GOOD SENSE IN SWINBURNE--NO MAN A HERO TO HIS "VALET DE CHAMBRE," OR A
PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY--O'BRIEN TAKES A STEP BY STRATEGY--O'BRIEN
PARTS WITH HIS FRIEND, AND PETER'S STAR IS NO LONGER IN THE ASCENDANT.
O'Brien was sorry for the death of his father, but he could not feel as
most people would have done, as his father had certainly never been a
father to him. He was sent to sea to be got rid of, and ever since he
had been there had been the chief support of his family: his father was
very fond of whisky, and not very fond of exertion. He was too proud of
the true Milesian blood in his veins, to do anything to support himself;
but not too proud to live upon his son's hard-earned gains. For his
mother O'Brien felt very much; she had always been kind and
affectionate, and was very fond of him. Sailors, however, are so
estranged from their families, when they have been long in their
profession, and so accustomed to vicissitudes, that no grief for the
loss of a relation lasts very long, and, in a week, O'Brien had
recovered his usual spirits, when a vessel brought us the intelligence
that a French squadron had been seen off St. Domingo. This put us all
on the _qui vive_. O'Brien was sent for by the admiral, and ordered to
hasten his brig for sea with all possible despatch, as he was to proceed
with despatches to England forthwith. In three days we were reported
ready, received our orders, and at eight o'clock in the evening made
sail from Carlisle Bay.
"Well, Mr Swinburne," said I, "how do you like your new situation?"
"Why, Mr Simple, I like it well enough, and it's not disagreeable to be
an officer, and sit in your own cabin; but still, I feel that I should
get on better, if I were in another ship. I've been hail fellow well
met with the ship's company so long, that I can't top the officer over
them, and we can't get the duty done as smart as I could wish; and then,
at night, I find it very lonely, stuck up in my cabin like a parson's
clerk, and nobody to talk to; for the other warrants are particular, and
say that I'm only acting, and may not be confirmed, so they hold aloof.
I don't much like being answerable for all that lot of gunpowder--it's
queer stuff to handle."
"Very true, Swinburne; but still, if there were no responsibility, we
should require no officers. You recollect that you are now provided for
for life, and will have half-pay."
"That's what made me bite, Mr Simple; I thought of the old woman, and
how comfortable it would make her in her old age, and so, d'ye see, I
sacrificed myself."
"How long have you been married, Swinburne?"
"Ever since Christmas '94. I wasn't going to be hook'd carelessly, so I
nibbled afore I took the bait. Had four years' trial of her first, and
finding that she had plenty of ballast, I sailed her as my own."
"How do you mean by plenty of ballast?"
"I don't mean, Mr Simple, a broad bow and square hulk. You know very
well that if a vessel has not ballast, she's bottom up in no time. Now,
what keeps a woman stiff under her canvas is her modesty."
"Very true. Swinburne; but it's a rare commodity on the beach."
"And why, Mr Simple? because liquor is more valued. Many a good man
has found it to be his bane; and as for a woman, when once she takes to
it, she's like a ship without a rudder, and goes right before the wind
to the devil. Not that I think a man ought not to take a nor-wester or
two, when he can get them. Rum was not given by God Almighty only to
make the niggers dance, but to make all our hearts glad; neither do I
see why a woman is to stand out neither; what's good for Jack can't hurt
Poll; only there is a medium, as they say, in all things, and
half-and-half is quite strong enough."
"I should think it was," replied I, laughing.
"But don't be letting me prevent you from keeping a look-out, Mr
Simple.--You Hoskins, you're half a point off the wind. Luff you may.--
I think, Mr Simple, that Captain O'Brien didn't pick out the best man,
when he made Tom Alsop a quarter-master in my place."
"Why, he is a very steady, good man, Swinburne."
"Yes, so he is; but he has natural defects, which shouldn't be
overlooked."
"I was not aware of that."
"No, but I was. Alsop wants to sarve out his time for his pension, and
when he has sarved, you see if, when the surgeons examine him, they
don't invalid him, as blind as a bat. I should like to have him as
gunner's mate, and that's just what he's fit for. But, Mr Simple, I
think we shall have some bad weather. The moon looks greasy, and the
stars want snuffing. You'll have two reefs in the topsails afore
morning. There's five bells striking. Now, I'll turn in; if I didn't
keep half the first, and half the morning watch, I shouldn't sleep all
the night. I miss my regular watch very much, Mr Simple--habit's every
thing--and I don't much fancy a standing bed-place, it's so large, and I
feel so cold of my sides. Nothing like a hammock, after all. Good
night, Mr Simple."
"Good night. Swinburne."
Our orders were to proceed with all _possible_ despatch; and O'Brien
carried on day and night, generally remaining up himself till one or two
o'clock in the morning. We had very favourable weather, and in a little
more than a month we passed the Lizard. The wind being fair, we passed
Plymouth, ran up Channel, and anchored at Spithead.
After calling upon the admiral, O'Brien set off for town with his
despatches, and left me in command of the ship. In three days, I
received a letter from him, informing me that he had seen the First
Lord, who had asked him a great many questions concerning the station he
had quitted; that he had also complimented O'Brien on his services. "On
that hint I spake," continued O'Brien; "I ventured to insinuate to his
lordship, that I had hoped that I had earned my promotion; and as there
is nothing like _quartering on the enemy_, I observed that I had not
applied to Lord Privilege, as I considered my services would have been
sufficient, without any application on his part. His lordship returned
a very gracious answer; said that my Lord Privilege was a great ally of
his and very friendly to the Government; and inquired when I was going
to see him. I replied, that I certainly should not pay my respects to
his lordship at present, unless there was occasion for it, as I must
take a more favourable opportunity. So I hope that good may come from
the great lord's error, which of course I shall not correct, as I feel I
deserve my promotion--and you know, Peter, if you can't gain it by
_hook_, you must by _crook_." He then concluded his letter; but there
was a postscript as follows:--
"Wish me joy, my dear Peter. I have this moment received a letter from
the private secretary, to say that I am _posted_ and appointed to the
_Semiramis_ frigate, about to set sail for the East Indies. She is all
ready to start; and now I must try and get you with me, of which I have
no doubt; as, although her officers have been long appointed, there will
be little difficulty of success, when I mention your relationship to
Lord Privilege, and while they remain in error as to his taking an
interest in my behalf."
I sincerely rejoiced at O'Brien's good fortune. His promotion I had
considered certain, as his services had entitled him to it: but the
command of so fine a frigate must have been given upon the supposition
that it would be agreeable to my uncle, who was not only a prime
supporter, but a very useful member of the Tory government. I could not
help laughing to myself, at the idea of O'Brien obtaining his wishes
from the influence of a person who, probably, detested him as much as
one man could detest another; and I impatiently waited for O'Brien's
next letter, by which I hoped to find myself appointed to the
_Semiramis_; but a sad _contre temps_ took place.
O'Brien did not write; but came down two days afterwards, hastened on
board the _Semiramis_, read his commission, and assumed the command
before even he had seen me: he then sent his gig on board of the
_Rattlesnake_, to desire me to come to him directly. I did so, and we
went down into the cabin of the frigate. "Peter," said he, "I was
obliged to hasten down and read myself captain of this ship, as I am in
fear that things are not going on well. I had called to pay my respects
at the Admiralty, previous to joining, and was kicking my heels in the
waiting-room, when who should walk up the passage, as if he were a
captain on his own quarter-deck, but your uncle, Lord Privilege. His
eye met mine--he recognised me immediately--and, if it did not flash
fire, it did something very like it. He asked a few questions of one of
the porters, and was giving his card, when my name was called for. I
passed him, and up I went to the First Lord, thanked him for the
frigate; and having received a great many compliments upon my exertions
on the West India station, made my bow and retired. I had intended to
have requested your appointment, but I knew that your name would bring
up Lord Privilege's; and, moreover, your uncle's card was brought up and
laid upon the table while I was sitting there. The First Lord, I
presume, thought that his lordship was come to thank him for his
kindness to me, which only made him more civil. I made my bow, and went
down, and met the eye of Lord Privilege, who looked daggers at me as he
walked upstairs--for, of course, he was admitted immediately after my
audience was finished. Instead of waiting to hear the result of the
explanation, I took a post-chaise, and have come down here as fast as
four horses can bring me, and have read myself in--for, Peter, I feel
sure, that if not on board, my commission will be cancelled; and I know
that if once in command, as I am now, I can call for a court-martial, to
clear my character if I am superseded. I know that the Admiralty _can_
do anything, but still they will be cautious in departing from the rules
of the service, to please even Lord Privilege. I looked up at the sky
as soon as I left the Admiralty portico, and was glad to see that the
weather was so thick, and the telegraph not at work, or I might have
been too late. Now I'll go on shore, and report myself to the admiral,
as having taken the command of the _Semiramis_."
O'Brien went on shore to report himself, was well received by the
admiral, who informed him, that if he had any arrangements to make, he
could not be too soon, as he should not be surprised if his sailing
orders came down the next morning. This was very annoying, as I could
not see how I should be able to join O'Brien's ship, even if I could
effect an exchange, in so short a time. I therefore hastened on board
of the _Semiramis_ and applied to the officers to know if any of them
were willing to exchange into the _Rattlesnake_; but although they did
not much like going to the East Indies, they would not exchange into a
brig, and I returned disappointed.
The next morning, the admiral sent for O'Brien, and told him
confidentially, for he was the same admiral who had received O'Brien
when he escaped from prison with me, and was very kind to him, that
there was some hitch about his having the _Semiramis_, and that orders
had come down to pay her off, all standing, and examine her bottom, if
Captain O'Brien had not joined her.
"Do you understand what this means?" said the admiral, who was anxious
to know the reason.
O'Brien answered frankly, that Lord Privilege, by whose interest he had
obtained his former command, was displeased with him; and that as he saw
him go up to the First Lord after his own audience, he had no doubt but
that his lordship had said something to his disadvantage, as he was a
very vindictive man.
"Well," said the admiral, "it's lucky that you have taken the command,
as they cannot well displace you, or send her into dock without a
survey, and upon your representation."
And so it proved; the First Lord, when he found that O'Brien had joined,
took no further steps, but allowed the frigate to proceed to her
intended destination. But all chance of my sailing with him was done
away, and now, for the first time, I had to part with O'Brien. I
remained with him the whole time that I could be spared from my duties.
O'Brien was very much annoyed, but there was no help. "Never mind,
Peter," said he, "I've been thinking that perhaps it's all for the best.
You will see more of the world, and be no longer in leading-strings.
You are now a fine man grown up, big enough, and ugly enough, as they
say, to take care of yourself. We shall meet again; and if we don't,
why then God bless you, my boy, and don't forget O'Brien."
Three days afterwards, O'Brien's orders came down. I accompanied him on
board; and it was not until the ship was under weigh, and running
towards the Needles with a fair wind, that I shook hands with him, and
shoved off. Parting with O'Brien was a heavy blow to me; but I little
knew how much I was to suffer before I saw him again.