THE MYSTERY BECOMES MORE AND MORE INTERESTING, AND I DETERMINE TO FIND
IT OUT.--PRYING AFTER THINGS LOCKED UP, I AM LOCKED UP MYSELF.--FLEMING
PROVES TO ME THAT HIS ADVICE WAS GOOD WHEN HE RECOMMENDED ME TO LEARN TO
SWIM.
On our arrival off the Medway, I had just gone down to bed and was
undressing, when I heard Fleming come on deck and haul up the boat. I
looked up the hatchway; it was very dark, but I could perceive Marables
hand him the bag and handkerchief, with which he pulled on shore. He
did not return until the next morning at daylight, when I met him as he
came up the side. "Well, Jacob," said he, "you've caught me, I've been
on shore to see my sweetheart; but you boys ought to know nothing about
these things. Make the boat fast, there's a good lad."
When we were one night discharging our cargo, which was for government,
I heard voices alongside. From habit, the least noise now awoke me: a
boat striking the side was certain so to do. It was then about twelve
o'clock. I looked up the hatchway, perceived two men come on board and
enter the cabin with packages. They remained there about ten minutes,
and then, escorted to the side by Fleming, left the barge. When the
barge was cleared, we hauled off to return, and in three days were again
alongside of Mr Drummond's wharf. The kindness both of Marables and of
Fleming had been very great. They lived in a style very superior to
what they could be expected to do, and I fared well in consequence.
On our arrival at the wharf, Marables came up to me, and said, "Now,
Jacob, as I have honestly told you the secret, I hope you won't ruin me
by saying a word to Mr Drummond." I had before made up my mind to say
nothing to my master until my suspicions were confirmed, and I therefore
gave my promise; but I had also resolved to impart my suspicions, as
well as what I had seen, to the old Dominie. On the third day after our
arrival I walked out to the school, and acquainted him with all that had
passed, and asked him for his advice.
"Jacob," said he, "thou hast done well, but thou mightest have done
better; hadst thou not given thy promise, which is sacred, I would have
taken thee to Mr Drummond, that thou mightest impart the whole,
instanter. I like it not. Evil deeds are done in darkness. _Noctem
peccatis et fraudibus objice nubem_. Still, as thou sayest, nought is
yet proved. Watch, therefore, Jacob--watch carefully over thy master's
interests, and the interests of society at large. It is thy duty, I may
say, _Vigilare noctesque diesque_. It may be as Marables hath said--and
all may be accounted for; still, I say, be careful, and be honest."
I followed the suggestions of the Dominie: we were soon laden with
another cargo of bricks, to be delivered at the same place, and
proceeded on our voyage. Marables and Fleming, finding that I had not
said a word to Mr Drummond, treated me with every kindness. Fleming
once offered me money, which I refused, saying that I had no use for it.
I was on the best terms with them, at the same time that I took notice
of all that passed, without offering a remark to excite their
suspicions. But not to be too prolix, it will suffice to say that we
made many trips during several months, and that during that time I made
the following observations:--that Fleming went on shore at night at
certain places, taking with him bags and bundles; that he generally
returned with others, which were taken into the cabin; that sometimes
people came off at night, and remained some time in the cabin with him;
and that all this took place when it was supposed that I was asleep.
The cabin was invariably locked when the barge was lying at the wharfs,
if Fleming was on shore, and at no time was I permitted to enter it.
Marables was a complete cipher in Fleming's hands, who ordered
everything as he pleased; and in the conversations which took place
before me, with much less restraint than at first, there appeared to be
no idea of Fleming's leaving us. As I felt convinced that there was no
chance of discovery without further efforts on my part, and my
suspicions increasing daily, I resolved upon running some hazard. My
chief wish was to get into the cabin and examine its contents; but this
was not easy, and would, in all probability, be a dangerous attempt.
One night I came on deck in my shirt. We were at anchor off
Rotherhithe: it was a dark night, with a drizzling rain. I was
hastening below, when I perceived a light still burning in the cabin,
and heard the voices of Marables and Fleming. I thought this a good
opportunity, and having no shoes, walked softly on the wet deck to the
cabin-door, which opened forward, and peeped through the crevices.
Marables and Fleming were sitting opposite each other at the little
table. There were some papers before them, and they were dividing some
money. Marables expostulated at his share not being sufficient, and
Fleming laughed and told him he had earned no more. Fearful of being
discovered, I made a silent retreat, and gained my bed. It was well
that I had made the resolution; for just as I was putting my head below
the hatch, and drawing it over the scuttle, the door was thrown open and
Fleming came out, I pondered over this circumstance, and the remark of
Fleming that Marables had not earned any more, and I felt convinced that
the story told me by Marables relative to Fleming was all false. This
conviction stimulated me more than ever to discover the secret, and many
and many a night did I watch, with a hope of being able to examine the
cabin; but it was to no purpose, either Fleming or Marables was always
on board. I continued to report to the Dominie all I had discovered,
and he agreed at last that it was better that I should not say anything
to Mr Drummond until there was the fullest proof of the nature of their
proceedings.
The cabin was now the sole object of my thoughts, and many were the
schemes resolved in my mind to obtain an entrance. Fatima never coveted
admission to the dreadful chamber of Bluebeard as I did to ascertain the
secrets of this hidden receptacle. One night Fleming had quitted the
barge, and I ascended from my dormitory. Marables was on deck, sitting
upon the water-cask, with his elbow resting on the gunwale, his hand
supporting his head, as if in deep thought. The cabin-doors were
closed, but the light still remained in it. I watched for some time,
and perceiving that Marables did not move, walked gently up to him. He
was fast asleep; I waited for some little time alongside of him. At
last he snored. It was an opportunity not to be lost. I crept to the
cabin-door; it was not locked. Although I did not fear the wrath of
Marables, in case of discovery, as I did that of Fleming, it was still
with a beating heart and a tremulous hand that I gently opened the door,
pausing before I entered, to ascertain if Marables were disturbed. He
moved not, and I entered, closing the door after me. I caught up the
light, and held it in my hand as I hung over the table. On each side
were the two bed-places of Marables and Fleming, which I had before then
had many a partial glimpse of. In front of the two bed-places were two
lockers to sit down upon. I tried them--they were not fast--they
contained their clothes. At the after part of the cabin were three
cupboards; I opened the centre one; it contained crockery, glass, and
knives and forks. I tried the one on the starboard side; it was locked,
but the key was in it. I turned it gently, but being a good lock, it
snapped loud. I paused in fear--but Marables still slept. The cupboard
had three shelves, and every shelf was loaded with silver spoons, forks,
and every variety of plate, mixed with watches, bracelets, and ornaments
of every description. There was, I perceived, a label on each, with a
peculiar mark. Wishing to have an accurate survey, and encouraged by my
discovery, I turned to the cupboard opposite, on the larboard side, and
I opened it. It contained silk handkerchiefs in every variety, lace
veils, and various other articles of value; on the lower shelf were laid
three pairs of pistols. I was now satisfied, and closing the last
cupboard, which had not been locked, was about to retreat, when I
recollected that I had not re-locked the first cupboard, and that they
might not, by finding it open, suspect my visit, I turned the key. It
made a louder snap than before. I heard Marables start from his slumber
on deck; in a moment I blew out the lamp, and remained quiet. Marables
got up, took a turn or two, looked at the cabin doors, which were shut,
and opened them a little. Perceiving that the lamp had, as he thought,
gone out, he shut them again, and, to my consternation, turned the key.
There I was, locked up, until the arrival of Fleming--then to be left to
his mercy. I hardly knew how to act: at last I resolved upon calling to
Marables, as I dreaded his anger less than Fleming's. Then it occurred
to me that Marables might come in, feel for the lamp to re-light it, and
that, as he came in on one side of the cabin, I might, in the dark,
escape by the other. This all but forlorn hope prevented me for some
time from applying to him. At last I made up my mind that I would, and
ran from the locker to call through the door, when I heard the sound of
oars. I paused again--loitered--the boat was alongside, and I heard
Fleming jump upon the deck.
"Quick," said he to Marables, as he came to the cabin-door, and tried to
open it; "We've no time to lose--we must get up the sacks and sink
everything. Two of them have 'peached, and the fence will be
discovered."
He took the keys from Marables and opened the door; I had replaced the
lamp upon the table. Fleming entered, took a seat on the locker on the
larboard side, and felt for the lamp. Marables followed him, and sat
down on the starboard locker;--escape was impossible. With a throbbing
heart I sat in silence, watching my fate. In the meantime, Fleming had
taken out of his pocket his phosphorus match box. I heard the tin top
pulled open--even the slight rustling of the one match selected was
perceived. Another second it was withdrawn from the bottle, and a wild
flame of light illumined the deck cabin, and discovered me to their
view. Staggered at my appearance, the match fell from Fleming's hand,
and all was dark as before; but there was no more to be gained by
darkness--I had been discovered.
"Jacob!" cried Marables.
"Will not live to tell the tale," added Fleming, with a firm voice, as
he put another match into the bottle, and then relighted the lamp.
"Come," said Fleming, fiercely; "out of the cabin immediately."
I prepared to obey him. Fleming went out, and I was following him round
his side of the table, when Marables interposed.
"Stop: Fleming, what is that you mean to do?"
"Silence him!" retorted Fleming.
"But not murder him, surely?" cried Marables, trembling from head to
foot. "You will not, dare not, do that."
"What is it that I dare not do, Marables? but it is useless to talk; it
is now his life or mine. One must be sacrificed, and I will not die yet
to please him."
"You shall not--by God, Fleming, you shall not!" cried Marables, seizing
hold of my other arm, and holding me tight.
I added my resistance to that of Marables; when Fleming, perceiving that
we should be masters, took a pistol from his pocket, and struck Marables
a blow on the head, which rendered him senseless. Throwing away the
pistol, he dragged me out of the cabin. I was strong, but he was very
powerful; my resistance availed me nothing: by degrees he forced me to
the side of the barge, and lifting me in his arms, dashed me into the
dark and rapidly flowing water. It was fortunate for me that the threat
of Fleming, upon our first meeting, had induced me to practise swimming,
and still more fortunate that I was not encumbered with any other
clothes than my shirt, in which I had come on deck. As it was, I was
carried away by the tide for some time before I could rise, and at such
a distance that Fleming, who probably watched, did not perceive that I
came up again. Still, I had but little hopes of saving myself in a dark
night, and at nearly a quarter of a mile from shore. I struggled to
keep myself afloat, when I heard the sound of oars; a second or two more
and I saw them over my head. I grasped at and seized the last, as the
others passed me, crying "Help!"
"What the devil! Oars, my men; here's somebody overboard," cried the
man, whose oar I had seized.
They stopped pulling; he dragged in his oar till he could lay hold of
me, and then they hauled me into the boat. I was exhausted with cold
and my energetic struggles in the water; and it was not until they had
wrapped me up in a great-coat, and poured some spirits down my throat;
that I could speak. They inquired to which of the craft I belonged.
"The Folly barge."
"The very one we are searching for. Where about is she, my lad?"
I directed them: the boat was a large wherry, pulling six oars,
belonging to the river police. The officer in the stern sheets, who
steered her, then said, "How came you overboard?"
"I was thrown overboard," replied I, "by a man called Fleming."
"The name he goes by," cried the officer. "Give way, my lads. There's
murder, it appears, as well as other charges."
In a quarter of an hour we were alongside--the officer and four men
sprang out of the boat, leaving the other two with directions for me to
remain in the boat. Cold and miserable as I was, I was too much
interested in the scene not to rise up from the stern sheets, and pay
attention to what passed. When the officer and his men gained the deck,
they were met by Fleming in the advance, and Marables about a yard or
two behind.
"What's all this?" cried Fleming, boldly. "Are you river pirates, come
to plunder us?"
"Not exactly," replied the officer; "but we are just come to overhaul
you. Deliver up the key of your cabin," continued he, after trying the
door and finding it locked.
"With all my heart, if you prove yourselves authorised to search,"
replied Fleming; "but you'll find no smuggled spirits here, I can tell
you. Marables, hand them the key; I see that they belong to the river
guard."
Marables, who had never spoken, handed the key to the officer, who,
opening a dark lanthorn, went down into the cabin and proceeded in his
search, leaving two of the men to take charge of Fleming and Marables.
But his search was in vain; he could find nothing, and he came out on
deck.
"Well," said Fleming, sarcastically, "have you made a seizure?"
"Wait a little," said the officer; "how many men have you in this
barge?"
"You see them," replied Fleming.
"Yes; but you have a boy; where is he?"
"We have no boy," replied Fleming; "two men are quite enough for this
craft."
"Still I ask you, what has become of the boy? for a boy was on your
decks this afternoon."
"If there was one, I presume he has gone on shore again."
"Answer me another question; which of you threw him overboard?"
At this query of the officer, Fleming started, while Marables cried out,
"It was not I; I would have saved him. O that the boy were here to
prove it!"
"I am here, Marables," said I, coming on deck, "and I am witness that
you tried to save me, until you were struck senseless by that ruffian,
Fleming, who threw me overboard, that I might not give evidence as to
the silver and gold which I found in the cabin; and which I overheard
him tell you must be put into sacks and sunk, as two of the men had
'peached."
Fleming, when he saw me, turned round, as if not to look at me. His
face I could not see; but after remaining a few seconds in that
position, he held out his hands in silence for the handcuffs, which the
officer had already taken out of his pocket. Marables, on the contrary,
sprang forward as soon as I had finished speaking, and caught me in his
arms.
"My fine, honest boy! I thank God--I thank God! All that he has said
is true, sir. You will find the goods sunk astern, and the buoy-rope to
them fastened to the lower pintle of the rudder. Jacob, thank God, you
are safe! I little thought to see you again. There, sir," continued he
to the officer, holding out his hands, "I deserve it all. I had not
strength of mind enough to be honest."
The handcuffs were put on Marables as well as on Fleming, and the
officer, allowing me time to go down and put on my clothes, hauled up
the sacks containing the valuables, and leaving two hands in charge of
the barge, rowed ashore with us all in the boat. It was then about
three o'clock in the morning, and I was very glad when we arrived at the
receiving-house, and I was permitted to warm myself before the fire. As
soon as I was comfortable, I laid down on the bench and fell fast
asleep.