The hopes of those who expected to return home were destined to be
disappointed. We were still at sea, keeping a look-out for the fleet of
the royal corsairs, when a shout from the mast-head announced the
approach of several ships from the northward, and as they got nearer the
white flag with the red-cross flying from their peaks told us that they
were friends.
The leading ship proved to be the _Fairfax_, of fifty-two guns and two
hundred and fifty men, carrying the flag of Vice-Admiral Penn.
Following her came the _Centurion_, Captain Lawson, the _Adventure_,
Captain Ball, and two others commanded by Captains Howett and Jordan,
with the _Assurance_, Captain Benjamin Blake, the younger brother of the
admiral.
Directly afterwards Vice-Admiral Hall with another squadron of seven
ships joined us. The admiral had now under him a fleet capable of
coping with that of either France or Spain. His first object, however,
was to capture the corsairs, who were committing much damage among the
merchant vessels. It was still unknown in what direction they had gone,
when, the day after Admiral Hall's squadron had reached us, a vessel was
seen coming from the south.
On approaching she hove to, and her master came on board the flag-ship.
His vessel, he said, was the only one which had escaped from Malaga, on
the coast of Andalusia, into which the corsairs had entered and burnt
six of his consorts under the very guns of the Spanish batteries.
"We shall catch them at last!" exclaimed the admiral on receiving this
information, a gleam of satisfaction lighting up his countenance.
Having taken some stores on board which had just arrived from England,
we made sail for the Straits of Gibraltar, Admiral Penn with his
squadron being left to watch outside the entrance to catch the corsairs,
should they endeavour to escape from the Mediterranean. With a fair
wind we stood in for the gut, the lofty rock, on which we could discern
only a few ruins on our left, and the coast of Africa on our right.
For centuries no English admiral's flag had been seen in the
Mediterranean, our merchant vessels trading in those seas being thus
exposed to the attacks of pirates without hope of redress. On coming
off Malaga, we found to our disappointment that the princes had fled, in
what direction no one would inform us. While we lay there, a furious
gale threatened the destruction of our ships, but we rode it out in
safety.
Just as we were sailing, information was brought that the pirates were
in Cartagena. Pressing on all sail, we made for that port. As we came
off it, our hearts beat high with satisfaction, for there lay the fleet
for which we were in search.
The admiral, who was well acquainted with the dilatoriness of Spanish
diplomacy, not waiting for leave, bearing down on the corsairs attacked
the _Roebuck_, the largest of their ships, and quickly mastered her.
Another was set on fire, while the remainder, cutting their cables, ran
on shore utterly disabled. Great, however, was our disappointment not
to find either of the princes; and we learned from some of the prisoners
that they had both been separated from the rest of the squadron during
the gale, but what had become of them we were unable to ascertain.
In vain we sailed from port to port. At last we heard that they had
taken shelter in the harbour of Toulon. On receiving this information
we immediately steered for that port. On arriving we found that the
corsairs had been honourably received by the French admiral, and that
assistance had been given to them to dispose of their plunder.
On this Admiral Blake sent word that he considered the French had been
guilty of a hostile act, and that unless the corsairs were driven from
the harbour, and the plunder restored to its lawful owners, he should
feel justified in making reprisals on the commerce of France.
No answer was given to this message, but after a short time it was
discovered that the two princes had fled, though in what direction we
were, as before, unable to ascertain.
Leaving Admiral Penn to search for them, we at length steered for
England. Just as we were passing through the Straits, a large ship was
seen which approached us without any apparent hesitation, showing French
colours. Getting nearer, she hove to, while a boat being lowered her
captain came on board. He was received with the usual courtesy by the
admiral in his cabin.
The Frenchman being seated, the admiral informed him that he must
consider himself a prisoner, and requested him to deliver up his sword.
"No, monsieur," answered the Frenchman; "not while I have strength to
use it," and he placed his hand on the hilt.
"I confess, brave sir, that you have been unfairly beguiled on board,
and that you were ignorant that I had thrown down the gauntlet to your
admiral at Toulon. If you desire it, you may go on board your ship and
try to escape if you have the power," said the admiral.
"I accept your generous offer," answered the Frenchman with a bow, and
he made his way on deck. We attended him with due honour down the side,
when he returned to his ship.
As soon as he had gone the drum beat to quarters, but we waited before
firing, to allow him to prepare his own vessel for the encounter.
Due time having passed, we fired a shot across his bows, which he
returned, aiming at the _Tiger_.
The fight now commenced in earnest. The Frenchmen fought bravely,
endeavouring to knock away our spars so as to make their escape. But
their gunnery was not equal to that of our men. So severely did we
pound them, that after holding out two hours they hauled down their
flag.
The boats were immediately sent to bring the prisoners on board, when
the captain, making a low bow, bestowed an affectionate kiss on the hilt
of his weapon, and handed it to the admiral, who replied--
"You are a brave man, and deserve to keep your sword: pray receive it
and wear it for my sake," and he handed the weapon back to his prisoner.
The prize was a valuable acquisition, being a fine frigate of forty
guns. Four other large French vessels were taken on our way home, and
at length we arrived safely at Plymouth. Lancelot, Dick, and I at once
got leave to go to Lyme, being anxious to learn whether any tidings had
been received of the lost ones.
Mr Harvey, who was there, received us very kindly. Every means had
been taken for discovering them, but not even the slightest clue had
been obtained, and he acknowledged that he had very slight hopes that we
should ever again hear of them. The reality came with fearful force
upon me when he said this, and it was with difficulty I could refrain
from giving way to my passionate grief. Lancelot, feeling as I did
there was nothing to keep us at home, returned to Plymouth, where Dick
promised to follow.
On a bright day in the early part of spring, 1651, Lancelot and I went
on board the _Tiger_, which had been hastily refitted for sea. Martin,
who was on the look-out, welcomed us back.
"Just in time, gentlemen; there's work cut out for us, and the admiral
is to be on board this evening," he said, as we shook hands. "We are to
rout out that nest of hornets in Scilly, and I've a notion we shall make
them disgorge the plunder they have been collecting for many years
past."
We were truly thankful for the promised excitement, for in the present
state of our minds we could ill brook idleness. Besides the _Tiger_, a
number of small frigates were collected, well calculated for the work to
be undertaken. The admiral, accompanied by his nephew, came on board
that evening, the former receiving Lancelot and me in his usual kind
way, not forgetting to make inquiries whether our sisters and his friend
Mr Kerridge had returned. "Don't despair, notwithstanding, my young
friends," he said, when we told him nothing had been heard of them "By
God's providence they may still be found."
Robert had now become, next to the captain, the principal officer on
board, and though so young, he well fulfilled the duties of his post.
Lancelot had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but Dick and I
were still in the admiral's cabin. We were often employed in
transcribing his letters and other similar duties, though at the same
time we pursued our nautical studies. Despatches being received from
London, we immediately sailed for our destination. Two days' sail
brought us in sight of the Scilly Islands, slumbering quietly on the
surface of the bright blue ocean. They looked green and pleasant to the
eye, with here and there a few rocky heights rising in their midst, but
in most parts the land was not elevated many feet above the water.
Above the other hills appeared the height on whose summit the Cavaliers
had built a strong castle, which it was our object to capture. Coming
off Saint Mary's, the principal island, we hove to, and the admiral
ordered a boat to be lowered, in which went Robert Blake, and I
accompanied him, bearing a message summoning Sir John Grenville, the
governor, to surrender. Having proceeded up the channel leading to the
fort, we landed, bearing a white flag, and walked on until we reached
the entrance. We were at once admitted, when we had an opportunity of
taking a glance round the fortifications. The castle was filled with
men, a large number being evidently, from their dress and appearance,
officers. They were rollicking-looking gentlemen, and were laughing,
and joking, and amusing themselves at our expense as we passed along.
Sir John Grenville received us with due courtesy. On reading the
summons he replied--
"I might rather demand that Admiral Blake should deliver up his fleet,
but yet I am willing to enter into a treaty, although it should be known
to you that I have a force with me not only sufficient to protect these
islands, but to restore the exiled prince to the throne of his fathers."
"The result will prove that, sir," answered the young lieutenant. "Am I
to inform the admiral that you refuse to deliver up the islands and
their castles to the fleet of the Commonwealth?"
"Certainly such is my intention," answered Sir John, and he bowed us out
of the hall.
We returned unmolested to the boat, and pulled back for the ship. No
sooner had we arrived than the admiral sent for Captain Morris, one of
the most trusted of his commanders, and ordered him to take eight
hundred of the best men from the different ships, and to land at the
back of Tresco, which is next in size to Saint Mary's, and lies close to
it.
Lieutenant Blake and I, with a small body of seamen from our ship,
accompanied the troops. We found a line of breastworks thrown up for
the defence of the shore, and held by fully a thousand men. But our
brave leader was not to be hindered in performing his duty by this show
of resistance. The boats in line dashed on, and in spite of the round
shot plunged in among us, and the bullets whistling about our ears, the
moment the keels touched the beach we threw ourselves overboard, and,
wading on shore, speedily formed. Then the order to advance was given,
and pike in hand we rushed up the bank. The Cavaliers received us with
a hot fire of musketry, but their artillery was silent, being unable to
play on us without hitting them.
The contest was fierce but short. Nothing could withstand our
onslaught. The Cavaliers gave way, and, escaping across the island,
made for their boats, reaching which they crossed over to Saint Mary's,
leaving us in possession of their cannon, muskets, and pikes, and
pistols, besides several prisoners.
A lodgment on the island being thus effected, we threw up trenches to
prevent our position being retaken when night closed down upon us. We
had to keep a strict watch, the men sleeping with their arms by their
sides, for at any moment we might be attacked. When morning came, the
admiral, with a reinforcement, landed, and immediately gave the word to
advance. We passed over a high ridge which crossed the island, and
descended on the other side, when a view broke on our sight which for
picturesque beauty could scarcely be surpassed.
Before us rose Saint Mary's Island, with its castle and ramparts; below,
in the centre of the roadstead, lay the war ships of the Cavaliers, with
the prizes they had captured, the blue expanse bordered by jutting
points and fantastic rocks of various shapes, while the surrounding
shores were covered with umbrageous trees, green fields, and rich
orchards.
The admiral at once selected a point overlooking the harbour and
roadstead, on which he forthwith ordered a battery to be erected.
No sooner were the works thrown up than we opened a hot fire on the
castle and other fortifications, as well as on the vessels, which,
cutting their cables, endeavoured to escape up various channels hitherto
concealed from our sight.
The admiral, however, no sooner seeing that, at the distance we were
from the castle, our shot could produce but little effect on it,
returned on board, leaving Captain Morris to continue the siege, and
ordering his nephew and me to follow.
We now found that he had devised a new plan of attack. Summoning all
the lighter frigates, he placed on board a number of men, and supplied
each also with several guns of larger calibre than they were wont to
carry. Going himself on board one of them, the _Fox_, with Robert
Blake, Lancelot and I, he led the way towards a narrow channel between
the open sea and the roadstead, directly opposite Saint Mary's.
Our progress was slow, but by dint of towing and warping we advanced
unmolested, until we reached the harbour of Saint Mary's.
The castle, as we were seen approaching, commenced thing, when dropping
our anchors, with springs to our cables, we returned the salute with our
broadsides.
In a few minutes the harbour, which had looked so bright and calm, was
canopied by dense wreaths of smoke; the shot came crashing into the
sides of the vessels, or splashing into the water, while our ears were
deafened by the roar of the guns thundering from the castle and from our
own and the corsairs' fleets.
Though frequently struck, we received less damage than I had
anticipated, while we soon perceived that the ill-constructed walls of
the castle and fortifications were crumbling away from the effect of our
shot.
Night coming on put an end to the attack, and we retired out of range of
the enemy's guns. But our admiral had no intention of desisting.
All night long we remained at our quarters, thinking it possible that
the enemy might venture to board us in their boats during the darkness.
More than once an alarm was raised and the men flew to their guns, but
the night passed off tranquilly; the Cavaliers had no stomach for such
an enterprise. Morning broke at last. The castle walls, wearing a
battered appearance, rose above the calm water shining in the rays of
the rising sun; the air was soft and balmy, a thin haze softening the
more rugged features of nature.
Prayers being offered up, and breakfast over, we stood in to our former
position to recommence our work of the previous day.
Forthwith the guns on both sides began blazing away. "Hurrah!" cried
Lancelot, "we shall soon bring matters to a conclusion. Look there!"
Turning my eyes in the direction he pointed, I saw that our fire
concentrated on one side of the fortress was producing a considerable
effect. Huge pieces of masonry, earth, and stones came toppling over
and slipping into the ditch, and ere long we perceived that our shot had
produced a practicable breach, through which our troops would quickly
effect an entrance.
The admiral then ordered them to prepare for the assault, but as they
were advancing, a flag of truce was thrown out from the walls, and a
herald descending came off in a boat to the ship with a message from Sir
John, requesting to hold a parley.
It was agreed to, when conditions were proposed. Six John offered,
provided that the lives of the officers and men were spared, to
surrender the islands with their garrisons, stores, arms, ammunition,
standards, and all implements and materials of war; the soldiers and
seamen being allowed to enter the nation's service, while the gentlemen
were to be sent to London, to await the decision of Parliament.
To these terms, which were considered very favourable to the Royalists,
the admiral consented, and Sir John, with his corsair companions, were
put on board Admiral Askew's squadron to be carried to Plymouth.
We, in the meantime, were employed in collecting the various vessels
which had been captured by the pirates and bringing them under our guns,
lest some of the rovers might attempt to get off and pursue their old
calling in other regions. Lancelot and I were employed in this service.
We had boarded several when we caught sight over the land of the masts
of another moving slowly through the water; we gave chase, and soon came
up with her. The captain vowed that he had no intention of escaping,
but appearances were against him. On getting back to the harbour, we
sent him on board the flag-ship to answer for his conduct.
While we were on board we entered into conversation with an intelligent
fellow, Ned Watkins by name, who acted as boatswain. He seemed to be
fond of making use of his tongue. Lancelot, wishing to ascertain
something about the corsair career of these ships, asked him if his
vessel, the _Speedwell_, had been long at sea and what prizes she had
taken.
"Never craft had worse luck," he answered. "We had sailed from Jersey
with the _Hector_, another ship of the same size as ours, carrying
eighty men and twenty guns, bound out to Lisbon, or anywhere, as long as
we could fall in with that royal rover, Prince Rupert, when, as we were
coming down Channel, a strong gale blowing, we sighted a hoy, a tight
little hooker, somewhere off the Start. We both made chase, for a small
fish is better than no fish at all, and soon came up with her, though
she tried her best to escape. The _Hector_, which boarded her, took out
her people and several passengers, for so I judged them to be, as they
wore petticoats, and all her cargo, and then a crew being put on board
the prize we made sail for Scilly, where we had been ordered to call on
our way southward. A strong north-westerly gale, however, which caught
us just as we neared the islands, drove us out to sea, and when it
moderated and we were about to beat back, seven large ships hove in
sight, which, as they approached, we saw carried the Parliamentary flag.
As we had no wish to fall into their hands, we made sail to escape, and
succeeded in keeping ahead of them, but during the night we lost sight
of the _Hector_. In what direction she was steering we could not make
out. When morning dawned, however, we caught a glimpse of the enemy's
squadron, and from the way they were steering, we had little doubt that
they were in pursuit of her. By furling all sail we escaped
observation, and three days afterwards managed to get back with the
sloop to Scilly."
"What became of the _Hector_?" I inquired eagerly, at once feeling
certain that the vessel she had captured was the hoy in which Mr
Kerridge and his party were proceeding to Plymouth.
"From that day to this I have heard nothing of her," answered the
boatswain. "My idea is, if she escaped from the Roundhead squadron, and
not managing to get into the Tagus, that she ran up the Straits to do
some privateering on her own account. Her commander, Captain Kerby, was
not a man to let a chance escape him, and he had been in charge of a
trader to all parts of the Mediterranean."
We questioned and cross-questioned Ned Watkins, but he could give us no
further information. Lancelot and I talked the subject over.
"My father and our sisters were not drowned, then, as some suppose, and
may still be alive, though held, I fear, in durance, or they would have
found means of communicating with us," he said. "That the _Hector_ did
not reach the Tagus we may be pretty certain, for if she had, my father
would have contrived to send a message to the admiral. If Watkins is
right in his conjectures, she must then have gone up the Straits, and
she may or may not have afterwards joined the Prince's squadron, though
I am inclined to think she did not, or we should have heard of her from
the prizes we took, and she was certainly not among the vessels we
destroyed. It follows then that she met with some other fate."
"Alack! and that may be a disastrous one," I exclaimed. "Too probably
we shall never again hear of the dear ones."
"Not if we don't search for them," answered Lancelot, "but I have an
idea. What do you say to obtaining leave from the admiral to fit out
one of the vessels we have just taken, and to go and look for them? We
may learn where the _Hector_ has been, and by that means trace them. I
cannot bring myself to believe that they are lost."
I fully entered into Lancelot's plan, which we speedily matured. He at
once went to Robert Blake, who, approving of our proposal, undertook to
speak to his uncle.
Before long the admiral sent for us. "I can ill spare any trustworthy
officers, but your cause is a sacred one, and you shall have the best
vessel you can find, with such men among the prisoners as will
volunteer, and whom you deem fitted for the service. I will undertake
to pay their wages and all other expenses, and you may gain such
information of what is going on in the Mediterranean as may be of use to
our country."
We heartily thanked the admiral, and taking our leave, hastened to carry
out our intentions.
We soon, with Lieutenant Blake's assistance, fixed on a vessel,
appropriately called the _Good Hope_. She was in seaworthy condition,
with stores of all sorts on board, and carried twenty guns. Her
complement of men we had no difficulty in obtaining, as the corsairs who
had just been captured were glad to obtain good pay and to escape having
to serve on board the Parliamentary ships.
Lancelot was appointed captain, I went as his first lieutenant, and
Dick, who got leave from the admiral, as his second, while Martin
Shobbrok went as gunner, and Ned Watkins volunteered to act as
boatswain.
Getting such further stores, provisions, arms, and ammunition on board
as we required for a long cruise, we bade our friends "Good-bye," and
making sail stood away from the Scilly Islands, which we soon ran out of
sight.