LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N.
The gentlemanly individual who addressed Somers wore the uniform of an
English naval officer. By easy and gentle approaches, he proceeded to
make himself very agreeable. He was lavish in his praise of the
achievements of the "American navy," and was sure that no nation on the
face of the globe had ever displayed such skill and energy in creating a
war marine. Somers listened patiently to this eloquent and just tribute
to the enterprise of his country; and if he had not suspected that the
enthusiastic speaker was playing an assumed character, he would have
ventured to suggest that the position of John Bull was rather equivocal;
that a little less admiration, and a little more genuine sympathy, would
be more acceptable.
"We sailors belong to the same fraternity all over the world," said the
pretended Englishman. "There is something in sailors which draws them
together. I never meet one without desiring to know him better. Allow me
to present you my card, and beg the favor of yours in return."
He handed his card to Somers, who read upon it the name of "Lieutenant
Wynkoop, R. N." It was elaborately engraved, and our officer began to
have some doubts in regard to his new-found acquaintance, for the card
could hardly have been got up since the interview of the preceding
evening. This gentleman might not be Langdon, after all; but whether he
was or not, it was proper to treat him with respect and consideration.
Somers wrote his name on a blank card, and gave it to him.
"Thank you, Mr. Somers: here is my hand," said Lieutenant Wynkoop, when
he had read the name. "I am happy to make your acquaintance."
Somers took the offered hand, and made a courteous reply, to the
salutations of the other.
"May I beg the favor of your company to dinner with me in my private
parlor to-day?" continued Mr. Wynkoop. "I have a couple of bottles of
fine old sherry, which have twice made the voyage to India, sent to me
by an esteemed American friend residing in this city."
"Thank you, Mr. Wynkoop. To the dinner I have not the slightest
objection; to the wine I have; and I'm afraid you must reserve it for
some one who will appreciate it more highly than I can. I never drink
wine."
"Ah, indeed?" said the presumed representative of the royal navy, as he
adjusted an eye-glass to his left eye, keeping it in position by
contracting the muscles above and below the visual member, which gave a
peculiar squint to his expression, very trying to the risibles of his
auditor.
"I should be happy to dine with you, but I don't drink wine," repeated
Somers, in good-natured but rather bluff tones, for he did not wish to
be understood as apologizing for his total abstinence principles.
"I should be glad to meet you in my private parlor, say, at four
o'clock, whether you drink wine or not, Mr. Somers."
"Four o'clock?"
"It's rar-ther early, I know. If you prefer five, say the word," drawled
Mr. Wynkoop.
"I should say that would be nearer supper time than four," replied
Somers, who had lately been in the habit of dining at twelve in
Pinchbrook.
"Earlier if you please, then."
"Any hour that is convenient for you will suit me."
"Let it be four, then. But I must acknowledge, Mr. Somers, I am not
entirely unselfish in desiring to make your acquaintance. The operations
of the American navy have astonished me, and I wish to know more about
it. I landed in New York only a few days since, and I improve every
opportunity to make the acquaintance of American naval officers. I have
not yet visited one of your dock yards."
"I am going over to look at my ship this forenoon, and I should be
delighted with your company."
"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mr. Wynkoop. "I shall be under great
obligations to you for the favor."
They went to the navy yard, visited the Chatauqua, and other vessels of
war fitting out there. Mr. Wynkoop asked a thousand questions about
ships, engines, and armaments; and one could hardly help regarding him
as the most enthusiastic admirer of naval architecture. Though the
gentleman spoke in affected tones, Somers had recognized the voice of
Langdon. This was the person, without a doubt, who was to lure him into
the Confederate navy, who was to crown his aspirations with a
commander's commission, and reward his infidelity with the command of a
fine steamer.
Somers was very impatient for the inquiring member of the royal navy to
make his proposition; for, strange as it may seem to the loyal reader,
he had fully resolved to accept the brilliant offers he expected to
receive; to permit Coles to place the name of "John Somers" in the blank
of the commander's commission which he had in his possession; and even
to take his place on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis, if it became
necessary to carry proceedings to that extent.
But Lieutenant Wynkoop did not even allude to the Confederate navy, or
to the Ben Nevis, and did not even attempt to sound the loyalty of his
companion. Somers concluded at last that this matter was reserved for
the after-dinner conversation; and as he could afford to wait, he
continued to give his friend every facility for prosecuting his
inquiries into the secret of the marvellous success of the "American
navy."
After writing out his statement of Coles's plans, he had carefully and
prayerfully considered his duty in relation to the startling information
he had thus accidentally obtained. Of course he had no doubt as to what
he should do. He must be sure that the Ben Nevis was handed over to the
government; that Coles and Langdon were put in close quarters. He only
inquired how this should be done. Though the Snowden and the Theban had
been captured in the former instance, both Kennedy and Coles had escaped
punishment, and one of them was again engaged in the work of pulling
down the government.
If he gave information at the present stage of the conspiracy, his plans
might be defeated. Though Coles had mentioned no names, it was more than
probable that he was aided and abetted in his treasonable projects by
other persons. There were traitors in Boston, New York, and
Philadelphia, men of wealth and influence, occupying high positions in
society, who were engaged in just such enterprises as that which had
been revealed to the young naval officer.
Somers felt, therefore, that a premature exposure might ruin himself
without overthrowing the conspirators. A word from one of these
influential men might lay him on the shelf, to say the least, and remove
all suspicion from the guilty ones. He must proceed with the utmost
caution, both for his own safety and the success of his enterprise.
Besides, he felt that, if he could get "inside of the ring," he should
find out who the great men were that were striking at the heart of the
nation in the dark. By obtaining the confidence of the conspirators, he
could the more easily baffle them, and do the country a greater service
than he could render on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua.
After an earnest and careful consideration of the whole matter, he
concluded that his present duty was to pay out rope enough to permit
Coles and his guilty associates to hang themselves. For this purpose, he
was prepared to receive Langdon with open arms, to accept the commission
intended for him, and to enter into the secret councils of his country's
bitterest enemies.
Somers, pure and patriotic in his motives, did not for a moment consider
that he exposed himself to any risk in thus entering the councils of the
wicked, or even in taking a commission in the service of the enemy. He
did not intend to aid or abet in the treason of the traitors, and he did
not think what might be the result if a rebel commission were found upon
his person. He might be killed in battle with this damning document in
his pocket. If any of the conspirators were caught, they might denounce
him as one of their number. He did not think of these things. He was
ambitious to serve his treason-ridden country, and he forgot all about
himself.
It was half past three when Somers and Wynkoop returned to the hotel
from their visit to the navy yard. Langdon had evidently been in
England, for he insisted upon calling it a "dock yard." They separated
to dress for dinner, as the courtly John Bull expressed it. At four they
met again in the private parlor, where an elegant dinner was served, and
where Mr. Wynkoop sipped his sherry "which had twice made the voyage to
the East Indies," though it probably came from the cellar of the hotel.
When the coffee had been brought in, and the waiters had retired, the
representative of the royal navy lighted his cigar, and began, in a very
moderate way, to express some slight admiration for the skill and
prowess of the rebels. Somers helped him along until he became a
thorough rebel.
"With all my admiration for the American navy, Mr. Somers, I find there
is a great deal of injustice towards the officers, especially the
younger ones," continued Mr. Wynkoop, after he had sufficiently
indicated his sympathy for the "noble and gallant people who were
struggling against such hodds in the South."--The lieutenant
occasionally pressed an _h_ into use where it was not needed--probably
to be entirely consistent with himself.
"That's true; and I have suffered from it myself," replied Somers,
determined that his companion should want no inducement to make his
proposition as soon as he was ready.
"I don't doubt it, Mr. Somers;" and Mr. Wynkoop stated some instances
which had come to his knowledge.
Somers then gave a list of his own imaginary grievances, and professed
to be greatly dissatisfied with his present position and prospects.
"I think you would do better in the Confederate navy," said the
lieutenant, warmly.
"Perhaps I should."
"Whichever side you fight for, you fight for your own country."
"That's true."
"When the South wins,--as win she will,--all who fought against her,
will be like prophets in their own country--without honor. In less than
two months the independence of the Confederate States will be
acknowledged by England and France. I happen to know this."
"It would not surprise me."
"My uncle, the Earl of--never mind; I won't mention his name--my uncle,
who is an intimate friend of Palmerston, told me so."
Somers was rather glad to hear it, for it would bring the desolating war
to a close. Mr. Wynkoop hesitated no longer. He approached the real
business of the meeting rapidly, and in a few moments the commander's
commission was on the table. The offer was made, and Somers, with such
apparent qualms of conscience as a naval officer might be expected to
exhibit on deserting his flag, accepted the proposition. Mr. Wynkoop
went into his sleeping apartment, adjoining the parlor, with the
commission in his hand.
He returned in a moment with the name of "John Somers," filled in the
blank space left for that purpose, and handed it to his guest.
Somers shuddered when he saw his name written upon such an infernal
document; for though he was still true to God, his country, and himself,
the paper had an ugly look. But he regarded it only as evidence against
the conspirators, rather than against himself; as a necessary formality
to enable him to frustrate the designs of traitors, rather than as a
blot against his own name.
"Mr. Somers, I congratulate you. If you could be induced to join me in a
glass of this old sherry, we would drink to the success of the
Louisiana--for that is to be the name of your craft when you get to
sea."
"I thank you, Mr. Wynkoop; you must excuse me."
"As you please. Mr. Somers, though I am an Englishman, and belong to the
royal navy, it is hardly necessary for me to say now, that I am in the
service of the South. I go with you in the Louisiana, as a passenger.
Your first work will be to capture one of the California steamers, which
I am to transform into a man-of-war, and call the Texas. She will be
under my command."
"I am satisfied."
"By the way, Captain Somers," added Wynkoop, as he took a paper from his
pocket, "here is the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of
America, which it will be necessary for you to sign."
This was more than Somers had bargained for, and he would have cut off
his right hand, or permitted his head to be severed from his body,
rather than put his signature to the detested paper. A cold chill crept
through his veins, as he glanced at the sheet on which it was printed,
and he was afraid all he had done would fail because he could not do
this thing.
Lieutenant Wynkoop brought a pen and ink from his sleeping apartment,
and placed it by the side of his guest.
"I would rather not sign this just now," said Somers. "It might get me
into trouble."
"Very well; we will attend to that after you get on board of the Ben
Nevis," replied Wynkoop, as he took the oath and the commission, with
the pen and ink, and went into his chamber again.
He was absent several minutes this time, and Somers had an opportunity
to review his position.
"Here is your commission, Captain Somers," said the lieutenant, as he
placed the document on the table. "On the whole, I think you had better
sign the oath now."
"I think it will do just as well when we get off."
"Perhaps it will; here are your orders," said he, handing Somers
another paper, and placing that containing the oath on the table.
At this moment, Somers heard a step in the direction of the bedroom. He
turned, with surprise, to see who it was, for he had heard no one enter.
"Ah, Somers, I am glad to see you," said the new arrival, stepping up to
the table, and glancing at the papers which lay open there.
It was Lieutenant Pillgrim.