CHASE OF THE VENUS--A TORNADO--JACK AGAIN SIGHTS HER--CAPTURES HER AND
TWO MORE--SAILS FOR PORT ROYAL--A SUSPICIOUS STRANGER--A PRIZE
DESPATCHED FOR ASSISTANCE--ATTACKED--HARD PRESSED--PRISONERS BREAK
LOOSE--THE CORVETTE APPEARS IN THE NICK OF TIME--FALL IN WITH THE
FRIGATE--ADAIR'S ACCOUNT OF THE WAY THE SLAVERS HAD DONE THEM.
The _Supplejack_, long after the chase had got out to sea, remained
concealed under the dark shadow cast by the castle across the entrance.
It then fell a dead calm, and the schooner was completely lost to sight.
Boats were now sent ahead to tow. This was necessary, indeed, in order
to keep the brig off the rocks. It was slow work, however, and Jack
could only hope that with the rising sun the breeze would freshen, so
that he might make chase after the schooner. The way in which she had
crept out convinced him that she was a slaver; had he before entertained
any doubt as to Don Matteo's reasons for inviting him and his officers
to the ball, they now completely vanished. It was evident that the old
villain wanted to keep him and his officers on shore, that the slaver
might take the opportunity of putting to sea and getting a good start,
before it was discovered that she had gone. She must have got away,
also, Jack very well knew with the connivance of the captain of the
port, who had, of course, been bribed by her owner, as had likewise the
officer in command at the Moro, who would not otherwise have allowed her
to pass. Jack expected every instant to receive a shot from the castle,
but probably the last-mentioned personage thought it prudent not to
fire, lest he might have been asked why he allowed the schooner to pass.
When daylight returned, as Jack and Bevan swept their glasses round in
every direction, several sail were seen dotting the horizon.
Jack handed his glass to Needham. "Which of them do you think is the
_Venus_?" he asked.
"The centre one of those three vessels in the north-east, sir," answered
Needham promptly. "No doubt about that; I know her by the whiteness of
her canvas. She must have had a pretty tidy breeze to get out so far
while we lay becalmed."
"You are right," said Jack. "That is the one I take to be the _Venus_."
"So do I," observed Bevan. "Hurrah! here comes a breeze. We shall soon
have the pleasure of making her better acquaintance, I hope!"
The boats were hoisted up, and every stitch of sail the brig could carry
was packed on her. The breeze freshened, and away she flew over the
blue ocean, leaving the white walls of the Moro far astern.
The question was whether the slaver would run for the Gulf of Florida,
or attempt to make her way through the Bahama Channel.
"We must try, at all events, to get hold of her before nightfall,"
observed Jack, "or she will be playing us another trick, and give us the
go-bye in the dark."
"We'll try and do that same, sir," said Needham; "if the wind holds with
us as it does now, it won't be a difficult job. She doesn't seem to
have much of it out there, and we are getting up fast with her."
The _Supplejack_, indeed, was gaining rapidly on the schooner, but the
treacherous wind soon gave indications of not being inclined to favour
the British brig. Dark clouds gathering in the sky came sweeping
rapidly over it.
"All hands, shorten sail," shouted Jack, with startling energy; "be
smart about it, lads."
Every one saw that not a moment was to be lost. Royals and
topgallant-sails were handed, two reefs taken in the topsails, the
courses were clewed up, not an instant too soon, either--for over heeled
the brig till the sills of her lee ports dipped into the water. One of
those tornados, so frequent in the West Indies, had struck her, though
on coming up to the wind she faced it bravely. Down came the rain, a
real tropical torrent, the drops as they fell being of the size of
marbles, leaping up again with a loud rattle, like that of hail, and
literally deluging the deck.
In vain the sharpest eyes of those on the lookout endeavoured to pierce
the watery veil. The rain completely hid the slaver and all the
surrounding vessels. It was feared that she, taking advantage of the
chance offered her, would do her best to escape. The question was, in
what direction would she fly? She would have a clear passage through
the Gulf of Florida, but then she well knew that she would be followed
by the nimble _Supplejack_. Rogers, therefore, came to the conclusion
that she would steer for the Bahama Channel, where, if she could not
escape herself, she might hope to lead her pursuer to destruction.
Needham was firmly of opinion that she would take that direction. Night
was coming on, and she would have a long start, but Jack determined to
chance it, and persevere.
"With the chart to help us, a bright look out, and the lead going, we
may disappoint her ladyship," he observed, laughing.
"It's an ugly place, I'll allow, sir," said Needham; "but we must not be
afraid of ugly places, or we shall not do much in catching these slaving
gentry. It can't be much worse than we have seen in the China Seas, and
off the coast of Africa."
The tornado having passed over, the brig's head was again put to the
south-west, and a bright lookout being of course kept, all hoped to fall
in once more with the _Venus_. The night was an anxious one; the watch
below turned in ready to spring on deck at a moment's notice.
Neither Jack, Bevan, nor Needham lay down, the former constantly
sweeping the horizon with their night-glasses, in the hopes of catching
a glimpse of the schooner. As the first streaks of dawn tinged the
eastern sky, all hands were roused up to make sail, and just as the orb
of day, like a mountain of fire appeared above the horizon, the sails of
the schooner were discerned on the port bow, standing, as was
conjectured, for one of the numerous intricate passages among the
dangerous Bahama shoals. Every stitch of canvas the brig could carry
was immediately packed on her.
"Keep her away a couple of points," cried Rogers; "that will do. We
must get hold of Madam Venus before the day is many hours older.
Fortunately there is still a good space of clear water before she can
get in among the shoals, and once up with the lady, it won't be long
before she is ours."
The wind held steady, and the _Supplejack_, as Tom declared, skipped
along more nimbly than she had ever yet moved. Long Tom was got ready
for action, although the schooner was not likely to show much fight;
still he might be useful in bringing down her spars, and so prevent her
from getting in among the shoals before she could be captured.
Though a fresh breeze was blowing, the sea was tolerably smooth, but on
the north and eastward a line of white breakers, and here and there an
interval of blue water which marked the channels between them could be
seen. Farther to the eastward were two suspicious-looking schooners,
evidently bent on making their way through one or other of the
before-named channels.
"We must have the big one first, and then get hold of the other two,"
said Jack to Bevan, who stood by his side.
The lead was kept going, and showed that the water was rapidly shoaling.
"Try her with Long Tom, Needham," cried out Jack; "he may chance to
reach her."
"It's as much as Long Tom will do, sir, but we'll see," answered
Needham, bringing the gun to bear on the chase.
Away sped the shot, but, though well aimed, it fell short of its mark.
"We must have her at all cost," cried Jack eagerly, "or in less than
five minutes she will be among the breakers; and we shall be on shore.
Give Long Tom a larger charge of powder, and see what that will do."
Needham did as he was ordered, though it occurred to him that the dose
he rammed down might chance to be too much for Long Tom's strength; if
so it would have the effect of blowing him and not a few of his
shipmates out of the world; still, as he had faith in the gun's power of
endurance, he risked it without remark, and taking good aim once more
fired. Never had he made a better shot. The missile swept the deck of
the schooner, carrying off the heads of three of her crew, and killing
and wounding others--though this was unknown at the time. The instant
effect was to make her skipper haul down his colours and put the
schooner about with her head off the bank, and in a short time she was
hove-to near the brig-of-war, which had also gone about. Jack, jumping
into a boat, which was instantly lowered with a well-armed crew, pulled
on board.
The Spanish captain, whom he recognised as Don Lopez, a polished-looking
gentleman he had met soon after his arrival at Havannah, at the house of
Don Matteo, made a polite bow, and asked with an injured air why the
English man-of-war had chased and fired at him.
"I shall be able to give you an answer by and by, my friend," answered
Jack. "In the meantime, Don Lopez, I am anxious to get hold of those
two schooners before they make their way through the channels to the
north-east; and as I do not wish to run the risk of casting away my
brig, I must trouble you to stand where you are and take me up alongside
them."
As Jack spoke he presented a double-barrelled pistol at the Don's head,
as a sign that he was not to trifled with.
"You will not shoot me, surely!" exclaimed the Don.
"Not if you obey me," answered Jack; "but you will understand that I am
in earnest. Now, order the helmsman to keep the vessel away; your men
will do what you tell them, I am very certain."
The Don saw that there was no help for it, and directed his motley and
somewhat ruffian-like crew to do as Jack told them.
"We will have the nearest first; and understand, if she escapes us, I
intend to blow out your brains. I shall regret it, but necessity has no
law."
The breeze was freshening. Away dashed the _Venus_, sending the water
bubbling up around her bows, while the brig stood rather more to the
southward, keeping in deeper water to be ready to cut off either of the
schooners which might attempt to escape in that direction. At first
they probably fancied that the _Venus_ had by some lucky chance got away
from the brig-of-war; but they were very soon mistaken, when the British
ensign which Tom, who had accompanied Jack, found on board flew out at
her peak.
Jack ordered a gun to be run through the bow port, and one well directed
shot from it made the first schooner haul down her colours. The second,
on seeing what had happened, having no stomach for a fight, followed her
example, and in half an hour Jack had his three prizes standing out from
the dangerous vicinity of the shoals. He then ordered them all to heave
to, that he might examine them at leisure.
Don Lopez showed some anxiety to go into his cabin.
"No, no, my friend," said Jack quietly, "you will allow me to accompany
you. I am sorry to be so uncourteous, but I must have an examination of
your papers."
He had ordered Bevan and Norris, who had gone on board the other
vessels, not to allow anything to be thrown overboard or destroyed.
Don Lopez pulled his moustaches and accompanied his captor into the
cabin, where he most unwillingly produced his writing-case. In it were
found several documents, one of them from no less a person than Don
Matteo Laguna, directing him how to proceed on his arrival on the coast
of Africa. There were several other papers very clearly implicating two
or three persons of wealth in Havannah. It was pretty clearly shown how
these gentlemen obtained the fortunes which enabled them to hold so
distinguished a place among the rank and fashion of that far-famed city.
On board, also, was found a large assortment of swords, muskets, and
slave-irons, while a slave-deck had been fitted up, ready to receive the
expected cargo of human beings.
Jack took possession of the papers. "Ah, my friend, here is another,"
he observed, as Don Lopez was endeavouring to shuffle back a document
which had at first been overlooked. Jack examined it.
"Ah! I see that fine large black brig, which lay in shore near us, was
to join you shortly with the dollars, and provisions you would require.
What is her name? I should like to know all about her."
"The _Caterina_," answered Don Lopez. "She is to sail under American
colours, and will have American papers; a regular charter-party, the
ship's roll, and instructions from her reputed owners. Ten of her crew
are American seamen, the other twenty-five, who are Spaniards, will be
called passengers. She has obtained all her papers from the American
vice-consul, and I very much doubt that any of you men-of-war would have
ventured to interfere with her, unless," and Don Lopez smiled, "it had
been for the information I so freely give you. I hope you will take
this into consideration in your further dealings with me."
"I shall see about that," answered Jack, despising the Don, who had been
so ready to betray his associates in the nefarious traffic. "At present
you will please to accompany me on board my brig, as we are bound for
Jamaica."
The Don, with a grimace, stepped into the brig-of-war's boat followed by
his officers. Jack afterwards conveyed also the greater part of the
crew to the brig, where they were less likely to play tricks than if
left on board their own vessel; he sent also for the greater portion of
the crews and all the officers of the other schooners.
The difficulty now, however, was how to man his prizes. He gave the
command of the _Venus_ to Bevan, with Tom as his mate, and six hands.
Norris, and another midshipman, had charge of one of the other
schooners, with five hands; and Jos Green, with Desmond to assist him,
had charge of the third, with the same number of men.
He could ill spare so many hands, but he hoped by vigilance to keep the
Spaniards in awe, and to navigate the _Supplejack_.
These arrangements being completed, he made sail for Port Royal. Should
the weather continue fine, the task might be an easy one; but should it
come on to blow, shorthanded as he was, he would have no little
difficulty in working the brig and looking after his numerous prisoners,
many of whom were desperate ruffians, and might possibly try to capture
the brig, and cut the throats of every one on board. His only
alternative, therefore, to avoid the risk of this would be to treat them
as they intended to treat the slaves--clap them in irons, and shut them
down under hatches, or to place a sentry with orders to shoot the first
who might attempt to regain his liberty.
Needham highly approved of this plan. "It would serve them right, sir,
if we were to do it at once, it would save us a great deal of trouble in
looking after the beggars," he observed.
"But Don Lopez considers himself a perfect gentleman, and will complain
that he was barbarously treated if we were to do so without sufficient
cause," remarked Jack.
"I'd let him complain then, sir," answered Needham. "He may consider
himself fortunate that we don't heave him and his villainous crew
overboard."
Jack only hoped that the necessity would not arise, and as neither the
officers nor men had arms of any sort--for the knives even of the latter
had been taken from them--he had no fears about the matter.
He resolved to keep a bright look out for the _Caterina_, which he
thought would probably slip out of the harbour soon after him, her
captain not suspecting the fate of her consorts. The wind was however,
light and contrary, and he was much longer in making Cape Saint Antonio
than he had hoped. The necessity for treating the prisoners as Needham
had suggested came, however, sooner than Jack expected. He had allowed
Don Lopez and his companions to enjoy as much fresh air and exercise as
they wished for every day, though he took the precaution to have a
sentry on the quarterdeck, who had received instructions to keep a
watchful eye on the prisoners. Evening was coming on, a fresh breeze
was blowing, and the little squadron, under easy sail, was standing to
the westward. Just at that time a sail was sighted on the weather-bow;
she was soon made out to be a large brig standing towards the little
fleet. Jack observed that the prisoners were talking eagerly together,
and were evidently much interested in the appearance of the stranger.
On she came, and though she was near enough for her colours to be seen
she showed none.
"What do you make her out to be?" asked Jack of Needham.
"I should have taken her to be a Spanish man-of-war; but if she is she
ought to have showed her bunting by this time," he answered. "You'll
pardon me, sir," he continued, "but I don't like the looks of the Dons,
and I shouldn't be surprised if that craft is the _Caterina_ herself; if
so, she will be trying to take some of our prizes; and may be have a
slap at us, and I think it will be best to get these gentlemen out of
the way, as quickly as possible."