CHAPTER NINE.
THE PRISONERS HAVE TO WORK--THE CHASE--THE MERCHANT SHIP IS TAKEN--THEBOYS FIND THEIR FRIEND CAPTAIN RYMER AND MARY--THE HURRICANE.
Next morning, as soon as the boys appeared on deck, the captain againcalled them aft.
"Aloft with you, lads, and black down the main-rigging," he exclaimed asthey approached him, looking more humble even than they felt. Knowing,however, that there was no use in refusing to do what they were ordered,Harry and David took up the buckets to which the captain pointed, andascended as before.
"We must look out not to drop any tar on deck," said Harry, "he willmake it an excuse to give us a rope's-ending if we do; I'm sure he meansmischief."
The boys soon gained the masthead, and began their very disagreeabletask. The sun was extremely hot; the ship rolled slowly from side toside as she glided on before the wind. Poor David felt very sick andwretched; more than once he thought he must give in, but Harry cheeredhim by exclaiming--
"Let us show that we are Englishmen, and at all events that we are notto be daunted by any work these Frenchmen can give us."
Thus encouraged, David, who really had as much spirit as Harry,determined to persevere. The work, however, progressed more slowly thanon the previous day. Several times the captain came on deck and watchedthem; they continued their work as it they did not observe him. By thetime it was completed, as may be supposed, their clothing was entirelyspoiled. As they stepped on deck he grinned at them maliciously.
"Ah! now you look what you must in future expect to be," he remarked;"go forward and stow away those buckets, and then come aft to me."
"I wonder what he is going to make us do next?" said Harry, as theyhanded the buckets over to the boatswain. Poor David, overcome with theheat, scarcely answered. A cup of water which he had obtained from acask on deck somewhat revived him.
"Well, we must go aft, and face it out as best we can," he answered;"come along, I'm ready."
The captain ordered them into his cabin.
"Now, lads, I want that furniture cleaned; the brass has not beenburnished for some time." He put some leather into their hands. Thedifficulty of the work was not so great, but it was evidently given toinsult them on account of its menial character. Harry especially feltthis. Still they had no resource but to obey, and scrubbed away withmight and main. At last the captain came below.
"Now, you young English midshipman, I've some special work for you todo. See that locker; there are several pairs of boots and shoes--you'llfind a blacking-bottle and brushes. I want them cleaned." Harry'sproud spirit rose within him. Should he defy the tyrannical captain,and declare that he would die sooner than so employ himself? Thecaptain seemed to divine his thoughts.
"As you please, youngster," he observed; "no one disobeys me on boardthis vessel."
Harry remembered the shark, and the captain's threat on the previousday.
"Oh! I will help you," said David, looking at him.
"No, it is his work," said the captain.
Poor Harry saw there was no use in offering any resistance, and takingout the brushes began to clean the shoes. It was a work which amidshipman in those days often had to perform for himself; but then itwas very different doing it for another, and that other a Frenchman. Atlength, however, the boys were dismissed, having performed all the tasksgiven to them. They hurried forward and dived below. The first personthey met was Pierre, who looked with commiseration on their tarreddresses.
"I came on board with a nice clean suit, and had to spoil it just as youhave had to spoil yours," he observed; "and now he abuses me when I gointo his cabin, for not looking clean."
After this the boys were regularly sent aft to help wash down decks, andto keep the stanchions and other parts about the ship bright. This gavethem abundant occupation. However, when they could manage to get below,they were treated even more kindly than before by the crew.
They had been for some weeks cruising up and down without even sightinga sail, when one morning, on Harry and David coming on deck, they foundthe captain and officers in a considerable state of excitement. Thecaptain himself went aloft with his glass, and on his return ordered theship's course to be altered, and all sail to be set.
"We are in chase of some vessel or other," observed Harry; "depend uponit the Frenchmen expect to make a prize of her."
All hands were called on deck. Now one sail and now another wasadded,--some rigged out so as just to skim the surface of the water,while with buckets and scoops the sails were wetted as high as theycould be reached. Harry and David could see in the far distance a largeship, which from her narrow yards and the cut of her sails Harry said hethought was really a merchantman, which of course the Frenchman took herto be.
"But suppose she is not," said David.
"Then they will find out that they have caught a Tartar, and we shallget out of the power of this Monsieur Sourcrout," answered Harry;"however, we mustn't raise our hopes too high."
"The ship ahead has shown English colours," the boys heard from some ofthe crew, for they could not get a glass to look through. She, itseemed, did not like the appearance of the stranger, for she now set allsail and went off also directly before the wind. A stern chase is along chase, but if the chaser is a faster vessel than the chased, shewill come up with her at last. As the day drew on it was very evidentthat the schooner had gained very considerably on the chase. She wasseen to be an old-fashioned merchant vessel, a regular West Indiatrader, probably, which would afford a rich prize to the captors.
The excitement of the captain and officers was extreme. Already theyanticipated the rich booty which would soon be theirs.
"Oh! do you think those people on board that vessel will give in withoutfighting?" asked David.
"I think very likely not," said Harry; "we shall soon know; in less thanan hour we shall be alongside."
"What had we better do?" asked David.
"Stay on deck and see what takes place," said Harry.
"What, and run the chance of being shot?" said David; "I don't thinkthat would be wise."
"Well, let us wait and see till the time comes," said Harry, who wasevidently very unwilling to go below while any fighting was takingplace.
In the meantime the Frenchmen were very active in preparing the ship foraction. Arm-chests were thrown open, and arms were handed to each ofthe crew. The cutlasses were secured to their waists, and the pistolsthey stuck in their belts. The guns were cast loose and loaded, and theFrench ensign run up at the peak. The magazine was opened, and Harryand David were called aft by the captain, and told to go below.
"I knew that's what we should have to do," said Harry.
"Stand by, and hand up the powder as it is wanted," said the captain, inan authoritative tone, which there was no disobeying. Pierre and theother boys were employed in the same way.
"We shall have to carry the powder on deck in these tubs, and sit on ittill it is wanted," said Harry.
"And run as great a risk of being shot as any of the crew?" asked David.
"There's no help for it," said Harry. "If we refuse, the French skipperis just as likely to shoot us through the head as not. He's beenwaiting for this opportunity to have his revenge on us."
As soon as the guns were loaded, a fresh supply of powder was calledfor, and Harry and the other boys were ordered to carry it up on deck.There they sat in a row on the tubs which contained the bags of powder,looking anything but contented with their lot. The schooner now rapidlycame up with the merchant vessel,--for such there seemed no doubt wasthe character of the chase. Whether or not she would fight seemed aquestion. As they drew nearer, a considerable number of men were seenon deck, and she gave no signs of yielding. As soon as the Frenchman'sbow-chaser could be brought to bear, a shot was fired, but no reply wasgiven. Another and another followed in rapid succession. Neither ofthe shots took effect. At length the schooner got near enough to fire awhole broadside. As she was about to do so, the ship haul
ed up hercourses, and, standing across the Frenchman's bows, gave her a rakingbroadside which struck down several of her crew, and caused some littledamage to her masts and spars. Harry and David looked anxiously towardseach other. Neither of them was hurt, nor was Pierre, in whom they tooka warm interest. This opposition, however, seemed to excite the captainto the utmost pitch of fury. He stamped and swore, and ordered abroadside to be immediately poured into the English ship. The twovessels now ran on alongside each other. It was clear if the Englishvessel was to be taken, she would not be captured without a severestruggle. The Frenchman's guns were heavier and more numerous thanhers, and the crew were better trained to their use. This soon began totell. Several of her spars were soon shot away, and from the faintnessof her fire it seemed too probable that many of her crew had been killedor wounded. As long as the Frenchman's spars remained standing, toescape was hopeless, and her guns were therefore directed rather toknock away the Frenchman's masts than to kill the crew. In this,however, she was not successful, and several of her own spars were shotaway instead. At length the French captain, delivering anotherbroadside, ranged up alongside with the intention of boarding. Anattempt was made to avoid this, and boarding nettings were seen tricedup above the bulwarks of the English ship. Again the Frenchman ranalongside.
"They shall not foil us a second time," exclaimed the French captain;"no quarter if they do not yield."
Harry and David trembled for the fate of their unfortunate countrymen onboard the merchantman. Just then the English ensign was seen to descendfrom the peak. Those on board the English vessel thought that furtherresistance was hopeless. The Frenchmen swarmed up the sides, and werequickly in possession of the English ship.
"We'll follow, and see what takes place," said Harry; "we may perhapshelp some of the poor people."
As there was no one to interfere with them, they were soon on themerchantman's deck. Some five or six of the crew lay dead, while threeor four others, badly wounded, were being conveyed below. The Frenchcaptain, by his gestures, seemed disappointed at not having his expectedrevenge, and he was abusing the English captain for having attempted tooppose him. A man stood by, receiving the swords of the captain andseveral other persons, who seemed to be gentlemen. Harry and Davidobserved one whose face had been turned away from them at first.
"Harry," exclaimed David, "I'm sure that's Captain Rymer. If Mary is onboard, how dreadful for her!"
"It's very like him," said Harry; "I'm afraid it must be him. But howcould he have come on board the ship? We shall soon know, at allevents--I will try and speak to him."
As may be supposed, even their dearest friends would not have known thetwo lads in their tarry clothes, and their faces begrimed with powder.As soon as the French captain and his followers went below to examinethe cargo of the ship, Harry and David stole up to the gentleman whomthey supposed to be Captain Rymer. He was indeed their friend.
"What, lads!" he exclaimed, looking at them, "are you really alive? Iam thankful to find you so, even in this plight."
Harry rapidly explained how they came to be on board the French vessel.
"And is Mary with you?" asked Harry, eagerly.
"Yes, and there are several other ladies in the cabin below. They haveshut themselves in, and I trust will receive no annoyance from theFrenchmen."
"I don't think we should be seen talking with you," said Harry, "becausewe may hope to be of some assistance, although we don't see clearly howthat is to be just yet."
The Frenchmen seemed highly elated at finding they had captured anunusually rich prize, and were in a very good humour, in spite of theloss of a few of their number. The dead were soon thrown overboard, andthe wounded placed in the doctor's hands out of sight, the decks washeddown, and most of the traces of the combat done away with. A pickedcrew of the Frenchmen was sent on board the English merchantman, whichit seemed the intention of the captain to carry into the nearest port inthe West Indies belonging to France. Harry and David could not bear thethoughts of being separated from Captain Rymer, and resolved to stowthemselves away on board the English vessel, hoping they might not bemissed. Among the prize crew were, to their great satisfaction, theirgood-natured friends Jacques Rossillion and Pierre Lamont. The firstlieutenant came to take the command. The Frenchmen more than doubledthe remainder of the English crew, who, however, were expected to assistin working the ship. Scarcely had these arrangements been made when astrong breeze sprang up. The boats were hoisted in, and the two vesselsseparated. The wind increased very rapidly, and so heavy a sea got upthat it would have been dangerous for a boat to pass from one vessel tothe other. Before long, however, the schooner ranged up near the ship.
"You have got those two English boys on board; give them therope's-end," shouted the French captain, who, apparently, had only justthen discovered that Harry and David had escaped him.
The French lieutenant replied that he would see to it, and again thevessels separated. He, however, had never looked at them in the samesurly way the other officers had done, and as they took good care tokeep out of his sight, he seemed to forget the orders he had received.The wind went on increasing till it seemed likely to become a regularhurricane. The management of the ship completely occupied the Frenchcrew, so that they had but little time to look after their prisoners.The English captain and his officers were ordered to remain as prisonersin one of the cabins with a sentinel placed over them, but the rest ofthe crew were allowed to go about at liberty.
"Don't you think it would be possible to get back the ship?" said Harryto David. "Shall I propose to make the attempt to Captain Rymer?"
"If it was not for Mary and the other ladies," said David, "he mightconsent; but the risk to them would be too fearful were we to fail."
Hitherto they had not had the opportunity of seeing Mary. Finding,however, that the Frenchmen as well as the English crew were engaged inmaking the ship snug, they stole aft and found their way to the cabindoor.
"May we come in?" said Harry.
"Yes, yes," answered a voice, which they thought was Mary's.
When, however, they opened the door and presented themselves, for aminute Mary could scarcely recognise them, so changed were they sincethe day they had parted from her after the picnic--Harry in his brightnew uniform, and David in his trim yachtsman's attire. Now their hairwas long, their cheeks were sunken, at least so far as could be seenthrough the powder which begrimed them, and their dresses were coveredfrom head to foot with tar; still, the moment they spoke, she sprangforward and took them warmly by the hands.
"Oh, I am so thankful that you have not been lost, as we thought youwere," she exclaimed, and the tears came into her eyes; "this is a verysad way of meeting, but still I hope God will protect us all, and I amthankful to see you both."
Most of the ladies, who were all passengers, were eager to hear of theboys' adventures. These they briefly gave. Some, however, were toofrightened by the sound of the hurricane, and the tossing and rolling ofthe ship, to listen to them.
"Do you think there is any danger?" at last asked Mary of Harry.
"I hope not," said Harry, "but Captain Rymer knows more about it than Ido."
Captain Rymer, who at this moment entered the cabin, looked somewhatanxious, though he endeavoured to speak in a cheerful voice, and beganto express his satisfaction at the escape of his young friends from thenumerous dangers to which they had been exposed. Night was now comingon, and it was evident that the ship was in the midst of a regular WestIndian hurricane. The French officer was evidently a good seaman, anddid all that could be done under the circumstances for the safety of theship. The topgallant-masts were struck, and every sail was furledexcept a closely reefed fore-topsail, with which the ship ran before thegale. Night had now come on; the wind, as is generally the case duringa hurricane, shifted so much that it was difficult to ascertain in whatdirection she was driving. Captain Rymer several times went on deck,but had a not very satisfactory report to give
on his return.
"As long as the ship does not spring a leak we have nothing to fear,however," he observed.
Still the ship rolled and pitched so much that it seemed scarcelypossible that a structure of wood and iron could hold together. Thepoor ladies had to sit on the deck of the cabin and hold on by the legsof the table, while the lamp swung backwards and forwards in a way thatthreatened every instant to cause its fracture. Harry and David, thoughthey had seen enough of storms, agreed to go up on deck and see what wastaking place. One glance satisfied them. The mountain seas, coveredwith white foam, were rolling up on either side of the ship, andthreatened every instant to come down upon her deck. They gladlydescended again.
"I don't at all like the look of things, I confess," said David. "Aslong, however, as Captain Rymer is satisfied that all is right, soshould we be."