I state my newly-awakened scruples as to the lawfulness
of a Privateer's-man's Life to Mr. Trevannion, but
nevertheless undertake another Cruise--Save a Youth from
drowning, who he proves to be--Conflict with a French
Privateer--Take her and deliver a Prize--Return to
Liverpool--Resign the Command of the Sparrow-Hawk, and
agree to superintend Mr. Trevannion's Business.
Miss Trevannion, my dear Madam, was taller than your sex usually are,
her figure slight, and still unformed to a certain degree, but
promising perfection. Her hair was very dark, her features regular and
handsome, her complexion very pale, and her skin fair as the snow. As
she stood in silence, she reminded you of a classical antique statue,
and hardly appeared to breathe through her delicate lips, but when she
was animated with conversation, it almost reminded you of the
Promethean fire which poets state was stolen from Heaven to animate a
piece of marble. Then the colour came in her cheeks, intelligence
played on her countenance, and every thing which at first sight
appeared wanting, was, like magic, found to light up her face. Her
smiles were the sweetest I ever beheld, and one of those smiles she
bestowed upon me as I entered the room and paid her my obeisance. The
night before, I had not observed her much, I was too busy with her
father and Captain Levee, and she sat remote from the table and
distant from the light, and she never spoke but when she took my hand
and thanked me, as I mentioned before. I thought then that her voice
was like a silver bell, but made no other remark upon her. We had,
however, exchanged but few words before her father came in,
accompanied by Captain Levee, and we sat down to our morning's repast
of chocolate.
After we had broken our fast, Captain Levee hastened away on board of
his vessel. My imprisonment had detained him from sailing, and Mr.
Trevannion was anxious that he should be off as soon as possible to
make up for lost time, as the expenses of the vessel were heavy.
"Farewell, Elrington, for the present," said he; "I shall come to you
on board of your schooner some time during the day." When Captain
Levee was gone--for, to tell the truth, I was afraid of his
ridicule--I thought it a good opportunity to give my thoughts to my
owner, and as I had nothing to say, which his daughter might not hear,
I began as follows:
"Mr. Trevannion, I think it right to state to you that during my
imprisonment a great change has come over my feelings upon certain
points. I am not ashamed to acknowledge that it has been occasioned by
the death which stared me in the face, and from my having seriously
communed with myself, and examined, more than I perhaps have done
during the whole of my former life, the sacred writings which are
given us as our guide. The point to which I refer is, that I have come
to a conviction that privateering is not a lawful or honourable
profession, and with these feelings I should wish to resign the
command of the schooner which you have had the kindness to give me."
"Indeed, Elrington," replied Mr. Trevannion. "Well, I should not have
thought to have heard this from you I confess. Much as I respect your
scruples, you are too scrupulous. I can hardly imagine that you have
turned to the sect of the Quakers, and think fighting is contrary to
the Scriptures."
"No, Sir, not so far as that. I consider war, as a profession, both
necessary and honourable, and a nation is bound to be prepared for any
foreign attack, and to act upon the defensive, or on the offensive, if
it is necessary. It is not that. I do not consider the soldier who
fights for his country is not doing his duty, nor the seamen who are
employed by the state are not equally justified in their profession.
What I refer to is privateering. That is, vessels fitted out for the
purpose of aggression by private merchants, and merely for the sake of
profit. They are not fitted out with any patriotic motives, but merely
for gain. They are speculations in which the lives of people on both
sides are sacrificed for the sake of lucre--and had you witnessed such
scenes of bloodshed and cruelty as I have during my career, such
dreadful passions let loose, and defying all restraint, you would
agree with me, that he who leads such miscreants to their quarry has
much to answer for. Were it possible to control the men on board of a
privateer as the men are controlled in the king's service, it might be
more excusable; but manned as privateers always will be, with the most
reckless characters, when once they are roused by opposition,
stimulated by the sight of plunder, or drunken with victory, no power
on earth can restrain their barbarity and vengeance, and a captain of
a privateer who attempted, would, in most cases, if he stood between
them and their will, unless he were supported, fall a victim to his
rashness. All this I have seen; and all I now express I have long
felt, even when younger and more thoughtless. You know that I did give
up privateering at one time, because I was shocked at the excesses to
which I was a party. Since that, I have accepted the command of a
vessel, for the idea of being captain was too flattering to my vanity
to permit me to refuse; but reflection has again decided me not to
engage in it further. I hope this communication will not displease
you, Mr. Trevannion. If I am wrong in my opinion, at all events I am
sincere, for I am giving up my only source of livelihood from a sense
of duty."
"I know that you are sincere, Elrington," replied Mr. Trevannion, "but
at the same time I think that you are much too strait-laced in your
opinions. When nations are at war, they mutually do all the mischief
that they can to each other, and I cannot see what difference there is
between my fitting out a privateer under the king's authority, or the
king having vessels and men for the national service. The government
fit out all the vessels that they can, and when their own funds are
exhausted, they encourage individuals to employ their capital in
adding to the means of distressing the enemy. If I had property on the
high seas, would it be respected any more than other English property
by the enemy? Certainly not; and, therefore, I am not bound to respect
theirs. The end of war is to obtain an honourable peace; and the more
the enemy is distressed, the sooner are you likely to obtain one. I do
not, therefore, consider that privateering is worse than any other
species of warfare, or that the privateer's-man is a whit more
reckless or brutal than soldiers or men-of-war's men in the hour of
victory in the king's service."
"There is this difference, Sir," replied I; "first, in the officers
commanding; although glad to obtain prize-money, they are stimulated
by nobler feelings as well. They look to honour and distinction; they
have the feeling that they are defending their king and country, to
support them and throw a halo on their exertions; and they have such
control over their men, that, although I admit they are equally
inclined to excess as the privateer's-man, they are held in check by
the authority which they dare not resist. Now, Mr. Trevannion,
privateer's-men seek not honour, and are not stimulated by a desire to
serve the country; all they look to is how to obtain the property of
others under sanction; and could they without any risk do so, they
would care little whether it was English property or not, provided
that they put the money into their pockets. If I held this opinion as
a seaman on board of a privateer, what must I feel now, when I am the
leader of such people, and the responsibility of their acts is thrown
upon my shoulders, for such I feel is the case?"
"I think," replied Mr. Trevannion, "that we had better not discuss
this question any further just now. Of course you must decide for
yourself; but I have this favour to ask of you. Trusting to your
resuming the command of the vessel, I have no one to replace you at
present, and I hope you will not refuse to take the command of her for
one more cruise: should you, on your return and on mature reflection,
be of the same opinion as you are now, I certainly shall no longer
press you to remain, and will do all I can to assist you in any other
views you may have."
"To that, Sir, I can have no objection," replied I; "it would be
unfair of me to leave you without a captain to the vessel, and I am
therefore ready to sail in her as soon as you please, upon the
understanding that I may quit her, if I am of the same opinion as I am
now, upon my return to port."
"I thank you, my dear Sir," said Mr. Trevannion, rising, "that is all
I request. I must now go to the counting-house."
So saying, he left the room, but his countenance showed that he was
far from pleased.
Miss Trevannion, who had been a silent listener to the conversation,
as soon as her father had closed the door after him, thus spoke:
"Captain Elrington, the opinion of a young maiden like me can be of
little value, but you know not how much pleasure you have given me by
the sentiments you have expressed. Alas! that a man so good, so
generous, and so feeling in every other respect, should be led away by
the desire of gain, to be the owner of such a description of property.
But in this town, wealth is every thing; the way by which it is
obtained is not thought of. My father's father left him a large
property in vessels employed wholly in the slave-trade, and it was
through the persuasions of my poor mother, that my father was induced
to give up that nefarious traffic. Since that, his capital has been
chiefly employed in privateering, which, if not so brutal and
disgraceful, is certainly nearly as demoralizing. I have been home but
a short time, and I have already ventured to express my opinion,
certainly not so forcibly and so well as you have, upon the subject;
but I was laughed at as a tender-hearted girl, who could not be a fit
judge of such matters. But now that you, a captain of one of his
vessels, have expressed your dislike to the profession, I think some
good may arise. If my father were a poor man, it would be more
excusable, if excuse there can be, but such is not the case. He is
wealthy, and to whom has he to leave his wealth but to me, his only
child? Captain Elrington, you are right--be firm--my father's
obligations to you are very great, and your opinion will have its
influence. I am his daughter--his only daughter--his love for me is
great, I know, and I also have my power over him. Supported as I have
been by you, I will now exert it to the utmost to persuade him to
retire from further employment of his means in such a speculation. I
thanked you yesterday, when I first saw you, for your noble behaviour,
I little thought that I should have again, in so short a time, to
express my thanks."
Miss Trevannion did not wait for any reply from me, but then quitted
the room.
I must say, that although so young a person, I was much pleased at
Miss Trevannion's approval of my sentiments. She appeared, from the
very short acquaintance I had had with her, to be a person of a firm
and decided disposition, and very different from the insipid class of
females generally met with. Her approval strengthened my resolution;
still, as I had promised her father that I would go another cruise in
the privateer, I left the house and went on board to resume the
command. My return was joyfully hailed by the officers and men, which
is not always the case. I found her, as may be supposed, ready for sea
at a minute's warning, so that I had nothing to do but to embark my
effects, which I did before the noon was passed, and then went on
shore to Mr. Trevannion, to receive his orders. I found him with
Captain Levee in the back room; and I told Mr. Trevannion that I had
resumed the command, and was ready to sail as soon as he pleased.
"We must make up for lost time, Elrington," replied he; "I have
ordered Captain Levee to cruise to the northward of the Western Isles,
occasionally working up as far as the Scilly Isles. Now, I think, you
had better take your ground in the Channel, between Dunkirk and
Calais. There is as much to be made by salvage in recapturing English
vessels in that quarter, as there is in taking the enemy's vessels;
and I am sure," added Mr. Trevannion, smiling, "you will think that
legitimate warfare."
At this Captain Levee laughed, and said, "I have been told what you
said to Mr. Trevannion, Elrington. I said that it was the effects of
being condemned for high treason, and would wear off in a
three-months' cruise."
"Good impressions do wear off very soon, I fear," replied I; "but I
hope that it will not be the case in this instance."
"We shall see, my good fellow," replied Captain Levee; "for my part I
hope they will, for otherwise we shall lose the best privateer's-man I
ever fell in with. However, it's no use bringing up the question now,
let us wait till our cruises are over, and we meet again. Good-bye,
Elrington, and may you be fortunate. My anchor is short stay apeak,
and I shall be under sail in half an hour."
Captain Levee sailed at the time that he mentioned; I remained at
anchor till the next morning, and then once more was running down the
Irish Channel before a stiff breeze. I forgot to mention that while
at Mr. Trevannion's I had looked at the address of the Catholic priest
who had announced to me my release from prison, and had left copies of
it, as well as of that of the lady at Paris, in the care of Mr.
Trevannion. It was now cold, autumnal weather, and the Channel was but
rough sailing-ground. During the first fortnight we were fortunate
enough to make two recaptures of considerable value, which arrived
safely in the Thames, after which we had a succession of gales front
the southward, it being the time of the equinox, which drove us close
to the sands of Yarmouth, and we even had difficulty in clearing them
and getting into sea-room by standing to the eastward. The weather
still continued very bad, and we were lying-to under storm sails for
several days, and at last found ourselves a degree and a half to the
northward, off the coast of Norfolk, when the weather moderated, and
the wind changed to the northward. It was a fine clear night, but with
no moon, and we were running before the wind to regain our
cruising-ground; but the wind again shifted and baffled us, and at
last it fell light, and, being on a wind, we did not make more than
four miles an hour, although there was very little sea. About one
o'clock in the morning, I had gone on deck, and was walking to and fro
with the first officer, Mr. James, when I thought that I heard a faint
hallo from to windward.
"Stop," said I; "silence there forward."
I listened, and thought that I heard the cry again. "Mr. James," said
I, "did you not hear some one shout?"
"No, Sir," replied he.
"Wait, then, and listen."
We did so, but I could not hear it repeated.
"I am certain that I heard a voice as if on the waters," said I.
"Perhaps some one has fallen overboard. Turn the hands up to muster,
and haul the fore-sheet to windward."
The men were mustered, but no one was missing.
"It was your fancy, Sir," observed the first officer.
"It may have been," replied I; "but I am still in my own mind
persuaded that such was the case. Perhaps I was mistaken."
"Shall we let draw the fore-sheet, Sir?" said Mr. James.
"Yes, we may as well; but the wind is lighter than it was. I think we
shall have a calm."
"It will be as much as she can do to stem the tide and hold her own,"
observed Mr. James. "Let draw the fore-sheet, my lads."
Somehow or another I had a feeling which I could not surmount, that I
certainly had heard a faint shout, and although admitting such to be
the case, there was little chance of being of service to any one, I
felt a reluctance to leave the spot, and as I walked the deck silent
and alone, this feeling became insurmountable.
I remained on deck till the tide turned, and then, instead of taking
advantage of it so as to gain to the southward, I put the schooner's
head the other way, so as to keep as near as I could to the spot where
I heard the voice, reducing her sail so as just to stem the tide. I
cannot now account for my anxiety, which, under the circumstances, I
most certainly never should have felt, unless it was that Providence
was pleased to interpose on this occasion more directly than usual. I
could not leave the deck; I waited for daylight with great impatience,
and as the day dawned I had my telescope in my hand looking round the
compass.
At last, as the sun rose from the fog on the horizon, something
attracted my eye, and I made it out to be the two masts of a vessel
which had sunk in about six fathoms water. Still I could see nothing
except the masts. However, to make sure, I made sail on the schooner,
and stood towards them. A short tack enabled us to fetch, and in half
an hour we passed the wreck about a half-musket-shot to windward, when
we perceived an arm lifted up out of the water, and waved to us.
"There is somebody there," said I, "and I was right. Quickly, my lads;
fore-sheet to windward, and lower down the stern-boat."
This was done in a minute, and in a short time the boat returned,
bringing with them a lad about sixteen years old, whom they had found
in the water, clinging to the masts of the vessel. He was too much
exhausted to speak or move. He was put into bed, covered up with
blankets, and some warm spirits and water poured down his throat. We
then hoisted up the boat, and made sail upon the schooner, and I went
down below to breakfast, rejoicing that I had acted upon the impulse
which I had felt, and had thus been instrumental in saving the life of
a fellow-creature. A few minutes after he was put into bed, the lad
fell into a sound sleep, which continued during the whole of the day.
The next morning he awoke greatly recovered, and very hungry, and as
soon as he had eaten he rose and dressed himself.
I then sent for him, as I was impatient to see him and learn his
history. When he entered the cabin, it struck me I had seen his
features before, but where I could not say. To my inquiries he stated
that the brig was the Jane and Mary, of Hull, laden with coals; that
they had started a wooden end during the gale, and that she had filled
so rapidly that they got the boat from off the boom to save their
lives, but from the heavy sea running, and the confusion, the boat had
been bilged against the bulwarks, and went down as they were shoving
off; that he had supported himself by one of the oars, and was soon
separated from his companions who floated around him; that during this
time the brig had sunk, and he, clinging to the oar, had been drawn
towards her as she sank, and carried some feet under water. On his
rising he perceived the top-gallant masts above water, and had made
for them, and on looking round he could not see any of the rest of the
crew, who must have all perished; that he had been two days on the
mast, and was perished with cold. Finding that his feet, which hung
down on the water, were much warmer than the other portions of his
body exposed to the wind, he had sunk himself down in the water, and
remained there, and had he not done so, he must have perished.
I asked him how long he had been at sea, and he said he had only gone
one voyage, and had been but three months on board. There was
something in his manner so superior to the condition of apprentice
(which he stated himself to be) on board of such a vessel; and I felt
such an interest, which I could not account for, towards the lad, that
I then asked who were his friends. He replied, stammering, that he
had not a friend in the world except a brother older than himself by
many years, and he did not know where he was.
"But your father's name? Is he alive, and who is he? You must tell me
that, or I shall not know where to send you."
The youth was very confused, and would not give me any answer.
"Come, my lad," I said, "I think as I have saved your life, I deserve
a little confidence, and it shall not be misplaced. I perceive that
you have not been brought up as a lad for the sea, and you must
therefore trust me."
"I will, Sir," he replied, "if you will not send me back to my father
and--mother."
"Certainly not against your will, my good lad," I replied, "although I
shall probably persuade you all I can to return to them. I presume you
ran away from your home?"
"Yes, Sir, I did," replied he; "for I could not possibly stay there
any longer, and my brother did so before me, for the same reason that
I did."
"Well, I promise you, if you will confide in me, that I will not force
your inclinations, so now tell me who are your father and mother, and
why you left home. You want a friend now, and without confidence you
cannot expect friendship."
"I will tell you all, Sir," he replied, "for I see by your face that
you will not take advantage of me."
He then commenced, and you may imagine my surprise, my dear Madam,
when I found that it was my own brother Philip, whom I had left a
child of ten years old, who was addressing me. He had, as he had
asserted, left his home and thrown himself on the wide world for the
same reason which I had; for his spirit, like mine, could not brook
the treatment which he received. I allowed him to finish his
narrative, and then made myself known to him.
You may imagine the scene, and the delight of the poor fellow, who, as
he encircled me in his arms, clinging to me with the tears of joy on
his cheeks, told me that his great object had been to find me out, and
that although he had no idea what had become of me, he thought it
most likely that I had taken to a seafaring life.
I now felt certain that Providence had specially interposed in this
business, and had, for its own good reasons, created those unusual
feelings of interest which I described to you, that I might be the
saviour of my brother; and most grateful was I, I can assure you. I
had now a companion and friend, one to love and to cherish. I was no
longer alone in the world, and I do not know when I had felt so happy
for a long while.
I left my brother below in the cabin, and went on deck to acquaint the
officers with this strange meeting. The intelligence soon ran through
the vessel, and of course the poor shipwrecked boy became an object of
unusual interest. That whole day I was interrogating and receiving
intelligence from him relative to our family. I made him describe his
sisters and every member of it, even the servants and our neighbours
were not forgotten, and for the first time since I had quitted home, I
knew what had occurred during the six years of my absence. From the
accounts he gave me, I certainly had no inclination ever to return as
long as certain parties were in existence; and my brother declared
that nothing but force should ever induce him. The more I talked with
him, the more I was pleased with him. He appeared of a frank, noble
disposition, full of honour and high sentiments, winning in his
manners, and mirthful to excess. Indeed his handsome countenance
implied and expressed as much, and it did not deceive.
I hardly need say that he took up his quarters in my cabin, and having
procured for him more suitable apparel, he looked what he was, the
perfect young gentleman. He was soon a general favourite on board, not
only with the officers but with the men. One would have thought that
the danger and distress we had found him in would have sickened him
for the sea for ever; but it was quite the contrary. He delighted in
his profession, and was certainly born to be a sailor. I asked him
what he felt when he had remained so long clinging to the mast; if he
had not given up all hopes of being saved? and he replied no, that he
had not; that he did not know how long he might have had to remain
there, but that he had never abandoned the idea of being taken off by
some vessel or another, and that he thought that he might have
continued there for twenty-four hours longer without being exhausted,
as after he had sunk himself into the water he felt warm, and no
exertion was necessary. It is of such buoyant spirits as these, Madam,
that seamen should be made.
You cannot have an idea of the pleasure which I experienced at this
falling in with my brother Philip. It appeared to have given a new
stimulus to my existence; even privateering did not appear so hateful
to me, after I had heard him express his delight at being likely to be
so employed, for such he stated had long been his ardent wish. Two
days afterwards we had regained our cruising-ground, and perceived a
French privateer steering for the port of Calais, in company with a
large merchant vessel which she had captured. The wind was light, and
we discovered her at daybreak, just as the fog cleared away, she being
then about mid-channel, and not more than five miles distant. We made
all sail, and soon were within gun-shot. The Frenchman appeared
determined not to part with his prize without a trial of strength, but
as the captured vessel was the nearest to us, I decided to retake her
first, and then fight him if he wished. I therefore steered to lay the
prize by the board. The Frenchman, a lugger of twelve guns, perceiving
our intention, made also for the prize to defend her, he steering up
for her close-hauled, we running down to her free, the prize lying
between us, and sheltering each of us from the other's guns. It is
difficult to say whether the Frenchman or we were the first to touch
her sides with our respective vessels; I rather think that the
Frenchman was a second or two before us. At all events they were
quicker than we were, and were on the deck first, besides having the
advantage of the assistance of their men already on board, so that we
were taken at a great disadvantage. However, we did gain the deck by
boarding at two points, forward and aft, and a fierce contest ensued.
The French were more numerous than we were, but my men were better
selected, being all very powerful, athletic fellows. Philip had
boarded with the other party forward, which was led by my chief
officer. My party, who were abaft, not being so numerous, were beaten
back to the taffrail of the vessel, where we stood at bay, defending
ourselves against the furious assaults of the Frenchmen. But if we
lost, the other party gained, for the whole body of the Frenchmen were
between us and them, and those who faced Philip's party were driven
back to abaft the mainmast. It so happened that Philip was thrown down
on the deck, and his men passed over him; and while in that position,
and unable to rise from the pressure upon him, he heard a calling out
from below: this told him that the English prisoners were in the hold;
and as soon as he could rise he threw off the hatches, and they rushed
up, to the number of twenty-three stout fellows, to our support,
cheering most manfully, and by their cheers announcing to the French
that we had received assistance. This gave fresh courage to my men,
who were hard pressed and faint with their great exertion. We cheered,
and rushed upon the enemy, who were already weakened by many of them
having turned round to resist the increased impetus from forward. Our
cheers were replied to by Philip's party and the prisoners, and the
French were losing the day. They made another desperate rush upon
Philip's men, and succeeded in driving them back to before the
main-hatches; but what they gained forward, they lost abaft, as we
pushed on with vigour. This was their last attempt. The main-hatch
being open, several of them in the confusion fell into it, others
followed them of their own accord, and at last every one of them was
beaten down from the deck, and the hatches were put over them, with
three cheers.
"Now, for the privateer--she is our own," cried Philip; "follow me, my
men," continued he, as he sprang upon the bulwarks of the prize, and
from thence into the main rigging of the lugger alongside.
Most of my men followed him; and as there were but few men left on
board of the lugger, she was soon in our possession, and thus we had
both the enemy and the prize without firing a cannon-shot. It was
strange that this combat between two privateers should thus be decided
upon the deck of another vessel, but such was the fact. We had several
men badly wounded, but not one killed. The French were not quite so
fortunate, as seven of their men lay dead upon the decks. The prize
proved to be the Antelope West-Indiaman, laden with sugar and rum,
and of considerable value. We gave her up to the captain and crew, who
had afforded us such timely assistance, and they were not a little
pleased at being thus rescued from a French prison. The privateer was
named the Jean Bart, of twelve guns, and one hundred and fifteen men,
some away in prizes. She was a new vessel, and this her first cruise.
As it required many men to man her, and we had the prisoners to
incumber us, I resolved that I would take her to Liverpool at once;
and six days afterwards we arrived there without further adventure.
Philip's gallant conduct had won him great favour with my officers and
men, and I must say that I felt very proud of him.
As soon as we had anchored both vessels, I went on shore with Philip
to Mr. Trevannion's, to give him an account of what had occurred
during the short cruise, and I hardly need say that he was satisfied
with the results, as we had made three recaptures of value besides a
privateer. I introduced Philip to him, acquainting him with his
miraculous preservation, and Mr. Trevannion very kindly invited him
for the present to remain in his house. We then took our leave,
promising to be back by dinner-time, and I went with Philip to fit him
out in a more creditable way; and having made my purchases and given
my orders (it being then almost two o'clock _post meridiem_), we
hastened to Mr. Trevannion's, that we might be in time for dinner. I
was, I must confess, anxious to see Miss Trevannion, for she had often
occupied my thoughts during the cruise. She met me with great
friendliness and welcomed me back. Our dinner was very agreeable, and
Philip's sallies were much approved of. He was, indeed, a mirthful,
witty lad, full of jest and humour, and with a good presence withal.
Mr. Trevannion being called out just as dinner was finished. Miss
Trevannion observed--
"I presume, Mr. Elrington, that your good fortune and the reputation
you have acquired in so short a time, have put an end to all your
misgivings as to a privateer's-man's life?"
"I am not quite so light and inconstant, Miss Trevannion," replied I;
"I rejoice that in this cruise I have really nothing to lament or
blush for, and trust at the same time we have been serviceable to our
country; but my opinion is the same, and I certainly wish that I had
fought under the king's pennant instead of on board of a privateer."
"You are, then, of the same mind, and intend to resign the command?"
"I do, Miss Trevannion, although I admit that this lad's welfare makes
it more important than ever that I should have some means of
livelihood."
"I rejoice to hear you speak thus, Mr. Elrington, and I think my
father's obligations to you are such, that if he does not assist you,
I should feel ashamed of him--but such I am certain will not be the
case. He will forward your views, whatever they may be, to the utmost
of his power--at the same time, I admit, from conversations I have had
with him, that he will be mortified at your resigning the command."
"And so shall I," said Philip, "for I do not agree with you or my
brother: I see no more harm in privateering than in any other
fighting. I suppose, Miss Trevannion, you have been the cause of my
brother's scruples, and I tell you candidly to your face, that I do
not thank you for it."
Miss Trevannion coloured up at this remark, and then replied, "I do
not think, Mr. Philip, that I have had the pleasure of seeing your
brother more than three times in my life, and that within these last
six weeks, and sure I am that we have not had a quarter of an hour's
conversation altogether. It is, therefore, assuredly, too much to say
that I am the cause, and your brother will tell you that he expressed
these opinions before I ever had had any conversation with him."
"That may be," replied Philip, "but you approved of his sentiments,
and that concluded the business, I am sure, and I don't wonder at it.
I only hope that you won't ask me to do any thing I do not wish to do;
for I am sure that I could never refuse you any thing."
"I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Philip; for if I see you do that
which I think wrong, I shall certainly try my influence over you,"
replied Miss Trevannion, smiling. "I really was not aware that I had
such power."
Here Mr. Trevannion came in again, and the conversation was changed;
and shortly afterwards Miss Trevannion left the room. Philip, who was
tired of sitting while Mr. Trevannion and I took our pipes, and who
was anxious to see the town, also left us; and I then stated to Mr.
Trevannion that having now completed the cruise which I had agreed
that I would, I wished to know whether he had provided himself with
another captain.
"As you appear so determined, my dear Elrington, I will only say that
I am very sorry, and will not urge the matter any longer. My daughter
told me since your absence that she was certain that you would adhere
to your resolution; and, although I hoped the contrary, yet I have
been considering in which way I can serve you. It is not only my
pleasure, but my duty so to do; I have not forgotten, and never will
forget, that you in all probability saved my life by your
self-devotion in the affair of the Jacobites. When you first came to
me, you were recommended as a good accountant, and, to a certain
degree, a man of business; and, at all events, you proved yourself
well acquainted and apt at figures. Do you think that a situation on
shore would suit you?"
"I should endeavour to give satisfaction, Sir," I replied; "but I fear
that I should have much to learn."
"Of course you would; but I reply that you would soon learn. Now,
Elrington, what I have to say to you is this: I am getting old, and in
a few years shall be past work; and I think I should like you as an
assistant for the present, and a successor hereafter. If you would
like to join me, you shall superintend the more active portion of the
business; and I have no doubt but that in a year or two you will be
master of the whole. As you know, I have privateers and I have
merchant vessels, and I keep my storehouses. I have done well up to
the present; not so well, perhaps, now, as I did when I had
slave-vessels, which were most profitable; but my deceased wife
persuaded me to give up that traffic, and I have not resumed it, in
honour of her memory. These foolish women should never interfere in
such matters; but let that pass. What I have to say is, that if you
choose after a year to join me as a partner, I will give you an eighth
of the business, and as we continue I will make over a further share
in proportion to the profits; and I will make such arrangements as to
enable you at my death to take the whole concern upon favourable
terms."
Mr. Trevannion knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and, as he
concluded,--
"I am," I replied, "as you may imagine, Sir, much gratified and
honoured at your proposal, which I hardly need say that I willingly
accept. I only hope you will make allowance for my ignorance at first
setting off, and not ascribe to any other cause my imperfections. You
may assure yourself that good-will shall never be wanting on my part,
and I shall work day and night, if required, to prove my gratitude for
so kind an offer."
"Then, it is settled," said Mr. Trevannion; "but what are we to do
with your brother Philip?"
"He thinks for himself, Sir, and does not agree with me on the
question in point. Of course, I have no right to insist that my
scruples should be his; indeed, I fear that I should have little
chance in persuading him, as he is so fond of a life of adventure. It
is natural in one so young. Age will sober him."
"Then you have no objection to his going on board of a privateer?"
"I would rather that he was in any other service, Sir; but as I cannot
control him, I must submit, if he insist upon following that
profession. He is a gallant, clever boy, and as soon as I can, I will
try to procure him a situation in a king's ship. At present he must go
to sea in some way or the other, and it were, perhaps, better that he
should be in good hands (such as Captain Levee's for instance) on
board of a privateer, than mix up with those who might demoralize him
more."
"Well, then, he shall have his choice," replied Mr. Trevannion. "He is
a smart lad, and will do you credit wherever he may be."
"If I may take the liberty to advise, Sir," replied I, "I think you
could not do better than to give the command of the Sparrow-Hawk to
the chief officer, Mr. James; he is a good seaman and a brave man,
and I have no doubt will acquit himself to your satisfaction."
"I was thinking the same; and as you recommend him, he shall take your
place. Now, as all this is settled, you may as well go on board and
make known that you have resigned the command. Tell Mr. James that he
is to take your place. Bring your clothes on shore, and you will find
apartments ready for you on your return, for in future you will of
course consider this house as your residence. I assure you that, now
that you do not leave me, I am almost glad that the affair is arranged
as it is. I wanted assistance, that is the fact, and I hold myself
fortunate that you are the party who has been selected. We shall meet
in the evening."
Mr. Trevannion then went away in the direction of his daughter's room,
instead of the counting-house as usual, and I quitted the house. I did
not go immediately down to the wharf to embark. I wanted to have a
short time for reflection, for I was much overpowered with Mr.
Trevannion's kindness, and the happy prospects before me. I walked out
in the country for some distance, deep in my own reflections, and I
must say that Miss Trevannion was too often interfering with my train
of thought.
I had of course no fixed ideas, but I more than once was weighing in
my mind whether I should not make known to them who I was, and how
superior in birth to what they imagined. After an hour passed in
building castles, I retraced my steps, passed through the town, and
going down to the wharf, waved my handkerchief for a boat, and was
soon on board. I then summoned the officers and men, told them that I
had resigned the command of the vessel, and that in future they were
to consider Mr. James as their captain. I packed up my clothes,
leaving many articles for my successor which were no longer of any use
to me, but which he would have been compelled to replace.
Philip I found was down in the cabin, and with him I had a long
conversation. He stated his wish to remain at sea, saying that he
preferred a privateer to a merchant vessel, and a king's ship to a
privateer. Not being old enough, or sufficient time at sea to be
eligible for a king's ship, I agreed that he should sail with Captain
Levee, as soon as he came back from his cruise. He had already sent in
a good prize. As soon as my clothes and other articles were put into
the boat, I wished them all farewell, and was cheered by the men as I
pulled on shore.
My effects were taken up to Mr. Trevannion's house by the seamen, to
whom I gave a gratuity, and I was met by Mr. Trevannion, who showed me
into a large and well-furnished bed-room, which he told me was in
future to be considered as my own. I passed away the afternoon in
arranging my clothes, and did not go down to the parlour till
supper-time, where I found Miss Trevannion, who congratulated me upon
my having changed my occupation to one more worthy of me. I made a
suitable reply, and we sat down to supper. Having described this first
great event in my life, I shall for the present conclude.