"Hold, villain!" said I; "do you think to redeem one act of treachery by
another? and do you dare to insult the honour of a naval officer with a
proposal so infamous? Go to your station instantly, and think yourself
fortunate that I do not denounce you to the captain, who has a perfect
right to throw you overboard--a fate which your chain of crimes fully
deserves."
The man skulked away, and I went off to the captain, to whom I related
the circumstance, desiring him to be on his guard against treachery.
"Your conduct, sir," said the captain, "is what I should have expected
from a British naval officer; and since you have behaved so honourably,
I will freely tell you that my intention is to shorten sail to the
topsails and foresail, and haul dead on a wind into that dark squall to
the southward."
"As you please," said I; "you cannot expect that I should advise, nor
would you believe me if I said I wished you success; but rely on it I
will resist, by every means in my power, any unfair means to dispossess
you of your command."
"I thank you, sir," said the captain, mournfully; and, without losing
any more time in useless words, "Shorten sail there," continued he, with
a low but firm voice; "take in the lower and topmost studding-sail--
hands aloft--in top-gallant studding-sails, and roll up the top-gallant
sails."
All this appeared to be done with surprising speed, even to me, who had
been accustomed to very well conducted ships of war. One mistake,
however, was made; the lower studding-sail, instead of being hauled in
on deck, was let to fall overboard, and towed some time under the
larboard bow before it was reported to the officers.
"Haul in the larboard braces--brace sharp up--port the helm and bring
her to the wind, quarter-master."
"Port it is, sir," said the man at the helm, and the vessel was close
hauled upon the starboard tack; but she did not seem to move very fast,
although she had a square mainsail, boom mainsail, and jib.
"I think we have done them at last," said the captain; "what do you
think, leftenant?" giving me a hearty but very friendly slap on the
back. "Come, what say; shall we take a cool bottle of London particular
after the fatigues of the day?"
"Wait a little," said I, "wait a little."
"What are you looking at there to windward?" said the captain, who
perceived that my eye was fixed on a particular point.
Before I had time to answer, Thompson came up to me and said, "There is
the ship, sir," pointing to the very spot on which I was gazing. The
captain heard this; and, as fear is ever quicksighted, he instantly
caught the object.
"Running is of no use now," said he; "we have tried her off the wind,
our best going; she beats us at that: and on a wind, I don't think so
much of her; but still, with this smooth water and fine breeze, she
ought to move better. Solomon, there is something wrong, give a look
all round."
Solomon went forward on the starboard side, but saw nothing. As he
looked over the gangway and bow, coming round on the lee side of the
forecastle, he saw some canvas hanging on one of the night-heads. "What
have we here?" said he. No one answered. He looked over the
fore-chains, and found the whole lower studding-sail towing in the
water.
"No wonder she don't move," said the mate; "here is enough to stop the
_Constitution_ herself. Who took in this here lower studding-sail?--
But, never mind, we'll settle that to-morrow. Come over here, you
forecastle men."
Some of the Americans came over to him, but not with very great
alacrity. The sail could not be pulled in, as the vessel had too much
way; and while they were ineffectually employed about it, the flash of a
gun was seen to windward; and as the report reached our ears, the shot
whistled over our heads, and, darted like lightning through the boom
mainsail.
"Hurrah for old England!" said Thompson; "the fellow that fired that
shot shall drink my allowance of grog to-morrow."
"Hold your tongue, you damned English rascal," said the second mate, "or
I'll stop your grog for ever."
"I don't think you will," said the North Briton, "and if you take a
friend's advice, you won't try." Thompson was standing on the little
round-house or poop; the indignant mate jumped up and collared him.
Thompson disengaged him in the twinkling of an eye, and with one blow of
his right hand in the pit of the man's stomach, sent him reeling over to
leeward. He fell--caught at the boom-sheet--missed it, and tumbled into
the sea, from whence he rose no more.
All was now confusion. "A man overboard!"--another shot from the
frigate--another and another in quick succession. The fate of the man
was forgotten in the general panic. One shot cut the aftermost
main-shroud; another went through the boat on the booms. The frigate
was evidently very near us. The men all rushed down to seize their bags
and chests; the captain took me by the hand, and said, "Sir, I surrender
myself to you, and give you leave now to act as you think proper."
"Thompson," said I, "let go the main-sheet and the main-brace." Running
forward myself, I let go the main-tack, and bowlines; the main yard came
square of itself. Thompson got a lantern, which he held up on the
starboard quarter.
The frigate passed close under the stern, showing a beautiful pale side,
with a fine tier of guns; and, hailing us, desired to know what vessel
it was.
I replied that it was the _True-blooded Yankee_, of Boston--that she had
hove-to and surrendered.