"Well, then, you will take this vessel clear of the shoals, my men; and
if you do not, your lives are worth nothing.--Hold pistols to their
heads," continued he to the officer, "and the moment that the ship
touches, blow their brains out."
Here Bramble, to my astonishment, went on his knees.
"Spare our lives," said he, "and we will take the vessel safe to the
French coast;" at the same time he gave me a pinch.
"If you do not you shall not live a minute," said the captain (another
pinch from Bramble). I now understood him, and I also went down on my
knees, and pretended to cry. "We can't take her out if this weather
lasts," said I, whimpering. "It's impossible."
"No, no! not if this weather lasts," said Bramble, "but as soon as it
changes we will do it."
"Very well, so long as you do it when you can, that is all I ask. Now,"
said he to the officer he had before addressed, "you'll have twenty
men--keep a sharp lookout--and don't lose a moment in getting under way
as soon as you can."
The captain then returned to the privateer with the rest of the men,
leaving the ship in charge of the prizemaster. The privateer was boomed
off; but whether she dropped her anchor near to us, or remained under
way, I could not tell. The men who had held the pistols to our heads now
went away with the others to plunder, according to the manners and
customs of all privateers' men, of whatever nation they may happen to
be. Bramble and I walked aft.
"Pinned once more, by all that's blue! Well, it can't be helped--but
we're not in a French prison yet."
"Why did you go down on your knees to those fellows?" said I, rather
sulkily.
"Why, because I wished them to think we were chicken-hearted, and that
we should not be watched, and might have a chance--who knows?"
"Two against twenty are heavy odds," replied I.
"That depends upon whether you trust to your head or your arms. It must
be headwork this time. You see, Tom, we have so far a chance that we
cannot weigh till it clears up--they know that as well as we do. I'm
pretty sure it will be thick all to-morrow, and perhaps longer; so you
see something may turn up by that time. We are well in, and right in the
Channel, for vessels up or down. I say again we are not in a French
prison yet. They can't take her out of this--we must do it; and we may
run on shore if we like: and I tell you what, Tom, if it wasn't for
Bessy, I'd just as soon that my brains should be blown out as that these
French fellows should take such a rich prize. Now let's go below--we
mustn't be seen talking together too much; but look out sharp, Tom, and
watch my motions."
The officer who had charge of the vessel now came on deck, and looked
round him: he could speak English sufficient to carry on a conversation.
The weather was very thick, and the rain drove down with the wind: he
saw that it was impossible that the ship could be moved. He told us that
we should have a hundred guineas each and our liberty if we took the
ship safe either to Ostend or any French port. We replied that we should
be very glad to do so, as it would be ten times as much as we should
have received for piloting her up the Thames; and then we went down
below. In the meantime the men were sent for on deck, divided into
watches, and when the watch was set the others went down below again.
After taking a glass or two of wine, for the Frenchmen had soon rummaged
out what there was to be drunk in the cabin, Bramble and I returned on
deck. We found the Frenchmen in charge of the watch diligent: one was
looking out forward, another at the taffrail; the remaining three were
walking the deck. Bramble went to the gangway, and I followed him.
"Tom, I see the hatchway grating is on deck--I only wish we once had
them all beneath it."
"I only wish we had all but the watch--I'd have a try for it then,"
replied I.
"No, no, Tom, that wouldn't do; but we must trust to Providence and a
sharp lookout. See where you can put your hand upon a crowbar or
handspike, in case you want it; but don't touch it. Come, there's
nothing to be done in any way just now, so let's go down and take a
snooze for an hour or two; and, Tom, if they ask us to drink, drink with
them, and pretend to be half fuddled."
We went down again, and found the privateer's men getting very jolly;
but they did not offer us anything to drink, so we laid on some spare
sails outside the cabin, and tried to go to sleep, but I could not, for
I was very unhappy. I could see no chance of our escape, as nothing but
a man-of-war would be likely to interfere and recapture us. I thought of
Virginia and Lady O'Connor, and then I thought of poor Bessy, and having
left her in such an unfriendly way, perhaps to remain in a French prison
for years. Bramble and I were fully aware that the promises of the
prizemaster were only to cajole us, and that once in a French port, had
we claimed the fulfillment of them, a kick would have been all which we
should, in all probability, receive for our pains.
About one o'clock in the morning I rose and went on deck. The watch had
been relieved, the weather also looked brighter, as if it were going, to
clear up, and I became still more depressed. Bramble soon followed me.
"It's clearing up," said I, "but I don't think it will last."
"Never a bit," replied Bramble; "in half an hour it will be thicker than
ever, so now I'll go and call the officer, and tell him he had better
get under way: that will make him have less suspicion of us."
Bramble did so. The officer came on deck, the men were turned out, and
the windlass was manned; for, although so large a vessel, she had no
capstan. The men hove in the cable in silence, and were short stay
apeak, when, as we had foreseen, it came on thicker than ever. Bramble
pointed it out to the officer, who was perfectly satisfied that nothing
could be done; the cable was veered out again, and the men sent below.
"We hope you'll think of your promise to us, sir," said Bramble to the
officer, as he was going down.
"Yes, I will, I swear," replied he, slapping Bramble on the back.
The morning broke, and the weather continued the same; it was not
possible to see ten yards clear of the ship, and, of course, in such
weather it was not likely that any other vessels would be attempting to
pass through the Channel. At noon it cleared up a little, and the
windlass was again manned; but in a short time the fog became thicker
than ever. The Frenchmen now became very impatient, but there was no
help for it; they walked about the deck, swearing and stamping, and
throwing out invectives against the fog and rain as they looked up at
it. The night closed in; the men were kept on deck until eleven o'clock,
when the flood time made, and then they were sent down again, as nothing
could be done until the ebb. At twelve o'clock the weather became worse,
the wind freshened considerably, and veered more to the southward, the
rain poured down in torrents, and the men of the watch sheltered
themselves down the hatchway. The officer came up on the deck, and
called Bramble, who had been down below. Bramble told him, what was very
true, that the wind would probably shift and the weather clear up in a
few hours, and that we should be able to weigh with the coming down of
the ebb. He asked Bramble whether he thought it would blow hard. Bramble
could not say, but it would be better that the men should not turn in,
as they might be wanted; and that if the fore-topmast staysail was
hoisted, she would lie better at her anchor, and in case of parting, he
would be able to manage her till sail was set. This advice was followed,
and all the men sat up in the cabin drinking, those who had the watch
occasionally coming down to refresh themselves.
They gave us a glass of grog each that night, a proof that they had
drunk until they were good-natured. Bramble said to me, as we sat down
outside, "It will be clear to-morrow morning, Tom, that's sartain--it
must be to-night or never. I've been thinking of lowering the quarter
boat down, when they are a little more mizzled; they are getting on
pretty fast, for Frenchmen haven't the heads for drinking that
Englishmen have. Now it pours down beautifully, and here they come down
again for shelter."
For three hours we watched; it was then four o'clock, and the men were
most of them asleep or more than half drunk. Those of the middle watch
came down dripping wet, and called the others to relieve them, but only
two of them answered to the call. They who had come down began to drink
freely, to warm themselves after their ducking, and by half-past four,
except the two men on deck, every Frenchman was either fast asleep or
muddled.
"Tom," said Bramble, "now's our time. Slip up on deck, go forward if no
one is there, and saw through the cable as quickly as you can; it won't
take long, for it's a coir rope. As soon as you have got through two
strands out of the three, come aft."
I went on deck, and looked round; I could not see the two men, it was so
dark. I then walked forward, and looking well round to see that they
were not on the forecastle, I sat down before the windlass and commenced
operations. In a couple of minutes I had divided the two strands, and I
went aft, where I found Bramble at the binnacle, in which a light was
burning.
"I have done it," said I, "and if the wind freshens at all, she will
part."'
"All's right," said Bramble, "those two fellows are fast asleep under
the taffrail, covered up with the trysail, which lies there. Now, Tom,
for a bold push: go down once more, and see how they are getting on in
the cabin."
I went down: every man was asleep--some on the locker, some with their
heads on the table. I came on deck: it rained harder than ever.
"This will be a clearing shower, Tom, depend upon it; and the wind is
freshening up again. Now, have you looked out for a handspike or
crowbar?"
"Yes, I know where there are two."
"Then come with me: we must unship the ladder, and pull it up on deck,
and then put on the grating; after that we must take our chance: we may
succeed, and we may not--all depends upon their not waking too soon."
We went to the hatchway, cut the cleat-lashings, hauled the ladder on
deck, and then put on the grating.
"That will do, Tom, for the present. Now do you take the helm, with a
crowbar all ready by your side. I will go forward and cut the cable: if
those fellows rouse up while I am forward, you must do your best. I
leave you, Tom, because you are more powerful than I am."
"I'll manage them both, never fear," whispered I.
"When she swings, mind you put the helm a-starboard, Tom," said Bramble
in my ear.
This was the most nervous part of the whole transaction: the men abaft
might wake, and I should have to master them how I could--and even if I
did, the scuffle might awake those below, who were not yet secured;
although, for a time, it would be difficult for them to get on deck. But
fortune favored us: the cable was severed, the ship swung round, and
Bramble returned aft and took the helm.
"Now is the time to see if I'm a pilot or not, Tom," said he. "I think I
can steer her through by compass, now that it's nearly high
water--luck's all. It was fortunate that we got the staysail hoisted for
us, or we could have made nothing of it."
"It's clearing up fast," said I, as I kept my eyes upon where the men
were lying abaft; "and there'll be plenty of wind."
"Yes, and we'll have daylight soon. Tom, I don't want you. I should like
you to step aft, and stand over those two chaps; if they wake, knock
them senseless--don't kill them, as you can easily bind them while they
are stupefied. And, Tom, look about you for some seizings all ready. I
wish they would wake, for we are not safe while they are not secure. Put
a handspike by me, and, if necessary, I will leave the helm for a
minute, and help you: it's better that she should go on shore than they
should master us. We're pretty safe now, at all events. I see the
land--all's right."
It was now daylight. After this whispering with Bramble, I went aft with
a handspike in my hand; and I had not been there more than two minutes
when one of the privateer's men turned the canvas on one side, and
looked up. The handspike came down upon his head, and he dropped
senseless; but the noise roused up the other, and I dealt him a blow
more severe than the first. I then threw down my weapon, and, perceiving
the deep-sea lead-line coiled up on the reel, I cut off sufficient, and
in a short time had bound them both by the hands and feet. They groaned
heavily, and I was afraid that I had killed them; but there was no help
for it.
"They are safe," said I, returning to Bramble.
"I thought I heard you, but I did not look round at the time. Half an
hour more, Tom, and, even with this wind, we shall be safe--and, Tom,
our fortune's made. If they wake below, we must fight hard for it, for
we've a right to salvage, my boy--one-eighth of the whole cargo--that's
worth fighting for. Depend upon it, they'll be stirring soon; so, Tom,
go aft, and drag the trysail here, and put it on the hatchway
grating--its weight will prevent their lifting it up in a hurry. If we
can only hold our own for twenty minutes longer she is ours, and all
right."
As soon as I had stowed the trysail on the hatchway grating, I looked
about to see what else I could put on the skylight, which they might
also attempt to force up. I could find nothing but the coils of rope,
which I piled on; but, while I was so doing, a pistol was fired at me
from below, and the ball passed through the calf of my leg; it was,
however, not a wound to disable me, and I bound it up with my
handkerchief.
"They're all alive now, Tom, so you must keep your eyes open. However,
we're pretty safe--the light vessel is not a mile off. Keep away from
the skylight--you had better stand upon the trysail, Tom--you will help
to keep the hatchway down, for they are working at it."
Another pistol was now fired at Bramble, which missed him.
"Tom, see if there's no bunting aft, and, if so, just throw some over
this part of the skylight, it will blind them, at all events; otherwise
I'm just a capital mark for them."
I ran aft, and gathered some flags, which I brought and laid over the
skylight, so as to intercept their view of Bramble; but while I was so
doing another pistol-shot was fired--it passed me, but hit Bramble,
taking off one of his fingers.
"That's no miss, but we've got through the worst of it, Tom--I don't
think they can see me now--don't put that English ensign on, but hoist
it Union downward. I shall round-to now; there's the men-of-war in the
Medway. Why don't the fools look out, and they will see that they can't
escape?"
"They've only the stern windows to look out of: the quarter-galleries
are boarded up."
"Then, Tom, just look if they have not beat them out, for you know they
may climb on deck by them."
It was fortunate that Bramble mentioned this. I went aft with the
handspike in my hand, and when I was about to look over, I met face to
face a Frenchman, who had climbed out of the starboard quarter-gallery,
and was just gaming the deck. A blow with the handspike sent him
overboard, and he went astern; but another was following him, and I
stood prepared to receive him. It was the officer in command, who spoke
English. He paused at the sight of the other man falling overboard and
my uplifted handspike; and I said to him, "It's of no use--look at the
English men-of-war close to you: if you do not go back to the cabin, and
keep your men quiet, when the men-of-war's men come on board we will
show you no quarter."
We were now entering the Medway; and the Frenchman perceived that they
could not escape, and would only bring mischief on themselves by any
farther assaults, so he got into the quarter-gallery again, and spoke to
his men. As soon as I perceived that he was entering, I ran over to the
other side to the larboard quarter-gallery, and there again I found a
Frenchman had nearly gained the deck. I levelled the handspike at his
head, but he dodged, and returned to the cabin by the way he came; and
after that there were no more attempts at recovering the vessel. In five
minutes more we were abreast of the Euphrosyne, Sir James O'Connor's
frigate, which was now lying, with only her lower masts in, alongside of
the hulk. I hailed for assistance, and let fly the foretop-mast staysail
sheet, while Bramble rounded the ship to. The boats were sent on board
immediately; and as we had not a cable bent, they made the ship fast to
the hulk astern of them. We stated our case in few words to the officer;
and having ascertained that Sir James O'Connor was on board, requested
that we might be sent to the frigate.
"Is it you?" said Sir James, as I came on the gangway; "what is it all
about--are you hurt? Come down in the cabin."
Bramble and I followed him down into the cabin; and I stated the whole
particulars of the capture and re-capture.
"Excellent--most excellent! I wish you both joy; but first we must have
the surgeon here" Sir James rang the bell; and when the surgeon came he
went on deck to give orders.
[Illustration: I MET FACE TO FACE A FRENCHMAN.--Marryat, Vol. X., p.
493.]
The ball had passed through my leg, so that the surgeon had little to
do to me. Bramble's finger was amputated, and in a few minutes we were
all right, and Sir James came down again.
"I should say, stay on board till you are able to get about again; but
the ship will be paid off to-morrow, so I had better send you up to
Chatham directly. You are entitled to salvage if ever men were, for you
have earned it gloriously; and I will take care that you are done
justice to. I must go now and report the vessel and particulars to the
admiral, and the first lieutenant will send you to Chatham in one of the
cutters. You'll be in good hands, Tom, for you will have two nurses."
We were taken up to Chatham to the hotel, where we found Lady O'Connor
and Virginia very much surprised, as may be imagined, at our being
brought there wounded. However, we were neither of us ill enough to go
to bed, and had a sitting-room next to theirs.
This recapture made a great deal of noise. At first the agent for the
prize wrote down a handsome letter to us, complimenting us upon our
behavior and stating that he was authorized to present us each with five
hundred pounds for our conduct. But Sir James O'Connor answered the
letter, informing him that we claimed, and would have, our one-eighth,
as entitled to by law, and that he would see us righted. Mr. Wilson,
whom we employed as our legal adviser, immediately gave the prize agent
notice of an action in the Court of Admiralty, and, finding we were so
powerfully backed, and that he could not help himself, he offered forty
thousand pounds, which was one-eighth, valuing the cargo at three
hundred and twenty thousand pounds. The cargo proved to be worth more
than four hundred thousand pounds, but Mr. Wilson advised us to close
with the offer, as it was better than litigating the question; so we
assented to it, and the money was paid over.
In a fortnight we were both ready to travel again. Sir James O'Connor
had remained a week longer than he intended to have done at Chatham on
our account. We now took leave of them, and having presented Virginia
with five thousand pounds, which I had directed Mr. Wilson to settle
upon her, we parted, the O'Connors and Virginia for Leamington, and
Bramble and I for Deal.