A BALL AT ANTIGUA--A HURRICANE PUTS A STOP TO THE DANCING--A RIDE
THROUGH THE STORM--MURRAY'S RIDE WITH STELLA, AND A DECLARATION--COLONEL
O'REGAN AND HIS DAUGHTER SAIL IN THE SARAH JANE.
The inhabitants of Antigua are noted for their hospitality. The
officers of the two ships received as many invitations as they could
accept, with the loan of horses whenever they chose to ride. They lived
on shore in airy barracks--far pleasanter quarters than the close cabins
of the ships afforded. The colonel and his daughter were living at a
cottage in the neighbourhood. Murray was Stella's constant attendant
when she rode, and a frequent visitor at the cottage. If her father
remarked the attention paid her by the young lieutenant, he did not
consider it necessary to interfere. Perhaps he had ascertained that
Murray was well off, and thought it best to let matters take their
course; or, perhaps, absorbed in his own schemes, it did not occur to
him that his daughter, who seemed so devoted to the cause he advocated,
could do so weak a thing as fall in love. At all events, Alick lived in
an elysium partly created by his imagination, and did not allow the
future to interfere with his present happiness. Jack and Adair still
thought Stella very charming, but, observing Alick's devotion to her,
they would have considered it a gross breach of friendship to attempt
cutting him out. She had other admirers, but she certainly gave them no
encouragement. The midshipmen of the frigate thought their captain
spoony, and the captain's clerk of the _Tudor_ was guilty of a most
reprehensible breach of confidence, if he spoke the truth, in whispering
that he had one day discovered on the commander's desk a sonnet
addressed to Stella's eyebrow. The fact, however, was doubted, as
Captain Babbicome had never been suspected of possessing the slightest
poetical talent, nor had a book of poetry ever been seen in his cabin.
"Still," insisted the clerk, "love can work wonders. It must have been
poetry, for the lines all began with capitals, and were written in the
middle of the page."
At length the ball took place. The Antiguan young ladies were full of
life and spirit, and danced to perfection, never getting tired, so that
the officers had no lack of partners, and voted it great fun. There
were many very pretty girls among them, and several with much more of
the rose on their cheeks than usually falls to the share of West Indian
damsels. Some censorious critic even ventured to hint that it was added
by the hand of art. That this was false was evident, for the weather
was so hot that had rouge been used it would have inevitably been
detected; but the island damsels trusted to their good figures and
features, and their lively manners and conversation, rather than to any
meretricious charms, to win admiration. Stella was generally considered
the most charming of the maidens present, as undoubtedly she was the
most blooming, and she seemed to enjoy the ball as much as any one. She
danced with Captain Hemming, and went through a quadrille with Commander
Babbicome. He then entreated her to perform a valse with him. Laughing
heartily, she advised him not to make the attempt. Even the quiet dance
had reduced him to a melting mood.
"Why, you have valsed twice with my second lieutenant," he remarked, his
choler rising.
Stella gave him a look which might have shown him that he had better
have held his tongue. The ball, which began at a primitively early
hour, had been going on for some time, when a fierce blast which shook
the building to its very foundations swept over it.
"A hurricane has burst on the island," was the general exclamation.
"Will it be a heavy one?"
The increasing tempest gave the response.
The naval captains thought of their ships, the residents of their
plantations. Not that there was much risk for the former, as they were
snugly moored; but still it was impossible to say what might happen.
Preparations were made by all the officers and several of the gentlemen
for instant departure; but, of course, the ladies could not face the
tempest. Most of them, however, had not much heart for dancing, when,
possibly, before morning their houses would be roofless and their
fathers' plantations laid low. A few persevered, in spite of the
whirlwind raging over their heads, but even they had at length to give
up. Their host insisted on all his female guests remaining. Cloaks and
shawls were collected, and sofas and chairs brought into the ball-room,
which was turned into a dormitory for those who could not be
accommodated in the other rooms. Stella wanted to accompany her father,
and was with difficulty persuaded to remain. Murray offered to ride
back as soon as the gale was over to escort her, and she smiled her
consent. The colonel declared that he must go to look after his friends
and their cottage, for he had no other excuse to offer. The officers
started on horseback, but they could with difficulty sit their steeds or
keep their naval cloaks around them as they faced the hurricane. Poor
Commander Babbicome had a hard task to perform, as his struggling steed
plunged forward in the darkness; and Jack and Adair, who in compassion
rode up to his assistance, found him clutching tightly by the animal's
mane, as he shouted out--
"Steady, now--steady, you brute! What is the wind about that it cannot
let a man sit his horse in quiet?"
It was no easy matter, however, for the best of horsemen to keep their
seats, and in the more exposed situations it seemed as if rider and
steed would be blown over together. Leaves, dust, stones, branches of
trees, and even heavier objects, came rushing through the air in dense
clouds, striking the travellers and obscuring their sight, so that it
was often impossible to see where they were going. The colonel seemed
to revel in the wild uproar of the elements, and led the way through the
darkness, shouting to his companions to follow. They were passing along
a part of the road with tall trees on either side. The dark branches
above their heads could be seen waving wildly to and fro, the tops
bending before the blast. Ever and anon huge boughs were torn off, and
several fell, sometimes in front, sometimes directly behind them, but no
one had been struck. Then there came a fearful crash. A large tree had
fallen directly in front of them. Jack thought that the colonel had
been crushed; but no, there he was, sitting his horse as upright as
ever. He had had a narrow escape, though.
"On, friends, on," he shouted. "It is more hazardous to stop than to
push forward."
And he leapt his steed over the trunk. Captain Hemming and Murray
followed, their horses scrambling rather than leaping over the
impediment. Jack and Adair might have done the same, but they would not
desert the commander of the _Tudor_, by this time well-nigh frightened
out of his wits. Several of the rest who made the attempt toppled over
with their beasts on their heads.
"Leap, my good fellows? I could no more do it than fly!" exclaimed
Commander Babbicome, when he came to the tree.
"You had better climb over, and I'll bring your horse after you," said
Jack.
"If I get off, I shall never get on again," cried the commander. "Bless
my heart, what shall I do?"
"Better try than run the chance of being crushed here," said Jack.
At that moment another of the waving trees came crashing down close
behind them, cutting off all retreat had it been contemplated. At the
sound off tumbled Commander Babbicome; and in another instant, with more
agility than he generally displayed, he had scrambled over the trunk,
and pitched right in among the men and horses, struggling to get on
their legs on the other side. Happily no one was much hurt, and some of
his officers having assisted to place him on his feet, he set off
running as fast as his legs could carry him. His steed, relieved of its
burden, urged by Jack and Terence, got over better than the rest; and
when they at length overtook him, they managed to hoist him again into
his saddle. Though he cut a somewhat undignified figure on this
occasion they had no inclination to laugh at him, for they believed him
to be as brave as most men under ordinary circumstances on the deck of
his ship. They were both, too, very anxious about Tom and Gerald, and
they could only hope that if the drogher had not returned she was safe
in some other port. Battered and bruised, though they had escaped any
serious accident, the party at length reached the harbour. The officers
who had remained behind and all the men to be found had hurried on board
the ships directly the hurricane burst; additional hawsers had been got
out; the topmasts had been struck, and everything necessary had been
done. It was rather provoking to find that they might have remained on
at the ball, but satisfactory to feel that all was right, and that they
had done their duty. In almost any other harbour in the West Indies the
case might have been very different. They, of course, spent the rest of
the night on board.
Nothing had been seen of the drogher, and Jack and Adair agreed that
should she not appear in two or three days they would get leave to go in
search of her. She might have been wrecked on one of the neighbouring
islands, and the party on board be unable to obtain the means of
returning. By noon the next day the hurricane had ceased, and Murray
accompanied Colonel O'Regan to Saint John's, followed by a servant
leading Stella's horse, and carrying her riding-habit. In every
direction the havoc caused by the storm was visible; cottages blown down
or unroofed, sugar-canes laid low, fruit-trees upturned or stripped of
their fruit; in many places the road was almost impassable; but
labourers were at work with saws and axes clearing away the trunks which
lay across it. In the evening, when the air was comparatively cool and
refreshing, Murray rode back with Stella. The colonel was detained by a
person on business just as they were setting off, and begged that they
would ride on, saying that he would overtake them. Alick said more than
he had ever before ventured to do. Stella turned away her head while he
was speaking; then, lifting her eyes to his face with an expression in
hers certainly not of annoyance or anger, she answered--
"You have your profession, Mr Murray. You assuredly do not contemplate
quitting that, and I am the daughter of one the world calls an
adventurer. I cannot desert him while he allows me to bear him company,
and I know not in what direction his fate may lead him. Perchance your
regard for me may prove but a passing fancy, and you would regret having
bound yourself to one whom, after we part on this occasion, you may not
meet again for years, when she may be so changed, as everything we see
around us changes, that you would not recognise her. I know too well
that this has been the case with others--why not with us?"
Her voice trembled as she uttered the last sentences. Murray urged
every plea which his honest affection prompted. He had no fears of what
she dreaded. He trusted that before long he should obtain his
promotion, and then, in these piping times of peace, he might expect to
remain for some time on shore, and be able to occupy his Highland home.
"I dare not pledge my troth, but there is no one for whose happiness I
can more earnestly pray," said Stella, looking at him with her bright
eyes beaming as the most ardent lover could desire. Will that satisfy
you?
"Yes, dearest Stella because I know that you would not trifle with one
who has given you a true and faithful heart," answered Alick. He had
never before uttered such words, and the tone of his voice showed the
deep feeling which prompted them.
"I believe you," she said simply.
Alick would rather have had a more demonstrative reply. A rough road
strewn with branches, and other impediments to their progress, was not
favourable for such a conversation. Still, as Stella had not objected
to the terms he had applied to her, he had no reason to complain. They
rode on for some time in silence. Stella was the first to break it.
"Mr Murray, you need not feel yourself bound to speak to my father on
the subject, indeed I would rather you should not," she said. "He pays
me the compliment of putting full confidence in my discretion, and
leaves me to act as I consider right. I suspect that his affection
prevents him from believing me otherwise than perfect, and he thinks,
consequently, that I am incapable of doing anything of which he would
not approve."
"In my eyes, too, you are perfect, Stella," said Alick. "That by your
own reasoning is the best proof of affection."
"I do not doubt yours, Mr Murray, I am sure of it, and I am more than
grateful," answered Stella, looking up at him. "Still affection should
not blind us to the faults of those we love, as in time the tinsel must
wear off our idols, and disappointment, if not a painful reaction, will
be the result."
"But all idols are not tinselled," said Alick. "The spotless Parian
marble--"
"I object altogether to idol worship," interrupted Stella. "I desire to
be loved for myself, I own, but I would be so with all my faults and
failings known. Could I be sure of them I would tell them to you, but I
cannot boast of having attained to the height of wisdom, and learnt to
know myself. I must leave to you the task of discovering them, and the
means for their correction; only let me entreat you to believe that they
exist, and perhaps are more numerous than you will think possible."
Of course Alick very sincerely protested that Stella and imperfection
could not be named together, except as contrasts, for he truly thought
so. She sighed, and then smiled, and the colonel cantering up cut short
the interesting conversation--interesting to the two persons concerned,
at all events.
"Stella, I find that we must start for Jamaica immediately," he said.
"If Captain Hemming cannot proceed there, we shall be compelled to go by
another vessel. A brig now in the harbour, I understand, sails for Port
Royal to-morrow; and though I would defer our departure for three days
longer, unless either of the men-of-war is to sail by the end of that
time, we must not lose the present opportunity."
"So soon!" ejaculated Stella. She said no more, for she no more thought
of inquiring the motive of her father's actions than of opposing his
wishes. Alick watched her countenance. It was graver and more sad than
he had ever seen it. Her lip quivered, but with a strong effort she
recovered herself, though she did not venture to trust her voice. Alick
knew that Captain Hemming would not sail before the return of the
drogher with his midshipmen, or should she not appear until he had
endeavoured to ascertain their fate. The colonel asked Murray's
opinion. Alick gave it, but advised him to apply to Captain Hemming on
the possibility of his sending the _Tudor_ on to Jamaica before the
frigate. His heart beat with hope that this might be done, and Stella's
countenance brightened when he spoke of it.
Their friends, the Houghtons, with whom Stella and her father were
staying, were much concerned when they heard of his determination.
"But must your daughter accompany you, colonel?" asked Mrs Houghton, a
good-natured, motherly dame, whose daughters were all married. "We
shall be delighted if Stella will remain with us, and we will find her
an escort when the frigate sails; though, for my part, I would not
hesitate to send a daughter of mine and a female attendant without one."
Stella did not express her thanks for this proposal with the warmth
which might have been expected. The colonel accompanied Murray to the
barracks, where they found the two captains. The colonel stated his
wishes. Captain Hemming regretted that he could not sail in time to
suit his convenience, but if Miss O'Regan would remain with the
Houghtons he should be delighted to give her and her attendant a
passage, and any lady who might be able to accompany her. He would,
however, consult Commander Babbicome and ascertain whether the _Tudor_
could be got ready for sea in time. Commander Babbicome was mute. When
the colonel had gone, he expressed himself somewhat strongly to his
superior.
"He had heard reports concerning Colonel O'Regan's schemes, and he had
no wish to commit himself by carrying such a person on board his ship--
charming as Miss O'Regan might be considered by some. He did not always
go with the herd."
The captain of the frigate could send the _Tudor_ to sea, but he could
not compel her commander to give up his cabin to passengers, so he did
not press the point. It would have been better for Commander Babbicome
had he been more courteous, but no more than other mortals could he
foresee what the future was to bring forth.
Colonel O'Regan went on board the brig _Sarah Jane_. Though of so
unwarlike a name, she was a large rakish craft, evidently very fast,
with square yards and taunt masts, well fitted for a blockade-runner or
any work of that description; and her skipper, a dark, big-whiskered
fellow, looked the man fit to command her. He and the colonel shook
hands as if they had before been acquainted, and had a long
conversation.
"Under the circumstances, colonel, we'll clear out for Portobello
instead of Port Royal," he said, laughing; "for as you know we have a
roving commission, and we may find a better market for our goods on the
Spanish Main than at a British port. I expect to fall in with the sloop
to the westward of Saint Kitt's, when we may get some stores from her
and proceed in company."
The colonel having concluded his arrangements, returned to the cottage.
Stella evinced no surprise when he communicated his change of plan.
"Am I to accompany you?" she asked in a faltering voice, while her cheek
became paler than usual. At one time she would have entreated to be
allowed to go without asking whither.
"As the cabins of the brig are commodious, and the frigate is not likely
to sail for some time, I shall be glad of your society," answered the
colonel, not remarking her increasing agitation.
"Should the state of affairs not be more propitious than of late, I
intend returning forthwith to Jamaica, where I will leave you with your
relatives, the Bradshaws, while I go back once more to await the course
of events. You will thus, probably, reach Jamaica sooner than you would
have done had you waited for these laggard men-of-war."
Stella had become calm again while her father uttered the last
sentences. She expressed her readiness to do as he wished, and said,
truly, that she wished ever to be with him; though she might have added,
that she pined for the time when he would be content to abandon his
schemes, and settle in some quiet home either in Britain or one of her
colonies, as he had at times talked of doing when his restless spirit
was for a time quelled by weariness or disappointment.
Kind Mr and Mrs Houghton pressed her to remain with them, and to go on
to Jamaica in the frigate. They feared, with good reason, that Stella
would be exposed to all sorts of dangers if she accompanied the colonel;
they had no confidence in his schemes, and they thought him very wrong
in wishing to take her with him, though they did not tell her so.
"I will assist you, my dear, to get over one of your difficulties, for I
dare say you do not think it quite the thing to be alone on board the
frigate without a chaperone," exclaimed Mrs Houghton, coming into
Stella's room. "I have long promised to pay a visit to my daughter
Julia and her husband, whose estate is next to the Bradshaws, and I
intend to ask Captain Hemming to give me a passage. What do you say,
Stella? Your father cannot object to my plan--it is so evidently the
right one. Shall I tell him that you agree to it?"
It was a severe trial for Stella, but she was resolute in doing what she
believed to be her duty. She thanked Mrs Houghton warmly for her
kindness. She was, however, under orders. As a soldier's daughter she
had learnt obedience. Unless her father commanded her to remain at
Antigua, she must embark in the brig. What effect the arguments of
Alick Murray might have produced, it is impossible to say. He,
unfortunately, was detained by duty on board the corvette, and did not
reach the cottage till late in the evening, not aware of Colonel
O'Regan's altered plans. He was thunderstruck when he heard of them,
and very much inclined to quarrel with the colonel, who did not seem to
be aware that he was inducing his daughter to make any unusual
sacrifice.
Thanks to Mrs Houghton's management, Alick and Stella were alone for a
short time. She did not disguise from him how much the parting cost
her, but entreated him to keep up his spirits in the hope that they
might soon again meet in Jamaica. Alick, with Rogers and Adair,
accompanied Stella and the colonel on board the brig the next morning.
The two latter knew that they were not intruding on their friend. They
warmly entered into his feelings, though they might have doubted that
Stella's affection for him was as deep as he supposed, especially when
they observed her tearless eye and calm manner when she parted from him.
Their boat remained alongside till the brig was well out of the
harbour. As long as any one could be discerned on board, a figure was
seen standing at the stern watching them as they pulled back. Alick did
not speak. All seemed a dream to him; but yesterday, he thought himself
the happiest of mortals. Now Stella was gone, and to what fearful
dangers might she not be exposed! Rogers and Adair wished to divert his
thoughts, and began to talk of the missing midshipmen. "The captain
gives them three days more, and if the drogher does not appear at the
end of that time, he intends to send the _Tudor_ to look for them," said
Jack. "I regret allowing Tom to go, for when a number of youngsters are
together they are sure to get into mischief."
"We found it so occasionally in our younger days to be sure," observed
Adair. "I, too, am sorry I let Gerald go; however, Higson is a steady
fellow, and I hope has taken good care of them."
"When Houghton heard that we were becoming anxious about the youngsters,
he offered to send his schooner, the _Swordfish_, to look for them,"
observed Murray, rousing himself up. "If I can get leave from
Babbicome, and I am sure he will give it to escape having to take the
_Tudor_ to sea, I will go in the schooner. She is far better fitted for
cruising among the islands than the corvette, and will be more likely to
find the drogher."
"A good idea of yours, Alick, and I will go with you, as I am sure to
get leave," said Jack.
Adair wished that he could go also, but he and Rogers could not be away
from the ship together for any length of time. Jack and Terence, like
true friends, stuck close to Alick for the remainder of the day, doing
their utmost to keep him from brooding over his unhappiness. His
feelings, they knew, were too deep to allow them to banter him, as they
would probably have done under ordinary circumstances.