On the morning of April 15th, 1864, young Boyton presented himself at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and was enrolled in the United States Navy as a
sailor before the mast. After a few weeks drilling he was transferred to
the United States Steamer, Hydrangea, Captain W. Rogers in command.
Paul was now in his fifteenth year. He had no difficulty in passing the
scrutiny of the enlisting officers. He was of a powerful build and very
muscular. His outdoor life in the woods and on the river made him look
older than he really was. The Hydrangea was ordered to Fortress Monroe,
and Paul received his baptism of fire while the steamer was running up
the James river past Malvern Hill, where a confederate battery was
stationed. Much has been written about the war, and as this is simply a
story of adventure, it will be left to better writers to record war
history many of whom have already described scenes enacted in that
vicinity during the year 1864. The last engagement Paul was in, was
the memorable assault on Fort Fisher. When the war closed, he was
mustered out. At that time he held the position of yeoman.
Mr. Boyton discovered that Paul did not have much aptitude for
commercial pursuits, so he sent him to the West Indies for the
purpose of collecting and shipping all kinds of marine curiosities.
Paul's companion was a submarine diver whom his father had engaged. They
took passage on the bark, "Reindeer," bound for the Barbadoes. They had
all kinds of the latest dredging apparatus, including submarine armor
and pumps in their outfit. After a tedious voyage of twenty-seven
days, the "Reindeer" cast anchor in Bridgetown. Paul and the diver,
whose name was Tom Scott, were kindly welcomed by the merchant, an
old friend of Mr. Boyton's, to whom they carried letters of
introduction.
His father's instructions were to charter a fishing boat, or some
suitable vessel at Bridgetown for a six month's cruise among the keys
and islands surrounding, for the purpose of fishing up coral, shells and
other curios that he could gather. A few days after his arrival,
Paul engaged a staunch little sloop commanded by a negro, who was
assisted by four strong sailors also colored, as crew. The first cruise
was around the island of Barbadoes. Several curios were collected and
purchased and a goodly shipment sent back by the "Reindeer." When he
received them and read Paul's accompanying letter, Mr. Boyton was
satisfied that his son was now engaged in a business that thoroughly
suited him. The Cayosa, for such was the name of the little sloop, was
then provisioned for a voyage to the group of islands that lay to the
westward, and where it was said rare shells would be found. For a small
consideration the captain had agreed to bunk forward with crew, leaving
Tom Scott and Paul his little cabin all to themselves. This cabin was
thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned by the pair, after which they fitted it
up and placed therein their baggage, rifles, fishing gear, plenty of
reading matter and their private stores.
While in port, Paul remained the guest of Mr. C., the merchant, whose
home was a beautiful villa situated a little way out of town. The merry,
bright-eyed daughters of his host made sad havoc in the susceptible
heart of young Boyton. At last all the stores were aboard and
everything was ready. One bright morning the anchor was weighed, and the
sloop stood away on her cruise to the island of Vincent, which lay
about one hundred miles to the westward. During this voyage a heavy
tornado tested the little sloop to her utmost. She was driven far out of
her course. It was four days ere they reached Kingston on the southward
of the island, instead of Richmond whither they were bound. They spent a
few days in the quaint, old town and picked up several curiosities. The
sloop was then headed for the Cariacou islands, a large group which
dot the ocean between St. Vincent and Granada. Many of these islands
are uninhabited by human beings. They are low and loaded down to the
water's edge with rich, tropical vegetation. The sloop spent six weeks
in this group. Every available part of the boat was packed with coral
and all kinds of curiosities. A run was then made to Charlottetown,
Granada, where the collection was discharged, cleaned and packed in
hogsheads all ready for the first boat that would call, bound for New
York. Here the sloop was again provisioned, then she set out for Tobago
about one hundred miles southeast. A cruise was made around the entire
island, but the collection was not remunerative. The sloop was then
headed to Trinidad, and along the north coast, valuable specimens were
picked up. In this same locality they struck on a reef of exquisite
brain coral, with which they loaded the sloop. Sail was then made for
Port of Spain, the principal town of the island. In going through the
Dragon's Mouth, a narrow, dangerous passage between the mainland of
South America and Trinidad, the Cayosa was nearly wrecked. A sudden
change in the wind when they were rounding the point drove her into the
breakers. Her mast was badly sprung and only with the utmost difficulty
was she saved. Under shortened sail she entered Port of Spain, a
curiously picturesque old town. Here the collection was discharged as
before and the Cayosa beached for an overhauling. Among those
employed to assist in the repairs were three English sailors who were
held prisoners on the charge of mutiny. The prison regulations in
Trinidad were very lax, so much so that the three mutineers were
permitted to come down daily and take a hand in the sloop's
overhauling. They were from Liverpool and hard characters. The captain
of their vessel delivered them over at Trinidad preferring to go
shorthanded rather than have them aboard. On the shady side of the
sloop, that was then high up on the beach, they entertained Scott and
Paul with their varied adventures. One day Paul expressed astonishment
that being prisoners, they were allowed such unusual liberties. One of
them, Dick Harris by name, answered:
"We are a burden to the authorities here. They would be glad to be rid
of us without the trouble and expense of sending us to England, where,
no doubt, we would get the rope's end of the law. Last night when you
paid us off, we stayed out late. When we got back at the jail we had to
knock again and again. At last the jailer called out: 'Who's there?' We
gave our names, when he exclaimed: 'Now if you blasted shell-backs
can't get home at a reasonable hour, you can stay out. This is the last
time I will be disturbed from my slumbers to let you in.'"
The three worthies implored Paul to take them away on the Cayosa. I
referred them to the negro captain. The latter earnestly assured them
that, he would sooner run a cargo of scorpions than risk himself and
crew to the tender care of the mild mannered Liverpool tars.
When the sloop was fully repaired, she started on a trip around the
island, but the breakers were too heavy for successful work. She
directed her course northward and soon reentered the Cariacon group. A
couple of months were spent in those lovely islands. The great
breakers that swept in along the coast of Trinidad, Tobago and Granada
were missing. In the tranquil bays and inlets, they pursued their
occupation of bringing up the natural treasures of the deep with more
profit and less risk. They would anchor the Cayosa as near shore as
possible, in some well sheltered bay. Here soundings wouid be taken,
and the vicinity thoroughly inspected. When the bay gave promise of
shells and coral, a camp was made on the silver-like beach under the
shade of the towering cocoanut trees. The mainsail was detached and
carried ashore to serve as an awning. The large sheet-iron boilers
were also landed. While two of the crew gathered wood and decayed
vegetation for fuel, the others were busy erecting a crude fire-
place with rocks, over which the boilers were set. The shore camp being
ready, the submarine pump would be lowered into the yawl and with Tom
Scott, encased in his diving armor, would be conveyed to the most likely
place on the bay. When this was reached, a kedge anchor was dropped,
the face piece of the armor screwed on, the pipes attached and Tom
quietly slipped over the side and descended to the reef. Two of the crew
turned cranks to force air down to him, while Paul seated in the stern
held the life line. When the diver reached bottom, he gave the signal to
shift the boat wherever his explorations led him. When a lot of shells
or curious objects were found, several pulls on the line were given
indicating, "to anchor and send down the bucket." This bucket was a huge
iron affair, holding about five bushels. It was sent to the bottom.
Tom soon filled it with living and dead specimens of brilliant and
beautiful shells. Then it was hoisted and the contents transferred
aboard. In the clear waters on the coral reef, Paul, by hanging over the
stern, could distinctly see Tom on the bottom moving around in his
ponderous dress. He longed for the day when he could go down and behold
the strange sights below in the green, transparent water. At last, the
yawl was loaded. Tom came up and the helmet of his suit was removed and
he enjoyed the pure, salt air once more. The boat was headed for
shore and the treasures landed. All living shells were quickly
transferred to the boilers full of hot water. They were left to
simmer over the fire for a couple of hours, after which they were dumped
on the sands. The thoroughly cooked inhabitants were easily removed
and the shells sweet and clean and glowing with all the beautiful tints
of the rose and lily, were placed in piles under the shade of the
awning.
While the crew was engaged in this latter occupation, Scott, and Paul,
armed with rifle and shotgun, would saunter through the heavily perfumed
tropical forests in search of any game they could find. In expeditions
of this kind, they captured three young monkeys and a couple of parrots,
who were soon trained pets on the Cayosa, furnishing all hands with
amusement. Scott and Paul shot many iguanos. These are huge lizards
that abound in the tropics. The captain and crew considered this game a
great delicacy and broiled and ate them with relish. It was a long time
ere Scott or Paul would touch the reptiles. One day the black captain
offered all a young lizard, daintily broiled. He assured them that it
was as sweet and tender as an angel's dream. They tasted it and found
it really excellent, and from that time on partook heartily of the
dish, whenever it was on the table. At night they frequently stretched
their hammocks from tree to tree for their cabin was uncomfortably hot.
After a refreshing bath in the cool phosphorescent water and a scamper
up and down the level sands in lieu of a towel, they would turn in and
enjoy a sound sleep. They were generally awakened before daylight by the
shrieking and chattering of the parrots and monkeys. Then with a spring
from their hammock, they would dash merrily in to the reviving water.
After this they donned their white canvas suits and were ready for
another day. Breakfast was taken on shore. This consisted of fresh fish,
coffee, cocoanuts, pineapples and bread fruits. Abundance of this
fruit was found on all the islands they visited. On some of the islands
they could not enjoy their nights in the cool hammocks, owing to the
attacks of the malicious jigger spider and ferocious mosquitoes.
One day while at anchor over a coral reef at the southern part of
Vequin, Torn Scott agreed to give Paul his first lesson in diving. Tom
had been feeling sick and feverish for some days so it made him willing
to let Paul take his place for once. He gave Paul full instructions how
to act, especially warning him not to gasp in the compressed air, but to
breathe naturally and easily. When the helmet was screwed on, Paul felt
a smothering sensation but it soon passed. Encouraged, he stepped down n
the rope ladder over the side of the sloop and slowly slipped to bottom
about five fathoms below. The descent was easy, but bewildering. When
his heavily leaded feet struck on the coral, it seemed to him as if the
top of his head was being lifted off. For the moment he wished to regain
the surface, but Scott's advice to keep cool and steady came back to
him and he quickly regained control of his nerves. He peered through the
heavy plate glass visor curiously around at the strange sights under
the green water. The bottom was as white as snow drift and the powerful
sun lit lip the water so That he could distinctly see all objects
within twelve or fifteen feet of him. He signaled "all right" to Scott
with the line and started to walk around. The signal line and hose were
played out to him, so that he could take a wide scope around and under
the sloop. Notwithstanding the enormous weight of lead attached to the
diving dress, Paul found that he had to walk as easily and lightly as if
there were egg shells under his feet; the least little pressure on the
bottom had the tendency to send him up. After a half-hour below, during
which he thoroughly enjoyed his novel surroundings, he felt an
oppression on his chest and signaled "to haul up." The strong arms of
the crew helped him regain deck, the helmet was removed and his
flushed and eager face exposed. He remarked to Tom that "diving was
glorious." After a rest of two hours, the sloop having been shifted
to another anchorage, he again descended. This time the bottom had a
different aspect. It was full of dark rocks over which grow great masses
ofsea weeds. A few feet from where he descended, sprang up a reef of
branch coral which extended as far as he could see on either side. This
coral grew like shrubbery. It was hard to believe that, all this was the
product of an invisible insect, instead of being a miniature forest
turned into pure white stone. The scene was surpassingly beautiful;
coral branches ran up to a height of eight or ten feet from the bottom,
where they locked and wove together like vines. Paul walked to the
edge of this reef and gazed with delighted eyes into its liquid
depths. Schools of bright colored fish were swimming gracefully in
and out through the delicate coral branches. Some, more fearless than
their companions, swam round and round Paul's copper helmet, and looked
into the thick glass at the front. When Paul made a sudden move of his
hand, they darted away; but returned soon again to satisfy their
curiosity and ascertain what strange monster had invaded their fairy
land.
Three sudden jerks of the life line held in the hands of the anxious
Tom, recalled Paul to his work. The three pulls meant, "Where are you?
Is everything right?" He then signaled for the bucket to be lowered.
Taking his pry he broke off some exquisite specimens of the
undergrowth coral, which he loaded in and sent up. He then explored on
the side of the coral forest until he came to a small portion of the
bottom, covered with sand and surrounded with rocks. Under the growth of
marine vegetation, he passed his hand, and pulled from the rock a living
shell. Paul had been fully instructed by his father in the science of
conchology, so he recognized this specimen as very rare and much sought
after. It was the shell called "voluta musica." This was the first one
of those shells found during the expedition. After a careful search he
found twenty-three more of the same kind, and several large shells
known as "Triton's trumpet." The bucket was filled. Paul followed it to
the surface well satisfied with his first day's work as a submarine
diver.
Scott was not enthusiastic over the "volute musica", but the captain of
the Cayosa was delighted. He knew the value of the shell. He told Paid
he had sold many of them to the tourists and collectors in Barbadoes
receiving from fifty cents to a dollar and a half apiece. He also
said that where one of those shells was found there was generally many
in the vicinity, and advised Paul not to move the sloop that night, but
to descend again the next day.
When the sun was sufficiently high the next morning, Paul again donned
the armor and resumed his search for the voluta. Not thirty yards from
where he had discovered the first one, he found a basin in the rocks
filled with sand. From around this basin he took out two hundred and
forty specimens of the desired shell. Afterwards it was ascertained that
no greater find of this species had ever been made. Scott was not
pleased with Paul's success. He grew more sullen every day. Several
times he tried to resume his position as chief diver, but his strength
was not equal to the strain, and Paul gladly took his place, which only
made Scott furious. The abuse and curses he heaped upon captain and crew
would have resulted in something serious only for Paul. The captain
wanted to maroon the growler, that is, to place him on an island
with some provisions and sail away. To this Paul answered that he would
blow off the head of the man that attempted such a thing. He then
tried to restrain Scott but with poor success. There was no other way
out of it, so Paul decided to end the cruise. The sloop had a pretty
fair cargo so he ordered the captain to make sail for Bridgetown,
Barbadoes. They arrived there a month before the charter expired. Mr.
C. settled to the satisfaction of the Cayusa's Captain and Scott was
placed in the Marine Hospital. Three weeks later, after intense
suffering from fever, the poor fellow died. Then Paul understood all
his growls and abuse and was sincerely sorry. The collection was boxed
ready for shipment and Paul had a pleasant time on the island, while
waiting for a northern bound vessel.
One day while sitting at the mole, fishing, he saw a staunch little
schooner with dilapidated sails bear into the harbor. When her anchor
was let go, a boat was lowered into which two sailors and a man
evidently the captain, entered. Paul, folding his fishing line,
sauntered down to find out who the new arrivals were. A custom house
officer standing by, hailed the stranger as he came ashore with, "Why,
Captain Balbo. I am delighted to see you."
"Shure it does me eyes good to see yureself," said the new arrival, in a
rich Irish brogue. "Me papers air all right, so we'll have no trouble.
O'ive just called in to get a bit av fresh wather, an' if the Lord's
willin' somethin' a little stronger."
"You're always welcome," responded the officer, "even if you do neglect
to get your clearances. You know there is no love lost between you and
the custom house."
The schooner captain way a stout, thickset man with a face bronzed to
the color of mahogany and a head of hair as red as a Pittsburgh furnace
at midnight. His blue eyes sparkled with good nature and merriment, and
a continual smile hovered over his massive mouth. After several hearty
greetings to acquaintances on the landing, the captain proceeded to the
warehouse of the merchant, where Mr. C. soon afterward introduced Paul
to the jolly old sea dog. When Captain Balbo learned that Paul had come
down after seashells and curiosities, he was delighted and invited the
boy to come aboard.
"O'im in the same line meself. But instead of lookin' afther dirthy,
bad-smellin' sea shells, it's afther the shells of ould Vessels Oi am."
Paul gladly promised to go aboard that afternoon. The captain purchased
a supply of provisions and made arrangements for his casks of fresh
water and "stronger stuff," but in vain Mr. C. entreated him to remain
over and take dinner with himself and Paul. The captain declared he
could "fill himself up at the hotel with more liberty and less
embarrassment." Mr. C. told Paid that Captain Balbo was a good
natured old wrecker and treasure hunter, well-known in all the West
India Islands. Late that afternoon Paul rowed out to the schooner, and
received an enthusiastic welcome from the captain, who had evidently
been enjoying himself "without restraint or embarrassment." He took Paul
into a roomy cabin, and introduced him to his wife, a Very obese yellow
woman, who was reclining on a sofa. The woman was undoubtedly of negro
blood; but to Paul's profound astonishment, she had as fine a brogue as
her husband. After some conversation Paul ventured to ask the
captain how this happened. The latter laughed heartily and answered:
"Me wife wuz born far enough away from dear ould Ireland. Oi'll tell ye
how it wuz. Many years ago a parthy of immygrants left county Kerry for
Nassau, New Providence oisland. Their ship wuz driven far out av her way
in a sthorm an' wrecked on a small oisland in Flamingo Bay. A few av
thoze thet survived, settled on the oisland, an' soon had foine homes on
its fertile soil. They found only a few nager inhabitants, an' shure
they tuk thim fur servants. Me parents were among the survivors from the
ship an' Oi wuz born about a year afther the wreck. As toime went on,
the nagers gradually acquired the accent of their masthers. Whin Oi grow
up Oi shipped on a tradin' schooner in which we wus cast away near
Nassau. There Oi joined an English ship; n' fur foive years put in the
loife av a sailor forninst the mast. Me heart always longed fur the
sunlit, happy oisland an' me people an' at lasht Oi got back there, an'
there Oi married Betsy thet ye will see on her beam ends on the sofia.
Soon afther, in company with others, Oi bought fur a trifle, a schooner
that wuz wrecked on the Keys. Afther hard wuerk we got her afloat, an'
re-masted. We did good wuerk in her as a wrecker. Wan be wan Oi bought
me comrades out, until to-day Oi am masther av the good little craft
that's under yez. Me wife is always the companion av me voyages. Ehen
she has the will to shake hersel', she can put more weight on a rope
then the balance av the crew. An' there's not a cook in the gay city of
Paris that equal her. Me business is tradin' and wreckin.' Mr. C. tould
me that ye had submarine armour an' some improved dredgin' appyratus.
Now Oi know where both will be useful to ye an' to me. There's many a
wreck that Oi know, that's out av me reach wid the appliances Oi have.
Wid your appyratus we can get treasure in abundance."
His stories of wrecks and treasures were of deep interest to Paul.
Gladly would he have joined the captain, but his father owned the
submarine armour and apparatus and he felt that he ought to consult him
first. But he promised to answer Captain Balbo later on. A was about to
leave the schooner, he remarked, "Your good lady sleeps very soundly,
but she is very fat."
"That fat, me b'y," responded Balbo, "is av great valey to me. The
English law makes us to give wan fourth av all treasure trove; but
it's devilish little they find on board the 'Foam' afther me wife lands.
They ofthen remark to me, that it's queer how fat Betsy is whin she
goes ashore an' how much flesh she loses afther a short sojourn. Now, me
b'y, Oi'll meet ye to-morrow. Oi loike ye an' Oi hope ye'll jine me.
Ye'll niver regret the day ye do. An' now ye black devils," he said,
turning to the boat's crew, "set this young gintleman safe ashore, er
be the port bow av Noah's ark. Oi'll break ivery bone in yer black
shkins. Good night, God bless ye, me son," was shouted over the dark
waters as the boat shot away to the landing.
That night Paul entertained Mr. C. with an account of his visit to the
"Foam" and his interview with the captain. Mr. C. assured Paul that
Balbo was reliable and thoroughly honest in his dealings. At the same
time he strongly advised him to take passage in the brig that had just
arrived in the offing bound for New York and consult his father before
embarking in the enterprise proposed by the wrecker. The next day Mr.
C., the captain and Paul dined together. Paul promised the captain, that
if he would consent to his gathering curiosities during the voyages
they would make together and give him a share of all treasure recovered,
he would lay the matter before his father on his arrival in New York.
If Mr. Boyton consented he would join him in Nassau, with all the
improved apparatus he could secure for the business. The form of
agreement was drawn up and a bargain concluded subject to the approval
of Paul's father. Three days later Paul sailed for New York on the brig
Saco, and after a quiet voyage arrived safely at home once more. The
collection of curios he had with him and the previous shipments he
had made convinced his father that in no other position would Paul be
so valuable to him. He was delighted with his success and allowed him
a liberal sum for his labors. Paul was glad to be with his family once
more and proved to his much loved mother that he had not forgotten her
in all his wanderings as he had a splendid collection of the richest,
rarest and most beautiful specimens he had gathered during his voyage as
a present for her. The liberal supply of money obtained from his
father's generosity was recklessly divided between his sisters. A
few days after reaching home, he broached the subject of Captain
Balbo's proposition to his father. Mr. Boyton did not like the idea of
wrecking or treasure hunting, but he was perfectly content that Paul
should join the captain for the purpose of collecting curiosities, and
was willing to supply him with money and all the improved apparatus
required for that purpose. Paul promised his father that the outlay
would be applied according to his directions; but made the firm resolve
to himself that he would tackle the treasure ships mentioned to him by
Balbo.