VILLAINY.
I went on deck, to behold a night of calm and beauty. There was no
moon; but the hosts of the stars burned in a clear element, upon a
solemn ground, and I thought they were like gems in the mantle of God.
But, as I stood, leaning on the bulwarks, dreaming in the blue
starlight, on a sudden a hand was laid on my shoulder, and a hearty
voice cried:
“Wake up, young star-gazer! What are you dreaming of now? Wouldst know:
What worlds or what vast regions hold
The immortal mind that hath forsook
Her mansion in this fleshy nook?”
“What, old physicker!” (for ’twas Surgeon Burke), “‘Throw physic to the
dogs, I’ll none of it!’”
He laughed boisterously at the return; then bade me follow him below,
saying that the English castaway was coming out of his swoon. We went
quickly to the master’s cabin, where the Englishman lay stretched upon
a day-bed or settee. But, instead of the stark and deadly look he had
before, his breast heaved to a gentle respiration, his eyes were
closed, and there was even a trace of colour in his hollow cheeks.
“When he wakes,” said Burke, “he’ll be recovered, and that will be no
great while either.”
But in this point he was out; for the exhausted man continued in his
babe-like sleep. At last, being perfectly tired out, I cast myself
down upon the bedding on the floor, and took up my repose. Yet I could
not presently sleep; for my thoughts were tumultuous and uneasy to the
last degree, running continually upon those strange happenings--more
especially upon the desire manifested by Ouvery to make away with
the castaways and strange recognition of him by the Mosquito Indian.
However, at last I slept.
It must have been upon the stroke of midnight that I woke up suddenly
from an unquiet sleep, to hear the sound of stealthy footsteps in the
gang-way without.
I listened, my heart beginning to thump upon my sides, my eyes upon
the door. The handle turned slowly; the door was softly opened. Then,
half-closing my eyes, I feigned slumber, as, vivid in moonshine cast
through the port, the face of Ouvery appeared in the chink.
The Quartermaster stood peering and listening. He entered, and advanced
on me; and there was a knife in his hand. Yet I continued to feign
slumber, and, though near dead with terror, to make my breathing appear
regular and slow.
At last he was at my side. I opened my eyes then, ready to evade a
deadly thrust, and lo! the man was passed by me and moving towards the
Englishman on the bed. On that my nerve came back to me; the spell was
broken.
I made one leap of it half across the cabin floor; and, as the
Quartermaster, his face set in savage lines, his arm drawn back to
thrust, bent over the slumbering Englishman, quick as light I snatched
the pistol from his belt and set it close and firm to his ear.
“Drop your blade,” said I, “or I’ll fire.”
Ouvery was no craven, but, on touch of the iron muzzle, he started and
dropped his knife. He held perfectly still, muttering something that I
had no care to hear; and I bawled loud and repeatedly, “Help! Help!”
It was then that the Englishman came out of his swoon; and, rising up
in his bed, “Where am I?” cried he. “What is this?”
“You are on the ship _Tiger_,” replied I. “You were taken up from a
driving boat--you with an Indian, who also is on the ship.”
“Ha! And this fellow?”
“He is the Quartermaster. He was about to murder you; I know not why.”
“O-ho!” cried he, “a mystery! I am even eager to fathom it. Turn
hither, fellow, that I may look upon the majesty of your countenance.
Turn hither, I say!”
But Ouvery, on a sudden, ducked his head; and, with incredible
swiftness, whipped from the cabin, and was gone. Yet the other had got
view of his face, and he cried:
“The pirate! ’Tis the pirate, by the Lord Harry!
“So I am fallen among thieves and murderers!” says he, turning to me
with fine disdain. “Well, ’tis not the first time. You’re out on the
account--heh?”
I was taken aback at this, and knew not what to answer. Yet something
in his countenance told me he was a man I might trust. I resolved to
tell him distinctly how it was with us; and, as briefly as possible, I
did so.
He heard me out in silence, his keen eyes searching me.
“Why, here is a lad of mettle,” says he, “and--what should ever
accompany this quality--of integrity. I thank you for your confidence
reposed in me; it shall not miscarry. And now” (as I stood abashed by
his courtly phrase) “and now for action!”
But, with the word, there came the tramp of men approaching, and the
boatswain entered, having a lantern in one hand and a bare cutlash in
the other; and close at his heels came my brother.
The boatswain stood still at the entry; but Dick thrust by him, and
came forth into the cabin, asking what the matter was.
I left it to the Englishman to answer, and he did so.
“Look you, sir,” said he, rising on an elbow and speaking with hauteur,
“I am, I suppose, beholden to you for my life. But to save a man from
the sea, that he may be barbarously murdered in his bed--where is the
obligation?”
“What means he?” asked Dick, turning to me.
I told him what had passed.
“Ouvery! Always Ouvery!” cried he. “What means the fellow? I begin to
sicken of it! Curses on it!”
And, snapping his fingers in a passion, he rushed from the cabin.
The boatswain followed him out, muttering in his beard.