We must now return to our hero, Roger Willoughby, who had fortunately,
from having joined Captain Benbow, been prevented from being drawn in by
Stephen to serve the cause of Monmouth. The _Ruby_, after relieving
Stephen and his companions, continued her course down channel. Roger
earnestly hoped that his friend would be favoured with fine weather, and
would reach a Dutch port in safety. The _Ruby_, on her course down the
English Channel, then ran some way up the Irish Channel, according to
the orders her Captain had received, but she fell in with no vessels or
boats containing persons whom he considered himself bound to look upon
as rebels. He boarded several vessels with passengers bound out to the
New England States, where they said they were going to settle. Some had
their families, and, of course, they could not be considered as rebels,
while the greater number, who were of all ranks--gentlemen, well-to-do
yeomen, and labourers--were single men; but as there was nothing to
prove that they had been supporters of Monmouth, whatever the Captain
might have suspected, he resolved to give them the benefit of the doubt,
and would not detain them. Thus a good many escaped who would have
tended to swell the victims of the Bloody Assize, of which the Captain,
to his great indignation, heard when sending occasionally on shore. The
_Ruby_, having remained the time she had been directed on the west
coast, returned to Portsmouth, where she waited for orders. Seldom in
those days could a ship's company be allowed on shore without the risk
of losing a number of men, but so completely had Benbow ingratiated
himself with his crew, that when their leave was up they all returned on
board.
Roger, meantime, was daily gaining nautical skill and knowledge. Liking
more and more the profession he had chosen, he had won the regard and
esteem of his Captain, who promised as soon as possible to obtain for
him a lieutenant's commission. Roger had several messmates, with all of
whom he got on very well, though some of them were jealous of the favour
he received from the Captain. His chief friend was Charles Ross, a lad
somewhat younger than himself, who had come to sea with Captain Benbow
for the first time. He was a little fellow, light-hearted, merry, and
full of fun, though he had his serious moments, which showed that he was
not as thoughtless as many would have supposed. He and Roger were much
together. Roger was always ready to impart to him the knowledge which
he himself possessed, and especially to teach him navigation. Another
messmate, who was generally known as Old Dick Kemp, had been a
ship's-boy, but had been placed on the quarter-deck for his good
behaviour and gallantry during the last Dutch war, for saving the lives
of two shipmates, for behaving with great courage during a heavy gale on
a lee shore, when the ship on board which he served narrowly escaped
being cast away. Since then, however, Dick Kemp had not risen above the
rank of master's mate, having no friends to plead for his promotion.
Captain Benbow appreciated him as being a true tarpaulin, on whom he
could rely at all times, which was more than he would have said for his
lieutenants, who were young gentlemen of family sent to sea for the
first time with that rank. Not having gone through the inferior grades
of the profession of navigation, they knew nothing, and looked upon it
as beneath their notice, while they were only slowly learning the art of
seamanship, and could only manage to put a ship about with the aid of
Dick Kemp, Roger Willoughby, or one of the other tarpaulins or true
sailors. Such was the way ships were manned in those days.
It is true that many of the shore-going young gentlemen who strutted
about in silk doublets, feathers in their hats, and jewelled swords by
their sides, fought bravely enough. When they found themselves in the
presence of an enemy, they could ably superintend the working of the
guns, which they looked upon as their principal avocation; or when
boarders had to be repelled, or a boarding-party led, they were
generally found fighting bravely at the head of their men. Since
Charles the Second, however, made peace with the Dutch, the navy of
England had seen no fighting except a few engagements with Algerine or
Sallee rovers.
Benbow's lieutenants soon learned to respect him. He always treated
them as gentlemen, though he did not pretend to say that they were
sailors. On the contrary, he drew a marked distinction between the
gentlemen officers and the tarpaulins, giving the preference undoubtedly
to the latter. The _Ruby_ remained so long at Portsmouth that Roger had
time to write home, and also to receive a reply. He now heard for the
first time of Stephen's capture, and of his narrow escape from death
through the exertions of Alice.
"Bless her!" he exclaimed. "She was always a true girl, and I knew
that, should occasion require, she would prove a real heroine. Fancy
her bearding that monster Jeffreys, and winning her cause, though I am
afraid he will suffer fearfully, and be sent out to the West Indies; but
he got accustomed to a hot climate in Africa, and will stand it better
than most people; but poor Andrew! sad to think that he should have lost
his life, after so nearly escaping. I wish I could have been on shore
to help them, though I do not know that I could have done much; but I do
know that I would have run every risk. I would have insisted on their
making their escape when they were shut up at Eversden. I am sure that
my uncle and Madam Pauline would not have found fault with me."
All he could learn of Stephen was that he sailed a short time before
with many hundred slaves from the Thames bound out to the West Indies.
His father, who wrote, told him of the hapless Maids of Taunton, who had
presented the banners to the Duke of Monmouth, being sold to the Queen
and the Maids of Honour, who were making what money they could out of
their parents and friends; but one poor little girl had died from fright
at being so roughly addressed by Jeffreys. Many thousand pounds had
been obtained by the courtiers to whom the slaves had been awarded,
while the King had managed to get his share of profit out of the
rebellion. These details, which were pretty well known on board, did
not tend to increase the loyalty of the officers and seamen of the
_Ruby_. The Captain himself, as became him, expressed no opinion, but
Dick Kemp did not conceal his sentiments on the subject. Though he did
not venture to say that he wished Monmouth had succeeded, he expressed
his opinion that the King and his courtiers were as vile a set of
ragamuffins as ever sat in high places, and that the Queen and Maids of
Honour were well worthy of them.
At length the _Ruby_ had orders to proceed to the West Indies to look
after certain piratical craft, under the leadership of a daring
Frenchman, who were infesting those seas.
"It is just the part of the world I want to go to," cried Roger. "I
have heard a great deal of the beautiful scenery, of their strange
trees, curious productions of all sorts, and if we touch at Jamaica,
which we are sure to do, I will make inquiries for my old friend Stephen
Battiscombe; if I can hear anything of him, I will do my utmost to
redeem him."
"I will help you," said Charlie Ross.
"So will I," said Dick Kemp. "I should not be surprised that the
Captain would exert himself, since as you say he sailed with him."
With a fair breeze the _Ruby_ sailed down Channel, carrying the fine
weather some way into the Atlantic and then encountered a heavy gale;
but her hull was tight, and her Captain had seen that she was well
fitted, having carefully inspected her masts and spars, and every
standing and running rope of her rigging before they were set up and
rove. Escaping from the gale without damage, she ran into southern
latitudes. She had a fair breeze. One day, with all sail set below and
aloft, carrying her along at the rate of seven or eight knots an hour,
Dick Kemp, Charlie, and Roger were on deck together, when, as they were
looking over the side, they observed a dark triangular object cutting
rapidly through the water.
"Hilloa! what is that curious thing?" asked Charlie.
"That is the fin of Jack Shark," said Kemp, "the vilest brute that
exists; the hated foe of us sailors. I don't know how many fine fellows
he has not grabbed by the leg, and gobbled up."
"I wish that I had a gun, I would shoot him," said Charlie, "and he
would do no more mischief; but unfortunately he has plenty of brothers
and sisters like him; as soon as he sees the gun he will be off like a
shot."
"I will borrow a musket, and see if I cannot hit him," cried Roger.
Roger was not long in getting the gun, while Kemp, hurrying forward,
obtained a piece of rancid pork, which he fastened to the end of a line.
"Now, Roger, look out," he said, as he threw the pork overboard, and
Roger held his gun in readiness. Presently the fin disappeared; a white
glistening object rose to the surface; off went Roger's musket.
"I hit him, I am sure," cried Roger, as the shark sank.
"I think you did, and right through the head. I saw a tinge of red, but
it went in a moment," said Kemp. "We have settled the brute, and I wish
we could settle every other that comes alongside. We will keep the
pork, and if we can find a hook, we will have the next on board."
On sailed the ship. The Captain, however, coming on deck, observed
indications of a change, and ordered canvas to be reduced. Roger's duty
required him to remain on deck; Charlie Ross ran up with the two other
midshipmen to the foreyard to superintend the operation of taking in a
reef. Roger was looking forward when he observed an object fall from
the yard; at the same time a cry burst forth from the throats of several
of the crew, "A man overboard!" As Roger ran to the side he had seen
Charlie Ross on the yard-arm, but he was not there now, and as the
person floated by he felt sure that he was his friend. Without
recollecting the shark they had seen in the morning, without thinking of
any danger to himself, his ardent desire being to save his friend, he
plunged overboard. Charlie had struck the water on his side, and was
apparently senseless, for he made no attempt to save himself; but still
he floated. The ship running fast at the time, and only part of the
sails having been furled, Roger heard the Captain give the order to
heave her to, as he struck out towards his friend, whom he reached just
as he appeared on the point of sinking. At that moment Charlie's
consciousness had returned.
"Never fear, you are all right," cried Roger. "Let me put my arms under
you, and do not attempt to swim till you are better. I will tread
water, and easily keep you and myself up."
"Where am I?" asked Charlie, in a very faint voice.
"Somewhere out in the middle of the Atlantic," said Roger, in a cheerful
tone. "But the ship's not far off, and help will come to us as soon as
a boat can be lowered; she's rounding-to, though she had so much way on
her that she shot somewhat far ahead."
Charlie was slowly recovering his senses, and did as he desired; but
when Roger looked up, the ship seemed a long long way off; not till then
did the thought of sharks occur to him. Though he had fortunately shot
the one which had been following the ship, there might be many others.
He, however, did not let this idea damp his courage, but kept treading
water with might and main, and singing out at the top of his voice, as
if he were hailing his shipmates, and urging them to come faster to his
assistance. At length he saw a boat lowered, and pulling towards them,
but she was still far away; the thought of the abominable sharks would
come back. As Charlie was recovering, he told him to sing out, and at
the same time to splash with his feet. "Just to keep away the cramps,
Charlie," he said; for he did not wish to frighten him with the thought
of the sharks. He looked round, and fancied he saw a dark fin in the
distance, but he might, he knew, be mistaken. The boat drew nearer, the
crew were giving way with all their might. Old Dick Kemp was steering
her, standing up to observe the spot where the two lads were floating.
Between her and them Roger observed that dark fin. "I hope that Dick
will see it too, and if he has a musket in the boat, will try to hit
it." Roger forgot, if he did, that the bullet would very likely strike
them. He shouted and splashed, and bade Charlie do the same, till he
was nearly exhausted. The fin disappeared; perhaps the brute had been
frightened away; he hoped so, but it did not make him relax in his
efforts. It is our best chance to keep the monster off, he thought; he
could scarcely have struck out five minutes longer, when the boat got
up.
"Take him on board first," he cried, pushing forward Charlie.
"We will have both of you together," said Kemp. Scarcely was he in the
boat when a white glistening object appeared, and its huge mouth gaped
wide, half leaping out of the water. It got many a blow from the
seamen's oars; this had, however, no other effect than making it plunge
down and make the water with its tail fly over them.
"Now, lads, pull back as fast as you can," cried old Kemp. "We must put
the boys under the doctor's care as soon as possible. You are a brave
fellow, Roger; I always thought so, now I know it; and the Captain will
say so too. I only wish that I were in your place."
The Scotch doctor, Macpherson, who knew that his services would be
required, was standing ready to order the lads to be carried to the sick
bay.
"I do not think there is much the matter with me," said Roger; but his
trembling knees and pale face showed that he required care, while
Charlie had scarcely yet recovered from the blow he had experienced on
falling into the water. The gale seemed to have hung, back till Charlie
and his gallant preserver were safe on board,--the ship was under snug
canvas, and rode it out well. Roger was a whole day getting round.
When he appeared on deck he was warmly praised by the Captain, and he
received the compliments of the other officers, even the gentlemen
lieutenants.
"Faith," said the honourable Lieutenant Delamere, "it is more than I
could have done if I had expected to be made Lord High Admiral forthwith
for doing it."
"It seemed to me," said Roger, "that it was just the thing to be done,
and so I did it."
"You tarpaulins are accustomed to the water; it is an advantage you have
over us," remarked the lieutenant.
The _Ruby_ remained hove-to under storm canvas for five days, when, the
weather moderating, she once more made sail and stood on her course.
She had been running on for several days, the wind had fallen to a light
breeze, and the sea was smooth; it was soon after down. Charlie Ross,
who was one of the midshipmen of the watch, was stationed on the
topgallant forecastle. He had been looking out for some time when he
was joined by Roger.
"There is something away there on the starboard bow which puzzles me,"
he said. "It looks like the body of a huge whale."
"It is either that or the hull of a dismasted vessel," observed Roger.
"I think it the latter. You should have reported it to the officer of
the watch. I will go and do so."
Dick Kemp had charge of the deck, for the lieutenants in those days,
unless they were tarpaulins or brought up in the service, did not
perform that duty. Kemp came forward with his spy-glass, and soon
pronounced the object seen to be--as Roger supposed--the hull of a
dismasted vessel He at once sent below to obtain permission from the
Captain to steer towards it.
"Though she looks in a fearfully battered condition, there may still be
people on board, and we must try to rescue them," he observed.
As the _Ruby_ drew nearer a man could be seen on the deck holding on to
a part of the shattered bulwarks and waving a flag.
"There is one man on board at all events," observed Kemp; "there may be
more. Willoughby, do you get a boat ready to lower, and I will let the
Captain know that it is time to heave-to."
Captain Benbow just then made his appearance, and at once issued the
order to bring the ship to the wind. The boat was quickly alongside the
stranger, a rope was thrown over the side by the man who had been seen
waving the flag, and Roger scrambled on board. He and two other men
were on foot, weak, and pale, and reduced almost to skeletons, while
more lay about the deck unable to raise themselves.
"We are dying of hunger and thirst," exclaimed the stranger, who
appeared to be an officer. "For two days not a particle of food have we
eaten, nor has a drop of water moistened our lips; for mercy's sake
bring us some at once."
"The quickest way would be to take you to our ship," said Roger, and he
ordered his men to come up to carry the sufferers into the boat. While
he was speaking, it struck him, in spite of his pale cadaverous
countenance and emaciated appearance, that the officer was his old
friend Stephen Battiscombe; yet he did not like to ask him, for, if
Stephen Battiscombe, he was a convict, and might desire to remain
unknown. He treated him therefore as a stranger when the _Ruby's_ men
came to assist the officer.
"No, no," he said, "take the remnant of my crew first, and then those
poor fellows who are passengers. I have endured hunger this far, and
can hold out a little longer, while I do not think the vessel will go to
the bottom just yet."
Roger directed that the two seamen should be lifted into the boat, and
the two passengers; promising to return immediately for the remainder,
he pulled back to the ship as speedily as his crew could urge their
oars. On the way, he asked the two seamen who the person was who had
waved the flag.
"He was the mate of our vessel," answered one of the men.
"What is his name?" inquired Roger, eagerly.
"Simon Bates, I fancy," replied the other; "but we always called him
mate."
As he came alongside he sang out, "Half a beaker of water and some
biscuit, or any food to be found."
The water and some food were handed into the boat; and the moment the
people he had brought were hoisted up on deck, he made his way back for
the remainder.
"Come along now, Mr Bates," he said, addressing the officer; "it is all
right. The men say you are mate of this vessel."
Before taking the perishing people into the boat, Roger offered them
some water and food. The water was eagerly drunk, but one of the poor
sufferers was too far gone to swallow the food. Still, as there was
life in him, Roger hoped that the doctor might bring him round.
"There are some more below, though I fear they are past help," said the
mate, in a low voice, for he was but just able to speak.
Roger descended into the cabin. There lay two more persons, but on
lifting their hands he saw at once they were dead. In a berth on one
side was another who seemed to retain some sparks of life, but he was
too far gone to speak. Roger immediately sang out for some food and
water, which was handed down to him. He administered a little to the
sufferer in the hopes that he might be revived sufficiently to be
carried on deck. Though he drank the water eagerly, just as he placed
the food between his lips a deep sigh escaped him, his jaw dropped, and
he was dead. No other persons being found alive below, Roger, with
those he had rescued, shoved off from the sinking wreck, and from her
appearance he judged she would not keep afloat many hours longer.
When he had given an account of what had occurred on board, Captain
Benbow inquired if he knew the name of the mate.
"The men call him Simon Bates, sir," answered Roger.
"Then let him be entered by that name among those saved from the wreck,"
said the Captain. "And who are the other people?" he asked.
"They are passengers, sir," said Roger. "The ship's papers show that
she was bound out from London to Jamaica."
"There is nothing, I suppose, to show who the passengers are?" said the
Captain.
"I could discover no paper, sir," answered Roger.
The people were soon brought on board, and placed under the care of the
doctor, who attended to them assiduously. Just as sail was made, Roger,
who was on deck, observed the bow of the craft from which the people had
been rescued rise slightly in the water, then down she went, stern
first, and nothing was seen on the spot where she had floated, her hull
being the coffin of the rest of her passengers.
After some time Captain Benbow summoned Roger, to learn what he could
make out respecting the passengers. "With regard to the two seamen and
the officer, the matter is clear enough," he said. "They say that he
belonged to their vessel, and by his coolness and bravery saved their
lives, so that if he likes to enter on board the _Ruby_ he shall be
welcome to do so. I cannot give the seamen their choice when they
recover. They will prove to be stout fellows I hope, and will be as
well off with us as anywhere else; but with regard to the passengers the
matter is doubtful. I fear that they are slaves destined to be sold to
the planters of Jamaica, but I cannot bear the thought of handing them
over to so cruel a fate. Do you, Willoughby, speak to the men. If any
of them have served at sea the matter will be more easy, as I can then
enter them among the crew of the _Ruby_. It will be far better for them
than labouring in the plantations of Jamaica."
"Ay, ay," answered Roger, clearly understanding the drift of the
Captain's remarks. He first visited the mate and the two seamen, and
told them that if they chose to volunteer, the Captain would receive
them on board the _Ruby_.
"With all my heart," said the mate, in a low voice, taking Roger's hand
and pressing it. "Does he suspect who I am, for I am very sure that you
know me?"
"What he suspects I don't know, but he asks no questions," answered
Roger; "and whoever you are, you will enter under the name the man gave
you--Simon Bates."
"Thank you, Roger, thank you," said the mate. "I little expected such
good fortune; but the poor passengers! What is to be done with them?"
"If they have served at sea, the Captain will allow them to enter on
board the _Ruby_," said Roger.
"Yes, that they have, and very useful they made themselves; indeed,
without them the vessel must have gone down," said the mate. "From what
I saw of them, I should say they have the making of good seamen in them
when they regain their health and strength."
"That is all right," said Roger. "I will speak to the men, and advise
them to choose names under which they can enter."
He found them, however, scarcely sufficiently recovered to understand
him, much less to say anything, so that there was no hurry. He left
them under the care of the doctor and his assistants. The crew of the
_Ruby_ were chiefly west-country folk, and even had it been known on
board that the rescued people were slaves condemned for joining
Monmouth's rebellion, they would have gained the sympathy of those on
board, with the exception, perhaps, of the gentlemen lieutenants and a
few others. Nearly a week passed before the mate was able to leave his
hammock. The Captain, on seeing him, beckoned him to approach.
"I understand," he said, "that you have served long at sea, and I shall
be glad, as I doubt not you will prove yourself worthy of it, to place
you on the quarter-deck. Your men, I understand, have entered as of the
people you were carrying out as passengers. We shall, I hope, have
opportunities in which you can distinguish yourself and make your name
well known."
"Thank you, sir, I am grateful to you," said Simon Bates, of whose
identity there could be no doubt, now that he had so much recovered, and
was dressed in a becoming costume, obtained for him by Roger. "I will
do my best, as you suggest, sir, to make the name of Simon Bates well
known."
A couple of weeks after this the _Ruby_ entered Port Royal, in Jamaica.
As she was not to remain long, none of the crew were allowed to go on
shore. A certain portion seemed to have no wish to do so; although
Simon Bates might have walked the streets of Kingston with impunity,
there was a risk that he might be recognised by some traitor and
denounced. He therefore thought it prudent to remain on board.