CAN SHE BE THE ARIADNE?--SAIL FOR THE REEF COAST--DISCOVER THE LOST
VESSEL--MAKE A PRISONER--ADVENTURES ON SHORE--VISIT THE OLD SHEIKH--FIND
JACK STRETCHER--HOW WE DID THE REEFIANS--JACK AND HIS HORNPIPE--OUR
FLIGHT--PURSUED--ESCAPE.
So completely had Mr Vernon's health and spirits given way, that we on
board the _Harold_ were afraid he would have to leave the ship and go
home. At this juncture a merchant-brig came in from the westward, and
the master reported that, having been driven close in on the African
coast, he had seen a vessel, apparently a complete wreck, on shore. He
stated that he had stood-in to examine her more closely, when, seeing
through his glass a number of armed men come down and prepare to launch
their boats, he judged it prudent to stand-off out of their reach. Mr
Dunnage obtained this important information, and instantly brought it on
board. Mr Vernon's eye brightened as he heard it; for hope, almost
extinguished, once more dawned within him.
Captain Poynder, who felt a deep interest in the fate of Major Norman
and his daughter, easily managed to get ordered down to the Barbary
coast to examine into the matter. Having ascertained from the master of
the merchantman the spot, as nearly as he could describe it, where he
had seen the wreck, we made sail for the westward. We came off the
coast about dusk, and then hove-to. "Boats away!" was on this occasion
a welcome sound; for we knew that it portended that there was work to be
done. Mr Vernon commanded one of the boats, and I went with him.
Stallman had charge of a second, and Dicky Sharpe, who since our trip to
Smyrna had much improved in steadiness, accompanied him; while
Stanfield, another mate, went in a third. A light gun was placed in the
bow of each boat; and each man had a musket and brace of pistols, as
well as his cutlass; so that we were well-armed and ready for anything.
We were in high spirits, though we knew full well that it was no party
of pleasure we were on; for, if discovered, we might expect some pretty
sharp fighting, as the inhabitants of that part of the coast are the
most warlike and determined pirates along the shores of the
Mediterranean. With muffled oars and in perfect silence we pulled
towards where the wreck was supposed to be. There was no moon; but the
stars of a southern clime were shining--as they well know how to do in
that region,--so that we could distinguish the dark outline of the
coast, backed by a range of high mountains. The only sound was from the
splash of our oars, which, as they rose rapidly from the water, let drop
a sparkling shower of phosphorescent fire. I steered, while Mr Vernon
with his night-glass swept the coast, in the hopes of discovering the
wreck. We got close in with the shore; but not a sign of her was to be
seen.
"Avast pulling, and let the other boats close up," he whispered.
When the boats had got near enough, he ordered Stallman to pull to the
eastward, and directed me to steer to the west, and Stanfield to follow
us. That the coast was pretty thickly inhabited we had strong evidence;
for so close in with it were we, that we could hear dogs barking, and
music, and even human voices; while now and then the report of firearms
showed that some Arabs were coming home from hunting, or were firing off
their muskets at some festival or other. We had pulled at least five
miles along the coast, when I fancied that I discerned, still further
on, some dark object on the sands. We pulled up to it, and there, sure
enough, lay a stranded vessel. Mr Vernon now directed Stanfield to
wait off about a quarter of a mile, while we went in and tried to board
the vessel, to ascertain positively what she was.
"Should any accident happen to us, or should we be taken prisoners," he
continued, "you will wait till nearly dawn to render us assistance, in
case you have an opportunity, and then make the best of your way back to
the ship. Captain Poynder will then, without doubt, devise some plan
for rescuing us or any other persons we may find on shore." Stanfield,
of course, knew very well what he meant by this, and promised to keep a
bright look-out, whatever might occur. Using still more caution than
ever, we approached the vessel. She lay with her head inshore, in a
small inlet, and it appeared much more likely that she had purposely
been hauled in there, than that she had been driven on shore. There was
ample water for our boat right under her stern. The stern-windows were
open. Holding on by the rudder-chain, Mr Vernon climbed up, and got in
at a sternport. Without asking leave, I followed his example, and the
bowman then handed us up a lantern. I had a match-box in my pocket. We
struck a light and lighted the lantern, and then commenced an
examination of the cabin. At the first glance we saw it was that of an
English merchantman. There were the state-cabins on either side, the
buffets for plate and crockery, the neat book-case, the racks for charts
and telescopes, the sofa at one end, and the fireplace, all showing an
attention to the comfort of any passengers who might be on board.
Everything valuable had, however, been carried away, the more cumbrous
articles alone remaining. Mr Vernon looked round with deep anxiety
depicted on his countenance. "Yes, D'Arcy, this is indeed the
_Ariadne_. I know her well," he whispered. "I myself put up that
book-case, and screwed in those hooks for a cot in the state-cabin. Oh!
what can their fate be? I must ascertain it without delay."
"It would never do to go on shore as you are at present, sir. You would
be taken prisoner or murdered outright, to a certainty," I replied. He
was silent for a minute.
"You are right, D'Arcy, you are right," he replied, in a dejected tone.
"The affair requires time and great circumspection. These people are
not to be trifled with, I know. Force alone will not succeed, or I am
certain Captain Poynder would land every man who can be spared from the
ship, and would compel these Reefians to let us know what has become of
their captives."
"Yes, sir, and every man would gladly follow, wherever you might lead,"
I replied.
"I know they would--I know they would, D'Arcy," said he. "But let us
take a look over the ship, and perhaps we may find out something to
direct our proceedings."
We opened the cabin-door cautiously, and crept up the companion-ladder.
The hatch was off. We got on deck: no one was there. Shrouding the
lantern, we crept along the deck, and descended into the main-hold. The
entire cargo had been removed. We concluded that the vessel had no one
on board, and were about to return, when I suggested that we should look
into the forepeak. We therefore moved cautiously, as before, along the
deck, and were descending the ladder, when Mr Vernon touched my leg.
"There is some one breathing down here," he said. "Be prepared for a
rush."
When we got to the bottom of the ladder, as he threw the rays of the
lantern round the place, they fell on the sleeping form of a young Arab,
dressed in a turban, and his white haick folded gracefully round him.
The instant the light fell on his eyes, he started up with a look of
mute astonishment, and laid his hand on the hilt of a dagger by his
side. Before he could unsheath it, Mr Vernon had thrown himself upon
him, and wrenched it from his grasp, while, I following, we without much
difficulty secured him; for, though graceful and active in appearance,
he had not much muscular power. He did not call out. Perhaps he
disdained to do so. But to prevent him, should he show any inclination
to call for help, Mr Vernon rather unceremoniously thrust a
handkerchief into his mouth.
"Now, hurry, D'Arcy, and call up one of the men to help carry this lad
into the boat. Here is a prize worth having indeed," he said. "He may
be of incalculable service to us." I did as I was ordered, and he
quickly got the lad securely bound and up on deck. As we were dragging
him along, the handkerchief fell out of his mouth, and he gave a shriek,
which showed that he was no willing prisoner. The noise, however, only
made us hurry him along the faster down the companion-ladder, and out at
the port into the boat. We handed him along into the stern-sheets, and
then, Mr Vernon giving the order to shove off, we backed out of the
creek, and got the boat's head round, to pull out to sea. We were only
just in tune, for the lad's cry had attracted the notice of his friends;
and we could hear people shouting, as they ran down to the beach, to
learn who it was that had cried out. Unfortunately the splash of our
oars attracted their notice, and they began firing away at us, as fast
as they could load their matchlocks. "Give way, my lads, give way!"
cried Mr Vernon, more from habit than that the men required any
inciting to pull fast, as the shot came splattering about us. The young
Moor made one or two attempts to rise, evidently with the intention of
springing into the water, and swimming on shore again; but we held him
down; and, as we got further off, he either saw that the attempt would
be useless, or, from something he learned from the shouts of his
countrymen, he thought it wiser to remain quiet. We were congratulating
ourselves on none of the shot reaching us, and fancied that we were
getting out of danger, when we saw a dark object glide out from a creek
or harbour to the westward, followed by another, and then another, which
we at once made out to be row-boats, pulling probably some twenty oars
or so, and famed for their speed. We had the start of them, however, by
half a mile or more; and, as our two gigs were far from slow coaches, we
did not altogether despair of escaping. Still the odds were fearfully
against us; and, even if we were not killed outright, potato-digging and
water-drawing for the rest of our days was not a pleasant prospect for
contemplation, independent of failing in the object we had in view.
This made all hands bend to their oars with redoubled vigour. Happily
the row-boats had no guns in their bows, or if they had, the people had
forgotten their powder or shot, as the few bullets which reached us now
and then were the only missiles we had to dread. Well, away we pulled,
with the Reefian row-boats after us, our great hopes being that we
should decoy them within range of the _Harold's_ guns, and then, if we
could bag a boat-load, we might hope to treat advantageously for any
prisoners they might have taken. We made the dark, smooth water hiss
and bubble under our bows, as we clove our rapid way through it,
throwing up a mass of shining foam before us, and leaving a line of
liquid fire in our wake. We soon gained more hope of escape, from the
rate at which our pursuers came on; and we began to suspect that the
boats, probably in the hurry of the moment, were manned with old men and
lads, and any one who was at hand; and that they were likely rather to
fall off than to increase their speed. This proved to be the case. We
gained on them slowly at first, but more rapidly by degrees, till we
actually ran them out of sight. Our next business was to find our ship;
and I kept a bright look-out for her. Our young captive, meantime, lay
at the bottom of the boat, and when he found that we had escaped from
his countrymen, he seemed to take things very coolly; and when Mr
Vernon assured him that we meant him no injury, he replied, that if we
took his life, his tribe would some day cut us up piecemeal, and throw
the bits to the jackals. As we were pulling along, we heard a shout,
which proved to come from Stallman, who had, of course, seen no wreck;
but he had discovered a spot where the water was deep up to the shore,
and where there appeared to be no inhabitants, so that he had been able
to pull close in, and could have landed, if necessary. We now
altogether pulled out to sea, and in another hour fell in with the
frigate. She then stood off shore, and by daylight we were out of sight
of land, so that the Reefians could not have guessed who their visitors
could have been. I think that I before have said that Mr Vernon was a
great linguist. He spoke Arabic perfectly, and was thus able to hold
communication with our young prisoner, whose fears, before long, he
succeeded completely in silencing, and whose confidence also he soon
appeared to have gained. All the morning Mr Vernon was in earnest
conversation with the young Reefian, and, by his countenance, he
appeared to be gaining information of a highly interesting character.
He then went into the captain's cabin, and after a long conversation
with him, the ship's course was shaped for Tangiers.
Just before we reached that place, he called me to him.
"D'Arcy," he said, "I have remarked your steadiness and discretion above
your years; and as I have a difficult and--I will not conceal it from
you--a hazardous expedition to make, in which a companion to assist me
would be very valuable, I wish to know whether, if the captain will
allow you, you would be willing to accompany me?"
Where is the midshipman who would not have answered as I did, and say
that I should be delighted, and that the more danger the better fun? In
fact, my heart almost came into my mouth at the proposal; and my only
fear was that the captain might put his veto on it.
"Oh! just tell him, sir," said I, "that I have neither father nor
mother, nor brother nor sister; and I don't think that the great
Counsellor D'Arcy would break his heart if anything happened to me, nor
bring an action against him for expending a midshipman uselessly. My
other uncle is a naval officer, and he would never dream of objecting."
I do not know if these reasons had any weight with the captain, but he
granted his consent to my accompanying Mr Vernon, who forthwith gave me
a sketch of his proposed plan of proceeding.
"You must know, D'Arcy," said he, "that the young Reefian informs me
that the _Ariadne_ was driven inshore by a heavy gale; and that before
she had time to haul off, a calm came on, when several boats, manned by
his people, pulled off to her. The master, who seems to have been a
brave fellow, had no notion of yielding without a blow, and, arming his
crew, gave them a warm reception. Several of the Reefians were killed
and wounded before they could make good their footing on board. The
gallant master was killed, and so were more than half his crew. Major
Norman and the rest of the people escaped without a wound, though they
expected to be cut to pieces; but their defence had so excited the
admiration of their captors, that they were, instead, treated with
considerable kindness, though ultimately marched off as prisoners. Miss
Norman was discovered in the cabin; but when it was known who was her
father, he was allowed to accompany her. The people who captured the
brig belong to a tribe ruled over by a powerful chief, who resides some
miles along the coast. He seems to have claimed the brig as his own
perquisite; and this youth, who is a relation of his, was living on
board to take care of her. Miss Norman and her father likewise became
his property, but I cannot speak my gratitude to Heaven, on finding that
she is treated with the most perfect respect, while her father is
employed in the gardens of the Kaid. His young nephew describes him as
a fierce, despotic old fellow, not at all likely to give up his
captives, unless compelled by force. He says that he is so very
wealthy, that no temptation of a high ransom will influence him. This,
however, I am resolved, without delay, to ascertain, and to employ every
means in my power to liberate my friends. He seems to owe no allegiance
to the Emperor of Morocco, or to any other acknowledged potentate; so
that I will not attempt the long business of negotiation, which would,
too probably, end in disappointment. At first I thought of taking the
lad with me, but then I considered that he would be of more service as a
hostage on board; and I have promised him that, if his information be
correct, and I succeed in recovering my friends, I will give him an
unerring rifle and a silver-mounted dagger, so that I have won him over
completely to our interest. As I speak Arabic as well as any Turk, I
have resolved to assume the character of a Turkish jewel-merchant on a
journey to buy precious stones for the Sultan. I feel that I can act
the part very well. How does the plan strike you?"
"Very good; capital, sir," I answered, the romance of the thing taking
my fancy immensely. "But, as I do not speak a word of Arabic, or any
Eastern language, I do not see how I am to help you."
"I have thought of that," said Mr Vernon. "You must pretend to be
dumb; I hope that you will not have to hold your tongue long. I wish
you also to take your violin. I do not know that the Turks ever play
it; but you must be my slave, you know--a Christian slave, not long
captured,--and that will account for your knowledge of so Nazarene-like
an instrument. Miss Norman heard you play once on board, and you will
thus certainly attract her notice, and be able to hold communication
with her."
"Oh! excellent--excellent," I exclaimed, enchanted at finding the very
event I had once dreamed of about to be realised. "When are we to
commence our adventure?"
"As soon as I can arrange our costumes, and make other necessary
preparations. Captain Poynder, after he has landed us, intends to watch
off the coast, and to stand in at night, to be ready to render us any
assistance we may require."
Two days after this conversation, a party of travellers were seen
issuing from the ancient gates of the city of Tangiers,--in days long
gone by, when Charles the Second ruled the land, held by a British
garrison, till delivered over to the Portuguese. He who seemed to be
the leader of the party rode a strong, active horse, and was habited in
long, dark, flowing robes, a turban of many folds of muslin, long yellow
boots, and spurs of great size. A large moustache, and a beard bushy
and long, almost concealed his month. The ink-horn at his waist, and
his want of weapons of defence, showed that he was a peaceable
character. A lad also, in an Eastern dress, though of simple and
somewhat coarse materials, followed him on a stout mule, which likewise
carried a pair of saddle-bags, and a small square chest secured in
front. Slung over the back of the youth was a long case, of curious
form. A dagger at his side was the only arm he wore. A tall man,
well-armed with matchlock and scimitar, rode ahead on a stout nag. On
his head was the high red Moorish cap, with many folds of muslin twisted
round it. The flowing hair fell over his shoulders, above which he wore
a soolham of red cloth, while gaily-worked yellow boots, and a pair of
spurs of cruel length and sharpness, adorned his feet. He evidently
felt his importance, as the protector and fighting-man of the party.
Another personage followed, of inferior rank, with a mule, which carried
the chief part of the baggage. The country through which they travelled
was of an undulating character, but parched by the suns of summer, the
beds of the winter torrents being now stony ravines, and the only green
visible being furze and palmetto, and here and there patches of Indian
corn not quite ripe, though the stubble of fine wheat and barley
extended over a considerable portion of the ground.
"D'Arcy, my boy, how do you like being turned into a young Turk?" said
Mr Vernon, calling me up to him, after we had proceeded some way.