Ben Burton: Born and Bred at Sea

  CHAPTER TWELVE.

  My mother's good looks, amiable disposition, and reputed fortune raisedup a host of admirers, greatly to her annoyance, for she had, or fullythought she had, made up her mind to live a widow; or at all events, asshe told my Aunt Ellen, if she married anyone it should be a sailor, inrespect to my father's memory. I liked Ellen more than any of my otherrelations. She was more like my mother than the rest of her sisters.She had much of my mother's beauty, though with more animal spirits, andwas altogether on a larger scale, as I think I have said. She wasengaged to marry a certain Mr Pat Kilcullin, who I heard was agentleman of property some distance further west; and that he had a realcastle and a good estate, somewhat encumbered to be sure, as became hisold family and position. How many hundreds or thousands a year it mightonce have produced I do not know; but as he and his father before him,and his grandfather, and other remote ancestors had generally taken careto spend double their income, it could not but be supposed that he andthey were occasionally in difficulties. As, however, his father hadlived, so my intended uncle purposed living also. I will not describethe wedding further than to say that my grandfather was nearly out andout ruined by it. He and his guests all got gloriously drunk. MrGillooly and Tim Laffan fell out about my mother, and came to blows inher presence. They were separated by two of the other guests--a certainDan Hogan, a good-looking exciseman, who was also a suitor for her hand,and Captain Michael Tracy, the master of a merchantman, who had latelycome home after a few successful trading voyages to the West Indies. Ashe, however, was the most sober of the party, he came worst off in thefray, and had not my mother come to his rescue with the aid of hersisters, he would, I have an idea, have been severely handled. Whetheror not he was touched by this exhibition of her courage I do not know;but he certainly from that day forward became her warm admirer, andcertainly if she showed a preference to anyone it was to him. I did notsuppose I had so many relations in the world as turned up at that feast,of high and low degree: the greater number, however, it must beconfessed, were of the latter rank. The bride looked beautiful, and thebridegroom in the height of his feelings invited all the guests to payhim a visit that day fortnight at Ballyswiggan Castle. The bridegroomwas taken at his word, and though I rather think my Aunt Ellen mighthave been somewhat annoyed, there was no means of escaping. My motherwas, however, unwilling to be present at so uproarious a scene as sheknew pretty well was likely to take place; but my grandfather and hersisters insisted upon her accompanying them, and of course I went withher. Some of the guests, however, were not likely to make theirappearance, and for the best of reasons Mr Laffan and Dan Hogan couldnot be present, as it was well-known that no lawyer nor exciseman hadever ventured to set foot in the district in which Ballyswiggan Castlewas situated. Most of the guests went on horseback, as the approach wasscarcely suited to wheeled carriages. My grandmother was too infirm tomove, but my grandfather mounted a rawboned back which had carried himin his younger days, and my aunts and mother rode on their rough ponies.Pat Brady, who, finding himself so happy on shore, had put off going tosea, and I rode together on a beast which we had borrowed for theoccasion.

  Ballyswiggan Castle was situated amidst fine wild scenery within soundof the roar of the mighty Atlantic. The building itself was in asomewhat dilapidated condition, but exhibited signs of having been oncea place of importance. Some out-houses had likewise been strewn withfresh straw to afford sleeping accommodation to a portion of the guestswho could not find room within, while sheds and barns had been clearedout for the reception of their steeds.

  "Ye are welcome to Ballyswiggan, by my faith ye are!" exclaimed UnclePat, as our party arrived, a sentiment which was uttered by Aunt Ellenwithout any pretension to mock modesty, while she laughed heartily atthe complimentary remarks which were passed on her good looks and highspirits.

  "Small blame to Rincurran Castle if I am not after getting somewhatstouter here than I did under my paternal roof," she answered, intendingto allude simply to the meagre fare of her ancestral mansion, thoughfrom the giggles of some of the ladies, I rather suspect they put adifferent interpretation upon the remark. To say the truth,Ballyswiggan Castle had been stored with all sorts of provisions, and noend of casks of whisky, so that there appeared little chance of theguests starving or having to suffer from dry throats. We, with othervisitors from a distance, arrived the day before the dinner and ballwere to take place. On that morning, Peter Crean, steward and factotumto my uncle, awoke him with the news that a ship of war was beating intothe Bay, "And sure," he observed, "it would be a fine opportunity, MrKilcullin, to show your loyalty and love to His Majesty's government, toinvite the officers. They will make a fine show in the ball-room too,with their gold lace coats, and white breeches, and may be may make someof the gentlemen jealous, and just bring matters to a close, which havebeen kept off and on for some months past. The mothers will be pleased,and the girls will be thanking you from the bottom of their hearts."

  This sage advice was instantly followed by my uncle, who, habitinghimself in his wedding suit, ordered his horse that he might ride downto the Bay, and be early on board to give the proposed invitation.There were no fears about it being accepted, and, as may be supposed, itformed the subject of conversation at the breakfast-table when it wasannounced where my uncle had gone. His return was accordingly lookedfor with no little anxiety, especially by the young ladies of the party,including my three spinster aunts. Mr Kilcullin was not very longabsent.

  "They will all come!" he exclaimed, throwing up his hat, "and faith,they're a fine set of gentlemen. She is a frigate, they tell me, buther name has escaped me, and it is my belief they will toe and heel itwith the best of you, gentlemen, and may do something towards breakingthe hearts of some of you young ladies. However, we will do our best tomake them welcome, for the honour of ould Ireland."

  As the hour of dinner approached, the guests began to arrive inconsiderable numbers; and carts, and cars, and waggons came bumping andthumping over the uneven path, though the greater part made theirappearance on horseback. I was looking out of a window which commandedthe approach to the castle, when I saw coming along the road a largeparty of naval officers, whose well-known uniform I at once recognisedas they drew nearer, and I fancied I knew two of those who led the way.On they came; I could not be mistaken. There were Captain Oliver andLieutenant Schank, and several other officers and midshipmen whom Iremembered on board the "Grecian". I ran to my poor mother with delightto tell her this. She turned pale, recollecting the sorrow she had gonethrough when last she saw them.

  "I cannot face them," she said; "but you go, Ben; they will be glad tosee you; I should feel out of place in their company, and though myfamily may be as good as that of many among them, they knew me undersuch different circumstances, that I should not like to be sitting attable with them."

  On hearing my mother make these remarks, I too was seized with a bashfulfit, but she insisted on my going down to meet them; and at lengthmustering courage, I ran downstairs. Captain Oliver did not at firstknow me, but Mr Schank recognised me at once.

  "What, Ben, my boy, what brings you here?" he exclaimed.

  I soon explained that Mr Kilcullin had married my aunt, and that mymother and I were among the guests.

  "Ah! I always thought she was above her position on board," he observedto Captain Oliver, who, when he found out who I was, shook me warmly bythe hand.

  "Well, Ben, recollect I shall keep to my promise, and when your mothercan spare you, I will take you with me."

  "I hope we shall see her, Ben," observed Mr Schank, kindly; "I shouldlike to shake hands with her." I told him how she felt on the subject.

  "Oh!" he said, "that cannot signify. Tell her we shall not half enjoythe evening unless she comes down." The officers now arrived in theentrance hall, where my uncle and aunt were standing to welcome theirguests. Of course they received them with all due honour.

  "We're in a wild part of the country, Captain Oliver
and gentlemen, butwe will show you, at all events, that we have hospitable intentions,however roughly we may carry them out," said my uncle.

  The great dining-hall was very soon filled, and several adjoining rooms,the guests of inferior quality, of whom there were a good many, makingthemselves happy in separate parties wherever they could find room tosit down. Among those most active in attending to the wants of theguests, and directing the other serving-men, were Peter Crean and PatBrady, who was a host in himself, for though second cousin to the bride,he did not at all object to acting the part of a servant. As room wasscarce, I was among the picnickers outside. The feast was progressing,when I saw Pat Brady come up to Peter Crean, pulling, for him, awonderfully long face.

  "Faith Peter!" I heard him say, "I do not at all like his looks.There's a hang-dog expression about him, and to my mind he's a bailiffin disguise!"

  "A what?" exclaimed Peter. "Has one of them vipers ventured into theneighbourhood of Ballyswiggan? Faith, then, it would have been betterfor him had he never seen this part of the country, for it will never doto let him go boasting that he set his foot in it without beingdiscovered. Where is he?"

  "He is just now outside the gate," answered Pat; "but I told two orthree of the boys to keep him talking, and on no account to let him comebeyond it. I think they have just got an idea that he will not bealtogether a welcome guest."

  "I have no doubt who he is, then," observed Peter Crean. "I have beenexpecting him. And, sure, he must not see the master, or he would bespoiling the fun of to-day, and for many a long day afterwards. Here,Pat, you go and talk to him, and I will just make arrangements toreceive him."

  Peter Crean was a man of action. A small room was cleared of visitors,a table prepared with viands and various liquors. This done, Peterhurried out to receive the guest. His suspicions were thoroughlyconfirmed on his inspection of the man.

  "Your name, sir," he said, "that I may make you welcome to BallyswigganCastle. My master is just now particularly engaged with a few guests,but he will be happy to see you when the wine is on the table; and, inthe meantime, you will just come in and satisfy your appetite. You havehad a long ride since you took anything to eat, barring maybe thewhisky, which is not quite so rare on the road."

  "My name is Jonas Quelch, at your service," answered the stranger, "andI come from England, though I have been living for some time in Dublin.It's a fine city, that Dublin."

  "Faith it is, Mr Quelch," observed Crean; "and fine people in it, androgues in it, and the rogues sometimes come out of it, and when they dothey are pretty glad to get back again, for we don't like rogues inthese parts, Mr Quelch. But I will not keep you sitting on your horse;that will be taken to the stable, and you will just come in, as I said,and partake of the scanty fare this poor part of the country canafford."

  He spoke in a satirical tone. Mr Quelch, holding his riding-whip inhis hand, as if for defence, followed him into the house. Peter. Creanwas, however, all courtesy and attention. He entreated his visitor tomake himself at home, and helped him abundantly to the good things inthe dishes placed before him, nor did he omit to ply him with whisky.Glass upon glass he induced him to pour down his throat, till I began towonder how he could swallow so much without inconvenience. He wasevidently a hardened vessel. Crean, however, had not yet done with him.He now placed before him a flagon of claret.

  "Faith, this is the stuff for a gentleman," he observed. "You may justempty the bottle, and feel none the worse, but rather much the betterthan when you began."

  The stranger, nothing loath, followed the advice of the steward. Bydegrees, however, Mr Quelch's speech became thick, and his conversationmore and more incoherent. Crean watched him with a wicked look in hiseyes, continuing to press the liquor more and more warmly upon him.

  "Come, now, Mr Quelch, just let's begin another bottle. I have alwaysfound, where one bottle confuses a man's head, a second one puts him allto rights again. Now, I should not be surprised but that you arebeginning to feel a little fuddled."

  "You are right, friend," answered Mr Quelch, though the words werejerked out in a manner indicative of his state.

  "Just so; and, now, follow my advice. Take the other bottle to cureyou. We never like a stranger to come to this part of old Irelandwithout showing him due hospitality."

  Mr Quelch, unaccustomed to claret, drank it as he would beer, andbefore he had finished the second bottle, on the top of almost an equalquantity of whisky, his head began to nod, and finally it dropped downon the table, where he let it remain, completely overcome.