In which our hero begins to act and think for himself.
Whatever may have been Jack's thoughts, at all events they did not
spoil his rest. He possessed in himself all the materials of a true
philosopher, but there was a great deal of weeding still required.
Joliffe's arguments, sensible as they were, had very little effect
upon him; for, strange to say, it is much more easy to shake a man's
opinions when he is wrong, than when he is right; proving that we are
all of a very perverse nature. "Well," thought Jack, "if I am to go
to the mast-head, I am, that's all; but it does not prove that my
arguments are not good, only that they will not be listened to"; and
then Jack shut his eyes, and in a few minutes was fast asleep.
The master had reported to the first lieutenant, and the first
lieutenant to the captain, when he came on board the next morning, the
conduct of Mr Easy, who was sent for in the cabin, to hear if he had
anything to offer in extenuation of his offence. Jack made an
oration, which lasted more than half an hour, in which all the
arguments he had brought forward to Jolliffe in the preceding chapter
were entered fully into. Mr Jolliffe was then examined, and also Mr
Smallsole was interrogated: after which the captain and the first
lieutenant were left alone.
"Sawbridge," said Captain Wilson, "How true it is that any deviation
from what is right invariably leads us into a scrape. I have done
wrong: wishing to get this boy out of his father's hands, and fearful
that he would not join the ship, and imagining him to be by no means
the shrewd fellow that he is in reality, I represented the service in
a much more favourable light than I should have done; all that he says
I told him I did tell him, and it is I who really led the boy into
error. Mr Smallsole has behaved tyrannically and unjustly; he punished
the lad for no crime; so that between the master and me, I am now on
the horns of a dilemma. If I punish the boy, I feel that I am
punishing him more for my own fault and the fault of others, than his
own. If I do not punish him, I allow a flagrant and open violation of
discipline to pass uncensured, which will be injurious to the service."
"He must be punished, sir," replied Sawbridge.
"Send for him," said the captain.
Jack made his appearance, with a very polite bow.
"Mr Easy, as you suppose that the articles of war contained all the
rules and regulations of the service, I take it for granted that you
have erred through ignorance. But recollect, that although you have
erred through ignorance, such a violation of discipline, if passed
unnoticed, will have a very injurious effect with the men, whose
obedience is enforced by the example shown to them by the officers. I
feel so convinced of your zeal, which you showed the other day in the
case of Easthupp, that I am sure you will see the propriety of my
proving to the men, by punishing you, that discipline must be
enforced, and I shall therefore send for you on the quarter-deck, and
order you to go to the mast-head in presence of the ship's company, as
it was in presence of the ship's company that you refused."
"With the greatest pleasure, Captain Wilson," replied Jack.
"And in future, Mr Easy, although I shall ever set my face against it,
recollect that if any officer punishes you, and you imagine that you are
unfairly treated, you will submit to the punishment, and then apply to
me for redress."
"Certainly, sir," replied Jack, "now that I am aware of your wishes."
"You will oblige me, Mr Easy, by going on the quarter-deck, and wait
there till I come up." Jack made his best bow, and exit.
"Old Jolliffe told me that I should have to go," said Jack to himself,
"and he was right, so far; but hang me if I hadn't the best of the
argument, and that's all I care about."
Captain Wilson sent for the master, and reprimanded him for his
oppression, as it was evident that there was no ground for punishment,
and he forbade him ever to mast-head another midshipman, but to report
his conduct to the first lieutenant or himself. He then proceeded to
the quarter-deck, and, calling for Mr Easy, gave him what appeared to
be a very severe reprimand, which Jack looked upon very quietly,
because it was all zeal on the captain's part to give it, and all zeal
on his own to take it. Our hero was then ordered up to the mast-head.
Jack took off his hat, and took three or four steps, in obedience to
the order--and then returned and made his best bow--inquired of
Captain Wilson whether he wished him to go to the fore or to the
mainmast head.
"To the main, Mr Easy," replied the captain, biting his lips. Jack
ascended three spokes of the Jacob's ladder, when he again stopped,
and took off his hat.
"I beg your pardon, Captain Wilson-you have not informed me whether it
was your wish that I should go to the topmast, or the top-gallant
cross-trees."
"To the top-gallant cross-trees, Mr Easy," replied the captain.
Jack ascended, taking it very easy; he stopped at the main-top for
breath; at the main-topmast head, to look about him; and, at last,
gained the spot agreed upon, where he seated himself, and, taking out
the articles of war, commenced them again to ascertain whether he
could not have strengthened his arguments. He had not, however, read
through the seventh article before the hands were turned up--"Up
anchor!" and Mr Sawbridge called, "All hands down from aloft!" Jack
took the hint, folded up his documents, and came down as leisurely as
he went up. Jack was a much better philosopher than his father.
The Harpy was soon under way, and made all sail, steering for Cape de
Catte, where Captain Wilson hoped to pick up a Spanish vessel or two,
on his way to Toulon to receive orders of the Admiral.
A succession of light breezes and calms rendered the passage very
tedious; but the boats were constantly out, chasing the vessels along
shore, and Jack usually asked to be employed on this service; indeed,
although so short a time afloat, he was, from his age and strength,
one of the most effective midshipmen, and to be trusted, provided a
whim did not come into his head; but hitherto Jack had always been
under orders, and had always acquitted himself very well.
When the Harpy was at Tarragona, it so happened that there were
several cases of dysentery in the ship, and Mr Asper and Mr Jolliffe
were two of those who were suffering. This reduced the number of
officers; and, at the same time, they had received information from
the men of a fishing-boat, who, to obtain their own release, had given
the intelligence, that a small convoy was coming down from Rosas as
soon as the wind was fair, under the protection of two gun-boats.
Captain Wilson kept well off-shore until the wind changed, and then,
allowing for the time that the vessels would take to run down the
distance between Tarragona and Rosas, steered in the night to
intercept them; but it again fell calm, and the boats were therefore
hoisted out, with directions to proceed along the shore, as it was
supposed that the vessels could not now be far distant. Mr Sawbridge
had the command of the expedition in the pinnace; the first cutter was
in charge of the gunner, Mr Linus; and, as the other officers were
sick, Mr Sawbridge, who liked Jack more and more every day, at his
particular request gave him the command of the second cutter. As soon
as he heard of it, Mesty declared to our hero that he would go with
him; but without permission that was not possible. Jack obtained
leave for Mesty to go in lieu of a marine; there were many men sick of
the dysentery, and Mr Sawbridge was not sorry to take an idler out of
the ship instead of a working man, especially as Mesty was known to be
a good hand.
It was ten o'clock at night when the boats quitted the ship; and, as
it was possible that they might not return till late the next day, one
day's biscuit and rum were put on board each, that the crews might not
suffer from exhaustion. The boats pulled in-shore, and then coasted
for three hours without seeing anything: the night was fine overhead,
but there was no moon. It still continued calm, and the men began to
feel fatigued, when, just as they were within a mile of a low point,
they perceived the convoy over the land, coming down with their sails
squared, before a light breeze.
Mr Sawbridge immediately ordered the boats to lie upon their oars,
awaiting their coming, and arranging for the attack.
The white lateen sails of the gun-boat in advance were now plainly
distinguishable from the rest, which were all huddled together in her
wake. Down she came like a beautiful swan in the water, her sails
just filled with the wind, and running about three knots an hour. Mr
Sawbridge kept her three masts in one, that they might not be
perceived, and winded the boats with their heads the same way, so that
they might dash on board of her with a few strokes of the oars. So
favourable was the course of the gun-boat, that she stood right
between the launch on one bow, and the two cutters on the other; and
they were not perceived until they were actually alongside; the
resistance was trifling, but some muskets and pistols had been fired,
and the alarm was given. Mr Sawbridge took possession, with the crew
of the launch, and brought the vessel to the wind, as he perceived
that at the alarm all the convoy had done the same, directing the
cutters to board the largest vessels, and secure as many as they
could, while he would do the same with the launch, as he brought them
to: but the other gun-boat, which had not yet been seen, and had been
forgotten, now made her appearance, and came down in a gallant manner
to the support of her comrade.
Mr Sawbridge threw half his men into the launch, as she carried a
heavy carronade, and sent her to assist the cutters, which had made
right for the gun-boat. A smart firing of round and grape was opened
upon the boats, which continued to advance upon her; but the officer
commanding that gun-boat, finding that he had no support from his
consort, and concluding that she had been captured, hauled his wind
again, and stood out in the offing. Our hero pulled after her,
although he could not see the other boats; but the breeze had
freshened, and all pursuit was useless: he therefore directed his
course to the convoy, and after a hard pull, contrived to get on board
of a one-masted xebeque, of about fifty tons. Mesty, who had eyes as
sharp as a needle, had observed that, when the alarm was given,
several of the convoy had not rounded the point, and he therefore
proposed, as this vessel was very light, that they should make short
tacks with her, to weather the point, as if they were escaping, and by
that means be able, particularly if it fell calm again, to capture
some others. Jack thought this advice good. The convoy who had
rounded the point had all stood out to seaward with the gun-boat, and
had now a fresh breeze. To chase them was therefore useless; and the
only chance was to do as Mesty had proposed. He therefore stood out
into the breeze, and, after half an hour, tacked in-shore, and fetched
well to windward of the low point; but, finding no vessels, he stood
out again. Thus had he made three or four tacks, and had gained,
perhaps, six or seven miles, when he perceived signals of recall made
to leeward, enforced with guns.
"Mr Sawbridge wants us to come back, Mesty."
"Mr Sawbridge mind him own business," replied Mesty, "we nebber take
all dis trubble to ply to windward for noting."
"But, Mesty, we must obey orders."
"Yes, sar, when he have him thumb upon you; but now, must do what tink
most proper. By de powers, he catch me 'fore I go back."
"But we shall lose the ship."
"Find her again, by-and-bye, Massa Easy."
"But they will think that we are lost."
"So much the better, nebba look after us, Massa Easy; I guess we have
a fine cruise anyhow. Morrow we take large vessel--make sail, take
more, den we go to Toulon."
"But I don't know my way to Toulon; I know it lies up this way, and
that's all."
"Dat enough, what you want more? Massa Easy, 'pose you not find
fleet, fleet soon find you. By God, nobody nebba lost here. Now,
Massa Easy, let um go 'bout 'gain. Somebody else burn biscuit and
boil kettle to-morrow for de gentlemen. Murder Irish! only tink,
Massa Easy--I boil kettle, and prince in my own country!"
Easy was very much of a mind with Mesty; "for," argued Jack, "if I go
back now, I only bring a small vessel half-full of beans, and I shall
be ashamed to show my face. Now it is true, that they may suppose
that we have been sunk by the fire of the gun-boat. Well, what then?
they have a gun-boat to show for their night's work, and it will
appear that there was harder fighting than there has been, and Mr
Sawbridge may benefit by it." (Jack was a very knowing fellow to have
leant so much about the service already.) "Well, and when they
discover that we are not lost, how glad they will be to find us,
especially if we bring some prizes--which I will do, or I'll not go
back again. It's not often that one gets a command before being two
months at sea, and, hang me, now I've got it if I won't keep it; and
Mr Smallsole may mast-head whom he pleases. I'm sorry for poor
Gossett, though; if Vigors supposes me dead, how he will murder the
poor little fellow--however, it is all for the good of the service,
and I'll revenge him when I come back. Hang me if I won't take a
cruise."
"I talk to the men, they say they all tick to you like leech. Now dat
job settled, I tink we better go 'bout again."
A short time after this decision on the part of our hero, the day
broke: Jack first looked to leeward, and perceived the gun-boat and
convoy standing in for the shore about ten miles distant, followed by
the Harpy, under all sail. He could also perceive the captured
gun-boat lying-to in-shore to prevent their escape.
"Harpy hab um all, by Gosh!" cried Mesty; "I ab notion dat she soon
settle um hash."
They were so busy looking at the Harpy and the convoy that, for some
time, they quite forgot to look to windward. At last Mesty turned his
eyes that way.
"Dam um, I see right last night; look, Massa Easy--one ship, one brig,
tree lateen--dem for us. By de power, but we make bot prize
to-night."
The vessels found out by Mesty were not above three miles to windward;
they were under all sail, beating up for the protection of a battery,
not far distant.
"Now, Massa, suppose they see our boat, dey tink something; keep boat
alongside, and shift her when we go 'bout every time: better not sail
so fast now--keep further off till they drop anchor for de night; and
den, when it dark, we take 'em."
All Mesty's advice was good, with the exception perhaps of advising
our hero how to disobey orders and take a cruise. To prevent the
vessel from approaching too near the others, and at the same time to
let her have the appearance of doing her best, a sail was towed
overboard under the bows, and after that they watched the motions of
the Harpy.
The distance was too great to distinguish very clearly, but Mesty
shinned up the mast of the vessel, and reported progress.
"By Jesus, dare one gun--two gun--go it, Harpy. Won't she ab um, sure
enough. Now gun-boat fire--dat our gun-boat--no, dat not ours. Now
our gun-boat fire--dat pretty--fire away. Ah, now de Harpy cum up.
All'mung'em. Bung, bung, bung--rattle de grape, by gosh. I ab notion
de Spaniard is very pretty considerable trouble just now, anyhow. All
hove-to, so help me gosh--not more firing; Harpy take um all--dare
gun-boat hove-to, she strike um colours. By all powers, but suppose
dey link we no share prize-money--they find it not little mistake.
Now, my lads, it all over, and," continued Mesty, sliding down the
mast, "I tink you better not show yourself too much; only two men stay
on deck, and dem two take off um jackets."
Mesty's report was correct; the Harpy had captured the other gun-boat,
and the whole convoy. The only drawback to their good fortune was the
disappearance of Mr Easy and the cutter: it was supposed that a shot
from the gun-boat must have sunk her, and that the whole crew were
drowned. Captain Wilson and Mr Sawbridge seriously regretted the loss
of our hero, as they thought that he would have turned out a shining
character as soon as he had sown his wild oats; so did Mr Asper,
because our hero's purse went with him; so did Jolliffe, because he
had taken an affection for him; so did little Gossett, because he
anticipated no mercy from Vigors. On the other hand, there were some
who were glad that he was gone; and as for the ship's company in
general, they lamented the loss of the poor cutter's crew for
twenty-four hours, which, in a man-of-war, is a very long while, and
then they thought no more about them. We must leave the Harpy to make
the best of her way to Toulon, and now follow our hero.
The cutter's crew knew very well that Jack was acting contrary to
orders, but anything was to them a change from the monotony of a
man-of-war, and they, as well as Mesty, highly approved of a holiday.
It was, however, necessary that they should soon proceed to business,
for they had but their allowance of bread and grog for one day, and in
the vessel they found nothing except a few heads of garlic, for the
Spaniards coasting down shore had purchased their provisions as they
required them. There were only three prisoners on board, and they had
been put down in the hold among the beans; a bag of which had been
roused on deck, and a part put into the kettle to make soup. Jack did
not much admire the fare of the first day--it was bean-soup for
breakfast, bean-soup for dinner, and if you felt hungry during the
intervals it was still bean-soup, and nothing else.
One of the men could speak a little Lingua Franca, and the prisoners
were interrogated as to the vessels to windward. The ship was stated
to be valuable, and also one of the brigs. The ship carried guns, and
that was all that they knew about them. As the sun went down the
vessels dropped their anchors off the battery. The breeze continued
light, and the vessel which contained Jack and his fortunes was about
four miles to leeward. As for the Harpy, they had long lost sight of
her, and it was now time to proceed to some arrangement.
As soon as it was dark, Jack turned his hands up, and made a very long
speech. He pointed out to the men that his zeal had induced him not to
return to the ship until he had brought something with him worth
having--that they had had nothing but beans to eat during the whole
day, which was anything but agreeable, and that, therefore, it was
absolutely necessary that they should better their condition: that
there was a large ship not four miles off, and that he intended to
take her; and as soon as he had taken her he intended to take some
more; that he trusted to their zeal to support him on this occasion,
and that he expected to do a great deal during the cruise. He pointed
out to them, that they must consider themselves as on board of a
man-of-war, and be guided by the articles of war, which were written
for them all--and that in case they forgot them, he had a copy in his
pocket, which he would read to them to-morrow morning, as soon as they
were comfortably settled on board of the ship. He then appointed
Mesty as first lieutenant; the marine as sergeant; the coxswain as
boatswain; two men as midshipmen to keep watch; two others as
boatswain's mates, leaving two more for the ship's company, who were
divided into the larboard and starboard watch. The cutter's crew were
perfectly content with Jack's speech, and their brevet rank, and after
that, they commenced a more important topic, which was, how they were
to take the ship. After some discussion, Mesty's advice was approved
of; which was, that they should anchor not far ahead of the ship, and
wait till about two o'clock in the morning, when they would drop
silently down upon her in the cutter, and take possession.
About nine o'clock the vessel was anchored as they proposed, and Jack
was a little astonished to find that the ship was much larger than he
had any idea of; for, although polacca-rigged, she was nearly the same
tonnage as the Harpy. The Spanish prisoners were first tied hand and
foot, and laid upon the beans, that they might give no alarm, the
sails were furled and all was kept quiet. On board of the ship, on the
contrary, there was noise and revelry; and about half-past ten a boat
was seen to leave her and pull for the shore; after which, the noise
gradually ceased, the lights one by one disappeared, and then all was
silent.
"What do you think, Mesty?" said Jack; "do you think we shall take
her?"
"It is take her you mane; sure enough we'll take her: stop a bit--wait
till um all fast asleep."
About twelve o'clock there came on a mizzling heavy rain, which was
very favourable for our hero's operations. But as it promised soon to
clear up, by Mesty's advice they did not delay any longer. They crept
softly into the boat, and with two oars to steer her, dropped under
the bows of the vessel, climbed up the fore chains, and found the deck
empty. "Take care not fire pistol," said Mesty to the men, as they
came up, putting his finger to their lips to impress them with the
necessity of silence, for Mesty had been an African warrior, and knew
the advantage of surprise. All the men being on deck, and the boat
made fast, Jack and Mesty led the way aft; not a soul was to be seen:
indeed, it was too dark to see anybody unless they were walking the
deck. The companion-hatch was secured, and the gratings laid on the
after-hatchways, and then they went aft to the binnacle again, where
there was a light burning. Mesty ordered two of the men to go forward
to secure the hatches, and then to remain there on guard--and then the
rest of the men and our hero consulted at the wheel.
"By the power we ab the ship!" said Mesty, "but must manage plenty
yet. I tink der some d---n lazy rascal sleep 'tween the guns. A lilly
while it no rain, and den we see better. Now keep all quiet."
"There must be a great many men in this ship," replied our hero; "she
is very large, and has twelve or fourteen guns--how shall we manage to
secure them?"
"All right," replied Mesty, "manage all dat by-and-bye. Don't care
how soon daylight come."
"It has left off raining already," observed Easy; "there is a candle
in the binnacle,--suppose we light it, and look round the decks."
"Yes," replied Mesty, "one man sentry over cabin-hatch, and another
over after-hatch. Now den we light candle, and all the rest go round
the deck. Mind you leave all your pistols on capstern."
Jack lighted the candle, and they proceeded round the decks: they had
not walked far, when, between two of the guns, they discovered a heap
covered with gregos. "There de watch," whispered Mesty; "all fast--not
ready for dem yet."
Mesty blew out the candle, and they all retreated to the binnacle,
where Mesty took out a coil of the ropes about the mizzen-mast, and
cutting it into lengths, gave them to the other men to unlay. In a
few minutes they had prepared a great many seizings to tie the men
with.
"Now den we light candle again, and make sure of them lazy hounds,"
said Mesty; "very much oblige to dem all de same, they let us take de
ship--mind now, wake one at a time, and shut him mouth."
"But suppose they get their mouths free and cry out?" replied Jack.
"Den, Mr Easy," replied Mesty, changing his countenance to an
expression almost demoniacal--"there no help for it,"--and Mesty
showed his knife which he held in his right hand.
"Oh no! do not let us murder them."
"No, massa--suppose can help it, but suppose they get upper hand--what
become of us? Spaniards hab knives, and use dem too, by de power!"
The observation of Mesty was correct, and the expression of his
countenance when he showed his knife proved what a relentless enemy he
could be, if his blood was once roused--but Mesty had figured in the
Ashantee wars in former days, and after that the reader need not be
surprised. They proceeded cautiously to where the Spaniards lay. The
arrangements of Mesty were very good. There were two men to gag them
while the others were to tie their limbs. Mesty and Easy were to kneel
by them with the candle, with raised knives to awe them into silence,
or to strike home, if their own safety required it.
The gregos were removed off the first man, who opened his eyes at the
sight of the candle, but the coxswain's hand was on his mouth--he was
secured in silence. The other two men were awaked, and threw off
their coverings, but they were also secured without there being
occasion to resort to bloodshed.
"What shall we do now, Mesty?" "Now, sar," said Mesty, "open the
after-hatch and watch--suppose more men come up, we make them fast;
suppose no more come up, we wait till daylight--and see what take
place."
Mesty then went forward to see if the men were watchful on the
forecastle; and having again gone round the whole of the deck to see
if there were any more men on it, he blew out the candle, and took his
station with the others at the after-hatchway.
It was just at break of day that the Spaniards who had to keep the
morning watch having woke up, as people generally do at that hour at
which they expect to be called, dressed themselves and came on deck,
imagining, and very truly, that those of the middle watch had fallen
asleep, but little imagining that the deck was in possession of
Englishmen. Mesty and the others retreated, to allow them all to come
up before they could perceive them, and fortunately this was
accomplished. Four men came on the deck, looked round them, and tried
to make out in the dark where their shipmates might be. The grating
was slapped on again by Jack, and before they could well gain their
eyesight, they were seized and secured, not however without a scuffle
and some noise.
By the time that these men were secured and laid between the guns it
was daylight, and they now perceived what a fine vessel they had
fairly taken possession of--but there was much to be done yet. There
was, of course, a number of men in the ship, and moreover they were
not a mile from a battery of ten guns. Mesty, who was foremost in
everything, left four men abaft, and went forward on the forecastle,
examined the cable, which was coir rope, and therefore easily divided,
and then directed the two men forward to coil a hawser upon the
fore-grating, the weight of which would make all safe in that quarter,
and afterwards to join them on the quarter-deck.
"Now, Mr Easy, the great ting will be to get hold of captain; we must
get him on deck. Open cabin-hatch now, and keep the after-hatch fast.
Two men stay there, the others all come aft."
"Yes," replied Jack, "It will be a great point to secure the captain--
but how are we to get him up?"
"You no know how to get captain up? By de holy, I know very well."
And Mesty took up the coils of rope about the mizzen-mast, and threw
them upon deck, one after another, making all the noise possible. In a
short time, there was a violent pull of a bell at the cabin-door, and
in a minute afterwards a man in his shirt came up the cabin-hatchway,
who was immediately secured.
"Dis de captain's servant," said Mesty, "he come say no make such
d---d noise. Stop a little--captain get in passion, and come up
himself."
And Mesty renewed the noise with the ropes over the cabin. Mesty was
right; in a few minutes the captain himself came up, boiling with
indignation. At the sound of the cabin-door opening, the seamen and
our hero concealed themselves behind the companion-hatch, which was
very high, so as to give the captain time to get fairly on deck. The
men already secured had been covered over with the gregos. The
captain was a most powerful man, and it was with difficulty that he
was pinioned, and then not without his giving the alarm, had there
been anyone to assist him; but as yet no one had turned out of his
hammock.
"Now we all right," said Mesty, "and soon ab de ship; but I must make
him 'fraid."
The captain was seated down on the deck against one of the guns, and
Mesty, putting on the look of a demon, extended above him his, long
nervous arm, with the sharp knife clutched, as if ready every instant
to strike it into his heart. The Spanish captain felt his situation
anything but pleasant. He was then interrogated as to the number of
men in the ship, officers, etc, to all which questions he answered
truly; he cast his eyes at the firm and relentless countenance of
Mesty, who appeared but to wait the signal.
"I tink all pretty safe now," said Mesty. "Mr Easy, we now go down
below and beat all men into the hold."
Our hero approved of this suggestion. Taking their pistols from the
capstern, they rushed down with their cutlasses, and leaving two men
to guard the cabin-door, they were soon among the crew, who were all
naked in their hammocks: the resistance, although the numbers were
more than double of the English, was of course trifling. In a few
minutes, the Spaniards were all thrown down into the hold of the
vessel, and the hatches placed over them. Every part of the ship was
now in their possession, except the cabin, and to that they all
repaired. Our hero tried the door, and found it fast; they beat it
open, and were received with loud screams from one side of the cabin,
and the discharge of two pistols from the other, fortunately without
injury: those who had fired the pistols were an elderly man and a lad
about the age of our hero. They were thrown down and secured; the
cabin was searched, and nobody else found in it but three women; one
old and shrivelled, the other two, although with their countenances
distorted with terror, were lovely as houris. So thought Jack, as he
took off his hat, and made them a very low bow with his usual
politeness, as they crouched, half-dressed, in a corner. He told them
in English that they had nothing to fear, and begged that they would
attend to their toilets. The ladies made no reply, because, in the
first place, they did not know what Jack said, and, in the next, they
could not speak English.
Mesty interrupted Jack in his attentions, by pointing out that they
must all go upon deck--so Jack again took off his hat and bowed, and
then followed his men, who led away the two prisoners taken in the
cabin. It was now five o'clock in the morning, and there was movement
on board of the other vessels, which laid not far from the ship.
"Now, then," said Jack, "what shall we do with the prisoners?--could
we not send the boat and bring our own vessel alongside, and put them
all in, tied as they are? We should then get rid of them."
"Massa Easy, you be one very fine officer one of these days. Dat d---n
good idea, anyhow;--but suppose we send our own boat, what they tink
on board of de oder vessel? Lower down lilly boat from stem, put in
four men, and drop vessel 'longside--dat it."
This was done; the cutter was on the seaward side of the ship, and, as
the ship was the outermost vessel, was concealed from the view of the
Spaniards on board of the other vessels, and in the battery on shore.
As soon as the lateen vessel was alongside, the men who had already
been secured on deck, amounting to seven, were lowered into her, and
laid upon the beans in the hold; all except the captain, the two
cabin-prisoners, and the captain's servant. They then went down
below, took off one part of the hatches, and ordered the Spaniards up
from the hold: as they came on deck they were made fast and treated in
the same manner. Mesty and the men went down to examine if there were
any left concealed, and finding that they were all out, returned on
deck. The men who had been beaten down in the hold were twenty-two in
number, making the whole complement of thirty. As soon as they had
all been put into the xebeque, she was again hauled off and anchored
outside, and Jack found himself in possession of a fine ship of
fourteen guns, with three prisoners male and three prisoners female.
When the men returned in the boat from the vessel in which the
prisoners had been confined (the hatches having been secured over
them, by way of further precaution), by the advice of Mesty they put
on the jackets and caps of the Spanish seamen, of which there was a
plentiful supply below.
"Now, what's to be done, Mesty?" inquired Jack.
"Now, sar, we send some of the men aloft to get sails all ready, and
while they do that I cast loose this fellow," pointing to the
captain's servant, "and make him get some breakfast, for he know where
to find it."
"Capital idea of yours, Mesty, for I'm tired of bean-soup already, and
I will go down and pay my respects to the ladies."
Mesty looked over the counter. "Yes, and be quick too, Massa Easy;
d--n the women, they toss their handkerchief in the air to people in
the battery--quick, Massa Easy."
Mesty was right--the Spanish girls were waving their handkerchiefs for
assistance; it was all that they could do, poor things. Jack hastened
into the cabin, laid hold of the two young ladies, very politely
pulled them out of the quarter gallery, and begged that they would not
give themselves so much trouble. The young ladies looked very much
confused, and as they could no longer wave their handkerchiefs, they
put them up to their eyes and began to weep, while the elderly lady
went on her knees, and held her hands up for mercy. Jack raised her
up, and very politely handed her to one of the cabin lockers.
In the meantime Mesty, with his gleaming knife and expressive look,
had done wonders with the captain's steward, for such the man was: and
a breakfast of chocolate, salt meat, hams and sausages, white biscuit
and red wine, had been spread on the quarter-deck. The men had come
from aloft, and Jack was summoned on deck. Jack offered his hand to
the two young ladies, and beckoned the old one to follow: the old lady
did not think it advisable to refuse his courtesy, so they accompanied
him.
As soon as the females came on deck, and found the two cabin prisoners
bound, they ran to them and embraced them with tears. Jack's heart
melted, and as there was now no fear, he asked Mesty for his knife,
and cut loose the two Spaniards, pointing to the breakfast, and
requesting that they would join them. The Spaniards made a bow, and
the ladies thanked Jack with a sweet smile; and the captain of the
vessel, who still lay pinioned against the gun, looked, as much as to
say, Why the devil don't you ask me? but the fact was, they had had
such trouble to secure him, that Jack did not much like the idea of
letting him loose again. Jack and the seamen commenced their
breakfast, and as the ladies and prisoners did not appear inclined to
eat, they ate their share and their own too; during which, the elderly
man inquired of Jack if he could speak French.
Jack, with his mouth full of sausage, replied, that he could; and then
commenced a conversation, from which Jack learnt as follows:
The elderly gentleman was a passenger with the young man, who was his
son, and the ladies, who were his wife and his two daughters, and they
were proceeding to Tarragona. Whereupon Jack made a bow and thanked
him; and then the gentleman, whose name was Don Cordova de Rimarosa,
wished to know what Jack intended to do with them, hoping, as a
gentleman, he would put them on shore with their effects, as they were
non-combatants. Jack explained all this to Mesty and the men, and
then finished his sausage. The men, who were a little elevated with
the wine which they had been drinking, proposed that they should take
the ladies a cruise, and Jack at first did not dislike the idea, but
he said nothing. Mesty, however, opposed this, saying, that ladies
only made a row in a ship, and the coxswain sided with him, saying,
that they should all be at daggers drawn. Whereupon Jack pulled out
the "articles of war," and informed the men, that there was no
provision in them for women, and therefore the thing was impossible.
The next question was, as to the propriety of allowing them to take
their effects; and it was agreed, at last, that they might take them.
Jack desired the steward to feed his master the captain, and then told
the Spanish Don the result of the consultation, further informing him,
that as soon as it was dark, he intended to put them all on board the
small vessel, when they would cast loose the men and do as they
pleased. The Don and the ladies returned thanks, and went down to
pack up their baggage; Mesty ordering two men to help them, but with a
caution, that they were not to encumber themselves with any of the
money, if there should happen to be any on board.
The crew were busy during the day making preparations for sailing. The
coxswain had examined the provender in the ship, and found that there
was enough for at least three months, of water, wine, and provisions,
independent of luxuries for the cabin. All thoughts of taking any
more of the vessels were abandoned, for their crew was but weak to
manage the one which they had possession of. A fine breeze sprang up,
and they dropped their fore-topsails, just as a boat was shoving off
from the shore; but seeing the fore-topsails loosed, it put back
again. This was fortunate, or all would have been discovered. The
other vessels also loosed their sails, and the crews were heard
weighing the anchors.
But the Nostra Senora del Carmen, which was Jack's prize, did not
move. At last the sun went down, the baggage was placed in the
cutter, the ladies and passengers went into the boat, thanking Jack
for his kindness, who put his hand to his heart and bowed to the deck;
and the captain was lowered down after them. Four men well armed
pulled them alongside of the xebeque, put them and their trunks on
deck, and returned to the ship. The cutter was then hoisted up, and
as the anchor was too heavy to weigh, they cut the cable, and made
sail. The other vessels followed their example. Mesty and the seamen
cast longing eyes upon them, but it was of no use; so they sailed in
company for about an hour, and then Jack hauled his wind for a cruise.