A change from terra firma to the restless ocean is sometimes pleasant,
even for its novelty, if nothing else--although none who try the
experiment but are completely satisfied that, so far as everything
connected with comfort is concerned, or real quiet of mind or body,
there is nothing like the solid earth. I must, however, ask my readers
to risk themselves with me for a short time on the ocean, and perhaps
they will the more readily do so, when I tell them that we are to be on
board the good ship Lady Washington, and under the immediate command of
our favorite Captain Sam.
Those who see our ships only as they lie along side of the busy wharves,
and are either discharging or receiving their freight, have but a poor
idea of the neatness which the deck of a well-regulated vessel presents
in her usual sailing trim. It may be that our Captain was peculiar about
this matter, but every thing was so snugly stowed away, and securely
fastened, that to all appearance nothing would be displaced, should some
sudden freak of old ocean roll her bottom upwards. Her deck was flush
from stem to stern, and the gangway on each side was clean and clear;
every hand on deck was actively employed in the performance of some
duty, but it could be seen that they were intent upon some object more
engrossing than that in which their hands were busied, for wistful
glances were cast towards their young commander, who was standing near
the helm, and, with marks of anxiety on his countenance, eyeing through
a glass a distant speck upon the ocean.
'Mr. Barnum, this breeze is not going to last; it's a dead calm already
a mile to starboard. Hail the maintop; that fellow must be asleep.'
The chief mate--for it was he who was thus addressed--placing his two
brawny hands so as to form a speaking trumpet, raised his face aloft,
and sent up a blast that would have aroused no common slumberer.
'Hallo, maintop!'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
'What do you make her?'
'Can't make her at all.'
At this reply, the mate sprang into the shrouds with the agility of a
squirrel, and was soon far up amid the complicated rigging, and seizing
the glass from the one who had been using it, made a satisfactory
examination, and then tumbling down as rapidly as he had ascended, was
again beside his Captain.
'It is difficult making her out, for she has got her three masts in one;
but she looms large, and from the rig should judge she's a bull-dog,
with at least two rows of teeth.'
'Ship, ahoy!' from aloft.
'What quarter?'
'On the larboard beam, and coming down with a spanking breeze.'
'Ship, ahoy!!'
'Ay, ay, we see her; there's no mistake now, Captain Oakum; we are in
the midst of them.'
'Call the crew aft, Mr. Barnum.'
Soon every sailor on board was standing near the quarter-deck, and, with
respectful bearing, ready to hear the will of their Captain. He
immediately stepped up before them, and casting his eye over their hardy
and cheerful countenances, explained in a few brief sentences the
peculiarity of their situation, and what he should require of them.
'We are in the midst of our enemies; three of their frigates are now in
sight, and bearing down upon us. We are bound for our port, and shall go
there if we can; it will be no child's play, but I am exposed to equal
danger with the rest of you. If we succeed, a handsome reward awaits us,
and the satisfaction of having done our duty; if we are so unlucky as to
fall into their hands, a prison or a life cruise in a man-of-war will be
the game on the other side; but if you are all resolved for home or a
watery grave, let me know it.'
A loud and hearty huzza burst spontaneously from the whole crew; and at
a signal from the mate they tumbled back to their quarters with an
alacrity that showed they were ready for any sport their Captain chose.
A steady breeze was yet bearing the vessel along at a moderate pace, and
it could be plainly seen that two of the ships were becalmed, as they
were fading away in the distance; from them, therefore, but little was
to be apprehended, while the one on the larboard beam was rapidly
gaining upon them.
Captain Oakum now sprang into the mizzen chains, and marking with
intense interest the surface of the ocean, the working of the clouds,
and the situation of the different ships--
'Mr. Barnum--'
'Ay, ay, sir;' and the mate was in an instant by his side.
'I think, that by laying her course due north, we shall carry the wind
longer with us, and give them a wider berth.'
The necessary order was given, and the Lady Washington was soon
ploughing her way in the direction required.
'The breeze is going, Captain; that ship gains on us fast.'
'I see she does, but the probability is we shall both be becalmed soon;
she won't hold the wind long after it leaves us; you had better have the
boats unshipped, Mr. Barnum, and ready for launching.'
The right good-will with which the sailors sprang to obey each command,
gave satisfactory evidence of what their Captain might depend upon in
the hour of extremity.
He felt assured that, whatever forty good men could do, at any risk,
would be done, but the responsibility of every movement, and of the
result, rested upon himself alone. He had provided his vessel with a few
guns of large calibre, and one of these occupied the after cabin--it was
a long twenty-four pounder. A large port had been made for it in the
stern, which was, however, at present closely fastened; four more of
various sizes were stationed at different parts of the main deck, and a
plentiful supply of pikes and cutlasses was snugly stowed away in
readiness for a sudden call. All these he thought might be of service to
him in an emergency, but his main dependence was upon the sailing
qualities of his ship; he had tested her well, and felt a confidence
which, perhaps, most young captains do, that nothing could outstrip his
vessel in a good breeze.
Although prepared for the worst, he had not heard of hostilities having
been begun until nearing home. A French brig gave him the intelligence,
and also that a blockading squadron was strictly guarding the port for
which he was bound, part of which he had thus unexpectedly encountered;
and now the ability of his ship, and the skill of her commander, were to
be put to the test.
Scarcely had the order been executed for unlashing the boats, when the
sails flapped heavily against the masts.
'It has gone sooner than I expected. Launch the boats, Mr. Barnum, and
let them be manned to their full capacity; if we can move the ship but a
few lengths, it may serve to take us out of the reach of their guns.'
With incredible celerity a row of boats was strung ahead of the ship,
and every man pulling with determined energy.
'This calm ain't for nothing; I'm of opinion, sir; there's foul weather
brewing, depend on it'--and the mate directed the Captain's attention to
the threatening aspect of the clouds in the eastern sky. 'We shall have
something to contend with soon, besides the enemy's guns, Captain Oakum;
that long streak of light under them black clouds, and those scuds
flying off and streaking up so fast, and spreading themselves out so, is
no good sign; there'll be a north-easter, and a smasher when it comes.'
'Let it come, Mr. Barnum; any thing but lying here and not able to stir,
and that frigate almost ready to fire into us.'
The only hope, indeed, which our Captain could indulge, was that the
wind might die away as suddenly with their pursuer as it had with them;
but her sails were yet well filled, and, of course, she was gaining upon
them every moment; the slow and almost imperceptible motion which his
own ship made by the power of oars, would have been discouraging to one
who was not buoyed up with the consciousness of doing all that was then
in his power to do to escape the trouble which had come upon them. He
could not control the winds; he therefore neither cursed them, nor
himself, nor the noble ship that was bearing down upon them; but he
watched her advance with great anxiety, and would turn his gaze
occasionally from this object of interest to the ominous-looking clouds
that were gathering in heavier masses every moment--a hurricane, or
something very near it, would be a great relief; any thing that would
give him a chance to bear his much-loved ship out of the immediate reach
of her powerful adversary.
'It's a gone case with us, Captain Oakum; her guns will soon be able to
reach us.'
'If she keeps the breeze much longer. Call Derrick, will you, Mr.
Barnum.'
John Derrick, who now made his appearance at the call of the mate, held
the title on board ship of the old man-of-war's-man. He was the only
person of advanced age among the crew; he was about fifty, rather taller
than was necessary for a sailor, and of slender make. His head on the
top was bald, and the locks which hung from the lower part were long and
thin; his neck and chin were concealed by a thick bushy beard, very
dark, and making a strong contrast with his pale countenance. Sam had
selected him for his skill in gunnery, as well as for his ability as a
sailor, and in an emergency, felt more confidence in his opinion than in
either of his officers.
'Do you think she is near enough to trouble us, John?' and the Captain
looked significantly at the frigate.
'She don't think so, Captain Oakum, or we should hear from her; but I've
been on the look out a little, and unless her guns are carronades--ay,
ay, she speaks now;' and all at once a column of white smoke belched
forth from her bow port, and a ball clipped the glassy surface of the
water, passing the whole length of the vessel.
'That tells the story, Captain.'
'I suppose it is a gentle hint for us to let them know who we are,
before they give us a benefit; so we may as well show them the stars and
stripes, Mr. Barnum, and our boys will pull the better when they see
them aloft, in the place of that French gewgaw.'
A hearty cheer burst from the whole crew as they saw their native
standard flying at the mast-head, and they bent themselves to their
oars, until the boat nearest the ship was at times almost out of water.
'Now we shall take it, Captain; she's rounding to; her whole broadside
will be the next salute.'
Captain Oakum felt, in all its force, the danger of their situation. In
an instant he was at the bow of his ship.
'Pull away, boys--lay to--every foot tells now.' The energy which he
threw into his voice, as he gave out these brief directions, added fresh
vigor to their willing hearts and pull away it was. As the frigate
swayed round, two guns in quick succession sent forth their messengers
of death, and evidently intended not as a compliment, for the aim was
direct, both striking the ship, although doing but little damage.
Scarce, however had they congratulated themselves on their escape, when
a volume of smoke enveloped the deck of the frigate, and the waters were
ploughed by a storm of bullets; but one of them reached the ship, the
others sinking in the deep at her stern. A loud shout went forth from
the Lady Washington, as it was now manifest that she was beyond the
reach of harm.
'Will you allow me, Captain, just to give them a try with the Long Tom?'
said Derrick, stepping up, and touching his cap respectfully; 'just for
the honor of the flag, sir.'
'Not yet, John; we must save our fire until we shall be more sure of our
mark. You shall have a chance soon, my good fellow, for I see that they
are manning their boats for a visit to us; we must give them the best
welcome in our power.'
It was evident now that the time of trial was at hand; for two boats,
well manned, were seen pulling towards them; the sea was unruffled as a
lake, and nothing to prevent their rapid progress.
As Sam did not intend, under such circumstances, to give up his noble
vessel and her valuable cargo without a struggle, each gun was loaded,
the men were called in from the boats, pikes were brought out and laid
in readiness, and each sailor who was not aloft buckled on his cutlass.
The faces of the young men assumed a determined yet cheerful expression,
and not one on board but felt that the stripes should fly as long as his
arm could wield a weapon.
The sky, also, was becoming black with clouds, and spreading the gloom
of night around them; and the long swell that occasionally lifted their
vessel, told that already the tempest was doing its work in the
distance; every sail aloft was taken in and well secured, and suitable
preparation made for the emergency.
'They are calculating, I guess, sir, to finish the job, and make a
harbor on board the Lady Washington, afore the squall comes on, or
surely no commander in his senses would send boats off with such a mess
as any one can see is brewing yonder.
'Now John, is your time: take your hands and get all ready. Don't open
your port until I pass you the word, and then make sure work with them.'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
And down he tumbled, and the men allotted to him, with as good will as
though piped to dinner. As the boats neared the ship, it could be seen
that the officers were urging on to greater speed: and good cause had
they, for the roar of the coming tempest had reached them, and but an
alternative was now left; they must either secure their prize quickly,
or perish amid the wild waves: a return in their open boats to their own
ship was impossible.
Captain Oakum saw that the time for an effort had arrived.
'All ready below, John?'
'All ready, sir.'
'Now is your time; let them have it.'
The ship trembled as the engine of destruction belched forth its deadly
messenger; the thick smoke curled up over the stern, for a moment
obscuring the view; but the next, a loud shout came up from below, and
was echoed through the ship. Captain Oakum almost shuddered as he beheld
what execution had been done, for the whole crew of one of the boats was
battling with the waters, while their companions in the remaining boat
were using their utmost exertions to rescue the living and the dying
from the wreck of the other. But there was not a moment to spare to look
at friend or foe, for the blast of the tempest came sweeping over them
in its might, and each man flew to his post at the swift word of his
commander, and was prepared to meet the contest with the stormy
elements. As the gale struck the ship, the sails flew out with a report
like the sudden burst of thunder, and the yielding ship lay over with
her bulwarks to the water's edge; a moment she seemed pressed down by a
weight that must whelm her in the deep, and then, recovering her
balance, gracefully she rose to meet the adversary with which a contest
for her life was now to be maintained.
'They'll get their deserts now, Captain; those men can never reach their
ship in their crowded state.'
'We must save them, Mr. Barnum, if we can; put your helm to lee, and
tack ship.'
The gallant vessel bore proudly up against the mighty wind; a moment she
seemed to waver in its very eye, and then falling off, and taking its
power on her other beam, bore swiftly on towards the enemies who had so
lately sought her destruction. As she dashed along to windward of the
boat now struggling amid the foaming waves, Captain Oakum seized the
trumpet from his mate, and hailed them--
'You can never reach your ship.'
'Not in our present condition,' replied a fine-looking young officer.
'We will do the best we can for you, but leave your arms behind.'
The roar of the tempest forbade any reply; but the officer raised a
white handkerchief, and as the ship flew by, a rope was thrown to the
boat, and by the united powers of both crews, she was drawn under the
lee of the ship. As much care as possible was taken in removing the
wounded seamen, and Sam, as yet unused to the horrors of war, felt his
heart sicken as he looked at the terrible fruit of his own orders. He
felt that there had been a necessity for it, but would gladly have
relinquished his own prospective gains by the salvation of his vessel,
rather than have heard one groan from the poor mangled sufferers that
now lay in agony upon his deck.
The moment the young officer stepped upon the deck, he presented his
sword to Captain Oakum.
'It is a singular fortune, sir, that has made me your prisoner; but I
cannot mistake the kindness that has brought you to our rescue in a time
like this, and when we were seeking your injury.'
'Retain your sword, sir, and your liberty, as well as that of your
companion'--a midshipman, who stood beside the Lieutenant, and was
preparing to surrender his weapon in like manner--'and of your crew, I
only ask your pledge of honor to attempt no rescue while on board my
ship. I will do all I can for your safe return, if we outlive this
storm.'
Every thing that could be done for the wounded was immediately attended
to; a brotherly feeling was at once established between the crew of the
Lady Washington and their late enemies, and each seemed to vie with the
other in kind attentions.
Successful thus far beyond his hopes, our young Captain now took a
station by the helm, and looked upon the scene, and his situation in
reference to the vessels from whose power he had feared so much. Far off
in the south-east, the frigate from which he had so narrowly escaped was
bearing away in an opposite direction to the course she had been
pursuing, and far enough off at present to remove all apprehension from
her. In the west could be seen the two which had been becalmed, bearing
to the south and east, and evidently doing their best to gain an offing
from the coast. To preserve himself from a dangerous contiguity, he had
two alternatives, either to endeavor to force his way to the
north-ward--almost an impossibility, as the wind then held--or to run
before the gale, and venture, through the darkness and the storm, to
find his way into port. He was perfectly satisfied that his reckonings
had been correct, and that he knew his bearings; although to point his
bow to land at such a time, with no other guide than his compass and his
chart, he felt to be almost a desperate undertaking. He resolved,
however, rash as it appeared, to try the dreadful hazard.
As he communicated his determination to his mate, and ordered him to put
the ship before the wind--
'It's a harsh night to venture on a lee shore, sir; but your command
shall be obeyed.'
The heavy clouds that rolled in huge masses, scarcely higher than the
masts of the ship, had hastened the close of day, and gave sure tokens
of what the night would be. The coast, however, had been clearly seen
before the daylight departed, and soon the hopes and fears which, by
turns, were triumphant in the breast of him on whom such immense
responsibility rested, would be certain. All danger from armed vessels
was now at an end; but his ship was flying on the wings of the wind; the
driving clouds above, and the boiling sea beneath and around her. A
costly and gallant vessel, a freight of immense value, and a multitude
of human beings, were dependent upon the correctness of his judgment and
the determination of his will.
Onward and onward, like a chafed charger, rushed the proud ship, her bow
at times nearly buried beneath the billows that tumbled before her, and
rolled in majestic grandeur by her sides, or rose like mountains at her
stern, threatening to whelm her in their deep dark bosom. How like an
infant's dream appeared to Sam now all the past experience of his life:
every care or sorrow faded into mist before the deep responsibility that
weighed upon his heart. The young Lieutenant was not, as may well be
supposed, an unconcerned spectator of the passing scene. He had been
struck with admiration, not only at the generous conduct of our hero,
but at his manly bearing, his prompt and determined action, and the
perfect order and discipline that were so clearly manifested in such an
hour of trial. He kept a strict eye on the course of the ship, and
confirmed, much to the satisfaction of the Captain, the correctness of
her bearings.
'The light ought to be seen, however, Captain, by this time--we have
been sailing with incredible rapidity, and must be near the land. Can
nothing be seen of it yet?'
'I have my ablest seaman on the look-out, but we have no tidings of it
yet.'
Captain Oakum left the stern of the ship and placed himself near to the
look-out. It was Derrick whom he had especially intrusted with this
important duty; although every soul on board might have been included,
for not one but kept an eye ranged towards the quarter where it was
expected to be seen.
'Any signs of light yet, John?'
'No signs yet, sir; but we must be drawing near land, sir; the roar of
the surf can be plainly heard.'
Scarce had the sailor uttered the last sentence, when at the top of his
voice he called out,
'Light on the starboard bow, Captain Oakum!'
And as Sam cast his eye in that direction, the first twinkle of the
beacon met his view, and in an instant he saw the imminence of their
danger.
'Helm to leeward! hard down!' And springing to his station again beside
the helmsman, he issued forth his orders to the seamen without waiting
to convey them through his mate. With magic speed the sails were braced
to meet the new position of the ship, and take the gale upon her beam.
Like a thing possessed of consciousness, the noble craft, almost as
quick as thought, turned from the roaring surf, and threw the light upon
her other quarter. Hope now hung for safety on the strength of her sails
and spars. With all the canvas she could carry, it could but be scarcely
visible that she made headway. The stout masts bent like whips, and the
laboring ship groaned and cracked and trembled as she plunged into the
mighty waves, throwing them, through her whole length, high into the
air.
'She'll weather it, Captain: if she can hold on so half an hour longer,
we are safe.'
The Captain made no reply; that half hour was freighted with
consequences of most heart-stirring interest to him, and at no time had
he felt so doubtful of what the end might be. His eye was riveted upon
the beacon--that token of his danger and his safety too. What thoughts
it kindled in his bosom! Oft had he seen it in his boyhood's days, when
light of heart he sat with the dear ones of his home, at their old
cottage door. Is he again so near them? Is success, prosperity, and
honor soon to be fully realized; or disaster, shipwreck, and death?
Slowly the light recedes--the struggling ship, battled fiercely by the
terrible tempest, still forces her way, and still the good sails and the
bending spars hold on and keep her true.
'Don't you think we are far enough north, Captain, to run in?'
'Ease her off slowly, Mr. Barnum, a point or so.'
'She's a noble creature, sir, few ships could have stood it; but I
believe you've the luck with you, Captain Oakum.'
'We have had something with us better than good luck, Mr. Barnum. You
may venture now, sir; in with her.'
A loud hurra burst from the deck as the light flew past them; and the
Lady Washington, bidding adieu to the raging ocean, entered the
comparatively quiet waters of the sheltered bay.