THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR.
Lieutenant Pillgrim rattled off the sentences in which he acknowledged
his complicity with treason with a smile of malignant triumph on his
face. He gloated over his victim as the evil one might be supposed to do
over a soul wrenched from truth and virtue. He believed that he had
Somers in a position where he could not betray him, or even resent his
tyranny.
For the first time Somers realized that he had been imprudent in
exposing himself to the machinations of these evil men. Before he had
only felt a little uncomfortably, and harbored a vague suspicion that,
in attempting to overreach others, he had committed himself. He had
learned in his babyhood that it is dangerous to play with fire, but had
never believed it so fully as at this moment. He had touched the pitch,
and felt that he had been defiled by it. Though his conscience kept
assuring him he was innocent, and protesting against a harsh judgment,
he could not help regretting that he had not exposed the villains
before he left Philadelphia, and permitted the consequences to take care
of themselves.
But stronger than any other impression, at this eventful moment, was the
feeling that he was no match for men so deeply versed in treason and
wickedness as Pillgrim and his confederates. He had played at the game
of strategy, and been beaten. While he thought he was leading them on to
confusion, they were actually entwining the meshes of the net around
him.
Mr. Pillgrim had just declared that he was the mysterious Coles. Somers,
at first, found it very difficult to realize the fact. He had really
seen Coles but once; but they had spent some hours together. At that
time Coles wore long, black whiskers, which concealed two thirds of his
face; Pillgrim wore no beard, not even a mustache. Coles was dressed in
homely garments; Pillgrim, in an elegant uniform. Coles's hair was short
and straight; Pillgrim's, long and curly at the ends.
In height, form, and proportions, they were the same; and the difference
between Coles and Pillgrim was really nothing which might not have been
produced with a razor, a pair of barber's shears, and the contrast of
dress. The familiarity of the lieutenant's expression, before
unexplained, was now accounted for; and before his tyrant spoke again,
Somers was satisfied that he actually stood in the presence of Coles.
Pillgrim stood with folded arms, gazing at his victim, and enjoying the
confusion which Somers could not conceal. The persecutor was a confident
man, and fully believed that he was master of the situation, and that
Somers would do anything he asked of him, even to going over into the
rebel ranks. He was mistaken; for Somers, deep as he felt that he was in
hot water, would have chosen to hang at the fore yard-arm, rather than
betray his country, or be false to her interests.
"You just now remarked that you should know Coles if you saw him,"
sneered Pillgrim.
"I know you now," replied Somers, bitterly.
"I see you do; but you will know me better before we part."
"I know you well enough now. You are a rebel and a traitor; and what I
said of Coles I say of you,--that you are the greatest villain that ever
went unhung."
"I don't like that kind of language, Mr. Somers," replied Pillgrim, with
entire coolness and self-possession. "It isn't the kind of language
which one gentleman should apply to another."
"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I applied it to a rebel and
a traitor."
"In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your superior officer."
"You are out of place; you don't belong here."
"Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; and perhaps it will
be when she goes into commission as a Confederate cruiser."
"Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy.
"My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the officers might hear you."
"I don't care if they all hear me."
"You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to consider that your
neck and mine are in the same noose. If I hang, you hang with me."
Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication was to come
from.
"You seem to understand your situation, and at the same time you appear
to be quite willing to throw yourself into the fire. Let me call your
attention to the fact that fire will burn."
"Better burn or hang, than be a traitor."
"Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask anything of you which
will compromise your position in the navy; but I repeat, you are mine."
"I don't understand you."
"I have told you my secret. You know that I am in the Confederate
service; that I have fitted out a vessel to cruise for Yankee ships. I
am willing you should know this, for you dare not violate my
confidence."
"Perhaps I dare."
"If you do, you are a dead man."
"Will you kill me?"
"If necessary."
"I have usually been able to defend myself," replied Somers, with
dignity.
"I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I wish done if you
are not prudent and devoted, as you should be. The Confederate oath of
allegiance signed by you is good testimony."
"I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery."
"My dear fellow, what possible difference does that make? It is well
done--is it not?"
"Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?"
"Langdon gave it to me."
"Did he sign my name to it?"
"Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself--what then?"
"You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles the credit of being."
"Thank you!"
"Where is Langdon now?"
"In New York--where he can be reached if you make it necessary to
convene a court martial."
"Is he a naval officer?"
"Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for the past two years.
Since the English have become a little particular about letting steamers
out for the Confederates, he buys them on this side."
"What do you want of me, Mr.--Pillgrim? if that is your name?"
"That is my name. I don't want much of you."
"What?"
"I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper frame of mind. You
are rather childish to-night. After you have thought the matter over,
you will be a man, and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has the
forenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty after general
quarters. If you please, I will meet you at that time."
Somers considered a moment, and assented to the proposition. Pillgrim
bade him good night, and retired to his own state-room, apparently
without a fear that his victim would struggle in the trap into which he
had fallen.
"And into the counsels of the ungodly enter thou not." This text rang in
the mind of Somers, as though some mighty prophet were thundering it
into his ears. He felt that he had already plunged deep enough into the
pit of treason, and he was anxious to get away from it before he was
scorched by the fire, and before the smell of fire clung to his
garments.
For half an hour the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua sat at his desk,
in deep thought. Though in the matter of which he was thinking, he had
not sinned against his country, or the moral law, he was sorely
troubled. He could not conceal from himself the fact that he was afraid
of Pillgrim. The dread of having his name connected with any treasonable
transaction was hard to overcome. That oath of allegiance, with his
signature forged upon it, haunted him like an evil demon. He felt more
timid and fearful than ever before in his life. His faith in Him who
doeth all things well, seemed to be momentarily shaken, and he was
hardly willing to do justly, and leave the consequences to themselves.
He felt weak, and being conscious of his weakness, he looked upward for
strength. Leaning on his desk, he prayed for wisdom to know the right,
and for the power to do it. He was in earnest; and though his prayer was
not spoken, it moved his soul down to the depths of his spiritual being.
Three bells struck while he was thus engaged. He rose from the desk, and
walked up and down the state-room several times. Suddenly he stopped
short. A great thought struck him. In an instant it became a great
resolution. Before it had time to grow cold, he put on his coat and cap,
and went out into the ward-room. Mr. Transit, the master, Mr. Grynbock,
the paymaster, and Dr. De Plesion, the surgeon, were there, discussing
the anticipated attacks on Mobile and Wilmington. Somers felt no
interest in the conversation at this time. He went on deck, where he
found Captain Cascabel and the first lieutenant, smoking their cigars.
Waiting till the captain went below, he touched his cap to Mr.
Hackleford.
"Mr. Somers?"
"Yes, sir."
"Not turned in, Mr. Somers? You have the mid-watch."
"If you will excuse me, sir, for coming to you at such a time, I wish to
have half an hour's conversation with you."
"With me?" said Mr. Hackleford, apparently much surprised at such a
request at such an hour.
"Yes, sir. It is a matter of the utmost consequence, or I would not have
mentioned it at this time."
"Very well, Mr. Somers; I am ready to hear you."
"Excuse me, sir; I would rather not introduce the matter on deck."
"Well, come to my state-room."
"To my state-room, if you please, Mr. Hackleford."
"Why not mine?"
"I am afraid the person most deeply concerned will overhear me. His room
is next to yours."
"Mr. Pillgrim?" exclaimed the first lieutenant.
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Somers, I have a high regard for you as an officer and a gentleman,
and I am not unacquainted with your past history. I hope you have
nothing to say which will reflect on a brother officer."
"I have, sir."
"Then I advise you to think well before you speak."
"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir."
"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, are rather
dangerous."
"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer for making it."
Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. The officers had
retired to their apartments, and there was no one to see them enter the
state-room. As it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lights
must be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained permission to
burn his lamp till eleven o'clock. The first lieutenant entered the
room, and Somers closed the door.
"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this statement?" said Somers,
as he handed out the paper he had so carefully prepared.
The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read the statement
through, asking an explanation of two or three points as he proceeded.
He was deeply absorbed in the narrative, which was drawn up with the
utmost minuteness.
"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope you did not permit the
vessel to sail without giving information of her character."
"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could do anything or say a
word," said Somers, exhibiting Langdon's letter.
"That was bad. You should have spoken before."
"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. Perhaps I was wrong,
sir, but I did the best I knew how."
"And this vessel is bound to Mobile. We may pick her up."
"The note says she is bound to Mobile; but it is not true. That is a
blind to deceive me."
"Why should they wish to deceive you, after giving you their
confidence."
"I don't know the reason."
"But what has all this to do with Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford.
"Mr. Pillgrim is the person spoken of in that paper as Coles."
"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Hackleford, springing to his feet.
"I shall be able to prove it by to-morrow, sir."
Somers then gave him the substance of the conversation between himself
and Mr. Pillgrim.
"Why, this Coles wants something of you."
"Yes, sir; but I don't know what. He engaged to meet me here at four
bells in the forenoon watch to-morrow, when he will tell me what he
wants."
"Very well, Mr. Somers; meet him as agreed. You have played your part
well. When you come together, you must yield the point; lead him along,
and you will bag him,--and the vessel, I hope."
"The Ben Nevis will sail from St. John July 4, for Wilmington."
"Ah, then she is about even with the Chatauqua. I would give a year's
pay for the privilege of catching her."
Until eleven o'clock the two officers consulted charts, and figured up
the time of the Ben Nevis.