JAMAICA--MURRAY APPOINTED TO THE SUPPLEJACK BRIG--PULL UP TO KINGSTON--
PORT ROYAL JACK--JOHNNY FERONG'S STORE--VISIT TO THE BRADSHAWS--KIND
RECEPTION--RETURN--THE SUPPLEJACK SAILS FOR THE SOUTHWARD.
Jamaica, a hundred and sixty miles long, by forty-five broad, is, as
everybody knows, a very magnificent island; but, alas! its ancient glory
has departed for a time, though it is to be hoped that one of the many
panaceas proposed for its renovation may, ere long, restore it to its
pristine state of prosperity. Port Royal, or Kingston Harbour, capable
of holding a thousand tall ships, lies on its southern side, towards its
eastern end. The harbour has for its sea boundary a low, narrow, sandy
strip of land, several miles in length, called the Palisades, running
from the east towards the west; at which end is seen the town of Port
Royal standing a few feet above the water, and looking complacently down
on its predecessor, buried eight fathoms below the surface by the
earthquake of 1692. Here, too, is the Royal Naval Yard, hospital,
barracks, and the works of Fort Charles defending the entrance, which is
rendered still more difficult of access to an enemy by the Apostles'
Battery erected on the opposite side, with a fine range of mountains
rising directly above it. Kingston, that not over delectable of
sea-ports, stands on the northern shore of the harbour towards its
eastern end, and is thus a considerable distance from Port Royal; the
only communication between the two places being by water, except by a
circuitous route along the burning sands of the Palisades, which
adventurous mids and juvenile subs, have alone of mortals been known to
attempt on horseback. The land rises rapidly beyond the flat on which
Kingston stands, the Admiral's Pen being some way above it, while Up
Hill Barracks appear beautifully situated very much higher up the
mountain.
The frigate lay at anchor off Port Royal, the crippled corvette had just
been towed into dock. Jack and Terence were walking the deck under the
awning, having got ready to go on shore.
"Faith, now, this is a fine place!" exclaimed Terence, as he gazed over
the wide expanse of the harbour, the plain of Liguania covered with
plantations, and dotted with white farm-houses quivering in the beams of
a tropical sun. Beyond it rose the magnificent amphitheatre of the Blue
Mountains, one piled upon another, reaching to the clouds, and
intersected by numerous deep, irregular valleys; one of their spurs,
with Rock Fort at its base, appearing directly over the ship's
port-quarter; while before the beam was seen, at the end of a narrow
spit of sand, Fort Augusta, its guns ready to sweep to destruction any
hostile fleet which might attempt to enter; and over the bow in the far
distance could dimly be distinguished the town of Kingston, at the head
of the lagoon.
"Not equal to Trinidad, though," observed Jack. "I don't know what your
fair cousin Maria would say if she heard you expatiate so warmly on its
beauties."
"I'd just invite her to come with me, and judge for herself," answered
Terence. "But why did you speak of her now? I was beginning to fancy
that I was getting the sweet creature out of my head, for it's bothering
me she has been ever since we left the island. Oh, Jack! you're a
hardhearted fellow. I thought that you would have fallen head over ears
in love with Stella."
"I saw that Miss O'Regan was not likely to fall in love with me, and,
besides, for other reasons, when I found how completely Murray was
captivated by her, I soon conquered the admiration I felt," said Jack.
"I wish for his sake that they had never met. Dragged about as she is
by her enthusiast of a father into all sorts of dangers, it is
impossible to say what may be her fate; and it would go nigh to break
his heart should her life be lost, or any other misfortune happen to
her. Here comes a shore-boat--we'll secure her to take us to Kingston."
Jack going to the gangway met the very person they had just been
speaking of.
"Why, Murray, my dear fellow, we expected to meet you on shore!" he
exclaimed. "What brings you back?"
"To look after my traps, settle my mess accounts, bid farewell to my
late shipmates, and take command of HM Brig _Supplejack_, fitting out at
the Dockyard, and nearly ready for sea, I am told," answered Murray. "I
don't know whether to ask you to congratulate me or not. I had hoped to
make the acquaintance of some families on shore to whom I have letters
of introduction, but as they live some way from Kingston I fear that I
shall not have time to call on them. One family, the Ravens, are
related to my Antigua friends, the Houghtons; and another, the
Bradshaws, to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, of whom I hoped to hear
from them. I feel anxious on the subject, I confess, for there are
rumours on shore about the character of the brig they sailed in, which I
do not like. I wish that she was safe back again."
"The brig, or the young lady!" exclaimed Terence. "Ah, yes, I
understand; the brig with the young lady aboard. I'd like to give her a
royal salute as she comes in, which I dare say will be before long; and
as to hearing about her, Jack and I will make a pilgrimage to the Ravens
and Bradshaws, and bring you back all the intelligence we can collect,
if you haven't time to go yourself."
"You may depend on us for that," said Jack. "But I say, Alick, you
haven't told us by what good fortune you have been appointed to the
_Supplejack_; for good fortune, I call it, to get an independent
command, whatever you may think."
"By no unusual means; through what I suspect the invidious will call
Nepotism. When I went to pay my respects to the admiral, he at once
hailed me as a cousin, told me he was glad to make my acquaintance,
expressed his regret at the loss of poor Archy, who was also related to
him, and wound up by saying that he should be very happy to forward my
interests. I was taking my leave, wishing to get on to the Bradshaws,
when he stopped me, inviting me to dinner, and observing that he should
by that time have something to say to me; and wished, besides, to hear
about old friends in bonnie Scotland. This, of course, was equivalent
to a royal command; so I wrote to Mrs Bradshaw, enclosing my letter of
introduction, and expressing my intention of calling on her and Mrs
Raven as soon as I was at liberty. You and Terence will, I have no
doubt, be welcomed if you can ride over to Saint David's. You can
explain more clearly than I could by letter how I am situated, and you
will not fail to inquire what has been heard about the O'Regans. After
dinner, the admiral, who spoke in the kindest way possible, said that
Macleod, who he had intended should have command of the _Supplejack_
having been invalided, as the corvette could not be refitted under three
or four months, he had appointed me in his stead, and that he intended
to transfer thirty of the corvette's crew to the brig, with any officers
I might name. Though I must consider my command but temporary, I may
possibly, he hinted, be confirmed in it."
"Congratulate you! Of course I do, and though I'm not jealous, it's
just the sort of command I should jump at," exclaimed Terence.
"I am not quite so certain; it is said that if a lieutenant is placed in
command of a small craft, he is never likely to get anything better,"
observed Jack. "However, in your case it is different, as the admiral
will look after your interests. Did he tell you how and where you are
to be employed?"
"My duty will be chiefly to look after slaves and pirates, of whom a few
occasionally appear sailing under the flags of some of the smaller South
American States; he mentioned also, that I might probably be sent to the
Spanish Main to protect British interests on that coast. My thoughts at
once, I confess, flew to Colonel O'Regan and his daughter, and the
possibility of meeting them; though I trust that they may have returned
safely to Jamaica before I can get to the coast."
"Who knows! By my faith, I should be after wishing the contrary!"
exclaimed Terence. "What a romantic incident it would be now some
morning just as day breaks, to make out away to leeward a brig which you
have no doubt is the _Sarah Jane_, with a black, rakish, wicked-looking
schooner close to, just opening fire. The brig fights bravely; she had,
I think, a couple of two or three-pounders on board, but she will to a
certainty be captured. You make all sail to her assistance, for the
pirate, supposing you to be a merchantman, doesn't up stick and run for
it--but the wind drops, you take to your boats, the black schooner has
ranged up alongside the brig, you arrive at the moment the brig's crew
have been overpowered--the colonel brought to the deck, and the
pirate-captain, a huge ugly negro, is bearing off a fair lady in his
arms. You cut him down, rescue the lady, drive the pirates overboard,
place the colonel on his legs, blow up the schooner, and are duly
rewarded for your gallantry."
"Avast, Terence, with your nonsense!" exclaimed Murray, who had before
been vainly endeavouring to stop the imaginative Irishman. "You make me
miserable in suggesting the bare possibility of such an occurrence. The
brig may be attacked, but I might not arrive in time to save my
friends."
"Now, Alick dear, you remind me mightily of Tim Doolan, the cowboy at
Ballymacree," said Terence. "I found Tim, one bright morning, looking
as unhappy as his twinkling eyes and cocked-up nose would let him.
`Tim, my beauty--what's the matter?' I asked.
"`It's a throubled drame, Mr Terence, that I have had,' answered Tim,
twisting his nose and mouth about in a curious manner, and giving a
peculiar wink with his right eye.
"`What is it, man?' I asked. `Out with your dream.'
"`Well, your honour, it was just this. I dreamt that I went to pay a
visit to his holiness the Pope, and a civil old gentleman he was, for he
axed me if I'd take some whisky and water, and on course I said yes.
"Hot or cold, Tim?" asked the Pope. "Hot, your reverence," says I, and
bad luck to me, for by dad, while the Pope went down to the kitchen to
get the kettle I awoke; and now, if I'd said cold, I'd have had time to
toss off a noggin-full at laste, and it's that throubles me.'
"Now it strikes me, Alick, that your waking imagination is as vivid as
Tim's; but don't let it run away with you in this instance. You'll see
the _Sarah Jane_ come safe into harbour before you leave it, and have
time to wish the young lady the top of the morning, at all events."
"You are incorrigible, Paddy," answered Murray, laughing in spite of
himself. "As I have stood all your bantering, I have the right to
insist on your coming with me to inspect the _Supplejack_ before you go
up to Kingston."
His two friends of course agreed to the proposal, and their carpet-bags
being put into Murray's boat they pulled for the Dockyard at Port Royal.
The _Supplejack_ had her lower yards across, and most of her stores on
board. In three or four days she might, by an efficient crew, be got
ready for sea. Though Murray would gladly have had a longer delay, duty
with him was paramount to every other consideration, and he resolved to
use every exertion to expedite her outfit. She was not much of a
beauty, they were of opinion; but she looked like a good sea-boat, and
Jack thought that she would prove a fast craft, which was of the most
consequence. Though rated as a six-gun brig she carried only two
carronades, and a third long heavy gun amidships, which they agreed,
under some circumstances, would be of more avail than the four short
guns it had replaced. Terence advised Alick to ask for two more
carronades.
"I might not get them if I did ask, so I will make good use, if I have
the chance, of those on board," was the answer.
Captain Hemming had been requested to spare Murray five hands from the
frigate. He chose Ben Snatchblock, the boatswain's-mate, to act as
boatswain, a great promotion for Ben, and four others; these, with a
dozen hands before belonging to the brig, the rest having died of yellow
fever, sent home invalided, or deserted, made up his complement. He had
applied for, and obtained old Higson, a former shipmate who had so taken
to heart the loss of the three midshipmen that he was anxious for more
stirring employment than he could find on board the frigate, likely to
be detained for some time at Jamaica, or not to go much farther than
Cuba. The other officers were selected from the corvette. The old mate
was highly pleased. He had the duty of a first lieutenant, and was one
in all respects, except in name, though not to be sure over a very large
ship's company. Hard drinker and careless as he had been sometimes on
shore, Murray knew that he could trust him thoroughly when
responsibility was thrown on his shoulders, and hoped that by being
raised in his own estimation he might altogether be weaned of his bad
habits.
Jack and Terence sailed up to Kingston with a fresh sea breeze a-beam
blowing over the sandy shore of the Palisades.
"Take care you don't capsize us," said Jack to the black skipper, who
carried on till the boat's gunwale was almost under water.
"Neber tink I do dat, massa leetenant. Not pleasant place to take
swim," answered the man, with a broad grin on his ebon features, showing
his white teeth.
"I think not, indeed," exclaimed Terence. "Look there."
He pointed to a huge shark, its triangular fin just above the surface,
keeping two or three fathoms off, even with the boat, at which the
monster every now and then, as he declared, gave a wicked leer.
"What do you call that fellow?"
"Dat, massa, dat is Port Royal Jack," answered the negro. "He keep
watch ober de harbour--case buckra sailors swim ashore. He no come up
much fader when he find out we boat from de shore. See he go away now."
The shark gave a whisk with his tail, and disappeared in an instant.
The young officers breathed more freely when their ill-omened companion
had gone. Almost immediately afterwards a boat belonging to a large
merchantman, lying at the mouth of the harbour, ready for sea, passed
them under all sail. Her crew of eight hands had evidently taken a
parting glass with their friends.
"Dey carry too much canvas wid de grog dey hab aboard," observed the
black. "Better look out for squalls."
He hailed, but received only a taunting jeer in return, and the boat
sped on her course. Not a minute had passed when Jack and Terence heard
the negro mate, who was watching the boat, sing out--
"Dere dey go, Jack shark get dem now--eh?"
Looking in the direction the black's chin was pointing, to their horror
they saw that the boat had capsized, her masts and sails appearing for
an instant as she rapidly went to the bottom, while the people were
writhing and struggling on the surface, shrieking out loudly for help.
Jack and Terence ordered the black to put the boat about instantly, and
go to their rescue. Nearly two minutes passed before they reached the
spot. Five men only were floating. The ensanguined hue of the water
told too plainly what had been the fate of the others.
"Help! help. For God's sake, help!" shrieked out a man near them, in an
agony of fear. At that instant a white object was seen rising, it
seemed, from the bottom. The hapless man threw up his arms, and,
uttering a piercing shriek, disappeared beneath the water.
The other four men could swim, but almost paralysed with fear kept
crying out for help, without making any effort to save themselves,
striking out wildly, round and round, as if they did not see the
approaching boat. First one was hauled on board, then another and
another. Jack had got hold of the fourth, and was dragging him in when
a shark rose from the bottom. The negro boatman's quick eye had espied
the monster. He darted down his boat-hook into the open mouth of the
shark, which, closing its jaws, bit off the iron and a part of the
stock, while, by a violent effort, Jack and Terence jerked the man
inboard, thus saving his legs, and probably his life.
They were now directly over the spot where the boat went down, and so
clear was the water, the ruddy stains having disappeared, that they
could see her as she lay at the bottom. Jack was standing up, when he
exclaimed--
"There is a poor fellow entangled in the rigging--he seems alive. I
think that I could bring him up."
Influenced by a generous impulse, and forgetting the fearful monsters in
the neighbourhood, he was on the point of leaping overboard, when the
black boatman seized his arm, crying out--
"No, no, massa, dat one shark, hisself."
Jack looked again, and the object he had mistaken for a seaman's white
shirt resolved itself into the white belly of a shark, the creature
being employed in gnawing the throat of its victim.
"Dat is what dey always do," observed the black coolly. "Dey drag down
by de feet, and den dey begin to eat at de trote."
Probably because the throat is the part of the body most exposed. Jack
and Terence carried the survivors up to Kingston. Except that they
uttered a few expressions of regret at the sad fate of their shipmates,
the men seemed very little concerned, or grateful to Heaven for their
own preservation; and immediately on landing they went into a grog-shop,
where they probably soon forgot all about the matter. Such is the force
of habit. Jack and Terence were not enchanted with the silent,
half-deserted streets of Kingston, through which, having lost their way,
they paraded for half an hour or more; but after eating a pink-coloured
shaddock, and half-a-dozen juicy oranges, obtained from a smiling-faced
negress market-woman, their spirits rose.
"Things begin to wear a more roseate hue, maybe tinged with the juice of
the fruit we've swallowed," said Terence, laughing, "and here's Johnny
Ferong's store we were looking for, I've no doubt."
They entered, and received a hearty welcome from that most loquacious
and facetious of Frenchmen, who offered to supply them with every
possible article they could require in any quantity, from a needle to an
anchor. They wanted something--it was information--how best to get out
to Saint David's, not a profitable article to supply them with, but
Johnny Ferong afforded it, with apparently infinite pleasure, and
further assisted to raise their spirits, and confirm their resolution of
becoming customers, by handing them each a glass of cool, sparkling
champagne, and immediately replenishing it when empty.
"And you want to pay visit to Madame Bradsaw? Charmante lady--den I
vill order one voiture for vous, vich vill take vous dere, let me see,
in two hours and one half; and vous stay dere, and come back in de cool
of de morning, or in de evening, or de next day as vous please," said
Mr Ferong, bowing, and smiling, as he spoke, in the mode habitual to
him.
"It will never do to take people by storm in that fashion," exclaimed
Jack. "Unless we can get back to-night we had better put off our visit
till to-morrow morning."
Terence, who was modesty itself in such a case, agreed with him. Mr
Ferong, however, laughed at their scruples, assuring them that Mr and
Mrs Bradshaw would be delighted to see them, whether strangers or not,
that he would be answerable for all consequences, and settled the matter
by sending off a black boy to order the carriage forthwith, and to fetch
their carpet-bags from the inn, where they had been deposited on
landing. In the meantime Jack and Terence found several acquaintances
among the visitors, chiefly naval and military officers, assembled in
Johnny Ferong's reception-room, forming the lower storey of his store or
warehouse. There were also a few merchant-skippers, and civilian agents
of estates, clerics and others. Countless glass cases, exhibiting wares
of all sorts, and goods of every description in bales, packages, boxes,
and casks, were piled up, or scattered about the place, serving for
seats for the guests, most of whom were smoking and sipping sangaree.
While Jack was talking to an old shipmate he unexpectedly met, a skipper
and a merchant were engaged in an earnest conversation near him, and he
could not help overhearing some of the remarks which dropped from them.
"If Captain Crowhurst can manage to run his cargo before the brig's
character is suspected it will be an easy affair for him, but if not he
will find it a difficult job. They have got half-a-dozen armed craft,
which will watch her pretty sharply, and I know those mongrel Spaniards
well. If they catch her they'll not scruple to sink her, and shoot
every man on board."
These remarks were made by the skipper.
"But the _Sarah Jane_ is a fast craft, and will, I should hope, be able
to keep out of their way," said the merchant, in an anxious voice. "We
should be unable to recover her insurance should she be sunk, I fear."
"As certainly as the poor fellows who may be shot would be unable to
come to life again," observed the skipper dryly. "To my mind it's not
fair to send men on such an adventure."
"They are aware of what they are about, and know the risk they run,"
said the merchant.
"The captain and supercargo may, but not the rest of the people, and
that's what I find fault with," observed the skipper.
Jack heartily agreed with the last speaker, and was on the point of
turning round to make inquiries about the _Sarah Jane_, when the
merchant, suspecting that they must have been overheard, drew his
companion aside and left the store. Jack asked Mr Ferong if he could
give him the information he desired; but the Frenchman, shrugging his
shoulders, replied that he knew nothing of the affairs of his customers;
his business was to obtain "his littel wares of de best quality and to
sell dem at de lowest price possible."
In a shore time the carriage appeared, with their carpet-bags strapped
on behind, and covered with a tarpaulin. It was a species of gig, with
a seat in front for the driver, and had two horses, one in the shafts
and the other prancing in comparative freedom, secured by traces to an
outrigger. Away they started at furious speed, and before long were
ascending the side of the magnificent Liguania mountains; now proceeding
along a romantic valley, with a babbling stream on one side; now passing
over a height; now along a level, or but slightly sloping spot for half
a mile or so, but gradually getting higher and higher above the plain.
Sometimes, when exposed to the sun's rays, they found it hot enough; but
frequently they travelled under the long shadow of some gigantic cotton
tree, shooting up into the blue heavens; or beneath a grove of graceful
palms, the tendrils of the yam and granadillos climbing up them, with
fences on either side, covered by numberless creepers, passion-flowers
of varied sizes, and convolvuli of countless descriptions. The whole
country seemed like an assemblage of orchards, composed of orange-trees
in fruit and flower, lemon and citron trees, glossy-leaved star apples;
the avocada, with its huge pear, and the bread fruit-tree bearing still
vaster fruit, and leaves of proportionate size; while beneath them were
seen in abundance the unfailing food of man in tropical climes, the ever
cool, fresh, green plantain; indeed, the strangers felt bewildered amid
the variety of trees, shrubs, and plants which surrounded them.
"A perfect paradise, this," exclaimed Jack, who was not much addicted,
however, thus to express his feelings. "See, the vegetation reaches to
the very summit of the highest mountains."
"Inhabited by no small number of ebon-hued Adams and Eves," observed
Terence, pointing to several palm-thatched, white-washed huts, a little
way off, before which was collected a group of negroes, men, and women,
and children, laughing, shouting, and talking, looking wonderfully
happy; the former all neatly habited, and though the smaller members of
the community were not overburdened with clothing, they looked as plump
and jolly as need be. "I only wish that our peasantry in old Ireland
were as well off as these people seem to be."
"And those of England, also," said Jack. "Still slavery is an
abomination, and I pray that it may some day cease throughout the
world."
The lieutenants scarcely believed that the time they expected to be on
the road had elapsed, when their driver pointed to a wide-spreading, low
mansion, with verandahs all round it, and extensive outbuildings, and
said--
"Dere, dat Saint David's."
Somehow or other they had expected to see only a Mr and Mrs Bradshaw.
Their surprise was considerable when they met with a reception not
unlike that at Trinidad, from a matronly dame and a number of young
damsels; except that they did not claim Adair as a relation.
"We were expecting Mr Murray, and regret not seeing him, but his
brother officers are most welcome," said Mrs Bradshaw, when she had
glanced at Alick's letter.
She then introduced the two lieutenants by name to her eldest daughter
Fanny, and to her three little girls, as she called them, but though the
youngest was barely thirteen, they all looked like grown women. Adair
was quickly at home with them, answering the questions they showered on
him. Jack remained talking to Mrs Bradshaw and Fanny. He mentioned
Murray's anxiety about the O'Regans.
"I fear that he has good reason to be anxious," answered Mrs Bradshaw.
"The colonel promised to bring his daughter here long ago, and we were
expecting to see her, when we heard that he had carried her off on
another of his wild expeditions. He wrote word from Antigua that he
intended to be but a short time away, so that they may possibly arrive
in a day or two. We long to have her safe with us, for though Fanny is
the only one who knows her, as they were at a finishing school together
in England, from the account she gives we are all prepared to love her."
"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Fanny. "She was a delightful creature, the pet
and darling of the school, one of the youngest among us; and I should
never have supposed that she would have been able to go through what she
has done since."
While they were speaking Mr Bradshaw arrived--a stout, bald-headed,
middle-aged gentleman, with ruddy countenance, dressed in nankin
trousers, white jacket, and broad-brimmed straw hat, which he doffed as
he approached the strangers, glancing from one to the other; and then,
having settled in his mind that Jack Rogers was Alick Murray, shook his
hand, which he grasped with the greatest warmth.
"Happy to welcome you to Saint David's, my dear sir; only wish that our
expected friends were here also. A great disappointment to us, and to
you likewise, I feel sure, eh!" and he gave a facetious look at Jack, as
much as to say. "I know all about it."
"My dear, this gentleman is Lieutenant Rogers. Mr Murray has been
unable to come up," said Mrs Bradshaw; and she explained how matters
stood.
Jack thought that he ought to speak of going back. Mr Bradshaw laughed
at the notion.
"Utterly out of the question. Stay a week, or as long as you have
leave. Send your shanredan back to-morrow morning, and I'll drive you
down in my buggy when you have to go."
Thus pressed, Jack confessed that he and Adair had brought their
carpet-bags, not knowing where they might have to put up, and accepted
the invitation for the night; but said that, on Murray's account, they
must return the next day to see him before he sailed, and to tell him
what they had heard respecting Colonel and Miss O'Regan.
"You may assure your friend that he will ever be welcome here, and I
hope that we shall have the young lady with us when he returns,"
answered Mr Bradshaw. "I will not say the same with regard to her
impracticable father, for, between you and I, the farther he is away
from her the better. I am no admirer of his wild, harum-scarum schemes,
though he is individually a brave and honourable man; and had he not
foolishly quarrelled with the authorities at home, he would never have
lacked employment under the flag of England, instead of knocking his
head against stone walls in quarrels not his own."
These remarks of the worthy planter explained Colonel O'Regan's
character to Jack more clearly than anything he had before heard. He
had before entertained some unpleasant suspicions on the subject. They
were confirmed, and he now only hoped that Murray would not, should he
marry Stella, be induced to join any of her father's schemes. Of that,
however, if cautioned, he did not think there was much risk. Had
Terence been the favoured lover the case would have been different, for,
enthusiastic himself, he might easily have been won over by the
colonel's persuasive powers. Dinner was soon announced. Jack and
Terence, who were very hungry, did ample justice to the solids as well
as to the numerous West Indian delicacies and rich fruits pressed on
them by their fair hostesses--the shaddocks, the mangos, and, above all,
the granadillos, which were pronounced like strawberries and cream, but
superior to any such mixture ever tasted in Europe. They enjoyed, too,
a most pleasant evening, several friends having come in, among them Mr
and Mrs Raven, nice young people, full of life and spirits. Mrs Raven
was glad, she said, to make the acquaintance of Lieutenant Murray's
brother officers, of whom she had heard from her mother, Mrs Houghton,
and only regretted that he himself was unable to come.
"However," she added, "we may hope to see him frequently by-and-by, on
his return from his cruise."
They had dancing, of course, as young people never think of meeting in
the West Indies without it; and some delightful music, for the younger
girls had been taught by Fanny, who was highly accomplished. Mr
Bradshaw observed that they did pretty well considering that they had
not the advantages of their elder sister. Times were changed in
Jamaica, and he could not afford to pay three hundred a year for the
education of each of them, as he had done for her.
"No; but they are better housekeepers, and understand far more about
preserving and pickling than she does, and there is not a bird or a
flower on the estate, or, indeed, in any part of the island, with which
they are not acquainted," remarked Mrs Bradshaw, with motherly pride.
"Thanks to Fanny, too, they are really, considering their ages, not so
very much behind her in book knowledge. We need not regret having kept
them with us."
"I agree in all you say, Mrs B," rejoined her husband, rubbing his
hands and laughing; "and as I am eighteen hundred pounds the richer, or,
let me see, in three years, with the addition of their voyages and
dress, the cost of sending them home would have amounted to three
thousand or more. I do not complain, I assure you."
The young officers listened with surprise, and not a little amusement,
at this eulogium on the young ladies, and the accompanying remarks--
uttered they believed correctly without any ulterior object. It gave
them some idea of the expense to which West Indian parents were put for
the education of their girls, of which they before had no conception.
"Faith! more than double a lieutenant's pay," ejaculated Terence, as he
was turning in at night. "If he would make that allowance to Fanny, the
eldest of the three, I'd do my best to win her before the ship sails. I
can't stand it, Jack. I must either stay aboard and do duty for Cherry,
or never set eyes on these houris again, or knock under to one or the
other."
"`There's luck in odd numbers, says Rory O'More,'" answered Jack, from
his side of the room. "You divided your attention very fairly among the
young ladies, and depend on it they will as easily forget us as we shall
get them out of our heads, by the time we have been a few days at sea;
so don't bother yourself about the matter, Paddy, but go to sleep."
Whether or not Terence followed his advice Jack could not tell, for he
himself very soon went off into a sound slumber. The house was astir at
daybreak, and not long after the white dresses and broad-brimmed straw
hats of the young ladies were seen in the garden amid the fragrant
flowers, with glittering humming-birds and gorgeous butterflies,
flitting about in all directions. The lieutenants speedily joined them.
Jack's wise resolutions were almost overcome. He had made up his mind
to take leave after breakfast. They looked so bright and happy; the air
was so fresh, the flowers so sweet. He and Terence could not fail to
spend a pleasant day, but then he remembered Murray, who would be
anxiously looking for their return.
"Then you'll come again soon, Mr Adair, if Mr Rogers thinks you must
go now," said Fanny, with a strong emphasis on the must, and a gentle
sigh.
"You will always be welcome at Saint David's," added Mr Bradshaw. "And
tell Lieutenant Murray that I will let him know should I hear anything
about the _Sarah Jane_. I may possibly get information which might not
reach him."
Their own vehicle not having started they returned to Kingston in it,
well baked by the burning rays of the sun. With a case of champagne,
and a few other articles obtained of Johnny Ferong, as presents to
Murray, they returned in the evening to Port Royal. Alick thanked them
heartily. He had so zealously pushed forward the brig's equipment that
she would be ready for sea the next day. That very evening he received
orders from the admiral to sail immediately he could. A despatch had
just arrived from the British consul at Carthagena, stating that
disturbances had broken out in the country, and requesting to have a
man-of-war sent immediately, for the protection of British subjects
residing there, and elsewhere along the coast.
Captain Hemming had been directed to send fifty hands from the frigate,
and with the assistance of Rogers and Adair, by working all night, the
sails were bent, and early next morning the brig glided out into the
harbour.
The land-wind still blew strong, smelling of the hot earth, albeit mixed
with spicy odours. Murray was eager to be away. His duty required him
to use all speed. He had also a feeling that he might be of service to
those in whom he was so deeply interested. He spoke of it to his
friends.
"Second-sight, eh, Alick!" said Rogers. "I have no great faith in that,
but I am very sure that whatever has to be done you will do it
thoroughly."
"I wish that I could accompany you," exclaimed Adair. "If Hemming would
spare me I'd have my traps on board in a jiffy."
"I should be glad of your company; the admiral, however, in a private
note, says that he shall probably despatch the frigate in a few days,
but he remarks that the brig will be of greater service, by being able
to enter the rivers and harbours, which she cannot," answered Murray.
Rogers and Adair watched the _Supplejack_ as she glided out of the
harbour under all sail to the southward before the wind, till she met
the sea breeze, when, hauling her tacks aboard, she heeled over to it,
and stood away to the south-west, her canvas gradually disappearing
below the horizon.
Jack and Terence spent their time pleasantly enough on shore, Johnny
Ferong's store being one of their favourite places of resort, as it was
of officers of all ranks. Captain Hemming had made a rule that his
midshipmen, when they returned on board after leave, should send in a
written statement of the places and people they had visited. He was
much amused at the frequency of such entries as the following:--
"Called on J Ferong's, Esquire;" "spent the evening at J Ferong's,
Esquire," music and a hop sometimes added; "lunched at J Ferong's,
Esquire." In those days Jamaica flourished, but alas! her time came,
and so did that of the well-known highly-esteemed Johnny Ferong. As the
island went down he ceased to flourish, and at length Kingston knew him
no more, except as one of her departed worthies.