I STATE MY NEWLY-AWAKENED SCRUPLES AS TO THE LAWFULNESS OF A
PRIVATEERSMAN'S LIFE TO MR. TREVANNION, BUT NEVERTHELESS UNDERTAKE
ANOTHER CRUISE--SAVE A YOUTH FROM DROWNING, WHO HE PROVES TO BE--
CONFLICT WITH A FRENCH PRIVATEER--TAKE HER AND DELIVER A PRIZE--RETURN
TO LIVERPOOL--RESIGN THE COMMAND OF THE SPARROW-HAWK, AND AGREE TO
SUPERINTEND MR. TREVANNION'S BUSINESS.
Miss Trevannion, my dear Madam, was taller than your sex usually are,
her figure slight, and still unformed to a certain degree, but promising
perfection. Her hair was very dark, her features regular and handsome,
her complexion very pale, and her skin fair as the snow. As she stood
in silence, she reminded you of a classical antique statue, and hardly
appeared to breathe through her delicate lips; but when she was animated
with conversation, it almost reminded you of the Promethean fire which
poets state was stolen from Heaven to animate a piece of marble. Then
the colour came in her cheeks, intelligence played on her countenance,
and everything which at first sight appeared wanting, was, like magic,
found to light up her face. Her smiles were the sweetest I ever beheld,
and one of those smiles she bestowed upon me as I entered the room and
paid her my obeisance. The night before, I had not observed her much;--
I was too busy with her father and Captain Levee, and she sat remote
from the table and distant from the light, and she never spoke but when
she took my hand and thanked me, as I mentioned before. I thought then
that her voice was like a silver bell, but made no other remark upon
her. We had, however, exchanged but few words before her father came
in, accompanied by Captain Levee, and we sat down to our morning's
repast of chocolate.
After we had broken our fast, Captain Levee hastened away, on board of
his vessel. My imprisonment had detained him from sailing, and Mr
Trevannion was anxious that he should be off as soon as possible to make
up for lost time, as the expenses of the vessel were heavy.
"Farewell, Elrington, for the present," said he; "I shall come to you on
board of your schooner some time during the day." When Captain Levee
was gone--for, to tell the truth, I was afraid of his ridicule--I
thought it a good opportunity to give my thoughts to my owner, and as I
had nothing to say which his daughter might not hear, I began as
follows:
"Mr Trevannion, I think it right to state to you that during my
imprisonment a great change has come over my feelings upon certain
points. I am not ashamed to acknowledge that it has been occasioned by
the death which stared me in the face, and from my having seriously
communed with myself, and examined, more than I perhaps have done during
the whole of my former life, the sacred writings which are given us as
our guide. The point to which I refer is, that I have come to a
conviction that privateering is not a lawful or honourable profession,
and with these feelings I should wish to resign the command of the
schooner which you have had the kindness to give me."
"Indeed, Elrington," replied Mr Trevannion. "Well, I should not have
thought to have heard this from you, I confess. Much as I respect your
scruples, you are too scrupulous. I can hardly imagine that you have
turned to the sect of the Quakers, and think fighting is contrary to the
Scriptures."
"No, Sir, not so far as that. I consider war, as a profession, both
necessary and honourable, and a nation is bound to be prepared for any
foreign attack, and to act upon the defensive, or on the offensive, if
it is necessary. It is not that. I do not consider the soldier who
fights for his country is not doing his duty, nor the seamen who are
employed by the state are not equally justified in their profession.
What I refer to is privateering. That is, vessels fitted out for the
purpose of aggression by private merchants, and merely for the sake of
profit. They are not fitted out with any patriotic motives, but merely
for gain. They are speculations in which the lives of people on both
sides are sacrificed for the sake of lucre--and had you witnessed such
scenes of bloodshed and cruelty as I have, during my career, such
dreadful passions let loose, and defying all restraint, you would agree
with me that he who leads such miscreants to their quarry has much to
answer for. Were it possible to control the men on board of a privateer
as the men are controlled in the king's service it might be more
excusable; but manned, as privateers always will be, with the most
reckless characters, when once they are roused by opposition, stimulated
by the sight of plunder, or drunken with victory, no power on earth can
restrain their barbarity and vengeance, and a captain of a privateer who
attempted would, in most cases, if he stood between them and their will,
unless he were supported, fall a victim to his rashness. All this I
have seen; and all I now express I have long felt, even when younger and
more thoughtless. You know that I did give up privateering at one time,
because I was shocked at the excesses to which I was a party. Since
that I have accepted the command of a vessel, for the idea of being
captain was too flattering to my vanity to permit me to refuse; but
reflection has again decided me not to engage in it further. I hope
this communication will not displease you, Mr Trevannion. If I am
wrong in my opinion at all events I am sincere, for I am giving up my
only source of livelihood from a sense of duty."
"I know that you are sincere, Elrington," replied Mr Trevannion, "but
at the same time I think that you are much too strait-laced in your
opinions. When nations are at war, they mutually do all the mischief
that they can to each other, and I cannot see what difference there is
between my fitting out a privateer under the king's authority, or the
king having vessels and men for the national service. The government
fit out all the vessels that they can, and when their own funds are
exhausted they encourage individuals to employ their capital in adding
to the means of distressing the enemy. If I had property on the high
seas, would it be respected any more than other English property by the
enemy? Certainly not; and, therefore, I am not bound to respect theirs.
The end of war is to obtain an honourable peace; and the more the enemy
is distressed, the sooner are you likely to obtain one. I do not,
therefore, consider that privateering is worse than any other species of
warfare, or that the privateersman is a whit more reckless or brutal
than soldiers or men-of-war's men in the hour of victory in the king's
service."
"There is this difference, Sir," replied I; "first, in the officers
commanding; although glad to obtain prize-money, they are stimulated by
nobler feelings as well. They look to honour and distinction; they have
the feeling that they are defending their king and country, to support
them and throw a halo on their exertions; and they have such control
over their men, that, although I admit they are equally inclined to
excess as the privateersman, they are held in check by the authority
which they dare not resist. Now, Mr Trevannion, privateersmen seek not
honour, and are not stimulated by a desire to serve the country; all
they look to is how to obtain the property of others under sanction; and
could they without any risk do so, they would care little whether it was
English property or not, provided that they put the money into their
pockets. If I held this opinion as a seaman on board of a privateer,
what must I feel now, when I am the leader of such people, and the
responsibility of their acts is thrown upon my shoulders, for such I
feel is the case!"
"I think," replied Mr Trevannion, "that we had better not discuss this
question any further just now. Of course you must decide for yourself;
but I have this favour to ask of you. Trusting to your resuming the
command of the vessel, I have no one to replace you at present, and I
hope you will not refuse to take the command of her for one more cruise:
should you on your return and on mature reflection be of the same
opinion as you are now, I certainly shall no longer press you to remain,
and will do all I can to assist you in any other views you may have."
"To that, Sir, I can have no objection," replied I; "it would be unfair
of me to leave you without a captain to the vessel, and I am therefore
ready to sail in her as soon as you please, upon the understanding that
I may quit her, if I am of the same opinion as I am now, upon my return
to port."
"I thank you, my dear Sir," said Mr Trevannion, rising; "that is all I
request. I must now go to the counting-house."
So saying, he left the room, but his countenance showed that he was far
from pleased.
Miss Trevannion, who had been a silent listener to the conversation, as
soon as her father had closed, the door after him, thus spoke:
"Captain Elrington, the opinion of a young maiden like me can be of
little value, but you know not how much pleasure you have given me by
the sentiments you have expressed. Alas! That a man so good, so
generous, and so feeling in every other respect, should be led away by
the desire of gain, to be the owner of such a description of property.
But in this town wealth is everything; the way by which it is obtained
is not thought of. My father's father left him a large property in
vessels employed wholly in the slave-trade, and it was through the
persuasions of my poor mother that my father was induced to give up that
nefarious traffic. Since that his capital has been chiefly employed in
privateering, which, if not so brutal and disgraceful, is certainly
nearly as demoralising. I have been home but a short time, and I have
already ventured to express my opinion, certainly not so forcibly and so
well as you have, upon the subject; but I was laughed at as a
tender-hearted girl, who could not be a fit judge of such matters. But
now that you, a captain of one of his vessels, have expressed your
dislike to the profession, I think some good may arise. If my father
were a poor man, it would be more excusable, if excuse there can be; but
such is not the case. He is wealthy, and to whom has he to leave his
wealth but to me, his only child? Captain Elrington, you are right--be
firm--my father's obligations to you are very great and your opinion
will have its influence. I am his daughter--his only daughter--his love
for me is great, I know, and I also have my power over him. Supported
as I have been by you, I will now exert it to the utmost to persuade him
to retire from further employment of his means in such a speculation.
"I thanked you yesterday, when I first saw you, for your noble
behaviour; I little thought that I should have again, in so short a
time, to express my thanks." Miss Trevannion did not wait for any reply
from me, but then quitted the room.
I must say, that, although so young a person, I was much pleased at Miss
Trevannion's approval of my sentiments. She appeared, from the very
short acquaintance I had had with her, to be a person of a firm and
decided disposition, and very different from the insipid class of
females generally met with. Her approval strengthened my resolution;
still, as I had promised her father that I would go another cruise in
the privateer, I left the house and went on board to resume the command.
My return was joyfully hailed by the officers and men, which is not
always the case. I found her, as may be supposed, ready for sea at a
minute's warning, so that I had nothing to do but embark my effects,
which I did before the noon was passed, and then went on shore to Mr
Trevannion, to receive his orders. I found him with Captain Levee in
the back room; and I told Mr Trevannion that I had resumed the command,
and was ready to sail as soon as he pleased.
"We must make up for lost time, Elrington," replied he; "I have ordered
Captain Levee to cruise to the northward of the Western Isles,
occasionally working up as far as the Scilly Isles. Now I think you had
better take your ground in the Channel, between Dunkirk and Calais.
There is as much to be made by salvage in recapturing English vessels in
that quarter as there is in taking the enemy's vessels; and I am sure,"
added Mr Trevannion, smiling, "you will think that legitimate warfare."
At this Captain Levee laughed, and said, "I have been told what you said
to Mr Trevannion, Elrington. I said that it was the effects of being
condemned for high treason, and would wear off in a three-months'
cruise."
"Good impressions do wear off very soon, I fear," replied I; "but I hope
that it will not be the case in this instance."
"We shall see, my good fellow," replied Captain Levee; "for my part I
hope they will, for otherwise we shall lose the best privateersman I
ever fell in with. However, it's no use bringing up the question now;
let us wait till our cruises are over, and we meet again. Good bye,
Elrington, and may you be fortunate. My anchor is short stay apeak, and
I shall be under sail in half an hour."
Captain Levee sailed at the time that he mentioned; I remained at anchor
till the next morning, and then once more was running down the Irish
Channel before a stiff breeze. I forgot to mention that while at Mr
Trevannion's I had looked at the address of the Catholic priest who had
announced to me my release from prison, and had left copies of it, as
well as of that of the lady at Paris, in the care of Mr Trevannion. It
was now cold, autumnal weather, and the Channel was but rough
sailing-ground. During the first fortnight we were fortunate enough to
make two recaptures of considerable value, which arrived safely in the
Thames, after which we had a succession of gales from the southward, it
being the time of the equinox, which drove us close to the sands of
Yarmouth, and we even had difficulty in clearing them and getting into
sea-room by standing to the eastward. The weather still continued very
bad, and we were lying-to under storm sails for several days, and at
last found ourselves a degree and a half to the northward, off the coast
of Norfolk, when the weather moderated, and the wind changed to the
northward. It was a fine clear night, but with no moon, and we were
running before the wind to regain our cruising-ground; but the wind
again shifted and baffled us, and at last it fell light, and, being on a
wind, we did not make more than four miles an hour, although there was
very little sea. About one o'clock in the morning I had gone on deck,
and was walking to and fro with the first officer, Mr James, when I
thought that I heard a faint halloo from to windward.
"Stop," said I; "silence there forward."
I listened, and thought that I heard the cry again. "Mr James," said
I, "did you not hear some one shout?"
"No, Sir," replied he.
"Wait, then, and listen."
We did so, but I could not hear it repeated.
"I am certain that I heard a voice as if on the waters," said I.
"Perhaps some one has fallen overboard. Turn the hands up to muster,
and haul the fore-sheet to windward."
The men were mustered, but no one was missing.
"It was your fancy, Sir," observed the first officer.
"It may have been," replied I; "but I am still in my own mind persuaded
that such was the case. Perhaps I was mistaken."
"Shall we let draw the fore-sheet, Sir?" said Mr James.
"Yes, we may as well; but the wind is lighter than it was. I think we
shall have a calm."
"It will be as much as she can do to stem the tide and hold her own,"
observed Mr James. "Let draw the fore-sheet, my lads."
Somehow or another I had a feeling which I could not surmount, that I
certainly had heard a faint shout; and although, admitting such to be
the case, there was little chance of being of service to any one, I felt
a reluctance to leave the spot, and as I walked the deck silent and
alone this feeling became insurmountable.
I remained on deck till the tide turned, and then, instead of taking
advantage of it so as to gain to the southward, I put the schooner's
head the other way, so as to keep as near as I could to the spot where I
heard the voice, reducing her sail so as just to stem the tide. I
cannot now account for my anxiety, which, under the circumstances, I
most certainly never should have felt, unless it was that Providence was
pleased to interpose on this occasion more directly than usual. I could
not leave the deck; I waited for daylight with great impatience, and as
the day dawned I had my telescope in my hand looking round the compass.
At last, as the sun rose from the fog on the horizon, something
attracted my eye, and I made it out to be the two masts of a vessel
which had sunk in about six fathoms of water. Still I could see nothing
except the masts. However, to make sure, I made sail on the schooner,
and stood towards them. A short tack enabled us to fetch, and in half
an hour we passed the wreck about a half-musket-shot to windward, when
we perceived an arm lifted up out of the water, and waved to us.
"There is somebody there," said I, "and I was right. Quickly, my lads;
fore-sheet to windward, and lower down the stern-boat."
This was done in a minute, and in a short time the boat returned,
bringing with them a lad about sixteen years old, whom they had found in
the water, clinging to the masts of the vessel. He was too much
exhausted to speak or move. He was put into bed, covered up with
blankets, and some warm spirits and water poured down his throat. We
then hoisted up the boat, and made sail upon the schooner, and I went
down below to breakfast, rejoicing that I had acted upon the impulse
which I had felt, and had thus been instrumental in saving the life of a
fellow-creature. A few minutes after he was put into bed the lad fell
into a sound sleep, which continued during the whole of the day. The
next morning he awoke greatly recovered, and very hungry, and as soon as
he had eaten he rose and dressed himself.
I then sent for him, as I was impatient to see him and learn his
history. When he entered the cabin, it struck me I had seen his
features before, but where I could not say. To my inquiries he stated
that the brig was the Jane and Mary, of Hull, laden with coals; that
they had started a wooden end during the gale, and that she had filled
so rapidly that they got the boat from off the boom to save their lives,
but from the heavy sea running, and the confusion, the boat had been
bilged against the bulwarks, and went down as they were shoving off;
that he had supported himself by one of the oars, and was soon separated
from his companions who floated around him; that during this time the
brig had sunk, and he, clinging to the oar, had been drawn towards her
as she sank, and carried some feet under water. On his rising he
perceived the top-gallant masts above water, and had made for them, and
on looking round he could not see any of the rest of the crew, who must
have all perished; that he had been two days on the mast, and was
perished with cold. Finding that his feet, which hung down on the
water, were much warmer than the other portions of his body exposed to
the wind, he had sunk himself down in the water, and remained there, and
had he not done so he must have perished.
I asked him how long he had been at sea, and he said he had only gone
one voyage, and had been but three months on board. There was something
in his manner so superior to the condition of apprentice (which he
stated himself to be) on board of such a vessel, and I felt such an
interest, which I could not account for, towards the lad, that I then
asked who were his friends. He replied, stammering, that he had not a
friend in the world except a brother older than himself by many years,
and he did not know where he was.
"But your father's name? Is he alive, and who is he? You must tell me
that, or I shall not know where to send you."
The youth was very confused, and would not give me any answer.
"Come, my lad," I said, "I think as I have saved your life I deserve a
little confidence, and it shall not be misplaced. I perceive that you
have not been brought up as a lad for the sea, and you must therefore
trust me."
"I will, Sir," he replied, "if you will not send me back to my father
and mother."
"Certainly not against your will, my good lad," I replied, "although I
shall probably persuade you all I can to return to them. I presume you
ran away from your home?"
"Yes, Sir, I did," replied he; "for I could not possibly stay there any
longer, and my brother did so before me, for the same reason that I
did."
"Well, I promise you, if you will confide in me, that I will not force
your inclinations; so now tell me who are your father and mother, and
why you left home. You want a friend now, and without confidence you
cannot expect friendship."
"I will tell you all, Sir," he replied, "for I see by your face that you
will not take advantage of me."
He then commenced, and you may imagine my surprise, my dear Madam, when
I found that it was my own brother Philip, whom I had left a child of
ten years old, who was addressing me. He had, as he had asserted, left
his home and thrown himself on the wide world for the same reason which
I had; for his spirit, like mine, could not brook the treatment which he
received. I allowed him to finish his narrative, and then made myself
known to him.
You may imagine the scene, and the delight of the poor fellow, who, as
he encircled me in his arms, clinging to me with the tears of joy on his
cheeks, told me that his great object had been to find me out, and that,
although he had no idea what had become of me, he thought it most likely
that I had taken to a seafaring life.
I now felt certain that Providence had specially interposed in this
business, and had, for its own good reasons, created those unusual
feelings of interest which I described to you, that I might be the
saviour of my brother; and most grateful was I, I can assure you. I had
now a companion and friend, one to love and to cherish. I was no longer
alone in the world and I do not know when I had felt so happy for a long
while.
I left my brother below in the cabin, and went on deck to acquaint the
officers with this strange meeting. The intelligence soon ran through
the vessel, and of course the poor shipwrecked boy became an object of
unusual interest. That whole day I was interrogating and receiving
intelligence from him relative to our family. I made him describe his
sisters and every member of it, even the servants and our neighbours
were not forgotten, and for the first time since I had quitted home, I
knew what had occurred during the six years of my absence. From the
accounts he gave me, I certainly had no inclination ever to return as
long as certain parties were in existence; and my brother declared that
nothing but force should ever induce him. The more I talked with him,
the more I was pleased with him. He appeared of a frank, noble
disposition, full of honour and high sentiments, winning in his manners,
and mirthful to excess. Indeed, his handsome countenance implied and
expressed as much, and it did not deceive.
I hardly need say that he took up his quarters in my cabin, and, having
procured for him more suitable apparel, he looked what he was,--the
perfect young gentleman. He was soon a general favourite on board, not
only with the officers but with the men. One would have thought that
the danger and distress we had found him in would have sickened him for
the sea for ever; but it was quite the contrary. He delighted in his
profession, and was certainly born to be a sailor. I asked him what he
felt when he had remained so long clinging to the mast; if he had not
given up all hopes of being saved? And he replied no, that he had not;
that he did not know how long he might have had to remain there, but
that he had never abandoned the idea of being taken off by some vessel
or another, and that he thought that he might have continued there for
twenty-four hours longer without being exhausted, as after he had sunk
himself into the water he felt warm, and no exertion was necessary. It
is of such buoyant spirits as these, Madam, that seamen should be made.
You cannot have an idea of the pleasure which I experienced at this
falling in with my brother Philip. It appeared to have given a new
stimulus to my existence; even privateering did not appear so hateful to
me, after I had heard him express his delight at being likely to be so
employed, for such he stated had long been his ardent wish. Two days
afterwards we had regained our cruising-ground, and perceived a French
privateer steering for the port of Calais, in company with a large
merchant vessel which she had captured. The wind was light, and we
discovered her at daybreak, just as the fog cleared away, she being then
about mid-channel, and not more than five miles distant. We made all
sail, and soon were within gun-shot. The Frenchman appeared determined
not to part with his prize without a trial of strength, but as the
captured vessel was the nearest to us, I decided to retake her first,
and then fight him if he wished. I therefore steered to lay the prize
by the board. The Frenchman, a lugger of twelve guns, perceiving our
intention, made also for the prize to defend her, he steering up for her
close-hauled, we running down to her free, the prize lying between us,
and sheltering each of us from the other's guns. It is difficult to say
whether the Frenchman or we were the first to touch her sides with our
respective vessels; I rather think that the Frenchman was a second or
two before us. At all events they were quicker than we were, and were
on the deck first, besides having the advantage of the assistance of
their men already on board, so that we were taken at a great
disadvantage. However, we did gain the deck by boarding at two points,
forward and aft, and a fierce contest ensued. The French were more
numerous than we were, but my men were better selected, being all very
powerful, athletic fellows. Philip had boarded with the other party
forward, which was led by my chief officer. My party, who were abaft,
not being so numerous, were beaten back to the taffrail of the vessel,
where we stood at bay, defending ourselves against the furious assaults
of the Frenchmen. But if we lost, the other party gained, for the whole
body of the Frenchmen were between us and them, and those who faced
Philip's party were driven back to abaft the mainmast. It so happened
that Philip was thrown down on the deck, and his men passed over him;
and while in that position, and unable to rise from the pressure upon
him, he heard a calling out from below: this told him that the English
prisoners were in the hold; and as soon as he could rise he threw off
the hatches, and they rushed up, to the number of twenty-three stout
fellows, to our support, cheering most manfully, and by their cheers
announcing to the French that we had received assistance. This gave
fresh courage to my men, who were hard pressed and faint with their
great exertion. We cheered, and rushed upon the enemy, who were already
weakened by many of them having turned round to resist the increased
impetus from forward. Our cheers were replied to by Philip's party and
the prisoners, and the French were losing the day. They made another
desperate rush upon Philip's men, and succeeded in driving them back to
before the main-hatches; but what they gained forward, they lost abaft,
as we pushed on with vigour. This was their last attempt. The
main-hatch being open, several of them in the confusion fell into it,
others followed them of their own accord, and at last every one of them
was beaten down from the deck, and the hatches were put over them, with
three cheers.
"Now for the privateer--she is our own," cried Philip; "follow me, my
men," continued he, as he sprang upon the bulwarks of the prize, and
from thence into the main rigging of the lugger alongside.
Most of my men followed him; and as there were but few men left on board
of the lugger, she was soon in our possession, and thus we had both the
enemy and the prize without firing a cannon-shot. It was strange that
this combat between two privateers should thus be decided upon the deck
of another vessel, but such was the fact. We had several men badly
wounded, but not one killed. The French were not quite so fortunate, as
seven of their men lay dead upon the decks. The prize proved to be the
Antelope West-Indiaman, laden with sugar and rum, and of considerable
value. We gave her up to the captain and crew, who had at afforded us
such timely assistance, and they were not a little pleased at being thus
rescued from a French prison. The privateer was named the Jean Bart, of
twelve guns, and one hundred and fifteen men, some away in prizes. She
was a new vessel, and this her first cruise. As it required many men to
man her, and we had the prisoners to encumber us, I resolved that I
would take her to Liverpool at once; and six days afterwards we arrived
there without further adventure. Philip's gallant conduct had won him
great favour with my officers and men, and I must say that I felt very
proud of him.
As soon as we had anchored both vessels, I went on shore with Philip to
Mr Trevannion's to give him an account of what had occurred during the
short cruise, and I hardly need say that he was satisfied with the
results, as we had made three recaptures of value besides a privateer.
I introduced Philip to him, acquainting him with his miraculous
preservation, and Mr Trevannion very kindly invited him for the present
to remain in his house. We then took our leave, promising to be back by
dinner-time, and I went with Philip to fit him out in a more creditable
way; and having made my purchases and given my orders, (it being then
almost two o'clock _post meridiem_,) we hastened to Mr Trevannion's,
that we might be in time for dinner. I was, I must confess, anxious to
see Miss Trevannion, for she had often occupied my thoughts during the
cruise. She met me with great friendliness and welcomed me back. Our
dinner was very agreeable, and Philip's sallies were much approved of.
He was, indeed, a mirthful, witty lad, full of jest and humour, and with
a good presence withal. Mr Trevannion being called out just as dinner
was finished, Miss Trevannion observed--"I presume, Mr Elrington, that
your good fortune and the reputation you have acquired in so short a
time, have put an end to all your misgivings as to a privateersman's
life?"
"I am not quite so light and inconstant, Miss Trevannion," replied I; "I
rejoice that in this cruise I have really nothing to lament or blush
for, and trust at the same time we have been serviceable to our country;
but my opinion is the same, and I certainly wish that I had fought under
the king's pennant instead of on board of a privateer."
"You are, then, of the same mind, and intend to resign the command?"
"I do, Miss Trevannion, although I admit that this lad's welfare makes
it more important than ever that I should have some means of
livelihood."
"I rejoice to hear you speak thus, Mr Elrington, and I think my
father's obligations to you are such, that if he does not assist you, I
should feel ashamed of him--but such I am certain will not be the case.
He will forward your views, whatever they may be, to the utmost of his
power--at the same time, I admit, from conversations I have had with
him, that he will be mortified at your resigning the command."
"And so shall I," said Philip, "for I do not agree with you or my
brother: I see no more harm in privateering than in any other fighting:
I suppose, Miss Trevannion, you have been the cause of my brother's
scruples, and I tell you candidly to your face, that I do not thank you
for it."
Miss Trevannion coloured up at this remark, and then replied, "I do not
think, Mr Philip, that I have had the pleasure of seeing your brother
more than three times in my life, and that within this last six weeks,
and sure I am that we have not had a quarter of an hour's conversation
altogether. It is, therefore, assuredly, too much to say that I am the
cause, and your brother will tell you that he expressed these opinions
before I ever had had any conversation with him."
"That may be," replied Philip, "but you approved of his sentiments, and
that concluded the business, I am sure, and I don't wonder at it. I
only hope that you won't ask me to do anything I do not wish to do; for
I am sure that I could never refuse you anything."
"I am glad to hear you say so, Mr Philip; for if I see you do that
which I think wrong, I shall certainly try my influence over you,"
replied Miss Trevannion, smiling. "I really was not aware that I had
such power."
Here Mr Trevannion came in again, and the conversation was changed; and
shortly afterwards Miss Trevannion left the room. Philip, who was tired
of sitting while Mr Trevannion and I took our pipes, and who was
anxious to see the town, also left us; and I then stated to Mr
Trevannion that having now completed the cruise which I had agreed that
I would, I wished to know whether he had provided himself with another
captain.
"As you appear so determined, my dear Elrington, I will only say that I
am very sorry, and will not urge the matter any longer. My daughter
told me since your absence that she was certain you would adhere to your
resolution; and, although I hoped the contrary, yet I have been
considering in which way I can serve you. It is not only my pleasure
but my duty so to do; I have not forgotten, and never will forget, that
you in all probability saved my life by your self-devotion in the affair
of the Jacobites. When you first came to me, you were recommended as a
good accountant, and, to a certain degree, a man of business; and, at
all events, you proved yourself well acquainted and apt at figures. Do
you think that a situation on shore would suit you?"
"I should endeavour to give satisfaction, Sir," I replied; "but I fear
that I should have much to learn."
"Of course you would; but I reply that you would soon learn. Now,
Elrington, what I have to say to you is this: I am getting old, and in a
few years shall be past work; and I think I should like you as an
assistant for the present, and a successor hereafter. If you would like
to join me, you shall superintend the more active portion of the
business; and I have no doubt but that in a year or two you will be
master of the whole. As you know, I have privateers and I have merchant
vessels, and I keep my storehouses. I have done well up to the present;
not so well, perhaps, now, as I did when I had slave-vessels, which were
most profitable; but my deceased wife persuaded me to give up that
traffic, and I have not resumed it, in honour of her memory. These
foolish women should never interfere in such matters; but let that pass.
What I have to say is, that if you choose after a year to join me as a
partner, I will give you an eighth of the business, and as we continue I
will make over a further share in proportion to the profits; and I will
make such arrangements as to enable you at my death to take the whole
concern upon favourable terms."
Mr Trevannion knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and, as he
concluded,--"I am," I replied, "as you may imagine, Sir, much gratified
and honoured at your proposal, which I hardly need say that I willingly
accept. I only hope you will make allowance for my ignorance at first
setting off, and not ascribe to any other cause my imperfections. You
may assure yourself that good-will shall never be wanting on my part,
and I shall work day and night, if required, to prove my gratitude for
so kind an offer."
"Then, it is settled," said Mr Trevannion; "but what are we to do with
your brother Philip?"
"He thinks for himself, Sir, and does not agree with me on the question
in point. Of course, I have no right to insist that my scruples should
be his; indeed, I fear that I should have little chance in persuading
him, as he is so fond of a life of adventure. It is natural in one so
young. Age will sober him."
"Then you have no objection to his going on board of a privateer?"
"I would rather that he was in any other service, Sir; but as I cannot
control him I must submit, if he insist upon following that profession.
He is a gallant, clever boy, and as soon as I can, I will try to procure
him a situation in a king's ship. At present he must go to sea in some
way or the other, and it were, perhaps, better that he should be in good
hands (such as Captain Levee's for instance) on board of a privateer,
than mix up with those who might demoralise him more."
"Well, then, he shall have his choice," replied Mr Trevannion. "He is
a smart lad, and will do you credit wherever he may be."
"If I may take the liberty to advise, Sir," replied I, "I think you
could not do better than to give the command of the Sparrow-hawk to the
chief officer, Mr James; he is a good seaman and a brave man, and I
have no doubt will acquit himself to your satisfaction."
"I was thinking the same; and as you recommend him he shall take your
place. Now, as all this is settled, you may as well go on board and
make known that you have resigned the command. Tell Mr James that he
is to take your place. Bring your clothes on shore, and you will find
apartments ready for you on your return, for in future you will of
course consider this house as your residence. I assure you that, now
that you do not leave me, I am almost glad that the affair is arranged
as it is. I wanted assistance, that is the fact, and I hold myself
fortunate that you are the party who has been selected. We shall meet
in the evening."
Mr Trevannion then went away in the direction of his daughter's room
instead of the counting-house as usual, and I quitted the house. I did
not go immediately down to the wharf to embark. I wanted to have a
short time for reflection, for I was much overpowered with Mr
Trevannion's kindness, and the happy prospects before me. I walked out
into the country for some distance, deep in my own reflections, and I
must say that Miss Trevannion was too often interfering with my train of
thought.
I had of course no fixed ideas, but I more than once was weighing in my
mind whether I should not make known to them who I was, and how superior
in birth to what they imagined. After an hour passed in building
castles, I retraced my steps, passed through the town, and, going down
to the wharf, waved my handkerchief for a boat, and was soon on board.
I then summoned the officers and men, told them that I had resigned the
command of the vessel, and that in future they were to consider Mr
James as their captain. I packed up my clothes, leaving many articles
for my successor which were no longer of any use to me, but which he
would have been compelled to replace.
Philip I found was down in the cabin, and with him I had a long
conversation, he stated his wish to remain at sea, saying that he
preferred a privateer to a merchant vessel, and a king's ship to a
privateer. Not being old enough, or sufficient time at sea to be
eligible for a king's ship, I agreed that he should sail with Captain
Levee, as soon as he came back from his cruise. He had already sent in
a good prize. As soon as my clothes and other articles were put into
the boat, I wished them all farewell, and was cheered by the men as I
pulled on shore.
My effects were taken up to Mr Trevannion's house by the seamen, to
whom I gave a gratuity, and I was met by Mr Trevannion, who showed me
into a large and well-furnished bed-room, which he told me was in future
to be considered as my own. I passed away the afternoon in arranging my
clothes, and did not go down to the parlour till supper-time, where I
found Miss Trevannion, who congratulated me upon my having changed my
occupation to one more worthy of me. I made a suitable reply, and we
sat down to supper. Having described this first great event in my life,
I shall for the present conclude.