ARRIVAL OF A JERSEY PRIVATEER--AN INVITATION SENT TO THE OFFICERS--NORAH
AND ELLEN MEET A STRANGER ON THEIR WALK HOME--ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF
NORAH--SHE IS RESCUED--FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR THE RUFFIANS--ARRIVAL OF THE
CAPTAIN AND LIEUTENANTS OF THE PRIVATEER--THE MERCHANT'S HOUSE AND
GROUNDS--A BANQUET--CAPTAIN DUPIN REQUESTS THE PLEASURE OF A VISIT FROM
HIS WATERFORD FRIENDS--A DANCE ON BOARD THE PRIVATEER--AN UNPLEASANT
SURPRISE.
Just after the young ladies had set off on their walk to visit Mrs
Massey, a Dungarvon hooker arrived at the quay, and her skipper brought
the intelligence that a sloop of war had anchored that morning in the
mouth of the harbour. She carried eighteen guns, for he had counted
nine on a side; having boarded her to dispose of some of his fish, he
was sure that he could not be mistaken. When he was more than half-way
up the river, he added, the wind being light, a gig had passed him; but
though he looked everywhere, he had not again seen her. He believed
that she belonged to the sloop, as an officer was seated in the stern,
and she had the appearance of a man-of-war's boat; but of that he could
not be certain.
Mr Ferris had invited a party to dinner, and as he always wished to pay
attention to naval officers, he immediately despatched a letter by a
fast rowing-boat, requesting the company of the commander and officers
of the sloop at the intended banquet. Mr Ferris received a letter in
reply, signed "Jean Dupin, commander of the _Orestes_, private ship of
war," observing that Mr Ferris had been misinformed as to the character
of the vessel he had the honour to command, she not being a king's ship,
but belonging to Jersey, and the property of a firm with which he was
probably well acquainted, Messrs. Saint Croix and Cie; and he was
unwilling to sail under false colours--but that if Mr Ferris still
desired his company, he and his officers would have infinite pleasure in
availing themselves of his hospitable invitation. Mr Ferris
immediately sent back the boat, assuring Captain Dupin that it would
afford him the greatest possible satisfaction to receive him, and any of
his lieutenants and junior officers who might be able to accompany him.
"Ellen will be disappointed when she finds that the ship is not a
man-of-war," he said to himself. "She takes much interest in the navy;
she saw a good specimen of the naval officer in that gentlemanly and
pleasing young lieutenant, Norman Foley, who was occasionally at our
house in Dublin when his ship lay off Kingstown, and she has
consequently an idea that all naval officers are like him. However,
many of the Jersey privateers are commanded and officered by gentlemen
of good family in the island, and I doubt not that Captain Dupin will
prove an agreeable addition to our party. I wish that Captain Tracy
were well enough to be present; he and Captain Dupin might find that
they were old acquaintances, and would, at all events, have many
subjects in common to talk about."
We must now return to Norah and Ellen. They hastened their steps, for
the sun had set, and darkness was stealing over the landscape, and
unless they hurried on they would scarcely have light sufficient to see
their way through the narrow and dimly illuminated street, and might
perhaps meet with drunken men who would cause them annoyance.
"I am pretty well known here, so that it is not likely any one will
insult us; but it would be unpleasant to encounter strangers," said
Ellen. "I am very sorry, Norah, for it was my fault remaining so long
listening to Mrs Massey's dreadful accounts of the O'Harrall family. I
was much interested, and I have taken it into my head that Mr Massey
may be able to regain his ancestral property. You know I am somewhat
romantic, and I should be so delighted to see you mistress of Tramore
Castle."
"I am afraid there is very little hope of that," said Norah; "nor am I
ambitious, but shall be content to enjoy with my dear Owen the limited
fortune we shall be able to muster."
They had just reached the most secluded part of the road, when they
heard footsteps behind them; and Norah, looking round, saw a man
following, his figure shrouded in a Spanish cloak, a broad-brimmed hat
ornamented with a feather drawn down over his brow, partly concealing
his countenance. The end of a scabbard which appeared beneath his cloak
showed that he was a gentleman, while his firm though hurried step gave
proof of what was of still more consequence, that he was perfectly
sober. As he passed them he lifted his hat, an act which served rather
to conceal further than to show his features. After going on a short
distance he stopped; then, facing about, walked rapidly towards them.
"Miss Tracy," he exclaimed, "I have been impelled by an irresistible
power to endeavour to see you, and I am more fortunate than I expected.
Will your fair friend favour me by going on a few paces before us, while
I speak what I wish to reach no other ear but yours?"
"Who is this gentleman?" exclaimed Ellen. "Is it your wish that I
should do as he requests?"
"Oh no, no! do not leave me on any account," whispered Norah, tightly
grasping Ellen's arm. "Surely you must be under a mistake, sir, and
take me for some one else," she continued, turning to the stranger.
"Miss Tracy, your features, your voice, your figure, are all too
indelibly impressed upon my mind," he replied. "Do not you remember the
last words I spoke to you ere we parted?"
Norah, on hearing this, was still more convinced than at first that the
stranger was under a mistake. And yet the stranger had addressed her by
name! Could he be out of his senses?
"Know you not that you have inspired the deepest and most devoted
affection, which death alone can destroy?" he continued. "To meet you
again I have gone through difficulties and dangers which would otherwise
have appeared insuperable; and can you be so cold-hearted as to regard
with indifference a love so ardent and true?"
His voice as he spoke had more of a tone of anger than affection in it.
"I must not listen to such language as this," answered Norah, the idea
of who the person was now flashing across her mind; "I beg that you will
not stop my friend and me, as we are anxious to return home without
delay."
"I must and will be heard," exclaimed the stranger, attempting to grasp
Norah's hand. "Come with me; I offer you a heart which loves you to
desperation, and mine you must be. I have the means of enforcing my
request--if your friend interferes, she must take the consequences, and
will be compelled to accompany you."
"You are mad, sir, to suppose for a moment that I would consent to such
a proposal; let me and my friend go, I entreat you."
"For your refusal I was prepared," exclaimed the stranger, "but it will
not avail you;" and putting a silver whistle to his mouth, he blew it
shrilly. It was answered from a distance, and Ellen, looking in the
direction from which the sound came, saw two mounted men, each with a
led horse, approaching. Ellen now gave way to her fears, and uttered
loud shrieks for help. Norah felt all her energies paralysed by the
threatened act of violence, and could only cling to Ellen's arm and
murmur, "Don't leave me! don't leave me!"
A wall rather too high to be leaped over intervened between them and the
horsemen. They had to make a circuit to reach a gate which opened into
the road before they gained it. The rattle of wheels was heard, and
loud shouts of laughter between snatches of song. Just then Ellen saw a
line of cars, the horses at full speed, coming along the road; the
stranger saw them too, and seizing Norah round the waist, endeavoured to
drag her to the wall; but Ellen and she clung frantically to each other,
Ellen again and again shrieking loudly for help. On came the cars; some
men in seamen's dresses sprang from the first, one of them shouting out,
"Shure, it's the young mistress! Be alive, and dale smartly with the
outrageous thief of the world who's dared to lay hands on her;" and,
joined by a dozen or more men from the other cars, armed with stout
shillelaghs, Dan Connor dashed forward at headlong speed. The stranger
glanced round to see how far off their horses still were from him, and
finding that they had not yet passed through the gate, and that all hope
of carrying off Norah must be abandoned, vaulted over the wall and ran
towards them. His companions, seeing what had occurred, hurried up to
his assistance. Just as the party of seamen had got close upon his
heels, he threw himself upon one of the led horses and galloped off,
followed by the shouts and execrations of the seamen, who were,
fortunately for him, without firearms.
"Shure, Miss Norah, jewel, you're all safe now, and that mighty big
blackguard, whoever he may be, will do you no harm," exclaimed Dan. "If
you and the young lady will just mount on the car, we'll escort you safe
into Waterford; and if he and a score of Rapparees like himself were to
come back, we'd bate them all off before they could come near you."
"Let us get up on the car, as the sailor advises us," said Ellen; and
she mounted and helped Norah up, when the seamen running on each side,
they set off at a brisk pace, followed by the other cars.
"It's at the wake of poor Pat Casey we've been, Miss Norah. He niver
was himself after the wound he got when we fought the privateer--and
shure, we were coming home at daybreak; but somehow or other, what with
the potheen, and the friends we met, and a scrimmage or two, we made a
long morning of it; and bedad, good luck it was, or we wouldn't have
come up in time to put that fellow to flight."
Ellen, who had somewhat recovered from her alarm, assured Dan how
thankful she felt to him and his shipmates and friends for the service
they had rendered Norah and herself.
"Service, Misthress Ferris! it was the greatest pleasure I've had since
I was born, and I only wish I'd the same every day of my life. What
would Mr Massey have been after doing if that thundering villain had
got you and Miss Norah upon his horses and galloped off through the
country wid ye!--but he'd betther not be showing his face again in these
parts, whoever he is," answered Dan. "As soon as we've seen you both
safe home, we'll go in chase of him, and it will be hard if we don't
catch him, too."
Norah did not say whom she suspected the ruffian to be who had attempted
the outrage; indeed, she was far too nervous to speak, and it was not
till, escorted by Dan and his friends, they arrived safely at home, that
she mentioned her suspicions to Ellen. She begged her to make as light
as possible of the matter, for fear of agitating Captain Tracy in a way
which might be injurious to him in his present state of health. Still,
the circumstance could not be altogether concealed from him. Abduction
was at that time too common in Ireland for what had occurred to create
much surprise. The only difficulty was to ascertain who the man could
be, though it was generally believed that his intention was to carry off
Miss Ferris, who was known to be an heiress. At that time there
actually existed in the neighbourhood an association known as the
Abduction Club, all the members of which had sworn to assist each other
in carrying off such young ladies as either of them fixed upon. By
means of their spies, they made themselves acquainted with the fortunes
of every marriageable girl and the domestic arrangements of the family.
Sometimes, when she had not been claimed by any particular member, they
drew lots to whom she should belong, and the rest were then bound to
assist the fortunate winner. No class of society, from the highest to
the opulent farmer or tradesman, was exempt from the depredations of the
associates. They themselves were mostly the younger sons or relations
of families of some standing, who, looking upon commerce as beneath
them, with too little education to succeed in the learned professions,
if they could not obtain a commission in the army, spent their lives in
idleness, and were known as squireens. Generally being able to borrow
good horses from their rich friends, they rode about the country habited
in red waistcoats lined with narrow gold or silver lace or fur, tight
leather breeches, and top-boots; making themselves conspicuous at fairs,
markets, races, and assizes, and in other places where people
congregated. They excelled in athletic sports, especially in the game
of hurling, when they took the lead among the young men of the peasant
class who engaged in it, and thus became identified with them, and could
on all occasions rely on their support. Though the crime of abduction
was punishable with death, as the girls who were thus carried off were
in most instances immediately married, few were found willing to
prosecute their husbands. The law was consequently almost inoperative,
and the abominable practice up to this day had continued unchecked.
Mr Ferris was of course highly indignant. He at once took steps to
discover the offender, though, as he had not succeeded in his attempt,
there was little probability that he would be captured, or if so,
punished. The annoyance, also, to which his daughter and her friend
must in future be subjected, from being unable to venture outside the
garden without a strong guard, was provoking in the extreme; still, the
daring characters of the men who were known to be combined for the
purpose rendered it unsafe for the young ladies to go abroad unless thus
protected.
Dan and Pompey, with the other seamen of the _Ouzel Galley_, and several
friends who joined them, as soon as they had left Norah and Ellen safe
at home, set off in chase of the ruffians, armed with such weapons as
they could hastily obtain, in addition to the shillelaghs they had
before possessed. Following in the direction they had seen the horsemen
going, they made their way over all impediments, inquiring of every one
they met, and hoping by perseverance to overtake them. They learnt,
however, after proceeding a considerable distance, that the men had
separated, one going off with the led horses in the direction of the
mountains to the westward, another turning southward towards Tramore
Bay, while the third followed a road which would conduct him to Passage,
near the mouth of the river, whence he could cross into Wexford. The
parties accordingly divided, but had not gone far when they lost all
trace of the fugitives, and as Dan observed, "They might as well be
looking for a needle in a bottle of hay, as hope to find the spalpeen."
Late at night they returned to Kingscourt House, the residence of Mr
Ferris, to report the ill-success of their expedition.
"Bedad, your honour, we'll be after keeping a sharp look-out on the
fellows, and if any one of them shows his ugly face in the
neighbourhood, we'll be down upon him as quick as lightning," said Dan.
"But if you don't know the men--and from what I understand, you only saw
their backs in the gloom--you will find a considerable difficulty in
recognising them," observed Mr Ferris, "and may chance to lay hands on
the wrong persons."
"Shure, your honour, we'll ask them if they're the right ones before we
give them a taste of the shillelagh," answered Dan.
"At all events, Connor, I wish you, and a dozen stout fellows you may
pick out, to act as a guard at my house, to protect my daughter and her
friend, should any yet more daring attempt be made to carry them off,"
replied Mr Ferris.
"I'll do that same with all the pleasure in life," answered Dan, "though
it may be a hard matter to keep our eyes open to-night, seeing we were
waking Pat Casey till a late hour this morning, and then, after seeing
him laid dacently under the turf, had to drink long life and success to
his sperrit and a short stay in purgatory, where the praste told us he
had gone--though, being a kind-hearted man, he'd do his best to pray him
out of it."
"I have no fear of any fresh attempt being made to-night, so you may all
sleep soundly in your beds," said Mr Ferris; "but I shall require you
to-morrow, and for some time to come after that, while I remain at
Waterford."
In those days the dinner-hour, even in the houses of the opulent, was at
two o'clock, and some time before that two well-manned boats, from the
stern of which floated the British ensign, reached the quay at
Waterford. Only three officers, however, stepped on shore, the captain
and two others, whom he introduced as his lieutenants to Mr Ferris, who
went down to meet him. All were dressed in uniforms closely resembling
that of the British navy, for such privateersmen were wont to wear.
Captain Dupin, who spoke with a slight French accent, as most Jersey men
did at that period, was a fair, good-looking young man, with a somewhat
short though well-knit figure, his countenance betoking courage and
determination. His first lieutenant, whom he introduced as Mr
Macarthy, was a man of a very different mould. His well-bronzed
features were concealed by a large beard and moustache, while a black
patch over one eye, and another down his cheek, showing that he had
suffered in the fight, did not add to the attractiveness of his
appearance.
"As he is a countryman of yours, he was anxious to avail himself of your
invitation, though scarcely recovered from wounds he received is our
last action with a French ship, which we captured after a determined
resistance," observed the captain. "He was shot through the mouth,
which considerably impedes his speech; but he will be able
notwithstanding to do justice to your good fare, as I have no doubt you
will perceive."
Mr Macarthy shook hands with Mr Ferris, and expressed his satisfaction
at finding himself once more on his native soil.
"It is many a long year since I left the old country, and from that time
till I landed a few months ago in Jersey I have been knocking about in
distant seas," said the lieutenant. "Although Ballyadare, in Sligo, is
my native place, I have more than once in my younger days visited
Waterford, and this is not the first time I have been on shore at your
beautiful town. Faith, sir, it is a place to boast of; so fine a river,
such magnificent quays, and that old tower I see there--I forget its
name--where will you find the like?"
Mr Ferris, pleased with the compliment paid to his city, was ready to
overlook the somewhat rough manner and exterior of his guest.
"Indeed, sir," he said, "we are apt to boast of our virgin city and its
quays, a mile long as you will perceive, at which sixty sail of vessels
can unload at a time; of our dry dock, lately built by our townsman Mr
Congreve; of our conduits, which supply both our houses and the shipping
with water; of the privileges enjoyed by our citizens; and of our
militia, mustering five hundred men, and capable of giving a good
account of any enemy who may dare to invade our shores. You will, I
hope, meet some of the officers at dinner to-day."
"By my soul, it is a city you may well be proud of," answered the
lieutenant; "and it is to be hoped that no enemy for their own sakes
will ever venture within gunshot of your redoubtable militia."
The second lieutenant was introduced as a young Jersey man, Mr Latrobe.
He spoke with more French accent than his chief, who accounted for his
so doing by remarking that he had not come to sea till he was nearly
grown up, and had during peace time served on board a French merchant
vessel. "We Jersey men," he added, "though our sympathies are
thoroughly English, yet retain, as you know, the language and customs of
our Breton ancestors."
"Come, gentlemen, I must conduct you to my humble residence," said Mr
Ferris, and, leading his guests up Hanover Street, so called by the
loyal inhabitants in compliment to the reigning royal family, they
entered King Street, towards the west end of which was situated Mr
Ferris's house, overlooking the river. On reaching the house, as there
was time to spare, Mr Ferris took them round his grounds, of which they
were loud in their compliments. So pleased did they declare themselves
that they begged to go round them a second time, when the lieutenant
might have been seen narrowly observing the localities. As they paced
round the outer circuit on their walk, they met Ellen and Norah, to whom
of course Mr Ferris introduced his guests. The officers bowed, and
Captain Dupin, addressing Ellen, expressed his admiration of her
beautiful garden and the taste with which it was laid out.
"Surely I need not inquire whether you were the chief designer of these
lovely terraces and sparkling fountains, and that picturesque rockwork,"
said the captain, bowing as he spoke.
"No, I can claim no merit for the beauties you admire," answered Ellen;
"my father purchased the property from the former owner. I should have
liked it better had it been left more to nature."
"Ah, if you could see Jersey! How you would delight in my own native
island!" exclaimed Captain Dupin; "it contains just the scenery you
would appreciate."
"I can assure you that in Ireland we have most romantic and beautiful
scenery," answered Ellen; "and in the county of Kerry are the lovely
Lakes of Killarney, such as I believe all strangers consider the most
romantic in the world."
"Ah, I know nothing of Ireland, though I may hope some day to be better
acquainted with it," said the captain.
The other two stood aloof, as if they did not consider themselves of
sufficient consequence to address the young ladies to whom their
commander was speaking. Ellen, offering to show Captain Dupin the
aviary, led the way along the terrace. Norah followed by herself,
leaving the two lieutenants in conversation with Mr Ferris. The elder
of the two after a little time stepped forward, and Norah, looking
round, found him walking by her side.
"Is this spot as attractive as some of the scenes you have visited in
the West Indies, Miss Tracy?" he asked, speaking low.
Norah started as she heard the voice; but looking at the speaker, whose
countenance she failed to recognise, she asked, "How do you know that I
have been in the West Indies, Mr Macarthy?"
"I heard from a seaman who came on board the _Orestes_ that you had
accompanied your father on board the _Ouzel Galley_," he answered
quietly. "Irishmen are wonderfully communicative, you know. It is an
unusual thing for young ladies to take such a voyage in time of war."
"I sailed before war had broken out, or I am very sure my father would
not have taken me," she replied, banishing the idea which had flashed
across her mind. "He probably heard from the seaman that a young lady
was staying with Miss Ferris, and thus guessed who I was," she thought
to herself.
After again going round the grounds, the party returned to the house,
where the other guests had begun to assemble. Captain Dupin and his
officers were duly introduced and cordially welcomed to Waterford.
Among others, Lieutenant Vinoy was brought up by the host.
"Though you gentlemen would look upon each other as enemies were you to
meet on the ocean, here, I trust, you will be friends," said Mr Ferris.
The officers bowed politely.
"I ave moche plaisir to meet Monsieur le Capitaine Dupin in dis
hospitable maison," said the French lieutenant; "if ve evare encounter
vis one anodare on de sea, den ve fight like des braves hommes--n'est-ce
pas, Monsieur le Capitaine?"
"I could not desire a greater honour," answered the Jersey man. "Nor,
by my faith, could I," exclaimed the first lieutenant of the _Orestes_.
"Ah, I moche fear I remain prisonare here to do end of de war," sighed
Monsieur Vinoy; "but, ma foi, I am too happy in dis charmante ville vid
dese aimable young ladies to vish to leave. It was de fortune de la
guerre vich brought me here, and I vill not complain."
"You might certainly have been much worse off," observed Captain Dupin.
"I have no doubt you fought your ship, like a brave man, till all hope
of victory was gone."
"Ve vill not talk of dat," answered the lieutenant, turning away,
probably not quite relishing the remark, recollecting how he had been
caught napping.
Three of the officers of the city militia were next introduced to the
naval guests. Judged by their uniform, they were remarkably fine
fellows, for their coats were blue, with scarlet linings and gilt
buttons, their waistcoats and breeches being also of scarlet, and their
hats richly adorned with gold lace. They had evidently, as was natural,
a decidedly good opinion of themselves, and were somewhat inclined to
look down upon the more simply dressed tars. The first lieutenant of
the _Orestes_ eyed them askance from under his shaggy eyebrows,
apparently regarding them, for some reason or other, with no friendly
feeling. After exchanging salutations, he at once turned aside and
addressed himself to some of the civilians.
"We are expecting a king's ship every day to visit our harbour--the
_Champion_, 18-gun sloop of war, Commander Olding," observed one of the
gentlemen. "Contrary winds may have detained her, or perhaps she has
fallen in with a Frenchman; and I will venture to say, if such is the
case, that she has taken him, for the navy does not possess a more
gallant and resolute officer than my friend."
Captain Dupin involuntarily shrugged his shoulders and bowed. "I have
no doubt of the gallantry of the officers of the Royal Navy," he
observed. An opportunity occurring, he stepped back and spoke a few
words to his two lieutenants. The younger of the two looked somewhat
agitated; though the elder, whatever thoughts were passing in his mind,
retained a perfect composure. He managed to hand in Norah to dinner,
and to obtain a seat by her side. He spoke in a low voice, which once
or twice, it seemed to her, was unnatural; but he accounted for it as
his commander had done to Mr Ferris, by saying that he had received a
wound in his mouth. He described many strange places and scenes he had
visited, and appeared, notwithstanding the time he had been absent from
his native country, to be well acquainted with various parts of Ireland.
Altogether, he succeeded in making Norah think him an agreeable person,
although ill-favoured and rather rough in his manner. Captain Dupin was
equally successful in gaining the good opinion of Ellen, near whom he
sat; while he contrived at the same time to ingratiate himself, by his
lively conversation and the compliments he paid to Ireland, with most of
the guests--and all agreed that he was superior to most of the privateer
officers they had met.
The feast need not be described; the viands were in abundance, and
claret, followed by whisky punch, flowed freely. A watchful observer
would have discovered that neither of the officers drank more than they
could help, though they were compelled to take no small quantity, simply
in accepting the pledges they received in turn from the rest of the
guests. The usual Orange toasts were drunk--especially the chief one,
"The glorious and immortal memory!" the whole party standing, although
they did not, as was occasionally done, shiver their glasses on the
ground--the principal inhabitants of Waterford being great admirers of
William of Orange. Soon after this the ladies retired. The officers,
to the surprise of the other guests, rose to take their leave, and some
were inclined to insist on their stopping.
"It is altogether _contra bonos mores_, gentlemen, to leave us at this
hour with only half a cargo on board," exclaimed Mr Peter Vashan, one
of the sheriffs of the city; "we shall suspect you of being no true men.
Sit down and help us to finish another dozen of claret."
Similar expressions were uttered by others. Captain Dupin was firm,
even though he saw angry and contemptuous glances cast on them by some
of those whose rule of good fellowship he was about to infringe.
"To tell you the truth, gentlemen," he said, "I cannot be longer absent
with my chief officers from the ship. You know that privateersmen are
not the most orderly of characters; I am uncertain how my fellows may
behave during my absence, though I can answer for their good conduct
when I am among them. Before I left the ship I gave directions to have
a slight entertainment provided, and I invite our generous host, with
all who favour me with their company, to bring their wives and families
with them. The evening is fine, and the moon will be up to light you on
your return; and, as an inducement to some who have an eye to business,
I may add that we have on board part of the cargo of the last prize we
took, rich silks and brocades, and other manufactures of France, and as
I am in no hurry to go into port, I shall be glad to dispose of them on
moderate terms; while I am anxious to purchase provisions and stores,
which I am sure your town will supply of the best quality."
The captain, as he spoke, looked round on the party, and was perfectly
satisfied that his invitation would be accepted, and that he would be
able to obtain whatever he required for his ship. No further effort was
made to detain him; even Mr Ferris promised to come, with his daughter
and her friend, and most of the other gentlemen expressed their
readiness to take the ladies of their families on board. Captain Dupin
and his two lieutenants hurried down to their boats, which were in
waiting at the quay, the crews having, according to orders, not even
landed or held any communication with the people on shore,
notwithstanding the pressing invitations they had received from the
tavern-keepers on the quay.
"Begorra, I never knew a Jersey man who couldn't spake dacent English,"
exclaimed one of the men, who had been trying to induce the sailors to
land. "Their captain may be what he says he is; but, shure, it's
strange for sailors to come into harbour and not to look out for a dhrop
of the crathur."
Similar remarks were made by others, though they ceased when the captain
and his officers appeared and hailed the boats, which came to the shore
and took them in. They immediately pulled down the river as fast as the
crews could lay their backs to the oars. This proceeding began to
excite the suspicions of the people on the quays, but they were once
more lulled when it was known that they had gone on board to prepare for
the reception of visitors from the shore.
When Norah heard of the invitation, she declined accepting it on the
plea that her father required her attendance, which indeed was the
truth, as he was more unwell than he had been for some days. Having
also lately been at sea, to her there was no novelty in a visit to a
ship; besides which, she had not entirely recovered from the agitation
she had suffered the previous evening. Ellen would have remained to
keep her company, pleased though she was at the thought of visiting a
man-of-war; but her father wished to have her with him, as several
ladies, wives and daughters of the sheriffs and aldermen, were going.
The party, consisting of nearly thirty ladies and gentlemen, soon
assembled at the quay. Their respective boats having been got in
readiness, with civic and private flags flying, the little flotilla
proceeded at a rapid rate down the river, the tide being in their
favour.
Mr Ferris had invited Lieutenant Vinoy, who had won the good opinion of
his captors by his quiet behaviour and amiable manners, to accompany the
party. He would probably like to see a British ship of war, and of
course there was no fear of his being detained on board. The lieutenant
at first hesitated, but finally accepted the invitation, and accordingly
formed one of the party.
The boats made good way, and though the pull was a long one, they soon
came in sight of the privateer, which lay in mid-channel.
"Why, that craft has a spring on her cable," observed Captain O'Brien,
who had accompanied Mr Ferris; "her topsails are loose, as if she was
ready to put to sea at a moment's notice."
"So probably she would, should she catch sight of a Frenchman in the
offing," observed Mr Ferris; "the enemy's merchant vessels do not
hesitate to stand along this coast, as we have so seldom a man-of-war on
the look-out for them. Captain Dupin is of course aware of that, and
was consequently in a hurry to get us to pay him a visit."
The ex-merchant captain said nothing, but still kept examining the
_Orestes_ with a critical eye. "She may be a Jersey privateer, but she
has a French cut about her from her truck downwards," he muttered to
himself.
The leading boats went alongside, and the officers were seen standing
ready to assist the ladies on deck. The other boats followed, and the
whole party were soon on board. Hurried arrangements had been made for
their reception; the after-part of the main-deck was roofed in with
flags, and supper-tables had been rigged on either side, already spread
with white cloths, on which several servants were placing dishes of all
sorts, while a band of musicians began to play lively airs.
"I must not boast of our music," said the captain, bowing to the ladies;
"but finding that some of my men could play on various instruments, I
formed them into a band, and perhaps the young ladies may be inclined to
walk a minuet or to try a country-dance."
No young ladies of the party were likely to decline such an offer. The
captain himself led out Ellen, and two or three of his officers, with
Lieutenant Vinoy and some of the young gentlemen from the shore,
followed his example. The minuet being voted slow, a country-dance
quickly succeeded it. The young ladies who had the officers of the ship
for their partners were struck by their extraordinary taciturnity; for,
with the exception of the young lieutenant who had visited the shore,
not one of them spoke a word. Captain Dupin remarked that they were
rough fellows, little accustomed to the society of ladies, and were too
bashful to speak--though Miss Kathleen O'Rourke, one of the belles of
the party, observed that they seemed anything but bashful from their
looks.
"Ah, they are all more accustomed to French; indeed, scarcely one of my
crew knows a word of English," said the captain.
While the younger members of the party were dancing away on deck, the
captain, requesting another gentleman to take his place, invited the
merchants who had honoured him by a visit to come below into his cabin,
where they found an elegant supper spread, with an abundance of
sparkling wines. He begged them to be seated, remarking that the
dancers would be entertained on deck, and would prefer the fresh air to
the somewhat confined atmosphere of the cabin.
"We older hands are seasoned, and the quiet we can here enjoy is more to
our taste," he said. The party at once set to; the wine flowed freely,
and all declared they had never tasted finer claret or Burgundy. The
captain apologised for having only French wines on board, but remarked
that he liked to have them of the best. After some time, one of the
gentlemen reminded him that they had come on business, and begged to see
samples of the goods he had to dispose of. Others expressed the same
wish.
"As you desire it, gentlemen, I will have them brought," replied Captain
Dupin; and he spoke in French to one of the people in attendance, who in
a short time returned, accompanied by two other persons bringing in
numerous parcels and cases, pieces of cloth, satin and silk. The
captain called for a book, and read out the quantities of each,
requesting his guests in the mean time to examine them.
"They are sold in good faith, and I believe you will not be
disappointed," he observed. "Now, gentlemen," he continued, "I am in
want of a considerable amount of fresh provisions and stores for my
ship, and with which I feel sure you will be ready to supply me. I
have, however, to remark that I require them immediately, and I shall
feel obliged to you if you will send on shore and order them to be
brought off without delay. From among so many honourable merchants I
have no doubt that I can be speedily provided with the whole amount."
"Will you furnish us with a list of your wants?" asked Mr Ferris, "and
I and my friends will gladly send them on board as soon as we return on
shore."
"I do not mistrust your good intentions," answered Captain Dupin, "but
as time is precious to me, and I should be sorry to lose you, I must
request you to despatch orders to your managers and clerks to send off
the stores while you remain on board."
"I thought so!" exclaimed the old sea-captain, bringing his fist down on
the table. "What fools we were to be so caught! May I ask you, Captain
Dupin, how long you have carried the British ensign at your peak?"
"Since I came in sight of Waterford harbour," answered Captain Dupin.
"To confess the truth, I have practised a slight ruse on you; but be
assured that I would not cause you or your friends, who are now so
happily amusing themselves on deck, the slightest annoyance beyond the
detention of a few hours--indeed, only until the stores you send for
arrive."
"Is this vessel, then, not a Jersey privateer, as we were led to
suppose?" asked Mr Ferris, with some little trepidation in his voice.
"No, sir; I must own that she is the _Coquille_, belonging to Dunkirk,
and that I am Captain Thurot, of whom you may possibly have heard,"
answered the captain.
"Thurot! the most daring smuggler that ever crossed the Channel,"
whispered Captain O'Brien, in a low voice, to his neighbour; "we are
caught like rats in a trap. He is as cunning as he is daring, and will
keep us in durance till he gets what he wants."