The Arrow schooner had suffered very severely in the contest, having
lost her commanding officer and thirteen men killed and wounded: indeed,
had not the Calliope been at hand, it was the general opinion that the
Stella would have overpowered her, notwithstanding that the latter had
lost her mainmast, for the Arrow was completely dismantled, and would
not have been able to have made sail.
The Calliope sent her carpenters and best seamen on board to repair her
damages, and the next day we stood away for Port Royal, Jamaica, to
announce the destruction of the pirate vessel.
In the morning Captain Delmar sent for me.
"Mr Keene, as you cannot do duty for the present, and as I do not wish
you to be idle, I think you had better pay a little attention to
navigation. You send in your day's work, I perceive, but I suppose you
have never regularly gone through a course of study."
"No, sir," replied I; "I fudge my day's work, and I should be very glad
to learn navigation properly."
"So I presume. Well, then, I have spoken with Mr Smith, the master,
who has promised me to give you the necessary instruction. You will
commence to-morrow; you can sit at the table in the fore-cabin, where
you will have nothing to distract your attention. You may go now."
I bowed and left the cabin, and meeting Bob Cross on the main deck, I
told him what the captain had said.
"I'm glad of it, Master Keene; it shows that the captain does now take a
strong interest in you. He has never taken any trouble of that kind
with any midshipman before. It will be of great service to you, so pay
attention; it will please the captain if the master gives a good report
of you. Who knows but you may be sent away in a prize, and I sent with
you to take care of you? Wouldn't that be a capital spree?"
The next day I commenced accordingly, under the tuition of the master,
and as I had not Tommy Dott to play with, I gave satisfaction, and
continued to do so until our arrival at Port Royal, when the captain
went up to the admiral's, stating all the particulars of the action,
and, by way of sequel, my adventures on board of the pirate vessel. The
admiral was so much interested that he requested Captain Delmar to bring
me on shore to dine with me the next day.
I was still very black; but that made me, I presume more interesting. I
told my story over again, and it afforded great amusement to the
company; particularly to the ladies; and I have reason to believe that
many compliments were paid me behind my back, by the admiral and
officers who dined there; at all events, Captain Delmar was much
pleased.
My strange history soon got wind. The governor heard of it, and asked
Captain Delmar about it. The consequence was, that I received another
invitation from the governor, and Captain Delmar again informed me that
I might tell my own story, which I did, modestly as before. I say
modestly, for I never was a boaster at any time; and I really believe
that I thought much less of the circumstances than those did to whom I
narrated them. I had at that time but one wish, which was to find
favour in the sight of Captain Delmar. I felt that all my prospects in
life depended upon that; and aware of his disposition, and the deference
that he expected, humility had become, as it were, habitual.
During the time that we remained at Port Royal I continued my studies in
the cabin and as the captain remained almost altogether on shore, I
found the run of the cabin very pleasant; but as I had no inclination to
study the whole of the day, I was not sorry that Tommy Dott was very
often my companion in the cabin, an entrance to which, as he could not
pass the sentry at the door, he obtained by climbing down the mizen
chains, and creeping into the port windows. As soon as the captain's
boat was seen coming off Tommy was out again by the port as quick as a
monkey, and I was very studiously poring over right-angled triangles. I
rose, of course, as the captain entered the cabin. "Sit down, Mr
Keene," he would say--"sit down; the master has reported favourably of
you, and I am glad to hear of it."
One morning, when, as usual, Tommy Dott had come through the port, we
were so busily employed with a caricature which we were making of old
Culpepper, that the captain's boat came alongside without our being
aware of it, and the captain's voice speaking to the first lieutenant as
he was descending the after-ladder was the first intimation we received
of his being on board.
It was impossible for Tommy Dott to escape without being seen as he
climbed out. The table which was in the centre of the cabin was covered
with a blue cloth, large enough for the table when all the additional
leaves were put to it, and in its present reduced size the cloth fell
down to the deck; I pointed it out to Tommy, as the sentry's hand upon
the handle of the door announced the immediate entrance of the captain,
and he darted underneath the table, that he might escape detection
intending as soon as the captain went into the after-cabin to make his
retreat by the cabin-door or windows. The captain entered, and I rose,
as usual, from my chair.
"Mr Keene," said he, "I have occasion to speak to the first lieutenant
on important private business; oblige me by leaving the cabin till that
is done. You may as well tell Mr Hippesley that I wish to see him."
"Yes, sir," replied I making a bow, and leaving the cabin. I felt very
much alarmed lest Tommy should be discovered in his hiding-place; and
after the captain had stated that he had particular business with the
first lieutenant, it was my duty, knowing that Mr Dott was there, to
have said so. I hardly knew what to do, or how to act. After all, it
was no great crime as it stood. Tommy Dott had come into the cabin
without leave, and had concealed himself; but if I was to allow Tommy to
remain there and listen to important and particular business, evidently
of a secret nature, I should forfeit the good opinion and confidence of
the captain: nevertheless, I was very unwilling to betray him; I was
dreadfully puzzled, and when I went to the first lieutenant he perceived
my confusion.
"Why, what is the matter with you, Mr Keene?--you look quite
frightened," said he.
"Well, sir, I am," replied I; "and I think it my duty to tell you why I
am so."
I then informed him that Tommy Dott was under the cabin-table, and
would, of course, hear the secret communications of the captain.
"You have done very right, Mr Keene, and I know how unpleasant it is to
you to inform against your messmate; but at present there is no harm
done."
He then laughed, and said, "However, Mr Dott shall never know that you
have said anything about it, and I will frighten him out of the cabin
for the future."
He then went down the ladder, and into the fore-cabin. I expected that
he would have discovered Tommy as if by accident, but such was not the
case. The captain had just gone into the after-cabin, and Mr Hippesley
immediately followed him, and shutting the door, informed him of Mr
Dott's position, and why I had made it known. The captain could not
help laughing, as, after all, it was no great offence.
He then gave the necessary information to the first lieutenant, and they
both walked into the fore-cabin; the first lieutenant saying, "If you
please, then, Captain Delmar, I will send a boat immediately with the
letter."
"Certainly," replied the captain, sitting down, and who evidently was
inclined to join in the joke with Mr Hippesley. "Sentry, send the
officer on deck to man the jolly-boat, and tell Mr Dott to come here
immediately."
I was on deck when the sentry put his head up the ladder and gave the
order, and I immediately perceived the plan of the first lieutenant and
the state of alarm in which Tommy Dott must have been put.
The jolly-boat was manned, and Mr Dott called for in every quarter of
the ship, but he did not make his appearance. After a delay of several
minutes, the officer on deck went down into the cabin, reporting that
the jolly-boat had been manned some time but that Mr Dott was not to be
found.
"Not to be found!" replied the captain; "why, he can't have fallen
overboard."
"Not he, sir," replied the first lieutenant; "he has gone to sleep
somewhere: either in the tops or the fore-topmast staysail netting."
"He appears to be a very troublesome boy," replied the captain.
"Very useless, indeed, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "Sentry,
have they found Mr Dott?"
"No, sir; quarter-masters have been everywhere. He's not in the ship."
"Very odd!" observed the captain.
"Oh! he'll turn up soon, sir; but really, Captain Delmar, if you were to
give him two or three dozen at the cabin gun, it would bring him to his
senses."
"That I most certainly will do," replied Captain Delmar; "and I
authorise you to do it, Mr Hippesley, as soon as he makes his
appearance; it will be of some service to him; but I hope no accident
has happened to him."
"I have no fear of that, sir," replied the first lieutenant: "if the
purser's steward's room had been open to-day, I should have sent to see
if he was not locked up in another attempt to steal raisins, but that
has not been the case. By-the-by, the spirit-room was open this
morning, and he may have been down there, and may have had the hatches
put over him."
"Well, we must send another midshipman; call Mr Keene," said Captain
Delmar.
The sentry called me, and I made my appearance.
"Mr Keene, you'll go on shore to the dockyard in the jolly-boat: give
that letter to the master attendant, and wait for an answer."
"Yes, sir," replied I.
"Have you seen anything of Mr Dott?" said the first lieutenant; "you
are constantly together."
"I saw him just before Captain Delmar came on board, sir, but I have not
seen him since."
"Well, well, we will settle accounts with the young gentleman as soon as
he turns up," replied the captain: "you may go, Mr Keene."
I perceived that the captain and first lieutenant both smiled as I left
the cabin. It appeared that soon after they left it and the captain
went on shore; but Tommy was so frightened that he remained in his
hiding-place, as he made sure he would be flogged if he made his
appearance, and he resolved to remain where he was until my return, that
he might consult me.
As soon as I had reported myself, and given the answer to the first
lieutenant, I hastened to the cabin, and then poor Tommy crawled from
under the table; the tears were still wet on his cheeks.
"I shall be flogged, Keene, as sure as I stand here. Tell me, what can
I do--what can I say?"
"Tell the truth; that's the best way," replied I.
"Tell the captain that I was hid under the table! that would never do."
"Depend upon it, it's the best plan," replied I; "and it is the only
advice I can give you: you may be flogged if you tell the truth, but you
are _sure_ to be flogged if you tell a lie. It will only add to your
offence."
"Well, I've been thinking about it--I'm sure that Mr Hippesley will
flog me if he catches me to-day or to-morrow; but if I remain hid for a
day or two, they will really think that I have fallen overboard, and
then they will say, `poor Tommy Dott,' and perhaps be so glad when I do
make my appearance, that they will forgive me."
"Yes," replied I, delighted at the idea; "I'm sure they will, if you do
tell the truth when you appear again."
"Then, that is what I'll do. The first lieutenant said that I might be
in the spirit-room. Where shall I go to?"
"Why," said I, "you must remain under the table till dark, and then you
may easily slip down into the coal-hole, where it is so dark that they
never will see you, even if they go down for coals. It is the only
place I know of; stay there all to-morrow and next day, and come up in
the evening; or the next morning perhaps will be better."
"Well, it's a very good place," replied Tommy; "anything better than
being flogged; but will you bring me something to eat and drink?"
"Depend upon me, Tommy," replied I; "I'll contrive to bring you
something every night."
"Well, then, I'll do that," replied he.
"Yes; and tell the truth when you come out," said I.
"Yes, upon my honour I will;" and so saying, Tommy, hearing a noise,
again dived under the cabin table.
Soon afterwards I went out of the cabin. The first lieutenant beckoned
me to him, and asked me where Mr Dott was, and I told him what had been
arranged between us. He laughed very much, and said--
"Well, if Master Tommy punishes himself by two days' confinement in the
coal-hole, and tells the truth when he comes out, I think I may promise
he will get off his flogging; but don't you say that I have spoken to
you about it, and let him do as he proposes."
When it was dark, I supplied Tommy with provisions, and he gained the
coal-hole without being discovered.
The next day the speculations at his disappearance were general, and it
was now believed that poor Tommy had fallen overboard, and, as the
sharks are thick enough in Port Royal, that he was safely stowed away in
one of their maws. I will say that the whole of the ship's company were
very sorry for him, with the exception of Mr Culpepper, who observed
that no good ever came of a boy who stole raisins.
"So you think, that because a lad steals a few of your confounded
plums," observed the second lieutenant, "he deserves to be eaten by the
sharks. If I were Tommy Dott, I would haunt you if I could."
"I'm not afraid of dead men," replied Mr Culpepper; "they are quiet
enough."
"Perhaps so; but recollect, you make them chew tobacco, and therefore
they ought to rise up in judgment against you, if they do against any
one."
As this conversation passed on the quarter-deck, it put an idea in my
head. That night I went to Tommy, whom I found terribly tired of
sitting on the coals. I brought him a bottle of mixed grog, and some
boiled beef and biscuit. I consoled him by telling him that every one
was sorry at his disappearance, and that I was convinced that he would
not be punished if he told the truth.
Tommy was for leaving the coal-hole immediately, but I pointed out to
him that the captain had not been on board that a and that it was
necessary that the captain should believe that he had fallen overboard
as well as the officers, or his compassion would not be roused. Tommy
saw the propriety of this, and consented to remain another day. I then
told him what Mr Culpepper had said, and I added, "Now, Tommy, if Mr
Culpepper should see you by any chance, pretend to be your ghost."
"That I will," replied Tommy, "if I get six dozen for it." I then left
him.
On my return on deck, I saw Bob Cross; he was on shore during the major
portion of the day, attending upon the captain, and as I was no longer
in the captain's gig, I saw but little of him.
"Well, Mr Keene," said he, "I think you have quite recovered your
colour by this time, and I hope to see you in the gig again."
"I do not think I shall yet awhile--I have not yet learnt navigation
enough; but the master says he will be done with me in a fortnight, if I
go on as well as I do now."
"Yes; I heard him tell the captain that you were very quick, and would
be a good navigator but I can't get over the loss of poor Tommy Dott; he
was a little scampish, that's sartin, but still he was a merry,
kind-hearted boy--too good for the sharks, at all events. You must feel
his loss, Mr Keene, for you were always together."
"No, I don't, Bob," replied I.
"Well, I'm sorry to hear you say that, Mr Keene; I thought you had a
kinder heart."
"So I have, Bob; but I'll tell you a secret, known only to the first
lieutenant and me; and that is, Tommy's in the coal-hole, very dirty,
but quite safe."
Bob Cross burst into a fit of laughing, which lasted some time.
"Well, Mr Keene, you have really taken a weight off my mind; now tell
me all about it. You know I'm safe."
I then told Bob what had happened, and of Tommy's intention to make his
appearance on the following evening or the next morning.
"Well," said Bob, "you're mischief itself, Master Keene, and that's a
fact; however, it's all right this time, and you have the captain and
first lieutenant as your confidants and partners in the joke. You did
perfectly right and I'm sure the captain and first lieutenant must be
pleased with you; but recollect, Master Keene, keep your distance as
before; don't presume."
"Never fear, Bob," replied I: "but now I have told you that, I want you
to assist me." I then repeated the conversation of Mr Culpepper with
the second lieutenant.
"Now," continued I; "you see, Cross, I can't do anything myself; Mr
Culpepper hates me, and would suspect me; but if we could only frighten
him: you might, for he would not think you were playing him a trick."
"I see," replied Bob; "it will be a good thing for Tommy Dott, and a
nice wind-up of this affair. Let me alone. When I come on board
to-morrow evening I'll manage it if I can."
After a little more conversation, we separated for the night.
The next morning the captain came on board. He remained on deck with
the first lieutenant for some minutes, during which of course, he was
made acquainted with Tommy Dott's position. When he came down into the
cabin, I moved from my seat, as respectful and serious as before; and
when ordered to sit down again, resumed my studies with great apparent
diligence. He did not say a word to me about Tommy Dott; and as he was
going out of the cabin, Mr Culpepper was announced by the sentry.
"If you please, Captain Delmar," said Mr Culpepper, with his usual
profound bow, "what are we to do with the effects of Mr Dott, who has
fallen overboard? By the regulations of the service, they should be
sold before the mast. And I also wish to know whether he is to be
continued to be victualled, or whether it is your pleasure that he is
discharged as dead?"
The captain smiled, and turned his face towards me; but I continued with
my eyes down on my book.
"Perhaps we had better wait till to-morrow, Mr Culpepper," replied the
captain, "and then you may sell his effects, and put DD to his name,
poor fellow." And having made this reply, the captain went out of his
cabin. Mr Culpepper followed; and shortly afterwards the captain went
on shore again.
Before dusk, the captain's gig, as usual, returned on board, and I was
at the gangway to meet Bob Cross; the boat was hoisted up, and then Bob
came to me.
"I must first go down and see Mr Dott, that I may be able to swear to
the fact." Bob did so, and then returned on deck. Mr Culpepper was
abaft, walking by himself, when Bob went up and accosted him.
"If you please, sir," said Bob, touching his hat, "did the captain say
anything to you about coals, for I expect we shall not stay here much
longer?"
"No," replied Mr Culpepper.
"Then he must have forgot it, I suppose sir."
"Well, there's plenty of coals," replied Mr Culpepper.
"Well, sir, I don't know; but I think I heard the cook's mate say as how
they were getting rather low."
"Getting rather low! then there must have been great waste," exclaimed
Mr C, who was very careful of his expenses.
"I don't know how far it may be so; but I think it might be as well to
know how matters stand; and if so be there's plenty, why I can tell
Captain Delmar when I go on shore to-morrow."
"I'll see; I'll go down myself to-night," replied Mr Culpepper. "The
midshipmen are allowed a stove to themselves--very unusual--and they are
cooking all day."
"Talking about midshipmen, sir," replied Cross, "you may think it's very
odd but as I stand here--and you know, Mr Culpepper, I am not easily
scared--I saw that young Tommy Dott, or his ghost, this very evening."
It was now quite dark; and Mr Culpepper stared at the coxswain, and
then replied, "Pooh, nonsense!"
"It's no nonsense, I do assure you. I saw him with these eyes, sure as
I stand here."
"Where?" exclaimed Mr C.
"Right forward, sir. I only mention it to you, but don't say a word
about it, for I should only be laughed at; but I do assure you that I
would kiss the Bible to it, if it was required. I never did before
believe in anything of that sort, that's sartain; but it's no use
talking about it, sir. I think I had better get a lantern, and get over
this coal business at once."
"Yes, yes," replied Mr Culpepper; "but you won't know how much coals
there are: I must go myself and see."
Bob Cross was soon ready with the lantern, and went forward with Mr
Culpepper. The hammocks had been piped down, and they were obliged to
bend double under them to get along the lower deck. I followed
unperceived.
The descent into the coal-hole was by battens, and not very easy for an
old man like Mr C But Cross went down first, holding the light for the
purser to follow, which he did very slowly, and with great caution. As
soon as they both stood on the coals below, the purser took the light to
make his survey.
"Why, there's plenty of coals for three months, coxswain," said he. "I
thought there was; you see they are nearly up to the beams abaft."
"Look! sir--look!" exclaimed Cross, starting back; "what's that?"
"Where?" exclaimed Mr C, alarmed.
"There, sir--there he is: I told you so."
The purser's eyes were directed to where Bob pointed, and then he beheld
Tommy Dott standing immovable, with his arms extended, as if denouncing
him--his eyes staring, and his mouth wide open.
"Mercy!--murder!" cried the purser, dropping the lantern, which went out
and left them in the dark; and he tumbled down on the coals.
Bob Cross stepped over him, and hastened up to the lower deck, followed
by Tommy Dott, who first, by way of revenge, jumped several times upon
the purser's face and body before he climbed up.
The cry of the purser had given the alarm. The master-at-arms hastened
forward with his lantern just as Tommy had made his appearance above the
coamings. Seeing Tommy as black as a sweep, he too was frightened; the
men had put their heads out of their hammocks and some of them had seen
Tommy.
Bob Cross, as he crawled aft, cried out, "Tommy Dott's ghost!" I had
pretended to be terrified out of my wits as I ran aft, and all was
confusion on the lower deck. The first lieutenant had come out of the
wardroom, and seeing me, he inquired what was the matter. I replied
that Mr Culpepper had gone down into the coal-hole, and had seen Mr
Dott's ghost. He laughed heartily, and went back.
Tommy had in the mean time made his appearance in the mids' berth, at
which they had all rushed from him in dismay, just as I entered; when I
caught him by the hand saying, "Tommy, my boy, how are you?" They then
perceived that it was Tommy himself, and order was restored.
Mr Culpepper was hoisted up out of the coal-hole; Master Tommy having
jumped upon his face, he looked a very miserable object, as he was well
blackened, as well as much bruised from the soles of Tommy's shoes, and
his nose had bled profusely. He was very incoherent for some time; but
the doctor gave him an opiate, and put him to bed.
The next morning the whole affair was explained on the quarterdeck,
Master Tommy well reprimanded, and desired to return to his duty. The
captain was very much amused at the winding up of this affair, as it was
a capital story to tell at the governor's. Tommy never had an idea that
I had blown upon him, nor did Mr Culpepper imagine that their meeting
was premeditated.
I had now completed the usual course of navigation under the master, and
had no longer any cause for remaining in the cabin; I therefore returned
to my berth; but as I had taken a liking to navigation, I now was
employed daily in working sights and rating the chronometer.
We remained three weeks longer in Port Royal, and then were ordered out
on a cruise, on the South American coast. There we continued for nearly
six months without anything occurring worth relating, except our having
captured four good prizes. We were returning to Jamaica, when we fell
in with a schooner, which gave us the intelligence of the capture of the
island of Curacao by four English frigates.
As we were near to the island and short of water, Captain Delmar
resolved to touch at it, and remained two or three days.
The reader will perhaps recollect that the old Dutch gentleman, whose
life I had saved in the pirate vessel, had stated that his name was
Vanderwelt, and that he lived at Curacao. The next evening we entered
the harbour, and it was astonishing to every one how so strong a place
could have been taken by so small a force. The commodore, who had
plenty of work on hand, requested, or rather ordered, our captain to
remain with him for ten days or a fortnight, to assist him.
On the third day after our arrival I obtained leave to go on shore, as I
wished to find out the old Dutch gentleman. As I was again in the
captain's gig, I had very often landed, but had not had an opportunity
of making inquiries, as I could not leave my boat and boat's crew.
This afternoon I landed in the gig, and went up through the gate into
the town, but I could not find anyone who spoke English. At last, by
asking for the house of Mynheer Vanderwelt, it was pointed out to me,
and I went up to the door; it was a very large house, with a verandah
all round it, painted bright green and while alternately. There were
several slaves sitting down at the entrance, and I asked for Mynheer
Vanderwelt; they stared at me, and wondered what I wanted, but as I was
in midshipman's uniform, they were of course very civil, and one of them
beckoned me to follow him, which I did, and was introduced to the old
gentleman, who was sitting in a cane arm-chair with his pipe in his
mouth, and fanned by two slave girls, about twelve years old.
As he had spoken to me in English on board of the pirate, I immediately
went up to him, and said, "How do you do, sir?"
"I am very well, sir," replied he, taking the pipe out of his mouth.
"What do you want? do you come from the English commodore? What is his
pleasure?"
"No, sir," replied I; "I do not come from the commodore; but I came up
to see you."
"Oh, that is all," replied the old gentleman, putting his pipe in his
mouth again, and resuming his smoking. I felt rather nettled at his
treatment, and then said--
"Don't you know me, sir?"
"No, sir," replied he, "I have not that honour. I have never seen you
in my life before, and I do not know you."
My blood was up at this cool declaration.
"Then I wish you a good morning, sir," replied I; and turning on my
heel, I was strutting out with all the dignity of an offended
midshipman, when I was met face to face by the little girl, his
daughter. She stared at me very much, and I passed her in sovereign
contempt; she followed me timidly, and looked into my face, then panting
for breath, seized me by the arm. I turned to her at being stopped in
this manner, and was about to shake her off with anything but
politeness, when she screamed out, and in a moment had sprung up, and
was hanging with both arms round my neck.
"Fader, fader," she cried out as I struggled to disengage myself.
The old gentleman came out at the summons.
"Stop him! fader; don't let him go away," cried she in Dutch; "it is he!
it is he!"
"Who, my child?" asked the old gentleman.
"The pirate-boy," replied the little girl, bursting into a paroxysm of
tears, on my shoulders.
"Mein Gott! it cannot be; he was _black_, my child; yet," continued the
old gentleman, looking at me, "he is like him. Tell me, sir, are you
our preserver?"
"Yes," replied I, "I was; but that is of little consequence now. Will
you oblige me by removing this young lady?" continued I, for I was
highly offended.
"Sir, I ask your pardon," replied the old gentleman; "but I am not to
blame. How could I recognise you in a white person when you were so
dark-coloured at our meeting on board of that vessel? I am not to
blame; indeed I am not, my dear young friend. I would have given ten
thousand rix dollars to have met you, that I might prove my gratitude
for your noble defence of us, and our preservation at such a risk.
Come, sir, you must forgive the mistake of an old man, who was certainly
not inclined to be civil to an officer who belonged to the squadron, who
had within these few days so humiliated us by their astonishing bravery
and success. Let my little girl, whose life you saved, persuade you, if
I cannot."
In the mean time the little girl had dropped from my shoulder, and was
on the floor, embracing my knees, and still sobbing. I felt convinced
that what the old gentleman said was true, and that he had not
recognised me. I had forgotten that I had been stained dark at the time
that I had met them on board of the Stella.
I therefore held out my hand to the old gentleman, and raising the
little girl, we all three went in together to where we had found the old
gentleman on my first introduction to him.
"If you knew how delighted I am to see you, and be able to express my
thanks," said Mynheer Vanderwelt, "and poor Minnie too. How often have
we talked over that dreadful day, and wondered if ever we should see you
again. I assure you, on my honour, that now I no longer regret the
capture of the island."
Minnie stood by me during the time her father was speaking, her large
blue eyes beaming through the tears with which they brimmed; and as I
turned to her, our eyes met, and she smiled. I drew her towards me.
She appeared as if she only required some encouragement, for she
immediately kissed me several times on the cheek nearest to her, every
now and then saying a word or two in Dutch to her father, which I could
not understand.
I hardly need say, that after this, intimacy was soon brought about. If
I thought that at first I had been treated with ingratitude, ample
amends was made afterwards.
The old gentleman said during the evening, "Good heaven! if my
daughter's eyes had not been sharper than mine; if you had gone away,
thinking that I did not choose to recognise you--had I found it out
afterwards, it would have broken my heart, and poor Minnie's too. Oh!
I am grateful--very grateful to God that it was not so."
That I passed a very pleasant evening the reader may imagine. The
household who had been told who I was, appeared to almost worship me.
The old gentleman asked me a hundred questions as to my parentage,
etcetera, about Captain Delmar and the service, and begged of me to
remain with him altogether while the frigate was in port. I told him
that was impossible, but that I would come as often as I could obtain
leave. At nine o'clock I bade them good night, and was escorted to the
boat by six of the slaves carrying lanterns.
Captain Delmar, as well as all the other captains of the frigates, had
taken up his quarters on shore for the harbour was so narrow and
landlocked, that the heat on board was excessive. I found that the next
day old Mr Vanderwelt had paid his respects to Captain Delmar, giving
him an account of what had occurred on board of the pirate much more
flattering to me than what I had stated myself. The steward was present
at the time, and he had told Bob Cross, who communicated it to me.
Mynheer Vanderwelt had also begged as a favour that I might be permitted
to stay on shore with him during the time that the frigate was in
harbour, but to this Captain Delmar had not consented, promising,
however, that I should have occasional leave when the service would
permit of it.
The reader may recollect that the island of Curacao had been surrendered
to the English in 1800, and restored to the Dutch in 1802. During that
interval several English merchants had settled there and remained after
the restoration, and now at the second capture we found them still on
the island. From these we received the information that Mr Vanderwelt
was the richest man on the island, and that the Dutch government was
indebted to him in very large sums; that he had long retired from
business, although he had large property in the Havannah, which he
received with his wife, who had been a Spanish lady, and that it was his
intention to have gone back to Holland by the first man-of-war which
should have arrived.
We remained three weeks at Curacao, during which time the first
lieutenant gave me leave to go on shore almost every evening after the
captain had dismissed his gig, and to remain at Mr Vanderwelt's till
half-past eight the following morning, when I joined my boat, and
attended on the captain. By this plan my duty was not interfered with,
and I had many pleasant meetings with my new friends, and became, as may
be imagined, very intimate with little Minnie.
I may as well describe her. She was about ten years old, tall for her
age; she was very fair, with deep blue eyes, and very dark hair; her
countenance was very animated and expressive, and she promised to be a
very handsome woman. Her father doted upon her, for he had no other
child; he had married late in life, and his wife had died a few days
after Minnie was born. She was very affectionate in disposition, and
very sweet-tempered; up to the present she had received but little
education, and that was one principal reason for Mr Vanderwelt's
wishing to return to Holland. I soon became as one of the family, and
certainly was treated as such.
Minnie was very curious to know what it was that I carried about my neck
in the seal-skin pouch, but I never could tell either her or her father
what it really was. Mr Vanderwelt very often asked me if I liked being
at sea, and I invariably replied in the affirmative.
At last the frigate was to sail, and I had but one more evening to pass
with them. Mr Vanderwelt appeared very grave, and little Minnie would
every now and then during the evening burst into tears at the idea of
our separation.
At last the hour of parting arrived--it was very painful. I promised to
write to them, and Mr Vanderwelt told me that his house was always
ready to receive me, and begged that if I wanted anything I would let
him know.
I cried, myself, when I left the house--the first time that I ever
cried, I believe, on such an occasion. The next morning we were again
under weigh, to rejoin the admiral at Jamaica.
Bob Cross had told me that he wished to have a little talk with me in
the first watch, and I met him on the gangway, our usual rendezvous.
"Master Keene, I have some news for you, which I gained from the steward
last night. I will say, that his ears are always open; not that I think
he is generally what is called an eavesdropper but he likes you, and
when you are concerned, he does care to find out what is going on. Now
you see, sir, that Dutch gentleman whom you saved from the nigger pirate
came to call on Captain Delmar yesterday morning, and, after some
palaver, he told the captain that he wished you to remain with him
altogether, and leave his majesty's service; and he begged the captain
to allow you to be discharged, and then he would be a father to you, as
you had no father. There was a great deal more which the steward could
not make out, but it was all to that effect. Well, the captain said
that it was very true that you had lost your father but that he
considered you as _his own_ son, and could not part with you on any
account; and he stated that you were so promising an officer, that it be
very wrong that you should leave the service, and that it must not be
thought of. The old gentleman said a great deal, and tried very hard to
persuade the captain, but it was of no use. The captain said he would
never let you go till you were a post-captain and commanded a fine
frigate, and then you would of course be your own master, and act as you
please."
"I am very glad to hear all this, Bob, I can assure you."
"Yes, sir, it is very good news: but, Master Keene, I only hope, knowing
Captain Delmar as you do, that you will act towards him as if you had
never heard it."
"I will, depend upon it, Cross. As for leaving the service, that I
would not have done even if Captain Delmar had agreed to it. I'm an
Englishman, and I don't want to be under Dutch protection."
"That's right, sir--that's right--just as I wished you to feel. How
time flies away. Why, Master Keene, you have been afloat nearly three
years."
"Within a month, Bob."
"And you're growing such a tall fellow, they won't keep you much longer
in the captain's gig, I expect: I shall be sorry for that. So Master
Tommy Dott is in another scrape."
"How?--I heard nothing of it."
"No, because it's only within this half-hour that he's got in it."
"Tell me."
"Why, sir, Mr Culpepper had fallen fast asleep on the gunroom table,
under the skylight, which, as you know, is always open, and his head had
fallen back, and his mouth was wide open: there was no other officer in
the gun-room except Mr Culpepper: and Tommy Dott, who perceived him,
asked Timothy Jenkins, the maintop-man, to give him a quid of tobacco;
well, Jenkins takes it out of his cheek, red-hot, as you may suppose,
and hands it to Master Tommy, who takes his perpendicular very
accurately, and drops the quid into the purser's open mouth.
"Mr Culpepper was almost choked, but after a terrible coughing, the
quid comes up again; notwithstanding, he turns as sick as a dog, and is
obliged to run to the basin in his cabin. Well, sir, as soon as he
comes out again, he goes up under the half deck, and inquires of the
sentry who it was that did it; and the sentry, who is that sulky fellow,
Martin, instead of knowing nothing about it, says directly, it was
Master Tommy; and now there's a formal complaint made by Mr Culpepper
on the quarter-deck, and Master Tommy will get it as sure as a gun."
"He don't know how to play a trick," replied I; "he is always found out
and punished: the great point is, not to be discovered--that's the real
pleasure in playing a trick."
"Well, you certainly do manage well, Master Keene; but I think it's
almost time you left them off now, you're getting an oldster. Why, you
must be seventeen, sir?"
"Yes, Bob, not very far from it."
"Well, I suppose I must say Mister Keene for the future."
"You may call be what you like, Bob; you have been a good friend to me."
"Well, sir, I only hope that Captain Delmar will make you a
post-captain, as he says, and that you'll get a fine frigate, and I'll
be your coxswain; but that's a long way to look to, and we shan't have
any more councils of war on the gangway then."
"No; but we may in the cabin, Cross."
"A large sail on the starboard bow," cried the look-out man forward.
"A large sail on the starboard bow," reported the mate of the watch.
My glass was on the capstern, and I ran for it, and went forward to
examine the vessel, although my duty as signal midshipman was ended at
sunset.
"What do you make of it, Mr Keene?" said the officer of the watch.
"I think she is a man-of-war; but it is so dark, that I cannot make her
out very clearly."
"Is she standing this way?"
"Yes, sir, under top-sails and top-gallant-sails, I think."
The officer of the watch went down to report to the captain, who had not
yet turned into his cot. Captain Delmar had been informed that a Dutch
frigate was expected at the island, but not until the following month;
still we had no reason to suppose that there were any of our frigates
down in these latitudes, except those lying in the harbour at Curacao.
The wind was light, about a three knot breeze, and there being no moon
till after twelve o'clock, it was very difficult to make out what she
was. Some said she was a two-decked vessel. The captain went down to
look at his private signals for the night, and before he came up I was
all ready with the lanterns.
"Two lights over one in a triangle; be quick, Mr Keene."
"Aye, aye, sir," replied I.
The lights were soon hoisted at the peak, but as they could not well be
seen by the other vessel, as we were standing towards her, we went about
and hove to across her hawse. For a quarter of an hour she continued to
stand towards us without noticing the signals; at last the captain said,
"They must be all asleep on board of the vessel."
"No, Captain Delmar," replied I, keeping my telescope on the vessel,
"they are not all asleep, for I saw lights on the main-deck through the
bow-ports. I see them again now."
"So do I," said the first lieutenant.
"Then we'll beat to quarters, Mr Hippesley," rejoined the captain.
The men were summoned to quarters, and hammocks piped up and stowed in a
very short time, the guns cast loose, and every man at his post (but the
ports not opened), waiting the coming down of the stranger, now about a
mile distant, when suddenly she rounded to the wind on the same tack
that we were, and set her royals and flying-jib.
"She does not answer our signals," observed the captain: "I suspect by
that and her present manoeuvre she must be an enemy."
"I have no doubt of it, sir," observed the first lieutenant; "an English
frigate would not behave in that way."
"Open the ports and get up the fighting lanterns, then," said the
captain; for, up to the present, we had been careful not to show any
lights.
It was now plain to see that her men were at their quarters and that she
was prepared for action. When everything was ready on deck, the royals
and flying-jib were set, and we gave chase. The strange vessel was
about three-quarters of a mile on our weather-beam; in half an hour we
had gained upon her considerably, and our sailing was so superior that
we were satisfied, should she prove an enemy, that in an hour more we
should be engaged.
Of course, we might have engaged her at the distance we were from her,
but you cannot be too careful in a night action, and ought never to
engage without first hailing the vessel to make sure that she is an
enemy, as circumstances may, and have occurred by which an English
vessel may not be able to answer the private signal, and, of course, a
vessel belonging to a neutral power would be in the same position.
The incertitude which existed as to whether the strange vessel was an
enemy or not created great excitement. My duty, as signal midshipman,
placed me abaft on the quarter-deck, and Bob Cross, who was really a
quarter-master, although doing duty as captain's coxswain, was at the
wheel.
At last we had brought the chase well on our weather quarter, and when
we tacked we found that we lay well up, she being about a point on our
lee bow. Another half-hour brought us within two cables' length of her,
when we kept away, so as to pass her to leeward, close enough to have
thrown a biscuit on board. The stranger still remaining on the opposite
tack, Captain Delmar then hailed from the gangway--
"Ship, a-hoy!"
There was a death-like silence on board of both vessels, and his voice
pierced sonorously through the night wind.
"Ah! yaw!" was the reply.
"What ship is that?" continued Captain Delmar.
During this time every man was at his gun; the captains, with the
lanyards of the locks in their hands, ready to pour in a broadside.