CAPTAIN TRACY AND NORAH AT HOME--A LETTER FROM GERALD--HIS ADVENTURES--A
CRUISE OFF HISPANIOLA--ENGAGEMENT WITH A FRENCH SQUADRON--THE ENEMY PUT
TO FLIGHT--DEATH OF A YOUNG MIDSHIPMAN--RETURN TO PORT ROYAL--A SECOND
CRUISE, AND CAPTURE OF SEVERAL RICH MERCHANTMEN--GERALD IN COMMAND OF
THE FLORA--HIS STEWARD PETER--MORE TIDINGS OF THE PIRATES--THE CHAMPION
SENT WITH DESPATCHES TO THE LEEWARD ISLANDS--JOINS THE BUCKINGHAM IN
ATTACKING A FORT AT MARTINICO--GENEROUS CONDUCT OF CAPTAIN TYRRELL--
PETER'S NARRATIVE--HIS CAPTURE BY PIRATES, AND ESCAPE.
Norah and her father had for many months been living an uneventful life
in their pretty little cottage near Waterford. She was his constant
companion; indeed, she never ventured out without him. Things had come
to a pretty pass, as he observed, when a young lady couldn't take a walk
by herself without the risk of being carried off by a party of
filibustering squireens, quite as bad in their way as the picarooning
rascals in the West Indies and on the Spanish Main, who had often in
days of yore given him so much anxiety--not that they ever had caught
him, for he was too much on his guard, though he had been chased
well-nigh a score of times; and he intended to be on his guard now, and,
as he hoped, with the same success.
This state of things, therefore, did not much concern him, as he was
glad of Norah's society, and was always as ready to walk with her as she
was with him. Their walks, indeed, seldom extended much beyond
Waterford, or the often-trod road to Widow Massey's house. Norah never
passed many days without paying her a visit. They were now looking
forward to receiving news of Owen, or indeed, as they hoped, seeing him
himself, as the _Ouzel Galley_, unless detained longer than was
expected, would some time since have commenced her homeward voyage. A
letter had come from Gerald saying that he had just seen her on her way
round to Montego Bay, and giving an account of himself and what he had
seen and done up to that time. He promised to write a longer letter
when he had more to say. A couple of months or more after the arrival
of Gerald's first letter another was received from him.
"Dear sister Norah," it ran, "I promised to spin you a long yarn, so
here goes, and I hope that you'll get it some day. I told you in my
last that I had seen the _Ouzel Galley_ under way from Montego Bay, and
I suppose Owen has long before this delivered all the messages I sent by
him; and if not, I dare say he will before long, if he hasn't forgotten
them. No matter; they were not very important, so you needn't scold him
for his negligence.
"I forget if I told you that, while our ship was undergoing repairs in
dock at Port Royal, Lieutenant Foley, Molly--I mean Lord Mountstephen--
with Nat Kiddle and me, and about twenty of our hands, were turned over
to the _Augusta_, 60-gun ship, commanded by Captain Forrest; and
immediately afterwards were ordered to proceed to sea, accompanied by
two other ships under his orders, the _Edinburgh_, of sixty-four guns,
Captain Langdon, and the _Dreadnought_, of sixty guns, Captain Morris
Suckling. We soon found that we were to cruise off Cape Francois, on
the north coast of Saint Domingo, to watch a French squadron under
Commodore De Kearsaint, who was collecting a large number of merchantmen
which he was to convoy from that port to Europe. The admiral had been
informed that the French had only three line-of-battle ships, which,
although somewhat larger than we were, he knew very well that we should
thrash if we could come up with them. We gained intelligence, however,
from a French despatch vessel which we captured, that the enemy's
squadron had lately been increased by four other ships, one of which,
by-the-by, was a ship of ours--the _Greenwich_--of fifty guns, captured
a few months ago, when commanded by Captain Roddam, off this very
island. He had nothing to be ashamed of, for with his single ship he
bravely faced five sail of the line and several frigates, and wasn't
taken till he had lost all chance of escaping except by going to the
bottom. Thus, you see, the French had seven ships to our three, and we
heard besides that they had been strongly manned by volunteers from the
garrison and merchant vessels, and made sure that they should either
drive us away or capture us.
"Notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy, we were not to be put to
flight, but kept our ground as if no Frenchmen were in the
neighbourhood. We had been for some days cruising off the cape, always
near enough to keep the port in sight, so that no vessel could steal out
without our knowing it, when early in the morning the _Dreadnought_,
which was inshore of us, made the signal that the enemy was in sight,
and before noon we could see the whole French squadron standing out in
line towards us, the wind being about north-east--if you get the chart,
father will explain matters to you. We were to windward of them,
keeping close together, though not so close as the Frenchmen, who seemed
very anxious to be backing up each other. Our captain now made the
signal for the other two captains to come on board the _Augusta_. As
soon as they stepped on the quarter-deck, Captain Forrest, after shaking
hands, said, `Well, gentlemen, you see the Frenchmen are come out to
engage us.' On which Captain Suckling quickly replied, `I think it
would be a pity to disappoint them.' `And what do you say?' asked our
captain, turning to Captain Langdon. `I heartily agree with Captain
Suckling,' was the answer. `If we disable them, we shall do good
service by preventing them from convoying the merchant vessels, and
maybe we shall take one or two of them. Of one thing I feel very sure,
that they won't take us.'
"The three captains being agreed, the other two went back to their
ships, and we hoisted the signal to make all sail and to close the
enemy. The _Dreadnought_ led in our line; the _Intrepide_, the French
commodore's ship, led in that of the enemy, followed by the _Greenwich_.
The wind was light, and it seemed to me that we should never get into
action. Though I've seen a good deal of fighting on a small scale, yet
this affair was likely to prove more serious than any I had yet engaged
in. I was stationed on the main-deck, and the scene was very different
to what I had been accustomed to on board the _Champion_ where we've no
deck above us and can see everything that is going forward. Here, it
was only by looking through a port that I could get a glimpse of the
enemy's ships, as they stood on in a long line, one closely following
the other--so closely, indeed, that the leading ship had the jibboom end
of the one next her in line almost over her taffrail. Molly, Kiddle,
and I had charge of the guns manned by the _Champion's_ people. We
reminded them that they must show what they were made of, and maintain
the honour of the little ship; they one and all answered that they
would; and they looked as if they intended to keep to their word, as
they stood with their shirts off, handkerchiefs bound round their heads,
and belts round their waists, ready to fire as soon as the order should
be given. In a line behind where we stood were the powder-boys seated
on their tubs, cracking jokes, and seeming altogether to forget that we
should have, in a few minutes, showers of round shot rattling about our
ears. Though we used to call Mountstephen Molly, he didn't look a bit
like a Molly now, for he walked the deck as calm and composed as if
nothing particular was going to happen. I asked him what o'clock it
was. He said, `Twenty minutes past three.' Just then the _Dreadnought_
opened her fire on the French commodore; and didn't Captain Suckling
pound him--knocking away in a few minutes several of his spars, and so
wounding his rigging that he fell on board the _Greenwich_, which, as I
said, was close astern of him. As the _Dreadnought_ stood on, we got
up, and the word to fire was passed along our decks; and you may be sure
we quickly obeyed it, blazing away at the two French ships already foul
of each other, when they drove down upon the third astern, and there all
three lay, unable to get clear one of the other.
"The French had a 64 and a 44 gun ship, besides two 32-gun frigates,
which were able to manoeuvre, and these, as you may suppose, did not
remain quiet while the _Augusta_ and _Edinburgh_ were blazing away at
the three ships, which still lay jammed together. It made the fight,
however, more equal than it would otherwise have been. Their shot came
on board us pretty thickly, and not a few of our men were struck down.
Among them was our first lieutenant, who raised his hand for a moment,
and then fell back, dead. Soon afterwards I saw poor Mountstephen fall;
I ran to help him, when I found that one of his legs had been shot away
and the other fearfully injured. I ordered a couple of men to carry him
below; I should have liked to go with him, poor fellow, but I couldn't
leave the deck. I had returned to my station, when I found myself
suddenly splashed all over with what I thought was water, though it was
rather warm.
"`What, Paddy Tracy, are you wounded?' I heard Nat Kiddle sing out.
"`Not that I know of,' I answered; `I don't feel like it.' Then I saw
what had happened--a man standing close to me had been cut right in two
by a round shot, which came through the port, wounding a couple of men
besides.
"Much as the enemy were knocked about, we were already in a pretty bad
condition, having all our masts, sails, rigging, and boats considerably
damaged, eight or ten men killed, and nearly thirty wounded. If it
hadn't been for the four ships of the enemy still able to manoeuvre, we
should have taken or sunk the other three, for they couldn't manage to
get free of each other, while they could only now and then fire a few
shot at us. At length, to our infinite satisfaction, we saw the masts
of the 64 engaged with the _Dreadnought_ go over the side, while all the
line-of-battle ships were evidently tremendously knocked about both in
hull and rigging. We had been engaged for upwards of two hours, when
the French commodore made a signal to one of the frigates, which, coming
up, took him in tow and carried him out of action; and his example was
followed by the whole of the French squadron, which made sail for Cape
Francois, then to leeward of them.
"The _Edinburgh_ had been as much damaged in her masts, yards, and sails
as we were, and Captain Langdon signalled that she had also several shot
in her hull. The _Dreadnought_, we saw, had lost her main and mizen
topmasts, while nearly all her other masts and yards were greatly
injured, and she also had received many shot in her hull, besides having
lost as many men as we had. This made Captain Forrest refrain from
following the Frenchmen.
"I was very glad to find Mr Foley all right, for his own sake, for I
like him very much--and still more for that of Miss Ferris, for it would
be a terrible thing for her were he to be killed, and I hope he won't,
though we all run the risk of losing the number of our mess. As soon as
I could leave my station I ran down below to see how poor Mountstephen
was getting on. He was perfectly sensible, though pale as a sheet. He
said he felt no pain. His first question was, `What are the enemy
about?'
"`They're running,' I replied.
"`What, all seven of them?' he asked.
"`Yes, every one,' I answered.
"`Hurrah!' he exclaimed, waving his hand above his head, `we've gained
the victory.'
"Scarcely were the words out of his mouth than he fell back, and before
the doctor could come to him he was dead.
"When I got on deck again--and I can tell you I was very glad to breathe
some fresh air, after being down in that dreadful cockpit, full of poor
fellows groaning with pain, some having their legs and arms cut off,
others with their sides torn open or heads fearfully smashed--I found
that the enemy were out of our reach, and that not one of our three
ships was in a condition to follow them. This was very provoking,
though we had fought a right gallant action, of that there can be no
doubt. Captain Forrest seeing that, if we got to leeward, we should be
unable to beat off, and very likely be driven on shore and lost, ordered
a course to be steered for Jamaica, where we arrived in a couple of
days. The admiral highly approved of what had been done, and Captain
Forrest received orders to get his ship repaired with all despatch and
return as soon as possible in search of the enemy. The hands were taken
off our sloop for this purpose, and there seemed every probability of
our remaining some time longer on board the _Augusta_. Still, things
are not done so quickly out here as they are in the dockyards at home.
At last we got to sea and sailed for Cape Francois. On looking into
that port we found that the Frenchmen had put their best legs foremost,
and that Monsieur De Kearsaint, having repaired his ships, had some days
before sailed with the convoy for Europe, and we should have no chance
of overtaking him. We had accordingly to come back, when we again
sailed with the admiral, whose flag was flying on board the
_Marlborough_, for a cruise off Cape Tiberon. I should make my letter
too long if I were to describe all that took place. We had not been
many days on the station before we captured two French privateers, and
from their crows learned that a rich convoy was preparing at Port au
Prince to sail for Europe, under the protection of two large armed
private ships. The admiral on this sent in his tender to ascertain if
such was the fact. Her commander, who speaks French, managed to gain
all the intelligence he required; he soon returned, having ascertained
that the information received was correct. The admiral accordingly
directed us to proceed off the island of Golave, to cruise there for two
days, and, should we see anything of the convoy at the expiration of
that time, to return and join him. Golave, you will understand, is in
the middle of the large bay which occupies nearly the whole western
coast of Saint Domingo, to the northward of Cape Tiberon.
"The afternoon of the day following our arrival, we had got well up into
the bay, when we caught sight of two sloops. To prevent them from
taking us for what we were, we hoisted Dutch colours and stood away from
them. In the evening we sighted seven more sail steering out of the
bay. On this, to deceive the enemy, we hung tarpaulins over the sides
of the ship, set the sails in lubberly fashion, and, hauling our wind,
stood away from the strangers till dark. We then again made sail and
followed them. At ten o'clock we saw two more sail, one of which fired
a gun, and the other then parted company and steered for Leogane. Soon
afterwards eight more sail were seen to leeward. We had not lost sight
of the ship which had fired a gun; though she might have suspected our
character, she did not stand away from us. We accordingly soon ran up
alongside, when Captain Forrest shouted out to him in French to strike,
adding, `If you alarm the other ships, or let them discover by any means
what we are, we'll send you forthwith to the bottom.'
"The French commander, fully believing that our captain would put his
threat into execution, immediately gave in; and one of our lieutenants,
with thirty-five men, went on board the prize with orders to proceed off
Petit Guave, a small port to leeward, to prevent any of the other
vessels from escaping into it. The vessel we had captured was the
_Mars_, of twenty-two guns and 108 men, all of whom we had now aboard
us, stowed away below lest they should be making signals to the enemy.
We stood on during the remainder of the night, and at daylight found
ourselves in the midst of the convoy, which, on our hoisting our colours
and showing what we were about, began firing at us; but we quickly
silenced them one after the other, and in the course of a few minutes
the whole struck, one small vessel alone managing to get away. There
were altogether eight vessels, richly laden, each carrying from eight to
ten guns. We had to take out their crews and man them from our ship.
The captain, sending for me, greatly to my satisfaction, ordered me to
take charge of one of them, called the _Flora_. Tumbling into one of
the boats with ten hands, I quickly pulled aboard, and found that she
carried twelve guns and a crew of thirty-five men. The Frenchmen looked
very glum when I told them that they were to get into the boat and go
aboard our ship. I kept one of them, a black, Pierre by name, who spoke
English and had been the captain's steward. The first service he did me
was to act as interpreter, and as he knew where everything was stowed, I
thought he would be useful in other respects. Through him I made a
polite speech to the captain, and told him that I was sorry to turn him
out of his ship, but that I was obeying orders. He shrugged his
shoulders, observing that it was the fortune of war, when, bowing, he
followed his men over the side. I wasn't sorry to get rid of the
Frenchmen, for it would have been a hard matter to keep them in order
and navigate the ship with the few hands I had.
"As soon as we had transferred the prisoners, the prizes were ordered to
make sail, and together we stood out of the bay. A very pretty sight we
presented as we ran on under all sail, keeping, according to orders,
close to the _Augusta_. Our prizes were richly laden, and the admiral,
as may be supposed, was highly pleased when we sighted him off Cape
Tiberon and Captain Forrest told him what we had done, as his share of
the prize would be something considerable. Mine, as a midshipman, would
be a couple of hundred pounds; Mr Foley, as a lieutenant, will get two
or three thousand; so you may fancy what the shares of the captain and
admiral will be.
"Pierre was, I found, an excellent cook as well as steward. I now
called him Peter, by-the-by, at his own request, for as he observed,
`Now, massa, I come among Englishmen I take English name, please;' and
so Peter he is now always called. He was especially fond of keeping his
tongue wagging; he seemed not at all sorry to have changed masters, and
to have got on board a man-of-war instead of a merchantman. He said
that on their voyage out, when coming through the Windward Passage, the
_Flora_ and another vessel, the _Cerf_, of smaller size, carrying only
eight guns, had been attacked by a piratical craft. They fought for
some time, when the _Flora_ made off, leaving the _Cerf_ to her fate--
that the pirates boarded her, and that he had seen her go down--that the
pirate ship then made chase after the _Flora_, but by carrying all sail,
and night coming on, she escaped. By Peter's account, I suspect that
she must be the same craft which attacked the _Ouzel Galley_. Peter
says she has a crew of a hundred men and carries twenty guns. She is
known to have captured several merchantmen; some she sends to the
bottom, and others she takes into one of the numerous keys among the
Bahamas, where they are hidden away as securely as they would be among
the unknown islands of the Pacific or Indian Ocean. From various things
which Peter said, I had an idea that he knew more about the pirate than
he had hitherto communicated, and I determined, when I had more
completely gained his confidence, to try and obtain all the information
he possessed.
"The weather continued fine, and our little squadron making good way, we
were all soon safely at anchor in Port Royal harbour. It was a jovial
sight, let me tell you, as we sailed in with English colours above the
French on board the prizes, the guns firing, the flags flying, and the
people on shore cheering. We at once carried the prizes up to Kingston,
where they were quickly sold for good round sums, for they were all
richly laden. As soon as I get my prize-money, I intend to send it home
to father. Tell him to do as he thinks best with it; I don't want to
spend it here, as many of our men probably will before long. The
Jamaica people seldom get so good a haul as this, though prizes are
being brought in almost every week. Where the money all goes to, I
don't know; it makes somebody rich, I suppose.
"I was disappointed at not seeing Mr and Miss Ferris, and so, I have no
doubt, was Mr Foley, for we thought that they would be back here by
this time; but they are still away on the other side of the island. I
don't think I told you that there had been a hurricane here, while we
were cruising off Cape Francois, before our action with the Frenchmen.
It was not felt very severely at this end of the island, as they only
got the whisk of its tail; but at the west end it did a great deal of
damage, and a number of people were killed and wounded, though I am
happy to say that our friends escaped any injury. The _Ouzel Galley_, I
understand, had sailed, and, I hope, had got well to the eastward before
it came on. I dare say that Owen Massey will have told you all about it
long before you get this. The worst news I have to give you is
respecting the slaves, who are in a very rebellious state. It is
rumoured that in one or two places they have attacked the whites' houses
and killed several people; but this is not believed, and it is said that
they know too well what a fearful punishment would overtake them were
they to do anything of the sort.
"To return to my own proceedings. As soon as I had handed the _Flora_
over to the prize agent, I had to turn again into a midshipman and to go
on board our own tight little sloop, which had just come out of dock and
was now all ataunto, ready for sea. I got leave to take Peter with me,
as he wished to enter on board a British ship of war; he was at once
appointed midshipmen's steward, and a better one we never had.
"Mr Foley was hoping that we should be sent to cruise off the north
coast of the island, but instead of that we were ordered to carry
despatches to Commodore Moore, who commands on the Leeward Islands
station. Having delivered them, we were on our way back, when we fell
in with the _Buckingham_, Captain Tyrrell. While in company with her we
captured a French merchantman, and her crew being brought on board our
ship, Peter heard from some of them that four privateers had run in for
shelter under a strong battery in Grand Anar Bay, on the island of
Martinico. He having told me, I at once gave information to our
commander, who forthwith went on board the _Buckingham_ to communicate
it to Captain Tyrrell, and he at once resolved to stand in and destroy
the privateers and the fort. Our prisoners, who had no idea that what
they had been talking about had been understood, were very much
astonished at seeing us suddenly alter our course and steer in for the
bay. There, sure enough, were the four privateers with springs on their
cables, and their guns run out, anchored under a strong-looking fort,
mounting ten guns at least. The _Buckingham_ ran in as close as she
could venture, when she dropped her anchor, and we brought up under her
stern and immediately began blazing away at the vessels, which, as well
as the fort, opened fire on us. Though the privateers each mounted not
less than twenty guns, they could not long stand the _Buckingham's_
heavy shot; indeed, had we been alone we should have taken them. Still,
thinking that the fort would drive us away, they held out longer than we
had expected. Though we were struck several times, and a good many
round shot passed between our masts, not a man on board was hit. We
were wondering when they would give in, when, as a puff of air cleared
the smoke off for a few seconds, we observed that one of them had a list
to starboard. Her next broadside again concealed her from view, and in
a couple of minutes, when the wind again blew away the smoke, all we
could see were her masts as she slowly went to the bottom. I was
expecting that the rest would share the same fate; one of them was to
meet with a more terrible disaster--almost the next instant a thundering
sound was heard, flames burst out of her deck, her masts shot upwards
like sky-rockets, and the whole air seemed filled with fragments of
wreck, which came hissing down into the water, several portions,
whizzing through the air, reaching almost to where we lay. The other
two, seeing the hopelessness of further resistance, after firing their
broadsides, hauled down their colours. On this the _Buckingham_ made a
signal to us to take possession of the two vessels. `Out boats!' was
the order; and in another minute three of our boats, I having charge of
one of them, were dashing through the calm water, while the _Buckingham_
continued engaging the fort, which still held out. Two or three of its
guns, however, had been disabled, and its fire began to slacken. We
pulled away as fast as the crews could lay their backs to the oars,
fearing that the Frenchmen would set fire to the ships and deprive us of
our prizes. Their boats were already in the water, and the men were
tumbling into them, evidently in a hurry to make their escape. `Look
out, lads; that the rascals play no tricks, and lose no time in seeing
that all's safe below!' sang out Mr Foley, as he dashed by in the gig
towards the northernmost of the vessels. I was making for the one to
the southward, the farthest from the fort. We were soon up to her, and
as we scrambled up on one side we saw several of her crew toppling over
on the other. Just then I caught sight of a man coming up the
companion-hatchway; it struck me that he had been about some mischief,
and leaping on him, I tumbled him down to the foot of the ladder. He
had a slow-match in his hand, which, hissing and spluttering, set his
clothes on fire.
"`What have you been about, you rascal?' I exclaimed, though I don't
suppose he understood the question. He pointed to the door of a cabin
from which smoke was issuing. I burst it open, and found a match
lighted, leading to a suspicious-looking cask in the corner. I, as you
may suppose, pulled it out in pretty quick time; and, throwing it into
the middle of the main cabin, sang out for buckets of water. A couple
were quickly handed down, and the fire was extinguished. In another
moment, however, we should all have been blown into the air. The
Frenchman, who proved to be the mate of the vessel, was severely burnt,
but little compassion was felt for him. We secured him, and two other
men, who were caught by the legs as they were leaping overboard.
"Our men had begun to fire at the boats which had shoved off, but I
ordered them to desist, as the Frenchmen had hauled down their flag, and
were perfectly right in trying to make their escape.
"As soon as the garrison of the fort saw that we had possession of the
vessels, they opened fire at us with one of their guns. On this, Mr
Foley ordered me to cut the cable of my prize, and make sail out of
harm's way, as the wind was sufficiently off shore to enable us to do
so. He at the same time, I saw, was setting the canvas of the ship he
had taken.
"The _Buckingham_ and _Champion_ having now only the fort to attend to,
poured in so hot a fire on it that the gun which was annoying us was
dismounted before we had been under way more than four or five minutes.
So we again brought up and turned our guns at the fort, which was
gradually crumbling away before the iron shower thrown into it. As the
Frenchmen still kept up a hot fire from four or five guns, which
considerably annoyed the _Buckingham_, Captain Tyrrell ordered the boats
away to storm the fort and put an end to the conflict. I immediately
jumped into my boat, leaving the prize at anchor to take care of
herself, and joined the others, which were pulling to the shore on that
side of the fort where the chief breach had been effected, and where
none of the remaining guns could reach us and out of range of
musket-shot. Captain Tyrrell himself, I found, was heading the party.
We mustered altogether upwards of a hundred and fifty men, about forty
of whom belonged to our ship, with Mr Foley and other officers. The
marines quickly formed, flanked by our blue jackets, armed with muskets,
cutlasses, and pistols. The instant the last man leaped on shore, the
order to advance was given, and up the hill we went at double quick
march, in spite of a shower of musket balls which came whizzing about
our ears. The Frenchmen endeavoured to slew round some of their guns to
fire down on us, but before the muzzles were run through the embrasures,
we were climbing over the parapet in a somewhat helter-skelter fashion,
and, headed by the gallant captain of the _Buckingham_, leaping down
into the fort. So rapid had been our advance that the soldiers had no
time to reload their pieces, and as our cutlasses flashed in their
faces, they hurled them at us and took to flight, endeavouring to make
their way out at a gate on the land side, where, in their hurry, they
got jammed together and stopped by part of the crews of the two
privateers, who were coming in to their assistance. Fortunately for
them, their commandant, after exchanging a few passes with Captain
Tyrrell, had been disarmed and made prisoner; and he, seeing that if
followed by our men they would be cut to pieces, shouted out to them to
come back and submit as he had done. Still they pushed on, and in their
struggles to get out, toppled over each other till a dozen or more lay
sprawling on the ground. They would there have been destroyed had not
Captain Tyrrell humanely called off his people. Of the whole of our
party, not a man had been killed, and a few only were wounded. The fort
exhibited a woeful picture of ruin--nearly a score of men lay dead close
to the guns, while we saw other corpses scattered about in different
parts of the fort. The buildings which served as habitations for the
garrison were shattered to pieces, the embrasures knocked into one, the
guns dismounted and their carriages broken, the flagstaff shot in two--
indeed, it seemed a wonder that the Frenchmen could have held out so
long.
"We could see from the ramparts a good-sized town on the banks of a
river, some way from the shore, sheltered by groves of palms and other
trees--a very attractive, pleasant-looking place. Finding themselves
masters of the fort, our men gave three cheers; then the cry arose that
they should go down and attack the town and pillage it. When the
captain heard this, he shouted out to the men, `My fine fellows, I hear
what you say, and I hope you will not longer think of doing that same.
You will agree that it is beneath us to make a number of poor people
miserable by destroying their houses and such comforts of life as they
possess. Remember, you are Englishmen, and should scorn to injure
people who, though they are called our enemies, have not lifted even a
finger against us. Let them remain in quiet; they will bless you, and
wish you well.'
"This considerate speech had a good effect. The men cheered, and said
they had no wish to hurt the mounseers. The captain, allowing the
commandant to follow his people, who had made their escape, then set us
to work to demolish the fort. The guns which appeared serviceable were
spiked, and then rolled down the hill into the sea, and mines were dug
in different parts of the fort, in which all the powder we found in the
magazine was stowed. A train was then laid to each mine, and we were
ordered to march down to the boats. Captain Tyrrell, who had
superintended all the operations himself, was the last to leave; he
lighted the train, and then followed us. We hadn't got many yards from
the beach when a loud report was heard, and up went a part of the fort,
quickly followed by the other portions, like the joints in a cracker;
and when the smoke and dust cleared off, the whole spot where the fort
had stood was a heap of ruins. It would take the Frenchmen a good many
weeks to repair the damage, if they should ever think it worth while to
make the attempt.
"The wind was so light that we were unable to get out of the bay; in the
evening we saw a boat coming off to us with a flag of truce. She
contained two of the principal inhabitants of the town, who brought with
them a cargo of fowls, and vegetables, and fruit, which they begged the
captain to accept as a mark of their gratitude for his having spared
their town. They added that another would shortly follow for the
corvette. Captain Tyrrell made a suitable speech, accepting their
present. The other boats soon arrived with the promised supply for us,
and as we took leave in the most friendly manner of the people who
brought it, no one would have supposed the sort of work we had been
engaged in during the morning.
"A land breeze enabled us to get to sea that evening, when soon
afterwards we parted company with the _Buckingham_, we shaping a course
back to Jamaica. We were all very jolly on board, for we had plenty of
provisions, and had unexpectedly come in for a nice little lump of
prize-money.
"I must tell you that Peter had become a great favourite on board, and
of this he himself seemed well aware, though he wisely never presumed on
it. I had, as I told you, been curious to find out how he was so well
acquainted with the haunts of the pirates. At last, one day, I asked
him, when I happened to be alone in the berth and he had come to get
something out of a locker.
"`Me tell you, Massa Tracy, for me now know berry well you my friend,'
he answered.
"`You're right, Peter,' I replied, `and you may be sure that from
nothing you say will you criminate yourself.'
"`Me only tell de truth on de honour of gentleman;' and Peter put his
hand on his heart as he had seen the Frenchmen do.
"`Heave ahead, Peter,' I said, `or your yarn may be out short.'
"`Berry well, Massa Tracy,' said Peter. `It happen dis way. I was
'board a French ship, _Les deux Amis_, bound from Bordeaux to Port au
Prince, when just as we 'bout twenty league to de eastward ob San
Domingo, keeping a look-out dat no English cruiser pick us up, we see
one evening, just as de sun go down, a big ship from de nor'ard standing
for us. De cappen say she French--de mate say she Spanish--some ob de
men say she Dutch--oders strife she English--I not know what to tink.
De cappen say, "Best make all sail and stand 'way." So we did; but de
bell just strike two in de fust watch, when we see her ranging up
alongside. Den de cappen order de guns to be fired; but before de
matches lighted, de stranger she aboard us. In a few minutes forty
savage-looking fellows came springing on to our deck, pistolling some
and cutting down oders of de crew. I see at once what going to happen--
if I stay on board de brig, I be killed wid de rest--so I make a leap
and gain de fore-rigging ob de stranger. Running for'ard, I leap down
de hatchway and stow myself away in a berth. Eben dere I hear de
dreadful cries and shrieks ob de crew as dey put to death by de
pirates--for such I guess be de gentry into hands whose we hab fallen.
I know by de sounds I hear as I lie quaking in de berth dat dey were
removing de cargo ob de prize on board dere own ship. It was nearly
daylight before dey hab taken out all de cargo dey wish to secure; den
dey cast off, and directly afterwards I hear several shot fired. I know
dat sooner or later I must show myself, as de watch who hab been working
all night would be coming below to turn in; so I creep on deck, and make
my way aft to where a man I tink must be de cappen was standing. No one
stop me, for dey all too busy or too sleepy to notice me. I take off my
hat and make him a polite bow, and ask in English if he want a
cabin-steward, as I ready to serve him. "And if you like sea-pie,
cappen, I cook one such as nobody can beat, let me tell you dat," I say.
"I head cook."'
"`You're an impudent rascal, whoever you are,' he reply, `but perhaps,
for once in a way, you speak the truth.'
"`Do, cappen, just try me to-morrow, or next day, or when you get de
materials to put in de pie,' I say.
"`I'll think about that, my man,' he answer, licking him lips. And den
I know I all safe. `He not kill me if he tink I make good sea-pie,' I
say to myself; `for black fellow sometimes more cunning dan white
buccra--he! he! he!' Peter chuckled. `Where do you come from?' he ask.
"`I tell him I carried off and made to serve on board de French ship,
and dat I glad to escape from her. Dis not quite true, but I guess it
make him more ready to save my life.'
"`Well,' he say, `I happen to want a steward, and if you prove to be
what you say you are, and can cook as well as you boast that you can,
I'll take you into my service; but if not, it will be the worse for
you.'
"`He den ask sharply, "What do you take this ship for, boy?"'
"`Of course, sar, English man-o'-war,' I answer--though I know berry
well dat not true.
"`You haven't quite hit it, but you'll be much better off than if she
was,' he say, tinking me simple lad who no do any mischief. He den
shout out to de crew on deck, and tell dem not to harm me. Just den, as
I look ober de side, I catch a glimpse of de brig which we were leaving
settling down, and in anoder minute de water close ober de mast-heads.
Den I tink I act berry wise in getting on board de pirate. De cappen
den send me down into de cabin to look after de tings dere and put it in
order, saying dat his oder steward been killed in an action a few days
before. We were now, I found, steering to de nor'-west. Two or tree
days after dis we take anoder prize, which was robbed ob eberyting ob
value on board, and was den treated same as _Les deux Amis_ had been. I
was very glad to get off wid my life, but I berry much wish myself out
of de ship again, and determined to make my 'scape as soon as I hab
opportunity.
"`De cappen each day ask me when I going to make de sea-pie. I always
say, "When I get de fowls, and de turkeys, and de ham, and de oder tings
to put in it. But I make you some lobscouse in de mean time," I say.
And so I did; and he and de mates say dey nebber taste such good
lobscouse in dere lives. "Ah! not equal to de sea-pie I make some day
or oder," I answer; for I know as long as I promise de sea-pie dey not
kill me. I only hope in de mean time no man-o'-war get hold ob us; if
she did, I should be hung up wid de rest, and de judges not believe I
come on board 'cause oderwise I drown, and stay only to make a sea-pie.
We soon get near an island, which I guess was one ob de Bahamas from de
way de ship was steered, now in one direction, now in anoder, between
rocks and sandbanks. De cappen ask me if I know where we were. I say,
"I suppose we somewhere on de Spanish Main."'
"All right," he answer; "maybe you're not much of a navigator?"
"`Poor nigger like me know berry little 'cept how to make sea-pie,' I
say. He den order me to go below, and soon afterwards I hear de roar ob
de breakers, and I know we'd got near the shore. Den de ship sail on
and I guess we'd got into a harbour; but she did not come to an anchor,
but sail on and on. Den, looking up through the skylight, I see de
boughs ob de green trees oberhead, and a high cliff which seem about to
topple down on de deck ob de ship. Still we sail on and on, till at
last I hear de anchor let go and de cable run out, and when I come on
deck I find de ship in a wide lagoon wid several oder vessels and some
large boats, and a village ob huts and sheds under de trees on de shore.
I now know dat I was in one ob de old buccaneer hiding-places, and I
guess dat de vessels I see were dose de pirates had capture and carry
off. When the sails were furled I go up to the cappen and ask if he
wish me to go on shore to buy some poultry and vegetables and oder tings
I might require for de sea-pie.
"`No, no; you stay on board,' he answered. `I'll send off for
materials, and we shall then see what you can do.'
"`I pretend to be well pleased, and tell him all de tings I want. Dat
evening plenty of provisions came on board. Dere were--let me see--
butter-birds and whistling ducks, snipe, red-tailed pigeons, turkeys,
clucking hens, parrots, and plantation coots; dere was beef and pork and
venison, and papaw fruit, squash, and plantains, calavansas, bananas,
yams, Indian pepper, ginger, and all sorts ob oder tings. I pick out
what I know make de best pie, putting in plenty of pepper--for dat, I
guess, would suit de taste ob de genelmen--and den I cover the whole
ober wid thick crust. It take de night and the next day to bake, and
when it am ready de cappen and his officers, and some friends from de
shore, dey all say dat dey nebber eat any pie like it; and I laugh, and
say, "I make better one anoder day." Dey all eat till dey could eat no
more, and den drink to wash it down till one and all am so drunk dat dey
couldn't lift up dere heads. When I see dis, I say to myself, "Now's
the best time for me to try and be off;" and I put a piece ob de pie
into a basket, and a calabash of water, and going on deck I see a small
canoe made fast to de side. I drop it under de stern, and den go back
into the cabin. Ebery one ob dem am still fast asleep; so I lowered de
basket into de canoe from one ob de after-ports, and slip down myself
widout making any noise. Cutting de painter, I let de canoe drift away
before the breeze, which blew down the lagoon. I hab watch during de
day one or two boats coming in, so I know the entrance, and as soon as I
get to a distance from de vessels I paddle away as fast as I could. I
might hab a long distance to go before daylight, but as it was only just
dark dere would be plenty ob time. I expected ebery moment to be
ober-hauled by de sentries on de shore, but no one was dere, or, at all
events, dey not see me. On I go till I get under de cliffs which I see
when de ship come in--den I know I in de right passage. Dere was a
current, too, by which I judge dat de tide was ebbing. Next I find
myself between low banks, for de whole country towards de sea am flat.
At last I hear de waves breaking on de shore--not very loud, though; dat
makes me hope dat de water smooth. I soon reach de entrance ob de
creek, and safely pass de bar. I determine to paddle to de southward; I
hab water and provisions to last me for a week or more, and before dat
time I hope to get aboard an English or French vessel--it matter berry
little to me. When morning break I look out astern, but could see no
boat or vessel, and I hope I not pursued; as I was well out ob sight ob
land, even if I was, de pirates would hab a difficult job to find me.
De sea remain smooth, or my canoe, which was only intended for de
lagoon, would hab been swamped. When my pie nearly gone and what remain
was scarcely eatable, I see a vessel standing to de westward. De wind
was light, and by paddling hard I might reach her. I did paddle, for I
no hab a drop ob water in my calabash, and if I miss her I might die ob
thirst. On she come, and de breeze freshen. I was coming from de
north--she was crossing my course; I shriek and shout--already she
nearly pass me; I stand up in my canoe and wave my paddle--den again I
sit down and pull away like mad. Again I stand up and shout wid all my
might and wave my paddle. I praise God, dey see me; de vessel round to,
and in a few minutes I alongside. De cappen ask me where I come from.
I tell him I escape from some pirates who would hab cut my throat if I
hadn't known how to make sea-pie, and dat I make one for him as soon as
I get opportunity. He laugh, and say dat he believe my story, and dat
he gib me a trial. He nebber do so, however, 'cause you capture his
vessel before I get de necessary materials.--And now, Massa Tracy, you
know my history.'
"From the account Peter gave me, I strongly suspected that the vessel
which had captured him was the one which attacked the _Ouzel Galley_,
and I wished that we might have an opportunity of looking for her. The
captain was, Peter had told me, an Englishman, as were many of the
people with him; but there were others of all nations, as well as
mulattoes, Sambos, and blacks. The descendants of the buccaneers still
inhabit many of the keys on the Bahama bank, and probably the white
population living on shore were some of those people, who keep up the
customs and habits of their ancestors. I must try and learn more from
Peter on the subject, and ascertain exactly where he was picked up by
the _Flora_. If so, calculating the distance he had come in the canoe,
we might be able to discover the hiding-place of the pirates. We have
been some time getting back to Port Royal, and as the _Narcissus_ is
just sailing for England, I must close this to send by her. We received
some bad news on our arrival; the blacks are actually in rebellion and
have committed all sorts of mischief, murdering the whites and all who
oppose them in every direction. We're ordered off to the north coast.
Mr Foley was very anxious to go there, but he is now in a great state
of agitation lest any harm should have befallen our friends; and well he
may be--indeed, I can't help feeling very anxious myself. Still, I
don't want you to be frightened, Norah, and I hope all will go well, and
that we shall find when we get there that the blacks have not attacked
Mr Twigg's house. With best love to father, and kind regards to Mrs
Massey and Owen, if he has arrived, as I make no doubt he will have long
ago--
"I remain--
"Your affectionate brother--
"Gerald Tracy."