Les forceurs de blocus. English

  Chapter VIII

  THE ESCAPE

  Miss Jenny, sitting at the poop of the _Dolphin_, was anxiously waitingthe Captain's return; when the latter went up to her she could notutter a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly thanher lips could have done. The latter, with Crockston's help, informedthe young girl of the facts relating to her father's imprisonment. Hesaid that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of warto Beauregard, but, as the General did not seem disposed at all intheir favour, he had thought it better to say no more about it, butthink the matter over again.

  "Since Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be moredifficult; but I will finish my task, and I promise you, Miss Jenny,that the _Dolphin_ shall not leave Charleston without having yourfather on board."

  "Thank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart."

  At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his wholebeing.

  He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips;perhaps he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could nolonger repress, when Crockston interfered:

  "This is no time for grieving," said he; "we must go to work, andconsider what to do."

  "Have you any plan, Crockston?" asked the young girl.

  "I always have a plan," replied the American: "it is my peculiarity."

  "But a good one?" said James Playfair.

  "Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise abetter; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board."

  Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with suchsimplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person whocould doubt his words.

  "We are listening, Crockston," said James Playfair.

  "Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour ofhim which he will not refuse you."

  "And what is that?"

  "You will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scampwho has been very troublesome during the voyage, and excited the crewto revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in thecitadel; at the same time, on the condition that he shall return to theship on her departure, in order to be taken back to England, to bedelivered over to the justice of his country."

  "Good!" said James Playfair, half smiling, "I will do all that, andBeauregard will grant my request very willingly."

  "I am perfectly sure of it," replied the American.

  "But," resumed Playfair, "one thing is wanting."

  "What is that?"

  "The scamp."

  "He is before you, Captain."

  "What, the rebellious subject?"

  "Is myself; don't trouble yourself about that."

  "Oh! you brave, generous heart," cried Jenny, pressing the American'srough hands between her small white palms.

  "Go, Crockston," said James Playfair; "I understand you, my friend; andI only regret one thing--that is, that I cannot take your place."

  "Everyone his part," replied Crockston; "if you put yourself in myplace you would be very much embarrassed, which I shall not be; youwill have enough to do later on to get out of the harbour under thefire of the Feds and Rebs, which, for my part, I should manage verybadly."

  "Well, Crockston, go on."

  "Once in the citadel--I know it--I shall see what to do, and restassured I shall do my best; in the meanwhile, you will be getting yourcargo on board."

  "Oh, business is now a very unimportant detail," said the Captain.

  "Not at all! And what would your Uncle Vincent say to that? We mustjoin sentiment with work; it will prevent suspicion; but do it quickly.Can you be ready in six days?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, let the _Dolphin_ be ready to start on the 22nd."

  "She shall be ready."

  "On the evening of the 22nd of January, you understand, send a gig withyour best men to White Point, at the end of the town; wait there tillnine o'clock, and then you will see Mr. Halliburtt and your servant."

  "But how will you manage to effect Mr. Halliburtt's deliverance, andalso escape yourself?"

  "That's my look-out."

  "Dear Crockston, you are going to risk your life then, to save myfather!"

  "Don't be uneasy, Miss Jenny, I shall risk absolutely nothing, you maybelieve me."

  "Well," asked James Playfair, "when must I have you locked up?"

  "To-day--you understand--I demoralise your crew; there is no time to belost."

  "Would you like any money? It may be of use to you in the citadel."

  "Money to buy the gaoler! Oh, no, it would be a poor bargain; when onegoes there the gaoler keeps the money and the prisoner! No, I havesurer means than that; however, a few dollars may be useful; one mustbe able to drink, if needs be."

  "And intoxicate the gaoler."

  "No, an intoxicated gaoler would spoil everything. No, I tell you Ihave an idea; let me work it out."

  "Here, my good fellow, are ten dollars."

  "It is too much, but I will return what is over."

  "Well, then, are you ready?"

  "Quite ready to be a downright rogue."

  "Let us go to work, then."

  "Crockston," said the young girl, in a faltering voice, "you are thebest man on earth."

  "I know it," replied the American, laughing good-humouredly. "By theby, Captain, an important item."

  "What is that?"

  "If the General proposes to hang your rebel--you know that military menlike sharp work--"

  "Well, Crockston?"

  "Well, you will say that you must think about it."

  "I promise you I will."

  The same day, to the great astonishment of the crew, who were not inthe secret, Crockston, with his feet and hands in irons, was taken onshore by a dozen sailors, and half an hour after, by Captain JamesPlayfair's request, he was led through the streets of the town, and, inspite of his resistance, was imprisoned in the citadel.

  During this and the following days the unloading of the _Dolphin_ wasrapidly accomplished; the steam cranes lifted out the European cargo tomake room for the native goods. The people of Charleston, who werepresent at this interesting work, helped the sailors, whom they held ingreat respect, but the Captain did not leave the brave fellows muchtime for receiving compliments; he was constantly behind them, andurged them on with a feverish activity, the reason of which the sailorscould not suspect.

  Three days later, on the 18th of January, the first bales of cottonbegan to be packed in the hold: although James Playfair troubledhimself no more about it, the firm of Playfair and Co. were making anexcellent bargain, having obtained the cotton which encumbered theCharleston wharves at very far less than its value.

  In the meantime no news had been heard of Crockston. Jenny, withoutsaying anything about it, was a prey to incessant fears; her pale facespoke for her, and James Playfair endeavoured his utmost to ease hermind.

  "I have all confidence in Crockston," said he; "he is a devotedservant, as you must know better than I do, Miss Jenny. You must makeyourself quite at ease; believe me, in three days you will be folded inyour father's arms."

  "Ah! Mr. James," cried the young girl, "how can I ever repay you forsuch devotion? How shall we ever be able to thank you?"

  "I will tell you when we are in English seas," replied the youngCaptain.

  Jenny raised her tearful face to him for a moment, then her eyelidsdrooped, and she went back to her cabin.

  James Playfair hoped that the young girl would know nothing of herfather's terrible situation until he was in safety, but she wasapprised of the truth by the involuntary indiscretion of a sailor.

  The reply from the Richmond cabinet had arrived by a courier who hadbeen able to pass the line of outposts; the reply contained JonathanHalliburtt's death-warrant. The news of the approaching execution wasnot long in spreading through the town, and it was brought on board byone of the sailors of the _Dolphin_; the man told the Captain, withoutthinking that Miss Halli
burtt was within hearing; the young girluttered a piercing cry, and fell unconscious on the deck. JamesPlayfair carried her to her cabin, but the most assiduous care wasnecessary to restore her to life.

  When she opened her eyes again, she saw the young Captain, who, with afinger on his lips, enjoined absolute silence. With difficulty sherepressed the outburst of her grief, and James Playfair, leaningtowards her, said gently:

  "Jenny, in two hours your father will be in safety near you, or I shallhave perished in endeavouring to save him!"

  Then he left the cabin, saying to himself, "And now he must be carriedoff at any price, since I must pay for his liberty with my own life andthose of my crew."

  The hour for action had arrived, the loading of the cotton cargo hadbeen finished since morning; in two hours the ship would be ready tostart.

  James Playfair had left the North Commercial Wharf and gone into theroadstead, so that he was ready to make use of the tide, which would behigh at nine o'clock in the evening.

  It was seven o'clock when James left the young girl, and began to makepreparations for departure. Until the present time the secret had beenstrictly kept between himself, Crockston, and Jenny; but now he thoughtit wise to inform Mr. Mathew of the situation of affairs, and he did soimmediately.

  "Very well, sir," replied Mr. Mathew, without making the least remark,"and nine o'clock is the time?"

  "Nine o'clock, and have the fires lit immediately, and the steam gotup."

  "It shall be done, Captain."

  "The _Dolphin_ may remain at anchor; we will cut our moorings and sheeroff, without losing a moment."

  "Just so."

  "Have a lantern placed at the mainmast-head; the night is dark, andwill be foggy; we must not risk losing our way in returning. You hadbetter have the bell for starting rung at nine o'clock."

  "Your orders shall be punctually attended to, Captain."

  "And now, Mr. Mathew, have a shore-boat manned with six of our bestmen. I am going to set out directly for White Point. I leave Miss Jennyin your charge, and may God protect us!"

  "May God protect us!" repeated the first officer.

  Then he immediately gave the necessary orders for the fires to belighted, and the shore-boat provided with men. In a few minutes theboat was ready, and James Playfair, after bidding Jenny good-bye,stepped into it, whilst at the same time he saw volumes of black smokeissuing from the chimneys of the ship, and losing itself in the fog.

  The darkness was profound; the wind had fallen, and in the perfectsilence the waters seemed to slumber in the immense harbour, whilst afew uncertain lights glimmered through the mist. James Playfair hadtaken his place at the rudder, and with a steady hand he guided hisboat towards White Point. It was a distance of about two miles; duringthe day James had taken his bearings perfectly, so that he was able tomake direct for Charleston Point.

  Eight o'clock struck from the church of St. Philip when the shore-boatran aground at White Point.

  There was an hour to wait before the exact time fixed by Crockston; thequay was deserted, with the exception of the sentinel pacing to and froon the south and east batteries. James Playfair grew impatient, and theminutes seemed hours to him.

  At half-past eight he heard the sound of approaching steps; he left hismen with their oars clear and ready to start, and went himself to seewho it was; but he had not gone ten feet when he met a band ofcoastguards, in all about twenty men. James drew his revolver from hiswaist, deciding to make use of it, if needs be; but what could he doagainst these soldiers, who were coming on to the quay?

  The leader came up to him, and, seeing the boat, asked:

  "Whose craft is that?"

  "It is a gig belonging to the _Dolphin_," replied the young man.

  "And who are you?"

  "Captain James Playfair."

  "I thought you had already started, and were now in the Charlestonchannels."

  "I am ready to start. I ought even now to be on my way but--"

  "But--" persisted the coastguard.

  A bright idea shot through James's mind, and he answered:

  "One of my sailors is locked up in the citadel, and, to tell the truth,I had almost forgotten him; fortunately I thought of him in time, and Ihave sent my men to bring him."

  "Ah! that troublesome fellow; you wish to take him back to England?"

  "Yes.

  "He might as well be hung here as there," said the coast-guard,laughing at his joke.

  "So I think," said James Playfair, "but it is better to have the thingdone in the regular way."

  "Not much chance of that, Captain, when you have to face the MorrisIsland batteries."

  "Don't alarm yourself. I got in and I'll get out again."

  "Prosperous voyage to you!"

  "Thank you."

  With this the men went off, and the shore was left silent.

  At this moment nine o'clock struck; it was the appointed moment. Jamesfelt his heart beat violently; a whistle was heard; he replied to it,then he waited, listening, with his hand up to enjoin perfect silenceon the sailors. A man appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and lookingfrom one side to another. James ran up to him.

  "Mr. Halliburtt?"

  "I am he," replied the man with the cloak.

  "God be praised!" cried James Playfair. "Embark without losing aminute. Where is Crockston?"

  "Crockston!" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt, amazed. "What do you mean?"

  "The man who has saved you and brought you here was your servantCrockston."

  "The man who came with me was the gaoler from the citadel," replied Mr.Halliburtt.

  "The gaoler!" cried James Playfair.

  Evidently he knew nothing about it, and a thousand fears crowded in hismind.

  "Quite right, the gaoler," cried a well-known voice. "The gaoler issleeping like a top in my cell."

  "Crockston! you! Can it be you?" exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt.

  "No time to talk now, master; we will explain everything to youafterwards. It is a question of life or death. Get in quick!"

  The three men took their places in the boat.

  "Push off!" cried the captain.

  Immediately the six oars dipped into the water; the boat darted like afish through the waters of Charleston Harbour.