THE CHAMPION STEERS AFTER THE MERCHANTMEN--THE MERCHANTMEN SIGHTED--
SHOTS HEARD--TWO VESSELS SEEN ENGAGED--THE CHAMPION RUNS ALONGSIDE THE
OUZEL GALLEY--HER CREW DRIVES BACK THE PIRATES--SHE GOES IN CHASE OF THE
PIRATE--NORMAN AND GERALD LEFT ON BOARD THE OUZEL GALLEY--DAMAGES
REPAIRED--PROCEED ON TO JAMAICA--TWO FRESH FOES SIGHTED--THE CHAMPION
ENGAGES THEM--THE THISBE AND DRUID APPEAR--THE ENEMY FLIES--THE CONVOY
ENTERS PORT ROYAL HARBOUR--GERALD RETURNS ON BOARD THE CHAMPION--HIS
ANNOUNCEMENT DISAPPOINTS CROWHURST--LIEUTENANT FOLEY AT EAST MOUNT--
ELLEN AND HER FATHER GO TO BELLEVUE.
The _Champion_, under all sail, ran on to overtake the convoy and
announce the satisfactory intelligence that the enemy, severely
shattered, had been beaten off. A look-out was kept from the mast-head,
but as yet no sail were in sight, and as the sun was sinking low, there
was no hope of coming up with them before dark. Still, it was possible
that the corvette might do so before the next morning. By that time
they would be approaching the Bahama or Windward Channel, a short way to
the southward of Saint Salvador, as the Spaniards called it, or Cat
Island, as it was named by the English buccaneers--the first land
belonging to America discovered by Columbus on his voyage in search of
the Indies.
"They are not likely to attempt running through the passage without
waiting for our convoy," observed the first lieutenant to Norman Foley.
"Besides the French, the Bahamas still swarm with picarooning rascals,
who are ever on the look-out for merchant craft, and would not scruple
to lay aboard any they fancy they can overcome."
"Even the most daring would scarcely venture, I hope, to attack a fleet
among which are so many armed vessels, well able either to defend
themselves or to retaliate on an intruder," answered Lieutenant Foley,
whose thoughts immediately flew to the _Ouzel Galley_.
"They would run the chance of getting off scot free in the confusion
their sudden appearance would make," said Mr Tarwig. "There is no
exploit, however hazardous, they would not undertake with the chance of
obtaining a good booty. I took part in the capture of several notorious
pirates a few years ago. One fellow blew up his ship rather than
surrender, and all died hardened villains, as they had lived."
"The greater need for us to overtake our friends without delay,"
answered the second lieutenant, who shortly afterwards went forward to
take a look through his night-glass, in the hope of distinguishing some
of the lights which the merchant vessels had been directed to hang over
the sterns. In vain, however, he swept the horizon with his telescope;
had the lights been there, he must have seen them. The commander was
almost as anxious as the second lieutenant to overtake the fleet of
merchantmen, though he was influenced simply by the desire to do his
duty. The watch below had turned in, but most of the officers kept the
deck; even old Crowhurst was continually on the forecastle in the hope
of seeing the looked-for lights.
"I fancied that they would have shortened sail and waited for our
coming," said Gerald. "What can have induced them to run on?"
"The fear that the Frenchmen would thrash us and overtake them,"
answered old Beater; "they judge of us by themselves."
"There are as brave fellows in the merchant service as in the Royal
Navy," said Gerald, who was piqued at the old mate's remark. "When I
was on board the _Ouzel Galley_, we held out as long as any ship of war
of similar force would have done. Depend on it, had the merchant
vessels been allowed, they would have come to our assistance if we had
wanted them."
"A pretty pass we should have come to, to require their aid," exclaimed
Crowhurst, in a scornful tone.
"We may require it some day, and you'd be the first to shout for help,"
answered Gerald. "I took a fancy to the navy, but I'm not going to
stand by and hear the merchant service abused."
"Cock-a-doodle-doo! What dunghill have you got to the top of,
youngster?" cried the old mate.
"One from which I can crow as loud as you do," said Gerald--at which a
chuckle was heard from several of the men standing within earshot.
Crowhurst's anger was rising; he was considering what punishment he
should inflict on the audacious youngster, when the cry was heard of "A
light ahead!" and presently afterwards several others were seen. There
could be little doubt, from their position, that they were shown by
merchant vessels, though the darkness prevented the vessels themselves
from being distinguished. A sharp look-out was kept that the corvette
might not run foul of any stragglers who were neglecting to show their
lights. Presently the sound of a shot was heard, followed by several
others coming up faintly against the wind.
"Those sounds come from the north-west," observed the master.
"One of the merchantmen on shore, I fear," said the commander.
"Those guns we hear are nearer to us than any land. The leading vessels
are not up to Atwood Quay yet," answered the master. "Depend on it,
some of the convoy are attacked and are defending themselves."
"Let us hope that they may do so successfully till we can get up to
assist them, and turn the tables on the Frenchmen," answered the
commander.
"Little doubt about our doing that," said the master. "Judging by the
reports, the enemy's ship is not a heavy one--a brig or sloop at the
most--or she may be one of those picarooning craft often found cruising
in these seas."
The last remark was heard by Norman Foley, who had just then joined the
speakers. An indefinite apprehension seized him that the _Ouzel Galley_
might be the vessel engaged, but from what Ellen had told him he felt
sure that Captain Massey, if attacked, would not yield as long as he
could keep his ship afloat. The breeze, which had fallen light at
sundown, now freshened up, and the corvette made good way through the
water. At length the rearmost merchantman was overtaken. Commander
Olding hailed, and her master, in reply, gave her name.
"What do those guns mean?" asked Captain Olding.
"Can't say, sir," was the answer.
"Whereabouts in the fleet is the _Ouzel Galley_?" inquired Norman Foley.
"She was among the leading vessels at sundown, and to the northward of
most of them," answered the master. Before any other questions could be
put or replies received, the _Champion_ glided by the slow-sailing
merchant ship. Several other vessels were passed, generally too far off
for any exchange of words. Now even the flashes of the guns could be
seen, and the exact position of the combatants observed. They were but
a short distance from each other, one to the northward, hanging on the
quarter of the other. The drum beat to quarters, and the watch below
came tumbling up on deck, hurrying to the guns. It was impossible in
the darkness to distinguish the nationality of the two vessels, which
appeared to be about the same size. Captain Olding, addressing the
crew, ordered them on no account to fire, lest they might injure a
friend instead of a foe. As the _Champion_ stood on, he kept a sharp
watch through his telescope on the combatants, neither of which seemed
aware of his approach. Presently the sternmost was seen to put down her
helm and lay the other aboard on the lee side.
"The sternmost fellow is an enemy, we may depend on that," observed the
captain; "we can't use our guns without the risk of injuring our
friends."
As the _Champion_ drew near, loud shouts and cries could be heard, and
the flashes of muskets and pistols seen. It was evident that a fierce
combat was taking place; the boarders were called away ready for action.
"Shorten sail!" shouted the captain, "see the grappling-irons ready! up
with the helm!"
The next instant the two ships came in contact. Norman Foley and Gerald
were the first to spring on board; the dreadful idea had taken hold of
both of them that the vessel attacked was the _Ouzel Galley_. Of this,
the moment they reached her deck, they were convinced when they caught
sight of Owen Massey's figure, cutlass in hand, backed by Dan and
Pompey, combating with an overwhelming number of enemies, who appeared
already to have gained possession of the greater part of the ship.
Among those who formed the boarding-party was Dillon, who showed as much
alacrity as any one. He was soon in the midst of the fight, attacking
the boarders of the other ship with desperate fury. The leader of the
latter was dressed in a fantastic manner, to give ferocity to his
appearance. He was soon crossing blades with Dillon.
"These fellows are pirates!" shouted Captain Olding. "Cut them down;
give them no quarter--a reward for the man who gets hold of their
leader!"
Dillon and his antagonist had made several cuts at each other, which had
been parried with equal skill by both, when the pirate, hearing what
Captain Olding shouted out, sprang back apparently to regain his own
ship. Dillon, instead of attempting to stop him, warded off a blow
aimed at him by another man, and thus enabled the pirate, with a
considerable number of his followers, to leap on board his own vessel.
The lashings which held her to the _Ouzel Galley_ were at the same
moment cut, and before the British seamen could follow she dropped from
alongside. Her helm was then put up, and her head-sails filling, she
ran off before the wind.
Gerald grasped Owen's hand. "Faith, you've had a narrow escape!" he
exclaimed.
"Indeed, we have," answered Owen; "and, I fear, have lost a large number
of our crew. Had you not come up, we should every one of us been
killed."
"Where are Miss Ferris and her father?" asked Norman Foley, turning
round to Owen, whom he now recognised.
"They are safe, I trust, below, and will be glad to see you and hear
that they have no longer cause for apprehension," answered Owen. "I
have too many duties on deck to go."
The lieutenant sprang below, just at the moment that Captain Olding
ordered the crew of the corvette to return on board and the
grappling-irons to be cast loose.
"We must chase the pirate and punish him for his audacity," he
exclaimed.
It was some time, however, before the order could be obeyed and the
corvette got clear of the merchantman. Gerald had remained on board.
"I ought to tell Mr Foley, or he will be left with you," he said; and
he followed his lieutenant below. Before he returned on deck the ships
were clear, and the corvette was making sail to go in chase of the
pirate.
Owen had persuaded Mr Ferris and Ellen to go into the hold, to which
they had been hurried when the first shot had been fired by the pirate.
Owen had for some time before been suspicious of the strange sail, which
he saw standing up on his starboard quarter, and, thinking that she was
very probably an enemy's privateer, was not taken altogether unprepared.
He had ordered his powder and shot to be brought on deck, and the guns
to be loaded and run out ready for action; when, therefore, a shot from
the stranger came flying close to his stern, he fired in return, and at
the same time making all sail, endeavoured to keep ahead of her. She
now fired shot after shot from her foremost guns, and he had no longer
any doubt that she was an enemy which had borne down on the fleet,
hoping to pick up one or two of the merchant vessels and be off with
them before morning.
"The fellow has made a mistake in attacking us," observed Owen to his
first mate. "His greediness tempted him to attack a big ship--he might
have succeeded had he run alongside some of the brigs astern."
Pompey, who had accompanied Mr Ferris and his daughter below, returned
to report that he had seen them safe in the hold. "De gentlemen want to
come back and fight, but de young lady no let him--she cry so, and hold
his hand, and say he get kill; so at last he sit down and stay quiet,"
remarked Pompey.
"I am very glad to hear it," observed Owen; "he could be of no use in
working the guns, and it would be a sad thing to have him injured."
These remarks were made in the intervals of firing. The enemy, however,
did not leave them long at rest; their shot soon began to tell with
fearful effect; several of the crew fell killed or wounded, and the
sails and rigging were much cut about. Still Owen's men were staunch,
and stood manfully to their guns, running them in and out so rapidly,
and pointing them so well, that they inflicted as much damage as they
received; and by the way he manoeuvred his ship he kept the stranger at
a distance, and prevented her from running up alongside, which it was
evidently her intention to do. She, however, it appeared, by possessing
a numerous crew, had an immense advantage in being able to repair her
damages far more rapidly than could the people of the _Ouzel Galley_
those their ship received. At length, however, the rigging of his ship
was so much cut up that Owen could no longer manoeuvre her as he had
done, and the pirate, taking advantage of his condition, ran alongside
him.
"The enemy are about to board us!" cried Owen; "be ready to repel him--
they'll give no quarter!"
The crew, leaving their guns, seized the boarding pikes which had been
placed round the mainmast for their use, and, drawing their cutlasses,
stood prepared to defend their ship against the fearful odds opposed to
them. So occupied had been the combatants that neither of them had
perceived the approach of another ship. Uttering wild shouts and
shrieks, a number of dark forms were seen scrambling on board the _Ouzel
Galley_. The moment they appeared they were attacked vigorously by her
crew, led on by Owen and his mates, and many were hurled into the sea or
driven back on board their own ship. His success encouraged him to
attempt cutting his ship free from the enemy, but while he and his men
were thus engaged, a loud voice from the deck of his opponent was heard
shouting, "At them again, lads! We mustn't be beaten in this way. I'll
lead you; follow me!" and the next moment, another party of boarders
appearing, the crew of the _Ouzel Galley_ were compelled again to stand
on the defensive. And now, in overwhelming numbers, the enemy came
leaping down on the deck, and Owen, with anguish, saw that his chance of
opposing them successfully was small indeed. Still, like a brave man,
he determined to fight till the last, urging his mates and crow not to
yield as long as one remained alive. At this juncture a loud crashing
sound was heard, and a large ship was seen gliding up on his larboard
side. The hearty British cheer which greeted his ears assured him that
succour had arrived, and the next instant the crew of the _Champion_
came pouring on board. The subsequent events have already been
narrated.
Norman Foley, on going below, soon made his way into the after hold,
where he found Miss Ferris and her father. The crashing of the ships
together, the shouts and shrieks of the combatants, had greatly alarmed
them both. Mr Ferris had been desirous of going on deck to ascertain
the state of affairs, and, indeed, had it not been for his daughter, he
would have taken a part in the fight. He had done his utmost to calm
her terror, but believed that she had too much cause for it, and had
found it a difficult task. On hearing Norman Foley approach, she was
seized with a not unnatural dread that some of the enemy had made their
way below; but on recognising him, forgetting in her joy the reserve she
generally exhibited, she sprang forward and threw herself into his arms.
"We are safe--we are safe, father!" she exclaimed; "and you, Norman,
have been the means of preserving us. Oh, how we have been longing for
you! We thought you were far away, and that that fearful ship would
capture us."
Norman, of course, expressed his happiness at having arrived in time to
save the _Ouzel Galley_ from the enemy, and in a few words explained
what had happened.
"You may now with safety come into the cabin," he said, "for the
pirate--such I suspect she is--will not again venture to fire. I must
there, however, leave you, to return to the _Champion_, as we shall
certainly pursue the fellow and punish him for his audacity."
"We shall be glad to get out of this dark place," said Mr Ferris. "Do
you help my daughter, and I will follow."
Just as Norman and Ellen were about to enter the cabin, Gerald appeared
to summon him on board the _Champion_. After a hasty farewell, he
sprang on deck, just in time to see his ship separated from the _Ouzel
Galley_ and making sail in chase of the pirate. Not, however, unhappy
at the occurrence, he returned to the cabin.
"I am very glad we shall have your assistance in getting the ship to
rights," said Mr Ferris, "for I fear she is sadly short-handed."
"Tracy and I will give all the aid we can. I wish we had a few of the
_Champion's_ hands with us," answered the lieutenant.
"Tell me what to do and I will assist you," said Mr Ferris.
"Oh, then I too will come on deck--though I am afraid I cannot help you
much," exclaimed Ellen.
Her father would not have prevented her, but Norman begged that he would
be content to remain below.
"I regret to say that the deck of the ship presents a scene too dreadful
for Miss Ferris to contemplate; and the rigging has been so much cut
about that there is still danger from falling blocks or ropes--you might
at any moment meet with a serious accident."
Ellen was at length persuaded to retire to her cabin, Norman promising
not to leave the ship without coming to bid her farewell. The deck of
the _Ouzel Galley_ did indeed present a fearful scene. Several of the
pirates lay dead between the guns, while five of her own crew had been
killed, and many more badly wounded; every plank was slippery with gore,
the rigging hung in festoons, the sails were rent and full of holes.
Here and there the bulwarks appeared shattered by the shot, which had
also damaged the boats and caboose, the masts and spars.
As now and then other vessels of the fleet came passing by, inquiries
were made as to what had occurred. "Attacked by a pirate--beaten
off--_Champion_ gone in chase," was the only answer Owen had time to
give.
"No thanks to those who, by clapping on more sail, might have come to
our aid, but did not," he could not help remarking to Mr Ferris.
The first thing to be done was to attend to the wounded, who were
carried to their berths, where Mr Ferris offered to assist in binding
up their hurts and watching them; the next was to heave the dead
overboard. This sad office was quickly performed, as there was no time
for even the pretence of a service; the dead would not be the worse for
going without it, and the attention of the living was too much occupied
to listen to a word spoken. Before committing the bodies of the pirates
to the deep, however, they were examined by the light of a lantern, to
be sure that no spark of life existed in them, and to ascertain to what
country they belonged. Two were men of colour, and the others white
men, rough, savage-looking fellows; but it was difficult to decide as to
their nationality.
"It matters little what they were," said the second mate, who was
attending to that duty; "they were pirates, and have escaped the rope
they deserved--of that there's no doubt. Heave them overboard."
Not a moment was to be lost in repairing damages. All hands now set to
work to fish the masts and spars, and repair and splice the standing and
running rigging. Scarcely had they commenced than day broke, and as the
light increased the _Champion_ could be seen in chase of their late
opponent, who was running under all sail to the north-west.
"That fellow is well acquainted with these seas, or he wouldn't be
steering as he now is. Reefs and rocks abound in that direction, but he
knows his way among them, and intends, if he can, to lead his pursuer
into a scrape," observed Owen.
"Our master is too wide awake to be so caught," answered Gerald, "and
the chances are that the pirate escapes. She must be a fast craft; for
see, she continues well ahead of our ship, if she isn't gaining on her."
A look-out was now kept for the two islands which are found on either
side of the Windward Passage--that known as Long Island being to the
west, Crooked Island to the east, both thickly surrounded with rocks and
reefs, so that it is necessary to avoid hugging the shores of either one
or the other. Crooked Island was first sighted, on the larboard hand.
It being some time, however, before the _Ouzel Galley_ could again make
sail, the greater part of the fleet passed by her, though no one offered
to send assistance. The _Champion_ could still be seen, hull down, but
the chase was lost sight of. Norman Foley and Gerald were frequently
watching their ship through the glass.
"The fellow has escaped, after all," cried the former, as he handed the
telescope to Gerald; "our ship has kept away, and is steering for the
passage."
"Can the commander suppose that we were killed, that he doesn't come
back to inquire for us?" observe Gerald.
"I conclude that such must be the case," said the lieutenant.
"Then, sir, I suspect old Crowhurst will be bitterly disappointed when
he finds that he isn't to step into your shoes," said Gerald; "he'll
complain that he has lost another chance of getting promoted."
"I hope that he may obtain his promotion some other way," answered Mr
Foley, laughing. "It is so commonly the wish of old mates, that
lieutenants should not find fault with them, as they don't wish us any
ill."
"I should think, sir, that that was the worst they could wish a man,"
said Gerald.
"Not at all, provided they don't take any steps to carry out their
wishes," answered the lieutenant. "However, your messmate will not long
be allowed to indulge in his dream."
The _Ouzel Galley_ was now one of the last of the fleet, most of the
other vessels having passed her. The corvette was seen making signals
to them to keep together; and now that they were so near their
destination, they were all eager to hurry on, in spite of the risk of
capture from any of the enemy's men-of-war or privateers which might be
lying in wait for them off the coasts of Cuba and Saint Domingo. Mr
Foley had fully expected that by this time the _Thisbe_ and _Druid_
would have come up with them, but neither of the frigates had yet
appeared. He took many an anxious glance astern; but the day drew on,
and yet they were not in sight.
"I wish we could see them," he observed to Owen; "for, though the
_Champion_ will give a good account of any ship of her own size, if more
than one of the enemy's cruisers were to get in among the fleet, some of
them would be pretty sure to be carried off, as all, I fear, would not
fight as well as you have done, Captain Massey."
"We must run the chance, sir; it won't do to be waiting for the
frigates, and we may hope to get into Port Royal without another brush,"
answered Owen.
By crowding on all the sail she could carry, the _Ouzel Galley_ soon got
again into the body of the fleet, which was now steering south in pretty
compact order. When the next morning broke, the east end of Cuba was in
sight, while the _Champion_ was a short distance ahead, leading the
fleet. A bright look-out was kept, but no strangers were seen. Some
hours' run brought the north-west end of Hispaniola in view. Ellen came
on deck to enjoy her first sight of West Indian scenery. Lieutenant
Foley was, as may be supposed, very happy in her society, and was in no
hurry to make known his existence to his friends on board the
_Champion_. He had as yet had no opportunity of signalling the
corvette; he therefore entertained the hope that he might be able to
remain on board till their arrival at Port Royal.
The fleet was about half-way across the broad bay of Gonaves, formed by
two headlands which stretch out on the western side of Hispaniola, when
two sail were seen standing out from the north-eastern corner. They
were large ships, but whether friends or foes it was difficult to
determine. Soon after they were discovered they spread more canvas.
This circumstance was suspicious; signals were made by the _Champion_
and some of the nearer ships, and she hauling her wind stood back
towards the strangers. They, however, pressed on as before. Mr Foley
and Gerald were now wishing that they were on board.
"If those are either French or Spaniards, the _Champion_ will have a
brush with them, sir; big as they are, she'll beat them off too,"
exclaimed Gerald. "I wish we could go and help her. What do you say,
Captain Massey?"
"That, with our diminished crew, we could be of no real assistance;
besides which, it is our duty to get into harbour as quickly as
possible," answered Owen. "I am sure Lieutenant Foley will agree with
me."
"There is no doubt about it," said the lieutenant, who would have been
very unwilling, on Ellen's account, to run the ship into danger, even
had he not seen the folly of so doing. The _Champion_ having placed
herself between the strangers and the fleet, again kept away. She
apparently was satisfied that they were enemies, and too large to attack
with any hope of success.
"Captain Olding is doing his duty, as he always does," observed Norman
Foley to Owen; "in spite of the great disparity of force, he will do his
best to defend the convoy. See, he is signalling; what does he say,
captain?"
Owen examined the signal-book. "`Fleet to make all sail and steer for
Jamaica'--that is what we are doing, though, and few of the vessels can
carry more canvas than at present," he answered.
Some, however, were seen setting royals and studding-sails. Every ship
in the fleet pressed forward over the calm blue waters with all the sail
she could carry. The sight was a beautiful one, as the canvas shone in
the rays of the bright sun darting from a cloudless sky and Ellen
likened them to swans of snowy plumage gliding over some inland lake.
She felt less anxiety than did either Mr Foley or Owen, who saw more
clearly the danger to which the _Champion_ was exposed. Already the
guns of the enemy were heard as they opened on their small antagonist,
while she returned them with her stern-chasers.
"By the way the enemy are firing, their aim is to wing the _Champion_,
and she'll then, they hope, become an easy prey," said the lieutenant to
Owen. "They may be mistaken. Captain Olding is not the man to strike
while he has a stick standing."
Some time more passed by. The French gunnery may not have been very
good. Still the _Champion_ sailed on, not a mast nor a spar knocked
away, though her canvas was riddled with shot. Should she be disabled,
it was pretty evident that several of the merchantmen must be captured,
and that the _Ouzel Galley_, crippled as she was, would be among the
number. The proceedings of the _Champion_ and the enemy were therefore
watched with intense anxiety.
"There goes her main-topmast," cried Owen, almost with a groan.
"I ought to be on board," said Lieutenant Foley. "I must ask for one of
your boats, Captain Massey."
"You should be welcome, but not one of them can swim, nor could I spare
you any of my hands; so I am afraid, sir, you must be content to remain
on board the _Ouzel Galley_," answered Owen. "Your presence could not
change the fate of the day, and you would be made a prisoner by the
French, instead of having a chance of escaping."
The fire of the enemy now became hotter than ever, when Gerald, who had
gone aloft, shouted, "Two ships in sight to the northward!"
"What are they like?" asked Owen.
"One looks to me as if one were under jury-masts; the other's all
ataunto," answered Gerald.
"I trust so," ejaculated Owen; "if so, they must be the _Thisbe_ and
_Druid_."
Lieutenant Foley immediately joined the midshipman at the mast-head,
carrying his spy-glass. "I have no doubt that they are friends," he
shouted, after inspecting them narrowly; "the enemy have made them out,
and are signalling each other."
The eyes of many on board the merchant fleet were turned in the
direction of the two ships, which in a short time could be descried from
the deck. Shouts arose from many a throat when the Frenchmen were seen,
having hauled to the wind, standing back up the bay; while the gallant
little _Champion_ continued her course after the convoy she had so
bravely defended. The frigates, instead of following her, stood into
the bay in pursuit of the Frenchmen. At nightfall, however, they were
again descried running out, having apparently either missed the vessels
they were in chase of, or found that the latter had got into harbour for
shelter. The convoy now stood on till the end of Jamaica was rounded.
The following day, as soon as the sea breeze set in, the merchantmen
approached Port Royal harbour, the _Ouzel Galley_ being among the
leading vessels. Ellen stood on the deck admiring the magnificent and,
to her, so novel scenery, with Norman by her side to point out its
varied features. Stretching away east and west appeared lofty blue
mountains rising above a stratum of clouds which rolled along their
precipitous sides; in some directions the rugged hills were seen
furrowed by ravines, while in others steep cliffs descended abruptly to
the sea; in many places appeared the richest vegetation, covering the
sides of the slopes, and here and there patches of bright emerald green,
with the white residences of the managers just visible amid them. At
length, right ahead could be seen the town of Port Royal, at the end of
a narrow spit of land known as the Palisades, composed of sand and
overgrown with mangroves, which sweeps round from the east and runs for
several miles directly west, the town being at the western end. The new
town has risen above the ruins of its wealthy, iniquitous predecessor,
suddenly overwhelmed by an earthquake, and in a few seconds sunk many
fathoms deep beneath the ocean. The spit forms a natural breakwater to
the magnificent harbour of Port Royal, or Kingston, capable of
containing in its spacious basin the fleets of all the world. The
batteries of Port Royal completely command its entrance, aided by the
guns of Fort Augusta and the Rock Fort on the opposite side. The _Ouzel
Galley_, as she ran in, passed close under the ramparts of Fort Charles,
thickly studded with heavy ordnance which would have effectually
prevented the entrance of a hostile fleet. This passed, she stood on up
the extensive lagoon, towards the further end of which, on the northern
shore, could be seen the city of Kingston, a wide plain extending for a
considerable distance inland, backed by a series of irregular mountains
rising one beyond another, hills piled upon hills of various elevations,
with picturesque valleys, dark chasms, and numerous trees. Far off, on
the top of the declivity on which the city stands, were visible the
barracks of Hope Park Camp, and nearer, on a still more conspicuous
spot, the well-known Admiral's Pen, the residence of the naval
commander-in-chief on the station.
The _Ouzel Galley_ and most of the merchantmen ran up the lagoon till
they came to an anchor off Kingston. As the _Champion_ had not yet
entered the harbour, Lieutenant Foley undertook to escort Mr and Miss
Ferris on shore, intending as soon as he had done so to engage a shore
boat and return on board his own ship. Gerald begged to be allowed to
remain on board, and his lieutenant promised to call for him on his way
down the harbour. No sooner, however, had the party left the ship than,
seeing a passage boat on her way down to Port Royal, Gerald hailed her
and desired to be put on board the _Champion_, which, he calculated,
would by that time have come into port. Very soon, greatly to his
delight, he saw her come to an anchor, just before the boat reached Port
Royal; and as he climbed up on one side, the captain in his gig shoved
off on the other. As he stepped through the gangway he discovered by
the countenances of those who observed him that his appearance created
considerable astonishment; but, without answering any of the questions
put to him, he went aft to the first lieutenant, and reported himself as
come on board.
"Why, Tracy, it was supposed you were killed!" exclaimed Mr Tarwig.
"Has Mr Foley escaped as well as you?"
"Yes, sir, I am happy to say so," answered Gerald; and he briefly
recounted what had happened.
"The captain will be glad to hear this," observed Mr Tarwig, who having
no time for talking, resumed the duty he was carrying on; and Gerald
hurried away to try the effect the news he had brought would produce on
his older messmates. He looked out for old Beater, who was not to be
seen, and he observed Crowhurst on the forecastle.
"There he is, crowing as loud as ever," thought Gerald, as he remarked
the consequential air with which the old mate walked the deck and
shouted to the men. The lately trim corvette was much knocked about;
besides the loss of her main-topmast, many of her other spars had been
wounded, her sails riddled with shot, while her bulwarks and deck had
been torn open in several places, one of her guns disabled, and most of
her boats damaged.
The first person he met who had time to exchange a word with him was the
purser. "What, Tracy," he exclaimed, "you still in the land of the
living! I had written D at the end of your name; I shall have the
trouble of crossing it out again. We were going to put up your effects
for sale to-morrow."
"Much obliged to you, sir," answered Gerald, "and must apologise for
giving you so much trouble. Were Mr Foley's effects to be sold at the
same time? I suppose Beater or Crowhurst expect to get promoted in his
place."
"Beater has got all the promotion he ever will, poor fellow," answered
Mr Cheeseparings; "he was the only officer killed in our late action,
though we had six men wounded. But Crowhurst is looking forward to get
his lieutenancy to a certainty."
"I concluded that he would do so; but as Mr Foley happens to be alive,
he will be rather disappointed," said Gerald.
"Dear me! has he escaped too?" exclaimed the purser. "Well, though I
haven't to sell his effects, I really am glad; and so, I am sure, will
be Billhook and Mac."
"If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll go and communicate the pleasing
intelligence to Crowhurst, who will, I hope, rejoice as much as the
gun-room officers," said Gerald. Directly afterwards he met Nat Kiddle.
"Come along," he said, "and see me pull old Crowhurst down a peg or
two."
The two midshipmen met Crowhurst coming aft. "What, youngster, are you
alive?" he exclaimed. "I shall have some work for you and Kiddle
directly."
"Yes, old fellow, I'm alive and well," answered Gerald, "and will return
to my duty as soon as the commander or one of the lieutenants orders
me."
"Let me tell you, youngster, I don't choose to be called old fellow, and
as I am acting lieutenant, you will obey my orders."
"Certainly," said Gerald, "till Mr Foley returns, which I expect he
will do this evening."
"What--you don't mean to say so!--did Mr Foley escape with you?"
exclaimed the old mate, his countenance falling, and his whole air
changing in a moment. Gerald then, with infinite satisfaction,
described the way he and the lieutenant had been left on board the
_Ouzel Galley_. Not being required just then, he dived into the berth
to recount his adventures to the rest of his messmates.
In a short time the two frigates came in, and anchored near the
_Champion_, where already lay several other large ships of war forming
the Jamaica fleet, under the command of Admiral Cotes. Gerald found his
messmates not very much out of spirits at the loss of Beater. The old
mate's body lay between two guns, covered by an ensign; and it, with
that of two other men who had been killed, was carried on shore and
buried in the graveyard of Port Royal, where so many gallant British
seamen sleep their last.
Meantime Mr Ferris and Ellen had gone on shore, escorted by Lieutenant
Foley. Those were the palmy days of Kingston. Men-of-war and
privateers were constantly coming in with rich prizes, whose cargoes
added greatly to the wealth of the city; the streets were crowded with
blacks carrying bales of all descriptions to the stores; merchants'
clerks were hurrying to the quays to superintend the unloading of
vessels, and naval and military officers were moving about in all
directions; the seamen on leave were rolling here and there, shouting
forth their sea ditties; while black and brown women with baskets of
fruit and vegetables were standing at the corners of the streets, often
surrounded by a party of Jack-tars, who quickly emptied them of their
contents.
A short walk soon brought the lieutenant and his friends to the
counting-house of Mr Thomas Twigg, the agent of the firm, and a
relative of one of the partners. They were at once shown to a large
airy room over the office, looking out on the harbour, containing a
table spread for luncheon, consisting of numerous West Indian
delicacies. Mr Twigg, of course, pressed the lieutenant to remain.
"You don't know whether your ship has come in, and even if she has,
they've got on very well without you, and an hour more or less can make
no difference," he observed. Norman Foley was in no hurry to take his
departure. "Mr and Miss Ferris are coming to my pen, about five miles
off," continued Mr Twigg, "and I hope you will accompany them. We
shall start in about a couple of hours, when there will be more shade on
the road than there is at present."
The lieutenant, very unwillingly, was compelled to decline the
invitation, but agreed to remain to see his friends off. On hearing of
Gerald, Mr Twigg insisted on sending on board the _Ouzel Galley_ to
invite him, and Gerald afterwards found that in his eagerness to witness
the disappointment of his messmate he had thereby lost a pleasant
expedition, he having left the ship before the message arrived on board;
but, soon afterwards, who should come in but Captain Olding, who was so
delighted to find that his lieutenant and midshipman had escaped, that
he at once gave them both leave to accept Mr Twigg's invitation.
Norman Foley had the happiness of accompanying Ellen in one carriage,
while Mr Ferris and his friend, who had much to talk about, went in
another. Ellen was, of course, delighted with the scenery and the
tropical vegetation, so new to her, though she possibly did not examine
them as minutely as she might have done under other circumstances:
Norman would have to leave her in a day or two, and he might not return
for a long time. She had heard her father say that he expected shortly
to accompany Mr Twigg to an estate on the other side of the island, and
even should Norman's ship come into Port Royal, he might not be able to
pay her a visit. Of course he promised to come if he could, even though
he might be able to remain only a few hours. Bellevue was a beautiful
spot about fifty miles off, on the other side of the Blue Mountains, a
short distance from Saint Ann's Bay, and Norman hoped that his ship
might be cruising off the north coast, and that he would then have an
opportunity of seeing her. At all events, they neither of them were
more unhappy than was necessary at the thoughts of their approaching
separation.
On their arrival at East Mount, Mr Twigg's country house, Ellen was
amused by the number of black slaves who rushed out to receive them,
chattering and laughing, and doing their best to welcome the strangers.
The house was a one-storied building, with a broad verandah round it,
standing on the summit of a hill of considerable elevation overlooking
the plain, with Kingston and the harbour in the distance; it was thus
exposed to the sea breeze, so necessary to anything like enjoyment in
the tropics. Mrs Twigg, a buxom little lady--a fitting partner to her
sprightly, jovial spouse--received Ellen with a hearty welcome to
Jamaica. She evidently saw how matters stood between her and the young
lieutenant, and, as far as her sense of the duties of a hostess would
allow her, left them together as much as they could desire, while Mr
Ferris and her husband were for the greater part of the day absent at
Kingston. Those two days while Norman remained at East Mount were among
the brightest they had hitherto enjoyed. The place seemed a perfect
Eden, with its green lawn kept ever verdant by the sparkling stream
which flowed down on one side from the hill above, bordered by the
graceful and variously shaped trees of the tropics--the tall maple
arrow, surrounded by its flowering crown of yellow; the Spanish needle,
with its dagger-like leaves; the quilled pimploe, a species of cactus;
and numberless others, from the branches of which hung lilac and purple
wreaths in rich festoons--while the sweet notes of the feathered
songsters ever and anon burst forth, and here and there could be seen
tiny humming-birds flitting from flower to flower, fluttering for a
moment and then darting off with the speed of lightning, their gem-like
plumage glittering in the sun.
Ellen and Norman, though they often talked of the past, spoke most of
the future, when he should have gained his promotion, and, the war being
over, might quit the service without dishonour and live on shore.
After arranging his affairs in Jamaica, which he believed would occupy
some months, Mr Ferris proposed returning to Ireland. He intended to
make the voyage in the _Ouzel Galley_ when she could sail under safe
convoy. In the mean time he expected to spend two or three months at
Bellevue, and Norman hoped that they might there again meet. Happily
for themselves, they were ignorant of the dark storm which was brewing
over the island.
At length Norman's leave expired, and he had to return on board the
_Champion_. A few days afterwards Mr Ferris and Ellen, accompanied by
Mr and Mrs Twigg and their family, set off across the island for
Bellevue.