The midshipmen and their companions were in an unpleasant predicament.
The pirates, after abusing them in no measured terms, ordered them, on
the peril of their lives, to remain where they were while they
themselves joined their companions, who were just commencing their
feast. Old Charcoal, the black, soon appeared from the hole, and
beckoning to Croxton and Reuben, he bade them carry a huge stew-pot full
of viands, and place it in the midst of the pirates. The outlaws, when
they had done this, ordered them to be off, and to wait till they were
again wanted, and then set to in earnest, digging their long knives and
daggers into the pot, and ladling out its more liquid contents, some
with silver, and others with wooden spoons. It seemed a matter of
indifference to them which they used. Cases of champagne and claret
were soon broken open, and each man seized two or three bottles, from
which he drank, or poured the contents into silver flagons, which he
drained in a couple of draughts. Seasoned as were probably their heads,
the result of these copious libations was soon apparent by the fiercer
oaths they uttered, their louder laughter, and the quarrels which began
to arise between those who apparently were strong friends a few minutes
previously.
The black had taken his seat on the ground near them; but though they
every now and then handed him a jug of wine, Paul observed that he
poured the chief part of its contents on the ground. No long time
passed before the wine began to take effect on the greater part of the
crew. Some rose to their feet with their eyes glaring, and their
unsheathed knives in their hands, vociferating loudly. Blows were
exchanged, and wounds given, though on each occasion the combatants sank
down again, and applied themselves afresh to their wine-cups. Some
sang, others shouted and fired off their pistols in the air, and others
again got up and danced wildly round their companions, till, wearied
with their exertions, they reeled back to their former places. Old
Charcoal shouted, and applauded, and clapped his hands with the rest.
The day wore on--the orgies of the outlaws continued till the larger
number lay helpless and unconscious on the ground, surrounded by broken
bottles, though a few retained sufficient sense to reel towards the hut,
where more comfortable couches than the ground could afford were to be
found. The black followed, making a sign to Paul and his companions to
remain where they were.
"He is our friend, sir, I am certain of it," said Paul to Devereux, who
had not observed the sign; "there is a chance for us of escaping."
"By what means?" asked Devereux. "We could not get their vessel out of
the harbour."
"No, sir, but in one of their boats. Before they recover their senses
we might be far away out of sight of the island."
"Very good, Gerrard; but without knowing in what direction to steer we
might too probably float about till we were starved to death, or
overtaken by another hurricane," answered Devereux, shaking his head
mournfully.
"But perhaps we may find a chart on board the pirate vessel," suggested
O'Grady. "If Charcoal is really our friend, as I think he is, he will
help us to get a chart, a compass, and provisions also. Hurrah! I feel
quite in spirits at the thought that we shall get away."
"Be not over sanguine, young gentleman," observed old Croxton; "there's
many a slip between the cup and the lip, and it's well to be prepared
for reverses."
In spite of this warning, the boys remained as sanguine as ever, and
anxiously waited the appearance of old Charcoal, who, at length, was
seen cautiously creeping out of the hut. He came along very fast on his
knees and hands. They were surprised to see him without his legs and
crutches, till he gave them to understand that the pirates had put them
away out of his reach. Paul's hopes were not to be disappointed; the
black had resolved to take the opportunity for which he had long been
waiting, while his hard taskmasters were overcome by drunkenness, to
escape from their power.
"They will make us all slaves, and keep us to work for them if we don't
escape," observed O'Grady. "I vote that we set about it at once."
"But I will try to get old Charcoal's legs and crutches first," said
Paul.
"And I will not go vidout my cher violin," cried Alphonse; "it has been
my good friend very often. It may be again."
The poor black signified his wish to have his wooden supporters, and
together the two boys set off running to the hut, while the rest of the
party, not to lose time, proceeded towards the schooner.
The door of the hut was opened. Paul and Alphonse stepped in
cautiously, for any noise might arouse the sleepers. They looked about
for the crutches; they were placed across the rafters in the centre of
the hut. A tall man standing on the table had put them there. Paul saw
that even with the help of Alphonse he could not reach up so high; but
he was not to be defeated--so going to the wall he put his feet on his
companion's shoulders, and climbing up he reached the beam, along which
he clambered, till he got hold of the crutches, and then he handed them
down to Alphonse, and fortunately without making any noise. The latter
was now anxious to find his fiddle, for it was nowhere to be seen. At
length, with almost a groan of despair, the young Frenchman pointed to
it. A pirate had appropriated the case for a pillow. Was he to leave
it? No!--he would perish first! Fortunately the man was among the most
drunken, and was sleeping heavily. They agreed by signs to withdraw it,
and to substitute something else. A bundle of flags had been overlooked
in a corner. It might serve their purpose yet. It was hazardous work.
Alphonse drew his dirk, which he had retained; but Paul implored him by
a look to put it up again.
"If he does awake, only say that you want your fiddle-case to play a
tune; he won't mind that," he whispered.
Paul went on one side, and gently lifted the pirate's head with one hand
while with the other he held the bundle of flags to shove under it as
Alphonse gently pulled away the case. All depended on the movement
being regular. A sudden jerk would have awakened the man, who was a
fierce-looking ruffian. One of his hands lay over the hilt of his
dagger, which he seemed capable of using with effect at a moment's
notice. The manoeuvre required great nerve and courage, scarcely to be
expected in such young lads. It was not found wanting in them. With
intense satisfaction Paul let the outlaw's head sink on the soft pillow.
The man uttered a few inarticulate sounds, but gave no other signs of
awaking. The boys held their breath, and for a minute dared not move
lest they should make any noise which might even at the last arouse the
man, or disturb any of the other sleepers. At last they crept silently
away, picking up Charcoal's crutches on the way, and made their escape
out of the hut. Darkness was coming on. It would have been well to
have had daylight to get clear of the island. As soon as they had got a
little distance from the hut, they set off running to overtake their
companions. Charcoal was as delighted to get back his wooden legs and
crutches as Alphonse was to recover his fiddle. They had to proceed
cautiously as they passed the sleepers, and still more so when they
entered the boat, lest the sound of an oar in the rowlock, or its splash
in the water, might alarm them. One of the boats in which the pirates
had come on shore was selected for the voyage; but they had first to
visit the vessel to obtain the various articles they required. They
quickly scrambled on board, and even the black showed a wonderful
agility in getting up the side. On going below, he lighted a lantern
with which to search for the articles they required. There would have
been no difficulty in deciding on the character of the the vessel by the
gorgeous and yet rude and tasteless style in which the chief cabin was
furnished. Pictures of saints and silver ornaments were nailed against
the bulkheads, interspersed with arms of all sorts, and rich silks and
flags, while the furniture showed that it had been taken from vessels of
various sorts--for there were damask-covered sofas, and rosewood
cabinets, with deal three-legged stools, and a rough oak table; and
hanging to the beams above, or in the racks against the sides, were
battered pewter mugs and plates, mixed with silver tankards and salvers,
and other utensils of the same precious metal. The party, however, had
no time to pay attention to any of these things, or to wish even to
possess themselves of any of them. They were only anxious to find the
articles which would facilitate their escape. In a receptacle for all
sorts of stores a ship's compass was found; but that without a chart,
and oil for the lamp, would be of little use. Nearly the whole ship had
been searched through and no chart could be found.
"We must find one though, unless the black knows the direction in which
we should steer," exclaimed Devereux.
"Let us ascertain if he does. Does he know what we are looking for,
though?"
O'Grady got Charcoal to come to the table, and drawing with a piece of
chalk a chart on it something like the West Indies, pointed to one spot
where he supposed they were, and then to others, and demanded by signs
how they should get there. The black clapped his hands, and began
looking about the cabins as a terrier hunts for a rat.
In a cabin evidently used by the captain from the greater number of
weapons hung up in it, and its richer furniture, Charcoal discovered a
locker hitherto overlooked. It was locked; but without ceremony it was
broken open.
"Robbing thieves is no robbery, I hope," observed O'Grady, as he lent a
hand.
"Necessity has no law, I've heard say, at all events," said Devereux.
Everything that could be required was at length discovered, and placed
in the boat alongside, except one thing. They had shoved off, and were
gliding noiselessly down the lagoon, when Paul, feeling his throat
somewhat parched with the excitement he had gone through, asked Reuben
for a mug of water from a cask he saw at his feet. Reuben tapped it.
It was empty. To go without water would be destruction. There was none
on board the vessel. An expedition to the fountain must be undertaken.
Reuben and Croxton volunteered to go, as did O'Grady. They had,
however, first to return to the schooner to get more casks. There was a
fearful risk of waking up the sleeping men near whom they had to pass.
Not a word was spoken by either party. While one proceeded on their
expedition, the other sat still as death in the boat. Paul wished that
he had gone also, for he was very anxious about his friends; he could
not help fearing that should the pirates be awakened they would at once
fire at strangers moving near them. It appeared to him a very long time
since they had left the boat. He asked Devereux if he might go in
search of them, as he feared that they might have lost their way.
"They will be here soon," was the answer; "they have no light weight to
carry between them."
The time seemed longer perhaps than it really was. At length footsteps
were heard.
"Here they come," said Devereux, and some figures emerged from the
darkness. They must be their friends; the pirates would have approached
with cries and threats of vengeance. O'Grady led the way, staggering
under the weight of a cask; the men followed with still heavier burdens.
"We must be off; we heard the fellows talking in the hut," he whispered.
Not another word was spoken; it was a moment for prompt action, if they
would save their lives, for if captured by the pirates they would be
treated with scant ceremony or mercy. The black took the helm; indeed,
he alone knew anything of the shape of the lagoon, or of the passage
which led from it to the sea. There were oars for each of the party.
They pulled on in perfect silence, placing their handkerchiefs in the
rowlocks to lessen the noise of the oars. There were numerous turns in
the lagoon, which prevented them at first from feeling the wind. After
pulling some way, however, they discovered that a strong gale was
blowing directly into the mouth of the lagoon. It must have sprung up
after they had visited the schooner, or they would have felt it before.
A loud roar of breakers was heard, and the white surf could be seen
breaking wildly over the surrounding reefs.
"We are in a trap, I fear," remarked O'Grady.
They were the first words which had been spoken since they embarked.
There was no danger now of their being heard.
"Let us ascertain what the black thinks," said Devereux.
This was no easy matter in the darkness. He seemed disposed, at all
events, to proceed, for he continued steering towards the sea. The
rocks on either side were tolerably high, with numerous indentations,
miniature bays, and inlets on either side. The boat now began to feel
the seas as they rolled in. It seemed high time to stop unless they
were to attempt passing through the rollers which came roaring in with
increasing rapidity towards them. Suddenly the black touched Devereux's
arm, and made a sign to him to cease rowing. He waited for a few
minutes. They were full of suspense. Then he shook his head, and again
signed for the starboard oars to pull round, and running back a little
way, he took the boat into a small inlet, where she lay quiet, sheltered
by the high rocks. The disappointment was very great. It would clearly
have been suicidal to have attempted passing through the surf. It would
be better to face the anger of the pirates. Poor Charcoal was most to
be pitied. They would hang or shoot him, or beat him to death to a
certainty.
"Could we not land him, and perhaps the pirates would not find out that
he assisted in our attempt to escape?" suggested O'Grady.
"You forget, Mr O'Grady, that he could not have got his crutches
without our help," observed Paul.
"The wind may moderate, and we may yet be away before daylight,"
remarked Devereux. "We could not leave him behind."
The question had not, however, been put to the black; indeed it was
difficult to ascertain his wishes. He kept his seat, and made no sign.
This made them hope that he still expected to get out of the lagoon
before daylight. It was possible that the pirates might take to
drinking again as soon as they awoke; and if so, more time would be
obtained for their escape. These and similar speculations served to
occupy the thoughts of the party as the dark hours of night passed by.
Still the wind blew, and the seas, as they dashed over the coral reefs
and broke on the sandy beach, roared as loud as before. The black made
no sign of moving; indeed they all knew it would be useless. At length,
with sinking hearts, they saw the first pale streaks of dawn appear.
There is but little twilight in those southern latitudes; but the first
harbinger of day is speedily followed by the glorious luminary himself,
and the whole world is bathed with light.
"I wonder if it's pleasant," soliloquised O'Grady. "I don't know
whether I should prefer being hung or having my throat cut."
"Hush," said Devereux, "see the black is signing to you not to speak."
"Nor will I, blessings on his honest face," answered O'Grady, whose
spirits nothing could daunt. "But I propose that before we put our
necks into the noose we have our breakfast. We shall have ample time
for that before those honest gentlemen we left drunk last night will be
up and looking for us."
The proposition met with universal approval, and in another instant all
hands were busily employed in discussing a substantial breakfast of
biscuit, dried meat, and fish, washed down by claret in as quiet a
manner as if they were out on a pleasant picnic party. When it was
over, some of the party scrambled up the rocks to ascertain if any of
the pirates were yet on foot; but no one was to be seen moving on shore.
It was possible that the pirates might suppose that they had already
made their escape, and thus not take the trouble of looking for them.
It was clearly their best chance to remain quiet, and so they all
returned on board and lay down in the bottom of the boat. The day, as
the night had done, passed slowly on. Their hopes again rose; they
might remain concealed till night, and then make their escape, should
the gale abate.
"We have reason to be thankful that we are not outside now," observed
old Croxton, who had said little all the time; "no boat could live in
the sea there is running."
"If we are discovered we may still fight for it," observed Reuben Cole.
"We are a match for a few score of such buccaneering scoundrels as they
are, I hope."
"I will play them one tune on my cher violin; they will not hang us if
they hear that going," said Alphonse, evidently perfectly in earnest.
"We'll fight, undoubtedly, my friends," said Devereux. "If we are
taken, we will make the best of it, and may even then save our lives
without dishonour."
It was past noon. They judged from the continued roar that the force of
the gale had in no way decreased, and that nothing could be gained by
leaving their rocky shelter. Not a sound from the hut had reached them,
when suddenly a loud shout reached their ears. It startled most of the
party, who, overcome by the heat, had fallen asleep. Again and again
the shout was repeated in tones of anger. There could be no doubt that
the pirates had discovered their flight, and were searching for them.
They were still at some distance, and might not look into the creek
where the boats lay hid. If, however, they were to follow in a boat,
they would scarcely pass by the mouth of the creek without exploring it.
Paul, as the most active of the party, was directed to climb up the
rock to try and ascertain in what direction the pirates were roaming.
He clambered up the rock, concealing himself as much as possible by the
projecting portions. He saw in the far distance on the level ground
figures moving rapidly about; but only a small part of the island was
visible. It was evident that those whose voices had been heard must
have come much nearer. He came down and made his report.
"Hurrah! it never occurred to us before that we took the only boat they
had on shore, and that those thieves of the world can't get aboard their
vessel again," cried O'Grady, in great glee. "There are some
ugly-looking monsters in the lagoon, sharks or alligators, and it's just
that they don't like swimming off lest they should make a breakfast for
some of those pretty creatures."
"Should your idea be correct, there is another chance for us; but they
will not be long before they build a raft and get on board," said
Devereux.
"Oh, by the pipers, but I wish that we had remained on board, and fought
the thieves from their own craft," cried O'Grady. "We might have picked
them off as they appeared on the shore one by one, and carried her out
of the harbour in triumph. Would it be too late to go back to try that
same just at once?"
"Too late to go back, except we wish to be picked off ourselves, yes
indeed," said Devereux. "And hark! there is the sound of oars coming
down the lagoon; the villains have got on board, and are in search of
us. If we are silent, we may still avoid them."
The whole party remained still as death. The boat came nearer and
nearer. She passed the mouth of the creek, and went down to the
entrance of the lagoon. Those in her were apparently satisfied that
their prisoners had escaped, for the splash of their oars, and their
voices as they talked loudly, were again heard as they pulled up the
lagoon. Paul and his companions breathed more freely under the belief
that they had escaped their enemies. Poor Charcoal sat perfectly still,
though he moved his large eyes about with an uneasy glance upwards and
around on every side. He ate and drank with the rest, but made no
attempt to communicate to others what was passing in his mind. The day
was drawing on, when Paul, who, with the rest of the party, had dropped
off into a drowsy state of unconsciousness, was aroused by a shout of
derisive laughter, and a voice exclaiming:
"Ah, ah! my masters, you thought to escape us, did you? and you're like
mice in a trap, and you'll find that you've cats with precious sharp
claws to deal with."
On hearing this unpleasant announcement, Paul looked up and saw a
hideous hairy face, ten times more hideous than that of Charcoal,
because, though that of a white man, so fierce and sneering, grinning
down upon them. The man, for man he was, though more like a huge baboon
than a human creature, levelled a blunderbuss at Devereux's head.
"If you allow your men to put out an oar, I will fire," he exclaimed.
"You cannot make your escape out to sea if you were to attempt it, and
we can give you employment enough on shore; so we don't intend to take
your lives."
Devereux guessed pretty accurately the meaning of these last words.
"Death rather than slavery, lads," he cried; "out oars, and let us make
an attempt for liberty."
Scarcely had he uttered the words, while all hands were getting out
their oars, than the pirate pulled the trigger. The moments of the
young midshipman's life would have been numbered, but the firearm
flashed in the pan. With a curse at his failure, the man again primed
his piece; but the delay, short as it was, enabled the Englishmen to get
away out of the creek. The blunderbuss was fired, but its shot fell
harmless. The report, however, served to call others of the pirates,
who were searching for the fugitives, to the spot, and as the boat
proceeded down again towards the mouth of the harbour, they were seen
clambering along the rocks, shouting and gesticulating violently. It
bodied ill for the way they would treat their prisoners if they caught
them. The mouth of the lagoon was reached, but the surf broke as
furiously as before. The pirates were approaching, having climbed along
over the rocks. Already their shot could almost reach the boat. The
small arms of those days carried no great distance. It would be madness
to attempt running the boat through the surf.
"What say you, friends, shall we make the attempt, or yield?" asked
Devereux.
"Push through it," cried O'Grady and Reuben.
The black shook his head, and made a sign to them to pull round.
"Then let us get on a rock and fight it out; we might keep the pirates
at bay for many a day, as long as our provisions last," cried O'Grady.
"There is one that will serve us, and the fellows may have no little
difficulty in dislodging us."
He pointed to a rock close to the mouth of the lagoon, some eighty or a
hundred yards in circumference. The sea dashed against it on one side,
breaking into masses of foam, and the sides were high, steep, and
slippery, so that neither could a boat approach, nor could a landing be
effected; but on the other was a deep narrow inlet, scarcely wide enough
to allow a boat to enter. They pulled towards it, and, much to their
satisfaction, discovered that they could just push in their boat. As
soon as they had secured her, they began carrying their water and
provisions to the top. The rock was full of deep crevices and hollows,
amply large enough to shelter them thoroughly, while they could
completely command the passage, and destroy the crew of any boat
attempting to enter. Scarcely had they made this arrangement, than a
pirate boat was seen coming down the harbour. The pirates on the rocks
pointed out to their companions where the Englishmen had taken refuge.
Those in the boat seemed aware of the strength of the position, for they
ceased rowing and held a consultation. The delay was of use to Devereux
and his followers. It gave him time to dispose of them to the best
advantage, and allowed them to distribute their ammunition and to load
all their arms. They had fortunately brought a good supply of weapons
and ammunition from the pirate vessel, so that they were prepared to
stand a siege, although the most sanguine had very little hope of
ultimate success. The pirates, too, had loaded their arms, and once
more they came on with loud shouts and threats of vengeance. It
appeared that they had only to climb up the rocks to wreak it on the
heads of the small band. The task, however, was not so easy as it
seemed, for the ocean itself favoured the brave defenders of the rock.
There was but one spot at which, under ordinary circumstances, a boat
could land, and just at the moment that the pirates were about to
approach, a succession of huge rollers came tumbling in, surging round
the rock, and threatening to dash the boat to pieces, unless she could
hit the mouth of the inlet into which the English had run.
"Be cool, my friends," said Devereux, "and do not throw a shot away; I
will tell you when to fire."
A cheerful "Ay, ay, sir," was the reply from all, except from the black.
He nodded his head, however, tapped the lock of his musket, and grinned
broadly, intimating that he clearly understood what was said.
The pirate boat lay off the rock, but her crew dared not, it was
evident, pull in; and from the way she rocked about, it was impossible
to take anything like a steady aim from her. Devereux pointed out these
circumstances to his companions, and ordered them to reserve their fire,
and to shelter themselves as much as possible in the hollows of the
rock. It was well they obeyed, for the pirates, losing patience, began
firing away as fast as they could load. The shot came pattering on the
face of the rock, while some whistled by above the heads of the
defenders.
"Steady, steady, boys!" cried Devereux. "Those pellets can do us no
harm. We will keep our fire till it is wanted."
"They'll think that we don't fire because we are afraid, or have no
powder," said O'Grady.
"Let them think what they like; we'll show them presently that we've
powder and shot, too, if they tempt us," answered Devereux.
Volley after volley was fired by the pirates with the same want of
result. No one was hit, though several of the bullets came near enough
to them to show the besieged that they must not depend upon escaping
with impunity. Before, they had wished the gale to moderate, now they
prayed that it might continue till nightfall, when they hoped the
pirates would retire, and give them a chance of escaping. They were not
disappointed. Long before dark the enemy ceased firing, as was
supposed, because they had expended their ammunition, and away up the
lagoon they went.
"Hurrah! Let us give three cheers for victory," cried O'Grady. "We've
beaten them off, anyhow, without firing a shot."
To celebrate their bloodless victory, the party took a hearty meal, and
then, when night came on, each crouched down, with his musket by his
side, in his hole, to snatch a short sleep, to be prepared, should the
gale cease, to escape. It was, of course, arranged that one at a time
should keep watch. It appeared to Paul that the gale was abating, but
he very soon became unconscious of all sublunary affairs. He must have
slept some hours, for he felt greatly refreshed. The gale had ceased.
He was surprised that, whosoever was on watch, had not summoned the rest
of the party. He was about to call out, when he found his shoulder
clutched with a strong gripe, and looking up, he saw by the dim light of
a young moon, the same hideous face which had appeared on the top of the
rocks on the previous day, and a peal of derisive laughter broke forth,
followed by the cries of his companions, as they found themselves in the
power of their enemies. Paul could scarcely help hoping and believing
that he was in a dream, till the truth flashed on his mind that the
pirates, accustomed to practise every kind of trick, must have
approached the rock with muffled oars, and have climbed up it while he
and his companions were asleep, and surprised them. Such, indeed, was
the case. Whichever of the party ought to have been awake had
undoubtedly dropped into forgetfulness, or the pirates must have
approached in a wonderfully stealthy manner. English seamen, when they
have fought bravely, as they always do, and have striven to the last,
and are overpowered, do not struggle or bluster, but yield to their
destiny with calmness and dignity.
"So you thought to escape us, did you?" exclaimed one of the pirates, as
he secured Devereux's hands. "What do you think you deserve, now, for
running away with other people's property? Hanging is too good for you;
that's the way you would have treated us, if we had been caught doing
the same thing to you--ha, ha!" And the man laughed at what he
considered a very good joke. "But come along, mister officer, we'll try
you by judge and jury all fair and shipshape to-morrow morning, and if
you're found guilty, you'll have no cause to complain," added the
pirate, as he in no ceremonious manner dragged the poor young midshipman
down the rock.
Paul found himself held tight by the savage who had at first seized him,
and the whole party were quickly transferred to the boats, which
proceeded up the lagoon.
Paul found himself in the boat in which they had attempted to escape,
seated next to Alphonse, who had managed to secure his fiddle-case.
"De music vil soften de savage breast, I have heard--I vill try," said
the young Frenchman, stooping down to open the case, for their arms were
at liberty.
The pirates were amusing themselves by taunting and deriding their
prisoners, some in one language, some in another. Alphonse took no
notice of what was said--probably he understood but little. Paul felt
that he should like to jump up and attack them, but he wisely kept his
seat. Alphonse at length succeeded in getting out his bow and violin,
and without saying a word, struck up a French tune.
"Hillo, you are a merry young chap," exclaimed one of the English
pirates. "Scrape away, we don't hear much like that."
Alphonse played on without stopping.
"Ah, c'est de ma patrie--c'est de ma belle France," cried a Frenchman
from the bow of the boat, and Alphonse felt a hope that there was one
near who would befriend him. On landing, the prisoners, including poor
old Charcoal, were marched up to the hut, into one end of which they
were thrust, and told that their brains would be blown out if they moved
or spoke. This made but little difference. They could expect but one
fate, and by no plan they could devise were they likely to escape it.
When the morning came, some biscuit was given them, and the black was
ordered to go and bring them water. This gave them hopes that they were
not, at all events, to be murdered forthwith. The pirates all the
morning were either asleep or very sulky, but at noon, having spread a
supply of provisions in the shade and broached a cask of wine, they
became merry, and one of them, the ugly hirsute fellow before described,
proposed as an amusement, that they should try the prisoners and punish
them afterwards according to their deserts. The proposal was received
with great applause, and Devereux and his companions were ordered to
appear before their captors. The pirate captain was the judge, and two
of the officers undertook to be counsel for the defendants. The case,
however, was made out very clearly against them, and except extenuating
circumstances, they had nothing to plead in their favour. Poor Charcoal
had still less chance of escape.
"He is guilty of ingratitude, of robbery, of rebellion and high treason,
for either of which he deserves hanging, and hanged he shall be
forthwith," cried the judge, draining off a jug of wine. "We couldn't
before have done without him, but now one of you can take his place.
You are a stout fellow," he added, addressing Reuben Cole. "Are you
inclined to save your life and to work honestly for your bread?"
"To work for you, so as to let you hang that poor dumb fellow, Charcoal?
No, that I'm not, yer scoundrels," he exclaimed vehemently. "If you
touch a hair of his head, you'll not get a stroke of work out of me as
long as you live unhung."
This reply excited the laughter rather than the anger of the crew. The
same question was put to Devereux and Croxton, and answers to the same
effect were given. Still the voice of the majority was for hanging the
black. He, meantime, stood resting on his crutches, the most
unconcerned of all the actors in the scene.
"Well, then, the young Frenchman shall hang him," cried the hairy
savage, with a grin, seizing poor Alphonse by the arm. "Or stay--the
other two youngsters shall perform the office, while mounseer shall
fiddle him out of the world while we dance to the tune."
"No, you villains; I vill not play, if you hurt one hair of dat poor
man's head," exclaimed Alphonse, starting up with unusual animation. "I
vill play from morn to night, and you shall dance and sing as much as
you vill, but if you hang him, I vill casser mon cher violin into
pieces, and it vill never play more--dere!"
His address was received with much applause by many of the party, and,
encouraged by it, he seized his violin and commenced playing,
vigorously, one of his most animating tunes. The effect was
instantaneous. Many of the pirates leaped to their feet and began
dancing furiously one by one; even the more morose joined them, and old
Charcoal took the opportunity of hobbling off to get out of their sight,
hoping that if he could escape for a day or two, they might possibly
forget their evil intentions with regard to him. Still, Devereux knew
that, from their treacherous nature, as soon as the dance was over, they
were very likely, for the sake of the amusement, to hang him and his
elder companions, at all events, and to make slaves of O'Grady, Paul,
and Alphonse. While the excitement was at its height, the pirates, with
their frantic gestures and loud shrieks and cries, appearing more like a
troop of demons than human beings, a large boat was seen coming up the
harbour, pulled at a rapid rate. Her crew leaped on shore, and the
pirates rushed to meet them. A few words overheard by Paul served to
explain their errand.
"Our craft was sunk--we were pursued by a British man-of-war. Hardly
escaped them. Some of our fellows taken prisoners. Are certain to
betray us and to bring the enemy down here. Not a moment is to be lost.
Our only chance is to escape to sea."
From what he heard, Paul guessed that the new comers were part of the
crew of a consort of the pirate schooner, and he thought it probable
that the pirates might carry him and his companions off as hostages. He
therefore hastened to Devereux, who was at a little distance, and told
him what he had heard. Devereux fully agreed with him, and before the
pirates had time to recover from the excitement into which the news had
thrown them, he and his companions, separating so as not to excite
observation, walked quietly away till they were out of sight of the
pirates. They then, once more meeting, set off running as hard as they
could go towards the extreme end of the island. Before long, as they
halted to take breath, they had the satisfaction of seeing sail made on
the schooner, and presently she glided down with a fair wind towards the
entrance of the lagoon. Before, however, she reached it, Paul, as he
turned his eyes towards the west, caught sight of another sail
approaching from that direction. He pointed it out to his companions.
"She is a square-rigged ship," cried Devereux; "a man-of-war, too, if I
mistake not, come in search of the pirates. Unless their craft is a
very fast one, their career will soon be brought to an end."