"So glozed the Tempter, and his poison tuned;
Into the heart of Eve his words made way,
Though at the voice much marvelling."
MILTON.
It was, probably, a species of presentiment, that induced Bluewater to
send away the midshipman, when he saw the adherent of the dethroned
house approaching. Enough had passed between the parties to satisfy each
of the secret bias of the other; and, by that sort of free-masonry which
generally accompanies strong feelings of partisanship, the admiral felt
persuaded that the approaching interview was about to relate to the
political troubles of the day.
The season and the hour, and the spot, too, were all poetically
favourable to an interview between conspirators. It was now nearly dark;
the head-land was deserted, Dutton having retired, first to his bottle,
and then to his bed; the wind blew heavily athwart the bleak eminence,
or was heard scuffling in the caverns of the cliffs, while the
portentous clouds that drove through the air, now veiled entirely, and
now partially and dimly revealed the light of the moon, in a way to
render the scene both exciting and wild. No wonder, then, that
Bluewater, his visiter drawing near, felt a stronger disposition than
had ever yet come over him to listen to the tale of the tempter, as,
under all the circumstances, it would scarcely exceed the bounds of
justice to call Sir Reginald.
"In seeking you at such a spot, and in the midst of this wild
landscape," said the latter, "I might have been assured I should be
certain of finding one who really loved the sea and your noble
profession. The Hall is a melancholy house, just at this moment; and
when I inquired for you, no one could say whither you had strolled. In
following what I thought a seaman's instinct, it appears that I did
well.--Do my eyes fail me, or are there no more than three vessels at
anchor yonder?"
"Your eyes are still good, Sir Reginald; Admiral Oakes sailed several
hours since, and he has been followed by all the fleet, with the
exception of the two line-of-battle ships, and the frigate you see;
leaving me to be the last to quit the anchorage."
"Is it a secret of state, or are you permitted to say whither so strong
a force has so suddenly sailed?" demanded the baronet, glancing his dark
eye so expressively towards the other as to give him, in the growing
obscurity, the appearance of an inquisitor. "I had been told the fleet
would wait for orders from London?"
"Such was the first intention of the commander-in-chief; but
intelligence of the sailing of the Comte de Vervillin has induced Sir
Gervaise to change his mind. An English admiral seldom errs when he
seeks and beats an active and dangerous enemy."
"Is this always true, Admiral Bluewater?" returned Sir Reginald,
dropping in at the side of the other, and joining in his walk, as he
paced, to and fro, a short path that Dutton called his own quarter-deck;
"or is it merely an unmeaning generality that sometimes causes men to
become the dupes of their own imaginations. Are those _always_ our
enemies who may seem to be so? or, are we so infallible that every
feeling or prejudice may be safely set down as an impulse to which we
ought to submit, without questioning its authority?"
"Do you esteem it a prejudice to view France as the natural enemy of
England, Sir Reginald?"
"By heaven, I do, sir! I can conceive that England may be much more her
own enemy than France has ever proved to be. Then, conceding that ages
of warfare have contributed to awaken some such feeling as this you hint
at, is there not a question of right and wrong that lies behind all?
Reflect how often England has invaded the French soil, and what serious
injuries she has committed on the territory of the latter, while France
has so little wronged us, in the same way; how, even her throne has been
occupied by our princes, and her provinces possessed by our armies."
"I think you hardly allow for all the equity of the different cases.
Parts of what is now France, were the just inheritance of those who have
sat on the English throne, and the quarrels were no more than the usual
difficulties of neighbourhood. When our claims were just in themselves,
you surely could not have wished to see them abandoned."
"Far from it; but when claims were disputed, is it not natural for the
loser to view them as a hardship? I believe we should have had a much
better neighbourhood, as you call it, with France, had not the modern
difficulties connected with religious changes, occurred."
"I presume you know. Sir Reginald, that I, and all my family are
Protestants."
"I do, Admiral Bluewater; and I rejoice to find that a difference of
opinion on this great interest, does not necessarily produce one on all
others. From several little allusions that have passed between us
to-day, I am encouraged to believe that we think alike on certain
temporal matters, however wide the chasm between us on spiritual
things."
"I confess I have fallen into the same conclusion; and I should be sorry
to be undeceived if wrong."
"What occasion, then, for farther ambiguity? Surely two honourable men
may safely trust each other with their common sentiments, when the times
call for decision and frankness! I am a Jacobite, Admiral Bluewater; if
I risk life or fortune by making the avowal, I place both, without
reserve at your mercy."
"They could not be in safer hands, sir; and I know no better mode of
giving you every possible assurance that the confidence will not be
abused, than by telling you in return, that I would cheerfully lay down
my life could the sacrifice restore the deposed family to the throne."
"This is noble, and manly, and frank, as I had hoped from a sailor!"
exclaimed Sir Reginald, more delighted than he well knew how to express
at the moment. "This simple assurance from your lips, carries more
weight than all the oaths and pledges of vulgar conspiracy. We
understand each other, and I should be truly sorry to inspire less
confidence than I feel."
"What better proof can I give you of the reliance placed on your faith,
than the declaration you have heard, Sir Reginald? My head would answer
for your treachery in a week; but I have never felt it more securely on
my shoulders than at this moment."
The baronet grasped the other's hand, and each gave and received a
pressure that was full of meaning. Then both walked on, thoughtful and
relieved, for quite a minute, in profound silence.
"This sudden appearance of the prince in Scotland has taken us all a
little by surprise," Sir Reginald resumed, after the pause; "though a
few of us knew that his intentions led him this way. Perhaps he has done
well to come unattended by a foreign force, and to throw himself, as it
might be singly, into the arms of his subjects; trusting every thing to
their generosity, loyalty, and courage. Some blame him; but I do not. He
will awaken interest, now, in every generous heart in the nation,"--this
was artfully adapted to the character of the listener;--"whereas some
might feel disposed to be lukewarm under a less manly appeal to their
affections and loyalty. In Scotland, we learn from all directions that
His Royal Highness is doing wonders, while the friends of his house are
full of activity in England, though compelled, for a time, to be
watchful and prudent."
"I rejoice, from the bottom of my heart, to hear this!" said Bluewater,
drawing a long breath, like one whose mind was unexpectedly relieved
from a heavy load. "From the bottom of my heart, do I rejoice! I had my
apprehensions that the sudden appearance of the prince might find his
well-wishers unprepared and timid."
"As far from that as possible, my dear sir; though much still depends on
the promptitude and resolution of the master spirits of the party. We
are strong enough to control the nation, if we can bring those forward
who have the strength to lead and control ourselves. All we now want are
some hundred or two of prominent men to step out of their diffidence,
and show us the way to honourable achievement and certain success."
"Can such men be wanting, at a moment like this?"
"I think we are secure of most of the high nobility, though their great
risks render them all a little wary in the outset. It is among the
professional men--the gallant soldiers, and the bold, ardent seamen of
the fleet, that we must look for the first demonstrations of loyalty and
true patriotism. To be honest with you, sir, I tire of being ruled by a
German."
"Do you know of any intention to rally a force in this part of England,
Sir Reginald? If so, say but the word--point out the spot where the
standard is to be raised, and I will rally under it, the instant
circumstances will permit!"
"This is just what I expected, Mr. Bluewater," answered the baronet,
more gratified than he thought it prudent to express; "though it is not
exactly the _form_ in which you can best serve us at this precise
moment. Cut off from the north, as we are in this part of the island, by
all the resources of the actual government, it would be the height of
imprudence in us to show our hands, until all the cards are ready to be
played. Active and confidential agents are at work in the army; London
has its proper share of business men, while others are in the counties,
doing their best to put things in a shape for the consummation we so
anxiously look for. I have been with several of our friends in this
vicinity, to bring matters into a combined state; and it was my
intention to visit this very estate, to see what my own name might do
with the tenantry, had not the late Sir Wycherly summoned me as he did,
to attend his death-bed. Have you any clue to the feelings of this new
and young head of my family, the sea-lieutenant and present baronet?"
"Not a very plain one, sir, though I doubt if they be favourable to the
House of Stuart."
"I feared as much; this very evening I have had an anonymous
communication that I think must come from his competitor, pretty plainly
intimating that, by asserting _his_ rights, as they are called, the
whole Wychecombe tenantry and interest could be united, in the present
struggle, on whichever side I might desire to see them."
"This is a bold and decided stroke, truly! May I inquire as to your
answer, Sir Reginald?"
"I shall give none. Under all circumstances I will ever refuse to place
a bastard in the seat of a legitimate descendant of my family. We
contend for legal and natural rights, my dear admiral, and the means
employed should not be unworthy of the end. Besides, I know the
scoundrel to be unworthy of trust, and shall not have the weakness to
put myself in his power. I could wish the other boy to be of another
mind; but, by getting him off to sea, whither he tells me he is bound,
we shall at least send him out of harm's way."
In all this Sir Reginald was perfectly sincere; for, while he did not
always hesitate about the employment of means, in matters of politics,
he was rigidly honest in every thing that related to private properly; a
species of moral contradiction that is sometimes found among men who aim
at the management of human affairs; since those often yield to a
besetting weakness who are nearly irreproachable in other matters.
Bluewater was glad to hear this declaration; his own simplicity of
character inducing him to fancy it was an indication to the general
probity of his companion.
"Yes," observed the latter, "in all eases, we must maintain the laws of
the land, in an affair of private right. This young man is not capable,
perhaps, of forming a just estimate of his political duties, in a crisis
like this, and it may be well, truly, to get him off to sea, lest by
taking the losing side, he endangers his estate before he is fairly
possessed of it. And having now disposed of Sir Wycherly, what can I do
most to aid the righteous and glorious cause?"
"This is coming to the point manfully, Sir Richard--I beg pardon for
thus styling you, but I happen to know that your name has been before
the prince, for some time, as one of those who are to receive the riband
from a sovereign really _authorized_ to bestow it; if I have spoken a
little prematurely, I again entreat your pardon;--but, this is at once
coming manfully to the point! Serve us you can, of course, and that most
effectually, and in an all-important manner. I now greatly regret that
my father had not put me in the army, in my youth, that I might serve my
prince as I could wish, in this perilous trial. But we have many friends
accustomed to arms, and among them your own honourable name will appear
conspicuous as to the past, and encouraging as to the future."
"I have carried arms from boyhood, it is true, Sir Reginald, but it is
in a service that will scarcely much avail us in this warfare. Prince
Edward has no ships, nor do I know he will need any."
"True, my dear sir, but King George has! As for the necessity, permit me
to say you are mistaken; it will soon be all-important to keep open the
communication with the continent. No doubt, Monsieur de Vervillin is
out, with some such object, already."
Bluewater started, and he recoiled from the firm grasp which the other
took of his arm, in the earnestness of discourse, with some such
instinctive aversion as a man recoils from the touch of the reptile. The
thought of a treachery like that implied in the remark of his companion
had never occurred to him, and his honest mind turned with a strong
disrelish, from even the implied proposition of the other. Still, he was
not quite certain how far Sir Reginald wished to urge him, and he felt
it just to ascertain his real views before he answered them. Plausible
as this appeared, it was a dangerous delay for one so simple-minded,
when brought in contact with a person so practised as the baronet; Sir
Reginald having the tact to perceive that his new friend's feelings had
already taken the alarm, and at once determined to be more wary.
"What am I to understand by this, Sir Reginald Wychecombe?" demanded the
rear-admiral. "In what manner can I possibly be connected with the naval
resources of the House of Hanover, when it is my intention to throw off
its service? King George's fleets will hardly aid the Stuarts; and they
will, at least, obey the orders of their own officers."
"Not the least doubt in the world of this, Admiral Bluewater! What a
glorious privilege it was for Monk to have it in his power to put his
liege sovereign in his rightful seat, and thus to save the empire, by a
_coup de main_, from the pains and grievances of a civil contest! Of all
the glorious names in English history, I esteem that of George Monk as
the one most to be envied! It is a great thing to be a prince--one born
to be set apart as God's substitute on earth, in all that relates to
human justice and human power;--yet it is greater, in my eyes, to be the
subject to _restore_ the order of these almost divine successions, when
once deranged by lawless and presuming men."
"This is true enough, sir; though I would rather have joined Charles on
the beach at Dover, armed only with an untainted sword, than followed by
an army at my heels!"
"What, when that army followed _cheerfully_, and was equally eager with
yourself to serve their sovereign!"
"That, indeed, might somewhat qualify the feeling. But soldiers and
sailors are usually influenced by the opinions of those who have been
placed over them by the higher authorities."
"No doubt they are; and that is as it should be. We are encouraged to
believe that some ten or fifteen captains are already well-disposed
towards us, and will cheerfully take their respective ships to the
points our wants require, the moment they feel assured of being properly
led, when collected. By a little timely concert, we can command the
North Sea, and keep open important communications with the continent. It
is known the ministry intend to employ as many German troops as they can
assemble, and a naval force will be all-important in keeping these
mustachoed foreigners at a distance The quarrel is purely English, sir,
and ought to be decided by Englishmen only."
"In that, indeed, I fully concur, Sir Reginald," answered Bluewater,
breathing more freely. "I would cruise a whole winter in the North Sea
to keep the Dutchmen at home, and let Englishmen decide who is to be
England's king. To me, foreign interference, in such a matter, is the
next evil to positive disloyalty to my rightful prince."
"These are exactly my sentiments, dear sir, and I hope to see you act on
them. By the way, how happens it you are left alone, and in what manner
do you admirals divide your authority when serving in company?"
"I do not know I comprehend your question, Sir Reginald. I am left here
to sail the last with the Cæsar; Sir Gervaise leading out in the
Plantagenet, with a view to draw a line across the channel that shall
effectually prevent de Vervillin from getting to the westward."
"To the _westward_!" repeated the other, smiling ironically, though the
darkness prevented the admiral from seeing the expression of his
features. "Does Admiral Oakes then think that the French ships are
steering in _that_ direction?"
"Such is our information; have you any reason to suppose that the enemy
intend differently?"
The baronet paused, and he appeared to ruminate. Enough had already
passed to satisfy him he had not an ordinary mind in that of his
companion to deal with, and he was slightly at a loss how to answer. To
bring the other within his lures, he was fully resolved; and the spirits
that aid the designing just at that moment suggested the plan which, of
all others, was most likely to be successful. Bluewater had betrayed his
aversion to the interference of foreign troops in the quarrel, and on
this subject he intended to strike a chord which he rightly fancied
would thrill on the rear-admiral's feelings.
"We have our information, certainly," answered Sir Reginald, like one
who was reluctant to tell all he knew; "though good faith requires it
should not actually be exposed. Nevertheless, any one can reason on the
probabilities. The Duke of Cumberland will collect his German
auxiliaries, and they must get into England the best way that they can.
Would an intelligent enemy with a well-appointed fleet suffer this
junction, if he could prevent it? We know he would not; and when we
remember the precise time of the sailing of the Comte, his probable
ignorance of the presence of this squadron of yours, in the channel, and
all the other circumstances of the case, who can suppose otherwise than
to believe his aim is to intercept the German regiments."
"This does seem plausible; and yet the Active's signals told us that the
French were steering west; and that, too, with a light westerly wind."
"Do not fleets, like armies, frequently make false demonstrations? Might
not Monsieur de Vervillin, so long as his vessels were in sight from the
shore, have turned toward the west, with an intention, as soon as
covered by the darkness, to incline to the east, again, and sail up
channel, under English ensigns, perhaps? Is it not possible for him to
pass the Straits of Dover, even, as an English squadron--your own, for
instance--and thus deceive the Hanoverian cruisers until ready to seize
or destroy any transports that may be sent?"
"Hardly, Sir Reginald," said Bluewater, smiling. "A French ship can no
more be mistaken for an English ship, than a Frenchman can pass for a
Briton. We sailors are not as easily deceived as that would show. It is
true, however, that a fleet might well stand in one direction, until far
enough off the land or covered by night, when it might change its course
suddenly, in an opposite direction; and it _is possible_ the Comte de
Vervillin has adopted some such stratagem. If he actually knew of the
intention to throw German troops into the island, it is even quite
_probable_. In that case, for one, I could actually wish him success!"
"Well, my dear sir, and what is to prevent it?" asked Sir Reginald, with
a triumph that was not feigned. "Nothing, you will say, unless he fall
in with Sir Gervaise Oakes. But you have not answered my inquiry, as to
the manner in which flag-officers divide their commands, at sea?"
"As soldiers divide their commands ashore. The superior orders, and the
inferior obeys."
"Ay, this is true; but it does not meet my question. Here are eleven
large ships, and two admirals; now what portion of these ships are under
your particular orders, and what portion under those of Sir Gervaise
Oakes?"
"The vice-admiral has assigned to himself a division of six of the
ships, and left me the other five. Each of us has his frigates and
smaller vessels. But an order that the commander-in-chief may choose to
give any captain must be obeyed by him, as the inferior submits, as a
rule, to the last order."
"And _you_," resumed Sir Reginald, with quickness; "how are _you_
situated, as respects these captains?"
"Should I give a direct order to any captain in the fleet, it would
certainly be his duty to obey it; though circumstances might occur which
would render it obligatory on him to let me know that he had different
instructions from our common superior. But, why these questions, Sir
Reginald?"
"Your patience, my dear admiral;--and what ships have you specifically
under your care?"
"The Cæsar, my own; the Dublin, the Elizabeth, the York, and the Dover.
To these must be added the Druid frigate, the sloop of war, and the
Gnat. My division numbers eight in all."
"What a magnificent force to possess at a moment as critical as
this!--But where are all these vessels? I see but four and a cutter, and
only two of these seem to be large."
"The light you perceive there, along the land to the westward, is on
board the Elizabeth; and that broad off here, in the channel, is on
board the York. The Dover's lantern has disappeared further to the
southward. Ah! there the Dublin casts, and is off after the others!"
"And you intend to follow, Admiral Bluewater?"
"Within an hour, or I shall lose the division. As it is, I have been
deliberating on the propriety of calling back the sternmost ships, and
collecting them in close squadron; for this increase and hauling of the
wind render it probable they will lose the vice-admiral, and that
day-light will find the line scattered and in confusion. One mind must
control the movements of ships, as well as of battalions, Sir Reginald,
if they are to act in concert."
"With what view would you collect the vessels you have mentioned, and in
the manner you have named, if you do not deem my inquiry indiscreet?"
demanded the baronet, with quickness.
"Simply that they might be kept together, and brought in subjection to
my own particular signals. This is the duty that more especially falls
to my share, as head of the division."
"Have you the means to effect this, here, on this hill, and by yourself,
sir?"
"It would be a great oversight to neglect so important a provision. My
signal-officer is lying under yonder cover, wrapped in his cloak, and
two quarter-masters are in readiness to make the very signal in
question; for its necessity has been foreseen, and really would seem to
be approaching. If done at all, it must be done quickly, too. The light
of the York grows dim in the distance. It _shall_ be done, sir; prudence
requires it, and you shall see the manner in which we hold our distant
ships in command."
Bluewater could not have announced more agreeable intelligence to his
companion. Sir Reginald was afraid to propose the open treason he
meditated; but he fancied, if the rear-admiral could fairly withdraw his
own division from the fleet, it would at once weaken the vice-admiral so
much, as to render an engagement with the French impossible, and might
lead to such a separation of the commands as to render the final
defection of the division inshore easier of accomplishment. It is true,
Bluewater, himself, was actuated by motives directly contrary to these
wishes; but, as the parties travelled the same road to a certain point,
the intriguing baronet had his expectations of being able to persuade
his new friend to continue on in his own route.
Promptitude is a military virtue, and, among seamen, it is a maxim to do
every thing that is required to be done, with activity and vigour. These
laws were not neglected on the present occasion. No sooner had the
rear-admiral determined on his course, than he summoned his agents to
put it in execution. Lord Geoffrey had returned to the heights and was
within call, and he carried the orders to the lieutenant and the
quarter-masters. The lanterns only required lighting, and then they were
run aloft on Dutton's staff, as regularly as the same duty could have
been performed on the poop of the Cæsar. Three rockets were thrown up,
immediately after, and the gun kept on the cliffs for that purpose was
fired, to draw attention to the signal. It might have been a minute ere
the heavy ordnance of the Cæsar repeated the summons, and the same
signal was shown at her mast-head. The Dublin was still so near that no
time was lost, but according to orders, she too repeated the signal; for
in the line that night, it was understood that an order of this nature
was to be sent from ship to ship.
"Now for the Elizabeth!" cried Bluewater; "she cannot fail to have heard
our guns, and to see our signals."
"The York is ahead of her, sir!" exclaimed the boy; "see; she has the
signal up already!"
All this passed in a very few minutes, the last ships having sailed in
the expectation of receiving some such recall. The York preceded the
ship next to her in the line, in consequence of having gone about, and
being actually nearer to the rear-admiral than her second astern. It was
but a minute, before the gun and the lanterns of the Elizabeth, however,
announced her knowledge of the order, also.
The two ships last named were no longer visible from the cliffs, though
their positions were known by their lights; but no sign whatever
indicated the part of the ocean on which the Dover was struggling along
through the billows. After a pause of several minutes, Bluewater spoke.
"I fear we shall collect no more," he said; "one of my ships must take
her chance to find the commander-in-chief, alone. Ha!--that means
something!"
At this instant a faint, distant flash was seen, for a single moment, in
the gloom, and then all heads were bent forward to listen, in breathless
attention. A little time had elapsed, when the dull, smothered report of
a gun proclaimed that even the Dover had caught the rapidly transmitted
order.
"What means that, sir?" eagerly demanded Sir Reginald, who had attended
to every thing with intense expectation.
"It means, sir, that all of the division are still under my command. No
other ship would note the order. _Their_ directions, unless specifically
pointed out by their numbers, must come from the vice-admiral. Is my
barge ashore, Lord Geoffrey Cleveland?"
"It is, sir, as well as the cutter for Mr. Cornet and the
quarter-masters."
"It is well. Gentlemen, we will go on board; the Cæsar must weigh and
join the other vessels in the offing. I will follow you to the landing,
but you will shove off, at once, and desire Captain Stowel to weigh and
cast to-port. We will fill on the starboard tack, and haul directly off
the land."
The whole party immediately left the station, hurrying down to the
boats, leaving Bluewater and Sir Reginald to follow more leisurely. It
was a critical moment for the baronet, who had so nearly effected his
purpose, that his disappointment would have been double did he fail of
his object altogether. He determined, therefore, not to quit the admiral
while there was the slightest hope of success. The two consequently
descended together to the shore, walking, for the first minute or two,
in profound silence.
"A great game is in your hands, Admiral Bluewater," resumed the baronet;
"rightly played, it may secure the triumph of the good cause. I think I
may say I _know_ de Vervillin's object, and that his success will reseat
the Stuarts on the thrones of their ancestors! One who loves them should
ponder well before he does aught to mar so glorious a result."
This speech was as bold as it was artful. In point of fact, Sir Reginald
Wychecombe knew no more of the Comte de Vervillin's intended movements
than his companion; but he did not hesitate to assert what he now did,
in order to obtain a great political advantage, in a moment of so much
importance. To commit Bluewater and his captains openly on the side of
the Stuarts would be a great achievement in itself; to frustrate the
plans of Sir Gervaise might safely be accounted another; and, then,
there were all the chances that the Frenchman was not at sea for
nothing, and that his operations might indeed succour the movements of
the prince. The baronet, upright as he was in other matters, had no
scruples of conscience on this occasion; having long since brought
himself over to the belief that it was justifiable to attain ends as
great as those he had in view, by the sacrifice of any of the minor
moral considerations.
The effect on Bluewater was not trifling. The devil had placed the bait
before his eyes in a most tempting form; for he felt that he had only to
hold his division in reserve to render an engagement morally improbable.
Abandon his friend to a superior force he could and would not; but, it
is our painful duty to avow that his mind had glimpses of the
possibility of doing the adventurer in Scotland a great good, without
doing the vice-admiral and the van of the fleet any very essential harm.
Let us be understood, however. The rear-admiral did not even contemplate
treason, or serious defection of any sort; but through one of those
avenues of frailty by which men are environed, he had a glance at
results that the master-spirit of evil momentarily placed before his
mental vision as both great and glorious.
"I wish we were really certain of de Vervillin's object," he said; the
only concession he made to this novel feeling, in words. "It might,
indeed, throw a great light on the course we ought to take ourselves. I
do detest this German alliance, and would abandon the service ere I
would convoy or transport a ragamuffin of them all to England."
Here Sir Reginald proved how truly expert he was in the arts of
management. A train of thought and feeling had been lighted in the mind
of his companion, which he felt might lead to all he wished, while he
was apprehensive that further persuasion would awaken opposition, and
renew old sentiments. He wisely determined, therefore, to leave things
as they were, trusting to the strong and declared bias of the admiral in
favour of the revolution, to work out its own consequences, with a
visible and all-important advantage so prominently placed before his
eyes.
"I know nothing of ships," he answered, modestly; "but I do _know_ that
the Comte has our succour in view. It would ill become me to advise one
of your experience how to lead a force like this, which is subject to
your orders; but a friend of the good cause, who is now in the west, and
who was lately in the presence itself, tells me that the prince
manifested extreme satisfaction when he learned how much it might be in
your power to serve him."
"Do you then think my name has reached the royal ear, and that the
prince has any knowledge of my real feelings?"
"Nothing but your extreme modesty could cause you to doubt the first,
sir; as to the last, ask yourself how came I to approach you to-night,
with my heart in my hand, as it might be, making you master of my life
as well as of my secret. Love and hatred are emotions that soon betray
themselves."
It is matter of historical truth that men of the highest principles and
strongest minds have yielded to the flattery of rank. Bluewater's
political feelings had rendered him indifferent to the blandishments of
the court at London, while his imagination, that chivalrous deference to
antiquity and poetical right, which lay at the root of his Jacobitism,
and his brooding sympathies, disposed him but too well to become the
dupe of language like this. Had he been more a man of facts, one less
under the influence of his own imagination; had it been his good fortune
to live even in contact with those he now so devoutly worshipped, in a
political sense at least, their influence over a mind as just and
clear-sighted as his own, would soon have ceased; but, passing his time
at sea, they had the most powerful auxiliary possible, in the high
faculty he possessed of fancying things as he wished them to be. No
wonder, then, that he heard this false assertion of Sir Reginald with a
glow of pleasure; with even a thrill at the heart to which he had long
been a stranger. For a time, his better feelings were smothered in this
new and treacherous sensation.
The gentlemen, by this time, were at the landing, and it became
necessary to separate. The barge of the rear-admiral was with difficulty
kept from leaping on the rock, by means of oars and boat-hooks, and each
instant rendered the embarkation more and more difficult. The moments
were precious on more accounts than one, and the leave-taking was short.
Sir Reginald said but little, though he intended the pressure of the
hand he gave his companion to express every thing.
"God be with you," he added; "and as you prove true, may you prove
successful! Remember, 'a lawful prince, and the claims of birth-right.'
God be with you!"
"Adieu, Sir Reginald; when we next meet, the future will probably be
more apparent to us all.--But who comes hither, rushing like a madman
towards the boat?"
A form came leaping through the darkness; nor was it known, until it
stood within two feet of Bluewater, it was that of Wycherly. He had
heard the guns and seen the signals. Guessing at the reasons, he dashed
from the park, which he was pacing to cool his agitation, and which now
owned him for a master, and ran the whole distance to the shore, in
order not to be left. His arrival was most opportune; for, in another
minute, the barge left the rock.