_Isabel_. Any where to avoid matrimony: the thought of a husband is
terrible to me.
_Inis_. But if you might choose for yourself, I fancy matrimony would
be no such frightful thing to you.
_The Wonder_.
The Boadicea, with the Indiamen, proceeded on to their destination,
Captain Carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smooth
water afforded him, of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the
Bombay Castle, or of inviting them on board of the frigate. The fact
was, that he had fallen most desperately in love with Isabel Revel, and
paid her the most marked attention; but, although a pleasant,
light-hearted companion, and a young man of good family and prospects,
Isabel Revel had not fallen in love with him: she liked his company, but
nothing more.
In a month the squadron had arrived at the island of St. Helena, to
which Captain Carrington had been ordered to convey them: his directions
were then to cruise in a certain latitude, and ultimately to proceed on
to the East Indies, if he did not fall in with the vessels he expected.
It was, therefore, but parting to meet again; but during the short time
that they refitted and completed their water at St. Helena, Captain
Carrington proposed, and was politely refused by Isabel Revel.
Impatient as a boy who has been denied his plaything, he ordered his
stores immediately on board, and the next day quitted the island. It
may appear strange that a young lady, obviously sent out on speculation,
should have refused so advantageous an offer; for the speculation
commences with the voyage. Some ladies are selected at Madeira. Since
the Cape has been in our possession, several have been induced to stay
in that colony; and very often ships arrive with only the _refuse_ of
their cargo; for the intended market in the East. But Isabel Revel had
consented to embark on the score of filial duty, not to obtain a husband
unless she liked the gentleman who proposed; and Captain Carrington did
not happen to come up to her fanciful ideas of the person to be chosen
for life. Captain Carrington did not impart the intelligence of his ill
success to any one but Newton, who was employed to carry his farewell
message. His secret was faithfully kept by both. Isabel Revel was not
one of those young ladies who would make use of such an unworthy
advantage to heighten her consequence in the eyes of others. But there
was another reason, not exactly known to Isabel herself at the time,
which prevented her from listening to the proposals of Captain
Carrington. Had she questioned her own heart, she would have discovered
that she was prepossessed in favour of one, who as unconsciously had
become attached to her. He knew his own feelings, but had checked them
in the bud, aware that he had nothing to offer but himself. This person
was Newton Forster. His intimacy with Captain Carrington, the attention
shown him by Captain Drawlock, (who trusted him to work the
chronometers!!) his own excellent character and handsome person, had
raised him to more importance than his situation as a junior officer
would have warranted; and his behaviour was such as to have secured him
the good-will of every one on board of the ship. Newton's unassuming
frank manner, added to a large stock of general information, occasioned
his society to be courted, even by those who would otherwise have been
inclined to keep at a distance one in his subordinate rank.
When they arrived at St. Helena, the first-mate, for a wonder, no longer
made any difficulty of going on shore for an hour or two, if he knew
that Newton would be the commanding officer during his absence; nay, so
high did he stand in the opinion of his captain, that nut only was he
permitted to take charge of the chronometers, but, if called away for a
time below, Captain Drawlock would hand over to Newton's charge any one
of the unmarried _responsibilities_, who might happen to be leaning on
his arm.
The Indiamen being now left to protect themselves, the senior officer,
Commodore Bottlecock, issued most elaborate memoranda, as to the order
of sailing, exercise of the men at the great guns and small arms, and
every other point which could tend to their security by due preparation.
Nevertheless, the ladies continued to appear on deck. Mrs Ferguson
sat in her majesty; the young ladies tittered, and were reprimanded; the
young gentlemen were facetious, and were rebuked; the old colonel talked
of his adventure at Madeira, and compared every thing to the spent ball
at the battle of ---. Dr Plausible had become a most assiduous
attendant upon Miss Tavistock, ever since he had satisfactorily
ascertained that she had property of her own; every body had become
intimate; every one was becoming tired, when the bearings and distance
at noon placed them about two hundred miles from Point de Galle, the
southernmost extremity of Ceylon. The wind was fresh and fair, and they
congratulated each other upon a speedy termination to their tedious
voyage.
Dinner was announced by the old tune of "Oh! the roast beef of old
England;" and during a long voyage the announcement of dinner is a very
great relief every way. As had been the invariable rule throughout the
whole of the voyage, Miss Charlotte and Miss Laura Revel were placed on
the one side of Captain Drawlock, Miss Tavistock and Isabel Revel on the
other. They were flanked on the other side by Mrs and Mr Ferguson,
who thus separated them from any undue collision with the gentlemen
passengers or officers of the ship. The colonel was placed next to Mrs
Ferguson, the young writer next to her husband; then the two cadets,
supported by the doctor and purser, the remainder of the table being
filled up with the officers of the ship, with the first-mate at the
foot. Such was the order of Captain Drawlock's dinner--sailing; as
strictly adhered to as the memoranda of Commodore Bottlecock: the only
communication permitted with the young ladies under his charge (unless
married men) being to "request the honour of drinking a glass of wine
with them."
All this may appear very absurd; but a little reflection will convince
the reader to the contrary. There is a serious responsibility on a
captain of an Indiaman, who takes charge of perhaps a dozen young women,
who are to be cooped up for months in the same ship with as many young
men. Love, powerful every where, has on the waters even more potent
sway, hereditary I presume, from his mother's nativity. Idleness is the
friend of love; and passengers have little or nothing to do to while
away the tedium of a voyage. In another point, he has great advantage,
from the limited number of the fair sex. In a ball or in general
society, a man may see hundreds of women, admire many, yet fall in love
with none. Numbers increase the difficulty of choice, and he remains
delighted, but not enslaved. But on board of a ship, the continued
presence of one whom he admires by comparison out of the few,--one who,
perhaps, if on shore, would in a short time be eclipsed by another, but
who here shines without competition,--gives her an advantage which,
assisted by idleness and opportunity, magnifies her attractions, and
sharpens the arrow of all-conquering Love. Captain Drawlock perhaps
knew this from experience; he knew also that the friends of one party,
if not of both, might be displeased by any contract formed when under
his surveillance, and that his character and the character of his ship
(for ships now-a-days have characters, and very much depend upon them
for their well doing) might suffer in consequence. Strict as he might
therefore appear, he was only doing his duty.
Grace being requested from Mr Ferguson, he indulged the company with
one quite as long as usual; rather too long considering that the ship
was very unsteady, and the ladies had to cling to the table for support.
But Mr Ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is
the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvass. When the
royals are set, we submit to a homily; under double-reefed topsails, a
blessing; but under storm stay-sails, an ejaculation is considered as
orthodox.
"Mrs Ferguson, will you permit me to send you a little mulligatawney?
said Captain Drawlock. If you prefer it, there is sheep's-head broth at
the other end of the table."
"Then I will take a little of the broth, if you please, Captain
Drawlock."
"Mr Mathews, Mrs Ferguson will take some broth. I am sorry, Mrs
Ferguson, that our table is so ill-supplied; but a long voyage and bad
weather has been very fatal to our hen-coops."
"Indeed, Captain Drawlock, you need not apologise." Nor was there any
occasion, for the table was loaded.
"Perhaps Miss Laura Revel will permit me to send her a slice of this
mutton?" said the obsequious colonel.
"No, I thank you; I have eaten nothing but mutton lately. I think I
shall be a sheep myself soon," added the young lady, tittering.
"That would be very much against your inclination, I should think, Miss
Laura," observed Mrs Ferguson, tartly.
"La! why so? how do you know, Mrs Ferguson?"
"Because a sheep never changes its name until after it is dead. I
shrewdly suspect you would like to change yours before."--(This was a
hard hit.)
"As you have yours, Mrs Ferguson," quietly answered Isabel, in support
of her sister.
"Very fair on both sides," said the colonel, bowing to the ladies, who
sat together. "Pray Miss Laura, don't talk of being a sheep, we are all
ready to devour you as it is."
"La! you don't say so?" replied the young lady, much pleased.
"Colonel Ellice," interrupted Captain Drawlock, with a serious air,
"several of the company will thank you to carve that joint, when you
have finished paying your compliments. Miss Tavistock, the honour of a
glass of wine. We have not had the pleasure of your company on deck
to-day."
"No, Captain Drawlock. I did intend to come, but my health is in such a
delicate state, that by the advice of Dr Plausible I remained below."
"Miss Tavistock will you allow me to send you some mutton?"
"If you please, colonel; a very small slice."
"Mr Forster, what have you in that dish before you?"
"A chicken, Captain Drawlock."
"Miss Isabel Revel, will you take some chicken?"
"No, I thank you, Captain Drawlock," replied Isabel.
"Did you say yes or no?" inquired Newton, who had caught her eye.
"I'll change my mind," said Isabel, smiling.
Now, I know it for a fact, although I shall not give up my authority,
that Isabel Revel never wanted any chicken until she perceiveth that
Newton was to help her. So, if Love occasionally takes away the
appetite, let us do him justice--he sometimes creates one.
"Miss Tavistock, allow me to send you a little of this Turkey," said Dr
Plausible; "it is easy of digestion."
"If you please, doctor," replied Miss Tavistock, cramming the last
mouthful of mutton into her mouth, and sending away her plate to be
changed.
"Will you not take a little ham with it, Miss Tavistock?" said Captain
Drawlock.
"If you please, sir."
"The honour of a glass of wine, Miss Tavistock," said the colonel.
"With pleasure, sir."
"Miss Charlotte Revel, you have really eaten nothing," said Captain
Drawlock.
"That proves you have not paid me the least attention," replied the
young lady. "Had you honoured me with a single glance during dinner,
you could not but have observed that I have been dining very heartily."
"I really am quite shocked, Miss Charlotte, and bow to your reproof.
Will you take a glass of wine with me in reconciliation?"
"I consider a glass of Madeira a very poor bribe, sir."
"Well, then, Miss Charlotte, it shall be champagne," replied Captain
Drawlock, in his gallantry. "Steward, champagne." A fortunate hit for
the company, as champagne was in general only produced upon what sailors
call `clean shirt days,' viz. Sundays and Thursdays.
"We are highly indebted to Miss Revel," observed the colonel, bowing to
her; "and I think we ought to drink her health in a bumper."
Agreed to, _nem con_.
Champagne, thou darling of my heart! To stupefy oneself with other
wines, is brutal; but to raise oneself to the seventh heaven with thee,
is quite ethereal. The soul appears to spurn the body, and take a
transient flight without its dull associate--the--the--broke down, by
Jupiter! All I meant to say was, that champagne is very pretty
_tipple_; and so thought the dinner party, who were proportionally
enlivened.
"Is this orthodox, Mr Ferguson?" inquired the colonel, holding up his
glass.
"So far orthodox, that it is very good; and what is orthodox is good,"
replied the divine, with good-humour.
"The Asia has made the signal for `a strange sail--suspicious,'" said
the second-mate to Captain Drawlock, putting his head into the cabin.
"Very well, Mr Jones, keep a glass upon the commodore."
"Mrs Ferguson, will you take some of this tart? Damascene, I believe,"
said the first-mate.
"If you please, Mr Mathews.--Did not Mr Jones say suspicious?--What
does that imply?"
"Imply, madam; why that he don't like the cut of her jib!"
"And pray what does that mean?"
"Mean, madam; why, that for all he knows to the contrary, she may be a
French frigate."
"A French frigate! a French frigate! O dear! O dear!" cried two or
three ladies at a breath.
"Mr Mathews," said Captain Drawlock, "I am really surprised at your
indiscretion. You have alarmed the ladies. A suspicious sail, Mrs
Ferguson, merely implies--in fact, that they do not know what she is."
"Is that _all_ it means?" replied Mrs Ferguson, with an incredulous
look.
"Nothing more, madam; nothing more, I assure you."
"Commodore has made a signal that strange vessel is a man-of-war bearing
down," said the second-mate, again entering the cabin.
"Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, with assumed
indifference, but at the same time fidgeting on his chair.
The first-mate and Newton immediately quitted the cabin.
"Miss Tavistock, will you take a little of this pudding?"
"If you please, sir, a very little."
"A man-of-war! I'll go and have a look at her," said the colonel; who
rose up, bowed to the ladies, and left the cuddy.
"Most probably one of our cruisers," observed Captain Drawlock.
"The commodore has made the signal to prepare for action, sir," said the
second-mate.
"Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, who could now restrain
himself no longer. "You must excuse me, ladies, for a moment or two,
but our commodore is so _very_ prudent a man, and I am under his orders.
In a short time I hope to return to the pleasure of your society."
Captain Drawlock's departure was followed by that of all the male party,
with the exception of Doctor Plausible and Mr Ferguson, both of whom
however were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood.
"Mr Ferguson, where are you going?" said his wife, sharply. "Pray,
sir, do us the favour to remain. Your profession, if I mistake not, is
one of peace."
"Oh! Doctor Plausible, I feel very unwell," cried Miss Tavistock.
"I will stay with you, my dear madam," replied the doctor.
A gun from the commodore's ship, which was close to windward of them,
burst upon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every
wine-glass on the table to dance with the concussion.
"Oh! oh! oh!" screamed Miss Tavistock, throwing herself back in her
chair, and expanding her arms and fingers.
Doctor Plausible flew to the lady's assistance.
"The extreme fineness of her organic structure--a little water, if you
please, Miss Charlotte Revel."
A tumbler of water was poured out, and Doctor Plausible, dipping the tip
of his fore-finger into it, passed it lightly over the lady's brows.
"She will be better directly."
But the lady did not think proper to _come to_ so soon as the doctor
prophesied, and Mrs Ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the
contents with violence in Miss Tavistock's face; at which Miss Tavistock
not only revived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering.
"Are you better now, Miss Tavistock?" said Mrs Ferguson, soothingly, at
the same time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not
restrain their mirth.
"Oh! Doctor Plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, I feel
that I shall faint again, I do indeed--I'm going--"
"Lean upon me, Miss Tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your
cabin," replied the doctor; "the extreme delicacy of your constitution,"
continued he whispering as they left the cuddy, "is not equal to the
boisterous remedies of Mrs Ferguson."
As they went out, Newton Forster came in.
"You must not be alarmed, ladies, when I state that I am commissioned by
Captain Drawlock to inform you that the stranger's manoeuvres are so
doubtful, that we think she is an enemy. He has desired me to request
you will accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe from
accident, in the event of our coming to an engagement. Mr Ferguson,
the captain intrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you
will not leave them upon any consideration. Now, Mrs Ferguson, will
you permit me to escort you to a place of security?"
At this intelligence Laura Revel stared, Charlotte burst into tears, and
Isabel turned pale. Mrs Ferguson took the arm of Newton without saying
a word, when the other was offered and accepted by Isabel. Mr
Ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear. The ladies
had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations, the
guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various
apparatus for destruction, their fears increased. When they had been
conducted to their place of safety, Newton was about to return on deck,
when he was seized by Miss Charlotte and Laura Revel, who entreated him
not to leave them.
"Do stay with us, Mr Forster; pray don't go," cried they both.
"I must indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here."
"For God's sake, don't you go away, Mr Forster!" cried Laura, falling
on her knees. "I shall die of fright.--You shan't go!" screamed Laura,
as the two sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually
prevented his escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his
garment behind.
Newton cast an appealing glance at Isabel, who immediately
interfered,--"Charlotte, for shame! you are preventing Mr Forster from
going to his duty. My dear Laura, do not be so foolish; Mr Forster can
be of no service to us: but he will be on deck. Let go, Laura."
Newton was released. "I am much obliged to you, Miss Isabel," said
Newton, with his foot on the ladder; "but I have no time now to express
my thanks--not to be on deck--"
"I know it, Mr Forster: go up, I beseech you, do not wait a moment;"
and Newton sprung up the ladder; but not before he had exchanged with
Isabel a glance, which, had he been deficient in courage, would have
nerved him for the approaching combat. We must leave the ladies with
Mr Ferguson (who had no pleasant office), while we follow Newton on
deck. The stranger had borne down with studding-sails, until within
three miles of the India-men, when she rounded to. She then kept away a
little, to close nearer, evidently examining the force opposed to her.
The Indiamen had formed the line of battle in close order, the private
signal between English men-of-war and East India ships flying at their
mast-heads.
"Extremely strange, that she does not answer the private signal," said
the colonel to the second-mate.
"Not at all, if she don't know how."
"You are convinced, then, that she is a French frigate?"
"No, not positive; but I'll bet you ten to one she is:--bet off, if
either of us are killed, of course!"
"Thanky; I never bet," answered the colonel, turning away.
"What do you think of her, Mr Mathews?" said Captain Drawlock to the
first-mate, who had his eye on the ship.
"She is English built and English rigged, sir, that I'll swear; look at
her lower yard-arms, the squaring of her topsails. She may be French
now, but the oak in her timbers grew in old England."
"I agree with you," said Newton: look at the rake of her stern; she's
English all over.
"Then why don't she answer the private signal?" said Captain Drawlock.
"She's right in the wind's eye of us, sir, and our flags are blowing end
on from her."
"There goes up her bunting, sir," cried the first-mate.
"English, as I said. The commodore is answering, sir. Up with the
ensign there abaft. All's right, tell the ladies."
"I will; I'll go and inform them," said the colonel; who immediately
descended to impart the joyful intelligence.
The frigate bore down, and hove to. The commodore of the India squadron
went on board, when he found that she was cruising for some large Dutch
store-ships and vessels armed _en flute_, which were supposed to have
sailed from Java. In a quarter of an hour, she again made sail, and
parted company, leaving the Indiamen to secure their guns, and pursue
their course.
There are two parties, whose proceedings we had overlooked; we refer to
Miss Tavistock and Dr Plausible. The latter handed the lady to her
cabin, eased her down upon her couch, and, taking her hand gently,
retained it in his own, while with his other he continued to watch her
pulse.
"Do not alarm yourself, my dear Miss Tavistock; your sensibility is
immense. I will not leave you. I cannot think what could have induced
you to trust yourself on such a voyage of danger and excitement."
"Oh! Dr Plausible, where my affections are centred, there is nothing,
weak creature that I am, but my soul would carry me through:--indeed I
am all soul.--I have a dear friend in India."
"He is most happy," observed the doctor, with a sigh.
"He, Dr Plausible! you quite shock me!--Do you imagine for a moment
that I would go out to follow any gentleman? No, indeed, I am not going
out on speculation, as some young ladies:--I have enough of my own,
thank God! I keep my carriage and corresponding establishment, I assure
you."--(The very thing that Dr Plausible required.)
"Indeed! my dear Miss Tavistock, is it then really a female friend?"
"Yes! the friend of my childhood. I have ventured this tedious,
dangerous voyage, once more to fold her in my arms."
"Disinterested affection! a heart like yours, Miss, were indeed a
treasure to be won. What a happy man would your husband be!"
"Husband! Oh, Dr Plausible don't mention it: I feel convinced,--
positively convinced, that my constitution is not strong enough to bear
matrimony."
The doctor's answer was too prolix for insertion; it was a curious
compound dissertation upon love and physic, united. There was devoted
attention, extreme gentle treatment, study of pathology, advantage of
medical attendance always at hand, careful nursing, extreme solicitude,
fragility of constitution restored, propriety of enlarging the circle of
her innocent affections, ending at last in devoted love, and a
proposal--to share her carriage and establishment.
Miss Tavistock assumed another faint--the shock was so great; but the
doctor knelt by her, and kissed her hand, with well-affected rapture.
At last, she murmured out a low assent, and fell back, as if exhausted
with the effort. The doctor removed his lips from her hand to her
mouth, to seal the contract; and, as she yielded to his wishes, almost
regretted that he had not adhered to his previous less assuming
gallantry.