The French sixty-gun ship proved to be the _Leonidas_; she had been sent
out with two large frigates on purpose to intercept the convoy, but she
had parted with her consorts in a gale of wind. Her loss of men was
very great; that on board of the _Portsmouth_ was trifling. In a couple
of hours the _Portsmouth_ and her prize in tow were ready to proceed
with the convoy, but they still remained hove to, to wait for the
frigates which were in chase of the captured vessels. All of these were
speedily come up with except the _London Merchant_, which sailed so
remarkably well. At last, to the great joy of Alfred (who as soon as
the bullet had been extracted and his arm dressed, had held his
telescope fixed upon the chase), she hove to, and was taken possession
of. Before night, the convoy were again collected together, and were
steering for their destination. The next morning was clear, and the
breeze moderated. Mrs Campbell, who, as well as the rest, was very
anxious about Alfred, requested Captain Wilson to run down to the
_Portsmouth_, that they might ascertain if he was safe. Captain Wilson
did as she requested, and writing in chalk "all well" in large letters
upon the log-board, held it over the side as he passed close to the
_Portsmouth_. Alfred was not on deck--fever had compelled him to remain
in his hammock--but Captain Lumley made the same reply on the log-board
of the _Portsmouth_, and Mr and Mrs Campbell were satisfied. "How I
should like to see him," said Mrs Campbell.
"Yes, madam," observed Captain Wilson, "but they have too much to do on
board of the _Portsmouth_ just now; they have to repair damages and to
look after the wounded; they have a great quantity of prisoners on
board, as you may see, for a great many are now on the booms; they have
no time for compliments."
"That is very true," replied Mr Campbell, "we must wait till we arrive
at Quebec."
"But we did not see Alfred," said Emma.
"No, miss, because he was busy enough below, and I dare say no one told
him. They have said that `all's well,' and that is sufficient; and now
we must haul off again, for with such a heavy ship in tow, Captain
Lumley will not thank me if I am always coming so close to him."
"I am satisfied, Captain Wilson; pray do nothing that will displease
Captain Lumley. We shall soon see Alfred, I dare say, with the
spy-glass."
"I see him now," said Mary Percival, "he has his telescope, and he is
waving his hat to me."
"Thank God!" replied Mrs Campbell; "now I am satisfied."
The _Portsmouth_ cast off the French line-of-battle ship, as soon as
they had jury-masts up and could make sail on them, and the convoy
proceeded to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence.
"Captain Wilson," said Percival, whose eyes were fixed on the water,
"what animals are those, tumbling about and blowing,--those great white
things?"
"They are what are called the white whale, Percival," replied Captain
Wilson; "they are not often seen, except about here."
"Then what is the colour of the other whales?"
"The northern whales are black--they are called the black whales; but
the southern, or spermaceti whales, are not so dark in colour."
Captain Wilson then, at Percival's request, gave him an account of how
the whales were caught, for he had been several voyages himself in the
northern whale-fishery.
Percival was never tired of asking questions, and Captain Wilson was
very kind to him, and always answered him. John, generally speaking,
stood by when Captain Wilson was talking, looking very solemn and very
attentive, but not saying a word.
"Well, John," said Emma to him after the conversation had been ended,
"what was Captain Wilson telling you about?"
"Whales," replied John, walking past her.
"Well, but is that all you can tell me, John?"
"Yes," replied John, walking away.
"At all events, Miss Emma, he keeps all his knowledge to himself,"
observed Captain Wilson, laughing.
"Yes; I shall know nothing about the whale-fishery, unless you will
condescend to tell me yourself, that is evident," replied Emma, taking
the offered arm of Captain Wilson, who, at her request, immediately
resumed the subject.
In three weeks from the day of the action they had anchored off the town
of Quebec.
As soon as they had anchored, Alfred obtained leave to go on board of
the _London Merchant_, and then, for the first time, his family knew
that he had been wounded. His arm was still in a sling, but was healing
fast.
I shall pass over the numerous inquiries on his part relative to their
capture and recapture, and on theirs, as to the action with the French
ship.
While they were in conversation, Captain Lumley was reported to be
coming on board in his boat. They went on the deck of the vessel to
receive him.
"Well, Mrs Campbell," said Captain Lumley after the first salutations
were over, "you must congratulate me on my having captured a vessel
somewhat larger than my own; and I must congratulate you on the conduct
and certain promotion of your son Alfred. He has richly deserved it."
"I am very thankful, Captain Lumley, and do most heartily congratulate
you," replied Mrs Campbell; "I only regret that my boy has been
wounded."
"The very thing that you should, on the contrary, be thankful for, Mrs
Campbell," replied Captain Lumley. "It is the most fortunate wound in
the world, as it not only adds to his claims, but enables me to let him
join you and go to Canada with you, without it being supposed that he
has quitted the service."
"How so, Captain Lumley?"
"I can discharge him to sick-quarters here at Quebec. If they think
anything about it at all at home, it will be that his wound is much more
severe than it really is; and he can remain on half-pay as long as he
pleases. There are plenty ready to be employed. But I cannot wait any
longer. I am going on shore to call upon the Governor, and I thought I
would just see you in my way. You may assure yourselves that if I can
be of any use to you, I will not fail to exert any little influence I
may have."
Captain Lumley then took a cordial leave of the whole party, telling
Alfred that he might consider himself as discharged from the ship, and
might rejoin his family.
"Heaven sends us friends when we most need them and least expect them,"
said Mrs Campbell, as she watched the boat pulling away. "Who would
have imagined, when we anchored at Cork, that such good fortune should
have awaited us; and that, at the very time Alfred had given up his
profession for our sake, his promotion in the service was awaiting him?"
Shortly afterwards Mrs Campbell and Henry went on shore with Captain
Wilson to look out for lodgings, and present the letters of introduction
which he had received for some Quebec merchants. As they were looking
for lodgings in company with a Mr Farquhar, who had kindly volunteered
to assist them, they met Captain Lumley on his return from the Governor.
"I am glad to have met you, Mrs Campbell," said Captain Lumley; "I
found, on paying my respects to the Governor, that there is what they
call the Admiralty House here, which is kept furnished by Government for
the senior officers of his Majesty's ships. It is at my disposal; and
as the Governor has requested me to take up my abode at Government
House, I beg you will consider it at your service. You will find better
accommodation there than, in lodgings, and it will save you considerable
expense."
"We need look no further, Mrs Campbell," said Mr Farquhar.
Mrs Campbell expressed her acknowledgments to Captain Lumley, and
returned on board with this pleasing intelligence.
"Oh, Alfred, how much we are indebted to you, my dear boy," said Mrs
Campbell.
"To me, mother?--to Captain Lumley, I should rather think."
"Yes, to Captain Lumley, I grant; but still it has been your good
conduct when under his command which has made him attached to you; and
it is to that we owe his acquaintance, and all the kindness we have
received from him."
The next day the family disembarked and took possession of the Admiralty
house. Mr Farquhar procured them a female servant, who, with a man and
his wife left in charge of the house, supplied all the attendance they
required.
Mrs Campbell settled with Captain Wilson, who very generously refused
to take any money for Alfred's passage, as he had not remained on board
of the _London Merchant_: promising, however, to accept their invitation
to come to them whenever he could find leisure, he took leave of them
for the present, and they were left alone in their new residence.
In a few days the Campbells found themselves comfortably settled in the
Admiralty House, but they had no intention of remaining there longer
than was necessary; as, notwithstanding the accommodation, their
residence at Quebec was attended with expense, and Mr Campbell was
aware that he had no money to throw away.
On the fourth day after their landing Captain Lumley called to take
leave; but the day previous he had introduced them to the Governor, who
returned Mr Campbell's call, and appeared to be much interested in
their welfare, owing of course to the representations of Captain Lumley.
It was not, therefore, surprising that they should part with regret
from one who had proved himself such a kind friend; and many were the
expressions of gratitude which were made by the whole party. Captain
Lumley shook hands with them all; and, assuring Alfred that he would not
lose sight of his interests, wished them every success and left the
house. An hour afterwards the _Portsmouth_ was under weigh, and running
out with a fine breeze.
On the following day the Governor requested Mr Campbell would call upon
him; and when they met he pointed out to him that he would have great
difficulties, and, he was fearful, great hardships, to encounter in
following up his plan of settling in Upper Canada. He did not dissuade
him from so doing, as he had nothing more promising to offer, which
might induce him to change his mind, but he thought it right to forewarn
him of trials, that he might be well prepared.
"I feel, of course, a strong interest in any English family so well
brought up, and accustomed as I find yours has been, to luxury, being
placed in such a situation; and the interest which my old friend,
Captain Lumley, takes in you, is quite sufficient to induce me to offer
you every assistance in my power: that you may depend upon, Mr
Campbell. The Surveyor-General is coming here immediately; I must first
introduce you to him, as it is from him that the land must be obtained,
and of course he can advise you well on the point of locality; but you
must recollect that it is not much more than thirty years since these
provinces have been surrendered to Great Britain, and that not only the
French population, but the Indians, are very hostile to the English, for
the Indians were, and still are, firm allies to the French, and detest
us. I have been reflecting upon the affair, and I hope to be of some
service to you; if I am not, it will not, I assure you, be from any want
of will; under every advantage which may be procured for you, at all
events, you will require stout hearts and able hands. Your son Alfred
will be of great service, but we must try and procure you some other
assistance that can be trusted."
A long conversation took place between the Governor and Mr Campbell,
during which the latter received much valuable information: it was
interrupted, however, by the arrival of the Surveyor-General, and the
topic was resumed.
"The land that I would propose to Mr Campbell," observed the
Surveyor-General, after a time, "if there is no objection to part with
it, is a portion of what has been laid aside as Government reserve on
this part of the Lake Ontario; there are lands to be obtained nearer to
Montreal, but all the land of good quality has been purchased. This
land, you will observe, Mr Campbell, is peculiarly good, having some
few acres of what we call prairie, or natural meadow. It has, also, the
advantage of running with a large frontage on the beach, and there is a
small river on one side of it; besides, it is not a great distance,
perhaps four or five miles, from Fort Frontignac, and it might be easy
to obtain assistance if required."
The Surveyor-General pointed to a part of the map, near to Presqu' Ile
de Quinte, as he made this observation to the Governor.
"I agree with you," replied the Governor, "and I observe that there is
already a settler on the other side of the stream."
"Yes, sir," replied the Surveyor; "that allotment was granted before it
was decided that the rest should be a Government reserve; and if proof
were required of the goodness of the land, it would be found in the
person who took it. It was taken four years ago by the old hunter,
Malachi Bone; he has been over every part of it, of course, and knows
what it is. You recollect the man, don't you, sir? He was a guide to
the English army before the surrender of Quebec; General Wolfe had a
high opinion of him, and his services were so good that he was allowed
that tract of 150 acres."
"I now remember him," replied the Governor, "but as I have not seen him
for so many years, he had escaped my recollection."
"It will be a great advantage to you, Mr Campbell, having this man as a
neighbour."
"Now," continued the Governor, addressing the Surveyor-General, "do you
know of any person who would be willing to serve Mr Campbell, and who
can be depended on; of course one who understands the country, and who
would be really useful?"
"Yes, Governor, I do know a very good man, and you know him also; but
you know the worst part of him, for he is generally in trouble when you
see him."
"Who is that?"
"Martin Super, the trapper."
"Why, that is the young fellow who breeds such disturbances, and who, if
I recollect right, is now in prison for a riot."
"The very same, sir; but Martin Super, although a troublesome fellow at
Quebec, is worth his weight in gold when he is out of the town. You may
think it strange, Mr Campbell, that I should recommend a man who
appears to be so unruly a character; but the fact is, that the trappers,
who go in pursuit of game for their skins, after having been out for
months, undergoing every privation that can be imagined, return home
with their packages of skins, which they dispose of to the merchants of
this town; and as soon as they have their money, they never cease their
revelry of every description until their earnings are all gone, and then
they set off again on their wild and venturous pursuit. Now Martin
Super, like all the rest, must have his fun when he comes back, and
being a very wild fellow, he is often in scrapes when he has drank too
much, so that he is occasionally put into prison for being riotous; but
I know him well, he has been with me surveying for months, and when he
is on service, a more steady, active, and brave man I do not know."
"I believe you are right in recommending him," observed the Governor,
"he will not be sorry to get out of gaol, and I have no doubt but that
he will conduct himself well if he once agrees to take your service, Mr
Campbell, for one or two years. As for the Canadians, they are very
harmless, but at the same time very useless. There are exceptions, no
doubt; but their general character is anything but that of activity and
courage. As I said before, you will require stout hearts, and Martin
Super is one, that is certain. Perhaps you can arrange this for Mr
Campbell?"
The Surveyor-General promised to do so; shortly after which, Mr
Campbell, with many thanks, took his leave of the Governor.
Mr Campbell, who had gained every possible information relative to what
would be most necessary for him to take with him, was actively employed
for a fortnight in making his purchases. During this time much
attention was shown to them both by the English and French residents at
Quebec.
Alfred, whose wound was now nearly healed, was as active as usual, and
Henry was of great assistance to his father in taking inventories and
making out lists, etcetera. Nor were Mrs Campbell and the two girls
unemployed; they had purchased the coarse manufactures of the country,
and were very busy making dresses for themselves and for the children.
Mr Campbell had been one morning at Mr Farquhar's, the merchant's, to
make inquiries about a conveyance up to his new purchase (for he had
concluded his arrangements with the Surveyor-General), when the Governor
sent a message by one of his aides-de-camp, to say that it was his
intention in the course of ten days to send a detachment of soldiers up
to Fort Frontignac--news have been received that the garrison was
weakened by a fever which had broken out; and that if Mr Campbell would
like to avail himself of the opportunity, he and his family, and all his
luggage, should go under the escort of the officer and troops. This
offer was, of course, joyfully accepted, and on Mr Campbell's calling
upon the Governor to return his thanks, the latter told him that there
would be plenty of room in the _bateaux_ and canoes for them and all
their luggage, and that he need not give himself further trouble, or
incur any further expense.