From f40236106c8b32701fdf4322d3ebc03ef1284cc0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: clarenceluo78 Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2025 19:00:54 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] feat: add txt support for pageindex --- docs/ebooks_percival_keene.txt | 15667 +++++++++++++++++ pageindex/page_index.py | 22 +- pageindex/utils.py | 127 +- results/ebooks_percival_keene_structure.json | 289 + run_pageindex.py | 33 +- 5 files changed, 16105 insertions(+), 33 deletions(-) create mode 100644 docs/ebooks_percival_keene.txt create mode 100644 results/ebooks_percival_keene_structure.json diff --git a/docs/ebooks_percival_keene.txt b/docs/ebooks_percival_keene.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f54d27 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/ebooks_percival_keene.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15667 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Percival Keene + +This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online +at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, +you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located +before using this eBook. + +Title: Percival Keene + +Author: Frederick Marryat + +Release date: May 22, 2007 [eBook #21572] + +Language: English + +Credits: Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERCIVAL KEENE *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +Percival Keene, by Captain Marryat. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +Captain Frederick Marryat was born July 10 1792, and died August 8 1848. +He retired from the British navy in 1828 in order to devote himself to +writing. In the following 20 years he wrote 26 books, many of which are +among the very best of English literature, and some of which are still +in print. + +Marryat had an extraordinary gift for the invention of episodes in his +stories. He says somewhere that when he sat down for the day's work, he +never knew what he was going to write. He certainly was a literary +genius. + +"Percival Keene" was published in 1842, the nineteenth book to flow from +Marryat's pen. + +This e-text was transcribed in 1998 by Nick Hodson, and was reformatted +in 2003, and again in 2005. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +PERCIVAL KEENE, BY CAPTAIN FREDERICK MARRYAT. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +A few miles from the town of Southampton there is an old mansion-house, +which has been for centuries known as Madeline Hall, in the possession +of the de Versely family. It is a handsome building, surrounded by a +finely timbered park of some extent, and, what is more important, by +about 12,000 acres of land, which also appertain to it. At the period +in which I commence this history, there resided in this mansion an +elderly spinster of rank, named the Honourable Miss Delmar, sister of +the late Lord de Versely and aunt to the present earl, and an Honourable +Captain Delmar, who was the second son of the deceased nobleman. This +property belonged to the Honourable Miss Delmar, and was at her entire +disposal upon her decease. + +The Honourable Captain Delmar, at the time I am speaking of, commanded a +frigate employed upon what was designated channel service, which in +those days implied that the captain held a seat in the House of Commons +and that he voted with the ministry; and further, that his vote might, +when required, be forthcoming, the frigate was never sea-going, except +during the recess. It must be admitted that H.M. ship Paragon did +occasionally get under weigh and remain cruising in sight of land for +two or three days, until the steward reported that the milk provided for +the captain's table was turning sour; upon which important information +the helm was immediately put up, and the frigate, in a case of such +extreme distress, would drop her anchor at the nearest port under her +lee. Now as the Paragon was constantly at Spithead, Captain Delmar was +very attentive in visiting his aunt, who lived at Madeline Hall; +ill-natured people asserted, because she had so fine an estate in her +own gift. Certain it is, that he would remain there for weeks, which +gave great satisfaction to the old lady, who liked her nephew, liked +attention, and was even so peculiar as to like sailors. But it must be +observed that there was another person at the mansion who also liked the +captain, liked attention, and liked sailors; this was Miss Arabella +Mason, a very pretty young woman of eighteen years of age, who +constantly looked in the glass merely to ascertain if she had ever seen +a face which she preferred to her own, and who never read any novel +without discovering that there was a remarkable likeness between the +heroine and her pretty self. + +Miss Arabella Mason was the eldest daughter of the steward of the old +Lord de Versely, brother to the Honourable Miss Delmar, and was much +respected by his lordship for his fidelity and his knowledge of +business, in the transaction of which he fell, for he was felling trees, +and a tree fell upon him. He left a widow and two daughters: it was +said that at his death Mrs Mason was not badly off, as her husband had +been very careful of his earnings. Mrs Mason, however, did not +corroborate this statement; on the contrary, she invariably pleaded +poverty; and the Honourable Miss Delmar, after Lord de Versely's death-- +which happened soon after that of his steward--sent both the daughters +to be educated at a country school, where, as everything that is taught +is second-rate, young ladies, of course, receive a second-rate +education. Mrs Mason was often invited by the Honourable Miss Delmar +to spend a month at Madeline Hall, and used to bring her eldest +daughter, who had left school, with her. Latterly, however, the +daughter remained as a fixture, and Mrs Mason received but an +occasional invitation. It may be inquired in what capacity Miss +Arabella Mason remained at the Hall; she was not a servant, for her +position in life was above that of a menial; neither was she received +altogether in the saloon, as she was of too humble a grade to mix with +gentry and nobility; she was, therefore, betwixt and between, a sort of +humble companion in the drawing-room, a cut above the housekeeper in the +still-room, a fetcher and carrier of the honourable spinster's wishes, a +sort of link between the aristocratic old dame and her male attendants, +towards whom she had a sort of old maidish aversion. However this +position might be found useful to her mistress, it must be admitted that +it was a most unfortunate position for a young, thoughtless, and very +pretty girl, moreover, who was naturally very lively, very smart in +repartee, and very fond of being admired. + +As the Honourable Captain Delmar was very constant in his visits to his +aunt, it was but natural that he should pay some little attention to her +humble companion. By degrees the intimacy increased, and at last there +were reports in the servants' hall, that the captain and Miss Bella +Mason had been seen together in the evergreen walk; and as the captain's +visits were continually repeated during the space of two years so did +the scandal increase, and people became more ill-natured. It was now +seen that Miss Bella had been very often found in tears, and the old +butler and the older housekeeper shook their heads at each other like +responsive mandarins; the only person who was ignorant of the scandal +afloat was the old lady spinster herself. + +I must now introduce another personage. The Honourable Captain Delmar +did not, of course, travel without his valet, and this important +personage had been selected out of the marine corps which had been +drafted into the frigate. Benjamin Keene, for such was his name, was +certainly endowed with several qualities which were indispensable in a +valet; he was very clean in his person, very respectful in his +deportment, and, after the sovereign of Great Britain, looked upon the +Honourable Captain Delmar as the greatest person in the world. +Moreover, Benjamin Keene, although only a private marine was, without +exception, one of the handsomest men that ever was seen and being +equally as well made and well drilled as he was handsome in person, he +was the admiration of all the young women. But Nature, who delights in +a drawback, had contrived to leave him almost without brains; and +further, he was wholly uneducated--for he was too stupid to learn--his +faculties were just sufficient to enable him, by constant drilling, to +be perfect in the manual exercise, and mechanically to perform his +duties as a valet. + +Ben always accompanied his master to the hall, where the former was at +one and the same time the admiration and laughter of all the servants. +It hardly need be observed, that the clever and sprightly Miss Arabella +Mason considered Ben as one much beneath her, that is, she said so on +his first arrival at Madeline hall; but, strange to say, that two years +afterwards, just at the time that reports had been raised that she had +been frequently discovered in tears, there was a change in her manner +towards him; indeed some people insinuated that she was setting her cap +at the handsome marine: this idea, it is true, was ridiculed by the +majority; but still the intimacy appeared rapidly to increase. It was +afterwards asserted by those who find out everything after it has taken +place, that Ben would never have ventured to look up to such an unequal +match had he not been prompted to it by his master, who actually +proposed that he should marry the girl. That such was the fact is +undoubted, although they knew it not; and Ben, who considered the wish +of his captain as tantamount to an order, as soon as he could comprehend +what his captain required of him, stood up erect and raised his hand +with a flourish to his head, in token of his obedience. Shortly +afterwards, Captain Delmar again came over to Madeline Hall, accompanied +as usual, by Ben, and the second day after their arrival it was made +known to all whom it might concern, that Miss Arabella Mason had +actually contracted a secret marriage with the handsome Benjamin Keene. + +Of course, the last person made acquainted with this interesting +intelligence was the Honourable Miss Delmar, and her nephew took upon +himself to make the communication. At first the honourable spinster +bridled up with indignation, wondered at the girl's indelicacy, and much +more at her demeaning herself by marrying a private marine. Captain +Delmar replied, that it was true that Ben was only a private, but that +every common soldier was a gentleman by profession. It was true that +Bella Mason might have done better--but she was his aunt's servant, and +Keene was his valet, so that the disparity was not so very great. He +then intimated that he had long perceived the growing attachment; talked +of the danger of young people being left so much together; hinted about +opportunity, and descanted upon morals and propriety. The Honourable +Miss Delmar was softened down by the dexterous reasoning of her nephew; +she was delighted to find so much virtue extant in a sailor; and, after +an hour's conversation, the married couple were sent for, graciously +pardoned, and Mrs Keene, after receiving a very tedious lecture, +received a very handsome present. But if her mistress was appeased, +Mrs Keene's mother was not. As soon as the intelligence was received, +old Mrs Mason set off for Madeline Hall. She first had a closeted +interview with her daughter, and then with Captain Delmar, and as soon +as the latter was over, she immediately took her departure, without +paying her respects to the mistress of the Hall, or exchanging one word +with any of the servants; this conduct gave occasion to more +innuendoes--some indeed ascribed her conduct to mortification at her +daughter's having made so imprudent a match, but others exchanged very +significant glances. + +Three weeks after the marriage, the Parliament having been prorogued, +the admiral of the port considered that he was justified in ordering the +frigate out on a cruise. Ben Keene, of course accompanied his master, +and it was not until three months had passed away that the frigate +returned into port. As usual, the Honourable Captain Delmar, as soon as +he had paid his respects to the admiral, set off to visit his aunt, +accompanied by his benedict marine. On his arrival, he found that +everything appeared to be in great confusion; indeed an event was +occurring which had astonished the whole household; the butler made a +profound bow to the captain; the footmen forgot their usual smirk when +he alighted. Captain Delmar was ushered in solemn silence into the +drawing-room, and his aunt, who had notice of his arrival received him +with a stiff, prim air of unwonted frigidity, with her arms crossed +before her on her white muslin apron. + +"My dear aunt," said Captain Delmar, as she coldly took his proffered +hand, "what is the matter?" + +"The matter is this, nephew," replied the old lady--"that marriage of +your marine and Bella Mason should have taken place six months sooner +than it did. This is a wicked world, nephew; and sailors, I'm afraid, +are--" + +"Marines, you should say, in this instance, my dear aunt," replied +Captain Delmar, insinuatingly. "I must confess that neither sailors nor +marines are quite so strict as they ought to be; however, Ben has +married her. Come, my dear aunt, allow me to plead for them, although I +am very much distressed that such an event should take place in your +house. I think," added he, after a pause, "I shall give Mr Keene seven +dozen at the gangway, for his presumption, as soon as I return on +board." + +"That won't mend the matter, nephew," replied Miss Delmar. "I'll turn +her out of the house as soon as she can be moved." + +"And I'll flog him as soon as I get him on board," rejoined the captain. +"I will not have your feelings shocked, and your mind harassed in this +way, by any impropriety on the part of my followers--most infamous-- +shameful--abominable--unpardonable," interjected the captain, walking +the quarter-deck up and down the room. + +The Honourable Miss Delmar continued to talk, and the honourable captain +to agree with her in all she said, for an hour at least. When people +are allowed to give vent to their indignation without the smallest +opposition they soon talk it away; such was the case with the Honourable +Miss Delmar. When it was first announced that Bella Keene was safely in +bed with a fine boy, the offended spinster turned away from the +communication with horror; when her own maid ventured to remark that it +was a lovely baby, she was ordered to hold her tongue; she would not see +the suffering mother, and the horrid marine was commanded to stay in the +kitchen, lest she should be contaminated by meeting him on the stairs; +but every day softened down her indignation, and before a fortnight was +over the Honourable Miss Delmar had not only seen but admired the baby; +and at last decided upon paying a visit to the mother, who was now +sufficiently recovered to undergo a lecture of about two hours' length, +in which the honourable spinster commented upon her _in_decency, +_in_discretion, _in_considerateness, _in_correctness, _in_decorum, +_in_continence, and _in_delicacy; pointing out that her conduct was most +inexcusable, iniquitous, and most infamous. The Honourable Miss Delmar +having had such a long innings then gave it up, because she was out of +breath. Bella, who waited patiently to make her response, and who was a +very clever girl, then declared, with many tears, that she was aware +that her conduct was _in_excusable, her faults had been _in_voluntary, +and her sorrow was _in_expressible; her _in_experience and her +_in_fatuation her only apology; that her _in_felicity at her mistress's +displeasure would _in_evitably increase her sufferings; assured her that +she was not _in_corrigible, and that if her mistress would only indulge +her with forgiveness, as she hoped to _in_herit heaven she would never +_in_cur her anger by committing the same fault again. Satisfied with +this assurance, the Honourable Miss Delmar softened down, and not only +forgave, but actually took the child into her lap that Bella might read +the Bible which she had presented her with. Reader, the child who had +this great honour conferred upon him, who actually laid in the +immaculate lap, on the apron of immaculate snowy whiteness of the +immaculate Honourable Miss Delmar, was no other person than the narrator +of this history--or, if you please it, the Hero of this Tale. + +That my mother had so far smoothed things pretty well must be +acknowledged; but it was to be presumed that her husband might not be +pleased at so unusual an occurrence, and already the sneers and +innuendoes of the servants' hall were not wanting. It appeared, +however, that an interview had taken place between Ben and Captain +Delmar shortly after my making my appearance: what occurred did not +transpire, but this is certain that, upon the marine's return to the +kitchen, one of the grooms, who ventured to banter him, received such a +sound thrashing from Ben that it put an end to all further joking. As +Ben had taken up the affair so seriously, it was presumed that if there +had been anticipation of the hymeneal rites he was himself the party who +had been hasty; and that now he was married, he was resolved to resent +any impertinent remarks upon his conduct. At all events, the question +now became one of less interest, as the scandal was of less importance; +and as Ben had made known his determination to resent any remarks upon +the subject, not a word more was said, at all events when he was +present. + +In due time I was christened, and so completely was my mother +reinstalled in the good graces of her mistress, that as Captain Delmar +had volunteered to stand my sponsor, the Honourable Miss Delmar gave the +necessary female security; at the particular request of my mother, the +captain consented that I should bear his own Christian name, and I was +duly registered in the church books as Percival Keene. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +There is no security in this world. A dissolution of Parliament took +place, and on the following election the Honourable Captain Delmar's +constituents, not being exactly pleased at the total indifference which +he had shown to their interests, took upon themselves to elect another +member in his stead, who, as Captain Delmar had previously done, +promised everything, and in all probability would follow the honourable +captain's example by performing nothing. The loss of his election was +followed up by the loss of his ship, his majesty's government not +considering it necessary that Captain Delmar (now that he had leisure to +attend to his professional duties) should retain his command. The +frigate, therefore, was paid off, and recommissioned by another captain +who had friends in Parliament. + +As Ben Keene belonged to the marine corps, he could not, of course, +remain as valet to Captain Delmar, but was ordered, with the rest of the +detachment, to the barracks at Chatham; my mother, although she was +determined that she would not live at barracks, was not sorry to leave +the Hall, where she could not fail to perceive that she was, from her +imprudent conduct, no longer treated with the respect or cordiality to +which she had been previously accustomed. She was most anxious to quit +a place in which her disgrace was so well known; and Captain Delmar +having given her his advice, which coincided with her own ideas, and +also a very munificent present to enable her to set up housekeeping, +took his departure from the Hall. My mother returned to her room as the +wheels of his carriage rattled over the gravel of the drive, and many +were the bitter tears which she shed over her unconscious boy. + +The following day the Honourable Miss Delmar sent for her; as usual, +commenced with a tedious lecture, which, as before, was wound up at +parting with a handsome present. The day after my mother packed up her +trunks, and with me in her arms set off to Chatham, where we arrived +safely, and immediately went into furnished lodgings. My mother was a +clever, active woman, and the presents which she had at different times +received amounted to a considerable sum of money, over which her husband +had never ventured to assert any claim. + +Indeed, I must do Ben Keene the justice to say that he had the virtue of +humility. He felt that his wife was in every way his superior and that +it was only under peculiar circumstances that he could have aspired to +her. He was, therefore, submissive to her in everything, consenting to +every proposal that was made by her, and guided by her opinion. When, +therefore, on her arrival at Chatham, she pointed out how impossible it +would be for one brought up as she had been to associate with the women +in the barracks, and that she considered it advisable that she should +set up some business by which she might gain a respectable livelihood, +Ben, although he felt that this would be a virtual separation _a mensa +et thoro_, named no objections. Having thus obtained the consent of her +husband, who considered her so much his superior as to be infallible, my +mother, after much cogitation, resolved that she would embark her +capital in a circulating library and stationer's shop; for she argued +that selling paper, pens, and sealing-wax was a commerce which would +secure to her customers of the better class. Accordingly, she hired a +house close to the barracks, with a very good-sized shop below, painting +and papering it very smartly; there was much taste in all her +arrangements, and although the expenses of the outlay and the first +year's rent had swallowed up a considerable portion of the money she had +laid by, it soon proved that she had calculated well, and her shop +became a sort of lounge for the officers, who amused themselves with her +smartness and vivacity, the more so as she had a talent for repartee, +which men like to find in a very pretty woman. + +In a short time my mother became quite the rage, and it was a mystery +how so pretty and elegant a person could have become the wife of a +private marine. It was however, ascribed to her having been captivated +with the very handsome person and figure of her husband, and having +yielded to her feelings in a moment of infatuation. The ladies +patronised her circulating library; the officers and gentlemen purchased +her stationery. My mother then added gloves, perfumery, canes, and +lastly cigars, to her previous assortment and before she had been a year +in business, found that she was making money very fast, and increasing +her customers every day. My mother had a great deal of tact; with the +other sex she was full of merriment and fond of joking, consequently a +great favourite; towards her own sex her conduct was quite the reverse; +she assumed a respectful, prudish air, blended with a familiarity which +was never offensive; she was, therefore, equally popular with her own +sex, and prospered in every sense of the word. Had her husband been the +least inclined to have asserted his rights, the position which she had +gained was sufficient to her reducing him to a state of subjection. She +had raised herself, unaided, far above him; he saw her continually +chatting and laughing with his own officers, to whom he was compelled to +make a respectful salute whenever they passed by him; he could not +venture to address her, or even to come into the shop, when his officers +were there, or it would have been considered disrespectful towards them; +and as he could not sleep out of barracks, all his intercourse with her +was to occasionally slink down by the area, to find something better to +eat than he could have in his own mess, or obtain from her an occasional +shilling to spend in beer. Ben, the marine, found at last that somehow +or another, his wife had slipped out of his hands; that he was nothing +more than a pensioner on her bounty a slave to her wishes, and a fetcher +and carrier at her command, and he resigned himself quietly to his fate, +as better men have done before. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +I think that the reader will agree with me that my mother showed in her +conduct great strength of character. She had been compelled to marry a +man whom she despised, and to whom she felt herself superior in every +respect; she had done so to save her reputation. That she had been in +error is true but situation and opportunity had conspired against her; +and when she found out the pride and selfishness of the man to whom she +was devoted, and for whom she had sacrificed so much,--when her ears +were wounded by proposals from his lips that she should take such a step +to avoid the scandal arising from their intimacy--when at the moment +that he made such a proposition, and the veil fell down and revealed the +heart of man in its selfishness, it is not to be wondered that, with +bitter tears, arising from wounded love, anger, and despair at her +hopeless position, she consented. After having lost all she valued, +what did she care for the future? It was but one sacrifice more to +make, one more proof of her devotion and obedience. But there are few +women who, like my mother, would have recovered her position to the +extent that she did. Had she not shown such determination, had she +consented to have accompanied her husband to the barracks, and have +mixed up with the other wives of the men, she would have gradually sunk +down to their level; to this she could not consent. Having once freed +herself from her thraldom, he immediately sunk down to his level, as she +rose up to a position in which, if she could not ensure more than +civility and protection, she was at all events secure from insult and +ill-treatment. + +Such was the state of affairs when I had arrived at the important age of +six years, a comic-looking, laughing urchin, petted by the officers, and +as fall of mischief as a tree full of monkeys. My mother's business had +so much increased, that, about a year previous to this date, she had +found it necessary to have some one to assist her, and had decided upon +sending for her sister Amelia to live with her. It was, however, +necessary to obtain her mother's consent. My grandmother had never seen +my mother since the interview which she had had with her at Madeline +Hall shortly after her marriage with Ben the marine. Latterly, however, +they had corresponded; for my mother, who was too independent to seek +her mother when she was merely the wife of a private marine, now that +she was in flourishing circumstances had first tendered the olive +branch, which had been accepted, as soon as my grandmother found that +she was virtually separated from her husband. As my grandmother found +it rather lonely at the isolated house in which she resided, and Amelia +declared herself bored to death, it was at last agreed that my +grandmother and my aunt Amelia should both come and take up their +residence with my mother, and in due time they arrived. Milly, as my +aunt was called, was three years younger than my mother, very pretty and +as smart as her sister, perhaps a little more demure in her look, but +with more mischief in her disposition. My grandmother was a cross, +spiteful old woman; she was very large in her person, but very +respectable in her appearance. I need not say that Miss Amelia did not +lessen the attraction at the circulating library, which after her +arrival was even more frequented by the officers than before. + +My aunt Milly was very soon as fond of me as I was of mischief; indeed +it is not to be wondered at, for I was a type of the latter. I soon +loved her better than my mother, for she encouraged me in all my tricks. +My mother looked grave, and occasionally scolded me; my grandmother +slapped me hard and rated me continually; but reproof or correction from +the two latter were of no avail; and the former, when she wished to play +any trick which she dared not do herself, employed me as her agent; so +that I obtained the whole credit for what were her inventions, and I may +safely add, underwent the whole blame and punishment; but that I cared +nothing for; her caresses, cakes, and sugar-plums, added to my natural +propensity, more than repaid me for the occasional severe rebukes of my +mother, and the vindictive blows I received from the long fingers of my +worthy grandmother. Moreover, the officers took much notice of me, and +it must be admitted, that, although I positively refused to learn my +letters, I was a very forward child. My great patron was a Captain +Bridgeman, a very thin, elegantly-made man, who was continually +performing feats of address and activity; occasionally I would escape +with him and go down to the mess, remain at dinner, drink toasts, and, +standing on the mess-table, sing two or three comic songs which he had +taught me. I sometimes returned a little merry with the bumpers, which +made my mother very angry, my old grandmother to hold up her hands, and +look at the ceiling through her spectacles, and my aunt Milly as merry +as myself. Before I was eight years old, I had become so notorious, +that any prank played in the town, any trick undiscovered, was +invariably laid to my account; and many were the applications made to my +mother for indemnification for broken windows and other damage done, too +often, I grant, with good reason, but very often when I had been +perfectly innocent of the misdemeanour. At last I was voted a common +nuisance, and every one, except my mother and my aunt Milly, declared +that it was high time that I went to school. + +One evening the whole of the family were seated at tea in the back +parlour. I was sitting very quietly and demurely in a corner, a sure +sign that I was in mischief, and so indeed I was (for I was putting a +little gunpowder into my grandmother's snuff-box, which I had purloined, +just that she might "smell powder," as they say at sea, without danger +of life or limb), when the old woman addressed my mother-- + +"Bella, is that boy never going to school? it will be the ruin of him." + +"What will be the ruin of him, mother?" rejoined my aunt Milly; "going +to school?" + +"Hold your nonsense, child: you are as bad as the boy himself," replied +granny. "Boys are never ruined by education; girls sometimes are." + +Whether my mother thought that this was an innuendo reflecting upon any +portion of her own life, I cannot tell; but she replied very tartly. + +"You're none the worse for my education, mother, or you would not be +sitting here." + +"Very true, child," replied granny; "but recollect, neither would you +have married a marine--a private marine, Bella, while your sister looks +up to the officers. Ay," continued the old woman, leaving off her +knitting and looking at her daughter, "and is likely to get one, too, if +she plays her cards well--that Lieutenant Flat can't keep out of the +shop." (My granny having at this moment given me an opportunity to +replace her snuff-box, I did not fail to profit by it; and as I +perceived her knitting-pin had dropped on the floor, I stuck it into the +skirt of her gown behind, so that whenever she looked for it, it was +certain ever to be behind her.) + +"Mr Flat is of a very respectable family, I hear say," continued my +grandmother. + +"And a great fool," interrupted my mother. "I hope Milly won't listen +to him." + +"He's an officer," replied my granny, "not a private." + +"Well, mother, I prefer my private marine, for I can make him do as I +please; if he's a private, I'm commanding officer, and intend so to be +as long as I live." + +"Well, well, Bella, let us say no more on the old score; but that boy +must go to school. Deary me, I have dropped my needle." + +My grandmother rose, and turned round and round, looking for her needle, +which, strange to say, she could not find; she opened her snuff-box, and +took a pinch to clear her optics. "Deary me, why, what's the matter +with my snuff? and where can that needle be? Child, come and look for +the needle; don't be sticking there in that corner." + +I thought proper to obey the order and pretended to be very diligent in +my search. Catching aunt Milly's eye, I pointed to the knitting-needle +sticking in the hind skirts of my grandmother's gown, and then was down +on my knees again, while my aunt held her handkerchief to her mouth to +check her laughter. + +A minute afterwards, Ben the marine first tapped gently, and then opened +the door and came in; for at that late hour the officers were all at +dinner, and the shop empty. + +"There are three parcels of books for you to take," said my mother; "but +you've plenty of time, so take down the tea-things, and get your tea in +the kitchen before you go." + +"You haven't got a shilling, Bella, about you? I want some 'baccy," +said Ben, in his quiet way. + +"Yes, here's a shilling, Ben; but don't drink too much beer," replied my +mother. + +"Deary me, what can have become of my needle?" exclaimed my grandmother, +turning round. + +"Here it is, ma'am," said Ben, who perceived it sticking in her skirt. +"That's Percival's work, I'll answer for it." + +My granny received the needle from Ben, and then turned to me: "You +good-for-nothing boy; so you put the needle there, did you? pretending +to look for it all the while; you shall go to school, sir, that you +shall." + +"You said a needle, granny; I was looking for a needle: you didn't say +your knitting-pin; I could have told you where that was." + +"Yes, yes, those who hide can find; to school you go, or I'll not stay +in the house." + +Ben took the tea-tray out of the room. He had been well drilled in and +out of barracks. + +"I'll go down in the kitchen to father," cried I, for I was tired of +sitting still. + +"No, you won't, sir," said my mother, "you naughty boy; the kitchen is +not the place for you, and if ever I hear of you smoking a pipe again--" + +"Captain Bridgeman smokes," replied I. + +"Yes, sir, he smokes cigars; but a child like you must not smoke a +pipe." + +"And now come here, sir," said my granny, who had the lid of her +snuff-box off, and held it open in her hand; "what have you been doing +with my snuff?" + +"Why, granny, have I had your snuff-box the whole day?" + +"How should I know?--a boy like you, with every finger a fish-hook; I do +believe you have; I only wish I could find you out. I had fresh snuff +this morning." + +"Perhaps they made a mistake at the shop, mother," said aunt Milly; +"they are very careless." + +"Well, I can't tell: I must have some more; I can't take this." + +"Throw it in the fire, granny," said I; "and I'll run with the box and +get it full again." + +"Well, I suppose it's the best thing I can do," replied the old woman, +who went to the grate, and leaning over, poured the snuff out on the +live coals. The result was a loud explosion and a volume of smoke, +which burst out of the grate into her face--the dinner and lappets +singed, her spectacles lifted from her nose, and her face as black as a +sweep's. The old woman screamed, and threw herself back; in so doing, +she fell over the chair upon which she had been sitting, and, somehow or +another, tripped me up, and lay with all her weight upon me. I had been +just attempting to make my escape during the confusion--for my mother +and Milly were equally frightened--when I found myself completely +smothered by the weight of my now almost senseless granny, and, as I +have before mentioned, she was a very corpulent woman. Had I been in +any other position I should not have suffered so much; but I had +unfortunately fallen flat on my back, and was now lying with my face +upwards, pressed upon by the broadest part of the old woman's body; my +nose was flattened, and my breath completely stopped. How long my +granny might have remained there groaning I cannot tell; probably, as I +was somewhat a spoiled child before this, it might have ended in her +completely finishing me; but she was roused up from her state of half +syncope by a vigorous attack from my teeth, which, in the agony of +suffocation, I used with preternatural force of jaw from one so young. +I bit right through everything she had on, and as my senses were fast +departing, my teeth actually met with my convulsive efforts. My granny, +roused by the extreme pain, rolled over on her side, and then it was +that my mother and aunt, who supposed that I had made my escape from the +room, discovered me lifeless, and black in the face. They ran to me, +but I still held on with my teeth, nor could I be separated from my now +screaming relative, until the admission of fresh air, and a plentiful +sprinkling of cold water brought me to my senses, when I was laid on the +sofa utterly exhausted. It certainly was a narrow escape, and it may be +said that the "biter was nearly bit." As for my granny, she recovered +her fright and her legs, but she did not recover her temper; she could +not sit down without a pillow on the chair for many days, and, although +little was said to me in consequence of the danger I had incurred, yet +there was an evident abhorrence of me on the part of the old woman, a +quiet manner about my mother, and a want of her usual hilarity on the +part of my aunt, which were to me a foreboding of something unpleasant. +A few days brought to light what was the result of various whisperings +and consultations. It was on a fine Monday morning, that Ben made his +appearance at an unusually early hour; my cap was put on my head, my +cloak over my shoulders; Ben took me by the hand, having a covered +basket in the other, and I was led away like a lamb to the butcher. As +I went out there was a tear in the eyes of my aunt Milly, a melancholy +over the countenance of my mother, and a twinkling expression of +satisfaction in my grandmother's eyes, which even her spectacles could +not conceal from me: the fact was, my grandmother had triumphed, and I +was going to school. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +As soon as I was clear of the door, I looked up into Ben's face and +said, "Father, where are we going?" + +"Well," replied he, "I am going to take you to school." + +"School! What am I going to school for?" replied I. + +"For biting your grandmother, I expect, in the first place, and to get a +little learning, and a good deal of flogging, if what they say is true! +I never was at school myself." + +"What do you learn, and why are you flogged?" + +"You learn to read, and to write, and to count; I can't do either-- +more's the pity; and you are flogged, because without flogging, little +boys can't learn anything." + +This was not a very satisfactory explanation. I made no further +inquiries, and we continued our way in silence until we arrived at the +school door; there was a terrible buzz inside. Ben tapped, the door +opened, and a volume of hot air burst forth, all the fresh air having +been consumed in repeating the fresh lessons for the day. Ben walked up +between the forms, and introduced me to the schoolmaster, whose name was +Mr Thadeus O'Gallagher, a poor scholar from Ireland, who had set up an +establishment at half-a-guinea a quarter for day scholars; he was +reckoned a very severe master, and the children were kept in better +order in his school than in any other establishment of the kind in the +town; and I presume that my granny had made inquiries to that effect, as +there were one or two schools of the same kind much nearer to my +mother's house. Ben, who probably had a great respect for learning, in +consequence of his having none himself, gave a military salute to Mr +O'Gallagher, saying, with his hand still to his hat, "A new boy, sir, +come to school." + +"Oh, by the powers! don't I know him?" cried Mr O'Gallagher; "it's the +young gentleman who bit a hole in his grandmother; Master Keene, as they +call him. Keen teeth, at all events. Lave him with me; and that's his +dinner in the basket I presume; lave that too. He'll soon be a good +boy, or it will end in a blow-up." + +Ben put down the basket, turned on his heel, and left the schoolroom, +and me standing by the throne of my future pedagogue--I say throne, +because he had not a desk, as schoolmasters generally have, but a sort +of square dais, about eighteen inches high, on which was placed another +oblong superstructure of the same height, serving him for a seat; both +parts were covered with some patched and torn old drugget, and upon +subsequent examination I found them to consist of three old claret cases +without covers, which he had probably picked up very cheap; two of them +turned upside down, so as to form the lower square, and the third placed +in the same way upside down, upon the two lower. Mr O'Gallagher sat in +great dignity upon the upper one, with his feet on the lower, being thus +sufficiently raised upon an eminence to command a view of the whole of +his pupils in every part of the school. He was not a tall man, but very +square built, with carroty hair and very bushy red whiskers; to me he +appeared a most formidable person, especially when he opened his large +mouth and displayed his teeth, when I was reminded of the sign of the +Red Lion close to my mother's house. I certainly never had been before +so much awed during my short existence as I was with the appearance of +my pedagogue, who sat before me somewhat in the fashion of a Roman +tribune, holding in his hand a short round ruler, as if it were his +truncheon of authority. I had not been a minute in the school before I +observed him to raise his arm; away went the ruler whizzing through the +air, until it hit the skull of the lad for whom it was intended at the +other end of the schoolroom. The boy, who had been talking to his +neighbour, rubbed his poll, and whined. + +"Why don't you bring back my ruler, you spalpeen?" said Mr O'Gallagher. +"Be quick, Johnny Target, or it will end in a blow-up." + +The boy, who was not a little confused with the blow, sufficiently +recovered his senses to obey the order, and whimpering as he came up, +returned the ruler to the hands of Mr O'Gallagher. + +"That tongue of yours will get you into more trouble than it will +business, I expect, Johnny Target; it's an unruly member, and requires a +constant ruler over it." Johnny Target rubbed his head and said +nothing. + +"Master Keene," said he, after a short pause, "did you see what a +tundering tump on the head that boy got just now, and do you know what +it was for?" + +"No," replied I. + +"Where's your manners, you animal? No `If you plase.' For the future, +you must not forget to say, `No, sir,' or, `No, Mr O'Gallagher.' D'ye +mind me--now say yes--what?" + +"Yes, what!" + +"Yes, what! you little ignoramus; say `yes, Mr O'Gallagher,' and +recollect, as the parish clerk says, `this is the last time of asking.'" + +"Yes, Mr O'Gallagher." + +"Ah! now you see, there's nothing like coming to school--you've learn't +manners already; and now, to go back again, as to why Johnny Target had +the rap on the head, which brought tears into his eyes? I'll just tell +you, it was for talking; you see, the first thing for a boy to learn, is +to hold his tongue, and that shall be your lesson for the day; you'll +just sit down there and if you say one word during the whole time you +are in the school, it will end in a blow-up; that means, on the present +occasion, that I'll skin you alive as they do the eels, which being +rather keen work, will just suit your constitution." I had wit enough +to feel assured that Mr O'Gallagher was not to be trifled with, so I +took my seat, and amused myself with listening to the various lessons +which the boys came up to say, and the divers punishments inflicted--few +escaped. At last, the hour of recreation and dinner arrived, the boys +were dismissed, each seized his basket, containing his provisions, or +ran home to get his meal with his parents: I found myself sitting in the +school-room _tete-a-tete_ with Mr O'Gallagher, and feeling very well +inclined for my dinner I cast a wistful eye at my basket, but I said +nothing; Mr O'Gallagher, who appeared to have been in thought, at last +said-- + +"Mr Keene, you may now go out of school, and scream till you're hoarse, +just to make up for lost time." + +"May I take my dinner, sir?" inquired I. + +"Is it your dinner you mane?--to be sure you may; but, first, I'll just +look into the basket and its contents; for you see, Mr Keene, there's +some victuals that don't agree with larning; and if you eat them, you'll +not be fit for your work when your play-hours are over. What's easy of +digestion will do; but what's bad for little boys' stomachs may get you +into a scrape, and then it will end in a blow-up; that is, you'll have a +taste of the ferrule or the rod--two assistants of mine, to whom I've +not yet had the pleasure of introducing you--all in good time. If what +I've hear of you be true, you and they will be better acquainted afore +long." + +Mr O'Gallagher then examined the contents of my basket; my aunt Milly +had taken care that I should be well provided: there was a large paper +of beef sandwiches, a piece of bread and cheese, and three or four +slices of seed-cake. Mr O'Gallagher opened all the packages, and, +after a pause, said-- + +"Now, Master Keene, d'ye think you would ever guess how I came by all my +larning, and what I fed upon when it was pumped into me? Then I'll tell +you; it was dry bread, with a little bit of cheese when I could get it, +and that wasn't often. Bread and cheese is the food to make a scholar +of ye; and mayhap one slice of the cake mayn't much interfere, so take +them, and run away to the play-ground as fast as you can; and, d'ye hear +me, Master Keene, recollect your grace before meat--`For what we have +received, the Lord make us truly thankful.' Now, off wid you. The rest +of the contents are confiscated for my sole use, and your particular +benefit." + +Mr O'Gallagher grinned as he finished his oration; and he looked so +much like a wild beast, that I was glad to be off as fast as I could. I +turned round as I went out of the door, and perceived that the +sandwiches were disappearing with wonderful rapidity; but I caught his +eye: it was like that of a tiger's at his meal, and I was off at +redoubled speed. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +As soon as I gained the play-ground, which was, in fact, nothing more +than a small piece of waste land, to which we had no more claim than any +other people, I sat down by a post, and commenced my dinner off what Mr +O'Gallagher had thought proper to leave me. I was afraid of him, it is +true, for his severity to the other boys convinced me that he would have +little mercy upon me, if I dared to thwart him; but indignation soon +began to obtain the mastery over my fears and I began to consider if I +could not be even with him for his barefaced robbery of my dinner; and +then I reflected whether it would not be better to allow him to take my +food if I found out that by so doing he treated me well; and I resolved, +at all events, to delay a little. The hour of play was now over, and a +bell summoned us all to school; I went in with the others and took my +seat where Mr O'Gallagher had before desired me. + +As soon as all was silent, my pedagogue beckoned me to him. + +"Now, Mr Keene," said he, "you'll be so good as to lend me your ears-- +that is, to listen while I talk to you a little bit. D'ye know how many +roads there are to larning? Hold your tongue. I ask you because I know +you don't know, and because I'm going to tell you. There are exactly +three roads: the first is the eye, my jewel; and if a lad has a sharp +eye like yours, it's a great deal that will get into his head by that +road; you'll know a thing when you see it again, although you mayn't +know your own father--that's a secret only known to your mother. The +second road to larning, young spalpeen, is the ear; and if you mind all +people say, and hear all you can, you'll gain a great many truths and +just ten times as much more in the shape of lies. You see the wheat and +the chaff will come together, and you must pick the latter out of the +former at any seasonable future opportunity. Now we come to the third +road to larning, which is quite a different sort of road; because, you +see, the two first give us little trouble, and we trot along almost +whether we will or not: the third and grand road is the head itself, +which requires the eye and the ear to help it; and two other assistants, +which we call memory and application; so you see we have the visual, +then the aural, and then the mental roads--three hard words which you +don't understand, and which I shan't take the trouble to explain to such +an animal as you are; for I never throw away pearls to swine, as the +saying is. Now, then, Mr Keene, we must come to another part of our +history. As there are three roads to larning, so there are three manes +or implements by which boys are stimulated to larn: the first is the +ruler, which you saw me shy at the thick skull of Johnny Target, and you +see'd what a rap it gave him; well, then, the second is the ferrule--a +thing you never heard of, perhaps; but I'll show it you; here it is," +continued Mr O'Gallagher, producing a sort of flat wooden ladle with a +hole in the centre of it. "The ruler is for the head, as you have seen; +the ferrule is for the hand. You have seen me use the ruler; now I'll +show you what I do with the ferrule." + +"You Tommy Goskin, come here, sir." + +Tommy Goskin put down his book, and came up to his master with a good +deal of doubt in his countenance. + +"Tommy Goskin, you didn't say your lesson well to-day." + +"Yes I did, Mr O'Gallagher," replied Tommy, "you said I did yourself." + +"Well then, sir, you didn't say it well yesterday," continued Mr +O'Gallagher. + +"Yes I did, sir," replied the boy, whimpering. + +"And is it you who dares to contradict me?" cried Mr O'Gallagher; "at +all events, you won't say it well to-morrow, so hold out your right +hand." + +Poor Tommy held it out, and roared lustily at the first blow, wringing +his fingers with the smart. + +"Now your left hand, sir; fair play is a jewel; always carry the dish +even." + +Tommy received a blow on his left hand, which was followed up with +similar demonstrations of suffering. + +"There sir you may go now," said Mr O'Gallagher, "and mind you don't do +it again; or else there'll be a blow-up. And now Master Keene, we come +to the third and last, which is the birch for the tail--here it is--have +you ever had a taste?" + +"No, sir," replied I. + +"Well, then, you have that pleasure to come, and come it will, I don't +doubt, if you and I are a few days longer acquainted. Let me see--" + +Here Mr O'Gallagher looked round the school, as if to find a culprit; +but the boys, aware of what was going on, kept their eyes so attentively +to their books, that he could not discover one; at last he singled out a +fat chubby lad. + +"Walter Puddock, come here, sir." + +Walter Puddock came accordingly; evidently he gave himself up for lost. + +"Walter Puddock, I just have been telling Master Keene that you're the +best Latin scholar in the whole school. Now, sir, don't make me out to +be a liar--do me credit,--or, by the blood of the O'Gallaghers, I'll +flog ye till you're as thin as a herring. What's the Latin for a cocked +hat, as the Roman gentlemen wore with their _togeys_?" + +Walter Puddock hesitated a few seconds, and then, without venturing a +word of remonstrance, let down his trousers. + +"See now the guilty tief, he knows what's coming. Shame upon you, +Walter Puddock, to disgrace your preceptor so, and make him tell a lie +to young Master Keene. Where's Phil Mooney? Come along, sir, and hoist +Walter Puddock: it's no larning that I can drive into you, Phil, but +it's sartain sure that by your manes I drive a little into the other +boys." + +Walter Puddock, as soon as he was on the back of Phil Mooney, received a +dozen cuts with the rod, well laid on. He bore it without flinching, +although the tears rolled down his cheeks. + +"There, Walter Puddock, I told you it would end in a blow-up; go to your +dictionary, you dirty blackguard, and do more credit to your education +and superior instruction from a certain person who shall be nameless." + +Mr O'Gallagher laid the rod on one side, and then continued-- + +"Now, Master Keene, I've just shown you the three roads to larning, and +also the three implements to persuade little boys to larn; if you don't +travel very fast by the three first, why you will be followed up very +smartly by the three last--a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse, +any day; and one thing more, you little spalpeen, mind that there's more +mustard to the sandwiches to-morrow, or else it will end in a blow-up. +Now you've got the whole theory of the art of tuition, Master Keene; +please the pigs, we'll commence with the practice to-morrow." + +My worthy pedagogue did not address me any more during that day; the +school broke up at five, and I made haste home, thinking over all that +had passed in the school-room. + +My granny and mother were both anxious to know what had passed; the +first hoped that I had been flogged, the second that I had not, but I +refused to communicate. I assumed a haughty, indifferent air, for I was +angry with my mother, and as for my grandmother, I hated her. Aunt +Milly, however, when we were alone, did not question me in vain. I told +her all that had passed; she bade me be of good heart, and that I should +not be ill-treated if she could help it. + +I replied, that if I were ill-treated, I would have my revenge somehow +or another. I then went down to the barracks, to the rooms of Captain +Bridgeman, and told him what had occurred. He advised me to laugh at +the ruler, the ferrule, and the rod. He pointed out to me the necessity +of my going to school and learning to read and write, at the same time +was very indignant at the conduct of Mr O'Gallagher, and told me to +resist in every way any injustice or tyranny, and that I should be sure +of his support and assistance, provided that I did pay attention to my +studies. + +Fortified by the advice and protection of my two great friends, I made +up my mind that I would learn as fast as I could, but if treated ill, +that I would die a martyr, rather than yield to oppression; at all +events, I would, if possible, play Mr O'Gallagher a trick for every +flogging or punishment I received; and with this laudable resolution I +was soon fast asleep, too fast even to dream. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +When my aunt Milly called me in the morning, that I might be up and have +my breakfast in time for school, I felt as if two years had passed over +my head during the last twenty-four hours. I had never witnessed +tyranny until the day before, and my blood was heated with indignation: +I felt myself capable of anything and everything. + +My anger was about as great towards my mother and grandmother for having +sent me to such a place, as it was against Mr O'Gallagher. Instead of +going up and kissing my mother, I paid no attention to either her or my +grandmother, much to the mortification of the former and surprise of the +latter, who said, in a very cross manner, "Where's your manners, child? +why don't you say good morning?" + +"Because I have not been long enough at school to learn manners, +granny." + +"Come and kiss me before you go, my child," said my mother. + +"No, mother; you have sent me to school to be beat, and I never will +kiss you again." + +"Naughty, good-for-nothing boy!" exclaimed my granny; "what a bad heart +you must have." + +"No, that he has not," cried my aunt Milly. "Sister should have +inquired what sort of a school it was before she sent him." + +"I made every inquiry," replied my granny; "he can't play tricks there." + +"Won't I?" cried I, "but I will; and not only there but here. I'll be +even with you all; yes, I'll be even with you, granny, if I die for it." + +"Why, you audacious wretch, I've great a mind to--" + +"I dare say you have, but recollect I can bite; you'd better be quiet, +granny, or, as the master says, `it will end in a blow-up.'" + +"Only hear the little wretch," said my granny, lifting up her hands; "I +shall see you hanged yet, you ungrateful child." + +"I'm not ungrateful," replied I, throwing my arms round Milly's neck, +and kissing her with fervour; "I can love those who love me." + +"Then you don't love me?" said my mother, reproachfully. + +"I did yesterday, but I don't now; but it's time for me to go, aunt; is +my basket ready? I don't want father to take me to school, I can do +without him, and when I don't choose to go any more, I won't; recollect +that, mother." So saying, I seized my basket and quitted the room. +There was a long consultation, I found, after my departure: my mother, +when my aunt had informed her of Mr O'Gallagher's conduct, wished to +remove me instantly; my grandmother insisted upon it that there was not +a word of truth in what I had said, and threatened that if I did not +remain at that very school, she would leave Chatham, and take my aunt +with her. As my mother could not part with aunt Milly, the consequence +was, that my grandmother gained the day. + +I arrived in good time, and took my seat near my master. I preferred +doing this, as I had had a long conversation with Captain Bridgeman who +told me that although Mr O'Gallagher had put the ruler down as +punishment Number 1, the ferrule Number 2, and the birch as Number 3, +and of course they were considered to be worse as the number rose, that +he considered it to be the very contrary, as he had had them all well +applied when he was at school; he ordered me, therefore, never to hold +out my hand to the ferrule, by which refusal I should, of course, be +flogged; but he assured me that the birch, especially when it is given +often, was a mere nothing. Now I considered that the surest way to +avoid the ruler was to sit close to my master, who could then have no +pretence for sending it at my head; the fact was I had determined to +save the more noble portions of my body, and leave Mr O'Gallagher to do +what he pleased with the other: to do him justice, he lost no time. + +"Come here, Mr Keene," said he, "where's your manners? why don't you +say good morning to your preceptor? Can you read at all?" + +"No, sir." + +"D'ye know your letters?" + +"Some of them--I think I do, sir." + +"Some of them--I suppose about two out of six-and-twenty. It's +particular attention that's been paid to your education, I perceive; +you've nothing to unlearn anyhow, that's something. Now, sir, do you +think that a classical scholar and a gentleman born, like me, is to +demane myself by hearing you puzzle at the alphabet? You're quite +mistaken, Mr Keene, you must gain your first elements second-hand; so +where's Thimothy Ruddel? You, Timothy Ruddel, you'll just teach this +young Master Keene his whole alphabet, and take care, at the same time, +that you know your own lessons, or it will end in a blow-up; and you, +Master Keene, if you have not larnt your whole alphabet perfect by +dinner time, why you'll have a small taste of Number 2, just as a hint +to what's coming next. Go along, you little ignorant blackguard; and +you, Timothy Ruddel, look out for a taste of Number 3, if you don't larn +him and yourself all at once, and at the same time." + +I was very well pleased with this arrangement; I had resolved to learn, +and I was doubly stimulated to learn now, to save poor Timothy Ruddel +from an unjust punishment. + +In the three hours I was quite perfect, and Timothy Ruddel, who was +called up before me, was also able to say his lesson without a blunder +very much to the disappointment of Mr O'Gallagher, who observed, "So +you've slipped through my fingers, have you, this time, Master Timothy? +Never mind, I'll have you yet; and, moreover, there's Master Keene to go +through the fiery furnace." Just before dinner time I was called up; +with my memory of many of the letters, and the assistance I had received +from Timothy Ruddel, I felt very confident. + +"What letter's that, sir?" said Mr O'Gallagher. + +"A B C D E." + +"You little blackguard, I'll dodge you; you think to escape, you?" + +"V, X, P, O." + +Much to Mr O'Gallagher's surprise I said them all without one mistake. +Instead of commendation I received abuse. "By all the powers," +exclaimed my pedagogue, "but everything seems to go wrong to-day; my +hand has been completely idle; this will never do; didn't you tell me, +Mr Keene, that you didn't know your letters?" + +"I said I knew some of them, sir." + +"If my memory is correct, Mr Keene, you told me that you knew two out +of twenty-six." + +"No, sir, you said that." + +"That's just as much as to tell me, your preceptor, a classical scholar, +and a Milesian gentleman to boot, that I lie, for which I intend to have +satisfaction, Mr Keene, I assure you. You're guilty in two counts, as +they say at the Old Bailey, where you'll be called up to some of these +days, as sure as you stand there; one count is in telling me a lie, in +saying you did not know your alphabet, when it's quite clear that you +did; and, secondly, in giving me the lie, by stating that I said what +you said. You thought to escape me, but you're mistaken, Mr Keene; so +now, if you please, we will just have a taste of Number 2. Hould out +your hand, Mr Keene: d'ye hear me sir? hould out your hand." + +But this I positively refused to do. "You won't, won't you? Well, +then, we must increase the punishment for our contempt of court, and at +once commence with Number 3, which we intended to reserve till +to-morrow. Come along, Phil Mooney, there's fresh mate for you to +carry, and come out Number 3, here's fresh ground for you to travel +over." + +Phil Mooney and the birch soon made their appearance: I was hoisted by +the one and scourged by the other. + +The first taste of the birch is anything but agreeable; I could only +compare it to the dropping of molten lead. I tried all I could to +prevent crying out, but it was impossible, and at last I roared like a +mad bull; and I was as mad as a bull, and as dangerous. Could I have +picked up any weapon at the moment that I was dropped from the shoulders +of Phil Mooney, it would have gone hard with Mr O'Gallagher. My rage +was greater than my agony. I stood when I had been landed, my chest +heaving, my teeth set fast, and my apparel still in disorder. The +school was dismissed, and I was left alone with the savage pedagogue, +who immediately took up my basket, and began to rummage the contents. + +"Make yourself decent, Mr Keene, and don't be shocking my modesty, and +taking away my appetite. Did you mention the mustard, as I desired you? +Upon my faith, but you're a nice boy and do justice to the +representations of your grandmother, and when you see her you may tell +her that I did not forget the promise she exacted from me. You forgot +all about the mustard, you little blackguard. If Phil Mooney was here I +would give you another taste to freshen your memory for to-morrow; +however, to-morrow will do as well, if the mistake's not corrected. +Here, take your victuals, and good appetite to you, you little monster +of iniquity." + +Mr O'Gallagher tossed me some bread but this time reserved the cheese +for his own eating. I had adjusted my dress, and I therefore left the +school-room. I could not sit down without pain, so I leant against a +post: the bread remained in my hand untouched; had it been the greatest +delicacy in the world I could not have tasted a morsel; I was giddy from +excess of feeling, my thoughts were rapidly chasing each other when I +heard a voice close to me; I looked round, it was Walter Puddock, who +had been flogged the day before. + +"Never mind, Keene," said he, kindly; "it hurts at first, but the more +you get it the less you care for it; I don't mind it a bit now; I cries, +because he goes on flogging till you do, and it's no use having more +than you can help." + +"I didn't deserve it," replied I. + +"That's not necessary; you'll get it, as we all do, whether you deserve +it or not." + +"Well, I'll try to deserve it in future," replied I, clenching my fist; +"I'll be even with him." + +"Why, what can you do?" + +"Wait a little, and you'll see," said I, walking away, for an idea had +come into my head which I wished to follow up. + +Soon afterwards the bell rang, and we returned to the schoolroom. I was +put under the tuition of another boy, and took care to learn my lesson. +Whether it was that he was tired with the exercise, for he flogged and +ferruled a dozen during that afternoon, or that he thought that my +morning dose had been sufficient, I received no more punishment on that +day. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +As soon as school was dismissed, I went straight to the rooms of Captain +Bridgeman, and told him how I had been treated. As soon as he heard it, +he exclaimed, "This is really too bad; I will go with you, and I will +consult with your aunt Amelia." + +It so happened that aunt Milly was alone in the shop when we arrived, +and after a detail of what had passed, she told Captain Bridgeman that +my grandmother had put me to that school out of feelings of ill-will for +the tricks I had played, and had threatened that if I were removed she +would leave Chatham and take her away with her. My mother required +assistance in the shop, and was afraid to affront my grandmother, who +was a very dictatorial, positive old woman, and would certainly keep her +resolution; but that rather than I should be treated in such a barbarous +manner she would insist upon my mother taking me away, or would herself +leave the place. + +"It would never do for you to leave us, Miss Amelia," replied Captain +Bridgeman, "there are but few attractions in this place, and we cannot +spare you; the whole corps would go into deep mourning." + +"I don't want to leave the school," interrupted I; "I would not leave it +till I am revenged, for all the world. Now, I'll tell you what I want +to do--and do it I will, if he cuts me to pieces. He eats my +sandwiches, and tells me if there's not more mustard to-morrow, he'll +flog me. He shall have plenty of mustard, but he shall have something +else. What can I put into the sandwiches, so as to half kill him?" + +"Not a bad idea, my little Percival," said Captain Bridgeman; "I'll just +ask the doctor how much calomel a man may take without a coroner's +inquest being required." + +"Yes, that will do nicely," said my aunt; "I'll take care he shall have +mustard enough not to perceive it." + +"Well, I'll go to the barracks and be back directly," said Captain +Bridgeman. + +"And I'm ready for the flogging as soon as the sandwiches are down his +throat," replied I, laughing, "I don't care a fig for it." + +Captain Bridgeman soon returned with forty grains of calomel, which he +delivered into aunt Milly's hands. "That is as much as we dare give the +strongest man without running great danger; we'll try the effect of that +upon him, and if he don't improve, I think I shall go up to the school +myself and threaten him." + +"As for that," replied aunt Milly, "I'm sure that sister, if she hears +what's going on, as she cannot take Percival away, will order her +husband, Ben, to go up and thrash him." + +"Not a bad idea, Miss Amelia, we'll try that if we find it necessary; at +all events, we'll see who can persecute most." + +"Granny has told him to treat me ill," said I, "that's very clear, from +what he said; never mind, I'll make her sorry for it." + +"Oh Percival! you must not do anything to granny," said aunt Milly, +looking very archly; "I must not hear anything of the kind." + +The next morning I set off with a full conviction that I should be +flogged before night, and notwithstanding that, as full of joy as if I +was going to the fair. + +The morning passed as usual; I said my lesson, but not very well; I was +thinking so much of my anticipated revenge, that I could not pay +attention to my teacher, who was, as usual, one of the boys. + +"Master Keene," said Mr O'Gallagher, "we'll let the account stand over +till the evening, and then I'll give you a receipt in full; I may have +one or two lines to add to it before the sun goes down; you'll not +escape me this time, anyhow." + +The boys went out at the dinner hour, leaving me, as before, to wait for +my basket, after the tyrant had helped himself. I stood by him in +silence while he was rummaging its contents. + +"Now, Mr Keene, I'll see if you've remembered my particular injunction +relative to the mustard." + +"I told my aunt to put more mustard, sir," replied I, humbly, "it she +that cuts the sandwiches." + +"Well, then, if your aunt has not complied with your request, see if I +don't flay you alive, you little imp of abomination." + +The sandwiches were pulled out of the paper and tasted. "Down on your +knees, Mr Keene, and thank all the blessed saints that your aunt has +saved you from at least one-half of what I intended to administer to you +this blessed afternoon, for she has doubled the mustard, you tief," said +Mr O'Gallagher, speaking with his mouth as full as it could hold. Down +went sandwich after sandwich, until they had all disappeared. Oh! what +joy was mine! I could have tossed up my cap and leapt in the air. +Having received the bread and cheese, for he permitted me to have the +latter on this occasion I went out and enjoyed my meal, delighted with +Mr O'Gallagher's having fallen into the trap I had laid for him. + +The bell summoned us in, and all went on as usual for the first two +hours, when I thought Mr O'Gallagher changed countenance and looked +very pale. He continued, however, to hear the lessons, until at last I +perceived him pass his hand up and down and across his stomach, as if he +had had a twinge; a few minutes afterwards, he compressed his thick +lips, and then put his hands to his abdomen. + +"Ah! he begins to feel it now," thought I; and sure enough he did; for +the pain increased so rapidly that he lost all patience, and vented his +feelings by beating with his ruler, on the heads of the whole class of +boys standing up before him, till one or two dropped down, stunned with +the blows. At last he dropped the ruler, and, pressing both hands to +his stomach, he rolled himself backwards and forwards, and then twisted +and distorted his legs till he could bear the pain no longer; and he +gave vent to a tremendous Irish howl--grinning and grinding his teeth +for a few seconds, and then howling again, writhing and twisting in +evident agony--while the perspiration ran off his forehead. + +"Och! murder! I'm poisoned sure. Lord save my sinful soul! Oh--oh-- +oh! eh--eh--eh! mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy! Oh holy St. Patrick! +I'm kilt entirely:"--and so subdued was he at last by the pain, that he +burst out into a flood of tears, crying and roaring like a child. + +Again the paroxysms came on--"Murder, murder, murder!" shrieked the +wretch at the highest pitch of his voice, so that he was heard at some +distance, and some of the neighbours came in to inquire what was the +matter. + +Mr O'Gallagher was now in a fainting state, and leaning against the +table, he could merely say in a low voice, "A doctor--quick--a doctor." + +The neighbours perceiving how ill he was, led him out of the +school-rooms into his own apartment, one going for a doctor, and the +others telling the boys they might all go home, a notice of which they +gladly availed themselves. + +I need hardly say, that I made all the haste I could to communicate the +successful result of my trick to Milly and Captain Bridgeman. The +medical man who was summoned, gave Mr O'Gallagher some very active +medicine, which assisted to rid him of the calomel; of his having taken +which, of course, the medical man was ignorant. The violence of the +dose was, however, so great, and left him in such a state, that Mr +O'Gallagher could not leave his room for three days, nor resume his seat +in the school until a week had elapsed, during which I remained at home +plotting still further mischief. + +Mr O'Gallagher resumed his occupations, and I was again sent off to +school. When I entered the school-room I found him looking very pale +and cadaverous; as soon as he saw me his lips were drawn apart, and he +showed his large white teeth, reminding me of the grinning of a hyena; +he did not, however, say anything to me. My studies were resumed; I +said my lesson perfectly, but was fully prepared for punishment. I was, +however, agreeably disappointed; he did not punish either me or any of +the other boys. + +I afterwards found out the reason was, that, although necessity +compelled him to re-open his school as soon as he could, he was too weak +to undergo the fatigue of following up his favourite diversion. + +When the dinner-hour arrived, and the boys were dismissed, I waited +patiently to see what he would do with my basket, which stood beside +him. "Take your basket, and eat your dinner, Master Keene," said he, +walking out of the school-room into his own apartments. I could not +help saying, "Won't you have the sandwiches, sir?" + +He turned round and gave me a look so penetrating and so diabolical, +that I felt sure that he knew to whom he had been indebted for his late +severe illness. + +From this day forward Mr O'G never interfered with the contents of my +basket and I had my dinner all to myself. The shock which had been +given to his constitution was so great, that for three or four months he +may be said to have crawled to his school room, and I really began to +think that the affair would turn out more serious than was intended; but +gradually he regained his strength, and as he recovered his vigour, so +did he resume his severity. + +But I was a great gainer during the three or four months of quiet which +reigned during Mr O'Gallagher's convalescence. Since I have been grown +up, I have often thought, and am indeed confirmed in my opinion, that we +lose rather than gain by being educated at too early an age. Commence +with one child at three years, and with another at seven years old, and +in ten years, the one whose brain was left fallow even till seven years +old, will be quite as far, if not further advanced, than the child whose +intellect was prematurely forced at the earlier age; this is a fact +which I have since seen proved in many instances, and it certainly was +corroborated in mine. + +In six months I could read and write very fairly, and had commenced +arithmetic; true, I was stimulated on by the advice of Captain +Bridgeman, the love I bore my aunt Milly, and the hatred which I had for +my master, which made me resolve that I would not deserve punishment on +that score. + +It was in May that I administered the dose to Mr O'Gallagher; in +September he was quite well again, and the ruler, the ferrule, and the +rod, were triumphantly at work. It is useless to say how often I was +punished, for it was every day; always once, sometimes twice; I became +completely callous to it, nay, laughed at it, but my mind was ever at +work upon some mischief, in the way of retaliation. + +I put little pancakes of cobblers' wax on Mr O'Gallagher's throne, and +he had the pleasure of finding himself stuck fast by the breeches when +he rose up to punish. I anointed the handle of the ferrule and rod with +bird-lime; put dead cats under the claret cases, which composed his seat +of authority, so that the smell would drive him distracted before he +found it out. I drew up with a squirt, all the ink which was in the +inkstands fixed in the writing-desks, so as not to be taken out of the +sockets, and made good the deficiency with water, which put him to no +little expense. + +I once made him almost frantic, by rubbing his handkerchief which always +laid by his side, and with which he was accustomed to wipe his face +every five minutes (for he was profuse in his perspiration), with what +is called cow-itch: not being aware of what was the cause, he wiped his +face more and more, until he was as red as a peony, and the itching +became intolerable. + +On such occasions he never inquired who was the party, but called me and +Phil Mooney. I, on the other hand, never said a word in way of +expostulation. I took my flogging, which was as severe as he could give +it, as a matter of course, quite satisfied with the exchange. + +As Walter Puddock had told me, and, as I have no doubt, the Eton boys +will confirm, after a certain quantity of flagellations, the skin +becomes so hard as to make the punishment almost a matter of +indifference and so I found it. So passed the time until the month of +November, when I was fully enabled to pay off my worthy pedagogue for +all that I was indebted to him. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +The boys had been saving up all their money to purchase fireworks for +the celebrated 5th of November--a day on which it was said that certain +persons, finding it impossible to reform the Lords and Commons, had +determined to get rid of them at once: why they have not been in similar +danger every year since the first attempt was made, I know not; certain +it is, that it is the only reform measure that can ever be effectual. +Guy Fawkes and his confederates, whether Popish or Protestant, from the +disregard of human life, certainly proved themselves the founders of a +party, still existing, whose motto is, "Measures and not Men." + +But to proceed: Mr O'Gallagher had never before attempted to interfere +with the vested rights of urchins on that day; being, however, in a most +particular irascible humour, instead of a whole, he made it known that +there would only be a half, holiday, and we were consequently all called +in for morning lessons instead of carrying about, as we had intended, +the effigy of the only true reformer that ever existed in this country. + +This made us all very sulky and discontented in the first place, and our +anxiety to get out of school was so great, that the lessons were not +very perfect in the second. The ferrule and rod were called out and +liberally administered; but what was our horror and dismay when Mr +O'Gallagher, about an hour before dinner, announced to us that all the +squibs and crackers, with which our pockets were crammed, were to be +given up immediately; and that, as we had not said our lessons well, +there would be no half-holiday, the whole school were in mute despair. + +One by one were the boys summoned up to the throne of Mr O'Gallagher, +and their pockets searched by Phil Mooney, who emptied them of their +pyrotechnical contents, all of which were deposited on the dais of Mr +O'Gallagher's throne, which, I have before observed, was composed of two +empty claret cases turned upside down, surmounted by another, on which +Mr O'Gallagher sat, all three covered with old green baize. + +By the time that the whole school had been rifled, the heap of fireworks +was very considerable, and Mr O'Gallagher, to prevent any of them being +recovered by the boys, lifted up the claret case on which he sat, and +which was on the top of the other two, and desired Phil Mooney to put +them all underneath it. This was done; Mr O'Gallagher resumed his +seat, and the lessons continued till the dinner hour arrived, but, alas! +not the half-holiday or the fireworks. + +The boys went out; some mournful, some angry, some sulky, some +frightened; a few, a very few, declaiming against such injustice. + +I was in a rage; my blood boiled; at last my invention came to my aid, +and, without considering the consequences, I determined how to act. + +As it was an hour and a half before school would commence, I hastened +home, and, having spent all my money, begged aunt Milly to give me some; +she gave me a shilling, and with that I bought as much gunpowder as I +could procure, more than a quarter of a pound. + +I then returned to the school, looked into the school-room, and found it +empty; I quickly raised up the claret case, under which the fireworks +had been placed, put the powder under it, leaving only sufficient for a +very small train, which would not be perceived in the green baize +covering; having so done, I left the school-room immediately, and +rejoined my companions. I had a piece of touch-wood, as all the boys +had, to let off their fireworks with, and this I lighted and left in a +corner until the bell should summons us into school. + +Oh! how my heart beat when I heard the sound, so full was I of anxiety +lest my project should fail. + +Once more we were all assembled. Mr O'Gallagher surveying, with the +smile of a demon, the unhappy and disappointed faces of the boys, was +again perched upon his throne, the rod on one side, the ferrule on the +other, and the ruler, that dreaded truncheon of command, clenched in his +broad fist. + +I had the touchwood lighted and concealed in my hand; gradually I moved +downwards, until at last, unperceived by Mr O'Gallagher, I was behind +him, and close to my train of gunpowder. I gave one look to ascertain +if he had observed me; his eye was roving over the school for some +delinquent to throw his ruler at; fearful that he might turn round to +me, I no longer hesitated, and the touchwood was applied to the train. + +Ignorant as I was of the force of gunpowder, it was with astonishment, +mingled with horror, that I beheld, in a second, the claret case rise up +as if it had wings, and Mr O'Gallagher thrown up to the ceiling +enveloped in a cloud of smoke, the crackers and squibs fizzing and +banging, while the boys in the school uttered a yell of consternation +and fear as they rushed from from the explosion, and afterwards, +tumbling over one another, made their escape from the school-room. + +The windows had all been blown out with a terrible crash, and the whole +school-room was now covered by the smoke. There I stood in silent +dismay at the mischief which I had done. The squibs and crackers had +not, however, all finished popping, before I heard the howling of Mr +O'Gallagher, who had fallen down upon the centre school-room table. + +I was still in the school-room, half-suffocated, yet not moving away +from where I stood, when the neighbours, who had been alarmed by the +explosion and the cries of the boys, rushed in, and perceiving only me +and Mr O'Gallagher, who still howled, they caught hold of us both, and +bore us out in their arms. It was high time, for the school-room was +now on fire, and in a few minutes more the flames burst out of the +windows, while volumes of smoke forced through the door and soon +afterwards the roof. + +The engines were sent for, but before they could arrive, or water be +procured, the whole tenement was so enveloped in flames that it could +not be saved. In an hour, the _locale_ of our misery was reduced to +ashes. They had put me on my legs as soon as we got clear of the +school-room, to ascertain whether I was hurt, and finding that I was +not, they left me. + +I never shall forget what my sensations were, when I beheld the flames +and volumes of smoke bursting out; the hurry, and bustle, and confusion +outside; the working of the engines, the troops marched up from the +barracks, the crowd of people assembled, and the ceaseless mingling of +tongues from every quarter; and all this is my doing, thought I--mine-- +all mine. + +I felt delighted that I had no partner or confederate; I could, at all +events, keep my own secret. I did, however, feel some anxiety as to Mr +O'Gallagher, for, much as I detested him, I certainly had no intention +to kill him; so after a time, I made inquiries, and found that he was +alive: and in no danger, although very much bruised and somewhat burnt. + +No one could explain how the catastrophe occurred, further than that Mr +O'Gallagher had collected all the squibs and crackers from the boys, and +that they had exploded somehow or another--most people said that it +served him right. My grandmother shook her head and said, "Yes, yes, +gunpowder will go off, but--" and she looked at me--"it requires a match +to be put to it." I looked up very innocently, but made no reply. + +Mr O'Gallagher's favourite expression, to wit, "that it would end in a +blow-up," proved, as far as his school was concerned, literally true. +He had not the means of procuring another suitable tenement in Chatham, +and as soon as he had recovered from the injuries he had received, he +quitted the town. + +It was not until he had left, that I ventured to make known to Captain +Bridgeman, and my aunt Milly, the trifling share I had in the +transaction; and they, perceiving the prudence of keeping my secret, +desired me on no account to let it be known to any one else. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +As soon as it was ascertained that Mr O'Gallagher was gone, my +grandmother insisted upon my being sent to another school, and on this +occasion my mother made the inquiries herself, and I was despatched to +one much nearer home, and being treated well, not only played fewer +tricks, but advanced rapidly in my education; so rapidly indeed, that my +grandmother began to think that I was not so bad a boy as I used to be. + +As she treated me more kindly, I felt less inclined to teaze her +although the spirit of mischief was as undiminished as ever, and was +shown in various ways. + +I may as well here observe, that out of the many admirers of my aunt +Milly, there were only two who appeared to be at all constant in their +attention. One was Lieutenant Flat, who was positively smitten, and +would have laid his pay and person at her feet, had he received anything +like encouragement; but my aunt disliked him in the first place, and, +moreover, had a very strong feeling towards Captain Bridgeman. + +Mr Flat was certainly a very fine-looking soldier, being tall, erect, +and well-made, but he was at the same time not over-brilliant; he was, +as an officer, the very sort of person my father Ben was as a private. + +But the other party, Captain Bridgeman, did not come forward; he +appeared to be in doubt, and not at all able to make up his mind. + +The fact was, that my mother being married to a private, made any match +with the sister objectionable to the whole corps, as it would be +derogatory that one sister should be the wife of a private, and the +other of an officer. Ben would have been able to say, "My +brother-in-law, the captain of my division," which would never have +done; and this Captain Bridgeman felt, and therefore resisted, as well +as he could, the inroads which my aunt's beauty and mirth had made into +his heart. My aunt was exactly a person to suit Captain Bridgeman as a +helpmate, had it not been for this unfortunate alliance of my mother's. + +Lieutenant Flat was too stupid and indifferent to the opinion of the +other officers, to care anything about what they thought; he would have +married Milly long before, but my aunt, who had made up her mind to +marry an officer, did not yet despair of obtaining the captain; and +although she would not positively dismiss Lieutenant Flat, she merely +kept him as a sort of reserve, to fall back upon when every other chance +was gone. + +I should like, if I possibly could, to give the reader some idea of my +mother's circulating-library and sort of universal commodity shop: it +was a low-windowed building, one story high, but running a long way +back, where it was joined to a small parlour, in which we generally sat +during the day, as it was convenient in case of company or customers, +the little parlour having a glass door, which permitted us to look into +the shop. + +In the front windows, on one side, were all the varieties of tapers, +sealing-wax, inkstands, and every kind of stationery, backed by +children's books, leather writing-cases, prints, caricatures, and +Tonbridge ware. In the other windows were ribbons, caps, gloves, +scarfs, needles, and other little articles in demand by ladies, and +which they required independent of their milliners. + +At the entrance were sticks and canes; on the counter a case of gold and +more moderate-priced trinkets. On the shelves of the millinery side +were boxes of gloves, ribbons, buttons, etcetera. On the opposite side, +perfumes, cigars, toothbrushes, combs, scented soaps, and other +requisites for the toilet. + +About ten feet on each side of the shop was occupied with the above +articles; the remainder of the shelves were reserved for the +circulating-library. + +At the back of the shop were some seats round a small table, on which +was laid the newspaper of the day, and on each side of the parlour-door +were hoops, bats, balls, traps, skittles, and a variety of toys for +children. + +My mother usually attended to the millinery, and my aunt Milly to what +might be termed the gentlemen's side of the shop; the remainder of the +goods and circulating-library were in the hands of both. + +There were few hours of the day in which the chairs at the counter and +round the table were not taken possession of by some one or another, +either reading the paper or a book, or talking, to pass away the time. +In fact, it was a sort of rendezvous, where all who met knew each other, +and where the idle of our own sex used to repair to get rid of their +time. Captain Bridgeman and Mr Flat were certainly the two most +constantly to be found there, although few of the marine officers were a +day without paying us a visit. + +Such was the _locale_; to describe the company will be more difficult, +but I will attempt it. + +My mother, remarkably nicely dressed, is busy opening a parcel of new +books just arrived. My aunt Milly behind the counter, on the +gentlemen's side, pretending to be working upon a piece of muslin about +five inches square. Mr Flat sitting near the table, fallen back in his +chair, apparently watching the flies on the ceiling. Captain Bridgeman, +a very good-looking man, very slight, but extremely active, is sitting +at the counter opposite to where my aunt is standing, a small black +cane, with a silver head to it, in his hand, and his gloves peculiarly +clean and well-fitting. He has an eye as sharp as an eagle's, a slight +hook to his nose, thin lips, and very white teeth; his countenance is as +full of energy and fire as that of lieutenant Flat is heavy and +unmeaning. + +"Miss Amelia, if I may take the liberty," said Captain Bridgeman, +pointing with his cane to the bit of muslin she is employed upon; "what +are you making? it's too small for any part of a lady's dress." + +"It is quite large enough for a cuff, Captain Bridgeman." + +"A cuff; then you are making a cuff, I presume?" + +"Indeed she is not, Captain Bridgeman," replies my mother; "it is only +to keep herself out of mischief. She spoils a bit like that every week. +And that's why it is so small, Captain Bridgeman; it would be a pity to +spoil a larger piece." + +"I really was not aware that such a mere trifle would keep you out of +mischief," said the captain. + +"You know," replied Aunt Milly, "that idleness is the root of all evil, +Captain Bridgeman." + +"Flat, do you hear that?" says Captain Bridgeman. + +"What?" replies Flat. + +"That idleness is the root of all evil; what an evil-disposed person you +must be." + +"I was thinking," replied Flat. + +"I suspect it's only lately you've taken to that. Who or what were you +thinking about?" + +"Well, I believe I was thinking how long it would be before dinner was +ready." + +"That's very rude, Mr Flat; you might have said that you were thinking +about me," replied my aunt. + +"Well, so I was at first, and then I began to think of dinner-time." + +"Don't be offended, Miss Amelia; Flat pays you a great compliment in +dividing his attentions; but I really wish to know why ladies will spoil +muslin in such a predetermined manner. Will you explain that, Mrs +Keene?" + +"Yes, Captain Bridgeman: a piece of work is very valuable to a woman, +especially when she finds herself in company with gentlemen like you. +It saves her from looking down, or looking at you, when you are talking +nonsense; it prevents your reading in her eyes what is passing in her +mind, or discovering what effect your words may have upon her; it saves +much awkwardness, and very often a blush; sometimes a woman hardly knows +which way to look; sometimes she may look any way but the right. Now a +bit of muslin with a needle is a remedy for all that, for she can look +down at her work, and not look up till she thinks it advisable." + +"I thank you for your explanation, madam; I shall always take it as a +great compliment if I see a lady very busy at work when I'm conversing, +with her." + +"But you may flatter yourself, Captain Bridgeman," replied my mother; +"the attention to her work may arise from perfect indifference, or from +positive annoyance. It saves the trouble of making an effort to be +polite." + +"And pray, may I inquire, Miss Amelia, what feeling may cause your +particular attention to your work at this present moment?" + +"Perhaps in either case to preserve my self-possession," replied Amelia; +"or perhaps, Captain Bridgeman, I may prefer looking at a piece of +muslin to looking at a marine officer." + +"That's not very flattering," replied the captain; "if you spoil the +muslin, you're determined not to spoil me." + +"The muslin is of little value," said Amelia, softly, walking to the +other side of the shop, and turning over the books. + +"Mr Flat," said my mother, "your subscription to the library is out +last month; I presume I can put your name down again?" + +"Well, I don't know; I never read a book," replied Mr Flat, yawning. + +"That's not at all necessary, Mr Flat," said my mother; "in most +businesses there are sleeping partners; besides, if you don't read, you +come here to talk, which is a greater enjoyment still, and luxuries must +be paid for." + +"Well, I'll try another quarter," replied Mr Flat, "and then--" + +"And then what?" said my aunt Milly, smiling. + +"Well, I don't know," says Flat. "Is that clock of yours right, Mrs +Keene?" + +"It is; but I am fearful that your thoughts run faster than the clock, +Mr Flat; you are thinking of the dress-bugle for dinner." + +"No, I was not." + +"Then you were thinking of yourself?" + +"No, I wasn't, Mrs Keene," said Flat, rising, and walking out of the +shop. + +"I'll tell you," said he, turning round as he went out, "what I was +thinking of, Mrs Keene; not of myself,--I was thinking of my bull pup." + +My mother burst out a laughing as the lieutenant disappeared. "I was +not far wrong when I said he was thinking of himself," said she, "for a +_calf_ is a sort of _bull pup_." + +At this sally Captain Bridgeman laughed, and danced about the shop; at +last he said, "Poor Flat! Miss Amelia, he's desperately in love with +you." + +"That's more than I am with him," said Amelia, calmly. + +Here two ladies came in. + +Captain Bridgeman made a most polite bow. "I trust Mrs Handbell is +quite well and Miss Handbell--I hardly need ask the question with the +charming colour you have?" + +"Captain Bridgeman, you appear to live in this library; I wonder Mrs +Keene don't take you into partnership." + +"If I were not honoured with the custom of Mrs Handbell and other +ladies; I fear that my shop would have little attraction for gentlemen," +replied my mother, with a courtesy. + +"Mrs Keene is quite correct in her surmise, Miss Handbell," said +Captain Bridgeman, "now that I have seen you, I shall not think my +morning thrown away." + +"If report says true, Captain Bridgeman," replied Mrs Handbell, "you +would be quite as often here, even if no ladies were to be customers of +Mrs Keene. Mrs Keene, have you any of that narrow French ribbon +left?" + +"I think I have, madam; it was off this piece, was it not?" + +"Yes; but I really don't know exactly how much I require; perhaps you +will measure it and allow me to return what is left?" + +"Certainly, madam; will you take it with you, or shall I send it?" + +"I wish for it directly; will you be very long in measuring it, for I +ought to be home now?" + +"Perhaps you'll have the kindness to measure what you take off yourself, +madam," replied my mother, "and then you need not wait." + +"You put confidence in me, I observe, Mrs Keene," replied Mrs +Handbell; "well, I will do you justice." + +My mother smiled most graciously, put the piece of ribbon in paper, and +handed it to Mrs Handbell, who, bowing to Captain Bridgeman, quitted +the shop. + +"I wonder whether you would trust me in that way?" said Captain +Bridgeman to my mother. + +"I don't think I should; Amelia says you will help yourself to cigars +and that she is sure you cheat when you count them." + +"Does she really say that? Well, I did think that if there was any one +who would have upheld my character, it would have been Miss Amelia." + +"Perhaps, Captain Bridgeman, she is getting tired of so doing." + +"Or tired of me, Mrs Keene, which would be worse still. Here comes a +fair young lady--Miss Evans, if I mistake not; I believe she is a good +customer to your library?" + +"She reads a great deal, and is therefore only a customer to the +library." + +"Ladies who are fond of reading are seldom fond of working." + +"Good morning Miss Evans," said Captain Bridgeman; "you come for more +food for the mind, I presume?" (Miss Evans gave a bob, and turned to my +mother.) + +"Have you anything new, Mrs Keene? I have brought back the three +volumes of Godolphin." + +"Yes, miss, I have some books down to-day." + +While Miss Evans was selecting from the new books, enter Mr Jones, Mr +Smith, and Mr Claville, of the marine corps, for cigars. Amelia comes +out to attend them--they purchase a few articles, and are talking very +loud, when three more ladies enter the shop, all for books. + +It being now about three o'clock, the customers and loungers come in +fast. Captain Bridgeman saunters away in company with his brother +officers; other parties enter, who are succeeded by fresh claimants for +books or the other articles to be procured in the repository. + +This demand continues till about five o'clock, when the library becomes +empty; I come home from school, my father slinks in from barracks, and +my mother and sister return to the back parlour, where they find my +grandmother, as usual, very busy with her knitting. + +Such is a fair sample of what took place at our shop every succeeding +day. My mother made few bad debts, and rapidly added to her savings. +My aunt Milly still balancing between the certainty of Lieutenant Flat +and the chance of Captain Bridgeman, and I dividing my time and talents +between learning and contriving mischief. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +About six months after I had blown up the school of Mr O'Gallagher, the +company to which my father Ben belonged was ordered afloat again, and +shortly afterwards sailed for the East Indies, in the Redoubtable, 74. +That my mother was very much pleased at his departure, I do not scruple +to assert; but whether she ever analysed her feelings, I cannot pretend +to say; I rather think that all she wished was, that the chapter of +accidents would prevent Ben's reappearance, as she was ashamed of him as +a husband, and felt that he was an obstacle to her sister's advancement. + +So one fine day Ben wished us all good bye; my mother was very generous +to him, as she could well afford to be. I rather think that Ben himself +was not sorry to go, for, stupid as he was, he must have felt what a +cypher he had become, being treated, not only by my mother, but by +everybody else, even by me, as a sort of upper servant. + +It so happened, that about a month after Ben's departure, Captain Delmar +had, through the interest of his uncle, Lord de Versely, been appointed +to a ship which was lying in the Medway, and he came down to Chatham to +join her. He had no idea that my mother was there, for he had lost +sight of her altogether, and had it not been for me, might very probably +have left the town without having made the discovery. + +Among other amusements, I had a great partiality for a certain bull pup, +mentioned by Lieutenant Flat in the former chapter, and which he had +made me a present of; the pup was now grown up, and I had taught it many +tricks; but the one which afforded me most amusement (of course, at +other people's expense) was, that I had made out of oakum a sham +pigtail, about a foot and a half long, very strong and think, with an +iron hook at the upper end of it. + +The sham tail I could easily hook on to the collar of any one's coat +from behind, without their perceiving it; and Bob had been instructed by +me, whenever I told him to fetch it (and not before), to jump up at the +tail wherever it might be, and hang on to it with all the tenacity of +the race. + +As it may be supposed, this was a great source of mirth in the barracks; +it was considered a good joke, and was much applauded by Captain +Bridgeman; but it was not considered a good joke out of the barracks; +and many an old woman had I already frightened almost out of her senses, +by affixing the tail to any portion of the back part of her dress. + +It so happened, that one afternoon, as I was cruising about with Bob at +my heels, I perceived the newly-arrived Captain Delmar, in all the pomp +of pride of full uniform, parading down the street with a little middy +at his heels; and I thought to myself, "Law! how I should like to hang +my tail to his fine coat, if I only dared;" the impulse had become so +strong, that I actually had pulled up my pinafore and disengaged the +tail ready for any opportunity, but I was afraid that the middy would +see me. + +Captain Delmar had passed close to me, the middy at his heels was +passing, and I thought all chance was gone, when, suddenly, Captain +Delmar turned short round and addressed the little officer, asking him +whether he had brought the order-book with him? The middy touched his +hat, and said, "No;" upon which Captain Delmar began to inflict a most +serious lecture upon the lad for forgetting what he had forgotten +himself, and I again passed by. + +This was an opportunity I could not resist; while the captain and middy +were so well employed giving and receiving I fixed my oakum tail to the +collar of the Captain's gold-laced coat, and then walked over to the +other side of the street with Bob at my heels. + +The middy being duly admonished, Captain Delmar turned round again and +resumed his way; upon which I called Bob, who was quite as ready for the +fun as I was, and pointing to the captain, said, "Fetch it, Bob." My +companion cleared the street in three or four bounds, and in a few +seconds afterwards made a spring up the back of Captain Delmar, and +seizing the tail, hung by it with his teeth, shaking it with all his +might as he hung in the air. + +Captain Delmar was, to use a sailor's term, completely taken aback; +indeed he was nearly capsized by the unexpected assault. For a short +time he could not discover what it was; at last, by turning his head +over his shoulder and putting his hand behind him, he discovered who his +assailant was. + +Just at that time, I called out "Mad dog! mad dog!" and Captain Delmar, +hearing those alarming words, became dreadfully frightened; his cocked +hat dropped from his head, and he took to his heels as fast as he could, +running down the street, with Bob clinging behind him. + +The first open door he perceived was that of my mother's library; he +burst in, nearly upsetting Captain Bridgeman, who was seated at the +counter, talking to Aunt Milly, crying out "Help! help!" As he turned +round, his sword became entangled between his legs, tripped him up, and +he fell on the floor. This unhooked the tail, and Bob galloped out of +the shop, bearing his prize to me, who, with the little middy, remained +in the street convulsed with laughter. Bob delivered up the tail, which +I again concealed under my pinafore, and then with a demure face +ventured to walk towards my mother's house, and, going in at the back +door, put Master Bob in the wash-house out of the way; the little middy +who had picked up the captain's hat, giving me a wink as I passed him, +as much as to say, I won't inform against you. + +In the meantime Captain Delmar had been assisted to his legs by Captain +Bridgeman, who well knew who had played the trick, and who, as well as +Aunt Milly, had great difficulty in controlling his mirth. + +"Merciful heaven! what was it? Was the animal mad? Has it bitten me?" +exclaimed Captain Delmar, falling back in his chair, in which he had +been seated by Captain Bridgeman. + +"I really do not know," replied Captain Bridgeman; "but you are not +hurt, sir, apparently, nor indeed is your coat torn." + +"What dog--whose dog can it be?--it must be shot immediately--I shall +give orders--I shall report the case to the admiral. May I ask for a +glass of water? Oh, Mr Dott! you're there, sir; how came you to allow +that dog to fasten himself on my back in that way?" + +"If you please," said the middy, presenting his cocked hat to the +captain, "I did draw my dirk to kill him, but you ran away so fast that +I couldn't catch you." + +"Very well, sir, you may go down to the boat and wait for orders," +replied the captain. + +At this moment my mother, who had been dressing herself, made her first +appearance, coming out of the back parlour with a glass of water, which +aunt Milly had gone in for. Perceiving a gold-laced captain, she +advanced all smiles and courtesies, until she looked in his face, and +then she gave a scream, and dropped the tumbler on the floor, much to +the surprise of Captain Bridgeman, and also of aunt Milly, who, not +having been at the Hall, was not acquainted with the person of Captain +Delmar. + +Just at this moment in came I, looking as demure as if, as the saying +is, "butter would not melt in my mouth," and certainly as much +astonished as the rest at my mother's embarrassment; but she soon +recovered herself, and asked Captain Delmar if he would condescend to +repose himself a little in the back parlour. When my mother let the +tumbler fall, the captain had looked her full in the face and recognised +her, and, in a low voice, said, "Excessively strange,--so very +unexpected!" He then rose up from the chair and followed my mother into +the back room. + +"Who can it be?" said Aunt Milly to Captain Bridgeman, in a low tone. + +"I suppose it must be the new captain appointed to the Calliope. I read +his name in the papers,--the Honourable Captain Delmar." + +"It must be him," replied Milly; "for my sister was brought up by his +aunt, Mrs Delmar; no wonder she was surprised at meeting him so +suddenly. Percival, you naughty boy," continued Milly, shaking her +finger at me, "it was all your doing." + +"Oh, Aunt Milly! you should have seen him run," replied I, laughing at +the thought. + +"I'd recommend you not to play with post captains," said Captain +Bridgeman, "or you may get worse than you give. Mercy on us!" exclaimed +he, looking at me full in the face. + +"What's the matter?" said aunt Milly. + +Captain Bridgeman leant over the counter, and I heard him whisper, "Did +you ever see such a likeness as between the lad and Captain Delmar?" + +Milly blushed a little, nodded her head, and smiled, as she turned away. +Captain Bridgeman appeared to be afterwards in a brown study; he tapped +his boot with his cane, and did not speak. + +About a quarter of an hour passed, during which Captain Delmar remained +with my mother in the parlour, when she opened the door, and beckoned me +to come in. I did so not without some degree of anxiety, for I was +afraid that I had been discovered: but this doubt was soon removed; +Captain Delmar did me the honour to shake hands with me, and then patted +my head saying, he hoped I was a good boy, which, being compelled to be +my own trumpeter, I very modestly declared that I was. My mother, who +was standing up behind, lifted up her eyes at my barefaced assertion. +Captain Delmar then shook hands with my mother, intimating his intention +of paying her another visit very soon, and again patting me on the head, +quitted the parlour, and went away through the shop. + +As soon as Captain Delmar was gone, my mother turned round, and said, +"You naughty, mischievous boy, to play such pranks. I'll have that dog +killed, without you promise me never to do so again." + +"Do what again, mother?" + +"None of your pretended innocence with me. I've been told of the +pigtail that Bob pulls at. That's all very well at the barracks with +the marines, sir, but do you know _who_ it is that you have been playing +that trick to?" + +"No mother, I don't. Who is he?" + +"Who is he, you undutiful child? why, he's--he's the Honourable Captain +Delmar." + +"Well, what of that?" replied I. "He's a naval captain, ain't he?" + +"Yes; but he's the nephew of the lady who brought me up and educated me. +It was he that made the match between me and our father: so if it had +not been for him, child, you never would have been born." + +"Oh that's it," replied I. "Well, mother, if it had not been for me, +he'd never have come into the shop, and found you." + +"But, my child, we must be serious; you must be very respectful to +Captain Delmar, and play no tricks with him; for you may see him very +often, and, perhaps, he will take a fancy to you; and if he does, he may +do you a great deal of good, and bring you forward in the world; so +promise me." + +"Well, mother, I'll promise you I'll leave him alone if you wish it. +Law, mother, you should have seen how the middy laughed at him; it was +real fun to make a gallant captain run in the way he did." + +"Go along, you mischievous animal, and recollect your promise to me," +said my mother, as she went into the shop where she found that Captain +Bridgeman, to whom she intended to explain how it was that she had +dropped the tumbler of water, had gone away. + +There was a great deal of consultation between my grandmother and my +mother on that evening; my aunt and I were sent out to to take a walk, +that we might not overhear what passed, and when we returned we found +them still in close conversation. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +The Honourable Captain Delmar was now a frequent visitor to my mother, +and a good customer to the library. He did, however, generally contrive +that his visit should be paid late in the afternoon, just after the +marine officers had retired to dress for dinner; for he was a very +haughty personage, and did not think it proper for any officers of an +inferior grade to come "between the wind and his nobility." + +I cannot say that I was partial to him; indeed, his pomposity, as I +considered it, was to me a source of ridicule and dislike. He took more +notice of me than he did of anybody else; but he appeared to consider +that his condescending patronage was all that was necessary; whereas, +had he occasionally given me a half-crown I should have cherished better +feelings towards him: not that I wanted money, for my mother supplied me +very liberally, considering my age: but although you may coax and +flatter a girl into loving you, you cannot a boy, who requires more +substantial proofs of your good-will. + +There were a great many remarks not very flattering to my mother, made +behind her back, as to her former intimacy with Captain Delmar; for, +somehow or another, there always is somebody who knows something, +wherever doubts or surmises arise, and so it was in this case; but if +people indulged in ill-natured remarks when she was not there, they did +not in her presence; on the contrary, the friendship of so great a man +as the Honourable Captain Delmar appeared rather to make my mother a +person of more consequence. + +She was continually pointing out to me the propriety of securing the +good will of this great personage, and the more she did so, the more I +felt inclined to do the reverse; indeed, I should have broke out into +open mutiny, if it had not been for Captain Bridgeman, who sided with my +mother, and when I went to him to propose playing another trick upon the +noble captain, not only refused to aid me, but told me, if I ever +thought of such a thing, he would never allow me to come to his rooms +again. + +"Why, what good can he do to me?" inquired I. + +"He may advance you properly in life--who knows?--he may put you on the +quarter-deck, and get you promoted in the service." + +"What, make a middy of me?" + +"Yes, and from a midshipman you may rise to be a post-captain, or +admiral,--a much greater rank than I shall ever obtain," said Captain +Bridgeman; "so take my advice, and do as your mother wishes; be very +civil and respectful to Captain Delmar, and he may be as good as a +father to you." + +"That's not saying much," replied I, thinking of my father Ben; "I'd +rather have two mothers than two fathers." And here the conversation +ended. + +I had contracted a great alliance with Mr Dott, the midshipman, who +followed Captain Delmar about, just as Bob used to follow me, and +generally remained in the shop or outside with me, when his captain +called upon my mother. He was a little wag, as full of mischief as +myself, and even his awe of his captain, which, as a youngster in the +service, was excessive, would not prevent him from occasionally breaking +out. My mother took great notice of him, and when he could obtain leave +(which, indeed, she often asked for him), invited him to come to our +house, when he became my companion during his stay; we would sally out +together, and vie with each other in producing confusion and mirth at +other people's expense; we became the abhorrence of every old +fruit-woman and beggar in the vicinity. + +Captain Delmar heard occasionally of my pranks, and looked very majestic +and severe; but as I was not a middy, I cared little for his frowns. At +last an opportunity offered which I could not resist; and, not daring to +make known my scheme either to Captain Bridgeman or Aunt Milly, I +confided it to Tommy Dott, the little middy, who, regardless of the +consequences, joined me in it heart and soul. + +The theatre had been opened at Chatham, and had met with indifferent +success. I went there once with my aunt Milly, and twice with Mr Dott; +I, therefore, knew my _locale_ well. It appeared that one of the female +performers, whose benefit was shortly to take place, was very anxious to +obtain the patronage of Captain Delmar, and, with the usual tact of +women, had applied to my mother in the most obsequious manner, +requesting her to espouse her cause with the gallant captain. + +My mother, pleased with the idea of becoming, as it were, a patroness +under the rose, did so effectually exert her influence over the captain, +that, in a day or two afterwards, play-bills were posted all over the +town, announcing that the play of _The Stranger_, with the farce of +_Raising the Wind_, would be performed on Friday evening, for the +benefit of Miss Mortimer under the patronage of the Honourable Captain +Delmar, and the officers of his Majesty's ship Calliope. Of course the +grateful young lady sent my mother some tickets of admission, and two of +them I reserved for Tommy Dott and myself. + +Captain Delmar had made a large party of ladies, and of course all the +officers of the ship attended: the house was as full as it could hold. +My mother and aunt were there in a retired part of the boxes; Tommy Dott +and I entered the theatre with them, and afterwards had gone up to what +is, at the theatres at seaports, usually denominated the slips, that is, +the sides of the theatre on the same range as the gallery. There was +Captain Delmar with all his ladies and all his officers, occupying +nearly the whole of the side of the dress circle below us, we having +taken our position above him, so that we might not be observed. + +The performance commenced. Miss Mortimer, as _Mrs Haller_, was very +effective; and in the last scene was compelling the eyes of the company +to water, when we thought we would produce a still greater effect. + +We had purchased a pound of the finest Scotch snuff, which we had +enclosed in two pasteboard cases, similar in form to those of squibs, +only about six times the size, and holding half a pound of snuff each. +Our object was, in doing this, that, by jerking it all out with a heave, +we might at once throw it right into the centre of the theatre above, so +that in its descent it might be fairly distributed among all parties. + +There was no one in the slips with us, except midshipmen, and a +description of people who would consider it a good joke, and never would +peach if they perceived we were the culprits. + +At a signal between us, just as _Mrs Haller_ was giving a paper to her +husband did we give our shower of snuff to the audience, jerking it +right across the theatre. In a few minutes the effect was prodigious; +Captain Delmar's party being right beneath us, probably received a +greater share, for they commenced sneezing fast, then the boxes on the +other side, the pit followed, and at last _Mr and Mrs Haller_ and the +_Stranger_ were taken with such a fit of sneezing that they could no +longer talk to each other. + +The children were brought out to their parents to effect their +reconciliation, but they did nothing but sneeze, poor things; and at +last the uproar was tremendous, and the curtain was dropped, not to loud +plaudits, but to loud sneezings from every part of the theatre. + +Never was there anything so ludicrous; the manager sent officers up to +discover the offenders but no one could tell who had played the trick; +he then came before the curtain to make a speech upon the occasion, but, +having sneezed seven or eight times, he was obliged to retire with his +handkerchief to his nose; and the audience, finding it impossible to +check the titillation of the olfactory nerves, abandoned the theatre as +fast as they could, leaving the farce of _Raising the Wind_ to be +performed to empty beaches. + +I hardly need say, that as soon as we had thrown the snuff, Mr Dott and +I had gone down and taken our places very demurely in the box by the +side of my mother, and appeared just as astonished, and indeed added as +much as possible to the company of sneezers. + +Captain Delmar was very furious at this want of respect of certain +parties unknown, and had we been discovered, whatever might have been my +fate, it would have gone hard with Tommy Dott; but we kept our own +counsel, and escaped. + +That I was suspected by Aunt Milly and Captain Bridgeman is certain, and +my aunt taxed me with it, but I would not confess; my mother also had +her suspicions, but as Captain Delmar had none, that was of no +consequence. + +The success of this trick was a great temptation to try another or two +upon the noble captain. He was, however saved by the simple fact of +H.M. ship Calliope being reported manned and ready for sea; orders were +sent down for his going round to Portsmouth to await the commands of the +Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and Captain Delmar came to pay his +farewell visit. + +The report from the schoolmaster had been very favourable and Captain +Delmar then asked me, for the first time, if I would like to be a +sailor. As Captain Bridgeman had advised me not to reject any good +offer on the part of the honourable captain, I answered in the +affirmative; whereupon the captain replied, that if I paid attention to +my learning, in a year's time he would take me with him on board of his +frigate. + +He then patted my head, forgot to give me half a crown, and, shaking +hands with my mother and aunt, quitted the house, followed by Tommy +Dott, who, as he went away, turned and laughed his adieu. + +I have not mentioned my grandmother lately. The fact is, that when +Captain Delmar made his appearance, for some cause or another, which I +could not comprehend, she declared her intention of going away and +paying a visit to her old acquaintances at the Hall. She did so. As I +afterwards found out from what I overheard, she had a very great +aversion to the noble captain: but the cause of her aversion was never +communicated to me. Soon after the sailing of the Calliope, she again +made her appearance, took her old seat in the easy-chair, and resumed +her eternal knitting as before. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +Another year of my existence passed rapidly away; I was nearly thirteen +years old, a sturdy bold boy, well fitted for the naval profession, +which I now considered decided upon, and began to be impatient to leave +school, and wondered that we heard nothing of Captain Delmar, when news +was received from another quarter. + +One morning Captain Bridgeman came much earlier than usual, and with a +very grave face put on especially for the occasion. I had not set off +for school, and ran up to him; but he checked me, and said, "I must see +your mother directly, I have very important news for her." + +I went in to tell my mother, who requested Captain Bridgeman to come +into the parlour, and not being aware of the nature of the +communication, ordered Aunt Milly and me into the shop; we waited for +some minutes, and then Captain Bridgeman made his appearance. + +"What is the matter?" said Milly. + +"Read this newspaper," said he; "there is a despatch from India, it will +tell you all about it, and you can show it to your sister, when she is +more composed." + +Curious to know what the matter could be, I quitted the shop, and went +into the parlour, where I saw my mother with her face buried in the sofa +pillow, and apparently in great distress. + +"What's the matter, mother?" said I. + +"Oh! my child, my child!" replied my mother, wringing her hands, "you +are an orphan, and I am a lonely widow." + +"How's that?" said I. + +"How's that?" said my grandmother, "why, are you such a fool, as not to +understand that your father is dead?" + +"Father's dead, is he?" replied I, "I'll go and tell Aunt Milly;" and +away I went out of the parlour to Milly, whom I found reading the +newspaper. + +"Aunt," said I, "father's dead, only to think! I wonder how he died!" + +"He was killed in action, dear," said my aunt; "look here, here is the +account, and the list of killed and wounded. D'ye see your father's +name--Benjamin Keene, marine?" + +"Let me read all about it, Aunt Milly," replied I, taking the paper from +her; and I was soon very busy with the account of the action. + +My readers must not suppose that I had no feeling, because I showed none +at my father's death; if they call to mind the humble position in which +I had always seen my father, who dared not even intrude upon the +presence of those with whom my mother and I were on familiar terms, and +that he was ordered about just like a servant by my mother, who set me +no example of fear or love for him, they will easily imagine that I felt +less for his death than I should have for that of Captain Bridgeman, or +many others with whom I was on intimate terms. + +What did puzzle me was, that my mother should show so much feeling on +the occasion. I did not know the world then, and that decency required +a certain display of grief. Aunt Milly appeared to be very unconcerned +about it, although, occasionally, she was in deep thought. I put down +the paper as soon as I had read the despatch, and said to her, "Well, I +suppose I must go to school now, aunt?" + +"Oh no, dear," replied she, "you can't go to school for a few days now-- +it wouldn't be proper; you must remain at home and wait till you have +put on mourning." + +"I'm glad of that, at all events," replied I; "I wonder where Captain +Delmar is, and why he don't send for me; I begin to hate school." + +"I dare say it won't be long before you hear from him, dear," replied my +aunt; "stay here and mind the shop, while I go in to your mother." + +If the truth was told, I am afraid that the death of Ben was a source of +congratulation to all parties who were then in the parlour. As for me, +I was very glad to have a few days' holiday, being perfectly indifferent +as to whether he was dead or alive. + +When I went in I found them in consultation as to the mourning: my +mother did not, in the first place, wish to make any a parade about a +husband of whom she was ashamed; in the second, she did not like widow's +weeds, and the unbecoming cap. So it was decided, as Ben had been dead +six months, and if they had known it before they would have been in +mourning for him all that time, that half-mourning was all that was +requisite for them; and that, as for me, there was no reason for my +going into mourning at all. + +Three days after the intelligence, my mother re-appeared in the shop; +the reason why she did not appear before was, that her dress was not +ready--she looked very pretty indeed in half-mourning, so did my Aunt +Milly; and the attentions of the marine corps, especially Captain +Bridgeman and Lieutenant Flat, were more unremitting than ever. + +It appeared that, as the death of Ben had removed the great difficulty +to my aunt's being married to an officer, my grandmother had resolved to +ascertain the intentions of Captain Bridgeman, and if she found that he +cried off, to persuade Milly to consent to become Mrs Flat. Whether +she consulted my mother or my aunt on this occasion, I cannot positively +say, but I rather think not. + +My mother and my aunt were walking out one evening, when Captain +Bridgeman came in, and my grandmother, who remained in the shop whenever +my mother and Milly went out together, which was very seldom, requested +him to walk into the back parlour, desiring me to remain in the shop, +and let her know if she was wanted. + +Now when they went into the parlour, the door was left ajar, and, as I +remained at the back part of the shop, I could not help over-hearing +every word which was said; for my grandmother being very deaf, as most +deaf people do, talked quite as loud as Captain Bridgeman was compelled +to do, to make her hear him. + +"I wish, Captain Bridgeman, as a friend, to ask your advice relative to +my daughter Amelia," said the old lady. "Please to take a chair." + +"If there is any opinion that I can offer on the subject, madam, I shall +be most happy to give it," replied the captain, sitting down as +requested. + +"You see, my daughter Amelia has been well brought up, and carefully +educated, as was, indeed, my daughter, Arabella, through the kindness of +my old patron, Mrs Delmar, the aunt of the Honourable Captain Delmar, +whom you have often met here, and who is heir to the title of de +Versely; that is to say, his eldest brother has no children. I have +been nearly fifty years in the family as a confidential, Captain +Bridgeman; the old lord was very fond of my husband, who was his +steward, but he died, poor man, a long while ago; I am sure it would +have broken his heart, if, in his lifetime, my daughter Arabella had +made the foolish marriage which she did with a private marine--however, +what's done can't be helped, as the saying is--that's all over now." + +"It was certainly a great pity that Mrs Keene should have been so +foolish," replied Captain Bridgeman, "but, as you say, that is all over +now." + +"Yes; God's will be done, Captain Bridgeman; now you see, sir, that this +marriage of Bella's has done no good to the prospects of her sister +Amelia, who, nevertheless, is a good and pretty girl though I say it, +who am her mother; and moreover, she will bring a pretty penny to her +husband whoever he may be; for you see, Captain Bridgeman, my husband +was not idle during the time that he was in the family of the Delmars, +and as her sister is so well to do, why little Amelia will come into a +greater share than she otherwise would--that is, if she marries well, +and according to the wishes of her mother." + +At this interesting part of the conversation Captain Bridgeman leant +more earnestly towards my grandmother. + +"A pretty penny, madam, you said; I never heard the expression before; +what may a pretty penny mean?" + +"It means, first and last, 4,000 pounds, Captain Bridgeman; part down, +and the other when I die." + +"Indeed," replied Captain Bridgeman; "I certainly never thought that +Miss Amelia would ever have any fortune; indeed, she's too pretty and +accomplished to require any." + +"Now, sir," continued my grandmother, "the point on which I wish to +consult you is this: you know that Lieutenant Flat is very often here, +and for a long while has been very attentive to my daughter; he has, I +believe, almost as much as proposed--that is, in his sort of way; but my +daughter does not seem to care for him. Now, Captain Bridgeman, Mr +Flat may not be very clever, but I believe him to be a very worthy young +man; still one must be cautious, and what I wish to know before I +interfere and persuade my daughter to marry him is, whether you think +that Mr Flat is of a disposition which would make the marriage state a +happy one; for you see, Captain Bridgeman, love before marriage is very +apt to fly away, but love that comes after marriage will last out your +life." + +"Well, madam," replied the captain, "I will be candid with you; I do not +think that a clever girl like Miss Amelia is likely to be happy as the +wife of my good friend Mr Flat--still there is nothing against his +character, madam; I believe him harmless--very harmless." + +"He's a very fine-looking young man, Captain Bridgeman." + +"Yes; nothing to be found fault with in his appearance." + +"Very good-natured." + +"Yes; he's not very quick in temper, or anything else; he's what we call +a slow-coach." + +"I hear he's a very correct officer, Captain Bridgeman." + +"Yes; I am not aware that he has ever been under an arrest." + +"Well, we cannot expect everything in this world; he is handsome, +good-tempered, and a good officer--I cannot see why Amelia does not like +him, particularly as her affections are not otherwise engaged. I am +satisfied with the answer you have given, Captain Bridgeman, and now I +shall point out to Amelia that I expect she will make up her mind to +accept Mr Flat." + +Here Captain Bridgeman hesitated. + +"Indeed, madam, if her affections are not otherwise engaged--I say--are +not engaged, madam, I do not think she could do better. Would, you like +me to sound Miss Amelia on the subject?" + +"Really, Captain Bridgeman, it is very kind of you; you may, perhaps, +persuade her to listen to your friend Mr Flat." + +"I will, at all events, ascertain her real sentiments, madam," said the +captain, rising; "and, if you please, I will say farewell for the +present." + +As my grandmother anticipated, the scale, which had been so long +balanced by Captain Bridgeman, was weighed down in favour of marriage by +the death of my father Ben, and the unexpected fortune of 4,000 pounds. + +The next day the captain proposed and was accepted, and six weeks from +that date my aunt Milly became his wife. + +The wedding was very gay: some people did sneer at the match, but where +was there ever a match without a sneer? There are always and everywhere +people to be found who will envy the happiness of others. Some talked +about the private marine; this attack was met with the 4,000 pounds (or +rather 8,000 pounds per annum, for rumour, as usual, had doubled the +sum); others talked of the shop as _infra dig_; the set-off against +which was, the education and beauty of the bride. One or two subs' +wives declared that they would not visit Mrs Bridgeman; but when the +colonel and his lady called to congratulate the new-married couple, and +invited a large party in their own house to meet them, then then subs' +wives left their cards as soon as they could. + +In a few weeks all was right again: my mother would not give up her +shop--it was too lucrative; but she was on more intimate terms with her +customers; and when people found that, although her sister was a +captain's lady, my mother had too much sense to be ashamed of her +position; why they liked her the better. Indeed, as she was still very +handsome, one or two of the marine officers, now that she was a widow, +paid her very assiduous court; but my mother had no intention of +entering again into the holy state--she preferred STATE _in quo_. She +had no one to care for but me, and for me she continued her shop and +library, although, I believe, she could have retired upon a comfortable +independence, had she chosen so to do. + +My mother, whatever she might have been when a girl, was now a +strong-minded, clever woman. It must have been a painful thing for her +to have made up her mind to allow me to go to sea; I was her only child, +her only care; I believe she loved me dearly, although she was not so +lavish of her caresses as my aunt Milly; but she perceived that it would +be for my advantage that I should insure the patronage and protection of +Captain Delmar, and she sacrificed self to my interest. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +About a month after my aunt's marriage, a letter was received from +Captain Delmar, who had arrived at Spithead, requesting my mother to +send me to Portsmouth as soon as she could, and not go to the trouble or +expense of fitting me out, as he would take that upon himself. + +This was but short notice to give a fond mother, but there was no help +for it; she returned an answer, that in three days from the date of the +letter I should be there. + +I was immediately summoned from school that she might see as much of me +as possible before I went; and although she did not attempt to detain +me, I perceived, very often, the tears run down her cheeks. + +My grandmother thought proper to make me very long speeches every three +or four hours, the substance of which may be comprehended in very few +words--to wit, that I had been a very bad boy, and that I was little +better now; that I had been spoiled by over-indulgence, and that it was +lucky my aunt Milly was not so much with me; that on board a man-of-war +I dare not play tricks, and that I would find it very different from +being at home with my mother; that Captain Delmar was a very great man, +and that I must be very respectful to him; that some day I should thank +her very much for her being so kind to me; that she hoped I would behave +well, and that if I did not, she hoped that I would get a good beating. + +Such was the burden of her song, till at last I got very tired of it, +and on the third evening I broke away from her, saying, "Law, granny how +you do twaddle!" upon which she called me a good-for-nothing young +blackguard, and felt positively sure that I should be hanged. The +consequence was, that granny and I did not part good friends; and I +sincerely hoped that when I had come back again, I should not find her +above ground. + +The next morning I bade farewell to my dear Aunt Milly and Captain +Bridgeman, received a very ungracious salute from granny, who appeared +to think, as she kissed me, that her lips were touching something +poisonous, and set off with my mother in the coach to Portsmouth. + +We arrived safe at Portsmouth, and my mother immediately took lodgings +on the Common Hard at Portsea. The next day, having dressed herself +with great care, with a very thick veil on her bonnet, my mother walked +with me to the George Hotel, where Captain Delmar had taken up his +quarters. + +On my mother sending up her card, we were immediately ushered upstairs, +and on entering the room found the Honourable Captain Delmar sitting +down in full uniform--his sword, and hat, and numerous papers, lying on +the table before him. On one side of the table stood a lieutenant, hat +in hand; on the other, the captain's clerk, with papers for him to sign. +My friend Tommy Dott was standing at the window, chasing a blue-bottle +fly, for want of something better to do; and the steward was waiting for +orders behind the captain's chair. + +My mother, who had pulled down her veil, so that her face was not +visible, made a slight courtesy to Captain Delmar, who rose up and +advanced to receive her very graciously, requesting that she would be +seated for a minute or two, till he had time to speak to her. + +I have thought since, that my honourable captain had a mind to impress +upon my mother the state and dignity of a captain in his Majesty's +service, when in commission. He took no notice whatever of me. Tommy +Dott gave me a wink of his eye from the window, and I returned the +compliment by putting my tongue into my cheek; but the other parties +were too much occupied with the captain to perceive our friendly +recognition. Captain Delmar continued to give various orders, and after +a time the officers attending were dismissed. + +As soon as we were alone, my mother was addressed in, I thought, rather +a pompous way, and very much in contrast with his previous politeness +before others. Captain Delmar informed her that he should take me +immediately under his protection, pay all my expenses, and, if I behaved +well, advance me in the service. + +At this announcement, my mother expressed a great deal of gratitude, +and, shedding a few tears, said, that the boy would in future look up to +him as a parent. To this speech Captain Delmar made no reply; but, +changing the conversation, told her that he expected to sail in about +three or four days, and that no time must be lost in fitting me out; +that, all things considered, he thought it advisable that she should +return at once to Chatham, and leave the boy with him as she could not +know what was requisite for me, and would therefore be of no use. + +At the idea of parting with me, my mother cried bitterly. Captain +Delmar did then rise off his chair, and taking my mother by the hand +speak to her a few words of consolation. My mother removed her +handkerchief from her eyes and sighed deeply, saying to Captain Delmar, +with an appealing look, "Oh! Captain Delmar, remember that for you I +have indeed made great sacrifices; do not forget them, when you look at +that boy, who is very dear to me." + +"I will do him justice," replied the captain, somewhat affected, "but I +must insist upon inviolable secrecy on your part; you must promise me +that under any circumstances--" + +"I have obeyed you for thirteen years," replied my mother; "I am not +likely to forget my promise now; it is hard to part with him, but I +leave him in the hands of--" + +"You forget the boy is there," interrupted Captain Delmar; "take him +away now; to-morrow morning I will send my coxswain for him, and you +must go back to Chatham." + +"God bless you, sir," replied my mother, weeping, as Captain Delmar +shook her hand, and then we left the room. As we were walking back to +our lodging, I inquired of my mother--"What's the secret between you and +Captain Delmar, mother?" + +"The secret, child! Oh, something which took place at the time I was +living with his aunt, and which he does not wish to have known; so ask +me no more questions about it." + +After our return, my mother gave me a great deal of advice. She told me +that, as I had lost my father Ben, I must now look upon Captain Delmar +as a father to me; that Ben had been a faithful servant to the captain, +and that she had been the same to Mrs Delmar, his aunt; and that was +the reason why Captain Delmar was interested about me, and had promised +to do so much for me; begging me to treat him with great respect and +never venture to play him any tricks, or otherwise he would be highly +offended, and send me home again; and then I should never rise to be an +officer in his Majesty's service. + +I cannot say the advice received the attention it deserved, for I felt +more inclined to play tricks to my honourable captain than any person I +ever met with; however, I appeared to consent, and, in return begged my +mother to take care of my dog Bob, which she promised to do. + +My mother cried a great deal during the night; the next morning she gave +me five guineas as pocket-money, recommending me to be careful of it, +and telling me I must look to Captain Delmar for my future supply. She +tied up the little linen I had brought with me in a handkerchief, and +shortly after the coxswain knocked at the door, and came upstairs to +claim me for his Majesty's service. + +"I'm come for the youngster, if you please, marm," said the coxswain, a +fine, tall seaman, remarkably clean and neat in his dress. + +My mother put her arms round me, and burst into tears. + +"I beg your pardon, marm," said the coxswain, after standing silent +about a minute, "but could not you _do the piping_ after the youngster's +gone? If I stay here long I shall be blowed up by the skipper, as sure +as my name's Bob Cross." + +"I will detain you but a few seconds longer," replied my mother; "I may +never see him again." + +"Well, that's a fact; my poor mother never did me," replied the +coxswain. + +This observation did not raise my mother's spirits. Another pause +ensued, during which I was bedewed with her tears, when the coxswain +approached again-- + +"I ax your pardon, marm; but if you know anything of Captain Delmar, you +must know he's not a man to be played with, and you would not wish to +get me into trouble. It's a hard thing to part with a child, I'm told, +but it wouldn't help me if I said anything about your tears. If the +captain were to go to the boat, and find me not there, he'd just say, +`What were my orders, sir?' and after that, you know, marm, there is not +a word for me to say." + +"Take him, then, my good man," replied my mother, pressing me +convulsively to her heart--"take him; Heaven bless you, my dear child." + +"Thanky, marm; that's kind of you," replied the coxswain. "Come, my +little fellow, we'll soon make a man of you." + +I once more pressed my lips to my poor mother's, and she resigned me to +the coxswain, at the same time taking some silver off the table and +putting it into his hand. + +"Thanky, marm; that's kinder still, to think of another when you're in +distress yourself; I shan't forget it. I'll look after the lad a bit +for you, as sure as my name's Bob Cross." + +My mother sank down on the sofa, with her handkerchief to her eyes. + +Bob Cross caught up the bundle, and led me away. I was very melancholy, +for I loved my mother, and could not bear to see her so distressed, and +for some time we walked on without speaking. + +The coxswain first broke the silence:--"What's your name, my little +Trojan?" said he. + +"Percival Keene." + +"Well I'm blessed if I didn't think that you were one of the Delmar +breed, by the cut of your jib; howsomever, it's a wise child that knows +its own father." + +"Father's dead," replied I. + +"Dead! Well, fathers do die sometimes; you must get on how you can +without one. I don't think fathers are of much use, for, you see, +mothers take care of you till you're old enough to go to sea. My father +did nothing for me, except to help mother to lick me, when I was +obstropolous." + +The reader, from what he has already been informed about Ben, the +marine, may easily conceive that I was very much of Bob Cross's opinion. + +"I suppose you don't know anybody on board--do you?" + +"Yes, I know Tommy Dott--I knew him when the ship was at Chatham." + +"Oh! Mr Tommy Dott; I dare say you're just like him, for you look full +of mischief. He's a very nice young man for a small party, as the +saying is; there is more devil in his little carcase than in two +women's, and that's not a trifle; you'll hunt in couples, I dare say, +and get well flogged at the same gun, if you don't take care. Now, here +we are, and I must report my arrival with you under convoy." + +Bob Cross sent a waiter for the captain's steward, who went up to +Captain Delmar. I was ordered to go upstairs, and again found myself in +the presence of the noble captain, and a very stout elderly man, with a +flaxen wig. + +"This is the lad," said Captain Delmar, when I came into the room and +walked up to him; "you know exactly what he requires; oblige me by +seeing him properly fitted out and the bill sent in to me." + +"Your orders shall be strictly obeyed, Captain Delmar," said the old +gentleman, with a profound bow. + +"You had better not order too many things, as he is growing fast; it +will be easy to make good any deficiencies as they may be required." + +"Your orders shall be most strictly obeyed, Captain Delmar," replied the +old gentleman, with another bow. + +"I hardly know what to do with him for to-day and to-morrow, until his +uniforms are made," continued the captain: "I suppose he must go on +board." + +"If you have no objection, Captain Delmar," said the old gentleman, with +another low bow, "I am sure that Mrs Culpepper will be most proud to +take charge of any _protege_ of yours; we have a spare bed, and the +young gentleman can remain with us until he is ready to embark in the +uniform of his rank." + +"Be it so, Mr Culpepper; let your wife take care of him until all is +complete, and his chest is ready. You'll oblige me by arranging about +his mess." + +"Your wishes shall be most strictly attended to, Captain Delmar," +replied Mr Culpepper, with another profound inclination, which made me +feel very much inclined to laugh. + +"If you have no further orders, Captain Delmar, I will now take the +young gentleman with me." + +"Nothing more, Mr Culpepper--good morning," replied Captain Delmar, who +neither said how d'ye do to me when I came in, or good bye when I went +away in company with Mr Culpepper. I had yet to learn what a thing of +no consequence was a "sucking Nelson." + +I followed Mr Culpepper down stairs, who desired me to remain with the +coxswain, who was standing under the archway, while he spoke to the +captain's steward. + +"Well," said Bob Cross, "what's the ticket, youngster,--are you to go +abroad with me?" + +"No," said I; "I am to stay on shore with that old chap, who does +nothing but bob his head up and down. Who is he?" + +"That's our nipcheese." + +"Nipcheese!" + +"Yes; nipcheese means purser of the ship--you'll find all that out +by-and-by; you've got lots to larn, and, by way of a hint, make him your +friend if you can, for he earwigs the captain in fine style." + +Perceiving that I did not understand him, Bob Cross continued: "I mean +that our captain's very fond of the officers paying him great respect, +and he likes all that bowing and scraping; he don't like officers or men +to touch their hats, but to take them right off their heads when they +speak to him. You see, he's a sprig of nobility, as they call it, and +what's more he's also a post-captain, and thinks no small beer of +himself; so don't forget what I say--here comes the purser." + +Mr Culpepper now came out, and, taking my hand, led me away to his own +house, which was at Southsea. He did not speak a word during the walk, +but appeared to be in deep cogitation: at last we arrived at his door. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +Why is it that I detain the reader with Mr Culpepper and his family? I +don't know, but I certainly have an inclination to linger over every +little detail of events which occurred upon my first plunging into the +sea of life, just as naked boys on the New River side stand shivering a +while, before they can make up their minds to dash into the unnatural +element; for men are not ducks, although they do show some affinity to +geese by their venturing upon the treacherous fluid. + +The door was opened, and I found myself in the presence of Mrs +Culpepper and her daughter,--the heiress, as I afterwards discovered, to +all Mr Culpepper's savings, which were asserted to be something +considerable after thirty years' employment as purser of various vessels +belonging to his Majesty. + +Mrs Culpepper was in person enormous--she looked like a feather-bed +standing on end; her cheeks were as large as a dinner-plate, eyes almost +as imperceptible as a mole's, nose just visible, mouth like a round O. +It was said that she was once a great Devonshire beauty. Time, who has +been denominated _Edax rerum_, certainly had as yet left her untouched, +reserving her for a _bonne bouche_ on some future occasion. + +She sat in a very large arm-chair--indeed, no common-sized chair could +have received her capacious person. She did not get up when I entered; +indeed, as I discovered, she made but two attempts to stand during the +twenty-four hours; one was to come out of her bedroom, which was on the +same floor as the parlour, and the other to go in again. + +Miss Culpepper was somewhat of her mother's build. She might have been +twenty years old, and was, for a girl of her age, exuberantly fat; yet +as her skin and complexion were not coarse, many thought her handsome; +but she promised to be as large as her mother, and certainly was not at +all suited for a wife to a subaltern of a marching regiment. + +"Who have we here?" said Mrs Culpepper to her husband, in a sort of low +croak; for she was so smothered with fat that she could not get her +voice out. + +"Well, I hardly know," replied the gentleman, wiping his forehead; "but +I've my own opinion." + +"Mercy on me, how very like!" exclaimed Miss Culpepper, looking at me, +and then at her father. "Would not you like to go into the garden, +little boy?" continued she: "there, through the passage, out of the +door,--you can't miss it." + +As this was almost a command, I did not refuse to go; but as soon as I +was in the garden, which was a small patch of ground behind the house, +as the window to the parlour was open, and my curiosity was excited by +their evidently wishing to say something which they did not wish me to +hear, I stopped under the window and listened. + +"The very picture of him," continued the young lady. + +"Yes, yes, very like indeed," croaked the old one. + +"All I know is," said Mr Culpepper, "Captain Delmar has desired me to +fit him out, and that he pays all the expenses." + +"Well, that's another proof," said the young lady; "he wouldn't pay for +other people's children." + +"He was brought down here by a very respectable-looking, I may say +interesting, and rather pretty woman,--I should think about thirty." + +"Then she must have been handsome when this boy was born," replied the +young lady: "I consider that another proof. Where is she?" + +"Went away this morning by the day-coach, leaving the boy with the +captain, who sent his coxswain for him." + +"There's mystery about that," rejoined the daughter, "and therefore I +consider it another proof." + +"Yes," said Mr Culpepper, "and a strong one too. Captain Delmar is so +high and mighty, that he would not have it thought that he could ever +condescend to have an intrigue with one beneath him in rank and station, +and he has sent her away on that account, depend upon it." + +"Just so; and if that boy is not a son of Captain Delmar, I'm not a +woman." + +"I am of that opinion," replied the father, "and therefore I offered to +take charge of him, as the captain did not know what to do with him till +his uniform was ready." + +"Well," replied Miss Culpepper, "I'll soon find out more. I'll pump +everything that he knows out of him before he leaves us; I know how to +put that and that together." + +"Yes," croaked the fat mother; "Medea knows how to put that and that +together, as well as any one." + +"You must be very civil and very kind to him," said Mr Culpepper; "for +depend upon it, the very circumstance of the captain's being compelled +to keep the boy at a distance will make him feel more fond of him." + +"I've no patience with the men in that respect," observed the young +lady: "how nobility can so demean themselves I can't think; no wonder +they are ashamed of what they have done, and will not acknowledge their +own offspring." + +"No, indeed," croaked the old lady. + +"If a woman has the misfortune to yield to her inclinations, they don't +let her off so easily," exclaimed Miss Medea. + +"No, indeed," croaked the mamma again. + +"Men make the laws and break them," continued Miss Culpepper. "Mere +brute strength, even in the most civilised society. If all women had +only the spirit that I have, there would be a little alteration, and +more justice." + +"I can't pretend to argue with you, Medea," replied Mr Culpepper; "I +take the world as I find it, and make the best of it. I must go now,-- +my steward is waiting for me at the victualling office. Just brush my +hat a little, Medea, the wind has raised the nap, and then I'll be off." + +I walked very softly from the window; a new light had burst upon me. +Young as I was, I also could put that and that together. I called to +mind the conduct of my mother towards her husband Ben; the dislike of my +grandmother to Captain Delmar; the occasional conversations I had +overheard; the question of my mother checked before it was finished--"If +I knew who it was that I had been playing the trick to;" the visits my +mother received from Captain Delmar, who was so haughty and distant to +everybody; his promise to provide for me, and my mother's injunctions to +me to be obedient and look up to him as a father, and the remarks of the +coxswain, Bob Cross,--"If I were not of the Delmar breed:" all this, +added to what I had just overheard, satisfied me that they were not +wrong in their conjectures, and that I really was the son of the +honourable captain. + +My mother had gone; I would have given worlds to have gained this +information before, that I might have questioned her, and obtained the +truth from her; but that was now impossible, and I felt convinced that +writing was of no use. I recollected the conversation between her and +the Captain, in which she promised to keep the secret, and the answer +she gave me when I questioned her; nothing, then, but my tears and +entreaties could have any effect, and those, I knew, were powerful over +her; neither would it be of any use to ask Aunt Milly, for she would not +tell her sister's secrets, so I resolved to say nothing about it for the +present; and I did not forget that Mr Culpepper had said that Captain +Delmar would be annoyed if it was supposed that I was his son; I +resolved, therefore, that I would not let him imagine that I knew +anything about it, or had any idea of it. + +I remained more than an hour in deep thought, and it was strange what a +tumult there was in my young heart at this discovery. I hardly +comprehended the nature of my position, yet I felt pleased on the whole; +I felt as if I were of more importance; nay, that I was more capable of +thinking and acting than I was twenty-four hours before. + +My reveries were, however, disturbed by Miss Medea, who came to the +back-door and asked me if I was not tired of walking, and if I would not +like to come in. + +"Are you not hungry, Master Keene? Would you like to have a nice piece +of cake and a glass of currant wine before dinner? We shall not dine +till three o'clock." + +"If you please," replied I: for I would not refuse the bribe, although I +had a perfect knowledge why it was offered. + +Miss Medea brought the cake and wine. As soon as I had despatched them, +which did not take very long, she commenced her pumping, as I had +anticipated, and which I was determined to thwart, merely out of +opposition. + +"You were sorry to leave your mamma, weren't you, Master Keene?" + +"Yes; very sorry, miss." + +"Where's your papa, dearest? He's a very pretty boy, mamma, ain't he?" +continued the young lady, putting her fingers through my chestnut curls. + +"Yes; handsome boy," croaked the old lady. + +"Papa's dead." + +"Dead! I thought so," observed Miss Medea, winking at her mother. + +"Did you ever see your papa, dearest?" + +"Oh yes; he went to sea about eighteen months ago, and he was killed in +action." + +After this came on a series of questions and cross-questions; I replied +to her so as to make it appear that Ben was my father, and nobody else, +although I had then a very different opinion. The fact was, I was +determined that I would not be pumped, and I puzzled them, for I stated +that my aunt Milly was married to Captain Bridgeman, of the marines; and +not till then did Miss Medea ask me what my father was. My reply was +that he had also been in the marines, and they consequently put him down +as a marine officer, as well as Captain Bridgeman. + +This added so much to the respectability of my family, that they were +quite mystified, and found that it was not quite so easy to put that and +that together as they had thought. + +As soon as they were tired of questioning, they asked me if I would not +like to take another turn in the garden, to which I consented; and, +placing myself under the window as before, I heard Miss Medea say to her +mother-- + +"Father's always finding out some mare's nest or another; and because +there is some likeness to the captain, he has, in his great wit, made an +important discovery. It's quite evident that he's wrong, as he +generally is. It's not very likely that Captain Delmar should have had +an intrigue with the wife of a marine officer, and her sister married +also into the corps. The widow has brought him down herself, it is +true, but that proves nothing; who else was to bring him down, if it was +not his mother? and the very circumstance of her going away so soon +proves that she felt it improper that she should remain; and, in my +opinion, that she is a modest, interesting young woman, in whom Captain +Delmar has taken an interest. I wish father would not come here with +his nonsensical ideas, telling us to make much of the boy." + +"Very true, Medea," replied the mother; "you might have saved that cake +and wine." + +Thinks I to myself, you have not pumped me, and I never felt more +delighted than at having outwitted them. I thought it, however, prudent +to walk away from the window. + +Shortly afterwards, Mr Culpepper returned, accompanied by one of the +numerous Portsmouth fitting-out tailors. I was summoned; the tailor +presented a list of what he declared to be absolutely necessary for the +outfit of a gentleman. + +Mr Culpepper struck out two-thirds of the articles, and desired the +remainder to be ready on the Friday morning, it being then Wednesday. +The tailor promised faithfully, and Mr Culpepper also promised most +faithfully, that if the articles were not ready, they would be left on +his hands. As soon as the tailor had gone, Miss Medea asked me if I +would not like to take another run in the garden. I knew that she +wished to speak to her father, and therefore had a pleasure in +disappointing her. I therefore replied, that I had been there nearly +the whole day, and did not wish to go out any more. + +"Never mind whether you wish it or not; I wish you to go," replied Miss +Medea, tartly. + +"Medea, how can you be so rude?" cried Mr Culpepper; "surely Mr Keene +may do as he pleases. I'm surprised at you, Medea." + +"And I'm surprised at you, papa, finding out a mystery when there is +none," replied Miss Medea, very cross. "All you said this morning, and +all your surmises, have turned out to be all moonshine. Yes, you may +look, papa; I tell you--all moonshine." + +"Why, Medea, what nonsense you are talking," replied Mr Culpepper. + +"Medea's right," croaked Mrs Culpepper; "all moonshine." + +"So you need not be so very particular, papa, I can tell you," rejoined +Miss Medea, who then whispered in her father's ear, loud enough for me +to hear, "No such thing, nothing but a regular marine." + +"Pooh, nonsense," replied the purser, in a low voice; "the boy has been +taught to say it--he's too clever for you, Medea." + +At this very true remark of her father's, Miss Medea swelled into a +towering passion, her whole face, neck, and shoulders--for she wore a +low gown in the morning--turning to a fiery scarlet. I never saw such a +fury as she appeared to be. She rushed by me so roughly, that I was +thrown back a couple of paces, and then she bounced out of the room. + +"Medea knows how to put that and that together, Mr Culpepper," croaked +out Mrs Culpepper. + +"Medea's wise in her own conceit, and you're a regular old fool," +rejoined Mr Culpepper, with asperity; "one too knowing and the other +not half knowing enough. Master Keene, I hope you are hungry, for we +have a very nice dinner. Do you like ducks and green peas?" + +"Yes, sir, very much," replied I. + +"Were you born at Chatham, Master Keene?" + +"No, sir, I was born at the Hall, near Southampton. My mother was +brought up by old Mrs Delmar, the captain's aunt." + +I gave this intelligence on purpose; as I knew it would puzzle Miss +Medea, who had just returned from the kitchen. + +Mr Culpepper nodded his head triumphantly to his daughter and wife, who +both appeared dumb-founded at this new light thrown upon the affair. + +Miss Medea paused a moment and then said to me,--"I wish to ask you one +question, Master Keene." + +"I will not answer any more of your questions, miss," replied I; "You +have been questioning me all the morning, and just now, you were so rude +as nearly to push me down. If you want to know anything more, ask +Captain Delmar; or, if you wish it, I will ask Captain Delmar whether I +am to answer you, and if he says I am, I will, but not without." + +This was a decided blow on my part; mother and Medea both looked +frightened, and Mr Culpepper was more alarmed than either of the +females. It proved to them that I knew what they were inquiring for, +which was to them also proof that I also knew who I was; and further, my +reference to Captain Delmar satisfied them that I felt sure of his +support, and they knew that he would be very much irritated if I told +him on what score they had been pumping me. + +"You are very right, Master Keene," said Mr Culpepper, turning very +red, "to refuse to answer any questions you don't like; and, Medea, I'm +surprised at your behaviour; I insist upon it you do not annoy Master +Keene with any more of your impertinent curiosity." + +"No, no," croaked the old lady; "hold your tongue, Medea, hold your +tongue." + +Miss Medea, who looked as if she could tear my eyes out if she dared, +swallowed down her rage as well as she could. She was mortified at +finding she had made a mistake, annoyed at my answering her so boldly, +and frightened at her father's anger; for the old gentleman was very apt +to vent it in the _argumentum ad feminam_, and box her ears soundly. + +Fortunately dinner was served just at this moment, and this gave a turn +to the conversation, and also to their thoughts. Mr Culpepper was all +attention, and Miss Medea, gradually recovering her temper, also became +affable and condescending. + +The evening passed away very agreeably; but I went to bed early, as I +wished to be left to my own reflections, and it was not till daylight +that I could compose my troubled mind so as to fall asleep. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +Although the aversion which I had taken to the whole Culpepper family +was so great, that I could have done anything to annoy them, my mind was +now so fully occupied with the information which I had collected +relative to my supposed birth and parentage, that I could not think of +mischief. + +I walked on the common or in the little garden during the whole of the +following day, plunged in deep thought, and at night, when I went to +bed, I remained awake till the dawn. During these last two days I had +thought and reflected more than I had perhaps done from the hour of my +birth. + +That I was better off than I should have been if I had been the son of a +private in the marines, I felt convinced; but still I had a feeling that +I was in a position in which I might be subjected to much insult, and +that, unless I was acknowledged by my aristocratic parent, my connection +with his family would be of no use to me;--and Captain Delmar, how was I +to behave to him? I did not like him much, that was certain, nor did +this new light which had burst forth make me feel any more love for him +than I did before. Still my mother's words at Chatham rung in my ears, +"Do you know who it is that you have been?" etcetera. I felt sure that +he was my father, and I felt a sort of duty towards him; perhaps an +increase of respect. + +These were anxious thoughts for a boy not fourteen; and the Culpeppers +remarked, that I had not only looked very pale, but had actually grown +thin in the face during my short stay. + +As I was very quiet and reserved after the first day, they were very +glad when my clothes were brought home, and I was reported ready to +embark; so was I, for I wanted to go on board and see my friend Tommy +Dott, with whom I intended, if the subject was brought up, to consult as +to my proceedings, or perhaps I thought it would be better to consult +Bob Cross, the captain's coxswain; I was not sure that I should not +advise with them both. + +I had made up my mind how to behave to my mother. I knew that she would +never acknowledge the truth, after what had passed between the captain +and her when I was present; but I was resolved that I would let her know +that I was in the secret; and I thought that the reply to me would be a +guide as to the correctness of the fact, which, with all the hastiness +of boyhood, I considered as incontrovertible, although I had not the +least positive proof. + +The day that I was to go on board, I requested Miss Culpepper to give me +a sheet of paper, that I might write to my mother; she supplied me very +readily, saying, "You had better let me see if you make any mistake in +your spelling before the letter goes; your mamma will be so pleased if +you write your letter properly." She then went down into the kitchen to +give some orders. + +As I had not the slightest intention that she should read what I wrote, +and resolved to have it in the post before she came up again, I was very +concise in my epistle, which was as follows:-- + + "Dear Mother:--I have found it all out--I am the son of Captain + Delmar, and everyone here knows what you have kept a secret from me. + I go on board to-day. + + "Yours truly, P. KEENE." + +This was very short, and, it must be admitted, direct to the point. I +could not perhaps have written one which was so calculated to give my +mother uneasiness. + +As soon as it was finished, I folded it up, and lighted a taper to seal +it. Old Mrs Culpepper, who was in the room, croaked out, "No, no; you +must show it to Medea." But I paid no attention to her, and having +sealed my letter, put on my hat, and walked out to the post-office. I +dropped it into the box, and, on returning, found Mr Culpepper coming +home, accompanied by Bob Cross, the captain's coxswain, and two of the +boat's crew. + +As I presumed, they were sent for me; I joined them immediately, and was +kindly greeted by Bob Cross, who said:-- + +"Well, Mr Keene, are you all ready for shipping? We've come for your +traps." + +"All ready," replied I, "and very glad to go, for I'm tired of staying +on shore doing nothing." + +We were soon at the house; the seamen carried away my chest and bedding, +while Bob Cross remained a little while, that I might pay my farewell to +the ladies. + +The ceremony was not attended with much regret on either side. Miss +Culpepper could not help asking me why I did not show her my letter, and +I replied, that there were secrets in it, which answer did not at all +add to her good temper; our adieus were, therefore, anything but +affectionate, and before the men with my effects were a hundred yards in +advance, Bob Cross and I were at their heels. + +"Well, Master Keene," said Bob, as we wended our way across South Sea +Common, "how do you like the purser's ladies?" + +"Not at all," replied I; "they have done nothing but try to pump me the +whole time I have been there; but they did not make much of it." + +"Women will be curious, Master Keene--pray what did they try to pump +about?" + +I hardly knew how to reply, and I hesitated. I felt a strong +inclination towards Bob Cross, and I had before reflected whether I +should make him my confidant; still, I was undecided and made no reply, +when Bob Cross answered for me:-- + +"Look ye, child--for although you're going on the quarter-deck, and I am +before the mast, you are a child compared to me--I can tell you what +they tried to pump about, as well as you can tell me, if you choose. +According to my thinking, there's no lad on board the frigate that will +require good advice as you will; and I tell you candidly, you will have +your cards to play. Bob Cross is no fool, and can see as far through a +fog as most chaps; I like you for yourself as far as I see of you, and I +have not forgotten your mother's kindness to me, when she had her own +misery to occupy her thoughts; not that I wanted the money--it wasn't +the money, but the way and the circumstances under which it was given. +I told you I'd look after you a bit--a bit means a great deal with me-- +and so I will, if you choose that I shall; if not, I shall touch my hat +to you, as my officer, which won't help you very much. So, now you have +to settle, my lad, whether you will have me as your friend, or not." + +The appeal quite decided me. "Bob Cross," replied I. "I do wish to +make you my friend; I thought of it before, but I did not know whether +to go to you or to Tommy Dott." + +"Tommy Dott! Well, Master Keene, that's not very flattering, to put me +in one scale, and Tommy Dott in the other; I'm not surprised at its +weighing down in my favour. If you wish to get into mischief you can't +apply to a better hand than Tommy Dott; but Tommy Dott is not half so +fit to advise you, as you are, I expect, to advise him; so make him your +playmate and companion, if you please, but as to his advice, it's not +worth asking. However, as you have given me the preference, I will now +tell you that the Culpepper people have been trying to find out who is +your father. Ain't I right?" + +"Yes, you are," replied I. + +"Well, then, this is no time to talk about such things; we shall be down +to the boat in another minute, so we'll say no more at present; only +recollect, when you are on board, if they talk about appointing a man to +take charge of your hammock, say that Bob Cross, the captain's coxswain, +is, you understand, to be the person; say that and no more. I will tell +you why by-and-by, when we have time to talk together and if any of your +messmates say anything to you on the same point which the Culpeppers +have been working at, make no reply and hold yourself very stiff. Now, +here we are at the sally port, so there's an end to our palaver for the +present." + +My chest and bedding were already in the boat, and as soon as Cross and +I had stepped in he ordered the bowman to shove off; in half an hour we +arrived alongside the frigate, which lay at Spithead, bright with new +paint, and with her pennant proudly flying to the breeze. + +"You'd better follow me, sir, and mind you touch your hat when the +officers speak to you," said Bob Cross, ascending the accommodation +ladder. I did so, and found myself on the quarter deck, in the presence +of the first lieutenant and several of the officers. + +"Well, Cross," said the first lieutenant. + +"I've brought a young gentleman on board to join the ship. Captain +Delmar has, I believe, given his orders about him." + +"Mr Keene, I presume?" said the first lieutenant, eyeing me from head +to foot. + +"Yes, sir," replied I, touching my hat. + +"How long have you been at Portsmouth?" + +"Three days, sir; I have been staying at Mr Culpepper's." + +"Well, did you fall in love with Miss Culpepper?" + +"No, sir," replied I; "I hate her." + +At this answer the first lieutenant and the officers near him burst out +a-laughing. + +"Well, youngster, you must dine with us in the gun-room to-day; and +where's Mr Dott?" + +"Here, sir," said Tommy Dott, coming from the other side of the +quarter-deck. + +"Mr Dott, take this young gentleman down below, and show him the +midshipmen's berth. Let me see, who is to take care of his hammock?" + +"I believe that Bob Cross is to take care of it, sir," said I. + +"The captain's coxswain--humph. Well, that's settled at all events; +very good--we shall have the pleasure of your company to dinner, Mr +Keene. Why, Mr Dott and you look as if you knew each other." + +"Don't we, Tommy?" said I to the midshipman, grinning. + +"I suspect that there is a pair of you," said the first lieutenant, +turning aft and walking away; after which Tommy and I went down the +companion ladder as fast as we could, and in a few seconds afterwards +were sitting together on the same chest, in most intimate conversation. + +My extreme resemblance to our honourable captain was not unobserved by +the officers who were on the quarter-deck at the time of my making my +appearance; and, as I afterwards heard from Bob Cross, he was sent for +by the surgeon, on some pretence or another, to obtain any information +relative to me. What were Bob Cross's reasons for answering as he did I +could not at that time comprehend, but he explained them to me +afterwards. + +"Who brought him down, Cross?" said the surgeon, carelessly. + +"His own mother, sir; he has no father, sir, I hear." + +"Did you see her? What sort of a person was she?" + +"Well, sir," replied Bob Cross, "I've seen many ladies of quality, but +such a real lady I don't think I ever set my eyes upon before; and such +a beauty--I'd marry to-morrow if I could take in tow a craft like her." + +"How did they come down to Portsmouth?" + +"Why, sir, she came down to Portsmouth in a coach and four; but she +walked to the George Hotel, as if she was nobody." + +This was not a fib on the part of the coxswain, for we came down by the +Portsmouth coach; it did, however, deceive the surgeon, as was intended. + +"Did you see anything of her, Cross?" + +"Not when she was with the captain, sir, but at her own lodgings I did; +such a generous lady I never met with." + +A few more questions were put, all of which were replied to in much the +same strain by the coxswain, so as to make out my mother to be a very +important and mysterious personage. It is true that Tommy Dott could +have contradicted all this; but, in the first place, it was not very +likely that there would be any communication upon the point between him +and the officers; and in the next I cautioned him to say nothing about +what he knew, which, as he was strongly attached to me, he strictly +complied with: so Bob Cross completely mystified the surgeon, who, of +course, made his report to his messmates. + +Mr Culpepper's report certainly differed somewhat from that of Bob +Cross. There was my statement of my aunt being married to a marine +officer--but it was my statement; there was also my statement of my +mother residing with Captain Delmar's aunt; altogether there was doubt +and mystery; and it ended in my mother being supposed to be a much +greater person than she really was--everything tending to prove her a +lady of rank being willingly received, and all counter-statements looked +upon as apocryphal and false. + +But whoever my mother might be, on one point every one agreed, which +was, that I was the son of the Honourable Captain Delmar, and on this +point I was equally convinced myself. I waited with some anxiety for my +mother's reply to my letter, which arrived two days after I had joined +the frigate. It was as follows:-- + + "My dear Percival:-- + + "You little know the pain and astonishment which I felt upon receipt + of your very unkind and insulting letter; surely you could not have + reflected at the time you wrote it, but must have penned it in a + moment of irritation arising from some ungenerous remark which has + been made in your hearing. + + "Alas, my dear child, you will find, now that you have commenced your + career in life, that there are too many whose only pleasure is to + inflict pain upon their fellow-creatures. I only can imagine that + some remark has been made in your presence, arising from there being a + similarity of features between you and the Honourable Captain Delmar; + that there is so has been before observed by others. Indeed your + uncle and aunt Bridgeman were both struck with the resemblance, when + Captain Delmar arrived at Chatham; but this proves nothing, my dear + child--people are very often alike, who have never seen each other, or + heard each other mentioned, till they have by accident been thrown + together so as to be compared. + + "It may certainly be, as your father was in the service of Captain + Delmar, and constantly attended upon him, and indeed I may add as I + was occasionally seeing him, that the impression of his countenance + might be constantly in our memory, and--but you don't understand such + questions, and therefore I will say no more, except that you will + immediately dismiss from your thoughts any such idea. + + "You forget, my dearest boy, that you are insulting me by supposing + any such thing, and that your mother's honour is called in question; I + am sure you never thought of that when you wrote those hasty and + inconsiderate lines. I must add, my dear boy, that knowing Captain + Delmar, and how proud and sensitive he is, if it should ever come to + his knowledge that you had suspected or asserted what you have, his + favour and protection would be lost to you for ever: at present he is + doing a kind and charitable action in bringing forward the son of a + faithful servant; but if he imagined for a moment that you were + considered related to him he would cast you off for ever, and all your + prospects in life would be ruined. + + "Even allowing it possible that you were what you so madly stated + yourself in your letter to be, I am convinced he would do so. If such + a report came to his ears, he would immediately disavow you, and leave + you to find your own way in the world. + + "You see, therefore, my dear boy, how injurious to you in every way + such a ridiculous surmise must prove, and I trust that, not only for + your own sake, but for your mother's character, you will, so far from + giving credence, indignantly disavow what must be a source of mischief + and annoyance to all parties. + + "Captain Bridgeman desires me to say, that he is of my opinion, so is + your aunt Milly: as for your grandmother, of course, I dare not show + her your letter. Write to me, my dear boy, and tell me how this + unfortunate mistake happened, and believe me to be your affectionate + mother, ARABELLA KEENE." + +I read this letter over ten times before I came to any conclusion; at +last I said to myself, there is not in any one part of it any positive +denial of the fact, and resolved some future day, when I had had some +conversation with Bob Cross, to show it to him, and ask his opinion. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +The next morning, at daylight, the blue Peter was hoisted at the +foremast, and the gun fired as a signal for sailing; all was bustle-- +hoisting in, clearing boats of stock, and clearing the ship of women and +strangers. + +At ten o'clock Captain Delmar made his appearance, the hands were piped +up anchor, and in half an hour we were standing out for St. Helen's. +Before night it blew very fresh, and we went rolling down the Channel +before an easterly wind. I went to my hammock very sick, and did not +recover for several days, during which nobody asked for me, or any +questions about me, except Bob Cross and Tommy Dott. + +As soon as I was well enough, I made my appearance on deck, and was +ordered by the first lieutenant to do my duty under the signal +midshipman: this was day duty, and not very irksome; I learnt the flags, +and how to use a spy-glass. + +We were charged with despatches for the fleet, then off Cadiz, and on +the tenth day we fell in with it, remained a week in company, and then +were ordered to Gibraltar and Malta. From Malta we went home again with +despatches, having been out three months. + +During this short and pleasant run, I certainly did not learn much of my +profession, but I did learn a little of the ways of the world. First, +as to Captain Delmar, his conduct to me was anything but satisfactory; +he never inquired for me during the time that I was unwell, and took no +notice of me on my reappearance. + +The officers and young gentlemen, as midshipmen are called, were asked +to dine in the cabin in rotation, and I did in consequence dine two or +three times in the cabin; but it appeared to me, as if the captain +purposely took no notice of me, although he generally did say a word or +two to the others; moreover as the signal mids were up in the morning +watch, he would occasionally send to invite one of the others to +breakfast with him, but he never paid me that compliment. + +This annoyed me, and I spoke of it to Bob Cross, with whom I had had +some long conversations. I had told him all I knew relative to myself, +what my suspicions were, and I had shown him my mother's reply. His +opinion on the subject may be given in what follows:-- + +"You see, Master Keene, you are in an awkward position; the captain is a +very proud man, and too proud to acknowledge that you are any way +related to him. It's my opinion, from what you have told me, and from +other reasons, particularly from your likeness to the captain, that your +suspicions are correct; but, what then? Your mother is sworn to +secrecy--that's clear; and the captain won't own you--that's also very +clear. I had some talk with the captain's steward on the subject when I +was taking a glass of grog with him the other night in this berth. It +was he that brought up the subject, not me, and he said, that the +captain not asking you to breakfast, and avoiding you, as it were, was +another proof that you belonged to him; and the wishing to hide the +secret only makes him behave as he does. You have a difficult game to +play, Master Keene; but you are a clever lad, and you ask advice--mind +you follow it, or it's little use asking it. You must always be very +respectful to Captain Delmar, and keep yourself at as great a distance +from him as he does from you." + +"That I'm sure I will," replied I, "for I dislike him very much." + +"No, you must not do that, but you must bend to circumstances; by-and-by +things will go on better; but mind you keep on good terms with the +officers, and never be saucy, or they may say to you what may not be +pleasant; recollect this, and things will go on better, as I said +before. If Captain Delmar protects you with his interest, you will be a +captain over the heads of many who are now your superiors on board of +this frigate. One thing be careful of, which is, to keep your own +counsel, and don't be persuaded in a moment of confidence to trust +anything to Tommy Dott, or any other midshipman; and if any one hints at +what you suppose, deny it immediately; nay, if necessary, fight for it-- +that will be the way to please the captain, for you will be of his side +then, and not against him." + +That this advice of Bob Cross was the best that could be given to one in +my position there could not be a doubt; and that I did resolve to follow +it, is most certain. I generally passed away a portion of my leisure +hours in Bob's company, and became warmly attached to him; and certainly +my time was not thrown away, for I learnt a great deal from him. + +One evening, as I was leaning against one of the guns on the main deck, +waiting for Cross to come out of the cabin, I was amused with the +following conversation between a boatswain's mate and a fore-top man. I +shall give it verbatim. They were talking of one that was dead; and +after the boatswain's mate had said-- + +"Well, he's in heaven, poor fellow." + +After a pause, the fore-top man said-- + +"I wonder, Bill, whether I shall ever go to heaven?" + +"Why not?" replied the boatswain's mate. + +"Why, the parson says it's good works; now, I certainly have been a +pretty many times in action, and I have killed plenty of Frenchmen in my +time." + +"Well, that's sufficient, I should think; I hold my hopes upon just the +same claims. I've cut down fifty Frenchmen in my life, and if that +ain't good works, I don't know what is." + +"I suppose Nelson's in heaven?" + +"Of course; if so be he wishes to be there, I should like to know who +would keep him out, if he was determined on it; no, no; depend upon it +he walked _slap_ in." + +On our return to Portsmouth, the captain went up to the Admiralty with +the despatches, the frigate remaining at Spithead, ready to sail at a +moment's notice. + +I was now quite accustomed to the ship and officers; the conviction I +had of my peculiar position, together with the advice of Bob Cross, had +very much subdued my spirit; perhaps the respect created by discipline, +and the example of others, which produced in me a degree of awe of the +captain and the lieutenants, assisted a little--certain it is, that I +gained the goodwill of my messmates, and had not been in any scrape +during the whole cruise. + +The first lieutenant was a stern, but not unkind man; he would blow you +up, as we termed it, when he scolded for half an hour without ceasing. +I never knew a man with such a flow of words; but if permitted to go on +without interruption, he was content, without proceeding to further +punishment. Any want of respect, however, was peculiarly offensive to +him, and any attempt to excuse yourself was immediately cut short with, +"No reply, sir." + +The second day after our return to Spithead, I was sent on shore in the +cutter to bring off a youngster who was to join the ship; he had never +been to sea before; his name was Green, and he was as green as a +gooseberry. I took a dislike to him the moment that I saw him, because +he had a hooked nose and very small ferrety eyes. As we were pulling on +board he asked me a great many questions of all kinds, particularly +about the captain and officers, and to amuse myself and the boat's crew, +who were on the full titter, I exercised my peculiar genius for +invention. + +At last, after I had given a character of the first lieutenant, which +made him appear a sort of marine ogre, he asked how it was I got on with +him:-- + +"O, very well," replied I; "but I'm a freemason, and so is he, and he's +never severe with a brother mason." + +"But how did he know you were a mason?" + +"I made the sign to him the very first time that he began to scold me, +and he left off almost immediately; that is, when I made the second +sign; he did not when I made the first." + +"I should like to know these signs. Won't you tell them to me?" + +"Tell them to you! oh no, that won't do," replied I. "I don't know you. +Here we are on board--in bow,--rowed of all, men. Now, Mr Green, I'll +show you the way up." + +Mr Green was presented, and ushered into the service much in the same +way as I was; but he had not forgotten what I said to him relative to +the first lieutenant; and it so happened that, on the third day he +witnessed a jobation, delivered by the first lieutenant to one of the +midshipmen, who, venturing to reply, was ordered to the mast-head for +the remainder of the day; added to which, a few minutes afterwards, the +first lieutenant ordered two men to be put both legs in irons. Mr +Green trembled as he saw the men led away by the master-at-arms, and he +came to me: + +"I do wish, Keene, you would tell me those signs," said he; "can't you +be persuaded to part with them? I'll give you any thing that I have +which you may like." + +"Well," said I, "I should like to have that long spy-glass of yours, for +it's a very good one; and, as signal-midshipman, will be useful to me." + +"I will give it you with all my heart," replied he, "if you will tell me +the signs." + +"Well, then, come down below, give me the glass, and I will tell them to +you." + +Mr Green and I went down to the berth, and I received the spy-glass as +a present in due form. I then led him to my chest in the steerage, and +in a low, confidential tone, told him as follows:-- + +"You see, Green, you must be very particular about making those signs, +for if you make a mistake, you will be worse off than if you never made +them at all, for the first lieutenant will suppose that you are trying +to persuade him that you are a mason, when you are not. Now, observe, +you must not attempt to make the first sign until he has scolded you +well; then, at any pause, you must make it; thus, you see, you must put +your thumb to the tip of your nose, and extend your hand straight out +from it, with all the fingers separated, as wide as you can. Now, do it +as I did it. Stop--wait a little, till that marine passes. Yes, that +is it. Well, that is considered the first proof of your being a mason, +but it requires a second. The first lieutenant will, I tell you +frankly, be or rather pretend to be, in a terrible rage, and will +continue to rail at you; you must, therefore, wait a little till he +pauses; and then, you observe, put up your thumb to your nose, with the +fingers of your hands spread out as before, and then add to it your +other hand, by joining your other thumb to the little finger of the hand +already up, and stretch your other hand and fingers out like the first. +Then you will see the effects of the second sign. Do you think you can +recollect all this? for, as I said before, you must make no mistake." + +Green put his hands up as I told him, and after three or four essays +declared himself perfect, and I left him. + +It was about three days afterwards that Mr Green upset a kid of dirty +water upon the lower deck which had been dry holystoned, and the mate of +the lower deck, when the first lieutenant went his round, reported the +circumstance to exculpate himself. Mr Green was consequently summoned +on the quarter-deck; and the first lieutenant, who was very angry, +commenced, as usual, a volley of abuse on the unfortunate youngster. + +Green, recollecting my instructions, waited till the first lieutenant +had paused, and then made the first freemason sign, looking up very +boldly at the first lieutenant, who actually drew back with astonishment +at this contemptuous conduct, hitherto unwitnessed on board of a +man-at-war. + +"What! sir," cried the first lieutenant. "Why, sir, are you mad?--you, +just come into the service, treating me in this manner! I can tell you, +sir, that you will not be three days longer in the service--no, sir, not +three days; for either you leave the service or I do. Of all the +impudence, of all the insolence, of all the contempt I have heard of, +this beats all--and from such a little animal as you. Consider yourself +as under an arrest, sir, till the captain comes on board, and your +conduct is reported; go down below, sir, immediately." + +The lieutenant paused, and now Green gave him sign the second, as a +reply, thinking that they would then come to a right understanding--but +to his astonishment, the first lieutenant was more curious than ever; +and calling the sergeant of marines, ordered him to take Mr Green down, +and put him in irons, under the half-deck. + +Poor Green was handed down, all astonishment, at the want of success of +his mason's signs. I, who stood abaft, was delighted at the success of +my joke, while the first lieutenant walked hastily up and down the deck, +as much astonished as enraged at such insulting and insolent conduct +from a lad who had not been a week in the service. + +After a time the first lieutenant went down below, when Bob Cross, who +was on deck, and who had perceived my delight at the scene, which was to +him and all others so inexplicable, came up to me and said:-- + +"Master Keene, I'm sure, by your looks, you knew something about this. +That foolish lad never had dared do so, if he knew what it was he had +done. Now, don't look so demure, but tell me how it is." + +I walked aft with Bob Cross, and confided my secret to him; he laughed +heartily, and said:-- + +"Well, Tommy Dott did say that you were up to any thing, and so I think +you are; but you see this is a very serious affair for poor Green, and, +like the fable of the frogs, what is sport to you is death to others. +The poor lad will be turned out of the service, and lose his chance of +being a post captain; so you must allow me to explain the matter so that +it gets to the ears of the first lieutenant as soon as possible." + +"Well," replied I, "do as you like, Bob; if any one's to be turned out +of the service for such nonsense, it ought to be me, and not Green, poor +snob." + +"No fear of your being turned out; the first lieutenant won't like you +the worse, and the other officers will like you better especially as I +shall say that it is by your wish that I explain all to get Mr Green +out of the scrape. I'll go to the surgeon and tell him--but, Master +Keene, don't you call such matters _nonsense_, or you'll find yourself +mistaken one of these days. I never saw such disrespect on a +quarter-deck in all my life--worse than mutiny a thousand times." Here +Bob Cross burst out into a fit of laughter, as he recalled Green's +extended fingers to his memory, and then he turned away and went down +below to speak to the surgeon. + +As soon as Cross had quitted the deck, I could not restrain my curiosity +as to the situation of my friend Green; I therefore went down the ladder +to the half-deck, and there, on the starboard side between the guns, I +perceived the poor fellow, with his legs in irons, his hands firmly +clasped together, looking so woeful and woe-begone, every now and then +raising his eyes up to the beam of the upper deck, as if he would appeal +to heaven, that I scarcely could refrain from laughing. I went up to +him and said:-- + +"Why, Green, how is all this?--what has happened?" + +"Happened?" said the poor fellow; "happened? see what has happened; here +I am." + +"Did you make the freemason's signs?" replied I. + +"Didn't I? Yes--I did: Oh, what will become of me?" + +"You could not have made them right; you must have forgotten them." + +"I'm sure I made them as you told me; I'm quite sure of that." + +"Then perhaps I did not recollect them exactly myself: however, be of +good heart; I will have the whole matter explained to the first +lieutenant." + +"Pray do; only get me out of this. I don't want the glass back." + +"I'll have it done directly," replied I. + +As I went away, Bob Cross came up, and said I was wanted by the first +lieutenant in the gun-room. "Don't be afraid," said he: "they've been +laughing at it already, and the first lieutenant is it a capital humour; +still he'll serve you out well; you must expect that." + +"Shall I make him the sign, Cross?" replied I, laughing. + +"No, no; you've gone far enough, and too far already; mind what I say to +you." + +I went down into the gun-room, when a tittering ceased as the sentry +opened the door, and I walked in. + +"Did you want me, sir?" said I to the first lieutenant, touching my hat, +and looking very demure. + +"So, Mr Keene, I understand it was you who have been practising upon +Mr Green, and teaching him insult and disrespect to his superior +officers on the quarter-deck. Well, sir?" + +I made no reply, but appeared very penitent. + +"Because a boy has just come to sea, and is ignorant of his profession, +it appears to be a custom--which I shall take care shall not be followed +up--to play him all manner of tricks, and tell him all manner of +falsehoods. Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself?" + +"Mr Green and I have both just come to sea, sir, and the midshipmen all +play us so many tricks," replied I, humbly, "that I hardly know whether +what I do is right or wrong." + +"But, sir, it was you who played this trick to Mr Green." + +"Yes, sir, I told him so for fun, but I didn't think he was such a fool +as to believe me. I only said that you were a freemason, and that +freemasons were kind to each other, and that you gave one another signs +to know one another by; I heard you say you were a freemason, sir, when +I dined in the gun-room." + +"Well, sir, I did say so; but that is no reason for your teaching him to +be impudent." + +"He asked me for the signs, sir, and I didn't know them exactly; so I +gave him the signs that Mr Dott and I always make between us." + +"Mr Dott and you--a pretty pair, as I said before. I've a great mind +to put you in Mr Green's place--at all events, I shall report your +conduct when the captain comes from London. There, sir, you may go." + +I put on a penitent face as I went out wiping my eyes with the back of +my hands. After I went out, I waited a few seconds at the gun-room +door, and then the officers, supposing that I was out of hearing, gave +vent to their mirth, the first lieutenant laughing the loudest. + +"Cross is right," thought I, as I went up the ladder; a minute +afterwards, Mr Green was set free, and, after a severe reprimand, was +allowed to return to his duty. + +"You are well out of that trick, my hearty," said Bob Cross; "the first +lieutenant won't say a word to the captain, never fear; but don't try it +again." + +But an event occurred a few hours afterwards which might have been +attended with more serious consequences. The ship was, during the day, +surrounded by shore boats of all descriptions, containing Jews, sailors' +wives, and many other parties, who wished to have admittance on board. +It was almost dusk, the tide was running strong flood, and the wind was +very fresh, so that there was a good deal of sea. All the boats had +been ordered to keep off by the first lieutenant, but they still +lingered, in hope of getting on board. + +I was looking over the stern, and perceived that the boat belonging to +the bumboat woman, who was on board of the ship, was lying with her +painter fast to the stern ladder; the waterman was in her, as well as +one of the sailors' wives, who had left her own wherry in hopes of +getting on board when the waterman went alongside to take in the +articles not sold, when the bumboat woman left the ship, which would be +in a few minutes, as it was nearly gun-fire for sunset. The waterman, +who thought it time to haul alongside, and wished to communicate with +his employer on board, was climbing up by the stern ladder. + +"That's against orders, you know," cried I to the man. + +"Yes, sir; but it is so rough, that the boat would be swamped if it were +to remain alongside long, and I hope you won't order me down again; +there's some nice cakes in the boat, sir, just under the stern sheets, +if you would like to have them, and think it worth while to go down for +them." + +This was a bribe, and I replied, "No, I don't want your cakes, but you +may come up." + +The man thanked me, and walked forward as soon as he had gained the +deck. On second thoughts, I determined that I would have the cakes; so +I descended by the stern ladder, and desiring the woman who was left in +the boat to haul upon the rope, contrived to get into the boat. + +"What is it you want, my dear?" said the woman. + +"I come for some of those cakes under the stern sheets," replied I. + +"Well, I'll soon rummage them out," said she, "and I hope you will let +me slip on board when the boat is alongside. Mind, sir, how you step, +you'll smash all the pipes. Give me your hand. I'm an old sailor." + +"I should not think so," replied I, looking at her. I could hardly make +out her face, but her form was small, and, if an old sailor, she +certainly was a very young woman. + +We had a good many articles to remove before we could get at the cakes, +which were under the stern sheets; and the boat rocked and tossed so +violently with the sea which was running, that we were both on our knees +for some little while before we obtained the basket: when we did, to our +surprise, we found that the boat's painter, somehow or another, had +loosened, and that during our search we had drifted nearly one hundred +yards from the ship. + +"Mercy on me!--why, we are adrift," exclaimed the woman. "What shall we +do? It's no use hailing, they'll never hear us; look well round for any +boat you may see." + +"It is getting so dark that we shall not see far," replied I, not much +liking our position. "Where shall we go to?" + +"Go to!--clean out to St. Helen's, if the boat does not fill before we +get there; and further than that too, if I mistake not, with this gale +of wind. We may as well say our prayers, youngster, I can tell you." + +"Can't we make sail upon her?" replied I. "Can't we try and pull on +shore somewhere? Had we not better do that, and say our prayers +afterwards?" + +"Well said, my little bantam," replied the woman: "you would have made a +good officer if you had been spared; but the fact is, boy, that we can +do nothing with the oars in this heavy sea; and as for the sail, how can +you and I step the mast, rolling and tossing about in this way? If the +mast were stepped, and the sail set, I think I could manage to steer, if +the weather was smoother, but not in this bubble and this gale; it +requires older hands than either you or I." + +"Well, then, what must we do?" + +"Why, we must sit still and trust to our luck, bale out the boat, and +keep her from swamping as long as we can, and between times we may cry, +or we may pray, or we may eat the cakes and red herrings, or the soft +bread and other articles in the boat." + +"Let's bale the boat out first," said I, "for she's half full of water; +then we'll have something to eat, for I feel hungry and cold already, +and then we may as well say our prayers." + +"Well, and I tell you what, we'll have something to drink, too, for I +have a drop for Jem, if I could have got on board. I promised it to +him, poor fellow, but it's no use keeping it now, for I expect we'll +both be in Davy's locker before morning." + +The woman took out from where it was secreted in her dress, a bladder +containing spirits; she opened the mouth of it, and poured out a portion +into one of the milk-cans; having drunk herself, she handed it to me, +but not feeling inclined, and being averse to spirits, I rejected it, +"Not just now," said I, "by-and-by perhaps." + +During the time of this conversation we were swept by a strong tide and +strong wind right out of the anchorage at Spithead; the sea was very +high, and dashed into the boat, so that I was continually baling to keep +it free; the night was as dark as pitch; we could see nothing except the +lights of the vessels which we had left far away from us, and they were +now but as little twinkles as we rose upon the waves. The wind roared, +and there was every appearance of a heavy gale. + +"Little hopes of our weathering this storm," said the woman; "we shall +soon be swamped if we do not put her before the wind. I'll see if I +cannot find the lines." + +She did so after a time, and by means of a rudder put the boat before +the wind; the boat then took in much less water, but ran at a swift rate +through the heavy sea. + +"There, we shall do better now; out to sea we go, that's clear," said +the woman; "and before daylight we shall be in the Channel, if we do not +fill and go down; and then, the Lord have mercy upon us, that's all! +Won't you take a drop?" continued she, pouring out some spirits into the +can. + +As I felt very cold, I did not this time refuse. I drank a small +quantity of the spirits; the woman took off the remainder, which, with +what she had previously drunk, began to have an effect upon her. + +"That's right, my little Trojan," said she, and she commenced singing. +"A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether; in spite of wind and +weather, boys, in spite of wind and weather. Poor Jem," continued she, +"he'll be disappointed; he made sure of being glorious to-night, and I +made sure to sleep by his side--now he'll be quite sober--and I'll be +food for fishes; it's a cold bed that I shall turn into before morning, +that's certain. Hand me the cakes, boy, if you can fumble them out; the +more we fill ourselves, the less room for salt water. Well, then, wind +and waves are great bullies; they fly slap back in a fright when they +bang against a great ship; but when they get hold of a little boat like +this, how they leap and topple in, as if they made sure of us [here a +wave dashed into the boat]. Yes, that's your sort. Come along, swamp a +little boat you washy cowards, it's only a woman and a boy. Poor Jim, +he'll miss me something, but he'll miss the liquor more; who cares? +Let's have another drop." + +"Give me the lines, then," said I, as I perceived she was letting them +go, "or we shall be broadside to the waves again." + +I took the rudder lines from her, and steered the boat, while she again +resorted to the bladder of spirits. + +"Take another sip," said she, after she had filled the milk-can; "it +won't harm you." + +I thought the same, for I was wet through, and the wind, as it howled, +pierced me to the bones; I took a small quantity as before, and then +continued to keep the boat before the wind. The sea was increasing very +much and although no sailor, I felt fully convinced that the boat could +not live much longer. + +In the meantime the woman was becoming intoxicated very fast. I knew +the consequence of this, and requested her to bale out the boat: she did +so, and sang a mournful sort of song as she baled, but the howling of +the wind prevented me from distinguishing the words. + +I cannot well analyse my feelings at this time--they were confused; but +this I know, self-preservation and hope were the most predominant. I +thought of my mother, of my aunt, of Captain Bridgeman, Captain Delmar, +and Bob Cross; but my thoughts were as rapid as the gale which bore us +along, and I was too much employed in steering the boat, and preventing +the seas from filling it, to have a moment to collect my ideas. + +Again the woman applied to the bladder of spirits, and offered some to +me; I refused. I had had enough, and by this time she had had too much, +and after an attempt to bale she dropped down in the stern sheets, +smashing pipes and everything beneath her, and spoke no more. + +We had now been more than four hours adrift; the wind was as strong as +ever, and, I thought, the sea much higher; but I kept the boat steady +before the wind, and by degrees, as I became more accustomed to steer, +she did not take in so much water; still the boat appeared to be sinking +deeper down, and after a time I considered it necessary to bale her out. +I did so with my hat, for I found it was half full of water; and then I +execrated the woman for having intoxicated herself, so as to be useless +in such an emergency. + +I succeeded in clearing the boat of the major portion of the water, +which was no easy task, as the boat, having remained broadside to the +wind, had taken in the sea continually as I baled it out. I then once +more resumed the helm, and put the boat before the wind, and thus did I +continue for two hours more, when the rain came down in torrents, and +the storm was wilder than ever, but a Portsmouth wherry is one of the +best boats ever built, and so it proved in this instance. Still I was +now in a situation most trying for a lad between fourteen and fifteen; +my teeth chattered with the cold, and I was drenched through and +through; the darkness was opaque, and I could see nothing but the white +foam of the waves, which curled and broke close to the gunwale of the +boat. + +At one moment I despaired, and looked for immediate death; but my +buoyant spirit raised me up again, and I hoped. It would be daylight in +a few hours, and oh! how I looked and longed for daylight. I knew I +must keep the boat before the wind; I did so, but the seas were worse +than ever; they now continually broke into the boat, for the tide had +turned, which had increased the swell. + +Again I left the helm and bailed out; I was cold and faint, and I felt +recovered with the exertion; I also tried to rouse the woman, but it was +useless. I felt for her bladder of liquor, and found it in her bosom, +more than half empty. I drank more freely, and my spirits and my +courage revived. After that, I ate, and steered the boat, awaiting the +coming daylight. + +It came at last slowly--so slowly; but it did come, and I felt almost +happy. There is such a horror in darkness when added to danger; I felt +as if I could have worshipped the sun as it rose slowly, and with a +watery appearance, above the horizon. I looked around me: there was +something like land astern of us, such as I had seen pointed out as land +by Bob Cross, when off the coast of Portugal; and so it was--it was the +Isle of Wight: for the wind had changed when the rain came down, and I +had altered the course of the boat so that for the last four hours I had +been steering for the coast of France. + +But, although I was cold and shivering, and worn out with watching, and +tired with holding the lines by which the wherry was steered, I felt +almost happy at the return of day. I looked down upon my companion in +the boat; she lay sound asleep, with her head upon the basket of tobacco +pipes, her bonnet wet and dripping, with its faded ribbons hanging in +the water which washed to and fro at the bottom of the boat, as it +rolled and rocked to the motion of the waves; her hair had fallen over +her face, so as almost to conceal her features; I thought that she had +died during the night, so silent and so breathless did she lie. The +waves were not so rough now as they had been, for the flood tide had +again made; and as the beams of the morning sun glanced on the water, +the same billows which appeared so dreadful in the darkness appeared to +dance merrily. + +I felt hungry; I took up a red herring from one of the baskets, and tore +it to pieces with my teeth. I looked around me in every quarter to see +if there was any vessel in sight, but there was nothing to be seen but +now and then a screaming sea-gull. I tried to rouse my companion by +kicking her with my foot; I did not succeed in waking her up, but she +turned round on her back, and, her hair falling from her face, +discovered the features of a young and pretty person, apparently not +more than nineteen or twenty years old; her figure was slight and well +formed. + +Young as I was, I thought it a pity that such a nice-looking person--for +she still was so, although in a state of disorder, and very dirty-- +should be so debased by intoxication; and as I looked at the bladder, +still half full of spirits I seized it with an intention to throw it +overboard, when I paused at the recollection that it had probably saved +my life during the night, and might yet be required. + +I did not like to alter the course of the boat, although I perceived +that we were running fast from the land; for although the sea had gone +down considerably, there was still too much for the boat to be put +broadside to it. I cannot say that I was unhappy; I found my situation +so very much improved to what it was during the darkness of the night. +The sun shone bright, and I felt its warmth. I had no idea of being +lost--death did not enter my thoughts. There was plenty to eat, and +some vessel would certainly pick us up. Nevertheless, I said my +prayers, more devoutly than I usually did. + +About noon, as near as I could guess, the tide changed again, and as the +wind had lulled very much, there was little or no swell. I thought +that, now that the motion was not so great, we might possibly ship the +foremast and make some little sail upon the boat; and I tried again more +earnestly to rouse up my companion; after a few not very polite +attempts, I succeeded in ascertaining that she was alive. + +"Be quiet, Jim," said she, with her eyes still closed; "it's not five +bells yet." + +Another kick or two, and she turned herself round and stared wildly. + +"Jim," said she, rubbing her eyes, and then she looked about her, and at +once she appeared to remember what had passed; she shrieked, and covered +her face up with her hands. + +"I thought it was a dream, and was going to tell Jim all about it, at +breakfast," said she, sorrowfully, "but it's all true--true as gospel. +What will become of me? We are lost, lost, lost!" + +"We are not lost, but we should have been lost this night if I had been +as drunk as you have been," replied I; "I've had work enough to keep the +boat above water, I can tell you." + +"That's truth," replied she, rising up and taking a seat upon the thwart +of the boat. "God, forgive me, poor wretch that I am: what will Jim +think, and what will he say, when he sees my best bonnet in such a +pickle?" + +"Are you quite sure that you'll ever see Jim again, or that you'll ever +want your best bonnet?" replied I. + +"That's true. If one's body is to be tossed about by green waves, it's +little matter whether there's a bonnet or shawl on. Where are we, do +you know?" + +"I can just see the land out there," replied I, pointing astern. "The +sea is smooth; I think we could ship the foremast, and get sail upon +her." + +The young woman stood up in the boat. + +"Yes," said she, "I'm pretty steady; I think we could. Last night in +the dark and the tossing sea I could do nothing, but now I can. What a +blessing is daylight to cowards like me--I am only afraid in the dark. +We must put some sail upon the boat, or nobody will see us. What did +you do with the bladder of liquor?" + +"Threw it overboard," replied I. + +"Had you courage to do that?--and watching through the the night so wet +and cold. Well you did right--I could not have done it. Oh! that +liquor--that liquor; I wish there wasn't such a thing in the world, but +it's too late now. When I first married James Pearson, and the garland +was hung to the main-stay of the frigate, nobody could persuade me to +touch it, not even James himself, whom I loved so much. Instead of +quarrelling with me for not drinking it, as he used to do, he now +quarrels with me for drinking the most. If you'll come forward, sir, +and help me, we'll soon get up the foremast. This is it, you see, with +the jib passed round it. Jim often says that I'd make a capital sailor, +if I'd only enter in man's clothes--but as I tell him, I should be put +up at the gangway, for not being sober, before I'd been on board a +week." + +We contrived to ship the mast, and set the jib and foresail. As soon as +the sheets were hauled aft, my companion took the steering lines, +saying, "I know how to manage her well enough, now it's daylight, and +I'm quite sober. You must be very tired, sir; so sit down on the +thwart, or lie down if you please, and take a nap; all's safe enough +now--see, we lie up well for the land;" and such was the case, for she +had brought the boat to the wind, and we skimmed over the waves at the +rate of three or four miles an hour. I had no inclination to sleep; I +baled the boat out thoroughly, and put the baskets and boxes into some +kind of order. I then sat down on the thwarts, first looking round for +a vessel in sight; but seeing none, I entered into conversation with my +companion. + +"What is your name?" said I. + +"Peggy Pearson; I have my marriage lines to show: they can throw nothing +in my face, except that I'm fond of liquor, God forgive me." + +"And what makes you so fond of it now, since you say that, when you were +married, you did not care for it?" + +"You may well say that: it all came of _sipping_. James would have me +on his knee, and would insist on my taking a sip; and to please him I +did, although it made me almost sick at first, and then after a while I +did not mind it; and then, you see, when I was waiting at the sallyport +with the other women, the wind blowing fresh, and the spray wetting us +as we stood on the shingle with our arms wrapped up in our aprons, +looking out for a boat from the ship to come on shore, they would have a +quartern, and make me take a drop; and so it went on. Then James made +me bring him liquor on board, and I drank some with him; but what +finished me was, that I heard something about James when he was at +Plymouth, which made me jealous, and then for the first time I got +tipsy. After that, it was all over with me; but, as I said before, it +began with sipping--worse luck, but it's done now. Tell me what has +passed during the night. Has the weather been very bad?" + +I told her what had occurred, and how I had kicked her to wake her up. + +"Well, I deserved more than kicking, and you're a fine, brave fellow; +and if we get on board the Calliope again--and I trust to God we shall-- +I'll take care to blow the trumpet for you as you deserve." + +"I don't want any one to blow the trumpet for me," replied I. + +"Don't you be proud; a good word from me may be of use to you and it's +what you deserve. The ship's company will think highly of you, I can +tell you. A good name is of no small value--a captain has found out +that before now; you're only a lad, but you're a regular trump, and the +seamen shall all know it, and the officers too." + +"We must get on board the ship first," replied I, "and we are a long way +from it just now." + +"We're all right, and I have no fear. If we don't see a vessel we shall +fetch the land somewhere before to-morrow morning, and it don't look as +if there would be any more bad weather. I wonder if they have sent +anything out to look after us?" + +"What's that?" said I, pointing astern, "it's a sail of some kind." + +"Yes," said Peggy, "so it is; it's a square-rigged vessel coming up the +Channel--we had better get on the other tack, and steer for her." + +We wore the boat round and ran in the direction of the vessel; in three +hours we were close to her; I hailed her as she came down upon us but no +one appeared to hear us or see us, for she had lower studding-sails set, +and there was no one forward. We hailed again, and the vessel was now +within twenty yards, and we were right across her bows; a man came +forward, and cried out, "Starboard your helm," but not in sufficient +time to prevent the vessel from striking the wherry, and to stave her +quarter in; we dropped alongside as the wherry filled with water, and we +were hauled in by the seamen over the gunwale, just as she turned over +and floated away astern. + +"Touch and go, my lad," said one of the seamen who had hauled me on +board. + +"Why don't you keep a better look out?" said Peggy Pearson, shaking her +petticoats, which were wet up to the knees. "Paint eyes in the bows of +your brig, if you haven't any yourself. Now you've lost a boatful of +red-herrings, eggs, and soft tommy--no bad things after a long cruise; +we meant to have paid our passage with them--now you must take us for +nothing." + +The master of the vessel, who was on deck, observed that I was in the +uniform of an officer. He asked me how it was we were found in such a +situation? I narrated what had passed in few words. He said that he +was from Cadiz bound to London, and that he would put us on shore at any +place up the river I would like, but that he could not lose the chance +of the fair wind to land me anywhere else. + +I was too thankful to be landed anywhere; and telling him that I should +be very glad if he could put me on shore at Sheerness, which was the +nearest place to Chatham, I asked leave to turn into one of the cabin +bed-places, and was soon fast asleep. + +I may as well here observe, that I had been seen by the sentry abaft to +go down by the stern ladder into the boat, and when the waterman came +back shortly afterwards to haul his boat up, and perceived that it had +gone adrift, there was much alarm on my account. It was too dark to +send a boat after us that night, but the next morning the case was +reported to the admiral of the port, who directed a cutter to get under +weigh and look for us. + +The cutter had kept close in shore for the first day, and it was on the +morning after I was picked up by the brig, that, in standing more out, +she had fallen in with the wherry, bottom up. This satisfied them that +we had perished in the rough night, and it was so reported to the +port-admiral and to Captain Delmar, who had just come down from London. + +I slept soundly till the next morning, when I found that the wind had +fallen and that it was nearly calm. Peggy Pearson was on deck; she had +washed herself and smoothed out with an iron the ribbons of her bonnet, +and was really a very handsome young woman. + +"Mr Keene," said she, "I didn't know your name before you told it to +the skipper here; you're in a pretty scrape. I don't know what Jim +Pearson will say when you go back, running away with his wife as you +have done. Don't you think I had better go back first, and smooth +things over." + +"Oh! you laugh now," replied I; "but you didn't laugh the night we went +adrift." + +"Because it was no laughing matter. I owe my life to you, and if I had +been adrift by myself, I should never have put my foot on shore again. +Do you know," said she to me, very solemnly, "I've made a vow--yes, a +vow to Heaven, that I'll leave off drinking; and I only hope I may have +strength given me to keep it." + +"Can you keep it?" said I. + +"I think I can; for when I reflect that I might have gone to my account +in that state, I really feel a horror of liquor. If James would only +give it up, I'm sure I could. I swear that I never will bring him any +more on board--that's settled. He may scold me, he may beat me (I don't +think he would do that, for he never has yet); but let him do what he +pleases, I never will; and if he keeps sober because he hasn't the means +of getting tipsy, I am sure that I shall keep my vow. You don't know +how I hate myself; and although I'm merry, it's only to prevent my +sitting down and crying like a child at my folly and wickedness in +yielding to temptation." + +"I little thought to hear this from you. When I was with you in the +boat, I thought you a very different person." + +"A woman who drinks, Mr Keene, is lost to everything. I've often +thought of it, after I've become sober again. Five years ago I was the +best girl in the school. I was the monitor and wore a medal for good +conduct. I thought that I should be so happy with James; I loved him +so, and do so still. I knew that he was fond of liquor, but I never +thought that he would make me drink. I thought then that I should cure +him, and with the help of God I will now; not only him, but myself too." + +And I will here state that Peggy Pearson, whose only fault was the +passion she had imbibed for drinking, did keep her vow; the difficulty +of which few can understand who have not been intemperate themselves; +and she not only continued sober herself, but by degrees broke her +husband of his similar propensity to liquor. + +It was not till the evening of the fourth that we arrived at the Nore. +I had four pounds in my pocket at the time that I went adrift, which was +more than sufficient, even if I had not intended to go and see my +mother. A wherry came alongside, and Peggy Pearson and I stepped into +it, after I had thanked the captain, and given a sovereign to the seamen +to drink my health. + +As soon as we landed at Sheerness I gave another of my sovereigns to +Peggy, and left her to find her way back to Portsmouth, while I walked +up to Chatham to my mother's house. + +It was past eight o'clock and quite dark when I arrived; the shop was +closed, and the shutters up at the front door; so I went round to the +back to obtain admittance. The door was not fast, and I walked into the +little parlour without meeting with anybody. I heard somebody upstairs, +and I thought I heard sobbing; it then struck me that my supposed loss +might have been communicated to my mother. There was a light on the +parlour table, and I perceived an open letter lying near to it. I +looked at it; it was the handwriting of Captain Delmar. The candle +required snuffing; I raised the letter to the light that I might read +it, and read as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR ARABELLA:-- + + "You must prepare yourself for very melancholy tidings, and it is most + painful to me to be compelled to be the party who communicates them. + A dreadful accident has occurred, and indeed I feel most sincerely for + you. On the night of the 10th, Percival was in a boat which broke + adrift from the ship in a gale of wind; it was dark, and the fact not + known until too late to render any assistance. + + "The next day a cutter was despatched by the admiral to look for the + boat, which must have been driven out to sea; there was a woman in the + boat as well as _our_ poor boy. Alas! I regret to say that the boat + was found bottom up, and there is no doubt but that _our_ dear child + has perished. + + "You will believe me when I say that I deeply lament his loss; not + only on your account, but because I had become most partial to him for + his many good qualities, and often have I regretted that his peculiar + position prevented me from showing him openly that regard which, as + _his father_, I really felt for him. + + "I know that I can say nothing that will alleviate your sufferings, + and yet I fain would, for you have been so true, and anxious to please + me in every point since our first acquaintance and intimacy, that + there is nothing that you do not deserve at my hands. + + "Comfort yourself, dear Arabella, as well as you can with the + reflection that it has been the will of Heaven, to whose decrees we + must submit with resignation. I am deeply suffering myself; for, had + he lived, I swear to you that I intended to do much more for him than + ever I had promised you. He would have made a good and gallant sailor + had it pleased Heaven to spare him, and you would have been proud of + him; but it has been decided otherwise, and we must bow in obedience + to His will. God bless you, and support you in your afflictions, and + believe me still, + + "Yours, most sincerely and faithfully, + + "PERCIVAL DELMAR." + +"Then it is so," thought I; "here I have it under his own hand." I +immediately folded up the letter, and put it into my bosom. "You and I +never part, that is certain," murmured I. I had almost lost my breath +from emotion, and I sat down to recover myself. After a minute or two I +pulled the letter out and read it over again. "And he is my father, and +he loves me, but dare not show it, and he intended to do more for me +than even he had promised my mother." + +I folded up the letter, kissed it fervently, and replaced it in my +bosom. "Now," thought I, "what shall I do? This letter will be +required of me by my mother, but never shall she get it; not tears, nor +threats, nor entreaties shall ever induce me to part with it. What +shall I do? Nobody has seen me--nobody knows that I have been here. I +will go directly and join my ship; yes, that will be my best plan." + +I was so occupied with my own reverie, that I did not perceive a +footstep on the stairs, until the party was so far down that I could not +retreat. I thought to hide myself. I knew by the list shoes that it +must be my grandmother. A moment of reflection. I blew out the light +on the table, and put myself in an attitude: one arm raised aloft, the +other extended from my body, and with my mouth wide open and my eyes +fixed, I awaited her approach. She came in--saw me--uttered a fearful +shriek, and fell senseless on the floor; the candle in her hand was +extinguished in the fall: I stepped over her body; and darting out into +the back-yard, gained the door, and was in the street in a minute. + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +I was soon in the high road, and clear of the town of Chatham. As my +object was that it should not be supposed that I had been there, I made +all the haste I could to increase my distance; I therefore walked on in +the direction of Gravesend, where I arrived about ten o'clock. A return +chaise offered to take me to Greenwich for a few shillings, and before +morning dawned I had gained the metropolis. + +I lost no time in inquiring when the coaches started for Portsmouth, and +found that I was in plenty of time, as one set off at nine o'clock. + +Much as I wished to see London, my curiosity gave way to what I +considered the necessity of my immediate return to the frigate. At +seven o'clock in the evening I arrived at Portsmouth; I hastened down, +jumped into a wherry, and was on board of the frigate again by eight. + +It may be imagined that my sudden and unexpected appearance caused no +little surprise. Indeed, the first lieutenant considered it right to +send the gig on shore at that late hour to apprise the captain of my +return, and Bob Cross had just time to give me a wring of the hand +before he jumped into the boat, and went away to make the report. + +I gave a history of my adventures to the officers, leaving them, +however, to suppose that I had never been to Chatham, but had gone up to +London in the merchant vessel. + +Pearson, the boatswain's mate, came to make inquiries about his wife; +and, soon after, Bob Cross came on board with the captain's orders, that +I should go on shore to him in the gig on the following morning. + +I wished very much to consult Bob Cross previous to my seeing the +captain. I told him so, and he agreed to meet me on the gangway about +ten o'clock, as by that time the officers would be almost all in bed, +and there would be less chance of interruption. + +It was a fine, clear night, and as soon as we found ourselves alone I +narrated to him, in a low voice, all that had taken place, and gave him +the contents of the letter which I had taken possession of. I then +asked him what he thought I ought to do, now that I was certain of being +the son of the captain. + +"Why, Master Keene, you have done it very cleverly, that's the truth; +and that letter, which is as good as a certificate from Captain Delmar, +must be taken great care of. I hardly know where it ought to be put, +but I think the best thing will be for me to sew it in a seal-skin pouch +that I have, and then you can wear it round your neck, and next your +skin; for, as you say, you and that must never part company. But, +Master Keene, you must be silent as death about it. You have told me, +and I hope I may be trusted, but trust nobody else. As to saying or +hinting anything to the captain, you mustn't think of it; you must go on +as before, as if you knew nothing, for if he thought you had the letter +in your possession he would forget you were his son, and perhaps hate +you. He never would have been induced to acknowledge you under his own +hand as his son had he not thought that you were dead and gone, as +everybody else did; so behave just as respectful and distant as before. +It's only in some great emergency that that letter will do you any good, +and you must reserve it in case of need. If your mother is suspicious, +why, you must blind her. Your granny will swear that it was your ghost; +your mother may think otherwise, but cannot prove it; she dare not tell +the captain that she suspects you have the letter, and it will all blow +over after a cruise or two." + +I agreed to follow the advice of Bob Cross, as I saw it was good, and we +parted for the night. + +The next morning I went on shore to the captain, who received me, very +stiffly, with, "Mr Keene, you have had a narrow escape. How did you +get back?" + +I replied, that the vessel which picked me up was bound to London and +that I had taken the coach down. + +"Well, I never had an idea that we should have seen you again and I have +written to your mother, acquainting her with your loss." + +"Have you, sir?" replied I; "it will make her very unhappy." + +"Of course it will; but I shall write by this post, stating that you +have been so fortunately preserved." + +"Thanky, sir," replied I; "have you any further orders, sir?" + +"No, Mr Keene; you may go on board and return to your duty." + +I made my bow, and quitted the room; went down below, and found Bob +Cross waiting for me. + +"Well?" said he, as we walked away. + +"Stiff as ever," replied I: "told me to go on board and 'tend to my +duty." + +"Well, I knew it would be so," replied Bob; "it's hard to say what stuff +them great nobs are made of. Never mind that; you've your own game to +play, and your own secret to keep." + +"His secret," replied I, biting my lips, "to keep or to tell, as may +happen." + +"Don't let your vexation get the better of you, Master Keene; you've the +best of it, if you only keep your temper; let him play his cards, and +you play yours. As you know his cards and he don't know yours, you must +win the game in the end--that is, if you are commonly prudent." + +"You are right, Cross," replied I; "but you forget that I am but a boy." + +"You are but a boy, Master Keene, but you've no fool's head on your +shoulders." + +"I hope not," replied I; "but here we are at the boat." + +"Yes; and, as I live, here's Peggy Pearson. Well, Peggy, how did you +like your cruise with Master Keene?" + +"If I ever go on another, I hope he will be my companion. Master Keene, +will you allow me to go on board with you to see my husband?" + +"Oh, yes, Peggy," replied Cross; "the first lieutenant would not refuse +you after what has happened, nor Captain Delmar either, stiff as he is: +for, although he never shows it, he don't want feeling. Jim will be +glad to see you, Peggy; you haven't an idea how he took on, when he +heard of your loss. He borrowed a pocket-handkerchief from the corporal +of marines." + +"I suspect he'd rather borrow a bottle of rum from the purser," replied +Peggy. + +"Recollect, Peggy," said I, holding up my finger. + +"Mr Keene, I do recollect; I pledge you my word that I have not tasted +a drop of spirits since we parted--and that with a sovereign in my +pocket." + +"Well, only keep to it--that's all." + +"I will, indeed, Mr Keene; and, what's more, I shall love you as long +as I live." + +We pulled on board in the gig, and Peggy was soon in the arms of her +husband. As Pearson embraced her at the gangway--for he could not help +it--the first lieutenant very kindly said, "Pearson, I shan't want you +on deck till after dinner: you may go below with your wife." + +"Now, may God bless you, for a cross-looking, kind-hearted gentleman," +said Peggy to the first lieutenant. + +Peggy was as good as her word to me; she gave such an account of my +courage and presence of mind, of her fears and at last of her getting +tipsy--of my remaining at the helm and managing the boat all night by +myself, that I obtained great reputation among the ship's company, and +it was all reported to the officers, and worked its way until it came +from the first lieutenant to the captain, and from the captain to the +port admiral. This is certain, that Peggy Pearson did do me a good +service, for I was no longer looked upon as a mere youngster, who had +just come to sea, and who had not been tried. + +"Well, sir," said Bob Cross, a day or two afterwards, "it seems, by +Peggy Pearson's report, that you're not frightened at a trifle." + +"Peg Pearson's report won't do me much good." + +"You ought to know better, Master Keene, than to say that; a mouse may +help a lion, as the fable says." + +"Where did you learn all your fables, Cross?" + +"I'll tell you; there's a nice little girl that used to sit on my knee +and read her fables to me, and I listened to her because I loved her." + +"And does she do so now?" + +"Oh, no; she's too big for that--she'd blush up to the temples; but +never mind the girl or the fables. I told you that Peggy had reported +your conduct, as we say in the service. Now do you know, that this very +day I heard the first lieutenant speaking of it to the captain, and +you've no idea how proud the captain looked, although he pretended to +care nothing about it; I watched him, and he looked as much as to say, +`that's my boy.'" + +"Well, if that pleases him, I'll make him prouder yet of me, if I have +the opportunity," replied I. + +"That you will, Master Keene, if I'm any judge of fizonomy; and that's +the way to go to a parent's heart: make him feel proud of you." + +I did not forget this, as the reader will eventually discover. + +I had written to my mother, giving her a long account of my adventures, +but not saying a word of my having been at Chatham. I made her suppose, +as I did the captain, that I had been carried up to London. My letter +reached her the day after the one announcing my safety, written to her +by Captain Delmar. + +She answered me by return of post, thanking Heaven for my preservation, +and stating how great had been her anguish and misery at my supposed +loss. In the latter part of the letter was this paragraph:-- + + "Strange to say, on the night of the 16th, when I was on my bed in + tears, having but just received the news of your loss, your + grandmother went downstairs, and declares that she saw you or your + ghost in the little back parlour. At all events, I found her + insensible on the floor, so that she must have seen something. She + might have been frightened at nothing; and yet I know not what to + think, for there are circumstances which almost make _me_ believe that + somebody was in the house. I presume you can prove an _alibi_." + +That my mother had been suspicious, perhaps more than suspicious, from +the disappearance of the letter, I was convinced. When I replied to +her, I said:-- + + "My _alibi_ is easily proved by applying to the master and seamen of + the vessel on board of which I was. Old granny must have been + frightened at her own shadow: the idea of my coming to your house, and + having left it without seeing you is rather too absurd; granny must + have invented the story, because she hates me, and thought to make you + do the same." + +Whatever my mother may have thought, she did not again mention the +subject. I had, however, a few days afterwards, a letter from my aunt +Milly, in which she laughingly told the same story of granny swearing +that she had seen me or my ghost. "At first we thought it was your +ghost, but since a letter from Captain Delmar to your mother has been +missing, it is now imagined that you have been here, and have taken +possession of it. You will tell me, my dearest Percival, I'm sure, if +you did play this trick to granny, or not; you know you may trust me +with any of your tricks." + +But I was not in this instance to be wheedled by my aunt. I wrote in +return, saying how much I was amazed at my grandmother telling such +fibs, and proved to her most satisfactorily that I was in London at the +time they supposed I might have been at Chatham. + +That my aunt had been requested by my mother to try to find out the +truth, I was well convinced: but I felt my secret of too much importance +to trust either of them and from that time the subject was never +mentioned; and I believe it was at last surmised that the letter might +have been destroyed accidentally or purposely by the maid-servant, and +that my grandmother had been frightened at nothing at all--an opinion +more supported, as the maid, who had taken advantage of my mother's +retiring to her room, and had been out gossiping, declared that she had +not left the premises three minutes, and not a soul could have come in. +Moreover, it was so unlikely that I could have been in Chatham without +being recognised by somebody. + +My grandmother shook her head, and said nothing during all this +canvassing of the question; but my aunt Milly declared that I never +would have been at Chatham without coming to see her. And it was her +opinion that the servant girl had read the letter when left on the +table, and had taken it out to show to her associates; and somebody who +wished to have a hold upon my mother by the possession of the letter had +retained it. + +I think my mother came to that opinion at last, and it was the source of +much uneasiness to her. She dared not say a word to Captain Delmar, and +every day expected to have an offer made of returning the letter, upon a +certain sum being paid down. But the offer was never made, as the +letter had been sewed up by Bob Cross in the piece of seal-skin, and was +worn round my neck with a ribbon, with as much care as if it had been a +supposed bit of the wood of the true cross, possessed by some old female +Catholic devotee. + +But long before all these discussions were over, H.M. ship Calliope had +been ordered to sail, and was steering down the Channel before a smart +breeze. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +Although I have so much to say as to oblige me to pass over without +notice the majority of my companions, I think I ought to dedicate one +chapter to a more particular description of those with whom I was now +principally in contact on board of the Calliope. + +I have already spoken much of the Honourable Captain Delmar, but I must +describe him more particularly. When young, he must have been a very +handsome man; even now, although nearly fifty years of age, and his hair +and whiskers a little mixed with grey, he was a fine-looking personage, +of florid complexion, large blue eyes, nose and mouth very perfect: in +height he was full six feet; and he walked so erect that he looked even +taller. + +There was precision, I may say dignity, in all his motions. If he +turned to you, it was slowly and deliberately; there was nothing like +rapidity in his movement. On the most trifling occasions, he wrapped +himself up in etiquette with all the consequence of a Spanish Hidalgo; +and showed in almost every action and every word that he never forgot +his superiority of birth. + +No one, except myself, perhaps, would ever have thought of taking a +liberty with him; for although there was a pomposity about him, at the +same time it was the pomposity of a high-bred gentleman, who respected +himself, and expected every one to do the same. + +That sometimes a little mirth was occasioned by his extreme precision is +true; but it was whispered, not boldly indulged in. As to his qualities +as an officer and seaman, I shall only say, that they were considered +more than respectable. Long habit of command had given him a fair +knowledge of the duties in the first instance, and he never condescended +(indeed, it would have been contrary to his character) to let the +officers or seamen know whether he did or did not know anything about +the second. + +As to his moral character, I can only say, that it was very difficult to +ascertain it. That he would never do that which was in the slightest +degree derogatory to the character of a gentleman was most certain: but +he was so wrapped up in exclusiveness, that it was almost impossible to +estimate his feelings. Occasionally, I may say very rarely, he might +express them; but if he did, it was but for a moment, and he was again +reserved as before. + +That he was selfish is true; but who is not? and those in high rank are +still more so than others, not so much by nature, but because their self +is encouraged by those around them. You could easily offend his pride +but he was above being flattered in a gross way. I really believe that +the person in the ship for whom he had the least respect was the +obsequious Mr Culpepper. Such was the Honourable Captain Delmar. + +Mr Hippesley, the first lieutenant, was a broad-shouldered, +ungainly-looking personage. He had more the appearance of a master in +the service than a first lieutenant. He was a thorough seaman; and +really, for a first lieutenant, a very good-natured man. All that was +requisite, was to allow his momentary anger to have free escape by the +safety-valve of his mouth: if you did not, an explosion was sure to be +the result. + +He was, as we use the term at sea, a regular ship husband--that is to +say, he seldom put his foot on shore; and if he did, he always appeared +anxious to get on board again. He was on good terms, but not familiar, +with his messmates, and very respectful to the captain. There was no +other officer in the service who would have suited Captain Delmar so +well as Mr Hippesley, who, although he might occasionally grumble at +not being promoted, appeared on the whole to be very indifferent about +the matter. + +The men were partial to him, as they always are to one who, whatever may +be his peculiarities, is consistent. Nothing is more unpleasant to men +than to sail under a person whom, to use their own expression, "they +never knew where to find." + +The second and third lieutenants, Mr Percival and Mr Weymss, were +young men of good family, and were admitted to a very slight degree of +familiarity with Captain Delmar: they were of gentlemanly manners, both +good seamen, and kind to their inferiors. + +Mr Culpepper, the purser, was my abomination--a nasty, earwigging, +flattering, bowing old rogue. The master, Mr Smith, was a very quiet +man, plain and unoffending, but perfectly master of, and always +attentive to, his duty. + +The marine officer, Mr Tusk, was a nonentity put into a red jacket. +The surgeon was a tall, and very finicking sort of gentleman as to +dress; but well informed, friendly in disposition, and perfectly +acquainted with his profession. + +My messmates were most of them young men of good birth, with the +exception of Tommy Dott, who was the son of a warrant officer, and Mr +Green, whose father was a boot-maker in London. I shall not, however, +waste my reader's time upon them; they will appear when required. I +shall, therefore, now proceed with my narrative. + +It is usually the custom for the midshipmen to take up provisions and +spirits beyond their allowance, and pay the purser an extra sum for the +same; but this Mr Culpepper would not permit--indeed, he was the most +stingy and disagreeable old fellow that I ever met with in the service. +We never had dinner or grog enough, or even lights sufficient for our +wants. + +We complained to the first lieutenant, but he was not inclined to assist +us: he said we had our allowance, and it was all we could demand; that +too much grog was bad for us, and as for candles, they only made us sit +up late when we ought to be in bed: he was, moreover, very strict about +the lights being put out. This, however, was the occasion of war to the +knife between the midshipmen and Mr Culpepper. + +But it was of no avail; he would seldom trust his own steward or the +mate of the main deck; whenever he could, he superintended the serving +out of all provisions and mixing of the grog: no wonder that he was said +to be a rich man. The only party to whom he was civil was Mr +Hippesley, the first lieutenant, and the captain; both of whom had the +power of annoying him, and reducing his profits. + +To the captain he was all humility; every expense that he required was, +with his proffered bow, cheerfully submitted to; but he gained on the +whole by this apparent liberality, as the captain was rather inclined to +protect him in all other points of service, except those connected with +his own comforts and luxuries; and many a good job did Mr Culpepper get +done for him, by humbly requesting and obsequiously bowing. + +We had been at sea for about a week, and were running down towards the +island of Madeira, which we expected to reach the next morning. Our +destination was a secret, as our captain sailed with sealed orders, to +be opened when off that island. + +The weather was very fine and warm, and the wind had fallen, when at +sundown high land was reported from the mast-head, at about forty miles +distant. I was, as on the former cruise, signal midshipman, and did day +duty--that is, I went down with the sun, and kept no night watch. + +I had been cogitating how I could play some trick to Mr Culpepper: the +midshipmen had often proposed that we should do so, but I had made up my +mind that, whenever I did, I would make no confidant. Tommy Dott often +suggested an idea, but I invariably refused, as a secret is only a +secret when it is known to one person: for that reason I never consulted +Bob Cross, because I knew that he would have persuaded me not to do so; +but after anything was happily executed, I then used to confide in him. + +I observed before that Mr Culpepper wore a flaxen wig, and I felt sure, +from his penuriousness, that he was not likely to have more than one on +board. I, therefore, fixed upon his wig as the object of my vengeance, +and having made up my mind on the night that we made the island of +Madeira, I determined to put my project in execution. + +For convenience, the first lieutenant had a small ladder which went down +through the skylight of the gun-room so that they could descend direct, +instead of going round by the after-hatchway, and entering by the +gun-room doors, where the sentry was placed. + +I went to my hammock and slept till the middle watch was called; I then +got up and dressed myself without being perceived. + +As soon as the lieutenant of the middle watch had been called by the +mate, who lighted his candle and left him to dress himself, I came up by +the after-ladder, and, watching an opportunity when the sentry at the +captain's cabin door had walked forward, I softly descended by the +skylight ladder into the gun-room. + +The light in the cabin of the lieutenant, who was dressing, was quite +sufficient, and the heat of the weather was so great, that all the +officers slept with their cabin doors fastened back, for ventilation; I +had, therefore, no difficulty in putting my hand on the purser's wig, +with which I escaped unperceived, and immediately turned in again to my +hammock, to consider what I should do with my prize. + +Should I throw it overboard; should I stuff it down the pump-well, or +slip it into the ship's coppers, that it might re-appear when the +pea-soup was baled out or dinner; or should I put it into the manger +forward, where the pigs were? + +In the meantime, while I was considering the matter, the midshipman of +the first watch came down and turned in, and all was again quiet, except +an occasional nasal melody from some heavy sleeper. + +At last, quite undecided, I peeped through the clews of my hammock to +see what the sentry at the gun-room door was about, and found that he +had sat down on a chest, and was fast asleep. I knew immediately that +the man was in my power, and I did not fear him; and then it was that +the idea came into my head, that I would singe the purser's wig. I went +softly to the sentry's light, took it from the hook, and went down with +it into the cockpit, as being the best place for carrying on my +operations. The wig was very greasy, and every curl, as I held it in +the candle, flared up, and burned beautifully to within a quarter of an +inch of the caul. + +It was soon done, and I replaced the sentry's light; and finding that +the gun-room door was a-jar, I went in softly, and replaced the wig +where I had taken it from, repassed the sentry, who was still fast +asleep, and regained my hammock, intending to undress myself in it; but +I had quite forgotten one thing (I was soon reminded of it)--I heard the +voice of the officer of the watch I calling out to the sentry at the +cabin door-- + +"Sentry, what's that smell of burning?" + +"I don't know, sir," replied the sentry; "I was just thinking of going +forward for the ship's corporal." + +The smell, which had gradually ascended from the cockpit, now spread +from deck to deck, and became stronger and stronger. The gun-room-door +sentry jumped up at the voice of the lieutenant, and called out that +there was a very strong smell in the cockpit. The lieutenant and mate +of the watch came down, and it was immediately supposed that the +spirit-room had caught fire, for the smell was really very powerful. + +The first lieutenant, who had wakened up at the voices, was out in a +minute; he put his head over the cockpit, and ordering the officer of +the watch to call the drummer, and beat to quarters, ran up to inform +the captain. + +The drummer was out in a moment, and, seizing his drum, which hung up by +the mainmast, ran up in his shirt and beat the tattoo. + +The whole ship's company rose up at the sound, which they knew was the +signal for something important; and the beat of the drum was followed up +by the shrill piping of the boatswain's mates at each hatchway. + +At that moment, some frightened man belonging to the watch cried out +that the ship was on fire, and the lower decks were immediately a scene +of bustle and confusion. + +Perhaps there is nothing more awful than the alarm of fire at sea; the +feeling that there is no escape--the only choice being by which element, +fire or water, you choose to perish. But if it is awful in daylight, +how much more so is it to be summoned up to await such peril when you +have been sleeping in fancied bounty. + +The captain had hurried on his clothes, and stood on the quarter-deck. +He was apparently calm and collected; but, as usual, the first +lieutenant carried on the duty, and well he did it. + +"Where's the gunner? Mr Hutt, bring up the keys from my cabin, and +have all ready for clearing the magazines if required. Firemen, get +your buckets to bear; carpenters, rig the pumps. Silence there, fore +and aft." + +But the confusion became very great, and there evidently was a panic. +The captain then interposed, calling out to the boatswain and his mates +to send every man aft on the quarter-deck. + +This order was obeyed; the men came thronging like a flock of sheep, +huddling together and breathless. + +"Silence there, my men," cried Captain Delmar--"silence. I say; is this +the conduct of men-of-war's-men? Every man of you sit down on deck-- +pass the word there for every man to sit down." + +The order was mechanically obeyed, and as soon as the ship's company +were all seated, the captain said-- + +"I tell you what, my lads, I'm ashamed of you: the way to put out a fire +is to be cool and calm, obeying orders and keeping silence. Now collect +yourselves, all of you, for until you are all quiet and cool, you will +sit where you are." + +After a pause of a few seconds-- + +"Now, my men, are you more steady? Recollect, be cool, and keep +silence. Carpenter, are the pumps rigged?" + +"Yes, sir," replied the carpenter. + +"Now, firemen, go for your buckets; let nobody else move. Silence--not +a word: three foremast guns main-deck, to your quarters. Silence and +quiet, if you please. Now, are you all steady?--then, to your quarters, +my men, and wait for orders." + +It was astonishing how collected the ship's company became by the +judicious conduct of the captain, who now continued to command. When +the men had gone down to their stations, he directed the two junior +lieutenants to go and examine where the fire was, and to be careful not +to lift the hatches if they discovered that it was in the spirit-room. + +I had been on the quarter-deck some time, and, being aware of the cause, +of course was not at all alarmed: and I had exerted myself very +assiduously in keeping the men cool and quiet, shoving the men down who +were unwilling to sit down on the deck, and even using them very +roughly; showing a great deal more _sang froid_ than any other of the +officers, which of course was not to be wondered at. + +Mr Culpepper, who was most terribly alarmed, had come up on deck, and +stood trembling close to the side of the captain and first lieutenant; +he had pulled on his wig without discovering that it had been burnt, and +as I passed him, the burnt smell was very strong indeed; so thought the +captain and the first lieutenant, who were waiting the return of the +officers. + +"I smell the fire very strong just now," said the captain to the first +lieutenant. + +"Yes, sir, every now and then it is very strong," replied the first +lieutenant. + +The purser's wig was just between them,--no wonder that they smelt it. +After two or three minutes the officers came up, and reported that they +could discover no fire, and that there was very little smell of fire +down below. + +"And yet I smell it now," said Captain Delmar. + +"So do I, sir," said the second lieutenant; "and it really smells +stronger on deck than it does down below." + +"It's very odd; let them continue the search." + +The search was continued; the first lieutenant now going down, and after +a time they said that the strongest smell was from the purser's cabin. + +"Mr Culpepper, they say the smell is in your cabin," said Captain +Delmar; "go down, if you please; they may want to open your lockers." + +Mr Culpepper, who still trembled like an aspen, went down the ladder, +and I followed him; but in descending the second ladder his foot +slipped, and he fell down the hatchway to the lower deck. + +I hastened down after him; he was stunned, and I thought this a good +opportunity to pull off his wig, which I did very dexterously, and +concealed it. He was taken into the gun-room, and the surgeon called, +while I walked up on deck, and quietly dropped the wig overboard at the +gangway. + +My reason for doing this was, that having no idea that my trick would +have created so much confusion, and have turned up the officers and men +as it did, I thought that the purser's wig would, the next morning, +account for the smell of fire, and an investigation take place, which, +although it might not lead to discovery, would certainly lead to +suspicion; so the wig was now floating away, and with the wig went away +all evidence. + +After a search of nearly half an hour, nothing was discovered; the +drummer was ordered to beat the retreat, and all was quiet again. + +I went to bed quite satisfied with the events of the night, and slept +the sleep of innocence--at least I slept just as soundly. + +This mysterious affair ever remained a mystery: the only loss was the +purser's wig, but that was nothing, as Mr Culpepper acknowledged that +he did not know himself what he was about, and, for all he knew to the +contrary, he might have thrown it overboard. + +My conduct on this occasion again gained me great credit. It had been +remarked by the captain and officers, and I rose in estimation. How I +might have behaved had I really supposed that the ship was on fire, is +quite another affair--I presume not quite so fearlessly. As it was, I +was resolved to take all the credit given to me and for that reason it +was not till a long while afterwards, that I hinted the secret even to +Bob Cross. + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +The next morning, when we arrived at Funchal, we found that our orders +were for the West Indies: we stayed one day to take in wine and then +hove up the anchor, and went on to our destination. We soon got into +the trades, and run them fast down till we arrived at Carlisle Bay, +Barbadoes, where we found the admiral and delivered our despatches. We +were ordered to water and complete as soon as possible, as we were to be +sent on a cruise. + +Tommy Dott, my quondam ally, was in disgrace. He had several times +during the cruise proposed that I should join him in several plots of +mischief, but I refused, as I did not consider them quite safe. + +"You are not the keen fellow I thought you were," said he; "you are up +to nothing now; there's no fun in you, as there used to be." + +He was mistaken; there was fun in me, but there was also prudence, and +from what I had latterly seen of Tommy Dott, I did not think he was to +be trusted. + +The day after we anchored at Carlisle Bay, Tommy came to me and said, +"Old Culpepper serves out plums and suet this afternoon; I heard him +tell steward. Now, I think we may manage to get some--I never saw +better plums on board of a ship." + +"Well," said I, "I like raisins as well as you do, Tommy--but what is +your plan?" + +"Why, I've got my squirt: and old Culpepper never lights more than one +of his purser's dips (small candles) in the steward's room. I'll get +down in the cockpit in the dark, and squirt at the candle--the water +will put it out, and he'll send the steward for another light, and then +I'll try and get some." + +It was not a bad plan, but still I refused to join in it, as it was only +the work of one person, and not two. I pointed that out to him and he +agreed with me, saying that he would do it himself. + +When Mr Culpepper went down into the steward's room, Tommy +reconnoitred, and then came into the berth and filled his squirt. + +Although I would not join him, I thought I might as well see what was +going on and therefore descended the cockpit ladder soon after Tommy, +keeping out of the way in the foremost part of the cockpit, where it was +quite dark. + +Tommy directed his squirt very dexterously, hit the lighted wick of the +solitary candle, which fizzed, sputtered, and finally gave up the ghost. + +"Bless me!" said Mr Culpepper, "what can that be?" + +"A leak from the seams above I suppose," said the steward: + +"I will go to the gallery for another light." + +"Yes, yes, be quick," said Mr Culpepper, who remained in the steward's +room in the dark, until the return of the steward. + +Tommy Dott then slipped in softly, and commenced filling all his pockets +with the raisins; he had nearly taken in his full cargo, when, somehow +or another, Mr Culpepper stepped forward from where he stood, and he +touched Tommy, whom he immediately seized crying out, "Thieves! +thieves!--call the sentry!--sentry, come here." + +The sentry of the gun-room door went down the ladder as Mr Culpepper +dragged out Tommy, holding him fast by both hands. + +"Take him, sentry--take him in charge. Call the master-at-arms--little +thief. Mr Dott! Hah--well, we'll see." + +The consequence was, that Mr Tommy Dott was handed from the sentry to +the master-at-arms, and taken up on the quarterdeck, followed by Mr +Culpepper and his steward. + +There was no defence or excuse to be made: the pockets of his jacket and +of his trowsers were stuffed with raisins; and at the bottom of his +pocket, when they were emptied by the master-at-arms, was found the +squirt. + +As soon as the hue and cry was over, and all the parties were on the +quarter-deck, as the coast was clear, I thought I might as well take +advantage of it; and therefore I came out from my hiding-place, went +into the steward's room, filled my handkerchief with raisins, and +escaped to the berth unperceived; so that while Tommy Dott was +disgorging on the quarter-deck, I was gorging below. + +Mr Dott was reported to the captain for this heinous offence; and, in +consequence, was ordered below under arrest, his place in the captain's +gig being filled up by me; so that in every point of view Tommy +suffered, and I reaped the harvest. What pleased me most was, that, +being midshipman of the captain's boat, I was of course continually in +the company of the coxswain, Bob Cross. + +But I must not delay at present, as I have to record a very serious +adventure which occurred, and by which I, for a long while, was +separated from my companions and shipmates. + +In ten days we sailed in search of a pirate vessel, which was reported +to have committed many dreadful excesses, and had become the terror of +the mercantile navy. Our orders were to proceed northward, and to +cruise off the Virgin Islands, near which she was said to have been last +seen. + +About three weeks after we had left Carlisle Bay, the look-out man +reported two strange sail from the mast-head. I was sent up, as signal +mid, to examine them, and found that they were both schooners, hove to +close together; one of them very rakish in their appearance. All sail +in chase was made immediately, and we came up within three miles of +them, when one, evidently the pirate we were in search of, made sail, +while the other remained hove to. + +As we passed the vessel hove to, which we took it for granted was a +merchantman, which the pirate had been plundering, the captain ordered +one of the cutters to be lowered down with a midshipman and boat's crew +to take possession of her. The men were all in the boat, but the +midshipman had gone down for his spy-glass, or something else, and as it +was merely with a view of ascertaining what the vessel was, and the +chief object was to overtake the pirate vessel, to prevent the delay +which was caused by the other midshipman not being ready, Mr Hippesley +ordered me to go into the boat instead of him, and, as soon as I was on +board of the schooner, to make sail and follow the frigate. + +The captain did say, "He is too young, Mr Hippesley; is he not?" + +"I'd sooner trust him than many older, sir," was the reply of the first +lieutenant. "Jump in, Mr Keene." I did so, with my telescope in my +hand. "Lower away, my lads--unhook, and sheer off;" and away went the +frigate in pursuit of the pirate vessel, leaving me in the boat, to go +on board of the schooner. + +We were soon alongside, and found that there was not a soul on board of +the vessel; what had become of the crew, whether they had been murdered, +or not, it was impossible to say, but there were a few drops of blood on +the deck. + +The vessel was an American, bound to one of the islands, with shingle +and fir planks; not only was her hold full, but the fir planks were +piled up on each side of the deck, between the masts, to the height of +five or six feet. The pirate had, apparently, been taking some of the +planks on board for her own use. + +We dropped the boat astern, let draw the foresheet, and made sail after +the frigate, which was now more than a mile from us, and leaving us very +fast. + +The schooner was so over-loaded that she sailed very badly, and before +the evening closed in, we could just perceive the top-gallant sails of +the Calliope above the horizon: but this we thought little of, as we +knew that as soon as she had captured the pirate she would run back +again, and take us out. + +There were some hams and other articles on board, for the pirates had +not taken everything, although the lockers had been all broken open, and +the articles were strewed about in every direction in the cabin and on +the deck. + +Just before dark, we took the bearings of the frigate, and stood the +same course as she was doing, and then we sat down to a plentiful meal +to which we did justice. I then divided the boat's crew into watches, +went down into the cabin, and threw myself on the standing bed-place, of +which there was but one, with all my clothes on; the men who had not the +watch went down, and turned in in the cuddy forward, where the seamen +usually sleep. + +It was not till past midnight that I could obtain any sleep; the heat +was excessive, and I was teased by the cockroaches, which appeared to +swarm in the cabin to an incredible degree, and were constantly running +over my face and body. I little thought then why they swarmed. I +recollect that I dreamt of murder, and tossing men overboard; and then +of the vessel being on fire and after that, I felt very cool and +comfortable, and I dreamed no more; I thought that I heard a voice +calling my name: it appeared that I did hear it in my sleep, but I slept +on. + +At last I turned round, and felt a splashing as of water, and some water +coming into my mouth: I awoke. All was dark and quiet; I put my hand +out, and I put it into the water--where was I--was I overboard? I +jumped up in my fright; I found that was still on the standing +bed-place, but the water was above the mattress. + +I immediately comprehended that the vessel was sinking, and I called +out, but there was no reply. + +I turned out of the bed-place, and found myself up to my neck in water, +with my feet on the cabin-deck. Half swimming, and half floundering, I +gained the ladder, and went up the hatchway. + +It was still quite dark, and I could not perceive nor hear anybody. I +called out but there was no reply. I then was certain that the men had +left the vessel when they round her sinking, and had left me to sink +with her. I may as well here observe, that when the men had found the +water rising upon them forward they had rushed on deck in a panic, +telling the man at the wheel that the vessel was sinking, and had +immediately hauled up the boat to save their lives; but they did +recollect me, and the coxswain of the boat had come down in the cabin by +the ladder, and called me: but the cabin was full of water, and he, +receiving no answer, considered that I was drowned, and returned on +deck. + +The boat had then shoved off, and I was left to my fate; still I hoped +that such was not the case, and I hallooed again and again, but in vain, +and I thought it was all over with me. It was a dreadful position to be +in. I said my prayers and prepared to die, and yet I thought it was +hard to die at fifteen years old. + +Although I do not consider that my prayers were of much efficacy, for +there was but little resignation in them, praying had one good effect-- +it composed me, and I began to think whether there was any chance of +being saved. + +Yes, there were plenty of planks on the deck, and if it were daylight I +could tie them together and make a raft, which would bear me up. How I +longed for daylight, for I was afraid that the vessel would sink before +I could see to do what was requisite. The wind had become much fresher +during the night, and the waves now dashed against the sides of the +water-logged vessel. + +As I watched for daylight, I began to reflect how this could have +happened; and it occurred to me that the pirates had scuttled the bottom +of the vessel to sink her; and in this conjecture I was right. + +At last a faint light appeared in the east, which soon broke into broad +day, and I lost no time in setting about my work. + +Before I began, however, I thought it advisable to ascertain how much +more water there was in the vessel since I had quitted the cabin which +it appeared to me must have been about two hours. I therefore went down +in the cabin to measure it. I know how high it was when I waded through +it. I found, to my surprise, and, I may say, to my joy, that it was not +higher than it was before. + +I thought that perhaps I might be mistaken, so I marked the height of +the water at the cabin ladder, and I sat down on deck to watch it; it +appeared to me not to rise any higher. + +This made me reflect, and it then struck me that, as the vessel was +laden with timber, she would not probably sink any lower, so I deferred +my work till I had ascertained the fact. + +Three hours did I watch, and found that the water did not rise higher, +and I was satisfied; but the wind increased, and the vessel's sails, +instead of flapping to the wind as she drove without any one at the +helm, were now bellied out, and the vessel careened to leeward. + +I was afraid that she would turn over; and finding an axe on the deck, I +mounted the rigging with it, and commenced cutting away the lacing of +the sails from the mast. I then lowered the gaffs, and cleared away the +canvass in the same way, so that the sails fell on the deck. This was a +work of at least one hour; but when the canvass was off, the vessel was +steady. + +It was well that I had taken this precaution; for very soon afterwards +the wind was much fresher, and the weather appeared very threatening; +the sea also rose considerably. I was very tired, and sat down for some +time on the deck abaft. + +It then occurred to me that the weight of the planks upon the deck must +not only keep the vessel deeper in the water, but make her more +top-heavy, and I determined to throw them overboard; but first I looked +for something to eat, and found plenty of victuals in the iron pot in +which the men had cooked their supper the night before. + +As soon as I had obtained from the cask lashed on the deck a drink of +water, to wash down the cold fried ham which I had eaten, I set work to +throw overboard the planks on deck. + +When I had thrown over a portion from one side I went to the other, and +threw over as many more, that I might, as much as possible, keep the +vessel on an even keel. + +This job occupied me the whole of the day; and when I had completed my +task I examined the height of the water at the cabin ladder, and found +that the vessel had risen more than six inches. This was a source of +great comfort to me, and what pleased me more was, that the wind had +gone down again, and the water was much smoother. + +I made a supper off some raw ham, for the fire had been extinguished, +and committing myself to the protection of Heaven, lay down as the sun +set, and from the fatigue of the day was soon in a sound sleep. + +I awoke about the middle of the night. The stars shone brightly, and +there was but a slight ripple on the water. + +I thought of my mother, of my aunt Milly, of Captain Delmar, and I felt +for the seal-skin pouch which was fastened round my neck. It was all +safe. + +I calculated chances, and I made up my mind that I should be picked up +by some vessel or another before long. + +I said to myself--"Why, I am better off now than I was when in the +wherry, with Peggy Pearson; I was saved then, why should I not be now?" + +I felt no desponding, and lay down, and was soon fast asleep. + +It was broad daylight when I awoke; I took my spy-glass, and looking +round the horizon, discovered a vessel several miles off, standing +towards me. This gave me fresh spirits. + +I made a raw breakfast, and drank plenty of water as before. The wind, +which was very light, increased a little. The vessel came nearer, and I +made her out to be a schooner. In two hours she was close to me, and I +waved my hat, and hallooed as loud as I could. + +The schooner was full of men, and steered close to me--she was a +beautiful craft, and, although the wind was so light, glided very fast +through the water, and I could not help thinking that she was the pirate +vessel which the frigate had been in chase of. + +It appeared as if they intended to pass me, and I hallooed, "Schooner, +ahoy! Why don't you send a boat on board?" + +I must say, that when the idea struck me that she was a pirate vessel, +my heart almost failed me. + +Shortly afterwards the schooner rounded to and lowered a boat, which +pulled to the vessel. The boat's crew were all negroes. + +One of them said, "Jump in, you white boy; next jump he take be into the +shark's mouth," continued the man, grinning, as he addressed himself to +the others in the boat. + +I got into the boat, and they rowed on board the schooner. I did then +think that I was done for; for what mercy could I expect, being a king's +officer, from pirates, which the words of the negro convinced me they +were? + +As soon as I was alongside of the schooner, they ordered me to go up the +side, which I did, with my spy-glass in my hand. I leaped from the +gunwale down on the deck, and found myself on board of an armed vessel, +with a crew wholly composed of blacks. + +I was rudely seized by two of them, who led me aft to where a negro +stood apart from the rest. A more fierce, severe, determined-looking +countenance, I never beheld. He was gigantic in stature and limbed like +the Farnesian Hercules. + +"Well, boy, who are you?" said he, "and how came you on board of that +vessel?" + +I told him in very few words. + +"Then you belong to that frigate that chased us the day before +yesterday?" + +"Yes," replied I. + +"What is her name?" + +"The Calliope." + +"She sails well," said he. + +"Yes," replied I; "she is the fastest sailer on this station." + +"That's all the information I want of you, boy: now you may go." + +"Go where?" replied I. + +"Go where?--go overboard, to be sure," replied he, with a grin. + +My heart died within me; but I mustered courage enough to say, "Much +obliged to you, sir; but I'd rather stay where I am, if it's all the +same to you." + +The other negroes laughed at this reply, and I felt a little confidence; +at all events, their good-humour gave me courage, and I felt that being +bold was my only chance. + +The negro captain looked at me for a time, as if considering, and at +last said to the men, "Overboard with him." + +"Good-bye, sir, you're very kind," said I; "but this is a capital +spy-glass, and I leave it to you as a legacy." And I went up to him and +offered him my spy-glass. Merciful Heaven! bow my heart beat against my +ribs when I did this! + +The negro captain took the glass, and looked through it. + +"It is a good glass," said he, as he removed it from his eyes. It was +poor Green's spy-glass, which he had given me for showing him the +mason's signs. + +"Well, white boy, I accept your present; and now, good bye." + +"Good-bye, sir. Do me one kindness in return," said I, very gravely, +for I felt my hour was come. + +"And what is that?" replied the negro. + +"Tie a shot to my heels, that I may sink quickly; it won't take them +long." + +"You don't ask me to spare your life, then?" replied the negro. + +"He de very first white dat not ask it," said one of the negroes. + +"Dat really for true," said another. + +"Yes, by gum," replied a third. + +Oh, how I wished to know what to say at that moment! The observations +of the negroes made me imagine that I had better not _ask_ for it and +yet how I clung to life! It was an awful moment--I felt as if I had +lived a year in a few minutes. For a second or two I felt faint and +giddy--I drew a long breath and revived. + +"You don't answer me, boy," said the negro captain. + +"Why should I ask when I feel certain to be refused? If you will give +me my life, I will thank you: I don't particularly wish to die, I can +assure you." + +"I have taken an oath never to spare a white man. For once I am sorry +that I cannot break my oath." + +"If that is all, I am a boy, and not a man," replied I. "Keep me till I +grow bigger." + +"By golly, captain, that very well said. Keep him, captain," said one +of the negroes. + +"Yes, captain," replied another; "keep him to tend your cabin. Proper +you have white slave boy." + +The negro captain for some time made no reply; he appeared to be in deep +thought. At last he said-- + +"Boy, you have saved your life: you may thank yourself and not me. +Prossa, let him be taken below; give him a frock and trousers and throw +that infernal dress overboard, or I may change my resolution." + +The negro who was addressed, and who wore a sort of uniform as an +officer--which he was, being second mate--led me below,--nothing loth, I +can assure my readers. + +When I was between decks. I sat down upon a chest, my head swam, and I +fainted. The shock had been too powerful for a lad of my age. They +brought water, and recovered me. When I revived, I felt that I might +have lost in their good opinion by thus knowing my weakness; and I had +sufficient presence of mind to ask for something to eat. This deceived +them; they said to one another that I must have been on board that +vessel for two days without food, and of course I did not deny it. + +They brought me some meat and some grog. I ate and drank a little. +They then took off my uniform, and put on me a check frock and white +trousers; after which, I said I wished to lie down a little, and they +left me to sleep on the chest where I had been seated. + +I pretended to sleep, although I could not; and I found out by their +conversation that I gained the goodwill not only of the crew, but of the +captain, by my behaviour. + +I considered that I had gained my life, at least for the present; but +what security could I have in such company? + +After an hour or two I felt quite recovered, and I thought it advisable +to go on deck. I did so, and went right aft to the negro captain, and +stood before him. + +"Well, boy," said he, "why do you come to me?" + +"You gave me my life; you're the greatest friend I have here, so I come +to you. Can I do anything?" + +"Yes; you may assist in the cabin, if your white blood does not curdle +at the idea of attending on a black man." + +"Not at all. I will do anything for them who are kind to me, as you +have been." + +"And think it no disgrace?" + +"Not the least. Is it a disgrace to be grateful?" + +The reader will observe how particularly judicious my replies were, +although but fifteen years old. My dangerous position had called forth +the reflection and caution of manhood. + +"Go down into the cabin; you may amuse yourself till I come." + +I obeyed this order. The cabin was fitted up equal to most yachts, with +Spanish mahogany and gold mouldings; a beaufet full of silver (there was +no glass) occupied nearly one-half of it; even the plates and dishes +were of the same material. Silver candelabras hung down from the middle +of the beams; a variety of swords, pistols, and other weapons were fixed +up against the bulkhead; a small bookcase, chiefly of Spanish books, +occupied the after-bulkhead, and the portraits of several white females +filled up the intervals; a large table in the centre, a stand full of +charts, half a dozen boxes of cigars, and two most luxurious sofas, +completed the furniture. + +A door from the starboard side led, I presumed, to the stateroom, where +the captain slept; but I did not venture to open it. + +I surveyed all this magnificence, wondering who this personage could be; +and more still, how it was that the whole of the crew were, as well as +the captain, of the negro race. + +We had heard that the pirate we were in search of was a well-known +character--a Spaniard--who went by the name of Chico, and that his crew +consisted of Americans, English, and Spaniards. That this was the +vessel, I knew, from the conversation of the men when I was below for +they called her the Stella. + +Now, it appeared that the vessel had changed masters; the crew were +chiefly Spanish negroes, or other negroes who spoke Spanish, but some of +them spoke English, and a few words of Spanish; these, I presumed, were +American or English runaways. But the captain--his language was as +correct as my own; Spanish he spoke fluently, for I heard him giving +orders in that language while I was in the cabin; neither was he +flat-nosed, like the majority. Had he been white, his features would +have been considered regular, although there was a fierceness about them +at times which was terrible to look at. + +"Well," thought I, "if I live and do well, I shall know more about it; +yes, if I live, I wish I was on the quarterdeck of the Calliope, even as +Tommy was with his pockets stuffed full of the purser's raisins, and +looking like a fool and a rogue at the same time." + +I had been down in the cabin about half an hour, when the negro captain +made his appearance. + +"Well," said he, "I suppose you would as soon see the devil as me--eh, +boy?" + +"No: indeed," replied I, laughing--for I had quite recovered my +confidence--"for you were about to send me to the devil, and I feel most +happy that I still remain with you." + +"You're exactly the cut of boy I like," replied he, smiling. "How I +wish that you were black!--I detest your colour." + +"I have no objection to black my face, if you wish it," replied I: "it's +all the same to me what colour I am." + +"How old are you?" + +"I was fifteen a few months back." + +"How long have you been to sea?" + +"About eighteen months." + +He then asked me a great many more questions, about the captain, the +officers, the ship, and myself; to all of which I answered in a guarded +way. + +A negro brought down his supper; it was hot, and very savoury; without +any order on his part, I immediately attended upon him during his meal. +He told the negro not to wait and conversed with me during the time that +he was eating: at last, he told me how he had doubled the frigate during +the night. I then remarked that we had been informed that the vessel +was called the Stella, that the captain's name was Chico, and the crew +were composed of white men of different nations. + +"A month or two ago, it was the case," replied the captain. "Now I have +done, and you may clear away," continued he, rising from his chair and +throwing himself down on one of the sofas. "Stop; you are hungry, I +don't doubt; you can sit down and eat your supper, and remove the things +afterwards." + +I did as he told me: it was the first time in my life I had supped off +massive plate--but I was in strange company; however, it did not spoil +my appetite, and I did not forget to drink a goblet of wine by way of +washing down my repast. + +"Thank you, sir," said I, rising, and then performing my office of +attendant. + +At his order, I rang the bell for the negro, who assisted me in clearing +away, and then went out with the remains of the supper. + +"Am I to stay or go?" said I, respectfully. + +"You may go now. Find the man who came in just now--Jose he is called; +tell him to give you something to sleep upon." + +"Good-night, sir," said I. + +"Good-night, boy." + +As I went forward looking for the negro servant, I was accosted more +than once very kindly by the negro seamen. At last I went up on the +forecastle, and they asked me to tell them how I was left on board the +schooner. I did so to those who spoke English, and one of them, who +could speak both languages, translated into Spanish for the benefit of +the others. + +"You be first white he hab spared, I tell you," said the American negro, +who had translated into Spanish what I had told them, after the other +had left me with him. + +"The captain says he wishes I were black," said I to the negro; "I wish +I was, too, while I am on board of this vessel--my colour makes him +angry, I see that. Could not I be stained black?" + +"Well, I do think it will be a very safe thing for you, if it could be; +for you have not seen him sometimes in his moods; and if to-morrow +morning he was chased and hard pressed by the frigate, you would stand a +poor chance, suppose his eyes light upon you. I can't tink what make +him to let you off, only but cause you give him de spy-glass in dat hold +way. I tink I know a chap on board who understand dat--I go see--you +wait here till I come back." + +The negro left me, and in a few minutes returned, with a sort of +half-Indian, half-negro-looking cut of fellow, with whom he conversed in +Spanish. + +"He say he know how to make brown like himself but not dark same as me. +Suppose you wish he do it to-night--begin now?" + +"Yes, I do wish it," replied I; and so I did sincerely, for I felt that +it might be the saving of my life; and I had a great aversion to be torn +to pieces by the sharks which followed the vessel, that being anything +but an agreeable mode of going out of the world. + +The American black remained with me, and we conversed for about half an +hour, by which time we were joined by the Spanish Main negro, who +brought up with him some decoction or another, boiling hot. They +stripped me and rubbed me all over with a bit of sponge, not only the +face and hands, but every part of my body and then I was left standing +quite naked to dry; the crew had gathered round us, and were very merry +at the idea of changing my colour. + +As soon as the warm air had dried me, the application was created; and +when I was again dry, the American told me to put on my clothes, and +that he would call me early to have two more applications of the stuff, +and that then I should be quite dark enough. + +I asked for Jose, and told him what the captain had said; he gave me a +bundle of matting for a bed, and I was soon fast asleep. About three +o'clock in the morning I was called up, and the staining repeated twice, +and I then lay down again. + +When the hands were turned up at five bells (for everything was very +regular on board), Jose brought me a glass to look at myself, and I was +quite satisfied that my colour would no longer annoy the captain. I was +not as black as a negro, but I was as dark as a mulatto. + +I asked the Spanish negro, through Jose, who could speak both languages, +whether I might wash myself? He replied, all day long if I pleased; +that I should not get the colour off; it would wear off in time, and the +stuff must be applied once a month, and that would be sufficient. + +I went to the forecastle, and washed myself; the negro crew were much +amused, and said that I now was a "bel muchaco"--a handsome boy. I dare +say they thought so--at all events, they appeared to be very friendly +with me, and my staining myself gave them great satisfaction. I was +sitting with Jose between decks when the cabin bell rang. + +"You go," said he, showing his white teeth as he grinned; "I go after, +see what captain tink." + +I went into the cabin, and knocked at the state-room door. + +"Come in," said the captain. + +I went in, and met him face to face. + +"What!" said he, looking earnestly at me--"yet it must be--it is you, is +it not?" + +"Yes, sir," replied I, "it is me. I've turned dark to please you, and I +hope it does please you." + +"It does, boy, I can look at you now, and forget that you are white. I +can. I feel that I can love you now--you've got rid of your only fault +in my eyes, and I'm not sorry. I'm only glad that I did not--" + +"Give me to the sharks," said I, finishing his sentence. + +"Exactly so; say no more about it." + +I immediately turned the conversation, by asking him what he required; +and I attended him while dressing. From that time he became very +friendly towards me, constantly conversing with me. I did my duty as +his servant for more than a fortnight, during which time we became very +intimate, and (I may as well confess it) I grew very fond of my new +master, and thought less about the ship and my shipmates. We were going +into a port, I knew, but what port I did not know. + +I often had conversations with Jose and the American black, and gained a +great deal of information from them; but I could not discover much of +the history of the captain. On that point they refused to be +communicative; occasionally hints were given, and then, as if +recollecting themselves, they stopped speaking. + +It was about three weeks before we made the land of Cuba, and as soon as +we did so, the schooner was hove to till night, when sail was again +made, and before ten o'clock we saw the lights of the Havannah. When +about three miles off we again hove to, and about midnight we perceived +under the land the white sails of a schooner, which was standing out. +Sail was made, and we ran down to her, and before she was aware that we +were an enemy, she was laid by the board and in the possession of our +crew. The people belonging to the vessel were handed up, and she was +examined. She proved to be a vessel fitted out for the slave trade, +with the manacles, etcetera, on board of her, and was just sailing for +the coast. + +I was on the deck when the white men, belonging to the slaver, were +brought on board, and never shall I forget the rage and fury of the +captain. + +All sail was made upon both schooners, standing right off from the land, +and at daylight we had left it a long way astern. + +Jose said to me, "You better not go to captain dis day. Keep out of his +way--perhaps he recollect dat you white." + +From what I had seen the night before, I thought this good advice; and I +not only did not go into the cabin, but I did not show myself on deck. + +About eight o'clock in the morning I heard the boat lowered down and +orders given to scuttle the vessel, as soon as she had been well +searched. This was done, and the boat returned, having found several +thousand dollars on board of her, which they handed upon deck. + +I remained below: I heard the angry voice of the negro captain--the +pleadings and beggings for mercy of the prisoners--busy preparations +making on deck; and several men came down and handed up buckets of sand; +an iron grating was handed up. The countenances of the negroes who were +thus employed appeared inflamed, as if their wrath was excited; now and +then they laughed at each other, and looked more like demons than men. +That some dreadful punishment was about to be inflicted I was certain +and I remained crouched behind the foremast on the lower-deck. + +At last the men were all on deck again, and I was left alone; and then I +heard more noise, begging for mercy, weeping and wailing, and +occasionally a few words from the mouth of the negro captain; then rose +shrieks and screams, and appeals to Heaven, and a strong smell, which I +could not comprehend, came down the hatchways. + +The shrieks grew fainter, and at last ceased, and something was thrown +overboard. Then the same tragedy, whatever it was, was acted over +again--more attempts to obtain mercy--more shrieks--again the same +overpowering smell. What could it be? I would have given much to know, +but something told me that I must remain where I was. Ten times was +this repeated, and then, as evening came on, there was a bustle on deck, +and after a time the crew descended the hatchways. + +I caught the eye of the American, with whom I was intimate, and as he +passed me, I beckoned to him. He came to me. + +"What has been done?" said I in a whisper. + +"Captain punish slave traders," replied he; "always punish them so." + +"Why, what did he do to them?" + +"Do?--roast 'em alive. Dis third slave vessel he take, and he always +serve 'em so. Serve 'em right; captain very savage; no go to him till +morrow morning--you keep close." So saying, the American negro left me. + +As I afterwards found out, the long boat on the booms had been cleared +out, the sand laid at the bottom to prevent the fire from burning the +boat, the captain and crew of the slave vessel laid on one after the +other upon the iron grating, and burnt alive. This accounted for the +horrible smell that had come down the hatchways. + +It may be considered strange that I really did not feel so much horror +as perhaps I ought to have done. Had this dreadful punishment been +inflicted upon any _other_ persons than slave dealers, and _by_ any +other parties than negroes, I should not have been able to look at the +captain without abhorrence expressed in my countenance; but I know well +the horrors of the slave trade from conversation I had had with Bob +Cross; and I had imbibed such a hatred against the parties who had +carried it on, that it appeared to me to be an act of retaliation almost +allied to justice. Had the negro captain only warred against slave +dealers, I do not think I should have cared about remaining in the +vessel; but he had told me and fully proved to me, that he detested all +white men, and had never spared them except in my own instance. + +I must acknowledge that I felt very much like going into the lion's den, +when the next morning, on his ringing the cabin bell, I presented myself +to the captain; but so far from being in an ill-humour, he was very kind +to me. + +After breakfast, as I was going out, he said to me, "You must have a +name: I shall call you Cato--recollect that; and now I have a question +to ask you--What is that which you carry round your neck on a ribbon?" + +"A letter, sir," replied I. + +"A letter! and why do you carry a letter?" + +"Because it is of the greatest importance to me." + +"Indeed! Now, Cato, sit down on the other sofa, and let me know your +history." + +I felt that I could not do better than to make this man at once my +confidant. He might take a strong interest in me, and it was not likely +to go farther. I therefore told him everything connected with my birth +and parentage, what my suspicions had been, and how the letter had +confirmed them. I unsewed the seal-skin, and gave him the letter to +read--without being aware that he could read: he took it and read it +aloud. + +"Yes," said he, "that's proof under his own hand; and now, Cato, never +be afraid of me, for, however I may wreak my vengeance upon others, I +swear _by my colour_ that I never will hurt you, or permit others to do +so. I am a tiger--I know it; but you have often seen a little spaniel +caressed by the tiger, whose fangs are turned against every other living +thing. You are quite safe." + +"I feel I am, since you say so," replied I; "and since I am to be your +pet, I shall take liberties, and ask you, in return, to tell me your +history." + +"I am glad that you have asked it, as I wish you to know it. I will +begin at once-- + +"I was born in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, of free parents. +My father was a sail-maker, and was worth money; bet a free black in +America is even worse treated and more despised than a slave. I had two +brothers, who went to school with me. + +"My father intended to bring me up for the Church. You look astonished; +but in the States we have clergymen of our colour, as well as white +ones; looked down upon and despised, I grant, although they do teach the +Word of God; but I was very unfit for that profession, as you may +suppose. I was very proud and haughty; I felt that I was as good as a +white man, and I very often got into scrapes from my resenting injuries. + +"However, my education went on successfully, much more so than that of +my brothers, who could not learn. I could, and learnt rapidly but I +learnt to hate and detest white men, and more especially Americans; I +brooded over the injuries of people of colour, as we were called, and +all my father's advice and entreaty could not persuade me to keep my +thoughts to myself. As I grew up to manhood, I spoke boldly, and more +than once nearly lost my life for so doing; for most Americans think no +more of taking the life of one like me than of a dog in the street. +More than one knife has been directed to my heart, and more than once +was I then up before the judge, and sentenced to imprisonment for no +fault; my evidence, and the evidence of those of my colour, not being +permitted to be received in a court of justice. Any white villain had +only to swear falsely--and there is no want of that class in America-- +and there was no appeal. At last I was sentenced to be whipped; then my +blood boiled, and I vowed a vengeance which I have fearfully adhered +to." + +"I do not wonder at that," said I; "I would have done the same." + +"The man who had sworn falsely against me in this last instance had come +up from the South; I obtained what money I could from my father, and +went away in pursuit of him. I found him--dogged him, and one evening I +accosted him, and plunged my bowie-knife into his heart. I fled that +State, and crossed the Mississippi. + +"I had not been long in Arkansas before a man--a cotton-grower, who +owned about a hundred and fifty slaves--inquired who I was, and whether +I had a pass; I replied that I was a free man, born in Pennsylvania, and +was there on my own affairs. The next day I was taken up, brought +before the magistrate, and this scoundrel swore that I was his slave, +and had absconded from him ten years before. + +"My defence--the proof which I offered to bring, was not listened to. I +was made over to him, and the rascal grinned as the constables brought +me away with him. His plantation was at the Red River. It was +difficult to escape and indeed, almost useless to attempt it: but the +fact was, that I did not wish to do so; I remained to have my revenge. +I tried to make the other slaves rise against him, but they were too +cowed; they even informed against me, and I was tied down, and flogged +by the drivers until the flesh fell from my shoulders. + +"As soon as I recovered, I determined to do--or die. I heard that there +were some pirate vessels in the Barataria lagoons on the other side of +New Orleans; I resolved to join the crews, but first to have my revenge. +I did so: I set fire to the plantation house--struck the scoundrel who +had made me a slave senseless as he attempted to escape, and threw his +body into the flames; I then made the door fast, and fled. I was met by +one of the overseers, who was armed, and who would have stopped me: I +beat his brains out with his own musket, and then gained the woods. You +see that I am powerful; you hardly know how much so. After several +days' travelling, I arrived at the lagoons. I found this very vessel at +anchor. I offered myself, and they accepted me immediately. + +"There were several of my colour on board--runaway slaves--and all good +determined men. These were the people I required, for they understood +me. Even on board of a pirate vessel, the same contempt was shown +towards us--still considered as inferior beings. All the heavy work all +the dirty work, was for the negro race; and we often worked like slaves, +while the captain and the rest of the crew caroused. I was three years +on board of this vessel. Our rendezvous where we are going to now, is a +small land-locked bay on the island of Cuba. No vessel in it can be +seen from seaward, and there is but one narrow pass by which it +communicates with the interior, and it is far from any habitation. A +better retreat for a pirate vessel could not well be found. We used +very often to go in to refit, and take in provisions and water; for in a +cave there, we keep the provisions which we take from other vessels. + +"In a desperate fight which we had with an English man-of-war brig, we +lost nearly forty of our men. The captain, Chico, as he was called, was +obliged to fill up with black men, until he could procure others. The +consequence was, that with the ten before on board, there were fifty +blacks to seventy whites. It was then that I made up my mind that I +would retaliate for all that my race had suffered. I was sure of the +ten with whom I had sailed so long; I sounded the others, and found them +all willing. + +"We sailed from the Mexican Gulf, and made for the Rendezvous Bay, in +Cuba. As soon as we arrived, of course, as with all pirate vessels, the +first day was dedicated to revelling and intoxication--that is, by the +white portion of the crew. We negroes were employed in getting the +casks ashore for water. That very night, when they all lay asleep and +drunk, we put every soul of them to death, and the Stella belonged to me +and my brave black who chose me for their captain, and swore by their +wrongs eternal enmity to the European race. + +"As you may suppose, I was short-manned; but we soon found plenty of +men, and have now as fine a crew as ever trod a deck." + +"How long is it since you took possession of the vessel?" + +"About eight or nine months, during which time I have spared none except +you. The usual death is drowning; but if I fall in with a slaver, +then--you know what took place yesterday." + +I was silent for a time. "I do not wonder," said I, at last, "at your +hatred of the whites, especially of the Americans. As for your wreaking +your vengeance upon those employed in the slave trade, dreadful as it +is, I scarcely pity them; but in your general warfare against the +whites, recollect that you may murder those who are your friends, and +who have done all they can to put an end to slavery. Even in America, +there are many who are opposed to it." + +"It is impossible to make a distinction," replied the negro. + +"What is your name?" said I, musing. + +"Why do you ask? You may as well know; I wish it to be known: it is +James Vincent." + +"But tell me, if you were to meet with a very superior force, what would +you do?" + +"Run if I could; if not, fight." + +"But you might be captured, and then--" + +"Never, boy; never." + +"Well," said I, "as you have begun by sparing me, I hope you will spare +others now." + +"I don't know why I spared you. Had you shown any fear of death I +should not have done so; but I felt that you would not care about it. I +believe it was that." + +About ten days after, we made the east end of the island of Cuba, and +ran into the Bay of Rendezvous, as it was named by the pirate. It was +very small, but completely land-locked, and the land so high on every +side that the masts of the vessel could not be seen from the seaward. +The bay on the land side was met by a deep, narrow ravine, between +mountains which were almost perpendicular, the ravine itself being +accessible from the main land by only one narrow path known to the +pirates, and which they seldom made use of, except when a spy was sent +to the Havannah to ascertain what vessels were about to sail. + +On the high land which shut in the bay from the sea, the pirates had a +man constantly on the look-out, to report any vessel which might be in +the offing, and Vincent himself passed much of his time there, as the +breeze was fresh and the air cool to what it was down in the land-locked +bay. I was, for the same reason, very fond of being on the look-out +hill, and generally followed up the captain when he went out there. He +certainly now showed a strong affection for me, and I liked him better +than I ever thought I could have done. He was constantly telling me of +the treatment he and the other poor blacks had received in America, and +I could not help feeling my blood boil, and a conviction that, had I +been so treated, I should probably have been equally under the influence +of revenge. It is the world, and the treatment we receive from it, +which makes us chiefly what we are. + +One day the captain told me he was going that evening to obtain +information, as the spy he had sent had returned unsuccessful, and that +he should be absent for three or four days. + +Although I was not discontented with my position, still, as the reader +may well suppose, I had a strong wish to be out of it as soon as +possible, and I had determined to escape if I could; it immediately +occurred to me, that his absence would give me the opportunity. + +I replied with a laugh, "Had you not better take me with you?" + +"Very likely, indeed, you would be so very useful; I shall have quite +enough to do to take care of myself; besides, you might betray me," +added he, with a fierce and penetrating look. + +"Thank you, for your good opinion," replied I, indignantly. "So you +think, because you have saved my life, that I would take yours. I am +not yet such a rascal, whatever I may become by keeping bad company." + +"Well, well," replied the negro captain, "I believe I am wrong, so don't +get into a passion; but, at all events, you must see that it is +impossible I can take you with me." + +"If you don't choose, I can't help it," said I; "but I don't like +remaining here without you; I shall run away if I can, so I give you +fair warning." + +"You won't find that quite so easy," replied he, laughing; "and I +recommend you not to attempt it." + +Here the conversation dropped. About midnight the captain commenced his +ascent of the ravine, and I resolved that I would not lose the +opportunity, if it offered, of following him. I watched him as long as +I could see him, that I might know the direction of the secret path, and +then I joined the crew, who were lying down by the tents which they had +pitched on the shore. Shortly afterwards, the Spanish Indian, who had +coloured me, passed by me, and, as I intended to make the attempt before +it was quite dark, I thought that I would remove any suspicion, and I +therefore requested him to stain me again. This he consented to do, and +in half an hour I was again naked among the negroes and undergoing the +operation. Having received the two applications, as before, I then +quitted them. + +As soon as it was quite dark, I armed myself with a pair of pistols, and +crawled underneath the back of the captain's tent, in which I always +slept, and, without being perceived, gained the narrow path in the +brushwood by which the captain had left. + +I continued in the path for some time, by feeling the brushwood on +either side; but before I had crawled half way up the ravine, I found +that the brushwood had not been cut away any farther and I was at a loss +how to proceed. All traces were gone, and all I had to do was to climb +up to the summit, and to take my chance of finding any egress. I toiled +on with difficulty, sometimes stopped by a rock which would take me +minutes to climb over at others, holding on by the brushwood for my +life. By twelve o'clock I had gained more than two-thirds of the +ascent, and then the moon rose, and assisted me with her light. I must +say, that when I looked up and saw the rocks towering above me, and +overhanging my path, I felt that escape was nearly impossible: however, +I recommenced my labour, and gained some ground, when, as I was clinging +to the side of a rock by a small shrub, it gave way, and I rolled and +fell down many feet, between that rock and another opposite to it. + +I was not much hurt, and I regained my legs. Looking up and about me, I +found that I was in a narrow passage, between the rocks, leading both up +and down--in fact, I had tumbled into the secret path that I had been in +search of. Delighted with this discovery, I now set off with great +spirit, and in half an hour found myself on the other side of the lull +which formed the ravine, and looking down upon an expanse of country in +the interior. Being very tired, I sat down, that I might recover my +strength before I continued my journey. + +"I am free at last," thought I, and my memory wandered back to my mother +my ship, and my captain--old Culpepper, Tommy Dott, and Bob Cross. "I +shall see them all," I thought, "and what a story I shall have to tell." +As soon as I had rested myself and recovered my breath, I thought I +might as well start. + +I had not proceeded more than a hundred yards before I thought heard a +noise, as if some one was approaching. I listened--I felt sure that +such was the case, and I also heard the deep baying of a hound. The +noise increased rapidly--it was that of one forcing his way through the +brushwood, which covered the side of the hill. + +In a minute afterwards I perceived a man coming up the hill at a swift +pace, directly towards me. As he approached I could almost swear that +it was Vincent, the negro captain; but when within ten yards of me, I +perceived, him turn round and flourish his sabre in the air, while, at +the same time, three large bloodhounds sprang at him. One fell by the +blow of his sabre, but the other two flew at his throat, and fastened on +him, tearing him to the around, and holding him in spite of all his +struggling and his immense strength. + +I recollected my pistols: I cocked them, ran up, and putting one to the +head of the nearest dog, blew out its brains. I was equally successful +with the other--they both lay dead by his side, and Vincent was +released. He started up. + +"It is me, Cato," said I. + +"Cato!" replied he; "but there is not a moment to be lost. I understand +it all." + +He seized me by the arm, and dragged me with him to the narrow entrance +of the pass, and as soon as we came in he rolled three large rocks, +which had evidently been used for such purpose before, so as completely +to block up the entrance. + +"There," said he, leaning back quite exhausted; "be quiet, Cato. We are +safe now; they will be on the top of the hill directly." + +We remained where we were about ten minutes, when we heard voices not +very far from us. They were the pursuers of the negro captain who were +evidently baffled. After a time the sounds receded from us, and we +heard them no more. Vincent then spoke:-- + +"You were escaping, Cato." + +"I had escaped," replied I: "I told you that I would." + +"Strange that you should have discovered the path; did any one betray it +to you?" + +"No one," replied I: and I then told him how I had fallen into it. + +"Well you have returned all obligations, and more than ever you owed +me," said he: "you have saved my life this time, and that when all +chance was over." + +"Then," replied I, "although I shall be very sorry to part with you, +give me that liberty which I had gained, and which I lost in defending +you from the dogs." + +"I would have let you go then, Cato," replied he, "but your life would +have been sacrificed. My pursuers would have hurried you to prison +before you could have explained who you were. You forget your colour is +changed; they were not seeking me, but a runaway slave, and the +bloodhounds came upon my track. Those white men show no mercy; they +have more pleasure in seeing a runaway slave torn to pieces by those +dogs than in recovering possession of him. It is a sort of fox-chase to +them," continued he, grating his teeth after he had said so. "Cato, I +will give you your liberty, if you wish it, and I know you do wish it, +as soon as I can with any prudence; that I promise you, and you know +that I will keep my word." + +"I am quite satisfied," replied I. + +"And do you promise me that you will not attempt to escape a second +time?" + +"I promise you that I will not," replied I. + +"Enough," said Vincent. "Now let us go down the hill, for I am very +much torn by those infernal brutes, and must have the wounds washed and +attended to." + +We descended the hill, in silence, and in a quarter of an hour had +gained the tent. Vincent was severely bitten and torn: as soon as his +wounds had been dressed he lay down on his mat, and I did the same. + +It was some days before Vincent recovered from the severe injuries which +he had received from the bloodhounds; and he did not appear to be +inclined to run any more risks of that sort. Although he said little, I +could perceive that he was brooding over future vengeance and he was now +nearly the whole of the day with his glass on the look-out hill. + +One morning a schooner hove in sight, steering from the Havannah to the +southward and eastward, either for the islands of the Spanish Main. The +Stella had for many days been ready for instant sailing, and having +watched her till near sunset, Vincent sent down orders for every soul to +be on board, and the anchor hove up. Just as it was dark we towed out +of the bay, and made all sail. + +At daylight the schooner was but a few miles ahead of us and not being a +fast sailer, in little more than an flour we were alongside of her. She +proved to be bound to the island of Curacao, being the property of an +old Dutch gentleman, who was on board with his daughter, a little girl +about seven years old. The crew consisted chiefly of negroes, slaves to +the owner; the master of the vessel and the mate being, with the +exception of the old gentleman and the little girl, the only white +people on board. + +As usual, the crew were brought on board by the pirates, who reported to +the captain that the vessel was in ballast, and of no value. As the +crew of the Stella were already more than requisite, Vincent did not +require the negroes; he told them that they might go on board the +schooner again, and take her into any port they pleased; with the white +people, however it was another affair. + +I had remained below, not wishing to witness a scene of butchery; but I +was induced to look up the ladder, in consequence of Jose telling me +that there was a little white girl come on board. At the time that I +did so, Vincent had just done speaking with the negroes belonging to the +captured vessel; they had fallen back, and there was then standing +before Vincent, the master and mate of the vessel, the old Dutch +gentleman, and the little girl. + +A more interesting child I never had seen, and my heart bled at the idea +of her being sacrificed. I could not help hoping that Vincent would +have a similar feeling, but I was mistaken. The master and mate were +pointed at, and immediately seized by negroes and tossed over into the +sea. The old gentleman bowed his head over the beautiful child, and she +knelt to him, as if for his blessing before she died. At that very +moment Vincent gave the sign--I could remain quiet to longer--I sprang +on the deck. + +"Stop!" cried I to the men who were about to seize the old +gentleman--"stop!" The negroes did fall back at my voice. + +"What is this?" cried Vincent. + +"Captain Vincent," cried I, "do you call yourself a man, to war with +children and old grey-headed men? You must not, shall not, touch these +two. You have wreaked your vengeance upon the white men; be content-- +let these go." + +"Cato," replied Vincent, fiercely, "it is well that it is you that have +dared to snatch the prey from the fangs of the wild beast. Had it been +another, this pistol should have sent a ball whizzing through his brain; +as it is, go down below immediately." + +"I do not fear your pistol, Captain Vincent, nor will I go below; that +very pistol, in my hand, saved you from the fangs of the blood-hound. I +tell you, therefore, that you must not destroy that innocent child--if +you love me, you must not; for I will hate, detest, and scorn you ever +afterwards. I entreat you--I implore you to let them go: they are not +fit objects for your vengeance; and if you destroy them, I tell you, you +are a coward." + +"What!" roared the tiger, "a coward!" and, no longer able to contain +himself he levelled his pistol at me and drew the trigger. It missed +fire; Vincent looked very confused--he tossed the pistol on deck, folded +his arms and turned his face away. + +There was a dead silence. The negro crew looked first at me and then at +the captain, as if awaiting orders, and uncertain of the issue. The +Dutch gentleman seemed to be so lost in surprise, as to almost forget +his impending fate; while the little girl clung to him and stared at me +with her deep blue eyes. It was what on the theatres they would call a +tableau. + +I followed up my advantage. Stepping forward, and placing myself before +the old man and the child, I first broke the silence. + +"Captain Vincent," said I, "you did once promise me that you would never +injure me or attempt my life; that promise you have broken. Since that, +you have made me another promise--you may recollect it--which was, that +you would allow me to leave you on the first favourable opportunity; +there cannot be any opportunity more favourable than the present. The +negroes whom you are to send back to the schooner do not know how to +navigate her. I request, therefore, to know whether you intend to keep +this second promise, or to break it as you have the first? I ask my +liberty." + +"If I broke my promise just now, it was your fault," replied Vincent, +coolly. "I am sorry for it, and I can say no more; I intended to keep +it, and, to prove so, I now keep my second--you may go." + +"I thank you for that. I only wish that, now I leave you, I could leave +you with feelings of good-will and not of--I must say it--of horror and +disgust. Captain Vincent, once more let me beg, as a last favour, that +you will spare these poor people." + +"Since you are so particularly interested about this useless old man and +still more useless child," replied Vincent, sarcastically, "I will now +make a proposal to you. You have your liberty. Do you choose to give +it up and remain here, provided I let them go away in the schooner? +Come now--take your choice; for I swear by my colour, that if you go +away in the schooner, the moment you shove off, they shall go over the +gunwale." + +"My choice is then made," replied I; for I knew that when he swore by +his colour he was in earnest: "release them, and I will remain here." I +little knew what I was to undergo in consequence of this decision. + +"Be it so," said Vincent: then turning to one of the mates, "let them go +back with the negroes; hoist the boat up when she returns, and sail for +the Rendezvous." So saying, he went down into the cabin. + +"You are saved," said I, going up to the old Dutch gentleman; "lose no +time; get into the boat as fast as possible, and make sail on your +vessel as soon as you get on board. Good bye, little girl," said I, +taking her hand. + +"I thank you," replied the gentleman in good English--"I cannot say how +much; I am so surprised at what I have seen but recollect the name of +Vanderwelt, of Curacao; and if ever we meet again, you will find me +grateful." + +"I will; but ask no more questions now--into the boat--quick," said I, +shaking his proffered hand. They were handed down into the boat by the +negroes. + +I remained on deck until they were put on board; the boat returned, was +hoisted up, the schooner made sail again, and then I went down into the +cabin. I found the negro captain stretched upon the sofa, his face +covered up with both his hands; he remained in the same position, taking +no notice of my coming down. Although my confidence in him was +destroyed after his snapping the pistol at me, yet when I reflected how +I had bearded him in his rage, I did make some excuse for him; moreover, +I knew that it was my interest to be on the best terms with him, and, if +possible, make him forget what had passed, for I felt that his proud +spirit would make it difficult for him to forgive himself for having +been induced by his passion to break an oath which he had sworn to by +his colour; I therefore, after a little reflection, went up to him and +said-- + +"I am sorry that I made you so angry, Captain Vincent; you must forgive +me, but I thought that deed beneath you, and I could not bear to have a +bad opinion of you." + +"Do you mean to assert that you have not a bad opinion of me now?" +replied he, fixing his eyes upon me. + +"No, certainly not; you have released those I pleaded for, and I am very +grateful to you for having done so." + +"You have made me do what I never did before," replied he, raising +himself and sitting with his feet on the deck. + +"I know I have; I have made you spare those of my colour." + +"I did not mean that; you have irritated me so as to make me break my +oath." + +"That was my own doing--my fault rather than yours. I had no right to +speak as I did; but I was in a great rage, and that is the truth. I do +believe that, if I had had a pistol in my hand, I should have fired it +at you; so we may cry quits on that score." + +"I am angry with myself--the more so, that I little imagined that you +would have remained with me after my breaking my oath. Either you must +have felt great interest about those people, or you must have great +confidence in me, a confidence winch I have proved that I do not +deserve." + +"That you did forget yourself, I grant; but I have that confidence that +it will be a warning to you, and you will not forget yourself again; I +therefore remain with you with perfect confidence, feeling I am quite +safe, until you think proper to give me my liberty." + +"You will wish to leave me then?" + +"I have relations and friends--a profession to follow. What can I gain +by remaining here, except your friendship? I never will be a pirate, +you may be assured, I wish from my heart that you were not one." + +"And who should be pirates if the blacks are not?" replied Vincent. +"Have they not the curse of Cain? Are they not branded? Ought not +their hands to be against every one but their own race? What is the +Arab but the pirate of the desert--the sea of sand? Black is the colour +for pirates. Even the white pirates feel the truth of this, or why do +they hoist the _black_ flag?" + +"At all events, it's a profession that seldom ends well." + +"And what matter does that make? We can die but once--I care not how +soon. I have not found life so very sweet as to care for it, I assure +you. Cato, there is but one thing sweet in existence--one feeling that +never clogs and never tires, and that is revenge." + +"Are not love and friendship sweet? I certainly know nothing about the +first." + +"I know no more than you do of it. They say friendship is the more +lasting; and as a proof of how lasting that is I snapped my pistol at +you, and, had it not missed fire, should have killed the only one for +whom I ever felt friendship in this world." + +"That's a bad habit you have of carrying your pistols at all times; they +are too handy, and give no time or reflection. Only suppose, now, you +had blown out my brains, you would have been very sorry." + +"Cato, I have many lives on my hands, and hope to have many more before +I die. I never have repented one act of my life--a murder, as you may +call it--and I never shall. But I tell you frankly, that had I +destroyed you in my passion I should have been a miserable man. I know +it; I feel it." + +"Let's say no more about it: that I'm just as glad as you are that you +did not kill me, I assure you most positively. Here's Jose coming with +the dinner." + +Here ended our conversation, which I have given just to show the +peculiar disposition of this extraordinary man, with whom I had become +domesticated. Verily and truly was I, as he said, "like a little dog in +the cage of a tiger," and, from familiarity: just as bold as dogs become +under such peculiar circumstances. + +Before morning we were again at anchor in the Rendezvous Bay, and the +tents were pitched as before. We remained there for more than a +fortnight, during which my intimacy with the captain was even greater +than before. He appeared to endeavour to do all in his power to restore +my confidence in him, and he succeeded. Still, I must say, that I began +to be weary of this sort of life. My dreams were ever of murder and +bloodshed; and more than once I felt inclined to make my escape: but I +had promised, and the remembrance of my promise prevented me. + +One afternoon the man on the look-out made the usual signal for a vessel +in sight. Vincent went up immediately, and I followed him. It was a +schooner, very long, with very taut, raking masts. Vincent examined her +for some time, and then gave me the glass, and asked me what I thought +of her. I replied, that I thought she was a man-of-war schooner. + +"You are right," said he, "I know her well; it is the Arrow, and she has +come out to cruise for me. This is the third time that she has been +sent after me. Once we exchanged a few broadsides, but another +man-of-war hove in sight, and I was compelled to leave her. She shall +not accuse me of running from her, now that she is alone, and by +to-morrow morning I will give her the opportunity of making the report +of my capture if she can; but if I capture her, you may guess the rest." + +We remained till nearly sunset watching the motions of the schooner. +Vincent then went down the hill to give orders for sailing, leaving me +with the glass. I again directed it to the schooner, and perceived that +she was making signals. + +Then she is not alone, thought I; and Vincent may not capture her quite +so easily as he expects. I looked in vain for the other vessel; I could +not see her; I therefore concluded that she must be somewhere under the +land, and hidden by it from my sight. + +The signals were repeated till dusk when I went down the hill, and found +that all was bustle and activity, Vincent superintending himself the +preparations for sailing. I did not interrupt him to tell him that I +had perceived the schooner making signals. I had an idea, somehow or +another, that I should regain my liberty, and was as anxious as Vincent +that the Stella should be under weigh. + +Before ten o'clock everything was ready. Vincent had told his men that +the English man-of-war schooner was outside, and that he intended to +fight her; the men appeared delighted at the proposal, and as resolute +and determined as men should be. + +As soon as the Stella was clear of the bay, everything was got ready for +action, and I must say that nothing could be more rapid or more quiet +than their movements. We stood out until we had gained an offing of +five miles, and then made a reach along the shore towards the Havannah. + +As soon as the Stella had laid her head towards the Havannah, Vincent +came down below. I had latterly slept on one of the cabin sofas, but +had this night remained with my clothes on, for I was not sure that we +might not be in action before the morning. + +The Arrow had gained the knowledge that our Rendezvous Bay was somewhere +about the east end of the island, and had cruised accordingly, but could +not discover it. + +Vincent threw himself on the other sofa, and I pretended to asleep; as I +did not wish to enter into conversation with him was too much occupied +with my own thoughts, and felt that there would be nothing in common +between us at such a moment. He was very soon asleep, and he talked in +his sleep. He was evidently in action, and gave his orders, every now +and then speaking a few words aloud, and then it appeared as if he had +taken the English schooner, and that he was fulfilling his vows of +retaliation. I shuddered as I heard the half-broken menaces--the +exulting laugh which occasionally burst from his lips. I arose and +watched him as he slept; his hands were continually in motion, and his +fists clenched, and he smiled. Merciful Heaven! what a tale of savage +cruelty that smile foretold if he were successful! I knelt down and +prayed that he might be foiled in his endeavours. As I rose I heard a +noise and talking on deck, and one of the mates came down in the cabin. + +"How does she bear?" cried Vincent, starting up from his couch, as if he +instinctively knew what was to be told. + +"Two points on the weather bow, captain," replied the negro. "I think +she has her foresheet to windward." + +"What's the time?" + +"One bell in the morning watch; it will be daylight in an hour." + +"Very good. How far is she off?" + +"About four miles." + +"Pipe to quarters; I will be up directly." + +Vincent took down his sword and buckled on his belt; then his pistols, +which after having examined the primings, he fixed in his girdle. I +still remained as if asleep, and as he was going out of the cabin, he +turned to me. "He sleeps, poor boy; well, why should I wake him?--the +guns will rouse him up soon enough." So saying, he went on deck. + +I considered what I should do. To be on deck was hardly safe for me as +a white person; and, indeed, what business had I there? Why should I +expose myself to the shot of my countrymen, or run the risk of losing my +life from the rage of the negroes? I therefore resolved on remaining +where I was--at all events, for the present. + +The negroes now came into the cabin, for the after-magazine was under +the forepart of it. The hatch was taken up, the screens let down, and +all was dark. I had nothing to do but to catch now and then the +commands given by the negro captain, and draw my inference as to what +was taking place. + +Although for the first half-hour I gained little information, after that +time had elapsed I knew what was going on. I heard a voice hailing us +from another vessel, and the reply of the Stella was a broadside. There +could be no mistake in that. The Stella was then put about, and the +other broadside given without a return from her opponent. At last it +came, and as the shot whizzed over or tore up the planking of the +gunwales, I certainly did feel very strangely. I had never been in +action before, and the sensation was, I confess, that of alarm; but it +was so mingled with curiosity as to what was going on, that it was +impossible to say what my feelings were. I longed to be on deck, and +certainly would have been, if I had thought that I was safe with the +pirate crew: that alone prevented me; I remained, therefore, in a most +unpleasant state of ignorance and suspense. + +The broadsides were now exchanged rapidly and the wounded, brought down +between decks every minute, told me that the action was severe. The +orders of the negro captain were occasionally heard--they were cool and +determined. Every minute some fresh manoeuvre was executed, and the +guns still worked as if there was nothing else to attend to. At last, +the daylight came down the hatchway, and I left the cabin and walked +forward between decks; I found the deck strewed with wounded and dying +men, calling for water. I was glad to be able to do something which I +could consistently do, and I brought water from the cask and gave it to +them, one after another, as fast as I could; I think there were at least +thirty men lying about the lower deck, some in pools of their own blood, +and sinking fast, for there was no surgeon on board of the Stella. + +Some more wounded men were brought down, and a conversation took place +between one of the mates of the schooner, who was hurt, and the men who +brought down the wounded, and listening to them, I found that at +daylight they had discovered that an English frigate was under all sail, +beating up to them, and about five miles to leeward; that in +consequence, the Stella was now carrying on a running fight with the +schooner (who was to windward of her), and trying to escape. This +accounted for the signals which I had perceived that the English +schooner was making the evening before. My anxiety at this intelligence +was naturally much increased. The Stella was trying to escape, and her +sailing powers were so remarkable, that I was afraid she would succeed. + +The action was still continued between the two schooners, but now the +shot no longer hit the Stella, nor were there any more wounded men +brought down; it was evident that the two vessels were now firing at +each other's masts and rigging, the one to prevent, and the other to +effect her escape, by dismantling her antagonist. I felt as if I could +have given my left hand to have gone on deck. I waited half an hour +more, and then, curiosity conquering my fear, I crept gradually up the +fore ladder. The men were working the guns to windward, the lee-side of +the deck was clear, and I stepped forward, and got into the head, where +I could see both to windward and to leeward. To leeward I perceived the +frigate about four miles distant with every stretch of canvass that she +could set on a wind; I knew her directly to be the Calliope, my own +ship, and my heart beat quick at the chance of being once more on board +of her. + +To windward, as the smoke occasionally cleared away, I saw the Arrow +schooner close hauled on the same tack as the Stella, and distant about +a mile, every ten seconds the smoke from her guns booming along the +water's surface, and the shot whizzing through our rigging; she had not +suffered much from our fire: her sails were full of shot-holes, it is +true, but her spars were not injured. I then turned my eyes upon the +masts and rigging of the Stella: apparently, the damage done was about +equal to that received by the Arrow; our sails were torn, but our spars +were unscathed. + +The water was smooth, although the breeze was fresh, and both schooners +were running at the rate of six or seven miles an hour; but the Stella +had evidently the advantage of sailing, and fore-reached upon her +opponent. I perceived that everything depended upon a lucky hit and +having satisfied myself with what I had seen, I hastened down below. + +For more than half an hour the firing continued without advantage on +either side, when a yell was given by the negro crew, and I heard them +cry on the deck that the Arrow's foretop-mast was shot away. I heard +the voice of Vincent cheering his men, and telling them to be steady in +their aim. My heart sunk at the intelligence, and I sat down on a +chest. + +The firing now slackened, for the Stella had shot ahead of the English +schooner, and the negroes on deck were laughing and in high good-humour. +For a few minutes the firing ceased altogether, and I took it for +granted that the Stella had left her pursuers far behind; when of a +sudden, a whole broadside of guns were poured into us, and there was a +terrible crashing and confusion on the deck. + +I ran up the ladder to see what had happened. It appeared that as the +Stella was crossing the bows of the Arrow, the latter had, as a last +chance thrown up in the wind, and discharged her whole broadside into +us: two shots had struck our mainmast, which had fallen by the board. I +perceived at once that the Stella's chance was over--nothing could save +her; she might resist the schooner but could not escape the frigate. + +I ran down below, and went into the cabin; I was afraid that the negroes +might perceive the joy in my countenance. I heard the angry voice of +the negro captain--I heard him stamping with rage, and I thanked God +that I was not by his side. The wreck of the mast was soon cleared +away; I heard him address his negroes, point out to them that it was +better to die like men at the guns, than swing at the yard-arm like +dogs. Some of them came down and took on deck a quarter-cask of +spirits, which was plentifully supplied to all. + +The English schooner had borne down upon us, and the action now +commenced at pistol-shot. Never shall I forget what took place for +nearly three-quarters of an hour; the negroes, most of them intoxicated, +fought with rage and fury indescribable--their shouts--their screams-- +their cursing and blasphemy, mingled with the loud report of the guns, +the crashing of the spars and bulwarks, the occasional cry of the +wounded, and the powerful voice of Vincent. It was terrific between +decks; the smoke was so thick, that those who came down for the powder +could not see, but felt their way to the screen. Every two seconds, I +heard the men come aft, toss off the can of liquor, and throw it on the +deck, hen they went to resume their labour at their guns. + +At the end of the time I have mentioned, the shot flew from to leeward, +as well as from to windward: the frigate had got within range, and was +pouring in her broadside; still the firing and the shouting on the deck +of the Stella continued, but the voices were fewer; and as the firing of +the frigate became more severe, they became fainter and fainter; and at +last but an occasional gun was fired from our decks. + +I became so uneasy, that I could remain where I was no longer; I went +forward on the lower deck again, and tumbling over the wounded and the +dead, I crept up the fore-ladder. I looked over the coamings of the +hatchway; the decks were clear of smoke, for not a gun was being fired. +Merciful Heaven! what a scene of slaughter! Many of the guns were +dismantled, and the decks were strewed with the splinters and plankings +of the gunwale, broken spars, and negroes lying dead, or drunk, in all +directions--some cut and torn to pieces, others whole, but mixed up with +the fragments of other bodies: such a scene of blood I have never since +witnessed. Out of the whole crew, I do not think there were twenty men +left unhurt, and these were leaning or lying down, exhausted with +fatigue or overcome with liquor, on various parts of the deck. + +The fighting was over; there was not one man at his gun--and of those +who remained still alive, one or two fell, while I was looking up from +the shot, which continued every minute to pierce the bulwarks. Where +was Vincent? I dare not go aft to see. I dare not venture to meet his +eye. I dived down below again, and I returned aft to the cabin; there +was no more demand for powder; not a soul was to be seen abaft. +Suddenly the after-hatchway grating was thrown off; I heard some one +descend; I knew it was the hurried tread of the negro captain. It was +so dark, and the cabin so full of smoke, that, coming from the light, he +did not perceive me, although I could distinguish him. He was evidently +badly wounded, and tottered in his walk: he came into the cabin, put his +hand to his girdle, and felt for his pistol, and then he commenced +pulling down the screen, which was between him and the magazine. His +intentions were evident; which were to blow up the vessel. + +I felt that I had not a moment to lose. I dashed past him, ran up the +ladder, sprung aft to the taffrail, and dashed over the stern into the +sea. I was still beneath the surface, having not yet risen from my +plunge, when I heard and felt the explosion--felt it, indeed, so +powerfully, that it almost took away my senses; so great was the shock, +even when I was under the water, that I was almost insensible. I have a +faint recollection of being drawn down by the vortex of the sinking +vessel, and scrambling my way to the surface of the water, amidst +fragments of timbers and whirling bodies. When I recovered myself, I +found that I was clinging to a portion of the wreck, in a sort of patch, +as it were, upon the deep blue water, dark as ink, and strewed with +splintered fragments. + +There I remained some minutes, during which time I gained my +recollection: I looked around and perceived the Arrow schooner, lying +about one hundred yards off, totally dismantled, and my own frigate +about a quarter of a mile to leeward, as bright and as fresh as if she +had just been refitted. I observed a signal, made by the Calliope to +the schooner, which was answered. I looked in vain towards the +schooner, expecting her to lower down a boat. The fact was, that the +Calliope had made the signal for her to do so, and the schooner had +replied that she had no boat that could swim. I then perceived that the +frigate had lowered down a boat which was pulling towards me, and I +considered myself as safe. + +In a few minutes, during which I had quite recovered myself, the boat +pulled into the mass of floating fragments, and then the sailors ceased +rowing to look about them. They perceived and pulled towards me-- +hoisted me in over the gunwale, and laid me at the bottom of the boat. +I scrambled on my feet, and would have gone _aft_, when the midshipman +of the boat said to the men, "Pass that cursed young pirate forward-- +don't let him come aft here." + +"Oh, oh, Mr Lascelles," thinks I--"so you don't know me; you shall know +me by-and-by." I quite forgot that I was stained black, till one of the +men who seized me by the collar to pass me forward, said, "Hand along +the nigger. He's a young one for the gallows, any how." + +They handed me forward, and I did not choose to say who I was. My love +of fun returned the moment that I was again with my shipmates. After +looking well round and ascertaining that I was the only one left alive, +they pulled back to the frigate; and the midshipman went up to report. +I was handed up the side and remained at the break of the gangway, while +the captain and first lieutenant were talking with Mr Lascelles: during +which Mr Tommy Dott came up to me, and, putting his finger to his left +ear, gave a cluck with his tongue, as much as to say, "You'll be hanged, +my good fellow." + +I could not help giving the first mason's sign which I taught to Mr +Green in return for Tommy's communication; to wit, putting my thumb to +my nose, and extending my finger out towards him; at which Tommy Dott +expressed much indignation, and called me a precious impudent varmin. +The men who were near us laughed, and said that I was game at all +events. No one knew me; for not only was my face well stained, but I +was covered from head to foot with a solution of salt water and +gunpowder, which made me still more indistinguishable. + +I had remained at the gangway about two minutes, when the first +lieutenant said, "Bring the prisoner here." + +I immediately went aft; and as soon as I was standing before Captain +Delmar and the first lieutenant--(and behind were all the officers, +anxious to hear what I had to disclose)--I put my hand to my head, +having no hat, as may be supposed, and said, "_Come on board, sir_," +reporting myself, as is usually the custom of officers when they return +from leave or duty. + +"Good Heavens! that voice!--why, who are you?" cried Captain Delmar, +starting back a pace. + +"Mr Keene, sir," replied I, again putting my hand to my head. + +Bob Cross, who was, with many of the seamen, close to me, quite +forgetting etiquette, ran up and caught me round the waist, looking me +full in the face: "It is him, sir--it is him! Huzzah! huzzah!" and all +the seamen joined in the huzzahs, which were, however, mingled with a +great deal of laughter. + +"Merciful Heaven! and so you have been blown up in that vessel," said +the first lieutenant, coming to me, with great kindness. "Are you much +burnt? Why, he's quite black--where's the surgeon?" + +"Aren't hurt at all, sir," replied I. + +"Let him be taken down and examined," said the captain with some +emotion; "if not hurt, let him come into the cabin to me." + +The captain went down the ladder, and then I shook hands with Tommy Dott +and all the other officers and midshipmen; and I will say that my +re-appearance appeared to give unusual satisfaction. I went down into +the gun-room and was stripped. They were much surprised to find that I +was not hurt, and even more when they discovered that I was black all +over, and that washing would not restore my colour. + +"Why, Keene," said the first lieutenant, "how is it that you have +changed your colour?" + +"Oh, sir, I've been playing the nigger for these last three months. It +is a long story, but I will go with you to the captain, and I will tell +it there." + +As soon as I had put on my uniform, I went up with Mr Hippesley to the +cabin, and having, at the captain's request, taken a chair, I entered +into a full explanation, which lasted more than an hour. + +As soon as I had finished, Mr Hippesley who had plenty to do on deck, +but who could not leave until he had heard my story, quitted the cabin, +and I found myself alone with the captain. + +"I must say that I gave you up for lost," said Captain Delmar; "the +boat's crew were picked up the next morning, and reported that you were +drowned in the cabin of the vessel. Scoundrels, to desert you in that +way." + +"I do not think they were to blame, sir; the water being so high in the +cabin, and my not answering to their call." + +"But did they call you?" + +"Yes, sir; I heard them call when I was half asleep, and I did not +answer." + +"Well, I am glad to hear you say so; but so convinced have we been of +your loss, that I have written to your mother on the subject. Strange, +this is the second time that she has been distressed in this way. You +appear to have a charmed life, Mr Keene." + +"I hope I shall long live to do credit to your protection, sir," replied +I. + +"I hope so too, Mr Keene," replied the captain, very kindly; "I +sincerely hope so too. In all this business you have conducted yourself +very manfully. It does you great credit, and your mother ought to be +proud of you." + +"Thanky, sir," replied I, for I was overjoyed at such language from +Captain Delmar, and I thought to myself, if he says my mother ought be +proud of me, he feels so himself. + +"Of course, you cannot do duty under such a masquerade as you are at +present," continued the captain, who referred to my stained skin. "I +presume it will wear off by-and-by. You will dine with me to-day; now +you may go to your messmates." + +I left the cabin, bowing very respectfully, and pleased with what had +occurred. I hastened to join my messmates, not, however, until I had +shaken hands with Bob Cross, who appeared as delighted to see me as if +he was my father. + +I leave the reader to imagine the sort of levee which I held both on the +quarter-deck and below. Mr Hippesley could not get any of the officers +to mind their duty. I certainly was for two or three days the greatest +personage in the ship. After that, I had time to tell the whole of my +history quietly to Bob Cross. + +Bob Cross, when he had heard me without interruption, said, "Well, +Master Keene, there's no telling what a man's born to till after he's +dead, and then it's all known: but it does appear to me that you are +born to something out of the common. Here you are, not sixteen, not +only playing a man's part, but playing it manfully. You have been put +in most difficult situations, and always have fallen upon your feet in +the end. You appear to have an old head upon very young shoulders; at +one moment to be a scampish boy full of mischief, and at another a +resolute, cool, and clever man. Sarcumstances, they say, make men, and +so it appears in you; but it does seem strange for one and the same lad +to be stealing the purser's plums at one moment, and twisting a devil of +a nigger pirate round his finger the very next; and then you have had +such escapes--twice reported dead at head-quarters, and twice come to +life again. Now Master Keene, I've very good news to tell you: you +don't know how high you stand with the captain and officers: there's a +feeling of envy against a lad who goes ahead (as well as a man) which +blinds people to his real merits; but when he is supposed to be dead and +gone, and no longer in the way of others, then every one tells the real +truth; and I do assure you that not only the officers, but the captain +himself, grieved most sorely at your loss. I saw the captain's eyes +wink more than once when speaking of you, and the first lieutenant was +always telling the other mids that he had not one worth his salt, now +that you were gone. And now that you have come back and gained so much +credit for what has passed, I do really think that the captain is proud +of you. I overheard a little conversation between the captain and first +lieutenant the day you came on board, after you had been in the cabin +telling your adventures, and all that I can say is, that the game is in +your own hands, if you only play your cards well, and never let Captain +Delmar have the least idea that you know that you have such claims upon +him." + +"That I certainly will not," replied I, "as it might check his feeling +towards me." + +"Exactly: I've often thought about you, and now that I like you so much, +I watch the captain for your sake, and listen particularly to what he +says after dinner especially, when I've the opportunity; for you see, +when gentlemen drink wine, they speak more freely as to what they really +think, just as we foremast-men do when we get our grog on board. The +greatest misfortune which could happen to you in your position would be, +the captain marrying and having children on the right side of the +blanket as they call it. Now I've often heard the captain express a +dislike to matrimony, and laugh at people's getting married, which has +pleased me very much for your sake, Master Percival. You see, a man +don't think much of marrying after forty, and the captain must be fifty, +if not more." + +"Yes: but if his brother dies--and he is a very infirm man--the captain +will then be Viscount de Versely, and inherit very large estates, and +then he will marry to have an heir to the title and estates even if +there is no love in the case." + +"So he may," replied Cross--"there's no saying; but still, even if he +does, it ain't certain that he has a family; chickens must not be +counted before they are hatched. All you have to pray for then is, that +the brother may prove as tough as our old admirals, whose senses get +tired of staying any longer in their bodies, and leave them long before +their hulks are worn out." + +"Why do admirals live so long?" + +"Well, I suppose it is for the same reason that salt meat keeps so much +longer than fresh; they have been forty or fifty years with the salt +spray washing in their faces and wetting their jackets, and so in time, +d'ye see, they become as it were pickled with brine. Talking about +that, how long will it be before you get that tanning off you?" + +"I don't know; but as the captain says I'm to do no duty while it lasts, +I hope it won't wear off too soon." + +"Spoken like a midshipman: now take my advice, although not ordered to +your duty, come up on deck and take your spy-glass." + +"I've lost it, unfortunately. That was a good glass, for it saved my +life." + +"Yes, it turned out as good for you as a Freemason's sign, which is more +than Mr Green can say. I don't think he'll ever make a sailor--he'd +better bear up for clerk, and then he might do very well for a purser +by-and-by. There's eight bells, Master Keene, so I think we had better +say good night." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +The Arrow schooner had suffered very severely in the contest, having +lost her commanding officer and thirteen men killed and wounded: indeed, +had not the Calliope been at hand, it was the general opinion that the +Stella would have overpowered her, notwithstanding that the latter had +lost her mainmast, for the Arrow was completely dismantled, and would +not have been able to have made sail. + +The Calliope sent her carpenters and best seamen on board to repair her +damages, and the next day we stood away for Port Royal, Jamaica, to +announce the destruction of the pirate vessel. + +In the morning Captain Delmar sent for me. + +"Mr Keene, as you cannot do duty for the present, and as I do not wish +you to be idle, I think you had better pay a little attention to +navigation. You send in your day's work, I perceive, but I suppose you +have never regularly gone through a course of study." + +"No, sir," replied I; "I fudge my day's work, and I should be very glad +to learn navigation properly." + +"So I presume. Well, then, I have spoken with Mr Smith, the master, +who has promised me to give you the necessary instruction. You will +commence to-morrow; you can sit at the table in the fore-cabin, where +you will have nothing to distract your attention. You may go now." + +I bowed and left the cabin, and meeting Bob Cross on the main deck, I +told him what the captain had said. + +"I'm glad of it, Master Keene; it shows that the captain does now take a +strong interest in you. He has never taken any trouble of that kind +with any midshipman before. It will be of great service to you, so pay +attention; it will please the captain if the master gives a good report +of you. Who knows but you may be sent away in a prize, and I sent with +you to take care of you? Wouldn't that be a capital spree?" + +The next day I commenced accordingly, under the tuition of the master, +and as I had not Tommy Dott to play with, I gave satisfaction, and +continued to do so until our arrival at Port Royal, when the captain +went up to the admiral's, stating all the particulars of the action, +and, by way of sequel, my adventures on board of the pirate vessel. The +admiral was so much interested that he requested Captain Delmar to bring +me on shore to dine with me the next day. + +I was still very black; but that made me, I presume more interesting. I +told my story over again, and it afforded great amusement to the +company; particularly to the ladies; and I have reason to believe that +many compliments were paid me behind my back, by the admiral and +officers who dined there; at all events, Captain Delmar was much +pleased. + +My strange history soon got wind. The governor heard of it, and asked +Captain Delmar about it. The consequence was, that I received another +invitation from the governor, and Captain Delmar again informed me that +I might tell my own story, which I did, modestly as before. I say +modestly, for I never was a boaster at any time; and I really believe +that I thought much less of the circumstances than those did to whom I +narrated them. I had at that time but one wish, which was to find +favour in the sight of Captain Delmar. I felt that all my prospects in +life depended upon that; and aware of his disposition, and the deference +that he expected, humility had become, as it were, habitual. + +During the time that we remained at Port Royal I continued my studies in +the cabin and as the captain remained almost altogether on shore, I +found the run of the cabin very pleasant; but as I had no inclination to +study the whole of the day, I was not sorry that Tommy Dott was very +often my companion in the cabin, an entrance to which, as he could not +pass the sentry at the door, he obtained by climbing down the mizen +chains, and creeping into the port windows. As soon as the captain's +boat was seen coming off Tommy was out again by the port as quick as a +monkey, and I was very studiously poring over right-angled triangles. I +rose, of course, as the captain entered the cabin. "Sit down, Mr +Keene," he would say--"sit down; the master has reported favourably of +you, and I am glad to hear of it." + +One morning, when, as usual, Tommy Dott had come through the port, we +were so busily employed with a caricature which we were making of old +Culpepper, that the captain's boat came alongside without our being +aware of it, and the captain's voice speaking to the first lieutenant as +he was descending the after-ladder was the first intimation we received +of his being on board. + +It was impossible for Tommy Dott to escape without being seen as he +climbed out. The table which was in the centre of the cabin was covered +with a blue cloth, large enough for the table when all the additional +leaves were put to it, and in its present reduced size the cloth fell +down to the deck; I pointed it out to Tommy, as the sentry's hand upon +the handle of the door announced the immediate entrance of the captain, +and he darted underneath the table, that he might escape detection +intending as soon as the captain went into the after-cabin to make his +retreat by the cabin-door or windows. The captain entered, and I rose, +as usual, from my chair. + +"Mr Keene," said he, "I have occasion to speak to the first lieutenant +on important private business; oblige me by leaving the cabin till that +is done. You may as well tell Mr Hippesley that I wish to see him." + +"Yes, sir," replied I making a bow, and leaving the cabin. I felt very +much alarmed lest Tommy should be discovered in his hiding-place; and +after the captain had stated that he had particular business with the +first lieutenant, it was my duty, knowing that Mr Dott was there, to +have said so. I hardly knew what to do, or how to act. After all, it +was no great crime as it stood. Tommy Dott had come into the cabin +without leave, and had concealed himself; but if I was to allow Tommy to +remain there and listen to important and particular business, evidently +of a secret nature, I should forfeit the good opinion and confidence of +the captain: nevertheless, I was very unwilling to betray him; I was +dreadfully puzzled, and when I went to the first lieutenant he perceived +my confusion. + +"Why, what is the matter with you, Mr Keene?--you look quite +frightened," said he. + +"Well, sir, I am," replied I; "and I think it my duty to tell you why I +am so." + +I then informed him that Tommy Dott was under the cabin-table, and +would, of course, hear the secret communications of the captain. + +"You have done very right, Mr Keene, and I know how unpleasant it is to +you to inform against your messmate; but at present there is no harm +done." + +He then laughed, and said, "However, Mr Dott shall never know that you +have said anything about it, and I will frighten him out of the cabin +for the future." + +He then went down the ladder, and into the fore-cabin. I expected that +he would have discovered Tommy as if by accident, but such was not the +case. The captain had just gone into the after-cabin, and Mr Hippesley +immediately followed him, and shutting the door, informed him of Mr +Dott's position, and why I had made it known. The captain could not +help laughing, as, after all, it was no great offence. + +He then gave the necessary information to the first lieutenant, and they +both walked into the fore-cabin; the first lieutenant saying, "If you +please, then, Captain Delmar, I will send a boat immediately with the +letter." + +"Certainly," replied the captain, sitting down, and who evidently was +inclined to join in the joke with Mr Hippesley. "Sentry, send the +officer on deck to man the jolly-boat, and tell Mr Dott to come here +immediately." + +I was on deck when the sentry put his head up the ladder and gave the +order, and I immediately perceived the plan of the first lieutenant and +the state of alarm in which Tommy Dott must have been put. + +The jolly-boat was manned, and Mr Dott called for in every quarter of +the ship, but he did not make his appearance. After a delay of several +minutes, the officer on deck went down into the cabin, reporting that +the jolly-boat had been manned some time but that Mr Dott was not to be +found. + +"Not to be found!" replied the captain; "why, he can't have fallen +overboard." + +"Not he, sir," replied the first lieutenant; "he has gone to sleep +somewhere: either in the tops or the fore-topmast staysail netting." + +"He appears to be a very troublesome boy," replied the captain. + +"Very useless, indeed, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "Sentry, +have they found Mr Dott?" + +"No, sir; quarter-masters have been everywhere. He's not in the ship." + +"Very odd!" observed the captain. + +"Oh! he'll turn up soon, sir; but really, Captain Delmar, if you were to +give him two or three dozen at the cabin gun, it would bring him to his +senses." + +"That I most certainly will do," replied Captain Delmar; "and I +authorise you to do it, Mr Hippesley, as soon as he makes his +appearance; it will be of some service to him; but I hope no accident +has happened to him." + +"I have no fear of that, sir," replied the first lieutenant: "if the +purser's steward's room had been open to-day, I should have sent to see +if he was not locked up in another attempt to steal raisins, but that +has not been the case. By-the-by, the spirit-room was open this +morning, and he may have been down there, and may have had the hatches +put over him." + +"Well, we must send another midshipman; call Mr Keene," said Captain +Delmar. + +The sentry called me, and I made my appearance. + +"Mr Keene, you'll go on shore to the dockyard in the jolly-boat: give +that letter to the master attendant, and wait for an answer." + +"Yes, sir," replied I. + +"Have you seen anything of Mr Dott?" said the first lieutenant; "you +are constantly together." + +"I saw him just before Captain Delmar came on board, sir, but I have not +seen him since." + +"Well, well, we will settle accounts with the young gentleman as soon as +he turns up," replied the captain: "you may go, Mr Keene." + +I perceived that the captain and first lieutenant both smiled as I left +the cabin. It appeared that soon after they left it and the captain +went on shore; but Tommy was so frightened that he remained in his +hiding-place, as he made sure he would be flogged if he made his +appearance, and he resolved to remain where he was until my return, that +he might consult me. + +As soon as I had reported myself, and given the answer to the first +lieutenant, I hastened to the cabin, and then poor Tommy crawled from +under the table; the tears were still wet on his cheeks. + +"I shall be flogged, Keene, as sure as I stand here. Tell me, what can +I do--what can I say?" + +"Tell the truth; that's the best way," replied I. + +"Tell the captain that I was hid under the table! that would never do." + +"Depend upon it, it's the best plan," replied I; "and it is the only +advice I can give you: you may be flogged if you tell the truth, but you +are _sure_ to be flogged if you tell a lie. It will only add to your +offence." + +"Well, I've been thinking about it--I'm sure that Mr Hippesley will +flog me if he catches me to-day or to-morrow; but if I remain hid for a +day or two, they will really think that I have fallen overboard, and +then they will say, `poor Tommy Dott,' and perhaps be so glad when I do +make my appearance, that they will forgive me." + +"Yes," replied I, delighted at the idea; "I'm sure they will, if you do +tell the truth when you appear again." + +"Then, that is what I'll do. The first lieutenant said that I might be +in the spirit-room. Where shall I go to?" + +"Why," said I, "you must remain under the table till dark, and then you +may easily slip down into the coal-hole, where it is so dark that they +never will see you, even if they go down for coals. It is the only +place I know of; stay there all to-morrow and next day, and come up in +the evening; or the next morning perhaps will be better." + +"Well, it's a very good place," replied Tommy; "anything better than +being flogged; but will you bring me something to eat and drink?" + +"Depend upon me, Tommy," replied I; "I'll contrive to bring you +something every night." + +"Well, then, I'll do that," replied he. + +"Yes; and tell the truth when you come out," said I. + +"Yes, upon my honour I will;" and so saying, Tommy, hearing a noise, +again dived under the cabin table. + +Soon afterwards I went out of the cabin. The first lieutenant beckoned +me to him, and asked me where Mr Dott was, and I told him what had been +arranged between us. He laughed very much, and said-- + +"Well, if Master Tommy punishes himself by two days' confinement in the +coal-hole, and tells the truth when he comes out, I think I may promise +he will get off his flogging; but don't you say that I have spoken to +you about it, and let him do as he proposes." + +When it was dark, I supplied Tommy with provisions, and he gained the +coal-hole without being discovered. + +The next day the speculations at his disappearance were general, and it +was now believed that poor Tommy had fallen overboard, and, as the +sharks are thick enough in Port Royal, that he was safely stowed away in +one of their maws. I will say that the whole of the ship's company were +very sorry for him, with the exception of Mr Culpepper, who observed +that no good ever came of a boy who stole raisins. + +"So you think, that because a lad steals a few of your confounded +plums," observed the second lieutenant, "he deserves to be eaten by the +sharks. If I were Tommy Dott, I would haunt you if I could." + +"I'm not afraid of dead men," replied Mr Culpepper; "they are quiet +enough." + +"Perhaps so; but recollect, you make them chew tobacco, and therefore +they ought to rise up in judgment against you, if they do against any +one." + +As this conversation passed on the quarter-deck, it put an idea in my +head. That night I went to Tommy, whom I found terribly tired of +sitting on the coals. I brought him a bottle of mixed grog, and some +boiled beef and biscuit. I consoled him by telling him that every one +was sorry at his disappearance, and that I was convinced that he would +not be punished if he told the truth. + +Tommy was for leaving the coal-hole immediately, but I pointed out to +him that the captain had not been on board that a and that it was +necessary that the captain should believe that he had fallen overboard +as well as the officers, or his compassion would not be roused. Tommy +saw the propriety of this, and consented to remain another day. I then +told him what Mr Culpepper had said, and I added, "Now, Tommy, if Mr +Culpepper should see you by any chance, pretend to be your ghost." + +"That I will," replied Tommy, "if I get six dozen for it." I then left +him. + +On my return on deck, I saw Bob Cross; he was on shore during the major +portion of the day, attending upon the captain, and as I was no longer +in the captain's gig, I saw but little of him. + +"Well, Mr Keene," said he, "I think you have quite recovered your +colour by this time, and I hope to see you in the gig again." + +"I do not think I shall yet awhile--I have not yet learnt navigation +enough; but the master says he will be done with me in a fortnight, if I +go on as well as I do now." + +"Yes; I heard him tell the captain that you were very quick, and would +be a good navigator but I can't get over the loss of poor Tommy Dott; he +was a little scampish, that's sartin, but still he was a merry, +kind-hearted boy--too good for the sharks, at all events. You must feel +his loss, Mr Keene, for you were always together." + +"No, I don't, Bob," replied I. + +"Well, I'm sorry to hear you say that, Mr Keene; I thought you had a +kinder heart." + +"So I have, Bob; but I'll tell you a secret, known only to the first +lieutenant and me; and that is, Tommy's in the coal-hole, very dirty, +but quite safe." + +Bob Cross burst into a fit of laughing, which lasted some time. + +"Well, Mr Keene, you have really taken a weight off my mind; now tell +me all about it. You know I'm safe." + +I then told Bob what had happened, and of Tommy's intention to make his +appearance on the following evening or the next morning. + +"Well," said Bob, "you're mischief itself, Master Keene, and that's a +fact; however, it's all right this time, and you have the captain and +first lieutenant as your confidants and partners in the joke. You did +perfectly right and I'm sure the captain and first lieutenant must be +pleased with you; but recollect, Master Keene, keep your distance as +before; don't presume." + +"Never fear, Bob," replied I: "but now I have told you that, I want you +to assist me." I then repeated the conversation of Mr Culpepper with +the second lieutenant. + +"Now," continued I; "you see, Cross, I can't do anything myself; Mr +Culpepper hates me, and would suspect me; but if we could only frighten +him: you might, for he would not think you were playing him a trick." + +"I see," replied Bob; "it will be a good thing for Tommy Dott, and a +nice wind-up of this affair. Let me alone. When I come on board +to-morrow evening I'll manage it if I can." + +After a little more conversation, we separated for the night. + +The next morning the captain came on board. He remained on deck with +the first lieutenant for some minutes, during which of course, he was +made acquainted with Tommy Dott's position. When he came down into the +cabin, I moved from my seat, as respectful and serious as before; and +when ordered to sit down again, resumed my studies with great apparent +diligence. He did not say a word to me about Tommy Dott; and as he was +going out of the cabin, Mr Culpepper was announced by the sentry. + +"If you please, Captain Delmar," said Mr Culpepper, with his usual +profound bow, "what are we to do with the effects of Mr Dott, who has +fallen overboard? By the regulations of the service, they should be +sold before the mast. And I also wish to know whether he is to be +continued to be victualled, or whether it is your pleasure that he is +discharged as dead?" + +The captain smiled, and turned his face towards me; but I continued with +my eyes down on my book. + +"Perhaps we had better wait till to-morrow, Mr Culpepper," replied the +captain, "and then you may sell his effects, and put DD to his name, +poor fellow." And having made this reply, the captain went out of his +cabin. Mr Culpepper followed; and shortly afterwards the captain went +on shore again. + +Before dusk, the captain's gig, as usual, returned on board, and I was +at the gangway to meet Bob Cross; the boat was hoisted up, and then Bob +came to me. + +"I must first go down and see Mr Dott, that I may be able to swear to +the fact." Bob did so, and then returned on deck. Mr Culpepper was +abaft, walking by himself, when Bob went up and accosted him. + +"If you please, sir," said Bob, touching his hat, "did the captain say +anything to you about coals, for I expect we shall not stay here much +longer?" + +"No," replied Mr Culpepper. + +"Then he must have forgot it, I suppose sir." + +"Well, there's plenty of coals," replied Mr Culpepper. + +"Well, sir, I don't know; but I think I heard the cook's mate say as how +they were getting rather low." + +"Getting rather low! then there must have been great waste," exclaimed +Mr C, who was very careful of his expenses. + +"I don't know how far it may be so; but I think it might be as well to +know how matters stand; and if so be there's plenty, why I can tell +Captain Delmar when I go on shore to-morrow." + +"I'll see; I'll go down myself to-night," replied Mr Culpepper. "The +midshipmen are allowed a stove to themselves--very unusual--and they are +cooking all day." + +"Talking about midshipmen, sir," replied Cross, "you may think it's very +odd but as I stand here--and you know, Mr Culpepper, I am not easily +scared--I saw that young Tommy Dott, or his ghost, this very evening." + +It was now quite dark; and Mr Culpepper stared at the coxswain, and +then replied, "Pooh, nonsense!" + +"It's no nonsense, I do assure you. I saw him with these eyes, sure as +I stand here." + +"Where?" exclaimed Mr C. + +"Right forward, sir. I only mention it to you, but don't say a word +about it, for I should only be laughed at; but I do assure you that I +would kiss the Bible to it, if it was required. I never did before +believe in anything of that sort, that's sartain; but it's no use +talking about it, sir. I think I had better get a lantern, and get over +this coal business at once." + +"Yes, yes," replied Mr Culpepper; "but you won't know how much coals +there are: I must go myself and see." + +Bob Cross was soon ready with the lantern, and went forward with Mr +Culpepper. The hammocks had been piped down, and they were obliged to +bend double under them to get along the lower deck. I followed +unperceived. + +The descent into the coal-hole was by battens, and not very easy for an +old man like Mr C But Cross went down first, holding the light for the +purser to follow, which he did very slowly, and with great caution. As +soon as they both stood on the coals below, the purser took the light to +make his survey. + +"Why, there's plenty of coals for three months, coxswain," said he. "I +thought there was; you see they are nearly up to the beams abaft." + +"Look! sir--look!" exclaimed Cross, starting back; "what's that?" + +"Where?" exclaimed Mr C, alarmed. + +"There, sir--there he is: I told you so." + +The purser's eyes were directed to where Bob pointed, and then he beheld +Tommy Dott standing immovable, with his arms extended, as if denouncing +him--his eyes staring, and his mouth wide open. + +"Mercy!--murder!" cried the purser, dropping the lantern, which went out +and left them in the dark; and he tumbled down on the coals. + +Bob Cross stepped over him, and hastened up to the lower deck, followed +by Tommy Dott, who first, by way of revenge, jumped several times upon +the purser's face and body before he climbed up. + +The cry of the purser had given the alarm. The master-at-arms hastened +forward with his lantern just as Tommy had made his appearance above the +coamings. Seeing Tommy as black as a sweep, he too was frightened; the +men had put their heads out of their hammocks and some of them had seen +Tommy. + +Bob Cross, as he crawled aft, cried out, "Tommy Dott's ghost!" I had +pretended to be terrified out of my wits as I ran aft, and all was +confusion on the lower deck. The first lieutenant had come out of the +wardroom, and seeing me, he inquired what was the matter. I replied +that Mr Culpepper had gone down into the coal-hole, and had seen Mr +Dott's ghost. He laughed heartily, and went back. + +Tommy had in the mean time made his appearance in the mids' berth, at +which they had all rushed from him in dismay, just as I entered; when I +caught him by the hand saying, "Tommy, my boy, how are you?" They then +perceived that it was Tommy himself, and order was restored. + +Mr Culpepper was hoisted up out of the coal-hole; Master Tommy having +jumped upon his face, he looked a very miserable object, as he was well +blackened, as well as much bruised from the soles of Tommy's shoes, and +his nose had bled profusely. He was very incoherent for some time; but +the doctor gave him an opiate, and put him to bed. + +The next morning the whole affair was explained on the quarterdeck, +Master Tommy well reprimanded, and desired to return to his duty. The +captain was very much amused at the winding up of this affair, as it was +a capital story to tell at the governor's. Tommy never had an idea that +I had blown upon him, nor did Mr Culpepper imagine that their meeting +was premeditated. + +I had now completed the usual course of navigation under the master, and +had no longer any cause for remaining in the cabin; I therefore returned +to my berth; but as I had taken a liking to navigation, I now was +employed daily in working sights and rating the chronometer. + +We remained three weeks longer in Port Royal, and then were ordered out +on a cruise, on the South American coast. There we continued for nearly +six months without anything occurring worth relating, except our having +captured four good prizes. We were returning to Jamaica, when we fell +in with a schooner, which gave us the intelligence of the capture of the +island of Curacao by four English frigates. + +As we were near to the island and short of water, Captain Delmar +resolved to touch at it, and remained two or three days. + +The reader will perhaps recollect that the old Dutch gentleman, whose +life I had saved in the pirate vessel, had stated that his name was +Vanderwelt, and that he lived at Curacao. The next evening we entered +the harbour, and it was astonishing to every one how so strong a place +could have been taken by so small a force. The commodore, who had +plenty of work on hand, requested, or rather ordered, our captain to +remain with him for ten days or a fortnight, to assist him. + +On the third day after our arrival I obtained leave to go on shore, as I +wished to find out the old Dutch gentleman. As I was again in the +captain's gig, I had very often landed, but had not had an opportunity +of making inquiries, as I could not leave my boat and boat's crew. + +This afternoon I landed in the gig, and went up through the gate into +the town, but I could not find anyone who spoke English. At last, by +asking for the house of Mynheer Vanderwelt, it was pointed out to me, +and I went up to the door; it was a very large house, with a verandah +all round it, painted bright green and while alternately. There were +several slaves sitting down at the entrance, and I asked for Mynheer +Vanderwelt; they stared at me, and wondered what I wanted, but as I was +in midshipman's uniform, they were of course very civil, and one of them +beckoned me to follow him, which I did, and was introduced to the old +gentleman, who was sitting in a cane arm-chair with his pipe in his +mouth, and fanned by two slave girls, about twelve years old. + +As he had spoken to me in English on board of the pirate, I immediately +went up to him, and said, "How do you do, sir?" + +"I am very well, sir," replied he, taking the pipe out of his mouth. +"What do you want? do you come from the English commodore? What is his +pleasure?" + +"No, sir," replied I; "I do not come from the commodore; but I came up +to see you." + +"Oh, that is all," replied the old gentleman, putting his pipe in his +mouth again, and resuming his smoking. I felt rather nettled at his +treatment, and then said-- + +"Don't you know me, sir?" + +"No, sir," replied he, "I have not that honour. I have never seen you +in my life before, and I do not know you." + +My blood was up at this cool declaration. + +"Then I wish you a good morning, sir," replied I; and turning on my +heel, I was strutting out with all the dignity of an offended +midshipman, when I was met face to face by the little girl, his +daughter. She stared at me very much, and I passed her in sovereign +contempt; she followed me timidly, and looked into my face, then panting +for breath, seized me by the arm. I turned to her at being stopped in +this manner, and was about to shake her off with anything but +politeness, when she screamed out, and in a moment had sprung up, and +was hanging with both arms round my neck. + +"Fader, fader," she cried out as I struggled to disengage myself. + +The old gentleman came out at the summons. + +"Stop him! fader; don't let him go away," cried she in Dutch; "it is he! +it is he!" + +"Who, my child?" asked the old gentleman. + +"The pirate-boy," replied the little girl, bursting into a paroxysm of +tears, on my shoulders. + +"Mein Gott! it cannot be; he was _black_, my child; yet," continued the +old gentleman, looking at me, "he is like him. Tell me, sir, are you +our preserver?" + +"Yes," replied I, "I was; but that is of little consequence now. Will +you oblige me by removing this young lady?" continued I, for I was +highly offended. + +"Sir, I ask your pardon," replied the old gentleman; "but I am not to +blame. How could I recognise you in a white person when you were so +dark-coloured at our meeting on board of that vessel? I am not to +blame; indeed I am not, my dear young friend. I would have given ten +thousand rix dollars to have met you, that I might prove my gratitude +for your noble defence of us, and our preservation at such a risk. +Come, sir, you must forgive the mistake of an old man, who was certainly +not inclined to be civil to an officer who belonged to the squadron, who +had within these few days so humiliated us by their astonishing bravery +and success. Let my little girl, whose life you saved, persuade you, if +I cannot." + +In the mean time the little girl had dropped from my shoulder, and was +on the floor, embracing my knees, and still sobbing. I felt convinced +that what the old gentleman said was true, and that he had not +recognised me. I had forgotten that I had been stained dark at the time +that I had met them on board of the Stella. + +I therefore held out my hand to the old gentleman, and raising the +little girl, we all three went in together to where we had found the old +gentleman on my first introduction to him. + +"If you knew how delighted I am to see you, and be able to express my +thanks," said Mynheer Vanderwelt, "and poor Minnie too. How often have +we talked over that dreadful day, and wondered if ever we should see you +again. I assure you, on my honour, that now I no longer regret the +capture of the island." + +Minnie stood by me during the time her father was speaking, her large +blue eyes beaming through the tears with which they brimmed; and as I +turned to her, our eyes met, and she smiled. I drew her towards me. +She appeared as if she only required some encouragement, for she +immediately kissed me several times on the cheek nearest to her, every +now and then saying a word or two in Dutch to her father, which I could +not understand. + +I hardly need say, that after this, intimacy was soon brought about. If +I thought that at first I had been treated with ingratitude, ample +amends was made afterwards. + +The old gentleman said during the evening, "Good heaven! if my +daughter's eyes had not been sharper than mine; if you had gone away, +thinking that I did not choose to recognise you--had I found it out +afterwards, it would have broken my heart, and poor Minnie's too. Oh! +I am grateful--very grateful to God that it was not so." + +That I passed a very pleasant evening the reader may imagine. The +household who had been told who I was, appeared to almost worship me. +The old gentleman asked me a hundred questions as to my parentage, +etcetera, about Captain Delmar and the service, and begged of me to +remain with him altogether while the frigate was in port. I told him +that was impossible, but that I would come as often as I could obtain +leave. At nine o'clock I bade them good night, and was escorted to the +boat by six of the slaves carrying lanterns. + +Captain Delmar, as well as all the other captains of the frigates, had +taken up his quarters on shore for the harbour was so narrow and +landlocked, that the heat on board was excessive. I found that the next +day old Mr Vanderwelt had paid his respects to Captain Delmar, giving +him an account of what had occurred on board of the pirate much more +flattering to me than what I had stated myself. The steward was present +at the time, and he had told Bob Cross, who communicated it to me. +Mynheer Vanderwelt had also begged as a favour that I might be permitted +to stay on shore with him during the time that the frigate was in +harbour, but to this Captain Delmar had not consented, promising, +however, that I should have occasional leave when the service would +permit of it. + +The reader may recollect that the island of Curacao had been surrendered +to the English in 1800, and restored to the Dutch in 1802. During that +interval several English merchants had settled there and remained after +the restoration, and now at the second capture we found them still on +the island. From these we received the information that Mr Vanderwelt +was the richest man on the island, and that the Dutch government was +indebted to him in very large sums; that he had long retired from +business, although he had large property in the Havannah, which he +received with his wife, who had been a Spanish lady, and that it was his +intention to have gone back to Holland by the first man-of-war which +should have arrived. + +We remained three weeks at Curacao, during which time the first +lieutenant gave me leave to go on shore almost every evening after the +captain had dismissed his gig, and to remain at Mr Vanderwelt's till +half-past eight the following morning, when I joined my boat, and +attended on the captain. By this plan my duty was not interfered with, +and I had many pleasant meetings with my new friends, and became, as may +be imagined, very intimate with little Minnie. + +I may as well describe her. She was about ten years old, tall for her +age; she was very fair, with deep blue eyes, and very dark hair; her +countenance was very animated and expressive, and she promised to be a +very handsome woman. Her father doted upon her, for he had no other +child; he had married late in life, and his wife had died a few days +after Minnie was born. She was very affectionate in disposition, and +very sweet-tempered; up to the present she had received but little +education, and that was one principal reason for Mr Vanderwelt's +wishing to return to Holland. I soon became as one of the family, and +certainly was treated as such. + +Minnie was very curious to know what it was that I carried about my neck +in the seal-skin pouch, but I never could tell either her or her father +what it really was. Mr Vanderwelt very often asked me if I liked being +at sea, and I invariably replied in the affirmative. + +At last the frigate was to sail, and I had but one more evening to pass +with them. Mr Vanderwelt appeared very grave, and little Minnie would +every now and then during the evening burst into tears at the idea of +our separation. + +At last the hour of parting arrived--it was very painful. I promised to +write to them, and Mr Vanderwelt told me that his house was always +ready to receive me, and begged that if I wanted anything I would let +him know. + +I cried, myself, when I left the house--the first time that I ever +cried, I believe, on such an occasion. The next morning we were again +under weigh, to rejoin the admiral at Jamaica. + +Bob Cross had told me that he wished to have a little talk with me in +the first watch, and I met him on the gangway, our usual rendezvous. + +"Master Keene, I have some news for you, which I gained from the steward +last night. I will say, that his ears are always open; not that I think +he is generally what is called an eavesdropper but he likes you, and +when you are concerned, he does care to find out what is going on. Now +you see, sir, that Dutch gentleman whom you saved from the nigger pirate +came to call on Captain Delmar yesterday morning, and, after some +palaver, he told the captain that he wished you to remain with him +altogether, and leave his majesty's service; and he begged the captain +to allow you to be discharged, and then he would be a father to you, as +you had no father. There was a great deal more which the steward could +not make out, but it was all to that effect. Well, the captain said +that it was very true that you had lost your father but that he +considered you as _his own_ son, and could not part with you on any +account; and he stated that you were so promising an officer, that it be +very wrong that you should leave the service, and that it must not be +thought of. The old gentleman said a great deal, and tried very hard to +persuade the captain, but it was of no use. The captain said he would +never let you go till you were a post-captain and commanded a fine +frigate, and then you would of course be your own master, and act as you +please." + +"I am very glad to hear all this, Bob, I can assure you." + +"Yes, sir, it is very good news: but, Master Keene, I only hope, knowing +Captain Delmar as you do, that you will act towards him as if you had +never heard it." + +"I will, depend upon it, Cross. As for leaving the service, that I +would not have done even if Captain Delmar had agreed to it. I'm an +Englishman, and I don't want to be under Dutch protection." + +"That's right, sir--that's right--just as I wished you to feel. How +time flies away. Why, Master Keene, you have been afloat nearly three +years." + +"Within a month, Bob." + +"And you're growing such a tall fellow, they won't keep you much longer +in the captain's gig, I expect: I shall be sorry for that. So Master +Tommy Dott is in another scrape." + +"How?--I heard nothing of it." + +"No, because it's only within this half-hour that he's got in it." + +"Tell me." + +"Why, sir, Mr Culpepper had fallen fast asleep on the gunroom table, +under the skylight, which, as you know, is always open, and his head had +fallen back, and his mouth was wide open: there was no other officer in +the gun-room except Mr Culpepper: and Tommy Dott, who perceived him, +asked Timothy Jenkins, the maintop-man, to give him a quid of tobacco; +well, Jenkins takes it out of his cheek, red-hot, as you may suppose, +and hands it to Master Tommy, who takes his perpendicular very +accurately, and drops the quid into the purser's open mouth. + +"Mr Culpepper was almost choked, but after a terrible coughing, the +quid comes up again; notwithstanding, he turns as sick as a dog, and is +obliged to run to the basin in his cabin. Well, sir, as soon as he +comes out again, he goes up under the half deck, and inquires of the +sentry who it was that did it; and the sentry, who is that sulky fellow, +Martin, instead of knowing nothing about it, says directly, it was +Master Tommy; and now there's a formal complaint made by Mr Culpepper +on the quarter-deck, and Master Tommy will get it as sure as a gun." + +"He don't know how to play a trick," replied I; "he is always found out +and punished: the great point is, not to be discovered--that's the real +pleasure in playing a trick." + +"Well, you certainly do manage well, Master Keene; but I think it's +almost time you left them off now, you're getting an oldster. Why, you +must be seventeen, sir?" + +"Yes, Bob, not very far from it." + +"Well, I suppose I must say Mister Keene for the future." + +"You may call be what you like, Bob; you have been a good friend to me." + +"Well, sir, I only hope that Captain Delmar will make you a +post-captain, as he says, and that you'll get a fine frigate, and I'll +be your coxswain; but that's a long way to look to, and we shan't have +any more councils of war on the gangway then." + +"No; but we may in the cabin, Cross." + +"A large sail on the starboard bow," cried the look-out man forward. + +"A large sail on the starboard bow," reported the mate of the watch. + +My glass was on the capstern, and I ran for it, and went forward to +examine the vessel, although my duty as signal midshipman was ended at +sunset. + +"What do you make of it, Mr Keene?" said the officer of the watch. + +"I think she is a man-of-war; but it is so dark, that I cannot make her +out very clearly." + +"Is she standing this way?" + +"Yes, sir, under top-sails and top-gallant-sails, I think." + +The officer of the watch went down to report to the captain, who had not +yet turned into his cot. Captain Delmar had been informed that a Dutch +frigate was expected at the island, but not until the following month; +still we had no reason to suppose that there were any of our frigates +down in these latitudes, except those lying in the harbour at Curacao. +The wind was light, about a three knot breeze, and there being no moon +till after twelve o'clock, it was very difficult to make out what she +was. Some said she was a two-decked vessel. The captain went down to +look at his private signals for the night, and before he came up I was +all ready with the lanterns. + +"Two lights over one in a triangle; be quick, Mr Keene." + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied I. + +The lights were soon hoisted at the peak, but as they could not well be +seen by the other vessel, as we were standing towards her, we went about +and hove to across her hawse. For a quarter of an hour she continued to +stand towards us without noticing the signals; at last the captain said, +"They must be all asleep on board of the vessel." + +"No, Captain Delmar," replied I, keeping my telescope on the vessel, +"they are not all asleep, for I saw lights on the main-deck through the +bow-ports. I see them again now." + +"So do I," said the first lieutenant. + +"Then we'll beat to quarters, Mr Hippesley," rejoined the captain. + +The men were summoned to quarters, and hammocks piped up and stowed in a +very short time, the guns cast loose, and every man at his post (but the +ports not opened), waiting the coming down of the stranger, now about a +mile distant, when suddenly she rounded to the wind on the same tack +that we were, and set her royals and flying-jib. + +"She does not answer our signals," observed the captain: "I suspect by +that and her present manoeuvre she must be an enemy." + +"I have no doubt of it, sir," observed the first lieutenant; "an English +frigate would not behave in that way." + +"Open the ports and get up the fighting lanterns, then," said the +captain; for, up to the present, we had been careful not to show any +lights. + +It was now plain to see that her men were at their quarters and that she +was prepared for action. When everything was ready on deck, the royals +and flying-jib were set, and we gave chase. The strange vessel was +about three-quarters of a mile on our weather-beam; in half an hour we +had gained upon her considerably, and our sailing was so superior that +we were satisfied, should she prove an enemy, that in an hour more we +should be engaged. + +Of course, we might have engaged her at the distance we were from her, +but you cannot be too careful in a night action, and ought never to +engage without first hailing the vessel to make sure that she is an +enemy, as circumstances may, and have occurred by which an English +vessel may not be able to answer the private signal, and, of course, a +vessel belonging to a neutral power would be in the same position. + +The incertitude which existed as to whether the strange vessel was an +enemy or not created great excitement. My duty, as signal midshipman, +placed me abaft on the quarter-deck, and Bob Cross, who was really a +quarter-master, although doing duty as captain's coxswain, was at the +wheel. + +At last we had brought the chase well on our weather quarter, and when +we tacked we found that we lay well up, she being about a point on our +lee bow. Another half-hour brought us within two cables' length of her, +when we kept away, so as to pass her to leeward, close enough to have +thrown a biscuit on board. The stranger still remaining on the opposite +tack, Captain Delmar then hailed from the gangway-- + +"Ship, a-hoy!" + +There was a death-like silence on board of both vessels, and his voice +pierced sonorously through the night wind. + +"Ah! yaw!" was the reply. + +"What ship is that?" continued Captain Delmar. + +During this time every man was at his gun; the captains, with the +lanyards of the locks in their hands, ready to pour in a broadside. + +The reply from the other vessel was--"Vat chip is dat?" + +"His Britannic Majesty's ship Calliope," replied Captain Delmar; and +then he repeated--"What ship is that? Let every man lie down at his +quarters," said Captain Delmar. The order was hardly obeyed, when the +stranger frigate poured in her broadside, and as we were then very +close, with great execution to our hull and rigging: but as the men had +been lying down, very few of them were hurt. + +As soon as the crash was over, Captain Delmar cried out--"Up, men, and +fire, as I round to under her stern." + +In a few seconds we had passed through the volumes of smoke, and luffed +up under her stern: we poured in our whole broadside. + +"Let her go off again--flatten in there forward. Reedy about," was the +next order given. + +We ran away from her about three cables' length, until we had sufficient +way to tack, and then we went about and stood towards her, steering for +her weather quarter, as if we were going to engage her to windward. + +"Over to the larboard guns, my lads. Hands by, after bracings and +howlings, Mr Hippesley." + +"Aye, aye, sir, all ready." + +As soon as we were near enough, the after-yards were shivered, the jib +sheet to windward, and the helm put up. The Calliope worked +beautifully; she paid sharp off, and we again passed under her stern, +and gave another raking broadside; very unexpected on the part of the +Dutchman, who presumed that we were going to engage him to windward, and +had his men all ready at his larboard guns in consequence. + +The Dutch captain was evidently much annoyed: he stood at the taffrail, +and, much to our amusement, cried out, in bad English, "You coward--not +fight fair." + +As we shot ahead of her, to leeward, she gave us a portion of her +starboard broadside: but the men, having been over at the guns on the +other side, were not quick enough, and they did us no injury; whereas, +her mizzen-mast fell over the side a few minutes after we passed her. + +She then raid off, and so did we, so that she might not rake us, and +broadsides were exchanged on equal terms; but before we had exchanged +these broadsides, both ships running with the wind on the quarter, we +found that our superiority in sailing free was so great, that we shot +ahead of him out of his fire, and we were enabled to luff up and rake +him again. + +The last raking broadside brought down his main-topmast and then she was +all our own, as Bob Cross said; as she could not round to with no after +sail, and we could from our superiority in sailing, take our position as +we pleased, which we did, constantly keeping ahead of him, and raking +him, broadside after broadside, and receiving but one broadside in +return, until his foremast went by the board, and he had nothing but his +main-mast standing. + +This bettered his condition on the whole; as, although hardly manageable +with so little wind, he had more power over his vessel, as far as +rounding to the wind, which he did, and the action continued; but our +fighting under sail gave us great advantage, and although an occasional +shot would come in, and we had to carry some men into the cockpit, for +one shot we received, we certainly returned ten. The action had +continued about an hour, when, by the continual cannonading, the light +wind was beaten down, and it fell dead calm. This put us again upon a +more equal footing, as the Calliope had not steerage way. + +We were then about a quarter of a mile apart, lying head and stern; but +both ships had fallen off during the calm, so that only the quarter guns +of each could be brought to bear. The major portion of the ship's +company being, therefore, not able to use their guns, were employed in +repairing the damages we had received, which were very considerable, +especially in the sails and rigging. + +I was standing by Bob Cross, who was looking out for cats' paws, as we +call slight breaths of wind, when he said in a low voice:-- + +"Master Keene, I never had an idea that the captain could handle his +ship so well: he really knows what he's about as well as any man in the +service." + +"I thought so, too," replied I. "Whew! there's a nasty shot," cried I, +as one came in and upset half a dozen of the marines, who were hauling +upon the mizzen-topsail sheet, which had just been spliced. + +"Yes, sir, that chap is made of good stuff, depend upon it--all the +Dutchmen are: if they could only keep their hands out of their breeches +pockets, they would be rummer customers than they are now; as it is, +they are not to be played with; and, depend upon it, we're a long way +off having him yet: we must pray for wind to come up and he must pray +for the calm to continue." + +"Where's Mr Keene?" said the captain, who was on the other side of the +deck. + +"Here, sir," said I, running up and touching my hat. + +"Mr Keene, go down quietly and ascertain how many men we have hurt: the +doctor will be able to tell you pretty nearly." + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied I, and I dived down below; just as I did so, a +shot came in and cut away the lower rail of the copper stanchions which +were round the hatchway, about a foot beyond my hat: had I not gone down +so quickly, it would have taken my head off. + +I went down into the gun-room, for the doctor preferred being there to +the cockpit, as there was so much more room to operate, and I gave him +the captain's message. + +He was very busy taking off a poor fellow's leg. It was a horrible +sight and made me sick and faint. As soon us the bone had been sawed +off, he said-- + +"You will find all the wounded I have dressed in the steerage; those +they have brought me down dead are in the cockpit. There have been five +amputations already the master is badly wounded, and Mr Williams the +mate, is killed: those whom I have not been able to attend to yet, are +here in the gun-room. You must ascertain what the captain wishes to +know yourself, Mr Keene. I cannot, leave a leg with the arteries not +taken up, to count heads. Mr Rivers, the tenaculum--ease the +tourniquet, now." + +As I felt what the doctor said to be true, I got a lantern and commenced +my examinations. I found fourteen wounded men waiting the doctor's care +in the gun-room, which was almost a pool of blood. In the steerage +there were nine who had been dressed, and four in their hammocks, who +had undergone amputation of the arm or leg. I then went down into the +cockpit, where I counted eleven of our best men lying dead. Having +obtained the information required, I was proceeding up the cockpit +ladder, when I turned towards the purser's steward's room, and saw Mr +Culpepper, the purser, on his knees before a lantern; he looked very +pale--he turned round and saw me. + +"What's the matter?" cried he. + +"Nothing, sir; only the captain wishes to know how many men are killed +and wounded." + +"Tell him I do not know: surely he does not want me on deck?" + +"He wants to know how many men are hurt, sir," replied I, for I +perceived that he thought that the message was sent to him. + +"Mercy on me! Stop a minute, Mr Keene, and I'll send up word by you." + +"I can't stop, sir," replied I, going up the ladder. + +Mr Culpepper would have called me back, but I preferred leaving him in +his error, as I wished to see which he most dreaded, the captain's +displeasure or the shot of the enemy. + +I returned on deck and made my report. The captain looked very grave, +but made no reply. + +I found that the two frigates were now lying stern to stern, and firing +occasional guns, which raked fore and aft. Except the men who worked +the guns aft, our people were lying down at their quarters, by the order +of the captain. + +"If we only had but a capful of wind," said the captain to the first +lieutenant, "but I see no appearance of it." + +I touched my hat and said, "The moon will rise in about ten minutes, +sir, and she often brings the wind up with her." + +"That's true, Mr Keene, but it's not always the case. I only hope she +will; if not, I fear we shall lose more of our men." + +The firing continued, and our main-mast had received so many shots, that +we were obliged to hold it for its support. While so employed, the moon +rose, and the two vessels had now a good view of each other. I directed +my glass to the horizon under the moon, and was delighted to perceive a +black line, which promised wind; I reported it to the master, and the +promise was kept good, for in a quarter of an hour our sails flapped, +and then gradually filled. + +"She has steerage way, sir," reported Bob Cross. + +"Thank Heaven for that," replied Captain Delmar. "Jump up, men. Brace +round the yards, Mr Hippesley." + +"The enemy's main yard is cut in two in the slings, sir," reported I, +after I had my glass upon her. + +"Then her last hope is gone," replied Mr Hippesley. "Haul over the +starboard jib-sheet forward--let her come to, quartermaster. Larboard +guns, my lads." + +"Now, my men," cried Captain Delmar, "make short work of her." + +This injunction was obeyed. We had now a good sight of the enemy, and +brought our whole broadside to bear upon her stern; and after a quarter +of an hour more firing I perceived that her ensign was no longer on the +staff, where it had been hoisted after the fall of the mizenmast; +neither had she for the last five minutes given us a gun in return. + +"She has struck, sir, I think," said I to Captain Delmar; "her ensign is +down." + +"Pass the word `Cease firing,' Mr Hippesley; but let the guns be all +reloaded in case of accidents. Have we a boat that can swim? Examine +the cutters, Mr Keene." + +I found the cutter on the larboard quarter, with her bottom out: she +could not swim, that was clear. The starboard one was in better +condition. + +"The starboard cutter will float, sir; her gunwale is all torn away, but +there are rollocks enough to pull." + +"Let her be cleared away and lowered down, Mr Hippesley. Send for the +second lieutenant." + +"I believe he's not on deck sir," replied the first lieutenant. + +"Not much hurt, I hope?" + +"A splinter, I was told, sir." + +"Where's Mr Weymss, the third lieutenant? Mr Weymss, jump into the +boat, and take possession of the prize: take as many men as you can; +and, Mr Keene, with Mr Weymss, and as soon as you have gained the +necessary information, come back with the boat and two hands." + +I followed the third lieutenant info the boat, and we pulled on board of +our antagonist. A junior officer received us on the deck, and presented +his sword. His left arm was bound up, and he was very pale from loss of +blood. He spoke pretty good English; and we found that we had captured +the Dort, Dutch frigate, of thirty-eight guns, bound to Curacao, with a +detachment of troops for the garrison, and a considerable quantity of +ammunition and specie on board for the use of the colony. + +We inquired whether the captain was much hurt, as he did not appear on +deck. + +"He is dead, gentlemen," replied the young officer: "he was my father. +Our loss has been very great. I am only a cadet, yet I am commanding +officer." + +A tear rolled down his cheek as he said that the captain was his father, +and I felt for him. Shortly afterwards he staggered to a carronade +slide, and dropped down on it, and very soon was in a state of +insensibility. + +The carnage had been dreadful, and the bulwarks of the vessel had been +shattered to pieces. The scene was almost as had as the Stella's decks +before she was blown up by the negro captain. Several of the guns were +dismounted and two of them had burst. I had only time to go round the +gun-deck, and then I ordered two hands into the boat, that I might make +my report to Captain Delmar. + +I asked the third lieutenant to allow me to take on board the young +officer, who still remained lifeless on the carronade slide, and, as it +was proper for me to bring back with me the commanding officer, he +consented. We lowered him with a rope into the boat, and then I +returned on board of the Calliope, and went up to the captain to make my +report, and present him with the sword of the officer commanding the +prize. + +Just as I was commencing my story, Mr Culpepper came up without his +wig, and in a state of great disorder, with a piece of dirty paper in +his hand. He trembled very much from the effects of his alarm, but made +a very profound bow, and said to Captain Delmar-- + +"Here is the state of killed and wounded, Captain Delmar, as far as I +have been able to collect them. I could not possibly get them +ascertained before, although I have been an hour or two employed--ever +since Mr Keene came down." + +The captain, who did not like the interruption, replied very haughtily, +"Mr Culpepper, it's the duty of the surgeon to send in the report of +killed and wounded. You had better go down below, get your dress in a +little better order. Now, Mr Keene." + +Old Culpepper slunk away as I proceeded to give the information, and the +captain now asked the carpenter if the pinnace was sufficiently +repaired. + +"In a few minutes, sir," was the reply. + +"Mr Hippesley, you must, then, send forty hands on board the prize to +repair her damages, as far as we can. Mr Weymss must remain on board." + +In the meantime the young officer had been taken down below to the +surgeon, who had now some leisure to attend to him. He was soon +restored, and the surgeon expressed his opinion that it would be +possible to save his arm. I went down to see him, and I gave him my +hammock to sleep in for the present, and as soon as he was comfortably +arranged under the half-deck I returned to the quarter-deck, and made +myself as useful as I could, for we had plenty to do on board of our own +frigate, knotting and splicing, having only made temporary repairs. + +It was now dawn of day, and very soon afterwards broad daylight. The +men were ordered aft with the buckets, and the decks, which were smeared +and black with powder and the blood of the wounded, were washed down. +That we were all very tired I hardly need say, but it was not yet time +for repose; the magazines had been secured and the fires lighted. + +Another boat, with the carpenter and assistant-surgeon, had been sent on +board the prize to remedy any serious damage and to assist in dressing +the wounded. I was sent with the boat. Mr Weymss, the third +lieutenant, had not been idle: jury-masts were in preparation, the decks +had been cleared, the dead thrown overboard, and the wounded taken +below. + +On mustering the remainder of the Dort's ship's company, and calling +over the muster-roll of the troops on board, we found that she had lost +the captain, 2 lieutenants and 10 officers, 73 seamen and 61 soldiers, +killed; and the first-lieutenant, 13 officers, and 137 wounded--147 +killed and 151 wounded: total 298. She had received several shot +between wind and water, and had a good deal of water in the hold: this +was, however, soon remedied by the carpenter and his crew, and the +frigate pumped out by the prisoners. + +I returned on board of the Calliope with this intelligence to the +captain, and found that the surgeon had just sent in the report of our +own loss, which was, 1 officer and 17 men killed--master, 2 lieutenants, +2 midshipmen, and 47 wounded. + +"Do you know who are the midshipmen wounded?" said the captain to me. + +"I heard that Mr James was killed, sir, but not the names of those who +are wounded; but I think one of them must be Mr Dott, or we certainly +should have seen him about." + +"I should not be surprised," replied the captain. "Sentry, ask who are +the young gentlemen wounded." + +The sentry replied, "Mr Castles and Mr Dott." + +"Well," replied the captain, "he'll be in no more mischief for some +time; I heard of his trick to the purser." + +As the captain was saying this, I perceived the piece of paper which the +purser had brought up as his report of killed and wounded lying on the +table with the other reports. It had, apparently, not been examined by +the captain, but my eye caught it, and I observed, written in a shaking +hand, "Pieces of beef, 10; ditto pork, 19; raisins, 17; marines, 10." I +could not help smiling. + +"What are you amused with, Mr Keene, may I ask?" said the captain, +rather gravely. + +"I beg your pardon, sir, for venturing so in your presence," replied I; +"but it is Mr Culpepper's report of killed and wounded;" which I then +took up, and handed to the captain. + +This proof of Mr Culpepper's state of mind during the conflict was too +much for even Captain Delmar, who laughed outright. + +"The old fool," muttered he. + +"You may go now, Mr Keene. If breakfast is ready, tell Mr Hippesley +to let the men have it as soon as possible." + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied I, and bowing respectfully, I quitted the +cabin; for I felt that Captain Delmar thought that he had not been quite +so reserved towards me as he always wished to be. + +As soon as I had given the captain's orders, I went down to find out +Tommy Dott. He was in his hammock, next to mine, in which I had put the +young Dutch officer. Dott was wide awake, and, apparently, very +feverish. + +"Where are you hurt, Tommy?" + +"I am sure I don't know," said he. "Get me some water, Keene." + +I got a pannikin of water, and he drank it. + +"Don't you know where you are hurt?" + +"I believe it's my side--somewhere about the body, I know; but I'm so +stiff all over, that I can't tell exactly where. Something hit me, and +I fell right down the hatchway; that's all I know about it until I found +myself in my hammock." + +"Well, at all events, you won't be punished now for dropping the quid +into Mr Culpepper's mouth." + +"No," replied Tommy, with a smile, in spite of his pain; "but I would +have played him a better trick than that if I had had any idea that we +should have been so soon in action. I wish I could turn round, Keene--I +think I should be easier." + +I turned poor Tommy in his hammock, and then left him. I looked at the +son of the Dutch captain--he was slumbering; he was a very slight youth, +with very beautiful, but very feminine features. I felt a kindness +towards him, poor fellow; for he had lost his father, and he was about +to pass his best years in prison. But the boatswain's mates piped to +breakfast, and I hastened down into the berth to get my share of the +cocoa. + +As soon as the men had finished their breakfast, the hands were again +turned up, the lower deck cleared and washed, new sails bent and the +guns properly secured; screens were put up round the half-deck where the +wounded were in their beds. The dead were brought up and sewed up in +their hammocks, laid out on gratings, and covered with the ensign and +union jack, preparatory to their being committed to the deep. Another +party was sent to assist on board of the prize, and the prisoners were +brought on board, and put down in the fore-hold, which had been cleared +for their reception. + +By noon everything was so far ready that we were enabled to take the +prize in tow, and make sail on the Calliope, after which the men, who +were exhausted, went to dinner, and were permitted to sleep during the +remainder of the day until the evening, when the ship's company was +ordered up, and the dead were committed to the deep blue sea with the +usual ceremonies. + +The breeze was steady but the water was smooth during the night, and +glad I was to throw myself on one of the lockers in the midshipmen's +berth, after so many hours of excitement. I slept till four in the +morning, and finding the planks not quite so soft as they might be, I +then turned into the hammock of the midshipman of the morning watch, and +remained till six hells, when Bob Cross came down and told me that the +captain would soon be on deck. + +"Well, Cross," said I, as I came on deck and went aft to look at the +prize in tow, "this is a nice business, and our captain will gain a +great deal of credit." + +"And he deserves it, Master Keene," replied Cross: "as I said before, I +never had an idea that he could handle his ship so well--no, nor none of +the ship's company. We all thought Mr Hippesley the best officer of +the two, but we have found out our mistake. The fact is, Mr Keene, +Captain Delmar wraps himself an in his dignity like a cloak, and there's +no making him out, till circumstances oblige him to take it off." + +"That's very true, Bob," replied I: "it is only this very morning that +he laughed himself, and I laughed also, and he pulled up immediately +afterwards, twice as stiff to me as before." + +I then told Bob of Mr Culpepper's report, which amused him very much. + +"I am sure that he is pleased with you, Mr Keene, and I must say that +you were very useful and very active." + +"Do you know that the carpenter says that we have received injuries that +cannot be well repaired without the ship going into dock, and I should +not be surprised if we were to be sent home, if the survey confirms his +report. I hope we shall; I am tired of the West Indies, and I should +like to see my mother; we have a nice breeze now, and we are two points +free. If it lasts, we shall be at Jamaica in a fortnight or less." + +The captain coming on deck put an end to our conversation. + +Before night the prize had got up jury-masts, and sail set upon them, +and we went through the water more rapidly. In ten days we arrived at +Port Royal with our prize. The captain went on shore, and what was +still more agreeable, we got rid of all our prisoners and wounded men. +A survey, in consequence of the carpenter's report was held upon the +Calliope, and the result was, she was ordered home to be repaired. The +Dort was commissioned by the admiral, and Mr Hippesley received an +acting order to the sloop of war, which had become vacant by the +commander of her being promoted into the Dort, which was now christened +the Curacao. + +In ten days after our arrival we were ready, and made sail for Old +England. Tommy Dott and the second lieutenant remained on board, and +were both convalescent before we entered the Channel. Tommy Dott's +wound, by the bye, was a splinter in the back, added to severe bruises +from tumbling down the hatchway. + +Captain Delmar had shown great kindness to the son of the Dutch captain +and he did not send him on shore with the rest of the prisoners, but +permitted him to remain, and come home in the Calliope. He recovered +slowly, but was soon out of danger, and was walking about with his arm +in a sling long before we arrived in England. It appeared to me that, +during the passage home, old Culpepper was not so much in the good +graces of Captain Delmar as he used to be; he was, however, more +obsequious than ever. We had a fine run home, and in seven weeks from +our leaving Port Royal, we dropped our anchor at Spithead. + +I may have been wrung, but it certainly did appear to me that as we +neared the coast of England, the behaviour of Captain Delmar was more +reserved to me (I may say it was harsher) than ever it had been before. +Hurt at treatment which I felt I did not deserve, I tried to analyse the +cause as I walked up and down the deck, and at last I decided that his +pride was again alarmed. On the one hand he was returning to his own +country, to meet with his aristocratical connections, and on the other +he was reminded of my mother, and his _mesalliance_ with her--if such a +term can be used to a woman who had sacrificed herself to one above her +in rank. At all events, I was the result of that connection, and I +presumed that he was ashamed of it, and consequently kept me at a +distance, and checked his feelings towards me. Perhaps he thought that +my mother might be induced to disclose to me that which I had under his +own hand-writing, and wore next my heart; or he might consider I was no +longer a boy, but a tall young man, and one who might be induced to +claim his protection. Such were my reflections, and my resolutions were +taken accordingly--I wanted no Bob Cross to counsel me now. + +When the captain left the ship, I made no request, as did the other +midshipmen, for leave to see my friends; nor even when he returned on +board, which he did several times after the ship had gone into harbour, +and was stripping, preparatory to being docked. One thing, however, +gave me great satisfaction, which was, that when the despatch which we +brought home was published, I found my name honourably mentioned in +conjunction with other officers, and but three midshipmen were named. + +When the Calliope went into dock the report of the dockyard was very +unfavourable. She required a thorough repair which would take some +months. She was therefore ordered to be paid off. In the mean time the +captain had gone to London. During his sojourn at Portsmouth I had +never spoken to him, except on duty, and he had left me without a word +of explanation as to his intentions towards me. As soon, however, as +the order came down for paying off the ship, I received a letter from +him, very cold and stiff, stating that I might, if I pleased, join any +other ship, and he would recommend me to the captain; or I might remain +on the books of the guard-ship, and wait until he commissioned another +vessel, when he would be happy to take me with him. + +My reply was immediate. I thanked him for his kindness, and hoped I +might remain on board the guard-ship until he took the command of +another vessel, as I did not wish to sail with any other captain. I had +been brought forward by him in the service, and preferred waiting for +months rather than lose his kind protection. + +The only reply to my letter was an order from the Admiralty, for me to +be discharged into the guard-ship when the Calliope was paid off. + +I hardly need say that I had written and received letters from my +mother, who was delighted at my name being mentioned in the despatches; +but I will defer family news till the proper opportunity, as I must +first tell all that occurred in the Calliope before she was paid off. + +The reader will recollect that the son of the Dutch captain, whose name +was Vangilt, had been permitted to come home in the ship, instead of +being sent to prison. He and I were very intimate and when I discovered +that he was the cousin of Minnie Vanderwelt, I became more partial to +him. He was very melancholy during the passage home; how, indeed, could +he be otherwise, with the prospect of being a prisoner during the +remainder of the war? and he often expressed his feelings on the +subject. + +"Could you not escape?" said I, one evening. + +"I fear not," replied he. "If once out of prison, I have no doubt but +that I could get a conveyance over the Channel by means of the +smugglers; indeed, I have connections in England who would assist me." + +When Captain Delmar went away to town, he had quite forgotten the poor +fellow, and Mr Weymss, who was the commanding officer, did not make any +special report of him as he thought he might defer it till the last +moment, as every day out of prison would be so much gained by young +Vangilt, who was a general favourite. + +In this instance, my regard for the young man made me quite forget my +duty as an officer, and the Articles of War. I knew that I was about to +do wrong; but I considered that, with so many thousand prisoners which +we had in England, one more or less could be of no consequence, and I +set to work to see if I could not effect his escape. + +After much cogitation, I found I could do nothing without Bob Cross and +I consulted with him. Bob shook his head, and said it was, he believed, +hanging matter; but, after all, it was a pity that such a nice lad +should be peeping between iron bars. "Besides," continued he, "he lost +his father in the action, and he ought not to lose his liberty also. +Well, Mr Keene, show me how I can help you." + +"Why, Bob there's a very pretty little girl, who very often comes +alongside with the old woman, and you go down into the boat and talk +with her." + +"Yes, sir," replied Bob, "that's the little girl I told you of, that +used to repeat her fables on my knee. The fact is, I hope to splice her +some of these days. It's her mother who is with her, and she will not +let her come on board to mix with the other women, because she is good +and modest; too good for me, I'm afraid, in one sense of the word." + +"How do you mean Bob?" + +"Why, sir, when I first knew her, she and her mother were living upon +what they could earn, for the father was killed in action many years +ago, and I used to help them as far as I could; but now I find that, +although they are not changed, things are, most confoundedly. Her uncle +lost his wife; he is considered a rich man, and being stone blind, and +having no one to take care of him after his wife's death, he sent for +this girl and her mother to keep his house and he is very fond of the +girl, and declares that he will leave her all his money, and that she +shall marry well. Now, sir, if she was to marry me, a petty officer +only, it would not be considered that she married well; so you see, sir, +there's a hitch." + +"Who and what was he?" + +"He was a smuggler, sir, and a very successful one; he has six or seven +houses, all his own property besides the one he lives in himself. He +lives about a quarter of a mile out of Gosport. I know all about him, +although I have never seen him. Soon after he left off smuggling, he +lost his eyesight, and, somehow or another, he considered it was a +judgment upon him--at least his wife, who had joined the Ranters, +persuaded him so--and so he took a religious turn, and now he does +nothing but pray, and call himself a poor blind sinner." + +"Well, Bob, but I do not see why you should give up the girl." + +"No, sir; nor will she or her mother give me up. I could marry her +to-morrow without his consent, but I do not like to do her that injury." + +"He is stone-blind, you say?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"We'll talk your affair over another time. What I want at present is, +to help this poor young Vangilt to escape. He says, that if once clear, +the smugglers would put him on the other side of the water. Now, it +appears to me that it would be very easy for him to get out of the ship +unperceived, if he were dressed in woman's clothes, so many women are +going and coming all day long." + +"Very true, sir, especially on pay-day, when nobody keeps any look-out +at all. I see now, you want some of Mary's clothes for him; they would +fit very well." + +"Exactly; and I think that, as her uncle had been a smuggler, we might +go and consult him as to his escape over the water. Vangilt will pay +100 pounds with pleasure--he told me so. That will be an introduction +for you as well as for me to the old fellow." + +"I think we had better let the old fellow suppose it's a woman--don't +you, sir? But what shall we call ourselves?" + +"Why, I will be a sort of agent for ships, an you shall be a captain." + +"A captain! Mr Keene." + +"Yes; a captain, who has had a ship, and expects another. Why, you were +a captain of the fore-top before you were rated coxswain." + +"Well, sir, I must consult Mary and her mother, and then I'll let you +know: they will come this afternoon. Perhaps in helping Mr Vangilt, I +may help myself." + +That night Bob Cross told me that Mary and her mother were quite willing +to assist, and that they thought it would be a very good introduction to +old Waghorn: that we must expect some religious scruples at first, but +we must persevere, and they had no doubt that the old man would contrive +to get the young man over to Cherbourg, or some other place on the other +side; that we had better call on him in the evening, and they would be +out of the way. + +As soon as the work was over for the day, Bob Cross and I obtained +leave, and set off for Mr Waghorn's house. We were met by Mary and her +mother, who pointed it out to us, and then continued their walk. We +went to the door, and found the old man smoking his pipe. + +"Who's there?" cried he, as we lifted the latch of the gate. + +"Friends, sir," replied Cross; "two persons who come to talk on +business." + +"Business! I've no business--I've done with business long ago: I think +of nothing but my perishing soul--poor blind worm that I am." + +He was a very fine-looking old man, although weather-beaten, and his +silver locks hung down on his collar; his beard was not shaved, but +clipped with scissors: his want of sight gave him a mournful look. + +"Nevertheless, sir, I must introduce myself and my friend, the captain," +replied I, "for we want your assistance." + +"My assistance! poor blind beetle--how can I assist you?" + +"The fact is, sir, that a young woman is very anxious to return to her +friends, on the other side of the water; and knowing that you have +acquaintance with those who run to and fro, we thought you might help +the poor young woman to a passage." + +"That's to say, you've heard that I was a smuggler. People do say so; +but, gentlemen, I now pay customs and excise--my tea has paid duty, and +so has my tobacco; so does everything--the king has his own. The Bible +says, `Render under Caesar the things which are Caesar's.' Gentlemen, I +stand by the Bible. I am a poor, sinful old wretch--God forgive me." + +"We ask nothing against the Bible, Mr Waghorn; it's our duty to assist +those who are in distress; it's only a poor young woman." + +"A poor young woman. If she's poor, people don't do such work for +nothing; besides, it's wrong, gentlemen--I've given up all that,--I've a +precious soul to look after, and I can't divert my attention from it. I +wish you good-bye, gentlemen." + +At this moment Mary and her mother returned, and we rose up. "Mrs +James, is that you and Mary? Here's a captain and his friend come to +me; but it's a fool's errand, and so I've told them." + +I then stated to Mrs James what we had come for, and begged that she +would persuade Mr Waghorn. + +"Well, Mr Waghorn, why won't you?--it's a good action, and will have +its reward in heaven." + +"Yes; but she's a poor young woman, and can't pay her passage, so it's +no use." + +"On the contrary," replied I, "the captain here will become security, +that 100 pounds shall be paid down as soon as she arrives in any part of +France or Holland." + +"Will he? But who's the captain?" + +"I haven't a ship just now, but I expect one soon," replied Bob; "the +money shall be paid at once, if you will only receive the young woman +until she can be sent off." + +"Well let me see--there's James Martin; no he won't do. There's Will +Simpson; yes, that's the man. Well, it's a good act; and, captain, when +will you bring the money?" + +Now the ship was to be paid off on Wednesday and as we had each three +years' pay due, there was no difficulty about that; so I replied, "On +Wednesday, the captain will give the money to this lady, or whoever +comes with us to receive the young woman; will you not, Captain Cross?" + +"Oh! certainly; the money is ready at an hour's notice," replied Bob. +"I'm sure that she'll pay me back, if she can; and if she can't, it's of +no consequence." + +"Well, well, it's a bargain," replied the old man. "I'm a poor blind +beetle, a sinful old soul; I've nothing to do but to make my peace with +Heaven. It's charity--`Charity covereth a multitude of sins,' saith St. +Paul. Recollect 100 pounds--that's the bargain. I'll send Mrs James +to you; you must not call again till she's on the other side of the +water." + +"Many thanks, sir," replied Bob. "I won't call till I hear she is safe, +and then I'll bring you some tobacco to smoke, such as you don't often +pick up nowadays." + +"Happy to see you, Captain Cross, and your friend there," replied the +old man. + +We then took our leave. Mrs James, after we were gone, praised the +appearance of Captain Cross, as such a nice-looking man, and old Waghorn +evidently thought well of him by the answer he made. Mary, however, +pretended to prefer me. + +As soon as I returned on board, I told young Vangilt what I had been +about. He wrung my hand, and the tears started in his eyes. "You, as +an officer, are indeed risking much for me. As to the money, you know +me, I trust, too well, not to be sure of receiving it as soon as I can +send it; but I never can repay your kindness." + +"Perhaps you may be able to help me one of these days," I replied. "Who +knows? It's fortune of war, my good fellow; but it's as well not to be +seen too much together." So saying, I left him. + +The next day, Mrs James came off with the necessary garments and bonnet +for his escape, and they were given me by Bob Cross. The day after was +pay-day; and the ship was in such a state of confusion, and there were +so many people on board, that there was no difficulty whatever. Vangilt +changed his clothes in the midshipmen's berth, which was empty, and Bob +Cross handed him down the side into the boat, where Mrs James waited to +receive him. Bob and I had both been paid, and we gave her the 100 +pounds for old Waghorn. The boat shoved off; Vangilt arrived safe at +Waghorn's house, where he was kept concealed for eight days, when, for +the sum of 20 pounds, he was safely landed on the French coast, old +Waghorn having pocketed 80 pounds by the transaction which, considering +he acted out of pure charity, was a pretty good reward. + +Having thus successfully managed, by being guilty of high treason, in +aiding and abetting the enemy, I bade farewell to Bob Cross, leaving him +to follow up his amour, while I went to Chatham to pay my respects to my +mother. I had made up my mind how to act. I was no longer a child, but +a man in reflection as well as appearance. + +I arrived, and hastened to the house from which I had escaped so +mysteriously the last time I was in it. My mother threw herself in my +arms, embracing me, and then looking at me with surprise and pleasure. +Three years and a half had changed me; she hardly knew me, for her +association of ideas had still pictured me as the smart stripling whom +she had, with so much anguish, consigned into the hands of Bob Cross. +She was proud of me--my adventures, my dangers, my conduct, and my +honourable mention in the Gazette, were all known to her, and she had +been evidently congratulated by many upon my successful career. My +grandmother, who had grown much older in appearance, seemed to be +softened towards me, and I had sense enough to receive her advances with +great apparent cordiality. My aunt and the captain were delighted to +see me, and I found that my two cousins, of whose appearance I had been +duly apprised, were very pretty children. I found that my mother had +two assistants in her business and everything appeared to be on a +grander scale, and more flourishing than ever. + +The first two or three days were devoted to narratives, communications, +explanations, and admirations, as is usually the case after so long an +absence; after which we quietly settled down in the relative positions +of mother and son, and she assumed, or rather would have assumed, her +control over me; but this was not my wish; I had made up my mind that, +although a clever woman, I must in future control her, and I took the +first opportunity of a long _tete-a-tete_ to let her know that such was +my intention. + +Speaking of Captain Delmar, I at once told her that I knew he was my +father, and that I had his own handwriting to prove it. She denied it +at first; but I told her that all denial was useless, that I had +possession of the letter he had written to her upon my supposed death, +and that it was no ghost, but I, who had frightened my grandmother. + +This was my first blow, and a heavy one, to my poor mother; for what +woman can bear to be humiliated by her offspring being acquainted with +her indiscretion? I loved my mother, and would fain have spared her +this pang, had it not been that all my future plans were based upon this +one point, and it was necessary she should aid and abet me in them. + +My poor mother was bowed to the earth when she found that it was in vain +to deny my parentage; she covered her face with her hands in deep shame +before her child, but I consoled, and caressed, and told her (what I +really felt), that I was indebted to her for not being the son of a +private marine; that, at all events, I had noble blood in my veins, and +would prove myself worthy of my descent, whether it were acknowledged or +not; but from that hour I took the command over her--from that hour it +was I that dictated, and her authority as a parent was gone for ever. +Let it not be imagined that I treated her harshly; on the contrary, I +was more kind, and, before other people, more dutiful than ever I was +before. She was my only confidant, and to her only did I explain the +reasons of my actions: she was my adviser, but her advice was not that +of a parent, but that of an humble, devoted, and attached friend; and +during the remainder of her days this position was never altered. + +As soon as my mother had acknowledged the fact there was no longer any +reservation on my part. I told her what was the conduct of Captain +Delmar towards me. I pointed out his checking any display of paternal +feelings towards me, and also the certainty that I had that he was +partial to and proud of me. I explained to her the line of conduct +which I had pursued, and was determined still to pursue, towards him. + +"Percival," said my mother, "I see the judiciousness of what you say and +of your behaviour towards him; but allow me to ask you: What is the +object you are aiming at--I mean particularly aiming at? Of course you +hope to obtain advancement from his interest, and perhaps, if he becomes +more attached to you, he may not forget you when he dies; but it appears +to me that you have something nearer to your heart than all this--tell +me, am I right?" + +"You are, my dear mother; my great end is, that Captain Delmar should +acknowledge me as his son." + +"I fear that he will never do that, Percival; nor, indeed, do I think +you would gain by it. When you are more advanced in the world, your +parentage may be considered as obscure, but still, being born in +wedlock, it will be more respectable than the acknowledgment you would +seek from Captain Delmar. You are not aware of the affronts you may +meet with by obtaining what you evidently wish; and once known as the +son of Captain Delmar, you may wish that it was never promulgated." + +"I was born in wedlock, mother, as you say, and as many others are, who +now are peers of the realm, and in virtue of their being born in +wedlock, succeed to property to which they would otherwise not be +entitled. Your shame (excuse me for using the word) and my disgrace are +equally covered by that wedlock, which is an answer to any accusations +of illegitimacy. As to affronts, I do not fear them, or ever shall, +from those who know me. I can defend and protect myself; but it is a +great difference to me to let the world suppose that I am the son of Ben +the marine, when I know myself to be the son of the future Lord de +Versely. I wish to be acknowledged by Captain Delmar in such a way as +to convince the world that such is the fact, without the world being +able to throw it up in my face. That is easily done if Captain Delmar +chooses to do it; and if done as it ought to be done, will lead to my +benefit. At all events, it will satisfy my pride; for I feel that I am +not the son of your husband, but have blood boiling in my veins which +would satisfy the proudest aristocrat. I prefer the half relation to +that class, such as it is, with all its penalties to being supposed to +be the son of the man whom, from prudential motives alone, you took to +be your husband." + +"Well, Percival, I cannot blame you; and do not you, therefore, blame +your mother too much, when you consider that the same feeling was the +cause of her becoming your mother." + +"Far from it my dear mother," replied I; "only let us now act in +concert. I require your assistance. Allow me to ask you one question-- +Have you not realised a sufficient sum of money to enable you to retire +from our business?" + +"I certainly have, my dear Percival, much more than is necessary for me +to live in comfort, and I may say, some little luxury; but I have +thought of you, and for your sake, every year, have continued to add to +my profits." + +"Then, my dear mother, for my sake give up your business as soon as +possible; money is not my object." + +"Tell me what your reasons are for this demand." + +"My dear mother, I will be candid with you. I wish you to retire from +business, and leave this place for any distant part of England; I wish +you to change your name, and, in one word, I wish Captain Delmar should +believe that you are dead." + +"An why so, Percival? I cannot see how that will benefit you; it was on +my account that he took charge of you. You are not sure that he may not +be severed from you, and who knows but that my supposed death may +occasion him to desert you altogether?" + +"You assist my cause, my dear mother, by what you say, if it is on your +account that Captain Delmar is my friend; and if as you say, he might +desert me when you are dead, or supposed to be so, it is evident that +his motive of action must be fear. You have the secret of my birth, +which he supposes to be known only to you and to him. I am convinced +that if you were supposed dead, and that the secret was his own, if he +thought that there was no proof whatever against him, he would then not +care showing towards me that regard which he is inclined to feel as a +father, and which is now checked by his pride. Captain Delmar is +naturally of a kind and affectionate disposition--that I am sure of. +Your memory would do more for me than your existence ever can, and as +for the rest, leave that to me. At all events, if he should, as I do +not believe he will, be inclined to throw me off, I have still his +written acknowledgment that I am his son, to make use of in case of +necessity. Now, my dear mother, you must consent to do as I wish. Give +up your business as soon as possible, and retire to another part of the +country. When I consider it a proper time to do so, your death shall be +made known to him. I have no doubt that he will be afloat again in a +few months, and when we are out of England I will bide the proper time." + +"But your grandmother, Percival--must I tell her?" + +"No; tell her only that you intend to retire from business and go away +from Chatham; say that you will in future reside in Devonshire, and ask +her to accompany you. Depend upon it she will be pleased with your +intentions. As to what we arrange relative to Captain Delmar, say +nothing to her--she hates his very name, and is not likely to talk about +him." + +"Well, Percival you will allow me till to-morrow to think about it +before I give a decided answer." + +"Certainly, my dear mother; I wish you so to do, as I am convinced that +you will agree with me; and I infinitely prefer that you should decide +on conviction, than be induced by maternal regard." + +As I was well assured, my mother's decision was favourable to my wishes. +She consulted with my grandmother, who approved of her intentions, and +then it was made public that Mrs Keene intended to retire from +business, and that the good-will was to be disposed of along with the +stock. My aunt Milly and Captain Bridgeman appeared well content that +my mother should take the step which she proposed. In short, all the +family approved of the measure, which is not a very usual circumstance +in this world. I now employed myself in assisting my mother in her +affairs. In a month we found a purchaser of the stock and good-will, +and when the sum paid was added to my mother's former accumulations, she +found herself possessed of 12,000 pounds in the Three per Cents, the +interest of which, 360 pounds, was more than sufficient for her living +comfortably in Devonshire, especially as my grandmother had still +remaining an income very nearly amounting to 200 pounds per annum. + +In another month everything was arranged, and my mother bade farewell to +her sister and all her friends, and left Chatham, after having resided +there more than seventeen years. + +Long before my mother had removed from Chatham I received a letter from +young Vangilt, announcing his safe arrival in Amsterdam, and enclosing +an order to receive the money advanced, from a house in London. His +letter was very grateful, but, as I had cautioned him, not one word was +in it which could implicate me, had it fallen into other hands. + +I may as well here observe, that in the hurry of paying off the ship, +Vangilt was never missed, and although it did occur to the commanding +officer after he had gone on shore that Mr Vangilt had not been sent to +prison, he thought it just as well not to raise a question which might +get himself into a scrape; in short, nothing was thought or said about +it by anybody. + +A few days before my mother quitted Chatham I went up to London to +receive the money, and then went to Portsmouth to repay the portion +belonging to Bob Cross. I found that Bob had made good use of his time, +and that the old smuggler now received him as a suitor to his niece. + +As however, Mary was still very young--not yet seventeen--and Bob had +acknowledged that he had not laid by much money as yet, the old man had +insisted that Bob Cross should get another ship, and try a voyage or two +more before he was spliced; and to this arrangement both the mother and +Mary persuaded him to consent. I went to call upon them with Bob, and +did all I could, without stating what was not true, to give the old man +a favourable opinion of Cross. I even went so far as to say that if he +could not procure another vessel, I was ready to put down a sum of money +to assist him; and so I was; and had it been requisite, I have no doubt +but that my mother would have advanced it; but Bob, a fine seaman, not +yet thirty years old, was always sure of a ship--that is, a man-of-war. +To save himself from impressment, Cross had dressed himself in long +toggery as a captain of a merchant vessel, and was believed to be such. + +Having satisfied myself that everything went on favourably in that +quarter, I again returned to Chatham, that I might escort my mother and +grandmother into Devonshire. We bade farewell to my aunt and Captain +Bridgeman, and set off for London, where we remained a few days at an +hotel, and then took the day coach down to Ilfracombe, where my mother +had decided upon taking up her future residence, changing her name to +Ogilvie, which had been my grandmother's maiden name. + +Ilfracombe was then a beautiful retired spot, and well suited to my +mother from its cheapness: with their joint incomes, my grandmother and +she could command anything they wished. We soon hired a very pretty +little cottage _ornee_, ready furnished, as my mother would not furnish +a house until she had ascertained whether there were no drawbacks to the +locality. I ought to observe, that my grandmother now appeared quite as +partial to me as she had before been otherwise. I treated her with +great respect. + +Although it was not difficult to obtain a renewal of leave from a +guard-ship, after I had remained six weeks with my mother, it was +necessary that I should make my appearance at Portsmouth. It was +arranged that I should take my departure for Portsmouth in three days, +when, on reading the Plymouth newspaper, I learnt that the +newly-launched frigate Manilla, of 44 guns, was put in commission, and +that the Honourable Captain Delmar had come down and hoisted his +pennant. This, of course, changed my plans. I resolved to set off for +Plymouth, and wait upon Captain Delmar. I wrote to Bob Cross, enclosing +an order for my chest and bedding on board of the guard-ship at +Portsmouth, acquainting him with my intention, but requesting him not to +act until he heard from me again. + +I had a long conversation with my mother, from whom I obtained a renewal +of her promise to abide and act by my instructions. I took a respectful +farewell of my grandmother, who gave me 100 pounds, which I did not +want, as my mother had given me a similar sum, and then set off for +Plymouth. + +The reader may perhaps inquire how it was that Captain Delmar--as he had +promised to pay my expenses--had not made any offer of the kind, or +communicated with me on the subject? But the fact was, that he knew I +had three years' pay due, besides the prize-money for the Dutch frigate, +which, however, I had not yet received, although it was payable. In +pecuniary matters I was certainly well off, as my mother desired that I +would draw for any money that I required, feeling convinced that, being +aware of her circumstances, I should not distress her by any +extravagancies in that she did me justice. + +I was now eighteen years old, and just starting again on my career. As +I grew up, my likeness to Captain Delmar became more remarkable every +day. My mother could not help observing it even to me. "I almost wish +that it was not so, my dear mother. I fear it will be the cause of +annoyance to Captain Delmar; but it cannot be helped. At all events, it +must satisfy him, allowing that he has any doubt (which I am sure he has +not), that I am his own child." + +"That I believe to be quite unnecessary," replied my mother with a deep +sigh. + +"I should think so too, my dear mother," replied I, caressing her +kindly. "At all events, I will prove, whether I ever obtain it or not, +that I am not unworthy of the name of Delmar: but I must wait no +longer--the coach is about to start. Adieu, and may God bless you." + +On my arrival at Plymouth--or Plymouth Dock, as Devonport was then +called--I inquired at which hotel Captain Delmar had taken up his +quarters. It was the one to which I had intended to have gone myself; +but I immediately had my luggage taken to another, for I really believe +that Delmar would have considered it a great liberty for any one of his +officers to presume, to lie down in the same caravanserai as himself. +The next morning I sent up my name and was admitted. + +"Good morning, Mr Keene," said the captain. "I presume that you have +come down to request to join my ship, and I therefore consent before you +make the request. I trust you will always show the same zeal and +deference to your officers that you did in the Calliope. You have grown +very much, and are now a young man. I shall give you the rating of +mate, and I trust you will not do discredit to my patronage." + +"I trust not, Captain Delmar," replied I. "I have but one wish in the +world, which is to please you, who have so befriended me from my +boyhood. I should be very ungrateful if I did not do my duty with zeal +and fidelity; I am indebted to you for everything, and I am aware I must +look to you for every future prospect. I have to thank you, sir, for +your great kindness in publishing my name in the public Gazette." + +"You deserved it, Mr Keene, and it certainly will be of great advantage +to you when you have served your time. Has your time gone on since the +Calliope was paid off?" + +"Yes, sir; I am still on the books of the Salvadore?" + +"How much time have you served?" + +"Nearly four years and a half, sir." + +"Well, the rest will soon be over; and if you do your duty, my patronage +shall not be wanting." + +Here there was a bow on my part, and a pause, and I was backing out with +another bow, when the captain said, "How is your mother, Mr Keene?" + +"She has been advised to retire from business, and to settle in the +country," replied I, mournfully; "her health is such, that--" Here I +stopped, as I preferred deceiving him by implication, or rather allowing +him to deceive himself. + +"I am sorry to hear that," replied he; "but she never was strong as a +young woman." Here the captain stopped, as if he had said too much. + +"No, sir," replied I; "when in the service of Mrs Delmar she could not +be put to anything that required fatigue." + +"Very true," replied the captain. "You may go on board, Mr Keene, and +desire my clerk to make out a letter, requesting your discharge from the +Salvadore into the Manilla. Do you require anything?" + +"No, sir, I thank you. I need not trespass on your generosity just now. +Good morning, sir." + +"Good morning, Mr Keene." + +"I beg your pardon Captain Delmar," said I, as I held the door ajar; +"but should you like Robert Cross, your former coxswain, should join you +in the same capacity? I know where he is." + +"Yes, Mr Keene, I should like to have him: he was a steady, good man. +You will oblige me by writing to him, and requesting him to join +immediately. Where is he?" + +"At Portsmouth, Captain Delmar." + +"Very well; tell him to come round as fast as he can. By the bye, you +will have two of your old messmates--Mr Smith, the master, and Mr +Dott. I hope the latter is a little more steady than he was. I was in +hopes to have had your old acquaintance, Mr Culpepper, with us; but he +died about six weeks back--a fit, or something of that kind." + +"Thank heaven for that," thought I. Again I made my most respectful +bow, and quitted the room. + +I returned to my own hotel, and sitting down, I began to reflect upon +the interview. I recalled all that had passed, and I made up my mind +that I was right in preparing him for the report of my mother's death: +his reception of me was all that I could have expected from him--it was +cordial; but my blood boiled when I called to mind that he had only made +a casual inquiry after my mother, as I was leaving the room; and then +his checking himself because he had inadvertently said that she was not +strong when she was a young woman. "Yes," thought I; "he cannot bear +the remembrance of the connection; and it is only for myself, and not +from any natural affection of a parent, that he cares for me; or if he +does care for me as his son, it is because I have his blood in my veins; +and he despises and looks down upon the mother. I am sure that he will +be anything but sorry to hear that my mother is dead, and he shall be +gratified. I will now write to her." + +I could not help observing that there was some change in the appearance +of Captain Delmar. Strange to say, he looked more youthful; and as I +compared our two faces in the mirror on the mantel-piece behind him, +when I stood up, he appeared more like me in appearance than ever. What +was it? "Oh!" thought I, "I have it. His hair is no longer mixed with +grey: he must wear a wig." This was the fact, as I afterwards +ascertained; the colour of his wig was, however, much darker than my own +hair. + +By the same post I wrote to Bob Cross, acquainting him with what had +passed, and begging him to come round by the first water conveyance, and +bring my chest and bedding with him. I then walked down to the dockyard +to have a look at the Manilla, which was, as I had heard, a splendid +vessel; went up again to order a mate's uniform, and returned to the +hotel. It was useless going to the ship at that time, as the marines +and boys had only been drafted into her that morning; and there was +nothing to do until she was clear of the shipwrights, who were still on +board of her, and employed in every part of her. The first lieutenant +had not yet come down. The master was the only officer who had joined, +and he had hoisted the pennant. I was delighted to find that he was to +sail with us; and we passed that evening together. + +During the evening the master said, "I hear there are plenty of good men +stowed away by the crimps at different places. I wish we could only +find out where they are, and get hold of them. I fear, if we do not, we +shall either be badly manned in haste from the Tower tender, or have to +wait a long while before we sail. Now, Keene, don't you think you could +manage so as to get us some men?" + +"I've got one already," replied I: "Bob Cross, the captain's coxswain." + +"And a real good one too," replied the master; "the best helmsman we had +in the Calliope. You and he were very thick together." + +"Yes," replied I: "when I came on board, a mere lad, he was very kind to +me, and I am very partial to him in consequence." + +That night after the master and I had parted, I thought over the +question he had put to me, as to obtaining good seamen for the ship, and +I made up my mind that I would wait till Cross arrived, and consult with +him as to a project which I had in my head. In the mean time I went to +a slop-shop by the dockyard wall, and provided myself with a common +sailor's toggery, of the real cut, with a banyan covered hat, and all +complete. Three days afterwards Cross joined me, having found a passage +round in a cutter; and as soon as I had talked over his affairs, I +proposed my plan to him, in which he heartily coincided. + +That I did this to please the captain is certain: I had no other view. +It was necessary, however, that I obtained the captain's permission, and +I went to him and explained my ideas. The captain was too willing to +let me try it, and thanked me for my zeal. + +"Go on board, Mr Keene, and tell them I have given you six weeks' leave +of absence, and then you can do as you propose." + +I did so, for it was absolutely necessary that as few as possible should +be acquainted with what I was about, as I ran a great risk. I have no +hesitation in saying that I should have been made away with by the +crimps, had they discovered me. + +I dressed myself as a common seaman, darkened my face, and dirtied +myself a little, especially on the hands, and Bob Cross and I then went +at night into one of the low public houses, with which the town is +filled; there we pretended to be much alarmed lest we should be pressed, +and asked for a back-room to smoke and drink in. We called in the +landlord, telling him we were second mates of vessels, and not secure +from the impress; that we never were at Plymouth before, our ships +having put in damaged, and that the crew were discharged; and asked if +there was no safe place where we could be stowed until we could find +another vessel ready to start. + +He replied, that there was a house at Stonehouse where we could be quite +safe; but that, of course, we must pay the crimps well for our board and +lodging and that they would find us a ship when we wished to go; and +further, that we must give him something handsome for taking us there. +To this we agreed, and at midnight we set off in company with our +landlord, each of us carrying our bundles, and in less than an hour +arrived at a sort of farm-house detached from the road. + +After a short parley we obtained entrance, and were taken into a small +room where the crimp inquired of us what money we had, and then told us +what his charges were. The reason of his doing this was, because if we +had no money, or very little, he would have disposed of us very soon by +sending us on board of some ship, and obtaining an advance of our wages +from the captain as his indemnification; but if we had plenty of money, +he would then keep us as long as he could that he might make his profit +of us; his charges were monstrous, as may be supposed, and we had +replied that we had very little money. We contrived to look as careless +and indifferent as we could, agreed to everything, paid the landlord of +the pothouse a guinea each for taking us to the house, and were then +ushered into a large room, where we found about twenty seamen sitting at +a long table, drinking, and playing cards and dominoes. + +They did not appear to notice us, they were so busy either playing or +looking on. Cross called for a pot of ale, and we sat down at the +farther end of the table. + +"What a dislike the men must have to the press," said Cross to me, "when +they submit to be mured up here in prison." + +"Yes, and cheated by such a scoundrel as the crimp appears to be." + +"Don't talk so loud, Jack," replied Cross; for I had insisted upon his +calling me Jack, "lest we should be overheard." + +We then asked to go to bed, and were shown by the crimp into a room +which had about fourteen beds in it. + +"You may take your choice of those five," said he, pointing to five +nearest the door: "I always come up and take away the candle." + +As we found some of the other beds occupied, we did not resume our +conversation, but went to sleep. + +The next morning we found that we mustered about thirty-five, many of +the more steady men having gone to bed before we arrived. After +breakfast, Cross and I each entered into conversation with a man, and +pumped them very cleverly. Our chief object was, to ascertain the +houses of the other crimps, and, as the men knew most of them, having +invariably resorted to them at the end of their voyages, we obtained the +locality of five or six, all apparently public-houses, but having back +premises for the concealment of seamen: all these were carefully noted +down. + +As we became more intimate, the seamen, who were glad to talk, from +weariness of confinement, asked us many questions. We said that we had +deserted from a man-of-war, and then a hundred questions were asked us +as to our treatment. I allowed Bob Cross to be spokesman, and his +replies were very sensible. He told them that all depended upon what +sort of captains and first lieutenants were on board; that he had been +pressed twice: the first time he was comfortable enough, and made 200 +pounds prize-money in eight months; but in the last man-of-war he was +very uncomfortable, and had therefore cut and run. Altogether, he made +the service appear much more favourable than they supposed, although the +crimp, who had stood by, did all he could to persuade the men to the +contrary. + +We remained in this house for more than a week, and then declared that +we had no more money, and must find a ship. The crimp said that he had +a berth for one of us as second mate of a brig, and I agreed to take it, +leaving Bob Cross to get a berth for himself as soon as he could. As I +raid up, there was no demand upon the owners of the vessel, and it was +arranged that I should be down at a certain wharf at three o'clock in +the morning, when I should find a boat waiting for me. I waited up with +Bob Cross until the clock had struck two, and then the crimp let me out. +He did not offer to go down with me, as he had no money to receive; +and, as it was pitch-dark, there was little chance of my being picked up +by a press-gang at that hour. I wished Cross good-bye, and set off for +Plymouth Dock with my bundle on my stick. + +Not knowing where to go at such an hour, I walked about to see if I +could perceive a light in any house: I did so at last through the chinks +of the shutters of a small ale-house, and tapped at the door; it was +opened, I was ushered in, and the door closed immediately upon me. I +found myself in the presence of several marines with their side-arms, +and seamen with cutlasses. An officer started up from his seat, and +collaring me said, "You're just the fellow we want. We're in luck +to-night." In fact, I was in the hands of a press-gang, and I was +pressed myself. + +"Yes, he'll do: he'll make a capital maintop-man," said a midshipman, +getting up and surveying me. + +I looked at him, and perceived my old acquaintance Mr Tommy Dott, grown +a great deal taller; I perceived that he did not recognise me. "But, +sir," said I to the officer of the party, who was so disguised that I +could not tell his rank, "suppose I belong to a man-of-war already?" + +"That you do not; or if you do, you must be a deserter, my good fellow; +that is evident by your stick and bundle. Now sit down and drink some +beer, if you like; you are going to serve in a fine frigate--you may as +well make yourself comfortable, for we shall not go on board yet, for +this hour." + +I determined to keep up my _incognito_, as it amused me. I sat down, +and it then occurred to me that my not going on board of the vessel +might lead to an explanation with the crimp, and that an alarm might be +created and the men dispersed in consequence. There were still two +hours to daylight, and if I could take up the press-gang, we might +secure all the men in the house before the dawn of day. + +As I had just made up my mind to act, there was a stamping of feet +outside and a knock at the door. When it was opened, another portion of +the press-gang, headed by another officer, entered. I counted heads, +and found that they mustered thirty hands--quite sufficient, as they +were armed, to secure all my late companions. I therefore went up to +the officer, and begged to speak with him aside. + +I then told him that I had just come from a crimp's house near +Stonehouse, where I left in their beds thirty-five as fine men as ever +walked a plank, and that, as I was pressed myself, I did not mind +telling him where they were, and he could take them all. + +The officer curled up his lip, as if to say, "You're a pretty scoundrel +to betray your companions," but immediately resolved to act upon it. +Without stating his intentions, he ordered all the men out, and putting +me between two marines, so as to prevent my escaping, I was desired to +lead on. I did so, and we proceeded in silence until we arrived near to +the house. I then pointed out to the officer that it must be +surrounded, or the men would escape, and that it must be done very +carefully, as there was a large dog which would be sure to give the +alarm. My advice was attended to, and when all the men were at their +stations, the whole advanced slowly towards the house. The dog +commenced baying, as I had foreseen, and shortly afterwards the crimp +put his head out of a window, and perceived that the press-gang were +below. But all attempts to force an entrance were in vain, every window +below, and the doors, being secured with iron bars. + +"Is there no way of getting into this den?" said the officer to me. + +"Why sir, I'll try." + +As Bob Cross had given another name, I knew that I risked nothing in +calling out his, and I therefore requested the officer to impose +silence, and when it was obtained, I cried out, "Bob Cross! Bob Cross!! +Where's Bob Cross?" + +After that, I went to the small door at the side of the house, which led +to the homestead, and again cried out, "Bob Cross!--where's Bob Cross?" + +I then told the officer that we must wait patiently, and that if it was +daylight before we got in, all the better. + +About ten minutes after that, as I remained at the small door, I heard +the bars quietly removed; I then requested the officer to attempt to +force the small door, and it yielded almost immediately to their +efforts. + +"Now, sir, leave a guard at the other door, that they may not open it, +and escape by it, also five or six hands to catch any who may jump out +of the upper windows, and then enter with the rest of your party." + +"You know what you are about, at all events," said he, giving the +directions which I had pointed out, and then entering with the remainder +of his party, with the exception of one marine that held me by the arm, +with his bayonet drawn. + +The scuffle within was very severe, and lasted for many minutes: at +last, the armed force, although not so numerous, prevailed, and one by +one, the men were brought out, and taken charge of by the marines, until +the whole of them were discovered in their retreats, and secured. + +Day now dawned, and it was time to be off. To make more secure, the +pressed men were lashed two and two, with small rope, which had been +provided on purpose. Bob Cross, who, of course, had not mixed in the +affray, gave me a nod of recognition, and we set off as fast as the men +could be persuaded to move; certainly not a very gay procession, for +although the wounds were not dangerous, there was scarcely one of the +party, amounting in all to upwards of sixty men, who was not bleeding. +Hardly a word was exchanged. We were all put into the boats, and rowed +off to the hulk appropriated to the crew of the frigate, until she was +rigged, and as soon as we were on board, we were put below under the +charge of sentries. + +"What! you here?" said some of the pressed men. + +"Yes," replied I: "they picked me up as I went to ship myself last +night." The crimp, who had been brought on board with the others, then +started forward. "It is he who has blown upon us; I'll swear to it." + +"You may swear if you please," replied I; "that will do you no good, and +me no harm." + +The crimp talked with the other men, and then indignation was levelled +against me. Most of them swore they would be even with me, and have my +life if they could; indeed, they could hardly be prevented laying hands +upon me; but Bob Cross told the sentry, and he interfered with his +bayonet; notwithstanding which, fists continued to be shook in my face, +and vengeance threatened every minute. + +"I told you, my lads," said Bob Cross, "that I have been on board of a +man-of-war before this, and you'd better mind what you're about, or +you'll repent it; at all events, if one of you touches him, you'll have +five dozen lashes at the gangway before to-morrow morning." + +This made the poor fellows more quiet; most of them lay down, and tried +to sleep off their misery. + +"Why don't you make yourself known, Mr Keene?" said Cross to me, in a +whisper: "I saw the master go on the quarterdeck just now." + +"I think I had better not: there are more houses to examine, and if my +trick was known, it would soon get wind from the women, and I should be +waylaid, and perhaps murdered by the crimps. The captain will be on +board by ten o'clock, I have no doubt, and then I will contrive to see +him, somehow or another." + +"But you could trust the master--why not see him?" + +"I'll think of it--but there's no hurry." + +I was afraid that Tommy Dott would have discovered me, and I kept out of +his way as much as I could. + +"I'll tell you what, sir--as I've not joined the ship, why not let it be +supposed that I am impressed with the other men, and then I can send for +Mr Dott and make myself known? The commanding officer will, of course, +send for me, and I will enter, and then I shall be allowed to go about, +and can speak to the captain when he comes on board." + +"Well, that is not a bad idea. Talk to the sentry." + +"Who's the captain of this ship, sentry?" said Bob Cross. + +"Captain Delmar." + +"Delmar!--why, he's my old captain. Did not I see a Mr Dott, a +midshipman?" + +"Yes there is a Mr Dott on board." + +"Well, I wish you would just pass the word to Mr Dott, to say that one +of the pressed men wishes to speak to him." + +The sentry did so, and Mr Dott came down. + +"How d'ye do, Mr Dott?" said Bob Cross, while I turned away. + +"What Cross, is that you? Are you dressed?" + +"Yes, sir, can't be helped. I'm glad I'm to sail with you, sir. What's +become of Mr Keene?" + +"Oh, I don't know; but if he's not hanged by this time, I believe that +he's to join the ship." + +"Won't I pull your ears for that?" thought I. + +"What other officers have we of the Calliope, sir?" + +"There's the master, Mr Smith, and the surgeon." + +"Well, Mr Dott, one must always make a virtue of necessity. Tell Mr +Smith that I shall enter for the ship; and I'll put my name down at +once, instead of being penned up here." + +"That's right, Cross; and I say, you chaps, you'd better follow a good +example. Sentry, let this man go with me." + +Bob Cross then went with Tommy Dott, and entered for the service. The +master was very glad to see him again and said, "Why, Cross, Mr Keene +said that you had promised him to join us." + +"Why, sir, so I had; but it's a long story. However, it's all the same +in the end: here I am, and I hope I shall get my old rating." + +Soon after, Bob Cross came down and said, "Well, my lads, I'm free now, +and I advise you all to do the same. Come, Jack," said he to me, "what +d'ye say?" + +"No, no," replied I. "I won't unless all the rest do." + +Bob then took me on one side, and told me what had taken place, and +asked me what he should say to the captain. I told him, and then he +left us. + +At ten o'clock the captain came on board. Bob Cross went up to him and +said he wished to say something to him in the cabin. He followed the +captain down, and then explained to him that I was among the pressed men +but as a means of obtaining plenty more men, I had remained among them, +and had not made myself known, for fear my trick should get wind; also +that I thought the crimp should be kept on board, although he was of no +use as a seaman. + +"Mr Keene has behaved very prudently," replied Captain Delmar. "I +understand his motives--leave the rest to me." + +A few minutes after Bob had communicated to me what the captain had +said, the pressed men were ordered up, and ranged along the +quarter-deck. A finer set of men I never saw together: and they all +appeared to be, as they afterwards proved to be prime seamen. The +captain called them one by one and questioned them. He asked them to +enter, but they refused. The crimp begged hard to be released. Their +names were all put down on the ship's book together. + +The captain, turning to me--for I had stood up the last of the row-- +said, "I understand the officer of the impress agreed to release you if +you would tell him where your comrades were. I don't like losing a good +man, but still I shall let you go in consequence of the promise being +made. There, you may take a boat and go on shore." + +"Thank your honour," replied I. I went to the gangway immediately; but +I never shall forget the faces of the pressed men when I passed them: +they looked as if I had a thousand lives, and they had stomach enough to +take them all. + +I went on shore immediately, and going to my hotel, washed the colour +and dirt off my face, dressed myself in my mate's uniform, and went to +the hotel where the captain lived. I found that he had just come on +shore, and I sent up my name, and I was admitted. I then told the +captain the information which we had received with regard to nine or ten +more houses, and that I thought I might now go on board, and never be +recognised. + +"You have managed extremely well," replied Captain Delmar; "we have made +a glorious haul: but I think it will be better that you do not go on +board; the press-gang shall meet you every night, and obey your orders." +I bowed, and walked out of the room. + +The next night, and several subsequent ones, the press-gang came on +shore, and, from the information I had received, we procured in the +course of a fortnight more than two hundred good seamen. Some of the +defences were most desperate: fort as one crimp's house after another +was forced, they could not imagine how they could have been discovered; +but it put them all on their guard; and on the last three occasions the +merchant seamen were armed and gave us obstinate fights; however, +although the wounds were occasionally severe, there was no loss of life. + +Having expended all my knowledge, I had nothing more to do than go on +board, which I did, and was kindly received by the master and the other +officers, who had been prepossessed in my favour. Such was the +successful result of my plan. The crimp we did not allow to go on +shore, but discharged him into a gun-brig, the captain of which was a +notorious martinet; and I have no doubt, being aware of his character +and occupation, that he kept his word, when he told Captain Delmar that +he would make the ship a hell to him--"and sarve him right too," said +Bob Cross, when he heard of it; "the money that these rascals obtain +from the seamen, Mr Keene, is quite terrible; and the poor fellows, +after having earned it by two or three years' hard work, go to prison in +a crimp-house to spend it, or rather to be swindled out of it. It is +these fellows that raise such reports against the English navy, that +frighten the poor fellows so; they hear of men being flogged until they +die under the lash, and all the lies that can be invented. Not that the +masters of the merchant vessels are at all backward in disparaging the +service, but threaten to send a man on board a man-of-war for a +punishment, if he behaves ill--that itself is enough to raise a +prejudice against the service. Now, sir, I can safely swear that there +is more cruelty and oppression--more ill-treatment and more hard work-- +on board of a merchantman, than on board any man-of-war. Why so? +Because there is no control over the master of a merchant vessel, while +the captain of a man-of-war is bound down by strict regulations, which +he dare not disobey. We see many reports in the newspapers of the +ill-treatment on of merchant vessels; but for one that is made known, +ninety-nine are passed over; for a seaman has something else to do than +to be kicking his heels at a magistrate's office; and when he gets clear +of his vessel, with his pay in his pocket, he prefers to make merry and +forget his treatment, to seeking revenge. I say again, sarve that crimp +right, and I hope that he'll get a lash for every pound which he has +robbed from the poor seamen." + +I may as well inform the reader that, as it is mostly the case after the +men have been impressed, nearly the whole of them entered the service; +and when, some time afterwards, they ascertained that it was I that had +tricked them, so far from feeling the ill-will towards me that they had +on their first coming on board, they laughed very much at my successful +plan, and were more partial to me than to any other of the officers. + +Our frigate was now well manned, and nearly ready for sea. I wrote to +my mother, enclosing the heads of a letter to her which she should send +to Captain Delmar, and in a day or two I received an answer, with a copy +of what she had sent. It was to the effect that I was now going away +for the second time, and that it was possible she might never see me or +Captain Delmar again; that she wished him success and happiness, and +begged him, in case she should be called away, not to forget his +promises to her, or what she had undergone for his sake; but she trusted +entirely to him, and that he would watch over me and my interests, even +more out of regard to her memory, than if she were alive to support my +claims upon him. + +The letter was given to Captain Delmar when he was on the quarter-deck, +and he went with it down below. He came on deck shortly afterwards. I +looked at him but did not perceive that he was in any way put out or +moved by its reception. Claims for past services, whether upon the +country or upon individuals, are seldom well received; like the payment +of a tavern bill, after we have done with the enjoyments, we seem +inclined to cavil at each separate item--_ainsi va le monde_. + +It was reported down at Mutton Cove, that our ship, which sailed with +sealed orders was to be sent to the West Indies. This the captain did +not expect or wish, as he had had enough of the tropics already. When +he, however, opened his orders, it was found that Mutton Cove was +correct, and the captain's instructions were, to seek the admiral of the +station with all possible dispatch. + +We carried sail day and night, and as the Manilla proved a remarkably +fast sailer, we were very soon in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, where we +found the admiral and six sail of the line, and a few smaller vessels. +As soon as the despatches were opened by the admiral, our signal, as +well as that of all the smaller vessels, was made, and before the +evening we had spread our canvas in every direction, being sent to +recall the whole of the disposable force to rendezvous at Carlisle Bay. +We knew that something was in the wind, but what, we had no idea of. +Our orders were to proceed to Halifax, and we had a quick passage. We +found two frigates there, and we gave them their instructions; and then, +having remained only twenty-four hours, we all made sail together for +Barbadoes. + +On our arrival there, we round the bay crowded with vessels: +twenty-eight sail of pennants and a fleet of transports, containing ten +thousand troops. Three days afterwards the signal was made to weigh, +and the whole fleet stood out from Carlisle Bay, it being now well known +that the capture of the island of Martinique was the object of the +expedition. On the third day we arrived off the island, and our troops +were disembarked at two points, expecting to meet with strong +opposition. Such, however, to our surprise, was not the case. It +appeared that the militia of the island, being composed of slaves, and +who were sent to oppose us, did not consider that slavery was worth +fighting for quite as well as liberty, and therefore very quietly walked +home again, leaving the governor and regular troops to decide the +question as to whether the island was for the future to belong to the +French or English. But the two following days there was some hard +fighting, and our troops, although they advanced, had a severe loss. +The French retired from the advanced posts to Fort Dessaix, and we +obtained possession of the fort on Point Salamon. + +The next point to be attacked was Pigeon Island, and there the navy were +called into action; we had to get the carronades and mortars up a hill +almost inaccessible; we did it, much to the surprise of the troops, who +could hardly believe it when the battery opened fire. After a brisk +cannonading of ten hours, Pigeon Island surrendered, and then the +admiral stood into, and anchored the fleet in Fort Royal Bay; not, +however, in time to prevent the French from setting fire to the frigates +which were in the harbour. A few days after, the town of St. Pierre and +the town of Fort Royal surrendered, and Fort Dessaix only held out. For +more than a week we were very busy constructing batteries and landing +cannon and mortars; and when all was ready, the bombardment of Fort +Dessaix commenced, and five days afterwards the French capitulated, and +the island was formally surrendered to the English. + +I have hurried over the capture, as it has oftentimes been described in +detail. All I can say is, that it was very hard work for the seamen, +and that they had their full share of the fatigue; but, from the +peculiar nature of the service, an affair took place which was of much +importance to me. I said before that the sailors were employed in the +hard duty of getting the guns, etcetera, on shore, and up to where the +batteries were to be erected--in short, working like slaves in the heat +of the sun, while the troops remained quiet investing the fort. There +was no objection raised to this, and the seamen worked very willingly; +but the staff and mounted officers of the army, who rode to and fro +giving orders, were not quite as civil as they might be--that is, some +of them; and a certain feeling of dissension and ill-will was created in +consequence. + +The junior officers of the navy, and the lieutenants who could be spared +to direct the labour of the seamen on shore, received occasionally very +harsh language from some of the military officers, and did not fail to +give very prompt replies to those who they did not consider had any +right to control them. Complaints were made to the captains of the +men-of-war, and, on being investigated, the result generally was, that +the captains defended their officers, and the military gentlemen +obtained no redress. The active service, however, did not admit of any +notice being taken of it at the time; but after the island had +surrendered, these unfortunate animosities were resumed. + +A few days after the capture of the island, the prisoners and troops +were embarked an the fleet sailed, a sufficient garrison being left upon +the island for its defence. The admiral also thought proper to leave +two or three men-of-war in the harbour, and our frigate was one. For +the first few days everything went on smoothly. The French inhabitants +were soon on good terms with us, and balls and parties had commenced; +but the seamen and soldiers, when they met at the liquor-stores, began +to quarrel as to which branch of the service had done most towards the +taking the island. This will always be the case with people so addicted +to intoxication. Several severe wounds were received in the various +skirmishes which took place, and at last the seamen were interdicted +from going on shore. Indeed, as they were not armed, and the soldiers +carried their bayonets, it was too unequal a contest when an affray took +place; but the ill-will spread, and at last arrived to the superior +officers. + +The consequence was, that a challenge was given to one of the captains +of the frigates by an adjutant. It was accepted; but not an hour after +it was accepted, the captain was taken with a fever, and on the morning +of the following day, when the duel was to have taken place, he was not +able to quit his bed; and the military gentlemen, on arriving at the +ground, found an excuse instead of an antagonist. Whether it was really +supposed that the fever was a mere excuse to avoid the duel, or that the +animosity prevailing gave rise to the report, certain it is, that there +were many sneers on the part of the military men, and great indignation +on the tart of the naval officers; who, if they could have so done, +would have gone on shore on purpose to insult every officer they could +meet who wore a red coat; but in consequence of this excitement being +known all leave was prohibited. + +Captain Delmar, who was the naval commanding officer, had taken up his +quarters on shore; he had done all he possibly could to prevent the +unpleasant feeling from continuing, and had shown great forbearance and +good sense: but it so happened that, being in company with some of the +military staff, observations were made in his presence, relative to the +conduct of the naval captain ill with the fever, that he could not +permit. He gave a flat denial to them, and the consequence was, that +language was used which left no alternative but a duel. + +This was the Monday night, and as it was too late then, it was agreed +that the meeting should take place on the following evening at sunset. +I believe this was proposed by Captain Delmar, in preference to the +morning, as he knew his antagonist was a regular duellist and he wished +to have the next day to put his affairs in order, previous to the +meeting. I should here observe that the captain had not been on +anything like intimate terms with his lieutenants. The surgeon and +master were old shipmates, and with them he was sociable: whether it was +that he did not choose to ask the favour of the commissioned officers, +certain it is, that he sent for the master to be his second on the +occasion, and on the master returning on board, he desired me to go on +shore with the boat and take the captain's pistols with me, but not to +allow them to be seen by any one; a message was also sent for the +surgeon to go on shore to the captain. + +When the surgeon and I arrived at the house where the captain resided, +and were ushered up, the sitting-room was empty. I had put the case of +pistols in a piece of canvas, so as to look like despatches about to be +sent to England, and I uncovered them and placed them on one of the +tables. A few minutes afterwards the captain came out, and I was very +much surprised at his appearance; he was very flushed and heated in the +face, and appeared to tremble as he walked. The surgeon also looked at +him with surprise. We knew him to be incapable of fear, and yet he gave +us the appearance of a person very much troubled. + +"Doctor," said he, "I am glad that you are come. I feel very unwell-- +feel my pulse." + +"Yes, sir," said the doctor, "that you certainly are; you have the same +fever on you as Captain W. Singular." + +"Yes, but it will be rather too singular, doctor. Poor W had obloquy +enough on account of his illness; and if a second captain in the navy +were to be obliged to send a similar excuse, we should be at a pretty +discount with the red-coats. If you can do any thing for me, do; but it +must be perfectly understood that fight to-morrow evening I will, even +if I am carried to the ground." + +"Certainly, Captain Delmar, if it is possible. I think that a little +blood must be taken from you immediately, and probably the fever may +subside." + +But before his arm could be bound up, the captain became incoherent in +his discourse; and after the bleeding had been performed, when he +attempted to look at his papers, he was so confused that he found it +impossible, and was obliged to be put to bed immediately. When the +surgeon came out of his bed-room, he said to us, "He'll never get up to +fight that duel, depend upon it; the fever increases--it may be that he +may never rise again--I fear it is the yellow fever." + +"A bad job," replied the master--"a very bad job indeed; two captains in +the navy receiving challenges, and both sending excuses on account of +illness. The service will be disgraced. I'll fight the soldier +myself." + +"That will never do," replied the surgeon; "it will not help the captain +that he has sent one of his officers in his stead. Steward, make a bed +up here in this room; I shall not leave the house to-night." + +"It's of no use my staying here," observed the master: "nor you either, +Keene: let's go on board, and we will be here early to-morrow morning. +Confounded bad job this. Good-bye." + +The master and I returned to the boat. I had been reflecting a good +deal on the disgrace which would, at all events for a certain period, be +thrown upon the service and Captain Delmar by this unfortunate +circumstance, and before I had gone up the ship's side I had made up my +mind. As soon as we were on board, I requested the master to allow me +to speak to him in his cabin; and when we were there, after canvassing +the question, and pointing out to him what discredit would ensue, and +working him up into a great state of irritation, I then proposed to him +what I considered to be the best course to pursue. "Every one says how +like I am to Captain Delmar, Mr Smith," said I. + +"If you were his own son, you could not be more so," replied the master. + +"Well, sir, I am now as tall as he is: the colour of my hair is lighter, +certainly; but the captain wears a wig. Now, sir, I am perfectly sure +that if I were to put on the captain's uniform and wig, as the duel is +to take place in the evening, they never could find out that it was not +the captain; and as for a good shot, I think I can hit a button as well +as the best duellist in existence." + +The master bit his lips, and was silent for a short time. At last he +said, "What you propose is certainly very easy; but why should you risk +your life for Captain Delmar?" + +"Why, did you not offer to do it just now for the honour of the service? +I have that feeling, and moreover wish to serve Captain Delmar, who has +been my patron. What's the life of a midshipman worth, even if I were +to fall?--nothing." + +"That's true enough," replied the master bluntly; and then correcting +himself, he added, "that is, midshipmen in general; but I think you may +be worth something by-and-by. However, Keene, I do think, on the whole, +it's a very good plan; and if the Captain is not better to-morrow, we +will then consider it more seriously. I have an idea that you are more +likely to pin the fellow than the captain, who, although as brave a man +as can be, he has not, I believe, fired twenty pistols in his life. +Good night; and I hardly need say we must keep our secret." + +"Never fear, sir. Good night." + +I went to my hammock, quite overjoyed at the half-consent given by the +master to my proposition. It would give me such a claim on Captain +Delmar, if I survived; and if I fell, at all events he would cherish my +memory; but as for falling, I felt sure that I should not. I had a +presentiment (probably no more than the buoyant hope of youth) that I +should be the victor. At all events, I went to sleep very soundly, and +did not wake until I was roused up by the quartermaster on the following +morning. + +After breakfast the master requested a boat to be manned, and we went on +shore. On our arrival at the house, we found the surgeon in great +anxiety: the captain was in a state of delirium, and the fever was at +the highest. + +"How is he?" demanded the master. + +"More likely to go out of the world himself than to send another out of +it," replied the surgeon. "He cannot well be worse, and that is all +that I can say. He has been raving all night, and I have been obliged +to take nearly two pounds of blood from him; and, Mr Keene," continued +the surgeon, "he talks a great deal of you and other persons. You may +go in to him, if you please; for I have as much as possible kept the +servants away--they will talk." + +"Bob Cross is down below, sir," replied I: "he is the safest man to wait +upon him." + +"I agree with you, Keene--send for him, and he shall remain at his +bedside." + +The master then spoke with the surgeon, and communicated my proposition; +and the surgeon replied, "Well, from what I have learned this night, +there is no person who has so great a right to take his place; and +perhaps it will be as well, both for the captain's sake and his own; at +all events, I will go with you, and, in case of accident, do my best." + +The matter was, therefore, considered as arranged, and I went into the +captain's room. He was delirious, and constantly crying out about his +honour and disgrace; indeed, there is no doubt but that his anxiety to +meet his antagonist was one very great cause of the fever having run so +high; but at times he changed the subject, and then he spoke of me and +my mother. "Where is my boy--my own boy, Percival?" said he--"my +pride--where is he? Arabella, you must not be angry with me--no, +Arabella; consider the consequence;" and then he would burst out in such +fond expressions towards me, that the tears ran down my cheeks as I +planted a kiss upon his forehead; for he was insensible, and I could do +so without offence. + +Bob Cross, who had for some time been at his bedside, wiped the tears +from his eyes, and said, "Master Keene, how this man must have suffered +to have cloaked his feelings towards you in the way which he has done. +However, I am glad to hear all this, and, if necessary, I will tell him +of it--ay, if I get seven dozen for it the next minute." + +I remained with Bob Cross at his bedside for the whole day, during which +he more than twenty times acknowledged me as his son. As the evening +closed in, I prepared in silence for the duty I had to perform. To the +surprise of Cross, who was ignorant of what I intended, I stripped off +my own clothes and put on those of the captain, and then put his wig +over my own hair. I then examined myself in the glass, and was +satisfied. + +"Well," said Cross, looking at me, "you do look like the captain +himself, and might almost go on board and read the articles of war; but, +surely, Master Keene," added he, looking at the captain as he lay +senseless in bed, "this is no time for foolery of this sort." + +"It is no foolery, Bob," replied I, taking his hand; "I am going to +represent the captain and fight a duel for him, or the service will be +disgraced." + +"I didn't know that the captain had a duel to fight," replied Bob, +"although I heard that there had been words." + +I then explained the whole to him. "You are right, Master Keene--right +in everything. May God bless you, and send you good luck. I wish I +might go with you." + +"No, Bob, that must not be." + +"Then, God bless you, and may you floor the soldier. Lord, what a state +I shall be in till I know what has taken place!" + +"It will soon be known, Bob; so good-bye, and I trust we shall meet +again." I then went out of the bed-room. + +The surgeon actually started when I made my appearance, and acknowledged +that the personation was exact. Taking the arm of the surgeon and the +master, we set off, the master carrying the pistols, which had been +prepared; and in a quarter of an hour we arrived at the place of +meeting. My disguise was so complete that we had not hesitated to walk +out sooner than we had intended; and we found ourselves the first on the +field of action, which I was glad of. + +About dusk, which was the time agreed upon and about five minutes after +our arrival, our antagonists made their appearance. There was no time +to be lost, as there is little or no twilight in the West Indies; so a +polite bow was exchanged, and the ground marked out at eight paces by +the master and the second of my opponent. A very short parley then took +place between Mr Smith and the other gentleman, who officiated for the +adjutant, in which it was decided that we should turn back to back, with +our pistols ready, and that on the words, "Make ready--present--fire" +given in succession, we were to turn round to each other, level, and +fire. This made it more difficult to hit; indeed it was almost +impossible to take aim, as the words were given so quick after each +other; and the great point was, to fire as soon as the word was given. + +The first discharge was not lucky for me. I missed my antagonist, and +received his bullet in my left shoulder; this did not, however, disable +me, and I said nothing about it. The pistols were again loaded and +handed to us; and on the signal being given, my adversary's pistol went +off a little before the word "fire" was given, and I felt myself again +hit; but I returned the fire with fatal success. The ball went through +his body, and he fell. The surgeon, master, and his second, immediately +went up, and raised him in a sitting position; but in a few minutes he +was senseless. + +In the meantime I remained where I was, having dropped my pistol on the +ground. That I had an unpleasant pang at the idea of a fellow-creature +having fallen by my hand in a duel, I acknowledge; but when I called to +mind why I had fought the duel, and that if had saved the honour of the +captain (may I not say at once my father's honour? for that was my +feeling), I could not, and did not, repent the deed. But I had not time +given me to analyse my feelings; a sensation of faintness rapidly crept +over me. The fact was that I had been bleeding profusely; and while the +surgeon and the others were still hanging over the expiring adjutant, I +dropped and fell fainting on the ground. When I recovered I found +myself in bed, and attended on by the surgeon, the master, and Bob +Cross. + +"Keep quiet, Keene," said the surgeon, "and all will be well; but keep +quiet, that we may have no fever. Here, drink this, and try if you +cannot go to sleep." They raised me up, and I swallowed the mixture; my +head was so confused, and I was so weak, that I felt as if I hardly +dared breathe, lest my breath should leave my body, and I was glad to +find myself again on the pillow. I was soon in a sound seep, from which +I did not arouse for many hours, and, as I afterwards was told, had had +a very narrow escape, from the exhaustion arising from the excessive +haemorrhage. + +When I opened my eyes the next morning, I could scarcely recall my +senses. I saw Bob Cross sometimes, and I heard moaning and talking. I +thought the latter was my own voice, but it was Captain Delmar, whose +fever still continued, and who was in an alarming state. It was not +till the evening, twenty-four hours after the duel, that I could +completely recall my senses; then I did, and motioned to Cross that I +wanted drink. He gave me some lemonade--it was nectar; he then went out +for the surgeon, who came to the bedside, and felt my pulse. + +"You'll do now, my boy," said he; "get another good sleep to-night, and +to-morrow morning you will have nothing to do but to get well." + +"Where am I hit?" said I. + +"You had a ball in your shoulder and another in your hip, but they are +both extracted; the one in the hip cut through a large vein, and the +haemorrhage was so great before you could be brought here, that at one +time I thought you were gone. Your life hung upon a thread for hours; +but we may thank God that all is right now. You have no fever, and your +pulse is getting strong again." + +"How's the captain, sir?" + +"As bad as bad can be just now; but I have hopes of a change for the +better." + +"And Captain W, sir?" + +"Poor fellow! he is dead; and has so decidedly proved that his fever was +not a sham, the soldiers are a little ashamed of themselves--and so they +ought to be; but too often good feelings come too late. Now, Keene, you +have talked quite enough for to-night; take your sedative mixture, and +go to sleep again; to-morrow, I have no doubt, you will be able to ask +as many questions as you like." + +"Only one more, sir:--is the adjutant dead?" + +"I have not heard," replied the surgeon; "but we shall know to-morrow: +now go to sleep, and good-night." + +When the surgeon left the room, "Bob?" said I. + +"Not an answer will I give to-night, Mr Keene," said Bob Cross; +"to-morrow morning we'll have the rights and wrongs of the whole story. +You must obey orders, sir, and go to sleep." + +As I knew Bob would do as he said, I laid my head down, and was soon +once more in forgetfulness. It was not daylight. When I again awoke, +and found Cross snoring in the chair by the bedside; poor fellow, he had +never lain down since he came on shore, when the captain was first taken +ill. I felt much better, although my wounds tingled a little, and I was +very anxious to know if Captain Delmar was out of danger; but that could +not be ascertained till I saw the surgeon. I remained thinking over the +events which had passed. I called to mind that the captain, in his +delirium, had called me his own boy, his Percival and I felt more happy. + +About an hour after I had awoke, the surgeon came into the room. "How +is Captain Delmar, sir?" said I. + +"I am glad to say that he is much better; but I must wake up poor Cross, +who is tired out." + +Cross, who was awake the moment that we spoke, was now on his legs. + +"You must go to the captain, and keep the bed-clothes on him, Cross. He +is now in a perspiration, and it must not be checked--do you +understand?" + +"Yes," replied Bob, walking away into the other room. + +"You are all right again, Keene," said the surgeon, feeling my pulse; +"we will look at your wounds by-and-by, and change the dressing." + +"Tell me, sir," said I, "how have you managed? Nobody has found it +out?" + +"Oh, no; it is supposed that Captain Delmar is badly wounded, and that +you have the yellow fever, and we must keep it up--that is the reason +why Bob Cross is the only one allowed to come into the sick rooms. I +have no doubt that Captain Delmar will be sensible in a few hours, and +then we shall be puzzled what to say to him. Must we tell him the +truth?" + +"Not at present, sir, at all events: tell him that he has fought the +duel, and killed his man; he will think that he did it when he was out +of his senses, or else that the fever has driven it from his memory." + +"Well, perhaps that will be the best way just now; it will relieve his +mind, for with his return to sensibility will also revive his feelings +of disgrace and dishonour; and if they are not checked, the fever may +come on again." + +The surgeon gave me some breakfast this morning, and then dressed my +wounds, which he pronounced were doing quite well; and about twelve +o'clock the master came on shore with the first lieutenant. The master +came into my room after the first lieutenant went away, who had been +told by the surgeon that he could not see Captain Delmar--and he, of +course, did not wish to come into contact with me, who he supposed had +the yellow fever. In the afternoon Captain Delmar woke up from his +stupor--the fever had left him, and he had nothing to combat with but +extreme debility. "Where am I?" said he, after a pause; and, +recollecting himself, he continued to Cross, who was the only person in +the room, and who had received his instructions from the surgeon, "How +long have I lain here?" + +"Ever since the duel, sir." + +"The duel--how do you mean?" + +"I mean ever since your honour fought the duel, and killed the soldger +officer." + +"Killed--duel--I can't recollect having fought the duel." + +"Dare say not, your honour," replied Bob; "you were in a roaring fever +at the time; but you would not stay in bed, all the surgeon could do--go +you would; but when you had fought, we were obliged to carry you back +again." + +"And so I really have fought--I have not the least recollection--I must +have been in a high fever indeed. Where's the surgeon?" + +"He's in the verandah below, sir, speaking to some soldger officers who +have come to inquire after your health. Here he comes." + +The surgeon came in, and Captain Delmar then said to him, "Is this all +true that Cross has been telling me? Have I really fought a duel and +killed my adversary?" + +"I regret to say, sir, that he is dead, and was buried yesterday; but, +if you please, you must not talk any more at present--you must be quiet +for a few hours." + +"Well, doctor, so that my honour is saved, I am content to obey you-- +it's very odd--" Here the captain was exhausted, and was silent, and in +a few minutes he was again asleep, and remained slumbering till the next +morning, when he was much better. He then entered into conversation +with the surgeon, making him describe the duel; and the latter did so, +so as to satisfy the captain; and he also informed him that I had been +taken ill with the fever, and was in the next room. + +"Next room!" replied the captain: "why was he not sent on board? Are +all the midshipmen who are taken ill to be brought to my house to be +cured?" + +I overheard this reply of the captain, and it cut me to the heart. I +felt what an invincible pride had to be conquered before I could obtain +my wishes. + +The surgeon answered Captain Delmar,--"As only you and Mr Keene were +taken with the fever, I thought it better that he should remain here, +than that the ship's company should take it by his being sent on board. +I trust, Captain Delmar, I have done right?" + +"Yes, I see," replied the captain; "you did perfectly right--I did not +think of that. I hope Mr Keene is doing well?" + +"I trust that we shall get him through it, sir," replied the surgeon. + +"Pray let him have anything that he requires, Mr ---; let him want for +nothing during his illness and convalescence. He would be a heavy loss +to the service," added the captain. + +"He would, indeed, sir," replied the surgeon. + +"Here are the journals of St. Pierre, in which there are several +accounts of the duel, most of them incorrect. Some say that you were +twice wounded, others once." + +"I dare say they thought so," replied the captain, "for Cross tells me +that I was carried home. It's very singular that I should have fought +in such a condition. Thank you, Mr ---; I will read them when I have +lain down a little, for I am tired again already." + +The surgeon then informed the captain of the death of Captain W. + +"Poor fellow!" replied Captain Delmar. "Well, I will not make any +appointments until I am better." The captain then lay down again, +leaving the newspapers on the coverlet. + +A week now passed, during which both the captain and I became nearly +convalescent: we had both been out of bed, and had remained for a few +hours on the sofas in our respective rooms. The surgeon told me that it +would be necessary to tell him the truth very soon, and that he thought +he would do so on the following day. It did, however, happen that the +discovery was not made to him by the surgeon. In the afternoon, when +the latter was on board, Captain Delmar felt so strong that he resolved +to put on his clothes, and go into the sitting-room. He desired Cross +to give them to him, and the first articles handed to him were his +trowsers, and Bob quite forgot that I had worn them. + +"Why, how's this?" said the captain--"here's a hole through the +waistband, and they are bloody." + +Bob was so frightened, that he walked out of the room as if he had not +heard what the captain had said. It appears that the captain took up +his coat, and discovered another hole in the shoulder, with the same +marks of blood. + +"This is quite a dream," said the captain, talking to himself--"I've no +wound, and yet the newspapers say that I was wounded twice. Cross! +Cross!--Where is Cross?" + +Bob, who had taken refuge in my room, where we overheard everything he +said, whispered, "It's no use now, Mr Keene,--I must tell it all; never +fear me, I know how to do it." And then he obeyed the captain's +summons, leaving me in a state of great nervous anxiety. + +"Cross," said the captain sternly, "I insist upon knowing the truth: I +have been deceived by my officers. Did I, or did I not, fight this +duel?" + +"Well, sir," replied Cross, "the truth was only kept back from you till +you were quite well again, and I suppose I must tell it to you now. You +were too ill, and you raved about our honour, and that you were +disgraced, and that--" + +"Well, go on, sir." + +"I will, Captain Delmar; but I hope you'll not be angry, sir. Mr Keene +could not bear to see you in that way, and he said he would lay down his +life for you at any time, and he begged Mr Smith, the master, to allow +him to fight the duel, because he said that he was so like you in person +(which, somehow or other he is, that's certain), that no one would know +it was him if he put on your honour's wig and uniform: that's how it +was, sir." + +"Go on," said the captain. + +"Well, sir, the master could not bear the sneering of the sogers on +shore, and he consented that Mr Keene should take your place, which he +did, sir; and I hope you will not be angry with Mr Keene, for it's your +old coat, sir, and I think it may have a piece let in, that it won't be +seen." + +Cross then went on describing the whole affair--of course praising me-- +and told the captain that everybody on board, as well as on shore, +thought that he was wounded and that I had been taken with the yellow +fever, and that nobody knew the real truth except the master, the +surgeon, and himself. + +"Is Mr Keene seriously hurt?" inquired the captain, after a pause. + +"No, sir; the doctor says he will do very well. He was as near gone as +ever a man was: at one time his breath would not move a feather--all the +blood was out of his body." + +For a minute the captain made no reply; at last he said, in a quiet +tone, "You may leave the room, Cross." + +What were the thoughts and feelings of Captain Delmar when he was left +to reflect upon the information which he had received, I cannot tell but +that he was not angry I inferred by the tone in which he desired Cross +to leave the room. I was absorbed in my own feelings, when the surgeon +entered the room, and gave me a letter. "Here's a schooner just come in +with despatches from the admiral," said the surgeon: "the second +lieutenant has brought them on shore for the captain, and among the +letters from England I found this one for you. I have seen Cross," +continued the surgeon, nodding his head significantly as he left the +room. + +"The second lieutenant, with despatches, sir," reported Bob Cross to the +captain in the other room--"Shall I show him in?" + +"No, I am not well; desire him to send them in by you," replied the +captain. + +While the captain was busy with his despatches, I read my letter, which +was from my mother, enclosing a copy of one from my grandmother, +announcing my mother's death. Of course there were a great many dying +wishes; but that was a matter of course. I felt happy that this letter +to the captain arrived at such a propitious time, as I knew that the +announcement of my mother's death would be a great point in my favour. +That it ought not to have been, I confess; but I knew whom I had to deal +with: the captain was ashamed of his intimacy, and the claims of my +mother upon him, but not so much ashamed of me; and, now that she was +removed, probably he might not be at all ashamed. My mother was no +relation, and below him--I was his own flesh and blood, and half +ennobled by so being. + +The captain sent on board orders for getting under weigh. It appeared +that the admiral had written to him, desiring him to sail for the coast +of South America, to look after a French frigate, and that, as there was +no farther occasion for so large a force at Martinique, he was to leave +the next senior officer in command; but this was Captain W, who had died +of the fever. + +As senior in command, Captain Delmar then filled up the vacancy; the +captain of a corvette was appointed to Captain W's ship; our first +lieutenant to the command of the corvette; but the lieutenant's vacancy +was not filled up, much to the surprise of the officers of the squadron. +This was the work of the afternoon; in the evening the master was sent +for, and a consultation held with him and the surgeon, which ended in +the captain's consenting to go on board with his arm in a sling, as if +he had been wounded, and my being put into a cot, and removed on board +to the captain's cabin, as if still too weak with the fever to quit my +bed. Cross was enjoined silence, and I was made acquainted by the +surgeon with the result of the conference. + +The next morning we were all embarked, and we hove the anchor up, and +made sail to the southward. It must be observed, that I had neither +seen nor had any communications with the captain, during the whole of +this time. He was informed by the surgeon that I was in great distress +of mind at the news of my mother's death, and that my recovery would be +retarded in consequence. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +IT was not until three or four days after the ship had sailed from +Martinique that the captain spoke to me. I had during that time +remained in my cot, which was hung up in the fore-cabin, and when the +surgeon dressed my wounds it was only in the presence of Bob Cross. On +the fourth morning after our sailing, the captain came inside of the +screen, which was hung round my cot:--"Well, Mr Keene," said he in a +very kind voice, "how are you?" + +"Much better, sir, I thank you; and hope you will look over the great +liberty I ventured to take for the honour of the service." + +"Why," replied the captain, smiling, "I think you have been sufficiently +punished already for your temerity; I appreciate your motive of action +and feel obliged to you for your great zeal towards the service and +towards me. The only objection (I may say annoyance) I have on the +subject is, the mystery and secrecy compelled to be observed in +consequence of your taking my place; and still more, that one of the +seamen of the ship should be a party to the secret." + +"I certainly did not consider the consequences as I ought to have done, +sir, when I ventured to act as I did," replied I. + +"Say no more about it, Mr Keene. I am very sorry to hear of your +mother's death; but it was not, I believe, unexpected." + +"No, sir," replied I; "and therefore the shock has not been so great." + +"Well, Mr Keene, of course it is from the interest I took in your +mother that I was induced to take you under my protection, and her death +will make no difference in that point, so long as you conduct yourself +as you have hitherto done. You have now created a strong interest for +yourself by your good conduct, and I shall not lose sight of you. How +many months have you yet to serve before your time is out?" + +"I have served five years and seven months, as far as I can recollect." + +"So I thought. Now, Mr Keene, it was because I thought of you that I +did not fill up the lieutenant's vacancy which was made by the death of +Captain W and the promotion of the commander and my first lieutenant. +As soon as you are well, I will give you an acting order as lieutenant +of this ship; and, as we are now on a sort of roving commission, I have +no doubt but that you will have served your time, and found the means of +passing, before we join the admiral; your promotion will, under such +circumstances, be, I have no doubt, confirmed; so all you have to do now +is to get well as fast as you can. Good-bye." + +The captain gave me a most gracious nod, and then went outside of the +screen, giving me no time for thanks. I was, indeed, overjoyed; not so +much at the promotion as at the change in the captain's manner towards +me: a change so palpable that it filled me with the fondest +anticipations. I remained for a long while reflecting upon my future +prospects. As a lieutenant of the same ship I should be more in contact +with him: he could now converse and take notice of me without its being +considered remarkable; nay, he could be intimate with me. I resolved to +be most careful of my conduct, so as not to alarm his pride by the least +familiarity, and hoped, eventually, to play my cards so as to obtain my +earnest wish; but I felt that there was a great deal of ground to go +over first, and that the greatest circumspection was necessary. I felt +that I had still to raise myself in his opinion and in the opinion of +the world to a much higher position than I was in at present, before I +could expect that Captain Delmar would, virtually, acknowledge me as his +son. I felt that I had to wade through blood, and stand the chance of +thousands of balls and bullets in my professional career, before I could +do all this; a bright vista of futurity floated before me and, in the +far distance, I felt myself in the possession of my ambition, and with +my eyes still fixed upon it I dropped fast asleep, revelling still in +the same dreams which I had indulged in when awake. + +In a fortnight I was quite recovered; my wounds had healed up, and I now +walked about. Having had my uniform altered by the ship's tailor, and +procured an epaulet from one of the lieutenants, I took possession of my +cabin in the gun-room, and was warmly received by my new messmates; but +I did not return to my duty for nearly a month, on account of a little +lameness still remaining, and which the surgeon declared was often the +case after the yellow fever!! + +I ought to have observed, that when my mother was so indulgent as to +commit suicide for my sake, she had taken every precaution, and the +letter of my grandmother informed Captain Delmar that my mother had +bequeathed me 12,000 pounds in the three per cents, which she had laid +by from her business, and that therefore there was no longer any +occasion that I should be an expense to Captain Delmar. It must not, +however, be supposed, from my grandmother stating this, that Captain +Delmar was at all mercenary or stingy; on the contrary, considering +that, as the second son of a nobleman, he had only 1,000 pounds per +annum besides his pay, he was exceedingly liberal (although not +extravagant) in all money matters. + +At last I was well enough to return to my duty; and glad I was to be +once more walking the quarter-deck, not as before, on the lee, but on +the weather side, with an epaulet on my shoulder. Strange to say, there +was not a midshipman in the ship (although there were so many) who had +served so long as I had, and in consequence there was not any +heart-burning or jealousy at my promotion, and I continued on the best +terms with my old mess-mates, although gradually lessening the intimacy +which existed between us. But that was not intentional on my part; it +was the effect of my promotion, and removal from the berth of a set of +lads to the company of the senior and older officers. I was now a man, +and had the feelings and thoughts of a man. My frolics and tricks were +discarded with the midshipman's coat; and in respecting my new rank I +respected myself. + +Now that I walked on the same side of the deck, Captain Delmar very +often entered into conversation with me; and although at first it was +with caution on his part, yet, when he found that I never presumed, and +was, invariably, most respectful, he became on much more intimate terms +with me. + +During three months we continued cruising about without falling in with +or having received any intelligence of the French frigate which we were +sent in quest of; at last Captain Delmar resolved to change the cruising +ground, and we ran up to ten degrees of latitude further north. + +As we were running up, we fell in with an American brig, and brought her +to; a boat was sent for the captain, who, when he came on board, was +interrogated by Captain Delmar, as to his having seen or heard of any +French vessel on that coast. As the conversation took place on the +quarter-deck, and I was officer of the watch, I can repeat it. + +"Well," replied the American through his nose, "I reckon there is a +Frenchman in these parts?" + +"Have you fallen in with her?" inquired Captain Delmar. + +"Well, I may say I have; for I lay alongside of her in Cartagena when I +was taking in my cargo of hides. You haven't such a thing as a spar as +will make me a pole top-gallant mast, captain, have you?" + +"Is she large or small?" + +"Well, captain, I don't care whether the spar be large or small; I've +two carpenters on board, and I'll soon dub it down into shape." + +"I inquired about the vessel--I did not refer to the spar," replied +Captain Delmar, haughtily. + +"And I referred to the spar, which is my business, and not to the +vessel, which is no consarn of mine," replied the American captain. +"You see, master, we have both our wants; you want information, I want a +spar: I have no objection to a fair swop." + +"Well," replied Captain Delmar, rather amused, "give me the information +and you shall have the spar." + +"That's agreed." + +"Send for the carpenter, and desire him to get out a small spar, Mr +---," said Captain Delmar to the first lieutenant. + +"Well, captain, that looks like business, and so now I'll go on. The +Frenchman is as large as you; may be," said he, looking round the deck, +"he may be a bit larger, but you won't mind that, I suppose." + +"Did you leave her in port when you sailed?" + +"I reckon she was off two days before me." + +"And how many days is it since you sailed?" + +"Just four days, I calculate." + +"And did you hear where she was going to?" + +"Yes, I did, and I've a notion I could put my finger upon her now, if I +choosed. Captain, you haven't got a coil of two-inch which you could +lend me--I ain't got a topsail brace to reeve and mine are very queer +just now. I reckon they've been turned end for end so often, that +there's an end of them." + +"You say that you know where the vessel is--where is she?" + +"Captain, that's telling--can't I have the two inch?" + +"We have not a whole coil of two-inch left, sir," said the master, +touching his hat. "We might spare him enough for a pair of new braces." + +"Well, well, I'm reasonable altogether, and if so be you haven't got it, +I don't expect it. It's very odd now, but I can't just now remember the +place that the French vessel was going to; it's slipped clean out of my +memory." + +"Perhaps the two-inch might help your memory," replied the captain. +"Mr Smith, let the rope be got up and put into the boat." + +"Well," said the American captain, "as you say, mister, it may help my +memory. It's not the first time that I've freshened a man's memory with +a bit of two-inch myself," continued he, grinning at his own joke; "but +I don't see it coming." + +"I have ordered it to be put in the boat," replied Captain Delmar, +haughtily: "my orders are not disobeyed, nor is my word doubted." + +"Not by them as knows you, I dare say, captain, but you're a stranger to +me; I don't think I ask much, after all--a bit of spar and a bit of +rope--just to tell you where you may go and take a fine vessel, and +pocket a nation lot of dollars as prize-money. Well, there's the rope, +and now I'll tell you. She was going off Berbice or Surinam, to look +after the West Indiamen, who were on the coast, or expected on it, I +don't know which. There you'll find her, as sure as I stand here; but I +think that she is a bit bigger than this vessel--you don't mind that, I +dare say." + +"You may go on board now, sir," said Captain Delmar. + +"Well, thank ye, captain, and good luck to you." + +The American captain went down the side; and as soon as our boat +returned, and was hoisted up, we made all sail for the coast of +Demerara. + +"She must be a fine vessel," said Captain Delmar to me, as he was +walking the deck,--"a very fine vessel, if she is bigger than we are." + +"You will excuse me, Captain Delmar, if I venture to observe that there +was an expression in the eye of the American, when he said a bit bigger, +which made me take it into my head, that in saying so, he was only +deceiving us. The Americans are not very partial to us, and would be +glad of any revenge." + +"That may be, Mr Keene; but I do not see that he can be deceiving us, +by making her out to be larger, as it is putting us on our guard. Had +he said that she was smaller, it would then have been deceiving us." + +"I did not take it in that sense, sir," replied I. "He said a bit +bigger; now, I can't help thinking that a bit bigger was meant to +deceive us, and that it will prove that the Frenchman is a +line-of-battle ship, and not a frigate: he wished to leave us under the +impression that it was a larger frigate than our own and no more." + +"It may be so," replied Captain Delmar, thoughtfully; "at all events, +Mr Keene, I am obliged to you for the suggestion." + +The captain took two or three more turns fore and aft in silence and +then quitted the deck. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +In three days we had gained the latitude of Berbice, and on the fourth +morning the men at the mast-head were keeping a sharp look-out for any +strange sail. Our head was then towards the land, which, being very +low, could not be seen; the breeze was light, the royals had been set, +and the men piped down to breakfast, when the mast-head-man reported +three sail right ahead. We soon made them out to be merchant vessels, +and as they separated, and made all sail from us, we made sure that they +had been captured; and so it proved when we took possession of them, +which we did not do of the third before night-fall. + +Upon interrogating the prisoners and the few English who had been left +on board the prizes, we found out that I had been right in my +conjecture; they had been captured by a French line-of-battle ship, +which they had left in shore the evening before. The English reported +her a very fast sailer, and believed her to be an eighty gun ship-- +indeed the French prisoners acknowledged that such was the case. + +This was very important intelligence, and Captain Delmar walked up and +down deck in deep thought: the fact was, he was puzzled how to act. To +attempt to cope with such a force, unless under peculiarly favourable +circumstances, would be madness: to leave the coast and our mercantile +navy exposed to her depredations, was at the same time very repulsive to +his feelings and sense of duty. The prizes had been manned, the +prisoners were on board, the boats hoisted up, and the Manilla still +remained hove to. The fact was, the captain did not know which way to +put the ship's head; and he walked up and down in deep thought. + +"Mr Keene, is it your watch?" + +"No, sir." + +"Oblige me by telling the master to work up the reckoning; I wish to +know exactly where we are." + +"It is done already, sir," replied I, "and pricked off on the chart--I +have just left the gun-room." + +"Then, Mr Keene, bring the chart into my cabin." I followed into the +cabin with the chart, which I laid down on the table, and pointed out +the position of the ship. + +"You were right in your supposition, Mr Keene," said the captain; "and +really this vessel turning out to be a line-of-battle ship has put me in +a very awkward predicament--I really am puzzled. Fighting is of no use, +and yet run away I will not, if I can possibly help it." + +Now, I had been studying the chart, and had made up my own mind how I +should have acted under the circumstances, had I been in Captain +Delmar's position. The great point was, to give him my ideas without +appearing to offer advice; I therefore replied, "We have one advantage, +at all events sir; we have been cruising so long that we are flying +light--I don't think we draw sixteen feet water." + +"Yes, that may give us the heels of her in light winds, certainly," +replied the captain. + +"I think she cannot draw less than twenty-six or twenty-seven feet of +water, sir," continued I, to put him on the right scent, "which, on this +coast, will be a great advantage. I think, sir, when I was down below, +I measured from soundings to soundings, and the water is so shallow, and +deepens so gradually, that there is a distance of four miles between +seventeen feet and twenty-eight feet water." + +I took up the compass so as to take in the two soundings laid down in +the chart, and then measuring the distance, showed that my assertion was +true. The captain said nothing for a little while. At last I perceived +a smile on his lips. "Tell the officer of the watch to lower down the +cutter, Mr Keene. Go on board of the prizes, and tell them, in +addition to their present orders, to follow us, that in case of an +enemy, they are to run as close in shore as the water will allow them, +and drop their anchors." + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied I, leaving the cabin. + +This order satisfied me that the captain perceived what I would suggest, +which was, that if we once got in shore and in shallow water we might +laugh at the line-of-battle ship, which, in all probability would not be +able to get near enough to reach us with her guns; or, if she attempted +it, she would run on shore, and then we should have the best of it. + +As soon as I had given the orders to the prize-masters and returned on +board, the boat was hoisted up, and all sail made for the land. At +twelve o'clock we sounded, and found ourselves in nine-fathom water, by +which we calculated we were about thirty miles from the land. I hardly +need say that a most careful lookout was kept up, that we might not fall +in with our formidable adversary. + +At one o'clock the moon rose, and I, having the middle watch, surveyed +the horizon on every side, but without discovering the enemy; but at +half-past three the day dawned, and before my watch was over it was +broad daylight; and then, just as I was going down, having been relieved +by the second lieutenant, a strange sail was reported about eight miles +to leeward, two points before the beam. + +The second lieutenant hastened down to the cabin, to report to the +captain, and I went up to the mast-head to make her out, and I soon +discovered that she was a line-of-battle ship: I immediately descended, +and reported to the captain, who had come on deck. As we could +distinguish the masts and sails of the enemy very well from the deck, +the glasses were fixed upon her at the gang-way, and she was seen to set +her royals and flying jib in chase of us; but we felt that we were safe, +as we should be in shallow water long before she could beat up to us. +All we had to fear for was the merchant vessels which we had re-taken, +and which were two or three miles astern of us, with all the sail that +they could carry. + +It was a five-knot breeze, and the water quite smooth, which was very +favourable for the line-of-battle ship and ourselves, but not for the +merchant vessels, which, with their cargoes, required more wind to +propel them through the water. The state of affairs, when the hands +were piped to breakfast, was as follows:-- + +The French line-of-battle ship had stood in for the land, under all +sail, until half-past-seven, being then, as she was when we first saw +her, exactly two points before the beam, when, probably being in shoal +water, she had tacked, and was now a little abaft our beam, and lying +pretty well up for the merchant vessel the furthest astern of us. Since +she had tacked, she had risen her hull out of water, so as to show her +upper tier of guns. Two of the merchant vessels were about three miles +astern of us,--the other one, five, and stood a fair chance of being cut +off; the more so, because when we discovered the enemy, we were standing +about two points free, right for the coast; whereas, upon her hauling +her wind in chase, we of course did the same, which made us approach the +shallow water in a more slanting direction, and consequently not get in +quite so soon. We were now in seven fathoms water, and, by our pricking +off on the chart, about eleven miles from land, which was so low as to +be barely visible from the mast-head. The men were allowed an hour to +their breakfast, and then we beat to quarters. The captain did not, +however, put out the fires, so as to prevent the ship's company's dinner +being cooked, as everything was ready, and the magazines could be opened +in a minute. + +At ten o'clock we had drawn into six fathoms water; the Frenchman was +now nearly astern of us, still on the opposite tack, and passing about +three miles to leeward of the merchant vessel which lagged most behind. +It was now considered certain that she would re-capture this vessel, +which was at least seven miles astern of us, and not impossible that she +might take one, if not both of the others, as it was evident she was a +prime sailer, as fast almost as our own ship. + +At a quarter-past ten, the French line-of-battle ship tacked, and stood +right after us in our wake, being now hull down about twelve miles from +us. + +"He'll soon have the starnmost vessel, Mr Keene," said Bob Cross to me. +"Mr Dott has charge of her; he is always in some scrape or other." + +"Yes," replied I; "but he gets out of them, and I dare say he will out +of this." + +"Helm up there, quarter-master--flatten in forward." + +"The wind's heading us, sir," said the master; "she's full again now. +Thus, boy, and nothing off." + +"She has broken off two points, sir." + +"All the better," replied the captain; "it's a squeak for Mr Dott." + +In a few minutes we perceived that the other vessel had met the change +in the wind and had broken off as well as ourselves. The Frenchman did +not now lay up for the merchant vessel as she did before, and the latter +had some chance of escape. It was very exciting: for as the time drew +nearer to noon, the wind became more light and more variable, and at one +time all the vessels broke off another point; shortly afterwards, the +wind flew back again to the point which it at first blew from, and the +enemy lay once more right up for the merchant vessels. The French +line-of-battle ship was still about four miles astern of the merchant +vessel nearest to her. + +"I think we shall have a calm soon," observed Captain Delmar. "Square +the mainyard; we may as well be nearer to her, as not, now; for if it +falls calm she will recapture them with her boats, and we shall be too +far to give any assistance. Get the yard tackles up: all ready, Mr +---?" + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied the first lieutenant. + +"Pipe the boat's crew away, and let them get their guns and ammunition +on the gangway." + +It was about a quarter to eleven when we hove to, the breeze still +continuing variable and light, and the French line-of-battle ship did +not come up so fast as before. We sounded after we hove to, and found +that we were in five and a half fathoms water. + +At twelve o'clock, in consequence of our having hove to, the relative +positions of the vessels were as follows:--The two merchant vessels +which had been about four miles astern of us were now alongside of us; +the third was about three miles astern of us; and the Frenchman was +about the same distance astern of her; so that our frigate was about six +miles from the French line-of-battle ship. + +Captain Delmar had given orders to pipe to dinner at seven bells +(half-past eleven o'clock); that in case the boats were required, the +men might have dined before the were sent away. A few minutes after +twelve o'clock it fell a dead calm; the hands were turned up, the boats +hoisted out and lowered down, the guns and ammunition put in them, and +everything in readiness; we keeping our glasses upon the enemy, and +watching her manoeuvring, which, at the distance we were, was now easily +to be distinguished. Captain Delmar was aware that he ran some risk in +sending his boats away, for it might so happen that a breeze might +spring up from the seaward, and the enemy have the advantage of it long +before us; if so, it might bring her up to the vessel astern, and the +boats be captured: indeed it might bring her up nearly alongside of us +before we caught the wind. It was necessary therefore, to be very +cautious, and not send the boats away till the last moment--that is, +before we saw the French ship hoisting out or lowering down her own. +That the Frenchman knew that our boats had been hoisted out, could not +be doubted, as their eyes were quite as sharp as ours. They, however, +tried to double us; for all of a sudden, as I had my glass upon the +French ship, I perceived three boats coming round her quarter, and +pulling right for the merchant vessel: the fact was, that she had +lowered down her stern and quarter boats to leeward, which we could not +perceive. I reported this immediately to the captain, who ordered the +boats' crews to be piped away. + +"Who is to command the boats, sir?" said the first lieutenant. + +"Mr Keene," said the captain. + +"Mr Keene, I wish to speak with you before you go." + +Captain Delmar then walked to the capstern, and, in few words, pointed +out what I have just stated as the difficulty which might occur, and the +chances of capture. + +"You understand me, Mr Keene?" + +"Perfectly, sir," replied I. + +"Well, then, I trust to your discretion, Mr Keene, and hope I shall not +be disappointed. Now you may go." + +"The French ship is getting up her yard tackles," said the signal man. + +"Then you have no time to lose, Mr Keene. As for the small boats, they +are of no consequence." + +I went down the side, and shoved off. Our men gave way cheerfully and +manfully; and the three boats of the Frenchmen had but a little start of +us. In half an hour we were both within less than a mile of the +merchant vessel; but the French boats were the nearest of the two. The +affair now became very exciting. In another ten minutes the French +boats had gained the merchant vessel, and the men were clambering up her +sides, while we were not more than three cables' length from them. That +Tommy Dott was defending himself was to be presumed, as a good deal of +firing took place; but before we could get alongside, it was evident +that he and his men had been mastered, and the French were in possession +of the vessel. But now our turn came. Dividing my boats, six in +number, into two divisions, we boarded on both sides, and very soon had +regained the vessel and mastered the French, who did not amount to more +than thirty-five men, while we had more than seventy. + +We found that the Frenchmen had not spared our people on board of the +vessel, all of them being wounded or killed; but the fact was that Tommy +Dott had fought most nobly, and resisted to the very last. He himself-- +poor fellow!--lay against the cap-stern, with his head cut open by a +blow of a cutlass, and quite insensible. As soon as we had secured the +prisoners, I turned my eyes to the line-of-battle ship, and saw that her +large boats had shoved off; they were five in number, but much larger, +and holding more men than we had. + +A little reflection decided me that we should have a better chance of +resisting them on board of the vessel than in the boats; and I +determined that I would get my boats' guns up on board of the vessel, +and arm her in that way. It was necessary, however, to secure our +boats, that they might not cut them away from alongside; I therefore, as +soon as the guns and ammunition were on board, lowered the iron chain +cable down from the bows, and passed it from one boat to the other under +the fixed thwarts of each boat, including those captured from the +French, hauling the end of the cable on board again through the stern +port. We had plenty of time to do this, and make any other preparation +on board, before the French boats arrived. + +It was a dead calm; the sea was like a mirror, and the advancing boats, +as their oars rose and fell in the water, gave you the idea of creatures +possessed of life and volition, as they rapidly forced their way through +the yielding fluid. The vessel's stern was towards the line-of-battle +ship, and the boats were pulling up a little on the starboard quarter. +The guns which I had hoisted on board had, for want of any other means, +been sufficiently secured by ropes to the slides and breechings to +enable us to fire them with effect. When the boats were about a quarter +of a mile from us, we opened our fire; not that we expected much from +our guns, as we knew we could not obtain more than two good shots at the +boats before they were alongside; still there was a chance of hitting +and disabling them, and no chance was to be thrown away. + +Our first shot was successful; it struck one of the pinnaces, and she +swamped immediately. Our men cheered, while the other French boats +pulled to it, and took up the men who were floating in the water. +Before they could effect this, another gun was fired with grape and +round, which apparently did some execution, as there appeared to be much +confusion on board of the two boats that had gone to the assistance of +their comrades. We now fully expected the boats to advance; on the +contrary, they spread out on each quarter, and opened their fire upon us +with their guns--a very foolish act on their part, as it gave us every +advantage; for they were far superior to us in number of men, and should +have boarded us at once, instead of risking the loss of more of their +boats. So little did we expect this, that at one time I was debating +whether I should not leave the guns in the boats alongside, instead of +getting them on board, that there might be no delay in case wind sprang +up, and it were necessary that we should be off; of course, as it was, I +was very glad that I had decided otherwise. + +The action, if it may be so termed, now continued for about half an hour +without any great casualty on either side: we had five or six men +wounded on board of the vessel, but none killed. I had occasionally +looked round to see if there was any appearance of wind, and just about +this time I perceived a black line in the offing, which promised not +only wind, but wind from the very quarter which would be most disastrous +to us, and I began to feel very anxious, when I heard a bugle sounded +from the largest French boat. This was the signal to advance, and I was +very glad, as the affair would now be soon decided. + +As all our boats were secured on the starboard side of the vessel, the +Frenchmen did not attempt to board on that side, as in so doing it would +have been at a double disadvantage; they had therefore no alternative +but to board all together on the larboard side. Two of the boats' guns +had been fixed on that side--double shotted and depressed, so as to be +fired at the moment one of the boats should pass beneath them; they were +both fired at the leading boat, the launch, which was very large and +full of men, and the shot went through her bottom. This did not prevent +her coming alongside: but she filled and sank almost immediately +afterwards, while the men were climbing up the sides of the vessel. The +sinking of this boat prevented the men of the other boats outside of her +from supporting their companions, and we had therefore only to meet the +force of the launch and the two other boats which had come alongside +ahead of her, and which was in number not equal to our own. + +We always had an idea that the French would never do much in the way of +boarding, and so it proved; they were beat down as fast as they made +their appearance above the bulwarks. The French lieutenant was +attempting to get over the gunwale; he was unsupported, as almost all +his men had tumbled back into the sea. Instead of cutting him down, I +caught him by the collar, and hauled him on board, and as soon as he was +disarmed, gave him in charge of a marine. In ten minutes all was over: +two of the French boats remained alongside, and the others shoved off, +half manned, and dropped astern. We gave them three cheers as a parting +salutation, but we had no time to lose--the wind was evidently springing +up fast; already cat's paws were to be seen here and there rippling the +water, and the line on the horizon was now dark and broad. I ordered +our boats to be ready for starting, the guns to be got in, and the +wounded men divided among them as fast as possible. The two large +French boats which remained on the starboard side we cleared of the men +who lay in them, and then had their bottoms beat out to sink them. The +French lieutenant and two other officers I ordered into our own boats, +to take on board as prisoners; the rest of the French who had been +captured, with their wounded, we put into the three small French boats +which had been captured in the first attack, taking away their oars, +that, when I shoved off and left the vessel, they might drift about till +they were picked up by the French ship. + +Every thing being in readiness, I had now to decide what I should do +with the merchant vessel. The wind coming up so fast from the seaward, +gave her no chance of escape, and I decided that I would set her on +fire. Having so done in three different parts, to ensure her +destruction, I then shoved off with our boats, having first pushed off +the Frenchmen in their boats without oars, and wished them good-bye; +they certainly did look very foolish, and anything but pleased. + +As we pulled for the frigate, I perceived that the line-of-battle ship's +sails were filling, and that it was touch and go with us; but I also +knew that she could not leave her boats and that it would take some time +to pick them up; two were half-manned, and pulling towards her; the +other three were without oars, and must be picked by the other boats; +all of which would occasion delay. Notwithstanding, we pulled as hard +as we could and were halfway back before the breeze was sufficiently +steady to enable the line-of-battle ship to make much progress through +the water. Of course we could not well see what was going on when we +had pulled away in the boats, and were at a distance; all we could see +was, that the French line-of-battle ship was not yet in chase, from +which we presumed that she had not yet picked up her boats. In the +meantime the merchant vessel burnt furiously, and the columns of smoke +very often hid the enemy from our view. + +Before we arrived on board the breeze had passed us and caught the sails +of our frigate and the two merchant vessels, so that we were more easy +on that score. Captain Delmar had been very anxious; the yards, +tackles, and stays, and the tackles for hoisting up the quarter-boats, +were already hanging down as we pulled alongside, and "all hands in +boats" was piped before we could get up the gangway. There was no time +to be lost: the French line-of-battle ship had picked up her boats, and +was now in chase, with studding-sails below and abaft. The two merchant +vessels had made all sail, and were running inshore ahead of us. I +touched my hat to the captain, and said, "Come on board, sir--shall I +see the quarter-boats hoisted up?" + +"If you please, Mr Keene," replied he. + +The fact was, it was very easy to tell my story after the boats were up +and sail made upon the frigate, and I knew there was no time for +talking. + +I never witnessed such a rapidity as was shown on this occasion; in less +than five minutes all the boats were on board, and all sail made. I +looked at the French line-of-battle ship; she was within four miles of +us, and bringing up a very steady breeze. But we were now drawing +through the water, and as the re-captured vessels were three miles ahead +of us, there was nothing to fear. Captain Delmar came aft to look at +the Frenchman, who had already passed by the vessel which I had set on +fire. + +"Now, then, Mr Keene," said he, "we will know what has taken place. Of +course we have seen most of it." + +I narrated what the reader already knows. + +"What do you suppose to have been the loss?" + +"I should say three boats, and about forty men, sir. I forgot, sir, to +tell you that we have a lieutenant and two officers prisoners, whom I +brought on board with me." + +"Desire them to be brought on deck," said the captain. "Mr Keene, you +have done your work well--with great gallantry and great judgment." + +I touched my hat, not a little pleased at such a compliment from. +Captain Delmar. + +"What's the last soundings, Mr Smith?" inquired the captain. + +"And a quarter four, sir," said the master. + +"This chase won't last long," observed the captain. "Take in the lower +studding-sail." + +The French lieutenant was then questioned; but with the exception of the +name of the ship and captain, there was little to be expected from him, +and he was dismissed and sent below. + +This affair, however, was not without loss on our side (principally +arising from Tommy Dott's stout defence). We had two men killed, and we +had altogether fourteen men wounded--some of them very severely. My +friend Tommy Dott came on board a miserable object, his face and hair +matted with blood; but when it was washed away, he proved to be not so +much hurt as was supposed: the cut was severe, but the bones were not +injured. He was very soon out of his hammock again, and his chief +pleasure was to put his tongue in his cheek and make faces at the French +lieutenant, who at last became so annoyed, that he complained to Captain +Delmar, who ordered Mr Tommy to leave off these expressions of national +animosity, if he had any wish to obtain his promotion. But to return. + +As the breeze freshened, and the French ship had the first of it; she +rapidly gained upon us, and in an hour and a half was about three miles +from us. We had now shoaled our water to three fathoms and a half, +which was quite near enough to the ground, as it left but four feet +between our keel and the bottom; the studding-sails were taken in, and +we ranged the cable. A few minutes afterwards the French line-of-battle +ship was seen to shorten sail, and haul to the wind; she had followed us +into as shoal water as far as she dared to venture in, and as she +rounded to, out of spite, I presume, she fired a gun. The evening was +now closing in, and as there was every appearance of fine weather, we +stood out till we were again in four fathoms, and then dropped our +anchor. + +The next morning, when the day broke, the French line-of-battle ship was +in the offing about eight miles distant. It may easily be imagined that +the French were very much annoyed at what had taken place; their prizes +re-captured, three boats lost, and their ship's company weakened, and +all by an inferior force close to them, and without any prospect of +their having any revenge. But we, on the other hand, were not very +pleasantly situated. It is true that we were safe, but, at the same +time, we were in prison, and could not hope for escape, unless some +vessel came down to our assistance; and how long we might be compelled +to remain where we were, or what the chapter of accidents might bring +about, no one could foresee. + +About eight o'clock the French ship again stood in, and when as close as +she dare come to us, she ran up and down, trying for deeper water on one +side or the other, but in vain. She was within gun-shot of us, it is +true, as we had run out into four fathoms; but we could always trip our +anchor when we pleased and stand further in. At last she tried a shot +at us, and it fell very close. Captain Delmar did not, however, get +under weigh and stand further in, although he ordered the capstern bars +to be shipped, and the messenger passed. A second and a third shot were +fired, and one went over us. At last the Frenchman anchored, and set to +work in good earnest. He found that he was within range, and as we did +not move, presumed that we were in as shallow water as we could run +into. + +As the wind was still to seaward, we laid head on to him, and one of his +shot struck us in the forefoot; Captain Delmar then ordered the cable to +be hove in and the anchor tripped, by which means we drifted in shore +and increased our distance without his being aware of it, and his firing +still continued, but without injury to us. The reason for Captain +Delmar's doing this was evident; he wished the French ship to continue +firing, as the report of her guns might be heard and bring down some +vessel to our assistance. At all events, such was not our good fortune +on the first day, and I began to be tired of our situation; so did +Captain Delmar; for on the second day he sent a boat to the recaptured +vessels, which were at anchor inshore of us, directing them to heave up +as soon as it was dark, and make the best of their way to Barbadoes, +keeping well in shore till they got more to the northward; this they +did, and the following morning they were not in sight. + +The French ship still remained at anchor, and it appeared that she had +been lightening so as to get further in; for on that morning she +weighed, and stood in to a mile and a half of us, and we were obliged to +do the same, and run inshore out of his reach. To effect this we +anchored in three and a quarter fathoms, so that we actually stirred up +the mud. Towards the evening the wind fortunately shifted to off shore, +and as soon as it was dark the captain ordered the anchor to be weighed, +and we made all sail to the northward, trusting to our heels; the +following morning we had run seventy miles, and as the French ship was +not to be seen, it was to be presumed that she was not aware of our +having so done. + +Ten days afterwards we dropped our anchor in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes. +We found two men-of-war, both captains junior officers to our own, and I +took this opportunity of passing my examination, which was a mere matter +of form. Having watered and taken in provisions, we then sailed for +Jamaica, to join the admiral, who, upon Captain Delmar's representation, +immediately confirmed the acting order of lieutenant given to me by him. + +A few days afterwards a packet arrived from England, and letters were +received by Captain Delmar, informing him of the death of his elder +brother and his succeeding to the title of Lord de Versely; for his +elder brother, although married, had no male issue. Upon this +intelligence, Captain Delmar immediately resigned the command of the +Manilla, and another Captain was appointed to her. I did not much like +this, as I wished to remain with Captain Delmar, and gain his good-will. +I was, however, consoled by his sending for me, previous to his sailing +for England in a frigate ordered home, and saying, "Mr Keene, my duties +in the House of Lords, and family affairs, require my presence in +England, and I think it most probable that I now quit the service +altogether; but I shall not lose sight of you. You have conducted +yourself much to my satisfaction, and I will take care of your +advancement in the service, if you only continue as you have begun. I +shall be happy to hear from you, if you will write to me occasionally. +I wish you every success. Is there anything that I can do for you?" + +"I am most grateful, my lord," replied I, "for all your kindness. I had +hoped to have been longer under your protection and guidance; but I am +aware that your high station must now prevent it. If I might be so bold +as to ask a favour, my lord?" + +"Certainly, Keene," replied his lordship. + +_Keene_! not _Mr_ Keene, thought I. + +"It is, sir, that I--think I should have a better chance of doing +something if I were to obtain the command of the Firefly schooner; the +lieutenant commanding her is about to invalid." + +"I agree with you. I will speak to the admiral this very day. Is that +all?" + +"Yes, my lord; unless you think you could ask for Cross, your coxswain, +to be appointed to her. I should like to have a man on board whom I +knew, and could trust." + +"I will see about it, and so good-bye." + +His lordship held out his hand. I took it very respectfully; he had +never done so before, and the tears ran down my cheeks as I was quitting +him. His lordship observed it, and turned away. I left the cabin, +quite overcome with his kindness, and so happy, that I would not have +changed positions with the grand sultan himself. + +Lord de Versely was faithful to his promise: the next day I received +from the admiral my appointment to the Firefly, and, what was more +unexpected, Bob Cross received a warrant as her boatswain. This was a +very kind act of Lord de Versely, and I was as much delighted as Bob +himself. I also received an invitation to dinner with the admiral on +that day. On my arrival at the house, a few minutes before dinner, the +admiral called me aside to the verandah, and said to me, "Mr Keene, I +have not forgotten your cruise in the pirate schooner, and Lord de +Versely has told me of your good behaviour in many instances since; +particularly of your conduct in the boats off Berbice. In his +despatches he has given you great praise, and I have added mine to back +it; so that if you only keep steady, you will command a sloop of war +very soon. You have now been seven months a lieutenant, for your +commission will be confirmed to your first appointment; a few months +more, and I hope to see you with a commander's commission in your +pocket." + +I replied, that I was very grateful, and only hoped that he would send +me out in the schooner to where I might prove myself deserving of his +patronage. + +"Never fear. I'll find something for you to do, Mr Keene. By-the-bye, +Lord de Versely told me last night, when we were alone, the history of +the duel at Martinique. You did well, Mr Keene; I thank you in the +name of our service--it won't do for the soldiers to crow over us, +though they are fine fellows, it must be admitted. However, that secret +had better be kept." + +"Most certainly, sir," replied I. + +"Now, then, there's that black fellow come up to tell us dinner is +ready; so come along, or you'll be where the little boat was--a long way +astern." + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +The admiral was very kind to me, and shook hands with me when I left +him. I returned on board of the Manilla, took leave of the surgeon, and +master, and other officers, and then of all my mess-mates, and a boat +was manned to take Bob Cross and me on board of the Firefly. After the +boat shoved off and was a little distance from the frigate, the men +suddenly tossed up their oars. + +"What are you about, men?" said I. + +"Look there, sir," said Bob Cross, pointing to the frigate. + +I turned round, and perceived all the men in the rigging, who gave me +three cheers from a pipe of the boatswain; a compliment which I had not +dreamt of, and which moved me to tears. I rose, and took off my hat; +the men in the boat returned the cheers, dropped their oars in the +water, and rowed to the schooner. I stepped on board, ordered the hands +aft and read my commission, and then Cross's warrant; after which I went +down into the cabin, for I wished to be alone. + +I was now in command of a vessel, and not more than twenty years old. I +reflected what a career was before me, if I was fortunate, and never +neglected an opportunity of distinguishing myself; and I vowed that I +never would, and prayed to Heaven to assist my endeavours. Lord de +Versely's kindness to me had struck deep into my heart, and my anxiety +was, that he should be proud of me. And then I thought of the chances +for and against me; he might marry and have children; that would be the +worst thing that could happen to me: if he did not marry, his other +brother had a large family, and the title would go to the eldest son; +but that was nothing to me. + +While I was summoning up all these contingencies in my mind, there was a +knock at the cabin door. "Come in," said I. "Oh! is it you, Cross? +I'm glad to see you. Sit down there. You see I command a vessel at +last, Bob." + +"Yes, sir; and you'll command a larger one before long, I hope; but as +to your being in command of a vessel--there's nothing very surprising in +that; what is surprising is, to find myself a warrant officer--the idea +never came into my head. I must write, and tell my little girl of my +good fortune; it will make her and her mother very happy." + +"I must do the same, Cross. My mother will be very much pleased to hear +all I have to tell her." + +"I haven't heard it myself yet, Mr Keene, and that's why I came in," +replied Bob. "I know you don't want advice now; but I can't help having +a wish to know what took place between you and his lordship." + +"No one has a better right to know than you, Cross, who have been such a +sincere friend to me; so now I'll tell you." + +I then entered into a detail of all that had passed between Lord de +Versely and me, and also what the admiral had said to me. + +"All's right, Mr Keene," replied Bob; "and let the admiral only give us +something to do and I think you'll believe me when I say that the +boatswain of the Firefly will back you as long as he has a pin to stand +upon." + +"That I'm sure of, Bob; you will ever be my right-hand man. There are +two midshipmen on board, I perceive: what sort of lads may they be?" + +"I haven't had time to find out; but you have a capital ship's company-- +that the gunner and carpenter both say." + +"And a very fine vessel, Bob." + +"Yes, sir, and a regular flyer, they say, if she is well managed. You +have never been in a schooner, Mr Keene, but I have, and for nearly +three years, and I know how to handle one as well as most people." + +"So much the better, Cross, for I know nothing about it. Come, I will +ring the bell; I suppose some one will answer it." A lad made his +appearance. + +"Were you Mr Williams's servant?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Get me out a bottle of wine and some glasses--there, that will do." + +"Now, Bob, let's drink success to the Firefly." + +"Here's success to the Firefly, Mr Keene, and success to the captain. +May you do well in her, and be soon out of her." + +"Thank you, Bob: here's your health, and may we long sail together." + +Bob and I finished the bottle, and then we parted. + +The next day, I was very busy in examining my vessel and my ship's +company. The schooner was a beautiful model, very broad in the beam, +and very low in the water; she mounted one long brass thirty-two-pounder +forward on a circular sweep, so that it could be trained in every +direction; abaft, she had four brass nine-pound carronades. My ship's +company consisted of sixty men and officers; that is, myself, two mids, +boatswain, gunner, and carpenter. The mids were young lads of about +sixteen years of age, a Mr Brown and a Mr Black, gawky tall boys, with +their hands thrust too far though the sleeves of their jackets, and +their legs pulled too far through their trowsers; in fact, they were +growing lads, who had nothing but their pay to subsist upon, being both +sons of warrant officers. They bore very good characters, and I +resolved to patronise them, and the first thing which I did was, to +present them each with a new suit of uniform and a few other +necessaries, so as to make them look respectable; a most unheard-of +piece of patronage, and which it is, therefore, my boast to record. The +fact is, I was resolved that my schooner should look respectable; my +ship's company were really a very fine body of men, most of them tall +and stout, and I had received a very good character of them from the +officer who had invalided. I had taken all his stores and furniture off +his hands, for I had plenty of money, and to spare. + +As soon as I had examined my ship's company, I made them a speech, the +which, although they were bound to hear it, I shall not inflict upon the +reader, and I then went down and examined every portion of the vessel, +ascertained what there was in her and where everything was. Bob Cross +accompanied me in this latter duty, which was not over till dinner-time. + +The next morning my signal was made, and I went up to the admiral. + +"Mr Keene," said the admiral, "here are despatches to take down to the +governor of Curacao. When can you be ready?" + +"Now, sir," replied I; "and if you will make the signal for the Firefly +to weigh anchor, there will be so much time gained." + +"Very good, Keene; tell them to make the signal. You must make all the +haste you can, as they are important. Here are your orders: after you +have delivered your despatches, you will be allowed to cruise down in +that quarter, as I understand there are some very mischievous vessels in +that direction. I hope you will give me a good account of one or two of +them, if you fall in with them." + +"I will do my best, sir," replied I. + +"Well, I sent you on purpose. I have ordered the senior officer at +Curacao to forward the return despatches by the Mosquito, that you may +have a chance. I won't ask you to stay to dinner, as it is an affair +that presses, so of course you will carry a press of sail. Good-bye, +and I wish you success." + +I took my leave of the admiral and hastened down to the town. In an +hour afterwards the Firefly was driving along with a fine breeze on the +quarter, and long before night the vessels in the harbour were not to be +distinguished. The breeze freshened after the sun went down, and I +remained on deck, carrying on to the last moment. Bob Cross once or +twice ventured to say, that we had better reduce the sail; but I told +Bob that the admiral was very anxious that I should make a quick +passage. + +"Yes, Mr Keene, but `turning the turtle' is not making a quick passage, +except to the other world, and the admiral does not wish his despatches +to go there. She is a fine boat, sir, but there may be too much sail +carried on a good vessel: the men say she never has been so pressed +before." + +"Well, you are right, Bob, and so we will take a little off her." + +"Yes, sir; it's my watch coming on now, and I will carry all she can +bear with safety, and I think she will go quite as fast as she does now. +We shall have more wind yet, sir, depend upon it." + +"Well, so long as it is fair, I don't mind how much," replied I. "Send +the watch aft." + +We reduced the sail, and then I went down to bed. + +At daylight I awoke and went on deck. The carpenter had the watch, for +the watches were entrusted to the warrant officers, who were all good +seamen, and accustomed to the schooner. I found that the wind had +freshened, but was steady from the same quarter, and the schooner was +darting through the water at a tremendous rate. + +"She sails well, Mr Hayter," said I. + +"Yes, sir, that she does," replied he; "and never sailed better than she +does now. I was a little alarmed for my sticks, last night, until you +shortened sail." + +"Admiral's order to carry a press of sail, Mr Hayter." + +"Well, sir, then by Jove you obey orders; you half frightened the men, +although they had been so long in the vessel." + +I felt, by what the carpenter had said, that I had been rash. Neither +he nor Bob Cross would have ventured so much if I had not been so; and +they understood the vessel better than I did, so I resolved to be guided +by them until I felt able to judge for myself. Notwithstanding that +sail was afterwards carried more prudently, we had a most remarkably +rapid passage; for we took the breeze with us down the whole way, not +seeing a vessel during the run. I had another cause of impatience, +which was, to ascertain if Mr Vanderwelt and Minnie had left the +island. + +On my arrival, I went first to the naval commanding officer, and then to +the governor's, delivering my credentials. They complimented me on my +having been so active. I accepted the governor's invitation to dinner, +and then went to inquire after Mr Vanderwelt. I walked first to his +house, but found it occupied by a Scotch merchant, who, however, was +very polite. He stated that he was an old friend of Mr Vanderwelt, and +could give me every information, as he had received letters from him +very lately; and that, in those letters, Mr Vanderwelt had informed him +that I had said, in my last letter to them, that I was again on the West +India station, and requested him, if I came to the island, to show me +every attention. "So, my dear sir," continued Mr Fraser, "I trust you +will enable me to comply with my friend Mr Vanderwelt's injunctions, +and consider this house as your home during your stay here." + +I thanked Mr Fraser and accepted the offer. I sent for my portmanteau, +and slept there that night after I had dined with the governor. At +dinner I met Captain C---, who told me he had orders to send me on a +cruise, and asked when I would be ready. I replied, that I should like +a day or two to lift my rigging and overhaul it, as I had been very much +strained in my passage down. + +"No wonder," replied he; "you must have flown--indeed, your log proves +it. Well, I will send you as soon as you are ready. The Naiad sloop is +out, and so is the Driver brig, both in pursuit of three vessels, which +have done a great deal of mischief. One is a French brig of fourteen +guns, very fast and full of men. She has her consort, a large schooner, +who is also a regular clipper. The other vessel is a brigantine, a very +fine vessel, built at Baltimore--of course, under French colours: she +cruises alone. I don't know how many guns she carries, but I suspect +that both she and the brig will be too much for you; and unless you +could catch the schooner away from her consort, you will not be able to +do much with the Firefly." + +"I will do my best, sir," replied I. "I have a very fine set of men on +board, and I think, very good officers." + +"Well, at all events, if you can't fight, you have a good pair of heels +to run with," replied Captain C---; "but dinner's announced." + +I left early, that I might have some conversation with Mr Fraser. On +my return we sat down to some sangoree and cigars; and then he told me +that Mr Vanderwelt had left Curacao about nine months before, and that +my last letter directed to him had been forwarded to Holland. He had +often heard the history of my saving their lives on board of the pirate +vessel from Mr Vanderwelt who made it a constant theme of his +discourse; and, added Mr Fraser, "You do not know what a regard he has +for you." + +"And little Minnie, sir?" inquired I: "it is now nearly five years since +I saw her." + +"Little Minnie is no longer little Minnie, Mr Keene, I can assure you. +She was _fifteen_ when she left the island, and had grown a tall and +very beautiful girl. All the young men here were mad about her and +would have followed her not only to Holland, but to the end of the +world, I believe, if they thought that they had the least chance--but +from my intimacy with the family, I tell you candidly, that I think if +you were to meet again, you would not have a bad one; for she talks +incessantly of you when alone with her father: but I must not divulge +family secrets." + +"I fear there is little chance of my meeting again with her," replied I: +"I have to carve my way up in my profession, and this war does not +appear likely to be over soon. That I should like to see her and her +father again, I grant; for I have made but few friendships during my +life, and theirs was one of the most agreeable. Where is Mr Vanderwelt +settled?" + +"He is not in Holland--he is at Hamburg. Well there is no saying; +accident may bring you together again, as it did on board of the pirate; +and I hope it may." + +Shortly afterwards we went to bed. I must say, his description of +Minnie, which was even much more in detail than I have narrated to the +reader, did prevent my going to sleep for a long while. Women, as the +reader may have seen, never once troubled my thoughts! I had fed upon +one sole and absorbing idea, that of being acknowledged by Captain +Delmar; this was, and had been, the source and spring of every action, +and was the only and daily object of reverie; it was my ambition, and +ambition in any shape, in whatever direction it may be led, is so +powerful as to swallow up every other passion of the human mind; but +still I had a strong affection for Minnie--that is for little Minnie, as +I saw her first, with her beautiful large eyes and Madonna countenance, +clinging to her father. With the exception of my own relations, who +were so much my seniors, I had had nothing to bestow my affections on-- +had not even made the acquaintance, I may say, of a woman, unless my +casual intercourse with Bob Cross's Mary, indeed, might be so +considered. A passion for the other sex was, therefore, new to me; but, +although new, it was pleasing, and, perhaps, more pleasing, from being, +in the present case, ideal; for I had only a description of Minnie as +she was, and a recollection of what she had been. I could, therefore, +between the two, fill up the image with what was, to my fancy, the ideal +of perfection. I did so again and again, until the night wore away; +and, tired out at last, I fell fast asleep. + +The next day, after I had been on board of the schooner, and given my +orders to Bob Cross, I returned to Mr Fraser, and sat down to write to +Mr Vanderwelt; I also wrote to Minnie, which I had never done before. +That my night reveries had an effect on me is certain, for I wrote her a +long letter; whereas, had I commenced one before my arrival at Curacao, +I should have been puzzled to have made out ten lines. I told her I was +sitting in the same chair, that I was sleeping in the same room, that I +could not look around me without being reminded of her dear face, and +the happy hours we passed together; that Mr Fraser had told me how tall +she had grown, and was no longer the little Minnie that used to kiss me. +In fact, I wrote quite romantically as well as affectionately, and when +I read over my letter, wondered how it was that I had become so +eloquent. I begged Mr Vanderwelt to write to me as soon as possible, +and tell me all about their doings. I sealed my letter, and then threw +myself back in my chair, and once more indulged in the reveries of the +night before. I had a new feeling suddenly sprung up in my heart, which +threatened to be a formidable rival to my ambition. + +In two days the Firefly was ready, and I reported her as being so to +Captain C---. He gave me my orders, which were to cruise for six weeks, +and then to rejoin the admiral at Port Royal, unless circumstances +should make me think it advisable to return to the island. The boats of +the men-of-war were sent to tow me out of the harbour, and I was once +more on the wide blue sea--the schooner darting along like a dolphin. + +For a fortnight we cruised without seeing any vessel but the Naiad. I +was very much afraid that the captain would have ordered me to keep +company; but as he considered his vessel quite a match for the brig and +schooner if he should fall in with them, and did not want the +prize-money to be shared with the crew of the Firefly, he allowed me to +go my own way, saying to me, laughingly, as I went over the side, "They +will certainly take you if they meet you, and we shall have to recapture +you." + +"Well, I hope you will not forget your promise, sir," replied I; "I +shall depend upon you." + +During the fortnight that I had been out, I had taken great pains in +exercising the men at their guns, the great gun particularly; and I had +had an excellent sight put on it, which it had not, and very much +required. During two or three days' calm, I had fired shot at a mark +for three or four hours each day, and I found that the men, with this +little practice, were very expert, and could hit a very small object, +now that the sight was put on the gun. The two best shots, however, +were the gunner and Bob Cross. + +The night after we parted from the Naiad, I had run to the southward, +having heard from the captain that the Driver was more to the northward +than he was. There was nothing in sight on the next day, and when the +evening set in, the wind being very light, and water smooth, I said to +Cross, "Suppose we furl sail at night--it is just as good as running +about; we then shall see them if they come in our way, and they will not +see us." + +"A very good idea, Mr Keene; we must keep a good look-out, that's all." + +I followed up my own suggestion; we furled the sails, and leaving two +men with the officer of the watch to keep a sharp look-out, allowed the +rest of the ship's company to remain in the hammocks during the whole of +the night. + +When day broke we had two look-out men at the mast-head, but remained +with our sails furled as before, for the same reason, that we should +discern a vessel by her sails long before she could discover us. The +more I thought of it, the more convinced I was of the advantage to be +gained by the following up of this plan. I was on the exact cruising +ground I wished to be, and therefore could not do better while the +weather remained so fine. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +Four nights and three days we remained in this way; during which my men +had nothing to do but to exercise at the guns, and of that I took care +they should have a good spell. On the fourth night the wind was a +little fresher, but the water quite smooth. I had turned in about +twelve o'clock, and had been asleep about an hour when Cross came and +called me. + +"Well, Cross," said I, "what is it?" + +"Here they are, sir." + +"What?--the privateers?" + +"Yes, sir; the brig and schooner both coming down right before the wind; +they are on our weather quarter, and will pass us within two miles, if +not nearer." + +I left my bed-place, and was dressed in a minute. I went on deck with +my glass, and directed it to the vessels, which were quite plain to the +naked eye. + +"Put out the binnacle light, Cross," said I; "they might discover us." + +The brig, which was the headmost of the two vessels, was now nearly +crossing our stern. The schooner was about a mile astern of her. + +"Turn the hands up, Cross; see all ready for action and making sail." + +"Not yet, sir, surely!" + +"No, not yet; we will let them run two or three miles dead to leeward, +and then follow them till daylight, or till they see us, when, of +course, they will be after us." + +"It's very fortunate, sir, that we did furl the sails; for had they come +down, and we under sail, they would have seen us, and we should have +been to leeward of them, which would have given us a poor chance against +such odds; now we shall have the weather-gage, and may choose, if our +heels are as good as theirs, which I expect they are, if not better." + +"I shall fight them in some shape or another, Bob, you may depend upon +it." + +"Of course you will, Mr Keene, or you'll disappoint us all. The ship's +company have every confidence in you, I can tell you." + +"Thanks to your long yarns, Bob, I presume." + +"Thanks to my telling the truth, Mr Keene. The schooner is right +astern of us now, so there's the weather-gage gone--thank God!" + +We remained as we were till I considered the two vessels sufficiently to +leeward, and the sails were then set upon the Firefly, and first running +to the eastward, so as to get right in the wind's eye of them, I put the +helm up, and followed them. We had continued our course in their wake +for about an hour, when day dawned, and the schooner, who had discovered +us, fired a gun as a signal to her concert. + +"So you've found us out at last, have you?" said Bob Cross--"at all +events, we keep a better look-out than you do, old fellow." + +Shortly after the gun was fired, both vessels hauled to the wind on the +larboard tack, and we did the same: being about four miles to windward +of the schooner and five or five and a half of the brig, we could now +examine our adversaries. The schooner was, apparently, about the same +tonnage as the Firefly, a very beautiful vessel with her masts raking +over her stern. She was painted black, and we could not ascertain, at +first, how many guns she carried, as her ports were shut; but after a +short time she knocked out her half ports to prepare for action, and +then we discovered that she carried twelve guns, but not a long gun on a +swivel like the one on board of the Firefly. I observed this to Cross, +who replied, "Then, sir, all we have to do now is to try our rate of +sailing with them, and if we are faster than they are we have not much +to fear--unless we lose a spar, indeed; but luck's all, Mr Keene. The +schooner has more sail on her than we have; shall we set exactly the +same?" + +"No, Cross, for I think we have fore-reached upon her already, and, if +we can beat her with less sail set, it will do just as well. I think +that the breeze is steady; if anything, we shall have more than less of +it." + +For an hour we continued running on the same tack with them, by which +time we found that we had not only brought the schooner one point abaft +our beam, but had weathered her at least half a mile. We therefore were +fully satisfied that we had sailed better than the schooner. With the +brig it was not so. Although we had brought the schooner two points +abaft our beam, the brig was much in her former position, being still +half a point abaft our beam, and moreover had come in much closer to the +schooner, proving that we had neither weathered her, nor fore-reached +upon her. As near as we could judge, our sailing with the brig was much +upon a par. Having ascertained this point more satisfactorily by +allowing another hour of trial, I desired the men to get their +breakfasts, while I and the officers did the same, and as soon as that +was done, I ordered the Firefly to be kept away--edging down till within +good range of our long brass thirty-two-pound gun--that is, about one +mile and a half--when we again hauled our wind and hoisted the English +colours. + +The tri-colour was immediately thrown up by the two Frenchmen, and a +shot was fired at us by the schooner: it fell exhausted into the water +about half a cable's length from us. + +"Now, Cross," said I, "see if we can't return the compliment with a +little better success." + +Cross, who had been training the gun, and had his eye on the sight, +waited for a second or two, and fired: we saw the shot pass through the +first reef of his main-sail, and dash into the water to leeward of him. + +"Very good that, Cross; but hull him if you can." + +The schooner now returned the fire with the whole broadside, apparently +twelve pounders; but they did not throw so far as our long +thirty-two-pounder, and no shot went over us, although one fell close +under the stern. At the distance, therefore, that we were, we had +everything in our favour and my object was to dismantle the schooner +before any chance enabled the brig to assist her. We continued to fire +at her, taking the greatest pains in our aim, for the next hour, during +which we ascertained that we had hulled her more than once, and had very +much cut up her spars and rigging. She continued to return the fire, +but without effect. One or two shots hit us, but their force was so +much spent by the distance they were propelled, that they did not enter +the sides. At last a shot fired by the gunner did the job; it struck +her foremast, which shortly afterwards went by the board. The Fireflies +gave three cheers at the good fortune. + +"She's done for, sir," said Cross. "Now for the brig--we must try what +metal she carries." + +"Stop a bit," said I, "Cross; we must give the schooner a little more +before she gets away. They have lowered down the main-sail and I +presume, intend getting up some head-sail, so as to pay off, and run +under the lee of the brig for shelter. Put the helm up, and run down so +as to keep the schooner about two points on our larboard bow. Get the +gun round, and pitch it into her." + +As we had supposed, the schooner got a stay up from her bowsprit and to +her mainmast head, and hoisted a fore and aft sail upon it, that she +might pay off, and run down to her consort for support; but as we ran +three feet to her one, and now stood directly for her, we were enabled +to get close to her, and put several shots into her from our long gun as +we advanced. She did not attempt to round to, to give us her broadside, +and our raking shot must have had great effect. When within half a mile +of her we rounded to, and gave her our broadside; for had we followed +her any further we should have been closer to the brig than might be +agreeable. Indeed, we were nearer than we thought, for she had +continued to hug the wind, and was so weatherly, that she was not more +than a mile to leeward of us when we rounded to the wind again; but as +she had fore-reached upon the schooner, she was distant from us about +two miles. As we rounded to the brig tacked, and we immediately did the +same; and we now had a fair trial of sailing with her. + +"Cross, let the men go down and get what they can to eat," said I, "and +get up the grog. We shall have plenty of work before the night is over, +I expect." + +"We must make a running fight of it, sir, I expect, for she is too heavy +for us." + +"I shall try her the same way as the schooner, Cross," replied I. "If I +can only knock away some of her spars without losing my own, I shall +then be able to do something; if, on the contrary, we lose our spars, +and she gets alongside of us, why then we must fight to the last." + +"I consider that schooner as our own," replied Bob; "she must haul down +her colours when no longer protected by the brig." + +"Yes; I was afraid that she would run away to leeward altogether; but I +see she has rounded to, and is no doubt getting up a jury fore-mast." + +I allowed the men to remain an hour at their dinner, and then they were +summoned up. During the hour we found the rate of sailing between us +and the brig so nearly balanced, that it was impossible to say which had +the best of it. + +"Now, my lads, we will wear round, and get a little closer to this +fellow, and see what we can do with him." + +The men were full of spirits and hope, and were as anxious to decide the +question as I was. In ten minutes we passed the brig within a mile on +opposite tacks, and had given her our long gun three times, and had +received her broadside. + +"He has long twelve-pounders, I think, sir," said Cross; "smart guns, at +all events. There's a fore shroud and a back stay gone; but that's no +great matter." + +As soon as the brig was three points abaft the beam we tacked, and +recommenced firing. Not a shot was thrown away by my men. I believe +the brig was hulled every time; nor was her fire without effect upon us. +Our rigging was much cut up; several of her shots had gone through our +sails, and we had two men hurt. I was annoyed at this, as we had no +surgeon on board. The assistant surgeon who had belonged to the +schooner was at the hospital, and there was not one to replace him when +we sailed. However, we had one of the men belonging to the hospital--a +sort of dispenser--who knew very well how to manage anything that was +not very serious. + +The breeze had gradually died away, and we did not go more than three +miles through the water; and as our sails were much torn, we did not +hold so good a wind. The consequence was that the distance between us +and our antagonist was, by two o'clock, decreased to half a mile, and +the fight became very warm. Our broadside guns were now called into +play, and assisted us very much, as we directed them chiefly at her +sails and rigging, while our long thirty-two-pounder was fired at her +hull, pointed below her water-line. She had the advantage in number of +guns, certainly; but our large shots from the long gun were more +destructive. + +About three we knocked away her fore-topmast, which enabled us to shoot +ahead about a quarter of a mile, and increase our distance, which was a +boon to us, for we latterly had suffered very much. We had eight men +wounded and one of my poor middies killed; and we had received several +shots in the hull. Now that we had increased our distance, we had a +better chance, as our long gun was more effective than those of the +brig. At five o'clock it fell dead calm, and both vessels lay with +their heads round the compass; this was also in our favour, as we could +train our long gun on its circular bend in any direction we pleased; but +the brig contrived, by getting sweeps out of her bow ports, to bring her +broadside to bear upon us, and the action continued till night closed +in. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +As it may be supposed, my men were completely worn out with the fatigue +and excitement of the day; and Cross said, "There's no saying how this +will end, Mr Keene; but, at all events, we have not the worst of it at +present." + +"No, Bob," replied I. "I wish the men were not so knocked up." + +"Oh, as for that, sir, I'll answer for it, that if you serve out some +more grog, make them eat half a biscuit at the tub before they drink it, +and make them a little bit of a speech, that they'll go on for +twenty-four hours more." + +"If that will have the effect, I'm sure I'll try it," replied I. "Which +shall they have first?" + +"Oh, biscuit first, grog next, and then a speech afterwards." + +"That fellow has not fired for this last five minutes; perhaps he wishes +to put it off till to-morrow morning; but I'll not; so get up the grog-- +make it pretty strong: and I'll get something to eat myself, for I have +had nothing to eat all day." + +As soon as the ship's company had had their refreshment, I sent for them +aft, and said, "My lads, you have behaved very well, and I am much +obliged to you. We have had hard work, and I dare say you are tired +enough; but I will tell you what my opinion is: I think that we have +peppered that Frenchman very well; and I am convinced that you have put +a good many shots into him between wind and water. Now, that he is +anxious to leave off fighting till to-morrow morning, that he may stop +his leaks and repair his damages, I have no doubt; indeed, he proves it +by his having ceased to fire. For the very reason that he wants to +leave off, I wish to go on; for he is much heavier armed than we are, +and sails as well; and if we permit him to get all right and all ataunt +by to-morrow morning, he may prove a very awkward customer yet. Now +what I propose is this, that we should first get up fresh sails, and +bend them, and then renew the action through the night. There will be +no occasion for all of you to be on deck; we will fight the schooner +watch and watch till daylight." + +"That's my opinion, Mr Keene," said Bob Cross. + +"And mine," replied the carpenter. + +"And all of us, Mr Keene," replied the ship's company with one voice. + +"Then, my lads, let's work hard; and when we have settled that fellow, +we shall have plenty of time to sleep." + +The men now set to with good-will; and the spare sails were got up, and +those which were shattered by the enemy unbent and replaced. The new +sails, which we had bent, we furled--it was a dead calm--and then we +recommenced our fire, for we were nearer to her than when we ceased +firing, and could distinguish her very well. We fired the long gun four +times before she returned a shot; she then opened very briskly, but none +of her shots did us any damage; our sails being furled, prevented her +distinguishing us as well as we could her. After a time, we manned the +small guns on our broadside, and worked them, for our large gun was so +hot, that it was necessary to let it cool before we could reload it. At +last one of their shots came in through the bulwarks; the splinters +wounded me and the carpenter; but I was not so much hurt as to oblige me +to leave the deck. I bound up my leg with my handkerchief; the +carpenter, however, was taken down below. + +"Are you much hurt, sir?" said Bob Cross. + +"Oh, no; the flesh is lacerated a good deal, but it is not very deep." + +"There's a little wind springing up, sir, from the right quarter," said +Bob. + +"I'm glad to hear it," replied I, "for it will soon be daylight now." + +At this moment another shot struck the hammock rail and a piece of it +about two feet long was sent with great force against Bob Cross's head; +he was stunned, if not worse, and fell immediately. This was a severe +blow to me, as well as to poor Bob. I desired two of the men who were +abaft, to take him down into my cabin, and do all they could for him; +and ordered the men to quit the broadside guns, and renew their fire +with the long 32-pounder. In a quarter of an hour afterwards, the +breeze came down very strong, and I resolved to shoot ahead, farther off +from my antagonist, as I should have a better chance by using my long +gun at a greater distance. The sails were set, and the schooner went +fast through the water, leaving the brig, who had also the benefit of +the breeze; and for a time the firing again ceased. On reflection, I +determined that I would wait till daylight, which would appear in less +than half an hour, before I renewed the action. + +I contrived with some difficulty--for my leg was so numbed that I could +scarcely feel that I had one--to go down into the cabin and see Bob +Cross. He was recovering, but very wild and incoherent. As far as I +could judge, his skull was not injured, although the splinter had torn +off a large portion of the scalp, and he was drenched with his blood. +At all events, he could be of no further assistance to me at present, +nor could I be to him, so I regained the deck, and sat down abaft, for +my leg had become so painful, that I could not stand but for a few +minutes. + +At last the day dawned, and I could distinctly make out both brig and +schooner. I was about a mile and a half distant from the brig; she had, +since the wind sprung up, driven a mile ahead of the schooner, who had +contrived to get up a jury-mast during the night; but as she could not +stir without reducing her after-sail, she had close-reefed her +main-sail, so that she could make but little progress. The brig was +very much cut up in her sails and rigging, and I saw at once that I had +now the advantage in sailing; I therefore wore round and stood towards +them; the brig did the same, and went down to the schooner that she +might have her support. We immediately recommenced firing with our long +gun, and as soon as we were within a mile, I hove to. The brig and +schooner then both bore up and gave us their broadsides; they had just +done so, when the midshipman who was on deck with me cried out, "A large +sail coming down before the wind, Mr Keene." + +I caught up my glass. It was a sloop of war; the cut of her sails and +rigging evidently English. "It must be the Naiad," said I. "Well, I'm +glad of it. We shall lose some prize-money; but at all events we +require her surgeon, and that is of more consequence." + +My men, who were quite tired out, were in great spirits at the +appearance of a friend. The brig had set studding-sails; she had +evidently seen the vessel to windward, and was now trying to escape, and +the schooner was following her as well she could. I immediately kept +away in pursuit, and when I fired into the schooner she hauled down her +colours. I did not wait to take possession, but followed the brig, who +appeared to sail as well off the wind as she did when close hauled. +Once or twice she rounded to return my fire, but afterwards she +continued running before the wind, having got two of her guns aft, with +which she attempted to cut away my rigging. In the meantime, the +strange vessel to windward had hoisted English colours, and was bringing +down with her a spanking breeze: fortunately it was so, for my +fore-topmast was knocked away by the fire of the brig, and I now dropped +fast astern. + +We had scarcely got up a new fore-topmast and set sail again, when the +Naiad, who had exchanged numbers with me, passed the schooner without +taking possession of her, and was very soon not a mile from us. In half +an hour she was alongside and hailing me to haul my wind and take +possession of the schooner, continued in chase of the brig. I obeyed my +orders, and by the time I had put my men on board of the schooner, the +brig had hove to and hauled down her colours to the Naiad. + +We ran down to her in company with the prize, and then sent a boat +requesting immediate surgical attendance. The Naiad's surgeon and his +assistant were brought on board in one of the sloop-of-war's boats, and +a lieutenant, to obtain from me the particulars of the action, which I +gave to him. The lieutenant told me that they had heard the firing +about one o'clock in the morning, and had in consequence bore up; but +the brig had so many shot in her, and was making so much water, that +they were almost afraid that they would not be able to get her into +port. But I was now quite faint with the pain of my wound and +exhaustion, and was carried below to have it dressed. All our men had +been attended to, and I was glad to hear that Bob Cross was in no +danger, although his wound was very severe. The surgeon's assistant was +allowed to remain on board, and the captain of the Naiad sent all my men +back and manned the prizes, giving me orders to keep company with him. +As soon as my wound was dressed, and I was put into my bed, I felt much +relieved, and soon afterwards fell fast asleep. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +The prizes proved to be the Diligente brig, of fourteen guns, and two +hundred and ten men, and Caroline schooner, of eight guns, and one +hundred and twenty men--they had done a great deal of mischief, and +their capture was of importance. The captain of the Naiad's orders were +to return to Curacao, and we all made sail before sunset. Our loss had +been severe: commanding officer, boatswain, carpenter, and twelve men +wounded--one midshipman and two men killed. + +The next morning our signal was made to pass within hail, and the +captain of the Naiad inquired how I was. The surgeon's assistant +replied that I and all the wounded were doing well, and there was no +more communication till we arrived at Curacao on the fourth day, by +which time I was rapidly recovering. + +Mr Fraser, as soon as he heard of my being hurt, immediately came on +board and insisted upon my being taken on shore to his house, and I +gladly consented. The next day I had a visit from Captain C, the +commanding officer, and the captain of the Naiad. Captain C asked me if +I was well enough to write the account of the action. I replied that I +was, and that I would send it the next day. He and the captain of the +Naiad both paid me many compliments for having fought a superior force +for so long a time, and Captain C said that as soon as I was well enough +he would send me up to Jamaica, as bearer of my own despatches to the +admiral. + +I requested, as a particular favour of Mr Fraser, that he would allow +Bob Cross to be sent ashore to his house, and Mr Fraser immediately +consented. My friend Bob was therefore brought up that evening, and was +soon established in very comfortable quarters. + +We had been a fortnight at the island, during which my wound was healing +rapidly, and I was able to hop about with a crutch. Cross also was out +of bed, and able to sit up for an hour or two on the verandah, in the +cool of which I spent the best part of the day, with my wounded limb +resting upon a sofa. From the veranda we had a view of the harbour, and +one morning I perceived that there were two additional vessels which had +anchored during the night; they proved to be the Driver and the +brigantine privateer, which she had captured after a chase and running +fight of forty-eight hours. I was glad of this, as I knew what pleasure +it would give to the admiral. + +I now again indulged in my dreams of Minnie, who had been forgotten as +soon as I had left the harbour and been engaged in active service. +Stretched upon a sofa, with my wounded leg, I had nothing else to do, or +rather nothing else which was so agreeable to me. I wrote to her again, +and also to my mother; neither did I forget that Lord de Versely had +requested at parting that I should write to him. I did so in a very +respectful manner, detailing what had occurred. + +When we had been three weeks at Curacao, all our wounded, as well as +myself, had so far recovered, that there was no reason for the Firefly +not proceeding to Jamaica. The commanding officer lent an +assistant-surgeon to the schooner. I received my despatches, took a +grateful leave of Mr Fraser, and the Firefly was once more skimming +over the water. In three weeks we arrived at Port Royal, and I took up +my despatches. + +"Happy to see you, Keene," said the admiral. "Hollo! what makes you +limp in that way? Have you hurt your leg?" + +"Yes, sir," replied I; "I'm not quite well yet, but the despatches of +Captain C will explain all." + +As no vessel had sailed from Curacao, the admiral had no idea of what +had happened. + +"Well, then," said he, "sit down on that sofa, Mr Keene, while I read +the despatches." + +I watched the admiral's countenance, and was delighted to witness the +evident signs of satisfaction which he expressed as he read on. + +"Excellent!" said he, as he closed them. "Keene, you have done me a +great favour. The remonstrances of the merchants, the badgering I have +received from the Admiralty by every packet, relative to the +depredations on our commerce by these vessels, have been enough to make +a saint swear. Now they are happily disposed of, and I have chiefly to +thank you for it. Captain C informs me that the brig is well adapted +for his Majesty's service, but that the schooner is an old vessel." The +admiral then left the room. In a few minutes he returned with a paper +in his hand, which he laid upon the table, and, taking up a pen, he +signed it and presented it to me, saying--"_Captain_ Keene, I trust you +will give me the pleasure of your company to dinner; and, as you are +still very lame, I think you had better make a signal for your servant +and traps, and take up your quarters at the Penn till you are quite +recovered." + +Perceiving that I was too much agitated to reply, he continued, "I must +leave you now;" then extending his hand, he said, "Allow me to be the +first to wish you joy on your promotion, which you have so well +deserved." He then went out of the room. It really was so unexpected-- +so little dreamt of, this sudden promotion, that I was confused. I had +hoped that, by a continuance of good conduct, I might in a year or two +obtain it; but that I should receive it after only one cruise in the +schooner was beyond all my imagination. I felt grateful, and as soon as +I was more composed, I returned thanks to Heaven, and vowed eternal +gratitude to the admiral. I felt that I was a step nearer to Lord de +Versely, and I thought of the pleasure it would give my mother and +Minnie. I had been alone about half an hour, when the admiral returned. + +"I have just sent for an old messmate of yours, Captain Keene, who was +severely wounded in your action with the Dutch frigate; he has now +passed, and Lord de Versely recommended him to me as a deserving young +officer--a Mr Dott." + +"Oh, yes, admiral; he was my first acquaintance when I went to sea. He +has been to sea longer than I have, but he lost a good deal of his +time." + +"Well I am going to give him an acting order for your brig. I hope he +is a good, smart officer." + +"Yes, admiral, he is a very good officer indeed," replied I, laughing. +"Will you oblige me by not telling him that I am to be his captain, till +after we have met?" + +"Ah, some mischief, I suppose; but if we make captains of such boys as +you we must expect that. Are your wounded men all going on well?" + +"All, sir,--even Bob Cross, the boatswain, whose head was half knocked +off, is quite well again. He was Lord de Versely's coxswain, sir, and +you were kind enough to give him his warrant." + +"I recollect--a good man, is he not?" + +"So good, sir, that the only regret I have in leaving the schooner is, +that I cannot take him with me. He is my right-hand man and I owe much +to him, and it will be a sore blow to him as well as to me." + +"I see, you want him made boatswain of your brig--that's it." + +"I assure you, admiral, I should be most grateful if you would have that +kindness." + +"I am always ready to promote a good man; your recommending him, and his +severe wound, are sufficient. He shall be your boatswain, Keene." + +"You are very kind, sir," replied I. "I hope I shall do justice to your +patronage." + +"I've no fear of that, Keene, and I know that a man, to work well, +should, as far as he can, choose his own tools. Mr Dott is waiting +now, and as soon as he has his acting order, I will send him in to you." + +About ten minutes afterwards Mr Tommy Dott made his appearance; he +extended his hand to me, saying, in a haw-haw way, "Keene, my dear +fellow, I'm glad to see you." He certainly did look two or three inches +taller, for he walked almost on tiptoe. + +"Glad to see you, Tommy," said I; "well, what's the news?" + +"Nothing, I believe, except what you have brought. I hear you had a bit +of a brush, and got winged." + +"Even so, Tommy," replied I, pointing to my wounded leg. "The admiral +has kindly asked me to stay here until I'm better." + +"I dine with him to-day," replied Tommy; "but as for staying here, I +should think that rather a bore. By the bye, Keene, what sort of a +craft is that Diligente brig which the Naiad and you took?" + +"A very fine craft, Tommy: sails as well as the Firefly." + +"Oh, you, of course, swear by your own vessel; and there's nothing like +the schooner--that's natural enough; now, I must say, I prefer something +a little larger, and, therefore, I'm not sorry that I have my commission +for the new brig." + +"Indeed! Tommy; I wish you joy," replied I. + +"Thank ye, Keene," replied Tommy, very dignified. "I wonder," said he, +"what sort of a skipper we shall have. There's the first lieutenant of +the Naiad has a good chance. I saw him: a very sharp sort of gentleman, +and carries his head remarkably high; but that won't do for me. I'll +not allow any captain to play tricks in a ship that I'm aboard of. I +know the rules and regulations of the service as well as any one, and +that the captain shall see, if he attempts to go beyond his tether." + +"Now, Tommy," replied I, "you know, that although you talk so big, if +you had been appointed a lieutenant into a ship commanded by Lord de +Versely, you would have been as much afraid of him as a lieutenant as +you used to be as a midshipman." + +"Lord de Versely," replied Tommy, who felt the truth of what I said: +"he's a peculiar sort of man." + +"Take my word for it, Tommy, you'll find all captains peculiar to one +point; which is, that they expect respectful behaviour, and not +cavilling, from their officers; and our service is so peculiar, that it +is absolutely necessary that the officers should set this example to the +men." + +"Yes; that may be very well; but who knows but the captain of the brig +may be some young fellow, who has seen no more service than myself-- +perhaps, not been to sea so long?" + +"That is no reason that you should not obey his orders; indeed, if not +experienced, you ought to do all you can to support him." + +"Well, if he was to ask my advice, indeed--" + +"But he may not require your advice, Tommy, he may prefer deciding for +himself. Now, the first lieutenant of the Naiad is a great Tartar, and +I'm certain, if he is your captain, that, on the first word, he would +have you under an arrest. There's an old saying, Tommy, `It's folly to +kick against tenpenny nails;' and that every officer does who kicks +against his superior. I can assure you, Tommy, that if ever I am a +captain, my officers shall obey me implicitly. I will have no cavilling +at my orders. I will always treat them as gentlemen, and support their +authority, as they ought to support mine; but captain of my own ship I +would be, and I suspect that it would go hard with any officer who +ventured to dispute my rights." + +"Well, I dare say you will be a martinet, or rather that you are one +now, as you command a schooner. However, as I never intend to sail with +you, that's nothing to me. I'm sure, from what has passed, that you and +I should have a row before we were a week on board; for I'm not to be +played with." + +"Well, Tommy, I'm very glad we have had this explanation; for now we +both know what to expect. I am resolved to be captain, you to resist my +authority." + +"No, no, I don't say that--I only say that I won't be played with--I +won't be trifled with." + +"Tommy, I will neither play nor trifle with you; nor will you ever play +or trifle with me. We have done that as midshipmen; in our new relative +situations it is not to be thought of for a moment. Read this." I +handed him my appointment as commander of the Diligente: Tommy cast his +eyes over it, and at once saw that his promotion did not prevent his +getting into scrapes, as usual. + +"You a commander! you captain of the Diligente! Why, I came to sea +before you." + +"I know you did, Tommy; but, although you have been in the service +longer, you have not seen quite so much service as I have. At all +events, I'm now your captain. I flatter myself I shall make a very +tolerable one; and what is more, I have an idea that you will make a +very good lieutenant, as soon as the vanity, with which you have been +puffed up since your receiving your promotion, will have settled down a +little, and that you will find it much pleasanter to be on good terms +with your captain than to be eternally in hot water, especially with one +who, you know, is not a person to be played with." + +Tommy looked very confused; he said nothing, but kept his eyes on my +commission, which he still held in his hand. I had no idea that Tommy +Dott's being ignorant of my being captain of the brig would have +occasioned such a conversation as this. I only wished to amuse myself +with him, and surprise him at the last. Tommy perceived that he had +made a mess of it, and he stammered out some explanation as he returned +me the commission; and I replied: "The fact is, Dott, you were merely +cutting a caper upon your new promotion; you never meant what you said; +it was all talk. You always have been very obedient to proper authority +since I have known you, and I am sure that you always will; so let's say +no more about it. I wish you joy upon your promotion, and, what's more, +I'm very glad that we are to sail together." Saying this, I held out my +hand, which Tommy took very readily, and we then began to talk on other +subjects. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +I had written to Cross, informing him of my promotion, and his being +appointed to the Diligente. + +I had been a fortnight with the admiral when the Naiad arrived with the +prizes in company, and, my wound being now cured, I took leave of the +admiral, and went down, that I might superintend the fitting out of my +new vessel. As there were supernumerary men expected out of England, +the admiral, at my suggestion, allowed me to turn over the crew of the +Firefly to form the nucleus of my ship's company, and made up my +complement from his own ship. + +In two months I was ready for sea, and most anxious to be off. The +admiral perceived my impatience, but, as there was no other vessel in +the harbour, he would not let me go until another arrived, to be at his +disposal in case of emergency. The weariness of so long remaining in +harbour was, however, a little relieved by a circumstance which took +place, and which probably will make my readers imagine that my +propensity for playing tricks was not quite eradicated. + +I lodged at a sort of hotel, kept by a mulatto woman of the name of +Crissobella, as the negroes termed her, originally Christobela. She was +of Spanish blood by the father's side, and had come down from the +Havannah. She was very portly; very proud and dignified in her +carriage, and demanded as much attention from her lodgers as a lady +would who had received us as her guests, so that, to gain and retain +admittance into her hostelry, it was necessary not only to pay a large +bill, but compliments to an equal amount. She was very rich, possessed +numerous slaves, and was perfectly independent of keeping an hotel. I +believed she preferred to have something for her slaves and herself to +do, and moreover, probably, she felt that if she retired she should be +thought a person of no consequence, whereas in her present position she +received a great deal of attention. One thing was certain, that if +those who lodged and boarded with her were very polite, and, on their +return from any other place, brought her small presents, she was very +indifferent as to their paying their bill; nay, to those who were her +favourites, her purse was open, and a handful of doubloons was freely +tendered, if required. + +The living was the same as at a boarding-house. Breakfast was ready in +the large hall by nine o'clock, and remained there until every one had +come down at their own hour. Dinner was always ready at five o'clock, +and then Crissobella presided at the table. She admitted civilians, +army officers, and navy, down to midshipmen; but warrant officers and +captains of merchant vessels were considered too low. On the whole, it +was a very pleasant establishment, as the private rooms were well +furnished, the slaves numerous, and the attendance very good. +Considering the price of most eatables on that island, it could not be +considered as very dear, although the wines, etcetera, made up a +formidable bill at the end of the month. + +This kind of exclusiveness on the part of Signora Crissobella made the +hotel quite the fashion, and certainly it was by far the best in the +town. The inmates of it at this time were besides me Lieut. Thomas +Dott and Lieut. William Maxwell, both appointed to the Diligente; three +or four young civilians, on mercantile speculations from New York; three +midshipmen, who had been left behind on account of fever, and who were +promising fair, by the life they were now leading, to be very soon sent +to the hospital again; and one or two planters from the other islands. +The latter and I were very well behaved, but the civilians were noisy, +drinking and smoking from morning till night. The midshipmen were +equally troublesome; and as for the new-made lieutenants, they were so +authoritative and so disagreeable, and gave themselves such +consequential airs, that Mammy Crissobella, as the slaves called her, +was quite indignant--she had never had such a disorderly set in her +house. + +She complained to me, and I spoke to them, but that was of little use. +I had no power over the young merchants, and the three midshipmen did +not belong to my ship. As for my lieutenants, I could not say much at +their giving themselves airs at an hotel where they paid for what they +had. It was not an offence that a captain could remonstrate upon. I +therefore merely said, that Mammy Crissobella could not have them in her +house if they did not leave off their treatment of the slaves, and if +they continued to give her so much trouble and annoyance. At last our +hostess would stand their behaviour no longer, and ordered them all to +leave the hotel, sending in their bills; but they all were unanimous in +declaring that they would not go, and it was not very easy to use force +on such occasions. I tried all I could to make matters right, but my +efforts were of little avail. At last Mammy Crissobella became quite +furious. She did not make any alteration in the meals, as that would be +punishing all of us; but she refused wine and spirits; this they did not +care for, as they sent for it elsewhere by their own servants, and there +was nothing but noise and confusion all day along. Mammy often came to +appeal to me, and wished to go to the governor, but I persuaded her not +to do so; and the mutiny continued, and every day there was nothing but +altercation at the meals. + +"So help me God, gemmen, you no gemmen. You make wish me dead, dat you +do. I tak obeah water some day. I not live like this," said Mammy +Crissobella. "I take pepper-pot--I kill myself." + +"Pray don't do that," replied Tommy Dott; "we shall be put to the +expense of mourning." + +"And I shall weep my eyes out," continued one of the mercantile +gentlemen. + +"Weep your eyes out--is that all? I shall blow my brains out," said +another. + +"And I will lie down on your grave and die," said the third. + +"Dat all very well, gemmen; you say dat and laugh--but I no slave. +'Pose I not get you out my house, I ab _vengeance_, now I tell you, so +look to that. Yes," continued Mammy Crissobella, striking the table +with her fist, "I ab revenge." + +"I have been thinking," said one of the mids, "what I shall do if Mammy +Crissobella takes pepper-pot; I shall marry Leila, and keep the hotel. +Mammy, you'll leave me the plate and furniture." + +Leila was the head female slave--a very well-featured young mulatto +girl, and a great favourite, as she was always laughing, always in good +humour, and very kind and attentive. At this remark Leila laughed, and +Mammy Crissobella, who observed her showing her white teeth, "You laugh, +you huzzy: what you laugh for, Leila? Get away--get out of room. I +give you nice flogging, by-by. You dare laugh--you take side against +me, you nigger." + +I must here observe that Mammy Crissobella had been closeted with me for +some time previous to this scene, and that Leila and the two planters +were in the secret; this was, of course, unknown, and the hostess's +anger appeared now to be extended towards me and the two planters, with +whom she had been on good terms. + +Shortly afterwards Mammy rose and left the room, and then I spoke to the +party, and told them that they were driving the poor woman to +extremities. The planters agreed with me, and we argued the case with +them, but the majority were, of course, against us, and the young +merchants appeared to be very much inclined to be personal with me. At +last I replied, "Very well, gentlemen--as you please; but as I happen to +be well known both to the admiral and governor I give you fair warning +that, if this continues much longer, I will report the affair. I should +be very sorry to do so; but the house is now very uncomfortable, and you +have no right to remain when the landlady insists upon your going." + +At this reply of mine the naval portion of the guests were silent, but +the civilians more insolent than before. I did not wish to come to open +war, so I said nothing more, and left the table. After I was gone, the +refractory parties made more noise than ever. Just before the dinner +hour on the following day, Mammy Crissobella sent a circular round to +the young men, stating that she could not receive them at dinner. They +all laughed, and went down to table as before. The dinner was better +than usual, and they complimented Mammy upon it. Mammy, who had taken +her seat with a scowl on her brow, and had not spoken a word, merely +bowed her head in reply to their observations. + +Dinner was over, and then Mammy desired Leila to bring her a goblet +which was on the sideboard, and a small white jug which was in the +_buffet_. She appeared much distressed, and hesitated a good deal, +putting the goblet to her lips, and then putting it down on the table +without tasting it. This conduct induced us all to look seriously at +her. At last she took it up, sighed deeply, and drank the whole off at +a draught. For a few seconds she held her hand over her forehead, with +her elbows resting on the table. At last she looked up and said, +"Gemmen, I got a little speech to make--I very sorry dat I not drink +your health; but it no use--dat why you see me drink; I tell plenty time +you make me mad--you make me drink obeah water--make me kill myself. +Now I ab done it--I drink pison water just now. In two hour I dead +woman." + +At this communication, the truth of which appeared confirmed by the +woman's behaviour, all the company started from their chairs. + +"Gemmen, I dare say you all very sorry; you be more sorry by-and-by. +Captain, I beg your pardon; Mr W---, Mr G (the two planters), I beg +your pardon; I not mean hurt you, but could not help it. Now I tell all +company, all drink the pison water--because I not like die on the +jibbit, I drink de pison water--Gemmen your dinner all pison, and you +all pisoned. Yes, all pisoned," cried Mammy Crissobella at the highest +pitch of her voice, and rushing out of the room. + +At this announcement, I started from my chair and clasped my hands, as +if in agony. I looked round me--never did I witness such a variety of +horror as was expressed in the different faces at the hotel. The old +planter; Mr D, who sat next to me, and who was in the secret as well as +Mr G, laid his head on the table with a groan. "The Lord have mercy on +my sins," exclaimed Mr G; Mr Lieutenant Maxwell looked me in the face, +and then burst into tears; Mr Lieutenant Dott put his fingers down his +throat, and with three or four more getting rid of their dinner as fast +as they could. + +At last I sprang up to ring the bell; no one answered. I rang again +more furiously. At last a slave appeared. + +"Where's my servant?" + +"Not here, sar." + +"Where's all the people of the house?" + +"All with missy, sar; Mammy Crissobella die." + +"Run down then to the beach, and desire the surgeon of the brig to come +up immediately." + +"Yes, sar," replied the negro, leaving the room. + +"Oh, I feel it now--here," exclaimed I, putting my hand to my chest; +"I'm suffocating." + +"And so do I," replied one of the midshipmen, weeping. + +The girl Leila now entered the room in tears. "Mammy dead," said she. +"Oh Captain Keene, I very sorry for you: you come with me, I give you +something. I know how stop pison." + +"Do you, Leila? then give it me; quick, quick." + +"Yes, yes; give it us quick." + +"I not stuff enough but I make more when I gib what I ab to Captain +Keene. You all stay still, not move; pose you move about, make pison +work. I come back soon as I can." + +Leila then took my arm and led me tottering out of the room, when I went +to Mammy Crissobella, and laughed till I cried; but the punishment was +not over. After remaining about ten minutes looking at each other, but +neither speaking nor moving, in pursuance of Leila's direction, with the +utmost despair in their countenances, they were gladdened by the return +of Leila with a large jug, out of which she administered a glass of some +compound or another to each of them. I watched at the door, and the +eagerness with which they jostled and pushed each other to obtain the +dose before the rest was very amusing, and never did they swallow any +liquor with so much avidity, little imagining that, instead of taking +what was to cure them, they were now taking what was to make them very +sick; but so it was; and in a few minutes afterwards the scene of +groaning, crying, screaming, writhing with pain, was quite awful. + +After a time, the slaves came in and carried them all to their +respective beds, leaving them to their own reflections, and the violent +effects of the drugs administered, which left them no repose for that +night, and in a state of utter exhaustion on the following morning. + +At daylight I went into Mr Dott's room with the surgeon, to whom I had +confided the secret. Tommy was a miserable object. + +"Thank heaven! here is one still alive," said the surgeon to me. + +"Oh! Captain Keene," said Tommy, "I'm glad to see that you are so well; +but you had the remedy given you long before we had." + +"Yes," replied I, "it was given me in good time; but I hope it was not +too late with you." + +"I feel very bad," replied Tommy. "Doctor, do you think I shall live?" + +The doctor felt his pulse, and looked very grave; at last he said, "If +you get over the next twelve hours, I think you may." + +"How many are dead?" inquired Tommy. + +"I don't know; you are the first that I have visited; it's a shocking +business." + +"I've been thinking that we were very wrong," said Tommy; "we ought not +to have driven the poor woman to desperation. If I do recover, her +death will be on my conscience." + +"I'm glad to hear you say that, Tommy," replied I; "but the doctor says +you must remain very quiet, and therefore I shall leave you. Good-bye; +I will see you again this evening." + +"Good-bye, sir, and I hope you'll forgive me for not having been so +respectful as I should have been." + +"Yes, yes, Tommy; we have been friends too long for that." + +Mammy Crissobella's dose had certainly put an end to all Tommy's spirit +of resistance. All the others who had been victims to our plot were +kept in the dark as to the real facts, and, as soon as they were able to +be moved, paid their bills to Leila, and left the house. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +On the third day, Tommy Dott and Mr Maxwell went on board, imagining +that they had had a miraculous escape, and the two old planters and I +were left the only inmates of the house to welcome the resurrection of +Mammy Crissobella, who was again as busy as before. She said to me, +"Massy Keene, I really under great obligation to you; suppose you want +two, three hundred, five hundred pounds, very much at your service; +never mind pay back." + +I replied that I did not want any money, and was equally obliged to her. +But the affair had already made a great noise. It was at first really +supposed that Mammy Crissobella had poisoned them as well as herself, +and I was obliged to refute it, or the authorities would have taken it +up. As the admiral sent down to make inquiries, I went up to him and +told him the whole story; I was obliged to do the same to the governor, +and it was the occasion of great mirth all over the island, and no small +mortification to those who had been the sufferers. Mammy Crissobella +was complimented very much upon her successful stratagem to clear her +house, and she was quite in ecstasies at the renown that she obtained. + +One day the admiral sent for me, and said--"Keene, I can wait no longer +the arrival of another vessel. I must send you to England with +despatches: you must sail to-morrow morning." + +As I was all ready, I took my leave of the admiral, who promised me +every assistance if on his station, and his good word with the +Admiralty, and said that he would send down my despatches at daylight. +I went on board, gave the necessary orders, and then returned to the +hotel to pack up my portmanteau and pay my bill; but Mammy Crissobella +would not hear of my paying anything; and as I found that she was +beginning to be seriously angry, I gave up the point. So I gave the old +lady a kiss as a receipt-in-full, and another to Leila, as I slipped a +couple of doubloons into her hand, and went on board. The next morning +shortly after daylight the despatches were on board, and the Diligente +was under all the sail she could carry on her way to England. + +The Diligente sailed as well as ever, and we made a very quick passage. +I found my ship's company to be very good, and had no trouble with my +officers. Tommy Dott was very well behaved, notwithstanding all his +threats of what he would do. It was therefore to be presumed that he +was not very ill treated. + +We were now fast approaching the end of our passage, being about a +hundred miles to the South West of the Scilly Islands, with a light wind +from the southward when, in the middle watch, Bob Cross, who had the +charge of it, came down and reported firing in the South East. I went +up, but, although we heard the report of the guns, we could not +distinguish the flashes. I altered our course to the direction, and we +waited till daylight should reveal what was going on. Before daybreak +we could see the flashes, and make out one vessel, but not the other. +But when the sun rose the mystery was cleared off. It was a French +schooner privateer engaging a large English ship, apparently an +East-Indiaman. The ship was evidently a good deal cut up in her spars +and rigging. + +Bob Cross, who was close to my side when I examined them with my glass, +said, "Captain Keene, that rascally Frenchman will be off as soon as he +sees us, if we hoist English colours; but if you hoist French colours, +we may get down and pin him before he knows what we are." + +"I think you are right, Bob," says I. "Hoist French colours. He will +make sure of his prize then, and we shall laugh at his disappointment." + +As Cross turned away to go aft, I perceived a chuckle on his part, which +I did not understand, as there was nothing particular to chuckle about. +I thought it was on account of the Frenchman's disappointment, when he +found that we were not a friend, as he might suppose. + +"Hadn't we better fire a gun, Captain Keene, to attract their +attention?" + +"Yes," replied I; "it will look as if we really were Frenchmen." The +gun was fired, and we continued to stand towards them with a good +breeze. About seven o'clock we were within two miles, and then we +observed the Englishman haul down her colours, and the schooner +immediately went alongside, and took possession. I continued to run +down, and in half an hour was close to her. Calling up the boarders, I +laid the brig alongside the schooner; as half her men were on board the +Indiaman, they were taken by surprise, and we gained possession with +very trifling loss on our side, much to the astonishment of the crew of +the privateer, as well as that of the Indiaman. + +The captain, who was on deck, informed me that they had engaged the +schooner for nine hours, and that he had some hopes of beating her off, +until he saw me come down under French colours, upon which he felt that +further resistance was vain. I told him I was afraid the schooner would +escape, if I had not deceived him, and complimented him upon his +vigorous defence. The schooner was a very fine vessel, mounting +fourteen guns, and of three hundred tons burthen. In fact, she was +quite as large as the Diligente. + +While we were handing the prisoners over to the brig, and securing them, +I accepted the invitation of the captain of the Indiaman to go into the +cabin with him, where I found a large party of passengers, chiefly +ladies, who were very loud in their thanks for my rescue. In another +hour we were all ready. I left a party on board the Indiaman to repair +damages, and my surgeon to assist the wounded men, and hauled off the +brig and schooner. The latter I gave into the charge of Tommy Dott, and +we all made sail. + +As I was walking the quarter-deck, delighted with my success, Cross, who +had the watch and was by my side, said, "I think, Captain Keene, you did +very right in hoisting French colours." + +"Why, yes, Cross," replied I; "she is a very fast sailer, that is +evident, and she might have escaped us." + +"That's not what I mean, Captain Keene." + +"What then, Cross?" + +"Why, sir, I would not tell you why I wished you to hoist French colours +at the time, because I was afraid that, if I did, you would not have +done so; but my reason was, that it would make a great difference in our +prize-money, and I want some, if you do not." + +Even then I could not imagine what Cross meant, for it never came into +my head, and I turned round and looked at him for an explanation. + +"Why, Captain Keene, if we had hoisted English colours, the schooner +would have made sail and gone off, and, even if she had not done so, the +Indiaman would have held out till we came down; but as he hauled down +his colours, and was taken possession of by the enemy, he now becomes a +recapture, and I expect the salvage of that Indiaman will be of more +value to us than two or three of such schooners." + +"That certainly did not enter my head when I hoisted the colours, Cross, +I must confess." + +"No, sir, that I saw it did not, but it did mine." + +"It's hardly fair, Cross." + +"Quite fair, sir," replied Bob. "The Company is rich, and can afford to +pay, and we want it in the first place, and deserve it in the next. At +all events, it's not upon your conscience, and that schooner is such a +clipper, that I really think we should have lost her, if she had run for +it; besides, as she is as strong as we are, we might have lost a good +many men before we took her." + +"That's very true, Bob," replied I, "and satisfies me that I was right +in what I did." + +The wind had sprung up much fresher from the westward, and we were now +all three running with a fair wind; and as it continued, we did not put +into Plymouth, but continued our course for Portsmouth, and on the third +day, at a very early hour in the morning, anchored at Spithead. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +As it was too soon to present myself to the admiral, I dressed, ready to +go on shore, and hoisted the number of the Diligente as given by the +admiral at Jamaica; but, as I expected, it was not known to the +guard-ship, and there was much surmise among the early risers as to what +might be the large ship, schooner, and brig-of-war, which had entered. + +We had just finished the washing of the decks, and I was standing aft +with Cross, who had the morning watch, when he observed to me, "Captain +Keene, we are now at anchor as near as possible to where the Calliope +was when you went adrift in the boat with poor Peggy. Some difference +between your situation now and then." + +"Yes, Bob," replied I; "I was thinking the same when I was dressing this +morning, and I was also thinking that you would be very anxious to go on +shore--so you may take a boat as soon as you please; I will order one to +be given to you." + +"Thankey, sir. I am a little anxious to see the poor girl, and I think +matters will go smooth now." + +"I hope so, with all my heart. Let the gigs be all dressed and cleaned, +and the boat manned at six bells. Pass the word for them to get their +breakfast." + +As it was better that I should wait for the admiral's getting up, than +that he should wait for me, I was on shore, and up at the office at +half-past seven o'clock, and found that the admiral was in his +dressing-room. The secretary was there, and I delivered my orders and +despatches, with which he went up to the admiral. In about a quarter of +an hour he came down again with the port-admiral's request that I would +wait for him, and stay to breakfast. The secretary remained with me, +extracting all the West India intelligence that I could give him. + +As soon as the admiral made his appearance, he shook me warmly by the +hand. "Captain Keene," said he, "I wish you joy: I see you are +following up your career in the West Indies. We know you well enough by +the despatches, and I am glad to be personally acquainted with you. +This last business will, I have no doubt, give you the next step, as +soon as you have been a little longer as commander. Mr Charles, desire +them to make the signal for the Diligente and schooner to come into +harbour. The Indiaman may, of course, do as he pleases. Now then, for +breakfast." + +The admiral, of course, asked me as many questions as the secretary, and +ended, as I rose to take my leave, in requesting the pleasure of my +company to dinner on that day. As the reader may suppose, I had every +reason to be satisfied with my reception. + +As soon as I had left the admiral's office, I put into the post-office, +with my own hands, my letter to my mother, and one to Lord de Versely. +In the latter I told him of my good fortune, and enclosed a copy of my +despatch to the Admiralty. Although the despatch was written modestly, +still the circumstances in themselves--my having recaptured an Indiaman, +and carried, by boarding, a vessel of equal force to my own, and +superior in men--had a very good appearance, and I certainly obtained +greater credit than it really deserved. It was not at all necessary to +say that I hoisted French colours, and therefore took the schooner +unawares, or that at the time most of her men were on board of the +Indiaman; the great art in this world is, to know where to leave off, +and in nothing more than when people take the pen in their hands. + +As soon as I had finished my correspondence--for I wrote a few lines to +Mrs Bridgeman, at Chatham, and a postscript to my mother's letter--I +went down to the saluting battery, when I found that the two vessels +were just entering the harbour. I went up and reported it at the +admiral's office, and the admiral went on board of both vessels to +examine them himself, and he ordered a dock-yard survey. They were both +pronounced fit for his Majesty's service, with the necessary dock-yard +alterations. The crew of the Diligente were turned over to a hulk, +preparatory to unrigging and clearing her out for dock. As soon as I +left the admiral's house, I sat down at the George Hotel, where I had +taken up my quarters, and wrote a long letter to Minnie Vanderwelt. + +Cross called upon me the next morning. I saw by his countenance that he +had good news to tell me. He had found his lady-love as constant as he +could wish, and having explained to the blind old smuggler that he had +been offered and accepted the situation of boatswain in his Majesty's +service during the time that he was in the West Indies, he had received +his approbation of his conduct, and a warm welcome to the house whenever +he could come on shore. + +"I have not put the question to the old chap yet, Captain Keene," said +he, "but I think I will very soon." + +"Don't be in too great a hurry, Bob," replied I. "Give the old fellow a +little more 'baccy, and ask his advice as to what you are to do with +your prize-money. You must also talk a little about your half-pay and +your widow's pension." + +"That's very good advice, Captain Keene," replied Cross. "Mercy on us! +how things are changed! It appears but the other day that I was leading +you down to this very hotel, to ship you into the service, and you was +asking my advice, and I was giving it to you; and now I am asking your +advice, and taking it. You have shot ahead in every way, sir, that's +sartain; you looked up to me then, now I look up to you." + +I laughed at Cross's observation, which was too true; and then we went +into the dock-yard, and were very busy during the remainder of the day. + +The following morning I received an answer from Lord de Versely, couched +in most friendly terms. He complimented me on my success, and the high +character I had gained for myself during so short a career, and added +that he should be happy to see me as soon as I could come to London, and +would himself introduce me to the first lord of the Admiralty. He +advised me to request leave of absence, which would be immediately +granted, and concluded his letter, "Your sincere friend and well-wisher, +de Versely." + +As soon as I had laid down the letter, I said to myself, I was right-- +the true way to create an interest in a man like Lord de Versely, is to +make him proud of you. I have done well as yet--I will try to do more; +but how long will this success continue? Must I not expect reverses? +May not some reaction take place? and have I not in some degree deserved +it? Yes, I have used deceit in persuading him of my mother's death. I +began now to think that that was a false step, which, if ever +discovered, might recoil upon me. I remained a long while in deep +thought. I tried to extenuate my conduct in this particular, but I +could not; and to rid myself of melancholy feelings, which I could not +overcome, I wrote a letter, requesting leave of absence for a fortnight, +and took it myself to the admiral's office. This depression of spirits +remained with me during the time that I remained at Portsmouth, when, +having obtained leave, I set off for London, and on arrival, put up at a +fashionable hotel in Albermarle Street. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +The next morning I called at Lord de Versely's and sent up my card. I +was immediately ushered up, and found myself in his presence. Lord de +Versely rose from his sofa, and took my hand. "Keene, I am very glad to +see you. I am proud that an _eleve_ of mine should have done me so much +credit. You have gained all your rank in the service by your own merit +and exertions." + +"Not quite all, my lord," replied I. + +"Yes, all; for you are certain of your next step--they cannot well +refuse it to you." + +"They will not refuse your lordship, I have no doubt," replied I. + +"Sit down, Keene. We will have a little conversation, and then we will +go to the Admiralty." + +His lordship then asked me many questions relative to what had passed; +and I entered into more detail than I had done in my letters. After an +hour's conversation, carried on by him in so friendly--I may almost say +affectionate--a style as to make my heart bound with delight, the +carriage was announced, and accompanied his lordship down to the +Admiralty. His lordship sent up his card, and was requested immediately +to go upstairs. He desired me to follow him; and as soon as we were in +the presence of the first lord, and he and Lord de Versely had shaken +hands, Lord de Versely said, "Allow me to introduce to you Captain +Keene, whose name, at least, you have often heard of lately. I have +brought him with me because he is a follower of mine: he entered the +service under my protection, and continued with me until his conduct +gave him his promotion. I have taken this opportunity of introducing +him, to assure your lordship that, during the whole time that he served +with me as midshipman, his gallantry was quite as conspicuous as it has +been since." + +The first lord took me by the hand, and complimented me on my conduct. + +"Captain Keene has strong claims, my lord. What can we do now for him?" + +"I trust you will acknowledge that Captain Keene has earned his post +rank, my lord," replied Lord de Versely; "and I shall take it as a +particular favour to myself if your lordship would appoint him to a +frigate, and give him an opportunity of doing credit to your lordship's +patronage." + +"I think I may promise you both," replied the first lord; "but when we +meet in the house to-night, I will let you know what I can do." + +After a few minutes' conversation, Lord de Versely rose, and we left the +room. As soon as we were in the carriage his lordship said, "Keene, you +may depend upon it I shall have good news to tell you to-morrow; so call +upon me about two o'clock. I dine out to-day with the premier; but +to-morrow you must dine with me." + +I took leave of his lordship as soon as the carriage stopped; and as I +wished to appoint an agent, which I had not yet done, I had begged his +lordship to recommend me one. He gave me the address of his own, and I +went there accordingly. Having made the necessary arrangements, I then +employed the remainder of the day in fitting myself out in a somewhat +more fashionable style than Portsmouth tailors were equal to. + +The next morning I sat down to write to my mother; but somehow or +another I could not make up my mind to address her. I had thought of +it, over and over, and had made up my mind that in future I would always +correspond with my grandmother; and I now determined to write to her, +explaining that such was my intention in future, and requesting that all +answers should be also from my grandmother. I commenced my letter, +however, with informing her that I had, since I had last written, +obtained leave of absence, and was now in London. I stated the kindness +shown me in every way by Lord de Versely, and how grateful I was to him. +This continued down to the bottom of the first page, and then I said +"What would I not give to bear the name of one I so much love and +respect! Oh, that I was a Delmar!" I was just about to turn over the +leaf and continue, when the waiter tapped at the door, and informed me +that the tailor was come to try on the clothes which I had ordered. I +went into the bed-room, which opened into the sitting-room, and was busy +with the foreman, who turned me round and round, marking alterations +with a piece of chalk, when the waiter tapped at the bed-room door, and +said Lord de Versely was in the sitting-room. I took off the coat which +was fitting as fast as I could, that I might not keep his lordship +waiting, and put on my own. + +Desiring the man to wait my return, I opened the door, and found his +lordship on the sofa, and then for the first time, when I again saw it, +recollected that I had left the letter on the table. The very sight of +it took away my breath. I coloured up as I approached his lordship. I +had quite forgotten that I had addressed my grandmother. I stammered +out, "This is an honour, my lord." + +"I came to wish you joy of your promotion and appointment to a fine +frigate, Keene," said Lord de Versely. "I have just received this from +the Admiralty; and as I have business unexpectedly come to hand, I +thought I would be the bearer myself of the good news. I leave you the +letter, and shall of course see you to dinner." + +"Many thanks, my lord," replied I. "I am, indeed, grateful." + +"I believe you are, Keene," replied his lordship. "By the bye, you +leave your letters so exposed, that one cannot help seem them. I see +you are writing to your grandmother. I hope the old lady is well?" + +My grandmother! Oh, what a relief to my mind it was when I then +recollected that it was to my grandmother that I had written! I replied +that she was very well when I last heard from her. + +"If I can be of any use in arranging your money affairs, Keene, let me +know." + +"I thank you, my lord; but I found that my agent perfectly understands +business," replied I. "I will not trouble your lordship, who has so +many important affairs to attend to." + +"Very good," replied he. "Then now I'll leave you to read what I have +given you; and I shall expect you at eight. Goodbye." His lordship +again shook me warmly by the hand, and left me. + +I was quite giddy with the reaction produced upon my feelings. When his +lordship left the room I dropped down on the sofa. I forgot the letter +in my hand and its contents, and the tailor in the next room. All I +thought of was the danger I had escaped, and how fortunate I was in not +having addressed the letter to my mother, as I had at first intended. +The agony which I felt was very great, and, as I remained with my hands +covering my eyes, I made a vow that nothing should induce me ever to use +deceit again. I then read over the letter. There was nothing but +gratitude to Lord de Versely, and a wish that I had been born a Delmar. +Well, if his lordship had run his eyes over it, there was nothing to +hurt me in his opinion; on the contrary, it proved that I was grateful; +and I then recollected that when I expressed my gratitude, he said he +believed it. As for my saying that I wished my name was Delmar, it was +nothing, and it let him know what my wishes were. On the whole, I had +great cause for congratulation. + +I was here interrupted by the tailor who put his head out of the +bed-room door. I went to him, and he finished his work, and promised me +that I should have a complete suit at half-past seven o'clock in the +evening, in time for dinner. I then returned to the sitting-room, and +opened the letter which Lord de Versely had put into my hands. It was +from the first lord, acquainting him that I might call at the Admiralty +the next day, as my post-captain's commission was signed, and I was +appointed to a thirty-two gun frigate which would be launched in two or +three months. Well, then, thought I, here I am, at twenty-three, a +post-captain in his Majesty's service, and commanding a frigate. +Surely, I have much to be thankful for. I felt that I had, and I was +grateful to Heaven for my good fortune. Now I had but one more wish in +the world, and that was, instead of being Captain Keene, to be Captain +Delmar. + +The reader may say, "What's in a name?" True; but such was my ambition, +my darling wish, and it is ardent longing for anything, the ardour of +pursuit, which increases the value of the object so much above its real +value. The politician, who has been manoeuvring all his life does not +perhaps feel more pleasure in grasping the coronet which he has been in +pursuit of, than the urchin does when he first possesses himself of a +nest which he has been watching for weeks. This would, indeed, be a +dreary world if we had not some excitement, some stimulus to lead us on, +which occupies our thoughts, and gives us fresh courage, when +disheartened by the knavery, and meanness, and selfishness of those who +surround us. How sad is the analysis of human nature--what +contradictions, what extremes! how many really brave men have I fallen +in with, stooping to every meanness for patronage, court favour, or +gain; slandering those whose reputation they feared, and even descending +to falsehood to obtain their ends! How many men with splendid talents, +but with little souls! + +Up to the present I had run a career of prosperous success; I had risen +to a high position without interfering, or being interfered with by +others; but now I had become of sufficient consequence to be envied; now +I had soon to experience, that as you continue to advance in the world, +so do you continue to increase the number of your enemies, to be exposed +to the shafts of slander, to be foiled by treachery, cunning, and +malevolence. But I must not anticipate. + +I remained in London till my leave was expired, and then went down to +Portsmouth to pay off the brig, which had been ordered into dock, to be +refitted for his Majesty's service. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +The Circe, thirty-two, to which I had been appointed, was a small but +very beautiful frigate and as far as I could judge by her build as she +lay on the stocks, had every requisite for sailing well. + +When I took my leave of Lord de Versely, he told me that he should come +down on the first of the following month (September) to Madeline Hall, +where his aunt, Miss de Versely, was still flourishing at a green old +age. "Here is a letter of introduction to her, Keene," said he, "as she +has not seen you since you were a few months old, and therefore it is +not very likely that she would recognise you. Take my advice, and make +yourself as agreeable to the old lady as you can; you will find Madeline +Hall a very pleasant place, when you are tired of the dockyard and the +smell of pitch and tar." + +I thanked his lordship, and we parted with much more cordiality shown by +him than I had experienced. + +I hardly need say, that the first person who came to congratulate me on +my arrival at Portsmouth was my old friend an adviser Bob Cross. "Well, +Captain Keene," said Bob, as I shook him warmly by the hand, "I'm +delighted at your success, and I know you will not be sorry to hear that +I am getting on as well as I could wish in my small way; Jane and I are +to be married in a few days, and I hope you will honour me by being +present at the wedding." + +"That I will, Bob, with pleasure," replied I; "let me hear all that has +taken place." + +"Why, sir, it's told in a few words. I took your advice, and brought +the old gentleman presents, and I sat with him and heard all his old +stories at least fifty times over, and laughed at his jokes as regularly +the last time as the first; and he told Jane and her mother that I was a +very pleasant, sensible and amusing young man--although he had all the +talk, and I had none. The fact is, sir, it was he who first brought up +the subject of my splicing his niece; that is to say, he hinted how he +should like to see her well settled, and that if she married according +to his wishes, he would leave her all he had. + +"Well, sir, it was the opinion of Jane and her mother, that, as he was a +whimsical, changeable old chap, it would be right for her to refuse me +at first; and so she did, very much to the old man's annoyance, who then +set his mind upon it, and swore that if she did not marry me, he would +not leave her a farthing. After a few days of quarrelling, Jane gave +in, and the old chap swears that we shall be married immediately, and +that he will give us half his property down at once." + +"Strike the iron while it's hot, Bob," replied I. "Is the day fixed?" + +"Not exactly, sir; but we are to be put up in church next Sunday, and it +takes three Sundays. I hope you won't part with me, sir," continued +Bob. "The Diligente will be paid off on Tuesday, they say, and if you +could get me appointed to the Circe--" + +"Why, Cross, you are thinking of going to sea again, even before you are +married. I should advise you not to be in such a hurry. You must not +displease the old gentleman; besides, you must not leave a young wife so +soon." + +"That's very true, Captain Keene, but I don't think I should be +comfortable if I knew you were afloat without me." + +"I suppose you think that I cannot take care of myself." + +"Yes, I do, sir; but still I know that I should fret; and, sir, it will +be four months at least before the Circe is ready for sea and I may just +as well be appointed to her, and I can decide whether I do go to sea or +not when the time comes." + +"Well, Cross, I will certainly apply for you; but, if you take my +advice, you will give up the sea altogether, and live on shore." + +"I have nothing to do, sir." + +"Yes, you have; you have to cherish your wife, and look after the old +gentleman." + +"Well he is rather shakey, they say sir; the old woman is often called +out to him at nights." + +"Well, Cross, I will do as you wish, and time will decide how you are to +act. I am going over to Southampton for a few days perhaps, and will +take care to be back by the wedding. By-the-bye, have you heard +anything about prize-money?" + +"Yes, sir; it's payable for the Diligente and schooner, and all our +recaptures in the West Indies when we were in the Firefly. The Dutch +frigate has been for distribution some time; but as I was only petty +officer then, it won't come to much." + +"Well, I can tell you that the government have taken the schooner which +we captured in the chops of the channel, and the East India Company have +given us salvage for the ship. My agent has received already 7,400 +pounds on my account, which I have ordered to be purchased into the +funds. As there were so few warrant officers, your share will not be +less than 1,500 pounds, perhaps more. As you said, the salvage of the +Indiaman has proved more valuable to us than all the rest of our +prize-money put together." + +"Well, Captain Keene, if my prize-money comes to as much as that, I +think I shall be nearly as well off as my little Jane will be. Will you +have the kindness to let your agent put it by for me in the same way +that you have done yours?" + +"Yes, Cross, I will see to it immediately; I shall write to him +to-morrow, or the day after." + +After a little conversation, Cross took leave. The next day I took +post-horses, and went over to Madeline Hall, having two or three days +before received a note from the Honourable Miss Delmar, saying how glad +she should be to see me as a friend and shipmate of her nephew, Lord de +Versely; so that it appeared the old lady had been written to by Lord de +Versely respecting me. + +I arrived early in the afternoon, and the post-chaise drove up the +avenue of magnificent chestnut-trees which led to the mansion. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +I must say that I was very much excited; I was now arriving at the site +of my birth, and it brought to my mind the details given me by my poor +mother, when, finding she could no longer conceal the truth from me, she +entered into a narrative to extenuate her conduct, pointing out her +temptations, and how fatal to her were opportunity and seclusion. Her +form was before me with the tears running down her cheeks as she made +her humiliating confession to her own son, and I could not help +exclaiming, as I cast my eye upon the beautiful grounds, "My poor +mother!" + +The chaise stopped, and the boys dismounted and rang the bell. In a +minute three or four servants made their appearance, and on inquiring, I +found that the Honourable Miss Delmar was at home, and visible. + +"Colonel Delmar, I presume, sir?" said the old butler. + +"No," replied I--"Captain Keene." + +The butler looked me full in the face, and earnestly; and then, as if +recollecting himself, he bowed and went on. + +"Captain Keene, madam," said he, as he introduced me into a large room, +at the end of which sat a venerable-looking old lady, very busy with her +knitting needle, and another, almost equally ancient, sitting on a low +stool beside her. + +As I advanced, the old lady made me a bow as she remained in in her +chair, and looked at me through her spectacles. She certainly was the +beau-ideal of old age. Her hair, which was like silver, was parted in +braid, and was to be seen just peeping from under her cap and pinners; +she was dressed in black silk, with a snow-white apron and handkerchief, +and there was an air of dignity and refinement about her which made you +feel reverence for her at first sight. As I approached to take the +chair offered to me, the other person, who appeared to be a sort of +attendant, was shuffling her feet to rise; but as soon as Mrs Delmar +had said, "You are welcome, Captain Keene; sit still," she continued, +"my child, there is no occasion to go away." I could scarcely help +smiling at the old lady calling a woman of past sixty, if not even +further advanced, a child; but the fact was, that Phillis had been her +attendant as lady's maid for many years, and subsequently promoted to +the position of humble companion. + +As for Miss Delmar, as I afterwards found out from her own lips, she was +upwards of eighty-seven years old, but still in perfect good health, and +in full possession of all her faculties; Phillis therefore was much +younger, and as the old lady had had her in her employ ever since she +was twenty-two, it was not surprising that she continued to address her, +as she had done for so many years, as a young person compared to +herself; indeed I have no doubt but that the old lady, following up her +association of former days, and forgetting the half-century that had +intervened, did consider her as a mere child. The old lady was very +chatty and very polite, and as our conversation naturally turned on Lord +de Versely, of whom I spoke in terms of admiration and gratitude, I had +soon established myself in her good graces. Indeed, as I subsequently +discovered, her nephew was the great object of her affections. His +younger brother had neglected her, and was never mentioned except when +she regretted that Lord de Versely had no children, and that the title +would descend to his brother. + +She requested me to stay for dinner, which I did not refuse, and before +dinner was over I had made great progress in the old lady's esteem. As, +when dinner was announced, her companion disappeared, we were then +alone. She asked me many questions relative to Lord de Versely, and +what had occurred during the time that I was serving with him; and this +was a subject on which I could be eloquent. I narrated several of our +adventures, particularly the action with the Dutch frigate, and other +particulars in which I could honestly do credit to his lordship, and I +often referred to his kindness for me. + +"Well, Captain Keene, my nephew has often spoken to me about you, and +now you have done him credit in proving that he had made you a good +officer; and I have heard how much you have distinguished yourself since +you have left him." + +"Or rather he left me, madam," replied I, "when he was summoned to the +House of Peers." + +"Very true," replied the old lady. "I suppose you know that you were +born in this house, Captain Keene?" + +"I have been told so, madam." + +"Yes, I have no doubt your poor mother that's gone must have told you. +I recollect her--a very clever, active, and pretty young woman (here the +old lady sighed); and I held you in my arms, Captain Keene, when you +were only a few days old." + +"You did me great honour, madam," replied I. + +Here the conversation took another channel, which I was not sorry for. + +After tea, I rose to take my leave, and then I received an invitation +from the old lady to come and spend some time at Madeline Hall, and to +come a few days before the first of September, that I might join the +shooting party. "I expect my nephew, Lord de Versely," said she, "and +there is Colonel Delmar of the Rifles, a cousin of Lord de Versely, also +coming, and one or two others. Indeed I expect the colonel every day. +He is a very pleasant and gentleman-like man." + +I accepted the invitation with pleasure, and then took my leave. The +chaise drove off, and I was soon in a deep reverie; I called to mind all +my mother had told me, and I longed to return to the Hall, and visit +those scenes which had been referred to in my mother's narrative; and +more than that, I wished to meet Lord de Versely on the spot which could +not fail to call to his mind my mother, then young, fond, and confiding; +how much she had sacrificed for him; how true she had proved to his +interests, and how sacred the debt of obligation, which he could only +repay by his conduct towards me. + +On my return to Portsmouth, I found that orders had come down for the +paying off the Diligente, and re-commissioning her immediately. As the +men would now be free (until again caught by the impress, which would +not be long), I turned up the ship's company, and asked how many of them +would enter for the Circe. I pointed out to them that they would be +impressed for other vessels before long, but that I could give them each +three months of absence, upon which they would not be molested, and that +by three months all their money would be gone, and if it were gone +before that time, the guard-ship would receive them when they had had +enough of the shore. By this method I proposed to myself to obtain the +foundation of a good ship's company. I was not disappointed. Every man +I wished to take with me volunteered, and I wrote leave of absence +tickets for three months for them all as belonging to the Circe, +reporting what I had done to the Admiralty. The brig was then paid off, +and the next day re-commissioned by a Captain Rose, with whom I had some +slight acquaintance. + +As I was now my own master again,--for although appointed to the Circe, +I had nothing but my pennant to look at,--I thought that, by way of a +little change, I would pass a few days at the Isle of Wight; for this +was the yachting season, and I had made the acquaintance of many of the +gentlemen who belonged to the club. That I had no difficulty in getting +into society may easily be imagined. A post-captain's commission in his +Majesty's navy is a certain passport with all liberal and really +aristocratical people; and, as it is well known that a person who has +not had the advantage of interest and family connections to advance in +the service, must have gained his promotion by his own merits, his rank +is sufficient to establish his claims to family connections or personal +merit, either of which is almost universally acknowledged; I say almost +universally, because, strange to say, for a succession of reigns, the +navy never has been popular at court. In that region, where merit of +any kind is seldom permitted to intrude, the navy have generally been at +a discount. Each succession of the House of Hanover has been hailed by +its members with fresh hopes of a change in their favour, which hopes +have ended in disappointment; but perhaps it is as well. The navy +require no prophet to tell it, in the literal sense of the word, that +one cannot touch pitch without being defiled; but there is a moral +pitch, the meanness, the dishonesty, and servility of Court, with which, +I trust, our noble service will never be contaminated. + +I have, however, somewhat wandered from my subject, which was brought up +in consequence of a gentleman who had paid me every attention at a large +club down at Cowes, to which I had been invited, inquiring of me, across +the table, if I were connected with the Keenes of ---? My reply was +ready: "I did not think that I was; my father had died a young man in +the East Indies. I knew that he was of Scotch descent (which he was), +but I was too young to know anything about his connections, whom he had +quitted at an early age; since that I had been educated and brought +forward by Lord de Versely, who had, since the death of my mother, +treated me as if I were his own son." This was said openly, and being +strictly true, of course without hesitation on my part. It was quite +sufficient; I had noble patronage, and it was therefore to be presumed +that I was somebody, or that patronage would not have been extended. I +mention this, because it was the only time that I was ever questioned +about my family; it was therefore to be presumed that my reply was +considered satisfactory. + +I accepted an invitation on board of the yacht and sailed about for +several days, very much amused and flattered by the attention shown to +me by the noble commodore and others. One day I fell in with an old +acquaintance. A small vessel, of about twenty tons, cutter-rigged, came +down under the stern of the commodore's yacht; it was then very smooth +water, very light wind, and, moreover, very hot weather; and one of the +squadron, who was standing by me on the taffrail, said, "Keene, do look +at this craft coming down under our stern--there's quite a curiosity in +it. It is a yacht belonging to an Irish Major O'Flinn, as he calls +himself; why the O, I don't know; but he's a good fellow, and very +amusing; there he is abaft; he has the largest whiskers you ever saw; +but it is not of him I would speak. Wait a little, and as soon as the +square sail is out of the way, you will see his wife. Such a whapper! +I believe she weighs more than the rhinoceros did which was at Post-down +fair." + +As the vessel neared, I did behold a most enormous woman in a sky-blue +silk dress, and a large sky-blue parasol over her head; the bonnet +having been taken off, I presume, on account of the heat. "She is a +monster," replied I; "the major was a bold man; I think I have seen the +face before." + +"I am told that she was the daughter of a purser, and had a lot of +money," continued my friend. + +I recollected then, and I replied, "Yes; I know now, her name was +Culpepper." + +"That was the name," replied he; "I recollect now." + +The reader may probably recollect Miss Medea, who knew so well how to +put that and that together; and her mother, who I presumed had long ago +been suffocated in her own fat, a fate which I thought that Mrs O'Flinn +would meet with as well as her mother. The lady did not recognise me, +which I was not sorry for. I certainly should have cut her dead. I +walked forward, and my thoughts reverted to the time when my mother +first brought me down to embark, and I was taken care of by Bob Cross. +This recollection of Bob Cross reminded me that I had promised to be at +his wedding, and that it was to take place on the following day, which I +had quite forgotten. So that Mrs O'Flinn did me a good turn at last, +as I should have neglected my promise, if she had not made her +appearance, sailing along like an elephantine Cleopatra. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. + +I had not called upon old Waghorn, the uncle of Jane; as I was fearful +that he might recognise the pretended agent of former days with the now +captain of the Circe. The blind are very acute in all their other +senses,--a species of reparation made by nature by way of +indemnification for the severe loss which they have sustained. + +As I grew older I grew wiser, and I could not help remarking, that the +acts of deceit, which as a midshipman I thought not only very +justifiable, but good fun, were invariably attended with unpleasant +results. Even in this trifle my heart misgave me, whether on my +appearance at the wedding I might not I be recognised, and be the cause +of creating a breach, by raising suspicions on the part of the blind man +which might prevent the wedding; and I had stated my fears to Bob Cross. +"Well, Captain Keene, it was all done with good intentions, and I do +not think that there is much fear. It's a long while back, and you were +not so much of a man as you are now. They do say, that cheating never +thrives, and I believe that it seldom does in the long run. Jane will +be much disappointed if you do not come." + +"There is no help for it, Bob; I must disguise my voice; I must cheat a +little now to hide the first cheat. That's always the case in this +world." + +"I don't call it cheating, sir; my ideas are, that if you cheat to get +advantage for yourself, then you do cheat; but when you do so to help +another, there's no great cheating in the case." + +"I cannot agree with you, Bob; but let us say no more about it. I will +be with you at ten o'clock, which you say is the hour that you go to +church." + +This conversation took place on the morning of the wedding. About eight +o'clock, I dressed and breakfasted, and then took a wherry over to +Gosport, and in half an hour was at the house, which was full of people +with white favours, and in such a bustle, that it reminded me of a hive +of bees just previous to a swarm. + +"Here's the captain come, sir," said Bob, who had received me; for the +bride was still in her room with her mother. + +"Happy to see you, sir; I wish you joy, Mr Waghorn," replied I, taking +his hand. + +"You're Captain Keene, then, whose letters to the Admiralty Jane has so +often read to me in the newspapers. Where have we met? I've heard that +voice before." + +"Indeed sir," replied I, rather confused. + +"Yes, I have; I always know a voice again; let me see--why, captain, you +were here with Cross, the first time I ever heard him--you were an +agent, and now you're a captain," continued the old man, looking very +grave. + +"Hush, sir," replied I: "pray don't speak so loud. Do you recollect +what I came about? Do you suppose that when I was a party to the escape +of a prisoner I could let you know, being a perfect stranger, that I was +an officer in his Majesty's service?" + +"Very true," replied the old man, "I cannot blame you for that. But was +Cross an officer in the service at that time?" + +"No, sir, he was not," replied I; "he was appointed boatswain to my ship +by the admiral in the West Indies." + +"I'm glad to hear that. I thought Cross might have deceived me also; +every one tries to cheat a blind man--and the blind are suspicious. I'm +glad that Cross did not deceive me, or I would have seen my niece in her +coffin before--but say no more about it, you could not do otherwise; +all's right, sir, and I'm very glad to see you, and to have the honour +of your company. Sit down, sir, I beg. By the bye, Captain Keene, have +you heard of the girl since?" + +"My dear sir," replied I, glad to give him my confidence, "there are no +secrets between us now; it was no girl, but the son of the captain of +the Dutch frigate, and an officer, whose escape you assisted in." + +"I don't wonder, then, at your not making yourself known," replied the +old man. "Why, if I had known it had been an officer, I never would +have had a hand in the job--but a poor girl, it was mere charity to +assist her, and I thought I was acting the part of a Christian, poor +blind sinner that I am." + +"You did a kind act, sir, and Heaven will reward you." + +"We are sad, wicked creatures, Captain Keene," replied he. "I wish this +day was over, and my poor Jane made happy; and then I should have +nothing to do but to read my Bible, and prepare for being called away; +it's never too soon, depend upon it, sir." + +The appearance of the bride with her bridesmaids put an end to our +conversation, which I was not sorry for. The order of march was +arranged, and we started off for the church on foot, making a very long +and very gay procession. In half an hour it was all over, and we +returned. I then had an opportunity of telling Cross what had passed +between me and old Waghorn. + +"It was touch and go, sir, that's sartin," replied Bob; "for if the old +gentleman had not been satisfied, he is so obstinate that the match +would have been broken off at the church door. Well, sir, I always said +that you were the best to get out of a scrape that I ever knew when you +were a middy, and you don't appear to have lost the talent; it was well +managed." + +"Perhaps so, Bob; but in future I do not intend to get into them, which +will be managing better still." I then left Cross, and went to talk to +Jane, who certainly looked very handsome. The tables for dinner were +laid out in the garden, for it was a beautiful warm autumnal day. We +sat down about twenty, and a merrier party I never was at. Old Waghorn +was the only one who got tipsy on the occasion, and it was very +ridiculous to hear him quoting scraps of Scripture in extenuation, and +then calling himself a poor blind old sinner. It was not till eight +o'clock in the evening that the party broke up, and I had then some +difficulty to persuade some to go away. As for the old man, he had been +put to bed an hour before. I staid a few minutes after all were gone, +and then, kissing Jane, and shaking hands with Bob, I went back to +Portsmouth. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. + +As soon as I was at home again, the events of the day, from association +of ideas, naturally brought Minnie Vanderwelt into my head, and I +recollected that I had not written to her since my promotion and +appointment to the Circe; I therefore sat down and indited a long +letter, ending with expressing my regret at not having received an +answer from the many I had written, especially the last, which informed +them of my arrival in England, and gave them the knowledge where to +address me. I also requested to know what had become of young Vangilt, +whose escape I had contrived. Having enclosed that letter to the agent, +and begged him to have it forwarded to Hamburg, I went to bed, and, +after the excitement of the day, had a variety of dreams, in which +Minnie's form was continually making its appearance. + +The following morning brought me a long letter from my aunt, Mrs +Bridgeman, very lively and very amusing: the only news in it was the +marriage of Lieutenant Flat to a tavern-keeper's daughter, which had +given great offence to the marine corps, as she was said to be rather +light of carriage. She begged me very much to pay them a visit, but +that was not all to my wishes, I most candidly confess. My pride +revolted at it; I even doubt if I would have fitted out a ship at +Chatham where people could point their finger at me, and say--That +post-captain's father was a marine in those barracks. Another letter +from Lord de Versely, announcing his arrival at Madeline Hall, and +requesting me to join him as soon as possible, was infinitely more to my +taste, and I resolved to start next day, which I did. I was very +cordially received by his lordship, and very graciously by the old lady, +who expressed a hope that I would now make a long visit. About an hour +after I had arrived, Colonel Delmar made his appearance: he was a cousin +of Lord de Versely's, but I certainly should not, from his appearance, +have supposed him to be a Delmar: for he was short, round-shouldered, +and with a fat, rubicund face, apparently about forty years of age. I +observed, after our introduction, that his eyes were very often directed +towards me; but his manner was courteous, and, although his appearance +at first sight was not prepossessing, his conversation was very +agreeable, and he was very gentleman-like. Before dinner was over, I +felt a great liking for him. + +As the first of September had not yet arrived, the birds had still two +days of peace and quietness, leading their broods through the stubbles, +and pointing out to them the corn which had spilled on the ground, for +their food. That the old birds had some idea of a gun, it is to be +supposed, from their having escaped the season before; but the young +coveys had still that pleasure to come; in two days more they were to be +initiated into the astonishing fact, that fast as feathers could fly, +lead could fly faster, and overtake them. + +The two or three days before the shooting season begins are invariably +very tedious in the country, and I passed my morning chiefly in roaming +through the park and pleasure grounds, and I hardly need say that, +during those rambles, my thoughts were chiefly occupied with the +intimacy which had taken place between my mother and Lord de Versely. +On the third morning after my arrival I had been strolling for more than +two hours, when I came to a very retired sort of Gothic cell, formed of +the distended limbs of an old oak, intermixed with stones and grass. It +faced towards the park, and was built up on the green lawn amidst clumps +of laurel and other evergreens. I threw myself on the benches. It was +just the place for a man to select for a rendezvous: just the secret +spot where a maiden could listen without trembling at intruders; and it +struck me that this must have been the trysting place of my parents. +For an hour I remained there, castle-building for the future, and musing +on the past, when I heard a voice, close to me on the other side of the +cell, the back of which was turned towards the hall. I knew the voice +to be that of the old lady, who, it appears, had, as usual, come out in +her garden chair, and was dragged by her attendant, Phillis: the wheels +had made no noise on the velvet lawn, and, until roused by her voice, I +was not aware of their approach. + +"Nonsense, Phillis; why, child, what should you know about such things?" +said the old lady. + +"If you please to recollect, ma'am," replied Phillis, who certainly was +old enough to recollect all the passages in a woman's life, "I was your +maid at the time that it happened, and I was constantly in company with +Bella Mason. She was very respectful towards you, but you did not know +what her temper was; there never was so proud a young woman, or who +considered herself of such consequence as she did--so much so, that she +treated even Mr Jonas, the butler, and Mrs Short, the housekeeper, +with disdain." + +"Well, well, I know that she was proud; her mother was always a proud +woman. Mr Mason, in his younger days, held property of his own, at +least his father did, but he ran through it revelling and horse-racing; +but what does that prove?" + +"I only say, madam, what was said at the time by everybody, that Bella +Mason never would have married that marine, whom she looked upon with +contempt, although he certainly was a good-looking young man, if she had +not been obliged to do so." + +"But why obliged, Phillis?" + +"To conceal her shame, madam; for, if you recollect, the child was born +three months after marriage." + +"I recollect that, very well," replied Miss Delmar; "it was a sad thing, +and, as my nephew said, I ought to have looked out sharper after Bella +than I did, and not have allowed her to be so much in company with that +marine." + +"That marine, ma'am! he was innocent enough; Bella was not likely to +listen to one like him." + +"Who can you mean then, Phillis?" + +"Why, Lord de Versely, ma'am, to be sure. Everybody in the Hall was +sure the child was his; he and Bella were for ever together for months +before her marriage." + +"Phillis, Phillis, you don't know what you are saying--it's impossible; +indeed, I recollect talking the matter over with Lord de Versely, who +was then Captain Delmar, and he was more shocked at the impropriety than +even I was, and offered to give the marine a good whipping." + +"That may be, madam, but still Captain Delmar was the father of that +boy; for, if you recollect, old Mrs Mason came to the Hall, and went +away almost immediately." + +"Well, what of that? she was displeased no doubt." + +"Yes, indeed she was, madam; but she had a private meeting with Captain +Delmar; and Mrs Short, the housekeeper, overheard what passed, and I +understand that the captain did not deny it to her. One thing is +certain, that Mrs Mason, as she was going away, in her rage made use of +language about Captain Delmar, which otherwise she never would have +dared. And, then, madam, only look at Captain Keene,--why, he is the +very image of his lordship." + +"He is very like him, certainly," said the old lady, musing. + +"And then, madam, do you think his lordship would have brought the boy +up in the service, and made him a post-captain, if he had been the son +of a marine? And then, madam, see how fond his lordship is of him; why, +he dotes upon him; and would he ask the son of his own servant to come +down to Madeline Hall, as fit company for you? No; so, madam, depend +upon it, Captain Keene is a Delmar, and no wonder his lordship is so +fond of him, madam; for he is his only child, and I dare say his +lordship would give him his right hand if he could leave him the barony +and estates, instead of them going away, as they will, to his younger +brother's children." + +"Well, well, Phillis, it may be so. I don't know what to think of it. +I shall speak to Lord de Versely about it; for if Captain Keene is a +Delmar, he must be looked to. He is a Delmar, although with the bar +sinister. I feel a little cold, Phillis, so drag me to the terrace, +that I may get a little sunshine." + +Phillis, I thank thee, said I to myself, as the chair wheeled away. +Your love of chatting may be useful to me. Perhaps his lordship may now +acknowledge my birth to his aunt, and good may come of it. I waited +till the chair wheels were heard on the gravel walk, and then quitted +the grotto, and bent my steps away from the Hall, that I might commune +with my own thoughts without chance of interruption. + +I had quitted the park, and was now pacing over several fields, one +after another, walking as if I had some important business in hand, when +in fact, my legs were only trying to keep pace with my thoughts, when I +vaulted over a gate, and found myself in a narrow lane, sunk deep +between two hedges. Indifferent as to the path I took, I turned to the +right, and continued on my way, walking as fast as before, when I heard +the low bellowing of an animal. This induced me to raise my eyes, and I +witnessed a curious scene in front of me, which I will narrate in the +next chapter. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. + +As I said before, the lane was very narrow, not admitting more than one +vehicle to go along it, and was sunk between the hedges on each side, so +as to render it not very easy to climb up the bank. The parties who +presented themselves were, first a cow with her tail turned towards me, +evidently a wicked one, as she was pawing and bellowing in a low tone, +and advancing towards two people who were the object of her attack. One +was a very little man, dressed in black, the other a stout burly young +fellow in a shooting-jacket; but what amused me most was, that the stout +young fellow, instead of being in the advance to defend one so much +smaller than himself, not only kept behind the little man, but actually +now and then held him by the shoulders before his own person, as a +shield to ward off the expected attack of the vicious animal. It is +true that the little personage expostulated, and spoke several times in +a tone of command to his companion, but his words were unheeded, and the +cow advanced, and they retreated in the order which I have described. + +I quickened my pace, so as to gain rapidly upon them, and was soon but a +few yards from the animal. I had no stick or weapon of any kind, but +still I knew how to manage unruly cattle as sailors do when they were +sent on board ship alive. Indeed I had more than once put it into +practice myself; and although with a bull it was not a very easy matter, +with a cow I felt certain that I could effect my purpose. + +The animal appeared now determined to come to close quarters; and I +therefore approached her until I was about a couple of feet from her +flank, all ready for a spring, in case she should see me, and turn +round. But she was too busy with the parties in front of her, and at +last she made a run. The stout young man pushed the little man towards +the cow, and then ran for it. The little one, in his attempt to recoil, +fell on the turf, and the cow made at him. I sprang forward, and +catching the horn of the animal farthest from me in my right hand, at +the same time put my left knee on the horn nearest to me, threw all my +weight upon it, so as to turn the animal's nose up in the air, and +seizing it by the nostrils with the other hand, I held her head in that +position, which of course rendered the animal harmless. In that +position the cow went over the prostrate man without doing him any +injury, plunging and capering, so as to extricate herself from my +weight. I remained clinging to her for about ten yards further, when I +perceived the stout fellow ahead, who hallooed out, "Hold her tight! +hold her tight!" but that I would no longer do, as it was fatiguing +work; so, as a punishment for his cowardice, I let go the animal, +springing clear off, and behind it, the cow galloping away as fast as +she could down the lane, and the fellow screaming and running before as +fast as he could. + +Having thus rid myself of the cow and the coward, I turned back to where +the other party had been left on the ground, and found him standing up, +and looking at what was passing. "You're not hurt, sir?" said I. + +"No, thanks to you; but no thanks to that rascally clerk of mine, who +wanted to shove me on the cow's horns to save himself." + +"He has a run for it now, at all events;" replied I, laughing, "and I +let the cow loose on purpose; for if I had held on, and used all my +strength, I could have brought her down on her side and kept her down. +Oh! there's a break in the bank, and he has climbed up it, so he is safe +for a good fright," continued I; "and now we had better get away +ourselves; for the animal may come back, and, although one can pin her +in that way from behind, it is not to be done when she comes stem on to +you." + +"Well, sir, I have heard of taking the bull by the horns as not being a +very wise thing; but taking a cow by them has probably saved my life. I +thank you." + +"We manage them that way on board ship," replied I, laughing. + +"You are a sailor, then, sir," replied the little man. "Probably I have +the pleasure of addressing Captain Keene?" + +"That is my name," replied I; "but here is the cow coming back, and the +sooner we get to the gate the better. I'm not ashamed to run for it, +and I suppose you are not either." So saying, I took to my heels, +followed by my new companion, and we very soon put the barred gate +between us and our enemy. + +"I will wish you good day now, sir," said I; "I am going to the Hall." + +"I am also bound there, Captain Keene," replied my companion, "and, with +your permission, will accompany you. Egad, we may meet another cow," +said he, laughing, "and I prefer being in your company." + +He then informed me that he was the solicitor and agent of the +Honourable Miss Delmar, and had been sent for about some new leases, and +that his name was Warden. During our walk I found him a very cheerful, +merry little man, and a very good companion. + +On our arrival at the Hall, Mr Warden was informed that Miss Delmar was +not able to receive him just then, as she was very busy with Lord de +Versely, who was with her in her private room. I therefore remained +with Mr Warden for about an hour, when Lord de Versely came down and +joined us. He appeared to be in a remarkable gay humour, and shook me +warmly by the hand when he came in. + +"Now, Mr Warden, you are to go up and receive your instructions, and +recollect, the sooner everything is executed the better." + +Mr Warden left the room, and I narrated to his lordship the adventure +with the cow. Just as I had begun it, Colonel Delmar came in, and +listened to my narration. + +In about half an hour Mr Warden came down-stairs, and with a very +smiling face. + +"Well, Mr Warden," said his lordship, "have you your instructions?" + +"Yes, my lord and I assure you that I never shall execute any with so +much pleasure. Has Captain Keene told you how he saved my life this +morning?" + +"No, he did not say that," replied his lordship; "but he has told me +about the cow, and your clerk putting you foremost in the breach." + +"She would have made a breach in me I expect, if it had not been for the +captain," replied Mr Warden; "and you may therefore believe me, my +lord, when I say that I shall obey my instructions with pleasure. I +wish you good morning. Good morning, Captain Keene. Colonel, your most +obedient." So saying, Mr Warden left the room. I was very much struck +with Mr Warden's observation, that he would execute his instructions +with so much pleasure; and when I turned round, I perceived that Colonel +Delmar was looking very grave; but the first dinner bell rang, and we +all went to our rooms to dress. Well, thought I, as I was dressing +myself, I presume the old lady has left me a thousand or two in her +will. I cared little about that, and then I dismissed the subject from +my thoughts; but as I sat by Miss Delmar after dinner, I could not help +thinking that her manner towards me was more affectionate than it had +been before; the _hauteur_ with which her civility and kindness had +hitherto been blended appeared to have been thrown aside; I presumed +that Lord de Versely had been speaking in my favour, and felt grateful +to him for his kindness. Perhaps, thought I, he has revealed to her the +secret of my birth, and she now considers me as a relation; perhaps she +may have left me more than I supposed. However, it is of little +consequence. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. + +The next day, being the first of September, we were all very busy, and +we continued to shoot every day for a week, when I thought it time to +return to Portsmouth. I mentioned my intentions to Lord de Versely, and +was pressed to stay until the following Saturday, it being then Tuesday. +On Wednesday Mr Warden made his appearance, attended by his clerk, who +carried a bag of papers. He remained half an hour and then went home; +but, before he went, he asked me to dine with him on the following day, +and I consented. + +After we returned from shooting the next day, I changed my clothes, and, +leaving word with the butler that I dined out, I took my way across the +fields. I was walking very quietly on the grass, by the side of a high +hedge, when I perceived two other men on the opposite side; one I +recognised as Colonel Delmar; the other I could not at first make out; +but, as I approached them, I perceived that the colonel was talking with +the clerk of Mr Warden. I passed them without notice, for they were +very earnestly engaged in conversation. What they said, I did not know; +but I thought it singular that so proud a person as Colonel Delmar +should be so engaged with an inferior; a little reflection, however made +me consider that there was nothing very surprising in Colonel Delmar's +entering into conversation with a man in the country. They might be +talking about the game, or a hundred other things. + +I had a very friendly dinner with Mr Warden, who, after dinner, gave me +a hint that I should not be the worse for the papers signed the day +before. He did not however, say anything positive, as it would have +been a breach of trust. When I spoke of my soon being afloat again, he +said that he would not fail to watch over my interests at the Hall +during my absence, and he requested that I would write to him, and +consider him as my sincere friend. "Of course, my dear Captain Keene, I +do not expect that you will at present give me your entire confidence; +but I trust you will when you know me, and at all events that you will +not fail to do so when my advice may be of use to you. I have a debt of +obligation to pay, and I shall be most happy to do so, if it is in my +power!" I thanked Mr Warden for his kind offers, and promised to avail +myself of them, and we parted great friends. + +The next day, Friday, we had a large addition to our shooting party. I +had not been out more than an hour, when, as I was standing near Lord de +Versely, who was re-loading his gun, a report, close to us, was heard, +and I fell down close to his feet, apparently dead. A keeper, who was +with us, ran to see who had discharged the gun, and found that it was +Colonel Delmar, who now ran up to us, stating, in hurried terms, to Lord +de Versely, that his gun had gone off accidentally as he was putting on +a copper cap, and bitterly lamenting the circumstance. Lord de Versely +was at the time kneeling down by my side (as I was afterwards informed), +showing the greatest anxiety and grief. My hat had been taken off; it +was full of blood and the back of my head was much torn with the shot. +I remained insensible, although breathing heavily; a gate was taken off +its hinges, and I was laid upon it, and carried to the Hall. + +Before the surgeon had arrived, I had recovered my senses. On +examination, I had had a very narrow escape; the better part of the +charge of shot had entered the back part of my head, but fortunately not +any had penetrated through the skull. After a tedious hour, employed in +extracting this load, my head was bound up, and I was made comfortable +in my bed. I must say that Lord de Versely and Colonel Delmar vied with +each other in their attentions to me; the latter constantly accusing +himself as the author of the mischief, and watching by my bed the major +part of the day. + +This accident delayed my departure, and it was not until three weeks +afterwards, that I was sufficiently recovered to leave my room. In the +meantime, Lord de Versely, assured that I was out of danger, went back +to London. The colonel, however, remained. His kindness and attention +had given me great pleasure, and we had become very intimate. He had +offered to go with me to Portsmouth, and I had expressed the pleasure I +should have in his company. The Honourable Miss Delmar had shown the +greatest feeling and anxiety for me during my illness; so had Mr +Warden, who often called to see me; in fact, I found myself so +surrounded by well-wishers and friends, that I hardly regretted my +accident. + +At the end of the fifth week, I was sufficiently recovered to be able to +return to Portsmouth, where I was now very anxious to arrive, as the +Circe had been launched and had already received her lower masts. I +took my leave of Miss Delmar, who requested my early return to Madeline +Hall, and, accompanied by Colonel Delmar, was once more established at +Billett's Hotel. + +Bob Cross was the first who made his appearance; for I had written to +him to acquaint him with my intended return. He had heard of my narrow +escape, as it had been put into the newspaper; his information was +trifling, but to the purpose. All was right as to the frigate: she sat +on the water like a duck; the rigging was far advanced, and the officers +seemed of the right sort. All was right, also, as to his matrimonial +affairs; his wife was every thing he wished; the old gentleman was as +sweet as molasses, and he had laid the keel of a young Cross. We then +entered upon business, and I gave him some directions as to the rigging, +and he left me. + +The next morning, the first lieutenant called to pay his respects, and +his appearance and conversation proved him to be what he had been +recommended as, a good seaman and a brave man. I went with him to the +dockyard to look at the frigate in the basin, and afterwards on board +the hulk to see the other officers and the men, who had been entered. I +had every reason to be satisfied, and I then returned to the hotel, to +dine with Colonel Delmar. This officer appeared to have taken a strong +interest in me, and ever since the accident of his gun going off, which +had so nearly been fatal to me, was unbounded in his professions of +regard. I must say, that a more gentleman-like or more amusing +companion I never met with. A great intimacy was established between +us; he was constantly making me presents of value, which I would fain +have prevented his doing; occasionally, when we were alone, he would +hint something about my family and parentage; but this was a subject +upon which I was invariably silent, and I immediately changed the +conversation; once only I replied, that my father and mother were both +dead. + +On my arrival at Portsmouth, I found several letters waiting for me, and +among them two or three from my mother, who had seen the report in the +newspaper of the escape that I had had, and, of course, was excessively +anxious to hear from my own hand how I was. Had I thought that it would +have come to her knowledge, I certainly should have written to my +grandmother from Madeline Hall; but I imagined that she knew nothing +about it, until my return to Portsmouth, when her anxious letters proved +the contrary; for in her anxiety she had quite forgotten her promise +that all communication should be through my grandmother. + +As soon as I had read the letters I locked them up in my desk, and +hastened to reply to them, assuring my mother of my perfect restoration +to health, and cautioned her not to break through the agreement we had +made for the future, pointing out to her that had these letters been +forwarded to Madeline Hall, her handwriting would have been recognised. +I said, in conclusion, "I must say, my dear mother, that I now heartily +repent that we should have resorted to the step we have done in +pretending that you are dead. That some advantage was gained by it at +the time, I really believe; but I have a feeling that eventually some +mischief may occur from it. I hope I may be mistaken; but if I am not, +it will only be the punishment which I deserve for an act of duplicity +which I have repented of ever since." + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. + +My time was now fully employed during the day in fitting out the +frigate; but in the evening I generally dined out at the admiral's or at +the officers' mess. I received several invitations from the marine mess +to dine with them; but I always contrived to be engaged, for I was +fearful that something might be said relative to my putative father, +Ben, which might hurt my pride. Not that I had any reason to suppose +that any of the officers would have been guilty of any such rudeness; +but as a great deal of wine was drank when company were at the mess, and +there were many young men there, it was possible that, having the +knowledge, they might in their cups say something which they never would +have done when they were sober. The colonel very often dined there, and +constantly asked me why I refused. My reply was certainly not the +truth, for I said that I was not very partial to marine officers. + +We had been three weeks at Portsmouth when Colonel Delmar received a +letter from a friend of his, a Major Stapleton, which he read aloud to +me at breakfast. It stated that the major would be down at Portsmouth +the next day, and requested the colonel to procure him good rooms. "He +is an excellent fellow, the major," continued the colonel, "and will be +a great addition to our society. I will prevail upon him to stay a week +or ten days." + +On my return from the dock-yard on the following day, I found the +colonel and Major Stapleton in our sitting-room, and was introduced to +him. He was a small, neatly-made man, with handsome features, very well +dressed, and of very fashionable appearance. Still there was something +in his eye which did not please me; it was unsettled and wandering, and +never fixed upon you for more than a second. He met me with great +warmth and _empressement_, shook me by the hand, and declared what +pleasure he had in making my acquaintance. We sat down to dinner, and +were very merry. + +The major had been with us a week, when we had a large party to dinner. +The wine was passed freely, and we all were more or less elated. The +major appeared particularly so, and very much inclined to be +quarrelsome, and as he constantly addressed himself to me, I was very +cautious in what I said, as I perceived that he was in the humour to +take offence at anything. Several very offensive remarks were made by +him, as if to pick a quarrel between us, but I parried them as well as I +could, and I was making an observation, when the major started up, and +told me that what I said was a lie, and that I was a scoundrel for +having said so. + +Now, as my observation was to my first lieutenant, and was in reference +to the hold of the frigate, there could be no cause for this insult, and +it could only be ascribed to his being in a state of intoxication. My +reply was very cool and quiet: "Major, you do not know what you are +saying; but we will talk about it to-morrow morning." I then rose and +went to my bed-room, and the whole party broke up immediately. + +Shortly afterwards, Colonel Delmar came into my room, and blaming the +major very much for his conduct, ascribed it to intoxication and said +that he would make him send a proper apology, which he had no doubt the +next morning, when the major was informed of what he had done, he would +be most anxious to offer himself. + +I replied, that I presumed so; and he quitted my room. Indeed, so fully +was I convinced of this in my own mind, that I gave it no further +thought, and was soon fast asleep, and did not wake until Colonel Delmar +entered my room at a late hour. + +"Well, colonel," said I. + +"My dear Keene," said he, "I have been to the major, and, to my +surprise, when I stated to him what had passed at the table last night, +his reply was, that he perfectly remembered all about it and that he +would not retract what he had said. I remonstrated with him, but in +vain. He says, that it is cowardly to retract, and that he will never +make an apology." + +"Then," replied I, "there is but one step for me to take." + +"As our friend, I told him so, and pressed him very hard to acknowledge +his error, but he continued steadfast in his refusal. I then took upon +myself to say that I was there as your friend, and begged he would name +an officer to whom I might address myself. Did I not right, my dear +Keene?" + +"Certainly; and I am very much obliged to you," replied I, putting on my +dressing-gown. + +"He must be mad, utterly and positively mad!" exclaimed Colonel Delmar; +"I regret very much that he has ever come here. I know that some years +ago, when he was younger, he fought two or three duels rather than make +an apology; but in this instance it was so unprovoked, and I had hoped +that he had got over all that nonsense and obstinacy. Are you a good +shot, Keene? because he is a notorious one." + +"I can hit my man, colonel; it is true that I have only fought one duel +in my life, and would make a great sacrifice rather than fight another; +but no alternative is left me in this case; and if blood is shed, it +must be on the head of him who provoked it." + +"Very true," replied Colonel Delmar, biting his lip; "I only hope you +will be successful." + +"I have no particular animosity against Major Stapleton," replied I; +"but as he is such a good shot, I shall in my own defence take good aim +at him. At all events, I have sufficient acquaintance with fire-arms, +and have passed through too many bullets not to be cool and collected +under fire, and I therefore consider myself quite a match for the major. +Now, colonel, if you will order the breakfast, I will be down in ten +minutes or a quarter of an hour." + +As the colonel was going out of the room, his servant knocked at the +door, and said that Captain Green wished to speak to him on particular +business; I therefore did not hurry myself, but proceeded quietly with +my toilet, as I was well aware what the particular business was, and +that the conference might last some time. On my descending into the +sitting-room I found the colonel alone. + +"Well, Keene," said he, "everything is arranged, for the major is deaf +to all expostulation. You are to meet this evening, and, to avoid +interference, Captain Green and I have agreed to say that the major has +apologised, and all is made up." Of course I had no objection to make +to that, and we parted for the present, I walking to the dock-yard, and +he remaining at the hotel to write letters. + +The reader may think that I took matters very coolly; but the fact was, +I had no preparations to make in case of accident, having no wife or +family, and as to any other preparations at such a time, I considered +them as mockery. I knew that I was about to do what was wrong--to +offend my Creator--and knowing that, and sinning with my eyes open, much +as I regretted that I was compelled to do so, I was still resolved upon +doing it. How great may be the culpability in such cases when you are +called upon to sacrifice all your worldly interests, and to be despised +among men, or run the risk of involuntarily taking another person's +life, I could not pretend to judge; but one thing was certain, that, +however it may be judged in the next world, in this, among soldiers and +sailors, it will always be considered as venial. I did, therefore, what +most in my profession would have done under the same circumstances. I +drove it from my thoughts as much as possible, until the time came to +decide my fate. I considered that I must be judged by the tenor of my +whole life, and that repentance, under chance of death, was of about the +same value as death-bed repentance. + +As soon as the dock-yard men were mustered out, I returned to the hotel, +and sat down to dinner with the colonel. We had scarcely finished a +bottle of claret when it was time to be off. We walked out of the town, +to the place appointed, where I found my adversary and his second. The +ground was marked out by the colonel, and, when I took my station, I +found that the setting sun was in my eyes. I pointed it out to him, and +requested my position might be changed. The other second heard me do +so, and very handsomely agreed that I was entitled to what I asked, and +the colonel immediately apologised for his remissness to my interests. +The ground was then marked out in another direction, and the colonel +took me to my place, where I observed that one of the white-washed posts +was exactly behind me, making me a sure mark for my antagonist. "I am +not used to these things, Keene," replied Colonel Delmar, "and I make +strange mistakes." I then pointed out a direction which would be fair +for both parties. The pistols were then loaded, and put into our hands. +We fired at the signal. I felt that I was hit, but my adversary fell. +I was paralysed; and although I remained on my feet, I could not move. +Captain Green and the colonel went up to where my adversary lay: the +ball had passed through his chest. + +"He is dead," said Captain Green--"quite dead." + +"Yes," replied Colonel Delmar. "My dear Keene, I congratulate you: you +have killed the greatest scoundrel that ever disgraced his Majesty's +uniform." + +"Colonel Delmar," replied Captain Green, "the observation might well be +spared: our errors and our follies die with us." + +"Very true, Captain Green," replied I. "I can only express my surprise +that the colonel should have introduced to me a person whose memory he +now so bitterly assails." Somehow or another, from the commencement of +the duel, Colonel Delmar's conduct had excited my suspicions, and a +hundred things crowded into my memory, which appeared as if illumined +like a flash of lightning. I came suddenly to the conviction that he +was my enemy, and not my friend. But I was bleeding fast: some marines, +who were passing, were summoned, and the body of Major Stapleton was +carried away by one party, while I was committed to another, and taken +back to the hotel. The surgeon was sent for, and my wound was not +dangerous. The ball had gone deep into my thigh, but had missed any +vessel of magnitude. It was extracted, and I was left quiet in bed. +Colonel Delmar came up to me as before, but I received his professions +with great coolness. I told him that I thought it would be prudent of +him to disappear until the affair had blown over; but he declared to me +that he would remain with me at every risk. Shortly afterwards, Captain +Green came into my room, and said, "I'm sure, Captain Keene, you will be +glad to hear that Major Stapleton is not dead. He had swooned, and is +now come to, and the doctor thinks favourably of him." + +"I am indeed very glad, Captain Green; for I had no animosity against +the major, and his conduct to me has been quite incomprehensible." + +After inquiry about my wound, and expressing a hope that I should soon +be well, Captain Green left; but I observed that he took no further +notice of Colonel Delmar than a haughty salute as he quitted the room; +and then, to my surprise, Colonel Delmar said that, upon consideration, +he thought it would be advisable for him to go away for a certain time. + +"I agree with you," replied I; "it would be better." I said this, +because I did not wish his company; for it at once struck me as very +strange that he should, now that Major Stapleton was alive and promising +to do well, talk of departure, when he refused at the time he supposed +him to be killed. I was therefore very glad when in an hour or two +afterwards he took his leave, and started, as he said, for London. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. + +My recovery was rapid: in less than a fortnight I was on the sofa. The +frigate was now rigged, and had taken in her water and stores, and was +reported ready for sea in a month, as we still required about forty men +to make up our complement. I saw a great deal of Captain Green, who +paid me a visit almost every day; and once, when our conversation turned +upon the duel, I made the same remark as I did when Colonel Delmar used +such harsh language over the body of Major Stapleton. "Yes," replied +Captain Green, "I thought it was my duty to tell him what Colonel Delmar +had said. He was very much excited, and replied, `The _greatest_ +scoundrel, did he say?--then is the devil better than those he tempts; +however, we are both in each other's power. I must get well first, and +then I will act.' There certainly is some mystery, the attack was so +unprovoked, the determination so positive. Have you any reason to +suppose that Colonel Delmar is your enemy, Captain Keene? for certainly +he did appear to me to do all he could at the time of the duel to give +your adversary the advantage." + +"I really have no cause to suppose that he has grounds for being my +enemy; but I cannot help suspecting that, for some reason or reasons +unknown, he is so." + +When Captain Green had left me, I tried all I could to find out why +Colonel Delmar should be inimical to me. That he was the supposed heir +to Miss Delmar I knew; but surely her leaving me a few thousands was not +sufficient cause for a man to seek my life. Lord de Versely had nothing +to leave; I could come to no conclusion that was at all satisfactory. I +then thought whether I would write to Lord de Versely, and tell him what +had happened; but I decided that I would not. The initials had been put +in the papers at the announcement of the duel, and, had he seen them, he +certainly would have written down to inquire about the facts. My mother +had so done, and I resolved that I would answer her letter, which had +hitherto remained on the table. I sent for my desk, and when my servant +brought it me, the bunch of keys were hanging to the lock. I thought +this strange, as I had locked my desk before I went out to meet Major +Stapleton, and had never sent for it since my return; my servant, +however, could tell me nothing about it, except that he found it as he +brought it to me; but after a little time, he recollected that the +doctor had asked for a pen and ink to write a prescription, and that the +colonel had taken the keys to get him what he required. This accounted +for it, and nothing more was said upon the subject. Of course, although +it was known, no notice was taken of what had passed by the Admiralty. +I had not even put myself down in the sick report, but signed my daily +papers, and sent them into the admiral's office as if nothing had +happened. + +In six weeks I was able to limp about a little, and the Circe was at +last reported ready for sea. My orders came down, and I was to sail +with the first fair wind to join the squadron in the Texel and North +Sea. I had taken up my quarters on board, and was waiting two days, +while the wind still blew hard from the eastward, when my promise to +write to Mr Warden occurred to me; and, as I had closed all my +despatches to Lord de Versely--the Honourable Miss Delmar, to whom I +made my excuse for not being able to pay my respects before my +departure--my mother, and my aunt Bridgeman--I resolved that I would +write him a long letter previous to my sailing. I did so, in which I +entered into the whole affair of the duel, the conduct of Colonel +Delmar, and my suspicions relative to him; stating, at the same time, +that I could not comprehend why he should have sought to injure me. I +finished this letter late in the evening, and the next morning, the wind +having come round, we sailed for our destination. + +Once more on the water, all my thoughts were given to the service. We +soon fell in with the North Sea squadron, and the day afterwards the +Circe was directed to go on shore in company with the Dryad, and watch +the flotillas of gun-boats which had been collecting in the various +rivers and ports; to sink, burn, and destroy to the utmost of our power. +This was an active and dangerous service, as the enemy had every +advantage in the sands and shoals, and hardly a day passed in which we +were not engaged with the flotillas and batteries. It was, however, now +fine weather, for the winter had set in early, and had passed away, and +for two months we continued in the service, during which my skip's +company were well trained. One morning a cutter from the fleet was +reported from the mast-head, and we expected that we should soon have +our letters from England, when the Dryad threw out the signal for six +sail of praams in shore. + +The two frigates made all sail in chase, leaving the cutter to follow us +how she could. Our masters were well acquainted with the shoals on the +coast, and we threaded our way through them towards the enemy. We were +within gun-shot, and had exchanged broadsides with the batteries, when +the flotillas gained a small harbour, which prevented our making any +further attempts. The Dryad made the signal to haul off; it was quite +time, as we had not more than four hours' daylight, and were entangled +among the shoals. The breeze, which had been fresh, now increased very +rapidly, and there was every appearance of a gale. We worked out as +fast as we could, and by nine o'clock in the evening we were clear of +the sands, and in the open sea; but the gale had sprung up so rapidly +that we were obliged to reduce our sail to close-reefed topsails. With +the sands under our lee, it was necessary to draw off as fast as we +could, and we therefore carried a heavy press of sail all the night--at +last, the wind was so strong that we could only carry close-reefed +maintop-sail and reefed fore-sail; and with a heavy sea, which had risen +up, we felt that we were in extreme danger. + +Daylight once more made its appearance. Our first object was to +ascertain the position of the Dryad. For a long time we looked in vain; +at last, a partial clearing up of the horizon on the lee bow discovered +her, looming through the heavy atmosphere, more like a phantom ship than +the work of mortal hands. She was a deep grey mass upon a lighter grey +ground. Her top-masts were gone, and she was pitching and rising +without appearing to advance under her courses and storm staysails. + +"There she is, sir," said Mr Wilson; "and if the gale lasts, good-bye +to her." + +"If the gale lasts, Mr Wilson," said I in a low voice, "I suspect you +may sing our requiem as well; but we must trust to Heaven and our own +exertions. Pass along the lead-line, Mr Hawkins." + +"Aye, aye, sir," replied the officer of the watch; "how much out sir?" + +"Forty fathoms." + +The men ranged themselves along the lee-bulwarks, chains, and gangway +and passed the deep sea-lines from aft to the anchor stock forward. The +deep sea lead was taken forward, and as soon as it was bent and ready, +the ship was thrown up to the wind so as to check her way. "Heave," and +the lead was thrown, and as it descended the line was dropped from the +hands of the men, one after another, as the line drew aft; but when it +came to the hands of the master, who was on the quarter, instead of +finding, as he expected, forty fathoms of water, he had to haul in the +slack line for such a length of time, that the lead was astern and no +proper soundings could be obtained. + +One thing was, however, certain, which was, that we were in much +shallower water than we had any idea of; and the master, much alarmed, +desired the quarter-master to go into the chains and see if he could get +soundings with the hand-lead while the men were hauling in the deep +sea-line. The quarter-master was forestalled by Bob Cross who, dropping +into the chains, cleared the line, and swinging it but twice or thrice, +for there was little or no way in the vessel, let it go. + +The anxiety with which the descent of the line was watched by me, the +master, and other of the officers who were hanging over the hammock +rails, it would be difficult to describe. When sixteen fathoms were out +the lead sounded. Cross gathered up the slack line, and fourteen and a +half fathoms was announced. + +"Mr Hillyer," said I, "oblige me by coming down into the cabin." The +master followed me immediately. The chart was on the table in the +fore-cabin. + +"We must have gone to leeward dreadfully, sir." + +"Yes," replied I; "but the sweep of the currents in heavy gales is so +tremendous, and so uncertain on this coast, that I am not surprised. We +must have had a South East current, and probably we are hereabouts," +continued I, putting the point of the compass upon the spot. + +"It seems hardly possible, sir," replied the master; "but still I fear +it must be so; and if so," continued he, drawing a deep sigh, "I'm +afraid it's all over with us, without a miracle in our favour." + +"I am of your opinion, Mr Hillyer; but say nothing about it," replied +I; "the gale _may_ moderate, the wind _may_ shift, and if so we _may_ be +saved. At all events, it's no use telling bad news too soon, and +therefore you'll oblige me by not saying anything on the subject. A few +hours will decide our fate." + +"But the Dryad, she is good four miles to the leeward of us, and the +soundings decrease here so rapidly, that in an hour, with the sail she +is under, she must go on shore." + +"She has no chance, that's certain," replied I. "I only hope it may be +so thick that we may not see her." + +"Not a soul will be saved, sir," replied the master, shuddering. "I +should say it were impossible, Mr Hillyer; but we all owe Heaven a +death; and if they go first and we go after them, at all events, let us +do our duty until the time comes--but never despair. As long as there +is life, there is hope; so now let us go on deck, and put as good a face +on it as we can." + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. + +I returned on deck followed by the master. "The barometer is rising," +said I aloud, to the first lieutenant; "so I presume the gale will break +about twelve o'clock." + +"I am glad to hear of it, sir; for we have quite enough of it," replied +the first-lieutenant. + +"Do you see the Dryad?" + +"No, sir; it's quite thick again to leeward: we have not seen her these +ten minutes." + +Thank God for that, thought I, for they will never see her again. "What +soundings had you last?" + +"Fourteen fathoms, sir." + +"I expect we shall cross the tail of the bank in much less," replied I; +"but, when once clear, we shall have sea-room." + +As the captain is an oracle in times of danger, the seamen caught every +word which was uttered from my mouth; and what they gathered from what I +had said, satisfied them that they were in no immediate danger. +Nevertheless, the master walked the deck as if he was stupefied with the +impending crisis. No wonder, poor fellow; with a wife and family +depending upon him for support, it is not to be expected that a man can +look upon immediate dissolution without painful feelings. A sailor +should never marry: or if he does, for the benefit of the service, his +marriage should prove an unhappy one, and then he would become more +reckless than before. As for my own thoughts, they may be given in a +few words--they were upon the vanity of human wishes. Whatever I had +done with the one object I had in view--whatever might have been my +success had I lived--whether I might have been wedded to Minnie some +future day, or what may have resulted, good, bad, or indifferent, as to +future, all was to be, in a few hours, cut short by the will of Heaven. +In the next world there was neither marriage nor giving in marriage--in +the next world, name, titles, wealth, everything worldly was as nought-- +and all I had to do was to die like a man, and do my duty to the last, +trusting to a merciful God to forgive me my sins and offences; and with +this philosophy I stood prepared for the event. + +About noon it again cleared up to leeward, but the Dryad was no longer +to be seen: this was reported to me. As it was nearly three hours since +we last had a sight of her, I knew her fate too well--she had plenty of +time to go on shore, and to be broken up by the heavy seas. I did +however point my glass in the direction, and coolly observed, "she has +rounded the tail of the bank, I presume, and has bore up. It was the +best thing she could do." I then asked the master if he had wound his +chronometers, and went down into the cabin. I had not, however, been +examining the chart more than a minute, when the officer of the watch +came down, and reported that we had shoaled to twelve fathoms. + +"Very good, Mr Hawkins; we shall be in shallower water yet. Let me +know if there is any change in the soundings." + +As soon as the cabin door was again shut, I worked up the tide to see +when it would change against us; I found that it had changed one hour at +least. Then it will be sooner over, thought I, throwing down the +pencil. + +"Mr Cross, the boatswain, wishes to speak to you, sir," said the +sentry, opening the cabin door. + +"Tell him to come in," replied I. "Well, Cross, what's the matter?" + +"I was speaking to the first lieutenant about getting up a runner, sir-- +the fore-stay is a good deal chafed; that is, if you think it's of any +use." + +"How do you mean, of any use, Cross?" + +"Why, sir, although no one would suppose it from you--but if the face of +the master (and he is not a faint-hearted man neither) is to be taken as +a barometer, we shall all be in `kingdom come' before long. I've +cruised in these seas so often, that I pretty well guess where we are, +Captain Keene." + +"Well, Cross, it's no use denying that we are in a mess, and nothing but +the wind going down or changing can get us out of it." + +"Just as I thought sir; well, it can't be helped, so it's no use +fretting about it. I think myself that the gale is breaking, and that +we shall have fine weather by to-morrow morning." + +"That will be rather too late, Cross; for I think we shall be done for +in three or four hours, if not sooner." + +"Eleven fathoms, sir," said the officer of the watch, coming in hastily. + +"Very well, Mr Hawkins; let her go through the water," replied I. + +As soon as the cabin door was again shut, I said, "You see, Cross, the +tide is now against us, and this will not last long." + +"No, sir; we shall strike in five fathoms with this heavy sea." + +"I know we shall; but I do not wish to dishearten the men before it is +necessary, and then we must do our best." + +"You won't be offended, I am sure, by my asking, Captain Keene, what you +think of doing?" + +"Not at all, Cross; it is my intention to explain it to the ship's +company before I do it. I may as well take your opinion upon it now. +As soon as we are in six fathoms, I intend to cut away the masts and +anchor." + +"That's our only chance, sir, and if it is well done, and the gale +abates, it may save some of us; but how do you intend to anchor?" + +"I shall back the best bower with the sheet, and let go the small bower +at the same time that I do the sheet, so as to ride an even strain." + +"You can't do better, sir; but that will require time for preparation, +to be well done. Do you think that we shall have time, if you wait till +we are in six fathoms?" + +"I don't know but you are right, Cross, and I think it would be better +to commence our preparations at once." + +"Ten fathoms, sir," reported the officer of the watch. + +"Very well, I will be on deck directly." + +"Well, sir, we must now go to our duty; and as we may chance not to talk +to one another again, sir," said Cross, "I can only say God bless you, +and I hope that, if we do not meet again in this world, we shall in +heaven, or as near to it as possible. Good-bye, sir." + +"Good-bye, Cross," replied I, shaking him by the hand; "we'll do our +duty, at all events. So now for my last dying speech." + +Cross quitted the cabin, and I followed him. As soon as I was on deck, +I desired the first lieutenant to turn the hands up, and send them aft. +When they were all assembled, with Cross at their head, I stood on one +of the carronades and said: "My lads, I have sent for you, because I +consider that, although the gale is evidently breaking, we are shoaling +our water so fast, that we are in danger of going on shore before the +gale does break. Now, what I intend to do, as our best chance, is to +cut away the masts, and anchor as soon as we are in six fathoms water; +perhaps we may then ride it out. At all events, we must do our best, +and put our trust in Providence. But, my lads, you must be aware, that +in times of difficulty it is important that we should be all cool and +collected, that you must adhere to your discipline, and obey your +officers to the last; if you do not, everything will go wrong instead of +right. You have proved yourselves an excellent set of men, and I'm sure +you will continue so to do. It is possible we may not have to cut away +our masts, or to anchor; still, we must make every preparation in case +it is necessary, and I have, therefore, sent for you, to explain my +intentions, and to request that you will all assist me to the best of +your abilities; and I feel convinced that you will, and will do your +duty like British seamen. That's all I have to say, my lads. Pipe +down, Mr Cross." + +The ship's company went forward in silence. They perceived the full +extent of the danger. The first lieutenant and boatswain employed a +portion in backing the best bower anchor with the sheet; the others +roued up the cables from the tiers, and coiled them on the main-deck, +clear for running. All hands were busily employed, and employment made +them forget their fears. The work was done silently, but orderly and +steadily. In the meantime we had shoaled to eight fathoms, and it was +now nearly three o'clock; but as it was summer time, the days were long. +Indeed, when the weather was fine, there was little or no night, and +the weather was warm, which was all in our favour. + +When everything was reported ready, I went round to examine and +ascertain if the cables would run clear. Satisfied that all was right, +I then picked out the men, and appointed those who were most trustworthy +to the stations of importance; and, having so done, I then returned to +the quarter-deck, and called up the carpenter and some of the topmen to +be ready with the axes to cut away the masts and lashings of the booms +and boats. Just as these orders were completed, the gale blew fiercer +than ever. We were now in seven fathoms water, and pressed heavy by the +gale. + +I stood at the break of the gangway, the first lieutenant and master by +my side, and Cross a little forward, watching my eye. The men in the +chains continued to give the soundings in a clear steady voice, "By the +mark seven," "Quarter less seven," "And a half six." At last, the man +in the chains next to me, a fine old forecastle man, gave the sounding +"By the mark six," and he gave it with a louder voice than before, with +a sort of defiance, as much as to say, "The time is come, let the +elements do their worst." + +The time was come. "Silence, fore and aft. Every man down under the +half-deck, except those stationed. Cut away the boom lashings, and +clear the boats." This was soon done, and reported. "Now then, my +lads, be steady. Cut away the lanyards in the chains." + +One after another the lanyards and backstays were severed; the masts +groaned and creaked, and then the fore-mast and main-mast were over the +side almost at the same time; the mizen followed, as the frigate +broached to and righted, leaving the ship's deck a mass of wreck and +confusion; but no one was hurt, from the precautions which had been +taken, the mast having been cut away before we rounded to, to anchor, as +otherwise, they would have fallen aft and not gone clear of the ship. + +"Stand by the best bower. Stand clear of the cable. Let go the +anchor." + +As soon as the best bower cable was nearly out, the sheet anchor and +small bower were let go at the same moment, and the result was to be +ascertained. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY. + +The frigate was head to wind, rising and pitching with the heavy sea, +but not yet feeling the strain of the cables: the masts lay rolling and +beating alongside. + +The ship's company had most of them returned on deck, to view their +impending fate, and the carpenters, who had already received their +orders, were battening down the hatchways on the main-deck. In a minute +the frigate rode to her anchors, and as soon as the strain was on the +cables, she dipped, and a tremendous sea broke over her bows, deluging +us fore and aft, nearly filling the main-deck, and washing the +carpenters away from their half-completed work. A second and a third +followed, rolling aft, so as to almost bury the vessel, sweeping away +the men who clung to the cordage and guns, and carrying many of them +overboard. + +I had quitted the gangway, where there was no hold, and had repaired to +the main bitts, behind the stump of the main-mast. Even in this +position I should not have been able to hold on, if it had not been for +Bob Cross, who was near me, and who passed a rope round my body as I was +sweeping away; but the booms and boats which had been cut adrift, in +case of the ship driving on shore broadside, were driven aft with the +last tremendous sea, and many men on the quarter-deck were crushed and +mangled. + +After the third sea had swept over us, there was a pause, and Cross said +to me, "We had better go down on the main-deck, Captain Keene, and get +the half-ports open if possible." We did so, and with great difficulty, +found the people to help us; for, as it may be imagined, the confusion +was now very great; but the carpenters were again collected, and the +half-ports got out, and then the battening down was completed; for, +although she continued to ship seas fore and aft, they were not so heavy +as the three first, which had so nearly swamped her. + +I again went on deck, followed by Cross, who would not leave me. Most +of the men had lashed themselves to the guns and belaying pins, but I +looked in vain for the first lieutenant and master; they were standing +at the gangway at the time of the first sea breaking over us, and it is +to be presumed that they were washed overboard, for I never saw them +again. + +We had hardly been on deck, and taken our old position at the bitts, +when the heavy seas again poured over us; but the booms having been +cleared, and the ports on the main-deck open, they did not sweep us with +the same force as before. + +"She cannot stand this long, Bob," said I, as we clung to the bitts. + +"No, sir, the cables must part with such a heavy strain; or if they do +not, we shall drag our anchors till we strike on the sands." + +"And then we shall go to pieces?" + +"Yes, sir; but do not forget to get to the wreck of the masts, if you +possibly can. The best chance will be there." + +"Bad's the best, Cross; however, that was my intention." + +The reader will be surprised at my having no conversation with any other +party but Cross; but the fact was, that although it was only +occasionally that a heavy sea poured over us, we were blinded by the +continual spray in which the frigate was enveloped, and which prevented +us not only from seeing our own position, but even a few feet from us; +and, as if any one who had not a firm hold when the seas poured over the +deck, was almost certain to be washed overboard, every man clung to +where he was; indeed, there were not fifty men on deck; for those who +had not been washed overboard by the first seas, had hastened to get +under the half-deck; and many had been washed overboard in the attempt. + +The most painful part was to hear the moaning and cries for help of the +poor fellows who lay jammed under the heavy spars and boats which had +been washed aft, and to whom it was impossible to afford any relief +without the assistance of a large body of men. But all I have described +since the anchors were let go occurred in a few minutes. + +On a sudden, the frigate heeled over to starboard, and at the same time +a sea broke over her chesstree, which nearly drowned us where we were +clinging. As soon as the pouring off of the water enabled us to recover +our speech, "She has parted, Cross, and all is over with us," said I. + +"Yes, sir; as soon as she strikes, she will break up in ten minutes. We +must not stay here, as she will part amidships." + +I felt the truth of the observation, and, waiting until a heavy sea had +passed over us, contrived to gain the after ladder, and descend. As +soon as we were on the main deck, we crawled to the cabin, and seated +ourselves by the after-gun, Cross having made a hold on to a ring-bolt +for us with his silk neck-handkerchief. + +There were many men in the cabin, silently waiting their doom. They +knew that all was over, that nothing could be done, yet they still +contrived to touch their hats respectfully to me as I passed. + +"My lads," said I, as soon as I had secured my hold, "the cables have +parted, and the ship will strike, and go to pieces in a very short time; +recollect that the masts to leeward are your best chance." + +Those who were near me said, "Thank you, Captain Keene;" but the words +were scarcely out of their mouths, when a shock passed through the whole +vessel, and communicated itself to our very hearts. The ship had struck +on the sand, and the beams and timbers had not ceased trembling and +groaning, when a sea struck her larboard broadside, throwing her over on +her beam-ends, so that the starboard side of the main-deck and the guns +were under water. + +It would be impossible after this to detail what occurred in a clear and +correct manner, as the noise and confusion were so terrible. At every +sea hurled against the sides of the vessel the resistance to them became +less. What with the crashing of the beams, the breaking up of the +timbers, and the guns to windward, as their fastenings gave way, +tumbling with a tremendous crash to leeward, and passing through the +ship's sides, the occasional screams mixed with the other noise, the +pouring, dashing, and washing of the waters, the scene was appalling. +At last, one louder crash than any of the former announced that the +vessel had yielded to the terrific force of the waves, and had parted +amidships. After this there was little defence against them, even where +we were clinging, for the waters poured in, as if maddened by their +success, through the passage formed by the separation of the vessel, and +came bounding on, as if changing their direction on purpose to overwhelm +us. As the two parts of the vessel were thrown higher up, the shocks +were more severe, and indeed, the waves appeared to have more power than +before, in consequence of their being so increased in weight from the +quantity of sand which was mixed up with them. Another crash! the sides +of the after-part of the vessel had given way, and the heavy guns, +disengaged, flew to leeward, and we found ourselves without shelter from +the raging waters. + +The part of the wreck on which Cross and I were sitting was so +completely on its beam-ends that the deck was within a trifle of being +perpendicular. To walk was impossible: all that we could do was to +slide down into the water to leeward; but little was to be gained by +that, as there was no egress. We therefore remained for more than an +hour in the same position, wearied with clinging, and the continual +suffocation we received from the waves, as they deluged us. We +perceived that the wreck was gradually settling down deeper and deeper +in the sand; it was more steady in consequence, but at the same time the +waves had more power over the upper part; and so it proved; for one +enormous sea came in, blowing up the quarter deck over our heads, +tearing away the planking and timbers, and hurling them to leeward. +This, at all events, set us free, although it exposed us more than +before; we could now see about us, that is, we could see to leeward, and +Cross pointed out to me the mainmast tossing about in the boiling water, +with the main-top now buried, and now rising out clear. I nodded my +head in assent. He made a sign to say that he would go first after the +next wave had passed over us. + +I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the +salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the +floating mast. He gained it, and waved his hand. I immediately +followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, +just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from +the seas. Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee +rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, +and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my +position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the +wreck. I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under +water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life. + +On looking round me, I found that about twenty men were hanging on to +the mast. Many of them appeared quite exhausted, and had not strength +left to obtain a more favourable berth. The position taken by Cross and +myself was very secure, being between the main-top and the catharpings, +and the water was so warm that we did not feel the occasional immersion; +five other men were close to us, but not a word was said,--indeed, +hardly a recognition exchanged. At that time we thought only of +immediate preservation, and had little feeling for anybody else. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY ONE. + +The night was now coming on; the rolling waves changed from the yellow +tinge given by the sand to green, and then to purple: at last all was +black except the white foaming breakers. + +Exhausted with fatigue, it had not been dark more than two hours, when I +felt an irresistible desire to sleep, and I have no doubt that I did +slumber in this position, half in and half out of the water, for some +time; for when I was roused up by losing my balance, I looked above and +perceived that the sky was clear, and the stars shining brightly. I +then looked around me, and it was evident that the water was not so +agitated as it had been; the wind too had subsided; its roaring had +ceased, although it still whistled strong. + +"Cross!" said I. + +"Here I am, Captain Keene, close under your lee." + +"The gale is broke; we shall have fair weather before the morning." + +"Yes, sir; I have thought so some time." + +"Thank God for His mercy; we must trust that He will not leave us here +to perish miserably." + +"No, I hope not," replied Cross; "let us trust in Him, but I confess I +see but little chance." + +"So have many others, yet they have been saved, Cross." + +"Very true, sir," replied he: "I wish it was daylight." + +We had, however, three or four hours to wait; but during that time the +wind gradually subsided, and then went down to a light and fitful +breeze. At dawn of day the mast rose and fell with the swell of the +sea, which still heaved after the late commotion, but without any run in +any particular direction, for it was now calm. I had been sitting on +the mast with my back against the futtock-shrouds; I now rose up with +difficulty, for I was sorely bruised, and stood upon the mast clear from +the water, to look around me. About thirty yards from us was the wreck +of the foremast with many men clinging to it. The mizen-mast had broken +adrift. The fore part of the frigate was several feet above water, and +the bowsprit steeved in the air; of the after part there were but three +or four broken timbers to be seen clear of the water, so deep had it +been buried in the sand. + +Cross had risen on his feet, and was standing by me, when we were hailed +from the wreck of the fore-mast, "Main-mast, ahoy!" + +"Halloo!" replied Cross. + +"Have you got the captain on board?" + +"Yes," replied Bob; "all alive and hearty;" a faint huzzah which was the +return, affected me sensibly. That my men should think of me when in +such a position was soothing to my feelings; but as I looked at them on +the other mast and those around me, and calculated that there could not +be more than forty men left out of such a noble ship's company, I could +have wept. But it was time for action: "Cross," said I, "now that it is +calm, I think we shall be better on the fore part of the frigate than +here, half in and half out of water. The forecastle is still remaining, +and the weather bulwarks will shelter the men; besides if any vessels +should come in sight, we should more easily be able to make signals and +to attract their attention." + +"Very true, sir," replied Cross; "and as there are many men here who +cannot hold on much longer, we must try if we cannot haul them on board. +Do you feel strong enough to swim to the wreck?" + +"Yes, quite, Cross." + +"Then we'll start together, sir, and see how matters are." + +I dropped into the sea, followed by Cross; and as the distance from us +was not forty yards, we soon gained the wreck of the fore part of the +frigate; the lee gunnel was just above the water; we clambered over it, +and found the deck still whole; the weather portion as white as snow, +and quite dry: we gained the weather bulwarks, and looked in the offing +in case there should be any vessel, but we could see nothing. + +"Now, sir, we had better hail, and tell all those who can swim to come +to us." + +We did so, and six men from the main-mast and nine from the fore-mast +soon joined us. + +"Now, my lads," said I, "we must look after those who cannot get here, +and try to save them. Get all the ends of ropes from the belaying pins, +bend them on one to another, and then we will return and make the men +fast, and you shall haul them on board." + +This was soon done; Cross and I took the end in our hands, and swam back +to the main-mast. One of the top-men, with a broken, arm was the first +that was made fast, and, when the signal was given, hauled through the +water to the wreck; six or seven more followed in succession. Two men +swam back every time with the rope and accompanied those who were hauled +on board, that they might not sink. There were many more hanging to +different parts of the main-mast, but on examination they were found to +be quite dead. We sent on board all that showed any symptoms of life, +and then we swam to the fore-mast, and assisted those who were hanging +to it. In about two hours our task was completed, and we mustered +twenty-six men on the wreck. + +We were glad to shelter ourselves under the bulwark, where we all lay +huddled up together; before noon, most of the poor fellows had forgotten +their sufferings in a sound sleep. Cross, I, and the man with the +broken arm, were the only three awake; the latter was in too much pain +to find repose, and, moreover, suffered from extreme thirst. + +A breeze now sprang up from the southward, which cheered our spirits, as +without wind there was little chance of receiving any assistance. Night +again came on, and the men still slept. Cross and I laid down, and were +glad to follow their example: the night was cold, and when we lay down +we did not yet feel much from hunger or thirst; but when the morning +dawned we woke in suffering, not from hunger, but from thirst. +Everybody cried out for water. I told the men that talking would only +make them feel it more, and advised them to put their shirt sleeves in +their mouths, and suck them; and then I climbed upon the bulwarks to see +if there was anything in sight. I knew that the greatest chance was +that the cutter would be looking after us; but, at the same time, it was +not yet likely that she would come so near to the sands. + +I had been an hour on the gunnel, when Cross came up to me. "It's +banking up, sir to the southward: I hope we are not going to have any +more bad weather." + +"I have no fear of a gale, although we may have thick weather," replied +I; "that would be almost as bad for us, as we should perish on the wreck +before we are discovered." + +"I am going to lower myself down into the galley, Captain Keene, to see +if I can find anything." + +"I fear you will not be successful," replied I, "for the coppers and +ranges are all carried away." + +"I know that, sir; but I have been thinking of the cook's closet we had +built up above the bowsprit. I know that he used to stow away many +things there, and perhaps there may be something. I believe the +shortest way will be to go to leeward, and swim round to it." + +Cross then left me, and I continued to look out. About an hour +afterwards he returned, and told me that he had easily opened it with +his knife, and had found eight or nine pounds of raw potatoes, and a +bucketful of slush. "We are not hungry enough to eat this now, sir; but +there is enough to keep the life in us all for three or four days at +least; that is, if we could get water, and I expect we shall feel the +want of that dreadfully in a short time. I would give a great deal if I +could only find a drop to give that poor fellow Anderson, with his +broken arm; it is terribly swelled, and he must suffer very much." + +"Did you find anything in the closet to put water into, Cross; in case +we should get any?" + +"Yes; there's two or three kids, and some small breakers, Captain +Keene." + +"Well, then, you had better get them ready; for those clouds rise so +fast, that we may have rain before morning, and if so, we must not lose +the chance." + +"Why, it does look like rain, sir," replied Cross. "I'll take one or +two of the men with me, to assist in getting them up." + +I watched the horizon till night again set in. We were all very faint +and distressed for water, and the cool of the evening somewhat relieved +us; the breeze, too, was fresh. The men had remained quietly in the +shade as I had advised them; but, although patient, they evidently +suffered much. Once more we all attempted to forget ourselves in +repose. I was soundly asleep, when I was woke up by Cross. + +"Captain Keene, it is raining, and it will soon rain much harder; now, +if you will order the men, they will soon collect water enough." + +"Call them up immediately, Cross; we must not lose this providential +succour. It may save all our lives." + +The men were soon on the alert: the rain came down in a steady shower; +and as soon as they were wet through, they took off their shirts, and +dabbling them into the water as it ran down to leeward, squeezed it out +into their mouths, until their wants were satisfied, and then, under the +direction of Cross, commenced filling the three breakers and four tubs +which had been brought up. They had time to fill them, and to spare, +for the rain continued till the morning. The tubs and breakers were +securely slung under the fore-bitts for future use, and they then +continued to drink till they could drink no more. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY TWO. + +The sun rose and chased away the clouds, and the heat was overpowering. +What would have been our situation if it had not pleased Heaven to +refresh us? + +The consequence of their thirst being appeased made the demand for food +imperative, and a raw potato was given to each man. The day passed, and +so did a third, and fourth, and our hopes began to fail us, when at +daylight the next morning I spied a sail to the westward. The breeze +was light but the vessel was evidently coming down towards us, and +before noon we made it out to be the cutter. + +We then sat on the bulwarks, and held out a white shirt, as a signal to +attract their attention. When about three miles from us, the cutter +rounded to, not appearing to notice us, and for two hours we were left +in this state of maddening anxiety and suspense, when at last we +perceived her bows pay off, and she again stood towards us. They had at +last seen us, and as soon as they had run down to within three cables' +length, the boat was lowered and sent to take us off. In three trips we +were all on board, and devoutly thanked Heaven for our preservation. + +The lieutenant of the cutter said that at first the sun prevented his +seeing us, which I believe was the fact; but he acknowledged that he had +no idea that we had been wrecked, although he thought that the Dryad +was, as he had seen a mast floating, and, sending a boat to look at it, +found her name on the cross-trees. We were, however, too much exhausted +to enter into much conversation. As soon as we had been supplied with +food, we were all put to bed in their hammocks; the first lieutenant +resigned his standing bed-place to me. A long sleep recovered me, and I +felt little the worse for what I had suffered, and sat down to a +breakfast at noon on the following day with a good appetite. The cutter +had, by my directions, shaped a course for the island of Heligoland, +where we should find means of returning to England. + +"I have letters for you, Captain Keene," said the lieutenant, "if you +are well enough to read them." + +"Thank you, Mr D---; I am now quite well, and will be happy to have +them." + +The lieutenant brought me a large packet, and I took a position on the +sofa to read them comfortably while he went on deck. I first opened +those on service--those, of course, had little interest for me, now that +I had lost my ship--I skimmed them over, and then threw them on the +table one after another. There were three private letters from England, +one of which was in Lord de Versely's hand-writing; I opened it first. +It was very kind, but short, complaining that he had not been very well +lately. The second was from my mother. I read it; it contained nothing +of importance; and then I took up the third, which had a black seal. I +opened it; it was from Mr Warden, acquainting me that Lord de Versely +had expired very suddenly, on his return from the House of Lords, of an +ossification of the heart. + +In my weak state this blow was too much for me, and I fainted. How long +I remained in that state I cannot say; but when I came to my senses I +found myself still down in the cabin. I rallied as well as I could, but +it was some time before I could take up the letter again, and finish it. +He stated that his lordship had left me all his personal property, +which was all that he could leave--that the library and wines were of +some value, and that there would be about a thousand pounds left at the +banker's, when the funeral expenses and debts had been paid. "Oh! if he +could but have left me his family name!" I cried, "it was all I +coveted. My father! my kind father! I may really say who will lament +your loss as I do?" I threw myself on the pillow of the sofa, and for a +long while shed bitter tears, not unmixed, I must own; for my grief at +his death was increased by my disappointment in having for ever lost the +great object of my wishes. + +The lieutenant of the cutter came down into the cabin, and I was +compelled to hide my emotion. I complained of headache and weakness, +and, collecting the letters, I again lay down in the standing bed-place, +and, drawing the curtains, I was left to my own reflections. But there +was a sad tumult in my mind. I could not keep my ideas upon one subject +for a moment. I was feverish and excited, and at last my head was so +painful that I could think no more. Fortunately exhaustion threw me +again into a sound sleep, and I did not wake till the next morning. +When I did, I had to recollect where I was and what had happened. I +knew that there was something dreadful which had occurred; again it +flashed into my memory. Lord de Versely was dead. I groaned, and fell +back on the pillow. + +"Are you very ill, Captain Keene!" said a voice close to me. I opened +the curtains, and perceived that it was Cross, who was standing by my +bedside. + +"I am indeed, Cross, very ill; I have very bad news. Lord de Versely is +dead." + +"That is bad news, sir," replied Cross--"very bad news, worse than +losing the frigate. But, Captain Keene, we must have our ups and downs +in this world. You have had a long run of good fortune, and you must +not be surprised at a change. It is hard to lose your frigate and your +father at the same time--but you have not lost your life, which is a +great mercy to be thankful for." + +I turned away, for my heart was full of bitterness. Cross, perceiving +my mood, left me, and I remained in a state of some indifference, never +rising from the bed-place during the remainder of the time that I was on +board. + +On the second day we arrived at Heligoland, and I was requested by the +governor to take up my quarters with him, until an opportunity occurred +for my return to England. My spirits were, however, so much weighed +down that I could not rally. I brooded over my misfortunes, and I +thought that the time was now come when I was to meet a reverse of the +prosperity which I had so long enjoyed. + +The sudden death of Lord de Versely, at the age of fifty-six, left me +without a patron, and had destroyed all my hopes centred in him. The +object of my ambition was, I considered, for ever lost to me. There was +now no chance of my being acknowledged as a member of his family. Then +the loss of so fine a frigate, and such a noble ship's company. That I +should be honourably acquitted by a court-martial I had not a doubt; but +I had no chance of future employment; for, now that Lord de Versely was +dead, I had no one to support my claims. My prospects, therefore, in +the service were all gone, as well as the visions I had indulged in. I +dwelt with some pleasure upon the idea that Lord de Versely had left me +his personal property--it proved his regard; but I wanted his family +name, and I preferred that to thousands per annum. The second day after +our arrival Cross called, and was admitted. He found me in bad spirits, +and tried all he could to rouse me. At last he said, "As for the loss +of the frigate, Captain Keene, no human endeavour could have saved her, +and no one could have done his duty better than you did, as the +court-martial will prove; but sir, I think it would be proper just now +to show that your zeal for the service is as strong as ever." + +"And how am I to do that, Cross?" + +"Why, sir, you know as well as we all do how the Frenchmen are going to +the wall; that they have been thrashed out of Russia, and that they are +retreating everywhere. They say that they have left Hamburg, and I +understand that the gun-brigs here are going on an expedition from this +island, either to-morrow or next day, to storm the batteries of +Cuxhaven, and so create a diversion, as they call it--and very good +diversion it is--licking those French rascals. Now, Captain Keene, if I +may take the liberty of saying so, would it not be as well to take as +many of your men as are able to go and join the storming party? Much +better than sitting here all day, melancholy, and doing nothing." + +"It's the first I've heard of it, Cross; are you sure you are correct?" + +"How should you hear it, sir, shut up here, and seeing nobody? It's +true enough, sir; they were telling off the men as I came up, and I +think they start at daylight to-morrow." + +"Well, Cross, I will think of it, and let you know my decision if you +call here in half an hour." + +Cross left me, and I was still undecided, when the governor called to +pay me a visit. After the first exchange of civilities, I asked him if +the report was true that there was an expedition about to proceed to +Cuxhaven. His reply was that the Russians had entered Hamburg, which +the French had evacuated on the 11th, and that the French garrisons at +Cuxhaven were reported to be in a very distressed state, and, in +consequence, the Blazer, and another gun-brig, were about to proceed to +attack the forts. + +Hamburg! thought I; why, Minnie Vanderwelt is at Hamburg with her +father. I will go and try if I cannot get to Hamburg. The remembrance +of Minnie gave a spur to my energies, and created a new stimulus. I +then told the governor that I had a few men doing nothing; that I would +join them to the expedition, and serve as a volunteer. The governor +thanked me for my zeal, and I left him to go down and communicate my +intentions to the commanding officer of the gun-brig, who expressed +himself most happy at my assistance and co-operation. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY THREE. + +As neither my men nor I had any luggage to hamper us--for we had just +the clothes we stood in--we were not long getting ready. We started +next morning; and on entering the river, found that the French had +destroyed their flotilla, and soon afterwards we were invited by the +people to come on shore and take possession of the batteries which the +French had evacuated. I remained with Cross and my men on shore at +Cuxhaven, while the brigs went up the river, in pursuit of a privateer. + +After a day or two, tired of inactivity, and anxious to arrive at +Hamburg, I proposed to Cross that he should accompany me, which he +cheerfully acceded to. I had drawn a bill at Heligoland, so that we +were in no want of money, and we set off on our expedition. We had not, +however, proceeded far before we were informed that the road to Hamburg +was so full of French troops, scattered about, that it would be +impossible to gain the city without we made a _detour_. As we knew that +our throats would be cut by these disorganised parties, we followed the +advice given to us, walking from village to village, until we had put +Hamburg between us and the river. But when there, we found that we +could not approach the imperial city, but were obliged to direct our +steps more inland. At last, we heard that the inhabitants of the town +of Lunenburg had risen, and driven out the French garrison, and I +resolved to proceed there, as it was more advisable than being +continually in danger of being picked up by the French stragglers, who +were committing every enormity that could be imagined. + +We arrived safe; stated who we were to the authorities, and were well +received; but we had not been there more than two days, when the +rejoicings and braggings of the town's-people, on account of the late +victory over the French garrison, were turned to consternation by the +intelligence that General Moraud was advancing with a considerable force +to re-take the town. The panic was so great, that all idea of defence +was in vain; and at the very time that I was entreating them to make a +stand, the French troops poured in, and two cuirassiers galloped up, and +seized upon Cross and me. A few minutes afterwards, General Moraud came +up, and inquired, in a rough tone, who we were. I replied in French, +that we were English officers. + +"Take them away," said he, "and secure them well; I'll make an example +here that shan't be forgotten." + +We were taken to the guard-room, where we remained shut up for the +night. The next morning one of the cuirassiers looked into our cell. I +asked him whether we could not have something to eat. + +"Cela ne vaut pas la peine. Mon ami, vous n'aurez pas le temps pour la +digestion; dans une demie-heure vous serez fusilles." + +"May I ask the English of that, Captain Keene?" replied Cross. + +"Yes, it is very pleasant. He says that it's not worth while eating +anything, as we shall be shot in half an hour." + +"Well, I suppose they'll shoot us first, and try us afterwards," replied +Cross. "Won't they give us a reason?" + +"I suspect not, Cross. I am sorry that I have got you into this scrape; +as for myself, I care little about it." + +"I am sorry for poor Jane, sir," replied Cross; "but we all owe Heaven a +death; and, after all, it's not worth making a fuss about." + +Our conversation was here interrupted by a party of French soldiers, who +opened the door and ordered us to follow them. We had not far to go, +for we were led out to the Grand Place, before the prison, where we +found the French troops drawn up, and General Moraud, with his officers +round him, standing in the centre. At twenty yards' distance, and +surrounded by the troops, which did not amount to more than three +hundred, were thirty of the principal inhabitants of the town, pinioned, +and handkerchiefs tied over their eyes, preparatory to their being shot; +this being the terrible example that the governor had threatened. + +"Look, Cross," said I, "what a handful of men these Frenchmen have +retaken the town with. Why, if we had resisted, we might have laughed +at them." + +"They won't laugh any more, I expect," replied Bob. + +"_Allons_," said the corporal to me. + +"Where?" replied I. + +"To your friends, there," replied he, pointing to the town's-people, who +were about to be shot. + +"I wish to speak to the general," replied I, resisting. + +"No, no: you must go." + +"I will speak to the general," replied I, pushing the corporal on one +side, and walking to where the general was standing. + +"Well," said the general, fiercely. + +"I wish to know, sir," replied I, "by what law you are guided in +shooting us. We are English officers, here on duty to assist against +the French, and at the most can only be prisoners of war. Upon what +grounds do you order us to be shot?" + +"As spies," replied the general. + +"I am no spy, sir; I am a post-captain in the English navy, who joined +with the seamen saved from the wreck of my frigate in the attack upon +Cuxhaven, and there is my boatswain, who came up with me to go to +Hamburg. At all events, I am fully justified in siding against the +French: and to shoot us will be a murder, which will not fail to be +revenged." + +"You may pass yourself off as the captain of a frigate, but your dress +disproves it, and I have better information. You are two spies, and +smugglers, and therefore you will be shot." + +"I tell you before all your officers that I am Captain Keene, of the +Circe frigate, belonging to His Britannic Majesty, and no spy; if you +choose to shoot me now, I leave my death to be revenged by my country." + +At this moment an officer in naval uniform stepped forward and looked me +in the face. + +"General Moraud," said he, "what that officer says is true: he is +Captain Keene, and I was prisoner on board of his vessel; and I also +know the other man as well." + +"Captain Vangilt, I do not request your interference," replied the +general. + +"But general, as an officer in the marine of the emperor, it is my duty +to state to you, that you are deceived, and that this officer is the +person that he states himself to be. Messieurs," continued Captain +Vangilt, addressing those about the general, "I assure you it is true, +and I am under the greatest obligation to this officer for his kindness +and humanity when I was his prisoner." + +"I recognise you now, Mr Vangilt," replied I; "and I thank you for your +evidence." + +"You see, general, he knows me by name: I must demand the life of this +British officer." + +The other officers then spoke to the general, who heard all they had to +say, and then, with a sardonic grin, replied,--"Gentlemen, he may be an +officer, but still he is a spy." At that moment an orderly came up on +horseback, and, dismounting, gave a note to the general. + +"_Sacre bleu_!" cried he; "then we'll have our revenge first at all +events. Soldiers, take these two men, and put them in the centre, with +the others." + +Vangilt pleaded and entreated in vain: at last, in his rage, he called +the general "a coward and a madman." + +"Captain Vangilt, you will answer that at some other time," replied the +general; "at present we will carry our will into execution. Lead them +away." + +Vangilt then covered his face with his hands, and all the other officers +showed signs of great disgust. + +"Farewell, Vangilt," said I in French; "I thank you for your +interference, although you have not succeeded with the _scoundrel_." + +"Take them away!" roared the general. + +At that moment the report of musketry was heard in dropping shots. + +"Well, if ever I saw such a bloody villain," said Cross. "Take that, at +all events;" continued Bob, shying his hat right into the general's +face. "I only wish it was a 32-pounder, you murdering thief." + +The rage of the general may easily be imagined. Once more he gave his +orders, drawing his sword in a menacing way at his own soldiers, who now +forced us towards the part of the square where the other victims were +collected. As soon as we were there, they wanted to blind our eyes, but +that both I and Bob positively refused, and a delay was created by our +resistance. The musketry was now approaching much nearer; and a few +seconds afterwards the general gave the order for the party to advance +who were to execute the sentence. + +The other prisoners kneeled down; but I and Cross would not; and while +we were resisting, the general repeated his order to fire; but the men +were confused with the advance of the enemy, and the impossibility to +fire while Cross and I not only resisted the soldiers, but held them so +fast, that had the party fired they must have shot them as well as us. +A cry "To arms" was given, and the troops all wheeled round in front to +repel the enemy. A loud hurrah was followed by an inpouring of some +hundred Cossacks, with their long spears who, in a few seconds charged +and routed the French, who retreated in the greatest confusion by the +different streets which led into the Grand Place. + +"Hurrah! we are saved," cried Cross, snatching up a musket that had been +dropped by a soldier. I did the same, and pursued the retreating +French, till a bullet through my leg put a stop to my progress. I +called to Cross, who came to my assistance, and he helped me back to the +Grand Place, which was now clear of troops. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. + +The Cossacks having divided, and gone in pursuit of the French, I +pointed out to Cross a hotel, and requested him to help me there. As we +crossed the square, strewed with the dead and wounded, we passed close +to General Moraud, who was breathing his last. + +"See, Cross," said I, "there is retribution. He intended that we should +fall where he now lies." + +The general recognised us, gave a heavy groan, and, turning on his back, +fell dead. + +As soon as I gained the hotel, I was taken up into a room, and made as +comfortable as I could be until my wound could be dressed. + +"We're well out of it this time, sir," said Cross. + +"Yes, indeed, Bob; this has indeed been a miraculous preservation, and +we ought to thank Heaven for it." + +"Why, Captain Keene, I thought just now you did not care whether you +lived or died." + +"No more I did at that time, Cross; but when we are so wonderfully +preserved, we cannot think but that we are preserved for better things; +and as Providence has interfered, it points out to us that it is our +duty to live." + +"Well, I'm glad to hear you say that, sir. There's all the troops +coming back. What queer-looking chaps they are, with their long lances +and long beards!" + +"Yes; they are Cossacks--Russian irregular cavalry." + +"Irregular enough I don't doubt; but they spitted the French men nicely. +They look exactly what I thought the Pope of Rome was like." + +"Cross, call the master of the hotel, and tell him to come here." When +the man came, I desired him to let the commander of the allied troops +know that an English captain was wounded, and required surgical +assistance. The master of the hotel went to the burgomaster, who was +one of those who had been ordered to be shot; and the burgomaster, who +was now in company with the Russian commander, made known what I +required. In about an hour a surgeon came, and my wound was dressed. +The burgomaster called soon afterwards, and expressed his obligation to +me. "For," said he, "if you had not created the delay--which you did by +your resistance--it would have been all over with us by this time." + +"You have to thank a Dutch naval officer of the name of Vangilt," +replied I; "it is he who saved us all; and if he is not hurt, you must +be kind to him, and bring him to me. I will get him his parole, if he +is a prisoner. Will you see to it, burgomaster?" + +"I will," replied he, "as soon as we are a little more tranquil; but, +what with fright and confusion, none of us know what we are about. You +were right, sir, in persuading us to defend ourselves. We might easily +have beaten off the small force of General Moraud; but we thought he had +ten thousand men, at least. We will do better another time; but the +French are now in full retreat everywhere." + +That night, after dusk, Captain Vangilt came into my room: he had been a +prisoner; but the burgomaster made inquiries, and let him out, which, as +chief magistrate, he had the power to do. Vangilt embraced me with much +warmth, and expressed his regret that he could not persuade that wretch, +Moraud, from his murderous intentions. + +"It came to the same thing, Vangilt. I owe you my life; for if you had +not created the delay, we should have been shot." + +"That's true," replied he. "How fortunate it was, that, as my squadron +of gun-boats were destroyed, I consented to join Moraud with what men I +could collect, to surprise the town. Are you badly wounded?" + +"No, not seriously, I believe; I hope to be able to get to Hamburg in a +few days." + +"There is more than one there who will be delighted to see you." + +"Is Mr Vanderwelt alive and well?" + +"Oh yes; and Minnie, my pretty cousin, is still unmarried." Vangilt +smiled as he made this reply. + +"I must ask for your parole, Vangilt, and then you can go to Hamburg +with us." + +"With all my heart," replied he; "for we are tired of war, and as I am a +Dutchman and not a Frenchman, I care little for the reverses we have met +with; all I hope is, that Holland may become a kingdom again, and not a +French state, as it is now." + +The next day, I was visited by the Russian commandant, who very +willingly granted me the parole of Vangilt. In a week I was well enough +to travel by slow journeys to Hamburg, lying on mattresses in a small +covered waggon, and escorted by Cross and Vangilt. A few hours before +my arrival, Vangilt went ahead to give notice of my coming, and on the +evening of the second day I found myself in a luxurious chamber, with +every comfort, in the company of Mr Vanderwelt, and with the beaming +eyes of Minnie watching over me. + +The report of Minnie's beauty was fully warranted. When she first made +her appearance, the effect upon me was quite electrical: her style was +radiant, and almost dazzling--a something you did not expect to find in +the human countenance. Their reception of me was all that I could +desire; their affection shown towards me, their anxiety about my wound, +and joy at once more having me under their roof, proved that I had not +been forgotten. After a short time, Vangilt left the room, and I +remained on the sofa, one hand in the grasp of Mr Vanderwelt, the other +holding the not unwilling one of Minnie. That evening I made known to +them all that had taken place since I last wrote to them, winding up +with the loss of my frigate, the death of Lord de Versely, and my +subsequent capture and rescue. + +"And so it was in attempting to come and see us that you were wounded +and nearly murdered?" + +"Yes, Minnie; I had long been anxious to see you, and could not help +availing myself of the first opportunity." + +"Thank God you are here at last," said Mr Vanderwelt, "and that there +is now every prospect of a conclusion to the war." + +"And you won't go to sea any more--will you, Percival?" said Minnie. + +"They won't give me a ship, Minnie, after having lost the one I +commanded; to be unfortunate is to be guilty, in those who have no +interest." + +"I'm very glad to hear it; then you'll remain quietly on shore, and you +will come and see us." + +As I had been rendered feverish by travelling, and my wound was a little +angry, as soon as it was dressed for the night, they left me to repose; +but that I could not--the form of Minnie haunted me; to sleep was +impossible, and I lay thinking of her till day dawned. The fact was, +that I was for the first time in love, and that in no small degree-- +before morning I was desperately so. Indeed, there was excuse +sufficient, for Minnie was as winning in her manners as she was lovely +in her person, and I was not at all surprised at hearing from Vangilt of +the numerous suitors for her hand. + + + +CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. + +The next morning I was pale and feverish, which they observed with +concern, Minnie was sitting by me, and Mr Vanderwelt had left the room, +when she said, "How very pale you are, and your hand is so hot; I wish +the doctor would come." + +"I could not sleep last night, Minnie--and it was all your fault." + +"My fault!" + +"Yes, your fault; for I could not sleep for thinking of you; I thought +you were looking at me as you do now the whole night." + +Minnie blushed, and I kissed her hand. + +As soon as my wound was dressed, I requested writing materials, and +wrote to the Admiralty, giving an account of what had occurred since I +quitted Heligoland. (I had written to inform them of the loss of the +frigate when I was on the island). I stated in my despatches that my +wound would probably confine me for some weeks; but as soon as I was +able to be moved, I should return to England to await their orders. I +also wrote to my mother and Mr Warden. I informed the latter of what +had passed, and the delay which would be occasioned by my wound, and +requested him to write to me more fully as to the death of Lord de +Versely, and any other particulars which might interest me. + +Having sealed these despatches, and entrusted them to the care of Mr +Vanderwelt, my mind was relieved, and I had nothing to do but to think +of and talk to Minnie. That my progress in her affections was rapid, +was not to be wondered at, her attachment to me having commenced so +early; and as her father was evidently pleased at our increasing +intimacy, in a fortnight after my arrival at Hamburg, Minnie had +consented to be mine, and her father had joined our hands, and given us +his blessing. + +As I now had no secrets from them, I detailed my whole history, the +cause of Lord de Versely's patronage, and the mystery of my birth. I +opened the seal-skin pouch to show them Lord de Versely's letter to my +mother, and stated what had been the object of my ambition through life, +and how great was my disappointment at my hopes being overthrown by the +death of his lordship. + +"My dear Percival," said old Mr Vanderwelt, after I had concluded my +narrative, "you have been pursuing a shadow, although the pursuit has +called forth all your energies, and led to your advancement. You have +the substance. You have wealth more than sufficient, for you know how +rich I am. You have reputation, which is better than wealth, and you +have now, I trust, a fair prospect of domestic happiness; for Minnie +will be as good a wife as she has been a daughter. What, then, do you +desire? A name. And what is that? Nothing. If you do not like your +present name, from its association with your putative father of low +origin, change it to mine. You will receive the fortune of an heiress, +which will fully warrant your so doing. At all events, let not your +pride stand in the way of your happiness. We cannot expect everything +in this world. You have much to be thankful to Heaven for, and you must +not repine because you cannot obtain all." + +"I have so ardently desired it all my life; it has been the sole object +of my ambition," replied I, "and I cannot but severely feel the +disappointment." + +"Granted; but you must bear the disappointment, or rather you must +forget it; regret for what cannot be obtained is not only unavailing, +but, I may say, it is sinful. You have much to thank God for." + +"I have indeed, sir," replied I, as I kissed his daughter; "and I will +not repine. I will take your name when you give me Minnie, and I will +think no more about that of Delmar." + +After this conversation, the subject was not renewed. I felt too happy +with Minnie's love to care much about anything else; my ambition melted +away before it, and I looked forward to the time when I might embrace +her as my own. + +My wound healed rapidly; I had been a month at Hamburg, and was able to +limp about a little, when one day Cross came in with a packet of letters +from England. + +There was one from the Admiralty, acknowledging the receipt of my two +letters, one announcing the loss of the Circe, and the other my +subsequent adventures, desiring me to come home as soon as my wound +would permit me, to have the cause of the loss of the Circe investigated +by a court-martial; that of course: one from my mother, thanking Heaven +that I had escaped so many dangers with only a bullet in my leg, and +stating her intention of going up to town to see me as soon as she heard +of my arrival; the third was a voluminous epistle from Mr Warden, which +I shall give to the reader in his own words. + + "MY DEAR CAPTAIN KEENE:-- + + "I received your two letters, the first, acquainting me with your + miraculous preservation after the loss of your frigate, and the other + with your subsequent adventures on _terra firma_. You appear to me to + have a charmed life! and as there is now every prospect of a speedy + termination to this long and devastating war, I hope you will live + many days. I did not enter into many particulars as to Lord de + Versely's death, as it was so sudden; the property left you is not + perhaps of so much value in itself, as it is as a mark of his regard + and esteem. Nevertheless, if ever you sit down quietly and take a + wife, you will find that it will save you a few thousands in + furnishing and decorating; the plate, pictures, and objects _de + vertu_, as they are termed, are really valuable, and I know that you + will not part with them, bequeathed as they have been by your friend + and patron. + + "I must now refer to particulars of more consequence. You know that, + as a legal adviser, my lips are supposed to be sealed, and they would + have remained so now, had it not been that circumstances have occurred + which warrant my disclosure; indeed, I may say that I have permission + to speak plainly, as you have to repel charges against you which, if + not disproved, may seriously affect your future interests. Know then, + that when you were last at Madeline Hall, I was sent for to draw up + the will of the Honourable Miss Delmar, and I then discovered that the + will which had been made in favour of Lord de Versely, to whom Miss + Delmar had left everything, was by his express desire to be altered in + your favour; and at the same time the secret of your birth was + confided to me. You will see, therefore, that Lord de Versely did not + neglect your interests. The de Versely property he could not leave + you, but he did what he could in your favour. This will was signed, + sealed, and attested, and is now in my possession; and as the old lady + is very shakey, and something approaching to imbecile, I considered + that in a short time I should have to congratulate you upon your + succession to this fine property, which is a clear 8,000 pounds per + annum. + + "You must also know, that Colonel Delmar, whom you also met here, and + who accompanied you to Portsmouth, has always hoped that he would be + the heir of the old lady; and, indeed, had you not stepped in, I have + no doubt but eventually such would have been the case. It appears + that he has, by some means, discovered that you have ousted him, and + since you sailed he has returned to Madeline Hall, and has so + unsettled the old lady, by reporting that you are an impostor, and no + relation by blood, that she has given me instructions to make a new + will in his favour. By what means he has prevailed upon her I cannot + tell: the chief support of his assertion rests upon some letters, + which he has either surreptitiously obtained or forged, written by + your mother and addressed to you. Now that your mother has been + supposed to be dead many years I knew well for Lord de Versely told me + so. The old lady has shown me these letters, which certainly appear + authentic; and she says, that if you have deceived her and Lord de + Versely as to your mother's death, you have deceived them in + everything else, and that she does not now believe that you are the + son of her nephew. As I hinted before, the old lady is almost in her + dotage, and cannot well be reasoned with, for she is very positive. I + argued as long as I could with her, but in vain. At last she + consented to stop proceedings until I heard from you, saying, `If I + can have any proof under my nephew's own hand that Percival is his + son, I will be content; but without that I sign the new will.' + + "Such is the state of affairs, that you have little chance if such a + document cannot be produced, I feel certain; at all events, I have + gained delay which we lawyers always aim at. I only wish the old lady + would take a sudden departure, and leave the question as unsettled as + it is. Had Lord de Versely not been so suddenly called away, this + would never have happened; as it is, we must make the best fight we + can. At present the colonel has it all his own way. Pray write + immediately, and explain as much as you can of this strange affair and + let me know what steps you think it advisable to be taken.--Yours very + truly, + + "F. WARDEN." + + + +CHAPTER FORTY SIX. + +The receipt of this letter was extremely mortifying to me. I could not +help feeling that if I lost the fine property which had been intended +for me, I lost it chiefly by the deceit practised relative to my +mother's supposed death, and that if I did lose the estate in +consequence, it was a proper punishment. At the same time, I felt not a +little indignant at the conduct of Colonel Delmar. I now understood why +it was that he was talking with Mr Warden's clerk when I passed by +them; and I also felt certain that he must have taken advantage of my +situation at Portsmouth, and have opened my desk and stolen the letters +from my mother. For this I resolved to call him to account, under any +circumstances (that is, whether he or I became the heir to the old +lady), as soon as I could fall in with him. Although I was far from +despising the property which I was now likely to lose, yet I was more +actuated in my wish to regain it by my enmity towards him, and I +immediately resolved upon what I would do. + +As I was still unfit to travel, and, moreover, was resolved not to leave +Hamburg without Minnie as my wife, I sent for Cross, and telling him in +few words, what had taken place, asked him if he would immediately start +for England, which he gladly consented to do. "The old lady requires, +it seems, proof from Lord de Versely's own hand that I am his son; +fortunately, that is in my power to give; so do you take this, and as +soon as you arrive in England make all haste to Mr Warden's and put it +into his own hands." I then took off the seal-skin pouch containing +Lord de Versely's letter to my mother, and confided it to his care. At +the same time I wrote a long letter to Mr Warden explaining as far as I +could the means which the colonel had used to get possession of the +letters, and the reason which induced me to make his lordship believe +that my mother was dead. I did not attempt to extenuate my conduct; on +the contrary, I severely blamed myself for my deception, and +acknowledged that if I lost the estate it was nothing more than I +deserved. + +Cross made all haste, and sailed the next morning. Having put this +affair in train, I had nothing to do but to give all my thoughts to +Minnie. In another fortnight I was completely recovered, and then I +mentioned to Mr Vanderwelt my anxiety that the marriage should take +place. No difficulties were raised; and it was settled that on that day +week I should lead my Minnie to the altar. I thought that the week +would never expire; but, like all other weeks, it died a natural death +at last, and we were united. The _fete_ was over, the company had all +left us, and we were again alone, and I held my dearest Minnie in my +arms, when Mr Vanderwelt brought me in a letter from England. It was +from Mr Warden, and I hastily opened it. Minnie shared my impatience, +and read over my shoulder. The contents were as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR CAPTAIN KEENE, + + "Most fortunate it was for you that you have preserved that letter; + but I must not anticipate. On receiving it from Cross I immediately + went with it to the old lady, and presented it to her. I did more,--I + read over your letter in which you stated your reasons for making Lord + de Versely believe that your mother was dead. The old lady, who is + now very far gone in her intellect, could hardly understand me. + However, her nephew's handwriting roused her up a little, and she + said, `Well, well--I see--I must think about it. I won't decide. I + must hear what the colonel says.' Now, this is what I did not wish + her to do; but she was positive, and I was obliged to leave her. The + colonel was sent for; but I do not know what the result was, or rather + might have been, as fortune stood your friend in a most unexpected + way. + + "As I went out, I perceived two gentlemen arrive in a post-chaise. + One of them appeared very ill and feeble, hardly able to walk up the + steps. They inquired for Colonel Delmar, and were shown into a + sitting-room, until he came out of Mrs Delmar's apartment. I saw him + come out; and there was so much satisfaction in his countenance, that + I felt sure that he had gained over the old lady. And I went home, + resolving that I would burn the new will, which had not been signed, + if it were only to gain the delay of having to make it over again. + But the next morning an express arrived for me to go immediately to + the Hall. I did so, but I did not take the new will with me, as I + felt certain that if I had so done, it would have been signed that + day. But I was mistaken: I had been sent for on account of the death + of Colonel Delmar, who had that morning fallen in a duel with Major + Stapleton, the officer who fought with you. It appears that Captain + Green had informed the major of the language used by the colonel when + Major S was supposed to be dead; and that the major, who has been very + ill ever since, only waited till he was able to stand to demand + satisfaction of the colonel. It was the major with his friend whom I + met as I left the Hall the day before. They fought at daylight, and + both fell. The major, however, lived long enough to acknowledge that + the duel with you had been an arranged thing between him and the + colonel, that you might be put out of the way, after the information + the colonel had received from my clerk, and that the colonel was to + have rewarded him handsomely if he had sent you into the other world. + I suspect, after this, that the fowling-piece going off in the cover + was not quite so accidental as was supposed. However, the colonel is + out of your way now, and the old lady has received such a shock, that + there is no fear of her altering the will; indeed, if she attempted + it, I doubt if it would be valid, as she is now quite gone in her + intellect. I have, therefore, destroyed the one not signed; and have + no doubt, but that in a very few weeks I may have to congratulate you + upon your succession to this property. I think that the sooner you + can come home the better, and I advise you to take up your quarters at + Madeline Hall, for possession is nine points of the law, and you can + keep off all trespassers.--Yours most truly, + + "F. WARDEN." + +"Well, Minnie dearest, I may congratulate you, I believe, as the lady of +Madeline Hall," said I, folding up the letter. + +"Yes, Percival, but there is a postscript overleaf, which you have not +read." + +I turned back to the letter. + + "PS. I quite forgot to tell you that there is a condition attached to + your taking possession of the property, which, as it was at the + particular request of Lord de Versely, I presume you will not object + to, which is--that you assume the arms and name of Delmar." + +THE END. + + + + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERCIVAL KEENE *** + + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ +concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not +necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper +edition. + +Most people start at our website which has the main PG search +facility: www.gutenberg.org. + +This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/pageindex/page_index.py b/pageindex/page_index.py index 43b70c0..b8fba94 100644 --- a/pageindex/page_index.py +++ b/pageindex/page_index.py @@ -971,7 +971,7 @@ async def meta_processor(page_list, mode=None, toc_content=None, toc_page_list=N accuracy, incorrect_results = await verify_toc(page_list, toc_with_page_number, start_index=start_index, model=opt.model) logger.info({ - 'mode': 'process_toc_with_page_numbers', + 'mode': mode, 'accuracy': accuracy, 'incorrect_results': incorrect_results }) @@ -1058,14 +1058,20 @@ async def tree_parser(page_list, opt, doc=None, logger=None): def page_index_main(doc, opt=None): logger = JsonLogger(doc) - is_valid_pdf = ( - (isinstance(doc, str) and os.path.isfile(doc) and doc.lower().endswith(".pdf")) or + is_valid_document = ( + (isinstance(doc, str) and os.path.isfile(doc) and + (doc.lower().endswith(".pdf") or doc.lower().endswith(".txt"))) or isinstance(doc, BytesIO) ) - if not is_valid_pdf: - raise ValueError("Unsupported input type. Expected a PDF file path or BytesIO object.") + if not is_valid_document: + raise ValueError("Unsupported input type. Expected a PDF or TXT file path, or BytesIO object.") - print('Parsing PDF...') + # Determine file type for processing message + if isinstance(doc, str) and doc.lower().endswith(".txt"): + print('Parsing TXT...') + else: + print('Parsing PDF...') + page_list = get_page_tokens(doc) logger.info({'total_page_number': len(page_list)}) @@ -1085,12 +1091,12 @@ def page_index_main(doc, opt=None): if opt.if_add_doc_description == 'yes': doc_description = generate_doc_description(structure, model=opt.model) return { - 'doc_name': get_pdf_name(doc), + 'doc_name': get_document_name(doc), 'doc_description': doc_description, 'structure': structure, } return { - 'doc_name': get_pdf_name(doc), + 'doc_name': get_document_name(doc), 'structure': structure, } diff --git a/pageindex/utils.py b/pageindex/utils.py index e499831..f7995f0 100644 --- a/pageindex/utils.py +++ b/pageindex/utils.py @@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import openai import logging import os +import re from datetime import datetime import time import json @@ -292,25 +293,26 @@ def sanitize_filename(filename, replacement='-'): # Null can't be represented in strings, so we only handle '/'. return filename.replace('/', replacement) -def get_pdf_name(pdf_path): - # Extract PDF name - if isinstance(pdf_path, str): - pdf_name = os.path.basename(pdf_path) - elif isinstance(pdf_path, BytesIO): - pdf_reader = PyPDF2.PdfReader(pdf_path) +def get_document_name(doc_path): + # Extract document name for both PDF and TXT files + if isinstance(doc_path, str): + doc_name = os.path.basename(doc_path) + elif isinstance(doc_path, BytesIO): + # For BytesIO, assume it's a PDF and try to get title from metadata + pdf_reader = PyPDF2.PdfReader(doc_path) meta = pdf_reader.metadata - pdf_name = meta.title if meta and meta.title else 'Untitled' - pdf_name = sanitize_filename(pdf_name) - return pdf_name + doc_name = meta.title if meta and meta.title else 'Untitled' + doc_name = sanitize_filename(doc_name) + return doc_name class JsonLogger: def __init__(self, file_path): - # Extract PDF name for logger name - pdf_name = get_pdf_name(file_path) + # Extract document name for logger name + doc_name = get_document_name(file_path) current_time = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S") - self.filename = f"{pdf_name}_{current_time}.json" + self.filename = f"{doc_name}_{current_time}.json" os.makedirs("./logs", exist_ok=True) # Initialize empty list to store all messages self.log_data = [] @@ -408,10 +410,99 @@ def add_preface_if_needed(data): -def get_page_tokens(pdf_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2"): +def get_txt_page_tokens(txt_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", max_chars_per_page=2000): + """ + Split TXT file into logical pages using reasonable heuristics. + + Args: + txt_path: Path to TXT file + model: Model name for token counting + max_chars_per_page: Maximum characters per page (heuristic) + + Returns: + List of (page_text, token_count) tuples + """ + enc = tiktoken.encoding_for_model(model) + page_list = [] + + with open(txt_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8', errors='ignore') as f: + full_text = f.read() + + # Strategy 1: Try to split by page breaks or form feeds + if '\f' in full_text: # Form feed character + pages = full_text.split('\f') + for page_text in pages: + page_text = page_text.strip() + if page_text: # Skip empty pages + token_length = len(enc.encode(page_text)) + page_list.append((page_text, token_length)) + print(len(page_list), "pages created based on page breaks.") + return page_list + + #TODO Strategy 2: Split by chapter markers (common in ebooks) + # chapter_patterns = [ + # r'\n\s*CHAPTER\s+[IVXLCDM\d]+', # CHAPTER I, CHAPTER 1, etc. + # r'\n\s*Chapter\s+[IVXLCDM\d]+', # Chapter I, Chapter 1, etc. + # r'\n\s*[Cc]hapter\s+\d+', # chapter 1, Chapter 1 + # r'\n\s*CHAPTER\s+', # CHAPTER (with blank space, no number) + # ] + # import re + # for pattern in chapter_patterns: + # splits = re.split(pattern, full_text) + # if len(splits) > 1: # Found chapter divisions + # page_list = [] + # for i, section in enumerate(splits): + # section = section.strip() + # if section: + # # Add back the chapter marker for all but the first section + # if i > 0: + # match = re.search(pattern, full_text) + # if match: + # section = match.group().strip() + '\n\n' + section + # token_length = len(enc.encode(section)) + # page_list.append((section, token_length)) + # if page_list: + # print(len(page_list), "pages created based on chapter markers.") + # return page_list + + # Fallback: If no pages were created or all pages are too large, split by fixed character count + if not page_list or any(len(page[0]) > max_chars_per_page * 2 for page in page_list): + page_list = [] + for i in range(0, len(full_text), max_chars_per_page): + page_text = full_text[i:i + max_chars_per_page] + # Try to end at a word boundary + if i + max_chars_per_page < len(full_text): + last_space = page_text.rfind(' ') + if last_space > max_chars_per_page * 0.8: # Only break at space if it's not too early + page_text = page_text[:last_space] + + token_length = len(enc.encode(page_text)) + page_list.append((page_text.strip(), token_length)) + + print(len(page_list), "pages created based on character count (max_chars_per_page =", max_chars_per_page, ")") + return page_list + + +def get_page_tokens(doc_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2"): + """ + Extract pages and token counts from PDF or TXT files. + + Args: + doc_path: Path to PDF or TXT file, or BytesIO object + model: Model name for token counting + pdf_parser: PDF parser to use ("PyPDF2" or "PyMuPDF") + + Returns: + List of (page_text, token_count) tuples + """ + # Handle TXT files + if isinstance(doc_path, str) and doc_path.lower().endswith(".txt"): + return get_txt_page_tokens(doc_path, model) + + # Handle PDF files (existing logic) enc = tiktoken.encoding_for_model(model) if pdf_parser == "PyPDF2": - pdf_reader = PyPDF2.PdfReader(pdf_path) + pdf_reader = PyPDF2.PdfReader(doc_path) page_list = [] for page_num in range(len(pdf_reader.pages)): page = pdf_reader.pages[page_num] @@ -420,11 +511,11 @@ def get_page_tokens(pdf_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2"): page_list.append((page_text, token_length)) return page_list elif pdf_parser == "PyMuPDF": - if isinstance(pdf_path, BytesIO): - pdf_stream = pdf_path + if isinstance(doc_path, BytesIO): + pdf_stream = doc_path doc = pymupdf.open(stream=pdf_stream, filetype="pdf") - elif isinstance(pdf_path, str) and os.path.isfile(pdf_path) and pdf_path.lower().endswith(".pdf"): - doc = pymupdf.open(pdf_path) + elif isinstance(doc_path, str) and os.path.isfile(doc_path) and doc_path.lower().endswith(".pdf"): + doc = pymupdf.open(doc_path) page_list = [] for page in doc: page_text = page.get_text() diff --git a/results/ebooks_percival_keene_structure.json b/results/ebooks_percival_keene_structure.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5eda99a --- /dev/null +++ b/results/ebooks_percival_keene_structure.json @@ -0,0 +1,289 @@ +{ + "doc_name": "ebooks_percival_keene.txt", + "structure": [ + { + "title": "The Project Gutenberg eBook of Percival Keene", + "start_index": 1, + "end_index": 1, + "nodes": [ + { + "title": "CHAPTER ONE", + "start_index": 1, + "end_index": 9, + "node_id": "0001" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWO", + "start_index": 9, + "end_index": 12, + "node_id": "0002" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THREE", + "start_index": 12, + "end_index": 19, + "node_id": "0003" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FOUR", + "start_index": 19, + "end_index": 23, + "node_id": "0004" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FIVE", + "start_index": 23, + "end_index": 27, + "node_id": "0005" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER SIX", + "start_index": 27, + "end_index": 32, + "node_id": "0006" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER SEVEN", + "start_index": 32, + "end_index": 38, + "node_id": "0007" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER EIGHT", + "start_index": 38, + "end_index": 42, + "node_id": "0008" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER NINE", + "start_index": 42, + "end_index": 49, + "node_id": "0009" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TEN", + "start_index": 49, + "end_index": 55, + "node_id": "0010" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER ELEVEN", + "start_index": 55, + "end_index": 60, + "node_id": "0011" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWELVE", + "start_index": 60, + "end_index": 66, + "node_id": "0012" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTEEN", + "start_index": 66, + "end_index": 73, + "node_id": "0013" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FOURTEEN", + "start_index": 73, + "end_index": 81, + "node_id": "0014" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FIFTEEN", + "start_index": 81, + "end_index": 88, + "node_id": "0015" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER SIXTEEN", + "start_index": 88, + "end_index": 111, + "node_id": "0016" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER SEVENTEEN", + "start_index": 111, + "end_index": 119, + "node_id": "0017" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER EIGHTEEN", + "start_index": 119, + "end_index": 128, + "node_id": "0018" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER NINETEEN", + "start_index": 128, + "end_index": 147, + "node_id": "0019" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY", + "start_index": 147, + "end_index": 183, + "node_id": "0020" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE", + "start_index": 183, + "end_index": 186, + "node_id": "0021" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO", + "start_index": 186, + "end_index": 191, + "node_id": "0022" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE", + "start_index": 191, + "end_index": 206, + "node_id": "0023" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR", + "start_index": 206, + "end_index": 219, + "node_id": "0024" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE", + "start_index": 219, + "end_index": 253, + "node_id": "0025" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX", + "start_index": 253, + "end_index": 255, + "node_id": "0026" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN", + "start_index": 255, + "end_index": 259, + "node_id": "0027" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT", + "start_index": 259, + "end_index": 273, + "node_id": "0028" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE", + "start_index": 273, + "end_index": 291, + "node_id": "0029" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY", + "start_index": 291, + "end_index": 313, + "node_id": "0030" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE", + "start_index": 313, + "end_index": 324, + "node_id": "0031" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO", + "start_index": 324, + "end_index": 330, + "node_id": "0032" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY THREE", + "start_index": 330, + "end_index": 333, + "node_id": "0033" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR", + "start_index": 333, + "end_index": 337, + "node_id": "0034" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE", + "start_index": 337, + "end_index": 341, + "node_id": "0035" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY SIX", + "start_index": 341, + "end_index": 345, + "node_id": "0036" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN", + "start_index": 345, + "end_index": 351, + "node_id": "0037" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT", + "start_index": 351, + "end_index": 356, + "node_id": "0038" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER THIRTY NINE", + "start_index": 356, + "end_index": 361, + "node_id": "0039" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY", + "start_index": 361, + "end_index": 366, + "node_id": "0040" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY ONE", + "start_index": 366, + "end_index": 370, + "node_id": "0041" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY TWO", + "start_index": 370, + "end_index": 375, + "node_id": "0042" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY THREE", + "start_index": 375, + "end_index": 379, + "node_id": "0043" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY FOUR", + "start_index": 379, + "end_index": 383, + "node_id": "0044" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY FIVE", + "start_index": 383, + "end_index": 387, + "node_id": "0045" + }, + { + "title": "CHAPTER FORTY SIX", + "start_index": 387, + "end_index": 400, + "node_id": "0046" + } + ], + "node_id": "0000" + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/run_pageindex.py b/run_pageindex.py index 63b2206..8884ccb 100644 --- a/run_pageindex.py +++ b/run_pageindex.py @@ -1,10 +1,12 @@ import argparse +import os from pageindex import * if __name__ == "__main__": # Set up argument parser - parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Process PDF document and generate structure') - parser.add_argument('--pdf_path', type=str, help='Path to the PDF file') + parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Process PDF or TXT document and generate structure') + parser.add_argument('--doc_path', type=str, help='Path to the PDF or TXT file') + parser.add_argument('--pdf_path', type=str, help='Path to the PDF file (deprecated, use --doc_path)') parser.add_argument('--model', type=str, default='gpt-4o-2024-11-20', help='Model to use') parser.add_argument('--toc-check-pages', type=int, default=20, help='Number of pages to check for table of contents') @@ -21,8 +23,24 @@ parser.add_argument('--if-add-node-text', type=str, default='no', help='Whether to add text to the node') args = parser.parse_args() + + # Determine document path (support both --doc_path and --pdf_path for backward compatibility) + doc_path = args.doc_path or args.pdf_path + if not doc_path: + parser.error("Either --doc_path or --pdf_path is required") + + if not os.path.exists(doc_path): + print(f"Error: File not found: {doc_path}") + exit(1) + + # Check if file type is supported + supported_extensions = ['.pdf', '.txt'] + file_extension = os.path.splitext(doc_path)[1].lower() + if file_extension not in supported_extensions: + print(f"Error: Unsupported file type '{file_extension}'. Supported types: {supported_extensions}") + exit(1) - # Configure options + # Configure options opt = config( model=args.model, toc_check_page_num=args.toc_check_pages, @@ -34,13 +52,14 @@ if_add_node_text=args.if_add_node_text ) - # Process the PDF - toc_with_page_number = page_index_main(args.pdf_path, opt) + + # Process the document + toc_with_page_number = page_index_main(doc_path, opt) print('Parsing done, saving to file...') # Save results - pdf_name = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(args.pdf_path))[0] + doc_name = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(doc_path))[0] os.makedirs('./results', exist_ok=True) - with open(f'./results/{pdf_name}_structure.json', 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f: + with open(f'./results/{doc_name}_structure.json', 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f: json.dump(toc_with_page_number, f, indent=2) \ No newline at end of file From 1baf57554908b1c4df7f56d14e2e4b0230408100 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: clarenceluo78 Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:36:53 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] update token-based segmentation for txt input --- pageindex/config.yaml | 6 ++- pageindex/page_index.py | 11 +++- pageindex/utils.py | 110 ++++++++++++++++++++++------------------ requirements.txt | 1 + run_pageindex.py | 23 ++++++++- 5 files changed, 99 insertions(+), 52 deletions(-) diff --git a/pageindex/config.yaml b/pageindex/config.yaml index 382a3e9..f68b928 100644 --- a/pageindex/config.yaml +++ b/pageindex/config.yaml @@ -5,4 +5,8 @@ max_token_num_each_node: 20000 if_add_node_id: "yes" if_add_node_summary: "no" if_add_doc_description: "yes" -if_add_node_text: "no" \ No newline at end of file +if_add_node_text: "no" +txt_page_method: "token" # "char" or "token" +txt_tokens_per_page: 512 +txt_chars_per_page: 2048 +txt_tokenizer: "gpt2" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/pageindex/page_index.py b/pageindex/page_index.py index b8fba94..bde6ed0 100644 --- a/pageindex/page_index.py +++ b/pageindex/page_index.py @@ -1072,7 +1072,16 @@ def page_index_main(doc, opt=None): else: print('Parsing PDF...') - page_list = get_page_tokens(doc) + # Pass TXT parameters to get_page_tokens + page_list = get_page_tokens( + doc, + model=opt.model if opt else "gpt-4o-2024-11-20", + txt_method=getattr(opt, 'txt_page_method', 'token'), + txt_tokens_per_page=getattr(opt, 'txt_tokens_per_page', 512), + txt_chars_per_page=getattr(opt, 'txt_chars_per_page', 2048), + txt_tokenizer=getattr(opt, 'txt_tokenizer', 'gpt2'), + txt_chunk_overlap=getattr(opt, 'txt_chunk_overlap', 10) + ) logger.info({'total_page_number': len(page_list)}) logger.info({'total_token': sum([page[1] for page in page_list])}) diff --git a/pageindex/utils.py b/pageindex/utils.py index f7995f0..f417c25 100644 --- a/pageindex/utils.py +++ b/pageindex/utils.py @@ -18,6 +18,14 @@ from pathlib import Path from types import SimpleNamespace as config +# Add LlamaIndex import +try: + from llama_index.core.node_parser.text import TokenTextSplitter + LLAMA_INDEX_AVAILABLE = True +except ImportError: + LLAMA_INDEX_AVAILABLE = False + print("Warning: llama-index not available. Token-based TXT splitting will fall back to character-based.") + CHATGPT_API_KEY = os.getenv("CHATGPT_API_KEY") @@ -410,63 +418,54 @@ def add_preface_if_needed(data): -def get_txt_page_tokens(txt_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", max_chars_per_page=2000): +def get_txt_page_tokens(txt_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", max_chars_per_page=2048, + method="token", tokens_per_page=512, tokenizer_name="gpt2", chunk_overlap=10): """ - Split TXT file into logical pages using reasonable heuristics. + Split TXT file into logical pages using character or token-based segmentation. Args: txt_path: Path to TXT file - model: Model name for token counting - max_chars_per_page: Maximum characters per page (heuristic) + model: Model name for token counting (for final token count) + max_chars_per_page: Maximum characters per page (for char method) + method: Segmentation method ("char" or "token") + tokens_per_page: Number of tokens per page (for token method) + tokenizer_name: Name of the tokenizer encoding (e.g., "gpt2", "cl100k_base") + chunk_overlap: Number of tokens to overlap between chunks (for token method) Returns: List of (page_text, token_count) tuples """ enc = tiktoken.encoding_for_model(model) - page_list = [] with open(txt_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8', errors='ignore') as f: full_text = f.read() - # Strategy 1: Try to split by page breaks or form feeds - if '\f' in full_text: # Form feed character - pages = full_text.split('\f') - for page_text in pages: - page_text = page_text.strip() - if page_text: # Skip empty pages - token_length = len(enc.encode(page_text)) - page_list.append((page_text, token_length)) - print(len(page_list), "pages created based on page breaks.") - return page_list - - #TODO Strategy 2: Split by chapter markers (common in ebooks) - # chapter_patterns = [ - # r'\n\s*CHAPTER\s+[IVXLCDM\d]+', # CHAPTER I, CHAPTER 1, etc. - # r'\n\s*Chapter\s+[IVXLCDM\d]+', # Chapter I, Chapter 1, etc. - # r'\n\s*[Cc]hapter\s+\d+', # chapter 1, Chapter 1 - # r'\n\s*CHAPTER\s+', # CHAPTER (with blank space, no number) - # ] - # import re - # for pattern in chapter_patterns: - # splits = re.split(pattern, full_text) - # if len(splits) > 1: # Found chapter divisions - # page_list = [] - # for i, section in enumerate(splits): - # section = section.strip() - # if section: - # # Add back the chapter marker for all but the first section - # if i > 0: - # match = re.search(pattern, full_text) - # if match: - # section = match.group().strip() + '\n\n' + section - # token_length = len(enc.encode(section)) - # page_list.append((section, token_length)) - # if page_list: - # print(len(page_list), "pages created based on chapter markers.") - # return page_list + if method == "token" and LLAMA_INDEX_AVAILABLE: + # Use token-based segmentation with LlamaIndex + try: + tokenizer = tiktoken.get_encoding(tokenizer_name) + text_splitter = TokenTextSplitter( + chunk_size=tokens_per_page, + chunk_overlap=chunk_overlap, + tokenizer=tokenizer.encode + ) + chunks = text_splitter.split_text(full_text) + + page_list = [] + for chunk in chunks: + token_length = len(enc.encode(chunk)) + page_list.append((chunk.strip(), token_length)) + + print(f"{len(page_list)} pages created using token-based segmentation (tokens_per_page = {tokens_per_page})") + return page_list + + except Exception as e: + print(f"Token-based segmentation failed: {e}") + print("Falling back to character-based segmentation...") + method = "char" - # Fallback: If no pages were created or all pages are too large, split by fixed character count - if not page_list or any(len(page[0]) > max_chars_per_page * 2 for page in page_list): + # Character-based segmentation (fallback or explicit choice) + if method == "char" or not LLAMA_INDEX_AVAILABLE: page_list = [] for i in range(0, len(full_text), max_chars_per_page): page_text = full_text[i:i + max_chars_per_page] @@ -478,12 +477,14 @@ def get_txt_page_tokens(txt_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", max_chars_per_page= token_length = len(enc.encode(page_text)) page_list.append((page_text.strip(), token_length)) - - print(len(page_list), "pages created based on character count (max_chars_per_page =", max_chars_per_page, ")") - return page_list + + print(f"{len(page_list)} pages created using character-based segmentation (max_chars_per_page = {max_chars_per_page})") + return page_list -def get_page_tokens(doc_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2"): +def get_page_tokens(doc_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2", + txt_method="token", txt_tokens_per_page=512, txt_chars_per_page=2048, + txt_tokenizer="gpt2", txt_chunk_overlap=10): """ Extract pages and token counts from PDF or TXT files. @@ -491,13 +492,26 @@ def get_page_tokens(doc_path, model="gpt-4o-2024-11-20", pdf_parser="PyPDF2"): doc_path: Path to PDF or TXT file, or BytesIO object model: Model name for token counting pdf_parser: PDF parser to use ("PyPDF2" or "PyMuPDF") + txt_method: TXT segmentation method ("char" or "token") + txt_tokens_per_page: Number of tokens per page for TXT files + txt_chars_per_page: Number of characters per page for TXT files + txt_tokenizer: Tokenizer encoding name for TXT files + txt_chunk_overlap: Token overlap between chunks for TXT files Returns: List of (page_text, token_count) tuples """ # Handle TXT files if isinstance(doc_path, str) and doc_path.lower().endswith(".txt"): - return get_txt_page_tokens(doc_path, model) + return get_txt_page_tokens( + doc_path, + model=model, + max_chars_per_page=txt_chars_per_page, + method=txt_method, + tokens_per_page=txt_tokens_per_page, + tokenizer_name=txt_tokenizer, + chunk_overlap=txt_chunk_overlap + ) # Handle PDF files (existing logic) enc = tiktoken.encoding_for_model(model) diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt index ad43fe1..6785445 100644 --- a/requirements.txt +++ b/requirements.txt @@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ PyPDF2==3.0.1 python-dotenv==1.1.0 tiktoken==0.7.0 pyyaml==6.0.2 +llama-index-core==0.12.41 \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/run_pageindex.py b/run_pageindex.py index 8884ccb..b168b54 100644 --- a/run_pageindex.py +++ b/run_pageindex.py @@ -1,5 +1,6 @@ import argparse import os +import json from pageindex import * if __name__ == "__main__": @@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ parser.add_argument('--model', type=str, default='gpt-4o-2024-11-20', help='Model to use') parser.add_argument('--toc-check-pages', type=int, default=20, help='Number of pages to check for table of contents') - parser.add_argument('--max-pages-per-node', type=int, default=10, + parser.add_argument('--max-pages-per-node', type=int, default=20, help='Maximum number of pages per node') parser.add_argument('--max-tokens-per-node', type=int, default=20000, help='Maximum number of tokens per node') @@ -22,6 +23,19 @@ help='Whether to add doc description to the doc') parser.add_argument('--if-add-node-text', type=str, default='no', help='Whether to add text to the node') + + # Add TXT processing arguments + parser.add_argument('--txt-method', type=str, default='token', choices=['char', 'token'], + help='TXT segmentation method: "char" or "token" (default: token)') + parser.add_argument('--txt-tokens-per-page', type=int, default=1024, + help='Number of tokens per page for TXT files (default: 1024)') + parser.add_argument('--txt-chars-per-page', type=int, default=2048, + help='Number of characters per page for TXT files (default: 2048)') + parser.add_argument('--txt-tokenizer', type=str, default='gpt2', + help='Tokenizer encoding name for TXT files (default: gpt2)') + parser.add_argument('--txt-chunk-overlap', type=int, default=5, + help='Token overlap between chunks for TXT files (default: 5)') + args = parser.parse_args() # Determine document path (support both --doc_path and --pdf_path for backward compatibility) @@ -49,7 +63,12 @@ if_add_node_id=args.if_add_node_id, if_add_node_summary=args.if_add_node_summary, if_add_doc_description=args.if_add_doc_description, - if_add_node_text=args.if_add_node_text + if_add_node_text=args.if_add_node_text, + txt_page_method=args.txt_method, + txt_tokens_per_page=args.txt_tokens_per_page, + txt_chars_per_page=args.txt_chars_per_page, + txt_tokenizer=args.txt_tokenizer, + txt_chunk_overlap=args.txt_chunk_overlap )