Sir Thomas Gresham had been absent for some time, and his return to
Antwerp was daily expected. I was busily at work at my desk, when I
heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming along the street. I looked out,
and saw a party of travellers. Calling Master Clough, he and I, with
others, hurried to the door. Sir Thomas led the cavalcade, with a young
lady by his side. I had never, I thought, seen a more fair or graceful
girl, while I admired the perfect ease with which she managed the jennet
on which she rode. Who she was I scarcely dared to guess. She could
scarcely be the little Aveline from whom I had parted, and yet the
thought crossed me that it must be her.
Two young men followed,--one a strong, stout, broad-shouldered man,
whose features were wonderfully like those of my old friend A'Dale,
although somewhat concealed by beard and whisker. He formed a strong
contrast to the slight, pale, sickly youth at his side. A second glance
convinced me that the latter was my former playmate and companion--
Richard Gresham. He seemed very sick and ill, leaning forward in his
saddle, as if scarcely able to support his body. Master Clough hurried
out to assist Sir Thomas to dismount, while I hastened, with one of the
servants, to take the young lady's horse. The smile she gave me, as she
dropped lightly from her saddle, reminded me of Aveline.
"You do not know me, Ernst Verner," she said; "am I so woefully changed
since we parted?"
Her sweet voice sent a thrill through my heart. I had no longer any
doubt that she was Aveline. Meantime A'Dale had thrown himself from his
steed, and had helped Richard to the ground, giving him his arm to
support him. Sir Thomas greeted me kindly.
"He has not borne the journey as well as we had hoped," he said, looking
at Richard; "but the doctors advised change of air and scene, and we
trusted that a short sea-voyage, and a visit to this busy city, might
benefit him. Aveline has kindly come to assist in caring for him, and I
have taken your old friend Andrew A'Dale into my service."
Poor Richard looked kindly at me as he took my hand; but he scarcely had
strength, it seemed, to smile. A'Dale and I greeted each other
heartily, and together we assisted our young friend up the stairs. He
could not, indeed, without aid, drag himself along; but youth is
buoyant, and both he and we were soon talking of what we would do when
he had regained his strength. Aveline was committed to the charge of
our old housekeeper--Dorothea Lipman, with whom she had some difficulty
in holding conversation; Dorothea's only language being Flemish, of
which Aveline knew but little.
After a night's rest, Richard had considerably recovered. Whenever he
came into the public room, I could not help observing the devoted
attention which Aveline paid him. She seemed to watch his every look,
and attend to his slightest want. He, indeed, I thought, expected her
to devote herself to him and to demand her services as a right, which
she willingly rendered. At first this seemed but natural after the
accounts Sir Thomas had given me; but I confess, when she appeared to
have scarcely any time to attend to me or to anybody else, a feeling of
jealousy stole over me. And yet why should I be jealous of that poor
sickly lad? indeed, what right had I to expect that she would regard me
in any other light than that of a humble secretary of her kind lady's
husband? I had a sincere affection, however, for Richard, and heartily
wished him to recover. Mistress Aveline had always treated me with
kindness, and I was not vain enough to mistake the way in which she
received any little attention I was able to pay her.
Sir Thomas Gresham was constantly receiving visitors at his house.
Among them came at this time Master Thomas Cecil, the son of the great
minister, accompanied by his tutor, Master Windebank. He was a young,
pleasant-mannered, good-tempered youth, apparently somewhat
light-hearted, and inclined to amuse himself with whatever fell in his
way.
During his stay he rode out on several occasions with Mistress Aveline,
and seemed highly pleased with her company. She, in return, seemed to
attend to what he said, even with more pleasure than she listened to
poor Richard, who was unable, while riding, to enter much into
conversation in consequence of his cough and short breathing. I
generally accompanied the party when they went out after our usual hours
of business. It was but natural that a gay young man should pay
attention to a sweet and lively girl like Aveline, and at first I did
not care so much for it; but after a time, when I thought she seemed
pleased with his attentions, I began heartily to wish that he would take
his departure. One thing I thought I had discovered--that her heart was
not given to Richard; but then I was convinced for the same reason that
she did not care for me. I was very glad when Sir Thomas, at the
minister's request, supplied young Cecil and his tutor with money to
enable them to continue their tour which they intended making through
Germany, and from thence passing on through Switzerland into Italy.
We were, shortly after this, more busily employed than ever in
purchasing bow staves, as Sir Thomas urged the Government by writing
frequently, and, when he went home, personally, to make every
preparation for war. He had discovered the hatred which the Roman
Catholic sovereigns had for England, now that Queen Elizabeth had
declared herself so decidedly Protestant. At the same time, he deemed
it important to supply England with the precious metals, that she might,
in case of a war, have wherewith to pay her troops.
As the bullion was purchased, it was shipped, as I have already
mentioned, on board vessels. At length, in consequence of the expected
scarcity of shipping, Sir Thomas resolved to make a large shipment on
board one particular vessel. The amount had been carefully done up
inside various packages, as I believe I have before described.
"It is necessary that a trustworthy person should be on board, to see
that the goods are not tampered with," observed Sir Thomas to me. "You
and A'Dale will therefore go down and see them shipped, and you will
afterwards continue on board and proceed with the ship to England. As
soon as she is unloaded, you will return in her, and report to me all
that takes place, and all the news you can hear in London. You will go
to Lombard Street, and receive despatches from Master John Elliot to
bring with you."
As a small portion of the goods only had been shipped when we reached
the vessel, the bulk not having arrived, A'Dale and I determined to
remain at the hostel instead of going on board to sleep. We were seated
in the public room, and talking together in English, when, in a pause in
the conversation, I heard three rough-looking persons speaking Flemish
at a little distance from me. I pricked up my ears as I heard one of
them remark:
"Oh! they are only two English lads; they cannot, depend on it,
understand a word we say."
This made me listen more carefully, though I continued speaking with
greater energy apparently than ever to A'Dale.
I still kept my ears, however, open to hear everything my neighbours
said. I soon found that they were talking about our ship--the
_Diamond_.
"She began to receive her goods to-day," said one; "and by to-morrow
evening she will probably be able to sail with the turn of the tide. We
must not let her escape us, as some of those English vessels of late
have done. The question is, whether we shall attack her before she gets
out of the Scheld, or wait till she reaches the broad seas."
Some of the party were for waiting at the mouth of the river, hoping
thereby to make off with their prize with less risk of its being
retaken; others, however, considered that they might thereby lose it,
and that it would be more prudent to attack the ship while she lay at
anchor.
This plan was at last, so I suppose, adopted. I looked as unconcerned
as possible, as if I had not heard anything of what was said. I feared,
however, that there was great danger of the _Diamond_ being taken, as
the pirates appeared to have a large force at their command.
I did not like to leave the room as long as the men were talking, hoping
by staying to gain further information about their plans. It was
evident they were thoroughly well informed of all that was going
forward, and it became, therefore, very important that I should be
careful as to my proceedings. I had observed near me a sunburnt,
weather-beaten man, in the dress of a sea officer, who every now and
then glanced up at the pirates as they spoke. Once I caught his eye,
and, by the look he gave me, I felt sure that he knew I had been
listening.
A'Dale and I, having finished our supper, got up, I proposing to take a
turn in the fresh air before going to bed. As we had been talking of
our voyage, I knew that the stranger, who must have overheard what we
said, was aware that our ship was bound for London. We stood outside
the door of the hostel for some minutes, before deciding which direction
we should take. Just as we were moving on, I felt a hand placed on my
shoulder.
"Young master," said the stranger, "excuse my interruption. I heard you
remark that you were in the service of Sir Thomas Gresham, and about to
sail on board the _Diamond_. I heard, too, what was said by those other
men. You understand what they said, I think?"
"Not I, indeed," answered A'Dale, who now for the first time heard of
the plot, for I had been unable before to tell him of it. "I do not
know what you mean."
"I do, however, sir," I observed. "I would ask you whether you know
anything about these men, and whether they are likely to carry out their
project?"
"I feel very sure they will carry it out. The only way that I can see,
is to be ready for them," answered the stranger. "I fear, however, that
the crew of the _Diamond_ is too small to defend her. My own vessel
lies at no great distance; and if you will accept it, I will render you
all the assistance in my power."
"Thank you, friend!" exclaimed A'Dale; "though I doubt not we should be
able to beat back any marauders, yet a few more stout arms would be of
great assistance."
But I was not quite so willing to accept the offer of the stranger. I
had learnt caution. It was a quality greatly inculcated on all his
inferiors by Sir Thomas Gresham. Perhaps, I thought, this very man is
only a confederate, and hopes thus to obtain quiet possession of the
vessel.
"Thank you, my friend," I answered, turning to the stranger. "We will
communicate your offer to the captain; but we are only passengers on
board; we have no command over her, and without his sanction I cannot
venture to accept your offer."
"I understand," answered the stranger, promptly; "I do not take your
remarks amiss. I mean you well; but you are very right not to accept
such an offer without consideration. My vessel, the _Falcon_, lies
rather lower down the river. Your captain will easily discover her; and
if, on consideration, he wishes to receive the assistance of an honest
man, who esteems his employer, and is well able to render aid, he can
summon me, and I will come with a boat's crew, or two may be, and fight
as I should were my own vessel attacked."
Saying these words, the stranger shook our hands warmly, and disappeared
in the gloom.
A'Dale and I continued our walk. He seemed to think that I had been
ungrateful in not accepting the assistance so freely offered. I
explained my reasons. He saw that I was right. It was then too late to
get a boat; indeed, so small was the amount of cargo as yet shipped--of
which the pirates were well aware--that there was no fear of their
attacking her that night. We agreed, therefore, that I should go aboard
the first thing in the morning to speak to the captain, leaving A'Dale
to look after the goods on shore.
I also proposed engaging a few stout fellows, well-armed, in addition to
our own crew, and thus hoped to be able to repel any attack the pirates
might make upon us.
The next morning, the instant the grey dawn streamed into our chamber,
we sprang out of bed. We wished to leave the house unobserved, in case
any of the sea-robbers or their confederates might be living there. To
prevent them from discovering what we were about, should any one observe
us, we took our way directly from the river; and then turning round
again through some narrow streets, once more hurried towards it. We
soon found a boat, and telling A'Dale to keep a bright look-out around
him, I pulled down in her towards the _Diamond_.
Captain Davis, her commander, was surprised to see me thus early. I
told him the reason of my coming. He was inclined, I saw, to doubt that
the people whose conversation we had overheard were speaking about his
vessel.
"If they had been speaking English, Master Verner, your ears might not
have deceived you; but as they were talking Flemish, it is very likely,
that being a foreign lingo, you may be mistaken."
"But it is not a foreign lingo to me, Captain Davis," I answered,
laughing; "it is, I may say, my native tongue, and therefore I am not
likely to be mistaken."
"That makes a difference, to be sure," he answered; "yet still the
chances are they were speaking of something else. If they had had a
plot in hand such as you suppose, they would have been more cautious."
"When the wine is in, the wit is out, captain," I remarked. "At first,
I grant you, they said nothing to betray themselves; but when I tell you
that some of our chief nobles act just as indiscreetly, you may more
readily believe that such men as these might let out their secrets on
such an occasion."
"Well, well, Master Verner, I am bound to believe you; and as night
comes on we will have the men armed and on the watch. Still, I rather
think it will come to nothing; but, as you observe, it is well to be
prepared."
The crew were all Englishmen--twenty stout fellows; and, with
well-sharpened hangers in their hands and a supply of pikes, I hoped
they would have no difficulty in keeping any assailants out of the ship.
I told them that there might be a chance of that sort of thing, and
they all expressed their readiness to defend the ship to the last. I
mentioned to the captain what I had done.
"Oh yes," he said, "my dogs will fight well; there is no fear of that.
We were once attacked near the Straits of Gibraltar by a Salee rover;
and although the villains outnumbered my crew as three to one, yet we
beat them off, even though many of them had already gained our deck. We
shall treat these fellows in the same way, depend on that, whoever they
are."
A'Dale exerted himself so energetically, that before dark all the goods
were on board and safely stowed away. An officer of the Customs having
brought us our clearance papers, as soon as the tide served we were able
to sail. Having still some daylight, and hoping thus to avoid the
threatened attack, we immediately got under weigh, and dropped down the
river. The night, however, becoming cloudy and dark, and the wind being
contrary, we were once more obliged to bring up.
"If the pirates come to look for us, they will find us gone," observed
Captain Davis, as we sat at supper round the cabin-table.
"But if they intended to attack us, depend upon it they were on the
watch," observed A'Dale, "and know where we are as well as they did
before."
I agreed with A'Dale that we ought to keep a strict watch, as we had
intended. Captain Davis, I observed, as sailors are too apt to do, made
light of the danger of which we had warned him.
"They will think twice before they attack the _Diamond_, depend on that,
young masters," he answered to our remarks.
As A'Dale and I had been up since daybreak, and actively engaged all the
time, both of us felt very sleepy. Yet we were far too anxious
willingly to go to sleep. Without taking off our clothes, therefore, we
threw ourselves down in our bedplaces in the after-cabin, hoping that we
should be awakened by the slightest noise. We kept our swords by our
sides, ready for instant action. The captain, however, laughed at us
for our anxiety.
"Don't be alarmed, my young masters," he observed, in a somewhat
taunting tone; "if we are attacked, we shall be able to give a good
account of the villains, without having to call you up, so you might
have taken off your clothes and gone to sleep comfortably."
He made some other remarks, much in the same strain; but as he continued
speaking, his words sounded less and less distinct to my ears, and
before he had concluded I was fast asleep.
It seemed to me but a minute after I had shut my eyes that I was aroused
by a fearful uproar. Shouts and shrieks and cries of all sorts, the
report of fire-arms and the clashing of steel. I started up, hitting my
head, as I did so, against the beam above me, and sprang out of my
narrow bed. I called loudly to A'Dale. He was so fast asleep that the
first shout did not completely arouse him. The second, however, made
him spring to his feet.
"What has happened?" he asked.
"The pirates have come, there is little doubt of that," I answered; "we
must go and drive them back."
As I said this, sword in hand, I sprang up the companion-ladder, and he
followed me. As we reached the deck, I saw a number of dark forms
clustering in the rigging, whilst others were attempting to get over the
sides. Our men were bravely endeavouring to drive them back with their
hangers and pikes, a few arquebuses also being brought into use. Some
were armed with cross-bows, but they had thrown them aside for the
purpose of doing more service with their sharp blades. Never had I
heard so fearful a din, for the object of the pirates seemed to be to
overwhelm us, and frighten us out of our wits by their numbers. Two or
three of our men lay wounded, dying on the deck. It seemed, indeed,
that the pirates were gaining the advantage. A'Dale, who was a stout
fellow and well accustomed to the use of his sword, laid about him
lustily, and assisted much in keeping them at bay. It was pretty
evident that the watch on deck had been taken by surprise, and that the
poor fellows who lay weltering in their blood had been cut down
unawares. The captain, however, to do him justice, was doing his best
to make amends for his want of caution, and was fighting bravely,
appearing now in one place, now in another, wherever the enemy were seen
climbing up the sides. Still they were determined fellows, and there
appeared too great a probability that they would take the ship. But at
length we drove most of them back into their boats; several of the
bravest being killed. Our men began to shout "Victory! victory!" rather
too soon. In another instant the enemy were again swarming up the
sides, urged on by their leaders. They were evidently a large and
well-organised body, and seemed determined to conquer or lose their
lives in their attempt to take the vessel. Once more they appeared
above the bulwarks, several following each other in quick succession,
and dropping down on our decks in spite of our utmost efforts to repel
them. Once having gained a footing, they were enabled to keep a clear
space, by which others entered. Our captain, seeing that a desperate
effort must be made to drive them back, called on A'Dale and me and
several of the men to attack them. We rushed forward, and a fiercer
combat ensued than had yet taken place. I felt a sharp pang in my
shoulder, and knew that I was wounded; but though the blood flowed
freely, I was yet able to wield my sword. Still the number of our
enemies increased, and inch by inch they drove us back, the larger
portion of our crew being compelled all this time to guard the sides
from the assaults of other parties who were endeavouring to climb up
them. I began to fear, as I saw the state of affairs, that the
_Diamond_ and her rich cargo would fall into the hands of the pirates.
They too seemed to consider themselves secure of victory, for with loud
shouts they encouraged each other to push on, calling at the same time
to their comrades, who were yet in the boats alongside, to come up and
secure their victory. Already some of our men began to cry out that all
was lost, and entreat for quarter. Just then a seaman, who had been on
the opposite side to that attacked by the pirates, came running up to
the captain to tell him that more enemies were coming.
"Better die fighting like brave men than yield," answered Captain Davis.
As he spoke, I looked on one side and saw the heads of people appearing
over the bulwarks.
"To the rescue! a Gresham! a Gresham!" they shouted. I was afraid that
this was only to deceive us; I recognised, however, the voice of the
stranger who had offered his services. And now, before the pirates
could get over to attack them, some twenty well-armed men leaped down on
our decks, and springing to our side, with pikes and swords drove back
our assailants. In vain the pirates attempted to resist the attack.
Our friends were fresh, while our enemies had already exhausted
themselves in the efforts they had been making. The pirates asked for
no quarter: neither our supporters nor our crew were inclined to give
it. Several were cut down and killed on the deck, others saved their
lives by ignominiously jumping over the bulwarks; and so rapidly did the
fortune of war change, that in a few minutes not a live pirate was to be
seen on our decks. Several were hurled headlong into their boats
desperately wounded, others thrown overboard.
The pirates' boats were now seen shoving off, and attempting to make
their escape. As soon as this was perceived by the stranger, he called
to his men, and they, returning to their boats, made chase. They were
not long in overtaking them, and in the midst of the gloom we could just
distinguish the boats apparently mingled together. Again we heard
shouts and cries, and the sharp report of arquebuses, with the clashing
of steel. Which party was gaining the victory, however, we could not
tell. At length the two boats of our friends appeared coming out of the
gloom, towing a third. They were soon alongside, and the stranger
captain appeared on our deck with three prisoners. They were all he had
been able to take. As lanterns were held to their countenances, they
appeared to be ruffian fellows, from whom but little information could
be obtained. They seemed also to be expecting instant death, abject
terror adding to the ill favour of their looks.
Although the captain and other persons on board spoke Flemish, I, as
being the best linguist, was deputed to speak to the men. I told them
that now they were our prisoners we could do as we thought right, but we
had no wish to kill them, even though they might deserve death. I then
asked them at whose instigation they had attacked us. At length I
discovered that the band was composed of persons who had been driven
from their homes by the persecutions of the Spaniards; that some one
among them, of superior rank to the rest, had heard, by some means or
other, that the ship we sailed in had a large treasure on board, of
which they hoped to possess themselves. Captain Davis consulted with us
as to what we should do with our prisoners. We agreed that it might be
as well to show them the cargo of the ship, and to ask them whether they
thought it worth risking their lives to obtain it; and then to let them
go, hoping that they would persuade their comrades not further to pursue
us; for, although this first party had been driven back, we believed the
assertion of the men, that there were a vast number more, who might,
should the wind continue contrary, overtake us in their row-boats, and
carry out their original plan.