JOB'S PLAN FOR ESCAPING--A HINT FROM GERARDIN--A ROPE BROUGHT IN A
BASKET--DESCENT FROM THE TOWER--THE GUARD MADE PRISONER--GET ON BOARD A
FISHING-BOAT.
"If I'd my way I'd break out of this here hole, knock the mounseers down
that stands guard, and cut and run," observed Job Truefitt, as he woke
up after a sound sleep on some straw, in the afternoon of the day on
which he and his companions had been shut up in the tower. "We might
get hold of some fishing craft or other, and make good our escape. I've
heard of such things being done afore now."
The sentiment was warmly echoed by the speaker's shipmates.
Mr Calder and the other officers had overheard what was said. It was
intended that they should. Probably the same idea was occupying the
lieutenant's mind; he got up and took a survey of the interior of the
tower. The upper part was of wood, and through a chink came a ray from
the setting sun, and cast a bright light on the opposite wall. It
showed the prisoners the direction of the ocean, and the point towards
which they must make their way if they could escape from the tower.
Mr Calder, with no little exertion, climbed up to the chink to look
out; the chamber was without any window; there had been one in the stone
wall, but that had been blocked up. From the dome shape of the roof it
appeared, too, that the chamber was the highest in the tower. Mr
Calder having completed his survey of the surrounding country, as far as
his position would allow him, descended to the floor. He said but
little; he was pondering the means of escape. To be kept a prisoner
now, almost at the commencement of what everybody said would be a long
war, was more than his philosophy would enable him to bear with
patience. Morton guessed what was passing in his superior's mind.
"It would, indeed, be terrible to be shut up," he observed. "It is only
just what I ought to have expected," said Rawson. "My ill-luck will
stick to me to the end; no fear of that going, though everything else
leaves me."
His remark produced a laugh among his companions, who, if they even
believed in ill-luck, had very little compassion on him when he
complained of it; indeed, it was suspected that he rather liked to be
joked on the subject.
"I should like to have a look out too," said Ronald, climbing up by the
inequalities in the stone wall and the planks which formed the side of
the tower.
The sun was just sinking in the ocean, and casting a rich glow over the
whole western sky. The storm had completely ceased, though the waves
still rolled in with a loud roar, lining the coast with a fringe of
foam.
The tide was low; a few ribs on the reef, almost abreast of the tower,
was the only remnant of this once beautiful frigate, with the addition
of the broken timbers and planks which strewed the shore, and which the
peasantry had not yet carried off. The appearance of the coast indeed
in the immediate neighbourhood of the tower offered no hopes of escape
to the Englishmen, even should they succeed in getting out of their
prison. To the north, however, Morton observed a high reef of black
rocks, running out into the sea, and circling round so as to form a
secure harbour. Two or three small craft were floating on the surface
of this little haven, either launched after the gale, or which had
ridden it out in safety, while several boats, appearing like black dots
on the yellow sand, lay drawn up on the beach.
Ronald was still employed in making his survey, when steps were heard
ascending the rickety creaking stairs of the tower, and Mr Calder
ordered him down, that he might not excite the suspicion of the
Frenchmen that they entertained the idea of escaping.
The door opened, and two soldiers entered with a jar of wine, and some
bread and cheese and fruit. Placing the provisions before the
lieutenant, they made signs that he might divide them among his people.
Ronald, thinking it might be politic to get into conversation with them,
mustering all his knowledge of French, thanked them warmly for what they
had brought.
The man answered, somewhat gruffly, that they were only obeying orders,
and that they had been directed by a young officer of the marine, who
had been wrecked, to bring the provisions.
"Pray thank him for us, and say how grateful we feel for his gift," said
Ronald.
"We may not see him again," answered one of the men. "He is ill in bed,
and he will be going away into the interior, as soon as he is able to be
removed."
The men said that they did not know the young officer's name. There
could be little doubt, however, that Alfonse Gerardin had sent the
provisions.
Ronald in vain tried to ascertain if the soldiers knew how they, the
English prisoners, were to be disposed of, but the Frenchmen only
shrugged their shoulders, and replied that that was no business of
theirs. It was not likely that they would be kept for ever in the
tower, which, as the rats had already deserted it, was very likely to
tumble about their ears.
"It is a wonder, then, that it did not come down during the late gale,"
observed Ronald.
"Ah," said one of the men with a shrug and a wink, "it is a wonder
truly, considering how rotten it is from the top to the bottom. But we
must not stop here, talking with you Englishmen, or we shall be
suspected of wishing to help you to escape. Adieu, adieu,--_au revoir_.
You don't seem much cast down. Perhaps you would be, if you knew the
fate prepared for you."
With another wink from the chief speaker, a corporal, by his uniform,
the man took his departure.
"I am certain, sir, they had meaning in what they said," observed Ronald
to Mr Calder, explaining the Frenchman's remarks. "Gerardin is not
ungrateful, and wishes to help us to escape."
Rawson laughed at the notion of a Frenchman being grateful, and even Mr
Calder seemed to doubt that he, or any one else, had the slightest idea
of helping them to escape.
"People are not fond of putting their lives in jeopardy, to help those
in whom they have no interest," he remarked.
It seemed too likely that the lieutenant was right, for the night
passed, and noon of the following day arrived, and no one came near
them. At that time the two soldiers who had before appeared brought in
their food, but left it without saying a word, and again hurried down
the stairs.
Ronald was persuaded that the corporal gave a significant look at him,
as he followed his companion out of the door. It was probable that the
two men did not trust each other.
"It is all your fancy, Morton," said Rawson, gloomily. "Depend on it we
shall be marched off to some horrible out of the way fortress, and be
shut up for the next ten years of our lives, while our old shipmates are
crowning themselves with laurels, or what is better, making no end of
prize-money, and rising to the top of their profession. When we get
back once more to the shores of old England, there we shall be wretched
white-haired old mates and midshipmen, forgotten by our friends, and
cared for by nobody. There's one consolation,--I'll not learn a word of
their beastly lingo, they may depend on that."
Although the picture Rawson had drawn was very melancholy, and too
likely to be true, his latter observation so tickled the fancies of his
hearers, that they all burst into a loud laugh, in which Rawson himself
could not help joining.
"Well, my lads, though we may have some difficulty in breaking out of
this, and more in making our escape, there's no doubt that the
alternative, as Rawson describes it, will be a very unpleasant one,"
exclaimed Mr Calder. "We must all go, or none; and yet I would force
none to go, for the attempt may cost us our lives."
"Never fear, Mr Calder, sir; there'll be no skulkers among us,"
exclaimed Job Truefitt, from among the seamen. "Just you give the word
as if you was on the quarter-deck of our own tight little frigate, and
there is not a man here who won't obey you as smartly, whatever you
thinks fit to order, whether it is to jump off the top of this here
tower, or to knock over every Frenchman we meet."
"Yes, sir,--yes, sir,--that's it. Job speaks the truth," exclaimed
several of the men simultaneously.
The men required no incitement to induce them to attempt escaping,
although there was but little fault to find with the provisions which
had been sent them. There was excellent bread and cheese, and fruit of
various sorts, and some fried fish, though certainly there was neither
beef nor pork, while the _vin du pays_ was of a somewhat thin and sour
description. A few bottles of fiery hot _eau de vie_ would have suited
the taste of the honest tars much better.
This day, like the former one, passed away, and nobody came near the
prisoners; they all wished that the time was come when they were to make
the attempt to escape. The next day, at noon, a much larger supply of
provisions was brought to them. Two men accompanied their friend, the
corporal, to carry them. He also carried a good-sized basket, which he
deposited in a corner of the chamber, and then nodding, without saying a
word, hurried down the steps; as if their friends outside had divined
their wishes, there were half-a-dozen bottles of brandy!
Morton and Rawson were examining the contents of the corporal's basket.
"I thought so," exclaimed Ronald, joyfully; and he pulled out a long
rope, amply strong enough to support the weight of a man. There was no
longer any doubt that they had friends outside, anxious to assist their
escape.
The weather had now become perfectly serene. A light south-easterly
breeze, and smooth water, would enable them to run along the coast just
out of sight of those on land, while several small vessels in the
harbour would supply them with a craft suited to their purpose.
The prospect in view put them all in high spirits, and with infinite
relish they discussed the viands which had been brought them. While
thus engaged the door of their prison opened, and two persons in naval
uniform appeared before them. One Morton at once recognised as Alfonse
Gerardin, though he looked even more pale and sickly than when he had
been rescued from the wreck. Ronald sprang up to greet him. His
companion, on whose arm he rested, was a strongly-built middle-aged man.
Alfonse gave his hand to Ronald.
"I could not bear the thought of your going away without seeing you once
more," he said. "I could not have obtained leave had it not been for my
father, Lieutenant Gerardin, of whom I told you."
"What you told me was merely that he had been killed," said Ronald.
"So I thought, but happily I was mistaken. He had been knocked
overboard, but he was picked up by a boat, and unable to regain the ship
was brought to shore, not far from this, when hearing of the shipwreck
he found us out."
"And you are the young gentleman to whom my dear boy here is indebted
for his life," said Lieutenant Gerardin, in broken English, grasping
Ronald's hand warmly. "I am grateful to you. Though my nation is at
war with yours, I love your countrymen. I would serve you gladly at the
risk of my life. You are to be removed into the interior to-morrow, and
a far-off fortress will be your habitation. This night you must make
your escape; I have provided part of the means. There is a fishing-boat
in that little harbour to the north; she pulls fast, and has oars and
sails aboard, as also some water and provisions, but not sufficient.
Carry all you can with you. I have bribed some of the guards, but not
all; you may meet with opposition; you will know how to deal with your
enemies. Do not think me a traitor to France; I owe her no allegiance,
and yet I am bound to her. Now farewell!--we may never meet again, but
you will at least not think that he whom you so bravely saved from death
is ungrateful."
Alfonse Gerardin said but little; he warmly shook Ronald's and Glover's
hands, and then he and his father hurriedly took their departure.
The rest of the day was spent by the party in talking over their escape,
and the best mode of meeting all possible contingencies, and then most
of the old hands lay down to sleep, that they might be fresher when the
moment of action arrived.
No sooner was it dark than Mr Calder set to work to remove some of the
planks above the brickwork. It was, as the corporal had hinted, very
rotten, and quickly gave way to their pulls. An aperture of size
sufficient to allow a man to force himself through was soon made. Mr
Calder then securing the rope, and lowering it to the ground, directing
his men to stand in the order they were to descend, told Rawson to bring
up the rear, went himself through the hole, and slid down noiselessly to
the ground. The midshipmen followed, and then came the men; not a word
was spoken, but they imitated their leader's example in picking up some
large stones with which to defend themselves, should they be suddenly
attacked. One after the other the men came gliding down in the rapid
way none but seamen could have done; not the slightest noise was made;
their feet, as they touched the ground, made no more sound than those of
cats. All had descended except Rawson, when a noise was heard in the
room above, as of a door opening. There was a scuffle, but no one cried
out; in an instant Job Truefitt was swarming up the rope hand over hand;
Morton, the most active of the party, followed him. Whatever there was
to be done was to be effected quickly. With the deepest anxiety the
rest of the party waited to ascertain what had happened, while two or
three prepared to follow. Job crept in at the hole in the wall, and
looked round the prison. At first he could see nothing. At last he
fancied that he could distinguish something moving on the other side of
the room. He sprang towards the spot, and so did Morton.
"Here we are, Mr Rawson; here we are, come to help you," whispered Job.
A deep groan was the response. It was soon evident that there were two
people on the ground, struggling in a deadly embrace--but which was
friend or foe, was the question. They had tight hold of each other's
throats, and were actually throttling each other.
"You catch hold of one, Mr Morton," whispered Job, who had recognised
Ronald. "I'll take t'other, and then we'll settle with the mounseer,
whichever he may be."
Ronald found by his jacket that he had got hold of Rawson, but it was
not without digging his nails into the Frenchman's wrist that he was
able to make him relax his hold of Rawson's throat. Still more
difficult was it to induce the latter to take his gripe off his
opponent's neck. To bind the legs and arms of the Frenchman, and to gag
his mouth, was the work of a few moments. Ronald stumbled against his
lantern, at which Rawson must have struck when he entered.
"It may prove of service," thought Ronald, as he hung it round his neck.
Rawson soon recovered. Two more seamen had come in by this time. Their
first care was to barricade the door. At first they thought of leaving
the Frenchman in the room, but it was agreed that, as he might make some
noise, and give the alarm, it would be better to take him part of the
way with them. He was speedily lowered down, much to the astonishment
of those below, and to his own annoyance. Then Morton and the rest of
the party followed. Who their prisoner was it was impossible to
ascertain, for fear lest the moment the gag was removed he might cry
out. He was a soldier, but not their friend the corporal, as he was a
shorter and stouter man.
There could be little doubt that the guard was in the room below them,
and when their comrade was missed, others probably would go up to look
for him. No further time was to be lost. Mr Calder, therefore,
ordered the men in a whisper to close up together, carrying their
prisoner among them, and to move off in the direction of the harbour.
As they began to advance, Morton recollected the rope which they ought
to have taken with them, as should it be left behind and recognised, it
might betray the friends who had supplied it to them. As the rope was
long enough to allow of its being slipped round a beam, and then again
to reach the ground, he was on the point of ascending once more to
execute his project, hoping quickly to overtake his companions, when a
noise in the room immediately above him arrested his movements. The
guard was on the alert. His delay, contrary to the orders of his
superior, might cause the ruin of the whole party. He let go the rope
and sprang after his companions.
"It cannot much matter," he thought; "our friends would have warned us
to carry off the rope."
The English seamen hurried on till they came to a deep hollow in the
sands. Here Mr Calder ordered them to leave their prisoner.
"Remember, mounseer, if you hallo or make any row, we'll be back and
blow your brains out for you," whispered Job Truefitt, as he placed him
on the ground.
A grunt was the only answer. It was doubtful whether the prisoner
understood what was said, though he might have guessed the meaning of
the remark.
The seamen pushed on as fast as they could move. It was no easy matter
to find their way, for the night was very dark, and though the sky was
clear, there was a slight mist, which concealed all objects, except
those close at hand, from view. This was, however, an advantage, as
well as a disadvantage, to the fugitives. Though they had, in
consequence of the mist, greater difficulty in making their way towards
the shore, it assisted to conceal them from any persons who might chance
to cross their path. They had made their escape at an early hour, that
they might have longer time to get an offing before daylight.
Mr Calder strode on ahead, Rawson brought up the rear, Ronald pushed
on, and ranged up alongside his lieutenant. He had a fancy that if
there was danger, it would be there, and he wished to be near him. The
road lay chiefly over sand-hills, very heavy walking. Now and then they
came to rocks, which still further impeded their progress, but there
were bits also of hard ground, over which they passed at a run. The
wind being from the south, they kept at their backs, while the gentle
ripple of the sea on the beach, assisted still further to guide them.
At last Mr Calder stopped.
"We ought to be up to the harbour by this time," he observed in a low
voice. "I see no signs of it."
All the party had now pulled up. As they did so, the sound of voices
from no great distance reached their ears. The speakers were to the
north of them. It was not likely that they were pursuers. Still, if
they passed near, they might discover them. The seamen crouched down to
the ground. The voices grew louder and louder. They seemed to be
coming towards the very spot where the Englishmen were collected.
"Lads, we must master them, whether many or few," whispered Mr Calder.
"Take care none escape."
Morton had been attentively listening to the speakers. "They are
fishermen just landed," he said, in a low tone. "They are on their way
to their homes. I doubt, from what they say, if they have landed their
fish."
"Be ready, lads," said Mr Calder, expecting that the next instant they
would be grappling with the Frenchmen. "Each of you seize his man,
bring him to the ground, and gag him. Take care none get away."
Suddenly the voices ceased. Morton thought that they had been
overheard, but once more the fishermen went on talking; their footsteps
were heard, but gradually the strength of the sound decreased, their
voices became less and less distinct, till they were altogether lost in
the distance. The lieutenant now led the way rapidly onward.
"If we had been a minute sooner we should have been discovered," thought
Morton. "All is for the best."
They had now reached the little harbour. Several boats were drawn up,
but all at a considerable distance from the water. It would be
difficult to launch one of them without making a noise. A small boat
was distinguished a short distance from the shore. Ronald offered to
swim off to it, and bring it in. His clothes were off in an instant.
"Stay, I may have to cut the cable," he observed, putting his clasp
knife between his teeth.
The water was somewhat cold, but he did not heed that. Excitement kept
his blood in circulation. He soon reached the boat. His knife came
into requisition, and though there were no oars, he found a loose bottom
board, and managed to paddle in with it to the beach.
It was still necessary to be very cautious. Lights were seen in some
huts not far off, and the inmates might hear them and suspect that
something was wrong.
The boat would not hold the entire party, so Mr Calder and Glover, with
some of the men, embarked first, to select the craft most likely to suit
them.
It was an anxious time for those on shore. The crews might be on board
some of the boats, and if one of those was selected, the alarm might be
given.
"We shall have to knock some of the fellows on the head if they are,
that will be all," observed Rawson, coolly.
The boat, however, returned without any disturbance, and the rest of the
seamen got into her, bringing her gunwale almost flush with the water.
Scarcely had they got twenty yards from the shore, when a voice hailed
in French, "Yes, you were before us; don't wait--_bon soir_," answered
Ronald, promptly, in the same language.
They pulled out as fast as they could, and got on board a a large
half-decked boat, with her sails on board, and pulling eight oars.
The question was now, how to get out of the harbour. Rawson in the punt
went ahead, to pilot the way, while the anchor was noiselessly weighed.
The oars being got out, the little craft stood after the boat.
The mouth of the harbour was discovered, they were in the open sea. How
joyously beats the hearts of all to find themselves free! As they drew
off the land, the breeze freshened, the punt was cast adrift, and sail
was made; just then there were lights seen on the beach; shouts were
heard. There was a grating sound as of a boat being launched. They
were about to be pursued, there could be no doubt about that. Still
sharp eyes would be required to see them. Impelled by wind and oars the
boat stood out to the westward.
The wind was fair, the sea was smooth. Of course in the darkness it was
impossible to select the best boat, but they had happily hit upon one
which at all events seemed a fine little craft, and they hoped she might
prove the fastest. The seamen bent their backs to the oars with right
good will; the water hissed and bubbled under the bows.
"The mounseers must be in a precious hurry to catch us, if they do catch
us," exclaimed Job Truefitt. "Give way, mates: if we can't keep ahead
of a crew of frog-eaters, we desarves to be caught and shut up in the
darkest prison in the land, without e'er a quid o' baccy to chaw, or a
glass o' grog to freshen our nip."
The men, however, required no inducement to exert themselves to the
utmost.
"Avast pulling!" exclaimed Mr Calder, after they had made good three
miles or more from the harbour.
There was no sound of oars. The Frenchmen, it was supposed, had thought
the pursuit useless, and had given it up. Still daylight must find them
far away from the coast, and spell and spell throughout the night the
undaunted seamen laboured at their oars.