EXPECTED ATTACK FROM COUNT D'ESTAIGN.--WAR WITH SPAIN.--EXPEDITION
AGAINST SAINT FERNANDO D'OMOA.--VISIT FROM KING OF THE MOSQUITO SHORE.--
CANNONADE THE TOWN.--SET IT ON FIRE.--STORM THE TOWN.--ROCKETS AND HIS
TWO CUTLASSES.--GIVES ONE TO SPANIARD TO FIGHT WITH.--RICH GALLEONS
CAPTURED.--I HAVE COMMAND OF THE SAINT DOMINGO.--NEARLY LOST.
That summer of 1779 was a busy time for the right loyal and patriotic
people of Jamaica, and I believe that even had the Count D'Estaign, with
his twenty-six line-of-battle ships and nine or ten thousand troops,
made his appearance, he would have found it no easy task to gain a
victory.
After our return from our starvation cruise we remained but a day in
harbour, and again sailed for Old Harbour with despatches for the
Penelope. Having delivered them we were returning when we fell in with
a small schooner. She made a signal to us to heave-to, and an officer
came on board who brought us the news that war with Spain had broken
out, and directed us to go in search of the Penelope and acquaint her
with the fact. We overtook her the following day, and of course we all
regretted that we had not been aware before of the war, as we had
allowed so many Spanish vessels to pass us which, had we captured, would
have proved rich prizes.
Once more we got back to Port Royal, and had to go alongside the wharf
to heave down and repair the ship. Sir Peter had made every preparation
to receive the enemy. An advanced squadron was kept cruising off the
coast, while the entrance of the harbour was rendered impracticable by
strong booms laid across it, and by forts armed with heavy guns on
either side.
On the 11th, however, notice was brought us that Count D'Estaign had
sailed for America, where, having been severely handled at the siege of
Savannah, he returned to Europe with the greater part of his force,
sending some, however, back to the West Indies. They had, however,
already done us some mischief by the capture of the Islands of Saint
Vincent and Grenada, with other places of less importance, while they
had also made not a few prizes on their voyage.
Sir Peter Parker was now designing an attack on the fort of Saint
Fernando D'Omoa. He had been informed that the Spaniards had threatened
to attack the bay-men on the Mosquito shore and Bay of Honduras, and
that they had already landed at Saint George's Quay, which place they
had plundered, and treated the inhabitants with the greatest cruelty.
To protect this settlement from further insults, the instant she was
ready for sea, the Porcupine was directed to take on board
Captain-Commandant Dalrymple and a small party of the Loyal Irish, and
to proceed to the Black River on the Mosquito shore. We sailed on the
12th of September, but, having carried away our mainmast, we had to
return to replace it, so that it was not till the 20th that we could
make a fair start. We reached our destination off the mouth of the
river on the 27th. This is one of the most dangerous situations in
which a ship can bring up, as the bay is completely open to the north,
the quarter from which the winds are most prevalent. The only safe
proceeding, as the anchorage is none of the best, is at once to run to
sea. A bar, on which a tremendous surf breaks, stretches across the
mouth of the river, so that, except in calm weather and a slack tide,
the landing is dangerous in the extreme. Of this we had a sad proof
soon after we arrived there. Everything being made snug, to obtain
fresh provisions was our first consideration. For this purpose a boat
was despatched under the command of Mr York, a master's mate, with
directions to enter the river and to procure fresh beef and other
eatables. All sorts of commissions were likewise given him.
"Give my compliments to King Hodge-podge, and tell him that I'll knock
up his quarters before long," sang out one of his messmates.
"Take care of those rollers there, Mr York," I observed. "They are apt
to play people a scurvy trick every now and then."
"Ay, ay, sir," he answered; and then in a lower tone he added, "I've
crossed such bars as that fifty times, and I should think I knew by this
time how to handle a boat on one of them."
I pretended not to hear the remark, and the boat pushed off from the
ship's side. Away she pulled towards the bar. I could not help
following her with my glass. The bay was calm, but the current was
running out strong, and a slow, smooth, rolling swell came in from the
offing. The boat glided swiftly on towards the mouth of the river.
Just before she reached the bar I had observed two or three rollers
break with great fury on it. I called the attention of Captain
Packenham and some of my brother-officers to what I had remarked. I
fancied that I could see York looking back in triumph, as much as to
say, "You see I don't fear the bar you speak of." Then on glided the
boat. A huge roller rose between us and her so suddenly, it seemed to
come from the very depths of the sea. On it went; others followed; but
where was the boat? A cry of horror escaped from all those looking on.
With my glass I made out through the mass of foam a black object and
several smaller ones floating near, but they rapidly disappeared. There
could be no doubt that the boat was swamped. The instant this was
ascertained the captain ordered all the boats to be lowered that they
might go in and endeavour to pick up any of the crew who might be
carried out to sea. I went in one of them. Our orders were especially
not to venture on the bar. We were not long in reaching the place. We
looked eagerly about for any traces of our lost shipmates. Even the
boat had been rolled over and over till not a plank remained holding
together. An oar came floating out towards us, and as I watched it I
saw one end rise up suddenly as if the other had been pulled at
violently. We pulled up to it, and as we got near I saw a dark
triangular fin gliding away through the blue bright water. I now saw
clearly what had been the fate of any of the crew who might have hoped
to save themselves by swimming. We returned with sad hearts on board,
but sailors cannot mourn long even for their best friends. The fate of
those who have been taken may be theirs to-morrow.
A few days after this Captain Packenham invited me to accompany him on
shore to pay a visit to the Intendant of Black River. We took care,
warned by the accident which I have described, to have a black pilot,
and under his guidance we safely crossed the dangerous bar. Once in and
able to draw our breaths freely, we were delighted with the beauty of
the scenery which on every side met our eyes--woods and green fields,
and hills and valleys, diversified the banks of the river, which
branched off in different directions, and added much to the
picturesqueness of the landscape. From the accounts we received of the
barbarities committed by the Spaniards, we longed to meet them, to
chastise them as they deserved. They had just before this made an
attack on the settlement, where they had destroyed a large amount of
property, and carried off a number of prisoners, both men and women, to
Merida, the capital of Yucatan. Thence they were afterwards shipped to
Havannah, where, if they were no better treated than we were at Saint
Domingo, their fate was hard indeed. On the 5th of October we were
highly honoured by a visit from his Indian Majesty of the Mosquito
shore--King Hoco-poco we used to call him--I forget his name. He came
accompanied by a long retinue of princes, generals, and chiefs of all
sorts, rejoicing in very curious names, very dark skins, and a very
scanty amount of clothing. We received his Majesty with all the honours
we were able to pay him, by manning yards and firing a salute of
twenty-one guns. We had also a feast spread for his entertainment, with
an abundance of liquor, which he seemed to consider much more to the
purpose. He and his chiefs indulged very freely in the potent beverages
placed before them, and at length they returned on shore, highly
delighted with the entertainment, vowing eternal friendship to England,
and excessively drunk. The accounts of the atrocities committed by the
Spaniards, which we had just received, induced Captains Packenham and
Dalrymple to come to the resolution of making an attack on one of their
settlements. We accordingly beat up for volunteers, and in a very short
time collected a hundred Indians and Black River volunteers, under the
command of an Indian general named Tempest. Having embarked our army,
we sailed on the 6th of October from the Mosquito shore with light
westerly winds. On the next day three strange sail were seen from the
mast-head to the northward. They very soon also discovered us, and made
all sail in chase.
"Are they friends or foes?" was the question we asked each other.
Captain Packenham was not a man to run away from either one or the
other, so we backed our main-topsail, and lay-to for them. We watched
them with no little anxiety till they drew near. I forgot to say that
my old friend O'Driscoll had joined the ship as a supernumerary, and
that I had once more with me my faithful companions in many an
adventure, Nol Grampus and Tom Rockets. Nol did not look a day older
than when I first came to sea. Rockets was now grown into as stout,
active and strong a seaman as any in his Majesty's service. I could not
so often have a yarn with my old followers as I used to when I was a
midshipman, but I frequently exchanged words with them, and never failed
to take them on any expedition on which I was sent.
"I hopes as how them strangers are friends, old ship," I heard Tom
remark to Grampus. "Three to one is long odds if they ain't, and I
suppose our captain intends to fight, as he don't seem inclined to run.
I only hopes as how he will fight, and sink rather than give in. I've
no fancy to be made prisoner, and to be kept on short commons among
blackamoors, as we was at Ou Trou."
"No fear, my boy," answered Grampus. "Our skipper has got some dodge or
other in his brain-box, and depend on it he'll make the `Porcupine'
stick up her quills all in good time. You'll see."
I could not help telling the captain the opinion the crew formed of him,
which was a very just one. Neither he nor I had much doubt that the
ships in sight were British. We hoisted British colours, so did they;
and in a short time we were all paying compliments to each other, they
being his Majesty's ships Charon, Lowestoffe, and Pomona, under the
command of the Honourable Captain Luttrell. He confirmed the account we
had received of the attack of the Spaniards on the British territories,
and informed us also that he had been in quest of two Spanish galleons
which had taken shelter under the strongly-fortified town of San
Fernando D'Omoa. He had wished to attack the place, but, it being
remarkably strong, he had considered that, with the force under his
command, he could scarcely hope for success. Now, however, with the
reinforcements we brought him, he considered that he would have a fair
chance of taking it.
Having called a council-of-war, all the captains agreed that the exploit
might be accomplished. Accordingly, we made sail for the westward.
There was a general satisfaction throughout the fleet when it was known
that an attack on the fortress was to take place. As with light and
variable winds we moved slowly on to the westward, the ships' companies
were employed in making scaling-ladders, fascines, and all the other
requisites for a siege. Our whole force consisted of the following
ships and vessels:--
+==========+=====+====+
| |Guns.|Men.|
+----------+-----+----+
|Charon | 44| 300|
+----------+-----+----+
|Lowestoffe| 32| 220|
+----------+-----+----+
|Pomona | 28| 200|
+----------+-----+----+
|Porcupine | 16| 100|
+----------+-----+----+
|Racehorse | 8| 50|
+----------+-----+----+
|Peggy | 6| 15|
+==========+=====+====+
All the above together with 100 Indians and Volunteers, and 12 Loyal
Irish--no very mighty armament for the attack of so strong a place. But
British sailors hold to the belief that what men dare they can do; so we
went on, never doubting of success. We anchored to wood and water at
the Bay of Truxillo, and then sailed on, touching at various other
places till, on the evening of the 16th, we anchored in Porto Carvalho
Bay, not far from the place we had come to attack. Night had set in
before we approached the land, so that there was little fear that the
enemy would obtain notice of our approach. All of us were in high
spirits at the thoughts of fighting the Spaniards, and O'Driscoll and I
agreed that it was far better than having to make war on the Americans,
whom, rebels as they might be called, we could not help looking on as
our brothers and cousins.
All arrangements had in the most judicious way been previously made, so
that we were ready, directly the anchors were dropped, about nine
o'clock at night, to commence landing our forces. Everything was done
with the most perfect order and in complete silence. The boats from all
the ships were lowered, and about three hundred seamen and marines, with
about a hundred and fifty Indians, volunteers and regulars, were
embarked in them. The oars were let fall in the water, and together
they pulled in for the shore. I watched the boats as long as they could
be seen through the darkness, like some sea-monsters gliding noiselessly
towards their prey. O'Driscoll accompanied the shore expedition. On
landing, the Indians, who were sent forward, attacked the enemy's
look-out houses, and, having killed a Spaniard and taken two more
prisoners, returned in triumph. At midnight the army began their march
to the westward, and the ships at the same time weighed and stood along
shore. On Sunday morning, the 17th, the ships lay becalmed about a
league off shore, when the troops halted to report themselves. No time,
however, was lost. They had hoped to have arrived before the place just
at daybreak, when they would certainly have surprised it, and even now
it was hoped that the enemy would not have heard of their approach. On
the summit of a high hill, overlooking the fortress, stands the
governor's house--a very important post. Towards it they hurried, and
before ten o'clock reached its base. Up the hill like a swarm of ants
they rushed, and in spite of all opposition quickly carried it. The
garrison were now, of course, on the alert to receive us. It was not,
however, till three in the afternoon that the wind allowed us to stand
into the harbour, when we made the signal to the forces on shore that we
were ready to co-operate with them. As we took up our stations,
directly opposite the town, we commenced a heavy cannonade, which was
warmly returned by the enemy from a battery of between twenty and thirty
heavy guns. In a short time the effect, of our fire was very visible.
Flames burst forth from different parts of the town, which was soon
burning furiously in every quarter, and it seemed to us very evident
that it would soon be entirely burnt to the ground. As the unfortunate
inhabitants were afraid of leaving the town, for fear of falling into
the hands of the Indians, from whom they could expect no quarter, many
of them, we had too much reason to believe, were burnt to death.
During the heat of the engagement the Lowestoffe, in her eagerness to
get close up to the fort, ran on shore, and was considerably galled
while she remained there by the enemy's fire. The rest of the squadron
lending her assistance, she soon got off. All the ships were, however,
much cut up both in spars and rigging, while a considerable number of
men had been killed and wounded. The commander, in consequence, finding
that we had produced no impression on the enemy's works, threw out a
signal for the ships to haul off for the night. As we sailed out of the
harbour, the Spaniards, fancying that we were about to abandon the
enterprise, made a sortie, and furiously attacked the forces on shore.
They were, however, repulsed with much loss, and again took shelter
within their works. At night a lieutenant was sent in command of a
hundred men, to try and open a communication with the forces on shore,
but the enemy were too much on the alert to render the attempt
practicable.
We were under no little apprehension all the time as to the fate of the
forces on shore, for we could see that a furious attack was being made
by the Spaniards on Governor's Hill, and its result it was impossible to
ascertain. At daylight we once more stood in, when we had the
satisfaction to discover that our forces still held Governor's Hill, and
had thrown up works on it from which they were bombarding the town. As
the wind would not allow us to get in close to the forts, we hove-to
main-topsails to the masts, and employed ourselves in firing random
shots at the enemy's works while the Lowestoffe repaired damages. At
five in the afternoon, seeing a British Union Jack flying close to the
woods at the water's edge, the Porcupine was directed to run in and land
her guns. This was done under a heavy fire from the fort. I was among
those sent on shore, and I was ordered to take fifty men under my
command, and with four guns to lead them up through the town of Omoa to
the top of an exceedingly high hill on the other side of it. The
enterprise was of no slight danger and difficulty, but it pleased me the
more. I had Grampus and Rockets with me. Placing our guns on light
carriages between us, away we rattled as fast as our legs could move.
The faster our speed, the greater would be our safety. Where we were
going the enemy could not guess; they never thought that we were about
to scale the rocky height before us; they did not know what tricks
blue-jackets could play on shore. They kept peppering away at us as we
proceeded, and now and then one of my men was hit; one poor fellow was
killed, three were wounded. A fine fellow, Jackson, who was near me as
we dashed through the town, caught sight of a dog running through the
streets, evidently having lost his master.
"I'll have that 'ere animal," he exclaimed, springing on towards him.
The dog turned tail and ran off, but Jack was too nimble for him, and
catching him up under his arm, and holding his head so that he could not
bite, he was bringing the animal in triumph when a shot struck him on
the arm. He staggered on notwithstanding.
"Jackson, my man, I'm afraid you are badly hurt," I exclaimed, as I saw
the blood streaming down his side.
"Never fear, sir," he answered, "I've got the dog; I wanted him for you.
Take him, sir."
I had a piece of rope in my pocket, which I fastened round the dog's
neck and led him on. Jackson was a severe sufferer, for he lost his arm
in consequence of his wound. On we hurried, and, climbing the height,
dragged up our guns after us. Before the enemy guessed what we were
about, we had them on the top of the hill ready to open on the fort.
With the same rapidity we threw up the necessary earthworks and soon
began firing away with a right good will down into the fortress. The
Spaniards showed us that two could play at the same game. All night
long we blazed away, doing no little mischief to the enemy. They,
however, in return, dismounted one of our guns. On the morning of the
19th three fresh batteries were opened from our works on Governor's
Hill, and our hopes increased of speedily taking the place.
I enjoyed from my elevated position a full view of the whole surrounding
sea and country. Below me was the town, still burning in places and
smouldering in others. On one side was Governor's Hill, with the
batteries blazing away at the devoted fort which lay below the town, and
was replying from all sides to the fire directed towards it from the
land and sea. Now the ships, with the exception of the Porcupine, stood
in to attack the fort in more serious earnest. Boats came passing and
re-passing to her, and, as I found was the case, as all our guns were on
shore, Captain Packenham with the greater part of the ship's company
went on board the other ships to assist in fighting them. The ships
stood in very close to the walls of the fort before they dropped their
anchors, and then commenced a heavy cannonade, the effects of which soon
became apparent by the crumbling away of the works on every side.
Night, however, put a stop to the work of destruction. Darkness had
just closed in when I received orders to leave my exalted post and to
join the party destined to storm the works at daybreak on the following
morning. This was just according to my taste. I had never a fancy to
know that work was being done and not to be engaged in it.
It was nearly midnight before I joined O'Driscoll and my other friends.
I found them sitting round their watch-fires, not so much on account of
the cold as to keep off the mosquitoes, and enjoying a good supper,
which they ate as they cooked. We had no cloaks, so we sat up all night
discussing the probabilities of our success on the morrow. We talked
and laughed and joked as if there was nothing particularly serious to be
done. Adams, one of our midshipmen, was the merriest of the merry. He
above all of us was making light of the difficulties and dangers to be
encountered. Towards morning our voices grew lower and lower, and at
length no one spoke. I sat also silent, looking up at the dark sky
studded with a thousand stars, wondering to which of them I should wing
my flight should I lose my life in the coming struggle. I dozed off for
a few moments, it seemed to me, and then the drum beat to arms and I
sprang to my feet. At the same moment the ships re-commenced their
cannonade. Every arrangement had already been made, so that each man of
the expedition knew his station. Not an instant, therefore, was lost.
We hurried to our ranks. I had a hundred men under me. Of course
Grampus and Rockets were among them. Grampus had armed himself with a
musket and cutlass, but Rockets had managed to get hold of two
cutlasses. I asked him why he had thus encumbered himself.
"Why, sir, you see as how one on 'em may be broken, and then I shall
have t'other for fighting with," he answered with his usual simplicity.
Down the hill we rushed, the marines and Loyal Irish on either flank.
Nothing stopped us. It seemed scarcely a minute from the time we were
on our feet till we were close under the walls. The fascines were
thrown into the ditches, and the ladders being planted against the
walls, up we climbed, as O'Driscoll observed, like ants attacking a
sugar cask. We had already mounted the walls and were leaping down into
the town before the enemy knew what we were about. As soon as they were
aroused they made a stout resistance and poured a heavy fire on us.
Several men near me were killed or wounded. Poor young Adams was
cheering on his party placed under his orders. A bullet struck him.
His sword was uplifted, his cheerful voice was still sounding on my ear
when I saw him fall over, and before he reached the ground he was dead.
Our men poured over the walls, and on we rushed among the buildings in
the fortress. We encountered a body of Spaniards led on by an officer
who apparently had only that instant been roused out of bed, for he had
neither his coat buttoned, a hat on his head, nor a sword in his hand.
Another party of men on my left engaged my attention, and I was about to
attack them when I saw Tom Rockets rushing towards the unarmed officer.
I thought Tom was going to cut down the Spaniard, and so I dare say did
the latter, but instead of that I heard him sing out, "Senor Don
Officer, you no habby cutlash-o, I've got two-o! Take one of mine, old
boy; let's have fair play and no favour. Stand aside, mates, and we'll
have it out like men!"
On this, to the very great astonishment of his enemy, he presented him
with one of his cutlasses, and made a sign that he was ready to begin
the fight. The Spaniard, however, had no notion of fighting with so
generous and brave a fellow. Probably, also, he found the Englishman's
cutlass rather an awkward weapon to use, so he made signs to him to take
it back, and that he would yield himself up as a prisoner of war. Tom
thereupon took back the cutlass, and, shaking the Spaniard by the hand,
assured him that he should be ready to have the matter out, if it so
pleased him, as soon as the public fighting was disposed of. So sudden
had been our attack, and so unexpected by the Spaniards, that we had
even fewer men killed and wounded than on the previous days. The
Spanish officer and his men having yielded, I left them under charge of
Tom and some of my people, while I pushed on, accompanied by Grampus,
towards the summit of the fortress, on which stood a flag-staff with the
Spanish flag flying. The Spaniards rallied bravely round it, but,
charging them cutlass in hand, with loud huzzas we put them to flight,
and very soon Nol Grampus had hauled down their flag and hoisted our own
glorious ensign in its stead. It was a signal to the ships to cease
their fire, which was becoming somewhat annoying to us as well as to our
foes. In a few minutes all the defenders of the fortress were scattered
far and wide, or had thrown down their arms and sued for mercy. Thus
the important fortress was won. The first thing I did was to look-out
for Tom Rockets, whom I found guarding the Spanish officer, and
endeavouring to assure him of his friendship and protection. Some of
the prisoners were carried on board the ships, others were shut up under
a guard in the fortress, and others were allowed to take their
departure. Besides two richly-laden galleons and a dhow with dry goods
in the harbour, we found in the fort twenty thousand dollars, a vast
quantity of quicksilver, three or four hundred slaves who had been
lately landed, and were to have been sent into the interior, and sixty
thousand pounds' worth of silk, cables, anchors, and other naval
stores,--the whole not being of less value than a million sterling.
On my return on board I acquainted Captain Packenham with Tom Rockets'
gallantry. He was much amused, and at once sent for the brave fellow to
come to him on the quarter-deck. Tom approached, hat in hand, looking
somewhat sheepish, as if he was afraid of getting scolded for having
done something wrong. When, however, the captain praised him for his
conduct, he gave a hitch to his trowsers and a twist to his hat,
exclaiming--
"It's all right then, sir? I thought as how perhaps I ought to have
knocked the Spanish gentleman over; but you see, sir, I didn't like to
take the life of a man who hadn't even a cutlash to fight with."
Captain Packenham assured him that he had done perfectly right, and that
he would look after his interests. He spoke to the commodore about him
that very afternoon, and it was agreed to give him a boatswain's
warrant; but Tom at once declined the offer, saying that he had only
done his duty, and did not want any reward.
After Captain Packenham's return from the commodore's ship, he told me
that he was going home at once with despatches, and that I was to be
removed from the Porcupine into the Charon in order that I might with
some of her crew take charge of the Saint Domingo, one of the galleons
we had just captured. I had placed under me a mate, three midshipmen,
and thirty-six of the best seamen of the Charon, including my two
followers, for whom I got leave to accompany me. I had now a new
follower, the dog I had captured in the burning town. I gave him the
name of Omoa, to which he soon answered and became greatly attached to
me. I at once set to work to get the prize ready for sea; but she had
much to be done to her, and it was not till the 8th of November that,
having scaled guns and bent sails a few days before, I warped out of the
harbour, and made sail in company with the other ships of the squadron,
leaving the Porcupine and the captured dhow for the defence of the fort.
I must remark that a short time afterwards, the place being attacked by
a thousand regular troops, the men we had left there in garrison were
compelled to make their escape on board those two vessels. And now
commenced one of the most unpleasant and anxious voyages I ever made in
my life. I did not think it was to be so at the time, though. On the
contrary, I was highly delighted at obtaining the command, when I got on
board, and discovered that the galleon was the richest-laden vessel we
had captured, and that several thousand pounds would come to my share
alone if I succeeded in carrying her safely into port. Not, I must say,
that I thought about the money for itself. I never was mercenary. I
should have been considered wiser had I been so, but my thoughts
instantly flew to Madeline Carlyon. I pictured to myself peace restored
between the revolted provinces of America and England, and I, with
wealth at my disposal, able to go over and claim with a good grace the
hand of the only girl for whom I had ever felt that deep affection which
would induce me to marry. She was always in my thoughts, and now that I
felt that, with the required wealth within my grasp, there was a
possibility of our being united, I began in my imagination to realise
the happiness I anticipated. Whatever dangers or difficulties I was in,
I always thought of her. She, though far away, spurred me on to
exertion. She--in the tempest, on the lee-shore in unknown seas, in
darkness and surrounded with rocks and shoals--was ever present, and I
believe that, had it not been for her, I should more than once in
despair have given up the struggle with the adverse circumstances which
well-nigh overwhelmed me.
It was soon seen that the bulky old galleon would not keep way with the
men-of-war, so the Lowestoffe took us in tow, not much to the
satisfaction of those on board. Thick squally weather with rain came
on, and away we went plunging after her. For two days this continued,
and during the time I could scarcely ever leave the deck. At last I
went below on the night of the 10th, but hardly had I turned in and got
my eyes well closed when I was aroused up again by a terrific uproar,
and, rushing on deck and hurrying for'ard, I found that the Lowestoffe
was taken aback and was making a stern-board right down upon us.
Fortunately an axe was at hand. With a couple of strokes I cut the
hawser, and, putting up the helm, we were just able to run to leeward
out of her way. Soon after this the commodore made the signal to tack,
and the wind then shifting and a heavy gale coming on, I lost sight of
the squadron. Directly after this I made out the land on the lee bow
bearing east-south-east, three or four miles off. Whether I could
weather it was the question; but I made all the sail I could venture to
carry. I stood as close-hauled as I could, watching with no little
anxiety the unwelcome coast. The vessel looked up to the gale in
gallant style, and at length I was able to bring-to under my foresail.
Thus I remained all night. At six in the morning made sail under the
courses to the north-east, and at eight wore and saw the land bearing
south by south, distant five or six leagues. At noon was again obliged
to bring-to under the foresail, it blowing hard with a thick fog and
squalls.
On the 11th, the wind continuing to blow as hard as before, I saw the
island of Rattan. At 5 p.m. I fired six guns as signals for a pilot,
but night coming on with the accustomed bad weather, I wore and stood
out to sea. The next morning I bore away for Truxillo, on the Spanish
main. At 10 a.m., being close in-shore, the wind shifted, and blew a
heavy gale with very thick weather, which obliged me to stand to the
eastward. At noon, though we lost sight of the land, I found that we
were in very shoal water, and as may be supposed I became very anxious
when I found that there was no one on board who had ever been there
before, or was at all acquainted with the coast. All we knew was that
it was considered a very dangerous and difficult one. Since we left
Omoa, from not having even seen the sun, I had been unable to take an
observation, nor had I any chart of the Gulf of Honduras in the ship.
My officers, as were all on board, were as well aware as I was myself of
the danger the ship was in, and a bright look-out was kept for the land.
At 2 p.m. we made out an island under our lee. I soon saw by the way
the ship was setting that we should be unable to weather it. My only
resource therefore was to attempt to run between it and the main. I
kept the helm up, and stood for the channel. I was under the
impression, as were my officers, that it was the island of Bonacca,
between which and the main a book of sailing directions we had on board
told us there was a passage; but as we neared it the characteristic
features which we discovered convinced us that we were mistaken, and
that it was the Hogsties. Now we had been assured at Omoa that between
it and the main there was no passage. We did not make this discovery,
however, before we had stood on too far to return. Our eyes, however,
could not deceive us; a passage there certainly was, but whether a
shallow or intricate one we could not tell. I kept the lead going and a
bright look-out in all directions; still it was work to try any man's
nerves. There was a nasty broken sea running, and I felt sure that if
the ship struck on any of the numberless rocks under her bottom, not
many minutes would elapse before she must go down. I kept her on,
notwithstanding this, under her foresail. We were gradually shoaling
our water--sixteen fathom, twelve, ten, six, four had been announced. I
drew my breath faster and faster. It was not a moment I should have
liked anyone to put a trivial question to me; still I could make out a
channel of clear water ahead, and I did not despair.
"By the mark three," sang out the man in the fore-chains.
Matters were coming to a crisis. If we shoaled the water much more we
could not hope to force the heavy galleon through. Not only should we
lose all her rich cargo, but our lives also would be sacrificed, for the
few boats we had were in so bad a condition that they would scarcely be
able to carry even half the people we had on board. For my own part, I
did not feel that I had many more hours, or I might say minutes, to
live, for I always held to the opinion that a captain should always be
the last to leave his ship, and not then till he has seen to the safety
of all those entrusted to his care.
On we glided--not very fast though. I stood conning the ship; sometimes
we passed so close to shoals and rocks that we could have thrown a
biscuit on them, and still the lumbering old Saint Domingo floated free.
At length we were once more in four fathoms of water, then in five; but
still I did not feel that we were clear of danger; there might be other
reefs running across from the island to the main which might bring us
up. I however began to breathe more freely, and the faces of my
officers wore a more satisfied expression. Still we had many a turn and
twist to make, but with a leading wind we had little difficulty in doing
this. "Breakers ahead!" sang out Grampus from forward.
"Starboard the helm," was my reply.
"Starboard it is," cried the man at the wheel.
"Breakers on the larboard bow!"
"Port the helm."
"Port it is," was heard along the deck, and so we glided by danger after
danger till all were passed, and I breathed freely at finding the ship
at length clear of the island. I then once more hauled in for the land
to try and ascertain our situation; but the weather came on so thick
again with heavy squalls that I was compelled very soon to stand off
once more, still ignorant of where we were.
My difficulties were not over. At 5 p.m. the mizen-yard was carried
away in a heavy squall, though happily no lives were lost by the
accident. While we were endeavouring to repair the damage it fell a
stark calm, and the old galleon began to roll away awfully in the swell.
I at once ordered the lead to be hove, for I knew that there were
treacherous currents hereabouts.
I had soon proof of this. The first cast gave us thirteen fathoms; very
soon we had ten, eight, and so on, till we shoaled the water to five
fathoms. I guessed that we should very soon be on shore if this
continued, so I saw that I must resort to the only alternative of
anchoring, a dangerous proceeding in the uncertain weather we were
having. Still I held on as long as I could, and hoped for a slant of
wind to enable me to beat off. My hopes were in vain. It was near
midnight, when a heavier gust than we had yet had struck the ship, and
soon the man with the lead gave notice that we had shoaled our water to
three fathoms. Not a moment was to be lost, so I gave orders to clew up
all our canvas and to let go the best bow anchor. This was done without
delay. Our cable held on, but I soon discovered that a strong current
was setting past us to the east-south-east, at the rate of three knots
an hour, which, should our anchor not hold, would very soon send us on
shore.
I at last began to feel as if my anxiety would break me down, as all the
dangers with which we were surrounded were brought to my thoughts. We
had a dark night, a heavy gale of wind, a lee-shore, a strong current,
untried and probably not over-good ground tackle, and a great
uncertainty as to our position. Added to this, I had under my command a
vessel worth four hundred thousand pounds, and between thirty and forty
lives entrusted to my care. Our anchor held, but not without dragging
slightly. Anxiously I walked the deck and waited for break of day. I
thought it would never come. It did at last, however, and revealed a
sight sufficient to make the stoutest heart quake. Scarcely more than a
cable's length from the ship appeared a ledge of rocks over which the
waves were washing with sullen roars, while the log hove overboard
showed me that there was a strong current setting towards a high rocky
bluff land dead to leeward of us. Towards it the ship was surely though
slowly dragging her anchor. One thing only could save us. We must
without delay get sail on her. We tried to weigh the anchor, but soon
abandoned the attempt as hopeless. I called the officers round me, in a
few words explained our position, then sent every man to his station.
Nol Grampus stood, axe in hand, ready to cut the cable as I gave the
word. Two good hands were at the helm. The men were aloft, ready to
loose sails. I waited till the ship's head tended off the land, then at
a wave of my hand the sails were let fall and sheeted home, down came
old Nol's gleaming axe, the end of the cable disappeared through the
hawse-hole, the sails filled, and away glided the big ship from the
threatening rocks. Still she was not free from danger. I held my
breath, as did every seaman on board, as we gazed at the bluff land it
was necessary to weather. The current set strongly towards it, a shift
of wind might yet cast away the ship. Down she seemed settling towards
it. We were doing our utmost to avoid the danger; we could not carry
more sail, the ship was kept as close as possible to the wind. Still we
had already escaped so many dangers before that I hoped we might this.
Higher grew the land frowning above us, nearer appeared the breakers.
In ten minutes I saw that our fate would be decided. The wind remained
steady. None of our gear gave way. The surf broke under our lee as we
glided by; we were safe; and once more reducing sail we stood out to
sea. We, however, were still in far from a pleasant position, or
rather, we could not tell in what position we were, and had every reason
to believe it a bad one. Various were the opinions broached on board as
to our whereabouts. Some thought we were in the Bay of Dulce; others
that the point we had just weathered was Point Manwick; while the
Spanish prisoners affirmed that we were certainly down in the bottom of
the Gulf of Honduras. I could scarcely believe that the currents and
gales we had encountered, strong as they were, could in so short a time
have drifted us so far out of our course. As the day drew on the
weather moderated, and the mists clearing away, we found ourselves
surrounded by a number of rocks and islands. The Spaniards nodded their
heads and affirmed that they were right in their assertions.
Fortunately the sun came out to settle the question. I was able to take
two altitudes, and found that we were abreast of the Island of Rattan.
Not long after this I got a sight of Truxillo Bay, the place the
commodore had appointed for the rendezvous. I accordingly ran in and
anchored there at six o'clock, hoping to find the rest of the squadron
in the place, but, much to my disappointment and surprise, not another
ship was to be seen. This being the case, I had to examine my officers,
to ascertain what I was next to do. Much to my satisfaction I found
that I was forthwith to proceed home to Falmouth, and, having reported
my arrival to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to await their
further orders. In consequence of this I immediately proceeded to wood
and water the ship. This was a long and tedious operation, for having
lost all our boats one after the other in the gale, I was obliged to
employ a couple of very frail canoes. I persevered, however, and by
working hard managed to make progress in the task. While some of the
crew were on shore cutting wood and filling the casks, others were
employed in towing them off in the canoes, which were likewise laden
with wood. Though I worked myself, for the purpose of setting an
example, I found time to make an excursion or two a little way into the
interior. I was accompanied by Martin, one of my master's mates, and a
great friend of mine. We took our guns with us and my dog Omoa, who had
now become much attached to me. The shores of this bay of Truxillo are
wild and desolate in the extreme. Nature here revels in perfect
freedom, and gigantic trees of all sorts tower up on every side. It is
a long way from any inhabited place; I had heard, however, that the
Spaniards once had a settlement here of considerable size, but it having
been attacked by the buccaneers and Indians, about a hundred years ago,
they were compelled entirely to abandon it; since which time nature had
resumed her original sway over the territory, and as we wandered through
the forest not a sign of human life or human industry did we for a long
time perceive. At length, however, landing one day at a different part
of the bay to that which we had before explored, about a quarter of a
mile from the beach, we came suddenly upon a high-built wall. A little
farther on we found ourselves walking over what had evidently been a
paved street of great length and breadth. In another minute we found
ourselves with the walls of houses on either side of us, the vast trees
growing out from among them and forming a sheltering roof with their
boughs, showing for how long a period they must have been deserted.
There were churches too, which we discovered to be such by their
construction and the massiveness of their walls; many of them of
considerable size, and built of well-burnt bricks. Altogether we were
struck by the elegance and substantial appearance of the different
buildings, so superior to those of modern architecture, and which
convinced us that we were standing in the midst of a once magnificent
and wealthy city. Its wealth had proved its destruction, and now, like
many of the cities of the ancient world, it had become the habitation
alone of the wild beast of the forest, the birds of the air, and the
reptiles which creep on the earth. I cannot properly describe my
sensations as I stood in the midst of that abandoned city; the scene was
so unusual and curious, there was so much beauty and elegance even in
the masses of ruins, and still more in the trees and shrubs which had
taken possession of these walls, once the abodes of men engaged in all
the active pursuits of life. I could not help picturing to myself what
it must have been like; what scenes were going on within it, such as are
enacted in most cities in the present day, when sudden destruction
overtook it. I learned a lesson, I drew a moral, and I received a
warning from the fate it told, from which I trust my readers will profit
likewise.