As True Blue lay wounded in his hammock, he made daily, almost hourly,
inquiries after Sir Henry; and nothing seemed to expedite his own
recovery so much as hearing that the lieutenant was considered out of
danger.
The _Gannet_ still continued in company with the _Diamond_, and True
Blue's chief unhappiness arose at not being allowed to join the various
cutting-out expeditions in which the crews of the two ships were
engaged.
At length, by the time that they once more stood up channel, both Sir
Henry and True Blue were sufficiently recovered to go on deck, the
lieutenant being almost fit to do some duty, though the latter was not
allowed to exert himself.
Sir Sydney had invited the young lieutenant to spend a day or two on
board the frigate, as he said, for change of air; and Sir Henry got
leave for True Blue to accompany him, for the purpose, in reality, of
making him known to one who, brave himself, could so well appreciate
bravery in others, and who, if he had the will, would probably have the
means of forwarding the young seaman's interests.
Soon after this, in a thick fog, the frigate parted company with the
corvette. The _Diamond_ had taken a number of prizes, and sent them
away under the command of various officers, so that she had very few
left. Sir Sydney had intended to go the next day into Portsmouth to
pick them up, when he fell in with a schooner making for the French
coast, which turned out to be a prize to a French privateer lugger, the
_Vengeur_, known to have taken a number of prizes.
From the prisoners, Sir Sydney learned that she had the character of
being very fast, that she was armed with ten nine-pounders, that her
commander was a very enterprising character himself, and that she had
been in vain chased on several occasions by British cruisers.
"Then we must put a stop to this gentleman's proceedings!" exclaimed Sir
Sydney. "We may not gain much glory, but we shall be doing good service
to the commerce of our country; and that, after all, is our duty, and I
take it we could not be engaged in more honourable work than in the
performance of our duty."
"Certainly not, sir," warmly responded the young lieutenant, his guest;
"and, if you will give me leave, I will accompany you. I am quite able
to endure fatigue, and will take my young shipmate, True Blue Freeborn,
with me, of whom I spoke to you--a gallant fellow, who has twice saved
my life."
Sir Sydney, who delighted in the sort of spirit exhibited by the young
lieutenant, at once acceded to his wishes, and arranged that he should
have charge of one of the boats. The frigate stood in, and soon
discovered the lugger at anchor in the outer roads. The first
lieutenant was on shore in England, the second was very ill, and the
third lay in his berth severely wounded; so Sir Sydney gave notice that
he himself would take command of the expedition.
The information was received with infinite satisfaction on board,
because, in the first place, it seemed certain that there was some
dashing work to be done; and, in the second, it was believed that, in
whatever the Captain engaged, he succeeded. The necessary preparations
were rapidly carried out. An eighteen-pounder carronade was mounted in
the frigate launch, and her crew were also armed with muskets; three
other boats were armed with smaller guns on swivels, and muskets; and
one with muskets only--a wherry, pulling two oars.
Everything was ready by ten o'clock at night, when Sir Sydney Smith
pushed off from the frigate, taking the lead of the other boats in his
wherry. In perfect silence they pulled away, till through the darkness
they perceived the lugger ahead of them. The crews now lay on their
oars, while their Captain, in a clear, distinct voice, issued his
definite orders.
"Understand, my lads, we must not alarm the enemy sooner than we can
help. Give her a wide berth, therefore, and get between her and the
shore, so that those on board, if they see us, may fancy that we are
fishing-boats dropping out of the harbour. Then pull directly for the
lugger, and be on board her as soon as possible."
No further words were spoken. When they had got to the position
indicated, no apparent notice was taken of them, and they hoped to get
close alongside undiscovered.
"Pass the word along to the men to reserve their fire till the Frenchmen
open theirs," said the Captain, who continued ahead. "Now, my lads,
pull straight for her."
Away dashed the boats as fast as their crews could urge them. The
Frenchmen were all asleep, or the watch on deck had not made them out.
When, however, about a musket-shot off, lights were seen, and there was
a considerable bustle on deck, and hallooing and shouting. On they
dashed; they had got within half pistol-shot of the lugger, when a
volley was let fly amongst them. As usual, the dose, instead of
checking their progress, only stimulated them to greater exertions. The
marines and small-arm men returned the fire in right good earnest, while
the boats advanced more rapidly than before.
The Frenchmen had been taken by surprise: they had barely time to load
their guns. As they had not pointed them precisely, most of their shot
flew over the heads of their opponents, and there had been no time to
trice up the boarding nettings. The British were therefore soon
alongside; a fierce hand-to-hand conflict commenced with pistols,
boarding-pikes, and cutlasses, and the gallant assailants began to climb
over her low bulwarks and furiously to attack the enemy with cutlass and
pistol. The French crew, though far outnumbering the British, could not
withstand the desperate onslaught.
Sir Sydney Smith was one of the first on board. True Blue, cutlass in
hand, leaped over the bulwarks at the same moment from another boat,
with Sir Henry Elmore. There was a rapid mingling of shouts and cheers
and cries, and rattling of musketry, and the crack of pistols and
clashing of cutlasses and then the privateer's men gave way, leaped down
below, and cried for quarter. It was given, and the prisoners were at
once secured.
Scarcely was this done, when True Blue, who was forward, discovered that
the cable was cut, and that the vessel was drifting with the tide, now
making strong up the river, rapidly towards the shore. He reported this
to Sir Sydney, who instantly ordered the boats to go ahead and tow her
away. Meantime, search was made for an anchor to hold the vessel
against the tide making up the Seine, every instant apparently
increasing in strength.
"Here's a small kedge, sir!" cried True Blue, who, one of the most
active, was searching away in the forehold. "It will be of little
service, I fear, though."
"Get it bent on. We will try what our canvas will do first," answered
the Captain.
Every stitch of sail the lugger could carry was set on her; but still
the breeze refused to blow with sufficient strength to enable her to
stem the tide, even with all the boats towing ahead. The kedge was
therefore let go, but though it somewhat stopped her way, still she
dragged it rapidly on. Higher and higher she drifted up the Seine, till
at length she brought up off Harfleur, on the northern bank of the
river, two miles above Havre.
It seemed as if nothing more could now be done.
"I ought to return to the frigate," said the Captain, "Sir Henry, you
will accompany me. Mr Wright, you will get under weigh the instant the
tide slackens or a breeze springs up, and run out to us."
Sir Henry begged that he might remain on board the lugger and share the
risk with the rest, though it was not without considerable reluctance
that Sir Sydney consented to leave him. Sir Sydney then pulled off in
his small boat for the frigate.
Daylight was now coming on, and by its means several boats were seen
coming down the Seine, evidently with the intention of trying to
recapture the _Vengeur_. At the same time, however, a small boat was
observed approaching from the frigate, and soon afterwards Sir Sydney
Smith himself stepped on board.
"My lads," he said, "I believe that we shall have to fight for our
prize, and I have returned to lend a hand in defending her. However, we
have more boats and people than are required. Sir Henry Elmore, I must
beg you to undertake the charge of landing the prisoners at Honfleur, on
the southern bank of the river, in the launch and pinnace, and then
return to the _Diamond_. These are my orders. We must first, however,
make the Frenchmen give us their parole not in any way to interfere in
whatever takes place. I propose fighting the lugger under weigh, till
the breeze and ebb tide enable us to carry her out. The tide will soon
make, and I hope to be alongside the frigate in an hour or little more."
Very unwillingly Sir Henry quitted his gallant chief and friend, taking,
of course, True Blue with him.
It was now broad daylight, and all the glasses of the frigate were
turned towards the _Vengeur_. Another large lugger as big as herself
was seen approaching her. She got under weigh, and a warm action began.
"She is giving it her!--she is giving it her!" shouted True Blue. "Sir
Sydney will beat him, I am certain."
So it seemed probable by the gallant way in which the _Vengeur_ met her
approach. The latter was soon seen to sheer off and drop up the river
again, evidently having had fighting enough. Most anxiously a breeze
was looked-for.
Though victorious in this instance, the prize was even in a more
perilous position than before, having drifted still more up the river,
and numerous boats being seen in the distance approaching her. Down
they came, their numbers rapidly increasing. Now she opened her fire
right and left upon them. They returned it with heavy discharges of
musketry, till she was completely surrounded by smoke, an evidence also
that she had no breeze to assist her in manoeuvring.
Farther and farther off she drifted, till, with hearts foreboding evil,
the spectators on board the _Diamond_ lost sight of her in the distance,
surrounded by smoke. In vain they waited. The day wore on; there was
not a sign of their gallant Captain and his brave followers, and at
length it became too certain that they must have been taken prisoners by
the French.
A strong breeze now sprang up. After waiting off the port all the
night, the _Diamond_ ran across the Channel, and anchored at Spithead,
with the intelligence of Sir Sydney Smith's capture. The _Gannet_ had
not yet appeared, and True Blue, as well as Sir Henry, began to be
anxious, fearing that some mishap might have befallen her.
Two days passed by. On the third, True Blue was looking out to the
south-east, when he espied two ships standing in towards the anchorage.
He looked and looked again. One was, he thought, and yet doubted, the
_Gannet_, so different did she look to the trim and gallant little ship
she had but lately been; the other was a craft much of her size, with
the English ensign flying over the tricolour of France. The first soon
made her number, and left no doubt as to her being the _Gannet_.
An action, and a well-fought one, had evidently taken place, and the
corvette had brought in her captured prize; but then came the question,
who among shipmates and friends had suffered? True Blue could not help
thinking of Paul Pringle, whom he loved with an affection which could
not have been surpassed had Paul been his father, and Peter Ogle, and
Abel Bush, and his own messmates. Had any of them been killed or hurt?
He knew that Sir Henry, who had remained doing duty on board the
_Diamond_, would feel somewhat as he did; so he went to him, and Sir
Henry gratified him by saying that he would at once make arrangements
for returning to the corvette the instant she anchored. A boat was got
ready, and away they pulled for her. They were on board almost as soon
as the anchor was dropped.
True Blue glanced eagerly forward. Paul Pringle was on the forecastle,
call in mouth, issuing the necessary orders for furling sails. Peter
Ogle was not to be seen, nor was Abel Bush, but they might be about some
duty below; nor were Tim Fid nor Gregory Gipples visible, though they
ought to have been on deck.
Having reported himself as come on board with Sir Henry to the first
lieutenant, who was near the gangway, he dived below. Numerous hammocks
slung up forward showed that there were many sick or wounded, while
groups of Frenchmen, with sentries over them, proved that a prize had
been taken.
He first hurried to the gunner's cabin. The door was closed--he
knocked--there was no answer--his heart sank within him--his thoughts
flew to Mary and her mother. Could Peter Ogle be among the killed in
the late action? He dared not ask; he opened the door and looked in.
The cabin was empty. He went next to that of Abel Bush.
"Come in," said the carpenter in a weak voice, very unlike his usual
sturdy bass. "True Blue, is it you, my lad? Right glad to see you!" he
exclaimed in a more cheerful tone. "Well, we have had a warm brush.
Only sorry you were not with us; but we took her, as you see, though we
had a hard struggle for it. Do you know, Billy, these Frenchmen do
fight well sometimes. They've given me an ugly knock in the ribs; but
the doctor says I shall be all to rights soon, so no matter. I don't
want to be laid up in ordinary yet. Time enough when I am as old as
Lord Howe. He keeps afloat; so may I for twenty years to come yet, I
hope."
Thus he ran on. He was evidently feverish from his wound.
"But oh, Abel, where is Peter Ogle?" exclaimed True Blue, interrupting
him at length.
"Peter?--oh, aboard the prize!" answered Abel. "Where did you think he
was?"
"All right," replied True Blue.
In the evening, both ships went into the harbour to be refitted, an
operation which, from the battered condition of the corvette and her
prize, would evidently take some time.
Scarcely was the ship moored, when Sir Henry sent for True Blue, and
told him that, on account of his having been wounded, he had obtained
leave for him to have a run on shore, and that if he liked he would take
him up to London with him, and let him see more of the wonders of the
great metropolis.
The colour came to the young sailor's cheeks. "Thank you, Sir Henry--
thank you," he answered; "but to be honest, I'd as lief go to my friends
at Emsworth, you see, sir. They know me, and I know them; and though I
should like to see her ladyship and the young ladies,--indeed I
should,--there's Mary Ogle, Peter Ogle's daughter; and the truth is,
we've come to understand each other, and talk of splicing one of these
days, when I'm a bo'sun perhaps, or maybe before that. If you saw Mary,
sir, I'm sure you wouldn't be offended at my wishing to go down there
rather than go up to big London with you, sir. But you'll give, I hope,
my dutiful respect to your mother, sir, and the young ladies, and tell
them it's not for want of love and duty to them that I don't come."
"I am sure that they will think everything right of you, Freeborn,"
answered the young baronet, struck by True Blue's truthful frankness.
"But instead of being a boatswain, why not aim at being placed, as I
long ago wished, on the quarterdeck? Surely it would please your Mary
more, and I daresay my friends would accomplish it for you."
"Thank you, Sir Henry--thank you. I've thought the matter over scores
of times, and never thought differently," answered True Blue with a
thoughtful look. "And do you know, sir, I'm sure that Mary wouldn't
love me a bit the more because I was a Captain, than she does now, or
than she will when I am a bo'sun. She isn't a lady, and doesn't set up
for a lady; and why should she? I couldn't love her a bit the more than
I now do if she did. You see, Sir Henry, she's a right true honest good
girl, and what more can a man like me want in the world to make him
happy?"
"You are right, Freeborn--you are right!" exclaimed the young baronet,
springing up and taking his friend's hand; "and I wish you every
happiness your Mary can give you. Remember, too, if I am in England,
invite me to your wedding, and I'll do my utmost to come to it. I have
not often been at a wedding, and never thought of marrying; but I am
very sure that somehow or other you will set me on the right course, by
the pleasure I shall experience on that occasion."
The next day, while Sir Henry went up to London, True Blue started off
by himself to Emsworth, his godfather having too much to do in refitting
the ship to be spared away from her. He had not given notice that he
was coming, and the cry of pleasure with which he was received when his
smiling countenance appeared at Peter Ogle's cottage door showed him
that he might depend on a hearty welcome.
A fair girl, with the sweetest of faces, rose from her seat, and,
running towards him, put out both her hands, and did not seem
overwhelmed with astonishment when he threw an arm round her waist and
kissed her heartily.
"Hillo, Master True Blue, are those the manners you have learned at
sea?" exclaimed Mrs Ogle, not very angrily, though.
"Yes, mother," answered Billy, laughing, and still holding Mary by the
hand and looking into her face. "It's the way I behaved scores of times
whenever I've thought of the only girl I ever loved; and now, though I
didn't intend to do it, I couldn't help it--indeed I couldn't. I hope
you'll forgive me, Mrs Ogle, if Mary does."
"Well, Billy, as my goodman has known you since you were a baby, and
I've known you nearly as long, I suppose I must overlook it this time,"
answered Mrs Ogle. "And now tell me, how is my husband, and Pringle,
and the rest?"
"Ogle and Pringle are very well; but Abel Bush has had an ugly knock on
his side. It will grieve poor Mrs Bush, I know, when I tell her.
He'll be here as soon as he is out of hospital; but he wants to be
aboard again when the ship is ready for sea."
Good Mrs Ogle, on hearing this, said that she would go in and prepare
her neighbour for the news of Abel being wounded; and after she had done
so, True Blue went and told her all the particulars, and comforted her
to the best of his power; and then he hurried off to see old Mrs
Pringle, who forgave him for not coming first to her, which he ought to
have done.
The hours of True Blue's short stay flew quickly by--quicker by far than
he wished. Never had the country to his eyes looked so beautiful, the
meadows so green, the woods so fresh, and the flowers so bright; never
had the birds seemed to sing so sweetly; and never had he watched with
so much pleasure the sheep feeding on the distant downs, or the cattle
come trooping in to their homesteads in the evening.
"After all, Mary," he said, "I really do think there are more things on
shore worth looking at than I once fancied. Once I used to think that
the sea was the only place fit for a man to live on, and now, though I
don't like it less than I did, I do love the look of this place at all
events."
Mary smiled. They were sitting on a mossy bank on the hillside, with
green fields before them and a wood on the right, in which the leaves
were bursting forth fresh and bright, and a wide piece of water some
hundred yards below, in which several wild fowl were dipping their
wings; while beyond rose a range of smooth downs, the intermediate space
being sprinkled over with neat farmhouses and labourers' cottages; and
rising above the trees appeared the grey, ivy-covered tower of the
parish church, with the taper spire pointing upwards to the clear blue
sky--not more clear or bright, though, than his Mary's eyes; so True
Blue thought, whether he said it or not.
"Yes," said Mary; "I am sure, True Blue, when you come to know more of
dear Old England, you'll love it as I do."
"I love it now, Mary--that I do, and everything in it for your sake,
Mary, and its own sake!" exclaimed True Blue enthusiastically. "I used
to think only of fighting for the King, God bless him; but now, though I
won't fight the less for him than I did, I'll fight for Old England, and
for you too, Mary; and not the worse either, because I shall be thinking
of you, and of how I shall hope some day to come and live on shore with
you, and perhaps go no more to sea."
Mary returned the pressure of his honest hand, and in the wide realms of
England no two people were happier than they were; for they were
faithful, guileless, and true, honest and virtuous, and no shadow cast
by a thought of future misfortune crossed their path.
Thus the days sped on. Then a letter came from Sir Henry, saying that
he had obtained another fortnight's leave for True Blue; and the
different families looked forward to a visit from the three
warrant-officers of the _Gannet_, and felt how proud they should be at
seeing them in their uniforms. Abel Bush was so far recovered that he
was expected in a day or two.
Such was the state of affairs, when one evening True Blue heard that an
old shipmate of his in the _Ruby_ was ill at a little public-house about
three miles off, nearer the sea; so he at once set off to visit him,
intending to bring him up to Mrs Pringle's, if he was able to be
removed, for he was a favourite and friend of Paul's.
When he got there, he found a good many men in the house, mostly seamen,
drinking and smoking in the bar. However, he passed on, and went up
into the room where his old shipmate was in bed. He sat talking to him
for some time, and then he gave him Mrs Pringle's message, and told him
that, as she had a spare room, he must come up there and stay till he
was well. He had arranged to return with a cart the next morning, and
had bid his friend good-bye, when, as he was on his way down the dark
narrow stairs, he heard the door burst open, and a tremendous scuffle,
and shouts, and oaths, and cries, and tables and chairs and benches
upset, and blows rapidly dealt.
He had little doubt that a pressgang had broken into the house, and,
though they lawfully couldn't touch him, he instinctively hurried back
into his friend's room, knowing how unscrupulous many people, when thus
engaged, were, and that if they got hold of him he would have no little
difficulty in escaping from their clutches.
His friend, Ned Archer, thought the same. "Here, Billy," he exclaimed,
"jump out of the window! I will shut it after you, and you will be free
of these fellows."
There was not a moment to be lost. True Blue threw open the casement,
and dropped to the ground. It was a good height; but to an active lad
like him the fall was nothing, and he would have made no noise had not a
tin pan been set up against the wall. He kicked it over, and, as he was
running off, he found himself collared by three stout fellows, drawn to
the spot by the clatter it made.
"You'll have to serve His Majesty, my lad--that's all; so be quiet,"
said one of the men, for True Blue very naturally could not help trying
to escape.
"I have served His Majesty long and faithfully, and hope before long to
be serving him again afloat," answered True Blue. "But just hands off,
mates. You've got hold of a wrong bird. I belong to a sloop of war,
the _Gannet_, and am away from her on leave."
"A likely story, my lad," said the officer commanding the pressgang, who
just then came up. "You are fair-spoken enough; but men with
protections don't jump out of windows and try to make off at the sight
of a pressgang. Whether you've served His Majesty or not, you'll come
along with us and serve him now--that's all I've to say on the subject."
The officer would not listen to a word True Blue had to plead, but with
eight or nine other men, captured at the same time, he was forthwith
marched down in the direction of the Hamble river.
It was a long tramp, and True Blue often looked round for an opportunity
of escaping; but his captors were vigilant, and there seemed but little
chance of his getting away. Never had he felt so anxious, and, as he
expressed his feelings, downhearted, not for himself,--he believed that
all would come right at last, as far as he was concerned,--but for those
he left behind him. He thought how anxious and grieved Mary would be
when he did not return; and though he was aware that ultimately she
would ascertain that he had been carried off by a pressgang, he knew
that that would not mend matters much.
A boat was waiting for them in the Hamble creek; and the party pulled
on, till at daybreak they found themselves at the mouth of the
Southampton Water, on board an eighteen-gun brig. The pressed men
looked very sulky and angry, and eyed the shore as if even then they
longed to jump overboard and swim for it; but the sentry, with his
musket, at the gangway was a strong hint that they would have other
dangers besides drowning to contend with should they attempt it.
True Blue, who disdained to shirk duty on any pretence, performed as
rapidly and well as he could what he was ordered to do; but at the same
time his heart was heavier, probably, than that of any one on board.
The officer who had captured him might or might not believe his
assertion that he belonged to another ship. He had not his papers with
him, and he had been caught trying to escape from the pressgang. The
Captain of the brig was on shore, and was to be taken on board at
Plymouth, where she was to call in for him.
"Where are we bound for?" asked True Blue of one of his new shipmates.
"Don't you know, lad?" answered the man with a laugh which sounded harsh
and cruel in his ears. "Why, out to the East Indies, to be sure--that's
the land, I've heard, of gold and silver and jewels. We shall all come
back with our pockets well lined with the rhino. Lots of prize-money,
lad--that's the stuff we want. No wonder our skipper is in a hurry to
be off. We shan't drop anchor even in Plymouth Sound, but he'll post
down from London; and as soon as he sees us he'll be aboard, for I know
well that he will be eager to be off. He's in as great a hurry to
finger the ingots as any of us."
This was very unpleasant information for True Blue. He had no reason,
either, to doubt it. As soon as the tide made, the brig got under
weigh, and, standing out of the river, ran down the Solent towards the
Needle Passage.
Had True Blue been on board his own ship, he would have been contented
enough, even though he had been bound for the East Indies; but to be
carried off among strangers, without an opportunity of communicating
with those he loved, was hard indeed to bear. The brig had got down as
far as Berryhead, when it fell very nearly calm, and a thick fog came
on. All night long the fog continued, and though it was not dark, all
objects beyond ten or twenty fathoms at most of the brig were rendered
invisible. Her head, therefore, was put off shore, to avoid the risk of
running on it, and sail was reduced, so as merely to allow her to have
steerage way.
The breeze, however, got up a little with the sun, which was seen
endeavouring to pierce the mist; but for a long time the sun appeared to
strive in vain to accomplish that object.
At last the silvery mist was, as it were, torn asunder; and then,
running under all sail, and about to pass between the brig and the land,
appeared a large lugger. The brig under reduced sail, seen through the
fog, looked probably more like a merchantman than a man-of-war. The
lugger ran up the tricolour and fired a round-shot at the brig.
The first lieutenant, springing on deck with his trousers in one hand
and his coat in the other, ordered the brig to be put about, and then
all hands to make sail, and the guns to be cast loose and run out. The
Frenchmen, before they discovered their mistake, had also tacked,--the
wind was from the southward,--and were standing back towards the brig;
but what was their astonishment, when, instead, of the thumping big
merchantman they had expected to make their easy prize, they saw a trim
man-of-war with nine guns looking down on them!
They at the same time had the full taste of the nine guns, and of a
volley of musketry also, to which they, however, in another minute,
responded in gallant style. The brig was to windward. The object of
her commanding officer was to jam the lugger up between her and the
land, so that she could not possibly escape.
The lugger's Captain, unwilling to be thus caught, hauled his tacks
aboard, and made a gallant attempt to cross the bows of the brig. Her
helm, however, at that moment was put down, and a broadside fired right
into the lugger, one shot bringing down her mainyard, and another
knocking the mizen-mast over her side. The escape of the Frenchmen was
now hopeless--they must either conquer or be captured. They made a bold
attempt to win, by immediately running aboard the brig, before the
lugger had lost her way, and securing her with grappling-irons.
"Boarders, repel boarders!" shouted the first lieutenant of the brig.
Among the first to answer the call was True Blue. Seizing a cutlass
from a heap brought on deck,--for there had been no time to buckle them
on,--he sprang to the spot where he Frenchmen were swarming on board.
"Drive them back, for the sake of Old England, our King, and the homes
we love!" he shouted, a dozen arming themselves as he had done, and
following him.
The officers in the same way seized what weapons they could lay hands
on, and met their desperate assailants. In boarding, those who board,
if they can take their opponents by surprise, have greatly the
advantage. The Frenchmen reckoned on this, and were not disappointed.
A strong party had made good their footing on the brig's deck, when the
first lieutenant, who was a powerful man, seizing a cutlass, with some
of the best of the crew, threw himself upon them. So desperate was the
onslaught he made that none could withstand it. The Frenchmen fired
their pistols, by which several of the English, who had not one loaded,
fell; and the gallant lieutenant was among others hit. Still his wound
did not stop his progress.
The Frenchmen retreated inch by inch, throwing themselves over the
brig's bulwarks into their own vessel. True Blue and his party had been
equally successful forward, and now not a Frenchman remained on the
brig's deck. In another moment, he with his companions had leaped down
on that of the lugger, and, though the French far outnumbered the
British, drove them all abaft the foremast, where they found themselves
attacked by another portion of the brig's crew, headed by two of her
officers.
The first lieutenant had carried her aft, and the French, seeing that
all was lost, threw down their arms and cried out for quarter. It was
instantly given, and in ten minutes from the time the first shot was
fired, the capture of the lugger was complete.
As True Blue looked along her decks, he thought he recognised her
appearance. "Hurrah!" he shouted. "Why, she's the very craft, the
_Vengeur_, we took in the Seine."
So she proved. From one of the prisoners, who spoke English, True Blue
learned that, soon after the boats had left her for the frigate, the
_Vengeur_ had been attacked by a large armed lugger, which, however, she
beat off; that then a number of boats with soldiers in them surrounded
her, and that, after a furious action had been carried on for some time,
chiefly with musketry, and numbers of the British had been killed or
wounded, Sir Sydney had yielded.
Between twenty or thirty officers and men only had been landed at Rouen,
the rest having fallen. The greater number were imprisoned at Rouen;
but the French Government had considered Sir Sydney as a prisoner of
state, and, with his secretary and servant, he had been placed in the
tower of the Temple at Paris.
In the afternoon, the brig and her prize ran up Plymouth Sound; and as
she had killed and wounded and prisoners to land, and repairs to make
good, instead of sailing at once, as had been intended, she had to wait
several days.
True Blue's gallant conduct had been observed both by the first
lieutenant and the master, and when the Captain came on board it was
reported to him.
"I think I must know the man," he observed. "A fine young fellow--an
old shipmate of mine in the _Ruby_."
True Blue was sent for. The recognition was mutual. He told his story,
and described also how he had been at the former capture of the
_Vengeur_.
"I do not doubt a word you say," said the Captain. "Still, here you
are. I am unwilling to lose you, and am not compelled to release you.
I will give you any rating you like to select in the ship."
"Thank you, sir, heartily," answered True Blue; "but I belong to the
_Gannet_, and have no right to desert her, and have all my best friends
aboard her. I would rather be put ashore to join her as soon as I can."
"But I cannot take any man's word for such a statement," answered the
Captain. "If it were known, I should have all the pressed men coming to
me with long yarns, which it might be difficult to disprove."
"Then, sir, perhaps you will take Sir Henry Elmore's word for it. You
know his handwriting, I daresay. I got this letter from him a few days
ago;" and True Blue handed in the note, somewhat crumpled, which the
young baronet had sent, saying that he had obtained longer leave for
him.
"That is sufficient warrant to me in allowing you to leave me, if we
fall in with the _Gannet_," observed the Captain, who was a man never
inclined, whether right or wrong, to yield a point.
True Blue felt that he was cruelly wronged; still he hated the notion of
running from the ship. Others put it into his head, but he would not
accept it. "No, I have been unfairly taken, and I will be properly
released," he said to himself. "I'll do what is right, whatever comes
of it."
The brig's repairs did not take long; but the arrangements respecting
the prize occupied the Captain some time, so that nearly ten days passed
before the brig was standing once more down the Sound.
Poor True Blue's application for a release had been ignored, and he now
felt certain that he should have to go out to India. As they reached
the entrance of the Sound, a corvette was seen standing in. She
exchanged colours with the brig, and proved to be the _Gannet_. Captain
Brine, who was superior officer, directed the brig to heave-to. A boat
shoved off from her, and, coming alongside, who should jump on the deck
of the brig but Paul Pringle, who, touching his hat, said in a stern
voice that he had been sent to bring back to his own ship Billy True
Blue Freeborn.