CHAPTER TEN.
GALE CONTINUES.--MY LADY PASSENGERS.--MY LOYALTY PUT TO THE TEST.--REACHRHODE ISLAND.--ORDERED TO ESCORT LADIES TO THEIR DESTINATION.--CHASED BYA STRANGER.--FEARFUL DANGERS.--RUN THROUGH A NARROW PASSAGE.--ANCHOR.
The little schooner kept plunging away through the heavy seas caused bythe gale, with her prize dragging astern. Grampus had got some sail onher to help her along, but still she not only made us labour much, butexposed us to considerable risk. This, under ordinary circumstances, Ishould not have minded, and of course, except in the case of the lastnecessity, I would not have thought of casting her adrift to look afterherself. Night came on, and still there was no chance of the gale goingdown. I was much relieved by O'Driscoll ranging up alongside andhailing me, promising to stay by the prize should I be compelled to casther off. Still, as I had taken her, I naturally wanted to have thesatisfaction of bringing her in. As the darkness increased, the galeblew heavier and the sea ran higher. Still, fortunately, we were ableto keep our course. Hour after hour passed away, the little vesselplunging bows under, and dragging away lustily at her heavy prize. Ifelt that she was straining very much, and on sending below I found thatshe was making more water than she ought to have done. Still I held onwith the Crab, hoping that the gale would break. At last it seemed tohave moderated a little, so I left the deck in charge of Rockets, anddescended into the cabin to offer what comfort I could to its fairoccupants. I asked leave to enter. Mrs Tarleton's voice assured methat I was welcome. I found both ladies sitting on a sofa which I hadlashed close to the table. A swing lamp hung from above. They hadbooks before them, and were attempting to read. I doubt if they hadmade much progress. I told them that I thought the gale was breaking,and that we might have fair weather again before the morning.
"I trust so, indeed," said Miss Carlyon. "It appeared to me that wehave been in very great danger; even now the vessel seems dreadfullyagitated, though my aunt assures me that such storms are constantly metwith at sea."
"She is right, I assure you," said I. "There is no danger that mayalarm you."
Just as I spoke there was a loud report. Both ladies shrieked.
"Oh, what is that?" exclaimed the younger. "What can have happened, MrPoynder?"
"Parted the hawser, which was towing the prize," I answered hurriedly."Let me entreat you: do not be alarmed, whatever happens. We shall haveprobably to lie by her all night. With daylight we may make her fastagain."
Saying this I rushed on deck. I could just see the Crab astern of us.The mainsail being handed, we hove the vessel to, under herfore-staysail. She felt far more easy than she had done, going free,and with the prize in tow. Still I never spent a more anxious night. Idid not either forget friend Cobb's kind intentions by me, and I hintedto him that I remembered them. At length daylight came, and a darkcloudy sky hung over a dull leaden sea. I looked anxiously around forthe prize. She had drifted away some three miles to leeward of us. Iwould rather not have been nearer the coast than we were. Still I boredown to her. O'Driscoll was nowhere to be seen. A cheery reply fromold Grampus assured me that all was right. He, moreover, volunteered tosend a hawser aboard of us. I accordingly hove-to again on hisweather-bow. A boat was lowered from the Crab, manned by the prisoners,and in a short time, though not without risk to the boat's crew, we hadthe prize once more in tow.
"I'll not forget you for this, my lads," I sang out.
Captain Cobb looked daggers at his people, but I took care that heshould hold no communication with them.
My fair passengers, I found, had not suffered during the night. As theschooner, when hove-to, rode easily, they fancied that the weather hadimproved, and were perfectly satisfied. When we once more made sail,although there really was less wind and sea, they fancied that theweather had become worse, and I had some difficulty in assuring them tothe contrary. The subject which caused me the most anxiety was thequantity of water the vessel was making. It became, therefore,necessary to man the pumps, and I was not sorry to have a good excusefor setting Captain Cobb and his people to labour at them. The master,especially, did not like it, and showed signs of disobedience.
"Come, come, my friend," said I; "I have been somewhat lenient with you.I might have kept you in irons, had I not run you up to the yard-arm,in return for the trick you wished to play with me."
"Well, now, mister, how did you find all that out?" quoth my friend,looking me coolly in the face.
"Never mind," I answered, tickled by his impudence. "Man the pumps."And I made him work away, as he deserved, as long as he could stand. Ikept a look-out for the Lady Parker, and felt not a little anxious as towhat had become of her. I should have liked to have passed much more ofmy time than I did in the cabin, but I was afraid of intruding on mypassengers. I believe they fully appreciated my delicacy. Severaltimes during the day Miss Carlyon ventured on deck, and seemed to enjoygazing on the stormy, foam-crested seas. I stood by her side andsupported her as the little vessel plunged into the troughs, and roseagain buoyantly to their summits.
"This is very fine," she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I do think thelife of a sailor must be very delightful, Mr Hurry. Had I my choice, Iwould select it above all others."
"You may be a sailor's wife, though you cannot be a sailor," came to thetip of my tongue, but I did not utter the words; instead of them I said,looking at her beautiful countenance, and admiring its animation, "Ilove it dearly, and would not change it for any other, Miss Carlyon,though it has its shadows as well as its sunshine."
"Ah, yes, but I always look at the _sunny_ side of every picture," sheremarked, smiling sweetly.
"You cannot help that. The light you see shed over everything is butthe reflection from yourself!" I blushed as I felt an expression sodifferent from my usual matter-of-fact style drawn from my lips.
Miss Carlyon looked up with a bright glance, (not smiling exactly), asmuch as to say, "What is that about?" She was not, I thought,displeased, but I did not venture anything of the sort again. I foundmyself led by degrees to tell her all about myself, and my early life,and my adventures, and then I described the sea under its variousaspects, and I went on to talk about ships of different classes, and howto rig them, and the names of the ropes and sails and spars. She toldme, in return, a good deal about herself and her family, and her likesand dislikes and occupations. Her father had property, I found, betweenthe Chesapeake and Potomac rivers in Virginia, where she had generallyresided. Since his death she had remained chiefly with her aunt, MrsTarleton, though she hoped to return in a short time, if the state ofthe country would allow it, to Virginia.
"If you knew what a beautiful country it is, you would love it as I do,Mr Hurry!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. "When this dreadful war isover, and the people have attained their rights, and returned to theirallegiance, you must come and see us. I am sure that my family will oneand all, whatever their politics, rejoice in the opportunity of thankingyou for your kindness and courtesy to my aunt and me on the presentoccasion."
I of course said how delighted I should be, and fifty other very prettythings besides. All I can say is that I had never spent so enjoyable atime before at sea. Her aunt very seldom came on deck, so that Madelineand I were left very much to ourselves. I believe that Mrs Tarletonpurposely did not interfere, hoping by means of her niece to gain meover to the cause to which she was so enthusiastically attached. Fromwhat I knew of her, I am certain that if such was the case, she fullybelieved that she was employing a lawful means for a good end. The moreI saw, however, of Mrs Tarleton, the more I learned to admire herhigh-minded, noble, self-sacrificing disposition. The love of freedomwas with her a passion, and she held in utter scorn all who submittedto, what she considered, tyranny. She was indeed a person of the oldheroic stamp, ready to dare and to do all things in a righteous cause.The gale moderated sooner than I had expected, the sea went down, and wehad moderate and pleasant weather. It was therefore with anything butsatisfaction that I made
out Sir Peter Parker's flag flying aboard theChatham, off Rhode Island, which our squadron had been busily employedin blockading. I brought up with my prize close to him, and assuring mypassengers that I would endeavour to carry out the plans they hadsuggested would be most for their convenience, I pulled on board toreport myself. The admiral smiled when I told him all that hadoccurred.
"So these very charming ladies would like to continue their voyage, andyou pledged your word that I would not detain them?" said he in a kindway. "Well, you were safe there; we do not war against women, and wemust not be behindhand in courtesy after the treatment which some of ourEnglish ladies have received at the hands of the rebels. They areanxious to proceed to the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. You shall gothere in the `Pigot,' and you will have no objection to keep them asyour passengers. Probably the city itself is by this time occupied bythe British forces; but I will give you a letter to General Howe, andwill beg him to afford them a pass through the country occupied by ourtroops, and to allow you to escort them till they are placed in safetyamong their own people. No; do not thank me. I am glad to afford youwhat I have no doubt you will find an interesting occupation, but I alsohave great satisfaction in finding an opportunity of treating the ladiesof the opposite party in the way I feel they should be treated."
Never had I heard more satisfactory words. I could scarcely refrainfrom rubbing my hands with delight.
"Then am I to sail at once, sir?" I asked.
"Certainly, let there be no delay. You can supply yourself withprovisions and water from the ship, and send the master and crew of theprize aboard here. I'll have them put on shore. From what you say youwill be glad to be rid of them."
Promising Sir Peter to carry out his instructions to the best of mypower, after seeing the purser about the provisions, and getting as manyextra luxuries as I could out of him, I jumped into my boat and returnedon board the tender. On my way I caught sight of two vessels standingin towards the roads. I made out one of them to be the Lady Parker, andthe other looked very like a prize she had made. So it proved. BeforeI sailed, O'Driscoll came on board me, and explained how he had missedme. He was as much pleased to see me safe as I was that no harm hadbefallen him. In the squall during which the Crab had broken adrift hehad been hove on his beam-ends, and on getting to rights he couldnowhere see me. After some time he caught sight of a craft, which hetook for me, and made sail after her. When morning broke she proved tobe a stranger and on over-hauling her he found that she was a rebelmerchantman, so he took her and brought her into Newport. He declaredthat he was very jealous when he heard of what he called my goodfortune.
"Will you change places now?" said he coolly. "You shall have the `LadyParker' and all the prizes you are certain to take in her, and let merun down in charge of the `Pigot' and the ladies."
"You are joking now," said I. "But stay a moment and you shall pay yourrespects to my passengers. They made many inquiries about you when theyfound that your craft was missing."
The ladies were most grateful to Sir Peter when they heard of hiscourtesy, and begged O'Driscoll to bear their thanks to him. My friendremained till the stores came on board, and when he took his departurehe vowed that he had irretrievably lost his heart to the beautifulwidow. I at the same time made sail and stood to the southward. Forthe first day we had a fair breeze and fine weather, and I was in hopes,for the sake of my passengers, that we should make a good run of it tothe Delaware. I need not describe the various incidents which occurred,interesting as they were to me, and important in their results. Ientirely won my way to the good opinion of Mrs Tarleton, and I couldnot help being conscious that her niece no longer regarded me as acommon stranger. Still, how could I venture ever to indulge any hopesof making her mine? I depended entirely on my profession for mysupport, and that profession compelled me to appear as an enemy of herrelations and friends. Before I was aware of the tendency of herreasonings, I found that she had taught me to look on the fratricidalwar we were waging in a very different light to that in which I had atfirst regarded it. She, however, I must insist, in no way weakened mypatriotism. I loved old England as much as ever, but she taught me tofeel the warmest sympathy for her countrymen and mine truly, who werefighting in the noble cause of liberty. I describe my feelings as theythen existed. I leave to others to judge whether they were right orwrong. A fierce war began to rage within me between principle andfeeling, interest and duty, and all the tender sentiments of my nature.A less high-minded person would have thrown all her weight into thescale, and might have made me false to the sovereign in whose service Iwas engaged; but then I flattered myself that a girl of her exaltedprinciples would not have so speedily won my affections. [See Note 1.]Now the murder is out; in plain English, I was head over ears in love,and it was a toss up whether I should, for the sake of Madeline Carlyon,desert my colours, go over and join the Americans, and get a captain'scommission, or remain true to my king and run the chance of losing her.It puts me into a fever even now, to think of all the feelings whichcame bubbling up in my bosom, and all the ideas which came rushing intomy brain, and the pulling and hauling and tugging at my heart. Neverhad I been so racked and tormented, tossed to and fro, kicked here andthere, up and down. At length my good angel came to my assistance. "Doyour duty like a man," he whispered. "Don't think of consequences, whatyou would like or what you wouldn't like. Find out what is right, anddo that."
I had turned in, and, with a mind much calmed, fell asleep.
"There is a strange sail on our weather-quarter, sir," said Tom Rockets,rousing me up. "Grampus don't like her looks."
Nor did I, when a moment afterwards I stood on deck and made her outthrough the pale light of a grey cold November morning. "Make allsail!" I sung out. "If she is an enemy, the sooner we are out of theway the better." It was blowing fresh, but I cracked on the littleschooner as much as she could carry, and away we went staggering underit with the wind on our larboard quarter. The stranger, apparently, hadnot made us out, and I was in hopes that we might escape observation.The increased motion, I suppose, awoke the ladies, and to my surprisebefore long they came on deck.
"What is the matter, Mr Hurry?" asked Mrs Tarleton. "It appeared inthe cabin as if there was a fearful gale blowing."
"You see that the weather is not so very bad," I answered evasively,"and I am naturally anxious on your account to reach port."
I never could act the hypocrite, and the lady was not satisfied. As herquick-sighted eye ranged round the horizon she caught sight of thestranger.
"What is that vessel out there?" she asked.
"That I cannot exactly say, madam," I answered. "She may be a friend orshe may be a foe. Under present circumstances I think it best to avoidher."
"If she is an American vessel her captain would never think of detainingyou; and if she is English, you at all events need not fear her," shereplied quickly.
"I would rather not run the risk of detention," said I. "It ispossible, should she be an American vessel, that her people may notbelieve our story."
"Well, sir, I have no doubt that you act for the best," answered thelady, evidently not satisfied as she saw the vessel tearing furiouslythrough the water.
Her niece had said nothing, but seemed rather to enjoy the rapid motionand the fresh air.
While they were still on deck, the stranger caught sight of us and boreup in chase. Mrs Tarleton soon discovered what had occurred, and wasconstantly watching the stranger.
I kept away a little, and, trusting to the Pigot's superior sailingqualities, I had little fear of continuing ahead of her during the day,and of escaping her observation in the night. The state of the weather,however, gave me most concern. I saw Grampus looking up anxiously atour spars, and ever and anon at the heavy seas which came up hissing andfoaming astern. One of our best hands was at the helm, but he came aftand stood by him. I caught his eye as he was glancing over hisshoulder.
"Beg pardon, sir; the more haste the w
orst speed, Mr Hurry, you know,"said he in a low voice, thinking the ladies would not hear him.
Thick heavy clouds were rushing up, one past the other, rapidly asternof us. I saw that the time had indeed come to shorten sail if I wouldnot run the risk of losing my masts, or, perhaps, of broaching-to andcapsizing. I entreated my passengers in a few hurried words to go belowto be out of the way of danger. Mrs Tarleton seemed inclined to stay.I was obliged to be somewhat peremptory, and I did not lose her goodopinion by being so.
"Indeed, madam, there is considerable danger for you on deck. I cannotallow you to run it. You must go."
She gave me a look of surprise, and, without another word, allowed me toconduct her and her niece to the companion.
In the meantime the crew had come aft to take in the mainsail andgaff-topsail. I next had the fore-topgallant-sail and foresail off her.This was done only just in time, before the squall came down on us andI had to lower away and close-reef the foresail. The wind had at thesame time caught the ship. I took her to be a flush-decked vessel, acorvette probably. She had been looking at us and not thinking ofherself probably, for I soon discovered that several of her sails hadbeen blown away, and I suspected that she had received further damage.We at all events benefited by her misfortune, and kept well ahead ofher. Still she continued the chase. I felt the truth of the sayingthat it is much pleasanter chasing than being chased. All day long weran on, plunging into the seas, and wet from the foam which blew offthem over our counter. More than once I thought we should have beenpooped. The vessel also began again to leak. Night came on; the leakincreased. We lost sight of our pursuer, but our condition became verytrying. I endeavoured to make the best of matters, but my anxietyincreased. We were off the northern coast of New Jersey. The wind wasveering round more to the eastward, and we were getting a rock-boundshore under our lee. There were harbours I might run into, but thethick weather had prevented me from taking any observations, and thoughby my log I could tell pretty well how far we had run, yet I could notbe certain, and, unless from dire necessity, I was unwilling to attemptto make any port short of the Delaware. At times the wind hauled alittle more round to the northward, and as it did so my hopesproportionally rose of being able to keep off shore.
Only for a moment did I at times leave the deck to speak a word ofcomfort to my passengers. Mrs Tarleton was, I saw, fully aware of ourdanger. I think her niece suspected it, but if she did she completelyconcealed all signs of fear. On one occasion, when I entered the cabin,they rose from their knees. Together they had been offering up prayersto Him who alone can quell the tempest, for our safety. Their lastwords reached my ears. I stood at the door and humbly joined in theirpetition. I quickly had to return on deck. I had been obliged, whenthe wind shifted, to get some after-sail on the vessel. She heeled overfearfully, yet I knew must be making great lee-way. I could not ventureto take any canvas off her.
"What do you think of it, Grampus?" said I, after some time.
"Why, sir, I don't like it," was his unsatisfactory reply.
I did not again ask him his opinion. The sea kept flying over us, thenight grew darker and darker, and the gale blew stronger and stronger.The leak was increasing. Two hands were kept constantly at the pumps.I wished for Mr Saul Cobb and his companions. Nothing could be wellworse. Still I never for a moment lost courage. I felt sure that theprayers of those below would not be uttered in vain. The hours woreaway. I kept a bright look-out on the starboard bow to discoverbreakers, should they be near, while my ears were constantly awake todetect their terror-inspiring sound. How I longed for daylight! Idared not lay-to: I dared not shorten sail. I could only stand on withany prospect of safety. The gale increased: the sea was constantlymaking a clean breach over the deck. All hands had to hold on fast, orwe should have been washed overboard. At the same time the water wasgaining terribly on us. A new danger threatened the schooner; she mightfounder before we could gain a harbour, even if she escaped shipwreck.A considerable part of the New Jersey shore consists of long, low, sandybeaches, which in thick weather can scarcely be seen till a vessel isnearly on them. I judged by my calculations that we were by this timeclose in with Squan Beach, or Island Beach or Long Beach. My chart toldme that there was a passage between the two latter, and several inletsto the south of the last, up which I could run and be safe; but to findthem in the dark was impossible.
"Grampus! listen! what is that sound?" said I.
"Breakers, sir!" he answered in a slow way; "there's no doubt about it.But we shall have daylight soon. Ah, look-out, there sir, there it is!"
I looked seaward, and a pale streak was just appearing in the easternsky. It grew wider and wider, and at length darkness gave way to therays of the yet hidden sun. The prospect revealed to us was notcheering. The sea broke as heavily as ever, and not a mile to leewardof us a terrific surf rolled over a long white sandy beach. As Iwatched the foaming broken mass of waters as they rolled furiously up toit, I felt convinced that, should the schooner once get within theirpower, not a human being on board would escape. Not a break was to beseen. The wind was dead on-shore, blowing with a determined heavypressure; and the little vessel, though she made fair headway, wassurely drifting nearer and nearer to destruction. Oh, what agony ofmind I suffered! I cared not for myself, but I thought of that fairgirl and her lovely relative doomed to so hard a fate. I called Grampusto me and asked him if he could advise anything. He shook his head--
"You've done all that a man can do, Mr Hurry," was his answer.
"Then I must prepare those two poor ladies for their inevitable fate," Ithought to myself.
Before going into their cabin, I took another look at the chart which Ikept outside it. At the south end of Long Beach was a passage, I found,leading into Little Egg Harbour.
Grampus hailed me. My heart bounded into my mouth again.
"There is an opening, sir. I make it out clearly. Keep her close andby, my lad!" he sang out to the man at the helm. "If we just clear thepoint we shall do it."
I held my breath. The schooner dashed on, half buried by the seas. Shewas almost among the breakers--then broad on our bow appeared anopening--heavy rollers went foaming over it.
"Up with the helm! In with the main-staysail! Square away thefore-yard! Hold on for your lives!"
I rapidly uttered these orders, one after the other. Away before thegale we flew, the sea breaking high on either hand of us. One rollerafter the other came hurrying on, but we rose to their summits, and thenwith one more frantic plunge we sank down into smooth water, and inanother moment, rounding the vessel to, I let go the anchor and we rodesafely under the lee of the sand-bank.
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Note 1. I had at first thought, from what Miss Carlyon said, that shewas herself warmly attached to Royalist principles; and so in truth shewas, but love of country and love of freedom, with a clear sense ofjustice, had overpowered them, and although she did not possess theenthusiasm of her aunt, she was still a strong advocate of the popularcause. Had she indeed the bias I originally supposed, her aunt wouldhave thrown all her influence to prevent me from making any furtheradvance than I had already done, and I am certain that the young ladywould not have acted in opposition to the wishes and advice of herfamily. Very unromantic principles these, but the young lady inquestion was totally unlike any heroine of any novel I ever read.