you that heis now on his way to join your ship, theDiomede, and will arrive, God willing,twenty-six hours after the receipt ofthis letter.
"As I have been given to understand bythose who have some acquaintancewith the service of the king, that hisequipment as an officer will besomewhat expensive, I have consideredit but fair to ease your mind as to anyresponsibility on that score, and havetherefore enclosed the half of a Bankof England note for ten poundssterling, No. 3742, the other half of
which will be duly forwarded in a frankpromised to me the day after to-morrow. I beg you will make thenecessary purchases, and apply thebalance, should there be any, to hismess account, or any other expenseswhich you may consider warrantable orjustifiable.
"It is at the same time proper to informyou, that Sholto had ten shillings in hispocket at the time of his leavingGlasgow; the satisfactory expenditureof which I have no doubt you willinquire into, as it is a large sum to beplaced at the discretion of a youth onlyfourteen years and five months old. Imention his age, as Sholto is so tall that
you might be deceived by hisappearance, and be induced to trust tohis prudence in affairs of this seriousnature. Should he at any time requirefurther assistance beyond his pay,which I am told is extremely handsometo all king's officers, I beg you toconsider that any draught of yours, atten days' sight, to the amount of fivepounds sterling English, will be dulyhonoured by the firm of Monteith,M'Killop, and Company, of Glasgow.Sir, with many thanks for your kindnessand consideration,
"I remain, your most obedient,
"WALTER MONTEITH."
The letter brought on board by M'Foywas to prove his identity. While thecaptain read it, M'Foy stared about himlike a wild stag. The captain welcomedhim to the ship, asked him one or twoquestions, introduced him to the firstlieutenant, and then went on shore. Thefirst lieutenant had asked me to dine inthe gun-room; I supposed that he waspleased with me because I had foundthe men; and when the captain pulledon shore, he also invited Mr M'Foy,when the following conversation tookplace.
"Well, Mr M'Foy, you have had a longjourney; I presume it is the first that
you have ever made."
"Indeed it is, sir," replied M'Foy; "andsorely I've been pestered. Had I mindedall they whispered in my lug as I camealong, I had need been made of moneysax-pence here, sax-pence there, sax-pence every where. Sich extortion Ine'er dreamt of."
"How did you come from Glasgow "
"By the wheelboat, or steamboat, asthey ca'd it, to Lunnon: where theycharged me sax-pence for taking mybaggage on shore a wee boxy naebigger than yon cocked-up hat. I wouldfain carry it mysel', but they wadna let
me."
"Well, where did you go to when youarrived in London "
"I went to a place ca'd Chichester Rents,to the house of Storm andMainwaring, Warehousemen, and theymust have another sax-pence forshowing me the way. There I waitedhalf-an-hour in the counting-house, tillthey took me to a place ca'd Bull andMouth, and put me into a coach,paying my whole fare: nevertheless theymust din me for money the whole ofthe way down. There was first theguard, and then the coachman, andanother guard, and another coachman;
but I wudna listen to them, and so theygrowled and abused me."
"And when did you arrive "
"I came here last night; and I only had abed and a breakfast at the twa BluePillars' house, for which theyextortioned me three shillings and sax-pence, as I sit here. And then there wasthe chambermaid hussy and waiterloon axed me to remember them, andwanted more siller; but I told them as Itold the guard and coachman, that Ihad none for them."
"How much of your ten shillings haveyou left " inquired the first lieutenant,
smiling.
"Hoot, sir lieutenant, how came you forto ken that Eh! it's my uncle Monteithat Glasgow. Why, as I sit here, I've butthree shillings and a penny of it lift.But there's a smell here that's no canny;so I'll just go up again into the freshair."
When Mr M'Foy quitted the gun-roomthey all laughed very much. After hehad been a short time on deck he wentdown into the midshipmen's berth; buthe made himself very unpleasant,quarrelling and wrangling witheverybody. It did not, however, last verylong; for he would not obey any orders
that were given to him. On the thirdday, he quitted the ship without askingthe permission of the first lieutenant;when he returned on board thefollowing day, the first lieutenant puthim under an arrest, and in charge ofthe sentry at the cabin door. During theafternoon I was under the half-deck,and perceived that he was sharpening along clasp-knife upon the after-truckof the gun. I went up to him, andasked him why he was doing so, and hereplied, as his eyes flashed fire, that itwas to revenge the insult offered to thebluid of M'Foy. His look told me thathe was in earnest. "But what do youmean " inquired I. "I mean," said he,drawing the edge and feeling the point
of his weapon, "to put it into the weamof that man with the gold podge on hisshoulder, who has dared to place mehere."
I was very much alarmed, and thoughtit my duty to state his murderousintentions, or worse might happen; so Iwalked up on deck and told the firstlieutenant what M'Foy was intending todo, and how his life was in danger. MrFalcon laughed, and shortly afterwardswent down on the main-deck. M'Foy'seyes glistened, and he walked forwardto where the first lieutenant wasstanding; but the sentry, who had beencautioned by me, kept him back withhis bayonet. The first lieutenant turned
round, and perceiving what was goingon, desired the sentry to see if MrM'Foy had a knife in his hand; and hehad it sure enough, open, and heldbehind his back. He was disarmed, andthe first lieutenant, perceiving that thelad meant mischief, reported hisconduct to the captain, on his arrivalon board. The captain sent for M'Foy,who was very obstinate, and whentaxed with his intention would notdeny it, or even say that he would notagain attempt it; so he was sent onshore immediately, and returned to hisfriends in the Highlands. We never sawany more of him; but I heard that heobtained a commission in the army, andthree months after he had joined his
regiment, was killed in a duel, resentingsome fancied affront offered to thebluid of M'Foy.
[Footnote 1: Peter's memory is short, p.9. ED.]
Chapter IX
We post up to Portsdown FairConsequence of disturbing a lady atsupper Natural affection of the pelican,proved at my expense Spontaneouscombustion at Ranelagh GardensPastry versus Piety Many are bid to thefeast; but not the halt, the lame, or the
blind.
A few days after M'Foy quitted the ship,we all had leave from the firstlieutenant to go to Portsdown fair, buthe would only allow the oldsters tosleep on shore. We anticipated so muchpleasure from our excursion, that someof us were up early enough to go awayin the boat sent for fresh beef. This wasvery foolish. There were no carriages totake us to the fair, nor indeed any fairso early in the morning; the shops wereall shut, and the Blue Posts, where wealways rendezvoused, was hardlyopened. We waited there in the coffee-room, until we were driven out by themaid sweeping away the dirt, and were
forced to walk about until she hadfinished, and lighted the fire, when weordered our breakfast; but how muchbetter would it have been to have takenour breakfast comfortably on board,and then to have come on shore,especially as we had no money to spare.Next to being too late, being too soonis the worst plan in the world. However,we had our breakfast, and paid the bill;then we sallied forth, and went upGeorge-street, where we found all sortsof vehicles ready to take us to the fair.We got into one which they called adilly. I asked the man who drove it whyit was so called, and he replied, becausehe only charged a shilling. O'Brien, whohad joined us after breakfasting on
board, said that this answer remindedhim of one given to him by a man whoattended the hackney-coach stands inLondon. "Pray," said he, "why are youcalled Waterman " "Waterman," repliedthe man, "vy, sir, 'cause we opens thehackney-coach doors." At last, withplenty of whipping, and plenty ofswearing, and a great deal of laughing,the old horse, whose back curvedupwards like a bow, from the difficultyof dragging so many, arrived at thebottom of Portsdown hill, where wegot out, and walked up to the fair. Itreally was a most beautiful sight. Thebright blue sky, and the coloured flagsflapping about in all directions, thegrass so green, and the white tents and
booths, the sun shining so bright, andthe shining gilt gingerbread, the varietyof toys and the variety of noise, thequantity of people and the quantity ofsweetmeats; little boys so happy, andshop-people so polite, the music at thebooths, and the bustle and eagerness ofthe people outside, made my heartquite jump. There was Richardson, witha clown and harlequin, and suchbeautiful women, dressed in clothes allover gold spangles, dancing reels andwaltzes, and looking so happy! Therewas Flint and Gyngell, with fellowstumbling over head and heels, playingsuch tricks eating fire, and drawingyards of tape out of their mouths.Then there was the Royal Circus, all the
horses standing in a line, with men andwomen standing on their backs, wavingflags, while the trumpeters blew theirtrumpets. And the largest giant in theworld, and Mr Paap, the smallest dwarfin the world, and a female dwarf, whowas smaller still, and Miss Biffin, whodid everything without legs or arms.There was also the learned pig, and theHerefordshire ox, and a hundred othersights which I cannot now remember.We walked about for an hour or twoseeing the outside of every thing: wedetermined to go and see the inside.First we went into Richardson's, wherewe saw a bloody tragedy, with a ghostand thunder, and afterwards apantomime, full of tricks, and tumbling
over one another. Then we saw one ortwo other things, I forget what; but thisI know, that, generally speaking, theoutside was better, than the inside.After this, feeling very hungry, weagreed to go into a booth and havesomething to eat. The tables wereranged all round, and in the centrethere was a boarded platform fordancing. The ladies were there all readydressed for partners; and the music wasso lively, that I felt very much inclinedto dance, but we had agreed to go andsee the wild beasts fed at Mr Polito'smenagerie, and as it was now almosteight o'clock, we paid our bill and setoff. It was a very curious sight, andbetter worth seeing than any thing in
the fair; I never had an idea that therewere so many strange animals inexistence. They were all secured in ironcages, and a large chandelier withtwenty lights, hung in the centre of thebooth, and lighted them up, while thekeeper went round and stirred them upwith his long pole; at the same time hegave us their histories, which were veryinteresting. I recollect a few of them.There was the tapir, a great pig with along nose, a variety of thehiptostamass, which the keeper saidwas an amphibilious animal, as couldn'tlive on land, and dies in the waterhowever, it seemed to live very well in acage. Then there was the kangaroo withits young ones peeping out of it a most
astonishing animal. The keeper saidthat it brought forth two young ones ata birth, and then took them into itsstomach again, until they arrived atyears of discretion. Then there was thepelican of the wilderness, (I shall notforget him), with a large bag under histhroat, which the man put on his headas a night-cap: this bird feeds its youngwith its own blood when fish arescarce. And there was the laughinghyaena, who cries in the wood like ahuman being in distress, and devoursthose who come to his assistance a sadinstance of the depravity of humannature, as the keeper observed. Therewas a beautiful creature, the royalBengal tiger, only three years old, what
growed ten inches every year, and neverarrived at its full growth. The one wesaw, measured, as the keeper told us,sixteen feet from the snout to the tail,and seventeen from the tail to thesnout: but there must have been somemistake there. There was a youngelephant and three lions, and severalother animals which I forget now, so Ishall go on to describe the tragicalscene which occurred. The keeper hadpoked up all the animals, and hadcommenced feeding them. The greatlion was growling and snarling over theshin-bone of an ox, cracking it like anut, when, by some mismanagement,one end of the pole upon which thechandelier was suspended fell down,
striking the door of the cage in whichthe lioness was at supper, and burstingit open. It was all done in a second; thechandelier fell, the cage opened, and thelioness sprang out. I remember to thismoment seeing the body of the lionessin the air, and then all was dark as pitch.What a change! not a moment before allof us staring with delight and curiosity,and then to be left in darkness, horror,and dismay! There was such screamingand shrieking, such crying, and fighting,and pushing, and fainting, nobodyknew where to go, or how to find theirway out. The people crowded first onone side, and then on the other, as theirfears instigated them. I was very soonjammed up with my back against the
bars of one of the cages, and feelingsome beast lay hold of me behind,made a desperate effort, and succeededin climbing up to the cage above, nothowever without losing the seat of mytrowsers, which the laughing hyaenawould not let go. I hardly knew where Iwas when I climbed up; but I knew thebirds were mostly stationed above.However, that I might not have thefront of my trowsers torn as well as thebehind, as soon as I gained my footingI turned round, with my back to thebars of the cage, but I had not beenthere a minute before I was attacked bysomething which digged into me like apickaxe, and as the hyaena had torn myclothes, I had no defence against it. To
turn round would have been worse still;so, after having received above a dozenstabs, I contrived by degrees to shift myposition until I was opposite to anothercage, but not until the pelican, for itwas that brute, had drawn as muchblood from me as would have fed hisyoung for a week. I was surmising whatdanger I should next encounter, whento my joy I discovered that I had gainedthe open door from which the lionesshad escaped. I crawled in, and pulledthe door to after me, thinking myselfvery fortunate: and there I sat veryquietly in a corner during the remainderof the noise and confusion. I had beenthere but a few minutes, when the beef-eaters, as they were called, who played
the music outside, came in with torchesand loaded muskets. The sight whichpresented itself was truly shocking,twenty or thirty men, women, andchildren, lay on the ground, and Ithought at first the lioness had killedthem all, but they were only in fits, orhad been trampled down by the crowd.No one was seriously hurt. As for thelioness, she was not to be found: and assoon as it was ascertained that she hadescaped, there was as much terror andscampering away outside as there hadbeen in the menagerie. It appearedafterwards, that the animal had been asmuch frightened as we had been, andhad secreted herself under one of thewaggons. It was some time before she
could be found. At last O'Brien, whowas a very brave fellow, went a-head ofthe beef-eaters, and saw her eyes glaring.They borrowed a net or two from thecarts which had brought calves to thefair, and threw them over her. Whenshe was fairly entangled, they draggedher by the tail into the menagerie. Allthis while I had remained very quietlyin the den, but when I perceived that itslawful owner had come back to retakepossession, I thought it was time tocome out; so I called to my messmates,who, with O'Brien were assisting thebeef-eaters. They had not discoveredme, and laughed very much when theysaw where I was. One of themidshipmen shot the bolt of the door,
so that I could not jump out, and thenstirred me up with a long pole. At last Icontrived to unbolt it again, and gotout, when they laughed still more, atthe seat of my trowsers being torn off.It was not exactly a laughing matter tome, although I had to congratulatemyself upon a very lucky escape; andso did my messmates think, when Inarrated my adventures. The pelicanwas the worst part of the business.O'Brien lent me a dark silkhandkerchief, which I tied round mywaist, and let drop behind, so that mymisfortunes might not attract anynotice, and then we quitted themenagerie; but I was so stiff that Icould scarcely walk.
We then went to what they called theRanelagh Gardens, to see the fireworks,which were to be let off at ten o'clock.It was exactly ten when we paid for ouradmission, and we waited very patientlyfor a quarter of an hour, but there wereno signs of the fireworks beingdisplayed. The fact was, that the man towhom the gardens belonged waiteduntil more company should arrive,although the place was already very fullof people. Now the first lieutenant hadordered the boat to wait for us untiltwelve o'clock, and then return onboard; and, as we were seven milesfrom Portsmouth, we had not muchtime to spare. We waited another
quarter of an hour, and then it wasagreed that as the fireworks were statedin the handbill to commence preciselyat ten o'clock, we were fully justified inletting them off ourselves. O'Brienwent out, and returned with a dozenpenny rattans, which he notched in theend. The fireworks were on the postsand stages, all ready, and it was agreedthat we should light them all at once,and then mix with the crowd. Theoldsters lighted cigars, and fixing themin the notched end of the canes,continued to puff them until they wereall well lighted. They handed one toeach of us, and at a signal we allapplied them to the match papers, andas soon as the fire communicated we
threw down our canes and ran inamong the crowd. In about half aminute, off they all went, in a mostbeautiful confusion; there were silverstars and golden stars, blue lights andCatherine-wheels, mines and bombs,Grecian-fires and Roman-candles,Chinese-trees, rockets and illuminatedmottoes, all firing away, cracking,popping, and fizzing, at the same time.It was unanimously agreed that it was agreat improvement upon the intendedshow. The man to whom the gardensbelonged ran out of a booth, where hehad been drinking beer at his ease,while his company were waiting,swearing vengeance against theperpetrators; indeed, the next day he
offered fifty pounds reward for thediscovery of the offenders. But I thinkthat he was treated very properly. Hewas, in his situation, a servant of thepublic, and he had behaved as if he wastheir master. We all escaped verycleverly, and taking another dilly, arrivedat Portsmouth, and were down to theboat in good time. The next day I wasso stiff and in such pain, that I wasobliged to go to the doctor, who putme on the list, where I remained a weekbefore I could return to my duty. Somuch for Portsdown fair.
It was on a Saturday that I returned tomy duty, and Sunday being a fine day,we all went on shore to church with Mr
Falcon, the first lieutenant. We likedgoing to church very much, not, I amsorry to say, from religious feelings, butfor the following reason: The firstlieutenant sat in a pew below, and wewere placed in the gallery above, wherehe could not see us, nor indeed couldwe see him. We all remained very quiet,and I may say very devout, during thetime of the service; but the clergymanwho delivered the sermon was sotedious, and had such a bad voice, thatwe generally slipped out as soon as hewent up into the pulpit, and adjournedto a pastry-cook's opposite, to eat cakesand tarts and drink cherry-brandy,which we infinitely preferred to hearinga sermon. Somehow or other, the first
lieutenant had scent of ourproceedings: we believed that themarine officer informed against us, andthis Sunday he served us a pretty trick.We had been at the pastry-cook's asusual, and as soon as we perceived thepeople coming out of church, we putall our tarts and sweetmeats into ourhats, which we then slipped on ourheads, and took our station at thechurch-door, as if we had just comedown from the gallery, and had beenwaiting for him. Instead, however, ofappearing at the church-door, hewalked up the street, and desired us tofollow him to the boat. The fact was, hehad been in the back-room at thepastry-cook's watching our motions
through the green blinds. We had nosuspicion, but thought that he hadcome out of church a little sooner thanusual. When we arrived on board andfollowed him up the side, he said to usas we came on deck, "Walk aft, younggentlemen." We did; and he desired usto "toe a line," which means to stand ina row. "Now, Mr Dixon," said he, "whatwas the text to-day " As he very oftenasked us that question, we always leftone in the church until the text wasgiven out, who brought it to us in thepastry-cook's shop, when we all markedit in our Bibles, to be ready if he askedus. Dixon immediately pulled out hisBible where he had marked down theleaf, and read it. "O! that was it," said
Mr Falcon; "you must have remarkablygood ears, Mr Dixon, to have heard theclergyman from the pastry-cook's shop.Now, gentlemen, hats off, if youplease." We all slided off our hats,which, as he expected, were full ofpastry. "Really, gentlemen," said he,feeling the different papers of pastryand sweetmeats, "I am quite delightedto perceive that you have not been tochurch for nothing. Few come awaywith so many good things pressedupon their seat of memory. Master-at-arms, send all the ship's boys aft."
The boys all came tumbling up theladders, and the first lieutenant desiredeach of them to take a seat upon the
carronade slides. When they were allstationed, he ordered us to go roundwith our hats, and request of each hisacceptance of a tart, which we wereobliged to do, handing first to one andthen to another, until the hats were allempty. What annoyed me more than all,was the grinning of the boys at theirbeing served by us like foot-men, aswell as the ridicule and laughter of thewhole ship's company, who hadassembled at the gangways.
When all the pastry was devoured, thefirst lieutenant said,
"There, gentlemen, now that you havehad your lesson for the day, you may go
below." We could not help laughingourselves, when we went down into theberth; Mr Falcon always punished usgood-humouredly, and, in some way orother, his punishments were severallyconnected with the description of theoffence. He always had a remedy forevery thing that he disapproved of, andthe ship's company used to call him"Remedy Jack." I ought to observe thatsome of my messmates were verysevere upon the ship's boys after thatcircumstance, always giving them a kickor a cuff on the head whenever theycould, telling them at the same time,"There's another tart for you, youwhelp." I believe, if the boys hadknown what was in reserve for them,
they would much rather have left thepastry alone.
Chapter X
A pressgang; beaten off by one womanDangers at Spithead and Point A treatfor both parties, of pulled chicken, at myexpense Also gin for twenty I am madea prisoner: escape and rejoin my ship.
I must now relate what occurred to mea few days before the ship sailed, whichwill prove that it is not necessary toencounter the winds and waves, or thecannon of the enemy, to be in danger,
when you have entered his Majesty'sservice: on the contrary, I have been inaction since, and I declare, withouthesitation, that I did not feel so muchalarm on that occasion, as I did on theone of which I am about to give thehistory. We were reported ready for sea,and the Admiralty was anxious that weshould proceed. The only obstacle toour sailing was, that we had not yetcompleted our complement of men.The captain applied to the port-admiral, and obtained permission tosend parties on shore to impressseamen. The second and thirdlieutenants, and the oldest midshipman,were despatched on shore every night,with some of the most trustworthy
men, and generally brought on board inthe morning about half a dozen men,whom they had picked up in thedifferent alehouses, or grog-shops, asthe sailors call them. Some of themwere retained, but most of them senton shore as unserviceable; for it is thecustom, when a man either enters or isimpressed, to send him down to thesurgeon in the cockpit, where he isstripped and examined all over, to see ifhe be sound and fit for his majesty'sservice; and if not, he is sent on shoreagain. Impressing appeared to be ratherserious work, as far as I could judgefrom the accounts which I heard, andfrom the way in which our sailors, whowere employed on the service, were
occasionally beaten and wounded; theseamen who were impressed appearingto fight as hard not to be forced intothe service, as they did for the honourof the country, after they were fairlyembarked in it. I had a great wish to beone of the party before the ship sailed,and asked O'Brien, who was very kindto me in general, and allowed nobodyto thrash me but himself, if he wouldtake me with him, which he did on thenight after I had made the request. I puton my dirk, that they might know I wasan officer, as well as for my protection.About dusk we rowed on shore, andlanded on the Gosport side: the menwere all armed with cutlasses, and worepea jackets, which are very short great-
coats made of what they call Flushing.We did not stop to look at any of thegrog-shops in the town, as it was tooearly, but walked out about three milesin the suburbs, and went to a house,the door of which was locked, but weforced it open in a minute, andhastened to enter the passage, where wefound the landlady standing to defendthe entrance. The passage was long andnarrow, and she was a very tallcorpulent woman, so that her bodynearly filled it up, and in her hands sheheld a long spit pointed at us, withwhich she kept us at bay. The officers,who were the foremost, did not like toattack a woman, and she made suchdrives at them with her spit, that had
they not retreated, some of them wouldsoon have been ready for roasting. Thesailors laughed and stood outside,leaving the officers to settle thebusiness how they could. At last, thelandlady called out to her husband, "Bethey all out, Jem " "Yes," replied thehusband, "they be all safe gone." "Well,then," replied she, "I'll soon have allthese gone too;" and with these wordsshe made such a rush forward upon uswith her spit, that had we not fallenback and tumbled one over another,she certainly would have run it throughthe second lieutenant, whocommanded the party. The passage wascleared in an instant, and as soon as wewere all in the street she bolted us out:
so there we were, three officers andfifteen armed men, fairly beat off by afat old woman; the sailors who hadbeen drinking in the house havingmade their escape to some other place.But I do not well see how it could beotherwise; either we must have killed orwounded the woman, or she wouldhave run us through, she was soresolute. Had her husband been in thepassage, he would have been settled in avery short time; but what can you dowith a woman who fights like a devil,and yet claims all the rights andimmunities of the softer sex We allwalked away, looking very foolish; andO'Brien observed that the next time hecalled at that house he would weather
the old cat, for he would take herladyship in the rear.
We then called at other houses, wherewe picked up one or two men, butmost of them escaped, by getting out atthe windows or the back doors, as weentered the front. Now there was agrog-shop which was a very favouriterendezvous of the seamen belonging tothe merchant vessels, and to which theywere accustomed to retreat when theyheard that the pressgangs were out. Ourofficers were aware of this, and weretherefore indifferent as to the escape ofthe men, as they knew that they wouldall go to that place, and confide in theirnumbers for beating us off. As it was
then one o'clock, they thought it timeto go there; we proceeded without anynoise, but they had people on the look-out, and as soon as we turned thecorner of the lane the alarm was given.I was afraid that they would all runaway, and we should lose them; but, onthe contrary, they mustered very strongon that night, and had resolved to "givefight." The men remained in the house,but an advanced guard of about thirtyof their wives saluted us with a showerof stones and mud. Some of oursailors were hurt, but they did notappear to mind what the women did.They rushed on, and then they wereattacked by the women with their fistsand nails. Notwithstanding this, the
sailors only laughed, pushing thewomen on one side, and saying, "Bequiet, Poll;" "Don't be foolish, Molly;""Out of the way, Sukey; we a'n't cometo take away your fancy man;" withexpressions of that sort, although theblood trickled down many of theirfaces, from the way in which they hadbeen clawed. Thus we attempted toforce our way through them, but I hada very narrow escape even in thisinstance. A woman seized me by thearm, and pulled me towards her; had itnot been for one of the quarter-mastersI should have been separated from myparty; but, just as they dragged me away,she caught hold of me by the leg, andstopped them. "Clap on here, Peg,"
cried the woman to another, "and let'shave this little midshipmite; I wants ababy to dry nurse." Two more womencame to her assistance, catching hold ofmy other arm, and they would havedragged me out of the grasp of thequarter-master, had he not called outfor more help on his side, upon whichtwo of the seamen laid hold of myother leg, and there was such a tussle(all at my expense), such pulling andhauling; sometimes the women gainedan inch or two of me, then the sailorsgot it back again. At one moment Ithought it was all over with me, and inthe next I was with my own men. "Pulldevil; pull baker!" cried the women, andthen they laughed, although I did not, I
can assure you, for I really think that Iwas pulled out an inch taller, and myknees and shoulders pained me verymuch indeed. At last the womenlaughed so much that they could nothold on, so I was dragged into themiddle of our own sailors, where Itook care to remain; and, after a littlemore squeezing and fighting, wascarried by the crowd into the house.The seamen of the merchant ships hadarmed themselves with bludgeons andother weapons, and had taken aposition on the tables. They were morethan two to one against us, and therewas a dreadful fight, as their resistancewas very desperate. Our sailors wereobliged to use their cutlasses, and for a
few minutes I was quite bewilderedwith the shouting and swearing,pushing and scuffling, collaring andfighting, together with the dust raisedup, which not only blinded, but nearlychoked me. By the time that my breathwas nearly squeezed out of my body,our sailors got the best of it, which thelandlady and women of the houseperceiving, they put out all the lights, sothat I could not tell where I was; butour sailors had every one seized hisman, and contrived to haul him out ofthe street door, where they werecollected together, and secured.
Now again I was in great difficulty; Ihad been knocked down and trod
upon, and when I did contrive to getup again, I did not know the directionin which the door lay. I felt about bythe wall, and at last came to a door, forthe room was at that time nearly empty,the women having followed the menout of the house. I opened it, andfound that it was not the right one, butled into a little side parlour, where therewas a fire, but no lights. I had justdiscovered my mistake, and was aboutto retreat, when I was shoved in frombehind, and the key turned upon me:there I was all alone, and, I mustacknowledge, very much frightened, asI thought that the vengeance of thewomen would be wreaked upon me. Iconsidered that my death was certain,
and that, like the man Orpheus I hadread of in my books, I should be tornto pieces by these Bacchanals. However,I reflected that I was an officer in hisMajesty's service, and that it was myduty, if necessary, to sacrifice my life formy king and country. I thought of mypoor mother; but as it made meunhappy, I tried to forget her, and callto my memory all I had read of thefortitude and courage of various bravemen, when death stared them in theface. I peeped through the key-hole,and perceived that the candles were re-lighted, and that there were onlywomen in the room, who were talkingall at once, and not thinking about me.But in a minute or two, a woman came
in from the street, with her long blackhair hanging about her shoulders, andher cap in her hand. "Well," cried she,"they've nabbed my husband; but I'll bedished if I hav'n't boxed up themidshipmite in that parlour, and heshall take his place." I thought I shouldhave died when I looked at the woman,and perceived her coming up to thedoor, followed by some others, tounlock it. As the door opened, I drewmy dirk, resolving to die like an officer,and as they advanced I retreated to acorner, brandishing my dirk, withoutsaying a word. "Vell," cried the womanwho had made me a prisoner, "I dodeclare I likes to see a puddle in astorm only look at the little biscuit-
nibbler showing fight! Come, my lovey,you belongs to me."
"Never!" exclaimed I with indignation."Keep off, I shall do you mischief"(and I raised my dirk in advance); "I aman officer and a gentleman."
"Sall," cried the odious woman, "fetch amop and a pail of dirty water, and I'lltrundle that dirk out of his fist."
"No, no," replied another rather good-looking young woman, "leave him tome don't hurt him he really is a verynice little man. What's your name, mydear "
"Peter Simple is my name," replied I;"and I am a king's officer, so be carefulwhat you are about."
"Don't be afraid, Peter, nobody shallhurt you; but you must not draw yourdirk before ladies, that's not like anofficer and a gentleman so put up yourdirk, that's a good boy."
"I will not," replied I, "unless youpromise me that I shall go awayunmolested."
"I do promise you that you shall, uponmy word, Peter upon my honour willthat content you "
"Yes," replied I, "if every one else willpromise the same."
"Upon our honours," they all criedtogether; upon which I was satisfied,and putting my dirk into its sheath, wasabout to quit the room.
"Stop, Peter," said the young womanwho had taken my part; "I must have akiss before you go." "And so must I;and so must we all," cried the otherwomen.
I was very much shocked, andattempted to draw my dirk again, butthey had closed in with me, andprevented me. "Recollect your honour,"
cried I to the young woman, as Istruggled.
"My honour! Lord bless you, Peter, theless we say about that the better."
"But you promised that I should goaway quietly," said I, appealing to them.
"Well, and so you shall; but recollect,Peter, that you are an officer and agentleman you surely would not be soshabby as to go away without treatingus. What money have you got in yourpocket " and, without giving me time toanswer, she felt in my pocket, andpulled out my purse, which sheopened. "Why, Peter, you are as rich as a
Jew," said she, as they counted thirtyshillings on the table. "Now, what shallwe have "
"Anything you please," said I,"provided that you will let me go."
"Well, then, it shall be a gallon of gin.Sall, call Mrs Flanagan. Mrs Flanagan,we want a gallon of gin, and cleanglasses."
Mrs Flanagan received the major partof my money, and in a minute returnedwith the gin and wine-glasses.
"Now, Peter, my cove, let's all drawround the table, and make ourselves
cosy."
"O no," replied I, "take my money,drink the gin, but pray let me go;" butthey wouldn't listen to me. Then I wasobliged to sit down with them, the ginwas poured out, and they made medrink a glass, which nearly choked me.It had, however, one good effect, itgave me courage, and in a minute ortwo, I felt as if I could fight them all.The door of the room was on the sameside as the fire-place, and I perceivedthat the poker was between the bars,and red hot. I complained that I wascold, although I was in a burning fever;and they allowed me to get up to warmmy hands. As soon as I reached the
fire-place, I snatched out the red-hotpoker, and, brandishing it over myhead, made for the door. They alljumped up to detain me, but I made apoke at the foremost, which made herrun back with a shriek, (I do believethat I burnt her nose.) I seized myopportunity, and escaped into thestreet, whirling the poker round myhead, while all the women followed,hooting and shouting after me. I neverstopped running and whirling mypoker until I was reeking withperspiration, and the poker was quitecold. Then I looked back, and foundthat I was alone. It was very dark; everyhouse was shut up, and not a light tobe seen anywhere. I stopped at the
corner, not knowing where I was, orwhat I was to do. I felt very miserableindeed, and was reflecting on my wisestplan, when who should turn thecorner, but one of the quarter-masterswho had been left on shore by accident.I knew him by his pea-jacket and strawhat to be one of our men, and I wasdelighted to see him. I told him whathad happened, and he replied that hewas going to a house where the peopleknew him and would let him in. Whenwe arrived there, the people of thehouse were very civil; the landladymade us some purl, which the quarter-master ordered, and which I thoughtvery good indeed. After we hadfinished the jug, we both fell asleep in
our chairs. I did not awaken until I wasroused by the quarter-master, at pastseven o'clock, when we took a wherry,and went off to the ship.
Chapter XI
O'Brien takes me under his protectionThe ship's company are paid, so are thebumboat-women, the Jews, and theemancipationist after a fashion We goto sea Doctor O'Brien's cure for sea-sickness One pill of the doctor's morethan a dose.
When we arrived, I reported myself to
the first lieutenant, and told him thewhole story of the manner in which Ihad been treated, showing him thepoker, which I brought on board withme. He heard me very patiently, andthen said, "Well, Mr Simple, you may bethe greatest fool of your family for all Iknow to the contrary, but never pretendto be a fool with me. That poker provesthe contrary: and if your wit can serveyou upon your own emergency, Iexpect that it will be employed for thebenefit of the service." He then sent forO'Brien, and gave him a lecture forallowing me to go with the pressgang,pointing out, what was very true, that Icould have been of no service, andmight have met with a serious accident.
I went down on the main deck, andO'Brien came to me. "Peter," said he, "Ihave been jawed for letting you go, so itis but fair that you should be thrashedfor having asked me." I wished to arguethe point, but he cut all argument short,by kicking me down the hatchway; andthus ended my zealous attempt toprocure seamen for his majesty'sservice.
At last the frigate was full manned; and,as we had received drafts of men fromother ships, we were ordered to be paidpreviously to our going to sea. Thepeople on shore always find out when aship is to be paid, and very early in themorning we were surrounded with
wherries, laden with Jews and otherpeople, some requesting admittance tosell their goods, others to get paid forwhat they had allowed the sailors totake up upon credit. But the firstlieutenant would not allow any of themto come on board until after the shipwas paid; although they were so urgentthat he was forced to place sentries inthe chains with cold shot, to stave theboats if they came alongside. I wasstanding at the gangway, looking at thecrowd of boats, when a black-lookingfellow in one of the wherries said tome, "I say, sir, let me slip in at the port,and I have a very nice present to makeyou;" and he displayed a gold seal,which he held up to me. I immediately
ordered the sentry to keep him furtheroff, for I was very much affronted athis supposing me capable of beingbribed to disobey my orders. Abouteleven o'clock the dockyard boat, withall the pay-clerks, and the cashier, withhis chest of money, came on board,and was shown into the fore-cabin,where the captain attended the pay-table. The men were called in, one byone, and, as the amount of the wagesdue had been previously calculated,they were paid; very fast. The moneywas always received in their hats, after ithad been counted out in the presenceof the officers and captain. Outside thecabin door there stood a tall man inblack, with hair straight combed, who
had obtained an order from the PortAdmiral to be permitted to come onboard. He attacked every sailor as hecame out; with his money in his hat, fora subscription to emancipate the slavesin the West Indies; but the sailorswould not give him anything, swearingthat the niggers were better off thanthey were; for they did not work harderby day, and had no watch and watch tokeep during the night. "Sarvitude issarvitude all over the world, my oldpsalmsinger," replied one. "They sarvetheir masters, as in duty bound; wesarve the king, 'cause he can't dowithout us and he never axes our leave,but helps himself."
"Yes," replied the straight-hairedgentleman; "but slavery is a verydifferent thing."
"Can't say that I see any difference; doyou, Bill "
"Not I: and I suppose as if they didn'tlike it they'd run away."
"Run away! poor creatures," said theblack gentleman. "Why, if they did, theywould be flogged."
"Flogged heh; well, and if we run awaywe are to be hanged. The nigger's betteroff nor we: ar'n't he, Tom " Then thepurser's steward came out: he was what
they call a bit of a lawyer, that is, hadreceived more education than theseamen in general.
"I trust, sir," said the man in black,"that you will contribute something."
"Not I, my hearty: I owe every farthingof my money, and more too, I'mafraid."
"Still, sir, a small trifle."
"Why, what an infernal rascal you mustbe, to ask a man to give away what isnot his own property! Did I not tellyou that I owed it all There's an oldproverb be just before you're generous.
Now, it's my opinion that, you are amethodistical, good-for-nothingblackguard; and if any one is such afool as to give you money, you willkeep it for yourself."
When the man found that he couldobtain nothing at the door, he wentdown on the lower deck, in which hedid not act very wisely; for now that themen were paid, the boats werepermitted to come alongside, and somuch spirits were smuggled in, thatmost of the seamen were more or lessintoxicated. As soon as he went below,he commenced distributing prints of ablack man kneeling in chains, andsaying, "Am not I your brother " Some
of the men laughed, and swore thatthey would paste their brother up in themess, to say prayers for the ship'scompany; but others were very angry,and abused him. At last, one man, whowas tipsy, came up to him. "Do youpretend for to insinivate that this cryingblack thief is my brother "
"To be sure I do," replied themethodist.
"Then take that for your infernal lie,"said the sailor, hitting him in the faceright and left, and knocking the mandown into the cable tier, from whencehe climbed up, and made his escape outof the frigate as soon as he was able.
The ship was now in a state ofconfusion and uproar; there were Jewstrying to sell clothes, or to obtainmoney for clothes which they had sold;bumboat-men and bumboat-womenshowing their long bills, anddemanding or coaxing for payment;other people from the shore, withhundreds of small debts; and thesailors' wives, sticking close to them,and disputing every bill presented, as anextortion or a robbery. There was suchbawling and threatening, laughing andcrying for the women were all to quitthe ship before sunset at one moment aJew was upset, and all his hamper ofclothes tossed into the hold; at another,
a sailor was seen hunting everywherefor a Jew who had cheated him, allsquabbling or skylarking, and many ofthem very drunk. It appeared to methat the sailors had rather a difficultpoint to settle. They had three claimantsupon them, the Jew for clothes, thebumboat-men for their mess inharbour, and their wives for theirsupport during their absence; and themoney which they received was,generally speaking, not more thansufficient to meet one of the demands.As it may be supposed, the women hadthe best of it; the others were paid atrifle, and promised the remainderwhen they came back from their cruise;and although, as the case stood then, it
might appear that two of the partieswere ill-used, yet in the long run theywere more than indemnified, for theircharges were so extravagant, that ifone-third of their bills were paid, therewould still remain a profit. About fiveo'clock the orders were given for theship to be cleared. All disputed pointswere settled by the sergeant of marineswith a party, who divided theirantagonists from the Jews; and everydescription of persons not belongingto the ship, whether male or female,was dismissed over the side. Thehammocks were piped down, thosewho were intoxicated were put to bed,and the ship was once more quiet.Nobody was punished for having been
tipsy, as pay-day is considered, onboard a man-of-war, as the winding-upof all incorrect behaviour, and fromthat day the sailors turn over a new leaf;for, although some latitude ispermitted, and the seamen are seldomflogged in harbour, yet the momentthat the anchor is at the bows, strictdiscipline is exacted, and intoxicationmust no longer hope to be forgiven.
The next day everything was preparedfor sea, and no leave was permitted tothe officers. Stock of every kind wasbrought on board, and the large boatshoisted and secured. On the morningafter, at daylight, a signal from the flag-ship in harbour was made for us to
unmoor; our orders had come down tocruise in the Bay of Biscay. The captaincame on board, the anchor weighed,and we ran through the Needles with afine N.E. breeze. I admired the sceneryof the Isle of Wight, looked withadmiration at Alum Bay, was astonishedat the Needle rocks, and then felt sovery ill that I went down below. Whatoccurred for the next six days I cannottell. I thought that I should die everymoment, and lay in my hammock or onthe chests for the whole of that time,incapable of eating, drinking, orwalking about. O'Brien came to me onthe seventh morning, and said, that if Idid not exert myself I never should getwell; that he was very fond of me and
had taken me under his protection, and,to prove his regard, he would do forme what he would not take the troubleto do for any other youngster in theship, which was, to give me a goodbasting, which was a sovereign remedyfor sea-sickness. He suited the action tothe word, and drubbed me on the ribswithout mercy, until I thought thebreath was out of my body, and thenhe took out a rope's end and thrashedme until I obeyed his orders to go ondeck immediately. Before he came tome, I could never have believed itpossible that I could have obeyed him;but somehow or other I did contrive tocrawl up the ladder to the main-deck,where I sat down on the shot-racks and
cried bitterly. What would I have givento have been at home again! It was notmy fault that I was the greatest fool inthe family, yet how was I punished forit! If this was kindness from O'Brien,what had I to expect from those whowere not partial to me But, by degrees, Irecovered myself, and certainly felt agreat deal better, and that night I sleptvery soundly. The next morningO'Brien came to me again. "It's a nastyslow fever, that sea-sickness, my Peter,and we must drive it out of you;" andthen he commenced a repetition ofyesterday's remedy until I was almost ajelly. Whether the fear of beingthrashed drove away my sea-sickness, orwhatever might be the real cause of it, I
do not know, but this is certain, that Ifelt no more of it after the secondbeating, and the next morning when Iawoke I was very hungry. I hastened todress myself before O'Brien came tome, and did not see him until we met atbreakfast.
"Pater," said he, "let me feel yourpulse."
"Oh no!" replied I, "indeed I'm quitewell."
"Quite well! Can you eat biscuit andsalt butter "
"Yes, I can."
"And a piece of fat pork "
"Yes, that I can."
"It's thanks to me then, Pater," repliedhe; "so you'll have no more of mymedicine until you fall sick again."
"I hope not," replied I, "for it was notvery pleasant."
"Pleasant! you simple Simple, when didyou ever hear of physic being pleasant,unless a man prescribe for himself Isuppose you'd be after lollipops for theyellow fever. Live and larn, boy, andthank Heaven that you've found
somebody who loves you well enoughto baste you when it's good for yourhealth."
I replied, "that I certainly hoped thatmuch as I felt obliged to him, I shouldnot require any more proofs of hisregard."
"Any more such striking proofs, youmean, Pater; but let me tell you thatthey were sincere proofs, for sinceyou've been ill I've been eating yourpork and drinking your grog, whichlatter can't be too plentiful in the Bayof Biscay. And now that I've cured you,you'll be tucking all that into your ownlittle breadbasket, so that I'm no gainer,
and I think that you may be convincedthat you never had or will have twomore disinterested thumpings in allyour born days. However, you're verywelcome, so say no more about it."
I held my tongue and ate a very heartybreakfast. From that day I returned tomy duty, and was put into the samewatch with O'Brien, who spoke to thefirst lieutenant, and told him that hehad taken me under his charge.
Chapter XII
New theory of Mr Muddle remarkable
for having no end to it Novel practiceof Mr Chucks O'Brien commences hishistory There were giants in those daysI bring up the master's night-glass.
As I have already mentioned sufficientof the captain and the first lieutenantto enable the reader to gain an insightinto their characters, I shall nowmention two very odd personages whowere my shipmates, the carpenter andthe boatswain. The carpenter, whosename was Muddle, used to go by theappellation of Philosopher Chips, notthat he followed any particular school,but had formed a theory of his own,from which he was not to bedissuaded. This was, that the universe
had its cycle of events turned round, sothat in a certain period of timeeverything was to happen over again. Inever could make him explain uponwhat data his calculations werefounded; he said, that if he explained it,I was too young to comprehend it; butthe fact was this, "that in 27,672 yearseverything that was going on nowwould be going on again, with the samepeople as were existing at this presenttime." He very seldom ventured tomake the remark to Captain Savage, butto the first lieutenant he did very often."I've been as close to it as possible, sir, Ido assure you, although you find fault;but 27,672 years ago you were firstlieutenant of this ship, and I was
carpenter, although we recollectnothing about it; and 27,672 yearshence we shall both be standing by thisboat, talking about the repairs, as we arenow."
"I do not doubt it, Mr Muddle," repliedthe first lieutenant; "I dare say that it isall very true, but the repairs must befinished this night, and 27,672 yearshence you will have the order just aspositive as you have it now, so let it bedone."
This theory made him very indifferentas to danger, or indeed as to anything. Itwas of no consequence, the affair tookits station in the course of time. It had
happened at the above period, andwould happen again. Fate was fate. Butthe boatswain was a more amusingpersonage. He was considered to be thetaughtest (that is, the most active andsevere) boatswain in the service. Hewent by the name of "GentlemanChucks" the latter was his surname. Heappeared to have received half aneducation; sometimes his language wasfor a few sentences remarkably wellchosen, but, all of a sudden, he wouldbreak down at a hard word; but I shallbe able to let the reader into more ofhis history as I go on with myadventures. He had a very handsomeperson, inclined to be stout, keen eyes,and hair curling in ringlets. He held his
head up, and strutted as he walked. Hedeclared "that an officer should looklike an officer, and comport himselfaccordingly." In his person he was veryclean, wore rings on his great fingers,and a large frill to his bosom, whichstuck out like the back fin of a perch,and the collar of his shirt was alwayspulled up to a level with his cheek-bones. He never appeared on deckwithout his "persuader," which wasthree rattans twisted into one, like acable; sometimes he called it his Orderof the Bath, or his Trio juncto in Uno;and this persuader was seldom idle. Heattempted to be very polite, even whenaddressing the common seamen, and,certainly, he always commenced his
observations to them in a very graciousmanner, but, as he continued, hebecame less choice in his phraseology.O'Brien said that his speeches were likethe Sin of the poet, very fair at theupper part of them, but shocking at thelower extremities. As a specimen ofthem, he would say to the man on theforecastle, "Allow me to observe, mydear man, in the most delicate way inthe world, that you are spilling that tarupon the deck a deck, sir, if I mayventure to make the observation, I hadthe duty of seeing holystoned thismorning. You understand me, sir, youhave defiled his majesty's forecastle. Imust do my duty, sir, if you neglectyours; so take that and that and that
(thrashing the man with his rattan) youd d hay-making son of a sea-cook. Doit again, d n your eyes, and I'll cut yourliver out."
I remember one of the ship's boysgoing forward with a kid of dirty waterto empty in the head, without puttinghis hand up to his hat as he passed theboatswain. "Stop, my little friend," saidthe boatswain, pulling out his frill, andraising up both sides of his shirt-collar."Are you aware, sir, of my rank andstation in society "
"Yes, sir," replied the boy, trembling,and eyeing the rattan.
"Oh, you are!" replied Mr Chucks."Had you not been aware of it, Ishould have considered a gentlecorrection necessary, that you mighthave avoided such an error in future;but, as you were aware of it, why then, dn you, you have no excuse, so take thatand that you yelping, half-starvedabortion. I really beg your pardon, MrSimple," said he to me, as the boy wenthowling forward, for I was walkingwith him at the time; "but really theservice makes brutes of us all. It is hardto sacrifice our health, our night's rest,and our comforts; but still more so,that in my responsible situation, I amobliged too often to sacrifice mygentility."
The master was the officer who hadcharge of the watch to which I wasstationed; he was a very rough sailor,who had been brought up in themerchant service, not much of agentleman in his appearance, verygood-tempered, and very fond of grog.He always quarrelled with theboatswain, and declared that the servicewas going to the devil, now thatwarrant officers put on white shirts,and wore frills to them. But theboatswain did not care for him; heknew his duty, he did his duty, and ifthe captain was satisfied, he said, thatthe whole ship's company mightgrumble. As for the master, he said, the
man was very well, but having beenbrought up in a collier, he could not beexpected to be very refined; in fact, heobserved, pulling up his shirt-collar "itwas impossible to make a silk purse outof a sow's ear." The master was verykind to me, and used to send me downto my hammock before my watch washalf over. Until that time, I walked thedeck with O'Brien, who was a verypleasant companion, and taught meeverything that he could, connectedwith my profession. One night, whenhe had the middle watch, I told him Ishould like very much if he would giveme the history of his life. "That I will,my honey," replied he, "all that I canremember of it, though I have no
doubt but that I've forgotten the bestpart of it. It's now within five minutesof two bells, so we'll heave the log andmark the board, and then I'll spin you ayarn, which will keep us both fromgoing to sleep." O'Brien reported therate of sailing to the master, marked itdown on the log-board, and thenreturned.
"So now, my boy, I'll come to an anchoron the topsail halyard rack, and youmay squeeze your thread-paper littlecarcass under my lee, and then I'll tellyou all about it. First and foremost, youmust know that I am descended fromthe great O'Brien Borru, who was kingin his time, as the great Fingal was
before him. Of course you've heard ofFingal "
"I can't say that I ever did," replied I.
"Never heard of Fingal! murder! Wheremust you have been all your life Well,then, to give you some notion ofFingal, I will first tell you how Fingalbothered the great Scotch giant, andthen I'll go on with my own story.Fingal, you must know, was a gianthimself, and no fool of one, and anyone that affronted him was as sure of abating, as I am to keep the middlewatch to-night. But there was a giant inScotland as tall as the mainmast, moreor less, as we say when we a'n't quite
sure, as it saves telling more lies thanthere's occasion for. Well, this Scotchgiant heard of Fingal, and how he hadbeaten everybody, and he said, 'Who isthis Fingal By Jasus,' says he in Scotch,'I'll just walk over and see what he'smade of.' So he walked across the IrishChannel, and landed within half-a-mileof Belfast, but whether he was out ofhis depth or not I can't tell, although Isuspect that he was not dry-footed.When Fingal heard that this great chapwas coming over, he was in a devil of afright, for they told him that theScotchman was taller by a few feet orso. Giants, you know, measure by feet,and don't bother themselves about theinches, as we little devils are obliged to
do. So Fingal kept a sharp look-out forthe Scotchman, and one fine morning,there he was, sure enough, coming upthe hill to Fingal's house. If Fingal wasafraid before, he had more reason to beafraid when he saw the fellow, for helooked for all the world like theMonument upon a voyage of discovery.So Fingal ran into his house, and calledto his wife Shaya, 'My vourneen,' sayshe, 'be quick now; there's that big bullyof a Scotchman coming up the hill.Kiver me up with the blankets, and ifhe asks who is in bed, tell him it's thechild.' So Fingal laid down on the bed,and his wife had just time to cover himup, when in comes the Scotchman, andthough he stooped low, he broke his
head against the portal. 'Where's thatbaste Fingal ' says he, rubbing hisforehead; 'show him to me, that I maygive him a bating.' 'Whisht, whisht!'cries Shaya, 'you'll wake the babby, andthen him that you talk of bating will bethe death of you, if he comes in.' 'Isthat the babby ' cried the Scotchmanwith surprise, looking at the greatcarcass muffled up in the blankets.'Sure it is,' replied Shaya, 'and Fingal'sbabby too; so don't you wake him, orFingal will twist your neck in a minute.''By the cross of St Andrew,' replied thegiant, 'then it's time for me to be off;for if that's his babby, I'll be but amouthful to the fellow himself. Goodmorning to ye.' So the Scotch giant ran
out of the house, and never stopped toeat or drink until he got back to hisown hills, foreby he was nearlydrowned in having mistaken hispassage across the Channel in his greathurry. Then Fingal got up and laughed,as well he might, at his own 'cuteness;and so ends my story about Fingal.And now I'll begin about myself. As Isaid before, I am descended from thegreat O'Brien, who was a king in histime, but that time's past. I suppose, asthe world turns round, my children'schildren's posterity may be kings again,although there seems but little chanceof it just now; but there's ups anddowns on a grand scale, as well as in aman's own history, and the wheel of
fortune keeps turning for the comfortof those who are at the lowest spoke,as I may be just now. To cut the story alittle shorter, I skip down to my great-grandfather, who lived like a realgentleman, as he was, upon his tenthousand a year. At last he died, andeight thousand of the ten was buriedwith him. My grandfather followed hisfather all in good course of time, andonly left my father about one hundredacres of bog, to keep up the dignity ofthe family. I am the youngest of ten,and devil a copper have I but my pay,or am I likely to have. You may talkabout descent, but a more descendingfamily than mine was never in existence,for here am I with twenty-five pounds
a-year, and a half-pay of 'nothing a day,and find myself,' when my greatancestor did just what he pleased withall Ireland, and everybody in it. But thisis all nothing, except to provesatisfactorily that I am not worth askillagalee, and that is the reason whichinduces me to condescend to serve hisMajesty. Father M'Grath, the priest,who lived with my father, taught me theelements, as they call them. I thought Ihad enough of the elements then, butI've seen a deal more of them since.'Terence,' says my father to me one day,'what do you mane to do ' 'To get mydinner, sure,' replied I, for I was not alittle hungry. 'And so you shall to-day,my vourneen,' replied my father, 'but in
future you must do something to getyour own dinner: there's not pratiesenow for the whole of ye. Will you goto the say ' 'I'll just step down and lookat it,' says I, for we lived but sixteenIrish miles from the coast; so when Ihad finished my meal, which did nottake long, for want of ammunition, Itrotted down to the Cove to see what aship might be like, and I happenedupon a large one sure enough, for therelay a three-decker with an admiral's flagat the fore. 'May be you'll be so civil asto tell me what ship that is,' said I to asailor on the pier. 'It's the QueenCharlotte,' replied he, 'of one hundredand twenty guns.' Now when I lookedat her size, and compared her with all
the little smacks and hoys lying abouther, I very naturally asked how old shewas; he replied, that she was no morethan three years old. 'But three yearsold!' thought I to myself, 'it's a finevessel you'll be when you'll come ofage, if you grow at that rate: you'll be astall as the top of Bencrow,'(that's amountain we have in our parts). Yousee, Peter, I was a fool at that time, justas you are now; but by-and-by, whenyou've had as many thrashings as I havehad, you may chance to be as clever. Iwent back to my father, and told him allI had seen, and he replied, that if Iliked it I might be a midshipman onboard of her, with nine hundred menunder my command. He forgot to say
how many I should have over me, but Ifound that out afterwards. I agreed, andmy father ordered his pony and went tothe lord-lieutenant, for he had interestenough for that. The lord-lieutenantspoke to the admiral, who was stayingat the palace, and I was ordered onboard as midshipman. My father fittedme out pretty handsomely, telling all thetradesmen that their bills should bepaid with my first prize-money, andthus, by promises and blarney, he gotcredit for all I wanted. At last all wasready: Father M'Grath gave me hisblessing, and told me that if I died likean O'Brien, he would say a power ofmasses for the good of my soul. 'Mayyou never have the trouble, sir,' said I.
'Och, trouble! a pleasure, my dear boy,'replied he, for he was a very polite man;so off I went with my big chest, notquite so full as it ought to have been,for my mother cribbed one half of mystock for my brothers and sisters. 'Ihope to be back again soon, father,'said I as I took my leave. 'I hope not,my dear boy,' replied he: 'a'n't youprovided for, and what more wouldyou have ' So, after a deal of bother, Iwas fairly on board, and I partedcompany with my chest, for I stayed ondeck, and that went down below. Istared about with all my eyes for sometime, when who should be coming offbut the captain, and the officers wereordered on deck to receive him. I
wanted to have a quiet survey of him,so I took up my station on one of theguns, that I might examine him at myleisure. The boatswain whistled, themarines presented arms, and theofficers all took off their hats as thecaptain came on the deck, and then theguard was dismissed, and they allwalked about the deck as before; but Ifound it very pleasant to be astride onthe gun, so I remained where I was.'What do you mane by that, you bigyoung scoundrel ' says he, when he sawme. 'It's nothing at all I mane,' replied I;'but what do you mane by calling anO'Brien a scoundrel ' 'Who is he ' saidthe captain to the first lieutenant. 'MrO'Brien, who joined the ship about an
hour since.' 'Don't you know betterthan to sit upon a gun ' said the captain.'To be sure I do,' replied I, 'when there'sanything better to sit upon.' 'He knowsno better, sir,' observed the firstlieutenant. 'Then he must be taught,'replied the captain. 'Mr O'Brien, sinceyou have perched yourself on that gunto please yourself, you will nowcontinue there for two hours to pleaseme. Do you understand, sir you'll rideon that gun for two hours.' 'Iunderstand, sir,' replied I; 'but I amafraid that he won't move withoutspurs, although there's plenty of metalin him.' The captain turned away andlaughed as he went into his cabin, andall the officers laughed, and I laughed
too, for I perceived no great hardshipin sitting down an hour or two, anymore than I do now. Well, I soonfound that, like a young bear, all mytroubles were to come. The first monthwas nothing but fighting andsquabbling with my messmates; theycalled me a raw Irishman, and raw I was,sure enough, from the constantthrashings and coltings I received fromthose who were bigger and strongerthan myself; but nothing lasts for everas they discovered that whenever theyfound blows I could find back, theygot tired of it, and left me and mybrogue alone. We sailed for theToolong fleet."
"What fleet " inquired I.
"Why, the Toolong fleet, so called, Ithought, because they remained toolong in harbour, bad luck to them; andthen we were off Cape See-see (devil abit could we see of them except theirmast-heads) for I don't know howmany months. But I forgot to say that Igot into another scrape just before weleft harbour. It was my watch whenthey piped to dinner, and I took theliberty to run below, as my messmateshad a knack of forgetting absentfriends. Well, the captain came onboard, and there were no side boys, noside ropes, and no officers to receivehim. He came on deck foaming with
rage, for his dignity was hurt, and heinquired who was the midshipman ofthe watch. 'Mr O'Brien,' said they all.'Devil a bit,' replied I, 'it was myforenoon watch.' 'Who relieved you, sir' said the first lieutenant. 'Devil a soul,sir,' replied I; 'for they were all too busywith their pork and beef.' 'Then whydid you leave the deck without relief ''Because, sir, my stomach would havehad but little relief if I had remained.'The captain, who stood by, said, 'Doyou see those cross-trees, sir ' 'Is it thoselittle bits of wood that you mane, onthe top there, captain ' 'Yes, sir; now justgo up there, and stay until I call youdown. You must be brought to yoursenses, young man, or you'll have but
little prospect in the service.' 'I've anidea that I'll have plenty of prospectwhen I get up there,' replied I, 'but it'sall to please you.' So up I went, as Ihave many a time since, and as youoften will, Peter, just to enjoy the freshair and your own pleasant thoughts, allat one and the same time.
"At last I became much more used tothe manners and customs of say-goingpeople, and by the time that I had beenfourteen months off Cape See-see, Iwas considered a very genteel youngmidshipman, and my messmates (thatis, all that I could thrash, which didn'tleave out many) had a very great respectfor me.
"The first time that I put my foot onshore was at Minorca, and then I putmy foot into it (as we say), for I wasnearly killed for a heretic, and onlysaved by proving myself a trueCatholic, which proves that religion is agreat comfort in distress, as FatherM'Grath used to say. Several of us wenton shore, and having dined upon aroast turkey, stuffed with plum-pudding (for everything else wascooked in oil, and we could not eat it),and having drunk as much wine aswould float a jolly-boat, we ordereddonkeys, to take a little equestrianexercise. Some went off tail on end,some with their hind-quarters
uppermost, and then the riders wentoff instead of the donkeys; somewouldn't go off at all; as for mine hewould go and where the devil do youthink he went Why, into the churchwhere all the people were at mass; thepoor brute was dying with thirst, andsmelt water. As soon as he was in,notwithstanding all my tugging andhauling, he ran his nose into the holy-water font, and drank it all up.Although I thought, that seeing howfew Christians have any religion, youcould not expect much from a donkey,yet I was very much shocked at thesacrilege, and fearful of theconsequences. Nor was it withoutreason, for the people in the church
were quite horrified, as well they mightbe, for the brute drank as much holy-water as would have purified the wholetown of Port Mahon, suburbs and allto boot. They rose up from their kneesand seized me, calling upon all thesaints in the calendar. Although I knewwhat they meant, not a word of theirlingo could I speak, to plead for mylife, and I was almost torn to piecesbefore the priest came up. Perceivingthe danger I was in, I wiped my fingeracross the wet nose of the donkey,crossed myself, and then went down onmy knees to the priests, crying outCulpa mea, as all good Catholics dothough 'twas no fault of mine, as I saidbefore, for I tried all I could, and
tugged at the brute till my strength wasgone. The priests perceived by themanner in which I crossed myself thatI was a good Catholic, and guessed thatit was all a mistake of the donkey's.They ordered the crowd to be quiet,and sent for an interpreter, when Iexplained the whole story. They gaveme absolution for what the donkey haddone, and after that, as it was very rareto meet an English officer who was agood Christian, I was in great favourduring my stay at Minorca, and wasliving in plenty, paying for nothing, andas happy as a cricket. So the jackassproved a very good friend, and, toreward him, I hired him every day, andgalloped him all over the island. But, at
last, it occurred to me that I had brokenmy leave, for I was so happy on shorethat I quite forgot that I had onlypermission for twenty-four hours, andI should not have remembered it sosoon, had it not been for a party ofmarines, headed by a sergeant, whotook me by the collar, and dragged meoff my donkey. I was taken on board,and put under an arrest for mymisconduct. Now, Peter, I don't knowanything more agreeable than being putunder an arrest. Nothing to do all daybut eat and drink, and please yourself,only forbid to appear on the quarter-deck, the only place that a midshipmanwishes to avoid. Whether it was topunish me more severely, or whether he
forgot all about me, I can't tell, but itwas nearly two months before I wassent for to the cabin; and the captain,with a most terrible frown, said, that hetrusted that my punishment would be awarning to me, and that now I mightreturn to my duty. 'Plase your honour,'said I, 'I don't think that I've beenpunished enough yet.' 'I am glad to findthat you are so penitent, but you areforgiven, so take care that you do notoblige me to put you again inconfinement.' So, as there was nopersuading him, I was obliged to returnto my duty again; but I made aresolution that I would get into anotherscrape again as soon as I dared "
"Sail on the starboard bow!" cried thelook-out man.
"Very well," replied the master; "MrO'Brien where's Mr O'Brien "
"Is it me you mane, sir " said O'Brien,walking up to the master, for he had satdown so long in the topsail-halyardrack, that he was wedged in and couldnot get out immediately.
"Yes, sir; go forward, and see what thatvessel is."
"Aye, aye, sir," said O'Brien. "And MrSimple," continued the master, "godown and bring me up my night-glass."
"Yes, sir," replied I. I had no idea of anight-glass; and as I observed thatabout this time his servant brought himup a glass of grog, I thought it verylucky that I knew what he meant. "Takecare that you don't break it, Mr Simple.""Oh, then, I'm all right," thought I; "hemeans the tumbler." So down I went,called up the gunroom steward, anddesired him to give me a glass of grogfor Mr Doball. The steward tumbledout in his shirt, mixed the grog, andgave it to me, and I carried it up verycarefully to the quarter-deck.
During my absence, the master hadcalled the captain, and in pursuance of
his orders, O'Brien had called the firstlieutenant, and when I came up theladder, they were both on deck. As Iwas ascending, I heard the master say,"I have sent young Simple down for mynight-glass, but he is so long, that Isuppose he has made some mistake.He's but half a fool." "That I deny,"replied Mr Falcon, the first lieutenant,just as I put my foot on the quarter-deck; "he's no fool." "Perhaps not,"replied the master. "Oh, here he is.What made you so long, Mr Simplewhere is my night-glass "
"Here it is, sir," replied I, handing himthe tumbler of grog; "I told the stewardto make it stiff." The captain and the
first lieutenant burst out into a laughfor Mr Doball was known to be veryfond of grog; the former walked aft toconceal his mirth; but the latterremained. Mr Doball was in a greatrage. "Did not I say that the boy washalf a fool " cried he to the firstlieutenant. "At all events, I'll not allowthat he has proved himself so in thisinstance," replied Mr Falcon, "for hehas hit the right nail on the head." Thenthe first lieutenant joined the captain,and they both went off laughing. "Putit on the capstan, sir," said Mr Doballto me, in an angry voice. "I'll punishyou by-and-by." I was very muchastonished; I hardly knew whether Ihad done right or wrong; at all events,
thought I to myself, I did for the best;so I put it on the capstan and walked tomy own side of the deck. The captainand first lieutenant then went below,and O'Brien came aft. "What vessel is it" said I.
"To the best of my belief, it's one ofyour bathing-machines going homewith despatches," replied he.
"A bathing machine," said I; "why Ithought that they were hauled up onthe beach." "That's the Brighton sort;but these are made not to go up at all."
"What then "
"Why, to go down, to be sure; andremarkably well they answer theirpurpose. I won't puzzle you any more,my Peter I'm spaking helligorically,which I believe means telling a hell of alie. It's one of your ten-gun brigs, to thebest of my knowledge."
I then told O'Brien what had occurred,and how the master was angry with me.O'Brien laughed very heartily, and toldme never to mind, but to keep in thelee-scuppers and watch him. "A glassof grog is a bait that he'll play round tillhe gorges. When you see it to his lips,go up to him boldly, and ask hispardon, if you have offended him, andthen, if he's a good Christian, as I
believe him to be, he'll not refuse it."
I thought this was very good advice,and I waited under the bulwark on thelee-side. I observed that the mastermade shorter and shorter turns everytime, till at last he stopped at thecapstan and looked at the grog. Hewaited about half a minute, and thenhe took up the tumbler, and drankabout half of it. It was very strong, andhe stopped to take breath. I thoughtthis was the right time, and I went upto him. The tumbler was again to hislips, and before he saw me, I said, "Ihope, sir, you'll forgive me; I neverheard of a night telescope, andknowing that you had walked so long, I
thought you were tired, and wantedsomething to drink to refresh you.""Well, Mr Simple," said he, after he hadfinished the glass, with a deep sigh ofpleasure, "as you meant kindly, I shalllet you off this time; but recollect, thatwhenever you bring me a glass of grogagain, it must not be in the presence ofthe captain or first lieutenant." Ipromised him very faithfully, and wentaway quite delighted with my havingmade my peace with him, and more so,that the first lieutenant had said that Iwas no fool for what I had done.
At last our watch was over, and abouttwo bells I was relieved by themidshipmen of the next watch. It is
very unfair not to relieve in time, but ifI said a word I was certain to bethrashed the next day upon somepretence or other. On the other hand,the midshipman whom I relieved wasalso much bigger than I was, and if Iwas not up before one bell, I was cutdown and thrashed by him: so thatbetween the two I kept much morethan my share of the watch, exceptwhen the master sent me to bed beforeit was over.
Chapter XIII
The first lieutenant prescribes for one
of his patients, his prescriptionsconsisting of draughts only O'Brienfinishes the history of his life, in whichthe proverb of "the more the merrier"is sadly disproved Shipping a new pairof boots causes the unshipping of theirowner Walking home after a ball,O'Brien meets with an accident.
The next morning I was on deck atseven bells, to see the hammocksstowed, when I was witness to MrFalcon, the first lieutenant, havingrecourse to one of his remedies to curea mizen-top-boy of smoking, a practiceto which he had a great aversion. Henever interfered with the men smokingin the galley, or chewing tobacco; but
he prevented the boys, that is, ladsunder twenty or there-abouts, fromindulging in the habit too early. Thefirst lieutenant smelt the tobacco as theboy passed him on the quarter-deck."Why, Neill, you have been smoking,"said the first lieutenant. "I thought youwere aware that I did not permit suchlads as you to use tobacco."
"If you please, sir," replied the mizen-top-man, touching his hat, "I'se gotworms, and they say that smoking begood for them."
"Good for them!" said the firstlieutenant; "yes, very good for them,but very bad for you. Why, my good
fellow, they'll thrive upon tobacco untilthey grow as large as conger eels. Heatis what the worms are fond of; but coldcold will kill them. Now I'll cure you.Quarter-master, come here. Walk thisboy up and down the weather-gangway,and every time you get forward abreastof the main-tack block, put his mouthto windward, squeeze him sharp by thenape of the neck until he opens hismouth wide, and there keep him and letthe cold air blow down his throat,while you count ten; then walk him aft,and when you are forward again,proceed as before. Cold kills worms, mypoor boy, not tobacco I wonder thatyou are not dead by this time."
The quarter-master, who liked the joke,as did all the seamen, seized hold ofthe lad, and as soon as they arrivedforward, gave him such a squeeze ofthe neck as to force him to open hismouth, if it were only to cry with pain.The wind was very fresh, and blew intohis mouth so strong, that it actuallywhistled while he was forced to keep itopen; and thus, he was obliged to walkup and down, cooling his inside, fornearly two hours, when the firstlieutenant sent for him, and told him,that he thought all the worms must bedead by that time; but if they were not,the lad was not to apply his ownremedies, but come to him for anotherdose. However, the boy was of the
same opinion as the first lieutenant, andnever complained of worms again.
A few nights afterwards, when we hadthe middle watch, O'Brien proceededwith his story.
"Where was it that I left off "
"You left off at the time that you weretaken out of confinement."
"So I did, sure enough; and it was withno good-will that I went to my duty.However, as there was no help for it, Iwalked up and down the deck asbefore, with my hands in my pockets,thinking of old Ireland, and my great
ancestor, Brien Borru. And so I wenton behaving myself like a realgentleman, and getting into no morescrapes, until the fleet put into the Coveof Cork, and I found myself within afew miles of my father's house. Youmay suppose that the anchor hadhardly kissed the mud, before I went tothe first lieutenant, and asked leave togo on shore. Now the first lieutenantwas not in the sweetest of tempers,seeing as how the captain had beenhauling him over the coals for notcarrying on the duty according to hissatisfaction. So he answered me verygruffly, that I should not leave the ship.'Oh, bother!' said I to myself, 'this willnever do.' So up I walked to the
captain, and touching my hat, remindedhim that 'I had a father and mother, anda pretty sprinkling of brothers andsisters, who were dying to see me, andthat I hoped that he would give meleave.' 'Ax the first lieutenant,' said he,turning away. 'I have, sir,' replied I, 'andhe says that the devil a bit shall I putmy foot on shore.' 'Then you havemisbehaved yourself,' said the captain.'Not a bit of it, Captain Willis,' repliedI; 'it's the first lieutenant who hasmisbehaved.' 'How, sir ' answered he, inan angry tone. 'Why, sir, didn't hemisbehave just now in not carrying onthe duty according to your will andpleasure and didn't you serve him outjust as he deserved and isn't he sulky
because you did and arn't that thereason why I am not to go on shoreYou see, your honour, it's all true as Isaid; and the first lieutenant hasmisbehaved and not I. I hope you willallow me to go on shore, captain, Godbless you! and make some allowancefor my parental feelings towards thearthers of my existence.' 'Have you anyfault to find with Mr O'Brien ' said thecaptain to the first lieutenant, as hecame aft. 'No more than I have withmidshipmen in general; but I believe itis not the custom for officers to askleave to go on shore before the sails arefurled and the yards squared.' 'Verytrue,' replied the captain; 'therefore, MrO'Brien, you must wait until the watch
is called, and then, if you ask the firstlieutenant, I have no doubt but you willhave leave granted to you to go and seeyour friends.' 'Thank'e kindly, sir,'replied I; and I hoped that the yardsand sails would be finished off as soonas possible, for my heart was in mymouth, and I felt that if I had beenkept much longer, it would have flownon shore before me.
"I thought myself very clever in thisbusiness, but I was never a greater foolin my life; for there was no such hurryto have gone on shore, and the firstlieutenant never forgave me forappealing to the captain but of that by-and-by, and all in good time. At last I
obtained a grumbling assent to mygoing on shore, and off I went like asky-rocket. Being in a desperate hurry, Ihired a jaunting-car to take me to myfather's house. 'Is it the O'Brien ofBallyhinch that you mane ' inquired thespalpeen who drove the horse. 'Sure itis,' replied I; 'and how is he, and all thenoble family of the O'Briens " 'All wellenough, bating the boy Tim, whocaught a bit of confusion in his headthe other night at the fair, and now liesat home in bed quite insensible to mateor drink; but the doctors give hopes ofhis recovery, as all the O'Briens areknown to have such thick heads.' 'Whatdo you mane by that, bad manners toyou ' said I, 'but poor Tim how did it
happen was there a fight ' 'Not muchof a fight only a bit of a skrummagethree crowners' inquests, no more.' 'Butyou are not going the straight road, youthief,' said I, seeing that he had turnedoff to the left. 'I've my reasons for that,your honour,' replied he; 'I always turnaway from the Castle out of principle Ilost a friend there, and it makes memelancholy.' 'How came that for tohappen ' 'All by accident, your honour;they hung my poor brother Patrickthere, because he was a bad hand atarithmetic.' 'He should have gone to abetter school then,' said I. 'I've an ideathat it was a bad school that he wasbrought up in,' replied he, with a sigh.'He was a cattle-dealer, your honour,
and one day, somehow or another, he'da cow too much all for not knowinghow to count, your honour, bad luck tohis school-master.' 'All that may be verytrue,' said I, 'and pace be to his soul;but I don't see why you are to drag me,that's in such a hurry, two miles out ofmy way, out of principle.' 'Is yourhonour in a hurry to get home Then I'llbe thinking they'll not be in such ahurry to see you.' 'And who told youthat my name was O'Brien, you basteand do you dare to say that my friendswon't be glad to see me ' 'Plase yourhonour, it's all an idea of mine so sayno more about it. Only this I know:Father M'Grath, who gives meabsolution, tould me the other day that
I ought to pay him, and not run indebt, and then run away like TerenceO'Brien, who went to say withoutpaying for his shirts, and his shoes, andhis stockings, nor anything else, andwho would live to be hanged as sure asSt Patrick swam over the Liffey with hishead under his arm.' 'Bad luck to thatFather McGrath,' cried I; 'devil burnme, but I'll be revenged upon him!'
"By that time we had arrived at thedoor of my father's house. I paid therapparee, and in I popped. There wasmy father and mother, and all mybrothers and sisters (bating Tim, whowas in bed sure enough, and died nextday), and that baste Father McGrath to
boot. When my mother saw me she ranto me and hugged me as she wept onmy neck, and then she wiped her eyesand sat down again; but nobody elsesaid 'How d'ye do ' or opened theirmouths to me. I said to myself, 'Surethere's some trifling mistake here,' but Iheld my tongue. At last they all openedtheir mouths with a vengeance. Myfather commenced 'Ar'n't you ashamedon yourself, Terence O'Brien ' 'Ar'n'tyou ashamed on yourself, TerenceO'Brien ' cried Father M'Grath. 'Ar'n'tyou ashamed on yourself ' cried out allmy brothers and sisters in full chorus,whilst my poor mother put her apronto her eyes and said nothing. 'The devila bit for myself, but very much
ashamed for you all,' replied I, 'to treatme in this manner. What's the meaningof all this ' 'Haven't they seized my twocows to pay for your toggery, youspalpeen ' cried my father. 'Haven't theytaken the hay to pay for your shoes andstockings ' cried Father M'Grath.'Haven't they taken the pig to pay forthat ugly hat of yours ' cried my eldestsister. 'And haven't they taken my hensto pay for that dirk of yours ' criedanother. 'And all our best furniture topay for your white shirts and blackcravats ' cried Murdock, my brother.'And haven't we been starved to deathever since ' cried they all. 'Och hone!'said my mother. 'The devil they have!'said I, when they'd all done. 'Sure I'm
sorry enough, but it's no fault of mine.Father, didn't you send me to say ' 'Yes,you rapparee; but didn't you promise ordidn't I promise for you, which is allone and the same thing that you'd pay itall back with your prize-money andwhere is it answer that, TerenceO'Brien.' 'Where is it, father I'll tell you;it's where next Christmas is coming, butnot come yet.' 'Spake to him, FatherM'Grath,' said my father. 'Is not that alie of yours, Terence O'Brien, thatyou're after telling now ' said FatherMcGrath; 'give me the money.' 'It's nolie, Father McGrath; if it pleased you todie to-morrow, the devil of a shillinghave I to jingle on your tombstone forgood luck, bating those three or four,
which you may divide between you,and I threw them on the floor.
"'Terence O'Brien,' said FatherMcGrath, 'its absolution that you'll bewanting to-morrow, after all your sinsand enormities; and the devil a bit shallyou have take that now.'
"'Father M'Grath,' replied I very angrily,'it's no absolution that I'll want fromyou, any how take that now.'
"'Then you have had your share ofheaven; for I'll keep you out of it, youwicked monster,' said Father M'Grath'take that now.'
"'If it's no better than a midshipman'sberth,' replied I, 'I'd just as soon stayout; but I'll creep in in spite of you takethat now, Father M'Grath.'
"'And who's to save your soul, andsend you to heaven, if I don't, youwicked wretch but I'll see you d d firstso take that now, Terence O'Brien.'
"'Then I'll turn Protestant, and damnthe Pope take that now, FatherM'Grath.'
"At this last broadside of mine, myfather and all my brothers and sistersraised a cry of horror, and my motherburst into tears. Father M'Grath seized
hold of the pot of holy water, anddipping in the little whisk, began tosprinkle the room, saying a Latin prayer,while they all went on squalling at me.At last, my father seized the stool,which he had been seated upon, andthrew it at my head. I dodged, and itknocked down Father M'Grath, whohad just walked behind me in full song.I knew that it was all over after that, soI sprang over his carcass, and gainedthe door. 'Good morning to ye all, andbetter manners to you next time wemeet,' cried I, and off I set as fast as Icould for the ship.
"I was melancholy enough as I walkedback, and thought of what had passed.
'I need not have been in such aconfounded hurry,' said I to myself, 'toask leave, thereby affronting the firstlieutenant;' and I was very sorry forwhat I had said to the priest, for myconscience thumped me very hard athaving even pretended that I'd turnProtestant, which I never intended todo, nor never will, but live and die agood Catholic, as all my posterity havedone before me, and, as I trust, all myancestors will for generations to come.Well, I arrived on board, and the firstlieutenant was very savage. I hoped hewould get over it, but he never did; andhe continued to treat me so ill that Idetermined to quit the ship, which Idid as soon as we arrived in Cawsand
Bay. The captain allowed me to go, for Itold him the whole truth of the matter,and he saw that it was true; so herecommended me to the captain of ajackass frigate, who was in want ofmidshipmen."
"What do you mean by a jackass frigate" inquired I.
"I mean one of your twenty-eight gun-ships, so called, because there is asmuch difference between them and areal frigate, like the one we are sailingin, as there is between a donkey and aracehorse. Well, the ship was no soonerbrought down to the dock-yard to haveher ballast taken in, than our captain
came down to her a little, thin, spareman, but a man of weight nevertheless,for he brought a great pair of scaleswith him, and weighed everything thatwas put on board. I forget his realname, but the sailors christened himCaptain Avoirdupois. He had a largebook, and in it he inserted the weightof the ballast, and of the shot, water,provisions, coals, standing and runningrigging, cables, and everything else.Then he weighed all the men, and allthe midshipmen, and all themidshipmen's chests, and all theofficers, with everything belonging tothem: lastly, he weighed himself, whichdid not add much to the sum total. Idon't exactly know what this was for;
but he was always talking about centresof gravity, displacement of fluid, andLord knows what. I believe it was tofind out the longitude, somehow orother, but I didn't remain long enoughin her to know the end of it, for oneday I brought on board a pair of newboots, which I forgot to report thatthey might be put into the scales, whichswang on the gangway; and whether thecaptain thought that they would sinkhis ship, or for what I can not tell, buthe ordered me to quit her immediatelyso, there I was adrift again. I packed upmy traps and went on shore, putting onmy new boots out of spite, and trodinto all the mud and mire I could meet,and walked up and down from
Plymouth to Dock until I was tired, asa punishment to them, until I wore thescoundrels out in a fortnight.
"One day I was in the dockyard,looking at a two-decker in the basin,just brought forward for service, and Iinquired who was to be the captain.They told me that his name wasO'Connor. Then's he's a countrymanof mine, thought I, and I'll try my luck.So I called at Goud's Hotel, where hewas lodging, and requested to speakwith him. I was admitted, and I toldhim, with my best bow, that I had comeas a volunteer for his ship, and that myname was O'Brien. As it happened, hehad some vacancies, and liking my
brogue, he asked me in what ships Ihad served. I told him, and also myreason for quitting my last which was,because I was turned out of it. Iexplained the story of the boots, andhe made inquiries, and found that itwas all true; and then he gave me avacancy as master's mate. We wereordered to South America, and thetrade winds took us there in a jiffey. Iliked my captain and officers verymuch; and what was better, we tooksome good prizes. But somehow orother, I never had the luck to remainlong in one ship, and that by no faultof mine; at least, not in this instance.All went on as smooth as possible,until one day the captain took us on
shore to a ball, at one of the peaceabledistricts. We had a very merry night ofit; but as luck would have it, I had themorning watch to keep, and see thedecks cleaned, and as I never neglectedmy duty, I set off about three o'clock inthe morning, just at break of day, to goon board of the ship. I was walkingalong the sands, thinking of the prettygirl that I'd been dancing with, and hadgot about half way to the ship, whenthree rapparees of Spanish soldierscame from behind a rock and attackedme with their swords and bayonets. Ihad only my dirk, but I was not to berun through for nothing, so I foughtthem as long as I could. I finished onefellow, but at last they finished me; for a
bayonet passed through my body, and Iforgot all about it. Well, it appears for Ican only say to the best of myknowledge and belief that after theyhad killed me, they stripped me nakedand buried me in the sand, carryingaway with them the body of theircomrade. So there I was dead andburied."
"But, O'Brien," said I
"Whist hold your tongue you've notheard the end of it. Well, I had beenburied about an hour but not very deepit appears, for they were in too great ahurry when a fisherman and hisdaughter came along the beach, on their
way to the boat; and the daughter, Godbless her! did me the favour to treadupon my nose. It was clear that she hadnever trod upon an Irishman's nosebefore, for it surprised her, and shelooked down to see what was there,and not seeing anything, she tried itagain with her foot, and then shescraped off the sand, and discoveredmy pretty face. I was quite warm andstill breathing, for the sand had stoppedthe blood, and prevented my bleedingto death. The fisherman pulled me out,and took me on his back to the housewhere the captain and officers were stilldancing. When he brought me in, therewas a great cry from the ladies, notbecause I was murdered, for they are
used to it in those countries, butbecause I was naked, which theyconsidered a much more serious affair.I was put to bed and a boat despatchedon board for our doctor; and in a fewhours I was able to speak, and tell themhow it happened. But I was too ill tomove when the ship sailed, which shewas obliged to do in a day or twoafterwards, so the captain made out mydischarge, and left me there. The familywere French, and I remained with themfor six months before I could obtain apassage home, during which I learnttheir language, and a very fair allowanceof Spanish to boot. When I arrived inEngland, I found that the prizes hadbeen sold, and that the money was
ready for distribution. I produced mycertificate, and received L167 for myshare. So it's come at last, thought I.
"I never had such a handful of moneyin my life; but I hope I shall again verysoon. I spread it out on the table assoon as I got home, and looked at it,and then I said to myself, 'Now, TerenceO'Brien, will you keep this money toyourself, or send it home ' Then Ithought of Father M'Grath, and thestool that was thrown at my head, and Iwas very near sweeping it all back intomy pocket. But then I thought of mymother, and of the cows, and the pig,and the furniture, all gone; and of mybrothers and sisters wanting praties,
and I made a vow that I'd send everyfarthing of it to them, after whichFather M'Grath would no longer thinkof not giving me absolution. So I sentthem every doit, only reserving formyself the pay which I had received,amounting to about L30: and I neverfelt more happy in my life than when itwas safe in the post-office, and fairlyout of my hands. I wrote a bit of aletter to my father at the time, whichwas to this purpose:
"'HONOURED FATHER, Since ourlast pleasant meeting, at which youthrew the stool at my head, missing thepigeon and hitting the crow, I havebeen dead and buried, but am now
quite well, thank God, and want noabsolution from Father M'Grath, badluck to him. And what's more to thepoint, I have just received a batch ofprize-money, the first I have handledsince I have served his Majesty, andevery farthing of which I now send toyou, that you may get back your oldcows, and the pig, and all the rest ofthe articles seized to pay for my fittingout; so never again ask me whether Iam not ashamed of myself; moreshame to you for abusing a dutiful sonlike myself, who went to sea at yourbidding, and has never had a real goodpotato down his throat ever since. I'm atrue O'Brien, tell my mother, and don'tmane to turn Protestant, but uphold
the religion of my country; althoughthe devil may take Father M'Grath andhis holy water to boot. I sha'n't comeand see you, as perhaps you may haveanother stool ready for my head, andmay take better aim next time.
So no more at present from youraffectionate son, 'TERENCEO'BRIEN.'"
"About three weeks afterwards Ireceived a letter from my father, tellingme that I was a real O'Brien, and that ifany one dared hint to the contrary, hewould break every bone in his body;that they had received the money, andthanked me for a real gentleman as I
was; that I should have the best stool inthe house next time I came, not for myhead, but for my tail; that FatherM'Grath sent me his blessing, and hadgiven me absolution for all I had done,or should do for the next ten years tocome; that my mother had cried withjoy at my dutiful behaviour; and that allmy brothers and sisters (bating Tim,who had died the day after I left them)wished me good luck, and plenty moreprize-money to send home to them.
"This was all very pleasant; and I hadnothing left on my mind but to getanother ship; so I went to the port-admiral, and told him how it was that Ileft my last: and he said, 'that being
dead and buried was quite sufficientreason for any one leaving his ship, andthat he would procure me another, nowthat I had come to life again.' I was senton board of the guard-ship, where Iremained about ten days, and then wassent round to join this frigate and somy story's ended; and there's eight bellsstriking so the watch is ended too;jump down, Peter, and call Robinson,and tell him that I'll trouble him toforget to go to sleep again as he did lasttime, and leave me here kicking myheels, contrary to the rules andregulations of the service."
Chapter XIV
The first lieutenant has more patientsMr Chucks the Boatswain, lets me intothe secret of his gentility.
Before I proceed with my narrative, Iwish to explain to the reader that myhistory was not written in after-life,when I had obtained a greaterknowledge of the world. When I firstwent to sea, I promised my mother thatI would keep a journal of what passed,with my reflections upon it. To thispromise I rigidly adhered, and since Ihave been my own master, thesejournals have remained in mypossession. In writing, therefore, the
early part of my adventures, everythingis stated as it was impressed on mymind at the time. Upon many points Ihave since had reason to form adifferent opinion from that which isrecorded, and upon many others I havesince laughed heartily at my folly andsimplicity; but still, I have thought itadvisable to let the ideas of the periodremain, rather than correct them bythose of dear-bought experience. A boyof fifteen, brought up in a secludedcountry town, cannot be expected toreason and judge as a young man whohas seen much of life, and passedthrough a variety of adventures. Thereader must therefore remember, that Ihave referred to my journal for the
opinions and feelings which guided mebetween each distinct anniversary ofmy existence.
We had now been cruising for sixweeks, and I found that my professionwas much more agreeable than I hadanticipated. My desire to please wastaken for the deed; and, although Ioccasionally made a blunder, yet thecaptain and first lieutenant seemed tothink that I was attentive to my duty tothe best of my ability, and only smiledat my mistakes. I also discovered, that,however my natural capacity may havebeen estimated by my family, that it wasnot so depreciated here; and every day Ifelt more confidence in myself, and
hoped, by attention and diligence, tomake up for a want of naturalendowment. There certainly issomething in the life of a sailor whichenlarges the mind. When I was at homesix months before, I allowed otherpeople to think for me, and actedwholly on the leading-strings of theirsuggestions; on board, to the best ofmy ability, I thought for myself. Ibecame happy with my messmatesthose who were harsh upon me left off,because I never resented their conduct,and those who were kind to me wereeven kinder than before. The time flewaway quickly, I suppose, because Iknew exactly what I had to do, andeach day was the forerunner of the
ensuing. The first lieutenant was one ofthe most amusing men I ever knew, yethe never relaxed from the discipline ofthe service, or took the least libertywith either his superiors or inferiors.His humour was principally shown inhis various modes of punishment; and,however severe the punishment was tothe party, the manner of inflicting itwas invariably a source of amusementto the remainder of the ship's company.I often thought, that although noindividual liked being punished, yet,that all the ship's company were quitepleased when a punishment took place.He was very particular about his decks;they were always as white as snow, andnothing displeased him so much as
their being soiled. It was for that reasonthat he had such an objection to theuse of tobacco. There were spitting-pans placed in different parts of thedecks for the use of the men, that theymight not dirty the planks with thetobacco-juice. Sometimes a man in hishurry forgot to use these pans, but, asthe mess to which the stain might beopposite had their grog stopped if theparty were not found out, they tookgood care not only to keep a look-out,but to inform against the offender.Now the punishment for the offencewas as follows the man's hands weretied behind his back, and a large tinspitting-box fixed to his chest by a strapover the shoulders. All the other boxes
on the lower deck were taken away, andhe was obliged to walk there, ready toattend the summons of any man whomight wish to empty his mouth of thetobacco-juice. The other men were sopleased at the fancy, that they spat twiceas much as before, for the pleasure ofmaking him run about. Mr Chucks, theboatswain, called it "the firstlieutenant's perambulating spitting-pan."He observed to me one day, "that reallyMr Falcon was such an epicure about hisdecks, that he was afraid to pudding ananchor on the forecastle."
I was much amused one morningwatch that I kept. We were stowing thehammocks in the quarter-deck nettings,
when one of the boys came up with hishammock on his shoulder, and as hepassed the first lieutenant, the latterperceived that he had a quid of tobaccoin his cheek. "What have you got there,my good lad a gum-boil your cheek isvery much swelled." "No, sir," repliedthe boy, "there's nothing at all thematter." "O there must be; it is a badtooth, then. Open your mouth, and letme see." Very reluctantly the boyopened his mouth, and discovered alarge roll of tobacco-leaf. "I see, I see,"said the first lieutenant, "your mouthwants overhauling, and your teethcleaning. I wish we had a dentist onboard; but as we have not, I willoperate as well as I can. Send the
armourer up here with his tongs."When the armourer made hisappearance, the boy was made to openhis mouth, while the chaw of tobaccowas extracted with his roughinstrument. "There now," said the firstlieutenant, "I'm sure that you must feelbetter already; you never could havehad any appetite. Now, captain of theafterguard, bring a piece of old canvasand some sand here, and clean his teethnicely." The captain of the afterguardcame forward, and putting the boy'shead between his knees, scrubbed histeeth well with the sand and canvas fortwo or three minutes. "There, that willdo," said the first lieutenant. "Now, mylittle fellow, your mouth is nice and
clean, and you'll enjoy your breakfast. Itwas impossible for you to have eatenanything with your mouth in such anasty state. When it's dirty again, cometo me, and I'll be your dentist."
One day I was on the forecastle withMr Chucks, the boatswain, who wasvery kind to me. He had been showingme how to make the various knots andbends of rope which are used in ourservice. I am afraid that I was verystupid, but he showed me over andover again, until I learnt how to makethem. Amongst others, he taught me afisherman's bend, which hepronounced to be the king of all knots;"and, Mr Simple," continued he, "there
is a moral in that knot. You observe,that when the parts are drawn the rightway, and together, the more you pullthe faster they hold, and the moreimpossible to untie them; but see, byhauling them apart, how a littledifference, a pull the other way,immediately disunites them, and thenhow easy they cast off in a moment.That points out the necessity of pullingtogether in this world, Mr Simple, whenwe wish to hold on, and that's a pieceof philosophy worth all the twenty-sixthousand and odd years of my friendthe carpenter, which leads to nothingbut a brown study, when he ought tobe attending to his duty."
"Very true, Mr Chucks, you are thebetter philosopher of the two."
"I am the better educated, Mr Simple,and I trust, more of a gentleman. Iconsider a gentleman to be, to a certaindegree, a philosopher, for very often heis obliged, to support his character assuch, to put up with what anotherperson may very properly fly in apassion about. I think coolness is thegreat character-stick of a gentleman. Inthe service, Mr Simple, one is obligedto appear angry without indulging thesentiment. I can assure you, that I neverlose my temper, even when I use myrattan."
"Why, then, Mr Chucks, do you swearso much at the men Surely that is notgentlemanly "
"Most certainly not, sir. But I mustdefend myself by observing the veryartificial state in which we live on boardof a man-of-war. Necessity, my dear MrSimple, has no law. You must observehow gently I always commence when Ihave to find fault. I do that to prove mygentility; but, sir, my zeal for the serviceobliges me to alter my language, toprove in the end that I am in earnest.Nothing would afford me morepleasure than to be able to carry on theduty as a gentleman, but that'simpossible."
"I really cannot see why."
"Perhaps, then, Mr Simple, you willexplain to me why the captain and firstlieutenant swear."
"That I do not pretend to answer, butthey only do so upon an emergency."
"Exactly so; but, sir, their 'mergency ismy daily and hourly duty. In thecontinual working of the ship I amanswerable for all that goes amiss. Thelife of a boatswain is a life of'mergency, and therefore I swear."
"I still cannot allow it to be requisite,
and certainly it is sinful."
"Excuse me, my dear sir; it is absolutelyrequisite, and not at all sinful. There isone language for the pulpit, andanother for on board ship, and, ineither situation, a man must make useof those terms most likely to producethe necessary effect upon his listeners.Whether it is from long custom of theservice, or from the indifference of asailor to all common things andlanguage (I can't exactly explain myself,Mr Simple, but I know what I mean),perhaps constant excitement may do,and therefore he requires more 'stimilis,'as they call it, to make him move.Certain it is, that common parlancy
won't do with a common seaman. It isnot here as in the scriptures, 'Do this,and he doeth it' (by the bye, that chapmust have had his soldiers in tightorder); but it is, 'Do this, d n your eyes,'and then it is done directly. The orderto do just carries the weight of acannon-shot, but it wants theperpelling power the d n is thegunpowder which sets it flying in theexecution of its duty. Do youcomprehend me, Mr Simple "
"I perfectly understand you, MrChucks, and I cannot help remarking,and that without flattery, that you arevery different from the rest of thewarrant officers. Where did you receive
your education "
"Mr Simple, I am here a boatswain witha clean shirt, and, I say it myself, and noone dare gainsay it, also with athorough knowledge of my duty. Butalthough I do not say that I ever wasbetter off, I can say this, that I've beenin the best society, in the company oflords and ladies. I once dined with yourgrandfather."
"That's more than ever I did, for henever asked me, nor took the leastnotice of me," replied I.
"What I state is true. I did not knowthat he was your grandfather until
yesterday, when I was talking with MrO'Brien; but I perfectly recollect him,although I was very young at that time.Now, Mr Simple, if you will promiseme as a gentleman (and I know you areone), that you will not repeat what I tellyou, then I'll let you into the history ofmy life."
"Mr Chucks, as I am a gentleman Inever will divulge it until you are deadand buried, and not then if you do notwish it."
"When I am dead and buried, you maydo as you please; it may then be ofservice to other people, although mystory is not a very long one."
Mr Chucks then sat down upon thefore-end of the booms by the funnel,and I took my place by his side, whenhe commenced as follows:
"My father was a boatswain before meone of the old school, rough as a bear,and drunken as a Gosport fiddler. Mymother was my mother, and I shall sayno more. My father was invalided forharbour duty after a life of intoxication,and died shortly afterwards. In themeantime I had been, by the kindnessof the port-admiral's wife, educated ata foundation school. I was thirteenwhen my father died, and my mother,not knowing what to do with me,
wished to bind me apprentice to amerchant vessel; but this I refused, and,after six months' quarrelling on thesubject, I decided the point byvolunteering in the Narcissus frigate. Ibelieve that my gentlemanly ideas wereinnate, Mr Simple; I never, as a child,could bear the idea of the merchantservice. After I had been a week onboard, I was appointed servant to thepurser, where I gave such satisfactionby my alertness and dexterity, that thefirst lieutenant took me away from thepurser to attend upon himself, so thatin two months I was a person of suchconsequence as to create a disturbancein the gunroom, for the purser was veryangry, and many of the officers took
his part. It was whispered that I was theson of the first lieutenant, and that hewas aware of it. How far that may betrue I know not, but there was alikeness between us; and my mother,who was a very pretty woman, attendedhis ship many years before as abumboat girl. I can't pretend to sayanything about it, but this I do say, MrSimple and many will blame me for it,but I can't help my natural feelings thatI had rather be the bye-blow of agentleman, than the 'gitimate offspringof a boatswain and his wife. There's nochance of good blood in your veins inthe latter instance, whereas, in theformer you may have stolen a drop ortwo. It so happened, that after I had
served the first lieutenant for about ayear, a young lord (I must not mentionhis name, Mr Simple) was sent to sea byhis friends, or by his own choice, Idon't know which, but I was told thathis uncle, who was 'zeckative, and hadan interest in his death, persuaded himto go. A lord at that period, sometwenty-five years ago, was a rarity in theservice, and they used to salute himwhen he came on board. Theconsequence was, that the young lordmust have a servant to himself,although all the rest of the midshipmenhad but one servant between them. Thecaptain inquired who was the best boyin the ship, and the purser, to whom heappealed, recommended me.
Accordingly, much to the annoyance ofthe first lieutenant (for first lieutenantsin those days did not assume as they donow, not that I refer to Mr Falcon, whois a gentleman), I was immediatelysurrendered to his lordship. I had avery easy, comfortable life of it I didlittle or nothing; if inquired for whenall hands were turned up, I wascleaning his lordship's boots, orbrushing his lordship's clothes, andthere was nothing to be said when hislordship's name was mentioned. Wewent to the Mediterranean (because hislordship's mamma wished it), and wehad been there about a year, when hislordship ate so many grapes that he wasseized with a dysentery. He was ill for
three weeks, and then he requested tobe sent to Malta in a transport going toGibraltar, or rather to the Barbary coast,for bullocks. He became worse everyday, and made his will, leaving me allhis effects on board, which I certainlydeserved for the kindness with which Ihad nursed him. Off Malta we fell inwith a xebeque, bound to CivitaVecchia, and the captain of thetransport, anxious to proceed, advisedour going on board of her, as the windwas light and contrary, and theseMediterranean vessels sailed better on awind than the transport. My master,who was now sinking fast, consented,and we changed our ships. The nextday he died, and a gale of wind came
on, which prevented us from gainingthe port for several days, and the bodyof his lordship not only became sooffensive, but affected the superstitionof the Catholic sailors so much, that itwas hove overboard. None of thepeople could speak English, nor couldI speak Maltese; they had no idea whowe were, and I had plenty of time forcogitation. I had often thought what afine thing it was to be a lord, and asoften wished that I had been born one.The wind was still against us, when amerchant vessel ran down to us, thathad left Civita Vecchia for Gibraltar. Idesired the captain of the xebeque tomake a signal of distress, or rather I didmyself, and the vessel, which proved to
be English, bore down to us.
"I manned the boat to go on board,and the idea came into my head, that,although they might refuse to take me,they would not refuse a lord. I put onthe midshipman's uniform belongingto his lordship (but then certainlybelonging to me), and went alongsideof the merchant vessel; I told them thatI had left my ship for the benefit of myhealth, and wanted a passage toGibraltar, on my way home. My title,and immediate acceptance of the termsdemanded for my passage, wassufficient. My property was broughtfrom the xebeque; and, of course, asthey could not speak English, they
could not contradict, even if theysuspected. Here, Mr Simple, I mustacknowledge a slight flaw in my earlyhistory, which I impart to you inconfidence; or otherwise I should nothave been able to prove that I wascorrect in asserting that I had dinedwith your grandfather. But thetemptation was too strong, and I couldnot resist. Think yourself, Mr Simple,after having served as a ship's boyclouted here, kicked there, damned byone, and sent to hell by another to findmyself treated with such respect anddeference, and my lorded this and mylorded that, every minute of the day.During my passage to Gibraltar, I hadplenty of time for arranging my plans. I
hardly need say that my lord's kit wasvaluable; and what was better, theyexactly fitted me. I also had his watchesand trinkets, and many other things,besides a bag of dollars. However, theywere honestly mine; the only thing thatI took was his name, which he had nofurther occasion for, poor fellow! Butit's no use defending what was wrong itwas dishonest, and there's an end of it.
"Now observe, Mr Simple, how onething leads to another. I declare to you,that my first idea of making use of hislordship's name, was to procure apassage to Gibraltar. I then wasundecided how to act; but, as I hadcharge of his papers and letters to his
mother and guardian, I think indeed Iam almost sure that I should have laidaside my dignity and midshipman'sdress, and applied for a passage hometo the commissioner of the yard. But itwas fated to be otherwise; for themaster of the transport went on shoreto report and obtain pratique, and hetold them everywhere that young LordA was a passenger with him, going toEngland for the benefit of his health.In less than half-an-hour, off came thecommissioner's boat, and another boatfrom the governor, requesting thehonour of my company, and that Iwould take a bed at their houses duringmy stay. What could I do I began to befrightened; but I was more afraid to
confess that I was an impostor, for I amsure the master of the transport alonewould have kicked me overboard, if Ihad let him know that he had been soconfounded polite to a ship's boy. So Iblushed half from modesty and halffrom guilt, and accepted the invitationof the governor; sending a polite verbalrefusal to the commissioner, upon theplea of there being no paper or penson board. I had so often accompaniedmy late master, that I knew very wellhow to conduct myself, and hadborrowed a good deal of his air andappearance indeed, I had a natural tastefor gentility. I could write and read; notperhaps so well as I ought to havedone, considering the education I had
received, but still quite well enough fora lord, and indeed much better than mylate master. I knew his signature wellenough, although the very idea ofbeing forced to use it made me tremble.However, the die was cast. I ought toobserve, that in one point we were notunlike both had curly light hair andblue eyes; in other points there was noresemblance. I was by far the better-looking chap of the two; and as we hadbeen up the Mediterranean for twoyears, I had no fear of any doubt as tomy identity until I arrived in England.Well, Mr Simple, I dressed myself verycarefully, put on my chains and rings,and a little perfume on myhandkerchief, and accompanied the
aide-de-camp to the governor's, where Iwas asked after my mother, Lady , andmy uncle, my guardian, and a hundredother questions. At first I was muchconfused, which was attributed tobashfulness; and so it was, but not ofthe right sort. But before the day wasover, I had become so accustomed tobe called 'my lord,' and to my situation,that I was quite at my ease, and beganto watch the motions and behaviour ofthe company, that I might regulate mycomportment by that of good society. Iremained at Gibraltar for a fortnight,and then was offered a passage in atransport ordered to Portsmouth. Beingan officer, of course it was free to acertain extent. On my passage to
England, I again made up my mind thatI would put off my dress and title assoon as I could escape fromobservation; but I was prevented asbefore. The port-admiral sent off torequest the pleasure of my company todinner. I dared not refuse; and there Iwas, my lord, as before, courted andfeasted by everybody. Tradesmen calledto request the honour of my lordship'scustom; my table at the hotel wascovered with cards of all descriptions;and, to confess the truth, I liked mysituation so much, and had been soaccustomed to it, that I now began todislike the idea that one day or other Imust resign it, which I determined todo as soon as I quitted the place. My
bill at the hotel was very extravagant,and more than I could pay: but themaster said it was not of the leastconsequence; that of course hislordship had not provided himselfwith cash, just coming from foreignparts, and offered to supply me withmoney if I required it. This, I will say, Iwas honest enough to refuse. I left mycards, P.P.C., as they do, Mr Simple, inall well-regulated society, and set off inthe mail for London, where I fullyresolved to drop my title, and toproceed to Scotland to his lordship'smother, with the mournful intelligenceof his death for you see, Mr Simple, noone knew that his lordship was dead.The captain of the transport had put
him into the xebeque alive, and thevessel bound to Gibraltar had receivedhim, as they imagined. The captain ofthe frigate had very soon afterwardsadvices from Gibraltar, stating hislordship's recovery and return toEngland. Well, I had not been in thecoach more than five minutes, whenwho should get in but a gentlemanwhom I had met at the port-admiral's;besides which the coachman and othersknew me very well. When I arrived inLondon (I still wore my midshipman'suniform), I went to an hotelrecommended to me, as I afterwardsfound out, the most fashionable intown, my title still following me. I nowdetermined to put off my uniform, and
dress in plain clothes my farce was over.I went to bed that night, and the nextmorning made my appearance in a suitof mufti, making inquiry of the waiterwhich was the best conveyance toScotland.
"'Post chay and four, my lord. At whattime shall I order it '
"'O,' replied I, 'I am not sure that I shallgo tomorrow.'
"Just at this moment in came the masterof the hotel, with the Morning Post inhis hand, making me a low bow, andpointing to the insertion of my arrivalat his hotel among the fashionables.
This annoyed me; and now that Ifound how difficult it was to get rid ofmy title, I became particularly anxiousto be William Chucks, as before. Beforetwelve o'clock, three or four gentlemenwere ushered into my sitting-room,who observing my arrival in thatdamn'd Morning Post, came to pay theirrespects; and before the day was over Iwas invited and re-invited by a dozenpeople. I found that I could not retreat,and I went away with the stream, as Idid before at Gibraltar andPortsmouth. For three weeks I waseverywhere; and if I found it agreeableat Portsmouth, how much more so inLondon! But I was not happy, MrSimple, because I was a cheat, every
moment expecting to be found out. Butit really was a nice thing to be a lord.
"At last the play was over. I had beenenticed by some young men into agambling-house, where they intendedto fleece me; but, for the first night,they allowed me to win, I think, aboutL300. I was quite delighted with mysuccess, and had agreed to meet themthe next evening; but when I was atbreakfast, with my legs crossed, readingthe Morning Post, who should come tosee me but my guardian uncle. He knewhis nephew's features too well to bedeceived; and my not recognising himproved at once that I was an impostor.You must allow me to hasten over the
scene which took place the wrath ofthe uncle, the confusion in the hotel,the abuse of the waiters, the policeofficer, and being dragged into ahackney coach to Bow-street. There Iwas examined and confessed all. Theuncle was so glad to find that hisnephew was really dead, that he felt noresentment towards me; and as, after all,I had only assumed a name, but hadcheated nobody, except the landlord atPortsmouth, I was sent on board thetender off the Tower, to be drafted intoa man-of-war. As for my L300, myclothes, &c., I never heard any more ofthem; they were seized, I presume, bythe landlord of the hotel for my bill,and very handsomely he must have
paid himself. I had two rings on myfingers, and a watch in my pocket,when I was sent on board the tender,and I stowed them away very carefully.I had also a few pounds in my purse. Iwas sent round to Plymouth, where Iwas drafted into a frigate. After I hadbeen there some time, I turned thewatch and rings into money, andbought myself a good kit of clothes;for I could not bear to be dirty. I wasput into the mizen-top, and no oneknew that I had been a lord."
"You found some difference, I shouldthink, in your situation "
"Yes, I did, Mr Simple; but I was much
happier. I could not forget the ladies,and the dinners, and the opera, and allthe delights of London, beside therespect paid to my title, and I oftensighed for them; but the police officerand Bow-street also came to myrecollection, and I shuddered at theremembrance. It had, however, onegood effect; I determined to be anofficer if I could, and learnt my duty,and worked my way up to quarter-master, and thence to boatswain and Iknow my duty, Mr Simple. But I'vebeen punished for my folly ever since. Iformed ideas above my station in life,and cannot help longing to be agentleman. It's a bad thing for a man tohave ideas above his station."
"You certainly must find somedifference between the company inLondon and that of the warrantofficers."
"It's many years back now, sir; but Ican't get over the feeling. I can't 'sociatewith them at all. A man may have thefeelings of a gentleman, although in ahumble capacity; but how can I beintimate with such people as MrDispart or Mr Muddle, the carpenterAll very well in their way, Mr Simple,but what can you expect from officerswho boil their 'tators in a cabbage-nethanging in the ship's coppers, whenthey know that there is one-third of a
stove allowed them to cook theirvictuals on "
Chapter XV
I go on service and am made prisonerby an old lady, who, not able to obtainmy hand, takes part of my finger as atoken O'Brien rescues me A lee shoreand narrow escape.
Two or three days after thisconversation with Mr Chucks, thecaptain ran the frigate in shore, andwhen within five miles we discoveredtwo vessels under the land. We made all
sail in chase, and cut them off fromescaping round a sandy point whichthey attempted to weather. Finding thatthey could not effect their purpose,they ran on shore under a small batteryof two guns, which commenced firingupon us. The first shot which whizzedbetween the masts had to me a mostterrific sound, but the officers and menlaughed at it, so of course I pretendedto do the same, but in reality I couldsee nothing to laugh at. The captainordered the starboard watch to bepiped to quarters, and the boats to becleared, ready for hoisting out; we thenanchored within a mile of the battery,and returned the fire. In the meantime,the remainder of the ship's company
hoisted out and lowered down fourboats, which were manned and armedto storm the battery. I was very anxiousto go on service, and O'Brien, who hadcommand of the first cutter, allowedme to go with him, on condition that Istowed myself away under theforesheets, that the captain might notsee me before the boats had shoved off.This I did, and was not discovered. Wepulled in abreast towards the battery,and in less than ten minutes the boatswere run on the beach, and we jumpedout. The Frenchmen fired a gun at us aswe pulled close to the shore, and thenran away, so that we took possessionwithout any fighting, which, to confessthe truth, I was not sorry for, as I did
not think that I was old or strongenough to cope hand to hand with agrown-up man. There were a fewfishermen's huts close to the battery,and while two of the boats went onboard of the vessels, to see if theycould be got off, and others werespiking the guns and destroying thecarriages, I went with O'Brien toexamine them: they were deserted bythe people, as might have beensupposed, but there was a greatquantity of fish in them, apparentlycaught that morning. O'Brien pointedto a very large skate "Murder in Irish!"cried he, "it's the very ghost of mygrandmother! we'll have her if it's onlyfor the family likeness. Peter, put your
finger into the gills, and drag her downto the boat." I could not force myfinger into the gills, and as the animalappeared quite dead, I hooked myfinger into its mouth; but I made a sadmistake, for the animal was alive, andimmediately closed its jaws, nipping myfinger to the bone, and holding it sotight that I could not withdraw it, andthe pain was too great to allow me topull it away by main force, and tear myfinger, which it held so fast. There Iwas, caught in a trap, and made aprisoner by a flat-fish. Fortunately, Ihallooed loud enough to make O'Brien,who was close down to the boats, witha large codfish under each arm, turnround and come to my assistance. At
first he could not help me, fromlaughing so much; but at last he forcedopen the jaw of the fish with hiscutlass, and I got my finger out, butvery badly torn indeed. I then took offmy garter, tied it round the tail of theskate, and dragged it to the boat, whichwas all ready to shove off. The otherboats had found it impossible to getthe vessels off without unloading so, inpursuance of the captain's orders, theywere set on fire, and before we lostsight of them, had burnt down to thewater's edge. My finger was very bad forthree weeks, and the officers laughed atme very much, saying that I narrowlyescaped being made a prisoner of by an"old maid."
We continued our cruise along thecoast, until we had run down into theBay of Arcason, where we capturedtwo or three vessels, and obliged manymore to run on shore. And here we hadan instance showing, how veryimportant it is that a captain of a man-of-war should be a good sailor, andhave his ship in such discipline as to bestrictly obeyed by his ship's company. Iheard the officers unanimously assert,after the danger was over, that nothingbut the presence of mind which wasshown by Captain Savage could havesaved the ship and her crew. We hadchased a convoy of vessels to thebottom of the bay: the wind was very
fresh when we hauled off, after runningthem on shore, and the surf on thebeach even at that time was so great,that they were certain to go to piecesbefore they could be got afloat again.We were obliged to double-reef thetopsails as soon as we hauled to thewind, and the weather looked verythreatening. In an hour afterwards, thewhole sky was covered with one blackcloud, which sank so low as nearly totouch our mast-heads, and atremendous sea, which appeared tohave risen up almost by magic, rolled inupon us, setting the vessel on a dead leeshore. As the night closed in, it blew adreadful gale, and the ship was nearlyburied with the press of canvas which
she was obliged to carry; for had wesea-room, we should have been lying-tounder storm staysails; but we wereforced to carry on at all risks, that wemight claw off shore. The sea brokeover as we lay in the trough, delugingus with water from the forecastle, aft tothe binnacles; and very often as the shipdescended with a plunge, it was withsuch force that I really thought shewould divide in half with the violenceof the shock. Double breechings wererove on the guns, and they were furthersecured with tackles, and strong cleatsnailed behind the trunnions, for weheeled over so much when we lurched,that the guns were wholly supported bythe breechings and tackles, and had one
of them broken loose, it must haveburst right through the lee side of theship, and she must have foundered.The captain, first lieutenant, and mostof the officers, remained on deckduring the whole of the night; andreally, what with the howling of thewind, the violence of the rain, thewashing of the water about the decks,the working of the chain-pumps, andthe creaking and groaning of thetimbers, I thought that we mustinevitably have been lost; and I said myprayers at least a dozen times during thenight, for I felt it impossible to go tobed. I had often wished, out ofcuriosity, that I might be in a gale ofwind, but I little thought it was to have
been a scene of this description, oranything half so dreadful. What madeit more appalling was, that we were on alee shore, and the consultations of thecaptain and officers, and the eagernesswith which they looked out fordaylight, told us that we had otherdangers to encounter besides the storm.At last the morning broke, and thelook-out man upon the gangway calledout, "Land on the lee beam." Iperceived the master dash his fistagainst the hammock-rails, as if withvexation, and walk away without sayinga word, and looking very grave.
"Up, there, Mr Wilson," said thecaptain, to the second lieutenant, "and
see how far the land trends forward,and whether you can distinguish thepoint." The second lieutenant went upthe main-rigging, and pointed with hishand to about two points before thebeam.
"Do you see two hillocks inland "
"Yes, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
"Then it is so," observed the captain tothe master, "and if we weather it, weshall have more sea-room. Keep herfull, and let her go through the water;do you hear, quarter-master "
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Thus, and no nearer, my man. Ease herwith a spoke or two when she sends;but be careful, or she'll take the wheelout of your hands."
It really was a very awful sight. Whenthe ship was in the trough of the sea,you could distinguish nothing but awaste of tumultuous water; but whenshe was borne up on the summit of theenormous waves, you then lookeddown, as it were, upon a low, sandycoast, close to you, and covered withfoam and breakers. "She behavesnobly," observed the captain, steppingaft to the binnacle, and looking at thecompass; "if the wind does not baffle
us, we shall weather." The captain hadscarcely time to make the observation,when the sails shivered and flapped likethunder. "Up with the helm; what areyou about, quarter-master "
"The wind has headed us, sir," repliedthe quarter-master, coolly.
The captain and master remained at thebinnacle watching the compass, andwhen the sails were again full, she hadbroken off two points, and the pointof land was only a little on the lee bow.
"We must wear her round, Mr Falcon.Hands, wear ship ready, oh, ready."
"She has come up again," cried themaster, who was at the binnacle.
"Hold fast there a minute. How's herhead now "
"N.N.E., as she was before she brokeoff, sir."
"Pipe belay," said the captain. "Falcon,"continued he, "if she breaks off againwe may have no room to wear; indeedthere is so little room now, that I mustrun the risk. Which cable was rangedlast night the best bower "
"Yes, sir."
"Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty fathoms.See it well done our lives may dependupon it."
The ship continued to hold her coursegood; and we were within half a mileof the point, and fully expected toweather it, when again the wet andheavy sails flapped in the wind, and theship broke off two points as before.The officers and seamen were aghast,for the ship's head was right on to thebreakers. "Luff now, all you can,quarter-master," cried the captain."Send the men aft directly. My lads,there is no time for words I am goingto club-haul the ship, for there is no
room to wear. The only chance youhave of safety is to be cool, watch myeye, and execute my orders withprecision. Away to your stations fortacking ship. Hands by the best boweranchor. Mr Wilson, attend below withthe carpenter and his mates, ready tocut away the cable at the moment that Igive the order. Silence, there, fore andaft. Quarter-master, keep her full againfor stays. Mind you ease the helm downwhen I tell you." About a minutepassed before the captain gave anyfurther orders. The ship had closed towithin a quarter of a mile of the beach,and the waves curled and toppedaround us, bearing us down upon theshore, which presented one continued
surface of foam, extending to withinhalf a cable's length of our position.The captain waved his hand in silenceto the quarter-master at the wheel, andthe helm was put down. The shipturned slowly to the wind, pitching andchopping as the sails were spilling.When she had lost her way, the captaingave the order, "Let go the anchor. Wewill haul all at once, Mr Falcon," saidthe captain. Not a word was spoken,the men went to the fore brace, whichhad not been manned; most of themknew, although I did not, that if theship's head did not go round the otherway, we should be on shore, andamong the breakers in half a minute. Ithought at the time that the captain had
said that he would haul all the yards atonce, there appeared to be doubt ordissent on the countenance of MrFalcon; and I was afterwards told thathe had not agreed with the captain, buthe was too good an officer, and knewthat there was no time for discussion,to make any remark; and the eventproved that the captain was right. Atlast the ship was head to wind, and thecaptain gave the signal. The yards flewround with such a creaking noise, that Ithought the masts had gone over theside, and the next moment the windhad caught the sails, and the ship,which for a moment or two had beenon an even keel, careened over to hergunnel with its force. The captain, who
stood upon the weather-hammock rails,holding by the main-rigging, orderedthe helm amidships, looked full at thesails, and then at the cable, which grewbroad upon the weather bow, and heldthe ship from nearing the shore. At lasthe cried, "Cut away the cable!" A fewstrokes of the axes were heard, andthen the cable flew out of thehawsehole in a blaze of fire, from theviolence of the friction, anddisappeared under a huge wave, whichstruck us on the chess-tree, anddeluged us with water fore and aft. Butwe were now on the other tack, and theship regained her way and we hadevidently increased our distance fromthe land. "My lads," said the captain to
the ship's company, "you have behavedwell, and I thank you; but I must tellyou honestly that we have moredifficulties to get through. We have toweather a point of the bay on this tack.Mr Falcon, splice the main-brace, andcall the watch. How's her head, quarter-master "
"S.W. by S. Southerly, sir."
"Very well; let her go through thewater;" and the captain, beckoning tothe master to follow him, went downinto the cabin. As our immediatedanger was over, I went down into theberth to see if I could get anything forbreakfast, where I found O'Brien and
two or three more.
"By the powers, it was as nate a thing asever I saw done," observed O'Brien:"the slightest mistake as to time ormanagement, and at this moment theflatfish would have been dubbing atour ugly carcases. Peter, you're not fondof flatfish, are you, my boy We maythank Heaven and the captain, I can tellyou that, my lads; but now, where's thechart, Robinson Hand me down theparallel rules and compasses, Peter; theyare in the corner of the shelf. Here weare now, a devilish sight too near thisinfernal point. Who knows how herhead is "
"I do, O'Brien: I heard the quarter-master tell the captain S.W. by S.Southerly."
"Let me see," continued O'Brien,"variation 2 1/4 lee way rather too largean allowance of that, I'm afraid; but,however, we'll give her 2 1/2 points;the Diomede would blush to make anymore, under any circumstances. Herethe compass now we'll see;" andO'Brien advanced the parallel rule fromthe compass to the spot where the shipwas placed on the chart. "Bother! yousee it's as much as she'll do to weatherthe other point now, on this tack, andthat's what the captain meant, when hetold us we had more difficulty. I could
have taken my Bible oath that we wereclear of everything, if the wind held."
"See what the distance is, O'Brien," saidRobinson. It was measured, and provedto be thirteen miles. "Only thirteenmiles; and if we do weather, we shalldo very well, for the bay is deepbeyond. It's a rocky point, you see, justby way of variety. Well, my lads, I've apiece of comfort for you, anyhow. It'snot long that you'll be kept in suspense,for by one o'clock this day, you'll eitherbe congratulating each other upon yourgood luck, or you'll be past praying for.Come, put up the chart, for I hate tolook at melancholy prospects; and,steward, see what you can find in the
way of comfort." Some bread andcheese, with the remains of yesterday'sboiled pork, were put on the table, witha bottle of rum, procured at the timethey "spliced the mainbrace;" but wewere all too anxious to eat much, andone by one returned on deck to seehow the weather was, and if the windat all favoured us. On deck the superiorofficers were in conversation with thecaptain, who had expressed the samefear that O'Brien had in our berth. Themen, who knew what they had toexpect for this sort of intelligence issoon communicated through a shipwere assembled in knots, looking verygrave, but at the same time not wantingin confidence. They knew that they
could trust to the captain, as far as skillor courage could avail them, and sailorsare too sanguine to despair, even at thelast moment. As for myself, I felt suchadmiration for the captain, after what Ihad witnessed that morning, that,whenever the idea came over me, that inall probability I should be lost in a fewhours, I could not help acknowledginghow much more serious it was thatsuch a man should be lost to hiscountry. I do not intend to say that itconsoled me; but it certainly made mestill more regret the chances with whichwe were threatened.
Before twelve o'clock, the rocky pointwhich we so much dreaded was in
sight, broad on the lee-bow; and if thelow sandy coast appeared terrible, howmuch more did this, even at a distance:the black masses of rock, covered withfoam, which each minute dashed up inthe air, higher than our lower mast-heads. The captain eyed it for someminutes in silence, as if in calculation.
"Mr Falcon," said he at last, "we mustput the mainsail on her."
"She never can bear it, sir."
"She must bear it," was the reply. "Sendthe men aft to the mainsheet. See thatcareful men attend the buntlines."
The mainsail was set, and the effect ofit upon the ship was tremendous. Shecareened over so that her lee channelswere under the water, and whenpressed by a sea, the lee-side of thequarter-deck and gangway were afloat.She now reminded me of a goaded andfiery horse, mad with the stimulusapplied; not rising as before, butforcing herself through whole seas, anddividing the waves, which poured inone continual torrent from theforecastle down upon the decks below.Four men were secured to the wheelthe sailors were obliged to cling, toprevent being washed away the ropeswere thrown in confusion to leeward,the shot rolled out of the lockers, and
every eye was fixed aloft, watching themasts, which were expected everymoment to go over the side. A heavysea struck us on the broadside, and itwas some moments before the shipappeared to recover herself; she reeled,trembled, and stopped her way, as if ithad stupefied her. The first lieutenantlooked at the captain, as if to say, "Thiswill not do." "It is our only chance,"answered the captain to the appeal.That the ship went faster through thewater, and held a better wind, wascertain; but just before we arrived at thepoint the gale increased in force. "Ifanything starts, we are lost, sir,"observed the first lieutenant again.
"I am perfectly aware of it," replied thecaptain, in a calm tone; "but, as I saidbefore, and you must now be aware, itis our only chance. The consequence ofany carelessness or neglect in the fittingand securing of the rigging, will be feltnow; and this danger, if we escape it,ought to remind us how much we haveto answer for if we neglect our duty.The lives of a whole ship's companymay be sacrificed by the neglect orincompetence of an officer when inharbour. I will pay you the compliment,Falcon, to say, that I feel convinced thatthe masts of the ship are as secure asknowledge and attention can makethem."
The first lieutenant thanked the captainfor his good opinion, and hoped itwould not be the last complimentwhich he paid him.
"I hope not too; but a few minutes willdecide the point."
The ship was now within two cables'lengths of the rocky point; some fewof the men I observed to clasp theirhands, but most of them were silentlytaking off their jackets, and kicking offtheir shoes, that they might not lose achance of escape provided the shipstruck.
"'Twill be touch and go indeed,
Falcon," observed the captain (for I hadclung to the belaying-pins, close tothem, for the last half-hour that themainsail had been set). "Come aft, youand I must take the helm. We shall wantnerve there, and only there, now."
The captain and first lieutenant wentaft, and took the forespokes of thewheel, and O'Brien, at a sign made bythe captain, laid hold of the spokesbehind him. An old quarter-master kepthis station at the fourth. The roaring ofthe seas on the rocks, with the howlingof the wind, were dreadful; but thesight was more dreadful than the noise.For a few moments I shut my eyes, butanxiety forced me to open them again.
As near as I could judge, we were nottwenty yards from the rocks, at the timethat the ship passed abreast of them.We were in the midst of the foam,which boiled around us; and as theship was driven nearer to them, andcareened with the wave, I thought thatour main-yard-arm would havetouched the rock; and at this moment agust of wind came on, which laid theship on her beam-ends, and checkedher progress through the water, whilethe accumulated noise was deafening. Afew moments more the ship draggedon, another wave dashed over her andspent itself upon the rocks, while thespray was dashed back from them, andreturned upon the decks. The main
rock was within ten yards of hercounter, when another gust of windlaid us on our beam-ends, the foresailand mainsail split, and were blownclean out of the bolt-ropes the shiprighted, trembling fore and aft. I lookedastern: the rocks were to windward onour quarter, and we were safe. I thoughtat the time, that the ship, relieved of hercourses, and again lifting over thewaves, was not a bad similitude of therelief felt by us all at that moment; and,like her, we trembled as we panted withthe sudden reaction, and felt theremoval of the intense anxiety whichoppressed our breasts.
The captain resigned the helm, and
walked aft to look at the point, whichwas now broad on the weather quarter.In a minute or two, he desired MrFalcon to get new sails up and bendthem, and then went below to hiscabin. I am sure it was to thank Godfor our deliverance: I did mostfervently, not only then, but when Iwent to my hammock at night. We werenow comparatively safe in a few hourscompletely so; for strange to say,immediately after we had weathered therocks, the gale abated, and beforemorning we had a reef out of thetopsails. It was my afternoon watch,and perceiving Mr Chucks on theforecastle, I went forward to him, andasked him what he thought of it.
"Thought of it, sir!" replied he; "why, Ialways think bad of it when theelements won't allow my whistle to beheard; and I consider it hardly fair play.I never care if we are left to our ownexertions; but how is it possible for aship's company to do their best, whenthey cannot hear the boatswain's pipeHowever, God be thanked,nevertheless, and make better Christiansof us all! As for that carpenter, he ismad. Just before we weathered thepoint, he told me that it was just thesame 27,600 and odd years ago. I dobelieve that on his death-bed (and hewas not far from a very hard oneyesterday), he will tell us how he died
so many thousand years ago, of thesame complaint. And that gunner ofours is a fool. Would you believe it, MrSimple, he went crying about the decks,'O my poor guns, what will become ofthem if they break loose ' He appearedto consider it of no consequence if theship and ship's company were all lost,provided that his guns were safelylanded on the beach.
"'Mr Dispart,' said I, at last, 'allow me toobserve, in the most delicate way in theworld, that you're a d d old fool.' Yousee, Mr Simple, it's the duty of anofficer to generalise, and be attentive toparts, only in consideration of thesafety of the whole. I look after my
anchors and cables, as I do after therigging; not that I care for any of themin particular, but because the safety of aship depends upon her being wellfound. I might just as well cry becausewe sacrificed an anchor and cableyesterday morning, to save the shipfrom going on shore."
"Very true, Mr Chucks," replied I.
"Private feelings," continued he, "mustalways be sacrificed for the publicservice. As you know, the lower deckwas full of water, and all our cabinsand chests were afloat; but I did notthink then about my shirts, and look atthem now, all blowing out in the
forerigging, without a particle of starchleft in the collars or the frills. I shall notbe able to appear as an officer ought todo for the whole of the cruise."
As he said this, the cooper, goingforward, passed by him, and jostledhim in passing. "Beg pardon, sir," saidthe man, "but the ship lurched."
"The ship lurched, did it " replied theboatswain, who, I am afraid, was not inthe best of humours about hiswardrobe. "And pray, Mr Cooper, whyhas heaven granted you two legs, withjoints at the knees, except to enable youto counteract the horizontal deviationDo you suppose they were meant for
nothing but to work round a cask withHark, sir, did you take me for a post toscrub your pig's hide against Allow mejust to observe, Mr Cooper just toinsinuate, that when you pass anofficer, it is your duty to keep at arespectable distance, and not to soil hisclothes with your rusty iron jacket. Doyou comprehend me, sir; or will thismake you recollect in future " Therattan was raised, and descended in ashower of blows, until the coopermade his escape into the head. "There,take that, you contaminating, stave-dubbing, gimlet-carrying, quintessenceof a bung-hole! I beg your pardon, MrSimple, for interrupting theconversation, but when duty calls, we
must obey."
"Very true, Mr Chucks. It's now strikingseven bells, and I must call the masterso good-by."
Chapter XVI
News from home A fatigue partyemployed at Gibraltar More particularsin the life of Mr Chucks A brush withthe enemy A court-martial and a lastingimpression.
A few days afterwards, a cutter joinedus from Plymouth, with orders for the
frigate to proceed forthwith toGibraltar, where we should learn ourdestination. We were all very glad ofthis: for we had had quite enough ofcruising in the Bay of Biscay; and, aswe understood that we were to bestationed in the Mediterranean, wehoped to exchange gales of wind andsevere weather, for fine breezes and abright sky. The cutter brought out ourletters and newspapers. I never feltmore happy than I did when I foundone put into my hands. It is necessaryto be far from home and friends, to feelthe real delight of receiving a letter. Iwent down into the most solitary placein the steerage, that I might enjoy itwithout interruption. I cried with
pleasure before I opened it, but I crieda great deal more with grief, after I hadread the contents for my eldest brotherTom was dead of a typhus fever. PoorTom! when I called to mind what trickshe used to play me how he used toborrow my money and never pay meand how he used to thrash me andmake me obey him, because he was myeldest brother I shed a torrent of tearsat his loss; and then I reflected howmiserable my poor mother must be,and I cried still more.
"What's the matter, spooney " saidO'Brien, coming up to me. "Who hasbeen licking you now "
"O, nobody," replied I; "but my eldestbrother Tom is dead, and I have noother."
"Well, Peter, I dare say that your brotherwas a very good brother; but I'll tellyou a secret. When you've lived longenough to have a beard to scrape at,you'll know better than to make a fussabout an elder brother. But you're agood, innocent boy just now, so I won'tthrash you for it. Come, dry your eyes,Peter, and never mind it. We'll drink hishealth and long life to him, aftersupper, and then never think any moreabout it."
I was very melancholy for a few days;
but it was so delightful running downthe Portuguese and Spanish coasts, theweather was so warm, and the sea sosmooth, that I am afraid I forgot mybrother's death sooner than I ought tohave done; but my spirits were cheeredup, and the novelty of the sceneprevented me from thinking. Every one,too, was so gay and happy, that I couldnot well be otherwise. In a fortnight,we anchored in Gibraltar Bay, and theship was stripped to refit. There was somuch duty to be done, that I did notlike to go on shore. Indeed, Mr Falconhad refused some of my messmates,and I thought it better not to ask,although I was very anxious to see aplace which was considered so
extraordinary. One afternoon, I waslooking over the gangway as the peoplewere at supper, and Mr Falcon came upto me and said, "Well, Mr Simple, whatare you thinking of " I replied,touching my hat, that I was wonderinghow they had cut out the solid rockinto galleries, and that they must bevery curious.
"That is to say, that you are very curiousto see them. Well, then, since you havebeen very attentive to your duty, andhave not asked to go on shore, I willgive you leave to go to-morrowmorning and stay till gun-fire."
I was very much pleased at this, as the
officers had a general invitation to dinewith the mess, and all who could obtainleave being requested to come, I wasenabled to join the party. The firstlieutenant had excused himself on theplea of there being so much to attendto on board; but most of the gun-roomofficers and some of the midshipmenobtained leave. We walked about thetown and fortifications until dinner-time, and then we proceeded to thebarracks. The dinner was very good,and we were all very merry; but afterthe dessert had been brought in, Islipped away with a young ensign, whotook me all over the galleries, andexplained everything to me, which wasa much better way of employing my
time than doing as the others did,which the reader will acknowledge. Iwas at the sally-port before gun-fire theboat was there, but no officers madetheir appearance. The gun fired, thedrawbridge was hauled up, and I wasafraid that I should be blamed; but theboat was not ordered to shove off, as itwas waiting for commissioned officers.About an hour afterwards, when it wasquite dark, the sentry pointed his armsand challenged a person advancingwith, "Who comes there " "Navalofficer, drunk on a wheelbarrow," wasthe reply, in a loud singing voice. Uponwhich, the sentry recovered his arms,singing in return, "Pass naval officer,drunk on a wheelbarrow and all's well!"
and then appeared a soldier in hisfatigue dress, wheeling down the thirdlieutenant in a wheelbarrow, so tipsythat he could not stand or speak. Thenthe sentry challenged again, and theanswer was, "Another naval officer,drunk on a wheelbarrow;" upon whichthe sentry replied as before, "Pass,another naval officer, drunk on awheelbarrow and all's well." This wasmy friend O'Brien, almost as bad as thethird lieutenant; and so they continuedfor ten minutes, challenging andpassing, until they wheeled down theremainder of the party, with theexception of the second lieutenant,who walked arm and arm with theofficer who brought down the order
for lowering the drawbridge. I wasmuch shocked, for I considered it verydisgraceful; but I afterwards was told,which certainly admitted of someexcuse, that the mess were notoriousfor never permitting any of their gueststo leave the table sober. They were allsafely put into the boat, and I am gladto say, the first lieutenant was in bedand did not see them; but I could nothelp acknowledging the truth of anobservation made by one of the men asthe officers were handed into the boat,"I say, Bill, if them were we, what aprecious twisting we should get to-morrow at six bells!"
The ship remained in Gibraltar Bay
about three weeks, during which timewe had refitted the rigging fore and aft,restowed and cleaned the hold, andpainted outside. She never looked morebeautiful than she did when, inobedience to our orders, we made sailto join the admiral. We passed EuropaPoint with a fair wind, and at sunset wewere sixty miles from the Rock, yet itwas distinctly to be seen, like a bluecloud, but the outline perfectly correct.I mention this, as perhaps my readerwould not have believed that it waspossible to see land at such a distance.We steered for Cape de Gatte, and wewere next day close in shore. I was verymuch delighted with the Spanish coast,mountain upon mountain, hill upon
hill, covered with vines nearly to theirsummits. We might have gone on shoreat some places, for at that time we werefriendly with the Spaniards, but thecaptain was in too great a hurry to jointhe admiral. We had very light winds,and a day or two afterwards we wereoff Valencia, nearly becalmed. I was onthe gangway, looking through atelescope at the houses and gardensround the city, when Mr Chucks, theboatswain, came up to me. "Mr Simple,oblige me with that glass a moment; Iwish to see if a building remains there,which I have some reason toremember."
"What, were you ever on shore there "
"Yes I was, Mr Simple, and nearlystranded, but I got off again withoutmuch damage."
"How do you mean were you wrecked,then "
"Not my ship, Mr Simple, but my peaceof mind was for some time; but it'smany years ago, when I was first madeboatswain of a corvette (during thisconversation he was looking throughthe telescope); yes, there it is," said he;"I have it in the field. Look, Mr Simple,do you see a small church, with a spireof glazed tiles, shining like a needle "
"Yes, I do."
"Well, then, just above it, a little to theright, there is a long white house, withfour small windows below the grove oforange-trees."
"I see it," replied I; "but what aboutthat house, Mr Chucks "
"Why, thereby hangs a tale," replied he,giving a sigh, which raised and thenlowered the frill of his shirt at least sixinches.
"Why, what is the mystery, Mr Chucks "
"I'll tell you, Mr Simple. With one who
lived in that house, I was for the first,and for the last time, in love."
"Indeed! I should like very much tohear the story."
"So you shall, Mr Simple, but I mustbeg that you will not mention it, asyoung gentlemen are apt to quiz; and Ithink that being quizzed hurts myauthority with the men. It is now aboutsixteen years back we were then ongood terms with the Spaniards, as weare now. I was then little more thanthirty years old, and had just receivedmy warrant as boatswain. I wasconsidered a well-looking young manat that time, although lately I have, to a
certain degree, got the better of that."
"Well, I consider you a remarkablygood-looking man now, Mr Chucks."
"Thank you, Mr Simple, but nothingimproves by age, that I know of, exceptrum. I used to dress very smart, and'cut the boatswain' when I was onshore: and perhaps I had not lost somuch of the polish I had picked up ingood society. One evening, I waswalking in the Plaza, when I saw afemale ahead, who appeared to be theprettiest moulded little vessel that I evercast my eyes on. I followed in her wake,and examined her: such a clean run Inever beheld so neat, too, in all her
rigging everything so nicely stowedunder hatches. And then, she sailedalong in such a style, at one momentlifting so lightly, just like a frigate, withher topsails on the caps, that can't helpgoing along. At another time, as sheturned a corner sharp up in the windwake as straight as an arrow no leeway Imade all sail to sheer alongside of her,and, when under quarter, examined herclose. Never saw such a fine swell in thecounter, and all so trim no ropestowing overboard. Well, Mr Simple, Isaid to myself, 'D n it, if her figureheadand bows be finished off by the samebuilder, she's perfect.' So I shot ahead,and yawed a little caught a peep at herthrough her veil, and saw two black
eyes as bright as beads, and as large asdamsons. I saw quite enough, and notwishing to frighten her, I droppedastern. Shortly afterwards she alteredher course, steering for that whitehouse. Just as she was abreast of it, andI playing about her weather quarter, thepriests came by in procession, takingthe host to somebody who was dying.My little frigate lowered her top-gallantsails out of respect, as other nationsused to do, and ought now, and be d dto them, whenever they pass the flag ofold England "
"How do you mean " inquired I.
"I mean that she spread her white
handkerchief, which fluttered in herhand as she went along, and kneltdown upon it on one knee. I did thesame, because I was obliged to heave-toto keep my station, and I thought, thatif she saw me, it would please her.When she got up, I was on my legsalso; but in my hurry I had not chosena very clean place, and I found out,when I got up again, that my white jeantrousers were in a shocking mess. Theyoung lady turned round, and seeingmy misfortune, laughed, and then wentinto the white house, while I stoodthere like a fool, first looking at thedoor of the house, and then at mytrousers. However, I thought that Imight make it the means of being
acquainted with her, so I went to thedoor and knocked. An old gentlemanin a large cloak, who was her father,came out; I pointed to my trousers, andrequested him in Spanish to allow me alittle water to clean them. The daughterthen came from within, and told herfather how the accident had happened.The old gentleman was surprised thatan English officer was so good aChristian, and appeared to be pleased.He asked me very politely to come in,and sent an old woman for some water.I observed that he was smoking a bitof paper, and having very fortunatelyabout a couple of dozen of realHavannahs in my pocket (for I neversmoke anything else, Mr Simple, it
being my opinion that no gentlemancan), I took them out, and begged hisacceptance of them. His eyes glistenedat the sight of them, but he refused totake more than one; however, I insistedupon his taking the whole bundle,telling him that I had plenty more onboard, reserving one for myself, that Imight smoke it with him. He thenrequested me to sit down, and the oldwoman brought some sour wine, whichI declared was very good, although itmade me quite ill afterwards. Heinquired of me whether I was a goodChristian. I replied that I was. I knewthat he meant a Catholic, for they callus heretics, Mr Simple. The daughterthen came in without her veil, and she
was perfection; but I did not look ather, or pay her any attention after thefirst salutation, I was so afraid ofmaking the old gentleman suspicious.He then asked what I was what sort ofofficer was I captain I replied that I wasnot. Was I 'tenente which meanslieutenant; I answered that I was not,again, but with an air of contempt, asif I was something better. What was I,then I did not know the Spanish forboatswain, and, to tell the truth, I wasashamed of my condition. I knew thatthere was an officer in Spain calledcorregidor, which means a corrector inEnglish, or one who punishes. Now Ithought that quite near enough for mypurpose, and I replied that I was the
corregidor. Now, Mr Simple, acorregidor in Spain is a person of rankand consequence, so they imagined thatI must be the same, and they appearedto be pleased. The young lady theninquired if I was of good familywhether I was a gentleman or not. Ireplied that I hoped so. I remained withthem for half-an-hour more, when mysegar was finished; I then rose, andthanking the old gentleman for hiscivility, begged that I might be allowedto bring him a few more segars, andtook my leave. The daughter openedthe street door, and I could not refrainfrom taking her hand and kissing it "
"Where's Mr Chucks call the boatswain
there forward," hallooed out thelieutenant.
"Here I am, sir," replied Mr Chucks,hastening aft, and leaving me and hisstory.
"The captain of the maintop reportsthe breast backstay much chafed in theserving. Go up and examine it," saidthe first lieutenant.
"Yes, sir," replied the boatswain, whoimmediately went up the rigging.
"And, Mr Simple, attend to the menscraping the spots off the quarter-deck."
"Yes, sir," replied I; and thus ourconversation was broken up.
The weather changed that night, and wehad a succession of rain and bafflingwinds for six or seven days, duringwhich I had no opportunity of hearingthe remainder of the boatswain'shistory. We joined the fleet off Toulon,closed the admiral's ship, and thecaptain went on board to pay hisrespects. When he returned, we foundout, through the first lieutenant, that wewere to remain with the fleet until thearrival of another frigate, expected inabout a fortnight, and then the admiralhad promised that we should have a
cruise. The second day after we hadjoined, we were ordered to form partof the in-shore squadron, consisting oftwo line-of-battle ships and fourfrigates. The French fleet used to comeout and manoeuvre within range oftheir batteries, or, if they proceededfurther from the shore, they took goodcare that they had a leading wind toreturn again into port. We had been in-shore about a week, every day runningclose in, and counting the French fleetin the harbour, to see that they were allsafe, and reporting it to the admiral bysignal, when one fine morning, thewhole of the French vessels wereperceived to hoist their topsails, and inless than an hour they were under
weigh, and came out of the harbour.We were always prepared for action,night and day, and, indeed, oftenexchanged a shot or two with thebatteries when we reconnoitred; the in-shore squadron could not, of course,cope with the whole French fleet, andour own was about twelve miles in theoffing, but the captain of the line-of-battle ship who commanded us, hove-to, as if in defiance, hoping to enticethem further out. This was not veryeasy to do, as the French knew that ashift of wind might put it out of theirpower to refuse an action, which waswhat they would avoid, and what wewere so anxious to bring about. I saywe, speaking of the English, not of
myself, for to tell the truth, I was not sovery anxious. I was not exactly afraid,but I had an unpleasant sensation at thenoise of a cannon-ball, which I hadnot as yet got over. However, four ofthe French frigates made sail towardsus, and hove-to, when within fourmiles, three or four line-of-battle shipsfollowing them as if to support them.Our captain made signal for permissionto close the enemy, which was granted,with our pennants, and those ofanother frigate. We immediately madeall sail, beat to quarters, put out thefires, and opened the magazines. TheFrench line-of-battle ships perceivingthat only two of our frigates were sentagainst their four, hove-to at about the
same distance from their frigates, as ourline-of-battle ships and other frigateswere from us. In the meantime ourmain fleet continued to work in shoreunder a press of sail, and the Frenchmain fleet also gradually approachedthe detached ships. The whole scenereminded me of the tournaments I hadread of; it was a challenge in the lists,only that the enemy were two to one; afair acknowledgment on their parts ofour superiority. In about an hour weclosed so near, that the French frigatesmade sail and commenced firing. Wereserved our fire until within a quarterof a mile, when we poured ourbroadside into the headmost frigate,exchanging with her on opposite tacks.
The Sea-horse, who followed, also gaveher a broadside. In this way weexchanged broadsides with the wholefour, and we had the best of it, for theycould not load so fast as we could. Wewere both ready again for the frigates asthey passed us, but they were not readywith their broadside for the Sea-horse,who followed us very closely, so thatthey had two broadsides each, and wehad only four in the Diomede, the Sea-horse not having one. Our rigging wascut up a great deal, and we had six orseven men wounded, but none killed.The French frigates suffered more, andtheir admiral perceiving that they werecut up a good deal, made a signal ofrecall. In the meantime we had both
tacked, and were ranging up on theweather quarter of the sternmostfrigate: the line-of-battle shipsperceiving this, ran down with thewind, two points free, to support theirfrigates, and our in-shore squadronmade all sail to support us, nearly layingup for where we were. But the windwas what is called at sea a soldier'swind, that is, blowing so that the shipscould lie either way, so as to run out orinto the harbour, and the Frenchfrigates, in obedience to their orders,made sail for their fleet in-shore, theline-of-battle ships coming out tosupport them. But our captain wouldnot give it up, although we allcontinued to near the French line-of-
battle ships every minute we ran in withthe frigates, exchanging broadsides withthem as fast as we could. One of themlost her foretopmast, and droppedastern, and we hoped to cut her off, butthe others shortened sail to supporther. This continued for about twentyminutes, when the French line-of-battleships were not more than a mile fromus, and our own commodore had madethe signal of our recall, for he thoughtthat we should be overpowered andtaken. But the Sea-horse, who saw therecall up, did not repeat it, and ourcaptain was determined not to see it,and ordered the signal-man not to lookthat way. The action continued, two ofthe French frigates were cut to pieces,
and complete wrecks, when the Frenchline-of-battle ships commenced firing.It was then high time to be off. We eachof us poured in another broadside, andthen wore round for our ownsquadron, which was about four milesoff, and rather to leeward, standing into our assistance. As we wore round,our main-topmast, which had beenbadly wounded, fell over the side, andthe French perceiving this, made all sail,with the hope of capturing us; but theSea-horse remained with us, and wethrew up in the wind, and raked themuntil they were within two cables'lengths of us. Then we stood on forour own ships; at last one of the line-of-battle ships, which sailed as well as
the frigates, came abreast of us, andpoured in a broadside, which broughteverything about our ears, and Ithought we must be taken; but on thecontrary, although we lost several men,the captain said to the first lieutenant,"Now, if they only wait a little longer,they are nabbed, as sure as fate." Just atthis moment, our own line-of-battleships opened their fire, and then thetables were turned. The French tacked,and stood in as fast as they could,followed by the in-shore squadron,with the exception of our ship, whichwas too much crippled to chase them.One of their frigates had taken in towthe other, who had lost her top-mast,and our squadron came up with her
very fast. The English fleet were alsowithin three miles, standing in, and theFrench fleet standing out, to theassistance of the other ships which hadbeen engaged. I thought, and so dideverybody, that there would be ageneral action, but we weredisappointed; the frigate which towedthe other, finding that she could notescape, cast her off, and left her to herfate, which was to haul down hercolours to the commodore of the in-shore squadron. The chase wascontinued until the whole of theFrench vessels were close under theirbatteries, and then our fleet returned toits station with the prize, which provedto be the Narcisse, of thirty-six guns,
Captain Le Pelleteon. Our captainobtained a great deal of credit for hisgallant behaviour. We had three menkilled, and Robinson, the midshipman,and ten men wounded, some of themseverely. I think this action cured me ofmy fear of a cannon-ball, for duringthe few days we remained with thefleet, we often were fired at when wereconnoitred, but I did not careanything for them. About the time shewas expected, the frigate joined, and wehad permission to part company. Butbefore I proceed with the history ofour cruise, I shall mention thecircumstances attending a court-martial,which took place during the time thatwe were with the fleet, our captain
having been recalled from the in-shoresquadron to sit as one of the members.I was the midshipman appointed to thecaptain's gig, and remained on board ofthe admiral's ship during the whole ofthe time that the court was sitting. Twoseamen, one an Englishman, and theother a Frenchman, were tried fordesertion from one of our frigates.They had left their ship about threemonths, when the frigate captured aFrench privateer, and found them onboard as part of her crew. For theEnglishman, of course, there was nodefence; he merited the punishment ofdeath, to which he was immediatelysentenced. There may be some excusefor desertion, when we consider that
the seamen are taken into the service byforce, but there could be none forfighting against his country. But thecase of the Frenchman was different.He was born and bred in France, hadbeen one of the crew of the Frenchgunboats at Cadiz, where he had beenmade a prisoner by the Spaniards, andexpecting his throat to be cut every day,had contrived to escape on board ofthe frigate lying in the harbour, andentered into our service, I really believeto save his life. He was nearly two yearsin the frigate before he could find anopportunity of deserting from her, andreturning to France, when he joined theFrench privateer. During the time thathe was in the frigate, he bore an
excellent character. The greatest pointagainst him was, that on his arrival atGibraltar he had been offered, and hadreceived the bounty. When theEnglishman was asked what he had tosay in his defence, he replied that hehad been pressed out of an Americanship, that he was an American born,and that he had never taken the bounty.But this was not true. The defence ofthe Frenchman was considered so verygood for a person in his station of life,that I obtained a copy of it, which ranas follows:
"Mr President, and Officers of theHonourable Court; It is with thegreatest humility that I venture to
address you. I shall be very brief, norshall I attempt to disprove the chargeswhich have been made against me, butconfine myself to a few facts, theconsideration of which will, I trust,operate upon your feelings inmitigation of the punishment to whichI may be sentenced for my fault a faultwhich proceeded, not from any evilmotive, but from an ardent love for mycountry. I am by birth a Frenchman; mylife has been spent in the service ofFrance until a few months after therevolution in Spain, when I, togetherwith those who composed the Frenchsquadron at Cadiz, was made aprisoner. The hardships and cruel usagewhich I endured became insupportable.
I effected my escape, and afterwandering about the town for two orthree days, in hourly expectation ofbeing assassinated, the fate of too manyof my unfortunate countrymen;desperate from famine, and perceivingno other chance of escaping from thetown, I was reduced to the necessity ofoffering myself as a volunteer on boardof an English frigate. I dared not, as Iought to have done, acknowledgemyself to have been a prisoner, fromthe dread of being delivered up to theSpaniards. During the period that Iserved on board of your frigate, Iconfidently rely upon the captain andthe officers for my character.
"The love of our country, althoughdormant for a time, will ultimately beroused, and peculiar circumstancesoccurred which rendered the feelingirresistible. I returned to my duty, andfor having so done, am I to bedebarred from again returning to thatcountry so dear to me from againbeholding my aged parents, who blessme in my absence from againembracing my brothers and sisters toend my days upon a scaffold; not forthe crime which I did commit inentering into your service, but for anact of duty and repentance that ofreturning to my own Allow me toobserve, that the charge against me isnot for entering your service, but for
having deserted from it. For the former,not even my misery can be broughtforward but in extenuation; for thelatter I have a proud consciousness,which will, I trust, be my support in myextremity.
"Gentlemen, I earnestly entreat you toconsider my situation, and I am surethat your generous hearts will pity me.Let that love of your country, whichnow animates your breasts, and inducesyou to risk your lives and your all, nowplead for me. Already has Britishhumanity saved thousands of mycountrymen from the rage of theSpaniards; let that same humanity beextended now, and induce my judges to
add one more to the list of those who,although our nations are at war, if theyare endowed with feeling, can have butone sentiment towards their generousenemy a sentiment overpowering allother, that of a deep-felt gratitude."[1]
Whatever may have been the effect ofthe address upon the court individually,it appeared at the time to have noneupon them as a body. Both the menwere condemned to death, and the dayafter the morrow was fixed for theirexecution. I watched the two prisonersas they went down the side, to beconducted on board of their own ship.The Englishman threw himself downin the stern sheets of the boat, every
minor consideration apparentlyswallowed up in the thought of hisapproaching end; but the Frenchman,before he sat down, observing that theseat was a little dirty, took out his silkhandkerchief, and spread it on the seat,that he might not soil his nankeentrowsers.
I was ordered to attend the punishmenton the day appointed. The sun shoneso brightly, and the sky was so clear, thewind so gentle and mild, that itappeared hardly possible that it was tobe a day of such awe and misery to thetwo poor men, or of such melancholyto the fleet in general. I pulled up myboat with the others belonging to the
ships of the fleet, in obedience to theorders of the officer superintending,close to the fore-chains of the ship. Inabout half-an-hour afterwards, theprisoners made their appearance on thescaffold, the caps were pulled over theireyes, and the gun fired underneaththem. When the smoke rolled away, theEnglishman was swinging at the yard-arm, but the Frenchman was not; hehad made a spring when the gun fired,hoping to break his neck at once, andput an end to his misery; but he fell onthe edge of the scaffold, where he lay.We thought that his rope had givenway, and it appeared that he did thesame, for he made an enquiry, but theyreturned him no answer. He was kept
on the scaffold during the whole hourthat the Englishman remainedsuspended; his cap had been removed,and he looked occasionally at hisfellow-sufferer. When the body waslowered down, he considered that histime was come, and attempted to leapoverboard. He was restrained and ledaft, where his reprieve was read to himand his arms were unbound. But theeffect of the shock was too much forhis mind; he fell down in a swoon, andwhen he recovered, his senses had lefthim, and I heard that he neverrecovered them, but was sent home tobe confined as a maniac. I thought, andthe result proved, that it was carried toofar. It is not the custom, when a man is
reprieved, to tell him so, until after he ison the scaffold, with the intention thathis awful situation at the time maymake a lasting impression upon himduring the remainder of his life; but, asa foreigner, he was not aware of ourcustoms, and the hour of intensefeeling which he underwent was toomuch for his reason. I must say, thatthis circumstance was always a sourceof deep regret in the whole fleet, andthat his being a Frenchman, instead ofan Englishman, increased the feeling ofcommiseration.
[Footnote 1: This is fact. AUTHOR.]
Chapter XVII
Mr Chucks's opinion on proper namesHe finishes his Spanish tale March ofintellect among the Warrant Officers.
We were all delighted when our signalwas hoisted to "part company," as weanticipated plenty of prize-moneyunder such an enterprising captain. Westeered for the French coast, near to itsjunction with Spain, the captain havingorders to intercept any convoys sent tosupply the French army with stores andprovisions.
The day after we parted company with
the fleet, Mr Chucks finished his story.
"Where was I, Mr Simple, when I leftoff " said he, as we took a seat uponthe long eighteen.
"You had just left the house afterhaving told them that you were acorregidor, and had kissed the lady'shand."
"Very true. Well, Mr Simple, I did notcall there for two or three daysafterwards; I did not like to go toosoon, especially as I saw the young ladyevery day in the Plaza. She would notspeak to me, but, to make use of theirexpression, 'she gave me her eyes,' and
sometimes a sweet smile. I recollect Iwas so busy looking at her one day, thatI tripped over my sword, and nearly fellon my nose, at which she burst out alaughing."
"Your sword, Mr Chucks I thoughtboatswains never wore swords."
"Mr Simple, a boatswain is an officer,and is entitled to a sword as well as thecaptain, although we have been laughedout of it by a set of midshipmanmonkeys. I always wore my sword atthat time; but now-a-days, a boatswainis counted as nobody, unless there ishard work to do, and then it's MrChucks this, and Mr Chucks that. But
I'll explain to you how it is, Mr Simple,that we boatswains have lost so muchof consequence and dignity. The firstlieutenants are made to do theboatswain's duty now-a-days, and ifthey could only wind the call, theymight scratch the boatswain's name offhalf the ships' books in his Majesty'sservice. But to go on with my yarn. Onthe fourth day, I called with myhandkerchief full of segars for thefather, but he was at siesta, as theycalled it. The old serving-woman wouldnot let me in at first; but I shoved adollar between her skinny old fingers,and that altered her note. She put herold head out, and looked round to seeif there was anybody in the street to
watch us, and then she let me in andshut the door. I walked into the room,and found myself alone withSeraphina."
"Seraphina! what a fine name!"
"No name can be too fine for a prettygirl, or a good frigate, Mr Simple; formy part, I'm very fond of these hardnames. Your Bess, and Poll, and Sue, dovery well for the Point, or Castle Rag;but in my opinion, they degrade a lady.Don't you observe, Mr Simple, that allour gun-brigs, a sort of vessel that willcertainly d n the inventor to all eternity,have nothing but low common names,such as Pincher, Thrasher, Boxer,
Badger, and all that sort, which arequite good enough for them; whereasall our dashing saucy frigates havenames as long as the main-top bowling,and hard enough to break your jawsuch as Melpomeny, Terpsichory,Arethusy, Bacchanty fine flourishers, aslong as their pennants which dipalongside in a calm."
"Very true," replied I; "but do youthink, then, it is the same with familynames "
"Most certainly, Mr Simple. When I wasin good society, I rarely fell in with suchnames as Potts or Bell, or Smith orHodges; it was always Mr Fortescue, or
Mr Fitzgerald, or Mr Fitzherbertseldom bowed, sir, to anything underthree syllables."
"Then I presume, Mr Chucks, you arenot fond of your own name "
"There you touch me, Mr Simple; but itis quite good enough for a boatswain,"replied Mr Chucks, with a sigh. "Icertainly did very wrong to imposeupon people as I did, but I've beenseverely punished for it it has made mediscontented and unhappy ever since.Dearly have I paid for my spree; forthere is nothing so miserable as to haveideas above your station in life, MrSimple. But I must make sail again. I
was three hours with Seraphina beforeher father came home, and during thattime I never was quietly at an anchorfor above a minute. I was on my knees,vowing and swearing, kissing her feetand kissing her hand, till at last I got toher lips, working my way up as regularlyas one who gets in at the hawseholeand crawls aft to the cabin windows.She was very kind, and she smiled, andsighed, and pushed me off, andsqueezed my hand, and was angryfrowning till I was in despair, and thenmaking me happy again with hermelting dark eyes beaming kindly, till atlast she said that she would try to loveme, and asked me whether I wouldmarry her and live in Spain. I replied
that I would; and, indeed, I felt as if Icould, only at the time the thoughtoccurred to me where the rhino was tocome from, for I could not live, as herfather did, upon a paper segar and apiece of melon per day. At all events, asfar as words went, it was a settled thing.When her father came home, the oldservant told him that I had just at thatmoment arrived, and that, his daughterwas in her own room; so she was, forshe ran away as soon as she heard herfather knock. I made my bow to the oldgentleman, and gave him the segars. Hewas serious at first, but the sight ofthem put him into good humour, andin a few minutes Donna Seraphina(they call a lady a Donna in Spain) came
in, saluting me ceremoniously, as if wehad not been kissing for the hourtogether. I did not remain long, as itwas getting late, so I took a glass of theold gentleman's sour wine, and walkedoff, with a request from him to callagain, the young lady paying me little orno attention during the time that Iremained, or at my departure."
"Well, Mr Chucks," observed I, "itappears to me that she was a verydeceitful young person."
"So she was, Mr Simple; but a man inlove can't see, and I'll tell you why. If hewins the lady, he is as much in lovewith himself as with her, because he is
so proud of his conquest. That was mycase. If I had had my eyes, I might haveseen that she who could cheat her oldfather for a mere stranger, wouldcertainly deceive him in his turn. But iflove makes a man blind, vanity, MrSimple, makes him blinder. In short, Iwas an ass."
"Never mind, Mr Chucks, there was agood excuse for it."
"Well, Mr Simple, I met her again andagain, until I was madly in love, and thefather appeared to be aware of whatwas going on, and to have noobjection. However, he sent for a priestto talk with me, and I again said that I
was a good Catholic. I told him that Iwas in love with the young lady, andwould marry her. The father made noobjection on my promising to remainin Spain, for he would not part with hisonly daughter. And there again I wasguilty of deceit, first, in making apromise I did not intend to keep, andthen in pretending that I was aCatholic. Honesty is the best policy, MrSimple, in the long run, you maydepend upon it."
"So my father has always told me, and Ihave believed him," replied I.
"Well, sir, I am ashamed to say that Idid worse; for the priest, after the thing
was settled, asked me whether I hadconfessed lately. I knew what he meant,and answered that I had not. Hemotioned me down on my knees; but,as I could not speak Spanish enoughfor that, I mumbled-jumbledsomething or another, half Spanish andhalf English, and ended with puttingfour dollars in his hand for carita,which means charity. He was satisfied atthe end of my confession, whatever hemight have been at the beginning, andgave me absolution, although he couldnot have understood what my crimeswere; but four dollars, Mr Simple, willpay for a deal of crime in that country.And now, sir, comes the winding up ofthis business. Seraphina told me that
she was going to the opera with someof her relations, and asked me if Iwould be there; that the captain of thefrigate, and all the other officers weregoing, and that she wished me to gowith her. You see, Mr Simple, althoughSeraphina's father was so poor, that amouse would have starved in his house,still he was of good family, andconnected with those who were muchbetter off. He was a Don himself, andhad fourteen or fifteen long names,which I forget now. I refused to gowith her, as I knew that the servicewould not permit a boatswain to sit inan opera-box, when the captain andfirst lieutenant were there. I told herthat I had promised to go on board
and look after the men while thecaptain went on shore; thus, as you'llsee, Mr Simple, making myself a manof consequence, only to be moremortified in the end. After she hadgone to the opera, I was veryuncomfortable: I was afraid that thecaptain would see her, and take a fancyto her. I walked up and down, outside,until I was so full of love and jealousythat I determined to go into the pit andsee what she was about. I soondiscovered her in a box, with someother ladies, and with them were mycaptain and first lieutenant. Thecaptain, who spoke the language well,was leaning over her, talking andlaughing, and she was smiling at what
he said. I resolved to leave immediately,lest she should see me and discover thatI had told her a falsehood; but theyappeared so intimate that I became sojealous I could not quit the theatre. Atlast she perceived me, and beckonedher hand; I looked very angry, and leftthe theatre cursing like a madman. Itappeared that she pointed me out tothe captain, and asked him who I was;he told her my real situation on board,and spoke of me with contempt. Sheasked whether I was not a man offamily; at this the captain and firstlieutenant both burst out laughing, andsaid that I was a common sailor whohad been promoted to a higher rank forgood behaviour not exactly an officer,
and anything but a gentleman. In short,Mr Simple, I was blown upon, and,although the captain said more thanwas correct, as I learnt afterwardsthrough the officers, still I deserved it.Determined to know the worst, Iremained outside till the opera wasover, when I saw her come out, thecaptain and first lieutenant walkingwith the party so that I could not speakwith her. I walked to a posada (that's aninn), and drank seven bottles of rosolioto keep myself quiet; then I went onboard, and the second lieutenant, whowas commanding officer, put me underarrest for being intoxicated. It was aweek before I was released; and youcan't imagine what I suffered, Mr
Simple. At last, I obtained leave to goon shore, and I went to the house todecide my fate. The old woman openedthe door, and then calling me a thief,slammed it in my face; as I retreated,Donna Seraphina came to the window,and, waving her hand with acontemptuous look, said, 'Go, and Godbe with you, Mr Gentleman.' I returnedon board in such a rage, that if I couldhave persuaded the gunner to havegiven me a ball cartridge, I should haveshot myself through the head. Whatmade the matter worse, I was laughed atby everybody in the ship, for thecaptain and first lieutenant had madethe story public."
"Well, Mr Chucks," replied I, "I cannothelp being sorry for you, although youcertainly deserved to be punished foryour dishonesty. Was that the end ofthe affair "
"As far as I was concerned it was, MrSimple; but not as respected others. Thecaptain took my place, but without theknowledge of the father. After all, theyneither had great reason to rejoice atthe exchange."
"How so, Mr Chucks what do youmean "
"Why, Mr Simple, the captain did notmake an honest woman of her, as I
would have done; and the fatherdiscovered what was going on, and onenight the captain was brought on boardrun through the body. We sailedimmediately for Gibraltar, and it was along while before he got round again:and then he had another misfortune."
"What was that "
"Why he lost his boatswain, Mr Simple;for I could not bear the sight of himand then he lost (as you must know,not from your own knowledge, butfrom that of others) a boatswain whoknows his duty."
"Every one says so, Mr Chucks. I'm
sure that our captain would be verysorry to part with you."
"I trust that every captain has been withwhom I've sailed, Mr Simple. But thatwas not all he lost, Mr Simple; for thenext cruise he lost his masts; and theloss of his masts occasioned the lossof his ship, since which he has neverbeen trusted with another, but is laidon the shelf. Now he never carriedaway a spar of any consequence duringthe whole time that I was with him. Amast itself is nothing, Mr Simple only apiece of wood but fit your riggingproperly, and then a mast is strong as arock. Only ask Mr Faulkner, and he'lltell you the same; and I never met an
officer who knew better how tosupport a mast."
"Did you ever hear any more of theyoung lady "
"Yes; about a year afterwards I returnedthere in another ship. She had beenshut up in a convent, and forced to takethe veil. Oh, Mr Simple! if you knewhow I loved that girl! I have never beenmore than polite to a woman since, andshall die a bachelor. You can't thinkhow I was capsized the other day, whenI looked at the house; I have hardlytouched beef or pork since, and am indebt two quarts of rum more than myallowance. But, Mr Simple, I have told
you this in confidence, and I trust youare too much of a gentleman to repeatit; for I cannot bear quizzing fromyoung midshipmen."
I promised that I would not mention it,and I kept my word; but circumstanceswhich the reader will learn in the sequelhave freed me from the condition.Nobody can quiz him now.
We gained our station off the coast ofPerpignan; and as soon as we made theland, we were most provokingly drivenoff by a severe gale. I am not about tomake any remarks about the gale, forone storm is so like another; but Imention it, to account for a
conversation which took place, andwith which I was very much amused. Iwas near to the captain when he sentfor Mr Muddle, the carpenter, who hadbeen up to examine the main-topsailyard, which had been reported assprung.
"Well, Mr Muddle," said the captain.
"Sprung, sir, most decidedly; but Ithink we'll be able to mitigate it."
"Will you be able to secure it for thepresent, Mr Muddle " replied thecaptain, rather sharply.
"We'll mitigate it, sir, in half an hour."
"I wish that you would use commonphrases when you speak to me, MrMuddle. I presume, by mitigate, youmean to say that you can secure it. Doyou mean so, sir, or do you not "
"Yes, sir, that is what I mean, mostdecidedly. I hope no offence, CaptainSavage; but I did not intend todisplease you by my language."
"Very good, Mr Muddle," replied thecaptain; "it's the first time that I havespoken to you on the subject, recollectthat it will be the last."
"The first time!" replied the carpenter,
who could not forget his philosophy; "Ibeg your pardon, Captain Savage, youfound just the same fault with me onthis quarter-deck 27,672 years ago, and"
"If I did, Mr Muddle," interrupted thecaptain, very angrily, "depend upon itthat at the same time I ordered you togo aloft, and attend to your duty,instead of talking nonsense on thequarter-deck; and, although, as you say,you and I cannot recollect it, if you didnot obey that order instantaneously, Ialso put you in confinement, andobliged you to leave the ship as soon asshe returned to port. Do youunderstand me, sir "
"I rather think, sir," replied thecarpenter, humbly touching his hat, andwalking to the main rigging, "that nosuch thing took place, for I went upimmediately, as I do now; and,"continued the carpenter, who wasincurable, as he ascended the rigging,"as I shall again in another 27,672years."
"That man is incorrigible with hisconfounded nonsense," observed thecaptain to the first lieutenant. "Everymast in the ship would go over the side,provided he could get any one to listento his ridiculous theory."
"He is not a bad carpenter, sir," repliedthe first lieutenant.
"He is not," rejoined the captain; "butthere is a time for all things."
Just at this moment, the boatswaincame down the rigging.
"Well, Mr Chucks, what do you thinkof the yard Must we shift it " inquiredthe captain.
"At present, Captain Savage," repliedthe boatswain, "I consider it to be in astate which may be called precarious,and not at all permanent; but, with alittle human exertion, four fathom of
three-inch, and half-a-dozen tenpennynails, it may last, for all I know, until itis time for it to be sprung again."
"I do not understand you, Mr Chucks.I know no time when a yard ought tobe sprung."
"I did not refer to our time, sir," repliedthe boatswain, "but to the 27,672 yearsof Mr Muddle, when "
"Go forward immediately, sir, andattend to your duty," cried the captain,in a very angry voice; and then he saidto the first lieutenant, "I believe thewarrant officers are going mad. Whoever heard a boatswain use such
language 'precarious and not at allpermanent ' His stay in the ship willbecome so, if he does not mind whathe is about."
"He is a very odd character, sir," repliedthe first lieutenant; "but I have nohesitation in saying that he is the bestboatswain in his majesty's service."
"I believe so too," replied the captain;"but well, every one has his faults. MrSimple, what are you about sir "
"I was listening to what you said,"replied I, touching my hat.
"I admire your candour, sir," replied he,
"but advise you to discontinue thepractice. Walk over to leeward, sir, andattend to your duty."
When I was on the other side of thedeck, I looked round, and saw thecaptain and first lieutenant bothlaughing.
Chapter XVIII
I go away on service, am wounded andtaken prisoner with O'Brien Diamondcut diamond between the O'Briens Getinto comfortable quarters My firstinterview with Celeste.
And now I have to relate an event,which, young as I was at the time, willbe found to have seriously affected mein after life. How little do we knowwhat to-morrow may bring forth! Wehad regained our station, and for somedays had been standing off and on thecoast, when one morning at daybreak,we found ourselves about four milesfrom the town of Cette, and a largeconvoy of vessels coming round apoint. We made all sail in chase, andthey anchored close in shore, under abattery, which we did not discover untilit opened fire upon us. The shot struckthe frigate two or three times, for thewater was smooth, and the battery
nearly level with it. The captain tackedthe ship, and stood out again, until theboats were hoisted out, and all ready topull on shore and storm the battery.O'Brien, who was the officercommanding the first cutter on service,was in his boat, and I again obtainedpermission from him to smugglemyself into it.
"Now, Peter, let's see what kind of afish you'll bring on board this time,"said he, after we had shoved off: "ormay be, the fish will not let you offquite so easy." The men in the boat alllaughed at this, and I replied, "That Imust be more seriously wounded than Iwas last time, to be made a prisoner."
We ran on shore, amidst the fire of thegunboats, who protected the convoy, bywhich we lost three men, and made forthe battery, which we took withoutopposition, the French artillery-menrunning out as we ran in. Thedirections of the captain were verypositive, not to remain in the battery aminute after it was taken, but to boardthe gunboats, leaving only one of thesmall boats, with the armourer to spikethe guns, for the captain was aware thatthere were troops stationed along thecoast, who might come down upon usand beat us off. The first lieutenant,who commanded, desired O'Brien toremain with the first cutter, and afterthe armourer had spiked the guns, as
officer of the boat he was to shove offimmediately. O'Brien and I remained inthe battery with the armourer, theboat's crew being ordered down to theboat, to keep her afloat, and ready toshove off at a moment's warning. Wehad spiked all the guns but one, whenall of a sudden a volley of musketrywas poured upon us, which killed thearmourer, and wounded me in the legabove the knee. I fell down by O'Brien,who cried out, "By the powers! herethey are, and one gun not spiked." Hejumped down, wrenched the hammerfrom the armourer's hand, and seizing anail from the bag, in a few moments hehad spiked the gun. At this time I heardthe tramping of the French soldiers
advancing, when O'Brien threw awaythe hammer, and lifting me upon hisshoulders, cried, "Come along, Peter,my boy," and made for the boat as fastas he could; but he was too late; he hadnot got half way to the boat, before hewas collared by two French soldiers,and dragged back into the battery. TheFrench troops then advanced, and keptup a smart fire: our cutter escaped, andjoined the other boat, who hadcaptured the gun-boats and convoywith little opposition. Our large boatshad carronades mounted in their bows,and soon returned the fire with roundand grape, which drove the Frenchtroops back into the battery, where theyremained, popping at our men under
cover, until most of the vessels weretaken out; those which they could notman were burnt.
In the meantime, O'Brien had beentaken into the battery, with me on hisback; but as soon as he was there, helaid me gently down, saying, "Peter, myboy, as long as you were under mycharge, I'd carry you through thick andthin; but now that you are under thecharge of these French beggars, why letthem carry you. Every man his ownbundle, Peter, that's fair play, so if theythink you're worth the carrying, letthem bear the weight of ye."
"And suppose they do not, O'Brien,
will you leave me here "
"Will I lave you, Peter! not if I can helpit, my boy; but they won't leave you,never fear them; prisoners are so scarcewith them, that they would not leavethe captain's monkey, if he were taken."
As soon as our boats were clear oftheir musketry, the commanding officerof the French troops examined theguns in the battery, with the hope ofreaching them, and was very muchannoyed to find that every one of themwas spiked. "He'll look sharper than amagpie before he finds a clear touch-hole, I expect," said O'Brien, as hewatched the officer. And here I must
observe, that O'Brien showed greatpresence of mind in spiking the lastgun; for had they had one gun to fire atour boats towing out the prizes, theymust have done a great deal ofmischief to them, and we should havelost a great many men; but in so doing,and in the attempt to save me, hesacrificed himself, and was takenprisoner. When the troops ceased firing,the commanding officer came up toO'Brien, and looking at him, said,"Officer " to which O'Brien nodded hishead. He then pointed to me "Officer "O'Brien nodded his head again, atwhich the French troops laughed, asO'Brien told me afterwards, because Iwas what they called an enfant, which
means an infant. I was very stiff, andfaint, and could not walk. The officerwho commanded the troops left adetachment in the battery, and preparedto return to Cette, from whence theycame. O'Brien walked, and I was carriedon three muskets by six of the Frenchsoldiers not a very pleasant conveyanceat any time, but in my state excessivelypainful. However, I must say, that theywere very kind to me, and put a greatcoat or something under my woundedleg, for I was in an agony, and faintedseveral times. At last they brought mesome water to drink. O how delicious itwas! I have often thought since, when Ihave been in company, where peoplefond of good living have smacked their
lips at their claret, that if they couldonly be wounded, and taste a cup ofwater, they would then know what itwas to feel a beverage grateful. In aboutan hour and a half, which appeared tome to be five days at the least, wearrived at the town of Cette, and I wastaken up to the house of the officerwho commanded the troops, and whohad often looked at me as I was carriedthere from the battery, saying, "Pauvreenfant!" I was put on a bed, where Iagain fainted away. When I came to mysenses, I found a surgeon hadbandaged my leg, and that I had beenundressed. O'Brien was standing by me,and I believe that he had been crying,for he thought that I was dead. When I
looked him in the face, he said, "Pater,you baste, how you frightened me: badluck to me if ever I take charge ofanother youngster. What did you shamdead for "
"I am better now, O'Brien," replied I,"how much I am indebted to you: youhave been made prisoner in trying tosave me."
"I have been made prisoner in doingmy duty, in one shape or another. Ifthat fool of an armourer hadn't heldhis hammer so tight, after he was dead,and it was of no use to him, I shouldhave been clear enough, and so wouldyou have been! but, however, all this is
nothing at all, Peter; as far as I can see,the life of a man consists in getting intoscrapes, and getting out of them. By theblessing of God, we've managed thefirst, and by the blessing of God we'llmanage the second also; so be smart,my honey, and get well, for although aman may escape by running away ontwo legs, I never heard of a boy whohopped out of a French prison uponone."
I squeezed the offered hand ofO'Brien, and looked round me; thesurgeon stood at one side of the bed,and the officer who commanded thetroops at the other. At the head of thebed was a little girl about twelve years
old, who held a cup in her hand, out ofwhich something had been poureddown my throat. I looked at her, andshe had such pity in her face, whichwas remarkably handsome, that sheappeared to me as an angel, and Iturned round as well as I could, that Imight look at her alone. She offered methe cup, which I should have refusedfrom any one but her, and I drank alittle. Another person then came intothe room, and a conversation tookplace in French.
"I wonder what they mean to do withus," said I to O'Brien.
"Whist, hold your tongue," replied he;
and then he leaned over me, and said ina whisper, "I understand all they say;don't you recollect, I told you that Ilearnt the language after I was kilt andburied in the sand, in South America "After a little more conversation, theofficer and the others retired, leavingnobody but the little girl and O'Brien inthe room.
"It's a message from the governor," saidO'Brien, as soon as they were gone,"wishing the prisoners to be sent to thegaol in the citadel, to be examined; andthe officer says (and he's a realgentleman, as far as I can judge) thatyou're but a baby, and badly woundedin the bargain, and that it would be a
shame not to leave you to die in peace;so I presume that I'll part companyfrom you very soon."
"I hope not, O'Brien," replied I; "if yougo to prison, I will go also, for I willnot leave you, who are my best friend,to remain with strangers; I should notbe half so happy, although I mighthave more comforts in my presentsituation."
"Pater, my boy, I am glad to see thatyour heart is in the right place, as Ialways thought it was, or I wouldn'thave taken you under my protection.We'll go together to prison, my jewel,and I'll fish at the bars with a bag and a
long string, just by way of recreation,and to pick up a little money to buyyou all manner of nice things; andwhen you get well, you shall do ityourself, mayhap you'll have better luck,as Peter your namesake had, who was afisherman before you. There's twice asmuch room in one of the cells as thereis in a midshipman's berth, my boy; andthe prison yards, where you are allowedto walk, will make a dozen quarter-decks, and no need of touching yourhat out of respect when you go into it.When a man has been cramped up onboard of a man-of-war, wheremidshipmen are stowed away likepilchards in a cask, he finds himselfquite at liberty in a prison, Peter. But
somehow or another, I think we mayn'tbe parted yet, for I heard the officer(who appears to be a real gentleman,and worthy to have been an Irishmanborn) say to the other, that he'd ask thegovernor for me to stay with you onparole, until you are well again." Thelittle girl handed me the lemonade, ofwhich I drank a little, and then I feltvery faint again. I laid my head on thepillow, and O'Brien having left offtalking, I was soon in a comfortablesleep. In an hour I was awakened bythe return of the officer, who wasaccompanied by the surgeon. Theofficer addressed O'Brien in Frenchwho shook his head as before.
"Why don't you answer, O'Brien," saidI, "since you understand him "
"Peter, recollect that I cannot speak aword of their lingo; then I shall knowwhat they say before us, and they won'tmind what they say, supposing I do notunderstand them."
"But is that honest, O'Brien "
"Is it honest you mean If I had a five-pound note in my pocket, and don'tchoose to show it to every fellow that Imeet is that dishonest "
"To be sure it's not."
"And a'n't that what the lawyers call acase in pint "
"Well," replied I, "if you wish it, I shallof course say nothing; but I think thatI should tell them, especially as they areso kind to us."
During this conversation, the officeroccasionally spoke to the surgeon, atthe same time eyeing us, I thought, veryhard. Two other persons then came intothe room; one of them addressedO'Brien in very bad English, saying,that he was interpreter, and would beghim to answer a few questions. He theninquired the name of our ship, numberof guns, and how long we had been
cruising. After that, the force of theEnglish fleet, and a great many otherquestions relative to them; all of whichwere put in French by the person whocame with him, and the answertranslated, and taken down in a book.Some of the questions O'Brienanswered correctly, to others he pleadedignorance; and to some, he assertedwhat was not true. But I did not blamehim for that, as it was his duty not togive information to the enemy. At lastthey asked my name, and rank, whichO'Brien told them. "Was I noble "
"Yes," replied O'Brien.
"Don't say so, O'Brien," interrupted I.
"Peter, you know nothing about it, youare grandson to a lord."
"I know that, but still I am not noblemyself, although descended from him;therefore pray don't say so."
"Bother! Pater, I have said it, and Iwon't unsay it; besides, Pater, recollectit's a French question, and in Franceyou would be considered noble. At allevents, it can do no harm."
"I feel too ill to talk, O'Brien; but Iwish you had not said so."
They then inquired O'Brien's name,
which he told them; his rank in theservice, and also, whether he was noble.
"I am an O'Brien," replied he; "and praywhat's the meaning of the O before myname, if I'm not noble However, MrInterpreter, you may add, that we havedropped our title because it's notconvanient." The French officer burstout into a loud laugh, which surprisedus very much. The interpreter had greatdifficulty in explaining what O'Briensaid; but as O'Brien told me afterwards,the answer was put down doubtful.
They all left the room except the officer,who then, to our astonishment,addressed us in good English.
"Gentlemen, I have obtainedpermission from the governor for youto remain in my house, until Mr Simpleis recovered. Mr O'Brien, it is necessarythat I should receive your parole ofhonour that you will not attempt toescape. Are you willing to give it "
O'Brien was quite amazed; "Murder an'Irish," cried he; "so you speak English,colonel. It was not very genteel of younot to say so, considering how we'vebeen talking our little secrets together."
"Certainly, Mr O'Brien, not morenecessary," replied the officer, smiling,"than for you to tell me that youunderstood French."
"O, bother!" cried O'Brien, "how nicelyI'm caught in my own trap! You're anIrishman, sure "
"I'm of Irish descent," replied theofficer, "and my name, as well as yours,is O'Brien. I was brought up in thiscountry, not being permitted to servemy own, and retain the religion of myforefathers. I may now be considered asa Frenchman, retaining nothing of myoriginal country, except the language,which my mother taught me, and awarm feeling towards the Englishwherever I meet them. But to thequestion, Mr O'Brien, will you giveyour parole "
"The word of an Irishman, and thehand to boot," replied O'Brien, shakingthe colonel by the hand; "and you'remore than doubly sure, for I'll never goaway and leave little Peter here; and asfor carrying him on my back, I've hadenough of that already."
"It is sufficient," replied the colonel."Mr O'Brien, I will make you ascomfortable as I can; and when you aretired of attending your friend, my littledaughter shall take your place. You'llfind her a kind little nurse, Mr Simple."
I could not refrain from tears at thecolonel's kindness: he shook me by the
hand; and telling O'Brien that dinnerwas ready, he called up his daughter, thelittle girl who had attended me before;and desired her to remain in the room."Celeste," said he, "you understand alittle English; quite enough to find outwhat he is in want of. Go and fetchyour work, to amuse yourself when heis asleep." Celeste went out, andreturning with her embroidery, satdown by the head of the bed: thecolonel and O'Brien then quitted theroom. Celeste then commenced herembroidery, and as her eyes were castdown upon her work, I was able tolook at her without her observing it. AsI said before, she was a very beautifullittle girl; her hair was light brown, eyes
very large, and eyebrows drawn as witha pair of compasses; her nose andmouth were also very pretty; but it wasnot so much her features as theexpression of her countenance, whichwas so beautiful, so modest, so sweet,and so intelligent. When she smiled,which she almost always did when shespoke, her teeth were like two rows oflittle pearls.
I had not looked at her long, before sheraised her eyes from her work, andperceiving that I was looking at her,said, "You want something want drinkI speak very little English."
"Nothing, I thank ye," replied I; "I only
want to go to sleep."
"Then shut your eye," replied shesmiling; and she went to the window,and drew down the blinds to darkenthe room. But I could not sleep; theremembrance of what had occurred ina few hours wounded, and a prisonerthe thought of my father and mother'sanxiety; with the prospect of going to aprison and close confinement, as soonas I was recovered, passed in successionin my mind, and, together with theactual pain of my wound, preventedme from obtaining any rest. The littlegirl several times opened the curtain toascertain whether I slept or wantedanything, and then as softly retired. In
the evening, the surgeon called again;he felt my pulse, and directing coldapplications to my leg, which hadswelled considerably, and wasbecoming very painful, told ColonelO'Brien, that, although I hadconsiderable fever, I was doing as wellas could be expected under thecircumstances.
But I shall not dwell upon my severesufferings for a fortnight, after whichthe ball was extracted; nor upon howcarefully I was watched by O'Brien, thecolonel, and little Celeste, during mypeevishness and irritation, arising frompain and fever. I feel grateful to them,but partiqularly [sic] to Celeste, who
seldom quitted me for more than half-an-hour, and, as I gradually recovered,tried all she could to amuse me.
Chapter XIX
We remove to very unpleasant quartersBirds of a feather won't always flocktogether O'Brien cuts a cuttermidshipman, and gets a taste of Frenchsteel Altogether flat work A walk intothe interior.
As soon as I was well enough to attendto my little nurse, we became veryintimate, as might be expected. Our
chief employment was teaching eachother French and English. Having theadvantage of me in knowing a littlebefore we met, and also being muchquicker of apprehension, she very soonbegan to speak English fluently, longbefore I could make out a shortsentence in French. However, as it wasour chief employment, and both wereanxious to communicate with eachother, I learnt it very fast. In five weeksI was out of bed, and could limp aboutthe room; and before two months wereover, I was quite recovered. Thecolonel, however, would not report meto the governor; I remained on a sofaduring the day, but at dusk I stole outof the house, and walked about with
Celeste. I never passed such a happytime as the last fortnight; the onlydrawback was the remembrance that Ishould soon have to exchange it for aprison. I was more easy about my fatherand mother, as O'Brien had written tothem, assuring them that I was doingwell; and besides, a few days after ourcapture, the frigate had run in, and senta flag of truce to inquire if we werealive or made prisoners; at the sametime Captain Savage sent on shore allour clothes, and two hundred dollars incash for our use. I knew that even ifO'Brien's letter did not reach them, theywere sure to hear from Captain Savagethat I was doing well. But the idea ofparting with Celeste, towards whom I
felt such gratitude and affection, wasmost painful; and when I talked aboutit, poor Celeste would cry so much, thatI could not help joining her, although Ikissed away her tears. At the end oftwelve weeks, the surgeon could nolonger withhold his report, and wewere ordered to be ready in two days tomarch to Toulon, where we were tojoin another party of prisoners, toproceed with them into the interior. Imust pass over our parting, which thereader may imagine was very painful. Ipromised to write to Celeste, and shepromised that she would answer myletters, if it were permitted. We shookhands with Colonel O'Brien, thankinghim for his kindness, and, much to his
regret, we were taken in charge by twoFrench cuirassiers, who were waiting atthe door. As we preferred beingcontinued on parole until our arrival atToulon, the soldiers were not at allparticular about watching us; and weset off on horseback, O'Brien and Igoing first, and the French cuirassiersfollowing us in the rear.
We trotted or walked along the roadvery comfortably. The weather wasdelightful: we were in high spirits, andalmost forgot that we were prisoners.The cuirassiers followed us at adistance of twenty yards, conversingwith each other, and O'Brien observedthat it was amazingly genteel of the
French governor to provide us withtwo servants in such handsome liveries.The evening of the second day wearrived at Toulon, and as soon as weentered the gates, we were deliveredinto the custody of an officer with avery sinister cast of countenance, who,after some conversation with thecuirassiers, told us in a surly tone thatour parole was at an end, and gave usin charge of a corporal's guard, withdirections to conduct us to the prisonnear the Arsenal. We presented thecuirassiers with four dollars each, fortheir civility, and were then hurriedaway to our place of captivity. Iobserved to O'Brien, that I was afraidthat we must now bid farewell to
anything like pleasure. "You're rightthere, Peter," replied he: "but there's acertain jewel called Hope, thatsomebody found at the bottom of hischest, when it was clean empty, and sowe must not lose sight of it, but try andescape as soon as we can; but the lesswe talk about it the better." In a fewminutes we arrived at our destination:the door was opened, ourselves andour bundles (for we had only selected afew things for our march, the colonelpromising to forward the remainder assoon as we wrote to inform him towhich depot we were consigned), wererudely shoved in; and as the doorsagain closed, and the heavy bolts wereshot, I felt a creeping, chilly sensation
pass through my whole body.
As soon as we could see for althoughthe prison was not very dark, yet sosuddenly thrown in, after the glare of abright sunshiny day, at first we coulddistinguish nothing we found ourselvesin company with about thirty Englishsailors. Most of them were sittingdown on the pavement, or on boxes, orbundles containing their clothes thatthey had secured, conversing with eachother, or playing at cards or draughts.Our entrance appeared to excite littleattention; after having raised their eyesto indulge their curiosity, theycontinued their pursuits. I have oftenthought what a feeling of selfishness
appeared to pervade the whole ofthem. At the time I was shocked, as Iexpected immediate sympathy andcommiseration; but afterwards I wasnot surprised. Many of these poorfellows had been months in the prison,and a short confinement will producethat indifference to the misfortunes ofothers, which I then observed. Indeed,one man, who was playing at cards,looked up for a moment as we came in,and cried out, "Hurrah, my lads! themore the merrier," as if he really waspleased to find that there were otherswho were as unfortunate as himself. Westood looking at the groups for aboutten minutes, when O'Brien observed,"that we might as well come to an
anchor, foul ground being better thanno bottom;" so we sat down in acorner, upon our bundles, where weremained for more than an hour,surveying the scene, without speaking aword to each other. I could not speak Ifelt so very miserable. I thought of myfather and mother in England, of mycaptain and my messmates, who weresailing about so happily in the frigate,of the kind Colonel O'Brien, and dearlittle Celeste, and the tears trickleddown my cheeks as these scenes offormer happiness passed through mymind in quick succession. O'Brien didnot speak but once, and then he onlysaid, "This is dull work, Peter."
We had been in the prison about twohours, when a lad in a very greasy,ragged jacket, with a pale emaciatedface, came up to us, and said, "Iperceive by your uniforms that you areboth officers, as well as myself."
O'Brien stared at him for a little while,and then answered, "Upon my soul andhonour, then, you've the advantage ofus, for it's more than I could perceive inyou; but I'll take your word for it. Praywhat ship may have had the misfortuneof losing such a credit to the service "
"Why, I belonged to the Snapper cutter,"replied the young lad; "I was taken in aprize, which the commanding officer
had given in my charge to take toGibraltar: but they won't believe thatI'm an officer. I have applied forofficer's allowance and rations, and theywon't give them to me."
"Well, but they know that we areofficers," replied O'Brien; "why do theyshove us in here, with the commonseamen "
"I suppose you are only put in here forthe present," replied the cutter'smidshipman; "but why I cannot tell."
Nor could we, until afterwards, whenwe found out, as our narrative willshow, that the officer who received us
from the cuirassiers had oncequarrelled with Colonel O'Brien, whofirst pulled his nose, and afterwards ranhim through the body. Being told bythe cuirassiers that we were muchesteemed by Colonel O'Brien, heresolved to annoy us as much as hecould; and when he sent up thedocument announcing our arrival, heleft out the word "Officers," and put usin confinement with the commonseamen. "It's very hard upon me not tohave my regular allowance as anofficer," continued the midshipman."They only give me a black loaf andthree sous a day. If I had had my bestuniform on, they never would havedisputed my being an officer; but the
scoundrels who retook the prize stoleall my traps, and I have nothing but thisold jacket."
"Why, then," replied O'Brien, "you'llknow the value of dress for the future.You cutter and gun-brig midshipmengo about in such a dirty state, that youare hardly acknowledged by us whobelong to frigates to be officers, muchless gentlemen. You look so dirty, andso slovenly when we pass you in thedockyard, that we give you a wideberth; how then can you supposestrangers to believe that you are eitherofficers or gentlemen Upon myconscience, I absolve the Frenchmenfrom all prejudice, for, as to, your being
an officer, we, as Englishmen havenothing but your bare word for it."
"Well, it's very hard," replied the lad, "tobe attacked this way by a brotherofficer; your coat will be as shabby asmine, before you have been here long."
"That's very true, my darling," returnedO'Brien: "but at least I shall have thepleasant reflection that I came in as agentleman, although I may not exactlygo out under the same appearance.Good night, and pleasant dreams toyou!" I thought O'Brien rather cross inspeaking in such a way, but he washimself always as remarkably neat andwell dressed, as he was handsome and
well made.
Fortunately we were not destined toremain long in this detestable hole.After a night of misery, during whichwe remained sitting on our bundles,and sleeping how we could, leaningwith our backs against the damp wall,we were roused, at daybreak by theunbarring of the prison doors,followed up with an order to go intothe prison yard. We were huddled outlike a flock of sheep, by a file ofsoldiers with loaded muskets; and, aswe went into the yard, were ranged twoand two. The same officer who orderedus into prison, commanded thedetachment of soldiers who had us in
charge. O'Brien stepped out of theranks, and, addressing them, stated thatwe were officers, and had no right to betreated like common sailors. TheFrench officer replied, that he hadbetter information, and that we worecoats which did not belong to us; uponwhich O'Brien was in a great rage,calling the officer a liar, and demandingsatisfaction for the insult, appealing tothe French soldiers, and stating, thatColonel O'Brien, who was at Cette, washis countryman, and had received himfor two months into his house uponparole, which was quite sufficient toestablish his being an officer. TheFrench soldiers appeared to side withO'Brien after they had heard this
explanation, stating that no commonEnglish sailor could speak such goodFrench, and that they were presentwhen we were sent in on parole, andthey asked the officer whether heintended to give satisfaction. Theofficer stormed, and drawing his swordout of the scabbard, struck O'Brienwith the flat of the blade, looking athim with contempt, and ordering himinto the ranks. I could not helpobserving that, during this scene, themen-of-war sailors who were amongthe prisoners, were very indignant,while, on the contrary, those capturedin merchant vessels appeared to bepleased with the insult offered toO'Brien. One of the French soldiers
then made a sarcastic remark, that theFrench officer did not much like thename of O'Brien. This so enraged theofficer, that he flew at O'Brien, pushedhim back into the ranks, and taking outa pistol, threatened to shoot himthrough the head. I must do the justiceto the French soldiers, that they all criedout "Shame!" They did not appear tohave the same discipline, or the samerespect for an officer, as the soldiershave in our service, or they would nothave been so free in their language; yet,at the same time, they obeyed all hisorders on service very implicitly.
When O'Brien returned to the ranks, helooked defiance at the officer, telling
him, "That he would pocket the affrontvery carefully, as he intended to bring itout again upon a future and moresuitable occasion." We were thenmarched out in ranks, two and two,being met at the street by twodrummers, and a crowd of people,who had gathered to witness ourdeparture. The drums beat, and awaywe went. The officer who had chargeof us mounted a small horse, gallopingup and down from one end of theranks to the other, with his sworddrawn, bullying, swearing, and strikingwith the flat of the blade at any one ofthe prisoners who was not in hisproper place. When we were close tothe gates, we were joined by another
detachment of prisoners: we were thenordered to halt, and were informed,through an interpreter, that any oneattempting to escape wouldimmediately be shot, after whichinformation we once more proceededon our route.
Nothing remarkable occurred duringour first day's march, except perhaps acurious conversation between O'Brienand one of the French soldiers, inwhich they disputed about thecomparative bravery of the two nations.O'Brien, in his argument, told theFrenchman that his countrymen couldnot stand a charge of English bayonets.The Frenchman replied that there was
no doubt but the French were quite asbrave as the English even more so; andthat, as for not standing the charge ofbayonets, it was not because they wereless brave; but the fact was, that theywere most excessively ticklish. We hadblack bread and sour wine served outto us this day, when we halted torefresh. O'Brien persuaded a soldier topurchase something for us moreeatable; but the French officer heard ofit, and was very angry, ordering thesoldier to the rear.
Chapter XX
O'Brien fights a duel with a Frenchofficer, and proves that the great art offencing is knowing nothing about it Wearrive at our new quarters, which wefind very secure.
At night we arrived at a small town, thename of which I forget. Here we wereall put into an old church for the night,and a very bad night we passed. Theydid not even give us a little straw to liedown upon: the roof of the churchhad partly fallen in, and the moonshone through very brightly. This wassome comfort; for to have been shut upin the dark, seventy-five in number,would have been very miserable. Wewere afraid to lie down anywhere, as,
like all ruined buildings in France, theground was covered with filth, and thesmell was shocking. O'Brien was verythoughtful, and would hardly answerany question that I put to him; it wasevident that he was brooding over theaffront which he had received from theFrench officer. At daybreak, the doorof the church was again opened by theFrench soldiers, and we wereconducted to the square of the town,where we found the troops quartered,drawn up with their officers, to receiveus from the detachment who hadescorted us from Toulon. We were verymuch pleased with this, as we knewthat we should be forwarded byanother detachment, and thus be rid of
the brutal officer who had hitherto hadcharge of the prisoners. But we wererid of him in another way. As theFrench officers walked along our ranksto look at us, I perceived among them acaptain, whom we had known veryintimately when we were living at Cettewith Colonel O'Brien. I cried out hisname immediately; he turned round,and seeing O'Brien and me, he came upto us, shaking us by the hand, andexpressing his surprise at finding us insuch a situation. O'Brien explained tohim how we had been treated, at whichhe expressed his indignation, as did theother officers who had collected roundus. The major who commanded thetroops in the town turned to the
French officer (he was only alieutenant) who had conducted us fromToulon, and demanded of him hisreason for behaving to us in such anunworthy manner. He denied havingtreated us ill, and said that he had beeninformed that we had put on officers'dresses which did not belong to us. Atthis O'Brien declared that he was a liar,and a cowardly foutre, that he had struckhim with the back of his sabre, whichhe would not have dared do if he hadnot been a prisoner; adding, that all herequested was satisfaction for the insultoffered to him, and appealed to theofficers whether, if it were refused, thelieutenant's epaulets ought not to becut off his shoulders. The major
commandant and the officers retired toconsult, and, after a few minutes, theyagreed that the lieutenant was bound togive the satisfaction required. Thelieutenant replied that he was ready;but, at the same time, did not appear tobe very willing. The prisoners were leftin charge of the soldiers, under a juniorofficer, while the others, accompaniedby O'Brien, myself, and the lieutenant,walked to a short distance outside thetown. As we proceeded there, I askedO'Brien with what weapons they wouldfight.
"I take it for granted," replied he, "thatit will be with the small sword."
"But," said I, "do you know anythingabout fencing "
"Devil a bit, Peter; but that's all in myfavour."
"How can that be " replied I.
"I'll tell you, Peter. If one man fenceswell, and another is but an indifferenthand at it, it is clear that the first willrun the other through the body; but, ifthe other knows nothing at all about it,why then, Peter, the case is not quite soclear: because the good fencer is almostas much puzzled by your ignorance asyou are by his skill, and you become onmore equal terms. Now, Peter, I've made
up my mind that I'll run that fellowthrough the body, and so I will, as sureas I am an O'Brien."
"Well, I hope you will; but pray do notbe too sure."
"It's feeling sure that will make me ableto do it, Peter. By the blood of theO'Briens! didn't he slap me with hissword, as if I were a clown in thepantomime. Peter, I'll kill the harlequinscoundrel, and my word's as good asmy bond!"
By this time we had arrived at theground. The French lieutenant strippedto his shirt and trousers; O'Brien did
the same, kicking his boots off, andstanding upon the wet grass in hisstockings. The swords were measured,and handed to them; they took theirdistance, and set to. I must say, that Iwas breathless with anxiety; the idea oflosing O'Brien struck me with griefand terror. I then felt the value of allhis kindness to me, and would havetaken his place, and have been runthrough the body, rather than heshould have been hurt. At first, O'Brienput himself in the correct attitude ofdefence, in imitation of the lieutenant,but this was for a very few seconds; hesuddenly made a spring, and rushed onto his adversary, stabbing at him with avelocity quite astonishing, the
lieutenant parrying in his defence, untilat last he had an opportunity oflungeing at O'Brien. O'Brien, who nolonger kept his left arm raised inequipoise, caught the sword of thelieutenant at within six inches of thepoint, and directing it under his leftarm, as he rushed in, passed his ownthrough the lieutenant's body. It was allover in less than a minute the lieutenantdid not live half an hour afterwards.The French officers were very muchsurprised at the result, for theyperceived at once that O'Brien knewnothing of fencing. O'Brien gathered atuft of grass, wiped the sword, whichhe presented to the officer to whom itbelonged, and thanking the major and
the whole of them for their impartialityand gentlemanlike conduct, led the wayto the square, where he again took hisstation in the ranks of the prisoners.
Shortly after, the major commandantcame up to us, and asked whether wewould accept of our parole, as, in thatcase, we might travel as we pleased. Weconsented, with many thanks for hiscivility and kindness; but I could nothelp thinking at the time, that theFrench officers were a little mortified atO'Brien's success, although they weretoo honourable to express the feeling.O'Brien told me, after we had quittedthe town, that had it not been for thehandsome conduct of the officers, he
would not have accepted our parole, ashe felt convinced that we could haveeasily made our escape. We talked overthe matter a long while, and at lastagreed that there would be a betterchance of success by and by, whenmore closely guarded, than there wouldbe now, under consideration of allcircumstances, as it required previouslyconcerted arrangements to get out ofthe country.
I had almost forgotten to say, that onour return after the duel the cutter'smidshipman called out to O'Brien,requesting him to state to thecommandant that he was also anofficer; but O'Brien replied, that there
was no evidence for it but his bareword. If he was an officer he mustprove it himself, as everything in hisappearance flatly contradicted hisassertion.
"It's very hard," replied themidshipman, "that because my jacket'sa little tarry or so I must lose my rank."
"My dear fellow," replied O'Brien, "it'snot because your jacket's a little tarry; itis because what the Frenchmen callyour tout ensemble is quite disgraceful inan officer. Look at your face in the firstpuddle, and you'll find that it woulddirty the water you look into. Look atyour shoulders above your ears, and
your back with a bow like a kink in acable. Your trowsers, sir, you havepulled your legs too far through,showing a foot and a half of worstedstockings. In short, look at yourselfaltogether, and then tell me, providedyou be an officer, whether, from respectto the service, it would not be my dutyto contradict it. It goes against myconscience, my dear fellow; butrecollect that when we arrive at thedepot, you will be able to prove it, soit's only waiting a little while, until thecaptains will pass their word for you,which is more than I will."
"Well, it's very hard," replied themidshipman, "that I must go on eating
this black rye bread; and very unkindof you."
"It's very kind of me, you spalpeen ofthe Snapper. Prison will be a paradiseto you, when you get into goodcommons. How you'll relish your grubby-and-by! So now shut your pan, or bythe tail of Jonah's whale, I'll swearyou're a Spaniard."
I could not help thinking that O'Brienwas very severe upon the poor lad, andI expostulated with him afterwards. Hereplied, "Peter, if, as a cutter'smidshipman, he is a bit of an officer,the devil a bit is he of a gentleman,either born or bred: and I'm not bound
to bail every blackguard-looking chapthat I meet. By the head of St Peter, Iwould blush to be seen in his company,if I were in the wildest bog in Ireland,with nothing but an old crow asspectator."
We were now again permitted to be onour parole, and received every attentionand kindness from the different officerswho commanded the detachmentswhich passed the prisoners from onetown to another. In a few days wearrived at Montpelier, where we hadorders to remain a short time untildirections were received fromGovernment as to the depots forprisoners to which we were to be sent.
At this delightful town, we hadunlimited parole, not even a gendarmeaccompanying us. We lived at the tabled'hote, were permitted to walk aboutwhere we pleased, and amusedourselves every evening at the theatre.During our stay there we wrote toColonel O'Brien at Cette, thanking himfor his kindness, and narrating whathad occurred since we parted. I alsowrote to Celeste, inclosing my letterunsealed in the one to Colonel O'Brien.I told her the history of O'Brien's duel,and all I could think would interest her;how sorry I was to have parted fromher; that I never would forget her; andtrusted that some day, as she was onlyhalf a Frenchwoman, we should meet
again. Before we left Montpelier, wehad the pleasure of receiving answersto our letters: the colonel's letters werevery kind, particularly the one to me, inwhich he called me his dear boy, andhoped that I should soon rejoin myfriends, and prove an ornament to mycountry. In his letter to O'Brien, herequested him not to run me intouseless danger to recollect that I wasnot so well able to undergo extremehardship. I have no doubt but that thiscaution referred to O'Brien's intentionto escape from prison, which he hadnot concealed from the colonel, and theprobability that I would be a partner inthe attempt. The answer from Celestewas written in English; but she must
have had assistance from her father, orshe could not have succeeded so well.It was like herself, very kind andaffectionate; and also ended withwishing me a speedy return to myfriends, who must (she said) be so fondof me, that she despaired of everseeing me more, but that she consoledherself as well as she could with theassurance that I should be happy. Iforgot to say, that Colonel O'Brien, inhis letter to me, stated that he expectedimmediate orders to leave Cette, andtake the command of some militarypost in the interior, or join the army,but which, he could not tell; that theyhad packed up everything, and he wasafraid that our correspondence must
cease, as he could not state to whatplace we should direct our letters. Icould not help thinking at the time, thatit was a delicate way of pointing out tous that it was not right that he shouldcorrespond with us in our relativesituations; but still, I was sure that hewas about to leave Cette, for he neverwould have made use of a subterfuge. Imust here acquaint the reader with acircumstance which I forgot tomention, which was that when CaptainSavage sent in a flag of truce with ourclothes and money, I thought that itwas but justice to O'Brien that theyshould know on board of the frigatethe gallant manner in which he hadbehaved. I knew that he would never
tell himself, so, ill as I was at the time, Isent for Colonel O'Brien, and requestedhim to write down my statement of theaffair, in which I mentioned howO'Brien had spiked the last gun, andhad been taken prisoner by so doing,together with his attempting to save me.When the colonel had written all down,I requested that he would send for themajor, who first entered the fort withthe troops, and translate it to him inFrench. This he did in my presence,and the major declared every word tobe true. "Will he attest it, colonel, as itmay be of great service to O'Brien "The major immediately assented.Colonel O'Brien then enclosed myletter, with a short note from himself,
to Captain Savage, paying him acompliment, and assuring him that hisgallant young officers should be treatedwith every attention, and all thekindness which the rules of war wouldadmit of. O'Brien never knew that I hadsent that letter, as the colonel, at myrequest, kept the secret.
In ten days we received an order tomarch on the following morning. Thesailors, among whom was our poorfriend the midshipman of the Snappercutter, were ordered to Verdun; O'Brienand I, with eight masters of merchantvessels, who joined us at Montpelier,were directed by the Government to besent to Givet, a fortified town in the
department of Ardennes. But, at thesame time, orders arrived fromGovernment to treat the prisoners withgreat strictness, and not to allow anyparole; the reason of this, we wereinformed, was that accounts had beensent to Government of the death ofthe French officer in the duel withO'Brien, and they had expressed theirdissatisfaction at its having beenpermitted. Indeed, I very much doubtwhether it would have been permittedin our country, but the French officersare almost romantically chivalrous intheir ideas of honour; in fact, asenemies, I have always considered themas worthy antagonists to the English,and they appear more respectable in
themselves, and more demanding ourgoodwill in that situation, than they dowhen we meet them as friends, and areacquainted with the other points oftheir character, which lessen them inour estimation.
I shall not dwell upon a march of threeweeks, during which we alternatelyreceived kind or unhandsometreatment, according to the dispositionsof those who had us in charge; but Imust observe, that it was invariably thecase, that officers who were gentlemenby birth treated us with consideration,while those who had sprung fromnothing during the Revolution, wereharsh, and sometimes even brutal. It
was exactly four months from the timeof our capture that we arrived at ourdestined prison at Givet.
"Peter," said O'Brien, as he lookedhastily at the fortifications, and the riverwhich divided the two towns, "I see noreason, either English or French, thatwe should not eat our Christmas dinnerin England. I've a bird's eye view of theoutside, and now, have only to find outwhere-abouts we may be in the inside."
I must say that, when I looked at theditches and high ramparts, I had adifferent opinion; so had a gendarmewho was walking by our side, and whohad observed O'Brien's scrutiny, and
who quietly said to him in French,"Vous le croyez possible!"
"Everything is possible to a brave manthe French armies have proved that,"answered O'Brien.
"You are right," replied the gendarme,pleased with the compliment to hisnation; "I wish you success, you willdeserve it; but " and he shook his head.
"If I could but obtain a plan of thefortress," said O'Brien, "I would givefive Napoleons for one," and he lookedat the gendarme.
"I cannot see any objection to an
officer, although a prisoner, studyingfortification," replied the gendarme. "Intwo hours you will be within the walls;and now I recollect, in the map of thetwo towns, the fortress is laid downsufficiently accurately to give you anidea of it. But we have conversed toolong." So saying, the gendarme droppedinto the rear.
In a quarter of an hour, we arrived atthe Place d'Armes, where we were met,as usual, by another detachment oftroops, and drummers, who paraded usthrough the town previous to ourbeing drawn up before the governor'shouse. This, I ought to have observed,was, by order of Government, done at
every town we passed through; it wasvery contemptible, but prisoners wereso scarce, that they made all the displayof us that they could. As we stopped atthe governor's house, the gendarme,who had left us in the square, made asign to O'Brien, as much as to say, Ihave it. O'Brien took out fiveNapoleons, which he wrapped in paper,and held in his hand. In a minute ortwo, the gendarme came up andpresented O'Brien with an old silkhandkerchief, saying, "Votre mouchoir,monsieur."
"Merci," replied O'Brien, putting thehandkerchief which contained the mapinto his pocket, "voici a boire, mon ami;"
and he slipped the paper with the fiveNapoleons into the hand of thegendarme, who immediately retreated.
This was very fortunate for us, as weafterwards discovered that a mark hadbeen put against O'Brien's and myname, not to allow parole orpermission to leave the fortress, evenunder surveillance. Indeed, even if ithad not been so, we never should haveobtained it, as the lieutenant killed byO'Brien was nearly related to thecommandant of the fortress, who wasas much a mauvais sujet as his kinsman.Having waited the usual hour beforethe governor's house, to answer to ourmuster-roll, and to be stared at, we were
dismissed; and in a few minutes, foundourselves shut up in one of thestrongest fortresses in France.
Chapter XXI
O'Brien receives his commission aslieutenant, and then we take Frenchleave of Givet.
If I doubted the practicability ofescape when I examined the exterior,when we were ushered into the interiorof the fortress, I felt that it wasimpossible, and I stated my opinion toO'Brien. We were conducted into a yard
surrounded by a high wall; thebuildings appropriated for theprisoners were built with lean-to roofson one side, and at each side of thesquare was a sentry looking down uponus. It was very much like the denswhich they now build for bears, only somuch larger. O'Brien answered me witha "Pish! Peter, it's the very security ofthe place which will enable us to getout of it. But don't talk, as there arealways spies about who understandEnglish."
We were shown into a room allotted tosix of us; our baggage was examined,and then delivered over to us. "Betterand better, Peter," observed O'Brien,
"they've not found it out!"
"What " inquired I.
"Oh, only a little selection of articles,which might be useful to us by-and-by."
He then showed me what I neverbefore was aware of: that he had a falsebottom to his trunk; but it was paperedover like the rest, and very ingeniouslyconcealed. "And what is there, O'Brien" inquired I.
"Never mind; I had them made atMontpelier. You'll see by-and-by."
The others, who were lodged in thesame room, then came in, and afterstaying a quarter of an hour, went awayat the sound of the dinner-bell. "Now,Peter," said O'Brien, "I must get rid ofmy load. Turn the key."
O'Brien then undressed himself, andwhen he threw off his shirt anddrawers, showed me a rope of silk,with a knot at every two feet, abouthalf-an-inch in size, wound round andround his body. There were about sixtyfeet of it altogether. As I unwound it,he, turning round and round, observed,"Peter, I've worn this rope ever since Ileft Montpelier, and you've no idea ofthe pain I have suffered; but we must
go to England, that's decided upon."
When I looked at O'Brien, as the ropewas wound off, I could easily imaginethat he had really been in great pain; inseveral places his flesh was quite rawfrom the continual friction, and after itwas all unwound, and he had put onhis clothes, he fainted away. I was verymuch alarmed, but I recollected to putthe rope into the trunk, and take outthe key, before I called for assistance.He soon came to, and on being askedwhat was the matter, said that he wassubject to fits from his infancy. Helooked earnestly at me, and I showedhim the key, which was sufficient.
For some days O'Brien, who really wasnot very well, kept to his room. Duringthis time, he often examined the mapgiven him by the gendarme. One day hesaid to me, "Peter, can you swim "
"No," replied I; "but never mind that."
"But I must mind it, Peter; for observe,we shall have to cross the river Meuse,and boats are not always to be had. Youobserve, that this fortress is washed bythe river on one side: and as it is thestrongest side, it is the least guarded wemust escape by it. I can see my wayclear enough till we get to the secondrampart on the river, but when we dropinto the river, if you cannot swim, I
must contrive to hold you up,somehow or another."
"Are you then determined to escape,O'Brien I cannot perceive how we areeven to get up this wall, with foursentries staring us in the face."
"Never do you mind that, Peter, mindyour own business; and first tell me, doyou intend to try your luck with me "
"Yes," replied I, "most certainly; if youhave sufficient confidence in me to takeme as your companion."
"To tell you the truth, Peter, I wouldnot give a farthing to escape without
you. We were taken together, and,please God, we'll take ourselves offtogether; but that must not be for thismonth; our greatest help will be thedark nights and foul weather."
The prison was by all accounts verydifferent from Verdun and some others.We had no parole, and but littlecommunication with the townspeople.Some were permitted to come in andsupply us with various articles; but theirbaskets were searched to see that theycontained nothing that might lead to anescape on the part of the prisoners.Without the precautions that O'Brienhad taken, any attempt would havebeen useless. Still, O'Brien, as soon as
he left his room, did obtain several littlearticles especially balls of twine for oneof the amusements of the prisonerswas flying kites. This, however, was puta stop to, in consequence of one of thestrings, whether purposely or not, Icannot say, catching the lock of themusket carried by one of the sentrieswho looked down upon us, andtwitching it out of his hand; afterwhich an order was given by thecommandant for no kites to bepermitted. This was fortunate for us, asO'Brien, by degrees, purchased all thetwine belonging to the other prisoners;and, as we were more than threehundred in number, it amounted tosufficient to enable him, by stealth, to
lay it up into very strong cord, or rather,into a sort of square plait, known onlyto sailors. "Now, Peter," said he one day,"I want nothing more than an umbrellafor you."
"Why an umbrella for me "
"To keep you from being drowned withtoo much water, that's all."
"Rain won't drown me."
"No, no, Peter; but buy a new one assoon as you can."
I did so. O'Brien boiled up a quantityof bees' wax and oil, and gave it several
coats of this preparation. He then putit carefully away in the ticking of hisbed. I asked him whether he intendedto make known his plan to any of theother prisoners; he replied in thenegative, saying, that there were somany of them who could not betrusted, that he would trust no one. Wehad been now about two months inGivet, when a Steel's List was sent to alieutenant, who was confined there.The lieutenant came up to O'Brien, andasked him his Christian name.
"Terence, to be sure," replied O'Brien.
"Then," answered the lieutenant, "I maycongratulate you on your promotion,
for here you are upon the list ofAugust."
"Sure there must be some triflingmistake; let me look at it. TerenceO'Brien, sure enough; but now thequestion is, has any other fellow robbedme of my name and promotion at thesame time Bother, what can it mane Iwon't belave it not a word of it. I've nomore interest than a dog who dragscats'-meat."
"Really, O'Brien," observed I, "I cannotsee why you should not be made; I amsure you deserve your promotion foryour conduct when you were takenprisoner."
"And what did I do then, you simplePeter, but put you on my back as themen do their hammocks when they arepiped down; but, barring all claim, howcould any one know what took place inthe battery, except you, and I, and thearmourer, who lay dead So explain that,Peter, if you can."
"I think I can," replied I, after thelieutenant had left us. And I then toldO'Brien how I had written to CaptainSavage, and had had the fact attested bythe major who had made us prisoners.
"Well, Peter," said O'Brien, after apause, "there's a fable about a lion and
a mouse. If, by your means, I haveobtained my promotion, why then themouse is a finer baste than the lion; butinstead of being happy, I shall now bemiserable until the truth is ascertainedone way or the other, and that's anotherreason why I must set off to Englandas fast as I can."
For a few days after this O'Brien wasvery uneasy; but fortunately lettersarrived by that time; one to me from myfather, in which he requested me todraw for whatever money I mightrequire, saying that the whole familywould retrench in every way to give meall the comfort which might beobtained in my unfortunate situation. I
wept at his kindness, and more thanever longed to throw myself in hisarms, and thank him. He also told methat my uncle William was dead, andthat there was only one between himand the title, but that my grandfatherwas in good health, and had been verykind to him lately. My mother wasmuch afflicted at my having been madea prisoner, and requested I would writeas often as I could. O'Brien's letter wasfrom Captain Savage; the frigate hadbeen sent home with despatches, andO'Brien's conduct represented to theAdmiralty, which had, in consequence,promoted him to the rank oflieutenant. O'Brien came to me with theletter, his countenance radiant with joy
as he put it into my hands. In return Iput mine into his, and he read it over.
"Peter, my boy, I'm under greatobligations to you. When you werewounded and feverish, you thought ofme at a time when you had quiteenough to think of yourself; but Inever thank in words. I see your uncleWilliam is dead. How many moreuncles have you "
"My uncle John, who is married, andhas already two daughters."
"Blessings on him; may he stick to thefemale line of business! Peter, my boy,you shall be a lord before you die."
"Nonsense, O'Brien; I have no chance.Don't put such foolish ideas in myhead."
"What chance had I of being alieutenant, and am I not one Well, Peter,you've helped to make a lieutenant ofme, but I'll make a man of you, andthat's better. Peter, I perceive, with allyour simplicity, that you're not over andabove simple, and that, with all yourasking for advice, you can think and actfor yourself on an emergency. Now,Peter, these are talents that must not bethrown away in this cursed hole, andtherefore, my boy, prepare yourself toquit this place in a week, wind and
weather permitting; that is to say, notfair wind and weather, but the foulerthe better. Will you be ready at any hourof any night that I call you up "
"Yes, O'Brien, I will, and do my best."
"No man can do much more that ever Iheard of. But, Peter, do me one favour,as I am really a lieutenant, just touchyour hat to me only once, that's all; butI wish the compliment, just to see howit looks."
"Lieutenant O'Brien," said I, touchingmy hat, "have you any further orders "
"Yes, sir," replied he; "that you never
presume to touch your hat to me again,unless we sail together, and then that's adifferent sort of thing."
About a week afterwards, O'Brien cameto me, and said, "The new moon'squartered in with foul weather; if itholds, prepare for a start. I have putwhat is necessary in your littlehaversack; it may be to-night. Go tobed now, and sleep for a week if youcan, for you'll get but little sleep, if wesucceed, for the week to come."
This was about eight o'clock. I went tobed, and about twelve I was roused byO'Brien, who told me to dress myselfcarefully, and come down to him in the
yard. I did so without disturbing anybody, and found the night as dark aspitch (it was then November), andraining in torrents; the wind was high,howling round the yard, and sweepingin the rain in every direction as iteddied to and fro. It was some timebefore I could find O'Brien, who washard at work; and, as I had already beenmade acquainted with all his plans, Iwill now explain them. At Montpelierhe had procured six large pieces ofiron, about eighteen inches long, with agimlet at one end of each, and a squareat the other, which fitted to a handlewhich unshipped. For precaution hehad a spare handle, but each handlefitted to all the irons. O'Brien had
screwed one of these pieces of ironbetween the interstices of the stones ofwhich the wall was built, and sittingastride on that, was fixing anotherabout three feet above. When he hadaccomplished this, he stood upon thelower iron, and supporting himself bythe second, which about met his hip, hescrewed in a third, always fixing themabout six inches on one side of theother, and not one above the other.When he had screwed in his six irons,he was about half up the wall, and thenhe fastened his rope, which he hadcarried round his neck, to the upperiron, and lowering himself down,unscrewed the four lower irons: thenascending by the rope, he stood upon
the fifth iron, and supporting himselfby the upper iron, recommenced histask. By these means he arrived in thecourse of an hour and a half to the topof the wall, where he fixed his last iron,and making his rope fast, he camedown again. "Now, Peter," said he,"there is no fear of the sentries seeingus; if they had the eyes of cats, theycould not until we were on the top ofthe wall; but then we arrive at the glacis,and we must creep to the ramparts onour bellies. I am going up with all thematerials. Give me your haversack youwill go up lighter; and recollect, shouldany accident happen to me, you run tobed again. If, on the contrary, I pull therope up and down three or four times,
you may sheer up it as fast as you can."O'Brien then loaded himself with theother rope, the two knapsacks, ironcrows, and other implements he hadprocured; and, last of all, with theumbrella. "Peter, if the rope bears mewith all this, it is clear it will bear such acreature as you are, therefore don't beafraid." So whispering, he commencedhis ascent; in about three minutes hewas up, and the rope pulled. Iimmediately followed him, and foundthe rope very easy to climb, from theknots at every two feet, which gave mea hold for my feet, and I was up in asshort a time as he was. He caught me bythe collar, putting his wet hand on mymouth, and I lay down beside him
while he pulled up the rope. We thencrawled on our stomachs across theglacis till we arrived at the rampart. Thewind blew tremendously, and the rainpattered down so fast, that the sentriesdid not perceive us; indeed, it was nofault of theirs, for it was impossible tohave made us out. It was some timebefore O'Brien could find out the pointexactly above the drawbridge of thefirst ditch; at last he did he fixed hiscrow-bar in, and lowered down therope. "Now, Peter, I had better go firstagain; when I shake the rope frombelow, all's right." O'Brien descended,and in a few minutes the rope againshook; I followed him, and foundmyself received in his arms upon the
meeting of the drawbridge; but thedrawbridge itself was up. O'Brien ledthe way across the chains, and Ifollowed him. When we had crossedthe moat, we found a barrier gatelocked; this puzzled us. O'Brien pulledout his picklocks to pick it, but withoutsuccess; here we were fast. "We mustundermine the gate, O'Brien; we mustpull up the pavement until we cancreep under." "Peter, you are a finefellow; I never thought of that." Weworked very hard until the hole waslarge enough, using the crow-bar whichwas left, and a little wrench whichO'Brien had with him. By these meanswe got under the gate in the course ofan hour or more. This gate led to the
lower rampart, but we had a coveredway to pass through before we arrivedat it. We proceeded very cautiously,when we heard a noise: we stopped,and found that it was a sentry, who wasfast asleep, and snoring. Little expectingto find one here, we were puzzled; passhim we could not well, as he wasstationed on the very spot where werequired to place our crow-bar todescend the lower rampart into theriver. O'Brien thought for a moment."Peter," said he, "now is the time foryou to prove yourself a man. He is fastasleep, but his noise must be stopped. Iwill stop his mouth, but at the verymoment that I do so you must throwopen the pan of his musket, and then
he cannot fire it." "I will, O'Brien; don'tfear me." We crept cautiously up tohim, and O'Brien motioning to me toput my thumb upon the pan, I did so,and the moment that O'Brien put hishand upon the soldier's mouth, I threwopen the pan. The fellow struggled,and snapped his lock as a signal, but ofcourse without discharging his musket,and in a minute he was not only gaggedbut bound by O'Brien, with myassistance. Leaving him there, weproceeded to the rampart, and fixingthe crow-bar again, O'Brien descended;I followed him, and found him in theriver, hanging on to the rope; theumbrella was opened and turnedupwards; the preparation made it resist
the water, and, as previously explainedto me by O'Brien, I had only to hold onat arm's length to two beckets which hehad affixed to the point of theumbrella, which was under water. Tothe same part O'Brien had a tow-line,which taking in his teeth, he towed medown with the stream to about ahundred yards clear of the fortress,where we landed. O'Brien was soexhausted that for a few minutes heremained quite motionless; I also wasbenumbed with the cold. "Peter," saidhe, "thank God we have succeeded sofar; now must we push on as far as wecan, for we shall have daylight in twohours." O'Brien took out his flask ofspirits, and we both drank a half
tumbler at least, but we should not inour state have been affected with abottle. We now walked along the river-side till we fell in with a small craft,with a boat towing astern: O'Brienswam to it, and cutting the painterwithout getting in, towed it on shore.The oars were fortunately in the boat. Igot in, we shoved off, and rowed awaydown the stream till the dawn of day."All's right, Peter; now we'll land. Thisis the Forest of Ardennes." We landed,replaced the oars in the boat, andpushed her off into the stream, toinduce people to suppose that she hadbroken adrift, and then hastened intothe thickest of the wood. It still rainedhard; I shivered, and my teeth chattered
with the cold, but there was no help forit. We again took a dram of spirits, and,worn out with fatigue and excitement,soon fell fast asleep upon a bed ofleaves which we had collected together.
Chapter XXII
Grave consequences of gravitationO'Brien enlists himself as a gendarme,and takes charge of me We arediscovered, and obliged to run for itThe pleasures of a winter bivouac.
It was not until noon that I awoke,when I found that O'Brien had covered
me more than a foot deep with leavesto protect me from the weather. I feltquite warm and comfortable; myclothes had dried on me, but withoutgiving me cold. "How very kind ofyou, O'Brien!" said I.
"Not a bit, Peter: you have hard workto go through yet, and I must take careof you. You're but a bud, and I'm afull-blown rose." So saying, he put thespirit-flask to his mouth, and thenhanded it to me. "Now, Peter, we mustmake a start, for depend upon it theywill scour the country for us; but this isa large wood, and they may as wellattempt to find a needle in a bundle ofhay, if we once get into the heart of it."
"I think," said I, "that this forest ismentioned by Shakespeare, in one ofhis plays."
"Very likely, Peter," replied O'Brien;"but we are at no playwork now; andwhat reads amazing prettily, is no jokein reality. I've often observed, that yourwriters never take the weather intoconsideration."
"I beg your pardon, O'Brien; in KingLear the weather was tremendous."
"Very likely; but who was the king thatwent out in such weather "
"King Lear did, when he was mad."
"So he was, that's certain, Peter; butrunaway prisoners have some excuse;so now for a start."
We set off, forcing our way through thethicket, for about three hours, O'Brienlooking occasionally at his pocketcompass; it then was again nearly dark,and O'Brien proposed a halt. We madeup a bed of leaves for the night, andslept much more comfortably than wehad the night before. All our bread waswet, but as we had no water, it wasrather a relief; the meat we had with uswas sufficient for a week. Once morewe laid down and fell fast asleep.
About five o'clock in the morning Iwas roused by O'Brien, who at thesame time put his hand gently over mymouth. I sat up, and perceived a largefire not far from us. "The Philistines areupon us, Peter," said he; "I havereconnoitred, and they are thegendarmes. I'm fearful of going away,as we may stumble upon some more ofthem. I've been thinking what's bestbefore I waked you; and it appears tome, that we had better get up the tree,and lie there."
At that time we were hidden in a copseof underwood, with a large oak in thecentre, covered with ivy. "I think so too,O'Brien; shall we go up now, or wait a
little "
"Now, to be sure, that they're eatingtheir prog. Mount you, Peter, and I'llhelp you."
O'Brien shoved me up the tree, andthen waiting a little while to bury ourhaversacks among the leaves, hefollowed me. He desired me to remainin a very snug position, on the first forkof the tree, while he took another,amongst a bunch of ivy, on the largestbough. There we remained for about anhour, when day dawned. We observedthe gendarmes mustered at the break ofday, by the corporal, and then they allseparated in different directions, to
scour the wood. We were delighted toperceive this, as we hoped soon to beable to get away; but there was onegendarme who remained. He walked toand fro, looking everywhere, until hecame directly under the tree in whichwe were concealed. He poked about,until at last he came to the bed ofleaves upon which we had slept; thesehe turned over and over with hisbayonet, until he routed out ourhaversacks. "Pardi!" exclaimed he,"where the nest and eggs are, the birdsare near." He then walked round thetree, looking up into every part, but wewere well concealed, and he did notdiscover us for some time. At last hesaw me, and ordered me to come
down. I paid no attention to him, as Ihad no signal from O'Brien. He walkedround a little farther, until he wasdirectly under the branch on whichO'Brien lay. Taking up this position, hehad a fairer aim at me, and levelled hismusket, saying, "Descendez, ou je tire."Still I continued immoveable, for Iknew not what to do. I shut my eyes,however; the musket shortly afterwardswas discharged, and, whether from fearor not I can hardly tell, I lost my holdof a sudden, and down I came. I wasstunned with the fall, and thought thatI must have been wounded, and wasvery much surprised, when, instead ofthe gendarme, O'Brien came up to me,and asked whether I was hurt. I
answered, I believed not, and got uponmy legs, when I found the gendarmelying on the ground, breathing heavily,but insensible. When O'Brien perceivedthe gendarme level his musket at me, heimmediately dropped from the bough,right upon his head; this occasioned themusket to go off, without hitting me,and at the same time, the weight ofO'Brien's body from such a heightkilled the gendarme, for he expiredbefore we left him. "Now, Peter," saidO'Brien, "this is the most fortunatething in the world, and will take us halfthrough the country; but we have notime to lose." He then stripped thegendarme, who still breathed heavily,and dragging him to our bed of leaves,
covered him up, threw off his ownclothes, which he tied in a bundle, andgave to me to carry, and put on thoseof the gendarme. I could not helplaughing at the metamorphosis, andasked O'Brien what he intended. "Sure,I'm a gendarme, bringing with me aprisoner, who has escaped." He thentied my hands with a cord, shoulderedhis musket, and off we set. We nowquitted the wood as soon as we could;for O'Brien said that he had no fear forthe next ten days; and so it proved. Wehad one difficulty, which was, that wewere going the wrong way; but that wasobviated by travelling mostly at night,when no questions were asked, exceptat the cabarets, where we lodged, and
they did not know which way we came.When we stopped at night, my youthexcited a great deal of commiseration,especially from the females; and in oneinstance I was offered assistance toescape. I consented to it, but at thesame time informed O'Brien of theplan proposed. O'Brien kept watch Idressed myself, and was at the openwindow, when he rushed in, seizing me,and declaring that he would inform theGovernment of the conduct of theparties. Their confusion and distresswere very great. They offered O'Brientwenty, thirty, forty Napoleons, if hewould hush it up, for they were awareof the penalty and imprisonment.O'Brien replied that he would not
accept of any money in compromise ofhis duty; that after he had given me intothe charge of the gendarme of the nextpost, his business was at an end, and hemust return to Flushing, where he wasstationed.
"I have a sister there," replied thehostess, "who keeps an inn. You'll wantgood quarters, and a friendly cup; donot denounce us, and I'll give you aletter to her, which, if it does not proveof service, you can then return and givethe information."
O'Brien consented; the letter wasdelivered, and read to him, in which thesister was requested, by the love she
bore to the writer, to do all she couldfor the bearer, who had the power ofmaking the whole family miserable, buthad refused so to do. O'Brien pocketedthe letter, filled his brandy-flask, andsaluting all the women, left the cabaret,dragging me after him with a cord. Theonly difference, as O'Brien observedafter he went out, was, that he (O'Brien)kissed all the women, and all thewomen kissed me. In this way, we hadproceeded by Charleroy and Louvain,and were within a few miles of Malines,when a circumstance occurred whichembarrassed us not a little. We werefollowing our route, avoiding Malines,which was a fortified town, and at thetime were in a narrow lane, with wide
ditches, full of water, on each side. Atthe turning of a sharp corner, we metthe gendarme who had suppliedO'Brien with a map of the town ofGivet. "Good morning, comrade," saidhe to O'Brien, looking earnestly at him,"whom have we here "
"A young Englishman, whom I pickedup close by, escaped from prison."
"Where from "
"He will not say; but I suspect fromGivet."
"There are two who have escaped fromGivet," replied he: "how they escaped
no one can imagine; but," continuedhe, again looking at O'Brien, "avec lesbraves, il n'y a rien d'impossible."
"That is true," replied O'Brien; "I havetaken one, the other cannot be far off.You had better look for him."
"I should like to find him," replied thegendarme, "for you know that to retakea runaway prisoner is certainpromotion. You will be made acorporal."
"So much the better," replied O'Brien;"adieu, mon ami."
"Nay, I merely came for a walk, and will
return with you to Malines, where ofcourse you are bound."
"We shall not get there to-night," saidO'Brien, "my prisoner is too muchfatigued."
"Well, then, we will go as far as we can;and I will assist you. Perhaps we mayfind the second, who, I understand,obtained a map of the fortress by somemeans or other."
We at once perceived that we werediscovered. He afterwards told us thatthe body of a gendarme had beenfound in the wood, no doubt murderedby the prisoners, and that the body was
stripped naked. "I wonder," continuedhe, "whether one of the prisoners puton his clothes, and passed as agendarme."
"Peter," said O'Brien, "are we to murderthis man or not "
"I should say not: pretend to trust him,and then we may give him the slip."This was said during the time that thegendarme stopped a moment behindus.
"Well, we'll try; but first I'll put him offhis guard." When the gendarme cameup with us, O'Brien observed, that theEnglish prisoners were very liberal; that
he knew that a hundred Napoleonswere often paid for assistance, and hethought that no corporal's rank wasequal to a sum that would in Francemake a man happy and independent forlife.
"Very true," replied the gendarme; "andlet me only look upon that sum, and Iwill guarantee a positive safety out ofFrance."
"Then we understand each other,"replied O'Brien; "this boy will give twohundred one half shall be yours, if youwill assist."
"I will think of it," replied the
gendarme, who then talked aboutindifferent subjects, until we arrived ata small town, called Acarchot, where weproceeded to a cabaret. The usualcuriosity passed over we were left alone,O'Brien telling the gendarme that hewould expect his reply that night or to-morrow morning. The gendarme said,to-morrow morning. O'Brienrequesting him to take charge of me, hecalled the woman of the cabaret toshow him a room; she showed him oneor two, which he refused, as notsufficiently safe for the prisoner. Thewoman laughed at the idea, observing,"What had he to fear from a pauvreenfant like me "
"Yet this pauvre enfant escaped fromGivet," replied O'Brien; "theseEnglishmen are devils from theirbirth." The last room showed toO'Brien suited him, and he chose it thewoman not presuming to contradict agendarme. As soon as they came downagain, O'Brien ordered me to bed, andwent up-stairs with me. He bolted thedoor, and pulling me to the largechimney, we put our heads up, andwhispered, that our conversationshould not be heard. "This man is notto be trusted," said O'Brien, "and wemust give him the slip. I know my wayout of the inn, and we must return theway we came, and then strike off inanother direction."
"But will he permit us "
"Not if he can help it; but I shall soonfind out his manoeuvres."
O'Brien then went and stopped thekey-hole, by hanging his handkerchiefacross it, and stripping himself of hisgendarme uniform, put on his ownclothes; then he stuffed the blanketsand pillow into the gendarme's dress,and laid it down on the outside of thebed, as if it were a man sleeping in hisclothes indeed, it was an admirabledeception. He laid his musket by theside of the image, and then did thesame to my bed, making it appear as if
there was a person asleep in it, of mysize, and putting my cap on the pillow."Now, Peter, we'll see if he is watchingus. He will wait till he thinks we areasleep." The light still remained in theroom, and about an hour afterwards weheard a noise of one treading on thestairs, upon which, as agreed, we creptunder the bed. The latch of our doorwas tried, and finding it open, which hedid not expect, the gendarme entered,and looking at both beds, went away."Now," said I, after the gendarme hadgone down-stairs, "O'Brien, ought wenot to escape "
"I've been thinking of it, Peter, and Ihave come to a resolution that we can
manage it better. He is certain to comeagain in an hour or two. It is onlyeleven. Now I'll play him a trick."O'Brien then took one of the blankets,make it fast to the window, which heleft wide open, and at the same timedisarranged the images he had made up,so as to let the gendarme perceive thatthey were counterfeit. We again creptunder the bed, and as O'Brien foretold,in about an hour more the gendarmereturned; our lamp was still burning,but he had a light of his own. Helooked at the beds, perceived at oncethat he had been duped, went to theopen window, and then exclaimed,"Sacre Dieu! ils m'ont echappes et je ne suisplus caporal. F tre! a la chasse!" He rushed
out of the room, and in a minuteafterwards we heard him open thestreet door, and go away.
"That will do, Peter," said O'Brien,laughing; "now we'll be off also,although there's no great hurry."O'Brien then resumed his dress of agendarme; and about an hourafterwards we went down, and wishingthe hostess all happiness, quitted thecabaret, returning the same road bywhich we had come. "Now, Peter," saidO'Brien, "we're in a bit of a puzzle.This dress won't do any more, stillthere's a respectability about it, whichwill not allow me to put it off till thelast moment." We walked on till
daylight, when we hid ourselves in acopse of trees. At night we againstarted for the forest of Ardennes, forO'Brien said our best chance was toreturn, until they supposed that we hadhad time to effect our escape; but wenever reached the forest, for on the nextday a violent snowstorm came on; itcontinued without intermission forfour days, during which we sufferedmuch. Our money was not exhausted,as I had drawn upon my father for L60,which, with the disadvantageousexchange, had given me fiftyNapoleons. Occasionally O'Brien creptinto a cabaret, and obtained provisions;but, as we dared not be seen together asbefore, we were always obliged to sleep
in the open air, the ground beingcovered more than three feet with snow.On the fifth day, being then six daysfrom the forest of Ardennes, we hidourselves in a small wood, about aquarter of a mile from the road. Iremained there while O'Brien, as agendarme, went to obtain provisions.As usual, I looked out for the bestshelter during his absence, and whatwas my horror at falling in with a manand woman who lay dead in the snow,having evidently perished from theweather. Just as I discovered them,O'Brien returned, and I told him; hewent with me to view the bodies. Theywere dressed in a strange attire, ribandspinned upon their clothes, and two
pairs of very high stilts lying by theirsides. O'Brien surveyed them, and thensaid, "Peter, this is the very best thingthat could have happened to us. Wemay now walk through France withoutsoiling our feet with the cursedcountry."
"How do you mean "
"I mean," said he, "that these are thepeople that we met near Montpelier,who come from the Landes, walkingabout on their stilts for the amusementof others, to obtain money. In theirown country they are obliged to walkso. Now, Peter, it appears to me that theman's clothes will fit me, and the girl's
(poor creature, how pretty she looks,cold in death!) will fit you. All we haveto do is to practise a little, and thenaway we start."
O'Brien then, with some difficulty,pulled off the man's jacket andtrowsers, and having so done, buriedhim in the snow. The poor girl wasdespoiled of her gown and upperpetticoat, with every decency, and alsoburied. We collected the clothes andstilts, and removed to another quarterof the wood, where we found a well-sheltered spot, and took our meal. Aswe did not travel that night as usual, wehad to prepare our own bed. Wescraped away the snow, and made
ourselves as comfortable as we couldwithout a fire, but the weather wasdreadful.
"Peter," said O'Brien, "I'm melancholy.Here, drink plenty;" and he handed methe flask of spirits, which had neverbeen empty.
"Drink more, Peter."
"I cannot, O'Brien, without beingtipsy."
"Never mind that, drink more; see howthese two poor devils lost their lives byfalling asleep in the snow. Peter," saidO'Brien, starting up, "you sha'n't sleep
here follow me."
I expostulated in vain. It was almostdark, and he led me to the village, nearwhich he pitched upon a hovel (a sortof out-house). "Peter, here is shelter; liedown and sleep, and I'll keep the watch.Not a word, I will have it down atonce."
I did so, and in a very few minutes wasfast asleep, for I was worn out withcold and fatigue. For several days wehad walked all night, and the rest wegained by day was trifling. Oh how Ilonged for a warm bed with four orfive blankets! Just as the day broke,O'Brien roused me; he had stood sentry
all night, and looked very haggard.
"O'Brien, you are ill," said I.
"Not a bit; but I've emptied the brandy-flask; and that's a bad job. However, itis to be remedied."
We then returned to the wood in amizzling rain and fog, for the weatherhad changed, and the frost had brokenup. The thaw was even worse than thefrost, and we felt the cold more.O'Brien again insisted upon mysleeping in the out-house, but this timeI positively refused without he wouldalso sleep there, pointing out to him,that we ran no more risk, and perhaps
not so much, as if he stayed outside.Finding I was positive, he at lastconsented, and we both gained itunperceived. We lay down, but I didnot go to sleep for some time, I was soanxious to see O'Brien fast asleep. Hewent in and out several times, duringwhich I pretended to be fast asleep; atlast it rained in torrents, and then he laydown again, and in a few minutes,overpowered by nature, he fell fastasleep, snoring so loudly, that I wasafraid some one would hear us. I thengot up and watched, occasionally lyingdown and slumbering awhile, and thengoing to the door.
Chapter XXIII
Exalted with our success, we marchthrough France without touching theground I become feminine We arevoluntary conscripts.
At day-break I called O'Brien, whojumped up in a great hurry.
"Sure I've been asleep, Peter."
"Yes, you have," replied I, "and I thankHeaven that you have, for no one couldstand such fatigue as you have, muchlonger; and if you fall ill, what wouldbecome of me " This was touching him
on the right point.
"Well, Peter, since there's no harm comeof it, there's no harm done. I've hadsleep enough for the next week, that'scertain."
We returned to the wood; the snow haddisappeared, and the rain ceased; thesun shone out from between theclouds, and we felt warm.
"Don't pass so near that way," saidO'Brien, "we shall see the poorcreatures, now that the snow is gone.Peter, we must shift our quarters to-night, for I have been to every cabaretin the village, and I cannot go there any
more without suspicion, although I ama gendarme."
We remained there till the evening, andthen set off, still returning towardsGivet. About an hour before daylightwe arrived at a copse of trees, close tothe road-side, and surrounded by aditch, not above a quarter of a milefrom a village. "It appears to me," saidO'Brien, "that this will do: I will nowput you there, and then go boldly tothe village and see what I can get, forhere we must stay at least a week."
We walked to the copse, and the ditchbeing rather too wide for me to leap,O'Brien laid the four stilts together so
as to form a bridge, over which Icontrived to walk. Tossing to me all thebundles, and desiring me to leave thestilts as a bridge for him on his return,he set off to the village with his musketon his shoulder. He was away twohours, when he returned with a largesupply of provisions, the best we hadever had. French saucissons, seasonedwith garlic, which I thought delightful;four bottles of brandy, besides hisflask; a piece of hung beef and sixloaves of bread, besides half a bakedgoose and part of a large pie.
"There," said he, "we have enough for agood week; and look here, Peter, this isbetter than all." And he showed me two
large horse-rugs.
"Excellent," replied I; "now we shall becomfortable."
"I paid honestly for all but these rugs,"observed O'Brien; "but I was afraid tobuy them, so I stole them. However,we'll leave them here for those theybelong to it's only borrowing, after all."
We now prepared a very comfortableshelter with branches, which we wovetogether, and laying the leaves in thesun to dry, soon obtained a soft bed toput one horse-rug on, while we coveredourselves up with the other. Our bridgeof stilts we had removed, so that we
felt ourselves quite secure fromsurprise. That evening we did nothingbut carouse the goose, the pie, thesaucissons as big as my arm, werealternately attacked, and we went to theditch to drink water, and then ate again.This was quite happiness to what wehad suffered, especially with theprospect of a good bed. At dark, tobed we went, and slept soundly; I neverfelt more refreshed during ourwanderings. At daylight O'Brien got up.
"Now, Peter, a little practice beforebreakfast."
"What practice do you mean "
"Mean! why on the stilts. I expect in aweek that you'll be able to dance agavotte at least; for mind me, Peter, youtravel out of France upon these stilts,depend upon it."
O'Brien then took the stilts belongingto the man, giving, me those of thewoman. We strapped them to ourthighs, and by fixing our backs to a tree,contrived to get upright upon them;but, at the first attempt to walk, O'Brienfell to the right, and I fell to the left.O'Brien fell against a tree, but I fell onmy nose, and made it bleed very much;however, we laughed and got up again,and although we had several falls, at lastwe made a better hand of them. We
then had some difficulty in gettingdown again, but we found out how, byagain resorting to a tree. After breakfastwe strapped them on again, andpractised, and so we continued to dofor the whole day, when we againattacked our provisions, and fell asleepunder our horse-rug. This continuedfor five days, by which time, beingconstantly on the stilts, we became veryexpert; and although I could not dancea gavotte for I did not know what thatwas I could hop about with them withthe greatest ease.
"One day's more practice," saidO'Brien, "for our provisions will lastone day more, and then we start; but
this time we must rehearse in costume."
O'Brien then dressed me in the poorgirl's clothes, and himself in the man's;they fitted very well, and the last day wepractised as man and woman.
"Peter, you make a very pretty girl," saidO'Brien. "Now, don't you allow themen to take liberties."
"Never fear," replied I. "But, O'Brien, asthese petticoats are not very warm, Imean to cut off my trowsers up to myknees, and wear them underneath."
"That's all right," said O'Brien, "for youmay have a tumble, and then they may
find out that you're not a lady."
The next morning we made use of ourstilts to cross the ditch, and carryingthem in our hands we boldly set off onthe high road to Malines. We metseveral people, gens-d'armes and others,but with the exception of someremarks upon my good looks, wepassed unnoticed. Towards the eveningwe arrived at the village where we hadslept in the outhouse, and as soon aswe entered it we put on our stilts, andcommenced a march. When the crowdhad gathered we held out our caps, andreceiving nine or ten sous, we entered acabaret. Many questions were asked us,as to where we came from, and O'Brien
answered, telling lies innumerable. Iplayed the modest girl, and O'Brien,who stated I was his sister, appearedvery careful and jealous of anyattention. We slept well, and the nextmorning continued our route toMalines. We very often put on our stiltsfor practice on the road, whichdetained us very much, and it was notuntil the eighth day, without any varietyor any interruption, that we arrived atMalines. As we entered the barriers weput on our stilts, and marched boldlyon. The guard at the gate stopped us,not from suspicion, but to amusethemselves, and I was forced to submitto several kisses from their garlic lips,before we were allowed to enter the
town. We again mounted on our stilts,for the guard had forced us todismount, or they could not havekissed me, every now and thenimitating a dance, until we arrived at theGrande Place, where we stoppedopposite the hotel, and commenced asort of waltz which we had practised.The people in the hotel looked out ofthe window to see our exhibition, andwhen we had finished I went up to thewindows with O'Brien's cap to collectmoney. What was my surprise toperceive Colonel O'Brien looking fullin my face, and staring very hard at me;what was my greater astonishment atseeing Celeste, who immediatelyrecognised me, and ran back to the sofa
in the room, putting her hands up toher eyes, and crying out "C'est lui, c'estlui!" Fortunately O'Brien was close tome, or I should have fallen, but hesupported me. "Peter, ask the crowd formoney, or you are lost." I did so, andcollecting some pence, then asked himwhat I should do. "Go back to thewindow you can then judge of whatwill happen." I returned to the window;Colonel O'Brien had disappeared, butCeleste was there, as if waiting for me. Iheld out the cap to her, and she thrusther hand into it. The cap sank with theweight. I took out a purse, which I keptclosed in my hand, and put it into mybosom. Celeste then retired from thewindow, and when she had gone to the
back of the room kissed her hand tome, and went out at the door. Iremained stupefied for a moment, butO'Brien roused me, and we quitted theGrande Place, taking up our quarters at alittle cabaret. On examining the purse, Ifound fifty Napoleons in it: these musthave been, obtained from her father. Icried over them with delight. O'Brienwas also much affected at the kindnessof the colonel. "He's a real O'Brien,every inch of him," said he: "even thiscursed country can't spoil the breed."
At the cabaret where we stopped, wewere informed, that the officer whowas at the hotel had been appointed tothe command of the strong fort of
Bergen-op-Zoom, and was proceedingthither.
"We must not chance to meet himagain, if possible," said O'Brien; "itwould be treading too close upon theheels of his duty. Neither will it do toappear on stilts among the dikes; so,Peter, we'll just jump on clear of thistown and then we'll trust to our wits."
We walked out of the town early in themorning, after O'Brien had madepurchases of some of the clothesusually worn by the peasantry. Whenwithin a few miles of St Nicholas, wethrew away our stilts and the clotheswhich we had on, and dressed
ourselves in those O'Brien hadpurchased. O'Brien had not forgottento provide us with two large brown-coloured blankets, which we strappedon to our shoulders, as the soldiers dotheir coats.
"But what are we to pass for now,O'Brien "
"Peter, I will settle that point beforenight. My wits are working, but I like totrust to chance for a stray idea or so; wemust walk fast, or we shall besmothered with the snow."
It was bitter cold weather, and the snowhad fallen heavily during the whole day;
but although nearly dusk, there was abright moon ready for us. We walkedvery fast, and soon observed personsahead of us. "Let us overtake them, wemay obtain some information." As wecame up with them, one of them (theywere both lads of seventeen toeighteen) said to O'Brien, "I thought wewere the last, but I was mistaken. Howfar is it now to St Nicholas "
"How should I know " replied O'Brien,"I am a stranger in these parts as well asyourself."
"From what part of France do youcome " demanded the other, his teethchattering with the cold, for he was
badly clothed, and with little defencefrom the inclement weather.
"From Montpelier," replied O'Brien.
"And I from Toulouse. A sad change,comrade, from olives and vines to sucha climate as this. Curse the conscription:I intended to have taken a little wifenext year."
O'Brien gave me a push, as if to say,"Here's something that will do," andthen continued,
"And curse the conscription I say too,for I had just married, and now mywife is left to be annoyed by the
attention of the fermier general. But itcan't be helped. C'est pour la France etpour la gloire."
"We shall be too late to get a billet,"replied the other, "and not a sou have Iin my pocket. I doubt if I get up withthe main body till they are at Flushing.By our route, they are at Axel to-day."
"If we arrive at St Nicholas, we shall dowell," replied O'Brien; "but I have alittle money left, and I'll not see acomrade want a supper or a bed who isgoing to serve his country. You canrepay me when we meet at Flushing."
"That I will with thanks," replied the
Frenchman; "and so will Jacques here,if you will trust him."
"With pleasure," replied O'Brien, whothen entered into a long conversation,by which he drew out from theFrenchmen that a party of conscriptshad been ordered to Flushing, and thatthey had dropped behind the mainbody. O'Brien passed himself off as aconscript belonging to the party, andme as his brother, who had resolved tojoin the army as a drummer, rather thanpart with him. In about an hour wearrived at St Nicholas, and after somedifficulty obtained entrance into acabaret. "Vive la France!" said O'Brien,going up to the fire, and throwing the
snow off his hat. In a short time wewere seated to a good supper and verytolerable wine, the hostess sitting downby us, and listening to the truenarratives of the real conscripts, andthe false one of O'Brien. After supperthe conscript who first addressed uspulled out his printed paper, with theroute laid down, and observed that wewere two days behind the others.O'Brien read it over, and laid it on thetable, at the same time calling for morewine, having already pushed it roundvery freely. We did not drink muchourselves, but plied them hard, and atlast the conscript commenced thewhole history of his intended marriageand his disappointment, tearing his
hair, and crying now and then. "Nevermind," interrupted O'Brien, every twoor three minutes, "buvons un autre couppour la gloire!" and thus he continued tomake them both drink until they reeledaway to bed, forgetting their printedpaper, which O'Brien had some timebefore slipped away from the table. Wealso retired to our room, when O'Brienobserved to me. "Peter, this descriptionis as much like me as I am to Old Nick;but that's of no consequence, asnobody goes willingly as a conscript,and therefore they will never have adoubt but that it is all right. We must beoff early to-morrow, while these goodpeople are in bed, and steal a longmarch upon them. I consider that we
are now safe as far as Flushing."
Chapter XXIV
What occurred at Flushing, and whatoccurred when we got out of Flushing.
An hour before daybreak we started;the snow was thick on the ground, butthe sky was clear, and without anydifficulty or interruption we passedthrough the towns of Axel and Halst,arrived at Terneuse on the fourth day,and went over to Flushing in companywith about a dozen more stragglersfrom the main body. As we landed, the
guard asked us whether we wereconscripts. O'Brien replied that he was,and held out his paper. They took hisname, or rather that of the person itbelonged to, down in a book, and toldhim that he must apply to the etat majorbefore three o'clock. We passed ondelighted with our success, and thenO'Brien pulled out the letter which hadbeen given to him by the woman of thecabaret, who had offered to assist me toescape, when O'Brien passed off as agendarme, and reading the address,demanded his way to the street. Wesoon found out the house, and entered.
"Conscripts!" said the woman of thehouse, looking at O'Brien; "I am
billeted full already. It must be amistake. Where is your order "
"Read," said O'Brien, handing her theletter.
She read the letter, and putting it intoher neckerchief, desired him to followher. O'Brien beckoned me to come, andwe went into a small room. "What can Ido for you " said the woman; "I will doall in my power: but, alas! you willmarch from here in two or three days."
"Never mind," replied O'Brien, "we willtalk the matter over by-and-by, but atpresent only oblige us by letting usremain in this little room; we do not
wish to be seen."
"Comment done! you a conscript, and notwish to be seen! Are you, then,intending to desert "
"Answer me one question; you haveread that letter, do you intend to act upto its purport, as your sister requests "
"As I hope for mercy I will, if I suffereverything. She is a dear sister, andwould not write so earnestly if she hadnot strong reason. My house andeverything you command are yours canI say more "
"But," continued O'Brien, "suppose I
did intend to desert, would you thenassist me "
"At my peril," replied the woman: "haveyou not assisted my family when indifficulty "
"Well, then, I will not at present detainyou from your business; I have heardyou called several times. Let us havedinner when convenient, and we willremain here."
"If I have any knowledge of phiz whatd'ye call it," observed O'Brien, after sheleft us, "there is honesty in that woman,and I must trust her, but not yet; wemust wait till the conscripts have gone."
I agreed with O'Brien, and we remainedtalking until an hour afterwards, whenthe woman brought us our dinner.
"What is your name " inquired O'Brien.
"Louise Eustache; you might have readit on the letter."
"Are you married "
"Oh yes, these six years. My husband isseldom at home; he is a Flushing pilot.A hard life, harder even than that of asoldier. Who is this lad "
"He is my brother, who, if I go as asoldier, intends to volunteer as a
drummer."
"Pauvre enfant! c'est dommage."
The cabaret was full of conscripts andother people, so that the hostess hadenough to do. At night, we were shownby her into a small bed-room, adjoiningthe room we occupied. "You are quitealone here; the conscripts are to musterto-morrow, I find, in the Place d'Armes,at two o'clock; do you intend to go "
"No," replied O'Brien: "they will thinkthat I am behind. It is of noconsequence."
"Well," replied the woman, "do as you
please, you may trust me: but I am sobusy, without any one to assist me, thatuntil they leave the town, I can hardlyfind time to speak to you."
"That will be soon enough, my goodhostess," replied O'Brien: "au revoir."
The next evening, the woman came in,in some alarm, stating that a conscripthad arrived whose name had beengiven in before, and that the personwho had given it in, had not musteredat the place. That the conscript haddeclared, that his pass had been stolenfrom him by a person with whom hehad stopped at St Nicholas, and thatthere were orders for a strict search to
be made through the town, as it wasknown that some English officers hadescaped, and it was supposed that oneof them had obtained the pass. "Surelyyou're not English " inquired thewoman, looking earnestly at O'Brien.
"Indeed, but I am, my dear," repliedO'Brien: "and so is this lad with me:and the favour which your sisterrequires is, that you help us over thewater, for which service there are onehundred louis ready to be paid upondelivery of us."
"Oh, mon Dieu! mais c'est impossible."
"Impossible!" replied O'Brien; "was
that the answer I gave your sister in hertrouble "
"Au moins c'est fort difficile."
"That's quite another concern; but withyour husband a pilot, I should think agreat part of the difficulty removed."
"My husband! I've no power over him,"replied the woman, putting the apronup to her eyes.
"But one hundred louis may have,"replied O'Brien.
"There is truth in that," observed thewoman, after a pause, "but what am I
to do, if they come to search the house"
"Send us out of it, until you can findan opportunity to send us to England.I leave it all to you your sister expects itfrom you."
"And she shall not be disappointed, ifGod helps us," replied the woman, aftera short pause: "but I fear you mustleave this house and the town also to-night."
"How are we to leave the town "
"I will arrange that; be ready at fouro'clock, for the gates are shut at dusk. I
must go now, for there is no time to belost."
"We are in a nice mess now, O'Brien,"observed I, after the woman hadquitted the room.
"Devil a bit, Peter; I feel no anxietywhatever, except at leaving such goodquarters."
We packed up all our effects, notforgetting our two blankets, and waitedthe return of the hostess. In about anhour she entered the room. "I havespoken to my husband's sister, wholives about two miles on the road toMiddelburg. She is in town now, for it
is market-day, and you will be safewhere she hides you. I told her, it wasby my husband's request, or she wouldnot have consented. Here, boy, put onthese clothes; I will assist you." Oncemore I was dressed as a girl, and whenmy clothes were on, O'Brien burst outinto laughter at my blue stockings andshort petticoats. "Il n'est pas mal,"observed the hostess, as she fixed asmall cap on my head, and then tied akerchief under my chin, which partlyhid my face. O'Brien put on a greatcoat,which the woman handed to him, witha wide-brimmed hat. "Now follow me!"She led us into the street, which wasthronged, till we arrived at the market-place, when she met another woman,
who joined her. At the end of themarket-place stood a small horse andcart, into which the strange woman andI mounted, while O'Brien, by thedirections of the landlady, led the horsethrough the crowd until we arrived atthe barriers, when she wished us goodday in a loud voice before the guard.The guard took no notice of us, andwe passed safely through, and foundourselves upon a neatly-paved road, asstraight as an arrow, and lined on eachside with high trees and a ditch. Inabout an hour, we stopped near to thefarmhouse of the woman who was incharge of us. "Do you observe thatwood " said she to O'Brien, pointing toone about half a mile from the road. "I
dare not take you into the house, myhusband is so violent against theEnglish, who captured his schuyt, andmade him a poor man, that he wouldinform against you immediately; but goyou there, make yourselves ascomfortable as you can to-night, andto-morrow I will send you what youwant. Adieu! Je vous plains, pauvre enfant."said she, looking at me, as she droveoff in the cart towards her own house.
"Peter," said O'Brien, "I think that herkicking us out of her house is a proofof her sincerity, and therefore I say nomore about it; we have the brandy-flaskto keep up our spirits. Now then forthe wood, though, by the powers, I
shall have no relish for any of your pic-nic parties, as they call them, for thenext twelve years."
"But, O'Brien, how can I get over thisditch in petticoats I could hardly leap itin my own clothes."
"You must tie your petticoats roundyour waist and make a good run; getover as far as you can, and I will dragyou through the rest."
"But you forget that we are to sleep inthe wood, and that it's no laughingmatter to get wet through, freezing sohard as it does now."
"Very true, Peter; but as the snow liesso deep upon the ditch, perhaps the icemay bear. I'll try; if it bears me, it willnot condescend to bend at your shrimpof a carcass."
O'Brien tried the ice, which was firm,and we both walked over, and makingall the haste we could, arrived at thewood, as the woman called it, butwhich was not more than a clump oftrees of about half an acre. We clearedaway the snow for about six feet rounda very hollow part, and then O'Briencut stakes and fixed them in the earth,to which we stretched one blanket. Thesnow being about two feet deep, therewas plenty of room to creep
underneath the blanket. We thencollected all the leaves we could,beating the snow off them, and laidthem at the bottom of the hole; overthe leaves we spread the other blanket,and taking our bundles in, we thenstopped up with snow every side of theupper blanket, except the hole to creepin at. It was quite astonishing what awarm place this became in a short timeafter we had remained in it. It wasalmost too warm, although the weatheroutside was piercingly cold. After agood meal and a dose of brandy, weboth fell fast asleep, but not until I hadtaken off my woman's attire andresumed my own clothes. We neverslept better or more warmly than we
did in this hole which we had made onthe ground, covered with ice and snow.
Chapter XXV
O'Brien parts company to hunt forprovisions, and I have other companyin consequence of another huntO'Brien pathetically mourns my deathand finds me alive We escape.
The ensuing morning we looked outanxiously for the promised assistance,for we were not very rich in provisions,although what we had were of a verygood quality. It was not until three
o'clock in the afternoon that weperceived a little girl coming towardsus, escorted by a large mastiff. Whenshe arrived at the copse of trees wherewe lay concealed, she cried out to thedog in Dutch, who immediatelyscoured the wood until he came to ourhiding-place, when he crouched downat the entrance, barking furiously, andputting us in no small dread, lest heshould attack us; but the little girlspoke to him again, and he remained inthe same position, looking at us,wagging his tail, with his under jawlying on the snow. She soon came up,and looking underneath, put a basketin, and nodded her head. We emptiedthe basket. O'Brien took out a
napoleon and offered it to her; sherefused it, but O'Brien forced it into herhand, upon which she again spoke tothe dog, who commenced barking sofuriously at us, that we expected everymoment he would fly upon us. The girlat the same time presented thenapoleon, and pointing to the dog, Iwent forward and took the napoleonfrom her, at which she immediatelysilenced the enormous brute, andlaughing at us, hastened away.
"By the powers, that's a fine little girl!"said O'Brien; "I'll back her and her dogagainst any man. Well, I never had adog set at me for giving money before,but we live and learn, Peter; now let's
see what she brought in the basket." Wefound hard-boiled eggs, bread, and asmoked mutton ham, with a largebottle of gin. "What a nice little girl! Ihope she will often favour us with hercompany. I've been thinking, Peter, thatwe're quite as well off here, as in amidshipman's berth."
"You forget you are a lieutenant."
"Well, so I did, Peter, and that's thetruth, but it's the force of habit. Nowlet's make our dinner. It's a new-fashioned way though, of making ameal, lying down; but however, it'seconomical, for it must take longer toswallow the victuals."
"The Romans used to eat their mealslying down, so I have read, O'Brien."
"I can't say that I ever heard itmentioned in Ireland, but that don'tprove that it was not the case; so, Peter,I'll take your word for it. Murder! howfast it snows again! I wonder what myfather's thinking on just at thismoment."
This observation of O'Brien inducedus to talk about our friends andrelations in England, and after muchconversation we fell fast asleep. Thenext morning we found the snow hadfallen about eight inches, and weighed
down our upper blanket so much, thatwe were obliged to go out and cutstakes to support it up from the inside.While we were thus employed, weheard a loud noise and shouting, andperceived several men, apparentlyarmed and accompanied with dogs,running straight in the direction of thewood where we were encamped. Wewere much alarmed, thinking that theywere in search of us, but on a suddenthey turned off in another direction,continuing with the same speed asbefore. "What could it be " said I, toO'Brien. "I can't exactly say, Peter; but Ishould think that they were huntingsomething, and the only game that Ithink likely to be in such a place as this
are otters." I was of the same opinion.We expected the little girl, but she didnot come, and after looking out for hertill dark, we crawled into our hole andsupped upon the remainder of ourprovisions.
The next day, as may be supposed, wewere very anxious for her arrival, butshe did not appear at the time expected.Night again came on, and we went tobed without having any sustenance,except a small piece of bread that wasleft, and some gin which was remainingin the flask. "Peter," said O'Brien, "ifshe don't come again to-morrow, I'll trywhat I can do; for I've no idea of ourdying of hunger here, like the two
babes in the wood, and being foundcovered up with dead leaves. If shedoes not appear at three o'clock, I'moff for provisions, and I don't seemuch danger, for in this dress I look asmuch of a boor as any man inHolland."
We passed an uneasy night, as we feltconvinced, either that the danger wasso great that they dared not venture toassist us, or, that being over-ruled, theyhad betrayed us, and left us to managehow we could. The next morning Iclimbed up the only large tree in thecopse and looked round, especially inthe direction of the farm-housebelonging to the woman who had
pointed out to us our place ofconcealment; but nothing was to beseen but one vast tract of flat countrycovered with snow, and now and then avehicle passing at a distance on theMiddelburg road. I descended, andfound O'Brien preparing for a start. Hewas very melancholy, and said to me,"Peter, if I am taken, you must, at allrisks, put on your girl's clothes and goto Flushing to the cabaret. The womenthere, I am sure, will protect you, andsend you back to England. I only wanttwo napoleons; take all the rest, you willrequire them. If I am not back by to-night, set off for Flushing to-morrowmorning." O'Brien waited some timelonger, talking with me, and it then
being past four o'clock, he shook me bythe hand, and, without speaking, leftthe wood. I never felt more miserableduring the whole time since we werefirst put into prison at Toulon, till thatmoment, and, when he was a hundredyards off, I knelt down and prayed. Hehad been absent two hours, and it wasquite dusk, when I heard a noise at adistance: it advanced every momentnearer and nearer. On a sudden, I hearda rustling of the bushes, and hastenedunder the blanket, which was coveredwith snow, in hopes that they might notperceive the entrance; but I was hardlythere before in dashed after me anenormous wolf. I cried out, expectingto be torn to pieces every moment, but
the creature lay on his belly, his mouthwide open, his eyes glaring, and hislong tongue hanging out of his mouth,and although he touched me, he was soexhausted that he did not attack me.The noise increased, and I immediatelyperceived that it was the hunters inpursuit of him. I had crawled in feetfirst, the wolf ran in head foremost, sothat we lay head and tail. I crept out asfast as I could, and perceived men anddogs not two hundred yards off in fullchase. I hastened to the large tree, andhad not ascended six feet when theycame up; the dogs flew to the hole, andin a very short time the wolf was killed.The hunters being too busy to observeme, I had in the meantime climbed up
the trunk of the tree, and hiddenmyself as well as I could. Being notfifteen yards from them, I heard theirexpressions of surprise as they lifted upthe blanket and dragged out the deadwolf, which they carried away withthem; their conversation being inDutch, I could not understand it, but Iwas certain that they made use of theword "English." The hunters and dogsquitted the copse, and I was about todescend, when one of them returned,and pulling up the blankets, rolledthem together and walked away withthem. Fortunately he did not perceiveour bundles by the little light given bythe moon. I waited a short time andthen came down. What to do I knew
not. If I did not remain and O'Brienreturned, what would he think If I did,I should be dead with cold before themorning. I looked for our bundles, andfound that in the conflict between thedogs and the wolf, they had beenburied among the leaves. I recollectedO'Brien's advice, and dressed myself inthe girl's clothes, but I could not makeup my mind to go to Flushing. So Iresolved to walk towards thefarmhouse, which, being close to theroad, would give me a chance ofmeeting with O'Brien. I soon arrivedthere and prowled round it for sometime, but the doors and windows wereall fast, and I dared not knock, afterwhat the woman had said about her
husband's inveteracy to the English. Atlast, as I looked round and round, quiteat a loss what to do, I thought I saw afigure at a distance proceeding in thedirection of the copse. I hastened afterit and saw it enter. I then advanced verycautiously, for although I thought itmight be O'Brien, yet it was possiblethat it was one of the men who chasedthe wolf in search of more plunder.But I soon heard O'Brien's voice, and Ihastened towards him. I was close tohim without his perceiving me, andfound him sitting down with his facecovered up in his two hands. At last hecried, "O Pater! my poor Pater! are youtaken at last Could I not leave you forone hour in safety Ochone! why did I
leave you My poor, poor Pater! simpleyou were, sure enough, and that's why Iloved you; but, Pater, I would havemade a man of you, for you'd all thematerials, that's the truth and a fineman, too. Where am I to look for you,Pater Where am I to find you, PaterYou're fast locked up by this time, andall my trouble's gone for nothing. ButI'll be locked up too, Pater. Where youare, will I be; and if we can't go toEngland together, why then we'll goback to that blackguard hole at Givettogether. Ochone! Ochone!" O'Brienspoke no more, but burst into tears. Iwas much affected with this proof ofO'Brien's sincere regard, and I came tohis side and clasped him in my arms.
O'Brien stared at me, "Who are you,you ugly Dutch frow " (for he hadquite forgotten the woman's dress atthe moment), but recollecting himself,he hugged me in his arms. "Pater, youcome as near to an angel's shape as youcan, for you come in that of a woman,to comfort me; for, to tell the truth, Iwas very much distressed at not findingyou here; and all the blankets gone toboot. What has been the matter " Iexplained in as few words as I could.
"Well, Peter, I'm happy to find you allsafe, and much happier to find that youcan be trusted when I leave you, foryou could not have behaved moreprudently; now I'll tell you what I did,
which was not much, as it happened. Iknew that there was no cabaret betweenus and Flushing, for I took particularnotice as I came along; so I took theroad to Middelburg, and found butone, which was full of soldiers. Ipassed it, and found no other. As Icame back past the same cabaret, oneof the soldiers came out to me, but Iwalked along the road. He quickenedhis pace, and so did I mine, for Iexpected mischief. At last he came upto me, and spoke to me in Dutch, towhich I gave him no answer. Hecollared me, and then I thought itconvenient to pretend that I was deafand dumb. I pointed to my mouth withan Au au and then to my ears, and
shook my head; but he would not beconvinced, and I heard him saysomething about English. I then knewthat there was no time to be lost, so Ifirst burst out into a loud laugh andstopped; and on his attempting to forceme, I kicked up his heels, and he fell onthe ice with such a rap on the pate, thatI doubt if he has recovered it by thistime. There I left him, and have runback as hard as I could, withoutanything for Peter to fill his littlehungry inside with. Now, Peter, what'syour opinion for they say that out ofthe mouth of babes there is wisdom;and although I never saw anythingcome out of their mouths but sourmilk, yet perhaps I may be more
fortunate this time, for, Peter, you're buta baby."
"Not a small one, O'Brien, althoughnot quite so large as Fingal's babby thatyou told me the story of. My idea isthis. Let us, at all hazards, go to thefarmhouse. They have assisted us, andmay be inclined to do so again; if theyrefuse, we must push on to Flushingand take our chance."
"Well," observed O'Brien, after a pause,"I think we can do no better, so let's beoff." We went to the farmhouse, and, aswe approached the door, were met bythe great mastiff. I started back, O'Brienboldly advanced. "He's a clever dog,
and may know us again. I'll go up," saidO'Brien, not stopping while he spoke,"and pat his head: if he flies at me, Ishall be no worse than I was before, fordepend upon it he will not allow us togo back again." O'Brien by this timehad advanced to the dog, who lookedearnestly and angrily at him. He pattedhis head, the dog growled, but O'Brienput his arm round his neck, and pattinghim again, whistled to him, and went tothe door of the farmhouse. The dogfollowed him silently but closely.O'Brien knocked, and the door wasopened by the little girl: the mastiffadvanced to the girl, and then turnedround, facing O'Brien, as much as tosay, "Is he to come in " The girl spoke
to the dog, and went indoors. Duringher absence the mastiff lay down at thethreshold. In a few seconds the womanwho had brought us from Flushing,came out, and desired us to enter. Shespoke very good French, and told usthat fortunately her husband wasabsent; that the reason why we had notbeen supplied was, that a wolf had mether little girl returning the other day,but had been beaten off by the mastiff,and that she was afraid to allow her togo again; that she heard the wolf hadbeen killed this evening, and hadintended her girl to have gone to usearly to-morrow morning; that wolveswere hardly known in that country, butthat the severe winter had brought
them down to the lowlands, a very rarecircumstance, occurring perhaps notonce in twenty years. "But how did youpass the mastiff " said she; "that hassurprised my daughter and me."O'Brien told her, upon which she said"that the English were really 'des braves.'No other man had ever done the same."So I thought, for nothing would haveinduced me to do it. O'Brien then toldthe history of the death of the wolf,with all particulars, and our intention,if we could not do better, of returningto Flushing.
"I heard that Pierre Eustache camehome yesterday," replied the woman;"and I do think that you will be safer
there than here, for they will neverthink of looking for you among thecasernes, which join their cabaret."
"Will you lend us your assistance to getin "
"I will see what I can do. But are younot hungry "
"About as hungry as men who haveeaten nothing for two days."
"Mon Dieu! c'est vrai. I never thought itwas so long, but those whose stomachsare filled forget those who are empty.God make us better and morecharitable!"
She spoke to the little girl in Dutch,who hastened to load the table, whichwe hastened to empty. The little girlstared at our voracity; but at last shelaughed out, and clapped her hands atevery fresh mouthful which we took,and pressed us to eat more. She allowedme to kiss her, until her mother told herthat I was not a woman, when shepouted at me, and beat me off. Beforemidnight we were fast asleep upon thebenches before the kitchen fire, and atdaybreak were roused up by thewoman, who offered us some breadand spirits, and then we went out to thedoor, where we found the horse andcart all ready, and loaded with
vegetables for the market. The woman,the little girl, and myself got in, O'Brienleading as before, and the mastifffollowing. We had learnt the dog'sname, which was "Achille," and heseemed to be quite fond of us. Wepassed the dreaded barriers withoutinterruption, and in ten minutesentered the cabaret of Eustache; andimmediately walked into the little roomthrough a crowd of soldiers, two ofwhom chucked me under the chin.Whom should we find there butEustache, the pilot himself, inconversation with his wife, and itappeared that they were talking aboutus, she insisting, and he unwilling tohave any hand in the business. "Well,
here they are themselves, Eustache; thesoldiers who have seen them come inwill never believe that this is their firstentry if you give them up. I leave themto make their own bargain; but markme, Eustache, I have slaved night andday in this cabaret for your profit; ifyou do not oblige me and my family, Ino longer keep a cabaret for you."
Madame Eustache then quitted theroom with her husband's sister andlittle girl, and O'Brien immediatelyaccosted him. "I promise you," said heto Eustache, "one hundred louis if youput us on shore at any part of England,or on board of any English man-of-war; and if you do it within a week, I
will make it twenty louis more."O'Brien then pulled out the fiftynapoleons given us by Celeste, for ourown were not yet expended, and laidthem on the table. "Here is this inadvance, to prove my sincerity. Say, is ita bargain or not "
"I never yet heard of a poor man whocould withstand his wife's arguments,backed with one hundred and twentylouis," said Eustache smiling, andsweeping the money off the table.
"I presume you have no objection tostart to-night That will be ten louismore in your favour," replied O'Brien.
"I shall earn them," replied Eustache."The sooner I am off the better, for Icould not long conceal you here. Theyoung frow with you is, I suppose, yourcompanion that my wife mentioned.He has begun to suffer hardships early.Come, now, sit down and talk, fornothing can be done till dark."
O'Brien narrated the adventuresattending our escape, at whichEustache laughed heartily; the more so,at the mistake which his wife wasunder, as to the obligations of thefamily. "If I did not feel inclined toassist you before, I do now, just for thelaugh I shall have at her when I comeback, and if she wants any more
assistance for the sake of her relations,I shall remind her of this anecdote; butshe's a good woman and a good wife toboot, only too fond of her sisters." Atdusk he equipped us both in sailor'sjackets and trowsers, and desired us tofollow him boldly. He passed the guard,who knew him well. "What, to seaalready " said one. "You have quarrelledwith your wife." At which they alllaughed, and we joined. We gained thebeach, jumped into his little boat,pulled off to his vessel, and, in a fewminutes, were under weigh. With astrong tide and a fair wind we weresoon clear of the Scheldt, and the nextmorning a cutter hove in sight. Westeered for her, ran under her lee,
O'Brien hailed for a boat, andEustache, receiving my bill for theremainder of his money, wished ussuccess; we shook hands, and in a fewminutes found ourselves once moreunder the British pennant.
Chapter XXVI
Adventures at home I am introduced tomy grandfather He obtains employmentfor O'Brien and myself, and we join afrigate.
As soon as we were on the deck of thecutter, the lieutenant commanding her
inquired of us, in a consequentialmanner, who we were. O'Brien repliedthat we were English prisoners whohad escaped. "Oh, midshipmen, Ipresume," replied the lieutenant; "Iheard that some had contrived to getaway."
"My name, sir," said O'Brien, "isLieutenant O'Brien; and if you'll sendfor a 'Steel's List,' I will have thehonour of pointing it out to you. Thisyoung gentleman is Mr Peter Simple,midshipman, and grandson to theRight Honourable Lord ViscountPrivilege."
The lieutenant, who was a little snub-
nosed man, with a pimply face, thenaltered his manner towards us, andbegged we would step down into thecabin, where he offered, what perhapswas the greatest of all luxuries to us,some English cheese and bottledporter. "Pray," said he, "did you seeanything of one of my officers, whowas taken prisoner when I was sentwith despatches to the Mediterraneanfleet "
"May I first ask the name of your livelylittle craft " said O'Brien.
"'The Snapper,'" replied the lieutenant.
"Och, murder; sure enough we met
him. He was sent to Verdun, but wehad the pleasure of his company enroute as far as Montpelier. A remarkablygenteel, well-dressed young man, washe not "
"Why, I can't say much about hisgentility; indeed, I am not much of ajudge. As for his dress, he ought tohave dressed well, but he never didwhen on board of me. His father is mytailor, and I took him as midshipman,just to square an account between us."
"That's exactly what I thought," repliedO'Brien.
He did not say any more, which I was
glad of, as the lieutenant might nothave been pleased at what hadoccurred.
"When do you expect to run into port" demanded O'Brien; for we were ratheranxious to put our feet ashore again inold England. The lieutenant repliedthat his cruise was nearly up; and heconsidered our arrival quite sufficientreason for him to run in directly, andthat he intended to put his helm upafter the people had had their dinner.We were much delighted with thisintelligence, and still more to see theintention put into execution half anhour afterwards.
In three days we anchored at Spithead,and went on shore with the lieutenantto report ourselves to the admiral. Oh!with what joy did I first put my foot onthe shingle beach at Sallyport, and thenhasten to the post-office to put in along letter which I had written to mymother. We did not go to the admiral's,but merely reported ourselves at theadmiral's office; for we had no clothesfit to appear in. But we called atMeredith's the tailor, and he promisedthat, by the next morning, we should befitted complete. We then ordered newhats, and everything we required, andwent to the Fountain inn. O'Brienrefused to go to the Blue Posts, asbeing only a receptacle for midshipmen.
By eleven o'clock the next morning, wewere fit to appear before the admiral,who received us very kindly, andrequested our company to dinner. As Idid not intend setting off for homeuntil I had received an answer from mymother, we, of course, accepted theinvitation.
There was a large party of navalofficers and ladies, and O'Brien amusedthem very much during dinner. Whenthe ladies left the room, the admiral'swife told me to come up with them;and when we arrived at the drawing-room, the ladies all gathered round me,and I had to narrate the whole of myadventures, which very much
entertained and interested them. Thenext morning I received a letter frommy mother such a kind one! entreatingme to come home as fast as I could,and bring my preserver O'Brien with me.I showed it to O'Brien, and asked himwhether he would accompany me.
"Why, Peter, my boy, I have a littlebusiness of some importance totransact; which is, to obtain my arrearsof pay, and some prize-money which Ifind due. When I have settled thatpoint, I will go to town to pay myrespects to the First Lord of theAdmiralty, and then I think I will goand see your father and mother: for,until I know how matters stand, and
whether I shall be able to go with sparecash in my pocket, I do not wish to seemy own family; so write down youraddress here, and you'll be sure I'llcome, if it is only to square myaccounts with you, for I am not a littlein your debt."
I cashed a cheque sent by my father,and set off in the mail that night; thenext evening I arrived safe home. But Ishall leave the reader to imagine thescene: to my mother I was always dear,and circumstances had rendered me ofsome importance to my father; for Iwas now an only son, and his prospectswere very different from what they werewhen I left home. About a week
afterwards, O'Brien joined us, havinggot through all his business. His firstact was to account with my father forhis share of the expenses; and he eveninsisted upon paying his half of thefifty napoleons given me by Celeste,which had been remitted to a banker atParis before O'Brien's arrival, with aguarded letter of thanks from my fatherto Colonel O'Brien, and another fromme to dear little Celeste. When O'Brienhad remained with us about a week, hetold me that he had about one hundredand sixty pounds in his pocket, andthat he intended to go and see hisfriends, as he was sure that he would bewelcome even to Father M'Grath. "Imean to stay with them about a
fortnight, and shall then return andapply for employment. Now, Peter, willyou like to be again under myprotection "
"O'Brien, I will never quit you or yourship, if I can help it."
"Spoken like a sensible Peter. Well,then, I was promised immediateemployment, and I will let you know assoon as the promise is performed."
O'Brien took his leave of my family,who were already very partial to him,and left that afternoon for Holyhead.My father no longer treated me as achild; indeed, it would have been an
injustice if he had. I do not mean tosay that I was a clever boy; but I hadseen much of the world in a short time,and could act and think for myself. Heoften talked to me about his prospects,which were very different from whatthey were when I left him. My twouncles, his elder brothers, had died, thethird was married and had twodaughters. If he had no son, my fatherwould succeed to the title. The death ofmy elder brother Tom had brought menext in succession. My grandfather,Lord Privilege, who had taken no morenotice of my father than occasionallysending him a basket of game, hadlatterly often invited him to the house,and had even requested, some day or
another, to see his wife and family. Hehad also made a handsome addition tomy father's income, which the death ofmy two uncles had enabled him to do.Against all this, my uncle's wife wasreported to be again in the family way. Icannot say that I was pleased when myfather used to speculate upon thesechances so often as he did. I thought,not only as a man, but more particularlyas a clergyman, he was much to blame;but I did not know then so much ofthe world. We had not heard fromO'Brien for two months, when a letterarrived, stating that he had seen hisfamily, and bought a few acres of land,which had made them all quite happy,and had quitted with Father M'Grath's
double blessing, with unlimitedabsolution; that he had now been amonth in town trying for employment,but found that he could not obtain it,although one promise was backed upby another.
A few days after this, my father receiveda note from Lord Privilege, requestinghe would come and spend a few dayswith him, and bring his son Peter whohad escaped from the French prison.Of course this was an invitation not tobe neglected, and we accepted itforthwith. I must say, I felt rather inawe of my grandfather; he had kept thefamily at such a distance, that I hadalways heard his name mentioned more
with reverence than with any feeling ofkindred, but I was a little wiser now. Wearrived at Eagle Park, a splendid estate,where he resided, and were received bya dozen servants in and out of livery,and ushered into his presence. He wasin his library, a large room, surroundedwith handsome bookcases, sitting on aneasy chair. A more venerable, placid oldgentleman I never beheld; his grey hairshung down on each side of histemples, and were collected in a smallqueue behind. He rose and bowed, as wewere announced; to my father he heldout two fingers in salutation, to me onlyone, but there was an elegance in themanner in which it was done whichwas indescribable. He waved his hand
to chairs, placed by the gentleman out oflivery, and requested we would beseated. I could not, at the time, helpthinking of Mr Chucks, the boatswain,and his remarks upon high breeding,which were so true: and I laughed tomyself when I recollected that MrChucks had once dined with him. Assoon as the servants had quitted theroom, the distance on the part of mygrandfather appeared to wear off. Heinterrogated me on several points, andseemed pleased with my replies; but healways called me "child." After aconversation of half an hour, my fatherrose, saying that his lordship must bebusy, and that we would go over thegrounds till dinner-time. My
grandfather rose, and we took a sort offormal leave; but it was not a formalleave, after all, it was high breeding,respecting yourself and respectingothers. For my part, I was pleased withthe first interview, and so I told myfather after we had left the room. "Mydear Peter," replied he, "yourgrandfather has one idea which absorbsmost others the peerage, the estate, andthe descent of it in the right line. Aslong as your uncles were alive, we werenot thought of, as not being in the lineof descent; nor should we now, butthat your uncle William has onlydaughters. Still we are not looked uponas actual, but only contingent,inheritors of the title. Were your uncle
to die to-morrow, the difference in hisbehaviour would be manifestedimmediately."
"That is to say, instead of two fingers youwould receive the whole hand, andinstead of one finger, I should obtainpromotion to two."
At this my father laughed heartily,saying, "Peter, you have exactly hit themark. I cannot imagine how we evercould have been so blind as to call youthe fool of the family."
To this I made no reply, for it wasdifficult so to do without depreciatingothers or depreciating myself; but I
changed the subject by commenting onthe beauties of the park, and thesplendid timber with which it wasadorned. "Yes, Peter," replied my father,with a sigh, "thirty-five thousand a yearin land, money in the funds, and timberworth at least forty thousand more, arenot to be despised. But God willseverything." After this remark, myfather appeared to be in deep thought,and I did not interrupt him.
We stayed ten days with mygrandfather, during which he wouldoften detain me for two hours afterbreakfast, listening to my adventures,and I really believe was very partial tome. The day before I went away he said,
"Child, you are going to-morrow; nowtell me what you would like, as I wishto give you a token of regard. Don't beafraid; what shall it be a watch andseals, or anything you most fancy "
"My lord," replied I, "if you wish to dome a favour, it is, that you will apply tothe First Lord of the Admiralty toappoint Lieutenant O'Brien to a finefrigate, and, at the same time, ask for avacancy as midshipman for me."
"O'Brien!" replied his lordship; "Irecollect it was he who accompaniedyou from France, and appears, by youraccount, to have been a true friend. Iam pleased with your request, my child,
and it shall be granted."
His lordship then desired me to handhim the paper and ink-standish, wroteby my directions, sealed the letter, andtold me he would send me the answer.The next day we quitted Eagle Park, hislordship wishing my father good-byewith two fingers, and to me extendingone, as before; but he said, "I am pleasedwith you, child; you may writeoccasionally."
When we were on our route home, myfather observed that "I had made moreprogress with my grandfather than hehad known anyone to do, since hecould recollect. His saying that you
might write to him is at least tenthousand pounds to you in his will, forhe never deceives any one, or changeshis mind." My reply was, that I shouldlike to see the ten thousand pounds,but that I was not so sanguine.
A few days after our return home, Ireceived a letter and enclosure fromLord Privilege, the contents of whichwere as follow:
"My dear Child, I send you Lord 'sanswer, which I trust will provesatisfactory. My compliments to yourfamily. Yours, &c., PRIVILEGE."
The inclosure was a handsome letter
from the First Lord, stating that he hadappointed O'Brien to the Sanglierfrigate, and had ordered me to bereceived on board as midshipman. Iwas delighted to forward this letter toO'Brien's address, who, in a few dayssent me an answer, thanking me, andstating that he had received his'appointment, and that I need not joinfor a month, which was quite timeenough, as the ship was refitting; but,that if my family were tired of me,which was sometimes the case in thebest regulated families, why, then Ishould learn something of my duty bycoming to Portsmouth. He concludedby sending his kind regards to all thefamily, and his love to my grandfather,
which last I certainly did not forward inmy letter of thanks. About a monthafterwards I received a letter fromO'Brien, stating that the ship was readyto go out of harbour, and would beanchored off Spithead in a few days.
Chapter XXVII
Captain and Mrs To Pork We go toPlymouth, and fall in with our oldCaptain.
I immediately took leave of my family,and set off for Portsmouth, and in twodays arrived at the Fountain inn, where
O'Brien was waiting to receive me."Peter, my boy, I feel so much obligedto you, that if your uncle won't go outof the world by fair means, I'll pick aquarrel with him, and shoot him, onpurpose that you may be a lord, as I amdetermined you shall be. Now come upinto my room, where we'll be all alone,and I'll tell you all about the ship andour new captain. In the first place, we'llbegin with the ship, as the mostimportant personage of the two: she's abeauty, I forget her name before shewas taken, but the French know how tobuild ships better than keep them. She'snow called the Sanglier, which means awild pig, and, by the powers! a pig shipshe is, as you will hear directly. The
captain's name is a very short one, andwouldn't please Mr Chucks, consistingonly of two letters, T and O, whichmakes To; his whole title is CaptainJohn To. It would almost appear as ifsomebody had broken off the betterhalf of his name, and only left him thecommencement of it; but, however, it'sa handy name to sign when he pays offhis ship. And now I'll tell you what sortof a looking craft he is. He's built like aDutch schuyt, great breadth of beam,and very square tuck. He applied tohave the quarter galleries enlarged inthe two last ships he commanded. Heweighs about eighteen stone, rathermore than less. He is a good-naturedsort of a chap, amazingly ungenteel,
not much of an officer, not much of asailor, but a devilish good hand at thetrencher. But he's only part of theconcern; he has his wife on board, whois a red-herring sort of a lady, and verytroublesome to boot. What makes herstill more annoying is, that she has apiano on board, very much out of tune,on which she plays very much out oftime. Holystoning is music comparedwith her playing: even the captain'sspaniel howls when she comes to thehigh notes; but she affects the fine lady,and always treats the officers withmusic when they dine in the cabin,which makes them very glad to get outof it."
"But, O'Brien, I thought wives were notpermitted on board."
"Very true, but there's the worst part inthe man's character: he knows that he isnot allowed to take his wife to sea, and,in consequence, he never says she is hiswife, or presents her on shore toanybody. If any of the other captainsask how Mrs To is to-day 'Why,' hereplies, 'pretty well, I thank you;' but atthe same time he gives a kind of smirk,as if to say, 'She is not my wife;' andalthough everybody knows that she is,yet he prefers that they should thinkotherwise, rather than be at the expenseof keeping her on shore; for you know,Peter, that although there are
regulations about wives, there are nonewith regard to other women."
"But does his wife know this " inquiredI.
"I believe, from my heart, she is a partyto the whole transaction, for reportsays, that she would skin a flint if shecould. She's always trying for presentsfrom the officers, and, in fact, shecommands the ship."
"Really, O'Brien, this is not a verypleasant prospect."
"Whist! wait a little; now I come to thewind-up. This Captain To is very partial
to pig's mate, and we have as many livepigs on board as we have pigs ofballast. The first lieutenant is right madabout them. At the same time he allowsno pigs but his own on board, thatthere may be no confusion. The mangeris full of pigs; there are two cow-pensbetween the main-deck guns, drawnfrom the dock-yard, and converted intopig-pens. The two sheep-pensamidships are full of pigs, and thegeese and turkey-coops are divided offinto apartments for four sows in thefamily way. Now, Peter, you see there'slittle or no expense in keeping pigs onboard of a large frigate, with so muchpay-soup and whole peas for them toeat, and this is the reason why he keeps
them, for the devil a bit of any otherstock has he on board. I presume hemeans to milk one of the old sows forbreakfast when the ship sails. The firstthing that he does in the morning, is togo round to his pigs with the butcher,feeling one, scratching the dirty ears ofanother, and then he classes them hisbacon pigs, his porkers, his breeding sows,and so on. The old boar is still at thestables of this inn, but I hear he is tocome on board with the sailing orders:but he is very savage, and is thereforeleft on shore to the very last moment.Now really, Peter, what with thesquealing of the pigs and his wife'spiano, we are almost driven mad. Idon't know which is the worse of the
two; if you go aft you hear the one, ifyou go forward you hear the other, byway of variety, and that, they say, ischarming. But, is it not shocking thatsuch a beautiful frigate should beturned into a pig-sty, and that her main-deck should smell worse than amuckheap "
"But how does his wife like the idea ofliving only upon hog's flesh "
"She! Lord bless you, Peter! why, shelooks as spare as a shark, and she hasjust the appetite of one, for she'll bolt afour-pound piece of pork before it'swell put on her plate."
"Have you any more such pleasantintelligence to communicate, O'Brien "
"No, Peter; you have the worst of it.The lieutenants are good officers andpleasant messmates: the doctor is a littlequeer, and the purser thinks himself awag; the master, an old north-countryman, who knows his duty, andtakes his glass of grog. Themidshipmen are a very genteel set ofyoung men, and full of fun and frolic.I'll bet a wager there'll be a bobbery inthe pig-sty before long, for they are ripefor mischief. Now, Peter, I hardly needsay that my cabin and everything I haveis at your service; and I think if wecould only have a devil of a gale of
wind, or a hard-fought action, to sendthe pigs overboard and smash the piano,we should do very well."
The next day I went on board, and wasshown down into the cabin, to reportmy having joined. Mrs To, a tall thinwoman, was at her piano; she rose, andasked me several questions who myfriends were how much they allowedme a year, and many other questions,which I thought impertinent: but acaptain's wife is allowed to takeliberties. She then asked me if I wasfond of music That was a difficultquestion, as, if I said that I was, Ishould in all probability be obliged tohear it: if I said that I was not, I might
have created a dislike in her. So Ireplied, that I was very fond of musicon shore, when it was not interruptedby other noise. "Ah! then I perceive youare a real amateur, Mr Simple," repliedthe lady.
Captain To then came out of the after-cabin, half-dressed. "Well, youngster, soyou've joined us at last. Come and dinewith us to-day and, as you go down toyour berth, desire the sentry to pass theword for the butcher; I want to speakwith him."
I bowed and retired. I was met in themost friendly manner by the officersand by my own messmates, who had
been prepossessed in my favour byO'Brien, previous to my arrival. In ourservice you always find young men ofthe best families on board large frigates,they being considered the most eligibleclass of vessels; I found my messmatesto be gentlemen, with one or twoexceptions, but I never met so manywild young lads together. I sat downand ate some dinner with them,although I was to dine in the cabin, forthe sea air made me hungry.
"Don't you dine in the cabin, Simple "said the caterer.
"Yes," replied I.
"Then don't eat any pork, my boy, now,for you'll have plenty there. Come,gentlemen, fill your glasses; we'll drinkhappiness to our new messmate, andpledging him, we pledge ourselves totry to promote it."
"I'll just join you in that toast," saidO'Brien, walking into the midshipmen'sberth. "What is it you're drinking it in "
"Some of Collier's port, sir. Boy, bring aglass for Mr O'Brien."
"Here's your health, Peter, and wishingyou may keep out of a French prisonthis cruise. Mr Montague, as caterer, Iwill beg you will order another candle,
that I may see what's on the table, andthen perhaps I may find something Ishould like to pick a bit off."
"Here's the fag end of a leg of mutton,Mr O'Brien, and there's a piece ofboiled pork."
"Then I'll just trouble you for a bitclose to the knuckle. Peter, you dine inthe cabin, so do I the doctor refused."
"Have you heard when we sail, MrO'Brien " inquired one of mymessmates.
"I heard at the admiral's office, that wewere expected to be ordered round to
Plymouth, and receive our orders there,either for the East or West Indies, theythought; and, indeed, the stores wehave taken on board indicate that weare going foreign, but the captain'ssignal is just made, and probably theadmiral has intelligence tocommunicate."
In about an hour afterwards, thecaptain returned, looking very red andhot. He called the first lieutenant asidefrom the rest of the officers, who wereon deck to receive him, and told him,that we were to start for Plymouth nextmorning; and the admiral had told himconfidentially, that we were to proceedto the West Indies with a convoy, which
was then collecting. He appeared to bevery much alarmed at the idea of goingto make a feast for the land crabs; andcertainly, his gross habit of bodyrendered him very unfit for the climate.This news was soon spread through theship, and there was of course no littlebustle and preparation. The doctor,who had refused to dine in the cabinupon plea of being unwell, sent up tosay, that he felt himself so much better,that he should have great pleasure toattend the summons, and he joined thefirst lieutenant, O'Brien, and me, as wewalked in. We sat down to table; thecovers were removed, and as themidshipmen prophesied, there wasplenty of pork mock-turtle soup, made
out of a pig's head a boiled leg of porkand peas-pudding a roast spare-rib,with the crackling on sausages andpotatoes, and pig's pettitoes. I cannotsay that I disliked my dinner, and I atevery heartily; but a roast sucking-pigcame on as a second course, whichrather surprised me; but what surprisedme more, was the quantity devoured byMrs To. She handed her plate from theboiled pork to the roast, asked forsome pettitoes, tried the sausages, andfinished with a whole plateful ofsucking-pig and stuffing. We had anapple pie at the end, but as we hadalready eaten apple sauce with the roastpork, we did not care for it. The doctor,who abominated pork, ate pretty well,
and was excessively attentive to Mrs To.
"Will you not take a piece of the roastpig, doctor " said the captain.
"Why, really Captain To, as we arebound, by all reports, to a station wherewe must not venture upon pork, Ithink I will not refuse to take a piece,for I am very fond of it."
"How do you mean " inquired thecaptain and his lady, both in a breath.
"Perhaps I may be wrongly informed,"replied the doctor, "but I have heardthat we were ordered to the WestIndies; now, if so, everyone knows, that
although you may eat salt pork thereoccasionally without danger, in alltropical climates, and especially theWest Indies, two or three days' livingupon this meat will immediatelyproduce dysentery, which is always fatalin that climate."
"Indeed!" exclaimed the captain.
"You don't say so!" rejoined the lady.
"I do indeed: and have always avoidedthe West Indies for that very reason Iam so fond of pork."
The doctor then proceeded to givenearly one hundred instances of
messmates and shipmen who had beenattacked with dysentery, from the eatingof fresh pork in the West Indies; andO'Brien, perceiving the doctor's drift,joined him, telling some mostastonishing accounts of the dreadfuleffects of pork in a hot country. I thinkhe said, that when the French wereblockaded, previous to the surrenderof Martinique, that, having nothing butpigs to eat, thirteen hundred out ofseventeen hundred soldiers and officersdied in the course of three weeks, andthe others were so reduced by disease,that they were obliged to capitulate. Thedoctor then changed the subject, andtalked about the yellow fever, and otherdiseases of the climate, so that, by his
account, the West India islands werebut hospitals to die in. Those mostlikely to be attacked, were men in fullstrong health. The spare men stood abetter chance. This conversation wascarried on until it was time to leave MrsTo at last quite silent, and the captaingulping down his wine with a sigh.When we rose from the table, Mrs Todid not ask us, as usual, to stay and heara little music; she was, like her piano,not a little out of tune.
"By the powers, doctor, you did thatnately," said O'Brien, as we left thecabin.
"O'Brien," said the doctor, "oblige me,
and you, Mr Simple, oblige me also, bynot saying a word in the ship aboutwhat I have said; if it once gets wind, Ishall have done no good, but if youboth hold your tongues for a shorttime, I think I may promise you to getrid of Captain To, his wife, and hispigs." We perceived the justice of hisobservation, and promised secrecy. Thenext morning the ship sailed forPlymouth, and Mrs To sent for thedoctor, not being very well. The doctorprescribed for her, and I believe, on myconscience, made her worse onpurpose. The illness of his wife, andhis own fears, brought Captain Tomore than usual in contact with thedoctor, of whom he frequently asked
his candid opinion, as to his ownchance in a hot country.
"Captain To," said the doctor, "I neverwould have given my opinion, if youhad not asked it, for I am aware, that, asan officer, you would never flinch fromyour duty, to whatever quarter of theglobe you may be ordered; but, as youhave asked the question, I must say,with your full habit of body, I thinkyou would not stand a chance of livingfor more than two months. At the sametime, sir, I may be mistaken; but, at allevents, I must point out that Mrs To isof a very bilious habit, and I trust youwill not do such an injustice to anamiable woman, as to permit her to
accompany you."
"Thanky, doctor, I'm much obliged toyou," replied the captain, turning roundand going down the ladder to his cabin.We were then beating down thechannel; for, although we ran throughthe Needles with a fair wind, it fellcalm, and shifted to the westward,when we were abreast of Portland. Thenext day the captain gave an order for avery fine pig to be killed, for he was outof provisions. Mrs To still kept herbed, and he therefore directed that apart should be salted, as he could haveno company. I was in the midshipman'sberth, when some of them proposedthat we should get possession of the
pig; and the plan they agreed upon wasas follows: they were to go to the penthat night, and with a needle stuck in apiece of wood, to prick the pig all over,and then rub gunpowder into the partswounded. This was done, and althoughthe butcher was up a dozen timesduring the night to ascertain what madethe pigs so uneasy, the midshipmenpassed the needle from watch to watch,until the pig was well tattooed in allparts. In the morning watch it waskilled, and when it had been scalded inthe tub, and the hair taken off, itappeared covered with blue spots. Themidshipman of the morning watch,who was on the main-deck, took careto point out to the butcher, that the
pork was measly, to which the manunwillingly assented, stating, at thesame time, that he could not imaginehow it could be, for a finer pig he hadnever put a knife into. Thecircumstance was reported to thecaptain, who was much astonished. Thedoctor came in to visit Mrs To, and thecaptain requested the doctor to examinethe pig, and give his opinion. Althoughthis was not the doctor's province, yet,as he had great reason for keepingintimate with the captain, heimmediately consented. Going forward,he met me, and I told him the secret."That will do," replied he; "it all tendsto what we wish." The doctor returnedto the captain, and said, "that there was
no doubt but that the pig was measly,which was a complaint very frequenton board ships, particularly in hotclimates, where all pork became measlyone great reason for its there provingso unwholesome." The captain sent forthe first lieutenant, and, with a deepsigh, ordered him to throw the pigoverboard; but the first lieutenant, whoknew what had been done fromO'Brien, ordered the master's mate tothrow it overboard: the master's mate,touching his hat, said, "Ay, ay, sir," andtook it down into the berth, where wecut it up, salted one half, and the otherwe finished before we arrived atPlymouth, which was six days from thetime we left Portsmouth. On our
arrival, we found part of the convoylying there, but no orders for us; and, tomy great delight, on the following daythe Diomede arrived, from a cruise offthe Western Islands. I obtainedpermission to go on board withO'Brien, and we once more greeted ourmessmates. Mr Falcon, the firstlieutenant, went down to CaptainSavage, to say we were on board, andhe requested us to come into the cabin.He greeted us warmly, and gave usgreat credit for the manner in which wehad effected our escape. When we leftthe cabin, I found Mr Chucks, theboatswain, waiting outside.
"My dear Mr Simple, extend your
flapper to me, for I'm delighted to seeyou. I long to have a long talk withyou."
"And I should like it also, Mr Chucks,but I'm afraid we have not time; I dinewith Captain Savage to-day, and it onlywants an hour of dinner-time."
"Well, Mr Simple, I've been looking atyour frigate, and she's a beauty muchlarger than the Diomede."
"And she behaves quite as well," repliedI. "I think we are two hundred tonslarger. You've no idea of her size untilyou are on her decks."
"I should like to be boatswain of her,Mr Simple; that is, with Captain Savage,for I will not part with him." I hadsome more conversation with MrChucks, but I was obliged to attend toothers, who interrupted us. We had avery pleasant dinner with our oldcaptain, to whom we gave a history ofour adventures, and then we returnedon board.
Chapter XXVIII
We get rid of the pigs and piano-forteThe last boat on shore before sailingThe First Lieutenant too hasty, and the
consequences to me.
We waited three days, at the expirationof which, we heard that Captain Towas about to exchange with CaptainSavage. We could not believe such goodnews to be true, and we could notascertain the truth of the report, as thecaptain had gone on shore with MrsTo, who recovered fast after she wasout of our doctor's hands; so fast,indeed, that a week afterwards, onquestioning the steward, upon hisreturn on board, how Mrs To was, hereplied, "O charming well again, sir, shehas eaten a whole pig, since she left theship." But the report was true: CaptainTo, afraid to go to the West Indies, had
effected an exchange with CaptainSavage. Captain Savage was permitted,as was the custom of the service, tobring his first lieutenant, his boatswain,and his barge's crew with him. Hejoined a day or two before we sailed,and never was there more joy on board:the only people miserable were the firstlieutenant, and those belonging to theSanglier who were obliged to followCaptain To; who, with his wife, his pigs,and her piano, were all got rid of in thecourse of one forenoon.
I have already described pay-day onboard of a man-of-war, but I think thatthe two days before sailing are evenmore unpleasant; although, generally
speaking, all our money being spent, weare not sorry when we once are fairlyout of harbour, and find ourselves inblue water. The men never work well onthose days: they are thinking of theirwives and sweethearts, of the pleasurethey had when at liberty on shore,where they might get drunk withoutpunishment; and many of them areeither half drunk at the time, orsuffering from the effects of previousintoxication. The ship is in disorder,and crowded with the variety of stockand spare stores which are obliged tobe taken on board in a hurry, and havenot yet been properly secured in theirplaces. The first lieutenant is cross, theofficers are grave, and the poor
midshipmen, with all their own littlecomforts to attend to, are harassed anddriven about like post-horses. "MrSimple," inquired the first lieutenant,"where do you come from "
"From the gun wharf, sir, with thegunner's spare blocks, and breechings."
"Very well send the marines aft to clearthe boat, and pipe away the first putter.Mr Simple, jump into the first cutter,and go to Mount Wise for the officers.Be careful that none of your men leavethe boat. Come, be smart."
Now, I had been away the wholemorning, and it was then half-past one,
and I had had no dinner: but I saidnothing, and went into the boat. Assoon as I was off, O'Brien, who stoodby Mr Falcon, said, "Peter was thinkingof his dinner, poor fellow!"
"I really quite forgot it," replied the firstlieutenant, "there is so much to do. Heis a willing boy, and he shall dine in thegun-room when he comes back." Andso I did so I lost nothing by notexpostulating, and gained more of thefavour of the first lieutenant, whonever forgot what he called zeal. But thehardest trial of the whole, is to themidshipman who is sent with the boatto purchase the supplies for the cabinand gun-room on the day before the
ship's sailing. It was my misfortune tobe ordered upon that service this time,and that very unexpectedly. I had beenordered to dress myself to take the gigon shore for the captain's orders, andwas walking the deck with my very bestuniform and side arms, when themarine officer, who was the gun-roomcaterer, came up to the first lieutenant,and asked him for a boat. The boat wasmanned, and a midshipman ordered totake charge of it; but when he came up,the first lieutenant recollecting that hehad come off two days before withonly half his boat's crew, would nottrust him, and called out to me, "Here,Mr Simple, I must send you in thisboat; mind you are careful that none of
the men leave it; and bring off thesergeant of marines, who is on shorelooking for the men who have brokentheir liberty." Although I could not butfeel proud of the compliment, yet I didnot much like going in my very bestuniform, and would have run downand changed it, but the marine officerand all the people were in the boat, andI could not keep it waiting, so downthe side I went, and we shoved off. Wehad, besides the boat's crew, the marineofficer, the purser, the gun-roomsteward, the captain's steward, and thepurser's steward; so that we were prettyfull. It blew hard from the S.E., andthere was a sea running, but as the tidewas flowing into the harbour there was
not much bubble. We hoisted theforesail, flew before the wind and tide,and in a quarter of an hour we were atMutton Cove, when the marine officerexpressed his wish to land. Thelanding-place was crowded with boats,and it was not without sundryexchanges of foul words and oaths, andthe bow-men dashing the point oftheir boat-hooks into the shore-boats,to make them keep clear of us, that weforced our way to the beach. Themarine officer and all the stewards thenleft the boat, and I had to look after themen. I had not been there threeminutes before the bow-man said thathis wife was on the wharf with hisclothes from the wash, and begged
leave to go and fetch them. I refused,telling him that she could bring them tohim. "Vy now, Mr Simple," said thewoman, "ar'n't you a nice lady's man, togo for to ax me to muddle my waythrough all the dead dogs, cabbage-stalks, and stinking hakes' heads, withmy bran new shoes and clean stockings" I looked at her, and sure enough shewas, as they say in France, bien chaussee."Come, Mr Simple, let him out to comefor his clothes, and you'll see that he'sback in a moment." I did not like torefuse her, as it was very dirty and wet,and the shingle was strewed with allthat she had mentioned. The bow-manmade a spring out with his boat-hook,threw it back, went up to his wife, and
commenced talking with her, while Iwatched him. "If you please, sir, there'smy young woman come down, mayn't Ispeak to her " said another of the men.I turned round, and refused him. Heexpostulated, and begged very hard, butI was resolute; however, when I againturned my eyes to watch the bow-man,he and his wife were gone. "There,"says I to the coxswain, "I knew it wouldbe so; you see Hickman is off."
"Only gone to take a parting glass, sir,"replied the coxswain; "he'll be heredirectly."
"I hope so; but I'm afraid not." Afterthis, I refused all the solicitations of the
men to be allowed to leave the boat,but I permitted them to have some beerbrought down to them. The gun-roomsteward then came back with a basketof soft-tack, i.e. loaves of bread, and toldme that the marine officer requested Iwould allow two of the men to go upwith him to Glencross's shop, to bringdown some of the stores. Of course, Isent two of the men, and told thesteward if he saw Hickman, to bringhim down to the boat.
By this time many of the womenbelonging to the ship had assembled,and commenced a noisy conversationwith the boat's crew. One brought anarticle for Jim, another some clothes for
Bill; some of them climbed into theboat, and sat with the men; others cameand went, bringing beer and tobacco,which the men desired them topurchase. The crowd, the noise, andconfusion were so great, that it waswith the utmost difficulty that I couldkeep my eyes on all my men, who, oneafter another, made an attempt to leavethe boat. Just at that time came downthe sergeant of the marines, with threeof our men whom he had picked up,roaring drunk. They were tumbled intothe boat, and increased the difficulty, asin looking after those who wereriotous, and would try to leave the boatby force, I was not so well able to keepmy eyes on those who were sober. The
sergeant then went up after anotherman, and I told him also aboutHickman. About half an hourafterwards the steward came down withthe two men, loaded with cabbages,baskets of eggs, strings of onions,crockery of all descriptions, paperparcels of groceries, legs and shouldersof mutton, which were crowded in,until not only the stern-sheets, but allunder the thwarts of the boat were alsocrammed full. They told me that theyhad a few more things to bring down,and that the marine officer had gone toStonehouse to see his wife, so that theyshould be down long before him. Inhalf an hour more, during which I hadthe greatest difficulty to manage the
boat's crew, they returned with a dozengeese and two ducks, tied by the legs,but without the two men, who hadgiven them the slip, so that there werenow three men gone, and I knew MrFalcon would be very angry, for theywere three of the smartest men in theship. I was now determined not to runthe risk of losing more men, and Iordered the boat's crew to shove off,that I might lie at the wharf, where theycould not climb up. They were verymutinous, grumbled very much, andwould hardly obey me; the fact is, theyhad drunk a great deal, and some ofthem were more than half tipsy.However, at last I was obeyed, but notwithout being saluted with a shower of
invectives from the women, and theexecrations of the men belonging tothe wherries and shore boats which werewashed against our sides by the swell.The weather had become much worse,and looked very threatening. I waitedan hour more, when the sergeant ofmarines came down with two moremen, one of whom, to my great joy,was Hickman. This made me morecomfortable, as I was not answerablefor the other two; still I was in greattrouble from the riotous and insolentbehaviour of the boat's crew, and theother men brought down by thesergeant of marines. One of them fellback into a basket of eggs, andsmashed them all to atoms; still the
marine officer did not come down, andit was getting late. The tide being nowat the ebb, running out against thewind, there was a heavy sea, and I hadto go off to the ship with a boat deeplyladen, and most of the people in her ina state of intoxication. The coxswain,who was the only one who was sober,recommended our shoving off, as itwould soon be dark, and some accidentwould happen. I reflected a minute,and agreeing with him, I ordered theoars to be got out, and we shoved off,the sergeant of marines and the gun-room steward perched up in the bowsdrunken men, ducks and geese, lyingtogether at the bottom of the boat thestern sheets loaded up to the gunwale,
and the other passengers and myselfsitting how we could among thecrockery and a variety of other articleswith which the boat was crowded. Itwas a scene of much confusion thehalf-drunken boat's crew catching crabs,and falling forward upon the othersthose who were quite drunk swearingthey would pull. "Lay on your oar,Sullivan; you are doing more harm thangood. You drunken rascal, I'll reportyou as soon as we get on board."
"How the divil can I pull, your honour,when there's that fellow Jones breakingthe very back o' me with his oar, and henever touching the water all the while "
"You lie," cried Jones; "I'm pulling theboat by myself against the whole ofthe larbard oars."
"He's rowing dry, your honour onlymaking bilave."
"Do you call this rowing dry " criedanother, as a sea swept over the boat,fore and aft, wetting everybody to theskin.
"Now, your honour, just look and seeif I ain't pulling the very arms off me "cried Sullivan.
"Is there water enough to cross thebridge, Swinburne " said I to the
coxswain.
"Plenty, Mr Simple; it is but quarterebb, and the sooner we are on boardthe better."
We were now past Devil's Point, andthe sea was very heavy: the boatplunged in the trough, so that I wasafraid that she would break her back.She was soon half full of water, andthe two after-oars were laid in for themen to bale. "Plase your honour, hadn'tI better cut free the legs of them ducksand geese, and allow them to swim fortheir lives " cried Sullivan, resting onhis oar; "the poor birds will bedrowned else in their own iliment."
"No, no pull away as hard as you can."
By this time the drunken men in thebottom of the boat began to be veryuneasy, from the quantity of waterwhich washed about them, and madeseveral staggering attempts to get ontheir legs. They fell down again uponthe ducks and geese, the major part ofwhich were saved from being drownedby being suffocated. The sea on thebridge was very heavy; and althoughthe tide swept us out, we were nearlyswamped. Soft bread was washingabout the bottom of the boat; theparcels of sugar, pepper, and salt, werewet through with the salt water, and a
sudden jerk threw the captain's steward,who was seated upon the gunwale closeto the after-oar, right upon the wholeof the crockery and eggs, which addedto the mass of destruction. A few moreseas shipped completed the job, and thegun-room steward was in despair."That's a darling," cried Sullivan: "thepolitest boat in the whole fleet. Shemakes more bows and curtseys than thefinest couple in the land. Give way, mylads, and work the crater stuff out ofyour elbows, and the first lieutenantwill see us all so sober, and so wet inthe bargain, and think we're all so dry,that perhaps he'll be after giving us araw nip when we get on board."
In a quarter of an hour we were nearlyalongside, but the men pulled so badly,and the sea was so great, that we missedthe ship and went astern. They veeredout a buoy with a line, which we gothold of, and were hauled up by themarines and after-guard, the boatplunging bows under, and drenching usthrough and through. At last we gotunder the counter, and I climbed up bythe stern ladder. Mr Falcon was ondeck, and very angry at the boat notcoming alongside properly. "I thought,Mr Simple, that you knew by this timehow to bring a boat alongside."
"So I do, sir, I hope," replied I; "but theboat was so full of water, and the men
would not give way."
"What men has the sergeant brought onboard "
"Three, sir," replied I, shivering with thecold, and unhappy at my very bestuniform being spoiled.
"Are all your boat's crew with you, sir "
"No sir; there are two left on shore;they "
"Not a word, sir. Up to the mast-head,and stay there till I call you down. If itwere not so late, I would send you onshore, and not receive you on board
again without the men. Up, sir,immediately."
I did not venture to explain, but up Iwent. It was very cold, blowing hardfrom the S.E., with heavy squalls; I wasso wet that the wind appeared to blowthrough me, and it was now nearlydark. I reached the cross-trees, andwhen I was seated there, I felt that Ihad done my duty, and had not beenfairly treated. During this time, the boathad been hauled up alongside to clear,and a pretty clearance there was. All theducks and geese were dead, the eggsand crockery all broke, the groceryalmost all washed away; in short, asO'Brien observed, there was "a very
pretty general average." Mr Falcon wasstill very angry. "Who are the menmissing " inquired he, of Swinburne,the coxswain, as he came up the side.
"Williams and Sweetman, sir."
"Two of the smartest topmen, I amtold. It really is too provoking; there isnot a midshipman in the ship I cantrust. I must work all day, and get noassistance. The service is really going tothe devil now, with the young men whoare sent on board to be brought up asofficers, and who are above doing theirduty. What made you so late,Swinburne "
"Waiting for the marine officer, whowent to Stonehouse to see his wife; butMr Simple would not wait any longer,as it was getting dark, and we had somany drunken men in the boat."
"Mr Simple did right. I wish MrHarrison would stay on shore with hiswife altogether it's really trifling withthe service. Pray, Mr Swinburne, whyhad you not your eyes about you if MrSimple was so careless How came youto allow these men to leave the boat "
"The men were ordered up by themarine officer to bring down yourstores, sir, and they gave the steward theslip. It was no fault of Mr Simple's, nor
of mine either. We lay off at the wharffor two hours before we started, or weshould have lost more; for what can apoor lad do, when he has charge ofdrunken men who will not obey orders "And the coxswain looked up at themast-head, as much as to say, Why is hesent there "I'll take my oath, sir,"continued Swinburne, "that Mr Simplenever put his foot out of the boat,from the time that he went over theside until he came on board, and thatno young gentleman could have donehis duty more strictly."
Mr Falcon looked very angry at first atthe coxswain speaking so freely, but hesaid nothing. He took one or two turns
on the deck, and then hailing the mast-head, desired me to come down. But Icould not; my limbs were so crampedwith the wind blowing upon my wetclothes, that I could not move. Hehailed again; I heard him, but was notable to answer. One of the topmenthen came up, and perceiving mycondition, hailed the deck, and said hebelieved I was dying, for I could notmove, and that he dared not leave mefor fear I should fall. O'Brien, who hadbeen on deck all the while, jumped upthe rigging, and was soon at the cross-trees where I was. He sent the topmandown into the top for a tail-block andthe studding-sail haulyards, made awhip, and lowered me on deck. I was
immediately put into my hammock; andthe surgeon ordering me some hotbrandy-and-water, and plenty ofblankets, in a few hours I was quiterestored.
O'Brien, who was at my bedside, said,"Never mind, Peter, and don't be angrywith Mr Falcon, for he is very sorry."
"I am not angry, O'Brien; for Mr Falconhas been too kind to me not to makeme forgive him for being once hasty."
The surgeon came to my hammock,gave me some more hot drink, desiredme to go to sleep, and I woke the nextmorning quite well.
When I came into the berth, mymessmates asked me how I was, andmany of them railed against the tyrannyof Mr Falcon; but I took his part,saying, that he was hasty in thisinstance, perhaps, but that, generallyspeaking, he was an excellent and veryjust officer. Some agreed with me, butothers did not. One of them, who wasalways in disgrace, sneered at me, andsaid, "Peter reads the Bible, and knowsthat if you smite one cheek, he mustoffer the other. Now, I'll answer for it,if I pull his right ear he will offer mehis left." So saying, he lugged me by theear, upon which I knocked him downfor his trouble. The berth was then
cleared away for a fight, and in aquarter of an hour my opponent gavein; but I suffered a little, and had a veryblack eye. I had hardly time to washmyself and change my shirt, which wasbloody, when I was summoned on thequarter-deck. When I arrived, I foundMr Falcon walking up and down. Helooked very hard at me, but did not askme any questions as to the cause of myunusual appearance.
"Mr Simple," said he, "I sent for you tobeg your pardon for my behaviour toyou last night, which was not only veryhasty but very unjust. I find that youwere not to blame for the loss of themen."
I felt very sorry for him when I heardhim speak so handsomely; and, to makehis mind more easy, I told him that,although I certainly was not to blamefor the loss of those two men, still Ihad done wrong in permittingHickman to leave the boat; and thathad not the sergeant picked him up, Ishould have come off without him,and therefore I did deserve thepunishment which I had received.
"Mr Simple," replied Mr Falcon, "Irespect you, and admire your feelings;still, I was to blame, and it is my duty toapologise. Now go down below. Iwould have requested the pleasure of
your company to dinner, but I perceivethat something else has occurred,which, under any other circumstances, Iwould have inquired into, but atpresent I shall not."
I touched my hat and went below. Inthe meantime, O'Brien had been madeacquainted with the occasion of thequarrel, which he did not fail to explainto Mr Falcon, who, O'Brien declared,"was not the least bit in the world angrywith me for what had occurred."Indeed, after that, Mr Falcon alwaystreated me with the greatest kindness,and employed me on every duty whichhe considered of consequence. He wasa sincere friend; for he did not allow
me to neglect my duty, but, at the sametime, treated me with consideration andconfidence.
The marine officer came on board veryangry at being left behind, and talkedabout a court-martial on me fordisrespect, and neglect of storesentrusted to my charge; but O'Brientold me not to mind him, or what hesaid. "It's my opinion, Peter, that thegentleman has eaten no small quantityof flap-doodle in his lifetime."
"What's that, O'Brien " replied I; "Inever heard of it."
"Why, Peter," rejoined he, "it's the stuff
they feed fools on."
Chapter XXIX
A long conversation with Mr ChucksThe advantage of having a prayer-bookin your pocket We run down the tradesSwinburne, the quartermaster, and hisyarns The Captain falls sick.
The next day the captain came onboard with sealed orders, withdirections not to open them until offUshant. In the afternoon, we weighedand made sail. It was a fine northerlywind, and the Bay of Biscay was
smooth. We bore up, set all thestudding-sails, and ran along at the rateof eleven miles an hour. As I could notappear on the quarter-deck, I was putdown on the sick-list. Captain Savage,who was very particular, asked whatwas the matter with me. The surgeonreplied, "An inflamed eye." The captainasked no more questions; and I tookcare to keep out of his way. I walked inthe evening on the forecastle, when Irenewed my intimacy with Mr Chucks,the boatswain, to whom I gave a fullnarrative of all my adventures inFrance. "I have been ruminating, MrSimple," said he, "how such a striplingas you could have gone through somuch fatigue, and now I know how it
is. It is blood, Mr Simple all blood youare descended from good blood; andthere's as much difference betweennobility and the lower classes, as thereis between a racer and a cart-horse."
"I cannot agree with you, Mr Chucks.Common people are quite as brave asthose who are well-born. You do notmean to say that you are not brave thatthe seamen on board this ship are notbrave "
"No, no, Mr Simple; but as I observedabout myself, my mother was a womanwho could not be trusted, and there isno saying who was my father; and shewas a very pretty woman to boot, which
levels all distinctions for the moment.As for the seamen, God knows, Ishould do them an injustice if I didnot acknowledge that they were asbrave as lions. But there are two kindsof bravery, Mr Simple the bravery ofthe moment, and the courage ofbearing up for a long while. Do youunderstand me "
"I think I do; but still do not agree withyou. Who will bear more fatigue thanour sailors "
"Yes, yes, Mr Simple, that is becausethey are endured to it from their hardlife: but if the common sailors were allsuch little thread-papers as you, and
had been brought up so carefully, theywould not have gone through all youhave. That's my opinion, Mr Simplethere's nothing like blood."
"I think, Mr Chucks, you carry yourideas on that subject too far."
"I do not, Mr Simple; and I think,moreover, that he who has more to losethan another will always strive more.Now a common man only fights for hisown credit; but when a man isdescended from a long line of peoplefamous in history, and has a coat inarms, criss-crossed, and stuck all overwith lions and unicorns to support thedignity of why, has he not to fight for
the credit of all his ancestors, whosenames would be disgraced if he didn'tbehave well "
"I agree with you, Mr Chucks, in thelatter remark, to a certain extent."
"Ah! Mr Simple, we never know thevalue of good descent when we have it,but it's when we cannot get it that wecan 'preciate it. I wish I had been born anobleman I do, by heavens!" and MrChucks slapped his fist against thefunnel, so as to make it ring again."Well, Mr Simple," continued he, after apause, "it is, however, a great comfortto me that I have parted company withthat fool, Mr Muddle, with his twenty-
six thousand and odd years, and thatold woman, Dispart, the gunner. Youdon't know how those two men usedto fret me; it was very silly, but Icouldn't help it. Now the warrantofficers of this ship appear to be veryrespectable, quiet men, who know theirduty and attend to it, and are not toofamiliar, which I hate and detest. Youwent home to your friends, of course,when you arrived in England "
"I did, Mr Chucks, and spent somedays with my grandfather, LordPrivilege, whom you say you once metat dinner."
"Well, and how was the old gentleman
" inquired the boatswain, with a sigh.
"Very well, considering his age."
"Now do, pray, Mr Simple, tell me allabout it; from the time that the servantsmet you at the door until you wentaway. Describe to me the house and allthe rooms, for I like to hear of all thesethings, although I can never see themagain."
To please Mr Chucks, I entered into afull detail, which he listened to veryattentively, until it was late, and thenwith difficulty would he permit me toleave off, and go down to myhammock. The next day, rather a
singular circumstance occurred. One ofthe midshipmen was mast-headed bythe second lieutenant, for not waitingon deck until he was relieved. He wasdown below when he was sent for, andexpecting to be punished from whatthe quarter-master told him, he thrustthe first book into his jacket-pocketwhich he could lay his hand on, toamuse himself at the mast-head, andthen ran on deck. As he surmised, hewas immediately ordered aloft. He hadnot been there more than five minutes,when a sudden squall carried away themain-top-gallant mast, and away hewent flying over to leeward (for thewind had shifted, and the yards werenow braced up). Had he gone
overboard, as he could not swim, hewould, in all probability, have beendrowned; but the book in his pocketbrought him up in the jaws of the fore-brace block, where he hung until takenout by the main-topmen. Now it sohappened that it was a prayer-bookwhich he had laid hold of in his hurry,and those who were superstitiousdeclared it was all owing to his havingtaken a religious book with him. I didnot think so, as any other book wouldhave answered the purpose quite aswell: still the midshipman himselfthought so, and it was productive ofgood, as he was a sad scamp, andbehaved much better afterwards. But Ihad nearly forgotten to mention a
circumstance which occurred on theday of our sailing, which will beeventually found to have had a greatinfluence upon my after life. It was this.I received a letter from my father,evidently written in great vexation andannoyance, informing me that myuncle, whose wife I have alreadymentioned had two daughters, and wasagain expected to be confined, hadsuddenly broken up his housekeeping,discharged every servant, andproceeded to Ireland under an assumedname. No reason had been given forthis unaccountable proceeding; and noteven my grandfather, or any of themembers of the family, had had noticeof his intention. Indeed, it was by mere
accident that his departure wasdiscovered, about a fortnight after ithad taken place. My father had taken agreat deal of pains to find out where hewas residing; but although my unclewas traced to Cork, from that town allclue was lost, but still it was supposed,from inquiries, that he was not very farfrom thence. "Now," observed myfather, in his letter, "I cannot helpsurmising, that my brother, in hisanxiety to retain the advantages of thetitle to his own family, has resolved toproduce to the world a spurious childas his own, by some contrivance orother. His wife's health is very bad, andshe is not likely to have a large family.Should the one now expected prove a
daughter, there is little chance of hisever having another; and I have nohesitation in declaring my convictionthat the measure has been taken with aview of defrauding you of your chanceof eventually being called to the Houseof Lords."
I showed this letter to O'Brien, who,after reading it over two or three times,gave his opinion that my father wasright in his conjectures "Depend uponit, Peter, there's foul play intended, thatis, if foul play is rendered necessary."
"But, O'Brien, I cannot imagine why, ifmy uncle has no son of his own, heshould prefer acknowledging a son of
any other person's, instead of his ownnephew."
"But I can, Peter: your uncle is not aman likely to live very long, as youknow. The doctors say that, with hisshort neck, his life is not worth twoyears' purchase. Now if he had a son,consider that his daughters would bemuch better off, and much more likelyto get married; besides, there are manyreasons which I won't talk about now,because it's no use making you thinkyour uncle to be a scoundrel. But I'lltell you what I'll do. I'll go down to mycabin directly, and write to FatherM'Grath, telling him the whole affair,and desiring him to ferret him out, and
watch him narrowly, and I'll bet you adozen of claret, that in less than a weekhe'll find him out, and will dog him tothe last. He'll get hold of his Irishservants, and you little know the powerthat a priest has in our country. Nowgive the description as well as you canof your uncle's appearance, also of thatof his wife, and the number of theirfamily, and their ages. Father M'Grathmust have all particulars, and then lethim alone for doing what is needful."
I complied with O'Brien's directions aswell as I could, and he wrote a verylong letter to Father M'Grath, whichwas sent on shore by a careful hand. Ianswered my father's letter, and then
thought no more about the matter.
Our sealed orders were opened, andproved our destination to be the WestIndies, as we expected. We touched atMadeira to take in some wine for theship's company; but as we onlyremained one day, we were notpermitted to go on shore. Fortunateindeed would it have been if we hadnever gone there; for the day after, ourcaptain, who had dined with theconsul, was taken alarmingly ill. Fromthe symptoms, the surgeon dreaded thathe had been poisoned by somethingwhich he had eaten, and which mostprobably had been cooked in a coppervessel not properly tinned. We were all
very anxious that he should recover;but, on the contrary, he appeared togrow worse and worse every day,wasting away, and dying, as they say, byinches. At last he was put into his cot,and never rose from it again. Thismelancholy circumstance, added to theknowledge that we were proceeding toan unhealthy climate, caused a gloomthroughout the ship; and, although thetrade wind carried us along boundingover the bright blue sea although theweather was now warm, yet not toowarm although the sun rose insplendour, and all was beautiful andcheering, the state of the captain'shealth was a check to all mirth. Everyone trod the deck softly, and spoke in a
low voice, that he might not bedisturbed; all were anxious to have themorning report of the surgeon, andour conversation was generally uponthe sickly climate, the yellow fever, ofdeath, and the palisades where theyburied us. Swinburne, the quarter-master, was in my watch, and as he hadbeen long in the West Indies, I used toobtain all the information from himthat I could. The old fellow had a secretpleasure in frightening me as much ashe could. "Really, Mr Simple, you ax somany questions," he would say, as Iaccosted him while he was at his stationat the conn, "I wish you wouldn't ax somany questions, and make yourselfuncomfortable 'steady so' 'steady it is;'
with regard to Yellow Jack, as we callsthe yellow fever, it's a devil incarnate,that's sartain you're well and able totake your allowance in the morning,and dead as a herring 'fore night. Firstcomes a bit of a head-ache you goes tothe doctor, who bleeds you like a pigthen you go out of your senses then upcomes the black vomit, and then it's allover with you, and you go to the landcrabs, who pick your bones as cleanand as white as a sea elephant's tooth.But there be one thing to be said infavour of Yellow Jack, a'ter all. You diesstraight, like a gentleman not cribbled uplike a snow-fish, chucked out on the iceof the river St Lawrence, with yourknees up to your nose, or your toes
stuck into your arm-pits, as does takeplace in some of your foreigncomplaints; but straight, quite straight,and limber, like a gentleman. Still Jack is alittle mischievous, that's sartain. In theEuridiscy we had as fine a ship'scompany as was ever piped aloft'Steady, starboard, my man, you're half-a-pint off your course;' we droppedour anchor in Port Royal, and wethought that there was mischiefbrewing, for thirty-eight sharksfollowed the ship into the harbour, andplayed about us day and night. I usedto watch them during the night watch,as their fins, above water, skimmedalong, leaving a trail of light behindthem; and the second night I said to the
sentry abaft, as I was looking at themsmelling under the counter 'Soldier,'says I, 'them sharks are mustering underthe orders of Yellow Jack,' and I nosooner mentioned Yellow Jack, than thesharks gave a frisky plunge, every oneof them, as much as to say, 'Yes, so weare, d n your eyes.' The soldier was sofrightened that he would have fallenoverboard, if I hadn't caught him bythe scruff of the neck, for he wasstanding on the top of the taffrail. As itwas, he dropped his musket over thestern, which the sharks dashed at fromevery quarter, making the sea look likefire and he had it charged to his wages,L1 16s. I think. However, the fate ofhis musket gave him an idea of what
would have happened to him if he hadfallen in instead of it and he never goton the taffrail again. 'Steady, port mindyour helm, Smith you can listen to myyarn all the same.' Well, Mr Simple,Yellow Jack came, sure enough. Firstthe purser was called to account for allhis roguery. We didn't care much aboutthe land crabs eating him, who hadmade so many poor dead men chewtobacco, cheating their wives andrelations, or Greenwich Hospital, as itmight happen. Then went two of themiddies, just about your age, MrSimple: they, poor fellows, went off ina sad hurry; then went the master andso it went on, till at last we had nomore nor sixty men left in the ship. The
captain died last, and then Yellow Jackhad filled his maw, and left the rest ofus alone. As soon as the captain died,all the sharks left the ship, and we neversaw any more of them."
Such were the yarns told to me and theother midshipmen during the nightwatches; and I can assure the reader,that they gave us no small alarm. Everyday that we worked our day's work, andfound ourselves so much nearer to theislands, did we feel as if we were somuch nearer to our graves. I oncespoke to O'Brien about it, and helaughed. "Peter," says he, "fear killsmore people than the yellow fever, orany other complaint, in the West Indies.
Swinburne is an old rogue, and onlylaughing at you. The devil's not half soblack as he's painted nor the yellowfever half so yellow, I presume." Wewere now fast nearing the island ofBarbadoes, the weather was beautiful,the wind always fair; the flying fish rosein shoals, startled by the foaming seas,which rolled away, and roared from thebows as our swift frigate cleavedthrough the water; the porpoises playedabout us in thousands the bonetas anddolphins at one time chased the flyingfish, and at others, appeared to bedelighted in keeping company with therapid vessel. Everything was beautiful,and we all should have been happy, hadit not been for the state of Captain
Savage, in the first place, who dailybecame worse and worse, and from thedread of the hell, which we were aboutto enter through such a watery paradise.Mr Falcon, who was in command, wasgrave and thoughtful; he appearedindeed to be quite miserable at thechance which would insure his ownpromotion. In every attention, andevery care that could be taken to insurequiet and afford relief to the captain,he was unremitting; the offence ofmaking a noise was now, with him, agreater crime than drunkenness, or evenmutiny. When within three days' sail ofBarbadoes, it fell almost calm, and thecaptain became much worse; and nowfor the first time did we behold the
great white shark of the Atlantic. Thereare several kinds of sharks, but themost dangerous are the great whiteshark and the ground shark. Theformer grows to an enormous lengththe latter is seldom very long, not morethan twelve feet, but spreads to a greatbreadth. We could not hook the sharksas they played around us, for Mr Falconwould not permit it, lest the noise ofhauling them on board should disturbthe captain. A breeze again sprang up.In two days we were close to the island,and the men were desired to look outfor the land.
Chapter XXX
Death of Captain Savage His funeralSpecimen of true Barbadian bornSucking the monkey Effects of ahurricane.
The next morning, having hove-to partof the night, land was discovered onthe bow, and was reported by the mast-head man at the same moment that thesurgeon came up and announced thedeath of our noble captain. Although ithad been expected for the last two orthree days, the intelligence created aheavy gloom throughout the ship; themen worked in silence, and spoke toone another in whispers. Mr Falcon was
deeply affected, and so were we all. Inthe course of the morning, we ran in tothe island, and unhappy as I was, Inever can forget the sensation ofadmiration which I felt on closing withNeedham Point to enter Carlisle Bay.The beach of such a pure dazzlingwhite, backed by the tall, green cocoa-nut trees, waving their spreading headsto the fresh breeze, the dark blue of thesky, and the deeper blue of thetransparent sea, occasionally varied intogreen as we passed by the coral rockswhich threw their branches out fromthe bottom the town opening to ourview by degrees, houses after houses, soneat, with their green jalousies, dottingthe landscape, the fort with the colours
flying, troops of officers riding down, abusy population of all colours, relievedby the whiteness of their dress.Altogether the scene realised my firstideas of Fairyland, for I thought I hadnever witnessed anything so beautiful."And can this be such a dreadful placeas it is described " thought I. The sailswere clewed up, the anchor wasdropped to the bottom, and a salutefrom the ship, answered by the forts,added to the effect of the scene. Thesails were furled, the boats lowereddown, the boatswain squared the yardsfrom the jolly-boat ahead. Mr Falcondressed, and his boat being manned,went on shore with the despatches.Then, as soon as the work was over, a
new scene of delight presented itself tothe sight of midshipmen who had beenso long upon his Majesty's allowance.These were the boats, which crowdedround the ship, loaded with baskets ofbananas, oranges, shaddocks, soursops,and every other kind of tropical fruit,fried flying fish, eggs, fowls, milk, andeverything which could tempt a poorboy after a long sea voyage. The watchbeing called, down we all hastened intothe boats, and returned loaded withtreasures, which we soon contrived tomake disappear. After stowing away asmuch fruit as would have sufficed for adessert to a dinner given to twentypeople in England, I returned on deck.
There was no other man-of-war in thebay; but my attention was directed to abeautiful little vessel, a schooner, whosefairy form contrasted strongly with aWest India trader which lay close to her.All of a sudden, as I was looking at herbeautiful outline, a yell rose from herwhich quite startled me, andimmediately afterwards her deck wascovered with nearly two hundred nakedfigures with woolly heads, chatteringand grinning at each other. She was aSpanish slaver, which had beencaptured, and had arrived the eveningbefore. The slaves were still on board,waiting the orders of the governor.They had been on deck about tenminutes, when three or four men, with
large panama straw hats on their heads,and long rattans in their hands, jumpedupon the gunnel, and in a few secondsdrove them all down below. I thenturned round, and observed a blackwoman who had just climbed up theside of the frigate. O'Brien was ondeck, and she walked up to him in themost consequential manner.
"How do you do, sar Very happy youcom back again," said she to O'Brien.
"I'm very well, I thank you, ma'am,"replied O'Brien, "and I hope to go backthe same; but never having put my footinto this bay before, you have theadvantage of me."
"Nebber here before, so help me Gad!me tink I know you me tink I recollectyour handsome face I Lady Rodney, sar.Ah, piccaninny buccra! how you do "said she, turning round to me. "Mehope to hab the honour to wash foryou, sar," courtesying to O'Brien.
"What do you charge in this place "
"All the same price, one bit a piece."
"What do you call a bit " inquired I.
"A bit, lilly massa what you call um bitDem four sharp shins to a pictareen."
Our deck was now enlivened by severalarmy officers, besides gentlemenresidents, who came off to hear thenews. Invitations to the mess and to thehouses of the gentlemen followed, andas they departed Mr Falcon returned onboard. He told O'Brien and the otherofficers, that the admiral and squadronwere expected in a few days, and thatwe were to remain in Carlisle Bay andrefit immediately. But although thefright about the yellow fever hadconsiderably subsided in our breasts,the remembrance that our poor captainwas lying dead in the cabin wasconstantly obtruding. All that night thecarpenters were up making up hiscoffin, for he was to be buried the next
day. The body is never allowed toremain many hours unburied in thetropical climates, where putrefaction isso rapid. The following morning themen were up at daylight, washing thedecks and putting the ship in order;they worked willingly, and yet with asilent decorum which showed whattheir feelings were. Never were thedecks better cleaned, never were theropes more carefully flemished down; thehammocks were stowed in their whitecloths, the yards carefully squared, andthe ropes hauled taut. At eight o'clock,the colours and pennant were hoistedhalf-mast high. The men were thenordered down to breakfast, and to cleanthemselves. During the time that the
men were at breakfast, all the officerswent into the cabin to take a lastfarewell look at our gallant captain. Heappeared to have died without pain,and there was a beautiful tranquillity inhis face; but even already a change hadtaken place, and we perceived thenecessity of his being buried so soon.We saw him placed in his coffin, andthen quitted the cabin without speakingto each other. When the coffin wasnailed down, it was brought up by thebarge's crew to the quarter-deck, andlaid upon the gratings amidships,covered over with the Union Jack. Themen came up from below withoutwaiting for the pipe, and a solemnityappeared to pervade every motion.
Order and quiet were universal, out ofrespect to the deceased. When the boatswere ordered to be manned, the menalmost appeared to steal into them. Thebarge received the coffin, which wasplaced in the stern sheets. The otherboats then hauled up, and received theofficers, marines, and sailors, who wereto follow the procession. When all wasready, the barge was shoved off by thebow-men, the crew dropped their oarsinto the water without a splash andpulled the minute stroke: the other boatsfollowed, and as soon as they were clearof the ship, the minute guns boomedalong the smooth surface of the bayfrom the opposite side of the ship,while the yards were topped to
starboard and to port, the ropes wereslackened and hung in bights, so as togive the idea of distress and neglect. Atthe same time, a dozen or more of themen who had been ready, dropped overthe sides of the ship in differents [sic]parts, and with their cans of paint andbrushes in a few minutes effaced thewhole of the broad white riband whichmarked the beautiful run of the frigate,and left her all black and in deepmourning. The guns from the fortsnow responded to our own. Themerchant ships lowered their colours,and the men stood up respectfully withtheir hats off, as the procession movedslowly to the landing-place. The coffinwas borne to the burial-ground by the
crew of the barge, followed by MrFalcon as chief mourner, all the officersof the ship who could be spared, onehundred of the seamen walking twoand two, and the marines with theirarms reversed. The cortege was joined bythe army officers, while the troops linedthe streets, and the bands played theDead March. The service was read, thevolleys were fired over the grave, andwith oppressed feelings we returned tothe boats, and pulled on board. It thenappeared to me, and to a certain degreeI was correct, that as soon as we hadpaid our last respect to his remains, wehad also forgotten our grief. The yardswere again squared, the ropes hauledtaut, working dresses resumed, and all
was activity and bustle. The fact is, thatsailors and soldiers have no time forlamentation, and running as they dofrom clime to clime, so does scenefollow scene in the same variety andquickness. In a day or two, the captainappeared to be, although he was not,forgotten. Our first business was towater the ship by rafting and towing offthe casks. I was in charge of the boatagain, with Swinburne as coxswain. Aswe pulled in, there were a number ofnegroes bathing in the surf, bobbingtheir woolly heads under it, as it rolledinto the beach. "Now, Mr Simple," saidSwinburne, "see how I'll make themniggers scamper." He then stood up inthe stern sheets, and pointing with his
finger, roared out, "A shark! a shark!"Away started all the bathers for thebeach, puffing and blowing, from theirdreaded enemy; nor did they stop tolook for him until they were high anddry out of his reach. Then, when we alllaughed, they called us "all the hangmantiefs," and every other opprobriousname which they could select fromtheir vocabulary. I was very muchamused with this scene, and as muchafterwards with the negroes whocrowded round us when we landed.They appeared such merry fellows,always laughing, chattering, singing, andshowing their white teeth. One fellowdanced round us, snapping his fingers,and singing songs without beginning or
end. "Eh, massa, what you say now Meno slave true Barbadian born, sir. Eh!
"Nebba see de day Dat Rodney runaway, Nebba see um night Dat Rodneycannot fight.
Massa me free man, sar. Suppose yougive me pictareen, drink massa health.
"Nebba see de day, boy, Pompey lickumde Caesar.
Eh! and you nebba see de day dat deGrasshopper run on de Warrington."
"Out of the way, you nigger," cried oneof the men who was rolling down a
cask.
"Eh! who you call nigger Me free man,and true Barbadian born. Go along youman-of-war man.
"Man-of-war, buccra, Man-of-war,buccra, He de boy for me; Sodger,buccra, Sodger, buccra, Nebba, nebbado, Nebba, nebba do for me; Sodgergive me one shilling, Sailor give me two.
Massa, now suppose you give me onlyone pictareen now. You reallyhandsome young gentleman."
"Now, just walk off," said Swinburne,lifting up a stick he found on the
beach.
"Eh! walk off.
"Nebba see de day, boy, 'Badian runaway, boy.
Go, do your work, sar. Why you talk tome Go, work, sar. I free man, and realBarbadian born.
"Negro on de shore See de ship comein, De buccra come on shore, Wid dehand up to the chin; Man-of-warbuccra, Man-of-war buccra, He de boyfor me, Man-of-war, buccra, Man-of-war, buccra, Gib pictareen to me."
At this moment my attention wasdirected to another negro, who lay onthe beach rolling and foaming at themouth, apparently in a fit. "What's thematter with that fellow " said I to thesame negro who continued close to me,notwithstanding Swinburne's stick."Eh! call him Sam Slack, massa. He abum tic tic fit." And such was apparentlythe case. "Stop, me cure him;" and hesnatched the stick out of Swinburne'shand, and running up to the man, whocontinued to roll on the beach,commenced belabouring him withoutmercy. "Eh, Sambo!" cried he at last,quite out of breath, "you no better yettry again." He recommenced, until atlast the man got up and ran away as fast
as he could. Now, whether the man wasshamming, or whether it was real tic tic,or epileptic fit, I know not; but I neverheard of such a cure for it before. Ithrew the fellow half a pictareen, asmuch for the amusement he hadafforded me as to get rid of him."Tanky, massa; now man-of-war man,here de tick for you again to keep offall the dam niggers." So saying, hehanded the stick to Swinburne, made apolite bow, and departed. We were,however, soon surrounded by others,particularly some dingy ladies withbaskets of fruit, and who, as they said,"sell ebery ting." I perceived that mysailors were very fond of cocoa-nutmilk, which, being a harmless beverage,
I did not object to their purchasingfrom these ladies, who had chieflycocoa-nuts in their baskets. As I hadnever tasted it, I asked them what itwas, and bought a cocoa-nut. I selectedthe largest. "No, massa, dat not goodfor you. Better one for buccra officer." Ithen selected another, but the sameobjection was made. "No, massa, disvery fine milk. Very good for detomac." I drank off the milk from theholes on the top of the cocoa-nut, andfound it very refreshing. As for thesailors, they appeared very fond of itindeed. But I very soon found that ifgood for de tomac, it was not verygood for the head, as my men, insteadof rolling the casks, began to roll
themselves in all directions, and when itwas time to go off to dinner, most ofthem were dead drunk at the bottomof the boat. They insisted that it wasthe sun which affected them. Very hot itcertainly was, and I believed them atfirst, when they were only giddy; but Iwas convinced to the contrary when Ifound that they became insensible; yethow they had procured the liquor wasto me a mystery. When I came onboard, Mr Falcon, who, although actingcaptain, continued his duties as firstlieutenant almost as punctually asbefore, asked how it was that I hadallowed my men to get so tipsy. Iassured him that I could not tell, that Ihad never allowed one to leave the
watering-place, or to buy any liquor: theonly thing that they had to drink was alittle cocoa-nut milk, which, as it was sovery hot, I thought there could be noobjection to. Mr Falcon smiled andsaid, "Mr Simple, I'm an old stager inthe West Indies, and I'll let you into asecret. Do you know what 'sucking themonkey' means " "No, sir." "Well, then,I'll tell you; it is a term used amongseamen for drinking rum out of cocoa-nuts, the milk having been poured out,and the liquor substituted. Now do youcomprehend why your men are tipsy " Istared with all my eyes, for it neverwould have entered into my head; and Ithen perceived why it was that the blackwoman would not give me the first
cocoa-nuts which I selected. I told MrFalcon of this circumstance, whoreplied, "Well, it was not your fault,only you must not forget it anothertime."
It was my first watch that night, andSwinburne was quarter-master on deck."Swinburne," said I, "you have oftenbeen in the West Indies before, why didyou not tell me that the men were'sucking the monkey' when I thought thatthey were only drinking cocoa-nut milk"
Swinburne chuckled, and answered,"Why, Mr Simple, d'ye see, it didn'tbecome me as a ship-mate to peach. It's
but seldom that a poor fellow has anopportunity of making himself a 'littlehappy,' and it would not be fair to takeaway the chance. I suppose you'll neverlet them have cocoa-nut milk again "
"No, that I will not; but I cannotimagine what pleasure they can find ingetting so tipsy."
"It's merely because they are notallowed to be so, sir. That's the wholestory in few words."
"Well, I think I could cure them if Iwere permitted to try."
"I should like to hear how you'd
manage that, Mr Simple."
"Why, I would oblige a man to drinkoff a half pint of liquor, and then puthim by himself. I would not allow himcompanions to make merry with so asto make a pleasure of intoxication. Iwould then wait until next morningwhen he was sober, and leave him alonewith a racking headache until theevening, when I would give himanother dose, and so on, forcing him toget drunk until he hated the smell ofliquor."
"Well, Mr Simple, it might do withsome, but many of our chaps wouldrequire the dose you mention to be
repeated pretty often before it wouldeffect a cure; and what's more, they'd bevery willing patients, and make no wryfaces at their physic."
"Well, that might be, but it would curethem at last. But tell me, Swinburne,were you ever in a hurricane "
"I've been in everything, Mr Simple, Ibelieve, except at school, and I neverhad no time to go there. Do you seethat battery at Needham Point Well, inthe hurricane of '82, them same gunswere whirled away by the wind, rightover to this point here on the oppositeside, the sentries in their sentry-boxesafter them. Some of the soldiers who
faced the wind had their teeth blowndown their throats like broken 'baccy-pipes, others had their heads turnedround like dog vanes, 'cause they waitedfor orders to the 'right about face,' and thewhole air was full of young niggersblowing about like peelings of ingons."
"You don't suppose I believe all this,Swinburne "
"That's as may be, Mr Simple, but I'vetold the story so often, that I believe itmyself."
"What ship were you in "
"In the Blanche, Captain Faulkner, who
was as fine a fellow as poor CaptainSavage, whom we buried yesterday;there could not be a finer than either ofthem. I was at the taking of the Pique,and carried him down below after hehad received his mortal wound. We dida pretty thing out here when we tookFort Royal by a coup-de-main, whichmeans, boarding from the main-yard ofthe frigate, and dropping from it intothe fort. But what's that under themoon there's a sail in the offing."
Swinburne fetched the glass anddirected it to the spot. "One, two, three,four. It's the admiral, sir, and thesquadron hove-to for the night. One's aline-of-battle ship, I'll swear." I
examined the vessels, and agreeing withSwinburne, reported them to MrFalcon. My watch was then over, and assoon as I was released I went to myhammock.
END OF VOL. I.
TURNBULL AND SPEARS,PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.
PETER SIMPLE
AND
THE THREE CUTTERS
BY
CAPTAIN MARRYAT
VOL. II.
LONDON
J.M. DENT AND CO.
BOSTON: LITTLE, BROWN ANDCO.
MDCCCXCV
Contents
VOLUME II
PETER SIMPLE
CHAPTER XXXI 1
CHAPTER XXXII 12
CHAPTER XXXIII 24
CHAPTER XXXIV 38
CHAPTER XXXV 45
CHAPTER XXXVI 53
CHAPTER XXXVII 59
CHAPTER XXXVIII 68
CHAPTER XXXIX 80
CHAPTER XL 87
CHAPTER XLI 96
CHAPTER XLII 105
CHAPTER XLIII 111
CHAPTER XLIV 117
CHAPTER XLV 123
CHAPTER XLVI 128
CHAPTER XLVII 134
CHAPTER XLVIII 140
CHAPTER XLIX 146
CHAPTER L 153
CHAPTER LI 160
CHAPTER LII 169
CHAPTER LIII 175
CHAPTER LIV 180
CHAPTER LV 186
CHAPTER LVI 195
CHAPTER LVII 203
CHAPTER LVIII 209
CHAPTER LIX 217
CHAPTER LX 221
CHAPTER LXI 225
CHAPTER LXII 232
CHAPTER LXIII 238
CHAPTER LXIV 244
CHAPTER LXV 255
THE THREE CUTTERS
CHAPTER I 267
CHAPTER II 279
CHAPTER III 287
CHAPTER IV 293
CHAPTER V 302
CHAPTER VI 313
CHAPTER VII 321
Peter Simple
Chapter XXXI
Captain Kearney The dignity ball.
The next morning at daylight weexchanged numbers, and saluted theflag, and by eight o'clock they allanchored. Mr Falcon went on board
the admiral's ship with despatches, andto report the death of Captain Savage.In about half an hour he returned, andwe were glad to perceive, with a smileupon his face, from which we arguedthat he would receive his acting order ascommander, which was a question ofsome doubt, as the admiral had thepower to give the vacancy to whom hepleased, although it would not havebeen fair if he had not given it to MrFalcon; not that Mr Falcon would nothave received his commission, asCaptain Savage dying when the shipwas under no admiral's command, hemade himself; but still the admiral mighthave sent him home, and not havegiven him a ship. But this he did, the
captain of the Minerve being appointedto the Sanglier, the captain of theOpossum to the Minerve, and CaptainFalcon taking command of theOpossum. He received his commissionthat evening, and the next day theexchanges were made. Captain Falconwould have taken me with him, andoffered so to do; but I could not leaveO'Brien, so I preferred remaining in theSanglier.
We were all anxious to know what sortof a person our new captain was,whose name was Kearney; but we hadno time to ask the midshipmen, exceptwhen they came in charge of the boatswhich brought his luggage; they replied
generally, that he was a very good sortof fellow, and there was no harm inhim. But when I had the night watchwith Swinburne, he came up to me, andsaid, "Well, Mr Simple, so we have anew captain. I sailed with him for twoyears in a brig."
"And pray, Swinburne, what sort of aperson is he "
"Why, I'll tell you, Mr Simple: he's agood-tempered, kind fellow enough,but "
"But what "
"Such a bouncer!!"
"How do you mean He's not a verystout man."
"Bless you, Mr Simple, why you don'tunderstand English. I mean that he'sthe greatest liar that ever walked a deck.Now, Mr Simple, you know I can spin ayarn occasionally."
"Yes, that you can, witness thehurricane the other night."
"Well, Mr Simple, I cannot hold a candleto him. It a'n't that I might not stretchnow and then, just for fun, as far as hecan, but, d n it, he's always on thestretch. In fact, Mr Simple, he never
tells the truth except by mistake. He's aspoor as a rat, and has nothing but hispay; yet to believe him, he is worth atleast as much as Greenwich Hospital.But you'll soon find him out, and he'llsarve to laugh at behind his back, youknow, Mr Simple, for that's no go beforehis face."
Captain Kearney made his appearanceon board the next day. The men weremustered to receive him, and all theofficers were on the quarter-deck."You've a fine set of marines here,Captain Falcon," observed he; "those Ileft on board of the Minerve were onlyfit to be hung; and you have a goodshow of reefers too those I left in the
Minerve were not worth hanging. If youplease, I'll read my commission, ifyou'll order the men aft." Hiscommission was read, all hands withtheir hats off from respect to theauthority from which it proceeded."Now, my lads," said Captain Kearney,addressing the ship's company, "I've butfew words to say to you. I amappointed to command this ship, andyou appear to have a very goodcharacter from your late first lieutenant.All I request of you is this: be smart,keep sober, and always tell the truth that'senough. Pipe down. Gentlemen,"continued he, addressing the officers, "Itrust that we shall be good friends; andI see no reason that it should be
otherwise." He then turned away with abow, and called his coxswain "Williams,you'll go on board, and tell my stewardthat I have promised to dine with thegovernor to-day, and that he mustcome to dress me; and, coxswain,recollect to put the sheepskin mat onthe stern gratings of my gig not the oneI used to have when I was on shore inmy carriage, but the blue one which wasused for the chariot you know which Imean." I happened to look Swinburnein the face, who cocked his eye at me,as much as to say "There he goes." Weafterwards met the officers of theMinerve, who corroborated all thatSwinburne had said, although it wasquite unnecessary, as we had the
captain's own words every minute tosatisfy us of the fact.
Dinner parties were now verynumerous, and the hospitality of theisland is but too well known. Theinvitations extended to themidshipmen, and many was the gooddinner and kind reception which I hadduring my stay. There was, however,one thing I had heard so much of, thatI was anxious to witness it, which was adignity ball. But I must enter a little intoexplanation, or my readers will notunderstand me. The coloured peopleof Barbadoes, for reasons best knownto themselves, are immoderately proud,and look upon all the negroes who are
born on other islands as niggers; theyhave also an extraordinary idea of theirown bravery, although I never heardthat it has ever been put to the proof.The free Barbadians are, most of them,very rich, and hold up their heads asthey walk with an air quite ridiculous.They ape the manners of theEuropeans, at the same time that theyappear to consider them as almost theirinferiors. Now, a dignity ball is a ballgiven by the most consequential oftheir coloured people, and from theamusement and various other reasons,is generally well attended by the officersboth on shore and afloat. The price ofthe tickets of admission was high Ithink they were half a joe, or eight
dollars each.
The governor sent out cards for agrand ball and supper for the ensuingweek, and Miss Betsy Austin, aquadroon woman, ascertaining the fact,sent out her cards for the same evening.This was not altogether in rivalry, butfor another reason, which was, that shewas aware that most of the officers andmidshipmen of the ships would obtainpermission to go to the governor's ball,and, preferring hers, would slip awayand join the party, by which means sheensured a full attendance.
On the day of invitation our captaincame on board, and told our new first
lieutenant (of whom I shall say morehereafter) that the governor insistedthat all his officers should go that hewould take no denial, and, therefore, hepresumed, go they must; that the factwas, that the governor was a relation ofhis wife, and under some triflingobligations to him in obtaining for himhis present command. He certainly hadspoken to the prime minister, and hethought it not impossible, consideringthe intimate terms which the ministerand he had been on from childhood,that his solicitation might have hadsome effect; at all events, it was pleasantto find that there was some littlegratitude left in this world. After this,of course, every officer went, with the
exception of the master, who said thathe'd as soon have two round turns inhis hawse as go to see people kick theirlegs about like fools, and that he'd takecare of the ship.
The governor's ball was very splendid,but the ladies were rather sallow, fromthe effects of the climate. However,there were exceptions, and on thewhole it was a very gay affair; but wewere all anxious to go to the dignity ballof Miss Betsy Austin. I slipped awaywith three other midshipmen, and wesoon arrived there. A crowd of negroeswere outside of the house; but the ballhad not yet commenced, from the wantof gentlemen, the ball being very
correct, nothing under mulatto incolour being admitted. Perhaps I oughtto say here, that the progeny of a whiteand a negro is a mulatto, or half andhalf of a white and mulatto, a quadroon,or one-quarter black, and of this classthe company were chiefly composed. Ibelieve a quadroon and white make themustee or one-eighth black, and themustee and white the mustafina, orone-sixteenth black. After that, they arewhitewashed, and considered asEuropeans. The pride of colour is verygreat in the West Indies, and they haveas many quarterings as a German princein his coat of arms; a quadroon looksdown upon a mulatto, while a mulattolooks down upon a sambo, that is, half
mulatto half negro, while a sambo inhis turn looks down upon a nigger. Thequadroons are certainly the handsomestrace of the whole, some of the womenare really beautiful; their hair is longand perfectly straight, their eyes largeand black, their figures perfection, andyou can see the colour mantle in theircheeks quite as plainly, and with asmuch effect, as in those of a European.We found the door of Miss Austin'shouse open, and ornamented withorange branches, and on our presentingourselves were accosted by a mulattogentleman, who was, we presumed,"usher of the black rod." His head waswell powdered, he was dressed in whitejean trousers, a waistcoat not six inches
long, and a half-worn post-captain'scoat on, as a livery, With a low bow, he"took de liberty to trouble degentlemen for de card for de ball,"which being produced, we wereushered on by him to the ball-room, atthe door of which Miss Austin waswaiting to receive her company. Shemade us a low courtesy, observing,"She really happy to see de gentlemen ofde ship, but hoped to see de officers alsoat her dignity."
This remark touched our dignity, andone of my companions replied, "Thatwe midshipmen considered ourselvesofficers, and no small ones either, andthat if she waited for the lieutenants
she must wait until they were tired ofthe governor's ball, we having given thepreference to hers." This remark set allto rights; sangaree was handed about,and I looked around at the company. Imust acknowledge, at the risk of losingthe good opinion of my faircountrywomen, that I never saw beforeso many pretty figures and faces. Theofficers not having yet arrived, wereceived all the attention, and I wassuccessively presented to MissEurydice, Miss Minerva, Miss Sylvia,Miss Aspasia, Miss Euterpe, and manyothers, evidently borrowed from thedifferent men-of-war which had beenon the station. All these young ladiesgave themselves all the airs of Almack's.
Their dresses I cannot pretend todescribe jewels of value were notwanting, but their drapery was slight;they appeared neither to wear nor torequire stays, and on the whole, theirfigures were so perfect that they couldonly be ill dressed by having on toomuch dress. A few more midshipmenand some lieutenants (O'Brien amongthe number) having made theirappearance, Miss Austin directed thatthe ball should commence. I requestedthe honour of Miss Eurydice's hand ina cotillon, which was to open the ball.At this moment stepped forth thepremier violin, master of theceremonies and ballet-master, MassaJohnson, really a very smart man, who
gave lessons in dancing to all the"'Badian ladies." He was a darkquadroon, his hair slightly powdered,dressed in a light blue coat thrown wellback, to show his lily-white waistcoat,only one button of which he couldafford to button to make full room forthe pride of his heart, the frill of hisshirt, which really was un Jabot superb,four inches wide, and extending fromhis collar to the waistband of hisnankeen tights, which were finished offat his knees with huge bunches ofribbon; his legs were encased in silkstockings, which, however, was not verygood taste on his part, as they showedthe manifest advantage which anEuropean has over a coloured man in
the formation of the leg: instead ofbeing straight, his shins curved like acheese-knife, and, moreover, his leg wasplanted into his foot like the handleinto a broom or scrubbing-brush, therebeing quite as much of the foot on theheel side as on the toe side. Such wasthe appearance of Mr Apollo Johnson,whom the ladies considered as the neplus ultra of fashion, and the arbiterelegantiarum. His bow-tick, or fiddle-stick,was his wand, whose magic rap on thefiddle produced immediate obedienceto his mandates. "Ladies and gentle,take your seats." All started up. "MissEurydice, you open de ball."
Miss Eurydice had but a sorry partner,
but she undertook to instruct me.O'Brien was our vis-a-vis with MissEuterpe. The other gentlemen wereofficers from the ships, and we stoodup twelve, checkered brown and white,like a chess-board. All eyes were fixedupon Mr Apollo Johnson, who firstlooked at the couples, then at his fiddle,and lastly, at the other musicians, to seeif all was right, and then with a waveof his bow-tick the music began. "Massalieutenant," cried Apollo to O'Brien,"cross over to opposite lady, right handand left, den figure to Miss Eurydicedat right; now four hand round. Youlilly midshipman, set your partner, sir;den twist her round; dat do; now stop.First figure all over."
At this time I thought I might ventureto talk a little with my partner, and Iventured a remark; to my surprise sheanswered very sharply, "I come here fordance, sar, and not for chatter; look,Massa Johnson, he tap um bow-tick."
The second figure commenced, and Imade a sad bungle; so I did of thethird, and fourth, and fifth, for I neverhad danced a cotillon. When I handedmy partner to her place, who certainlywas the prettiest girl in the room, shelooked rather contemptuously at me,and observed to a neighbour, "I reallypity de gentleman as come fromEngland dat no know how to dance
nor nothing at all, until em habinstruction at Barbadoes."
A country dance was now called for,which was more acceptable to allparties, as none of Mr ApolloJohnson's pupils were very perfect intheir cotillon, and none of the officers,except O'Brien, knew anything aboutthem. O'Brien's superior education onthis point, added to his lieutenant'sepaulet and handsome person, madehim much courted; but he took upwith Miss Eurydice after I had left her,and remained with her the wholeevening; thereby exciting the jealousyof Mr Apollo Johnson, who, it appears,was amorous in that direction. Our
party increased every minute; all theofficers of the garrison, and, finally, assoon as they could get away, thegovernor's aid-de-camps, all dressed inmufti (i.e., plain clothes). The dancingcontinued until three o'clock in themorning, when it was quite a squeeze,from the constant arrival of freshrecruits from all the houses ofBarbadoes. I must say, that a few bottlesof eau de Cologne thrown about theroom would have improved theatmosphere. By this time the heat wasterrible, and the mopping of the ladies'faces everlasting. I would recommend aDIGNITY ball to all stout gentlemenwho wish to be reduced a stone or two.Supper was now announced, and
having danced the last country dancewith Miss Minerva, I of course had thepleasure of handing her into thesupper-room. It was my fate to sitopposite to a fine turkey, and I askedmy partner if I should have thepleasure of helping her to a piece ofthe breast. She looked at me veryindignantly, and said, "Curse yourimpudence, sar, I wonder where yoularn manners. Sar, I take a lilly turkeybosom, if you please. Talk of breast to alady, sar; really quite horrid." I made twoor three more barbarous mistakesbefore the supper was finished. At lastthe eating was over, and I must say abetter supper I never sat down to."Silence, gentlemen and ladies," cried
Mr Apollo Johnson. "Wid thepermission of our amiable hostess, Iwill propose a toast. Gentlemen andladies You all know, and if be so youdon't, I say that there no place in theworld like Barbadoes. All de world fightagainst England, but England nebberfear; King George nebber fear, whileBarbadoes 'tand 'tiff. 'Badian fight forKing George to last drop of himblood. Nebber see the day 'Badian runaway; you all know dem Frenchmans atSan Lucee, give up Morne Fortunee,when he hear de 'Badian volunteercome against him. I hope no 'fencepresent company, but um sorry to sayEnglish come here too jealous of'Badians. Gentlemen and lady
Barbadian born ab only one fault hereally too brave. I propose health of'Island of Barbadoes.'" Acclamationsfrom all quarters followed this trulymodest speech, and the toast wasdrunk with rapture; the ladies weredelighted with Mr Apollo's eloquence,and the lead which he took in thecompany.
O'Brien then rose and addressed thecompany as follows:
"Ladies and gentlemen Mr Poll hasspoken better than the best parrot Iever met with in this country, but as hehas thought proper to drink the 'Islandof Barbadoes,' I mean to be a little
more particular. I wish, with him, allgood health to the island; but there is acharm without which the island wouldbe a desert that is, the society of thelovely girls which now surround us,and take our hearts by storm " (hereO'Brien put his arm gently round MissEurydice's waist, and Mr Apolloground his teeth so as to be heard atthe furthest end of the room)"therefore, gentlemen, with yourpermission, I will propose the healthof the ''Badian Ladies.'" This speech ofO'Brien's was declared, by the femalesat least, to be infinitely superior to MrApollo Johnson's. Miss Eurydice waseven more gracious, and the otherladies were more envious.
Many other toasts and much more winewas drunk, until the male part of thecompany appeared to be rather riotous.Mr Apollo, however, had to regain hissuperiority, and after some hems andhahs, begged permission to give asentiment. "Gentlemen and ladies, I begthen to say
"Here's to de cock who make lub to dehen, Crow till he hoarse and make lubagain."
This sentiment was received with rapture;and after silence was obtained, MissBetsy Austin rose and said"Unaccustomed as she was to public
'peaking, she must not sit 'till and nottank de gentleman for his very finetoast, and in de name of de ladies shebegged to propose another sentimen',which was
"Here to de hen what nebber refuses,Let cock pay compliment whenebberhe chooses."
If the first toast was received withapplause, this was with enthusiasm; butwe received a damper after it wassubsided, by the lady of the housegetting up and saying "Now, gentlemenand ladies, me tink it right to say dat ittime to go home; I nebber allow peopleget drunk or kick up bobbery in my
house, so now I tink we better takeparting-glass, and very much obliged toyou for your company."
As O'Brien said, this was a broad hintto be off, so we all now took ourparting-glass, in compliance with herrequest, and our own wishes, andproceeded to escort our partners ontheir way home. While I was assistingMiss Minerva to her red crape shawl, astorm was brewing in another quarter,to wit, between Mr Apollo Johnsonand O'Brien. O'Brien was assiduouslyattending to Miss Eurydice, whisperingwhat he called soft blarney in her ear,when Mr Apollo, who was above spirit-boiling heat with jealousy, came up, and
told Miss Eurydice that he would havethe honour of escorting her home.
"You may save yourself the trouble,you dingy gut-scraper," replied O'Brien;"the lady is under my protection, sotake your ugly black face out of theway, or I'll show you how I treat a''Badian who is really too brave.'"
"So 'elp me Gad, Massa Lieutenant,'pose you put finger on me, I show youwhat 'Badian can do."
Apollo then attempted to inserthimself between O'Brien and his lady,upon which O'Brien shoved him backwith great violence, and continued his
course towards the door. They were inthe passage when I came up, forhearing O'Brien's voice in anger, I leftMiss Minerva to shift for herself.
Miss Eurydice had now left O'Brien'sarm, at his request, and he and MrApollo were standing in the passage,O'Brien close to the door, which wasshut, and Apollo swaggering up to him.O'Brien, who knew the tender part of ablack, saluted Apollo with a kick on theshins which would have broken my leg.Massa Johnson roared with pain, andrecoiled two or three paces, parting thecrowd away behind him. The blacksnever fight with fists, but butt withtheir heads like rams, and with quite as
much force. When Mr Apollo hadretreated, he gave his shin one morerub, uttered a loud yell, and started atO'Brien, with his head aimed atO'Brien's chest, like a battering-ram.O'Brien, who was aware of this plan offighting, stepped dexterously on oneside, and allowed Mr Apollo to pass byhim, which he did with such force, thathis head went clean through the panelof the door behind O'Brien, and therehe stuck as fast as if in a pillory,squeaking like a pig for assistance, andfoaming with rage. After some difficultyhe was released, and presented a verymelancholy figure. His face was muchcut, and his superb Jabot all in tatters; heappeared, however, to have had quite
enough of it, as he retreated to thesupper-room, followed by some of hisadmirers, without asking or lookingafter O'Brien.
But if Mr Apollo had had enough ofit, his friends were too indignant toallow us to go off scot free. A largemob was collected in the street, vowingvengeance on us for our treatment oftheir flash man, and a row was to beexpected. Miss Eurydice had escaped,so that O'Brien had his hands free."Cam out, you hangman tiefs, cam out;only wish had rock stones, to mashyour heads with," cried the mob ofnegroes. The officers now sallied out ina body, and were saluted with every
variety of missile, such as rottenoranges, cabbage-stalks, mud, andcocoa-nut shells. We fought our waymanfully, but as we neared the beachthe mob increased to hundreds, and atlast we could proceed no further, beingcompletely jammed up by the niggers,upon whose heads we could make nomore impression than upon blocks ofmarble. "We must draw our swords,"observed an officer. "No, no," repliedO'Brien, "that will not do; if once weshed blood, they will never let us get onboard with our lives. The boat's crew bythis time must be aware that there is arow." O'Brien was right. He had hardlyspoken, before a lane was observed tobe made through the crowd in the
distance, which in two minutes wasopen to us. Swinburne appeared in themiddle of it, followed by the rest ofthe boat's crew, armed with the boat'sstretchers, which they did not aim at theheads of the blacks, but swept them likescythes against their shins. This theycontinued to do, right and left of us, aswe walked through and went down tothe boats, the seamen closing up therear with their stretchers, with whichthey ever and anon made a sweep at theblack fellows if they approached toonear. It was now broad daylight, and ina few minutes we were again safely onboard the frigate. Thus ended the firstand last dignity ball that I attended.
Chapter XXXII
I am claimed by Captain Kearney as arelation Trial of skill between firstlieutenant and captain with the longbow The shark, the pug-dog, and thewill A quarter-deck picture.
As the admiral was not one who wouldpermit the ships under his command tolie idle in port, in a very few days afterthe dignity ball which I have described,all the squadron sailed on their variousdestinations. I was not sorry to leavethe bay, for one soon becomes tired ofprofusion, and cared nothing for either
oranges, bananas, or shaddocks, noreven for, the good dinners and claret atthe tables of the army mess andgentlemen of the island. The sea breezesoon became more precious to us thananything else, and if we could havebathed without the fear of a shark, weshould have equally appreciated thatmost refreshing of all luxuries underthe torrid zone. It was therefore withpleasure that we received theinformation that we were to sail thenext day to cruise off the French islandof Martinique. Captain Kearney hadbeen so much on shore that we saw butlittle of him, and the ship was entirelyunder the control of the firstlieutenant, of whom I have hitherto
not spoken. He was a very short, pock-marked man, with red hair andwhiskers, a good sailor, and not a badofficer; that is, he was a practical sailor,and could show any foremast man hisduty in any department and this seamenvery much appreciate, as it is not verycommon; but I never yet knew anofficer who prided himself upon hispractical knowledge, who was at thesame time a good navigator, and toooften, by assuming the Jack Tar, theylower the respect due to them, andbecome coarse and vulgar in theirmanners and language. This was thecase with Mr Phillott, who pridedhimself upon his slang, and who was atone time "hail fellow well met" with the
seamen, talking to them, and beinganswered as familiarly as if they wereequals, and at another, knocking thevery same men down with a handspikeif he was displeased. He was not bad-tempered, but very hasty; and hislanguage to the officers wasoccasionally very incorrect; to themidshipmen invariably so. However, onthe whole, he was not disliked,although he was certainly not respectedas a first lieutenant should have been. Itis but fair to say, that he was the sameto his superiors as he was to hisinferiors, and the bluntness with whichhe used to contradict and assert hisdisbelief of Captain Kearney'snarratives often produced a coolness
between them for some days.
The day after we sailed from CarlisleBay I was asked to dine in the cabin.The dinner was served upon plateddishes, which looked very grand, butthere was not much in them. "Thisplate," observed the captain, "waspresented to me by some merchants formy exertions in saving their propertyfrom the Danes when I was cruisingoff Heligoland."
"Why, that lying steward of yours toldme that you bought it at Portsmouth,"replied the first lieutenant: "I asked himin the galley this morning."
"How came you to assert such aconfounded falsehood, sir " said thecaptain to the man who stood behindhis chair.
"I only said that I thought so," repliedthe steward.
"Why, didn't you say that the bill hadbeen sent in, through you, seven oreight times, and that the captain hadpaid it with a flowing sheet "
"Did you dare say that, sir "interrogated the captain, very angrily.
"Mr Phillott mistook me, sir " repliedthe steward. "He was so busy damning
the sweepers, that he did not hear meright. I said, the midshipmen had paidtheir crockery bill with the fore-topsail."
"Ay! ay!" replied the captain, "that'smuch more likely."
"Well, Mr Steward," replied Mr Phillott,"I'll be d d if you ar'n't as big a liar asyour " (master, he was going to plumpout, but fortunately the first lieutenantchecked himself, and added) "as yourfather was before you."
The captain changed the conversationby asking me whether I would take aslice of ham. "It's real Westphalia, Mr
Simple; I have them sent me direct byCount Troningsken, an intimate friendof mine, who kills his own wild boarsin the Hartz mountains."
"How the devil do you get them over,Captain Kearney "
"There are ways and means of doingeverything, Mr Phillott, and the FirstConsul is not quite so bad as he isrepresented. The first batch was sentover with a very handsome letter to me,written in his own hand, which I willshow you some of these days. I wroteto him in return, and sent to him twoCheshire cheeses by a smuggler, andsince that they came regularly. Did you
ever eat Westphalia ham, Mr Simple "
"Yes," replied I; "once I partook of oneat Lord Privilege's."
"Lord Privilege! why he's a distantrelation of mine, a sort of fifthcousin," replied Captain Kearney.
"Indeed, sir!" replied I.
"Then you must allow me to introduceyou to a relation, Captain Kearney,"said the first lieutenant; "for Mr Simpleis his grandson."
"Is it possible I can only say, Mr Simple,that I shall be most happy to show you
every attention, and am very glad that Ihave you as one of my officers."
Now although this was all false, forCaptain Kearney was not in theremotest manner connected with myfamily, yet having once asserted it, hecould not retract, and the consequencewas, that I was much the gainer by hisfalsehood, as he treated me very kindlyafterwards, always calling me cousin.
The first lieutenant smiled and gave mea wink, when the captain had finishedhis speech to me, as much as to say,"You're in luck," and then theconversation changed. Captain Kearneycertainly dealt in the marvellous to
admiration, and really told his storieswith such earnestness, that I actuallybelieve that he thought he was tellingthe truth. Never was there such aninstance of confirmed habit. Telling astory of a cutting-out expedition, hesaid, "The French captain would havefallen by my hand, but just as I levelledmy musket, a ball came, and cut off thecock of the lock as clean as if it wasdone with a knife a very remarkableinstance," observed he.
"Not equal to what occurred in a ship Iwas in," replied the first lieutenant,"when the second lieutenant wasgrazed by a grape-shot, which cut offone of his whiskers, and turning round
his head to ascertain what was thematter, another grape-shot came andtook off the other. Now that's what Icall a close shave."
"Yes," replied Captain Kearney, "veryclose, indeed, if it were true; but you'llexcuse me, Mr Phillott, but yousometimes tell strange stories. I do notmind it myself, but the example is notgood to my young relation here, MrSimple."
"Captain Kearney," replied the firstlieutenant, laughing very immoderately,"do you know what the pot called thekettle "
"No, sir, I do not," retorted the captain,with offended dignity. "Mr Simple, willyou take a glass of wine "
I thought that this little brouillerie wouldhave checked the captain; it did so, butonly for a few minutes, when he againcommenced. The first lieutenantobserved that it would be necessary tolet water into the ship every morning,and pump it out, to avoid the smell ofthe bilge-water. "There are worse smellsthan bilge-water," replied the captain."What do you think of a whole ship'scompany being nearly poisoned withotto of roses Yet that occurred to mewhen in the Mediterranean. I was offSmyrna, cruising for a French ship, that
was to sail to France, with a pasha onboard, as an ambassador. I knew shewould be a good prize, and waslooking sharp out, when one morningwe discovered her on the lee bow. Wemade all sail, but she walked away fromus, bearing away gradually till we wereboth before the wind, and at night welost sight of her. As I knew that shewas bound to Marseilles, I made all sailto fall in with her again. The wind waslight and variable; but five daysafterwards, as I lay in my cot, justbefore daylight, I smelt a very strongsmell, blowing in at the weather port,and coming down the skylight, whichwas open; and after sniffing at it two orthree times, I knew it to be otto of
roses. I sent for the officer of thewatch, and asked him if there wasanything in sight. He replied 'that therewas not;' and I ordered him to sweepthe horizon with his glass, and lookwell out to windward. As the windfreshened, the smell became morepowerful. I ordered him to get the royalyards across, and all ready to make sail,for I knew that the Turk must be nearus. At daylight there he was, just threemiles ahead in the wind's eye. Butalthough he beat us going free, he wasno match for us, on a wind, and beforenoon we had possession of him and allhis harem. By-the-by, I could tell you agood story about the ladies. She was avery valuable prize, and among other
things, she had a puncheon of otto ofroses on board ."
"Whew!" cried the first lieutenant."What! a whole puncheon "
"Yes," replied the captain, "a Turkishpuncheon not quite so large, perhaps,as ours on board; their weights andmeasures are different. I took out mostof the valuables into the brig Icommanded about 20,000 sequinscarpets and among the rest, this cask ofotto of roses, which we had smelt threemiles off. We had it safe on board,when the mate of the hold, not slingingit properly, it fell into the spirit-roomwith a run, and was stove to pieces.
Never was such a scene; my firstlieutenant and several men on deckfainted; and the men in the hold werebrought up lifeless; it was some timebefore they were recovered. We let thewater into the brig, and pumped it out,but nothing would take away the smell,which was so overpowering, that beforeI could get to Malta I had forty men onthe sick list. When I arrived there, Iturned the mate out of the service forhis carelessness. It was not until afterhaving smoked the brig, and findingthat of little use, after having sunk herfor three weeks, that the smell was at allbearable; but even then it could neverbe eradicated, and the admiral sent thebrig home, and she was sold out of the
service. They could do nothing withher at the dockyards. She was brokenup, and bought by the people atBrighton and Tunbridge Wells, whoused her timbers for turning fancyarticles, which, smelling as they did, sostrongly of otto of roses, proved veryprofitable. Were you ever at Brighton,Mr Simple "
"Never, sir."
Just at this moment, the officer of thewatch came down to say that there wasa very large shark under the counter,and wished to know if the captain hadany objection to the officers attemptingto catch it.
"By no means," replied CaptainKearney; "I hate sharks as I do thedevil. I nearly lost L14,000 by one,when I was in the Mediterranean."
"May I inquire how, Captain Kearney "said the first lieutenant, with a demureface; "I'm very anxious to know."
"Why the story is simply this," repliedthe captain. "I had an old relation atMalta, whom I found out by accidentan old maid of sixty, who had lived allher life on the island. It was by mereaccident that I knew of her existence. Iwas walking upon Strada Reale, when Isaw a large baboon that was kept there,
who had a little fat pug-dog by the tail,which he was pulling away with him,while an old lady was screaming out forhelp: for whenever she ran to assist herdog, the baboon made at her as if hewould have ravished her, and caughther by the petticoats with one hand,while he held the pug-dog fast by theother. I owed that brute a spite forhaving attacked me one night when Ipassed him, and perceiving what wasgoing on, I drew my sword and gaveMr Jacko such a clip as sent him awayhowling, and bleeding like a pig,leaving me in possession of the littlepug, which I took up and handed tohis mistress. The old lady trembled verymuch, and begged me to see her safe
home. She had a very fine house, andafter she was seated on the sofa,thanked me very much for my gallantassistance, as she termed it, and told meher name was Kearney: upon this I verysoon proved my relationship with her,at which she was much delighted,requesting me to consider her house asmy home. I was for two yearsafterwards on that station, and playedmy cards very well; and the old ladygave me a hint that I should be her heir,as she had no other relations that sheknew anything of. At last I was orderedhome, and not wishing to leave her, Ibegged her to accompany me, offeringher my cabin. She was taken very ill afortnight before we sailed, and made a
will, leaving me her sole heir; but sherecovered, and got as fat as ever. MrSimple, the wine stands with you. Idoubt if Lord Privilege gave you betterclaret than there is in that bottle; Iimported it myself ten years ago, whenI commanded the Coquette."
"Very odd," observed the firstlieutenant "we bought some atBarbadoes with the same mark on thebottles and cork."
"That may be," replied the captain;"old-established houses all keep up thesame marks; but I doubt if your winecan be compared to this."
As Mr Phillott wished to hear the endof the captain's story, he would notcontradict him this time, by statingwhat he knew to be the case, that thecaptain had sent it on board atBarbadoes; and the captain proceeded.
"Well, I gave up my cabin to the oldlady, and hung up my cot in the gun-room during the passage home.
"We were becalmed abreast of Ceutafor two days. The old lady was veryparticular about her pug-dog, and Isuperintended the washing of the littlebrute twice a week; but at last I wastired of it, and gave him to mycoxswain to bathe. My coxswain, who
was a lazy fellow, without myknowledge, used to put the little beastinto the bight of a rope, and tow himoverboard for a minute or so. It wasduring this calm that he had himoverboard in this way, when aconfounded shark rose from under thecounter, and took in the pug-dog atone mouthful. The coxswain reportedthe loss as a thing of no consequence;but I knew better, and put the fellow inirons. I then went down and broke themelancholy fact to Miss Kearney,stating that I had put the man in irons,and would flog him well. The old ladybroke out into a most violent passionat the intelligence, declared that it wasmy fault, that I was jealous of the dog,
and had done it on purpose. The moreI protested, the more she raved; and atlast I was obliged to go on deck toavoid her abuse and keep my temper. Ihad not been on deck five minutesbefore she came up that is, was shovedup for she was so heavy that she couldnot get up without assistance. Youknow how elephants in India push thecannon through a morass with theirheads from behind; well, my stewardused to shove her up the companion-ladder just in the same way, with hishead completely buried in herpetticoats. As soon as she was up, heused to pull his head out, looking asred and hot as a fresh-boiled lobster.Well, up she came, with her will in her
hand, and, looking at me very fiercely,she said, 'Since the shark has taken mydear dog, he may have my will also,'and, throwing it overboard, sheplumped down on the carronade slide.'It's very well, madam,' said I, 'but you'llbe cool by-and-by, and then you'll makeanother will.' 'I swear by all the hopesthat I have of going to heaven that Inever will!' she replied. 'Yes, you will,madam,' replied I. 'Never, so help meGod! Captain Kearney; my money maynow go to my next heir, and that, youknow, will not be you.' Now, as I knewvery well that the old lady was verypositive and as good as her word, myobject was to recover the will, whichwas floating about fifty yards astern,
without her knowledge. I thought amoment, and then I called theboatswain's mate to pipe all hands to bathe.'You'll excuse me, Miss Kearney,' said I,'but the men are going to bathe, and Ido not think you would like to seethem all naked. If you would, you canstay on deck.' She looked daggers at me,and, rising from the carronade slide,hobbled to the ladder, saying, 'that theinsult was another proof of how little Ideserved any kindness from her.' Assoon as she was below, the quarter-boats were lowered down, and I wentin one of them and picked up the will,which still floated. Brigs having nostern-windows, of course she couldnot see my manoeuvre, but thought
that the will was lost for ever. We hadvery bad weather after that, owing towhich, with the loss of her favouritepug, and constant quarrelling with mefor I did all I could to annoy herafterwards she fell ill, and was buried afortnight after she was landed atPlymouth. The old lady kept her word;she never made another will. I provedthe one I had recovered at Doctors'Commons, and touched the whole ofher money."
As neither the first lieutenant nor Icould prove whether the story was trueor not, of course we expressed ourcongratulations at his good fortune,and soon afterwards left the cabin to
report his marvellous story to ourmessmates. When I went on deck, Ifound that the shark had just beenhooked, and was hauling on board. MrPhillott had also come on deck. Theofficers were all eager about the shark,and were looking over the side, callingto each other, and giving directions tothe men. Now, although certainly therewas a want of decorum on the quarter-deck, still, the captain having givenpermission, it was to be excused; butMr Phillott thought otherwise, andcommenced in his usual style,beginning with the marine officer.
"Mr Westley, I'll trouble you not to begetting upon the hammocks. You'll get
off directly, sir. If one of your fellowswere to do so, I'd stop his grog for amonth, and I don't see why you are toset a bad example; you've been too longin barracks, sir, by half. Who is that MrWilliams and Mr Moore both on thehammocks, too. Up to the foretopmasthead, both of you, directly. Mr Thomas,up to the main; and I say, youyoungster, stealing off, perch yourselfupon the spanker-boom, and let meknow when you've rode to London. ByGod! the service is going to hell! I don'tknow what officers are made of now-a-days. I'll marry some of you younggentlemen to the gunner's daughterbefore long. Quarter-deck's no betterthan a bear-garden. No wonder, when
lieutenants set the example."
This latter remark could only beapplied to O'Brien, who stood in thequarter-boat giving directions, beforethe tirade of Mr Phillott stopped theamusement of the party. O'Brienimmediately stepped out of the boat,and going up to Mr Phillott, touchedhis hat, and said, "Mr Phillott, we hadthe captain's permission to catch theshark, and a shark is not to be got onboard by walking up and down on thequarter-deck. As regards myself, as longas the captain is on board, I holdmyself responsible to him alone for myconduct; and if you think I have donewrong, forward your complaint; but if
you pretend to use such language tome, as you have to others, I shall holdyou responsible. I am here, sir, as anofficer and a gentleman, and will betreated as such; and allow me toobserve, that I consider the quarter-deck more disgraced by foul andungentlemanly language, than I do byan officer accidentally standing uponthe hammocks. However, as you havethought proper to interfere, you maynow get the shark on board yourself."
Mr Phillott turned very red, for henever had come in contact in this waywith O'Brien. All the other officers hadsubmitted quietly to his unpleasantmanner of speaking to them. "Very
well, Mr O'Brien; I shall hold youanswerable for this language," repliedhe, "and shall most certainly reportyour conduct to the captain."
"I will save you the trouble; CaptainKearney is now coming up, and I willreport it myself."
This O'Brien did, upon the captain'sputting his foot on the quarter-deck.
"Well," observed the captain to MrPhillott, "what is it you complain of "
"Mr O'Brien's language, sir. Am I to beaddressed on the quarter-deck in thatmanner "
"I really must say, Mr Phillott," repliedCaptain Kearney, "that I do notperceive anything in what Mr O'Briensaid, but what is correct. I commandhere; and if an officer so nearly equal inrank to yourself has committedhimself, you are not to take the law intoyour own hands. The fact is, MrPhillott, your language is not quite socorrect as I could wish it. I overheardevery word that passed, and I considerthat you have treated your superior officerwith disrespect that is, me. I gavepermission that the shark should becaught, and with that permission, Iconsequently allowed those littledeviations from the discipline of the
service which must inevitably takeplace. Yet you have thought proper tointerfere with my permission, which istantamount to an order, and have madeuse of harsh language, and punishedthe young gentlemen for obeying myinjunctions. You will oblige me, sir, bycalling them all down, and inrestraining your petulance for thefuture. I will always support yourauthority when you are correct; but Iregret that in this instance you havenecessitated me to weaken it."
This was a most severe check to MrPhillott, who immediately went below,after hailing the mastheads and callingdown the midshipmen. As soon as he
was gone we were all on the hammocksagain; the shark was hauled forward,hoisted on board, and every frying-panin the ship was in requisition. We wereall much pleased with CaptainKearney's conduct on this occasion;and, as O'Brien observed to me, "Hereally is a good fellow and cleverofficer. What a thousand pities it is, thathe is such a confounded liar!" I mustdo Mr Phillott the justice to say that hebore no malice on this occasion, buttreated us as before, which is saying agreat deal in his favour, when it isconsidered what power a firstlieutenant has of annoying andpunishing his inferiors.
Chapter XXXIII
Another set-to between the captain andfirst lieutenant Cutting-out expeditionMr Chucks mistaken He dies like agentleman Swinburne begins hisaccount of the battle off St Vincent.
We had not been more than a weekunder the Danish island of St Thomaswhen we discovered a brig close in-shore. We made all sail in chase, andsoon came within a mile and a half ofthe shore, when she anchored under abattery, which opened its fire upon us.Their elevation was too great, and
several shots passed over us andbetween our masts.
"I once met with a very remarkablecircumstance," observed CaptainKearney. "Three guns were fired at afrigate I was on board of from abattery, all at the same time. The threeshots cut away the three topsail ties, anddown came all our topsail yards uponthe cap at the same time. That theFrenchmen might not suppose thatthey had taken such good aim, weturned up our hands to reef topsails;and by the time that the men were offthe yards the ties were spliced and thetopsails run up again."
Mr Phillott could not stand this mostenormous fib, and he replied, "Veryodd, indeed, Captain Kearney; but Ihave known a stranger circumstance.We had put in the powder to the fourguns on the main deck when we werefighting the Danish gun-boats in afrigate I was in, and, as the menwithdrew the rammer, a shot from theenemy entered the muzzle, andcompleted the loading of each gun. Wefired their own shot back upon them,and this occurred three times running."
"Upon my word," replied CaptainKearney, who had his glass upon thebattery, "I think you must have dreamtthat circumstance, Mr Phillott."
"Not more than you did about thetopsail ties, Captain Kearney."
Captain Kearney at that time had thelong glass in his hand, holding it upover his shoulder. A shot from thebattery whizzed over his head, andtook the glass out of his hand,shivering it to pieces. "That's once,"said Captain Kearney, very coolly; "butwill you pretend that that could everhappen three times running They mighttake my head off, or my arm, next time,but not another glass; whereas thetopsail ties might be cut by threedifferent shot. But give me anotherglass, Mr Simple: I am certain that this
vessel is a privateer. What think you, MrO'Brien "
"I am every bit of your opinion,Captain Kearney," replied O'Brien; "andI think it would be a very pretty bit ofpractice to the ship's company to takeher out from under that footy battery."
"Starboard the helm, Mr Phillott; keepaway four points, and then we willthink of it to-night."
The frigate was now kept away, and ranout of the fire of the battery. It wasthen about an hour before sunset, andin the West Indies the sun does not setas it does in the northern latitudes.
There is no twilight: he descends inglory, surrounded with clouds of goldand rubies in their gorgeous tints; andonce below the horizon, all is dark. Assoon as it was dark, we hauled ourwind off shore; and a consultationbeing held between the captain, MrPhillott, and O'Brien, the captain at lastdecided that the attempt should bemade. Indeed, although cutting-out is avery serious affair, as you combat underevery disadvantage, still the mischiefdone to our trade by the fast-sailingprivateers was so great in the WestIndies, that almost every sacrifice waswarrantable for the interests of thecountry. Still, Captain Kearney,although a brave and prudent officer
one who calculated chances, and whowould not risk his men without hedeemed that necessity imperiouslydemanded that such should be donewas averse to this attack, from hisknowledge of the bay in which the brigwas anchored; and although Mr Phillottand O'Brien both were of opinion thatit should be a night attack, CaptainKearney decided otherwise. Heconsidered, that although the risk mightbe greater, yet the force employedwould be more consolidated, and thatthose who would hold back in thenight dare not do so during the day.Moreover, that the people on shore inthe battery, as well as those in theprivateer, would be on the alert all
night, and not expecting an attackduring the day, would be taken offtheir guard. It was therefore directedthat everything should be inpreparation during the night, and thatthe boats should shove off beforedaylight, and row in-shore, concealingthemselves behind some rocks underthe cliffs which formed the cape uponone side of the harbour; and, if notdiscovered, remain there till noon, atwhich time it was probable that theprivateer's men would be on shore, andthe vessel might be captured withoutdifficulty.
It is always a scene of much interest onboard a man-of-war when preparations
are made for an expedition of thisdescription; and, as the reader may nothave been witness to them, it mayperhaps be interesting to describe them.The boats of men-of-war havegenerally two crews; the common boats'crews, which are selected so as not totake away the most useful men fromthe ship; and the service, or fightingboats' crews, which are selected fromthe very best men on board. Thecoxswains of the boats are the mosttrustworthy men in the ship, and, onthis occasion, have to see that theirboats are properly equipped. Thelaunch, yawl, first and second cutters,were the boats appointed for theexpedition. They all carried guns
mounted upon slides, which ran foreand aft between the men. After theboats were hoisted out, the guns werelowered down into them and shippedin the bows of the boats. The arm-chests were next handed in, whichcontain the cartridges and ammunition.The shot were put into the bottom ofthe boats; and so far they were all ready.The oars of the boats were fitted topull with grummets upon iron thole-pins, that they might make little noise,and might swing fore and aft withoutfalling overboard when the boatspulled alongside the privateer. Abreaker or two (that is, small casksholding about seven gallons each) ofwater was put into each boat, and also
the men's allowance of spirits, in casethey should be detained by anyunforeseen circumstances. The menbelonging to the boats were fullyemployed in looking after their arms;some fitting their flints to their pistols,others, and the major part of them,sharpening their cutlasses at thegrindstone, or with a file borrowedfrom the armourer, all were busy and allmerry. The very idea of going intoaction is a source of joy to an Englishsailor, and more jokes are made, moremerriment excited, at that time than atany other. Then, as it often happensthat one or two of the service boats'crews may be on the sick list, urgentsolicitations are made by others that
they may supply their places. The onlyparties who appear at all grave are thosewho are to remain in the frigate, andnot share in the expedition. There is nooccasion to order the boats to bemanned, for the men are generally inlong before they are piped away.Indeed, one would think that it was aparty of pleasure, instead of dangerand of death, upon which they wereabout to proceed.
Captain Kearney selected the officerswho were to have the charge of theboats. He would not trust any of themidshipmen on so dangerous a service.He said that he had known so manyoccasions in which their rashness and
foolhardiness had spoilt an expedition;he therefore appointed Mr Phillott, thefirst lieutenant, to the launch; O'Briento the yawl; the master to the first, andMr Chucks, the boatswain, to thesecond cutter. Mr Chucks was muchpleased with the idea of having thecommand of a boat, and asked me tocome with him, to which I consented,although I had intended, as usual, tohave gone with O'Brien.
About an hour before daylight we ranthe frigate to within a mile and a halfof the shore, and the boats shoved off;the frigate then wore round, and stoodout in the offing, that she might atdaylight be at such a distance as not to
excite any suspicion that our boats weresent away, while we in the boats pulledquietly in-shore. We were not a quarterof an hour before we arrived at thecape forming one side of the bay, andwere well secreted among the cluster ofrocks which were underneath. Our oarswere laid in; the boats' painters madefast; and orders given for the strictestsilence. The rocks were very high, andthe boats were not to be seen withoutany one should come to the edge ofthe precipice; and even then theywould, in all probability, have beensupposed to have been rocks. Thewater was as smooth as glass, and whenit was broad daylight, the men hunglistlessly over the sides of the boats,
looking at the corals below, andwatching the fish as they glidedbetween.
"I can't say, Mr Simple," said MrChucks to me in an under tone, "that Ithink well of this expedition; and Ihave an idea that some of us will losethe number of our mess. After a calmcomes a storm; and how quiet iseverything now! But I'll take off mygreat coat, for the sun is hot already.Coxswain, give me my jacket."
Mr Chucks had put on his great coat,but not his jacket underneath, which hehad left on one of the guns on themain deck, all ready to change as soon
as the heavy dew had gone off. Thecoxswain handed him the jacket, andMr Chucks threw off his great coat toput it on; but when it was opened itproved, that by mistake he had takenaway the jacket, surmounted by twosmall epaulettes, belonging to CaptainKearney, which the captain's steward,who had taken it out to brush, had alsolaid upon the same gun.
"By all the nobility of England!" criedMr Chucks, "I have taken away thecaptain's jacket by mistake. Here's apretty mess! if I put on my great coat Ishall be dead with sweating; if I put onno jacket I shall be roasted brown; butif I put on the captain's jacket I shall be
considered disrespectful."
The men in the boats tittered; and MrPhillott, who was in the launch next tous, turned round to see what was thematter; O'Brien was sitting in the stern-sheets of the launch with the firstlieutenant, and I leaned over and toldthem.
"By the powers! I don't see why thecaptain's jacket will be at all hurt by MrChucks putting it on," replied O'Brien;"unless, indeed, a bullet were to gothrough it, and then it won't be anyfault of Mr Chucks."
"No," replied the first lieutenant; "and
if one did, the captain might keep thejacket, and swear that the bullet wentround his body without wounding him.He'll have a good yarn to spin. So put iton, Mr Chucks; you'll make a goodmark for the enemy."
"That I will stand the risk of withpleasure," observed the boatswain tome, "for the sake of being considered agentleman. So here's on with it."
There was a general laugh when MrChucks pulled on the captain's jacket,and sank down in the stern-sheets ofthe cutter, with great complacency ofcountenance. One of the men in theboat that we were in thought proper,
however, to continue his laugh a littlelonger than Mr Chucks considerednecessary, who, leaning forward, thusaddressed him: "I say, Mr Webber, I begleave to observe to you, in the mostdelicate manner in the world just tohint to you that it is not the custom tolaugh at your superior officer. I meanjust to insinuate, that you are a d dimpudent son of a sea cook; and if weboth live and do well, I will prove toyou, that if I am to be laughed at in aboat with the captain's jacket on, that Iam not to be laughed at on board thefrigate with the boatswain's rattan in myfist; and so look out, my hearty, forsqualls, when you come on theforecastle; for I'll be d d if I don't make
you see more stars than God Almightyever made, and cut more capers than allthe dancing-masters in France. Mark mywords, you burgoo-eating, pea-soup-swilling, trowsers-scrubbing son of abitch."
Mr Chucks, having at the end of thisoration raised his voice above the pitchrequired by the exigency of the service,was called to order by the firstlieutenant, and again sank back into thestern-sheets with all the importanceand authoritative show peculiarlyappertaining to a pair of epaulettes.
We waited behind the rocks untilnoonday, without being discovered by
the enemy; so well were we concealed.We had already sent an officer, who,carefully hiding himself by lying downon the rocks, had several timesreconnoitred the enemy. Boats werepassing and repassing continually fromthe privateer to the shore; and itappeared that they went on shore fullof men, and returned with only one ortwo; so that we were in great hopes thatwe should find but few men to defendthe vessel. Mr Phillott looked at hiswatch, held it up to O'Brien, to provethat he had complied exactly with theorders he had received from thecaptain, and then gave the word to getthe boats under weigh. The painterswere cast off by the bowmen, the guns
were loaded and primed, the menseized their oars, and in two minutes wewere clear of the rocks, and drawn upin a line within a quarter of a mile fromthe harbour's mouth, and not half amile from the privateer brig. We rowedas quickly as possible, but we did notcheer until the enemy fired the firstgun; which he did from a quarterunexpected, as we entered the mouthof the harbour, with our union jacktrailing in the water over our stern, forit was a dead calm. It appeared, that atthe low point under the cliffs, at eachside of the little bay, they had raised awater battery of two guns each. One ofthese guns, laden with grape shot, wasnow fired at the boats, but the elevation
was too low, and although the waterwas ploughed up to within five yardsof the launch, no injury was received.We were equally fortunate in thedischarge of the other three guns; twoof which we passed so quickly, thatthey were not aimed sufficientlyforward, so that their shot fell astern;and the other, although the shot fellamong us, did no further injury thancutting in half two of the oars of thefirst cutter.
In the meantime, we had observed thatthe boats had shoved off from theprivateer as soon as they had perceivedus, and had returned to her laden withmen; the boats had been despatched a
second time, but had not yet returned.They were now about the same distancefrom the privateer as were our boats,and it was quite undecided which of uswould be first on board. O'Brienperceiving this, painted out to MrPhillott that we should first attack theboats, and afterwards board on the sideto which they pulled; as, in allprobability, there would be an openingleft in the boarding nettings, whichwere tied up to the yard-arms, andpresented a formidable obstacle to oursuccess. Mr Phillott agreed withO'Brien: he ordered the bowmen to layin their oars and keep the guns pointedready to fire at the word given, anddesiring the other men to pull their
best. Every nerve, every muscle wasbrought into play by our anxious andintrepid seamen. When within abouttwenty yards of the vessel, and also ofthe boats, the orders were given to firethe carronade of the launch pouredout round and grape so well directed,that one of the French boats sunkimmediately; and the musket balls withwhich our other smaller guns wereloaded, did great execution among theirmen. In one minute more, with threecheers from our sailors, we were allalongside together, English and Frenchboats pell-mell, and a most determinedclose conflict took place. The Frenchfought desperately, and as they wereoverpowered, they were reinforced by
those from the privateer, who could notlook on and behold their companionsrequiring their assistance, withoutcoming to their aid. Some jumpeddown into our boats from the chains,into the midst of our men; othersdarted cold shot at us, either to kill usor to sink our boats; and thus did oneof the most desperate hand-to-handconflicts take place that ever waswitnessed. But it was soon decided inour favour, for we were the strongerparty and the better armed; and whenall opposition was over, we jumpedinto the privateer, and found not a manleft on board, only a large dog, whoflew at O'Brien's throat as he enteredthe port.
"Don't kill him," said O'Brien, as thesailors hastened to his assistance; "onlytake away his gripe."
The sailors disengaged the dog, andO'Brien led him up to a gun, saying,"By Jasus, my boy, you are my prisoner."
But although we had possession of theprivateer, our difficulties, as it willprove, were by no means over. We werenow exposed not only to the fire of thetwo batteries at the harbour-mouthwhich we had to pass, but also to thatof the battery at the bottom of the bay,which had fired at the frigate. In themeantime, we were very busy in cutting
the cable, lowering the topsails, andtaking the wounded men on board theprivateer, from out of the boats. Allthis was, however, but the work of afew minutes. Most of the Frenchmenwere killed; our own woundedamounted to only nine seamen and MrChucks, the boatswain, who was shotthrough the body, apparently with littlechance of surviving. As Mr Phillottobserved, the captain's epaulettes hadmade him a mark for the enemy, and hehad fallen in his borrowed plumes.
As soon as they were all on board, andlaid on the deck for there were, as nearas I can recollect, about fourteenwounded Frenchmen as well as our
own tow-ropes were got out forwards,the boats were manned, and weproceeded to tow the brig out of theharbour.
It was a dead calm, and we made butlittle way, but our boat's crew, flushedwith victory, cheered, and rallied, andpulled with all their strength. Theenemy perceiving that the privateer wastaken, and the French boats driftingempty up the harbour, now openedtheir fire upon us, and with great effect.Before we had towed abreast of thetwo water batteries, we had receivedthree-shots between wind and waterfrom the other batteries, and the seawas pouring fast into the vessel. I had
been attending to poor Mr Chucks,who lay on the starboard side, near thewheel, the blood flowing from hiswound, and tracing its course down theplanks of the deck, to a distance ofsome feet from where he lay. Heappeared very faint, and I tied myhandkerchief round his body, so as tostop the effusion of blood, andbrought him some water, with which Ibathed his face, and poured some intohis mouth. He opened his eyes wide,and looked at me.
"Ah, Mr Simple," said he, faintly, "is ityou It's all over with me; but it couldnot be better could it "
"How do you mean " inquired I.
"Why, have I not fallen dressed like anofficer and a gentleman " said he,referring to the captain's jacket andepaulettes. "I'd sooner die now withthis dress on, than recover to put onthe boatswain's uniform. I feel quitehappy."
He pressed my hand, and then closedhis eyes again, from weakness. We werenow nearly abreast of the two batterieson the points, the guns of which hadbeen trained so as to bear upon ourboats that were towing out the brig.The first shot went through the bottomof the launch, and sank her;
fortunately, all the men were saved; butas she was the boat that towed next tothe brig, great delay occurred in gettingthe others clear of her, and taking thebrig again in tow. The shot now pouredin thick, and the grape became veryannoying. Still our men gave way,cheering at every shot fired, and we hadnearly passed the batteries, with triflingloss, when we perceived that the brigwas so full of water that she could notswim many minutes longer, and that itwould be impossible to tow heralongside of the frigate. Mr Phillott,under these circumstances, decided thatit would be useless to risk more lives,and that the wounded should be takenout of the brig, and the boats should
pull away for the ship. He desired me toget the wounded men into the cutter,which he sent alongside, and then tofollow the other boats. I made all thehaste I could, not wishing to be leftbehind; and as soon as all our woundedmen were in the boats, I went to MrChucks, to remove him. He appearedsomewhat revived, but would not allowus to remove him.
"My dear Mr Simple," said he, "it is ofno use; I never can recover it, and Iprefer dying here. I entreat you not tomove me. If the enemy take possessionof the brig before she sinks, I shall beburied with military honours; if theydo not, I shall at least die in the dress
of a gentleman. Hasten away as fast asyou can, before you lose more men.Here I stay that's decided."
I expostulated with him, but at thattime two boats full of men appeared,pulling out of the harbour to the brig.The enemy had perceived that ourboats had deserted her, and werecoming to take possession. I hadtherefore no time to urge Mr Chucks tochange his resolution, and not wishingto force a dying man, I shook his handand left him. It was with somedifficulty I escaped, for the boats hadcome up close to the brig; they chasedme a little while, but the yawl and thecutter turning back to my assistance,
they gave up the pursuit. On the whole,this was a very well arranged and wellconducted expedition. The only manlost was Mr Chucks, for the wounds ofthe others were none of them mortal.Captain Kearney was quite satisfiedwith our conduct, and so was theadmiral, when it was reported to him.Captain Kearney did indeed grumble alittle about his jacket, and sent for meto inquire why I had not taken it offMr Chucks, and brought it on board.As I did not choose to tell him theexact truth, I replied, "That I could notdisturb a dying man, and that the jacketwas so saturated with blood, that henever could have worn it again," whichwas the case.
"At all events, you might have broughtaway my epaulettes," replied he; "butyou youngsters think of nothing butgormandizing."
I had the first watch that night, whenSwinburne, the quarter-master, came upto me, and asked me all the particularsof the affair, for he was not in theboats. "Well," said he, "that Mr Chucksappeared to be a very good boatswainin his way, if he could only have kepthis rattan a little quiet. He was a smartfellow, and knew his duty. We had justsuch another killed in our ship, in theaction off Cape St Vincent."
"What! were you in that action " repliedI.
"Yes, I was, and belonged to theCaptain, Lord Nelson's ship."
"Well, then, suppose you tell me allabout it."
"Why, Mr Simple, d'ye see, I've noobjection to spin you a yarn, now andthen," replied Swinburne, "but, as MrChucks used to say, allow me toobserve, in the most delicate manner inthe world, that I perceive that the manwho has charge of your hammock, andslings you a clean one now and then,has very often a good glass of grog for
his yarns, and I do not see but that mineare as well worth a glass of grog as his."
"So they are, Swinburne, and better too,and I promise you a good stiff one to-morrow evening."
"That will do, sir: now then, I'll tell youall about it, and more about it too thanmost can, for I know how the actionwas brought about."
I have the log, marked the board, andthen sat down abaft on the signal chestwith Swinburne, who commenced hisnarrative as follows:
"You must know, Mr Simple, that when
the English fleet came down theMediterranean, after the 'vackyation ofCorsica, they did not muster more thanseventeen sail of the line, while theSpanish fleet from Ferrol andCarthagena had joined company atCadiz, and 'mounted to near thirty. SirJohn Jervis had the command of ourfleet at the time, but as the Dons didnot seem at all inclined to come outand have a brush with us, almost two toone, Sir John left Sir Hyde Parker, withsix sail of the line, to watch the Spanishbeggars, while he went in to Lisbonwith the remainder of the fleet, towater and refit. Now, you see, MrSimple, Portugal was at that time whatthey calls neutral, that is to say, she
didn't meddle at all in the affair, beingfriends with both parties, and just aswilling to supply fresh beef and waterto the Spaniards as to the English, if sobe the Spaniards had come out to axfor it, which they dar'n't. ThePortuguese and the English have alwaysbeen the best of friends, because wecan't get no port wine anywhere else,and they can't get nobody else to buy itof them; so the Portuguese gave uptheir arsenal at Lisbon, for the use ofthe English, and there we kept all ourstores, under the charge of that olddare-devil, Sir Isaac Coffin. Now it sohappened, that one of the clerks in oldSir Isaac's office, a Portuguese chap, hadbeen some time before that in the office
of the Spanish ambassador; he was avery smart sort of a chap, and sarved asinterpreter, and the old commissionerput great faith in him."
"But how did you learn all this,Swinburne "
"Why, I'll tell you, Mr Simple. I steeredthe yawl as coxswain, and whenadmirals and captains talk in the stern-sheets, they very often forget that thecoxswain is close behind them. I onlylearnt half of it that way; the rest I puttogether when I compared logs withthe admiral's steward, who, of course,heard a great deal now and then. Thefirst I heard of it was when old Sir
John called out to Sir Isaac, after thesecond bottle, 'I say, Sir Isaac, whokilled the Spanish messenger ' 'Not I, byGod!' replied Sir Isaac; 'I only left himfor dead;' and then they both laughed,and so did Nelson, who was sittingwith them. Well, Mr Simple, it wasreported to Sir Isaac that his clerk wasoften seen taking memorandums of thedifferent orders given to the fleet,particularly those as to there being nowasteful expenditure of his Majesty'sstores. Upon which, Sir Isaac goes tothe admiral, and requests that the manmight be discharged. Now, old Sir Johnwas a sly old fox, and he answered, 'Notso, commissioner; perhaps we maycatch them in their own trap.' So the
admiral sits down, and calls for pen andink, and he flourishes out a long letterto the commissioner, stating that all thestores of the fleet were expended,representing as how it would beimpossible to go to sea without asupply, and wishing to know when thecommissioner expected moretransports from England. He also saidthat if the Spanish fleet were now tocome out from Cadiz, it would beimpossible for him to protect Sir H.Parker with his six sail of the line, whowas watching the Spanish fleet, as hecould not quit the port in his presentcondition. To this letter thecommissioner answered that, from thelast accounts, he thought that in the
course of six weeks or two monthsthey might receive supplies fromEngland, but that sooner than that wasimpossible. These letters were put inthe way of the d d Portuguese spy-clerk, who copied them, and was seenthat evening to go into the house ofthe Spanish ambassador. Sir John thensent a message to Ferro that's a smalltown on the Portuguese coast to thesouthward with a despatch to Sir HydeParker, desiring him to run away toCape St Vincent, and decoy the Spanishfleet there, in case they should comeout after him. Well, Mr Simple, so fard'ye see the train was well laid. The nextthing to do was to watch the Spanishambassador's house, and see if he sent
away any despatches. Two days after theletters had been taken to him by thisrascal of a clerk, the Spanishambassador sent away two messengersone for Cadiz and the other forMadrid, which is the town where theKing of Spain lives. The one to Cadizwas permitted to go, but the one toMadrid was stopped by the directionsof the admiral, and this job wasconfided to the commissioner, Sir Isaac,who settled it somehow or another; andthis was the reason why the admiralcalled out to him, 'I say, Sir Isaac, whokilled the messenger ' They broughtback his despatches, by which theyfound out that advice had been sent tothe Spanish admiral I forget his name,
something like Magazine informing himof the supposed crippled state of oursquadron. Sir John, taking it for grantedthat the Spaniards would not lose anopportunity of taking six sail of theline more English ships than they haveever taken in their lives waited a fewdays to give them time, and then sailedfrom Lisbon for Cape St Vincent,where he joined Sir Hyde Parker, andfell in with the Spaniards sure enough,and a pretty drubbing we gave them.Now, it's not everybody that could tellyou all that, Mr Simple."
"Well, but now for the action,Swinburne."
"Lord bless you, Mr Simple! it's nowpast seven bells, and I can't fight thebattle of St Vincent in half an hour;besides which, it's well worth anotherglass of grog to hear all about thatbattle."
"Well, you shall have one, Swinburne;only don't forget to tell it to me."
Swinburne and I then separated, and inless than an hour afterwards I wasdreaming of despatches Sir John JervisSir Isaac Coffin and Spanishmessengers.
Chapter XXXIV
O'Brien's good advice Captain Kearneyagain deals in the marvellous.
I do not remember any circumstance inmy life which, at that time, lay soheavily on my mind as the loss of poorMr Chucks, the boatswain, who, ofcourse, I took it for granted I shouldnever see again. I believe that the chiefcause was that at the time I entered theservice, and every one considered me tobe the fool of the family, Mr Chucksand O'Brien were the only two whothought of and treated me differently;and it was their conduct which inducedme to apply myself and encouraged me
to exertion. I believe that many a boy,who, if properly patronized, wouldturn out well, is, by the injudicioussystem of browbeating and ridicule,forced into the wrong path, and, in hisdespair, throws away all self-confidence, and allows himself to becarried away by the stream to perdition.O'Brien was not very partial to readinghimself. He played the German fluteremarkably well, and had a very goodvoice. His chief amusement waspractising, or rather playing, which is avery different thing; but although hedid not study himself, he always mademe come into his cabin for an hour ortwo every day, and, after I had read,repeat to him the contents of the book.
By this method he not only instructedme, but gained a great deal ofinformation himself; for he made somany remarks upon what I had read,that it was impressed upon both ourmemories.
"Well, Peter," he would say, as he cameinto the cabin, "what have you to tellme this morning Sure it's you that's theschoolmaster, and not me for I learnfrom you every day."
"I have not read much, O'Brien, to-day,for I have been thinking of poor MrChucks."
"Very right for you so to do, Peter.
Never forget your friends in a hurry.You'll not find too many of them asyou trot along the highway of life."
"I wonder whether he is dead "
"Why, that's a question I cannot answer.A bullet through the chest don'tlengthen a man's days, that's certain; butthis I know, that he'll not die if he canhelp it, now that he's got the captain'sjacket on."
"Yes; he always aspired to be agentleman, which was absurd enoughin a boatswain."
"Not at all absurd, Peter, but very
absurd of you to talk without thinking.When did any one of his shipmatesever know Mr Chucks to do anunhandsome or mean action Never;and why Because he aspired to be agentleman, and that feeling kept himabove it. Vanity's a confounded donkey,very apt to put his head between hislegs, and chuck us over; but pride's afine horse, who will carry us over theground, and enable us to distance ourfellow-travellers. Mr Chucks has pride,and that's always commendable, even ina boatswain. How often have you readof people rising from nothing, andbecoming great men This was fromtalent, sure enough; but it was talentwith pride to force it onward, not talent
with vanity to check it."
"You are very right, O'Brien; I spokefoolishly."
"Never mind, Peter, nobody heard youbut me; so it's of no consequence.Don't you dine in the cabin to-day "
"Yes."
"So do I. The captain is in a mostmarvellous humour this morning. Hetold me one or two yarns that quitestaggered my politeness and my respectfor him on the quarter-deck. What apity it is that a man should have gainedsuch a bad habit!"
"He's quite incurable, I'm afraid,"replied I; "but, certainly, his fibs do noharm; they are what they call white lies.I do not think he would really tell a liethat is, a lie which would be consideredto disgrace a gentleman."
"Peter, all lies disgrace a gentleman,white or black, although I grant there isa difference. To say the least of it, it is adangerous habit; for white lies are butthe gentlemen ushers to black ones. Iknow but of one point on which a lieis excusable, and that is, when you wishto deceive the enemy. Then your dutyto your country warrants your lying tillyou're black in the face; and, for the
very reason that it goes against yourgrain, it becomes, as it were, a sort ofvirtue."
"What was the difference between themarine officer and Mr Phillott thatoccurred this morning "
"Nothing at all in itself. The marineofficer is a bit of a gaby, and takesoffence where none is meant. MrPhillott has a foul tongue; but he has agood heart."
"What a pity it is!"
"It is a pity, for he's a smart officer; butthe fact is, Peter, that junior officers are
too apt to copy their superiors, and thatmakes it very important that a younggentleman should sail with a captainwho is a gentleman. Now, Phillottserved the best of his time withCaptain Ballover, who is notorious inthe service for foul and abusivelanguage. What is the consequence ThatPhillott and many others who haveserved under him have learnt his badhabit."
"I should think, O'Brien, that the verycircumstance of having had yourfeelings so often wounded by suchlanguage when you were a juniorofficer, would make you doubly carefulnot to make use of it to others, when
you had advanced in the service."
"Peter, that's just the first feeling, whichwears away after a time; but at last, yourown sense of indignation becomesblunted, and becoming indifferent to it,you forget also that you wound thefeelings of others, and carry the habitwith you, to the great injury anddisgrace of the service. But it's time todress for dinner, so you'd better makeyourself scarce, Peter, while I tidivatemyself off a little, according to therules and regulations of His Majesty'sservice, when you are asked to dinewith the skipper."
We met at the captain's table, where we
found, as usual, a great display of plate,but very little else, except the ship'sallowance. We certainly had now beencruising some time, and there was someexcuse for it; but still, few captainswould have been so unprovided. "I'mafraid, gentlemen, you will not have avery grand dinner," observed thecaptain, as the steward removed theplated covers of the dishes; "but whenon service we must rough it out howwe can. Mr O'Brien, pea-soup Irecollect faring harder than this throughone cruise in a flush vessel. We werethirteen weeks up to our knees in water,and living the whole time upon rawpork not being able to light a fireduring the cruise."
"Pray, Captain Kearney, may I askwhere this happened "
"To be sure. It was off Bermudas: wecruised for seven weeks before wecould find the Islands, and began verilyto think that the Bermudas werethemselves on a cruise."
"I presume, sir, you were not so sorryto have a fire to cook your provisionswhen you came to an anchor " saidO'Brien.
"I beg your pardon," replied CaptainKearney; "we had become soaccustomed to raw provisions and wet
feet, that we could not eat our mealscooked, or help dipping our legs overthe side, for a long while afterwards. Isaw one of the boat-keepers asterncatch a large barracouta and eat it aliveindeed, if I had not given the strictestorders, and flogged half-a-dozen ofthem, I doubt whether they would nothave eaten their victuals raw to this day.The force of habit is tremendous."
"It is, indeed," observed Mr Phillott,drily, and winking to us, referring to thecaptain's incredible stories.
"It is, indeed," repeated O'Brien; "wesee the ditch in our neighbour's eye,and cannot observe the log of wood in
our own;" and O'Brien winked at me,referring to Phillott's habit of badlanguage.
"I once knew a married man," observedthe captain, "who had been alwaysaccustomed to go to sleep with hishand upon his wife's head, and wouldnot allow her to wear a nightcap inconsequence. Well, she caught cold anddied, and he never could sleep at nightuntil he took a clothes-brush to bedwith him, and laid his hand upon that,which answered the purpose such wasthe force of habit."
"I once saw a dead body galvanized,"observed Mr Phillott: "it was the body
of a man who had taken a great deal ofsnuff during his lifetime, and as soonas the battery was applied to his spine,the body very gently raised its arm, andput its fingers to its nose, as if it wastaking a pinch."
"You saw that yourself, Mr Phillott "observed the captain, looking at thefirst lieutenant earnestly in the face.
"Yes, sir," replied Mr Phillott, coolly.
"Have you told that story often "
"Very often, sir."
"Because I know that some people, by
constantly telling a story, at last believeit to be true; not that I refer to you, MrPhillott; but still, I should recommendyou not to tell that story where you arenot well known, or people may doubtyour credibility."
"I make it a rule to believe everythingmyself," observed Mr Phillott, "out ofpoliteness, and I expect the samecourtesy from others."
"Then, upon my soul! when you tellthat story, you trespass very much uponour good manners. Talking of courtesy,you must meet a friend of mine, whohas been a courtier all his life; hecannot help bowing, I have seen him
bow to his horse and thank him afterhe had dismounted beg pardon of apuppy for treading on his tail; and oneday, when he fell over a scraper, he tookhis hat off, and made it a thousandapologies for his inattention."
"Force of habit again," said O'Brien.
"Exactly so. Mr Simple, will you take aslice of this pork and perhaps you'll dome the honour to take a glass of wineLord Privilege would not much admireour dinner to-day, would he, Mr Simple"
"As a variety he might, sir, but not for acontinuance."
"Very truly said. Variety is charming.The negroes here get so tired of saltfish and occra broth, that they eat dirtby way of a relish. Mr O'Brien, howremarkably well you played that sonataof Pleydel's this morning."
"I am happy that I did not annoy you,Captain Kearney, at all events," repliedO'Brien.
"On the contrary, I am very partial togood music. My mother was a greatperformer. I recollect once, she wasperforming a piece on the piano inwhich she had to imitate a thunderstorm.So admirably did she hit it off, that
when we went to tea all the cream wasturned sour, as well as three casks of beerin the cellar."
At this assertion Mr Phillott couldcontain himself no longer; he burst outinto a loud laugh, and having a glass ofwine to his lips, spattered it all over thetable, and over me, who unfortunatelywas opposite to him.
"I really beg pardon, Captain Kearney,but the idea of such an expensive talentwas too amusing. Will you permit meto ask you a question As there couldnot have been thunder withoutlightning, were any people killed at thesame time by the electric fluid of the
piano "
"No sir," replied Captain Kearney, veryangrily; "but her performance electrifiedus, which was something like it.Perhaps, Mr Phillott, as you lost yourlast glass of wine, you will allow me totake another with you "
"With great pleasure," replied the firstlieutenant, who perceived that he hadgone far enough.
"Well, gentlemen," said the captain, "weshall soon be in the land of plenty. Ishall cruise a fortnight more, and thenjoin the admiral at Jamaica. We mustmake out our despatch relative to the
cutting out of the Sylvia (that was thename of the privateer brig), and I amhappy to say that I shall feel it my dutyto make honourable mention of all theparty present. Steward, coffee."
The first lieutenant, O'Brien, and I,bowed to this flattering avowal on thepart of the captain; as for me, I feltdelighted. The idea of my name beingmentioned in the "Gazette," and thepleasure that it would give to my fatherand mother, mantled the blood in mycheeks till I was as red as a turkey-cock.
"Cousin Simple," said the captain, good-naturedly, "you have no occasion toblush; your conduct deserves it; and
you are indebted to Mr Phillott forhaving made me acquainted with yourgallantry."
Coffee was soon over, and I was glad toleave the cabin, and be alone, that Imight compose my perturbed mind. Ifelt too happy. I did not, however, say aword to my messmates, as it might havecreated feelings of envy or ill-will.O'Brien gave me a caution not to do so,when I met him afterwards, so that Iwas very glad that I had been socircumspect.
Chapter XXXV
Swinburne continues his narrative ofthe battle off Cape St Vincent.
The second night after this, we had themiddle watch, and I claimedSwinburne's promise that he wouldspin his yarn, relative to the battle of StVincent. "Well, Mr Simple, so I will; butI require a little priming, or I shall nevergo off."
"Will you have your glass of grogbefore or after "
"Before, by all means, if you please, sir.Run down and get it, and I'll heave thelog for you in the meantime, when we
shall have a good hour withoutinterruption, for the sea-breeze will besteady, and we are under easy sail." Ibrought up a stiff glass of grog, whichSwinburne tossed off, and as hefinished it, sighed deeply as if insorrow that there was no more. Havingstowed away the tumbler in one of thecapstern holes for the present, we satdown upon a coil of ropes under theweather bulwarks, and Swinburne,replacing his quid of tobacco,commenced as follows
"Well, Mr Simple, as I told you before,old Jervis started with all his fleet forCape St Vincent. We lost one of ourfleet and a three-decker too the St
George; she took the ground, and wasobliged to go back to Lisbon; but wesoon afterwards were joined by five sailof the line, sent out from England, sothat we mustered fifteen sail in all. Wehad like to lose another of our mess,for d'ye see, the old Culloden andColossus fell foul of each other, and theCulloden had the worst on it; butTroubridge, who commanded her, wasnot a man to shy his work, and ax to goin to refit, when there was a chance ofmeeting the enemy so he patched herup somehow or another, and reportedhimself ready for action the very nextday. Ready for action he always was,that's sure enough, but whether his shipwas in a fit state to go into action is
quite another thing. But as the sailorsused to say in joking, he was a truebridge, and you might trust to him;which meant as much as to say, that heknew how to take his ship into action,and how to fight her when he was fairlyin it. I think it was the next day thatCockburn joined us in the Minerve, andhe brought Nelson along with him withthe intelligence that the Dons hadchased him, and that the whole Spanishfleet was out in pursuit of us. Well, MrSimple, you may guess we were not alittle happy in the Captain, when Nelsonjoined us, as we knew that if he fell inwith the Spaniards our ship would cuta figure and so she did sure enough.That was on the morning of the 13th,
and old Jervis made the signal toprepare for action, and keep closeorder, which means, to have your flyingjib-boom in at the starn windows ofthe ship ahead of you; and we did keepclose order, for a man might havewalked right round from one ship tothe other, either lee or weather line ofthe fleet. I sha'n't forget that night, MrSimple, as long as I live and breathe.Every now and then we heard thesignal guns of the Spanish fleetbooming at a distance to windward ofus, and you may guess how our heartsleaped at the sound, and how wewatched with all our ears for the nextgun that was fired, trying to make outtheir bearings and distance, as we
assembled in little knots upon thebooms and weather-gangway. It was mymiddle watch, and I was signalman atthe time, so of course I had no time totake a caulk if I was inclined. When mywatch was over I could not go down tomy hammock, so I kept the morningwatch too, as did most of the men onboard: as for Nelson, he walked thedeck the whole night, quite in a fever.At daylight it was thick and hazyweather, and we could not make themout; but, about five bells, the oldCulloden, who, if she had broke hernose, had not lost the use of her eyes,made the signal for a part of theSpanish fleet in sight. Old Jervisrepeated the signal to prepare for
action, but he might have saved thewear and tear of the bunting, for wewere all ready, bulk-heads down,screens up, guns shotted, tackles rove,yards slung, powder filled, shot ondeck, and fire out and what's more, MrSimple, I'll be d d if we weren't allwilling too. About six bells in theforenoon, the fog and haze all clearedaway at once, just like the raising of theforesail that they lower down at thePortsmouth theatre, and discovered thewhole of the Spanish fleet. I countedthem all. 'How many, Swinburne ' criesNelson. 'Twenty-six sail, sir,' answered I.Nelson walked the quarter-deckbackwards and forwards, rubbing hishands, and laughing to himself, and
then he called for his glass, and went tothe gangway with Captain Miller.'Swinburne, keep a good look upon theadmiral,' says he. 'Ay, ay, sir,' says I. Nowyou see, Mr Simple, twenty-six sailagainst fifteen were great odds uponpaper; but we didn't think so, becausewe know'd the difference between thetwo fleets. There was our fifteen sail ofthe line, all in apple-pie order, packedup as close as dominoes, and every manon board of them longing to come tothe scratch; while there was theirtwenty-six, all somehow nohow, two lineshere and no lines there, with a great gapof water in the middle of them. Forthis gap between their ships we allsteered, with all the sail we could carry
because, d'ye see, Mr Simple, by gettingthem on both sides of us, we had theadvantage of fighting both broadsides,which is just as easy as fighting one,and makes shorter work of it. Just as itstruck seven bells, Troubridge openedthe ball setting to half a dozen of theSpaniards, and making them reel 'TomCollins' whether or no. Bang bangbang, bang! Oh, Mr Simple, it's abeautiful sight to see the first guns firedthat are to bring on a general action.He's the luckiest dog, that Troubridge,'said Nelson, stamping with impatience.Our ships were soon hard at it, hammerand tongs (my eyes, how they did pelt itin!), and old Sir John, in the Victory,smashed the cabin windows of the
Spanish admiral, with such a hell of araking broadside, that the fellow boreup as if the devil kicked him. Lord amercy, you might have drove aPortsmouth waggon into his starn thebroadside of the Victory had maderoom enough. However, they weresoon all smothered up in smoke, andwe could not make out how thingswere going on but we made a prettygood guess. Well, Mr Simple, as they sayat the play, that was act the first, scenethe first; and now we had to make ourappearance, and I'll leave you to judge,after I've told my tale, whether the oldCaptain wasn't principal performer, andtop sawyer over them all. But stop amoment, I'll just look at the binnacle,
for that young topman's nodding at thewheel. I say, Mr Smith, are you shuttingyour eyes to keep them warm, andletting the ship run half a point out ofher course Take care I don't send foranother helmsman, that's all, and givethe reason why. You'll make a wry faceupon six-water grog to-morrow, atseven bells. D n your eyes, keep themopen can't you "
Swinburne, after this genteeladmonition to the man at the wheel,reseated himself and continued hisnarrative.
"All this while, Mr Simple, we in theCaptain had not fired a gun; but were
ranging up as fast as we could to wherethe enemy lay in a heap. There wereplenty to pick and choose from; andNelson looked out sharp for a big one,as little boys do when they have tochoose an apple; and, by the piper thatplayed before Moses! it was a big onethat he ordered the master to put himalongside of. She was a four-decker,called the Santissima Trinidad. We had topass some whoppers, which wouldhave satisfied any reasonable man; forthere was the San Josef, and Salvador delMondo and San Nicolas: but nothingwould suit Nelson but this four-deckedship; so we crossed the hawse of aboutsix of them, and as soon as we wereabreast of her, and at the word 'Fire!'
every gun went off at once, slap intoher, and the old Captain reeled at thedischarge, as if she was drunk. I wishyou'd only seen how we pitched it intothis Holy Trinity; she was holy enoughbefore we had done with her, riddledlike a sieve, several of her portsknocked into one, and every scupperof her running blood and water. Notbut what she stood to it as bold asbrass, and gave us nearly gun for gun,and made a very pretty general averagein our ship's company. Many of the oldcaptains went to kingdom-come in thatbusiness, and many more were obligedto bear up for Greenwich Hospital.
"'Fire away, my lads steady aim!' cries
Nelson. 'Jump down there, Mr Thomas;pass the word to reduce the cartridges,the shot go clean through her. Doubleshot the guns there, fore and aft.'
"So we were at it for about half anhour, when our guns became so hotfrom quick firing, that they bounced upto the beams overhead, tearing awaytheir ringbolts, and snapping theirbreechings like rope-yarns. By this timewe were almost as much unrigged as ifwe had been two days paying off inPortsmouth harbour. The four-deckerforged ahead, and Troubridge, in thejolly old Culloden, came between us andtwo other Spanish ships, who wereplaying into us. She was as fresh as a
daisy, and gave them a dose which quiteastonished them. They shook their ears,and fell astern, when the Blenheim laidhold of them, and mauled them so thatthey went astern again. But it was outof the frying-pan into, the fire: for theOrion, Prince George, and one or twoothers, were coming up, and knockedthe very guts out of them. I'll be d d ifthey forget the 14th of April, and sarvethem right, too. Wasn't a four-deckerenough for any two-decker, withoutany more coming on us and couldn'tthe beggars have matched themselveslike gentlemen Well, Mr Simple, thisgave us a minute or two to fetch, ourbreath, let the guns cool, and repairdamages, and swab the blood from the
decks; but we lost our four-decker, forwe could not get near her again."
"What odd names the Spaniards give totheir ships, Swinburne "
"Why yes, they do; it would almostappear wicked to belabour the HolyTrinity as we did. But why they shouldcall a four-decked ship the Holy Trinity,seeing as how there's only three ofthem, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Ican't tell. Bill Saunders said that thefourth deck was for the Pope, who wasas great a personage as the others; but Ican't understand how that can be. Well,Mr Simple, as I was head signalman, Iwas perched on the poop, and didn't
serve at a gun. I had to report all Icould see, which was not much, thesmoke was so thick; but now and thenI could get a peep, as it were throughthe holes in the blanket. Of course Iwas obliged to keep my eye as much aspossible upon the admiral, not to makeout his signals, for Commodore Nelsonwouldn't thank me for that; I knew hehated a signal when in action, so Inever took no notice of the bunting,but just watched to see what he wasabout. So while we are repairingdamages, I'll just tell you what I saw ofthe rest of the fleet. As soon as oldJervis had done for the Spanishadmiral, he hauled his wind on thelarboard tack, and followed by four or
five other ships, weathered the Spanishline, and joined Collingwood in theExcellent. Then they all dashed throughthe line; the Excellent was the leadingship, and she first took the shine out ofthe Salvador del Mondo, and then left herto be picked up by the other ships,while she attacked a two-decker, whohauled down her colours I forget hername just now. As soon as the Victoryran alongside of the Salvador del Mondo,down went her colours, and excellentreasons had she for striking her flag.And now, Mr Simple. The old Captaincomes into play again. Having partedcompany with the four-decker, we hadrecommenced action with the SanNicolas, a Spanish eighty, and while we
were hard at it, old Collingwood comesup in the Excellent. The San Nicolas,knowing that the Excellent's broadsidewould send her to old Nick, put herhelm up to avoid being raked: in sodoing, she fell foul of the San Josef, aSpanish three-decker, and we being allcut to pieces and unmanageable all ofus indeed reeling about like drunkenmen Nelson ordered his helm a-starboard, and in a jiffy there we were,all three hugging each other, running inone another's guns, smashing ourchain-plates, and poking our yard-armsthrough each other's canvas.
"'All hands to board!' roared Nelson,leaping on the hammocks and waving
his sword.
"'Hurrah! hurrah!' echoed through thedecks, and up flew the men, like asmany angry bees out of a bee-hive. In amoment pikes, tomahawks, cutlasses,and pistols were seized (for it was quiteunexpected, Mr Simple), and our menpoured into the eighty-gun ship, and intwo minutes the decks were cleared andall the Dons pitched below. I joined theboarders and was on the main deckwhen Captain Miller came down, andcried out 'On deck again immediately.'Up we went, and what do you think itwas for, Mr Simple Why to board asecond time; for Nelson having takenthe two-decker, swore that he'd have the
three-decker as well. So away we wentagain, clambering up her lofty sideshow we could, and dropping down onher decks like hailstones. We all madefor the quarter-deck, beat down everySpanish beggar that showed fight, andin five minutes more we had hauleddown the colours of two of the finestships in the Spanish navy. If that wasn'ttaking the shine out of the Dons, Ishould like to know what is. And didn'tthe old captains cheer and shake hands,as Commodore Nelson stood on thedeck of the San Josef, and received theswords of the Spanish officers! Therewas enough of them to go right roundthe capstern, and plenty to spare. Now,Mr Simple, what do you think of that
for a spree "
"Why, Swinburne, I can only say that Iwish I had been there."
"So did every man in the fleet, MrSimple, I can tell you."
"But what became of the SantissimaTrinidad
"Upon my word, she behaved one deckbetter than all the others. She held outagainst four of our ships for a longwhile, and then hauled down hercolours, and no disgrace to her,considering what a precious hammeringshe had taken first. But the lee division
of the Spanish weather fleet, if I mayso call it, consisting of eleven sail ofthe line, came up to her assistance, andsurrounded her, so that they got heroff. Our ships were too much cut up tocommence a new action, and theadmiral made the signal to secure theprizes. The Spanish fleet then did whatthey should have done before got intoline; and we lost no time in doing thesame. But we both had had fightingenough."
"But do you think, Swinburne, that theSpaniards fought well "
"They'd have fought better, if they'donly have known how. There's no want
of courage in the Dons, Mr Simple, butthey did not support each other. Onlyobserve how Troubridge supported us.By God, Mr Simple, he was the realfellow, and Nelson knew it well. He wasNelson's right-hand man; but youknow, there wasn't room for twoNelsons. Their ships engaged held outwell, it must be acknowledged, but whyweren't they all in their proper berthsHad they kept close order of sailing,and had all fought as well as those whowere captured, it would not have been avery easy matter for fifteen ships to gaina victory over twenty-six. That's longodds, even when backed with Britishseamen."
"Well, how did you separate "
"Why, the next morning the Spaniardshad the weathergage, so they had theoption whether to fight or not. At onetime they had half a mind, for theybore down to us; upon which wehauled our wind to show them we wereall ready to meet them, and then theythought better of it, and rounded-toagain. So as they wouldn't fight, and wedidn't wish it, we parted company inthe night; and two days afterwards weanchored, with our four prizes, inLagos Bay. So now you have the wholeof it, Mr Simple, and I've talked till I'mquite hoarse. You haven't by chanceanother drop of the stuff left to clear
my throat It would be quite a charity."
"I think I have, Swinburne; and as youdeserve it, I will go and fetch it."
Chapter XXXVI
A letter from Father M'Grath, whodiplomatizes When priest meets priest,then comes the tug of war FatherO'Toole not to be made a tool of.
We continued our cruise for afortnight, and then made sail forJamaica, where we found the admiral atanchor at Port Royal, but our signal was
made to keep under weigh, and CaptainKearney, having paid his respects to theadmiral, received orders to carrydespatches to Halifax. Water andprovisions were sent on board by theboats of the admiral's ships, and, to ourgreat disappointment, as the eveningclosed in, we were again standing outto sea, instead of, as we had anticipated,enjoying ourselves on shore; but thefact was, that orders had arrived fromEngland to send a frigate immediatelyup to the admiral at Halifax, to be at hisdisposal.
I had, however, the satisfaction toknow that Captain Kearney had beentrue to his word in making mention of
my name in the despatch, for the clerkshowed me a copy of it. Nothingoccurred worth mentioning during ourpassage, except that Captain Kearneywas very unwell nearly the whole of thetime, and seldom quitted his cabin. Itwas in October that we anchored inHalifax harbour, and the Admiralty,expecting our arrival there, hadforwarded our letters. There were nonefor me, but there was one for O'Brien,from Father M'Grath, the contents ofwhich were as follows:
"MY DEAR SON, And a good sonyou are, and that's the truth on it, ordevil a bit should you be a son ofmine. You've made your family quite
contented and peaceable, and theynever fight for the praties now goodreason why they shouldn't, seeing thatthere's a plenty for all of them, and thepig craturs into the bargain. Your fatherand your mother, and your brother, andyour three sisters, send their duty toyou, and their blessings too and youmay add my blessing, Terence, which isworth them all; for won't I get you outof purgatory in the twinkling of a bed-post Make yourself quite aisy on thatscore, and lave it all to me; only just saya pater now and then, that when St Peterlets you in, he mayn't throw it in yourteeth, that you've saved your soul bycontract, which is the only way bywhich emperors and kings ever get to
heaven. Your letter from Plymouthcame safe to hand: Barney, the post-boy,having dropped it under foot, close toour door, the big pig took it into hismouth and ran away with it; but Icaught sight of him, and speaking tohim, he let it go, knowing (the 'cutecratur!) that I could read it better thanhim. As soon as I had digested thecontents, which it was lucky the pig didnot instead of me, I just took my mealand my big stick, and then set off forBallycleuch.
"Now you know, Terence, if youhaven't forgot and if you have, I'll justremind you that there's a flaunty sortof young woman at the poteen shop
there, who calls herself Mrs O'Rourke,wife to a Corporal O'Rourke, who waskilt or died one day, I don't knowwhich, but that's not of muchconsequence. The devil a bit do I thinkthe priest ever gave the marriage-blessing to that same; although sheswears that she was married on the rockof Gibraltar it may be a strong rockfore I know, but it's not the rock ofsalvation like the seven sacraments, ofwhich marriage is one. Benedicite! MrsO'Rourke is a little too apt to fleer andjeer at the priests; and if it were not thatshe softens down her pertinent remarkswith a glass or two of the real poteen,which proves some respect for thechurch, I'd excommunicate her body
and soul, and every body and everysoul that put their lips to the cratur ather door. But she must leave that off, asI tell her, when she gets old and ugly,for then all the whisky in the worldsha'n't save her. But she's a fine womannow, and it goes agin my conscience tohelp the devil to a fine woman. Nowthis Mrs O'Rourke knows everybodyand everything that's going on in thecountry about; and she has a tonguewhich has never had a holiday since itwas let loose.
"'Good morning to ye, Mrs O'Rourke,'says I.
"'An' the top of the morning to you,
Father M'Grath,' says she, with a smile;'what brings you here Is it a journeythat you're taking to buy the true woodof the cross or is it a purty girl that youwish to confess, Father M'Grath or is itonly that you're come for a drop ofpoteen, and a little bit of chat with MrsO'Rourke '
"'Sure it's I who'd be glad to find thesame true wood of the cross, MrsO'Rourke, but it's not grown, I suspect,at your town of Ballycleuch; and it's noobjection I'd have to confess a purtygirl like yourself, Mrs O'Rourke, who'llonly tell me half her sins, and give meno trouble; but it's the truth, that I'mhere for nothing else but to have a bit
of chat with yourself, dainty dear, andtaste your poteen, just by way ofkeeping my mouth nate and clane.'
"So Mrs O'Rourke poured out the realstuff, which I drank to her health; andthen says I, putting down the bit of aglass, 'So you've a stranger come, I find,in your parts, Mrs O'Rourke.'
"'I've heard the same,' replied she. Soyou observe, Terence, I came to the factall at once by a guess.
"'I am tould,' says I, 'that he's aScotchman, and spakes what nobodycan understand.'
"'Devil a bit,' says she, 'he's anEnglishman, and speaks plain enough.'
"'But what can a man mane, to comehere and sit down all alone ' says I.
"'All alone, Father M'Grath!' repliedshe; 'is a man all alone when he's gothis wife and childer, and more coming,with the blessing of God '
"'But those boys are not his ownchilder, I believe,' says I.
"'There again you're all in a mistake,Father M'Grath,' rejoins she. 'Thechilder are all his own, and all girls toboot. It appears that it's just as well that
you come down, now and then, forinformation, to our town ofBallycleuch.'
"'Very true, Mrs O'Rourke,' says I; 'andwho is it that knows everything so wellas yourself ' You observe, Terence, thatI just said everything contrary and arceversa, as they call it, to the contents ofyour letter; for always recollect, my son,that if you would worm a secret out ofa woman, you'll do more bycontradiction than you ever will bycoaxing so I went on: 'Anyhow, I thinkit's a burning shame, Mrs O'Rourke, fora gentleman to bring over with himhere from England a parcel of lazyEnglish servants, when there's so many
nice boys and girls here to attind uponthem.'
"'Now there you're all wrong again,Father M'Grath,' says she. 'Devil a soulhas he brought from the other country,but has hired them all here. Arn't thereElla Flanagan for one maid, andTerence Driscol for a footman and it'swell that he looks in his new uniform,when he comes down for thenewspapers; and arn't Moggy Cala thereto cook the dinner, and pretty MarySullivan for a nurse for the babby assoon as it comes into the world '
"'Is it Mary Sullivan you mane ' says I;'she that was married about three
months back, and is so quick in child-getting, that she's all but ready to fall topieces in this same time '
"'It's exactly she,' says Mrs O'Rourke;'and do you know the reason '
"'Devil a bit,' says I; 'how should I '
"'Then it's just that she may send herown child away, and give her milk tothe English babby that's coming;because the lady is too much of a ladyto have a child hanging to her breast.'
"'But suppose Mary Sullivan's childar'n't born till afterwards, how then "says I. 'Speak, Mrs O'Rourke, for you're
a sensible woman.'
"'How then ' says she. 'Och! that's allarranged; for Mary says that she'll be inbed a week before the lady, so that's allright, you'll perceive, Father M'Grath.'
"'But don't you perceive, sensiblewoman as you are, that a young woman,who is so much out of her reckoningas to have a child three months afterher marriage, may make a little mistakein her lying-in arithmetic, MrsO'Rourke.'
"'Never fear, Father M'Grath, MarySullivan will keep her word; and soonerthan disappoint the lady, and lose her
place, she'll just tumble down-stairs,and won't that put her to bed fastenough '
"'Well, that's what I call a faithful goodservant that earns her wages,' says I; 'sonow I'll just take another glass, MrsO'Rourke, and thank you too. Sureyou're the woman that knowseverything, and a mighty pretty womaninto the bargain.'
"'Let me alone now, Father M'Grath,and don't be pinching me that way,anyhow.'
"'It was only a big flea that I perceivedhopping on your gown, my darling,
devil anything else.'
"'Many thanks to you, father, for thatsame; but the next time you'd kill myfleas, just wait until they're in a moredacent situation.'
"'Fleas are fleas, Mrs O'Rourke, and wemust catch 'em when we can, and howwe can, and as we can, so no offence. Agood night's rest to you, Mrs O'Rourkewhen do you mean to confess '
"'I've an idea that I've too many fleasabout me to confess to you just now,Father M'Grath, and that's the truth onit. So a pleasant walk back to you.'
"So you'll perceive, my son, that havinggot all the information from MrsO'Rourke, it's back I went toBallyhinch, till I heard it whispered thatthere were doings down at the oldhouse at Ballycleuch. Off I set, andwent to the house itself, as priestsalways ought to be welcomed at births,and marriages, and deaths, being, as youknow, of great use on such occasionswhen who should open the door butFather O'Toole, the biggest rapparee ofa priest in the whole of Ireland. Didn'the steal a horse, and only save his neckby benefit of clergy and did he evergive absolution to a young womanwithout making her sin over again'What may be your pleasure here, Father
M'Grath ' says he, holding the doorwith his hand.
"'Only just to call and hear what's goingon.'
"'For the matter of that,' says he, 'I'lljust tell you that we're all going on verywell; but ar'n't you ashamed ofyourself, Father M'Grath, to come hereto interfere with my flock, knowingthat I confess the house altogether '
"'That's as may be,' says I; 'but I onlywanted to know what the lady hadbrought into the world.'
"'It's a child' says he.
"'Indeed!' says I; 'many thanks for theinformation; and pray what is it thatMary Sullivan has brought into theworld '
"'That's a child too,' says he; 'and nowthat you know all about it, goodevening to you, Father M'Grath.' Andthe ugly brute slammed the door rightin my face.
"'Who stole a horse ' cries I; but hedidn't hear me more's the pity.
"So you'll perceive, my dear boy, that Ihave found out something, at all events,but not so much as I intended; for I'll
prove to Father O'Toole that he's nomatch for Father M'Grath. But what Ifind out must be reserved for anotherletter, seeing that it's not possible to tellit to you in this same. Praties look well,but somehow or another, clothes don'tgrow upon trees in ould Ireland; andone of your half-quarterly bills, or alittle prize-money, if it found its wayhere, would add not a little to therespectability of the family appearance.Even my cassock is becoming too holyfor a parish priest; not that I care aboutit so much, only Father O'Toole, thebaste! had on a bran new one not that Ibelieve that he ever came honestly by it,as I have by mine but, get it how youmay, a new gown always looks better
than an old one, that's certain. So nomore at present from your loving friendand confessor,
"URTAGH M'GRATH."
"Now, you'll observe, Peter," saidO'Brien, after I had read the letter,"that, as I supposed, your uncle meantmischief when he went over to Ireland.Whether the children are both boys orboth girls, or your uncle's is a boy, andthe other is a girl, there is no knowingat present. If an exchange was required,it's made, that's certain; but I will writeagain to Father M'Grath, and insistupon his finding out the truth, ifpossible. Have you any letter from your
father "
"None, I am sorry to say. I wish I had,for he would not have failed to speakon the subject."
"Well, never mind, it's no use dreamingover the matter; we must do our bestwhen we get to England ourselves, andin the meantime trust to FatherM'Grath. I'll go and write to him whilemy mind's full of it." O'Brien wrote hisletter, and the subject was not startedagain.
Chapter XXXVII
Captain Kearney's illness He makes hiswill, and devises sundry chateaux enEspagne for the benefit of thoseconcerned The legacy duty in thisinstance not ruinous He signs, seals,and dies.
The captain, as was his custom, wenton shore, and took up his quarters at afriend's house; that is to say, the houseof an acquaintance, or any politegentleman who would ask him to take adinner and a bed. This was quitesufficient for Captain Kearney, whowould fill his portmanteau, and take uphis quarters, without thinking ofleaving them until the ship sailed, or
some more advantageous invitation wasgiven. This conduct in England wouldhave very much trespassed on our ideasof hospitality; but in our foreignsettlements and colonies, where thesociety is confined and novelty isdesirable, a person who could amuselike Captain Kearney was generallywelcome, let him stay as long as hepleased. All sailors agree in assertingthat Halifax is one of the mostdelightful ports in which a ship cananchor. Everybody is hospitable,cheerful, and willing to amuse and beamused. It is, therefore, a very bad placeto send a ship to if you wish her torefit in a hurry; unless, indeed, theadmiral is there to watch over your
daily progress, and a sharpcommissioner to expedite your motionsin the dockyard. The admiral was therewhen we arrived, and we should nothave lain there long, had not the healthof Captain Kearney, by the time that wewere ready for sea, been so seriouslyaffected, that the doctor was ofopinion that he could not sail. Anotherfrigate was sent to our intendedcruising-ground, and we lay idle inport. But we consoled ourselves: if wedid not make prize-money, at all events,we were very happy, and the major partof the officers very much in love.
We had remained in Halifax harbourabout three weeks, when a very great
change for the worse took place inCaptain Kearney's disease. Disease,indeed, it could hardly be called. Hehad been long suffering from theinsidious attacks of a hot climate, andthough repeatedly advised to invalid, henever would consent. His constitutionappeared now to be breaking up. In afew days he was so ill, that, at therequest of the naval surgeons, heconsented to be removed to thehospital, where he could commandmore comforts than in any privatehouse. He had not been at the hospitalmore than two days, when he sent forme, and stated his wish that I shouldremain with him. "You know, Peter, thatyou are a cousin of mine, and one likes
to have one's relations near one whenwe are sick, so bring your traps onshore. The doctor has promised me anice little room for yourself, and youshall come and sit with me all day." Icertainly had no objection to remainwith him, because I considered it myduty so to do, and I must say that therewas no occasion for me to make anyeffort to entertain him, as he alwaysentertained me; but I could not helpseriously reflecting, and feeling muchshocked, at a man, lying in sodangerous a state for the doctors hadpronounced his recovery to beimpossible still continuing a system offalsehood during the whole day,without intermission. But it really
appeared in him to be innate; and, asSwinburne said, "if he told truth, it wasentirely by mistake."
"Peter," said he, one day, "there's a greatdraught. Shut the door, and put onsome more coals."
"The fire does not draw well, sir,"replied I, "without the door is open."
"It's astonishing how little peopleunderstand the nature of these things.When I built my house, called WalcotAbbey, there was not a chimney woulddraw; I sent for the architect andabused him, but he could not manageit: I was obliged to do it myself."
"Did you manage it, sir "
"Manage it I think I did. The first timeI lighted the fire, I opened the door,and the draught was so great, that mylittle boy, William, who was standing inthe current of air, would have goneright up the chimney, if I had notcaught him by the petticoats; as it was,his frock was on fire."
"Why sir, it must have been as bad as ahurricane!"
"No, no, not quite so bad but it showedwhat a little knowledge ofphilosophical arrangement could effect.
We have no hurricanes in England,Peter; but I have seen a very prettywhirlwind when I was at WalcotAbbey."
"Indeed, sir."
"Yes; it cut four square haystacks quiteround, and I lost twenty tons of hay; ittwisted the iron lamp-post at theentrance just as a porpoise twists aharpoon, and took up a sow and herlitter of pigs, that were about ahundred yards from the back of thehouse, and landed them safe over thehouse to the front, with the exceptionof the old sow putting her shoulderout."
"Indeed, sir."
"Yes, but what was strange, there were agreat many rats in the hayrick, and upthey went with the hay. Now, Peter, bythe laws of gravitation, they naturallycome down before the hay, and I waswalking with my greyhound, or ratherterrier, and after one coming downclose to her, which she killed, it wasquite ridiculous to witness her lookingup in the air, and watching for theothers."
"A greyhound did you say, sir, or aterrier "
"Both, Peter; the fact is, she had been agreyhound, but breaking her forelegagainst a stump, when coursing, I hadthe other three amputated as well, andthen she made a capital terrier. She wasa great favourite of mine."
"Well," observed I, "I have readsomething like that in BaronMunchausen."
"Mr Simple," said the captain, turningon his elbow and looking me severelyin the face, "what do you mean toimply "
"Oh, nothing, sir, but I have read astory of that kind."
"Most probably; the great art ofinvention is to found it upon facts.There are some people who out of amole-hill will make a mountain; andfacts and fiction become so blendednowadays, that even truth becomes amatter of doubt."
"Very true, sir," replied I; and as he didnot speak for some minutes, I venturedto bring my Bible to his bedside, as if Iwas reading it to myself.
"What are you reading, Peter " said he.
"Only a chapter in the Bible, sir," said I."Would you like that I should read
aloud "
"Yes, I'm very fond of the Bible it's thebook of truth. Peter, read me aboutJacob, and his weathering Esau with amess of pottage, and obtaining hisfather's blessing." I could not helpthinking it singular that he shouldselect a portion in which, for divinereasons, a lie was crowned with successand reward.
When I had finished it, he asked me toread something more; I turned over tothe Acts of the Apostles, andcommenced the chapter in whichAnanias and Sapphira were struckdead. When I had finished, he observed
very seriously, "That is a very goodlesson for young people, Peter, andpoints out that you never shouldswerve from the truth. Recollect, asyour motto, Peter, to 'tell truth andshame the devil.'"
After this observation I laid down thebook, as it appeared to me that he wasquite unaware of his propensity; andwithout a sense of your fault, how canrepentance and amendment beexpected He became more feeble andexhausted every day, and, at last, was soweak that he could scarcely raisehimself in his bed. One afternoon hesaid, "Peter, I shall make my will, notthat I am going to kick the bucket just
yet; but still it is every man's duty to sethis house in order, and it will amuseme; so fetch pen and paper, and comeand sit down by me."
I did as he requested.
"Write, Peter, that I, Anthony GeorgeWilliam Charles Huskisson Kearney(my father's name was Anthony, Peter; Iwas christened George, after the presentRegent, William and Charles after MrPitt and Mr Fox, who were mysponsors; Huskisson is the name of mygreat uncle, whose property devolves tome; he's eighty-three now, so he can'tlast long) have you written down that "
"Yes, sir."
"Being in sound mind, do hereby makemy last will and testament, revoking allformer wills."
"Yes, sir."
"I bequeath to my dearly beloved wife,Augusta Charlotte Kearney (she wasnamed after the Queen and PrincessAugusta, who held her at the baptismalfont), all my household furniture,books, pictures, plate, and houses, forher own free use and will, and todispose of at her pleasure upon herdemise. Is that down "
"Yes, sir."
"Also, the interest of all my money inthe three percents, reduced, and in thelong annuities, and the balance in myagent's hands, for her natural life. At herdeath to be divided into equal portionsbetween my two children, WilliamMohamed Potemkin Kearney, andCaroline Anastasia Kearney. Is thatdown "
"Yes, sir."
"Well, then, Peter, now for my realproperty. My estate in Kent (let me see,what is the name of it ) Walcot Abbey,my three farms in the Vale of
Aylesbury, and the marsh lands inNorfolk, I bequeath to my two childrenaforenamed, the proceeds of the sameto be laid up, deducting all necessaryexpenses for their education, for theirsole use and benefit. Is that down "
"Not yet, sir 'use and benefit.' Now it is,sir."
"Until they come to the age of twenty-one years; or in case of my daughter,until she marries with the consent ofmy executors, then to be equally andfairly valued and divided between them.You observe, Peter, I never make anydifference between girls and boys agood father will leave one child as
much as another. Now, I'll take mybreath a little."
I was really astonished. It was wellknown that Captain Kearney hadnothing but his pay, and that it was thehopes of prize-money to support hisfamily, which had induced him to stayout so long in the West Indies. It waslaughable; yet I could not laugh: therewas a melancholy feeling at such aspecimen of insanity, which preventedme.
"Now, Peter, we'll go on," said CaptainKearney, after a pause of a few minutes."I have a few legacies to bequeath.First, to all my servants L50 each, and
two suits of mourning; to my nephew,Thomas Kearney, of Kearney Hall,Yorkshire, I bequeath the swordpresented me by the Grand Sultan. Ipromised it to him, and although wehave quarrelled, and not spoken foryears, I always keep my word. The platepresented me by the merchants andunderwriters of Lloyd's, I leave to myworthy friend, the Duke of Newcastle.Is that down "
"Yes, sir."
"Well; my snuff-box, presented me byPrince Potemkin, I bequeath toAdmiral Sir Isaac Coffin; and, also, Irelease him from the mortgage which I
hold over his property of the MadelineIslands, in North America. By-the-bye,say, and further, I bequeath to him thebag of snuff presented to me by theDey of Algiers; he may as well have thesnuff as he has the snuff-box. Is thatdown "
"Yes, sir."
"Well then, now, Peter, I must leave yousomething."
"Oh, never mind me," replied I.
"No, no, Peter, I must not forget mycousin. Let me see; you shall have myfighting sword. A real good one, I can
tell you. I once fought a duel with it atPalermo, and ran a Sicilian prince soclean through the body, and it held sotight, that we were obliged to send for apair of post-horses to pull it out again.Put that down as a legacy for mycousin, Peter Simple. I believe that is all.Now for my executors; and I requestmy particular friends, the Earl ofLondonderry, the Marquis of Chandos,and Mr John Lubbock, banker, to bemy executors, and leave each of themthe sum of one thousand pounds fortheir trouble, and in token of regard.That will do, Peter. Now, as I have leftso much real property, it is necessarythat there should be three witnesses; socall in two more, and let me sign in
your presence."
This order was obeyed, and this strangewill duly attested, for I hardly need say,that even the presents he had pretendedto receive were purchased by himself atdifferent times; but such was the forceof his ruling passion even to the last.Mr Phillott and O'Brien used to comeand see him, as did occasionally someof the other officers, and he was alwayscheerful and merry, and seemed to bequite indifferent about his situation,although fully aware of it. His stories,if anything, became more marvellous,as no one ventured to express a doubtas to their credibility.
I had remained in the hospital about aweek, when Captain Kearney wasevidently dying: the doctor came, felthis pulse, and gave it as his opinionthat he could not outlive the day. Thiswas on a Friday, and there certainly wasevery symptom of dissolution. He wasso exhausted that he could scarcelyarticulate; his feet were cold, and hiseyes appeared glazed, and turnedupwards. The doctor remained an hour,felt his pulse again, shook his head, andsaid to me, in a low voice, "He is quitegone." As soon as the doctor quittedthe room, Captain Kearney opened hiseyes, and beckoned me to him. "He's aconfounded fool, Peter," said he: "hethinks I am slipping my wind now but
I know better; going I am, 'tis true but Ishan't die till next Thursday." Strange tosay, from that moment he rallied; andalthough it was reported that he wasdead, and the admiral had signed theacting order for his successor, the nextmorning, to the astonishment ofeverybody, Captain Kearney was stillalive. He continued in this state,between life and death, until theThursday next, the day on which heasserted that he would die and, on thatmorning, he was evidently sinking fast.Towards noon, his breathing becamemuch oppressed and irregular, and hewas evidently dying; the rattle in histhroat commenced; and I watched athis bedside, waiting for his last gasp,
when he again opened his eyes, andbeckoning me, with an effort, to putmy head close to him to hear what hehad to say, he contrived, in a sort ofgurgling whisper, and with muchdifficulty, to utter "Peter, I'm going nownot that the rattle in my throat is a signof death: for I once knew a man to livewith the rattle in his throat for six weeks."He fell back and expired, having,perhaps, at his last gasp, told thegreatest lie of his whole life.
Thus died this most extraordinarycharacter, who, in most other points,commanded respect: he was a kind manand a good officer; but from theidiosyncrasy of his disposition,
whether from habit or from nature,could not speak the truth. I say fromnature, because I have witnessed thevice of stealing equally strong, andnever to be eradicated. It was in ayoung messmate of good family, andwho was supplied with money toalmost any extent: he was one of themost generous, open-hearted lads that Iever knew; he would offer his purse, orthe contents of his chest, to any of hismessmates, and, at the same time,would steal everything that he could layhis hands upon. I have known himwatch for hours, to steal what could beof no use to him, as, for instance, anodd shoe, and that much too small forhis foot. What he stole he would give
away the very next day; but to check itwas impossible. It was so well known,that if anything was missed, we usedfirst to apply to his chest to see if it wasthere, and usually found the article inquestion. He appeared to be whollyinsensible to shame upon this subject,though in every other he showed nowant of feeling or of honour; and,strange to say, he never covered histheft with a lie. After vain attempts tocure him of this propensity, he wasdismissed the service as incorrigible.
Captain Kearney was buried in thechurchyard with the usual militaryhonours. In his desk we founddirections, in his own hand, relative to
his funeral, and the engraving on histombstone. In these, he stated his agedto be thirty-one years. If this wascorrect, Captain Kearney, from the timethat he had been in the service of hiscountry, must have entered the navyjust four months before he was born. Itwas unfortunate that he commencedthe inscription with "Here lies CaptainKearney," &c. &c. His tombstone hadnot been set up twenty-four hoursbefore somebody, who knew hischaracter, put a dash under one word,as emphatic as it was true of the livingman, "Here lies Captain."
Chapter XXXVIII
Captain Horton Gloomy news fromhome Get over head and ears in thewater, and find myself afterwardsgrowing one way, and my clothesanother Though neither as rich as a Jew,nor as large as a camel, I pass throughmy examination, which my brothercandidates think passing strange.
The day after Captain Kearney'sdecease, his acting successor made hisappearance on board. The character ofCaptain Horton was well known to usfrom the complaints made by theofficers belonging to his ship, of hisapathy and indolence; indeed, he went
by the soubriquet of "the Sloth." Itcertainly was very annoying to hisofficers to witness so manyopportunities of prize-money anddistinction thrown away through theindolence of his disposition. CaptainHorton was a young man of familywho had advanced rapidly in theservice from interest, and fromoccasionally distinguishing himself. Inthe several cutting-out expeditions, onwhich he had not volunteered but hadbeen ordered, he had shown, not onlycourage, but a remarkable degree ofcoolness in danger and difficulty, whichhad gained him much approbation: butit was said that this coolness arose fromhis very fault an unaccountable laziness.
He would walk away, as it were, fromthe enemy's fire, when others wouldhasten, merely because he was soapathetic that he would not exerthimself to run. In one cutting-outexpedition in which he distinguishedhimself, it is said that having to board avery high vessel, and that in a showerof grape and musketry, when the boatdashed alongside, and the men werespringing up, he looked up at theheight of the vessel's sides, andexclaimed, with a look of despair, "MyGod! must we really climb up thatvessel's decks " When he had gainedthe deck, and became excited, he thenproved how little fear had to do withthe remark, the captain of the ship
falling by his hand, as he fought inadvance on his own men. But thispeculiarity, which in a junior officer wasof little consequence, and a subject ofmirth, in a captain became of a veryserious nature. The admiral was awarehow often he had neglected to annoy orcapture the enemy when he might havedone it; and, by such neglect, CaptainHorton infringed one of the articles ofwar, the punishment awarded to whichinfringement is death. His appointment,therefore, to the Sanglier was asannoying to us as his quitting hisformer ship was agreeable to those onboard of her.
As it happened, it proved of little
consequence: the admiral hadinstructions from home to advanceCaptain Horton to the first vacancy,which of course he was obliged tocomply with; but not wishing to keepon the station an officer who wouldnot exert himself, he resolved to sendher to England with despatches andretain the other frigate which had beenordered home, and which we had beensent up to replace. We therefore heard itannounced with feelings of joy,mingled with regret, that we wereimmediately to proceed to England. Formy part, I was glad of it. I had nowserved my time as midshipman, towithin five months, and I thought thatI had a better chance of being made in
England than abroad. I was also veryanxious to go home, for family reasons,which I have already explained. In afortnight we sailed with several vessels,and directions to take charge of a largeconvoy from Quebec, which was tomeet us off the island of St John's. In afew days we joined our convoy, andwith a fair wind bore up for England.The weather soon became very bad,and we were scudding before a heavygale, under bare poles. Our captainseldom quitted the cabin, but remainedthere on a sofa, stretched at his length,reading a novel, or dozing, as he foundmost agreeable.
I recollect a circumstance which
occurred, which will prove the apathyof his disposition, and how unfit hewas to command so fine a frigate. Wehad been scudding three days, when theweather became much worse.
O'Brien, who had the middle watch,went down to report that "it blew veryhard."
"Very well," said the captain; "let meknow if it blows harder."
In about an hour more the galeincreased, and O'Brien went downagain. "It blows much harder, CaptainHorton."
"Very well," answered Captain Horton,turning in his cot; "you may call meagain when it blows harder."
At about six bells the gale was at itsheight, and the wind roared in its fury.Down went O'Brien again. "It blowstremendous hard now, CaptainHorton."
"Well, well, if the weather becomesworse "
"It can't be worse," interrupted O'Brien;"it's impossible to blow harder."
"Indeed! Well, then," replied thecaptain, "let me know when it lulls."
In the morning watch a similarcircumstance took place. Mr Phillottwent down, and said that several of theconvoy were out of sight astern. "Shallwe heave-to, Captain Horton "
"Oh, no," replied he, "she will be souneasy. Let me know if you lose sightof any more."
In another hour the first lieutenantreported that "there were very few to beseen."
"Very well, Mr Phillott," replied thecaptain, turning round to sleep; "let meknow if you lose any more."
Some time elapsed, and the firstlieutenant reported "that they were allout of sight."
"Very well, then," said the captain; "callme when you see them again."
This was not very likely to take place, aswe were going twelve knots an hour,and running away from them as fast aswe could; so the captain remainedundisturbed until he thought proper toget up to breakfast. Indeed, we neversaw any more of our convoy, but takingthe gale with us, in fifteen daysanchored in Plymouth Sound. Theorders came down for the frigate to be
paid off, all standing, andrecommissioned. I received letters frommy father, in which he congratulatedme at my name being mentioned inCaptain Kearney's despatches, andrequested me to come home as soon asI could. The admiral allowed my nameto be put down on the books of theguard-ship, that I might not lose mytime, and then gave me two months'leave of absence. I bade farewell to myshipmates, shook hands with O'Brien,who proposed to go over to Irelandprevious to his applying for anothership, and, with my pay in my pocket, setoff in the Plymouth mail, and in threedays was once more in the arms of myaffectionate mother, and warmly
greeted by my father and the remainderof my family.
Once more with my family, I mustacquaint the reader with what hadoccurred since my departure. My eldestsister, Lucy, had married an officer inthe army, a Captain Fielding, and hisregiment having been ordered out toIndia, had accompanied her husband,and letters had been received, justbefore my return announcing their safearrival at Ceylon. My second sister,Mary, had also been engaged to bemarried, and from her infancy was ofextremely delicate health. She was veryhandsome, and much admired. Herintended husband was a baronet of
good family; but unfortunately, shecaught a cold at the assize ball and wentoff in a decline. She died about twomonths before my arrival, and thefamily were in deep mourning. My thirdsister, Ellen, was still unmarried; shealso was a very beautiful girl, and nowseventeen. My mother's constitutionwas much shaken by the loss of mysister Mary, and the separation from hereldest child. As for my father, even theloss of his daughter appeared to bewholly forgotten in the unwelcomeintelligence which he had received, thatmy uncle's wife had been safelydelivered of a son, which threw him outof the anticipated titles and estates ofmy grandfather. It was indeed a house
of mourning. My mother's grief Irespected, and tried all I could toconsole her; that of my father was soevidently worldly, and so at variancewith his clerical profession, that I mustacknowledge I felt more of anger at itthan sorrow. He had become moroseand sullen, harsh to those around him,and not so kind to my mother as herstate of mind and health made it hisduty to be, even if inclination werewanted. He seldom passed any portionof the day with her, and in the eveningshe went to bed very early, so that therewas little communication betweenthem. My sister was a great consolationto her, and so I hope was I; she oftensaid so as she embraced me, and the
tears rolled down her cheeks, and Icould not help surmising that thosetears were doubled from the coolnessand indifference, if not unkindness,with which my father behaved to her.As for my sister, she was an angel; andas I witnessed her considerateattentions to my mother, and the totalforgetfulness of self which shedisplayed (so different from my father,who was all self), I often thought whata treasure she would prove to any manwho was fortunate enough to win herlove. Such was the state of my familywhen I returned to it.
I had been at home about a week, whenone evening, after dinner, I submitted
to my father the propriety of trying toobtain my promotion.
"I can do nothing for you, Peter; I haveno interest whatever," replied he,moodily.
"I do not think that much is required,sir," replied I; "my time will be servedon the 20th of next month. If I pass,which I trust I shall be able to do, myname having been mentioned in thepublic despatches will render it a pointof no very great difficulty to obtain mycommission at the request of mygrandfather."
"Yes, your grandfather might succeed, I
have no doubt; but I think you havelittle chance now in that quarter. Mybrother has a son, and we are thrownout. You are not aware, Peter, howselfish people are, and how little theywill exert themselves for their relations.Your grandfather has never invited mesince the announcement of mybrother's increase to his family. Indeed,I have never been near him, for I knowthat it is of no use."
"I must think otherwise of LordPrivilege, my dear father, until youropinion is confirmed by his ownconduct. That I am not so much anobject of interest, I grant; but still hewas very kind, and appeared to be
partial to me."
"Well, well, you can try all you can, butyou'll soon see of what stuff this worldis made; I am sure I hope it will be so,for what is to become of you childrenif I die, I do not know; I have savedlittle or nothing. And now all myprospects are blasted by this " and myfather dashed his fist upon the table ina manner by no means clerical, andwith a look very unworthy of anapostle.
I am sorry that I must thus speak ofmy father, but I must not disguise thetruth. Still, I must say, there was muchin extenuation of his conduct. He had
always a dislike to the profession of thechurch: his ambition, as a young man,had been to enter the army, for whichservice he was much better qualified;but, as it has been the custom forcenturies to entail all the property ofthe aristocracy upon the eldest son, andleave the other brothers to besupported by the state, or rather by thepeople, who are taxed for theirprovision, my father was not permittedto follow the bent of his owninclination. An elder brother hadalready selected the army as hisprofession, and it was therefore decidedthat my father should enter the church;and thus it is that we have had, and stillhave, so many people in that
profession, who are not only totallyunfit for, but who actually disgrace,their calling. The law of primogenitureis beset with evils and injustice; yetwithout it, the aristocracy of a countrymust sink into insignificance. It appearsto me, that as long as the people of acountry are content to support theyounger sons of the nobility, it is wellthat the aristocracy should be held upas a third estate, and a link between thesovereign and the people; but that ifthe people are either too poor, or areunwilling to be so taxed, they have aright to refuse taxation for suchpurposes, and to demand that the lawof primogeniture should be abolished.
I remained at home until my time wascomplete, and then set off forPlymouth to undergo my examination.The passing-day had been fixed by theadmiral for the Friday, and, as I arrivedon Wednesday, I amused myself duringthe day, walking about the dockyard,and trying all I could to obtain furtherinformation in my profession. On theThursday, a party of soldiers from thedepot were embarking at the landing-place in men-of-war boats, and, as Iunderstood, were about to proceed toIndia. I witnessed the embarkation, andwaited till they shoved off, and thenwalked to the anchor wharf toascertain the weights of the respectiveanchors of the different classes of
vessels in the King's service.
I had not been there long, when I wasattracted by the squabbling created by asoldier, who, it appeared, had quittedthe ranks to run up to the tap in thedockyard to obtain liquor. He was verydrunk, and was followed by a youngwoman with a child in her arms, whowas endeavouring to pacify him.
"Now be quiet, Patrick, jewel," said she,clinging to him; "sure it's enough thatyou've left the ranks, and will come todisgrace when you get on board. Nowbe quiet, Patrick, and let us ask for aboat, and then perhaps the officer willthink it was all a mistake, and let you
off aisy; and sure I'll speak to MrO'Rourke, and he's a kind man."
"Out wid you, you cratur, it is MrO'Rourke you'd be having aconversation wid, and he be chuckingyou under that chin of yours. Out widyou, Mary, and lave me to find my wayon board. Is it a boat I want, when Ican swim like St Patrick, wid my headunder my arm, if it wasn't on myshoulders At all events, I can wid mynappersack and musket to boot."
The young woman cried, and tried torestrain him, but he broke from her,and running down to the wharf,dashed off into the water. The young
woman ran to the edge of the wharf,perceived him sinking, and shriekingwith despair, threw up her arms in heragony. The child fell, struck on the edgeof the piles, turned over, and before Icould catch hold of it, sank into thesea. "The child! the child!" burst forthin another wild scream, and the poorcreature lay at my feet in violent fits. Ilooked over, the child had disappeared;but the soldier was still struggling withhis head above water. He sank and roseagain a boat was pulling towards him,but he was quite exhausted. He threwback his arms as if in despair, and wasabout disappearing under a wave,when, no longer able to restrain myself,I leaped off the high wharf, and swam
to his assistance, just in time to lay holdof him as he was sinking for the lasttime. I had not been in the water aquarter of a minute before the boatcame up to us, and dragged us onboard. The soldier was exhausted andspeechless. I, of course, was only verywet. The boat rowed to the landing-place at my request, and we were bothput on shore. The knapsack which wasfixed on the soldier's back, and hisregimentals, indicated that he belongedto the regiment just embarked; and Istated my opinion that, as soon as hewas a little recovered, he had better betaken on board. As the boat whichpicked us up was one of the men-of-war boats, the officer who had been
embarking the troops, and had beensent on shore again to know if therewere any yet left behind, consented. Ina few minutes the soldier recovered,and was able to sit up and speak, and Ionly waited to ascertain the state of thepoor young woman whom I had left onthe wharf. In a few minutes she was ledto us by the warder, and the scenebetween her and her husband was mostaffecting. When she had become a littlecomposed, she turned round to me,where I stood dripping wet, and,intermingled with lamentation for thechild, showering down emphaticblessings on my head, inquired myname. "Give it to me!" she cried; "give itto me on paper, in writing, that I may
wear it next my heart, read and kiss itevery day of my life, and never forgetto pray for you, and to bless you!"
"I'll tell it you. My name "
"Nay, write it down for me write itdown. Sure you'll not refuse me. All thesaints bless you, dear young man, forsaving a poor woman from despair!"
The officer commanding the boathanded me a pencil and a card; I wrotemy name and gave it to the poorwoman; she took my hand as I gave it,kissed the card repeatedly, and put itinto her bosom. The officer, impatientto shove off, ordered her husband into
the boat she followed, clinging to him,wet as he was the boat shoved off, andI hastened up to the inn to dry myclothes. I could not help observing, atthe time, how the fear of a greater evilwill absorb all consideration for aminor. Satisfied that her husband hadnot perished, she had hardly onceappeared to remember that she had losther child.
I had only brought one suit of clotheswith me: they were in very goodcondition when I arrived, but salt waterplays the devil with a uniform. I laid inbed until they were dry; but when I putthem on again, not being before toolarge for me, for I grew very fast, they
were now shrunk and shrivelled up, soas to be much too small. My wristsappeared below the sleeves of my coatmy trousers had shrunk half way up tomy knees the buttons were alltarnished, and altogether I certainly didnot wear the appearance of agentlemanly, smart midshipman. Iwould have ordered another suit, butthe examination was to take place at teno'clock the next morning, and there wasno time. I was therefore obliged toappear as I was, on the quarter-deck ofthe line-of-battle ship, on board ofwhich the passing was to take place.Many others were there to undergo thesame ordeal, all strangers to me, and asI perceived by their nods and winks to
each other, as they walked up anddown in their smart clothes, not at allinclined to make my acquaintance.
There were many before me on the list,and our hearts beat every time that aname was called, and the owner of itwalked aft into the cabin. Somereturned with jocund faces, and ourhopes mounted with the anticipationof similar good fortune; others cameout melancholy and crest-fallen, andthen the expression of theircountenances was communicated toour own, and we quailed with fear andapprehension. I have no hesitation inasserting, that although "passing" maybe a proof of being qualified, "not
passing" is certainly no proof to thecontrary. I have known many of thecleverest young men turned back (whileothers of inferior abilities havesucceeded), merely from the feeling ofawe occasioned by the peculiarity ofthe situation: and it is not to bewondered at, when it is considered thatall the labour and exertion of six yearsare at stake at this appalling moment.At last my name was called, and almostbreathless from anxiety, I entered thecabin, where I found myself inpresence of the three captains whowere to decide whether I were fit tohold a commission in His Majesty'sservice. My logs and certificates wereexamined and approved; my time
calculated and allowed to be correct.The questions in navigation whichwere put to me were very few, for thebest of all possible reasons, that mostcaptains in His Majesty's service knowlittle or nothing of navigation. Duringtheir servitude as midshipmen, theylearn it by rote, without being aware ofthe principles upon which thecalculations they use are founded. Aslieutenants, their services as tonavigation are seldom required, andthey rapidly forget all about it. Ascaptains, their whole remnant ofmathematical knowledge consists inbeing able to set down the ship'sposition on the chart. As for navigatingthe ship, the master is answerable; and
the captains not being responsiblethemselves, they trust entirely to hisreckoning. Of course there areexceptions, but what I state is the fact;and if an order from the Admiralty wasgiven, that all captains should passagain, although they might acquitthemselves very well in seamanship,nineteen out of twenty would beturned back when they were questionedin navigation. It is from the knowledgeof this fact that I think the service isinjured by the present system, and thecaptain should be held whollyresponsible for the navigation of hisship. It has been long known that theofficers of every other maritime stateare more scientific than our own, which
is easily explained, from theresponsibility not being invested in ourcaptains. The origin of masters in ourservice is singular. When England firstbecame a maritime power, ships for theKing's service were found by theCinque Ports and other parties thefighting part of the crew wascomposed of soldiers sent on board.All the vessels at that time had a crewof sailors, with a master to navigate thevessel. During our bloody navalengagements with the Dutch, the samesystem was acted upon. I think it wasthe Earl of Sandwich, of whom it isstated, that his ship being in a sinkingstate, he took a boat to hoist his flag onboard of another vessel in the fleet, but
a shot cutting the boat in two, and theweight of his armour bearing him down,the Earl of Sandwich perished. But toproceed.
As soon as I had answered severalquestions satisfactorily, I was desired tostand up. The captain who hadinterrogated me on navigation, wasvery grave in his demeanour towardsme, but at the same time not uncivil.During his examination, he was notinterfered with by the other two, whoonly undertook the examination in"seamanship." The captain, who nowdesired me to stand up, spoke in a veryharsh tone, and quite frightened me. Istood up pale and trembling, for I
augured no good from thiscommencement. Several questions inseamanship were put to me, which Ihave no doubt I answered in a verylame way, for I cannot even nowrecollect what I said.
"I thought so," observed the captain; "Ijudged as much from your appearance.An officer who is so careless of hisdress, as not even to put on a decentcoat when he appears at hisexamination, generally turns out an idlefellow, and no seaman. One wouldthink you had served all your time in acutter, or a ten-gun brig, instead ofdashing frigates. Come, sir, I'll give youone more chance."
I was so hurt at what the captain said,that I could not control my feelings. Ireplied, with a quivering lip, "that I hadhad no time to order another uniform,"and I burst into tears.
"Indeed, Burrows, you are rather tooharsh," said the third captain; "the lad isfrightened. Let him sit down andcompose himself for a little while. Sitdown, Mr Simple, and we will try youagain directly."
I sat down, checking my grief andtrying to recall my scattered senses. Thecaptains, in the meantime, turning overthe logs to pass away the time; the one
who had questioned me in navigationreading the Plymouth newspaper,which had a few minutes before beenbrought on board and sent into thecabin. "Heh! what's this I say BurrowsKeats, look here," and he pointed to aparagraph. "Mr Simple, may I askwhether it was you who saved thesoldier who leaped off the wharfyesterday "
"Yes, sir," replied I; "and that's thereason why my uniforms are so shabby.I spoilt them then, and had no time toorder others. I did not like to say whythey were spoilt." I saw a change in thecountenances of all the three, and itgave me courage. Indeed, now that my
feelings had found vent, I was nolonger under any apprehension.
"Come, Mr Simple, stand up again,"said the captain, kindly, "that is, if youfeel sufficiently composed; if not, wewill wait a little longer. Don't be afraid,we wish to pass you."
I was not afraid, and stood upimmediately. I answered every questionsatisfactorily; and finding that I did so,they put more difficult ones. "Verygood, very good indeed, Mr Simple;now let me ask you one more; it'sseldom done in the service, andperhaps you may not be able to answerit. Do you know how to club-haul a ship
"
"Yes, sir," replied I, having, as the readermay recollect, witnessed the manoeuvrewhen serving under poor CaptainSavage, and I immediately stated how itwas to be done.
"That is sufficient, Mr Simple. I wish toask you no more questions. I thought atfirst you were a careless officer and noseaman: I now find that you are a goodseaman and a gallant young man. Doyou wish to ask any more questions "continued he, turning to the two others.
They replied in the negative; my passingcertificate was signed, and the captains
did me the honour to shake hands withme, and wish me speedy promotion.Thus ended happily this severe trial tomy poor nerves; and, as I came out ofthe cabin, no one could have imaginedthat I had been in such distress within,when they beheld the joy that irradiatedmy countenance.
Chapter XXXIX
Is a chapter of plots Catholic casuistryin a new cassock Plotting promotespromotion A peasant's love and a peer'speevishness Prospects of prosperity.
As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I sentfor a Plymouth paper, and cut out theparagraph which had been of suchimportance to me in my emergency, andthe next morning returned home toreceive the congratulations of myfamily. I found a letter from O'Brien,which had arrived the day before. Itwas as follows:
"MY DEAR PETER, Some people,they say, are lucky to 'have a father bornbefore them,' because they are helpedon in the world upon which principle,mine was born after me, that's certain;however, that can't be helped. I foundall my family well and hearty; but theyall shook a cloth in the wind with
respect to toggery. As for FatherM'Grath's cassock, he didn't complainof it without reason. It was the ghostof a garment; but, however, with theblessing of God, my last quarterly bill,and the help of a tailor, we have had aregular refit, and the ancient family ofthe O'Briens of Ballyhinch are nowrigged from stem to starn. My twosisters are both to be spliced to youngsquireens in the neighbourhood; itappears that they only wanted for adacent town gown to go to the churchin. They will be turned off next Friday,and I only wish, Peter, you were here todance at the weddings. Never mind, I'lldance for you and for myself too. Inthe meantime, I'll just tell you what
Father M'Grath and I have been doing,all about and consarning that thief ofan uncle of yours.
"It's very little or nothing at all thatFather M'Grath did before I came back,seeing as how Father O'Toole had anew cassock, and Father M'Grath's wasso shabby that he couldn't face himunder such a disadvantage; but stillFather M'Grath spied about him, andhad several hints from here and fromthere, all of which, when I came to addthem up, amounted to just nothing atall.
"But since I came home, we have beenbusy. Father M'Grath went down to
Ballycleuch, as bold as a lion in his newclothing, swearing that he'd lead FatherO'Toole by the nose for slamming thedoor in his face, and so he would havedone, if he could have found him; butas he wasn't to be found, FatherM'Grath came back again just as wise,and quite as brave, as he went out.
"So, Peter, I just took a walk that waymyself, and, as I surrounded the oldhouse where your uncle had taken uphis quarters, who should I meet but thelittle girl, Ella Flanagan, who was in hisservice; and I said to myself, 'There'stwo ways of obtaining things in thisworld, one is for love, and the other isfor money.' The O'Briens are better off
in the first article than in the last, asmost of their countrymen are, so I'vebeen spending it very freely in yourservice, Peter.
"'Sure,' says I, 'you are the little girl thatmy eyes were ever looking upon whenlast I was in this way.'
"'And who are you ' says she.
"'Lieutenant O'Brien, of his Majesty'sservice, just come home for a minute tolook out for a wife,' says I; 'and it's oneabout your make, and shape, anddiscretion that would please my fancy.'
"And then I praised her eyes, and her
nose, and her forehead, and sodownwards, until I came to the soles ofher feet; and asked her leave to see heragain, and when she would meet me inthe wood and tell me her mind. At first,she thought (sure enough) that Icouldn't be in earnest, but I swore byall the saints that she was the prettiestgirl in the parts and so she is altogetherand then she listened to my blarney.The devil a word did I say about youruncle, or your aunt, or Father M'Grath,that she might not suspect for I've anidea that they're all in the story. I onlytalked about my love for her pretty self,and that blinded her, as it will allwomen, 'cute as they may be.
"And now, Peter, it's three weeks lastSunday, that I've been bespeaking thispoor girl for your sake, and myconscience tells me that it's not right tomake the poor crature fond of me,seeing as how that I don't care a fig forher in the way of a wife, and in anyother way it would be the ruin of thepoor thing. I have spoken to FatherM'Grath on the subject, who says, 'thatwe may do evil that good may come,and that, if she has been a party to thedeceit, it's nothing but proper that sheshould be punished in this world, andthat will, perhaps, save her in the next;'still I don't like it, Peter, and it's only foryou among the living that I'd do such athing; for the poor creature now hangs
upon me so fondly, and talks about thewedding-day; and tells me long storiesabout the connections which havetaken place between the O'Flanagansand the O'Briens, times bygone, whenthey were all in their glory. Yesterday, aswe sat in the wood, with her arm roundmy waist, 'Ella, dear,' says I, 'who arethese people that you stay with ' Andthen she told me all she knew abouttheir history, and how Mary Sullivanwas a nurse to the baby.
"'And what is the baby ' says I.
"'A boy, sure,' says she.
"'And Sullivan's baby '
"'That's a girl.'
"'And is Mary Sullivan there now '
"'No' says she; 'it's yestreen she left withher husband and baby, to join theregiment that's going out to Ingy.'
"'Yesterday she left ' says I, starting up.
"'Yes,' replies she, 'and what do you careabout them '
"'It's very much I care,' replied I, 'for alittle bird has whispered a secret to me.'
"'And what may that be ' says she.
"'Only that the childer were changed,and you know it as well as I do.' Butshe swore that she knew nothing aboutit, and that she was not there wheneither of the children was born, and Ibelieve that she told the truth. 'Well,'says I, 'who tended the lady '
"'My own mother,' says Ella. 'And if itwas so, who can know but she '
"Then,' says I, 'Ella, jewel, I've made avow that I'll never marry till I find outthe truth of this matter; so the sooneryou get it out of your mother thebetter.' Then she cried very much, and Iwas almost ready to cry too, to see how
the poor thing was vexed at the idea ofnot being married. After a while, sheswabbed up her cheeks, and kissing me,wished me good-by, swearing by all thesaints that the truth should come out,somehow or another.
"It's this morning that I saw her again,as agreed upon yesterday, and red hereyes were with weeping, poor thing;and she clung to me, and begged me toforgive her, and not to leave her; andthen she told me that her mother wasstartled when she put the question toher, and chewed it, and cursed herwhen she insisted upon the truth; andhow she had fallen on her knees, andbegged her mother not to stand in the
way of her happiness, as she would dieif she did (I leave you to guess if myheart didn't smite me when she saidthat, Peter, but the mischief was done),and how her mother had talked abouther oath and Father O'Toole, and saidthat she would speak to him.
"Now, Peter, I'm sure that the childerhave been changed, and that the nursehas been sent to the Indies to be out ofthe way. They say they were to go toPlymouth. The husband's name is, ofcourse, O'Sullivan; so I'd recommendyou to take a coach and see what youcan do in that quarter; in the meantimeI'll try all I can for the truth in this, andwill write again as soon as I can find
out anything more. All I want to do isto get Father M'Grath to go to the olddevil of a mother, and I'll answer for it,he'll frighten her into swearinganything. God bless you, Peter, and givemy love to all the family.
"Yours ever,
"TERENCE O'BRIEN."
This letter of O'Brien was the subjectof much meditation. The advice to goto Plymouth was too late, the troopshaving sailed some time; and I had nodoubt but that Mary Sullivan and herhusband were among those who hadembarked at the time that I was at that
port to pass my examination. Show theletter to my father I would not, as itwould only have put him in a fever, andhis interference would, in allprobability, have done more harm thangood. I therefore waited quietly formore intelligence, and resolved to applyto my grandfather to obtain mypromotion.
A few days afterwards I set off forEagle Park, and arrived about eleveno'clock in the morning. I sent in myname, and was admitted into the library,where I found Lord Privilege in hiseasy chair as usual.
"Well, child," said he, remaining on his
chair, and not offering even one fingerto me, "what do you want, that youcome here without an invitation "
"Only, my lord, to inquire after yourhealth, and to thank you for yourkindness to me in procuring me and MrO'Brien the appointment to a finefrigate."
"Yes," replied his lordship, "I recollect Ithink I did so, at your request, and Ithink I heard some one say that youhave behaved well, and had beenmentioned in the despatches."
"Yes, my lord," replied I, "and I havesince passed my examination for
lieutenant."
"Well, child, I'm glad to hear it.Remember me to your father andfamily." And his lordship cast his eyesdown upon the book which he hadbeen reading.
My father's observations appeared to bewell grounded, but I would not leavethe room until I had made somefurther attempt.
"Has your lordship heard from myuncle "
"Yes," replied he, "I had a letter fromhim yesterday. The child is quite well. I
expect them all here in a fortnight orthree weeks, to live with me altogether.I am old getting very old, and I shallhave much to arrange with your unclebefore I die."
"If I might request a favour of yourlordship, it would be to beg that youwould interest yourself a little inobtaining my promotion. A letter fromyour lordship to the First Lord only afew lines "
"Well, child, I see no objection only Iam very old, too old to write now."And his lordship again commencedreading.
I must do Lord Privilege the justice tostate that he evidently was fast vergingto a state of second childhood. He wasmuch bowed down since I had lastseen him, and appeared infirm in bodyas well as mind.
I waited at least a quarter of an hourbefore his lordship looked up.
"What, not gone yet, child I thoughtyou had gone home."
"Your lordship was kind enough to saythat you had no objection to write afew lines to the First Lord in my behalf.I trust your lordship will not refuseme."
"Well," replied he, peevishly, "so I didbut I am too old, too old to write Icannot see I can hardly hold a pen."
"Will your lordship allow me thehonour of writing the letter for yourlordship's signature "
"Well, child yes I've no objection. Writeas follows no write anything you pleaseand I'll sign it. I wish your uncleWilliam were come."
This was more than I did. I had a greatmind to show him O'Brien's letter, butI thought it would be cruel to raisedoubts, and harass the mind of a
person so close to the brink of thegrave. The truth would never beascertained during his life, I thought,and why, therefore, should I give himpain At all events, although I had theletter in my pocket, I resolved not tomake use of it except as a dernier resort.
I went to another table, and sat downto write the letter. As his lordship hadsaid that I might write what I pleased, itoccurred to me that I might assistO'Brien, and I felt sure that his lordshipwould not take the trouble to read theletter. I therefore wrote as follows,while Lord Privilege continued to readhis book:
"MY LORD, You will confer a verygreat favour upon me, if you willhasten the commission which, I haveno doubt, is in preparation for mynephew, Mr Simple, who has passed hisexamination, and has been mentionedin the public despatches, and also thatyou will not lose sight of LieutenantO'Brien, who has so distinguishedhimself by his gallantry in the variouscutting-out expeditions in the WestIndies. Trusting that your lordship willnot fail to comply with my earnestrequest, I have the honour to be, yourlordship's very obedient humbleservant."
I brought this letter, with a pen full of
ink, and the noise of my approachinduced his lordship to look up. Hestared at first, as having forgotten thewhole circumstance then said "Oh yes!I recollect, so I did give me the pen."With a trembling hand he signed hisname, and gave me back the letterwithout reading it, as I expected.
"There, child, don't tease me any more.Good-bye; remember me to yourfather."
I wished his lordship a good morning,and went away well satisfied with theresult of my expedition. On my arrivalI showed the letter to my father, whowas much surprised at my success, and
he assured me that my grandfather'sinterest was so great with theadministration, that I might considermy promotion as certain. That noaccident might happen, I immediatelyset off for London, and delivered theletter at the door of the First Lord withmy own hands, leaving my address withthe porter.
Chapter XL
O'Brien and myself take a step each,pari passu A family reunion productiveof anything but unity My uncle notalways the best friend.
A few days afterwards I left my cardwith my address with the First Lord,and the next day received a letter fromhis secretary, which, to my delight,informed me that my commission hadbeen made out some days before. Ihardly need say that I hastened to takeit up, and when paying my fee to theclerk, I ventured, at a hazard, to inquirewhether he knew the address ofLieutenant O'Brien.
"No," replied he, "I wish to find it out,for he has this day been promoted tothe rank of Commander."
I almost leaped with joy when I heard
this good news. I gave O'Brien'saddress to the clerk, hastened away withmy invaluable piece of parchment inmy hand, and set off immediately formy father's house.
But I was met with sorrow. My motherhad been taken severely ill, and I foundthe house in commotion doctors, andapothecaries, and nurses, running toand fro, my father in a state ofexcitement, and my dear sister in tears.Spasm succeeded spasm; and althoughevery remedy was applied, the nextevening she breathed her last. I will notattempt to describe the grief of myfather, who appeared to feel remorse athis late unkind treatment of her, my
sister, and myself. These scenes must beimagined by those who have sufferedunder similar bereavements. I exertedmyself to console my poor sister, whoappeared to cling to me as to her onlysupport, and, after the funeral was over,we recovered our tranquillity, althoughthe mourning was still deeper in ourhearts than in our outward dress. I hadwritten to O'Brien to announce themournful intelligence, and, like a truefriend, he immediately made hisappearance to console me.
O'Brien had received the letter from theAdmiralty, acquainting him with hispromotion; and, two days after hearrived, went to take up his
commission. I told him frankly by whatmeans he had obtained it, and he againconcluded his thanks by a reference tothe mistake of the former supposition,that of my being "the fool of thefamily."
"By the powers, it would be well forany man if he had a few of suchfoolish friends about him," continuedhe; "but I won't blarney you, Peter; youknow what my opinion always hasbeen, so we'll say no more about it."
When he came back, we had a longconsultation as to the best method ofproceeding to obtain employment, forO'Brien was anxious to be again afloat,
and so was I. I regretted parting withmy sister, but my father was so moroseand ill-tempered, that I had no pleasureat home, except in her company.Indeed, my sister was of opinion, thatit would be better if I were away, as myfather's misanthropy, now uncheckedby my mother, appeared to haveincreased, and he seemed to view mewith positive dislike. It was, therefore,agreed unanimously between my sister,and me, and O'Brien, who was alwaysof our councils, that it would beadvisable that I should be again afloat.
"I can manage him much better whenalone, Peter; I shall have nothing tooccupy me, and take me away from
him, as your presence does now; and,painful as it is to part with you, myduty to my father, and my wish for youradvancement, induce me to request thatyou will, if possible, find some meansof obtaining employment."
"Spoken like a hero, as ye are, MissEllen, notwithstanding your pretty faceand soft eyes," said O'Brien. "And now,Peter, for the means to bring it about.If I can get a ship, there is no fear foryou, as I shall choose you for mylieutenant; but how is that to bemanaged Do you think that you cancome over the old gentleman at EaglePark "
"At all events, I'll try," replied I; "I canbut be floored, O'Brien."
Accordingly, the next day I set off formy grandfather's, and was put down atthe lodge, at the usual hour, abouteleven o'clock. I walked up the avenue,and knocked at the door: when it wasopened, I perceived a hesitation amongthe servants, and a constrained air,which I did not like. I inquired afterLord Privilege the answer was, that hewas pretty well, but did not see anybody.
"Is my uncle here " said I.
"Yes, sir," replied the servant, with a
significant look, "and all his family arehere too."
"Are you sure that I cannot see mygrandfather" said I, laying a stress uponthe word.
"I will tell him that you are here, sir,"replied the man, "but even that isagainst orders."
I had never seen my uncle since I was achild, and could not even recollect himmy cousins, or my aunt, I had nevermet with. In a minute an answer wasbrought, requesting that I would walkinto the library. When I was ushered in,I found myself in the presence of Lord
Privilege, who sat in his usual place,and a tall gentleman, whom I knew atonce to be my uncle, from his likenessto my father.
"Here is the young gentleman, mylord," said my uncle, looking at mesternly.
"Heh! what oh I recollect. Well, child,so you've been behaving very ill sorryto hear it. Good-bye."
"Behaving ill, my lord!" replied I. "I amnot aware of having so done."
"Reports are certainly very muchagainst you, nephew," observed my
uncle, drily. "Some one has told yourgrandfather what has much displeasedhim. I know nothing about it myself."
"Then some rascal has slandered me,sir," replied I.
My uncle started at the word rascal; andthen recovering himself, replied, "Well,nephew, what is it that you require ofLord Privilege, for I presume this visitis not without a cause "
"Sir," replied I, "my visit to LordPrivilege was, first to thank him forhaving procured me my commission aslieutenant, and to request the favourthat he would obtain me active
employment, which a line from himwill effect immediately."
"I was not aware, nephew, that you hadbeen made lieutenant; but I agree withyou, that the more you are at sea thebetter. His lordship shall sign the letter.Sit down."
"Shall I write it, sir " said I to my uncle:"I know what to say."
"Yes; and bring it to me when it iswritten."
I felt convinced that the only reasonwhich induced my uncle to obtain meemployment was the idea that I should
be better out of the way, and that therewas more risk at sea than on shore. Itook a sheet of paper, and wrote asfollows:
"My LORD, May I request that yourlordship will be pleased to appoint thebearer of this to a ship, as soon asconvenient, as I wish him to be activelyemployed.
"I am, my lord, &c, &c."
"Why not mention your name "
"It is of no consequence," replied I, "asit will be delivered in person, and thatwill insure my speedy appointment."
The letter was placed before hislordship for signature. It was with somedifficulty that he was made tounderstand that he was to sign it. Theold gentleman appeared much moreimbecile than when I last saw him. Ithanked him, folded up the letter, andput it in my pocket. At last he looked atme, and a sudden flash of recollectionappeared to come across his mind.
"Well child so you escaped from theFrench prison heh! and how's yourfriend what is his name, heh "
"O'Brien, my lord."
"O'Brien!" cried my uncle, "he is yourfriend; then, sir, I presume it is to youthat I am indebted for all the inquiriesand reports which are so industriouslycirculated in Ireland the tampering withmy servants and other impertinences "
I did not choose to deny the truth,although I was a little fluttered by thesudden manner in which it came tolight. I replied, "I never tamper with anypeople's servants, sir."
"No," said he, "but you employ othersso to do. I discovered the whole ofyour proceedings after the scoundrelleft for England."
"If you apply the word scoundrel toCaptain O'Brien, sir, in his name Icontradict it."
"As you please, sir," replied my uncle,in a passion; "but you will oblige me byquitting this house immediately, andexpect nothing more, either from thepresent or the future Lord Privilege,except that retaliation which yourinfamous conduct has deserved."
I felt much irritated, and replied verysharply, "From the present LordPrivilege I certainly expect nothingmore, neither do I from his successor;but after your death, uncle, I expect thatthe person who succeeds to the title
will do all he can for your humbleservant. I wish you a good morning,uncle."
My uncle's eyes flashed fire as Ifinished my speech, which indeed was avery bold, and a very foolish one too, asit afterwards proved. I hastened out ofthe room, not only from the fear ofbeing turned out of the house beforeall the servants, but also from the dreadthat my letter to the First Lord might betaken from me by force; but I shallnever forget the scowl of vengeancewhich crossed my uncle's brows, as Iturned round and looked at him as Ishut the door. I found my way outwithout the assistance of the servants,
and hastened home as fast as I could.
"O'Brien," said I, on my return, "thereis no time to be lost; the sooner youhasten to town with this letter ofintroduction, the better it will be, fordepend upon it my uncle will do me allthe harm that he can." I then repeatedto him all that had passed, and it wasagreed that O'Brien should take theletter, which, having reference to thebearer, would do as well for him as forme; and, if O'Brien obtained anappointment, I was sure not only ofbeing one of his lieutenants, but alsoof sailing with a dear friend. The nextmorning O'Brien set off for London,and fortunately saw the First Lord the
day after his arrival, which was a leveeday. The First Lord received the letterfrom O'Brien, and requested him to sitdown. He then read it, inquired afterhis lordship, asked whether his healthwas good, &c.
O'Brien replied, "that with the blessingof God, his lordship might live manyyears: that he had never heard himcomplain of ill health." All which wasnot false, if not true. I could not helpobserving to O'Brien, when hereturned home and told me what hadpassed, "that I thought, consideringwhat he had expressed with respect towhite lies and black lies, that he had notlatterly adhered to his own creed."
"That's very true, Peter; and I'vethought of it myself, but it is my creednevertheless. We all know what's right,but we don't always follow it. The factis, I begin to think that it is absolutelynecessary to fight the world with itsown weapons. I spoke to FatherM'Grath on the subject, and he replied'That if anyone, by doing wrong,necessitated another to do wrong tocircumvent him, that the first party wasanswerable, not only for his own sin,but also for the sin committed in self-defence."
"But, O'Brien, I do not fix my faith soimplicitly upon Father M'Grath; and I
do not much admire many of hisdirections."
"No more do I, Peter, when I thinkupon them; but how am I to puzzle myhead upon these points All I know is,that when you are divided betweenyour inclination and your duty, it'smighty convenient to have a priest likeFather M'Grath to decide for you, andto look after your soul into thebargain."
It occurred to me that I myself, whenfinding fault with O'Brien, had, in theinstance of both the letters from LordPrivilege, been also guilty of deceit. Iwas therefore blaming him for the same
fault committed by myself; and I amafraid that I was too ready in consolingmyself with Father M'Grath's maxim,"that one might do evil that goodmight come." But to return to O'Brien'sinterview.
After some little conversation, the FirstLord said, "Captain O'Brien, I amalways very ready to oblige LordPrivilege, and the more so as hisrecommendation is of an officer ofyour merit. In a day or two, if you callat the Admiralty, you will hear further."O'Brien wrote to us immediately, andwe waited with impatience for his nextletter: but, instead of the letter, he madehis appearance on the third day, and
first hugged me in his arms, he thencame to my sister, embraced her, andskipped and danced about the room.
"What is the matter, O'Brien " said I,while Ellen retreated in confusion.
O'Brien pulled a parchment out of hispocket. "Here, Peter, my dear Peter;now for honour and glory. Aneighteen-gun brig, Peter. The RattlesnakeCaptain O'Brien West India station. Bythe holy father! my heart's bursting withjoy!" and down he sank into an easychair. "A'n't I almost beside myself "inquired he, after a short pause.
"Ellen thinks so, I dare say," replied I,
looking at my sister, who stood in thecorner of the room, thinking O'Brienwas really out of his senses, and stillred with confusion.
O'Brien, who then called to mind whata slip of decorum he had been guiltyof, immediately rose, and resuming hisusual unsophisticated politeness, as hewalked up to my sister, took her hand,and said, "Excuse me, my dear MissEllen; I must apologize for myrudeness; but my delight was so great,and my gratitude to your brother sointense, that I am afraid that in mywarmth I allowed the expression of myfeelings to extend to one so dear tohim, and so like him in person and in
mind. Will you only consider that youreceived the overflowings of a gratefulheart towards your brother, and for hissake pardon my indiscretion "
Ellen smiled, and held out her hand toO'Brien, who led her to the sofa, wherewe all three sat down: and he thencommenced a more intelligiblenarrative of what had passed. He hadcalled on the day appointed, and sentup his card. The First Lord could notsee him, but referred him to the privatesecretary, who presented him with hiscommission to the Rattlesnake, eighteen-gun brig. The secretary smiled mostgraciously, and told O'Brien inconfidence that he would proceed to
the West India station as soon as hisvessel was manned and ready for sea.He inquired of O'Brien whom hewished as his first lieutenant. O'Brienreplied that he wished for me; but as, inall probability, I should not be ofsufficient standing to be first lieutenant,that the Admiralty might appoint anyother to the duty, provided I joined theship. The secretary made a minute ofO'Brien's wish, and requested him, ifhe had a vacancy to spare asmidshipman, to allow him to send oneon board; to which O'Brien willinglyacceded, shook hands with him, andO'Brien quitted the Admiralty to hastendown to us with the pleasingintelligence.
"And now," said O'Brien, "I have madeup my mind how to proceed. I shallfirst run down to Plymouth and hoistmy pennant; then I shall ask for afortnight's leave, and go to Ireland tosee how they get on, and what FatherM'Grath may be about. So, Peter, let'spass this evening as happily as we can;for though you and I shall soon meetagain, yet it may be years, or perhapsnever, that we three shall sit down onthe same sofa as we do now."
Ellen, who was still nervous, from thelate death of my mother, looked down,and I perceived the tears start in hereyes at the remark of O'Brien, that
perhaps we should never meet again.And I did pass a happy evening. I had adear sister on one side of me, and asincere friend on the other. How fewsituations more enviable!
O'Brien left us early the next morning;and at breakfast-time a letter washanded to my father. It was from myuncle, coldly communicating to himthat Lord Privilege had died the nightbefore, very suddenly, and informinghim that the burial would take place onthat day week, and that the will wouldbe opened immediately after thefuneral. My father handed the letterover to me without saying a word, andsipped his tea with his tea-spoon. I
cannot say that I felt very much on theoccasion; but I did feel, because he hadbeen kind to me at one time: as for myfather's feelings, I could not or rather Ishould say, I did not wish to analyzethem. As soon as he had finished hiscup of tea, he left the breakfast-table,and went into his study. I thencommunicated the intelligence to mysister Ellen.
"My God!" said she, after a pause,putting her hand up to her eyes; "whata strange unnatural state of societymust we have arrived at, when myfather can thus receive the intelligenceof a parent's death! Is it not dreadful "
"It is, my dearest girl," replied I; "butevery feeling has been sacrificed toworldly considerations and an emptyname. The younger sons have beenneglected, if not deserted. Virtue,talent, everything set at naught intrinsicvalue despised and the only claim toconsideration admitted, that of beingthe heir entail. When all the ties ofnature are cast loose by the parents, canyou be surprised if the children are nolonger bound by them Most truly doyou observe, that it is a detestable stateof society."
"I did not say detestable, brother; I saidstrange and unnatural."
"Had you said what I said, Ellen, youwould not have been wrong. I wouldnot for the title and wealth which itbrings, be the heartless, isolated, I maysay neglected being that my grandfatherwas; were it offered now, I would notbarter for it Ellen's love."
Ellen threw herself in my arms; wethen walked into the garden, where wehad a long conversation relative to ourfuture wishes, hopes, and prospects.
Chapter XLI
Pompous obsequies The reading of the
will, not exactly after Wilkie I am left alegacy What becomes of it My father,very warm, writes a sermon to coolhimself I join O'Brien's brig, and fall inwith Swinburne.
On that day week I accompanied myfather to Eagle Park, to assist at theburial of Lord Privilege. We wereushered into the room where the bodyhad laid in state for three days. Theblack hangings, the lofty plumes, therich ornaments on the coffin, and thenumber of wax candles with which theroom was lighted, produced a solemnand grand effect. I could not help, as Ileaned against the balustrade before thecoffin and thought of its contents,
calling to mind when my poorgrandfather's feelings seemed, as itwere, inclined to thaw in my favour,when he called me "his child," and, inall probability, had not my uncle had ason, would have died in my arms, fondand attached to me for my own sake,independently of worldlyconsiderations. I felt that had I knownhim longer, I could have loved him,and that he would have loved me; and Ithought to myself, how little all theseempty honours, after his decease, couldcompensate for the loss of thosereciprocal feelings, which would haveso added to his happiness during hisexistence. But he had lived for pompand vanity; and pomp and vanity
attended him to his grave. I thought ofmy sister Ellen, and of O'Brien, andwalked away with the conviction thatPeter Simple might have been an objectof envy to the late Right HonourableLord Viscount Privilege, BaronCorston, Lord Lieutenant of thecounty, and one of His Majesty's MostHonourable Privy Councillors.
When the funeral, which was verytedious and very splendid, was over, weall returned in the carriages to EaglePark, when my uncle, who had ofcourse assumed the title, and who hadattended as chief mourner, was inwaiting to receive us. We were showninto the library, and in the chair so
lately and constantly occupied by mygrandfather, sat the new lord. Near tohim were the lawyers, with parchmentslying before them. As we severallyentered, he waved his hand tounoccupied chairs, intimating to us tosit down; but no words wereexchanged, except an occasionalwhisper between him and the lawyers.When all the branches of the familywere present, down to the fourth andfifth cousins, the lawyer on the right ofmy uncle put on his spectacles, andunrolling the parchment commencedreading the will. I paid attention to it atfirst; but the legal technicalities puzzledme, and I was soon thinking of othermatters, until after half an hour's
reading, I was startled at the sound ofmy own name. It was a bequest bycodicil to me, of the sum of tenthousand pounds. My father who sat byme, gave me a slight push, to attract myattention; and I perceived that his facewas not quite so mournful as before. Iwas rejoicing at this unexpectedintelligence. I called to mind what myfather had said to me when we werereturning from Eagle Park, "that mygrandfather's attentions to me were asgood as ten thousand pounds in hiswill," and was reflecting how strange itwas that he had hit upon the exact sum.I also thought of what my father hadsaid of his own affairs, and his nothaving saved anything for his children,
and congratulated myself that I shouldnow be able to support my dear sisterEllen, in case of any accidenthappening to my father, when I wasroused by another mention of myname. It was a codicil dated about aweek back, in which my grandfather,not pleased at my conduct, revoked theformer codicil, and left me nothing. Iknew where the blow came from, and Ilooked my uncle in the face; a gleam ofmalignant pleasure was in his eyes,which had been fixed on me, waiting toreceive my glance. I returned it with asmile expressive of scorn andcontempt, and then looked at myfather, who appeared to be in a state ofmisery. His head had fallen upon his
breast, and his hands were clasped.Although I was shocked at the blow,for I knew how much the money wasrequired, I felt too proud to show it;indeed, I felt that I would not forworlds have exchanged situations withmy uncle, much less feelings; for whenthose who remain meet to ascertain thedisposition made, by one who issummoned away to the tribunal of hisMaker, of those worldly and perishablethings which he must leave behind him,feelings of rancour and ill-will might,for the time, be permitted to subside,and the memory of a "departedbrother" be productive of charity andgood-will. After a little reflection, I feltthat I could forgive my uncle.
Not so my father; the codicil whichdeprived me of my inheritance, was thelast of the will, and the lawyer rolled upthe parchment and took off hisspectacles. Everybody rose; my fatherseized his hat, and telling me in a harshvoice to follow him, tore off the crapeweepers, and then threw them on thefloor as he walked away. I also took offmine, and laid them on the table, andfollowed him. My father called hiscarriage, waited in the hall till it wasdriven up, and jumped into it. Ifollowed him; he drew up the blind,and desired them to drive home.
"Not a sixpence! By the God of
heaven, not a sixpence! My name noteven mentioned, except for a paltrymourning ring! And yours pray sir,what have you been about, after havingsuch a sum left you, to forfeit yourgrandfather's good opinion Heh! sir tellme directly," continued he, turninground to me in a rage.
"Nothing, my dear father, that I'maware of. My uncle is evidently myenemy."
"And why should he be particularlyyour enemy Peter, there must be somereason for his having induced yourgrandfather to alter his bequest in yourfavour. I insist upon it, sir, that you tell
me immediately."
"My dear father, when you are morecalm, I will talk this matter over withyou. I hope I shall not be consideredwanting in respect, when I say, that as aclergyman of the church of England "
"D n the church of England, and thosethat put me into it!" replied my father,maddened with rage.
I was shocked, and held my tongue. Myfather appeared also to be confused athis hasty expressions. He sank back inhis carriage, and preserved a gloomysilence until we arrived at our owndoor. As soon as we entered, my father
hastened to his own room, and I wentup to my sister Ellen, who was in herbed room. I revealed to her all that hadpassed, and advised with her on thepropriety of my communicating to myfather the reasons which hadoccasioned my uncle's extreme aversiontowards me. After much argument, sheagreed with me, that the disclosure hadnow become necessary.
After the dinner-cloth had beenremoved, I then communicated to myfather the circumstances which hadcome to our knowledge relative to myuncle's establishment in Ireland. Heheard me very attentively, took outtablets, and made notes.
"Well, Peter," said he, after a fewminutes' silence, when I had finished,"I see clearly through this wholebusiness. I have no doubt but that achild has been substituted to defraudyou and me of our just inheritance ofthe title and estates; but I will now setto work and try if I cannot find out thesecret; and, with the help of CaptainO'Brien and Father M'Grath, I think itis not at all impossible."
"O'Brien will do all that he can, sir,"replied I; "and I expect soon to hearfrom him. He must have now been aweek in Ireland."
"I shall go there myself," replied myfather; "and there are no means that Iwill not resort to, to discover thisinfamous plot. No," exclaimed he,striking his fist on the table, so as toshiver two of the wine-glasses intofragments "no means but I will resortto."
"That is," replied I, "my dear father, nomeans which may be legitimatelyemployed by one of your profession."
"I tell you, no means that can be usedby man to recover his defrauded rights!Tell me not of legitimate means, when Iam to lose a title and property by aspurious and illegitimate substitution!
By the God of heaven, I will meet themwith fraud for fraud, with falseswearing for false swearing, and withblood for blood, if it should benecessary! My brother has dissolved allties, and I will have my right, even if Idemand it with a pistol at his ear."
"For Heaven's sake, my dear father, donot be so violent recollect yourprofession."
"I do," replied he, bitterly; "and how Iwas forced into it against my will. Irecollect my father's words, the solemncoolness with which he told me, 'I hadmy choice of the church, or to starve.'But I have my sermon to prepare for
to-morrow, and I can sit here no longer.Tell Ellen to send me in some tea."
I did not think my father was in a veryfit state of mind to write a sermon, butI held my tongue. My sister joined me,and we saw no more of him tillbreakfast the next day. Before we met, Ireceived a letter from O'Brien.
"MY DEAR PETER, I ran down toPlymouth, hoisted my pennant, drewmy jollies from the dockyard, and setmy first lieutenant to work getting inthe ballast and water-tanks. I then setoff for Ireland, and was very wellreceived as Captain O'Brien by myfamily, who were all flourishing.
"Now that my two sisters are so wellmarried off, my father and mother arevery comfortable, but rather lonely; forI believe I told you long before, that ithad pleased Heaven to take all the restof my brothers and sisters, except thetwo now married, and one who boreup for a nunnery, dedicating her serviceto God, after she was scarred with thesmall-pox, and no man would look ather. Ever since the family have beengrown up, my father and mother havebeen lamenting and sorrowing thatnone of them would go off; and nowthat they're all gone off one way oranother, they cry all day because theyare left all alone with no one to keep
company with them, except FatherM'Grath and the pigs. We never are tobe contented in this world, that'ssartain; and now that they arecomfortable in every respect, they findthat they are very uncomfortable, andhaving obtained all their wishes, theywish everything back again; but as oldMaddocks used to say, 'A good growl isbetter than a bad dinner' with somepeople; and the greatest pleasure thatthey now have is to grumble; and ifthat makes them happy, they must behappy all day long for the devil a bit dothey leave off from morning till night.
"The first thing that I did was to sendfor Father M'Grath, who had been
more away from home than usual Ipresume, not finding things quite socomfortable as they used to be. He toldme that he had met with FatherO'Toole, and had a bit of a dialoguewith him, which had ended in a bit of arow, and that he had cudgelled FatherO'Toole well, and tore his gown off hisback, and then tore it into shivers, thatFather O'Toole had referred the case tothe bishop, and that was how thematter stood just then. 'But,' says he,'the spalpeen has left this part of thecountry, and, what is more, has takenElla and her mother with him; andwhat is still worse, no one could findout where they were gone; but it wasbelieved that they had all been sent over
the water.' So you see, Peter, that this isa bad job in one point, which is, thatwe have no chance of getting the truthout of the old woman; for now that wehave war with France, who is to followthem On the other hand, it is goodnews; for it prevents me from decoyingthat poor young girl, and making herbelieve what will never come to pass;and I am not a little glad on that score,for Father M'Grath was told by thosewho were about her, that she didnothing but weep and moan for twodays before she went away, scolded asshe was by her mother, and threatenedby that blackguard O'Toole. It appearsto me, that all our hopes now are infinding out the soldier, and his wife the
wet-nurse, who were sent to India nodoubt with the hope that the climateand the fevers may carry them off. Thatuncle of yours is a great blackguard,every bit of him. I shall leave here inthree days, and you must join me atPlymouth. Make my compliments toyour father, and my regards to yoursister, whom may all the saints preserve!God bless her, for ever and ever. Amen.
"Yours ever,
"TERENCE O'BRIEN."
I put this letter into my father's handswhen he came out of his room. "Thisis a deep-laid plot," said he, "and I
think we must immediately do asO'Brien states look after the nurse whowas sent to India. Do you know theregiment to which her husband belongs"
"Yes, sir," replied I; "it is the 33rd, andshe sailed for India about three monthsback."
"The name, you say, I think, isO'Sullivan," said he, pulling out histablets. "Well, I will write immediatelyto Captain Fielding, and beg him tomake the minutest inquiries. I will alsowrite to your sister Lucy, for women aremuch keener than men in affairs of thissort. If the regiment is ordered to
Ceylon, all the better: if not, he mustobtain furlough to prosecute hisinquiries. When that is done, I will gomyself to Ireland, and try if we cannottrace the other parties."
My father then left the room, and Iretired with Ellen to make preparationsfor joining my ship at Plymouth. Aletter announcing my appointment hadcome down, and I had written torequest my commission to beforwarded to the clerk of the cheque atPlymouth, that I might save a uselessjourney to London. On the followingday I parted with my father and mydear sister, and, without any adventure,arrived at Plymouth Dock, where I met
with O'Brien. The same day I reportedmyself to the admiral, and joined mybrig, which was lying alongside thehulk with her topmasts pointedthrough. Returning from the brig, as Iwas walking up Fore-street, I observeda fine stout sailor, whose back wasturned to me, reading the handbillwhich had been posted up everywhereannouncing that the Rattlesnake, CaptainO'Brien (about to proceed to the WestIndia station, where doubloons were soplentiful that dollars were only used forballast), was in want of a few stouthands. It might have been said, of agreat many: for we had not entered sixmen, and were doing all the work withthe marines and riggers of the
dockyard; but it is not the custom toshow your poverty in this world eitherwith regard to men or money. Istopped, and overheard him say, "Ay, asfor the doubloons, that cock won'tfight. I've served long enough in theWest Indies not to be humbugged; butI wonder whether Captain O'Brien wasthe second lieutenant of the Sanglier. Ifso, I shouldn't mind trying a cruisewith him." I thought that I recollectedthe voice, and touching him on theshoulder, he turned round, and itproved to be Swinburne. "What,Swinburne!" said I, shaking him by thehand, for I was delighted to see him, "isit you "
"Why, Mr Simple! Well, then, I expectthat I'm right, and that Mr O'Brien ismade, and commands this craft. Whenyou meet the pilot-fish, the shark arn'tfar off, you know."
"You're very right, Swinburne," said I,"in all except calling Captain O'Brien ashark. He's no shark."
"No, that he arn't, except in one way;that is, that I expect he'll soon show histeeth to the Frenchmen. But I beg yourpardon, sir;" and Swinburne took offhis hat.
"Oh! I understand; you did notperceive before that I had shipped the
swab. Yes, I'm lieutenant of theRattlesnake, Swinburne, and hope you'lljoin us."
"There's my hand upon it, Mr Simple,"said he, smacking his great fist intomine so as to make it tingle. "I'mcontent if I know that the captain's agood officer; but when there's two, Ithink myself lucky. I'll just take a boat,and put my name on the books, andthen I'll be on shore again to spend therest of my money, and try if I can't pickup a few hands as volunteers, for Iknow where they all be stowed away. Iwas looking at the craft this morning,and rather took a fancy to her. She has ad d pretty run; but I hope Captain
O'Brien will take off her fiddle-head,and get one carved: I never knew avessel do much with a fiddle-head."
"I rather think that Captain O'Brien hasalready applied to the Commissioneron the subject," replied I; "at all events,it won't be very difficult to make thealteration ourselves."
"To be sure not," replied Swinburne; "acoil of four-inch will make the body ofthe snake; I can carve out the head; andas for a rattle, I be blessed if I don't robone of those beggars of watchmen thisvery night. So good-bye, Mr Simple, tillwe meet again."
Swinburne kept his word; he joined theship that afternoon, and the next daycame off with six good hands, whohad been induced from hisrepresentations to join the brig. "TellCaptain O'Brien," said he to me, "notto be in too great a hurry to man hisship. I know where there are plenty tobe had; but I'll try fair means first."This he did, and every day, almost, hebrought off a man, and all he did bringoff were good able seamen. Othersvolunteered, and we were now morethan half-manned, and ready for sea.The admiral then gave us permission tosend pressgangs on shore.
"Mr Simple," said Swinburne, "I've
tried all I can to persuade a lot of finechaps to enter, but they won't. Now I'mresolved that my brig shall be wellmanned; and if they don't know what'sgood for them, I do, and I'm sure thatthey will thank me for it afterwards; soI'm determined to take every mother'sson of them."
The same night we mustered allSwinburne's men and went on shore toa crimp's house which they knew,surrounded it with our marines in bluejackets, and took out of it twenty-threefine able seamen, which nearly filled upour complement. The remainder weobtained by a draft from the admiral'sship; and I do not believe that there
was a vessel that left Plymouth harbourand anchored in the Sound, bettermanned than the Rattlesnake. So muchfor good character, which is never lostupon seamen O'Brien was universallyliked by those who had sailed with him,and Swinburne, who knew him wellpersuaded many, and forced the others,to enter with him, whether they liked itor not. This they in the event did, and,with the exception of those draftedfrom the flag-ship, we had nodesertions. Indeed, none desertedwhom we would have wished to retain,and their vacancies were soon filled upwith better men.
Chapter XLII
We sail for the West Indies A volunteerfor the ship refused and set on shoreagain, for reasons which the chapterwill satisfactorily explain to the reader.
We were very glad when the master-attendant came on board to take us intothe Sound; and still more glad toperceive that the brig, which had justbeen launched before O'Brien wasappointed to her, appeared to sail veryfast as she ran out. So it proved after wewent to sea; she sailed wonderfully well,beating every vessel that she met, andoverhauling in a very short time
everything that we chased; turning towindward like magic, and tacking in amoment. Three days after we anchoredin the Sound the ship's company werepaid, and our sailing orders came downto proceed with despatches, by nextevening's post, to the island of Jamaica.We started with a fair wind, and weresoon clear of the channel. Our wholetime was now occupied in training ournew ship's company at the guns, andlearning them to pull together ; and by thetime that we had run down the trades,we were in a very fair state ofdiscipline. The first lieutenant wasrather an odd character; his brother wasa sporting man of large property, andhe had contracted, from his example, a
great partiality for such pursuits. Heknew the winning horses of the Derbyand the Oaks for twenty years back, wasan adept at all athletic exercises, a capitalshot, and had his pointer on board. Inother respects, he was a great dandy inhis person, always wore gloves, even onservice, very gentlemanlike andhandsome, and not a very bad sailor;that is, he knew enough to carry on hisduty very creditably, and evidently, nowthat he was the first lieutenant, andobliged to work, learnt more of hisduty every day. I never met a morepleasant messmate or a morehonourable young man. A brig is onlyallowed two lieutenants. The masterwas a rough, kind-hearted, intelligent
young man, always in good humour.The surgeon and purser completed ourmess; they were men of no character atall, except, perhaps, that the surgeonwas too much of a courtier, and thepurser too much of a skin-flint; butpursers are, generally speaking, moresinned against than sinning.
But I have been led away, while talkingof the brig and the officers, and hadalmost forgotten to narrate acircumstance which occurred two daysbefore we sailed. I was with O'Brien inthe cabin, when Mr Osbaldistone, thefirst lieutenant, came in, and reportedthat a boy had come on board tovolunteer for the ship.
"What sort of a lad is he " said O'Brien.
"A very nice lad very slight, sir," repliedthe first lieutenant. "We have twovacancies."
"Well, see what you make of him; andif you think he will do, you may puthim on the books."
"I have tried him, sir. He says that hehas been a short time at sea. I madehim mount the main-rigging, but hedid not much like it."
"Well, do as you please, Osbaldistone,"replied O'Brien; and the first lieutenant
quitted the cabin.
In about a quarter of an hour hereturned. "If you please, sir," said he,laughing, "I sent the boy down to thesurgeon to be examined, and he refusedto strip. The surgeon says that he thinksshe is a woman. I have had her up onthe quarter-deck, and she refuses toanswer any questions, and requires tospeak with you."
"With me!" said O'Brien, with surprise."Oh! one of the men's wives, Isuppose, trying to steal a march uponus. Well, send her down here,Osbaldistone, and I'll prove to her themoral impossibility of her sailing in his
Majesty's brig Rattlesnake."
In a few minutes the first lieutenantsent her down to the cabin door, and Iwas about to retire as she entered; butO'Brien stopped me. "Stay, Peter: myreputation will be at stake if I'm left allalone," said he, laughing.
The sentry opened the door, andwhether boy or girl, a more interestingface I never beheld; the hair was cutclose, and I could not tell whether thesurgeon's suspicions were correct.
"You wish to speak holy St Patrick!"cried O'Brien, looking earnestly at herfeatures; and O'Brien covered his face
and bent over the table, exclaiming,"My God, my God!"
In the meantime the colour of theyoung person fled from hercountenance, and then rushed into itagain, alternately leaving it pale andsuffused with blushes. I perceived atrembling over the frame, the kneesshook and knocked together, and had Inot hastened, she for a female it waswould have fallen on the deck. Iperceived that she had fainted; Itherefore laid her down on the deck,and hastened to obtain some water.O'Brien ran up and went to her.
"My poor, poor girl!" said he,
sorrowfully. "Oh! Peter, this is all yourfault."
"All my fault! how could she havecome here "
"By all the saints who pray for us dearlyas I prize them, I would give up myship and my commission, that thiscould be undone."
As O'Brien hung over her, the tearsfrom his eyes fell upon her face, while Ibathed it with the water I had broughtfrom the dressing-room. I knew who itmust be, although I had never seen her.It was the girl to whom O'Brien hadprofessed love, to worm out the secret
of the exchange of my uncle's child;and as I beheld the scene I could nothelp saying to myself, "Who now willassert that evil may be done that goodmay come " The poor girl showedsymptoms of recovering, and O'Brienwaved his hand to me, saying, "Leaveus, Peter, and see that no one comesin."
I remained nearly an hour at the cabin-door, by the sentry, and prevented manyfrom entering, when O'Brien openedthe door, and requested me to order hisgig to be manned and then to come in.The poor girl had evidently beenweeping bitterly, and O'Brien was muchaffected.
"All is arranged, Peter; you must go onshore with her, and not leave her tillyou see her safe off by the night coach.Do me that favour, Peter you oughtindeed," continued he, in a low voice,"for you have been partly the occasionof this."
I shook O'Brien's hand and made noanswer the boat was reported ready,and the girl followed me with a firmstep. I pulled on shore, saw her safe inthe coach without asking her anyquestion, and then returned on board.
"Come on board, sir," said I, enteringthe cabin with my hat in my hand, and
reporting myself according to theregulations of the service.
"Thank you," replied O'Brien: "shut thedoor, Peter. Tell me, how did shebehave What did she say "
"She never spoke, and I never asked hera question. She seemed to be willing todo as you had arranged."
"Sit down, Peter. I never felt moreunhappy, or more disgusted withmyself in all my life. I feel as if I nevercould be happy again. A sailor's lifemixes him up with the worst part ofthe female sex, and we do not know thereal value of the better. I little thought
when I was talking nonsense to thatpoor girl, that I was breaking one ofthe kindest hearts in the world, andsacrificing the happiness of one whowould lay down her existence for me,Peter. Since you have been gone, it'stwenty times that I've looked in theglass just to see whether I don't looklike a villain. But, by the blood of StPatrick! I thought woman's love was justlike our own, and that a three months'cruise would set all to rights again."
"I thought she had gone over toFrance."
"So did I; but now she has told me allabout it. Father M'Dermot[1] and her
mother brought her down to the coastnear here to embark in a smugglingboat for Dieppe. When the boat pulledin-shore in the night to take them in,the mother and the rascally priest gotin, but she felt as if it was leaving thewhole world to leave the country I wasin, and she held back. The officerscame down, one or two pistols werefired, and the boat shoved off withouther, and she, with their luggage, was lefton the beach. She went back to the nexttown with the officers, where she toldthe truth of the story, and they let hergo. In Father M'Dermot's luggage shefound letters, which she read, andfound out that she and her motherwere to have been placed in a convent
at Dieppe; and, as the convent wasnamed in the letters, which she says arevery important, but I have not hadcourage to read them yet, she went tothe people from whose house they hadembarked, requesting them to forwardthe luggage and a letter to her mothersending everything but the letters,which she reserved for me. She hassince received a letter from her mother,telling her that she is safe and well inthe convent, and begging her to comeover to her as soon as possible. Themother took the vows a week after shearrived there, so we know where to findher, Peter."
"And where is the poor girl going to
stay now, O'Brien "
"That's all the worst part of it. Itappears that she hoped not to be foundout till after we had sailed, and then tohave, as she said, poor thing! to havelaid at my feet and watched over me inthe storms; but I pointed out to herthat it was not permitted, and that Iwould not be allowed to marry her. OPeter! this is a very sad business,"continued O'Brien, passing his handacross his eyes.
"Well, but, O'Brien, what is to becomeof the poor girl "
"She is going home to be with my
father and mother, hoping one day thatI shall come back and marry her. I havewritten to Father M'Grath, to see whathe can do."
"Have you then not undeceived her "
"Father M'Grath must do that, I couldnot. It would have been the death ofher. It would have stabbed her to theheart, and it's not for me to give thatblow. I'd sooner have died sooner havemarried her, than have done it, Peter.Perhaps when I'm far away she'll bear itbetter. Father M'Grath will manage it."
"O'Brien, I don't like that FatherM'Grath."
"Well, Peter, you may be right; I don'texactly like all he says myself; but whatis a man to do either he is a Catholic,and believes as a Catholic, or he is notone. Will I abandon my religion, nowthat it is persecuted Never, Peter: I hopenot, without I find a much better, at allevents. Still I do not like to feel that thisadvice of my confessor is at variancewith my own conscience. FatherM'Grath is a worldly man; but that onlyproves that he is wrong, not that ourreligion is and I don't mind speaking toyou on this subject. No one knows thatI'm a Catholic except yourself: and atthe Admiralty they never asked me totake that oath which I never would
have taken, although Father M'Grathsays I may take any oath I please withwhat he calls heretics, and he will grantme absolution. Peter, my dear fellow,say no more about it."
I did not; but I may as well end thehistory of poor Ella Flanagan at once,as she will not appear again. Aboutthree months afterwards, we received aletter from Father M'Grath, stating thatthe girl had arrived safe, and had been agreat comfort to O'Brien's father andmother, who wished her to remain withthem altogether; that Father M'Grath,had told her that when a man took hiscommission as captain it was all thesame as going into a monastery as a
monk, for he never could marry. Thepoor girl believed him, and thinkingthat O'Brien was lost to her for ever,with the advice of Father M'Grath, hadentered as a nun in one of the religioushouses in Ireland, that, as she said, shemight pray for him night and day.
Many years afterwards, we heard of hershe was well, and not unhappy; butO'Brien never forgot his behaviour tothis poor girl. It was a source ofcontinual regret; and I believe, until thelast day of his existence, his heartsmote him for his inconsiderateconduct towards her. But I must leavethis distressing topic, and return to theRattlesnake, which had now arrived at
the West Indies, and joined the Admiralat Jamaica.
[Footnote 1: The worthy priest formerlycalled Father O'Toole. ED.]
Chapter XLIII
Description of the Coast ofMartinique Popped at for peeping Noheroism in making oneself a targetBoard a miniature Noah's Ark, underYankee colours Capture a French slaverParrot soup in lieu of mock turtle.
We found orders at Barbadoes to cruise
off Martinique, to prevent suppliesbeing furnished to the garrison of theisland, and we proceeded thereimmediately. I do not know anythingmore picturesque than running downthe east side of this beautiful island theridges of hill spreading down to thewater's edge, covered with the freshestverdure, divided at the base by smallbays, with the beach of dazzling whitesand, and where the little coastingvessels employed to bring the sugarfrom the neighbouring estates wereriding at anchor. Each hill, at itsadjutment towards the sea, crownedwith a fort, on which waved the tri-colour certainly, in appearance, one ofthe most war-like flags in the world.
On the third morning we had roundedthe Diamond Rock, and were scuddingalong the lee-side of the island justopening Fort Royal bay, when haulingrather too close round its easternentrance, formed by a promontorycalled Solomon's Point, which wascovered with brush-wood, we foundourselves nearer than agreeable to anewly constructed battery. A columnof smoke was poured along the bluewater, and it was followed by thewhizzing of a shot, which passedthrough our boom main sail, firstcutting away the dog-vane, which wasclose to old Swinburne's head, as hestood on the carronade, conning the
brig. I was at dinner in the cabin withO'Brien and the first lieutenant.
"Where the devil have they got the brignow " said O'Brien, rising from hischair, and going on deck.
We both followed; but before we wereon deck, three or four more shotpassed between the masts. "If youplease, sir," said the master's mate incharge of the deck, whose name wasO'Farrell, "the battery has opened uponus."
"Thank you very much for yourinformation, Mr O'Farrell," repliedO'Brien; "but the French have reported
it before you. May I ask if you've anyparticular fancy to be made a target of,or if you think that His Majesty's brigRattlesnake was sent here to be riddledfor nothing at all Starboard the helm,quartermaster."
The helm was put up, and the brig wassoon run out of the fire; not, however,until a few more shot were pitchedclose to us, and one carried away theforetopmast backstay.
"Now, Mr O'Farrell," replied O'Brien,"I only wish to point out to you that Itrust neither I nor any one in this shipcares a fig about the whizzing of a shotor two about our ears when there is
anything to be gained for it, either forourselves or for our country; but I docare a great deal about losing even theleg or the arm, much more the life ofany of my men, when there's nooccasion for it; so, in future, recollectit's no disgrace to keep out of the wayof a battery when all the advantage ison their side. I've always observed thatchance shots pick out the best men.Lower down the mainsail, and send thesailmakers aft to repair it."
When O'Brien returned to the cabin Iremained on deck, for it was myafternoon watch; and althoughO'Farrell had permission to look outfor me, I did not choose to go down
again. The bay of Fort Royal was nowopened, and the view was extremelybeautiful. Swinburne was still on thecarronade; and as I knew he had beenthere before, I applied to him forinformation as to the locale. He told methe names of the batteries above thetown, pointed out Fort Edward andNegro Point, and particularly PigeonIsland, the battery at the top of whichwore the appearance of a mural crown.
"It's well I remember that place, MrSimple," said he. "It was in '94 when Iwas last here. The sodgers had 'sieged itfor a whole month, and were about togive it up, 'cause they couldn't get a gunup on that 'ere hill you see there. So
poor Captain Faulkner says, 'There'smany a clear head under a tarpaulin hat,and I'll give any chap five doubloonsthat will hitch up a twenty-fourpounder to the top of that hill.' Notquite so easy a matter, as you mayperceive from here, Mr Simple."
"It certainly appears to me to have beenalmost impossible, Swinburne," repliedI.
"And so it did to most of us, MrSimple; but there was one Dick Smith,mate of a transport, who had come onshore, and he steps out, saying, 'I'vebeen looking at your men handling thatgun, and my opinion is, that if you gets
a butt, crams in a carronade, wellwoulded up, and fill it with old junkand rope yarns, you might parbuckle itup to the very top.' So Captain Faulknerpulls out five doubloons, and givesthem to him, saying, 'You deserve themoney for the hint, even if it don'tsucceed.' But it did succeed, Mr Simple;and the next day, to their surprise, weopened fire on the French beggars, andsoon brought their boasting down.One of the French officers, after hewas taken prisoner, axed me how wehad managed to get the gun up there;but I wasn't going to blow the gaff, so Itold him, as a great secret, that we got itup with a kite, upon which he openedall his eyes, and crying 'sacre bleu!' walked
away, believing all I said was true; buta'n't that a sail we have opened with thepoint, Mr Simple "
It was so, and I reported it to O'Brien,who came up and gave chase. In halfan hour we were alongside of her,when she hoisted American colours,and proved to be a brigantine laden upto her gunwale, which was not above afoot out of the water. Her cargoconsisted of what the Americans callednotions; that is, in English, an assortedcargo. Half-way up her masts down tothe deck were hung up basketscontaining apples, potatoes, onions, andnuts of various kinds. Her deck wascrowded with cattle, sheep, pigs, and
donkeys. Below was full of shingle,lumber, and a variety of differentarticles too numerous to mention. Iboarded her, and asked the masterwhither he was bound
"Why," replied he, "I am bound for amarket nowise particular; and I guessyou won't stop me."
"Not if all's right," replied I; "but Imust look at your log."
"Well, I've a notion there's no greatobjection to that," replied he; and hebrought it up on deck.
I had no great time to examine it, but I
could not help being amused at thelittle I did read, such as "Horselatitudes water very short killed white-faced bullock caught a dolphin, and atehim for dinner broached molasses caskNo. I, letter A. Fine night saw littleround things floating on the water tookup a bucket full guessed they werepearls judge I guessed wrong, only littlePortuguese men-of-war threw themoverboard again heard a scream,guessed it was a mermaid looked out,saw nothing. Witnessed a very strangerippling ahead calculated it might bethe sea-serpent stood on to see himplain, and nearly ran on Barbuda.Hauled off again met a Britisher treatedpolitely."
Having overhauled his log, I thenbegged to overhaul his men to ascertainif there were any Englishmen amonghis crew. This was not pleasing, and hegrumbled very much; but they wereordered aft. One man I was satisfiedwas an Englishman, and told him so;but the man as well as the masterpersisted to the contrary. Nevertheless, Iresolved to take him on board forO'Brien to decide, and ordered himinto the boat.
"Well, if you will use force, I can't helpit. My decks an't clear as you see, or elseI tell you what, Mr Lieutenant, yourvessel there will be another Hermione,
I've a notion, if you presses true-blooded Yankees; and, what's more, theStates will take it up, as sure as there'ssnakes in Virginny."
Notwithstanding this remonstrance, Itook them on board to O'Brien, whohad a long conversation with theAmerican in the cabin. When theyreturned on deck he was allowed todepart with his man, and we againmade sail. I had the first watch thatnight, and as we ran along the coast Iperceived a vessel under the high landin what the sailors called the doldrums;that is, almost becalmed, or her sailsflapping about in every direction withthe eddying winds. We steered for her,
and were very soon in the samesituation, not more than a quarter of amile from her. The quarter-boat waslowered down, and I proceeded toboard her; but as she was large andrakish, O'Brien desired me to becareful, and if there was the least showof resistance to return. As I pulled upto her bows they hailed me in French,and desired me to keep off, or theywould fire. This was quite sufficient;and, in obedience to my orders, Ireturned to the brig and reported toO'Brien. We lowered down all thequarter-boats, and towed round thebrig's broadside to her, and then gaveher half a dozen carronades of roundand grape. Hearing great noise and
confusion on board after we hadceased firing, O'Brien again sent me toknow if they had surrendered. Theyreplied in the affirmative, and Iboarded her. She proved to be theCommerce de Bordeaux, with threehundred and thirty slaves on board, outof five hundred embarked from thecoast, bound to Martinique. The crewwere very sickly, and were most ofthem in their hammocks. Latterly, theyhad been killing parrots to make soupfor them; a few that were left, of thegrey species, spoke remarkably well.When they left the coast they had nearlyone thousand parrots on board.
O'Brien perceiving that I had taken
possession, sent another boat to knowwhat the vessel was. I desired thesurgeon to be sent on board, as someof the men and many of the poorslaves were wounded by our shot. Ofall the miserable objects, I know ofnone to be compared to the poor devilsof slaves on board of a slave vessel: thestate of suffocation between decks thedreadful stench arising from their filth,which is hardly ever cleared away thesick lying without help, and lookedupon by those who are stronger withthe utmost indifference men, women,and children, all huddled and crowdedtogether in a state of nudity, worn toskin and bone from stench, starvation,and living in an atmosphere that none
but a negro could exist in. If all thatoccurs in a slave-ship were reallyknown, I think it would beacknowledged that to make the slave-trade piracy would be nothing morethan a just retribution; and this iscertain, that unless it be made piracy, itnever will be discontinued.
By daylight the vessel was ready, andO'Brien determined to take her toDominica, so that the poor devilsmight be immediately sent on shore. Weanchored with her, in a few days, inPrince Rupert's Bay, where we only hadtwenty-four hours to obtain somerefreshments and arrange about ourprize, which I hardly need say was of
some value.
During the short time that I was onshore, purchasing some fowls andvegetables for O'Brien and our ownmess, I was amused at witnessing ablack serjeant drilling some of hisregiment of free negroes and mulattoes.He appeared resolved to make the bestappearance that he could, for he beganby saying, "You hab shoe and 'tocking,stand in front you hab shoe no'tocking, stand in centre you hab noshoe no 'tocking, stand in um rear. Faceto mountain back to sea-beach. Whyyou no 'tep out, sar you hangman!"
I was curious to count the numbers
qualified for the front rank: there wereonly two mulattoes. In the second rankthere were also only two. No shoe andno 'tocking appeared to be the fashion.As usual, we were surrounded by thenegroes; and although we had beenthere but a few hours, they had a songcomposed for us, which they constantlyrepeated:
"Don't you see the Rattlesnake Comingunder sail Don't you see the RattlesnakeWith prizes at um tail ' Rattlesnake haball the money ding, ding She shall haveall that's funny, ding, ding!"
Chapter XLIV
Money can purchase anything in thenew country American information notalways to be depended upon A nightattack; we are beaten off It proves a cutup, instead of a cut out After all, we savesomething out of the fire.
The next morning we weighed anchor,and returned to our station offMartinique. We had run within threemiles of St Pierre's when we discovereda vessel coming out under jury-masts.She steered directly for us, and we madeher out to be the American brigantinewhich we had boarded some timebefore. O'Brien sent a boat to bring the
master of her on board.
"Well, captain," said he, "so you metwith a squall "
"I calculate not," replied he.
"Why, then, what the devil have youbeen about "
"Why, I guess I sold all my cargo, and,what's more, I've sold my masts."
"Sold your masts! who did you sellthem to "
"To an almighty pretty French privateerlying in St Pierre's, which had lost her
spars when she was chased by one ofyour brass-bottomed sarpents; and I'vea notion they paid pretty handsomelytoo."
"But how do you mean to get homeagain "
"I calculate to get into the stream, andthen I'll do very well. If I meet a nor-wester, why then I'll make a signal ofdistress, and some one will tow me in, Iguess."
"Well," replied O'Brien, "but step downinto the cabin and take something,captain."
"With particular pleasure," replied thisstrange mortal; and down they went.
In about half an hour they returned ondeck, and the boat took the Americanon board. Soon afterwards, O'Briendesired Osbaldistone and myself tostep down into the cabin. The chart ofthe harbour of St Pierre's lay on thetable, and O'Brien said, "I have had along conversation with the American,and he states that the privateer is atanchor in this spot" (pointing to apencil-mark on the chart). "If so, she iswell out; and I see no difficulty incapturing her. You see that she lays infour fathoms water, and so close underthe outer battery, that the guns could
not be pointed down upon the boats. Ihave also inquired if they keep a goodlook-out, and the American says thatthey feel so secure that they keep nolook-out at all; that the captain andofficers belonging to her are on shoreall night, drinking, smoking, andboasting of what they will do. Now thequestion is, whether this report becorrect. The American has been well-treated by us, and I see no reason todoubt him; indeed, he gave theinformation voluntarily, as if he wishedto serve us."
I allowed Osbaldistone to speak first:he coincided with O'Brien. I did not:the very circumstance of her requiring
new masts made me doubt the truth ofhis assertion as to where she lay; and ifone part of his story was false, why notthe whole O'Brien appeared struck withmy argument, and it was agreed that ifthe boats did go away, it should be fora reconnoissance, and that the attemptshould only be made, provided it wasfound that the privateer laid in the samespot pointed out by the Americanmaster. It was, however, decided thatthe reconnoissance should take placethat very night, as, allowing theprivateer to be anchored on the spotsupposed, there was every probabilitythat she would not remain there, buthaul further in, to take in her newmasts. The news that an expedition was
at hand was soon circulated throughthe ship, and all the men had takentheir cutlasses from the capstern to getthem ready for action. The lightingboats' crews, without orders, were busywith their boats, some cutting up oldblankets to muffle the oars, othermaking new grummets. The ship'scompany were as busy as bees, bustlingand buzzing about the decks, andreminding you of the agitation whichtakes place in a hive previous to aswarm. At last, Osbaldistone came ondeck, and ordered the boats' crews tobe piped away, and prepare for service.He was to have the command of theexpedition in the launch I had chargeof the first cutter O'Farrell of the
second, and Swinburne had the chargeof the jolly-boat. At dusk, the head ofthe brig was again turned towards StPierre's, and we ran slowly in. At ten wehove-to, and about eleven the boatswere ordered to haul up, O'Brienrepeating his orders to MrOsbaldistone, not to make the attemptif the privateer were found to beanchored close to the town. The menwere all mustered on the quarter-deck,to ascertain if they had thedistinguishing mark on their jackets,that is, square patches of canvas sewedon the left arm, so that we mightrecognize friend from foe a verynecessary precaution in a nightexpedition; and then they were manned,
and ordered to shove off. The oarswere dropped in the water, throwingout a phosphorescent light, so commonin that climate, and away we went. Afteran hour's pulling, Osbaldistone lay onhis oars in the launch, and we closedwith him.
"We are now at the mouth of theharbour," said he, "and the most perfectsilence must be observed."
"At the mouth of the harbour, sir!" saidSwinburne; "I reckon we are more thanhalf way in; we passed the point at leastten minutes ago, and this is the secondbattery we are now abreast of."
To this Osbaldistone did not agree, norindeed did I think that Swinburne wasright; but he persisted in it, and pointedout to us the lights in the town, whichwere now all open to us, and whichwould not be the case if we were onlyat the mouth of the harbour. Still wewere of a different opinion, andSwinburne, out of respect to hisofficers, said no more.
We resumed our oars, pulling with thegreatest caution; the night was intenselydark, and we could distinguish nothing.After pulling ten minutes more, weappeared to be close to the lights in thetown; still we could see no privateer orany other vessel. Again we lay upon our
oars, and held a consultation.Swinburne declared that if the privateerlaid where we supposed, we had passedher long ago; but while we weredebating, O'Farrell cried out, "I seeher," and he was right she was not morethan a cable's length from us. Withoutwaiting for orders, O'Farrell desired hismen to give way, and dashed alongsideof the privateer. Before he was half-wayon board of her, lights flew about inevery direction, and a dozen musketswere discharged. We had nothing to dobut to follow him, and in a few secondswe were all alongside of her; but shewas well prepared, and on the alert.Boarding nettings were triced up allround, every gun had been depressed as
much as possible, and she appeared tobe full of men. A scene of confusionand slaughter now occurred, which Itrust never again to witness. All ourattempts to get on board wereunavailing; if we tried at a port, adozen pikes thrust us back; if weattempted the boarding nettings, wewere thrown down, killed or wounded,into the boats. From every port, andfrom the decks of the privateer, thedischarge of musketry was incessant.Pistols were protruded and fired in ourfaces, while occasionally her carronadeswent off, stunning us with theirdeafening noise, and rocking the boatsin the disturbed water, if they had noother effect. For ten minutes our
exertions never ceased; at last, with halfour numbers lying killed and woundedin the bottom of the boats, the men,worn out and dispirited at theirunavailing attempts, sat down most ofthem on the boats' thwarts, loadingtheir muskets, and discharging theminto the ports. Osbaldistone was amongthe wounded; and perceiving that hewas not in the launch, of whose crewnot six remained, I called to Swinburne,who was alongside of me, and desiredhim to tell the other boats to make thebest of their way out of the harbour.This was soon communicated to thesurvivors, who would have continuedthe unequal contest to the last man, if Ihad not given the order. The launch
and second cutter shoved off O'Farrellalso having fallen; and, as soon as theywere clear of the privateer, and had gottheir oars to pass, I proceeded to do thesame, amidst the shouts and yells ofthe Frenchmen, who now jumped ontheir gunwale and pelted us with theirmusketry, cheering, and mocking us.
"Stop, sir," cried Swinburne, "we'll havea bit of revenge;" so saying, he hauled-to the launch, and wending her bow tothe privateer, directed her carronadewhich they had no idea that we had onboard, as we had not fired it to wherethe Frenchmen were crowded thethickest.
"Stop one moment, Swinburne; putanother dose of canister in." We did so,and then discharged the gun, whichhad the most murderous effect,bringing the major part of them downupon the deck. I feel convinced, fromthe cries and groans which followed,that if we had had a few more men, wemight have returned and captured theprivateer; but it was too late. Thebatteries were all lighted up, andalthough they could not see the boats,fired in the direction where theysupposed us to be; for they were aware,from the shouting on board the vessel,that we had been beaten off. Thelaunch had but six hands capable oftaking an oar; the first cutter had but
four. In my own boat I had five.Swinburne had two besides himself inthe jolly-boat.
"This is a sorry business, sir," saidSwinburne; "now, what's best to bedone My idea is, that we had better putall the wounded men into the launch,man the two cutters and jolly-boat, andtow her off. And, Mr Simple, instead ofkeeping on this side, as they will expectin the batteries, let us keep close in-shore, upon the near side, and theirshot will pass over us."
This advice was too good not to befollowed. It was now two o'clock, andwe had a long pull before us, and no
time to lose: we lifted the dead bodiesand the wounded men out of the twocutters and jolly-boat into the launch. Ihad no time for examination, but Iperceived that O'Farrell was quite dead,and also a youngster of the name ofPepper, who must have smuggledhimself into the boats. I did, however,look for Osbaldistone, and found himin the stern sheets of the launch. Hehad received a deep wound in thebreast, apparently with a pike. He wassensible, and asked me for a little water,which I procured from the breakerwhich was in the launch, and gave it tohim. At the word water, and hearing itpoured out from the breaker, many ofthe wounded men faintly called out for
some. Having no time to spare, I lefttwo men in the launch, one to steer andthe other to give them water, and thentaking her in tow, pulled directly in forthe batteries, as advised by Swinburne,who now sat alongside of me.
As soon as we were well in-shore, Ipulled out of the harbour, with feelingsnot by any means enviable. Swinburnesaid to me in a low voice, "This will bea hard blow for the captain, Mr Simple.I've always been told, that a youngcaptain losing his men without bringingany dollars to his admiral, is not verywell received."
"I am more sorry for him than I can
well express, Swinburne," replied I;"but what is that a-head a vessel underweigh "
Swinburne stood up in the stern of thecutter, and looked for a few seconds."Yes, a large ship standing in underroyals she must be a Frenchman. Now'sour time, sir; so long as we don't go outempty-handed, all will be well. Oars, allof you. Shall we cast off the launch, sir"
"Yes," replied I; "and now, my lads, letus only have the vessel, and we shall do.She is a merchantman, that's clear (notthat I was sure of it). Swinburne, Ithink it will be better to let her pass us
in-shore; they will all be looking out ofthe other side, for they must have seenthe firing."
"Well thought of, sir," repliedSwinburne.
We laid on our oars, and let her pass us,which she did, creeping in at the rate oftwo miles an hour. We then pulled forher quarter in the three boats, leavingthe launch behind us, and boarded. Aswe premised, the crew were on deck,and all on the other side of the vessel,so anxiously looking at the batteries,which were still firing occasionalrandom shot, that they did not perceiveus until we were close to them, and
then they had no time to seize theirarms. There were several ladies onboard; some of the people protectedthem, others ran below. In two minuteswe had possession of her, and had puther head the other way. To our surprisewe found that she mounted fourteenguns. One hatch we left open for theladies, some of whom had fainted, tobe taken down below; the others werefastened down by Swinburne. As soonas we had the deck to ourselves, wemanned one of the cutters, and sent itfor the launch; and as soon as she wasmade fast alongside, we had time tolook about us. The breeze freshened,and, in half an hour, we were out ofgun-shot of all the batteries. I then had
the wounded men taken out of thelaunch, and Swinburne and the othermen bound up their wounds, and madethem as comfortable as they could.
Chapter XLV
Some remarkable occurrences takeplace in the letter of marque Oldfriends with improved faces The captora captive; but not carried away, thoughthe captive is, by the ship's boat Thewhole chapter a mixture of love, war,and merchandise.
We had had possession of the vessel
about an hour, when the man who wassentry over the hatchway told me thatone or the prisoners wished to speakwith the English commanding officer,and asked leave to come on deck. Igave permission, and a gentleman cameup, stating that he was a passenger; thatthe ship was a letter of marque, fromBordeaux; that there were seven ladypassengers on board, who had comeout to join their husbands and families;and that he trusted I would have noobjection to put them on shore, aswomen could hardly be considered asobjects of warfare. As I knew thatO'Brien would have done so, and thathe would be glad to get rid of bothwomen and prisoners if he could, I
replied "Most certainly;" that I wouldheave-to, that they might not have sofar to pull on shore, and that I wouldpermit the ladies and other passengersto go on shore. I begged that theywould be as quick as possible in gettingtheir packages ready, and that I wouldgive them two of the boats belongingto the ship, with a sufficient number ofFrench seamen belonging to her to manthe boats. The Frenchman was verygrateful, thanked me in the name of theladies, and went down below to impartthe intelligence. I then hove-to, lowereddown the boats from the quarters, andwaited for them to come up. It wasdaylight before they were ready, but thatI did not care about; I saw the brig in
the offing about seven miles off, and Iwas well clear of the batteries. At lastthey made their appearance, one by onecoming up the ladder, escorted byFrench gentlemen. They had to waitwhile the packages and bundles wereput into the boats. The first sight whichstruck them with horror was the manydead and wounded Englishmen lyingon the decks. Expressing theircommiseration, I told them that we hadattempted to take the privateer, and hadbeen repulsed, and that it was comingout of the harbour that I had fallen inwith their ship and captured it. All theladies had severally thanked me for mykindness in giving them their liberty,except one, whose eyes were fixed upon
the wounded men, when the Frenchgentleman went up to her, andreminded her that she had notexpressed her thanks to thecommanding officer.
She turned round to me I started back.I certainly had seen that face before Icould not be mistaken; yet she had nowgrown up into a beautiful youngwoman. "Celeste," said I, trembling."Are you not Celeste "
"Yes," replied she, looking earnestly atme, as if she would discover who I was,but which it was not very easy to do,begrimed as my face was with dust andgunpowder.
"Have you forgotten Peter Simple "
"Oh! no no never forgot you!" criedCeleste, bursting into tears, and holdingout her hands.
This scene occasioned no smallastonishment to the parties on deck,who could not comprehend it. Shesmiled through her tears, as I told herhow happy I was to have the means ofbeing of service to her. "And where isthe colonel " said I.
"There," replied she, pointing to theisland; "he is now general, andcommands the force in the garrison.
And where is Mr O'Brien " interrogatedCeleste.
"There," replied I; "he commands thatman-of-war, of which I am the secondlieutenant."
A rapid exchange of inquiries tookplace, and the boats were stopped whilewe were in conversation. Swinburnereported that the brig was standing infor us, and I felt that in justice to thewounded I could no longer delay. Still Ifound time to press her hand, to thankher for the purse she had given mewhen I was on the stilts, and to tell herthat I had never forgotten her, andnever would. With many remembrances
to her father, I was handing her into theboat, when she said, "I don't knowwhether I am right to ask it, but youcould do me such a favour."
"What is it, Celeste "
"You have allowed more than one-halfof the men to pull us on shore; somemust remain, and they are so miserableindeed it is hardly yet decided which ofthem are to go. Could you let them allgo "
"That I will, for your sake, Celeste. Assoon as your two boats have shovedoff, I will lower down the boat astern,and send the rest after you; but I must
make sail now God bless you!"
The boats then shoved off, thepassengers waving their handkerchiefsto us, and I made sail for the brig. Assoon as the stern-boat was alongside,the rest of the crew were called up andput into her, and followed theircompanions. I felt that O'Brien wouldnot be angry with me for letting themall go: and especially when I told himwho begged for them. The vessel'sname was the Victorine, mountingfourteen guns, and twenty-four men,with eleven passengers. She was chieflyladen with silks and wine, and was avery valuable prize. Celeste had time totell me that her father had been four
years in Martinique, and had left her athome for her education; and that shewas then coming out to join him. Theother ladies were all wives or daughtersof officers of the French garrison onthe island, and the gentlemenpassengers were some of them Frenchofficers; but as this was told me insecrecy, of course I was not bound toknow it, as they were not in uniform.
As soon as we had closed with the brig,I hastened on board to O'Brien; and assoon as a fresh supply of hands to manthe boats, and the surgeon had beendespatched on board of the prize, tosuperintend the removal of thewounded, I went down with him into
the cabin, and narrated what hadoccurred.
"Well," said O'Brien, "all's well thatends well; but this is not the luckiest hitin the world. Your taking the ship hassaved me, Peter; and I must make asflourishing a despatch as I can. By thepowers but it's very lucky that she hasfourteen guns it sounds grand. I mustmuddle it all up together, so that theadmiral must think we intended to cutthem both out and so we did, sureenough, if we had known she had beenthere. But I am most anxious to hearthe surgeon's report, and whether poorOsbaldistone will do well. Peter, obligeme by going on board, and put two
marines sentry over the hatchway, sothat no one goes down and pulls thetraps about; for I'll send on shoreeverything belonging to the passengers,for Colonel O'Brien's sake."
The surgeon's report was made sixkilled and sixteen wounded. The killedwere, O'Farren and Pepper,midshipmen, two seamen and twomarines. The first lieutenant,Osbaldistone, was severely wounded inthree places, but likely to do well; fiveother men were dangerously wounded:the other ten would, in all probability,return to their duty in less than amonth. As soon as the wounded wereon board, O'Brien returned with me to
the prize, and we went down into thecabin. All the passengers' effects werecollected; the trunks which had beenleft open were nailed down: andO'Brien wrote a handsome letter toGeneral O'Brien, containing a list ofthe packages sent on shore. We sent thelaunch with a flag of truce to thenearest battery; after some demur it wasaccepted, and effects landed. We didnot wait for an answer, but made all sailto join the admiral at Barbadoes.
The next morning we buried those whohad fallen. O'Farrell was a fine youngman, brave as a lion, but very hot in histemper. He would have made a goodofficer had he been spared. Poor little
Pepper was also much regretted. Hewas but twelve years old. He had bribedthe bowman of the second cutter toallow him to conceal himself under thefore-sheets of the boat. His day'sallowance of spirits had purchased himthis object of his ambition, whichended so fatally. But as soon as thebodies had disappeared under thewave, and the service was over, we allfelt happier. There is something veryunpleasant, particularly to sailors, inhaving a corpse on board.
We now sailed merrily along, the prizekeeping company with us; and, beforewe reached Barbadoes, most of themen were convalescent. Osbaldistone's
wounds, were, however, very severe;and he was recommended to returnhome, which he did, and obtained hispromotion as soon as he arrived. Hewas a pleasant messmate, and I wassorry to lose him; although, thelieutenant appointed in his room beingjunior to me, I was promoted to be firstlieutenant of the brig. Soon afterOsbaldistone went home, his brotherbroke his neck when hunting, andOsbaldistone came into the property.He then quitted the service.
We found the admiral at Barbadoes,who received O'Brien and his despatchvery well. O'Brien had taken two goodprizes, and that was sufficient to cover a
multitude of sins, even if he hadcommitted any; but the despatch wasadmirably written, and the admiral, inhis letter to the Admiralty, commentedupon Captain O'Brien's successful anddaring attack; whereas, if the truth hadbeen known, it was Swinburne's adviceof pulling up the weather shore, whichwas the occasion of our capturing theVictorine; but it is very hard to come atthe real truth of these sort of things, asI found out during the time that I wasin His Majesty's service.
Chapter XLVI
O'Brien tells his crew that oneEnglishman is as good as threeFrenchmen on salt water They prove itWe fall in with an old acquaintance,although she could not be consideredas a friend.
Our next cruise was on the coast ofGuinea and Gulf of Mexico, where wewere running up and down for threemonths, without falling in withanything but West Indiamen bound toDemerara, Berbice, and Surinam, andoccasionally chasing a privateer; but inthe light winds they were too fast forus. Still we were useful in protecting thetrade, and O'Brien had a letter ofthanks from the merchants, and a
handsome piece of plate upon hisquitting the station. We had made sailfor Barbadoes two days, and werewithin sight of the island of Trinidad,when we perceived six sail on the lee-bow. We soon made them out to bethree large ships and three schooners;and immediately guessed, whichafterwards proved to be correct, thatthey were three privateers, with WestIndia ships which they had captured.We made all sail, and at first the threeprivateers did the same; but afterwards,having made out our force, and notliking to abandon their prizes, theyresolved to fight. The West Indiamenhauled to the wind on the other tack,and the three privateers shortened sail
and awaited our coming. We beat toquarters, and when everything wasready, and we were within a mile of theenemy, who had now thrown out thetri-coloured flag, O'Brien ordered allthe men aft on the quarter-deck, andaddressed them: "Now, my men, yousee that there are three privateers, andyou also see that there are three WestIndiamen, which they have captured.As for the privateers, it's just a fairmatch for you one Englishman canalways beat three Frenchmen. We mustlick the privateers for honour and glory,and we must re-capture the ships forprofit, because you'll all want somemoney when you get on shore again. Soyou've just half-a-dozen things to do,
and then we'll pipe to dinner."
This harangue suited the sailors verywell, and they returned to their guns."Now, Peter," said O'Brien, "just callaway the sail-trimmers from the guns,for I mean to fight these fellows undersail, and out-manoeuvre them, if I can.Tell Mr Webster I want to speak withhim."
Mr Webster was the second lieutenant,a very steady, quiet young man, and agood officer.
"Mr Webster," said O'Brien, "rememberthat all the foremost guns must be verymuch depressed. I prefer that the shot
should strike the water before it reachesthem, rather than it should go overthem. See that your screws are run up atonce, and I will take care that nobroadside is thrown away. Starboard,Swinburne."
"Starboard it is, sir."
"Steady; so that's right for the stern ofthe leeward vessel."
We were within two cable lengths ofthe privateers, who still remained hove-to within half a cable's length of eachother. They were very large schooners,full of men, with their boarding nettingtriced up, and showing a very good set
of teeth: as it afterwards proved, onemounted sixteen, and the other twofourteen, guns.
"Now, my lads, over to the lee guns, andfire as they bear, when we round to.Hands by the lee head-braces, and jib-sheet, stretch along the weather braces.Quarter-master abaft, tend the boom-sheet. Port hard, Swinburne."
"Port it is, sir," replied Swinburne; andthe brig rounded up on the wind,shooting up under the sterns of thetwo weathermost schooners, anddischarging the broadsides into them asthe guns bore.
"Be smart and load, my lads, and standby the same guns. Round in the weatherhead-braces. Peter, I don't want her togo about. Stand by to haul over theboom-sheet, when she pays off.Swinburne, helm amidships."
By this time another broadside waspoured into the schooner, who had notyet returned our fire, which, havingfoolishly remained hove to the wind,they could not do. The brig had nowstern way, and O'Brien then executed avery skilful manoeuvre: he shifted thehelm, and made a stern board, so as toback in between the two weatherschooners and the one to leeward,bracing round at the same time on the
other tack.
"Man both sides, my lads, and givethem your broadsides as we pass."
The men stationed at the starboardguns flew over, and the other side beingagain loaded, we exchanged broadsideswith the leeward and one of thewindward schooners, the brigcontinuing her stern way until wepassed ahead of them. By the time thatwe had re-loaded, the brig had gatheredheadway, and again passed between thesame two schooners, exchangingbroadsides, and then passing astern ofthem.
"Capital, my lads capital!" said O'Brien;"this is what I call good fighting." Andso it was; for O'Brien had given tworaking broadsides, and four others,receiving only two in return, for theschooners were not ready for us whenwe passed between them the last time.
The smoke had now rolled away toleeward, and we were able to see theeffect of our broadsides. The middleschooner had lost her main-boom, andappeared very much cut up in the hull.The schooner to leeward did notappear to have suffered much; but theynow perceived their error, and madesail. They had expected that we shouldhave run in between them, and fought
broadside to broadside, by whichmeans the weathermost schoonerwould have taken a raking position,while the others engaged us towindward and to leeward. Our owndamages were trifling two men slightlywounded, and one main shroud cutaway. We ran about half a mile asternfrom them; then with both broadsidesready, we tacked, and found that, as weexpected, we could weather the wholeof them. This we did; O'Brien runningthe brig within biscuit-throw of theweather schooner, engaging himbroadside to broadside, with theadvantage that the other two could notfire a shot into us without standing achance of striking their consort. If he
made more sail, so did we; if heshortened, so did we; so as to keep ourposition with little variation. Theschooner fought well; but her metalwas not to be compared with ourthirty-two pound carronades, whichploughed up her sides at so short adistance, driving two ports into one. Atlast her foremast went by the board,and she dropped astern. In themeantime the other schooners hadboth tacked, and were coming upunder our stern to rake us, but theaccident which happened to the one wehad engaged left us at liberty. We knewthat she could not escape, so we tackedand engaged the other two, nearingthem as fast as we could. The breeze
now sprang up fast, and O'Brien put upthe helm and passed between them,giving them both a raking broadside ofgrape and cannister, which brought thesticks about their ears. This sickenedthem; the smallest schooner, which hadbeen the leewardmost at thecommencement of the action, made allsail on a wind. We clapped on theroyals to follow her, when we perceivedthat the other schooner, which hadbeen in the middle, and whose main-boom we had shot away, had put herhelm up, and was crowding all sailbefore the wind. O'Brien then said,"Must not try for too much, or we shalllose all. Put her about, Peter, we mustbe content with the one that is left us."
We went about, and ranged up to theschooner which had lost her foremast;but she, finding that her consort haddeserted her, hauled down her coloursjust as we were about to pour in ourbroadside. Our men gave three cheers;and it was pleasant to see them allshaking hands with each other,congratulating and laughing at thesuccessful result of our action.
"Now, my lads, be smart; we've doneenough for honour, now for profit.Peter, take the two cutters full of men,and go on board of the schooner,while I get hold of the three WestIndiamen. Rig something jury forward,
and follow me."
In a minute the cutters were down andfull of men. I took possession of theschooner, while the brig again tacked,and crowding all sail stood after thecaptured vessels. The schooner, whichwas the largest of the three, was calledthe Jean d' Arc, mounting sixteen guns,and had fifty-three men on board, theremainder being away in the prizes. Thecaptain was wounded very badly, andone officer killed. Out of her ship'scompany, she had but eight killed andfive wounded. They informed me, thatthey had sailed three months ago fromSt Pierre's, Martinique, and had fallenin with the other two privateers, and
cruised in company, having taken nineWest Indiamen since they had comeout. "Pray," said I to the officer whogave the information, "were you everattacked by boats when you laid at StPierre's " He replied, yes; and that theyhad beaten them off. "Did youpurchase these masts of an American "He replied in the affirmative; so that wehad captured the very vessel, inattempting to cut out which, we hadlost so many men.
We were all very glad of this, andSwinburne said, "Well, hang me if Ididn't think that I had seen that port-hole before; there it was that Iwrenched a pike out of one of the
rascal's hands, who tried to stab me,and into that port-hole I fired at least adozen muskets. Well, I'm d d glad we'vegot hold of the beggar at last."
We secured the prisoners below, andcommenced putting the schooner inorder. In half an hour, we hadcompleted our knotting and splicing,and having two of the carpenters withus, in an hour we had got up a smalljury mast forward, sufficient for thepresent. We lowered the mainsail, puttry-sails on her, and stood after the brig,which was now close to the prizes; butthey separated, and it was not till darkthat she had possession of two. Thethird was then hull down on the other
tack, with the brig in chase. Wefollowed the brig, as did the two re-captured vessels, and even with our juryup, we found that we could sail as fastas they. The next morning, we saw thebrig hove-to, and about three miles a-head, with the three vessels in herpossession. We closed, and I went onboard. Webster was put in charge ofthe privateer; and, after lying-to for thatday to send our prize-masters and menon board to remove the prisoners, wegot up a proper jury-mast, and all madesail together for Barbadoes. On myreturn on board, I found that we hadbut one man and one boy killed and sixwounded, which I was not aware of. Iforgot to say that the names of the
other two privateers were L'Etoile andLa Madeleine.
In a fortnight we arrived with all ourprizes safe in Carlisle Bay, where wefound the admiral, who had anchoredbut two days before. I hardly need saythat O'Brien was well received, andgained a great deal of credit for theaction. I found several letters from mysister, the contents of which gave memuch pain. My father had been somemonths in Ireland, and returnedwithout gaining any information. Mysister said that he was very unhappy,paid no attention to his clerical duties,and would sit for days withoutspeaking. That he was very much
altered in his appearance, and hadgrown thin and care-worn. "In short,"said she "my dear Peter, I am afraid thathe is fretting himself to death. Ofcourse, I am very lonely andmelancholy. I cannot help reflectingupon what will be my situation if anyaccident should happen to my father.Accept my uncle's protection I will not;yet, how am I to live, for my father hassaved nothing I have been very busylately, trying to qualify myself for agoverness, and practise the harp andpiano for several hours every day. Ishall be very, very glad when you comehome again." I showed the letters toO'Brien, who read them with muchattention. I perceived the colour mount
into his cheeks, when he read thoseparts of her letters in which shementioned his name, and expressed hergratitude for his kindness towards me.
"Never mind, Peter," said O'Brien,returning me the letters; "to whom is itthat I am indebted for my promotion,and this brig, but to you and for all theprize-money which I have made, andwhich, by the head of St Patrick, comesto a very dacent sum, but to you Makeyourself quite easy about your dearlittle sister. We'll club your prize-moneyand mine together, and she shall marrya duke, if there is one in Englanddeserving her; and it's the French thatshall furnish her dowry, as sure as the
Rattlesnake carries a tail."
Chapter XLVII
I am sent away after prizes, and meetwith a hurricane Am driven on shore,with the loss of more than half mymen Where is the Rattlesnake
In three weeks we were again ready forsea, and the admiral ordered us to ourold station off Martinique. We hadcruised about a fortnight off StPierre's, and, as I walked the deck atnight, often did I look at the lights inthe town, and wonder whether any of
them were in the presence of Celeste,when, one evening, being about sixmiles off shore, we observed twovessels rounding Negro Point, close in-shore. It was quite calm, and the boatswere towing ahead.
"It will be dark in half-an-hour, Peter,"said O'Brien, "and I think we might getthem before they anchor, or, if they doanchor, it will be well outside. What doyou think "
I agreed with him, for in fact, I alwaysseemed to be happier when the brigwas close in-shore, as I felt as if I wasnearer to Celeste, and the further wewere off, the more melancholy I
became. Continually thinking of her,and the sight of her after so many years'separation, had changed my youthfulattachment into strong affection. I maysay that I was deeply in love. The veryidea of going into the harbour,therefore, gave me pleasure, and therewas no mad or foolish thing that Iwould not have done, only to gazeupon the walls which contained theconstant object of my thoughts. Thesewere wild and visionary notions, andwith little chance of ever arriving toany successful issue; but at one or two-and-twenty we are fond of buildingcastles, and very apt to fall in love,without considering our prospect ofsuccess. I replied, that I thought it very
possible, and wished he would permitme to make the attempt, as, if I foundthere was much risk, I would return.
"I know that I can trust you, Peter,"replied O'Brien, "and it's a greatpleasure to know that you have anofficer you can trust: but haven't Ibrought you up myself, and made aman of you, as I promised I would,when you were a little spalpeen, with asniffling nose, and legs in the shape oftwo carrots So hoist out the launch,and get the boats ready the sooner thebetter. What a hot day this has been nota cat's-paw on the water, and the sky allof a mist. Only look at the sun, how hegoes down, puffed out to three times
his size, as if he were in a terriblepassion. I suspect we shall have theland breeze off strong."
In half an hour I shoved off with theboats. It was now quite dark, and Ipulled towards the harbour of StPierre. The heat was excessive andunaccountable; not the slightest breathof wind moved in the heavens orbelow; no clouds to be seen, and thestars were obscured by a sort of mist:there appeared a total stagnation in theelements. The men in the boats pulledoff their jackets, for, after a fewmoments' pulling, they could bear themno longer. As we pulled in, theatmosphere became more opaque, and
the darkness more intense. Wesupposed ourselves to be at the mouthof the harbour, but could see nothingnot three yards ahead of the boat.Swinburne, who always went with me,was steering the boat, and I observed tohim the unusual appearance of thenight.
"I've been watching it, sir," repliedSwinburne, "and I tell you, Mr Simple,that if we only know how to find thebrig, that I would advise you to get onboard of her immediately. She'll wantall her hands this night, or I'm muchmistaken."
"Why do you say so " replied I.
"Because I think, nay, I may say that I'msartin, we'll have a hurricane aforemorning. It's not the first time I'vecruised in these latitudes. I recollect in'94 "
But I interrupted him: "Swinburne, Ibelieve that you are right. At all events,I'll turn back: perhaps we may reach thebrig before it comes on. She carries alight, and we can find her out." I thenturned the boat round, and steered, asnear as I could guess, for where the brigwas lying. But we had not pulled outmore than two minutes before a lowmoaning was heard in the atmospherenow here, now there and we appeared
to be pulling through solid darkness, ifI may use the expression. Swinburnelooked around him and pointed out onthe starboard bow.
"It's a-coming, Mr Simple, sure enough;many's the living being that will not riseon its legs to-morrow. See, sir."
I looked, and dark as it was, it appearedas if a sort of black wall was sweepingalong the water right towards us. Themoaning gradually increased to astunning roar, and then at once it brokeupon us with a noise to which nothunder can bear a comparison. Theoars were caught by the wind with suchforce that the men were dashed forward
under the thwarts, many of themseverely hurt. Fortunately we pulledwith tholes and pins, or the gunwaleand planks of the boat would havebeen wrenched off, and we should havefoundered. The wind soon caught theboat on her broadside, and, had therebeen the least sea, would haveinevitably thrown her over; butSwinburne put the helm down, and shefell off before the hurricane, dartingthrough the boiling water at the rate often miles an hour. All hands wereaghast; they had recovered their seats,but were obliged to relinquish themand sit down at the bottom, holding onby the thwarts. The terrific roaring ofthe hurricane prevented any
communication, except by gesture. Theother boats had disappeared; lighterthan ours, they had flown away fasterbefore the sweeping element; but wehad not been a minute before the windbefore the sea rose in a mostunaccountable manner it appeared tobe by magic. Of all the horrors thatever I witnessed, nothing could becompared to the scene of this night.We could see nothing, and heard onlythe wind, before which we were dartinglike an arrow to where we knew not,unless it was to certain death.Swinburne steered the boat, every nowand then looking back as the wavesincreased. In a few minutes we were ina heavy swell, that at one minute bore
us all aloft, and at the next almostsheltered us from the hurricane; andnow the atmosphere was charged withshowers of spray, the wind cutting offthe summits of the waves, as if with aknife, and carrying them along with it,as it were, in its arms. The boat wasfilling with water, and appeared to settledown fast. The men baled with theirhats in silence, when a large waveculminated over the stern, filling us upto our thwarts. The next moment we allreceived a shock so violent, that wewere jerked from our seats. Swinburnewas thrown over my head. Every timberof the boat separated at once, and sheappeared to crumble from under us,leaving us floating on the raging waters.
We all struck out for our lives, but withlittle hope of preserving them; but thenext wave dashed us on the rocks,against which the boat had already beenhurled. That wave gave life to some anddeath to others. Me, in Heaven's mercy,it preserved: I was thrown so high upthat I merely scraped against the top ofthe rock, breaking two of my ribs.Swinburne, and eight more, escapedwith me, but not unhurt: two had theirlegs broken, three had broken arms,and the others were more or lesscontused. Swinburne miraculouslyreceived no injury. We had beeneighteen in the boat, of which tenescaped: the others were hurled up atour feet; and the next morning we
found them dreadfully mangled. Oneor two had their skulls literally shatteredto pieces against the rocks. I felt that Iwas saved, and was grateful; but still thehurricane howled still the waves werewashing over us. I crawled further upupon the beach, and found Swinburnesitting down with his eyes directedseaward. He knew me, took my hand,squeezed it, and then held it in his. Forsome moments we remained in thisposition, when the waves, which everymoment increased in volume, washedup to us, and obliged us to crawlfurther up. I then looked around me;the hurricane continued in its fury, butthe atmosphere was not so dark. Icould trace, for some distance, the line
of the harbour, from the ridge of foamupon the shore; and, for the first time, Ithought of O'Brien and the brig. I putmy mouth close to Swinburne's ear,and cried out, "O'Brien!" Swinburneshook his head, and looked up again atthe offing. I thought whether there wasany chance of the brig's escape. She wascertainly six, if not seven miles off, andthe hurricane was not direct on theshore. She might have a drift of tenmiles, perhaps; but what was thatagainst such tremendous power Iprayed for those on board of the brig,and returned thanks for my ownpreservation. I was, or soon should be,a prisoner, no doubt; but what was thatI thought of Celeste, and felt almost
happy.
In about three hours the force of thewind subsided. It still blew a heavygale, but the sky cleared up, the starsagain twinkled in the heavens, and wecould see to a considerable distance.
"It's breaking now, sir," said Swinburne,at last; "satisfied with the injury it hasdone and that's no little. This is worsethan '94."
"Now, I'd give all my pay and prize-money if it were only daylight, and Icould know the fate of the poorRattlesnake. What do you think,Swinburne "
"All depends upon whether they weretaken unprepared, sir. Captain O'Brienis as good a seaman as ever trod aplank; but he never has been in ahurricane, and may not have known,the signs and warnings which God inHis mercy has vouchsafed to us. Yourflush vessels fill easily but we musthope for the best."
Most anxiously did we look out for theday, which appeared to us as if it neverwould break. At last the dawnappeared, and we stretched our eyes toevery part of the offing as it waslighted up, but we could not see thebrig. The sun rose, and all was bright
and clear; but we looked not around us,our eyes were directed to where we hadleft the brig. The sea was still runninghigh, but the wind abated fast.
"Thank God!" ejaculated Swinburne,when he had directed his eyes along thecoast, "she is above water, at all events!"and looking in the direction where hepointed, I perceived the brig within twomiles of the shore, dismantled, andtossing in the waves.
"I see her," replied I, catching mybreath with joy; "but still I think shemust go on shore."
"All depends upon whether she can get
a little bit of sail up to weather thepoint," replied Swinburne; "anddepend upon it, Captain O'Brienknows that as well as we do."
We were now joined by the other menwho were saved. We all shook hands.They pointed out to me the bodies ofour shipmates who had perished. Idirected them to haul them further up,and put them all together; andcontinued, with Swinburne, to watchthe brig. In about half an hour weperceived a triangle raised, and in tenminutes afterwards a jury-mast abaft atry-sail was hoisted and set. Then theshears were seen forward, and in asshort a time another try-sail and a
storm-jib were expanded to the wind.
"That's all he can do now, Mr Simple,"observed Swinburne; "he must trust tothem and Providence. They are notmore than a mile from the beach it willbe touch and go."
Anxiously did we watch for more thanhalf an hour; the other men returned tous, and joined in our speculations. Atone time we thought it impossible atanother, we were certain that she wouldweather the point. At last, as she nearedus, she warped ahead: my anxietybecame almost insupportable. I stoodfirst on one leg, and then on the other,breathless with suspense. She appeared
to be on the point actually touching therocks "God! she's struck!" said I.
"No!" replied Swinburne; and then wesaw her pass on the other side of theoutermost rock and disappear.
"Safe, Mr Simple! weathered, by God!"cried Swinburne, waving his hat withjoy.
"God be thanked!" replied I, overcomewith delight.
Chapter XLVIII
The devastation of the hurricane Petermakes friends At destroying or saving,nothing like British seamen Peter meetswith General O'Brien, much to hissatisfaction Has another meeting stillmore so A great deal of pressing ofhands, "and all that," as Pope says.
Now that the brig was safe, we thoughtof ourselves. My first attention wasdirected to the dead bodies, and as Ilooked at their mangled limbs, I feltgrateful to Heaven that I had been somiraculously spared. We then cast oureyes along the beach to see if we couldtrace any remnants of the other boats,but in vain. We were about three milesfrom the town, which we could
perceive had received considerabledamage, and the beach below it wasstrewed with wrecks and fragments. Itold the men that we might as well walkinto the town and deliver ourselves upas prisoners; to which they agreed, andwe set forward, promising to send forthe poor fellows who were too muchhurt to accompany us.
As soon as we climbed up the rocks,and gained the inland, what a sightpresented itself to us! Trees torn up bythe roots in every direction cattle lyingdead here and there the remains of ahouse, of which the other parts hadbeen swept away for miles. Everythingnot built of solid masonry had
disappeared. We passed what had beena range of negro huts, but they werelevelled to the ground. The negroeswere busily searching for their propertyamong the ruins, while the women heldtheir infants in their arms, and the otherchildren by their sides. Here and therewas the mother wailing over the deadbody of some poor little thing whichhad been crushed to death. They tookno notice of us. About half a milefurther on, to our great delight, we fellin with the crews of the other boats,who were sitting by the side of theroad. They had all escaped unhurt; theirboats, being so much more buoyantthan ours, had been thrown up highand dry. They joined us, and we
proceeded on our way. On our road wefell in with a cart blown over, under thewheel of which was the leg of thenegro who conducted it. We releasedthe poor fellow; his leg was fractured.We laid him by the side of the road inthe shade, and continued our march.Our whole route was one scene ofdesolation and distress; but when wearrived at the town, we found that thereit was indeed accumulated. There wasnot one house in three standing entirethe beach was covered with remnantsof bodies and fragments of vessels,whose masts lay forced several feet intothe sand, and broken into four or fivepieces. Parties of soldiers were busytaking away the bodies, and removing
what few valuables had been saved. Weturned up into the town, for no oneaccosted us or even noticed us; andhere the scene was even more dreadful.In some streets they were digging outthose who were still alive, and whosecries were heard among the ruins; inothers they were carrying away the deadbodies. The lamentations of therelatives the howling of the negroes thecries of the wounded the cursing andswearing of the French soldiers, andthe orders delivered continually byofficers on horseback, with all theconfusion arising from crowds ofspectators, mingling their voicestogether, formed a scene as dreadful asit was novel. After surveying it for a few
minutes, I went up to an officer onhorseback, and told him in French, thatI wished to surrender myself as aprisoner.
"We have no time to take prisonersnow," replied he; "hundreds are buriedin the ruins, and we must try to savethem. We must now attend to theclaims of humanity."
"Will you allow my men to assist you,sir " replied I. "They are active andstrong fellows."
"Sir," said he, taking off his hat, "Ithank you in the name of myunfortunate countrymen."
"Show us, then, where we may be mostuseful."
He turned and pointed to a househigher up, the offices of which wereblown down. "There are living beingsunder those ruins."
"Come, my lads," said I; and sore asthey were, my men hastened withalacrity to perform their task. I couldnot help them myself, my side was sopainful; but I stood by giving themdirections. In half an hour we hadcleared away, so as to arrive at a poornegro girl, whose cries we had distinctlyheard. We released her and laid her
down in the street, but she fainted. Herleft hand was dreadfully shattered. Iwas giving what assistance I could, andthe men were busy clearing away,throwing on one side the beams andrafters, when an officer on horsebackrode up. He stood and asked me whowe were. I told him that we belonged tothe brig, and had been wrecked; andthat we were giving what assistance wecould until they were at leisure to sendus to prison.
"You English are fine brave fellows,"replied he, and he rode on.
Another unfortunate object had beenrecovered by our men, an old white-
headed negro, but he was too muchmangled to live. We brought him out,and were laying him beside the negrogirl, when several officers on horsebackrode down the street. The one who wasforemost, in a general's uniform, Iimmediately recognized as my formerfriend, then Colonel O'Brien. They allstopped and looked at us. I told whowe were. General O'Brien took off hishat to the sailors, and thanked them. Hedid not recognize me, and he waspassing on, when I said to him inEnglish, "General O'Brien, you haveforgotten me, but I shall never forgetyour kindness."
"My God!" said he, "is it you, my dear
fellow " and he sprang from his horseand shook me warmly by the hand."No wonder that I did not know you;you are a very different person fromlittle Peter Simple, who dressed up as agirl and danced on stilts. But I have tothank you, and so has Celeste for yourkindness to her. I will not ask you toleave your work of charity andkindness, but when you have donewhat you can, come up to my house.Anyone will show it to you; and if youdo not find me you will find Celeste, asyou must be aware cannot leave thismelancholy employment. God blessyou!" He then rode off, followed by hisstaff.
"Come, my lads," said I, "depend uponit we shall not be very cruelly treated.Let us work hard, and do all the goodwe can, and the Frenchmen won'tforget it."
We had cleared that house, and wentback to where the other people wereworking under the orders of the officeron horseback. I went up to him, andtold him we had saved two, and if hehad no objection, would assist hisparty. He thankfully accepted ourservices.
"And now, my lads," said Swinburne,"let us forget all our bruises, and showthese French fellows how to work."
And they did so: they tossed away thebeams and rafters right and left with aquickness and dexterity which quiteastonished the officer and otherinhabitants who were looking on, andin half an hour had done more workthan could have been possiblyexpected. Several lives were saved, andthe French expressed their admirationat our sailors' conduct, and broughtthem something to drink, which theystood much in need of, poor fellows.After that they worked double tides, aswe say, and certainly were the means ofsaving many lives which otherwisewould have been sacrificed.
The disasters occasioned by thishurricane were very great, owing to itshaving taken place at night, when thechief of the inhabitants were in bedand asleep. I was told that most of thewood houses were down five minutesafter the hurricane burst upon them.About noon there was no more workfor us to do, and I was not sorry that itwas over. My side was very painful, andthe burning heat of the sun made mefeel giddy and sick at the stomach. Iinquired of a respectable looking oldFrenchman which was the General'shouse. He directed me to it, and Iproceeded there, followed by my men.When I arrived, I found the orderlyleading away the horse of General
O'Brien, who had just returned. Idesired a sergeant, who was inattendance at the door, to acquaint thegeneral that I was below. He returned,and desired me to follow him. I wasconducted into a large room, where Ifound him in company with severalofficers. He again greeted me warmly,and introduced me to the company asthe officer who had permitted theladies who had been taken prisoners tocome on shore.
"I have to thank you, then, for mywife," said an officer, coming up, andoffering his hand.
Another came up, and told me that I
had also released his. We then enteredinto a conversation, in which I stated,the occasion of my having beenwrecked, and all the particulars; also,that I had seen the brig in the morningdismasted, but that she had weatheredthe point, and was safe.
"That brig of yours, I must pay you thecompliment to say, has been verytroublesome; and my namesake keepsthe batteries more upon the alert thanever I could have done," said GeneralO'Brien. "I don't believe there is anegro five years old upon the islandwho does not know your brig."
We then talked over the attack of the
privateer, in which we were beaten off."Ah!" replied the aide-de-camp, "youmade a mess of that. He has been gonethese four months. Captain Carnotswears that he'll fight you if he falls inwith you."
"He has kept his word," replied I; andthen I narrated our action with thethree French privateers, and the captureof the vessel; which surprised and, Ithink, annoyed them very much.
"Well, my friend," said General O'Brien,"you must stay with me while you areon the island; if you want anything, letme know."
"I am afraid that I want a surgeon,"replied I; "for my side is so painful thatI can scarcely breathe."
"Are you hurt then " said GeneralO'Brien, with an anxious look.
"Not dangerously, I believe," said I,"but rather painfully."
"Let me see," said an officer, whostepped forward; "I am surgeon to theforces here, and perhaps you will trustyourself in my hands. Take off yourcoat."
I did so with difficulty. "You have tworibs broken," said he, "and a very severe
contusion. You must go to bed, or lieon a sofa, for a few days. In a quarterof an hour I will come and dress you,and promise you to make you all wellin ten days, in return for your havinggiven me my daughter, who was onboard of the Victorine with the otherladies." The officers now made theirbows, and left me alone with GeneralO'Brien.
"Recollect," said he, "that I tell it youonce for all, that my purse, andeverything, is at your command. If youdo not accept them freely, I shall thinkyou do not love us. It is not the firsttime, Peter, and you repaid mehonourably. However, of course, I was
no party to that affair; it was Celeste'sdoing," continued he, laughing. "Ofcourse, I could not imagine that it wasyou who was dressed up as a woman,and so impudently danced throughFrance on stilts. But I must hear allyour adventures by-and-by, Celeste ismost anxious to see you. Will you gonow, or wait till after the surgeon comes"
"Oh, now, if you please, general. May Ifirst beg that some care may be takenof my poor men; they have hadnothing to eat since yesterday, are verymuch bruised, and have worked hard;and that a cart may be sent for thosewho lie maimed on the beach "
"I should have thought of thembefore," replied he: "and I will alsoorder the same party to bury the otherpoor fellows who are lying on thebeach. Come, now will take you toCeleste."
Chapter XLIX
Broken ribs not likely to producebroken hearts O'Brien makessomething very like a declaration ofpeace Peter Simple actually makes adeclaration of love Rash proceedingson all sides.
I followed the general into ahandsomely furnished apartment,where I found Celeste waiting toreceive me. She ran to me as soon as Ientered; and with what pleasure did Itake her hand, and look on herbeautiful expressive countenance! Icould not say a word neither didCeleste. For a minute I held her hand inmine, looking at her; the general stoodby regarding us alternately. He thenturned round, and walked to thewindow. I lifted the hand to my lips,and then released it.
"It appears to be a dream, almost," saidCeleste.
I could not make any reply, butcontinued to gaze upon her she hadgrown up into such a beautifulcreature. Her figure was perfect, and theexpression of her countenance was sovaried so full of intellect and feeling itwas angelic. Her eyes, suffused withtears, beamed so softly, so kindly onme, I could have fallen down andworshipped her.
"Come," said General O'Brien; "come,my dear friend, now that you have seenCeleste, the surgeon must see you."
"The surgeon," cried Celeste, withalarm.
"Yes, my love; it is of no consequenceonly a couple of ribs broken."
I followed General O'Brien out of theroom, and as I came to the door Iturned round to look at Celeste. Shehad retreated to the sofa, and herhandkerchief was up to her eyes. Thesurgeon was waiting for me; hebandaged me, and applied somecooling lotion to my side, which mademe feel quite comfortable.
"I must now leave you," said GeneralO'Brien; "you had better lie down foran hour or two, and then, if I am notback, you know your way to Celeste."
I lay down as he requested; but as soonas I heard the clatter of the horse'shoofs, as he rode off, I left the room,and hurried to the drawing-room.Celeste was there, and hastened toinquire if I was much hurt. I replied inthe negative, and told her that I hadcome down to prove it to her; and wethen sat down on the sofa together.
"I have the misfortune never to appearbefore you, Celeste, except in a veryunprepossessing state. When you firstsaw me I was wounded; at our nextmeeting I was in woman's clothes; thelast time we met I was covered with dirtand gunpowder; and now I return to
you wounded and in rags. I wonderwhether I shall ever appear before youas a gentleman "
"It is not the clothes which make thegentleman, Peter. I am too happy to seeyou to think of how you are dressed. Ihave never yet thanked you for yourkindness to us when we last met. Myfather will never forget it."
"Nor have I thanked you, Celeste, foryour kindness in dropping the purseinto the hat, when you met me, tryingto escape from France. I have neverforgotten you, and since we met the lasttime, you have hardly ever been out ofmy thoughts. You don't know how
thankful I am to the hurricane forhaving blown me into your presence.When we cruised in the brig, I haveoften examined the town with my glass,trying to fancy that I had my eye uponthe house you were in; and have felt sohappy when we were close in shore,because I knew that I was nearer toyou."
"And, Peter, I have often watched thebrig, and have been so glad to see itcome nearer, and then so afraid that thebatteries would fire at you. What a pityit is that my father and you should beopposed to each other we might be sohappy!"
"And may be yet, Celeste," replied I.
We conversed for two hours, whichappeared to be but ten minutes. I feltthat I was in love, but I do not thinkthat Celeste had any idea at the timethat she was but I leave the reader tojudge from the little conversation Ihave quoted, whether she was not, orsomething very much approaching to it.
The next morning I went out early tolook for the brig, and, to my greatdelight, saw her about six miles off theharbour's mouth, standing in for theland. She had now got up veryrespectable jury-masts, with topgallantsfor topsails, and appeared to be well
under command. When she was withinthree miles of the harbour she loweredthe jolly-boat, the only one she had left,and it pulled in-shore with a flag oftruce hoisted at the bows. I immediatelyreturned to my room, and wrote adetailed account of what had takenplace, ready to send to O'Brien whenthe boat returned, and I, of course,requested him to send me my effects, asI had nothing but what I stood in. Ihad just completed my letter whenGeneral O'Brien came in.
"My dear friend," said he, "I have justreceived a flag of truce from CaptainO'Brien, requesting to know the fate ofhis boats' crews, and permission to
send in return the clothes and effectsof the survivors."
"I have written down the wholecircumstances for him, and made thesame request to him," replied I; and Ihanded him my letter. He read it overand returned it.
"But, my dear lad, you must think verypoorly of us Frenchmen, if youimagine that we intend to detain youhere as a prisoner. In the first place,your liberation of so many Frenchsubjects, when you captured theVictorine, would entitle you to a similaract of kindness; and, in the next place,you have not been fairly captured, but
by a visitation of Providence, which, bythe means of the late storm, mustdestroy all national antipathies, andpromote that universal philanthropybetween all men, which your bravefellows proved that they possess. Youare, therefore, free to depart with allyour men, and we shall still holdourselves your debtors. How is yourside to-day "
"Oh, very bad, indeed," replied I; for Icould not bear the idea of returning tothe brig so soon, for I had been obligedto quit Celeste very soon after dinnerthe day before, and go to bed. I had notyet had much conversation with her,nor had I told General O'Brien how it
was that we escaped from France. "Idon't think I can possibly go on boardto-day, but I feel very grateful to youfor your kindness."
"Well, well," replied the general, whoobserved my feelings, "I do not think itis necessary that you should go onboard to-day. I will send the men andyour letter, and I will write to CaptainO'Brien, to say that you are in bed, andwill not bear moving until the day aftertomorrow. Will that do "
I thought it but a very short time, but Isaw that the general looked as if heexpected me to consent; so I did.
"The boat can come and return againwith some of your clothes," continuedthe general, "and I will tell CaptainO'Brien that if he comes off the mouthof the harbour the day after to-morrow,I will send you on board in one of ourboats."
He then took my letter and quitted theroom. As soon as he was gone I foundmyself quite well enough to go toCeleste, who waited for me, and I toldher what had passed. That morning Isat with her and the general, andnarrated all my adventures, whichamused the general very much. I didnot conceal the conduct of my uncle,and the hopes which I faintly
entertained of being able, some day oranother, to discover the fraud whichhad been practised, or how veryunfavourable were my future prospectsif I did not succeed. At this portion ofmy narrative the general appeared verythoughtful and grave. When I hadfinished, it was near dinner time, and Ifound that my clothes had arrived witha letter from O'Brien, who stated howmiserable he had been at thesupposition of my loss, and his delightat my escape. He stated that on goingdown into the cabin, after I had shovedoff, he, by chance, cast his eyes on thebarometer, and, to his surprise, foundthat it had fallen two inches, which hehad been told was the case previous to
a hurricane. This, combined with thepeculiar state of the atmosphere, hadinduced him to make every preparation,and that they had just completed theirwork when it came on. The brig wasthrown on her beam ends, and lay therefor half an hour, when they wereforced to cut away the masts to righther. That they did not weather the pointthe next morning by more than half acable's length; and concluded by saying,that the idea of my death had madehim so unhappy that, if it had not beenfor the sake of the men, it was almost amatter of indifference to him whetherhe had been lost or not. He had writtento General O'Brien, thanking him forhis kindness; and that, if fifty vessels
should pass the brig, he would notcapture one of them, until I was onboard again, even if he were dismissedthe service for neglect of duty. He said,that the brig sailed almost as fast underjury-masts as she did before, and that,as soon as I came on board, he shouldgo back to Barbadoes. "As for your ribsbeing so bad, Peter, that's all bother,"continued he; "I know that you aremaking arrangements for another sortof rib, as soon as you can manage it;but you must stop a little, my boy. Youshall be a lord yet, as I always promisedyou that you should. It's a long lanethat has no turning so good-bye."
When I was alone with Celeste, I
showed her O'Brien's letter. I had readthe part of it relative to his notintending to make any capture while Iwas on shore to General O'Brien, whoreplied, "that under such circumstanceshe thought' he should do right todetain me a little longer but," said he,"O'Brien is a man of honour, andworthy of his name."
When Celeste came to that part of theletter in which O'Brien stated that I waslooking after another rib, and which Ihad quite forgotten, she asked me toexplain it; for, although she could readand speak English very well, she hadnot been sufficiently accustomed to itto comprehend the play upon words. I
translated, and then said, "Indeed,Celeste, I had forgotten thatobservation of O'Brien's, or I shouldnot have shown you the letter; but hehas stated the truth. After all yourkindness to me, how can I help beingin love with you and need I add, that Ishould consider it the greatest blessingwhich Heaven could grant me, if youcould feel so much regard for me asone day to become my wife! Don't beangry with me for telling you thetruth," continued I, for Celestecoloured up as I spoke to her.
"Oh, no! I am not angry with you,Peter; far from it. It is verycomplimentary to me what you have
just said."
"I am aware," continued I, "that atpresent I have little to offer you indeed,nothing. I am not even such a match asyour father might approve of; but youknow my whole history, and what mydesires are."
"My dear father loves me, Peter, and heloves you too, very much he always did,from the hour he saw you he was sopleased with your candour and honestyof character. He has often told me so,and very often talked of you."
"Well, Celeste, tell me, may I when faraway, be permitted to think of you, and
indulge a hope, that some day we maymeet never to part again " And I tookCeleste by the hand, and put my armround her waist.
"I don't know what to say," replied she;"I will speak to my father, or perhapsyou will; but I will never marryanybody else, if I can help it."
I drew her close to me, and kissed her.Celeste burst into tears, and laid herhead upon my shoulder. When GeneralO'Brien came I did not attempt tomove, nor did Celeste.
"General," said I, "you may think me toblame, but I have not been able to
conceal what I feel for Celeste. You maythink that I am imprudent, and that Iam wrong in thus divulging what Iought to have concealed, until I was ina situation to warrant my aspiring toyour daughter's hand; but the shorttime allowed me to be in her company,the fear of losing her, and my devotedattachment, will, I trust, plead myexcuse."
The general took one or two turns upand down the room, and then replied,"What says Celeste "
"Celeste will never do anything to makeher father unhappy," replied she, goingup to him and hiding her face in his
breast, with her arm round his neck.
The general kissed his daughter, andthen said, "I will be frank with you, MrSimple. I do not know any man whomI would prefer to you as a son-in-law;but there are many considerationswhich young people are very apt toforget. I do not interfere in yourattachment, which appears to bemutual; but, at the same time, I willhave no promise and no engagement,you may never meet again. However,Celeste is very young, and I shall notput any constraint upon her; and at thesame time you are equally free, if timeand circumstances should alter yourpresent feelings."
"I can ask no more, my dear sir,"replied I, taking the general by thehand; "it is candid more than I had anyreason to expect. I shall now leave youwith a contented mind, and the hopesof one day claiming Celeste shall spurme to exertion."
"Now, if you please, we will drop thesubject," said the general. "Celeste, mydear, we have a large party to dinner, asyou know. You had better retire to yourroom and get ready. I have asked all theladies that you liberated, Peter, and alltheir husbands and fathers; so you willhave the pleasure of witnessing howmany people you made happy by your
gallantry. Now that Celeste has left theroom, Peter, I must beg that, as a manof honour, you do not exact from herany more promises, or induce her to tieherself down to you by oaths. Herattachment to you has grown up withher unaccountably, and she is alreadytoo fond of you for her peace of mind,should accident or circumstances partyou for ever. Let us hope for the best,and depend upon it that it shall be notrifling obstacle which will hinder mefrom seeing you one day united."
I thanked the general with tears; heshook me warmly by the hand as I gavemy promise, and we separated.
How happy did I feel when I went intomy room, and sat down to compose mymind and think over what hadhappened. True, at one moment thethought of my dependent situationthrew a damp over my joy; but in thenext I was building castles, inventing adiscovery of my uncle's plot, fancyingmyself in possession of the title andproperty, and laying it at the feet of mydear Celeste. Hope sustained my spirits,and I felt satisfied for the present withthe consideration that Celeste returnedmy love. I decked myself carefully, andwent down, where I found all thecompany assembled. We had a verypleasant, happy party, and the ladiesentreated General O'Brien to detain me
as a prisoner very kind of them and Ifelt very much disposed to join in theirrequest.
Chapter L
Peter Simple first takes a command,then three West Indiamen, and twentyprisoners One good turn deservesanother The prisoners endeavour totake him, but are themselves taken in.
The next day I was very unhappy. Thebrig was in the offing waiting for me tocome on hoard. I pointed her out toCeleste as we were at the window, and
her eyes met mine. An hour'sconversation could not have said more.General O'Brien showed that he hadperfect confidence in me for he left ustogether.
"Celeste," said I, "I have promised yourfather "
"I know what has passed," interruptedshe; "he told me everything."
"How kind he is! But I did not say thatI would not bind myself, Celeste."
"No! but my father made me promisethat you should not that if youattempted, I was immediately to prevent
you and so I shall."
"Then you shall keep your word,Celeste. Imagine everything that can besaid in this " and I kissed her.
"Don't think me forward, Peter, but Iwish you to go away happy," saidCeleste; "and therefore, in return,imagine all I could say in this" and shereturned my salute.
After this we had a conversation of twohours; but what lovers say is very silly,except to themselves, and the readerneed not be troubled with it. GeneralO'Brien came in and told me the boatwas ready. I rose up I was satisfied with
what had passed, and with a firm voiceI said, "Good-bye, Celeste; God blessyou!" and followed the general, who,with some of his officers, walked downwith me to the beach. I thanked thegeneral, who embraced me, paid myadieus to the officers, and stepped intothe boat. In half an hour I was onboard of the brig, and in O'Brien'sarms. We put the helm up, and in ashort time the town of St Pierre wasshut out from my longing sight, and wewere on our way to Barbadoes. Thatday was passed in the cabin withO'Brien, giving him a minute detail ofall that had passed.
When we anchored once more in
Carlisle Bay, we found that thehurricane had been much moreextensive in the Windward Islands thanwe had imagined. Several men of warwere lying there, having lost one ormore of their masts, and there wasgreat difficulty in supplying the wantsof so many. As we arrived the last, ofcourse we were last served; and, therebeing no boats left in store, there wasno chance of our being ready for seaunder two or three months. The Joan d'Arc schooner privateer was still lyingthere, but had not been fitted out forwant of men; and the admiralproposed to O'Brien that he shouldman her with a part of his ship'scompany, and send one of his
lieutenants out to cruise in her. Thiswas gladly assented to by O'Brien, whocame on board and asked me whether Ishould like to have her, which I agreedto, as I was quite tired of Barbadoesand fried flying fish.
I selected two midshipmen, Swinburne,and twenty men, and having taken onboard provisions and water for threemonths, I received my writteninstructions from O'Brien, and madesail. We soon discovered that the mastswhich the American had sold to theschooner, were much too large for her;she was considerably overmasted, andwe were obliged to be very careful. Istood for Trinidad, off which island
was to be my cruising ground, and inthree weeks had recaptured three WestIndiamen, when I found myself soshort of hands, that I was obliged toreturn to Barbadoes. I had put fourhands into the first vessel, which, withthe Englishmen, prisoners, weresufficient, and, three hands into the twoothers; but I was very muchembarrassed with my prisoners, whoamounted to nearly double my ship'scompany remaining on board. Both themidshipmen I had sent away, and Iconsulted with Swinburne as to whatwas best to be done.
"Why, the fact is, Mr Simple, CaptainO'Brien ought to have given us more
hands; twenty men are little enough fora vessel with a boom mainsail like theone we have here; and now we haveonly ten left; but I suppose he did notexpect us to be so lucky, and it's trueenough that he has plenty of work forthe ship's company, now that he has toturn everything in afresh. As for theprisoners, I think we had better runclose in, and give them two of ourboats to take them on shore. At allevents, we must be rid of them, andnot be obliged to have one eye aloft,and the other down the hatchway, as wemust now."
This advice corresponded with my ownideas, and I ran in-shore, gave them the
stern boat, and one of the larger ones,which held them all, and sent themaway, leaving only one boat for theschooner, which we hoisted up in thestar-board chess-tree. It fell a dead calmas we sent away the prisoners; we sawthem land and disappear over the rocks,and thought ourselves well rid of them,as they were twenty-two in number,most of them Spaniards, and very stoutferocious-looking fellows. It continuedcalm during the whole day, much toour annoyance, as I was very anxious toget away as soon as I could; still I couldnot help admiring the beauty of thescenery the lofty mountains risingabruptly from the ocean, and toweringin the clouds, reflected on the smooth
water, as clear as in a looking-glass,every colour, every tint, beautifullydistinct. The schooner gradually driftedclose in-shore, and we could perceivethe rocks at the bottom, many fathomsdeep. Not a breath of wind was to beseen on the surface of the water forseveral miles round, although thehorizon in the offing showed that therewas a smart breeze outside.
Night came on, and we still laybecalmed. I gave my orders toSwinburne, who had the first watch,and retired to my standing bed-place inthe cabin. I was dreaming, and I hardlyneed say who was the object of myvisions. I thought I was in Eagle Park,
sitting down with her under one of thelarge chestnut trees, which formed theavenue, when I felt my shoulderroughly pushed. I started up "What isthe matter Who's that Swinburne "
"Yes, sir. On with your clothesimmediately, as we have work on hand,I expect." And Swinburne left thecabin, and I heard him calling the othermen who were below. I knew thatSwinburne would not give a falsealarm. In a minute I was on deck, andwas looking at the stern of theschooner. "What is that, Swinburne "said I.
"Silence, sir. Hark! don't you hear them
"
"Yes," replied I; "the sound of oars."
"Exactly, sir; depend upon it, thoseSpaniards have got more help, and arecoming back to take the vessel; theyknow we have only ten hands onboard."
By this time the men were all on deck. Idirected Swinburne to see all themuskets loaded, and ran down for myown sword and pistols. The water wasso smooth, and the silence soprofound, that Swinburne had heardthe sound of the oars at a considerabledistance. Fortunate it was, that I had
such a trusty follower. Another mighthave slumbered, and the schooner havebeen boarded and captured withoutour being prepared. When I came ondeck again, I spoke to the men,exhorted them to do their duty, andpointed out to them that these cut-throat villains would certainly murderus all if we were taken, which I firmlybelieve would have been the case. Themen declared that they would sell theirlives as dearly as they could. We hadtwenty muskets, and the same numberof pistols, all of which were nowloaded. Our guns were also ready, butof no use, now that the schooner hadnot steerage-way.
The boats were in sight, about a quarterof a mile astern, when Swinburne said,"There's a cat's-paw flying along thewater, Mr Simple; if we could only havea little wind, how we would laugh atthem; but I'm afraid there's no suchluck. Shall we let them know that weare ready "
"Let every one of us take two muskets,"said I: "when the first boat is under thecounter, take good aim, and dischargeinto one of the boats; then seize theother musket, and discharge it at theother boat. After that we must trust toour cutlasses and pistols; for if theycome on, there will be no time to loadagain. Keep silence, all of you."
The boats now came up full of men;but as we remained perfectly quiet, theypulled up gently, hoping to surprise us.Fortunately, one was a little in advanceof the other; upon which I altered mydirections, and desired my men to firetheir second musket into the first boat,as, if we could disable her, we were anequal match for those in the other.When the boat was within six yards ofthe schooner's counter, "Now!" said I,and all the muskets were discharged atonce, and my men cheered. Several ofthe oars dropped, and I was sure wehad done great execution; but they werelaid hold of by the other men, who hadnot been pulling, and again the boat
advanced to the counter.
"Good aim, my lads, this time," criedSwinburne; "the other boat will bealongside as soon as you have fired. MrSimple, the schooner has headway, andthere's a strong breeze coming up."
Again we discharged our ten musketsinto the boat, but this time we waiteduntil the bow-man had hooked on theplaneshear with his boat-hook, and ourfire was very effective. I was surprisedto find that the other boat was not onboard of us; but a light breeze hadcome up, and the schooner glidedthrough the water. Still she was closeunder our counter, and would have
been aboard in a minute. In themeantime, the Spaniards who were inthe first boat were climbing up the side,and were repulsed by my men withgreat success. The breeze freshened,and Swinburne ran to the helm. Iperceived the schooner was going fastthrough the water, and the second boatcould hardly hold her course. I ran towhere the boat-hook was fixed on theplaneshear, and unhooked it; the boatfell astern, leaving two Spaniardsclinging to the side, who were cutdown, and they fell into the water."Hurrah! all safe!" cried Swinburne;"and now to punish them."
The schooner was now darting along at
the rate of five miles, with an increasingbreeze. We stood in for two minutes,then tacked, and ran for the boats.Swinburne steered, and I continuedstanding in the bows, surrounded bythe rest of the men. "Starboard a little,Swinburne." "Starboard it is."
"Steady steady: I see the first boat, sheis close under our bows. Steady portport port a little port. Look out, mylads, and cut down all who climb up."
Crash went the schooner on to theboat, the men in her in vainendeavouring to escape us. For asecond or two she appeared to right,until her further gunwale was borne
down under the water; she turned up,and the schooner went over her,sending every soul in her to theiraccount. One man clung on to a rope,and was towed for a few seconds, but acutlass divided the rope at the gunwale,and with a faint shriek he disappeared.The other boat was close to us, andperceived what had been done. Theyremained with their oars poised, allready to pull so as to evade theschooner. We steered for her, and theschooner was now running at the rateof seven miles an hour. When closeunder our bows, by very dexterouslypulling short round with theirstarboard oars, we only struck her withour bow; and before she went down
many of the Spaniards had gained thedeck, or were clinging to the side of thevessel. They fought with desperation,but we were too strong for them. It wasonly those who had gained the deckwhich we had to contend with. Theothers clung for a time, and, unable toget up the sides, one by one droppedinto the water and went astern. In aminute, those on deck were lying at ourfeet, and in a minute more they weretossed overboard after theircompanions; not, however, until one ofthem struck me through the calf of theleg with his knife as we were lifting himover the gunwale. I do not mean to saythat the Spaniards were not justified inattempting to take the schooner; but
still, as we had liberated them but a fewhours before, we felt that it wasunhandsome and treacherous on theirpart, and therefore showed them noquarter. There were two of my menwounded as well as myself, but notseverely, which was fortunate, as wehad no surgeon on board, and onlyabout half a yard of a diachylumplaster in the vessel.
"Well out of that, sir," said Swinburne,as I limped aft. "By the Lord Harry! itmight have been a pretty go."
Having shaped our course forBarbadoes, I dressed my leg and wentdown to sleep. This time I did not
dream of Celeste, but fought theSpaniards over again, thought I waswounded, and awoke with the pain ofmy leg.
Chapter LI
Peter turned out of his command byhis vessel turning bottom up A cruiseon a main-boom, with sharks enattendant Self and crew, with severalflying fish, taken on board a negro boatPeter regenerates by putting on a newoutward man.
We made Barbadoes without any
further adventure, and were about tenmiles off the bay, steering with a verylight breeze, and I went down into thecabin, expecting to be at anchor beforebreakfast the next morning. It was justdaylight, when I found myself thrownout of my bed-place on the deck, onthe other side of the cabin, and heardthe rushing of water. I sprang up, Iknew the schooner was on her beamends, and gained the deck. I was correctin my supposition: she had been upsetby what is called a white squall, and intwo minutes would be down. All themen were up on deck, some dressed,others, like myself, in their shirts.Swinburne was aft; he had an axe in hishand, cutting away the rigging of the
main-boom. I saw what he was about; Iseized another, and disengaged the jaw-rope and small gear about the mast. Wehad no other chance; our boat wasunder the water, being hoisted up onthe side to leeward. All this, however,was but the work of two minutes; and Icould not help observing by whattrifles lives are lost or saved. Had theaxe not been fortunately at the capstern,I should not have been able to cut thejaw-rope, Swinburne would not havehad time, and the main-boom wouldhave gone down with the schooner.Fortunately we had cleared it; theschooner filled, righted a little, and thensank, dragging us and the main-boomfor a few seconds down in its vortex,
and then we rose to the surface.
The squall still continued, but the waterwas smooth. It soon passed over, andagain it was nearly calm. I counted themen clinging to the boom, and foundthat they were all there. Swinburne wasnext to me. He was holding with onehand, while with the other he felt in hispocket for a quid of tobacco, which hethrust into his cheek. "I wasn't on deckat the time, Mr Simple," said he, "or thiswouldn't have happened. I had justbeen relieved, and I told Collins to lookout sharp for squalls. I only mention it,that if you are saved, and I am not, youmayn't think I was neglectful of myduty. We arn't far from the land, but
still we are more likely to fall in with ashark than a friend, I'm thinking."
These, indeed, had been my thoughts,but I had concealed them; but afterSwinburne had mentioned the shark, Ivery often looked along the water fortheir fins, and down below to see ifthey were coming up to tear us topieces. It was a dreadful feeling.
"It was not your fault, Swinburne, I amsure. I ought to have relieved youmyself, but I kept the first watch, andwas tired. We must put our trust inGod; perhaps, we may yet be spared."
It was now almost calm, and the sun
had mounted in the heavens: thescorching rays were intolerable uponour heads, for we had not the defenceof hats. I felt my brain on fire, and wasinclined to drop into the water, toscreen myself from the intolerable heat.As the day advanced so did oursufferings increase. It was a dead calm,the sun perpendicular over us, actuallyburning that part of our bodies whichrose clear of the water. I could havewelcomed even a shark to relieve me ofmy torment; but I thought of Celeste,and I clung to life. Towards theafternoon I felt sick and dizzy; myresolution failed me; my vision wasimperfect; but I was roused bySwinburne, who cried out, "A boat, by
all that's gracious! Hang on a littlelonger, my men, and you are saved."
It was a boat full of negroes, who hadcome out to catch flying-fish. They hadperceived the spar on the water, andhastened to secure the prize. Theydragged us all in, gave us water, whichappeared like nectar, and restored us toour fleeting senses. They made fast theboom, and towed it in-shore. We hadnot been ten minutes on our way, whenSwinburne pointed to the fin of a largeshark above the water. "Look there, MrSimple." I shuddered, and made noanswer; but I thanked God in my heart.
In two hours we were landed, but were
too ill to walk. We were carried up tothe hospital, bled, and put into cots. Ihad a brain fever, which lasted six orseven days, during which O'Brien neverleft my bedside. My head was shaved,all the skin came off my face like amask, as well as off my back andshoulders. We were put into baths ofbrandy and water, and in three weekswere all recovered.
"That was but an unlucky schoonerfrom beginning to end," observedO'Brien, after I had narrated the eventsof my cruise. "We had a bad beginningwith her, and we had a bad ending.She's gone to the bottom, and the devilgo with her; however, all's well that
ends well, and, Peter, you're worth adozen dead men yet; but you occasionme a great deal of trouble and anxiety,that's the truth of it, and I doubt if Ishall ever rear you, after all."
I returned to my duty on board of thebrig, which was now nearly ready forsea. One morning O'Brien came onboard and said, "Peter, I've a piece ofnews for you. Our gunner is appointedto the Araxes, and the admiral has givenme a gunner's warrant for oldSwinburne. Send for him on deck."
Swinburne was summoned, and camerolling up the hatchway. "Swinburne,"said O'Brien, "you have done your duty
well, and you are now gunner of theRattlesnake. Here is your warrant, andI've great pleasure in getting it for you."
Swinburne turned the quid in hischeek, and then replied, "May I be sobold as to ax, Captain O'Brien, whetherI must wear one of them long tog,swallow-tailed coats because, if so, I'dprefer being a quarter-master "
"A gunner may wear a jacket,Swinburne, if he likes; when you go onshore you may bend the swallow-tail, ifyou please."
"Well, sir, then if that's the case, I'll takethe warrant, because I know it will
please the old woman."
So saying, Swinburne hitched up histrousers, and went down below. I mayhere observe that Swinburne kept hisround jacket until our arrival inEngland, when the "old woman," hiswife, who thought her dignity at stake,soon made him ship the swallow-tail;and, after it was once on, Swinburnetook a fancy to it, and always wore it,except when he was at sea.
The same evening, as I was comingwith O'Brien from the governor'shouse, where I had dined, we passed abuilding, lighted up. "What can that be" observed O'Brien; "not a dignity ball
there is no music." Our curiosityinduced us to enter, and we found it tobe fitted up as a temporary chapel,filled with black and coloured people,who were ranged on the forms, andwaiting for the preacher.
"It is a Methodist meeting," said I toO'Brien.
"Never mind," said he, "let us hearwhat is going on."
In a moment afterwards the pulpit wasfilled, not by a white man, as we hadanticipated, but by a tall negro. He wasdressed in black, and his hair, which itwas impossible to comb down straight,
was plaited into fifty little tails, well tiedat the end of them, like you sometimessee the mane of a horse; this produceda somewhat more clerical appearance.His throat was open and collar laidback; the wristbands of his shirt verylarge and white, and he flourished awhite cambric handkerchief.
"What a dandy he is!" whisperedO'Brien.
I thought it almost too absurd when hesaid he would take the liberty to praiseGod in the 17th hymn, and beg all thecompany to join chorus. He then gaveout the stanzas in the most strangepronunciation.
"Gentle Jesus, God um lub," &c.
When the hymn was finished, whichwas sung by the whole congregation, inthe most delightful discord, everyonechose his own key he gave anextempore prayer, which was mostunfortunately incomprehensible, andthen commenced his discourse, whichwas on Faith. I shall omit the head andfront of his offending, which would,perhaps, hardly be gratifying althoughludicrous. He reminded me of amonkey imitating a man; but whatamused me most was his finale, inwhich he told his audience that therecould be no faith without charity. For a
little while he descanted upon thisgenerally, and at last became personal.His words were, as well as I canrecollect, nearly as follows:
"And now you see, my dear bredren,how unpossible to go to heaven, withall the faith in the world, withoutcharity. Charity mean, give away.Suppose you no give you no ab charity;suppose you no ab charity you no abfaith; suppose you no ab faith you allgo to hell and be damned. Now den, letme see if you ab charity. Here, you see,I come to save all your soul from hell-fire; and hell-fire dam hot, I can tellyou. Dere you all burn like coal, till youturn white powder, and den burn on
till you come black again; and so yougo on, burn, burn, sometime white,sometime black, for ebber and ebber.The debil never allow Sangoree to cooltongue. No, no cocoa-nut milk, not alilly drap of water; debil see youdamned first. Suppose you ask, he pokeum fire, and laugh. Well, den, ab youcharity No, you ab not. You, Quashee,how you dare look me in the face Youkeep shop you sell egg you sell yam yousell pepper hot but when you give tome Eh! nebber, so help me God.Suppose you no send you no ab charity,and you go to hell. You black Sambo,"continued he, pointing to a man in thecorner, "ab very fine boat, go out allday, catch fly-fish, bring um back, fry
um, and sell for money; but when yousend to me not one little fish ebber findway to my mouth. What I tell you 'boutPeter and 'postles all fishermen; goodmen, give 'way to poor. Sambo, you noab charity; and 'spose you no repentthis week, and send one very fine fishin plantain leaf, you go to hell, andburn for ebber and ebber. Eh! so youwill run away, Massa Johnson," cried heout to another, who was edging to thedoor; "but you no run away from hell-fire: when debil catch you, he hold damtight. You know you kill sheep andgoat ebery day. You send bell ring all'bout town for people to come buy; butwhen you send to me nebber, 'ceptonce, you gave me lilly bit of libber.
That not do, Massa Johnson; you no abcharity; and suppose you no send mesheep's head to-morrow morning, damyou libber, that's all. I see many more,but I see um all very sorry, and dat theymean to sin no more, so dis time I letum off, and say noting about it,because I know plenty of plantain andbanana (pointing to one) and orangesand shaddock (pointing to another),and salt fish (pointing to a fourth), andginger-pop and spruce beer (pointingto a fifth), and a straw hat (pointing to asixth), and eberything else, come to myhouse to-morrow. So I say no more'bout it; I see you all very sorry youonly forget. You all ab charity, and allab faith; so now, my dear bredren, we
go down on our knees, and thank Godfor all this, and more especially that Isave all your souls from going to thedebil, who run about Barbadoes likeone roaring lion, seeking what he maylay hold of, and cram into his dam fieryjaw."
"That will do, Peter," said O'Brien; "wehave the cream of it, I think."
We left the house, and walked down tothe boat. "Surely, O'Brien," said I, "thisshould not be permitted "
"He's no worse than his neighbours,"replied O'Brien, "and perhaps does lessharm. I admire the rascal's ingenuity; he
gave his flock what, in Ireland, weshould call a pretty broad hint."
"Yes, there was no mistaking him: but ishe a licensed preacher "
"Very little licence in his preaching, Itake it; no, I suppose he has had a call."
"A call! what do you mean "
"I mean that he wants to fill his belly.Hunger is a call of nature, Peter."
"He seems to want a good many things,if we were to judge by his catalogue;what a pity it is that these poor peopleare not better instructed."
"That they never will be, Peter, whilethere is what may be called free trade inreligion."
"You speak like a Catholic, O'Brien."
"I am one," replied he. And here ourconversation ended, for we were closeto the boat, which was waiting for uson the beach.
The next day a man-of-war brig arrivedfrom England, bringing letters for thesquadron on the station. I had twofrom my sister Ellen which made mevery uncomfortable. She stated that myfather had seen my uncle, Lord
Privilege, and had had high words withhim; indeed, as far as she couldascertain of the facts, my father hadstruck my uncle, and had been turnedout of the house by the servants; thathe had returned in a state of greatexcitement, and was very ill ever since;that there was a great deal of talk in theneighbourhood on the subject, peoplegenerally highly blaming my father'sconduct, thinking that he was derangedin his intellect a supposition very muchencouraged by my uncle. She againexpressed her hopes of my speedyreturn. I had now been absent nearlythree years, and she had been souncomfortable that she felt as if it hadbeen at least ten. O'Brien also received a
letter from Father M'Grath, which Ishall lay before the reader:
"MY DEAR SON, Long life, and allthe blessings of all the saints be uponyou now and for evermore! Amen. Andmay you live to be married, and may Idance at your wedding, and may younever want children, and may they growup as handsome as their father andtheir mother (whoever she mayhereafter be), and may you die of agood old age, and in the true faith, andbe waked handsomely, as your ownfather was last Friday s'ennight, seeingas how he took it into his head to leavethis world for a better. It was a verydacent funeral-procession, my dear
Terence, and your father must havebeen delighted to see himself so wellattinded. No man ever made a morehandsome corpse, considering how old,and thin, and haggard he had grown oflate, and how gray his hair had turned.He held the nosegay between hisfingers, across his breast as natural aslife, and reminded us all of the blessedsaint, Pope Gregory, who was called toglory some hundred years before eitheryou or I was born.
"Your mother's quite comfortable; andthere she sits in her ould chair, rockingto and fro all day long, and neverspeaking a word to nobody, thinkingabout heaven, I dare to say; which is
just what she ought to do, seeing thatshe stands a very pretty chance ofgoing there in the course of a month orso. Divil a word has she ever said sinceyour father's departure, but then shescreamed and yelled enough to last forseven years at the least. She screamedaway all her senses anyhow, for she hasdone nothing since but cough, cough,and fumble at her pater-nosters a veryblessed way to pass the remainder ofher days, seeing that I expect her todrop every minute like an over-ripesleepy pear. So don't think any moreabout her, my son, for without you areback in a jiffy, her body will be laid inconsecrated ground, and her happy,blessed soul in purgatory. Pax vobiscum.
Amen! amen!
"And now having disposed of yourfather and your mother so much toyour satisfaction, I'll just tell you thatElla's mother died in the convent atDieppe, but whether she kept her secretor not I do not know; but this I doknow, that if she didn't relieve her soulby confession, she's damned to alleternity. Thanks be to God for all hismercies. Amen! Ella Flanagan is stillalive, and, for a nun, is as well as can beexpected. I find that she knows nothingat all about the matter of theexchanging the genders of the babbiesonly that her mother was on oath toFather M'Dermot, who ought to be
hanged, drawn, and quartered insteadof those poor fellows whom thegovernment called rebels, but who wereno more rebels than Father M'Grathhimself, who'll uphold the Pretender, asthey call our true Catholic king, as longas there's life in his body or a drop ofwhiskey left in ould Ireland to drink hishealth wid.
"Talking about Father M'Dermot putsme in mind that the bishop has not yetdecided our little bit of a dispute,saying that he must take time to thinkabout it. Now, considering that it's justthree years since the row took place, theold gentleman must be a very slowthinker not to have found out by this
time that I was in the right, and thatFather M'Dermot, the baste, is notgood enough to be hanged.
"Your two married sisters are steadyand diligent young women, having eachmade three children since you last sawthem. Fine boys, every mother's son ofthem, with elegant spacious features,and famous mouths for taking in wholepotatoes. By the powers, but the offsetsof the tree of the O'Briens begin tomake a noise in the land, anyhow, asyou would say if you only heard themroaring for their bit of suppers.
"And now, my dear son Terence, thereal purport of this letter, which is just
to put to your soul's conscience, as adutiful son, whether you ought not tosend me a small matter of money tosave your poor father's soul from painand anguish for it's no joke that beingin purgatory, I can tell you; and youwouldn't care how soon you weretripped out of it yourself. I only wishyou had but your little toe in it, andthen you'd burn with impatience tohave it out again. But you're a dutifulson, so I'll say no more about it a nod'sas good as a wink to a blind horse.
"When your mother goes, which, withthe blessing of God, will be in a verylittle while, seeing that she has only tofollow her senses, which are gone
already, I'll take upon myself to selleverything, as worldly goods andchattels are of no use to dead people;and I have no doubt but that, whatwith the furniture and the two cows,and the pigs, and the crops in theground, there will be enough to saveher soul from the flames, and bury herdacently into the bargain. However, asyou are the heir-at-law, seeing that theproperty is all your own, I'll keep adebtor and creditor account of thewhole; and should there be any over, I'lluse it all out in masses, so as to sendher up to heaven by express; and ifthere's not sufficient, she must remainwhere she is till you come back andmake up the deficiency. In the
meanwhile I am your loving father inthe faith,
"URTAGH M'GRATH."
Chapter LII
Good sense in Swinburne No man ahero to his valet de chambre, or aprophet in his own country O'Brientakes a step by strategy O'Brien partswith his friend, and Peter's star nolonger in the ascendant.
O'Brien was sorry for the death of hisfather, but he could not feel as most
people would have done, as his fatherhad certainly never been a father tohim. He was sent to sea to be got rid of,and ever since he had been there, hadbeen the chief support of his family;his father was very fond of whiskey,and not very fond of exertion. He wastoo proud of the true Milesian bloodin his veins to do anything to supporthimself, but not too proud to live uponhis son's hard-earned gains. For hismother O'Brien felt very much; she hadalways been kind and affectionate, andwas very fond of him. Sailors, however,are so estranged from their familieswhen they have been long in theirprofession and so accustomed tovicissitudes, that no grief for the loss
of a relation lasts very long, and in aweek O'Brien had recovered his usualspirits, when a vessel brought us theintelligence that a French squadron hadbeen seen off St Domingo. This put usall on the qui vive. O'Brien was sent forby the admiral, and ordered to hastenhis brig for sea with all possibledespatch, as he was to proceed withdespatches to England forthwith. Inthree days we were reported ready,received our orders, and at eight o'clockin the evening made sail from CarlisleBay. "Well, Mr Swinburne," said I,"how do you like your new situation "
"Why, Mr Simple, I like it well enough;and it's not disagreeable to be an
officer, and sit in your own cabin; butstill I feel that I should get on better ifI were in another ship. I've been hail-fellow well met with the ship'scompany so long, that I can't top theofficer over them, and we can't get theduty done as smart as I could wish: andthen at night I find it very lonely stuckup in my cabin like a parson's clerk, andnobody to talk to; for the otherwarrants are particular, and say that I'monly acting, and may not be confirmed,so they hold aloof. I don't much likebeing answerable for all that lot ofgunpowder it's queer stuff to handle."
"Very true, Swinburne; but still, if therewere no responsibility, we should
require no officers. You recollect thatyou are now provided for life, and willhave half-pay."
"That's what made me bite, Mr Simple.I thought of the old woman, and howcomfortable it would make her in herold age; and so, d'ye see, I sacrificedmyself."
"How long have you been married,Swinburne "
"Ever since Christmas '94. I wasn'tgoing to be hooked carelessly, so Inibbled afore I took the bait. Had fouryears' trial of her first, and, finding thatshe had plenty of ballast, I sailed her as
my own."
"How do you mean by plenty of ballast"
"I don't mean, Mr Simple, a broad bowand square hulk. You know very wellthat if a vessel has not ballast, she'sbottom up in no time. Now, what keepsa woman stiff under her canvas is hermodesty."
"Very true; but it's a rare commodity onthe beach."
"And why, Mr Simple because liquor ismore valued. Many a good man hasfound it to be his bane; and as for a
woman, when once she takes to it, she'slike a ship without a rudder, and goesright before the wind to the devil. Notthat I think a man ought not to take anor-wester or two, when he can getthem. Rum was not given by GodAlmighty only to make the niggersdance, but to make all our hearts glad;neither do I see why a woman is tostand out neither; what's good for Jackcan't hurt Poll; only there is a medium,as they say, in all things, and half-an-half is quite strong enough."
"I should think it was," replied I,laughing.
"But don't be letting me prevent you
from keeping a look-out, Mr Simple.You, Hoskins, you're half a point offthe wind. Luff you may. I think, MrSimple, that Captain O'Brien didn'tpick out the best man, when he madeTom Alsop a quarter-master in myplace."
"Why, he is a very steady, good man,Swinburne."
"Yes, so he is; but he has naturaldefects, which shouldn't be overlooked.I doubt if he can see so far as the headof the mainsail."
"I was not aware of that."
"No, but I was. Alsop wants to sarveout his time for his pension, and whenhe has sarved, you see if, when thesurgeons examine him, they don'tinvalid him, as blind as a bat. I shouldlike to have him as gunner's mate, andthat's just what he's fit for. But, MrSimple, I think we shall have some badweather. The moon looks greasy, andthe stars want snuffing. You'll have tworeefs in the topsails afore morning.There's five bells striking. Now I'll turnin; if I didn't keep half the first, andhalf the morning watch, I shouldn'tsleep all the night. I miss my regularwatch very much, Mr Simple habit'severything and I don't much fancy astanding bed-place, it's so large, and I
feel so cold of my sides. Nothing like ahammock, after all. Good-night, MrSimple."
Our orders were to proceed with allpossible despatch; and O'Brien carried onday and night, generally remaining uphimself till one or two o'clock in themorning. We had very favourableweather, and in a little more than amonth we passed the Lizard. The windbeing fair, we passed Plymouth, ran upChannel, and anchored at Spithead.
After calling upon the admiral, O'Brienset off for town with his despatches,and left me in command of the ship. Inthree days I received a letter from him,
informing me that he had seen the FirstLord, who had asked him a great manyquestions concerning the station he hadquitted; that he had also complimentedO'Brien on his services. "On that hint Ispake," continued O'Brien; "I venturedto insinuate to his lordship, that I hadhoped I had earned my promotion; andas there is nothing like quartering on theenemy, I observed that I had not appliedto Lord Privilege, as I considered myservices would have been sufficient,without any application on his part. Hislordship returned a very graciousanswer: said that my Lord Privilege wasa great ally of his, and very friendly tothe government; and inquired when Iwas going to see him. I replied, that I
certainly should not pay my respects tohis lordship at present, unless there wasoccasion for it, as I must take a morefavourable opportunity. So I hope thatgood may come from the great lord'serror, which, of course, I shall notcorrect, as I feel I deserve mypromotion and you know, Peter, if youcan't gain it by hook, you must by crook."He then concluded his letter; but therewas a postscript as follows:
"Wish me joy, my dear Peter. I have thismoment received a letter from theprivate secretary, to say that I am posted,and appointed to the Semiramis frigate,about to set sail for the East Indies. Sheis all ready to start; and now I must try
to get you with me, of which I have nodoubt; as, although her officers havebeen long appointed there will be littledifficulty of success, when I mentionyour relationship to Lord Privilege, andwhile they remain in error as to histaking an interest in my behalf." Irejoiced at O'Brien's good fortune. Hispromotion I had considered certain, ashis services had entitled him to it; butthe command of so fine a frigate musthave been given upon the suppositionthat it would be agreeable to my uncle,who was not only a prime supporter,but a very useful member, of the ToryGovernment. I could not help laughingto myself, at the idea of O'Brienobtaining his wishes from the influence
of a person who probably detested himas much as one man could detestanother; and I impatiently waited forO'Brien's next letter, by which I hopedto find myself appointed to theSemiramis; but a sad contretemps tookplace.
O'Brien did not write; but came downtwo days afterwards, hastened on boardthe Semiramis, read his commission, andassumed the command before even hehad seen me; he then sent his gig onboard of the Rattlesnake to desire me tocome to him directly. I did so, and wewent down into the cabin of thefrigate. "Peter," said he, "I was obligedto hasten down and read myself
captain of this ship, as I am in fear thatthings are not going on well. I hadcalled to pay my respects at theAdmiralty, previous to joining, and waskicking my heels in the waiting-room,when who should walk up the passage,as if he were a captain on his ownquarter-deck, but your uncle, LordPrivilege. His eye met mine herecognised me immediately and, if itdid not flash fire, it did something verylike it. He asked a few questions of oneof the porters, and was giving his card,when my name was called for. I passedhim, and up I went to the First Lord,thanked him for the frigate; and havingreceived a great many complimentsupon my exertions in the West India
station, made my bow and retired. I hadintended to have requested yourappointment, but I knew that yourname would bring up Lord Privilege's;and, moreover, your uncle's card wasbrought up and laid upon the tablewhile I was sitting there. The FirstLord, I presume, thought that hislordship was come to thank him for hiskindness to me, which only made himmore civil. I made my bow and wentdown, when I met the eye of LordPrivilege; who looked daggers at me ashe walked up stairs for, of course, hewas admitted immediately after myaudience was finished. Instead ofwaiting to hear the result of theexplanation, I took a post-chaise, and
have come down here as fast as fourhorses can bring me, and have readmyself in for, Peter, I feel sure, that ifnot on board, my commission will becancelled; and I know that if once incommand, as I am now, I can call for acourt-martial, to clear my character if Iam superseded. I know that theAdmiralty can do anything, but still theywill be cautious in departing from therules of the service, to please evenLord Privilege. I looked up at the sky assoon as I left the Admiralty portico,and was glad to see that the weatherwas so thick, and the telegraph not atwork, or I might have been too late.Now I'll go on shore, and reportmyself to the admiral, as having taken
the command of the Semiramis."
O'Brien went on shore to reporthimself, was well received by theadmiral, who informed him, that if hehad any arrangements to make, hecould not be too soon, as he shouldnot be surprised if his sailing orderscame down the next morning. This wasvery annoying, as I could not see how Ishould be able to join O'Brien's ship,even if I could effect an exchange, in soshort a time. I therefore hastened onboard of the Semiramis, and applied tothe officers to know if any of themwere willing to exchange into theRattlesnake; but, although they did notmuch like going to the East Indies, they
would not exchange into a brig, and Ireturned disappointed. The nextmorning, the admiral sent for O'Brien,and told him confidentially, for he wasthe same admiral who had receivedO'Brien when he had escaped fromprison with me, and was very kind tohim, that there was some hitch about hishaving the Semiramis, and that ordershad come down to pay her off, allstanding, and examine her bottom, ifCaptain O'Brien had not joined her."Do you understand what this means "said the admiral, who was anxious toknow the reason.
O'Brien answered frankly, that LordPrivilege, by whose interest he had
obtained his former command, wasdispleased with him; and that, as he sawhim go up to the First Lord, he had nodoubt but that his lordship had saidsomething to his disadvantage, as hewas a very vindictive man.
"Well," said the admiral, "it's lucky thatyou have taken the command, as theycannot well displace you, or send herinto dock without a survey, and uponyour representation."
And so it proved; the First Lord, whenhe found that O'Brien had joined, tookno further steps, but allowed the frigateto proceed to her intended destination.But all chance of my sailing with him
was done away, and now, for the firsttime, I had to part with O'Brien. Iremained with him the whole time thatI could be spared from my duties.O'Brien was very much annoyed, butthere was no help. "Never mind, Peter,"said he, "I've been thinking thatperhaps it's all for the best. You will seemore of the world, and be no longer inleading-strings. You are now a fine mangrown up, big enough and uglyenough, as they say, to take care ofyourself. We shall meet again; and if wedon't, why then, God bless you, my boy,and don't forget O'Brien."
Three days afterwards, O'Brien's orderscame down. I accompanied him on
board; and it was not until the ship wasunder weigh, and running towards theNeedles with a fair wind, that I shookhands with him, and shoved off.Parting with O'Brien was a heavy blowto me; but I little knew how much Iwas to suffer before I saw him again.
Chapter LIII
I am pleased with my new captainObtain leave to go home Find myfather afflicted with a very strangedisease, and prove myself a very gooddoctor, although the disorder alwaysbreaks out in a fresh place.
The day after O'Brien had sailed for theEast Indies, the dockyard men came onboard to survey the brig, and she wasfound so defective as to be orderedinto dock. I had received letters frommy sister, who was overjoyed at theintelligence of my safe return, and theanticipation of seeing me. The accountsof my father were, however, veryunsatisfactory. My sister wrote, thatdisappointment and anxiety had hadsuch an effect upon him, that he wasderanged in his intellects. Our newcaptain came down to join us. He was avery young man, and had never beforecommanded a ship. His character aslieutenant was well known, and not
very satisfactory, being that of a harsh,unpleasant officer; but, as he had neverbeen first lieutenant, it was impossibleto say what he might prove when incommand of a ship. Still we were alittle anxious about it, and severelyregretted the loss of O'Brien. He cameon board the hulk to which the ship'scompany's had been turned over, andread his commission. He proved to beall affability, condescension, and good-nature. To me, he was particularlypolite, stating that he should notinterfere with me in carrying on theduty, as I must be so well acquaintedwith the ship's company. We thoughtthat those who gave us the informationmust have been prejudiced or mistaken
in his character. During the half hourthat he remained on board, I stated,that now that the brig was in dock, Ishould like very much to have anopportunity of seeing my friends, if hewould sanction my asking for leave. Tothis he cheerfully consented, adding,that he would extend it upon his ownresponsibility. My letter to theAdmiralty was therefore forwardedthrough him, and was answered in theaffirmative. The day afterwards, I setoff by the coach, and once moreembraced my dear sister.
After the first congratulations wereover, I inquired about my father; shereplied, that he was so wild that
nobody could manage him. That hewas melancholy and irritable at thesame time, and was certainly deranged,fancying himself to be made of varioussubstances, or to be in a certain trade orcapacity. That he generally remained inthis way four or five days, when hewent to bed, and slept for twenty-fourhours, or more, and awoke with somenew strange imagination in his head.His language was violent, but that, inother respects, he seemed to be moreafraid of other people, than inclined tobe mischievous, and that every day hewas getting more strange andridiculous. He had now just risen fromone of his long naps, and was in hisstudy; that before he had fallen asleep
he had fancied himself to be acarpenter, and had sawed and choppedup several articles of furniture in thehouse.
I quitted my sister to see my father,whom I found in his easy-chair. I wasmuch shocked at his appearance. Hewas thin and haggard, his eye was wild,and he remained with his mouthconstantly open. A sick-nurse, who hadbeen hired by my sister, was standing byhim.
"Pish, pish, pish, pish!" cried my father;"what can you, a stupid old woman,know about my inside I tell you the gasis generating fast, and even now I can
hardly keep on my chair. I'm liftinglifting now; and if you don't tie medown with cords, I shall go up like aballoon."
"Indeed, sir," replied the woman, "it'sonly the wind in your stomach. You'llbreak it off directly."
"It's inflammable gas, you old Hecate! Iknow it is. Tell me, will you get a cord,or will you not Hah! who's that PeterWhy you've dropped from the clouds,just in time to see me mount up tothem."
"I hope you feel yourself better, sir,"said I.
"I feel myself a great deal lighter everyminute. Get a cord, Peter, and tie me tothe leg of the table."
I tried to persuade him that he wasunder a mistake; but it was useless. Hebecame excessively violent, and said Iwished him in heaven. As I had heardthat it was better to humour peopleafflicted with hypochondriacism, whichwas evidently the disease under whichmy father laboured, I tried that method."It appears to me, sir," said I, "that ifwe could remove the gas every tenminutes, it would be a good plan."
"Yes but how " replied he, shaking his
head mournfully.
"Why, with a syringe, sir," said I; "whichwill, if empty, of course draw out thegas, when inserted into your mouth."
"My dear Peter, you have saved my life:be quick, though, or I shall go up, rightthrough the ceiling."
Fortunately, there was an instrument ofthat description in the house. I appliedit to his mouth, drew up the piston,and then ejected the air, and re-appliedit. In two minutes he pronouncedhimself better, and I left the old nursehard at work, and my father veryconsiderably pacified. I returned to my
sister, to whom I recounted what hadpassed; but it was no source of mirthto us, although, had it happened to anindifferent person, I might have beenamused. The idea of leaving her, as Imust soon do having only a fortnight'sleave to be worried by my father'sunfortunate malady, was verydistressing. But we entered into a longconversation, in which I recounted theadventures that had taken place since Ihad left her, and for the time forgot oursource of annoyance and regret. Forthree days my father insisted upon theold woman pumping the gas out of hisbody; after that, he again fell into oneof his sleeps, which lasted nearly thirtyhours.
When he arose, I went again to see him.It was eight o'clock in the evening, andI entered with a candle. "Take it awayquick, take it away; put it out carefully."
"Why, what's the matter, sir "
"Don't come near me, if you love me;don't come near me. Put it out, I sayput it out."
I obeyed his orders, and then asked himthe reason. "Reason!" said he, now thatwe were in the dark; "can't you see "
"No, father; I can see nothing in thedark."
"Well, then, Peter, I'm a magazine, fullof gunpowder; the least spark in theworld, and I am blown up. Considerthe danger. You surely would not be thedestruction of your father, Peter " andthe poor old gentleman burst into tears,and wept like a child.
I knew that it was in vain to reasonwith him. "My dear father," said I, "onboard ship, when there is any danger ofthis kind, we always float the magazine.Now, if you were to drink a good dealof water, the powder would be spoiled,and there would be no danger." Myfather was satisfied with my proposal,and drank a tumbler of water every
half-hour, which the old nurse wasobliged to supply as fast as he called forit; and this satisfied him for three orfour days, and I was again left to thecompany of my dear Ellen, when myfather again fell into his stupor, and wewondered what would be his nextfancy. I was hastily summoned by thenurse, and found my poor father lyingin bed, and breathing in a very strangemanner. "What is the matter, my dear sir" inquired I.
"Why don't you see what is the matterHow is a poor little infant, just born, tolive, unless its mother is near to suckleit, and take care of it "
"Indeed, sir, do you mean to say thatyou are just born "
"To be sure I do. I'm dying for thebreast."
This was almost too absurd; but Igravely observed, "That it was all verytrue, but unfortunately his mother haddied in childbirth, and the only remedywas to bring him up by hand."
He agreed with me. I desired the nurseto make some gruel with brandy, andfeed him; which she did, and he tookthe gruel just as if he were a baby. I wasabout to wish him goodnight, when hebeckoned to me, and said, "Peter, she
hasn't changed my napkin." This wastoo much, and I could not helplaughing. I told the nurse what he said,and she replied, "Lord bless you, sir,what matter if the old gentleman takesa fancy, why not indulge him I'll fetchthe kitchen table-cloth." This fit lastedabout six days; for he went to sleep,because a baby always slept much: andI was in hopes it would last muchlonger: but he again went off into hislethargic fit, and, after a long sleep,awoke with a new fancy. My time hadnearly expired, and I had written to mynew captain, requesting an extension ofleave, but I received an answer statingthat it could not be granted, andrequesting me to join the brig
immediately. I was rather surprised atthis, but of course was compelled toobey; and, embracing my dear sisteronce more, set off for Portsmouth. Iadvised her to humour my father, andthis advice she followed; but his fancieswere such, occasionally, as would havepuzzled the most inventive genius tocombat, or to find the remedy which hemight acknowledge to be requisite. Hishealth became certainly worse andworse, and his constitution wasevidently destroyed by a slow,undermining, bodily and mental fever.The situation of my poor sister wasvery distressing; and I quitted her withmelancholy forebodings.
I ought here to observe that I receivedall my prize-money, amounting toL1560, a large sum for a lieutenant. Iput it into the funds, and gave a powerof attorney to Ellen, requesting her touse it as her own. We consulted as towhat she should do if my father shoulddie, and agreed that all his debts, whichwe knew to amount to three or fourhundred pounds, should be paid, andthat she should manage how she couldupon what was left of my father'sproperty, and the interest of my prize-money.
Chapter LIV
We receive our sailing orders, andorders of every description A quarter-deck conversation Listeners never hearany good of themselves.
When I arrived at Portsmouth, Ireported myself to the captain, wholived at the hotel. I was ushered into hisroom to wait for him, as he wasdressing to dine with the admiral. Myeyes naturally turned to what lay on thetable, merely from the feeling whichone has to pass away the time, not fromcuriosity; and I was much surprised tosee a pile of letters, the uppermost ofwhich was franked by Lord Privilege.This, however, might be merely
accidental; but my curiosity was excited,and I lifted up the letter, and found thatthe second, the third, and indeed atleast ten of these were franked by myuncle. I could not imagine how therecould be any intimacy between him andmy uncle, and was reflecting upon itwhen Captain Hawkins, for that was hisname, entered the room. He was verykind and civil, apologized for not beingable to extend my leave, which, he said,was because he had consulted theadmiral, who would not sanction theabsence of the first lieutenant, and hadvery peremptorily desired he wouldrecall me immediately. I was satisfied:he shook my hand, and we parted. Onmy arrival on board the hulk, for the
brig was still in dock, I was warmlyreceived by my messmates. They toldme that the captain had, generallyspeaking, been very civil, but that,occasionally, the marks of the clovenfoot appeared.
"Webster," said I, to the secondlieutenant, "do you know anythingabout his family or connections "
"It is a question I have asked of thosewho have sailed with him, and they allsay that he never speaks of his ownfamily, but very often boasts of hisintimacy with the nobility. Some saythat he is a bye-blow of some great man."
I reflected very much upon this, andconnecting it with the numerous franksof Lord Privilege, which I saw on thetable, had my misgivings; but then Iknew that I could do my duty, and hadno reason to fear any man. I resolved,in my own mind, to be very correct,and put it out of the power of any oneto lay hold of me, and then dismissedthe subject. The brig was repaired andout of dock, and for some days I wasvery busy getting her ready for sea. Inever quitted her; in fact, I had no wish.I never had any taste for bad companyand midnight orgies, and I had noacquaintance with the respectableportion of the inhabitants ofPortsmouth. At last the ship's company
were removed into the brig: we wentout of harbour, and anchored atSpithead.
Captain Hawkins came on board andgave me an order-book, saying, "MrSimple, I have a great objection towritten orders, as I consider that thearticles of war are quite sufficient toregulate any ship. Still, a captain is in avery responsible situation, and if anyaccident occurs he is held amenable. Itherefore have framed a few orders ofmy own for the interior discipline ofthe vessel, which may probably save meharmless, in case of being hauled over thecoals; but not with any wish that theyshould interfere with the comforts of
the officers, only to guard against anymischance, of which the onus may fallupon myself."
I received the order-book, and thecaptain went ashore. When I wentdown into the gun-room, to lookthrough it, I at once perceived that ifrigidly conformed to, every officer inthe ship would be rendereduncomfortable; and if not conformedto, I should be the party that wasanswerable. I showed it to Webster,who agreed with me, and gave it as hisopinion that the captain's good natureand amiability were all a blind, and thathe was intending to lay hold of us assoon as it was in his power. I therefore
called all the officers together, and toldthem my opinion. Webster supportedme, and it was unanimously agreed thatthe orders should be obeyed, althoughnot without remonstrance. The majorpart of the orders, however, onlyreferred to the time that the brig was inharbour; and, as we were about toproceed to sea, it was hardly worthwhile saying anything at present. Theorders for the sailing of the brig camedown, and by the same post I receiveda letter from my sister Ellen, stating thatthey had heard from Captain Fielding,who had immediately written toBombay, where the regiment wasstationed, and had received an answer,informing him that there was no
married man in the regiment of thename of Sullivan, and no woman whohad followed that regiment of thatname. This at once put an end to all ourresearches after the wet-nurse, who hadbeen confined in my uncle's house.Where she had been sent, it was ofcourse impossible to say; but I gave upall chance of discovering my uncle'streachery; and, as I thought of Celeste,sighed at the little hope I had of everbeing united to her. I wrote a long letterto O'Brien, and the next day we sailedfor our station in the North Sea.
The captain added a night order-bookto the other, and sent it up everyevening, to be returned in the morning,
with the signature of every officer ofthe night watches. He also required allour signatures to his general order-book, that we might not say we had notread them. I had the first watch, whenSwinburne came up to me. "Well, MrSimple, I do not think we have mademuch by our exchange of captains; andI have a shrewd suspicion we shall havesqualls ere long."
"We must not judge too hastily,Swinburne," replied I.
"No, no I don't say that we should; butstill, one must go a little by looks in theworld, and I'm sure his looks wouldn'thelp him much. He's just like a winter's
day, short and dirty; and he walks thedeck as if planks were not goodenough for his feet. Mr Williams says,he looks as if he were 'big with the fateof Cato and of Rome:' what thatmeans, I don't know some joke, Isuppose, for the youngsters are alwaysjoking. Were you ever up the Baltic, MrSimple Now I think of it, I know younever were. I've seen some tight workup there with the gun-boats; and so weshould now with Captain O'Brien; butas for this little man, I've an idea 'twillbe more talk than work."
"You appear to have taken a greatdislike to the captain, Swinburne. I donot know whether, as first lieutenant, I
ought to listen to you."
"It's because you're first lieutenant thatI tell it you, Mr Simple. I never wasmistaken, in the main, of an officer'scharacter, when I could look him in theface, and hear him talk for half anhour; and I came up on purpose to putyou on your guard: for I feelconvinced, that towards you he meansmischief. What does he mean by havingthe greasy-faced serjeant of marines inhis cabin for half an hour everymorning His reports as master of armsought to come through you, as firstlieutenant; but he means him as a spyupon all, and upon you in particular.The fellow has begun to give himself
airs already, and speaks to the younggentlemen as if they were beneath him.I thought you might not know it, MrSimple, so I thought it right to tellyou."
"I am much obliged to you, Swinburne,for your good wishes; but I can do myduty, and why should I fear anything "
"A man may do his duty, Mr Simple;but if a captain is determined to ruinhim, he has the power. I have beenlonger in the service than you have, andhave been wide awake: only be carefulof one thing, Mr Simple; I beg yourpardon for being so free, but in no caselose your temper."
"No fear of that, Swinburne," replied I.
"It's very easy to say 'no fear of that,'Mr Simple; but recollect, you have notyet had your temper tried as someofficers have. You have always beentreated like a gentleman; but shouldyou find yourself treated otherwise,you have too good blood in your veinsnot to speak I am sure of that. I've seenofficers insulted and irritated, till noangel could put up with the treatmentand then for an unguarded word,which they would have been swabs notto have made use of, sent out of theservice to the devil."
"But you forget, Swinburne, that thearticles of war are made for the captainas well as for everybody else in theship."
"I know that; but still, at court-martialscaptains make a great distinctionbetween what a superior says to aninferior, and what an inferior says to asuperior."
"True," replied I, quoting Shakespeare:
"'That's in the captain but a cholericword, Which in the soldier is rankblasphemy.'"
"Exactly my meaning I rather think,"
said Swinburne, "if a captain calls youno gentleman, you mus'n't say the sameto him."
"Certainly not, but I can demand acourt-martial."
"Yes; and it will be granted: but whatdo you gain by that It's like beatingagainst a heavy gale and a lee tidethousand to one if you fetch your port;and if you do, your vessel is strained topieces, sails worn as thin as anewspaper, and rigging chafed halfthrough, wanting fresh serving: noorders for a re-fit, and laid up inordinary for the rest of your life. No,no, Mr Simple, the best plan is to grin
and bear it, and keep a sharp look-out;for depend upon it, Mr Simple, in thebest ship's company in the world, a spycaptain will always find spy followers."
"Do you refer that observation to me,Mr Swinburne " said a voice fromunder the bulwark. I started round, andfound the captain, who had crept upondeck, unperceived by us, during ourconversation. Swinburne made noreply; but touched his hat and walkedover to leeward. "I presume, MrSimple," said the captain, turning tome, "that you consider yourselfjustified in finding fault, and abusingyour captain, to an inferior officer, onHis Majesty's quarter-deck."
"If you heard the previousconversation, sir," replied I, "you mustbe aware that we were speakinggenerally about court-martials. I do notimagine that I have been guilty of anyimpropriety in conversing with anofficer upon points connected with theservice."
"You mean then to assert, sir, that thegunner did not refer to me when hesaid the words, 'spy captain.'"
"I acknowledge, sir, that as you werelistening unperceived, the term mightappear to refer to you; but the gunnerhad no idea, at the time, that you were
listening. His observation was, that aspy captain would always find spyfollowers. This I take to be a generalobservation; and I am sorry that youthink otherwise."
"Very well, Mr Simple," said CaptainHawkins and he walked down thecompanion ladder into his cabin.
"Now a'n't it odd, Mr Simple, that Ishould come up with the intention ofbeing of service to you, and yet get youinto such a scrape However, perhaps itis all for the best; open war is preferableto watching in the dark, and stabbing inthe back. He never meant to haveshown his colours; but I hit him so
hard, that he forgot himself."
"I suspect that to be the case,Swinburne; but I think that you hadbetter not talk any more with me to-night."
"Wish I hadn't talked quite so much, asthings have turned out," repliedSwinburne. "Good-night, sir."
I reflected upon what had passed, andfelt convinced that Swinburne wasright in saying that it was better this hadoccurred than otherwise. I now knewthe ground which I stood upon; andforewarned was being forearmed.
Chapter LV
We encounter a Dutch brig of warCaptain Hawkins very contemplativenear the capstan Hard knocks, and nothanks for it Who's afraid Men will talkThe brig goes about on the wrong tack.
At daylight the next morning we wereoff the Texel, and could see the lowsand-hills; but we had scarcely madethem out, when the fog in the offingcleared up, and we made a strangevessel. The hands were turned up, andall sail made in chase. We made her outto be a brig of war; and as she altered
her course considerably, we had an ideathat she was an enemy. We made theprivate signal, which was unanswered,and we cleared for action; the brigmaking all sail on the starboard tack,and we following her she bearing abouttwo miles on our weather bow. Thebreeze was not steady; at one time thebrig was staggering under her top-gallant sails, while we had our royalsset; at another we would have hands bythe top-gallant sheets and topsailhalyards, while she expanded everystitch of canvas. On the whole,however, in an hour we had nearedabout half a mile. Our men were all attheir quarters, happy to be so soon attheir old work. Their jackets and hats
were thrown off, a bandanahandkerchief tied round their heads,and another, or else their black silkhandkerchiefs, tied round their waists.Every gun was ready, everything was inits place, and every soul, I was going tosay, was anxious for the set-to; but Irather think I must not include thecaptain, who from the commencement,showed no signs of pleasure, andanything but presence of mind. Whenwe first chased the vessel, it wasreported that it was a merchantman;and it was not until we had broaddaylight, that we discovered her to be aman-of-war. There was one thing to besaid in his favour he had never been inaction in his life.
The breeze now fell light, and we wereboth with our sails set, when a thickfog obscured her from our sight. Thefog rolled on till we met it, and then wecould not see ten yards from the brig.This was a source of greatmortification, as we had every chanceof losing her. Fortunately, the wind wassettling down fast into a calm, andabout twelve o'clock the sails flappedagainst the mast. I reported twelveo'clock, and asked the captain whetherwe should pipe to dinner.
"Not yet," replied he; "we will put herhead about."
"Go about, sir " replied I, with surprise.
"Yes;" said he, "I'm convinced that thechase is on the other tack at thismoment; and if we do not, we shalllose her."
"If she goes about, sir," said I, "shemust get among the sands, and we shallbe sure of her."
"Sir," replied he, "when I ask youradvice, you will be pleased to give it. Icommand this vessel."
I touched my hat, and turned the handsup about ship, convinced that thecaptain wished to avoid the action, as
the only chance of escape for the brigwas her keeping her wind in the tackshe was on. "'Bout ship 'bout ship!"cried the men. "What the hell are wegoing about for " inquired they of oneanother, as they came up the ladder."Silence there, fore and aft!" cried I."Captain Hawkins, I do not think wecan get her round, unless we wear thewind is very light."
"Then wear ship, Mr Simple."
There are times when grumbling anddiscontent among the seamen is soparticipated by the officers, althoughthey do not show it, that theexpressions made use of are passed
unheeded. Such was the case at present.The officers looked at each other, andsaid nothing; but the men wereunguarded in their expressions. Thebrig wore gradually round; and whenthe men were bracing up the yards,sharp on the other tack, instead of the"Hurrah!" and "Down with the mark!"they fell back with a groan.
"Brace up those yards in silence, there,"said I to the men.
The ropes were coiled down, and wepiped to dinner. The captain, whocontinued on deck, could not fail tohear the discontented expressionswhich occasionally were made use of
on the lower deck. He made noobservation, but occasionally lookedover the side, to see whether the brigwent through the water. This she didslowly for about ten minutes, when itfell a perfect calm so that, to use acommon sea phrase, he gained little byhis motion. About half-past one, aslight breeze from the opposite quartersprung up we turned round to it itincreased the fog blew away, and, in aquarter of an hour, the chase was againvisible, now upon our lee beam. Themen gave three cheers.
"Silence there, fore and aft," cried thecaptain, angrily. "Mr Simple, is this theway that the ship's company have been
disciplined under their late commander,to halloo and bawl whenever they thinkproper "
I was irritated at any reflection uponO'Brien, and I replied, "Yes, sir; theyhave been always accustomed toexpress their joy at the prospect ofengaging the enemy."
"Very well, Mr Simple," replied he.
"How are we to shift her head "inquired the master, touching his hat:"for the chase "
"Of course," replied the captain, whothen descended into his cabin.
"Come, my lads," said Swinburne, assoon as the captain was below, "I havebeen going round, and I find that yourpets are all in good fighting order. Ipromise ye, you sha'n't wait for powder.They'll find that the Rattlesnake can bitedevilish hard yet, I expect." "Aye, andwithout its head, too," replied one ofthe men, who was the Joe Miller of thebrig. The chase, perceiving that shecould not escape for we were comingup with her, hand over hand, nowshortened sail for action, hoistingDutch colours. Captain Hawkins againmade his appearance on the quarter-deck, when we were within half a mileof her.
"Are we to run alongside of her orhow " inquired I.
"Mr Simple, I command her," repliedhe, "and want no interferencewhatever."
"Very well, sir," replied I, and I walkedto the gangway.
"Mr Thompson," cried the captain,who appeared to have screwed up hiscourage to the right pitch, and had nowtaken his position for a moment on oneof the carronades; "you will lay the brigright "
Bang, bang whiz, whiz bang whiz, camethree shots from the enemy, cleavingthe air between our masts. The captainjumped down from the carronade, andhastened to the capstern, withoutfinishing his sentence. "Shall we firewhen we are ready, sir " said I; for Iperceived that he was not capable ofgiving correct orders.
"Yes yes, to be sure," replied he,remaining where he was.
"Thompson," said I to the master, "Ithink we can manage, in our presentcommanding position, to get foul ofhim, so as to knock away his jib-boomand fore topmast, and then she can't
escape. We have good way on her."
"I'll manage it, Simple, or my name'snot Thompson," replied the master,jumping into the quarter-boat, conningthe vessel in that exposed situation, aswe received the enemy's fire.
"Look out, my lads, and pour it intoher now, just as you please," said I tothe men.
The seamen were, however, too welldisciplined to take immediate advantageof my permission; they waited until wepassed her, and just as the master putup his helm, so as to catch her jib-boom between our masts, the whole
broadside was poured into his bow andchess-tree. Her jib-boom and fore-topgallant went down, and she had somuch way through the water, that wetore clear from her, and rounding to thewind shot a-head. The enemy, althoughin confusion from the effects of ourbroadside, put up his helm to rake us;we perceived his manoeuvre, and didthe same, and then, squaring our sails,we ran with him before the wind,engaging broadside to broadside. Thiscontinued about half an hour, and wesoon found that we had no fool to playwith. The brig was well fought, and herguns well directed. We had several mentaken down below, and I thought itwould be better to engage her even
closer. There was about a cable's lengthbetween both vessels, as we ran beforethe wind, at about six miles an hour,with a slight rolling motion.
"Thompson," said I, "let us see if wecannot beat them from their guns. Let'sport the helm and close her, till we canshy a biscuit on board."
"Just my opinion, Simple; we'll see ifthey won't make another sort ofrunning fight of it."
In a few minutes we were so close onboard of her, that the men who loadedthe guns could touch each other withtheir rammers and sponges. The men
cheered; it was gallantly returned by theenemy, and havoc was now commencedby the musketry on both sides. TheFrench captain, who appeared as bravea fellow as ever stepped, stood forsome minutes on the hammocks; I wasalso holding on by the swifter of themain rigging, when he took off his hatand politely saluted me. I returned thecompliment; but the fire became toohot, and I wished to get under theshelter of the bulwark. Still I would notgo down first, and the French captainappeared determined not to be the firsteither to quit the post of honour. Atlast one of our marines hit him in theright arm: he clapped his hand to thepart, as if to point it out to me,
nodded, and was assisted down fromthe hammocks. I immediately quittedmy post, for I thought it foolish tostand as a mark for forty or fiftysoldiers. I had already received a bulletthrough the small of my leg. But theeffects of such close fire now becameapparent: our guns were only halfmanned, our sides terribly cut up, andour sails and rigging in tatters. Theenemy was even worse off, and twobroadsides more brought her mainmastby the board. Our men cheered, andthrew in another broadside. The enemydropped astern; we rounded to rakeher; she also attempted to round to, butcould not until she had cleared awayher wreck, and taken in her foresail, and
lowered her topsail. She then continuedthe action with as much spirit as ever.
"He's a fine fellow, by God!" exclaimedThompson; "I never saw a man fighthis ship better: but we have him.Webster's down, poor fellow!"
"I'm sorry for it," replied I; "but I'mafraid that there are many poor fellowswho have lost the number of theirmess. I think it useless throwing awaythe advantage which we now have. Hecan't escape, and he'll fight this way forever. We had better run a-head, repairdamages, and then he must surrender,in his crippled state, when we attackhim again."
"I agree with you," said Thompson;"the only point is, that it will soon bedark."
"I'll not lose sight of him, and hecannot get away. If he puts before thewind, then we will be at him again."
We gave him the loaded guns as weforged a-head, and when we wereabout half a mile from him, hove-to torepair damages.
The reader may now ask, "But wherewas the captain all this time " Myanswer is, that he was at the capstern,where he stood in silence, not once
interfering during the whole action,which was fought by Thompson, themaster, and myself. How he looked, orhow he behaved in other points duringthe engagement, I cannot pretend tosay, for I had no time to observe him.Even now I was busy knotting therigging, rousing up new sails to bend,and getting everything in order, and Ishould not have observed him, had henot come up to me; for as soon as wehad ceased firing he appeared torecover himself. He did not, however,first address me; he commencedspeaking to the men.
"Come, be smart, my lads; send a handhere to swab up the blood. Here,
youngster, run down to the surgeon,and let him know that I wish a reportof the killed and wounded."
By degrees he talked more, and at lastcame up to me, "This has been rathersmartish, Mr Simple."
"Very smart indeed, sir," replied I, andthen turned away to give directions."Maintop there, send down the haulingline on the starboard side."
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Now then, my lads, clap on, and run itup at once."
"Maintop, there," hailed the captain,"be a little smarter, or by G d, I'll callyou down for something." This did notcome with a good grace from one whohad done nothing, to those who wereworking with all their energy. "MrSimple," said the captain, "I wish youwould carry on duty with less noise."
"At all events, he set us that exampleduring the action," muttered the JoeMiller; and the other men laughedheartily at the implication. In twohours, during which we had carefullywatched the enemy, who still lay wherewe left him, we were again ready foraction.
"Shall I give the men their grog now, sir" said I to the captain; "they must wantit."
"No, no," replied the captain; "no, no,Mr Simple, I don't like what you callDutch courage."
"I don't think he much does; and thisfellow has shown plenty of it," said theJoe Miller, softly; and the men abouthim laughed heartily.
"I think, sir," observed I, "that it is aninjustice to this fine ship's company tohint at their requiring Dutch courage."(Dutch courage is a term for couragescrewed up by drinking freely.) "And I
most respectfully beg leave to observe,that the men have not had theirafternoon's allowance; and, after thefatigues they have undergone, reallyrequire it."
"I command this ship, sir," replied he.
"Certainly, sir, I am aware of it,"rejoined I. "She is now all ready foraction again, and I wait your orders.The enemy is two miles on the leequarter."
The surgeon here came up with hisreport.
"Good heavens!" said the captain,
"forty-seven men killed and wounded,Mr Webster dangerously. Why, the brigis crippled. We can do no morepositively, we can do no more."
"We can take that brig , anyhow," cried oneof the seamen from a dozen of themen who were to leeward, expectingorders to renew the attack.
"What man was that " cried the captain.
No one answered.
"By G d! this ship is in a state ofmutiny, Mr Simple."
"Will soon be, I think," said a voice from
the crowd, which I knew very well; butthe captain, having been but a shorttime with us, did not know it.
"Do you hear that, Mr Simple " criedthe captain.
"I regret to say that I did hear it, sir; Ilittle thought that ever such anexpression would have been made useof on board of the Rattlesnake." Then,fearing he would ask me the man'sname, and to pretend not to haverecognised it, I said, "Who was thatwho made use of that expression " Butno one answered; and it was so dark,that it was impossible to distinguish themen.
"After such mutinous expressions,"observed the captain, "I certainly willnot risk His Majesty's brig under mycommand, as I should have wished tohave done, even in her crippled state, byagain engaging the enemy. I can onlyregret that the officers appear asinsolent as the men."
"Perhaps, Captain Hawkins, you willstate in what, and when, I have provedmyself insolent. I cannot accusemyself."
"I hope the expression was not appliedto me, sir," said Thompson, the master,touching his hat.
"Silence, gentlemen, if you please. MrSimple, wear round the ship."
Whether the captain intended to attackthe enemy or not, we could not tell, butwe were soon undeceived; for when wewere round, he ordered her to be keptaway until the Dutch brig was on ourlee quarter: then ordering the master toshape his course for Yarmouth, he wentdown into the cabin, and sent up wordthat I might pipe to supper and serveout the spirits.
The rage and indignation of the mencould not be withheld. After they wentdown to supper they gave three heavy
groans in concert; indeed, during thewhole of that night, the officers whokept the watches had great difficulty inkeeping the men from venting theirfeeling, in what might be almost termedjustifiable mutiny. As for myself, Icould hardly control my vexation. Thebrig was our certain prize; and this wasproved, for the next day she hauleddown her colours immediately to amuch smaller man-of-war, which fell inwith her, still lying in the same crippledstate; the captain and first lieutenantkilled, and nearly two-thirds of hership's company either killed orwounded. Had we attacked her, shewould have hauled down her coloursimmediately, for it was our last
broadside which had killed the captain.As first lieutenant, I should havereceived my promotion, which wasnow lost. I cried for vexation when Ithought of it as I lay in bed. That hisconduct was severely commented uponby the officers in the gun-room, as wellas by the whole ship's company, Ihardly need say. Thompson was forbringing him to a court-martial, whichI would most gladly have done, if itonly were to get rid of him; but I had along conversation with old Swinburneon the subject, and he proved to methat I had better not attempt it. "For,d'ye see, Mr Simple, you have no proof.He did not run down below; he stoodhis ground on deck, although he did
nothing. You can't prove cowardice,then, although there can be no greatdoubt of it. Again, with regard to hisnot renewing the attack, why, is not acaptain at liberty to decide what is thebest for His Majesty's service And if hethought, in the crippled state of thebrig, so close to the enemy's coast, thatit wasn't advisable, why, it could only bebrought in as an error in judgment.Then there's another thing which mustbe remembered, Mr Simple, which is,that no captains sitting on a court-martial will, if it be possible to extricatehim, ever prove cowardice against abrother captain, because they feel thatit's a disgrace to the whole cloth."
Swinburne's advice was good, and Igave up all thoughts of proceeding; stillit appeared to me, that the captain wasvery much afraid that I would, he wasso extremely amiable and polite duringour run home. He said, that he hadwatched how well I had behaved in theaction, and would not fail to notice it.This was something, but he did notkeep his word: for his despatch waspublished before we quitted theroadstead, and not the name of oneofficer mentioned, only generallysaying, that they conducted themselvesto his satisfaction. He called the enemya corvette, not specifying whether shewas a brig or ship corvette; and thewhole was written in such a bombastic
style, that any one would have imaginedthat he had fought a vessel of superiorforce. He stated, at the end, that as soonas he repaired damages, he wore round,but that the enemy declined furtheraction. So she did certainly for the bestof all possible reasons, that she was toodisabled to come down to us. All thismight have been contested; but theenormous list of killed and woundedproved that we had had a hard fight,and the capture of the brig afterwards,that we had really overpowered her. Sothat, on the whole, Captain Hawkinsgained a great deal of credit with some;although whispers were afloat whichcame to the ears of the Admiralty, andprevented him from being posted the
more so, as he had the modesty not toapply for it.
Chapter LVI
Consequences of the action A shipwithout a fighting captain is like a thingwithout a head So do the sailors thinkA mutiny, and the loss of our famousship's company.
During our stay at Yarmouth, we werenot allowed to put our foot on shore,upon the plea that we must repairdamages, and proceed immediately toour station; but the real fact was, that
Captain Hawkins was very anxious thatwe should not be able to talk about theaction. Finding no charges preferredagainst him, he re-commenced hissystem of annoyance. His apartmentshad windows which looked out uponwhere the brig lay at anchor, and heconstantly watched all our motionswith his spy-glass, noting down if I didnot hoist up boats, &c., exactly at thehour prescribed in his book of orders,so as to gather a list of charges againstme if he could. This we did not findout until afterwards.
I mentioned before, that whenSwinburne joined us at Plymouth, hehad recommended a figure-head being
put on the brig. This had been done atO'Brien's expense not in the cheap wayrecommended by Swinburne, but in avery handsome manner. It was a largesnake coiled up in folds, with its headdarting out in a menacing attitude, andthe tail, with its rattle appeared below.The whole was gilded, and had a verygood effect; but after the dock-yardmen had completed the repairs, and thebrig was painted, one night the head ofthe rattlesnake disappeared. It had beensawed off by some malicious and evildisposed persons, and no traces of itwere to be found. I was obliged toreport this to the captain, who was veryindignant, and offered twenty poundsfor the discovery of the offender; but
had he offered twenty thousand henever would have found out thedelinquent. It was, however, neverforgotten; for he understood what wasimplied by these manoeuvres. A newhead was carved, but disappeared thenight after it was fixed on.
The rage of the captain was withoutbounds: he turned the hands up, anddeclared that if the offender was notgiven up, he would flog every hand onboard. He gave the ship's company tenminutes, and then prepared to executehis threat. "Mr Paul, turn the hands upfor punishment," said the captain, in arage, and descended to his cabin for thearticles of war. When he was down
below, the officers talked over thematter. To flog every man for the crimeof one was the height of injustice, butit was not for us to oppose him; stillthe ship's company must have seen, inour countenances, that we shared theirfeelings. The men were talking witheach other in groups, until they allappeared to have communicated theirideas on the subject. The carpenters,who had been slowly bringing aft thegratings, left off the job; theboatswain's mates, who had came aft,rolled the tails of their cats round thered handles; and every man walkeddown below. No one was left on thequarter-deck but the marines underarms, and the officers. Perceiving this, I
desired Mr Paul, the boatswain, to sendthe men up to rig the gratings, and thequarter-masters with their seizings. Hecame up, and said that he had calledthem, but that they did not answer.Perceiving that the ship's companywould break out into open mutiny, ifthe captain persisted in his intention, Iwent down into the cabin, and told thecaptain the state of things, and wishedfor his orders or presence on deck.
The captain, whose wrath appearedincapable of reflection, immediatelyproceeded on deck, and ordered themarines to load with ball-cartridge. Thiswas done; but, as I was afterwards toldby Thompson, who was standing aft,
the marines loaded with powder, andput the balls into their pockets. Theywished to keep up the character oftheir corps for fidelity, and at the sametime not fire upon men whom theyloved as brothers, and with whom theycoincided in opinion. Indeed, weafterwards discovered that it was amarine who had taken off the head ofthe snake a second time.
The captain then ordered the boatswainto turn the hands up. The boatswainmade his appearance with his right armin a sling. "What's the matter with yourarm, Mr Paul " said I, as he passed me.
"Tumbled down the hatchway just now
can't move my arm; I must go to thesurgeon as soon as this is over."
The hands were piped up again, but noone obeyed the order. Thus was thebrig in a state of mutiny. "Mr Simple,go forward to the main hatchway withthe marines, and fire on the lowerdeck," cried the captain.
"Sir," said I, "there are two frigateswithin a cable's length of us; andwould it not be better to send forassistance, without shedding bloodBesides, sir, you have not yet tried theeffect of calling up the carpenter's andboatswain's mates by name. Will youallow me to go down first, and bring
them to a sense of their duty "
"Yes, I presume you know your power;but of this hereafter."
I went down below and called the menby name.
"Sir," said one of the boatswain'smates, "the ship's company say that theywill not submit to be flogged."
"I do not speak to the ship's companygenerally, Collins," replied I; "but youare now ordered to rig the gratings, andcome on deck. It is an order that youcannot refuse. Go up directly, and obeyit. Quarter-masters, go on deck with
your seizings. When all is ready, you canthen expostulate." The men obeyed myorders; they crawled on deck, rigged thegratings, and stood by. "All is ready, sir,"said I, touching my hat to the captain.
"Send the ship's company aft, Mr Paul."
"Aft, then, all of you, for punishment,"cried the boatswain.
"Yes, it is all of us for punishment," criedone voice. "We're all to flog oneanother, and then pay off the jollies."[1]
This time the men obeyed the order;they all appeared on the quarter-deck."The men are all aft, sir," reported the
boatswain.
"And now, my lads," said the captain,"I'll teach you what mutiny is. You seethe two frigates alongside of us. Youhad forgotten them, I suppose, but Ihadn't. Here, you scoundrel, Mr Jones"(this was the Joe Miller) "strip, sir. Ifever there was mischief in a ship, youare at the head."
"Head, sir," said the man, assuming avacant look; "what head, sir Do youmean the snake's head I don't knowanything about it, sir." "Strip, sir!" criedthe captain in a rage; "I'll soon bringyou to your senses."
"If you please, your honour, what haveI done to be tied up " said the man.
"Strip, you scoundrel!" "Well, sir, if youplease, it's hard to be flogged fornothing." The man pulled off hisclothes, and walked up to the grating.The quarter-masters seized him up.
"Seized up, sir," reported the scoundrelof a sergeant of marines who acted asthe captain's spy.
The captain looked for the articles ofwar to read, as is necessary previous topunishing a man, and was a littlepuzzled to find one, where no positiveoffence had been committed. At last, he
pitched upon the one which refers tocombination and conspiracy, andcreating discontent. We all took off ourhats as he read it, and he then called MrPaul, the boatswain, and ordered himto give the man a dozen. "Please, sir,"said the boatswain, pointing to his armin a sling, "I can't flog I can't lift up myarm." "Your arm was well enoughwhen I came on board, sir," cried thecaptain.
"Yes, sir; but in hurrying the men up, Islipped down the ladder, and I'm afraidI've put my shoulder out."
The captain bit his lips; he fullybelieved it was a sham on the part of
the boatswain (which indeed it was) toget off flogging the men. "Well, then,where is the chief boatswain's mate,Miller "
"Here, sir," said Miller, coming forward:a stout, muscular man, nearly six feethigh, with a pig-tail nearly four feetlong, and his open breast covered withblack, shaggy hair.
"Give that man a dozen, sir," said thecaptain.
The man looked at the captain, then atthe ship's company, and then at theman seized up, but did not commencethe punishment.
"Do you hear me, sir " roared thecaptain.
"If you please, your honour, I'd rathertake my disrating I don't wish to bechief boatswain's mate in this herebusiness."
"Obey your orders, immediately, sir,"cried the captain; "or, by God, I'll tryyou for mutiny."
"Well, sir, I beg your pardon; but whatmust be, must be. I mean no disrespect,Captain Hawkins, but I cannot flogthat man my conscience won't let me."
"Your conscience, sir!"
"Beg your pardon, Captain Hawkins,I've always done my duty, foul weatheror fair; and I've been eighteen years inHis Majesty's service, without everbeing brought to punishment; but if Iam to be hung now, saving yourpleasure, and with all respect, I can'thelp it."
"I give you but one moment more, sir,"cried the captain; "do your duty." Theman looked at the captain, and theneyed the yard-arm. "Captain Hawkins, Iwill do my duty, although I must swingfor it." So saying he threw his cat downon the quarter-deck, and fell back
among the ship's company.
The captain was now confounded, andhardly knew how to act: to persevereappeared useless to fall back was almostas impossible. A dead silence of aminute ensued. Every one wasbreathless with impatience, to knowwhat would be done next. The silencewas, however, first broken by Jones, theJoe Miller, who was seized up. "Begyour honour's pardon, sir," said he,turning his head round; "but if I am tobe flogged, will you be pleased to letme have it over I shall catch my deatha-cold, naked here all day." This wasdecided mockery, on the part of theman, and roused the captain.
"Sergeant of marines, put Miller andthat man Collins, both legs in irons, formutiny. My men, I perceive that there isa conspiracy in the ship, but I shall verysoon put an end to it: I know the men,and, by God, they shall repent it. MrPaul, pipe down. Mr Simple, man mygig; and recollect, it's my positive ordersthat no boat goes on shore." Thecaptain left the brig, looking daggers atme as he went over the side; but I haddone my duty, and cared little for that;indeed, I was now watching hisconduct as carefully as he did mine.
"The captain wishes to tell his ownstory first," said Thompson, coming up
to me. "Now, if I were you, Simple, Iwould take care that the real factsshould be known."
"How's that to be done," replied I; "hehas ordered no communication withthe shore."
"Simply by sending an officer on boardof each of the frigates to state that thebrig is in a state of mutiny, and requestthat they will keep a look-out upon her.This is no more than your duty ascommanding officer; you only send themessage, leave me to state the facts ofmy own accord. Recollect that thecaptains of these frigates will besummoned, if there is a court of
inquiry, which I expect will take place."
I considered a little, and thought theadvice good. I despatched Thompsonfirst to one frigate, and then to theother. The next day the captain came onboard. As soon as he stepped on thequarter-deck he inquired how I daredisobey his orders in sending the boatsaway. My reply was that his orders were,not to communicate with the shore, butthat, as commanding officer, Iconsidered it my duty to make knownto the other ships that the men were ina state of insubordination, that theymight keep their eyes upon us. He kepthis eyes upon me for some time, andthen turned away without reply. As we
expected, a court of inquiry was called,upon his representations to the admiral.About twenty of the men wereexamined, but so much came out as tothe reason why the head of the snake hadbeen removed for the sailors spokeboldly that the admiral and officerswho were appointed stronglyrecommended Captain Hawkins not toproceed further than to state that therewere some disaffected characters in theship, and move the admiral to havethem exchanged into others. This wasdone, and the captains of the frigates,who immediately gave their advice,divided all our best men between them.They spoke very freely to me, and askedme who were the best men, which I
told them honestly, for I was glad to beable to get them out of the power ofCaptain Hawkins; these they marked asdisaffected, and exchanged them for allthe worst they had on board. The fewthat were left ran away, and thus, fromhaving one of the finest and bestorganised ship's companies in theservice, we were now one of the veryworst. Miller was sent on board of thefrigate, and under surveillance: he soonproved that his character was as goodas I stated it to be, and two yearsafterwards was promoted to the rankof boatswain. Webster, the secondlieutenant, would not rejoin us, andanother was appointed. I must hereremark, that there is hardly any degree
of severity which a captain may notexert towards his seamen, providedthey are confident of, or he has provedto them, his courage; but if there be adoubt, or a confirmation to thecontrary, all discipline is destroyed bycontempt, and the ship's companymutiny, either directly or indirectly.There is an old saying, that all tyrantsare cowards; that tyranny is in itself aspecies of meanness, I acknowledge:but still the saying ought to bemodified. If it is asserted that all meantyrants are cowards, I agree; but I haveknown in the service most specialtyrants, who were not cowards: theirtyranny was excessive, but there was nomeanness in their dispositions. On the
contrary, they were generous, open-hearted, and, occasionally, when notinfluenced by anger, proved that theirhearts, if not quite right, were not verymuch out of their places. Yet they weretyrants; but, although tyrants, the menforgave them, and one kind act, whenthey were not led away by theimpetuosity of their feelings,obliterated a hundred acts of tyranny.But such is not the case in our servicewith men who, in their tyranny, aremean; the seamen show no quarter tothem, and will undergo all the riskwhich the severity of the articles of warrenders them liable to, rather than notexpress their opinion of a man whomthey despise. I do not like to mention
names, but I could point out specimensof brave tyrants, and of cowardlytyrants who have existed, and do evennow exist in our service. The presentregulations have limited tyranny to acertain degree, but it cannot check themean tyrant; for it is not in points ofconsequence, likely to be broughtbefore the notice of his superiors, thathe effects his purpose. He resorts topaltry measures he smiles that he maybetray he confines himself within thelimit that may protect him; and he isnever exposed, unless by his couragebeing called in question, which butrarely occurs; and when it does occur itis most difficult, as well as mostdangerous, to attempt to prove it. It
may be asked why I did not quit theship, after having been aware of thecharacter of the captain, and the enmitywhich he bore to me. In reply, I canonly say that I did often think of it,talked over the subject with mymessmates, but they persuaded me toremain, and, as I was a first lieutenant,and knew that any successful actionwould, in all probability, insure mypromotion, I determined, to use anautical expression, to rough it out, andnot throw away the only chance whichI now had of obtaining my rank ascommander.
[Footnote 1: Marines.]
Chapter LVII
News from home not very agreeable,although the reader may laugh Wearrive at Portsmouth, where I fall inwith my old acquaintance, Mrs TrotterWe sail with a convoy for the Baltic.
I had written to my sister Ellen, givingher an account of all that had passed,and mentioning the character of thecaptain, and his apparent intimacy withmy uncle. I received an answer fromher, telling me that she had discovered,from a very communicative old maidenlady, that Captain Hawkins was an
illegitimate son of my uncle, by a ladywith whom he had been acquaintedabout the time that he was in the army.I immediately conceived the truth, thatmy uncle had pointed me out to him asan object of his vengeance, and thatCaptain Hawkins was too dutiful andtoo dependent a son not to obey him.The state of my father was moredistressing than ever, but there wassomething very ludicrous in his fancies.He had fancied himself a jackass, andhad brayed for a week, kicking the oldnurse in the stomach, so as to doubleher up like a hedgehog. He had taken itinto his head that he was a pump; and,with one arm held out as a spout, hehad obliged the poor old nurse to work
the other up and down for hourstogether. At another time, he had anidea that he was a woman in labour,and they were obliged to give him astrong dose of calomel, and borrow achild of six years old from a neighbour,to make him believe that he wasdelivered. He was perfectly satisfied,although the child was born to him incloth trousers, and a jacket with threerows of sugar-loaf buttons. Aye, saidhe, it was those buttons which hurt myside so much. In fact, there was a stringof strange conceptions of this kindthat had accumulated, so as to drive mypoor sister almost mad; and sometimeshis ideas would be attended with a veryheavy expense, as he would send for
architects, make contracts, &c., forbuilding, supposing himself to havecome to the title and property of hisbrother. This, being the basis of hisdisease, occurred frequently. I wrote topoor Ellen, giving her my best advice,and by this time the brig was againready for sea, and we expected to sailimmediately. I did not forget to write toO'Brien, but the distance between uswas so great that I knew I could notobtain his answer probably for a year,and I felt a melancholy foreboding howmuch I required his advice.
Our orders were to proceed toPortsmouth, and join a convoycollected there, bound up the Baltic,
under the charge of the Acasta frigate,and two other vessels. We did not sailwith any pleasure, or hopes of gainingmuch in the way of prize-money. Ourcaptain was enough to make any ship ahell; and our ship's company werecomposed of a mutinous andincorrigible set of scoundrels, with, ofcourse, a few exceptions. How differentdid the officers find the brig afterlosing such a captain as O'Brien, and sofine a ship's company! But there was nohelp for it, and all we had to do was tomake the best of it, and hope for bettertimes. The cat was at work nearly everyday, and I must acknowledge that,generally speaking, it was deserved;although sometimes a report from the
sergeant of marines of any good manfavoured by me, was certain to beattended to. This system of receivingreports direct from an inferior officer,instead of through me, as firstlieutenant, became so annoying, that Iresolved, at all risk, to expostulate. Isoon had an opportunity, for onemorning the captain said to me, "MrSimple, I understand that you had a firein the galley last night after hours."
"It is very true, sir, that I did order astove to be lighted; but may I inquirewhether the first lieutenant has not adiscretionary power in that point andfurther, how it is that I am reported toyou by other people The discipline of
this ship is carried on by me, underyour directions, and all reports ought tocome through me; and I cannotunderstand upon what grounds youpermit them through any otherchannel."
"I command my own ship, sir, and shalldo as I please in that respect. When Ihave officers I can confide in, I shall, inall probability, allow them to report tome."
"If there is anything in my conductwhich has proved to you that I amincapable, or not trustworthy, I wouldfeel obliged to you, sir, if you would, inthe first place, point it out; and, in the
next, bring me to a court-martial if I donot correct it."
"I am no court-martial man, sir,"replied he, "but I am not to be dictatedto by an inferior officer, so you'll obligeme by holding your tongue. Thesergeant of marines, as master-at-arms,is bound to report to me any deviationfrom the regulations I have laid downfor the discipline of the ship."
"Granted, sir; but that report, accordingto the custom of the service, shouldcome through the first lieutenant."
"I prefer it coming direct, sir; it standsless chance of being garbled."
"Thank you, Captain Hawkins, for thecompliment." The captain walked awaywithout further reply, and shortly afterwent down below. Swinburne rangedup alongside of me as soon as thecaptain disappeared.
"Well, Mr Simple, so I hear we arebound to the Baltic. Why couldn't theyhave ordered us to pick up the convoyoff Yarmouth, instead of coming allthe way to Portsmouth We shall be into-morrow with this slant of wind."
"I suppose the convoy are not yetcollected, Swinburne; and you recollectthere's no want of French privateers in
the channel."
"Very true, sir."
"When were you up the Baltic,Swinburne "
"I was in the old St George, a regular oldninety-eight; she sailed just like a hay-stack, one mile ahead and three toleeward. Lord bless you, Mr Simple, theCattegat wasn't wide enough for her;but she was a comfortable sort ofvessel after all, excepting on a lee-shore,so we used always to give the land awide berth, I recollect. By the bye, MrSimple, do you recollect how angry youwere because I didn't peach at
Barbadoes, when the men sucked themonkey "
"To be sure I do."
"Well, then, I didn't think it fair then, asI was one of them. But now that I'm abit of an officer, I just tell you thatwhen we get to Carlscrona there's amethod of sucking the monkey there,which, as first lieutenant, with such aqueer sort of captain, it is just as wellthat you should be up to. In the old StGeorge we had seventy men drunk oneafternoon, and the first lieutenantcouldn't find it out nohow."
"Indeed, Swinburne, you must let me
into that secret."
"So I will, Mr Simple. Don't you knowthere's a famous stuff for cuts andwounds, called balsam "
"What, Riga balsam "
"Yes, that's it; well, all the boats willbring that for sale, as they did to us inthe old St George. Devilish good stuff itis for wounds, I believe; but it's not badto drink, and it's very strong. We usedto take it inwardly, Mr Simple, and thefirst lieutenant never guessed it."
"What! you all got tipsy upon Rigabalsam "
"All that could; so I just give you ahint."
"I'm much obliged to you, Swinburne;I certainly never should have suspectedit. I believe seamen would get drunkupon anything."
The next morning we anchored atSpithead, and found the convoy readyfor sea. The captain went on shore toreport himself to the admiral, and, asusual, the brig was surrounded withbumboats and wherries, with peoplewho wished to come on board. As wewere not known on the Portsmouthstation, and had no acquaintance with
the people, all the bumboats were veryanxious to supply the ship: and, as thisis at the option of the first lieutenant,he is very much persecuted until he hasmade his decision. Certificates of goodconduct from other officers werehanded up the side from all of them;and I looked over the books at thecapstern. In the second book the namestruck me; it was that of Mrs Trotter,and I walked to the gangway out ofcuriosity, to ascertain whether it was thesame personage who, when I was ayoungster, had taken such care of myshirts. As I looked at the boats, a voicecried out, "O, Mr Simple, have youforgot your old friend don't yourecollect Mrs Trotter " I certainly did
not recollect her; she had grown veryfat, and, although more advanced inyears, was a better-looking woman thanwhen I had first seen her, for shelooked healthy and fresh.
"Indeed, I hardly did recollect you, MrsTrotter."
"I've so much to tell you, Mr Simple,"replied she, ordering the boat to pullalongside; and, as she was coming up,desired the man to get the things in, asif permission was quite unnecessary. Idid not counter-order it, as I knewnone of the others, and, as far ashonesty was concerned, believed themall to be much on a par. On the
strength, then, of old acquaintance,Mrs Trotter was admitted.
"Well, I'm sure, Mr Simple," cried MrsTrotter, out of breath with climbing upthe brig's side; "what a man you'vegrown, and such a handsome man, too!Dear, dear, it makes me feel quite old tolook at you, when I call to mind thelittle boy whom I had charge of in thecockpit. Don't you think I look veryold and ugly, Mr Simple " continuedshe, smiling and smirking.
"Indeed, Mrs Trotter, I think you wearvery well. Pray, how is your husband "
"Ah, Mr Simple, poor dear Mr Trotter
he's gone. Poor fellow! no wonder;what with his drinking, and his love forme and his jealousy (do you recollecthow jealous he was, Mr Simple ) hewore himself out at last. No wonder,considering what he had beenaccustomed to, after keeping hiscarriage and dogs with everybody, to bereduced to see his wife go a bumming. Itbroke his heart, poor fellow! and, MrSimple, I've been much happier eversince, for I could not bear to see himfretting. Lord, how jealous he was andall about nothing! Don't you wantsome fresh meat for the gun-room I'vea nice leg of mutton in the boat, andsome milk for tea."
"Recollect, Mrs Trotter, I shall notoverlook your bringing spirits onboard."
"Lord, Mr Simple, how could you thinkof such a thing It's very true that thesecommon people do it, but the companyI have kept, the society I have been in,Mr Simple! Besides, you must recollectthat I never drank anything but water."
I could not exactly coincide with her,but I did not contradict her.
"Would you like the Portsmouth paper,Mr Simple " taking one out of herpocket; "I know gentlemen are fond ofthe news. Poor Trotter used never to
stir from the breakfast table until hehad finished the daily paper but thatwas when we lived in very differentstyle. Have you any clothes to wash, MrSimple, or have any of the gentlemen "
"I fear we have no time, we sail toosoon," replied I; "we go with theconvoy."
"Indeed!" cried Mrs Trotter, whowalked to the main hatchway and calledto her man Bill. I heard her give himdirections to sell nothing upon trust, inconsequence of the intelligence of ourimmediate sailing.
"I beg your pardon, Mr Simple, I was
only desiring my head man to send foryour steward, that he might be suppliedwith the best, and to save some milk forthe gun-room."
"And I must beg your pardon, MrsTrotter, for I must attend to my duty."Mrs Trotter made her courtesy andwalked down the main ladder to attendto her duty, and we separated. I wasinformed that she had a great deal ofcustom, as she understood how tomanage the officers, and made herselfgenerally useful to them. She had beena bumboat woman for six years, andhad made a great deal of money.Indeed, it was reported, that if a firstlieutenant wanted forty or fifty pounds,
Mrs Trotter would always lend it tohim, without requiring his promissorynote.
The captain came on board in theevening, having dined with the admiral,and left directions for having all readyfor unmooring and heaving short atdaylight. The signal was made from thefrigate at sunrise, and before twelveo'clock we were all under weigh, andrunning past St Helen's with afavourable wind. Our force consistedof the Acasta frigate, the Isis ship, sloop,mounting twenty guns, the Reindeer,eighteen, and our own brig. The convoyamounted to nearly two hundred.Although the wind was fair, and the
water smooth, we were more than aweek before we made Anholt light,owing to the bad sailing and inattentionof many of the vessels belonging to theconvoy. We were constantly employedrepeating signals, firing guns, and oftensent back to tow up the sternmostvessels. At last we passed the Anholtlight, with a light breeze; and the nextmorning the main land was to bedistinguished on both bows.
Chapter LVIII
How we passed the Sound, and whatpassed in the Sound The Captain
overhears again a conversation betweenSwinburne and me.
I was on the signal-chest abaft,counting the convoy, when Swinburnecame up to me. "There's a littledifference between this part of theworld and the West Indies, Mr Simple,"observed he. "Black rocks and firwoods don't remind us of the BlueMountains of Jamaica, or the cocoa-nut waving to the sea-breeze."
"Indeed not, Swinburne," replied I.
"We shall have plenty of calms here,without panting with the heat, althoughwe may find the gun-boats a little too
warm for us; for, depend upon it, thevery moment the wind goes down, theywill come out from every nook andcorner, and annoy us not a little."
"Have you been here before, with aconvoy, Swinburne "
"To be sure I have; and it's sharp workthat I've seen here, Mr Simple work thatI've an idea our captain won't havemuch stomach for."
"Swinburne, I beg you will keep yourthoughts relative to the captain toyourself; recollect the last time. It is myduty not to listen to them."
"And I should rather think to reportthem also, Mr Simple," said CaptainHawkins, who had crept up to us, andoverheard our conversation.
"In this instance there is no occasionfor my reporting them, sir," replied I,"for you have heard what has passed."
"I have, sir," replied he; "and I shall notforget the conversation."
I turned forward. Swinburne had madehis retreat the moment that he heardthe voice of the captain. "How manysails are there in sight, sir " inquired thecaptain.
"One hundred and sixty-three, sir,"replied I.
"Signal for convoy to close from theAcasta" reported the midshipman ofthe watch.
We repeated it, and the captaindescended to his cabin. We were thenrunning about four miles an hour, thewater very smooth, and Anholtlighthouse hardly visible on deck,bearing N.N.W. about twenty miles. Infact, we were near the entrance of theSound, which, the reader may be aware,is a narrow passage leading into theBaltic Sea. We ran on, followed by theconvoy, some of which were eight or
ten miles astern of us, and we were wellinto the Sound, when the windgradually died away, until it fell quitecalm, and the heads of the vessels werelaid round the compass.
My watch was nearly out, when themidshipman, who was looking roundwith his glass on the Copenhagen side,reported three gun-boats, sweeping outfrom behind a point. I examined themand went down to report them to thecaptain. When I came on deck, morewere reported, until we counted ten,two of them large vessels, calledpraams. The captain now came on deck,and I reported them. We made thesignal of enemy in sight, to the Acasta,
which was answered. They divided sixof them pulling along shore towardsthe convoy in the rear, and four comingout right for the brig. The Acasta nowmade the signal for "Boats manned andarmed to be held in readiness." Wehoisted out our pinnace, and lowereddown our cutters the other men-of-wardoing the same. In about a quarter ofan hour the gun-boats opened their firewith their long thirty-two pounders,and their first shot went right throughthe hull of the brig, just abaft the fore-bits; fortunately, no one was hurt. Iturned round to look at the captain; hewas as white as a sheet. He caught myeye, and turned aft, when he was metby Swinburne's eye, steadily fixed upon
him. He then walked to the other sideof the deck. Another shot ploughed upthe water close to us, rose, and camethrough the hammock-netting, tearingout two of the hammocks, andthrowing them on the quarter-deck,when the Acasta hoisted out pennants,and made the signal to send ourpinnace and cutter to the assistance ofvessels astern. The signal was also madeto the Isis and Reindeer. I reported thesignal, and inquired who was to takethe command.
"You, Mr Simple, will take the pinnace,and order Mr Swinburne into thecutter."
"Mr Swinburne, sir!" replied I; "the brigwill, in all probability, be in actionsoon, and his services as a gunner willbe required."
"Well, then, Mr Hilton may go. Beat toquarters. Where is Mr Webster "[1] Thesecond lieutenant was close to us, andhe was ordered to take the duty duringmy absence.
I jumped into the pinnace, and shovedoff; ten other boats from the Acasta andthe other men-of-war were pulling inthe same direction, and I joined them.The gun-boats had now opened fireupon the convoy astern, and weresweeping out to capture them, dividing
themselves into two parts, and pullingtowards different portions of theconvoy. In half an hour we were withingunshot of the nearest, which directedits fire at us; but the lieutenant of theAcasta, who commanded thedetachment, ordered us to lie on ouroars for a minute, while he divided hisforce in three divisions, of four boatseach, with instructions that we shouldeach oppose a division of two gun-boats, by pulling to the outermostvessel of the convoy, and securingourselves as much as possible from thefire, by remaining under her lee, and bein readiness to take them by boarding,if they approached to capture any ofour vessels.
This was well arranged. I had thecommand of one division, for the firstlieutenants had not been sent awayfrom the Isis and Reindeer, and havinginquired which of the divisions ofgun-boats I was to oppose, I pulled forthem. In the meantime, we observedthat the two praams, and two gun-boats, which had remained behind us,and had been firing at the Racehorse, hadalso divided one praam attacking theAcasta, the two gun-boats playing uponthe Isis, and the other praam engagingthe Rattlesnake and Reindeer; the lattervessel being in a line with us, and abouthalf a mile further out, so that shecould not return any effectual fire, or,
indeed, receive much damage. TheRattlesnake had the worst of it, the fireof the praam being chiefly directed toher. At the distance chosen by theenemy, the frigate's guns reached, butthe other men-of-war, having only twolong guns, were not able to return thefire but with their two, the carronadesbeing useless.
One of the praams mounted ten guns,and the other eight. The last wasopposed to the Rattlesnake, and the firewas kept up very smartly, particularly bythe Acasta and the enemy. In about aquarter of an hour I arrived with mydivision close to the vessel which wasnearest to the enemy. It was a large
Sunderland-built ship. The gun-boats,which were within a quarter of a mileof her, sweeping to her as fast as theycould, as soon as they perceived ourapproach, directed their fire upon us,but without success, except the lastdischarge, in which, we being nearenough, they had loaded with grape.The shot fell a little short, but one pieceof grape struck one of the bowmen ofthe pinnace, taking off three fingers ofhis right hand as he was pulling his oar.Before they could fire again, we weresheltered by the vessel, pulling close toher side, hid from the enemy. My boatwas the only one in the division whichcarried a gun, and I now loaded,waiting for the discharge of the gun-
boats, and then, pulling a little ahead ofthe ship, fired at them, and thenreturned under cover to load. Thiscontinued for some time, the enemynot advancing nearer, but now firinginto the Sunderland ship, whichprotected us. At last the master of theship looked over the side, and said tome, "I say, my joker, do you call thisgiving me assistance I think I was betteroff before you came. Then I had onlymy share of the enemy's fire, but nowthat you have come, I have it all. I'mriddled like a sieve, and have lost fourmen already. Suppose you give me aspell now pull behind the vessel aheadof us. I'll take my chance."
I thought this request very reasonable,and as I should be really nearer to theenemy if I pulled to the next vessel,and all ready to support him ifattacked, I complied with his wish. Ihad positive orders not to board withso small a force (the four boatscontaining but forty men, and eachgun-boat having at least seventy), unlessthey advanced to capture, and then Iwas to run all risks.
I pulled up to the other vessel, a largebrig, and the captain, as soon as wecame alongside, said, "I see what you'reabout, and I'll just leave you my vesselto take care of. No use losing my men,or being knocked on the head."
"All's right you can't do better, and wecan't do better either."
His boat was lowered down, andgetting in with his men, he pulled toanother vessel, and lay behind it, allready to pull back if a breeze sprangup.
As was to be expected, the gun-boatsshifted their fire to the deserted vessel,which our boat lay behind; and thusdid the action in our quarter continueuntil it was dark, the gun-boats notchoosing to advance, and we restrictedfrom pulling out to attack them. Therewas no moon, and, as daylight
disappeared, the effect was verybeautiful. In the distance, thecannonading of the frigate, and othermen-of-war, answered by the praamsand gunboats, reinforced by six more,as we afterwards found out the vividflashing of the guns, reflected by thewater, as smooth as glass the darkoutlines of the numerous convoy, withtheir sails hanging down the masts, oneportion of the convoy appearing for amoment, as the guns were discharged inthat direction, and then disappearing,while others were momentarily seen theroar of the heavy guns opposed to usthe crashing of the timbers of the brig,which was struck at every discharge,and very often perforated with the
whizzing of the shot as it passed by; allthis in a dark yet clear night, with everystar in the heavens twinkling, and, as itwere, looking down upon us, wasinteresting as well as awful. But I soonperceived that the gun-boats werenearing us every time that they fired,and I now discharged grape alone,waiting for the flash of the fire toascertain their direction. At last I couldperceive their long, low hulls, not twocables' length from us, and their sweepslifting from the water. It was plain thatthey were advancing to board, and Iresolved to anticipate them if possible.I had fired ahead of the brig, and Inow pulled with all my boats astern,giving my orders to the officers, and
laying on our oars in readiness. Thegun-boats were about half a cable'slength from each other, pulling upabreast, and passing us at about thesame distance, when I directed the mento give way. I had determined to throwall my force upon the nearest boat, andin half a minute our bows were forcedbetween their sweeps, which we caughthold of to force our way alongside.
The resistance of the Danes was verydetermined. Three times did I obtain afooting on the deck, and three timeswas I thrown back into the boats. Atlast we had fairly obtained our ground,and were driving them graduallyforward, when, as I ran on the gunwale
to obtain a position more in advanceof my men, I received a blow with thebutt end of a musket I believe on theshoulder which knocked me overboard,and I fell between the sweeps, and sunkunder the vessel's bottom. I rose underher stern; but I was so shook with theviolence of the blow, that I was forsome time confused; still I had strengthto keep myself above water, andpaddled, as it appeared, away from thevessel, until I hit against a sweep whichhad fallen overboard. This supportedme, and I gradually recovered myself.The loud report of a gun close to mestartled me, and I perceived that it wasfrom the gun-boat which I hadboarded, and that her head was turned
in the direction of the other gun-boat.From this, with the noise of the sweepspulling, I knew that my men hadsucceeded in capturing her. I hallooed,but they did not hear me, and I soonlost sight of her. Another gun was nowfired; it was from the other gun-boatretreating, and I perceived her pullingin-shore, for she passed me not twentyyards off. I now held the sweep withmy hands, and struck out off the shore,in the direction of the convoy.
A light breeze rippled the water, and Iknew that I had no time to lose. Inabout five minutes I heard the soundof oars, and perceived a boat crossingme. I hailed as loud as I could they
heard me, laid on their oars and I hailedagain they pulled to me, and took mein. It was the master of the brig, who,aware of the capture of one gun-boat,and the retreat of the other, waslooking for his vessel; or, as he told me,for what was left of her. In a short timewe found her, and, although very muchcut up, she had received no shot underwater. In an hour the breeze was strong,the cannonading had ceased in everydirection, and we had repaired herdamages, so as to be able to make sail,and continue our course through theSound.
Here I may as well relate the events ofthe action. One of the other divisions
of gun-boats had retreated whenattacked by the boats. The other hadbeaten off the boats, and killed manyof the men, but had suffered so muchthemselves, as to retreat without makingany capture. The Acasta lost four menkilled, and seven wounded; the Isis,three men wounded; the Reindeer hadnobody hurt; the Rattlesnake had sixmen killed, and two wounded,including the captain; but of that Ishall speak hereafter.
I found that I was by no meansseriously hurt by the blow I hadreceived: my shoulder was stiff for aweek, and very much discoloured, butnothing more. When I fell overboard I
had struck against a sweep, which hadcut my ear half off. The captain of thebrig gave me dry clothes, and in a fewhours I was very comfortably asleep,hoping to join my ship the next day;but in this I was disappointed. Thebreeze was favourable and fresh, andwe were clear of the Sound, but a longway astern of the convoy, and none ofthe headmost men-of-war to be seen. Idressed and went on deck, andimmediately perceived that I had littlechance of joining my ship until wearrived at Carlscrona, which proved tobe the case. About ten o'clock, the winddied away, and we had from that timesuch baffling light winds, that it was sixdays before we dropped our anchor,
every vessel of the convoy havingarrived before us.
[Footnote 1: Webster, however, had leftthe ship at Yarmouth. See p. 202. ED.]
Chapter LIX
The dead man attends at the auction ofhis own effects, and bids the sale tostop One more than was wanted Petersteps into his shoes again CaptainHawkins takes a friendly interest inPeter's papers Riga Balsam sternlyrefused to be admitted for the relief ofthe ship's company.
As soon as the sails were furled, Ithanked the master of the vessel for hiskindness, and requested the boat. Heordered it to be manned, saying, "Howglad your captain will be to see you!" Idoubted that. We shook hands, and Ipulled to the Rattlesnake, which layabout two cables' length astern of us. Ihad put on a jacket, when I left the brigon service, and coming in amerchantman's boat, no attention waspaid to me; indeed, owing tocircumstances, no one was on the look-out, and I ascended the sideunperceived. The men and officerswere on the quarter-deck, attending thesale of dead men's effects before the
mast; and every eye was fixed upon sixpair of nankeen trousers exposed bythe purser's steward which I recognizedas my own. "Nine shillings for six pairof nankeen trousers," cried the purser'ssteward.
"Come, my men, they're worth morethan that," observed the captain, whoappeared to be very facetious. "It'sbetter to be in his trousers than in hisshoes." This brutal remark created asilence for a moment. "Well, then,steward, let them go. One would thinkthat pulling on his trousers would makeyou as afraid as he was," continued thecaptain, laughing.
"Shame!" was cried out by one or twoof the officers, and I recognisedSwinburne's voice as one.
"More likely if they put on yours,"cried I, in a loud, indignant tone.
Everybody started, and turned round;Captain Hawkins staggered to acarronade: "I beg to report myself ashaving rejoined my ship, sir," continuedI.
"Hurrah, my lads! three cheers for MrSimple!" said Swinburne.
The men gave them with emphasis. Thecaptain looked at me, and without
saying a word, hastily retreated to hiscabin. I perceived, as he went down,that he had his arm in a sling. I thankedthe men for their kind feeling towardsme, shook hands with Thompson andWebster, who warmly congratulatedme, and then with old Swinburne,(who nearly wrung my arm off, andgave my shoulder such pain as to makeme cry out,) and with the others whoextended theirs. I desired the sale of myeffects to be stopped; fortunately forme, it had but just begun, and thearticles were all returned. Thompsonhad informed the captain that he knewmy father's address, and would takecharge of my clothes, and send themhome, but the captain would not allow
him.
In a few minutes, I received a letterfrom the captain, desiring me toacquaint him in writing, for theinformation of the senior officer, inwhat manner I had escaped. I wentdown below, when I found one verymelancholy face, that of the passedmidshipman of the Acasta, who hadreceived an acting order in my place.When I went to my desk, I found twoimportant articles missing; one, myprivate letter-book, and the other, thejournal which I kept of what passed,and from which this narrative has beencompiled. I inquired of my messmates,who stated that the desk had not been
looked into by any one but the captain,who, of course, must have possessedhimself of those important documents.
I wrote a letter containing a shortnarrative of what had happened, and,at the same time, another on service tothe captain, requesting that he woulddeliver up my property, the privatejournal, and letter-book in hispossession. The captain, as soon as hereceived my letters, sent up word for hisboat to be manned. As soon as it wasmanned, I reported it, and then beggedto know whether he intended tocomply with my request. He answeredthat he should not, and then went ondeck, and quitted the brig to pull on
board of the senior officer. I thereforedetermined immediately to write to thecaptain of the Acasta, acquainting himwith the conduct of Captain Hawkins,and requesting his interference. This Idid immediately, and the boat that hadbrought me on board not having leftthe brig, I sent the letter by it,requesting them to put it into the handsof one of the officers. The letter wasreceived previous to Captain Hawkins'visit being over, and the Captain of theAcasta put it into his hands, inquiring ifthe statement were correct. CaptainHawkins replied that it was true that hehad detained these papers, as there wasso much mutiny and disaffection inthem, and that he should not return
them to me.
"That I cannot permit," replied thecaptain of the Acasta, who was awareof the character of Captain Hawkins;"if, by mistake, you have been put inpossession of any of Mr Simple'ssecrets, you are bound in honour not tomake use of them; neither can youretain property not your own." ButCaptain Hawkins was determined, andrefused to give them to me.
"Well, then, Captain Hawkins," repliedthe captain of the Acasta, "you willoblige me by remaining on my quarter-deck till I come out of the cabin."
The captain of the Acasta then wrote anorder, directing Captain Hawkinsimmediately to deliver up to him thepapers of mine in his possession; andcoming out of the cabin, put it intoCaptain Hawkins' hands, saying, "Now,sir, here is a written order from yoursuperior officer. Disobey it, if you dare.If you do, I will put you under arrest,and try you by a court-martial. I canonly regret, that any captain in HisMajesty's service should be forced inthis way to do his duty as a gentlemanand a man of honour."
Captain Hawkins bit his lip at theorder, and the cutting remarksaccompanying it. "Your boat is
manned, sir," said the captain of theAcasta, in a severe tone. CaptainHawkins came on board, sealed up thebooks, and sent them to the captain ofthe Acasta, who re-directed them to me,on His Majesty's service, and returnedthem by the same boat. The public maytherefore thank the captain of theAcasta for the memoirs which they arenow reading.
From my messmates I gained thefollowing intelligence of what hadpassed after I had quitted the brig. Thefire of the praam had cut them upseverely, and Captain Hawkins hadbeen struck in the arm with a piece ofthe hammock-rail, which had been shot
away shortly after I left. Although theskin only was razed, he thought properto consider himself badly wounded;and giving up the command to MrWebster, the second lieutenant, hadretreated below, where he remaineduntil the action was over. When MrWebster reported the return of theboats, with the capture of the gun-boat,and my supposed death, he was sodelighted, that he quite forgot hiswound, and ran on deck, rubbing hishands as he walked up and down. Atlast, he recollected himself, went downinto his cabin, and came up again withhis arm in a sling.
The next morning he went on board of
the Acasta, and made his report to thesenior officer, bringing back with himthe disappointed passed-midshipmanas my successor. He had also stated onthe quarter-deck, that if I had not beenkilled, he intended to have tried me by acourt-martial, and have turned me outof the service; that he had quiteenough charges to ruin me, for he hadbeen collecting them ever since I hadbeen under his command; and thatnow he would make that old scoundrelof a gunner repent his intimacy withme. All this was confided to thesurgeon, who, as I before observed, wasvery much of a courtier; but thesurgeon had repeated it to Thompson,the master, who now gave me the
information. There was one advantagein all this, which was that I knewexactly the position in which I stood,and what I had to expect.
During the short time that we remainedin port, I took care that Riga balsamshould not be allowed to comealongside, and the men were all sober.We received orders from the captain ofthe Acasta to join the admiral, who wasoff the Texel in pursuance ofdirections he had received from theAdmiralty to despatch one of thesquadron, and we were selected, fromthe dislike which he had taken toCaptain Hawkins.
Chapter LX
An old friend in a new case Heart ofoak in Swedish fur A man's a man allthe world over, and something more inmany parts of it Peter gets reprimandedfor being dilatory, but proves a title to adefence Allowed.
When we were about forty miles offthe harbour, a frigate hove in sight. Wemade the private signal: she hoistedSwedish colours, and kept away acouple of points to close with us.
We were within two miles of her when
she up courses and took in hertopgallant sails. As we closed to withintwo cables' lengths, she hove-to. We didthe same; and the captain desired me tolower down the boat, and board her,ask her name, by whom she wascommanded, and offer any assistance ifthe captain required it. This was theusual custom of the service, and I wenton board in obedience to my orders.When I arrived on the quarter-deck, Iasked in French, whether there was anyone who spoke it. The first lieutenantcame forward, and took off his hat: Istated that I was requested to ask thename of the vessel and thecommanding officer, to insert it in ourlog, and to offer any service that we
could command. He replied that thecaptain was on deck, and turned round,but the captain had gone down below."I will inform him of your message Ihad no idea that he had quitted thedeck;" and the first lieutenant left me. Iexchanged a few compliments and alittle news with the officers on deck,who appeared to be very gentlemanlikefellows, when the first lieutenantrequested my presence in the cabin. Idescended the door was opened I wasannounced by the first lieutenant, andhe quitted the cabin. I looked at thecaptain, who was sitting at the table: hewas a fine, stout man, with two or threeribands at his button-hole, and a largepair of moustachios. I thought that I
had seen him before, but I could notrecollect when: his face was certainlyfamiliar to me, but, as I had beeninformed by the officers on deck, thatthe captain was a Count Shucksen, aperson I had never heard of, I thoughtthat I must be mistaken. I thereforeaddressed him in French, paying him along compliment, with all the necessaryet ceteras.
The captain turned round to me, tookhis hand away from his forehead,which it had shaded, and looking mefull in the face, replied, "Mr Simple, Idon't understand but very little French.Spin your yarn in plain English."
I started "I thought that I knew yourface," replied I; "am I mistaken no, itmust be Mr Chucks!"
"You are right, my dear Mr Simple: it isyour old friend, Chucks, the boatswain,whom you now see. I knew you assoon as you came up the side, and Iwas afraid that you would immediatelyrecognize me, and I slipped down intothe cabin (for which apparent rudenessallow me to apologise), that you mightnot explain before the officers."
We shook hands heartily, and then herequested me to sit down. "But," said I,"they told me on deck that the frigatewas commanded by a Count
Shucksen."
"That is my present rank, my dearPeter," said he; "but as you have notime to lose, I will explain all. I know Ican trust to your honour. Youremember that you left me, as you and Isupposed, dying in the privateer, withthe captain's jacket and epaulettes onmy shoulders. When the boats cameout, and you left the vessel, theyboarded and found me. I was stillbreathing; and judging of my rank bythe coat, they put me into the boat, andpushed on shore. The privateer sankvery shortly after. I was not expected tolive, but in a few days a change tookplace, and I was better. They asked me
my name, and I gave my own, whichthey lengthened into Shucksen,somehow or another. I recovered by amiracle, and am now as well as ever Iwas in my life. They were not a littleproud of having captured a captain inthe British service, as they supposed,for they never questioned me as to myreal rank. After some weeks I was senthome to Denmark in a running vessel;but it so happened, that we met with agale, and were wrecked on the Swedishcoast, close to Carlscrona. The Daneswere at that time at war, having joinedthe Russians; and they were madeprisoners, while I was of courseliberated, and treated with greatdistinction; but as I could not speak
either French or their own language, Icould not get on very well. However, Ihad a handsome allowance, andpermission to go to England as soon asI pleased. The Swedes were then at warwith the Russians, and were fitting outtheir fleet; but, Lord bless them! theydidn't know much about it. I amusedmyself walking in the dockyard, andlooking at their motions; but they hadnot thirty men in the fleet who knewwhat they were about, and, as for a manto set them going, there wasn't one.Well, Peter, you know I could not beidle, and so by degrees I told one, andthen told another until they went theright way to work; and the captains andofficers were very much obliged to me.
At last, they all came to me, and if theydid not understand me entirely, Ishowed them how to do it with myown hands; and the fleet began tomake a show with their rigging. Theadmiral who commanded was verymuch obliged, and I seemed to come asregularly to my work as if I was paidfor it. At last, the admiral came with anEnglish interpreter, and asked mewhether I was anxious to go back toEngland, or would I like to join theirservice. I saw what they wanted, and Ireplied that I had neither wife nor childin England, and that I liked theircountry very much; but I must taketime to consider of it, and must alsoknow what they had to propose. I went
home to my lodgings, and, to makethem more anxious, I did not make myappearance at the dockyard for three orfour days, when a letter came from theadmiral, offering me the command of afrigate if I would join their service. Ireplied, (for I knew how much theywanted me,) that I would prefer anEnglish frigate to a Swedish one, andthat I would not consent unless theyoffered something more; and then, withthe express stipulation that I shouldnot take arms against my own country.They then waited for a week, when theyoffered to make me a Count, and giveme the command of a frigate. Thissuited me, as you may suppose, Peter; itwas the darling wish of my heart I was
to be made a gentleman. I consented,and was made Count Shucksen, andhad a fine large frigate under mycommand. I then set to work with awill, superintended the fitting out ofthe whole fleet, and showed them whatan Englishman could do. We sailed,and you of course know the brush wehad with the Russians, which, I mustsay, did us no discredit. I was fortunateto distinguish myself, for I exchangedseveral broadsides with a Russian two-deck ship, and came off with honour.When we went into port I got thisriband. I was out afterwards, and fell inwith a Russian frigate, and capturedher, for which I received this otherriband. Since that I have been in high
favour, and now that I speak thelanguages, I like the people very much.I am often at court when I am inharbour; and, Peter, I am married."
"I wish you joy, count, with all myheart."
"Yes, and well married too to a Swedishcountess of very high family, and Iexpect that I have a little boy or girl bythis time. So you observe, Peter, that Iam at last a gentleman, and, what ismore, my children will be noble by twodescents. Who would have thought thatthis would have been occasioned by mythrowing the captain's jacket into theboat instead of my own And now, my
dear Mr Simple, that I have made youmy confidant, I need not say, do not saya word about it to anybody. Theycertainly could not do me much harm,but still, they might do me some; andalthough I am not likely to meet anyone who may recognize me in thisuniform and these moustachios, it's justas well to keep the secret, which to youand O'Brien only would I haveconfided."
"My dear count," replied I, "your secretis safe with me. You have come to yourtitle before me, at all events; and Isincerely wish you joy, for you haveobtained it honourably; but, although Iwould like to talk with you for days, I
must return on board, for I am nowsailing with a very unpleasant captain."
I then, in a few words, stated whereO'Brien was; and when we parted, Iwent with him on deck, CountShucksen taking my arm, andintroducing me as an old shipmate tohis officers. "I hope we may meetagain," said I, "but I am afraid there islittle chance."
"Who knows " replied he; "see whatchance has done for me. My dear Peter,God bless you! You are one of the veryfew whom I always loved. God blessyou, my boy! and never forget that all Ihave is at your command if you come
my way."
I thanked him, and saluting the officers,went down the side. As I expected,when I came on board, the captaindemanded, in an angry tone, why I hadstayed so long. I replied, that I wasshown down into Count Shucksen'scabin, and he conversed so long, that Icould not get away sooner, as it wouldnot have been polite to have left himbefore he had finished his questions. Ithen gave a very civil message, and thecaptain said no more; the very name ofa great man always silenced him.
Chapter LXI
Bad news from home, and worse onboard Notwithstanding his previoustrials, Peter forced to prepare foranother Mrs Trotter again; improves asshe grows old Captain Hawkins and histwelve charges.
No other event of consequenceoccurred until we joined the admiral,who only detained us three hours withthe fleet, and then sent us home withhis despatches. We arrived, after a quietpassage, at Portsmouth, where I wroteimmediately to my sister Ellen,requesting to know the state of myfather's health. I waited impatiently for
an answer, and by return of postreceived one with a black seal. Myfather had died the day before from abrain fever; and Ellen conjured me toobtain leave of absence, to come to herin her state of distress. The captaincame on board the next morning, and Ihad a letter ready written on service tothe admiral, stating the circumstances,and requesting leave of absence. Ipresented it to him, and entreated himto forward it. At any other time I wouldnot have condescended, but thethoughts of my poor sister,unprotected and alone, with my fatherlying dead in the house, made mehumble and submissive. CaptainHawkins read the letter, and very coolly
replied, "that it was very easy to say thatmy father was dead, but he requiredproofs." Even this insult did not affectme; I put my sister's letter into his handhe read it, and as he returned it to me,he smiled maliciously. "It is impossiblefor me to forward your letter, MrSimple, as I have one to deliver to you."
He put a large folio packet into myhand, and went below. I opened it: itwas a copy of a letter demanding acourt-martial upon me, with a long listof the charges preferred by him. I wasstupefied, not so much at his asking fora court-martial, but at the convictionof the impossibility of my now beingable to go to the assistance of my poor
sister. I went down into the gunroomand threw myself on a chair, at thesame time tossing the letter toThompson, the master. He read it overcarefully, and folded it up.
"Upon my word, Simple, I do not seethat you have much to fear. Thesecharges are very frivolous."
"No, no that I care little about; but it ismy poor sister. I had written for leaveof absence, and now she is left, Godknows how long, in such distressingcircumstances."
Thompson looked grave. "I hadforgotten your father's death, Simple: it
is indeed cruel. I would offer to gomyself, but you will want my evidenceat the court-martial. It can't be helped.Write to your sister, and keep up herspirits. Tell her why you cannot come,and that it will all end well."
I did so, and went early to bed, for Iwas really ill. The next morning, theofficial letter from the port-admiralcame off, acquainting me that a court-martial had been ordered upon me, andthat it would take place that day week. Iimmediately resigned the command tothe second lieutenant, and commencedan examination into the chargespreferred. They were very numerous,and dated back almost to the very day
that he had joined the ship. There weretwelve in all. I shall not trouble thereader with the whole of them, as manywere very frivolous. The principalcharges were
1. For mutinous and disrespectfulconduct to Captain Hawkins, on such adate, having, in a conversation with aninferior officer on the quarter-deck,stated that Captain Hawkins was a spy,and had spies in the ship.
2. For neglect of duty, in disobeying theorders of Captain Hawkins on thenight of the of .
3. For having, on the of , sent away two
boats from the ship, in directopposition to the orders of CaptainHawkins.
4. For having again, on the morning ofthe of , held mutinous anddisrespectful conversation relative toCaptain Hawkins with the gunner ofthe ship, allowing the latter to accuseCaptain Hawkins of cowardice,without reporting the same.
5. For insulting expressions on thequarter-deck to Captain Hawkins onhis rejoining the brig on the morningof the of .
6. For not causing the orders of
Captain Hawkins to be put in force onseveral occasions, &c. &c. &c.
And further, as Captain Hawkins'testimony was necessary in two of thecharges, the king, on those charges, wasthe prosecutor. Although most of thesecharges were frivolous, yet I at onceperceived my danger. Some were datedback many months, to the time beforeour ship's company had been changed:and I could not find the necessarywitnesses. Indeed, in all but the recentcharges, not expecting to be called to acourt-martial, I had serious difficultiesto contend with. But the most seriouswas the first charge, which I knew nothow to get over. Swinburne had most
decidedly referred to the captain whenhe talked of spy captains. However,with the assistance of Thompson, Imade the best defence I could, readyfor my trial.
Two days before my court-martial Ireceived a letter from Ellen, whoappeared in a state of distraction fromthis accumulation of misfortune. Shetold me that my father was to be buriedthe next day, and that the new rectorhad written to her, to know when itwould be convenient for the vicarage tobe given up. That my father's bills hadbeen sent in, and amounted to twelvehundred pounds already; and that sheknew not the extent of the whole
claims. There appeared to be nothingleft but the furniture of the house; andshe wanted to know whether the debtswere to be paid with the money I hadleft in the funds for her use. I wroteimmediately, requesting her to liquidateevery claim, as far as my money went,sending her an order upon my agent todraw for the whole amount, and apower of attorney to him to sell outthe stock.
I had just sealed the letter, when MrsTrotter, who had attended the shipsince our return to Portsmouth, beggedto speak with me, and walked in afterher message, without waiting for ananswer. "My dear Mr Simple," said she,
"I know all that is going on, and I findthat you have no lawyer to assist you.Now I know that it is necessary, andwill very probably be of great service inyour defence for when people are indistress and anxiety, they have not theirwits about them; so I have brought afriend of mine from Portsea, a veryclever man, who, for my sake, willundertake your cause, and I hope youwill not refuse him. You recollect givingme a dozen pair of stockings. I did notrefuse them, nor shall you refuse menow. I always said to Mr Trotter, 'Go toa lawyer;' and if he had taken my advicehe would have done well. I recollect,when a hackney-coachman smashed thepanel of our carriage 'Trotter,' says I,
'go to a lawyer;' and he very politelyanswered, 'Go to the devil!' But whatwas the consequence! he's dead and I'mbumming. Now, Mr Simple, will youoblige me it's all free gratis for nothingnot for nothing, for it's for my sake.You see, Mr Simple, I have admirersyet," concluded she, smiling.
Mrs Trotter's advice was good; andalthough I would not listen to receivinghis services gratuitously, I agreed toemploy him; and very useful did heprove against such charges, and such aman as Captain Hawkins. He came onboard that afternoon, carefullyexamined into all the documents andthe witnesses whom I could bring
forward, showed me the weak side ofmy defence, and took the papers onshore with him. Every day he came onboard to collect fresh evidence andexamine into my case.
At last the day arrived. I dressed myselfin my best uniform. The gun fired fromthe admiral's ship, with the signal for acourt-martial at nine o'clock; and Iwent on board in a boat, with all thewitnesses. On my arrival, I was putunder the custody of the provost-marshal. The captains ordered to attendpulled alongside one after another, andwere received by a party of marines,presenting their arms.
At half-past nine the court was allassembled, and I was ushered in.Courts-martial are open courts,although no one is permitted to printthe evidence. At the head of the longtable was the admiral, as president; onhis right hand, standing, was CaptainHawkins, as prosecutor. On each sideof the table were six captains, sittingnear to the admiral, according to theirseniority. At the bottom, facing theadmiral, was the judge-advocate, onwhose left hand I stood, as prisoner.The witnesses called in to be examinedwere stationed on his right; and behindhim, by the indulgence of the court,was a small table, at which sat my legaladviser, so close as to be able to
communicate with me. The court wereall sworn, and then took their seats.Stauncheons, with ropes covered withgreen baize, passed along, were behindthe chairs of the captains whocomposed the court, so that they mightnot be crowded upon by those whocame in to listen to what passed. Thecharges were then read, as well as theletters to and from the admiral, bywhich the court-martial was demandedand granted: and then Captain Hawkinswas desired to open his prosecution.He commenced with observing hisgreat regret that he had been forced to ameasure so repugnant to his feelings;his frequent cautions to me, and theindifference with which I treated them;
and, after a preamble composed ofevery falsity that could be devised, hecommenced with the first charge, andstating himself to be the witness, gavehis evidence. When it was finished, Iwas asked if I had any questions to put.By the advice of my lawyer, I replied,"No." The president then asked thecaptains composing the court-martial,commencing according to theirseniority, whether they wished to askany questions.
"I wish," said the second captain whowas addressed, "to ask CaptainHawkins whether, when he came ondeck, he came up in the usual way inwhich a captain of a man-of-war comes
on his quarter-deck, or whether heslipped up without noise "
Captain Hawkins declared that he cameup as he usually did. This was trueenough, for he invariably came up bystealth.
"Pray, Captain Hawkins, as you haverepeated a good deal of conversationwhich passed between the firstlieutenant and the gunner, may I askyou how long you were by their sidewithout their perceiving you "
"A very short time," was the answer.
"But, Captain Hawkins, do you not
think, allowing that you came up ondeck in your usual way, as you term it,that you would have done better tohave hemmed or hawed, so as to letyour officers know that you werepresent I should be very sorry to hearall that might be said of me in mysupposed absence."
To this observation Captain Hawkinsreplied, that he was so astonished at theconversation, that he was quitebreathless, having, till then, had thehighest opinion of me.
No more questions were asked, andthey proceeded to the second charge.This was a very trifling one for lighting
a stove, contrary to orders; the evidencebrought forward was the sergeant ofmarines. When his evidence in favourof the charge had been given, I wasasked by the president if I had anyquestions to put to the witness. I putthe following:
"Did you repeat to Captain Hawkinsthat I had ordered the stove to belighted " "I did."
"Are you not in the custom ofreporting, direct to the captain, anynegligence, or disobedience of orders,you may witness in the ship " "I am."
"Did you ever report anything of the
sort to me, as first lieutenant, or do youalways report direct to the captain "
"I always report direct to the captain."
"By the captain's orders " "Yes."
The following questions were then putby some of the members of the court:
"You have served in other ships before" "Yes."
"Did you ever, sailing with othercaptains, receive an order from them toreport direct to them, and not throughthe first lieutenant " The witness hereprevaricated.
"Answer directly, yes or no." "No."
The third charge was then broughtforward for sending away boatscontrary to express orders. This wassubstantiated by Captain Hawkins' ownevidence, the order having been verbal.By the advice of my counsel, I put noquestions to Captain Hawkins, neitherdid the court.
The fourth charge that of holdingmutinous conversation with thegunner, and allowing him to accuse thecaptain of unwillingness to engage theenemy was then again substantiated byCaptain Hawkins, as the only witness. I
again left my reply for my defence; andonly one question was put by one ofthe members, which was, to inquire ofCaptain Hawkins, as he appearedpeculiarly unfortunate in overhearingconversations, whether he walked up asusual to the taffrail, or whether he creptup. Captain Hawkins gave the sameanswer as before.
The fifth charge for insultingexpressions to Captain Hawkins, on myrejoining the brig at Carlscrona wasthen brought forward, and the sergeantof marines and one of the seamenappeared as witnesses. This chargeexcited a great deal of amusement. Inthe cross-examination by the members
of the court, Captain Hawkins wasasked what he meant by the expression,when disposing of the clothes of anofficer who was killed in action, thatthe men appeared to think that histrousers would instil fear.
"Nothing more, upon my honour, sir,"replied Captain Hawkins, "than animplication that they were alarmed lestthey should be haunted by his ghost."
"Then, of course, Mr Simple meant thesame in his reply," observed the captainsarcastically.
The remainder of the charges werethen brought forward, but they were of
little consequence. The witnesses werechiefly the sergeant of marines, and thespy-glass of Captain Hawkins, who hadbeen watching me from the shore.
It was late in the afternoon before theywere all gone through; and thepresident then adjourned the court,that I might bring forward my ownwitnesses, in my defence, on thefollowing day, and I returned on boardthe Rattlesnake.
Chapter LXII
A good defence not always good
against a bad accusation Peter wins theheart of his judges, yet loses his cause,and is dismissed his ship.
The next day I commenced my defence,and I preferred calling my ownwitnesses first, and, by the advice of mycounsel, and at the request ofSwinburne, I called him. I put thefollowing questions: "When we weretalking on the quarter-deck, was it fineweather " "Yes, it was."
"Do you think that you might haveheard any one coming on deck, in theusual way, up the companion ladder "
"Sure of it."
"Do you mean, then, to imply thatCaptain Hawkins came up stealthily "
"I have an idea he pounced upon us asa cat does on a mouse."
"What were the expressions made useof "
"I said that a spy captain would alwaysfind spy followers."
"In that remark were you and MrSimple referring to your own captain "
"The remark was mine. What MrSimple was thinking of, I can't tell; but
I did refer to the captain, and he hasproved that I was right." This boldanswer of Swinburne's ratherastonished the court, who commencedcross-questioning him; but he kept tohis original assertion that I had onlyanswered generally. To repel the secondcharge I produced no witnesses; but tothe third charge I brought forwardthree witnesses to prove that CaptainHawkins's orders were that I shouldsend no boats on shore, not that Ishould not send them on board of themen-of-war close to us. In answer tothe fourth charge, I called Swinburne,who stated that if I did not, he wouldcome forward. Swinburneacknowledged that he accused the
captain of being shy, and that Ireprimanded him for so doing. "Did hesay that he would report you " inquiredone of the captains. "No, sir," repliedSwinburne, "'cause he never meant todo it." This was an unfortunate answer.
To the fifth charge, I brought severalwitnesses to prove the words ofCaptain Hawkins, and the sense inwhich they were taken by the ship'scompany, and the men calling out"Shame!" when he used the expression.
To refute the other charges I called oneor two witnesses, and the court thenadjourned, inquiring of me when Iwould be ready to commence my
defence. I requested a day to prepare,which was readily granted; and theensuing day the court did not sit. Ihardly need say that I was busilyemployed, arranging my defence withmy counsel. At last all was done, and Iwent to bed tired and unhappy; but Islept soundly, which could not be saidof my counsel, for he went on shore ateleven o'clock, and sat up all nightmaking a fair copy. After all, the fairestcourt of justice is a naval court-martialno brow-beating of witnesses, anevident inclination towards theprisoner every allowance and everyfavour granted him, and no legalquibbles attended to. It is a court ofequity, with very few exceptions; and
the humbler the individual, the greaterthe chance in his favour.
I was awoke the following morning bymy counsel, who had not gone to bedthe previous night, and who had comeoff at seven o'clock to read over withme my defence. At nine o'clock I againproceeded on board, and in a shorttime the court was sitting. I came in,handed my defence to the judge-advocate, who read it aloud to thecourt. I have a copy still by me, and willgive the whole of it to the reader.
"Mr President and Gentlemen, Afternearly fourteen years' service in hisMajesty's navy, during which I have
been twice made prisoner, twicewounded, and once wrecked; and, as Itrust I shall prove to you, by certificatesand the public despatches, I have donemy duty with zeal and honour; I nowfind myself in a situation in which Inever expected to be placed that ofbeing arraigned before and brought toa court-martial for charges of mutiny,disaffection, and disrespect towards mysuperior officer. If the honourablecourt will examine the certificates I amabout to produce, they will find that,until I sailed with Captain Hawkins, myconduct has always been supposed tohave been diametrically opposite to thatwhich is now imputed to me. I havealways been diligent and obedient to
command; and I have only to regretthat the captains with whom I have hadthe honour to sail are not now presentto corroborate by their oral evidencethe truth of these documents. Allowme, in the first place, to point out to thecourt, that the charges against me arespread over a large space of time,amounting to nearly eighteen months,during the whole of which periodCaptain Hawkins never stated to methat it was his intention to try me by acourt-martial; and, although repeatedlyin the presence of a senior officer, hasnever preferred any charge against me.The articles of war state expressly thatif any officer, soldier, or marine has anycomplaint to make he is to do so upon
his arrival at any port or fleet where hemay fall in with a superior officer. Iadmit that this article of war refers tocomplaints to be made by inferiorsagainst superiors; but, at the same time,I venture to submit to the honourablecourt that a superior is equally boundto prefer a charge, or to give notice thatthe charge will be preferred, on the firstseasonable opportunity, instead oflulling the offender into security, anddisarming him in his defence, byallowing the time to run on so long asto render him incapable of bringingforward his witnesses. I take the libertyof calling this to your attention, andshall now proceed to answer thecharges which have been brought
against me.
"I am accused of having held aconversation with an inferior officer onthe quarter-deck of his Majesty's brigRattlesnake, in which my captain wastreated with contempt. That it may notbe supposed that Mr Swinburne was anew acquaintance, made upon myjoining the brig, I must observe that hewas an old shipmate, with whom I hadserved many years, and with whoseworth I was well acquainted. He wasmy instructor in my more youthfuldays, and has been rewarded for hismerit, with the warrant which he nowholds as gunner of His Majesty's brigRattlesnake. The offensive observation,
in the first place, was not mine; and, inthe second, it was couched in generalterms. Here Mr Swinburne haspointedly confessed that he did refer tothe captain, although the observationwas in the plural; but that does notprove the charge against me on thecontrary, adds weight to the assertionof Mr Swinburne, that I was guiltlessof the present charge. That CaptainHawkins has acted as a spy, his ownevidence on this charge, as well as thatbrought forward by other witnesses,will decidedly prove; but as the truth ofthe observation does not warrant theutterance, I am glad that no suchexpression escaped my lips.
"Upon the second charge I shall dwellbut a short time. It is true that there is ageneral order that no stoves shall bealight after a certain hour; but I willappeal to the honourable court,whether a first lieutenant is notconsidered to have a degree of licenceof judgment in all that concerns theinterior discipline of the ship. Thesurgeon sent to say that a stove wasrequired for one of the sick. I was inbed at the time, and replied immediatelyin the affirmative. Does CaptainHawkins mean to assert to thehonourable court, that he would haverefused the request of the surgeonMost certainly not. The only error Icommitted, if it were an error, was not
going through the form of awakingCaptain Hawkins, to ask thepermission, which, as first lieutenant, Ithought myself authorized to give.
"The charge against me, of having sentaway two boats, contrary to his order, Ihave already disproved by witnesses.The order of Captain Hawkins was,not to communicate with the shore. Myreasons for sending away the boats"(Here Captain Hawkins interposed, andstated to the president that my reasonswere not necessary to be received. Thecourt was cleared, and, on our return,the court had decided, that my reasonsought to be given, and I continued.)"My reasons for sending away these
boats, or rather it was one boat whichwas despatched to the two frigates, if Iremember well, were, that the brig wasin a state of mutiny. The captain hadtied up one of the men, and the ship'scompany refused to be flogged.Captain Hawkins then went on shoreto the admiral, to report the situationof his ship, and I conceived it my dutyto make it known to the men-of-waranchored close to us. I shall not enterinto further particulars, as they will onlydetain the honourable court; and I amaware that this court-martial is heldupon my conduct, and not upon thatof Captain Hawkins. To the charge ofagain holding disrespectful language onthe quarter-deck, as overheard by
Captain. Hawkins, I must refer thehonourable court to the evidence, inwhich it is plainly proved that theremarks upon him were not mine, butthose of Mr Swinburne, and that Iremonstrated with Mr Swinburne forusing such unguarded expressions. Theonly point of difficulty is, whether itwas not my duty to have reported suchlanguage. I reply, that there is no proofthat I did not intend to report it; butthe presence of Captain Hawkins, whoheard what was said, rendered suchreport unnecessary.
"On the fifth charge, I must beg thatthe court will be pleased to considerthat some allowance ought to be made
for a moment of irritation. Mycharacter was traduced by CaptainHawkins, supposing that I was dead; somuch so, that even the ship's companycried out shame. I am aware, that nolanguage of a superior officer canwarrant a retort from an inferior; but,as what I intended to imply by thatlanguage is not yet known, althoughCaptain Hawkins has given anexplanation to his, I shall merely say,that I meant no more by myinsinuations, than Captain Hawkins didat the time, by those which he made useof with respect to me.
"Upon the other trifling chargesbrought forward, I lay no stress, as I
consider them fully refuted by theevidence which has been alreadyadduced; and I shall merely observe,that, for reasons best known to himself,I have been met with a most decidedhostility on the part of CaptainHawkins, from the time that he firstjoined the ship; that, on every occasion,he has used all his efforts to render meuncomfortable, and embroil me withothers; that, not content with narrowlywatching my conduct on board, he hasresorted to his spy-glass from the shore;and, instead of assisting me in theexecution of a duty sufficientlyarduous, he has thrown every obstaclein my way, placed inferior officers asspies over my conduct, and made me
feel so humiliated in the presence ofthe ship's company, over which I havehad to superintend, and in thedisciplining of which I had a right tolook to him for support, that, were itnot that some odium would necessarilybe attached to the sentence, I shouldfeel it as one of the happiest events ofmy life that I were dismissed from thesituation which I now hold under hiscommand. I now beg that thehonourable court will allow thedocuments I lay upon the table to beread in support of my character."
When this was over, the court wascleared, that they might decide uponthe sentence. I waited about half an
hour in the greatest anxiety, when I wasagain summoned to attend. The usualforms of reading the papers were gonethrough, and then came the sentence,which was read by the president, he andthe whole court standing up with theircocked hats on their heads. After thepreamble, it concluded with saying,"that it was the opinion of that courtthat the charges had been partly proved,and therefore, that Lieutenant PeterSimple was dismissed his ship; but, inconsideration of his good characterand services, his case was stronglyrecommended to the consideration ofthe Lords Commissioners of theAdmiralty."
Chapter LXIII
Peter looks upon his loss as somethinggained Goes on board the Rattlesnake topack up, and is ordered to pack offPolite leave-taking between relations.Mrs Trotter better and better Goes toLondon, and afterwards falls into allmanner of misfortunes by the handsof robbers, and of his own uncle.
I hardly knew whether I felt glad orsorry at this sentence. On the one hand,it was almost a deathblow to my futureadvancement or employment in theservice; on the other, the
recommendation very much softeneddown the sentence, and I was quitehappy to be quit of Captain Hawkins,and free to hasten to my poor sister. Ibowed respectfully to the court, whichimmediately adjourned. CaptainHawkins followed the captains on thequarter-deck, but none of them wouldspeak to him so much to hisdisadvantage had come out during thetrial.
About ten minutes afterwards, one ofthe elder captains composing the courtcalled me into the cabin. "Mr Simple,"said he, "we are all very sorry for you.Our sentence could not be morelenient, under the circumstances: it was
that conversation with the gunner at thetaffrail which floored you. It must be awarning to you to be more careful infuture, how you permit any one tospeak of the conduct of your superiorson the quarter-deck. I am desired by thepresident to let you know that it is ourintention to express ourselves verystrongly to the admiral in your behalf;so much so, that if another captainapplies for you, you will have nodifficulty in being appointed to a ship;and as for leaving your present ship,under any other circumstances I shouldconsider it a matter of congratulation."
I returned my sincere thanks, and soonafterwards quitted the guard-ship, and
went on board of the brig to pack upmy clothes, and take leave of mymessmates. On my arrival, I found thatCaptain Hawkins had preceded me, andhe was on deck when I came up theside. I hastened down into the gun-room, where I received thecondolements of my messmates.
"Simple, I wish you joy," criedThompson, loud enough for thecaptain to hear on deck. "I wish I hadyour luck; I wish somebody would tryme by a court-martial."
"As it has turned out," replied I, in aloud voice, "and after thecommunication made to me by the
captains composing the court, of whatthey intend to say to the Admiralty, Iagree with you, Thompson, that it is avery kind act on the part of CaptainHawkins, and I feel quite grateful tothem."
"Steward, come glasses," criedThompson, "and let us drink success toMr Simple."
All this was very annoying to CaptainHawkins, who overheard every word.When our glasses were filled "Simple,your good health, and may I meet withas good a messmate," said Thompson.
At this moment, the sergeant of
marines put his head in at the gun-room door, and said, in a most insolenttone, that I was to leave the shipimmediately. I was so irritated, that Ithrew my glass of grog in his face, andhe ran up to the captain to make thecomplaint; but I did not belong to theship, and even if I had, I would haveresented such impertinence.
Captain Hawkins was in a great rage,and I believe would have written foranother court-martial, but he had hadenough of them. He inquired veryparticularly of the sergeant whether hehad told me that I was to leave the shipdirectly, or whether, that CaptainHawkins desired that I should leave the
ship immediately; and finding that hehad not given the latter message (whichI was aware of, for had he given it, Idare not have acted as I did); he thensent down again by one of themidshipmen, desiring me to leave theship immediately. My reply was, that Ishould certainly obey his orders withthe greatest pleasure. I hastened to packup my clothes, reported myself ready tothe second lieutenant, who went up forpermission to man a boat, which wasrefused by Captain Hawkins, who saidI might go on shore in a shore-boat. Icalled one alongside, shook hands withall my messmates, and when I arrivedon the quarter-deck, with Swinburne,and some of the best men, who came
forward; Captain Hawkins stood by thebinnacle, bursting with rage. As I wentover the planeshear, I took my hat offto him, and wished him good-morningvery respectfully, adding, "If you haveany commands for my uncle, CaptainHawkins, I shall be glad to executethem."
This observation, which showed himthat I knew the connection andcorrespondence between them, madehim gasp with emotion. "Leave theship, sir, or by God I'll put you in ironsfor mutiny," cried he. I again took offmy hat, and went down the side, andshoved off.
As soon as I was a few yards distant,the men jumped on the carronades andcheered, and I perceived CaptainHawkins order them down, and beforeI was a cable's length from her, the pipe"all hands to punishment;" so Ipresume some of the poor fellowssuffered for their insubordination inshowing their good will. I acknowledgethat I might have left the ship in a moredignified manner, and that my conductwas not altogether correct; but still, Istate what I really did do, and someallowance must be made for myfeelings. This is certain, that myconduct after the court-martial, wasmore deserving of punishment, thanthat for which I had been tried. But I
was in a state of feverish excitement,and hardly knew what I did.
When I arrived at Sally Port, I had myeffects wheeled up to the Blue Posts,and packing up those which I mostrequired, I threw off my uniform, andwas once more a gentleman at large. Itook my place in the mail for thatevening, sent a letter of thanks, with afew bank notes, to my counsel, andthen sat down and wrote a long letterto O'Brien, acquainting him with theevents which had taken place.
I had just finished, and sealed it up,when in came Mrs Trotter. "Oh my dearMr Simple! I'm so sorry, and I have
come to console you. There's nothinglike women when men are in affliction,as poor Trotter used to say, as he laidhis head in my lap. When do you go totown "
"This evening, Mrs Trotter."
"I hope I am to continue to attend theship "
"I hope so too, Mrs Trotter, I have nodoubt but you will."
"Now, Mr Simple, how are you off formoney Do you want a little You canpay me by-and-by. Don't be afraid. I'mnot quite so poor as I was when you
came down to mess with Trotter andme, and when you gave me the dozenpair of stockings. I know what it is towant money, and what it is to wantfriends."
"Many thanks to you, Mrs Trotter,"replied I; "but I have sufficient to takeme home, and then I can obtain more."
"Well, I'm glad of it, but it was offeredin earnest. Good-bye, God bless you!Come, Mr Simple, give me a kiss; itwon't be the first time."
I kissed her, for I felt grateful for herkindness; and with a little smirking andogling she quitted the room. I could
not help thinking, after she was gone,how little we know the hearts ofothers. If I had been asked if MrsTrotter was a person to have done agenerous action, from what I had seenof her in adversity, I should havedecidedly said, No. Yet in this offer shewas disinterested, for she knew theservice well enough to be aware that Ihad little chance of being a firstlieutenant again, and of being ofservice to her. And how often does italso occur, that those who ought, fromgratitude or long friendship, to do allthey can to assist you, turn from you inyour necessity, and prove false andtreacherous! It is God alone whoknows our hearts. I sent my letter to
O'Brien to the admiral's office, satdown to a dinner which I could nottaste, and at seven o'clock got into themail.
When I arrived in town I was muchworse, but I did not wait more than anhour. I took my place in a coach whichdid not go to the town near which weresided; for I had inquired and foundthat coach was full, and I did notchoose to wait another day. The coachin which I took my place went withinforty miles of the vicarage, and Iintended to post across the country.The next evening I arrived at the pointof separation, and taking out myportmanteau, ordered a chaise, and set
off for what had once been my home. Icould hardly hold my head up, I was soill, and I lay in a corner of the chaise ina sort of dream, kept from sleepingfrom intense pain in the forehead andtemples. It was about nine o'clock atnight, when we were in a dreadfuljolting road, the shocks proceedingfrom which gave me agonizing pain,that the chaise was stopped by twomen, who dragged me out on the grass.One stood over me, while the otherrifled the chaise. The post-boy, whoappeared a party to the transaction,remained quietly on his horse, and assoon as they had taken my effects,turned round and drove off. They thenrifled my person, taking away
everything that I had, leaving menothing but my trousers and shirt.After a short consultation, they orderedme to walk on in the direction in whichwe had been proceeding in the chaise,and to hasten as fast as I could, or theywould blow my brains out. I compliedwith their request, thinking myselffortunate to have escaped so well. Iknew that I was still thirty miles at leastfrom the vicarage; but ill as I was, Ihoped to be able to reach it on foot. Iwalked during the remainder of thenight, but I got on but slowly. I reeledfrom one side of the road to the other,and occasionally sat down to rest.Morning dawned, and I perceivedhabitations not far from me. I staggered
on in my course.
The fever now raged in me, my headwas splitting with agony, and I totteredto a bank near a small neat cottage, onthe side of the road. I have a faintrecollection of some one coming to meand taking my hand, but nothingfurther; and it was not till many monthsafterwards, that I became acquaintedwith the circumstances which I nowrelate. It appears that the owner of thecottage was a half-pay lieutenant in thearmy, who had sold-out on account ofhis wounds. I was humanely taken intohis house, laid on a bed, and a surgeonrequested to come to me immediately. Ihad now lost all recollection, and who I
was they could not ascertain. Mypockets were empty, and it was only bythe mark on my linen that they foundthat my name was Simple. For threeweeks I remained in a state of alternatestupor and delirium. When the lattercame on, I raved of Lord Privilege,O'Brien, and Celeste. Mr Selwin, theofficer who had so kindly assisted me,knew that Simple was the patronymicname of Lord Privilege, and heimmediately wrote to his lordship,stating that a young man of the nameof Simple, who, in his delirium calledupon him and Captain O'Brien, waslying in a most dangerous state in hishouse, and, that as he presumed I was arelative of his lordship's he had
deemed it right to apprise him of thefact.
My uncle, who knew that it must beme, thought this too favourable anopportunity, provided I should live,not to have me in his power. He wroteto say that he would be there in a day ortwo; at the same time thanking MrSelwin for his kind attention to hispoor nephew, and requesting that noexpense might be spared. When myuncle arrived, which he did in his ownchariot, the crisis of the fever was over,but I was still in a state of stupor,arising from extreme debility. Hethanked Mr Selwin for his attention,which he said he was afraid was of
little avail, as I was every year becomingmore deranged; and he expressed hisfears that it would terminate in chroniclunacy. "His poor father died in thesame state," continued my uncle,passing his hand across his eyes, as ifmuch affected. "I have brought myphysician with me, to see if he can bemoved. I shall not be satisfied unless Iam with him night and day."
The physician (who was my uncle'svalet) took me by the hand, felt mypulse, examined my eyes, andpronounced that it would be very easyto move me, and that I should recoversooner in a more airy room. Of course,Mr Selwin raised no objections, putting
down all to my uncle's regard for me;and my clothes were put on me, as I layin a state of insensibility, and I waslifted into the chariot. It is mostwonderful that I did not die from beingthus taken out of my bed in such astate, but it pleased Heaven that itshould be otherwise. Had such an eventtaken place, it would probably havepleased my uncle much better than mysurviving. When I was in the carriage,supported by the pseudo-physician, myuncle again thanked Mr Selwin, beggedthat he would command his interest,wrote a handsome cheque for thesurgeon who had attended me, andgetting into the carriage, drove off withme still in a state of insensibility that is,
I was not so insensible, but I think Ifelt I had been removed, and I heardthe rattling of the wheels; but my mindwas so uncollected, and I was in a stateof such weakness, that I could not feelassured of it for a minute.
For some days afterwards, for Irecollect nothing about the journey, Ifound myself in bed in a dark roomand my arms confined. I recalled mysenses, and by degrees was able torecollect all that had occurred, until Ilaid down by the roadside. Where was IThe room was dark, I could distinguishnothing; that I had attempted to domyself some injury, I took for granted,or my arms would not have been
secured. I had been in a fever anddelirious, I supposed, and had nowrecovered. I had been in a reverie formore than an hour, wondering why Iwas left alone, when the door of theapartment opened. "Who is there "inquired I.
"Oh! you've come to yourself again,"said a gruff voice; "then I'll give you alittle daylight."
He took down a shutter which coveredthe whole of the window, and a floodof light poured in, which blinded me. Ishut my eyes, and by degrees admittedthe light until I could bear it. I lookedat the apartment: the walls were bare
and whitewashed. I was on a truckle-bed. I looked at the window it wasclosed up with iron bars. "Why, wheream I " inquired I of the man, withalarm.
"Where are you " replied he; "why, inBedlam!"
Chapter LXIV
As O'Brien said; it's a long lane that hasno turning I am rescued, and happinesspours in upon me as fast as miserybefore overwhelmed me.
The shock was too great I fell back onmy pillow insensible. How long I laid, Iknow not, but when I recovered thekeeper was gone, and I found a jug ofwater and some bread by the side ofthe bed, I drank the water, and theeffect it had upon me was surprising. Ifelt that I could get up, and I rose: myarms had been unpinioned during myswoon. I got on my feet, and staggeredto the window. I looked out, saw thebright sun, the passers-by, the housesopposite all looked cheerful and gay,but I was a prisoner in a madhouse.Had I been mad I reflected, andsupposed that I had been, and hadbeen confined by those who knewnothing of me. It never came into my
head that my uncle had been a party toit. I threw myself on the bed, andrelieved myself with tears. It was aboutnoon that the medical people, attendedby the keepers and others, came into myapartment. "Is he quite quiet " "O Lord!yes, sir, as quiet as a lamb," replied theman who had before entered. I thenspoke to the medical gentleman,begging him to tell why, and how, I hadbeen brought here. He answered mildlyand soothingly, saying that I was thereat the wish of my friends, and thatevery care would be taken of me; thathe was aware that my paroxysms wereonly occasional, and that, during thetime I was quiet, I should have everyindulgence that could be granted, and
that he hoped that I soon should beperfectly well, and be permitted to leavethe hospital. I replied by stating who Iwas, and how I had been taken ill. Thedoctor shook his head, advised me tolie down as much as possible, and thenquitted me to visit the other patients.
As I afterwards discovered, my unclehad had me confined upon the pleathat I was a young man who wasderanged with an idea that his namewas Simple, and that he was the heir tothe title and estates; that I was verytroublesome at times, forcing my wayinto his house and insulting theservants, but in every other respect washarmless; that my paroxysms generally
ended in a violent fever, and it wasmore from the fear of my coming tosome harm, than from any ill-willtowards the poor young man, that hewished me to remain in the hospital,and be taken care of. The reader may atonce perceive the art of thiscommunication: I, having no idea whyI was confined, would of coursecontinue to style myself by my truename; and as long as I did this, so longwould I be considered in a derangedstate. The reader must not therefore besurprised when I tell him that Iremained in Bedlam for one year andeight months. The doctor called uponme for two or three days, and findingme quiet, ordered me to be allowed
books, paper, and ink, to amuse myself;but every attempt at explanation wascertain to be the signal for him to leavemy apartment. I found, therefore, notonly by him, but from the keeper, whopaid no attention to anything I said,that I had no chance of being listenedto, or of obtaining my release.
After the first month, the doctor cameto me no more: I was a quiet patient,and he received the report of thekeeper. I was sent there with everynecessary document to prove that I wasmad; and, although a very little mayestablish a case of lunacy, it requiressomething very strong indeed to provethat you are in your right senses. In
Bedlam I found it impossible. At thesame time I was well treated, wasallowed all necessary comforts, andsuch amusement as could be obtainedfrom books, &c. I had no reason tocomplain of the keeper except that hewas too much employed to waste histime in listening to what he did notbelieve. I wrote several letters to mysister and to O'Brien, during the firsttwo or three months, and requested thekeeper to put them in the post. This hepromised to do, never refusing to takethe letters; but, as I afterwards foundout, they were invariably destroyed. YetI still bore up with the hopes of releasefor some time; but the anxiety relativeto my sister, when I thought of her
situation, my thoughts of Celeste andof O'Brien, sometimes quite overcameme; then, indeed, I would almostbecome frantic, and the keeper wouldreport that I had had a paroxysm. Aftersix months I became melancholy, and Iwasted away. I no longer attempted toamuse myself, but sat all day with myeyes fixed upon vacancy. I no longerattended to my person; I allowed mybeard to grow my face was neverwashed, unless mechanically, whenordered by the keeper; and if I was notmad, there was every prospect of mysoon becoming so. Life passed away asa blank I had become indifferent toeverything I noted time no more thechange of seasons was unperceived
even the day and the night followedwithout my regarding them.
I was in this unfortunate situation,when one day the door was opened,and, as had been often the customduring my imprisonment, visitors weregoing round the establishment, toindulge their curiosity, in witnessing thedegradation of their fellow-creatures,or to offer their commiseration. I paidno heed to them, not even casting upmy eyes. "This young man," said themedical gentleman who accompaniedthe party, "has entertained the strangeidea that his name is Simple, and thathe is the rightful heir to the title andproperty of Lord Privilege."
One of the visitors came up to me, andlooked me in the face. "And so he is,"cried he to the doctor, who looked withastonishment. "Peter, don't you knowme " I started up. It was GeneralO'Brien. I flew into his arms, and burstinto tears.
"Sir," said General O'Brien, leading meto the chair, and seating me upon it, "Itell you that is Mr Simple, the nephewof Lord Privilege; and I believe, theheir to the title. If, therefore, hisassertion of such being the case is theonly proof of his insanity, he is illegallyconfined. I am here, a foreigner, and aprisoner on parole; but I am not
without friends. My Lord Belmore,"said he, turning to another of thevisitors who had accompanied him, "Ipledge you my honour that what I stateis true; and I request that you willimmediately demand the release of thispoor young man."
"I assure you, sir, that I have LordPrivilege's letter," observed the doctor.
"Lord Privilege is a scoundrel," repliedGeneral O'Brien. "But there is justice tobe obtained in this country, and heshall pay dearly for his lettre de cachet. Mydear Peter, how fortunate was my visitto this horrid place! I had heard somuch of the excellent arrangements of
this establishment, that I agreed to walkround with Lord Belmore; but I findthat it is abused."
"Indeed, General O'Brien, I have beentreated with kindness," replied I; "andparticularly by this gentleman. It wasnot his fault."
General O'Brien and Lord Belmorethen inquired of the doctor if he hadany objection to my release.
"None whatever, my lord, even if hewere insane; although I now see how Ihave been imposed upon. We allow thefriends of any patient to remove him,if they think that they can pay him
more attention. He may leave with youthis moment."
I now did feel my brain turn with therevulsion from despair to hope, and Ifell back in my seat. The doctor,perceiving my condition, bled mecopiously, and laid me on the bed,where I remained more than an hour,watched by General O'Brien. I then gotup, calm and thankful. I was shaved bythe barber of the establishment,washed and dressed myself, and,leaning on the general's arm, was letout. I cast my eyes upon the twocelebrated stone figures of Melancholyand Raving Madness, as I passed them;I trembled, and clung more tightly to
the general's arm, was assisted into thecarriage, and bade farewell to madnessand misery. The general said nothinguntil we approached the hotel where heresided, in Dover-street, and then heinquired, in a low voice, whether Icould bear more excitement.
"It is Celeste you mean, general "
"It is, my dear boy; she is here;" and hesqueezed my hand.
"Alas!" cried I, "what hopes have I nowof Celeste "
"More than you had before," repliedthe general. "She lives but for you; and
if you are a beggar, I have acompetence to make you sufficientlycomfortable."
I returned the general's pressure of thehand, but could not speak. Wedescended, and in a minute I was led bythe father into the arms of theastonished daughter.
I must pass over a few days, duringwhich I had almost recovered myhealth and spirits, and had narrated myadventures to General O'Brien andCeleste. My first object was to discovermy sister. What had become of poorEllen, in the destitute condition inwhich she had been left I knew not;
and I resolved to go down to thevicarage, and make inquiries. I did not,however, set off until a legal adviserhad been sent for by General O'Brien,and due notice given to Lord Privilegeof an action to be immediately broughtagainst him for false imprisonment.
I set off in the mail, and the nextevening arrived at the town of . Ihastened to the parsonage, and the tearsstood in my eyes as I thought of mymother, my poor father, and thepeculiar and doubtful situation of mydear sister. I was answered by a boy inlivery, and found the presentincumbent at home. He received mepolitely, listened to my story, and then
replied that my sister had set off forLondon on the day of his arrival, andthat she had not communicated herintentions to any one. Here, then, wasall clue lost, and I was in despair. Iwalked to the town in time to throwmyself into the mail, and the nextevening joined Celeste and the general,to whom I communicated theintelligence, and requested advice howto proceed.
Lord Belmore called the next morning,and the general consulted him. Hislordship took great interest in myconcerns, and, previous to any furthersteps, advised me to step into hiscarriage, and allow him to relate my
case to the First Lord of the Admiralty.This was done immediately; and, as Ihad now an opportunity of speakingfreely to his lordship, I explained tohim the conduct of Captain Hawkins,and his connection with my uncle; alsothe reason of my uncle's persecution.His lordship, finding me under suchpowerful protection as Lord Belmore's,and having an eye to my future claims,which my uncle's conduct gave himreason to suppose were well founded,was extremely gracious, and said that Ishould hear from him in a day or two.He kept his word, and, on the third dayafter my interview, I received a note,announcing my promotion to the rankof commander. I was delighted with
this good fortune, as was GeneralO'Brien and Celeste.
When at the Admiralty, I inquiredabout O'Brien, and found that he wasexpected home every day. He hadgained great reputation in the EastIndies, was chief in command at thetaking of some of the islands, and, itwas said, was to be created a baronetfor his services. Everything wore afavourable aspect, excepting thedisappearance of my sister. This was aweight on my mind I could not remove.
But I have forgotten to inform thereader by what means General O'Brienand Celeste arrived so opportunely in
England. Martinique had been capturedby our forces about six months before,and the whole of the garrisonsurrendered as prisoners of war.General O'Brien was sent home, andallowed to be on parole; although borna Frenchman, he had very highconnections in Ireland, of whom LordBelmore was one. When they arrived,they had made every inquiry for mewithout success; they knew that I hadbeen tried by a court-martial, anddismissed my ship, but after that, noclue could be found for my discovery.
Celeste, who was fearful that somedreadful accident had occurred to me,had suffered very much in health; and
General O'Brien, perceiving how muchhis daughter's happiness dependedupon her attachment for me, had madeup his mind that if I were found weshould be united. I hardly need sayhow delighted he was when hediscovered me, though in a situation solittle to be envied.
The story of my incarceration, of theaction to be brought against my uncle,and the reports of foul play relative tothe succession, had in the meantimebeen widely circulated among thenobility; and I found that everyattention was paid me, and I wasrepeatedly invited out as an object ofcuriosity and speculation. The loss of
my sister also was a subject of muchinterest, and many people, fromgoodwill, made every inquiry todiscover her. I had returned one dayfrom the solicitor's, who had advertisedfor her in the newspapers withoutsuccess, when I found a letter for meon the table, in an Admiralty enclosure.I opened it the enclosure was one fromO'Brien, who had just cast anchor atSpithead, and who had requested thatthe letter should be forwarded to me, ifany one could tell my address. I tore itopen.
"My dear Peter, Where are, and whathas become of, you I have received noletters for these two years, and I have
fretted myself to death. I received yourletter about the rascally court-martial;but perhaps you have not heard thatthe little scoundrel is dead. Yes, Peter;he brought your letter out in his ownship, and that was his death-warrant. Imet him at a private party. He broughtup your name I allowed him to abuseyou, and then told him he was a liarand a scoundrel; upon which hechallenged me, very much against hiswill; but the affront was so public, thathe couldn't help himself. Upon which Ishot him, with all the good-will in theworld, and could he have jumped upagain twenty times, like Jack-in-the-Box,I would have shot him every time. Thedirty scoundrel! but there's an end of
him. Nobody pitied him, for every onehated him; and the admiral only lookedgrave, and then was very much obligedto me for giving him a vacancy for hisnephew. By-the-bye, from someunknown hand, but I presume fromthe officers of his ship, I received apacket of correspondence between himand your worthy uncle, which is aboutas elegant a piece of rascality as everwas carried on between two scoundrels;but that's not all, Peter. I've got a youngwoman for you who will make yourheart glad not Mademoiselle Celeste,for I don't know where she is but thewet-nurse who went out to India. Herhusband was sent home as an invalid,and she was allowed her passage home
with him in my frigate. Finding that hebelonged to the regiment, I talked tohim about one O'Sullivan, who marriedin Ireland, and mentioned the girl'sname, and when he discovered that hewas a countryman of mine he told methat his real name was O'Sullivan, sureenough, but that he had always servedas O'Connell, and that his wife onboard was the young woman inquestion. Upon which I sent to speakto her, and telling her that I knew allabout it, and mentioning the names ofElla Flanagan and her mother, who hadgiven me the information, she was quiteastonished; and when I asked her whathad become of the child which shetook in place of her own, she told me
that it had been drowned at Plymouth,and that her husband was saved at thesame time by a young officer, 'whosename I have here,' says she; and thenshe pulled out of her neck your card,with Peter Simple on it. 'Now,' says I,'do you know, good woman, that inhelping on the rascally exchange ofchildren, you ruin that very young manwho saved your husband, for youdeprive him of his title and property "She stared like a stuck pig, when I saidso, and then cursed and blamed herself,and declared she'd right you as soon aswe came home; and most anxious she isstill to do so, for she loves the veryname of you; so you see, Peter, a goodaction has its reward sometimes in this
world, and a bad action also, seeing ashow I've shot that confounded villainwho dared to ill-use you. I have plentymore to say to you, Peter; but I don'tlike writing what, perhaps, may never beread, so I'll wait till I hear from you;and then, as soon as I get through mybusiness, we will set to and trounce thatscoundrel of an uncle. I have twentythousand pounds jammed together inthe Consolidated, besides the SpiceIslands, which will be a pretty penny;and every farthing of it shall go to rightyou, Peter, and make a lord of you, as Ipromised you often that you should be;and if you win you shall pay, and ifyou don't then d n the luck and d n themoney too. I beg you will offer my best
regards to Miss Ellen, and say howhappy I shall be to hear that she is well;but it has always been on my mind,Peter, that your father did not leave toomuch behind him, and I wish to knowhow you both get on. I left you a carteblanche at my agent's, and I only hopethat you have taken advantage of it, ifrequired; if not, you're not the Peterthat I left behind me. So now, farewell,and don't forget to answer my letter inno time. Ever yours,
"Terence O'Brien."
This was indeed joyful intelligence. Ihanded the letter to General O'Brien,who read it, Celeste hanging over his
shoulder, and perusing it at the sametime.
"This is well," said the General. "Peter, Iwish you joy, and Celeste, I ought towish you joy also at your futureprospects. It will indeed be agratification if ever I hail you as LadyPrivilege."
"Celeste," said I, "you did not reject mewhen I was pennyless, and in disgrace.O my poor sister Ellen! If I could butfind you, how happy should I be!"
I sat down to write to O'Brien,acquainting him with all that hadoccurred, and the loss of my dear sister.
The day after the receipt of my letter,O'Brien burst into the room. After thefirst moments of congratulation werepast, he said, "My heart's broke, Peter,about your sister Ellen: find her I must.I shall give up my ship, for I'll nevergive up the search as long as I live. Imust find her."
"Do, pray, my dear O'Brien, and I onlywish "
"Wish what, Peter shall I tell you what Iwish that if I find her, you'll give her tome for my trouble."
"As far as I am concerned, O'Brien,nothing would give me greater pleasure;
but God knows to what wretchednessand want may have compelled her."
"Shame on you, Peter, to think so ofyour sister. I pledge my honour for her.Poor, miserable, and unhappy she maybe but no no, Peter. You don't knowyou don't love her as I do, if you canallow such thoughts to enter yourmind."
This conversation took place at thewindow: we then turned round toGeneral O'Brien and Celeste.
"Captain O'Brien," said the general.
"Sir Terence O'Brien, if you please,
general. His Majesty has given me ahandle to my name."
"I congratulate you, Sir Terence," saidthe general, shaking him by the hand:"what I was about to say is, that I hopeyou will take up your quarters at thishotel, and we will all live together. Itrust that we shall soon find Ellen: inthe meanwhile we have no time to lose,in our exposure of Lord Privilege. Isthe woman in town "
"Yes, and under lock and key; but thedevil a fear of her. Millions would notbribe her to wrong him who risked hislife for her husband. She's Irish,general, to the back bone. Nevertheless,
Peter, we must go to our solicitor, togive the intelligence, that he may takethe necessary steps."
For three weeks, O'Brien was diligent inhis search for Ellen, employing everydescription of emissary withoutsuccess. In the meanwhile, the generaland I were prosecuting our causeagainst Lord Privilege. One morning,Lord Belmore called upon us, andasked the general if we wouldaccompany him to the theatre, to seetwo celebrated pieces performed. In thelatter, which was a musical farce, a newperformer was to come out, of whomreport spoke highly. Celeste consented,and after an early dinner, we joined his
lordship in his private box, which wasabove the stage, on the first tier. Thefirst piece was played, and Celeste, whohad never seen the performance ofYoung, was delighted. The curtain thendrew up for the second piece. In thesecond act, the new performer, a MissHenderson, was led by the manager onthe stage; she was apparently muchfrightened and excited, but threerounds of applause gave her courage,and she proceeded. At the very firstnotes of her voice I was startled, andO'Brien, who was behind, threwhimself forward to look at her; but aswe were almost directly above, and herhead was turned the other way, wecould not distinguish her features. As
she proceeded in her song, she gainedcourage, and her face was turnedtowards us, and she cast her eyes upsaw me the recognition was mutual Iheld out my arm, but could not speakshe staggered, and fell down in aswoon.
"'Tis Ellen!" cried O'Brien, rushing pastme; and making one spring down onthe stage, he carried her off, before anyother person could come to herassistance. I followed him, and foundhim with Ellen still in his arms, and theactresses assisting in her recovery. Themanager came forward to apologize,stating that the young lady was too ill toproceed, and the audience, who had
witnessed the behaviour of O'Brienand myself, were satisfied with theromance in real life which had beenexhibited. Her part was read by another,but the piece was little attended to,every one trying to find out theoccasion of this uncommonoccurrence. In the meantime, Ellen wasput into a hackney-coach by O'Brienand me, and we drove to the hotel,where we were soon joined by thegeneral and Celeste.
Chapter LXV
It never rains but it pours, whether it be
good or bad news I succeed ineverything, and to everything, my wife,my title, and estate And "All's well thatends well."
I shall pass over the scenes whichfollowed, and give my sister's history inher own words.
"I wrote to you, my dear Peter, to tellyou that I considered it my duty to payall my father's debts with your money,and that there were but sixty poundsleft when every claim had beensatisfied; and I requested you to cometo me as soon as you could, that Imight have your counsel and assistanceas to my future arrangements."
"I received your letter, Ellen, and washastening to you, when but no matter, Iwill tell my story afterwards."
"Day after day I waited with anxiety fora letter, and then wrote to the officersof the ship to know if any accidenthad occurred. I received an answerfrom the surgeon, informing me thatyou had quitted Portsmouth to join me,and had not since been heard of. Youmay imagine my distress at thiscommunication, as I did not doubt butthat something dreadful had occurred,as I knew, too well, that nothing wouldhave detained you from me at such atime. The new vicar appointed had
come down to look over the house,and to make arrangements for bringingin his family. The furniture he hadpreviously agreed to take at a valuation,and the sum had been appropriated inliquidation of your father's debts. I hadalready been permitted to remain longerthan was usual, and had no alternativebut to quit, which I did not do until thelast moment. I could not leave myaddress, for I knew not where I was togo. I took my place in the coach, andarrived in London. My first object wasto secure the means of livelihood, byoffering myself as a governess; but Ifound great difficulties from not beingable to procure a good reference, andfrom not having already served in that
capacity. At last I was taken into afamily to bring up three little girls; but Isoon found out how little chance I hadof comfort. The lady had objected tome as too good-looking for this samereason the gentleman insisted upon mybeing engaged.
"Thus was I a source of disunion; thelady treated me with harshness, and thegentleman with too much attention. Atlast her ill-treatment and hispersecution, were both so intolerable,that I gave notice that I should leavemy situation."
"I beg pardon, Miss Ellen, but you willoblige me with the name and residence
of that gentleman " said O'Brien.
"Indeed, Ellen, do no such thing,"replied I; "continue your story."
"I could not obtain another situation asgoverness; for, as I always stated whereI had been, and did not choose to givethe precise reason for quitting, merelystating that I was not comfortable,whenever the lady was called upon formy character, she invariably spoke ofme so as to prevent my obtaining asituation. At last I was engaged asteacher to a school. I had better havetaken a situation as housemaid. I wasexpected to be everywhere, to doeverything; was up at daylight, and
never in bed till past midnight; faredvery badly, and was equally ill paid; butstill it was honest employment, and Iremained there for more than a year;but, though as economical as possible,my salary would not maintain me inclothes and washing, which was all Irequired. There was a master ofelocution, who came every week, andwhose wife was the teacher of music.They took a great liking to me, andpointed out how much better I shouldbe off if I could succeed on the stage,of which they had no doubt. Formonths I refused, hoping still to havesome tidings of you; but at last mydrudgery became so insupportable, andmy means so decreased, that I
unwillingly consented. It was thennineteen months since I had heard ofyou, and I mourned you as dead. I hadno relations except my uncle, and I wasunknown even to him. I quitted thesituation, and took up my abode withthe teacher of elocution and his wife,who treated me with every kindness,and prepared me for my new career.Neither at the school, which was threemiles from London, nor at my newresidence, which was over Westminster-bridge, did I ever see a newspaper. Itwas no wonder, therefore, that I did notknow of your advertisements. Afterthree months' preparation I wasrecommended and introduced to themanager by my kind friends, and
accepted. You know the rest."
"Well, Miss Ellen, if any one ever tellsyou that you were on the stage, at allevents you may reply that you wasn'tthere long."
"I trust not long enough to berecognised," replied she. "I recollecthow often I have expressed my disgustat those who would thus consent toexhibit themselves; but circumstancesstrangely alter our feelings. I do,however, trust that I should have beenrespectable, even as an actress."
"That you would, Miss Ellen," repliedO'Brien. "What did I tell you, Peter "
"You pledged your honour thatnothing would induce Ellen to disgraceher family, I recollect, O'Brien."
"Thank you, Sir Terence, for your goodopinion," replied Ellen.
My sister had been with us about threedays, during which I had informed herof all that had taken place, when, oneevening, finding myself alone with her,I candidly stated to her what wereO'Brien's feelings towards her, andpleaded his cause with all theearnestness in my power.
"My dear brother," she replied, "I have
always admired Captain O'Brien'scharacter, and always have felt gratefulto him for his kindness and attachmentto you; but I cannot say that I love him.I have never thought about him exceptas one to whom we are both muchindebted."
"But do you mean to say that you couldnot love him "
"No, I do not; and I will do all I can,Peter I will try. I never will, if possible,make him unhappy who has been sokind to you."
"Depend upon it, Ellen, that with yourknowledge of O'Brien, and with
feelings of gratitude to him, you willsoon love him, if once you accept himas a suitor. May I tell him "
"You may tell him that he may plead hisown cause, my dear brother; and, at allevents, I will listen to no other until hehas had fair play; but recollect that atpresent I only like him like him verymuch, it is true; but still I only like him."
I was quite satisfied with my success,and so was O'Brien, when I told him."By the powers, Peter, she's an angel,and I can't expect her to love an inferiorbeing like myself; but if she'll only likeme well enough to marry me, I'll trustto after-marriage for the rest. Love
comes with the children, Peter. Well,but you need not say that to her divil abit they shall come upon her like oldage, without her perceiving it."
O'Brien having thus obtainedpermission, certainly lost no time intaking advantage of it. Celeste and Iwere more fondly attached every day.The solicitor declared my case so good,that he could raise fifty thousandpounds upon it. In short, all our causeswere prosperous, when an eventoccurred, the details of which, ofcourse, I did not obtain until some timeafterwards, but which I shall narratehere.
My uncle was very much alarmed whenhe discovered that I had been releasedfrom Bedlam still more so, when hehad notice given him of a suit, relativeto the succession to the title. Hisemissaries had discovered that the wet-nurse had been brought home inO'Brien's frigate, and was kept so closethat they could not communicate withher. He now felt that all his schemeswould prove abortive. His legal adviserwas with him, and they had beenwalking in the garden, talking over thecontingencies, when they stopped closeto the drawing-room windows of themansion at Eagle Park.
"But, sir," observed the lawyer, "if you
will not confide in me, I cannot act foryour benefit. You still assert thatnothing of the kind has taken place "
"I do," replied his lordship. "It is a foulinvention."
"Then, my lord, may I ask you why youconsidered it advisable to imprison MrSimple in Bedlam "
"Because I hate him," retorted hislordship, "detest him."
"And for what reason, my lord hischaracter is unimpeached, and he isyour near relative."
"I tell you, sir, that I hate him wouldthat he were now lying dead at my feet!"
Hardly were the words out of myuncle's mouth, when a whizzing washeard for a second, and then somethingfell down within a foot of where theystood, with a heavy crash. They startedturned round the adopted heir laylifeless at their feet, and their legs werebespattered with his blood and hisbrains. The poor boy, seeing hislordship below, had leaned out of oneof the upper windows to call to him,but lost his balance, and had fallenhead foremost upon the wide stonepavement which surrounded themansion. For a few seconds the lawyer
and my uncle looked upon each otherwith horror.
"A judgment! a judgment!" cried thelawyer, looking at his client. My unclecovered his face with his hands, andfell. Assistance now came out, but therewas more than one to help up. Theviolence of his emotion had broughton an apoplectic fit, and my uncle,although he breathed, never spokeagain.
It was in consequence of this tragicalevent, of which we did not know theparticulars until afterwards, that thenext morning my solicitor called uponme, and put a letter into my hand,
saying, "Allow me to congratulate yourlordship." We were all at breakfast atthe time, and the general, O'Brien, andmyself jumped up, all in suchastonishment at this unexpected titlebeing so soon conferred upon me, thatwe had a heavy bill for damages to pay;and had not Ellen caught the tea-urn,as it was tipping over, there would, inall probability, have been a doctor's billinto the bargain. The letter was eagerlyread it was from my uncle's legaladviser, who had witnessed thecatastrophe, informing me, that alldispute as to the succession was at anend by the tragical event that had takenplace, and that he had put seals uponeverything, awaiting my arrival or
instructions. The solicitor, as hepresented the letter, said that he wouldtake his leave, and call again in an houror two, when I was more composed.My first movement, when I had readthe letter aloud, was to throw my armsround Celeste, and embrace her andO'Brien, taking the hint, did the sameto Ellen, and was excused inconsideration of circumstances; but, assoon as she could disengage herself, herarms were entwined round my neck,while Celeste was hanging on herfather's. Having disposed of the ladies,the gentlemen now shook hands, andthough we had not all appetites tofinish our breakfasts, never was there ahappier quintette.
In about an hour my solicitor returned,and congratulated me, and immediatelyset about the necessary preparations. Idesired him to go down immediately toEagle Park, attend to the funeral of myuncle, and the poor little boy who hadpaid so dearly for his intendedadvancement, and take charge from myuncle's legal adviser, who remained inthe house. The "dreadful accident inhigh life" found its way into the papersof the day, and before dinner time apile of visiting cards was poured in,which covered the table. The next day aletter arrived from the First Lord,announcing that he had made out mycommission as post-captain, and
trusted that I would allow him thepleasure of presenting it himself at hisdinner hour, at half-past seven. Verymuch obliged to him, the "fool of thefamily" might have waited a long whilefor it.
While I was reading this letter, thewaiter came up to say that a youngwoman below wanted to speak to me. Idesired her to be shown up. As soon asshe came in, she burst into tears, kneltdown, and kissed my hand.
"Sure, it's you oh! yes it's you that savedmy poor husband when I was assistingto your ruin. And an't I punished formy wicked doings an't my poor boy
dead "
She said no more, but remained on herknees, sobbing bitterly. Of course, thereader recognises in her the wet-nursewho had exchanged her child. I raisedher up, and desired her to apply to mysolicitor to pay her expenses, and leaveher address.
"But do you forgive me, Mr Simple It'snot that I have forgiven myself."
"I do forgive you with all my heart, mygood woman. You have been punishedenough."
"I have, indeed," replied she, sobbing;
"but don't I deserve it all, and more tooGod's blessing, and all the saints' too,upon your head, for your kindforgiveness, anyhow. My heart islighter." And she quitted the room.
She had scarcely quitted the hotel,when the waiter came up again."Another lady, my lord, wishes to speakwith you, but she won't give her name."
"Really, my lord, you seem to have anextensive female acquaintance," said thegeneral.
"At all events, I am not aware of anythat I need be ashamed of. Show thelady up, waiter."
In a moment entered a fat, unwieldlylittle mortal, very warm from walking;she sat down in a chair, threw back hertippet, and then exclaimed, "Lord blessyou, how you have grown! Gemini, if Ican hardly believe my eyes; and Ideclare he don't know me."
"I really cannot exactly recollect where Ihad the pleasure of seeing you before,madam."
"Well, that's what I said to Jemima,when I went down in the kitchen.'Jemima,' says I, 'I wonder if little PeterSimple will know me.' And Jemimasays, 'I think he would the parrot,
marm.'"
"Mrs Handycock, I believe," said I,recollecting Jemima and the parrot,although, from a little thin woman, shehad grown so fat as not to berecognisable.
"Oh! so you've found me out, MrSimple my lord, I ought to say. Well, Ineed not ask after your grandfathernow, for I know he's dead; but as I wascoming this way for orders, I thought Iwould just step in and see how youlooked."
"I trust Mr Handycock is well, ma'am.Pray is he a bull or a bear "
"Lord bless you, Mr Simple, my lord, Ishould say, he's been neither bull norbear for this three years. He was obligedto waddle. If I didn't know much aboutbulls and bears, I know very well whata lame duck is, to my cost. We're off theStock Exchange, and Mr Handycock isset up as a coal merchant."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; that is, we have no coals, but wetake orders, and have half-a-crown achaldron for our trouble. As MrHandycock says, it's a very goodbusiness, if you only had enough of it.Perhaps your lordship may be able to
give us an order. It's nothing out ofyour pocket, and something into ours."
"I shall be very happy, when I returnagain to town, Mrs Handycock. I hopethe parrot is quite well."
"Oh! my lord, that's a sore subject; onlythink of Mr Handycock, when weretired from the 'Change, taking myparrot one day and selling it for fiveguineas, saying, five guineas were betterthan a nasty squalling bird. To be sure,there was nothing for dinner that day;but, as Jemima agreed with me, we'drather have gone without a dinner for amonth, than have parted with Poll.Since we've looked up a little in the
world, I saved up five guineas, by hookor by crook, and tried to get Poll backagain, but the lady said she wouldn'ttake fifty guineas for him."
Mrs Handycock then jumped from herchair, saying, "Good morning, my lord;I'll leave one of Mr Handycock's cards.Jemima would be so glad to see you."
As she left the room, Celeste laughinglyasked me whether I had any more suchacquaintances. I replied, that I believednot; but I must acknowledge that MrsTrotter was brought to my recollection,and I was under some alarm, lest sheshould also come and pay me herrespects.
The next day I had another unexpectedvisit. We had just sat down to dinner,when we heard a disturbance below;and, shortly after, the general's Frenchservant came up in great haste, sayingthat there was a foreigner below, whowished to see me: and that he had beencaning one of the waiters of the hotel,for not paying him proper respect.
"Who can that be " thought I: and Iwent out of the door, and looked overthe banisters, as the noise continued.
"You must not come here to beatEnglishmen, I can tell you," roared oneof the waiters. "What do we care for
your foreign counts "
"Sacre, canaille " cried the other party,in a contemptuous voice, which I wellknew.
"Ay, canal! we'll duck you in the canal,if you don't mind."
"You will!" said the stranger, who hadhitherto spoken French. "Allow me toobserve in the most delicate manner inthe world just to hint, that you are a d dtrencher-scraping, napkin-carrying,shilling-seeking, up-and-down-stairsson of a bitch and take this for yourimpudence!"
The noise of the cane was again heard;and I hastened downstairs, where Ifound Count Shucksen thrashing twoor three of the waiters without mercy.At my appearance, the waiters, whowere showing fight, retreated to a shortdistance, out of reach of the cane.
"My dear count," exclaimed I, "is it you"
"My dear Lord Privilege, will youexcuse me but these fellows are saucy."
"Then I'll have them discharged,"replied I. "If a friend of mine, and anofficer of your rank and distinction,cannot come to see me without insult, I
will seek another hotel."
This threat of mine, and the reception Igave the count, put all to rights. Thewaiters sneaked off, and the master ofthe hotel apologised. It appeared thatthey had desired him to wait in thecoffee-room until they could announcehim, which had hurt the count's dignity.
"We are just sitting down to dinner,count; will you join us "
"As soon as I have improved my toilet,my dear lord," replied he; "you mustperceive that I am off a journey."
The master of the hotel bowed, and
proceeded to show the count to adressing-room. When I returnedupstairs "What was the matter "inquired O'Brien.
"Oh, nothing! a little disturbance inconsequence of a foreigner notunderstanding English."
In about five minutes the waiteropened the door, and announcedCount Shucksen.
"Now, O'Brien, you'll be puzzled," saidI; and in came the count.
"My dear Lord Privilege," said he,coming up and taking me by the hand,
"let me not be the last to congratulateyou upon your accession. I wasrunning up the channel in my frigatewhen a pilot-boat gave me a newspaper,in which I saw your unexpected changeof circumstances. I made an excuse fordropping my anchor at Spithead thismorning, and I have come up post, toexpress how sincerely I participate inyour good fortune." Count Shucksenthen politely saluted the ladies and thegeneral, and turned round to O'Brien,who had been staring at him withastonishment. "Count Shucksen, allowme to introduce Sir Terence O'Brien."
"By the piper that played before Moses,but it's a puzzle," said O'Brien. "Blood
and thunder! if it a'n't Chucks! my dearfellow, when did you rise from yourgrave "
"Fortunately," replied the count, as theyshook each other's hands for sometime, "I never went into it, Sir Terence.But now, with your permission, mylord, I'll take some food, as I really amnot a little hungry. After dinner,Captain O'Brien, you shall hear myhistory."
His secret was confided to the wholeparty, upon my pledging myself fortheir keeping it locked up in their ownbreasts, which was a bold thing on mypart, considering that two of them were
ladies. The count stayed with us forsome time, and was introducedeverywhere. It was impossible todiscover that he had not been bred upin a court, his manners were so good.He was a great favourite with the ladies;and his moustachios, bad French, andwaltzing an accomplishment he hadpicked up in Sweden were quite thevogue. All the ladies were sorry whenthe Swedish count announced hisdeparture by a P.P.C.
Before I left town I called upon theFirst Lord of the Admiralty, andprocured for Swinburne a first-ratebuilding that is to say, ordered to bebuilt. This he had often said he wished,
as he was tired of the sea, after a serviceof forty-five years. Subsequently Iobtained leave of absence for himevery year, and he used to make himselfvery happy at Eagle Park. Most of histime was, however, passed on the lake,either fishing or rowing about; tellinglong stories to all who would join himin his water excursions.
A fortnight after my assuming my title,we set off for Eagle Park, and Celesteconsented to my entreaties that thewedding should take place that daymonth. Upon this hint O'Brien spake;and, to oblige me, Ellen consented thatwe should be united on the same day.
O'Brien wrote to Father M'Grath; butthe letter was returned by post, with"dead" marked upon the outside.O'Brien then wrote to one of hissisters, who informed him that FatherM'Grath would cross the bog oneevening when he had taken a very largeproportion of whisky; and that he wasseen out of the right path, and hadnever been heard of afterwards.
On the day appointed we were allunited, and both unions have beenattended with as much happiness asthis world can afford. Both O'Brien andI are blessed with children, which, asO'Brien observed, have come upon uslike old age, until we now can muster a
large Christmas party in the twofamilies. The general's head is white,and he sits and smiles, happy in hisdaughter's happiness, and in thegambols of his grandchildren.
Such, reader, is the history of PeterSimple, Viscount Privilege, no longerthe fool, but the head of the family,who now bids you farewell.
THE END.
The Three Cutters
Chapter I
CUTTER THE FIRST
Reader, have you ever been at PlymouthIf you have, your eye must have dweltwith ecstasy upon the beautifulproperty of the Earl of MountEdgcumbe: if you have not been atPlymouth, the sooner that you go there,the better. At Mount Edgcumbe youwill behold the finest timber inexistence, towering up to the summitsof the hills, and feathering down to theshingle on the beach. And from thislovely spot you will witness one of themost splendid panoramas in the world.
You will see I hardly know what youwill not see you will see Ram Head, andCawsand Bay; and then you will see theBreakwater, and Drake's Island, and theDevil's Bridge below you; and the townof Plymouth and its fortifications, andthe Hoe; and then you will come to theDevil's Point, round which the tideruns devilish strong; and then you willsee the New Victualling Office, aboutwhich Sir James Gordon used to stumpall day, and take a pinch of snuff fromevery man who carried a box, which allwere delighted to give, and he wasdelighted to receive, proving how muchpleasure may be communicated merelyby a pinch of snuff and then you willsee Mount Wise and Mutton Cove; the
town of Devonport, with itsmagnificent dockyard and arsenals,North Corner, and the way which leadsto Saltash. And you will see shipsbuilding and ships in ordinary; andships repairing and ships fitting; andhulks and convict ships, and theguardship; ships ready to sail and shipsunder sail; besides lighters, men-of-war's boats, dockyard-boats, bumboats,and shore-boats. In short, there is agreat deal to see at Plymouth besidesthe sea itself: but what I particularlywish now, is, that you will stand at thebattery of Mount Edgecumbe and lookinto Barn Pool below you, and thereyou will see, lying at single anchor, acutter; and you may also see, by her
pendant and ensign, that she is a yacht.
Of all the amusements entered into bythe nobility and gentry of our islandthere is not one so manly, so exciting,so patriotic, or so national, as yacht-sailing. It is peculiar to England, notonly from our insular position and ourfine harbours, but because it requires acertain degree of energy and a certainamount of income rarely to be foundelsewhere. It has been wisely fosteredby our sovereigns, who have felt thatthe security of the kingdom isincreased by every man being more orless a sailor, or connected with thenautical profession. It is an amusementof the greatest importance to the
country; as it has much improved ourship-building and our ship-fitting,while it affords employment to ourseamen and shipwrights. But if I wereto say all that I could say in praise ofyachts, I should never advance with mynarrative. I shall therefore drink abumper to the health of Admiral LordYarborough and the Yacht Club, andproceed.
You observe that this yacht is cutter-rigged, and that she sits gracefully onthe smooth water. She is just heavingup her anchor; her foresail is loose, allready to cast her in a few minutes shewill be under weigh. You see that thereare some ladies sitting at the taffrail;
and there are five haunches of venisonhanging over the stern. Of allamusements, give me yachting. But wemust go on board. The deck, youobserve, is of narrow deal planks aswhite as snow; the guns are of polishedbrass; the bitts and binnacles ofmahogany; she is painted with taste;and all the mouldings are gilded. Thereis nothing wanting; and yet how clearand unencumbered are her decks! Letus go below. This is the ladies' cabin:can anything be more tasteful or elegantis it not luxurious and, although sosmall, does not its very confined spaceastonish you, when you view so manycomforts so beautifully arranged This isthe dining-room, and where the
gentlemen repair. What can be morecomplete or recherche and just peep intotheir state-rooms and bed-places. Hereis the steward's room and the beaufet:the steward is squeezing lemons for thepunch, and there is the champagne inice; and by the side of the pail the long-corks are ranged up, all ready. Now, letus go forwards: here are the men'sberths, not confined as in a man-of-war. No! luxury starts from abaft, and isnot wholly lost, even at the fore-peak.This is the kitchen: is it not admirablyarranged What a multum in parvo! Andhow delightful are the fumes of theturtle-soup! At sea we do meet withrough weather at times; but, forroughing it out, give me a yacht. Now
that I have shown you round the vessel,I must introduce the parties on board.
You observe that florid, handsome manin white trousers and blue jacket, whohas a telescope in one hand, and issipping a glass of brandy and waterwhich he has just taken off theskylight. That is the owner of thevessel, and a member of the YachtClub. It is Lord B : he looks like asailor, and he does not much belie hislooks; yet I have seen him in his robesof state at the opening of the Houseof Lords. The one near to him is MrStewart, a lieutenant in the navy. Heholds on by the rigging with one hand,because, having been actively employed
all his life, he does not know what todo with hands which have nothing inthem. He is protege of Lord B., and isnow on board as sailing-master of theyacht.
That handsome, well-built man who isstanding by the binnacle, is a MrHautaine. He served six years asmidshipman in the navy, and did notlike it. He then served six years in acavalry regiment, and did not like it. Hethen married, and in a much shorterprobation, found that he did not likethat. But he is very fond of yachts andother men's wives, if he does not likehis own; and wherever he goes, he iswelcome.
That young man with an embroideredsilk waistcoat and white gloves, bendingto talk to one of the ladies, is a MrVaughan. He is to be seen at Almack's,at Crockford's, and everywhere else.Everybody knows him, and he knowseverybody. He is a little in debt, andyachting is convenient.
The one who sits by the lady is arelation of Lord B.; you see at oncewhat he is. He apes the sailor; he hasnot shaved, because sailors have notime to shave every day; he has notchanged his linen, because sailorscannot change every day. He has a cigarin his mouth, which makes him half
sick and annoys his company. He talksof the pleasure of a rough sea, whichwill drive all the ladies below and thenthey will not perceive that he is moresick than themselves. He has themisfortune to be born to a large estate,and to be a fool. His name is Ossulton.
The last of the gentlemen on boardwhom I have to introduce, is MrSeagrove. He is slightly made, withmarked features full of intelligence. Hehas been brought up to the bar; and hasevery qualification but application. Hehas never had a brief, nor has he achance of one. He is the fiddler of thecompany, and he has locked up hischambers, and come, by invitation of
his lordship, to play on board of hisyacht.
I have yet to describe the ladies perhapsI should have commenced with them Imust excuse myself upon the principleof reserving the best to the last. Allpuppet-showmen do so: and what isthis but the first scene in my puppet-show
We will describe them according toseniority. That tall, thin, cross-lookinglady of forty-five is a spinster, andsister to Lord B. She has beenpersuaded very much against her will tocome on board; but her notions ofpropriety would not permit her niece to
embark under the protection of only herfather. She is frightened at everything:if a rope is thrown down on the deck,up she starts, and cries, "Oh!" if on thedeck, she thinks the water is rushing inbelow; if down below, and there is anoise, she is convinced there is danger;and, if it be perfectly still, she is surethere is something wrong. She fidgetsherself and everybody, and is quite anuisance with her pride and ill-humour;but she has strict notions of propriety,and sacrifices herself as a martyr. She isthe Hon. Miss Ossulton.
The lady who, when she smiles, showsso many dimples in her pretty oval face,is a young widow of the name of
Lascelles. She married an old man toplease her father and mother, whichwas very dutiful on her part. She wasrewarded by finding herself a widowwith a large fortune. Having marriedthe first time to please her parents, sheintends now to marry to please herself;but she is very young, and is in nohurry.
The young lady with such a sweetexpression of countenance is the Hon.Miss Cecilia Ossulton. She is lively,witty, and has no fear in hercomposition; but she is very young yet,not more than seventeen and nobodyknows what she really is she does notknow herself. These are the parties who
meet in the cabin of the yacht. Thecrew consists of ten fine seamen, thesteward, and the cook. There is alsoLord B.'s valet, Mr Ossulton'sgentleman, and the lady's maid of MissOssulton. There not beingaccommodation for them, the otherservants have been left on shore.
The yacht is now under weigh, and hersails are all set. She is running betweenDrake's Island and the main. Dinnerhas been announced. As the reader haslearnt something about thepreparations, I leave him to judgewhether it be not very pleasant to sitdown to dinner in a yacht. The air hasgiven everybody an appetite; and it was
not until the cloth was removed thatthe conversation became general.
"Mr Seagrove," said his lordship, "youvery nearly lost your passage; I expectedyou last Thursday."
"I am sorry, my lord, that businessprevented my sooner attending to yourlordship's kind summons."
"Come, Seagrove, don't benonsensical," said Hautaine; "you toldme yourself, the other evening, whenyou were talkative, that you had neverhad a brief in your life."
"And a very fortunate circumstance,"
replied Seagrove; "for if I had had abrief I should not have known what tohave done with it. It is not my fault; Iam fit for nothing but a commissioner.But still I had business, and veryimportant business, too; I wassummoned by Ponsonby to go withhim to Tattersall's, to give my opinionabout a horse he wishes to purchase,and then to attend him to Forest Wildto plead his cause with his uncle."
"It appears, then, that you wereretained," replied Lord B.; "may I askyou whether your friend gained hiscause "
"No, my lord, he lost his cause, but he
gained a suit."
"Expound your riddle, sir," said CeciliaOssulton.
"The fact is, that old Ponsonby is veryanxious that William should marryMiss Percival, whose estates join on toForest Wild. Now, my friend William isabout as fond of marriage as I am oflaw, and thereby issue was joined."
"But why were you to be called in "inquired Mrs Lascelles.
"Because, madam, as Ponsonby neverbuys a horse without consulting me "
"I cannot see the analogy, sir," observedMiss Ossulton, senior, bridling up.
"Pardon me, madam: the fact is,"continued Seagrove, "that, as I alwayshave to back Ponsonby's horses, hethought it right that, in this instance, Ishould back him: he required specialpleading, but his uncle tried him for thecapital offence, and he was not allowedcounsel. As soon as we arrived, and Ihad bowed myself into the room, MrPonsonby bowed me out again whichwould have been infinitely more jarringto my feelings, had not the door beenleft a-jar."
"Do anything but pun, Seagrove,"
interrupted Hautaine.
"Well, then, I will take a glass of wine."
"Do so," said his lordship; "but,recollect, the whole company areimpatient for your story."
"I can assure you, my lord, that it wasequal to any scene in a comedy."
Now be it observed that Mr Seagrovehad a great deal of comic talent; he wasan excellent mimic, and could alter hisvoice almost as he pleased. It was acustom of his to act a scene as betweenother people, and he performed itremarkably well. Whenever he said that
anything he was going to narrate was"as good as a comedy," it was generallyunderstood by those who wereacquainted with him, that he was to beasked so to do. Cecilia Ossultontherefore immediately said, "Pray act it,Mr Seagrove."
Upon which, Mr Seagrove premisingthat he had not only heard, but alsoseen all that passed changing his voice,and suiting the action to the word,commenced.
"It may," said he, "be called
"FIVE THOUSAND ACRES IN ARING-FENCE."
We shall not describe Mr Seagrove'smotions; they must be inferred fromhis words.
"'It will, then, William,' observed MrPonsonby, stopping, and turning to hisnephew, after a rapid walk up anddown the room with his hands behindhim under his coat, so as to allow thetails to drop their perpendicular aboutthree inches clear of his body, 'I maysay, without contradiction, be the finestproperty in the county five thousandacres in a ring-fence.'
"'I dare say it will, uncle,' repliedWilliam, tapping his foot as he lounged
in a green morocco easy-chair; 'and so,because you have set your fancy uponhaving these two estates enclosedtogether in a ring-fence, you wish that Ishould also be enclosed in a ring-fence.'
"'And a beautiful property it will be,'replied Mr Ponsonby.
"'Which, uncle the estate, or the wife '
"'Both, nephew, both; and I expect yourconsent.'
"'Uncle, I am not avaricious. Yourpresent property is sufficient for me.With your permission, instead ofdoubling the property, and doubling
myself, I will remain your sole heir, andsingle.'
"'Observe, William, such anopportunity may not occur again forcenturies. We shall restore Forest Wildto its ancient boundaries. You know ithas been divided nearly two hundredyears. We now have a glorious, goldenopportunity of re-uniting the twoproperties; and when joined, the estatewill be exactly what it was whengranted to our ancestors by Henry theEighth, at the period of theReformation. This house must bepulled down, and the monastery leftstanding. Then we shall have our ownagain, and the property without
encumbrance.'
"'Without encumbrance, uncle! Youforget that there will be a wife.'
"'And you forget that there will be fivethousand acres in a ring-fence.'
"'Indeed, uncle, you ring it too often inmy ears that I should forget it; butmuch as I should like to be the happypossessor of such a property, I do notfeel inclined to be the happy possessorof Miss Percival; and the more so, as Ihave never seen the property.'
"'We will ride over it to-morrow,William."
"'Ride over Miss Percival, uncle! Thatwill not be very gallant. I will, however,one of these days, ride over theproperty with you, which, as well asMiss Percival, I have not as yet seen.'
"'Then I can tell you, she is a very prettyproperty.'
"'If she were not in a ring-fence.'
"'In good heart, William. That is, Imean an excellent disposition.'
"'Valuable in matrimony.'
"'And well tilled I should say well-
educated, by her thee maiden aunts,who are the patterns of propriety.'
"'Does any one follow the fashion '
"'In a high state of cultivation; that is,her mind highly cultivated, andaccording to the last new system what isit '
"'A four-course shift, I presume,'replied William, laughing; 'that is,dancing, singing, music, and drawing.'
"'And only seventeen! Capital soil,promising good crops. What wouldyou have more '
"'A very pretty estate, uncle, if it werenot the estate of matrimony. I am sorry,very sorry, to disappoint you; but Imust decline taking a lease of it for life.'
"'Then, sir, allow me to hint to you thatin my testament you are only tenant-at-will. I consider it a duty that I owe tothe family, that the estate should be re-united. That can only be done by oneof our family marrying Miss Percival;and, as you will not, I shall now writeto your cousin James, and if he acceptmy proposal, shall make him my heir.Probably he will more fully appreciatethe advantages of five thousand acresin a ring-fence.'
"And Mr Ponsonby directed his stepstowards the door.
"'Stop, my dear uncle,' cried William,rising up from his easy-chair; 'we donot quite understand one another. It isvery true that I would prefer half theproperty and remaining single to thetwo estates and the estate of marriage;but, at the same time I did not tell youthat I would prefer beggary to a wifeand five thousand acres in a ring-fence.I know you to be a man of your word;I accept your proposal, and you neednot put my cousin James to the expenseof postage.'
"'Very good, William; I require no
more: and as I know you to be a manof your word, I shall consider thismatch as settled. It was on this accountonly that I sent for you, and now youmay go back again as soon as youplease. I will let you know when all isready.'
"'I must be at Tattersall's on Monday,uncle; there is a horse I must have fornext season. Pray, uncle, may I askwhen you are likely to want me '
"'Let me see this is May about July, Ishould think.'
"'July, uncle! Spare me I cannot marryin the dog-days. No, hang it, not July.'
"'Well, William, perhaps, as you mustcome down once or twice to see theproperty Miss Percival, I should say itmay be too soon suppose we put it offtill October.'
"'October I shall be down at Melton.'
"'Pray, sir, may I then inquire whatportion of the year is not, with you,dog-days '
"'Why, uncle, next April, now I thinkthat would do.'
"'Next April. Eleven months, and awinter between. Suppose Miss Percival
was to take a cold, and die.'
"'I should be excessively obliged to her,'thought William.
"'No! no!' continued Mr Ponsonby:'there is nothing certain in this world,William.'
"'Well, then, uncle, suppose we arrangeit for the first hard frost.'
"'We have had no hard frosts lately,William. We may wait for years. Thesooner it is over the better. Go back totown, buy your horse, and then comedown here my dear William, to obligeyour uncle never mind the dog-days.'
"'Well, sir, if I am to make a sacrifice, itshall not be done by halves; out ofrespect for you I will even marry in July,without any regard to the thermometer.'
"'You are a good boy, William. Do youwant a cheque '
"'I have had one to-day,' thoughtWilliam, and was almost at fault. 'I shallbe most thankful, sir they sell horse-flesh by the ounce now-a-days.'
"'And you pay in pounds. There,William.'
"'Thank you, sir, I'm all obedience; and
I'll keep my word, even if there shouldbe a comet. I'll go and buy the horse,and then I shall be ready to take thering-fence as soon as you please.'
"'Yes, and you'll get over it cleverly, I'veno doubt. Five thousand acres, William,and a pretty wife!'
"'Have you any further commands,uncle ' said William, depositing thecheque in his pocket-book.
"'Now, my dear boy, are you going '
"'Yes, sir; I dine at the Clarendon.'
"'Well, then, good-bye. Make my
compliments and excuses to your friendSeagrove. You will come on Tuesday orWednesday.'
"Thus was concluded the marriagebetween William Ponsonby and EmilyPercival, and the junction of the twoestates, which formed together the greatdesideratum, five thousand acres in a ring-fence."
Mr Seagrove finished, and he lookedround for approbation.
"Very good, indeed, Seagrove," said hislordship, "you must take a glass ofwine after that."
"I would not give much for MissPercival's chance of happiness,"observed the elder Miss Ossulton.
"Of two evils choose the least, theysay," observed Mr Hautaine. "PoorPonsonby could not help himself."
"That's a very polite observation ofyours, Mr Hautaine I thank you in thename of the sex," replied CeciliaOssulton.
"Nay, Miss Ossulton; would you like tomarry a person whom you never saw "
"Most certainly not; but when youmentioned the two evils, Mr Hautaine, I
appeal to your honour, did you notrefer to marriage or beggary "
"I must confess it, Miss Ossulton; but itis hardly fair to call on my honour toget me into a scrape."
"I only wish that the offer had beenmade to me," observed Vaughan; "Ishould not have hesitated as Ponsonbydid."
"Then I beg you will not think ofproposing for me," said Mrs Lascelles,laughing; for Mr Vaughan had beenexcessively attentive.
"It appears to me, Vaughan," observed
Seagrove, "that you have slightlycommitted yourself by that remark."
Vaughan, who thought so too, replied:"Mrs Lascelles must be aware that I wasonly joking."
"Fie! Mr Vaughan," cried CeciliaOssulton; "you know it came fromyour heart."
"My dear Cecilia," said the elder MissOssulton, "you forget yourself whatcan you possibly know aboutgentlemen's hearts "
"The Bible says, 'that they are deceitfuland desperately wicked,' aunt."
"And cannot we also quote the Bibleagainst your sex, Miss Ossulton "replied Seagrove.
"Yes, you could, perhaps, if any of youhad ever read it," replied MissOssulton, carelessly.
"Upon my word, Cissy, you arethrowing the gauntlet down to thegentlemen," observed Lord B.; "but Ishall throw my warder down, and notpermit this combat a l'outrance. Iperceive you drink no more wine,gentlemen, we will take our coffee ondeck."
"We were just about to retire, my lord,"observed the elder Miss Ossulton, withgreat asperity: "I have been trying tocatch the eye of Mrs Lascelles for sometime, but "
"I was looking another way, Ipresume," interrupted Mrs Lascelles,smiling.
"I am afraid that I am the unfortunateculprit," said Mr Seagrove. "I wastelling a little anecdote to Mrs Lascelles"
"Which, of course, from its beingcommunicated in an undertone, wasnot proper for all the company to hear,"
replied the elder Miss Ossulton; "but ifMrs Lascelles is now ready " continuedshe, bridling up, as she rose from herchair. "At all events, I can hear theremainder of it on deck," replied MrsLascelles. The ladies rose, and went intothe cabin, Cecilia and Mrs Lascellesexchanging very significant smiles, asthey followed the precise spinster, whodid not choose that Mrs Lascellesshould take the lead, merely becauseshe had once happened to have beenmarried. The gentlemen also broke up,and went on deck.
"We have a nice breeze now, my lord,"observed Mr Stewart, who hadremained on deck, "and we lie right up
Channel."
"So much the better," replied hislordship; "we ought to have beenanchored at Cowes a week ago. Theywill all be there before us."
"Tell Mr Simpson to bring me a lightfor my cigar," said Mr Ossulton to oneof the men.
Mr Stewart went down to his dinner;the ladies and the coffee came on deck;the breeze was fine, the weather (it wasApril) almost warm; and the yacht,whose name was the Arrow, assisted bythe tide, soon left the Mewstone farastern.
Chapter II
CUTTER THE SECOND
Reader, have you ever been atPortsmouth If you have, you musthave been delighted with the view fromthe saluting battery; and, if you havenot, you had better go there as soon asyou can. From the saluting battery youmay look up the harbour, and see muchof what I have described at Plymouth;the scenery is different; but similararsenals and dockyards, and an equalportion of our stupendous navy, are to
be found there. And you will seeGosport on the other side of theharbour, and Sally Port close to you;besides a great many other places,which, from the saluting battery, youcannot see. And then there is SouthseaBeach to your left. Before you,Spithead, with the men-of-war, and theMotherbank, crowded with merchantvessels; and there is the buoy where theRoyal George was wrecked, and whereshe still lies, the fish swimming in andout of her cabin windows; but that isnot all; you can also see the Isle ofWight, Ryde, with its long wooden pier,and Cowes, where the yachts lie. In fact,there is a great deal to be seen atPortsmouth as well as at Plymouth; but
what I wish you particularly to see, justnow, is a vessel holding fast to the buoy,just off the saluting battery. She is acutter; and you may know that shebelongs to the Preventive Service by thenumber of gigs and galleys which shehas hoisted up all round her. She lookslike a vessel that was about to sail witha cargo of boats. Two on deck, oneastern, one on each side of her. Youobserve that she is painted black, andall her boats are white. She is not suchan elegant vessel as the yacht, and she ismuch more lumbered up. She has nohaunches of venison over the stern;but I think there is a leg of mutton,and some cabbages hanging by theirstalks. But revenue-cutters are not
yachts. You will find no turtle orchampagne; but, nevertheless, you will,perhaps, find a joint to carve at, a goodglass of grog, and a hearty welcome.
Let us go on board. You observe theguns are iron, and painted black, andher bulwarks are painted red; it is not avery becoming colour; but then it lastsa long while, and the dock-yard is notvery generous on the score of paint orlieutenants of the navy troubled withmuch spare cash. She has plenty ofmen, and fine men they are; all dressedin red flannel shirts, and blue trousers;some of them have not taken off theircanvas or tarpaulin petticoats, which arevery useful to them, as they are in the
boats night and day, and in all weathers.But we will at once go down into thecabin, where we shall find thelieutenant who commands her, amaster's mate, and a midshipman. Theyhave each their tumbler before them,and are drinking gin-toddy, hot, withsugar capital gin, too, 'bove proof; it isfrom that small anker, standing underthe table. It was one that they forgot toreturn to the custom-house when theymade their last seizure. We mustintroduce them.
The elderly personage, with grizzly hairand whiskers, a round pale face, and asomewhat red nose (being too much inthe wind will make the nose red, and
this old officer is very often "in thewind," of course, from the very natureof his profession), is a LieutenantAppleboy. He has served in every classof vessel in the service, and done theduty of first lieutenant for twenty years;he is now on promotion that is to say,after he has taken a certain number oftubs of gin, he will be rewarded withhis rank as commander. It is a pity thatwhat he takes inside of him does notcount, for he takes it morning, noon,and night. He is just filling hisfourteenth glass: he always keeps aregular account, as he never exceeds hislimited number, which is seventeen;then he is exactly down to his bearings.
The master's mate's name is Tomkins;he has served his six years three timesover, and has now outgrown hisambition; which is fortunate for him, ashis chances of promotion are small. Heprefers a small vessel to a large one,because he is not obliged to be soparticular in his dress and looks for hislieutenancy whenever there shall beanother charity promotion. He is fondof soft bread, for his teeth are allabsent without leave; he prefers porterto any other liquor, but he can drink hisglass of grog, whether it be based uponrum, brandy, or the liquor now beforehim.
Mr Smith is the name of that young
gentleman, whose jacket is so out at theelbows; he has been intending to mendit these last two months, but is too lazyto go to his chest for another. He hasbeen turned out of half the ships inthe service for laziness; but he wasborn so and therefore it is not his fault.A revenue-cutter suits him, she is halfher time hove to; and he has noobjection to boat-service, as he sitsdown always in the stern-sheets, whichis not fatiguing. Creeping for tubs is hisdelight, as he gets over so little ground.He is fond of grog, but there is sometrouble in carrying the tumbler so oftento his mouth; so he looks at it, and letsit stand. He says little, because he is toolazy to speak. He has served more than
eight years; but as for passing it has nevercome into his head. Such are the threepersons who are now sitting in thecabin of the revenue-cutter, drinkinghot gin-toddy.
"Let me see, it was, I think, in ninety-three or ninety-four. Before you were inthe service, Tomkins. "
"Maybe, sir; it's so long ago since Ientered, that I can't recollect dates, butthis I know, that my aunt died threedays before."
"Then the question is, when did youraunt die "
"Oh! she died about a year after myuncle."
"And when did your uncle die "
"I'll be hanged if I know!"
"Then, d'ye see, you've no departure towork from. However, I think youcannot have been in the service at thattime. We were not quite so particularabout uniform as we are now."
"Then I think the service was all thebetter for it. Now-a-days, in your crackships, a mate has to go down in thehold or spirit-room, and after whippingup fifty empty casks, and breaking out
twenty full ones, he is expected to comeon quarter-deck as clean as if he wasjust come out of a band-box."
"Well, there's plenty of water alongside,as far as the outward man goes, andiron dust is soon brushed off.However, as you say, perhaps a little toomuch is expected; at least, in five of theships in which I was first-lieutenant,the captain was always hauling me overthe coals about the midshipmen notdressing properly, as if I was their dry-nurse. I wonder what Captain Priggwould have said, if he had seen such aturn-out as you, Mr Smith, on hisquarter-deck."
"I should have had one turn-outmore," drawled Smith.
"With your out-at-elbows jacket, there,heh!" continued Mr Appleboy.
Smith turned up his elbows, looked atone and then at the other: after sofatiguing an operation, he was silent.
"Well, where was I Oh! it was aboutninety-three or ninety-four, as I said,that it happened Tomkins, fill yourglass, and hand me the sugar how do Iget on This is No. 15," said Appleboy,counting some white lines on the tableby him; and taking up a piece of chalk,he marked one more line on his tally. "I
don't think this is so good a tub as thelast, Tomkins, there's a twang about it awant of juniper however, I hope weshall have better luck this time. Ofcourse, you know we sail to-morrow "
"I presume so, by the leg of muttoncoming on board."
"True true I'm regular as clock-work.After being twenty years a first-lieutenant, one gets a little method Ilike regularity. Now the admiral hasnever omitted asking me to dinneronce, every time I have come intoharbour, except this time I was socertain of it, that I never expected tosail; and I have but two shirts clean in
consequence."
"That's odd, isn't it and the more so,because he has had such great peopledown here, and has been giving largeparties every day."
"And yet I made three seizures, besidessweeping up those thirty-seven tubs."
"I swept them up," observed Smith.
"That's all the same thing, younker.When you've been a little longer in theservice, you'll find out that thecommanding officer has the merit ofall that is done but you're green yet. Letme see, where was I Oh! It was about
ninety-three or ninety-four, as I said. Atthat time I was in the Channel fleetTomkins, I'll trouble you for the hotwater; this water's cold. Mr Smith, dome the favour to ring the bell. Jem,some more hot water."
"Please, sir," said Jem, who wasbarefooted as well as bare-headed,touching the lock of hair on hisforehead, "the cook has capsized thekettle but he has put more on."
"Capsized the kettle! Ha! very well we'lltalk about that to-morrow. MrTomkins, do me the favour to put himin the report, I may forget it. And pray,sir, how long is it since he has put more
on "
"Just this moment, sir, as I came aft."
"Very well, we'll see to that to-morrow:You bring the kettle aft as soon as it isready. I say, Mr Jem, is that fellow sober"
"Yees, sir, he be sober as you be."
"It's quite astonishing what apropensity the common sailors have toliquor. Forty odd years have I been inthe service, and I've never found anydifference: I only wish I had a guineafor every time that I have given a fellowseven-water grog during my servitude
as first-lieutenant, I wouldn't call theking my cousin. Well, if there's no hotwater, we must take lukewarm it won'tdo to heave to. By the Lord Harry! whowould have thought it I'm at numbersixteen! Let me count yes! surely I musthave made a mistake. A fact, byHeaven!" continued Mr Appleboy,throwing the chalk down on the table."Only one more glass, after this that is,if I have counted right I may have seendouble."
"Yes," drawled Smith.
"Well, never mind let's go on with mystory. It was either in the year ninety-three or ninety-four, that I was in the
Channel fleet we were then abreast ofTorbay "
"Here be the hot water, sir," cried Jem,putting the kettle down on the deck.
"Very well, boy by-the-bye, has the jarof butter come on board "
"Yes, but it broke all down the middle;I tied him up with a ropeyarn."
"Who broke it, sir "
"Coxswain says as how he didn't."
"But who did, sir "
"Coxswain handed it up to Bill Jones,and he says as how he didn't."
"But who did, sir "
"Bill Jones gave it to me, and I'm sureas how I didn't."
"Then who did, sir, I ask you "
"I think it be Bill Jones, sir, 'cause he'sfond of butter, I know, and there bevery little left in the jar."
"Very well, we'll see to that to-morrowmorning. Mr Tomkins, you'll oblige meby putting the butter-jar down in thereport, in case it should slip my
memory. Bill Jones, indeed, looks as ifbutter wouldn't melt in his mouthnever mind. Well, it was, as I said beforeit was in the year ninety-three or ninety-four, when I was in the Channel fleet;we were then off Torbay, and had just:taken two reefs in the top-sails. Stop,before I go on with my story, I'll takemy last glass I think it's the last: let mecount yes, by heavens I make outsixteen, well told. Never mind, it shallbe a stiff one. Boy, bring the kettle, andmind you don't pour the hot water intomy shoes, as you did the other night.There, that will do. Now, Tomkins, fillup yours; and you, Mr Smith: let us allstart fair, and then you shall have mystory and a very curious one it is, I can
tell you; I wouldn't have believed itmyself if I hadn't seen it. Hilloa! what'sthis confound it! what's the matter withthe toddy Heh, Mr Tomkins "
Mr Tomkins tasted, but, like thelieutenant, he had made it very stiff;and, as he had also taken largely before,he was, like him, not quite so clear inhis discrimination: "It has a queer twang,sir: Smith, what is it "
Smith took up his glass, tasted thecontents.
"Salt water" drawled the midshipman.
"Salt water! so it is, by heavens!" cried
Mr Appleboy.
"Salt as Lot's wife! by all that'sinfamous!" cried the master's mate.
"Salt water, sir!" cried Jem in a fright,expecting a salt eel for supper.
"Yes, sir," replied Mr Appleboy, tossingthe contents of the tumbler in the boy'sface, "salt water. Very well, sir, verywell!"
"It warn't me, sir," replied the boy,making up a piteous look.
"No, sir, but you said the cook wassober."
"He was not so very much disguised,sir," replied Jem.
"Oh! very well never mind. MrTomkins, in case I should forget it, dome the favour to put the kettle of saltwater down in the report. Thescoundrel! I'm very sorry, gentlemen,but there's no means of having anymore gin-toddy, but never mind, we'llsee to this to-morrow. Two can play atthis; and if I don't salt-water their grog,and make them drink it, too, I havebeen twenty years a first-lieutenant fornothing that's all. Good night,gentlemen; and," continued thelieutenant, in a severe tone, "you'll keep
a sharp look-out, Mr Smith do youhear, sir "
"Yes," drawled Smith, "but it's not mywatch; it was my first watch, and, justnow, it struck one bell."
"You'll keep the middle watch, then, MrSmith," said Mr Appleboy, who was nota little put out; "and, Mr Tomkins, letme know as soon as it's daylight. Boy,get my bed made. Salt water, by all that'sblue! However, we'll see to that to-morrow morning."
Mr Appleboy then turned in; so did MrTomkins; and so did Mr Smith, whohad no idea of keeping the middle
watch because the cook was drunk andhad filled up the kettle with salt water.As for what happened in ninety-threeor ninety-four, I really would informthe reader if I knew, but I am afraidthat that most curious story is never tobe handed down to posterity.
The next morning, Mr Tomkins, asusual, forgot to report the cook, the jarof butter, and the kettle of salt water;and Mr Appleboy's wrath had longbeen appeased before he rememberedthem. At daylight the lieutenant cameon deck, having only slept away half ofthe sixteen, and a taste of theseventeenth salt-water glass of gin-toddy. He rubbed his grey eyes, that he
might peer through the grey of themorning; the fresh breeze blew abouthis grizzly locks, and cooled hisrubicund nose. The revenue-cutter,whose name was the Active, cast offfrom the buoy; and, with a fresh breeze,steered her course for the Needles'passage.
Chapter III
CUTTER THE THIRD
Reader! have you been to St Maloes Ifyou have, you were glad enough toleave the hole; and, if you have not,
take my advice, and do not giveyourself the trouble to go and see that,or any other French port in theChannel. There is not one worthlooking at. They have made one or twoartificial ports, and they are no greatthings; there is no getting out, or gettingin. In fact, they have no harbours in theChannel, while we have the finest in theworld; a peculiar dispensation ofProvidence, because it knew that weshould want them, and France wouldnot. In France, what are called ports areall alike, nasty narrow holes, only to beentered at certain times of tide andcertain winds; made up of basins andback-waters, custom-houses, andcabarets; just fit for smugglers to run
into, and nothing more; and, therefore,they are used for very little else.
Now, in the dog-hole called St Maloesthere is some pretty land, although agreat deficiency of marine scenery. Butnever mind that: stay at home, anddon't go abroad to drink sour wine,because they call it Bordeaux, and eatvillanous trash, so disguised by cookingthat you cannot possibly tell which ofthe birds of the air, or beasts of thefield, or fishes of the sea, you arecramming down your throat. "If all isright, there is no occasion for disguise,"is an old saying; so depend upon it, thatthere is something wrong, and that youare eating offal, under a grand French
name. They eat everything in France,and would serve you up the head of amonkey who has died of the smallpox,as singe au petite verole that is, if you didnot understand French; if you did, theywould call it, Tete d'amour a l'Ethiopique,and then you would be even morepuzzled. As for their wine, there is nodisguise in that it's half vinegar. No, no!stay at home; you can live just ascheaply, if you choose; and then youwill have good meat, good vegetables,good ale, good beer, and a good glassof grog and what is of moreimportance, you will be in goodcompany. Live with your friends, anddon't make a fool of yourself.
I would not have condescended to havenoticed this place, had it not been that Iwish you to observe a vessel which islying along the pier-wharf, with a plankfrom the shore to her gunnel. It is lowwater, and she is aground, and theplank dips down at such an angle that itis a work of danger to go either in orout of her. You observe that there isnothing very remarkable in her. She is acutter, and a good sea-boat, and sailswell before the wind. She is short forher breadth of beam, and is not armed.Smugglers do not arm now the serviceis too dangerous; they effect theirpurpose by cunning, not by force.Nevertheless, it requires that smugglersshould be good seamen, smart, active
fellows, and keen-witted, or they can donothing. This vessel has not a largecargo in her, but it is valuable. She hassome thousand yards of lace, a fewhundred pounds of tea, a few bales ofsilk, and about forty ankers of brandyjust as much as they can land in oneboat. All they ask is a heavy gale or athick fog, and they trust to themselvesfor success.
There is nobody on board except a boy;the crew are all up at the cabaret,settling their little accounts of everydescription for they smuggle both ways,and every man has his own privateventure. There they are all, fifteen ofthem, and fine-looking fellows, too,
sitting at that long table. They are verymerry, but quite sober, as they are to sailto-night.
The captain of the vessel (whose name,by-the-bye is the "Happy-go-lucky," thecaptain christened her himself) is thatfine-looking young man, with darkwhiskers, meeting under his throat. Hisname is Jack Pickersgill. You perceive,at once, that he is much above acommon sailor in appearance. Hismanners are good, he is remarkablyhandsome, very clean, and rather adandy in his dress. Observe, how verypolitely he takes off his hat to thatFrenchman, with whom he has justsettled accounts; he beats Johnny
Crapeau at his own weapons. And thenthere is an air of command, a feeling ofconscious superiority about Jack; seehow he treats the landlord, de haut enbas, at the same time that he is very civil.The fact is, that Jack is of a very good,old family, and received a very excellenteducation; but he was an orphan, hisfriends were poor, and could do butlittle for him: he went out to India as acadet, ran away, and served in aschooner which smuggled opium intoChina, and then came home. He took aliking to the employment, and is nowlaying up a very pretty little sum: notthat he intends to stop: no, as soon ashe has enough to fit out a vessel forhimself, he intends to start again for
India, and with two cargoes of opium,he will return, he trusts, with ahandsome fortune, and re-assume hisfamily name. Such are Jack's intentions;and, as he eventually means to reappearas a gentleman, he preserves hisgentlemanly habits: he neither drinks,nor chews, nor smokes. He keeps hishands clean, wears rings, and sports agold snuff-box; notwithstanding which,Jack is one of the boldest and best ofsailors, and the men know it. He is fullof fun, and as keen as a razor. Jack hasa very heavy venture this time all thelace is his own speculation, and if hegets it in safe, he will clear somethousands of pounds. A certainfashionable shop in London has
already agreed to take the whole off hishands.
That short, neatly-made young man isthe second in command, and thecompanion of the captain. He is clever,and always has a remedy to proposewhen there is a difficulty, which is agreat quality in a second in command.His name is Corbett. He is alwaysmerry half-sailor, half-tradesman;knows the markets, runs up to London,and does business as well as a chapmanlives for the day, and laughs at to-morrow.
That little punchy old man, with longgray hair and fat face, with a nose like a
note of interrogation, is the nextpersonage of importance. He ought tobe called the sailing-master, for,although he goes on shore in France,off the English coast he never quits thevessel. When they leave her with thegoods, he remains on board; he isalways to be found off any part of thecoast where he may be ordered; holdinghis position in defiance of gales, andtides, and fogs: as for the revenue-vessels, they all know him well enough,but they cannot touch a vessel inballast, if she has no more men onboard than allowed by her tonnage. Heknows every creek, and hole, andcorner, of the coast; how the tide runsin tide, half-tide, eddy, or current. That
is his value. His name is Morrison.
You observe that Jack Pickersgill hastwo excellent supporters in Corbett andMorrison; his other men are goodseamen, active, and obedient, which isall that he requires. I shall notparticularly introduce them.
"Now you may call for another litre, mylads, and that must be the last; the tideis flowing fast, and we shall be afloat inhalf an hour, and we have just thebreeze we want. What d'ye think,Morrison, shall we have dirt "
"I've been looking just now, and if itwere any other month in the year I
should say, yes; but there's no trustingApril, captain. Howsomever, if it doesblow off, I'll promise you a fog in threehours afterwards."
"That will do as well. Corbett, have yousettled with Duval "
"Yes, after more noise and charivari thana panic in the Stock Exchange wouldmake in England. He fought andsquabbled for an hour, and I foundthat, without some abatement, I nevershould have settled the affair."
"What did you let him off "
"Seventeen sous," replied Corbett,
laughing.
"And that satisfied him " inquiredPickersgill.
"Yes it was all he could prove to be asurfaire: two of the knives were a littlerusty. But he will always havesomething off; he could not be happywithout it. I really think he wouldcommit suicide, if he had to pay a billwithout a deduction."
"Let him live," replied Pickersgill."Jeannette, a bottle of Volnay, of 1811,and three glasses."
Jeannette, who was the fille de cabaret,
soon appeared with a bottle of wine,seldom called for, except by the captainof the Happy-go-lucky.
"You sail to-night " said she, as sheplaced the bottle before him.
Pickersgill nodded his head.
"I had a strange dream," said Jeannette;"I thought you were all taken by arevenue cutter, and put in a cachot. Iwent to see you, and I did not knowone of you again you were allchanged."
"Very likely, Jeannette you would not bethe first who did not know their friends
again when in misfortune. There wasnothing strange in your dream."
"Mais, mon Dieu! je ne suis pas comme camoi."
"No, that you are not, Jeannette; you area good girl, and some of these finedays I'll marry you," said Corbett.
"Doit etre bien beau ce jour la, par exemple,"replied Jeannette, laughing; "you havepromised to marry me every time youhave come in, these last three years."
"Well, that proves I keep to mypromise, any how."
"Yes; but you never go any further."
"I can't spare him, Jeannette, that is thereal truth," said the captain: "but wait alittle in the meantime, here is a five-franc piece to add to your petite fortune."
"Merci bien, monsieur le capitaine; bonvoyage!" Jeannette held her finger up toCorbett, saying, with a smile, "mechant!"and then quitted the room.
"Come, Morrison, help us to empty thisbottle, and then we will all go onboard."
"I wish that girl wouldn't come herewith her nonsensical dreams," said
Morrison, taking his seat; "I don't likeit. When she said that we should betaken by a revenue cutter, I was lookingat a blue and a white pigeon sitting onthe wall opposite; and I said to myself,now, if that be a warning, I will see: ifthe blue pigeon flies away first, I shall bein jail in a week; if the white, I shall beback here."
"Well " said Pickersgill, laughing.
"It wasn't well," answered Morrison,tossing off his wine, and putting theglass down with a deep sigh; "for thecursed blue pigeon flew awayimmediately."
"Why, Morrison, you must have achicken-heart to be frightened at a bluepigeon," said Corbett, laughing, andlooking out of the window; "at allevents, he has come back again, andthere he is sitting by the white one."
"It's the first time that ever I was calledchicken-hearted," replied Morrison, inwrath.
"Nor do you deserve it, Morrison,"replied Pickersgill; "but Corbett is onlyjoking."
"Well, at all events, I'll try my luck in thesame way, and see whether I am to bein jail: I shall take the blue pigeon as my
bad omen, as you did."
The sailors and Captain Pickersgill allrose and went to the window, toascertain Corbett's fortune by this newspecies of augury. The blue pigeonflapped his wings, and then he sidledup to the white one; at last, the whitepigeon flew off the wall and settled onthe roof of the adjacent house. "Bravo,white pigeon!" said Corbett; "I shall behere again in a week." The whole party,laughing, then resumed their seats; andMorrison's countenance brightened up.As he took the glass of wine pouredout by Pickersgill, he said, "Here's yourhealth, Corbett; it was all nonsense,after all for, d'ye see, I can't be put in
jail without you are. We all sail in thesame boat, and when you leave me, youtake with you everything that cancondemn the vessel so here's success toour trip."
"We will all drink that toast, my lads,and then on board," said the captain;"here's success to our trip."
The captain rose, as did the mates andmen, drank the toast, turned down thedrinking-vessels on the table, hastenedto the wharf, and, in half an hour, theHappy-go-lucky was clear of the port ofSt Maloes.
Chapter IV
PORTLAND BILL
The Happy-go-lucky sailed with a freshbreeze and a flowing sheet from StMaloes, the evening before the Arrowsailed from Barn Pool. The Active sailedfrom Portsmouth the morning after.
The yacht, as we before observed, wasbound to Cowes, in the Isle of Wight.The Active had orders to cruisewherever she pleased within the limitsof the admiral's station; and she ran forWest Bay, on the other side of the Billof Portland. The Happy-go-lucky was
also bound for that bay to land hercargo.
The wind was light, and there was everyappearance of fine weather, when theHappy-go-lucky, at ten o'clock on theTuesday night, made the Portlandlights; as it was impossible to run hercargo that night, she hove to.
At eleven o'clock, the Portland lightswere made by the revenue cutter Active.Mr Appleboy went up to have a look atthem, ordered the cutter to be hove to,and then went down to finish hisallowance of gin-toddy. At twelveo'clock, the yacht Arrow made thePortland lights, and continued her
course, hardly stemming the ebb tide.
Day broke, and the horizon was clear.The first on the look-out were, ofcourse, the smugglers; they, and thoseon board the revenue cutter, were theonly two interested parties the yachtwas neuter.
"There are two cutters in sight, sir," saidCorbett, who had the watch; forPickersgill, having been up the wholenight, had thrown himself down onthe bed with his clothes on.
"What do they look like " saidPickersgill, who was up in a moment.
"One is a yacht, and the other may be;but I rather think, as far as I can judgein the gray, that it is our old friend offhere."
"What! old Appleboy "
"Yes, it looks like him; but the day hasscarcely broke yet."
"Well, he can do nothing in a light windlike this; and before the wind we canshow him our heels; but are you surethe other is a yacht " said Pickersgill,coming on deck.
"Yes; the king is more careful of hiscanvas."
"You're right," said Pickersgill, "that is ayacht; and you're right there again inyour guess that is the stupid old Active,which creeps about creeping for tubs.Well, I see nothing to alarm us atpresent, provided it don't fall a deadcalm, and then we must take to ourboat as soon as he takes to his; we arefour miles from him at least. Watch hismotions, Corbett, and see if he lowers aboat. What does she go now Fourknots that will soon tire their men."
The positions of the three cutters wereas follows:
The Happy-go-lucky was about four miles
off Portland Head, and well into WestBay. The revenue cutter was close to theHead. The yacht was outside of thesmuggler, about two miles to thewestward, and about five or six milesfrom the revenue cutter.
"Two vessels in sight, sir," said MrSmith, coming down into the cabin toMr Appleboy.
"Very well," replied the lieutenant, whowas lying down in his standing bed-place.
"The people say one is the Happy-go-lucky, sir," drawled Smith.
"Heh what! Happy-go-lucky Yes, I
recollect; I've boarded her twenty timesalways empty. How's she standing "
"She stands to the westward now, sir;but she was hove to, they say, whenthey first saw her."
"Then she has a cargo in her;" and MrAppleboy shaved himself, dressed, andwent on deck.
"Yes," said the lieutenant, rubbing hiseyes again and again, and then lookingthrough the glass, "it is her sureenough. Let draw the fore sheet handsmake sail. What vessel's the other "
"Don't know, sir, she's a cutter."
"A cutter yes; may be a yacht, or may bethe new cutter ordered on the station.Make all sail, Mr Tomkins; hoist ourpendant, and fire a gun they willunderstand what we mean then; theydon't know the Happy-go-lucky as well aswe do."
In a few minutes the Active was under apress of sail; she hoisted her pendant,and fired a gun. The smugglerperceived that the Active had recognisedher, and she also threw out morecanvas, and ran off more to thewestward.
"There's a gun, sir," reported one of the
men to Mr Stewart, on board of theyacht.
"Yes; give me the glass a revenue cutter;then this vessel in shore, runningtowards us, must be a smuggler."
"She has just now made all sail, sir."
"Yes, there's no doubt of it; I will godown to his lordship keep her as shegoes."
Mr Stewart then went down to informLord B. of the circumstance. Not onlyLord B., but most of the gentlemencame on deck; as did soon afterwardsthe ladies, who had received the
intelligence from Lord B., who spoke tothem through the door of the cabin.
But the smuggler had more wind thanthe revenue cutter, and increased herdistance.
"If we were to wear round now, mylord," observed Mr Stewart, "she is justabreast of us and in shore, we couldprevent her escape."
"Round with her, Mr Stewart," saidLord B.; "we must do our duty, andprotect the laws."
"That will not be fair, papa," saidCecilia Ossulton; "we have no quarrel
with the smugglers: I'm sure the ladieshave not, for they bring us beautifulthings."
"Miss Ossulton," observed her aunt, "itis not proper for you to offer anopinion."
The yacht wore round, and, sailing sofast, the smuggler had little chance ofescaping her; but to chase is one thingto capture, another.
"Let us give her a gun," said Lord B.,"that will frighten her; and he dare notcross our hawse."
The gun was loaded, and not being
more than a mile from the smuggler,actually threw the ball almost a quarterof the way.
The gentlemen, as well as Lord B., wereequally excited by the ardour ofpursuit; but the wind died away, and atlast it was nearly calm. The revenuecutter's boats were out, and coming upfast.
"Let us get our boat out, Stewart," saidhis lordship; "and help them; it is quitecalm now."
The boat was soon out: it was a verylarge one, usually stowed on, andoccupied a large portion of, the deck. It
pulled six oars; and when it wasmanned, Mr Stewart jumped in, andLord B. followed him.
"But you have no arms," said MrHautaine.
"The smugglers never resist now,"observed Stewart.
"Then you are going on a very gallantexpedition, indeed," observed CeciliaOssulton; "I wish you joy."
But Lord B. was too much excited topay attention. They shoved off, andpulled towards the smuggler.
At this time, the revenue boats wereabout five miles astern of the Happy-go-lucky, and the yacht about three-quartersof a mile from her in the offing.Pickersgill had, of course, observed themotions of the yacht; had seen herwear on chase, hoist her ensign andpendant, and fire her gun.
"Well," said he, "this is the blackestingratitude; to be attacked by the verypeople whom we smuggle for. I onlywish she may come up with us; and, lether attempt to interfere, she shall ruethe day: I don't much like this, though."
As we before observed, it fell nearlycalm, and the revenue boats were in
chase. Pickersgill watched them as theycame up.
"What shall we do," said Corbett, "getthe boat out "
"Yes," replied Pickersgill, "we will getthe boat out, and have the goods in herall ready; but we can pull faster thanthey do, in the first place; and, in thenext, they will be pretty well tiredbefore they come up to us. We arefresh, and shall soon walk away fromthem; so I shall not leave the vessel tillthey are within half a mile. We mustsink the ankers, that they may not seizethe vessel, for it is not worth whiletaking them with us. Pass them along
ready to run them over the bows, thatthey may not see us and swear to it. Butwe have a good half hour, and more."
"Ay, and you may hold all fast if youchoose," said Morrison, "although it'sbetter to be on the right side and getready; otherwise, before half an hour,I'll swear that we are out of their sight.Look there," said he, pointing to theeastward at a heavy bank, "it's comingright down upon us, as I said it would."
"True enough; but still there is nosaying which will come first, Morrison;the boats or the fog, so we must beprepared."
"Hilloa! what's this why, there's a boatcoming from the yacht!"
Pickersgill took out his glass.
"Yes, and the yacht's own boat, with thename painted on her bows. Well, letthem come we will have no ceremonyin resisting them; they are not in the Actof Parliament, and must take theconsequences. We have nought to fear.Get stretchers, my lads, and hand-spikes; they row six oars, and are threein the stern sheets they must be goodmen if they take us."
In a few minutes Lord B. was close tothe smuggler.
"Boat, ahoy! what do you want "
"Surrender in the king's name."
"To what, and to whom, and what arewe to surrender We are an Englishvessel coasting along shore."
"Pull on board, my lads," cried Stewart;"I am a king's officer we know her."
The boat darted alongside, and Stewartand Lord B., followed by the men,jumped on the deck.
"Well, gentlemen, what do you want "said Pickersgill.
"We seize you you are a smuggler;there's no denying it: look at the casksof spirits stretched along the deck."
"We never said that we were notsmugglers," replied Pickersgill; "butwhat is that to you You are not a king'sship, or employed by the revenue."
"No, but we carry a pendant, and it isour duty to protect the laws."
"And who are you " said Pickersgill.
"I am Lord B."
"Then, my lord, allow me to say that
you would do much better to attend tothe framing of laws, and leave peopleof less consequence, like those asternof me, to execute them. 'Mind yourown business,' is an old adage. We shallnot hurt you, my lord, as you have onlyemployed words, but we shall put it outof your power to hurt us. Come aft, mylads. Now, my lord, resistance is useless;we are double your numbers, and youhave caught a Tartar."
Lord B. and Mr Stewart perceived thatthey were in an awkward predicament.
"You may do what you please,"observed Mr Stewart, "but the revenueboats are coming up, recollect."
"Look you, sir, do you see the revenuecutter " said Pickersgill.
Stewart looked in that direction, andsaw that she was hidden in the fog.
"In five minutes, sir, the boats will beout of sight also, and so will yourvessel; we have nothing to fear fromthem."
"Indeed, my lord, we had betterreturn," said Mr Stewart, who perceivedthat Pickersgill was right.
"I beg your pardon, you will not go onboard your yacht so soon as you expect.
Take the oars out of the boat, my lads,two or three of you, and throw in acouple of our paddles for them toreach the shore with. The rest of youknock down the first man who offersto resist. You are not aware, perhaps,my lord, that you have attempted piracyon the high seas "
Stewart looked at Lord B. It was trueenough. The men of the yacht couldoffer no resistance; the oars were takenout of the boat, and the men put inagain.
"My lord," said Pickersgill, "your boatis manned do me the favour to stepinto it; and you, sir, do the same. I
should be sorry to lay my hands upon apeer of the realm, or a king's officereven on half pay."
Remonstrance was vain; his lordshipwas led to the boat by two of thesmugglers, and Stewart followed.
"I will leave your oars, my lord, at theWeymouth Custom-house; and I trustthis will be a lesson to you in future to'mind your own business.'"
The boat was shoved off from thesloop by the smugglers, and was soonlost sight of in the fog, which had nowcovered the revenue boats as well as theyacht; at the same time, it brought
down a breeze from the eastward.
"Haul to the wind, Morrison," saidPickersgill, "we will stand out to get ridof the boats; if they pull on, they willtake it for granted that we shall run intothe bay, as will the revenue cutter."
Pickersgill and Corbett were inconversation abaft for a short time,when the former desired the course tobe altered two points.
"Keep silence all of you, my lads, andlet me know if you hear a gun or a bellfrom the yacht," said Pickersgill.
"There is a gun, sir, close to us," said
one of the men; "the sound was rightahead."
"That will do, keep her as she goes. Afthere, my lads; we cannot run our cargoin the bay, for the cutter has been seento chase us, and they will all be on thelook-out at the preventive stations forus on shore. Now, my lads, I have madeup my mind that, as these yachtgentlemen have thought proper tointerfere, I will take possession of theyacht for a few days. We shall then out-sail everything, go where we likeunsuspected, and land our cargo withease. I shall run alongside of her shecan have but few hands on board; andmind, do not hurt anybody, but be civil
and obey my orders. Morrison, you andyour four men and the boy will remainon board as before, and take the vesselto Cherbourg, where we will join you."
In a short time another gun was firedfrom the yacht.
Those on board, particularly the ladies,were alarmed; the fog was very thick,and they could not distinguish thelength of the vessel. They had seen theboat board, but had not seen herturned adrift without oars, as the fogcame on just at that time. The yacht wasleft with only three seamen on board,and, should it come on bad weather,they were in an awkward predicament.
Mr Hautaine had taken the command,and ordered the guns to be fired thatthe boat might be enabled to find them.The fourth gun was loading, when theyperceived the smuggler's cutter close tothem looming through the fog.
"Here they are," cried the seamen; "andthey have brought the prize along withthem! Three cheers for the Arrow!"
"Hilloa! you'll be on board of us "cried Hautaine.
"That's exactly what I intended to be,sir," replied Pickersgill, jumping on thequarter-deck, followed by his men.
"Who the devil are you "
"That's exactly the same question that Iasked Lord B. when he boarded us,"replied Pickersgill, taking off his hat tothe ladies.
"Well, but what business have you here"
"Exactly the same question which I putto Lord B.," replied Pickersgill.
"Where is Lord B., sir " said CeciliaOssulton, going up to the smuggler; "ishe safe "
"Yes, madam, he is safe; at least he is in
his boat with all his men, and unhurt:but you must excuse me if I requestyou and the other ladies to go downbelow while I speak to these gentlemen.Be under no alarm, miss; you willreceive neither insult nor ill-treatment Ihave only taken possession of thisvessel for the present."
"Take possession," cried Hautaine, "ofa yacht."
"Yes, sir, since the owner of the yachtthought proper to attempt to takepossession of me. I always thought thatyachts were pleasure-vessels, sailingabout for amusement, respectedthemselves, and not interfering with
others; but it appears that such is notthe case. The owner of this yacht hasthought proper to break through theneutrality, and commence aggression,and under such circumstances I havenow, in retaliation, taken possession ofher."
"And, pray, what do you mean to do, sir"
"Simply for a few days to make anexchange. I shall send you on board ofmy vessel as smugglers, while I remainhere with the ladies and amuse myselfwith yachting."
"Why, sir, you cannot mean "
"I have said, gentlemen, and that isenough; I should be sorry to resort toviolence, but I must be obeyed. Youhave, I perceive, three seamen only left:they are not sufficient to take charge ofthe vessel, and Lord B. and the othersyou will not meet for several days. Myregard for the ladies, even commonhumanity, points out to me that Icannot leave the vessel in this crippledcondition. At the same time, as I musthave hands on board of my own, youwill oblige me by going on board andtaking her safely into port. It is the leastreturn you can make for my kindness.In those dresses, gentlemen, you willnot be able to do your duty; oblige me
by shifting, and putting on these."Corbett handed a flannel shirt, a roughjacket and trousers, to Messrs Hautaine,Ossulton, Vaughan, and Seagrove. Aftersome useless resistance they werestripped, and having put on thesmugglers' attire, they were handed onboard of the Happy-go-lucky.
The three English seamen were alsosent on board and confined below, aswell as Ossulton's servant, who wasalso equipped like his master, andconfined below with the seamen.Corbett and the men then handed upall the smuggled goods into the yacht,dropped the boat, and made it fastastern; and, Morrison having received
his directions, the vessels separatedMorrison running for Cherbourg, andPickersgill steering the yacht alongshore to the westward. About an hourafter this exchange had been effected,the fog cleared up, and showed therevenue cutter hove to for her boats,which had pulled back and were closeon board of her; and the Happy-go-lucky,about three miles in the offing. Lord B.and his boat's crew were about fourmiles in shore, paddling and driftingwith the tide towards Portland. Assoon as the boats were on board, therevenue cutter made all sail after thesmuggler, paying no attention to theyacht, and either not seeing or notcaring about the boat which was
drifting about in West Bay.
Chapter V
THE TRAVESTIE
"Here we are, Corbett, and now I onlywish my venture had been double,"observed Pickersgill; "but I shall notallow business to absorb me wholly wemust add a little amusement. It appearsto me, Corbett, that the gentleman'sclothes which lie there will fit you, andthose of the good-looking fellow whowas spokesman will, I am sure, suit mewell. Now, let us dress ourselves, and
then for breakfast."
Pickersgill then exchanged his clothesfor those of Mr Hautaine, and Corbettfitted on those of Mr Ossulton. Thesteward was summoned up, and hedared not disobey; he appeared ondeck, trembling.
"Steward you will take these clothesbelow," said Pickersgill, "and, observe, Inow command this yacht; and, duringthe time that I am on board, you willpay me the same respect as you didLord B.: nay, more, you will alwaysaddress me as Lord B. You will preparedinner and breakfast, and do your dutyjust as if his lordship was on board,
and take care that you feed us well, forI will not allow the ladies to beentertained in a less sumptuous mannerthan before. You will tell the cook whatI say, and now that you have heard me,take care that you obey; if not, recollectthat I have my own men here, and if Ibut point with my finger, overboard yougo. Do you perfectly comprehend me "
"Yes, sir," stammered the steward.
"Yes, sir! What did I tell you, sirrah Yes,my lord. Do you understand me "
"Yes my lord."
"Pray, steward, whose clothes has this
gentleman put on "
"Mr Mr Ossulton's, I think sir my lord,I mean."
"Very well, steward; then recollect, infuture you always address thatgentleman as Mr Ossulton."
"Yes, my lord," and the steward wentdown below, and was obliged to take acouple of glasses of brandy, to keephimself from fainting.
"Who are they, and what are they! MrMaddox " cried the lady's-maid, whohad been weeping.
"Pirates! bloody, murderous, stick-at-nothingpirates!" replied the steward.
"Oh!" screamed the lady's-maid, "whatwill become of us, poor unprotectedfemales " And she hastened into thecabin, to impart this dreadfulintelligence.
The ladies in the cabin were not in avery enviable situation. As for the elderMiss Ossulton (but, perhaps, it will bebetter in future to distinguish the twoladies, by calling the elder simply MissOssulton, and her niece, Cecilia), shewas sitting with her salts to her nose,agonised with a mixture of trepidationand wounded pride. Mrs Lascelles was
weeping, but weeping gently. Ceciliawas sad, and her heart was beating withanxiety and suspense when the maidrushed in.
"O madam! O miss! O Mrs Lascelles! Ihave found it all out! they aremurderous, bloody, do-everythingpirates!!!"
"Mercy on us!" exclaimed MissOssulton; "surely they will never dare "
"Oh, ma'am, they dare anything! theyjust now were throwing the stewardoverboard and they have rummaged allthe portmanteaus, and dressedthemselves in the gentlemen's best
clothes the captain of them told thesteward that he was Lord B. and that ifhe dared to call him anything else, hewould cut his throat from ear to earand if the cook don't give them a gooddinner, they swear that they'll chop hisright hand off, and make him eat it,without pepper or salt!"
Miss Ossulton screamed, and went offinto hysterics. Mrs Lascelles and Ceciliawent to her assistance; but the latterhad not forgotten the very differentbehaviour of Jack Pickersgill, and hispolite manners, when he boarded thevessel. She did not, therefore, believewhat the maid had reported, but stillher anxiety and suspense were great,
especially about her father. After havingrestored her aunt, she put on herbonnet, which was lying on the sofa.
"Where are you going, dear " said MrsLascelles.
"On deck," replied Cecilia. "I must andwill speak to these men."
"Gracious heaven, Miss Ossulton goingon deck! have you heard what Phoebesays "
"Yes, aunt, I have; but I can wait hereno longer."
"Stop her! stop her! she will be
murdered! she will be she is mad!"screamed Miss Ossulton; but no oneattempted to stop Cecilia, and on deckshe went. On her arrival, she foundJack Pickersgill and Corbett walking thedeck; one of the smugglers at the helm,and the rest forward, and as quiet as thecrew of the yacht. As soon as she madeher appearance, Jack took off his hat,and made her a bow.
"I do not know whom I have thehonour of addressing, young lady! butI am flattered with this mark ofconfidence. You feel, and I assure you,you feel correctly, that you are notexactly in lawless hands."
Cecilia looked with more surprise thanfear at Pickersgill; Mr Hautaine's dressbecame him, he was a handsome, fine-looking man, and had nothing of theruffian in his appearance; unless, likeByron's Corsair, he was half savage, halfsoft. She could not help thinking thatshe had met many with less pretensions,as far as appearance went, to the claimsof a gentleman, at Almack's, and otherfashionable circles.
"I have ventured on deck, sir," saidCecilia, with a little tremulousness inher voice, "to request, as a favour, thatyou will inform me what yourintentions may be, with regard to thevessel, and with regard to the ladies!"
"And I feel much obliged to you, for sodoing, and I assure you, I will, as far asI have made up my own mind, answeryou candidly: but you tremble allow meto conduct you to a seat. In few words,then, to remove your present alarm, Iintend that the vessel shall be returnedto its owner, with every article in it, asreligiously respected as if they werechurch property. With respect to you,and the other ladies on board, I pledgeyou my honour, that you have nothingto fear; that you shall be treated withevery respect; your privacy neverinvaded; and that, in a few days, youwill be restored to your friends. Younglady, I pledge my hopes of future
salvation to the truth of this; but, at thesame time, I must make a fewconditions, which, however, will not bevery severe."
"But, sir," replied Cecilia, muchrelieved, for Pickersgill had stood byher in the most respectful manner, "youare, I presume, the captain of thesmuggler Pray, answer me one questionmore What became of the boat, withLord B., he is my father "
"I left him in his boat, without a hairof his head touched, young lady; but Itook away the oars."
"Then he will perish!" cried Cecilia,
putting her handkerchief to her eyes.
"No, young lady, he is on shoreprobably by this time; although I tookaway his means of assisting to captureus, I left him the means of gaining theland. It is not every one who wouldhave done that, after his conduct to us."
"I begged him not to go," said Cecilia;"I told him that it was not fair, and thathe had no quarrel with the smugglers."
"I thank you even for that," repliedPickersgill. "And now, Miss I have notthe pleasure of recollecting hislordship's family name "
"Ossulton, sir," said Cecilia, looking atPickersgill with surprise.
"Then, with your permission, MissOssulton, I will now make you myconfidant: excuse my using so free aterm, but it is because I wish to relieveyour fears; at the same time, I cannotpermit you to divulge all my intentionsto the whole party on board; I feel thatI may trust you, for you have courage,and where there is courage, theregenerally is truth; but you must first tellme whether you will condescend toaccept these terms "
Cecilia demurred a moment the idea ofbeing the confidant of a smuggler
rather startled her; but still, herknowledge of what his intentions were,if she might not reveal them, might beimportant; as, perhaps, she mightdissuade him. She could be in no worseposition than she was now, and shemight be in a much better. The conductof Pickersgill had been such, up to thepresent, as to inspire confidence; and,although he defied the laws, heappeared to regard the courtesies oflife. Cecilia was a courageous girl, andat length she replied:
"Provided what you desire me to keepsecret will not be injurious to any one,or compromise me, in my peculiarsituation, I consent."
"I would not hurt a fly, Miss Ossulton,but in self-defence, and I have toomuch respect for you, from yourconduct during our short meeting, tocompromise you. Allow me now to bevery candid; and then, perhaps, you willacknowledge that, in my situation,others would do the same; and,perhaps, not show half so muchforbearance. Your father, without anyright whatever, interferes with me, andmy calling: he attempts to make me aprisoner, to have me thrown in jail;heavily fined, and, perhaps, sent out ofthe country. I will not enter into anydefence of smuggling, it is sufficient tosay, that there are pains and penalties
attached to the infraction of certainlaws, and that I choose to risk them butLord B. was not empowered byGovernment to attack me; it was agratuitous act and had I thrown him,and all his crew into the sea, I shouldhave been justified, for it was in short,an act of piracy on their part. Now, asyour father has thought to turn a yachtinto a revenue cutter, you cannot besurprised at my retaliating, in turningher into a smuggler; and as he hasmixed up looking after the revenuewith yachting, he cannot be surprised ifI retaliate, by mixing up a little yachtingwith smuggling. I have dressed yourmale companions as smugglers, andhave sent them in the smuggling vessel
to Cherbourg, where they will be safelylanded; and I have dressed myself, andthe only person whom I could joinwith me in this frolic, as gentlemen, intheir places. My object is twofold: oneis, to land my cargo, which I have nowon board, and which is very valuable;the other is, to retaliate upon yourfather and his companions, for theirattempt upon me, by stepping into theirshoes, and enjoying, for a day or two,their luxuries. It is my intention tomake free with nothing, but hislordship's wine and eatables, that youmay be assured of; but I shall have nopleasure, if the ladies do not sit downto the dinner-table with us, as they didbefore with your father and his
friends."
"You can hardly expect that, sir," saidCecilia.
"Yes, I do; and that will be not only theprice of the early release of the yachtand themselves, but it will also be theonly means by which they will obtainanything to eat. You observe, MissOssulton, the sins of the fathers arevisited on the children. I have now toldyou what I mean to do, and what Iwish. I leave you to think of it, anddecide whether it will not be the bestfor all parties to consent. You have mypermission to tell the other ladies, thatwhatever may be their conduct, they are
as secure from ill-treatment orrudeness, as if they were in GrosvenorSquare; but I cannot answer that theywill not be hungry, if, after suchforbearance in every point, they showso little gratitude, as not to honour mewith their company."
"Then I am to understand that we areto be starved into submission "
"No, not starved, Miss Ossulton; butrecollect that you will be on bread andwater, and detained until you doconsent, and your detention willincrease the anxiety of your father."
"You know how to persuade, sir," said
Cecilia. "As far as I am concerned, Itrust I shall ever be ready to sacrificeany feelings of pride, to spare my fatherso much uneasiness. With yourpermission, I will now go down intothe cabin, and relieve my companionsfrom the worst of their fears. As forobtaining what you wish, I can only say,that, as a young person, I am not likelyto have much influence with thoseolder than myself, and must inevitablybe overruled, as I have not permissionto point out to them reasons whichmight avail. Would you so far allow meto be relieved from my promise, as tocommunicate all you have said to me,to the only married woman on board Ithink I then might obtain your wishes,
which, I must candidly tell you, I shallattempt to effect, only because I ammost anxious to rejoin my friends."
"And be relieved of my company,"replied Pickersgill, smiling, ironically,"of course you are; but I must and willhave my petty revenge: and althoughyou may, and probably will detest me, atall events you shall not have any veryformidable charge to make against meBefore you go below, Miss Ossulton, Igive you my permission to add themarried lady to the number of myconfidants; and you must permit me tointroduce my friend, Mr Ossulton;" andPickersgill waved his hand in thedirection of Corbett, who took off his
hat, and made a low obeisance.
It was impossible for Cecilia Ossultonto help smiling.
"And," continued Pickersgill, "havingtaking the command of this yacht,instead of his lordship, it is absolutelynecessary that I also take his lordship'sname. While on board I am Lord B.;and allow me to introduce myselfunder that name I cannot be addressedotherwise. Depend upon it, MissOssulton, that I shall have a mostpaternal solicitude to make you happyand comfortable."
Had Cecilia Ossulton dared to have
given vent to her real feelings at thattime, she would have burst into a fit oflaughter, it was too ludicrous. At thesame time, the very burlesque reassuredher still more. She went into the cabinwith a heavy weight removed from herheart.
In the meantime, Miss Ossulton andMrs Lascelles remained below, in thegreatest anxiety at Cecilia's prolongedstay; they knew not what to think, anddared not go on deck. Mrs Lascelleshad once determined at all risks to goup; but Miss Ossulton and Phoebe hadscreamed, and implored her sofervently not to leave them, that sheunwillingly consented to remain.
Cecilia's countenance, when she enteredthe cabin, reassured Mrs Lascelles, butnot her aunt, who ran to her, crying andsobbing, and clinging to her, saying,"What have they done to you, my poor,poor Cecilia "
"Nothing at all, aunt," replied Cecilia,"the captain speaks very fairly, and sayshe shall respect us in every possibleway, provided that we obey his orders,but if not "
"If not what, Cecilia " said MissOssulton, grasping her niece's arm.
"He will starve us, and not let us go!"
"God have mercy on us!" cried MissOssulton, renewing her sobs.
Cecilia then went to Mrs Lascelles, andcommunicated to her, apart, all that hadpassed. Mrs Lascelles agreed withCecilia, that they were in no danger ofinsult; and as they talked over thematter, they at last began to laugh; therewas a novelty in it, and there wassomething so ridiculous in all thegentlemen being turned into smugglers.Cecilia was glad that she could not tellher aunt, as she wished her to be sofrightened, as never to have hercompany on board of the yacht again;and Mrs Lascelles was too glad toannoy her for many and various insults
received. The matter was, therefore,canvassed over very satisfactorily, andMrs Lascelles felt a natural curiosity tosee this new Lord B. and the second MrOssulton. But they had had nobreakfast and were feeling very hungry,now that their alarm was over. Theydesired Phoebe to ask the steward forsome tea or coffee. The reply was, that,"Breakfast was laid in the cabin, andLord B. trusted that the ladies wouldcome to partake of it."
"No, no," replied Mrs Lascelles, "Inever can, without being introduced tothem first."
"Nor will I go," replied Cecilia, "but I
will write a note, and we will have ourbreakfast here." Cecilia wrote a note inpencil as follows:
"Miss Ossulton's compliments to LordB., and, as the ladies feel ratherindisposed after the alarm of thismorning, they trust that his lordshipwill excuse their coming to breakfast;but hope to meet his lordship at dinner,if not before that time, on deck."
The answer was propitious, and thesteward soon appeared with thebreakfast in the ladies' cabin.
"Well Maddox," said Cecilia, "how doyou get on with your new master "
The steward looked at the door to seeif it was closed, shook his head, andthen said with a look of despair, "Hehas ordered a haunch of venison fordinner, miss, and he has twicethreatened to toss me overboard."
"You must obey him, Maddox, or hecertainly will. These pirates are dreadfulfellows; be attentive, and serve him justas if he was my father."
"Yes, yes, ma'am, I will, but our timemay come; it's burglary on the high seas,and I'll go fifty miles to see himhanged."
"Steward!" cried Pickersgill, from thecabin.
"O lord! he can't have heard me d'ye-think he did, miss "
"The partitions are very thin, and youspoke very loud," said Mrs Lascelles;"at all events, go to him quickly."
"Good-bye, miss; good-bye, ma'am; if Ishouldn't see you any more," saidMaddox, trembling with fear, as heobeyed the awful summons which wasto demand a tooth-pick.
Miss Ossulton would not touch thebreakfast; not so Mrs Lascelles and
Cecilia, who ate very heartily.
"It's very dull to be shut up in thiscabin," said Mrs Lascelles; "come,Cecilia, let's go on deck."
"And leave me," cried Miss Ossulton.
"There is Phoebe here, aunt; we aregoing up to persuade the pirates to putus all on shore."
Mrs Lascelles and Cecilia put on theirbonnets and went up. Lord B. took offhis hat, and begged the honour ofbeing introduced to the pretty widow.He handed the ladies to a seat, and thencommenced conversing upon various
subjects, which, at the same time,possessed great novelty. His lordshiptalked about France, and described itsports; told now and then a goodanecdote; pointed out the differentheadlands, bays, towns, and villages,which they were passing rapidly, andalways had some little story connectedwith each. Before the ladies had beentwo hours on deck, they foundthemselves, to their infinite surprise,not only interested, but in conversationwith the captain of the smuggler, andmore than once they laughed outright.But the soi-disant Lord B. had inspiredthem with confidence; they fullybelieved that what he had told themwas true, and that he had taken
possession of the yacht to smuggle hisgoods, to be revenged, and to have alaugh. Now none of these threeoffences are capital in the eyes of thefair sex; and Jack was a handsome, fine-looking fellow, of excellent manners,and very agreeable conversation, at thesame time, neither he nor his friendwere in their general deportment andbehaviour otherwise than mostrespectful.
"Ladies, as you are not afraid of me,which is a greater happiness than I hadreason to expect, I think you may beamused to witness the fear of thosewho accuse your sex of cowardice.With your permission, I will send for
the cook and steward, and inquireabout the dinner."
"I should like to know what there is fordinner," observed Mrs Lascellesdemurely; "wouldn't you, Cecilia "
Cecilia put her handkerchief to hermouth.
"Tell the steward and the cook both tocome aft immediately," cried Pickersgill.
In a few seconds they both made theirappearance.
"Steward!" cried Pickersgill, with a loudvoice.
"Yes, my lord," replied Maddox, withhis hat in his hand.
"What wines have you put out fordinner "
"Champagne, my lord; and claret, mylord; and Madeira and sherry, my lord."
"No Burgundy, sir "
"No, my lord; there is no Burgundy onboard."
"No Burgundy, sir! do you dare to tellme that "
"Upon my soul, my lord," criedMaddox, dropping on his knees, "thereis no Burgundy on board ask theladies."
"Very well, sir; you may go."
"Cook, what have you got for dinner "
"Sir, a haunch of mutt of venison, mylord," replied the cook, with his whitenight-cap in his hand.
"What else, sirrah "
"A boiled calf's head, my lord."
"A boiled calf's head! Let it be roasted,
or I'll roast you, sir!" cried Pickersgill inan angry tone.
"Yes, my lord; I'll roast it."
"And what else, sir "
"Maintenon cutlets, my lord."
"Maintenon cutlets! I hate them I won'thave them, sir. Let them be dressed al'ombre Chinoise."
"I don't know what that is, my lord."
"I don't care for that, sirrah; if youdon't find out by dinner-time, you'refood for fishes that's all; you may go."
The cook walked off wringing hishands and his night-cap as well for hestill held it in his right hand anddisappeared down the fore-hatchway.
"I have done this to pay you a deservedcompliment, ladies; you have morecourage than the other sex."
"Recollect that we have had confidencegiven to us in consequence of yourpledging your word, my lord."
"You do me, then, the honour ofbelieving me "
"I did not until I saw you," replied Mrs
Lascelles; "but now I am convincedthat you will perform your promise."
"You do, indeed, encourage me,madam, to pursue what is right," saidPickersgill, bowing; "for yourapprobation I should be most sorry tolose, still more sorry to prove myselfunworthy of it."
As the reader will observe, everythingwas going on remarkably well.
Chapter VI
THE SMUGGLING YACHT
Cecilia returned to the cabin, toascertain whether her aunt was morecomposed; but Mrs Lascelles remainedon deck. She was much pleased withPickersgill; and they continued theirconversation. Pickersgill entered into adefence of his conduct to Lord B.; andMrs Lascelles could not but admit theprovocation. After a long conversation,she hinted at his profession, and howsuperior he appeared to be to such alawless life.
"You may be incredulous, madam,"replied Pickersgill, "if I tell you that Ihave as good a right to quarter my armsas Lord B. himself; and that I am not
under my real name. Smuggling is, at allevents, no crime; and I infinitely preferthe wild life I lead at the head of mymen, to being spurned by societybecause I am poor. The greatest crimein this country is poverty. I may, if I amfortunate, some day resume my name.You may, perhaps, meet me, and, if youplease, you may expose me."
"That I should not be likely to do,"replied the widow; "but still I regret tosee a person, evidently intended forbetter things, employed in sodisreputable a profession."
"I hardly know, madam, what is andwhat is not disreputable in this
conventional world. It is notconsidered disreputable to cringe to thevices of a court, or to accept a pensionwrung from the industry of the nation,in return for base servility. It is notconsidered disreputable to take tithes,intended for the service of God, andlavish them away at watering-places orelsewhere, seeking pleasure instead ofdoing God service. It is not considereddisreputable to take fee after fee touphold injustice, to plead againstinnocence, to pervert truth, and to aidthe devil. It is not considereddisreputable to gamble on the StockExchange, or to corrupt the honesty ofelectors by bribes, to doing which thepenalty attached is equal to that decreed
to the offence of which I am guilty. Allthese, and much more, are notconsidered disreputable; yet, by all theseare the moral bonds of societyloosened, while in mine we cause noguilt in others "
"But still it is a crime."
"A violation of the revenue laws, andno more. Observe, madam, the EnglishGovernment encourage the smugglingof our manufactures to the Continent,at the same time that they take everystep to prevent articles being smuggledinto this country. Now, madam, canthat be a crime, when the head of thevessel is turned north, which becomes
no crime when she steers the oppositeway "
"There is a stigma attached to it, youmust allow."
"That I grant you, madam; and as soonas I can quit the profession I shall. Nocaptive ever sighed more to be releasedfrom his chains; but I will not leave it,till I find that I am in a situation not tobe spurned and neglected by those withwhom I have a right to associate."
At this moment, the steward was seenforward making signs to Mrs Lascelles,who excused herself, and went to him.
"For the love of God, madam," saidMaddox, "as he appears to be friendlywith you, do pray find out how thesecutlets are to be dressed; the cook istearing his hair, and we shall never haveany dinner; and then it will all fall uponme, and I shall be tossed overboard."
Mrs Lascelles desired poor Maddox towait there while she obtained thedesired information. In a few minutesshe returned to him.
"I have found it out. They are first tobe boiled in vinegar; then fried inbatter, and served up with a sauce ofanchovy and Malaga raisins!"
"First fried in vinegar; then boiled inbatter, and served up with almonds andraisins!"
"No no!" Mrs Lascelles repeated theinjunction to the frightened steward;and then returned aft, and re-enteredinto a conversation with Pickersgill, inwhich for the first time, Corbett nowjoined. Corbett had sense enough tofeel, that the less he came forward untilhis superior had established himself inthe good graces of the ladies, the morefavourable would be the result.
In the mean time Cecilia had gonedown to her aunt, who still continuedto wail and lament. The young lady
tried all she could to console her, andto persuade her that if they were civiland obedient they had nothing to fear.
"Civil and obedient, indeed!" cried MissOssulton, "to a fellow who is asmuggler and a pirate! I, the sister ofLord B.! Never! The presumption ofthe wretch!"
"That is all very well, aunt; but recollect,we must submit to circumstances.These men insist upon our dining withthem; and we must go, or we shall haveno dinner."
"I sit down with a pirate! Never! I'llhave no dinner I'll starve I'll die!"
"But, my dear aunt, it's the only chancewe have of obtaining our release; andif you do not do it Mrs Lascelles willthink that you wish to remain withthem."
"Mrs Lascelles judges of other peopleby herself."
"The captain is certainly a very well-behaved, handsome man. He looks likea nobleman in disguise. What an oddthing it would be, aunt, if this shouldbe all a hoax!"
"A hoax, child " replied Miss Ossulton,sitting up on the sofa.
Cecilia found that she had hit the rightnail, as the saying is; and she broughtforward so many arguments to provethat she thought it was a hoax tofrighten them, and that the gentlemanabove was a man of consequence, thather aunt began to listen to reason, andat last consented to join the dinner-party. Mrs Lascelles now came downbelow; and when dinner wasannounced they repaired to the largecabin, where they found Pickersgill andCorbett waiting for them.
Miss Ossulton did not venture to lookup, until she heard Pickersgill say toMrs Lascelles, "Perhaps, madam, you
will do me the favour to introduce meto that lady, whom I have not had thehonour of seeing before "
"Certainly, my lord," replied MrsLascelles. "Miss Ossulton, the aunt ofthis young lady."
Mrs Lascelles purposely did notintroduce his lordship in return, that shemight mystify the old spinster.
"I feel highly honoured in findingmyself in the company of MissOssulton," said Pickersgill. "Ladies, wewait but for you to sit down. Ossulton,take the head of the table and serve thesoup."
Miss Ossulton was astonished; shelooked at the smugglers, and perceivedtwo well-dressed gentlemanly men, oneof whom was apparently a lord, andthe other having the same family name.
"It must be all a hoax," thought she;and she very quietly took to her soup.
The dinner passed off very pleasantly;Pickersgill was agreeable, Corbettfunny, and Miss Ossulton so farrecovered herself as to drink wine withhis lordship, and to ask Corbett whatbranch of their family he belonged to.
"I presume it's the Irish branch," said
Mrs Lascelles, prompting him.
"Exactly, madam," replied Corbett.
"Have you ever been to Torquay, ladies" inquired Pickersgill.
"No, my lord," answered Mrs Lascelles.
"We shall anchor there in the course ofan hour, and probably remain there tillto-morrow. Steward, bring coffee. Tellthe cook these cutlets were remarkablywell dressed."
The ladies retired to the cabin. MissOssulton was now convinced that itwas all a hoax; but said she, "I shall tell
Lord B. my opinion of their practicaljokes when he returns. What is hislordship's name who is on board "
"He won't tell us," replied MrsLascelles; "but I think I know; it isLord Blarney."
"Lord Blaney you mean, I presume,"said Miss Ossulton; "however, the thingis carried too far. Cecilia, we will go onshore at Torquay, and wait till the yachtreturns with Lord B. I don't like thesejokes; they may do very well forwidows, and people of no rank."
Now, Mrs Lascelles was sorry to findMiss Ossulton so much at her ease. She
owed her no little spite, and wished forrevenge. Ladies will go very far toobtain this. How far Mrs Lascelleswould have gone, I will not pretend tosay; but this is certain, that the lastinnuendo of Miss Ossulton very muchadded to her determination. She tookher bonnet and went on deck, at oncetold Pickersgill that he could not pleaseher or Cecilia more than by frighteningMiss Ossulton, who, under the ideathat it was all a hoax, had quiterecovered her spirits; talked of herpride and ill-nature, and wished her toreceive a useful lesson. Thus, to followup her revenge, did Mrs Lascellescommit herself so far, as to beconfidential with the smuggler in
return.
"Mrs Lascelles, I shall be able to obeyyou, and, at the same time, to combinebusiness with pleasure."
After a short conversation, the yachtdropped her anchor at Torquay. It wasthen about two hours before sunset. Assoon as the sails were furled, one ortwo gentlemen, who resided there, cameon board to pay their respects to LordB.; and, as Pickersgill had found outfrom Cecilia that her father wasacquainted with no one there, hereceived them in person; asked themdown in the cabin; called for wine; anddesired them to send their boat away, as
his own was going on shore. Thesmugglers took great care, that thesteward, cook, and lady's maid, shouldhave no communication with theguests; one of them, by Corbett'sdirection, being a sentinel over eachindividual. The gentlemen remainedabout half-an-hour on board, duringwhich Corbett and the smugglers hadfilled the portmanteaus found in thecabin with the lace, and they were putin the boat. Corbett then landed thegentlemen in the same boat, and wentup to the hotel, the smugglersfollowing him with the portmanteaus,without any suspicion or interruption.As soon as he was there, he orderedpost-horses, and set off for a town
close by, where he had correspondents;and thus the major part of the cargowas secured. Corbett then returned inthe night, bringing with him people toreceive the goods; and the smugglerslanded the silks, teas, &c., with the samegood fortune. Everything was out ofthe yacht except a portion of the lace,which the portmanteaus would nothold. Pickersgill might easily have sentthis on shore; but, to please MrsLascelles, he arranged otherwise.
The next morning, about an hour afterbreakfast was finished, Mrs Lascellesentered the cabin pretending to be inthe greatest consternation, and fell onthe sofa as if she were going to faint.
"Good heavens! what is the matter "exclaimed Cecilia, who knew very wellwhat was coming.
"Oh, the wretch! he has made suchproposals!"
"Proposals! what proposals what! LordBlaney " cried Miss Ossulton.
"Oh, he's no lord! he's a villain and asmuggler! and he insists that we shallboth fill our pockets full of lace, andgo on shore with him."
"Mercy on me! Then it is no hoax afterall; and I've been sitting down to dinner
with a smuggler!"
"Sitting down, madam! if it were to beno more than that but we are to takehis arm up to the hotel. Oh, dear!Cecilia, I am ordered on deck, praycome with me!"
Miss Ossulton rolled on the sofa, andrang for Phoebe; she was in a state ofgreat alarm.
A knock at the door.
"Come in," said Miss Ossulton,thinking it was Phoebe; whenPickersgill made his appearance.
"What do you want, sir Go out, sir! goout directly, or I'll scream!"
"It is no use screaming, madam;recollect that all on board are at myservice. You will oblige me by listeningto me, Miss Ossulton. I am, as youknow, a smuggler, and I must send thislace on shore. You will oblige me byputting it into your pockets, or aboutyour person, and prepare to go onshore with me. As soon as we arrive atthe hotel, you will deliver it to me, andI then shall reconduct you on board ofthe yacht. You are not the first lady whohas gone on shore with contrabandarticles about her person."
"Me, sir! go on shore in that way No,sir, never! What will the world say theHon. Miss Ossulton walking with asmuggler! No, sir, never!"
"Yes, madam, walking arm-in-arm witha smuggler: I shall have you on onearm, and Mrs Lascelles on the other;and I would advise you to take it veryquietly; for, in the first place, it will beyou who smuggle, as the goods will befound on your person, and you willcertainly be put in prison, for, at theleast appearance of insubordination,we run and inform against you; and,further, your niece will remain onboard as a hostage for your goodbehaviour, and if you have any regard
for her liberty, you will consentimmediately."
Pickersgill left the cabin, and shortlyafterwards Cecilia and Mrs Lascellesentered, apparently much distressed.They had been informed of all, andMrs Lascelles declared, that, for herpart, sooner than leave her poor Ceciliato the mercy of such people, she hadmade up her mind to submit to thesmuggler's demands. Cecilia alsobegged so earnestly, that Miss Ossulton,who had no idea that it was a trick,with much sobbing and blubbering,consented.
When all was ready, Cecilia left the
cabin; Pickersgill came down, handedup the two ladies, who had notexchanged a word with each otherduring Cecilia's absence; the boat wasready alongside they went in, andpulled on shore. Everything succeededto the smuggler's satisfaction. MissOssulton, frightened out of her wits,took his arm; and, with Mrs Lascelleson the other, they went up to the hotel,followed by four of his boat's crew. Assoon as they were shown into a room,Corbett, who was already on shore,asked for Lord B., and joined them.The ladies retired to another apartment,divested themselves of theircontraband goods, and, after calling forsome sandwiches and wine, Pickersgill
waited an hour, and then returned onboard. Mrs Lascelles was triumphant;and she rewarded her new ally, thesmuggler, with one of her sweetestsmiles. Community of interest willsometimes make strange friendships.
Chapter VII
CONCLUSION
We must now return to the otherparties who have assisted in the acts ofthis little drama. Lord B., after paddlingand paddling, the men relieving eachother in order to make head against the
wind which was off shore, arrivedabout midnight at a small town in WestBay, from whence he took a chaise onto Portsmouth, taking it for grantedthat his yacht would arrive as soon as,if not before himself, little imaginingthat it was in possession of thesmugglers. There he remained three orfour days, when, becoming impatient,he applied to one of his friends whohad a yacht at Cowes, and sailed withhim to look after his own.
We left the Happy-go-lucky chased by therevenue cutter. At first the smugglerhad the advantage before the wind; but,by degrees, the wind went round withthe sun, and brought the revenue cutter
to leeward: it was then a chase on awind, and the revenue cutter came fastup with her.
Morrison, perceiving that he had nochance of escape, let run the ankers ofbrandy that he might not becondemned; but still he was in anawkward situation, as he had more menon board than allowed by Act ofParliament. He therefore stood on,notwithstanding the shot of the cutterwent over and over him, hoping that afog or night might enable him toescape; but he had no such goodfortune, one of the shot carried awaythe head of his mast, and the Happy-go-lucky's luck was all over. He was
boarded and taken possession of; heasserted that the extra men were onlypassengers; but, in the first place, theywere dressed in seamen's clothes; and,in the second, as soon as the boat wasaboard of her, Appleboy had gonedown to his gin-toddy, and was not tobe disturbed. The gentlemen smugglerstherefore passed an uncomfortablenight; and the cutter going to Portlandby daylight before Appleboy was outof bed, they were taken on shore to themagistrate. Hautaine explained thewhole affair, and they were immediatelyreleased and treated with respect; butthey were not permitted to depart untilthey were bound over to appear againstthe smugglers, and prove the brandy
having been on board. They then setoff for Portsmouth in the seamen'sclothes, having had quite enough ofyachting for that season, Mr Ossultondeclaring that he only wanted to get hisluggage, and then he would take carehow he put himself again in the way ofthe shot of a revenue cruiser, or ofsleeping a night on her decks.
In the mean time Morrison and hismen were locked up in the jail, the oldman, as the key was turned on him,exclaiming, as he raised his foot invexation, "That cursed blue pigeon!"
We will now return to the yacht.
About an hour after Pickersgill hadcome on board, Corbett had made allhis arrangements and followed him. Itwas not advisable to remain at Torquayany longer, through fear of discovery;he, therefore, weighed the anchorbefore dinner, and made sail.
"What do you intend to do now, mylord " said Mrs Lascelles.
"I intend to run down to Cowes,anchor the yacht in the night; and anhour before daylight have you in myboat with all my men. I will take carethat you are in perfect safety, dependupon it, even if I run a risk. I should,indeed, be miserable, if, through my
wild freaks, any accident should happento Mrs Lascelles or Miss Ossulton."
"I am very anxious about my father,"observed Cecilia. "I trust that you willkeep your promise."
"I always have hitherto, Miss Ossulton;have I not "
"Ours is but a short and strangeacquaintance."
"I grant it; but it will serve for you totalk about long after. I shall disappearas suddenly as I have come you willneither of you, in all probability, eversee me again."
The dinner was announced, and theysat down to table as before; but theelderly spinster refused to make herappearance; and Mrs Lascelles andCecilia, who thought she had beenfrightened enough, did not attempt toforce her. Pickersgill immediatelyyielded to these remonstrances, and,from that time she remainedundisturbed in the ladies' cabin,meditating over the indignity of havingsat down to table, having drank wine,and been obliged to walk on shore,taking the arm of a smuggler, andappear in such a humiliating situation.
The wind was light, and they made but
little progress, and were not abreast ofPortland till the second day, whenanother yacht appeared in sight, and thetwo vessels slowly neared until in theafternoon they were within four milesof each other. It then fell a dead calmsignals were thrown out by the otheryacht, but could not be distinguished,and, for the last time, they sat down todinner. Three days' companionship onboard of a vessel, cooped up together,and having no one else to conversewith, will produce intimacy; andPickersgill was a young man of somuch originality and information, thathe was listened to with pleasure. Henever attempted to advance beyond theline of strict decorum and politeness;
and his companion was equallyunpresuming. Situated as they were,and feeling what must have been thecase had they fallen into other hands,both Cecilia and Mrs Lascelles feltsome degree of gratitude towards him;and, although anxious to be relievedfrom so strange a position, they hadgradually acquired a perfect confidencein him, and this had produced a degreeof familiarity, on their parts, althoughnever ventured upon by the smuggler.As Corbett was at the table, one of themen came down and made a sign.Corbett shortly after quitted the tableand went on deck. "I wish, my lord,you would come up a moment, and seeif you can make this flag out," said
Corbett, giving a significant nod toPickersgill. "Excuse me, ladies, onemoment," said Pickersgill, who went ondeck.
"It is the boat of the yacht coming onboard," said Corbett; "and Lord B. is inthe stern-sheets with the gentlemanwho was with him."
"And how many men in the boat let mesee only four. Well, let his lordship andhis friend come: when they are on thedeck, have the men ready in case ofaccident; but if you can manage to tellthe boat's crew that they are to go onboard again, and get rid of them thatway, so much the better. Arrange this
with Adams, and then come downagain his lordship must see us all atdinner."
Pickersgill then descended, and Corbetthad hardly time to give his directionsand to resume his seat, before hislordship and Mr Stewart pulled upalongside and jumped on deck. Therewas no one to receive them but theseamen, and those whom they did notknow. They looked round inamazement; at last his lordship said toAdams, who stood forward,
"What men are you "
"Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour."
Lord B. heard laughing in the cabin; hewould not wait to interrogate the men;he walked aft, followed by Mr Stewart,looked down the skylight, andperceived his daughter and MrsLascelles with, as he supposed,Hautaine and Ossulton.
Pickersgill had heard the boat rub theside, and the sound of the feet on deck,and he talked the more loudly, that theladies might be caught by Lord B. asthey were. He heard their feet at theskylight, and knew that they could hearwhat passed; and at that moment heproposed to the ladies that as this wastheir last meeting at table they should
all take a glass of champagne to drinkto "their happy meeting with Lord B."This was a toast which they did notrefuse. Maddox poured out the wine,and they were all bowing to each other,when his lordship, who had comedown the ladder, walked into the cabin,followed by Mr Stewart. Ceciliaperceived her father; the champagne-glass dropped from her hand she flewinto his arms, and burst into tears.
"Who would not be a father, MrsLascelles " said Pickersgill, quietlyseating himself, after having first risento receive Lord B.
"And pray, whom may I have the
honour of finding established here "said Lord B., in an angry tone, speakingover his daughter's head, who still lay inhis arms. "By heavens, yes Stewart, it isthe smuggling captain dressed out."
"Even so, my lord," replied Pickersgill."You abandoned your yacht to captureme; you left these ladies in a vesselcrippled for want of men; they mighthave been lost. I have returned goodfor evil by coming on board with myown people, and taking charge ofthem. This night, I expected to haveanchored your vessel in Cowes, andhave left them in safety."
"By the " cried Stewart.
"Stop, sir, if you please!" criedPickersgill; "recollect you have oncealready attacked one who neveroffended. Oblige me by refraining fromintemperate language; for I tell you Iwill not put up with it. Recollect, sir,that I have refrained from that, and alsofrom taking advantage of you whenyou were in my power. Recollect, sir,also, that the yacht is still in possessionof the smugglers, and that you are inno condition to insult with impunity.My lord, allow me to observe, that wemen are too hot of temperament toargue, or listen coolly. With yourpermission, your friend, and my friend,and I, will repair on deck, leaving you
to hear from your daughter and thatlady all that has passed. After that, mylord, I shall be most happy to hearanything which your lordship mayplease to say."
"Upon my word " commenced MrStewart.
"Mr Stewart," interrupted CeciliaOssulton, "I request your silence; nay,more, if ever we are again to sail in thesame vessel together, I insist upon it."
"Your lordship will oblige me byenforcing Miss Ossulton's request,"said Mrs Lascelles.
Mr Stewart was dumbfounded, nowonder, to find the ladies siding withthe smuggler.
"I am obliged to you ladies for yourinterference," said Pickersgill; "for,although I have the means of enforcingconditions, I should be sorry to availmyself of them. I wait for hislordship's reply."
Lord B. was very much surprised. Hewished for an explanation; he bowedwith hauteur. Everybody appeared to bein a false position; even he, Lord B.,somehow or another had bowed to asmuggler.
Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck,walking up and down, crossing eachother without speaking, but remindingyou of two dogs who both are anxiousto fight, but have been restrained by thevoice of their masters. Corbettfollowed, and talked in a low tone toPickersgill; Stewart went over toleeward to see if the boat was stillalongside, but it had long beforereturned to the yacht. Miss Ossultonhad heard her brother's voice, but didnot come out of the after-cabin; shewished to be magnificent and, at thesame time, she was not sure whether allwas right, Phoebe having informed herthat there was nobody with her brotherand Mr Stewart, and that the smugglers
still had the command of the vessel.After a while, Pickersgill and Corbettwent down forward, and returneddressed in the smuggler's clothes, whenthey resumed their walk on the deck.
In the mean time, it was dark; the cutterflew along the coast; and the Needles'lights were on the larboard bow. Theconversation between Cecilia, MrsLascelles, and her father, was long.When all had been detailed, and theconduct of Pickersgill duly represented,Lord B. acknowledged that, byattacking the smuggler, he had laidhimself open to retaliation; thatPickersgill had shown a great deal offorbearance in every instance; and, after
all, had he not gone on board the yachtshe might have been lost, with onlythree seamen on board. He was amusedwith the smuggling and the fright ofhis sister; still more with the gentlemenbeing sent to Cherbourg, and muchconsoled that he was not the only oneto be laughed at. He was also muchpleased with Pickersgill's intention ofleaving the yacht safe in Cowesharbour, his respect to the property onboard, and his conduct to the ladies.On the whole, he felt grateful toPickersgill; and where there is gratitudethere is always good will.
"But who can he be " said MrsLascelles; "his name he acknowledges
not to be Pickersgill; and he told meconfidentially that he was of goodfamily."
"Confidentially, my dear Mrs Lascelles!"said Lord B.
"Oh, yes! we are both his confidants.Are we not, Cecilia "
"Upon my honour, Mrs Lascelles, thissmuggler appears to have made animpression which many have attemptedin vain."
Mrs Lascelles did not reply to thatremark, but said, "Now, my lord, youmust decide and I trust you will to
oblige us treat him as he has treated us,with the greatest respect and kindness."
"Why should you suppose otherwise "replied Lord B.; "it is not only my wishbut my interest so to do. He may takeus over to France to-night, or anywhereelse. Has he not possession of thevessel "
"Yes," replied Cecilia; "but we flatterourselves that we have the command.Shall we call him down, papa "
"Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell MrPickersgill, who is on deck, that I wishto speak with him, and shall be obligedby his stepping down into the cabin."
"Who, my lord What Him "
"Yes, him," replied Cecilia, laughing.
"Must I call him, my lord, now, miss "
"You may do as you please, Maddox;but recollect, he is still in possession ofthe vessel," replied Cecilia.
"Then, with your lordship's permission,I will; it's the safest way."
The smuggler entered the cabin; theladies started as he appeared in hisrough costume, with his throat open,and his loose black handkerchief. He
was the beau ideal of a handsome sailor.
"Your lordship wishes to communicatewith me "
"Mr Pickersgill, I feel that you have hadcause of enmity against me, and thatyou have behaved with forbearance. Ithank you for your consideratetreatment of the ladies; and I assureyou, that I feel no resentment for whathas passed."
"My lord, I am quite satisfied with whatyou have said; and I only hope that, infuture, you will not interfere with apoor smuggler, who may be striving, bya life of danger and privation, to
procure subsistence for himself and,perhaps, his family. I stated to theseladies my intention of anchoring theyacht this night at Cowes, and leavingher as soon as she was in safety. Yourunexpected presence will only makethis difference, which is, that I mustpreviously obtain your lordship'sassurance that those with you will allowme and my men to quit her withoutmolestation, after we have performedthis service."
"I pledge you my word, Mr Pickersgill,and I thank you into the bargain. I trustyou will allow me to offer someremuneration."
"Most certainly not, my lord."
"At all events, Mr Pickersgill, if, at anyother time, I can be of service, you maycommand me."
Pickersgill made no reply.
"Surely, Mr Pickersgill, "
"Pickersgill! how I hate that name!" saidthe smuggler, musing. "I beg yourlordship's pardon if I may require yourassistance for any of my unfortunatecompanions "
"Not for yourself, Mr Pickersgill " saidMrs Lascelles.
"Madam, I smuggle no more."
"For the pleasure I feel in hearing thatresolution, Mr Pickersgill," said Cecilia,"take my hand and thanks."
"And mine," said Mrs Lascelles, halfcrying.
"And mine, too," said Lord B., risingup.
Pickersgill passed the back of his handacross his eyes, turned round, and leftthe cabin.
"I'm so happy!" said Mrs Lascelles,
bursting into tears.
"He's a magnificent fellow," observedLord B. "Come, let us all go on deck."
"You have not seen my aunt, papa."
"True; I'll go in to her, and then followyou."
The ladies went upon deck. Ceciliaentered into conversation with MrStewart, giving him a narrative of whathad happened. Mrs Lascelles sat abaftat the taffrail, with her pretty handsupporting her cheek, looking verymuch a la Juliette.
"Mrs Lascelles," said Pickersgill, "beforewe part, allow me to observe, that it isyou who have induced me to give up myprofession "
"Why me, Mr Pickersgill "
"You said that you did not like it."
Mrs Lascelles felt the force of thecompliment. "You said, just now, thatyou hated the name of Pickersgill: whydo you call yourself so "
"It was my smuggling name, MrsLascelles."
"And now, that you have left off
smuggling, pray what may be the namewe are to call you by "
"I cannot resume it till I have not onlyleft this vessel, but shaken hands with,and bid farewell to, my companions;and by that time, Mrs Lascelles, I shallbe away from you."
"But I've a great curiosity to know it,and a lady's curiosity must be gratified.You must call upon me some day, andtell it me. Here is my address."
Pickersgill received the card with a lowbow: and Lord B. coming on deck, MrsLascelles hastened to meet him.
The vessel was now passing the Bridgeat the Needles, and the smugglerpiloted her on. As soon as they wereclear and well inside, the whole partywent down into the cabin, Lord B.requesting Pickersgill and Corbett tojoin him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart,who had received the account of whathad passed from Cecilia, was veryattentive to Pickersgill, and took anopportunity of saying, that he wassorry that he had said or done anythingto annoy him. Every one recovered hisspirits; and all was good humour andmirth, because Miss Ossulton adheredto her resolution of not quitting thecabin till she could quit the yacht. Atten o'clock the yacht was anchored.
Pickersgill took his leave of thehonourable company, and went in hisboat with his men; and Lord B. wasagain in possession of his vessel,although he had not a ship's company.Maddox recovered his usual tone; andthe cook flourished his knife, swearingthat he should like to see the smugglerwho would again order him to dresscutlets a l'ombre Chinoise.
The yacht had remained three days atCowes, when Lord B. received a letterfrom Pickersgill, stating that the men ofhis vessel had been captured, andwould be condemned, in consequenceof their having the gentlemen onboard, who were bound to appear
against them, to prove that they hadsunk the brandy. Lord B. paid all therecognisances, and the men wereliberated for want of evidence.
It was about two years after this thatCecilia Ossulton, who was sitting at herwork-table in deep mourning for heraunt, was presented with a letter by thebutler. It was from her friend MrsLascelles, informing her that she wasmarried again to a Mr Davenant, andintended to pay her a short visit on herway to the Continent. Mr and MrsDavenant arrived the next day; andwhen the latter introduced herhusband, she said to Miss Ossulton,"Look, Cecilia, dear, and tell me if you
have ever seen Davenant before."
Cecilia looked earnestly: "I have,indeed," cried she at last, extending herhand with warmth; "and happy am I tomeet with him again."
For in Mr Davenant she recognised herold acquaintance, the captain of theHappy-go-lucky, Jack Pickersgill, thesmuggler.
THE END.
