The Albatross was creeping up the Mozambique channel, with her captain
at her helm, who showed an extraordinary degree of knowledge of the
coast, piloting the ship through narrow passages lined with breakers,
and surrounded by stupendous rocks, amid which the waves kept lashing
each other into foam on every side. Threading the mazes of this
intricate labyrinth, the ship was borne through a long opening between
huge masses of granite, in which it seemed utterly impossible for any
vessel to keep afloat, and then entered a snug little bay, perfectly
concealed from observation by passing ships by the surrounding rocks,
and there she cast anchor. Boats were let down, and the prisoners, well
guarded, were taken ashore. Upon landing, they found themselves upon
a clean shingly beach, leading to a soil of exceeding verdure, where
trees of immense proportions bowed their luxuriant heads to the passing
breeze; and parasitical and creeping plants, of wonderful variety and
beautiful appearance, twisted and twined among the rocks, and over the
gigantic trees. There the bread-fruit tree spread its welcome burden,
and the raven palm held out its green abundance. Further on, the
cocoa-nut bent down its branches, overladen with their grateful
fruit--while limes, oranges, tamarinds, and figs, on every side, offered
their refreshing stores. Among the flowering plants, the most remarkable
was the _anramatico_, whose bell-shaped flower contained nearly half a
gallon of water, always pure and fresh, and whose excellent fruit was
formed like a cup and cover. Among these, several flamingoes were
noticed, in their scarlet liveries, like sentinels upon duty--and troops
of gaudy paroquets were chattering among the branches of the trees.
There the green lizard ran along the bank, and the grey chameleon glided
among the boughs.
The party proceeded on through fields of maize, rice, sugar-canes,
yams, and bananas, into a thick forest of gloomy trees, from among
which they disturbed the wild hogs at their roots, and the monkeys in
their branches--occasionally they would meet with a porcupine, or a
babyroussa--and more than once they came upon a troop of bisons, or a
stray zebra, who were munching the green herbage. Flocks of pigeons were
flying wildly about, and innumerable singing birds were endeavouring to
create a living harmony in the forest. After proceeding in this manner
about a mile, the captain and his followers began to ascend a steep
rock, covered with every species of tropical verdure, and they passed,
with increasing difficulty, from precipice to precipice till they came
to an immense black chasm that yawned fearfully before them. Over this
there was no passing. Here the captain fired a pistol, and the report,
reverberating through the hollow rocks, was repeated with a thousand
echoes, that called up from the dreary depths of the abyss flights of
monstrous bats, several hawks, and two or three gigantic eagles, that
whirled round and round over the heads of the intruders, and then
disappeared in various directions. Immediately afterwards a troop of
armed men, of the dark olive complexion of the country, clad in loose
tunics, and lower garments reaching to the knee--with naked legs and
arms--were seen descending the rock on the other side; and, as soon as
they noticed the captain, they set up a cry of welcome, and danced and
shouted in joyful recognition.
They immediately threw a thick rope across the chasm, which was made
fast to a neighbouring tree--another rope was fastened within a foot of
it--over these, two strong hoops were sent across, connected with each
other, and affixed to a strong rope, and by resting the body within
these, and holding the ropes by the arms, each individual of the party
was dragged in safety to the other side of the rock. From thence they
proceeded along a narrow path cut in the rock, winding upwards to the
top, and then descended on the other side, where, at the foot of the
descent, they beheld a low, heavy, antique mansion, strongly built, and
almost hid among plantations of the raven palm. Here they were joined
by several more of the same sort of men as those by whom they had been
assisted over the chasm; and the delight they evinced at the return of
their master was equally noisy and wild as that previously shown by
their companions.
"Welcome, gentlemen," said the captain, turning to his prisoners,
"welcome to my humble abode. It does not look so imposing as the
mansions to which some of you have been accustomed, but I think you
will find in it every thing likely to make your captivity endurable."
"Your abode looks most invitingly, noble captain," observed Zabra,
apparently much delighted; "and if the interior accord with the promise
of what we see, I doubt much if either of us will have any desire to
quit its attractions."
Oriel Porphyry glanced angrily upon his friend, and again a suspicion
of treachery entered his mind; but his attention was soon directed into
another channel, when, upon entering the house, he found it fitted up
in the most sumptuous style of Eastern taste. The spacious rooms
were floored with marble, that threw a delicious coolness into the
atmosphere, and flowers growing out of beautiful vases filled the
air with fragrance. Here were ottomans and couches to attract the
indolent--and at the open windows the grapes hung in clusters to tempt
the thirsty. All the furniture was costly and elegant, and every room
breathed an air of luxurious enjoyment.
Here the pirate chief kept his prisoners closely watched, but allowed
them every comfort that his house afforded. The wounded men were
carefully attended to; and through the skill of Doctor Tourniquet, and
the benefit they derived from strolling about in the neighbourhood,
which they were allowed to do when well guarded, they became
convalescent. Zabra was more than ever in favour with the captain, and,
by the same attractions, gained the good will of every one of the wild
gang whom he commanded. They let him go where he pleased, and do as he
pleased; and he had excited so complete a confidence in his captors,
that they left him to roam about unguarded at all times, when the rest
were watched with the most jealous care. Not only was he allowed this
indulgence, but they showed him all the secrets of their retreat;
conducted him into subterranean caves, where piles of the most valuable
merchandise were stored, and led him into the vaults where their
ammunition and weapons, in great abundance, were laid up ready for use.
He also went several times with them from the house to the ship, till he
could find his way alone.
Oriel Porphyry was not long allowed to remain in ignorance of the
conditions upon which his life and the lives of his companions might be
preserved; and these were, that he should sail in the Albatross on his
destination, as if nothing had transpired--negotiate a sale of the
merchandise it contained--and betray into the captain's hands such of
his father's ships as he might meet with on his voyage. These proposals
were immediately spurned; but the entreaties of Doctor Tourniquet and
the professor, and his own consideration for the poor men whose safety
was in his hands, at last induced him to adopt a temporising policy. He
seemed to listen with some attention to the captain's propositions, and,
as the pirates thought, not unwillingly; but he was only waiting for an
opportunity to attempt some desperate struggle, by which the liberation
of himself and friends might be effected. This apparent acquiescence
gained for him a greater degree of liberty, and a less strict
surveillance, than he had previously known; and then, when they found
themselves entirely free from observation, Zabra and he often met
together, and had long and earnest conferences. Zabra, too, took every
opportunity to converse with Hearty and the others, who had recovered
from their wounds, and all seemed to listen to him with extraordinary
interest. These men had intimated to the captain, that they had no
objection to join his band on condition that they were not separated
from Master Porphyry; and as they associated with the pirates, with
every appearance of sociality and sincerity, the captain, though he did
not then allow their request, left them in a less guarded state than he
had previously done. Then Zabra's communications with them became more
frequent, and their conferences with one another appeared to increase in
interest.
One day, when the captain, and about half his band, had gone out
shooting wild hogs in the adjacent woods, the rest of the pirates, with
their prisoners, were mingled together, talking and joking, and amusing
themselves among the trees at the back of the house, and Hearty was
looking anxiously every now and then as if he was waiting for some one
to join his party. His companions also shared in the laugh, and in the
sport which was proceeding, but it seemed as if their thoughts were
otherwise employed. They were evidently inattentive to what was going
on around them. They evinced a restlessness--an anxiety--an impatience
not characteristic of men engaged in amusement; and now and then looks
passed between them in which there appeared more meaning than was
visible to the others. But the pirates heeded not these things. They
thought only of the sport in which they were occupied; and being
well armed, and much out-numbering their prisoners, who were without
weapons, they had not the slightest fear or expectation of their
attempting an escape. At last the boy Loop was observed turning the
corner of the house, carrying a heavy bundle on his head. As soon as he
was seen, Hearty and his companions hastily put their right arms into
the upper part of their vests, each produced a pistol, and in an instant
eight or ten of the pirates fell dead or wounded at their feet. With a
shout, the sailors rushed towards the boy Loop, whose bundle, containing
weapons, was soon appropriated, and then, amid yells and imprecations,
cheers and shouts, there commenced a war of extermination between the
two parties. The pirates were taken quite by surprise, and were put in
confusion by the fierceness and suddenness of the attack. They still
outnumbered their opponents, but while they gathered together, and were
seeking to revenge their fallen comrades, a discharge of fire-arms
in their rear from Oriel Porphyry, Zabra, Doctor Tourniquet, and
the professor, still more diminished their numbers, and still more
distracted their attention. They were not allowed a moment of inaction.
At once from both sides came the attack. Pistols were only discharged,
when it was almost impossible to miss; but the chief weapon was the
sword, and with this Hearty, Boggle, Climberkin, and Ardent, well backed
by their companions, and Oriel Porphyry, closely followed by Zabra,
Fortyfolios, and the doctor, cut down all who opposed them. The conflict
was fierce. Oriel Porphyry displayed an energy that nothing could
resist. He hewed his way through the thickest of his foes, and they fell
like reeds before his sword; while a stern scorn was breathing from his
handsome features, and his fine manly figure seemed to dilate with the
pride of conscious power. Close to his side came Zabra, whose exertions
were not so effective; but his object seemed more to be to defend Oriel
than to attack the pirates. Several times the arm that threatened the
destruction of the young merchant was rendered powerless by the ready
interference of his youthful friend, and the pistol levelled at his head
dropped harmless to the ground. It soon became a struggle of man to
man. Each singled out his opponent, and when he was disposed of, looked
out for another. In a few minutes the state of the parties had changed
exceedingly. A great number of the pirates had fallen, and the rest,
unable to withstand the fierceness of the encounter, appeared desirous
of making their escape. They were pressed so closely, that only three
out of the whole band got away, and each of these was severely wounded.
"Now, my brave fellows, we have not a moment to lose," exclaimed Oriel
Porphyry. "Zabra, you will lead the way. Climberkin, you are much hurt,
I'm afraid?"
"O, it's nothing, sir," replied the man cheerfully, although he
was bleeding from several deep gashes: "we've nearly all got a few
scratches; but I wouldn't have cared being cut to pieces, now I behold
these blood-thirsty villains so reg'larly done for."
"Well, we must get forward, or the others may be upon us. Let every one
look to his weapons, and be in readiness to use them. You go on, Zabra:
I will follow you in a few minutes."
The young merchant hastily re-entered the house, while the others
proceeded up the acclivity, and before they reached the top, he
joined them. "Hullo, my friends!" he cried, with a face glowing with
excitement: "just take one parting glance at this den of infamy, and
I will stake my existence it will give you pleasure."
They had scarcely turned round for the purpose of complying with this
request, when they observed flames issuing from the windows of the
house. In so dry a climate fire burnt rapidly, and very quickly the
whole place was a sheet of flame. While they were gazing, a loud noise
like an earthquake shook the ground upon which they stood, and they
beheld the house lifted up high into the air--the walls crack--the
timbers split into pieces--and in a moment the retreat of the pirates
was a mass of smoking ruins, and the air was darkened with a thick smoke
and a shower of ashes. The men gave three hearty cheers, and proceeded
merrily on their way. They descended the mountain till they came to
the chasm where the rude bridge they had previously used remained.
First, Hearty got within the hoops, and with the assistance of the
ropes dragged himself across: when the hoops were pulled back, each in
succession passed over; and the last was in the act of crossing as the
pirate chief and the rest of his followers appeared upon the summit
of the mountain. A yell of mingled ferocity and hatred arose as they
witnessed the escape of their prisoners; and with malignity in their
eyes and curses on their lips, they, as rapidly as possible, commenced
descending the rock with the intention of overtaking the fugitives.
"Cut the ropes! cut the ropes!" shouted Oriel, and in an instant the
swords of all the party were hacking at the thick twists of hemp; and
as the pirates descended on the other side they were severed, and the
ends fell into the abyss. A volley of pistol bullets and a chorus of
imprecations arose from the enraged and baffled villains, but they did
no mischief, and they were only answered by a triumphant cheer from the
crew of the Albatross. The fugitives now rapidly pursued their way till
they came to the sea shore, where they found two boats high and dry;
these were immediately launched into the sea, and pulling the oars
vigorously, they were soon by the side of the Albatross. There were not
above half a dozen of the pirates left in charge of the ship, but these
had noticed the approach of the boats, and seeing who they contained,
were prepared to give them a hostile reception. A gun was brought to
bear upon them--they saw it pointed--fired--and in the next moment the
shot whizzed over their heads. With another cheer of triumph the brave
fellows mounted the ship's side. Every obstacle was used to prevent
their boarding, and the few who were in the ship, from the determination
with which they defended it, seemed likely still to remain its masters.
At this instant, when Oriel and his party were unavailingly attempting
to make good a footing upon the deck, assistance came from a quarter
from whence any thing so welcome had never been anticipated.
Roly Poly was pursuing his avocations in the cook-house when he heard
the affray, and looking out observed exactly the state of the opposing
parties. By him the pirates had never been regarded with any thing like
affection. They had treated him with great disrespect. They esteemed
not his art, and spoke contemptuously of his skill. His resolve was soon
made, and as quickly executed. Dipping a mop in a copper of boiling
water, in which his cookery was going on, he hurried as fast as his fat
limbs could carry him upon deck.
"See how Roly Poly come to 'sist him friends," cried he, exultingly, as
he began to use his strange weapon among the pirates with a dexterity
that scattered them right and left. "Ha! you call my boofliful puddin'
'choke dog'--take dat you libellious vagabone," and with a forcible
sweep the scalding mop descended upon his face, sending him howling off
his heels. "Ha! you say my lumptious soup wishy-washy,--take dat, you
ignrant jackmorass!" and a resistless blow upon the ear levelled him
with his companion, yelling with pain; and thus he proceeded till he
had cleared a way for Oriel Porphyry and his coadjutors, who quickly
silenced all opposition. "I hab you now, you fellar!" shouted Roly
Poly, striding in triumph over one of his victims, and seemingly
intent upon ramming the scalding mop down the man's throat. "Like your
imprence, I tink, you fellar! to go for to say I boil sich nice puddin
I make, in nassy dishcloth!"
"Hubble, bubble, hubble, bloo!" said the choking wretch.
"Now I gib you puddin debblis nice, you fellar!" cried the fat cook,
ramming away with all his might.
"Hobble, a bobble, a gobble, a gloo!" were the only sounds that were
heard in reply.
"Dis nebber boil in nassy dishcloth, you fellar!"
"Grow, a row, a row, ow, oo, oo, oo!"
"Like your 'bominable imprence, you fellar!"
"Rug, a rug, a glug."
"Take debblis good care you nebber say no more sich diclus
impossumbilties. Ha! him dead as herrin' now," observed the unrelenting
negro; and then adding, "But serb him berry right--berry right,
indeed--a fellar!" he shouldered his mop, and turned on his heel.
"Up with the anchor, and get out to sea as fast as you can," exclaimed
Oriel Porphyry.
"If I might advise, sir," said Hearty, respectfully, "I should recommend
an unkimmon deal o' care in steerin through these shallows. I paid
'ticular notice when we entered this here rascally neighbourhood. I've a
notion them varmint never had sich a reglar spiflification since they
commenced their murderin rigs--and I'm sartan sure the ship'll be lost
if we don't look out pretty sharpish."
"Well, what is best to be done?" asked Oriel. "You, of all of us, are
best acquainted with these matters--what do you advise."
"Why I advises this," replied the old man: "I thinks it's best, under
all the 'cumstances o' the case, for a boat to be sent a little forrard
takin soundins, while I takes the helm and pilots the ship 'cordingly."
"Let it be done, then," said Master Porphyry; "and as I have the
greatest confidence in your skill and experience, and as I wish to show
in some appropriate manner how much I regard the fidelity and courage
you have evinced in my service, from this time I intrust the entire
management of the ship to you, allowing you to choose your own officers
from among those of your shipmates whom you think most fitted for the
duties you will require from them."
At this announcement a cheer of loud congratulation proceeded from
the delighted crew, among whom Hearty, by the inoffensiveness of
his conduct, his general kindness, and approved courage, had become
remarkably popular; but the old seaman appeared as if he did not know
what to make of so unexpected a piece of intelligence. His honest,
weather-beaten countenance assumed a variety of different expressions,
and his confusion for some time prevented his utterance. However, at
last, making an effort, he stammered, and as well as the state of his
feelings would allow,--
"Thank 'ee, sir. But though I desarves nuffin o' the sort, and ar'n't
hardly got gumption enough for the sitivation, I'll do all as I can as
long as there's a timber afloat in this here craft, or as long as ever I
can be of any sarvice to the owners."
Two men then went in a boat in advance of the ship, taking soundings as
they rowed along, the result of which they continued to cry out to
Hearty, who with firm hand and steady eye stood at the helm, skilfully
piloting the ship through the midst of the rocks. Notwithstanding the
caution that was used, she was aground more than once; but immediately
she touched, she was backed off the rock by the skilful seamanship of
the anxious sailors; and in this way she floated slowly along, threading
the intricacies of this dangerous navigation, till she passed from
amidst the breakers into the open sea. It was an arduous task, and one
full of peril to the Albatross and her gallant crew; and it was not
without considerable anxiety that Oriel Porphyry and his companions
watched the vessel's progress from the deck. They spoke not to each
other, but looked to the huge masses of granite that rose around
them--and listened to the cry of the men in the boat with an interest
that had swallowed up every other consideration. But when the ship
was seen safely clearing her way through the deep waters, leaving the
foaming breakers far in her rear, each looked upon his neighbour as if
congratulating him on his escape; and Hearty, when he gave the helm
into the hands of Boggle, received the sincere thanks of all whom by
his skill he had saved from destruction.
"Zabra, you seem ill! What ails you?" exclaimed Oriel Porphyry, noticing
for the first time that the eyes of his young associate looked dim and
unsteady, and that he appeared as if unable, from weakness, to keep his
footing on the deck.
"Nothing, Oriel, nothing!" replied Zabra, faintly, as he caught hold of
the arm of his patron.
"Nay," cried the merchant's son, in tones of affectionate
solicitude--"you are wounded. I see the blood trickling through your
vest. How strange I should not have observed it before, and how wrong
of you not to have mentioned it. Doctor Tourniquet!" cried he to the
surgeon, who was discussing with the professor the philosophy of cause
and effect, "here is one who requires your immediate attention. I hope
there is nothing of much consequence, but whatever it may be, let it
receive all your skill."
Doctor Tourniquet hurried to his patient; but not without evincing much
concern in his good-natured countenance, when he noticed by whom he was
wanted.
"Not now, doctor, not now!" cried Zabra, hastily, and in evident
confusion, as Tourniquet was proceeding to examine the state of the
wound.
"But, my dear young friend," observed the surgeon, kindly, "unless you
let me take off part of your dress it is impossible that I can discover
the injury you have received, don't you see."
"Here! I will remove his tunic," said Oriel, eagerly coming forward to
assist the doctor.
"Oh no, no, no!" hastily exclaimed Zabra, retreating in alarm from the
proffered assistance. "I shall be better presently--that is--I am not
much hurt. It is nothing. It will get well without assistance."
"You must have your wound dressed, Zabra!" said Oriel Porphyry,
surprised that his young friend should exhibit such a disinclination to
intrust himself to the surgeon's treatment. "I dare say it will give you
but little pain, and will soon be over."
"I can say nothing on the subject till I have seen the wound, don't
you see," remarked the surgeon, in a slight degree offended at the
extraordinary want of confidence in his surgical skill evinced by his
patient.
"I am very faint," cried Zabra, looking bewildered around him, as he
leaned for support upon Master Porphyry--"very faint. I think I had
better descend to my berth, where the doctor can attend me."
"Very well," replied Oriel: "only you must let me assist you."
"Oh no, no!" exclaimed his young associate, eagerly. "Not now, Oriel.
The doctor's arm will be all the assistance I shall require. You can
come to me afterwards."
"You are a strange creature," observed the merchant's son. "But let it
be as you wish."
Doctor Tourniquet assisted his patient into a small cabin, into which
he had scarcely entered, before Zabra would have sunk on the floor in
a swoon, had not the surgeon observed his faintness, and prevented him
from falling. He then laid him gently on his back. The doctor never
before had had such an opportunity for noticing the rich and peculiar
beauty of the countenance before him. He gazed for several minutes
in undisguised admiration on the faultless features of his youthful
patient, with the full conviction that he had rarely, if ever, met with
any human face so attractive in its expression. The long black curls
which Zabra had allowed to grow till they nearly reached his shoulder
hung in shining clusters around his face and forehead; and the faint
bronze in his complexion appeared to heighten the grace in which the
features were modelled. Desirous of saving so much attraction to the
world, if it were endangered, he sought to examine the injury the youth
had received. It was a gun-shot wound in the shoulder. Doctor Tourniquet
was carefully unfastening and removing the upper part of his patient's
dress, for the purpose of getting at the wound, when he suddenly
started back, looking as if in the highest degree bewildered and
amazed--his ruddy countenance acquired an additional glow--and surprise
seemed to have had the power of taking away his breath; and after some
minutes' silent wondering, with eyes staring, and mouth opening wide, he
recovered sufficiently to be able to ejaculate a long drawn "whew!"