THE FRIGATE AT TRINIDAD--MAGNIFICENT SCENERY--MIDSHIPMEN ON SHORE--
PURCHASE A SPIDER-MONKEY, AND TAKE A RIDE WITH HIM INTO THE COUNTRY--
ADAIR MEETS SOME RELATIVES--HE AND JACK NEARLY LOSE THEIR HEARTS, BUT
DON'T--COLONEL O'REGAN AND HIS DAUGHTER STELLA--A COUNTRY-HOUSE--VISIT
TO A COFFEE PLANTATION--THE COLONEL'S SCHEMES--THE COLONEL AND HIS
DAUGHTER EMBARK ON BOARD THE PLANTAGENET--THE DRAGON'S MOUTH--THE
FRIGATE IN DANGER.
The mists of the early morning hung over the ocean, but not with
sufficient density to obscure altogether the outline of the land, as her
Majesty's frigate _Plantagenet_ was entering the Boca Navios, or ship
channel, one of the Dragon's Mouths which lead from the north into the
Gulf of Paria, between the island of Trinidad and the mainland of South
America. Captain Hemming stood, speaking-trumpet in hand, conning the
ship; the crew were at their stations; hands in the chains, ever and
anon, as they hove the lead, in deep, sonorous voices shouting out the
depth of water; every one was on the alert, for the currents were
uncertain and the wind baffling. As the sun rose the silvery mist
seemed to be drawn up like a curtain, exposing a magnificent spectacle;
islands of fantastic shapes rising from the calm, blue water, clothed to
their summits with mighty trees, of varied hues, growing out of the
crevices of the rocks. Here, lofty cliffs; there, some deep bay, with
plantations and cottages beyond; or a shady valley, the fit abode of
peace and contentment, as Adair, who was just then in a sentimental
mood, observed; now in a wilder, more open spot were seen the huts of a
whaling establishment; and then, further on, open glades and grassy
enclosures; while on the port side towered up to the clear, bright sky
the lofty ridge-like mountains of Trinidad itself. The breeze
freshening, at length the handsome capital of the island, Port of Spain,
on the shores of its wide bay, opened out to view; its broad streets
running at right angles to each other, and thus allowing every air from
the water to blow freely through them. On the other side of the town
could be seen the Savannah, a park-like enclosure bordered by pretty
villas, with a panorama of superb hills clothed with vegetation, forming
the background of the picture; between which, extending right across the
island, was discerned the entrance to the fertile valley of Diego
Martin; while across the gulf on the mainland rose the majestic
mountains of Cumana. Leave was given to all not required on board to go
on shore. The captain went to call on the governor, the officers to
amuse themselves, according to their respective tastes.
The talents of Norris as interpreter were called into requisition;
indeed, he had a good opportunity of practising his Spanish and
Portuguese as well as French, the white population being composed of a
mixture of most of the nations of Europe. The young gentlemen were
wandering about, as midshipmen are wont to do, in a strange town; now
stopping to buy fruit in the market-place, now entering a shop to look
for something they did not exactly know what; now popping their heads in
at a church-door, when they caught sight of a short, broad-faced,
yellow-skinned Carib with a monkey perched on his head, one on each
shoulder, and a fourth nestling in his arms, standing at the corner of a
street.
"Hurra!" cried Tom, "here's the chance we have long been wishing for.
Come along, Norris, and try to make the monkey-merchant understand that
we are ready to treat for one of his happy family."
"For combien sixpenny pieces voulez-vous sell us one of those rum
chapsos, mon amis?" said Norris, with perfect confidence, as if
expecting an answer. Though the Carib knew no more French than did the
midshipman, guessing what was wanted, he made the three monkeys on his
head and shoulders jump down to the ground to exhibit themselves.
Having gone through their performances, at a word they sprang back into
their former positions, the most active being a long-tailed, long-armed
creature, with a body like a lath, who had the post of honour on the
Indian's head.
"That's the fellow for us," cried Tom, clapping his hands. "I don't
think old Scrofton will ever acknowledge that he had his origin in such
a spider-like animal."
"No, but he may be after saying that we are descended from some such
creature, if he catches us skylarking aloft," observed Gerald.
"He'll not venture on such an impertinence," answered Tom. "I vote we
have him."
Though there were some dissentient voices, the majority were in favour
of the spider-monkey. A dollar was asked, a high price for a monkey,
considering that hundreds are caught in the woods to be cooked for
dinner; but then, as the Carib tried to explain, this one was civilised,
and his education had cost something, though he could neither read nor
write at present; but he might do so, if the young gentlemen would take
the trouble of teaching him. The Indian's arguments prevailed. A
dollar was quickly collected, Tom paying twice as much as any one else,
that he might have a proportionate interest in the beast; and Master
Spider, as he was forthwith called, became the midshipmen's monkey.
Poor Master Spider, he little knew the fate awaiting him. Now he was
theirs, the question was what to do with him till they returned on
board. Should they take him with them into the country, he would to a
certainty be off among his native woods, they agreed. They modestly
requested several shop-keepers in the neighbourhood to take charge of
him, but all declined the trust. They bought, however, of a saddler a
chain and strap to assist in securing their captive. At first they were
going to put the strap round the monkey's neck; but the Carib hinted
that if they did, Master Spider would be throttled, and so it was
fastened round his loins, he ungratefully giving Paddy Desmond, who
performed the operation, a severe bite in return.
"Ye baste, what do ye mane by that?" exclaimed Paddy, in a voice which
made Master Spider spring back as far as his chain would allow to the
top of a saddle, where he sat vehemently jabbering away, as if offering
a full explanation of his conduct, amid the laughter of the rest of the
party. Norris proposed hiring a sitting-room for him at an inn; but a
somewhat high price being asked for the accommodation, it was at length
determined to take him with them now that he could not escape, each one
agreeing to carry him by turns.
"But you fellows are not going to walk about all day, I hope. I vote we
have a ride," exclaimed Norris.
The proposal was agreed to. Six procured steeds--rather sorry jades;
for the sagacious owners, having some experience of the way naval
officers are apt to ride, would not bring out their best horses, but the
midshipmen did not care about that. They tossed up who was first to
have charge of Spider. Paddy Desmond won, and away they started.
"Look out that you don't run foul of any of the great Dons of the
island, or lose your way," shouted their messmates.
"No fear," answered Tom; "we've got Spider as a pilot."
Spider did show the way in a vengeance, for Desmond's horse finding a
strange creature clinging to its mane, dashed off at headlong speed
through the streets and round the Savannah, followed by the rest,
shouting and laughing, till the foot of the mountains was reached. Then
up they went, not by the high road, but by a rough pathway, which led
they did not know where. That, however, was of small consequence; it
must take them to some place or other, and they had little doubt of
finding their way back. On they pushed, scrambling along regardless of
the hot sun, the dust, the flies, and other stinging creatures, laughing
and shouting, and belabouring each other's steeds, Gerald, as at first,
with Spider before him, bravely keeping the lead. They had not been
unobserved, for Lieutenants Rogers and Adair were riding leisurely along
the road round the Savannah as they passed at some distance.
"There goes my young hopeful of a nephew," exclaimed Adair. "I must
look sharper after the lad than _I_ have done when he gets on shore, or
he'll come to grief, and my good sister, his mother, who doats on him,
will break her heart."
"I must keep a taut hand on Tom, too, for whom I feel myself
responsible," observed Jack. "I was glad to have him on board the
frigate, but I did not reflect on the anxiety he would cause me."
"Mercifully Providence watches over midshipmen, or the race would soon
become extinct, and there would be no such promising young officers as
you and I to be found," said Adair. "There go a number more of them.
Happy fellows! Well, it was not so long since we were like them, Jack."
The two lieutenants continued their ride, bound on a visit which shall
be mentioned presently. The midshipmen galloped along till their
horses' knees trembled under them. They had left the more cultivated
country, and entered a wild region, the forest closing in on every side;
birds of gorgeous colours flew by or rose from the thickets; beautiful
butterflies fluttered in the glades, and monkeys gambolled in the trees,
looking down on them from the branches overhead, chattering loudly as
they passed.
"We've paid a pretty high price, I've a notion, for Master Spider, since
we might have had a dozen such fellows for the catching," observed
Norris, as he watched the monkeys in troops springing from bough to
bough.
"But how were we to catch them, I should like to know?" asked Tom.
"They can beat any one of us at climbing, there's no doubt about that."
"Ah, well, I suppose they can, as they are at it all day," answered
Norris sagaciously.
Meantime Master Spider had been gazing up wistfully at his relations in
the trees, every now and then answering their chatterings with a
peculiar cry, when, passing under an overhanging bough, some three or
four feet above him, suddenly springing on the horse's head, and thence
on Gerald's, in a moment, with his long arms extended, he had laid tight
hold of it, while Gerald letting go his rein, with equal tenacity
grasped the end of the chain, fancying that he could haul him back; but
the arms of the monkey were stronger than his. On galloped the horse,
leaving him, as a consequence, hanging with one hand to the chain.
Instinctively he made a grasp at the monkey's long tail, greatly, it is
possible, to the relief of the owner; and there he hung, swinging
backwards and forwards between the sky and earth, the monkey jabbering
and shrieking with the pain of the strap round its loins, amid a chorus
of its relatives, while the other midshipmen gathered round, laughing
till they nearly split their sides, without attempting to assist him.
Even Tom--hard-hearted fellow--forgot to help his friend.
"Bear a hand, some of ye, and catch hold of my legs, or I'll be carried
off by the baste entirely," shouted Gerald. "And there's my horse
galloped off, and I'll have none to ride back on."
"Hold fast, Paddy! hold fast!" shouted his messmates, "it's such fun to
see you."
"It's you I want to be holding on to me, for if ye won't haul me down
the baste of a monkey will be after hauling me up. He'll be at the top
of the tree in another moment, and his friends will be carrying me off
among them, and I'll never set eyes again on Ballymacree, shone! shone!
but be turned into a spider-legged monkey, I will!" and poor Paddy began
to cry with terror as he pictured the fate in store for him. At length
Tom's regard for his friend overcame his love of fun, and throwing the
reins of his horse to Norris he jumped off, and catching hold of
Gerald's legs began hauling away with all his might. Now, though Master
Spider could, by his wonderful muscular power, manage to support one
midshipman, the weight of two was more than he could bear, and letting
go, down came Gerald, and over went Tom, with the monkey struggling and
scratching on the top of them, giving a revengeful nip on the most
exposed part of his new master's body. Master Spider hadn't long his
own way, however, for the reefers picking themselves up, Paddy gave him
a box on the ears, which though it made him show his teeth, brought him
to order, and the tired steed being found feeding close by, all hands
agreed that, unless they wished to be benighted, it was about time to
return shipward. Paddy declining the further companionship of Spider,
Tom took charge of him, and off they set down the mountain's side, for a
wonder reaching the plain without breaking their necks; their steeds
happily knowing the way better than they did. Darkness came on while
they were still galloping along.
"Och, sure our horses' hoofs are scattering the sparks all around us,"
cried Paddy. One of the more knowing of the party, however, discovered
that the sparks were fire-flies, flitting about above a damp spot
through which they were passing.
A good supper at the hotel quickly restored their exhausted spirits, and
they got safe on board with Master Spider. It was the last ride on
shore they enjoyed for many a long day. They were soon to be engaged in
more stirring and dangerous adventures.
We must now accompany the two lieutenants. On landing, having a bill to
get cashed, they repaired for that purpose to the establishment of a
certain Don Antonio Gomez, who acted as store-keeper and banker, and
was, they heard, one of the leading men in the place. He spoke English,
they found, remarkably well.
"Are you related to Mr Adair, of Ballymacree, in Ireland?" he asked, on
hearing Adair's name.
"I am his son," was the answer.
"Then I am truly delighted to see you, my dear sir," exclaimed the Don.
"My mother is the daughter of an uncle of yours--no; let me see--of a
great uncle who settled here some forty years ago or more, after the
island became a dependency of England. She will be charmed to welcome
you as a cousin. My wife, too, is Irish, and we have some guests also
who hail from the old country, so that you will be perfectly at home.
You will come up at once, and Lieutenant Rogers will, I hope, accompany
you."
Adair, of course, said all that could be expected; how enchanted he
should be to make the acquaintance of his cousin, of whom, till that
moment, however, he had never heard, while Jack gladly accepted the
invitation offered him. While they were speaking Don Antonio was
summoned on a matter of importance.
"I regret that I cannot accompany you at present," he said, on his
return; "I have therefore written to announce your coming, and have
ordered horses, with a servant to show you the way. They will be here
presently, and in the meantime you must fortify yourselves for the
journey with some tiffin."
He led his visitors to a large airy upper room looking out over the
gulf. In the centre was a table spread with all sorts of West-Indian
delicacies, and wines and spirits, and bottled beer. A person must go
to a hot climate to appreciate the latter liquid properly. Several
persons looked in, and took their seats at table as if it was a
customary thing. Some apparently were resident planters; others
skippers of merchantmen, and there were several foreigners, who spoke
only Spanish or French.
One of the last comers was a fine military-looking man, with a handsome
countenance, a few grey hairs sprinkling his otherwise dark hair and
moustache. Don Antonio introduced him to the two lieutenants as Colonel
O'Regan. The naval officers rose and bowed, and the Colonel taking his
seat opposite to them at once, as a man of the world, entered into
conversation.
"Colonel O'Regan has seen a good deal of service in the Peninsula and
elsewhere," observed Don Antonio to Adair; "knew your uncle, Major
Adair, and was with Sir Ralph Abercromby when this island changed
masters, I must confess very much to its advantage."
The colonel heard the last remark. "I was a mere boy at the time,
having only just joined my regiment," he observed, with a smile. "It
was not a very hazardous expedition, and had there been any fighting the
navy would have borne the brunt of it; but the gallant Spanish Admiral
Apodaca, whose memory is not held in the highest repute hereabouts, as
soon as he saw the British fleet, having landed his men, set fire to
four of his ships, and galloped off, that he might be the first to
convey the intelligence to the Governor Chacon, who was preparing to
defend the city from the expected assault. He entered at the head of a
band of priests, piously counting his rosary. `Burnt your ships,
admiral!' exclaimed Chacon, in astonishment. `Then I fear all is lost.'
`Oh, no, most noble governor, all is not lost, I assure you,' answered
the admiral. `I have saved! only think I have saved the image of
Santiago de Compostella, the patron of my ships and myself.'"
"Come, come, you are rather hard on the worthy Apodaca--his ships were
only half manned, and Admiral Harvey would have captured them all after
giving him a sound drubbing," observed Don Antonio, laughing
notwithstanding. "Besides it is a proof that we had pious men among us
in those days. Remember that we had not long before been deprived of
the holy Inquisition."
"You did not regret its loss, I presume," said the colonel. "I saw
something of what it must have been in Spain when its dungeons were
revealed to view."
"As to that I live under the English government, and prefer the English
system of managing matters," answered Don Antonio, but wishing to change
the subject he asked, "What news from the Main, colonel?"
"Unsatisfactory as usual," was the answer. "Something, however, must be
done or the cause will be lost, and I am resolved to be no longer
influenced by those half-hearted patriots as they call themselves."
Just then the horses were announced. "You will meet Colonel O'Regan, as
he will accompany me by-and-by," said Don Antonio to the lieutenants.
They found two richly caparisoned steeds waiting for them, with a sable
attendant in livery, mounted on a third. He would have astonished an
English groom. He wore huge spurs strapped to naked feet--a light blue
coat richly laced, an enormously high hat with a deep band, and a
flaming red waistcoat. He, however, was evidently satisfied with his
own appearance, and considered himself a person of no small importance.
"Mr Pedro Padillo show dee way to Massa Lieutenants," he said, bowing
after they had mounted. "When say starboard, keep to starboard; when
say larboard, keep to port; oderwise make way ahead."
"Thank you, Pedro--you have been at sea, I perceive," said Jack.
"Oh yes, massa. I serve aboard de King's ships, and oder craft many
years before turn head groom to Don Antonio," answered the black. "He
great man, as you shall see presently."
After rather more than an hour's ride under the steerage of Pedro, Jack
and Adair reached the country residence of Don Antonio, magnificently
situated on the broad shoulder of a mountain which rose clothed with
gigantic trees behind it, while in front lay the blue gulf dotted over
with the tiny sails of canoes--a highly cultivated plain stretched out
below--hill sides and forests, plantations and villas appearing on
either hand.
"Faith, my new cousin is well located. It bates Ballymacree I must
confess," said Adair, as they came in front of an extensive bungalow
style of building, with a broad verandah running along the front and two
sides, with such a garden as the tropics only can present, kept green by
a clear stream taught to meander through it, and the source of which
could be discerned as in a sparkling cascade it rushed down the mountain
side amid the trees. "I am curious to know what sort of person my elder
relative will prove, not to speak of the younger females of the family,"
added Adair.
As he spoke a cloud of white drapery was seen moving in the verandah.
It soon resolved itself into a tall, dignified old lady, another of
matronly appearance, and a bevy of young ones; two or three of them mere
girls; perfect Houris they seemed to Adair, and Jack was much of the
same opinion. As Adair threw himself from his horse, the old lady
advanced from among the rest, holding out both her hands.
"My young cousin, I am delighted to greet you. It is long, long since I
set eyes on one of my kindred from the old country, and you are
welcome--doubly welcome as coming direct from dear Ballymacree, the home
of my youth," she exclaimed, with a very perceptible Hibernian accent.
Terence made a suitable reply, albeit not much addicted to the utterance
of sentimental speeches, and then he was introduced to his younger
cousins of the second degree; and Jack, who had modestly hung back, came
forward, and went through the same pleasant ceremony. One damsel had
kept somewhat behind the rest as if she did not claim to be a relation.
"Irish to the core," thought Jack. "Large grey eyes, rich brown hair--
the complexion of the lily tinged with the rose--a figure a sylph might
envy."
"Let me make you known, Lieutenant Rogers and Cousin Terence to Miss
O'Regan," said the old lady, the others having retired a few paces, thus
allowing the officers to advance, which they did bowing, with admiration
depicted in their countenances, to the young lady. Courtesying, not
very formally, she put out her hand, and said with a laugh--
"I must beg to be considered among the cousinhood, or I shall feel like
a stranger in your midst."
The fair cousins gathered round laughing, and said, "Yes! yes! of
course!"
Adair took the beautiful little hand, so firm and cool, and felt very
much inclined to press it to his lips, but he did not. The same favour
was extended to Jack. They were soon as much at home as if they had
known each other for months. Donna Katerina, however, as the elder lady
was called, monopolised her cousin Terence, naturally eager to hear
about Ballymacree, and the various members of his family. She charged
him to bring up his nephew the next day; and hearing that Lieutenant
Rogers had a brother on board, insisted that he must come also. Jack
had thus for some time the young ladies to himself; which were most
worthy of admiration he could not decide--they were all so charming; but
undoubtedly Miss O'Regan--her friends called her Stella--which sounded
more romantic to Jack's ears than her surname--was perfection or near
it.
A very pleasant afternoon was spent with music and singing, and
conversation, and a stroll in the shade under the lofty trees, between
which the breeze found its way, keeping the atmosphere tolerably cool
and agreeable. Jack and Terence thought that they should like, if not
to spend the rest of their days in so delightful a spot, to come back to
it some time or other; but they did not venture to hint at such a thing
just then. On returning to the house they found that Don Antonio, with
Colonel O'Regan and their own captain, had arrived. The latter seemed
as much struck with Stella as they had been, and they could not help
feeling a little jealous of him, though they need not have been so, as
he paid her no more attention than he did the other young ladies. He
gave them, moreover, leave to remain on shore, as he intended returning
on board, and he promised Donna Katerina to send up her young cousin,
and Tom Rogers the next morning. Several other gentlemen arrived, and
dinner was announced--a magnificent entertainment--plate and crystal and
sparkling wines in profusion, and all sorts of tropical delicacies.
Then came music and dancing--chiefly waltzes. The young Creoles swam
through the dances; Stella moved with more life in her than all of them.
Captain Hemming seldom danced. He could not resist the temptation
altogether, but he was engaged for the most of the evening in earnest
conversation with Colonel O'Regan. He returned to town in the carriage
of one of the guests, and soon afterwards the whole party retired to
rest.
As the lieutenants slept within earshot of the colonel they were unable
to discuss Stella--a great privation. Don Antonio was a planter as well
as a merchant, and he had invited his guests to visit his cocoa
plantation, of which he was justly proud, three or four miles in the
interior. The midshipmen, who had started by daybreak, arrived just as
the party were setting off. They looked somewhat blank, when but a
slight refreshment only was offered them, but were comforted when they
found that they were to breakfast on their return. Gerald was received
by Donna Katerina as a kinsman, and he and Tom were taken in charge by
the younger of the young ladies. Some of the party went in carriages;
others, Stella among them, on horseback, with Terence and Jack as her
attendants. She rode like a thorough Irish girl well accustomed to the
saddle.
The party proceeded along picturesque lanes, mostly in the shade of
umbrageous trees, crossing many a brawling brook, till they reached, on
the gentle slope of a hill, the confines of a lofty forest, with a
peculiar undergrowth of shrubs from ten to fifteen feet in height of a
delicate green tint. These were the cocoa-trees, and the duty of the
more lofty ones, whose boughs, interlaced by numberless creepers, formed
a thick roof, was to shelter them from the burning rays of the sun. A
centre road ran through the plantation, intersected by numerous
cross-paths, all lined with dark-leaved coffee bushes covered with
jessamine blossoms, giving forth an exquisite perfume, while water in
gentle rills conveyed life and fertility to every part. The horses were
left at the house of the overseer while the party sauntered through the
plantation enjoying the grateful shade, and the cool breeze which fanned
their cheeks.
"How delightful!" exclaimed Jack. "I am greatly tempted to come on
shore, and turn cocoa planter."
"What, and give up the noble profession to which you belong?" asked the
young lady by his side. "I should have expected better of you, Mr
Rogers." It was the first time Jack had heard Stella utter an
expression which showed her character. "While there are wrongs to be
righted, and the defenceless to be protected, I trust that no one
engaged in the noble profession of arms will think of sheathing his
sword."
"I spoke from the impulse of the moment. I really have no intention of
leaving the navy, which I love as much as any man."
"I am glad of it," said Stella, giving him an approving smile.
Jack, who was decidedly matter-of-fact, was wondering what wrongs Stella
wished him to redress, when their conversation was interrupted, and he
had no opportunity of asking her till they had mounted their horses and
were riding homeward. Jack at last put the question.
"In all parts of the world," answered Stella, with some little
hesitation. "Look, too, over yonder vast continent." She pointed to
the blue mountains of Cumana seen across the gulf. "From north to south
wrong and oppression reigns. Even in those states nominally free, one
set of tyrants have but been superseded by another as regardless of the
rights of the people as the first."
"I have not often met young ladies imbued with sentiments such as
yours," observed Jack.
"Few young ladies you have met, probably, have fathers like mine,"
answered Stella.
She stopped as if she was saying too much. Jack recollected the
observations he had heard at Don Antonio's luncheon-room. Probably the
colonel is engaged in one of the many revolutionary schemes connected
with the late Spanish South American dependencies, he thought. "His
daughter very naturally has faith in the justice of the cause he has
espoused."
"Yes, I confess that I have adopted my father's sentiments," said
Stella, as if she had known what was passing in his mind. "It is but
natural, for we are all in all to each other. My mother is dead, and I
have no sister or brother. He might have enjoyed a well-won rest at
home without dishonour; but he disdained, while possessing health and
strength, to remain in idleness, and I entreated that he would not leave
me behind, so we came out here some time ago; and while he has made
excursions on the continent, I have mostly resided with our friends
here, though I have occasionally accompanied him. We have made some
long trips by sea, and I have ridden with him several hundred miles on
horseback."
Jack, who believed that young ladies were most fitly employed in
household affairs, or in practising the accomplishments they might have
learned with an occasional attendance at a ball or archery meeting,
thought his fair companion an enthusiast, a perfect heroine of romance,
though he did not tell her so. She possibly considered him somewhat
dull and phlegmatic. Jack's notion of duty was to gain as much
professional knowledge as possible; to obey the orders he might receive,
and to carry them out to the best of his ability.
The midshipmen had no reason to complain of the breakfast spread before
them on their return to the house; meats and sweets and fruits, unknown
even by name; and such coffee, and perfectly ambrosial cacao. The young
ladies seemed to have nothing to do but to amuse them, and perfectly
ready they were to be amused, in a quiet way though, for the heat in the
middle of the day was too great for much skylarking.
Don Antonio and the other gentlemen had gone into the town but they
returned in the evening with Captain Hemming, who invited all the party
to take a cruise to the southern end of the island, as he wished to
visit the Pitch Lake and the Indian settlements, and to perform certain
official duties. The colonel and his daughter, and Don Antonio and his
wife, with most of the young ladies, accepted it, and a very delightful
trip they had; and, of course, a dance was got up on board, which was
more interesting to the fair damsels and the naval officers than any of
the natural curiosities the island could afford. It was whispered in
the gunroom that they were to have some of their visitors on board for a
much longer time, and it at last came out that the captain had promised
a passage to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter to Jamaica. Adair and
Gerald rode out to wish their cousins good-bye. The old lady was as
cordial as ever, and all of them made much of the midshipmen; but
Terence had a slight suspicion that the younger ones were somewhat
piqued that he and Jack had not laid their hearts at their feet. They
were very pretty, charming girls, he acknowledged, and he was not
certain what might have happened had he remained longer. Perhaps they
were just a little jealous of Stella. He thought so when his sweet
cousin Maria whispered, "No one will deny that she is very beautiful,
but she is cold as the snow on Chimborazo, and it is said that while
playing havoc with the affections of her admirers, she leaves them to
their fate with the most callous indifference."
"Jack Rogers thinks very differently of her," remarked Adair. "He says
that she is one of the most enthusiastic creatures he has ever met; but
still I don't know that he can exactly make her out."
"No one can," answered Maria. "She seems very affectionate to us, and
grateful for the attention we have been able to show her, and yet we do
not know her better now than we did at first."
Just then the subject of their conversation approached, and directly
afterwards Jack and his brother rode up to pay a short farewell visit,
and to escort Stella to the town, where her father was waiting for her
to go on board the frigate. The bustle of preparation prevented any
further conversation. Donna Katerina assured Terence that he might rely
on being welcomed as a relative should he return to Trinidad, and was
equally civil to Jack when, in his usual hearty way, he wished his
friends good-bye. He was watched narrowly as he handed Stella into the
carriage, but the keenest eyes could not detect anything in his manner
beyond the ordinary respect due to a lady.
The captain had come to the landing-place to escort his guests on board
the frigate. They reached her side just as the sunset gun was fired.
Stella gave not the slightest start at the sound, but sat as unmoved as
her soldier father. Jack remarked the grace and, at the same time, the
confidence with which she stepped up the accommodation-ladder, and
walked along the deck as if well accustomed to ascending a ship's side.
"I never met a girl better fitted to be a heroine than she is," he
thought. "Still my sister Mary and Lucy are of the style I fancy best."
The young lady was followed by her only attendant, a black damsel,
carrying her dressing-case, and other articles, which nothing would
induce her to commit to the charge of the men who offered to take them.
"Missie Stella tell me not lose dem," she answered, with a knowing shake
of her head. "No, no, tank yoo."
Stella retired at an early hour to the cabin the captain had fitted up
for her, with a small one close to it for the faithful Polly. She
wished to be on deck, she said, to see the ship get under weigh in the
morning. She and the colonel were pretty freely discussed in the
gunroom and midshipmen's berth. All acknowledged that she was handsome,
but some thought her proud and haughty, and others that she was rather
slow, whilst Gerald was of opinion that his cousins beat her hollow, in
which Tom agreed with him heartily.
"Much more jolly girls they are," said Tom. "How they laughed at
Spider's antics! I only wish we may find a batch of such cousins in
every place we go to with as capital a country-house."
Terence pronounced her a Sphinx. Perhaps he was biassed by the opinion
the fair Maria had expressed. Jack did not altogether like to hear her
talked about, especially by the master and purser, or the lieutenant of
marines, who called her a monstrously fine woman. The colonel was fair
game. No one could make out who he was, what brought him out to that
part of the world, or why the captain was so polite to him. Perhaps it
was for his daughter's sake. He was stiff and donnish, and had scarcely
condescended to speak to any one. Jack and Terence defended him on this
point, but still he did not appear to have made a favourable impression
during the day he had been on board.
With a leading wind and on the brightest of bright mornings, the frigate
was standing towards the Boca de Huevos, one of the dragon's mouths,
which lead out of the Gulf of Paria into the open ocean. Everything
looked brilliant--the ship herself, the sea, the sky, the land. The
passage seemed broad enough for a dozen ships to sail out abreast,
between the lofty tree-covered crags which formed the shores of the
islands on either side. Still every precaution was taken; the lead was
kept going, the crew were at their stations. Stella and her father
stood on the deck watching the shore as the ship glided rapidly on.
Lieutenant Jennings was the only person at liberty to attend to them,
and he was doing his best to make himself agreeable; but he found, after
a few attempts, that he succeeded better with the colonel than with his
daughter. "Grand cliffs those," he observed; "awkward for a ship to run
against. No chance of our doing so, however."
"Not so certain of that," answered the colonel. "The wind is scant and
has fallen."
The yards were braced sharp up, and the quartermaster was keeping the
ship as close to the wind as possible.
"Why we are almost through the passage; a few hundred yards more, and we
shall be in the open sea," remarked the lieutenant.
"Without a breeze those few hundred yards will be too much for us," said
the colonel.
As he spoke the sails gave a loud flap; now they filled, and the
countenance of the captain brightened; now they flapped again, and it
soon became evident that the frigate was drifting, stern first, away
from the line of the open sea so nearly reached, towards the cliffs on
the starboard hand, driven by a fierce current, which set in diagonally
from the northward through the passage. Slowly but certainly she
floated back. Had it been directly through the passage, it would not
have mattered; but having no steerage way, she was at the mercy of the
current, and that was taking her directly towards the cliffs. Many an
eye was turned aloft to the canvas on which their safety depended. Just
then the most coal-begrimed steamer would not have been despised. The
captain gave the order for all the boats to be got ready for lowering;
still he had hopes that the breeze would again freshen, but he could not
hide from himself the danger the ship was in. All the boats towing
ahead could not stem that fierce current. Ever and anon, too, the swell
from the sea came rolling in smooth as glass, setting the ship towards
the rocks. Not the faintest zephyr filled even the royals. Even should
her head be got round to the southward, she would still be drifted
bodily to destruction. Stella clearly comprehended the danger, and
watched with admiration the cool and calm bearing of the officers. A
cable was ranged for letting go as a last resource, but the depth of
water where they then were precluded any hope of an anchor holding.
Nearer and nearer the ship drew to the towering cliffs.
"Lower the boats," cried the captain.
Their active crews sprang into them, and tow-ropes being passed they
began to pull, as English seamen are wont to pull, against the hot
current; but all their efforts seemed of no avail in retarding the
sternward progress of the frigate. It appeared at length as if in
another minute her spanker-boom would be driven against the cliffs,
while the outer branches of the tall trees which towered on their
summits seemed almost to hang over the mast heads. Smooth as was the
water, an angry surf broke against the rocks at the foot of the cliffs,
too clearly indicating what must be the fate of the proud frigate should
she drive against them. The lead kept going, showed the depth of water
still to be great. Suddenly the ship seemed to be brought to a
standstill; the lead-line remained up and down. The hand in the chains
announced the fact. It was evident that she had got into dead water,
but she still felt the influence of the rollers; for although the boat's
crews pulled as hard as ever, they could not move her ahead. It would
be impossible for them also to continue their exertions much longer,
while but a slight puff of wind from the opposite shore would hasten her
fate.
"Well, I never thought there could be danger in smooth water and a calm,
and the land close to us," said Tom, who observed the anxious faces of
those around him.
"There are many things not dreamed of in your philosophy, youngster,
which you'll learn in time," answered Higson. "Before many minutes are
over we may chance to have the masts come tumbling about our ears, and I
would advise you, and the rest not wanted on deck, to get below out of
the way in good time."
"What, you don't mean to say that the ship is likely to be wrecked?"
said Tom.
"Ay, but I do, if one of two things don't happen," answered Higson.
"Let's hope that they may that the anchor may hold, or that a breeze may
come from off the cliffs aboard of us."
"Let go," sang out the captain.
"All gone!" shouted Adair from forward.
At that moment Master Spider, having managed to get clear of his chain,
seeing the green trees so near him, was off up the rigging with the
evident intention of having a ramble among them. Tom and Gerald caught
sight of their new pet at the same moment, and forgetting danger or
discipline up the shrouds they sprang in chase.
"Might as well try to catch greased lightning as that long-armed beast,"
observed Higson, who did not, however, attempt to stop them. Spider
quickly reached the main-topsail-yard-arm, but finding that the tempting
trees were still utterly beyond his reach, up the topping-lift he
swarmed, and in another instant was on the royal-yard. Thither the
midshipmen followed, but Spider showed an inclination to defend his
position, and sat grinning at them from the end of the yard, round which
his prehensile tail was firmly curled. He had an advantage they did not
possess, being able to hold on tightly, and yet have both his hands at
liberty. As Tom, who led the way, put out his hand to catch the
creature, he received so severe a bite that he almost let go. Still he
was not to be defeated by a monkey. The two midshipmen, now getting out
their handkerchiefs, formed nooses, in which they hoped to catch Master
Spider's paws, and advanced together, forgetting that snake-like tail of
his, with which he could keep at anchor, let them haul ever so hard.
Apparently, however, not liking their threatening front, before they
could seize him he made a spring over their heads, and was in an instant
calmly seated on the main-truck. They were about to follow, when Jack,
catching sight of them, called them down instantly.
"What, all three of us, sir?" asked Gerald, unable to resist the joke,
which set the men grinning fore-and-aft, in spite of the perilous
position of the ship.
"No; the two biggest of you; let the smaller monkey take his own time to
come down," answered Jack.
Tom and Gerald descended, looking rather foolish, and the former had to
go to the doctor to have his finger dressed, for Spider had given it a
severe nip.
The lead-line betokened fifty fathoms where the frigate had cast anchor.
The sails hung in the brails. Captain Hemming was on the watch for the
slightest flaw of wind which might enable him to get out of his
dangerous position. The boats were still kept ahead; the rest of the
crew were at their stations, the marines and idlers ready to pull and
haul. It was a time of breathless anxiety. No one could tell what
might next happen. Spider might have fancied that the eyes turned aloft
were directed at him, instead of towards the sluggish royals. Wistfully
he gazed at the green branches, but he was too wise a monkey to suppose
that he could reach them. Still, with his tail curled under it, he sat
on the truck, as comfortably posted as he could desire.
Scarcely a word was uttered only occasionally Stella and her father
exchanged observations. The colonel seemed positively to enjoy the
anxiety.
"Ah! now we have an example of what strict discipline can accomplish,"
he said. "Spaniards or Frenchmen would have given way to despair and
lost their ship. These fine fellows will save theirs, though they would
have been wiser to have taken the wider passage. Would that I had a
thousand or two of such: there might be better hope for the regeneration
of South America."
"You will succeed in spite of all difficulties," said Stella, looking up
into her father's face with a proud, fond glance; "you will conquer
them."
Ten, twenty minutes went slowly by, the bright sun beating down fiercely
on deck, and on the heads of the people in the boats, till they felt as
if their brains were frying. Mr Cherry sent the dingy ahead with a
breaker of water to them. It was drained to the last drop. Suddenly
the royals were seen slowly to bulge out; the topgallant-sails followed
their example.
"Let fall! sheet home!" cried the captain, and on the word the whole
crew were set in motion, those on deck tramping along at headlong speed
with the sheets in their hands.
"Slip the cable, starboard the helm!" were the next orders. Adair
shouted to those in the boats to pull ahead. The chain ran out as the
ship slowly gathered way with her head across the channel, and she began
to move off from the threatening cliffs. In the course of a few minutes
she had gained the centre of the passage, when steering south she
re-entered the gulf, and came to anchor. Here she remained, the boats
having been sent to recover the anchor, till a favourable breeze carried
her through the Boca de Navios, and clear away from the land.